Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the associated characters by J.K. Rowling.

"Last day of term Granger," said Harry confidently, "Doesn't look like your boss is going to show up. I guess I'm going to defeat him without ever having to lift a finger."

"Shut up Potter," said Hermione hotly, "He'll come and then you will rue the day you ever crossed me."

"Please," said Harry with a snort, "Blind faith and devotion can only get you so far in life. If you were really so smart you'd see that for yourself."

Harry could tell that he was getting to the girl and some part of him liked it. He hoped desperately that he could get through to her before it was too late but with the deadline ticking by the odds were not in his favor.

Hermione just huffed and stalked off.

"You're real smooth with the ladies there Harry," said Padfoot, or at least he thought it was Padfoot, it could have been Sirius.

"If Dumbledore shows up today and I defeat him then she's going to be crushed," said Harry, "Her entire belief system will be crushed. She may not have been kind to me in this dimension but I'll always remember my best friend that she used to be."

"Relax kiddo, this might be good for her," said Padfoot calmly, "If you were to defeat him, she'd be free to make up her own mind about things. Don't worry, it will all work out in the end."

"Thanks Padfoot," said Harry with a sigh, "So, you about ready to go home?"

"As soon as you fulfill this stupid prophecy," said Padfoot with a grin, "Then we can go back to our world and you can deal with the prophecy there."

Harry suddenly paused and Padfoot realized his slip.

"You know what the other prophecy says," it was a statement, not a question.

"Well . . . you see . . . um . . . that is," stuttered Padfoot, "I don't know exactly what it says but I do know that you are the only one with the power to kill old snake face."

"Bastard, how could you hide that from me for so long?" demanded an angry Harry.

"Tom and I felt that you had enough pressure with the prophecy on this world. We didn't want to add that burden to your shoulders as well," explained Padfoot rapidly.

Harry forced down the anger as best he could but he still couldn't keep the edge out of his voice, "Fine, I understand but understand that I'm not happy with you right now."

With that Harry stormed away. Padfoot couldn't help cringing from the amount of magic Harry was releasing. The magic created such a thick pressure on him it was nearly unbearable.

Harry was in a right mood at the moment as he walked the halls. It was just approaching dusk and the fading sunlight was bouncing off the walls.

"Ah, Harry, glad I found you," said Tom calmly joining Harry.

"I'm not in the mood Tom," said Harry.

"Well, I just thought you'd like to work off some of that aggression," said Tom, "But alas you're right . . ."

Harry could tell that Tom was up to something, "What is it?"

"Well, I just thought that you'd like to keep your appointment with a certain old man," said Tom, "I felt that he'd be the perfect person for you to work off that energy on."

Harry raised and eyebrow, "He really showed?"

"With a small army," said Tom, "He's agreed not to attack with his troops if you would go out and face him."

"How many?"

"More than the teachers can handle," said Tom, "and I won't even consider endangering the students."

"So, I don't really have much choice then," said Harry.

"You're ready for this Harry," said Tom seriously, "You know how to fight him and what to expect. You can do this Harry."

"Lead the way," said Harry with a heavy sigh, "But one request, I want all of the students to watch this. I want them to watch and understand."

"Very well Harry, they shall witness it," said Tom sadly, "I will take care of it now. You should go change. I'll meet you by the front doors then."

Harry nodded and walked back to his dorm.

"I told you he'd come," said Hermione. She was waiting for him by the entrance.

"You should go to the Great Hall, Professor Riddle is arranging it so that all of the students can watch the duel," said Harry as he walked past her and up the stairs to the boys dormitory.

Harry took his time changing into the battle robes that Tom had had made for him. They were simple in appearance; completely black from top to bottom. The only bit of color came from his family coat of arms on the left sleeve. The robes were coated inside with dragon hide and mithril mesh. Strangely, he didn't feel any fear going into this fight. It was Dumbledore he was about to face and no matter what dimension or world, he would never fear that man.

