Magical Origins

Author Notes: One more chapter in Year 5, then we're on to Year 6.

Year 5: Fire and Ice

Harry led his group through the second floor as the Death Eaters came bursting through the door, firing spells upon them.

They all responded quickly. Months of training, learning how to dodge, recognize spells, and most importantly, working together allowed them to hold their own against the more experienced and dangerous Death Eaters.

Many were in masks, making identifying them impossible.

Harry's mist made it impossible for the Death Eaters to see who was firing spells upon them. Some went down after several combinations of spells hit them.

Lily refrain from using her fire element, knowing they had fire repellent charms on to protect them. Instead, she cast nonverbally spells, jinxes, and curses, causing many of them to fall unexpectedly.

Harry quickly conjures several desks together in forming a wall to shield them from any nasty spells.

Harry spots a Death Eater trying to sneak around and sends several water pellets at him that puncture his chest before he falls down to the ground dead.

Another Death Eater jumps up and quickly engages Harry in a duel. Harry cast the disarming spell on him, causing him to fall backward with his wand flying out of his hands. His mask also fell off his face.

Harry stares into the eyes of Cedric Diggory.

"You're a Death Eater?" said Harry in shock.

Ernie, Hannah, and Susan look at their former housemate that was once the star of their house in pure horror.

"Surprised even you, didn't it," said Diggory. "You may go around pretending you're a Saint, but you don't know the problems you've caused the rest of us. I joined the Death Eaters to help them be rid of you!"

Susan and Ernie had snapped out of their shock and hit Diggory at the same time with a stunner spell. Diggory fell over the desk and didn't get back up.

"It can't be true," said Hannah. "It can't be true. He must be under the Imperius Curse."

"Hannah, stay focus," cried Susan as she attacks another Death Eater.

Hannah was sobbing, and Harry knew this would greatly upset the Hufflepuffs. Diggory was the superstar and well like there. To hear one of their most prized students had taken the Black, would cause the House to be greatly upset.

The door above them on the third-floor burst open as members of the Order appears raining spells upon the Death Eaters. Many of them quickly succumb to the barrage of spells cast upon them.

Mad-Eye Moody limps forward, and Harry could see the Lestrange brothers charging ahead to meet him. They were quickly subdued by Moody's superior skills. Years in Azkaban has caused many of their abilities to dwindle.

Bellatrix shrieks out as she meets Mad-Eye in a duel. Throwing a variety of spells his way where he quickly counters.

Sirius and Remus come down, attacking Lucius Malfoy, who held them off the best he could.

Harry turns and sees a Death Eater rolling up his sleeve and presses his wand into the Dark Mark. Harry knew he was sending out a call for help, and Voldemort himself would be arriving soon.

Bellatrix turns tail and fled, with Harry and Lily both giving chase. Hermione was screaming at them, saying something smart, but they ignore her.

They chased Bellatrix all the way back the Atrium, where she was attempting to escape. Harry and Lily knew they couldn't afford to allow Bellatrix to escape.

"Bombarda!" roared Harry as the ground beneath Bellatrix exploded. Bellatrix tried to jump out of the way, but the explosion still sent her flying.

Bellatrix quickly recovers and grabs her wand before scuttering out of harm's way behind the fountain.

"What's wrong, Bellatrix?" shouted Harry. "Are you really that frighten to take on mere children?"

"Do you really want to play Potter?" shouted Bellatrix giggling madly. "You're parents were no fun either."

"You clearly weren't loved as a child," said Harry. Lily places her hand on the ground as her salamander emerges from the fire emblem. Her salamander was once small enough to fit inside the palm of her hand. Now he stood as a big as a male lion.

Harry places his hand in the water as his wyvern, once a sprite emerges from the water and looks at Harry, giving soft hisses.

Harry and Lily's familiar were no longer able to roam grounds of Hogwarts. They had gotten too big. Not to mention Lily's salamander had become a bit vicious towards others. Sirius and Lupin had turned the Black Manor Basement into suitable living quarters for them to dwell.

