Hey all Harry potter fans out there. This is my first fan-fic so please be kind. I would love to hear from you. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Flames are considered rude and a waste of both of our time. And once in a while is nice to hear how much you like my story!

Disclaimer: I am making no money off this fiction, and everything belongs to J.K.R. except the plot. Let this disclaimer apply for the whole story.

Edit: March 22, 2005: I am working my way back up to writing and found that I have to re-read everything to get my bearings. So bear with me while I'm re-reading I couldn't help myself from re-wording stuff. You might notice tiny details added, but I promise nothing major will be changed. (Well, let's hope not because that would just create a mess) I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your reviews, even thought I haven't posted in forever. Thank You! If I could I would give you all hugs. Now, at 1:22 am I think I better go to bed so I can read more tomorrow . . . or later today, whichever.

Much love,

Mrs. Fawkes

Harry Potter woke up; his scar throbbing. 'It happens all the time don't worry about it.' He told himself. Harry had been dreaming about the night Sirius died and what Dumblodore had told him. All of the sudden he felt that he needed to tell Ron and Hermione this. Not in a letter, face to face. He could not keep it bottled in any longer from his two best friends, the stress of holding onto this secret by himself was starting to wear him down.

The teen wizard felt around for his glasses, putting them on as he went over to his desk. Finding some parchment and a quill, he wrote out a quick note:

Ron & Hermione,
I bet you're together at headquarters, but if not, one of you is there get a note posted off to the other immediately. I need to talk to you, face to face as soon as possible. I can't put anything in here. I imagine you know why. The Dusleys won't try to stop you; they're too scared. Get Lupin to bring you or anyone, just get here soon.

Harry

Harry rolled up the letter and gave it to Hedwig. "Go on," Harry urged her out into the night sky. Then he lay back down on his bed, trying to calm down and to go back to sleep, his forehead pressed to the cool pillow in hopes of soothing his scar.

The next day dawned. Harry lay in bed, his eyes adjusting to the sunlight flooding thought the window. The night had passed without any dreams, or sleep. Harry spent the night jerking awake at the slightest sounds, hoping they were Hedwig coming with a reply.

Harry took on last look out the window before shutting the bedroom door and proceeding down the staris. The Durleys did not look up at him, but continued to eat their breakfast. The day had started out like every other one this summer. Since the 'incident' at the train station, the Durley's were scared to say one word to Harry.

Aunt Petunia placed a bowl of oatmeal in front of her nephew and went back to washing the dishes from Dudley's breakfast. Harry ate as much of his oatmeal as he could and left the table. Not one word was spoken. Harry went back to his room looking out on the street. Mr. Weasley had no doubt warned them not to travel by floo powder.

Harry sat at his window, for a good hour or so, cracking a small smile at the thought of Moody and his constant vigilance of looking out the window. Then Harry thought he saw something moving at the very end of Privet drive. He stared hard, then saw three figures moving down the street, one appeared to have very bushy hair.

Harry raced downstairs and burst in on the Durleys watching television.

"What do you want?" snarled Uncle Vernon, not taking his eyes off the television.

"Two of my friends from Hog- my school are coming here because I need to talk to them."

At this, Uncle Vernon whipped his head around to shoot a deadly glare at Harry. Aunt Petunia froze from her spot at the window, spying on Number 7.

"You can't stop them, they're almost here." Harry braced himself for the shouting that was no doubt to come.

Uncle Vernon's face steadily turned purple, a vein on his forehead started to visibly throb.

Silence. The doorbell rang. Harry and Uncle Vernon looked at each other then they both raced towards the door. Harry reached it first and pulled it open.

Ron and Hermione's faces greeted him while Lupin was behind them. Harry broke into a small, strained smile. His best friends were dressed in muggle clothing. Lupin looked out of place in faded muggle jeans and a jacket that had seen better days. The werewolf looked better then at the train station, but his eyes still missed that shine, and the dark circles under his eyes could not hide the fact that he had been loosing sleep.

Hermione gave Harry a big hug, "Oh Merlin Harry, how are you?"

"I'm -" Harry got interrupted by Uncle Vernon who had finally reached the door.

"And you are?" asked Uncle Vernon.

" Hermione Granger"

" Ron Weasley," Ron piped up from behind Hermione.

