Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything owned and copyrighted by J. K. Rowling. I am simply having fun with a world I've been reading about since I was five.

AN: This is my first fanfiction, so don't expect too much from the story. I will be using the 1996 calendar so the story starts on June 19th at around midnight. Also, I am only publishing the first chapters of a few stories so I don't know when the next update will be.

This is just an edit, not a different chapter.

Chapter 1

"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, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for 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..." (From the Order of the Phoenix.)

Harry looked at Dumbledore across from the man's desk in his office, a mix of grief, shock, and anger displayed on his face. He was angry the man had held this secret from him for so long. If he had known about the prophecy before tonight, he would have known that Voldemort – or Tom as he referred to him as – would try to lead him to the Ministry and make plans for it. Sirius could still be alive.

"When were you planning on telling me this?" Harry asked, righteous fury in his voice.

Dumbledore sat calmly in Harry's rage, which made the young wizard even angrier. "It wasn't the right time until tonight."

"Really?" Harry asked in disbelief. "You don't think I should have known about it BEFORE Tom tried to lure me to the Department of Mysteries."

Dumbledore sighed, trying to figure out how to make Harry understand. "I wanted for you to enjoy your childhood as long as possible. Telling you about it would have caused the loss of your innocence."

"WHAT CHILDHOOD!" Harry screamed. He took a deep breath to calm down before continuing in a cold voice. "My childhood died the same night my parents did; being dropped off on those people's doorstep saw to that. My innocence was lost before I even started at Hogwarts."

"It couldn't have been that bad there," Dumbledore claimed, thinking Harry's grief was causing him to be overly dramatic.

"How would you know? It's not like you ever checked up on me," Harry argued.

"I had Ms. Figg there to watch over you," Dumbledore asserted.

"Yeah, well she couldn't see what happened inside the house, could she?" Harry stated sarcastically. "She didn't see the hate and cruelty I was treated with every moment I was in their presence. She didn't see the physical and emotional abuse the Dursleys subjected me to. She didn't see how they treated me like I was their slave when they needed me, locking me out of the house when they didn't want me."

Dumbledore was disturbed by the description Harry gave him of his life with his relatives. While the Headmaster knew the Dursleys wouldn't love Harry, he didn't think they would have treated him that badly. He wondered how he had missed it. "I am sorry they treated you that way, but you had to stay there for your protection. The blood wards I was able to erect around the Dursley home, gained due to your mother's sacrifice, protected you from those who might have tried to harm you. It is important that you continue to have your mother's protection upon you," Dumbledore reasoned.

Unfortunately for Dumbledore, Harry was not appeased. "I don't care about stupid blood wards. My parents didn't die for me to have a horrible life, to be mistreated my entire life."

"I am sorry you feel that way, but I had to do so for the Greater Good," Dumbledore insisted.

Harry was incensed that Dumbledore continued to try and justify his actions. In his anger, he unconsciously sent a wave of magic out from him, breaking pretty much everything in the office and almost knocking Dumbledore out of his chair. "You know what you're Greater Good did. It caused me to have a similar upbringing as Tom. Both of us were abused for being different. Yet knowing how he turned out, you put me in the same situation, ruining my life and alienating me from most of Magical Britain." Harry lowered his voice so Dumbledore could just barely hear him. "You better hope I don't turn out like him, because I would be so much worse," he threatened before storming out of the office.

Dumbledore paled at Harry's words, watching in silence as the young man left his office. He didn't see how everything had gone so wrong and was unsure how to begin fixing it. I have to get Harry back on my side so he can fulfill his destiny. I may not like it, but has to be done for the Greater Good, he thought mournfully.

- H.M. –

Harry walked around the castle under the cover of his invisibility cloak, no destination in mind. After about an hour of aimless wandering, he ended up in front of the Hospital wing. Figures I would come here to see her, he thought. Sighing, he went inside quietly, trying not to disturb any of the patients. He glanced at his sleeping friends, guilt filling him at their injured state, but he tried to ignore it. He kept walking toward one of the private rooms near Madam Pomphrey's office to see the reason he came here. Before he could open the door however, Madam Pomphrey stopped him.

"Harry, it's about time you showed up here. I need to examine you for injuries," she stated as he led him to the nearest bed, pushing him down onto it. Before he could object, she had her wand out and was waving it across his entire body. "Hmm, it seems you only managed to suffer minor scrapes and bruises. I want you to take this potion for pain, but you won't have to stay the night," she said when she finished her examination.

