The Triwizard Tournament was last school year. Harry watching Cedric Diggory die at the hands of Lord Voldemort's servant made Albus Dumbledore wonder; was The Boy Who Lived ready for the war to come? Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were excellent friends to Harry, but Dumbledore worried that they weren't ready for war, either.

In America, a civil war has raged for the last 4 years for control of MACUSA and the Continental Wizarding Army and Navy. Pureblood families formed the "Restorative Wizarding Army," and fought to eliminate and enslave Non-Maj born wizards and their sympathizers in an effort to preserve their clean family lines and take control of the United States. The war ended four months ago, and the Continental Wizarding Army won; but almost fifty thousand wizards and witches have died, and thousands of orphans now fill wizarding institutions across the nation, seeking a home and hoping for a peaceful life.

Severus Snape believes one of these orphans can help Harry with the coming war. Can a young American wizard, haunted by war and loss, but driven by the hope of a bright and peaceful future, fight with Harry to bring down one last tyrant? How would this wizard's involvement change the events of the story?

Starts in Hogwarts fifth year, merges some movie elements with the books, and changes to cannon are to come.

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In seven days, Hogwarts would once again be bustling with student activity. The summer holiday was coming to a close, and while Albus Dumbledore was excited to have his students back, his primary concern revolved around a young raven-haired boy with a lighting bolt scar on his forehead.

Harry Potter had suffered much in his young life, but last year was a truly difficult series of events. From being entered illegally and having to compete in the Tri-Wizards tournament, to watching Cedric Diggory die at the hands of Peter Pettigrew, servant to Lord Voldemort, and finding out that a mentor had been kidnapped and impersonated by another servant of Voldemort, Dumbledore knew that Harry had been put through the emotional wringer. What worried Dumbledore even more was that more was certainly to come; and the list of capable fighters Harry knew, could trust completely, and could be close to him at all times was dangerously short.

So short, in fact, that even Severus Snape had become concerned. Snape sat across from Dumbledore in his office, staring at the headmaster with an emotionless mask. "I believe we need to… Recruit some assistance for Mr. Potter."

Dumbledore was mildly surprised by this. "Severus, are you becoming genuinely concerned for Mr. Potter?" The fact that Severus Snape was not one of Harry Potter's largest admirers was well known by the headmaster. In fact, Dumbledore was one of the few people alive that knew why Severus was helping him in the protection of young Harry.

Severus almost smirked, but quickly reined it in. "No. But, as we have discussed, Mr. Potter's survival is of the utmost importance. I am not convinced that Miss Granger or Mr. Weasley are sufficient in their talents to aid Mr. Potter in the coming war."

Dumbledore nodded, glancing at Fawkes. Fawkes, Dumbledore's Phoenix, was paying very close attention to the conversation, which struck Dumbledore as odd; Fawkes was usually uninterested in such matters. Perhaps the small bond the Phoenix shared with Harry, working together to kill the Basilisk that had lived in the Chamber of Secrets, made Fawkes more interested in the affairs of Harry Potter. "Perhaps you are right, Severus. However, I do not know where we could recruit someone of sufficient talent that would be to be with Harry all the time."

Severus removed a letter from his robes. "I have already taken the liberty to find such a wizard." He handed the envelope over to Dumbledore.

It was a large, Colonial-era folded envelope, with a wax seal that had been gently peeled open. The wax bore the seal of MACUSA, the Magical Congress of the United States of America. Dumbledore gave Severus a surprised look. "From America?"

Snape gave a slow nod. "The civil war between Pureblood and Muggleborn wizards and witches in America has created an orphan crisis. Many young wizards and witches now have no family, and are being tended to by various academies. Many of these orphans fought for the Continental Wizarding Army and Navy. Many showed..." Snape paused. "Extreme prowess in combat, potions and healing. I've had correspondence with the headmaster at Ilvermorny to see if he had any knowledge of a witch or wizard that would suit our needs. This young wizard is his first, and highest, recommendation. General Greylock of the Continental Wizarding Army sent this dossier."

