Inspired by the challenge set down by Acolyte of the Blood Moon. What if Harry was the reincarnation of a certain green-eyed SOLDIER? Hopefully fast updates, if people like it.

We are starting the process to move back to the states, so if I don't update on certain Mondays it's because we have no signal or I'm on the plane. Just an early warning, sorry.

Never a Memory...

Fudge was nervous as he skittered through the plaza, glancing back and forth at the Muggles around him. He had no real issue with them, but this was the first time he was around them for more than a few minutes at a time, and he had lost his wand in the Battle at the Ministry. The irony that he was not much better than a Muggle without one had not hit him yet.

His arms were filled with a grocery bag, bread and milk and eggs peeking out of the top as he hurried home, absently taking in the sight of the people around him, the trio of young men across the plaza, the older couple in front of him, a young woman exiting the store behind him. A kid laughing in an alley off to the side startled him, but he ignored it after a second, continuing down his path.

His home in Cheddar was a small flat at the end of the road next to the forest, perfect for a man who didn't want to be disturbed, and he sighed quietly as he pulled the keys out of his pocket, acting Muggle just in case anyone was watching. Only for him to freeze as a hand settled on his shoulder, a soft cultured voice whispering in his ear. "You will let us in, quickly now. And don't make fuss, and we will all prosper at the end of this," it whispered, a young man. Fudge looked back out of the corner of his eye, but all he saw was red and silver hair.

No idiot, Fudge opened the door, slipping in quietly but for the jingling of keys with the trio behind him, and he recognized them as the trio of teens from across the plaza as he closed the door. The tallest member, a young man with knee-length silver hair smirked at him, arms crossed in front of his chest, and he looked vaguely familiar to the wizard, like he had heard of him before. "So, you survived the attack on the Ministry," he intoned, deep voice with a hint of humor as they stared the man down.

"Who are you people? What are you talking about?" Fudge blustered, feigning ignorance, keys dropping into the pocket of his coat absently. Truth be told, there was something about the trio that felt very familiar, in their faces, or maybe the way they were grouped together as if ready to repel a sudden attack.

"But Minster, or should we say, ex-minister? You don't remember me?" the silverette asked, angry humor in his green eyes. "After all, you spend a year with your head in the sand, trying to label me as insane, a rabble-rouser, just seeking attention." When the man still looked confused, there was a shift, and the man shimmered before settling into a very familiar form.

"Harry Potter!" Fudge barked, surprised and annoyed at the sight of the young man, ignoring the sight of the two red heads shimmering into the forms of the two friends. He was also ignoring the sight of silver-streaked hair that was no longer Potter short and messy, but down to his shoulders, almost long enough to be pulled back in a decent tail. "You better have a good reason for scaring a year out of my life," he yelled, grocery bag falling to the side.

"Leave them alone."

The trio spun around at the sound of the new voice, and Ron blinked at the memory of the man in a wheelchair, blanket draped over his lap instead of over his head. The man was quietly sedate in his seat, holding himself like an injured King, down but not out.

Rufus smiled grimly at the trio, leaning forward on his knees as he took in the sight of the young fighters. "It's good to see you three alive," he offered mildly. His eyes flicked from one to the other, taking in the subtle lumps under sleeves of wands and armlets. "I see you've found new ways to hide."

"An old magic," Hermione offered quietly, eyes steady as she stared the man down. "How did you survive?"

"Cornelius got me out," he said, nodding to the now quiet man. "I would have died if he hadn't been there. He managed to pull me out before they could finish the job. As it is, I still may never walk again," he said with a growl, slapping a hand over motionless knees. He noticed Hermione glancing meaningfully at Harry, but ignored it for the moment. "Though I heard about what I assume was your adventure in the Ministry a few weeks ago. Tell me, what was the purpose of that?"

Hermione and Harry were quiet, but Ron's 'instinct' was to report to this man, or it had been to the person Rufus now reminded him of. "We needed the information on the current Taboo. We were convinced we had tripped something beforehand," he reported, hands clasped behind him in a parade rest. "It was also a chance to throw them into chaos, and spread rumors to those who are still resisting."

"Well, it certainly worked," Rufus offered, a smirk on his craggy face. "I'm guessing you haven't found the secret channel on the wireless," he asked, gesturing to a radio in the corner. When the trio shook their heads in agreement, he wheeled over to the table, his seat responding to his hand movements instead of needing to be pushed, and he poked the radio with his wand, and the trio were surprised to hear the phrase, "Shinra Soldiers Save."

At once, the radio flicked on, and they recognized Dean Thomas' voice coming over the air, chattering about magic that can be used to help fight or hide, and where Potter Sightings were last registered. Apparently someone had seen them at Dover, but considering they hadn't been there for a good week, they weren't too worried about that information getting out. There was also information coming in from around England. Vampire attacks were on the rise, as were Dementor attacks, which the trio had already noticed in the Muggle newspaper. Werewolf attacks were slowing at the moment, and Dean mentioned that informants had been hearing howls in the Forbidden Forest lately. It was obvious that the young man was still in the castle, but he was being careful not to mention locations and certain names. Zack had gotten through to them with a copy of the current Taboos.

Gray eyes turned back to the trio of young adults, Fudge forgotten in the corner. "Your little stunt has opened a lot of eyes. Including mine." Hands were folded in his lap as the man leaned forward as much as he could. "What can I do to help?"

The trio glanced at each other for a second before Harry nodded, and Hermione went for her red bag. "We need this list to be spread throughout whatever network you may have built," Harry ordered, all business as Hermione held out the rolled up paper to the man, the trio seemingly ignoring Fudge as the man moved to stand behind the wheelchair. "These are the current Taboos, and I'm sure Hermione here is curious about any information you can give us on these spells down here," he mentioned, pointing to the series of rituals that none of them had been able to figure out. In return for your help," he turned bright green eyes up from the scroll to meet with Rufus' to show his sincerity. "In return for your help, we'll see if we can help fix your legs."

Yellow eyes brightened in hope for a second before dimming. "It's a rare curse, we've not been able to do anything to lift it." Only for those eyes to light up with the green wisps of magic that erupted from Ron's arm, wrapping around the older man. Ron was the only one with a Heal on him, Hermione with a Cure, and Harry with nothing but his old compliment of Fires in various combos.

It was a song in Rufus' ears, a song of healing and water and poison's bane as dark magic started to break down in a swirl of love and care, and as the green faded away, he could feel new life coming to his legs. He breathed, hands moving to the rails of the chair, Fudge hovering protectively behind him, and he carefully levered himself up to unsteady feet.

He swallowed, hands falling to his side. "You..."

A smile, quiet and strong and mysterious. "You can help us, and we promise to stay out of your way. But you will help us." A quiet threat, but Fudge and Rufus nodded.

There were new members of the Potterwatch to be added to the network today.

Geez Rufus, you couldn't have helped to make this any easier?