Greetings; to my reviewers: Wow, so many of you! **grins like a maniac**

Immortal Rose:

Glad you like it so far, as for how long it will be, I can't really estimate yet. There will be summer chapters and sixth year chapters with Voldemort. =) Have a cookie, and thanks for your review.

Reflective Velvet:

You are the 2nd person who commented on the spelling in Crabbe's letter, I thought it was rather creative myself. **beams**

I thought about waiting to wake up Harry, but then I realized that the chapters would start to drag because I had nowhere to go…I hate getting bored of a story because they spend six chapters agonizing over when Harry will wake up. I want to spare you guys from that. Have a cookie, thanks for reviewing!

Yes, Draco is in for trouble when big LV hears of the letter. =) hehehehehe

Sweet Sorrow:

I'm very pleased you thought it was full of good stuff, sometimes I worry that I might ramble or (even worse) leave out some detail. And I am so happy I can surprise you! Here, have another oatmeal raisin cookie for reviewing. I will try to make the slash good, it's my first try, **deep breath** Wish me luck! Ron/Hermione is also a go!

Serpentsattire:

"It's one of the best I've read on here…" **eyes pop out of head**

Hurrah! You like me…you really, really like me! Thank you for the compliment. This being one of my first fics, it's very rewarding to know that people are enjoying it. Have another cookie! LOL, if there were another one of you……the possibilities…

JiNglebellz:

I like cookies too! Of course, if I ate as many as I give to you guys…it wouldn't be pretty…but, while we're on the subject…have another one! I'm glad you're hooked on my story; I'll try not to let you down. Thanks for continuing to read! Have another cookie!

Wiccan Pussykat:

That's ok, I love chocolate chip too, have another one for the multiple compliments. I think you have been my longest reviewer! Sirius and Harry this chapter, thanks for the request, I think you will be pleased. I know, I loved Crabbe's spelling too, which was a spur-of-the-moment thing. I had it written in a funny font too but it reformatted when I posted. **GrOwL**

Popsicles are good all year round! I love strawberry too! How did you know? **eyes Popsicle suspiciously** oh well…**eats it** on to the next chapter!

Funness:

LOL, they might start to doubt Harry's sanity after all. I'll try to make this chapter longer. Have another cookie!!!

Lyss33:

Glad you liked the new spacing, I will always attempt to help reviewers enjoy reading the story; please tell me if something ever bothers you again. Umbridge torture won't be for another couple of chapters, but it will come. Thank you for reviewing, have a cookie.

Disclaimer:  **sighs**I love Harry Potter and his friends, but I do not have any rights when it comes to all that legal stuff.

New Random Quote:

"Utinam coniurati Te in foro interficiant!" Translation, Please? It's funny.

Hey all,

I did wonderful on my finals! I aced almost all of them, and this puts me in a very productive mood. =) This chapter took me a little longer; I had to get off the computer eventually!

Chapter 7: In Discussion

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Draco's POV

We ran down the hall, robes billowing, Professor Snape would be proud. I smirked. Natural reaction.

Students were eyeing our uncharacteristic ensemble of characters. I passed a few Gryffindors who nearly fainted from the shock, I'm sure.

Oh my! That was Draco Malfoy, running down the hall like a house-elf out of hell; and who was he with? Dumbledore, Lupin and Moody! I must be seeing things. Pinch me, fellow Gryff!

If only they knew that their precious Harry Potter was lying in a hospital bed after being hit with the most powerful pain curse imaginable.

We filed into the hospital wing in time to catch Madam Pomfrey chewing out Black. Weasley and Granger were snickering in the corner; Dumbledore hid a smile and approached Potter, who was looking much worse for wear. Poor guy looks like he's been to hell and back. His friends hid it well though, laughing and joking with him as though visits to the hospital wing were routine. Now it was my turn to hide a smile, remembering Potter's ability to attract trouble wherever he went; dragging his friends into it too.

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"Professor Dumbledore," Harry croaked. "Is it alright for you to be here?"

Dumbledore nodded and smiled reassuringly, "Umbridge will never be allowed to physically attack any students as long as I am still alive, Mr. Potter. And she will never be allowed to magically curse any students as long as Minister Fudge is still sane, which I hope he is; for all our sakes." Ron and Hermione exchanged skeptical glances; they had long doubted the leadership ability of the Minister of Magic. "I can assure you that this problem will be dealt with." Harry nodded; he was so tired his eyes were starting to close on their own.

"You should get some sleep, Mr. Potter, you have been through a terrible ordeal, and you will be feeling the effects of that curse for awhile!" Madam Pomfrey bustled around the wing, gathering strength-replenishing and dreamless-sleep potions.

"It's not that big of a deal, I really feel fine." Harry insisted.

"Fine my foot, Boy!" Moody yelled, making everyone jump. "You were not breathing, not conscious; we thought you were going to die!" Harry grinned sheepishly.

"I need to have a quick private discussion with Harry before you give him those, Pomfrey." Dumbledore said, interrupting the nurse's tirade against overbearing ministry employees.

