Hello, kiddies! I am truly sorry for making you all wait this long. The truth to that is that I lost the "fire" to continue the story. All the energy that brought this story about seemed to have disappeared in me. So, I allowed a long hiatus to sort of just "rekindle" the little flares that was left in me...Like the fire metaphor? Its so appropriate for the story, don*t you think? Anyway, I felt that the story can*t stop here. I owe it to my readers to finish, so I looked for inspiration in all places*watched the HP movies, read PoA again and again, etc. And now, I*m back and better than ever! Well, maybe I just back.
A big awareness to all now the HP and the Order of the Phoenix arrived, that this fic and its prequel was written way before it came out. So naturally I, being human, have most information incorrect. However, I still intend in continuing as if OotP does not exist and that it*s my universe! HAHAHA! Actually, what I was trying to say is that since I am right smack dab in the middle, I have no choice but to continue this fic, although my information are wrong like a certain death of a certain character *hint *hint. No worries to spoilers on this from the 5th book. Oh, mind you, I'm gonna incorporate some truth-ness from the 5th book, nothing that you should be worried about. Understood? Hopefully.
Thanks to me cool reviewers: E.R., Kagome Kaori Gryffindor, Little Marauder/Elven Girl, an anonymous reviewer, and ambookworm247. Forward to the chapter…
Chapter 15: Things That Go Prophesizing in the Night
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The roar of the crowd could still be heard faintly from Hagrid's Hut. Sirius and Briana, however, did not seem to mind the noise that came outside. On the contrary, they were still in the same position for the past five minutes. They stood there with their arms around each other, and Briana's head rested on Sirius's chest. Not one of them spoke since the proposal. Briana stood there against Sirius with her eyes closed. She could hear his heart beating and felt his chest slowly rise up and down.
"You know what this means, right?" asked Sirius, breaking the silence.
"That we're engaged again?" replied Briana.
"Just ought to make sure," said Sirius, pulling reluctantly away from her. "The hard part's telling everyone about it."
"Not to mention planning the wedding. Where? And when?"
"We've got a lot to do then." He checked what time it was on Hagrid's alarm clock. "We better head back. From the noise of it, I reckoned Gryffindor won." With that, he transformed back into the big, shaggy black dog and, with his paws, fumbled with the knob to open the door. He held it for Briana, and they both headed back to where James was still standing, awed--almost teary-eyed.
"Where have you two been?" he inquired sniffly. "You've missed a bloody good game! When Harry caught that Snitch--it was...it was bloody impressive!"
Briana raised one eyebrow. Sirius the dog made a sound.
Up at the common room of the Gryffindor Tower, Gryffindors celebrated their first win of the year. Against Hermione's wishes, Dobby and another house-elf had snuck in loads and loads of food and pumpkin juice from the kitchens. The Gryffindors were gladdened by this gesture and wasted no time digging in the food.
"Thanks for the food, Dobby," said Harry, as Dobby climbed onto the fireplace with his friend. "Really appreciated it. Glad I don't have to use Dad's Invisibility Cloak and head down to Honeydukes to nick off some sweets."
"Anything Dobby can do for Harry Potter! Dobby is delighted to see that Mr. Harry caught that Snitch. Dobby also saw that Harry Potter's father in tears outside of the pitch. He is really proud of Harry Potter, he is!"
Harry found himself blushing when Dobby had said this. When he realized what Dobby had said, he asked, "How did you know my parents--"
"We is house-elves, sir. We knows everything," said the house-elf next to Dobby.
"Well, then can you not tell anyone about that? It's sort of confidential."
"We'll do, sir! Good-bye, Harry Potter! Congrat--" with that the both of them disappeared into flames.
Harry turned around and got back to the party. He walked to the couch where Ron and Hermione sat. Ron had his arm around Hermione, and she was resting on his left shoulder. He seated himself on the armchair in front of them. They were busy enjoying, erm, each other's company (A/N: in short, they snogging their pants off! Ha! But in a PG way, heh, this IS PG). Harry felt uncomfortable and tried his best to not ogle them. At last, the two pulled away from each other. Ron noticed Harry sitting in front of them.
"Harry, nice game we had today, eh?" he said, turning into a deep shade of red.
