Hey guys well i'm back again and this was definately quicker than my last update!
Disclamier: I own nothing but the plot!
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Okay, wow now that thats done there is nothing more to say except read on!
Mirror Image
Chapter Eleven: The DA Reborn
The next few days passed in a blur and before he knew it he was stood outside the Defence against the Dark Arts classroom for the first lesson of DADA. Harry had also been preparing for the first DA session the old members; those that were still in school had approached him excited asking if it was true.
But Harry kept putting off asking the Slytherins. He knew he had too he just didn't want too. The Gryffindors and Slytherins were not meant to mix and the fact he had initiate it was making him put it off until he had too.
The door opened and James grinned brightly and ushered the sixth year Gryffindors and Slytherins inside. They walked in and realised that all the tables had been cleared away.
The students clustered at the front of the classroom unsure of what to expect. James shut the door and came to stand in front of them and smiled. "Now before we begin I'm going to introduce myself. I'm James Potter and I was an Auror in the Ministry in Voldemort's first rise to power. The rules around here dictate that you call me Professor Potter, now I'm not much for rules round here so you can call me James."
Harry, Ron and Herminone burst into a fit of hidden giggles thinking of all the rules the Marauders broke while they reigned in school. He sent a mock glare at this son and their friends before saying, "Put your bags and things at the front of the classroom this will be a practical lesson I want to know how much you've learnt and what you still need to work on."
The sixth years looked at one another not sure what to expect. Did James mean that they had to duel? A shudder ran through the students some in excitement and others from nerves.
Harry couldn't keep the smirk off his face. Well at least it would be interesting most of classes with the Gryffindors and Slytherins, particularly the sixth years were explosive asking them to dual each other was just plain suicidal.
Herminone put her hand up. "Yes Miss. Granger?" James grinned. "How are we going to show what we've learned?" She asked
. "I am going to ask each of you to duel." James grinned. "You're joking right?" Shamus said. James smirked and looked in Shamus' direction.
"No Mr…" "Finnegan" Shamus supplied James smiled. "I knew your mum well, No Mr. Finnegan I am not joking the best way to gauge what you have learned in this subject is to put those skills in motion."
"A bit stupid learning skills like that from someone who is meant to be dead." Harry winced recognising the drawl. The tension in the room climbed a bit.
James however, seemed to take it all in his stride. He looked at the back where three Slytherins were lounging and said,
"No need to ask what your name is Mr. Malfoy. Defence Against the Dark Arts is a subject you have chosen to take now if you don't like the way I'm going to be teaching it this year then I suggest you leave. That goes for anyone else that shares Mr. Malfoy's views I want you to leave now I have no time for people who do not want to learn this subject."
The class stared at him but James was busy looking at Draco Malfoy. "You know where the door is Mr. Malfoy if you don't want to be here I suggest you use it now." Draco didn't move.
"Then I will start this class in the assumption that everyone wants to learn." With that he turned away form Malfoy and looked at the class as a whole.
"Now let's get some of the questions out of the way that I know you're dying to ask." "Yes I died when Harry was one, yes I'm back from the dead, no I'm not sure how it happened yes I was an Auror, and yes I am Harry's father." He stopped spinning his wand between his fingers. "Is there anything else I've missed?"
"Yeah," Harry said grinning. "How long you here for Dad?" James looked at Harry, "For a year at least not sure." He grinned. "We'll just have to see."
Then he turned to the class. "Right then on with the reason we're actually here, to learn DADA. Now from what I've heard you had no practical last year?" The Slytherins nodded but the sixth year Gryffindors nodded grinning evilly. "Yes sir." The class echoed.
"Right so this year we have a lot to catch up on. But first I want to know what you can do. So who wants to go first?" The whole class stepped back leaving Harry stood in the middle wondering what was going on. "Harry it seems you've just been volunteered by your classmates." "Yeah." Harry said looking round. "What have I just volunteered to do?"
James grinned. "Duel with me." Harry's jaw dropped. "No way! I've seen you duel I might end up having to go to the hospital wing." "I wouldn't let it get that far but you know better than anyone that the next time you have to use these skills that might no be the case."
Harry nodded the attack in the summer had proved that. He took a deep breath and took out his wand. "Fine, whatever let's get this over with." "This should be fun." Malfoy drawled from the back of the class. "As if he's going to duel properly with his son."
