A/N: Hey everyone! Another chapter as promised, but things will likely slow down for the next few weeks as I focus on work and final exams. The semester ends the first week of May, so this story will be more of a priority soon. Thanks for all the interaction! I've actually never read a 'work in progress', as I normally sort by 'completed', but I intend to going forward. Having a community of readers has helped keep me motivated, which has been such a welcome surprise as this story gets more and more chaotic.

Chapter 50

Daphne deflected another curse sent her way with a wave of her wand, the speed of the duel with her peers leaving her bizarrely bored. The students were good, perhaps better than any their age in the world, but they couldn't hold a candle to her and Neville after months of training with powerful adults. Ron and Hermione were miles ahead of the others, but even they proved nothing more than a nuisance as she and her protector twirled absentmindedly.

The ease of the battles was welcome, however, as the majority of her attention wasn't available at the moment. She knew exactly how hard of a conversation Harry was having, and how much that conversation would affect her boyfriend in the long run. Her eyes found the door of the Room of Requirement every other heartbeat, hoping for his return, and after deflecting a powerful blasting curse from Ron for the fourth time, her wish was finally granted.

Neville must have been watching as well, as the teen quickly turned from 'tutor' to attacker. The pair took down the eight students around them in under three seconds, and she quickly abandoned her teammate in her dash towards her boyfriend.

She slowed as she neared, however, Harry's eyes broadcasting his devastation in a way that broke her heart. He attempted a smile in response to her sudden closeness, but the sadness in his gaze clearly missed the memo.

"Nev!" she called, her eyes not leaving Harry's.

"Go," the teen called back immediately. "I'll finish up here, and I'll see you two tomorrow."

"You sure?"

"Go," Astoria repeated painfully, clearly picking up on the heartache her boyfriend was feeling. "We'll be fine."

Daphne didn't wait for a second confirmation, and grabbed Harry's hand as she marched through the door. She knew he could probably apparate them through the wards at this point, or she could've created an exterior door to the grounds, but her blood was boiling at the hurt in his eyes, and the walk to the gates would help calm them both.

Neither said a word as they navigated the frustrating staircases, though Daphne's mind couldn't help sending her reminders of the moments the pair had shared in the building in the past year. How innocent they'd been… how easy they had it when they thought life was impossible… It was a bizarre realization, though she'd remember forever their first dinner together next to the pond they now saw in their real lives every day.

"You told me you didn't listen to your Dad right over there," Harry whispered, breaching the silence as they passed the DADA hallway.

"And I haven't started yet," she countered with a smile, thrilled he was even speaking. "I was just thinking of our first dinner together…"

"I can feel it," he countered, shuddering slightly in embarrassment. "We were dancing around each other so hard…"

"We were right to! We barely knew each other, and suddenly we were lovestruck without realizing it…"

"Every time I go to the Room, I think of when I told you we couldn't be together…"

"Every time I go to the Room, I think of when you stopped me from leaving to say we could…"

"Your brain is better than mine," Harry countered with a frustrated sigh.

"Or maybe you're just not in a mindset to see the positives, love," she offered, squeezing his hand as they reached the ground floor.

"That feels like a permanent condition these days…"

Daphne bit down on the sympathy she felt for her boyfriend, her better brain casting around desperately for an idea. As they neared the Great Hall one appeared, and she tugged him excitedly down the staircase towards the kitchen. He followed easily, a bemused look on his face, and stopped when she did at the place that would be burned into her heart forever.

"You know what happened here?" she asked with a smile. "Right here, in this exact spot… you know what happened?"

"I don't," he offered, his eyes showing a welcome confusion instead of heartbreak.

"In this exact spot, I fell in love with you."

It was a slightly embarrassing admission, as the moment was far too early to think of love, but looking back, she knew it was the truth.

"When I told you to tickle a pear?" Harry asked confusedly, his eyes brightening at the conversation.

