Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Sorry for the wait, but my laptop went out on me and I lost a bunch of my chapters that I had already written so I had to start over =(
The Great Hall was abuzz with nervous and excited whispers as Harry sat at the Gryffindor table with Ron and Hermione. He could feel the stares of his peers on him and he tried to ignore it.
"Wow, look at the professors'," Hermione said quietly.
Harry looked at the Head Table where the teachers, minus Dumbledore and his dad, were sitting with very tense looks on their faces. McGonagall was whispering urgently with Flitwick and Hagrid was nervously shredding his napkin into pieces, staring blankly at his empty plate.
"Dumbledore's here!" Ron said as the Headmaster entered the Hall. "Hopefully we can eat soon."
Hermione and Harry stared at him.
"What?" Ron asked with a flush.
"Honestly, is that what you are thinking about? Food?" Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Well, I just think we can deal with everything better if we are well nourished," Ron said defensively.
Despite the stress he was feeling, Harry chuckled. He really did love his friends.
Suddenly Dumbledore got the room's attention and stood solemnly at the podium, waiting as the noise settled down. "Before dinner is served, there is something I must say to you all," Dumbledore said, his normally twinkling eyes serious as he surveyed his students. "I'm sure there have been many rumors flying around this evening and I feel that you should know what has happened, despite what the Ministry thinks. Lord Voldemort has returned."
There were many gasps around the room as Dumbledore confirmed their worst fear. Still, despite the Headmaster's words, there were some students who looked unconvinced. "The Ministry of Magic has chosen not to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, just as I am sure there are many of you who will not believe it. I'm sure that some of your parents will be horrified by this claim and will choose the way of the Ministry, to ignore it and pretend the threat is not out there. However, it is my belief that you should know the truth."
"How do we know that this is the truth?" One of the Ravenclaws called out. "Have you seen...You-Know-Who, Sir?"
"No, not in person," Dumbledore started to say.
McLaggen stood up. "Are you just going on Potter's word?" He asked scornfully.
McGonagall stood up and glared at her student, but Dumbledore waved for her to sit back down. "It's all right Minerva. I'm sure Mr. McLaggen doesn't mean to come off as rude and that many of the students are wondering the same thing." He gazed steadily back at McLaggen, who squirmed slightly at the mild rebuke.
"Yes, I do believe Harry," Dumbledore said simply. "But I have also had it confirmed by others, who used to be followers of Voldemort's. I have seen the memory of his return."
Harry was glad he didn't say it was his memory that Dumbledore had viewed. He saw the faces of peers grow more serious, more worried. He felt a little guilty at the relief he felt, but everyone had to know the danger that was out there. They had to be prepared.
"I say to all of you, we must be united now that Lord Voldemort has returned. We are all stronger together and weaker apart. One thing Lord Voldemort is very good at is spreading hatred and discord and we must fight him by showing a strong bond of friendship and trust. We are facing some dark and difficult times and there will likely be a time when you will have to make choice of what is right and what is easy. Remember, we are all stronger as one." Dumbledore gave a sigh. "I have spoken enough, it is time for dinner. Please think seriously about my words." With a clap of his hands, food appeared on the table and whispers broke out among the students.
"I can't believe the Ministry is choosing to ignore this," Hermione said in frustration.
"Yeah, what are they thinking?" Ron asked as he shoveled a heaping spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.
"They don't want to have to deal with it," Harry said in a monotone voice as he stared at his still empty plate. Wasn't it wrong to just sit here and eat while his dad was in the infirmary and Voldemort was back? What is that monster doing right now? Is he already killing people? Harry wondered in frustration. Suddenly he realized that several of his fellow Gryffindors were staring at him and whispering to each other. He frowned, debating whether he should just forgo dinner and go to the infirmary to sit with his dad.
"So, uh, Harry," Lavender Brown spoke up hesitantly. "You really believe that You-Know-Who is back?"
"He is," Harry said wearily. "Believe me, I wish he wasn't." He sighed to himself at the skeptical look on her face.
"You don't believe Harry, Lavender?" Ron challenged her.
Lavender bit her lip. "I just...I don't want it to be true." She admitted.
"If Harry says he's back, then he's back," Neville spoke up.
"I don't know," Parvati Patil gave Harry a doubtful look. "There's no proof, and if the Ministry doesn't believe it..."
"They just don't want to face reality," Hermione snapped at her.
