A/N: Nothing to say at the beginning of the chapter, but I do have things to say at the end.

Be0t: I made Harry come off as a jerk?? Hmm... I suppose I might have, what with him impulsively snogging Parvati with no true feelings there...But what can I say?

MoonieDream: Yes, Harry is rather slow. Lol.

Lock and Key

Chapter 11

Harry caught up to Fate on Thursday. He had just gotten back from Quidditch practice at 8:30 when Minerva McGonagall caught up to him.

"Potter, the headmaster wishes to see you," she somberly told him. He and Ron looked at one another.

"Can I—"began Ron.

"No Weasley. The matter doesn't pertain to you." He frowned but wasn't too disappointed. Harry would tell him what happened anyway.

"Do I have to go now?" asked Harry.

"It's best," McGonagall shortly responded, "Just come with me." She shooed Ron off and then headed towards Dumbledore's office, Harry following. She gave the password (jelly-jinxed giraffes) and the gargoyle made way. When they were on the landing, McGonagall pushed the door open and they walked in. Albus Dumbledore was giving a roll of parchment to Fawkes, along with verbal instructions. A moment later the bird was gone and the old wizard had turned around.

"Ah, thank you Minerva," he started. She nodded curtly and left, "Please sit Harry." Harry slumped into the chair in front of the desk and Dumbledore sat in the one behind it.

"How have you been Harry?" Dumbledore questioned after some silence. The boy shrugged.

"Okay, I suppose," he remarked, not wanting entirely to have to speak to the headmaster.

"You've been keeping busy, which is good, between Quidditch, school work, and, for lack of a better phrase, your personal life." He gave a slight smile. So Dumbledore had most likely been spying on him, huh? And he knew about the Parvati rumors.... What gave him the smallest inkling it'd be all right to allude to that, or that Harry would actually comment on it?! Harry didn't say anything and tried to work up a scowl.

"I am also aware of the reformation of the DA." Dumbledore noted. The scowl quickly fell away. Harry shifted in his seat.

"Yeah," he mumbled.

"I am glad you have taken the initiative to commence it once more. I know last year you were in no mood to attempt to do so.... I bring this up because it is linked to the reason why I asked for your presence tonight," He sighed heavily, briefly closing his eyes, "I do not wish to plague your mind with awful thoughts, but I feel I must discuss with you the subject of Voldemort." Harry almost snorted.

"Plague my mind?," he inquired, "It's too late for that, Professor. It seems as though Voldemort has been lurking in my head ever since I found out I have to kill him. You know, that lovely prophecy you kept from me."

"Yes, the prophecy," Dumbledore meekly said, "I am truly sorry, Harry. I know you do not believe me and want me to cease repeating that, but I am apologizing for so many things."

"It's not like it's going to change anything." Harry gruffly commented.

"You're right, it will not," He sighed again, "I will be honest with you Harry—I feel the time for the prophecy to be fulfilled is approaching." Harry stared at Dumbledore. Good God, no. He had just expressed what Harry himself had suspected, but that mean he, Harry, wanted it to be true! It was as if his death had just been signed, making it secure and binding. Was Dumbledore implying only a few months remained in which Harry would surely live? He looked out of a window, not able to speak.

"Voldemort is on a rampage. Each deed becomes brasher, as I'm sure you've read and heard about. There is currently information he is planning a major dementor attack on the wizarding community, location unknown. We are trying to get more information on that. I think he can sense it too, Harry. He knows that time is running low and is getting desperate." Dumbledore grimly reported, eyes on Harry. Then why doesn't he just finish it now? Come after me, kill me—he'll surely win, he thought sadistically. The fire crackled in the background as the old wizard studied the young wizard, who pointedly did not return the gaze.

"Have you told anyone?" Dumbledore quietly asked.

"No," Harry snapped, finally looking at him, "I didn't have the heart, though I suppose I should get on it seeing as how I probably won't live to see April Fool's Day!"