Dumbledore slowly opened the letter. It contained several pages of information regarding this young wizard. He flipped the pages open and began examining the first page. His name was Jonathan Sheppard Lionheart. A moving picture occupied the upper left corner of the first page, showing his face, and then zooming out to show his entire body. Dumbledore looked at his face. His hair reminded him of Harry's in that it was all over the place. Dark brown hair with shades of red topped the young wizard. A part, mostly down the middle but favoring the left side of his head, with a twist at the front, meant that his right eye was almost hidden under long bangs, while some errant bangs covered the left side of his forehead. His hair stood up in every direction at the back of his head.

A scar that cut through his left eyebrow and a tanned complexion gave him the look of a young man unafraid of adventure. His eyes were piercing blue; yet they seemed troubled, and rimmed with bags, as if he was exhausted when his picture was taken. A slim, rounded nose sat under those eyes; it seemed to be slightly off to the right, as if it had been broken and healed almost, but not quite, perfectly. A strong but slightly rounded jawline finished off the face, with another scar in the crevice of his chin.

The photo zoomed out to show his whole body. His body was lean, but he was also muscled. Not like a bodybuilder, but like someone who was constantly moving. 'Most likely constantly fighting.' The way he stood was strange; he seemed alert yet also relaxed, like a lion after chasing his prey. His clothes were stereotypical American outdoorsman; leather hiking boots capped by jeans, a blue textured henley sat underneath a battered leather jacket with a flag on each shoulder. On his right shoulder was an American flag. His left shoulder held a yellow flag with a wand being held with one hand, lightning bolts to the left and right with sparks coming out of the top of the wand. The bottom of the flag held a colonial American war slogan: "Don't Tread on Me."

What caught Dumbledore's attention most were his wands. He counted at least three. One was sitting in a holster strapped to Jonathan's right thigh, almost like a cowboy from the Old West. The second was slid into a sleeve compartment on the left arm of his leather jacket, and the third, while concealed, was down on his ankle, most likely in a holster, the handle printing through his jeans. 'Why would a wizard need three wands?' Dumbledore wondered. He began to read the information on Jonathan silently. Fawkes flew over and rested on his right shoulder, intrigued to know more.

It took Dumbledore fifteen minutes to read all the information on Jonathan. With shaking hands, Dumbledore set the papers back down on his desk. The normally cheerful headmaster had tears in his eyes. He removed a handkerchief from a desk drawer and dabbed his eyes. "You read this, Severus?"

"Naturally."

Dumbledore shook his head. "I have a hard time believing someone so young could have endured so much." He looked Severus right in the eyes. "Bringing him here, for what we're about to face, is cruel. He doesn't need more war. We cannot ask this from him."

Severus remained emotionless. "The Headmaster of Ilvermorny anticipated your reaction. He requested I give you this letter; for your eyes only."

Snape handed Dumbledore a new letter, unopened. The crest of Ilvermorny was embedded in the wax sealing this smaller envelope. Dumbledore opened it and read it silently. It read:

Headmaster Dumbledore,

We have not yet had the pleasure to meet, however I know your reputation as a kind and caring educator. It is understandable that you will have concerns as to Ranger Lionheart's mental health and wellbeing given all that he has endured.

I am writing this letter to inform you that your fears are unfounded. Jonathan Lionheart is a true warrior at heart, who believes strongly in honor, freedom, fairness and liberty for all. He is a powerful force to be reckoned with, both personally and as a wizard. He does everything with all of his being. Despite his difficult childhood so far, he is capable, though understandably trepidatious, of having and loving close friends. He shows love and kindness to the orphans at this school, and is fiercely protective of them. He is a danger only to those that threaten the people close to him, or those that cannot defend themselves. He has, and will, fight for freedom and peace, no matter the cost to himself.

Your Professor Snape has filled me in briefly on what Jonathan would be facing. If Voldemort is truly making a comeback, I believe with all my heart that if we requested volunteers to fight him tomorrow, Jonathan Lionheart would be standing first in line, broom and wands in hand.

He is a prodigious wizard in defense, a capable healer, and possibly the most talented broom pilot we have ever seen in America. You could find no better wizard for your cause, and not accepting him based on your fears of what he has gone through would deprive you of a powerful ally; one that could give the Boy Who Lived the edge he might need to defeat Voldemort.