"When you teased me when I did," she corrected with a grin. "I always thought you were some sort of robot… an instrument of the 'Light' or some such bullshit, but right here I realized you were a person. My person."

"Daph, we'd said like thirty words to each other at that point…"

"Don't care, Harold. I knew it as soon as you started teasing me, and I fell further and further in love with you over the next few hours. Naive? Sure! Correct? Absolutely. Honestly, I'm a bit offended it took you so long…"

"I fell in love with you the moment you misspoke about my parents," he countered after a moment, a true smile on his face for the first time all night. "The horror you felt at the accident broke my fucking heart, and looking back, that was it for me. You were my person from that moment on, and I was silly to fight it as long as I did."

"So we agree you were an hour late in your love, then," she offered with a triumphant smile.

"We do," he agreed reluctantly, though his eyes were thankfully bright. "You loved me first, but I love you more, and I'll fight you if you disagree."

"Fight me then, Potter, because you lie…"

"Rude, Greengrass…"

"Do you wish we could go back?" she asked hesitantly, the nostalgia of the moment filling her with a bizarre feeling.

"Nope," he answered immediately, all negativity gone from his demeanor. "As much as I loved that time, having you save me from the 'guys night' last month trumps that feeling in every way. I'd love to share our memories of those moments, and I'll plan time to do so, but how I feel about you now is so much better than those early butterflies."

"Good answer," she offered with a smile, her heart full enough to burst. "We should visit those memories, but I think this one is my new favorite…"

"Why?"

"Because you're hurting, Harry… and I was able to help. That feeling is my purpose in life, and I'll never get used to the fact that you let me try."

"And I'll never get used to how much you do."

"Albus will forgive you," she whispered as he pulled her tight. "He may not like it, but he'll understand…"

"He already does."

Daphne jumped at the interruption, though Harry clearly felt the man's approach. She kicked herself for her distraction as she'd grown proud of her ability to sense magical presences, but quickly stepped back to allow the two a chance to speak. The relief her boyfriend felt at the words brought tears to her eyes, and he shot her a hopeful look before turning.

"Albus, I'm sorry…"

"No, my boy," the shame-faced wizard interrupted gently. "I'm sorry, and you're absolutely right to make the demand. The troops will be made welcome, and I'll offer whatever assistance I can."

"Thank you, sir."

Daphne wiped a tear away as the two met for a tight hug, and noticed Albus' eyes glistening as well.

"You really are something, Harry... If I contributed nothing else in this life, the small part I've played in shaping the man in front of me makes it an overwhelming success."

"It was a massive part," he countered emotionally.

"Do me a favor then," he offered with a wink to Daphne as the pair split apart. "Please don't burden your future children with any of my ridiculous names…"

"Too late," she interjected, approaching to hug the older man. "Our first will be named 'Supreme' and the second 'Mugwump'."

She felt his chest rumble with laughter at the suggestion, and the trio moved as one to wipe their eyes as she pulled back.

"I kinda like 'Mugwump," Harry said, breaking the last of the tension. "We could call 'em Mumu for short."

"It wouldn't crack the top ten dumbest names I've heard," Albus answered with a warm smile. "While we're down here, you two have to try Toppy's butter pecan ice cream…"

"I'm in," she answered immediately.

"Tickle that pear then, Daph," Harry added with a lopsided grin, his happiness radiating brightly.

She rolled her eyes at the callback to their earlier conversation, but realized the love she felt right now overshadowed that moment in a way that made the world feel small.

"Huh! I guess that phrase is like an on/off switch… I feel nothing for you now, Harold."

"Too bad," he countered with a grin, lifting her from her feet and spinning around excitedly.

"I believe I've missed something…"

The look on their Headmaster's face brought peals of laughter from the couple, though neither were eager to explain. Harry finally placed her back on the floor, leading the way into the kitchens with a contagious smile on his face. A look back to Albus proved he enjoyed the teen's happiness as much as she, and Daphne returned his wink as she ducked to enter the kitchens.

