A/N: Harry Potter and his world belongs to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

Response is still going strong. Thank you so much again. I hope to keep entertaining you.

As always, a huge thanks to my beta Ravenclaw Midnight Blue. There are some good stories at his page that I recommend. His new one, The Green, Greengrass Of Home, is his newest one.

Long chapter... I kept adding things due to reviews or thoughts and didn't want to rearrange future chapters. Enjoy.

-oOo-

Chapter 16

-oOo-

July 24, 1994

London, England

"Madam Bones, Head Auror Scrimgeour for you," the voice of her secretary came over the old brass ship-style mouthpiece.

"Let him through," she said.

A man with a mane of sandy coloured hair entered the room. His intense grey eyes and the limp from an old war injury gave him an appearance of a hunter on a prowl.

She motioned for him to close the door and he sat.

"We don't have our weekly appointment for another few hours," she said to him.

"I am required to notify the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement anytime the Aurors are to execute an arrest and search on any member of the Ministry that is an assistant-head or higher," the man replied, putting a thick manila folder on her desk.

She raised an eyebrow. "Notify? Not sign?"

"The case involves one of your wards, and you have recused yourself from the ongoing case of Mr. Potter," the man told her.

She understood. Only the Undersecretary of the DMLE could have signed these, and she trusted Tiberius Ross. Picking up the folder, she raised her eyebrow. "You have the appropriate staff and everyone is sworn to secrecy until the raids are complete?"

"Do you take me for a new, snot-nose recruit?" he challenged unhappily.

"You know I don't, Rufus. You are about to arrest three Heads and four others," she told him. "Two of them in my own department."

"Head Trask of Wizarding Child Services and Head Bernard of Magical Records are already in custody. Teams are already dispatched to their houses. Head Crouch should have a team knocking on his door in about two minutes. The others will be apprehended shortly after," Scrimgeour informed her.

As always, the man was efficient and silent. She found herself hoping she never found herself on the other end of his efficiency.

"I will prepare for the Press. I don't want them seeing anyone else until they have been questioned and you have what you need," she ordered. "I will have a memo to you in about ten minutes."

The man nodded. "Thank you. That gives me what I need to make it happen."

-oOo-

July 29, 1994

London, England

Susan was giving him a sly smirk from across the table in the kitchen. They had all received the invitations to the Abbott's cotillion yesterday. She had been giving him that look since then. He glared back at her. "What?"

"Noth-ing," she said in a sing-song voice.

"You're bloody annoying," he groused at her. Her smirk just widened.

Soon they were joined by the rest of the alliance children for their Friday workouts and training. Most were now showing up in the Muggle style gym outfits. Most of the girls were happy they could wear the running pants now, but usually removed them to do the running.

Daphne came in, followed by Astoria, who was now doing all the lessons with them. Harry looked up to meet her eyes. If he didn't, he would find himself looking at other parts of her. As the last month went on, he found his eyes drifting more and more.

Tracey came in a second later, sat in a chair and plopped her head on the table. It was about quarter past six. "Is it bad I am looking forward to going back to Hogwarts because I can sleep in an hour more?"

Ernie and Blaise chuckled. "Count me in on that," Ernie replied.

"I am keeping the same schedule," Harry told them, which earned him a few groans and a raised eyebrow from Daphne. Hermione walked in last, looking just as chipper as she usually did first thing in the morning.

Harry shrugged at Daphne's look. "It will keep me in shape for Quidditch. Neville, Hermione, and I were already going to do it anyway before we left."

She let out a breath through her nose. "And I suppose you want all of us to join you?"

"Nev and I wouldn't mind the company, right?" Harry looked towards his cousin.

Neville nodded. "I'm with Harry on this one."

Hermione let out a small yawn. "If you are doing it, I'll join you."

"You're all barking mad," Ernie groused.

Blaise shrugged. "I'm not going to let Potter get ahead of me this year."

Since the first alliance meeting, Blaise had started some competition with him. Even if the boy was huffing most of the time, he was now keeping pace with Neville and him. "I didn't know you caught up yet," Harry poked him.

The boy's dark eyes bored into him. "Mother has said I am to get better grades this year. I know I can't match Grainger or Daphne, but I can match you."

Harry raised an eyebrow and didn't get to say anything else before Sirius entered the room with Lord Davis. Lord Davis was doing the run and exercises with them at least twice a week, if not all three days. "Right, you maggots... I mean young women," Sirius said towards him, Neville, Blaise and Ernie, "No offence meant to the actual young women," Sirius concluded with a smirk.

He got a few eye rolls or disgruntled comments back, which just had Sirius give a barking laugh. "Right. Today we are going to lengthen the run to five miles. I want you to keep up the pace and stay together. We don't want anyone left behind, especially the Aurors. Everyone to the front door in three-minutes."

None of them waited, making their way out to the atrium. Daphne removed her running pants and Harry was nudged by Neville. "Hannah is watching you. What did you do?"

He shook his head and looked towards Hannah and Susan. They had their heads together, talking softly and both eyeing him. "Susan has been on me since we got the invitations yesterday."

"Ah," Neville said.

Ernie was on the other side of Neville. "Should I ask to escort Susan?" he asked, sounding nervous.

They both looked to the boy, not realizing he liked their redheaded friend that much. "You should," Neville said in a soft voice before Neville questioned Harry. "Are you going to ask Daphne?"

Harry looked back to the dark-haired girl, who was talking with Tracey, Blaise, and her sister. "Do you think she will say yes?" he questioned back. He knew she probably would with how everyone talked about them, but it still didn't mean he didn't question himself, or that he was ready for anything more. He liked her, there was no question there. She was starting to make it into most of his dreams at night. He just had no experience in this and was only turning fourteen in two days. Daphne was already fourteen.

Ernie chuckled. "If she doesn't, she's been leading you on."

Harry looked to Ernie questioningly.

Neville shook his head. "Tracey has asked for me to dance with her, I offered to fill her dance card. I think you can do the same with Daphne."