"And I am Mr. Lupin" Remus put out his hand, but Uncle Vernon just stared at it.

"Come on Hermione, Ron. We'll go to my room. Professor Lupin?" Harry said.

"Oh, I think I will say down here with your aunt and uncle." Lupin said.

Uncle Vernon looked positively thrilled with the idea.

Harry led Ron and Hermione up to his room.

"Harry,"

They all turned around and saw Lupin walking down the hall to them.

"Yes Professor?" Harry said, wondering what this could be about.

"Could you please stop calling me 'professor'? I am no longer your teacher. Plus it makes me feel as old as McGonagall." His sad eyes twinkled as he said this. "Remus or Moony would be fine."

Harry nodded, it seemed that Ron and Hermione had already had this lecture. Lupin put his hand on Harry's shoulder, he looked as if he was going to say something else, but held it back. Instead he gently gripped Harry's shoulder, gently shook his head, and went back down the hall, towards the living room.

Only one other thing stopped the trio for a moment, Dudley who they met in the upstairs hallway. Hermione and Ron said hello. Dudley only gave a squeak and went the other way, backward, one hand around his bottom and one over his mouth. Harry had to smile, the last time Dudley had contact with wizards he ended up with a pig's tail and 2 years ago, a big purple tongue.

They got to Harry's room and sat down. Harry on the bed, Hermione at his desk and Ron was on the floor. They both took a close look at their friend.

Harry's eyes were dark and cold. Filled with sadness, and a bit of determination that Hermione and Ron did not know what was for, but would soon find out. His face was ghostly pale, and dark circles hung under his eyes.

"So what's wro- up, Harry?" Ron stumbled over his question. Asking what was wrong was pointless. "Everyone was freaking out when you letter got to headquarters. Mum wanted to rush out right away but Moony calmed her down and talked some sense into her. Mad-eye and Dad had to practically hold her down when we left." Ron explained.

Harry did not know where to begin. Ron and Hermione were looking at him with a mix of fear and curiosity in their eyes. All of the sudden Harry did not know if he wanted to tell them.

Their here now, just tell them.

But, what if-

Just do it! If you can't confide in your two best friends that had always been there for you, whom can you tell?

Harry took a deep breath, "I had a dream about what happened last year and something Dumbledore told me, I woke up and felt I had to tell you what he told me," said Harry, looking from Ron to Hermione. "Last year, after we got back from the Ministry of Magic, Dumblodore told me," Harry paused, "He told me why Voldemort-

Ron winced.

wanted the prophecy," He finished.

Harry told them what the prophecy said and paused before saying the last part. "Neither can live while the other . . . while the other survives"

Hermione gave a muffled scream while Ron was trying to work it out in his head. "Neither can live . . . while the other survives." Ron mumbled trying to work it out.

Harry tried to open his mouth to explain but nothing came out.

Hermione cast a glance at Harry and seemed to understand the pained look that had glossed over his face. "It means that . . . that . . . that Harry will kill Voldemort or Voldemort will have to . . . have to . . . k-kill Harry." Hermione let a tear escape but quickly wiped it away.

Ron looked horror struck at Harry. "But, but . . ."

Harry regained the function of his voice and said, " That could have applied to two wizards."

They both looked at him with hope in their eyes, hoping against odds that Harry was not the one the prophecy was talking about.

"Neville" said Harry.

"Neville? Really, so what does that mean? Then it could be either of . . ." Ron's voice dropped off when Harry looked at him, slowly shaking his head.

"And the Dark lord will mark him as his equal." Harry quoted the prophecy, and at the same time pushed aside his bangs to reveal his scar.

"Oh, right," said Ron in a small voice.

Hermione sat very still, looking as though she was fighting back the urge to cry. Then surprised Harry with asking, in a steady voice, "And why did Voldemort want this information? There is nothing of real value in it to him?"

" Dumbledore said it was because it told . . . how to destroy me," explained Harry.

Ron and Hermione looked at him like they were seeing him for the first time. Harry shifted uncomfortably under their eyes.

There was silence. Hermione was the first to move. She went over to Harry, sat down beside him, and gave him a hug, crying on his shoulder. Harry tried to calm her down but it was to no use. Ron just sat there with a glazed look on his face.