Harry nodded before he tentatively asked a question. "Is it okay if I see Professor McGonagall? I promise I won't wake her up or anything Poppy." Said professor had been attacked by five ministry aurors (who were in Fudge's pocket) while defending Hagrid from being evicted from Hogwarts. This happened in the corridor near the entry to the Great Hall in front of several witnesses, including Harry. When Minerva was reaching for her wand to stop them, the aurors all shot stunners at her. Enraged, Harry rushed an unconscious Minerva to the Hospital wing, ignoring everyone else as he levitated her the entire way there. She was badly hurt, but Poppy was able to take care of her instead of having to send her to St. Mungo's. For the witch's privacy, Poppy put her in one of the three private rooms in the Hospital wing, which was a medium-sized room with a door and a private bathroom.

Poppy saw the anguish and hope in his eyes and knew she couldn't deny his request. "Very well, but try not to stay for too long Harry," she relented.

"Thank you," Harry said quietly before he walked into the room.

He sat down in the chair on the right side of Minerva's bed and watched over her, reflecting on how much this woman had helped him since he started at Hogwarts. Before his fourth year, Minerva had been his favorite professor. He not only enjoyed the subject, but he appreciated that she was a stern but fair person, judging you based on your own merits. He also knew she was a very caring and kind person, though she didn't openly show that side all of the time. A few examples of him personally experiencing this kindness were: when she bought him a broom during his first year, when she took up for him during the Chamber of Secrets incident, and when she helped him figure out the Patronus charm.

After his name came out of the Goblet of Fire however, her realized just how amazing, kind-hearted, and strong of a person she truly was.

Flashback Start

That day Harry had planned on avoiding everyone so he could come to terms with the ramifications of last night. However, he was given a note by a first-year Gryffindor requesting his presence in Minerva's office. He didn't know why she wanted to talk to him, but he figured it wasn't to lecture him judging by her defense of him last night. She had soundly told off everyone for accusing him of cheating to get into the tournament, especially Snape.

When he got there, Minerva was sitting at her desk, looking over some paperwork. She looked up at him when he entered.

"Thank you for coming so promptly Mr. Potter," she greeted.

"Umm you're welcome Professor. What did you want to talk about?" he asked.

She sighed, a strange look on her face. "This is going to be a difficult conversation, so we'll have it in a more comfortable setting." She locked the door to her office before gesturing for him to follow her. She led him to her private quarters, telling him to sit down on the sofa in front of her fireplace.

"I don't know how you'll feel about what I have to say to you, but I ask that you let me finish before you say anything," she requested after she had a house-elf bring them some refreshments.

Harry looked at her intently. "I can do that Professor," he replied. He wasn't sure what she had to tell him, but he could tell it upset her. He decided to give her a chance to explain before he made any judgements.

Minerva took a sip of her tea before she began talking. "I was there the night Dumbledore left you with the Dursleys. I begged him not to leave you there, to let me take you in instead. I pointed out that they weren't a good choice of guardians for you, but he promised me that he would make sure you were okay. Reluctantly I trusted him. During the years before you got to Hogwarts, I asked him so many times how you were doing, and he always told me you were just fine. He never let me try to contact you though, claiming it might upset the Dursleys. Again, I trusted him. When you finally got to school, I decided to observe you for myself. You are very good at hiding your true emotions, so it took me awhile to realize that your life with the Dursleys was not ideal. I tried to bring this up with Dumbledore, but he refused to listen to me, stating that it was important you stay there for the protections of some blood ward. He's your magical guardian, so there wasn't much I could legally do for you. That's when I decided to help you as much as I could without Dumbledore finding out, while I tried to find legal ways to get you away from them. There were none unfortunately. If I took you, we would have to spend our lives on the run, and I didn't want that for you."

She paused in her speech, taking another sip of her tea before continuing. "However, last night was the last straw. I begged that man to do everything he could to keep you from being involved in this stupid tournament. I trusted him to do at least that much, but I was wrong. I was so wrong. I should have done something before this. I should have taken you from the Dursleys doorstep that night and raised you myself, worrying about the consequences later. But because I trusted him, I failed you. I promised your parents that I would look after you, but I have not adequately done so. I am so sorry Harry and I hope one day you can forgive me for it." Tears were in her eyes as she finished her explanation. She looked away from him in shame as Harry sat there shocked.

He thought for a moment about everything she had told him, but he felt no anger toward the woman. He was aware that Dumbledore was his magical guardian and knew it meant that he was in charge of his affairs and his lodging place for the summer. Dumbledore was in control of the decision-making for him, so she couldn't be blamed for that. Plus, he knew what it was like to be betrayed by someone you thought you could trust. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder to get her attention.

"I'm not mad at you Professor and I don't blame you either," Harry declared softly. Minerva looked at him in disbelief, but the tears still falling from her eyes only convinced him he was right for his decision. She felt a deep remorse for her lack of actions, though it wasn't really her fault. "I know what it's like to be betrayed by someone you trust, so I could hardly blame you for that."

