Telling the other at dinner seemed to have an added bonus. With the constant jokes from everyone in the house, they were able to gradually accept it, though it was still a week before they could look each other in the eye. They mostly spent it training, and Harry was starting to make some progress breaking Sirius' shields. He was still beaten, battered, and bruised before the day was over. Daphne, according to Tori, had been learning the finer points of alchemy from Nicolas Flamel, and then Snape had her attempt the same processes with the philosopher stone. They had barely spoken to each other, but that was more because the only time that they were both at the house and not too tired to do anything, was at breakfast.
Harry's birthday came and went without too much of a hassle. He'd gotten some new spell books from Daphne and Susan, a book on Quidditch tactics from Tori, and to the embarrassment of both him and Daphne; Sirius had given him an old leather bond book titled "Making the best of your Arranged Marriage". Harry made it a point of trying to find some spell in his new books to get Sirius and the twins back for this. Remus had come through for him, handing him a journal, containing hand written notes from 'Prongs'.
Harry gave Remus a quick hug, then turned laughing at the trio of pranksters, who took one look at the book, ran to try and save themselves. "Page eighteen." Remus whispered before he went to talk with Morgan.
He turned to the page and smiled, "That'll work." he said as he turns to the rest of his presents.
Morgan had given him about a dozen memories of his parents at school. Snape handed him a small vial of golden potion. "Don't use this at school, unless of course you find yourself facing a dragon or something." he smirked.
The twin gave him a peace offering, a large box of their new joke products. Neville handed him a large stack of parchment, "You didn't get this from me." he said as he walk over to talk herbology with Tori. Looking at it, Harry saw that it was seven years' worth of history of magic notes. Harry couldn't help thinking how Neville had gotten them.
Dinner was always fun, but it seems even better when it's a birthday. The cakes looked like giant philosopher stones. The larger one, which was for the kids, was filled with hot fudge and caramel. The adult's cake was filled with firewhiskey. Both Harry and Daphne were offered pieces of the second cake, but they'd had enough of that the first time.
As he lay awake, as much as he loved it at the Greengrass', he still found himself thinking, 'Just another month.'
Dumbledore sat in his office, smiling. Thanks to his helping Draco pass the previous year; Lucius was willing to ensure that he remained at the school. Now that that was settled, when Ginny brings Tom's diary back to the school, the chamber will be opened. After a while of 'trying' to stop the attacks, some poor soul will be killed. When I present evidence that Potter is a parslemouth, the courts will have no problem sending him to Azkaban. Then, I just have to quietly confiscate and destroy the diary. When the attacks stop, the old fools will be begging him to come back. After that, it's just a matter of time until everything is completed.
Turning his attention to the stack of papers, he found a rather unexpected request. "A Dueling club?" he says, intrigued. Even more surprising, unlike a request he received several years before which was from Filius, this was from Giuseppe. He read through it quickly, and smiled. This would not only allow him to address Amelia's concerns that he didn't want any new aurors, but would show he has faith in his new professor. "I believe that I'll allow it for now." he says as he stamps it approved and began working on more mundane issues.
"Harry! Breakfast!" Tori's voice said as she woke him up.
"I'll be down in a minute." he said as he climbed out of bed. Next to his bed, he found a small gold box with a letter. Opening it, it reads,
Harry,
Sorry I couldn't make it to your party! We've being driven like house elves! Anyway, by the time that they let me off, you'd already gone to bed. I figured I'd leave it here. Happy birthday!
Amelia
Excited, Harry opens the box. Inside, there are three pieces of paper, a thin silver package, and two identical medals. The first piece is a certificate stating that he has been emancipated, and lists all of the benefits that apply to him now. Next, there are two identical pieces aside from the name at the top.
On the authority of the ministry of magic, we are proud to award the Order of Merlin, First Class, to James Charles Potter/Lily Marie Potter née Evans for continued service to Magical England in its fight against the Dark Lord Voldemort.
Harry couldn't help but feel somewhat happy. 'At least now my parents are getting the acknowledgement they deserve. No one seems to remember that they died because I loved.' Harry thought smiling.
His eyes fell on the two medals. They were light blue with a black trim. A single wizard, staff held in front of him, clearly Merlin, stood behind the silver star with the names Lily and James Potter. Underneath, in a golden script, are written 'First Class for valor in defense of country'.