If Neville could do it, he could. Why was looking at the cute, brown-eyed girl more scary than even facing the basilisk? His heart was already pounding, and they hadn't even left the house yet.

"Come on you lot, let's get a move on," Sirius called from the front of the hall.

In the last week or so, Harry and Neville had taken up the back of the pack, spurring on the stragglers, mainly Tracey, Astoria and Hannah. It started out that way, but by the time they made it to the park, Harry had screwed his courage up enough to work his way to the front with Hermione and Daphne. Blaise was running just behind them and sped up to run besides Hermione as he moved up.

Daphne gave him a glance. "Decide to join the front again?"

He chuckled. "Can't let you get ahead," he replied.

She chuckled too. She wasn't breathing as hard as she was the beginning of the month. The four of them ran before the others for a few minutes before Harry nudged her, enjoying the feel of her bare arm on his. "I'm trying to run here," she told him.

"Did you get the invitation to the Abbott's cotillion yesterday?" he asked. Hermione and Blaise looked at them, almost breaking his nerve.

She spared him a long look before watching the path again. "Yes."

He tried to take in a deep breath or two. "Do you think I am ready to," he huffed out, "dance with you?"

Her eyebrow rose. "You are... passable."

Hermione shook her head. He saw the look in her eyes that said, 'you couldn't have waited?'. The reproach in her eyes had his courage wavering.

"Alright. I hope you will join me for a dance or two," he said, before falling back, not waiting for a response.

When he fell back next to Neville, he got a questioning look. Harry just shrugged.

-oOo-

Later that day...

Harry sat on the floor, doing his stretches in a far corner of the room. Amelia had had to change her lessons from Wednesday to Friday this week, and today was the first day they had got to use the wooden swords around the room. Harry enjoyed those more than the knives, but the knives were small and easier to conceal. Susan was already way ahead of them all, Amelia having trained her from a young age.

Hermione was next to him. "What was that about, asking Daphne while we were running?"

Harry gave a little shrug, focusing on the way his muscles in his legs felt as he stretched.

After a moment of not answering, she shook her head. "Harry, if you really like her and want to ask her to the dance, you should do it in a better way."

His face heated a little. It wasn't like there was a book or instructions... he scrunched his face. There was a book and instructions on how he should do this properly. "Fudder," he muttered.

She shook her head. "You have read all the books Madam Bulstrode gave us?"

"Yeah. I just wasn't thinking about it," he replied.

Her look softened. "I have to catch myself too at times. I think she will understand if you apologize."

He nodded his head. "I will have Amelia send a letter to Lord Greengrass requesting to escort her."

"Daphne would like you to ask her properly before you do," Hermione whispered.

"Is she upset with me?"

This time Hermione chuckled. "I don't think so. I think more embarrassed by the way you did it."

"Fudder," Harry muttered.

-oOo-

The same day...

London, England

Amelia wasn't pleased. It had been a circus the last six days having three Heads of Departments and the mind-boggling news that Barty Crouch Sr. and Barty Crouch Jr. had both been apprehended in the raids. She had wanted to keep the last one quiet until the trials, but somehow the hag, Rita Skeeter, had found out.

It was imperative to move these cases quickly. They would be very important in establishing the case of Line-theft for Houses of Cornish, Evergard and Poplar. The Ministry was moving to recognize the Houses again on the Wizengamot at the Autumnal Equinox and return some of the monies confiscated by Ministers Fawley and Spencer-Moon, the DMLE heads at the time and Dumbledore... though Dumbledore was not associated with the Ministry outside of his family's seat at the time. His manipulations were deep. So deep, that Crouch and Bagnold had been involved in the burying of the Potter will and handing Harry over to Dumbledore.

They had tried to do the same to Sirius Black, the McKinnens and the Prewitts. With all the McKinnens dead, they had succeeded - but the evidence showed that someone in the DMLE had given away the secret of the McKinnons, and Crouch covered it up. He had covered up the Prewitts as well.

Looking at the file, she now understood why.

Barty Crouch, Jr.

Father and son would both be executed for their crimes. There would be no Azkaban. The former Head of the DMLE had kept his son under the imperious curse for over a decade. He had obliviated three people that had found out about his son over the years. One was in the hospital, Bertha Jorkins was now in St. Mungo's seeking treatment, and no one could locate Auror Evers. He had disappeared shortly after the Crouches had been taken into custody. She had suspicions that Evers had either been helping Barty or had been compelled to do something.

"Rogers, you are sure that all the evidence is validated?" she asked her Senior Barrister that was trying the cases. "I don't want to see either of the Crouches to see anything less than the veil," she told him.

"You know most of these are a dementors kiss, not the veil," he replied.

She frowned. The Kiss was for public executions. The veil was for those that no one wanted to see again. "I would prefer the veil. I don't want any bodies that can be paraded around. You know some in the Wizengamot will do that."

"I'll do what I can, Head Bones. You know I will have to ask you to recuse yourself, and the Potter seat," the middle-aged man with short brown hair and hazel eyes informed her.

"I will not give the impression of any impropriety in this. I need these cases to go to trial and have convictions. If I can't get Dumbledore, I will get everyone that helped him," she told Rogers.

The man nodded. "We are doing everything we can. I would expect a few more arrest warrants to be issued soon."

"Who?"

"I am sure Scrimgeour will let you know," he said a little significantly. That meant more Ministry employees, probably those relatively high up.

As she looked at the file again the other name that popped out was Vernon and Petunia Dursley. Their name had been put on many sealed documents by Dumbledore, and signed by Barty. With their permission, as part of the plea deal, the Solicitors Offices had been able to get sealed documents open that had anything to do with the Dursleys. Which led to the arrest of Head Bernard.

Roberta Bernard, Head of the Department of Records, had taken bribe money to bury many of the documents. Of course, at the time, she was a clerk, but she had been recommended by Dumbledore to make Head about six years ago. Four clerks from the DMLE's Solicitors office were now going through the records to see what else she had a hand in modifying or burying. What rankled Amelia was that she had trusted and thought Head Bernard to be one of her better Heads.

