Two Words:

I'm Back

I know it's been three years since I last uploaded. I've toyed with picking this story back up again many times but life has always gotten in the way. My mental health has also not been the best over the last three years. But picking this back up and looking at the chapters that I had pre-written (not edited) during the pandemic, I remembered one of the things that makes me happiest in this world is writing. The thing that makes me most happy is to create. For all the people who have disliked so much of John in this story and the last. The ones who made me want to stop writing this in the first place because I was just done with all the hate on him. Tough. I'm no longer going to write for you. From this day forward, I'm going to write whatever I please and damn what other people think about it.

But just so y'all know. The RealJonSnow is here to stay

Bella cackled with glee as her spell struck home. The Auror hadn't been expecting a simple Severing Charm up until his head had come clean off and soared through the air. The rest of the body teetered a bit in its place but fell to the ground blood spewing out onto the marbled floor. That's a stain that would be difficult to remove. The janitorial staff would groan when they saw it. If she hadn't killed them by then that is.

"Come on now!" she shouted as she fired off another spell at the wall where two Aurors were taking cover. "Come and fight! I just want to have some fun!"

"Lestrange!" the Russian Yuri bellowed at her. "Ve must move! Before more Aurors show up."

Any other day she would've killed the man for giving her orders but now wasn't the time. She would have a "talk" with him later. "Move up boys!" she ordered. She fired off a string of spells at a squad of Aurors in front of her and most of them took cover. One did not. The man dropped to the floor his lifeless eyes showing nothing. "Stevens!" an Auror yelled out in anguish and started to sprint towards his friend.

"Idiot!" Bellatrix heard an Auror yell at him as he pulled him back into cover. Lucky for him because if he had been there a moment longer her next spell would've taken him too.

"Release my husband and my brother-in-law and none of you will be harmed!" she called out. It was a lie. But if they could make their deaths easier on her then she would most definitely appreciate it. She was always up for a fight but none of these men were her equal so might as well just have them line up so she could end their pitiful existence. All the men however knew that it was an empty promise. Bellatrix Lestrange was known for one thing: Chaos.

"Surrender now Lestrange!" the man who was obviously in charge of the Aurors yelled out from behind cover. "Surrender and we'll spare you. We have you outnumbered!"

"Does he think ve are stupid?" Yuri asked her.

She smirked. "Apparently so darling."

"Who am I speaking to?" she called out to the Auror.

"John Dawlish of the Auror Corps," Dawlish called back. "Surrender! More Aurors are on the way."

"Dawlish. Dawlish," she said to herself. "Are you related to Henry Dawlish by chance?" No answer. "He must be a brother or a cousin I do believe. At least he was until I killed him during the war." Again, no response. "Oh, how he squealed. 'Don't hurt my wife! Don't hurt my-'That was all he got out before I cut his tiny little prick off. After that there was just a bunch of screaming. The blood curdling kind. Oh, it was like music. I do believe that his wife lived. Well only for the next few hours. My acquaintances took her again and again an-"

"YOU BITCH!" Dawlish cried out as he shot to his feet, his wand outstretched in front of him. Bellatrix smirked. "Idiot," she said simply before lazily dodging the Killing curse the Auror threw at her.

"Oh, naughty naughty. Aurors aren't supposed to use Unforgivables. Don't you know you could end up in Azka- oh wait. I do believe the prison is closed. Hmmm I guess I'll have to dispense justice on my own. Avada Kedevra." The green light shot into the man before he could react and his body crumpled to the ground. "Kill the others my dears," she said to her fellow Death Eaters. "I have to retrieve my boys."

"What if more Aurors show up?" one of the Death Eaters asked.

"Well then you kill them…" she wanted to groan. Was the boy really that dull? "Enemy wizard step in front of you. You kill enemy wizard…it's that simple."

"What if they're in force?" he said.

"You'll hold this area, or you'll suffer. From the Aurors or myself, it doesn't matter. All that matters is you stand your ground," she said and without another word went through a nearby door. She had been to the Ministry once or twice for visits like these and knew where the holding cells were.

"Crazy bitch," Yuri muttered and then noticed movement out of the corner of his eyes. He grinned. "Vould you look at that gentlemen? Ve still haf some cowards to kill."

"No!" one of the Ministry dogs cried out and threw his wand out in front of him in surrender. "See? I surrendered! She said we could li-"he was cut off by the Killing Curse that ended his existence for good.

"She said," Yuri smirked. "I however said nothing of the sort."

Bellatrix skipped through the halls of the Ministry. So far, the only people she had come across were a few interns who retreated in fear when they saw her. Normally she would've killed them just for the fun of it, but she had a mission. Maybe once she had both her boys with her, they could have some fun on their way back to the foyer.

They had chosen today for a reason. It was a Saturday, and the entire Ministry was almost empty. There would be one or two guards in the holding cells but that was about it. And if there were more, then that just meant more enjoyment for her.

"If anything comes through that door with a Dark Mark on their arm then kill it!" Daniel ordered his men. There were only four of them including himself and Saul. This had been a simple transport job. The Aurors had been their actual guards, the Unspeakables had just been here to supervise. They needed backup now.

"Just give us up Greengrass," Rabastan yelled out from his cell. "Maybe Bella will treat you with some kindness." Even he knew that would never happen as he laughed. "MAYBE!"

