A/N - First off, I'm so sorry for not updating in so long. A family problem came up and I had to leave very quickly. Everything is okay now, but that is why you haven't heard anything from me in a while. I'm postings these two chapters because they were done before I left. I probably wont post again for another week or so, just because I need to settle back in. Second, thank you all for your kind reviews and emails asking if I was okay. Don't worry I wont stop writing until this story is over, it just might take a little longer. Thanks again for all the support! Much love, ME.

Chapter 23: The Prophecy Of Julia Potter

The house was very eerie the next day. Mad Eye was mad no matter what anyone did, Lupin was making list after list of any people he might know, Mrs. Weasley would cry every hour on the hour and Dumbledore was standing out in the back yard for several hours just watching the clouds. The twins promised the others they would talk about what happened at the meeting but they wanted to put a half-day in at the shop and wouldn't return for another hour. So the group gathered in Julia's room hoping she would wake up and have an idea about what to do. Draco had managed to sit next to Ginny and they were having a pleasant discussion about quidditch. Hermione was sitting next to Harry but she was instructing Padraig on his wand technique.

"It's Lev-E-Osa . . . not Lev-e-osA," said Hermione who instructed Padraig as he tried to levitate a pillow.

"Bloody hell that brings back memories," said Ron as he nudged Harry.

"Huh . . . oh yeah," said Harry, who was obviously in another world.

"How are you doing anyway? I mean this new information has kinda hit us hard and I didn't know if you wanted to talk about the other night. Cause I'm here if ya need to talk," Ron said awkwardly. He might not be the best person to talk to about these things but Harry appreciated his effort.

"Thanks, but I've decided to wait and hear Julia's side of things before I completely believe it," said Harry as he looked at her sleeping form.

"And if she is your aunt," asked Hermione.

"Then I finally I will have a family," he smiled weakly. Hermione was going to push him and asked about how he felt towards Dumbledore but thought against it. She had discovered what happened when the Order stopped by her house looking for him that night. Even though they were more then friends now, Hermione knew it was going to take a while for Harry to adjust to having her as someone to go to even with the harder things.

"Water," came a soft whisper.

"She's awake," said Padraig as he ran to the bathroom to grab a cup of water. The group slowly gathered around her bed.

"Julia?" Harry said softly. "How are you feeling?" Padraig handed her the water and after she took several sips she cleared her throat.

"Much better thank you," she looked around at everyone. "You must be bored if you're hanging out watching a sleeping woman," her joke fell flat as they continued to give her serious looks.

"Something has happened," started Ginny.

"After the attack yesterday Fudge came over to talk with Dumbledore about the battle," chipped in Ron.

"It didn't go very well," said Hermione.

"We're pretty much done for," said Draco, who received several dirty looks. "What, its true."

"Okay what exactly happened," she said as she began to lift herself into a sitting position. They all started to talk except Harry who just stared at her. Julia took notice and raised her hands for the others to stop. "Harry, what happened?"

"It seems that the Ministry has spread itself thin. Fudge thinks he can only spare fifty people for the fight. Twenty Aurors and thirty security people," he finished and looked down.

"So Moody is mad and has pretty much condemned us to death," said Ron.

"My mum's crying every hour," said Ginny.

"And Dumbledore has been standing outside for hours staring at the sky," finished Padraig. Julia laughed at the forwardness.

"Then it's up to us then," she said. "We'll hold a DA meeting the first week we're back. Train every week and as we get closer, train even more, the only way to beat them is to be more prepared then they are. Don't worry," she said as she looked at their grim faces. "I'll figure something out."

"KIDS, LUNCH!" yelled Mr. Weasley from down stairs.

"Go on ahead, I'll be down in a few minutes," she said as she slowly moved her legs off the bed.

"You go, I want to talk to her," whispered Harry to Hermione.

"Are you going to be okay," her big brown eyes staring back up at him made his heart skip a beat. He grabbed her and gave her a quick hug.

"I'll be fine," he whispered. "Love you."

"Love you too," she said as she left. The door closed and Julia noticed Harry was still in the room.

