Chapter 19

Jake rolled over and stared silently at his alarm clock through tired eyes. He could hear the shuffling of his cousins and roommates sheets and could only assume even they could not sleep as well. By then, it was 6:30 in the morning and they red head determined he'd be getting no sleep at all. Groaning, he sat up swiftly and swung his feet over the side of the bed gracefully and silently slipping out of his bed and making his way out of the room. He was convinced that the others would follow soon enough. They had already received an announcement that there were no classes, so midday naps were a definite option.

Jake groggily made his way down to the common room when he noticed a figure sitting on the couch in front of the fire, hugging their knees. He paused for a moment before making his way slowly over and clearing his throat uncertainly. The figure, who happened to be a girl, jumped and looked back at him. "Dani?" She looked shyly down and turned away. "What're you doing?"

"Nothing… just couldn't sleep. What're you doing up?" Jake shrugged.

"Same thing. I don't really think anyone is asleep, honestly. He answered and dropped next to the younger girl. "Must be weird for you." Dani looked at him in confusion. "You know, coming to a new school and just as you're getting comfortable something like this happens."

"Oh," The girl nodded as she hugged closer to her knees and rested her chin on them. "It is weird, but everyone was quick to protect each other, I kinda feel… safe." Jake looked at her in slight confusion. "Maybe it's because so many people in Gryffindor are related or because they've grown up together, but people still made sure I was safe and not left behind."

"Well what kind of friends leave a companion behind?" Jake pointed out with a smile. "You're part of the Gryffindor family now. Someone will always have your back." Dani smiled at the red head before looking back at the fire.

"You and your cousins are very close. I really like that about you guys."

"That's cuz we spend just about every minute of our lives together." He snorted.

"But that's a good thing. Families should always be close." Dani informed. "My family is spread out so I don't get to see them as much."

"You have a large family?"

"Not as large as yours must be, but there are quite a few of us." At that moment there was a shuffling sound heard and the two quickly turned in the direction of the couch behind them that was facing the other wall. Dani shrank down in the couch she was sharing with Jake. "Who is over there? I thought everyone was upstairs."

"How long have you been down here?"

"Like an hour." Jake frowned and took out his wand.

"Don't move." He got up quietly and crept cautiously over to the couch. When he saw who the intruder was, a blank look crossed his face before he turned and walked away.

"What is it?" whispered Dani, looking concerned. Jake just shook his head.

"We should just try going to bed." He suggested. The younger girl looked confused but agreed. Jake watched her walk up to the girls dorm before going off to his own dorm. He dropped on his bed and glanced over at where AJ slept. Since when did the guy and his cousin become so close? And why the hell were they cuddled up on the couch sleep together? Jordan was definitely going to have to hear about this.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry was quick to join the group of Gryffindor parents the next morning as the head of houses arrived, ready to successfully lead the groups to their children. Ginny was right beside him looking anxious and tired. He knew she had got just as much sleep as he did. Even Ron could be seen not too far ahead with tired eyes and grumbling to himself about how "this organizing business was all a waste of time." Hermione made no attempt to silence him. Other parents were in agreement with him however. There was muttering going on in parts of the groups as they were lead into four different directions depending on the House they were headed towards. "This place hasn't changed a bit… well, except for clear mandatory reconstruction." Said Fred.

"So much time has passed since then. Can you believe it might all be happening again?" said Alicia quietly. George took his wife's hand into his and gave it a squeeze.

"Don't think about it too much." Harry looked around the familiar corridors. Years ago a war had taken place in these same walls and the people he considered family had nearly died fighting in it. He was only 17 when this all took place.

"Snickerdoodles." Harry snapped out of his thoughts when the group came to a halt at the Gryffindor entrance. The Fat Lady still held her post. When the portrait flew open, the parents were greeted by the confused faces of the young Gryffindors that had gathered in the common room.

"Tommy!" One of the mothers had shoved through and latched onto a shocked and now embarrassed 16 year old boy. It wasn't long before the adults flooded into the room and took hold of their respectable child or children.

"Dad!" Harry turned and was immediately tackled by Lily. Although he was shocked by the sudden impact, he couldn't help but to feel relieved he hugged his daughter back and spotted Ginny hugging James not too far away.

