HARRY POTTER AND THE PROPHECY TRUE

Chapter twenty

"Albus, I have checked everywhere and I cannot find Harry Potter or Ginny Weasley," Professor McGonagall alerted as she entered the Headmaster's private office. Her pointed yellow cap seemed to flutter with the stuffed parrot sitting on the rim, as she hurried into the room to stand opposite the elderly man. "They are nowhere to be found in the castle and if their friends know where they are, they aren't talking. Neither of them were in any of their classes today either." Dumbledore looked up from his desk and sighed a heavy breath.

"That is because they are not here, Minerva," he informed her, setting aside the parchment delivered a short time ago by the large white owl, still sitting on the edge of his desk.

"What? Where are they?"

"Mr. Potter was sent on a mission by Mutgeb and I suspect Miss Weasley went to keep him out of trouble."

"What mission? Why weren't we informed of this? Mutgeb has no right..."

"She has every right, Minerva. She is one of the three keepers of our world. She would never have sent Harry if she did not feel it absolutely necessary."

"She always does this, pops in when she feels things are in peril."

"Like the night the Potters were killed?" Dumbledore asked with another sigh. "She is Harry's greatest ally and it's his powers that we must all rely on right now. We must trust in him now, more than ever."

"You know something you're not telling me," McGonagall surmised, sitting in the large wing back chair. Dumbledore picked up the parchment he had been reading and handed it to the woman, then stood and walked to the window, his hands folded behind his back as he listened to her read the letter.

"Professor Dumbledore," she began. "I am sending this to inform you of what has happened. By the time you get this, I will have already left. I received a message from Mutgeb a few nights ago. She told me Voldemort's child was born and that I would have to bring it to her before Halloween night. She said there was a ceremony planned called the Vita Heres, which would unite father and child in a greater evil than we had ever seen. I am sorry I did not tell you this in person, but I was afraid you would try and stop me. You know I have to do this; the future of our world is at hand. I will return as soon as possible. Tell Charlie I'm sorry, but I had to take back the wand. He'll understand."

"Good Lord," McGonagall said a moment later. "And you think Miss Weasley went with him?"

"I do, but I do not believe Harry was aware of it or he would have told me. I only hope they are successful."

"If Voldemort finds out or suspects..."

"There may be more blood shed, then just the infant's," Dumbledore continued, a heavy feeling weighing him down as he looked out at the threat of the approaching storm.

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"When I get my hands on her, I'm going to kill her," Ron said over supper. The news of Harry and Ginny's disappearance had spread like wild fire through the halls, until the students fell into a fearful silence. The Great Hall was deathly quiet; the feeling of doom filled the walls. Even Malfoy seemed filled with a sense of dread. Hermione sat beside Ron, eating around the large book she had been reading for days.

"She knew he would need her, even if he didn't want to admit it," Hermione said in a hushed tone. "Together there is nothing they can't do."

"She had no right. Does she know the danger he's walking into? It's one thing for Harry to put his own neck on the line, he does it all the time, but to have Ginny follow him..."

"Ron, Ginny knew what she was getting herself into. Even if Harry could have tried, he wouldn't have been able to talk her out of going. If I know your sister, she probably followed him unseen, until she knew they were in too deep for him to bring her home."

"If anything happens to her..." Ron's voice seemed to catch in his throat.

"Harry would sooner die then let anything happen to her. His powers are greater then Voldemort's, he'll protect her with every ounce of magic he possesses. We have to trust the two of them to do what has to be done."

"Granger, Weasley," a voice said behind them, causing the two to look up into the pale eyes of the tall blond behind them. The room fell into complete silence as every eye watched Malfoy approach the Gryffindor table. The look on his face was filled with concern and he did nothing to try and hide it.

"Malfoy," Hermione answered before Ron had a chance to comment.

"I think we should talk, somewhere privately." Ron narrowed his eyes, then glanced around at the other students.