"Shut your damn mouth!" Saul snapped at the criminal and kicked the man's cell door with his boot. That did nothing but widen the growing smirk on the Death Eater's face.

"He's right you know?" Rodolphus said from his own cell. "My wife will kill all of you before you can even shit your pants."

"Don't listen to him," Daniel told his men. "Just concentrate on killing that bitch."

"Shouldn't we try to capture her?" one of younger wizards asked.

"You obviously have never heard of Bellatrix Lestrange," Daniel resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "She'll chew you up and spit you out if you come at her with anything less than the intent to kill. This is war."

"But sir-"

Before the young man could finish the door to the cells blew off its hinges and soared halfway down the hallway towards them. Smoke billowed from it quickly filling the hallway. "Be ready!" Daniel ordered.

"And who is that now giving orders like a big boy?" a feminine voice called out to them from the smoke. "If I had to guess I'd say that was Daniel Greengrass!"

"Come out and face us Bellatrix," Daniel yelled. "Die with some dignity."

"Oh, I don't intend on dying today Danny," a green curse lanced out of the smoke and struck the young wizard who Daniel had just been addressing, the fear forever showing in his eyes as he fell to the ground. "Hope he wasn't anyone important to you."

"OPEN FIRE!" Daniel fired off three spells in quick succession, but he and Saul were the only ones who fought back. The other Unspeakable in their group retreated in fear. He sprinted back down the hallway even though he knew that there wasn't another exit there. What did he think would happen? That Bellatrix would kill Daniel and Saul and then just decide to spare him?

"Come now Danny boy you can do better than that!" Bellatrix called out from the smoke. "Ferveret Sanguis."

Daniel took cover but Saul wasn't so lucky. The Blood Boiling curse struck him in his center mass and he went crashing to the ground screeching in pain. "SAUL!" Daniel fell to his knees next to his friend but there was nothing he could do. He tried to prop his friends head up on his knee but he loudly cursed as his hands touched Saul. It felt as if the mans flesh was aflame.

"KILL ME!" Sai; begged as he rolled on the floor. "FUCKING KILL ME!"

There was only a brief hesitation on Daniel's part. "Diffendo." The spell lanced through Saul's throat. He was dead in half a second, bloody smoke coming out of the new hole in his neck.

"We're in here Bella!" Rabastan cried out from his cell. "Kill the fucker!"

"Oh, be patient," she said as she walked out of the smoke. "I'm here, aren't I?"

"And you're not going to leave here alive," Daniel growled.

"Such venom Danny," she smirked and fired off a curse at him which he deflected. She frowned. "And here I was thinking Duffy was just weak. You're actually an opponent. It's a shame that we can't test how dangerous you are."

"Shame," he agreed. "Because you'll be dead, and Voldemort will have one less minion."

Her eyes went wide with rage. "YOU DARE SAY HIS NAME?! BLOOD TRAITOR!" she fired off curse after curse at the man, but he dodged each one. "FUCKING DIE! EXPUSLO!" While this spell didn't hit him full on it still hit him on his arm. He flew back through the air and was only just able to get control at the end landing on his feet, his wand at the ready. She suddenly had a marvelous idea. She would bury this bastard alive. "REDUCTO!" she cried.

"EXPELIARMUS!" The Disarming Charm didn't work to its full potential, but it caught the wand mid cast and the Blasting Charm veered off course. The ceiling came down all around him filling the small hallway cutting him with rocks but leaving him alive.

"Shit," she said. The whole hallway was now filled rubble and smoke. There was no way to get to him without moving all this damn rock and that would take too much time.

"Bella!" Rodolphus yelled. "Get us the fuck out of here!"

She rolled her eyes. "Stand back from the door idiot." With a twitch of her wand the door to his cell imploded.

"Couldn't you have just unlocked the damn thing?" Rodolphus said annoyed. He was still chained in the center of his cell and a bit of the busted door had cut him across the face.

"I suppose I could have," she shrugged and with another twitch of her wand, his chains were cut.

He rubbed his now free wrists to try to get the circulation back. "Sweet freedom."

"Not just yet we still need to get out of here," she said to her husband and moved to her brother in law's cell. A few moments later and another Lestrange was now free.

"Our wands?" Rabastan asked as he came out of his cell.

"Probably destroyed," Bellatrix said. "The Dark Lord will provide new ones."

"Let's go," Rodolphus said. He doubted that their Master would give them new wands. That wasn't his job. They would have to take them for themselves.

"Is there anyone else here that would be of worth to the Dark Lord?" she asked both men her eyes scanning the cells. Their Master was always looking for new recruits and what better place to find them than the cells of the Ministry?

"The only other prisoner is the Weasley boy," Rabastan nodded at the cell across from them.

"Oh, you don't say?" she smirked and sauntered over. Inside, Ron was in the corner of the cell shivering in terror. He had taken cover as soon as the door to the hallway had been destroyed. "Well, hello there young Weasley. Fancy seeing you here!"

"P-P-P-Please don't k-k-kill me," he sputtered.

"I would only be finishing the job that Draco was supposed to carry out anyway," she said. "Oh you didn't know? Draco was supposed to leave you at that Mudblood Granger's. He can't even manage that." she rolled her eyes. She did love her nephew, but he was starting to show that he was only a bit more intelligent than his father had been. That wouldn't do for someone of Black blood. She would have to steer him right.