Inside the thin box, there was what looked like a thin pocket of black dragonhide. There was also a note.
This is an official Auror wand holster. Hungarian Horntail dragon hide, patented disillusionment charms, anti-summoning, and reinforced. After your wand is in it, it will be invisible and can be called to your hand with a flick of your wrist. Also, it will be nearly unbreakable while it is in the holster. Given how well Sirius says you're doing with your training, you'd earn it before too long!
Harry smiled and placed the holster on his other wrist. Placing his wand in it, he watched as the holster and wand disappears. Stretching, he walks out the room.
"What took you so long?" Tori says as he walks into the kitchen.
"Amelia left me a birthday present." Harry answers, reaching for the omelets.
"What did Auntie give you?" Susan asked as she ate a piece of bacon.
Instead of answering, Harry flicked his wrist, causing his wand and holster to become visible. Sirius' eyes grew wide, "Haven't seen one of those in years!" Seeing the confused looks on their faces, he added, "It's an auror wand holster. Invisible if the wand is in it, and almost indestructible. I've never seen one given to someone outside the DMLE, aside from the ones Dumbledore acquired during the last war."
Morgan laughed, "Good thing, too. The one Cyrus gave him has been falling apart from all the use you've given it." The table laughed, but it was an awkward laugh, probably because no one had heard anything about Cyrus in over a month. They were interrupted by the screech of an owl.
Four brown owls appear just outside the windows. Morgan opens it, and they fly in, each landing in front of one of the older kids. "What's this? I thought you got your letters last month?" Sirius said, looking from kid to kid.
"Only one way to find out." Harry said as he broke the Hogwarts seal on the letter and read aloud.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Due to a recent staffing change, certain educational options have become available. Please be aware that all are considered optional and are not required for classes. A Dueling club and class have been established.
Returning students may write to their head of house if they wish to enjoy the Dueling class. This course is aimed toward those wishing to join law enforcement following graduation. The Dueling club will be open to all students. For more information, feel free to mail your head of house, who will be more than happy to assist you. Those taking the Dueling class are required to obtain a copy of 'Basic Dueling and combative magic' by Jotam Teresp.
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School.
The room was silent for a moment, and then everyone started talking amongst themselves.
"What about me!? Tori whined, "I want to try it!"
"What should I do?" Neville said nervously, "I can't duel against Harry! I couldn't even pass transfiguration last year!"
"You'll be fine, Neville. If it makes you feel any better, I doubt that anyone in our year can duel him anymore." Susan said comfortingly. "And we'll help you with transfiguration."
"Why can't I take it? I want to try!" Tori whined to Morgan.
Daphne and Harry, meanwhile, were busy writing on parchment. They were just finishing, when the door opened. "I see that they've already arrived." Snape said from the doorway. "No need to send those, I will take them now."
They both passed him the letters as he conjured a chair and sat down. "Now then, I'm sure that you all have questions, so I will answer them as best I can."
"Why the hell did Dumbledore do this now? I remember that back when we were at school he was so opposed to the idea, that he didn't even read anything that mentioned it." Sirius asked calmly, still eating his pancakes.
"The new defense teacher is an old friend of our esteemed headmaster. Perhaps he was able to get through to the old man." Snape says, accepting the drink Morgan passed him.
"Is the new teacher any good?" Harry asked, remembering how utterly boring Quirrell's classes were.
"He certainly is skilled. He was Dumbledore's second during his duel against Grindelwald and taught Alastor Moody at the auror academy." Snape answers. "I believe that he is far more capable then most others. I know for a fact that Gilderoy Lockhart applied for the job, so you dodged the curse on that one."
"What do you think about all this?" Morgan says as she starts clearing the table.
"I have been pushing for this class for some time. Professor McGonagall asked me to supervise the club, and I have no problem with that."
"What do you think I should do?" Neville asks quietly, avoiding Snape's gaze.
"Neville Longbottom, though it is rather common knowledge that I do not like Gryffindor, I have no such problem with you. It has been obvious since the first day of class that you are not the weakling everyone seems to believe. Have some confidence in yourself! You have more talent than anyone else in Gryfinndor. Take the class, and break away from the weak baby appearance you showed during the first year." Snape said, shocking everyone. None of them had ever heard him compliment a Gryfinndor.
