A/N - I've been meaning to do this the last couple of chapters, but I want to thank everyone for all their kind words of encouragement. You all have kept me going, and if I've slowed up on the chapters it's only cause work has gotten crazy. Thanks again!!!

Chapter 12: Leading Up To The Bigger Meeting

"You would be dead." The words echoed through the room. Hermione seemed to be the only one who understood Dumbledore's words. Tears began to well up in her eyes and again she forgot that Harry and Ron could hear her.

"No!" she thought.

"Bloody hell," thought Ron.

"How?!" Challenged Harry.

"Do you remember what I told you, your first year, about your mothers sacrifice and why Professor Quirrill couldn't touch you?" A very calm Dumbledore asked.

"Yes," Harry said tentatively.

"If Rosie had interfered that night, Voldemort would have escaped and attacked you several days later, but you're mother would have not gotten to your room in time and all of you would be dead. And we would still be living in darkness," Dumbledore said with sorrow in his voice.

Harry just stood there in silence. He didn't even think anything for fear that Hermione and Ron might say something. His heart was pounding so hard it was deafening. Not only did he have a prophecy about his connection to Voldemort, but his parents knew they were going to be murdered. His whole life had been planned and there was nothing Harry could do to escape it. The walls began to close in on him. He quickly grabbed his cloak and map and sprinted past everyone. Harry didn't know where he was going but knew he just needed to get out of Hogwarts, everywhere he looked he was reminded of his life. He threw the invisibility cloak over himself as he ran to the front doors. The cold night air whipped around Harry as he continued to run from the school. He soon found himself standing in the middle of the quidditch pitch panting and out of breath. He took off the cloak and dropped to the ground. He didn't know what to think. So many aspects of his life had already been decided and yet so many things were still unknown. He looked up to the sky and watched the stars for several minutes. Maybe it would have been better if he had died with his parents.

"Why couldn't I have died with you," begged Harry. His parents knew they were going to die in order to save him. This information caused Harry to reach the breaking point. He didn't want to be the boy who lived. He wanted to be the boy who died with his parents. Just then, as Harry thought about how much being dead would help everyone, the wind began to pick up.

"Harry," the voice carrying on the wind.

"Who's there," Harry asked in a low voice.

"You must live!" said the faint echo that was louder this time.

"I don't want too," Harry said barley above a whisper. Then Harry's heart stopped at the next phrase that was uttered

"I only ask for one favor in return, defeat him." The wind emphasized the last words one more time. "Defeat him." Harry's heart was pounding. Those were Sirius's last words to him in that note. Harry's eye's widened. Did Sirius just talk to him from beyond the grave? He just stared at the stars hoping to hear the wind echo one more phrase. But as Harry knelt on the ground waiting, shadows began to make their way towards him. Harry heard a low growl behind him. He turned to see a wolf flashing its teeth in his direction. He jumped to his feet and pointed his wand at the animal but before he could react the animal charged towards him and leaped in the air. Harry dove to the ground and watched as the wolf tackled a Death Eater about to strike.

"Get him!" yelled a voice. Harry scrambled to his feet but couldn't see where his attackers were.

"Lumos Maximus!" shouted Harry. The light leaped out of his wand and for a moment stunned the three Death Eaters around him, one of which was fighting off the wolf that was still attacking it. Just then a magnificent looking creature was galloping towards him. It was a unicorn which had it's head bent so the horn was at ramming position. The Death Eaters saw this and started to run the other direction. The unicorn stopped in front of Harry and knelt down. He picked up his belongs and jumped onto its back. The Death Eaters were coming back now but the unicorn, which was much faster then any horse and was already halfway to the castle.

"DON'T WORRY POTTER! THE DARK LORD WILL GET YOU! ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!" boomed a familiar voice from the pitch. Harry quickly turned his head to look behind him but all he could see was the wolf running to catch up. He turned around to see that they were almost at Hogwarts. The unicorn slowed down and Harry saw Dumbledore, McGonagall, Julia and Mad-Eye standing in the doorway. Where did Mad-Eye come from, thought Harry. He slid off the unicorns back and turned to look at the two animals that had been his rescuers. It then dawned on him who they were.

"Hermione? Ron?" Harry asked. The animals slowly transformed into his friends both of whom did not look happy with him. Hermione slowly walked up to him and slapped him across the face.

"You can't be careless with your life Harry! You're parents gave theirs for you to live NOT to throw it away!" she cried at him. She stormed passed him and continued into the castle followed closely by Ron who didn't even speak to him. Now Harry was starting to get a little angry. What right did they have to get upset with him? He slowly made his way to the doorway.

"Of course you go to the one spot no ones guarding," huffed Mad-Eye who was giving Harry the once over with his electric blue eye.

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" Harry said much calmer then before.

"It wasn't for us to tell Harry, Rosie was bound to a promise she made to your mother those 16 years ago," said Dumbledore disappointment in his tone.

