Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter ... or much else for that matter! hehe

Chapter 87

Harry looked around excitedly. He had never seen the ministry before.

"Keep close Harry and keep your head down," whispered Dumbledore.

"Yes, sir." Harry put his head back down and looked at the ground, though he still couldn't keep from taking small peeks out of the corner of his eyes.

After they made their way down the elevator and through a bunch of doors, they came to a gigantic room filled with little spheres.

"Are all these prophecies?"

"They are. Some are fulfilled as soon as they are spoken, some never get fulfilled."

"How can a prophecy not get fulfilled?" asked Harry curiously.

"There are many reasons. The person dies early, the moons are out of alignment, or the exact circumstances are not met."

Eventually they came to row ninety-seven. "Don't touch any of them. They have special enchantments on them."

Harry nodded. While Dumbledore glanced through the shelves without touching the spheres himself, Harry watched as an orb appeared out of nowhere, filled with black smoke, then turned clear.

"What was that?"

"That would be a prophecy being made and fulfilled at the same time. It turns clear to match the others on the shelves that way they cannot be distinguished from one another."

"Why?"

"Because the Unspeakables, the people who guard the Department of Mysteries, are powerful in their own right. The knowledge of unfulfilled prophecies can grant them even more power. With the spheres looking all alike, it's hard for them to know which is which without actually taking the time to examine them. Think of it as magic's way of keeping things in balance."

That made surprising sense to Harry, who nodded.

Eventually Dumbledore pointed one out. "Here it is. I want you to pick it up and put it in this box. Then place this one back."

Harry did so.

"Let's leave. We'll talk once we get back to your house."

Twenty minutes later, Harry was seated across from the Headmaster in the kitchen.

"When can I hear what it says?"

"After I know for sure your occlumency shields are strong. Really strong."

"You won't back out of telling me will you?"

"No Harry. I still feel that you are too young to know it but you deserve the truth."

"I replaced it with a fake one?"

Albus nodded. "If Voldemort goes after it, he'll hear no more than he did before."

Harry nodded.

"How are your occlumency shields, do you think?"

"Alright. I've been able to get more sleep and I do feel better."

"I'll come by and test them before school starts. Sirius told me that you can apparate now."

"Yeah. My landing tends to be a bit off but I've only splinched myself once - and believe me when I say once was enough."

The Headmaster chuckled.

Harry looked around to make sure Sirius wasn't nearby. He then leaned over and whispered, "Sir, why did Professor Snape give me a birthday present - and such an expensive one at that?"

"Because he wanted to Harry."

"He confuses me. For the first couple of years it seemed like he hated me and then he started to lighten up. While I'm glad he did, I don't know why he did. And now he's given me a Christmas present and then this birthday present. Does he feel responsible for me because him and mom used to date?"

Harry still didn't realize the photo album was from Severus, Albus realized. "Harry, he has his rea -"

"Oh! Albus. I thought you left already," said Sirius as he entered the kitchen.

"I am about to. Keep practicing Harry. I'll see you two later."

"C'mon Harry. The chess board is all set up."

"I'm hopeless at chess, Sirius."

"Nonsense. We'll even use your pieces."

Harry laughed. "It won't help much. You'll see."

"Ready Potter?" gruffed Moody.

"Yeah. Why am I apparating up and down stairs rapidly again?"

"Did you not read the book Tonks got you for your birthday?"

"The auror training book? Yeah." He frowned, trying to remember. "There was a chapter that explained how auror's follow apparition trails to catch people."

"It's not just Auror's Potter. Death Eater's can do the same. But if you apparate to the same spots again then re-apparate away, it becomes harder to trace."

"But Moody, I'm not on the run from you at the moment."

"No, but whose to say you won't be chased tomorrow. I'm sure that you don't want to be caught after only two apparitions because you were tired."

Harry sighed. The man was paranoid, but he had a point. He definitely liked the real Moody over the false one.

He closed his eyes and focused on his bedroom where Tonks and Remus were waiting in case he splinched himself.

By the 6th apparition, he was starting to get tired. The next time he returned downstairs where Moody was, he had a surprise waiting on him in the form of a stunning curse.

Harry ducked as it whizzed by his head and apparated back upstairs. If he thought he was going to catch his breath, he was mistaken. Remus also sent a stunner at him. He barely dodged it and focused on the library, thinking he'd be able to catch his breath there.

Except Sirius was waiting on him.

Harry dropped to the floor and rolled behind the couch. "You've got to be kidding me," he muttered. This was entirely not fair. He couldn't use magic to defend himself.

Sirius sent another spell over the couch so he quickly apparated down to Moody in the dining room.

Odd. The room was empty so he leaned against a chair to rest momentarily.

The air around him then changed. He didn't see any magical signatures but he knew he wasn't alone anymore. He immediately apparated to the guest bedroom.

There, his mind was invaded harshly.

Harry pulled up his shields and pushed back.

