A/N Harry Potter and all related characters, places and terms belong to JK Rowling and/or (not sure which) Warner Brothers.

This chapter is a lot of talking, and the action is (hopefully!) going to begin to happen. Sorry if the last two chapters have been a bit slow and short.

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Chapter 3: Predictions and Revelations

"Albus!" James cried, jumping forward and hugging Dumbledore. "It's so good to see you!"

Albus Dumbledore gave a little chuckle, returning the hug.

"It's good to see you, too James. It's been a long time. How's Lily doing?"

"Oh, she's fine. The baby's going well too."

Albus led him towards a chair. "Sit down James."

James looked around. Dumbledore's office was exactly the same as he remembered it. The old headmasters who weren't sleeping were smiling down at him, and he smiled back waving. They all remembered the messy-haired Head Boy prankster with fondness. Fawkes the golden phoenix was sitting on his perch, and flew over to sit James' shoulder. Patting the bird, James sat down, as did Dumbledore.

"James, the reason I asked you here is, well, Professor Trelawney made a prediction."

James laughed. "And…"

Dumbledore looked sternly at James. "Why are you laughing?"

Still snorting, James looked Dumbledore straight in the eye. "Sorry Albus, but I did Divination."

"Ahhh, that's right. I forgot. Well, I can see your point, and although I don't necessary agree with Sybil all the time, I do believe her prediction was real this time."

"What makes you say that, Albus?" James asked, disbelief still ringing in his voice.

Albus Dumbledore was a patient man, but he knew that no matter what he said, James wouldn't believe him. "Maybe I should show you, James."

Going to a cupboard at the side of his office, Dumbledore took out a shallow stone basin filled with a silvery, moving substance. It was round, and had runes and symbols carved around the top.

"Do you know what a Pensieve is?"

"Yes, I've come across a few in some of the Death Eater's houses." He gave an involuntary shudder. "The memories in them were horrific."

"Well, this one has been in my possession for some time. I figured that Sybil's prediction would be needed later, so I recorded it." He poked the contents of the bowl with his wand, and the silvery light-looking substance swirled around faster and faster until it turned transparent and the Divination class came into view. "Shall we?"

"Certainly, but it's not going to make any difference - "

"Trust me James. You'll want to see this." And with that, Fawkes flew back to his perch, and Albus took hold of his former student's arm and stuck his hand into the shining substance.

* * *

James stood up and brushed himself off. He had landed in a bit of heap on the Divination classroom's floor. The classroom, as always, was host to a roaring fire and a large army of pouffes and little tables. Albus was sitting in a comfortable-looking armchair, staring intently at Sybil Trelawney. Professor Trelawney was a strange-looking woman. She was very thin, and chains and beads hung off her neck, arms and hands. James had never liked Sybil Trelawney - he didn't really approve of frauds. He leant over and tapped Dumbledore on the shoulder.

"Albus" he whispered "when are we?"

There was a rich sort of chuckle behind him. Spinning around, there was Albus Dumbledore.

"Sorry James, I'm here. He" Albus nodded towards himself in the chair "doesn't exactly know you're here. This happened very early this morning. We were talking about possibly extending the classroom, and when I got up to leave…"

"The Dark Lord is rising…"

James turned towards the Divination teacher. Her whole body had gone rigid, and her eyes were rolling around in her head. The Albus that was getting up changed his mind and sat back down in the armchair. When Trelawney spoke, her voice was loud and harsh.

"The Dark Lord's power is growing - soon the world will be his. The Master of Gryffindor has one last chance to stop the Lord of Slytherin. If the last of the Order does not run, but stands his ground, then the reign of terror may finally come to an end. Slytherin should watch out, for if the last of the Phoenixes lives, then he will not. Blood flows deep and oaths stand true - and so the last Snake shall fall if the last Phoenix does not."

Trelawney blinked a couple of times, then raised her head. James turned to Dumbledore, who walked towards him.

"Do you believe me now, James?" he whispered. James nodded, and Dumbledore took his arm and led him back to his office.

* * *

James went to sit down, and Albus put the Pensieve back in its cupboard. When he was also seated, James spoke.

"I do believe you Albus, but what does it have to do with me? I mean, I'm sure not the - what was it? - Master of Gryffindor."

Dumbledore sighed. "No James, I'm the Gryffindor Sybil was referring to. Godric Gryffindor is my ancestor. You come in in the last part. Your grade here at Hogwarts was the most intelligent, resourceful and courageous Hogwarts has ever seen. Because of this, we chose some of you to create the Order of the Phoenix." James nodded his understanding. "Well, we never made this option available again. Because of this, you, James, were the last to join the Order."