But back to the situation at hand. "Don't kill me p-" Ron started again tears running down his face. Again she rolled her eyes. It wouldn't surprise her if the boy had pissed himself.

"Just get it over with Bella," Rabastan snapped. "We need to leave before-"

"Before what?" she asked. "The Aurors arrive? The others have it handled. I can spare a second for the boy."

"Now," she turned towards Ron again. "Back to i-"

"Get away from my son you fucking bitch," a voice rang out. She looked towards the entrance of the hallway to see a red headed man pointing his wand at her. Behind him were about a dozen Aurors. Far more than even she could handle. Yuri and the others obviously hadn't done their job right.

"Oh would you look at that! Papa Weasley!" she said with glee. "From what I hear he's not your son anymore or is it not true that you cast him out of the family."

"I SAID GET AWAY FROM HIM!" he yelled firing off a spell that hit the floor around her feet. Funny she thought to herself. He clearly thought he could intimidate her. "You're outnumbered. Snap your wand in half and come quietly."

"Hmmmm," she pretended to think for a moment. "I don't think I will actually."

"What are we going to do Bella?" Rabastan said and snarled at the approaching Ministry employees. He would rather die than go back into their custody but the odds didn't appear to be in their favor

"Oh I have a plan B," she smirked and reached into her pocket. "The clever ones always do. Fumus!" Smoke spilled out of her wand covering the area in front of her.

"Don't let her get away!" an Auror yelled.

From her pocket she pulled a small quill. "Portus," she tapped it and it shone bright blue. "Grab onto me loves." Both men did as she instructed. Lances of light shot out of the smoke clearly cast in desperation but it was too late. They were gone.

"Where did she go?" Arthur yelled as he and the Aurors found their way through the smoke. He searched the area, but his eyes only fell upon rubble and cells. "Where is she?!"

"She used a Portkey!" Ron said from inside his cell.

"But that's impossible!" one of the Auror's exclaimed. "Not from inside the Ministry."

"Ron!" Arthur exclaimed when he saw his son and rushed over to the cell. "Are you alright? Did she hurt you?"

"I'm fine," Ron said. Was this the same father who had told him that he wasn't a Weasley anymore? Or was it someone masquerading as the Weasley patriarch with us of Polyjuice Potion?

"Fan out," Arthur told the men. "Search the area."

"Oi!" a voice called out from behind the rubble. "A little help here?"

"Who is it?" Arthur called back his wand at the ready. There could be more Death Eaters behind there.

"Daniel Greengrass! The bitch trapped me behind here. If you could get me out of here, I'd greatly appreciate it."

Aurors began to levitate the rubble out of the way and minutes later, Daniel stepped through from the other side. He was covered in head to toe with dust. And a bit of blood. It was from the man who had turned and ran. He had been crushed by a large piece of rubble. The rest of the man was currently decorating the area whence Daniel had come. "You're a sight for sore eyes Arthur," Daniel said. "But what are you doing here?"

Arthur sighed. "When I first heard that Ron had been captured, Molly forced me to come here. She wanted me to see him for myself." He got closer to Daniel and lowered his voice. "Is it true? Is he a Death Eater?"

Daniel shook his head. "Not from what he's been telling us. He wanted to spy on them. We'll still have to question him with Veritaserum, but I can spot a liar and Ronald isn't one in this case."

Arthur sighed away the inner fear that he had been holding in him ever since he had heard that Ron had been captured. "Thank Merlin." If it had turned out that his youngest son had actually been one of You-Know-Who's army then Arthur didn't know how he could go on. Molly would surely have died from the news.

"The Lestrange's got away I take it?" Daniel asked and cursed under his breath when Arthur nodded. "Shit. I should never have moved them into holding. Bloody bitch would have never got into my territory."

"You were only following protocol," Arthur said. He knew that the Unspeakables had a lot of leeway but even they had to follow the rules. That was the only thing he knew about them really.

"What about the rest of the Death Eaters?" Daniel asked. "There's no way that Bellatrix was here alone."

"They wouldn't surrender," Arthur said darkly. "We had to kill most of them. Only one got away." It was true he had killed more than a few of their kind in the previous war but killing was something he would never get used to. No matter what circumstance it was for, killing was wrong.

Daniel sighed and looked past Arthur at the dozen or so Aurors who waited for his command. "Groups of three. I want all of you to search this place from top to bottom and make sure none of them are hiding."

"If you find any of them," he continued. "It's kill on site. These people don't deserve to live."

The Aurors all hesitated briefly but then saluted before doing as the man said. They wouldn't normally take orders from an Unspeakable but right now Daniel was the highest-ranking person at the Ministry since Scrimgeour and Madam Bones weren't here. And even then such an order would have their Head of office beforehand. The men were willing to overlook that little piece of paperwork though. It's not like they could overlook all of their dead comrades laying dead in the foyer after all.

"Dad," Ron said silently. "I didn't actually join the Death Eaters. I swear it. I was only going to spy on You-Know-Who! I didn't know we were going to Hermione's. I would never hurt her!"

Arthur put a hand up for silence. "I understand Ronald. In my heart I knew you would never join the Dark, at least not willingly."

"But what you've done in the past is still horrifying," Arthur continued. He hadn't forgotten what his son had done to the Greengrass girl. "It's not up to me to forgive you." He looked to Daniel.

