Note: Hello!

So, this is an AU and things might seem strange at first but they'll be revealed as the story goes on.

If you know me, you know this is another HHr story!

I can't promise weekly updates, but I'll try.

And in advance I would like to apologize for any errors, unfortunately they're bound to happen.


PART ONE


October 31st, 2005

London

Today we reach the mark of twenty-four years since the one and only family opposed to our laws and community was exterminated by our faithful Aurors. James Potter, heir of a respected pureblood family violated our customs and tarnished our blood when he married a Muggleborn in secret. For years he kept his relationship with Lilian Evans in the shadows. If it wasn't for the deposition of close friends who started to suspect Evans' ancestry, it would have been impossible to take action against them. As most of us know, the authorities tried to negotiate with Mr Potter. At the time it was clear that Ms Evans had a fake wand and went by a different name in order to navigate through our inner circles. However, James Potter vehemently denied all accusations. After a few months of the first inquiry, he vanished with his illegitimate wife.

And so it began one of the most famous hunt in the Wizarding Community. The Potters' Persecution. It took the Aurors months to come across a real lead. We've been requesting for years access to details of the investigation, however, the Ministry is strict on the matter. Regardless, the Potters were hiding in a secluded Muggle village. When confronted, they tried to retaliate and it was impossible to give them a fair trial. Mr Potter and his Mudblood wife died on that Halloween night-

Harry D'Angelo sets the paper on the table and sips on his coffee. He watches the streets of London from inside the cafe where he's sitting at a comfortable chair. The day is gray as usual and people walk fast to avoid the impending rain. Harry, on the other hand, doesn't mind. Today is a big day for him. A huge day. His first day as a British Auror. He runs a hand through his messy black hair. He's nervous. It's impossible to know what to expect. And now, living in England and being under their rigid laws, he needs to watch himself. Now that he's already twenty-five, as the Wizarding Law states, he must marry a selected bride. Their obsession with perpetrating the Pureblood lines borders insanity. But he chose this, so, he won't mind. No. He has other things to think about.

Leaving a few coins on the counter and seizing the paper, he lifts the lapel of his overcoat and lowers his head. Harry strides through the street, his mind replaying the words he just read at the Prophet. It was an assassination. Cold blooded assassination. James and Lily never stood a chance against those Aurors. But History is told by victors. The Minister would never expose his own cruelty to society. And Harry knows that the Prophet has a deal with the Ministry. The stories they tell come from the man himself, Tom Riddle.

It starts pouring down as if someone opened a faucet in heaven.

Harry jumps over a hole on the street and realizes he's almost there, the entrance to the Ministry is just across the street. The moment he steps inside the correct bathroom, he shakes his overcoat to free himself from the water, his hair dripping wet. He could use a charm to dry it, but why would he? What's so bad about some water? Shrugging, he enters the stall and flushes himself.

He exits at the famous Atrium he only saw in memories of his fellow Aurors in Italy. Reality does it justice. But he purses his lips at the giant statue in the middle of the room. In Harry's opinion, the concept is just tacky. Ridiculous even. Muggles being stomped by wizards. He stops a moment to observe, crossing his arms. Other wizards come and go without paying him any attention. He snorts to himself. The arrogance. And-

"It doesn't even make much sense, does it?"

Harry turns his head at the feminine voice by his side. He didn't notice someone was there observing the statue with him. Immediately he's a little bewitched by her beauty. Long and wavy brown hair, full lips and piercing chocolate eyes. Then he actually registers what she just said and frowns. To openly criticize the superiority of wizards is an inexcusable crime. He opens and closes his mouth, unsure if he should agree or disagree. She gives him a side smile.

"Are you new here?" She asks.

Harry clears his throat, extending his hand. "Harry D'Angelo. Just got transfered from Italy."

She takes his hand. Soft. "Really? Rome?"

"Yes."

She pulls her hand back. "Well, welcome. Hope you enjoy working here." She tilts her head and he notices how she clearly checks him out. He feels a little hot. "Auror?"