Lastly, there was poor Anabelle Trask, who was now in St. Mungo's next to Remus. She was found to have suffered many obliviations over the years, all thanks to Dumbledore. She had no ideas what the man had been playing with, but she was about to start dragging his reputation through the mud. The Light Alliance was in disarray already. Once these trials went to the Wizengamot in the next month or so, she figured it would be in full rout. It was going to be a dangerous time for a bit, but many were still thrown by the new Potter-Greengrass Alliance.

"I will keep my eyes open for more. Do you need anything from me today?"

"Just the approval for the extra funds. I am bringing in two more Solicitors for this. I think we will have another six trials soon," Rogers told her.

She nodded. "I'll have that settled by the end of today."

A knock came at her door. "If you don't mind, Rogers, I have a nine o'clock I need to see."

"Of course, Head Bones. We'll keep you up to date on what we can."

"Don't do anything that would compromise any of these cases," she warned him.

"I know my job," the man responded. She would not have signed him off as a Senior Barrister if he didn't.

The door opened. "Amelia, what is the meaning of this," Minister Fudge said angrily, a copy of the Daily Prophet in his hands. "I let you arrest Barty Crouch, but his son is still alive! Why hasn't he been kissed by a dementor yet!?"

"I'll just see myself out," Rogers said quietly and she nodded.

-oOo-

July 30, 1994

Cleasby, England

Neville was focusing on the plant before him. It was easier to focus on the moist soil, the smells of the flowers and avoid the vines or other dangers, than it was to face the reality outside the greenhouses.

Gran had said his mum fit naturally into the Longbottoms. She was an Auror, but had taken over the greenhouses on her time off. It was the one place that he felt the closest to his parents, and today he needed that. The fact that a dead man had been found alive, and that man had been part of the group that had tortured him and his parents, was something that had unsettled him.

The door to the greenhouses opened. He figured it was Gran because the person wasn't announced. Gran didn't like visitors being unescorted.

Neville kept working, trimming off the dead leaves or shoots. Looking to the plant next to him, he decided the dittany would need to be harvested.

He waited for Gran to say something. She always had something to say. The voice that came to him was not the one he expected. "Neville?" a girl's voice said, one he liked very much.

He turned to see Tracey standing in the aisle, her hands grasping the other before her and she looked concerned. "What are you doing here?" he asked, surprised to see her.

She rocked on her feet for a moment. "Madam Longbottom said you were down in the greenhouses and that I could come down. I wanted to see if you were alright," she told him.

The small smile she had brought to his face fell off. "Why wouldn't I be?"

She gave him a sad smile. "I know about your parents and mother told me about what the Daily Prophet reported yesterday. I just thought, you know," she said. "I am concerned."

A frown came over his face. "You know that bastard was one of them!" His voice was low and angry.

She nodded.

"He's supposed to be dead," he told her, grasping the shears in both hands.

She took a tentative step towards him. "I know. Father said he will be going to trial again in a few weeks."

Neville pursed his lips. "Gran is going to push for the Dementor's kiss. I think he should be tortured into insanity."

There was a silence between them for a moment. "You don't mean that," Tracey said in a quiet voice.

His hands started to shake. "Why not? It was him and Bellatrix Lestrange that tortured my parents..."

"You are a better man than that," she replied.

Gran had taken him to see his parents last weekend. He had added the bubblegum wrapper his mother always gave him to his collection. It was the only thing his parents had ever given him. "He should be tortured into insanity. He should know what it is like."

She took another step forward, close enough to take his hands and remove the shears from them. "You are a better man than that," she repeated. His hands were shaking and she wrapped her hands around his after putting the shears on the table.

"I want him dead," Neville told her.

"Let the Wizengamot handle that."

Neville felt frustrated and angry tears welled in his eyes. "You don't understand, Tracey."

"Then explain it to me," she requested.

He shook his head and his hand squeezed hers tightly. "I go to see my parents every few weeks when we are not at Hogwarts. Gran wants to make sure they still recognize me as I grow up. They don't talk. They don't act like they recognize me. The only thing mum ever does is give me bubblegum wrappers and pat my cheek. Bellatrix Lestrange did that to them..." his voice was ragged and hoarse,"...my parents were being tortured... Gran said Barty Crouch, Jr. admitted during his trial he would torture me when Bellatrix would let up her curse, so that they could hear me scream."

Tracey looked stricken. He felt guilty. He had never told anyone before, and he wasn't sure why he was telling Tracey. "Oh, Neville, that's horrid," Tracey said.

He went on. "I hear them at times," he told her very quietly.

Her watery eyes grew a little wider. "What do you mean you hear them?"

"I know Harry hears his mother the day she was murdered when around Dementors. I hear my parents screaming," said Neville.

A tear ran down her cheek. "Oh, Neville!" she said again, letting go of his hands. He thought he had scared her away. Instead, the slight frame of the blonde girl was pressed against him as she wrapped her arms around him in a hug. He was so surprised he just stood there. "I'm so sorry."

Unsure what to do, he patted her back. "It's not your fault."

He felt his own hot tears on his face as she buried her face into his chest. He was happy that his baby fat was burning off. Much of it had, actually, and he had shot up a few inches in the last few months, now being close to Harry's height.

"You still suffered."

He finally wrapped his arms around her, eventually resting his head on hers. After a bit, she pulled back, rubbing the tears off her cheeks. "What were you doing in here?"

He did the same as her. His voice was still a little hoarse. "Pruning. I was going to harvest the dittany after that. Then package it to send to the apothecaries."

She sniffed. "Why not brew essence of dittany or healing potions yourself? You could earn more," she suggested.

He made a face. "You know I'm rubbish at potions."

She sniffed again and he took a handkerchief out of his pocket. "Thank you," she told him. "You are only rubbish because Snape never leaves you alone. What if I helped you brew the potions? We could go back to Churchill Place and use our lab."

