"This tunnel is a lot longer than I remember."

"Really?" Harry glanced over to where Sirius' face was illuminated by their lumos spells.

"Yeah," Sirius looked around. "And I don't remember there being quite so many cobwebs."

Harry grinned. "Draco would hate it down here."

Sirius barked with laughter. "Yeah, I can imagine. Still, it's a useful tunnel to be able to use – particularly if you're after some butterbeer for a post-Quidditch party."

"How did you get them to sell it to you?" Harry asked. "Surely they must have known that you had snuck out of school."

"You just had to be careful about who you got." Sirius answered. "Rosmerta was a good sport, she'd sell it to us no problems. We even managed to get a bottle of firewhiskey off her once, but if you got Stebbins he'd sell you out to Dumbledore."

"Stebbins?"

"He owned the Three Broomsticks before Rosmerta bought him out." Sirius explained. "He was a mean old coot."

"There's a Hufflepuff who's called Stebbins." Harry commented. "He's a Chaser."

"Huh, he's probably his great-grandson or something." Sirius commented, as they came to the end of the tunnel. "Now, we need to be quiet otherwise the Flumes will hear us."

"They don't have wards?" Harry questioned in disbelief, what kind of security was that?

"Merlin, I hope not." Sirius pulled a face. "They didn't twenty years ago."

"Surely they know about the tunnel though." Harry whispered, as Sirius pushed against the trapdoor to open it.

"No idea." Sirius returned in a hushed whisper and he pulled himself up through the opening in the tunnel ceiling.

Harry didn't feel very reassured. How had Sirius, Remus and his father gotten away with this sort of thing while they were at school? It seemed unbelievable that not only would Dumbledore not have wards to warn him of students leaving, but that the owners of Honeydukes wouldn't know there was a trapdoor in the floor of the store room.

Once they were both standing in the Honeyduke's storeroom, Sirius carefully lowered the trapdoor. "Do you have the cloak?"

Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the invisibility cloak that he had been given in first year. He only ever used it set up pranks with Luna and Draco and, as he through it over his and Sirius's heads, he found himself missing Luna's humming.

He couldn't remember the last time he had worn the cloak without having Luna humming a nursery rhyme in his ear. He had no idea what prompted her to hum that particularly nursery rhyme every time but, knowing Luna, it was probably important somehow. Though how the story of the Three Brothers could be important was beyond him – maybe it was just because the youngest brother had been given a cloak from death.

It was a tight fit under the cloak and Harry was sure that his and Sirius' feet and ankles were showing. Thankfully though, they managed to get out of Honeydukes and into a nearby alley without anyone seeing them and then Sirius wrapped his arm around Harry and quickly apparated them away.

Harry swallowed heavily as they landed in the Floo Room at Grimmauld Place. Thanks to Cousin Narcissa' tutoring he had no problems landing without a stumble, but he still found that side-along apparition made his stomach turn. Apparently normal apparition wasn't nearly as bad.

"We'll floo in." Sirius told him. "Normally the floos are closed to the public after working hours, but staff and Wizengamot members still have access."

"How did Remus get in then?" Harry asked with a frown.

"Through the front entrance." Sirius explained. "But that takes more time than it's worth."

Harry took a handful of floo powder, before turning to Sirius expectantly.

"Remember what I said." Sirius told him seriously. "Keep the invisibility cloak on, don't make any noise until I say you can and…"

"…don't do anything stupid." Harry finished for him. "I know, Sirius. I'll be sensible – I promise."

Sirius studied him carefully, before giving a slow nod. "At least you're a Ravenclaw. I can't even imagine the nonsense your dad and I would have gotten up to if I'd been let into the Ministry of Magic after hours at your age."

Harry drew the invisibility cloak over his head and then stood still while Sirius cast a silencing charm on him.

They flooed together, something that Harry had never done before, and was much less comfortable than flooing on his own. Still, when they stepped out of the floo, Harry was glad that they had. There were two people snogging against the wall a few feet from the fireplace Harry and Sirius had come out of.

The two people jumped apart comically and whipped their heads around to stare at Sirius in horror. Harry almost choked in amusement when he recognised Percy Weasley.

"L-Lord B-Black?" Percy asked, as the woman edged behind him.

"Mr. Weasley." Sirius sounded as though he was trying not to laugh. "Are you going to introduce me to your lady friend?"

Percy's face was ashen and he swallowed. "Of course, uh, this is Anahita Burke."

"Daughter of the Ancient and Noble House of Burke." The woman finished when it was clear that Percy wasn't going to.

