Standard disclaimer: It isn't mine…I could only wish.


Harry was dreaming again. The unusual thing was this dream wasn't full of darkness and pain, but of golden lights and the most beautiful sounds. He felt energized, almost rejuvenated. He was surrounded by what he now recognized as phoenix song. It was lifting him up higher and higher, until he thought he would nearly burst from it. Just when he thought he could take no more, it was gone and there was nothing left but the peaceful calm of the darkness. He awoke suddenly to the light streaming in through the window and Ron shaking him awake.

"Oy! Harry! Are you going to sleep all day?"

Harry sat up suddenly in bed. "What? What happened? Ron—"

He jumped up and stumbled out of bed while reaching for his wand. He stood in the middle of the room wearing nothing but a pair of black boxers and had his wand pointed directly at Ron's heart.

"Bloody hell!" Ron jumped out of the line of fire. "Harry, it's me, Ron! What are you doing?"

Harry shook his head. "Oh, yeah, Ron…sorry. I must have been dreaming or something." Harry put his wand down looking confused.

"Are you alright, Harry? It was getting late and you were still sleeping. Hermione and Ginny have already gone down to breakfast. I figured I better wake you up before you missed it entirely. You didn't get in last night until after I went to sleep. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry said. "It will just take me a minute to get dressed."

Harry grabbed a pair of jeans and a dark green t-shirt from his trunk. He went into the bathroom to wash his face and try to make himself at least halfway presentable. He rubbed his hands across his face and grinned. He guessed it was about time to ask Remus to teach him how to shave with a wand. He tried to comb his hair to at least go in one direction but quickly gave up. When he came out of the bathroom a few minutes later Ron was sitting on the bed waiting for him.

"Where did you go last night anyway? I never even heard you come in."

Harry sat down on the bed and thought about it. "Well, when I left the Great Hall, I went to walk Cho to the Ravenclaw common room."

"Cho Chang? I thought it was over between you and her. What's up there?"

Harry shrugged. "Who knows? I thought it was too. Ever since I saw her that day in Diagon Alley I can't seem to get her out of my head. I don't seem to think straight when I am around her."

Ron laughed. "Since when have you ever thought straight around her? You have had a thing for her since 4th year. Besides, I don't think it's your brain you are thinking with around her!"

Harry threw a pillow at him and laughed. "Yeah, well, I guess I can't deny that. I suppose I'll just see what happens."

"So, you spent all that time with Cho?

Harry furrowed his brow. "No, I was coming back from her common room. I remember being on the stairs and getting lost. But that had to be a dream. I must have come back and gone to bed."

"No, you didn't come back to the room until late. What happened Harry? Should we go to Dumbledore?"

"No, I remember, it had to be real. I found a hidden room, Ron. I want to show it to you and Hermione at the same time though. Let's go meet her at breakfast and I will show it to you later today. Maybe between the three of us we can figure it out."

"OK, they are handing out class schedules today. Maybe we can go after lunch?"

"Yeah, let's go. I am starving." Harry started to get up and head for the door when Ron stopped him.

"Harry, your glasses?" Ron pointed at the table where his glasses still lay.

Harry hadn't even realized that he had not put them on. "Oh, I forgot them, thanks." He put them on and instantly everything in the room became distorted and fuzzy. "There must be something wrong with them. I wonder how that happened. Oh well, I seem to be able to see ok without them, I will have them checked later I suppose."

Harry and Ron walked into the Great Hall. It was still full of students and several of the teachers were talking together at the head table. Professors Cochrann and Snape were sitting together talking quietly. She looked up at Harry when he walked in and her eyes followed him all the way to the Gryffindor table. Hermione and Ginny were sitting next to each other with their heads bent close whispering to each other. When Hermione noticed them coming, she sat up and cleared her throat.

"Harry, you are finally awake. I was starting to worry. Have a bit of a lie-in?"

"Yeah, I guess so. I must have been more tired than I thought."

Ginny was staring at Harry. "Harry, what happened to you?"

"What do you mean, Gin?" Harry asked.

"Look at you," Ginny said. "You look like you have been lying in the sun for a few days. Your eyes are almost sparkling; and where are your glasses?"

