Neville was waiting by the Floo when Harry stumbled out of the green flames.

"Neville! You're okay! You are, right?"

Before Neville could answer, Harry's godfather emerged right behind him, wand drawn, eyes scanning the room. "Harry, I told you to let me go through first!"

"You already did the security question thing with Dumbledore."

Black scowled, but when he saw Dumbledore standing calmly with his wand hand empty, he put his own wand away. The two exchanged nods, then Black turned to apologize to Neville's grandmother for the abruptness of their entrance.

Neville answered, "I'm fine now, I guess. They didn't do much to me really, other than take some blood. It could have been a lot worse." He took a deep breath, steeling himself to break the news. "But listen, Crouch wasn't working alone. Voldemort is back."

Harry stared at him. "You mean as a spirit? Or hiding on the back of Crouch's head? Did he look young? Was Crouch holding a diary?"

"On the back of–? No, not like any of that. Well, I guess he did start out looking like an ugly baby, until Crouch performed a ritual. Barty Crouch Junior, I mean. He was the one who's been messing with the Tournament all year."

Harry blinked. "Junior? Isn't he supposed to be dead? The name that showed up…" He trailed off, turning to his godfather.

"We may have overlooked that case," Black admitted. "It's not like a father and son would ever be students at the same time."

Neville said, "He escaped a long time ago, but never mind that. Harry, he performed a ritual to give Voldemort a full-size body. Crouch used my blood, and I couldn't do anything to stop it. I'm sorry."

"No. I'm sorry," Harry told him. "They wouldn't have taken you in the first place, if I hadn't run away. I was afraid something like this might happen. Mrs Longbottom, I owe you an apology too. I'm sorry I let this happen to your grandson. It should have been me."

"It shouldn't have been either of you," she said, then shot a glare at Dumbledore. "What sort of nonsense have you been filling this poor boy's head with?"

Dumbledore frowned. "I've tried to shield Harry from danger as much as possible, but Voldemort and his followers have been quite persistent these past few years. I would have been lying if I told Harry he would never have to face Voldemort again. Though I've never told him I expected him to do so alone."

His grandmother turned her glare on Black, who held up his hands. "Don't blame me. I'd take him out of the country if he'd let me."

Harry said, "Not an option."

His grandmother gave Neville a considering look.

"I don't want to leave either," he told her.

Dumbledore said, "I don't believe any place on earth is remote enough to keep Harry out of reach of Voldemort's obsession for long. Or Neville, if Voldemort has turned his attention to him. I can protect both of them best by keeping them close."

Neville's grandmother said, "Doesn't seem like it. You should have stopped that maniac years ago."

He gave a sad nod. "I wish the world were that simple."

Neville told Harry, "At least Voldemort let me go. He would have killed you. Sorry, but he pretty much said so himself."

Harry's hand drifted to the scar on his forehead. "He's tried before."

Neville knew Harry had no problem facing danger; he'd watched him jump out a window to go flying towards dragons. But this was Voldemort they were talking about. He wished he had Harry's confidence, but the way he treated bravery as a complete solution to any problem could be exasperating.

Working to keep his voice even, Neville said, "Crouch stunned me before I even realized I was in trouble. When I came to, I was already tied up, with no wand. Soon after, it wasn't just Crouch I was facing, but Voldemort. What would you have done, if you'd been there instead? I'd really like to know, because I couldn't think of a single thing."

"I don't know," admitted Harry. "But that's not the point. It's about what's meant to happen between me and him."

"Okay. Say you're right. Maybe you are meant to defeat Voldemort for good some day. In the meantime, what I went through was awful, but if it keeps you alive long enough to have a real chance to win, I'm proud to have done my part. And even if there's no greater purpose, he let me go today, and he wouldn't have with you. That's reason enough why this way was better."

Harry paused, then nodded. "You're right. I hate that you had to go through it, but thank you."

"You're welcome. Though all I did was try not to say anything that would get me killed. I was also hoping they might reveal their big master plan in case I did get away, but no such luck."

Dumbledore said, "They may have let slip more than they intended. Perhaps now would be a good time for you to share the full story, if you feel up to it."

"Absolutely not," declared his Gran. "The prophecy first, if you please."

"What prophecy?" asked Harry.

"You didn't know about it?" Neville asked in return. "At all?"

