(a/n): Back for another installment and thx for the reviews.

It's been a bleak time for the Light, time to turn the corner. Most of this chapter was written way out of order and I had it in my mind even longer. The idea of people who dislike Harry meeting has long had great appeal to me. And I wrote that piece not even knowing where it would eventually go.

A question about Harry's eye injury... that was recovered a while ago chs#26-29. As for him and Hermione, I still haven't decided how they'll end up. She's indebted to Susan, nor can she ignore Harry's actions in protecting Ron. Perhaps a case of "Agreement on 1 issue(as a Romulan commander told Picard)"

36 – After Hogwarts

Again, tradition was being broken in sending students home. Tradition had it that the Hogwarts Express left the school after breakfast and arrived at King's Cross around dinner time. Due to the crisis, Headmistres McGonagall ordered the emptying of Hogwarts immediately after the last supper. House mixing was forbidden, with the sole exception of Draco, who would travel with Gryffindor.

Forward to back, Houses boarded the train Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Hufflepuff. "This is not to be construed as any kind of reward." The Headmistress told the assembled, segregated, student body in icy tones "Merely the surest way to minimize the potential for conflict. Professors or Aurors will be on duty in all cars. Board! Now!"

"Yes Professor?" asked Harry in reply to her signal.

McGonagall approached "Mr. Potter… Harry… I remember when you arrived. Full of wide-eyed wonder. Eager to learn and see everything. Much more like your Mother in that." she had a distinctly nostalgic tone "Barely taller than my waist."

"Didn't grow much." The comment was somewhat bitter, though he added an amused "Even little Ginny Weasley ended up taller than me."

She smiled "I have heard many wizards and witches make many comments about your time here. Positive and negative. However, none have used the adjective 'boring'."

"I think I'll take that as a compliment." He returned the smile and greeted "Hagrid."

The giant simply took a position behind his boss "One of my joys, Harry, is seeing students on this day. Many come in with your same look of wonder. Some graduate with it. I regret not seeing that look in you. Lily was one who kept it."

"A lot has happened in those seven years, Professor." He answered, definitely bitter now "It wasn't all bad, by far. But my bad stuff was worse than theirs. Except for a few I could think of."

At that, the Headmistress nodded "Good luck, Harry. And, I apologize for how I singled you out earlier. I assure you, whatever help I or Hogwarts might offer is yours."

"Thank you, Minerva." He used her first name for the first time. He eyed the giant and said "C'mon then, Hagrid. I guess you're my personal guard."

x

Susan caught just momentary glimpses of her fiancé. Wizards did not have the phrase 'Nervous Breakdown' but this whole day was … well she wanted some Firewhisky. A bottle's worth at least. "Seven bloody hours! SEVEN!" she ranted "It's a pain in my rosy red arse!"

"Not to mention your rosy red hair." Hannah retorted as she entered a car.

Susan growled at her friend "Not funny. Not funny at all."

"Well… if it helps… think of it as 21,600 seconds." The blonde replied with a smirk "And if it helps take your mind off things, count them down."

Susan smiled, suggesting "And slap you each count?"

"The things I do for friendship." Hannah rolled her eyes.

They sat as the whistle sounded. The train belched steam a couple times then lurched into motion. Very dramatically, Susan began "21,600 … 21,599 … 21,598 … 21,597" Hannah giggled and joined in. It was silly, it was mindless, but as soon as the conductor blew the 'all clear' whistle and Hufflepuffs began moving about their cars, the countdown spread.

"Feel better?" asked Hannah as the count wound down. The sun was beginning to redden. Her numbers had not been quite right. The train was still outside London. The whole improvised performance managed to keep her friend distracted from her troubles.

Susan shrugged and replied "Eh."

"This'll help." Hannah offered her a bubbling goblet.

The redhead eyed it suspiciously "Whadidya put in it?"

"The merest thought had not even begun to consider the possibility of crossing my mind." The blonde responded, sounding sincere. And when she saw her friend's expression of disbelief, admitted "Well that's not true. But, honest, this will just relax you. We're too close to London."