He saw the memory of Cedric lying dead on the ground. "No," he said. Harry forced the memory away. A second later he apparated away.

He landed on top of a chair in front of the floo.

A stunner went past his ear. 'How are they hearing me?' he wondered as he ducked. Then he knew. The more tired he was, the louder his apparition became.

Harry pulled in what strength he could and he apparated into Sirius' bedroom.

There, his mind was assaulted again. Memory after memory flew by. Harry forced them away. He opened his eyes and tried to focus on his surroundings but he could see no one ... but the magic felt familiar.

Dudley was kicking Harry in the rose bushes while his aunt and uncle looked on impassively. "No," grunted Harry. He shoved the memory away. He was then stabbing the basilisk. "I said no." Harry pushed it away and then shoved against the shield of fire around his mind. A second later his mind was vacated.

He had pushed whoever it was out.

And now he was exhausted.

He dove behind the bed. There he apparated back down to the dining room. To his surprise, everyone was visible. "Are you done trying to kill me?" he huffed as he tried to catch his breath.

"Nonsense Potter. If we were trying to kill you, you'd know," said Moody as he tossed Harry a pepper up potion.

Harry looked up at the Headmaster as he entered the room a few minutes later. "Your shields are good but they need to be stronger. We shouldn't even be able to enter your mind at all."

"I thought that I was to let you enter my mind where you would see only the memories I wanted you to see. Not that it worked, but that's what I tried to do."

The Headmaster stroked his beard and chuckled. "One thing at a time Harry. What you're describing is an advanced form of occlumency."

"Oh. The books describe it at the same time that it describes how to form a shield around my thoughts."

"Now that you've had a chance to catch your breath and you've had a pepper up potion, prepare yourself."

Harry nodded.

"Legilimens!" said Dumbledore.

Dumbledore was able to get in for only a second before Harry shoved him out.

The second try had more force behind it. Harry was able to push him out again.

"Good job Harry. I need you to keep practicing. Tonight, I want you to take a dreamless sleep potion. With all this force on your mind, it's liable to have made you tired and your defenses will be weak. When school resumes, you'll have your shields tested once every two weeks."

"Why so far apart?"

"Because after each lesson, I'll want you to take a dreamless sleep draught and while you can take it once a week safely, I would prefer that you didn't get addicted to it."

Harry nodded.

"Harry are you ready?"

"I'm coming," Harry shouted as he looked around the room.

He had left his old clothes in his wardrobe and the books that he knew he wouldn't need on his bookshelf. He was also leaving the posters Sirius had gotten for him and the few pictures that he had drawn on the wall.

He could do that now that he truly had a home.

Harry quickly locked his new trunk. (He seriously loved it. It was amazing with all of the features that it had.) He pushed a button on the handle and muttered a phrase under his breath. The trunk then followed him down the stairs.

"Ready kiddo?" asked Sirius.

"Yep. I wish I didn't have to leave you though."

"I'll be alright. You're coming home for Christmas right?"

"Yep," said Harry grinning.

"I'll apparate us to the platform. Remember, you're not to apparate anywhere unless you are in danger. And don't tell anyone you can do it either."

Harry nodded. He had received this speech four times already.

Sirius hugged Harry. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks Sirius."

"And remember, make sure any pranking can't be traced back to you."

Harry chuckled.

They apparated directly onto Platform 9 3/4 then.

Harry immediately got all kinds of stares. "I forgot they didn't see me before they left."

"You'll be alright. You have the two-way mirror?"

"It's in my trunk."

"Good. You can contact me anytime you need to, even if it's just to say hi."

Harry nodded.

"Harry!" Harry looked up to see Neville walking toward him.

"Go on Harry. I love you."

"I love you too, Sirius." He hugged his godfather and headed toward Neville.

"Let's find somewhere to sit," said Neville.

Harry nodded. "I have your birthday present in my trunk. The lady at the shop told me that it wasn't safe to have it delivered by owl."

"But its safe to put in your trunk?"

Harry shrugged. "It's what she said." They quickly found an empty compartment. Harry then fished out Neville's present.

"Harry!" he exclaimed a minute later.

"Do you like it?"

"I do."

Harry grinned. "The lady told me it was safe to grow in the dorm. The book said it was too but I'd still check with Professor Sprout."

Neville nodded then handed over Harry his present. They had decided to exchange gifts on the train when Neville learned that he couldn't go to Harry's party. "I'll check with Professor Sprout after the welcoming feast."

Harry opened his present to find a card game called Pyraxis and a book explaining the many ways to play it.

"Thanks Neville," he said grinning.

"No problem."

Ron and Hermione then bounded in the compartment together. "There you are," said Ron. "Hey Neville."

"Hey Ron. Congratulations on making prefect you two."

They both turned red. "We need to go. We have a prefect meeting. We'll be back after it's over," said Hermione as she placed her things in the luggage rack."

"Have you seen Gabriella yet?" asked Neville tentatively.