"Harry—"

"Can you tell me something, Professor? How am I supposed to defeat him? I allegedly have this secret power , but it does me absolutely no damn good since I have no idea what it is! How do I defend myself against the darkest wizard in history?! The clock is ticking but I've had no training, no preparation—nothing! I'm supposed to use my school education as a tool, huh? It's pitiful compared to his knowledge! I am going to die! D'you realize that?!" Harry shouted, suddenly on his feet and using everything he possessed to not cry. Dumbledore looked broken.

"So young for such a burden," he murmured, shaking his head in grief.

He stood up and walked to his fireplace, "You are correct Harry, yet again. You are going to need help." Dumbledore threw powder into the flames and they changed colors. He said numerous names and then straightened up. Harry watched with anger and confusion. Moments later, witches and wizards emerged from the fireplace. Severus Snape, McGonagall, Flitwick, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Moody, Tonks, Emmeline Vance, Higgins, and Hagrid were all present. Hagrid & Tonks gave him sad, encouraging smiles, and the look Snape gave him was implacable.

Harry sank slowly into his chair.

"Every professor, Auror, and/or member of the Order here is to help you prepare, Harry. I myself, the Weasleys, and Remus are also at your disposal," Dumbledore calmly explained. Harry had his hand covering his face, hidden, "We will train you here on your free nights, and during the holidays as well. You are not alone in this, Harry," he told him. A sob escaped the boy and wracked his body. He should have been horrified to do this in front of Hagrid, Snape, and Moody but he didn't give a damn at the moment if he came off as weak. Apparently neither did anyone else. The only one to move was Tonks, who walked over to Harry and gave him a small hug, a tear falling down her cheek.

Hermione was making her way back to Gryffindor Tower at ten after nine. She had been in the library working on a Muggle Studies essay. (She had not used the Head Room's resources because Malfoy and some Slytherin girl occupied the room). She rubbed the back of her neck just as someone brushed past her, knocking her elbow.

"Hey!" she protested. The person turned around. It was Harry and he looked wretched.

"H-Harry?" inquired Hermione, becoming very worried. What had happened to him?

"Sorry," he steely stated before leaving. Hermione opened her mouth to call after him but closed it. She wanted so badly to go after him but knew it wasn't a good idea. He had appeared in no mood to discuss anything and she was supposed to be giving him the silent treatment. But goodness... he had looked so troubled it was distressing.

Harry didn't go to breakfast or his first class (Defense) the next day. When Ron reported his absence from the session to Hermione, she made a resolution: the no-talking-to-Harry bit was over. Something was wrong and she had to speak to him. Ron didn't know why Harry was upset either, having forgotten about his meeting with Dumbledore, and suggested they confront him after their last class of the day. (Ron was personally, if not strangely, glad something had happened to Harry; Hermione was willing to end her one sided feud because of it).

Harry skipped lunch to sit in the Astronomy Tower and think. He'd originally planned to no go to his afternoon class but decided it was a bad idea. His friends were probably worried and would raise an alarm if he missed another lesson, thereby causing a school search for him. With ten minutes left before he had to depart, Harry made a resolution as well; he was going to try and appease Hermione, but this time he would be firmer about it. With God knew how much of his life he had left, he had no room for disputes with friends (even if it wasn't his fault).

When Harry put himself back into the throng of Hogwarts students, he noticed two things: the people he knew were beside themselves with relief and he was attracting stares again. In class, Transfiguration, Hermione actually smiled at him. He thought he had imagined it but Ron saw it too. She looked like she had something to say, but knew she'd catch heat from McGonagall if she mouthed or wrote anything. Harry wanted to talk to her after class but couldn't, because she left right afterwards.

"Where'd she go?" Harry asked Ron panicked.

"Oh, she had to go to her tutoring session," he replied.

"Hermione needs a tutor?!"

"Of course not twit! She tutors some third year in Arithmancy."

"Oh. Well, you saw her smile at me right?" Harry said, hurt he didn't know that fact.

"Yeah. She wants to talk to you mate, by the way," noted Ron.

"Really?!" His spirits flew.

"Uh huh. So... what did happen yesterday? I mean, you're okay aren't you?" His spirits fell. Harry couldn't tell Ron the truth, not yet. He told his best friend a lie he had thought over, and quickly advised him to forget about it. The weekend had just started for Merlin's sake....

