AN: Hope everyone's ready for the next chapter. Sorry I wasn't able to get it out yesterday for my normal post. I was pretty sick last week and when I'd get home from work, I just didn't have any energy to write. It all came to a head in that I just wasn't able to get it done in time. That's just life unfortunately, but I'm hopefully getting back on track and should be back on schedule this next weekend.

Nightwing2013 - Ah, hopefully I didn't irk your impatience too much for this chapter, haha. Glad Greyback's death was as unsatisfying as I intended it. Can't have Harry kill everyone important. Some of the others need to show their skills. It will definitely be a fine edge to walk, ruthless yet compassionate, but I'm looking forward to the challenge of doing so.

DrkDragoon117 - Thanks! I'm happy to see someone else who really enjoys the chasers and Tonks. I will do a Tonks/Harry pairing in the future. I already have two stories planned for that pairing, and someday I'll manage to get them out. One of them will probably get some focus when I finally finish this story.

Alix33 - Yeah, he certainly doesn't have much of one, but a bastard of a soul is still a soul for Astra to hunt. Glad you enjoyed the interactions between everyone, and are interested in more mages. Astra was just cheering at the victory. It was Dora who killed Greyback. As always, thanks for your corrections.

Mando-Vet - Oh yeah, the war will be much different. I'm going to show exactly how much different by the end of this year. The Death Eaters are going to be learning the hard way that they picked the wrong side.

Guest - Thanks! Yeah, the Aurors aren't playing around, and Harry is definitely past that. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me for the aurors to only use stunners. In real life, police and military have rules of engagement. Once those are met, lethal force is authorized. Should be the same for the aurors.

stars90 - Jacobs was definitely a fool. Thought he could win himself some glory. Didn't work out too well for him.

scrappy8 - Thanks!

Kalvin Ellis 80 - That is an interesting idea, with the pantheons you picked. Admittedly I might have to think about that a bit more before I try to use them completely. We were thinking similar in one way though, as you'll see in this next chapter. I'll have to do a bit more research to see if I can swing something like you suggested.

GreengrassRebel - At least one, though technically there was actually two! One of them was just smart enough not to try something. Poor Chiara is right, but she'll get better. Daph, Tori, and Tracey will definitely get more focus in this story as we go. Right now it's just a bit hard for exactly the reasons you gave. Glad you appreacite the group staying hidden for the Slytherins.

Acoustic Ghost - Thanks! Glad you've enjoyed it so far, and kudos for catching up in 4 days. That took a lot of reading for sure. Lady Toad's fate is sealed. The when is still up for grabs. Fudge too.

Chapter 60

"How could you ever think it was a good idea to take that boy with you!" Fudge exclaimed angrily.

"Minister, for the last time," Amelia said in exasperation. "He is a mage! A Shadow Mage!"

"Who cares?!" Fudge said. "He's underaged and he's a raving lunatic!"

"Watch it, Fudge," Sirius growled. "Any more open slander from you and we'll be dueling."

"Minister, do we need to remind you that you have no say in the DMLE anymore?" Franklin Boot asked with a bite to his tone.

"Well apparently that needs to change," Fudge spat. "The DMLE is out of control, taking an underage –"

"Minister, enough!" Tiberius Ogden thundered. "You're protest is noted. However, Lord Boot is correct. You have no say in the matter, and considering your actions in the past months, complaining about the actions of the DMLE is hypocritical at best, and borderline criminal. You also just cost yourself another 200 galleons, so you would do well to restrain yourself!"

"I move we raise the Minister's penalty to 500 galleons and a night in the Ministry holding cells," Patrice Shafiq said with a nasty glare. "I'm tired of this lack of respect."

"You can't do –" Fudge started to protest.

"Yes, we can," Theseus Scamander cut him off, his magic flashing. "I second the motion. It should only take one night in the Ministry holding cells before the public will be fully supportive of your removal. Even your supporters in here," Scamander glared around at several in question, "cannot back a man who can't stay out of a Ministry holding cell. Then I'm going to enjoy authorizing a full investigation into your actions at the Ministry to ensure you spend a very long time in Azkaban. Now, control yourself!"

Fudge spluttered in horror as the motion was passed and they ignored him.

"As I said," Amelia continued, "there was numerous precedent, including other cases with underaged mages. I couldn't find a single instance where the Head Aurors, officers under them, or assisting aurors regretted the assistance of a mage. All aurors involved also agreed that Mage Potter's assistance was invaluable and helped save lives."

