Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot and two characters, Sikandar and Sarah Durrani. Harry Potter books are the sole copyright of J. K. Rawlings and Scholastic Books.
Summary: Post-Order of the Phoenix, Major Spoilers so if you haven't read book 5 then be warned. H/Hr; Ron out of the trio picture; Ginny joins trio; Harry finds out who his father really is; basically my answer to the Severitus Challenge.
Chapter 9 Attack on LAX and Houston and Leaky CauldronHarry, Hermione, Michelle, Julie, and Severus pulled out their wands and ran to where the explosion was heard. What they found was about two dozen Death Eaters attacking people.
Harry and Hermione put up a shield around the Death Eaters to keep the civilians safe. Meanwhile Severus, Julie, and Michelle started attacking the Death Eaters. Harry and Hermione turned their attention on the Death Eaters and started fighting them too. The four of them worked together in the fight. Harry and Severus stunned and immobilized them while the two girls bound them.
One of the Death Eaters started to taunt Harry, "Well well well, if it isn't Harry Potter and mudblood friend and the traiter, the dark lord will reward me handsomely for killing you." Harry immediately knew who it was, Lucious Malfoy.
Harry said, "Hello Malfoy, I hate to disappoint him but it would never happen." After stating this Harry fired off in multiple successions a disarming charm, stunning charm and a binding charm. This caught Malfoy by surprise and was down for the count before he knew what happened. The Death Eaters broke up their attack when the saw their leader went down. By the time the attack was over, Harry noticed that the ministry of magic in the states had finally shown up.
Telepathically spoken between Harry and Hermione
HarryHermione:: Hermione the Aurors of the US are here. We need to bring down the shield. They can't get in.
HermioneHarry:: Ok Harry I will work on this side while you work on the other side.
End of Telepathic conversation
Harry worked on one side of the battle and brought down the shield wards but left up the anti-apperation ward to keep the Death Eaters from escaping. When the shield came down the first thing they found themselves facing was both muggle guns and wands of the of the Americans.
"Put your sticks on the ground and put your hands up now!!!" yelled one of the military people with the muggle guns.
Harry told the others to follow the orders. They put their wands down and put their hands up. The Aurors on the other hand were trying to explain to the person who seemed to be in charge that the group was on their side. Finally it had taken the arrival of the state government official that was liaison for the Ministry of Magic in the States to get the group off the hook. Word had gotten to the Ministry what had happened and the next thing they knew they were greeted by the Minister of Magic of America Paul Jacobson, "Good afternoon everyone, I would like to on behalf of the Ministry of Magic here in the US, I would like to thank you for your assistance in the protection and apprehension of these terrorist. I have called for a press conference to make it known about what has happened. It is going to be held in Houston because I was made aware that you have a pressing matter to attend to in Houston. The conference is at 5pm. It will be held at the satellite ministry office in Houston."
Just then the ticket agent from the gate that their flight was leaving out of came to them and asked, "I am sorry to bother you but I understand that the five of you are on the flight to Houston?"
Harry nodded and said, "Yes ma'am we are. Is the flight ready to leave?"
She nodded and said, "You are the last passengers to board."
Harry thanked her and said they would be right there. He then turned to the minister and said, "We will meet you in Houston at 5pm. Good day sir."
Harry, Hermione, Julie, Michelle, and Severus got on board the flight to Houston. This was the first time Harry had been on an airplane and was a bit apprehensive about it. Hermione and Michelle calmed him down as best they could. Once they were in the air and the feel of your stomach having been left on the ground was gone, Harry was more relaxed. Severus had at times traveled by muggle transportation to keep a low profile.
Harry and Hermione got up and walked around a bit while Michelle stayed in her seat. She knew that Harry was nervous and Hermione was walking with him to calm him down. The man in the seat across the isle from her struck up a conversation with Michelle.
"I wonder who those people that were attacking everyone at the airport were and for that matter I wonder how they got past security with out problems," asked the man.
Michelle sighed and started talking, "Well to answer your first question, they are called Death Eaters. They are followers of what can be considered a modern day Adolph Hitler who is bent to take over the world and eradicate anyone that doesn't match his so called master race. By the way my name is Michelle Gault and the man in the seat in front of me is Severus Snape. The two that were sitting next to me are Harry Snape and Hermione Durrani. I am not sure how much I can tell you about how they were attacking with out breaking a few rules but let me ask you this. Do you believe in magic?"
The man nodded and said, "If you mean the wizarding world then yes I do. You mean to tell me that those people that attacked us at the airport are followers of you-know-who? Oh my god I remember the times when he first was around, it was one of the darkest times in history. By the way I am Dr. Jameson. Severus Snape as in the potions master of Hogwarts Professor Snape?"