"Yes." Inexplicably his eyes travel to her hands, searching for a wedding band. He sees none. Still not married? It surprises him. Most women are already married at twenty-one. And he's sure she's a little older than that, probably his age.

"Me too." Her smile widens a bit. "Maybe I can walk you to the Head's office."

"That would be great." He answers honestly, exhaling. Harry has no idea who the Head is. He avoids news from the British Community because he disagrees with them on so many levels he preferred sweet ignorance.

However, now he wants to know it all.

The woman walks calmly and silently by his side and he's suddenly very interested in her. But he doesn't prod. Harry waits for the elevator to open and gestures for her to enter. She doesn't smile at him, but there's an amusement in her eyes. The door closes and they're alone inside.

"So," She says, turning to face him, "Care to tell me why your hair is all wet?" He chuckles softly and runs a hand through his soaked hair.

"Well," He shrugs, "It's raining outside." He has no better answer.

The woman narrows her eyes and takes a step closer to him. Harry's nostrils are assaulted by her amazing perfume, but he restrains himself from a reaction. Without warning she lifts her wand and points to his hair, murmuring a charm. In a beat he's all dry. Her hand goes up to one of his strand locks and she pushes it back into his hair. He swallows with some difficulty because of their proximity. The moment is charged. What's happening here? He never had this kind of reaction to a woman he'd just met.

But the elevator stops and she clears her throat, her eyes finally leaving his.

"I'm sorry, I didn't get your name." He says when they exit the elevator at the Auror's floor.

"I didn't give you one." She opens that same side smile. He mimics her.

"Oh, I see. You don't want me reporting you to authorities." He says in a low voice referring to her comment about the statue doesn't making much sense.

She chuckles wholeheartedly and he blinks at the perfect sound. Dio Mio. He's fascinated.

"Oh, Mr D'Angelo, that's not the case at all." She stops in front of a door. "It just happens that you would find out my name sooner or later." She points to the letters on the door and he reads them fast:

Hermione Riddle

Head Auror

"Pleasure." She extends her hand to him again, but Harry is numb. Speechless. "What?" She asks, a wrinkle between her brows. "Surprised the Minister's daughter is Head Auror? Thinking that I don't actually deserve the spot?"

Harry blinks fast at her words, but she recoils the hand he never took and opens the door, entering without turning back.

He might be hyperventilating. He was definitely not prepared for this. Mostly because he instantly liked her. And he feels… dirty. Uncomfortable that he could possibly like someone from this family, especially his daughter.

Setting his jaw he steps inside her office. It's big and oval shaped, a desk in the middle of it, a big shelf with books and files, a couch and another few chairs and like most wizard rooms, this one also have a private fireplace.

"Sit." She says bluntly, all her warmth gone. He obeys and watches as she reads his file. "Interesting, Mr D'Angelo. You have a stellar curriculum." She raises her eyes to him. "I was told you were the best." There's a pause after that, as if she's expecting him to say something. He doesn't. "But, I'm not interested in your achievements as an Auror."

He tilts his head. "You're not?"

"No. To be honest, Aurors bellow average don't even step inside this Ministry. But I'm curious. Tell me, why this transference? Why now?"

Harry chews the inside of his cheek, a nervous tell he tries hiding immediately. But she already saw, he's sure. Dammit.

"Do I make you uncomfortable, Mr D'Angelo?"

"Not at all." He straightens his back and narrows his eyes. "I'm here because I was looking for a change in my life."

"Really?"

"Yes. Why? You seem skeptical, Miss Riddle."

"I have my reasons."

"And what are those?"

"Do you really wanna play this game?"

There's a pause then. He doesn't move, frozen on the spot. It's impossible for her to know his secret. Impossible. He slowly opens a seductive smile.

"What game, exactly? Because there are some I'm more than willing to play with you."

He sees some surprise in her expression, not to mention a discreet blush up her neck. Adorable- No, not adorable, she's a Riddle.

