The Mathias Prophecy Book I

THE MATHIAS PROPHECY

PART ONE

HARRY

Harry was in transfiguration class when Professor Dumbledore's summons came. Professor McGonagall had informed the headmaster earlier in the day that Harry had wanted to speak with him but had refused to tell her why. She had tried to question Harry for some time regarding why but was unable to get a straight answer. She finally determined that it was something of a personal and private nature which had been troubling Harry for some time. It was then that she decided to notify Dumbledore.

As Harry headed through the corridor to the headmaster's office he kept thinking about what to say and how to approach the subject. Harry was sure that Dumbledore knew all about it and had helped James and Lily Potter to plan it. The only problem was they had been killed and Harry was left to live with the Dursleys. They, of course, had threatened life in an orphanage if Harry ever told anyone about his parents' death; it had been made perfectly clear that they had wanted this from the time Harry was a baby. Then there was Sirius Black, Harry's Godfather. Harry was almost certain that he was aware of the situation.

Reaching the gargoyle which concealed the entrance to the headmaster's office Harry's heart began to pound with anxiety. Professor McGonagall had given Harry the new password and in a last minute moment of panic Harry considered turning around, but decided that it would be foolish, having come so far.

"Butternut toffee," Harry stated to the statue. The hidden door then swung open revealing the curving stairs up to the headmaster's inner sanctum. Harry climbed on and was immediately sent up. There was no answer when Harry knocked, so, opening the door, Harry went on in, noting immediately that Dumbledore was not present in the room. However Fawkes, the headmaster's pet phoenix, greeted Harry happily with an odd trilling sound fluffing out his feathers. Harry responded by pulling a cracker out of his robe, and gave it to the bird.

"Hello Fawkes," Harry smiled as the phoenix lifted up his head to be scratched. "Professor Dumbledore is expecting me, but he doesn't seem to be here," Harry told the bird not expecting an answer. Just then Fawkes let out a sound somewhere between a screech and a caw as he looked past Harry towards the fireplace.

"Good afternoon Harry," Dumbledore's quiet voice stated from inside the fireplace startling Harry.

Dumbledore's head and shoulders were floating in the fire. Harry knew that this was a convenient and swift way that wizards could communicate with each other but still couldn't get used to it.

"I'm afraid I have been called to the other side of the building on a minor emergency. It seems Peeves has been up to his mischief again in the kitchens."

"I can come back later," Harry replied.

"That will not be necessary. Have a seat by the fire and I'll have the house elves send up a snack while you wait," Dumbledore said smiling kindly. "I will be along in a few minutes. You just make yourself at home and keep Fawkes company."

Dumbledore's image then vanished and a moment later a tall glass of pumpkin juice and a plate of chocolate cookies appeared on the table over by the fireplace. Harry sat down to wait in an overstuffed Queen Ann chair while munching on the cookies.

Harry kept trying to plan what to say to Dumbledore while watching the flames swirl around in the fire. A myriad of ideas danced in Harry's head about how to approach the subject with the headmaster. 'What possible reason was there for Harry's family to have allowed it to be done? Surely Lily Potter would have angrily objected if not outright refused. Was this James Potter's idea? If so why? Could it have had something to do with Voldemort? What dark reason could they have had?' Harry was so confused by the whole situation and just wanted it to end. Harry was sure Dumbledore knew the answers and suspected that Sirius did too, if he were around, but he was still in hiding, a wanted felon for a crime he did not commit.

"Harry, you've been staring into those flames for the past thirty minutes."

Harry jumped as the sound of Professor Dumbledore's quiet voice interrupted his reverie.

"What could be so important that you were distracted enough not even to notice I had returned to my office?" Dumbledore asked gently, his blue eyes serious. "Your scar hasn't been hurting again, has it?" he questioned, indicating the scar etched into Harry's forehead.

"Uhm....no sir," Harry stammered uncomfortably. "I uh....wanted to talk to you about, well.....um.....the lie I'm being forced to live," Harry blurted out, cheeks burning. "I can't stand the secrecy any longer."

"I see..." Dumbledore replied slowly, his blue eyes staring into Harry's green ones in contemplation.

"My friends......well....they're starting to get suspicious and ask questions."

"What kind of questions?"

"They want to know why I was given a room of my own, away from the dorm."

"What did you tell them?" Dumbledore asked, watching Harry intently.

"Just what you told me too. That it was because my nightmares kept waking them up," Harry stated, referring to the recurring nightmare about James and Lily's death, "but they don't believe that, not entirely anyway."

"Has anyone else said anything to you?" Dumbledore prodded.

"Draco Malfoy. He keeps making remarks because I'm not tall and my voice hasn't deepened like some of the others. He keeps saying that the famous Harry Potter is going to stay a Gryffindor lion cub forever," Harry said referring to the Slytherin student and arch rival. "It's not fair professor; I'm sixteen. I want and need to know why this is happening to me!" Harry said angrily.

Dumbledore merely sat patiently watching Harry and allowed the anger and frustration to come out. It was true that Harry's problem needed to come out into the open, and soon, but he needed to make the child understand that it had to be done carefully. So he just sat there until Harry's green eyes met his blue ones before speaking.

"You're right Harry. We've waited as long as possible. I know you have questions but I want you to wait until I can send for Sirius. He should be here too and yes to your next question," Dumbledore smiled in amusement, "he does know. He is your godfather after all. I will dispatch an owl to him today."

Harry's face broke into a broad grin. Sirius was coming! True, he was still a wanted criminal having escaped from Azkaban Prison three years ago, but more and more wizards had been reporting that Peter Pettigrew was actually alive while spying on Voldemort for the order. It was just a matter of time until the Aurors caught up to the filthy bastard who had betrayed the Potters resulting in their death, causing Sirius to be wrongfully accused.

"In the meantime, Harry, I expect you to return to class and say nothing to no one about this, and I do mean no one," Dumbledore told him sternly, but his blue eyes were twinkling.

Harry understood that he was referring to Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry's two best friends. They had all met five years ago when they first started at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, becoming fast friends. All three been placed into Gryffindor house for their school dormitory, although Harry had narrowly missed being placed into the Gryffindor rival house of Slytherin.

"I won't say a word, sir," Harry promised as a sharp rap sounded on Dumbledore's office door. A tall man entered. He had a pale face and straight black shoulder length hair that was rather greasy looking. His height was accentuated by the fact that he was entirely dressed in black robes. It was the potions master and head of Slytherin House, Professor Severus Snape.

"I beg your pardon Headmaster," Snape said glancing at Harry. "I was unaware you were still with Mr. Potter."

"That's all right, Severus, Harry was just getting ready to leave," Dumbledore informed him.

"Yes, Professor," Harry said looking over towards Professor Snape. "I have to be getting over to the greenhouse for Herbology." Harry smiled over at Dumbledore before opening the door and the headmaster winked back conspiratorially before Harry descended.