"I must be mistaken, because I believe fourteen people died, including one auror," Dolores Umbridge said with a simper. "I fail to see how Lord Potter helped save any lives. He was responsible for killing three personally and putting another two into St. Mungos. That doesn't count what that vicious mongrel of his did. I believe the creature killed another two, and injured three. It seems to me the DMLE is just trying to cover up a botched investigation and losing control of an underaged boy."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Dora said in mock innocence. "I forgot you were there, Madam Umbridge."

"I wasn't," Umbridge said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, so that means you have no clue what you're talking about and have no valid opinion or facts?" Dora queried mockingly. "Oh, and since you've never worked a day in your life in the DMLE, does that mean you also have no knowledge about operations and raids? Oh, that's exactly what that means! So, how about you keep your useless opinion to yourself," Dora finished with a frigid glare, her eyes turning icy blue, and her hair becoming slightly jagged.

Umbridge looked around. "So, House Potter gets to be disrespectful, but only the Minister is held accountable? Is that how this body works?"

"Did she say anything that was untruthful?" Ethan Parkin asked snidely. "You are wading into a subject you have no knowledge or experience in and trying to accuse the DMLE of lying. She effectively called you an novice, and she's correct."

"Madam Umbridge, you seem to enjoy overlooking that the auror died when he attacked Mage Potter," Amelia said archly. "Did you forget that?"

"So it was reported, but no reason was given," Umbridge simpered. "I believe an investigation needs to be opened to ascertain the truth."

"So, the word of five aurors isn't good enough?" Scamander said coldly. "Captain Alexis Montgomery —"

"She is dating his godfather, is she not?" Lucius Malfoy interjected. "She has loyalty to the boy."

"And I might have agreed if Lieutenant June Caleb, Alice Longbottom, John Dawlish, and Rand Jackson hadn't also witnessed the attack," Scamander responded archly. "Two of those have no real connection to Mage Potter, as far as I know, and one actively worked against Mage Potter. It seems it's not just Madam Umbridge who should avoid sticking her nose where it has no business being."

Malfoy's eyes flashed malevolently.

"I think it's clear that someone in this Ministry is working to attack Lord Potter, and this auror was just the latest attempt," Ishaan Patil said. "First was the dementors, and now this. We should investigate the deceased auror to see who he had contact with."

"He is a pureblood from a good home," Hector Parkinson said. "Surely we do not need to degrade a family's reputation because of a situation that we do not truly understand? For all we know, Mage Potter did something to affect the man. He is a mage for a very powerful deity and has a grudge against the Ministry. Perhaps this was a way for two fo his family to remove competition," Parkinson finished, glancing at Dora and Sirius who glared.

"You want us to save the reputation of a man who committed a crime, but want to insinuate a crime about other Ancient and Noble Houses without any proof," Cyrus observed. "Interesting."

Parkinson flushed.

"Now, I believe we were addressing Madam Umbridge's complaint," Amelia said. "Of the thirteen others killed, seven were wanted murderers, one of which was Fenrir Greyback. Of the remaining six, three of them cast killing curses at the aurors, and the other three cast other lethal curses and attempted to stab their adversaries with knives. Of the three Mage Potter killed, two of them were wanted for murder, and the third was wanted for aggravated assault. One of the men that Mage Potter put into the hospital was Chester Scabior, Greyback's second in command, and the other was part of a group of men assaulting Auror Jackson, who had been knocked down and surrounded. Both of the men killed by Mage Potter's familiar were also wanted for murder. So, I hardly consider their deaths to be a stain on Mage Potter or the aurors with him."

"Fifteen aurors captured forty seven targets, and killed thirteen, with one of the ones captured and one of the ones killed being on our Most Wanted list," Kane Witcher said. "The previous attempt to attack Greyback's pack, nearly ten years ago resulted in three dead Hitwizards, a dead auror, and Greyback's escape along with most of his pack. If we discount Auror Jacobs' death, since he was a traitor and brought about his own demise, the raid was a great success. "

There were murmurs of agreement at that and Fudge and Umbridge scowled and gritted their teeth.

"I don't think the people will see your actions so positively," Fudge argued. "They won't feel safe knowing the aurors are requiring assistance from schoolboys!"

"Considering that schoolboy is a master elementalist, a dueling champion, and could wipe the floor with you with little effort, I don't think people will find it as odd as you think, Minister," Sirius said with derision.

"That doesn't even count the other dangerous opponents that Harry has faced and triumphed over," Dora agreed, glaring. "We didn't even call this meeting to fight about what happened. We called this meeting for a different purpose."

"Of course you would think we shouldn't discuss your actions and whether they must be curbed," Thaddeus Nott said with a sneer.

"It's not on this body to directly oversee auror operations," Amelia said sternly. "The Head Auror reports to the Head and Assistant Head of the DMLE. You must first prove that I have overstepped my authority before you can have this body overlooking every operation."