He looked at her. "I blow up, melt the cauldron, or mess up just about every potion I attempt," he said dubiously.

He motioned for her to keep the handkerchief. "Like I said, that is only because Snape flusters you. I see it. I can help you."

After a moment, he said, "I will do my best."

She smiled. "You can do better than that," she said a little more confidently. After a moment she asked, "Are you better now?"

He gave her a long face. "I want him and the Lestranges dead."

She hugged him again. "No, you don't. I can't pretend to know how you feel, but you are a better man. You don't want to stoop to their level. Would you like me to go with you to see your parents at some point?"

He hugged her tight for a moment before letting her go. She stepped back, no tears this time. "Gran was thinking of going this afternoon," he said.

She took his hand. "My parents said I could spend the day over here. Teach me how to harvest the dittany and then I will go with you."

He gave her a worried look. "You sure?"

"We are friends. I am led to believe friends are there when needed for each other," said Tracey.

"Thank you," he eventually said, squeezing her hand. "To have the best quality, you have to cut it about an inch above the roots. That also allows the dittany to regrow. You don't want to take more than a quarter of the plant, or it won't grow back until the next pollination season. There is a smock in there." He indicated a small, glassed room at the end of the greenhouse.

Tracey nodded, taking the snippers Neville pulled out of his pocket. "I don't mind a little dirt," she told him.

Neville smiled. Hopefully they would have Herbology with the Slytherins this year. "You will still need a basket from the drying room."

-oOo-

July 31, 1994

Somewhere along the North Sea...

Albus was looking out at a grey ocean. The weather was not that pleasant today, unlike the last week, which had been hot and full of sun.

The last month or so had seen his strength return, and much of his magic with it. Again, Severus had come through with his skills in potions and knowledge of healing magic. The man may know more dark magic than even he could think to know, but on the other hand, he had become a true expert in learning how to counter such dark magic.

"Are you sure this is the place? Not very... hospitable," Severus said from beside him. The waves were a little high and rough today as storm clouds threatened.

"I am certain. Can you not feel the power below? Tom has hidden it well, but there is a certain darkness that can be felt," Albus instructed the younger man.

Severus scowled. "I do not feel it," he said, sounding disappointed in himself. Albus just shook his head. As accomplished the man was, Severus had never bothered to develop the skills to feel the land. His skills were much more in the mind arts.

"It is here. I assure you. This is the fields that the orphanage used to take the children too. It took me years to track down one of the children Tom brought to the cave below," Albus assured the man.

Severus gave him his blank stare. If Albus could read his mind, he had no doubt the man would be raging inside. For all his nasty exterior, it still bothered the man to see those he considered innocent to be tortured or killed.

"I would recommend we apparate down, but I fear that might trigger defences. Once down this path we can swim in."

Severus brow rose. "You want to do this today? I am unsure if I can fix you again if you get broken on the waves and rocks."

Albus sighed. "We must do this soon. If your contacts are correct and the prophecy has been fulfilled, then the faster we can defeat Tom, the faster we can both get back to our old lives."

"I have no intention of teaching those brats again," Severus said in a flat tone.

Albus patted the man's arm. "You do a fine job of it, though. Once I regain my Chief Warlock position, Bones and her allies will learn who the true power is here. To do that, we need to destroy these abominations and then draw Tom out and kill him where there are witnesses."

"And what of Potter? You don't seem to care if the boy lives or not anymore," Severus put to him.

Albus smiled. "So you do care?"

Severus scoffed. "Only because he has Lily's blood in him. The boy is still as arrogant and attention hungry as his father."

Albus shook his head. "I think you put the sins of the father onto the son."

Severus didn't say anything as Albus started down a slick tract that led to the water.

"You still didn't answer my question. Why have you given up on Potter? You once told me it didn't matter if the prophecy was for him or not," Severus pushed, just barely being heard over the roar of the waves.

Albus just waived his hand over his shoulder in dismissal. Severus didn't need to know the rest of the prophecy, and now that it was irrelevant, so was Harry Potter. Albus could use the death of Voldemort to attain the heights he had after defeating Grindelwald.

Though, last time he took down a Dark Lord, Albus had saved the man, still being in love with him. This time, he would put Tom down like the rabid dog he was, and then work to redeem his followers again. After all, having a united Wizengamot was not conducive to his vision of the Wizarding World.

"It's all for the Greater Good," he muttered as he carefully made his way down towards the raging waters. His old wand wasn't as nice as the Elder Wand, but it wasn't bad either. When they were close enough, he curled the water around them and they walked through the maelstrom of raging water.

He suppressed a chuckle. Even after all these years Severus was still impressed at times at the power Albus could wield.

-oOo-

The same day

London, England

"This isn't a good idea," he heard the voice of Hermione filter through his door. "Harry doesn't like surprises."

Harry had been enjoying a quiet day in his room as thunderstorms rolled by. He put down the book he was reading. Somedays, like this, he wished that electricity worked in magical homes. Unfortunately, anything inside a ward field stronger than a Muggle distraction charm just 'fries them up', as Sirius put it. It made him wonder how Hermione was going to ward her house like she wanted to...

"Do you think he will mind?" he heard Susan say outside his door.

"I don't think he's ever had a party," Hermione responded.

Harry groaned. He didn't want a birthday party. There were no happy memories he had from this day besides Hagrid telling him he was a wizard.

"Why would he not have a party?" the distinct voice of Hannah came through.

"I am not sure I should say," Hermione sounded hesitant.

Harry let out a breath. He wanted to be left alone today. Getting up, the three girls were still talking outside his door as he opened it. "I don't want a party," he told them.

Susan looked at him. "How are you not excited it's your birthday? You turn fourteen today. Mine is in three weeks and I can't wait."

Harry just gave a grunt. "Birthdays have never been a big thing for me."