"Shut up, Potter!" shouted Bellatrix, unaware of the danger she was in. "Give me the prophecy, and I promise to spare your life!"

"I destroyed the prophecy back in the Hall of Prophecy," said Harry. "You failed Bellatrix. Voldemort isn't going to be pleased."

Harry did destroy the prophecy when he fled the Death Eaters when they had run. During the confusion, Harry froze the orb before he dropped it and shattered into pieces. Harry did this, so the Dark Lord would never gain the prophecy.

"You lie!" shouted Bellatrix in anger. There was also a hint of fear in Bellatrix's voice as she knew the punishment for her failure would be severe. "ACCIO PROPHECY! ACCIO PROPHECY!"

Harry gives a loud laugh at Bellatrix to summon the prophecy that no longer existed.

"No," screamed Bellatrix. "No, do you know what you have done, Potter! Master, I tried! I tried! Please do not punish me!"

"You really think Voldemort is going to be so forgiving?" shouted Harry.

"Indeed, Bellatrix," said Voldemort as he emerged in black smoke near the trio. "You have failed me yet again. The boy is not lying, he did destroy the prophecy, and no one heard a single word that was spoken within it. Months of preparations, months of planning, and my Death Eaters have allowed Harry Potter to foil my plans, once again."

"Master, please," said Bellatrix throwing herself at Voldemort's feet. "I know not. I was fighting Mad-Eye."

"Quiet," hissed Voldemort. "I shall deal with you momentarily. For too long, you have been a thorn at my side. For too long, your name has been whisper to be greater than mine. No longer, it ends today. Avada Ke – "

Lily responds quickly by unleashing a blazing fire at Voldemort, forcing him to cease his killing curse and cast a counter curse. Harry waves his wand as the fountain comes to life by his animation spell as they all quickly leap into action.

Bellatrix stood up and was ready to join the fight on her master's side, only to sense something approaching behind her. Bellatrix turns and sees the Giant Salamander walking up behind her. Bellatrix looked at it and knew at once she was in danger.

Bellatrix turns to cast a spell, but Lily's salamander already attacked. He bites down on Bellatrix's left arm, severing it before walking off with her arm in his mouth. He gallops down quickly before turning to look back at Bellatrix, who was on the ground, screaming.

The salamander turns to attack Bellatrix again. Only for a wall of earth to appear and engulf the salamander in rock, keeping him trapped inside.

Harry and Lily turn to see another wizard, wearing black robes, walking forward with a cane. He had black hair, with a beard neatly trimmed.

"Horvath," said Lily.

The Earth Elemental had finally made his appearance, and true to Veronica's warning, he was a Death Eater.

"I did tell you Master it would have been wiser to disguise yourself and simply take the prophecy," said Horvath.

"Enough!" shouted Voldemort. "Kill the mudblood!"

Horvath attacks Lily with a killing curse. Only for a gust of wind to appear and blow everything away.

Veronica Gorloisen appears standing at the ready before Horvath.

"Veronica," said Horvath in disbelief.

"It was foolish to come here yourself," said Veronica. "The Aurors are on their way."

"We shall be long gone before they arrive," said Horvath before he and Veronica cast their spells into one another.

Harry and Lily both launch their spells at Voldemort, keeping him from going on the offensive.

Lily unleashes a vortex of hellfire upon Voldemort, who found it challenging to breathe within the flames. Voldemort summons the water from the fountain to his aid, to put out the fire. Harry quickly capabilities by turning the water into a sphere. Entrapping Voldemort inside, as Harry sucks the magical powers from the Dark Lord.

Veronica looks back at the two as she and Horvath were in a deadlock.

'Amazing,' thought Veronica. 'Potter's powers give him the ability to drain his opponents to strengthen himself. While Morris's powers allow her to increase her own power and share it with her allies giving them greater power. The two are polar opposites of one another and find strength and bonds in each other strengths.'

Voldemort used every ounce of his strength to destroy the water sphere as he stands before Potter and the mudblood.

Another jet stream of fire comes for the girl, as Voldemort conjures a silver shield to block the fire.