"It's not up to me either Arthur," Daniel said gruffly. "Only one person can help get your boy out of that cell. If my daughter wants to forgive him then we can start to plan for a type of work release program, and even then that's not something I have the authority to grant. Until then there's nothing I can do."

"I understand sir," Ron said quietly.

"As the Muggles say however, we have bigger fish to fry," Arthur said. "We need to contact Dumbledore. He must be informed."

"Master," the Lestrange brothers knelt before the Dark Lord. "Command it and it will be done." They had returned only moments beforehand; the Portkey had dropped them directly in the entry way of the manor. They had come before their lord immediately. They were all too eager to do their Master's bidding once more. They would make the Ministry pay for this.

"Rodolphus, Rabastan." Voldemort said his eyes flitting between the two and then to his second in command. "You have done well Bellatrix. Quite well."

"My Lord," she bowed deeply towards him.

"It seems however that these two cannot be kept from imprisonment," Voldemort said.

"Master," Rodolphus knelt even deeper if that was even possible. "Greengrass has Aurors protecting him. We were outnum-"

"Yes yes I know," Voldemort waved him off. "The man who is running for Minister has Auror protection. We knew that already. But you both have always been among my most effective men. I'd like to know what happened?"

"My Lord," Rabastan said. "That is still true. We can still sow discord and wreak havoc. We pr-"

With a twitch of Voldemort's wand, his servant was screeching in pain. "Is this so?" Voldemort raised an eyebrow. "Because I do believe that you were outmatched by a squad of Aurors. Just fifteen years ago each of you could have dealt with them yourself. I do believe that you're past your prime." With another twitch of the Dark Lord's wand, Rabastan ceased his pain filled dance on the floor. Breathing heavily, he again knelt towards his Master, albeit this time he was shaking unsteadily.

"Master we-"

"YOU BITCH!" a heavily accented voice rang out through the hall, and everyone turned. Stomping towards the throne was a very bloodied Yuri. The man had cuts running all over his buddy, including one that ran from his right cheek to his upper lip. That one would surely leave a nasty scar.

"Yuri," Voldemort said as the man came before him. "It is good to see you alive. We thought you dead."

"Master," the Russian bowed. "I vas the only survivor. There vould have been more but ve vere abandoned." he pointed at Bellatrix. "By her."

She shrugged. "You had the situation under control when I left. What happened? You lose your cock and balls?"

"Ve held the area as you commanded," Yuri growled. "Ve vaited for you to return vith the brothers. Ve vaited until ve could not vait any longer. Until the rest of the men vere dead and I vas the only one left."

"You survived, didn't you?" Bellatrix said raising an eyebrow. What was the issue? The other men had fallen but the giant was still alive, if a little bit bloodied. That's what men like him were there for. As pawns in the game for her and the Dark Lord to use as they needed.

"You abandoned us bitch," Yuri thundered. "I vill not rest until you are in the ground."

"I challenge you Bellatrix Lestrange to a duel."

"Fine then," she sighed. "Let's go now."

"Wait Bella," Voldemort raised a hand to stop her. "I do believe that I have an idea."

"We need to settle something," Voldemort continued. "I still wish to know if my soldiers are competent, and Yuri here would like some revenge. I suggest we merge the two."

"Vhat are you saying Master?"

"You will duel one of the brothers. Who is it I do not care, Bellatrix may select them but you will fight one of them. Here and now."

"Master," Yuri argued. "My dispute is vith Bellatrix. I don't vish harm on th-"

"You are disobeying me?" Voldemort challenged. Around the hall everyone held their breath as they gazed at Yuri.

"No My Lord," he bowed deeply. "I vill of course do as you command." he turned to glare at Bellatrix. "Send your champion."

She smirked and then looked to the still kneeling Lestrange brothers. "Hmmmm…who to pick." she tapped her wand against her chin in silent thought. "Rodolphus! I do believe that you should be up for the challenge."

"Bella?" he blinked. He was supposed to fight the behemoth. That he would triumph he had no doubt, but she wasn't choosing him because she thought he could win.

She smiled sweetly at him. "I know you can do it love."

What was she planning? "My Lord I require a wand. The Ministry destroyed mine."

Voldemort looked out over his minions before choosing one. "Wormtail! Rodolphus requires your wand."

"Master?" Wormtail asked as he fingered his wand. His Lord had gifted it to him along with his new hand shortly after the battle in the graveyard. And now he was just supposed to give it up?

"Yes Wormtail?" Voldemort asked raising an eyebrow. There was no room for challenge.

"N-Nothing My Lord." Wormtail bowed before walking over to Rodolphus presenting him with his wand. He was not surprised when he didn't receive thanks of any kind from the man.

"You may begin when ready," Voldemort declared as the Death Eaters drew back to the outskirts of the room forming a square around the two men.

"Don't you English fir-" Yuri began but whatever he was going to say next was stopped when Rodolphus fired off a Killing Curse at him. He dodged it quickly. Damn their honor. Damn the fucking Islands. Damn Bellatrix. Damn the entire Lestrange bloodline. He was going to kill this man. He would show to his Master that he alone was worthy of standing at his side. "EXPULSO!" the spell streaked towards Rodolphus. He was only just able to get out of the way in time. The injuries that had been inflicted on him had taken their toll. He would have to end this quickly.

"Stupefy!" It hit the giant square in the chest but after a moment he merely laughed it off. The man hadn't spent that long in Ministry custody but still imprisonment had taken much power from Rodolphus. The Stunning spell had felt like a fly swatter.