Harry vaguely recognised her as having graduated from Hogwarts the year before. He thought she had probably been in Hufflepuff.

"O-of course." Percy nodded quickly.

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "I see. I presume that your father isn't aware of this dalliance, Miss Burke."

Underneath his invisibility cloak, Harry stared at his godfather incredulously. He knew that Sirius had been becoming increasingly traditional, but he didn't think his godfather had ever sounded so much like Lord Malfoy.

"No, my lord." Anahita answered weakly.

"It's not a dalliance!" Percy exclaimed suddenly. "I love her!"

Anahita's expression tightened, though Harry thought that it probably had more to do with her fear of Sirius' reaction than Percy's words.

"And do you feel the same, Miss Burke?" Sirius asked.

Anahita's lips trembled. "Yes, my lord."

Sirius grinned. "Ah, young love. I presume you are both rather concerned about your parents' reactions to this…development?"

They both nodded jerkily.

"Well, my first piece of advice would be not to spend time canoodling in public places." Sirius told them brightly.

Canoodling? Harry mouthed the word silently in disbelief. What kind of word was that?

"I presume that you don't have a contract, Miss Burke?" Sirius asked, apparently uncaring that it was an impolite question.

"No, my lord." Anahita shook his head quickly. "I was contracted to Rabastan Lestrange, but my father broke it off after he was sent to Azkaban."

Harry grimaced, Rabastan Lestrange had to be at least fifteen years older than her.

"Right then," Sirius nodded. "Then if the two of you really want to make this happen, my second piece of advice is for Mr. Weasley here to discuss the matter with your brother Bill."

Percy looked uncomfortable at the idea. "But…"

"Castiel is much more likely to accept the idea of marriage between his youngest daughter and a scion of the Ancient and Noble House of Prewett than he is a Weasley." Sirius told him bluntly.

"But my mum…" Percy protested weakly, before trailing off.

Anahita was looking a lot less scared now, though she didn't look very impressed by Percy's protests. "Thank you, my lord."

"You're welcome, Miss Burke." Sirius told her. "Merry part."

Harry quickly followed Sirius as his godfather strode away without a backwards glance. They entered an elevator, and then exited it again on Level Nine where Remus was waiting for them.

"You should be safe now, Harry." Sirius commented. "There's no portraits on this floor, but you should probably keep your cloak close, just in case."

Harry let the hood of the cloak fall onto his shoulders. "Merry meet, Remus."

Remus smiled in greeting. "Merry meet.

"Where do we go from here?" Harry asked, looking around.

"Through that black door." Sirius told him, gesturing towards the plain black door that stood about ten feet away from them. The light from the torches were flickering against the door giving it a very sinister appearance.

As they approached the door, it swung open for them and the movement made Harry flinch in surprise. Why was everything so creepy here?

That wasn't the worst of it though, the room through the door was completely black. The ceiling was black, the walks were black, and the floor was black. Even the multiple doors that sat evenly spaced around the room were black and the only light in the room were candles that let out a blue light.

"Merlin." Harry muttered looking around. "How are we supposed to know which door to go through?"

"We just have to try them all." Sirius told him cheerfully, pulling out his wand and using it to place a glowing mark on the door they had just come through.

Harry looked between the mark and Sirius in confusion. "What…" He trailed off as the walls began to rotate, spinning faster and faster, before finally slowing to a halt. Only the doors were in different places and the door that Sirius had marked, the one that had been right beside them, was now on the other side of the room.

"It's almost as though they don't like visitors." Remus commented dryly.

Harry looked around at the many doors hopelessly. "What do we do?"

"We try each door until we find the Hall of Prophecy." Sirius answered firmly. "Harry, pick a door."

The first door they opened led to a long rectangular room that contained a whole bunch of clocks. It was tempting to step into the room and look study everything inside it, but Harry just wanted to find the prophecy and get back to Hogwarts.

"One down, eleven to go." Sirius commented. "Your pick next, Remus."

Remus chose the door to the right of the first one and, when they opened it, they found themselves looking into another large rectangular room. This one didn't have clocks though, instead a tank of green water stood in the middle of the room with brains floating in it – it was disgusting.

Sirius chose the next door, picking one on the opposite side of the room, but that door refused to open – even after Sirius and Remus had both thrown every spell they could think of at it.

Then it was Harry's turn again and he slowly opened another door. This room reminded Harry of the Wizengamot Chamber. The room was large and square and had stone tiers leading down to a pit. At the centre of the pit, which was about twenty feet down, there was a large stone archway with a curtaining hanging across it.

"Do you know what we're looking for?" Harry asked, as he shut the door and watched the walls spin again.

