September 1, 1991

Death Eater activity had been deadly quiet since the beginning of the year, when the Diadem of Ravenclaw had finally been located and destroyed. Voldemort slunk into hiding, dragging his snake, the last known Horcrux, with him. The Auror Office had poured over every hide out, every location connected with the Dark Lord, but to no avail. There hadn't been a single sighting of him, or of the Dark Mark, since March.

The Wizarding World was beginning to grow complacent again. Maybe Voldemort had been killed? Maybe it was all over? Maybe he would just stay gone?

Callie rejoined the Auror Office in April, helping different teams attempt to track down the whereabouts of the missing enemy. Sirius continually argued with James and Lily, telling them to stay put until they were certain they were safe. But Harry received his Hogwarts acceptance letter, and the strict rule was broken. James and Lily were allowed to accompany their son to Diagon Alley, under careful watch by a team of no less than four Aurors.

Lily stood in her kitchen, looking out of the window at the garden. The clock struck midnight of September First. In just a few short hours, her son would be leaving her for the first time since his birth. She worried her bottom lip absently.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around her and she leaned back instinctively. James kissed her neck and rested his chip on top of her head. "He'll be alright, Lily," James promised. "Hogwarts is the safest place in the world."

Lily wasn't so sure. She couldn't help the nagging fear in her stomach, the way it boiled and sloshed, making her heart skip a beat every now and then. "I know. It isn't Hogwarts I'm worried about."

"The train ride?" James guessed. He knew by her silence that he was right. "Sirius said they'll have as many Aurors as they can on the train. He and Callie will be there. There's no one I trust more to protect our son."

"I know they will, James." Her voice was weary. They'd been over this before. "But accidents still happen."

"He'll have the cloak," James reminded her.

"Yes, but what will that do against stray spells?"

James pressed another kiss into her neck. "Lily, we can't keep him here forever. He needs to have a life. A normal one. And that starts at Hogwarts. You've done a brilliant job of homeschooling him these past eleven years, but he needs to be around other kids. He needs to make friends and get into trouble. Hogwarts was the best thing that ever happened to either of us. It's where I met you." He kissed her shoulder.

"And your stupid friends," Lily admitted.

James laughed. "And my stupid friends." He hugged her tighter. "Harry needs some stupid friends. He needs to grow. What kind of life can he have here?"

"A safe one." Lily's voice was quiet.

James leaned his forehead against her shoulder and drew a deep breath. "I know, love. I'm afraid, too. But he needs this."

Lily knew he was right. Her eyes stung and she sniffed quickly to keep tear from spilling over. "I'll miss him so much…"

James' heart ached. "So will I."

By the time Callie and Sirius met at their house, James was having second thoughts.

"Why can't we just take him to Hogwarts ourselves?" he demanded. "We're all but certain the train will be attacked-"

"Mate, you know how this works," Sirius argued. "We've got eight Aurors, including us, on board that train, and six more flying around it. We're practically emptying our Office for this operation. Moody will be there. Shacklebolt will be there. It's the safest place for him."

"And this way, he gets a normal start," Callie added.

James and Lily were very reluctant to agree, but they took Harry to the train station nonetheless. Harry seemed very embarrassed that he was being escorted around like the Prime Minister, but he put up with it. He hugged his father and mother tightly on the platform.

Lily hugged her son fiercely. Callie and Sirius stood by, waiting for their goodbyes to be said, before departing.

"Brings back memories, doesn't it, Prongs?" Sirius said, looking at the train puffing away.

James looked uncharacteristically pale. "Just keep him safe."

Sirius looked back at his friend and saw the fear and worry in his eyes. He placed a hand on his shoulder. "James. I swear to you that I will keep Harry safe."

The two stared hard at each other for a long moment. James seemed to feel a bit better. A little color returned to his face. He nodded once, eyes hardening into confidence.

Callie heard the train whistle blow, and gently ruffled Harry's hair. "Come on, Harry. It's time to go." Harry let go of his mother and took hold of his trunk. He ran for the train, Sirius following him. Callie turned to her brother and sister in law.

"Callie-" Lily began in that begging tone that tore at Callie's heart.

"I promise you both, no matter what happens…" She wrapped an arm around each of them. "Sirius and I will protect Harry with our lives. They'll have to pry him out of our cold, dead arms."

"Somehow, that's not very reassuring," Lily confessed.

