The Potter Timeline
Chapter 62 - Advance Preparations and a New Acquaintance
At near midnight, Harry, in his pajamas and bedrobe, quietly made his way down the stairs into the common room. It was dark save for faint bluish light creeping in through the windows. Just as he reached the sofa, he heard a noise and turned to find Hermione, also in pajamas and bedrobe, appear from the girls' dormitories. She quietly walked over to join him.
"All clear," he said quietly.
Hermione nodded.
Harry pulled out his wand and re-lit the fireplace. The darkened room filled with a warm, orange glow. The pair then sat down on the sofa to wait for James.
"How do you suppose he's getting into the common room?" Harry asked her.
Hermione shook her head with a scrunched expression.
"No idea. Perhaps he'll just walk in. He certainly can't apparate in."
In the time they'd known the formidable Auror, he never told them what House he was in while a student at Hogwarts. But his disposition, outlook, and character had Gryffindor written all over them. He had to be a fellow lion. He knew Harry's parents, after all. And perhaps his being a former Gryffindor would allow him entry into the tower. Maybe alumni are given the privilege of freely visiting their old dorms if they wished.
Harry took Hermione's hand. The girl smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder, both of them staring into the red and yellow flames.
They sat silently for a few moments before Harry gazed down at those familiar, bunny rabbit slippers on Hermione's feet. He chuckled. Hermione smiled.
"I had to wear them, of course," she said.
"Of course," he replied with amusement.
Hermione held up her feet, moving her toes back and forth, the rabbit's ears flopping around as she did, one of them still singed from the fire in her dorm room their second year. But then her face scrunched up.
"They're a bit tight now, however. I've grown and probably won't be able to wear them much longer."
Harry nodded.
"I'll buy you a new pair for Christmas," he told her with a smirk.
Hermione chuckled and wrapped her free arm around his, snuggling closer to him. Harry leaned his head on hers.
After a few more moments, he looked up at the clock above the fireplace mantel.
"It's midnight. James should be arriving soon," he uttered.
Hermione looked at the clock and nodded. Minutes passed, however, and the Auror made no appearance. Harry kept glancing at the short corridor leading to the Fat Lady's portrait, expecting the man to walk through it at any moment.
"Hello, you two," James' voice suddenly appeared as though coming from everywhere.
The teens let go of one another and glanced around the room.
"James?" Harry asked with a puzzled look.
But they saw no one.
"Over here," James replied.
They turned back around to find a face appear in the fire. It was as though someone took glowing embers from beneath the burning logs and fashioned a moving model of Auror James' head out of them. The head turned slightly along with fiery embers forming his hair, and his eyes blinked a few times. This was strange to behold. But it was clearly James.
"Of course! The Floo Network!" Hermione uttered with a grin at Harry.
The teenagers dropped onto the maroon rug before the fireplace.
"Yes, Hermione. I'm speaking with you from one of the secure fireplaces here at the department," he said, his ember lips emitting an aura of heat, "we use these special Floo outlets for relaying sensitive or top-secret information, bypassing the ministry regulators who monitor all normal Floo communications. You mentioned we needed to speak discreetly. Well, this allows us to do just that. We're all clear."
"Brilliant!" Harry uttered with a grin.
"So, what did you need to speak with me about?" James asked.
The teenagers exchanged glances before Harry spoke up.
"You're familiar with the circumstances surrounding my parents' murders, the night Sirius Black was arrested for blowing up that street in Godric's Hollow, right?"
"Of course, Harry. All Aurors involved in the hunt for Black are required to familiarize themselves with the particulars of those events. Do you have some new information concerning them?"
"We have more than new information, James," Harry said.
He glanced behind them to make sure no one was around before turning back and leaning closer to the fireplace.
"Peter Pettigrew is alive. He's here at Hogwarts. Professor Dumbledore has him confined inside the Room of Requirement."
The glowing image of James shifted backwards as though he sat back in a chair stunned. But after processing this astonishing information, the Auror nodded.
"I see. This is incredible news. And changes things a lot."
"Definitely," Harry replied.
"So, where has he been all this time?" James asked.
Hermione leaned forward now.
"From what we've learned, Peter was the one who blew up the street with a wand behind his back. He cut off one of his own fingers afterwards to fake his own death, then transformed into his animagus form, a rat, to escape detection. He's been in that form ever since."