"You think that'll stop me little man?" Yuri smirked. "Stupefy! Crucio!"

Rodolphus dodged the stunner, but it brought him directly into the path of the torture curse. He screeched as the pain lanced through his body. "Reducto!" Yuri continued and the curse took Lestrange's leg clean off. Blood spurted from the wound as the man fell to the ground, the destroyed leg by his side.

"Rodolphus can no longer continue," Voldemort declared. "Yuri is the winner. Finish it."

"Please master!" Rodolphus screamed. "Mercy!"

Voldemort ignored the man's cries and nodded to Yuri who stalked towards the fallen Lestrange.

"Rabastan?" Rodolphus begged his blood who only looked on. "Help me little brother." His cries were ignored as well. His brother merely stared on. "Bella?" she was his last hope. She was the only one who could save him. "Please."

"I'd say I'm sorry Rodolphus," she shrugged and looked down on him with no hint of sympathy in those cold dead eyes. "But it'd be a lie."

"Bu-"

"Avada Kedavra."

"So, she was just able to waltz into the Ministry and just take back her husband and brother-in-law?" Harry said irritably as he, Daphne, and Hermione ate breakfast.

"You're acting as if Daddy didn't try to stop them…" Daphne resisted the urge to send a dark look at her boyfriend. She knew he didn't mean it the way it had sounded but still.

"I'm not disputing that Daniel didn't do everything he could," Harry said carefully. He didn't want to get into a full screaming match before he even had his eggs. "But where were the Aurors? Where was everyone else?"

"With us," Hermione said. "Most of anyone that mattered was at Susan's funeral. Scrimgeour, Madam Bones, all the other heads of the Departments. I think the only Head missing was your father, Daphne."

"What did you say?" Daphne blinked.

"That only your father was missing?" Hermione asked. Did her friend mishear her?

"About him being a Head of his Department. What did you mean?"

"That he was the Head of the Department of Mysteries," Hermione said.

"He's the Head?" Harry asked looking up from his plate.

"I guess so," Daphne said.

"You didn't know?" Hermione was confused. Daphne shook her head. "I only knew because I read about it in the Daily Prophet. It was an article about the battle. It mentioned him as 'Daniel Greengrass, Head of the Department of Mysteries'.

"He never told me," Daphne said. "Then again he doesn't really talk about work when he comes home." She knew her father was important but didn't know that he was the Head of the Department. It was called the Department of Mysteries after all.

"Did your dad mention We-uhm Ron?" Harry asked Daphne.

She nodded. "Daddy said that he's cooperating. He's saying that he only joined the Death Eaters to spy." she snorted. "Can you believe that?"

"I can actually," Hermione said to Daphne's surprise. "As much as a berk he was to me this past year, Ron would never willingly join the Death Eaters. It's just not who he is."

Harry nodded. "If he's saying that he didn't join the Death Eaters then I believe him. It still doesn't get him off the hook," he said darkly.

Daphne didn't say anything. She didn't care if Ronald Weasley single handedly dueled Voldemort and won. She would never forgive him for hurting her sister. Never. "Daddy also said he would be by in the next week or so."

"Is he taking you home?" Harry asked apprehensively. He liked having Daphne here. He knew that she was safe behind all these charms.

She shook her head. "He said he needed to talk to Tori about something. He didn't sound pleased."

"I wonder what it i-"

"Morning all," John said as he walked into the kitchen and plopped himself down next to Hermione. He kissed her forehead briefly. "Hello beautiful."

She responded by giving him a quick kiss on the lips and that was what her parents walked into that morning. "Good morning Matthew," the man said to himself. "This is what every father wants to see when he comes downstairs."

"Hush," Emma glared at her husband. "John, your mother says that she needs your help with something upstairs."

"This early?" John asked confused. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure dear," Emma said trying to get rid of him. "I think it is important though."

"Oh okay." He got up. "Be right back then," he said and walked out of the kitchen.

As soon as his footsteps grew faint, Emma turned to look at everyone in the kitchen. "Is everything set?"

Daphne nodded and then looked skittish. "Should we even still do this? With everything that's happening I mean."

"It's a very special day for him," Matthew said. "We can't just skip it."

Harry nodded. "Plus everybody could use a quick distraction I think. It'll be nice to-"

They suddenly heard footsteps, but it wasn't just John's. It sounded like three new people were with him. "I don't know what you meant Mrs Granger. " John said as he walked back into the kitchen. Behind him were Tori, Sirius and Hannah. "Mum didn't nee-"

Hermione flicked her wand and behind her a sign unfurled to the floor. 'HAPPY 16'th BIRTHDAY JOHN' it read. "Happy birthday love," she smiled and planted a kiss on his lips. His eyes had risen.

He grinned. "Thought you lot forgot when nobody said anything when I came down." he took Hermione into his arms and kissed her forehead. "Do I have you to thank for this?"

"Everyone," she corrected. "Mostly your Mum."

"My special boy is turning sixteen," Hannah said. "I couldn't not tell his friends."

"MUUUUUMMMMM!" John groaned as everyone in the room laughed. Hannah only shrugged. It was her right as mother to embarrass her son. "I do appreciate it though," he said crossing the room and gave her an overbearing hug. He now towered over her, and he must have picked up something from Hermione because his hugs were beginning to become of the bone crushing variety because she rubbed her back after her son released her. She would never say anything out loud though.

