Ch. 8

Remus's Revelations

Harry woke up early the next morning and laid there listening to the snores of his fellow Gryffindor 6th years. He felt safe there amongst his friends as if there wasn't a war and he wasn't the savior of the world. However, he knew this feeling of safety was an illusion and those sleeping around him were in danger. Harry got up from bed and dressed for the day. After grabbing the letter he had written the night before to Remus, Harry left the dorm and headed for the Owlry.

When he reached the Owlry, he stopped as he heard a voice filter out from the room. A sort of pleasant tingling sensation filled Harry at the pit of his stomach and he stood there listening to her while allowing the sensation to flow through his entire body.

"Oh, come on now, don't be like that! You know I love you, I've just been busy. Besides, see you every morning with the post." There was a pause where Harry could only hear a ruffle of many feathers and hoots from hundreds of birds. Harry slowly stepped into the room and found Tally standing in the middle, one owl on her shoulder and her trying to coax another one down from the rungs. Hedgwig flew directly to Harry and landed on his shoulder. Tally turned to Harry with a sort of desperate look on her face. Harry smiled and walked up to her.

"Hi, I wasn't expecting anyone up at this hour."

"Yes well, I thought I would drop off my letter before my morning run, except, I'm trying to get Rufus down, but he's being so damn stubborn!" She ended sounding completely exasperated. The owl on her shoulder hooted in a dignified manner and looked coldly up into the rafters at the owl Tally was referring to. Hedgwig hooted too, but merely to remind Harry she was still there. Harry pat her absentmindedly.

"What about that one?" Harry asked, pointing to the one resting on her shoulder.

"This is Tawny, Josh's owl. I know she is willing to do it, but Josh might need her for-er-urgent business. Rufus just doesn't want to fly to America, he hates Chrissy's owl, Huey." She added, clearly agitated at her owl, "Fine, fine Rufus, have it your way. I'll just use a school owl." She turned to look at the school owls when a large barn owl swooped down and landed on the post directly in front of her. "Ah-Ha! Knew that'd get you down!" Tally cried happily and tied the letter to the bird's leg. Tawny seemed to literally roll her eyes in the direction of Rufus. As soon as the letter was tied, Rufus took off out the window. Tally turned her attention back to Harry. "Hermione was awfully upset last night. She cried herself to sleep."

"Did she? I suppose she would."

"Josh told me about her house when I went to see him this morning. I hope she is ok. I didn't want to pry incase she still hates me or

something."

"She doesn't hate you." Harry said, watching her closely. She seemed almost embarrassed.

"Anyway, I know what it's like to have something terrible happen and not want to talk about it. So, I didn't ask her to." There was an awkward pause while they both stared around and Harry sent Hedgwig on her way.

"Who's Chrissy?"

"My best friend back home. She was me neighbor growing up and we shared a dorm room all five years at school. She was also a chaser for our school team."

"Do you miss her?" Harry was curious about Tally's life, he had never known an American before.

"Of course! Our school is so small compared to Hogwarts and I've never really done anything without Chrissy. She's really the only person I've ever trusted and my only true friend. She was so angry with me when she found out we were moving to England, but understanding nonetheless." She smiled at him, but it didn't reach her eyes. Harry noticed her shift uncomfortably. Her eyes were unfocused as she pet Tawny, who was still on her shoulder. "So-er-who was your letter to?"

"Oh, my Guardian, Remus Lupin. I was asking him about Hermione's situation."

"Why? wasn't it just a fire?"

"I don't know, it's just strange is all and it couldn't hurt to ask."

"You think it has to do with Voldemort?"

"It's what I'm leaning towards."

"That's a scary thought." Tally shuddered and looked out the window, "Well, I better get on with my un or I won't have time to eat breakfast." They bid farewell and Harry made his way back to the common room to meet up with Ron and Hermione. Harry hoped that Remus would have a good explanation of what had happened to Hermione's home and he hoped that he would have it soon.