—

October 31, 1996

Remus couldn't keep his eyes from scanning the crowd, the Halloween festivities proving a success for all in the Village. It seemed like everyone not away at school was in the streets, though Delta Company and the French drew the short straws to stand duty. He felt for those men and women, but that their bad luck meant Tonks' hand was in his own was something he was eternally grateful for.

"Breathe once in a while, Remy," she offered dryly, hugging his arm as they walked.

"Sorry. I make fun of Sirius for his anxiety, but I've suddenly realized large crowds of drunken people aren't good for my own…"

"Then let's go hoooome. I'm sure we can find other ways to celebrate…"

"I'll leave when Harry does. He hates this day more than anyone, but he's making an effort and so will I."

"You're bad at picking up hints, you know that?"

"Oh, I picked up the hint," he answered, turning to grin at the woman at his side. "I chose to ignore it, as the idea is entirely too distracting at the moment."

"Then you'll make it up to me after."

"I'll do a lot of things to you after…"

"Remus Lupin," Tonks hissed dramatically, her free hand clutching her chest absentmindedly. "That might be the sexiest thing you've ever said to me, and it's completely unfair to do that when you're 'on duty'. Fuck. I need a cold drink..."

"Arthur's manning the beer cart."

"Lead the way while I try to regain the feeling in my legs, please."

He did so proudly, squeezing his girlfriend's hand as they moved. Her extroverted energy helped counter his desire to close down, and the symbiosis they'd reached in their relationship still felt too good to be true. A quick glance showed Harry and Daphne running around with the Village children, wide smiles on both their faces, and Sirius standing nearby ignoring the obvious glances from a trio of single witches nearby.

His best friend seemed to feel his gaze, and Remus nodded in the women's direction, but the suggestion was met with a frustrated shake of the head. He chuckled at the response, though Sirius had already turned back to keep a watchful eye on his godson, unwilling to relax when the teen was in danger of being tackled by a gaggle of six year olds.

"Remus!"

Tonks pulled him to a stop at Charlie's call, and he smiled in welcome as he and Narcissa fought their way through the crowd.

"Happy Halloween," Narcissa offered with a smile. "Tonks, I assume your man is as high strung as mine?"

"It's unbelievable. It's like somebody wrung all the fun out of him as soon as he saw the crowd…"

"You should see Bill. Fleur's doing everything she can to draw him out, and it's like she's invisible. She's gonna curse him soon if he doesn't relax…"

"At least Harry and Daphne are having a good time," Tonks countered with a smile, the group turning towards the teen as the mob chasing him grew to include his girlfriend.

"They're with the kids for a reason," Remus offered gently. "Harry was a mess before they left, but Daphne eased him down by promising he wouldn't have to talk to anyone if he didn't want to."

"So he's playing with the kids and ignoring everyone else," Charlie chuckled in realization. "He's a fucking genius."

"You can join him," Narcissa offered sincerely, her eyes showing her concern for the man.

"Maybe later," he countered with a grin. "So far you've been more than enough to keep me sane."

Remus smiled as the pair shared a loving look, Tonks' excited tapping on his arm proving her happiness as well. He grabbed the tapping hand to contain the woman, and turned to the pair in front as their attention moved outward once more.

"We were headed to see your dad, if you'd like a drink."

"He's a hit, isn't he?" Charlie asked with a proud smile. "Let's go see if we can distract him from his one man show."

The show was evident before they even drew close, as Arthur was playing up to the crowd impressively. Remus was blown away by the man's duality every time he saw it, his public persona so much different from what he showed when he was around loved ones. It was a good skill to have for a politician, though his friend didn't suffer from the hypocrisy most politicians did of being a piece of shit behind closed doors.

"You're insane, Jim," the Minister offered loudly as they approached. "The Burrow is the epitome of architectural soundness, and it'll outlive us all!"