Hannah and Susan looked confused while Hermione looked sad. Harry hadn't really mentioned anything to anyone but Hermione and Daphne about him growing up with his relatives. "Well, Auntie always celebrates my birthday, and today we are celebrating together. Come on, everyone is downstairs," Susan ordered, taking his arm and leading him away from his room. "Me, you and Neville are celebrating our birthdays today."

"Don't I get a say?"

Hermione shook her head but chuckled at the same time. "You do, but not today."

They dragged him down to the formal dining room and he froze to see it decked out with streamers, what must have been a dozen snitches or more flying around and everyone in their alliance, and whom he considered his friends... well mostly. He wasn't sure how he felt about Blaise yet... were here.

Daphne was waiting by the door and gave him a smile as everyone started to sing Happy Birthday. He took a step back and his best mate was there to put a hand on his shoulder. Looking around, the Davis, Longbottom, Bulstrode, Zabini, Abbott, Greengrass, Bones, Granger and Black households were all here. He wasn't sure to run or let his emotions break out. He had never celebrated a birthday, let alone with almost thirty people that were here for him, and that he wanted around.

When they were done, Daphne came over. "I can take him now," she said to Hermione. Hannah and Susan gave them a knowing smirk.

"I was just trying to make sure he wasn't going to run," Hermione replied.

"Everyone is here for us?" he asked, looking at Daphne.

"I do believe your name is one of the ones on the banner," Daphne commented.

A smile slowly crept over his face. "Wicked," he said in wonder. Daphne and Hermione laughed to hear him.

"Your place is at the head of the table with Susan and Neville," Daphne instructed and pulled him to the seat.

It was the best birthday, even better than the one that Hagrid knocked the door in on the old lighthouse and gave him his first Hogwarts letter. Honestly, he had so much fun and there was laughing and joking it was one of the best days he could remember. He had no issues sharing it with his cousins. After the cake and presents they spread out into the formal parlour, and Amelia opened the ballroom with some music.

That was where he found Daphne, sitting in a chair, talking with Susan. Lord and Lady Greengrass were dancing around the room, with Tracey and Neville looking as though they were practicing one of the more intricate dances Daphne had been working with him on.

There was some laughing coming from the parlour as the others played a game or the adults talked amongst themselves.

As he came up to the girls, he tried to keep his back straight and his hands at his sides. It felt stiff, but he was nervous and didn't want to mess this up this time. When they saw him come over, Susan whispered something to Daphne and got up.

"You don't need to leave," he told Susan, wanting just the opposite.

"I should go see what Hannah is doing. Happy Birthday, Harry," Susan told him before leaving.

"Happy birthday," he replied back.

Harry turned back to Daphne, who was sitting straight in the chair, her legs crossed and looking intimidating. He was sure she was still a little frustrated with him from the other day. He bowed to her.

"That is a little low," she commented in a low tone. "The Potters are still higher than the Greengrasses."

"I owe you an apology," he stated. When she rose an eyebrow, he went on. "I have been made aware I embarrassed you the other day. I never meant to do that."

She nodded. "Sometimes I forget you grew up as a Muggle. You have been acting more and more like a proper Scion should. I know you didn't mean the slight."

"No, I didn't." His stomach was a roiling storm and he looked around a little nervously. "This is the waltz you have been working with me on. Would you care to practice?" He held out his hand.

With a small nod, she took his hand and allowed him to lift her up. "I would like a dance or two at the cotillion," she told him as they lined up and he concentrated for a moment to make sure he got the beat.

He didn't say anything until he pulled her and they started to dance. He was trying to keep the step count as he responded. "I have been told that you are now of the age to be escorted," he remarked just before they came to the first big twirl.

Her face looked a little shocked. "Yes. We are both fourteen now."

He nodded and as he looked into her eyes, he didn't realize that he stopped counting as he led her around. It was barely a month of lessons, two times a week, but it was starting to feel like their bodies knew what to do. "Would you like me to have Amelia send a request to your father?"

A smile slowly crept across her face, he could see she tried to fight it down to keep the mask they had been told to emulate as they dance. She didn't answer as they continued. He counted a little, when he remembered, but soon lost it as they just moved. It wasn't until the music stopped and they were still standing, her hand in his right, his left on her waist and her left on his arm that he realized she hadn't said anything back. He was still waiting for her to answer, holding her in the proper position to start another dance.

When someone started to clap, they both jumped. Daphne looked shocked with herself she had been so distracted. Impetuously she moved in, went on her toes, kissed his cheek and said, "Make sure to send it to father tomorrow."

His face felt on fire, the spot where her lips had touched his cheek warmer than any other spot. Her mother was still clapping and her father just looking at them. Tracey and Neville looked just as flush, and he caught sight of most of their other friends looking in. Daphne looked to be fighting to keep her face neutral, but failing miserably as she grinned and at the same time looked shy at what she had just done.

"Very good, Harry. That is the way you should dance," Lady Greengrass commented.

He turned to look at Lady Greengrass and met the stare from Lord Greengrass. Harry held the man's hard eye for a moment before the man gave a very slight, almost imperceptible nod of approval.

Best birthday ever! a voice screamed in his head.

-oOo-

August 1, 1994

Rotherham, England

This was the start of one of their off weeks. There were no workouts, no training, no lessons for the next two weeks. Daphne had used it to have a lie in.

Tracey had come home with them last night and she found herself spitting the blonde's hair out of her mouth as she rolled over and tried to keep the sun out of her eyes by putting a pillow over her head. As they usually did since being small girls, they shared a bed when they had a sleepover.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

She groaned. There was that stupid sound that had bothered her a few minutes ago.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

This time it sounded annoyed. Could a sound sound annoyed?

"Are you going to get the bloody owl?" Tracey groused from next to her.

They had both stayed up far later than they should talking about Neville and Harry. Tracey was totally obsessed with the blond boy. After talking last night, Daphne was starting to wonder if she was feeling the same towards the raven haired boy she had kissed on the cheek last night.

"What owl?"

"That bloody snowy owl that is always nipping Harry's hands," Tracey said before trailing off in a huge yawn.

