Hey people. Sorry it's late. I had a French oral, which I think I failed,
and birthday party Friday, and I just completely forgot yesterday! Forgive
me? Please?
Anyway, please don't be harsh on me if I'm not so good at updating, I'm suffering writer's block on chapter 32, still.
Does anyone know Professor Sinastra's last name?
Anyway, onto the story!
Chapter 27 – First Assignment, a.k.a. Two years later
Two years later (1984), Auror HQ:
"Longbottom, Orenda, Black, Phenners!" Moody's harsh voice rang across the Auror Headquarters.
The four named new Aurors sighed and stood, wondering whether he had a case for the 'wet-behind-the-ears newbies' or whether he just felt like yelling their names across the massive room.
"Yeah, Mad-eye?" Kathryn asked. She had been calling him this for a while, though none of them understood, yet.
"Longbottom, Orenda. We've got a lead on Potter." Moody informed them. He turned to Sirius and Alice. "Black, Phenners, you're after Evans."
"Why that way around?" Frank asked.
"Because Black and Orenda are less likely to kill the people they're supposed to be bringing back that way. We've all heard their opinions." Moody growled.
Kathryn waved a hand flippantly. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Where's the lead for?"
"Both, it seems, graduated as Aurors last June. Evans in Greece, Potter in the US. They haven't got the same names, but we've got news on their other... attributes. We're going on the proviso that they're still there. Orenda, if you could get a vision as to their whereabouts right about now, it'd be very useful." Moody grinned.
Kathryn's visions had become stronger, but more easily controlled over the past two years. She was beginning to see present as well as future and Dumbledore had suggested that it wouldn't be long before she was seeing past as well. All she wanted to see of the past was what happened that afternoon when Sirius had inadvertently recommended Snape visit Moony. She also wanted to know why she could see Thestrals. She realised she had seen them in her Sixth-year, just never given them a second glance. No one had been able to say who she had seen die.
"Unfortunately, they don't come when I want them. And the strongest ones are dreams anyway. My mind's more open to them. The visions that get to me while I'm awake... They're strong, but normally they're the most important ones." Kathryn shrugged. "A lot of the ones I have when I'm asleep... They aren't all that important usually. Or only importantly to a couple of people."
Moody shrugged and handed a file to Frank and another to Sirius. "Study these. You've each got a portkey leaving for the designated area at five. That gives you half an hour. Make sure you've got your wands and anything else you might need."
He clumped away.
"We've got a case. Searching for our best friends." Sirius stated.
"We can always tell them that if they don't come back, they don't get invited to the weddings." Frank joked. He had proposed to Alice on her twentieth birthday, the previous May. It was now October.
Kathryn nodded and then reached for the file in Frank's hand. "Where are we going to, any...?" As her hand touched the file, her head snapped back.
"Kathryn!" Frank gasped.
"She's having a vision." Sirius murmured, going to her side.
------------
James was glaring at a tall figure in a black cloak.
"You don't scare me!" He yelled defiantly.
"Oh good. A worthy opponent." The figure snarled.
A bolt of electricity formed in its hand and shot at James before he could raise a shield. The man screamed in pain.
A sign behind him read 'Welcome to New York City'.
-----------
"What was it?" Sirius asked Kathryn as she came back to reality.
"James. He was in New York City, by a welcome sign. A tall, cloaked figure, fired a bolt of electricity at him. Happy that James wasn't scared. It was dark. Late at night. I don't when it'll take place. New York's what, four, five hours behind us?"
Sirius shrugged.
"So we've got until it gets dark there to find him, or at least find out where it'll take place. It's going to happen soon. That's all I know. And James' power... Water's too good a conductor. He got shot by electricity. It'll kill him."
Frank nodded. "We'll find him. Come on, we still need a couple of bits, not forgetting appropriate Muggle attire for New York. You two better get yours too. Greece is maybe two hours ahead of us? And it gets dark earlier there too."
Sirius nodded. He pulled Kathryn up into a hug. "Be careful, okay? I want my betrothed to be in one piece when she gets back."
Kathryn grinned. "I will be. I do prefer that word to engaged. It sounds so..."
"Old-fashioned?"
"A little. I feel like I should be at Magic's Haven with that word. It's that sort of word."
"Regal, old-fashioned and beautiful. You only fill one of those."
"Which one?" Kathryn asked wickedly.
"Beautiful." Sirius sighed happily and kissed her firmly.
"Good. Because I'm by no means old-fashioned. Or all that regal." Kathryn grinned. "I'll see you later, Sirius."
"Yeah, you too." He smiled.
Frank and Alice finished saying their goodbyes and the four Aurors left to prepare for their jobs.
