AN: As always I do not own Harry Potter or the world and characters created by J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros, I only own the story that they are taking part in. I hope that you all enjoyed the last chapter, I apologize for the long wait it took a little longer than expected to get all of the older chapters updated. Anyway, back to the show.

Harry and Hermione stepped onto the staircase, riding it up as the fifth floor corridor disappeared behind them. As they arrived at the landing outside of Dumbledore's office they met with Professor McGonagall who was waiting for them. They greeted her and together they knocked on the door entering at the sound of his voice.

"Ah, I was wondering if it was that time yet." Dumbledore said as he rose from his desk, crossing to stand before them. "Professor McGonagall, I was not expecting you this evening." He continued with a gentle smile.

"I am sorry Albus." She said as she stood beside them. "Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger, sorry Mrs. Potter asked me to join them with you for dinner."

Dumbledore nodded his understanding. "Not at all, perhaps this will be a good time for all of us to get to know each other better." He said as he indicated a table set out for the dinner in a corner of the room.

They followed as he lead and settled down into the chairs, Harry pulling the chair out for Hermione before settling into his own. Dumbledore and McGonagall smiled at the gesture before they joined them, everyone settling into place.

"I am sure you were wondering why I asked you to join me for dinner this evening." He said as he looked between the two of them.

"Sir?" Harry asked as he gently squeezed her hand at his side. Well that was quicker than I expected. He added mentally to Hermione.

"Yes, well let me begin where it all started." He said as the table was suddenly filled with food, several different entree platters lining the center of the table. "Please note that I do not know everything, many things I am still researching or investigating to determine the accuracy."

Harry nodded, reaching forward as he began to fill the plate in front of him with some of the various options. "I understand Sir." He said with a frown.

"Many years ago a young man attended School here at Hogwarts by the name of Tom Marvolo Riddle." Dumbledore began as he and the others also began to fill their plates. "For the first couple of years he attended Hogwarts he was simply a student, talented and gifted, but a student with the same worries and triumphs as those who now roam these halls."

Harry nodded, he immediately knew who Dumbledore was talking about. "Yes, I met him last year Sir."

Again Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, as you learned he was a very talented young man and very likable." He stated as he continued. "As he grew several of the Teachers and Staff respected and admired the young boy who they saw as an exceptionally gifted and powerful young man with a bright future ahead."

Harry listened, remembering well the affluent nature that Tom Riddle had. He recalled how Riddle in the Diary last year had tried to trick him with his revelations regarding his capture of Hagrid. Tom Riddle even at that young age was a monster and deserved the end that the Diary received.

"Naturally as everyone at this table is aware, now, this was not the true nature of Mr. Riddle." Dumbledore said with a sigh as he took a sip of his pumpkin juice. "After Hogwarts and his false capture of Hagrid, Tom went out into the Magical World as a grown adult. Of course many believed that he would take an internship at the Ministry of Magic, instead he took a job as a store clerk."

Harry continued to listen to the story being told, realizing that Dumbledore was slowly telling the life story of Voldemort. "A store clerk?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, he took a position working for Caractacus Burke and Vincent Borgin of Borgin and Burke's in Knockturn Alley. Though first he asked Head Master Armando Dippet to take the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."

"Really?" McGonagall asked as she set her fork aside to pick up her own juice for a sip.

Dumbledore again nodded. "Yes, not many know this now." He said as he took a bite of the chicken breast he was now cutting up. "Tom Riddle worked there for some time until he disappeared for several years in Albania."

Harry frowned at the last bit, how could Voldemort just disappear for several years. "Sir?"

Dumbledore smiled gently and Harry could see that he had hit upon something in the twinkle of the penetrating blue eyes that gleamed back at him. "Here we now enter into some lesser known areas, even to myself." He said as he sighed.

"For about ten years he simply vanished, all known traces of his whereabouts ended at the forests in Albania." He continued as his brow furrowed. " Despite all my efforts I have been thus far unable to discern exactly what it was that he did there or learned, those who I have spoke to do not even remember a man by the name of either Tom Riddle or Lord Voldemort."