"Why would Hedwig be nipping Harry's fingers here?" Daphne asked confused, still not awake.

"I don't bloody know. Ask her. She's at your window," Tracey commented, her voice muffled from the pillow she had buried her face in.

Daphne blinked once. Then again before shooting up, her pillow rocketing over the side of the bed and her head whipping towards her clock. It was just past seven-thirty. Hedwig would only be at her window if Harry had sent her Merlin-be-damned early or last night.

She threw her blankets over Tracey and bounced out of bed. It was a run across the room, her hair trailing behind her and she threw open the window. Hedwig was on the sill and hooted at her regally, waiting for Daphne to pick her up and transfer her to a small owl stand on Daphne's desk.

"Did Harry send you this morning or last night?" she asked the owl, who looked a little tired. Unlike most people, Hedwig appreciated Daphne petting her head after removing the letter.

She recognized Harry's messy scroll and ripped the seal open from his scion ring.

-o-

Dear Daphne,

I talked with Amelia this evening. She will be sending the request to your father as soon as she can.

Thank you for the new Quidditch gloves. I really like the dragon hide on the palms. I will see you next week.

Harry

-o-

It was a short letter, but she read it three times before clutching it to her chest and squealing as silently as she could. She didn't usually act this way, but the way Harry made her feel was something special.

Tracey gave a groan from the bed. "He could have sent it a little later."

"Amelia has agreed to send father a request for Harry to escort me to the Abbott's cotillion," she said excitedly, jumping on the bed and bouncing Tracey.

Tracey rolled over and glared at her. "Are you a changeling?"

Daphne gave her best mate a death glare. She knew she was not this bouncy most of the time, but this was different. "Oh, shut it. You've been giddy ever since Neville asked your father."

"It's too early to be giddy. Come back to bed or leave me alone," Tracey grumbled.

Daphne hit her arm. "What a friend you are!"

Tracey gave her a little smile. "Potter is cute, but he's no Neville."

She stuck her tongue out at her friend and looked at the letter again. Tracey yawned and stretched. "I was having a good dream until that bloody bird started to wrap on the window."

Hedwig squawked at Tracey and the blonde looked a little dubious at Harry's snowy owl. Daphne copied the regal stance of the owl. "I would be careful what you call her."

Tracey screwed her face. "She's just as grumpy as Harry. Now, let me sleep some more."

"Fine," Daphne huffed. "I am going to see if there is any breakfast. I'll be in the family tearoom. Maybe go for a run later?"

At this Tracey opened her eyes again. "You really like all that running?"

Daphne shrugged. "Do you see how often Neville or Harry look at us when we run?"

Tracey had a small smile come to her face. "Alright, that is worth it to see how Neville blushes. I am going back to sleep though."

"Go back to sleep. I am up now," said Daphne dryly.

"Night," Tracey yawned.

It was a short time later that she found her father and mother sitting at the side table in the family tearoom. She still had Harry's letter in her hands, with a writing board, a self-inking quill and some parchment.

"Good morning, Daphne."

"Good morning, father. Good morning, mother," she commented, moving to the tea table. Winchester was around this morning, as he always was when father was here. "Winchester, what is for breakfast?"

"Anything the Miss wants this morning," Winchester replied.

"Can I have two eggs, the yokes runny, with a few bangers and toast?" she asked.

"Yes, Miss Daphne."

"Where is Tracey?" her mother enquired.

"Still sleeping," she answered, taking the writing board and making sure the parchment on it was flat.

"I am surprised you are up so early. It is not quite eight yet," her father commented.

Daphne had a small grin come to her face. "Hedwig was at my window and I couldn't fall asleep again."

Her mother looked at her. "I think you made quite an impression on Harry yesterday."

She felt her cheeks heat a little. She hadn't meant to kiss Harry on the cheek, but after she had, she had wanted to do it again. "It was his birthday. It should be special."

Her father chuckled at her. "I didn't see any of the other birthday children get kisses on their cheek."

She tried to focus on her letter and didn't answer. "Tracey kissed Neville on the cheek."

She missed the look between her parents.

"I received a letter from Amelia this morning," her father said conversationally. Her head shot up, her eyes a little wide and holding her breath. He took a parchment from under his plate and opened it. "It would appear Scion Potter has asked if he could be your escort for the Abbotts cotillion. She indicates it might be good practice for when he is put on the rolls in two years from now. Would you be willing to be his mentor for this?"

Her heart was pounding in her chest. She wanted to squeal again like she had earlier, but that was not really proper. After a moment of trying to get her pounding heart to calm down and not succeeding she inclined her head. "I would be willing to be his mentor and have him escort me that night."

He nodded. "I will let Amelia know."

"Thank you, father," she replied, not realizing she had a smile on her face as she turned back to the letter to give Harry the good news.

-oOo-

August 4, 1994

London, England

Harry was doing his revision from the tutors yesterday. Harry was going to be tested in a little over four weeks to see if he could join Hermione, Daphne and Tracey in Runes, or if he might have to start with the third years. He was working on it now so he could relax later today. Neville had invited him over and Harry was to head over at about two o'clock.

The door to the library opened.

"Here you are. Dobby thought you might be in your room," Sirius said out loud.

"I find it easier to concentrate in here," Harry replied, running his finger down a list of runes, looking for the one in the rune chain on his homework paper.

Sirius walked over. "Remus and James used to sound like such geeks when they talked about runes. You can't deny the results they got though."

"What results?"

"We made a few things at Hogwarts. Well, I should say Remus and James did. I was more the muscle to get things done," the man said with a smile. "They made some mirrors we used to talk to each other, sort of like Muggle walkie-tellies."

"Walkie-talkies," Harry supplied.

"Yeah. That was what Remus called them. I may still have a pair at Grimmauld Place. I'll take a look. Dobby's been slowly going through the rooms and packing things away," he said. "Thanks for letting him help. My mother's old elf finally kicked the bucket a month back."