Harry lazily made his way through the castle to the main entrance hall. There stood the teachers and no other. "No others?"

"He's blocked the Floo Network and there are some very powerful wards in place preventing anyone from escaping," explained Tom calmly.

"Oh, well this is just brilliant," said Harry sarcastically.

"Eh, don't worry about it Harry," said James, "Dumbledore may be crazy but he never breaks his word."

"I see," said Harry, "Well then dad, if I don't make it . . ."

"Don't even talk like that," ordered James seriously.

"I just want you to know that getting to know you meant more to me than you can ever know," said Harry with a faint smile. But before James could reply Harry nudged the doors open with his magic effortlessly.

"Ah, so this is Harry Potter," said the calm soothing voice of Albus Dumbledore.

"And you would be the 'oh so infamous Dark Phoenix'," said Harry with a smirk as he continued to walk forward.

"The only time I've ever been called the Dark Phoenix was in prophecy," said Dumbledore, "And if you've heard the prophecy then surely you must know that no one other than one from another world can defeat me."

"So I've heard," said Harry, "Do you recall the rest of the prophecy, I kind of forgot it after Tom told me about? His voice just doesn't implant into my memory the way your voice does."

"One who has been touched by evil and he cannot return home until I am defeated or something. It doesn't really matter as you will die here and now."

"And here I was thinking you didn't like the killing curse," said Harry with a snort, "Not that it would really work on me."

"I would never pollute myself with such a spell. There are other ways to kill you my boy," said Albus calmly, "but out of my insatiable curiosity, how is it that the killing curse wouldn't work on you?"

"I survived it when I was only a year old when Voldemort used it on me. At this point the only person that could use it and hurt me would be him and he's not exactly here," said Harry.

"Who is this Voldemort? I do not believe I have ever heard of such a wizard."

"You wouldn't have," said Harry, "He's not exactly of this world even if he is."

At that Harry saw a slight hint of panic pass behind his eyes, "What do you mean my boy?"

"Well, you know him as Professor Tom Riddle, I know him as the Dark Lord Voldemort. On the other hand I know you as Professor Dumbledore and not the Dark Phoenix Dumbledore. It's all rather confusing now isn't it," said Harry scratching his head.

"You aren't making sense boy," said Dumbledore. He couldn't hide the panic from his voice this time.

"Remember that part about not of this world, well, I guess different dimensions count as not of this world," said Harry with a smirk.

Now the panic could not be hidden in any way as it was clearly written on the old man's face.

"Oh, and in case you are thinking about bring down the wards you put up and running away, you can forget that as I've already put up my own to keep you here. You see, I can't go home until I've taken care of you so," explained Harry.

"How could I have missed such important information?" asked Albus to himself, "You could not possibly have the intelligence to plan all of this despite your talent."

"You're right, I'm not very intelligent. I'm a horrible strategist. And, other than the five classes I took this year, I did rather horribly on my O.W.L.'s last year. But, there is one thing that I am exceptional at, which you should know full well," said Harry, "After all, we didn't really hide it from you."

"Dueling," said Dumbledore in a ghost of a whisper.

Harry just smiled broadly, "Well, I think we've talked enough. What do you say we get things started?" Harry dropped back slowly into a Muggle fighting stance with his wand drawn.

Albus swallowed nervously before drawing his own wand standing tall in a traditional wizards dueling stance.

Harry began in way that Tom would always start. Within two minutes he'd sent nearly one hundred and fifty spells of various levels and power at the old man without uttering a word.

Once the spells began to fly Dumbledore seemed to have pulled himself out of his stupor to begin returning the occasional spell. The problem was that he was too busy trying hold off the spells to note that Harry was circling in closer with every spell.

Too soon for Albus' tastes Harry was right next to him. Harry having gotten in close enough leapt straight up bringing his right knee to the old man chin with enough force to lift him a few inches from the ground. Harry followed through with a rapid spin in which he shot his left leg straight out behind him catching the elderly man in the center of the chest. Harry landed with the grace of a cat before he sent off another dozed curses at the old man only to see him vanish from sight.