"She is right," Marcus Macmillan said. "Until internal reviews have failed and there are widespread failures of DMLE operations, it does not do for us to get involved. Otherwise, we must get involved in the daily operations of every department, and in that case, why even pay the heads of each department?"

"Lady Potter, how about you tell us the purpose for this emergency session and we move this along," Ignatius Prewett said tiredly.

"Now that my brother is a Shadow Mage, he is duty bound to deal with creatures of the night," Dora said. "He will assist in punishing or destroying the dangerous ones who deserve it, but it is his job to protect those who need it. House Black and House Potter demand that the Ministry repeal or amend all discriminatory laws against werewolves."

"Absolutely not!" Umbridge shrieked. "Those laws protect us! You want us to accept those monsters?!"

"Did you not just throw a fit about the death of thirteen of those monsters?" Amos Diggory asked, annoyed. "The ones killed were at least confirmed as dangerous."

"Exactly," Dora said. "One of my best friends is a werewolf. My boyfriend, a man who fought in the last war on our side, is a werewolf and has suffered all his life because of that. Lycanthropy is a disease, and it does not make the witch or wizard a monster, except on the night of the full moon."

"However, our laws are creating monsters," Sirius continued. "We have made it nearly impossible for werewolves to find jobs and have lives in the magical world. However, because of their affliction they struggle to find work in the muggle world as well, with their health deteriorating for the two nights leading up to the full moon, the night of the full moon, and of course they are in very poor shape for up to three or four days following the full moon. This could be mitigated greatly with wolfsbane, but we have also subtly made it harder for apothecaries and St. Mungos to obtain the ingredients to make wolfsbane, which has driven the price up drastically. With werewolves unable to get work, they can't pay for wolfsbane and pay their bills, which has forced more than a few into a life of crime."

"My best friend once described how it felt to her," Dora said angrily. "She said the Ministry doesn't want us to be around, but they don't want us to go away either. Her exact words were 'they don't want us to get proper care. They don't want us to do anything but struggle and die,' and I'm tired of that being their fate."

"Ministry anti-werewolf laws bred an environment that gave power to monsters like Greyback," Sirius said. "He was able to coerce many into joining him because they had no better prospects and were desperate to survive or to provide for their families. It was the same back during the war with Voldemort."

There were flinches all around the room at the name.

"Voldemort was able to rally the werewolves against us because they generally hate us and fear us because we do nothing for them but persecute and attack them," Sirius continued. "That must change."

"Of course you would portray them as mostly good people," Elijah Yaxley sneered. "Your best friend is one of those monsters."

"And yet nearly thirty-five of the sixty werewolves apprehended had committed no crime other than petty theft," Sirius said. "That was confirmed with veritaserum and legilimency. Nearly all of them admitted to being coerced into joining Greyback or choosing to do so when faced with no other prospects."

"Do we really want to risk the werewolves rising under some monster like Greyback every few decades just so that we can persecute and fear them?" Dora asked. "Hell, our laws are actively contributing to the creation of werewolves, since it gives power to those like Greyback who want to infect others, and wolfsbane is hard to get so even those who fear their own transformation are a danger to others should they accidentally encounter them."

"You speak with passion and you make fair points," John McAvoy said. "While I too fear a werewolf on a full moon, I cannot deny that the rest of the time they are normal people who struggle with an illness. We don't persecute those with dragon pox. At the very least, while I can at least find some merit to laws that push werewolves towards the muggle world, their disease not affecting muggles, I don't understand the laws we have that work to prevent these people from getting care or from obtaining wolfsbane. That potion could help to eradicate lycanthropy within a generation or two, save for those few like Greyback who revel in their ability to cause pain and suffering. I agree that by making werewolves' lives intentionally harder, we are creating more Greybacks and giving them followers that only spread their disease."

"You can't seriously be talking about helping those vile creatures," Cecil Lee said with a scowl. "They're abominations!"

"They're people," Carter Ollivander said in disagreement. "For those infected as adults, they attended school with some of us, had jobs, had lives, and are mostly the same people they were before they were infected. I bet you my grandfather could tell you what wands they bought when they were eleven years old and full of life. What changed was how we perceived them. Remus Lupin is a great example of the opposite side of the coin. He has been a werewolf since he was a young boy, and yet he has two major qualifications that many in this room don't even have. Do we really want to look at children who were infected generally because their parents angered someone like Greyback and tell them that they will suffer for the rest of their lives for something outside of their control?"

A dozen enlarged photos appeared in front of everyone . . . photos of young children, many of whom looked tired and sick.