Kathryn entered the ladies' toilets and proceeded to exchange her clothing for more americanised ones. A long sleeved crop top and pale blue jeans with heeled boots did the job perfectly. The top covered her wand holster and wand perfectly. She then transfigured her robe into a jacket and proceeded from the toilets to meet Frank, where they collected a few other things they might need. For instance, daggers, invisibility cloaks and healing kits.
"You ready?" Frank asked her as they went to the portkey regulation office.
"As I'll ever be. James has got a lotta explaining to do." Kathryn's eyes narrowed.
"Uh huh. Just don't kill him."
They entered the office.
"Longbottom and Orenda?" A wizard checked.
"Yeah, Aurors."
"This way."
He handed Kathryn a hair clip. "This is to bring you back. Just tap it with your wand and say 'activate'. It'll give you ten seconds and then you get back here."
He then handed them a dead football. "Here you go, this'll take you to Auror Headquarters in New York. Grab hold, you've got ten seconds."
They grabbed it.
"Thanks." Kathryn smiled.
"You're welcome."
"Three, two, one..."
Kathryn felt the familiar tug behind her navel and seconds later landed on a cold marble floor.
Next to her laid Frank and above them stood a tall woman.
"What the hell d'you think you're doing here?"
"You are?" The American Auror demanded.
"Kathryn Orenda and Frank Longbottom. Didn't Moody send you a memo or something?" Kathryn wanted to know.
"Moody? As in Alastor Moody?"
"Yeah, him. Our boss." Kathryn replied.
Frank elbowed her. "Be careful," he hissed.
Kathryn sneered at him.
"Why are you here?" The Auror wanted to know.
"We're looking for a friend of ours who disappeared two years ago after Voldemort or one of his followers scared him away. We need him back, now." Kathryn explained.
"His name?"
"James Potter."
The Auror checked a scroll. "We don't have a James Potter anywhere on here."
"We believe he graduated this summer as an Auror. Twenty, glasses, bright blue eyes, messy black hair. Especially good at Defence Against the Dark Arts. Quidditch player – Seeker." Frank suggested.
The man looked blank. "No. I don't think I know anyone..."
"He's using a disguise. Great." Kathryn frowned.
"Have you got any Aurors with unusual powers? Wandless magic, perhaps?" Frank asked.
Frank and Alice had been told about the Elemental Guardians when they graduated as Aurors, just in case Kathryn or Sirius was forced into a situation when they needed them.
"Yes. Jackson Peterson has a certain gift for wandless magic, particularly spells to with..."
"Water." Kathryn finished.
"Yes. Would you like to speak to him? He's on assignment now, tracking a Dark creature that we believe is responsible for several murders." He explained.
"What does this Jackson look like anyway?" Kathryn asked.
"Black hair, hazel eyes, muscular, tall. No glasses or anything." The man replied.
"Okay, thanks. We'll be going after him." Frank smiled.
"Tell us about it. He's good for a newbie. We need to know if we're going to lose him." The Auror explained.
"Uh huh."
The two new Aurors left the American Ministry of Magic and found themselves in the middle of a busy New York City. It was also dark.
"How long were we in there?" Kathryn asked her partner.
"Ages. They were busy determining if we were Death Eaters, spies, crazed Dark wizards, whatever. Come on, we don't want your vision coming true." Frank ordered.
They found a quiet alleyway.
"Grab hold of me and Apparate. I know where I'm going." Kathryn explained.
Frank obeyed and took her wrist in his hand. Both disappeared without so much as a pop – soundless Apparation was an Auror must.
They arrived beside the sign Kathryn had seen. Not far away, a young man stood. A black figure stood before him.
"You don't scare me!" James yelled, defiantly.
"Frank, c'mon!" Kathryn yelled and began running.
"Oh good. A worthy opponent." The figure spoke with an almost unctuous voice.
A ball of electricity formed in his hand and shot towards James...
James fell to the floor as Kathryn pushed him down. Flipping up, the woman grew flames in her own hand and smiled.
"Two can play at this game." She snarled.
The ball of fire shot at the creature. Clearly he wasn't expecting it, and did not dodge the fireball.
"Aargh!" He screamed.
James whipped up and incanted a spell. Specially binding ropes surrounded the creature – it could not escape.
"What are you doing?" James demanded, clearly not recognising her. He hadn't seen the fire grow in her hand and assumed it was from her wand.
"Saving your ass, Jamie. Oh, and I also have a message for you." Kathryn informed him, her voice cold.
James took a step back. "H-How d'you know my name?"
"Fail to recognise us in the dark, mate?" Frank asked. "Give 'im the message, Mystique." Frank had caught on to that particular nickname for Kathryn very easily.
"Sirius says 'Hi.' He also says, and I quote, 'you're very lucky Kat's going after you because otherwise I would probably rip your throat out for being so idiotic as to trust Bellatrix Lestrange'."
"Lestrange?" James choked.