"Fine." She leans back on her chair, crossing her arms. "Have it your way, Mr D'Angelo, but I'm tired of these veiled threats. We all know how tense the relations between the British and Italian communities are. Many Italians like to say out loud in public how the British Ministry wishes to control wizards and witches all around the world with strict and brutal laws." Hermione presses a finger against her temple. "Recently five of my Aurors got into a nasty fight with at least ten Italian Aurors who were 'visiting' London. It is also known that Muggleborns are accepted into Italian society and in some cases can even marry Purebloods. And that goes against everything we believe and stand for here." She presses her delicate finger on the table to reinforce her point. "And from what I've seen from you in just a few minutes, I can tell you're as Italian as it gets. You go by their rules and I ask you again, what are you doing here? Are you a spy, Mr D'Angelo?" She opens a knowing smile. "You wouldn't tell me, of course, but I would like you to know that I'm onto you. It makes everything more interesting, don't you think?"

He can't help but exhale a bit relieved. She doesn't know his secret, but her arguments come close enough…

"You can't possibly know my principles, Miss Riddle. I'm here for a reason, I assure you, and spying on you is not it." He locks his eyes on hers, serious. "I know you may not believe me, but there's nothing you can do at the moment."

"I'm Head Auror, Mr D'Angelo, if I suspect you, I can banish you from England in a second."

"I'm sorry, Head Auror, but as fas as I know, only the Minister can do that."

"Do you think my father wouldn't take my decision into consideration?" She sounds angry.

"I know he would. But in this case, he was the one who personally requested for me to be here, Miss Riddle."

He finally strikes a chord. Hermione opens her mouth, not hiding her utter shock. Harry smiles wide.

"I-"

"Didn't know about that?" He taunts her. "Well, I guess Minister Riddle doesn't have to share all his decisions with his inferiors."

She looks like she might punch him. But abruptly her expression changes to one of… fear?

"What's so special about you that the Minister himself requested your transference? That makes things even more suspicious, Mr D'Angelo."

He raises an eyebrow. "Really? I don't see things that way."

"How do you see them, then?"

"Well, maybe he finds his Aurors lacking, Miss Riddle. Maybe he needs the best from another country to… improve things a little here."

She openly bites her lower lip and Harry can't help finding it a bit… sexy.

"This is no joke for me." She stands from her chair and he takes in how well her red dress fits her. Couldn't she be less attractive? Shit. Hermione circles her desk and stops in front of him, leaning in. "I have no idea why you're here, or what your plan is, but if you mess with our laws, if you even dare disturb our order of Aurors, be sure that I'll be there to make you pay."

He feels a chill down his spine. He's half attracted to her, half afraid of her.

"Duly noted."

Merlin. He wants to kiss her. How dare she be this strong and threatening? This beautiful and… the daughter of the man he hates the most in the whole world?

She moves back and, again, extends her hand to him. "Welcome to the Auror Department."

"Just like that?" He stands from his chair, towering her a bit, very close.

"Just like that."

He takes her soft and small hand in his, watchful for any indication of distress from her. He sees none. Hermione squeezes his hand.

"Thank you, then." He says.

"Good. Follow me, we have a meeting in ten minutes."

And as easily as she trapped him with her piercing eyes, she takes her hand and moves away, back to the other side of the desk. Harry's hand tingles from their contact and he crosses his arms to ignore it.

"A meeting? I can't believe you suspect me this much and is already taking me to a meeting." He snorts. "A meeting with the Head Auror is always an important one."

She falsely smiles at him. "I'm glad you're smart." Taking a few files, she puts on a cloak over her dress. It looks disturbingly good on her and his mind wanders to a forbidden land where he imagines her wearing the Auror uniform, and then nothing at all. Harry looks down and gulps. "You're right in a way. I shouldn't give you much liberty or information, but," She raises a finger, "the more you know, the sooner you'll show your true self, Mr D'Angelo. And I'm anxious to have a reason to hex you."

Harry sincerely laughs. "Oh, you're good, Miss Riddle. But I'm afraid that day will never come. Tough luck."

She snorts and he follows her out of the office, a nice and warm sensation inside him. That has no relation with her whatsoever.