Susan nodded, took the goblet and drank deeply. Paused. Drank again. "Hmmmm! That's gooood!" she sighed "Thanks Han."

"Just like Mummy made." She commented "So? The question of the hour? What about Harry?"

Susan gave a sour look "You have a way of asking hard questions. You know that?"

"You, my friend, have been far too worked up to think clearly." Commented Hannah, then continued "Hermione was right. You are definitely on the brink with Harry. Now not that you're not a desirable witch for several reasons, but I can only definitely say that only one witch would not throw herself at Harry Potter given half the chance."

Susan gave a disgusted snort and murmured "That supposed to make me feel better?"

"On the plus side, almost all of them would be chasing his fame and he's too sensitive to that." she went on as dispassionately as a computer "You got a huge advantage in getting him cleared of killing Cedric. If you stick to our age range, assuming Harry is only into girls, I can think of … umm three… maybe five … who would stand a good shot."

Susan reacted about as her friend hoped she would, jealously, "What? Who!?"

"You can figure that out." Hannah snapped "What I see is that something's upset Harry."

She got a glare in response and a snippy "Compared to a dead baby?"

"I dunno Sue!" her reply included a frustrated sigh "I haven't been having secret meetings with him! But as far as I know, only three people know. Look… we've been friends forever. I'm on your side whatever you decide. And, speaking as a friend … you're starting to piss me off. So, think real hard for the next …oh twenty minutes." Her anger diffused, she hugged her best friend and left.

Susan stared after her, shocked and more than a little confused. Then settled in to carry out her assignment.

x

Decisions, naturally, proceeded apace in the Gryffindor car. Victims of insults escalating into violence, the Greengrass sisters were removed from the Slytherin cab. Daphne was reluctantly accepted as a spokeswoman for the Weasley family as none were present on the Hogwarts Express.

Parvati Patil, something seemed off about her, of late. It wasn't anything Harry could put his finger on. All he knew was that she was best friends with Ron's attempted murderess. He quickly excluded her from the conversation. It went on the entire trip. Only toward the end did he, Sirius and Remus withdraw to privately discuss the problems in Harry's love life.

x

"C'mon you lot!" ordered the booming voice of Professor Hagrid "The Headmistress has some parting words!"

Yet another 'simply did not happen' moment. But hardly an honor "I wish it made abundantly clear to all." Headmistress McGonagall began "The Ministry will be looking down most harshly on any violations of the Statutes of Secrecy. And, even should the Ministry not penalize an offense, it is within my discretion to NOT invite a student to return if I believe the offense warrants such punishment. I hope I am inderstood?"

Various cowed responses of "Yes ma'am." "Yes, Headmistress." murmured through the still segregated students.

"And I assure you, any such repeat next year will be disciplined mercilessly." She continued, glaring up and down the platform. Without the amplification spell, her voice filled every corner and even overrode the sound of the Express running "House competition is encouraged to teach sportsmanship and encourage excellence. Not - I Repeat - NOT! to foment violence and bloodshed!"

The same murmuring was repeated.

A faint upturn of her lips and "Now, everyone, enjoy your summers." Was the first sign in days the Headmistress was still human.

"Bye, Professor" "Sorry" "Sorry, Professor" came from thoroughly cowed students. Even Seventh Years. There was none of the usual excited running and yelling. Platform 9 ¾ emptied quietly.

Having stood rigidly erect until the last student paraded through the column and into the Muggle world, Minvera allowed herself to sag against the Express and slide to the floor.

"Are you alright, Headmistress?" asked Slughorn. All the professors surrounded her, highly concerned.

She fanned herself with her hat and nodded. "As student, or teacher, I have been a part of Hogwarts for over forty years. That has never happened before! Well, not that I know of."

"Here Minerva." Slughorn offered his hand and pulled her to her feet.

