Chapter 4. The Prophecy

Fifth year began in a definitely different way from all the previous years. While usually Harry would pass the summer with his own family, meet with the 'Charmed Family' in Diagon Alley when they went to buy the materials two weeks before the tem started, and then stay with them in the Leaky Cauldron, that year things were quite different.

Right after the twins' birthday Harry was informed that his brother would be moved to another location 'for safety', while he would spend the remainder of his holidays with his godmother. Harry supposed it had to do with what Harvey supposedly had gone through in the graveyard, but he was still happy that he would have a full month in San Francisco with his surrogate family, he loved those times.

However, what Harry hadn't been expecting was to be bombarded with training practically day and night. Apparently everyone there believed that if he and his friends had already made up their mind on getting themselves on a war against the Dark Lord and his lackeys, they would at least make sure the children were ready for what they would facing.

Hermione had gotten better at handling her telekinesis, and could make everyone see her when astral-projecting herself, though only for a little while; there was also the fact that she could project into someone else's dreams. Mel was getting better at handling her own powers, as was Henry. Harry had always surprised everyone with his abilities, the mix of powers he possessed really had no precedent whatsoever.

.---.

Great surprises where waiting for them all when the new year in Hogwarts began. First there was the fact that Harvey seemed somewhat quieter than the previous year, when he had been so proud of being part of the Triwizard Tournament. Then there was also the fact that the school in itself seemed to be somehow divided, between those who believed Voldemort had returned, to those who didn't. And to make matters worse their new DADA Professor was an awful-looking woman the Minister himself had assigned.

When classes with Professor Umbridge began none of the members of the quartet made any comment whatsoever, conscious that that woman was in Hogwarts for one sole reason; to find that who was spreading 'the lies' about Voldemort's return, and 'make him or her change his point of view' so the Ministry could get control of everything back.

The quartet had no intention of getting in the middle of that mess, thus far they had managed to remain in the anonymity, and they would continue acting from the shadows for as long as they possibly could.

The real problems began when Harry began feeling something strange in his hand, and when paying a late visit to his brother in the Gryffindor bedroom quarters he discovered the reason: his brother had gone through some kind of odd torture, which as a consequence had made the words 'I must not tell lies' become engraved in the back of his hand. As Harry really didn't know what was going on, he just used his powers to heal his brother's hand and returned to his dorm; however, he was more alert from then on.

The next time Harvey was given detention for an unfair reason Harry asked Mel for a sleeping potion and slipped it to his brother, after he had fallen asleep in his dorm Harry attended his detention. He then knew what that awful woman had been putting his brother through and he was absolutely enraged.

When the potion wore off Harvey was in panic, he ran to Umbridge's office, but before he got there someone pulled him into an empty classroom.

"Let…" Harvey began, but his mouth was covered.

"Calm down Harvey, it's me." Harry told him.

"I don't have time, I'm already late as it is…I'm going to be in trouble." Anyone could see Harvey was really distressed.

"No, you're not." Harry assured him. "I took your place in detention."

"You…that means you already know…"

"Yes. Do our parents know what's happening to you? Does anyone at all know what that woman is putting you through?"

"No."

"Why not Harvey? I really don't think torture like the one that woman uses is even legal in this country."

"Because no one can know! What will they think? What will they think if they know the Boy-Who-Lived, goes through such things? Just imagine. I just can't let them know Harry. With everyone over me because of what supposedly happened in the graveyard…"

"Supposedly?"

"Yes. I have no idea what really happened, but everyone is sure I was there, everyone is sure I stopped You-Know-Who! That's impossible."

It was there that Harry understood just how different he and his twin brother really were. While for Harry it was normal to think of fighting the Dark Lord, Harvey was too afraid to even imagine standing up to him. It was so ironic…

"Ok, ok." Harry finally spoke again. "Listen to me Harvey, I won't tell mom, dad, or anyone else what's happening, at least not for now, ok. But you've got to do something about it, soon. For the moment being, I want you to take care of yourself, try not to get detention, try hard not to anger any teacher, especially Umbridge, and if you're given detention, after you've finished it look for me or one of my friends, we'll help you with your hand, Ok?"

Harvey just nodded.

.---.

