The Lost Prophecy

Harry lands in Dumbledore’s repaired office, consumed by guilt over Sirius. As portraits stir, Dumbledore arrives, reports no lasting student injuries, and tries to console Harry. Harry erupts, smashing instruments and demanding to leave. Dumbledore bars the door, then accepts responsibility for Sirius’s death and asks Harry to listen.

Dumbledore explains he distanced himself fearing Voldemort would exploit Harry’s connection, and arranged Occlumency with Snape. He details Kreacher’s betrayal: after being ordered out, the elf confided in Narcissa Malfoy, learned Harry was Sirius’s weak point, and, on Voldemort’s orders, kept Sirius upstairs by injuring Buckbeak so Kreacher could lie to Harry via the fire. Snape alerted the Order and misled Umbridge with fake Veritaserum; Sirius defied requests to stay behind and died at the Ministry.

Dumbledore and Harry clash over Sirius, Snape, and treatment of Kreacher. Dumbledore broadens the lesson, admitting wizards’ mistreatment of others and his own failure to make Sirius’s confinement easier. He then reveals why Harry lived with the Dursleys: Lily’s sacrifice empowered a blood charm, renewed by Harry calling Privet Drive home, which protects him from Voldemort.

Dumbledore recounts withholding the truth across Harry’s school years out of misguided care. He produces the Pensieve and plays Trelawney’s prophecy: a July-born child of parents who thrice defied Voldemort will be marked as his equal, possess a power Voldemort knows not, and either must die at the hand of the other.

Dumbledore explains the prophecy could have applied to Neville, but Voldemort chose Harry and “marked” him, ensuring Harry is the subject. Voldemort heard only the first half via an eavesdropper, prompting his premature attack. The unknown “power” is love: it drew Harry to save Sirius and repelled Voldemort’s possession. Finally, Dumbledore confirms one must kill the other. He adds he denied Harry the prefect badge to spare him more burden, and Harry sees a tear on Dumbledore’s face.