"That is probably a good idea," Hermione said softly, closing the book and standing along with the red head next to her. The three left the Great Hall, making certain the doors closed behind them. They walked silently to the front entrance, stepping out into the dark afternoon. The air was cold and bit with the threat of rain. The clouds filled the sky with thick black pillows as mournful as the emotions of those beneath them. Malfoy sat on the top step of the entrance and sighed.

"I don't know what Potter and your sister is up to," Malfoy said after a moment, "but I think we should gather together our strengths and make some plans."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked with a frown.

"The time is getting closer. I know you can feel it as well as I can. Without a plan, we'll never survive, regardless of how great Potter's powers are."

"He's right," Hermione said. "We have to make plans. Voldemort isn't just going to come walking up to the main entrance, ring the bell and ask us to allow him to lead us. We have to be ready."

"What do you suggest?" Ron asked, glancing from one to the other.

"I think we need to get the other students together and make some plans. Look, we all have powers, some of us are stronger than others, but we have them nevertheless. With a little strategy, we may just be able to hold our own long enough for Potter to take out the Dark Lord."

"Why don't you call him by name?" Ron asked, goading the blond further.

"I have been taught to show respect to him," Malfoy said after a moment. "I was told that he would be our salvation one day. It is hard to change years of training, even though I know what lies they were."

"You know your Dark Lord is a Mudblood?" Ron asked, watching the look cross Malfoy's face at the sound of the word.

"I know what Potter has said, but it's hard to believe. He is the heir of Salazar Slytherin, the one wizard who demanded all magical blood remain pure."

"It's true," Hermione said in her know-it-all tone. "His birth name is Tom Marvolo Riddle. He is the son of a witch and a Muggle. There is proof if you wish to see it."

"I've seen it." Malfoy paused long enough to see the curiosity cross the other's faces. "Last year after you spent so many hours in the library, I decided to find out what was so interesting. I found the book you were reading, the one with the note from Dumbledore about Riddle's birth. It is still hard to change years of belief."

"I know it is," Hermione said gently. "But there comes a time when we all have to learn to accept the truth and fight for what we know is right."

"That's why I'm here, Granger. I can't stand back and watch my father and the others destroy our world for the sake of a liar."

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"We need to stop soon," Ginny called out to Harry as she flew near his side.

"There's no time," he shouted back, ignoring the cold rush of wind as they flew further into the thick clouds over the northern hemisphere. "We have to find Gilda and get back to Hogwart's as soon as possible."

"But the baby needs to eat and I'm exhausted. My backside feels like it's full of splinters."

"There's no time," Harry argued again, picking up speed and flying some fifty feet ahead of Ginny and the infant she cradled beneath a thick layer of cloaks. He gazed eagerly through the blackness of night, trying to see any signs of life. It was nearly a half an hour later when Harry felt a sense of déjà vu. He had been here, he knew it and with a twist of his broom, he flew lower to the ground, pulling his Firebolt to a halt. Ginny came up beside him and stopped, looking at the thick layers of snow and ice below them.

"She's here," Harry said quickly. "It's just over the next horizon. Come on." He lead her over a large snow packed hill and there in the clearing beneath a row of tall trees stood a small cabin. The windows glowed with the light from inside and the chimney puffed billows of smoke. Harry smiled at the thought of seeing the old woman again. He flew lower, waving his wand and clearing a small spot not far from Gilda's house.

"We'll make our campsite here," he told Ginny. "I don't know what's going to happen or how long we'll have to wait, but we'll need a warm place to stay."

"When should we take the baby to her?" Ginny asked, dismounting her broom as Harry waved his wand and watched the tent begin to set unfold.

"The sooner the better. I'll be glad to be rid of it." Harry ignored the expression on the young woman's face next to him, stepping into the now erect structure. Inside a fire was burning in the fireplace, the soft crackle of logs warming the interior welcomed them with a warm glow. Harry slipped his heavy cloak off and tossed to the back of one of the chairs, then went to the small kitchen and opened the icebox.