As the day quickly wore on and neared an end, Harry noticed the stares all came from the females, and maybe he was just crazy or something, but were they directed at his lips?! Some girls looked longingly, some skeptically, and he was sure he heard one witch say:

"It makes sense; he's good at everything else."

Hermione came in for dinner later and didn't stay on top of that.

"Hi Ron, Harry! Unfortunately I've got this project to work on so I can't stay," she greeted, grabbing a roll.

"For Transfiguration?! Hermione, it's not due until—"Ron heatedly began. She held up a hand, silencing him. Her attention was on Harry now and he felt great.

"Um, d'you think you can meet me at 8:30? In the common room?" she inquired.

"Sure." Harry eagerly responded.

"Good," smiled Hermione, "See you later then!"

"Let me guess, I'm not involved in this little meeting of yours?" Ron darkly commented, when she had gone. Harry swiftly looked at him, appalled.

"W-what?" he wondered, refusing to believe Ron might be somewhat jealous, "Well... I d-don't know. She probably just wants to know what was up with me, which you already know."

"Ah, I was just messing around Harry! I know that! I didn't mean anything by it," he confessed. Harry relaxed. What was with everyone and joking with him?! And despite Ron's proclamation that he had been kidding, Harry couldn't help but feel truth had lingered in those words for Ron.

Harry strolled into common room at 8:30 to see Hermione standing by the fireplace, throwing (or rather hurling) parchment into the flames.

"Uh, burning anything of importance?" he greeted, grinning doubtfully.

"No. Just rubbish," she answered. She gave him a smile. Her brown eyes, however, looked livid.

"Okay. So... what did you want to talk about?" Harry pondered. She faltered for a minute, relishing his anguished face yesterday. She had wanted to know the source of his problem, but at the moment, her fury stood in its place.

"Nothing." Hermione shortly said.

"Huh?" Harry didn't comprehend. What did she mean nothing? Why had she asked to meet him?!

"I don't have anything to say anymore, Harry," she remarked. He then actually let out a laugh, throwing up his arms in defeat.

"You can't be serious!"

"I am," she snapped. What the hell had happened in a few hours' time for her to do a total 180 on him?!

"This isn't fair Hermione!," Harry told her, "One second you act as if I'm invisible! The next, you decide to finally speak to me, or so I think! You turn around and close up again!"

"Things change!" Hermione argued.

"What things?! And that quickly?! I have no bloody idea what is wrong with you! You're being ridiculous!" he yelled.

"If I'm such a bother, then I think it's best that I just go!," she shouted, "You know, since I'm beyond ridiculous!" Hermione snatched her bag and rushed past him.

"Where are you going?" Harry demanded. So much for fixing the problem. Somehow, he had managed to piss her off once again and was still in the dark as to how.

"Rounds with Malfoy!," she indecorously said, though they weren't for a good 20 minutes, "And don't you dare speak to me as though I'm your child!" He covered his glasses with his hand and laughed, completely at wit's ends. It was hopeless.

"I'm glad you find it so amusing! Perhaps you'll also be happy to know that according to Parvati Patil, you kiss marvelously! She has the envy of every girl at Hogwarts, I'm sure!" Hermione cried. Harry looked up to see the portrait hole closing and no Hermione. He stood there, stunned. What had she said? The attention he had received that day replayed in his head. Oh no.... Parvati's revelation from the lake suddenly surfaced. Well, it appeared as if she had kept her word. "I'll be sure to pass it along."

Harry collapsed onto a couch, still shocked. So that's why Hermione had suddenly become upset. But... but why had it upset her? It shouldn't have, unless she was—whoa, no, she could never be that. Harry then remembered Hermione's abrupt departure when he had divulged to snogging Parvati. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Merlin... was Hermione jealous?!

A/N: Sorry bout this chapter being shorter than the other short chapters, lol. For those wondering why Hagrid was among the others to help Harry... I dunno. I just thought he fit there. Lol! The next chapter consists of revelations galore! I'll post on Saturday :D