I got a little writer's block working on my revenge story, then this idea popped into my head. Please let me know what you think.

"Screw The Prophecy"

Chapter 1 "Changing Of The Guard"

It had been one week into the summer holiday when Dumbledore made an appearance on Privet Drive. Unsure if Harry had cooled down, he had brought, Ron, Hermione, and Neville with him. The talk the order had with the Dursley's seemed to be working, but he knew that he needed to regain Harry's trust. No contact the previous summer had been a mistake, one he would not make again.

The problem of course, was Harry had been thinking about things for entire week. Barely eating, just staying in his room, reflecting on Sirius, the ministry, his own life, and everything. When the headmaster had shown up with his friends, he was quite surprised to say the least. So as they talked in the kitchen that Saturday morning, while the Dursley's hid in the parlor, Harry tried to figure out what would happen, what he could do, and if he could ever trust the old man who had lied to him.

"I should have been learning occlumency from you since the first year," Harry said in a low, slightly shaky voice to the headmaster.

"I realise that now, Harry. How many times do you want me to say I'm sorry?"

"Harry, please, you need to come to terms with this. Professor Dumbledore is only human, and can make mistakes," Hermione said with a slightly know-it-all tone of voice.

Harry just sat there. Hermione didn't really understand. Some mistakes are simply too large to be forgiven or disregarded so easily. Harry had his elbow on the table and was pinching his lip slightly trying to think of what to do or say. He finally closed his eyes while resting his head on his fist and spoke.

"You want me to stay here all summer, don't you?"

"Well...yes. It is safer here than at the order's headquarters, but, your friends can visit anytime you wish."

The headmaster was willing to do anything to regain Harry's trust. Harry was able to catch on to this and finally had an idea to turn this to his advantage. "Yeah, but you're gonna want order members to play baby sitter, right?"

"It's very everyones protection Harry, surely you see that?"

"Yeah, I see it, but I don't like it." Harry finally looked up at the headmaster. "Furthermore, I won't stand for it." Harry waited for the shocked headmaster to speak. When he didn't, Harry realised he might have a chance to really turn things around. "I am capable of defending myself against death eaters, and I want you to make sure Fudge doesn't bother me or my friends about using magic."

"I don't think he will, Harry, but tracking will be important, so we can come when you do."

Harry stood up and paced a little. Finally in a shaky but stern voice, he said, "no, I don't think so." Then he looked into the headmaster's eyes and continued. "If you want to start regaining my trust, take off the tracking. Play the celebrity card to my advantage for once."

Harry noticed out of the corner of his eye that Ron got a slightly sour look in his face when he said that. Some people never change Harry thought to himself.

"I want to train. I need to train," Harry continued before the headmaster could say anything. "I can't train if I'm being tracked." Harry paced a little looking at the floor and leaned up against the sink. He took a few uneasy breaths and sighed. "Look," he said while still looking down, "we know it's up to me, right? That stupid prophecy and all?" He glanced up at the headmaster with determination in his eyes. "If you don't give me what I want, then screw you and your prophecy."

Hermione then spoke up. "Harry, please, you gotta listen to reason.

To everyones shock, Neville came spoke up in Harry's defense. "No, Hermione, you listen to reason. Harry has been there for all of us, and all you do is judge him. And you Ron, you're always jealous, he doesn't want any of this, but he's willing to do it anyway." Then he turned on the headmaster, shocking everyone even more. "And you, you should have found someone else to teach him occlumency. You knew Snape wouldn't be able to teach him."

"Professor Snape," Dumbledore corrected.

"No, just Snape," Harry corrected Dumbledore. "He is NO professor and you know it. A professor is suppose to teach, not belittle the students. Aside from that, his so called teaching methods leave much to be desired. I realise now that you are as much responsible for Sirius' death as Kreacher and Voldemort. Lestrange may have cast the spell, but you three, no wait you four, because Snivellus is to blame as well. You four brought it all about. All I did was try and save him. You four made the need to save him."