"The boy needs rest, Albus!" She screeched, "Surely you can not think to speak to him now?"

 "I will speak to him now, *" Dumbledore insisted, "privately." Lupin, Moody and Tonks turned and exited the room. Sirius, ears drooping, shuffled towards the doorway whining. Harry told him he would talk to him after he spoke to Dumbledore, which made the dog's ears perk up. Ron, Hermione, Madam Pomfrey and Draco followed Padfoot out, closing the door behind them. Dumbledore began, pulling a chair over to sit facing Harry.

"Harry, I understand that you were under the impression that Sirius was a captive of Lord Voldemort."

"Yes sir," Harry explained, "I…I can't learn Occlumency." He forged ahead recklessly, "Snape saw me in his memory and he-"

"I have already been informed as to what happened that day." Dumbledore interrupted. "It is very important that you and Professor Snape learn to work through your differences."

"But, Headmaster…"

"No buts, Harry." Dumbledore's voice was firm. "You need to learn how to block out these visions, they are dangerous. What do you think could have happened if you had gone to the Ministry today, under the impression that Sirius was there?"

Harry paused to consider this question. If Umbridge hadn't stopped him, they would have gone to find Sirius for sure…what if Hermione or Ron had been killed? I would never be able to forgive myself.

"I understand sir," he told Dumbledore. "I will do my best."

"That is all I can ask for. Now, Harry, due to your recent brush with death, I have realized that it is time to tell you why you need to learn Occlumency, and why you need to be careful about the risks you take…it is time, my boy to tell you of the prophecy…"

Harry leaned back against his pillow and focused all his attention on the aged man before him.

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Harry's POV:

It was absolutely unbelievable.

Laughable, even.

I had to defeat Lord Voldemort. Or he had to defeat me.

Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten. Law of the jungle.

Darwin's law; survival of the fittest. That had been Dudley's motto for quite a long time. Whenever he could catch and pound on me, he would chant, "survival of the fittest, Potter, survival of the fittest."

How ironic that I would be destined to kill a Dark Wizard, when my fat muggle cousin had no problem beating on me.

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"Do you understand, Harry?" Dumbledore looked concerned. Harry had been spacing out for the past few minutes, distractedly biting his lower lip and gazing at the seams on the white bedspread.

"Sir," Harry started. "How can I do this? I have no brilliant brains like Hermione, or even good luck, like Ron. I'm just Harry…"

"And this prophecy was meant for you, just Harry, you will find the power within yourself, the one thing that can defeat Voldemort."

"You mean, my mother's love?"

"You have amazing talents, Mr. Potter, and you will learn to use them. Your Mother's sacrifice was something of a gift, I would not waste it. You are full of the things that Tom Riddle despises, which is why you will conquer him. Believe in yourself, Harry."

Harry smiled weakly. "Now, Mr. Potter, I would also like to hear of your experience during your 'death'" Harry nodded grimly.

"Well sir, it's actually pretty interesting, and I think I might know what it means. You see, my cousin did a project once on 'Near Death Experiences' this thing that Muggles have been studying." Harry looked towards his Headmaster for confirmation.

"And I believe quite a few wizards have studied this topic also, Harry, you will find that they have not been able to travel too far into their research due to the fact that, most wizards die at the hands of another."

Harry's eyes widened, now that he thought about it, it made sense, Wizards rarely died in accidents if other people were around because there were so many spells that could save somebody.

"Continue please." Dumbledore said gently, noticing that Harry's attention had once again begun to slide.

"Well, I was floating around in the room, with my 'dead' body on the floor; I saw everything as it happened. Ron and Hermione and Draco, Neville, Luna and Ginny, they were all there. It was really fun, but scary at the same time. I was worried about Sirius, so I thought about seeing him, and suddenly I was at Grimmauld Place-"

"Now that is interesting," Dumbledore smiled, "I have never heard of one leaving their body to see other people's actions in the living world."

"It was brilliant; I saw Sirius and you safe at Grimmauld place. I realized that Kreacher had set me up."

"I suspected this, I told Sirius when we adopted his home as our headquarters that Kreacher would need to be shown the greatest courtesy." Harry frowned.

"I can't blame Sirius for hating him." Harry growled. "He could have gotten somebody killed."

"Sirius does not hate Kreacher, but indifference and neglect often do more damage than outright dislike."

Harry suddenly remembered something, "How did Kreacher know to tell me that Sirius was in the Department of Mysteries?"

"I have many theories, Harry. But the most likely one is that he has been in touch with another Wizarding family, most likely the Malfoys, but I have yet to test this theory."

"And Draco…he…stopped the curse!" Realization dawned on Harry. "He saved me. I recognized that voice."

"Yes Harry, Draco surprised us all. But we were pleasantly surprised. The Order has been hoping for quite awhile that Draco would turn away from the path that Lucius could offer him, and come to realize that he could do better on our side."

"So, seeing me under the curse…"

"Must have jarred his emotions to realize that what was happening was wrong." Dumbledore finished.