Ministry of Magic

Meeting Room

The room is as simple as it gets. Four white walls and a big round table. There are four Aurors already there, sitting and waiting patiently.

"I want you all to meet our new Auror. This is-"

"Harry D'Angelo." Harry introduces himself, interrupting Hermione.

"D'Angelo?" A blond man says. "Are you Italian?" Harry can feel the distaste in the man's words.

"Yes." He answers simply. "And you are?"

"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Harry raises an eyebrow. He's heard about the Malfoys. And he hates all of them.

"Don't mind my husband's rude manners." A beautiful red haired woman says. "Ginny Malfoy."

"I'm her brother," A friendlier man says, "Ronald Weasley."

Ah. The Weasleys. He's heard of them too. Harry doesn't have a formed opinion about their family, though.

There's just another man inside the room and his eyes are heavy on Harry, menacing.

"I'm Asmodeus Pettigrew."

Harry stops breathing for a second, stiffening. Hermione is watching him closely and he only smiles. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you."

Apart from Ronald, no one pays him much attention. But Malfoy says, "Should he be here, Hermione?"

She sits and Harry pulls a chair by her side. He notices it bothers her and a small smile pulls at his face.

"Are you questioning my decision, Draco?"

A heavy silence settles.

"Of course not." Malfoy says.

Hermione nods. "Good. Mr D'Angelo is one of the best. And so are we. So, I see no reason why he shouldn't join us on our mission tonight."

Harry widens his eyes at that. A mission? Already?

"Scared, D'Angelo?" Pettigrew asks.

"There's only one thing that scares me in this life, Pettigrew."

The other man laughs ironically. "Yeah? Are you sharing it with us?"

Harry leans forward on the table. He already had a good enough motive to hate Pettigrew, but as it goes he's learning more reasons to loathe the man.

"Who knows? Maybe one day." Harry says.

"Okay. Enough." Hermione says with a definitive tone and their attention goes to her. "Let's talk about our mission. D'Angelo-"

"Please." He interrupts her. "Call me Harry."

Hermione discreetly purses her lips. Harry knows she doesn't want any kind of proximity with him. And that's exactly why he's doing it.

"Harry," It's strange how he likes to hear his name coming out of her mouth. "Since you just arrived I'll explain a few things to you, for context. You probably know about James Potter and his illegal wife, right?" Harry's hand that is under the table fists into a ball and he nods to Hermione. "Well, since today marks the twenty-fourth anniversary of their death - and it's also Halloween - we tend to have a lot in our hands. Unfortunately, large groups of Muggles sympathizers still exist amongst our community and on this day they tend to wreak some havoc while they pay homage to Lily Evans."

"That cunt!" Pettigrew exclaims with a smile. "I'm glad my father found out where they were hiding. He's a hero. Do you know that, D'Angelo? A bloody hero."

No one moves. But Harry wished he could cross the table and punch Pettigrew's face so hard it would turn into a pulp. He would be so disfigured no one would recognize him after Harry had his go. But he breathes normally, unaffected. He's expecting this.

"Nevertheless," Hermione goes on, "We have a lead that one of these groups is preparing a big commotion tonight at the Great Wizarding Fair. I intercepted a Patronus a few days ago. The message was pretty clear about how they were ready to make the Pureblood supremacists pay for what they did to Lily Evans. I don't think their claim has changed from what we already know. They want to reintroduce Muggleborns into our society. Not just that, their main goal is that the mixing of bloods be allowed. We know these wizards are minority, but we can't let them spread fear, because is exactly through fear and misinformation that they want to seize power and convince others of their beliefs."

Hermione stops for a second to look at the file and moves her wand to project the informations in front of them. And Harry can't help thinking how conveniently blind they all are. Tom Riddle already rules through fear and misinformation.

"I know we already dealt with a few of these threats, but this one feels different." Hermione says after they all had a better look at the location and possible targets.

"Why is that?" Ginny asks.

