Disclaimer: I own zip, (except for everything else that I obviously made up). Oh yeah, and if anything seems inaccurate--in other words, certain things are changed from the books--don't sue me. This is a fanfic, remember? Anyway, I hope you enjoy ;)

Chapter Two

The Article

Harry was so happy to finally be with Hermione and the Weasleys, and being with Lupin made it all the more pleasant. It was the night he arrived at the Burrow—when Mr. Weasley arrived in the Dursleys' fireplace to pick him and Lupin up, prompting Aunt Petunia to scream shrilly as she looked up from her knitting kit—and Harry was given a surprise birthday party. He had just finished unwrapping all of his belated birthday presents and began chatting at the dining room table with Mr. Weasley while the others went about doing their own business. Mrs. Weasley went to work in the garden, Lupin offered her his help, Ron and the twins went out to play Quidditch, and Hermione and Ginny went upstairs to "discuss some things girl-to-girl." Mr. Weasley conferred with Harry his newest addition to his collection of Muggle contraptions. Harry was explaining to him how a waffle-maker worked when the new owl (the tiny one whose name Harry found out was Aerocles) came flying through the window, swooping over the long table and dropping a copy of the Daily Prophet right in Mr. Weasley's lap.

"Ah, the news," Mr. Weasley gave a great sigh of satisfaction as he unfolded the Daily Prophet. "I always like to look at the comic strips first," he confessed, giving a small chuckle.

But Harry wasn't listening. His eyes and mind were transfixed on the front page of the paper. He wasn't sure exactly how this particular article caught his eye, but nevertheless, he couldn't tear his gaze from it. After reading no more than two sentences from it, he realized why it had caught his attention.

Ministry of Magic Discovers New Prophecy

No more than three days ago, a new prophecy has been discovered by the Ministry of Magic of Great Britain. Most information is highly confidential, however, and is being kept in secrecy by the American Ministry of Magic, along with their colleague: Order of Merlin First Class, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Chairman of the International Confederation of Wizards, and current Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy: Professor Albus Dumbledore. Unfortunately, very little is known. It is questioned how such a great thing could be overlooked, especially considering the prophecy supposedly involves He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Many believe He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is searching for this lost prophecy and as a result, Dumbledore and the British Ministry of Magic are keeping it "locked up safe," so to speak, from the Dark Lord's grasp. So far, nothing else has been revealed.

Harry's throat tightened as he read this. Another prophecy? How was this possible? How could they overlook a prophecy? Harry remembered his previous year at Hogwarts, and the Department of Mysteries, a large room filled with endless prophecies, including his and Voldemort's. Every prophecy ever made was stored there, there was no way one could be missing or overlooked in any way. It puzzled Harry that one so important as to involve Voldemort could have gone unnoticed for so long. Harry wondered if maybe this prophecy had also been shattered. He recalled his own prophecy (which he shared with Voldemort) being destroyed from his own doing, when it slipped through his fingers when he grabbed Neville's robes, ripping them—causing him to drop the orb that foretold his future. But Dumbledore had heard the prophecy from Sibyll Trelawney sixteen years ago, and had Harry witness it using his ever practical Pensieve. Harry's brow furrowed in deep thought. Perhaps someone, another Seer—maybe even Trelawney again—had recited the prophecy recently after years of believing it didn't exist because someone as clumsy as himself had accidentally smashed it.

Harry had a sudden notion to ask Lupin the real reason why he was there.

"Sorry, Mr. Weasley, but I just remembered something," he said, rising from his seat.

"Oh, yes, Harry. You go and have some fun now," Mr. Weasley answered, not looking up from the comic strips. He gave a little chuckle as he read.

"Thanks," said Harry as he left the table and made his way outside into the garden. Mrs. Weasley was potting an exotic cluster of large, purple flowers while Lupin, whose back was turned to Harry, watered a bed of small, electric-blue ones. Tiny little gray rain clouds hovered over the blue flowers, quenching them with their raindrops.

"Hello, Harry, dear," Mrs. Weasley said cheerfully, looking up from her garden work. She was using her wand to magically separate the soil from the pots.

Lupin turned around at once.

"Oh, hello, Harry. Did you enjoy your party?"

"Yes, I did. It was wonderful, thank you." Harry then shook his head, remembering what he came out there for. "Er, Lupin, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Harry. Fire away."

"Exactly why are you here?" he asked slowly, giving an inquiring gaze.

Lupin and Mrs. Weasley gave each other identical looks that seemed to be stuck between surprise and uncertainty.

Lupin finally spoke.

"Well, Harry," he hesitated. "We cannot tell you at the moment. You see, it is quite complicated."

"Then just give me the general idea."

"We can't, Harry," Mrs. Weasley's voice cut in. "Professor McGonagall specifically said we couldn't. I'm sorry, dear, but those are Dumbledore's orders. But he promises you will know eventually," she said.

"We're not trying to keep secrets from you, Harry—"

"Then tell me, does this have anything to do with that prophecy they just found?"

Lupin's face went into a state of shock. Mrs. Weasley was so surprised she didn't realize the empty pots were attempting to exchange their nonexistent contents.

"How did you—"

"It's on the front page of the Daily Prophet," Harry interrupted Lupin, tilting his head in the direction of the kitchen, where Mr. Weasley still sat reading and laughing to himself.

"Oh, my word," Mrs. Weasley managed to squeak. "This can't be good, Remus."

Lupin finally relaxed and gave a deep sigh.

"Well, Molly," he said, breaking his gaze from Harry to look tiredly at Mrs. Weasley, "we can't have expected much otherwise, after all, the news was bound to spread sooner or later."

"Yes, but, I didn't expect it to be this soon."

"Neither did I."

Harry was confused.

"Um, what exactly are we talking about?" he asked.

"We aren't talking about anything, Harry," said Lupin, returning his gaze to Harry. "You won't ask any more questions. You'll find out about everything soon enough. But for now, you will understand that we cannot give you any information, as it is strictly confidential for the time being. Is that clear?"

Harry nodded disappointedly.

"Yes," he said, and he retreated back inside the house.

Harry never asked Lupin again about what he had read in the Daily Prophet. He did sift through each issue delivered to the Burrow when he got the chance, hoping to find out more. He was unsuccessful, though, and for the next couple weeks he was so distracted, what with all the fun he was having with Ron, Fred, George, Ginny, and Hermione, that he forgot all about the article.

Oh, please tell me you enjoyed it! If you didn't though, then that's alright. And, as usual, constructive criticism is welcome. Destructive criticism isn't, however. Hah. Oh, and please r/r if you can. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for reading! Muah!

Sora