"You just don't want to face reality," Seamus glared at Harry from down the table. "You just can't stand not being the center of attention, right Potter?"
"Seamus, Harry isn't like that," Dean Thomas said with a frown at his friend.
Seamus threw his hands up. "What is wrong with you? I thought you knew better."
"And I thought you would grow up!" Dean snapped.
"Ignore Potter's fan club," McLaggen said loudly. "They're brainwashed."
"Ignore McLaggen," Ron said. "He's stupid."
Harry grinned at the livid look on McLaggen's face. "Thanks mate."
"Harry."
Harry turned in his seat and his face broke into a smile. "Daphne." He scooted over on the bench to make room for her to sit next to him.
"How are you doing? I've been worried about you," Daphne said, her eyes falling on his empty plate. "You really should eat something," She admonished him as she began putting some pot roast on his plate.
Harry's lips curled up as she added a helping of vegetables and set the plate in front of him. "Going to spoon-feed me too?" He teased.
"If I need to," Daphne grinned. Her face quickly turned serious. "You need to eat, to keep up your strength." She said softly.
Harry gave in and took a bite of his pot roast. He rolled his eyes good-naturedly at the approving look his girlfriend was giving him.
"It's so nice to have someone else to help keep an eye on Harry," Hermione teased.
"Yeah, especially with Snape not around to glare at him into obedience," Ron smirked. "Oi!" He picked up the roll Harry had thrown at him and happily began buttering it.
Harry was about to take another bite of food when he was interrupted by McLaggen's cold voice. "What is that snake doing at our table?"
Daphne stiffened.
"What did you say?" Harry asked in a hard voice.
"You heard me Potter," McLaggen spat out. "It's bad enough you have the Headmaster fooled and that you are friends with her type," He looked at Daphne as if she was dirt. "They aren't going to start eating here too."
"Says who?" Hermione spoke up, glaring at the older Gryffindor. "There's no rule that says students can't eat at a different House table."
"Well then, it's an unofficial rule," McLaggen snapped, several of his friends nodding in agreement. "So get out Greengrass."
"I don't take orders from you McLaggen," Daphne said coolly.
McLaggen stood up. "I'm warning you..."
"Oh, sod off," Ron said, rolling his eyes.
"Shut your mouth Weasley!" McLaggen's face was turning red with anger. "Potter, I mean it. Tell that slimy little snake to -"
Harry was now standing up, his eyes blazing. "I suggest you watch your mouth," He hissed.
"Why should I? It's not like your daddy is here," McLaggen said in a smug voice. "Where is he? Busy spreading more lies?" His eyes fixed on Daphne and he pointed his wand at her. "Furnunculus!"
There were gasps around the table as McLaggen cast the boil curse on Daphne.
"Protego!" Harry, Daphne, Hermione and Ron all cast the shielding charm at the same time, effectively knocking McLaggen back several feet where he landed with a loud thump onto the floor.
"What is going on here?" McGonagall swept down on the Gryffindor table, an irritated look on her face. "Did you hex Mr. McLaggen?" She asked Harry and his friends.
Harry kept his wand steady on McLaggen, who was groaning in pain as he stood up. "No Professor. He cast a Furnunculus on Daphne!"
"We all cast a shield charm at the same time," Hermione explained.
McGonagall put her hands on her hips. "Is this true Mr. McLaggen? And I would think twice before lying to me." She warned.
McLaggen looked at his head of house nervously. "It's not my fault. She shouldn't be here at our table. She's a snake!"
"Mr. McLaggen, I suggest you stop right there," McGonagall said sternly. "First of all, there is no reason that Miss. Greengrass can't sit here at our table. In fact, I think it is a fine idea and hope more students are brave enough to sit at different tables. And second of all, there is no excuse for you trying to hex a student. Thirty points from Gryffindor and detention with Mr. Filch for a week."
McLaggen sat down, clearly angry but smart enough not to talk back to his Head of House.
"As for you four," McGonagall said slowly, looking at Harry and his friends. "Ten points each for a well done shield charm." She gave them a wink and then returned to the Head Table.
"She gave me points!" Daphne said, her eyes brightening.
Harry laughed and put his arm around her as they settled back down to their dinner. "Are you okay?"
"Of course," Daphne said, giving the dejected looking McLaggen a glower. "I can handle myself against him. But it's nice to know you guys have my back." She said sincerely.
"Of course we do," Hermione said.