"It'll fall by Tuesday, you daft man," Jim Griggs countered with a frustrated grin. "Give me two days, Arthur! A gift from me and the boys for what you're doing…"

"I'm doing nothing! I'm taking credit for the men and women standing around us right now, so buy them a drink if you want to thank me."

"Fine, you stubborn goat. A round on me!"

The roar of approval brought Remus up short, but the familiar faces of the soldiers around him set him at ease. These were good men and women deserving of a night off, and he and Charlie shook a few hands as the group quickly dispersed with their drinks.

"Well look here," Arthur called happily once the line was cleared. "You four look like a picture, if you take out the redhead and the angry werewolf…"

"Yeah yeah," Remus countered with a roll of his eyes. "Any chance your offer extends to us, Jim?"

"A free drink or a house, Remus. Take your pick, you're deserving of both."

"A drink, then," he answered with a grin, shaking the man's hand before he disappeared into the night. "Arthur, you're a smash hit, my friend. Next election cycle we'll post you up in Diagon with a few crates of alcohol."

"Good luck finding me," the Minister countered with a grimace. "One-term Minister through and through."

"But Dad," Charlie interjected seriously. "You're phenomenal at this."

"A trait I was lucky enough to pass on... I'll fold pamphlets for you all night."

"Good luck finding me…"

Remus joined in on the collected laughter at the repeated answer, but noticed it felt a bit awkward from Charlie. He tucked that information away quickly, and accepted a beer from his Minister with a grateful nod.

"Michelle!" Arthur called once the drinks were delivered. "I think I'm done, if that's okay."

"Of course, Minister. Go get some sleep, sir."

"It's like I'm ninety, Remus," he offered conspiratorially. "I'm an old man not long for this world…"

"You're a menace is what you are," Michelle countered with a laugh. "Go enjoy the evening, Arthur."

The group shared a brief farewell with the Village's newest business owner, and Arthur led the way to a quieter portion of the street. Remus hid a grin as the man's public face faded, the exhaustion finally showing in his eyes.

"This Minister stuff is annoying, Remus."

"It looks it. You're great at it, though."

"Making it up as I go along. Narcissa, Tonks, you both look beautiful."

"Thank you, Arthur," Tonks answered with a smile. "Where's Molly?"

"With the kids, where I'd like to be…"

"So is Harry," Narcissa offered. "Lead the way."

"No need," Charlie countered darkly, his voice turning from casual to dangerous immediately. "Here he comes, and it doesn't look good…"

Remus' eyes found their target immediately, watching as Harry, Daphne, and Sirius were joined by a worried Enzo as they crossed the busy street. The crowd parted around them, whether by magic or coincidence he'd never be able to prove. He watched as Harry whispered desperately to his Italian friend, Commander Moretti nodding confidently in response as the quartet finally neared.

"Charlie!" Harry ordered immediately, his voice in Marshal mode.

—

Harry laughed as the game of tag suddenly shifted, as Daphne rallied the children to her side to turn the odds in her favor. He was suddenly the only one that wasn't 'it', and he sped around the cul de sac at top speed, dodging children as he moved. He'd come to the Village with the intention of gladhanding the populace, but five minutes of the falseness sapped his social battery dry.

Daphne was quick to pick up the slack, and made excuses for the pair to escape to one of the parks attached to the main strip. The children, however, weren't as willing to give up their time with him, but their presence was much less frustrating than their parents'.

He smiled at Molly as he sprinted past, the woman giggling at his predicament, though a look at his godfather showed Sirius' reaction was much different. He dodged the man's Impediment Jinx with a grin, and laughed aloud as a child behind him screamed in indignation.

"Cursing children now, Pads?" he called as he neared.

"If I have to!"

He reached the end of the street and slowed to allow the kids to catch up, turning to double back through the crowd, dodging as he moved. He noticed a smaller boy struggling to keep up with the others, his clothes showing he was one of the group home kids, and the hopeful look on the boy's face nearly brought Harry to his knees.

