To Margarita Mocha: I hope you meant Susan's stepfather by what you said. If so, I agree whole-heartedly. He is a very sick man. But who's worse?: her stepfather, who molested her or her mother, who allowed it to happen? She stood by and watched this man molest a child of her own flesh and blood. I really don't know which is worse. I have had the best childhood anyone could ask for and I haven't been exposed to this sort of behavior ever before. I find myself writing about these situations when I have no experience with it.

To Big Black Boy Named Ben: That's all so horrible. I know nothing I could say would ever make that situation any better, but if it's any consolation, I think men get a bad rap, too. Men can hurt you physically easier than women, but I think women have a natural ability to tear apart your insides. Just ask my old girlfriend. She could give anyone tips on how to be a blood-sucking bitch. I loved her and she ripped my beating heart right out of my chest. Whatever, right? You sound pretty well adjusted for having gone through all that shit. We'll both be OK.


Breakfast that morning was pretty quiet. Besides the occasional comment to Harry and Ginny and how good the pancakes were, everyone ate in complete silence. Everyone knew what chances Mr. Weasley would be taking by breaking into the Confidential files at work, and it seemed to affect everyone's mood.

Mr. Weasley barely touched his food before walking out the door, saying that it might be easier if he tried to break in before anyone else showed up at work. Harry quickly asked him to find out the command word for the hotel's fireplace. Mr. Weasley nodded and left the house quickly. As soon as he left, everyone began entertaining themselves with menial activities.

Mrs. Weasley began a top to bottom cleaning of the entire house. This forced everyone else out of the house and into the backyard.

Ginny found a book and sat beneath a tree to read to herself. Harry could tell she wasn't really into her book by the worried glances she would throw in the direction of where her father left. She seemed to be holding her breath for his return.

Hermione wandered the yard with a wistful expression on her face and Ron's Sentinel pin in her hand.
The twins busied themselves by fiddling with their supplies, trying to make things that would help during the rescue effort.

Quentin, still exhausted from the night before, curled up underneath the table in the yard and tried to catch some shut-eye.

Harry merely laid out in the grass, staring up at the clouds. He was worried about Ron. He felt like something needed to be done soon, or it would be too late.

Susan sat near him, not comfortable enough with anyone else to be away from him. Harry was comforted by her closeness and appreciated it when she didn't try to get him talking.

Hours passed like this, the only interruptions being the occasional explosion from where the twins were working. The waiting got to be too much for Harry. He realized it when he started snapping at everyone who tried to talk to him.

Disgusted with himself, he grabbed a broom that had been lying against the shed and flew a few hundred yards away. It felt good to fly again. It had been months since the last time he had been on a broomstick and the air felt good in his hair. He came to a stop by a huge elm tree that sat on the edge of the Weasley's property. He smiled up at the ancient tree and decided to do something he hadn't done in years. Branch by branch, Harry pulled himself up the trunk until he found a good sitting spot on a large limb. He sat there for ten minutes, thinking, before he was brought out of his reverie by a voice.

"Harry? Are you OK?" the voice asked.

Harry glanced down to the ground to see Hermione staring up at him. She was shading her eyes with one hand and holding her blowing hair back with the other. Her beauty struck Harry as he looked down at her. He remembered her during the early years at Hogwarts and how gangly and buck-toothed she was. She had never been ugly, but not many would have considered her pretty. When did she change?, he asked himself. How could I have not noticed my friends growing up around me? "Yeah." he called down to her. "I just wanted to be alone for a while."

"Oh, Ok. I'll leave then." Hermione began walking back towards the house.

"No, don't go. You can bother me any time, you know that."

Hermione nodded and them began climbing up the tree to Harry. She wasn't a very skilled climber, but she slowly made her way up next to Harry. She sat down next to him on the large branch. "What's up?" she asked.

"Not much. Just thinking." Harry said.

"Yeah, me too." Hermione said, looking down to the ground below her.

"About Ron?"

Hermione nodded.

"Is he still in pain."

She nodded again. "But it's weaker, here. It feels like he's farther away. I think he's back in the states. I think that's where they're keeping him."

"Well, Mr. Weasley will find out. Then we can get him free."

"Good, because I don't think he can last too much longer. He hurts too much."

Harry felt a pang of sorrow when he thought of Ron. His absence was like a severed limb. Harry couldn't imagine life without Ron's smiling face. "We'll get him out."