Hermione got up and straightened herself before muttering something about getting more food. She quickly walked away. Ron twiddled his thumbs. At last, Harry couldn't take it anymore.
"So what is the real deal with you and Hermione, anyway? We haven*t really established the details."
"Erm, I thought we did," lied Ron. Harry gave him a look.
"Ron, I am your ruddy best friend and, damn it, I deserve some sort of story. Come on, spill it."
"There's really nothing to tell," said Ron, avoided Harry's gaze. "We just started this whole thing around the summer while you were away. I don't know. It seemed right. I can't really explain it. I know Hermione came over the summer, and I've been trying to work up all the confidence to tell her. I never told anyone how I felt, not even you. Well, it seemed like there wasn't any appropriate time, I mean we were always busy saving someone or something. You know, heroic stuff..."
Harry smiled a little. He knew that when Ron rambles on about something, he must really feel greatly about it. "All right, all right! I only asked for a story, not a book. So you liked Hermione but never gotten a chance to get her alone to tell her so. But last summer you did because I wasn't there. I get it..." There was a brief pause on each other's part. Then Harry spoke again, "Do you really like Hermione?"
"Well," said Ron, "I've never felt anything like I feel for Hermione." At this Harry grinned. Hermione came back with two pumpkin juice and loads of food.
"Thanks, Hermione, is that for me?" asked Harry in mock innocence and pointed at the pumpkin juice.
Hermione hesitated and said slowly, "Harry, sorry, but this is actually for Ron and me." Hermione blushed and looked uneased.
"Look, you two," said Harry. "I hate this, to tell you the truth. You two always looking like this when I'm around. I'm not your bloody father, all right? I'm not going to kill you every time you make some sort of move with each other. I'm your best friend. You two may not admit it, but you really like each other. And I can see that. I am very happy for it. But, damn it, stop being so strange with me!" Half of the common room became quiet and turned their attention now to Harry.
"Harry--"
"Just a moment, Ron. I don't know what sort of game you're both playing at. Trying to avoid this situation. But, hey, we have to talk about this some time. So how about it, guys? The truth for once. The whole truth?"
Hermione sat down next to room, unaware that the whole common room was now undividedly listening to them. "The truth? Honestly, we haven't kept anything from you."
"We just haven't told you everything. But like I said, it happened in the summer. I told Hermione how I felt and she told me how she felt and it just..."
"Clicked," finished Hermione and smiled at Ron. "We didn't want to talk about it because we haven't really gained full awareness of the situation. Last summer we were just inseparable--much to Mrs. Weasley's dismay. When school began, we just agreed that it was better to not touch up on it."
"But there was a problem. We didn't tell you yet. We agreed to tell you when the time was right. But there wasn't a right time. Between things that were coming up and all."
"So now's the right time," said Harry hotly. Hermione and Ron looked at each other.
"I know that I really like Ron. I was afraid that he wouldn't return the feelings because, well, our relationship as friends wasn't really that great. We bickered most of the time. I was also afraid that if I told him and doesn't return the feelings back, then it would never be the same."
"So I risked it last summer. Because I really wanted to know how she felt. I told her that I really liked her, and for a great while now. We sort of laughed about it first, then..."
"The rest was history," concluded Hermione. Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors were silent. A few sniffles were heard far from the three.
He looked at their hands entwined with each other, and their faces set upon him. He couldn't fully understand how they felt, as he never felt that way before. He thought that maybe it felt like the way he felt for Cho Chang when he was in his third and fourth year. How he worked up the courage to finally ask her to the Yule Ball, only to be turned down. However, she did agreed to go the Icicle Ball with him last year. When he thought about this, a girl with red hair flashed into his mind--Ginny. He never admitted it but he felt something for her that he never felt with Cho or anyone else. But Ginny was Ron's sister!
"Harry?" Ron said, interrupting his thoughts. "You've been awfully quiet. What do you think? You hate us? Do you forgive us? Say something."
"Hate? I don't hate you guys. In fact, I'm not really anything to you. I'm just upset that you left me out on this. But just promise that you won't hurt each other really bad that we can't be friends anymore." He pushed his thoughts of Ginny in the back of his head and added, "And remember that I wasn't angry about this. Therefore, in the future, when I do the same or similar to the like, just remember that I was all right about you and Hermione."
"All right, we promise," said Hermione and Ron in unison. Harry and the Gryffindors laughed.