James smirked. "Yes because your father has never pulled his wand on you has he Mr. Malfoy?" Draco abruptly shut his mouth but could be heard muttering under his breath.
James looked at Harry and said, "I want you to throw everything you've got at me Harry, remember no holding back because when it finally comes to it you won't be holding back." Harry nodded gripping his wand just a little tighter.
They looked at each other and James smirked before his wand came down and a red beam of light erupted from his wand. Harry had barely any warning but he managed to bring up his shield before the curse hit him. He had had to say it verbally though and from James' look that hadn't been what he wanted.
Harry gave his father half a nod before summing up all his energy. They had discovered that sixth year could consist of creating spells non-verbally and Harry hadn't particularly had any flare for this type of magic but he found that when he was faced with spells coming his way he could do it, which was what his father was proving. Besides while he struggled in other subjects Defence was by far his best subject because he actually saw the point in taking it. So while he still found it difficult he was finding it easier than other subjects and as the spells continued to fly at him it became easier.
They threw spells back and forth never letting up and trying to avoid showing each other what they were going to do next.
After about ten minutes of that James through a spell and Harry deflected it but found him self cornered like he had been in the graveyard the students had created a ring around them and James' shield stopped their spells endangering anyone.
He felt trapped and the anger and fear from that night that was over a year and a half ago came crashing back and he threw everything he had and screamed, "STUFEY!" The red light almost blinded him and roared towards his dad.
He stood shocked for a moment before his dad yelled an incantation aloud and a shield appeared. Sweat was dripping down Harry's forehead and into his eyes his hair felt caked with it but he wasn't about to let this finish yet and so the spells continued this time aloud and Harry noticed that they seemed stronger out loud but couldn't focus on the theory of it only the practical of getting them away from him.
Another ten minutes passed and he could hear his peers gasp and that, he thought was what saved him. He spun to the left and the spell hit the wall. But he'd lost his concentration and dived to the floor and that was all it took James stood over him with his wand pointed over his heart.
Herminone and Ron stood outside the barrier not believing what they were seeing. Harry had truly changed over the summer, he was still their best friend but there was now a determination in him that they had never seen before. "I've never seen him fight like that before." Herminone said. "Losing someone can make you want that." Ron turned and looked at Neville he was looking at Harry in admiration.
"Harry knows what the world expects of him but now he's doing it because he knows its right." "He never ever thought otherwise." Ron defended. He had been with Harry on most of his adventures, and Harry's determination and bravery in his opinion could not be questioned.
"That's not what I mean." Neville said. "Harry just knows what he has to do, and he knows as much as we want to help him and will help him any way we can the responsibility will ultimately fall to him." Ron stared at Neville but both he and Herminone knew he was right and looking at Harry now they could see that even if Harry couldn't hear them he knew it too.
James stared down at his son trying to keep the grin off his face. "Finely fought Harry." He grasped his son's hand and pulled him up off the floor. "It wasn't good enough." Harry said looking at his dad. "If you had been a Death Eater they would not have stopped." "True but at least you know what you need to work on."
Harry nodded. James waved his wand and the dome disappeared leaving the class staring at them shell shocked. James ignored it and looked at them. "Now all of you must have been watching that, can you tell me what you observed when we were fighting."
No one answered after five minutes Herminone and Neville raised their hands. "Yes Neville?" James smiled. "You were keeping your actions to a minimum to keep each other guessing." "Correct. Five point to Gryffindor." "Herminone?" "You didn't leave much of a gap between attacks so the other one had less time to recover." "Correct another five points to Gryffindor." "Anything else?" James asked.
"Come on guys tell me what you saw, what you felt." "The strongest attacks were stemmed from a strong defence." James looked up and beamed. "Correct Balise five points to Slytherin." "The attacks were statically placed on the shields to make them vulnerable." This came from Ron. "Again five points to Gryffindor." "Anything else?" "You had mind blocks up." This came from Pansy Parkinson. "Correct again miss Parkinson." James said "five points to Slytherin. "For bonus points how did you know we were trying to mask our thoughts?" "There was no emotion in your eyes it was like there was no one there, it's how to spot a successful Mind Block because even though there are no emotions showing you still feel them it just means the opponent has a harder time guessing what will happen next." This came from the unlikely source of Draco Malfoy.
