Disclaimer: Still J.K. Rowlings'.
"Ha, look at itty, bitty, baby Potter!" The cackling high voice of a madwoman rang through the acres of property. It hadn't even been five minutes since Harry portkey'd in and she found him before he found her. His pride hurt the tiniest bit before he dismissed it with his first attack, which she made fun of. That would be the last time he cast a stunner.
Harry waved his wand in a complex fashion, a yellow whip-like flame appearing and charging at Bellatrix who scowled as she dove to avoid it. She counteracted with a jet of purple light that Harry skillfully blocked before he saw a white spell slash from his shoulder height to the grass near his right foot. He let his guard down, looking over at where the spell originated. Frank Longbottom was staring wide eyed at him and then to their target before Harry spotted his dad with his wand raised at him looking furious.
Alice screamed and Harry fell to the ground, with what felt like a chunk of his bicep being ripped from his body. With an anguished cry Harry slashed his wand upward in the general direction of LeStrange. It didn't hit its target, yet Harry had never been so happy. Marleen McKinnon suddenly appeared at his side and started firing curses with a split second difference, causing Bellatrix to stagger back. Harry grit his teeth and joined in, not sparing a look at his arm.
Marleen spun, twisting her body to avoid a green curse and waving her wand in a sharp arc, multiple red sparks flying from the end and each attaching themselves to LeStrange. She cried out in horror before simultaneously casting a Reducto to the ground. Harry and Marleen flew backwards at the impact and landed in a heap. Harry saw Alice from where he now was on the ground, almost on top of McKinnon, run after Bellatrix with James hot on her heals. Both of them cast curses at her, and Harry growled impatiently as he heaved himself with his good arm off the ground.
Harry looked down at Marleen who hadn't moved since the hag blew up the ground at their feet. Harry called, Evenerate, before he saw her groggily begin to shift her head. Harry glanced back over to where Frank was now blocking off the nearby forest to Bellatrix while his wife and James cast spells at her from behind. He wanted more than anything to apparate over to where they were fighting but leaving a man, or woman, behind was not the proper way. If Bellatrix was here, that meant there had to be more of her kind and there was no way in hell Harry was going to leave McKinnon by herself.
"Are you alright?" Harry tried to bite back his frustration at the older woman. She was partly the reason why he wasn't fighting, but he couldn't just leave her behind.
Marleen McKinnon breathed, pointing vaguely, "Behind you."
Harry jumped and didn't wait to scrutinize his attacker before casting a stunner and instantly the large black figure crumpled to the ground. Harry crouched to Marleen, he got a better look at her and winced to see she had a rather large rock stuck in her side. She seemed to notice as well because she promptly turned white, staring at Harry with a look of worry written all over her face before she feinted.
Harry bit his lip, putting a hand on her shoulder and rolling her slightly to the side. She was lying in a puddle of her own blood and Harry felt his heart rate increase. He never did very well with blood. Looking back towards the forest, he saw Frank and Alice Longbottom walking back toward them, James farther behind. His hopes dropped to the pit of his stomach when he saw his dad's head hung low. Fuck.
"Darling, are you alright?" Alice hiccuped. Frank had picked up Marleen easily in his arms just before she caught Harry. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, not even his best friend Neville, but Alice's hugs were amazing; worthy enough for him to give up his Firebolt just to have one guaranteed per day. Harry held on to Alice tighter.
"I'm fine. Where did she go?"
"Apparated," explained Dora, tripping as she came into view, "It's the Malfoy Manor. She must have control over the wards." Everyone was silent before heads began turning to their squad leader. "What now?"
James simply held out the toothbrush portkey and said without a glance to his son, "We go back to the Ministry." Alice kept a slim arm around Harry's shoulders until he straightened from her hug and it fell from his height. She quickly hooked it through his uninjured arm. Holding out a hand she caught the bristle end of the brush with Nymphadora. Alice narrowed her eyes watching James and Harry avoid each other. With a swift tug at her navel, she rolled her eyes and two seconds later, landed with her feet planted firmly on the ground.
Leaving Harry's side, she gave Frank a quick kiss and he disapparated with an unconscious Marleen. Alice drifted back to Harry who was staring at his father nervously. Nymphadora had already left.
Alice cleared her throat, "Be back in a flash, James." She ushered the eighteen-year old out of the room before James could bat an eyelash.
"Alright, lets get a good look at that arm of yours..." Alice pushed between Harry's shoulder blades, moving him toward the array of cubicles mashed together in the corner of the Aurror office. "Sit."
Harry could hardly hide his grin and did as he was told, his eyes wandered to the picture frame on the desk holding Neville, Frank and Alice. He picked up her name plate, fiddling with it.
"Accio Essence of Dittany." Alice waved her left hand and the small bottle flew from her desk drawer. With her wand in her right she cast cleansing charms. Harry stared at her with awe.
"I thought only Albus Dumbledore could do wandless magic." The older woman looked up bemused at his wistful voice. She watched his green eyes for a lingering moment before he dropped his gaze.
"Well, in battle yes. It's not that difficult if you study. Lily and I tried to master it when we were in seventh year." Alice continued when Harry sat up straighter, she unstoppered the Dittany and tapped it on his angry looking skin. An unhealthy shade of smoke came off as new, pink skin started to stretch across his bicep. "We were pitiful at it mind you, but we still tried. I only started getting a handle on it four years ago."
"Could - could my mum do it too?" Harry stuttered, seeming to be nervous and childlike after he asked. Alice felt the corner of her lips twitch as she took his chin in her fingers.
Mrs Longbottom winked, "Between me and you, she was brilliant. Like always." A small grin made its way to Harry's face as she continued. "She used to throw your father and his friends for a loop when she ruined their pranks with some of her own. But don't tell them. They're still sure it was Peeves."
The thought of his mother going up against the Marauders made him chuckle. Alice continued to administer to his cuts and scrapes, again bringing his mind back to what his mother would do if she saw him now. He couldn't tell you how she'd react, with tears or in relief, because in all truth he couldn't remember her all that well. He did remember the simple stuff like how her hair smelt like vanilla frosting, or how her hugs so much resembled Alice's. Or maybe that was just Alice infiltrating his memories; at that he frowned, adamantly trying to remember his mother. Sometimes when he couldn't fall asleep at night, in that time between being asleep and awake, he could remember the way she would tell him stories in that exaggerated voice only a mother has, about a giant squid that liked to eat treacle tart. It wasn't a mystery why that was his favourite desert. Much too soon, Harry's smile fell from knowing something so personal about his mother to thinking of the poltergeist he's heard so much about, but still couldn't put a face to.
He sent a forlorn look across the Aurror department to where he knew his father's office was. "How angry do you think he'll be?"
"You did go against orders," sighed Alice. "Which I'll scold you about later, sending yourself out there to be killed - what were you thinking?" Harry's trademark anger didn't even spike through his veins. He'd known Neville's mom to be over protective for far too long, and when she'd been talking she sounded more caring and worried than angry. He stayed silent and she patted his cheek. "It's best to get it over with sweetheart. Go use that Gryffindor bravery."
Finally Harry turned to look at the aging woman before him. It must have been a reflex reaction because she didn't seem to realize what she'd said, until Harry voiced it.
"Well I wouldn't know if I was in Gryffindor, now would I?" He got up and began walking away. "You never know Alice, after today, I might as well be in Slytherin."
Alice frowned, watching him square his shoulders, striding away. No, Slytherin just wouldn't do.
"You deliberately disobeyed orders!" James roared, his voice echoing all the way out into the cubicles. Sinking against his seat, Harry stared anywhere but at his dad. "You know better than anyone else how much danger you put the crew and yourself in!"
"I didn't think it -"
"Exactly you didn't think, did you!" James bellowed, "Harold, I was this close to cursing your head off!" Harry crossed his arms, fuming. "If you pull another stupid stunt like that I'll pull you straight off the Aurrors!"
"What's the problem here lads?" Minister Amelia Bones shut the door behind her, her eyes curiously wide at all the shouting she had just heard while on her ten minute overview of departments.
"This boy sabotaged the only good lead we've had on the remaining Death Eater's inner circle since He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named died." James pointed at him and Harry scoffed running a hand through his hair. He tugged out strands of his ebony hair and was less than surprised to see his hand was caked with blood.
"Was anyone injured?" Amelia asked, watching them both.
James nodded, "McKinnon was sent to St Mungo's but she should be better within four hours."
"And who was the target?" The Minister sat down behind the Head Aurror desk of James, making herself at home. James didn't seem to mind, he was too busy glaring at his son.
Harry growled, hating how James was staring a hole into his temple, "LeStrange." He saw more than heard the Minister gasp and sit up straight.
James barked, "And this ruddy bastard lost her!"
"I already told you, if you'd just let me come along in the first place I could've gotten to her in time!" Harry stood up shooting his chair back with momentum.
"Potter!" Amelia scolded, regaining her bearings slightly when both heads turned in her direction, "I meant James. Watch your mouth!" Harry's green eyes were lit with anger and James' face softened for a moment before he turned away now looking more hurt than angry.
"I'll hear none of this anymore," Bones said standing up to her full height. She was still a good foot less than both Potter's in the room, but she commanded them quickly enough. "Harold Potter," Harry scowled at his full name and she challenged him silently with a raised eyebrow, "you injured one of our your teammates and an excellent Aurror with your rash decisions. You might not want to hear it, or acknowledge it, but you were childish today. Acting on raging emotions are not how we work here. Your privileges of being a Junior Aurror trainer for the next two weeks are suspended."
Harry gaped at the Minister, floundering in his suddenly blank mind. It took him forever to get to get the position to teach the younger kids! Harry felt himself grind his teeth as his father smirked beside him.
"I know the both of you will still go at it at home, but for right now, all of the Ministry is off limits for your father-son arguments. If I hear one peep from the both of you, you're both suspended - got it?" ordered Amelia. Her icy eyes narrowed when silence fell on the room. She picked up a fistful of her mauve robes, growling under her breath about employing a bunch of idiots, as she side stepped the desk and walked past Harry and James.
"And Captain Potter," she turned before grabbing the door, James stood at attention. Amelia glowered, "If I so much as notice you staring at your boy the wrong way, let alone call your own son that again, I'll take it among myself to personally castrate you. He is not one of your Hogwart's mates. Do I make myself clear?" The temperature seemed to drop in the Head Aurror Office as Harry spared his father a look from the corner of his left eye and saw the older man stiffly nod. "Good day."
The silence got to be too much two minutes after the Minister for Magic left and Harry shuffled nervously and cleared his throat. He looked up to see James making his way to his desk.
"I - Dad, I'm," Harry sighed deflated and running another hand through his hair. James did as well.
James' hazel eyes seemed unyielding from behind his signature glasses, "We'll talk more when I get home." Harry could only nod and leave, quietly closing the door behind him. As soon as he stepped out he huffed and stormed to the Floo Network when every Aurror turned his way. Didn't they have anything better to do? He tossed down a handful of powder, not noticing Alice Longbottom was storming her way into the office he'd just left. He disappeared with a flash of green.
Several hours later, Harry was sulking in his room for the second time. This time instead of laying flat on his back, he was sitting atop his desk looking out into the black outside, liking how it mirrored his mood. Strangely all thoughts of Bella-bitch were erased from his memory, and replaced with his mother. He'd thought about her so much in one day it astounded him that the last time he'd allowed himself to reminisce was over a month ago.
Before he'd sat down, he'd pulled a worn photo of Lily Potter from his bedside drawer and couldn't stop staring at her. She was beautiful, so full of life that it made him blink back tears. She didn't look older than himself now, grinning at the camera flash before giggling uncontrollably and waving her book threatening at the photographer. He rarely ever cried, but tonight was a night from hell apparently because the six foot, almost nineteen-year old, known to be the most skilled Junior Aurror the Ministry had ever had, was bawling over a small photograph.