Dumbledore waited until Harry was gone and then turned his attention to the potions master. He loved the former Death Eater turned spy like a son, and despite Severus' sometimes dour attitude he was his best friend. Severus watched intently as Dumbledore penned a brief letter without speaking. He knew his mentor would let him know what was going on in due time. He sat perfectly still waiting. Dumbledore marveled at this and took his time. He found it amazing how someone could not even twitch a muscle while sitting perfectly straight. Not only that, but Severus could walk through the entire castle without so much as making a sound. He truly had the stealth of the Slytherin snake. Dumbledore completed writing his letter and looked up.

"Severus, something has come up and I'm sending for Sirius Black," the headmaster said calmly watching for his friend's reaction.

Severus and Black did not get along ever since their days as students at Hogwarts. Black had played a practical joke, which almost resulted in Severus' death at the hands of another student, who was now a teacher at Hogwarts. Remus Lupin, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, was a werewolf and had been in wolf form when Severus was tricked by Black into going into Lupin's safe retreat. It had been Harry's father, James, who had gotten Severus out of the way before the werewolf had attacked him. Severus and Sirius had come to a somewhat shaky truce in an effort to defeat Voldemort and protect Harry but they still did not fully trust one another.

"Has something happened to Mr. Potter? He did not seem ill," Severus said, arching his left eye brow speculatively.

"No, Harry isn't ill, but we do have a major situation developing. Suffice it to say that the entire school will be in an uproar within the next few days," Dumbledore replied carefully.

"May I inquire as to the nature of the problem? I'm sure you didn't send for me just to tell me Black is coming," Severus sneered in his usual manner.

"I can't tell you just yet," Dumbledore said mischievously, "but I do need you to prepare yourself in the event Voldemort becomes more active and makes another attempt to harm Harry....." Dumbledore concluded knowing that they may be in for a rough school year in many ways.

"Headmaster, you know I have always been ready when you called," Severus answered evenly. "What could possibly cause the Dark Lord to step up his campaign?"

"As I stated before, I am not yet at liberty to divulge that information."

"I understand Headmaster, but if the Dark Lord is up to something perhaps I could...." Severus began, clearly disgruntled, before Dumbledore cut him off.

"No, Severus, not yet."

"Will there be anything else?" The Potions Master asked.

"Yes. See that this letter gets to the owlery and posted at once. I don't want to give it to the house elves due to its sensitive nature," Dumbledore instructed as he handed Severus a letter with Sirius' name on the front. "Then have Professor Lupin report to me. We need to plan how to best protect Sirius. I think it might be a good idea to keep him in the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmead. That way he'll have access to the castle and can keep an eye out for any sign of trouble in town," Dumbledore said wryly. "No one will pay much attention to a stray dog," he mused, indicating Sirius' animagus form of a large black dog.

Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and Harry's father James became animagus wizards in their fifth year at Hogwarts. They had decided to do so in their second year to protect their friend Remus Lupin when they learned he was a werewolf. It had taken them three years to perfect the skill in secret, James becoming a Stag, Sirius a black dog, also known a Grimm, which wizards considered a harbinger of death, and Peter became a rat. The Shrieking Shack had been built to conceal Remus from the full moon when the madness was upon him and the local people believed it to be haunted. This was attributed to the awful howls and screams which came from it when Remus was present in his wolf form and it had been quite effective. It was connected to the Hogwarts grounds via a secret tunnel beneath the Whomping Willow.

"I will see to your letter immediately, Headmaster," Severus said with distaste as he glanced down at Black's name and rose to go. "Then I will go and inform Professor Lupin you wish to speak to him," he said, referring to the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, who had returned to Hogwarts after having resigned the position two years ago.

"Thank you, Severus. I knew I could count on your support," Dumbledore said dismissing him.

Thirty minutes later Remus Lupin and Professor Dumbledore concluded their business. Sirius would indeed stay in the Shrieking Shack. Dobby the house elf would see to his personal needs and make sure food was sent to him daily via the secret tunnel connecting the two buildings. He then returned to his class wondering what was going on.

The owl found Sirius Black two days later hiding in a small cave outside to Remus Lupin's home town. At first he thought it was a letter from Harry but as soon as he saw his name on the envelope, he recognized Dumbledore's hand writing, becoming alarmed that something had happened to Harry. He tore open the envelope and read the missive inside:

SIRIUS

HOPE THIS FINDS YOU WELL. HARRY IS ASKING QUESTIONS AND IT'S TIME TO GIVE THE ANSWERS. WE BOTH KNEW THIS DAY WOULD COME. I'D ALSO LIKE REMUS AND SEVERUS TO BE ON HAND AS I'M WORRIED THAT THIS MIGHT STIR VOLDEMORT INTO ACTION. COME AT ONCE. ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR YOUR SAFETY

ALBUS

Sirius scanned the letter a second time just to make sure he didn't miss anything. His anxiety level was high and he had hoped Harry would be patient a little longer. He looked outside preparing to leave the cave. The sun was just setting and long shadows were hiding the mouth of the cave. Once he was certain no one was about he transformed and set out at a swift trot heading north towards the school. He worried that Harry would not wait and tell his friends. He knew this was hard on Harry and wondered if Dumbledore had not made a mistake by continuing to have Harry keep quiet after entering Hogwarts. The whole thing had been Dumbledore's idea, but then, they had all agreed to it for Harry's sake. Would Voldemort have been more aggressive if he had found out? So far Harry had been lucky. The predictions in the Prophecy had been coming to pass. Sirius hoped that things would work out satisfactorily and that Harry wouldn't be too angry with them all for turning everything totally upside down. 'Please Merlin; don't let Harry be too angry with me. I wouldn't be able to bear it if I lost the only family I have left because we did something so stupid just to protect the child,' Sirius thought to himself as he made his way across the country.

He had traveled through the night and completed more than half the journey when he realized he needed to stop and rest. His paws hurt and his stomach was making loud gurgling sounds. Still, he continued on for another hour before spotting an isolated farm house in the distance. Hunger overtaking him, he decided to take a chance and beg some scraps. He studied the yard cautiously for other dogs guarding the premises, then picking up his left paw so that he would appear injured, limped into the yard with a whine. He could smell sausages cooking and knew there would be fresh eggs also, having startled some chickens moving about the yard when he entered.

"Woof!" He barked in an effort to get some attention, sitting down licking his paw and drooling with hunger, as he waited for a response.

A small blond haired boy of about six opened the door. "Mama! Mama! It's a Grim! It's here to get me!" the startled child cried panic stricken, believing the black dog to be a portent of death.

Sirius felt bad that he had frightened the child, and remembered the first time Harry had seen him, when he had tried to run away from the Dursleys. Hoping the boy's mother would feed him when he saw her appear in the door, Sirius took his cue from her presence, and lowering his head in a submissive manner whined again.

"That is not a Grim, Toby, his mother explained. "It's just a stray dog."