"About a prophecy? No."

"Then why were you so sure it should have been you today, instead of me?"

Harry shrugged. "It's how it always goes."

Just then, the muffled sound of a girl's voice seemed to emerge from Harry's pocket.

Harry pulled out his communication mirror. Before opening it, he warned Neville, "That'll be Hermione again. Better not tell her about Voldemort yet. She's already on the edge of losing it."

"I won't," agreed Neville.

Harry opened the mirror.

"Have you seen him yet?" Hermione demanded without preamble.

"Yeah, he–" began Harry.

"Is he alright? Are you sure it's him?"

"Yes. Neville and his grandmother are both safe. The headmaster is here. Everyone knows about the Polyjuice, so they all did security questions before Sirius would even let me come over."

"Oh, right, I almost forgot. What did Hagrid name his other pet our first year?"

"Uh, you mean Norbert?"

"Correct. Let me see Neville."

Harry handed over the mirror.

"Hi," Neville said into it. "How are you doing with all this?"

She gave a ragged laugh. "How am I doing? What about you? Please tell me you're alright. I'm so sorry! This is all my fault. I could have stopped him if I'd only checked sooner"

"I'm not sure what you're talking about, but I'm sure it's not your fault. What is it with everyone today? Anyway, I made it home safe."

Dumbledore gently took the mirror from him and spoke into it. "Miss Granger, both of your friends are safe, but I'm afraid any further questions you have for them will have to wait. We have important matters to discuss here."

There was a pause, followed by a reluctant "Yes, headmaster."

Dumbledore closed the mirror and handed it back to Harry.

Neville's grandmother said, "And the first matter we have to discuss is the prophecy."

"Very well," Dumbledore agreed, sounding resigned. "In 1980, Sybill Trelawney delivered a prophecy. Voldemort learned a part of it, and it sparked a terrible obsession in him."

In a solemn tone, he recited, "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…"

Switching back to his normal voice, he concluded, "That is as much as Voldemort knows."

Neville said, "He didn't mention the part about the power to vanquish."

"Not surprising. I doubt his ego could bear saying it aloud."

"I knew it," muttered Harry. "I knew there had to be a reason why it always comes down to me and him."

Dumbledore gave him a sad look, but didn't contradict him.

Neville said, "I don't think the prophecy is the only reason. It sounded like he has something to prove, because of the way your family drove him away on Halloween night."

His grandmother said, "Though the prophecy is reason enough for both of you to be in danger. What's the rest of it, Dumbledore?"

"I'm afraid it would be unwise for me to share the rest at present," he answered regretfully. "Now, if we may move on to–"

"Excuse me!" she interrupted.

"I'm sorry, I know you would prefer–"

"Sorry doesn't begin to cover it. My son and his wife believed in you and your war, and it cost them dearly. Just like the Potters, and so many others of their generation. And now here we are again, with my grandson and Harry Potter."

"I mourn them all, but they joined the fight not for me, but because they recognized the danger we faced. And no, it's not fair that their children now face the same danger. But this is the reality we must accept if we are to give them a fighting chance."

"Their best chance is through knowing the full prophecy."

"Perhaps, when the time is right."

"It's not your place to decide."

"I'm afraid on that point I must disagree."

"Oh? Based on what?"

"Those who hear a prophecy can often influence the pace of its unfolding, through prudent choices about which parts to share, and when, and with whom."

"That's just a theory. No one knows for sure how prophecies work."

"It's a theory supported by a wealth of historical evidence. The people entangled in a prophecy fulfill it through the choices they make, and the knowledge of it may influence those choices, in a self-fulfilling way. Harry, I know you've felt frustrated by my failure to give you an adequate explanation for Voldemort's obsession with you. You now know the reason. I've been trying to buy you as much time as I can."

Harry said, "It hasn't done much to hold him back so far. He keeps showing up anyway."

"I don't wish to downplay your past confrontations with him, or Neville's experience today. But I do not believe Voldemort will fully commit himself until he learns the entire prophecy. He thought he knew enough to act on that dreadful Halloween night in 1981, only to find out how wrong he was. He will be in no hurry to repeat his error. Keeping this from him is one of the few things compelling him to show any restraint at all."

"I can keep a secret. I'm sure we all can, knowing what's at stake."