Harry frowned even more at this. "Were they obliviated Sir?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "No, genuinely they either never heard of him or his passing near them was unnoticed." He said before taking another bite. "After nearly ten years Tom returned only this time he no longer used his real name, instead he was now openly using the name Lord Voldemort."

Harry continued to listen as Dumbledore explained how Voldemort once more asked for a job, this time from himself, at Hogwarts. After being denied a second time, Dumbledore continued to explain how the Dark Lord began to gather even more followers than those he had already obtained while at school, naming those who dared to join his ranks Death Eaters.

"So anyone bad simply rushed to his side." Harry stated, already several ideas of candidates hopped into his mind. "So, let me guess Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle?"

Dumbledore smiled as his eyes twinkled. "Yes, they were Death Eaters." Dumbledore said with a nod. " Though after the fall of Voldemort they claimed to have been under the Imperius Curse and were able to walk free."

"Oh, why am I not surprised." Hermione stated, showing indication that she had an idea of what the Imperius Curse was. "If Lucius Malfoy was under the influence then I am a Pure Blood."

Harry laughed and smiled at her before returning his attention to Dumbledore. "I can understand his rise to power, however where do I fit in all of this?"

Dumbledore nodded and explained how he had formed the Order of the Phoenix to fight against Voldemort and his Followers and how the Ministry despite their best attempts were not up to the task of catching them. He explained the many measures taken on both sides to win the War that engulfed the Magical World, a war that saw witches and wizards from multiple countries banding together on both sides.

"Your Parents joined the Order shortly after they graduated from Hogwarts, making their stance clear to all from the beginning." He said as he began to bring the story to its point. "They personally were responsible for foiling several of his larger plans during the years they were in the Order, becoming one of his most important targets."

Harry listened eagerly as Dumbledore continued to talk about the feats that his parents accomplished, even dueling with Voldemort personally twice before their deaths. He was glad to see that despite everything his parents were always determined to see an end to the Dark Lord.

"Nearly a year before your birth I was hiring for two new Professors for Potions and Divination." Dumbledore continued as he pulled out his wand and tapped it to his temple and pulled forth a silvery strand that seemed to float along with the movements of his hand. "This is a memory, more importantly my memory of the night that I interviewed Syble Trelawney, I would like for you all to see it."

Standing he lead them over to a cabinet near his desk which he opened and pulled forth a shallow silverish bowl that he explained was called a Pensieve. Taking the object to his desk he pointed his wand into the bowl and the silvery strand floated down into it, the contents swirling as figures came and went.

"Simply place your face into the bowl to enter the Memory." He instructed before doing so, vanishing into the bowl.

Not wasting time Harry quickly followed suit and soon the four of them were standing in a room in an inn watching as Dumbledore and Professor Trelawney spoke about her qualifications. Harry wondered as every moment passed why they were here until suddenly the much younger version of Trelawney went rigid, her eyes rolling up into her head as her voice became deep and strange.

They continued to watch and listen as Trelawney foretold of a baby born to parents who fought against the Dark Lord, who would be marked by him as an equal though also having powers unknown to Voldemort. Harry was further surprised when just as the strange experience was ending Snape was forced into the room by another man who stated that he caught the man spying.

Harry's anger boiled as he listened to the lie that Snape hissed out, he did not understand the entirety of the Prophecy but he did understand the importance. After watching the rest of the Memory in which Snape was released they returned to Dumbledore's office and settled back down at the table.

"From there it was a matter of choice for Lord Voldemort, there were two young families who were both having children at the end of July 1980 both of whom had thrice defied him and his plans." Dumbledore said after taking another sip of his juice. "Your Parents were expecting you, while Frank and Alice Longbottom were expecting their own son Neville."

Harry felt his own surprise reflected from Hermione through their connection. That is news." She said as she curled up against him mentally, holding him.