"Didn't you know? She married her darling Rodolphus. She's insane, as you might have guessed, and they both seem to get off on it." Kathryn snarled. "So, Jamie, how about you take your killer back to the American Ministry and you come back, because we sure as hell can't defeat Voldemort without you."
"He'll kill you all. He'll kill Lily."
"Well, duh! But don't think you're special and it's because of you. It's because of who we are. The four of us are the Elemental Guardians, not to mention Aurors. Frank Longbottom and Alice soon-to-be-Longbottom are Aurors, already very popular because they're just so darn nice. Remus is wanted because he's a Dark creature and refuses to fight on Voldemort's side. Radella because she's a skilled Healer. Alura because she's one of the Department of Magical Law's rising stars. Damion because he's one of the top Unspeakables and highly intelligent. Speaking of Unspeakables, I also have ties to that department. Peter..." Her voice trailed off. "Peter is, uh, one of best at breeding medical plants for use in potions and brewing the potions themselves." It was true, since he left school, Peter had found that he had got much better at potions and Herbology, and worked for St. Mungo's in caring for plant ingredients. "Not to mention that all of us except you and Lily are involved in the active resistance against Voldemort!"
"Lily isn't with you?" James looked confused.
"No. Lily decided she should run away too." Kathryn's voice was scathing. "Seems Bella got to you both."
"Bella?"
"Bellatrix. They found her magical signature on our street. Did the person who told you to run have heavy-lidded eyes?"
"Uh, yeah, actually."
"And that didn't give you a clue?"
"No."
"Well, it seems she had a trust spell on the area. God knows what other poor souls were forced to trust whatever anyone else was saying at the time. At least it wasn't on later." Kathryn's eyes gained a mischievous glint in them.
"What's that supposed to mean?" James demanded.
"It means that while Kathryn and Sirius haven't touched your rooms, they still have a spare bedroom." Frank grinned.
"You and Sirius...?"
"Shocked, James? Well, I'm hardly going to stay in a separate room when my betrothed is on the same floor, am I?"
"You're engaged?"
"Yeah. Now, I'd suggest you take your baddie in and then we go back home. No excuses. You're not getting away this time." Kathryn's eyes were hard. Then she smiled. "And maybe Sirius and Alice will be back with Lily by then. Why they got to go to Greece, I don't know."
They Apparated back and continued the conversation. "How come Sirius and Alice went to get Lily? Why not you?"
"You did hear Sirius' message, right? You'd've been brought back unconscious and several missing teeth for believing what Lestrange told you. He still can't believe it. I mean, c'mon, we had enough run-ins with her and her gang at school, didn't we?"
James nodded.
"Ah, Peterson, got your man, have you?" An Auror asked.
"Yeah, uh, I have an announcement." James explained.
Kathryn smiled smugly, Frank grinned.
All attention in the room seemed to be on James.
"My name isn't Jackson Peterson. It's James Potter and I ran away from Britain two years ago after my first week of Auror training." James explained.
"Y'know, I'm surprised they didn't figure out that you were giving them a false name. I mean, Jackson Peterson? No mother in the world would be that cruel!" Kathryn announced.
"Who're they?" One of the Aurors asked.
"Frank Longbottom and Kathryn Orenda. They're Aurors from Britain assigned to find me."
"Yeah, they gave us trying to find one of our missing friends as our first real case." Frank rolled his eyes good-naturedly.
"James is also forgetting the part where I'm one of his best friends, his girlfriend's best friend, his best friend's fiancée, not to mention we were both in his year and house at Hogwarts." Kathryn rolled her eyes exasperatedly.
"You went to Hogwarts?" One of the Aurors asked excitedly.
"Uh huh. Why?"
"It's only run by Albus Dumbledore, one of the greatest wizards in the world." Another Auror explained.
"Oh yeah, Albus, well... Y'know, he has an obsession for sherbet lemons." Kathryn informed them. Then looked at James. "How about you write your report, hand in your notice and then we take you to see all your other best friends who you deserted for two years? Not to mention your girlfriend who hopefully has been found by our fiancés."
"How many of you are engaged?" James wanted to know. "And how long for?"
He sat down at his desk and proceeded to write. Many of the Aurors went on with their work, others stopped to listen. This story was better than a novel.
"Well, Sirius proposed the night you and Lily decided to run away." Kathryn began ticking off on her fingers. "Frank proposed..."
"Last summer, when Alice and I graduated from Auror Academy." Frank shot a look at Kathryn. She just grinned.
"Alura and Damion are getting married in the New Year, no one's actually sure when he proposed. Peter still hasn't got a girlfriend. Since Lily and you never really broke it off, you're technically still together. Remus and Radella... We all know Remus would love to marry her, we know he loves her so much, but unfortunately, his condition means he can't get married to anyone except another with the same condition."
