Classes started for everyone and things were as normal as things could be in a magic school.

On the war front, things seemed relatively calm, which was more worrying than calming. There was however the occasionnal attack on muggles, muggle borns or even dementor attacks. The Ministry and the Order of the Phoenix were well organised and the victims were very few, which was very good.

The dementor attacks were more numerous, which lead to think that although they were willing to follow and fight beside Voldemort, they did whatever they wanted whenever he didn't need them.

"Any news today?" Rose asked Hermione over breakfast, as the young woman read the newspaper.

"A demantor attack, no victims. A small death eater attack as well, in a far away village. A muggle family was murdered. They were isolated, cut from the world and in the article they wonder if the attack was just for the entertainment of the Death Eater of if this family was maybe not really muggle but wizards, or hiding a secret." Hermione frowned.

After reading the enwspaper, she kept an eye out for owls, expecting a letter from Charlie, but maybe she'd get it later, or tomorrow. She shook her head, she needed to be patient. He had to work, she couldn't expect to get a letter from him every day, they weren't dating after all. No matter how bad she'd like it, she had to put that thought out of her head.

"As usual, they don't know anything but they try to guess why this happened. Apparently even the nearby muggles didn't know them and had never seen them around, which is a bit weird." Neville added as he, too, was reading the newspaper.

.

Cho Chang was back in school for her last year at Hogwarts and she hoped her plans would go well.

Dudley Dursley seemed to really like her, even though his parents were a lot less open to her presence, probably because she was a witch. She was certain that she'd be able to keep him in her life long enough to use him at the first opportunity. She'd get Harry Potter one day, she was sure of it. She just needed to be patient and play her cards well until then. She also had to keep an eye on Luna Lovegood. Dudley had talked a lot about the Looney witch and Cho didn't like it at all. Could Luna want her man? She seemed innocent enough, still a child in a way. Maybe Cho needed to befriend her and gently push her in another man's arms. Maybe Draco Malfoy? They were hanging out together after all.

Could Dudley fall for Luna Lovegood when she, Cho Chang, was there and willing? Maybe she'd need to do more than the kisses and making out she was presently doing. After all, didn't she overhear her mother tell her aunt during the summer that sex was the best way to keep a man interested? That her father had been about to break up when they finally had sex for the first time? Still today, everytime they argued, later, Cho heard them make up with sex.

Yes, at the next opportunity, she'd seduce him and go all the way, this way, he'd be hers and wouldn't look twice at that Lovegood idiot who dared think she could take her man and ruin her plans.

Frowning, Cho looked at the letter her mother had sent her. Her parents were worried about her, because she had changed in the last year and they didn't like it, they wanted her to go back to the nice and sweet girl they knew. Didn't they understand that this girl died at the same time as Cedric? All she wanted now was power, financial security and recognition. She didn't bother writing back to her mother. Maybe she'd do it later, maybe not. It didn't matter, her mother couldn't do anything for her anymore.

.

Classes went without major incident.

Harry and Rose had to practice unspoken spells and it was a bit harder for Harry than it was for his sister but they managed well enough. Rose and Fred wrote to each other every day and so far only the first letter had been a Howler, though she was sure that he would do it again some day. She did miss him but she concentrated on her classes, her many clubs and on helping other students progress. It kept her busy and this way she didn't have much time to think.

Her friends did help her, especially Neville, who turned out to be her best friend. He was always there to distract her, sometimes even pretending that he needed help with something when he really was fine.

Fred surprised her mid September. He had gotten a magical mirror so they could speak on it and it did help her not miss him too much. Her boyfriend respected class hours and only called her on it during lunch or in the evening, when she was reading in bed.

When Harry finally received the letters Sirius warned him about, from the many Quidditch clubs who wanted him to play professionally for them, his sister helped him write back to each of them, explaining that they could contact him again once Voldemort was dead, that until then he wouldn't have the time and that it wouldn't be safe for them to be in his presence outside of Hogwarts. They seemed understanding enough and every single one of them wrote back they they wouldn't give up and that they'd contact him again after Voldemort's defeat. A few days later, a few newspaper and magazines had an article saying that Harry Potter had been offered to play Quidditch professionally and that he had refused until The Dark Lord was gone for good.

October was a couple of days away when Harry received a letter from Dumbledore.

The headmaster was asking Harry to come and see him that evening, but to come alone. That his sister would be able to come the next time but not this once. Harry replied quickly that he'd be there and though he frowned at his sister's absence, he trusted that Dumbledore had his reasons. Rose, who had seen the letter, understood as well and she promised not to ask what would be said in this meeting.