The Head Auror shrugs. "Doesn't matter. Well," Hermione gets up. "We'll meet later at the Fair. Harry and Asmodeus, you'll be with me. Draco, Gin and Ron you go together. We'll move in clockwise direction. We only leave when the Fair ends. Is that clear?"

They nod. Harry has to admit that he's impressed by how much they all respect Hermione Riddle. He really thought for a while that she got the spot because of her name… now he's not so sure.

They all start gathering their things to leave the room. Harry hears Hermione telling Ronald to show him his desk and strangely he feels the loss of her. He knows she's heading to her office to spend the whole day there. Out of sight. Harry shakes his head and makes a question he knows will tease her.

"Do we have to wear costumes?"

But it's not Hermione who answers him. She watches as Pettigrew does.

"Actually yes, D'Angelo. It's tradition here. I guess Italians don't care about that, do they?"

The man stands in front of Harry. They're practically the same height. Both very strong. Harry crosses his arms, Pettigrew does the same.

"Italians don't care about a lot of things."

"So I see. You're all lazy and Muggles' worshipers. You disgust me." Pettigrew actually spits on the floor in front of Harry.

But before he can do something about it, Hermione puts herself between both. If he wasn't so enraged by Pettigrew's words and actions, he would be dizzy by her proximity, but at the moment his eyes are focused on the other man, his breathing shallow from sheer anger. The others are watching by the door.

"Stop. Both of you. Now."

"I can't believe you're defending him." Pettigrew says to her and Harry sees something different in his eyes. A hidden softness that only exists when he looks at Hermione. Are they a couple? The thought hits him like a lightning bolt. And he feels an uncomfortable hotness twisting inside his stomach.

"I'm not taking sides in this, Asmo. I just won't have two Aurors fighting between themselves while we have other things to worry about." Hermione puts a hand on Pettigrew's arm. "Okay?" The way she changes her tone makes Harry's insides churn. How this insufferable guy could get her affection? Oh, right. She's just as bad as him.

Harry shakes himself and takes a step back. "Head Auror is right. We have other things to worry about. And I just want to give my best here."

Pettigrew and Hermione don't turn to him. They're enthralled by each other. Harry purses his lips and moves away. Ronald is there to show him around and he's thankful for that. Thankful that he'll finally put some distance between him and Hermione. He can't care about her. He shouldn't.

And yet… it hurts a bit to be away from her.


Great Wizarding Fair

He wished he could smoke a cigarette.

But in England, wizards are forbidden from owning or using muggle objects. They're considered inferior and useless. Harry pockets his hand. The air is chilly and he shivers a little.

"Why don't you perform a warming spell?"

He jumps on the spot. Hermione is there, smiling. "You scared the shit out of me." He whispers.

"You're a trained Auror and it's the second time I sneak up on you, D'Angelo. Should I reconsider your skills? Maybe you should go home?" She's teasing, but there's also a hint of seriousness on her tone.

"Of course not. I was just… wandering a bit." And before she can say anything else he performs the warming charm. And then he really looks at her. Harry forgets how to breathe for a second. Hermione looks absolutely gorgeous. She's wearing high leather boots, a black trouser that leaves nothing to imagination as it clings to her legs, a white blouse and over it a vest with strings. Harry recognizes she's a pirate because of the hat with a skull on it. The notion of pirates is something that reaches both Wizarding and Muggle world. But Hermione is surely thinking about those who had magic.

"What are you suppose to be dressed as?" She asks.

"I'm a student." He turns to show her his clothes. Black trouser, white shirt and a scarlet and golden tie. It's a Hogwarts' uniform. "I always heard great things about Hogwarts." He shrugs.

She tilts her head. "A Gryffindor I see."

"I guess." He has no idea why he feels shy all of the sudden. He wants to ask her about her years at Hogwarts, but a loud crack from Pettigrew's apparition stops him.

"Hey." The man smiles at Hermione and she returns the gesture. Harry looks away. Pettigrew is also dressed as a pirate.

