AN: All right folks. Here's the great explanation you've been wanting. Be prepared for much more action to come in a few chapters. Thank you for all your reviews!! The more you review the sooner I update, I always feel guilty for making you wait :)

Mizzdrwhoharrypotter: No MPREG. I think I noted that before. But I'm a bit old fashioned and try to stay pretty canon outside of the obvious AU and slash bits. Hope you'll keep reading!

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When Harry woke up his heart ached, literally, he had overdone it, but he was still breathing so he took that as a good sign. He found himself lying length-wise on the seat of the train compartment. He could hear Sirius and Remus whispering but couldn't quite make out what they were saying. Finally, he gathered enough energy and pulled himself up to a sitting position. Even the small effort made his heart beat wildly and Harry brought his hand to his chest.

"Harry…you alright?" Remus asked as he moved to sit next to him.

Harry looked at his friend and there were the sharp edges of fear surrounding the concern in his eyes. Harry turned his gaze to Sirius who was staring at him. Aside from the tiredness that was readily apparent, and the visible stress of fear and tension they both seemed to be doing okay.

"I'll be fine. Where're Lily and James?" He asked.

"They're patrolling the train. A couple students were wounded but Lily's been working with Pomfrey in her free period so she's been able to help. She bandaged your knee while you were out. She said to get her if you needed. You want us to get her for you?" Sirius asked and moved to stand.

"No. That's alright." Harry sighed and leaned his head against the seat back. "How long until we're at the school?"

"We're nearly there maybe another fifteen minutes." Remus said.

Harry could sense the questions that filled their minds and he fought like mad to push their emotions away from him. The consequence of the spell was already starting to show itself and Harry didn't know if he could handle it all over again. But, he had had no other choice. And the price he paid for it was so minimal compared to those he was able to protect.

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As they pulled into the Hogsmeade station, Harry saw that things were about to get very complicated. Aurors lined the platform and Dumbledore, along with the rest of the staff, stood waiting as well. Students and the few parents who had remained on the platform when the attack started exited the train and Harry watched from his window as the Heads of Houses began collecting their students. Students were grouped and each group was assigned two Aurors as they made their way to the castle. Harry saw James and Lily make their way to Dumbledore and begin speaking with him, James seemed to burst with tense energy and was making sweeping hand gestures, first bringing his hands up in front of him palms out and then making long sweep between them, then he turned toward the train and Dumbledore's eyes followed. Harry let his head fall to the glass with a thud and closed his eyes.

"Harry…you need help up? We'd better get going I think we're the last ones off." Remus said and Harry took the hand he offered. His knee was weak, already wounded from before and he leaned heavily on Remus and Sirius as they helped him out onto the platform. The flurry of activity around them seemed to come to a halt as the boys made their way to the headmaster. Harry could feel the eyes of the Aurors on him but he kept his eyes on the ground focusing on keeping himself from collapsing.

By the time they made their way to where Dumbledore stood, James' father had joined them and was speaking with Dumbledore as they approached.

"…never seen anything like it. We need to talk with him, Albus." Dumbledore nodded at Allen's words and the group turned to face Harry as they approached.

"Harry…how are you feeling?" Lily came up to him and cupped her face in his hands.

"I'm all right, head girl. I'll be fine." Harry said. He smiled as she kissed his forehead.

"Son, I'd like to have a word with you." Allen said stepping forward and placing his hand on his shoulder. "After we've had the medi-witch check you out of course."

Harry only nodded.

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Harry sat on the edge of the bed in the hospital wing. The spell that had cut his knee was worse than he'd thought, the medi-witch told him that along with his previous injury he'd have a noticeable limp for the rest of his life. He didn't look around the room, he could feel the eyes of the other students and parents on him. He heard soft crying coming from his right and looked over to see a young boy trying to hide his tears. Harry stood up and slowly made his way to the boy's bed. He sat down and looked to the boy who was wiping away the tears from his wide eyes.