The following weeks were very different than the previous ones as it slowly turned into the month of October. Snape wasn't as hostile to Harry as usual, Professor Adams forced everyone to say Voldemort's name until they no longer stuttered or shuddered or screamed at the sound of it, occumency was going fairly well, Harry had almost completed his steel wall, and most of his work was coming back to him with excellent grades. However, Remus's reply still hadn't come. The full moon had come and gone, so Harry could think of nothing else except that something terrible might have happened.

"Harry, pay attention, I can read your mind easily today." Harry turned his attention to Tally who was sitting beside him at dinner. Harry felt his face flush as he realized how close she really was to him.

"Er-sorry, what?" She looked him over while giving him a sympathetic look.

"I feel your worry, your emotions weaken your mind and you must not give in to them."

"Huh?" He gave him a very Hermione-like look

"When you allow yourself to succumb by your emotions, your barrier weakens and another person can penetrate your mind. You're more susceptible to possession that way." Since having been forced to be around while Harry has his occulmency lessons, Tally has taken the initiative to test Harry unexpectantly in order to find if he is protecting himself. Harry didn't answer her and she frowned at him, "What's wrong Harry?"

"Yeah Harry, what's been bothering you?" Ron asked having just joined the conversation.

"I was just thinking about Remus. I was hoping for a reply by now."

"Maybe he doesn't have one or he has to ask around." Tally suggested

"Or maybe he's on a mission." Ron added.

"A mission?" Tally asked, throwing Ron an odd look.

"Er-" Ron began.

"HEY HARRY! LOOK!" Hermione shouted, running up to them at the table. She was holding a letter. Harry snatched it from her and tour it open, "It came... not to... long ago, ...Hedgwig was weak, so she's... asleep in your dorm." Hermione was breathless from running.

Harry read the letter out loud:

Dear Harry,

I have much to talk about, but I am not so sure that a letter is a good idea. I plan to visit you soon and will tell you my news then. Give my regards to Hermione and tell Ron hello for me. Everyone here is well and Hermione's parents are being protected by some members of the Order. Hope all is well and I'll see you very soon!

Love, Remus

"The Order?"

"He's coming here?"

"What news?"

"My parents!" They all said at once, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione stared at Tally, shock of having realized what they had just told her.

"You mean the group of Witches and Wizards fighting against Voldemort?"

"Er-you know?" Tally nodded and smiled.

"Of course! Josh is in it and so is my Healer. And Chrissy's family. IT was in her letter to me."

"Really?" Ron and Hermione asked together. Tally burst out laughing, shocking them even more.

"Yes! My uncle is after me, he serves the Dark Lord. My parents fought against him in the first war. Believe me, I know about he Order. I

plan on joining as soon as I can. As long as the war is still on." She added, looking darkly over at the Slytherins. Harry thought about the prophecy and knew that he would be the ultimate reason whether or not the war continued when they were eligible to join the Order.

"So, what do you suppose Lupin is referring to?" Ron asked.

"I don't know, but it must be big if he's coming here, don't you think?" Hermione replied, looking slightly apprehensive.

"Probably to check up on me." Harry said, surprised by his sudden anger. Tally dropped her fork and her face flashed in pain as she looked at him in horror. "Oh sorry Tally, I didn't mean it, I don't know what came over me!"

"It's alright, but you'll have to excuse me. Your anger is very full and explosive. I need to calm myself. I'll leave you guys alone, you probably need to talk anyway." She stood up and walked down the table and sat down beside Neville. Ron and Hermione looked at Harry for an explanation. He realized that he had never told them about Tally's ability to feel other's emotions. Harry explained to them everything he knew about her while reeling over the fact that he had caused Tally pain, although accidental, he was still the one who caused it.

"Wow, she's just full of surprises isn't she?" Hermione said, looking in Tally's direction.

"Yes, but she's awfully nice." Harry replied, earning odd looks from both Hermione and a smile from Ron.

"Not to mention cute." Ron added, "What? She is, come on Harry, I see the way you look at her, you agree with me."

"Well, yes, she is quite pretty. But she also helps me out with occulmency and stuff." Harry's cheeks darkened and he looked away from his friends. When he looked back at them, both were wearing goofy grins and he made a disgruntled face at them, "well, if you're going to act like that, I'm going back to the common room." Both Ron and Hermione burst into fits of laughter, "Like the two of you should talk!" They both abruptly stopped and blushed deeply. Harry smiled triumphantly and walked back to the common room.

