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"You're lucky the spell wasn't used to its full power," said Madame Pomfrey, dressing her wounds. It had been a day after the Battle at the Department of Mysteries, and Fawkes' tears had saved her from the brink of death. She had woken up the night before with the Order, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore surrounding her, but she was put back to sleep by Madame Pomfrey. Fudge finally accepted Voldemort's return, removed Umbridge from Hogwarts with the help of Peeves chasing her from the grounds and reinstated Hagrid as Hogwarts' Care of Magical Creatures professor.

"What do you mean?" said Deanna in confusion.

"Whoever used the Dark Spell seemed to control its effects to lessen the impact," said Madame Pomfrey. "Now, I'll let you rest, dear." Madame Pomfrey left Deanna, pondering what she just said. Tom didn't use the spell to its full extent? He never meant to kill her... Deanna smiled slightly. She still cared for Tom, and it seemed he still cared for too. There was hope. Hope that Tom could still change and be better, but until that time would come that Tom would accept change, Deanna would continue the fight against him and stand by her father.

"Lost in your thoughts, little phoenix?" Deanna snapped her head up and beamed when her father came with Pomona and a healed Minerva by his side.

"Oh, Dee," said Pomona, hugging her gently. "You're all right. "

"That I am, Pommy," said Deanna cheerfully. "I'm always fine." She grinned at Minerva who sat beside her. "I heard you put up the fight, Min. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you, Dee," said Minerva. "You told me to fight for Hogwarts. I wouldn't have let them take him like that."

"DEANNA!" The door swung open and revealed Hagrid with Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Moody and Kingsley. The half-giant ran to Deanna and swept her into a tight hug.

"Hagrid!" exclaimed Minerva. "Put her down!"

"Oh, right, sorry Dee." Hagrid set her down with a sheepish smile.

"All good, Ruby," giggled Deanna then she smiled at the members of the Order. "Thank you. For coming and saving us."

"I should be thanking you, Dumbledore Jr." Sirius smiled gratefully at her. "You saved my life."

"And you saved our arses."

"Language," said Dumbledore, Minerva and Pomona. Deanna grinned as if she didn't hear them.

"Your daughter is quite the warrior," said Moody to Dumbledore while Deanna talked with Sirius, Remus, Tonks and Kingsley, laughing when Tonks changed her face into that of a duck's. Hagrid, Minerva and Pomona leaned in to listen to Moody. "She commanded us naturally. Just like you, Albus."

"Dee was always the best of us," said Pomona, smiling at the giggling girl. "Minerva, Rubeus, we have to fix up the O.W.L. results." The three Professors bid goodbye to Deanna before leaving the Hospital Wing.

"Did she hear the full prophecy?" said Dumbledore quietly.

"No. I heard the kids talking last night. They heard only Potter's and only part of Deanna's. When are you going to tell her, Albus?"

"In time, Alastor," said Dumbledore grimly. "She is far too young to learn of her fate."

"And she needs to be ready. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named knows of her destiny. You know that's the reason why he put her in a slumber for fifty years."

"I know. And that's why I want to protect my daughter even more." Dumbledore and Moody watched Deanna make a joke, which made Sirius, Remus, Tonks and Kingsley laugh loudly. The two leaders of the Order exchanged glances. Only a few knew about what fate was planned out for Deanna Dumbledore. Only Dumbledore, Moody, Snape and Voldemort himself.

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"So, I have to review these papers and then take my examinations next week?" said Deanna.

"That's it, yes," said Pomona. She put down the stacks of paper on Deanna's tableside, which made the girl groan. Pomona chuckled at her. "Stop being dramatic, you... You know you'll pass all of these."

"Except History of Magic, Herbology, Astronomy and Care of Magical Creatures?"

"Yeah, except those." The two friends laughed again. Pomona smiled slightly and ruffled the girl's hair. "Did I ever tell you how glad I am you came back?"

"Maybe, once or twice?" Deanna smirked and giggled at Pomona's exasperated expression. "I'm glad I came back too, Pommy. I'm glad I met all of you again." The two Hufflepuffs grinned at each other when the door opened and Dumbledore came in with Fawkes on his shoulder.

"I'll get going now. Rest well, Dee, Albus," said Pomona before she left the hospital wing.

"Good afternoon, love," said Dumbledore while sitting down beside her.