"Rosie wanted to help Harry, but you're mother tricked her into leaving the night they were murdered. Lily knew if Rosie were around she would still have tried to help them. Rosie loved them just as much as you do Harry, your family has been her family for many years and for her to not be able to keep them alive was devastating. She's had to carry that grief ever since," explained a tired Julia. Harry began to feel terrible. He hadn't even thought about what Rosie feels every time she sees him. It was clear to everyone standing there that Harry felt bad for his behavior.

"It's okay Harry, we know it came as a shock. You had every right to feel overwhelmed, but I do suggest you go and apologize to Rosie," smiled McGonagall.

"Right," said Harry. "Proffessor McGonagall, how did Hermione and Ron change? Up until the other night I was the only one who could hold form for longer then 10 seconds." Asked Harry.

"Emotions are a powerful thing Harry, when your friends feared you had run away an instinct took over. The best way to find you was to have Ron turn into a wolf and follow your scent, and if you were in danger, Hermione would get you out of that area faster as a unicorn then you two running on foot." McGonagall explained putting a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"They care for you very much Harry, and it hurts them to see you be destructive towards yourself when they know you're better then that," Dumbledore said as the group walked into the castle. The group of adults waited in the hallway out side Julia's classroom while Harry went in to talk with Rosie.

"Rosie?" Harry said as he entered the office. She was still on her perch with her head hanging low. "Rosie," Harry didn't want to scare her if she had fallen asleep. The bird slowly raised its head and looked at him.

"I'm so sorry Harry, I should have told you sooner." Pain in Rosie's voice.

"I'm sorry too, I don't remember my parents and I never really saw them die. But for you to have to turn your back and let that happen must be very hard. And I didn't think about that," he paused. "I just have one question?" said Harry.

"Anything," Rosie seemed happier.

"I know you're Julia's and I understand if you're loyalty is to her but I was-"

"Once this battle is over my services to Julia is over, and I am to serve the noble Harry Potter. If you'll have me." Julia extended her wings and bowed.

"As long as the noble creature known as Rosie won't mind telling me stories about my parents," Harry bowed in return, he remembered reading that Eagles were just as proud as hippogriffs. He said his goodnight and headed for the door. The adults were still waiting for him and escorted him back to Gryffindor Tower. He walked through the portrait to find their common room empty. He was going to have to apologize to Ron and Hermione in the morning.

When he awoke the next morning Hermione and Ron had already left for breakfast. Ron must really be mad if he got up early, he thought. Harry got dressed quickly and headed for the Great Hall. He was passing the broom closet on the second floor when he heard something.

"Pisst! Harry, in here!" came a small voice. Harry casually walked over to the room and slipped in without anyone seeing him. It was Padraig the young Slytherin.

"We heard you were attacked last night, we didn't know anything was happening," said Padraig feeling a little guilty.

"It's okay it was my own fault," said Harry trying to make Padraig feel better.

"Well, Draco wanted me to talk to you before you heard it from anyone else or read it in the Daily Prophet." The young child took a moment to collect his thoughts. "There was a jail break at Azkaban last night, and we believe the dementors let it happen. They're still there, but we think they're only staying so not to arouse any more suspicion." Padraig stopped to see what Harry thought. Harry now realized who had yelled out after him last night. It was Lucious Malfoy, he must have just broken out when they saw Harry in the quidditch pitch.

"Thanks for the update, please thank Draco and if you guys hear anything else let me known," Harry smiled at Padraig, he didn't want to tell him about Draco's father because Harry knew that Draco might want to go after him. "I'll leave first, then wait about two minutes and then you go." Harry slowly exited the broom closet and headed down to the Great Hall. Both Hermione and Ron were already there, but the mail had not come yet. Harry quickly walked over to the table and sat across from them.

"Guys I need to talk to you." They both continued to ignore him. "Look I'm sorry about last night, I shouldn't have runaway like that but you have to understand that I didn't know what to do. It was a lot to take." Harry now pleading.

"We know Harry, but now with everything we learned you can't take chances like that anymore," Hermione said still a little upset with him. "It just scared us when we couldn't find you." Harry was now devastated seeing how worried Hermione was and he just wanted to hold her in his arms and tell her everything will be okay, instead he reached over and grabbed her hand.

"I promise not to scare you like that again," Harry reached out with his other hand to grab Ron. "Both of you." He smiled.

"Brilliant, now what did you have to tell us," smiled Ron as he dove into his food. Harry leaned forward and whispered what Padraig had told him. As he finished telling the story the flapping of owls could be heard coming into the Great Hall.

A Daily Prophet landed in front of Hermione the headlines said it all. "MAJOR JAILBREAK AT AZKABAN." The three friends looked at each other, things weren't looking too good. The whole school was buzzing with the news, several times through out the day people were coming up to Harry to confirm that the meeting was happened.

"What meeting?" Asked a confused Harry, who was immediately elbowed in the ribs by Hermione.

"You know the meeting you set for tonight," she hinted to him.