"All right?" The boy shrugged, "I'm Harry."

"Alex. I'm a Hufflepuff." The boy's voice was small and quiet.

"Good folks, you lot." Harry said and the boy smiled a little. "Are you hurt?"

Alex shook his head, "My dad…" but a fresh bout of tears kept him from finishing.

Harry recalled the man who had fallen to the killing curse before he could get the shield up and felt a strong surge of guilt course through him. He reached out and pulled the boy into a hug. The boy tensed and then relaxed quickly.

"You have any brother's or sisters?" Harry asked and felt the tiny first-year's head shake against his chest. "Well, now you do."

The boy looked up at him and Harry saw a little bit of light come back into his eyes.

"You need anything, you let me know okay? Anything at all. I don't have any brothers or sisters either." Harry looked at the boy who once again nodded.

"Did your dad die too?" Harry gave the boy a sad smile.

"Yes. A long time ago. My mom also." The little boy frowned but didn't say anything.

"Harry. The Aurors would like a word with you. In Dumbledore's office" Madam Pomfrey's voice was softer than usual which told him she had been standing there for a time.

Harry looked at Alex once more and ruffled his hair. "All right, little brother, I'll see you at dinner then?"

The boy nodded and gave a weak smile as Harry stood.

He walked with Madam Pomfrey to the door and as he was about to leave she touched his shoulder.

"That was a wonderful thing you did just then." She looked at him with a smile, "You seem to be the hero on all fronts."

Harry nodded and left without a word. He hated the word 'hero' and yet it seemed to haunt him no matter where, or when, he was.

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As Harry came around the corner of the corridor he felt a sudden wave of emotion crash over him, fear, worry, confusion. Because he was already weak and tired the impact of these emotions hit him hard and made him nauseous. He came to a stop resting one hand on the wall and another on his knee as he bent over trying not to retch.

"Harry! What's the matter?" Lily came running to him and he looked up to see James, Remus and Sirius following close behind. He put out his hand to signal them to stop. He took a deep breath and strengthened his mental wall. Finally, he was able to stand.

"Sorry, just a little sick to the stomach. Didn't want you guys to get thrown up on." Harry said with a smile.

Remus came up next to him and put his arm around Harry as he helped him limp down the hall.

"I've got to go to the headmaster's office, Aurors…" Harry said and the others nodded.

"We're going there too."

Harry looked at Sirius and when their eyes met Harry felt such a strong sense of helplessness, and concern come from the boy that he almost lost his balance.

"Sirius," Harry said after a moment, "Would you mind grabbing my other side. My leg hurts like the devil."

Sirius was at Harry's side in an instant and Harry felt the boy's emotion die down into something less intense as they made their way to Dumbledore's office.

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James, Lily, Sirius, Remus and Harry sat around the table Dumbledore had conjured for them upon their arrival. Auror Potter was there as well as Kingsley Shaklebolt. Nobody seemed to know where to start and Harry just stared straight ahead.

"You aren't in any trouble, kids." James' dad said, "We just want to get what happened from your perspective and we'll let you off to get some rest. We've already heard from James and Lily, so lets start with you Sirius."

Sirius looked at Harry and then back to Allen. "We were running late, we got to the platform just before the train was to leave. Uh, James and Lily had gone ahead to speak with the conductor I think and we were about to get on the train when we noticed Harry wasn't right behind us." Again Sirius glanced at Harry. "He had stopped and was looking around the platform, Remus asked him if he lost anything, and then there was a scream. There were just tons of people dressed in robes and wearing masks coming on to the platform. And then Harry was running and the robed people were sending curses and Harry was sending some too and then he picked up the little girl and ran back toward us. There were lots of people still on the platform students and parents, and Harry yelled to get on the train and people started running. I think Harry gave the girl off to someone and told Lily to get the kids on the train and James to send you his Patronus."