"Hey, Pops, Fawkes." Deanna stroked the newborn phoenix and kissed the top of his head. "You didn't wait for me before you had your Burning Day, eh? But thank you. For saving me again."

"I'm sorry, Deanna." Dumbledore said suddenly.

"What do you mean, Pops?" said Deanna confusedly.

"I-I took too long and put you in danger again," said Dumbledore, his lip quivering. "Just like that day fifty years ago, I was too late-"

"You weren't late, Pops." Deanna held his hand. "You came just on time and saved me, and I knew you'd come. All I had to do was buy time. But there's something I want to know. Do you know how the prophecy finishes?"

Dumbledore's eyes widened, but he composed himself immediately. "What do you mean?"

"I heard Harry's... he and Voldemort have to kill each other."

"Yes, love."

"And what is my role in this? Why do I have a prophecy?" Deanna stared into her father's eyes, trying to figure out what he was thinking then Dumbledore let out a sigh.

"The heir of Slytherin and the heir of the phoenixes... A love that was destined but broken by choices made out of love and thirst for power... A connection that will last until the phoenix burns... She is the wall standing between the Dark Lord and the Boy... Between the Dark Lord and the Boy, neither can live while the other survives... And the girl changes it all through choices she will make..."

Deanna's heart started beating faster. Was it real? Did she really have a part in this war? Was she the wall standing between Harry and Voldemort? Was that why she had this connection to Voldemort? "I-I'll change it all?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"For the same reason you went to the Ministry despite knowing you were risking your life. The same reason you still saw light in Tom after he became Voldemort. For the same reason you looked for Hermione before you fell to the darkness. After all these years, after all you've suffered, I didn't want to cause you any more pain. I cared too much about you."

Deanna's eyes softened and she reached over and hugged her father tight. "I love you, Pops, and I promise. We will win this war. We'll bring the light."

"I know we will, dear," he kissed the top of her head and hurriedly wiped away the tears that fell down his face. "I have you, and you're all I need." He cleared his throat and stood up, kissing her forehead. "I'll be back, love, I just have to do something."

"Okay, Pops." Deanna waved goodbye to him and smiled at Fawkes. "We'll be fine, Fawkes. We always will."

Dumbledore hurriedly went to his office and sat on his chair. He looked at the picture of him and Deanna and started sobbing deeply. It was all his fault, and even now, he still didn't say the truth to his daughter. He did not finish the prophecy. Dumbledore knew that prophecies always held truth to him, but he still had hope he could change Deanna's.

When the battle started, Dumbledore was actually talking to Gellert Andras Grindelwald. That was why Deanna's patronus couldn't reach him because Nurmengard Castle was protected by a Fidelius Charm.

"Is there really no hope, Gellert?" asked Dumbledore pleadingly.

"I'm afraid not, Albus," said his former lover in a grim tone. "Deanna will have to do what she must. She is your only hope in winning this war. Harry Potter may be the one to battle him, but she will be your salvation." He watched Dumbledore cry with a sad look in his eyes. "What you can do is to protect her, Albus. Protect her until you cannot anymore."

Dumbledore smiled through his tears at the picture of him and Deanna. He would have to start the search now... for his daughter, for the Wizarding World, for the greater good.

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Deanna lay back on her bed happily. She had countless visitors during the day. Ernie, Justin, Hannah and Susan visited right after her father left and brought her some of their notes after hearing she had to take her O.W.L.s. Some of the house-elves came too too and brought her chocolate milk and hotdogs. Jemina, Eleanor and Noah stopped by and chatted with Deanna. So did Luna, Neville and Ginny, and to her surprise, Zacharias Smith came as well.

"I can't be the Quidditch captain anymore," Zacharias muttered. "And from what I heard, you're a great player. So take it."

"Can't you ask nicely, you git?" Deanna raised an eyebrow.

Zacharias looked like he wanted to protest before he sighed. "Please be the Quidditch Captain next year."

"All right, it's a deal," said Deanna. She held her hand out and Zacharias looked at it warily before shaking it. Deanna shook her head at the thought of him. Everyone else changed. He was the only one who didn't.

The door opened, and Deanna smiled widely when she saw Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Hello there, you three."

"Deanna, you're alright!" said Ron, hugging the girl.