"No, it's a Grim Mama. It's going to get me just like in the stories," the boy sobbed, hiding his face in her apron as she looked on helplessly.

"What is going on out there?" a man's voice called from the kitchen. "I want my breakfast!"

"It's just a stray dog that's wandered into the yard Ethan," the woman called in to her husband. "I'll get rid of him."

"If you don't, I will!" he responded in an angry voice, "and shut that brat up!" he added in response to the child's continued crying.

"Shoo! Go home. Please doggy go home if you know what's good for you," she said looking with sympathy at Sirius.

Sirius had gotten the distinct impression that this was not a happy family and was beginning to regret coming into the yard when he heard a chair scraping on the kitchen floor.

"Papa the Grim won't go!" the boy said continuing to sob. "It's going to take me!"

"Shut up you stupid brat," the child's father said as he came onto the porch and shoved his wife aside. Sirius noted that she winced in pain when he touched her. "I'll get you! You filthy mutt," he yelled at Sirius. Grabbing a large broom from the porch, he pointed the handle towards him and began to advance threateningly.

Sirius was angry now and crouching low, let out a low growl. He felt sorry for the woman and son and instinctively knew this man was abusing them. He decided to teach him a lesson and get some food at the same time.

Tensing, he sprang up quickly, knocking the man off balance. Circling him carefully he rounded with a snarl, biting his ankle before running up the stairs and into the house. Racing over to where the breakfast sausages were cooling on a plate by the stove, he scooped them up, and then dashed back outside, sausage links dangling from either side of his mouth. The angry man was howling in pain and attempting to stand as Sirius came onto the porch. Taking another leap he landed squarely on the man's chest knocking the wind out of him. Using the time to his advantage he stepped aside, never having lost a single sausage, lifted his leg, and urinated in the mans face. He then ran off down the drive. Hiding under some nearby brush about a half mile further, he stopped and devoured the food. If anyone had seen him they would have sworn the large black dog was smiling, and they would have been right. Having satisfied his stomach Sirius decided it wouldn't be prudent to stay long in this locality, as the man would surely report a vicious dog to the authorities, so he decided to continue his journey until he was sure no one was pursuing him. He traveled on for over an hour keeping off main roads and using what ever underbrush he was near for added cover. Finally, fatigue overcame him. Finding a group of yew tress he curled up into a ball with his tail over his nose and went to sleep.

The dream began happily. He was standing in the hospital with James, who was telling him about the baby. Sirius was all excited and thrilled to be the child's Godfather, but something wasn't right. The dream started to get dark and then Albus appeared shaking his head and holding up his hand. He was holding some kind of paper and motioning them to hurry when a dark shadow moved passed them. It was icy cold with red eyes and moved with a slithering motion, like a snake. Voldemort! The baby was crying.......Sirius woke with a jolt, panting with anxiety. The late September sun was at an angle in the sky and Sirius knew it must be past noon. He had to make haste if he were to reach Hogwarts by tonight. Harry needed him. No matter what the outcome, he would be there to see it through.

Sirius skirted around the town of Hogsmeade just after sunset of the second day. He then ran the rest of the way towards Hogwarts, and only slowed down as he neared the Forbidden Forest. Using the trees as a cover he transformed back into his human form and staying to the shadows headed towards Hagrid's cottage. Hagrid was outside gathering fire wood when he was alerted to Sirius presence when his boar hound, Fang, began to bark, and picking up a familiar scent, ran out to greet him.

Looking up from his work, Hagrid smiled. 'Whatever is goin'on Sirius 'as arrived an' Dumbledore'll know what to do,' he thought to himself. "Come on Fang," Hagrid said leading the way to the door, "Let's get 'im into the house so we can greet 'im proper like."

"Good to see you again Hagrid," Sirius greeted him warmly as soon as the door was closed behind them

"Ye be a sight for sore eyes, "Hagrid replied. "Professor Dumbledore said ta keep an eye out fer ya. Said he wasn't sure when ye'd get here so I been waitin' patiently with Fang here," he grinned pointing a thumb over his shoulder to where the dog lay by the hearth.

"I came as soon as I received Dumbledore's message. I need to talk with him immediately."

"He'd be down ta the Great Hall right now, it bein' dinner time. I'm sure the watcher elves let 'im know yer here," Hagrid informed him. "Why don't ya join me in a bite ta eat an' we can do some catchin' up till he sends fer ya?'

"Now that you mention it I am starved," Sirius grinned. 'Sometimes being the stray dog does have its drawbacks,' he thought to himself. "What's on the menu? Something smells awfully good," Sirius asked sniffing the air.

"Lamb stew," Hagrid told him as he set out two bowls. He then scooped out a generous portion with the large ladle by the cooking pot before cutting a large slab of bread. Placing them both in front of his dinner guest, he smiled broadly, as Sirius attacked the meal. Sirius had been so worried about the situation with Harry he hadn't realized how hungry he was.

The two men chatted amiably for the better part of an hour while they ate. Sirius, of course, listened with interest to every new item that Hagrid told him, especially when it concerned Harry. Finally a house elf appeared and told them that Sirius was wanted up at the castle. Dumbledore would see him in his office. Sirius was to come up to the castle where Professor Lupin would meet him and escort him upstairs. As he entered the castle, Sirius transformed back into his animagus form, as Remus soft voice called out.

"Hello Snuffles. It's good to see you again." Snuffles happily licked his friend's hands in hello. "Let's get you up to the headmaster's office. Dumbledore doesn't want Harry to know you're here yet. He wants to speak with you alone first and then bring in Snape and myself."

At the sound of the Potion Master's name Sirius looked up emitting a low growl. He still didn't like Snape even though they had agreed to that truce to protect Harry against Voldemort.

"Now Snuffles behave," Remus grinned as they passed a small group of students. "I don't care for Severus that much either but he has been civil since I've been back. Besides, he makes my potion each month without complaining," he sighed, referring to the Wolfbane Potion he needed to control the madness brought on by his werewolf transformation during the full moon. As they came to a stop in front of the gargoyle guarding the entrance to Dumbledore's office Remus uttered the new password, "Banana Cream Pie," and the door swung open. "This is as far as I go for now Padfoot," Remus told him using the nickname Sirius had chosen for himself when he had learned to transform rather than the more commonly used Snuffles. "I'm most anxious to find out what is going on so don't keep me in the dark for too long," he told his friend with a wink goodbye.

Sirius barked once to tell him he understood and then trotted off up the stairs. Once inside the office he looked about and seeing Dumbledore at his desk he transformed back into his human form.

"Ah Sirius, welcome back," Dumbledore said rising to greet him. "I was worried my owl might not find you as quickly as it did."

"I came as soon as I got you message. Were you waiting long?" Sirius queried.

"Four days."

"How about Harry, has there been any change?" Sirius inquired referring to Harry's desire to get everything over and out into the open.

"No. Harry has been waiting for you. I'm just concerned about how the faculty and students will respond," Dumbledore informed him with a slight smile playing about his lips. "Sirius we need to handle this as delicately as possible. Harry's whole life is about to change."

"I agree. If James and Lily hadn't been killed Harry would have been told a long time ago," Sirius said shaking his head, "but I ended up in prison, and you had to deal with the situation the best way you could, to keep Harry safe. What about Voldemort? Will he see the parallels with the prophecy and increase his attempt to get to Harry?" he finished worriedly.

"It's very possible. That's why Harry must be told everything very carefully."

"So where do we begin?" Sirius questioned the older wizard.

"Does anyone else to your knowledge know?" Dumbledore asked him quietly.

"Not unless you told them. I promised James and Lily never to say a word and I'm glad to say that I didn't fail them there. I never even told Remus after breaking out of Azkaban, and Peter never knew, thank Merlin," Sirius informed him.

"Good. I've told no one either."

"Not even Snape?" Sirius scowled.

"No. Not even Severus," Dumbledore corrected him gently. "You really need to try and get along, especially now that Harry will need your extra protection," he scolded.

"Well then, should we start with just Remus and Snape or Harry?"

"Why not bring them all in together?" Dumbledore said his eyes twinkling. "I will send word around for them to come up. It's only eight o'clock so Harry should still be up. I'll have Professor McGonagall get Harry for us. Would you like to include her and Hagrid tonight too?"

"Not yet," Sirius replied. "Let's start with Remus and Sna...er Severus," he corrected at Dumbledore's sharp look, "and see what happens."

"Very well," Dumbledore nodded ringing for the house elves. Dobby appeared promptly. "Dobby I want you to ask Professors Snape and Lupin to come to my office immediately. Then have Professor McGonagall send Harry Potter to me. Tell her it's very important that Harry be dispatched at once. I will also want some refreshments sent up from the kitchen."

"Dobby will do so," he said jumping up and down. "Dobby will send Professors Snape and Lupin and have Professor McGonagall send Harry Potter. Dobby will send up some food too!" he repeated, before disappearing with a loud pop. A pot of tea and a pitcher of juice appeared along with a tray of cake and cookies almost as soon as the elf had vanished.

"Sirius I apologize for not offering you some refreshments sooner."

"That's o.k. Albus; I was still full from dinner. Hagrid fed me well," Sirius said with a grin, as he patted his stomach, before helping himself to a cup of tea and a piece of cake, as he continued their conversation. "Do you think Harry will have any problems with the other students when they find out?"

"Possibly, but children adapt quickly. In a month, they will have found the entire situation amusing and continue going about their usual routines, until a new topic for discussion comes up."

"What about Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley?"

"Harry's their best friend. They'll adapt quickly once they get over the shock of Harry not telling them," Dumbledore stated firmly as the other two professors entered the office. "Remus, Severus, come and join us by the fire and have some tea and cakes while we wait for Harry to arrive," he indicated two chairs and the tea table full of pastries.

"Headmaster, Black," Professor Snape said his dark eyes glaring at Sirius.

"So Sirius, Professor," Remus said cheerfully, trying to dissolve a serious situation before it could happen, "I guess we're finally going to get to find out what's going on?" he asked as he accepted some cake and a glass of juice. "What has Harry got to do with this?"

"Yes..." Snape said slowly staring at Black while he waved away an offer of refreshments. "Just what does Mr. Potter have to do with what ever is going on? The Dark Lord has made no attempts to summon me back into his service to try and get to Harry," he finished, indicating where his left sleeve covered the skull and snake tattoo known as the Dark Mark. This would burn painfully when Voldemort sent his summons to call his followers to him.

"Let's hope it stays that way." Sirius replied tersely.

"I agree," Dumbledore added, "but here comes Harry now. Both yours and Harry's questions will be answered shortly," the headmaster explained, as the door opened and Harry entered nervously. "It's all right Child, there's someone here to see you," Dumbledore reassured Harry, looking over to where Sirius was just getting up with a smile, holding his arms out.

"Sirius!" Harry exclaimed as they greeted each other with a hug.

"Let me have a look at you," Sirius said taking a step back and nodding to himself. "I hear you're looking for some answers to some very important questions," he said, his eyes laughing, as he looked over towards Dumbledore and continued, "you're right Albus. It's time everyone is told, but before we go on I just want to ask Harry if anyone here at Hogwarts knows?" Sirius questioned.

"If you mean Ron or Hermione no," Harry stated firmly looking him in the eye, "but there is one other person I had to tell," Harry explained looking over towards the headmaster. "I'm sorry Professor but I had to tell Nurse Pomfrey. I told her to speak to you and not to say anything to anybody else."

"I see....." Dumbledore said shrewdly, "and when was this?"

"About an hour ago," Harry said nervously. I was having some stomach cramps and needed to see her right away. Then she got called over to the Ravenclaw common room on an emergency."

"Yes, one of the first years had an asthma attack. I believe she and the doctor are still busy with the boy. "

"It's not too severe is it?" Professor Lupin inquired solicitously.

"No, they've got him stabilized now, but we're getting away from the reason I have called you all here. Don't worry, Harry, Poppy won't say or do anything until she speaks to me," Dumbledore said, amused by Harry's obvious discomfort over having to speak with the nurse, as he motioned for Harry to sit beside Sirius on the couch.

"Potter are you ill?" Professor Snape inquired.

"Yes Harry, did you eat something at dinner that disagreed with you and had to go to the nurse?" Remus Lupin asked with concern.

"You didn't tell them?" Harry asked looking from Sirius to Dumbledore and back again.

"No," Sirius said grinning wickedly, keeping his face hidden from the two professors, indicating his knowledge of Harry's condition that had caused a visit to the school nurse in such a hurry.

"Harry, why don't you go into the other room for a minute? You'll find some new robes there for you, my present," Dumbledore said with a smile. "You might like to try them on to see how they fit."

"O.K," Harry agreed picking up on the headmaster's meaning and going into the adjoining bedroom.

"Sirius if something's wrong with Harry I'll be of any help you need," Remus told him anxiously.

"As will I," Professor Snape agreed cryptically. "Despite my feelings towards his late father I hold no animosity towards the boy."

Harry listened to this exchange from the other room while changing into the new clothes that were laid out neatly on the bed. Then, taking a final look in the mirror turned back to wait inside the door way of the office.

"Actually Harry is going to be fine now," Dumbledore told them smiling as he directed their attention to where Harry was waiting in the doorway.

Harry would forever remember what happened next. Sirius, who had been party to the whole thing since its inception, was laughing so hard with delight he fell off the couch. Remus Lupin was in shock and just kept opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water, unable to find the right words to express himself. But it was Professor Snape's reaction which was the best. He just stood up slowly, and bringing himself up to his full height, arched one eyebrow, and with a shake of his head looked over at Harry. Then, with the most sardonic tone he could muster, spoke in his eloquent voice.

"Miss Potter this is truly an unexpected surprise. Welcome to Hogwarts," then, turning towards Dumbledore he continued slowly, "Headmaster.....I can only assume that Harry's true gender has been kept concealed since she was an infant for a specific purpose?"

"All of your questions will be answered Severus," but first we have to answer Harry's," he finished, motioning Harry to return to the place where she had been sitting beside Sirius as Snape resumed his seat.

"Professor," Remus Lupin said, finally finding his voice, which sounded strangely hollow in his ears, "does this have anything to do with the Prophecy of Mathias?"

As he asked this question Professor Dumbledore saw Severus appear to flinch which meant he knew how this could affect not only Harry, but all of them and the school.

"What is the Prophecy of Mathias?" Harry asked, "and why have I had to pretend to be a boy ever since I can remember? For that matter is my name really even Harry?" she asked in confusion, looking from Sirius to Dumbledore.

"Calm down Harry," Sirius said gently as he put his arm around her protectively.

"Child all your questions will be answered, as will those of Remus and Severus," Dumbledore soothed her with an air of authority. "Sirius do you want to start or should I?"

"I think it would be best if you do Albus," Sirius conceded. "I'll just sit with Harry till you're finished."

"Very well, first of all let me begin with Harry's questions," Dumbledore said looking at his two professors. "Then we can plan how to proceed. Harry it's vital that you understand why your parents needed to conceal the fact that you were a girl," the headmaster said as he reached over to take Harry's hand. "It all goes back to the Prophecy of Mathias."

"Who was Mathias? And what has he to do with me?" Harry asked her confusion mounting.

"Hush Harry," Sirius chided, "go on Albus."

"Chandra Mathias was a Muggle woman who married a wizard by the name of Aremis Mathias. She lived in the village where I grew up. As I said, she was a Muggle, but as sometimes happens, she was a gifted seer."

"Oh great, that's all I need, another Madam Trelawney," Harry mumbled under her breath rolling her eyes, but noting the dark look from Professor Snape refrained from further comment as Dumbledore continued, ignoring the remark.

"She was never wrong and both Wizards and Muggles often sought her out for a reading."

"What happened to her?" Professor Lupin queried. "I'd heard that she died in an accident."

"She was murdered by Grindelwald," Dumbledore stated flatly. "He was furious that she had made all those accurate predictions about him."

"She predicted things about the evil wizard you defeated?" Harry asked her curiosity piqued, looking at Dumbledore with interest.

"Yes Harry, but that doesn't matter right now," Dumbledore stated dismissing any questions she might ask. "What does matter is what she predicted about Voldemort."

"Voldemort!" Harry exclaimed looking at the men seated around her.

"Yes Harry," Sirius replied his voice husky with emotion. "She predicted his rise to power, his first defeat and his resurrection."

"O.K. so she knew...."

"Wait Harry, let us finish," Dumbledore stated firmly, noting that Harry was becoming agitated. "She also predicted his ultimate defeat. She said his major nemesis would be a female child born under the sign of the lion with green eyes. She would have a wizard father whose wife would be a green eyed Muggle born witch. After his first defeat the child would carry the brand he bestowed on her for the rest of her life."

"And you all believe that I'm this child?" Harry asked slowly. It was more of a statement than a question since she already knew the answer.

"The facts can't be denied. You're obviously female, you eyes are green, your mother was muggle born, and the scar on your forehead wasn't put there in an accident," Professor Lupin said using his teaching voice in an effort to keep her attention.

"All right, let's assume you're all right. How would anybody know when I was born that I was destined to be this witch?" Harry challenged. "For that matter who even knew I would be a girl?"

"No one did. As far as your being a girl, James and Lily were surprised. There hadn't been a witch born into the Potter family for generations. We all thought you were going to be a boy!" Sirius said smiling at her. "Albus and I were both there the night you were born. Lily and James were so happy and Albus was beside himself with delight."

"He gets that way with babies," Snape sneered. "You would think they were all his."

"Now Severus, behave. You know that I'm always happy when the people I care about have children. I think of all of you as family," Dumbledore admonished placing a hand on his head before turning his attention back to Harry. "When your mother put you into my arms I was thrilled," Dumbledore said, his blue eyes misting over with the memory. "You were all wrapped up in a pink blanket and sound asleep. Then James decided that Sirius should get to know his goddaughter so I handed you over to him," Dumbledore told them laughing at the memory. "He had no idea what to do. Here, the former heart throb of Hogwarts was terrified of a tiny seven and a half pound baby girl. He held you like you were a piece of glass and would break at any moment."

"It wasn't funny Albus!" Sirius said his face red with embarrassment. "There's no reason to laugh," he finished glaring at the grins on both Snape and Lupin.

"So, when you sensed his discomfort and started to cry, I relieved him of his burden, much to Sirius relief," Dumbledore related with a hint of mischief. "It was then that I was shocked back into reality. You calmed down quickly and opened your eyes to look at me with a small smile as you started to suck on a tiny fist. You had green eyes."

"Lots of people have green eyes professor," Harry said trying to humor the old man.

"Lots of people don't have a wizard father with a muggle born wife with green eyes, as Professor Lupin has so aptly pointed out," Professor Snape interjected wryly, his dark eyes glittering with a strange light, "plus your birth sign is Leo for the Lion is it not?"

"You know darn well it is," Harry snapped at him abruptly.

"Easy Harry, I know this is difficult if not darn right confusing for you," Sirius soothed putting his arm around her shoulders protectively. "Go on, Albus, finish the story."

"I knew about the Mathias prophecy of course, but hadn't given it much thought in years."

"Even with Voldemort wreaking havoc over half the countryside? Lupin asked with amazement.

"Yes. I'm sorry to say it was an oversight on my part. Then Harry was born and it all came back to me. I needed to speak with James and Sirius right away so under the pretext of your needing to nurse and Lily needing her rest I got them out of the room."

"Why not tell my mother too?"

"I didn't want her to worry needlessly. I wasn't positive of my recollections of what Chandra had actually said and needed time to look it up," Dumbledore said matter of factly. "So, when I got James and Sirius outside, I told them of my suspicions."

"Did they believe you?" Harry asked, intrigued by the story about her birth.

"We didn't know what to think," Sirius replied, "but we'd always trusted Albus and were willing to listen."

"I sent them both here to Hogwarts. A copy of the Mathias Prophecies is kept in the restricted section of the school library."

"James and I brought it back to his house and the three of us reviewed it all night. We were scared and elated at the same time. James wanted to protect you from Voldemort as long as possible. He realized what a powerful witch you were going to become. We all knew that if Voldemort found out he would try and kill you."

"So Voldemort knew about the prophecy?"

"Yes Harry, he knew. I believe he studied it in some detail when he was a student here," Dumbledore answered. "I wasn't headmaster then so I'm not sure if he associated it with himself at that time or not. In any event we couldn't take the chance."

"That's when we came up with the idea to let everyone think you were a boy. After all, everybody had been expecting you to be one," Sirius said trying hard not to smile. "Albus was able to get your birth records sealed through a friend in the ministry. The next step was to convince Lily."

"I can only assume she was in agreement?" Remus asked.

"No Remus," Sirius grinned, "she was furious! You remember her temper don't you?"

"I most certainly do. She didn't get mad often but when she did it was like being hit with a bucket of ice water," Remus laughed.

"Ahem..." Dumbledore cleared his throat as a signal for them to continue.

"Sorry, Albus," Sirius said nodding, "any way, we all told your mother in the morning. She knew something was up because we hadn't slept and weren't hung over from celebrating," Sirius explained blushing, "besides, we all showed up with flowers and teddy bears."

"What did she say?" Harry asked in amusement, thinking of the three of them trying to act nonchalant while standing there with their arms full.

"At first she thought we were playing a joke on her. Then she got angry and frightened."

"She actually called me a crazy old lunatic and wanted to know why I would do something so mean as to suggest Voldemort would kill you," Dumbledore said unable to disguise the tears in his eyes. "It took your father over an hour to calm her down. She just kept cradling you protectively and crying. We all felt terrible about doing this to her so soon after giving birth, but we felt you were at risk and she would never forgive us if something happened to you. When she finally calmed down and began to relax she had me tell her everything all over again since James was so sure of it all. After I had finished she just looked at me for a minute and then handed you over to your father and hugged me while she apologized. I can still hear her voice asking me to forgive her and to please keep you safe and protected as long as possible. So, for all intents and purposes, you became a boy to everyone except the four of us. Your aunt and uncle were only told after your parents death and Remus and Severus knew nothing until tonight," Dumbledore concluded sadly.

"So who named me Harry?"

"Well....," Sirius said slowly, "your mother and I did. James didn't want you to be a junior, especially since there was a definite possibility that you might one day want to change your name, so he asked that his name be used as your middle name. He then asked us to give you a first name. I told them you reminded me of the old wizard who ran the coffee shop down stairs from the flat where I was living at the time. Lily wanted to know his name and I told her I wasn't sure, but every body always called him Harry. She just laughed and placed you up on her knees in bed and said, 'Hello Harry James Potter. You don't know it yet but you're going to have a very unique and charmed life'," Sirius concluded with a catch in his voice as he remembered his former friends while looking at Harry fondly.

"You named me after some old wizard in a coffee shop?!" Harry accused trying hard to sound angry without success. "You know of course that you will owe me for the rest of your life."

"But it's not my fault that you were red faced with a ring of dark brown fuzz on your head," Sirius groaned feigning misery as they all laughed. Even Professor Snape managed a crooked smile.

"Is there anything else you wish to know child?" Dumbledore asked secretly dreading the question he knew that would come next.

Harry considered carefully before asking the question which was on her mind. She knew in her heart that Dumbledore knew the answer but did she really want to know? Finally she nodded and asked the question she knew he would dread.

"My parents' death," she began slowly, "was that part of this prophecy too?"

The room was silent as Harry waited for Dumbledore's reply. His blue eyes seemed to bore into her while he tried to decide exactly what to say to her. Could she handle the truth? Was she ready to hear the answer which had haunted him for the past sixteen years?

"The prophecy is very vague in parts and not easily understood," he said quietly forming his thoughts. "However, looking back over all that happened, I would say yes. Hindsight can be a terrible thing," Dumbledore finished, unable to hide the guilt in his voice.

Harry didn't answer but studied the headmaster's face as she rose slowly off the couch. For the first time since she had met him Dumbledore appeared old and tired. Moving over to where he sat, she gently placed her arms around him in a gentle hug and whispered in his ear so that no one else could hear. "Thank you for being honest with me. I don't think I could have stood for it if you had lied, even to protect me."

As the old wizard returned her hug he could sense that she could feel his deep emotions. Harry herself was aware that she could do this but had taught herself to tune out other people's feelings and pain. She had come to convince herself that it was an invasion of others privacy. Only with Dumbledore this was more difficult. She thought is must have something to do with his age and power. She was visibly shaken as she resumed her seat beside Sirius.

"Harry, how long have you been able to do that?" Dumbledore quizzed her thoughtfully.

"Ever since I can remember, but I can usually control myself and tune it out," she replied lowering her head feeling ashamed.

"Harry what is it? What's wrong?" Sirius asked growing concerned by what was obviously something troubling Harry. He could sense that the older wizard had discovered something that Harry hadn't wanted known.

"Nothing," she responded refusing to look up.

"Harry," Dumbledore said gently, "there's nothing to be upset about. You possess a wonderful and rare gift."

"My aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon don't think so. They always made me keep quiet about it. They said people would think I was crazy or some kind of freak. So I taught myself to block out what I felt."

"Albus, what's going on?" Remus Lupin asked, as Sirius tried to pull a resisting Harry into his arms.

"Headmaster, to what gift are you referring?" Professor Snape asked, scrutinizing Harry with his usual intensity. "Is Harry some sort of seer?"

"Not exactly, "Dumbledore replied, "Harry, why don't you show them?"

"But...." Harry began to object as Dumbledore cut her off.

"You're not a freak Harry. Your aunt and uncle are afraid of what they can't understand," he explained patiently. "Start with Sirius and work your way around the room back to me. Don't any of you speak until she is finished," he instructed the other men in the room.

Harry swallowed hard as she allowed Sirius to put his arms around her.

"It works better when there is physical contact," she said looking up at him. A series of expressions passed over her face as she began to speak. "You're worried. Mostly about me but also about being captured and sent back to prison. You're also afraid of failure. You feel that you failed my parents. You're afraid you'll fail me," she said continuing to concentrate. "You also are feeling some distrust. It seems to be directed towards Professor Snape," Harry concluded, noting that the potions master stiffened at the mention of his name

She then moved over to Professor Lupin and picked up his hand. "Interesting," she said after a few minutes. "Is that what it feels like?"

"What is it Harry?" Dumbledore prompted. "What does what feel like?"

"Remus is feeling the anticipation of the full moon in two days. There is much anxiety over his transformation. There's something else though......the wolf.....I can fell it within him. Wild.....Angry......I don't know.....hunger maybe?" she finished. Releasing him, he watched her with an odd expression in his hazel eyes before he spoke.

"She's right Albus," he said dumbfounded. She had been able to feel his other self waiting to emerge. His heart was pounding so hard he could hear the blood rushing in his ears.

Harry then turned her attention to the potions master who was sitting as rigid as a statue.

"Professor Snape?" she questioned holding out her hand for him. He moved slowly to extend his right hand but was stopped by the sound of the headmaster's voice.

"No Severus," Dumbledore corrected, "give her your left arm, and if you'll pull up your sleeve please."

"But headmaster....." Severus began to object before his friend and mentor cut him off.

"Do as I ask Severus. Harry won't be harmed. You can pull back if it becomes too intense for her."

"What's the matter Professor, are you scared?" Harry challenged, knowing it would irritate him.

"No," Snape sneered back at her as he pulled back his left sleeve to reveal the snake and skull tattooed on his forearm known as the Dark Mark.

Everyone was watching intently as Harry placed her hand over his tattoo and closed her eyes. The room was silent except for the ticking of the clock in the corner. Harry moaned softly, and Snape started to pull his arm back as Sirius tried to rise from his seat, but they were both stopped by a warning look from Professor Dumbledore.

"Guilt......Anger......Loss......Strong desires.....You wanted the power. The cost was too high.....Hatred....Physical pain....Cruciatus curse....so many times....Loved them so much......he murdered them to punish you......your wife....the baby.....Fear.....Fear for me.....NO!" Harry suddenly yelled pulling away from Professor Snape as if she were on fire and nearly falling over backwards. "Voldemort, he went to summon the Professor!" she told them, her voice shaking, as she found herself secured back in Sirius embrace as he steered her back to the couch.

"Headmaster she is correct," he said showing them the tattoo which had turned almost black.

"I thought you didn't go to him any longer?" Sirius challenged him with anger and distrust.

"I don't Black!" Snape growled back at him, "but that doesn't keep him from trying."

"Enough!" Dumbledore admonished sternly. "Severus let me relieve your discomfort," he told his friend as he applied his wand to the tattoo to relieve the burning pain caused by the summons, as he continued speaking; "as you have probably already guessed our Harry is an empath. She can sense and feel other people's pain and emotions. It is among the rarest abilities of the wizarding world. I also suspect she may also be a natural healer. Our local healer will be able to tell us later," he told them referring to the wizard physician who lived in Hogsmeade, and attended to the staff and students of Hogwarts whenever necessary. "Now Harry," he went on, "you knew he was summoning Severus. I assume you felt the mark begin to burn?" Dumbledore questioned gently.

"Yes, but that's not what stopped me."

"What happened then? Why did you stop?"

"I could feel him. Voldemort.....it was like something fetid and rotten. The darkness and power were intense. I've never felt such coldness before. It was the opposite of what I feel when I'm near you," she said giving the old wizard a wan smile. "What really threw me though is that he knew I was there. He could feel me in contact with Professor Snape," Harry shuddered, absently rubbing the scar on her forehead. It had begun to hurt as soon as she had become aware of Voldemort's presence.

"He's getting stronger headmaster," Professor Snape said frowning. "He hasn't tried to call me for some time. Perhaps I should answer his summons?"

"NO!" Harry shouted before Dumbledore could reply. "He's angry.....and....and...I don't know how to describe what I felt when I was in contact with him. I think he means to harm you," she warned looking at Snape in confusion.

"He probably does," Snape told her without so much as flinching. "What you felt," he continued dryly, was his power to hold and control his followers. His anger stems from the fact that I have been refusing to answer his summons for some time now, and he considers me a traitor. What I find most interesting though is that he was aware of your presence," he finished thoughtfully.

"I think we need to discuss this further but not now," Dumbledore said looking at the other wizards with meaning. "It is already passed ten and Harry should get to bed, but not in her room. She might be seen and we don't want that to happen just yet," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

"Just where should Miss Potter go?" Professor Snape asked.

"I think she's just come down with a mysterious illness; something with a rash," Dumbledore chuckled waving his wand. Harry tried in vain to dive beneath the couch as the group of wizards looked on in amusement. "Poppy will just have to put her in isolation for the next twenty four hours until we're sure she isn't contagious. That should give us enough time to inform the staff about Harry's true gender and plan how to let the student body know," the headmaster continued, formulating a plan in his mind. "I'll call an emergency staff meeting for tomorrow morning, say about ten o'clock?" he finished, not expecting any answer.

"How come I don't get any say in this and get stuck in the infirmary?" Harry complained from where she still lay on the floor half under the couch.

"Because child," Dumbledore replied patiently, "we need time to plan how to protect you now. It won't take long for this to get back to Voldemort, not to mention the turmoil this will cause within the school itself."

"Look on the bright side, Harry; you'll finally get some new clothes. I've never met a female yet who couldn't resist going shopping," Sirius teased. "Does it itch much?" he asked examining the rash as she got up off the floor.

"No. It's just a heat rash, and it's not funny!" she said sourly, noting the broad grin on his face. "It's not fair that I have to spend Saturday in the infirmary with a heat rash which isn't even real, instead of going into Hogsmeade."

"I could arrange for you to have the chicken pox instead," Professor Snape said with a nasty smile as the other men snickered in amusement.

Harry just sat up straighter and folded her arms across her chest with a glare in an imitation of Professor Snape refusing to allow him to bait her.

"Careful Severus," Professor Lupin said smiling, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, especially one who can't go into Hogsmeade tomorrow."

"Remus is right Snape. I wouldn't mess around with this little witch. She may just give you a case of the chicken pox!" Sirius said, continuing to laugh.

Harry didn't say a word but just sat staring at Professor Snape with a crooked sneer in a continued imitation, her green eyes locked with his dark ones.

"If I were you," Dumbledore added, "I'd make peace with the lady."

"I wasn't the one who gave her the body rash," Snape replied as he continued to maintain eye contact with Harry. It was a battle of wills they had played since Harry's first day at Hogwarts. Snape always won but Harry continued to get better and more determined which was exactly what the professor wanted. Harry would need to use all her will power in the fight against Voldemort.

"But you did threaten her with the chicken pox," Dumbledore reminded him watching their exchange with interest. He knew Severus was testing Harry as did the other two wizards. He also had a strong suspicion that Harry might know it too.

"In that case Miss Potter," Snape said with a flourish without breaking his eye contact, "I will personally take you up to London next weekend and buy you some decent clothes. Those things you wear now were pathetic when I believed you to be a boy. Now they're down right disgusting," he said referring to her hand me down oversized clothes from her cousin Dudley.

Harry blinked and broke her eye contact with Professor Snape and her mouth dropped open. She just sat gaping at him for a few seconds before finding her voice. "Did I just hear Professor Snape correctly? He did say he would take me shopping for new clothes next weekend in London?"

"I did," Snape responded without moving.

"I intend to hold you to that Severus," Dumbledore laughed. "That is provided Sirius has no objections to her going with you?" he asked hoping Severus rival would accept this olive branch of sorts.

"None, I'm sure Professor Snape will conduct himself with the utmost decorum," Sirius replied with a slight warning edge to his voice.

"Excuse me professor," Harry said looking at Dumbledore over her glasses, "I think that maybe Professor Snape has been inhaling too many fumes from all those potions we've been mixing in the dungeon." She was still astounded that Snape was actually going to take her to London shopping.

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth Harry," Dumbledore told her with genuine affection.

Professor Snape didn't say anything further. He just continued to sit by the fireplace with his back perfectly straight, a sardonic expression on his face, as his left eyebrow rose in amusement. He was totally enjoying Harry's discomfiture with his proposal to take her shopping and Harry knew it.

"Well, since we're all in agreement about next weekend I'll just send for Poppy and we can get busy working on our plans for this weekend," Dumbledore said happily, as he rang for the house elves, and Beryl appeared. "Beryl, please have Madam Pomfrey report to my office immediately."

"Yes, Madam Pomfrey," the elf repeated and then disappeared with a pop.

No one said much while they waited for the nurse to come to the headmaster's office. They just sat and relaxed sipping tea and watching the flames in the fireplace. Harry was starting to feel sleepy and snuggling back into the soft cushions on the couch, rested her head on Sirius shoulder. He stroked her soft hair absently thinking how pretty she was becoming as she dozed comfortably. She still looked like James of course, but her features were softer. Her dark hair now framed her face and she had begun to let it grow. Her bangs continued to cover her forehead so that her scar remained hidden. It had been tied back earlier in the evening when she had come into the headmaster's office but she'd loosened it when she had changed clothes so that it now lay almost to her shoulders. The rich dark brown also accentuated her green eyes and the effect was astonishing. Sirius made up his mind then and there to keep a close watch on his young goddaughter. Once everyone knew Harry was a girl the boys would all be coming around and if they were anything like he was.....well.....they would have one hell of a job getting past him. He groaned softly and thought that he was more nervous now than when he'd had to hold that little infant sixteen years ago. Harry opened her eyes and looked up at him for a moment before speaking.

"Are you o.k.?"

"My foot fell asleep," he told her quietly.

"You're lying," Harry said with an impish little smile. "It's not easy to hide your feelings when I can feel them too."

"Then tell me what I'm feeling."

"You're still worried," she said matter of factly.

"Oh? What do you think is worrying me?"

Harry kept her head on his shoulder and just smiled coyly up at him her cheeks burning before answering, "You just worry about protecting me from Voldemort. I'll worry about protecting my virtue."

Sirius just squeezed her tightly and whispered in her ear, "How about I worry about both. Right now I'm not quite sure which is the bigger threat, Voldemort or some eager adolescent boy."

Harry just shook her head and rolled her eyes as a knock sounded on the door and Madam Pomfrey appeared in the doorway.

"Headmaster, I was planning on coming to see you in the morning. There is a matter of the utmost importance I need to speak with you about concerning Harry Potter," she said as she walked into the room, stopping dead in her tracks when she saw them all sitting there.

"Poppy I'm fully aware of what you were going to tell me."

"But Albus, how could this happen? Is Harry really a girl or is this some kind of dark magic?" she demanded worriedly.

"No Poppy, there is no dark magic at work here. Harry is a legitimate member of the fair sex," Dumbledore reassured the nurse. "I was one of the few people who actually knew of her true gender. We had to keep it hidden since she was an infant in order to protect her from Voldemort. As you can see this is no longer possible," he said with a smile and a wink at Harry.

"Albus, as the school nurse I should have been told. What if she had been seriously injured? Heaven knows she's spent enough time in my infirmary. What was so important that this poor child had to pretend to be a boy for all this time? Voldemort was defeated when she was just a baby."

"Are you familiar with the Prophecy of Mathias?" Dumbledore asked gently, trying to soothe Madam Pomfrey's ruffled feelings.

"Of course, she predicted all that stuff about Lord Voldemort..." she said, her voice trailing off as she stared at Harry. "Headmaster?" Poppy questioned shaking her head, her eyes wide with wonder.

"Yes Poppy, we believe so," Dumbledore said giving her time to fully digest the situation. "Now we need your help."

"Of course Albus, I'll do anything you ask."

"I knew I could count on you Poppy," he said with a nod. "Now, I've had to place Harry under a temporary spell to make her appear ill," he explained to the nurse indicating the rash. "What I need is for you to keep her in isolation for the next twenty four hours. She is not to see or speak with anyone outside of this room. That especially goes for Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore instructed, stressing the names of Harry's friends.

"I understand headmaster. Will there be anything else?"

"Yes, I will be holding an emergency staff meeting tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. We will all meet in the infirmary so that Harry will be present as well as Sirius Black. In the mean time you are to tell no one about Harry. Is that understood?"

"Yes. I'll see that Harry is safely tucked away," she said with a nod as she turned to Harry, "come along Harry. It's off to bed with you and I don't want any argument."

Harry rose and started to follow her out of the room when Dumbledore stopped her.

"By the way Harry, where is your invisibility cloak?"

"It's in the trunk in my room, why?"

"We don't need Ron and Hermione using it to sneak up to see you now, do we?" he asked looking at her over his glasses, his blue eyes laughing in anticipation of her friends actions. "Severus will you retrieve the cloak from Harry's room and bring it here when we've finished?"

"Of course headmaster, I'll see that you get it immediately," Professor Snape replied gloating.

"I promise to return the cloak to you after the weekend Harry," the headmaster informed her. He then turned his attention to the others. "Sirius I know we had planned on your staying in Hogsmeade at the shrieking shack but it may be best if you stayed here tonight. I'm sure you and Remus would enjoy each others company and this way we can gather early to plan how to proceed," the headmaster said rising, indicating his dismissal.

Sirius and Remus were pleased to have some time to talk alone. Sirius knew his friend was eager to ask him some more details about Harry and he would be only too glad to tell him. He was also anxious to ask Remus how Harry was getting on in school and about her latest quidditch match. He was also hoping to spend some quality time with her and was glad to be able to be so near, even if most of it would be in his animagus form. As they prepared to exit the office he transformed back into Snuffles and gave Harry a "kiss" goodnight. Wagging his tail he followed Remus to his rooms as Harry obediently went to the isolation ward with Madam Pomfrey. No one saw them as they passed along the halls as the other students were already asleep or relaxing in their common rooms as it was well past curfew.

As Harry lay in bed a million thoughts passed through her head. She knew she needed to get a look at the copy of the Mathias Prophecy that Dumbledore had said was in the school library and resolved to do so as soon as she got her cloak back. She didn't think she would be allowed to view the document otherwise. She also wondered how Ron and Hermione would react to the news that she was really a girl, as well as her other friends. She almost laughed out loud when she pictured the look on Draco Malfoy's face, and then shuddered when she realized his father was one of the Dark Lord's Death Eaters. She had been tossing and turning for over an hour when she heard a soft clicking sound coming towards her. Sitting up in bed she saw a dark black shape moving through the darkness.

"Snuffles," she whispered hugging him, "what are you doing here?" A moment later Sirius was standing by her bedside.

"Why, I'm checking up on you," he whispered, grinning down at her, feigning innocence. "Now go to sleep. It's late and you are in for a very interesting day tomorrow." He then transformed back into Snuffles and lay down next to the bed. Harry knew he was on guard duty but she didn't care. She lay back down, and reaching her arm over the side of the bed, scratched his ears affectionately until she finally drifted off to sleep.