Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Hello everyone! Here's chapter 11, sorry it's a little short, I decided to skip a big chunk of time sense nothing interesting really happens. Chapter 12 is a little bit iffy, but I'll let you all know when I can get it up (should be 2 weeks or less). Thank you all, and I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 11: Leaving Graces

Harry sits in Hermione's bed, staring at his new Enchanted Mirror.

Although, one could hardly call it new.

"Harry, stop staring at that Mirror. It's just a gift," Hermione says, having grown tired of ignoring it since he got it for his birthday, a month ago. Ron looks up curiously from the Wizard Chess game he and Hermione were just engaged in. Ginny also shifts her attention away from the intense chess match.

"They only gave it to me because they want to keep track of me at Hogwarts this year," Harry says, eyes not leaving the magical gadget.

Ginny tentatively responds, "If it makes you feel any better, if my parents had some of those things, they would be calling us all the time. At least you only have to check in once a week."

"I think it's pretty cool that your father and Sirius made those to communicate in separate detentions. It's genius!" Ron says.

"But you know that if they could spy on me 24/7, they would," Harry retorts, ignoring Ron's comment. Although, secretly agreeing with it.

"I can see your point. But honestly, Harry, what parent doesn't what to know what their child is doing? They're not going to let up on this," Hermione responds. "And… in our situation, it might be a wise move on their part, giving you that Mirror."

"What's that supposed to mean?! I don't need someone watching over my every move, Hermione," Harry snaps.

"I'm not saying you do. But we manage to get ourselves in a lot of trouble at Hogwarts. I think it might be kind of nice to have a year where we have no choice but to focus on school," Hermione says. "Oh!" She remembers her Prefect badge is in her nightstand drawer. Hermione jumps up and heads over to get it for the trunk she'll take to Hogwarts in two days. Ron, smiles to himself, remembering that they'd both been made into Prefects. Harry purposely avoids eye contact with everyone as Hermione packs her badge.

"KIDS, LUNCH IS READY!" They hear Molly's voice downstairs.

All inhabitants of Number 12, Grimmauld Place head downstairs to the dining room. There's little conversation as they eat. The gloomy mood in the room is mainly caused by the adults, and Harry is sure that it has something to do with the fact that the kids are leaving in soon.

"Kreacher brings more food," the house elf announces as he steps into the dining room, but then mumbles, "Blood-Traitor's cooking for mudbloods and half bre —"

"Thank you, Kreacher," Sirius takes a deep breath. "…for the food."

Kreacher takes a weird look at his master. These tensioned exchanges between Sirius and Kreacher has become the norm, but Kreacher still has a hard time understanding what changed; why his master doesn't throw insults at him anymore.

"Kreacher lives to serve the noble House of Black."

Harry sits in the kitchen alone, looking at the front cover title of the Daily Prophet paper sitting on the table. He doesn't dare to read past it.

Dumbledore and The Boy Who Lied: Undercover Activities?
Where have they Been?
How can we Trust People Who Hide in the Shadows?

James walks in and sees him with the paper. He promptly walks over an takes it out of Harry's view.

"There's really no point in reading this garbage, Harry. It'll just depress you."

"Something's happening this year," Harry says suddenly.

"What?" James says, taken off guard.

"At Hogwarts. I can tell you and Mum are worried. That's why you gave me the mirror for my birthday: so you can keep an eye on me."

James sighs noticeably and runs his hands through his hair. "Harry…" Harry copies James' movements. Like father, like son.

"I was really hoping Hermione would be wrong this time. So, what's Fudge trying to do now?"

"…Fudge thinks that Dumbledore is forming some kind of army against him, and that he's using the students to do it."

"That's…"

"Crazy, I know. Fudge's paranoia is getting worse by the day. You saw the Prophet," James says. "But we think that he's just going to try and keep a closer eye on things at Hogwarts."

"Potter! Your Occlumency lesson has already started. Your time may not be worth much, but mine is extremely valuable!" Snape arrives in the kitchen and interrupts their discussion. Harry looks at the Grandfather Clock in the corner and realizes that it's ten after six.

"There's no need to be rude, Severus," James says with difficulty keeping his anger suppressed. "Harry lost track of time. And we were just having a discussion."

"Oh, well I'd hate to interrupt your precious father-son time. But you're probably making him into even more of a gigantic tool than he already is." Harry watches this exchange with deep interest. Harry never in a million years thought that he'd meet someone who Snape hates more than him. But he stands corrected. Snape's words are harsher when he talks to Harry than other students, sure. One could even argue that Snape is horrible to him. But this… this goes far deeper. Snapes eyes aren't just cold or resentful as he looks at Harry's father. They're menacing.

James loses it then. He stands up swiftly, nearly knocking the chair onto its back. "Say what you want about me. But don't you dare say a word against my son, you—"

"I'll be there in just a moment, sir," Harry interjects.

"Well, hurry up, Potter. I haven't got all day," Snape says. He then turns on his heel and promptly leaves the room. James turns back to Harry, his frustration evident on his face.

"Listen Prongslet, we're your parents. It's only natural for us to worry. The mirror is just a precaution. Weekly check-ins, okay Harry?"

Harry studies James intently, thinking to himself, So, we're really not going to talk about what just happened?

"Harry," James says, slight warning in his voice.

At this moment, Harry fabricates a false face that's completely void of emotion, not unlike the mask that one can usually find on Severus Snape. "Alright, Dad. Check-ins once a week. Got it."

"I'm gonna miss you guys," Harry says, in the arms of both Lily and James. For the sake of staying hidden from the public, they won't be able to see him off when he gets on the train to Hogwarts. And no matter what troubles they've had over the summer, they're still family, and Harry is still eternally grateful that he'll get to experience having parents after all.

Harry has come to the realization that arguing with his parents about what he should be involved in will just cause chaos and ample tension between them, neither are things that he wants. Harry now knows that if he does end up doing something to help the fight, he'll have to do it without the help of adults.

"We're gonna miss you too, Harry," Lily says sincerely and with tears building up. She cups his face in her hands Harry feels the full effects of a mother's unconditional love. "Please be safe."

Then it's his father's turn. "We love you, son."

"I love you, too."