"Well done Mr. Malfoy ten points to Slytherin." The Slytherins gasped. And the Gryffindors groaned. They had expected James to be bias towards the Gryffindors but it seemed James was nothing but fair.
The only one that wasn't shocked was Harry. His father was a Gryffindor and he hated Slytherins but he knew that they produced good wizards as well as bad ones and besides, Harry thought grudgingly, he really hated that he was admitting this even to himself. Draco had deserved those points. He had got the answer right and it was something that not everyone would have picked up on.
James grinned sensing the mood in the room. "Just because I was and always will be a Gryffindor doesn't mean I don't award points were they are deserved. A nice answer, Draco." He nodded and was shocked when Draco nodded back.
James clapped his hands. "Come on guys your missing the most important factor here. There is something you're missing." There was silence. James clapped his hands and said, "Come on think you're missing something blaringly obvious!"
Harry had tried to stay quiet because he didn't want to be seen as teacher's favourite but he had to answer now. "The silent curses were less effective than the voiced ones."
"Thank-you Harry!" James said looking relieved. Harry grinned as he saw Herminone, Ron and Neville look annoyed with themselves. They had seen that for themselves in the Ministry. In fact that very thing had probably saved Herminone's life.
"Yes that's correct. Ten points to Gryffindor." Harry expected the Slytherins to complain but he heard nothing. He looked around the room and saw that James had the whole class captivated.
"Non-verbal magic is a clever ability but in Defence it dampens the effects of the curses which is why many people choose to give up the surprise attacks for the full power behind the curse." Harry's eyes went round with understanding. That suddenly made sense.
He had been wondering why if Voldemort could do non-verbal magic, which he had proved on several occasions why he didn't use it. Now it was clear why he often screamed curses, particularly the Killing Curse out loud it was for a more powerful effect. Voldemort had fear on his side. He did not have to hide his attacks as many witches and wizards simply froze when they saw him. Voldemort was also an immensely powerful wizard and if speaking the curse gave it more power then he would certainly speak them out loud.
Harry accepted that this was probably another twist of fate that had saved his life. Looking at his friends in the DA it seemed they had at least grasped some of this.
Outside in the halls the bell rang and James smiled. "Time to go I want an essay on the effects of verbal and non-verbal curses in for next week you can go. Harry stay behind please."
Harry nodded and turned to Ron and Herminone "I'll meet you in a minute ok?" Ron and Herminone nodded and grinned at James before leaving with the rest of the Gryffindor hoard.
"Hey Dad." Harry grinned sitting on the desk in front of his father. "So when is your Qudditch practice?" "It's tonight." Harry said grinning. He couldn't wait to be back on his broom he had been about to put it off in favour of the DA but with the first match of the season fast approaching he knew he needed to hold tirals and practice. I had Magonagall put the signs up for me."
"Mind if I come watch?" Harry shook his head happily. "Great so I'll see you on the Quidditch pitch?" Harry nodded and turned to leave. "Wait Dad that can't be what you were wanting to ask. If you want to know about the DA that's in two days. I haven't asked the Slytherins yet. I know I should but I haven't." James nodded.
"Bite the bullet son." He said and winked. Harry grinned and then said, "So what did you really want to talk to me about?" "I didn't particularly I just wanted to have a few minutes father son time before you go back to your friends." Harry's face lit up "Thanks dad." And with that he gave his father a quick hug before dashing out the door to join Ron and Herminone.
James signed and pulled a hand through his hair that was so like his sons. "You do realise you will have to tell him at some point don't you?" James spun round and smiled at his wife who was sat on his desk.
"I know. I just… I can't Lily it's too hard." "I know but James he knows, you know you can't be here forever." "He knows that and I know that." James said pacing with his wife watching with eyes so like her son's. "I just…" "If you tell him it will make it final?" Lily asked.
James looked at her and nodded. "How you do that is beyond me." "I've had practice." Lily smiled. Then her face turned serious as she tossed her red hair over her shoulder. "James, honey I love you but you can be such an idiot at times. You have to tell him he needs to be prepared for the fact that there will be a time when you are not going to be there."
"I don't want to think about that time." James said stubbornly. "He's our son. It's unfair that we had to leave him in the first place." "I know baby." Lily said getting up and ghosting a kiss across his lips. "But it happened and now you're here to right a wrong but you have to know it won't be forever. It can't be."