She allowed it, caught her breath and announced "All of you were outstanding. Two weeks furlough for all. We meet two Mondays from today. 9AM, The Great Hall. We must plan for September. I am going to ask you to figure a way between two extremes. We CANNOT run Hogwarts as we've had to this week. By the same token, we CANNOT allow a hint of hostility or an act of violence to occur."

x

"So we're all agreed then?" asked Harry of his 'troops' His back was to the pillar between Platform 9 and Platform 10 where Hogwarts' students were streaming out in ones and twos.

Sirius was laughing "It always amazes me. How do Muggles NOT see that?"

"Really quite simple, Your Grace." Luna Lovegood had heard the question "There is a Forget-Me Charm on the entire Platform. A Notice-Me-Not Hex on the doorway pillar and its two neighbors." And they all just bug-eyed at her. To which, and directing her response solely at Sirius "One would think you had more than an academic interest in me, Duke Black."

Remus looked like he'd swallowed his tonsils. It was not anywhere near a full moon, but his right ear suddenly turned grey and pointy. His wife intervened with a weather inappropriate wool had over his head "Well, if you're going to steal him away in a couple days," she said "I plan to give him a much needed workout."

"More than we needed to know Nymphadora!" Harry taunted her, in a friendly bellow. "And aren't you a bit old for Luna?"

One lengthy conversation that occurred in private was that of the potential mates Draco and Astoria, and while she had shed much of her shyness around the new Malfoy lord she still wouldn't speak that openly against a Harry comment. So Daphne spoke up for the Greengrass contingent "Bloodline wise, the match has much to recommend it." She offered "Even Walburga Black would have a tough time objecting to her heritage."

A comment from Remus was cut off as Tonks led him away.

"You think it wise to initiate discussions, then?" asked Harry. His eyes flicked mischievously between Daphne and his Godfather. "Well, Lord Black?"

Sirius' expression was one of alarm "You can't do that!"

"Forgive me, Lord Black." Daphne said solemnly "But it is most definitely within Lord Potter's authority. Before the Wizengamot, you acknowledged him as your leader in the war against You-Know-Who. Please remember, also, that he is as nearly related as your current heir."

Draco gave a disgusted look "I may be allied with Potter. But, related to him? Ugh!"

"Thanks Daphne." Harry started giggling. The notion of being closely related to Draco turned his stomach just as much, but the moment was just too funny. He restrained himself from bursting out, but the effort only made the silent laughter more irrepressible.

Neville, who had been highly uncomfortable during the entire return trip, looked stony. He abruptly disapparated. But other than the crack, it really had not been noticed.

"UN-BLOODY-BELIEVABLE!" Susan had found the little corner of King's Cross that graduating students were disapparating from, to whatever destination. And, having had an emotional journey from Hogwarts, she could not believe her fiancé having such a good time while she was dealing with a miscarriage!

Harry sighed "Y'know Sue, I wanted nothing more than to talk things out with you. But shouting gives me a headache. Dennis, tell Colin we got there on our own. Malfoy? Wisteria Park." And the two wizards vanished with a pair of flash/pops.

"Lemme guess… she mouthed off again." Colin was just in time to see the remaining hint of a twist in the air. He glared accusingly at Susan and demanded "You have any idea how much has happened the last few days?"

Despite a solid foot in height difference, Susan was not the least bit intimidated. She called on some of her Auntie's harshest tones "No! Why don't you enlighten me?"

"You do know that bit last summer was about Harry getting back at his relatives?" Dennis cut in "You don't really get to talk down to us."

Hannah played moderator "Let's everyone just cool down. You who're still students can't risk getting expelled. And we grads don't want a trip to Azkaban. C'mon Sue, let's get you home."

"Wait!" insisted Susan, holding up a hand "What exactly is going on? I've got issues to talk with Harry about. But what-"

Dennis was enraged "Why you selfish little BITCH!"

"Ah-ah-ah!" Sirius intervened "Why don't you two" (addressing the Creeveys) "head home. I'm sure Harry will need you guys." (addressing Susan and Hannah) "I don't want to get between you and Harry-"

She interrupted "Then give me some straight answers!"