Voldemort grins his teeth as he tries to dispel the fire. Horvath did warn him elemental magic was more powerful than regular magic, and not so quickly countered again.

Even with the fire repellent charms, the fire still damaged his body. His hand had severe burns on his hands.

When the fire ended, ice began to harden on his body.

Voldemort disapparates from his spot, realizing he was at a disadvantage in a head-on duel.

Harry and Lily, both turn around to see Voldemort reappears behind them, trying to flank them.

Harry conjures some magical chains to restrain the Dark Lord, but he had already cast a purple fire that looks something like a cursed fire. Harry disappears in a puddle of water, while Lily disparate into ash as the purple curse explodes moments where they stood.

Lily reappears as Bellatrix screams at her while firing a volley curses at Lily, who quickly counters and attacks Bellatrix. Bellatrix, despite having one arm, put up a hell of a fight as Lily unleashes hell fury upon her.

Harry reappears as Voldemort reappears across from him. Harry conjures several flakes that surrounded him. They were meant to take any curses or spells that meant to harm him and be destroyed instead.

Voldemort sent a verity of curses at Harry, but the flakes moved in to intercept Voldemort's spells. Protecting Harry from harm. Voldemort still hid behind his shield, grunting and grinning his teeth in frustration as he couldn't successfully hit Potter with any spell.

The Atrium lets out a boom that echoes all around as a high gust of wind threatens to rip their robes off their very body. Veronica Gorloisen's magical power was emitting a powerful yellow aura while Maxim Horvath had a brown-blackish aura.

Each time they launch their spells, they would enter a deadlock emitting powerful shockwaves within the Atrium. Several pillars have already been destroyed, unable to handle the strain of their power.

Several chains suddenly appear, tying Bellatrix to the pillar as she screams and curses, unable to break free.

"What?" breathed Voldemort in disbelief. He turns and sees a man he didn't expect to see. "Dumbledore."

"Master!" shouted Horvath. "We must go! The Aurors are coming!"

The presence of Albus Dumbledore clearly was enough to make both Voldemort and Horvath rethink their position.

His warning came too late. The Atriums Floo came alive at once, with many Aurors arriving with their wands raised. Among those arriving with the countless sea of witches and wizards was Cornelius Fudge and Percy Weasley. They stood there dumbstruck in front of the arriving witches and wizards.

"He's back?" said Fudge dumbstruck. His voice was soft, but everyone heard him.

Horvath waves his wand, and the chains holding Bellatrix disappear. Voldemort disappears at once before anyone could stop him. Horvath also disappears, unwilling to remain.

"I'll get you for this mudblood!" shrieked Bellatrix. "Mark my words, you will regret raising your wand against a pureblood witch of House Black!"

Bellatrix disappears before anyone could even make the motion to capture the Mad Witch.

"He was here, Minister!" shouted the watch wizard. "I swear it upon Merlin's beard! It was You-Know-Who!"

"I know, I saw him too, Mr. Munch," said Fudge. "Merlin's beard. H-here, inside the Ministry of Magic? How did he?"

"If you proceed to the second level Cornelius," said Dumbledore kindly as if there had been no amnesty between them over the past year. "You will find several Death Eaters, including several escape inmates from Azkaban, all bound by an Anti-Apparation Jinx."

"D-Dumbledore?!" said Fudge beside himself. "you're here?"

Fudge clearly was lost as he was unsure what to do. He had spent an entire year waging a propaganda war against Harry and Dumbledore. Now he looks around for someone, anyone to take charge.

"Seize him!" shouted Fudge to his Aurors. None of his Aurors moved a muscle.

"Cornelius!" boomed Dumbledore in a commanding voice, causing Fudge to shrink in his spot. "I am prepared to fight your men, and win again! You saw with your own eyes, moments ago, that Lord Voldemort has indeed returned. How long are you going to continue to deny what needs to be done?"

Fudge said nothing as he shrinks in his spot before Dumbledore's commanding presence.