"No," said Harry. He was looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time.

"I saw her earlier before you arrived."

Harry just nodded. The train started moving then.

An hour into the train ride, Hermione and Ron walked back into the compartment.

"You okay Harry?" asked Ron. "You look pale."

"It's all the stares. They're driving me crazy."

"Here. Gabriella literally ran into me in the aisle and put this in my hand," said Hermione as she sat down.

Harry took the piece of paper from her. It had his name on it.

Harry,

I needed to let you know that I'm going to end up being horrible to you. I don't mean any of it but I need to do what I can to survive.

I met him over the summer and it scared me.

You deserve someone that can make you happy, someone that doesn't have to pretend around you to keep their family from getting into trouble.

I'll always care for you and the nasty things that I'm sure to say, just know that I don't mean them.

Stay safe and stay alive,

Gabriella

Harry sighed. He fought back the same kind of emotion that he felt when she had broken up with him. It still hurt, more than he thought it should.

"What's it say?" asked Ron.

"Ron!" scolded Hermione and Neville.

"It's alright. She's just warning me that she's going to have to be not so nice toward me."

"That sucks," said Ron.

"Yeah. It does."

"Anything off the Trolley?"

Harry nodded. He got up and handed the witch some money as he took some licorice wands and a couple of chocolate frogs. As he was putting the change in his pocket, he saw Cho Chang approaching the Trolley.

"Hi Harry," she said while smiling slightly.

"Hi Cho," he replied.

They stared at each other for a minute. "Well, bye Cho."

"Bye Harry."

"Honestly Harry," snickered Hermione as he sat down. "You'd think that dating a girl for six months would have improved the way you act around them."

Harry turned red while Ron and Neville just burst out laughing.

"Uh, guys, what are those?"

"What are what Harry?" asked Hermione as she put her trunk into the carriage.

"The ... things pulling the carriages," he said. They had always been pulled by magic he assumed.

Ron put pig in the carriage. "Harry, there's nothing there."

"I see them too," said a voice that Harry recognized immediately.

"Hey Luna."

"What are you two on about?" asked Ron.

"They're called Thestral's Harry. I've been able to see them since my first year."

"Those are really unlucky," said Ron with a horrified expression.

"What are Thestral's?" asked Harry after helping Luna put her trunk in their carriage.

"They are not unlucky," said Luna in her dreamy voice.

"You're only supposed to be able to see them if you've seen someone die," said Hermione while frowning.

Harry immediately thought of Cedric.

Luna nodded. "They are quite gentle. On the weekends, I sometimes go out and feed them. You should join me, Harry. I think they would like your freller."

Harry opened to his mouth to ask what a freller was, but the carriage stopped at the castle then. He decided that it was better he didn't know. "See you later, Luna," he said after helping her out of the carriage.

"What do they look like Harry?" asked Hermione intrigued.

He glanced backwards. "It's better you don't know."

A/N: *Accepts the flogging that will be given for this being posted so late.*

I am soooooooo sorry. RL kinda caught up with me. I'm going to be an aunt sometime this week so I've been busy trying to help everyone finish getting ready for that. Unfortunately that left me with little time to edit and write. I then noticed a distressing thing that Fanfiction has done. All of my own previous line breaks have mysteriously vanished. That means that the past chapter's flow was messed up. The only way that I'll be able to fix it is if I re-upload all of the previous chapter's and fix it that way. I'm not sure when I'll be doing that. I had intended to do it ... but in the future ... like after Harry is informed of the truth. I may still hold off until then b/c I get the feeling that if you all don't get to that chapter soon, I'll receive worse than a flogging. hehe

I realize this chapter was short. I'm sorry for that. I didn't quite realize it was *that* short though until I uploaded it on FF and saw how many words it was. Anyway, this chapter dealt with one of my biggest pet peeves from book 5. (If Dumbles knew the prophecy was at risk, why not take Harry to get it?) So, as you can see, I *really* deviated from canon. Since that was the main purpose of the whole book, what am I doing to write about, you ask?

Let me assure you that Rowling is going to make Umbridge look tame compared to what I'm going to do with her. And then of course there is that thing you all have been waiting forever for me to finally post ... what was it? Oh yeah. Harry being told the truth. That's also this year. I have quite a lot of things that are going to happen this year. Harry will definitely not be bored, though he will seriously wish he was.

Anyway, I do realize that there was no Severus in this chapter. That's fixed in the next chapter, which I promise is longer than this one. If my brother's g/f hasn't had the baby by Tuesday, they are going to induce her then. That said, I'm going to aim for a Friday posting. That will give me time to be there for the birth and helping everyone settle in and time to edit and write.

I wanna thank everyone for the reviews and for hanging in with me for so long. We still have quite the journey to go on. Actually, I'm in a writing mood, so I'm gonna go do that now.

*set's out extra bribes and treats and flee's from thrown pitchforks and chainsaws*