"I have a greater concern. If Voldemort ever comes to believe one of you has learned the full prophecy, he might attempt another abduction." He turned to Neville. "In fact, I suspect he told you about the prophecy precisely in the hope you would seek to learn the rest."

Neville said, "I should have known he wouldn't actually care about recruiting me." To Harry and his godfather, he added, "He claimed he was letting me go to consider his offer."

"His loss," Harry told him. "Our side is lucky to have you."

"Quite so," agreed Dumbledore.

Neville smiled faintly at the reassurance, but shook his head. "I thought I was being so careful and clever in saying what I needed to say to get out of there alive. It turns out nothing I said or did would have made a difference either way. He planned all along to use me as his pawn."

Dumbledore said, "Regardless of his plans, you were wise to be prudent in your choice of words. Voldemort is shrewd, but volatile. If you had angered him, he likely would have lashed out at you. And we can't assume his attempt to recruit you was entirely false. Winning over someone from a family which has staunchly opposed him for so long would please him greatly."

Black asked, "If Voldemort wants this prophecy so bad, and can't get it through Harry or Neville, what will his next move be? Surely he wouldn't dare attack you to try to get the rest."

"No, I don't believe he would be so bold, but I'm prepared for the possibility."

"The Hall of Prophecy," Neville's grandmother guessed. "It's his only other move."

Dumbledore nodded. "As you say, he would seem to have no other option, even if he believes we are expecting him. Though he will need time to gather his forces before making the attempt."

"You're actually hoping he'll do it, to catch him in the act."

"I wouldn't put it in those terms. Though some good might come of it, an attack by Voldemort is never something one hopes for."

"I should say not. Though the alternatives aren't great either."

"I promise you all, I will do everything in my rather considerable power to keep both Neville and Harry safe."

"I'll hold you to that promise, but I was referring to the hidden war those cowards carried out last time–using cursed objects to try to make everyone scared of their own shadow."

The three adults exchanged grim looks.

Dumbledore said, "Yes, such attacks are difficult to defend against. We will all just have to take what precautions we can."

"You haven't had much to say, Mr Black," she noted. "Are you happy with all this secret-keeping?"

Black twitched, as though startled by her question. After taking a long moment to consider, he said, "Albus makes some good points. Harry isn't ready to face Voldemort–certainly not with him back to his full power. Two years of extra Defense lessons isn't anywhere near enough. I'm sorry, Harry, but it's not. And I'm guessing Neville hasn't had even that much preparation."

"I never dreamed he might need it!" she protested.

Black raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I apologize, Mrs Longbottom. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. No one could have expected this."

"Well, almost no one," she said, glaring at Dumbledore.

Black went on, "My point is, the longer we can put off a fight, the better. As long as Albus promises in return that if Voldemort ever does learn the rest of the prophecy, he'll share it with us as well."

"You have my word," agreed Dumbledore. "Augusta?"

Neville could tell she wasn't satisfied with the agreement, but she nodded with a scowl.

"Don't Neville and I get a say?" asked Harry.

Black said, "You know I tell you as much as I can–more than some people think you're ready to hear. If even I'm telling you to be patient, you know I must have a good reason. Will you trust my judgment?"

Harry met his godfather's eyes for a long moment, then nodded.

"And you, Neville?" asked Dumbledore. "May I have your word you won't try to learn the rest of the prophecy either?"

"Did my parents know?"

"Pardon?"

"Harry's family went into hiding. Why didn't mine?"

"Ah. Yes, your parents and Harry's both knew as much of the prophecy as you do now."

"Why didn't they hide?"

"A spy informed me Voldemort had chosen to focus his attention on the Potter family. That is why your family was less protected. I would never have allowed your parents to remain unaware if I suspected they were in danger."

"I see. Alright, then. I won't try to learn the rest on my own."

"Thank you. Thank you all for your patience." He regarded the dissatisfied faces around the table, and added, "As a show of good faith, there is one more small segment I believe it would be safe to reveal."

They looked at him expectantly.

"Following the part I told you, the prophecy continues: 'and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal'. There were no other boys born in July who fulfill the other conditions, so knowledge of this clause will not put anyone else at risk."

Harry said, "I'm not sure how it helps us much either."

"I wish I could offer more."