"Decidedly NOT my place." Answered Sirius, sympathetically, but definitively "But I WILL pass on a message."

x

Harry and Draco apparated in the small tangle of trees that marked the edge of the playground that held so many of Harry's childhood memories. More bad than good. He suppressed the emotional reaction harshly. "Welcome, Malfoy, to Little Whining Surry." He said sourly "Here you'll get to see the many joys of my life."

"Saint Potter." The blonde wizard smirked "Bet a Galleon you were worshipped around here."

Harry sneered back "I'll take your money. A lot changed after my titles all came out. But how about we just stroll thataway." Privet Drive was visible from the hilltop park.

"The-Boy-Who-Lived's childhood castle?" Draco announced, he mock-bowed "I'm honored."

Bangs bounced over lightning-scar as he muttered ""This is the worst idea in the history of bad ideas. I'm gonna kill Sirius."

"I never really saw Muggles in their native habitat before." Draco commented. You would expect such a comment from someone going to the zoo, but he was actually displaying unease.

Harry found it amusing as they walked. Considering the matter as they turned onto Privet Drive, laughed "Well they don't bite! But, you know, I'll bet they like you a lot better than they ever liked me. And you'll like them, too."

"Doubtful." Draco snorted "I'll take that bet, too. And make it twenty."

Harry pressed the button beneath the gleaming, copper #4, caught his companion's look and asked "What?"

"Muggles use Magic?" asked Draco.

Harry laughed "You have more in common with Arthur Weasley than I thought!" At the response Harry had an attack of belly laughs, that he forced down as the door opened.

"Back again, Potter?" asked Aunt Petunia "This another freak?" She was looking at Draco as if he were something out the wrong end of a horse.

Hand flashed to wand, but Harry was faster "Aunt Petunia." He said tightly "I've come to fulfill the promise I made last summer. After my birthday, we can part company forever, and I'll be plenty happy. The war in the Wizarding World has started. Malfoy, here, is one of the casualties and … an … ally."

"Oh?" she replied, studying him with a continuing foul expression "I suppose you've been friends since you went to that school."

Draco's expression matched hers "The Potters have no respect for tradition." He complained "In proper society Purebloods do not mingle with errr… non-Purebloods."

"So your people… they look down on my sister's … ugg… husband?" Petunia fought with the last word as she was unable to use the name of Harry's father.

He tuned them out, entirely content that he'd made his point. His thoughts turned to Susan and how sour things had turned. He loved her passionately. He could not keep a grin off his face at the memories their lovemaking created. But it seemed that the more their Hogwarts Houses fought, the more they did. McGonagall had not been at all wrong when she called the battling a civil war. There had been bloodshed. He was very relieved there were no deaths. As it was the lessons Susan's Aunt taught him it would be at least a decade before the incident could fade. Working again with Hermione was almost as distasteful as with Draco, but he'd do what she wanted.

""I almost missed you Potter." His cousin came in, with considerable differences. Fifty pounds lighter and with a companion.

Aunt Petunia waved an imperious hand "Oh ignore him, Dudders. Come and meet with this refined gentleman. Quite different from the usual riff-raff we've been subjected to."

Dudley coughed significantly to end his mother's tirade "Kathy Thomas, may I present-"

"Well, I assume this is Harry Potter. Snake symbol on the tie. Only really one I've heard about and he fits the description. The notorious Draco Malfoy?" the girl looked quite smug.

Harry laughed "Seems your reputation precedes you, even Mu—" he bit the word in two.

"Muggles? That would be." She continued, spreading the shock "Now before you go magicking me to forget… My half brother spent seven years in the same room with you, Harry. I knew Dean's version of the stories you had about your relatives from his letters. I've met Ginny Weasley on a few occasions. I knew who Dudley was the day he walked into my Computer Science class."

And Dudley looked first crushed then angry. Gritting through his teeth "You used me!"