"Invisibility eh?" asked Harry as he made himself invisible as well and moving as quickly as he dared so as not to make much noise. The problem though was simply that his feet were still leaving foot prints in the grass while somehow Dumbledore didn't. Dropping the invisibility, Harry chose to return fire to the origin of the spells as he moved rapidly to dodge the spell.

Suddenly without warning a large brick wall appeared before him causing him to halt in his tracks and run straight toward the source of the spells. Harry was jumping up and down and rolling back to front to dodge the spells.

Harry suddenly had an idea and conjured a large blob of purple paint and let it drop covering the area and himself but most importantly it covered the invisible Dumbledore making him visible once again.

"Very clever," said Dumbledore as he let the invisibility drop.

Harry could that Dumbledore was hovering slightly above the ground which explained why he could see any foot prints. It must have been extremely draining though as Harry could see the sweat build-up around his collar and the little bit of his forehead not covered by paint.

"The Sorting Hat originally wanted to put me in Slytherin," said Harry nonchalantly as though he was taking a walk in the park and not dueling for his life. Harry though was trying to buy a moment of time as he too was becoming tired.

"I must say, you are an exceptional duelist," said Albus calmly, "But you lack the intelligence and knowledge to keep up with my spells."

"I don't really care what spells you use. It means nothing to me," said Harry calmly as he could, "There are very few spells that I can't block with a shield of some manner or other. You'll wear down soon enough and then you can say good bye to your magic."

"I see, then you don't intend to kill me," said Albus, "You wish to capture me and take away my magic."

"Exactly," said Harry. Unknown to the old man before he was using that pause to use a few replenishing spells. Harry took a single potion from his belt and swallowed it down. It was an activator for the spells he'd been using, "Now it's time to end this Albus."

"Resorting to potions?" asked Albus calmly, "It will do you no good. You won't live long enough for it to take effect."

"That's were you're wrong, while you've been busy talking my ear off, I've been casting certain spells that only needed the activator potion. I hope you enjoy the results as much as I will," said Harry before he rushed forward nearly invisible to the eyes.

Albus' eyes widen when he saw how fast Harry was moving towards him. He knew that his old body couldn't take much more physical punishment. The first two hits from Harry nearly ended his fight as it was. If he took even one more hit like that it would be over for him.

Harry's charge forward was suddenly halted when several clay golems shot out of the ground surrounding him followed up numerous sharps spikes shooting up out of the ground all around him. It seemed that Harry had finally pissed him off. On the flip side it appeared as though doing so was using the last of Dumbledore's energy, Harry just had to live through it.

Harry was fortunate he was agile or he would have been impaled after dodging the first attack by one of the golems. As it was he wasn't fairing very well against four of them. Harry made a few quick wand swiped himself calling up four of his own Golems to keep the others busy. Now it was just a matter of who held out the longest.

Animating and creating creatures of that nature was extremely taxing to ones magic. Even was even more taxing as one had to constantly maintain control of the animated objects and couldn't break concentration too far from it.

"I must admit," began Harry through a strained voice as sweat poured off his face and arms, "You're quite good for such an old man."

"Old?" questioned the aging man, "I prefer to think of myself as aged to perfection."

"In the middle of a battle and you can still defend your honor," said Harry with a slight smile, "Even more impressive but let's see if you can stand up to this." Harry then sent a massive mind blast with nearly the last of his energy at the old man shattering his concentration and allowing Harry's Golem's to destroy Albus'. With the Golems gone Harry allowed his own to crumble back to the earth.

Harry approached the elderly man slowly to see that he was completely unconscious from the attack, "I'm sorry Dumbledore, you can't rule over people just because you are smarter. Everyone should have a right to choose their leaders and their future."