"Just get ready for the party tonight," Harry said slapping his friend on the back.

"What party?" John asked and Harry rolled his eyes.

"You didn't think we wouldn't have a party for you, did you?" Harry said. "You only turn sixteen once."

"You only turn any age once," John pointed out.

Harry sighed. "Do you want the party or not?"

"No, I'll take the party, I was just stating a fact."

"A party paid for by the owner of this house by the way," Sirius said with a grin.

"A party which will have no unsupervised underage drinking at all," Hannah also said raising her eyebrow at Sirius.

"Would I allow that Hannah?" Sirius pouted.

"You forget that I've known you since we were twelve…yes I think you would allow that." Hannah shook her head.

"Oh, come now Hannah," Matthew said. "It's not like the police can stop them. This house might as well not exist."

"Daddy you're encouraging this?" Hermione asked surprised.

"Hermione dear, I'm not naïve," he rolled his eyes. "The things I got up to when I was your age would probably make your mother curse my name. Children disobey their parents. I'm not advocating for it, it's just a fact."

"You heard that Hermione," Sirius grinned. "Your dad is giving you permission to drink…water," he added after Hannah glared at him. "Not alcohol because there will be no underage drinking allowed at this party… what is alcohol anyway? Is that a Muggle invention?"

"That's what I thought you said…," Hannah said. "There's your present by the way John." She nodded over by the kitchen counter. "It's from Sirius and I."

John walked over and tore into the wrapping that looked like it was from their Christmas three years ago. "Damn," he said to himself. "Two tickets to the London Lionhearts game next week!" Underneath the tickets was a custom-made jersey with his name and Quidditch

number on the back. "Thanks Mum. Thanks Black."

"Don't mention it boyo," Sirius said. He had another present for his son but didn't want to give it to him here. He didn't even know how he would give it to him really. It wasn't just something you gave as a regular old present.

"Harry and I will give you our present tonight," Daphne said to her cousin.

"Sounds good," he smiled and then grinned at his girlfriend. "I'm more excited about another present really," he whispered to Hermione who blushed.

It wasn't quiet enough. "STANDING RIGHT HERE!" Matthew exclaimed as John fled the room with his girlfriend's father's shoes flying past him.

"Harry!" Jane smiled when she came out of the floo. "So good to see you!"

"Mrs Greengrass," he said and returned the hug that she gave him. "Nice to see you as well."

"Daphne," she said also taking her daughter into a hug.

"Mum," Daphne said holding her mother close. "I've missed you."

"We miss you too dear," Jane said sadly and resisted the urge to sigh. Not having her daughters around made this summer hard. Those three months were usually the only time that she saw her two girls before they went off to Hogwarts. Besides Easter and Christmas break really. But she knew this was necessary especially with the attack that had occurred only a day or so after Daphne and Tori had left their home. "Mercury isn't letting any of us go near her in the stables. She misses you like crazy."

"And I miss her," Daphne said. "I'll ask Dad if I can come home over Christmas break."

"We'll see love," Daniel said as he stepped through the floo connection. "It depends on how things are by then."

"Hey Dad," she said giving him a hug, but with noticeably less enthusiasm than her mother, and she released him after a second. She liked living with Harry, but she missed home and this wasn't it.

"Where's the birthday boy at?" Jane asked. She was carrying his present. It was a new cleaning kit for his broom.

"He should be in the other room," Daphne said and started walking that way.

"How has she been Harry?" Daniel asked the boy as they started walking after her. "Truthfully."

"She just misses you both," Harry sighed. "And home. Tori is fine though. She's been exploring the house from top to bottom since she got here."

"As long as Sirius isn't a bad influence on her then I'm happy," Jane said. She had gone to school with the man after all. She knew what he could be like.

"That reminds me, Hannah said they wanted to talk to you when you got here. They didn't say about what, but they looked serious."

"I thought he was Sirius." Daniel rolled his eyes. His wife had been making that same joke ever since she had overheard James Potter do it back in fifth year.

"I am!" Padfoot said getting up from the sofa that he had been sitting on in the parlor. "Hello Daniel, Jane."

"Sirius." they both said. "Apparently there's something that you want to talk to us both about?" Daniel asked.

The grin fell completely from Sirius's face. "Yeah. Hannah!" he called over to his girlfriend who was just walking into the room from the kitchen. "Daniel and Jane are here."

"Oh," she said her smile also falling. It was time they knew John's true parentage. She was planning on telling him. Tonight actually. She didn't like telling her brother first, but she felt she had to work her way up to her son. One step at a time. "Follow us."

"Ohhh-kay?" Daniel said and looked at his wife. He didn't like how his sister was acting. She had never been one to take life overly seriously which is probably why her and the man got along so well. The only time she was one hundred percent committed was with her son.

"What do you think that's all about?" Daphne asked Harry as Sirius and her aunt led her parents from the room.

"Not sure," Harry said honestly. "Should we-"

"Oi Potter!" John called over to him. "The hell are you doing?"

"Uhmmm…talking to my girlfriend?" Harry blinked.

"Wrong!" John gave Harry a strange grin. "The answer is doing a shot with me. Get your fookin ass over here!"

Harry sighed but walked over. It was his friend's birthday after all so he would humor him. "Longbottom!" John called out to Neville as well. "Get over here!"