.

When the time came for Harry to go and see Dumbledore, he was surprisingly nervous. If the headmaster didn't want Rose there, then it had to be because it would be a very serious and dangerous conversation, something very secret, but what could be worst than the prophecy and the Horcruxes?

"Strawberry shortcake" Harry spoke to the gargoyle guarding the office, briefly interrupting his worrying to wonder how many different sweets Dumbledore had left before he had to go back to the first passwords he had already used.

Had he already used the same password more than once? Had he used sweets as password ever since he took office or did he use something else from time to time?

As soon as he was in the office, Albus invited Harry to sit in the sofa while he sat in the armchair, both around a coffee table filled with tea and cookies. Fawkes immediately came to stand next to Harry, making the young wizard smile. He did like that bird.

"Thank you for coming Harry, I know it's not easy for you to keep a secret from your sister, but I'm sure that, once you know, you'll want to keep the secret from her and everyone else as well." Albus told him with a smile.

"It's not easy and that fact that you want me to keep the secret makes me worry as to what it is but I do trust you, sir. I know you wouldn't ask me if it wasn't important." Harry replied and the level of faith he had in Albus made the elderly headmaster smile tenderly.

Sometimes, when he looked at Harry, it made him wish had had found someone to form a family, found a way to reproduce, have children. Grandchildren. It would have been grand.

"Are you alright, professor?" Harry asked him and Albus wasn't sure if his thoughts had shown or if the young boy was referring to his hand.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me." he simply replied with a kind smile.

"So... I'm almost afraid to ask what it was that you wanted to ask me, sir." Harry declared.

"What I have to tell you, Harry... It's hard for me to tell you, and it's a supposition of mine, it's not 100% sure but..." Albus interrupted himself.

"Your guesses are, more often than not, right, sir." Harry nodded after a few seconds.

"You remember of course what I told you about the prophecy and the Horcruxes." Albus stated and Harry's face lost his smile.

"Of course, kind of impossible to forget that kind of information." Harry nodded once more.

He should have known that this meeting had to do with Voldemort as well.

"Did you often wonder about the fact that you have the ability to speak to snakes when nobody in your family does?" Albus asked Harry.

"I did. Of course there's the possibility that someone in the Potter line did speak it a long time ago and that it was forgotten, but... Yeah... I... I remember how you told me that Voldemort accidentally gave me some of his abilities..." Harry replied and all of a sudden, the reason for his presence, the secrecy of this meeting... It all made sense.

"Harry..." Albus started but Harry interrupted him.

"Of course... I'm a horcruxe, aren't I? That's why my scar is connected to Voldemort, why I can speak to Snakes, maybe even why our wands have the same feather..."

Albus nodded sadly.

"I'm sorry Harry, I wish to be wrong... you have no idea how much..." Albus shook his head.

"I think your guess is right too... Does it... Does it mean that when the time comes, when I finally face Voldemort... After all the other Horcruxes are destroyed, I have to let him kill me?" Harry asked in a small voice as Fawkes cuddled his cheek with his head.

"I do believe however, that you'd survive the killing curse a second time, because he would kill only the Horcruxe in you." Albus replied.

"It makes sense... It could fit the "neither one can live while the other survives" part of the prophecy. I can't truly live my life to the fullest while he survives, can I?" Harry replied, trying to sound more confident than he truly was.

"Yes, it does. I understand if you're scared, Harry. You shouldn't be afraid to speak your mind to me. When we're alone here, I don't want you to see me as the headmaster of the school you're attending, but as a friend of your family, someone who cares deeply for you and your well being. I... I do see you and your sister as family." Albus declared and Harry smiled in a way that showed Albus that he returned the feeling.

"Well, I'm not exactly super happy about it, but I'm not as scared as I could be. I think that somehow, I always knew. I understand that it has to stay quiet and, just in case we're wrong and I do die at the same time as he does, then I'm not about to stop living my life." Harry replied.

"You're a very brave boy, Harry." Albus said before he stood up to hug Harry.

They didn't hug for long, and they remained quiet for a few minutes, drinking a bit of their cup of tea before they spoke again.

"If your sister asks, you can tell her that I wanted to have the safe sex talk with you, just in case Sirius hadn't done it properly and that I didn't have it with her because I trust her to be more responsible." Albus offered, making Harry smile.

"Sirius tried, but he wasn't really comfortable so he sent me over to the Weasley's because Mister Weasley was going to have the talk with Ron anyway." Harry chuckled.