Seamus, who was standing a few feet from them, said, "All right, enough of the mushiness! Let's get the party rolling again!" With this, the Gryffindors got back to chatting and laughing and having a great time.
Amidst the noise, Lana stood up on one of the tables and said, "So this is how it feels to win against Slytherin. I wonder how it feels to win against them again for the Cup!"
The Gryffindors cheered loudly. "Well, it certainly feels way better than this," remarked Harry.
"Harry! Why don't you come up and say a few wise words to the Gryffindors? You've been playing quidditch for the team longer than we all have. What do you say, Captain?" shouted Lana.
Harry gulped at the prospect of having to speak in front of crowds again. It was bad enough that he got nervous when he spoke to the team in the Locker Rooms. He got up and strode to the table Lana was standing on. Lana stretched her arm down to Harry to help him up, but Harry shook his head.
"I*m all right here," he said. Then he turned to everyone, who listened intently like before. He cleared his throat. "Let's see...Er, We have won two years now. And it's been hell of two years too. We owed it all to strength, determination, and Oliver Wood. He really trained us well, most especially me. Without his madness and obsession to winning, we wouldn't be where are now. Also, our team wouldn't catch the same madness and obsession he has conveniently handed down to us. To Gryffindor!" He raised his goblet of pumpkin juice.
"TO GRYFFINDOR!"
* * *
"...And I want a full research essay on it. Three feet will do, and it shall be turned in to my desk first thing the day it is due, which will be...three weeks from now shall do?" asked Professor Mcgonagall amidst the groans of her Gryffindor sixth-year class.
"How about four weeks, Professor?" Dean Thomas had dared asked. "We have essays due for Professor Evans, Flitwick, and Binns."
"Yeah, and it's not even the Christmas holidays yet," complained Seamus. "Not that it's important, Professor."
"Hmm...Yes, well, it is not important, Mr. Finnigan. You are quite correct about that. Knowledge does not take vacations, most especially to sixth-years."
The class held its breath as Professor Mcgonagall stood in front of them lost in thought.
"Well, another week prolongs me from having to correct your papers before the holidays. I suppose it will be all right," she said over the class's hoots. "But, it shall be extended to three feet and a half feet." With this the class once again groaned.
Once the class had settled down, Professor Mcgonagall spoke again. "I am glad you had brought up the holidays, Mr. Finnigan. As you all remember, last year the Headmaster decided to bring back a tradition that is the Icicle Ball. I am sure that all of you are excited to know that the Ball shall again take place this year on seven o'clock at the last night of the term. It shall be in the Great Hall."
Murmurs of excitement spread throughout the students. Ron cast a meaningful look to Hermione, who smiled back. Harry felt disappointed, not that he secretly wanted to ask Hermione, but that fact that this year, he didn't know who to ask. He was so caught up with his parents being alive and his power that he hadn't thought much of girls lately. Well, only one girl had crossed his mind so many times this past week. The girl was none other than Ginny Weasley. He hadn't talked to her in a long time, only because he had avoided her. He couldn't bear to make gurgling sounds in front of her when she tried to start a conversation. Maybe he could ask her to the Ball. After all, he wasn't thinking of asking anyone else. He certainly did not want to ask Parvati or Lavender, as they were a little annoying to be around a whole night of dancing and talking. Ron sure wouldn't mind, as he was only going to ask her to the Ball and not proposing to marry him. Or would he?
"One more announcement," Professor Mcgonagall said over the excitement, "To all interested in visiting their parents over the holidays, sign up here on my desk after class."
Ron tapped Harry on the shoulder, interrupted his thoughts. "What do you reckon?"
"Erm, I don't know. But I'm sure I'm not going to ask your sister," blurted out Harry, not knowing what he meant by that.
"No, not the Ball. I meant the holidays. Are you going back to the Burrow this Christmas? Or are you staying at the Summer House with Professor Sullivan?"
"I don't know," said Harry hesitantly.
The bell rang that signaled the end of the class. A small group of crowd gathered in front of Professor Mcgonagall's desk.
"I suppose you want to spend your first Christmas with your parents. So I should've have asked," said Ron, looking down at his shoes.
"Well, I reckoned I can ask them if we can visit you during the holidays," said Harry. At this, Ron's face lit up.