"Okay. Let's head inside. Remember, together at all times. Look out for any strange activity. And as always, our main goal is to protect civilians." Pettigrew nods and walks forward. Hermione stops Harry before he moves into the Fair. "I'm watching you closely, D'Angelo. Don't forget about it."

"I would never, Head Auror." He says through gritted teeth and Hermione narrows her eyes. Then she walks forward and he takes a deep breath before doing the same.


Harry has to admit he's very surprised with the quality of the Fair. In Italy, Halloween is not celebrated the same way as in England. Hell, for Harry every Halloween night was an excuse to get as drunk as possible and pass out in some gutter.

Maybe in years this is the first time he's doing something different.

For starters he's sober.

And working.

But even if he never cared too much for this day, he's awed by the sincere happiness most wizards and witches seem to be sharing. Everyone is laughing and playing fun games, not to mention how serious they are with the whole paying homage to the death and their spirits thing. He stops in front of a decorated altar. There are letters hanging from it, enchanted candles on the floor and numerous flowers around.

He glances around and sees Hermione and Pettigrew talking a few feet away from him. They're on duty but also enjoying the Fair. Harry purses his lips. His eyes going back to the altar. He never payed homage to his loved ones. To the ones he lost all those years ago. But again, maybe he never had the chance to do it, never encountered an opportunity. He reaches for a piece of paper and scribbles down a short note. He doesn't have much to say. Sealing it he closes his eyes. I miss you. In a blink his message is hanging there with the others. He has his eyes fixed on it, but he senses someone approaching and he stiffens a bit, prepared.

But it's Hermione.

"Didn't know you'd lost someone." Her voice is even and sweet. Affectionate. He opens a small smile and looks at her.

"Yeah, I mean, haven't we all in a way?" He shrugs.

Hermione doesn't answer for a while. Her eyes set on him. Then she moves her wand and a wreath of flowers float underneath his note.

Harry sets his jaw. She can't know how this simple gesture affects him. But it's adoring and he feels like hugging her for it. But they don't move.

"I- I'm sorry if I overstepped-"

"No." He says fast. "Not at all." He smiles to her. "Thank you."

It surprises him how much it means. Her expression softens and she opens her mouth to say something. But Harry will never know what she was about to say because a scream nearby invades their ears. It's that kind of panicked and hurtful scream. Unmistakable.

In a blur they move, Pettigrew meeting them. Very fast they spot a woman trashing on the floor, people gathering around her. She keeps screaming. Harry has seen this already: she's cursed. Hermione is moving in front of them but Harry holds her arm.

"What the fu-"

"Don't get too close to her." He says. Pettigrew is putting up a protective shield around the cursed woman.

"Get back! All of you!" Hermione yells.

The woman abruptly stops screaming and trashing and then she's floating in the air, her eyes red, her expression strange, as if not her own.

"YOU'LL LISTEN TO OUR MESSAGE!" She bellows in an inhuman voice. Harry and Hermione move closer, their wands moving and helping Pettigrew's shield. The cursed woman is a threat. "LISTEN!" And she raises her arms out. Noises and conversation and laughter all die down along the fair. All lights go off and many wizards raise their wands in order to illuminate the place. Harry is sure the woman got the attention she wanted. All eyes are on her. "PUREBLOOD SUPREMACISTS HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR COMMUNITY ANYMORE! YOU'LL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO LILY EVANS! AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!"

Harry watches as the woman closes her eyes and her whole body trembles. Then she falls on the floor. All lights and noises are back, but people are silent. Waiting.

Hermione is the first to react. "All of you! Apparate to your houses, now! Out of here!"

People seem shocked at first, but in a matter of seconds the sounds of apparition are heard all around the fair. But some people refuse to move, refuse to give in to fear. Harry wished Purebloods weren't so stubborn. This habit of thinking of themselves as untouchable is what will get them killed eventually.

A Patronus from Malfoy reaches them. He's with Ginny and Ronald at the other extremity of the park. And it's a hell of a big park.

"Hermione. It happened there? Around here we told people to apparate but some resist in staying. We're on alert for any threat."