Harry knew his problem with Susan and Ginny was infinitesimal when compared with Ron's predicament. He hadn't been planning on even bringing it up, so he was surprised when Hermione said, "You've got some problems right here at the Burrow, don't you?"

Harry smiled. "Is it that obvious? Does everyone know?"

Hermione shrugged. "I only know because I knew what to watch for. Ginny's loved you for years."

"George knows."

Hermione laughed. "Then Fred knows, too. I don't think anyone else does though. I doubt Ginny evens sees it, really."

Harry shook his head slowly. "What am I going to do?"

"I've seen you when you're around Susan. She does thing to your insides that you've never felt before. I can see that."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, she does. But I fell like a bumbling idiot when I'm around her. She's so beautiful."

"Ginny's at least as pretty as Susan."

"I know. But I've watched her grow up from the clumsy kid she used to be. Her beauty doesn't intimidate me. But I don't know if that's a good thing. She should have someone who appreciates all of her good qualities."

Hermione laughed. "Just because she doesn't intimidate you doesn't mean you don't appreciate her."

"I don't know, Hermione. Susan is everything I want in a girl."

"Then you've made your choice."

"It's not that simple. I feel so good when I'm around Ginny. I can be myself. I don't have to impress her because she's already seen me at my worst."

"Sounds complicated."

"It is." Harry sighed deeply. "It doesn't matter, anyway. We have much bigger fish to fry. My problems are secondary, at best."

Hermione's faced whipped to his. "No, Harry." she said roughly. "Love is never secondary. I know that, now. That's what we're fighting for. Ron wouldn't be where he is now if it weren't for love. He loves me and I wouldn't trade that for anything. Love comes first." She suddenly laughed. "Who knows? Maybe you could become a Sentinel, too."

Harry shook his head. "No. I could never be a Sentinel. Not while Voldemort's alive. To be a Sentinel you need to dedicate your heart and soul to someone and while Voldemort's alive I can't do that. I've dedicated myself to that fight for too long, now, to give it up."

"Yeah, I-" she stopped speaking suddenly.

"What is it, Hermione?"

She put her hand in the air to silence him. "Listen."

In the distance they could hear the rumbling of an engine. Mr. Weasley's car. "He's back!" Harry screamed and launched himself out of the tree before thinking about how high up he was. He hit the ground with a grunt and rolled over his shoulder until he had his balance. He looked back to Hermione, who was slowly climbing the tree, too scared to jump down.

"Hurry up, Hermione!" Harry screamed, anxious to get back to the house.

"I'm going as fast as I can!" Hermione screamed.

Screw it, Harry thought. He whipped out his wand and pointed it at Hermione's backside. "Accio Hermione!" he yelled. With a yelp, Hermione was ripped form the tree. She flew through the air and landed in Harry's arms.

"Don't you ever do that again!" she screamed when she got her voice back.

Harry ignored her and pushed her to the broomstick. "Get on!"

Hermione looked at the broomstick with trepidation. "It won't hold both of us!"

"It'll hold." Harry growled. "You forget who talking to! I'm the best Quidditch player in a century!" he said with a laugh.

Hermione mounted the broom slowly, but barely had a moment to straighten herself before Harry kicked off from the ground. The broom tilted dangerously before Harry readjusted. The broom seemed barely able to hold them both, let alone fly. But Harry knew how to get everything out of a broom and it wasn't long before they were flying a brisk pace, back to the house.

When they reached the house, Mr. Weasley was just pulling in. The twins were already pestering their father about whether or not he got the information. Mr. Weasley ignored them and pushed his way into the house.

Harry ran in after him, followed by Hermione, the twins, Ginny and Susan. Quentin was still snoring loudly from beneath the table.

Mr. Weasley went immediately to the pantry and came back out with a bottle of gin. He had an exhausted look on his face as he poured himself a glass. His legs seemed about to collapse from under him as he drained the glass.

The twins asked repeatedly if he had gotten into the Confidential files, but Mr. Weasley didn't answer.

Harry stayed silent, knowing that Mr. Weasley would speak when he was ready.

When it looked like the alcohol has soothed his racing heart, Mr. Weasley said, "Yes, boys, I made it into the Confidential files."

"Did you find out where they're keeping him?" Hermione asked.