"All right!" he said as they headed off to the Great Hall for dinner.
They were climbing down the stairs to the entrance hall. Most of the students bustled around the entrance hall trying to get into the Great Hall. When they stepped off the last step, a voice called out to them from across the hall.
"Oy Weasley!" the voice of Draco Malfoy boomed across the hall. Some people stopped to make way for Malfoy and his two burly friends, only because Crabbe and Goyle had shoved them. "Is it true, Weasley? You and this Mudblood are an item?"
Ron grew red around the ears but remained silent.
"Ha! So it is true! You think she can give you some brains? Well, I should have known you would go out with her. I mean you can't find even more filthier Mudblood than her."
Ron let out a fuming sound and started on Malfoy. Hermione and Harry held him back by his robes.
"I say that would be enough out of you, Mr. Malfoy. Before I tell your Head of House about your potty mouth," said Professor Evans, who had come down the stairs and were right behind Harry now. "And detention for you for calling Ms. Granger here that filthy name," she added, unable to say the word.
Malfoy made a sign of protest but had no choice to go into the Great Hall with his thugs trudging behind him.
"Well, like father like son," Professor Evans whispered to the three. She smiled at them and headed off to the Great Hall.
Ron was still fuming as they sat at the Gryffindor table. He cast several angry looks at the Slytherin table where Malfoy sat gloating at something another Slytherin had told him. Harry caught a few swear words and "I'll flush your head down the toilet, you blond-haired ferret" from under Ron's breath. Hermione gave him an anxious look.
"So, the Icicle Ball. Reckoned you two will go with each other," said Dean Thomas, who just came with Seamus and Neville. They sat down next to the three and helped themselves with dinner.
"Who do you reckoned you should ask, Harry?" asked Neville. "I was thinking of asking Clarissa Northam from Ravenclaw."
"I'm going to ask Padma Patil," said Dean.
"Didn't you went out with her sister?"
"So?" replied Dean uneasily.
"Who are you planning to ask, Harry?" repeated Neville. Harry poked about his baked potato, not daring to look up.
"Yeah, mate, who are you planning to ask? Cho Chang again?" inquired Ron.
"No," mumbled Harry. "I heard she's going out with Roger Davies. They'll probably want to go to the Ball with each other."
"Well, you can always go alone. You know, stag," said Hermione casually, sipping her goblet of pumpkin juice.
"No way! Absolutely not! That's bloody humiliating!" exclaimed Seamus.
"Oh," said Hermione, narrowing her eyes at him, "is it? There's nothing wrong with going alone to a Ball." Seamus scoffed.
"You are so lucky, Ginny. I mean three offers already. That's got to be tough," said one of Ginny's friends.
"Why are you so lucky for?" asked Ron, who watched Ginny intently. She took a seat next to Hermione.
"I've been asked to the Icicle Ball by three people. That's all," answered Ginny. She caught Ron's eyes and opened mouth. "It's not like I've made a decision yet. I mean I don't really know who I really want to go with."
"And do these gits know that fact?" inquired Ron rather loudly. "I don't want these prats following you around like puppies, Ginny. Tell them you're not interested."
"They do, Ron. I already told them that I'm not sure."
"That's not telling them off, Ginny!" exclaimed Ron. Ginny looked down right indignant, but Ron continued, "What if they hurt you, Ginny? What if they stalk you till they get a straight answer? You know, I don't think you should be going to the Ball with blokes like them. I think you should go with Neville again." Neville made a small noise from chewing his chops.
Hermione snorted. "Ron, stop it. Ginny has every right to do whatever she wants. If she doesn't want to go with Neville, she won't. No offense, Neville."
Ginny, very irritated, desired to change the subject. Her attention turned to (gulp) Harry. She turned to him and asked, "Are you coming back to the Burrow this Christmas?"
"Erm...I'm not very sure," replied Harry, very glad that he was able to carry out a conversation with Ginny. "Although, I really want to. It would be really nice."
Ginny's friend whispered something in her ear and giggled. Ginny hesitated and said, "We're going to the common room now. We'll see you later. Bye Harry."