Dumbledore nodded slowly, he knew it was true. Too many mistakes. Hermione was about to say something but a quick look from Dumbledore silenced her.

Harry paced back and forth for several minutes as his rage subsided. Everyone stayed silent as Harry paced and finally sat down and put his head in his hands and breathed heavily. He rubbed his eyes and finally looked up and stared at nothing and no one. His eyes showed a quiet resolution as he finally broke the silence with a tired voice. "Either give me what I want or I quit. I can't have a normal life, I realise that. But I WILL have as close to one as I can get. If I have to drop out of sight, fine. You know how resourceful I am, I won't be found."

Dumbledore reluctantly gave in. "Fine Harry, I really do want your trust. I know I'll have to earn it."

"Good," Harry replied, "now get out."

As they started to leave, Harry got a little nervous. "Wait," he said and they all turned to look at him. "I...I don't really want to be alone. It still hurts too much."

"Of course," Dumbledore said. "Ron, Hermione, it would be a good idea."

"No, not them," Harry cut him off and looked at the hurt faces of his friends. "I'm sorry, but, between Ron's jealousy flare-ups, and Hermione's judgmental know-it-all attitude, I don't feel I could deal with that. I would much rather have Neville stay with me for a while." He glanced with pleading eyes between Neville and Dumbledore. "Neville, would you please stay? Headmaster, do you think his gran would mind?"

Dumbledore looked from Harry's pleading eyes, to Neville's hopeful eyes, and finally to the hurt and defeated eyes of Ron and Hermione. "Yes, Harry, I think you're right. It would probably be best. I'm sure I can convince his gran. You would like to stay Neville?"

"Yes, please, Professor Dumbledore," Neville said.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Harry said. "You're starting to earn my trust back."

Dumbledore smiled sadly. "Thank you Harry."

Harry then turned to his friends. "I'm sorry, please, I just need some time. Will you visit me for my birthday? I'd like to have a party here for the first time, seeing as this is suppose to be my HOME." They both nodded and finally gave him a smile.

Dumbledore had been thinking hard as he watched them, and finally sighed heavily. When everyone looked at him he spoke. "Harry, I'm glad I am earning your trust, and I would like to earn a little more. There are two spells I need to perform. One lifts a small tracking charm placed on you when you enter any school of magic, while the other is a type of masking charm that is cast when one becomes licensed to do magic."

Everyone frowned and Harry spoke. "I can't believe it, how barbaric. Do my friends too," he said firmly.

"Of course," replied a Headmaster that was growing weary of the task.

After performing the charms on all four, he personally reaffirmed the previous threats to the Dursley's from the Order while the four teenagers grinned evilly. He also explained that Harry and his friends were now allowed to do magic outside of school. The Dursley's were petrified. Dumbledore also informed them that Neville would be staying a while to help Harry get over the loss of his godfather, and that there would finally be a birthday party for him. Yes, indeed, Dumbledore was beginning to lose it. He was overcompensating in an attempt to regain Harry's trust. Hermione saw this, but decided that Harry really needed his space. She couldn't imagine losing her parents, so she let it be.

Once Neville and Harry were alone in his room, Harry felt it a little safe to let it out. Neville didn't really have parents either. He would understand. "Thanks Nev," Harry started getting a little choked up. "I really appreciate you staying. It still hurts so much." Tears had begun to roll silently down his cheeks.

"No problem Harry, I understand, really I do." Harry looked up at Neville with hope. "Yeah, all I have really is my gran, and I've been thinking I'll probably lose her soon, she is getting on, ya know? I've been thinking about it a lot actually, since what happened at the ministry. So I really know."

Tears had started rolling down Neville's cheeks as well, and the two fifteen year olds, embraced each other in a consoling hug. They didn't notice that Dudley had followed them up and saw the whole thing. No one ever claimed Dudley was intelligent and probably no one ever would because he opened his mouth after watching them hug for about a minute.

