Chapter 22 - An Early Morning Meeting

Harry woke early the next morning and dressed quietly, hoping to be able to sneak out of the house before anyone woke up. He pulled on his trousers and grabbed his shoes.

Hermione turned sleepily on her side as Harry watched her sympathetically. She hadn't slept well all night. He wasn't sure if it was the stress of the previous day or the fact that the baby pressed against her lungs as she slept, making it slightly more difficult to breath. Either way, he hoped she slept late or else she would be exhausted all day.

Shoes still in hand, Harry tiptoed out of the room and downstairs. He slipped his shoes on once he hit the bottom step and immediately went to leave.

"Leaving so soon?"

Harry sighed inwardly and turned toward the voice.

Ron was sitting at the kitchen table watching Harry. "I didn't think you'd sneak out so soon."

"I'm not sneaking anywhere," said Harry, trying to keep the edge out of his voice. "I didn't want to wake anyone up."

Ron shrugged. "Where are you going?"

Harry glanced at his watch. It was still early. "I just have an appointment."

Ron raised his eyebrows. "This early?"

"Yeah," mumbled Harry. "Listen, I just want to get this over with. When Hermione wakes up will you tell her that I'll be back this afternoon?"

"Yeah, whatever," said Ron.

Harry sighed deeply and reached for the door handle. "You know," he said turning again and looking Ron in the eye. "I know things haven't been the same between us since I left, but you're still my best friend." He turned away again. "I just wanted you to know."

Ron studied him carefully. "I'm sorry, Harry. I just can't figure you out anymore."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Said Harry, turning back.

"Just that. You say we're still best friends, but I don't know who you are anymore. You changed two years ago and I've been wondering where my best friend has been ever since."

"You think I've changed?"

"That's what I just said," said Ron snidely. "The Harry I grew up with would have never run away the way you did."

"I didn't run away."

"Oh no. Then what would you call it?"

Harry opened his mouth, but had to close it again. He really wasn't in the mood to get into it with Ron. He knew he couldn't avoid this conversation forever, but right now he had to be somewhere. "Fine, Ron," said Harry, hoping giving in would be the most expedient way of ending the conversation. "You win."

Ron stood up in frustration. "I win. Right. Why don't you just get the hell out of here and do whatever it is you have to do."

Harry reached once again for the door, but this time he actually left. He knew he was going to have to sit down and talk to Ron and soon or he really was going to lose his best friend forever. That is, if he hadn't already.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry arrived at Hogshead Village shortly after he left the Burrow. He smiled at the sight of his old haunt. He wondered at how little things had seemed to change.

As he walked quietly down the lane that led back to Hogwarts Castle he felt like he was taking a stroll into his past. He was so lost in past memories that he was inside the Hogwarts grounds before he realized it.

"Arry!" Exclaimed a big booming voice.

Harry couldn't help breaking into a grin. "Hagrid!"

The half-giant came lumbering up to him and threw his arms around Harry's neck almost bringing him to his knees. "It's so good to see you, boy."

Harry struggled to remain standing. "It's good to see you too, Hagrid. How have you been?"

"Been faring ok. Ow's Ermione?"

"She's great," said Harry grinning. "She's getting ready to pop in less than two months."

"I heard you were going to be a dad. Can't hardly believe it. Little Arry Potter and dad. Why, I remember picking you up from them muggle relatives of yours. Seems like just yesterday."

"Yeah," agreed Harry. "I can hardly believe it myself sometimes."

"So," continued Hagrid and he and Harry resumed the walk Harry had been making towards the castle. "What brings you back to Hogwarts?"

"Professor Dumbledore wanted to see me."

Hagrid raised his eyebrows, but didn't comment.

"He was adamant that I come," said Harry fishing for further information.

"Aye," said Hagrid. "I imagine he has a lot to talk to you about."

"Care to give me a hint about what?"

Hagrid smiled down at Harry. "I think it's best if the Professor explained everything to you."

They had reached the entrance to Hogwarts. "Well, I've got some things I need to take care of, Arry."

Harry smiled. "It was good seeing you Hagrid."

Hagrid returned the smile. "You make sure and bring that wife of yours to visit. Haven't seen Ermione in too long. Oh, and by the way Dumbledore's office password is Fizzing Whizzbee's."

"I will," promised Harry. "And thanks. See ya, Hagrid." He entered the castle and went straight toward Dumbledore's office. "Fizzing Whizzbee's," he said and the entranceway to his office opened.

Harry made his way inside and upstairs. He knocked lightly on the outer door.

"Come in," called Dumbledore.

Harry opened the door and stepped in. "Hello sir."

Dumbledore stood. "Harry, thank you for coming."