Did he hear it right or did Ginny said good-bye especially to him. Stop it, said a small voice. She's your best friend's sister. Isn't there a rule somewhere out there about that? His spirit sank a little. He felt guilty about his feelings with Ginny, and how deep inside he desired to ask her to the ball. It didn't matter to Ron when he decided not to tell you all the details about his relationship with Hermione. If you can call it a relationship, argued the voice. Harry felt a pang of anger. That's right. So there was no need to feel very guilty after all. Well, not wholly.
"Where are we going, Professor?" asked Harry to Briana as they ascended the stairs to the Great Hall. Earlier that day, Briana sent Harry a note in Charms class. She had asked him to meet her at the Potions dungeon after dinner. She had stressed it was quite urgent. However, she did not elaborate on the reason. Harry had guessed it had something to do with the Heirs of Hogwarts.
"To the Forbidden Forest," she simply said and strode even faster.
"But I thought no student can go into the Forest at night."
"Well, that didn't stop you before, has it? Besides, we are going to be extra careful."
They descended the stone steps and out to the grounds. It was exceptionally dark outside except for a dim lighting of the moon high over the lake. Harry could see the flickering light through Hagrid's windows. A cold wind blew that Harry wrapped his robe around him tighter. They trudged against the snow faster and faster. Briana was a little ahead of Harry, who had difficulty keeping up. It's so cold, he thought. He let out a breath from his mouth and saw a mist formed in front of him for a moment.
"Come to think of it, Harry, perhaps it would be best if you keep a close distance to me," said Briana. He couldn't tell but she glanced side to side as if trying to see if the coast was clear. "You better go in front of me and I'll tell you where to stop."
He followed the path where he first entered the Forest with Hagrid in his first year. "Lumos," he whispered. A faint flow erupted from his wand like a tiny, bright orb upon his wand. The Forest was quite dark with darker patches of shadows from which Harry could tell were trees. They walked silently on the path till Briana pulled his robe indicated him to stop. They halted in a shadowy glade, only dully illuminated by Harry's wand.
"What are we doing here?" Harry whispered. He knew well not to keep a loud voice in the Forbidden Forest, for dangerous creatures lurked everywhere.
"Ssh...Listen." Soft hooves could be heard approaching them from somewhere opposite them. Another moment, a huge figure loomed into view. It had a human upper body with blond hair and a palomino horse body. It was Firenze, the centaur Harry met in his first year.
"Good evening, Firenze," said Briana courteously. She nudged Harry hard on the ribs indicated that she wanted him to do the same.
"Ow. Er, good evening," he said, rubbing his left side.
"Mars is unusually bright tonight," was all he could say. Harry furrowed his brows and remembered that phrase was said long time ago. Harry was confused.
"Indeed, but it has been for quite sometime now," remarked Briana, who seemed to understand it. Harry glanced up to her. Her expression was indecipherable.
Firenze surveyed them both for a moment. Briana took this as a good sign to continue. "We are here, because of Harry Potter. He needs to get his first prophecy."
"My what—" Briana gave him another nudge at his ribs.
"Has he received the Heir Message?" Briana nodded. "Well, as you know, my herd would not approve of this meeting. You had your first prophecy with a Mage Master, am I right?"
"Yes, but I am not capable of acquiring a seer at the moment. However, centaurs are more superior to the prophecies than any humans could ever be."
"I am not like the others centaurs, so you mustn't need to patronize me. Very well, come closer and I shall provide you with a prognostication."
Briana nudged Harry again, but this time to urge him forward. He walked slowly up to Firenze, who towered in front of him.
"Very well, Heir of Gryffindor, bearer of the Torch of Righteousness," said Firenze to Harry, "You were informed that of Gryffindors being courageous, some exceedingly brave than others. However, young one, courage and strength are not the only tools you will need to face the imminent perils of the future. Specifically in the near future, before the Twins wane in the western skies and the Lion once again rule the constellations," Firenze trailed off. He took two steps forward with his front legs so that he and Harry were a foot from each other. His pale eyes bore down at Harry with potent wisdom. This made Harry feel as if Firenze was reading his mind. He started to feel quite uncomfortable. "Be fully aware, Young Gryffindor, that the fates shall fall upon your hands and you shall come upon a forked path. Choice wisely and thoroughly before deciding what shall you do, to rid the world of the only evil it has yet to face or save the one you love." Of this he said no more. He turned to Briana and said, "The Fates will play on you also. Do not falter. Strengthen your will as time comes. Your judgment and heart shall be clouded. Hark! Do not waiver all hope, for love shall truly conquer."