"Fudge," said Veronica Gorloisen stepping forward. "You will order your Aurors to stop hunting Hogwarts employee Rubeus Hagrid and myself. You will sign an immediate executive order that will remove Dolores Umbridge from Hogwarts at once, where she will await trial for her numerous crimes against the children of Hogwarts. The Ministry Aurors will secure the Death Eaters we have bound before they are given a chance to escape. Many people have many questions for you, Minister. Mostly regarding your dealings with the Death Eaters."

Fudge shrinks as his brain had stopped working, but he knew he was in serious trouble. He knew whatever hope he had of surviving the impeachment, had now official vanished with the Dark Lord's public appearance.

"There is no need to have Dolores Umbridge removed from Hogwarts," said Harry stepping forward.

"What did you do?" said Dumbledore at once.

"I killed her last night during dinner," said Harry.

"You killed a Ministry Employee?!" shouted Fudge in disbelief. "You can't talk your way out of this one Potter. You will be charged with murder and await trial until you will reside in Azkaban."

"Go ahead," said Harry causing Fudge to stop. "Go on and arrest me for the murder of Dolores Umbridge. This is one matter you won't be able to hide, no matter how much pressure you put on the Daily Prophet. Even if you charge me with her murder, her crimes at Hogwarts will be told all over the wizarding community. Did you know she used the power you gave to torture children of Hogwarts?"

Fudge said nothing as he looks sickened at the thought. Child abusers generally got the worse punishment, and there was a strong resent towards witches and wizards who abused children.

He knew he was going to be in serious trouble because he put Dolores Umbridge in Hogwarts and made her Headmistress over Professor McGonagall.

"You can't keep this quiet," said Harry. "Even now, the children of Hogwarts have already sent letters home going into details on what Umbridge has done. I'm guessing within the hour, parents are going to be pounding on your door demanding answers."

Fudge paused as everyone turns to look at him on what he wanted to do.

Dumbledore looks at Harry in disappointment. Before he pulls out a handkerchief and taps it with his wand. "Portus."

"Here, Harry," said Dumbledore. "You and Lily return to Hogwarts at once."

Harry said nothing as he looks down.

"Sorry, Professor," said Harry. "There something I need to do first."

Harry disappears from the Atrium and quickly returns to the second level. The second level was in ruins, with many desks destroyed and hints of magical damage lingering in the air.

Harry says nothing as he walks forward, and spots Cedric bond by the wall.

Harry walks to Cedric and stands over him, looking at him. Harry wanted to know why, why would a wizard like Cedric take the Black.

"What do you want, Potter?" said Cedric. "Have you've come to gloat?"

"Why would someone like you, a highly accomplish wizard, take the Black?" asked Harry.

"Still pretending to be a Saint," said Cedric. "You know Weasley may spread countless rumors about you, but he's not exactly wrong. You are no angel, but merely a devil."

"Where did this dislike come from?" said Harry. "What did I do to you?"

"You still don't get it, do you, Potter," said Cedric. "It's the fact that she chose you over me. Its only natural. How was I supposed to compete against the great Harry Potter?"

"You're doing this because Cho chose me over you?" said Harry bewildered.

"That little witch didn't know her place," said Cedric. "A witch like her only purpose is to serve her wizard. But you took her from me."

Harry remembered Cho Chang telling him that Cedric had a horrible reputation with witches, and how she didn't want to end up his date. Harry was going to have a long talk with her about her friendship with Marietta Edgecombe.

Cedric also sounds a lot like another Lockhart. A person who was highly accomplished and wanted a harem of women under him.

"You're really that petty," said Harry. "A wizard of your skills could have any witch of his desire, and you're holding a grudge cause a witch two years your junior rejected you?"

"Maybe I'm more honest with myself than you are," said Cedric. "Do you have any idea how hard it was to be that golden boy everyone wanted me to be? Professor Sprout expecting me to behave a certain way, my peers looking at in a particular light. I could never truly express myself. I've taken up the cause, so I can finally be rid of you."

Harry said nothing more as he turns and walks away, thinking of Cedric's words.