"Not like that at all, dear." She patted his still massive chest "I chose to form my own opinions. I would've told you soon anyway. Dudley by all I've heard that's who you WERE. The Dudley I know is polite, kind and studious."

Harry choked and gagged "St-st"

"It means I participate in class, complete my assignments!" Dudley growled "And EARN my grades!"

Draco, who had been agonizing over maintaining his composure howled with laughter "Forget about it Potter! You can have a hundred Galleons! HAHAHAHAHAH!"

"Well, this probably makes it easier. I'll put it bluntly, I need a favor, Dudley." Said Harry. "And if I caught that class name right, it's even better."

Petunia snorted "Favor? After the way we were treated last year? What's in it for us?"

"You?" he shot back "Not a farthing! Dudley, a witch I know wants to use computers so research ways to get rid of-"

Kathy put in "Translated - kill - Is this Voldemort all that tough?"

"I think I like you." Harry grinned at her "Not afraid of a word?"

She shrugged "I heard about the Jumble bit, too. So Earl Potter, what are you planning? What are the risks? And what are the rewards for my boyfriend?"

"She sounds like Granger." Draco commented with an annoyed look.

Harry just looked at him and ordered "Quiet. Right. Here's the situation. I can count on maybe ten people. Most of us, students or graduates. Draco says there are a couple hundred Death Eaters … uhh Voldemort's-"

"Followers, I get it." The black girl nodded "Kind of a stupid title, isn't it? Anyway, now you've got two of us. Plus, Granger? That would be Hermione Granger? You two made up? Hadn't heard that."

Now Harry nodded at his long-time nemesis "You're right Malfoy. She knows TOO MUCH! Right. Here's the deal. I want to buy three top of the line systems. Four now, I guess. Money is no object. You know that Dudley. Get whatever is needed to hook them up. Find something non-magical to even the odds."

"Outnumbered thirty or more to one?" she asked "You don't need something to even the odds. You need a game changer."

Harry shrugged by way of acknowledgement "Whatever we get needs doing in a month, when the wards around here fall. I'm gone then. The Dursleys and, sorry you, risk him chasing you. Probably just for the fun of it. You can keep the computers I buy. If I win, I could always get a new one. If not…it won't matter."

"Gloomy Gus, aren't you?" Kathy complained

x

Sinister forces were gathering to involve themselves in Britain's civil war. Both international agencies easily penetrated the corrupt and lax border security of the Ministry of Magic. Two hooded figures, after extensive security checks, entered a faintly lit room "The Americans took responsibility for Grindelwald's escape." Said May, these two did not have time for greetings "It cost them five million in reparations."

"At a generous interest rate, I'm sure." Replied Indira, with a smirk.

The Chinese leader merely shrugged "That is an affair for the bankers. You should be able to confirm funding here at Gringotts, for another five million. All your operations should need, and a bit extra."

"But they will not send agents?" asked the Indian leader. And with nothing but silence as a reply, continued "Well then paying for this operation will do. Snape is in readiness?"

A nod "The last report from the American."

"My agent among the Gryffindors reports the boy almost blind with fury. If we are very lucky, they will all kill each other." Indira suggested.

The red hood shook slightly "Emotionally satisfying, perhaps. One faction must have a leader to impose order. And I favor the boy. Dumbledore would throw them back a century. Voldemort would make it a slaughterhouse. This agent, she concerns me-"

"Who said female?" demanded Indira, just a hint too sharply.

It was all the confirmation needed, there was no doubt as to the Indian's identity "Apologies old friend, I misspoke. The concern is still valid. How genuine is the cover and, more importantly, is it of any use now they've left school?" Nor was the answer of any importance.

x

"The cause of the delay, Severus?" Lord Voldemort demanded of his panting servant.

Snape appeared to fight his way to his knees "Following your directions, My Lord. The girl is still to arrive. We attack the moment she does."

"What did our Master command, Snape?" asked a junior Death Eater. A former Ravenclaw in his late 20s.