James ghosted his hand over his wife's cheek she was as beautiful in death as she had been in life and James wondered what he could have possibly done to deserve her especially after everything he had done at school.
"Don't make me think about it until I have too." James pleaded. Lily rolled her eyes. "Fine but I still say you need to tell him." "I will." James promised. "When the time is right but don't make me do it yet. "Please, not yet."
Lily rolled her eyes again but said nothing else. They chatted about nonsense before Lily looked away as though she was listening to something she couldn't hear. "I have to go James." She said finally. "Be careful okay? Voldemort is bound to know by now and don't hold off telling Harry too long ok?" James nodded and ghosted another kiss across his wife's lips and nodded and with one last smile she disappeared.
James pulled a hand through his hair. He knew his wife was right, hell usually when wasn't she right? But he really didn't want to do this. He managed to get through most of his lessons without a hiccup.
James was looking forward to this. He hadn't seen Harry fly properly and he couldn't wait to be sat up in the stands and watch. When he got there he realised that Harry was already there as were most of the other people hoping for tryouts.
He recognised Ron and Ginny and he could see that there were others there also. He could see that Harry was explaining what he wanted from the team five people readied their brooms and James realised it had to be the chasers as Harry threw the Quaffle into the air. The Chasers zoomed round the pitch and Harry was up in the air watching carefully. James squinted into the air and saw that Ginny and another girl with dark hair as well as a black boy seemed to have the best team dynamics and from the way Harry was flying round he seemed to think so too.
Soon the Beaters were in the air and James couldn't stop laughing as they threw the buldgers across the pitch. It was fun but he felt a pang in his heart as he remembered he and Sirius zooming round the pitch during a game James as a Chaser and Sirius as a Beater.
He watched as the trails went on and then went across the pitch to hear what Harry had to say. He stood off to the side as the team was chosen. He could see Ron and Ginny bouncing up and down meaning that Ron had been kept as Keeper and Ginny had been kept as Chaser as well as the dark haired girl who James realised was called Katie and the black boy whose name was Dean. The beaters were a girl called Kendra and a guy called Jack.
Harry then had his new team in the air and they were practicing and James whistled as he watched them fly. They worked well as a team definitely this was going to be a good year for Gryffindor if they kept up their flying like that.
James grinned as he watched Harry work his team and smiled at how good a flyer he was. He'd seen him fly before watching when he couldn't be seen but watching now, well it was different.
Harry moved like he belonged in the air and he seemed to have a good report with the team up in the air as they moved across the pitch moving the quaffle and dodging the bludgers.
Harry signalled the end of the game by catching the snitch and they landed on the pitch as one unit. Harry spoke to them all briefly before they trooped off to the changing rooms. James decided to catch up with him before he went to get changed.
Harry was packing up the Quidditch set when he saw a shadow pass over him. He looked up and smiled. "Hi Dad." James smiled and said, "Hi son. Nice practice." Harry's eyes lit up. "You think so?" "I know so. You fly well." "Sirius always said so." A shadow passed over Harry's face as he said this. James felt his heart ache and was going to comment but thought better of it. Harry looked at his dad and smiled seemingly to shake off the feeling he had moments ago.
"I'll see you later dad I'm gonna go and shower." James smiled, "You need it." He dodged a swipe from his son and ruffled Harry's hair causing Harry to take another swipe and this time it didn't miss him before waving bye.
The next week passed with virtually nothing abnormal happening, well abnormal as could be in Hogwarts. Slytherins and Gryffindors still raged open war in the corridors and Flich still had to try and catch as many as mischief-makers without being cursed to oblivion but other than that life was normal.
James' class quickly became the favourite and his ability to remain fair despite his "Gryffindor Rules" background gave him the grudging respect of the Slytherins. James had still not told Harry his one remaining secret though and he was not looking forward to doing so.
However he figured he had better and the best time he could think to do it was after the first DA meeting, which was fast approaching. James grinned as he remembered how Harry had finally gotten the courage, or rather run out of other options and had to ask the Slytherins to the DA and then spread it to the others.
Harry had been reluctant because it was known that many of their parents where Death Eaters but when he had come to James with this argument James had simply said that did mean the child was cut from the same cloth. Although when it came to James and Harry Snape was still convinced they were the same person no matter how hard they tired to dissuade him of the idea.