"You mean Neville could have been the one who was targeted?" Harry asked, voicing his confusion.

"Certainly, Frank and Alice Longbottom were not only two of the most fierce fighters in the Order, they were also two of the most powerful and proficient Aurors the Ministry ever had." Dumbledore stated, pointing toward a portrait of one of the former Head Masters. "Everard here is the one who informed me the day they were admitted to St. Mungo's, they suffered a fate far worse than death."

Harry listened as Dumbledore explained how Voldemort chose to target Harry and his family as they were the more dangerous to his plans. He explained how Sirius and his parents had established Sirius as their Secret Keeper for the Fidelius Charm, a charm that could hide a location within their heart and soul thus protecting it from discovery of those not directly told by them of even the name of the place.

"For over a year your parents hid in Godric's Hollow with yourself in the family cottage." Dumbledore said as he sighed. "Until Halloween night of 1981."

Harry nodded, he knew the rest of the story from here for what happened to his parents. "I think I understand now." He said with a heavy sigh as he let everything sink in, reviewing it all in his head. "So, after trying to kill me Voldemort was vanquished. What happened to his followers?"

Dumbledore grimaced as he explained how some were imprisoned in Azkaban while others were killed or released. Harry found once again that the Ministry instead of punishing the Pure Bloods and Half Bloods who chose to join Voldemort, they let them go choosing to believe that such upstanding citizens could not possibly have willingly committed their crimes without the use of the Imperius Curse. Others seemed to have gotten away with lesser sentences or bargained their freedom with information on other members within the Death Eaters.

"So I must ask." Harry stated as Dumbledore finished his tale. "Why was I placed with my Aunt and Uncle despite the fact that my Parents wills specifically forbade it?"

Dumbledore sighed and gave him an apologetic smile. "Ah, yes, the most complicated question to answer." He said with a frown.

Harry listened as he explained how he had been the one to cast the Fidelius Charm for his parents and Sirius, never knowing or thinking that they would change it just hours later. He explained how after his Parents were murdered he had sent Hagrid to retrieve him and the exchange he had with Sirius that night before being provided transportation by the much younger Lord Black.

"Within twenty-four hours Sirius was imprisoned for killing Peter Pettigrew and thirteen Muggles in a crowded London street." Dumbledore stated. "He was imprisoned without a trial due to it being well known he was extremely close not only with Peter Pettigrew but also your Parents, he was blamed for betraying them to their deaths."

Harry nodded, "Sirius told us what happened." He said as he turned everything over in his mind. "Pettigrew is alive and here at Hogwarts according to Sirius."

Dumbledore and McGonagall both stared at him in disbelief as he explained the story told by Sirius about Scabbers. He explained everything to the best of his ability including the plans to try to expose the rat the following day.

"I see no reason to wait." McGonagall stated as she stood. "We will get to the bottom of this now." She continued as she stood and left to retrieve Ron and his pet.

Dumbledore sat watching them both quietly as they waited. "I should have told you some of this long ago Harry." He said softly. "I should have fought harder to get Sirius a trial even then, but I was overruled and I had to ensure your absolute safety."

Harry nodded, "I still don't see why that put me with my relatives." He said, indicating that he was not going to stop until the question was answered.

"Your mother gave up her life the night she died to protect you." He said with a soft nod. "In doing so, she invoked old magic far more powerful than anything even I or Voldemort could conjure." He continued, taking another sip of his juice. "You remember in your first year when you faced Professor Quirrell?"

Harry nodded, remembering the explanation that his Mother's protection was in his very blood. "Blood magic..." He said quietly.

"Yes...and no." Dumbledore said softly. "Your mother did not perform any spell that night, she stood between you and Voldemort prepared to die in your stead to save you." He continued with a frown. "Knowing this would require someone who also shared her blood to ensure the protection lasted until you were seventeen, I placed you with her only living blood relation to ensure that you were safe and her protection was secure."

