Respawning

Erik shook his head as he woke up with a start. "Ah, looks like the Yankee finally realizes where he is." A british voice said. Erik looked up. He was in a room full of members of the London Metro Police. "Sorry, Sir, I must have dozed off. Probably remains of the jet lag?" The Chief swatted his excuse off. "Anyway, you are to work with us like you always do. Your record is impressive, Flight Lieutenant, might I ask why?" While the man said that, Erik checked in with his HuD and Catherine. ~Where are you?~ he thought. ~Somewhere in Romania.~ His HuD flashed once. A message had appeared. The sender was called Guardian.

Harry woke up, staring at the downside of stairs. "What happened?" he groaned, casting a wandless Tempus. Immediately, a time and a date hovered above him. 31St July 2053. He groaned. He was back with the Dursleys. And it was before Petunia and Dudley sided with him.

"BOY! GET UP ANG MAKE BREAKFAST!" Petunia's voice screeched.

~Grr, does she ever shut up?!~ Ginny growled in his mind. ~Did you find yourself at home?~

~Yeah, and mum just called me to wake up.~

Ginny stood up, only to find herself back in her room which was still painted in pink. ~Didn't I change that?~ Harry snickered: ~Not before '55.~ With a small flick of her wrist, fire went over them and replaced the pink with red and gold. ~That's more like it.~

Harry was interrupted when the door to his cupboard was forced open. "BOY! HURRY UP!" Vernon shouted, spit running down his face.

Erik listened to the end of the briefing. Apparently, selected groups in the government knew about the magical world. From what he caught, he was with the Anti-Terror-Unit. It didn't surprise him. In most countries the Anti-Terror-Branches were responsible, as their members had to swear an oath of secrecy anyway. From the message Guardian had left, he got a rough outline of how the world looked like. He was not a Ranger, but a Cop. Still member of the ASUMA-Squadron, but also dispatched as a ground force. He and Catherine never met in this world, also Task Force Cobra didn't exist. Everything was dealt with by the national government, although the NATO forces cooperated in this domain. But first things first: He had to meet Harry in a way that didn't seem suspicious. He checked in with the garage. His vehicle was a pimped Toyota Auris Touring Sports Hybrid. Ideal for the town, but bad as soon as you begin to go off-road. It was an undercover car, meaning no visible markings. Emergency lights built into the regular lights and on the dashboard. A check on his papers told him that he was assigned to live with the relative of one of the members, Arabella Figg. ~Coincidence?~ Catherine thought. ~Not sure. But makes our job easier.~

Harry escaped the beating and went outside. He sat at the park when a police officer approached him. The man would surely ask him why he was out so late and return him to the Dursleys.

"A wise old man once said to me: It's not a shame to fall. It's a shame not to get up again. Ironically, the same man said later: A wise warrior knows when to stay down." Then in a flame and out of the shadows a woman and a girl appeared. "Privacy charms are up. Tonks is watching us." Ginny said. Erik nodded. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small ear plug. "Here, for communication." Catherine inserted the counter-part and disappeared again. Ginny gave Harry a long kiss before flaming away. Erik returned to his police duty. "Com'on, boy. I'll give you a ride home." When they began to drive, he suddenly turned the emergency lights on and roared away with screeching tires. Harry was pressed into the passenger seat. How the Lieutenant drove, reminded him of the Knight Bus, just that nothing jumped out of the way. ~Catherine says that the Order is following you. Erik knows." They suddenly entered a tunnel. Just at the exit of the tunnel he switched the flashing lights off and adjusted his speed. Now he was a simply civilian car. Rolling through London they came to a stop at a familiar building: The Leaky Cauldron. With a small disillusion charm Harry hid them both. He didn't feel exhausted. ~Our physique changed when we got here. Catherine explained it to me.~ But before Harry could ask, the two had reached Gringotts. He dispelled the invisibility charm and went to the counter where Griphook sat. "I want to meet the account manager for the Potter Fortune, if you have the time to spare." He could see the grim face of the goblin lit up. It has been since millennia since a wizard treated a goblin with respect. "Follow me." Erik lagged a little behind as he observed the entrance of Albus Dumbledore.