He faked left, drawing the boy up short, but feigned a stumble as he moved back to the right. The boy regained his footing quickly, and took a flying leap in his attempt at a tag. Harry had to extend a leg to make sure it connected, but the pure joy in the kid's eyes at the touch made it more than worth it. He stood with a disappointed look, weaving his way through the other kids who swarmed the victorious tagger, though his demeanor shifted when he found his girlfriend.

"He needed that, Harry."

"I could tell."

"Go congratulate him while I explain to my ovaries that they aren't necessary for a few years, please…"

The order befuddled him for a moment as Daphne turned to join a smiling Molly, but Sirius' waggling eyebrows provided clarity in a way that made Harry's stomach clench unfamiliarly. He shrugged off the feeling as Daphne had, and turned back to the children screaming in celebration behind him.

"A great tag!" he cheered as he zeroed in on the boy in ragged clothes. "What's your name?"

"Andrew," the boy offered with a nervous smile, clearly unused to the attention.

"Andrew, the boy who defeated Harry Potter! I expect big things from you, my friend!"

The kids around them cheered loudly, and he extended a hand to the child who shook it bashfully. He kneeled dramatically as their hands connected, and drew the boy into a one armed hug.

"Incredible job, kiddo," he whispered. "You live at the group home, right?"

Andrew nodded shyly, but Harry smiled happily to set him at ease.

"Well I have a friend named Dobby, and he's about to show up. He's gonna look in on you guys from time to time, and I'd like you to meet him."

The elf popped in without direction, picking up on his unspoken desire, and Harry met his friend's eye for the barest of moments.

"Is this the Andrew that tagged Harry Potter?" Dobby asked, improvising impressively at the mentally provided instructions.

"Er… yes, Dobby," the boy answered hesitantly.

"Then a friend you have in Dobby, young sir! Harry Potter is a nuisance, and needs to be tagged as often as possible! You call for Dobby, and I'll help you however I can!"

Harry's grin nearly split his face as the children celebrated once more, the others surrounding Andrew and picking him up off his feet. They carried him for a few steps before dropping him awkwardly, though the boy seemed to fight off any possible injury as he led the others away with a grin.

"Thanks, Dobby."

"That was fun! Let's do that more."

"It was! How are the elves doing?"

"Pocky is being frustrating, but he's directing elves well enough…"

"And you don't like it…"

"I could do better."

"But you don't need to, buddy. You deserve a night off as much as anyone, so tell Winky to let you cook her dinner."

"Can I really?"

"Do you want to?"

"More than anything."

"Then ask her, mate. She's free for a few hours, so you two go nuts."

Harry stood as his friend seemed to hesitate, and gestured for him to share whatever he was struggling with.

"I planning the meal in my head…"

"Just go! The food doesn't matter."

He grinned as the elf popped away, standing to face Daphne, Sirius, and Molly as they neared. The proud expressions on their faces warmed him, but a familiar magical presence interrupted his greeting.

"Prime Minister extracted," the sudden cat Patronus intoned powerfully. "Death Eaters overheard talking about Little Whinging."

"Fuck."

He grabbed Daphne's hand as she surged forward, quickly focusing to find those he needed. He led the way towards Charlie and Arthur, and sent a few Patronuses to his team.

"Harry!" Enzo called, clearly watching from nearby. "What's wrong?"

"Voldemort's moving on muggle civilians," he answered softly as his friend approached. "Go ready the men, please, and break out the sobering potions."

"We'll need clearance from the Commanders," the Italian countered immediately.

"I've just given it, my friend, and I'll take responsibility. Command room in sixty seconds."

"Yes, sir."

"Charlie!" he called as he neared the small group of trusted friends. "Recall the officers, the Dursleys are under attack."

—

Daphne winced at the frustration she felt from her boyfriend, the arguments against him provoking his ire in a brand new way. The other Commanders, including Moody and Amelia, tried to talk him out of his decision, though Enzo remained loyally silent. Charlie was speaking in Harry's defense, but he was fighting a losing battle.