Harry can see how the information unsettles her. "Someone needs to take that woman to St. Mungo's." Hermione says and Pettigrew sends out a Patronus.

Harry observes. Apparently there's no threat in sight, but he knows something is coming. Only a simple yell and warning wouldn't deliver the real message. He's about to say that to Hermione when a man falls down to the ground close to them. Harry's eyes widen when the man spits out blood, one hand over his also blooded heart.

"What?" Hermione and Pettigrew approach the man and Harry hears a hissing and strong sound, then another man falls on his knees.

Fast enough he sees the red laser of muggle guns targeting the wizards. "GET DOWN!" He yells, but the guns are faster. Wizards and witches are falling like flies.

Hermione acts fast and tries shielding the area. But bullets zoom through her shield with no resistance at all. Harry grits his teeth and does his best to send away bullet by bullet with dispersing spells.

He runs around the place doing that and warning people to apparate away. And now they listen. Hermione and Pettigrew are fast to notice what Harry is doing and they spread out into the park, doing the same. Briefly Harry sees Hermione sending out a few Patronus, probably calling for help.

He's not sure how fast or how much he runs, but he saves a pretty decent amount of people. And when he sees himself alone, he lets his eyes wander to the woods around the park. The shooters are probably there, hidden among the trees. Should he try pursuing them? Could he? They would see me coming from miles away. It would be stupid.

But things are finally calming down. He can't hear the guns anymore and the place is empty. From afar he sees Malfoy and the Weasleys. Pettigrew is far away talking to healers. There are a lot of wounded people. And Harry is sure that most are probably dead. They were aiming for the heart. He has no doubt that when they identify the deceased they'll discover they come from extreme Pureblood families.

It was pretty much an act of war. And are there Muggles directly involved in this?

"Are you hurt?" Hermione's voice brings him back to reality, then he feels her hand on his forearm. It tingles. He looks into her eyes, she seems worried. He shakes his head.

"No, I mean, it's nothing. I guess a bullet grazed me." He's bleeding.

"You should talk to a healer."

He nods. Her hand is still on his arm, touching his skin like a caress. Hermione sighs. Harry can see tears forming behind her eyes. She purses her lips.

"This is bad." She says referring to what just happened. He wants to cups her face and tell her it's all going to be fine. But a commotion ahead stops him.

It's the Minister himself. Harry feels cold. It's the first time ever he's setting eyes on Tom Riddle. And he never imagined how strong the urge to murder him would be.

The Minister strides right up to them.

"Hermione!" Harry is frozen while Riddle hugs his daughter. "Are you okay? What the hell happened here?" Harry senses the worry in his tone, but also the harshness. "You told me you had this under control!"

He doesn't wait to hear Hermione's answer. Finally out of his daze, Harry moves to step away from father and daughter. Tom Riddle barely spared him a look and Harry's glad about it, he doesn't want to draw attention to him. Not yet, at least.

He can see Ginny taking care of Malfoy while Ronald is sending out a Patronus. Pettigrew is walking to Hermione and her father. Harry moves from one foot to another, uncomfortable. Pettigrew seems to be very close to the Riddles. Why does it bother me? He can't find a proper answer.

They talk in hushed tones. The Minister gives Pettigrew all his attention, one hand on his shoulder in approval. Hermione is moving her hands and explaining the situation, Pettigrew seems to be agreeing with her words, his eyes admiring her. Harry crosses his arms and walks forward, a little closer to them. He has no idea what he's waiting or what he's doing. He feels disorientated by Tom Riddle's presence. Not just that, the real notion of the man being Hermione's father… but they look nothing alike. He narrows his eyes. Hermione has a softness to her features that don't even come close to Tom's sharp angles.

A strangeness invades Harry. His mind tells him something is wrong.

But he doesn't dwell on it. A red laser appears on Hermione's back and Harry simply doesn't think. He moves. As fast as he can, in a blur. "GET DOWN!" He yells the moment he tackles Hermione to the floor, something hitting his middle on the back. They hit the floor with full force and Harry grunts. Hermione exhales with difficulty under him. "Are you okay?" He asks, dizzy.