"What's bothering you Harry?" asked Julia in a sweet tone.

"Is it true," was all Harry could say as he looked at her. "Are you really my Aunt?" Julia stared at Harry for a moment then regained her composure.

"It's true," she breathed. "James was my older brother," she looked down at the bed sheets.

"Why did no one tell me about you?" asked Harry.

"Because they knew you'd try and come find me," she said. "When your parents died, I was only eleven and I couldn't take care of you. Then when I was eighteen I asked if I could come get you but by then you were only three years away from Hogwarts and Dumbledore didn't want to disrupt the charm from your mother's sacrifice."

"All he ever does is lie and cause me misery," said Harry as he turned away from Julia.

"You don't mean that," Julia could see how hurt Harry was.

"I do!" he quickly turned back. "He's kept things from me all my life. I didn't know who I was until eleven. Then I find out I have a godfather when I'm thirteen. At the age of fifteen I'm told there is a prophecy about me and now at sixteen . . . SIXTEEN! I find out I DO have family. What's next, at twenty one Dumbledore is going tell me my parents didn't die?"

"Harry, all anyone has ever done was think of you and what's best for you. A lot of people care about you and they might have made some mistakes but so do most people. No one's perfect Harry . . . not even your parents," Julia wish she hadn't said the last line but she needed Harry to concentrate on the battle not his anger with Dumbledore. Harry stood in silence for a moment, hurt that Julia would speak of his parents in such a way, but somewhere in the back of his head he knew she was right. For some reason he always held the Headmaster to a higher standard.

"Look, I'll forgive Dumbledore, I just don't want to do it now. Let me have a day or two,' said Harry.

"You can have as much time as you need, just as long as you remember that love was the motivation," she smiled. "You've gone through a lot more then most people do in a lifetime and sometimes because we know of your greatness, we forget that you're only still a young man. A young man who's had to grow up and discover things on his own and not having any adult to help him. So just remember that we all love you no matter what we do or say." Harry nodded his head and was about to open his mouth when Julia continued. "Now, before you ask me about yesterday I owe a lot of people that same explanation which I will give later today." Harry laughed at his aunt.

"Fair enough, but now that you're up and about I have a feeling you'll be the main attraction at lunch," he smiled.

"Ah well, attention is something we Potters are used too," she winked at him but saw Harry's mood shift as he realized what she said. "You okay?"

"Yeah it's just . . . Sirius was the closet thing I had when it came to family and now –"

"And now you have me," she slowly got up and walked over to him. "Now you might think me foolish for promising this but I'm going to anyway," she put her hands on his shoulders. "I promise, I'll always be here. Not even Voldemort himself can take me away." The conviction in her voice was so strong and true that Harry believed her immediately.

"Come, let's get you some food . . . Aunt Julia," he smiled.

"Now do you need to say aunt or can we just stick with Julia?" she eyed him.

"Julia's just fine," he smiled as he offered his arm. The two walked into the kitchen and everyone could see just how happy Harry was. He sat down across from Julia and next to Hermione. He stared at both women who were the new loves of his life and decided that life wasn't so cruel after all.

"Okay, we got some questions for you," said Ron as the kids slowly gather around Julia.

"Watch out dear they've been waiting to do this all semester," said McGonagall from the other end of the table. Julia laughed then looked at the group.

"Are you really Harry's Aunt?" asked Padraig.

"Yes. I was James's younger sister," she smiled.

"Where did you go to school?" asked Hermione.

"I went to one of the oldest schools in Europe. Older then Hogwarts –"

"You went to Kylemore!" gasped Hermione.

"Kylemore? Where is that?" asked Ginny.

"It's one of the oldest places where magic was taught. It was a sacred place for the druids, one of the earliest forms of wizards. A physical school wasn't present until 1864. A muggle by the name of Mitchel Henry built a castle on the teaching grounds. The wizards were so angry that they frightened him into leaving and now the muggles in the town believe the castle is a convent school run by nuns. When it's really the best magical school in the world," finished Draco, who was wondering why everyone was staring at him. "What, you didn't think Granger was the only person who knew things did you?"