It was no secret, he didn't socialize much with the students of Hogwarts. He spent much of his time alone. Cedric has been under the spotlight for years, and because of it, he was forced to be a certain way around others, unable to be himself. Was this darkness always apart of Cedric, or did it merely grow over time within him?

Harry reappears, knowing he had much to think about as he appears back in the Atrium. Lily sat at the fountain as Dumbledore and Veronica spoke the Ministry officials.

"You ready," said Lily.

Harry nods his head, unable to trust himself to speak.

Lily hands Harry the handkerchief, and they both disappeared from the Atrium.

Instead of the Healer Wing, as Harry was expecting to find himself in, they found themselves in Dumbledore's office.

"Where did you go?" asked Lily.

Harry told her all about Cedric Diggory and his decision to take the Black.

"Even I've heard of his reputation with witches," said Lily, once Harry had finished. "It's not that surprising. There are people in the muggle world like this as well. They know they're smart and good looking so they generally always get their way. What disturbs me is if this is the real Cedric Diggory that's been suppressed all these years."

"I wonder that as well," said Harry. "Diggory was one of the best Hufflepuff students in Hogwarts history. Highly accomplished and well-liked. Was this darkness always inside of him, and we were to blind to see it, or did it simply grow over the years?"

"Well, if everyone was like Hermione, then this world would be more disturbed," said Lily.

"She wears her emotions on her sleeves," said Harry. "Not to mention, she doesn't think before she speaks. She doesn't even realize the number of times she's insulted her peers and looks down upon them. If she still hasn't learned why no one likes her, then she's destined to be alone forever."

"Maybe," said Lily. "In truth, I'm finding it hard to tolerate her any longer. She wouldn't stop leaving me alone about my homework and kept wanting to check them, so they were up to 'her' standard of approval."

"You should give her detention for the rest of her life if she keeps doing that," said Harry. "She needs to understand that what she's doing is wrong."

The fireplace erupts, as Dumbledore appears and steps forward.

"When did you find out the plan?" asked Harry as Dumbledore sits behind his desk.

"Shortly after you left Grimmauld Place," said Dumbledore. "I had arrived in the early hours and was surprised to see many of them were getting ready for battle. Isabelle told us you had worked with your vassals to set a trap for Voldemort to lure him into the open."

"Well, your plan wasn't going to work and would have been too late to stop Voldemort," said Harry.

"Yes, I see that," said Dumbledore. "I also understand you had a difficult time in your occlumency with Professor Snape."

"Why did you allow him to teach me? Olivia is a far better choice," snaps Harry.

"That mistake is mine," said Dumbledore. "I had thought Severus had outgrown his feelings towards your father. I was wrong. He was supposed to help you master Occlumency."

"Then you are very much senile as the Prophet stated," said Harry.

Dumbledore did show any emotion at Harry's claims, but he did look deeply hurt at Harry's statement.

"You clearly don't understand how much people hate me," said Harry. "You left me on the doorsteps of my aunt, who never wanted me in her life, and she made that fact well known in my years with her. You don't seem to understand Snape hates me and has done nothing to help me and has constantly attacked me by comparing to me to my father."

"Harry, I trust Professor Snape with my life," said Dumbledore.

"Then you are a fool," said Harry. "I don't know why you trust Snape so blindly, but I don't. There is hostility between us, don't you understand that? Do you know whenever Snape looks at me, he looks like he wants to kill me? He's given me that look ever since he first laid eyes on me."

"Harry," said Dumbledore softly. "Snape will never harm you."

"Bullshit," said Harry. "I don't know why you defend Snape, but your decisions are being questions. I listen to you in the past, because others trust you. But trust isn't a one-way street. It goes both ways. I'm under no obligation to listen to you or follow your advice. Keep your secrets. I don't know why you trust snake, but it's foolish to trust a venomous snake."

"He's right, Professor," said Lily speaking for the first time since Dumbledore arrived. "In a war, you need to trust your comrades. Not everyone trusts Snape and only accepts your word he's on our side. Some of us are starting to ask questions. Questions we've noticed, you don't want to be answered."