"Of course." Sirius told him. "I was here a few days ago, remember?"

Remus picked the next door, which led to a room filled with floating planets, and then they only had seven more doors to check.

Sirius chose the next door and Harry shivered as the door opened and a draft of cold air hit him. This room was shaped similarly to the Great Hall, except it was longer. The room was dark, lit only by more candles emitting blue flames, and seemed to be filled with shelves.

Sirius grinned. "Welcome to the Hall of Prophecy."

Harry looked around the room sceptically. "Really?"

"See all those shelves?" Sirius asked, stepping into the room. "They're filled with prophecies."

"Why is it so cold?" Harry asked, wandlessly casting a heating charm on himself.

"No idea." Sirius answered, beginning to stride through the hall. "Now, we're looking for row ninety-seven. It took me ages to find it the first time, but then I figured out that they're ordered according to the date that the prophecy was given."

"So the prophecy about me was given in the seventies?" Harry asked as he and Remus followed Sirius through the dark hall.

"Presumably." Sirius shrugged. "By the way, Remus, you'll never guess what we came across in the lobby?"

"What?" Remus asked, quirking an eyebrow in interest.

"Come on, Moony, guess!" Sirius exclaimed.

Remus let out a longsuffering sigh. "A hippogriff playing Quidditch with a House Elf."

"Where in Merlin's name did that come from?" Sirius asked incredulously.

"You said to guess." Remus reminded him with a grin.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "There were two kids snogging! Not their smartest idea, since apparently they're trying to keep their relationship a secret, but it certainly brought back memories."

Remus barked with laughter. "I'm sure."

"Not that I've ever done it in the lobby here." Sirius sounded disappointed. "Maybe I should make it my new year's resolution."

"What?" Harry exclaimed, staring at his godfather in horror, surely Sirius wouldn't really do that.

"You're all respectable now, Padfoot." Remus pointed out. "Besides, where would you find a witch who'd agree to it?"

Sirius grimaced. "I miss Amy Clearwater. That witch was bloody shameless. She would have done it."

"I'm sure." Remus' tone was dry. "I stopped doubting Amy's willingness to do things the day the two of you got caught snogging in the Headmaster's chair."

Harry choked in shock. "The Headmaster's chair?"

"Like you're one to talk." Sirius smirked at Remus. "You're the one who snogged that witch in McGonagall's classroom and then had to hide in one of her cupboards when she came in. Who was that witch anyway?"

"Dorcas Meadowes." Remus answered with a fond smile.

"You can't be serious!" Harry exclaimed.

"Oh, but I am." Sirius grinned. "Sirius Black, at your service."

Harry levelled his godfather with an unimpressed look. "The Headmaster's chair?"

Sirius grinned unrepentantly. "You should try it. It's a little uncomfortable, but worth every detention."

"Exhibitionist." Remus coughed into his hand.

"And you!" Harry turned to Remus. "McGonagall's office?!"

"Don't be such a prude, Harry." Sirius grinned. "There's nothing wrong with snogging somewhere interesting. You should try it sometime."

Harry shuddered at thought. "Not a chance."

Sirius rolled his eyes, before changing the subject. "Did you know that Percy was seeing that girl?"

"No." Harry shook his head. "What in Merlin's name was that conversation you had with them?"

"My good deed of the day." Sirius looked smug.

"You had them terrified at the beginning." Harry pointed out.

Sirius smirked. "Yeah, that was fun. Merlin, did you see Percy's face?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Isn't Lord Burke really old? How does he have a daughter that young?"

"He's not really old," Sirius protested. "He's not even eighty yet."

"So he's over twice your age and not old?" Harry asked incredulously. "Sirius, you're old."

Sirius adopted a hurt expression. "Did you hear that, Moony? Harry thinks we're old."

"We are old." Remus told him heartlessly.

"Not as old at Castiel though!" Sirius protested.

"Which is what makes him really old." Harry explained. "So how does he have a daughter that young?"

"She's from his second, and much younger, wife." Sirius explained with a grimace.

"And how could he have thought that Rabastan Lestrange would make her a good husband?" Harry asked incredulously. "He's way older than her."

Sirius looked as disgusted by the idea as Harry felt.

"Ninety-seven." Remus pointed a shelf on their left. "How far along is it?"

Not too far." Sirius began walking down the aisle.

Harry followed slowly, observing the prophecies on the shelves. They were glass orbs, some of which were glowing, and they each had a tiny label stuck beneath them.

"Here!" Sirius declared triumphantly and Harry quickly caught up with him.