"The male version of Hermione does exist," said Ron as he stared at Draco.

"Well at least Grainger has brains," spat Draco. "My point was it's very hard to get into Kylemore, only a few Malfoy's have been able to do it. My father expected me to make it," Draco drifted off.

"What's so special about it?" asked Padraig.

"It only takes the top one hundred wizards and witches from around the world every year," explained Julia.

"But you're only eleven when you start, so how do they know?" asked the little boy with the strawberry blonde hair.

"That's the thing, no one knows how they know but they've produced so many great wizards and witches that the King Aurthur Auror Academy in Dublin reserves three seats for students from Kylemore," explained Julia.

"Did you get into the academy?" asked Ginny.

"I did and that's why you didn't see me play in the World Cup game for Ireland," she glanced at Fred and George who had walked in while she was talking.

"Why don't we give Julia some breathing room," said Madam Pomfrey as she walked over to check her patient. "Julia you should go back to bed, I'll have Dobby bring up lunch for you." Julia knew better then to try and argue with Madam Pomfrey. She said her goodbyes and went back up stairs.

"Let's all go into the living room," smiled Fred.

"Afraid not Mr. Weasley," said McGonagall from the other end of the table. "The Headmaster is in a meeting."

"Well where can we go?" frowned Ron. Harry, who had been lost in thought about his feelings towards Dumbledore, looked out the window to the back yard. Snow was falling and the ground was covered with half a foot of it. He then started thinking about how at Hogwarts they had the Room of Requirement and wouldn't it be nice if they had something like that here, Harry began to get an idea.

"You guys go to my room and I'll call you in fifteen minutes," said Harry as he waved Dobby over to him. "Hermione, could you stay I'll need your help," he said as the rest of the kids left the kitchen.

"What's he doing?" asked an irritated Draco as the group entered Harry's room.

"It will be interesting that's for sure," said Ron as he plopped down on the bed.

"So is Harry still angry at Dumbledore?" asked Fred.

"I hope so," said Ron as he stared up at the ceiling. "Harry's lived his whole life thinking he had no one and now he's almost a graduated from Hogwarts and he finds out he does have family. Just think of all that time he didn't have to spend with the Dursley's."

"The who?" asked Draco.

"The Dursley's, were the only family Harry thought he had. They treated him horribly. They kept him in a cupboard and –"

"Ginny!" snapped Ron. "It's none of HIS business," he gave Draco a look.

"That's it!" barked Draco who slowly started to walk over to Ron. "When will you get it that I'm on your side in this fight!"

"You might be on our side in this fight but I don't have to like it," said Ron as he got up from the bed.

"You guys knock it off," said Ginny as she saw the two of them get closer.

"Can't stand the fact a Slytherin is helping you?" asked Draco as he stared down Ron.

"No, because Snape's been putting his life on the line a lot longer then you. I just don't think we need help from pure blood elitists to defeat the hero of your kind," said Ron with a smile.

"And what do I have to do to prove myself, put my life on the line to save someone like Granger. Is that noble enough for a Gryffindor?" said Draco between gritted teeth.

"It's a start," said Ron as his hands started to close in a fist. Ginny saw this and stepped in.

"Ron stop it," she said while stepping in between them.

"Ginny why are you always defending him?" said Ron as he looked at his sister.

"I'm not defending him?" she was completely caught off guard.

"Then why are you so accommodating then?" grilled Ron.

"Maybe she learned some manners," injected Draco.

"SHUT UP!" yelled Ron, who then looked at Ginny.

"Ron, I just don't want you to get in a fight that's all, if you want to pummel him back at school I don't care but while Mum and Dad are downstairs we should try and be civil," said Ginny who turned to see the hurt in Draco's eyes. But before she could say another word Hermione stepped into the room.

"We're ready," she smiled and disappeared. The group made they're way back down to the kitchen and into the back yard, which now had a tent set up in the middle of it. Harry smiled broadly as the group approached.

"You expect all of us to fit in there?" asked a cold Draco.

