June 19, 1996

Harry awoke in the Hospital wing at Hogwarts. At some point, he had passed out from exhaustion, but he felt better as he sat up now. Harry looked about and smiled when he saw Sirius sitting next to him. His godfather look tired, but healthier than he'd ever been. Clearly traveling abroad agreed with him.

"Hey, welcome back, young man." Sirius said softly. "you gave us a bit of a start when you passed out."

"Sirius." Harry smiled, hugging his godfather. "What happened to you? I tried for weeks to get in touch with you."

"Yes, well, traveling as a muggle does have disadvantages it seems." Sirius chuckled, his face becoming red. "I was on a train outside of Munich when I was joined by a pleasant, if not rather large woman. I think she may have been related to your Uncle. She had a bit of a moustache, you see. Anyway, she sat on my bag, and broke the mirror. I couldn't make a new one without yours, as they need to be connected."

"That's actually much funnier than what Daphne came up with. She figured you had a romantic evening with a woman who stole the mirror."

"No, I always hid the mirror." Sirius sighed. "I've spoken with Neville and Tracey. They were let go almost immediately. I'm very proud of you, Harry. What you did was very brave. Foolish, but brave."

"I didn't know what else to do. I had to help you." Harry shrugged.

"Yes, well I couldn't have asked for a better rescue team. All of you performed fantastically."

"How is everyone?" Harry said looking around.

"Everyone is asleep. Ron is the worst. No one knows what he was hit with, but Madam Pomfrey is taking good care of him. He'll be asleep for a day or two, and that scar will never go away."

Harry stood and went to see the redhead. Sirius followed closely.

"He saved us all, Sirius. Several times in fact."

"Ron's heart has always been with you. Sometimes the mind has a hard time remembering that."

"I don't know what's going to happen between us." Harry shook his head sadly. Sirius clutched Harry's shoulder.

"Don't worry about it just yet. Sometimes friends grow apart. Sometimes you need distance so each of you can grow, then you come back together. The friendship will be different, but maybe it will be better. Give him a chance to decide, and then leave the past in the past, yeah?"

Harry nodded. He moved to where Hermione lay resting. "What happened to her?" He asked, a little panic rising in his voice.

"Well, not much, really. A few bumps and bruises, nothing too bad. She just refused to leave until she knew everyone was ok. She's fiercely loyal, that one."

Harry turned and went to where the person he wanted to see most was lying peacefully. Her black hair was fanned out on her pillow, and she looked angelic as she slept. Harry sat beside her and took her hand.

"Malfoy almost made me believe she had betrayed me, Sirius. I almost fell for it, and I could have lost her." Harry said glumly.

"But you didn't."

"Thanks to Ron. Sirius, when Voldemort was possessing me, I saw her. I saw you and Hermione, and as much as I hurt, as much as I wanted Dumbledore to kill me, I saw her and I wanted to live, to be with her."

"It's called love, son. It makes us stronger than we know. Makes us face impossible odds, and conquer our fears. It also makes us do silly stuff, all just to see the object of our love smile at us. It is the strangest, most powerful magic I have ever witnessed." Sirius smiled.

Suddenly, Harry could hear footsteps, getting progressively louder, followed by the doors to the infirmary opening. He was surprised to see a man and a woman running into the medical wing towards Daphne, followed by Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Dumbledore. The professors all had looks of concern mixed with gladness, though Snape was more or less as usual. The man who led the professors in was a dark tall brunette, with deep chocolate brown eyes that he shared with his daughters. The woman, his wife, resembled an older Daphne, with deep midnight black hair and soft hazelnut eyes. The man seemed...conflicted, looking with a mix of uncertainty and determination at both his daughter and the boy that Daphne had chosen.

"Hello, are you Mr. Harry Potter?"

"Uhh...yes, sir."

He shook Harry's hand with a faint smile on his face.

"Hello, I am Cyrus Greengrass, and this is my wife, Aurora. I have heard a lot about you this past summer from my daughter. You've made quite an impression on her, Potter."

"Please call me Harry, sir."

"Alright, Harry, but first..."

Cyrus Greengrass and the three professors suddenly raised their wands and erected a privacy charm and silencing charm over the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey was quite surprised by the privacy wards.

"My apologies, ma'am, but we have no choice.

"Harry, I'm afraid that Cornelius Fudge has decided to clamp down on everyone. He saw the Dark Lord, but instead of admitting his mistake, it seems he has decided to take matters into his own hands. He's already announced new laws to grant him emergency powers, which he will inevitably abuse. I'm trying to do the best to stop these new laws, but it seems that many on the Wizengamot are less than helpful. While Lucius Malfoy was arrested, it seems that his allies are switching over and are now supporting Fudge. I figure that sooner or later, he will be under their grip, and by extension, You-Know-Who. I'm guessing that the Dark Lord wants to turn Fudge into a puppet. Dumbledore?"

The old Headmaster sighed and he looked intently at Harry, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and frustration.

"Harry, I have been reinstated as Headmaster, and fortunately, all of Madam Umbridge's ridiculous decrees have been thrown out. However, it seems that she has been allowed to remain as 'High Inquisitor' at Hogwarts, and will likely keep a close eye on everything for the Ministry.