A glance to her father showed the man's confusion, as he was clearly torn between helping Harry and the argument Amelia was providing. Remus sat similarly silent, though Sirius was glaring down the naysayers at Charlie's side. She was hesitant to step into the conversation as she was relatively new to her position among this group, though she wasn't completely sure of where she'd fall if the debate was posed to her.

The Dursleys deserved death. That was an incontrovertible fact, and one she didn't mind sharing. The pain she felt from Harry was complicated though, and she knew this meeting was torturing his mental wellbeing.

"Again, Amelia," Harry called angrily. "It'll be volunteers, not Companies, but it'll have to be now, as I'm leaving in thirty seconds with or without any of you."

"I'm with you, and I say we go now," Charlie offered immediately, turning a disgusted eye around the room. "We'll be fine, so let the Commanders look into it for a few days…"

"It's not that easy," Amelia countered determinedly. "Say you take soldiers with you, and Voldemort's there… What then? What if it's his entire force? They outnumber us Charlie! If we sober everyone up in the next five minutes, we're still fighting three to one! I beg you, Marshall, don't do this without intel to lead the way! I can't fight this war on my own, and we're losing officers far too quickly…"

Daphne sighed in relief as Harry retook his seat, the reality of the moment finally breaking through his emotional response. Her heart broke at the devastation in his eyes, though she knew the Dursleys didn't deserve it. She moved closer to grab his hand, but the action was interrupted as the door slammed open.

"What the hell are you all doing?" Neville demanded as he stormed into the room.

Her jaw dropped at his entrance, as the furious teen was supposed to be spending the holiday at Hogwarts with her sister. The fact that he would be included in Harry's Patronuses to their team slipped her mind, and his haggard appearance proved he hadn't come directly home.

"Nev!" Harry answered as he shot to his feet. "What happened to you?"

"I apparated to Privet Drive, since I figured I was late leaving the castle wards," he answered exhaustedly. "Showed up all alone, to the sight of some assholes using a disruption stone on your wards. Came in too close, I guess, but I got your family out."

"You're saying the home is clear?" Amelia asked immediately, surging to her feet.

"Besides a few dead Death Eaters decorating the yard…"

Daphne was quick on her feet to rush towards the teen, though Harry moved so fast he may as well have apparated.

—

Harry yanked his target into the strongest hug he could manage, catching Neville completely off guard. The lack of reciprocation didn't bother him in the slightest, and he thanked his lucky stars for the friendship of the young man in his arms.

"Er… hey, mate. You okay?"

"I'm great, Nev," he whispered in response, reigning in his emotions as best he could. "I can't thank you enough…"

"Setting me on the floor would be a good start…"

Harry couldn't stop the bark of relieved laughter from leaving his body, and released his friend with a wide grin. His heart soared further as Neville was swarmed by the others in the room, though Daphne claimed precedence as she pushed through Sirius and Charlie to repeat his enthusiastic hug. A hand falling on his shoulder finally drew his attention, and he turned to see a slightly contrite Amelia looking up at him.

The fact that it was up she had to look was confusing, as the woman's presence was larger than life. She was an unbelievably strong presence, and if it weren't for his matured magic he knew he'd have shit himself for arguing with her just a few moments ago.

"Looks like things worked out," she said quietly, while Neville shared his story of the encounter. "My personal thoughts on the matter are very different from my professional, Harry… and I'm so very glad your family is safe."

"I know, Amelia," he offered as softly, the adrenaline leaking from his pores in a way that almost brought tears to his eyes. "I'd apologize for my stubbornness, but it'd be a lie."

"We should have lunch soon. We need to have a conversation about removing emotion from the equation, something that took me almost twenty years to manage."

"I'm happy to, but my power is tied to my emotions. I doubt I'll ever be the thankfully neutral presence you manage to be."