Harvey did as he was told, he never really had problems in finding either Harry or sometimes Mel, though that was obviously because they tried to be near him when he needed their help. They never really told Harvey what kind of magic they used to healed his hand, he thought it may be something like what Madame Pomfrey used.

Harry didn't like the idea of his brother going through that kind of tortures, but his attention was diverted a certain night near the holidays when he had a dream of a certain big snake attacking a man he believed was father to his brother's best friend.

Harry woke up in panic, so much that Hermy could feel it through their link as white-lighter and charge and went to see him. They were thinking about how to let others know what had happened (because they knew it had really happened), when they discovered that Professor Dumbledore already knew. Apparently because they were twins, Harvey had also seen what Harry in his dreams, it was a connection between them, just like when Harry had felt the consequences of Umbridge's punishment in his own hand.

Harvey left Hogwarts that very same night, he was really distressed for everything that had happened, with the dream, and his best friend's father injured. Harry would probably have been the same way if he wasn't already used to that kind of things (just considering the kind of demons sometimes appeared in front of the Halliwell manor…).

The next morning Harry received a letter that his brother was alright and staying with his godfather. His house was empty, so it was best for his own safety if he stayed at Hogwarts for the holidays or went to his godmother's house. Harry decided on the later, he really didn't like the idea of staying in Hogwarts with the way things had been lately.

The quartet left the school in the Hogwarts's Express, however, before they found a secluded area from where to orb to the Halliwell manor they decided to go see the man who had been attacked the previous night. Harry had a feeling that his and Mel's abilities could really be of help for him.

They made it to St. Mungo's Hospital with no problem thanks to Henry's unique ability at finding places, even when he had never before been there. Once there they had no problem with finding Arthur Weasley's room. The problem came when they saw the real extent of his injuries, it wasn't the kind of thing they could get done instantly.

In the end it was decided that Henry would use his powers to make sure no one walked in on them while the others were working; Hermione created a spell to vanish the evil the creature had injected on the man when biting him; and the other two used their healing abilities to their max level.

They could all feel the exhaustion, they had never attempted something that big. It was pretty obvious the creature that had attacked Arthur was not a normal beast, for the wounds it had inflicted were far more difficult to heal than a normal animal bite. And the evil essence that impregnated the wounds was also very strong.

They continued working at their pace until suddenly, when feeling they had already given their all for it to work, Harry and Hermy poured their very soul-energy into what they were doing. Setting all hell lose (figuratively).

Henry couldn't hold the magic back any longer, the moment Harry and Hermy freed their highest power it created a ripple that could be felt in the whole hospital.

Mel was also taken aback when she felt the power emanating from her friends and practically-family to both of her sides.

Harry and Hermy opened their eyes, they could feel their energies and very consciousness leaving them, yet they knew they had done the right thing. The last thing they could feel was as someone held them from behind and the sensation of being orbed away.

The door to the hospital room opened violently as almost half 'a dozen medi-wizards entered, very concerned of their patient's state. However, the only thing they barely managed to see was two young men as they held each two others and vanished in a haze of blue sparks. Though what really left them all in shock was when they turned to see the patient and found him asleep, his breathing was calm and even, as if he were perfectly healthy; and it was then that he noticed he indeed was perfectly healthy, his wounds had vanished, completely healed. Nothing but very-light scars remained.

.---.

When Harry awoke the first thing he was conscious of was that he was laying in his bed, not in Hogwarts but in the Halliwell manor, the next was that for some reason, in the bed next to his was laying Henry.

Ever so slowly so as not to provoke a faint spell on himself or have dizziness overwhelm him Harry straightened up in his bed, took his glasses for the bedside table and put them on. When he looked around he could see someone currently sleeping in the third bed of the room, though he had the feeling he wasn't comfortable in that position.

"So you're awake now." A voice commented from the door.

Harry turned in time to see Chris entering the room, he too noticed the one on the other bed, it was his elder brother.

"Let him sleep. He was up practically all night to make sure you and Henry were alright." Chris said as-a-matter-of-fact. "The same can be said from mom taking care of Hermy and Mel. You all gave us a pretty big scare."

"Sorry…" Harry mumbled.

"Don't worry." Chris replied easily, he lead Harry out the room. "Wyatt and I could feel the moment your power exceeded the average level, we thought you must be in some terrible danger and so went looking for you. We just orbed inside the hospital, took hold of you all and then orbed back to the manor, though in what little time we stayed there we did see the man in the bed. A friend of yours?"