"Good. Now, is there anything you wish to speak to me about? I have to say that I'm quite happy at how well your school work has improved, especially in potions. Professor Snape won't say it to you directly, and he obviously can't show it in class, but he's impressed." Albus smiled proudly at the boy who smiled.

"Rose helps a lot. Not always with the work, but she helps me stay focus. She has a way... She's great at helping others understand their school work. She helps us all find a way to learn that fits us." Harry smiled.

"Yes, I have to admit that she has a bright future ahead of her in teaching if that's the way she decides to go. Though I know that her name is on a watch-list at the Ministry of magic for the Unspeakables. They might try to recruit her as well after the war is over." Albus confessed.

"She doesn't really know what she wants to do yet. Plus, we all know that Fred will propose sometimes in the next 2 years so... I know that she likes studying and inventing things, so maybe she'll just do that and invent things that Fred and George will sell." Harry shrugged his shoulders.

"What about you?"

"Ever since meeting Professor Moody, I've wanted to be an Auror, sir. But now Sirius and I have been contacted by Quidditch teams, professional ones, who want me. They're all ready to recruit me even now. I told them all that I wouldn't consider anything until Voldemort is dead but now... I wonder if I'll be able to complete the Auror training while playing Quidditch professionally at the same time." Harry replied.

"I think that once Voldemort is dead, you'll have the peace of mind you deserve and you'll be more than able to do both things at the same time. It might take some adjustment, but you'll be able to do it, and keep your relationship with Miss Weasley working." Dumbledore replied.

"She might be a Potter by then." Harry declared without thinking before he blushed bright red and put his hand over his mouth, making Albus chuckle.

"You truly are your father's son. I'm sure you'll both be very happy together." Albus smiled.

.

It was late evening and Petunia was in bed, with her husband. They were both reading but she had been distracted all night long. Vernon didn't seem to have a problem concentrating on the business section of the newspaper but she had been reading the same page for about half an hour now.

"What is it, Tuney? If you're really worried about Dudley writing to us about his corresponding with that Cho girl, we can call Harry..." Vernon told her.

"No, no, I'm fine." She tried to brush it off.

"No you're not. You've been distracted all evening. What's going on, Petunia?" he asked her and she knew that he wouldn't let it go until he had the truth.

"It's not about Duley, not really. Of course I'm worried about his relationship with that girl, but I'm fine with waiting a bit. We'll see how it goes after Christmas. No. I was thinking about Lily, and Harry and the way we've treated him all this time... I... I feel so guilty, Vernon." She shook her head.

"Guilty?" He asked her calmly.

"I know you only went along with me, you treated him the way you did because that's the way I wanted it. I was so focused on making sure my son didn't feel inferior to Harry the way I did with Lily... I think I lost track of things... If things had been reversed... If we had died and Lily and James had gotten Dudley to raise, I know she would have raised him like her own, with love and respect. She would have made sure he didn't feel left out or inferior, even though he didn't have magic. Dudley wouldn't have had to do the housework, he would have had his own bedroom with real birthdays... I failed her with Harry... I failed my sister." Petunia explained, shaking her head and holding back tears.

"According to what I know, your sister was pretty forgiving. I'm sure feeling bad about it is enough for her. And you're making it up to Harry and Rose now. We've both changed the way we see them, the way we see people with magic. I think it's enough to make it up to her. We can be there now for her children. Maybe even her grandchildren when the time comes. We can have a place in their life." He argued with her.

"You think so?" Petunia asked him.

"Of course. Look at how well things went this summer! Dudley spent a while there and he didn't want to leave. We're planning on visiting for Christmas. We're finally acting like a real family. I'm sure Harry has forgiven you already. You could always call him on the mirror if you want to talk to him about it, or write to him, but I think it's all forgiven. We're making an effort and he sees it." Vernon explained.

"You're right. I just... I wish there was a way for me to speak with Lily, let her know how sorry I am..." Petunia declared.

"I'm sure she knows." Vernon smiled.

"Did you ever think about the future? Dudley's children?" She asked her husband.

"Not really, we still have plenty of time ahead of us. Why?" He asked her.

"Well, he's interested in that Cho girl and he's also corresponding with Luna Lovegood. They're witches. If he decides to marry a witch, his children will have magic." Petunia explained.

"Right. Well, I don't really mind. Do you?" He asked her.

"I don't think so, not really. As long as all of his children have powers and one of them doesn't feel left out." She shook her head.