Severus turned around and greeted the man, "That would be me Mark, it is good to see you again. I didn't realize you were there." Severus got up and shook Mark's hand.
"Severus I didn't know you had a son. I thought you and Lily broke up and she married James Potter?" asked Mark.
Severus nodded and said, "The break up was a façade, Lily were still married before she died. Harry Potter is really my son. Jamison, why does that name sound familiar, wait you wouldn't be a pulminologist would you?"
Mark nodded and
said, "Yes I am, why you ask?"
Michelle finally put two and two together why she had heard the name also, "Dr. Jamison I am one of your old patients. I have had asthma for as long as I can remember. We are actually going to Houston to come see you. Harry was just diagnosed with asthma this summer and had a very serious asthma attack earlier this month leaving him in a coma for a week."
Mark nodded and said, "Now I remember you, I thought you looked familiar. I haven't seen you since you were 11. Oh now I remember you spend most of your time in school now. So where are you going to school at now, Brenham?"
Michelle shook her head no and said, "I have transferred partly at the request of my aunt and uncle and also my mom and dad to Hogwarts. I am part of a student led defense team based at Hogwarts. Harry and Hermione run the team and I am one of the assistant leaders or group leaders. We are trying to get people prepared to defend their families and themselves against the dark times and Voldermort." Mark and Severus flinch at the name but Michelle ignores them.
Meanwhile, Harry and Hermione were having their own conversation in the galley area. One of the passengers had come back there also walking and spotted them.
He approached them and introduced himself, "Hi I am David and this is my colleague Rick."
Harry shook his hand and said, "My name is Harry and this is my girlfriend Hermione. It's nice to meet you."
Rick spoke up, "I was wondering if you have any idea of what happened at the airport. Some people are saying that there was some sort of an attack but weren't too sure what was happening."
Harry sighed and started talking, "Yea there was an attack, it was by a group of people called Death Eaters. They are followers of a man who is called the modern day Hitler. This man calls himself Lord Voldermort but his real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle. Anyway he has similar ideas of taking over the world and eradicating the world of people that are not considered his idea of a master race. Now I have a question for you, before I can get further into my discussion, do you believe in magic?"
David was a bit interested at what was being said and said, "If you mean what is being shown in the shows in Las Vegas then no but if you mean actual magic, then I am not sure. I have heard of many ideas and theories but I have never seen a witch or anything like that."
Rick said, "Actually I have met a witch before. I presume you mean the wizards and witches then?"
Harry nodded and said, "What I am about to tell you, I need to ask that you don't generalize the rest of the wizarding community by this one man and his followers. Hermione is a real witch and I am a real wizard. We both are descendants of Merlin and four strong wizards, Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, and Salazar Slytherine. The biggest school was founded by them and the school is the oldest. Hermione and I go to the school and have been since we were 11. Tom Riddle killed my parents when I was 5 years old. He tried to kill me but through my ancestors and my mom's sacrifice the killing curse he sent to me was sent back to him. It didn't kill him but it weakened him really badly. I got this scar from the curse." Harry pointed to scar when he said this. "Two years ago he finally got enough powers to come back in full force. Unfortunately last year I lost my godfather to an attack on our government, it would have been prevented if our government hadn't refused to believe he was back. I unfortunately had to see him come back. Anyway last year Hermione and I started a defense group out of the need to do practical defense stuff because the ministry saw it fit to prevent us from doing practical studies in defense class. We have tests that are done in our 5th year and final year that is big. Those members of the group made outstanding scores on the tests. Word got out to the different countries including the ones here on the North American continent to ask if we could train some of their students to help defend their countries. We have no idea when we will be able to defeat the dark lord, so we are preparing. We have sent some of our trained students and others to the schools to help the students there and to learn more."
To say that David and Rick were shocked was an understatement, they were pale. David finally got his voice back to speak again, "Wow now I understand why our government is so pent up on security now. So what you are basically saying is that you and your girlfriend here are very strong magically?"
Harry and Hermione nodded. Rick started talking now, "What can the non-magic folk like me and David to protect ourselves and our families?"
Harry thought for a bit but Hermione came up with an answer, "Well the best thing that can be done is to maybe keep an eye out for people that wear cloaks during the heat of the day. Most good wizards that I know do not go out in the non-magic world with their robes on. Also just be careful, don't cause anything that could bring attention to you. Another good idea is maybe take up self defense courses. It helps; we learned that sometimes wands are not best in really close quarters."