Allen nodded and Kingsley was writing it all down. "And then what happened?" Allen asked.

Sirius shifted and glanced at Harry again. "The robed people were still firing curses off at the train and the students and Harry yelled for us to come over. We went up there and he grabbed my hand and said some spell,"

"He said parietis diligo." Remus said with a look at Harry as if he was unsure if he was betraying his friend, Harry gave him a little smile and a nod.

"Right, and then he told us to put our hands up. And it was like putting my hands in water and he said to focus and the air became solid. It was a wicked shield." Sirius said with a smile.

The others smiled as well and the tension in the room seemed to drop a little as Sirius continued. "And then the aurors showed up and Harry said to back up toward the train and then he told me to drop my hands and I got on the train."

Allen nodded and waited as Kingsley finished writing. "That fit with you Remus?" And Remus nodded.

"Harry, I've never heard of that spell." Allen said. And Harry said.

"It's old magic, wandless." Predictably, everyone's heads turned sharply to Harry.

"Wandless?" Allen said and his eyes were a bit wide, but he remained professional.

"Yes. It's a shield charm. Draws on the naturally protective emotions of the caster and their aides." Harry said looking at Allen.

"I see. Where did you learn it." Allen asked.

"I found it when I was researching protective spells." Harry stated in a way that said he was clearly not going to elaborate.

"I see," Allen said again, "Why did you stop short of getting on the train?"

"I sensed something, it didn't feel right." Harry said. "And then the girl screamed."

"And what made you run out into these attackers?" Allen asked.

" They would have killed the girl." Harry said simply and Lily drew a sharp breath. "Is she all right?"

"Yes, Harry, she was hit by a burning curse but Pomfrey was able to heal her just fine." Dumbledore spoke for the first time.

"Good then. When I saw how many people were left on the platform, I knew the spell was the only way."

"Right then. Well, that's all I need from you. You were all very brave and you have the gratitude of the Aurors and many parents and students as well, I am most certain." Allen smiled and stood.

Everyone began to stand and Harry struggled to his feet.

"Each of you will take one hundred points for your house. You easily saved a hundred lives today." Dumbledore said.

The others nodded and moved toward the door. Harry stood next to Dumbledore and watched as Allen embraced Sirius and James in turn.

"I would like to speak with you further, Harry, once you're rested." Dumbledore said quietly.

"Of course, Professor." Harry said and then without thinking he continued, "You know this means he is starting his war."

The Professor looked at Harry with veiled shock and then nodded, "I do. I wonder, my boy, how it is that you know."

Harry sighed deeply and looked at the headmaster, "I promise, when we talk later I will explain."

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When the arrived back at the tower the common room was empty, and the five friends sat heavily around the fire. James and Lily were squished into an overlarge chair and Sirius, Remus and Harry were on the sofa.

The silence did not last for long when predictably James could hold his question no longer, "You can do wandless magic?"

Harry nodded and rolled his eyes at the looks of disbelief from his friends. He waved his hand at the fire and it died out and returned when he waved it again.

"You can do silent, wandless magic?" James spouted excitably and Harry just shook his head. "Why don't you use it all the time, you've never done it before!"

"It tends to draw some attention." Harry laughed a little.

The silence drifted down upon them again, as they took comfort in the solid presence of each other. They were all still processing the events of today. After a while, Lily yawned and James escorted her to the stairs of the girls dormitory gave her a brief kiss before she headed up.

The boys made their way to the dormitory, Sirius and Remus helping Harry with the stairs.

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Harry was lying awake and exhausted trying to determine how much he was going to be telling Albus Dumbledore about the future when his bed curtains opened and Sirius climbed into his bed. Harry moved over slightly and let the boy wrap him in an embrace. Harry closed his eyes and breathed in the musky scent of the Sirius.

"I don't think I've ever been so scared." Sirius' voice was low and quiet.

"We all were." Harry said squeezing Sirius' hand.

