AN: It's finally here! If you haven't stopped by my LiveJournal, you probably don't know that most of my writing time has been taken up by a new story, posted exclusively there. It's an experiment that I've been running, but it does take what free time I have. Also, my beta (who is my sister) had a baby, so she didn't have a lot of time to spend looking over stuff for me the last month of the pregnancy. The next chapter is almost polished. It just needs a last go-through by the beta and myself.

And, as always, thanks for reviewing. It keeps me motivated to write this story, especially when I'm stuck or just plain lazy.

Chapter 13

James shivered as a chill crept up his spine. He was working in the garden today, relishing in the rare chance he got to be by himself, Hamilton having gone with Severus to Hogwarts. Hugh was off to a friend's house, while Harry and Helena were doing their homework in the gazebo Severus had had put in the beginning of summer.

He looked up as the chill grew, spreading to his limbs. A sudden sense of foreboding came over him and he raced to the gazebo. He was halfway there when he saw them: Dementors. The abominable creatures were packed in a tight circle, held off only by the wards erected to keep all magical animals from nesting.

He was five meters away when the Dementors noticed him, turning their effects fully towards him. James whipped his wand forward and pulled the memory of his and Severus' wedding up. "Expecto Patronum!"

A large, silvery cat leapt from his wand and charged the Dementors, scattering them. All but the farthest one fled, the last one still trying to enter the gazebo. Inside the structure, he could see his two oldest children in the middle, wands out.

"Freezus!" James shouted, hoping that this spell would work against such a monster like a Dementor. His wish came true when the creature was encapsulated in ice.

"Are you all right?" he asked as he bound up the steps.

"Dad!" Helena threw herself into James' arms, holding him tight.

"What're those things doing here?" Harry asked in a shaky voice.

James ground his teeth before answering. "I don't know, but we're about to find out."

:1:1

"I'm not sure why they left Azkaban, Mr. Potter," the large, pink-wearing, kitten pinned woman was saying in a high-pitched - and extremely annoying - voice.

James narrowed his eyes. "It's Potter-Snape, Ms. Umbridge," he sneered, making the obnoxious woman rear back at the venom in his voice. "And I suggest you get someone on this case immediately, one who will work with Kingsley Shacklebolt. I have already let him know, as he is the Head Auror, as well as Madam Bones."

"I - "

He leaned over her desk, not wanting one of Fudge's lackeys to get out any pathetic apology.

"You're just lucky that my youngest two children weren't there. As it is, I'm going to hold you personally accountable for this mess. Even after we find out who let those Dementors loose, Fudge is going to be held accountable, just as you and the Azkaban warden. I know that you went there this past week, and that no one else did from the Ministry."

Umbridge gave a pathetic smile, much different from the sickly sweet one she had directed at him when he had first walked into the office. James watched her squirm for a few moments before continuing.

"I suggest you contact Auror Shacklebolt immediately, seeing as he is also part of the hunt for Pettigrew and Lestrange."

"Of course, Mr. Potter. I will get right on the case," she said in her high-pitched voice.

"That's Potter-Snape," James growled. "And the faster you learn it the better, Dolores Umbridge." he leaned over her desk to get right up into her face. "I expect truthful results from my Ministry, Ms. Umbridge, and I had damn well better get it."

Finally satisfied with scaring some sense into the woman, considering the way she was trembling, James bid her to have a good day and made his way to Arthur Weasley's pokey office. He stood unnoticed in the doorway when he arrived there, listening to the man grill Harry and Helena about all the Muggle things they had seen last summer on their holiday to London and beyond. Arthur had done the same thing last summer when Harry had gone with the Weasleys to the World Cup. Of course, he'd had also trapped James at the first meeting of the Order a month ago.

Sirius had loaned his mother's house to the Order, unable to find a buyer even after trying to fix the place up. However, in the five years he'd been gone, several 'creepy-crawlies' (as Tonks, the daughter,had put it) had moved in, James had packed up the children and made them clean, before Molly came and brought her brood. At that point, he had gone home, feeling inadequate up against the formidable matron. Besides, it was much better at home, where there was a large garden and there was room for the children to run wild when they needed to. Even with Dementors trying to barge there way in.

"Dad, you're back!"

He found his children smiling in relief at his presence. Holding back a smile at how eerily similar they looked when they did that, he stepped just inside to lean against the doorframe.

Arthur chuckled at the children as they stood up, unaware that they were in a hurry to get away from him. "Have you found anything else on your mysterious benefactor?"