"There's milk here, but I don't have a bottle. You can probably transfigure this," he said holding up a bottle of butter beer. Ginny took the bottle from him after he emptied it into a glass, tapping it with the tip of her wand. The glass twisted and shortened into the shape of a small nursing bottle, complete with nipple. She filled the bottle with milk and again waved her wand, warming the contents before slipping the baby out of the snug little bag, cradling it in her arms as she fed the bottle to it. She watched Harry as he stepped nervously from one room to another, then sat in the chair near the door and began playing with his wand, rolling it between his fingers.

"Why are you afraid of this baby?" Ginny asked after a few silent moments.

"I'm not afraid of it," Harry answered honestly.

"Then why won't you look at it?"

"Because I'm afraid I'll be tempted to kill it."

"What? You don't mean that."

"Yes I do," he said standing and facing her. "That creature's father is the reason for everything that has happened to me, to our world. Why should I care if that thing lives, when his father tried to kill me?"

"It's not the baby's fault. There was no way of choosing the parents who conceived it."

"That doesn't mean I have accept that thing with open arms. It's more a monster than a baby."

"Harry, how can you say that? This is an innocent baby, small and helpless. There is nothing monstrous about it."

"Remember what kind of father it has," Harry snapped, then walked back into the attached bedroom and slammed the door shut.

Ginny could understand - to a point - how he must feel. It was because of Voldemort he had lost his parents and suffered years of torment and neglect with his Muggle relatives, but that had nothing to do with this baby. She looked down into the pale face and smiled at the blue eyes that seemed to be studying her. How could anything so sweet and innocent ever cause so much harm?

The sound of scratching caused Ginny to jump, as Harry stepped out of the bedroom, his wand in his hand. He glanced to Ginny, who pulled the baby closer to her breast, protecting it from whatever was on the other side of that door. Harry carefully stepped to the door, then pulled it open swiftly, stumbling back as a large wolf bounded inside, knocking him down. Ginny screamed, the baby began to cry and Harry struggled to regain his stance.

"Nugget, get off," he ordered, standing back to his feet. "It's just Gilda's wolf. Shut that thing up." Ginny patted the baby on the back and began to shush it softly, while Harry knelt down in front of Nugget, patting and scratching her ears.

"Where's Gilda, girl?" he asked. The sound of scraping came around the opening of the tent. A small green haired woman stooped low and entered, smiling as she straightened up.

"Hello Harry," she smiled, exchanging hugs with her summer-friend. "I've been waiting for you. You're much earlier than I thought you'd be. How's everything with you?"

"Everything is fine. Gilda, I'd like you to meet Ginny. Ginny, this is Gilda. She's the first on Mutgeb's weird summer trek."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Ginny said, shifting the baby in her arms so she could shake the older woman's hand. "Harry has told me a great deal about you."

"And the same with you. He spent every moment he was here talking about you. I'm glad to see that you managed to complete your tasks."

"It wasn't easy, but I did it. I have been sent back here again by Mutgeb."

"Yes I know," Gilda said, turning her intent stare to the baby cradled in Ginny's secure grip. "Mutgeb told me you'd be bringing me a little visitor. So, this is the would be evil lord, eh? Doesn't look very threatening to me," she said as she peered over Ginny's arm and into the small fragile features of the very tired baby.

"Looks can be deceiving," Harry said bitterly. "Did Mutgeb happen to mention what I was supposed to do with this thing, once I brought it here?"

"Only that we were to wait for her to join us. Why not wait for her at the cabin? I have a wonderful soup cooking and fresh bread in the oven. It should be ready soon."

"Sounds great," Harry said with a smile. Ginny nodded and collected her cloaks, wrapping them tightly around her and the now sleeping baby.

