Chapter Six: The First Brick Falls

Harry woke up the next day, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He grabbed his shower stuff and went to the communal showers, taking a deep breath. He stepped through, seeing Ron smiling at him.

"Never thought you'd come in here." He chuckled.

Harry shrugged, walking to the lockers. "It's going to come out anyway, Ron. Hermione wants me to try and, work through the...you know."

Ron nodded, rubbing the back of his head. "The fourth year showers aren't too crowded, so you should be fine."

Harry bit the inside of his cheek. "Maybe I'll just use the Quidditch shower room..." He took shaky breaths.

Ron nodded his understanding. "Don't worry, you can take it at your pace." He smiled.

Harry began walking around, but stopped at the door. Sirius' voice called in his head, remembering him to keep his head up high. He shed his clothes, walking into the showers.

Most of his roommates stopped dead once they saw the injuries on his back. He ignored the soft whispers that began to fill the room afterwards, walking back out to get dressed. He saw Ron giving him the power sign. He fixed his clothes on, taking a moment to compose himself.

He walked ahead of everyone, sitting at his usual spot. He saw the sickly green potion his mother had gotten for him at the plate. He downed it quickly, gulping down some pumpkin juice afterwards. He hated the taste, but he had gained at least seven pounds in the last month. He smiled as Hermione and Ron sat on each side of him.

Hermione kissed his cheek, pouring herself some tea. "Ron told me what happened. I'm proud of you."

He played with his food. "Thanks. It's just...I'm not sure if I like the whispers." He picked at the eggs.

Hermione kissed his cheek again. "Well at least you can't enter the Tri-Wizard Tournament." She grinned. "So it'll die down by the time the new schools come next week."

Ron rolled his eyes. "It's shite we can't enter though."

Harry shook his head. "I've had enough 'glory' to last a lifetime." He pointed out. "I'm content with just relaxing and enjoying a normal year." He kissed Hermione's cheek.

Ron nodded in agreement. "We've Mad-Eye Moody's class first."

Harry grinned. "He trained Dad and Sirius when they were in the Corps. He's the leading authority on Defence Against the Dark Arts and his essays on the use of Dark Magic in light ways are really interesting."

Hermione and Ron sat open mouthed at him. "You've read Mad-Eye's essays?" Ron asked.

Harry nodded. "I've been reading all Sirius's old research materials from the Auror Corps. They're like the only line of defence against dark wizards and Voldemort."

"Another dream?" Hermione asked.

Harry shrugged. "Same as the last one, except the strange man isn't there anymore."

Ron frowned. "Have you mentioned them to Dumbledore?"

Harry shook his head. "If they happen to change, I'll inform him."

Hermione's brow furrowed as she thought of the nightmares. "Have you told your mum about them?"

Harry shook his head, finishing his breakfast. "I've some of Mad-Eye's essays if you want to read them, Hermione?" He asked, hoping to change the subject.

Hermione's eyes lit up. "Can I see them?" She asked.

Harry opened his bag, taking out a couple of books. "The first is his complete set of essays on the use of Dark Magic in good ways. The second is how to use nonlethal spells in lethal ways."

Hermione grinned. "These are first editions, Harry."

He nodded. "Signed by the author himself."

She opened it, reading the handwritten note.

To pisspot,

You've somehow managed to become an Auror. Merlin how standards have dropped.

Don't get killed!

Alastor Moody

"I suppose he was hard on your dad." She surmised.

Harry chuckled. "Read the review on the back."

She flipped to the review page.

"If ever you need to use childhood spells again, this book is a great read. The author's brain is that of a child's. I'm honoured to say that the author trained me, and I'll highly recommend it to anyone."

James Potter - Auror

Hermione laughed softly as she closed the book. "Your dad was obviously close to him. Maybe he'll have interesting stories."

Harry kissed her cheek. "Let's get to class." He grabbed his bag, walking ahead.

Hermione sighed sadly. "He's trying to hide it."

Ron nodded. "I'll keep an eye on him in the dorms." He promised.

She ruffled his hair. "Thanks Ron." She walked after Harry, holding his hand once she caught up with him.

Ginny smiled sympathetically at her brother. "I'm sorry, Ron." She whispered.

He smiled back. "They're our friends. We'll always be there for them."

Ginny nodded. "You're being really mature." She said softly, feeling proud of her brother.

-HS-

The Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom changed every year, it was just part of the usual school year. Mad-Eye had taken to filling it with old wanted posters of different wizards and witches, all of whom looked menacing and dangerous. The small parts of the walls that weren't covered by posters had words written on them.