It was Halloween day and the first trip to Hogsmeade. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood with the rest of the student body waiting to head out to the village. Harry was extremely excited about this trip because they were meeting Rums at the Three Broomsticks at noon. They walked around Hogsmeade and went into stores like Honeydukes and Zonkos until they finally decided to head into Three Broomsticks and found a booth towards the back.

Shortly after settling down, Professor Adams, Tally, Neville, and Remus walked over to them.

"We're going to be sitting in the back room, Harry. This deserves a bit more privacy." Remus said and they followed him into the back. The room was small with one large table flanked by nice cushioned chairs and a roaring fire. They each took a seat and Remus placed a silencing charm around the room.

"First I would like to explain why Professor Adams, Tally, and Neville are here with us. Harry, the dream you had back before school began was about Tally and Professor Adams. That I'm sure you already know. I am also aware that most of you already know about the Prophecy given nearly 17 years ago. However, what you may not know is exactly how you are all connected." Everyone, other than Remus and Adams, looked stunned at this and Neville looked utterly confused, "You see, another prophecy has been made that concerns all of you. Dumbledore did not want us to tell you, but I feel you are all mature enough and in need of knowing." Harry's eyes widened and he watched four other pairs of eyes widen with his.

"Ginny Weasley and Luna Luvgood know of this as well." Adams spoke.

"How do they know?" Tally asked.

"It was Luna who gave the prophecy and Ginny was the one who heard it. They immediately reported it to Dumbledore, who then told us."

"Luna?"

"When was this?"

"I didn't know she was a Seer."

"Are you sure?" Tally, Neville, Ron, and Hermione all cried at once.

"Turns out Luna is a distant relative to Cassandra Trelawny. Normally a Seer does not have predictions until they are well passed their mature age; however, Luna seems to be quite the exception." Remus said, "She made the prediction yesterday."

"What does this have to do with us?" Tally asked, indicating her and Neville.

"We're getting to that Tally, relax." Adams said to her causing Tally to give him a sour look while Remus continued.

"The Prophecy said, 'The one to conquer the Dark Lord will discover power and strength by those he loves and guided by the one who loves him most. The Dark Lord will fall as the hero discovers his reason...his one true love...The Dark Lord will fall...The one to vanquish the Dark Lord will fight with the love of many, beside one another and united, the power to vanquish the Dark Lord resides in many." They sat in a stunned silence for a moment.

"I don't understand." Neville said.

"It means Neville, that even though Harry will be the one to fight Voldemort, his strength and power will come from those around him: his friends, his family, anyone who's willing to fight beside him." Neville sat there looking confused and lost.

"There was a prophecy before this one Neville. Foretelling who shall bring Voldemort down. In the Prophecy, it named two people, both who have parents who have thrice defied him and both were born as the seventh month dies." Harry paused there, watching Neville's face change from confusion, to shock, to fear, and finally to panic.

"But that could mean me!" Neville cried, whipping around to look at everyone. Hermione and Tally gasped and Ron's mouth dropped open. Harry smiled weakly at him,

"It would except for one thing. The prophecy also stated that Voldemort would mark him as his equal and he did." Harry lifted his hair, revealing his scar. Neville gave an almost hopeless strangled cry from the back of his throat. Harry had had the entire summer to reflect on the prophecy and he knew what he had to do now.

"Yes Harry, the prophecy did say that, but it also said that you would have power that Voldemort would not, a power his mind can never comprehend. And now with the last prophecy, it just proves that you don't have to go through this whole thing alone." Remus said quietly.

"I still don't understand what I have to do with this. I mean, I hardly know Harry, how will I help?" Tally asked.

"Don't worry Tally, your reason for being involved will come to you soon." Adams answered her, in which Tally shot him a quizzical look but then shrugged her shoulders.

"If that's all, I think we should all just head back now." Harry said.

"Hold on Harry, there's something else I need to tell you." Remus said, "We think there might be a way to retrieve Sirius from the Veil."