"Harry," said Dumbledore. "The agreement I have with Professor Snape is between the two of us. I won't go into details on why he turned on Voldemort, as it's a personal matter. All I can tell you is that Voldemort killed the person Snape loved more than anyone."

"Snape can love others?" scuff Harry.

"Yes, he can," said Dumbledore. "His ability to feel love for another is why I trust him. Even to this day, I know he loved her very much. It was on her death, he swore he would do whatever it took to defeat Voldemort once and for all. That's why he turned spy for us, at great personal risk."

"Then why do you trust him with my life?" said Harry.

"He won't harm you, Harry," said Dumbledore. "I shall speak to him, reminding him that you are not James Potter. He needs to start accepting this fact."

"I'm not my father," said Harry. "I may have killed Umbridge, but she had it coming."

"Did you also kill the Aurors?" asked Dumbledore.

"Were they real Aurors? Or mere thugs and criminals wearing Auror clothing?" asked Harry.

Dumbledore said nothing.

"I thought so," said Harry. "I had a feeling they were criminals and thugs Umbridge hired to protect her. They certainly gave the feeling of evil surrounding them."

"What happened after we left?" asked Lily grinning.

"Fudge was met by a sea of parents waving letters from their children on what Dolores Umbridge has been doing at Hogwarts. He quickly retreated to his office, stating he had 'work' to take care of," said Dumbledore. "If I had known, I would have done something."

"You've never killed before, have you?" said Harry.

"There are fates worse than death," said Dumbledore.

"I know," said Harry. "Having eleven-year-olds being torture by a sadist with no one stopping her is one of them."

Dumbledore's face falters, knowing what happened to many of these students was his fault.

"What did you want to talk about?" said Lily. "As you can see, we're set on our path. We will walk it, with or without your support."

Dumbledore sighs into his hands, looking older and wearer than before.

"The truth," said Dumbledore. "I have kept the truth from you, Harry, for far too long. I should have told you last year, put you on your guard. Instead, I distance myself, hoping you would find some stability this year. I was wrong and being foolish. The time has come to reveal why Voldemort is so fixed on killing you."

"I don't care," said Harry. "He's going to keep coming after me, and I've accepted that fact."

"Yes," said Dumbledore. "But do you know why?"

"If I wanted to know, I wouldn't have destroyed the prophecy," said Harry.

"The prophecy you destroyed was merely a recording," said Dumbledore. "Severus told me of the dream you had of Voldemort speaking to Rookwood regarding the defensives on the prophecy. Defensives we already knew existed. The plan we had last summer was to force Voldemort to enter the Ministry and have him been seen by the Ministry Employees. I had hope Voldemort's impatience would force him to enter the Minister. Only your plan was better."

"Why is this prophecy so important?" asked Lily.

"Because Voldemort believes in it," said Dumbledore. "Voldemort is like very similar to Cornelius, a man who is afraid of losing his power. Afraid of one day, someone rising up to challenge him."

"Why would Voldemort believe I would be the one to defeat him?" asked Harry.

"You should hear the words so you can understand," said Dumbledore. He waves his wand at his pensive. It floats over.

"I destroyed the prophecy," said Harry. "How do you know it's contents?"

"Because it was Professor Sybill Trelawney who made this prophecy," said Dumbledore. "Much like Professor McGonagall, I too didn't hold much value in Divination. I thought the subject was a waste of time. I was interviewing Miss Trelawney in one of the Hogs Head private rooms. A mistake given its lack of security. One of Voldemort's Death Eaters was also present and heard the first part of the prophecy before he was thrown out. He alerted his master at once."

Dumbledore places his long grey hair into the pensive, and they could see a much younger Trelawney sitting before a younger Dumbledore.

"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… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal… and neither can live while the other survives. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…"

Dumbledore sat there, lost in thought as he looks at silver light pensive.

"Professor," said Harry.

"Interesting, isn't it," said Dumbledore. "I've never been one to believe in prophecies and omens. Yet, it is clear to me this prophecy will come true."