There was something around this version that he didn't like. As a master interrogator he was trained to spot small traits others, even cops, would miss. Different to his version, this Dumbledore carried himself with an aura of superiority and arrogance instead of concerned and grandfatherly. He went into the office behind Harry, making sure to shield him with his body and the door from a possible glance. ~Cath, get Ginny to investigate her family's stance with Dumbledore. I want to know what they think of him.~

Ginny nodded. The tiny earplug was really useful. With her exceptional hearing it was an easy task to listen in to her parents discussion downstairs. "Arthur, I respect your decision, but you have to respect mine. I trust Albus so I will help him." "Molly, wouldn't it be the best if we openly wait for him and then take him in? Be honest with him." "No. I'll ask loudly where the platform is when I spot him. I guess Ginny will answer, she is already hyperactive. She wants to go."

"Still. I don't like to deceive the boy. He has enough burden onto his back." "And that's why we do it. He will never accept help when it is offered."

She ran up again and locked her door with the best locking charms she knew. Tapping the plug, she whispered quietly and fast: "Mum's following Dumbles, Dad is trying to be honest." Catherine relayed the information to Erik. The cop was currently on the cart down at Harry's family vault. With the soul-bond he was officially emancipated in Gringott's eyes. Also, the trace had disappeared. But as he asked the goblins of keeping his status secret, he was still a boy for all that mattered. Before they left, he placed a charm on his face to hide the scar. Combined with Erik's company he could be easily mistaken for a muggleborn. They strode out of the hall, still hearing Dumbledore discussing with the goblin. "I am his magical guardian. I want access to his vault now!" "Sir, their will had turned up. It states that Harry is to be in full control when he turns eleven and any granted attorney is declared void. If you want to renew your access, I suggest that you talk to Mr Potter. He still has to see us to take his heritage." The goblin Griphook lied smoothly. Passing the teller, Harry gave him a thankful nod. The first act of the day was to get Hedwig from the pet store. He got the books required for the school year and everything he needed for potions. Locking everything into his new trunk, he placed it in Erik's car boot. Thanks to the electric engine they rolled quietly into the driveway. Harry apparated back into his cupboard. He felt tired. His body needed a lot of training to at least get up to normal standards.

Ginny leaned back, preparing herself for a boring year. She wouldn't be in Hogwarts until next year, given that they stayed here that long. Catherine had explained them that Erik already made some of their trips to other times. They never lasted very long. Catherine had applied for the DADA position. She really got the post. Different to their time, Quirrel taught History of Magic. Erik would assist her, as it was her condition. Dumbledore had no choice but to comply, especially since no one else applied for the position. So while Catherine was already at Hogwarts, preparing her lessons, Erik found himself to be officially placed on stand-by, meaning that he was free from work, but still could use his badge if he needed to. In reality the prime minister had ordered someone to keep watch on Hogwarts and when Erik mentioned that someone he knew would go teach there had he could become her assistant, he got the job.

It was kind of nostalgic to see the good old steam engine. The scarlet Hogwarts Express waited for them. Harry sat into an empty compartment. He knew that the whole coach he was in was empty. When he entered he shared a quick glace at Ginny who blew him a kiss while her mother kept babbling about muggles and asking for the platform number. Harry had bypassed her hidden behind the trolley with suitcases and trunks Erik had pushed towards the barrier. Erik pulled his cap down to shield his eyes from the light and propped his feet onto the seat across him.

As he slept he exchanged the latest information with Catherine. When he woke up again he found Ron in their compartment. ~Ginny says that he told Harry that the whole train was full.~ ~Guess he is on Dumbles' paycheck?~ ~She bets on it.~