Harry suddenly became aware of the shock and awe that presented itself in the faces of Dumbledore's followers as well as all of the teachers.

"Drop your wands," Harry ordered to Dumbledore's followers. Naturally they didn't listen and instead they all fled save one Minerva McGonagall who approached Harry with her hands empty.

"Hello Professor," said Harry to approaching woman, "I always thought you had a thing for Professor Dumbledore but I was never quite sure."

"So you really are from an alternate reality?" she questioned.

"I couldn't have defeated him if I wasn't," said Harry with a weak smile.

"But what about the power unknown, how could you defeat him without using it?" asked Minerva curious as she began to check on Albus Dumbledore.

"The prophecy only said that I had a power that he didn't know. It never said that I had to use it," said Harry.

"But what was the power?" she asked.

"Haven't a clue," said Harry, "Maybe it's simply my own stupidity. After all, Dumbledore knows nothing of stupidity."

"I would hope this little duel of his would have taught him something of that," said Minerva severely.

"You do know that he Ministry is going to strip you both of your magic now?" asked Harry remorsefully.

Minerva actually smiled, "Sometimes I think that may be for the best. Perhaps due to our old age the Ministry will show some leniency on us and allow us to live out the remainder of our days together . . . under heavy guard of course."

Harry smiled, "You never believed did you."

She just gave him a questioning look.

"The whole intelligence is superior and should rule thing," answered Harry.

"No," said Minerva, "But I do love the man very much. Women will do very strange things for love, even follow someone blindly. You know, Albus wasn't always like this, but when Grindewald killed his first wife and his brother at the same time he felt that Grindewald would never have had the opportunity to come about if the World were ruled by the intelligent. He's not an evil man, just one that had so much taken from him that should never have happened."

"I didn't know he had three brothers," said Harry.

"He didn't, only Aberforth and himself," said Minerva.

"Perhaps that is why the Dumbledore from my world and the one from this world are so different. Aberforth survived in my world."

"I see," said Minerva, "I suppose that one event can really change the world."

"Indeed," said Harry. He was now noticing that several Ministry Aurors were passing through the gates and coming toward him. "I do hope that Albus can find some happiness with what's left of his life now."

"As do I," said Minerva, "and I hope that you find your way home."

Harry nodded before turning and returning to the castle tiredly.

"That was very well done Harry," said Tom with a fond smile for his protégé.

"Thank you Tom but I think I'd like to rest now," said Harry as he slumped forward into his father's waiting arms.

"That tuckered him right out it did," said James with a smile.

BREAK

"Ron what the hell is this?" yelled Hermione as she entered the Room of Requirement.

The room reminded her fiercely of the divination room with the exception of the runes written over everything.

"Hurry and gather round," said Ron with out taking his eyes off the orb sitting before him.

Ginny shrugged and took a seat next to him.

"What are we doing?" asked Hermione.

"We're going to contact a dead spirit," said Ron without blinking twice.

"Huh?" asked Hermione and Ginny.

"Hurry up Hermione," said Ron, "We don't have much time left."

Hermione took her seat next to Ron and Ginny still rather unsure.

"How can we contact a dead spirit?" asked Ginny.

"It's advanced Divination, it doesn't usually work very well but we might get lucky with Mars as bright as it is," said Ron calmly, "We can talk to spirit world to find out about Harry. We can't talk to him but maybe someone who met him on his way in."

"How do you know this Ron? It sounds a bit dark," said Hermione.

"It is dark," said Ron, "It's a type of Necromancy so after this one time we will never speak of it or attempt it again."

"Ron," said Ginny in disbelief.

"I know Ginny, but I just have to know if he's okay, if he's happy there," said Ron.

That seemed to steel the groups resolve effectively.

"You sure you'll do this right?" asked Hermione.

"Yes, when I first heard about it from Trelawney I thought it was a bunch of crap but I did a bit of checking in the library when I remembered book I had seen once and the idea just popped in there. I couldn't stop until I finished checking. I think we can do it but I don't want to get your hopes up if we fail."