"Harry, I would like to tell you how immensely proud of you I am. You have gone so far above and beyond any expectations this year. First, with helping to do something that many have tried throughout the years. You have helped to finally put to rest the silly House rivalries at this school. You have led others to try to make friends in all of the different houses. No small feat by any means, Harry. I myself have been unable to help Slytherins and Gryffindor form friendships.

"As well, despite Professor Umbridge, your amazing work in helping other students in learning Defense Against the Dark Arts proved to the school that her methods were wrong, and everyone will be wary of her in the following year. Were it not for your relative inexperience, and your age, I would seriously consider asking you to teach in the future. As it stands, I would have asked that you consider continuing the club in the next year.

"And now, I must ask for your forgiveness. It seems, once again, I was mistaken in my choices." Dumbledore frowned. His eyes bore gazed at Harry as the young man seemed to be thinking.

"I don't understand, sir." Harry said, clearly confused.

"Your godfather was correct. Not only should I have told you about the prophecy and it's contents, but I should have done it years ago. But I wanted to protect you, as any who meet you and experience your good nature rend to want to do. You, Harry, have come from a difficult life, and still managed to be one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

"But in my efforts, I became blind to your needs. You see, Harry, as I look at what needs to be done for the good of the world, I forget about the people in it. It is those people whom I am trying to protect that matter most. You matter most, and I have failed you." As it is, this was the prophecy that Voldemort so desperately wanted:

"The one with the 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 hand 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…"

Harry couldn't breathe. He clutched his chest, and felt Sirius gripping his shoulder. Harry put his head down, trying to get blood going to his brain. He shut his eyes, tears burning him. Finally he knew the reasons he'd lost his parents. Harry knew why the prophecy was so important to Voldemort, and why He, Harry had been tricked into going to the Ministry to retrieve it.

"What does it mean?" He uttered.

"Harry, it meant nothing. Nothing at all, until Voldemort heard the first portion, which I understand you have been told of."

Harry looked up. His eyes were burning with the tears that spilled down his cheeks. "Why? Why did this all happen?"

"Because of jealousy, and the lust for power." Dumbledore said sadly. "You of course know all about Severus' mistake. But Voldemort is just as any others who have gained power. They are afraid of losing it. But Lord Voldemort's deepest fear is death. You, of course, heard him tell me that there was nothing worse than death, and he has taken many steps to see that he can never truly die.

"Harry, this prophecy could have been made about two different boys, you and Neville Longbottom. But he made it about you the night he murdered you parents. He marked you, Harry.

"But his greatest weakness is his inability to look at a problem from all its angles, and understand it's meanings. He is brash, and does not use his knowledge as he should. It was how he was defeated that night. Your mother placed herself between Lord Voldemort and yourself. When he killed her, he invoked a deep magic that rebounded the killing curse off of you and destroyed his body. That scar was Voldemort marking you his equal. Had he ignored the prophecy, none of this would have happened, and he would, perhaps, still have his original body and possibly be more powerful. But he chose to heed the prophecy without knowing it's entire contents."

"So I have to kill him, or he kills me? Is that how it works then?"

"I am unsure of the true nature, as of yet." Dumbledore answered. "I have been doing extensive research into Lord Voldemort's past. I believe that understanding the past can help in solving the problems of the future. I have discovered how Lord Voldemort has conquered death, and begun taking steps to reverse it. It will take time, Harry, but I am doing my best to make sure that the Dark Lord will be defeated. I do know this about the Prophecy. It will be you who faces him. But I doubt you will be alone. As has been proven, you will have the help of your friends."

Harry swallowed thickly. He looked to Sirius, who was watching Harry with a mixture of pride and fear for what the boy would have to face.

"What happened to Voldemort when he possessed me?" Harry asked. Dumbledore sat back in his seat, a fond smile on his face.

"Your love for your friends. The most powerful magic there is, Harry. And Voldemort, who has never believed in it's power, and always felt was a weakness, has just learned how truly powerful it is. He felt it in you and it hurt him. I imagine when you saw Miss Greengrass, you felt warm inside, perhaps filled with a strength you've never felt before?"

Harry nodded and Dumbledore chuckled. "That was how you were able to throw him out of your mind, and hurt him. He will, I imagine, be physically scarred by it, a reminder, perhaps, of what he has again failed to understand and embrace.

"Harry, there is much more we need to discuss. I wish to tell you all I have learned and help prepare you for what must be done. Unfortunately, recent actions by one Cornelius Fudge have changed that. Even so, I think it is prudent that you try to have fun, and live your life. Do not let this prophecy run your life as Lord Voldemort did.

"You should start this summer. You, of course, know that you will not be returning to you relatives, as the wards have failed. When Lord Voldemort took your blood to make his body, he negated the wards and they began to crumble. Perhaps if your aunt and uncle had treated you as their own, as I had suggested, the wards would have been harder to destroy. But it is too late for it, at any rate."

"What will happen to them?" Harry asked curious. He didn't care about his family, who had never showed him any thing but contempt.