Harry sat next to her and starting piling eggs and bacon on his plate. "Something is wrong with them. Everything is distorted with them on. I see better without them so I left them in my room."

"What happened to you last night, Harry?" Hermione asked.

Harry leaned in closer so only they could hear him. "I'll tell you guys later this afternoon. I have something to show you. They should be handing out class schedules soon and this will take some time."

Dean came over to the table and sat next to Ginny. "Good morning everyone!" He leaned in and kissed Ginny on the cheek. "Has anyone heard anything about that new DADA teacher? Heh, I can't wait for her class!" Ginny poked him in the ribs. "What are we going to do with our free afternoon, Ginny?" Dean smiled at her.

Ginny stammered a bit, "Oh…well...actually Dean, I was helping Harry, Ron and Hermione with something this afternoon. You don't mind do you?"

Dean looked towards Harry and frowned briefly. "Course not; we can catch up when you are finished."

There was the sound of rushing wings filling the room as the post owls flew in. Hedwig dropped a letter off for Harry and took a piece of bacon from him before flying off to the owlery. Hermione had received her copy of The Daily Prophet as well as a letter carried by a large black owl.

Ron glanced at Hermione's letter and frowned. He was sure it was from Viktor Krum.

Harry looked at his letter and smiled when he saw it was from Remus Lupin. He just wanted to let Harry know that things were coming along well at home and that Dobby and Winky were doing a wonderful job putting everything together. Hopefully it would all be finished for the Christmas break. The top floors were being done over as living space for family with a few guest rooms for Order members when needed. Order business was only going to be conducted on the bottom floor to allow him to have some privacy in his home. It all sounded brilliant to Harry and he was daydreaming about going home for the holidays when he heard Hermione let out a large sigh.

"Look at this! Three more dementor attacks in the last two weeks." Hermione held the paper up for everyone to see. "It's horrible. They are even attacking muggle families."

Dean spoke up, "I've heard we might not even be able to visit Hogsmeade if it keeps up like this."

"What? No Hogsmeade? No Honeyduke's? They can't do that to us!" Ron said. "Besides, if we can't go to Hogsmeade, where is Harry supposed to take his girlfriend?" Ron laughed.

Ginny looked up just in time to see a wildly blushing Harry kick Ron under the table. "I have to go. I'll come back for my schedule in a bit. See you all later." She jumped up and hurried from the room with Dean chasing behind her.

"Really, Ron." Hermione said, "You can be such an insensitive git sometimes."

Ron sputtered around a mouthful of eggs, "What's her problem?" He shook his head. "She's so mental sometimes."

Professor McGonagall was making her way along the students passing out schedules for this year. She stopped at Hermione first. "Miss Granger, may I congratulate you on your excellent OWL results. Twelve OWLS is very impressive indeed. At this point, you are eligible for NEWT preparatory studies in all of your subjects. I am going to suggest that you take the ones most related to your chosen field of study." She and Hermione sat closely for a few minutes deciding on classes for the year. It was finally determined she would take Potions, DADA, Arithromancy, Ancient Runes, Charms, History of Magic, Muggle Studies and Transfiguration. "That's a difficult load, Miss Granger. NEWT level studies are very difficult and only top grades will be allowed to continue next year."

"Yes, Ma'am. These classes will be of good use if perhaps I considered teaching?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Oh yes, very much so," said Professor McGonagall. She leaned closer and winked so slightly that Hermione wasn't sure if she had actually seen it or not. "I think you would be a brilliant teacher."

She made her way toward Ron and Harry next. "I suppose you two are planning the same subjects?"

Harry and Ron nodded. "We would both like to take Auror prep classes," Harry said.

McGonagall nodded. "I had assumed as much. Your grades are good enough to make the NEWT studies classes, but I have to warn you both; you will have to make an enormous effort this year and pull your grades higher or you may not be able to continue with them next year. Have I made my point?"

"Yes Ma'am, we will."

"Alright, then. You will both need to take Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, and either History of Magic or Divination as an elective."

Ron and Harry groaned at each other. "What do you think Ron? Divination? At least we can bluff our way through that one."