Harry, Hermione and Ron took their seats at the head of the class, glancing around at the different pictures.

"That's Rodolphus Lestrange." Harry pointed at one picture. "His wife and brother are locked up in Azkaban. Have been since '96."

Hermione's eyes moved from one image to another. "This is going to scare the first years." She whispered. She couldn't help but feel a little scared herself. Some of the people pictured were well known for killing and hurting muggleborns.

Ron frowned at one of the pictures. "Antonin Dolohov. He was the one who murdered my uncles. Fabian and Giedon fought off five Death Eaters before they died. At his trial, Dolohov bragged about the fact his spell killed them." He stared at the image. "Moody's class is going to be interesting."

Harry nodded. "Hopefully he's as fun in class as Professor Lupin was." He grabbed his quill and ink, pulling out a large scroll of parchment.

Mad-Eye hobbled into the classroom, his walking cane banging the ground with every step. "You three are early. Class don't start for another five minutes."

Harry stared at him. "I wanted to get here early, Professor. You were my father's mentor when he was in the Auror Corps."

Mad-Eye's magical eye closed in on him. "Potter. I trained your old man, and your godfather. Two complete twits who became the greatest duo of Aurors I've seen since my partner died." He stared at the books. "Your father kept them?"

Harry nodded. "So did Sirius, sir." He felt his blood chill.

Mad-Eye gave what had to be the scariest smile possible. "You want to follow in their footsteps?" He asked curiously.

Harry nodded slightly. "According to Sirius a lot of Potters have been Aurors at one point in their lives."

Mad-Eye chuckled. "I see. Open your book to page fifteen, pisspot."

Harry opened his book, trying not to smile. "The unforgivable spells?"

Moody nodded. "Now that all the class are here, I should start." He limped to the chalkboard. "My name is Alastor Moody. For the next nine months I'm going to be the one teacher you dread to see." He let his eye turn. "Finnegan, store your gum somewhere besides your desk!"

Seamus stared open mouthed. "The old codger can see from the back of his head?" He whispered to Dean.

"And hear across classrooms!" Moody threw some chalk at him. "Now, I'm here as a personal favour to Professor Dumbledore. This will be my only year of teaching, so I plan to stick as much knowledge as I can into your tiny skulls." He wrote the word 'unforgivables' on the board. "Who can tell me about the unforgivables?"

Hermione raised her hand. "The unforgivable curses are three spells, they are named so because to use any of them is unforgivable. The penalty for using one is-"

"A one way ticket to Azkaban." Moody finished for her. "Now, the ministry doesn't want me to show you these spells, but I say you must be prepared!"

Harry frowned. He tapped Hermione's foot, scribbling on his parchment.

You don't think he's going to use them? Do you?

Hermione shrugged slightly. Moody grabbed a spider from a glass tank. "Engorgio." The spider grew three times its size. "Someone give me an unforgivable. Weasley!"

Ron jumped, standing up. "Well, my dad did tell me about one sir, the Imperius Curse."

Moody nodded. "Your father would know about that one. Gave the Ministry a a lot of pain after the last war." He pointed his wand at the spider. "Imperio!" He placed it on the table, making it run around.

Ron squealed as the spider landed on his head. "Get it off!" He shouted.

Draco burst out laughing, banging the desk with his hand.

Moody grinned. "Think that's funny, do you?" He flew the spider onto Draco's face, laughing as he ran around. After a moment he placed the spider over a bucket of water. "The Imperius Curse allows anyone with intent to control someone of a weaker mind. You can force someone to jump out a window." He lowered the spider slightly. "Or drown themselves." He placed the spider on his desk, ending the spell. "Another one?"

Neville raised his hand. "T-The Cruciatus Curse..." He said, his voice shaking.

Moody's regular eye lit up. "Longbottom, is it?" He ushered him over. "Nasty thing the Cruciatus. Hits all the pain receptors in the brain." He pointed his wand at the spider again. "Crucio!" He cast. Small squealing noises came from the spider, which was trashing around the table.

Neville stared at the spider, his expression and knuckles turning white.

Hermione raised to her feet. "Stop it! Can't you see it's bothering him? STOP IT!"

Moody broke the spell, looking at Neville. "Take your seat, lad." He limped over to Hermione, staring into her eyes. "Maybe you'd like to tell us the final spell, Ms Granger?"

Hermione shook her head, tears coming to her eyes.

"No?" He asked curiously. "Fine." He swung around to the spider. "Avada Kedavra!" He shouted.

Harry stared at the green light that had haunted his dreams for years.

"The Killing Curse. Only one person has been known to survive it. And he's sitting in this room." Moody laughed softly. "Write that all down."