"What are we doing?" Neville walked over with Tracey.

"Toasting sixteen years of Irish excellence," John grinned handing both boys a shot glass with a dark liquid.

Neville smelled it briefly. "I've had Firewhiskey, and this isn't it."

"You'd be right," John said. "It's a Muggle whiskey called Paddy's. Time to show you boys some culture."

"Duffy I don't know-" Harry started.

"It's my birthday remember?" John raised an eyebrow. "Come on now, don't be a couple of wet blankets."

Harry shared a glance with Hermione who was rolling her eyes. "Alright I'll do one with you." He scanned the room and saw Mr. Granger who was doing his best not to look over at them. "Kids will be kids" he thought he saw the older man say to himself.

"Cheers to…." John thought about it for a second.

"Friends?" Neville tried.

"FRIENDS!" John agreed clinking his shot glass together with the other boys and downing his in a single gulp. It was probably his fourth or fifth for the night.

"Maybe slow down a bit love," Hermione offered putting a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder. "We have the whole night ahead of us."

"Maybe catch up," he said instead but grabbed a water off the table where the drinks were. He wasn't a rookie after all. "Anyway, thanks for coming tonight," he said to Neville nodding to the other boy.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world mate." Neville said after he had recovered from his coughing fit. This Muggle stuff didn't go down as well as Ogden's Finest.

"You too Trace," Duffy said lifting his water up in toast towards his friend. She giggled. "What's so funny Davis?"

"Had one too many Duffy?" She smirked. She had seen her friend drunk more than a few times back at school. He was always a laugh.

"Maybe," he shrugged. "It's my birthday last I checked. At least it is while my mum and Mrs Granger aren't looking."

"I thought her dad was okay wi-" Daphne started.

"He's not 'okay' with it," John put air quotes around the word. "But he's willing to turn a blind eye towards it as long as we don't start throwing up everywhere. Oh, and as long as Emma doesn't see."

"Well in that case we probably should take this party to the basement," Harry said. "Last thing we need is for you to throw up on Mrs. Granger."

"You know what Potter, you might be right," Duffy nodded. "Oi, Miles! Join us downstairs why don't you?"

They had gone through great struggles to make sure Bletchley was here tonight. They had made the boy swear on his magic that he wouldn't divulge the location of the home. He had even offered to let an experienced wizard obliviate his memory of it. They hadn't decided on that yet, but Sirius was leaning towards it. "Coming," Miles said. "Don't worry." He said so only the other teens could hear. "I'll grab whiskey."

"And this is why we're friends," John grinned as they walked down the stairs.

"We're friends because we have a mutual hatred of our dormmates," Miles rolled his eyes. "Also, because I thought you were cute for a while."

"…Wait what?" John asked his eyes widening.

Miles shrugged as if he had just been discussing the weather. "Don't worry it was the middle of the third year and it was only for like a month. You're not really my type."

"Oh…why not?" John asked. He had tried to make it sound aloof, but the liquor was rendering that a massive impossibility.

"Are you seriously wondering why you and Bletchley aren't together?" Harry asked raising an eyebrow.

"What? No!" John said but his face gave his true answer.

Bletchley laughed. "Well, I just saw you were obsessed with Granger and didn't think I had a shot."

Hermione's face went red. "I wasn't obsessed with her," John argued his face the same color. "I had a crush."

"…mate I caught you staring at her in Potions for about five minutes straight one day," Bletchley replied, and they all broke out into laughter except for Hermione and John. "Your ass had it bad from the get-go."

"Piss off," John grumbled as they finally arrived at the basement. When Sirius had heard he would be receiving roommates this summer, he had done a complete remodel of the basement. Gone were the trunks upon trunks of dark books and wax heads. Replacing them now was a few couches that were perfectly aligned with a tv. There was a mini-bar and a pool table as well.

"I didn't think tv's would work around magic," Neville said when he saw it. "Something to do with the ambient whatever in the air."

Harry shrugged. "Not sure how it exactly works but it syphons the magic in the air and uses it like electricity." At Neville's and Tracey's blank look, he clarified. "It powers the tv."

"Oh," they both said. Everyone took their seats around the couches with only Bletchley sitting alone.

"…So this is what it's like being single," he said looking around and shrugged.

"You and Ernie aren't together anymore?" Daphne asked.

Bletchley shook his head. "Broke up near the end of last year. Wasn't as committed to the relationship as I was. Didn't really want to be seen with me either."

"I'm sorry to hear that Miles," Hermione said sympathetically.

"No big deal," Miles shrugged. "A lot of fish in the sea."

"You'll meet yours one day mate," John grinned. "Until then how about we drink some whiskey."

"Just drinking?" Tracey rolled her eyes. "That's so boring though. Let's at least liven it up a bit."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked curiously.

"We could play Truth or Drink?" Daphne suggested.

"Don't you mean Truth or Dare?" Harry asked.

She shook her head. "Truth or Drink. It's like Truth or Dare but if you want to get out of the dare or telling the truth, you have to take a drink. Anyone else up to play?"

"I'll decide for us since it's my birthday…let's do it," John said clapping his hands. "Who wants to go first?"

"I'll go," Miles volunteered. "Ask away."

"Hmmmm." John thought about it for a second. "Have you ever snogged someone in the Forbidden Forest?"