It took a while for Dumbledore's statement to sink in. "I… I am the last of the Phoenixes?' Dumbledore nodded. "But it doesn't make sense Albus. There are others who could fight Voldemort better than I could."

"Wait James, there's more. You remember when you made an oath to the Order, that we told you that, unless they stated otherwise, your descendants would automatically become part of the Order? Your bloodline will make up a large part of the Order. Because Lily is pregnant, and no one else in the Order are parents or parents to be, this child will be the last of the Order. Do you see? If Voldemort ever gets wind of this prediction, he's going to come after you. It doesn't matter how well equipped you are to fight him, the fact is that it is you who has been chosen to do it."

James was dumbfounded. When he finally managed to find his voice again, it was to state a simple question. "What should we do?"

"Nothing for now. Just sit tight and lay low for a while. Try not to do anything that will get you back in the field at work, just keep your desk job for now. It's the safest thing to do. Tell Lily, she needs to know, but don't tell anyone else unless it's entirely necessary."

"All right Albus." He shook his head. "This is so surreal - are you sure it's me, Albus?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Why? Why me? I mean, me standing and fighting Voldemort? And my son, or daughter! How are we going to live with this over our heads?"

"I don't know James. Who knows why things happen like they do? Fate is a strange and wonderful thing. Besides, whatever happens will happen, for good or bad. Try not to think or worry about it too much." Dumbledore looked down at his watch. "Ah, look at the time! I presume, James, that you'll be joining us for lunch?"

James laughed. "I was hoping you'd ask, Albus. I don't think I've had a decent meal since I left this place. One last question though. Is Snape really teaching here?"

"Certainly. He proved quite adept at potion brewing, and when old Professor Aldine left a few years ago, he was the first and most qualified to apply for the job. Now, shall we go to lunch?"

James was still feeling a bit uneasy about his old rival, but didn't pursue the subject further. "Sure Albus. Lead the way!"

And with that, the two friends stood up and left via the revolving staircase.

* * *

James looked around the Entrance Hall. He was seated at the teacher's table, and was actually quite surprised. Time had worn down the magnificence of the place in his memory, and James had forgotten how large and spectacular the room was. It was a beautiful day, and the sun was shining down on the four house tables from the roof. There were few people seated, but soon he could hear the classes ending and the sound of many feet coming in his direction. Soon, all the seats were filled. James greeted teachers he remembered fondly, and others he remembered not so fondly. He received the biggest shock with the arrival of Professor Binns. While it was unmistakably him, the man that James had fallen asleep to in History of Magic had been alive. When James turned to ask Albus about the state of Hogwarts' most boring teacher, the headmaster gave a small chuckle.

"Don't tell him about it James. Some of us have a bet running to see how long it takes him to realise that his body is sitting in the staff room."

"You mean he doesn't know?"

"Well, we're not really sure. He's carried on doing exactly the same as he did when he was alive. It's been two months, you'd think you'd realise you were dead, wouldn't you? Minerva has decided to tell him at the start of next month if we still think he has no idea. Chicken, James?"

While they were talking, lunch had come up through the table. The legendary Hogwarts fare was as good as James remembered, if not better. Seated between Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, he had the best lunch he had had in quite a while. Looking down at the Gryffindor table, he saw a few familiar faces. The first years he remembered were now seventh years, and a few waved up at him when they saw him looking at them. He waved back, and wondered what was so funny. The Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables had been laughing behind their hands the whole lunch. Looking around, he realised and nearly laughed out loud himself. Severus Snape's face was contorted into a look of fury that none of the teachers had seen since James Potter left six years ago. James winked down at the three tables, and continued to eat his lunch with a smile on his face.

* * *

Lunch had finished, and James said his goodbyes to Professor McGonagall like he promised, as well as saying farewell to many of the teachers. Albus Dumbledore showed him out the door, and walked with him to the apparation point.

"Goodbye, James. I'll be in touch if there are any further developments. Just be careful."

"Sure Albus. I'll see you soon, OK?"

"Yes, I'm sure you will. Bye"

"Bye Albus, and thank you."

Albus nodded, and James left the way he came. Turning around, Albus Dumbledore walked back up the drive to the large oak front doors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

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OK, so nothing much actually did happen. Sorry if the prediction's a bit dodgy, but it's the best I could think of. This chapter is longer than both the other chapters put together. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and I must say that Kit Cloudkicker had an extremely intelligent professor. Next chapter is going to be Voldie, Snape and some Death Eaters, so stay tuned!

~*Lady*~