"He's been the pet of one of the Hufflepuff students here, Ronald Weasley," Harry added, "who had no idea he was harboring an unregistered animagus, the one responsible for Voldemort murdering my parents and for framing Sirius Black."
James seemed even more stunned.
"So, you're saying Sirius Black is actually innocent, then."
Harry nodded with a sour look.
"Yes. As you probably know, Crouch had him sent to Azkaban without a trial based solely on what he saw at the scene of the crime, according to The Daily Prophet. But he made a mistake."
James nodded, pondering all this.
"I gather then, the pair of you have seen Black, haven't you?"
Harry and Hermione exchanged concerned looks.
"Yes...we have," Harry answered hesitantly.
James nodded again.
"And I suppose you won't tell me where he is, will you?"
Harry shook his head.
"No. You'll understand that we can't. Not presently, at least."
"Of course," the Auror responded.
"However," Hermione chimed in, "Professor Dumbledore asked us to specifically contact you about this. He's requesting that you yourself take Pettigrew in. He hopes to bring him before the Wizengamot for questioning, to confirm his role in everything, even through Veritaserum if necessary."
"And once that's done," Harry threw in, "Sirius is willing to turn himself in to you personally in the hopes Dumbledore can open a trial for him, to bring out the truth and clear him of blame. Dumbledore said he trusts you completely for this."
James nodded once more.
"And I appreciate that," he replied.
He looked down in thought for a moment, then looked back up at them.
"Very well. I'll arrange to have Peter taken into custody so the headmaster can have his trials."
Harry and Hermione exchanged broad grins. Purvis continued.
"However, I'm afraid I won't be able to take him in myself."
This surprised the teenagers.
"Why is that?" Harry asked with a furrowed brow.
James frowned.
"My superior, Director Bones, recently promoted me to her senior staff."
"Really? That's great, James!" Harry uttered.
"Yeah, well, don't congratulate me so fast. What this means is that while I'm now responsible for managing all Auror operations, I'll unfortunately be spending most of my time handling loads of paperwork and attending countless departmental meetings. My time in the field will be limited from now on, which, despite the financial benefits of my promotion, grinds me. I've always been a man of action and I'm going to miss the hands-on work. I'm not terribly keen on becoming a ministry bureaucrat, as you might imagine."
The teenagers nodded.
"But since this development with Pettigrew is so important to the search for your...godfather, Harry, I'll send the man who's taken my old post as Senior Investigative Auror."
"Who is that?" Hermione asked.
"His name is Kingsley Shacklebolt. He's one of the best Aurors I've ever known. An intelligent, capable officer, and a talented magic-wielder at that. You'll find him to be trustworthy and straight down the line. I'd trust him with my life, in fact."
The pair nodded. He continued.
"So, let Professor Dumbledore know he should expect Shacklebolt and a couple of Aurors to arrive at the school in the next day or so. Then, we'll take Peter from there."
"Great, James. Thanks," Harry said with a grateful smile.
James gave them a smile and nod.
"Well, with this rather stunning development, hopefully this Black business can finally be cleared up and we can all go back to normal. You can imagine how frantic it's been here at the department with Fudge pressing us hard to find your godfather. Quite frankly, I'm personally exhausted and ready for a holiday."
The two smirked. He went on.
"So, unless there's anything else you need to discuss, I'll bid you both a good night."
"Good night, James. And thanks again," Harry told the man gratefully.
"Good night, James," Hermione echoed.
The Auror smiled at them and a moment later, the image of his head crumbled into a pile of glowing red embers beneath the flaming wood. The pair was amazed.
They got up from the floor to head to their respective dorms.
"So, if all goes well, this will be the second time we've helped clear an innocent person of guilt for a crime they didn't commit," Hermione commented.
Harry nodded.
"Yeah, and while I'm glad to help anyone with that, I just hope it doesn't become our life's occupation having to clean up legal messes made by incompetent or self-serving authority figures."
Hermione laughed and fondly took one of his hands. Harry gazed at the girl whose fluffy, chestnut hair glowed beautifully around its fringes from the light of the fire. She was so pretty and such a great friend. He leaned in and placed his forehead against hers. Hermione blushed.
"See you in the morning," he said softly.
She breathed deeply while staring into his emerald eyes.
"Okay. Goodnight, Harry," she replied just as softly.
She then leaned up, and they kissed just a bit longer than they were normally accustomed to. When they parted, both were blushing and grinning. Hermione squeezed Harry's hand and stepped away, heading up the stairs to her room while throwing one last smile at him before disappearing. Harry watched this with a huge smile of his own. He then pointed his wand at the fireplace and with a single utterance, the fire went out.