"You are very much like your mother," she reflected. "Thank you, Mr. Potter. I don't feel like I deserve your kindness at the moment, but I plan on earning it, starting today." When Harry shot her a confused look, she began to explain in more detail. "I will be training you, starting today. You will make it through this idiotic tournament if I have anything to say about it. We will have to keep it secret though, since I'm sure the old coot won't approve."

"I'd like that very much Professor," he replied gratefully.

"Good. First, I offer you the use of my first name when we are in private," she insisted.

Harry gave her his trademark lopsided smile. "Only if you use my first name as well."

Flashback End

And that's how the unique friendship they had today was born. Minerva stuck to her promise and trained him hard throughout the year. They used the Room of Requirement to train secretly, learning that it could open up passages pretty much anywhere in the castle. This helped them to meet up without anyone finding out about it, especially the Headmaster.

When Minerva realized his natural talent for Defense Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration, she decided to make him her unofficial apprentice in both subjects, teaching him things above his year. She tutored him in Potions as well, helping him to understand the basics of the subject that Snape refused to teach his students. She even taught him things he wouldn't learn at school, like Occlumency.

That summer, she took Order guard duty shifts so she could visit him, even taking him to get new clothes that actually fit him and new glasses with his correct prescription. During this past school year, she kept training him in secret. When he told her what Umbridge made him do in his detention, she almost ran off to hurt the woman. Fortunately, Harry was able to convince her that she was needed at the school and they devised a plan to prevent Umbridge from bringing the blood quills into the school by having the house-elves check her office regularly for them. She also helped him make lesson plans for the DA or Defense Association.

- H.M. -

Harry was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Startled, Harry looked up to see Minerva giving him a small smile having awoken a few minutes ago.

"I do believe it is way past curfew, Mr. Potter," she teased. Then she saw the look on his face and realized immediately that something was wrong. "Harry, what happened?"

He sighed deeply, knowing she wouldn't leave him alone until he answered, stubborn woman that she was. "I…I got another vision of Sirius in trouble. I used the mirror to call him, just like last time, but…but he didn't answer. I tried several more times with the same result. I could feel it Minerva – he was in danger."

"What happened next?" she urged gently when he was quiet for several seconds.

"I told Ron and Hermione and we tried to use the only floo working in this place, but the Toad caught us. She had us three along with Neville, Ginny, and Luna held captive in her office with Inquisitorial Squad's help. The Toad was about to try and torture me because she thought I knew where the old goat was, but Hermione distracted her with some story about weapon hidden in the Forbidden Forest. Before she dragged me and her away, I told Snape to get the Order there. Long story short, we ended up leaving her to the centaurs in the forest and caught up with the others. I…I tried to make them stay but they wouldn't listen, so we all left to break into the Ministry, using the thestrals to fly there. We got all the way to the Hall of Prophecies in the Department of Mysteries and the Death Eaters, led by Malfoy and Bellatrix, had Sirius tied up, demanding that I fetch a prophecy concerning me and Tom. We managed to free Sirius and then we were running through the Ministry, getting separated from each other until we got to the Death Chamber where the Veil is. The Order finally arrived, and we were all fighting and…"

Minerva put a hand on his shoulder comfortingly and he gained some strength from it. "Sirius was dueling Bellatrix and she caught him off guard. He was too close to the Veil. I tried to stop him from falling in, but…I was too late." Minerva gasped, but he kept on going, knowing he had to finish the story. "I ran after her and we ended up in the main entrance. Then Tom showed up and I fought him for a few minutes before Dumbledore arrived. While they were fighting, Tom somehow apparated to me and…he tried to possess me. He tried to make me feel like I was just like him. I barely managed to get him out." Harry conveniently left out the fact that Minerva was the reason he was able to fight Tom. He didn't want to think about the implications of that at the moment. "Then Fudge and some others showed up, catching sight of Tom before he and Bellatrix fled."

Minerva lifted his chin to make him look at her. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there to help you. And I'm sorry about Sirius."

Harry shrugged miserably. "It's not your fault. You're hurt. If you hadn't trained me like you did, we all would have died." He stood up, feeling overwhelmed by his guilt and anguish. "I should go now, and you should try and get some more sleep." Harry was already at the door when he finished talking. Minerva thought about calling him back, but she figured he needed some time alone.

"Good night Harry," she said gently.

"Good night Minerva," he replied in the same tone.