"Nope," Bletchley said with a gleam in his eye. "But I have snogged in Filch's office when he hasn't been there."

Everyone laughed. "That could be a good addition," Tracey offered. "If we take a drink then we can offer up a tidbit about ourselves. Everyone game?" The only person who didn't look to be on board was Harry.

"Nothing too personal," he said quickly. He liked all these people, but he felt some things should just remain known to him.

"Nothing too personal," Tracey clarified knowing that Harry was a private person.

"Alright Duffy," Miles looked at him. "I've always been curious so I'm going to dare."

"Your move," John replied ready for anything.

"I dare you to give me a kiss."

"Wha?" John blinked.

"Nothing passionate just a little peck." Miles said. "I'm not interested in you mate, this is just a gift to thirteen-year-old me. You're welcome to take a drink."

"Mum didn't raise a coward," John said but still looked hesitant. "Alright mate pucker up."

He leaned over and gave him a short peck on friend's lips and then drew back. "Hmmmm…" John thought to himself. "Sorry mate but I think I'll stick to the ladies."

"I'm sure Hermione is glad to hear," Miles winked at the couple and they both blushed a bit.

"Alright 'Mione," John looked over at his girlfriend. "Your turn. What is a secret that you haven't told anyone before?"

Hermione hesitated before reaching for the bottle of whiskey and poured herself a shot. "Really?" Harry was surprised. Usually, Hermione was an open book.

"Really," Hermione said and downed her shot. She coughed into her arm as the fiery substance was ripped down her throat. "Harry. I dare you to-"

"What are you lot doing down here?" Tori asked as she walked down the stairs.

"Just playing a little game wee cousin," John smiled at her. That strange lazy grin was back, and it pissed off Tori to no end.

"Bloody hell," she groaned. "Please tell me you're not already pissed. We still have to unwrap presents."

"Shit," he muttered losing his smile. "This won't go over well."

"Just act normal," Harry offered and then realized how stupid that was. Even when he was sober his friend wasn't normal. "Actually, no best if you just be quiet and just talk when people ask you questions."

"Speak when spoken to," John nodded. "Gotcha Potter."

"Probably a good idea." Hermione agreed. "Come on we should we probably get upstairs. We don't want them wondering where we are."

When they got upstairs everyone was waiting for them in the parlor. Daniel and Jane now had a strange look on their faces. Like they had just been told news they were expecting.

"You okay John?" Hannah asked as her son walked into the parlor. Stumbled was a better word really.

"Uhm…yeah," he said slowly. "Never better."

She sighed. She knew that he wouldn't take her advice about drinking seriously. He had too much Sirius in him.

"Bloody idiot," She muttered.

"Honestly I think that went rather well," Harry said to Daphne as they walked upstairs. A better word would be they were using each other as a crutch as they drunkenly stumbled up the stairs. "Have I told you how beautiful you are by the way?"

She rolled her eyes. "Several times." After her parents had left and the adults had all retired for the evening, the drinking had continued. Sirius had even told Miles that he could stay here for the evening if he liked, and he would have Hannah Obliviate him in the morning. He had made the same offer for everyone at the party but only Tracey and Neville had accepted. If Neville went home drunk, then his Grandmother would have his hide.

This might've been the most Daphne had drank at once before. She wasn't much for breaking the rules but figured because it was a special occasion, she could let loose for one night. That being said, she had forbidden Tori from joining into the anger of her little sister. What she did with her own friends was her business, but she wasn't going to get her twelve-year-old sister drunk.

"Well, it's true." Harry continued as they finally came to his room. "I'm the luckiest wizard in the world."

She shook her head with a smile and fumbled with his door handle. Damn technology. "Let me get that," Harry said and opened the door.

"Let's get you to you sleep," she said walking with him over to the bed.

"Are you going to join me love?" he asked as she led him over.

She rolled her eyes. "In your dreams Potter."

"If only I was dreaming," he sighed heavily for effect.

"Alright Potter get into be-shit!" she cursed as she tripped over a rouge shoe. Normally that wouldn't have mattered. She had been drinking though it sent her stumbling into the bed with Harry landing next to her.

"You alright love?" he asked quickly.

"Nothing's hurt just my pride," she sighed.

"You know Daphne if you wanted to get me into bed, all you need do is just ask," he winked.

"Shut up Harry," said with no venom. It was silent for a moment before she closed the inches between them and sealed her mouth to his with a kiss. After a moment, he returned her kiss wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer to him.

"I love you Daph," he whispered to her after they pulled away from each other.

"I love you Harry," she returned his sentiment. She smiled at him but that smile divulged into a wicked grin as she let her hands run down his back to his belt and started taking it off.

"Oops clumsy me," she said in the most unapologetic tone ever.

"What are you doing?" his drunken self asked.

"What do you think I'm doing you idiot?" she rolled her eyes.

"Daph, I just mean…are you sure?" did she want her first time to be a drunken one was what he was asking?

"Harry," she said softly. "I appreciate your concern, but I've wanted this for a while. I'll still remember this all tomorrow. I just want it to be with you. Do you want this to be with me?" She just didn't want HIM to regret this in the morning. His thoughts on the matter were important as well.

"I want this time to be with you and the rest of the times," he said softly to her and captured her lips with his.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

A/N: Originally there was going to be a sex scene but now me has decided against it. I'm just not amazing at writing them and would rather just stick to the story.