Neville nods, and shakily writes a note to Professor McGonagall, which Snape takes along with Susan's. "I have to be going. It is unlikely that I will be able to stop by before the end of summer, so I will see you September first." Snape says as he walks past them and out the back door.
"Sirius barks out a laugh, "Damn, Lupin won the bet! He bet that Snape would say something nice to someone outside of the Slytherin by the end of next year!" turning to Neville, he says, "From what I gather, you're not the best student?" Neville nods, looking embarrassed. "How about you join me and Harry for dueling training?"
Neville shakes his head, "No thanks. I'd never be able to keep up with Harry, and I need to practice my transfiguration."
Sirius smiles, "Alright, well, the offer is always open, and I used to be pretty good at transfiguration, so let me know if you need some help."
"Right, I will." Neville says as he stands up and walks to his room.
"Well, let's help you get some independent study in, shall we?" Sirius says as everyone stands up.
"I'm going to Mr. Flamel's house, and should be back by dinner." Daphne says as she walks towards the living room. Turning as she gets to the door, "Look after yourself, Harry."
Harry can't keep the smile of his face as he replies, "You too, Daphne. Good luck."
Daphne smiles and walks out of the room.
"Ready to duel, Lover boy?" Sirius chuckles as they walk out to the yard.
This became the new norm. Every day, they would eat breakfast, train, eat lunch, trains some more, eat dinner, and finally, collapse into bed. Sometime over the next two weeks, Remus had bought them four copies of Basic Dueling and Combative Magic. Harry had taken to reading it whenever he had time, almost as much as his father's journal.
The morning of the fifteenth started the same as always, until Harry went into the kitchen and saw that Amelia was talking with Sirius and Remus, "He'll me arriving later today, and we don't have enough aurors to do any more. I was wondering of you two would be willing to give us a hand?" she asks hopefully.
Remus nods, and then sees Harry, "Good Morning, Harry. I'm sorry to say that training is cancelled today. I'm willing to help."
Sirius nods, "Me too. If these guys show up, we might be able to find Cyrus. Morgan, look after the kids while we're gone." he said, getting, out of his chair.
"You don't even need to ask. Look after yourselves." she says, handing Harry a plate.
"See you at dinner, pup." Sirius says as the three leave the house.
Susan and Daphne walk in about five minutes later, followed by Tori and Neville. Morgan smiles, "Daphne, would you be able to take a day off of training? I'd like to be able to throw a party, but I can't do all the work myself."
Daphne nods, "That shouldn't be a problem. I'll go and let them know." she says as she leaves the kitchen. Tori flashes a knowing smile that makes Harry nervous.
After breakfast, they spend most of the morning trying to help Neville with his transfiguration. Unfortunately, it was a lost cause. Everything he tried had the opposite effect. When he tried to turn a match into a needle, the resulting explosion was worthy of Sheamus.
They stop at eleven thirty and they started helping Morgan with dinner. Neville, who was the least experienced of them at cooking, mainly help with little things, like bring them ingredients and stirring the sauce so it doesn't burn. That made it even more surprising when Morgan asked, "Harry, Daphne, can you go and buy some more butterbeer and firewhiskey? We'll need more for tonight."
Neville said, "I can take care of that."
Morgan shakes her head, "you need to be an adult to buy firewhiskey, which means it has to be me or Harry."
"Um-sure." Harry says, handing the knife he was using to Tori.
Morgan handed him a small leather pouch. "Thank you, three dozen of each should be fine. While you're out, why don't you get some lunch? We'll make some sandwiches and continue when you get back."
Harry and Daphne don't even get the chance to respond before they are literally pushed out of the kitchen.
"I have a distinct feeling that is going out has nothing to do with getting firewhiskey." Daphne says while they are walking to the fire place.
"After the way Tori was smiling, I have to agree." Harry says, hearing a chuckle from the kitchen.
Together, they floo to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry manages to finally stick the landing, leading to Daphne give him a slight applause. She got them a table, and he walked over to the old toothless barkeep.
"Hey, Tom, can I get three dozen butterbeer and firewhiskey, to go?" he asks, pulling out his money pouch.
"Mr. Potter, I can get you the butterbeer, but you need to be an adult to get firewhiskey." Tom says with his trademark toothless grin.
Harry shows him the Potter lord ring, making his eyes bulge before he ordered his men to prepare the drinks. "Will there be anything else, milord?" He says politely.
"The young lady and I will be having lunch." Harry replies, indicating Daphne, reading the menu at a nearby table.
Tom bows and Harry joins Daphne, "They'll have the drinks ready when we leave. See anything you'd like?" he asks, looking over the menu.
"I've always liked their Sirloin steak." she says, putting down the menu.
"I think I'll have their ribs." harry states as he puts his down. Almost immediately Tom appears and takes their orders.
"You know, I think I know why Mom made us come out here." Daphne sighed, before taking a sip of her butterbeer.
"Yeah, I know. She's trying to force us to spend time together." Harry answers, as Tom returns with their food.
"You know, this is the first time we've had a really conversation since we found out about the contract, isn't it?" Daphne says as she cuts her steak.
"First sober conversation. We did have that one talk with the firewhiskey." Harry laughs.
"Don't remind me. I think I'm still hung-over from that." Daphne chuckles. "But, seriously, I think we really need to talk. Even though we've known each other for a year, and we're going to be married in a few years, we know next to nothing about each other."
"I know. I don't even know your birthday." Harry says, poking at his food.
"October nineteenth. What's your favorite food?" she replies.
They spent twenty-five minutes alternating between asking questions and eating. By the time they had finished, Harry felt that he'd learned more than he had all the last year. The two of them, each carrying a crate of drinks walked through the floo back to the house.
Harry was able to keep his balance for the second time in a row. Tori, who had been waiting for them, was quick to help Daphne carry the drinks into the kitchen, and told Harry that he and Neville could relax in the living room for a bit.
As soon as he entered the room, Neville asked the inevitable question, "How did it go?"
"So it was all a plot to get me and Daph to go on a date?" Harry said, staring suspiciously at his friend.
"I wouldn't say it was a plot... and I wasn't in on it if it was." he said, sounding scared.
"Relax, Neville. I was just messing with you. Anyway, aside from talking, we didn't really do that much." Harry says, as Neville starts to calm down.
"You guys ready to get back to work?" Susan said, peeking her head into the room.
"I've been ready, though if you'd wanted me to take Daphne on a date, you could have just given me the day off instead of making up some elaborate lie." Harry answers, glaring at his friend.
"Don't go blaming me for that. That was Tori and Morgan. I've been saying that we should let you take care of it." Susan chuckles, beckoning them both into the room.
Inside Morgan and Tori are being death glared by Daphne, though both of them start laughing when he walks in. "Sorry about that." Morgan apologized, "But someone needed to do it."
"Maybe, but you could have given us a chance before assuming that we need help." Harry said, mimicking Daphne's expression. "I'm willing to let it go this time, but next time, I'll show you one of the many things I learned from my dad's notes." he threatened.
"Only if I get to pick which one." Daphne added.
"Deal." Harry said happily. "Now, shall we get back to cooking before they come home and find of that we've been talking?" Harry asks before adding, "Oh, and if Sirius or the twins learn about this, I assure you, you won't like what happens."
The pair's head shook so faster it was a wonder they didn't get whiplash. After about two hours of work, they just about had everything taken care of, when a silver ball of mist flew in through the open window. As it reached the ground, the mist reforms into a panther. Its mouth opened and it spoke in the loud, clear voice of Amelia Bones, "We were betrayed. The diplomat is dead. Be on your guard. Look after the children, Sirius is coming." and slowly it faded away.
Before she had even finished talking, every wand in the room was drawn, Harry and Morgan standing in front of each door. Minutes passed, and finally, there was a loud bang from the front door. Harry cursed and as soon as the door opened, shouted, "Expelliarmus!". A bolt of red light shot from his wand, blasting through the shield conjured by the man on the other side.
"Harry! It's me!" Sirius hissed, grabbing his wand.
"Sorry about that." Harry apologized, "Amelia told us to be on guard, and since you didn't say anything, I assumed the worst."
"Can't fault you for that. At least you don't take after your father. He always took a shot first, ask questions later approach." Sirius said as he walked into the room.
Something about that seemed off to Harry. Sirius had always told him that his father always gave others a chance. Only one way to find out... "That's probably why his animagus form was a wolf. Best hunter, always kill before they let you get the chance." He said, laughing.
"No doubt!" Sirius said, taking over Harry guard post.
"My father's animagus was a stag. STUPIFY!" Harry yelled, blasting the fake Sirius against the wall. He ran and grabbed the fake's wand, handing it to Morgan, never pointing his own away from the imposter. "What do you think happened to the real Sirius?" Harry asked.
As if in answer, the back door burst open, and Sirius came hurtling into the room. He took a quick look around, saw himself lying on the ground, and point his wand towards him. Harry, however, pointed his wand at the newcomer and asked, "Name the four Marauders."
Sirius blinked for a second before answering, "Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs."
"Good. Are you alright?" Harry asked lowering his wand.
"Fine. How did you manage to stun him? He jumped me outside, stole some of my hair, and put up a barrier around the house. Luckily, when you stunned him, they came down." Sirius says, still staring at his imposter.
"He made my father out to be a killer, so I told him that was why his animagus was a wolf. He agreed." Harry said, only now feeling the strain of the overpowered disarmer he'd cast.
"Smart thinking. Even more so, making sure to check I was Me." he says as he conjures ropes around the unconscious man.
"What happened?" Morgan asked, kneeling beside Harry and checking him for injuries.
"Someone betrayed us. As soon as we entered the Diagon alley they started shooting killers into the crowd. One hit the diplomat, another dozen, aurors, and at least ten hit civilians. One of the captured ones told us that they intended to at Cyrus' family, so Amelia sent me as back up." Sirius said grimly.
"What about Remus?" Harry asked, taking a sip of water.
"He got hurt, but should be alright by tonight. What I'm concerned about is why are they after you lot? The attack was successful, which means that they wouldn't need you to force Cyrus to talk. What reason could they have to be targeting you now?" Sirius wonders aloud.
"Cyrus had some veritaserum in the cellar. We could ask this guy." Morgan said, wand at the fake.
"Good plan, but let's wait until Amelia gets here with some more aurors." Sirius says, waving is wand in a complex pattern, muttering. Morgan nods, and does the same on the other side of the room.
Harry started pacing after two hours. Susan and Daphne were rest with tori, while Harry, Neville, Sirius, and Morgan were on guard. They had three other attacks. One where they pretended to be Amelia and two that blast in and start firing spells. Surprisingly, Neville managed to knock one of them out, though the others got away.
"See? Snape was right. Not many others in our year could have knocked him out like that." Harry said, patting his friend on the back.
"I didn't do anything." he said, shaking his head. "Just got lucky."
Well, that was true. When Neville dodged one of the spells, he knocked the table over, sending a steel bowl flying through the air and colliding with her head. "What's your point?" Sirius says, laughing. "My instructor at the auror academy always said that luck is an important quality. You'll do great, mark my word-" he says, until he stops abruptly. Outside the window, there was the telltale crack of apparation, and they could hear voices.
Morgan opens the back door, and seconds later they heard a blast like a cannon. "Who are you? Answer or I won't miss!" she yells.
"It's Amelia! Is everyone okay?!" she says from outside.
"Prove it!" Sirius yells.
Seconds later, a silver panther floats into the room, and says in Amelia's voice, "Does this work?"
Morgan threw open the back door. "Thank Merlin. Sorry about that. We've had four attacks, and one of them was using poly juice to look like you." she explained.
"Did you catch them?" Amelia asks sharply.
"We caught two of them, but the others got away." Sirius says, levitating the two prisoners out the door.
"Well, I guess it was a good thing I sent you back." Amelia says after ordering the aurors to get veritaserum.
"Can't say it was. All I did was toss curses at the bastards that got away. The kids caught them. First one-"Sirius shrugs, pointing to the bald man that had been the fake Sirius. "Used polyjuice to pretend to be me. Harry almost killed him with a stunner. The other one-" indicating the black haired witch. "Broke in about twenty minutes ago, and Neville knocked out with a bowl to the face."
Amelia looked surprised, "I might have expected Harry to beat one, but Neville too? I'm impressed. I have high hopes for the next generation of aurors if these two are anything to go by."
While they waited for the veritaserum, Amelia took their statements, letting the girls sleep. Harry explained how he started to suspect 'Sirius', how he'd confirmed he was an imposter, and how he stunned him. Then, how the real one had shown up, and passed his test. Finally, he gave them a brief summary of the rest of the evening. They were just finishing up when an auror returned with two vials of truth serum. Amelia pours the first down the fake Sirius' throat, before waking him up.
"What is your name?" Amelia asks immediately.
The man seems to struggle for a minute before answering, "Vladimir Rasenko."
The bald, black auror next to her asks next, "Are you a part of the group 'Inferno'?"
Again, he struggles but he finally mutters, "Yes."
"Who sent you?" Amelia asks, making notes of his answer.
He starts literally shaking in frustration but at last he answers. "Scythe Master."
As soon as he answers, a tongue or fire burst into life around his wrist. Before anyone could do anything, it wrapped around his neck, and with an unnerving CRACK, his life ended.
Amelia cursed, "We should have foreseen this. It would explain why they were almost unable to get any useful information. But for them to make underlings swear the unbreakable vow..."
"What should be do, Director?" the bald auror asks in his soothing voice, "Should we question him or take I'm into custody?"
"Arrest him, Kingsley. Dawlish, ask the Department of Mysteries to determine the sworn oath. Vance, go and find the status of our wounded. Moody, go back to the office and open an investigation in what happened. Someone betrayed us, find out who!" Amelia orders, and all around them, aurors start waking to the gate and disapparating.
"Morgan, I doubt that this will be the last of them. I'd suggest you upgrade the wards around the house." Amelia says as she takes a seat.
"Fidelius charm. Best protection we can get." Sirius says, "Remus can cast it. How about I ask him tonight?"
"Who would be secret keeper?" Amelia asks, taking a sip of butterbeer. (She was on duty after all.)
"Morgan." Sirius said simply.
So, that night, when Remus returned from St. Mungo's, the Fidelius Charm was cast and Greengrass manor disappeared.
Everyone in the house went to bed almost as soon as it was done. Harry lay awake, despite how stressful the day had been. He couldn't get the half hour he'd spent with Daphne out of his head.
"How did everything go?" he asked as his office door opened.
"Well, the fucker's dead, but those weaklings you sent to get the kid failed. Two of them even got caught." said the blonde who walked in.
"I see. We'll have to deal with him some other time." Scythe said as he poured them each a glass of wine.
"I still can't believe that little bitch survived." Cal says, draining her cup.
"From what I understand, your nephew is rather good at slipping out of dangerous situations." he smirks looking over his class lists, eyes drawn to the second year Slytherin Harry potter. "I'll have Zane deal with the ones who were captured."
-
It took a couple of days, but life slowly went back to normal. Daphne had apparently finished her training with the Flamels, and so she joined Harry while he was training with Sirius. As an added bonus, they were able to spend more time together, which means that Morgan didn't feel the need to force the issue any more.
Amelia had been busy with the investigation, even more so when the witch Neville had captured was murdered while in custody. They had only seen her once or twice since. According to Susan, that wasn't entirely abnormal.
On the last day of break, Harry and Daphne teamed against Sirius. The result of training all summer was already apparent. The scrawny kid that stepped off the Hogwarts express at the end of last year was gone. Harry had put on almost twenty pounds, mostly muscles from Moody's training. His magical power was far more controllable, having finally completed Sirius' test three days earlier. Ever since, they had spent the day dueling, when they weren't trying to help Neville.
Finally, on September first, the seven walked onto platform nine and three-quarters. "Have a good year!" Sirius laughed. "Enjoy the dueling class. I can't tell you how much I wished I was at Hogwarts this year."
"Look after yourselves." Morgan said as she helped Tori with her trunk. "And Harry, stay out of trouble."
"In my defense, I tried that last year, but Voldemort wouldn't let me." Harry said, storing his and Daphne's trunk.
"Well, I'd Voldemort tries it again, let me know. I owe him a little something for James." Sirius says, shaking his fist.
Morgan was giving them all hugs, as they climbed onto the train. "Behave, and we'll see you at Christmas."
"We will!" they said as they boarded the train and found a compartment.