~HP~
The following morning, they returned to class routine feeling good while also feeling a renewed sense of interest in what they were doing. With all that transpired over the weekend, and with what Professor Dumbledore anticipated coming down the road, the teenagers now viewed their studies as much more than an attempt to obtain a Hogwarts diploma. Their school careers were apparently leading them toward a potential war and potentially life-changing events as a consequence. Both were determined to be as prepared as possible.
Just before heading to the Great Hall for breakfast, they made a quick detour to the owlery to send a note to the headmaster, via Hedwig, informing him of their meeting with James. They were both curious what would happen next, and when the Auror, who James spoke so highly of, would appear.
After breakfast, putting their Time-Turner strategy in operation, they tackled their first three classes of the day with no problems. Transfiguration followed with McGonagall.
"And can anyone tell me any other characteristics of the transformation process between human and animal?" the professor asked while slowly walking across the front of the room as she reviewed the past week's lessons on animagi.
Hermione raised her hand.
"Miss Granger?" McGonagall asked.
"Any deformities in the human form of an animagus, such as a missing limb, will likewise appear in their animal form," the thirteen-year-old answered.
McGonagall stared at her in astonishment.
"Quite right," the woman uttered, "five points to Gryffindor."
The witch threw a furrowed brow at Hermione suggesting she was curious how the girl knew that as it was not mentioned in their textbook. But then she relaxed and gazed over the class.
"Now, a brief word about the Animagus Registry at the Ministry of Magic and the complicated process one must go through to apply..."
As the professor continued, Harry smiled at Hermione, knowing the answer to McGonagall's puzzlement. Hermione smiled back.
During fifth session, everyone had settled at their tables in Snape's class and were preparing to concoct the antidote to common poisons the professor had lectured on the previous Friday. Hermione and Harry had just pulled out their mortar, pestle, and a pre-supplied student kit - a bezoar, several mistletoe berries, and a unicorn hair - when a shadow appeared in front of their desk. They looked up to find Snape glowering over them with a frown on his face and his arms crossed. He looked displeased as usual. The teenagers swallowed hard, wondering what this was going to be about.
The raven-haired man briefly glanced at the other students busy gathering their own materials and starting on the potion. He then leaned down, placing his palms on the table, glaring at them.
"Professor Dumbledore had a word with me concerning the pair of you..." he said quietly and slowly.
Harry and Hermione exchanged wide-eyed looks before staring back at the wizard.
"...and asked me to assist you both in whatever way I can to help advance your potion-making skills. The reason for this he would not tell me, and while I loathe having to show favoritism, especially to the supposed 'chosen one' and his know-it-all girlfriend, I will comply with my headmaster's request."
Snape reached into his robes and pulled out a book, laying it on the table and pushing it toward them. They were astonished. It was the Advanced Potion-Making book Harry found in his satchel and gave to the wizard the previous week. The professor continued quietly.
"Since you were honest enough, Potter, to return this book to me, I am entrusting it to the pair of you. And while it's generally issued for sixth-year potions students, you'll find the additional notes helpful for improving various potions and potion-making skills taught between your third and fifth years as well. Consider it...personal coaching on my part."
The teenagers nodded. he went on.
"But, make no mistake about it," he uttered severely while leaning closer, "this does not mean I'll be lenient with your performance in my classes. On the contrary, you both will be held to a higher standard than your classmates and I expect the upmost attention paid to my teaching. Is that understood?"
Harry and Hermione both swallowed hard and nodded. Snape continued.
"If I find that you've abused my trust, that you've used this book to cheat your way through an exam or any other required work, I will not hesitate to re-confiscate it and fail you both, Dumbledore's wishes or not. Do I make myself clear?"
They both nodded at him wide-eyed. He glared at each momentarily before standing back up and moving toward the front of the classroom. Hermione opened the textbook and flipped through the pages to gaze at some of the notes, Harry joining her.
"Longbottom!" they heard Snape snap at the teen, "what did I tell you about adding the bezoar before you've mixed in the tempering powder?!"
The two looked up at poor Neville and his beet-red face, before gazing back at the book.
"You hang onto it for now," Harry told Hermione quietly.
"Okay," she replied with a nod, taking it and placing it in her satchel.