"Let's just try it," said Ginny, "I want to know as much as you do."

"Right then," said Ron before he closed his eyes and began to chant under his breath before he took hold of the crystal ball. Ron's eyes shot open wide but were completely white.

Ginny suddenly had a feeling that Ron was not with them anymore.

"Who the bloody hell woke me up," said Ron with a raspy angry voice.

"Um, excuse me but who are you?" asked Hermione.

"Bilius Weasley, now who the hell are you and what the hell do you think you're doing waking me up. I was having a nice dream about several young women and they were . . ."

"Uncle Bilius," shouted Ginny angrily, "You old pervert, that's the first you say after you haven't seen us in a few years."

"Is that little 'Fire-Gin'?" asked Bilius.

"Yes, but what are you doing in Ron's body?"

"How should I know, he called me up?"

"We wanted to find out about our friend Harry," said Hermione interrupting. She didn't know how long this would last and didn't want to miss out on the opportunity.

"Harry? Harry who?"

"Harry Potter, has he been through there?" asked Ginny.

"Potter? You mean James or Lily or maybe James dad?"

"No, Harry Potter, James and Lily's son," said Hermione.

"Nope, he ain't here," said Bilius.

"What, but he must be," said Hermione, "You are in heaven right?"

"Of course," said Bilius.

"Then did he . . ." but Ginny couldn't even finish the sentence. The idea of him going to the other place was not a pleasant thought.

"Go down stairs?" asked Bilius figuring out the question, "No, he just ain't dead yet."

"What do you mean not dead yet?" asked Hermione, "If he isn't dead then where is he?"

"He's not here, he's not there, but he will be if you wait," said Bilius, "He has some things to do first."

"What do you mean Uncle Bilius?" asked Ginny impatiently.

"Sorry, can't say no more, times up," said Bilius, "Just be patient children and have faith and make sure that you keep fighting."

Ron suddenly fell backwards.

Hermione and Ginny both rushed to his side to check on him. His eyes fluttered a few times before he sat up again, "What the hell was that?"

"You channeled a spirit," said Hermione relieved

"I know, but it felt really weird," said Ron with a silly grin.

"Did you hear what you were saying?" asked Ginny.

"Yeah," said Ron with an even larger grin, "He's coming back to us and we've got to be ready for him."

Ginny and Hermione smiled with tears of joy in their eyes.

BREAK

"Well, Harry, all set?" asked James from the bedroom door.

"As set as I'm gonna be," said Harry.

"Going through in your battle robes then?" he asked observing his son's attire.

"Who knows what the world is going to be like on the other side," said Harry with a shrug.

"You haven't been gone too long so I can't imagine things could have gotten that bad," said James.

"You don't know Voldemort," said Harry with a sad expression on his face.

"You'll find out soon enough kiddo," said Padfoot from behind James.

"Right then, everybody is waiting in the Department of Mysteries to say their final goodbyes," said James motioning for Harry to hurry along.

Within a few minutes the trio had apparated into the department. Riddle decided to teach Harry as a reward for taking care of the greatest threat in this world. That and it may come in handy once he got back home.

Upon arrival Harry saw that all of his friends and family were waiting to say their farewells.

"Lily couldn't let you leave without some kind of party," explained James.

Lily of course came forward right away and wrapped Harry in a fierce hug, "I'm going to miss our talks."

"Me too," said Harry trying not to cry in front of his friends.

"Now you are certain you have to go?" asked Lily for the millionth time.

"Sadly, I do," said Harry.

Lily sighed before producing two books, "This is a photo album of all your time here with us. The second one is a text that Professor Riddle and I compiled for you and Padfoot with regards to the gate and magic spells that you said you did not have in the other world."

"Hopefully I won't need the gate information ever again," said Harry.