Mr. Weasley nodded. "Some place called Los Almitos, New Mexico. The Brotherhood has a building there."

"Are you all right?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Mr. Weasley nodded. "Yes, dear, I'm fine. It was very worrisome to break into my own company's files. I'll be fine once I get nice and drunk."

Harry smiled. "Did you find out the command word for the Hotel's fireplace? We don't want to have to travel back on broomstick."

"Yes, of course. It the Jone's Beach Hotel. Just say that and you should be taken back to Florida."

Harry put his hand on Mr. Weasley's shoulder. "Thank you, Mr. Weasley. I know how much you risked today."

Mr. Weasley waved his hand in dismissal. "He's my son, Harry. I would die to set him free. I'm just sorry that the Ministry won't help. They deny the existence of the Sentinel's and won't risk its own reputation to help."

"We'll take care of it, Mr. Weasley. But we had better go back, now. We have some planning to do."

Everyone said his or her goodbyes and Harry went outside to wake up Quentin. They all gathered up the boxes the twins had gotten out of the shed and climbed into the fireplace, one by one.

They were brought back to the broom closet that they had disappeared into a day earlier.

"Where are we?" Ginny asked in a worried voice.

"The sub-basement. Don't worry." Harry said.

Harry walked over to the door and pulled it open. There wasn't anyone in the hall, so he led the group from the closet. They made their way to the elevator and all squeezed in. Harry pressed the button for the third floor, and the small compartment sailed up the shaft.

When the doors opened again, Harry motioned the group to his hotel room. They all put the boxes into a corner and turned to Harry expectantly.

Harry sighed heavily. "All right, all right, I'll tell McGonagall." He turned to Quentin and Susan. "You two should probably check in with your Headmasters."

They nodded and left the room. Harry turned back to his remaining friends. "You all should probably stay here. At least until McGonagall gets used to the idea that you are here in the states."

George turned to Fred and sighed, "He's a brave lad. McGonagall's gonna rip him a new one." Fred nodded in agreement.

Harry couldn't help but smile. "Very funny, you two. Don't forget that she'll be mad at you as well."
Harry left the room and walked down the hall to where McGonagall was staying. Through the door, Harry could here a heated argument taking place. He knocked on the door and the conversation stopped.

"Yes? What is it?" came McGonagall's exasperated voice through the door.

Harry took a deep breath and said, "It's me. Harry."

Harry heard the pattering of footsteps, and the door was ripped open.

McGonagall was standing in the doorway, her hands clenched into fists. She didn't look happy.

"You!" she screamed. "Who do you think you are? You disobeyed a direct order, Mr. Potter. If we were back at school, I would give you so many detentions that your head would swim. As it is-"

She was cut off by a familiar voice from within the room. "Oh, lay off, Minerva. He was just doing what he thought was best."

It couldn't be.

Harry squeezed past McGonagall and into the room. Sitting on the bed was a middle-aged man. He had shoulder length black hair and a piercing stare. He had fleshed out since Harry had first saw him, but then he had been chased by every wizard in England and meals were few and far between.

"Sirius!" Harry yelled and ran to the man.

Sirius smiled, stood and wrapped Harry in his long arms.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked once he had forced down the lump in his throat.

"Just doing a little business, Harry." Sirius said.

"How are things in England?"

The smile disappeared from Sirius' face so quickly that Harry wondered if he had imagined it. "Not good. Death Eaters flattened half of Diagon Alley yesterday. We're still picking up the pieces and looking for bodies."

Harry fell his stomach contract as he thought of Diagon Alley. It was such peaceful place, that he couldn't imagine why it had ever been chosen as a target for a Death Eater attack.

"How many dead?" Harry asked in a monotonous voice.

Sirius tried to make Harry sit down on the bed, but Harry shrugged him off.

"Don't think about it, Harry. You should be enjoying your vacation. How are thing-"

Harry cut him off. "How many?" he screamed.

Sirius sighed heavily. "Fifty-three so far. We haven't completely got it all cleaned up yet so we don't know for sure. We should know the official death count tomorrow."

Harry's knees felt weak, but he forced them to stop shaking. "Why? Why Diagon Alley?"

Sirius sat down on the bed. It looked like he hadn't slept in quite some time. "Some sort of Death Eater initiation. Their ranks are swelling and more young wizards flock to Voldemort's call everyday."