"Oh yeah . . . yes it's still happening." Harry felt a little sheepish. He couldn't even remember his own meeting. The day went by very quickly and before Harry knew it he was sitting at dinner trying to eat as fast as possible. He still hadn't thought about what to say at the meeting and wanted to have some time to think before everyone showed up. He went up to the room and thought of a nice comfortable place for people to sit and listen to him talk about the battle. He entered the room to find soft fluffy chairs and pillows lining the floor, and a small platform for Harry to stand on. He took a seat on one of the comfortable chairs and began to think about what he wanted to say. He then thought about how he needed some pumpkin juice in case his throat got dry. At that moment there was a knock on the door. Harry thought it might be Hermione and Ron but when he opened it no one was there. He shrugged his shoulders and closed the door but when he turned around a large pitcher of pumpkin juice was sitting on a table with two glasses. Harry laughed to himself.

"Thank you Dobby, wherever you went," he smiled at how Dobby always took good care of him. Pretty soon people began to show up, everyone Harry had seen at The Three Broomsticks had come, along with even more people. Once the Ravenclaws had settled into their seats Harry stood up.

"Is this everyone?" he asked Neville.

"Yes, we're all here," responded Neville.

"Good," Harry started to feel a little nervous. He hadn't talk to this many people before. He poured himself a glass of pumpkin juice and quickly drank it. He scanned the room until his eyes rested on Hermione. She gave him a small nod and a beautiful smile. His confidence now renewed Harry cleared his throat to begin.

"I'd like to thank you all for coming," Harry took a breath. "Some of you probably heard about what happened at the end of school last year. Several of us went to the Ministry because I thought Voldemort was holding a friend of mine hostage. While we were there, Death Eaters attacked and we fought them off until Dumbledore showed up-"

"You fought off Death Eaters?" gasped Susan Bones.

"Yes we did and Ron was brilliant," beamed Luna. Ron immediately went red in the face.

"Everyone showed an enormous amount of courage that night," said Harry. "Several of you I never got to thank for sticking by me-"

"It's okay Harry, just like Neville said, you've always been here for everyone else." Piped up Hermione, trying to give Harry more confidence.

"Yeah, I got and E in Defense Against The Dark Arts on my O.W.L's!" said an excited Hufflepuff.

"My Mum can't even conjure a Patrons and when I showed her mine I nearly got the stuffing squeezed out of me." Said a Ravenclaw.

"You've helped us all Harry, that's why we're here tonight. To help you," said Cho Chang. The group began to clap and cheer. Harry never thought about how much the DA had meant to people. He raised his hands to quiet everyone down.

"Well then I guess I'll just come right out with it then. You all remember the sorting hats warning at the beginning of the year?" the group shook their heads. "Well the sorting hat gave me a warning this summer," Harry looked into the crowd hoping not to shock them too much with what he was about to say. "There is a battle coming, on the longest night in June, here at Hogwarts. Voldemort is trying to gather an army to take out the school. He knows this is the last place that is safe for those who oppose him. All summer Dumbledore has been gathering an army as well, but we need more help," Harry waited for any type of reaction.

"Is that why teachers have been asking us how we feel about Voldemort? To see if we'll fight!" asked an excited Dean Thomas.

"Yes, some time after Halloween, or even after the feast, I don't know when, they're going to ask who will fight with us," said Harry. The Creevey brothers stood first.

"We're with you Harry!" they both said at the same time.

"I'm always up for a good fight," smiled Seamus as he stood up.

"Well, Gryffindor's won't get all the fun, count me in!" stood Cho. The rest of the crowd all stood up each yelling.

"They wont know what hit'em!" shouted a Hufflepuff.

"You-Know-Who isn't going to scare me any more!" shouted a Ravenclaw. Hermione slowly stood.

"HEY!" she shouted to get everyone's attention. "This information can not leave this room. You all need to sign this piece of parchment . . . and you all heard about what happened to the last person to sneak." Hermione glanced over to Marietta and Cho. She pinned the parchment to the door and handed the quill to Susan Bones. After everyone signed the parchment, Hermione handed it to Harry for him to be the last signature. As soon as he finished signing another cheer went up. The crowd now stood and waited for Harry to say something.

"Well, let's get back to our common rooms. The bigger meeting will happen soon." Harry said in a confident tone. The groups took turns leaving the room and soon it was just Ron, Hermione and Harry left.

"I think you were great Harry," said Hermione as she sat down on the pillows.

"I'm surprised how excited they were," said Ron trying to sit close to Hermione.

"They're excited now, but when Dumbledore talks with everyone at the meeting He'll make it sound much more serious." Harry said grimly. There was a noise in the corner that caused the three to pull out their wands.

"Please don't hurt me Harry Potter sir, its just Dobby," the house elf said as he crawled out from the corner he was hiding in.

"Bloody hell, Dobby! You scared the-," Ron paused and realized he could only really get away with one 'Bloody Hell' but not two. "The living daylights out of us," he finished.

"Dobby why were you hiding?" asked Harry.

"You see sir, the house elves wanted me to give you a message once the meeting was over," Dobby hesitated.

"What's the message Dobby?" asked Hermione.

"The house elves want to fight!"