He then grinned and said, "You could also Jinx the register when they sign it." Harry grinned. "It seemed to work well last year. Yeah that might work." And Harry seemed more enthusiastic about the whole thing after that.
So now there were Slytherins at the DA and James decided to be there to try and gauge what they would do with the knowledge they learned from the lessons. So when the time came he headed for the Room of Requirement something he hadn't known existed until Harry had shown him and waited until the door appeared and then went inside.
He found that the session hadn't started yet or if it had it had sparked very little attention, which he refused to believe. Harry was stood with Ron and Herminone speaking quietly as he approached he realised that they were arguing. "If this is going to work I can't be the leader!" Harry was saying.
"Harry the DA was your idea and you led us last year why should it change now?" "Because the Slytherin's are coming!" Harry said as though this was the most obvious thing in the world. James thought he knew where Harry was going with this and thought he possibly had a point.
"What's that got to do with anything?" Herminone said. "It shouldn't change the fact that you have leadership." "Herminone," Harry said quietly. "I hear you, honestly I do but this is more important than that and I don't want this not to work because they didn't like me. There are more important things out there now than arguing about who should have leadership. We'll put it to vote and if the vote chooses me then so be it."
"I think that's wise." James said as they spun to face him. "James you agree that Harry should be leader right?" Ron asked. "I do." James said watching Herminone and Ron's faces light up. "But I also know that Harry has a point. The DA is a defence class and we don't have time to waste with arguments and when the vote is cast I'll make sure that no one argues with the outcome."
Herminone and Ron looked like they wanted to argue the point again but as they did this the door opened and students started to pour in and any arguments they might have had were forced back.
Over the next ten minutes the old members of the DA filtered in as well as people Harry knew but didn't recognise as part of the previous year's DA. He also realised that the Slytherin Head girl came in with some of her friends followed by the Head boy and a gang of Ravenclaws.
Harry watched as more and more people filtered in through the door. He was getting edgy there was definitely more people here than last year and if he was voted leader he wanted to make sure that he did this right. He had to earn their respect, he had to prove he could do this otherwise it would be pointless.
Half an hour later he was about to start the meeting thinking that everyone had arrived when the door opened again and Harry had to blink when he realised who was walking in.
Ron, hot head that he was, was the first to react. "Malfoy what the hell are you doing here?" "I thought that would have been obvious." Draco observed dryly as the Slytherin six years he had brought with him crowded round him.
Harry put his hands on his hips. "How do we know that you're not just gonna report everything to your father?" Draco looked sharply at Harry. Harry simply started back. "Well? Malfoy I've told you before I've got better things to do than fight with you so if you're here to fight leave. If you're actually here to join The DA sign the bit of paper but I'm warning you,"
At this he turned to face everyone "All of you Herminone has jinxed it. If you tell anyone about this, if you endanger any of us because of what you say there will be consequences anyone who can't deal with that," Harry pointed at the door. "There's the door."
No one moved. Harry nodded and passed the paper round. "Sign it. It'll act like a register and I'll make sure you all know when the next meeting is." And he looked at Draco, "And we'll see what you do in time." Draco simply nodded and then there was a flurry of movement as the new members of the DA including the Slytherin sixth years signed the paper.
"Right," James said stepping forward making his presence known for the first time. "I'm here to offer help where its needed but this is largely up to you. I do however have to organise who the leader will be." He smirked. "And no it won't be me." Many of the students looked a bit downcast at this but James simply said, "This is Harry's idea and many of you know he led it last year but he's agreed that if you don't want him to lead he is happy to stand down and be led." At this one of the Slytherin sixth years, Balise Zabini. "That happens and we're walking out of here."
Harry blinked sure he had heard wrong. But there was a murmur of agreement round the room at last Shamus said, "Harry this is your group and you were a good leader. You should be leader." Harry looked around that them all.
"I didn't know whether you'd all agree to that and we haven't got time for arguments this is your time to disagree." No one said anything. James smiled. "Okay so it's settled Harry is leader."
James used his wand and shot Harry's name to the top of the list and stuck it on the wall. He looked at Harry, "Alright Harry take it from here."
Harry stood up and said, "Okay, I want two groups, one with the old members of the DA and one with the new members. The new members to the left the old members to the right."
James watched as Harry organised the students and then organised them into sparing partners and then blew a muggle whistle and the curses started to fly. All the while Harry was darting between the two groups correcting people and congratulating people when they got it right.