-HS-

Neville walked down the stairs in a daze, staring out the window. Harry caught up to him first, standing beside him. "Are you ok, Neville?"

He shook his head. "I'll be grand in a few minutes. It's just...my-"

"Longbottom!" Moody called out. "Come to my office for a few minutes. I'd like to have a chat with you."

Neville nodded. "Sure, Professor."

Harry walked down to Hermione and Ron. "So that was the Killing Curse?" He wrapped his arm around Hermione. "I've always seen it in my sleep. But..."

Hermione kissed him gently. "Shh. Don't think about it. We have Charms next. Let's see how long it takes Ron or Seamus to knock Flitwick off his books."

Ron laughed. "Hey. I'm not that bad at Charms."

Hermione walked with them. "Well, you aren't the worst, but you're not the greatest either."

Harry chuckled. "She's egging you on, mate." He walked into the Charms Classroom, taking a seat closer to the front.

Ron rolled his eyes. "What's up with sitting this close to the front?"

Harry took out his textbook. "Because Ron, we should be putting more effort into our schoolwork. We have four years left including this one. We have to think about how we're going to progress further." He turned his full attention to his friend. "If I have any chance of taking my lordship next year...I need to focus." His eyes shone with determination.

Hermione smiled at the sight of his determination. She agreed with his sentiments. It was time for them to consider what to do after Hogwarts.

-HS-

Tony adjusted the new faceplate on to the Mark VIII carefully. He heard the door open as he welded the finally joint into place. "I hope that's you, Jarvis."

Lily smiled. "Nope. Just your wife." She sat down on one of the chairs close to the suit. "What's this one do?"

He shrugged. "Right now, it's just a normal suit, but if my plan works, it can shrink or expand to fit any person."

She placed her feet on the table. "Sounds like something we should keep locked up. It's bad enough Rhodes has the Mark II." She glanced over at the armoury. "We can't afford to lose any more suits."

Tony chuckled. "That's a fair point, but Rhodes can be trusted with the suit." He grabbed a drill, drilling the last screw in. "Still missing Harry?"

She nodded. "I wrote a letter today, I'll send it off later. He left Hedwig here so I could write."

Tony smirked. "Or you could use the webcams on the tablets and actually talk."

Lily's eyes widened. "You mean I can talk to him face to face?" She asked, bouncing in her seat.

He leaned down, kissing her gently. "You think I'd leave you without his voice for months?"

She held onto him. "I've got an idea. Why don't you include a briefcase function? Like the Mark V?"

Tony licked his lips a little. "Now that could be interesting." He kissed her forehead, moving back to the suit. "You'll need to get ready for maternity leave, Lily."

She sighed. "I know. But then I'll have nothing to do for months." She rubbed her stomach. "Babies are easy to care for once you know what the hell you're doing." She stared at Tony. "Only three months to go."

Tony grinned. "Yeah. Are you sure you don't want to know the gender?"

Lily nodded. "I'm sure. J-" She closed her eyes. "James and I waited until the birth. It made it all the more special."

Tony looked over at her. "Any news on the grave?"

Lily looked away from him, staring at the older suits. "They'll be exhuming the remains today. I'll know who she was next week."

Tony kissed her cheek. "She's not going to have your name anymore, don't worry."

"Sir. Reports have come in from S.H.I.E.L.D. Several insurgents have holed up in Dazker. They have Stark Industries technology."

Tony sighed slightly. "Prepare the Mark VI." He kissed Lily one more time, walking towards the armoury. "I'll be home as soon as I can." He held his arms up. "J.A.R.V.I.S, prepare the Quinjet and get Fury's strike team mobilised."

"Of course, sir."

Lily smiled weakly. "Please...be careful..."

Tony nodded. "I'll call you later. Try and call Harry...it might make you feel better."

Lily nodded, smiling at him. "Go get 'em, Tiger."

Tony winked, setting the faceplate into position. "I always do." He flew through the tunnel.

-HS-

James 'Rhodey' Rhodes had been a friend of Tony's since childhood. The two met at military school in the early eighties. He thought he knew Tony as much as most of his closest friends did. When Tony approached him about working off the books with S.H.I.E.L.D, he couldn't believe what his friend was proposing.

He watched as Tony blasted two tanks. "You're slipping, Rhodey."

Rhodes laughed, twirling around to down three insurgents with RPGs. "I think you're more focused on what colour to paint the nursery."

Tony blasted the last of the tanks, flying towards the base. "90 insurgents." He smirked. "50/50?"

Rhodes laughed again. "How about winner buys the drinks?"