"Yes, yes. What-"

He feels her hand on his back and… he doesn't know why but she's fading away and a blackness is taking over. He's sure the last thing he hears is his name. Hermione saying his name.


St. Mungo's

He opens his eyes in a jolt, moving forward. "Hermione!" He reaches out, his heart beating in a crazy rhythm.

A hand covers his and Harry blinks. His back hurts immensely. He can't remember what happened exactly, but there was a red laser on her back and-

"I'm here. Harry." He turns his head, meeting her eyes. She's smiling softly. "Hey." He opens and closes his mouth. She's the one holding his hand. "I'm fine. You saved me."

"I did?" He frowns. Oh, yeah. I took a bullet for her. He gulps at the realization. "Yeah, I-" He looks around. He's at the Hospital. Harry sighs. No matter how much he hates being in a Hospital, one way or another he's always back with some injury.

He leans on the bed. Hermione is attentively watching him. They're still holding hands. It feels nice. Harry presses his lips together and pulls his hand, wincing at the pain on his back. Hermione looks down and crosses her arms, bracing herself.

"You lost a lot of blood. The bullet stayed inside you, and you had surgery to remove it. The healer said another ten minutes you would be dead." Her voice falters a bit. "But you should be good in a few days. There's a potion for you to take. Every 6 hours." She points to a purple potion on the little table by his bed.

Harry just nods and notices that she's still in her costume, only the hat is missing. He can't understand what possessed him to save Tom Riddle's daughter. He should have let her die. She would crumble to the floor in front of her father and Riddle would relive this trauma forever. He bites the inside of his cheek. Even now, it makes him sick to imagine Hermione falling down dead.

"Well-" He begins but she cuts him.

"Why did you do it?" She asks. He tilts his head. "Why did you save me? You almost got yourself killed, D'Angelo." So, back to being D'Angelo.

"What do you mean? You wanted me to let you die? You expected me to let a fellow Auror be murdered?"

She wets her lips with her tongue. "When we know it might cost our own lives… we often hesitate. And I know you didn't. If you had I would be dead."

"Yeah, well." He shrugs and looks away from her.

"It bothers me because I don't know what to think." She sounds honest and he moves to look into her eyes again, surprised. "I don't know if you did it because you want to convince me that I can really trust you, leading me to that and maybe fooling me later, or if you're just incredibly brave and inherently good. And a bit stupid."

"What do you think?"

"I still don't have an answer. But it actually doesn't matter. Regardless your reasons, you saved my life and for that I'm thankful, Harry." He barely registers her words and Hermione is leaning to him, pressing her lips to his cheek. He briefly closes his eyes. It's a fast and chaste kiss, but she stays close to him, their eyes searching each other's. "And for that I'll always owe you one. Hope you get well soon."

And without another word or glance, Hermione rushes out of the room.

As if also startled by their exchange.

What the bloody hell?

He sighs and covers his face with a hand. He grunts. This can't happen. He can't be infatuated with her. No. Anyone but her. Not because she's his boss. Or even because she seems to have a relationship with Pettigrew. But mostly because she's the daughter of his enemy. She carries the name of the man Harry sworn to kill when he left Italy. He didn't lie to Hermione when he said he wasn't a spy. He really isn't. He's worse.

He's the unknown child of James and Lily Potter.

He was practically a baby when Aurors invaded his house and killed his parents under the orders of Tom Riddle. They never imagined his mother had hid him. And Harry only survived because of a nurturing spell they had casted on him before dying.

However, a kind man heard his cry and Harry found shelter at the house of strangers who became his family. He was adopted properly and named a D'Angelo. But when he was old enough to understand, he was told of his true name, of his parents. James and Lily were prepared for a situation like this. Harry had a letter and a bag with photos and memories of him with them.

He's unable to forget their happy faces.

Also incapable of leaving behind the injustice they suffered.

And that's why he's in England. He wants to end every and each one of them who had anything to do with the Potters' Persecution.

His true name is Harry Potter and he'll have his revenge.