"He's Mr. Arthur Weasley." Harry explained. "Father to my brother's best friend. I thought we could help him and the others agreed."

"I understand. And let me tell you you did a great job."

"Really?" Harry smiled excitedly at that.

"Yes, though you did overexert yourself as well, all four of you did. You were asleep for a full day and night straight."

"That bad, eh?"

"Yes. Aunt Paige is currently dealing with the Elders, apparently none of them were expecting the power-outburst both you and Hermy had. Though I don't think you have to worry about them much really…"

"More about what Aunt Piper will say once we're all awake."

"Yes. She was very distressed when seeing the state all four of you arrived in. Dad is currently handling matters with the restaurant, and making his best at making sure mom eats and sleeps as well, but it's not easy."

"I'm sorry. I never intended to cause so many problems."

"We know Harry, we know…"

.---.

As predicted all four teenagers had to endure almost a full hour of lecture coming from Piper and from Paige as well, they both had been pretty worried for the teens.

After the lecture was over Paige told them the Elders had decided to leave things the way they were, but they still expected Hermione and Harry to be careful from then on to prevent any possible accident from happening.

Once that whole ordeal was over the teens 'punishment' was to pass the rest of the holidays studying and training to make sure they wouldn't lose control of their powers ever again. That, along with the school's homework, was almost too much for the teens, but they knew they had gotten in that mess themselves.

Also in those holidays Harry had a talk with one of the Elders, a man called Johansen (Johan), whom he knew pretty well. He asked the Elder for his help to create a shield inside his mind so he could block the Dark Lord from having any influence in him. They worked in complete secret, Harry didn't want to have others worrying for him, or bothering him because he for some reason seemed to have a link with the Dark Lord that was almost as powerful as the one he had with his twin brother.

The shield was created in Harry's mind, and it seemed to be working just fine, at least until June, when another 'influenced dream' brought more problems that anyone could have ever imagined possible.

Harvey had received the dream too, of his godfather: Sirius Black, being attacked by DE in some part of the Ministry of Magic known as the Department of Mysteries.

When Harry felt his brother along with some of his friends leave Hogwarts he knew that they had to be fast or things would get out of their hands. Hermione immediately wrote a message and Henry used his orbiting-telekinesis to send it to Dumbledore. Then the four of them orbed to the Ministry of Magic.

The whole place was a mess. It soon became obvious the whole thing had been a trap set up by Voldemort to get 'something' that only he and the boy-who-lived could touch. He'd already discovered his connection to the boy and used it to lure him to that place. However, he hadn't been expecting said boy to arrive accompanied by his friends, friends that had had the whole year to learn how to defend themselves, and even if they weren't exactly aurors they didn't do bad against the DE.

The battle was hard and difficult, Lavender fell unconscious when a spell hit her in an arm, Ron was semi-unconscious and incapable of moving due to another spell. Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood did their best to protect their friends while Harvey and Neville handled the most powerful DE. Surprisingly enough the boy most knew for being shy and clumsy had proven to be quite skillful and brave when he was motivated. Harvey, on the other hand, was about to panic, but did his best not to let it show.

Harry and company appeared in a hidden part of the Ministry and immediately split to help. Henry and Mel went to the bigger group of students that were still being attacked, and without being noticed defeated the DE and healed the two who had been injured. Harry and Hermione on the other side went straight to where they knew Harvey was in trouble.

A DE used an Expelliarmus spell to send Harvey flying against some shelves, the moment he was out of view-range for the DE, Hermy pulled him to a hiding place (as he was unconscious he didn't notice her), while Harry stepped out in his brother's place (again).

Voldemort was slightly surprised that the boy who had a moment ago been in panic suddenly stood up to him and fought him off bravely and skillfully, yet he didn't comment on that fact, assuring himself that in the end he was just a kid.

The real problem came when Dumbledore and a group of Aurors arrived in the children's aid, even if they were quite a help against most of the DE their presence put in danger Harry's identity, he felt it wasn't yet time to reveal the truth about him, not yet.

Harry used the opportunity when a spell from a DE pushed him behind some more fallen shelves to sneak out of view; right as his brother recovered consciousness and began making his way out of his own hiding spot.

