The room was quiet as Daniel closed his eyes. Even just talking about what happened made him feel he was reliving it all over again.
"...And that's why you pretended you were muggles… that's why oh god, Mummy… Daddy… Uncle Nigel…" Hermione ran into her father's embrace sobbing as he held her close.
"I thought the headmaster cared about me. T-that he was like a Grandfather or… something." Harry shook his head before turning to Nigel. "Should we tell Neville? I mean…" Harry trailed off as the older man chuckled.
"Oh, my little self will definitely be finding all this out soon. In fact, if I might borrow Hedwig? I need to send a letter."
With a single nod of agreement, Harry watched Nigel leave the room before he ran to Emma and hugged her tight.
Emma beamed as she held Harry close, fingers running through his messy hair. "I tried Harry. I swear I did but the wards The bearded one put around the Dursleys kept anyone with magical blood from coming close." She shook her head as Harry looked baffled. "Didn't you ever wonder why no one from the Ministry ever showed up to check on you? Or even if they fell for his honeyed words what about Remus? You were the very last link to his pack. Do you truly believe he would have stayed away of his own volition?"
Harry shook his head his hands clenched into tight fists. Suddenly he understood his future alternate maybe? self's extreme hatred for the Headmaster. I should have had this, I should have grown up loved and raised by my Godmother with my Uncle Remus visiting all the time. I should have had a big sister. "Damn him…"
"It's alright Harry, it's alright you'll never go back to the Dursleys if I could keep you from Hogwarts I would I swear." Emma cooed gently "I promise I'll tell you everything about Lily and James."
"Why do we have to go back?" Hermione asked suddenly as she briefly pulled back to look into her Dad's eyes.
"I'm afraid you have to attend Hogwarts until you take your O.W.L.S." Amelia clicked her tongue in annoyance. "It's an old law. Meant for muggle-borns mainly. The only way to get past it is to be expelled. However, as you know well that would mean the snapping of your wand." She shook her head "And honestly Mr. Potter, I'd rather not have to see you do that again. It was heartbreaking the first time."
"But what will happen to us this year? You told us about this Umbitch…" Hermione smiled as her Mother seemed to ignore her curse. Apparently, she really hates that woman "What's going to protect Harry and me?"
"Not a what, a who," Emma smirked looking over at the still-confused auror whose eyes widened.
"Wait? You can't be thinking? No, no way! I've got my assignment from my boss that's to protect the Potters!" Tonks shook her head as Dan grinned.
"And that's exactly what you'll be doing. They are after all Harry and Hermione Potter." He smiled down at his little girl "Don't worry that's only written in the very top secret for your eyes only paperwork within the department of mysteries. Deep within." He turned back to Tonks "As I was saying. They need your protection more than Emma and I do. Other than the Whiskered wanker no one knows that we're magical none the less who we are. And he'll have his attention focused on them. Not my wife and me."
Tonks turned to Amelia who was looking thoughtful and groaned. "Just when I think I'm out they pull me back in." She grumbled in a faux Sicilian accent, "So shall I practice my best French accent boss?"
"Either that or an American one. Whichever you favor. But we'll need someone on the inside. How likely am I to convince you both to trust the deputy headmistress?" Amelia turned to Dan and Emma who turned to one another and to the undisciplined seemed to simply be looking into each other's eyes. But not to Harry and Hermione they could see the in-depth conversation both adults were having the tiny movements of an eyelid or the flaring of a nostril finally though Emma bit her lower lip and Dan gave a minuscule shrug.
"We'll have to reach her before Dumbledork thinks too. But if not her there is another man we can trust." Dan finally said as Amelia nodded.
"Well then, I had better take my leave I need to find Minerva immediately. How much may I tell her."
"Tell her what you think she needs to know. Also, inform her of Daniel and my decision regarding her making Hermione a Prefect." Emma answered her arms still wrapped around Harry.
"Of course, I'll be in touch." With that said Amelia made a half twist and vanished with a pop.
"Apparition," Dan explained as he finally let go of Hermione. "You'll learn to do it once you're seventeen. Of course, your Mother and I never learned…"
"You could now though couldn't you Daddy?" Hermione cocked her head surprised that they hadn't ever learned.
"Spose so, maybe we'll learn together Princess." Dan chuckled glancing over at the front door.
"Daddy?"
"Someone is outside listening to us," Daniel whispered while pulling his wand out from his pocket. "Both of you get behind Auror Tonks… You too Emma no arguments." He simply looked at Harry who looked ready to argue before the boy nodded and stood in front of Emma and Hermione his wand out but behind Tonks who already had a protego shield up.
Daniel crept to the door as silent as a mouse before he gripped the door handle and swung it open his wand pointed at the neck of the man who was spying on his front porch.
Remus Lupin hadn't been willing to just believe Albus Dumbledore's words this time. The last time he took the man at his word he had lost his pack. And worse than that he had lost his nephew. For twelve years he was kept from Harry. That was the only reason he had lept at the idea of being the DADA professor. Then more lies… Lie after lie I've believed from you Albus. But I won't just believe you this time.
So when Dumbledore had told the Order that Death eaters had killed the Grangers and were impersonating them. He smelled dragon shite. That's why when Molly insisted that one of them hurry over there to save Harry and Hermione Lupin volunteered.
He'd been outside the door for around ten minutes and had heard no signs of trouble no dark curses only the voices of Amelia Bones, Harry, Hermione, someone who sounded like they might be Andi's kid, an unknown woman, and two unknown men. He frowned. Seems my instinct was right on this one. They're talking about protecting the kids. Suddenly the front door was yanked open and he had a wand pressed to his throat he swallowed hard as he looked at the man and his eyes widened in shock "Ja-james but you're dead no… your eyes but… Harry?"
Luckily the man was there as Remus' eyes rolled back before he fell bonelessly into Dan's arms.
"Good timing on your arrival Remus. Hey, Tonks give me a hand out here will you?" He called back into the house