"Even if one of his children turns out not to have powers, it'll be fine, don't worry. We'll help him." Vernon smiled, returning to his newspaper while his wife smiled brightly and finally managed to finish her page.

.

Grindelwald was unable to hide much longer that he was feeling better and Voldemort had decided to allow him to join Death Eater meetings. They were all keeping their activities to a minimum, a few small attacks here and there but nothing big or major. It allowed them to get stronger and it also gave Grindelwald time to try and find a way to contact his old friend.

Every time there was a meeting, Lucius accompanied Gellert to Voldemort's house or to his own living room, depending on how many Death Eater were expected to attend. He could try to send, discreetly, a speaking Patronus to Albus, except he didn't have a wand yet. Voldemort would give him one later, when they had to go fight, but Gellert had agreed, even suggested, that he didn't need one right away. It helped him gain the Dark Lord's trust.

This meeting was a special one. A lot of people were present, even Severus Snape. Gellert was present as well, but hidden behind a hood, in a dark corner. Voldemort didn't want everyone to know about him yet.

Which side was Severus Snape truly on? Could Gellert trust him or not?

"My Lord, I can't stay long. Dumbledore is expecting me for a staff meeting in an hour. He believes I'm collecting potion ingredients in the woods at the moment." Severus spoke.

"I understand, Severus. Now, before you have to go, can you tell us how many potential recruits we have in your house?" Voldemort asked.

"It seems that the house has silently divided itself, My Lord. The students who follow you surround naturally Miss Parkinson and Mister Nott. Those who wish to remain neutral naturally follow Mister Malfoy. The numbers haven't changed, you don't seem to have lost a potential follower in the house yet. However Miss Parkinson made the mistake of ignoring the 1st years when school started, and they now all follow Mister Malfoy and his friends. They're all either neutral or willing to fight against you. The Creevey Brothers are often mentioned by students who oppose you. Some of those who were neutral last year are now willing to fight and are trying to learn more defensive spells, to honor the Creevey brothers." Severus declared, making Voldemort frown.

"Parkinson! You'll have to punish your daughter for neglecting her duties and losing me followers! Those first years were important!" Voldemort snapped before he allowed Severus to leave.

After that, a few other people, infiltrated in places like the Ministry of Magic or the newspapers, did their reports.

As the reunion went on, Gellert scanned the room and he quickly spotted Dolores Umbridge, standing next to her charge and new friend, Jenny Collins. This was the woman Voldemort wanted to reproduce with. His new lover, since he now laid with her every night. Voldemort seemed to trust Grindelwald since he spoke openly to him about this and very few people knew about it.

Was she pregnant already? He tried to find any sort of clue but it was hard. She wasn't masked, but nothing was visible on her face, except that she was obviously in love with the Dark Lord. It could be due to the Love Potion she was fed on a daily basis. There was no obvious growing stomach but the pink witch did stand pretty close to her, as though ready to defend her at the first attack. There was also Nagini who, while circling around the room and among the followers, always came back to Jenny and seemed to stand guard.

The young woman might already be with child. He had to find a way to warn Albus, this child could be dangerous.

His chance came the next day, in the middle of the night.

Lucius had to leave the house to get a report from someone at the last minute and he didn't put the defenses back up before he left. Gellert didn't have long but he knew that this was his chance. The house-elves were all busy in the kitchen so he ran outside and apparated in front of Abelforth's tavern. He didn't have the time to go to Hogwarts and he had to hope the place would be empty. It was 2 am after all and it was supposed to have just closed.

The old wizard rushed in and pushed the door.

"It's not open anymore, I have to leave." Abelforth complained, not looking up from the cloak he was tying.

"I don't have long, Abelforth, I know you hate me but I have an urgent message for Albus." Gellert pleaded quickly.

"Everyone thought you were dead!" Abelforth exclaimed, his wand in his hand but he decided to refrain from shooting right away.

Gellert was glad to see that he wasn't cursing him yet. It was his chance.

"Voldemort did it. I told him I'd help him and he helped me escape and faked my death. I managed to gain his trust, I think. I want to make it up to the people I've hurt. I don't have long. Tell Albus that I'm at Malfoy manor, in the son's room. Voldemort is trying to get Jenny Collins pregnant, I think she's already pregnant and under Love potion but I don't have any proof. And Voldemort is looking for the Elder wand, thinking it would help him against the Potter boy. I lied about it, sent him on the wrong track, told him the wrong composition of it. I don't know when I'll be able to leave again. Lucius Malfoy left quickly and forgot to lock everything up like he usually does, but I want to help. I want to change. Tell Albus I'll try my best. I tried to convince Voldemort to hold up any big attack until the Potter boy is done with school. I'm sorry for what I did, I really am. I'll try to find a way to contact you guys again if I can, but I don't know when I will be able to." Gellert declared before he left again.