Professor McGonagall tried not to smile. It was no secret how she really felt about Professor Trelawney. "Divination it is then, boys. Good luck to you. Harry, let me know when you want to set up quidditch try-outs for our empty positions. You should start making plans as soon as possible." She leaned forward and said quietly, "Remember boys, I have grown quite fond of that trophy in my office." With that, she smiled and moved along to the next students waiting.

There was a quick flash of light and suddenly a beautiful red phoenix appeared in front of Harry. Fawkes walked over to Harry and handed him a note with a familiar scrawl across the envelope. With a soft trilling and a nudge, he was gone again in a flash.

Hermione watched Harry open the letter. "Note from Dumbledore Harry?" she asked.

"Yeah," Harry answered, "he wants me to meet him in his office. Can we catch up after lunch then? There is something I want to show you guys. Ron can fill you in."

Ron nodded. "Sure, I will tell Ginny and we will meet up in the common room. See you then."


Harry walked up to a large revolving stone staircase. With a quiet muttering of 'gingersnaps' the staircase carried Harry up to Dumbledore's office. He found the door open and quietly walked in. He walked around the office looking. He always appreciated a chance to look around Dumbledore's office. It was always amazing to see all of the shining and whirling gadgets he had sitting around the shelves. Maybe one day he would ask what some of them seem to be doing. Fawkes was back sitting on his perch quietly regarding Harry as he waited for the Headmaster to return. Several portraits of past Headmasters appeared to be sleeping or had gone from their frames. Dumbledore walked into the office. "Harry, glad you could make it so promptly. I trust you got your classes all set for the term?"

"Yes, sir. Professor McGonagall talked to me this morning already. I am going to be taking the prep classes required for Auror training. I was considering that to be a career choice if I can get through the classes."

"Excellent! I think that is a perfect career choice for you Harry. I am sure that you will do just fine. There are several things I thought we needed to discuss before term began. Have a seat, please. Lemon drop?"

Harry took a lemon drop and sat down across the desk from the Headmaster. "There are some things I should probably tell you about also."

"Good Harry, I'm glad. First, I wanted to let you know, I intend to handle things differently from now on. I will do my best to keep you more informed and help you directly whenever possible. I thought last year that minimizing the time I spent with you would be better for me and for you both. I was wrong. It was not safer; in fact it only made matters worse. By alienating you, I became untrustworthy to you. I can't always promise to tell you everything, especially when it concerns the welfare of someone else; but I will do the best I can. I haven't been fair to you Harry. I intend to rectify that mistake. You are stronger than I have been willing to believe or give you credit for. I suppose I was trying to shield you in a way from having to grow up too fast. We both know, especially now, that is impossible. I hope you can forgive my mistakes and trust me again."

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment. "I can appreciate that. I will do my best to be more open with you also. You know I haven't always been totally honest with you either," Harry said with a small grin. "And you're right. We should be in this fight together, not hiding things from each other."

"Indeed." Dumbledore smiled. "Now, down to the business at hand."

Dumbledore stood up and walked over to a shelf where a large box was sitting. He carried it over to the desk and gave it to Harry. "This is for you. Consider it a belated birthday gift."

Harry opened the box and carefully removed the contents. He sat a large marble bowl on a pedestal onto the desk top. "You bought me a pensieve?" Harry asked incredulously. "This is much too extravagant of a gift, sir. I don't know what to say."

"It is more important than ever for you to have one Harry. There are many things you know, and will learn, that are simply too dangerous for Voldemort to find out. Choose memories wisely to save in here. I want to start up your Occlumency lessons again. Once you have mastered it, we will practice on your Legilimens skills. I will teach you how to use it."

"Professor," Harry said. I know Occlumency is important. I have to tell you, though. Snape and I just can't seem to work well together. It was terrible. I know you trust him, but I don't. It felt like he was attacking me more than teaching me."

"Professor Snape, please Harry," Dumbledore corrected him, "I realize it was a mistake for me to ask him to teach you. That is why I am going to be teaching you myself. We will start lessons next week, giving you a chance to settle into classes first."

Harry couldn't believe it. Dumbledore himself, offering private lessons. "That would be great, sir. I will work really hard at it this time. I promise."

"I am sure you will." Dumbledore nodded. "Now that brings us to the next topic I wanted to discuss with you. From what I have been told, you did a very good job teaching with your DA last year. Your members scored the highest on OWLs. Job well done to you all."