James shook his head. "No. Albus did manage to find out that he was related to my father, but that is as far as he could find a link between the two of us. He did say that Edward was a fine, upstanding gentleman in his youth, but the death of his wife fifty years ago rattled his mind." James sighed as he remembered Albus giving he and Severus the news. The headmaster had been greatly amused by the gift, but James and his husband had taken this thing very seriously.

He looked at his children, who were starting to fidget.

"Ready to go pick up Hugh?"

Both nodded enthusiastically as Arthur perked up.

"Did you use your fellytone?"

James laughed at the butchering of the word. It was always amusing to hear wizards pronouncing Muggle words.

"I rang the Simpsons and let Hugh know, yes," James answered. He turned fully to his children. "Now, we should go pick him up and get home before your father wonders where we are."

"We're going to strengthen the wards," Severus stated that night as he and James readied themselves for bed.

"Yes."

"And putting up a Fidelus Charm."

James looked up from his buttons at that, and Severus could see fear in the beloved hazel eyes.

"Why?" his husband asked, voice trembling the tiniest bit.

"Because the old wards are failing, and I do not trust that someone in the Ministry leaked out the location of this house. And as it must be someone high up in the Ministry, that is all the more reason to put a charm up." Severus paused as he set the book he'd brought up on the bedside table. "Who was it from Fudge's office you talked to?"

"Umbridge." James shuddered. "She had all of the collectable kitten plates that came out before Harry was born on the walls." He stilled as he was halfway into bed. "She knew where the house is."

Severus looked down at him. "She did?"

James nodded and finished climbing into bed. "She was acting kind of shifty."

Severus felt a smile creep over his lips as a thought came to him. "I believe we should pay a visit to a friend of ours and then surprise that Umbridge person afterwards."

"Who should we visit?"

"Skeeter."

James shot up and had quite an evil grin himself. He leaned down and gave Severus a smacking kiss. "I love it when you get these evil ideas."

Severus reached up and pulled James on top of him. "Tell me more," he purred in as smoky a voice as he could get, and James practically melted into a puddle.

"Why tell you," James managed to say, pushing on Severus' chest, "When I can show you."

Severus held back the beaming smile that threatened to appear. He couldn't afford to look indulgent in this crowd of Gryffindors, even if his son had been made Prefect. He knew Harry would do a good job, especially when it came to the Weasley twins. Plus, Harry would be able to temper his friend, who was likely to be the next... well, he wouldn't say dictator, but she was of the type to take her job too seriously for a fifteen year old.

He had had the unfortunate task of telling Draco Malfoy he had not been made Prefect due to poor grades in Transfiguration and Herbology. Instead, he had appointed Zabini as Prefect - the boy had treated Helena well enough at last winter's Yule Ball, so he was unlikely to ride roughshod over the first years. He had also made Pansy Parkinson a Prefect, even though she would, and it was only because the only other girl he would have considered would have been Amelia Moon, who would finally be returning to school, but would be placed with the fourth years.

They had come to Grimmauld Place to catch the Express tomorrow, and most of the Order had come to protect the students. Severus preferred to sit in the library, where none but Granger ventured. Even Helena preferred to laze about in the last days of summer, following Tonks and Shacklebolt about while Harry and Ron played chess or laughed over various comics. Hugh was most often found with James and Hamilton, leaving Severus to revel in the fact that there were no children around when he needed the solace the most.

"Congratulations, Harry!"

Severus turned to see a smiling Dumbledore just outside the doorway to the library. It was an unusual expression of late, since the headmaster had been under considerable pressure since the return of Voldemort.

"Thanks, sir!" Harry answered, and Severus cringed at the improper grammar.

Dumbledore nodded and sent Harry - and Ron, who had been hovering nearby from what it seemed - off and proceeded into the library. Then the old man proceeded to send Granger out shortly afterwards, leaving himself and Severus as the room's only occupants.

"I trust all has been well with the new wards?"

Severus nodded. "Your help was invaluable. I doubt James and I would have been able to do it ourselves. With Black back in Canada for the while and Lupin still in Italy, I don't know who else we would have been able to call on." He paused before adding on, "And don't say Minerva, because while I respect her as a colleague and friend, I don't think her magic would have worked as well with ours."

Dumbledore nodded. "I was glad to help." His face turned grave. "Severus, this year I would like for you to teach Harry Occlumency. I believe that, because of Harry's scar, he had a connection to Voldemort. I want for you to at least teach him how to shut off all outside influences."

Severus nodded. "It would also help him control his wandless magic much better."

The headmaster agreed. "It would indeed." He stood up. "I'm sure you can find a suitable cover for this? I would suggest it be a family night, as I believe Helena and Hugh could benefit from the lessons."

Somehow, Severus thought he was going to work that in and take advantage of the situation. As if Albus could let go of the fact that his three eldest were in school together. Fun all around, then.