"Mum, calm down!" Harry glanced over his shoulder and noticed Hermione had managed to pull all three of her boys into one hug. Ron smiled fondly while Jordan Weasley expressed clear embarrassment. Much like his father, the boy's ears had gone scarlet. Fred and Angelina had found their kids and Angelina had taken to questioning her youngest while not too far away George, Alicia, and Jake were the most calm of the families, George making the occasional joke while Jake assured his mother he knew how to shield himself in case of an attack.

"Dad, Josh saved us yesterday!" announced James, breaking his father's thoughts. Lily nodded in agreement.

"He was so cool dad!"

"Where were you that you were put in danger like that?" asked Ginny, a tremble in her voice.

"We were running back here." answered James.

"James would have been taken if Josh hadn't shown up."

"Taken?"

"Brianna!" The concentration was broken was broken once again when a Hispanic make came rushing through the crowd, followed by a calm younger male. The girl he had rushed over to looked clearly embarrassed and annoyed. "Hermanita!" he grabbed her into a right hug.

"Hermano…" Everyone looked at the group in shock for a while, but considering the large debate that was now developing in a language none of them could understand, they all turned back to their own families. Matt seemed the most interested in the scene until Hermione gave his ear a tug and began to scold him. Harry turned back to his children who began going on about their more pleasant Hogwarts experiences. He wanted to ask more about their encounter, but apparently that was no longer up for conversation. All that matter for now was that his kids were all OK.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Brianna let out a sigh as she sat in the bleachers of the Quidditch pitch and pulled her cloak tighter around her. Many of the parents had started leaving and she took that moment of distraction to get away. Many of the parents were getting to know each other and she didn't feel much like being around for the awkward anecdotes. "Well aren't we being social." She glanced over and frowned at the sight of Matt Weasley, who stood and few rows down, hands shoved in his pockets as he looked back at her expectantly.

"What do you want, Weasley?" he came and casually dropped next to her, leaning back.

"So, those were your older brothers, huh?" Brianna sighed and nodded. "They seemed pretty worried."

"The loud one was Nick. He can be dramatic. He's the oldest. Bobby was the calmer one. S'pose it's a good thing Ian and Shawn didn't come." Marr looked confused.

"You have four older brothers?" Brianna looked at him and nodded casually.

"Not too odd considering." The red head nodded slowly and looked up at the sky.

"So you know you shouldn't be out here alone. Hogwarts isn't going to be the same after today."

"Well you're here, so technically I'm not alone." The pair glanced at each other and looked away just as quickly. "So what do you think is going to happen? They won't close the school down will they?"

"I don't think it's come down to that just yet. It may just be that one attack, but those deatheaters were after something." Brianna nodded slowly and pulled her knees to her chest.

"I don't like this." She whispered. There was a silence and she felt an arm go around her shoulders and her body get pulled close to another. She could feel her face getting hot as she looked up at the already red faced Weasley, who refused to look back at her.

"Everything is going to be fine. There are all kinds of powerful witches and wizards that are working together to keep us safe. Nothing's gonna happen…. I promise." Brianna looked down and hugged her knees tighter. She hated to admit that she felt safe at the moment, but she allowed herself to lean into her classmate and accept the comfort. Neither of them noticed the parental audience below.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ron walked beside his wife with a wide, proud grin on his face and an air of pride when they returned to the Ministry. Hermione made a face at her husband. They happened to catch their twin boy having quite the innocent bonding moment with one of his female classmates and Ron automatically assumed the most. "I'm telling you, 'Mione, our boys know how to pick 'em."

"I think he was just trying to console her, Ronald." He ignored her however and continued with his goofy grin on his face, not paying attention to the rushing owls over head and the insanity he and his wife were walking into.

"Mr. Weasley!" Cassie had come running over, out of breath, with a messy stack of papers in her arms.

"What's going on?"

"Attacks are being reported throughout Britain. There have even been spotting by Muggles of various magical creatures and rumors of Azkaban breakouts! Everyone is in an uproar." Both Ron and Hermione allowed the dread take over them. Among the rush, Sirius and Remus could be seen trying to help calm everyone and bring order. Remus was sorting papers with his wand as owls dropped mail from the air one after another. Sirius was talking to a group, Harry being a part of it.

"Guys, what is all this?" asked Hermione. Harry looked around his uncle at his long time friend and the look on his face was not bringing her to ease. Hermione glanced at the others and they were just as serious.

"It's that bad…"

"I think it's time to bring back The Order."