"I'd hate to see a female one. I mean, what if was that time of the month twice in one month? Separately?" Frank asked.
Kathryn stamped on his instep, annoyed.
"Ow!"
"Then stop making sexist jokes. You of all people should know not to make those around me. Any bloke who even suggests a woman or girl is moody because of it being 'that time of the month' is in for trouble, even if it isn't."
"Thanks for that informative comment, Kathryn. Now stay away from me in those heels." Frank ordered.
"Sure thing, partner." Kathryn giggled, knowing it annoyed Frank.
"Why did Moody put you two together? You'll most likely kill each other." James wanted to know.
"Because he didn't want to risk putting us with the other two. Then we'd most likely..."
"Snog each other." Frank butted in. Sometimes Kathryn was a little too graphic in her language.
She blinked. "That was what I was going to say."
"Sorry, just sometimes you don't know with you." Frank explained.
"You didn't think...? Oh, Frank, that's gross!" Kathryn protested.
"You two sure are noisy for Brits." An Auror commented.
Kathryn smirked. "You should meet my fiancé, he's worse than both of us. Of course, if you have James, Sirius, Remus and Peter together... Well, they weren't called the Marauders at school for nothing."
"Marauders?" The Auror wanted to know.
"Did James not tell you?" Kathryn asked, eyes wide, but a delighted and somewhat malicious smile on her lips.
"No. I'm Andy by the way. Andy Davies."
"Kathryn Orenda." Kat grinned. "Anyway, James and his mates used to pull pranks all the time. They were worst in Fifth-year, when they were most skilled, but didn't have any girls to keep 'em straight. They also spent their first five years having a prank war with Enchanted, where Alice and Frank often got caught in the crossfire."
"What changed?"
"Me. I woke up from my five-year coma and was apparently friends with Sirius and James before it, even though I'd lost my memory. I made friends with girls, became the fourth member of Enchanted and ended the war just by my glorious presence."
"Yeah, and the fact that Remus and Radella got together. Then you and Sirius." Frank pointed out.
"But we had to wait the entire year before we finally caught Lily and James snogging on the train." Kathryn grinned at James, who was trying to concentrate on his report, but going a tasteful shade of scarlet.
Andy grinned. "We're hearing all your secrets now, Jack– wait, no, James."
James rolled his eyes.
While the others talked, now about the teaching and Auror methods in Britain and America, he completed his report and handed it, with his resignation and a full explanation, to his superior.
"We should've known." The man frowned.
James shook his head. "I've been through too many countries for you to have done so. Don't worry."
"Good luck in Britain and with whatever drove you away." The Auror smiled.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Where're you staying, James?" Kathryn asked.
"Nowhere, can't afford to." James explained. "I've been sleeping in my office."
"Well you'd best pack up your things because you're coming home." Kathryn informed him.
"Okay. Gimme a minute." James informed them.
He proceeded to a small office, not much bigger than a broom cupboard, and ordered his belongings – "Pack!"
He appeared a few moments later, sliding a shrunk trunk into his jeans pocket.
"We need to get to the Apparation port. See ya, Andy." Kathryn smiled.
"Yeah. Good luck, Jac – James. Maybe I'll come and see ya sometime."
"That'd be nice."
"Got to go!" Kathryn called.
It was easier to Apparate back, because now they knew exactly where they were going.
James stared as he fell to the floor in Auror Headquarters.
"Welcome home, James." Eight voices murmured.
There was a crash behind him.
"Welcome home, Lily." The eight voices, plus two more, said.
Then a voice growled. "You two have a lot of explaining to do."
James Potter and Lily Evans looked up into the face of Alastor Moody.
A/N: How short? For me that is! Mind you, I think it works better this way. And now we've got another four years before the end of Part 1. That's at least another, oh, nine or ten chapters, hopefully more. I want to make it a reasonable length. Tell me if it should be shorter though. I dunno. Part 2 is Harry's Sixth-year, as if you hadn't guessed!
Anyway, to reviewers:
nightblade-advanced: Thanks! Don't get into too much trouble. I've just got one thing to say now – two more days of compulsory school! Then the prom! Then exams. Bummer. Of course, I come back for Sixth-form, but then there's only something like three classes a day, which is nice!
Raclswt: Thanks! Only 50 chapters? Or do you just mean Part 1? Believe me, this is going to be long! Hermione – Sirius and Kat's daughter? Nope, afraid not. But Hermione does have an important role in Part 2, as does Ron, Harry and... Selene? That's the daughter. A clue – the meaning of Hermione's name, and it is not just the feminine form of Hermes!
Starshock: Thanks for the tip!
Lenorathetrekkie: Thanks! I love your reviews!
Only four reviewers. Hmph! Please, please, please review! I'll send you digital cookies if you do! Digital brownies for the ones who are really nice about it!