"Be careful," James pleaded.

"We will!" She turned and saw the train pulling out of the station. "See you both soon. Stay with your Auror on the way home!"

Callie took off and leapt through the open train door as it picked up speed. Mind swirling with memories, she walked through the center aisle toward the back. She passed the closed doors of the first compartment, where all Seventh Year students were being briefed on what to do in case of an attack on their way. Another Auror made sure the protective spells were still holding.

She nodded to Moody, standing guard at the very back of the train, and ducked into the last compartment. Harry and Ron sat across from each other, closest to the door. Callie took the seat next to Ron, across from Sirius.

"What if I'm not in Gryffindor?" Harry was saying. "I'm pretty sure Dad would kick me out."

"No, he wouldn't," Sirius insisted, chuckling. "He makes a big deal of it, but look at your aunt! She was in…" He trailed off, and looked around shiftily before making a show of whispering, "Slytherin!"

Harry gasped and looked at his aunt. "You were!?"

Callie nodded. "I sure was. And I turned out alright, didn't I? Your dad still loves me, as far as I know." She winked. "You'll be just fine."

"Even if you wind up in Hufflepuff," Sirius added, "everyone will still be just as proud of you."

The rich, green countryside sped past them. The trolley lady stopped by and Sirius stocked up on whatever Harry and Ron wanted. He switched seats when he sat back down, choosing the seat next to Callie.

"Seriously, though, what if he is in Slytherin?" he whispered.

"Then… He's strong. He has his father's will." Callie looked at him and smiled reassuringly. "He can stand up to whatever they throw at him. With the help of those dueling lessons you've been giving him, of course."

Sirius smirked. "The one decent thing the Ministry has allowed, thank Merlin. He's pretty good, considering he's eleven."

She smiled. "Of course he is! Just look at his parents."

Hours passed. Harry and Ron asked lots of questions, their nerves mounting as every second brought them closer to the doors of Hogwarts. Callie and Sirius stayed lighthearted and hopeful, trying to encourage the two boys.

In late afternoon, the compartment door opened, making both of them start and reach for their wands. A frizzy-haired girl, likely another first year, poked her head inside. She was already wearing her Hogwarts robes. "Have any of you seen all of these Aurors? I think it's a bit much."

Harry and Ron glanced at each other. Clearly this girl wasn't privy to the imminent danger.

"Sorry, but… who are you?" Harry asked.

But the girl didn't seem to take any notice. She was staring at Sirius. "You're Sirius Black," she said in awe. "I've read all about you! Is it true you wrestled a dragon with your bare hands? I always thought that was impossible."

Callie looked at Sirius and smirked. She'd never heard that story. Sirius met her eyes and rolled his. "Bloody mosquito," he muttered, referring to a buzzing little reporter who seemed to have anything better to do than spread obnoxious rumors. He turned back to the girl. "I did not. But I am Sirius Black, so points for that. What's your name?"

"Hermione Granger," she said, stepping into the compartment eagerly. She dodged Ron's legs and sat across from Sirius. "You're an Auror, a crime fighter. You've taken on Voldemort singlehandedly!"

Callie had to turn away and put a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing.

"Well, not singlehandedly," Sirius replied modestly. "Granger, did you say? I haven't heard of the last name."

"Oh," the girl said, turning red. "I'm Muggle-born."

Sirius and Callie exchanged a quick glance. Hogwarts was the safest place for Muggle-borns, of course, but the girl was still in danger. Callie turned back to her and extended her hand. "Callie Potter," she introduced. "It's a pleasure."

Hermione shook her hand gratefully. "So are you two together?"

Callie blushed. Sirius smirked. Harry made a grunting noise and clapped a hand over his mouth and nose. He turned away, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

Ron grinned and laughed. "As if!"

"So what are you most looking forward to about Hogwarts?" Callie changed the subject.

"Oh, the classes, definitely!" the girl said. "I can't wait to learn History of Magic, and Transfiguration, and Charms, and-"

A sudden shock struck the train. The trunks overhead rattled.

Callie and Sirius glanced at each other before jumping up. Sirius reached for Harry's trunk. Something that looked like woven water spilled into his hands. He tossed it to Harry.

"All three of you, under that," he commanded. "Not a sound!"

Harry and Ron ducked under the cloak and disappeared from sight. Hermione hesitated. "It's an invisibility cloak," she exclaimed. "But why would I-"

"Hermione, get in," he barked. She jumped at the tone of authority and obeyed. The sounds of shuffling and pushing sounded from beneath and folds, followed by silence.

"I'll talk to the driver," Callie said. She took off down the center aisle, dodging students peeking from compartments and Aurors taking their places. A thump overhead told her at least one Auror had landed on the train's roof, and that wasn't a good sign.

The conductor confirmed that the train would stop for nothing. He'd been put through the best training the Ministry could offer, and knew how to drive a piece of magical machinery and fight off an attack at once if it came down to it. As long as he was alive, the Hogwarts Express would continue to run.

The train rocked as it picked up speed.

Black smoke leaked into the train. Callie tore back in the direction of Sirius and Harry. A plume rose before her and solidified into a robed Death Eater. She shot him in the back with a Stunning Spell and leapt over him.

The windows had been protected against all Dark Magic. There would be no one getting into the compartments from the outside. The center aisle was another story. Columns of smoke rose up throughout the train. Callie reached Sirius, standing guard at the compartment. His expression was stony, but his eyes gleamed.

"The train won't stop for anything," Callie reported. "We'll reach the station in thirty minutes."

Sirius grinned. "Plenty of time to have some fun."

"Sirius, don't do anything-"

He grabbed her arm and forced her down as a spell sailed for her. He stepped into the corridor and shot a spell in retaliation. For a moment, Callie let him handle it. She used her body as a blockade in front of the compartment. Her promise to James and Lily rang in her ears.

She prayed the three children under the cloak would remain silent.

A figure loomed behind Sirius and aimed its wand. She dove in the way and shot up a Shield Charm. He was quick in recovering. His retaliation was immediate, wand flashing like a sword. Callie blocked the spells, keeping the door to the compartment in her peripheral vision.

She waited for a green curse to form. As she saw it, she grabbed Sirius from behind and forced him against the wall. She flattened herself against the floor. The Killing Curse sailed over her head, missing Sirius by inches. It hit the opposite Death Eater in the face. He crumpled.

Callie felt Sirius reach in front of her and saw his wand move. A Stunning Spell struck the murderer.

"We work pretty well together," Sirius commented, pulling Callie to her feet. "Imagine it: if we hadn't been split up, this whole war could be over by now!"

Callie grinned at him. "Less talking, more fighting, Black."

"I do love it when you take charge." He smirked. "Drinks after this?"

Callie shrugged. "You're buying." A flash of white caught her eye. "Protego!"

She was a moment too late. The force of the spell struck them both. They were knocked back a few inches, the wind taken out of them. The spells didn't stop. One grazed Sirius' shoulder, and a deep gash appeared, spraying droplets of blood. Hermione screamed from under the cloak.

Callie could feel the shift in him as he stood up straighter under the pain. "I know who this is," he muttered. He blocked another curse. "Alright, Snivellus?"

The masked man tensed. Sirius smirked viciously, and it looked more like a snarl. So it was Snape. He was wearing a different mask this time, but it must have been him underneath it.

Snape changed targets. He shot a nasty curse at Callie. Sirius didn't bother jumping to block it. Callie swatted the curse away like a fly.

The cacophony of duels around them began to soften. One side was beginning to take over. Callie's eyes darted to the compartment.

It was a mistake.

"So," Snape whispered, words dripping with hate, "he's in there, is he? Under his father's cloak?"

Callie couldn't help but tense. Sirius looked at her, the picture of calm. "Did you hear that, Cal? He's figured it out. Nothing for it now but to roll over show our bellies."

Snape growled. He darted forward, wand flashing. Sirius took a step back and blocked. He pushed Callie behind him, obstructing her from Snape's view. She dashed back into the compartment and made sure Harry was still there. He whispered back that was fine. His voice was only trembled a little. She was exceedingly proud of him.

Outside, Sirius and Snape were throwing insults as well as curses. Snape was far easier to rile than Sirius was. One mention of Lily, and Snape lost his control. His curses became clumsier.

Callie could tell by the flick of his wrist and his laid-back posture that Sirius was greatly enjoying himself.

Snape changed tactics. "How's Pettigrew?" he snarled. "Comfy?"

Sirius tensed. He responded with the same curse that had caused his own shoulder to pour red.

Just like that, Snape had the upper hand. Or thought he did. He relaxed a little, and his curses came faster. He wasn't speaking them now, directing them with his mind alone. "And Lupin?" he sneered. "Still howling at the moon?"

Sirius growled deep in his throat. It was beastly, animalistic. He fired a dangerous spell. He was furious, but still perfectly in control of his movements. But he was no longer playing.

"Shouldn't you help him?" Harry whispered worriedly.

"No," Callie replied. She was rather enjoying the show. The duels around them had faded. Only a handful were still going on.

The train began to slow as it approached the station.

Snape fed off of Sirius' anger like a parasite. Neither of them seemed to realize that the train was stopping. Callie knew it was probably best to end this. She stood and stepped out into the corridor. Snape shouted the Killing Curse.

Harry panicked. He threw the cloak off and shouted, "Sirius!"

The curse struck the back of the train as Sirius ducked. Snape's black eyes landed on Harry. An ugly grin spread over his face. A moment later, he was gone.

Sirius stood, panting, staring at where Snape had been. He turned back into the compartment. "I told you to stay hidden!" he said.

Harry stared back defiantly. "He was going to kill you!"

Sirius stared back at his godson. Both pairs of eyes were challenging. Finally, Sirius sighed. He ruffled Harry's hair. "Thanks, but I had it covered. Next time, do as you're told."

"M-Mr. Black," Hermione squeaked. "Your shoulder…"

"Don't worry about it."

"She's right," Callie said. "You need to get that taken care of."

Sirius ignored her. "We'll be there in five minutes. Boys, you should get changed."

The train ground to a hault at the station. Callie and Sirius escorted Harry, Ron, and Hermione out of the train and delivered them safely to Hagrid. The gamekeeper beamed and clapped them on the shoulders, exchanging happy pleasantries.

The Aurors stood to the side as the children passed in a flood toward the carriages or the lake. They watched as Harry climbed in behind Hagrid and stayed until he disappeared from view.

"Can you believe it's been eleven years?" Sirius asked. There was a touch more emotion in his voice than Callie was used to hearing.

She couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, I know." She took his arm and pulled him gently back to the train. "Come on. You need to take of your shoulder."

She pulled him into a compartment and told him to take his shirt off while she riffled through her pockets. She withdrew a vile of dittany and looked back at him. The cut in his shoulder was ugly. She conjured clean cloths and bandages. The cloths she handed to Sirius to mop himself up while she focused on healing the wound itself.

"You know, under different circumstances, this might be sexy," Sirius teased.

She chuckled and prodded the wound. "Under much different circumstances. This cut is no joke."

"I've seen that spell do worse than this. It put James in the Hospital Wing once. He nearly died."

Before Callie could ask how that had happened, a deep voice spoke from the doorway. "We have only one Auror injured. Three Death Eaters have been killed."

"Thanks, Kingsley," Sirius replied. "Harry's with Hagrid now, inside the barrier. He'll be okay."

They helped the other Aurors clean up and assess the damage to the train after Sirius was patched up. Only three casualties, all three Death Eaters. Not a one of them had seen Voldemort.

As soon as they could get away, Sirius and Callie walked down the path into Hogsmead. Sirius commented on how much quieter it seemed now than when he was in school. Lights twinkled from the shop windows. Far off in the distance, they could just make out the Shrieking Shack silhouetted against the starry sky.

The Three Broomsticks seemed to be doing wonderful business. It was crowded and noisy, just as it should have been. They took a table toward the back.

"Voldemort wasn't there," Callie said once they were seated. "Something doesn't add up. I don't think this was about killing Harry at all."

"I agree," Sirius affirmed. "It was too unorganized." He paused. "I think they just wanted confirmation of Harry's whereabouts. He's in danger, even here." He waved at the barmaid.

"That's why I'm staying."

Sirius froze. "What?"

"I'm staying at Hogwarts, Sirius, to watch over Harry."

He did not look happy. His eyes were dark when he looked at her again. "Just when I was getting used to having my old partner back. You're not a schoolmarm, you're an Auror. It isn't your job to-"

Madam Rosmerta stopped by their table, smiling all over her pretty face. "Sirius Black," she said. "It's been ages." She gave Callie a smile, too. "And Callie Potter. It's good to see you again."

