Louis POV

June 1st

Pain resonated throughout my body as I managed to peel my face off the wooden surface of my desk. A loose sheet of sketches was still stuck comically to my cheek as I groaned loudly in discomfort. I had stayed up most of the night working on my designs and other projects before finally collapsing in front of my plans. I couldn't help but roll my eyes when I checked the time. It was already midday. After a brief rinse and some hasty brushing I decided to walk out onto the beach for some fresh air. It was a routine that brought me a phenomenal sense of peace. What I found instead surprised me more than anything I could have dreamt of last night. I had gotten only a few feet onto the soft sand when I noticed a figure on one of the blue and white striped beach chairs. It took me a moment of intense thought to process the sight in front of me. I blinked in my confusion, and then blinked again.

"Cousin!" I yelled finally as I registered the gorgeous brunet. He looked hilarious. Al was laying there in an unbuttoned linen shirt, emerald bathing suit and a pair of designer sunglasses; a virgin strawberry daiquiri in one hand and a book in the other. The hilarity came from the fact that while he looked like a movie star, the book he was reading was an advanced text on magology. I yanked the drink away from him, downing it in one go.

"Hey Lou, you know there's no alcohol in there. No reason to be so dramatic."

The smile he gave me, literally lit me up inside. I was so happy that he had thought to visit. I pulled the miniature umbrella from the empty glass to tuck it behind my ear. The moment I had he waved a hand and turned it into a blood red hibiscus blossom. "Now it suits you better." I smiled back at him, running a hand through my hair.

"So. What brings the coolest person on the planet down to my beach?"

"I missed you, obviously. Since I have the day off tomorrow I thought we could have a sleepover like we used to? It would give us a chance to work on those new ideas we talked about."

Awww… he had found time for me amidst all the chaos going on in his life? It still sounded weird to hear he had the day off... As though a fourteen year old didn't have everyday of the summer off. Of course he was actually just as busy as uncle Harry or aunt Hermione.

"On the condition that you let me practice my kissing with you." I offered mischievously. Al laughed at that. The two of us always had our strange quirks. I could get away with blaming it on my Veela blood. Al was just weird enough to go along with the craziness.

"No negotiating. I know that you'd kill for a sleepover with me. We're overdue. I thought we might watch a scary movie and build ourselves a pillow fort." He offered with a devilish grin, holding out a usb flash drive in the shape of the grim reaper's scythe. I knew it was where he kept his most frightening films. I unbuttoned my shirt and summoned my own sunglasses from the house, before popping down next to Al on the adjacent chair.

"Yeah... that sounds like fun... More than anything though I want to know what happened between you and Scor. It's been a few weeks since the school term ended... Any developments?"

"We have time for catching up tonight. Right now i'd just like to enjoy the breeze."

The deflection was seamless.

"Oh come on. Aren't you ever going to spill? Its me."

Al shot me a violent glare that made it clear we weren't going to discuss Scorpius. I had to sigh at that. Why couldn't they just hurry up and get over themselves? Whatever happened couldn't have been so horrible. Neither of them would ever do anything truly harmful to the other…

"Fine! We'll review 'he who shall not be named' later. In the meantime I'm going to have to yell at you. I can't believe what you did for me! It was way too much money Albus. Besides with all of this music & lighting choreography you've had me doing I won't have time to work on any designs."

"Nonsense. I'm making a decent amount with all of the patents and joke shops and I know that design is really what you want to be doing. Forget the band work if it's too much, just concentrate on what you really love."

"Are you taking the piss? Getting a chance to be part of this is too amazing an opportunity to pass up. So tell me! How on earth did you end up in the album? Well... I suppose it's your own EP now... but really... the ASP? I mean... you're famous!" I watched Albus blush at the mention of his new found renown. Nobody from Hogwarts had figured it out yet. Only a select few within the family had been told. The magical community was abuzz at the success of the top selling album and even more curious about the identity of the artist responsible. All of our family members were dying to know the story.