"Why did you come, yourself? You could have sent an owl."

"I brought someone here for safekeeping."

"Who?"

"The son of a Death Eater. During the attack, he renounced Voldemort and his family. His father beat him, but he got away. He fled to Hogwarts for safety. Death Eaters don't look well on traitors. Dumbledore said he'd be safer here, at least until things cool down in England. I thought you could look after him."

Harry nodded, knowing how difficult it must have been for this boy to abandon the life he had known. "Sure. I'll look after him. Who is he?"

Sirius smiled strangely. "I think you're already acquainted." he said, gesturing out to the balcony.

"The only son of a Death Eater I know is...oh, shit."

"Mr. Potter!"

Harry ignored McGonagall and glanced out onto the balcony. Standing there, looking out on the hotel's courtyard was Draco Malfoy.

Harry whipped back around to face Sirius and McGonagall. "No way. You can't ask me to do this! I hate him and he hates me. That's how our relationship works. Find someone else to entertain that son of a bitch!"

Sirius' face became slightly disappointed. "We thought you could be more mature about this, Harry. He just did the most difficult he could ever do. He left his family, friends and lifestyle behind. The least you could do is look after him until you go back to England."

Harry felt trapped. He wanted people to stop looking at him like he was still a child, yet if he couldn't leave some childish rivalry behind, maybe he still was a kid.

Harry heaved a large sigh. "Fine. I'll do it. But you both owe me, big time."

Harry walked to the balcony door and threw it open. He knew how to handle Malfoy. He wouldn't let that prick start any problems straight form the get go. "All right, Malfoy-"

Harry's breath caught as Malfoy turned to face him.

Lucius Malfoy was well known for his cruelty, but Harry was shocked that any human being could do this to his own son. The right side of Draco's face was so swollen that he couldn't open his eye. His lip had been split and his nose was slightly out of line. His left arm was in a sling made out of an old windbreaker. When Harry had last seen Draco, his white-blonde hair almost brushed his shoulders. Now, it looked like it had been hacked off with a dull knife. Harry guessed that Draco had done that himself.

For the first time, Harry felt pity for Draco Malfoy.

***
Back in the hotel room, Sirius spoke with McGonagall. "How has Harry been these last few days?"

McGonagall brought a hand to her face. "He's been worried sick about Ronald. I think Harry will try and rescue him if the Sentinels don't release him soon."

"That would be bad. I've heard these Sentinels are a hardy crowd."

McGonagall nodded. "But he's changing, Sirius."

"What do you mean?"

"He's growing up. I can see it every time I look at him. He's so much like his father."

Sirius smiled at the thought of James. "But unlike his father, Harry has responsibility." he said.

McGonagall nodded. "The most responsibility you boys ever had was trying not to get caught after blowing one of the toilets or sneaking into the girl's dormitory."

Sirius nodded sadly. "Harry's lost his childhood."

"That isn't exactly a bad thing, Sirius. Harry will need to grow up a little before he's able face Voldemort. He needs to become someone people will follow. Were losing and we need someone to unite us."

"I'd follow Harry, right now, if he asked me to."

After a moment, McGonagall said, "Me too."

That admission shocked Sirius. McGonagall had always been fair, but she had rarely ever taken any of her students very seriously. For her to admit that she would follow a sixteen-year-old boy was a big deal.

She must have seen the shock on his face because she said, "You should have seen him. He single handedly brought the Salem school to our side. He stared down their Headmaster. It was amazing. Then again, he hasn't exactly listened to me, either. "

Sirius shrugged. "He becoming a man. I didn't really think he would accept Malfoy, though."

McGonagall snorted. "You have no idea. Those boys have hated each other for six years. I almost gave Harry permission to kick the crap out of Draco several times, just to get it over with."

Sirius didn't laugh. "It looks like someone beat Harry to the punch. I swear, if I ever get my hands on Lucius Malfoy, he will regret the day that he was born."

"Don't let your emotions run wild over some childhood rivalry. James had Snape and you had Lucius. You'd fight him even if he hadn't beaten his son."

Sirius nodded. "Probably. But maybe Harry can get over his hatred, now."

"You might as well try to move a mountain. Those two will be the death of each other if they're not the death of me, first."
***

If you don't like this change, I'm sorry. This is another one of those things that I had planned from the beginning. Draco will add a nice twist later on. Tell me what you think.