"I'm sorry," Harry told him, not having heard that and having said Dobby could help if he had the time and wanted. With the way Tipsy and Minsy took care of Grace Hall, he had a feeling Dobby was bored a lot. He also had a feeling Dobby and Tipsy were up to something with each other, but neither said anything and Harry really didn't want to know. What Dobby did in his free time was up to Dobby.

Sirius waved his hand. "Don't. The thing was a miserable sod."

Harry frowned, not having met the elf, but not liking how Sirius just brushed it off. "Suppose I should go to the goblins and see about a new one. Speaking of which, what is going on with Dobby and Tipsy?"

"Don't know. Don't care. It's their business," Harry said.

"You should. If they make any new elflings, it could be a bit of a dispute between you and the Bones," Sirius commented.

Harry shrugged. "That is up to Dobby and Tipsy. If I need to talk to Amelia, then I will. I am not trying to be rude, but I want to finish this before lunch and I'm going over to Neville's later."

Sirius shook his head. "So much like Lily. Speaking of which," he said more solemnly, "has anyone taken you to see Lily and James' graves?"

Harry stopped scanning the column. "No," he said after a few moments.

"Do you want to?"

Harry turned to look up at Sirius. No one had ever asked. "When?"

"Now if you want. I haven't been either and thought today was as good a time as any," Sirius offered.

It was a half-hour later they apparated to an alley between a few houses and an old stone church. The road was cobbled, and he could tell it had the feel of a town that had slowly modernized over the centuries.

When they arrived, two Aurors were already waiting and a third popped in behind them. "Welcome to Godric's Hollow, pup. If you want to go see your old house, we can, but I was thinking we would just go see their graves today."

Harry just nodded. He wasn't sure what might come out if he opened his mouth.

"The Abbotts live on the outskirts, over there, and that way was where the Cromwell's were. I think Bathilda Bagshot still lives just down the street. There were other families here too..." Sirius trailed off. "Your mum fell in love with this place the first day they came."

"Why?" Harry asked, following Sirius as he made his way to a back gate to a large graveyard.

Sirius spoke as they walked, "There were about a half dozen other children about your age, and as many wizarding families, here at the time. You used to play with Hannah, Neville and a little girl named Gertrude. There was always laughter in the house. About a dozen of us knew where you were under the Fidelius. Gertrude was the daughter of one of Lily's friends from Hogwarts."

"Where does she live?"

Sirius frowned and looked around before pointing. "The Penhursts are buried over there. They were killed the weekend before your parents."

Harry felt a chill go through him. "Anyway," Sirius said, moving deeper into the graveyard. "I don't know all your history, but a few of your ancestors are buried here. The Potters have had a connection to Godric's Hollow going all the way back to Godric Gryffindor himself. James claimed you were descended from the Gryffindors, but they could never find any concrete evidence. The blood was too thin even for a goblin blood trace to follow. You are related to the Peverells though," Sirius said, stopping by a grave.

Harry looked at it. There were nine graves in a row, all with the name Peverell, spanning from 1115 A.D. to 1472 A.D.

"These are my relatives?" Harry asked.

"The Potter and Peverell line joined at some point in the fifteenth-century. James says your cloak came from them," Sirius said, looking at Harry.

"Woah," Harry muttered. He knew the cloak was old, but not that old. He reached to touch the head stone of Ignotus Peverell. He felt a ghostly whisp of magic brush his fingers and run up his arm. The cloak in his pocket felt cold through his clothes. He gave an involuntary shudder. It wasn't a bad feeling, but it wasn't natural either.

Sirius snorted. "I think that proves it. I felt that."

They stood there for a few moments before they walked off towards a tree in a corner of the graveyard. "I was told they were around here..."

Harry found the grave first. Sirius was one row over and walked by, not seeing the names on the front. Harry stopped, looking at the names. It was his parents. The people that had given their lives to keep him alive. He wasn't sure how long he stood there, just looking at the graves, before Sirius came to stand next to him.

"Hey, Prongs. You too, Paws."

Harry blinked. "Paws?"

Sirius sniffed. "Lily went through to become an animagus shortly after you were born. She was a lynx."

"You called her Paws," Harry understood.

Sirius gave a watery chuckle. "No. She called herself Paws. James wanted to call her Minx. That didn't go over too well."

Harry gave a watery chuckle of his own. From what Sirius had told him about his parents over the summer, it sounded like his parents. "She must have hated that."

"James had to go to the Order's Healer to have the stinging spells undone. James was powerful. Lily, when roused, could put us all to shame." Sirius sniffed. "You are a lot more like your mum."

Sirius took out his wand and summoned some flowers in his hand. He was sniffing more. "I'm sorry I didn't protect your son like I was supposed to," Sirius said, tears now coming down his cheeks.

Harry wasn't sure why, but he reached out and put a hand on Sirius shoulder. It was the first time he had initiated any type of touching with Sirius outside the sparring ring. "It wasn't your fault," he said to his godfather, as much to comfort the man as to assure himself he had forgiven Sirius. It really hadn't been his fault. It was all Dumbledore's.

Sirius wiped at his face. "Maybe," the man said. After a moment, he took a step back, tears freely rolling down the man's face. "Take as long as you want. I need to step away for a while."

Harry nodded and watched Sirius walk towards the gate they had come in. Harry's Aurors were at the points of a rough triangle around him. Looking back at his parents' graves, he noticed Sirius had dropped the flowers at the base. Harry leaned down, thinking they should be placed nicely. After he had, he ran his hands over the words on the stone. 'The last enemy to be defeated shall be death,' it stated.

"I wish you were here," Harry muttered. He lowered his head and started to cry. It was probably the first time he had ever cried over his parents.

-oOo-

August 6, 1994

Ripon, England

Harry looked up at the wooden rollercoaster. Susan was just as excited as he was, dragging Hermione towards the line. "We have to try it," Susan pleaded with Hermione.

Neville looked as uncertain as their bushy haired friend. "Are you a Gryffindor or not?" Harry prodded his cousin.

"Do I have to be?" Neville put to him.

