Harry Potter felt an odd heaviness, as if age had crept upon him overnight. How else could he explain feeling out of step with the ever-changing world around him?
Professor McGonagall had assumed the role of Hogwarts Principal, while Professor Dumbledore had retired, spending his days quietly at the castle. Minister Crouch, who had held office only briefly, suddenly became a wanted criminal, and Minister Dantes was appointed in a time of turmoil.
Dana Emrys, whom Harry considered a close friend, had grown immensely powerful in just half a semester. She could fly unaided, Apparate within Hogwarts, and even summon the souls of the deceased back to the present world. News of the near-completion of Merlin City's second phase, once the cause for long discussions among young wizards, now barely stirred Harry.
Surprisingly, Snape had become calm during this time. Harry occasionally caught sight of a rare smile on the professor's face. More astonishingly, Snape's attitude toward him had shifted: he no longer picked on Harry in class and even praised him for good work, though Gryffindor points were still hard to come by.
This sudden change puzzled Harry. After dinner, he resolved to consult Professor Lupin for guidance. He trusted Lupin implicitly, having witnessed the professor's bond with his parents during a Quidditch match against Slytherin.
"Harry, where are you going?" Hermione called, her tone sharp.
"I have some questions for Professor Lupin," Harry replied.
Hermione looked exhausted, quick to irritability. "Oh, so you're being studious now? Are you trying to compete for first place in our year?"
She continued, almost boastfully, "Your Potions have improved a lot this semester. Your Charms and Transfiguration are solid too, but even if I dropped Divination, I'd still top the year. You don't stand a chance!"
Harry blinked in surprise. Who cared about first place? Only Dana's early course completion prevented Hermione from monopolizing the top spot entirely.
"Yes, yes, yes, Hermione—you're the best! First in the year! I need to go find Professor Lupin before curfew," Harry said, shaking his head.
Hermione snorted and headed toward Gryffindor Tower. Harry turned the opposite way, hurrying toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
As he rounded a corner on the second floor, a familiar voice called out, "Harry Potter!"
It was Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost who shared a warm friendship with Harry.
"Hello, Nick. Do you need me for something?" Harry asked.
"Professor Dumbledore wants to see you," Nick replied.
Harry's heart leapt. Perhaps Dumbledore had something crucial to share. "Alright, I'll go see him now," he said.
"Better hurry; don't keep him waiting," Nick said with a smile, drifting through the wall.
Dumbledore now resided in a small, empty room on the sixth floor of Gryffindor Tower. Many rooms in Hogwarts were unoccupied due to the reduced staff. Harry approached and found the door opening on its own.
"Harry, come in," Dumbledore beckoned.
Inside, Dumbledore wore a purple dressing gown, sitting on the bed with a book open on his lap.
"Sit anywhere," he said, "the chairs aren't as comfortable as before, but don't mind that."
Harry took a chair that reminded him of those at the Leaky Cauldron and sat down casually. "May I ask why you called me here?"
Dumbledore closed his book and placed it on the bedside table. Rising, he sat across from Harry, looking intently into his emerald eyes.
"Harry, there are things you must know in advance. Certain forces leave me no time to wait for you to grow slowly," he said gravely.
Harry's nerves tensed. "Please, tell me."
"Do you know why you survived Voldemort's Killing Curse?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry hesitated. "Voldemort chose me over Neville, so I became the one in the prophecy?"
"Yes," Dumbledore affirmed. "Only you can truly defeat Voldemort. The burden is yours alone." He sighed. "You are far from a match for him now, but the Wizarding World's survival depends on your growth."
Harry's brow furrowed. "But Minister Dantes is here now, and even he can't fight Voldemort. Among the young wizards, I'm not the most capable. I can't compare to Hermione, let alone Dana."
Dumbledore's lips twitched involuntarily as he stroked his beard. "Logic dictates that Voldemort's death curse should have killed him instantly when it rebounded off your mother's magic. Yet…"
"But yet he tried to get the Philosopher's Stone in my first year," Harry interrupted.
"Exactly. You must remember the case of Dunat Avery. What you don't know is that Voldemort secretly drank unicorn blood in the Forbidden Forest, while possessing Quirrell."
Harry's face remained calm. Dumbledore, confused, asked, "You're not surprised?"
"I heard about it from Hagrid," Harry said, scratching his head.
"Well, then," Dumbledore said with a sigh, "Voldemort is alive in a strange form and may return at any moment. Until we uncover the secret to his immortality, his threat will remain."
Harry processed this. "So, even if I'm not the strongest, the prophecy says I will eliminate Voldemort. Only I can kill him."
"Yes, Harry. This is your destiny," Dumbledore said firmly.
Harry, lacking experience in finding the Chamber of Secrets or defeating the Basilisk, felt unsure. "Professor, I'm not sure I can do it. Flying isn't enough; I have no exceptional skills."
"You must believe in yourself," Dumbledore said. "You are the child of prophecy."
"I will work twice as hard," Harry resolved.
Dumbledore nodded in approval. "There's something I need your help with."
Harry straightened in his chair. "Of course, Professor."
"For reasons unknown, I cannot send letters myself. I need you to deliver two letters when you visit Hogsmeade this weekend—one to Gai Avery and one to Mundungus Fletcher. Then, visit the Hog's Head Inn weekly and bring back any replies."
"Gai Avery?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"Not a Death Eater," Dumbledore explained. "He is an undercover agent near Voldemort. This matter is crucial and must remain secret."
Harry felt a surge of purpose. "I won't fail."
"Return to the common room safely, and don't lose points for Gryffindor," Dumbledore said.
Harry paused at the door, then asked, "Professor, one more thing—why has Snape's attitude toward me changed?"
Dumbledore's eyes flickered in understanding. "Severus and your mother were childhood sweethearts. Dana can summon the deceased. Snape fears your mother might return to Hogwarts."
Harry's face lit with joy. "Dana can bring my mother back?"
"Perhaps," Dumbledore said gravely. "But if Voldemort returns, your dream of a normal life could be shattered."
"I understand, Professor. I'll do as you've asked," Harry promised.
After he left, Dumbledore's face reflected deep concern. "Dana, why can't you see that the only thing that matters is Voldemort's complete destruction?"
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