"Doesn't it rule me out too?" asked Neville. He pointed to his arm, where he'd been cut. "I mean, even if I wind up with a scar like Harry, I wasn't marked by Voldemort. Crouch was the one who cut me."

Dumbledore stroked his beard as he pondered the question. "I don't believe we should be quite so literal on this point. In the language of prophecy, a phrase like 'mark him as his equal' need not refer to a physical mark. Intent is crucial here, as in all greater magic. Despite the attention Harry's scar has received, I believe Voldemort's choice to attack him is what truly marked him as an equal, as it showed Voldemort feared him as a possible future rival. In the same way, his use of your blood marked you as his equal, by taking something essential to you and making it a part of himself. Suppose he had chosen a different ritual, powered by your magic or life force rather than your blood. Those methods might have left no visible mark, yet still fit the prophecy, as an expression of Voldemort's intent."

Harry said, "You mean like what the diary almost did to Ginny."

"Precisely."

Neville sat up straight in his chair. "Oh! I can see one way that last bit helps. Voldemort just doubled the number of people who can fulfill the prophecy. Maybe Harry and I could even work together somehow?"

"Together?" asked Dumbledore, sounding surprised.

"Yes, sir. Whatever the prophecy says, I doubt Harry or I will be able to duel Voldemort one-on-one anytime soon. Maybe not ever. But maybe I could distract him long enough for Harry to land some spells. Or vice versa. It might be enough to get him to look the wrong way at just the right moment. And if the prophecy fits us both, it shouldn't matter who lands the final blow."

"An intriguing notion, and one I must admit I hadn't considered."

Neville could see his grandmother was about to object, so he quickly added, "Of course, I don't mean it would be just the two of us going against him. All I'm saying is I don't think we can count on Voldemort overlooking me anymore, and I can't stand the thought of still being so helpless next time. I know I'm way behind Harry, but I want to start trying to catch up. Can I get the same extra Defense lessons he does? I promise I'll work really hard."

Dumbledore said, "A reasonable request, assuming we can find a suitable replacement for Professor Moody next year. And assuming your grandmother gives her permission."

"Can I, Gran? I swear I won't go looking for trouble. You've said you wished my grades were better anyway, and extra lessons would help with that."

She gave a heavy sigh. "Oh, Neville. I'd hoped such days were behind us, and perhaps your generation wouldn't see the rise of a significant Dark wizard." A furrow appeared in her brow, but she lifted her chin as she regarded him with a complex blend of worry and pride. "But with Voldemort returning, I suppose we all must prepare as best we can. You have my permission."

"Thank you."

"You'll do great," Harry told him. "If you're sure this is what you want."

"I'm sure I don't have much choice. If you fight him and… lose, he's just going to come after me next anyway. This seems like the best chance for both of us. Besides, you'd do it for me. You'd do it for pretty much anyone."

Harry didn't deny the accuracy of this description of himself, but looked self-conscious and changed the subject. "Headmaster, there's something I don't understand. Why was my blood Voldemort's first choice, if he had other options? Wouldn't it have burned him, like when I touched Quirrell?"

Dumbledore said, "As you should know from your Potions lessons, the Law of Inverse Effects tells us otherwise."

Harry grimaced. "Potions isn't my best subject."

"Then I will explain. When used as a potion ingredient, a given substance may–under certain conditions–produce effects counter to those it would have on its own. In this case, if Voldemort had used your blood in the ritual, it would have linked the two of you at a symbolic level. This would have allowed him to touch you without harm to himself, and to cast spells at you without fear of them deflecting back at him."

"Since he failed to get my blood, does that mean I'm still protected?"

"Happily, yes."

"Then if I can get him alone, I can beat him! There's nothing he can do to me, right?"

"I'm afraid it's not that simple. Your mother's protection persists, but is not absolute."

"I don't follow, sir."

"When the protection granted by your mother's loving sacrifice was newly formed, it had the strength to save you from Voldemort's Killing Curse. But even then, the curse left you with a scar, showing you weren't completely invulnerable. And we can't assume the protection remains as effective now, years later. As you've heard countless times, we must always consider the intention behind any act of magic. The foremost thought in your mother's mind would have been to defend her otherwise defenseless infant son. The farther you move from that state, the less you fit her original intent, and the weaker the protection becomes. That is why it will disappear altogether when you reach magical adulthood."

"All the more reason I should face him sooner, rather than later."