"Up to you, but I am getting into line," Harry told him, following Susan and Hermione, who was worrying her lip.

Amelia looked up at the wooden Muggle contraption. "Is it safe?"

Mrs. Granger nodded. "Perfectly. Hold up you lot. If anyone doesn't want to try this, Dan is going to be waiting for us or he can take you to a different ride."

Hermione looked back to her father before sighing. "Fine, I'll go once," she huffed to Susan.

"This looks wicked," Harry commented as the coaster rumbled by.

"I think I'll keep Dan company," Amelia commented.

"Fine by me. Everyone going, get in line," Mrs. Granger told them.

After one last look, Neville slumped his shoulders and joined them. "If I die, I'm going to haunt you," he told Harry.

Harry just laughed. "It will be worth it," Harry assured Neville.

Neville made a face before squaring his shoulders. "Guess I'm a bloody Gryffindor."

Hermione huffed before them as they stopped when they got to the last people in line. "I'd rather face that giant chessboard again."

Harry shrugged. "You'll be fine."

Someone screamed as the coaster went by again. The rattling of the cart, shaking of the building and wood had Hermione looking dubiously overhead. "This is going to be awesome," Susan said excitedly.

"We are playing a few games after this," Hermione groused.

"Are you talking about all those little shops we saw on the way over here?" Susan asked.

Harry had to admit that Neville and Susan were fitting in well with all the Muggles. All the outings and training this summer were paying off.

By the time they made it to the front of the line, Hermione was looking a little green and Neville just stared as the coaster took off. "Is it supposed to be so loud?" Neville asked.

"It's wicked, isn't it," Harry said excitedly.

They took up spots towards the back, Hermione and Susan before them, Mrs. Granger behind Neville and him. When the coaster came back and they sat in their seats, Neville gripped the bar until his hands were white. "Remember to keep your hands and feet inside the cart and scream for the camera," an older teen boy said before it started.

"Let go of the bar and stick your hands up," Harry yelled at Susan as they crested the first hill. She screamed, like Hermione and many others, as it started, but was soon laughing like Harry as they twisted, turned and raced down the hills of the coaster. A flash went off as they raced around a corner that sloped down.

When they got back, Susan and him were laughing. Hermione was repeating, "Never again. Never again."

Neville just looked shell-shocked.

"You alright, Neville?" Mrs. Granger asked as they got out.

Harry was feeling too much of an adrenaline rush and when Susan turned to him and asked, "Again?" he raced down the exit ramp with her to get back into line.

Two more times later, they joined Amelia and Mr. Granger along a concourse of game stalls and food stands. "Where are Hermione and Neville?" he asked, running up to them.

Amelia looked at them. "Did you have fun?"

"I want to do that again before we leave," Susan said excitedly.

Their guardian just shook her head. "Your friends are throwing rings on bottles over there," she told them.

"Come on, Susan. I have some quid on me."

-oOo-

Amelia watched her niece and ward run away. Dan chuckled besides them. "I wanted to say thank you for taking Harry, Neville and Susan up here today. I know it's a long drive, but it's good to see Hermione have such good friends. We were worried for her for a long time."

Hermione screamed as Susan put both hands on her shoulders.

"It's good to see them all like this. Augusta had a hard time raising Neville and in the short time I have known Harry, I've never seen him so happy or free," she agreed with the man.

"Susan is invited to stay up here for a day or two, if she wants," Jane put in.

"I'll ask her."

They all watched the teens for a bit as they joked, laughed, and moved to a different stall.

"Susan and Neville are really taking to being in the Muggle world like this, aren't they," she asked the Grangers.

"They are getting there. I had to help Neville understand all the pound notes and coins he had and sometimes they say things I don't understand," Dan admitted.

"Hermione said we could come see her training at some point," Jane put to her.

"You are always welcome to Grace Hall. I can give you the address or you can use the portkey Hermione has. When we start back up, Lord Davis, is going to do a transfiguration class and how it can be used in defense. You may like to see that," she responded.

"I think we would like that," Jane replied.

"Amelia?" Dan asked as they started to walk and follow the group. She instinctively looked around for her Aurors and spotted three of the five with them today. The two that were supposed to be shadowing Harry and Susan were not to be seen. That was how it was supposed to be.

"Yes?"

Dan's happy face fell some. "I know what we talked about. How much danger is Hermione in?"

She gave another look around. "As I explained when I offered her the extra lessons, your daughter is a Muggle-born witch. Her friends," she nodded to the group as they did something to make her niece scream and hit Harry. The boy just laughed. "They are some of the last remaining heirs of important Houses in our world. There are elements out there that would like to see them snuffed out. That is something I will not allow. As long as she remains in our world, and those that believe they are above all others still persist in their beliefs, she will be in some type of danger."

"If you want to withdraw her, or go somewhere else, I will give you all the support I can. But I have a feeling she is safer with her friends," Amelia stated.

The three of them watched as Neville was clapped on the back as he was handed a big stuffed leopard.

Dan frowned. Jane was the first to say anything. "Hermione is happy. I mean truly happy. I have never seen her like this. I don't want to take that away from her."

"But dear, if she is in danger..." Dan started.

"You know Amelia has talked about this. Most of Europe seems to be the same. I really don't want to move to the Americas - and I enjoyed visiting Australia a few years ago, but it was way too hot. Where would you have us go?" she asked her husband.

After a moment he let out a big sigh. "I don't know."

"I was serious when I told you there is a group of us trying to change our world. Hermione's three friends over there are a large part of that push, as are our new allies. If we can get the traction that I think we can, then by the time they all graduate in four years, things will have changed enough that Hermione and those like her will not have the same restriction as she does now. She is also protected by a few powerful Houses. I'd be more afraid for anyone coming after any of them," Amelia told them.

The four teens were making their way back to them. "Dan, we are staying." Jane declared.

Dan nodded and they greeted the four happy teens before going off to find something to eat.

Amelia didn't miss the five Aurors this time. She was certain she only did because she knew them.