"Harry!" James yelled, Harry looked up and James said, "It's time to finish but you haven't sparred pick someone to spar with." "Spar with James." Ron said and then there was a mummer and then yells of agreement apart from the Head
Boy and Girl who thought it was inappropriate.
Harry shrugged. "Fine, I pick dad." James smirked and created the Dome they had before and they sparred the same as they had in the DADA classroom but this time James was not giving anything up. "Come on Harry," He goaded. "I know you can do better than this!"
The sparring went on longer and eventually James won again by throwing an Unforgivable, which Harry had to dive to avoid. But he was up again and shot a spell at his father who deflected it and sent another Unforgivable, which Harry swerved to avoid again, and this time his father had him.
"Well fought Harry." "I wish we could think of away to block the Unforgivables it would make things so much simpler." Harry said rubbing his shoulder where he had fallen. "I know." James said, "but as of yet there is no counter curse or shield strong enough to stop a Counter Curse."
He lifted the shield and said, "Hey guys," The other students looked at him. "There's something any one of you can do. You can create a shield or a Counter Curse strong enough to stop an Unforgivable since we all know they are the favoured curse of any dark wizard."
The students laughed but they knew it was a serious issue. "We'll meet the same place, same time next week." Harry said smiling. "Well done everyone."
The students started to filter out and Harry watched them go. "Amazing what the truth can do." Ron observed dryly. "Amazing." Harry said sadly. "So much could have been changed last year if they'd believed us when it first happened."
James looked at Harry. "That's true but we still have to believe that we can win. Without hope there is nothing left."
Harry looked at his father. "Speaking from experience dad?" He asked. "I am." James said sadly.
"But that reason isn't for now." He said then and smirked, "Go on get back to the Gryffindor Tower. I'll see you tomorrow." Harry frowned for a moment and then he nodded remembering he was going to the next Order meeting.
"Sure dad." Harry then left with Ron and Herminone and James sighed. He had so much to tell his son and he'd bottled it,
Again.
Outside the room of requirement Harry sighed. "I need to work harder." Ron and Herminone stared at him. "Did you see that?" Harry asked waving back the room. "I lost because I should have known better. I am never gonna do this if I don't expect the unexpected."
Herminone grabbed him from the arm. "Harry, there are few of us that could fight the way you have, don't do this. Don't put yourself down. You restarted the DA your helping everyone who wants it and do you really think that Ron and I would let you do this alone?"
Ron clapped him on the shoulder. "Yeah mate, honestly. You're not going to be doing this alone me and Herminone are going to be there to help."
Harry smiled. Sometimes he really had no idea what he'd done to get friends like them. "Thanks guys." The walked back to the Gryffindor Tower and Harry's heart was lighter than it had been in a little while.
Meanwhile James was still stood in the Room of Requirement thinking.
"You're running out of time James." Lily said coming up beside him.
"I know." James sighed without looking round. "I knew it was going to be hard to leave him but I never realised it was going to be this hard. How do I tell him Lily, How do I tell him that as soon as Sirius returns I have to leave?"
Lily shook her head. "I don't know James I really don't but I know that when the time comes you'll know."
"Any word from the Bridge?" He asked at last changing the subject. Lily looked at him but didn't comment and then let it drop and shook her head. "He's obviously lost at the moment and don't forget he has to pass the tests. I know he's at least passed the first gate. Quick considering how long it is since he fell."
"Very." James said once again proud of his friend. "Harry did well today. He restarted the DA." Lily smiled sadly. "I fear that he will those skills sooner than we want him too." James nodded. "I know. I wish I didn't but I know. I won't let anything happen to him Lily I promise."
"I know." Lily smiled ghosting her hand across his. "You'll do what you need too. I know that." She paused and then said, "I have to go baby, and I'll see you soon." And with that Lily was gone and James was left alone.
The room abruptly changed and he watched as it changed around him and then a piece of paper fell to the floor. He picked it up and read,
"You don't need help you need a miracle."
He scrunched the paper up and stormed from the room. He did not need a room to tell him just how screwed he was his heart was telling him that and he could imagine Harry's face when he eventually found the courage he was renowned for and that was more than enough.
He needed to tell Harry, but how do you tell your son that soon he would basically have to choose between the life of his father and the life of his Godfather both of home loved him totally?
The room of requirement was right.
He did need a miracle.