"Age is not the sole factor here. The urge to defend the defenseless is powerful intent, but it left you with a shield, not a sword. Its magic will repel Voldemort's attacks, but will not aid you in the same way if you seek him out to attack first."

"How can you be sure what her intention was? I think my parents would have wanted me to fight, like they did."

"Perhaps, when you're ready. They would want you to have courage, yes, but also wisdom and prudence."

"He's right, Harry," confirmed his godfather. "They wouldn't want you to go charging after Voldemort, relying on magic which could fail right when you needed it most, because you tried to push it in a direction it didn't want to go."

Harry sighed. "There's no way around it?"

Dumbledore said, "I strongly caution you against seeking loopholes. Magic is not easily deceived. Not when it comes to intention, which is its essence."

Harry shook his head. "There's always a catch."

"If it's any comfort, I imagine Voldemort might voice a similar complaint. I don't believe he will risk attacking you while he remains unsure how much of the original protection remains."

"I guess that's something… Wait, are the protections on Privet Drive growing weaker over time too? If so, Sirius' house might be a safer place for me now. And either way, I'd still have the part of my mother's protection tied directly to my blood, right?"

Dumbledore gave him a sympathetic look. "I'm afraid there's another catch."

"Of course there is."

"The sanctity of a family home is another powerful instinct which dwells deep within the human spirit. As long as you can call the home of your mother's family your home as well, it will provide a second, ongoing source of power to preserve your mother's gift. In fact, the wards on your home may have persisted even if Voldemort had managed to bypass the protection inherent in your blood. I am less confident in the reverse. If the wards on Privet Drive collapse, they may take the rest of your protection with them. We must err on the side of caution, to maintain the impasse between you and Voldemort at least until you turn seventeen."

"Don't worry," his godfather consoled him. "You won't be spending any more time there than absolutely necessary to recharge the wards. And while you're there, I'll keep them in line. I'm never going to abandon you. They'd have to lock me up again first."

Harry nodded. "I know, and thanks. Having you there makes a huge difference. I guess we can't afford to give up any advantage, even a partial, temporary one."

Dumbledore said, "Excellent. More questions, anyone?"

Neville said, "Yes, sir. I still don't understand the connection between the prophecy and the ritual. The incantation mentioned the blood of an enemy, but nothing more specific. When Crouch couldn't get Harry, wouldn't it have been less risky for him to grab a random person off the street, rather than taking me from Hogwarts? Not that I would wish that on anyone."

"Voldemort didn't explain?"

"He said the prophecy made my blood worthy somehow, but the blood supremacists are always going on about nonsense like that."

Dumbledore said, "True, but for once, this may be more than a case of Voldemort's prejudice and narcissism. Magic might not recognize a random person off the street as Voldemort's enemy, even if they were not one of his supporters. People often avoid taking sides in a conflict, right up to the moment when a neutral position becomes untenable. What's more, Voldemort would seek the blood of the most significant enemy he could find, as symbolic resonances can have a major impact on the efficacy of a ritual. The prophecy would make you and Harry the most suitable choices."

No one had any more questions, so Dumbledore asked Neville to relate his encounter with Voldemort, while the whole thing was still fresh in his mind.

This time, his grandmother didn't object, so Neville began his tale. As he told it, the others listened mostly in silence, aside from the occasional clarifying question or words of encouragement from the headmaster.

His Gran kept a firm grip on Neville's hand as he spoke. He glanced at her face just once, and had to look away. He didn't think he'd get through the story if he had to see the anguish it caused her.

When Neville finished, Dumbledore thanked him and sat back, looking thoughtful.

Harry gave Neville a sympathetic look. "I never would have wished any of this on you, but the way it worked out, you did me one other favor today."

"I did?"

"Sure. If Voldemort had used my blood, and I'd gotten stuck with yet another mysterious connection to him, I swear I'd have gone mental. It's like, 'Alright, Fate, you've made your point. Enough already.' Know what I mean?"

Neville managed a weak chuckle at Harry's attempt to break the tension. But out of the corner of his eye, he thought he caught the same look of sorrow and defeat on Dumbledore's face as when they'd been outside earlier, though now directed at Harry–specifically, at the scar on his forehead.

When Neville turned, the look had vanished, and the headmaster gave him his usual reassuring smile.