Harry nodded, now it made sense why he was left in their care. "I see, so in essence either I must kill Voldemort or he must kill me?"

Dumbledore nodded heavily. "Yes, you are the only one who will be able to ensure his defeat." He said, his piercing blue eyes gazing at Harry again almost as if he were attempting to read his thoughts. "First though we must find how Voldemort survived when the killing curse rebounded that night, for I fear he may have multiple ways of ensuring his longevity."

Harry could feel the turmoil within himself growing as he took in everything that had just been revealed, so many things falling into place now that he had most of the full story finally. He nodded in his agreement to what Dumbledore had said, this above all else was the key to understanding how he was alive and how to ensure his defeat.

"What was are there that we know of Professor?" Hermione asked as she stared directly at him, Harry could feel her curiosity piquing.

"There are only a few ways that I know of Mrs. Potter." He said softly, a frown coming to his lips. "Most would state that the only approved way is a Philosopher's Stone, however that is not the only way."

Hermione nodded and Harry was brought back to their first year and the long and turbulent hours spent researching Nicholas Flammel. "Sir, how are Nicholas and Perenelle?"

Dumbledore smiled softly. "They are well Mrs. Potter, they still have a few years worth of elixir before they will be lost to us." He said with a nod. "I was going to suggest that you meet them, they also share one of the longest lived Soul Bonds in History. They will be pleased that you asked about them."

Harry was somewhat surprised by this revelation, it seemed that despite the fact that it had been nearly two years they were still able to continue on. "What are the other ways Sir?" He asked, turning back to the matter at hand. "I know Hagrid once said that Unicorn blood can sustain you even if you are an inch from death, but when I later spoke with Firenze he said that from the moment the blood touches your lips you will forever be cursed."

Dumbledore nodded and sighed. "Yes, sadly that is another way to sustain life, there are also potions and other elixirs that will prolong life." He continued as they listened.

"What about objects Sir?" Hermione asked, and Harry could feel the gears in her mind as he felt her thoughts and questions. "What about soul magic Sir?"

Dumbledore stared at her, his blue eyes sparkling as he suddenly jumped from the table to a bookshelf nearby. "That's just it Mrs. Potter, there are objects and talismans, potions, books, but the question is which is most likely to be the way that Tom would have gone?"

Hermione nodded, "Well, if we knew about aspects of his life that we do not know about now, then perhaps we could begin to pin point exactly the type that he has used. What seems the least likely based on what we know about Lord Voldemort?"

Harry thought for a moment and sighed. "Honestly, I don't know much beyond what Professor Dumbledore has revealed, knowing what I do know the ways that we have all discussed would prolong your life, not prevent death."

Dumbledore froze, staring at Harry as if he had suddenly grown another head. "Sir?"

"Preventing death is impossible and returning from death is impossible Harry." Dumbledore said with a frown.

"Nothing is impossible Sir." Harry said with a frown, "Surely there has to be something, someone you have not spoken to who was once close with Lord Voldemort and who would know more? A teacher, a friend, lover?"

Dumbledore frowned, "Most of the Dark Lords friends were in reality his henchmen, from what I have know about Lord Voldemort he has never had a friend and finds love to be at best a bad joke."

"Professor, might we have permission to explore the Restricted Section in the Library, I have read and heard there there are several books within that could potentially lead us somewhere."

Dumbledore frowned, twining his fingers in his beard as he looked at them thinking. "Normally I would not allow this, but it is time for me to allow you to take your place in this now Harry, I would prefer to allow you more time to simply be a student, but perhaps I am simply just being and old man who doesn't want you to have to suffer and worry more than need be at so young an age."

Harry smiled, he was surprised that Dumbledore was going to allow them to help try to find the way he was keeping himself from death. "Thank you Sir, but I am ready to do my part, I have to be how else can we stand a chance?"

Dumbledore smiled softly. "I agree, no more secrets between us, but I must ask that you not tell anyone that you do not trust what we are doing. At max I would not go beyond your closest friends Harry as the less Voldemort can learn and knows that we know, the better."