They resumed working on the day's assignment. But this was very curious, though Harry had no doubt it was another part of the headmaster's plans to face Voldemort headlong. And while he and Hermione would be grateful for the extra potions help, it would mean even more added pressure to their schoolwork, and that under the most disagreeable professor in the place.
"This is incredible, Harry!" Hermione uttered while gazing through the potions book once more as they marched up the stairs toward the Great Hall, "most of the potions are for the advanced classes, of course, but it does contain some modified or enhanced versions of ones we already know. Look at this section in the back: 'A Comprehensive Table of Fundamental Potion Ingredients'. There are all kinds of notes and revisions for that as well. This should give us better insight into how the potions themselves work. If we can read the messy handwriting, that is."
Harry nodded while gazing at the book with her, amused at her excitement. But then he thought about something else.
"You know, it sounded to me like this book belongs to Snape, the way he talked about me 'returning' it to him," he commented.
"You're right," she replied while flipping to the inscription on the very back, "he must be the Half-Blood Prince, then."
"But what does that mean? What's the story behind all this?" Harry asked.
Hermione shrugged.
"No idea."
Just as they reached the landing on the main floor, Hermione stopped, Harry stopping after. The girl glanced around briefly, making sure no one could hear her. She then stepped closer to Harry.
"Something else Snape said has me curious, Harry."
"What's that?" he asked.
Her face soured.
"He referred to you as...'the chosen one'. Despite it being a cheek toward you, where did he get that idea from?"
Harry thought about it and shook his head.
"I don't know. That's the first time anyone has called me that. We know what Ronan said about me fighting Voldemort at some point. But is there more to it than that?"
Hermione bit her lip, gazing at the floor in thought. She then looked at Harry.
"I don't know, Harry. But it sounds like Snape knows something. We should ask Professor Dumbledore about it."
Harry nodded.
"Definitely."
The pair went into the Great Hall for lunch. The meal, consisting of an open-face sandwich each - with ham and cheese plus a small batch of potato crisps, passed uneventfully, however, and afterwards they headed out with their classmates to Hagrid's old hut for Care of Magical Creatures.
Hagrid's class was somewhat boring this time as he took the students to a small enclosure behind the shed where the Hippogriffs resided. Inside this wooden enclosure sat several long troughs filled with dirt. And on top of the dirt, numerous ten-inch long, worm-looking creatures with pale brown skin were slowly moving about, each of them leaving a trail of disgusting slime. Lavender and the Patils looked pale themselves, as though ready to vomit at the mere sight of the large slugs.
Hagrid was clearly in a foul mood as he blandly explained how to feed these "Flobberworms", as he called them, and pointed to a wooden table with several heads of lettuce sitting on it. After the class split up to do just that, the professor sat down on the ground and watched, his arms crossed and a disgruntled look on his face. Harry and Hermione stepped over to the half-giant before tackling their own Flobberworms.
"Hagrid, what's wrong?" Harry asked quietly.
The man looked up at him with a frown.
"Professor Dumbledore an' Professor McGonagall had a little chat with me 'bout last week's hippogriff class," he said with a sarcastic tone, "apparently, Malfoy's mum, Narcissa, lodged a complaint against me claimin' I 'endangered her son by exposin' him to a dangerous creature'. Codswallop! The hippogriffs are a good-natured sort. They wouldn't hurt no one, less'n they're provoked."
The wizard glared at Draco and his pals who were merely poking at the Flobberworms with their wands instead of feeding them. Hagrid continued.
"So, the professors asked me teh 'tone things down' a bit. Apparently, Draco's mum threatened teh take legal action against the school unless I change the class curriculum teh include 'safer' creatures. So, I complied. Yeh can't get no safer than Flobberworms, though teh be honest I'd like teh cram one down Malfoy's throat right about now."
Harry and Hermione chuckled but felt sorry for the man too.
"Well, just so you know, Hagrid, everyone we know outside of Malfoy and his gang think you've been doing a great job so far," Hermione told him.
"Yeah. We're all enjoying your classes," Harry added with a smile while placing a hand on the half-giant's shoulder.
Hagrid's face softened at this, and he smiled.
"Well, I appreciate that, you two," he replied. He then thought of something and looked at the pair.
"By the way, have yeh met Stan yet?" he asked.
The teenagers exchanged looks.
"We...happened to run into him yesterday, in fact," Hermione answered with a sour expression.
Hagrid nodded.
"No offense, Hagrid," Harry asked with his own scrunched expression, "but why did you hire him in particular?"
The professor shrugged.