Looking coldly at him, Snape fired a "Crucio!" and as he writhed about added "You need only concern yourself with obeying my commands."

"Very nearly time now." Said Alecto, who had been monitoring the magic in the area "My sense of the wards has changed. They know the girl is readying herself to return."

x

The skull of Amelia Bones had been mounted at the foot of the banister in the foyer of Metacarpus Mansion. There were many special places on the estate that were occupied by significant pieces of Susan's ancestors. Her Aunt, however, was especially suited to occupy this particular spot. The wards gave alert of an incoming apparition and Amelia's command of the considerable skeletal parts making up the banister came up. Magic put a face on the skull and she demanded "Who goes there!?"

"Just us Auntie Bones." Replied Hannah, who was the only non-blood relative currently allowed in the Mansion without accompaniment.

Although Susan was there and immediately greeted her "Hi Auntie."

"Me senthes a bit of problemeses." Amelia said sloppily. To which a dirty look was the response. So she turned to Hannah "Care to enlighten us?"

Susan frowned at her friend, who answered sympathetically "Boy trouble." And that was when it all went black.

"SUSAN BONES WAKE UP!" a shrill voice commanded.

And she finally did so. "Sumptin wrong Han?" she mumbled. Sticky eyelids slowly managed to open. It was just an instant and she recognized her bedroom, that she did NOT remember going to. "Last thing I 'member … talking to Auntie. Han? HAN? HANNAH!"

"She won't wake." Said a vaguely familiar voice.

But, suspicious, Susan seized her wand and fired "Expelliarmus!" It had enough force to teach the person to not sneak up on her without doing much harm. No scream? No crash? What happened?

"Not any way to greet a friend!" the same voice countered "Something more than a friend actually."

As she was able to focus on the intruder, Susan demanded "Who're you? Any friend other than Hannah would knock at the front door! Talk!" She got a surprise "A kid?"

"Magic. From your future." Was the cryptic response.

Still armed, Susan slid out of bed and approached. Disbelieving, she declared profanely "Hippogryff shit! And what's wrong with Hannah? All this noise-"

"Truthfully." came simple reply. Not affected, as the child she seemed to be, by a profanity "Although I am here as my seven year old self. Didn't want to scare you. But look, there is nothing for her to hear."

Susan approached, curious "I know your voice." She said "And you DO look like I should know you." She took in the red hair and oddly familiar features of the very adult sounding child. The shock of her life, when she turned to see her sleeping body was quickly set aside.

"I'm Lily Potter." The young girl said.

That was the last thing Susan expected to hear "Now why would you look familiar? I never met Harry's mother." She declared skeptically "Except as a painting. And YOU don't sound anything like her!"

"I am not his mother. Dope!" the visitor's voice lashed at Susan "I'm his daughter!"

Susan scoffed "Impossible! And if you are from the future, you'd know-"

"About the miscarriage?" answered the girl, somewhat unsympathetically "Of course I do. And you are driving a hole in your relationship that might never close."

She looked at the girl in shock. Her sorrow casually dismissed? She felt an urge to slap the child, but knew it was a useless act "If you are who you claim" she shot back "I'd expect more respect for your Mother."

"What makes you think you deserve respect?" came cold retort "And more, what makes you think you're my Mother?"

Susan was literally struck dumb. It took two solid minutes for the impact of what she just heard to work through her mind. By the time it did, a host of counters had come "You've got red hair. Why would you come here to visit me if you weren't? And your eyes-" That last stopped her like a brick wall.

"Noticed that, did you?" Lily taunted her "Even a week ago, they were definitely that shade of brown you have. Today they're blue. What happens now affects my future."

Susan did not like that "So you are here to make sure you're born?"

"No." Lily answered "The future is constantly changing, but I'm sure to be born not more than five years from now."

Susan shook her head "Then why are you here?"

"Because some of those futures are darker than others." The visitor replied "And right now, every minute those chances are increasing."