Harry was about to call out to Hermy through their link when he could see her, she had just saved Sirius Black from falling behind a creepy-looking veil that was in a corner on the room, and ended up falling herself through it.

Harry didn't think twice, not even once about any risks or possible consequences for himself, the only thing in his mind was to save his cha…no, his friend; and with that, he jumped behind her and into the dark pit.

Harry felt as if some strange darkness were enveloping him, as if it wanted to drown him, but he knew he couldn't give up; it wasn't only his life at risk, but also Hermy's, he had to save her, he had to save the both of them.

With that Harry suddenly felt warmth fill him and a sort of glow guide him through the pitch dark and to where Hermione seemed to be floating. He managed to get himself there, held her close to him and concentrated in orbing both of them out 'a there.

.---.

The next thing Harry knew he was laying against some cushions in the Room of Requirement. Next to him was Hermy, and he was still holding her hand tightly. To his other side was Mel, she was currently using her powers to heal any injury he may have gotten during his duel with Voldemort and his minions.

Harry had all the intentions of getting some very needed and deserved sleep when suddenly a gasp coming from Henry called his attention.

"What is it?" He asked in a whisper, surprising Mel.

"I just suggest you brace yourselves because back home they already know what happened tonight." Henry told them.

Harry knew he meant: 'They already know what You did', which meant he was in for another lecture and scolding session.

'And yet I don't care…' Harry thought to himself. 'I did what was needed to ensure her safety. Hermy…my best friend…'

As expected, the Charmed Ones, Wyatt and Chris arrived to London the following day, and taking advantage of the fact that the kids had a visit to Hogsmeade they met them in a hidden cave near the road and used that time to scold them all for taking such dangers. Harry just accepted the lecture in silence.

"Aren't you gonna say something Harry?" Chris asked when his mother finished talking.

The two elder boys, but especially Chris knew Harry well enough to know when he wanted to do or say something and wasn't sure if it was a good idea.

"Yes." Harry finally made up his mind. "With all due respect, I thank you for your worry, to all of you, I'm sorry for giving trouble…"

"You're not any trouble Harry, dear…" Paige murmured.

However, she didn't say more because Phoebe made a silent signal to her, suspecting there was more that the boy wanted to say.

"As I was saying, I'm sorry." Harry continued. "Yet…I don't regret it. I don't regret what I did last night. I don't regret that I went to the Ministry to protect my brother, I don't regret that I had to fight Voldemort; and especially, I don't regret having jumped behind that creepy veil-thing, because I did it to save Hermy." He sighed. "I know you're all worried that we may have died. But it was my decision to take that risk. And it doesn't have to do with the fact that Hermy may be my charge, it's because she's my friend, and friends will always help each other no matter what."

"Thanks Harry…" Hermy embraced him and then stepped to his right. "Remember that I will always do the same for you."

Harry nodded with a soft smile.

"I said it before as well, I'm not backing out." Henry declared stepping to Harry's left, then turned to his mother. "Sorry mom, but as with Harry, this is my choice."

"And mine." Mel added stepping to Hermy's other side.

"Well, it seems you've all made your minds…" Piper sighed.

She wasn't angry for the children's decision, none of them were, though they were definitely worried for the dangers they would have to face.

"Well." Phoebe said. "I think it's time you know something else. It's something Coop and I discovered not too long ago and we had been waiting for the right time for the rest of you to find out…" She turned to her offspring. "Girls…"

At that Phoebe's and Coop's three daughters, Patience, Colleen and Grace, stepped forward and began reciting as one:

"The one with power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…and the dark lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…And either must die at the hands of the other for neither can live while the other survives…The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…."


Here it is, Harry's and company's fifth year (and Mel's fourth); and the beginning to Harry's and Hermy's more-serious relationship.

I think I had said it before, and I repeat it now, Harvey isn't evil, he is just the way he was raised up to be; but now he's seeing how things truly are, he's maturing, in a way Harry did since he was very young (how not to when he grew up with the Charmed-children?).

Next chapter: A great pressure has fallen upon Harry now that he knows about the prophecy and there's only one person that can help him relax; Mel's good heart will be tested and she may be able to save an innocent soul; while a long-awaited battle may change the future in more ways than one. (Sixth year coming!).