"Very well," Severus reluctantly said. "I will concede that it will help, but only if they do not distract Harry."

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"And I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, Professor Machiavelli D'Angelo, and his Apprentice, Mr. R.J. Lupin. Professor D'Angelo is a Master in his subject, and he has graciously consented to teach this year. I expect for you to treat Mr. Lupin with the same courtesy as you would any of your other professors."

Harry looked across to see Hugh grinning. He could only see the back of Helena's head, but Harry was sure she had a grin just like his. He already knew this year would be challenging between OWLs and Voldemort - he didn't know which would cause him the most stress - but having Remus teach would balance that out. Even if he wouldn't be able to teach on the same personal level as he had when Harry was little, it would be much better than Quirrell, Lockhart, and Crouch combined.

Still, the Sorting Hat's song had been a warning. Harry hadn't needed Hermione's prodding to figure that one out. Something told him that this year was going to be much more difficult, and he needed to start preparing for what was to come. And he didn't need Hugh's Gift to See what was coming.

"Heya, Harry!"

He turned at Ron's voice. His best friend was loading his plate with multiple layers and was in the process of snagging a roll and shoving it into his mouth.

"Gonna eat?" the redhead asked around the fluffy roll.

"Ron!" Hermione scolded from the other side of the table. "Don't talk with your mouth full."

"You're not my mum."

Ron glared at her before shoving another roll in his mouth, this one with a thick slice of ham sandwiched between.

Harry shook his head at his friends' antics, but started to fill his own plate. Hopefully tomorrow he would be able to talk to both his father and Remus, since classes wouldn't begin for another day.

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Severus mentally groaned as he tried to avoid watching Lupin and Sinistra make kissing noises at each other. Four weeks into the semester, and he had to suffer watching Lupin practically mate with the Astronomy teacher. She was clingy, and he hoped that Lupin would remember that from school and be rid of her. Severus certainly did, having spent numerous nights with his fellow Slytherins making fun of the Ravenclaw.

He couldn't make any of his usual disgusted noises because McGonagall and Sprout thought it was cute. The old biddies had threatened to hex him quiet, and while Severus could face an entire legion of dark wizards, he wasn't about to go up against someone who had given him detention for blowing a fellow student's spots to gargantuan proportions.

Dumbledore finally entered the teacher's lounge, wearing what was most likely the most garish set of robes ever made. Severus closed his eyes to give them a brief respite, mentally listing potions that would cure the blindness sure to set in.

"Good, good. Everyone is here." Dumbledore's smile looked strained when Severus focused on him.

"The Minister has decided to enforce an Educational Decree. You may not recognize the law, but the Ministry can set certain guidelines and requirements for Hogwarts. Number 22 has been signed to let the Minister appoint an Inquisitioner, and Fudge has done just that. Miss Dolores Umbridge will arrive tomorrow and begin inspecting the teachers, as well as sitting in on all fifth year career counseling."

"She is not sitting in on Harry's counseling session," Severus stated. "I'm sure Minerva can hold off on that for a week?"

The transfiguration instructor nodded. "James, then?"

"He's been itching to do something about her since meeting her."

Lupin turned his eyes long enough off Sinistra to smirk in Severus' general direction. "That's something I'd pay to see."

There were murmurs of agreement.

"I have heard there are more Education Decrees in the works. I believe I speak for all of us when I say I hope James succeeds. We do not need division among the Light side, for that is what Voldemort wants. May I suggest James look into who is advising Fudge?"

Severus nodded once and sat back for the rest of the meeting, already composing the letters he needed to write. Besides James, it was time for Ms. Skeeter's colorful pen to start telling its tales.

The pink was just as awful as he remembered it. Severus hadn't been all that impressed by the witch when she had worked in the licensing department fourteen years ago. James had tried to warn him, but it had been worse than he expected. The woman must be as old as Madam Pince, but she wore pink ribbons in her hair. None of the girls who were currently attending Hogwarts wore pink. The Slytherins didn't even bother with the damn hair things.

Severus put on his fiercest sneer when the woman tried to introduce herself. Fudge's toady began to sputter, making his day as he watched her try to recover her composure. He loved baiting Ministry workers.

"Mr. Snape - " she finally spat out.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "You are referring to my father, then? For I am not sorry to say that he has been dead these past twenty years." He raised his chin the tiniest bit as she spluttered again. "Now, if you were referring to myself, my husband, or indeed any of my progeny, it is Potter-Snape. And I am Master Potter-Snape."

Umbridge was rescued only by the arrival of Albus, who cheerfully greeted all of the professors and unwanted guest. Severus was put out by the loss of his entertainment, but deferred to the headmaster, who would most probably enjoy listening to Umbridge be vilified - secretly, but would enjoy it all the same.