"Well, it has the coordinates for you to come back to our world should you ever feel the need to see some family," said Lily with a smile, "Also, there is something else that we've discovered. We can tune the gate no problem now but it would appear that there are similar bonds like what you have with Voldemort that might throw off our aim a bit but only a world or two."

"So, if we go through we might end up in the wrong world?" asked Harry concernedly.

"Unfortunately yes," said Lily, "But like I said, once you've tuned in you'll know the setting for that world and then it will only be a matter of making slight adjustments until you end up in the right world."

"Okay, I think we can handle that," said Harry, "You've shown Padfoot how to change the channels right?"

"Yes, and you've been shown at least once as well," said Lily determinedly to remind her son not to be so lazy.

"Once," said Harry accentuating the fact that he'd briefly seen it one time.

"Anyway, you'd best say your farewells to your friends and brothers and sisters," said Lily ushering him along.

Janice, Denise, and Jackie all sniffled when Harry approached, "Do you really have to go big brother Harry?" they all chorused pathetically.

"Other's are depending on me brats," said Harry with a fond smile, "But don't worry, mum showed me how to come back and visit if I want to."

"You promise?" asked Janice, the youngest.

"I promise," said Harry giving the youngest a hug and then hugging each of the little girls in turn. Eventually the 'brats' had been filled in on exactly who Harry was, though it wasn't easy.

Next up was Sarah and Ginny.

"I still owe your for those snakes you sent up my leg," said Ginny with a grin.

"You know you liked it," said Harry with a devious grin, "Don't be surprised if there is a surprise waiting for you in your bed at home."

"Damn you Potter," said Ginny, "You can't just do that and then disappear."

"Sorry Ginny," said Harry with a smile, "You'll get over it some day I'm sure. And don't worry, tomorrow you'll have a new 'really cute' guy to tease, like Neville. I think he fancies you."

Ginny blushed horribly at that comment, "Really?"

"Just be gentle with him," said Harry with a grin.

"I did not need to hear that," said Sarah staring at her best friend.

"Well little sister," said Harry, "Make sure you keep Neville, Draco, and Ron in line with me gone."

"I had them all in line till you came along," said Sarah with a sad grin. Though she'd never admit it, she was really going to miss her half-brother.

Harry forced a hug on her which she returned, "You take care of yourself and someday I'll come visit."

"You'd better," said Sarah with a teary grin.

Harry nodded before moving on down the line through the boys finally ending with Neville.

"Well mate, looks this is the end," said Neville.

"No, just until next time," said Harry, "Just make sure you keep Gred and Forge in business."

"Naturally," said Neville, "I could do nothing less. Beside, my last year would be boring with out their stock."

Harry laughed at him heartily, "Right then, I think it's time Sirius and I get going."

"You take care bro and we'll see you again in the future.

"Damn right you will," said Harry, "So until then, take care of dad for me."

"I will, you can count on it," said Neville with a sad smile that mimicked his sister's.

Harry had moved full circle and came back to his mum and dad.

"You be good," said James with a glint in his eyes.

"By good you mean devious, sneaky, and full of pranks," said Harry with a smile.

"Exactly," said James giving him a hearty hug.

"Be careful and take good care of yourself" said Lily get him for one more fierce hug.

"I will, I promise, besides, if I'm not around whose going to take care of Padfoot?" asked Harry.

"Hey," shouted Padfoot in indignation.

"Right," said Lily, "You do have a point."

Harry smiled one last time before he looked to the gate, "Sirius."

Padfoot nodded before he took aim at the veil and began to chant as Lily taught him. The veil fluttered a few times before turning entirely still.

Padfoot took Harry's hand just to make certain they didn't get separated and that they honed in on the connection that Harry shared with the other side of the veil. Harry stepped through behind Padfoot with his wand in hand and trunk in his pocket.

Once more the feeling of traveling rapidly came and passed. Stepping through to the other side Harry was met with an image that could only make him and Padfoot say "Hmmm" followed closely by a loud "DUCK!"