He wiped at his face roughly, hiccuping pathetically, he'd allow himself this once to hurt so deeply inside his chest that he felt like ripping his insides out would feel much better. Then tomorrow he'd scheme to kill LeStrange, once and for all. Harry had just begun to look back at Lily, waving her book, when the unmistakable sound of the library Floo roared and loud footsteps thudded down the staircase.
Harry was up and running from his room, absently reaching for something off his bedside before following.
"This isn't up for discussion." Harry stood a flight up, hovering over the banister with a pair of Extendable Ears. He'd snatched them from the Aurror Divisions' equipment room a couple weeks ago, but hadn't gotten around to trying it. They were sponsored by some twins who were trying to get a good reputation for their products.
Sirius, Remus had been down stairs when he got home, and he'd avoided both of them and their questions while he got a butterbeer from the fridge and a couple cookies. He was sure they both knew what happened today now, considering it must have been his dad just got home. Harry laughed humorlessly, happy that when he'd got home he'd thrown things around before he Reparo'd them back. It was better to have gotten his anger out before. Now he was curious.
Hence, the Extendable Ear.
"You can't talk me out of it Moony, he's going and that's it!" Harry frowned holding the flesh ear closer to his own.
"Think about it Prongs, the kid wants to be there." Sirius' voice echoed with laughter, "Harry's wanted to go there since he was four and Lils first told him about the Giant Squid -" Harry's smile began widening.
"Exactly, you punishing him there would be like an early Christmas present." Harry concluded that was Remus. He shook the Ear, the stupid things were faulty if he couldn't tell the voice of who was speaking in his own living room.
"Fine then," James huffed, it sounded like he started pacing. "No Marauder's Map." Harry snorted.
"He's already got it memorized." He nodded agreeing with his godfather up on the second floor.
James said again. "Fine, he needs to join the Gobstones Club."
Sirius spoke. "Harsh."
"Hey, I was on that team." Harry rolled his eyes, of course it was Moony.
"Fine, how about taking courses we make him go for?" The green eyed wizard rolled his eyes. Really? They were scheming about classes?
Sirius listed. "Arithmancy, Muggle Studies, Ancient Ruins, and Divination."
"I'd like to think I'd taught him enough to surpass Hogwart's curriculum." Remus sounded high strung.
"Whatever you say Moony." The sound of a good-natured smack rang through Harry's ear faintly.
"How're you even going to get him in? He's almost nineteen, he'd graduate at twenty. A full, what, two years older than the graduating class."
Harry could just picture his father crossing his arms. "I explained that to McGonagall before I left the office."
"How is old Minnie?" Harry repeated him, mouthing 'old minnie?' confused. "Haven't spoken to her in ages."
"She's still Transfiguration Professor and doesn't want any visits from you." James continued, "He should tutor if you think so Remus, it'd keep him busy. He can join all the clubs. That'd really knock his socks off."
Harry narrowed his eyes hearing his dad guffaw. "Oh, and no Quidditch!" Harry nearly dropped the Ear.
"You can't do that to the poor kid!" Sirius shouted in indignation and Harry cheered his godfather on, even if he couldn't hear him.
"Sure I can, I'm his father and he nearly killed Marleen today."
"If I didn't know you I'd say you had something going on with Marley." Harry felt his heart stop, his mind soaring back to where he'd left the old picture of his mother on his desk.
"Shut up Padfoot." His dad and Remus countered, making it possible to breathe easy again.
"When should we tell him?"
"I bet he's dying to know what the hell we've been up to."
"That is if he isn't outside right now."
Harry rolled up the Extendable Ear, dashing toward his open bedroom door with the biggest shit-eating grin on his face. "Impossible, we sound proofed it."
Sirius snorted, "Five galleons." They started walking up the stairs.
"You're on." James must have shook on it because Sirius laughed loudly and skipped stairs, gaining on Harry.