"Harry has grown quite attached- are you sure you want to leave?" Dumbledore asked from the doorway and I looked back over to him,

"I fought in two wars, already, trust me when I say this is not my war to fight," Dumbledore seemed to hesitate,

"I was... I was wrong. I failed Tom, and I fear to fail Harry," he said and I turned to look at him fully for the first time that night,

"You have already failed Harry, you are no better than the gods when it comes to parenting," I said evenly not even bothering to hide my dislike for him, Dumbledore nodded his head slowly,

"Then it would be selfish to ask you to stay for him," Dumbledore said and I nodded agreeing,

"Not to mention manipulative," I said, continuing to pack, "You're an ass,"

"Did Harry retrieve the prophecy?" Dumbledore asked after another long pause, I glanced over my shoulder at him before shrugging,

"I was a little preoccupied," I lied, and Dumbledore hummed,

"Alright, if you wish to return to Hogwarts, we'll always have a spot for you, but keep in mind after next year I will not be alive," that made me stop. What kind of lunatic- he was baiting me.

"It's not going to work Dumbledore," I said.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches

Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies

And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have the power the Dark Lord knows not

And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies" Recited Dumbledore,

"I remember that day very vividly," he said and I nodded,

"Sure, but prophecies are filled with double meanings and tricky language, they are not meant to tell the future but guide the path, so stop forcing Harry's hand," I said stuffing the last of my stuff into my bag,

"I will finish up the rest of the year, then we will go from there"

I woke to my door slamming open and Draco placing a paper on my desk. I glanced at him then back at the paper, tears were in his eyes,

"W-we made progress," he admitted. "But he's called out my father as a death eater." There was a pause before Draco continued, "He's right, but he didn't have to sell him out,"

"Draco-," I said reaching out to him, "He didn't. He came back with me- there was no time to talk to any press, or anyone really," Draco looked up,

"H-he didn't sell my father out?" he asked and I shook my head slowly, seeing some of the tension melt out of his shoulders

"Although the next year will be tough for you, you're going to be asked a number of difficult things that you will think that you don't have a choice in," I said, and Draco pulled back,

"Wait. You're not coming back?" Draco asked and I hesitated,

"Draco I-,"

"No. You have to! Please, Professor! You have to!" Draco said and my eyes widened, I had never- I hesitated before hanging my head,

"I will consider it," I said, defeated. Draco beamed, tears long forgotten,

"I look forward to seeing you next year then," he said glancing at the paper before brushing past it and out the door.

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