Harry and Hermione nodded as she gently ran her fingers along his arm before lightly taking his hand in her own again. "We will Sir." Harry said softly.

Just as he was taking a sip of his juice Professor McGonagall came back in accompanied by Ron, Sirius and Madam Palmfrey. Ron was carrying Scabbers who was fighting against him trying to escape but failing.

"Hello Sirius, perhaps you should take a seat." Dumbledore greeted as he waved his wand and more seats joined the table. "Now, lets get to the bottom of this shall we."

Everyone settled into the seats as Ron handed Scabbers to Professor McGonagall who immobulized him immediately. With the rat now still she set him down onto the table and drew forth her own wand, pointing it directly at the rat before waving it in an intricate pattern over the rat.

As they watched the small body of the rat began to transform before them, growing and twisting, the tail shrinking as the hair all over the body turned into skin and clothes. The man that lay before them was balding, plump and yet more ratlike in appearance than he had been before.

"Hello Peter..." Sirius said as he turned to look at Dumbledore with a satisfied expression on his face. "We meet again."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Arthur arrived home at six, going straight up to the bedroom to change before dinner. Molly had been pleased to see him early as he passed through the kitchen assuring her that he would be down soon. He had spent all afternoon trying to determine how he was going to tell her.

Stepping away from the wardrobe he quickly changed and started to go over the letter again before deciding it was best simply to let her read the letter. He doubted that it would go without saying that she would demand to read it, this would just be giving in quicker.

He pulled the letter from his robes and headed down to the kitchen to find her finishing setting the table. "Dear, I received a letter from Harry today."

"Harry who?" She asked as she turned to him, seeing that something was on his mind.

"Harry Potter dear, or should I say Lord Potter now." He said as he held the letter out to her. "Read it over, I think you will find it interesting."

Molly took the letter with some apprehension on her face as she unfurled it and began to read. He watched her as she took in the contents, her eyes growing larger as before she looked up at him and her eyes were teary.

"Now dear, I know this is not what we were expecting, but we both know how she feels about him." Arthur said gently as he stepped over and took the letter from her.

"Ginny..." She said, frowning as she stared back down at the letter. "He's offering to marry Ginny?"

Arthur nodded. "Yes, due to our families relations through the Black Family our family and the Potters are required to marry." He had explained this years ago, but it seemed he would have to do so again. "Septimus Weasley married Cedrella Black while Dorea Black married Charlus Potter, due to laws and Black Family Traditions, the Potter's are now required to marry into the Weasley Family, either with Harry himself, his children or at the latest his grandchildren. Not marrying will result in both our families loosing their magic or dyeing."

Molly nodded her understanding. "I am not against the idea Arthur, she is crazy about him, but aren't they a little young?" she asked, indicating that their Ginny was only twelve.

"He would not marry her now Molly, they would not be able to marry until she is fifteen at the earliest, and even then I would ask that they wait until she is sixteen preferably seventeen." He said as she visibly relaxed. "All that would change would be that if Harry or I and you asked she would be allowed to move into Private Quarters with Harry and any others that he is required to marry due to his other titles."

Molly nodded, her eyes showing her worry. "And you think he will ask her to move in with him?"

Arthur smiled and sighed. "He will not demand it no, though he has already offered for her to join him if she or we wish it."

Molly nodded. "I didn't think he would, he's not like that, I just wondered if he would ask as once they move in there is no telling what will happen."

He smiled and shook his head. "I highly doubt that Harry will be like that dear, he seems to have a fairly decent and respectable approach to life."

Together he sat down at the table with her and they began their dinner, talking about the various aspects of the day. When he revealed to her the trial and innocence of Sirius Black the room seemed to both explode with surprise and darken with fear until he assured her that Amelia and Dumbledore both as well as Lord Greengrasss believed Sirius to be innocent. Finally finishing their dinner they settled into their normal evening activities.