Harry looked at Briana and saw that her face was set. She looked as if she fully understood what Firenze said. Harry, in the other hand, did not. His head spun, and he felt as if his brain had overflowed with the information Firenze had given him, all of which had not made sense. The fates shall fall upon your hands...you shall come upon a forked path? He was deeply lost in thought that he didn't realized that Briana bid Firenze good night. The centaur's hooves softly trotted off into the night. It was only when Briana tugged on his sleeve that Harry was brought out of his trance.
"Ready?"
They marched off in silence back into the path that they used to enter the Forest. Harry was ahead of Briana, Both were silent until they reached the grounds again. Harry was full of questions that could not wait till they were safely within the confined walls of Hogwarts. However, before he could speak, Briana said,
"So your first prophecy, eh? How does it feel?" Harry shrugged.
"What did it all mean? I mean half of the things he said did not make any sense to me at all."
"Well, I don't expect you to. After all, it is your first prophecy. When I had my first, it was difficult for me to understand too."
"Why is it important for me to have a prophecy, anyway? Why did I have to get it from Firenze? What did he mean about I have the fates fall upon my hands and I either have to save the world or a loved one?" he blurted out. He was getting impatient with all the thoughts that swarmed his brain.
"Hmm...The first question, it's important because as an Heir, you are entitled to know what's ahead, what you have to do—or job as an Heir of Hogwarts. Anyway, it's just a prophecy, not the Prophecy, which we'll discuss later if what Firenze said comes true. You had to get it from Firenze because, well, I couldn't get a last minute Seer to see you," she answered sheepishly, as they climbed up the stone steps into the entrance hall, which was almost deserted except for a few students leaving to their commons. Briana beckoned Harry to follow her down the dungeons. They climbed down the stairs that led to Snape's office, which showed a slightly warmer look to it than it did when he first visited it in his second year. She drew out a chair with a wave of her hand and told him to sit down on it.
"I thought that since Hogwarts inhabited herds of centaurs, I can somehow persuade one to take a look at you," she continued as she sat down on a chair behind her desk. "Mind you, it wasn't easy. There was a great deal of argument, every centaur, of course, spoke in Riddles so it was difficult to understand. I'm not so fluent in Riddles—"
"Riddles?"
"Yes, Riddles, a sort of language between centaurs. Much of what you heard tonight was spoken Riddles, meaning that you had to listen between lines to try to figure out what they are saying. Rowena Ravenclaw was fluent in Riddles and so is Uncle Albus. In fact, she was the one who persuaded them to stay, no matter what the Ministry tells you. She drafted and helped pass the Centaur Habitual Consent Act. Anyway, about your prophecy, Harry, I'm quite stumped too, especially that part about you deciding between fighting against evil and saving the one you love."
"I think it means that I either have to destroy Voldemort, or save someone I love."
"Yes, I was thinking the similar, but who could be the one you love, Harry? It could be anyone."
"I think it's my parents. I mean they're the ones I love right? Firenze said that I have to choose wisely."
Briana thought for a moment. She rubbed her eyes and said, "But the prophecy stated that only one person whom you love, not two, Harry. I don't know. I have to think more about this."
Harry sat there looking at her as she put her hands on her face, obviously frustrated that she couldn't make a straight assumption. "How about your prophecy tonight? Strengthen your will and love shall conquer everything? Does it have something to do with Sirius?"
Briana gazed at him in between her hands. "Perhaps, he's the only one I love, isn't he?" She had a strange gleam in her eyes, like a hidden excitement. "I'll tell you what, I'll give these things more thought and we'll talk more about it another time. You should get going and go back to your common room. Filch might see you."
Harry got up and left Briana alone in Snape's office. He slowly ascended the stairs to the entrance hall and didn't bother to look twice around to see if Filch or Mrs. Norris was around. He was simply lost in thought again. He ran what Firenze said in the forest again and again in his mind. It simply didn't make any sense at all to him. Read between the lines, he remembered Briana say. The ones he loved were his parents, but does that mean he can only save one of them? What about Voldemort? Firenze said that he would have a chance to destroy him once and for all. A forked path, fates shall be placed upon your hands...Who will he choose? He didn't want his parents to leave him, he thought, but the chance to destroy Voldemort and evil forever?