Both David and Rick nodded and said they would. Just as they had finished their conversations, the captain came over the intercom and asked all passengers to take their seats and fasten their seat belts because they were starting their descent into Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Harry and Hermione said their good byes to David and Rick and went back to their seats to find that Severus and Michelle talking to someone. They took their seats after introducing themselves.
"Harry and Hermione this is Dr. Jamison, we are going to be seeing him once we get into Houston. What took you two so long?" asked Michelle.
Harry said, "We had a conversation with a couple of muggles in the back of the plane regarding the attack. This is really going to be interesting. I think we are really going to have to step up the training when we get back. I am going to recommend that some of the advanced students start working with the Order to get some protection to the muggles and all."
Severus nodded and said, "Albus was thinking about that as a matter of fact because of what had happened today. I think it would be a good idea but Harry I would like you and Hermione not to take full response to this because I think you two are needed at Hogwarts."
Harry and Hermione both nodded and Harry said, "That was the idea I had. I was thinking of making the Room of Requirements to be the war room for the group. We could use Fluffy's old room for training purposes. The RoR is better situated for the war room. It is also practically situated in the central part of the castle. We can add an Armory to the room for those that are trained in muggle fighting techniques. Hermione, Michelle, we need to probably get designs for new robes for the teams. We probably need sector identifying patches for both our formal DA robes that you'll design and our school robes."
Michelle and Hermione nodded. Hermione spoke up and said, "We can probably also design them specifically to denote our position in the group."
Severus nodded in agreement and said, "That's a good idea to do, I suggest that you take it up with the other leaders and Albus this evening at the meeting."
Dr. Jamison was listening to the conversation with a sense of awe in respect to how much weight is on these kids, strike that, young adults shoulders. "The three of you have a lot on your shoulders. From what Severus has said the fate of the world is on Harry and Hermione's shoulders."
The five of them talked for a while until the plane landed and pulled up to their gate. Once they got off the plane they met up with Sikandar and Sarah outside the security area. Dr. Peterson greeted them and said that if they wanted to they could take the portkey he had directly to his office. Sikandar said that they were going to apperate to his parent's office to go to his office so they might as well go with him.
They found a secluded spot and took the portkey. Surprisingly they all managed to stay standing when they landed. As soon as they regained their composure they left the doctor's office and went to the front desk.
Harry went up to the window and said, "Hi my name is Harry Snape, myself and Michelle Gault are here to see Dr. Jamison."
The lady behind the window spoke, "Good afternoon Mr. Snape, I am sorry to say that the doctor isn't here yet and we..."
Harry interrupted her by saying, "Dr. Jamison came in with us. You might want to check in the back for him."
Just then Dr. Jamison came up and said, "I am ready to see patients Cindy, let Harry fill out the paperwork and we can get started." Dr. Jamison smiled at Harry and walked to the back.
Cindy looked between Harry and the doctor and finally snapped out of her trance to ask, "How does he know your name? The schedule isn't posted yet."
Harry smiled and said, "We were on the same flight from LA. He also knows my dad from his school days."
Cindy nodded understanding and gave him the paperwork he needed to fill out.
With Sarah's help, they were able to fill out the forms and turned them in. Harry and Hermione talked about the design of the patches.
"I think that each group should have their own design. Michelle your group should or could have the North American Continent on it or the twin towers in remembrance of 9/11, it is upto your group. For my group it is going to be the Hogwarts crest."
Hermione nodded and wrote this down. She first conjured up the choices for the Americans and then the conjured up the different styles for the other groups. Harry and Hermione put the patch for their group on their clothes as is because they were not planning on changing it at all.
They had to stop their conversation because other patients started to come in. One little child came up to Harry and looked at his scar and said, "Hey mister are you Harry Potter? You don't look like him except for the scar and your eyes."
Harry smiled and said, "Over the summer my true parentage came out so that is why I look different, but I am still Harry Potter but now I am..."
Just then Cindy came out and called out, "Harry Snape and Michelle Gault, the doctor will see you know."
The little girl smiled at Harry and said good luck. Harry thanked her and nervously followed Severus and Hermione to the back. Julie decided to stay behind in the waiting room since there were probably not going to be enough room in the back. They decided to go together for their examinations. Harry wanted Michelle to go first so he could know what to expect.
Dr. Jamison came in and greeted them, "Good afternoon you two, who wants to go first?"
Michelle raised her hand and Dr. Jamison had her get on the table and started examining her. He checked her breathing both with a stethoscope and a machine that measured the amount of lung capacity and air movement. After the exam Dr. Jamison asked her current medications and once she told him, he said that she didn't need to change her current dosage.