"Wow," then Harry remembered a part of the report that had been bothering him, "Professor, there was a part in that report which explained that people who wake up from these things have unique powers, does the same thing apply to Wizards?"

"That is a very good question, I knew one witch, Martha, who woke from a Near Death experience, only to find she could talk to animals."

Harry's jaw dropped. Dumbledore chuckled. "It is possible that you will find yourself with new abilities, we will cross that river when we come to it." Harry nodded. "I also must apologize Harry, for my behavior this past year. I understand that you have probably noticed my unwillingness to look you in the eye or have direct conversations with you-"

"I wondered, sir," Harry confessed.

"I believed it could not be long before Voldemort attempted to force his way into your mind, to manipulate and misdirect your thoughts, and I was not eager to give him more incentives to do so. I was sure that if he realized that our relationship was-or ever had been-closer than that of Headmaster and Pupil, he would seize the chance to use you as a means to spy on me. I feared the possibility that he might try to possess you. On those rare occasions when we had close contact, I thought I saw a shadow of himself stir behind your eyes…I was trying, in distancing myself from you, to protect you….an Old man's mistake." **

Now that Harry thought about it, he realized that he no longer felt the urge to strike at Dumbledore as he had earlier.

"Why don't I feel him in me now?" Harry asked.

"Of this, I am not sure, however, you know of Professor Snape's position in Voldemort's company?"

Harry nodded quickly.

"He has recently been summoned to a meeting, and I believe he will return with information as to why Voldemort is no longer in your head, as for my best guess, I believe the curse Umbridge cast this afternoon may have had some sort of affect on Tom Riddle, seeing as how it was cast at the scar he gave you."

Now it made sense, why he could speak to Dumbledore. Voldemort must have backed out of his mind when he realized that the Cruciatus Curse was severing their connection.

"Now you see, Harry, why I have been unable to teach you Occlumency, and why we are having this discussion now."

Harry nodded; this was a lot of information to digest all at once. He asked if Sirius could be sent in.

"Certainly, Harry, and remember what I have told you." Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling, and he was gone.

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Padfoot was pacing the hallway outside Dumbledore's office; Lupin was sitting in a chair near the suit of armor, further down the hall, conversing in a tired voice with one of the portraits. Sirius leapt to his feet when he saw Dumbledore approaching. "Harry would like to see you, Sirius," was all he needed to hear before he ran into the hospital Wing corridor.

Once there, Padfoot transformed, earning a smile from Harry.

 "Hey, Sirius."

"Hey there, kiddo, how are you feeling?" Sirius asked concerned, sitting on the edge of Harry's bed.

"Fine-"

"And don't tell me fine, like you always do." Sirius reprimanded. Harry grinned.

"Alright, I feel terrible… And…foolish," Harry determinedly avoided Sirius's gaze.

"You don't need to feel bad about that, the best of us have been tricked by Voldemort before."

"I just think that I should have recognized his influence when I felt it. Even Hermione had more sense than I did."

"And this is surprising, because?" Sirius joked. "C'mon, Hermione is there to be your sensible friend. Lily always held James and I back." At this mention of his parents, Harry met his Godfather's eyes.

Sirius smiled at him, "you are more like your father than I could have ever hoped. I apologize for ever making you believe otherwise. I know you are unsure of whether or not you want your father to be your role model, but I can tell you this. No matter what objectionable things he did as a kid, he was always there for his friends. I know that he would be proud of you for not speaking through that curse and revealing secrets, it is the same thing he would have done."

Harry did something that surprised both of them then, leaning forward to grab Sirius in an awkward embrace. It was the moment Sirius had been waiting for ever since he had met Harry two years ago. Padfoot didn't hesitate, pulling his godson towards him gently, resting his chin on Harry's head, where the boy began to sob.

"I was so scared! Sirius, I thought you were going to die!" Harry babbled. "I missed you so much, it hurt everywhere."

"Hush," Sirius comforted him, "It's alright, and I won't be going anywhere for awhile. You're fine."

"I feel like a little kid, Sirius," Harry confessed quietly, "crying all over myself."

"And you think I don't cry Harry?" Sirius asked him seriously, *** "You think Moony doesn't cry sometimes? Or even Albus? It's perfectly fine to tell me how you feel, no matter how old you are."

"Can I tell you that I'm scared shitless because I have to kill Voldemort?" Harry giggled nervously.

"Harry, I was scared shitless for you when I heard about that damn prophecy. You can tell me all about it." Harry sniffled in Sirius's arms, wiped his eyes and laughed. "I'm glad you're alright, Sirius."

"So am I, Harry. So am I." The Azkaban escapee smiled at his godson, pleased that they still had each other.

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End of Chapter 7

**Sniff** Wow, I miss Sirius so much it almost hurts. Writing this made me realize how much I wish he was still alive. **grabs tissue** Review please!!

BWAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH! Next chapter is "In Voldemort's Lair" It should be lots of fun.

Asterisk comments:

*…and don't call me Shirley." I couldn't resist!!

**Taken directly from "Order" page 828, American Version.

***No pun intended