The need to release tension made her giggle "That's the spacey kind of answer I'd expect from Luna Lovegood."

"Never make fun of her!" snapped Lily, and the order was reinforced by a crack on the cheek that hit Susan without her even moving.

Angry, the owner of the mansion advanced, only to find herself walking right through the visitor. She spun, managed to trip over her own feet and landed unceremoniously on her rear. She looked up at the young girl and spat "Tha' hell wazzat?!"

"Magic." Was the simple response "Time for you to SEE the future you're creating."

Susan, despite her indignation, was curious "You can do that?" she asked.

"You can do that!" Lily mockingly repeated "Of course I can. I got here, didn't I? Gimme your hand!"

Susan blinked "What? Now? What about Hannah?"

"We could be gone for weeks and come back to just this minute." Answered Lily "No one will ever know the difference." And without further comment, a flash encompassed the pair and Metacarpus Mansion was gone.

Susan looked around. They were in one of the most densely traveled streets in all of Central London. Many of the major landmarks of the city were visible. Everything around them was in horrible disrepair. A jewelry store, various cabinets broken, pieces worth hundreds to thousands of Galleons tossed about like worthless tin. She picked up an especially beautiful ring, She didn't know enough about jewelry to price it, nor did it really matter all she wanted to know was "What happened?"

"Today is July 4, 2013. Nothing particularly special about the date. Except it was the day I turned a wrong corner and lost my soul to a Dementor." It was said with the matter-of-factness of giving a weather forecast and it came out of what appeared to be a seven year old girl. "I was almost sixteen in this reality. And … follow me!"

Lost in a deserted world, Susan had little choice but to obey, yelling "Slow down!" all the while.

"Here I am." Said Lily, about half a mile and two turns later

There was more life in a brick, more color in a stone, than the creature who mindlessly walked in front of them. This was not a sixteen year old girl. It was a shaggy-haired, skeletal wreck. Blank of expression it just kept walking. Susan choked and half sobbed, repeating "What happened?"

"You don't know much about Dementors, right?" asked Lily, though she knew the answer "Wizards and Witches are their favorite prey. That's because of our magic. And they don't have need for Muggles. Father … do you remember the day he was freed from Azkaban?"

Susan nodded "Of course."

"That bastard Diggory bribed an Auror to bring a Dementor into the cell-"

Susan cut her off "You shouldn't be cursing and I think you do not know all-"

"First, I was talking about Amos!" Lily easily overrode her "And second I'm not really seven, you know. As I was saying… I suppose Father hasn't yet told you. So, we'll skip that. Voldemort was winning. The Burrow had been attacked and only Charlie and little Hugo were left. Father made an alliance with the Dementors. One managed to get Voldemort himself and-"

Susan couldn't help asking "Something went wrong! What?"

"There was so much magic in the air… add in the Dementors and the evilest soul." Lily shuddered "It turned into a feeding frenzy. Every magical lost their soul and the Dementors started reproducing like pygmy puffs. In a month almost all magicals, all over Britain were gone. I might have been the last. One Muggle doesn't satisfy a Dementor. It takes a score or more. But there are so many Muggles that … all defenseless… there were thousands of the things."

Susan got the story "What you're saying is somehow Harry was working with them and lost control."

"Close enough, I guess." Lily nodded "And he changed when fighting with you. Maybe he could have handled you … or the Weasleys … His only reason for living became revenge… not even *sob* me. I heard he didn't even cry when Uncle Ron's body -"

This girl had violated her home, insulted her, kidnapped her and now all Susan wanted to do was hold her.

"Waste of time!" Lily declared after a couple of minutes "And we don't have much."

That, Susan found amusing "Time Travel, right?" She quipped "All the time in the world?"

"Don't be stupid!" all trace of the little girl gone "You have to go back! NOW! But, yes. One question…."

Susan hesitated, then "Do we get married? Harry and I?"

"Can't tell ya." Answered the seven year old, with an impish lilt in her voice.

Susan frowned and demanded "Can't? Or won't?"

