A/N: so this will be my third fanfiction story, it has a lot of themes from my previous story "Through the Looking Glass". You may read that story if you wish. It isn't complete, and it is definitely on the back burner to this story that I want to be much better than the last. I'd like to thank author James Spookie for helping me sort out a lot of my wrongs in my last story and giving me some very good insight on what I could do to write a better story, he is very creative and always there to help.

Now I'm just going to lay down a thing or two before we begin. Here's my take on Hogwarts, it is a privet institution which has a tuition of around G5,000 and wizarding school (not just Hogwarts) is mandatory for the first 5 years. After that they have the option of ending their academic career and either getting a job or continuing their education. The last two years at Hogwarts are considerably more expensive and equal a bachelor's degree, which opens up more careers and opportunities such as attaining a mastery and higher paying jobs (aura, Professor, dragon handler).

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It was a large and beautiful circular room, full of funny little noises. A number of curious silver instruments stood on spindle-legged tables, whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke. The walls were covered with portraits of old headmasters and headmistresses, all of whom were snoozing gently in their frames. There was also an enormous, claw-footed desk. And behind it stood the frame of Albus Dumbledore. His piercing blue eyes glossed over, his mind in deep thought. He knew this day would come… he knew the dark lord had never been truly killed. He thought it would take longer for him to return and the matter he did did so… it was unknown to him. The graveyard… Alastor. How could he had been so blind!?

"I've known for a while that the Tom Riddle would eventually return. I didn't think it would be this soon… I thought I'd have more time… more time for Harry to grow up, unburdened by war. But if I really think about it, his time at Hogwarts hasn't been safe. The fault is mine, what if I had taken him in when his parents asked me too? No, the blood wards… no I couldn't be trusted to care for another. I failed her, and I'd fail him too. But now everything has changed, if I don't take Harry's training into my own hands, it'll be my fault when Voldemort kills him. Now that he's back I only have so much time, I need to make training Harry my top priority, secondly, I need to reform the order and gather intelligence on his side. We need to recruit and build up our forces if we wish to match those who would happily serve him. What about The Ministry? They will never willingly accept his return. I could think of a handful who would actually be open to reason. Missus Bones is smart and will accept reason, at the very least she'll accept the possibility... I'm sure Diggory of all people would understand and of course Arthur. But it isn't enough! I could stay quiet? Trying to convince them might only hurt Harry, myself, and the school. But, people need to know. Even if they won't believe me, some people might believe me and that will make them prepared and also may sway some to our cause. After all Harry and I are legends to some, if I'm being honest. We very well might be more popular than The Ministry. The Daily Prophet might be an issue, they're in the Minister's pocket. But back to the immediate issue., Harry needs a safe place to train and feel at home. The only places I can think of are my home and Grimmauld Place. The decision is easy it has to be my home, I suspect that we'll be using Grimmauld Place as the headquarters for the order as long as it's okay with Sirius. So, my plan is to talk to Harry, offer him an apprenticeship so I can teach him fully what he needs to know, he will also be able to stay at Hogwarts next year without attending. If Harry says yes, then we must sit down and discuss all of our options and let Harry have a choice. After that him and I will return to my home and I can start his training. But there's something I haven't thought of… what about his scar… what if he has a connection to the dark lord's mind. There's a reason he can talk to snakes… and if it's what I suspect. I-I don't know how I can save him. I-I need to tell him the truth… but it can't be now. It's not the right time and I can't tell him until it is." Dumbledoreslowly withdrew from his thoughts and let out a breath he had been holding. Now was the time to talk to Harry, he had to have courage that the young man could forgive him, but at the least he could see that he needed help to defeat Tom Riddle. Dumbledore made his way down the grief filled halls of Hogwarts towards the infirmary where Harry currently resided. He waved his hand in a half circle and the doors slowly opened. Upon his entry the sight both warmed his heart and anguish at what the young man would have to achieve. Harry was laying in the bed and Hermione was standing over him, holding his hand as the two whispered.

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"Hey, I'm going to be alright" Harry whispered confidently to her, as he reached his hand towards her face. Harry cupped Hermione's moonlight shone face and gave her a small smile of reassurance. However, Hermione's tears persisted.