"It says, neither can live while the others survive," said Lily. "Does that mean one day, Voldemort and Harry will duel to the death?"

"I'm afraid so," said Dumbledore.

"Why does he believe in this so much?" said Harry.

"Because he doesn't want it to become true," said Dumbledore. "Remember Harry, when I first spoke to you, in front of the Mirror of Erised. I told you back then, men have wasted their lives before the mirror, chasing what they've seen within the mirror. Voldemort himself is no different from anyone else."

"What did he see in the mirror?" asked Harry.

"He saw himself, powerful, and feared," said Dumbledore. "he believed the mirror showed him his future, and he's been chasing it ever since. Like any tyrant, he was looking over his shoulders for the day when someone would rise up to challenge him. Now that you have defied him three times, he will become more desperate than ever to finish you off more than ever. You have now become a symbol of hope of defeating the Dark Lord."

"I never wanted to be the one to vanquish the Dark Lord," said Harry.

"I know," said Dumbledore. "but others won't see it that way. I wanted you to live as normal as possible. As you got older, that started to become harder. I had thought by distancing myself, I would be protecting you. I should have taken a more firm action to ensure Voldemort did not have the time he needed to rebuild his forces."

"Isabelle lecture you?" said Harry.

"Actually, it's Miss Gorloisen," said Dumbledore. "She's a brilliant witch, but she's never seen eye to eye with many of my decisions and has stood against me many times. Always questioning my decisions and their effectiveness. I fear she may be right. Because I have stayed my hand for far too long, I have allowed the forces of darkness to become strong enough to destroy our world."

Harry was surprised to hear his Defense Against the Dark Arts professor stood so firmly against Dumbledore. Harry didn't think Dumbledore had any political rivals.

"Why does she stand against you," asked Harry.

"She doesn't stand against me," said Dumbledore. "She doesn't stand with me either. As I said, she doesn't approve of my methods. After the war with Grindelwald, I never wanted to partake in war again. I tried to take on methods with the least amount of bloodshed. I must say, Harry, you're taking the news of the prophecy better than I expected."

"It was obvious," said Harry. "I knew whatever Voldemort wanted, had to do with some information that would tell him why I keep besting him. I didn't know the contents or purpose of that prophecy, but I knew Voldemort shouldn't have acquired that information. As the Ravenclaw's say, 'Knowledge is Power',"

"I wish I can tell you that you have nothing to worry about, but I would be lying to you," said Dumbledore. "Voldemort believes that you can defeat him, so he will never stop hunting you to restore his name."

"I have to watch my own back," said Lily. "Bellatrix marked me for a dead."

"That is not something easy to live with," said Dumbledore. "She was personally trained in the Dark Arts by Voldemort himself. She's one of Voldemort's top lieutenant."

"What happens now?" asked Harry.

"Next year, I'm going to training you both to prepare to take on Voldemort," said Dumbledore. "Samuel already told me of your plans to drop out of Hogwarts, and I won't stop you. I only ask that you return one more year, so I can pass on my knowledge of Voldemort to you, so you will be ready to face him."

"I've bested him before," said Harry.

"Besting him when he was weak is one thing," said Dumbledore. "The next time you will fight him, he'll be more powerful and ready to take you one."

"Can I ask you one more thing, Professor?" asked Harry.

"Asked," said Dumbledore.

"What happened to our friends?" asked Harry.

"I sent them to the Healer Wing where they should be looked after by Madam Pomfrey. Miss Granger took a nasty curse by Antonin Dolohov. She's in the worse condition among your friends. She's expected to make a full recovery. Neville received some scars, but nothing too serious. Overall, they will be fine, but will remain bed rested."

"If you don't mind, Dumbledore," said Harry. "I would like to get some rest."

"I'm sure you would," said Dumbledore. "You had an eventful morning. Olivia and Artemis are waiting for you in the Healer Wing. I cannot apologize enough for my actions Harry."

Harry said nothing as Harry and Lily disappears, heading towards the Healer Wing.