"Sorry. You exceeded your limit." Was the uninformative reply. And with that, the decaying London vanished and the master bedroom of Metacarpus Mansion appeared around them again.

Hannah just bolted upright in bed and hissed "Sue!"

"I thought you said she couldn't see me." Said Susan accusingly, Then, even outside her body, she felt the wards go off. It thrust her magical self back into her body and the physical young witch bounced to her feet. A flick of her wand turned sleeping gown into Auror armor. She glared at the young girl and demanded "Well?"

Lily gulped "Ummm… well… sorry. I wasn't in the timeline I thought I was."

"Who're you talking to, Sue?" a worried Hannah asked. As far as she was concerned there were only two occupants of the room.

Lily was looking up "Thank you" she said to someone Susan could not see "I have permission to tell you. First, the mansion is being attacked."

"No shit!" an angry Susan snapped, ignoring her friend's question "Something useful?"

Lily answered "Their leaders are Snape and the Carrows. Alecto was the woman who led Ben Cadwallader away. Their orders are to take you alive. They might kill Hannah, but maybe not with her Messenger status. Voldemort wants you to lure Father. You know he won't care if you're fighting and neither will Father. I must go."

"Come on Hannah." Susan already dismissed the little red-haired girl with changing eyes from her mind "We're under attack and the safest place is the foyer."

The blonde wondered "That's the most open place in the mansion. How?"

"Come girls!" The ghost of Amelia Bones ordered. She gestured sharply and one of the light fixtures, a forearm and hand, separated from an innocent looking chandelier and buried itself in a Death Eater's chest. When they weakened Amelia's voice hardened "No time for that! You'll not join me for many decades! MOVE!"

Hannah fired "Expelliarmus!" at another invader. The impact caused him to shake his hand. Amelia commanded a lamp shade from the corridor. It was a hip bone from Jonathon Bones from the 1750s. It detached itself from the wall and nearly decapitated the man. A bit of skin held head to body as the lifeless form fell. Hannah looked sick "He was disarmed!"

"Never leave an enemy behind you." The ghost snapped "The foyer's around that corner. I'll meet you there."

Only a few Death Eaters had gone into the mansion to scout. There were over thirty in the foyer, wands out and on guard. A dozen spells chased the spectral form. Some parts of the railing were broken and splintered. They were momentarily shocked when the ghost merged with the head post and it wailed "INVADERS' LIVES ARE FORFEIT!"

"What are you gonna do?" asked Hannah in less than a fifth of the time it usually took.

Susan was curious as well. However, she did not care to see it. Nor, expose her much more squeamish friend to the sight. "Give us a path, Auntie." She ordered.

"With pleasure, my dear." The animated head answered, maliciously. The railing, made of arm, legs and especially ribs came apart. A Death Eater, climbing up to attack the girls, fell off the staircase and onto a rib. It went straight through her neck. Snape, himself, seized Hannah's arm. A kneecap, shot like a stone, cracked him on the head.

Susan kicked the former Potions Master's head and cursed "Fucker!" then kicked him in the groin. When he neither screamed, nor moved, she assumed he was dead. That would later prove untrue.

"Where's Ben you bitch?!" Hannah had shaken off her reluctance to fight when faced with the woman who'd kidnapped their Housemate. And was all but strangling her, when her brother aimed a killing curse. A rib went straight through Amycus' hand, ripping it apart, and kept going. Except for Amelia's absolute control it would have gone on to skewer Susan, instead, it spun end for end aimed at another Death Eater's head.

The way was momentarily clear to escape. Susan tore Hannah away from Alecto and they ran through the smoldering remains of the front door. And kept running until they could run no more "Well…isn't that…just… bloody peachy!" complained Susan between huffing and puffing.

"Where do we go now?" asked Hannah "I mean, I can go to Messenger Camp. But I won't desert you for anything. And they don't let in visitors."

Susan grinned at her friend's loyalty "Thanks Abbott. Only one place to go, #4 Privet Dr."