"No Harry it's not okay! He's going to come for you again and again! Harry you don't know how much you mean to me!" Hermione frantically cried.

"Hermione, I know. You sacrificed all your free time this year to helping me prepare for the tournament. You stuck by my side when everyone else abandoned me. You've always been there for me and I know you always will be. You've been the one true friend in my life. I'd do almost anything for you Hermione, I can't be happy without you in my life" Harry whispered to the crying girl. She looked to him with surprise and lunged forward for a hug.

"Promise me you'll never leave me?" Hermione whispered through his hair.

"I promise" Harry whispered back. At that moment Dumbledore decided he'd let his presence be known and stepped out from the shadows. His face sported a large warm smile at the teens love for one another.

"I have a few things to discuss with Harry, although I'm sure he'll tell you all about it Miss Granger so it is for Harry to decide. It is very personal." Dumbledore said in a casual yet serious tone. Harry's face quickly went from confusion to curiosity.

"She can stay, I trust her completely" Harry said. His eyes focused on Dumbledore's and waited for him to start.

"Well Miss Granger, I suggest you get comfortable. It's going to take a while. I ask that you wait until the end for any questions." Dumbledore said conjuring himself a seat. Hermione meanwhile climbed on top of the bed and sat next to Harry.

"The best place to start is the beginning, you were not supposed to be left with your Aunt and Uncle's care. In the case of your parent's death you were to be left with your godfather Sirius Black, Sirius was residing in Azkaban. So, I could not put you in his care. However, your parents had more than one person to care for you in the case of their death. In the case that Sirius was unwilling or unable to care for you, guardianship was to be entrusted to me. I was supposed to be the one to care for you and provide you the home you needed. The reason I left you on your relatives' doorstep was because of the special protections on their home. When your mother sacrificed herself to save you her blood protected you, the same blood that runs through your aunts' veins. It made it unable for anyone wishing to harm you to find you. After the fall of Voldemort there was chaos, any of his followers would've sought you out to seek vengeance for their master, so I made the decision that you would be safest at their home. I however did not consider the dangers from inside the home. The lack of love they have shown you is something that has shocked me beyond that I can say. I thought perhaps even if they couldn't love you as their own they'd at least give you the things that any human being deserves, like respect and proper food and living space. I am so sorry Harry, I should've checked up on you, I should've stepped in, I should have listened to your parents wishes... But after some thought, seeing you grow up... I realize the true reason I didn't take you in when you needed me. I was afraid Harry… so afraid. I had a sister Harry; her name was Ariana. When she was a child she was traumatized because of what some muggle boys did to her when they found out about her magic. They hurt her and my father in his rage, he killed them… he went to Azkaban and our sister was left shattered. It destroyed her, what they did: she was never right again. She wouldn't use magic, but she couldn't get rid of it; it turned her inward and drove her mad, it exploded out of her when she couldn't control it, and at times she was strange and dangerous. But mostly she was sweet and scared and harmless. She developed an Obscurus which is the manifestation of the repressed energy of a magical child, known as an Obscurial. Which is a dark and parasitic force, an Obscurus was created when Ariana was forced to repress her talent through physical and psychological abuse. This energy could manifest itself as a separate entity that can erupt in violent, destructive fury. After our father was locked away it was up to my mother too take care of her while my brother and I were at Hogwarts, I was a being recognized as one of the next great wizards and I was setting Hogwarts records. I got arrogant and I wished revenge on muggles for what they had done to my sister. That summer I met a boy who moved into the Hallow, his name. Gellert Grindelwald. Him and I formed a strong relationship and we traded ideas of how our world should be run. That school year my mother passed away, it was Ariana who in a fit of rage and uncontrollable magic who killed her. I had to return and become her full-time care giver. But I didn't want to, I knew I had much to achieve. You cannot imagine how his ideas caught me, Harry, inflamed me. Muggles forced into subservience; we wizards triumphant. Grindelwald and I, the glorious young leaders of the revolution. Oh, I had a few scruples. I assuaged my conscience with empty words. It would all be for the greater good, and any harm done would be repaid a hundredfold in benefits for wizards. Did I know, in my heart of hearts, what Gellert Grindelwald was? I think I did, but I closed my eyes. Soon Gellert found out about Ariana and what she was. He said together that two of the most brilliant and talented wizards since the founders, that we could cure her. I saw the hope that he offered, and I couldn't resist. My brother was furious that I was bringing Gellert to try to help save Ariana. However, I was the older and more powerful one who was in charge of the family and he relented. Gellert came in the fall of 1898 to Godric's Hallow and we begun our research. We were making a lot of progress and by the summer of 1899 we almost had it. We came up with a ritual that would chain the Obscurial's power to another, this would distribute the power between multiple people therefore giving her control. The plan was to bind her power with Gellert and I because the power she has within her was so great. All three of us could handle it. So, in August of 1899 we made our first attempt. It started off as planned and I was sure it was going to work, just before it was complete the Obscurial took control. It could feel itself being chained and it retaliated. We tried to control her and bind her and finish the ritual we were so close. She however was too powerful for the both of us and she struck us down. When my brother came he was appalled, he immediately tried to calm Ariana and it had worked and she took back control. Gellert and I came to and Gellert fired chains at her to keep her in place. My brother immediately shot curses at him. I didn't know who to side with, Gellert and I could cure her, but I couldn't turn on my own brother, a dual broke out when Gellert hit my brother with the Cruciatus Curse I knew I had to end it and I attempted to. However, in the crossfire Ariana was killed. None of us knew who had done it and Gellert fled. My brother and I haven't been on speaking terms since. While I busied myself with the training of young wizards, Grindelwald was raising an army. They say he feared me, and perhaps he did, but less, I think, than I feared him... It was the truth I feared. You see, I never knew which of us, in that last, horrific fight, had actually cast the curse that killed my sister... I think he knew it, I think he knew what frightened me. I delayed meeting him until finally, it would have been too shameful to resist any longer. People were dying, and he seemed unstoppable, and I had to do what I could. I defeated him, yet the pain of losing my sister to my own foolishness has pained me everyday of my life. She's the reason I changed, and I wanted to dedicate my life to the advancement of subdued people. I fear what would've happened if we had saved her. Gellert and I would've started the revolution together and there was nobody who could stop us. But when the time came for me to take you in after your parents died, I couldn't. I thought I'd be too cold and not around, but most of all I feared getting you hurt for my decisions when you were helpless and had no choice. I still don't trust myself with the life of others. I failed your parents and the Longbottom's. I've failed the school many times. But now that Voldemort has returned I can't run from the past any longer. Harry please consider becoming my apprentice, so when he comes for you. You'll be ready." Dumbledore finished his tale. The face upon Harry and Hermione's faces was of shock and grief.