"Lunch would be good all the same."

"I'll have Remus find a day. You know what this means, though, right? Riddle's move to muggle targets is now larger than its leadership, and we have another traitor to deal with…"

"Realized that, did you?" Moody growled as he approached. "The number of folk that know you lived there is worryingly small…"

"Any ideas?" Harry asked, turning to the angry man.

"Not a one, but I'll set our investigation unit to it tonight."

"Go send Neville to the hospital," Amelia offered firmly, retaking her seat. "It's going to be a long night…"

—

November 1, 1996

Harry slid to his left to avoid the coming scorching curse, grinning widely at the chance to flex his magical muscles outdoors for once. His attempt at team training this morning proved impossible, as his distracted thoughts meant his spells were unpredictable at best. He'd resigned himself to sitting back and watching, but Charlie's offer to head to the quidditch pitch for a little one-on-one boosted his low spirits immediately.

He used a small clump of grass as a launching point as his momentum slowed, and leapt to his feet as he tore a portion of the pitch skyward with a wave of his hand. He condensed the mound of earth into a meters-wide ball, launching the projectile towards his opponent. He didn't cast at full speed, but the eighty percent Charlie's ability required was more than he normally got.

He chuckled as the redhead deflected the world's newest boulder, and they both took a moment to appreciate its flight into the woods. It landed far enough away from Hagrid and Grawp's houses to prove innocuous, though he was sure there were a few unhappy snow birds that rethought their decision to not fly south.

He spun to his right as Charlie used his distraction, though the blasting curse was telegraphed in a way that showed his friend's reluctance to catch him unaware.

"Don't you dare let up, Charlie!"

"Just had a brief realization of what Daphne would do if I accidentally killed you," he called back as he deflected the spells sent his way. "I like my body parts where they are, and have no desire to taste them!"

"I don't blame you," he countered with a grin as the pair swapped spells. "I love her with everything I have… but there's a real chance she's a demon of some sort wearing a beautiful human body."

"You'll be glad for that one day, mate!"

The suggestive barb brought a flush to Harry's cheeks, though he shook off the thought as soon as it landed. He and Daph were years from that, and he wasn't quite confident enough to come up with a good rejoinder. To hide his lack of response, however, he lifted the earth on either side of his opponent with simultaneous waves of his wand and offhand.

The walls of grass and dirt converged at incredible speed, but Charlie wasn't Gryffindor's greatest seeker by being slow to react. The young man sprinted forward and dived for all he was worth, coming to a rest at Harry's feet as the two walls met with a satisfying squish behind him.

"Quit throwing the world at me!"

Harry laughed as the man composed himself, offering a hand to draw him to his feet. The round finished by unspoken agreement as the pair turned to fix the pitch, and Charlie followed him when he moved to the water bottles Dobby delivered a few minutes ago. He conjured a bench for them to sit on, but was surprised by his friend's choice to sit shoulder to shoulder.

"How'd you sleep?"

"I didn't," he answered honestly, returning the shoulder bump firmly.

"I thought Daphne fixed that for you?"

"She fixes my normal inability, but I don't think it's a super power…"

"You never know with that family," Charlie answered with a grin. "Astoria's gift is incredible."

"She'd loudly disagree."

"Because she hasn't learned to control it yet. I'm telling you, once all this is over, she'll be the most famous among us."

"She's fucking welcome to it," Harry countered with a grimace.

Astoria had been struggling with her new gift, as true empaths were rarer even than metamorphmagi. Albus had been working for weeks to find someone to train her, but so far his search hadn't borne fruit. Hogwarts was proving torturous for the girl, as the teenage angst was overwhelming, but from what Harry had read, empaths were guaranteed constant and costly employment whenever they popped up throughout history. She'd been allowed a private apartment as far from the dormitories as Dumbledore could manage, and Neville's frequent visits allowed her a touchstone, but her constant mirror calls showed it was still far from ideal.