Harry nodded, trying to smile.

"Please sit down," said Dumbledore indicating for Harry to take a seat across from him. Harry sat and looked up at Dumbledore waiting.

"I imagine you're curious as to why I've asked you to come?"

"Yes, I am," admitted Harry.

Dumbledore sighed and Harry was surprised to see that the older man looked uncomfortable. Harry didn't think he had ever seen Dumbledore uneasy before.


Dumbledore cleared his throat. "It is time, Harry."

Harry felt uneasy. "Time for what?"

"Time for you to fulfill your destiny. Time for you to once and for defeat Voldemort."

Harry shook his head. "I know you believe those stupid prophecies, sir. But I am not what you think I am. I have no intention of trying to kill Voldemort."

"You believe those prophecies too, Harry. I know you do."

"I don't," said Harry a bit more loudly than he intended. He lowered his voice. "You said yourself that Divination is an imprecise branch of magic. I don't believe in fortune telling."

"You are correct, Harry. Divination is an imprecise branch of magic. But there have been true seers. I believe in the accuracy of the prophecies surrounding your birth and future."

"No," said Harry angrily. "I'm not the person you want me to be. I'm not some savior. I'm sorry sir. I know things are going badly, but this isn't my fight, not anymore. I have a wife and a child on the way. They're the only thing I care about anymore." Harry felt hot tears fill his eyes, and he felt weak for being unable to control his emotions. "I have a family, damn it. It's the only thing I've ever wanted and I'm not going to let anyone take that away from me." He turned to leave.

"Voldemort will never stop hunting you." Said Dumbledore sharply.

Harry froze. He felt like screaming and crying all at once. He turned and advanced on Dumbledore gripping the sides of his desk.

"Why does he care," he shouted in frustration. "I'm not a threat to him anymore. Why won't he just leave us alone?"

Dumbledore looked at Harry sympathetically. "You are a threat to him. You've been a threat since the minute you were born and you'll be a threat until the day you kill him."

"We'll go away again and this time we won't come back. I've kept us safe for two years now. If I have to I can do it for the rest of our lives."

"Are you sure Hermione wants to live that way?"

"She wants to be with me. We want to be a family."

"Harry, there is nowhere you could go where you'd be safe."

"We've done all right so far," challenged Harry.

"You've not done it on your own," said Dumbledore quietly.

"What," Harry whispered.

Dumbledore stood and walked over so he was standing right next to Harry. He put one arm on his shoulder, reassuringly. "You have to understand. Voldemort had people tracking you the day he learned that you were still alive. Their entire purpose was to bring you back to him. I arranged for your protection. There were powerful spells protecting both you and Hermione."

"I don't believe you."

"I'm sorry, Harry. But it is true."

"That's how you knew where we were last year, when you arranged for us to take our N.E.W.T.S. Hermione was so happy; I didn't want to question it." Harry's eyes widened in fear. "And you knew when we came back this week. Oh my God. Does he know we're here? Does he know where she is?" Harry didn't bother to wait for an answer. He took several long strides toward the door, but Dumbledore quickly caught up to him and prevented him from leaving.

"Let go of me. I have to get back to The Burrow."

"Hermione is perfectly safe. All the Weasley's are, at least for now."

Harry let out a breath. "What do you mean for now?"

"It's what I've been trying to explain to you. We can only keep the two of you safe for so long. Voldemort and his forces grow stronger everyday."

"Bill said that everything depends on which side can kill more of the other."

Dumbledore sighed. "Things are not quite as optimistic as that, actually."

"Meaning," asked Harry.

"Meaning, that unless something drastic happens and soon, Voldemort and his Death Eaters will be able to tip the balance of power in their favor."

Harry stared at Dumbledore in amazement. "How could it have gotten so bad in just two years?"

Dumbledore didn't answer.

Harry grew angry at his silence. "So you think this is my fault. For not trying to fight Voldemort two years ago."

"No," said Dumbledore firmly. "I never said that."

"You didn't have to. I can see it in your eyes and in Ron's."

"Nobody blames you, Harry. Nobody."

Harry rubbed his temple wearily. "I know what you're asking me, but I can't. I'm not the one."

Voldemort knows Hermione is pregnant," said Dumbledore quietly and Harry's blood turned to ice. "Do you really think your son will be safe no matter how far you go?"

Harry shook with fear and anger, but could only stare at Dumbledore.

"He used Hermione two years ago to trap you. Do you really believe he won't use your son?" Dumbledore placed his hands on both of Harry's shoulders and forced him to look at him. "None of you will ever be safe as long as he's alive and you are the only person who can defeat him."

Harry stiffened. "What do I have to do," he asked slowly.