"In part I understand why the Headmaster didn't take me in. The other part of me… I don't know. He's kept this from me for years and that hurts. I can at least give him a chance to earn redemption. I need training to protect the people I love, and Dumbledore is the best. I can't afford not too, I'll stand no chance." Harry thought.

"I'll do it sir" Harry said. Hermione's face turned to shock, and Dumbledore looked pleased but also surprised.

"Harry! Think about this? He's been hiding things from you and this is a big decision, you should think about it more!" Hermione exclaimed with concern.

"I know Hermione, but I also know that when he comes after me again I'll need to be ready. I know when he comes after you I'll need to be ready." Harry replied with determination.

"I'll do everything in my power to make you the strongest wizard that the worlds known. You have it in you Harry. But for now, you need to rest. Tomorrow at noon come by my office so we can talk about our plan." Dumbledore instructed. Dumbledore stood from his chair and left the hospital wing.

"Harry, you don't have to do this! This isn't your war to fight! We're kids!" Hermione cried. She started to break down, her tears fell, and she hugged Harry close.

"Hey, this is what I'm supposed to do… it's destiny. He'll never stop coming after me Hermione. And what if nobody else can stop him? I can't sit back and watch him murder people. He took MY BLOOD to return! I'm doing this for me, for Sirius, and for my parents." Harry said, conviction laced in his voice. Hermione looked as if she was going to speak before he continued "what If he comes to me Hermione? What if he wants revenge? He's obviously fixated on me he wants me dead Hermione! I can't sit here and be a sitting duck for him