Sirius pointed towards an orb that was on a shelf at Harry's chest level. Harry bent down to read the label and shuddered at the sight of his name and Voldemort's name written beside each other.

"Why is it glowing?" Harry asked, looking around at some of the nearby orbs – only some of which were glowing.

"No idea." Sirius admitted.

Harry reached out a hand towards the orb, before stopping. "It won't hurt me, right?"

"No, you'll be fine."

The prophecy orb was surprisingly warm, especially when compared to cold room that they were in. Harry picked it up and then held it in the palm of his hand, it seemed small.

"Do you hear anything?" Sirius asked.

"No." Harry shook his head. "How do you think it works?"

Remus was staring at the orb with narrowed eyes. "The prophecy is recorded inside it, yes?"

"Yeah." Sirius agreed.

"Maybe you have to break it to let it out." Remus suggested.

Harry looked down at the orb. "I thought you said I wasn't allowed to break it?"

"I said I didn't know if you could." Sirius corrected him. "It's worth a try at least."

"I don't know," Harry frowned. "Shouldn't we try something else first? What if we break it and nothing happens? Then we'd never get to hear it."

"No, then we'd just have to force Dumbledore to tell us." Sirius told him. "I don't know what else you could do. You don't know legilimency, and if the orb would hurt us for touching it I can't imagine that it would like the idea of us performing legilimency on it."

"Alright." Harry held the orb away from him and then slowly tilted his hand until it dropped.

The orb shattered as it hit the floor, but the faint glow that had emitted from it seemed to hover above the floor and then a voice suddenly came from it.

"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..."

Once the voice had finished the glow vanished, as though it had never been there, and Harry was left staring the broken shards of the orb.

"Bloody hell." Sirius murmured behind him.

Harry stared at the floor, it couldn't be real – could it? The prophecy never actually said his name and who knew whether or not his parents had defied Voldemort exactly three times. Besides, he couldn't be the only person who was born at the end of July – after all, Neville was born just a day before him.

"You alright there, Harry?" Remus asked, his hand coming to rest comfortingly on Harry's shoulder.

"I don't understand." Harry admittedly weakly. "Why does it have to be me? Why can't it be someone else?"

"That would be a good question for us to ask Dumbledore I think." Sirius replied, his voice hard. "Along with what the bloody hell he was thinking keeping this from us."

Harry looked back down at the shards. "At least now Voldemort won't be able to get his weapon."

"True." Sirius stepped forward. "Scourgify!" Instantly all the shards of the broken orb disappeared.

"Shall we go?" Remus asked, squeezing Harry's shoulder before releasing it.

"Yes, please." Harry nodded, slowly making his way back down the aisle.

"Do you want to talk about it, kiddo?" Sirius asked gently.

Harry sighed. "It just seems so much. First the tournament and now this. How am I supposed to focus on my classes knowing that I'm the one who has to kill Voldemort?"

"You aren't the one who has to kill Voldemort." Remus corrected. "You are the one who can kill him. There's a difference."

"How?" Harry exclaimed in frustration. "How does that make any difference at all? It's not as though I'm going to just sit there and let Voldemort kill everyone knowing that I could stop him."

"Hey," Sirius grabbed Harry's arm and gently stopped him. "Do you remember how Remus said that there was no point in worrying about the prophecy regardless of what it said?"

"Sort of." Harry admitted. "But how can I not worry about it?!"

"Prophecies aren't history books written in advance." Remus told him seriously. "They're complex and tricky and you shouldn't let them control your life."

"That's easy enough for you to say." Harry groused. "You don't have to defeat Voldemort."

"Neither do you." Remus repeated seriously.

"Didn't you hear the prophecy?" Harry asked in frustration. "Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. How does that not mean that I have to defeat him?"

Remus sighed. "Harry, do you remember the lecture I gave last week on the Ministry of Magic's treaty with the Merpeople in 1932?"

Harry let out a huff. "Of course. Merpeople are very musical and when they communicate they speak in poetry rather than prose. So when the treaty was drawn up the Merpeople regarded its contents differently to what the wizards did."

"Exactly." Remus smiled proudly. "Harry, prophecies are poetry not prose. Take the second half of that sentence, neither can live while they, uh, while…"

"Neither can live while the other survives." Harry recited for him.

"Exactly." Remus. "Now, would you say that you're living right now?"

"Yes, of course." Harry replied, starting to understand Remus' point.

"And yet You-Know-Who survives." Remus pointed out. "There's no point worrying about it, it could mean numerous things and if it's a prophecy then it will happen whether you try and make it happen or not."

Harry stomach unclenched slightly at that. "Really?"

"Definitely." Remus nodded firmly.