Hi Guys!

I'm so sorry for taking so long to update the chapter. For the first time, I have felt the complete and utter writer's blockade. I have written other pieces, chapters so long in the future I don't have to worry about them, yet I was completely lost on how to move from the point this story got to. But something recently kicked in and I have this chapter done and next few outlined. So hopefully we won't have to worry about the repeat anytime soon.

Thank you for leaving the comments! They are super important to me!

As usual, Harry Potter universe is not mine, but mistakes are.


Italics mean memories.

'Italics' mean thoughts.

Bold italics mean the sentence was used in the last chapter.


- Oh, my dearest mutt, it is you who has to marry me… I haven't said yes… yet… - Amelia said with a blush on her face.

- You will say yes… One day you will…

The two of them stood in their embrace, his arms around her shoulders, hers around his waist and bickered among themselves while Euphemia focused on the rest of your group. They talked until they tired some more and it was dawn time when all of them dispersed to their reflective rooms.

Chapter 10

The day after the attack, office of the DMLE Head

- Good morning boss.
- Sirius Black, did I not tell you you are off till the end of the month?
- Yes boss.
- Then what on earth are you doing here?
- I came to report an attack.
- Oh, bloody hell! Please tell me it is not on Potter though….
- Not really…
- Good, his son already lost his mother, he doesn't need to lose his father too.
- Well, there is still a chance of that.
- But you just said…
- Oh, you are already here… -opening the doors, Amelia barges in.
- Madame Bones, what is the meaning of this?
- I'm sorry boss, I meant to be here with Sirius, didn't mean to barge in like that.
- Ok! Alright! Can you finally tell me what attack you are talking about?
- The attack on Longbottom Manor, sir.
- Longbottom Manor? Frank? Alice? Are they alright? And Augusta?
- Yes, sir. They are safe and sound. They have access to a mediwitch, peace, and their family. They should be alright in due time.
- How about we sit down and you tell me the story from the beginning?
And that they did. As the story finished both offered to give copies of their memories as proof. The senior officer rejected the offer telling them that they will have a chance to do that as witnesses against the attackers.
- We will hunt them down. Let's worry about James for now.
- He is in the best hands right now, sir. He will make it through.
- Sirius, did you ever think about suggesting him dropping out from the Aurors?
- I didn't suggest that to him, sir, no. But I do know he has been planning on that ever since Lily's death.
- Good. Any ideas on what he is planning on doing?
- I am not sure, but I know Lily still has a mother in the muggle world, I'm guessing he might want to reach out to her. I'm not sure you met her. She was one of the people in the first row at Lily's funeral.
- No, unfortunately, I couldn't be at the funeral. I had to look over my sick wife.
- How is she?
- She is feeling better Amelia, thank you for asking. The doctors say there isn't much time for her left.
- I'm sorry to hear that boss, she is such a good person.
- One of the best, one of the best. But Death doesn't favor people, as you by now know it on your own examples. Now, get out of here, let me get to work. I have a lot of things to do it seems.
- Yes Boss.
- Black, I expect you on shift first thing in the morning of December first.
- Sir, yes sir.
- And don't pull that muggle attitude on me young man. You know it won't get you anywhere. Now, get out of here. Both of you.

As the couple left the office of their boss they soon separated, Sirius going back to Lions' Den and Amelia back to work.


The time flew by in the walls of the Lion's Den and with every passing day the mood got more and more serious. The unmoving form of James Potter was the main, but not the only, reason. Alice and Frank, once upon a time a young and happy couple, now reacted with fear and sometimes even clear panic to every unannounced movement. The only source of comfort to them was seeing the happy face of their son, hearing his laughter and joy. The wand work at the manor ceased almost completely, no one wanted to see the scared expressions on their faces, even the house elves stopped popping out unexpectedly in the company of a young Longbottom couple.