Callie returned the smile. "Hi, Rosmerta." She and the barmaid had become friendly acquaintances during her time searching for Horcruxes at Hogwarts. Callie would come in about once a week when business was slower to enjoy a warm mug of Butterbeer and some light conversation. She was very glad for the change of subject. "I'll have my usual, please."

Sirius switched on the charm in a moment. He grinned and winked at her. "Surprise me." Rosmerta laughed and walked away to fill their orders. She returned in a moment and set two mugs of Butterbeer before them, followed by a large cinnamon roll. Sirius asked what that was for. She laughed and reminded him of his order. "This is the surprise."

Sirius grinned wolfishly. "I forgot you've a devil of a sense of humor, Rosie. Why don't you pull up a chair and join us?"

She laughed. "You're the same as always, Sirius, and I love you for it. But I'm not about to spoil your date."

Sirius smirked at her and made more of a show of watching her walk away. Callie rolled her eyes and sipped her Butterbeer, very unimpressed. He cut the cinnamon roll for them and gave her half.

"So," Sirius said after a while. "You're staying here. Sound like loads of fun, watching a bunch of snot-nosed brats running around." Sarcasm dripped from the words.

Callie raised an eyebrow in surprise at his tone. "I signed up to be the Auror on duty."

"You're a glorified babysitter."

She shrugged and took a bite. "I'm just worried about Harry. You said yourself he's not completely safe here."

"You don't trust Dumbledore to protect him?"

"Do you?"

Sirius let out a breath. "No. I trust Dumbledore as far as I can throw him. Don't get me wrong; I think his heart is in the right place. People think he's infallible, though, and he isn't. They trust him rather than their own common sense. And he's not one to put himself in danger, is he? That's why I fought you working with him so hard."

"So that's what I'm doing. Trusting my own common sense."

"Again, you're a bloody Auror! There's only one left of what you've been searching for, right?" He was careful not to mention the word "Horcrux" in such a public place. "You've a much better shot at finding it working with us."

She took a sip of butterbeer. "If Death Eater activity picks up again, what will you do?"

"Don't change the subject!" he snapped. "You know as well as I do that you want to be out there catching bad guys. The reassignment was temporary, regardless of what Lockwood said. You told me when you started that you wanted to make the world right, that you wanted to save it. Was that a lie?"

Callie glared at him. "It wasn't a lie. I'm still doing just that – from here. You know how important Harry is. I miss the work, Merlin knows I do, but my decision has been made. Why do you care so bloody much?"

"I can't protect you from out here."

She laughed. "I don't need protecting, Sirius. If anything, it's the other way 'round; I'm not the one who got captured and tortured."

Sirius shrugged. "Fine. Maybe I need you to come back and protect me. What do you think of that?"

"I think you're more afraid of what James might do to you should something happen to me. Because of your promise to him."

"This has nothing to do with James," Sirius said, truthfully enough.

"What, then? It isn't like you to keep someone from doing their duty."

Yes, it is, he thought. It was exactly like him. But people made sacrifices in wartime they wouldn't make otherwise and he'd let himself become less selfish. He took a fortifying swig of Butterbeer. "The Department needs you." It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth, either.

"So does Harry. And right now, Harry is my priority."

Sirius hated losing. It didn't happen often. Things usually came easily to him, be it classes when he was a boy, or fighting, or the other women he'd seduced, or complex magic. Hell, he'd become an Animagus at fifteen, something more educated wizards thought was impossible. If he wanted something, he usually got it. But Callie Potter was different, stubborn. She was a fighter. She did not go down easy.

So swallowing the blow to his pride, he relented. "Fine. Stay here."

"I shall."

"But it's not where you belong," Sirius reminded her. He made one last, valiant effort. "Don't you get lonely, always working alone?"

She chuckled a little sadly. "More than you know."

He pushed his plate away. "Well, my offer still stands. My door is always open."

"I know. Thank you."

They finished their drinks in silence before paying the bill and walking back into the night.

"Harry will have been sorted by now," Callie said. "Where do you think he went?"

"Gryffindor," Sirius answered without hesitation. They walked slowly back toward the castle. Sirius pulled up suddenly and looked at her. "Screw it. Since this is our last night together for Merlin only knows how long, we might as well enjoy it. Fancy a trip to Zonko's?"

She smiled in response, grateful that he wasn't angry with her for deciding to stay. She nodded. "Sounds lovely."

Sirius reached for her hand half way there. She didn't pull away.