"He was the only one teh answer the post, Harry. Dumbledore said that even seemed strange teh him, what with all the adverts he put in the papers an' even a postin' inside the Leaky Cauldron. But I'd met Stan a few times ridin' the Knightbus an' always thought he was an okay sort of fella. So, we went ahead an' brought him on board. Though teh be honest he seems a bit sneaky teh me fer some reason, now that I've gotten teh know him better. But, so far, he's doin' what's required of him, so I can't complain."
The big man smiled at the two nodded back. He continued.
"Well, go on then, an' feed yer Flobberworms, courtesy of that yella-haired brat over there, so I can tell the professors we had a nice an' safe lesson today," he uttered with sharp sarcasm again.
Hermione and Harry quietly laughed and headed for one of the troughs.
In Lupin's class, the professor held a lecture on the evil, goblin-like Red Caps. After describing the nature of these bloodthirsty creatures and the fact that they could be most easily repelled by crosses, cross-like emblems, and even biblical words, Lupin explained that the Red Cap's preferred victims were unwitting muggles who might stumble upon one in a place where blood had been shed, such as old battlefields or ruined castles. When Lupin mentioned this last part, Draco snorted.
"I wish I could recruit some Red Caps to deal with all the muggle ramblers who traipse across our property like a bunch of dumb sheep," he muttered to his gang, though loud enough the entire class could hear him.
But none of his Slytherin friends laughed. Instead, they stared wide-eyed at Lupin who was glaring at Malfoy fiercely. Everyone in the class stared at the arrogant jerk as well. Draco's face went red when he saw this and he swallowed hard.
"Ten points from Slytherin for that crass remark, Mr. Malfoy," Remus said sternly.
The professor then walked to Draco's desk and glowered over the thirteen-year-old.
"If you can't keep your vicious thoughts to yourself, then perhaps you might utter them outside this room. No one in this class wants to hear them. Understood?"
An angry look appeared on Malfoy's face as he simply nodded back. Lupin turned around and went back to the front of the room.
"Now then, what to do if you encounter a Red Cap without the aforementioned repellents..."
As Remus went on, Draco muttered quietly, to himself it seemed, at how shabby and ridiculous the professor looked. Harry glared at the blond. Malfoy was doing nothing but making an ass of himself with his continued irritating behavior. Even his Slytherin pals seemed embarrassed to be around him now.
That afternoon, Harry and Hermione decided to study in the Gryffindor common room once more. They sat in the armchairs by the window this time, reviewing and quizzing each other over specific wand movements for several new charms in Flitwick's class.
A half hour into this, the door to the common room opened and Professor Lupin walked in. Hermione and Harry stopped what they were doing and smiled at the man. Remus nodded at the other students occupying the study table and the sofa as he walked toward the teens. He stopped before them, hands in pockets as he gazed around the room and up at the ceiling with a pleasant look.
"It's been ages since I set foot in here," he commented, "and I see not much has changed, though it does bring back fond memories."
"You were prefect of Gryffindor, weren't you?" Hermione asked. Lupin nodded.
"Yes. A rather tedious responsibility at times, keeping the House and our fellow Gryffindors in order. But I also found it enjoyable, too. What cheerful times they were. Before the war, that is."
He gave the pair a pleasant look for a moment before briefly glancing at the other students then leaning closer to the teens.
"Professor Dumbledore asked me to fetch you. Our...friends have arrived."
Harry and Hermione exchanged wide-eyed glances. They nodded at Lupin, placed their charms textbooks on the table next to the armchairs and rose. The three then exited the common room.
A quick jaunt down one set of steps, another jaunt up a second, and the two realized Lupin was taking them to the Room of Requirement. When they arrived at the wall opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, the door to the room was still visible, indicating the room was occupied. Remus opened the door and allowed Harry and Hermione to enter first.
Immediately, they noticed the iron bar entrance to Pettigrew's cell was open. Inside the cell, the poor little man stood wearing a pair of metal shackles around both wrists which were fastened together by a single metal post. He was trembling and his rat-like face was pale with fright. On either side of Pettigrew stood two ministry Aurors. One of them, a man with curly brown locks, was unfamiliar to the teens. But the other Auror was definitely familiar.
Burns, the blond-haired witch who helped patrol the halls of Hogwarts during the Chamber of Secrets incident smiled and waved at Hermione and Harry. The two responded in kind. Standing on either side of the cell entrance while gazing into it was Professor Dumbledore and a third Auror, both of whom turned to look at the professor and students entering the room.