Anyway, thanks for reading!
Lol, Tanydwr
Anyway, please don't be harsh on me if I'm not so good at updating, I'm suffering writer's block on chapter 32, still.
Does anyone know Professor Sinastra's last name?
Anyway, onto the story!
Chapter 27 – First Assignment, a.k.a. Two years later
Two years later (1984), Auror HQ:
"Longbottom, Orenda, Black, Phenners!" Moody's harsh voice rang across the Auror Headquarters.
The four named new Aurors sighed and stood, wondering whether he had a case for the 'wet-behind-the-ears newbies' or whether he just felt like yelling their names across the massive room.
"Yeah, Mad-eye?" Kathryn asked. She had been calling him this for a while, though none of them understood, yet.
"Longbottom, Orenda. We've got a lead on Potter." Moody informed them. He turned to Sirius and Alice. "Black, Phenners, you're after Evans."
"Why that way around?" Frank asked.
"Because Black and Orenda are less likely to kill the people they're supposed to be bringing back that way. We've all heard their opinions." Moody growled.
Kathryn waved a hand flippantly. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Where's the lead for?"
"Both, it seems, graduated as Aurors last June. Evans in Greece, Potter in the US. They haven't got the same names, but we've got news on their other... attributes. We're going on the proviso that they're still there. Orenda, if you could get a vision as to their whereabouts right about now, it'd be very useful." Moody grinned.
Kathryn's visions had become stronger, but more easily controlled over the past two years. She was beginning to see present as well as future and Dumbledore had suggested that it wouldn't be long before she was seeing past as well. All she wanted to see of the past was what happened that afternoon when Sirius had inadvertently recommended Snape visit Moony. She also wanted to know why she could see Thestrals. She realised she had seen them in her Sixth-year, just never given them a second glance. No one had been able to say who she had seen die.
"Unfortunately, they don't come when I want them. And the strongest ones are dreams anyway. My mind's more open to them. The visions that get to me while I'm awake... They're strong, but normally they're the most important ones." Kathryn shrugged. "A lot of the ones I have when I'm asleep... They aren't all that important usually. Or only importantly to a couple of people."
Moody shrugged and handed a file to Frank and another to Sirius. "Study these. You've each got a portkey leaving for the designated area at five. That gives you half an hour. Make sure you've got your wands and anything else you might need."
He clumped away.
"We've got a case. Searching for our best friends." Sirius stated.
"We can always tell them that if they don't come back, they don't get invited to the weddings." Frank joked. He had proposed to Alice on her twentieth birthday, the previous May. It was now October.
Kathryn nodded and then reached for the file in Frank's hand. "Where are we going to, any...?" As her hand touched the file, her head snapped back.
"Kathryn!" Frank gasped.
"She's having a vision." Sirius murmured, going to her side.
------------
James was glaring at a tall figure in a black cloak.
"You don't scare me!" He yelled defiantly.
"Oh good. A worthy opponent." The figure snarled.
A bolt of electricity formed in its hand and shot at James before he could raise a shield. The man screamed in pain.
A sign behind him read 'Welcome to New York City'.
-----------
"What was it?" Sirius asked Kathryn as she came back to reality.
"James. He was in New York City, by a welcome sign. A tall, cloaked figure, fired a bolt of electricity at him. Happy that James wasn't scared. It was dark. Late at night. I don't when it'll take place. New York's what, four, five hours behind us?"
Sirius shrugged.
"So we've got until it gets dark there to find him, or at least find out where it'll take place. It's going to happen soon. That's all I know. And James' power... Water's too good a conductor. He got shot by electricity. It'll kill him."
Frank nodded. "We'll find him. Come on, we still need a couple of bits, not forgetting appropriate Muggle attire for New York. You two better get yours too. Greece is maybe two hours ahead of us? And it gets dark earlier there too."
Sirius nodded. He pulled Kathryn up into a hug. "Be careful, okay? I want my betrothed to be in one piece when she gets back."
Kathryn grinned. "I will be. I do prefer that word to engaged. It sounds so..."
"Old-fashioned?"
"A little. I feel like I should be at Magic's Haven with that word. It's that sort of word."
"Regal, old-fashioned and beautiful. You only fill one of those."
"Which one?" Kathryn asked wickedly.
"Beautiful." Sirius sighed happily and kissed her firmly.
"Good. Because I'm by no means old-fashioned. Or all that regal." Kathryn grinned. "I'll see you later, Sirius."
"Yeah, you too." He smiled.
Frank and Alice finished saying their goodbyes and the four Aurors left to prepare for their jobs.
Kathryn entered the ladies' toilets and proceeded to exchange her clothing for more americanised ones. A long sleeved crop top and pale blue jeans with heeled boots did the job perfectly. The top covered her wand holster and wand perfectly. She then transfigured her robe into a jacket and proceeded from the toilets to meet Frank, where they collected a few other things they might need. For instance, daggers, invisibility cloaks and healing kits.