- H.M. –

The next few days, Harry spent most of his time in the Room of Requirement, taking his anger and frustration out on training dummies. He even took his meals there, refusing to spend time in the Great Hall where he would have to see Dumbledore's face. He was so angry with the man for keeping something that had such an impact on his life from him, as if he had the right to do so. Harry was entitled to knowing it, yet he was kept in the dark.

The thing that kept replaying in his mind was the last part about neither he and Tom could live while the other survived and that they had to die by the other's hand. After a while, he decided that meant only he could kill Tom and only Tom could kill him. At first, he didn't plan on doing anything drastic about it, knowing Minerva and his other friends would be upset if he did anything stupid. That would change soon however.

- H.M. –

Two days after the incident, he went to visit his friends in the Hospital wing.

"Hey guys, how are you all doing?" he asked them. They almost simultaneously shouted his name, having not seen or heard him come in.

"Where have you been mate?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, we heard that no one's seen you around," Neville added.

"Sorry, I just needed some time alone to think," Harry apologized.

"We understand Harry," Hermione said softly, Luna and Ginny vocalizing the same sentiments seconds later.

They all began discussing how they were doing and what their treatments were. Harry apologized profusely, telling them he was sorry for leading them into a trap. They tried to convince him that they were okay, letting him know that they didn't blame him at all and pointing out that they were the ones who insisted to come. They reminded him he tried to make them stay, but they refused. Harry tried to cheer himself up with the fact that they were all going to be okay, but he couldn't keep the images of them in the Ministry out of his mind.

Eventually he begged off, saying they needed their rest. Neville, Luna, and Ginny left at the same time, having already been discharged earlier that day. They tried to follow him, but he said he needed more time alone.

That night he had a horrible nightmare. In it, he saw all of his friends get tortured and killed by the Death Eaters over and over again. He saw Sirius die repeatedly as the man blamed him for his death. Then he saw Minerva get attacked again, but this time she didn't wake up, no matter how hard he tried. His dream, in combination with his conclusion concerning the prophecy, made him decide that he would fight Tom on his own, using his own methods. He didn't want to have to watch another person he cared about get hurt or killed.

- H.M. -

The night of the Leaving Feast, Minerva was finally discharged from the Hospital wing. Instead of going to it, she decided to try and find Harry. She had been told by Poppy that he had been doing a disappearing act. Poppy told her no one had seen him for longer than a minute since the battle at the Ministry. She thought about where he might be before trying the Astronomy Tower since she knew he liked to go there to look at the night sky when he needed to think.

As she had guessed, he was up there leaning on the balcony, staring at the stars above. "I thought I'd find you here," she greeted as she walked to stand by him.

"Of course, you would find me here," he muttered, not turning to look at her.

"Poppy told me you've been avoiding everyone," she remarked.

"I needed some time alone, some time to think," he replied.

"I gathered that much. Still, too much time alone isn't always wise. I know from personal experience," she said, turning to look at him.

Harry sighed. "I had to figure some things out."

"Like what?" she probed.

"I think, no I know, I need to fight him on my own from now on," he declared.

"Harry, I understand that you're hurting right now, but that doesn't mean you should make rash decisions. You're not thinking clearly right now," she stated firmly.

"I've been doing nothing but thinking and this is what I've decided! I'm going to take the fight to Tom and his followers, on my own. I'm going to try and stop them before they can hurt people," he asserted.

"What else happened that night to make you think this is a good idea?" she asked, knowing this wasn't just about Sirius's death.

"Nothing," he denied.

"Harry, I can tell by now when you're lying to me. Tell me what happened," she insisted.

"It's nothing you should be concerned about," he said trying to get her to drop it.

She scoffed at him. "Obviously I should be if you're considering waging a war all on your own." When he didn't respond, she tried a different tack. "Please talk to me Harry, I want to help you. Sirius wouldn't want you to do this."

He whirled around to face her, his pain displayed clearly on his face. "How would you know what he wants? How would I know what he wants? HE'S DEAD! He doesn't have any wants anymore! Bellatrix took that from him! She…she took him from me!"

"I know and I'm so sorry he's gone. But don't do this. Let me help you and I'm sure we can figure this out," she pleaded.

Harry shook his head vehemently. "I don't need or want your help, so save it for somebody who does. I'm doing this on my own and there's nothing you can do or say to stop me. I won't see anyone else I care about die because I wasn't able to save them."

"Harry," she said as she tried to reach for him. He snatched his arm away from her.

"Leave me alone Professor!" he shouted. Before she could say anything else, he stormed out of the tower.

Minerva stood there for several moments, unable to shake her shock long enough to chase after him. She didn't know what to say to him anyway. So instead, she stood there as the tears began to fall down her face, unable to hide her hurt at the moment. She wasn't angry at him though. She was hurting for him and upset that she didn't know how to help him.