"You'll see just go in," smiled Harry. They entered to see that the tent had doubled in size and the floor was covered with rugs and skins of all different sizes and colors. In the middle was a roaring fire. The top of the tent had a whole that allowed the smoke to escape. Pillows were also all around the tent and a tray of hot chocolate and butterbeer was set up at the back. Padraig went and grabbed a cup of hot chocolate then grabbed a pillow and sat down around the fire. The rest of the group joined in and soon everyone was sitting around the fire waiting for Fred and George to start talking. Draco had made sure to avoid sitting next to Ginny. He sat between Padraig and Hermione and made sure not to give her eye contact.

"So obviously you've all heard the part about us getting killed," started George.

"Because we noticed a shadow crept by the door after you left and placed something on the floor," continued Fred.

"Now once you stopped listening the meeting got really interesting," smiled George.

"It turns out that Harry isn't the only Potter with a prophecy. After Moody was done exploding. Fudge mentioned something about Julia and her destiny to lead this battle into victory," said Fred.

"Then Dumbledore said that the prophecy was not clear on what her role was. He was about to say something else but stopped and said it wasn't his place to give the information away." George stopped and took a sip of his drink. "So then Lupin and the rest of the Order start asking question about what Fudge was talking about."

"Dumbledore was able to side step the issue of course and got back to asking the Minister what his plans were in case we lose the battle," said Fred.

"But an Auror stepped in and told the Minister they had to leave," added George.

"And that was it," frowned Fred.

"That would explain what happened yesterday," whispered Harry out loud.

"Explain what?" asked Draco who heard Harry.

"Well . . . there was something I didn't tell Fudge," Harry paused again.

"Go on," said Ron.

"Julia . . . she was glowing and her voice sounded different. Not quit an echo but different," he looked at the fire as he spoke. "It must have something to do with the prophecy." They continued to talk for several hours. Everyone had his or her own theory as to what Julia's prophecy might be. Before too long Mrs. Wealsey came outside to collect them all and escort them to the living room where everyone was waiting.

"Seems to be a theme this holiday. Meetings in the living room that is," winked Ron as they entered. Julia was sitting in an armchair up front and had Dumbledore and Rosie on either side of her.

"Okay, we're all here now, will some one come clean with what's going on," asked Lupin who seemed to be just as annoyed as Moody looked.

"I first want to apologies for keeping this to myself," said Julia as she slowly stood from her chair.

"It's a little late for apologies," snapped Mad Eye.

"We could all be in more danger because Voldemort knows you're alive and well probably double his efforts in finding this place," said Lupin.

"Voldemort does not know about this prophecy," said Julia as she began to get mad.

"How do you know?" asked Mrs. Weasley, trying to step in.

"Because my father and Dumbledore were the only people to hear it," she said a bit more calmly.

"Why don't you let Julia finish her story," spoke Dumbledore. Everyone settled down and waited for Julia to speak.

"Thank you," she said. "Many years ago, long before the prophecy about Harry was told, before I was even born. There was a prophecy made about the Potter Family by Cassandra Trelawney," she paused and looked at Dumbledore who revealed his pensieve. A ghostly figure that resembled Harry's professor rose from the liquid.

"The very old and noble house of Potter will be tested. Many of it's members will it lose in these trying times. For the Dark Lord grows stronger but his control grows weaker. The head of the Potter family stands before me today. Your youngest will become one of the greatest of them all. Only the heir of the Potter family will match they're strength. The heir will be born in the year of great sorrow. A year were lives will be lost and hope will seem all but gone . . . but the heir of Potter will hold true and rise up to greatness. Greatness that can only be achieved if the youngest Potter can protect the heir and throw light into the growing shadows that will surround them . . . The Potter family will be tested and strong must it's last remaining members be," the liquid ghost slowly slipped back into the pensieve. The room remained quiet for some time, the only people who didn't seem affected by the prediction was Harry and Julia who both looked at each other.

"Now you know what I have prepared for all my life," she whispered. Harry nodded then took a deep breath.

"They're only two things to focus on now," he said. "Getting the students ready . . . and figuring out what to do with the elements the sorting hat spoke of."