Ten minutes later, Harry, Ginny and Gilda sat chatting around a small wooden table, while the baby slept soundly in the old wooden crate used to hold firewood. It's tiny body lay in the midst of a large stack of fluffy blankets conjured out of Gilda's old woolen ones. Ginny had taken one of Gilda's shirts and transfigured it into a small pair of sleepers and laid the baby in the crate to sleep.

"I was so happy to hear you would be coming back," Gilda said, serving up the soup of creamed vegetables and rabbit meat. "I actually found myself missing you after you were gone. Even Nugget seemed a little blue that you were gone. I'm still working on using up all the firewood you left me."

"I was hoping to get back here this Christmas, so you could meet Ginny, but then all this stuff with Mutgeb came up and I had to change my plans. I'd still like to visit for Christmas, if that's all right?"

"Of course it is. I'll be happy to have you."

"I wish you would consider coming back with us," Harry said some time later, as they sat sipping hot chocolate by the fire. "I know Dumbledore would love to meet you and it would be great to have you closer."

"Perhaps some day, Harry, but as for now my place is here." The sudden cry from the crate brought an end to the conversation, as Ginny and Gilda went in answer to the infant's demand.

"I think I should figure out a nappy for him," Ginny said with a smile as she picked the baby up and tried to hush it. "I wanted to change him before, but he fell asleep and I couldn't do it."

"I think perhaps we can work out a nappy with a kitchen towel," Gilda insisted, stepping to the cupboard and opening the drawer holding several old towels. She took out the thickest of the pile and handed it to Ginny, as the light from the fire grew brighter. Harry looked up in time to see Mutgeb step out from the flames, her dark blond hair hanging down her back and her bright red lips shining from a slightly tanner face than Harry remembered.

"How wonderful to see you again Harry," Mutgeb said with a smile.

"I would rather visit you without the threat of death or danger hanging over my head," Harry snapped. Mutgeb smiled a little brighter.

"Surely by now, you would be used to the danger. It is after all, a part of Harry Potter's normal activities."

"Funny," Harry snapped, but refrained from saying more as Gilda stepped back around the table, greeting her visitor.

"All is well I trust?" Mutgeb asked the older woman with a smile.

"Yes it is."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry asked. "What's going on?"

"I am here to take the baby back to the island with me," Mutgeb answered.

"Why? If it's that big of a threat, why risk taking it back with you?"

"The isle of Morahana is the safest of all places for the child to grow. His father will never be able to find him there."

"Tell me about this ceremony," Harry demanded. "Why was it so important that the baby not be there when it started?"

"Have you ever heard of the Muggle ritual called a Brit Milah?" Mutgeb asked. Harry frowned.

"I think it is something to do with Jewish people. A right of passage or something, right?"

"Something like that. It is a ceremony celebrating a covenant between God and the Muggle Abraham, in which the infant male is circumcised. The Vita Heres is similar to that. The father takes a sacred knife and uses it to perform a circumcision on the infant, then takes the knife with the baby's blood and cuts into his own flesh, mixing the blood of the two over a cauldron of oxen entrails. Magical blood is very powerful Harry. The mix of two wizards blood is a bond that unites the magic, normally making them stronger and more powerful as time goes by. But Voldemort possesses the dagger of the golden serpent. It once belonged to Sharane, offered as a gift many centuries ago to Salazar Slytherin as a wedding present. But the marriage was not to be and the dagger was never returned. Slytherin used his powers to create a weapon of the purest evil. By using it in the ceremony of the Vita Heres, he would be sealing the infant's powers to his making him stronger than any wizard known."

"Does the baby have to be a boy to be circumcised?" Ginny asked, joining the conversation.

"Females are in no need of being circumcised, Miss Weasley," Mutgeb said with a slight smirk.

"Then there's a real problem here," Ginny continued, stepping closer to the table where the other three sat. "This baby is a girl."

"What?" Harry asked.

"How is that possible?" Gilda asked with a frown.

"I don't know, but I do know the difference between a boy and a girl, and this is definitely a girl."

