Once again thanks for all the reviews - its nice to know people are interested. For those of you intrigued by the prophecy...all I can say is that prophecies can be ambiguous in parts:-)

Anyway... here is another chapter, with apologies for the delay, I was on holiday and unfortunately unable to reach the internet but I have returned now, and hope to have more up soon!

Please read on and review...

Professor Caset sat in the staff room, explaining the details of the prophecy to his colleagues. Throughout his story Dumbledore said nothing, waiting until he had finished before asking, "How did Minerva seem?"

Dippet shook his head in frustration, "May I speak to you in my office, Albus?"

"Certainly, Headmaster."

Dumbledore followed Dippet out of the staff room and up the winding staircase to his office. He sat down in the seat opposite the Headmaster and waited for Dippet to speak.

"Albus, I must admit the contents of this prophecy disturb me."

"How exactly, Headmaster?"

Dippet sighed, "We both knew from the beginning of the girl's family, her background. They are the sort of people who could be persuaded by…you know, Grindelwald."

"Her family, Headmaster, not her."

"But the prophecy – I am concerned for your safety, Albus, as a friend I implore you to be cautious around Miss McGonagall, perhaps spend less time with her, particularly alone. She could be very dangerous to you and I do not want to see you killed."

Dumbledore shook his head, "I heard the prophecy, Armando, but you must understand that I cannot believe it. I trust Miss McGonagall. Whatever her family are, she is not. I will not judge her by her ancestors, nor by a prophecy without reason."

Dippet took a deep breath, "Albus, the sorting hat, it has some power to see the future as you may know."

Dumbledore nodded.

"It has seen that – that only one wizard can stop Grindelwald, it told me."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows but said nothing.

"You are that wizard, Albus. You are growing in power and one day you may have the chance to stop him; but only if she does not stop you first. Albus, please, if you will not consider caution for your own sake, then do so for the rest of the wizarding world – those who will be saved if you successfully challenge Grindelwald."

Dumbledore shook his head, "I cannot turn away from Miss McGonagall. She is in my house and under my care."

Dippet frowned.

"All I can say, Armando, is that I have no desire to risk my life at this moment. If I think a situation to be dangerous, then I will respond with caution."

Dippet sighed, "And with that, I suppose I must be satisfied."

Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, Headmaster," he replied, "I rather think you must."

Dippet stood and made to head for the Great Hall, "Are you coming, Albus?" he inquired.

"I'd like a word with the hat if that's okay."

Dippet nodded, "Very well."

He left the room and Dumbledore moved over to stand before the sorting hat.

"I presume you were listening?"

"Of course."

"Has no one ever told you eavesdropping is rude?"

"I was not eavesdropping. I was sitting on a shelf three feet away! Did you really think I would not hear? And has no one ever told you, Albus Dumbledore, that insulting me is probably a good way to end any chance of a conversation?"

"Is that why you didn't tell me about Grindelwald?"

The hat was silent.

"Hat?"

"I don't like to tell people the future – I don't believe I should interfere."

"Didn't you think I had a right to know?"

"Albus," the hat sighed, "Not all futures will come to pass. Most of what I see will, in one form or another, but one can never exactly be sure when or how. And then of course, one becomes stuck with the most important question of all."

"Which is?"

"Why? Why do these things come to pass? What causes them to occur?"

"That is the most important question?"

"Of course it is; motives and reasons change everything, Albus. Think about it, say you do fight and defeat Grindelwald, for example. Dippet thinks that future is perfect, ideal – you defeat the darkest wizard of the age. But is it? Surely it depends on the reason – perhaps you do it to rid the world of evil, perhaps for love or revenge, or perhaps so that you can take his place and become the most powerful dark wizard in the world. All could have the same initial outcome, but what follows would be so different."

Albus nodded, "It is not only our choices that make us who we are…"

"It is the reasons for those choices," finished the hat.

Albus nodded, "Can you tell me? Do you know what – I mean, if I do face Grindelwald, do you know what my reason will be?"

The hat sighed deeply, "Not entirely."

"Not entirely?"

"If I tell you, it will drive you mad."

"I do not care – I must know."

"Two reasons – love and hate, but for what I cannot say."

"Love and hate?"

The hat remained silent.

"Love…that's good isn't it."

"Depends on what the love is for."

"How do you mean?"

"Would you consider love of power a good motive?"

Dumbledore was shocked, "Love of power? That is my motive?"

"I don't know – it could be. Love and hate," the hat sighed, "Could be almost anything."

Dumbledore nodded slowly, "I should go," he murmured.

"Very well – could you ask the house elves to bring up some more of that fabulous hat cleaner? The one with the cinnamon flavour – it's delicious."

Dumbledore shook his head, "You should ask them to get lemon flavour," he said popping a sherbet lemon into his mouth.

The hat almost managed to roll its eyes.

"Albus, before you go."

Dumbledore turned in the doorway.

"There is something you should know. It may help you many times in the future if you remember it."

"What?"

"Those we love and long to help will trust us far more if we show them our hearts."

Dumbledore stared, "What do you mean?"

"Just remember."

He nodded, "I will try."