"Headmaster," Umbridge began as Albus formally started the 'weekly' teacher's meeting, which had been hurriedly invented. "When will I be introduced to the school?"

Albus smiled condescendingly. "Tonight at dinner. Many of the older students do not attend midday dinner on the weekends, preferring to use the time to study for their OWLs and NEWTs."

"Good."

Severus knew this would end up as a big mess altogether. He mentally sent James a 'hurry up' message, because he didn't know if he would be able to keep silent if she actually got to Harry.

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Dear Sirius,

I'm actually writing like I said I would, though it took a while to convince Hedwig to leave the Owlrey. It's been snowing an awful lot, making it really hard to spot the snitch. Speaking of Quidditch, I was almost banned for life by this hag of a woman named Umbridge. She caught me punching Malfoy when he insulted Hugh for being a Hufflepuff - among other things. She said it was under one of the new 'Educational Decrees' the Ministry has been trying to push, but Dad got the Decrees struck down as unlawful by the Wizengamot, even though they try again and again. Well, he and the other governors. Fudge was pretty mad and tried to have Dad and the rest arrested, but the Wizengamot told him that it wasn't illegal for an institution to have them look over laws concerning them. The idiot also forgot that it applied to the day schools as well, because he should have had people in those schools as well.

So, I'm back playing, even though Angelina is much tougher than Wood as far as physical training. She's leaving all of the new strategies to our new keeper, Ron.

In other things, Patri's been teaching me Occlumency. He said I'm doing pretty well in this, but he doesn't know Hermione has been helping me.

Helena says "hi!" and Hugh said thanks for the new stack of comic books.

Did you know Remus is here? I can't remember what Dad said about your last letter, so I'm not sure if he told you or not. Anyway, he's really great as a teacher. At least half the girls really like him and think he's cute. He's been helping me learn lots of new spells, cause Dumbledore thinks Voldemort will try something soon. I've been teaching the spells to my friends and the group's so big we had to find a new room

I'm glad your coming back early and for Christmas, too! It'll be great to see you, and Ron said that his mum is making a feast for everybody at your house. Will you sit by me?

Sorry. I'll be less sappy. And I promise I won't annoy you by hanging around when you don't want me. Remus has a couple of seventh years that keep around his office, but he's never there. He's usually with Professor Sinistra - I think they are dating - or at least shagging. Ew.

I'd better go. I have Transfiguration in the morning and Hermione is glaring at me to finish my homework.

Love,
Harry

PS Have you heard that there was a breakout at Azkaban? Some escaped, including Malfoy's dad. He's got to be pretty insane by now, wouldn't you think?

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Harry woke up, confused. His scar was throbbing and his breathing fast. The dream had been so real, traveling down a hall of doors and seeing Mr. Weasley. But that feeling of slithering across the floor rather than walking creeped him out.

"Are you okay, Harry?"

He turned to where Ron was gathering his slippers and robe, fuzzily outlined by the light by his bedside. Harry fumbled for his glasses as he shook his head.

"I think I need to talk to Patri," Harry slowly climbed out of bed, his head pounding heavily. Ron came over and helped as he struggled into his robe. He was at the door when he thought of something. "I'd better have my cloak."

"Your cloak?" Ron asked. "You're still cold?"

Harry shook his head, regretting it instantly as it set off more pain. "My Dad's cloak."

Ron ran over and dug through Harry's trunk, grabbing the invisibility cloak. "Here you go, Harry."

He was out the door when something occurred to him. "Ron, I think you should go get the headmaster. I think something's happened to your dad."

The red head froze for a moment before grabbing his wand from his robe pocket. "I'll be fast, then."

Harry raced down to the teacher's wing as fast as his head would allow him. He was glad for the cloak when he caught sight of Umbridge lurking in the hallways of the wing. Down the hall from her was Mrs. Norris, who ignored Harry whenever he was here, although she could sniff him out anywhere else in the castle. He knocked softly on his father's door, knowing that Salazar would wake him if he didn't hear.

"Harry?" Patri asked as he opened the door.

He sidled in, making sure Umbridge didn't notice. "I think something bad's happened, Patri."

"What is it?"

A knock sounded as they were about to sit down on the sofa. The painting of Salazar woke up again. "It is the Headmaster, and with him is Weasley Sextus."

Severus nodded at Salazar, who went to open the door, and turned to Harry. "What has happened?"

The spelling of 'your' in Harry's letter is deliberate. I couldn't get the html tag for strikeout to work, though, so I left out the word 'you're' out, as if Harry corrected himself, just because it looked odd.