Harry remembered, what seemed years ago, when another girl had been crying on his shoulder, and he had awkwardly tried to calm her. Hermione was clinging to him, so the only thing Harry could do was to hold on to her, because he felt that if he let go she would slip of the bed and onto the floor. Harry felt bad that he had even told them, to burden them with this.

Hermione took a deep breath and moved away. Harry found a box of tissues and handed them to her. "Th- thank y-y-you," Hermione managed to get out

There was a knock on the door. They all looked at each other.

"Is everything alright?" Lupin's voice came thought the door.

Harry, the only one able to use his voice at the moment called back, "Yes, we're fine."

"Would it be okay if I went back to headquarters? I'll come get you around 5. It's okay with your aunt and uncle, Harry."

Harry looked at Hermione who nodded then Ron who squeaked out a yes.

"That's fine," said Harry.

"Okay, see you later. If you have any problems, go talk to Mrs. Figg. And I've already asked her to keep an extra eye out for me."

Harry started to bristle at the thought of being watched, still not used to the idea.

Harry heard Lupin's footsteps going down the stairs, and turned to look at Ron. Who had not said anything in the last five minutes, Harry was getting a little worried.

"Ron?" Harry asked tentatively.

Ron looked up, "I feel like taking a walk."

Harry nodded and the three of them went down stairs. Harry leaded the way to the living room were Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were talking quietly and Dudley was watching the big screen television.

"We're going out," said Harry.

Uncle Vernon looked up, "Be back before that dirty scum ball comes back to get them," he gestured towards Ron and Hermione.

With out even thinking they all pulled their wands out and pointed them at Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia screamed.

"Never insult Remus Lupin." Harry glared at Uncle Vernon, the television started to flicker.

"Harry, calm down," Hermione reminded, rather ironically, as she too still had her wand pointed at Vernon.

Harry put his wand back into his jeans and walked out of the room. Hermione followed, with Ron behind her, out the front door and into the sunshine.

"I can't believe what we almost just did. Do you realize how much trouble we would have gotten into?" said Hermione, a note of panic in her voice.

"Hermione, relax, we didn't do any magic," said Ron.

A cat shot out from under a car and fell into step beside the trio. Hermione smiled down upon it and had to stop to stroke it.

"Um . . . Harry where are we going?" Ron asked

Harry's feet were automatically carrying him along the familiar streets he had walked last summer.

"No where special, just around the neighborhood." Said Harry

They walked in silence, not quite sure what to say, quite, padded feet followed them.

They walked around for a good 15 minutes before stopping at the park. They all got on a swing and sat, swaying slightly.

The cat bathed in the sunshine, keeping an eye on the group.

Harry, feeling terrible, was looking at his feet. Not sure what to say. Why did he even bother to tell them? There's nothing they can do to help besides worry.

Some kids walked by, and looked at Harry strangely. They had never seen Harry with others. They all thought he went to St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys. They had never seen "That Potter boy" with other people, much less with people that looked like friends to Harry.

Hermione and Ron noticed that the kids had stopped and were staring at them.

"Harry, what are they looking at?" asked Hermione.

Harry told them about St. Brutus's and the rumors Uncle Vernon had spread to cover up him going to Hogwarts. Ron looked at Harry for a moment then burst out laughing, almost falling out of his swing. Hermione tried to be a little more dignified, but she too had a hard time keeping her seat.

The kids stared at them and then walked away quickly, heads together. Obviously talking about what they had just seen.

That seemed to lighten the air between Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"So did you get your O.W.L.s?" Harry asked Hermione.

"Yeah, all O's," Hermione said proudly.

"No surprise, I got a D in History, which I can't say that I wasn't expecting, after all I did fall asleep in the class, and I think I made up some answers. D in Divination, never should have taken that class. E in Transfiguration, O in Potions, I can't believe I pulled that one off. O in Defense Against the Dark Arts, O in Care of Magical Creatures, E in Astronomy and Charms." Harry said ticking off his classes on his fingers. "Ron?"

"Well, I guess I faired a bit better with an D in History. Transfiguration: A, E in Potions, no more of the Great Bat! And the rest the same as you," Ron smiled, "I think we faired pretty good."

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Mrs. Fawkes