"Could there have been twins?" Gilda asked, directing her question to Mutgeb.

"No. There was only one child born."

"How can you be sure?" Harry asked again.

"When a child is born into the wizarding world, a force is created in the fabric of time that seals them in the bonds of magic. There was only one bond, which means only one child was born."

"Could they have exchanged babies?" Ginny asked.

"There were no other babies in the castle, I'm sure of that," Harry insisted. "We would have felt the presence."

"That may explain what Bellatrix and Malfoy were talking about," Ginny added quickly.

"What do you mean?" Mutgeb asked, looking from one to the other of the two young people.

"We overheard a conversation between the two of them in the castle. They were saying that when the blood joined with Voldemort's, the baby would be more powerful then even he knew and together Bellatrix and Malfoy would rule the world," explained Ginny.

"But that's impossible," Harry said. "If the child is a girl, then there is no way of completing the ceremony, so the blood would never have mixed."

"There are other ways the blood would mix," Mutgeb suggested. "If Voldemort were angry at being deceived, he may attempt to kill the child. All it would take would be a scratch deep enough to cause a drop of blood. If Bellatrix were to become angry and strike out at Voldemort, his blood may mix with the child's. It would prevent the child from dying and complete their plans of taking over for the Dark Lord."

"I can't imagine even Voldemort killing an innocent baby," Ginny said skeptically.

"He tried to kill me," Harry clarified, watching the expression of horror cross the young woman's face.

"What would his followers think of him?" Ginny asked after a moment. "From what we heard, they were already angry because he had taken Bellatrix as a mistress. There was a lot of discontent among the Death Eaters when we were there. If he killed his own child, what would they think of him then?"

"I just had another thought," Gilda said. "What if it was a ploy? Perhaps this Bellatrix and Malfoy planned on disgracing Voldemort in front of his followers. If they were already angry with him for his choice in women, then his being so easily blinded into believing his child was male wouldn't look very favorable."

"It could have caused a great falling out," Harry said. "I thought you knew everything," he said, addressing Mutgeb. "Don't you know what would have happened? Didn't you know the baby was a girl?"

"I do not know everything Harry. All I knew was the child was born. Bellatrix obviously lied to Voldemort and because of that lie, I knew only what the destiny of the world would be based on that knowledge. Harry, if you were to decide to leave right now, go back to London and become a Muggle Lawyer, I could tell you what your life would be like. But if you chose to walk to the kitchen and pour a cup of tea and cut yourself on the lemon knife, I could tell you what your future held only for the incident of the wound and your future dealing with it. Every move you make changes the outcome of your future. I can only predict what will happen, based on the circumstances you make at a single moment."

"So when Harry came to you looking for the Green Flame Torch, you knew what his path would be based on his desire to find it?" Ginny asked.

"Exactly. If he chose not to take the challenges presented to him over the summer, his present would be much different right now."

"Do you think Bellatrix was trying to disgrace or trick Voldemort then?" Harry asked with a frown.

"Given the situation as it stands, I would have to say she definitely had another ulterior motive for keeping the child's identity a secret until the last moment."

"Maybe the baby isn't even Voldemort's," Ginny suggested.

"That is always a possibility," Mutgeb confirmed. "The spell Voldemort used to create the child, was based on a completely sexless act. It is possible that she conceived from an alternate spell, or perhaps the old fashioned way while the magic was still at its fullest height."

"How long would that kind of a spell take to work?" Ginny asked.

"It takes a full three days, the cycle of the full moon to complete its process and be at its strongest."

"So she could have become pregnant by anyone during that time?" Harry asked.

"Exactly."

"I wonder how Voldemort is dealing with all of this?" Ginny asked quietly, looking into the face of the sleeping child in her arms.

"I doubt anything has even been said about the baby being a girl," Harry commented, following Ginny's eyes and looking at the baby for the first real time. "Knowing Bellatrix, she's probably still playing games with him."

"That means he's going to be more angry then ever before."