The beginning of December greeted the inhabitants of the manor with cold air, shining sun and a loud laugh of Harry, bringing Sirius and Augusta to the master suite. The scene that unfolded in front of their eyes made them stop in their tracks. On the bed, the father and son laid, holding hands, James's large hand engulfing Harry's smaller one. Wide awake Harry held his father's pinky finger in his other hand, playing with it actively. Every once in a while, he would look up on the bunch of items floating over the bed and laugh again. As he noticed Sirius, the black plush toy dog flew in the direction of the gaping adult, hitting him in the chest not bothering the rest of the clutter. The hit seemed to wake Sirius up out of his stupor and, with a look at the nearby woman, he took his wand out and calling on his Patronus he sent it after his cousin. Mere moments later Andromeda showed up in the room. Not getting any closer to the bed she cast her diagnostic charms.
- Accidental magic. James is ok, soon to wake in fact. The flying items are all on Harry. It would be good to consider binding his magic some and soon too. With him so young and prone to excitement of any kind it would be healthier for all of us this way. Then every year we can release more and more, until he goes to Hogwarts. Same kind of thing we did with you Sirius, and I did that to Nymphadora too.
- Yeah, I know what you are talking about but I'm not sure if that's how the Potters dealt with it in the past. And it's not my place to interfere with it. Especially that you said James is ready to wake up any time now.
- Look at that, the mutt making some sense at last. – the sound coming from the bed stopped any other discussion. Lying down, with his eyes on the floating items and his free hand buried in Harry's hair, James was definitely awake.
- Well, Merlin's pants… welcome back in the land of living Prongs! Let me tell the rest now….
- Let him rest Sirius. You can tell the people downstairs but he still needs some rest, so not all of them at once. – Andromeda interrupted his enthusiastic rant in its wake.
- He just slept for two weeks straight!
- Sirius…. -she said with a warning in her voice.
- Yes, cousin Andy – he mumbled as he left the room.
- What happened that I landed in bed for such a long time?
- What do you remember last?
- It took a couple of seconds for James to respond:
- We went to help Alice and Frank, they were under attack… How are they? How is Frank? Alice? Did they survive ok?
- They are up and walking. At least as much as they can. Frank lost his leg, Mrs. Tonks says she can't do anything about it due to the dark magic's involvement. You received the worst of the hits though. We couldn't wake you up immediately, your injuries were too dangerous. So, we kept you in a forced sleep and waited for you to wake up once the injuries healed.
- Thank you, Andromeda, for taking care of me. I'm really glad your husband decided to take position with me.
- Lord Potter…
- James. – Narrowing his eyes, he slowly sat up and focused on Andromeda. - How many times do I have to tell you it's James for you, just like it is for Ted.
- I'm sorry, it's going to take me a while. It's the Black upbringing in me, can't pass the correct forms…
- That's alright. I'm a patient man. Besides, at least we have someone at the property who knows the proper behavioral form, you can teach little Harry some manners. – he said with a small smile.
- I think you would do just fine teaching him.
- Me? Oh Andromeda, you did not know me before...
- No but I know you now and I believe that you will be great.
James only shook his head disbelievingly and turned his attention to the other lady in the room.
- Lady Augusta, how are you doing, did Forti find you alright?
- Yes, James, he did. But I wasn't an easy guest on him. I'm so sorry for that.
- No apologies necessary Madam Longbottom. You didn't know the circumstances, and I didn't think to make Forti explain what was going on. I'm glad you were safe though.
- We all were the minute you departed from here. Thank you so much for saving my son and daughter. The Longbottoms will forever be in your debt.
- Madam, Frank and Alice would do the same for the rest of us without a moment of hesitation. I'm sorry about Frank's leg. That will be a discomfort for him.
- At least he is alive. He will learn to live without it. Walk on the wooden stick as the support maybe….
- Maybe he won't have to…. Let me ask some people in Lilly's world. There might be an option for him there.
- Oh James…
- Please Madam. I know you are not the biggest fan of muggles, but I believe you would be surprised at what they can do to improve their own lives. They might not have magic but that just means they have learned how to survive without it. And let me tell you, they are quite amazing at it. I've had a wife and I still have a son who is a part of that world too. I became a part of it the moment Lilly became my wife. I also got a chance of living in that world for a bit after my wedding. Let me use the benefits I am given to help my friends, please.
- Anyone ever told you that you have your mother's oratory skills? No one ever could tell her no…
- You forget my dad's great looks… that mix is dangerous… - he said with a small smile on his lips.
- I'm not saying we will do whatever you will introduce to us but we will take it into consideration.
- Thank you, Madam Longbottom.
The next second the door opened with Moony's head poking in. Seeing James wide awake he smiled widely and further entered the room.
- Good morning James, it's nice to see you awake.
- I'll leave you alone gentlemen, so you two can catch up. I'm glad you are back, James.
- I'm glad to be back, Madame.
The moment she left, Moony sat down on the edge of the bed.
- You gave us all quite a scare Prongs. Little Harry wouldn't leave your side. He slept, ate and even played with Neville all at your side.
- What can I say, he's his daddy's son?
- That's so not how I remember it but I'll let it fly this time…- Remus replied with a soft smile.
- How is everyone? I've heard about Frank and Alice, talked about it with Madame Longbottom too. What about Sirius, Amelia and you?
- We all came out without a scratch on our bodies. Which is more than we can say about the other side. Bellatrix lost her hand, Rabastan and his brother were left intact, but highly bruised and well beaten. As Madame Longbottom said, you took the worst hits. Frank and Alice are fighting what Andromeda called PTSD, but she expects them to get better. For now, there is barely any usage of wands, and even house elves try to not to pop behind them or surprise them. But otherwise we are all doing alright. I know Ted has some updates for you, apparently a few things happened when you were asleep. Amelia has some news for you as well. But all of that can wait. You need to still rest some more. I expect Forti to bring the food for you soon, I swear the elf will spoil everyone. – not sooner were the words spoken as the small creature popped into the room. Smiling at his master, he put his small fists on his hips and pointing one of his long fingers toward James sang.
- Master Jammie is in trouble. Yararlei is not happy with the Master. – at that James groaned not so quietly and Remus chuckled- She said "Master Jammie is in trouble. In the biggest trouble ever…" She sends the food too… - and one snap of his fingers lands a tray with a soup in his master's lap. – She says all is to be eaten. – With that the elf pops out from the room.
- Yara is not happy with you Jammie, so you better eat up. – Remus laughed at his friend.
- Yes, dear.
- Laugh all you want, you cheeky bastard, - Remus says in all seriousness – but you gave us all a good amount of grey hair. Try not to do that to us again.
- I know Remus and I am sorry for that. Get out of here now, let me eat and sleep some more. Let the others know I'm all right. I'll talk to you all later, alright?
- No problem Prongs. Get some rest.
Leaving the room Remus turned one last time to see his friend eating with one hand, the other deep in his son's unruly hair. He locked the door behind himself and moved downstairs releasing a breath of relief. His friend survived.