Reminder: if you've read the second chapter named Leaving the Burrow, you should read the second chapter again since I've changed chapter two completely. Sorry about that... Won't happen again, hopefully... I'd just like to say, I've read the first four books in Swedish, the last one in English, Harry's broom is of course a firebolt, in Swedish they've translated it to, what would be in English, thunderbolt. Got it really mixed up : - ) If you see any more mistakes, please tell me. I'd like to thank all of you who have reviewed, please keep doing so. I've updated this chapter, since there was a small complaint about the meeting : - )

Disclaimer: Harry and Co are J.K. Rowling's, I'm only playing around with the characters.

THE MEETING

Harry sat in the corner of a dark room he had found when he had run upstairs. All summer he'd missed his friends so much, and now he just wanted to be away from them. The hurt in Ron and Ginny's eyes was too much. He was the cause of their pain, being friends with him or just being related to him marked your life in Voldemort's eyes.

There was no one he could talk to, no one would understand. He couldn't tell Hermione or Ron about the prophecy, doing that would probably put them in more danger. Perhaps he should just leave, he thought frustrated and got up on his feet and wandered across the room a few times. Suddenly, the door opened, Harry turned around.

"So this is where you're hiding", Melinda said.

Suddenly, every candle in the room lit up as she entered.

"I'm not hiding" Harry said angrily.

"Are you sure about that?" she said and walked towards him.

Her violet eyes looked into his, they were curious but kind.

"Your friends are looking for you." She said.

"I told them to leave me alone."

"I thought you'd been alone long enough, Harry" she said calmly.

When he didn't answer, she continued.

"I know you're blaming yourself. For the attack on the Weasley's, for the death of Sirius, even for your parents. I can see it in your eyes."

Harry felt anger building up inside him.

"I am to blame! If it hadn't been for me, Voldemort wouldn't have killed Sirius, he wouldn't have sent his death eaters to attack the Weasley's! My friends wouldn't have gotten hurt, they wouldn't have had to face those death eaters!"

Melinda looked at him, her eyes were terribly sad.

"Do you really think that this would never have happened because of you?"

"It's the truth, isn't it!"

"Then I think you should remember something. You're the reason that so many survived the first war, when Voldemort was active and free in the world. You stopped him, made him weak, you saved I don't know how many witches, wizards and muggles. You're the reason that so many are still alive, that so many good people survived, even though many were lost... Voldemort is back, and more people might die before we defeat him, or all of us will die if he wins this second war. But the thing is that there is great hope, and that hope is you. And many would sacrifice themselves for you, your parents did it, your godfather did it. That's how important you are."

She looked at him.

"You can sleep in here if you want, there's a bed over there. But if you would let me give you some advice, then here it is. Don't push your friends away. They do not blame you for this, so you shouldn't do that either. They need you, and you need them."

She laid her hand on his shoulder.

"Try and get some sleep, there's going to be a meeting tomorrow"

She left the room, left him standing there. She was definitely not like any other witch Harry had ever met, there was something about her. He felt a bit better, but the guilt was still there. He couldn't help feeling as if he was causing more harm than anything else.

He found to his surprise that his things had been brought in here already. Hedwig sat in her cage looking at him with her big amber eyes. He opened the cage so that she could stretch her wings if she needed to. The snowy owl flew up to the roof and circled the room a few times. Then he put his pyjamas on and listened to the sound of Hedwig's wings flutter as he fell asleep, too tired to lay awake and think about anything.

He woke up the next morning, someone was gently touching his shoulder. Harry reached out for his glasses and put them on. It was Remus Lupin who had woken him up. He looked as he always had, a bit worn and pale, but he was smiling at Harry.

"Good morning Harry" he said.

"Good morning" Harry answered.

"How are you?" he asked and his smile faded.

"I'm fine" Harry said automatically.

Remus nodded and smiled once more.

"The meeting will start shortly, get dressed and meet us downstairs."