"Dad really only arranged an introduction… I've always admired the Weird Sisters… so he brought me to a recording session, just to meet them obviously. I guess dad was called away on business during their rehearsal… because he vanished a few minutes in. Anyway... it sort of came up that I could play a few instruments… and before I knew it I had a guitar in my hand then synth keys beneath my fingers. You know how much I love music... If I were being remotely modest I'd say I was merely average but... Well... I think I might be an even better musician than I am a wizard. They asked me back to the studio over the next few days and before I knew it i'd met Nightshade and Wolfsbane. They liked my voice and some of the stuff i'd written at home so they decided to help me refine it. I guess that sort of turned into three songs and a few features on their album."

"You're bloody brilliant Al and so were the songs. You know you are the luckiest boy on the planet."

"Hardly, my best friend is gone and now I have to manage all this music nonsense on top of everything else that's happening with the ministry. I barely have time to sleep with Lily and Syl around. Not to mention that the American Expansion is almost tooo successful. I've had to hire several people to help me liaise with Malfoy. I want to avoid speaking to him as much as possible. Plus im utter rubbish at business. I merely had the foresight to see the potential success with this plan... Running it is a completely different matter. Ive been making mistakes that are costing Malfoy and I loads of profits. I decided to let the malign creature handle it all."

I sighed at that… thinking about all the rumors I'd heard about Al around the time of Kingsley's assassination. Too successful? Nobody wanted to hear how you were doing too well for yourself. Although... with the rest of the terrorist threats and world conflict... some good fortune in the family was a welcome change. Especially for Al, who seemed always so prone to misfortune.

The world wasn't looking very safe at the moment. It made lounging on the beach seem trivial by comparison. All that Al was dealing with seemed much too much for somebody our age. Business, music, inventing... even with the loads of help he was getting from his family seemed inconsequential by comparison.

"Still… your life sounds more like a fiction novel than a normal fourteen year olds everyday routine… "

The look on his face made it clear just how UN-lucky he felt about that. He always preferred to be normal. Whenever he attracted too much attention people tended to fear or mistrust him. Whenever he was free to be just albus… the world seemed to respond better to him. In fact people became really fond of charming regular Al. They couldn't help it. He was infectious. I was sad that Al and Scor weren't speaking. It made it impossible to plan a trip or any activities that involved all of our friends at once.

"A fiction novel... more like a horror story. I've got two asset managers and an agent all of whom are dreadful. My agent wants me to reveal that I'm the ASP now that my father, the Harry Potter is Minister for Magic. I'm absolutely horrified that anybody will find out. When I agreed to release the three pieces I didn't realize they'd hit the #1's. I merely did it for a laugh. Mum's been amazing though... she's helping Malfoy with the American Expansion so I'd have a minute to sit and relax with my favorite cousin."

"Awww... well i'll be sure to thank auntie Gin. You know I've really missed you Al." I offered softly, a warm smile decorating my face. I wanted to lift his spirits and distract him from the horror of his workload. When he smiled back I thought I might just be able to manage it. At that moment his phone rang. It was a strange ringtone that made my eyes go wide with shock. When my cousin removed his glasses I noticed the dark circles beneath his sockets. He hadn't been joking about his hours. He looked beyond exhausted.

"Ministry alert Epsilon. ICW assistant attaché: Vexler Avery."

"Vex what is it? You know I'm not working today. Wait hold on… Sorenson has ordered what?" Al spat furiously. "That's not funny Vex... you must be joking. Alex couldn't possibly be serious." He looked confused and even a little frightened at what he was hearing. I was more shocked at the mention of the name. Sorenson… as in world renowned warlock and diplomat Alexander Sorenson? I was confused by that too. Why was Al involved with the International Confederation of Wizards? It was like trying to understand why the UN general secretary might call a toddler. Sure the toddler in the analogy might have been the very competent offspring of the Queen or maybe the US president… but still…

"Alright but… MI6 has only just begun to train m… I know but I'm beyond busy… mom was a warlock once upon a time… she's told Hecate how much I'm already involved in. This wasn't even my idea to begin with… I'm not a fucking spy alright! and I don't work for the Ministry or the Muggle government! I'm just a teenage intern who's already up to his tits alright… My father? Dad may be the MM but he wouldn't just order... i see... fine… I guess if I have no other choice…" Al hung up with a curse and after a moment of silent contemplation, threw his phone as violently as he could towards the ocean. His following scream had me more worried than his conversation. "Lou I'm sorry… I have to go… I'll try and catch up with you in a week or so."

I got up sadly to go hug my cousin. He seemed to need it.

"It's ok Al. You know you can talk to me if you need to. Even if you just want to snuggle... I'm around." I offered hesitantly. In truth being there for him wasn't an issue. I doubted anybody but Scor could really relate to what Al was dealing with. Even I wasn't on their level anymore. Rose had also started interning at the ministry... and Teddy had an actual Job there over the summers... but this was madness. We were still kids.

"Ugh… three days a week interning for the DoM and DoD as an ICW trainee… three days working on my music and Saturday spent reviewing my investments with mum and our accountants… why can't I just be a normal kid…"

"Because then you'd have to stop and actually think about Scor…" I offered knowingly. It was true. Al was obviously keeping himself busy enough so that he could avoid dealing with the loss of his best friend. He scowled at me before walking off towards the house. I felt bad for pointing that out… he was under enough stress as it is. I ran to catch up to him, grabbing his hands to stop him.

"I'm sorry Al. You don't need more to worry about. I shouldn't have said that. I just wanted to say... well... Thanks for everything Al. I'll make you something nice, promise. And don't worry about anything else right now, you'll figure this all out eventually."

I hugged Al and watched him depart, thanking the stars I was free of his burdens. I turned my back on the departing boy and instead headed back towards the water. He had taught me so much, given me so much, loved me as much as my sisters did. Albus Severus Potter... the future patriarch of the Potter Weasley clan. I had no doubt that Al would be important one day. That he would be responsible for something magnificent. I took out the Eye Pod Al had made for me and selected the second song on his EP: Cerulean Moon. I sunk my feet beneath the cool sand, wiggling my toes into the smooth texture of the beach. The music started and I closed my eyes, letting my mind wander. The wind blew softly through my hair, tossing it about and filling my nose with the fresh scent of ocean salt. I walked slowly towards the water, losing myself in the sound.

APOV

I arrived in the fireplace at ten after midnight, beyond surprised to see that dad had come home before me. I caught his eye as he unloaded his ceremonial robe and red box on the kitchen island. He sighed, shaking his head softly before giving me a weary smile. It was the sort of gesture that was meant to convey more than an entire conversation ever could.

"I can't believe they're working you so hard. I at least managed to get out before twelve."

"Yeah but you're only the MM. The really important staff they keep strapped to their desks until later."

"Don't start with me, you upjumped little shit." Dad returned with an enormous smile. He came round the table to lock my head beneath his arm, ruffling my hair playfully. I struggled for a moment, trying to free myself. I laughed when I finally managed to slip from his grip.

"Although I bet if that were the case then Uncle Ron's department must have let James out at five in the afternoon."

Dad chuckled at that.

"Did you have a chance to read through the Warrick report then?"

"Of course. All two hundred pages."

"Need me to go over it with you?" I looked at him skeptically at that, raising an eyebrow like Mr. Malfoy or Cissy might. "Right, you could probably explain it better to me."

"The spending implications alone are preposterous. The DoD's defense planning committee likes the idea but Gwineth thinks we're going overboard. Anyway... going back to your initial point, don't you think i'm working just a little bit too hard? I resent that i'm stuck slaving away all day like some middle aged civil servant. It's not really very fair." This time it was his turn to stare skeptically at me. He lifted up his hair so that his lightning scar was now visible to me. I blushed at my hypocrisy, before he even began his explanation.

"You think it very fair that this turned me into what it did? I was forced to save the world over and over again... and I wasn't much older than you. You aren't the only one that was deprived of a childhood. Be happy that you're infinitely smarter and more talented at all this statecraft than I am. It'll be easier for you to handle."

"It would be easier for me if I was allowed my wand. It's ridiculous that I have to make due without one. Besides, that i'm smarter or more capable then you isn't relevant. I would like the freedom to choose not to be involved."

"How is the new department working?" He had ignored my complaints entirely. The Muggle-Wizarding Defense Coalition or MWDC had been created to assist the Muggles in establishing appropriate defense measures against a possible wizarding assault. It was also responsible for creating all protocols for joint command of muggle and wizarding forces in the event of a third magical war. The whole thing was rather a messy affair. The MWDC was actually headed by my new boss and mentor Alexander Sorenson, and his deputy Vexler Avery, who had both since taken to running me ragged with policy, physical, spy and magical training. Dad's excuse was that the muggle Prime Minister was refusing to work with a more experienced wizard. The muggles seemed to want me as a part of the Liaison Team so that their own spies and scientists could examine me. It was absurd really. First Hermione's DoM and now MI6? When would it end. I had only met the Prime Minister at a few diplomatic functions that dad had brought me to, but it had seemed enough to impress him.

"I sent you an Interdepartmental Memo as well as a full report. Didn't you read them?" It seemed an appropriate question given how much time it had taken to learn how to draft the report myself.

"I was asking as your father not your boss. It was meant more in the sense of: How was your day son?" I scoffed at that.

"My day was shit dad. Amelia, my muggle combat trainer and overall spycraft mentor from MI6 is a complete sadist. I'm actually convinced that she's a soulless demon summoned by ancient magic from the depths of the celestial abyss."

"Good, then she's doing her job correctly." I groaned at that, feeling the bruises and aches all over my body. I couldn't believe that Lily had elected to learn all of this years ago. She had wanted to be as tough as mum. Although it was nice to finally be able to relate to dad, the whole situation still remained completely absurd.

"I really hate all this. I haven't had a minute to myself since last month to write one note of music. You've seen how well the EP is doing. I'd really just like to pursue this. Mom's got me an agent and everything."

"Listen Al... I don't like involving you in this Ministry nonsense either, but you know how important it is. We are in more dangerous times even than when Voldemort was alive. I want you to be ready in case something disastrous occurs. With your skills and innate magical ability, you could be invaluable to the defense of this nation. Hermione's given you a lab and research funds to continue inventing and the MWDC will teach you everything you need to know about defense tactics and politics. Be grateful that you have the opportunity to learn so much at such a young age. Alexander Sorenson was your mother's best student. He works directly under Supreme Mugwump Hecate. Not only is he an exceptional diplomat but he's on par with your aunt Hermione in terms of dueling prowess. You are remarkably fortunate to have this chance. I know it seems unfair to you right now, but don't you think it worth it? If you end up one day saving lives? or greater still if you end up averting a war or the ruin of this very country?"

I wanted to turn and tell him that I was a slytherin. That i didn't care two licks for anyone other than my own family and friends. I wanted to curse him for saddling me with this burden, but i couldn't. I just stared at him with cold eyes. I'm not your weapon dad. I'd like not to be a weapon at all... I'd like to be a little puppy... harmless and curious and unafraid... however... if you forge me into something too sharp... you may one day regret getting cut by the very thing you thought to brandish against your enemies. I was already strong enough to defend myself. Why did I need to be strong enough to do more than that?

At that moment James came lazily down the stairs in nothing but his boxers, wiping his left eye sleepily with the back of his hand. He openened the fridge and poured a bowl of cereal before even realizing that we were there.

"Haha. You guys must be beyond incompetent. Had to stay to finish your work? I finished at five thirty! Lucky me."

Dad and I merely turned to stare at each other, all the animosity between us dissipating. Finally, we merely erupted laughing.

"What? What's so funny?" James asked curiously.


Promise the next few chapters will be up quicker than the last ones. Thank Merlin fanfiction,net has fixed its bugs. Let's hope nothing worse pops up (Knock on wood)

This chapter is for the Anonymous guest who leapt off of his/her tablet to compose a full length review from their computer. I'm wildly flattered that you find yourself thinking about my story in class and hope that going forward my content will continue to thrill and enrapture you. Cheers to you for taking the time to comment and a big hug for the sentiments. - Mercury

Also: A VERY Special dedication for this chapter to TheAnnoyingTallThing