"You ready?" Frank asked her as they went to the portkey regulation office.
"As I'll ever be. James has got a lotta explaining to do." Kathryn's eyes narrowed.
"Uh huh. Just don't kill him."
They entered the office.
"Longbottom and Orenda?" A wizard checked.
"Yeah, Aurors."
"This way."
He handed Kathryn a hair clip. "This is to bring you back. Just tap it with your wand and say 'activate'. It'll give you ten seconds and then you get back here."
He then handed them a dead football. "Here you go, this'll take you to Auror Headquarters in New York. Grab hold, you've got ten seconds."
They grabbed it.
"Thanks." Kathryn smiled.
"You're welcome."
"Three, two, one..."
Kathryn felt the familiar tug behind her navel and seconds later landed on a cold marble floor.
Next to her laid Frank and above them stood a tall woman.
"What the hell d'you think you're doing here?"
"You are?" The American Auror demanded.
"Kathryn Orenda and Frank Longbottom. Didn't Moody send you a memo or something?" Kathryn wanted to know.
"Moody? As in Alastor Moody?"
"Yeah, him. Our boss." Kathryn replied.
Frank elbowed her. "Be careful," he hissed.
Kathryn sneered at him.
"Why are you here?" The Auror wanted to know.
"We're looking for a friend of ours who disappeared two years ago after Voldemort or one of his followers scared him away. We need him back, now." Kathryn explained.
"His name?"
"James Potter."
The Auror checked a scroll. "We don't have a James Potter anywhere on here."
"We believe he graduated this summer as an Auror. Twenty, glasses, bright blue eyes, messy black hair. Especially good at Defence Against the Dark Arts. Quidditch player – Seeker." Frank suggested.
The man looked blank. "No. I don't think I know anyone..."
"He's using a disguise. Great." Kathryn frowned.
"Have you got any Aurors with unusual powers? Wandless magic, perhaps?" Frank asked.
Frank and Alice had been told about the Elemental Guardians when they graduated as Aurors, just in case Kathryn or Sirius was forced into a situation when they needed them.
"Yes. Jackson Peterson has a certain gift for wandless magic, particularly spells to with..."
"Water." Kathryn finished.
"Yes. Would you like to speak to him? He's on assignment now, tracking a Dark creature that we believe is responsible for several murders." He explained.
"What does this Jackson look like anyway?" Kathryn asked.
"Black hair, hazel eyes, muscular, tall. No glasses or anything." The man replied.
"Okay, thanks. We'll be going after him." Frank smiled.
"Tell us about it. He's good for a newbie. We need to know if we're going to lose him." The Auror explained.
"Uh huh."
The two new Aurors left the American Ministry of Magic and found themselves in the middle of a busy New York City. It was also dark.
"How long were we in there?" Kathryn asked her partner.
"Ages. They were busy determining if we were Death Eaters, spies, crazed Dark wizards, whatever. Come on, we don't want your vision coming true." Frank ordered.
They found a quiet alleyway.
"Grab hold of me and Apparate. I know where I'm going." Kathryn explained.
Frank obeyed and took her wrist in his hand. Both disappeared without so much as a pop – soundless Apparation was an Auror must.
They arrived beside the sign Kathryn had seen. Not far away, a young man stood. A black figure stood before him.
"You don't scare me!" James yelled, defiantly.
"Frank, c'mon!" Kathryn yelled and began running.
"Oh good. A worthy opponent." The figure spoke with an almost unctuous voice.
A ball of electricity formed in his hand and shot towards James...
James fell to the floor as Kathryn pushed him down. Flipping up, the woman grew flames in her own hand and smiled.
"Two can play at this game." She snarled.
The ball of fire shot at the creature. Clearly he wasn't expecting it, and did not dodge the fireball.
"Aargh!" He screamed.
James whipped up and incanted a spell. Specially binding ropes surrounded the creature – it could not escape.
"What are you doing?" James demanded, clearly not recognising her. He hadn't seen the fire grow in her hand and assumed it was from her wand.
"Saving your ass, Jamie. Oh, and I also have a message for you." Kathryn informed him, her voice cold.
James took a step back. "H-How d'you know my name?"
"Fail to recognise us in the dark, mate?" Frank asked. "Give 'im the message, Mystique." Frank had caught on to that particular nickname for Kathryn very easily.
"Sirius says 'Hi.' He also says, and I quote, 'you're very lucky Kat's going after you because otherwise I would probably rip your throat out for being so idiotic as to trust Bellatrix Lestrange'."
"Lestrange?" James choked.
