Chapter 06: Revelations and the Newest Marauder

============

Harry, Ron, Hermoine, Ginny, Fred, George and Neville were all seated in Professor Dumbledore's office. Seconds after Malfoy and the remaining Deatheaters had disaparated from Diagon Alley, Dumbledore had shown up with a group of wizards all wearing red robes with a golden phoenix on them. After assessing the situation and hearing what had happened, Dumbledore handed Harry a portkey and told all of them to wait in his office.

They had been sitting there for nearly a half hour when the door opened and Dumbledore strode in, followed by Mr. & Mrs. Weasley, Remus Lupin, Professor McGonnegal, Professor Snape, Hagrid, and Harry's godfather, Sirius Black.

"Sirius!" Harry exclaimed at the sight of his godfather. He rushed over too him and the pair hugged. "What are you doing here?"

"I was already here helping Dumbledore with something when we heard about the raid." Sirius answered, smiling at his godson.

"And just what did you seven think you we're doing?" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. "You could have been killed!"

"Now, now Molly. It is alright. They did nothing more than fate required." Dumbledore said. "I believe it's time that you all were told about the Prophecy of the Seven."

=====================================================================

The room sat in stunned silence. Dumbledore had just finished reading them the Prophecy of the Seven. Mrs. Weasley in particular looked as though she would faint at any moment. Sirius and Remus looked very pale. The Marauders exchanged looks.

"Professor, are you…are you sure?" Harry asked.

"Yes Harry, I am. As you can tell by the description, there is no doubt that you are the Great Phoenix the prophecy is speaking of. Likewise, after today, I have no doubt that you six are the six described as well." Dumbledore answered.

"But Dumbledore, there only children." Mrs. Weasley said. Dumbledore sighed, turning to look at her.

"Molly, these are the seven most unique individuals I have had the privilege of teaching. They have already seen and dealt with much more than most wizards their age. And if the prophecy is correct, they are our only hope." Now it was Sirius's turn to speak.

"Is there any way to confirm this prophecy further?" he asked, desperate to believe that his godson and friends might yet have a chance at a normal life.

"There is a way." Dumbledore answered, walking over to the group. "Do not be alarmed, I am merely going to cast a spell to reveal your animagus forms, if you have them." He pointed his wand at the group and said "Revelious Animagus." The group was soon surrounded in golden/red light. A cloud of mist appeared above the group. Slowly the mist parted and the seven figures hovered above the group. Above Harry was a Grand Phoenix, above Hermonie was a Owl, above Ron a Fox, above the twins Lions, above Ginny a Unicorn, and above Neville a Wolf. Harry and the others looke at each other in shock.

"It is confirmed. They are indeed the seven the prophecy speaks about." Professor McGonnegall said, slightly shaken.

"You all have a choice in this matter. It is my firm belief that you our only hope of defeating the rising darkness. However, if you wish, you can leave this office and nothing more will be spoken of this." Dumbledore said, speaking quietly. The Marauders and Neville exchanged looks, almost as though they could communicate telepathically. Harry was the first to speak.

"I've been a target since the day I was born. I will not run away now. Voldemort has to much too answer for." He said. Then he turned to the others. "But you guys shouldn't have to give up your lives or happiness. I'll find another way."

"Sorry mate, you're not going to get away from us that easy." Ron said, stepping forward. "You are the best friend I've ever had. Do you really think I'd let you face this alone?" Hermione stepped forward next to Ron.

"Harry, I'm a marked person anyway. In case you've forgotten, I'm muggle born. Which means Voldemort will eventually come after me anyways. Personally, I'd rather go down fighting, with you."

"And if you think I'm going to let the man I love go off on some crusade while I wait home on pins and needles, you don't know me very well." Ginny said, stepping over to Harry and wrapping her arms around his neck. "In case you've forgotten, I love you Harry James Potter. And we're going to face this together." She pulled him towards her and kissed him. After a few seconds they pulled apart, both blushingly slightly.

"And if you think we're going to let two of our brothers and our sister face something like this without us, you're insane!" George said as he and Fred stepped forward. Harry's eyes widened at their comment.

"Two brothers? But" he began.

"Harry, you prat. You're as much a part of the family and a brother to us as Ron is." Fred replied, smiling. Harry grinned; he had come to think of the Weasleys as his family and was happy to know they saw him as part of it as well. Finally Neville stepped forward.

"You forget Harry, I've already suffered at the hands of Voldemort and his followers." Neville said, referring to his parents who were now locked away in St. Mungo's Hospital for the Insane after having been tortured by Voldemort's followers. "There is no way I'm not going to be part of this." Tears welled up in Harry's eyes. All his life he had wanted a family; people to love him. He now realized that he had that and so much more.

"We're all with you Harry." Mr. Weasley said. "You seven may be the ones who will ultimately defeat Voldemort, but you're not going to be alone."

"Indeed. The entire Order of the Phoenix will fight by your side." Dumbledore said. "But there is much to do before the final confrontation. You must all be trained. Towards that end I have taken the liberty of revising your schedules for this year. You will unfortunately have to drop your electives. The only school courses you will be taking are DADA, Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions. In addition, you shall receive advanced training in the areas of magical combat, apparating, strategy and tactics, and advanced healing potions. I believe Harry will also want to instruct you in muggle self-defense. You will also begin learning to be animaguses. Now, you have three days before school starts. For your own safety, I insist that you all remain here at the school. Other then staying within school grounds, you may do as you please until school starts."

==================================================================
The Marauders and Neville were sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room. They had spoken very little since they left Dumbledore's office. After a few minutes, Harry spoke up.

"Guys, I want to thank your for agreeing to stand by me." He said.

"We meant what we said." Ron replied. The others nodded in agreement. Harry smiled at him, then turned to Neville.

"Well, Neville, it looks like you're one of us now. I think we should make it official." Harry went on to explain to him about the Marauders. Neville was ecstatic about the concept.

"I'd love to join." He said. Harry pulled the contract out of his pocket and passed it to Neville, who signed it.

"It's official." Harry said. "The Marauders are back in business."

"Jolly Good!" a voice exclaimed from behind them. The seven whirled around to find Sirius and Professor Lupin standing there. Harry smiled at them.

"Just remember you two, any leaks about this and I'll personally hex you until next New Year's!" Sirius and Lupin laughed.

"Don't worry, Harry. All we ask is that you let us in on some of the fun." Sirius replied.

"Well, then, grab a chair. We were just about to continue an earlier discussion about the best way to announce the return of the Marauders." Hermonie said. With that the new Marauders and the two surviving old Marauders sat down and began discussing their plans.