Michelle jumped off the table and thanked the doctor. Dr. Jamison smiled at Harry and patted on the table, "Up you goes Harry, nothing to be scared about. I may take longer with you then with Michelle because you haven't come to me before."
Like the doctor said it took longer for Harry. The doctor explained that he was establishing his base line for his breathing so he will have some information for Madame Pomphrey if he had another attack.
After the exam, Dr. Jamison started talking to both Harry and Michelle, "Michelle, I hope that you will be able to help Harry get used to his inhaler and both you and Hermione need to make sure he takes his medication. Harry you will need to take the inhaler with the blue top twice a day and keep the orange top one with you at all times because that is your rescue inhaler. The pills are only taken before breakfast. You need to make sure you carry your rescue inhaler at all times. If you feel your chest getting tight then use your rescue inhaler. Give it about 10 minutes and if your chest doesn't get any better then use the inhaler again. If you're not better after another 10 minutes then immediately go to Madame Pomphrey for more help."
Harry and Hermione wrote all this down, especially the medication instructions. Severus trusted the two to take down the information and make copies for him. He was glad that the three were going to share the head student suite. This was planned after Harry's first attack. It seemed that there would be another member of the trio of Harry, Hermione and Virginia (Ginny). The friends made a powerful team. Albus had made the same observation when they met last night after the teens went to bed. That was when they decided to have the four of them stay in the head student suite to keep them together.
Dr. Jamison gave Harry three prescriptions for his medication that they needed to get before going back to London later. They walked back to the front desk to check out. Sikandar and Sarah were waiting with two other people for them. Michelle ran to them and hugged them. They came over and took care of her bill.
Once everything was taken care of, they left the doctor's office and headed to Hermione's grandparents office, after Severus went and got Harry's meds. While in the elevator Michelle introduced the two people to everyone else, "Mom, dad, this is Harry Snape and his father Professor Severus Snape. Finally this is Hermione."
Harry smiled and shook their hands, "It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Gault. I am glad to be able to meet the parents of this wonderful young lady, and very talented one too."
Michelle blushed at what Harry said and her parents beamed in happiness with it. Mrs. Gault said, "It is great to see you again. I remember when you and Hermione were little and had come down to our place in Austin when you were kids. We were sad to have heard of your mother's and James' death but we were happy to hear you had survived."
Harry smiled and said, "Thanks, it took me a while to finally come to terms with their deaths. I had a hard time growing up but after getting to Hogwarts I was welcome back into the wizarding world. Now I am reunited with my dad and have a wonderful girlfriend and soul mate by my side. This summer started off bad but has ended a lot better now."
They all started talking about what was happening with Voldemort and his followers and what had happened in Los Angeles earlier that day. They entered the back door to Sikandar's parents' office and were greeted by the secretary, "Hello Sikandar, Sarah, who are with you?"
Sikandar spoke up, "Maria, this is my daughter Hermione and her boyfriend Harry Snape. Next to Harry is his father Professor Severus Snape. Of course you know my brother-in-law and his wife and their daughter."
Maria nodded and said, "It is finally great to meat you Hermione, your parents can't stop talking about how well you do in school. Harry you wouldn't be Harry Potter would you? I recognize the scar and the eyes."
Harry nodded and said, "My real dad is Severus not James Potter. It was a cover-up a while back. I hate to push the subject guys but we have a press conference to attend."
Sikandar nodded and said good bye to Maria before telling them to apperate to the ministry office. Harry lead the group into the building and were stopped by Aurors.
One of the Aurors asked, "Please state your name and your reason for being here."
Harry said, "I am Harry Snape, this is my father Severus Snape, my girlfriend Hermione Durrani, her parents Sikandar and Sarah Durrani, and Michelle Gault and her parents. We are here by request of the Minister of Magic for a press conference in regards to the Death Eaters attack in LA earlier today."
The Auror nodded and said, "They are waiting for through the door over there. Good luck."
Harry and the rest of the group walked to the door pointed to them. When they entered, the Minister of Magic immediately waved them on stage and got everyone's attention.
"Good afternoon everyone, thank you for waiting to start. Today there was an attack on Los Angeles International Airport. The attack was carried out by Death Eaters who are followers of the dark lord, Voldemort. These three teenagers and these two adults," he said this while pointing to Harry, Hermione, Michelle, Julie, and Severus, "were responsible for the defeat of the attackers. Their names are Harry Snape, Hermione Durrani, Michelle Gault, Julie Evans, and Severus Snape. Harry, Hermione, and Severus are from England and are the main leaders of a new world defense organization called Defense Association or DA for short. They are based out of a undisclosed location and are made up primarily of students at this time. I would like to turn this over to Harry Snape for any more information."