"You're lucky that hex didn't hit her," Ron said to Harry as he went back to eating. "I mean, would you really want to be seen with your girlfriend if she had horrible boils all over her face?"
"You're such a prat, Ron," Harry shook his head as Hermione, Daphne and Lavender began scolding the red-head. He ate a bit more food, smirking to himself as McLaggen and his friends stomped away from the table.
"I was just kidding!" Ron was still protesting after dinner was over and they were leaving the Great Hall. He glared at the amused look on Harry's face.
Daphne rolled her eyes and lightly touched Harry's arm. "Are you going to visit Professor Snape now?"
Harry nodded. "He won't wake up until tomorrow, but I want to sit with him."
"He'll be fine. Try to get some sleep tonight," Daphne said, leaning in to give him a kiss.
Harry returned her kiss. "You too." He knew for most of the students, the news of Voldemort would likely be keeping them up for a good part of the night.
"Hey pup, want me to walk with you?" Sirius asked as he joined Harry in the hallway. He put his arm around him.
"Thanks Sirius," Harry sighed. "Have you heard anything yet? About what Voldemort is doing?"
"No," Sirius shook his head. "Albus said there would be an Order meeting tomorrow. Perhaps more will be known by then."
"Do you think I'll be allowed to the meeting?" Harry asked hopefully.
"If it were up to me you would," Sirius said with a shrug. "But it's up to Snape and Albus. You're not of age so..."
"But I'm the topic of conversation," Harry complained. "Shouldn't I know everything that is going on?"
"Harry, you do know everything that is going on," Sirius sighed.
"Then why can't I join the Order?" Harry challenged.
Before Sirius could respond, Dumbledore walked up behind them. "You are not of age, my boy. However, there is something I wish to discuss with you."
"Did something happen?" Sirius asked anxiously.
"No," Dumbledore reassured him. "But if you wouldn't mind checking in at the Ministry with the Aurors..."
Sirius nodded. "No problem. I'll see you later, okay Harry?"
"Bye," Harry said before turning to Dumbledore curiously. "What do you want to discuss with me?" They entered the infirmary and took seats near where Snape was still sleeping.
"I understand that Severus spoke to about the prophecy he overheard," Dumbledore began. "The one that caused Voldemort to target you."
"Yes, before he adopted me he told me everything," Harry said. "That's why Voldemort is always going to be after me right? He thinks I can vanquish him, or something."
"Yes," Dumbledore nodded. "However, there was more to the prophecy than Severus knew. He only heard the beginning of it."
Harry frowned. "There's more? Do you know what it is?"
Dumbledore began to tell him the entire prophecy while Harry sat, completely dumbfounded. "Neither can live while the other survives," He repeated slowly. "So...one of us has to kill the other one in the end?"
"Yes," Dumbledore said quietly. "Perhaps you are wondering why I am telling you all of this now, and not waiting until Severus has awoken. You see, Voldemort will want to hear the full prophecy and I fear with your connection to him, he will try to trick you into retrieving it for him."
"Where is it?" Harry asked, feeling despair begin to settle in.
"The Department of Mysteries," Dumbledore said. "You see, only those whom the prophecy refers to can retrieve it without suffering madness. So, either Voldemort will risk walking into the Ministry or..."
"He'll find a way for me to get it for him," Harry said dully.
"Which is why I thought you best be prepared as soon as possible," Dumbledore said with a nod.
"Wait, the prophecy mentions powers...I don't have any!" Harry said suddenly. "So maybe the prophecy is wrong."
"No, my boy," Dumbledore said softly. "He marked you as his equal and you have evaded him several times now. Trust me, you do have a power that he knows not. Your heart, Harry. You are full of love and forgiveness and compassion, traits Voldemort does not feel. It may not seem like it, but that is a great power." He stood up and patted Harry on the shoulder. "I will take my leave now. If you have any questions or pains in your scar, please let me know."
"But, isn't there something I should be doing?" Harry asked. "Something so that I can defeat Voldemort?"
"You've already started training, over the summer," Dumbledore pointed out. "As of now, there is nothing for you to do."
Harry slumped in his seat. "Well, at least I know everything now. Right?" He looked up at the Headmaster for confirmation.
Dumbledore hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Good night Harry," He said quietly.
"Good night, Sir," Harry said absently as he stared at his dad, wishing more than ever that he was awake. He didn't notice the sad look the Headmaster was giving him as he exited the room.
TBC: