The Mathias Prophecy Book II

Mathias Prophecy Book II

Quidditch Time!

The entire school was excited. Today was going to be the first of five quidditch matches involving the teachers. Dumbledore and a majority of the staff had accepted Harry's plan, so a schedule had been made out. The Positions on the student team had been decided by lottery, and Harry had not made the team. The more people discussed the upcoming game the more withdrawn she became, and Sirius was growing more than a little concerned. He decided to go and see her, but her room was empty and Snuffles was not there either. He assumed she had taken the dog for a walk, and went outside to find her. Spotting Snuffles over by Hagrid's cottage, he walked over, and knocked. Hagrid came to the door with a frown.

"Sirius, 'ave ya seen Miss Harry? She asked me ta keep an eye on 'er pup over an hour ago an' she hasn't been back. I am kinda worried, 'er being so down an' all."

"She isn't here with you?" Sirius asked, a knot forming in his stomach. "I thought she may be feeling down about not being able to play in the matches, but now I'm more worried than ever."

"An' well ya should be. Harry not being able ta play. Why it's one o' the few things that give 'er any happiness these days. I think it stinks. She got the whole thing together an' didn't make the team."

"Hagrid the team was done by lottery to be fair to all the students. She had as much chance as all the others to be picked to be the team Seeker."

"It still ain't right. She's the best player in the school. She works hard 'an then gets snubbed. She done it to bolster everyone's spirits, and ya all let 'er down. I seen 'er face when she weren't picked, and it was like she were struck down. She does everythin' to make people happy, but she always seems ta get pushed aside. Some o' 'er closest friends made that team, an' not a one of 'em said they wouldn't play without 'er."

"Hagrid, Harry has to learn to accept the fact that there will be times she will be disappointed in life. This just happens to be one of them."

"Disappointed," Hagrid spat, "she's 'ad nothin' but disappointment 'er whole life. Not ta mention that she's worryin' herself sick over that damn prophecy."

"Hagrid, what has Harry been telling you?" Sirius asked alarmed over this new information.

"It's what she's not sayin' that 'as me scared. She won't talk 'bout what she'll be doin' when she finishes Hogwarts. She just looks away, and tries ta change the subject. Says she doesn't like ta think 'bout the future. Says there's no point in worryin' 'bout things that may not happen. She were real happy when the staff agreed ta the matches. Said she 'ad promised you would get ta see 'er play, and now she would be playin' against ya. Laughed like hell, she did, said she planned ta kick all yer asses. Claimed it would be good fer you an' Snape too, 'aving ta work together on the same team."

"I see," Sirius remarked thoughtfully, "did she give you any hint about where she might be going?"

"I thought she were goin' back up ta the school, but since you come lookin' fer her...I don't know."

"Let's not panic. I only checked her room and thought that she took Snuffles for a walk since they both weren't there. She's probably in the common room or with Ron, helping him to get ready for the match. I'll go back up to the castle and look for her. When I find her I'll send her down to fetch Snuffles. You are planning on coming to the match, aren't you?"

O' course, I wouldn't miss it fer the world," Hagrid answered, but a hollow feeling was starting in the pit of his stomach.

Sirius hurried back to the castle, and checked all the places Harry might have been. He even went down to see Snape, but she wasn't there either. Finally, he went up to Dumbledore's office, hoping she had gone to him for comfort, but again he was disappointed. The Headmaster was alone, but his keen eyes didn't fail to note the anxiety on the young wizard's face.

"Sirius, is something wrong?"

"I'm not sure yet, Albus. It's just that I can't seem to find Harry anywhere, and no one has seen her since she left Snuffles with Hagrid."

"Snuffles is with Hagrid?"

"Yes, does that make a difference?"

"It may. How thoroughly did you check her room?"

"Albus, you're not saying she would leave the school over something as trivial as a game of quidditch?"

"Sirius, Harry was disappointed about not playing, that's true. If she even suspected what we did, well..." Dumbledore's brow furrowed with worry.

"How could she find out?"

"She's an empath. If she was able to pick up on any or all of us feeling guilty or secretive she would know we did something to prevent her from playing."

"She would be angry and hurt," Sirius ran his fingers through his thick black hair, "Albus, she would never be able to forgive us. Hagrid told me this game meant a lot to her. She wanted to play against us and wanted me to see her play. She was also hurt that none of her friends withdrew when she wasn't selected for the team."

"She may have picked up on their guilt as well. She had no way of knowing that the whole team asked for her to play, and the seeker wanted to withdraw in favor of her playing."

"What are we going to do? The game starts in fifteen minutes. We have to find her."

"Let's go and check her room. I know she wouldn't leave without the one thing that means the most to her."

"What is that?" Sirius queried.

"The photo album of her parents," Dumbledore replied moving swiftly towards the door.

The two men hurried down to Harry's room and knocked, hoping she had returned, but there was no answer. Using her password they entered, and began to search her belongings.

"Albus, it isn't here. She usually keeps it in the drawer by her bed. The pearls I gave her are missing too."

"Did she take any of her clothes?"

"I think she may have. Her drawers seem to be slightly disorganized, as if she packed in a hurry. He robes are in the closet, so she must have taken muggle clothing. Her back pack is missing too, and I don't see her wand anywhere."

"All right, I'll go and get Hagrid. You go and start the match with the others. I don't want to arouse suspicion that she is not here. We have no idea who was helping Malfoy and if they know Harry has bolted..."

"I understand. Should we tell Remus and Snape?"

"Quietly, and make certain you aren't overheard. I will send Hagrid into Hogsmeade to see if she took the Knight bus. Do you have any idea where she may be headed?"

"None, the only home she has ever had was with the Dursley's and she hates it there," Sirius was growing more worried by the minute. Harry had bolted, and could find herself in real danger. "Albus we have to find her and explain that we took her name out of the lottery to protect her. If something happens to her..."

"She will be all right, Sirius. Harry is smart and resourceful. Now get to the game and meet me by the lake as soon as it's over," Dumbledore told him firmly, but inside the old man was more than a little worried.

They had acted on his orders when they had deliberately taken her name from the lottery. He hadn't realized how much it had truly meant to her, and knew she had pieced together what they had done. Harry was hurt and confused. They had considered everyone's morale except hers. How could he have been so blind? Hurrying out of the castle, he met Hagrid as he was heading towards the quidditch field. Hagrid knew by the expression on Dumbledore's face that something was very wrong, and he knew it had to be about Harry.

"Professor Dumbledore, Sir, I ken tell by yer face somethin's wrong."

"Did Harry return for Snuffles?"

"No Sir, she's gone missin' hasn't she?"

"When she left the dog, did she have anything with her?" Dumbledore asked ignoring the question.

"Nothin' unusual, just 'er regular back pack. I figured she 'ad some o' 'er books in it. Thought it was odd this bein' Saturday, but the weather's been nice an' I know she likes ta study by the lake."

"I need you to go to Hogsmeade right away. From what we have discovered and what you have just told me I'm concerned that Harry has left the school."

"I figured somethin' was wrong when Sirius come down to see me. I'll do what ever I ken to help."

"I know, Hagrid," Dumbledore put his hand on the giant's arm, "go and find out if Harry took the Knight bus out of Hogsmeade. I believe she is upset with me about the lottery."

"Headmaster, why would she be upset? I know she was hurtin' 'cause she weren't picked, but why would that make 'er leave? Harry 'as better sense than that."

"Hagrid, we deliberately left Harry's name out of the lottery. We were concerned about the situation with Voldemort, and felt her safety would be jeopardized."

"Professor Dumbledore, Sir, it may not be my place ta say this, but ya done wrong. Harry's a good girl, and would do anythin' ya asked o' 'er. If ya 'ad just asked 'er not ta play 'an told 'er why she would've done if fer ya."

"Hagrid, you are probably right, but we didn't want her to feel like we were smothering her. We believed she would deal with the disappointment and go on, but as an empath we think she has realized what we did."

"I expect so, an' if I find 'er I'll bring 'er back, but I dunno if she's goin' ta want ta stay. I best get goin', seems like the match is over any way," Hagrid remarked hearing the din coming from the stadium. "Will there be anythin' else?"

"When you return from Hogsmeade, stay in your cottage in case she should come back for Snuffles. If she does, I want to see her immediately."

Hagrid nodded and turned towards the path into Hogsmeade. He was concerned about the situation with Dumbledore and Harry. He knew they both cared for one another, but the old man had made a mistake. He had lost Harry's trust, and that was not a good thing. She was now fair game for Lord Voldemort...

Harry had been shocked and hurt. The one person in all the world that she trusted and admired had deliberately kept her from playing in the quidditch match. He didn't confide in her but had hidden the fact that she was to be excluded from playing. Her friends had been avoiding her since the lottery too, and she didn't think they wanted her around. The whole school was talking about how Harry Potter, the best quidditch player in the school would not be in the matches. At first she thought it was just bad luck, and had cried herself to sleep, but as the days progressed she began to feel others guilt. Sirius and Remus were particularly upset and their emotional pain was very apparent.

Then she had gotten the note. It had been unsigned, and had said that she had not even been put in the lottery. It said Dumbledore didn't want her to play and that she was becoming a burden to him. She had wanted to confront him, but when she had gone to his office, he had been busy with Professor Binns, and was unable to see her. Harry didn't recognize the handwriting, and was sure the writer had tried to disguise his signature. The final straw was when Sirius had asked to borrow her Firebolt to play in the match. She had scanned him, felt his guilt, and could feel that he was relieved she was not playing. She knew then that it was all true. They had conspired against her for whatever reasons, and she really was becoming a burden. It was time to leave.

She took only the things she really prized, trying hard not to cry as she threw them into her backpack to avoid suspicion. She would find a way to get Snuffles later; in the meantime, she would be safe and well cared for with Hagrid. Leaving her at his cottage, she walked back in the direction of the school to make sure he wasn't watching her and then backtracked onto the path leading away from Hogwarts. She had one more stop to make. Following the path, she walked for about half an hour before spotting the gate to the cemetery. She had to say goodbye to her parents. She had no one else to talk to anymore. It took her another fifteen minutes, but she finally made her way through the cemetery to the gravesite.

The tree now had buds on it and the grass was turning green with the spring. The grave blanket had been replaced with fresh flowers of tulips, daffodils, and lilies. The Easter recess was in two weeks, and by then she would be home. She knew where she was going, and had looked it up in the atlas she had secured from the library. She would go back to Godric's Hollow, the only place where she had ever known true happiness and security. Sitting down on the little stone bench, she wondered if Artemis were watching. She had liked the little watcher elf, but had not seen or heard from her since New Years Eve. Harry still had the talisman and wondered if she should return it. Taking it from her backpack, she laid it over her parent's headstone.

"Dad, Mum, I've come to say goodbye. I have to leave Hogwarts and don't know when I'll be able to visit you again. I don't want to go, but Dumbledore is having a hard time trying to protect me from Lord Voldemort. He feels I have become a burden to him, and he has lied to me. I thought he loved me, but now I don't know what to think. Sirius and Remus also lied and so did Snape. My friends are false friends, and have been avoiding me, even Ron and Hermione. All I wanted to do was to play quidditch and help people forget about Lord Voldemort for a while. It half worked, anyway. Please forgive me for running away, but I'm not the person you believed in."

Harry sat crying openly, for there was no one around to hear her. "I met mama's friend the watcher elf, Artemis, and she gave me the talisman that I'm leaving here with you. She watches over this place. She'll understand that I need to give it back. I'm a failure and don't deserve such an honor..."

Artemis stood watching Harry as she spoke to her parents. She was more convinced than ever that the child of her friend was going to have a great destiny, but the young one needed guidance. She was alone, and at a time in her life where she was making the cross from child to adult. She still needed the love and support of her elders, but also needed to know where she belonged. Right now, this little one was feeling like she had been let down and was not worthy. Moreover, why did she say that the wise one had lied to her and believed her to be a burden? This was not the Albus Dumbledore she knew...

Sirius, Remus, and Snape hurried down to the lake as soon as the game had ended. It had only lasted for fifteen minutes, with the students scoring ten points before Snape had caught the golden snitch. He had made it a point to catch it quickly, so that they could go and find Harry. 'Blast, the girl had been doing so well, and had been so happy!' He had warned Albus that it was not a good idea to keep her from playing, but he did not listen. Of course, Black had come up with the idea, and Lupin had gone along with him. 'When will they learn how smart and loving she really is?' As they reached the lake, Dumbledore was waiting, worry etched into his features.

"I have sent Hagrid into Hogsmeade, but I think we need to search elsewhere too. Sirius do you think you could scent for her?"

"I can, but maybe we should use Snuffles too. I can let her know we are looking for Harry, and see if she scents her first. Harry may also not try to run from us if she sees the dog."

"Sirius do you really believe Harry would try and run if we find her?" Remus questioned his friend.

"Remus she's angry and hurt. She will probably also believe we are mad at her for trying to run away, and be afraid to face us."

"I believe you are right," Dumbledore acquiesced, "Harry does have a tendency to bolt when upset. Unfortunately, I am the cause. If I had listened to Severus, we would not be in this situation."

"Headmaster, you did what you thought was best for her protection," the Potions Master told him quietly. He did not like to see his friend so worried and unhappy.

"Let's just hope she's safe and we'll deal with the quidditch situation later. I'll go down and get Snuffles and leave word for Hagrid that the dog is with us," Sirius remarked heading towards Hagrid's cottage.

"Headmaster, do you have any idea where she may have gone?" Remus asked frowning.

"No, but it has only been a little more than an hour since we know she left the dog with Hagrid. If she hasn't gone into Hogsmeade that means she may be somewhere close."

"Unless of course she transformed and flew away," Snape suggested, voicing the Headmaster's worst fear.

"I have already considered that possibility and sent Fawkes to search for her from the air," Dumbledore replied as Sirius returned with Snuffles.

"If we're ready, I'll transform and Snuffles and I can try and find her scent."

"Very well, go ahead; the rest of us will follow you."

Sirius transformed into his dog form and communicated his desires to Snuffles, who barked and wagged her tail happily. They both set off noses to the ground. The puppy caught her mistress's scent first and barked happily. They followed it back towards the castle, but then the pup became confused. Sirius immediately realized Harry had doubled back and they had lost the trail.

He transformed back to human form and faced the others, "She doubled back, and we've lost the scent. It will take a little while to find it again, but I think we will be able to."

Dumbledore began to nod in agreement when there was an odd sensation of movement from the bushes by the path.

"One moment, Sirius, I believe we have a visitor." Artemis stood uncertainly by the path and nodded to the old man, with an uncertain smile. "Welcome, Artemis. My friends are well known to you, I'm sure."

"You are the Potions Master, Severus Snape. You once worked with the Dark Lord," she eyed Snape with suspicion and worry.

"I did, but my loyalties now lie with Albus Dumbledore. I regret any wrong doing I may have caused to your people," Snape looked at her with pain in his dark eyes, allowing her to see that he spoke the truth. She bowed her head and moved on.

"You are the one who was as a brother to James Potter; the one who runs as a dog."

"I am. My name is Sirius Black and James was my best friend," he responded, as she moved on to Remus.

"You are the one they call Remus. You have been touched by the curse of the sun god and walk with the moon as a wolf. We of the wood have watched and guarded you when the change is upon you."

"I am Remus Lupin, and I am grateful for your concern," Remus smiled, awed that the elf even knew his name.

"I have come to see the wise one," she said, her bell like voice filled with concern. "The child of my friend is in pain and confused. She speaks with her parents as I speak to you."

"Harry is at the cemetery?" Dumbledore's voice queried hopefully, and the elf nodded.

"She speaks of you, and says that you believe her to be a burden. She thinks you have lied to her."

Dumbledore studied the elf thoughtfully before replying, "I have never considered Harry a burden. I love her dearly, but I did lie to her. I wanted to protect her from the Dark Lord, but made a grievous error in judgment."

"Is it not the way of the elders to do what they feel is best? Unfortunately, sometimes we do not realize that the young ones will see it our way, and we use other means to protect them. Go and seek her where her parents sleep. She is young but possesses a wisdom that is rare. Soon she will cross the bridge from child to adult, and needs to know she will be welcomed when she does. The little girl needs your love; the young woman needs to know you will respect her opinion. I shall go and watch over her until you get there." She then vanished back into the bushes.

"Albus, I am more than a little moved by the watcher elf. Now I understand why Lily spoke so fondly of her. Is she really older than you?" Sirius looked at the old man astonished by what had just occurred.

"Yes she is two hundred years old. Now we had better get to Harry. Sirius why don't you transform and bring Snuffles. The rest of us will apparate and meet you by the cemetery gates."

"Understood," Sirius answered and then turned into Padfoot. He and Snuffles then bounded towards the path to the cemetery.

"Are you all ready?"

"Yes, Headmaster," Severus and Remus chorused.

Holding their wands into the air, they all apparated at once. Padfoot and Snuffles were just coming up the path, Snuffles wagging her tail, nose to the ground, following her mistress scent, as they appeared by the cemetery gates. At the same time, Fawkes appeared in the sky above them, and flew down to land on Dumbledore's shoulder.

"Yes, Fawkes, Artemis has told us that Harry is in the cemetery," Dumbledore spoke lovingly to his phoenix, giving him a treat from his robe pocket. "Should she try to fly away I want you to follow and try to get her to land."

The bird blinked and trilled quietly. Remus and Snape both had the idea that the bird understood what he was saying.

"Albus," Sirius spoke quietly, having transformed back to human form, "I think we had better get moving. It looks like a thunder storm is coming." The wind had started to spring up and the day was turning gray.

"Send Snuffles on ahead, Harry may stay put if the dog is with her. We can follow and meet her there."

Sirius indicated to the pup to follow the scent of her mistress and the young dog bounded off, wagging her tail and barking with excitement...

Harry knew she would have to leave soon, and hoped they hadn't realized that she was gone yet. She thought that Sirius would be looking for her to discuss the match, and a part of her felt guilty about leaving him. He had been through a lot and wanted so badly to make her happy. Nevertheless, he had lied to her, and that hurt felt like a stab in the heart. She cared very deeply for Sirius, and didn't like to do this to him, but he had to realize that he could have talked to her about whether he felt she should play or not. Snape and Remus too, she thought they would have had the common sense to at least tell Sirius or Dumbledore that what they were doing was wrong. As she mulled these thoughts over in her mind, a familiar barking came from the path, and Snuffles bounded up to her, her whole body wiggling with excitement.

"Oh no, puppy, you need to stay with Hagrid," Harry admonished the dog, as she licked the tears from her mistress' face, "how did you get loose?"

"We brought her with us," Sirius quiet voice came from behind her.

Harry turned swiftly, her heart in her throat. Sirius was standing behind her with Dumbledore, Remus, and Snape.

"Go away! I don't want to see any of you. You all lied to me and Dumbledore thinks I'm in his way," Harry cried, her body shaking with anger and pain. Snuffles whined in confusion as she sensed Harry's anxiety. "My friends don't even care to be near me. All I wanted to do was to make people forget about Voldemort, and I got more than I bargained for. I found out that I'm nothing more than a burden to people," Harry said grabbing her backpack, backing away from them, hurt and confusion marking her features.

"Miss Potter, I suggest you don't try to run. Between the four of us you would never make it," Snape said looking at her down his nose, the familiar warning note unmistakable in his voice.

"Don't be so sure, Professor, I might surprise you," Harry replied taking his measure. They had countered each other many times during her advanced tutoring sessions, and she was confident she could beat him.

"Snape, you'll hurt her," Sirius warned, holding him back, as Snape made to draw his wand.

"No more than the lot of you has already," Harry told Sirius coldly. "I thought you all cared about me, but I was wrong. It seems to me you shouldn't lie to people you care for."

"Princess, at least hear what we have to say. Albus didn't mean to hurt you; he just wanted to protect you. He felt you would be an open target in the air."

"And he couldn't just talk with me about it? Not to mention the fact that half of the teachers would have been up there with me! Remus, I probably would have been safer in the air than on the ground."

"Child," Dumbledore's soft voice was sober, "it was simply an error of judgment."

"You had no business deliberately leaving me out of the lottery. Did you all really believe I wouldn't find out? If you thought I was becoming a burden to you why not just send me back to the Dursley's?" Harry sobbed angrily, as a rumble of thunder sounded in the distance.

"Harry, you have never been a burden to me, and I don't know why you think you would be. I was wrong in what I did. I want you to come back to Hogwarts, and we'll talk about it."

"I don't want to go back. There's nothing there for me anymore. I have no friends, or family. Just leave me alone."

"Young one," Artemis voice came from the tree, appearing as if she were a part of the scenery, "you are more loved and cared for than even the two who sleep in the earth beside you could have wished for."

"No, I'm not. My friends have shunned me, my godfather and the headmaster have lied, and the two people whose opinions I value most allowed them to do it."

"Then listen to what they are saying to you now. I have lived even longer than the wise one, you loves you as his own, and even I have made a few mistakes with my children. He wishes only to protect you, but forgets that you have both desires, and feelings. You are halfway from childhood and not yet, an adult, but you need to be heard. Go home to Hogwarts, and let them listen to you, but listen to them too. I know much of what is in your heart, for I have watched you grow."

Harry just stood crying, her green eyes locked with Artemis' violet ones. She had the strangest feeling that the elf knew what she was thinking, and she wanted to scan her emotions but felt it would be rude. Snuffles picked that moment to go up to the elf and bark, licking her tiny hand.

"Snuffles, no, bad dog, leave Artemis alone."

"She loves you very much, and knows I watch for you. She wishes for you to go with your family and is confused that you left her," Artemis explained. Seeing the look on Harry's face she continued, "We of the wood can communicate with the animals by telepathy. She is a good dog, and will be loyal to you," Artemis smiled as another clap of thunder sounded, accompanied by a flash of lightening.

"Harry, please come home. There's a bad storm coming, and I'm going to turn gray worrying about you out in it," Sirius smiled his brown eyes large and begging.

"Potter, if you insist on staying out in the rain, that's your business, but the Headmaster does not need to catch a chill with this storm."

"Professor, I don't think you should be telling me what's best for the Headmaster. He's well over a hundred years old and is capable of speaking for himself! Headmaster, if you'll allow me, I will walk back to Hogwarts with you."

"I will be delighted, and when we get back we can have some of my favorite hot chocolate and we'll talk," Dumbledore beamed, relieved that she was not going to try to run.

"Young one, you are forgetting something," Artemis smiled, as the talisman vanished from where Harry had put it on the grave marker and reappeared around her neck.

"I really don't deserve this. I haven't done anything to warrant it."

"Look back on your life, little one, and you will see that you are special. You also have a good friend, who will walk by your side as your brother for as long as you both live. He is the one who has hair the color of ochre. He will be there when you need him," she hinted mysteriously, and then vanished.

"Headmaster, how does she know that?"

"I don't know, Child, but if she says it she means it," he replied as they started walking back down the path.

"I believe she's talking about Mr. Weasley, Miss Potter."

"No kidding, Snape, do you really think so?" Harry said sarcastically, as the Potions Master raised his eyebrows at the way she spoke to him, and Sirius snickered.

"Miss Potter, I would suggest you watch how you address me unless you wish to lose some points."

"Professor, do you go to bed at night thinking up ways to drive the students crazy?"

"Actually I have a whole log book of ideas; in fact, you actually rate an entire chapter," Snape arched his brow, keeping his face deadpan.

"That's not good," Harry shook her head, "I think I should have more than one chapter after all this time."

"Careful, Princess, he may just devise something new for your next detention."

"Professor Lupin, he just likes to push my buttons, but he knows it isn't that easy. It was probably his idea to leave me out of the lottery."

"No, Harry," Sirius looked at her, his brown eyes troubled, "it was me and Dumbledore that decided to do it. Severus argued against it."

Harry stopped in her tracks, and looked at the two men with such a hurt expression that Sirius lowered his eyes and Dumbledore placed a hand on her shoulder to try to offer his apology.

"Professor Snape, I apologize for insinuating that it was your idea. Thank you for believing in me. It's a pity that our Headmaster and my Godfather don't. I suppose Professor Lupin just went along with the idea too?"

"I'm sorry, Princess, I thought it would help to keep you out of harms way," Lupin apologized as another rumble of thunder sounded coming closer.

"Miss Potter, I suggest that we hurry along, or we will all be soaked before we reach the castle. We can discuss this in the Headmaster's office."

"Professor, it's only a little rain," Harry shook her head at their worried expressions; "you're all acting like we're going to melt."

"Child, Severus is right, we need to get you inside," Dumbledore replied worriedly, as he took her arm to hurry her up the path. Hogwarts was in sight and they would reach there shortly.

"Headmaster, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just don't want you to catch a cold."

Harry studied his face warily, and spoke quietly, "I know something's wrong..."

She never finished the sentence. Just ahead of them, three figures disapparated, and Dumbledore pushed her behind him. Snuffles was growling and the hackles were raised on her back.

"We need to stay around her," Dumbledore ordered as two more figures appeared behind them. All wore the robes of the Deatheaters.

"Do you really believe you can keep us from her old man?" A familiar voice spoke from behind one of the masks, "our master will not allow her to go free. He has special plans for her."

"You will not have her today or any other day," Dumbledore answered, wand raised, his blue eyes like steel. "Your master is a coward or he would have come himself."

"Tell me, Lucius, why do you even bother with that ridiculous mask? Surely you're aware we all know each one of you," Snape remarked calmly, as if this was a commonplace occurrence.

"Severus...you are the last person I expected to find here. Lord Voldemort will be pleased when he arrives."

"I don't think so. Pity I won't get to see him punish you Malfoy. I guess I'll just have to do it myself," Snape stared coldly at the masked man.

"Lucius, do you really believe you will be able to take Harry? I sincerely doubt you will get past all of us," Sirius addressed the hooded figure.

"You all forget, there are five of us to four of you, and you are all surrounded," Malfoy laughed harshly.

"Oh brother, what an asshole. Draco really is a chip off the old block," Harry called from inside the circle they had formed around her, as Remus gently nudged her to be quiet.

"I see the little brat still thinks she is better than my pure blood son. The half blood bitch."

"Hey, Lucius, if I were you, I'd be a little more careful about touting your so called pure blood. If I recall correctly Tom Riddle's father was a muggle too. How is that for a joke; the bigoted pure blood Malfoys are the lap dogs of a man whose father was a Muggle." Harry deliberately taunted Lucius to distract him.

"If I was you Potter, I would watch my mouth," Malfoy warned coldly, "you have a very nice puppy. I'm sure you wouldn't want anything to happen to her."

"You so much as try to harm my dog, Malfoy, and I will make certain that your son will pay the price," Harry told him her voice low and steely. "In fact, maybe you would like to see him suffer a little. I know he's here with you now," she said scanning the younger Malfoy.

She had recognized him by his hair, and could tell the Deatheater was just a youth by his size compared to the others, but she also sensed his fear and revulsion. Harry knew he didn't want to be there.

"You dare to threaten my son, you half blood bitch!"

"You know what, Malfoy," Harry looked at Snape and nodded with a smile, "you're right. Draco is just not up to my standards, but you on the other hand..." she directed her wand between Snape and Remus, "Stupefy!" Malfoy fell like a ton of bricks, Draco ran over to his father, and the other three Deatheaters were suddenly in the midst of an altercation with wands exchanging fire in rapid succession.

Sirius fired on the larger of the other two men, and hit him with a Cruciatus curse. He screamed in agony, and fell to his knees. Dumbledore never used his wand, and Harry was stunned to see him look at the other two men and send them flying backwards about ten feet.

"Apparate now!" the headmaster yelled, as Snape grabbed onto Harry.

"Get Snuffles," she called as she felt herself move through space and time. They reappeared in front of the school, and rushed Harry into the front door. "Where's my puppy?" she inquired frantically.

"Here, Child," Dumbledore smiled as Fawkes flew in carrying the pup by the scruff of the neck. The phoenix gently set the pup down on the floor and then landed on Harry's shoulder, trilling and blinking his eyes at her.

"You are such a wonderful bird, thank you for bringing my pup," Harry beamed as she gave Fawkes a treat. "Is everyone else all right?"

"Now she asks?" Sirius laughed looking at her rakishly, "Remus, what are we going to do with her?"

"If she were a few years younger we could put her to bed without supper."

"A good spanking would be more like it," Professor Snape commented shaking his head, lips pursed.

"You're just jealous because I hit Lucius Malfoy with that curse before you could," Harry tossed her head.

"My dear Miss Potter, if you had let me go after Malfoy we would no longer have to worry about him."

"Ahem," Dumbledore looked down his glasses at them all, "this is not something we should be discussing in the main hallway. I suggest we all retire to my office as planned and talk there." Fawkes looked up at Dumbledore's remarks and flew up the stairs, with Snuffles bounding after him.

They all proceeded to the Headmaster's Office and were surprised to find not just Fawkes and Snuffles, but a group of students waiting there. Among them were Ron, Ginny, the Slytherin Prefect, and the bulk of the quidditch team members from each of the houses.

"Excuse us Headmaster," the Slytherin Prefect and Captain of the Quidditch team stated stepping out from the group with Ron.

"Mr. Byron, is there something I can do for all of you?"

"Yes, Headmaster. We were all upset that Harry wasn't playing and everyone in the school got together to vote on who should actually play on the student team. We don't mean to be disrespectful, but we feel the students should be allowed to pick who plays for them in the Quidditch matches."

"Mr. Byron," Snape interrupted, "the Headmaster selected the players by lottery, that way everyone had a chance."

"I'm sorry Professor Snape, but we both know that isn't true. Harry, they left you out on purpose. The Headmaster said he didn't feel it was safe for you because of the Dark Lord. We don't believe that. You have stood up for everyone of us and risked your life any number of times. If anything were to happen, we would all be up there with you and so would the teachers. The students also voted to pick the rest of the team to make it fair."

"Professor Dumbledore," Harry is my best friend and the best Quidditch player in the school. If she can't play then I won't either," Ron asserted firmly as the group behind him agreed.

"Well, Harry, it seems that your friends and classmates have it all arranged. I shall be interested to see how the next match goes. May I have the list of team members?" Dumbledore smiled holding out his hand for the names of the students.

"Then it's all right? She can play?" Ron asked hopefully as the Slytherin Quidditch captain handed Dumbledore the new list of names.

"Do you want to play, Harry?" Dumbledore smiled placing his arm around her shoulders. Her eyes had filled with tears, and she nodded mutely, unable to find the words she wanted to say. "Very well, she can play and I'll post the new roster. However, the first game still stands."

"Fair enough, Headmaster," Byron said shaking the Headmaster's hand in agreement, while the group of students cheered, and Ron hugged Harry.

"Where have you been, anyway? I got worried when you weren't at the game?" Ron asked as the other students dispersed.

"I was feeling a little down and went to the cemetery to visit my parent's grave," Harry explained, not wanting to tell him she had actually been running away.

"Ron, would you like to join us for some hot chocolate?" Dumbledore smiled at the red headed youth.

"Sure! That is if it's all right with the others," he answered looking at the Professors.

"Of course, Ron," Sirius replied with a smile, "maybe you can talk some common sense into my stubborn goddaughter's head."

"Professor Black, I have been trying to do that for the past six years, she just smiles and goes about her business."

"As I recall," Snape looked at Ron sardonically as Dumbledore opened his door, "you were usually with her when she was going about her business."

"Well someone had to try and keep her out of trouble."

"It seems to me I have been doing just that, with the added bonus of a red headed youth, and girl with long bushy hair," Snape looked at Ron as if he were a thing to be dissected.

"Now, Severus, you really shouldn't tease young Mr. Weasley, you're making him nervous," Dumbledore admonished, ringing for the house elf.

"Am I?" Snape smiled wryly, as Dobby appeared.

"Headmaster, do you require something? Dobby will get if for you," the elf bounced up and down dizzily.

"Hot chocolate, and some sandwiches or cakes," Dumbledore directed him.

"Very good, hot chocolate, sandwiches and cakes," Dobby repeated snapping his fingers. As soon as Dobby vanished, the food appeared on the table and they all took seats by the fire.

Harry curled up on the sofa between Sirius and Snape while Ron pulled up a chair next to Professor Lupin. Dumbledore sat in his large high back desk chair.

"Ron, I'm going to trust you not to repeat what you hear in this room today," Dumbledore said, his blue eyes looking him squarely in the eye.

"Headmaster, I won't say anything, but I don't understand why you are asking me to keep quiet."

"Because I was running away, Ron," Harry answered for the Headmaster.

"Harry, what is wrong with you!" Ron demanded upset by her admission, "what would make you feel that you had to leave Hogwarts?"

"That is what we're here to discuss. Fortunately we found Harry before she was attacked," Sirius said quietly.

"Attacked! Who attacked you?"

"Deatheaters, Mr. Weasley, they surrounded us while we walked back from the cemetery," Snape looked at him, his dark eyes measuring the boy's reaction.

"Harry, how did they know where you were?"

"A few nights ago Lucius Malfoy got into the school and attacked Professor Snape. I felt something was wrong and went to see what it was and found them. Fortunately, I used my cloak, and Dumbledore, Sirius and Remus came to investigate too. It seems someone in the school helped him to gain access, and we were all nearly killed by Voldemort."

"You know who was in the school?"

"Not exactly, Ron," Dumbledore reassured him, "there are charms on the school that prevent him access, but he has other means of causing trouble."

"Headmaster, if someone in the school helped Malfoy to get in..." Ron began mulling an idea over in his mind," could it have to do with the Prophecy, and someone betraying Harry?"

"It's entirely Possible, Ron," Professor Lupin responded as Dumbledore nodded.

"You all don't think I would betray her, do you?"

"Not a prayer, Ron Weasley. In fact, the watcher elf I met saw me again today. She says you and I will be best friends our whole life."

"You saw the watcher elf again? She knows who I am?"

"Yes, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore nodded amused by the boy's apparent amazement. "Artemis says you are Harry's true friend. She didn't call you by name, but referred to you by your red hair."

"All right!" Ron beamed sitting up straight. "But Harry, why did you try to run away in the first place. You've never run from anything in your life, except maybe the Dursley's, and no one would blame you for that!"

"I found out I was left out of the lottery on purpose. I was hurt that I was lied to by people I thought cared about me, and when my friends started avoiding me, well..." she shrugged.

"Harry, why didn't you come and talk to me, or even to Dumbledore? It's not like you not to confront a problem."

"I did come to see Dumbledore, but he couldn't see me. He was busy with Professor Binns."

"When was this, Child, and who told you I was too busy to speak with you?"

"I came to see you last Tuesday, and Professor Flitwick said you were unavailable to speak with students and sent me away. I tried again on Thursday, but you were at the Ministry again on business. Then I got this note that said you believed I was becoming a burden and that I was deliberately left out of the lottery."

"What note, honey? You didn't say anything before."

"Here, it's in my backpack," she explained taking the note out and handing it to Sirius.

"It's unsigned, Albus. Whoever sent this to her wanted Harry to leave the building, or at least not show up for the Quidditch match," Sirius remarked thoughtfully as he gave the note to Dumbledore.

"Princess, why didn't you come to any of the rest of us. You know we always have time to listen."

"Professor Lupin calls you Princess?" Ron interrupted looking at Harry sideways, trying not to snicker.

"You don't want to go there Ron Weasley, it just has to do with a story I told him."

"I'm not saying anything, besides you may try to levitate me again like you did when I found out you were a witch."

"Don't be ridiculous, I would do something entirely different."

"Oh, really, miss smarty pants, like you could get away with it a second time and in the Headmaster's office."

"Ron, you are about an inch away from getting me really annoyed," Harry warned tilting her head in vexation.

"You just hate it when I'm right."

"You may be right about me not getting away with it, but that doesn't mean I won't try," Harry smiled, her green eyes flashing as she whipped out her wand, "Asellus Auris." Ron's ears immediately transformed into those of a donkey. "You look absolutely charming."

"Harry Potter you turn my ears back right now!"

"Harry, this will not earn you extra points in class," Sirius laughed, "now turn Ron's ears back right now before the Headmaster gets angry.

"Before he gets angry? I might remind the lot of you that the reason we are all here is that you all lied to me. If anything, I'm the wronged party."

"Harry," Dumbledore looked over his glasses, his voice stern, "turn Ron's ears back right now, or I will get angry."

"Harry, please, before Dumbledore gets mad at you. I don't want to see you get into any trouble," Ron implored, worried about what the Headmaster would do to her.

"Incantanmentum Rescindo," Harry said with a wave of her wand. Ron's ears immediately returned to normal.

"You did that quite well," Dumbledore smiled, relieved that she was not going to try to instigate him into doing magic. He knew she was still upset, but did not want to have to immobilize her to plead his case. "Now, I believe Professor Lupin and Ron both asked you why you didn't confide in any of them."

"How could I? I knew you were all feeling guilty and I didn't believe you would admit the truth to me. You all keep things from me and tell me it's to protect me, but I always find out anyway. I'm a human being. I don't like being lied to or kept in ignorance when it involves my life."

"Miss Potter, Harry...we only keep things from you so that you don't have to shoulder the burden of worrying about them. You need to think about your studies, and spend time with your friends. We're just trying to let you have some normalcy in an otherwise chaotic situation."

"Professor Snape, my life stopped being normal the night my parents were murdered," Harry sighed miserably. "I feel like you all let me down by lying to me. How can I confide in people who can't even tell me the truth, or ask me to listen to something that they feel would be beneficial?"

"Harry, you might have said something to me," Ron looked at her perplexed, "it's not like you to avoid telling me how you feel."

" Ron, I figured out that you knew about my not being in the lottery. As far as I knew, you agreed with them and felt I was in the way."

"Harry James Potter, you have never been in the way. You're good, kind, loving, and funny. You are also the bravest person I know. We may get mad at each other from time to time, but I would never deliberately cause your feelings to be hurt. If you realized I knew, why didn't you just...just... turn my ears into donkey ears! That would have gotten my attention and maybe you could have resolved the situation before you felt you had to leave."

"You know, Ron, sometimes you actually make sense."

"I'm glad you listened to him, Child. Now will you listen to me.?" Dumbledore asked, and seeing her nod, continued, "That note is a hoax. I have never considered you a burden. It was wrong not to talk to you about playing in the Quidditch matches, but we were concerned for your safety. I am even more concerned now. Whoever is working with Voldemort will try again. I want you to be extra careful and come to one of us immediately if you suspect anything. If you can't come yourself, send Ron with a message. Is that perfectly clear?"

"Yes, Sir."

"I dread to think about what would have happened today if we hadn't been with you," Sirius shuddered. "Honey, you could have been killed."

"Sirius, if you hadn't been with me I could have escaped quiet easily."

"Harry, you don't know that for certain," Ron looked apprehensive, "how many Deatheaters were there?"

"There were five, Mr. Weasley," Snape responded matter of factly.

"Professor did you recognize the other three besides the Malfoy's?"

"The Malfoy's?" Ron gasped. "You mean Draco was there with his father?"

"Yes, Mr. Weasley, Draco was on the raid."

"I always knew he was bad news," Ron sneered, "Harry, I'm surprised you didn't try to put a spell on him."

"Ron, sometimes being an empath can pay off. This may surprise all of you but Draco did not want to be there. I sensed his fear and revulsion. I had the impression he felt he was trapped in the situation."

"Are you sure about that, Harry?" Remus asked quietly, mulling over this new information.

"Harry, that's crazy. Draco has hated you and been an arrogant nasty bastard towards any one with Muggle blood his whole life. If you aren't a wealthy Pure Blood you were dirt."

"Mr. Weasley that was Draco's father's teaching. It could be that Draco himself has seen that his way of thinking is unacceptable."

"That and he's scared to death of both his father and Voldemort," Harry stated thoughtfully, "he's always been somewhat of a coward. That's why he kept Crabbe and Goyle with him."

"The Senior Crabbe and Goyle were with them both today," Snape acknowledged. "I believe the other member of the team may have been Avery, but I'm not certain since I didn't hear his voice."

"Severus, you don't think it may have been a new follower of Lord Voldemort, do you?"

"No, Headmaster. The Dark Lord would not trust a new recruit to try to capture Harry."

"Then why was Draco there?" Ron demanded curiously.

"I believe Draco was allowed to go along since his father is among Voldemort's inner circle. Lucius probably wanted to make an example out of Harry and show his son that she was not the adversary he thought."

"I hope you kicked his ass, Harry!" Ron exclaimed, his eyes flashing.

"Actually, Ron, I put a Cruciatus curse on his father, and Draco panicked and ran straight over to daddy," she replied smugly, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"All right, nice job, Harry."

"That's when all the fighting began," Sirius looked at his goddaughter, pursing his lips.

"Just wanted to give you all a little fun. Besides, our Headmaster just makes things more and more interesting."

"Harry, I would rather you not talk about what you have seen to the other students," Dumbledore rebuked her gently.

"Not even Ron?" She pouted, curling her lip, and putting on her best-hurt face.

"Child," Dumbledore laughed, "you certainly know how to make an old man feel guilty."

"I thought I kept you young."

"Sometimes, and at others you age me another ten years. You most assuredly know how to make things interesting," he studied her thoughtfully. "You can tell Ron, and only Ron. You may not even tell Hermione. Do you understand me?"

"Absolutely, Headmaster," she looked at him affectionately, and he was pleased she had calmed down and was no longer angry or upset.

"Now why don't you two go and have some fun for the rest of the afternoon, while we try and figure out how best to protect you during the quidditch matches."

"Excuse me Headmaster, but I still have one question."

"What is it Ron?" Sirius asked, glad that Ron was Harry's friend. They had a kind of comradeship that he and James had both shared.

"Harry, how the heck did you think you could escape from five Deatheaters all by yourself?"

Harry grinned and looked towards Dumbledore for confirmation before she answered. He slowly inclined his head, giving her permission to speak, his blue eyes laughing. Sirius and Remus were both smiling and Professor Snape just rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Why, Ron, I would have just flown away."

"Harry, you couldn't fly away because Sirius had your Thunderbolt."

"Who says I needed my broom?"

"Harry, don't be ridiculous of course you need..." He began, but was struck dumb as Harry transformed into her Phoenix, and flew around the room, landing on his shoulder, trilling happily, as she blinked at him. "Headmaster," Ron's voice cracked, and he took a minute to clear it flushing with embarrassment, "Harry just turned into a bloody Phoenix!" His eyes were wide with wonder and excitement.

"Harry is an animagus, Ron," Dumbledore smiled, gently patting him on the back.

"Harry, why didn't you tell me?"

"She was told not to tell anyone, Ron," Professor Lupin informed the stunned student.

"Why? This is so fantastic. I've heard about magical animagi, but they're very rare."

"She is not permitted to say anything to anyone, Ron, due to the situation with Lord Voldemort," Dumbledore explained slowly, as Harry flew back to the sofa and transformed.

"I'm also unregistered, but your father is aware that I can transform. Our Headmaster feels that it's something we should try to keep from Voldemort for as long as possible. It can be used as an asset in the fight against him. I'm just surprised he let me tell you today," Harry looked at Dumbledore quizzically.

"Ron, I allowed Harry to show you what she can do, since you are such a close friend and a true ally. You are both not to tell anyone else."

"Not even Hermione?" Ron asked looking at the four men.

"No, Ron, Hermione is not to be told. The watcher elf believes in you, and they are very perceptive, with a magic all their own. That is why I have allowed you to be a party to this information. I expect you to respect the confidences we have shared with you."

"I will, Professor Dumbledore," Ron replied seriously, knowing he had been given privileged information. "Harry, how long have you been an animagus?"

"Since just before Christmas, the only other person here in Hogwarts who knows is Professor McGonagall, so if something should happen while I'm transformed you can go to her too."

"Miss Potter, do you believe you may have a problem in your animagus form?"

"No, Professor Snape, but you never know what the Dark Lord is up to. This way Ron knows who he can call on for help."

"Good thought, Harry," Sirius said giving her an affectionate squeeze.

"Thanks. Now before you all throw us out of here," she joked, knowing they wanted to talk about how to best keep her safe, "I have a bit of a problem."

"What is it, honey," Sirius inquired concernedly.

"How am I supposed to play Quidditch when you are using my broom?" she asked him, hands on her hips, raising her brows.

"I think we should give Harry her little present now, instead of waiting," Professor Lupin looked at his friend knowingly.

"Professor Lupin is right," Snape agreed, "it would be the prudent thing to do."

"Headmaster?" Sirius looked at Dumbledore for approval.

"In view of the circumstances, it would be wise. Harry, we knew how badly you felt about not being able to play originally, so Sirius wanted to make it up to you and bought you this..." Dumbledore went over to a large cabinet. Removing a long package, he handed it to her.

"Look Ron, a new broom!" she smiled broadly, as she unwrapped the broom.

"Harry, that's the new Firebolt Lightening Rod!" Ron exclaimed in awe, "It's supposed to be even better than your Firebolt."

"Cool," Harry hugged Sirius, delighted with her new broom, "I should make you feel guilty more often."

"No, I should be more alert to your feelings," he tweaked her nose playfully. "What will you do with the Firebolt after the matches?"

"Unless you have a use for it, I think we should give it to Ron."

"I think so too. Ron, once I'm done with the Firebolt it's yours," Sirius grinned as Ron's mouth dropped open.

"Thank you," he whooped, jumping up and shaking his hand, "come on, Harry, let's go plan our game strategy and leave them to worry about security before they change their minds."

"I'm right behind you," she replied giving a soft whistle for Snuffles to follow them. "I'll talk to you later."

"Walk, you two!" Dumbledore admonished shaking his head as they took the moving stairs two at a time, and the four men smiled.

They discussed the best ways to make certain Harry would be safe until dinner, and then headed to the Great Hall. It was difficult, but not impossible, and they all were glad that they had finally allowed her to play. Sirius was particularly relieved, and vowed that he would spend more time with Harry. He didn't want her ever to feel that she couldn't trust his word again.