"That I am, Ron," giggled Deanna and smiling at Harry, who hugged her next. "Thank you for saving me, Harry."

"I didn't save you," mumbled the Boy Who Lived.

"You did," said Deanna firmly. "If you hadn't taken care of my wound, I would probably be dead by now." Harry smiled gratefully and sat back. Deanna's face softened when she turned to the witch who was smiling back at her. Deanna understood now what she had been feeling. The speeding up of her heart, the sudden nervousness, her voice getting caught in her throat. She had feelings for Hermione Granger.

"Hi," said Deanna breathlessly. "I-" Her cheeks flushed because Hermione suddenly hugged her tight. Deanna sat there frozen and glanced at Harry and Ron, who were laughing, before hugging the girl back with a soft smile. "I'm good, Mione. Didn't I tell you? I'll always come back to you."

"That's a promise?" said Hermione, raising her pinky.

"No fingers crossed." Deanna raised her right hand and linked pinkies with Hermione. The two witches smiled at each other, not letting go. Deanna was too immersed in Hermione's eyes that she didn't see Harry and Ron were eating her hotdogs and drinking her chocolate milk.

"Deanna?" Hermione said, and that snapped Deanna out of her daze.

"Yeah?" Deanna asked. Hermione stifled her giggles and pointed behind her. Deanna looked at her in confusion before turning around. Her eyes widened. "Oi! Those are my bloody hotdogs and milk." Harry, Ron and Hermione burst out into laughter.

"We'll get you more, Dee," said Harry, trying to stop his laughter but to no avail. He and Ron leaned on each other while they made their way out. Deanna pouted at Hermione who tried controlling her own giggles, but the pout on Deanna's face just made her giggle even more.

"Is it fun?" said Deanna, crossing her arms.

"You're just... adorable!" Hermione grinned and squished her cheeks, which made Deanna's face soften and she started giggling with Hermione. Hermione observed the way Deanna laughed, how her blue eyes would twinkle with joy and how her smile spread all over her face that just the sight of it lightened up Hermione's way immediately. Seeing Deanna hurt and broken like that broke Hermione's heart too. That was when she realized she was in love with Deanna Dumbledore. Realizing her feelings was easy, telling them was hard. She might know now just how much she felt for the girl, but she wouldn't be able to say it yet.

Deanna smiled softly and stared into Hermione's eyes. She loved every part of Hermione, but her eyes. Helga, they just had that warmth and softness to them that made Deanna feel like melting into a puddle. Deanna found out that she did have feelings Hermione Granger, but she feared that the Gryffindor would not return them. There were a lot of wonderful people out there like Ron, Neville, Ernie or others. Eleanor did mention once that she thought there was something going on with Ron and Hermione...

"Mione?" said Deanna suddenly.

"Yes?"

"D-Do you like Ron?" mumbled Deanna under her breath.

Hermione was surprised at her words, but she decided to tease the girl. "What's that?"

"D-Do you like Ron?" said Deanna a little louder this time.

"What?"

"I said-" Deanna stopped talking when she looked up and saw Hermione, smiling at her. She crossed her arms and pouted again like a little child. "You heard me the first time."

Hermione's eyes softened and she cupped the Hufflepuff's face to make her look into Hermione's eyes. "I don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't like Ron. Or any other person." Deanna's eyes widened, but she couldn't help the smile that spread on her face at Hermione's words. She had a chance with the girl in front of her.

"That's a relief." Deanna muttered. Her cheeks flushed when she realized she said it out loud. Hermione's breath hitched and her heart started beating faster. She and Deanna stared at each other, both of them with their cheeks flushed. Deanna looked down first. "I-"

"Here's your milk and hotdogs, Deanna." Harry and Ron came in and the two girls moved away from each other, both still blushing madly.

"T-Thanks, Harry, Ron," said Deanna. She took the hotdogs and milk from them and gulped them down happily. Hermione watched from the side while Harry and Ron laughed at Deanna's joke. She remembered Deanna's words, 'That's a relief.' What did it mean? Did Deanna like her too? Did she perhaps like Hermione as well?

Deanna suddenly winked at her, and all thoughts went flying out of Hermione's head, and she started laughing along with them when Deanna told them about something she had done with Peeves before. Hermione smiled widely at the girl. This was enough. Being by her side and seeing her smile. That was all Hermione needed.

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