Gellert wanted to say so much more, like who the spies were and where they were, but he was sure that Albus had pretty good guesses for now.

Abelforth, who had been on his way to an Order meeting, ran outside after his old enemy and apparated at Grimmault place.

"Abe, you're late!" Remus told him.

"I know, I have an unbelievable information for Albus." Abelforth declared, rushing in the kitchen.

Narcissa was present, along with Albus, Sirius and a lot of members. Professor McGonagall was at school, guarding it and the students with Severus.

"Brother, you look as if you'd seen a ghost." Albus chuckled.

"I might as well have."

"Explain yourself." Moody growled.

"I was about to leave when someone came in. Albus, it was Gellert. Gellert Grindelwald. I told him that we thought he was dead and I was so shocked that he was here that I didn't curse him right away. There was something on his face, I don't know. He didn't have a wand on him. I just knew that I had to listen to him. He told me that Voldemort did it. Helped him escape and faked his death. He's held at Malfoy Manor."

"He's probably the mysterious guest we were told about." Narcissa nodded.

"Maybe. He wants to help but he doesn't know when he'll be able to leave again. Voldemort has Jenny Collins, probably under Love Potion, and he's trying to impregnant her. Gellert think it's done but he's not sure, he doesn't have proof. He tried to convince Voldemort to hold up any big attack until Potter is done with school. He said he wants to help, to make it up for everyone he's hurt. He managed to gain Voldemort's trust." Abelforth declared, deciding to keep the part about the Elder wand for later, when it'd be just him and his brother.

Under the shock of this news, Albus had sat down again.

"Grindelwald? Can we really trust him to be on our side after everything he's done?" Alastor shook his head.

"I think so." Abelforth nodded.

"Yes, we can trust him." Albus declared in a strong voice.

"That's why things have been so calm then, Voldemort is waiting, thinking we'll leave our guard down with time, that he'll be able to get to Harry easier." Sirius nodded.

"Isn't there a way for us to break him out of the Manor?" Moody asked.

"I was barely able to leave the last time. Lucius probably raised the defenses and locked me out by now. I doubt even Kreacher will be able to get inside." Narcissa shook her head.

"What if we use the Ministry and pretend you want the house as compensation for his attack and the divorce? He's an outlaw anyway and his only son is on your side so we should be able to win. Then the Ministry can break all the protections and we can get inside." Molly suggested.

"That's not a bad idea but we'd have to keep things very silent. One person finding out could ruin it. If they find out what we're trying to do, they could move Grindelwald to another house." Moody nodded.

"It will take time but we could try it, yes. What worries me is the bit of news about Jenny Collins. Rose Potter's kidnapper. The fact that Voldemort wants to reproduce is disturbing enough... If the child was conceived under Love Potion, it could be bad news for us. We now know that Voldemort himself was conceived while his father was under Love potion. We think this is why he can't love, or feel any real emotion. This child could end up being the same, or worst." Albus declared.

"I know this child will be supposedly innocent and suggesting this might make me evil, but I think we should try to find a way to terminate this pregnancy before the child can be born." Moody shook his head.

"How would we do it? She's protected. We don't even know for sure were she is... Severus said that she was present at Death Eater meetings, but always near Dolores Umbridge..." Albus asked.

"We'll find a way. We still have a few months ahead of us. Why don't we all think about it, try to think of a solution and we'll discuss it at the next meeting. Maybe Severus will have an idea." Sirius suggested.

"Sirius is right. Let's finish this meeting, we all need some rest. Maybe we'll find a solution next time." Albus agreed.

Later, as both Dumbledore brother sat around a drink, Abelforth spoke:

"Gellert did say something else, I didn't think you'd want the others to know. He asked me to warn you that Voldemort was after the Elder wand. He lied to him about it and sent him off track, lying about its composition. He was... Different." Abelforth said before he used his wand and took the memory out of his head, placing it on a vial he gave his brother, knowing he'd want to see it himself.

"Thank you, brother." Albus smiled.

"I didn't tell him about your condition, Brother, but he wants to make it up and your time is limited... I... I don't know how you'll do this..."

"I know... We'll find a way." Albus nodded, holding the vial in his hand and planning on looking at it later.

I hope you liked this chapter... Lots of small things happening.

Review please?

Lorelei Candice Black