He left the room, Harry got up and got dressed and hurried down the stairs. There was a group of wizards and witches standing there, he recognized a few of them. Professor McGonagall was there, so was Mad-eye Moody, Tonks, Remus Lupin, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle and Professor Snape. There were more of them this year than there had been earlier, many more. The Weasley twins stood in a corner with their elder brother Charlie, talking amongst themselves. The room that had been full of noise now went completely silent as they all turned and saw Harry.

"Ah, good morning Harry" Dumbledore said and smiled at him. "The meeting can begin... Why don't we all sit down"

Dumbledore conjured up chairs for everyone; they sat in a circle in the big room. Harry sat down, looking around for Melinda, but she wasn't there.

"I'd like to start by thanking you for coming so quickly, I know many of you would like to get back to your homes as soon as possible. So, let's make this meeting short. Now that things are the way they are.

As you all should know by now, the Weasley's were attacked yesterday. The purpose of this meeting is to inform you of what happened. Voldemort has been quiet all summer, and now it seems he is up to something. I have received word that Molly is awake and has fully recovered and will be arriving here shortly."

"Why did they attack the Weasley's?"

One of the wizards Harry had not recognized had spoken, he was a tall elderly man with grey hair and grey eyes.

"They were looking for Harry" Dumbledore said. "Or rather, information about his whereabouts during the summer."

Everyone (except Snape) looked at Harry, who stared at the floor.

"Voldemort, it seems, is looking for revenge, since Harry here has put a stop to his plans on more occasions than one. It is imperative that Harry is kept under a close watch, Voldemort has spies everywhere."

"There has been no signs of Voldemort being active until now, why the wait?" asked Kingsley Shacklebolt, a black bald impressive looking wizard.

"We don't know. It would seem Voldemort lay low after the break-in at the department of mysteries. He missed the opportunity to hear the prophecy. We have Harry Potter, Ronald and Ginny Weasley, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood to thank for that. The prophecy was destroyed before Voldemort could hear it. Now, however, he seems to be up to something. We really need to find out what, before it's too late."

Dumbledore smiled at Harry.

"Headmaster, what was this prophecy about?"

It was professor Snape that had spoken. He looked the same, his black hair looked filthy and his dark eyes rested on Dumbledore. The room went quiet, everyone was looking at Dumbledore.

"I think it best that as few people as possible knows about it. For your own protection. Now, I would like to say to you all to be careful, and keep your eyes and ears open. Does anyone have anything else they'd like to?"

The room was as quiet as it had been while Dumbledore had spoken.

"Then I declare this meeting is adjourned, I know you all have much to do" Dumbledore said.

The wizards disappeared, some disapparated and others used the fireplace. Dumbledore walked towards Harry and looked at him with his kind blue eyes.

"How are you, Harry?" he asked and sat down at the chair next to him, now looking very serious.

"I'm fine" Harry said.

He didn't know if he was angry at Dumbledore or not. What was the point? Things were the way they were, and being angry at him wouldn't change any of that.

"I understand you've taken the blame for what happened yesterday?" Dumbledore said gently.

Harry didn't say anything.

"Melinda has told you not to take the blame, and I will tell you the same, Harry. Molly Weasley is going to be fine, and you're the last person she would blame. In fact, knowing Molly, she will probably be upset if she learned that you have spent these days blaming yourself."

"Professor, how do you know Melinda?" Harry asked suddenly to change the subject.

Dumbledore looked at him, a faint smile on his face.

"Melinda Atwood fought on our side in the first war against Voldemort. She is an auror, one of the best. This is actually her house."

Harry frowned.

"But, she seems a bit too young to..."

Dumbledore looked at him over his halfmoon shaped glasses.

"Melinda Atwood has been around for quite some time."

Professor McGonagall approached them.

"Ah, Minerva, I am guessing you wish us to leave now."

"Yes, we really need to get back, headmaster. Goodbye for now, Mr Potter, see you at school." She said and smiled at Harry.

Dumbledore got up, so did Harry.

"Be safe, Harry" Dumbledore said and lay his hand on Harry's shoulder with a sad smile.

Then they were gone, both of them. Seconds later, the door opened. In came Ron, Hermione and Ginny, smiling. Behind them Harry saw Arthur and Molly Weasley. Mrs Weasley looked a bit pale, Mr Weasley had his arm around her shoulders. Charlie, Fred and George rushed to the door and were immediately embraced one by one by their mother. Mrs Weasley was now beaming. Melinda came in last, she had a faint smile on her lips.