"When you went running out there, I saw curses miss you by inches and I…thought…" Sirius trailed off.

"I'm all right." Harry said, "We're all okay. Thanks to you and Remus."

"Thanks to you." Sirius said.

"I wouldn't have been able to do it myself." Harry said fighting the tears that were threatening to fall.

"You've been in a war before." It wasn't a question and Harry didn't know how to answer.

Finally, he just admitted it. "Yes."

"Where?" Sirius asked.

"Everywhere. It wasn't a public war, it was underground. Trying to stop exactly this type of thing from happening." Harry responded.

"Is that why you're here now?"

"In part." Harry said and turned to face Sirius.

"Is that how you got those scars?" Sirius said even quieter than before.

"Yes."

Harry leaned over and kissed the boy before turning back and closing his eyes.

"Harry…"

"Hmmm?"

"Please don't die on me."

The words were so quiet Harry only just heard them.

"I'll try."

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Breakfast the next morning was so quiet Harry could hear himself breathing, the entire school seemed to be in shock and the clink of silverware on plates echoing through the hall was beginning to unnerve Harry. He looked around and so many of the students were simply staring ahead or down at their plates, the ones who were talking were bent toward each other whispering. He saw Alex sitting at the end of the Hufflepuff table, alone, trying to wipe away tears as subtly as he could. He looked at his friends.

"Hey, you guys know the Alex kid I told you about, from the hospital wing?" Harry whispered. And his friends nodded. "You mind if he sits with us?"

The boys shook their heads but Lily turned to him with tears in her eyes and threw her arms about his shoulders pulling him into a tight hug.

"You are an absolutely amazing man." She whispered in his ear before releasing him. Harry smiled at her a little and then stood up.

As he made his way to toward Alex, his combat boots echoed loudly and he knew people were staring. He walked to Alex and put a hand on the boy's shoulder. Alex looked up at him with reddened eyes.

"Hey, Lil' bro." Harry said smiling as best he could manage.

"Hi, Harry." The boy's words were so quiet it was hard to hear even in the silence of the great hall.

"You want to come meet my friends?" Harry asked and pointed over toward the Gryffindor table, Lily waved when Alex looked over. "They're nice, I promise."

The boy hesitated before nodding and standing up. Harry took the small boy's hand in his and they walked back to the Gryffindor table. They sat down with Alex now between Harry and Lily. A new plate materialized in front of the boy, but he didn't make any move to get any food.

"Everybody this is Alex." Harry said. "Alex, this is Lily here next to you, and James. And across from you is Sirius and Remus is next to him. They're my very best friends."

"Hi." Alex said and the others returned his greeting. Harry hated the terrible sadness in the boy's eyes.

"Hey, want to see something kind of neat?" Harry asked him and the boy looked up at him but didn't say anything. Harry waved his hand in front of the boy and bubbles appeared in the air. The boy's mouth dropped open a little and curiosity began to flood into replace the forlorn look in his eyes.

Harry waved his hand again and the bubbles turned into tiny paper birds that flew around in circles just above the table. Harry felt a swell of happiness when the small boy smiled.

Taking his lead Lily charmed an empty goblet to grow small feet and tap dance across the table, Remus pulled out his wand and provided a miniature fireworks display just above the dancing goblet, James wrote out Alex's name in the air in front of him in letters that then began swooping up and down the table. But it was Sirius who broke the wall, when he conjured tiny little men made of wood who began wobbling about the table running into things and falling over. Alex laughed when one of them tumbled onto the plate in front of him. He picked it up and held the tiny wooden man in his hand, where the man promptly began marching back and forth across the tiny palm.

"Can I keep him?" Alex glanced at Sirius who smiled back and picked up another little man and handed it to Alex.

"Of course, but you'll have to take two so he doesn't get lonely."

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AN: Anybody wondering where Snape and Wormtail have gotten off to? Any guesses?