"I heard Harry Potter is on this train?" "He is right here, and I am his best friend!" Ron boasted. Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm Harry Potter. The boy who had his parents killed by a lunatic." He gestured to Erik. "This is my best friend Erik Winston." Erik gave an informal mock-salute before returning his attention to a weapon's catalog. "I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He offered his hand. Harry stood up, reaching for him. "Nice to meet you Malfoy." Ron gasped and looked like wanted to say something, but found himself unable to do so. Harry whispered to Draco. "But I won't be making friends with a mindless puppet. Think for yourself and not what your father indoctrinates you." He released the hand, leaving a shell-shocked Malfoy behind as he closed the compartment door. Minutes later they were interrupted again. "Has anybody of you seen Neville's toad?" Ron still dug through the chocolate frogs so Harry answered. "No we haven't. What's his name?" "I..it..it's Tre...Trevor." A boy behind the bossy sounding girl stuttered. Harry pulled out his wand. He felt his magic surge through the bamboo wand as he said: "Accio Trevor the toad." Shortly after, something smacked against the glass. "Trevor!" Neville exclaimed and took the toad into his hands. Hermione looked shocked. She had seen the scar. "You... You are Harry Potter! I have read so much about you! How you defeated You-Know-Who, how strong you have to be! And here you are, performing magic with ease!" She squealed. Harry shook his head. "Those books must be wrong." "What? How?" Hermione snapped. "'Cause he was never interviewed." Erik added from his seat. He offered his hand. "Flight Lieutenant Erik Winston, Chicago Police Department." "Hermione Granger." "Rollalf Washli." Ron grunted through his food. "Harry Potter." Harry shook her hand. "You should get changed now. We will reach Hogwarts soon." Hermione said as she and Neville left the compartment.

The trip over the lake was as exciting as it was the first time round.

Before the sorting began, Dumbledore introduced the new teachers Erik and Catherine.

"As they had never been sorted in Hogwarts, we will have their houses before we begin the ceremony." Catherine sat down first and placed the hat on her head. The speaking hat gasped a few times before shouting: "Slytherin!" Erik took a tad longer, but the hat settled on: "Gryffindor!"

"Miss Pierce will teach Defense against the Dark Arts. Mr Winston is a member of the American Police Forces who has experience with fighting dark creatures." Catherine stepped forward. "I need to announce this here and now. You have the right to know that I am a vampire. But don't dare you place me on the same step with the bloodlusting lunatic scum you call a vampire here." Erik added: "She is technically starving now and hasn't attacked anybody. This alone should tell you about the difference between her and the monsters."

The sorting was nearly the same as last time, only that Malfoy seemed to take a lot longer to get sorted into Slytherin. Harry thought he heard something like Raven and Claw in one sentence.

"Potter, Harry!" Professor McGonagall announced. With shaking legs he sat down onto the stool and waited for the hat to talk.

Ah, who do we have here? You are strong in every aspect of Hogwarts. I can see that you are smart, Ravenclaw should fit you, as well as loyal. A Hufflepuff trait. Oh, you're planning things, although I can't exactly see what. Cunning one, aren't you? Maybe Slytherin? But there...

~Don't you dare!~

missing? A shared soul? It has been a long time since I had the privilege to witness this. Are you at Hogwarts, little one?

~Don't call me little! And no. I am at home. I'm too young.~

But your mind isn't and your power is great. Hogwarts decides who is ready or not. And I deem you ready, so does the castle.

With a loud crack a lightning hit the ground next to Harry. In a ring of fire, Ginny appeared. "GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted. Slightly confused Ginny thoughtlessly let the fire run across her body to change into her Hogwarts robes. She was lucky to have them, as her Mum got a two-in-one-deal at Madame Malkins when she bought Ron's three robes.

"Miss Weasley, please take the hat to get sorted." Just as Dumbledore said this, the hat shouted again: "GRYFFINDOR!"

Ginny ignored the looks as she sat down between Harry and Hermione. They could feel the probing of two people. The probes got past the first wall, only to be greeted by the Vampire Ginny in Harry's head and a Harry armed with a sword in Ginny's.

At the head table Dumbledore and Snape snapped out of something and turned their attention back to the food. "Now dig in!" Dumbledore opened the feast. He was shaken and didn't want to talk longer than necessary.

After the dinner the students left for their dorms. After settling in, Harry listened to Ron as he ranted about his annoying sister. Apparently in the past they had found out that Ginny had special abilities. They were vampire like, but she wasn't affected by rituals against dark creatures, nor was she recognized as such. She also did never show any craving for blood. This version of Ron was a complete arrogant and jealous git, doing everything for money. Ginny had it easier with Hermione. After getting to know her and talking about books and lessons, the girl agreed to be a friend.

~Ron is in for a surprise.~ Ginny growled. ~He is, my love, he is.~