Tony grinned. "You're on." He flew through the window, blasting any enemy in his line of fire.

Rhodes went through a different window, taking out anyone with a weapon. He flew out once it was done, seeing the Quinjet land. "Fury's boys are late again."

Tony landed beside him. "The jet's still in the prototype stage." He opened the faceplate, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "How many did you take out?"

"Forty." Rhodes removed the full helmet.

"Drinks are on you then." He laughed. "Want to fly back to mine? We'll call ahead, have food made."

Rhodes nodded. "Sure. But I'm going to need a shower. These damn things need ventilation systems."

Tony nodded. "It'd have to be a one way vent system. Otherwise it'd destroy a lot of functions."

Rhodes walked onto the landing zone. "Welcome to the party. The insurgents are inside. Ten dead and eighty alive." He tossed a small tablet to one of the men. "Now, while you guys round everyone up, we're going to shower and relax."

Tony walked to the kitchen of the jet. "Hey! Where's my flight attendants?" He shouted to the strike team.

One man turned around. "Civilians aren't allowed to be in the Quinjet, Mr Stark. They're at S.H.I.E.L.D, enjoying a well deserved vacation."

Tony sighed. "Ok, which one of you slackjaws used to work in a small town bar?" He asked, falling into his chair.

The man laughed. "Rodriguez, get your ass in here!" He placed his gun on the table. "Rod's the best bartender S.H.I.E.L.D has. He'll take care of you and Col Rhodes."

Tony grinned. "Great. Rod, go to the bar area and fix me a Manhattan. Thanks."

Rodriguez glared at him, heading to the bar. "Six years in Spec Ops. Five in Black Ops...now I'm making cocktails for a rich boy."

Tony smirked. "Well you guys denied my bar staff. So be happy I don't have you wearing a dress."

Rhodes shook his head as he walked out of the shower. "You've got serious problems."

Tony laughed. "Well, someone has to."

-HS-

Sirius glanced around the room, examining the different gadgets and technology that were scattered around the room. Lily had invited him around to talk about Harry's progress. He watched as Jarvis filled his cup with tea before leaving the room.

Lily picked her cup up, taking a light sip of her tea. "I know you're upset. And I can understand why." She said softly. "The Widow's Promise."

Sirius closed his eyes, running a hand through his hair. "I really want to hate you for that, but James wouldn't want me to treat you like shit." He chuckled weakly. "The Widow's Promise. It has to be the biggest load of crap Purebloods ever spouted." He sipped his tea. "And for the Widow, she must remained unmarried until her heir comes of age. For her to break this shall bring great shame to her old Family." He recited by heart. "I'm sorry for being so cold with you, Lils."

Lily placed her hand on his. "You're only looking out for your friend." She smiled. "They've exhumed her body from the plot..." She bit her lip. "By this time next week...I'll know."

Sirius wrapped his arm around her. "You'll see. It was one of the old gang." He said sadly. "How's it going with Harry?"

She laughed weakly. "Oh you know...he doesn't trust my husband...in fact, he basically told me that all muggles are scum. The venom in his voice."

He sighed. "He was drunk, Lily. Probably just venting all his teenage angst stuff. I used to be the same."

Lily shook her head. "There was conviction in his words, Sirius. He believed every word of what he said to me. And I can't blame him. If I had come back when I heard...I'd have my son...you'd of been free..."

"But you wouldn't have had Tony." He finished her thoughts.

Lily nodded. "I love him, Siri. When I was down and close to the abyss, he pulled me back up and made the pain disappear for a while." She felt tears fall. "I hated myself when I found out I was pregnant again. I promised myself that I'd never have another baby as long as I lived. I'd never allow myself to replace him. I wanted to get rid of my baby...but I couldn't help but fall in love with the idea of a second chance. A chance to redeem myself."

Sirius wiped the tears from her eyes. "You always were the compassionate one. I'm not sure if it helps, but I know you're still going to continue to be a great mother." He kissed her cheek.

Lily smiled softly, stroking her stomach. "I remember when I was pregnant with Harry. You rubbed my stomach more than James did most times."

Sirius nodded. "After Marlene passed away." He whispered sadly. He hadn't thought about Marlene McKinnon for many years now. "She was pregnant..." He said softly. "Only a few weeks along, so we were keeping it a secret. When she..." He sniffled. "When she died, it was you, James and Harry who kept me alive."

Lily wrapped her arms around him. "Look, I'll always love you and Remy. You were my friends as well as his." She kissed his cheek. "You're still my friend, Sirius Orion Black. You'll always be family to me and Harry." She placed his hand on her stomach. "And you'll be family to this little one too."