CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

A SECOND HALF

Harry was having the crisis of his life. It affected everything, even his teaching methods. Last time, he accidentally killed the caged red cap his class was studying, forcing him to dismiss them early. Even professors who knew nothing about Voldemort still being alive noticed Harry's sudden change in character, turning into a worrisome irritable loner.

Harry had to know what was going on with Dumbledore. He was sure the head master's illness will not be made known to him if he asks Dumbledore.

Harry plans to go to St. Mungo's and ask the healers there himself so he might know why Dumbledore was dying though his medical record. To Harry, this was a big deal, bigger than Voldemort being alive or Crouch gathering power. Dumbledore was the ultimate force that kept him alive and sane, saving his neck many times. Tonight, he will sneak off and into St. Mungo's.

The evening came silent and still with the low hum of crickets. Dinner was progressing in the Great Hall though Harry was not at Hogwarts. He was standing by the information booth of St. Mungo's and waiting in line to be helped by the assigned healer receptionists. Time ticked as he waited in line, seeing it dwindle in length until there was only one person before him.

His turn finally came. He quickly asked the receptionist healer.

"Good evening, may I ask about the healing records of Mr. Albus Dumbledore?"

"Sure." said the receptionist healer. "So, you must be his grandson."

"Oh." said Harry. "No actually, I am just a friend."

"Oh, my mistake.You are Harry Potter. I didn't notice your scar." answered the receptionist healer, making Harry uncomfortable about his scar. "I'm sorry, Mr. Potter. Only family is allowed the healing records of a patient. Those records are strictly confidential so you may not view them."

"But... "

"Sorry. No is my final word. As much as I want to help, I cannot. I can get sacked you know."

"Fine" said Harry in a defeated tone. "thanks anyway "

Harry walked away, going to the exit by passing through the many halls full of portraits of famous healers. Just as he was about to approach the exit door, he noticed a small hallway ending up to a door so he went down this small hall. The door, Harry realized, was charmed locked and had a plaque on the door saying "Healing Records-unauthorized persons not allowed." He tried unlocking it but there was a high level locking charm on the door. He then walked back through the same hall and peeked. Someone was coming, a healer. Harry ran back beside the locked door and conjured a big potted plant by it. He knelt down behind the plant and hid as the healer approached the locked room.

Harry waited as the healer unlocked the door. The next moment, the healer went in, leaving Harry outside. Harry them stepped out of his hiding place and crept silently inside the now open room. The interior was massive, with mammoth sized shelves lined one after the other. The shelves were full of cabinets that contained the healing records of all the patients of the place. Harry quickly went to a shelf and hid behind it since the healer was still around.

As Harry hid, he saw the healer stand in a platform with a blank book by a pedestal also on the platform. The healer them tapped his wand upon the blank book and said "I solemnly swear I have good intentions. Show me the data on Stemly Sherman." Suddenly, the book glimmered for a second and then the blank pages of the book were now filled with the medical records of this Sherman person. He read it and closed the book, clearing any writing in it, leaving it blank again.

The healer then walked back out the room and locked it, leaving Harry inside. He then walked past the many shelves and stepped up the platform with the magical book. He faced the book on top of the pedestal and grasped his wand. He tapped it on the blank book and said "I solemnly swear I have good intentions. Show me the data on Albus Dumbledore."

The book glimmered for a second. Harry opened the book and saw the blank pages now full of text.

"Albus Dumbledore was sent to St. Mungo's on complaints of an aching chest. Later we found that it was just a slight case of over stress." read Harry. "He didn't need to stay for long but insisted on living for a while in the ward for personal reasons. Most mysteriously, one night, he departed without a word and never came back to St. Mungo's ever since. We though, have no anxieties on his departure as he is still healthy."

Harry closed the book and stared upon the silence of the room. Dumbledore is healthy as said in the healing records here. Has Dumbledore lying and keeping secrets again from him? Harry had to know.

The next day arrived with the weather as bright as ever. Harry had a class with fourth year Ravenclaws so he progressed on doing so. He taught the students and on the second class was dismissed for lunch, he went straight to Dumbledore's office.

Dumbledore was sitting on his chair as Harry entered the headmaster's office.

"Sir, why are you keeping so many secrets from me?" said Harry. "First you hid the truth about Voldemort and now you're saying your dying when your completely healthy."

"Well" answered Dumbledore as calm as always. "On what account do you say this assessment?"

"I saw your medical records. You're completely fine according to them."

"Ah, you went to St. Mungo's to find out what condition or illness might end my life. Smart indeed. But the truth is still, I am about to die."

"Why?" said Harry loudly, clearly angry. "What is the reason behind this death of yours? You have been saying riddles for too long. Tell me the truth!"

"Fine, Harry. I believe it is time you learned the second half of the truth."

"Second half?"

"Yes. The continuation of the one I revealed to you during your fifth year."

"About the prophecy? Wait…"

"Exactly. I never told you this. There is not just one prophecy. The one Sybill Trelawney predicted is not the lone prophecy about you and the Dark Lord. There is one other prophecy..."

END OF CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO