DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter. If I did, I wouldn't be writing this in the first place.

Author's Note: Hello there! Thanks for those who are still reading this story. Sorry it took me a while to upload. I had originally drafted this chapter about three weeks ago. But then, I wasn't satisfied with the outcome so I wrote another one last weekend. If you want, I can email you the draft I made, it's just a filler for the story but I guess it is quite nice. It follows the events after their first date. Thanks to my friend and BETA, Mina, for all those corrections. I am truly grateful.

Thank you people, especially those who always review. I always find inspiration from them. Haha! Please do state your opinion in the story every once in a while. So, here it is, chapter 17. :)

Chapter 17: Missions and Reasons

Damn.

Why was it that it has to be like this just when things were starting to get better? She was damn right impossible sometimes, with that thick head of hers. I don't know what I could have done to make her act like that, what did I do to her?

You are starting to sound like Ron. Of course, I am worried about her, what does she want to expect? Ron can be overprotective but that is who he was. I swear –

"POTTER!"

I looked at the source of the annoying voice that made me snap out of my thoughts. Damn git. Seeing that I was in no mood, I answered in an equally menacing manner, with my face scrunched up in irritation. "WHAT?"

The man with graying hair walked calmly to where I am and looked at me straight into the eye, his authoritative and fierce hazel eyes looking straight to mine. "Now LISTEN to me young man. It is imperative that EVERY Auror follow the very first important protocol which is LISTENING. If you want to SURVIVE, you have to learn how to FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS or you may end up DEAD." He looked at the three other people who were sent unwillingly into this briefing. And suddenly, his gaze softened as he looked at all of us. "This is not an ordinary case that you can easily solve, that's the first thing that you have to understand. Normally, experienced and professional Aurors handle these kinds of highly dangerous missions but we lack the manpower right now, with all Aurors on other cases. That's why I want you to be careful in this emergency mission. We don't know what we're up against so you have to be ready and prepare yourself to listen to every vital information that you can have."

His expression hardened again as he looked at me. "I know you can become a good Auror, Mr. Potter, but you also have to know that instinct and sheer luck will not save your arse every time."

I just looked at him as he went back to sit without breaking eye contact. As much as I want to admit that he was right, I only agreed on what he said internally and kept my stony façade. I watched him as he retrieved four parchments and handed one to each of us. As I opened mine, a map of a village appeared, with the big school encircled in red ink. I followed the line of the ink as it animatedly continued as a line to a cluster of houses that were near the school, with the last one also encircled in red. "This is Brackenbury Village. It's a muggle village, located here in London. Listen well because the mission's success will be based on capturing these fools who, according to a source, were former Death Eaters. What we need to do is to raid the house that is encircled on this parchment. We will go there as a team of five."

Five? So it seems that this mission was not a huge joke, afterall. Normally, an ordinary investigation case only requires a pair of Aurors. Having three members on a team when on a mission means that it was already a level two case. McGovern walked as everyone tried to decipher the map given to us. "As you all know, I will go with you to assist you on this mission. Mr. Potter and Mr. Levy will take the offensive and will scout the area. I will be the ward breaker and Mr. Mueller and Ms. Richards will back me as the defense pair. We will use a portkey to go outside the school and since we don't know if our enemy has casted anti-apparation wards, we have no choice but to walk towards the location of the said house. According to the report that was provided by Senior Auror Robards, there were five dark wizards that were pretending to be muggles inside that house and all of them are under the influence of the polyjuice potion. Our goal is to capture those five and determine the fate of the muggles who formerly lived in that house, it will be better if we can save them. Do your best not to catch attention while at it. Is the mission clear?"

Everyone nodded as they tensely tried to scoot and get ready, leaving me with my superior. He tried to straighten his uniform and went to fetch his wand as I clenched mine. I looked at the tatty watch that once belonged to Gideon Prewett. Almost midnight. Once everyone was in position, Head Auror McGovern retrieved what looked like a ball and ushered us to circle around him and touch the ball.

The next thing I saw was an old, black rusty gate as I landed. A muggle school made out of stone stood in front of my view. I drew my wand out and tried to disillusion myself to blend with the darkness. Others followed my lead as I tried to walk stealthily to the location of the house, signaling Levy as I did.

The house looked a lot like the boxy house of Aunt Petunia's back in Privet Drive. Two floors, neat and has a perfectly presented garden. I casted silencio on my feet, so as not to draw any attention and tried to peek at the window.

It was dark. No sign of someone home. I took the opportunity to signal McGovern to begin trying to detect wards and he nodded at me as he pointed his wand at various locations of the house.

"It seems that they have not erected any wards in this house. You two can now go inside." We nodded at him and Mr. Erik Levy proceeded to the location of the front door. A red spark suddenly flew towards us as Erik opened the door, causing our other teammates to scatter. Sparks and jets of different colors flew towards our direction. A particular spell hit Robert Mueller square on the chest while he tried to create a shield charm, causing him to fly backwards and land on the grass in a loud thud.

A violet-colored curse nearly hit me square in the face as I tried to counter every spell that was sent in our way. I ran towards the side and tried to cast spell after spell while we surrounded the house. It didn't help us that we couldn't see them, not to mention that it bothered me how they knew that someone will try to ambush them.

I used the side window and jumped inside the house, my heart beating hard against my chest. Spell after spell tried to hit me, none of them succeeding as I used my seeker reflexes to dodge. I can hear someone shouting and some faint murmurs inside the house. I tried to hide on the back of what looked like a sofa and closed my eyes. If my sense of sight can't help me, I might as well try to enhance my sense of hearing to find out where the enemy is. I tried to isolate each noise, trying to concentrate on the whispers that the wind is bringing.

There!

Petrificus Totalus. A soft thud told me that a body landed on the floor. I looked around; trying to find a switch so to expose who else is casting spells. I went towards the junction between the living room and the kitchen. It looks like the team is also firing spells because there have been a sound of breaking glasses and collapsing tables. I tried to hide again and listened to the faint murmurs of what can be the enemy. None. It seemed as if this one is an expert on non-verbal magic. I sneaked towards the kitchen, where a source of a green jet of light from a spell flickered.

Damn. The enemy was using the killing curse. As I tried to enter the kitchen, a hand suddenly caught mine and I readily pointed my wand to his throat. "Harry, this. . .is Erik. C-cant. . .breathe."

I swiftly lifted the wand off his throat as I nodded at his coughing form. "Sorry." I turned my direction towards the kitchen again and with the little light, found where the switch is. I wondered how the rest of the team was faring as I tried to decipher what I will do in the next move. "Listen, Erik. I want you to hide somewhere. I will try to turn on the light. Someone is firing spells at the kitchen area and I want you to at least petrify him while I keep his attention on me." Erik nodded and I tried to move closer to the switch.

And when I opened the lights, a jets of red light flew towards me as the enemy hid, grazing my face as I nearly got cursed. I retaliated and I jumped towards the direction of the living room. Then I crawled, looking if Erik has already seen the attacker. What I saw made my heart hammer loudly inside my chest.

Erik was caught inside what looks like a coffin of sand. I cursed; this was the infamous Coffin Curse. A Death Eater? If I don't do anything now, that curse can kill him in no time. I crawled to Erik's side, trying to aim a spell on the person's silhouette while he tried to focus his attention on completing the spell. The band on my hand suddenly felt warm on my skin. Time to retreat, I have to grab Erik now or we will be like sitting ducks to the people who has every intention of killing us.

"Reducto." The table at the side of the Death Eater exploded, sending him flying. Suddenly, hot, searing pain erupted from my back as I grabbed the unconscious Erik and ran towards the nearest door. Someone grabbed me and the last thing I saw was a pair of brown eyes.

Darkness surrounded my vision as I heard people shouting here and there. I caught random words that made no sense as I struggled to gain consciousness. Finally, after what it seemed like hours, I tried to open my eyes. My head spinned as they tried to get accustomed in the light again and I felt scorching pain in my back and in my sides. Where am I? I remembered the mission. I was dueling with an unknown enemy and then Erik suddenly got cursed. I tried to save him and then everything went black.

I extended my hand towards what looked like a side table and tried to feel my glasses. I put them on and rubbed my hands in my temple as I groaned.

"You're awake. Rest easy now, Mr. Potter, you are in St. Mungo's," someone huskily said. I groaned again in response when I recognized the low, authoritative voice of McGovern. I tried to speak but words failed me as my throat felt dry. McGovern handed me a glass of water and I reluctantly drank, savoring the effects of the water on my dry throat.

"What happened?"

"It seemed as if they knew what we will do. They were well prepared and the only dead give-away on their plan was when they fired the spell after the front door was opened. Somehow, I feel like one of them panicked. The others were fine, only injured. Mr. Levy only sustained minor injury because of you." He sighed as he looked at me. "We were able to take on the three that were outside the house."

"Then why did you want us to retreat if that was the case?"

McGovern sighed again and drank a cup of what it seemed to be coffee. Judging from the sound of his tired voice, he has been looking out for the injured team this entire time. "I saw how you two tried to handle to three dark wizards inside the house, but one got out of the house and was able to escape. I didn't know that there were six of them."

I snorted. Of course you have to expect that there is an element of surprise! They are bloody Dark Wizards! "What time is it, Commander?"

"About five in the morning. You can go back to the Burrow in a while after they sign your release papers."

"Thanks." Unnerving silence surrounded the room as I muttered my thanks. I tried to play with my hands and noticed that there was a bandage on my chest. And then it came to me that I never knew who those people were. "So, who are they? Did you recognize them?"

I looked at the old man who sighed, his eyes were solemn and he looked older today than I had ever seen him. "None of them were familiar and known Death Eaters. When I sent the papers of the mission's success back at the Ministry, I sent Richards and two others to fetch the unconscious prisoners and lock them inside the rooms on our Interrogation Chamber. They couldn't identify who those people were even after searching Archives."

He looked at me again and tried to smile. "You better rest now Mr. Potter, you did very well. I will handle the reports and the interrogation. Right now, it is important that you make it back in top form after receiving that slicing curse. Your bruises will also heal if you can minimize your movements. The Healers said you will feel tired and weak for a number of days. If you can stand, you can get ready now and change into some fresh set of clothes so that we can get your release papers."

I nodded at him. "Please don't tell anyone that I had gotten myself into trouble again. They'll kill me."

He smirked at me. "Nice to know that you are more afraid of your loved ones than going recklessly on enemy territory."

I nodded at him and stood up to change.

It took us about an hour or so to take care of bloody papers and by that time, I was ready for another kip. I went to see Erik and Robert, who were both sleeping soundly on their respective rooms before finding the healers. Head Auror McGovern stayed and guided me all that time. The healers had to do another check on my wounds, which for them were healing nicely. They gave me various potions to restore my strength and ordered me to rest for about a week so as not to open up any of my wounds and handed me floo powder so that I can go.

I was in the Burrow for a reason. Headmistress McGonagall issued a study break to all sixth and seventh year students in Hogwarts so that they can get ready for the upcoming NEWTS. It's already late March and all of the seventh year NEWT-takers are getting nervous as their exams are getting nearer. It was decided that Ginny, Luna, Hermione, Neville and me would all go to our respective homes. I also have to get ready, my final practical examination is scheduled this June and it will be the basis of whether or not I could become an Auror trainee that will be based on the Ministry. But with Mrs. Weasley's insistence, Hermione and I got stuck with the Weasleys, not that we mind of course.

Upon arriving at the Burrow, everything was still quiet, save for the clattering of pots and the gush of water. I felt very weak but I went to the kitchen to find Mrs. Weasley busy with making breakfast. When she saw me, well, let's just say that my wounds gave an aching protest on my back.

"Harry dear, you're back! I was so worried! How did the mission go? You look so pale!"

I tried to smile as she broke the hug and examined me closely. "I'm fine Mrs. Weasley, the mission was a success." I didn't tell her that half of the team got injured or that there were six dark wizards ready to cast the Killing Curse when they can. I didn't want to worry her more when she already knew how dangerous it was.

"All right. I will cook in a jiffy. You may want to sit down a bit dear, while I get the food ready."

"Can't I help you somehow?" I went to get the cooking pan but she stopped me. "I will be all right, Harry. You try to sit down and get a bit of rest, you look terrible."

I sulkily went out of the kitchen, dropping my bag in the process and sat down the chair, playing with the spoon that was on the plate. My mind wandered if Hermione and Ron were already awake. Knowing Ron, it will be a couple of hours more before he wakes up. With Hermione, well, from experience, she might already be awake and studying by now, if the slightly opened door of Ginny's room is an indication.

After the first friendly date, well, Hermione and I had become inseparable. I would go to Gryffindor Tower first thing in the morning and escort her to breakfast. Then after her classes, we would both go to the library to study, but I would just hangout and get a book as a prop while I observed as she studied. When we still have time, before dinner, we would go to the lake and hang out in my room afterwards. The routine usually ended there, but days before we went to the Burrow, Hermione acted odd and I felt like she was avoiding me.

And sometimes, I just had no patience.

I tried to confront what was wrong hours before they sent me an alarm about the emergency mission. She just denied that something was indeed wrong but she couldn't look at me in the eyes. For me, that was already a clear sign that there was something that she was not telling me.

And well, a moment later, the object of my thoughts suddenly burst out of the room and sat into the dining table, ignoring me as she started reading the huge book she brought. I sighed, even if I wanted to know what was wrong, I am not in a good condition to have a debate with her right now, not to mention that the searing pain in my back is still plaguing me. So I just crossed my arms in the table and rested my head there, frowning at the disappointment that ate me inside.

It took about a few minutes more before Mrs. Weasley finally burst out of the kitchen. Plates of bacon, rice and egg flew towards the table, followed by bowls of soup and a jar of milk. It took me a moment to gather my thoughts and waited until Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are finally seated before I dug in.

We all ate in silence. When I asked where Ginny and Ron were, Mr. Weasley mumbled that Ginny went to Luna's house before I arrived and Ron was still snoring away in his bed. It was awkward, really, and I couldn't even think of a particular topic to –

"Harry, there's something I wanted to ask you."