Harry walked up and took a deep breath and started talking, "Thank you minister. This is impromptu for me so bare with me. The DA organization is not primarily the main defense force for the world. We are a sister organization for the larger defense group that is also based in England. Our organization is also a training organization for students to learn defense. Several students including Michelle Gault have taken the opportunity to attend our shool and join the organization. Most of them will be returning home in June to return to their original schools. A few have permanently transferred to our school."
After another 20 minutes of Q/A the conference ended. After saying good bye to the Minister of Magic they apperated to the Leaky Cauldron. They were greated by Ginny and her family, Ming and Renee.
Ginny spoke up, "Harry, Hermione, Michelle, I was so worried when we got word of the attack in California. I am glad you are home safe. The prefects that were not present this last few weeks at the castle are over here. There is only two surprisingly, Collin Creevy of Gryffindor and Maria Tinlen of Hufflepuff."
They walked over to where the two were sitting and talking and introduced themselves, "Hey Collin congratulations on making prefect this year. Maria I would like to reintroduce my self as Harry Snape. Over the summer my true parentage was brought to the surface. My mom was actually married to Severus Snape and not James Potter. It is amazing just how well the cover-up worked. Anyway after a bad start to the summer with my aunt and uncle I have now been living with my dad at Hogwarts since. Let us see, oh yeah Hermione is now Hermione Durrani. Her real parents are Sikandar and Sarah Durrani. Now that our backgrounds are cleared up here is the reason why I asked both of you here today instead of meeting you on the train at the prefect meeting. Hermione and I are the Head Girl and Boy of this year. We are also 7th years. If you remember last year we had a big hoopla of a group called Dumbledore's Army or DA for short. We have changed it to Defense Association instead. This year we have about 70 or so students from 7 different countries that have either transferred here or are going to be here on an exchange program. Their main reason for being here is because they are joining the DA organization. We would like to ask if either of you want to join the DA team. You would be the only prefects that are not members."
Collin smiled and said, "I would be honored to join the DA group. Thank you for giving me the chance. I believe that we should not judge you by what your father has done in the past. Anyway I am glad at least you are got a family again."
Maria smiled and said, "I feel the same way as Collin in regards to your dad Harry. I would also be honored to join the DA group."
Harry and Hermione smiled and Harry said, "Welcome to the DA team. I would like to introduce you to our group leaders for the different continents. Hermione and I are the Hogwarts' defense team leaders. Ginny is the UK defense team leader. Michelle is the North American Group leader. Renee is the European Continent group leader. And Ming is the Asian group leader. As Hogwarts students you are both going to be on the UK and Hogwarts teams. Are there any other questions you have?"
Both Collin and Maria shook their heads while stifling yawns. Harry smiled and said, "Ok here is what is going to happen, Collin, Maria I want the two of you to take the back of the train and keep watch on the students. Hermione and I will be up front with group leaders. The other team members that are going to be on the train will take each train section and make sure everything is ok. We will be getting to the station at 10 am and will be on the train. Hermione, Michelle, and I will take to helping the students through the barrier. Cho and Virginia will be watching the baggage compartment and helping them. They will then move to the middle of the train. Other DA members will patrol the entire train. Oh please look out for Goyle and Crabbe. Draco is not longer attending Hogwarts. He has transferred to Hollywood School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in California in the states. Lets see, Blaize Zambini is now a Gryffindor and also a DA member, please try to be friends with her. That's about all I know of. I will let you guys get some sleep. I think we all need some before tomorrow."
Maria and Collin smiled and said good night before going upstairs to their rooms. Harry and Hermione walked over to where the group leaders were sitting and sat down.
Harry spoke up, "Looks like we have all the prefects as DA members now. Collin Creevy and Maria Tinlen are going to be watching the back of the train tomorrow. The rest is what we had discussed yesturday. Well I am tired and I need to take my meds before going to bed. Good night Aunt Julie, dad, Uncle Sikandar, Aunt Sarah. Night Michelle and Renee."
Everyone said good night and they also went up to sleep. Hermione went with Harry and they got ready for bed. Harry took his meds and made sure he had his inhale near him. They both fell asleep soundly anticipating September 1st.
*************** End of Chapter ****************
A/N: I would like to apologize for the rather long time period of updates. I have been having time management problems and it takes me longer. I had to go through and re-edit this chapter because I left out a character from the group that went to America. Anyway I want to thank you all for reviewing and I hope you like this chapter. No cliff hangers this time because I didn't have an idea for one. Till next time. Alex