"You have to sleep, Harry…"

"It's not like I don't want to…"

"I know, but you can't let yourself spin out of control. Give yourself a couple days before going to see your family if it helps, but we need you to be… you."

"I'm fine, Charlie."

"No you aren't," he countered with a laugh. "You're a fucking mess, little brother! But you'll figure it out."

"What do you think of the investigation unit?" Harry asked, trying to change the subject.

"They seem good," Charlie answered with a merciful smirk. "The Russian bloke seems like the right person to lead them, and I hope I'm never on their bad side."

"Same."

"D'you think it's someone in the Village?"

"Either that or someone at Hogwarts… neither of which fills me with joy."

"What about Daphne's friend? The Davis girl…"

"It's not Tracey," Harry answered firmly.

"Easy… just my gut reaction…"

He could understand why Charlie's brain led him there, but the pure devastation the Slytherin lived with after her father's actions had been heartbreaking to watch. Harry and Daphne had done everything they could to draw her out of her shell, but she and her mother were both works in progress in a very unfortunate way.

"I get it," he offered after a moment. "But I trust Tracey."

"It's gonna be someone that has your trust," Charlie argued gently. "And you won't be able to be your normal forgiving self…"

"I know."

"I don't mean to pile on, mate…"

"No," Harry interrupted with another shoulder bump. "It's something that I need to start thinking about, and I'll add it to the constant rotation in my brain."

"You need to learn to delegate. Pass some of that rotation to me, if you would… my brain is scarily silent most of the time."

"Didn't need to be said…"

"I'd curse you for how quick that response was, but I'd rather not be mummified this afternoon."

"It was your idea to pick a fight."

"You looked like you needed an outlet!"

"I did, Charlie," Harry relented with a grateful smile. "Thanks, mate. I really appreciate you pulling me out, and everything else you've done over the last year. My parents didn't name you as one of the few men I needed to approach, but I promise you're at the top of their list now."

"I… That means a lot. I'm glad I've been a help."

"You've been a godsend, and I intend to rely on you far too heavily."

"Bring it on."

"Poor choice. Anything else you wanted to discuss? Your dad's been awkwardly waiting for us to finish up…"

Harry grinned as Charlie's eyes widened at the information, and knew he was lucky to be able to pick up on things like that so easily. Son gestured father forward, and Harry followed as the two met for a hug.

"Harry," the Minister greeted, his auror detail remaining in place at the entrance to the pitch.

"Hey, Arthur," he answered as he also hugged the man. "How's leading the country?"

"I'll let you know when I start. I hear we have three new unhappy residents…"

"Damn it. Are they causing problems?"

"Not at all," he countered soothingly. "The constables have made it clear that Vernon's not to leave the house again, and it seems he may have actually learned a lesson. I just wanted to drop by to make sure you're okay…"

"I'm fine. I'll deal with them once I wrap my head around it."

"Take your time, son. Macmillan's providing meals, and he has a constable on the corner at all times. I only brought it up to make sure you're doing alright…"

"Tough to say," Harry admitted with a grimace. "It's a bizarre thing, but Charlie here volunteered to be a punching bag until I figure it out."

"He was always quick to put himself at death's door…"

"He doesn't remember agreeing to that going forward," Charlie countered indignantly.

"He was also quick to forget things," Arthur whispered conspiratorially, pointedly ignoring the outburst as he turned towards the Manor.

Harry couldn't help but laugh at the younger Weasley's defeated expression, and clapped him on the shoulder as he followed the Minister. Life might be confusing, but without the Weasleys, it would have been far too dull.

A/N: This was one of those chapters that didn't have an ideal ending, so my apologies if it feels a bit abruptly cut. Next chapter is a bit more momentous, and kinda kicks off the march towards an end. It's looking like this story will be somewhere between 60-65 chapters, so we're definitely approaching the final act. My next story (if I write it) will be soooo much more constrained, but this one has been fun for me regardless, as are all (most) of you.