With these thoughts, he got dressed and climbed into his four-poster bed. As he drew his covers up to his chest, he felt a knot in his stomach, clearly not knowing what to do.
It was Saturday morning when Harry again received a note from Briana asking him, this time, to go to Professor Dumbledore's office. This note also stated that Ron and Hermione were to accompany him. She gave him the password ("Earwax Flavored Bean") and impressed upon him how their presences were important.
"What do you think she wants from us?" asked Hermione as they headed to the stone gargoyle that stood in front of Dumbledore's office entrance.
"Maybe she wanted us to hear a prophecy," suggested Ron. Harry told them about the night he and Briana had gone into the Forest. Hermione seemed far interested in his prophecy and volunteered to help him decipher it. Harry gave the password to the gargoyle. It came to life and stood aside to let them pass. They climbed on the moving staircase and found themselves in an office full of people. There was Remus Lupin, James and Lily Potter, Samantha Abberton, Alastor Moody, Sirius Black, Briana Sullivan, and Professor Dumbledore. All of them were absorbed in a conversation as to why they were here.
"Honestly, Annie, I had to think of some sort of an excuse to get out of quidditch practice," Samantha was saying. "Now I have to do fifteen extra laps tomorrow! Fifteen! Blimey, can you believe that?"
"You're not the only one preoccupied," grunted Alastor Moody.
"Oh?" asked Lily, with her eyes gleaming. "And what sort of things have you been preoccupied with?"
Moody was about to reply to this when, to Harry's guess, his magical eye turned toward them. "Well, the gang's all here, then. Potter, Weasley, and Granger are here."
Briana, whose right hand was clasped tightly with Sirius's left hand, turned around to face them and smiled. "Well, I guess we could get started. Come join us, you three."
As they got nearer, Harry could get a better scene of everything. His parents sat on two chairs that where right in front of Dumbledore's desk. Samantha stood at the left corner next to the window and stroked Fawkes the Phoenix, whose feathers where falling out leaving a pile of red feathers on the bottom of his cage. Harry could tell he was nearing his death. Remus stood not far from Samantha and observed her with deep affection in his eyes. Moody leaned at the end of Dumbledore's desk and gazed at them with both his eyes. Dumbledore sat on his chair behind his desk and looked up at the ceiling. Sirius and Briana stood in the middle of them all.
"Don't be shy. Come and take seats over here," grinned Sirius, gestured to them to take the three empty seats to the left of Harry's parents. Sirius, as Harry could tell, looked possibly ecstatic, and this made him look a great deal younger—like in the picture of his parents' wedding. "All right, it's wonderful that you all are here. We've been trying to gather everyone before, but couldn't find a very good time to have everyone here."
"What?" interrupted James.
"What Sirius was trying to say is that we've been looking for a right time to," Briana paused to look at Sirius, "tell you all our good news."
"You're not telling us you're getting married, are you?" blurted James out, straightened up from his chair. Briana's lightened face suddenly turned into a slight frown.
"Or they could be telling us that Briana's pregnant," suggested Remus.
Lily rolled her eyes. "Typical Marauder conversation. So, what is your news, Annie?"
"Well," said Briana slowly, "James said it already. Sirius and I are engaged." There was a great deal of joyful noise. Everyone who was seated got up to congratulate them.
"Again? That's wonderful!" said Samantha and gave Briana a hug.
"I can't believe you ruined this moment for me, Prongs," said Sirius with mock anger.
"Well, did you remember when Lily and me tried break the news of our engagement?" asked James, putting his left hand on Sirius's left shoulder. He raised an eyebrow meaningfully.
Sirius thought for a moment and said, "Good point."
"Congratulations, Professor Sullivan!" exclaimed Hermione.
"When's the wedding date?" asked Ron.
"Well, we thought about it and decided that sometime during the Christmas holidays," said Briana.
"Or on Christmas day itself," said Sirius. "Briana always wanted a Christmas wedding."
He looked at Harry who stood beside Lupin with his hands in his pants pockets. He was beaming and grinning at him. "How do you feel about this, Harry? You're all right with me marrying you godmother?"
"I'm a bit taken aback," grinned Harry, "but I think I'll manage."