I looked up to see Mrs. Weasley staring intently at me. I just nodded at her while I chewed on my food. "Why did you still want to become an Auror?"

I stopped, shocked as the question flooded my mind. Mr. Weasley and Hermione both curiously looked at Mrs. Weasley and me, suddenly losing interest in their food. I cleared my throat and tried to ponder the question. Why? What is the reason that I continued this job, knowing that all my life in this world, I've done nothing but battle Dark Wizards and alike. Why?

I looked up and stared at the ceiling, remembering why, in the first place, I took this job. My answer was simple, "I wanted to protect the people who matters to me."

Mr. Weasley cleared his throat, interested at the conversation that erupted. "You can already let the Ministry handle that matter. Why not try and live a life you want?"

I sighed. Of course, I should have known that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley will be worried about this. "I want this, I wouldn't take it if I didn't. I wanted to protect the people I love from people who wants to harm them and being an Auror can help me with that. My battle is not yet over, really, not until the time when all of you are safe or err. . .our lives are peaceful."

Now it was more awkward, me saying that. Awkward. Awkward. Awkward. I cleared my throat and looked at them. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's eyes were already brimming with unshed tears. I suddenly found my hands interesting as I tried to gather incoherent words. "I won't stay as an Auror forever. I know that the job is dangerous and all. Deep inside, I would want to teach after all of this."

Our little sentimental talk was suddenly interrupted by a large yawn that came from the stairs. Ron was staring at us, a huge grin plastered on his face while he stood there. "Well done mate. I also have the same reason Mum, don't worry; I would try to be careful. Now, where is the food? I am starving."

"Who would ever think that Ron would wake up early?"

Everyone laughed at my comment, the previous conversation suddenly forgotten. Ron looked at me with blazing eyes. "Oi, even if I always sleep late and get late in class doesn't mean I am not capable of waking up early."

Ron took a seat beside me as he tried to eat, or rather, to devour. I smiled at him and muttered a small thank you that was barely heard. He nodded at me and continued his nosh and suddenly, a pair of hands hugged me from behind, brown curls were the only indication that she was the one who did the act. I closed my eyes and smiled, grateful that the tension between us is finally over.

When I finished eating, I invited her outside. We sat under the tree near the pond and just stood there, looking at the morning sky. "How is your review for NEWTS going?"

"Well I suppose it is going fine. I honestly don't know how to begin reviewing Transfigurations though. And there are still some spells that I couldn't perform in Charms. How about you, how was the mission?"

I smiled and played with my hands. "We were able to make it a success. This was already my third so I already knew the basics. It was a bit hard than the last two. But other than that, everything went fine."

Except for the fact that three of us got cursed and somebody we didn't know evaded capture.

But I guess I cannot really hide that part. Blazing pain exploded from my back and I wasn't able to keep up the façade. My whole body hurt and I felt weak, when I remembered that I was supposed to be under strong potions. My face contorted with pain and Hermione looked worriedly at me. She then tried to determine the source of my pain and took my shirt off. I felt her touch the bandages and was surprised when blood was already staining her hands. "You're hurt. Harry, why didn't you tell us that it was this bad?"

She didn't wait for my response as she took off and went back inside. I stood there, trying to fight of the menacing pain as I rested my back on the tree's trunk.

She arrived a moment later, with a glass of pumpkin juice and all sorts of colored potions in hand. Her face was contorted with worry that it made me smile. "Don't laugh, you nearly gave me a heart attack. Honestly Harry, when will you learn NOT to keep us worried? Why is it that you have to get yourself into trouble always? Will you EVER LEARN?"

I drank the contents of the potions, not caring what they really are for. And then I smiled. "Get used to it, Hermione. I will be an Auror for as long as I can. You will be seeing more of me in St. Mungo's."

She sighed, silently pondering what I said as she bit her lower lip. Her eyes were thoughtful, and I swear that they were also scared. "But please, try to be careful. I don't want to see you hurt. And if I were to decide, I never wanted you to become an Auror in the first place."

I don't know what came over me because during the next second, I grabbed her in a hug as I laughed. "Honestly!"

Ahh well, I guess sometimes, you really have to fight with the one you love to realize just how much you love her. When I looked into her chocolate brown eyes, I realized that when all the wishes in your mind, all the dreams you've had and all the things you've ever hoped for soared into the sky and were reflected in someone's eyes, then you have found your destiny.

Another Author's Note: So, what do you think of my first action scene? No flames please, suggestions for improvements will do. And a bit of a few reviews. Haha! :)

I guess I have started editing the first few chapters of this fic for clarifications and more detailed perception of how everything was after the war. I will inform you guys if the editing is already finished, though I will advise you all to read it again (if you want) after the story is completed. We are nearing a climax after another few chapters. :)