"Aw, do the babies miss their mummies'"

"Stupefy," Harry and Neville said in unison when they were startled. DA practise, not to mention what had happened at the ministry, had made them very quick at drawing their wands.

Vernon and Petunia had been discussing things at the bottom of the steps and had witnessed Dudley's taunting and the subsequents beams of light that had stunned him. They both knew that stupefy was only a stunning spell. They were actually starting to learn things even if Dudley wasn't.

"That boy is gonna get himself into real trouble one of these days," Vernon said in a huff. "There doesn't seem to be anything we can do until the freak leaves," he said turning his gaze back to his wife.

"Well, I guess we better start treating him better, Vernon. No telling how many of those freaks will come to his aid. and now that he can do magic..."

They both sighed heavily, accepting their fate for the time being.

They both lay on their beds staring at the ceiling. There wasn't really enough space for an extra bed, so they had pushed the second bed right next to the original, making it look almost like one big bed.

They had been surprised the first night when they were discussing what to do about sleeping arrangements and an extra bed appeared out of nowhere. Harry had correctly guessed that Dobby had been sent to help as well as keep an eye on Harry. He didn't mind, because he knew that Dobby was more loyal to him than Dumbledore. Something Harry knew deep down that Dumbledore did not.

Harry and Neville had really gotten to know each other during the last week. Just lazing around and talking. Harry was getting over his loss better with Neville's help. He was even getting better at the meditation needed to improve his occlumency. Neville was really proving his worth as a friend.

The day before, Harry had received an owl from Dumbledore stating that Sirius had been cleared posthumously and that Harry, along with Remus, were the sole beneficiaries to the Black Estate. Dumbledore left it up to Harry to decide if he wanted to attend the will reading. When Neville told Harry that the will would probably be in Sirius' voice, kind of like a howler, he decided against going.

"You alright, Harry?" Neville asked, not moving his gaze from the ceiling.

"Yeah, I guess," Harry responded as ideas kept forming in his head. Neville had helped Harry deal with things, but the anger underneath it all was still there. Harry didn't know how much was his and how much was Voldemort's coming through the link. He really couldn't be sure how well his meditation had been working.

Harry had bought the typical muggle teenage distractions in the last few weeks. After an escorted trip to Gringott's to get some money and exchange it to muggle currency, he and Neville had explored the muggle life Harry had been denied growing up. Neville had really started to enjoy what the muggle world had to offer.

Harry kept up his meditation every evening, and since Voldemort hadn't tried anything anywhere, he seemed to be having some success. About a week before his birthday, his mind felt clear and ordered, but the anger and frustration was still there. After talking with Neville about it, he owled Dumbledore asking if he would come and check his progress.

Upon completing testing Harry the next day, the old headmaster was a little unnerved.

"I'm sorry, Headmaster, but it's how I feel. I want to start trusting you again, but I still feel betrayed," Harry said. "Are you sure it's all me, and not Voldemort?"

"I'm sure, Harry. The link is still there, but there isn't any interference coming from Voldemort. Your meditation has put up shielding, that even I can't get through. I'm sad to say that the loss of Sirius gave you a boost to your shields. It is true that what doesn't kill us does make us stronger. Sometimes though, I think the price is too high."

"It is too high," Harry said with disgust. "I don't want...I feel this anger, and I think I need to be alone."

"You sure, Harry? My gran has been asking me to come home, but I want to stay if you're not sure," Neville said as Dumbledore got up to leave.

Harry clenched and unclenched his fists. "No, I'm sure, Neville. I gotta work through this. I'll see ya next week for the party?"

"You betcha Harry. I'll see ya."

Harry was then left with his own thoughts. Thoughts he had pushed to the back of his mind, but were now surfacing again. Harry could be reasonably sure that they were his own thoughts and not Voldemort's. As he lay in bed thinking and meditating, darkness settled in the little room as the sun set. Harry made his decision to follow through with these thoughts. It was the only solution to everything he could come up with.