"Which means he's going to send word to every Death Eater in the country to find her." Harry sighed a deep breath.

"And since he doesn't know the baby is a girl, every baby boy in the wizarding world is in danger of being stolen," Gilda said.

"I think we need to get word to Dumbledore and the Ministry," Harry added. "They need to be aware of what's going to happen."

"I'll take care of speaking with Dumbledore and he can contact the Ministry of Magic," Mutgeb told them, standing and stepping back to the fireplace. She stopped in front of Ginny and reached out to the baby. "I still think it best the baby comes to Morahana. She'll be safe there."

"But if Voldemort isn't looking for a girl, couldn't we..." Ginny began, glancing to Harry.

"No," he answered rather sharply.

"Voldemort may not know of the baby's true identity, but its mother does. There is danger in keeping the child, not only for the baby but for anyone who is with her." Reluctantly, Ginny nodded and handed the sleeping baby to Mutgeb who smiled tenderly at the young woman.

"Don't worry Ginny, she will be safe and happy. She will never know of her real parents, but she will know of the love you offered her. And don't be sad. One day you will know the joys of having your own child."

"Based on the information you have right now," she said with a heavy sigh.

"Some things are easy to see, while others are much more difficult and unpredictable. Trust in your love and your heart. Even you will be able to see the future if you do." Mutgeb disappeared with the baby through the glowing fire, leaving a slight chill to the quiet room.

Harry stared at Ginny. He knew what she wanted, but he still had serious doubts of giving into her. He would not allow the past to repeat itself and he would not do anything to put Ginny or a baby in harm. If Voldemort survived the battle, she would be the first one he came after. It would be hard enough for her to hide, but to hide a child as well, would prove her undoing. Someday she would understand that his decision was the right one. But for now, he would allow her the dream of holding a child once more in her loving arms.

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The room was dark with only the glow of a single candle burning on the edge of the table. The sounds of soft breathing filled the confines of the darkness and for a moment, all seemed well in the world. A soft crackling sound echoed from the fireplace and the image of a dark blond with sun tanned features stepped quietly out from the flames. She smiled at the elderly man sitting behind the desk.

"All is well," she said approaching the man.

"And the child, she is safe?" he asked.

"Yes, as we planned. She will never know of the life that awaited her, or the threats that surround her birth."

"And Harry? He accepts the decision?"

"He believes that I can predict the future only as the present permits."

"That is best. If he knew how the child would fit into his future, he would never have permitted Ginny to grow attached to her. His anger is deep and still very vivid in his heart. That must grow dim before he can accept the child into his life."

"But he needs to know exactly who she is, or will be."

"He will know in time. But for now, it is best he believes what he is told."

"As you wish, my dear brother. But I think you misjudge the lad. He is wise beyond his years."

"But he is trusting and that will be his downfall, if time is not allowed to season him."

"So be it, I know better than to argue with you."

"Give them some time to relax," the old man said, stepping around the perch with the sleeping phoenix, to offer a hug to the woman. "Perhaps events here need time to mature as well."

"How do you suggest I keep them away?"

"Offer mother nature a few more hours of spring next year, for an early storm this season. A few days of snow may warm more than one heart."

"Very well, I'll see what I can do." The woman stepped back to the fireplace as the flames began to burn high within the stone barrier.

"I appreciate all you have already done, Mutgeb. Harry needs time to pull his feelings into order and Miss Weasley is just the person to help him do it."

"Does she know yet, who sent her the message that Harry had left school?" The older man chuckled.

"All she knows, is she felt his absence. She has no idea that the thought was not hers."

"You are a sneaky old man, Albus," Mutgeb said as she stepped into the wall of flames. "It is no wonder our father always had a headache." She disappeared back to the isle of Morahana, leaving an elderly Headmaster to smile at her departure, memories filtering into his mind as he picked up the candle and turned to face the door to his bedchambers. Sleep would be a welcome friend tonight.