"They have been moved out of the country. Your Uncle was given a promotion and sent overseas. They are quite happy in their new life." Dumbledore smiled genuinely.

"What happens to me?"

"I'm afraid that is now up to Mr. Greengrass to discuss this."

Cyrus spoke up again.

"Harry, Fudge is planning to have the Wizengamot pass new laws granting him the ability to arrest without a trial, retry previous offenses, and legalize blood quills. I've also heard rumours that John Dawlish, who I swear is allied with the Death Eaters, will replace Kingsley Shacklebolt in leading the Auror Corps. Britain is no longer safe for you or your friends."

Harry simple stared, with frustration and disbelief swirling in his mind. The Minister was turning into a puppet dictator for Voldemort, and it was now unsafe to stay.

"So how do we get out?"

A faint grin appeared on Cyrus's face.

"I have a cousin named Daniel, who left Britain after his seventh year for Canada. He has agreed to take you, Daphne, and your Friends into his care, and also vouch for Sirius to prevent his extradition. Sirius was only charged under British Magical Laws. Based on the questionable practices of the British Ministry of Magic, and the fact that Sirius was imprisoned in Azkaban without trial, much of the world does not trust that judgment. I'm sure if Mr. Fudge demands his extradition, the Canadians will be laughing too hard to respond."

"Won't you and the Professors be in danger now?" Harry asked.

"We were all in danger the moment we were born, Harry." Sirius spoke up. "So long as Voldemort draws breath, danger hangs over us all, no matter if we associate with you or not. Remember that your friends give you strength, and it would be foolish to push them away."

"I could never do that. They showed me that today. I just want them as safe as possible." Harry said softly.

"Measures will be taken to make sure you and your friends are safe. Rest up, Harry, spend time with your friends, and try to think not of the prophecy, but of living your life. We shall speak again soon, and this I swear to you now." Dumbledore stood, looking meaningfully at Harry.

"No longer will you be kept in the dark, or not have the tools and information you need. Sirius has been correct all this time, and as wise as I am, it would do me well to heed the young."

June 20

Daphne awoke feeling refreshed, though her ankle still hurt a bit. She sat up in her bed and Madam Pomfrey rushed forward to check on her. After a few moments she pronounce Daphne fit, and allowed her to stand. She looked about and found the bed with her boyfriend. She rushed over to him, as he too was just now waking up.

"Hey." She said, sitting next to him.

"Hey. I'm sorry. None of us should have been there." He said honestly. Daphne caressed his cheek, and turned his head so he could look into her eyes.

"We went with you because it was the right thing to do. We'd all do it again in a moment."

"She's right." Said Neville sitting down next to Harry's bed. Tracey plopped down into his lap.

"I will always have your back." Neville smiled. Harry reached out his hand and Neville gripped it firmly. They nodded at each other and released the handshake.

"Where's Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Wondering what happens now." Said the bushy haired witch, who sat at the foot of Harry's bed. She looked tired, but otherwise fine. "Where do we go from here?"

At this time, Cyrus and Aurora Greengrass, who just arrived back in the hospital wing, rushed to Daphne's bed and hugged her warmly. Aurora eyes welled while embracing her eldest daughter.

Pulling away from Daphne, Cyrus looked intently, and recasted a privacy charm over Harry and Daphne's beds. He explained to the teens the situation in the Ministry, and the new plans to leave for Canada. He suggested that Hermione could talk with her parents, as they did have relatives in Canada, and had sent letters the previous night to all the families concerned. The Weasleys were loath to have Ron live in a distant and unknown country, so he could not join the others on the flight. The other families had reluctantly agreed to the trip and Greengrass had already purchased flight tickets for the five teens and Sirius Black, under an assumed name.

During the End of the Year Feast, the five friends sat together at the Ravenclaw Table, to the amusement of the staff. Malfoy, whose father was current incarcerated, simply glared menacingly at the group, while Ron sat somewhat lonely at the Gryffindor Table. Despite his sacrifice, Ron still felt ashamed of his conduct in the past year.

Harry, Daphne, Neville, Tracy, Hermione, Ginny and Luna sat together on the Hogwarts Express on the trip back home.

When the students returned to Platform 9 ¾ on the 23rd, they were soon whisked back to their homes, with Harry going to 12 Grimmauld Place with a mangy-looking dog animagus. With every household aware of the situation and the travel plans, the Teens started to all pack much of their belongings and clothing into trunks (or magically extended luggage cases in the case of Hermione) which were then transfigured to appear like muggle luggage bags. On the 24th, Harry went with Remus Lupin to Diagon Alley to ascertain the status of his finances prior to the flight. He found out that he could access the money from his trust vault as well as limited access to one of the Potter family vaults from the Canadian Branches of the Wizarding bank. Harry Potter was also given a disguised debit card that would allow him to purchase goods in Canada with money taken from the Potter Vault, dispensing with the need to set up a muggle bank account. The flight, a Canadian Airlines 747 flying from London Heathrow to Toronto Pearson, was set for the 26th.

Author's note: All Bolded text was taken directly from Chapter 30 of "Harry Potter's Secret Friend"