He let sleep take him as he focused on what he had to do. The dreams began again, but this time, Harry had some control.

"Hello Tom."

"Potter?" a surprised Voldemort said as he found himself face to face with the boy.

"Yes, I am using the link willingly this time."

"I thought perhaps the old fool had sedated you to keep you out of my grasp."

"No, Tom. I happen to be growing in power. I learned to control the occlumency on my own."

"Why are you telling me this Potter? I don't trust you to give me such information. What are you playing at?"

"It's simple Tom. I'm angry and tired of Dumblefuck's lying and manipulations. He is trying to earn my trust, but I don't think he'll ever get that back. You see, he told me the prophecy after our little fling back at the ministry, after which, I kind of destroyed his little office."

"Do tell, Potter. You have peaked my interest."

"I thought I might have," Harry sneered. "You want this world? Well you won't get it without me. You've tried many times to kill me and failed. Once I learn more, I will be able to kill you. But the cost is too fucking high."

"Such language from Dumbledore's golden boy. You really think you could kill me?"

"Yes."

Voldemort was shocked at the unwavering confidence. "What do you know, Potter?" he growled out.

"More or less the prophecy states that I will kill you," Harry said simply, with a slight smile.

"Are you proposing what I think you are, Potter?"

"Yes, I am. Like I said, the death toll is to high for me to win, and you can't win. You offered to let me join you before. Now that I know the prophecy, I don't want to be the pawn of the so called light and dark anymore. Screw the prophecy. I want that power you spoke of in my first year."

Voldemort just stared at the glaring emerald eyes. Eyes that definitely showed power and anger. "I suppose you want something else as well? You can't just give up the old man's fight that easily."

"Right you are, Tom," Harry said with a glint of evil in his eyes. "Teaching me everything you know is a given, but I also will not tolerate the torturing and killing of innocent people, especially my friends."

"Where's the fun in that, Potter?"

"Well, first off, the strong muggleborns are useful to keep our magic strong. Inbreeding weakens the bloodlines as much as intermarrying with muggles. Second, muggles that aren't so afraid will be more loyal and useful to serve. Pain and fear does not promote success. I learned more about potions away from that idiot Snape."

"Interesting points, Potter. I am sure you have something else in mind, as well?"

"Yes, I want Pettigrew and Lestrange. You will teach me how to properly do cruciatus so that they will suffer a long time before dying, and I do want them to die at my hand. I don't want them insane like the Longbottoms."

"Understandable, Potter. I think I can agree to this. Having you as a follower will definitely keep the others in line."

"Oh no you don't, Tom. I will NOT be another one of your shit eaters. The prophecy said you marked me as an equal. We will rule these fools as equal partners, otherwise no deal."

"You will not tell me my business boy! I will kill you."

"Tom," Harry said through slightly gritted teeth, "you don't really have a choice do you. Remember the prophecy, I will kill you. You have tried repeatedly to kill me and fail. If we don't join now, my friends will die, as will you in the end. So as I see it, you die in a couple years along with people I care about, or you give me the power to ensure their safety and I let you live."

Harry then sent his power through the link much like he did in his fourth year with the brother wands. Voldemort grabbed his temples at the sudden pain while Harry just glared at him.

"Potter, what are you doing? How?"

"I'm just using what I've learned over the last few weeks." Harry didn't really know how he was doing it. He sure hadn't planned on it, but the anger he was feeling had built up and the brother wand memory popped into his head.

Harry stopped sending the pain at Voldemort and said, "do we have an accord?"

Voldemort thought for a moment. Then he held out his hand. "Yes we do. I offer a wizards oath."

Harry took his hand and shook it accepting the wizards oath. Their hands glowed yellow and it spread throughout their bodies, sealing the oath Voldemort made.

They both woke up suddenly with a smile on their faces. The next few days would prove interesting.