"Didn't you know? She married her darling Rodolphus. She's insane, as you might have guessed, and they both seem to get off on it." Kathryn snarled. "So, Jamie, how about you take your killer back to the American Ministry and you come back, because we sure as hell can't defeat Voldemort without you."
"He'll kill you all. He'll kill Lily."
"Well, duh! But don't think you're special and it's because of you. It's because of who we are. The four of us are the Elemental Guardians, not to mention Aurors. Frank Longbottom and Alice soon-to-be-Longbottom are Aurors, already very popular because they're just so darn nice. Remus is wanted because he's a Dark creature and refuses to fight on Voldemort's side. Radella because she's a skilled Healer. Alura because she's one of the Department of Magical Law's rising stars. Damion because he's one of the top Unspeakables and highly intelligent. Speaking of Unspeakables, I also have ties to that department. Peter..." Her voice trailed off. "Peter is, uh, one of best at breeding medical plants for use in potions and brewing the potions themselves." It was true, since he left school, Peter had found that he had got much better at potions and Herbology, and worked for St. Mungo's in caring for plant ingredients. "Not to mention that all of us except you and Lily are involved in the active resistance against Voldemort!"
"Lily isn't with you?" James looked confused.
"No. Lily decided she should run away too." Kathryn's voice was scathing. "Seems Bella got to you both."
"Bella?"
"Bellatrix. They found her magical signature on our street. Did the person who told you to run have heavy-lidded eyes?"
"Uh, yeah, actually."
"And that didn't give you a clue?"
"No."
"Well, it seems she had a trust spell on the area. God knows what other poor souls were forced to trust whatever anyone else was saying at the time. At least it wasn't on later." Kathryn's eyes gained a mischievous glint in them.
"What's that supposed to mean?" James demanded.
"It means that while Kathryn and Sirius haven't touched your rooms, they still have a spare bedroom." Frank grinned.
"You and Sirius...?"
"Shocked, James? Well, I'm hardly going to stay in a separate room when my betrothed is on the same floor, am I?"
"You're engaged?"
"Yeah. Now, I'd suggest you take your baddie in and then we go back home. No excuses. You're not getting away this time." Kathryn's eyes were hard. Then she smiled. "And maybe Sirius and Alice will be back with Lily by then. Why they got to go to Greece, I don't know."
They Apparated back and continued the conversation. "How come Sirius and Alice went to get Lily? Why not you?"
"You did hear Sirius' message, right? You'd've been brought back unconscious and several missing teeth for believing what Lestrange told you. He still can't believe it. I mean, c'mon, we had enough run-ins with her and her gang at school, didn't we?"
James nodded.
"Ah, Peterson, got your man, have you?" An Auror asked.
"Yeah, uh, I have an announcement." James explained.
Kathryn smiled smugly, Frank grinned.
All attention in the room seemed to be on James.
"My name isn't Jackson Peterson. It's James Potter and I ran away from Britain two years ago after my first week of Auror training." James explained.
"Y'know, I'm surprised they didn't figure out that you were giving them a false name. I mean, Jackson Peterson? No mother in the world would be that cruel!" Kathryn announced.
"Who're they?" One of the Aurors asked.
"Frank Longbottom and Kathryn Orenda. They're Aurors from Britain assigned to find me."
"Yeah, they gave us trying to find one of our missing friends as our first real case." Frank rolled his eyes good-naturedly.
"James is also forgetting the part where I'm one of his best friends, his girlfriend's best friend, his best friend's fiancée, not to mention we were both in his year and house at Hogwarts." Kathryn rolled her eyes exasperatedly.
"You went to Hogwarts?" One of the Aurors asked excitedly.
"Uh huh. Why?"
"It's only run by Albus Dumbledore, one of the greatest wizards in the world." Another Auror explained.
"Oh yeah, Albus, well... Y'know, he has an obsession for sherbet lemons." Kathryn informed them. Then looked at James. "How about you write your report, hand in your notice and then we take you to see all your other best friends who you deserted for two years? Not to mention your girlfriend who hopefully has been found by our fiancés."
"How many of you are engaged?" James wanted to know. "And how long for?"
He sat down at his desk and proceeded to write. Many of the Aurors went on with their work, others stopped to listen. This story was better than a novel.
"Well, Sirius proposed the night you and Lily decided to run away." Kathryn began ticking off on her fingers. "Frank proposed..."
"Last summer, when Alice and I graduated from Auror Academy." Frank shot a look at Kathryn. She just grinned.
"Alura and Damion are getting married in the New Year, no one's actually sure when he proposed. Peter still hasn't got a girlfriend. Since Lily and you never really broke it off, you're technically still together. Remus and Radella... We all know Remus would love to marry her, we know he loves her so much, but unfortunately, his condition means he can't get married to anyone except another with the same condition."
"I'd hate to see a female one. I mean, what if was that time of the month twice in one month? Separately?" Frank asked.
Kathryn stamped on his instep, annoyed.
"Ow!"
"Then stop making sexist jokes. You of all people should know not to make those around me. Any bloke who even suggests a woman or girl is moody because of it being 'that time of the month' is in for trouble, even if it isn't."
"Thanks for that informative comment, Kathryn. Now stay away from me in those heels." Frank ordered.
"Sure thing, partner." Kathryn giggled, knowing it annoyed Frank.
"Why did Moody put you two together? You'll most likely kill each other." James wanted to know.
"Because he didn't want to risk putting us with the other two. Then we'd most likely..."
"Snog each other." Frank butted in. Sometimes Kathryn was a little too graphic in her language.
She blinked. "That was what I was going to say."
"Sorry, just sometimes you don't know with you." Frank explained.
"You didn't think...? Oh, Frank, that's gross!" Kathryn protested.
"You two sure are noisy for Brits." An Auror commented.
Kathryn smirked. "You should meet my fiancé, he's worse than both of us. Of course, if you have James, Sirius, Remus and Peter together... Well, they weren't called the Marauders at school for nothing."
"Marauders?" The Auror wanted to know.
"Did James not tell you?" Kathryn asked, eyes wide, but a delighted and somewhat malicious smile on her lips.
"No. I'm Andy by the way. Andy Davies."
"Kathryn Orenda." Kat grinned. "Anyway, James and his mates used to pull pranks all the time. They were worst in Fifth-year, when they were most skilled, but didn't have any girls to keep 'em straight. They also spent their first five years having a prank war with Enchanted, where Alice and Frank often got caught in the crossfire."
"What changed?"
"Me. I woke up from my five-year coma and was apparently friends with Sirius and James before it, even though I'd lost my memory. I made friends with girls, became the fourth member of Enchanted and ended the war just by my glorious presence."
"Yeah, and the fact that Remus and Radella got together. Then you and Sirius." Frank pointed out.
"But we had to wait the entire year before we finally caught Lily and James snogging on the train." Kathryn grinned at James, who was trying to concentrate on his report, but going a tasteful shade of scarlet.
Andy grinned. "We're hearing all your secrets now, Jack– wait, no, James."
James rolled his eyes.
While the others talked, now about the teaching and Auror methods in Britain and America, he completed his report and handed it, with his resignation and a full explanation, to his superior.
"We should've known." The man frowned.
James shook his head. "I've been through too many countries for you to have done so. Don't worry."
"Good luck in Britain and with whatever drove you away." The Auror smiled.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Where're you staying, James?" Kathryn asked.
"Nowhere, can't afford to." James explained. "I've been sleeping in my office."
"Well you'd best pack up your things because you're coming home." Kathryn informed him.
"Okay. Gimme a minute." James informed them.
He proceeded to a small office, not much bigger than a broom cupboard, and ordered his belongings – "Pack!"
He appeared a few moments later, sliding a shrunk trunk into his jeans pocket.
"We need to get to the Apparation port. See ya, Andy." Kathryn smiled.
"Yeah. Good luck, Jac – James. Maybe I'll come and see ya sometime."
"That'd be nice."
"Got to go!" Kathryn called.
It was easier to Apparate back, because now they knew exactly where they were going.
James stared as he fell to the floor in Auror Headquarters.
"Welcome home, James." Eight voices murmured.
There was a crash behind him.
"Welcome home, Lily." The eight voices, plus two more, said.
Then a voice growled. "You two have a lot of explaining to do."
James Potter and Lily Evans looked up into the face of Alastor Moody.
A/N: How short? For me that is! Mind you, I think it works better this way. And now we've got another four years before the end of Part 1. That's at least another, oh, nine or ten chapters, hopefully more. I want to make it a reasonable length. Tell me if it should be shorter though. I dunno. Part 2 is Harry's Sixth-year, as if you hadn't guessed!
Anyway, to reviewers:
nightblade-advanced: Thanks! Don't get into too much trouble. I've just got one thing to say now – two more days of compulsory school! Then the prom! Then exams. Bummer. Of course, I come back for Sixth-form, but then there's only something like three classes a day, which is nice!
Raclswt: Thanks! Only 50 chapters? Or do you just mean Part 1? Believe me, this is going to be long! Hermione – Sirius and Kat's daughter? Nope, afraid not. But Hermione does have an important role in Part 2, as does Ron, Harry and... Selene? That's the daughter. A clue – the meaning of Hermione's name, and it is not just the feminine form of Hermes!
Starshock: Thanks for the tip!
Lenorathetrekkie: Thanks! I love your reviews!
Only four reviewers. Hmph! Please, please, please review! I'll send you digital cookies if you do! Digital brownies for the ones who are really nice about it!
Anyway, thanks for reading!
Lol, Tanydwr