Molly saw Harry and went to him and hugged him without saying a word. Harry felt himself blush, he wasn't used to that. She pulled him from her and looked at him.

"Harry, dear, how are you?" she asked.

"I'm fine" Harry responded and forced on a smile.

Mrs Weasley looked at him, smiled faintly and got up.

"So, is anyone hungry?" She said and went to the kitchen, followed by the Weasley twins and Ginny. Charlie was talking to Melinda, who now looked a bit concerned. Harry didn't have much time to reflect on why, because Hermione and Ron had walked up to him.

"Harry, can we talk?" Hermione asked looking at him sternly.

Harry nodded and they went upstairs into the room that Harry has slept in.

"You know, we're getting sort of tired of you storming off before the discussion is over" Hermione said and crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't interrupt now. Just... Listen. Harry, neither Ron or I or anyone else blames you for what happened yesterday. I mean, we sort of know how you must feel..."

"Don't say that! You know nothing about how I feel!" Harry said angrily.

"If you would just try and explain, maybe we would!" Ron burst out.

Harry remained silent, he was to upset, too angry to even know what to say, how to act.

"Do you know what it's like?" he said bluntly "Loosing all the people you care about, seeing them fade away one by one? Worrying about who's going to be next? That's how I've spent all my summer. Cooped up with those muggles who don't give a damn whether I die tomorrow? You wouldn't have been attacked if it wasn't for me! Sirius wouldn't have died if it hadn't been for me! None of you would have been hurt last spring if I hadn't been such an idiot! And my parents..."

Harry bit his lip, he couldn't say it out loud.

"Harry..." Hermione said, her voice trembling.

"I might not have a future, so I don't know why I'm even bothering with even thinking about what I would like to do in the future since I might not live long enough to even graduate from Hogwarts!"

Hermione stared at him, so did Ron.

"Why are you saying this?" Hermione said anxiously. "Of course you'll graduate, he can't get to you... Dumbledore will see to it, you're safe as long as Dumbledore's around... Harry, what is it?"

Harry hesitated, he shouldn't tell them. But he wanted to, so desperately.

"Nothing" he muttered.

"Harry" Ron said darkly. "I thought we were your friends... "

"What is it that you're not telling us?" Hermione said.

"I can't tell you" Harry mumbled.

"Why? Why can't you tell us? Is it because we wouldn't understand or what?" Hermione said shrilly.

Harry looked at them both, they were staring at him, anxiously.

"It's better that you don't know."

"Better for whom?" Hermione exclaimed.

"I wish I could tell you, but I can't. This is something I have to deal with on my own!"

"So you really don't trust us then" Ron said angrily. "I can't see it any other way, Harry, I really can't."

"I have to kill Voldemort, or he will kill me, there, are you satisfied now?!?"

Hermione gasped, Ron turned really pale. Harry was trembling with anger, and relief. He was trying to calm down, trying to find balance again. That wasn't what he had intended to say. A silence filled the room, and it was silent for a long time.

"Wha... How... Who's told you this?" Hermione said breathlessly a moment later.

"I... Dumbledore, I..." Harry said and suddenly felt really worn out.

They both looked shocked, and Harry felt even worse. He didn't think it possible.

"Harry, I..." Ron started and didn't finish the sentence for quite a while.

"So... That was what the... the prophecy was about?" Hermione said, sounding as if she would burst into tears at any moment. "About you and... Voldemort... "

Harry just nodded, he felt really sick now seeing how his friends had reacted. Suddenly, Hermione had thrown her arms around him, sobbing on his shoulder. Ron was staring at the floor, a shocked expression on his face. Harry didn't know what to do, how to react. Part of him was relieved to have told his friends, they knew now. But another part of him felt really terrible about it, and that part was the dominant one...

End of chapter 3.

Chapter 4 might take a while to write, I'll update as soon as I can... Thanks to all who've reviewed, it's great to hear what people think and it's really helpful.