"Thank you, sir." Harry blushed. "We only did it since Umbridge wasn't allowing us to actually learn anything. We are all hoping that our new instructor will be different."

"Well, you can count on that much," Dumbledore said. "I would like for you to continue with your DA, Harry. Think of it more as a dueling club of sorts. Professor Cochrann can help in an official capacity but the club will still belong to its members. I find students do learn better when motivated by their own sense of belonging to something special and you have proven yourself to be motivating indeed. Meet with Professor Cochrann and let her know of any assistance you will be requiring."

Harry nodded. "Would it be ok if I put up a notice for people to join if they like. I thought maybe it might give more people from other houses opportunity to come together for a common project."

"Excellent idea Harry," Dumbledore nodded, "I agree totally. I look forward to hearing about your progress during our weekly lessons." Dumbledore regarded Harry quietly. "Now, unless I am mistaken, there is something that you would like to tell me."

Harry thought back to the promise he had just made about being more honest with his Headmaster. "Well, yes sir. As a matter of fact, something rather strange did happen to me yesterday. It is hard for me to describe it really. Is there a way for me to just show you?"

"Of course. This is a good time for me to teach you to use your pensieve. I will be able to see exactly what you saw in there."

Harry did exactly as he was instructed. He placed his wand against his temple while visualizing the scene from last night clearly in his mind. As he pulled the wand away he concentrated on pulling the memory out with his wand. He was surprised to see a long silvery strand coming from the tip of his wand dropping into the bowl of the pensieve. "Would you like to look now, sir?" Harry waited while the Headmaster delved into the memory. When at last Dumbledore spoke, Harry startled, having had drifted off in thought.

"Interesting, very interesting indeed." Dumbledore stroked his long white beard.

"Can you explain it, sir?" Harry asked. "Things have not felt quite 'right' with me since. It's hard to explain."

"Actually, Harry," Dumbledore started, "it explains much of what I have believed to be true for some time now. Tell me, where did you get that ring?"

Harry explained how he had found the ring in Sirius's vault with the note attached, and what it had said. He also told him about how he could actually feel the ring grow warm or tingle in his hand at times.

Dumbledore sat back in his chair. "As you know, Harry, Salazar Slytherin had a secret room built into the castle. Rumor has been all these years, that each of the founders had a secret room also where they kept items that only they, and their heirs, would have access to. Of course, none of these rooms had ever been found until Slytherin's chamber was opened by Tom Riddle all those years ago. Godric Gryffindor was rumored to have worn a ring much like the one you currently have on your finger. There is also a pendant that matches it he had made for his wife. So the story goes, only his heir would be able to tap into the magic held within the ring in times of need. The jewelry was said to have been passed down through the lines of male heirs. If you do some research, you will find that the Gryffindor line does merge with the Potter Clan through marriage many years ago."

"Professor," Harry started, "are you saying what I think you are saying?"

Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, I think its true Harry. I have thought for sometime now that you are the heir of Gryffindor. I first suspected it when Gryffindor's sword came to you from the Sorting Hat in the Chamber of Secrets. Now, I am certain of it."

"But, I can't be," Harry stammered. "It isn't possible."

"Yes, Harry, not only is it possible, it appears to be true. The magic within the ring has been able to touch you. I think you will find that many things are going to start changing for you now. We will need to work hard to help you master your abilities. I must warn you Harry, be very careful not to let your temper get the best of you. You are going to have to practice maintaining self control at all times."

Harry nodded feeling very overwhelmed.

Dumbledore stood up. "Alright Harry, I think we have gone over enough for today. We both have a lot to think about until we see each other again. I will send a note with Fawkes for you about our next meeting, be prepared to begin your Occlumency lessons."

"Yes, sir." Harry rose to leave.

"Harry?" Dumbledore asked. "Have you told your friends about the prophecy yet?"

"No sir."

"It might be a good idea to do so, Harry. I know that you try to keep your friends from harm's way. You think that by keeping them away from you, that they can't be hurt. From what I have seen, your friends won't stay away even if you push them. It is better for them to be prepared, don't you agree?"

Harry thought for a minute. "Yes, just Ron, Hermione and Ginny I think. That would be alright?"

Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, Harry. That would be perfect."