I hereby, sir, give my complete endorsement of Jonathan Lionheart for your cause, and hope you will accept him to your academy. I have included with this letter the official transfer paperwork. Once you sign it, I will be informed and will have Jonathan on his way. Admiral Horatio Ice has agreed to transport Jonathan aboard the U.S.S. Constellation on her trip to London in two days time.

I look forward to formally meeting you,

Sincerely,

Headmaster Tobias N. Webster

Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Fawkes crowed with a tone of approval before returning to his perch. Dumbledore put the letter down, stood up and walked towards the window of his office. If he brought this young wizard here, he would only be facing more of what he has endured for last four years of his life. Every single ounce of pain that Harry has endured over 15 years, Jonathan has endured and then some in only four years. Another tear slipped down Dumbledore's cheek. How could anyone so young become such a wizard? And a Ranger, no less! Rangers were the American equivalent of Aurors in England, but the Rangers were even more terrifying in action. In England Aurors were expected to bring their prisoners in alive for judgment and sentencing. Rangers were sent out to eliminate threats to the wizarding world; no trial, no prison sentence. If MACUSA deemed you dangerous enough to warrant a Ranger, your trial had already happened, and your sentence was soon to be served.

Severus stood behind Dumbledore. "If we wish him to arrive in time for the start-of-turn feast, we must reply immediately. The Constellation is the flagship of the Continental Wizarding Navy; she's making the rounds with all of America's wizarding allies, restoring relations with friendly nations. If he misses that ship, he will not be here in time to take the Express, and miss his best first chance to meet Mr. Potter."

Dumbledore stroked his beard, then turned to Severus. "I will meet him personally in London, at Diagon Alley. I will inform him of exactly what he will be coming to face, and what we need of him. He will have a choice." Dumbledore walked back to his desk and picked up the first page of Jonathan's dossier. There was a mark of determination in the young wizard, and some element that Dumbledore couldn't quite put his finger on. He knew, however, that if Headmaster Webster's knowledge of Jonathan was accurate, then Harry and Jonathan would quickly become friends naturally. Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley would probably follow suite, and the four of them would make a powerful force against Voldemort.

While Dumbledore still felt asking this young wizard to enter a war that currently didn't involve him was wrong, the advantages of Harry Potter having such a powerful ally; one his age, that could understand everything Harry was going through, and would stand back to back with him no matter what, quickly outweighed Dumbledore's concerns. "I do, however, believe you are right, Severus. This young wizard could give young Harry the extra help he seems to need." He grabbed a quill and signed the acceptance of student transfer letter. The letter glowed blue for a moment, then returned to normal. Then, a stamp appeared on the bottom of the letter; it was the stamp of Headmaster Webster, approving the transfer.

Harry would get his help in the form of a fifteen-year-old soldier. Dumbledore simply hoped it wasn't a mistake.

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Well, I know it's short, but chapters will get longer after this one. I'm fairly new to the Potterverse, so while there will be some intentional changes from cannon, I might make some mistakes when it comes it cannon material. Just let me know if I do, and I'll make corrections. I'm not really bothered to go back and fix it.

Also, if I get the tone of certain characters off, let me know. I want this to feel like cannon, while being a twist to cannon, make sense? I don't want the characters to feel completely foreign.

I know that not including what the letter said about Jonathan is mildly lazy writing, but I wanted there to be some... Curiosity. Exactly what has Jonathan suffered? What did he do to earn such a recommendation and respect? How does an underage wizard earn what I've made essential the rank of Auror? See? Suspense.

History lesson: The U.S.S. Constellation in this story is one of the six original frigates ordered by the United States Congress with the Naval Act of 1794. Her sister ship, the Constitution, is the worlds oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat, and currently the only ship in the U.S. Navy to have sunk another vessel; but Constellation herself, in history, was broken up in 1854. Here, in this world, she was conscripted into service with the U.S. Wizarding Navy to serve as the flagship of the fleet. If you want to know what I imagine she looks like, Google U.S.S. Constitution. There you go.

In this world, stuff that comes from the United States will be a bit more weaponized and, frankly, far fetched, from cannon. This makes sense as the United States Wizarding world would have been in a time of extreme war. And frankly, it's just kinda what we do.

Questions, comments, concerns, complaints and snide remarks are welcome. I am a large, semi-muscular man. I can take it. (10 points for the Firefly reference. Booyah.)