The Auror was a tall black wizard with a completely bald head, sporting a shiny gold earring in his right ear. No sooner had he made eye contact with Harry, than the thirteen-year-old sensed something fierce and powerful in the man. His piercing gaze and firm expression confirmed this. He exuded a calm confidence and was clearly someone who it would not be wise to cross.
Dumbledore clasped his hands together and smiled at the pair.
"Ah! Harry. Hermione. There you are," he uttered, "allow me to introduce you to Mr. Kingsley Shacklebolt, the new Head Auror at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
The formidable warlock stepped forward, his gaze on the two teenagers unflinching.
"Mr. Potter. Miss Granger," he spoke with a deep, strong voice which was at once commanding and yet calming, "it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Both were somewhat intimidated at Shacklebolt's demeanor.
"You too...sir," Harry uttered. The Auror continued.
"James speaks highly of you, as does Nymphadora."
Hermione lit up.
"You know Tonks?" she asked.
Shacklebolt nodded.
'Yes. She became my protégé when James was made supervisor. After last year's events here at Hogwarts, everyone at the department knows about your impressive performance, due to their reports."
"Wow," Harry uttered with a grin at Hermione. The girl smiled as well.
The Aurors flanking Pettigrew now took the man by his arms and led him outside the cell. He whimpered at the sight of Harry and Hermione, saying nothing, and dared not look his former friend, Professor Lupin, in the eye. Remus sternly glared back at him, however. The Aurors then led Peter into the hallway outside the Room.
"Mr. Shacklebolt," Dumbledore said while turning toward the Auror, "you should expect my appearance at the department within the next few days. I will consult the lead Interrogators to arrange a time to question Mr. Pettigrew before the court. We shall then retrieve him from your custody."
Kingsley nodded.
"Very well, headmaster. I will let my colleagues know to expect you. Good day."
"Good day, sir," Dumbledore replied.
Shacklebolt made a single nod at Harry and Hermione before joining his fellow Aurors and Pettigrew outside.
"Well, Albus," Lupin started while watching the Aurors take Peter down the corridor, "I'll update Sirius on our progress with Peter. I'm sure he's anxious to hear he's been successfully apprehended."
"Very well, Remus," the headmaster replied, "and let him know as well that despite the fact the backlog of cases before the Wizengamot can be rather high at times, I'll try to expedite matters as it concerns Minister Fudge's own emergency orders to find him. I'm sure our dear minister, and indeed the entire wizarding world, will no doubt be stunned when Pettigrew's existence is revealed. And I've no doubt Peter's case, as well as that of our friend, will quickly take the upmost priority."
"No doubt," Lupin said with a smile at the teenagers, "and I'll see you both in class tomorrow."
The two nodded at him as he exited the room. Dumbledore, Harry, and Hermione followed. After entering the corridor, they turned back around to watch as the door disappeared and the wall returned to normal.
"Well, you two. While I was disappointed that James himself could not make an appearance, I must say I'm rather impressed by his replacement, Mr. Shacklebolt. Indeed, though we've just become acquainted with the man, I daresay he might make a fine addition to the Order someday, if the occasion calls for it."
The two nodded.
"Definitely, sir," Harry replied.
He then looked at Hermione who nodded at him, wanting him to ask the professor about what happened in their potions class. Harry nodded back.
"Headmaster," he started, "Professor Snape told us about your request for him to help us with our potion work."
"Ah, yes. I thought it best to enlist his aid at this time as he could greatly enhance your learning in preparation for...certain events."
"Well, he said something to Harry that has us curious, something about Harry being 'the chosen one'," Hermione said, "'we were wondering if you knew anything about that."
Dumbledore's eyes widened in surprise momentarily. But then he nodded and smiled.
"I see. Well, in fact, Hermione, I do know what Professor Snape was talking about."
Harry and Hermione gawked at one another. The headmaster continued.
"Care to take a little walk with me to discuss it?" he asked.
"Sure," Harry answered with a shrug.
"Very well. Since we are already here, I know the perfect place to do so."
Curious, they watched as Dumbledore clasped his hands behind his back, stepped to his left, then right, then back left again. The door to the Room of Requirement reappeared. The professor opened it.
"After you," he told them pleasantly with a wave of his hand.
The teenagers reentered the room. But they'd only gotten a few steps in before abruptly halting, both awestruck at the incredible sight before them.