"These are the ones you want to receive no medical aid. Some of them have parents that are werewolves and you're telling these kids that you don't want their parents to be able to provide for them or have them," Sirius said, "but you're also telling them that while you don't want their parents to have them, you don't want anyone else to have them either."

"That's because they should all be wiped out," Oscar Rosier said darkly. "I will happily tell those little vermin that."

There were mutters of disgust at his words from many, but mutters of agreement from some, and mutters of discomfort from another large portion.

Dora and Sirius exchanged dark glances knowing that this debate would go long, but they were determined to at least make some ground in this effort, and with the darker elements being the ones most opposed, they were hoping to use that as proof to other werewolves that Voldemort and his faction would not be good for them in the long run.

*HP*

Aurors Bring Underage Student to Battle Werewolves! Boy-Who-Lived Kills Again!

"Gee, I wonder what the Prophet's take on the mission was," Harry muttered sarcastically, getting laughs, chuckles, and giggles from all around, as his friends dived in to read the Prophet article.

"This might be the closest they've gotten to outright libel and slander in a while," Alicia said with a low whistle, her eyes hard. "They make it sound like the aurors were helpless without you, and yet also helpless to stop you from going on a killing spree. That doesn't even factor their shots at Astra."

"The Prophet is going to be in a lot of trouble on this one," Hermione said with a confused frown. "I don't understand what they were thinking going all out like this . . . especially with the Shadow Chronicle around."

They all turned to their more favored news outlet, which in question had its own heading about the event.

Fenrir Greyback Brought to Justice! Killed in Auror Raid! Greyback's Pack Dismantled!

While the Prophet had no witnesses from the event and only described things secondhand, lambasting Harry, Sirius, Dora, Rick, and Amelia Bones, and did its best to make the event seem like a bad thing, the Chronicle was the complete opposite. The Chronicle had interviews and direct quotes from every member of the team, those that had survived that is, and additionally had an interview with Madam Bones. It outlined the reasoning for why Harry had been involved, both because of his patronage and his familiar, outlined the previous precedent of allowing such assistance, and then had an in depth analysis of what had happened, how many had been captured, and who had taken out some of the most notorious werewolves and murderers in Britain, with Dora getting credit for killing Greyback.

"Yeah, I don't understand the Prophet's angle here," Neville said, also frowning. "Killing or capturing Fenrir Greyback is big news! He's been a terror to many for decades. Several of his fiercest supporters were also among our Most Wanted or at least had been at some point in time. This article makes it seem like the Prophet would prefer Harry be thrown in prison for his efforts and almost makes the Prophet seem supportive of Fenrir Greyback . . . this was odd."

"Do you think it could be Fudge or others at the Ministry trying to paint a different picture?" Ron asked quietly. "Maybe trying to continue the negative press on Harry, while also suggesting it was Harry and those like him that are prosecuting werewolves?"

"That's an interesting idea," Angelina said. "Propaganda to help Voldemort's efforts, even if most don't realize it. Fudge certainly wouldn't be pro werewolf, but any chance to try and besmirch Harry. That could be . . . but the Shadow Chronicle outlines how Dora and Sirius brought up and are now starting to actively fight for werewolf rights, using your magehood as a legal basis for demanding that bigoted laws be removed. If the Prophet's article was one of Voldemort's plots . . . well it's safe to say it backfired."

"That could be a happy coincidence, or that could be the Order deliberately sabotaging," Ginny said.

"Good for the Order or bad for Voldemort, either works for me," Harry said, before glancing around to see the glances, the whispers, the fearful or challenging looks. "No matter what, it's not good for me though."

"You know . . ." Alicia said thoughtfully, "maybe it's time we take a different approach to try and actively combat that."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked with interest.

"Well, in the past we've always shown you our support, tried to combat the rumors or accusations with logic and a barbed word," Alicia said. "We've all kind of let our tempers control our responses, knowing you couldn't be what they made you out to be, and either fired back with heated words or secluded ourselves and focused on our own efforts."

"Ok . . ." Ron said in confusion.

"Well, one would hope logic would work, and it does for some people, but for the most part it didn't, and then whatever rumor mill would mostly clear up when the truth came out," Alicia said. "Then people would apologize for the accusations, but the base reasoning behind why they believed the rumors was never really treated."

"Oh . . ." Katie said in understanding.

"I'm still lost," Angelina said.

"She's saying people don't really know you, Harry," Hermione said with a sigh, nodding wearily. "In First Year, we got a bad rep because of Norbert, but nobody knew that. They just knew we lost a lot of points and they thought we were a couple first years that got a bit big for our britches. Stopping Quirrell earned some admiration, but it didn't remove what they thought . . . that you'd been out roaming at night because you were a Quidditch prodigy and were arrogant."

"Then the Chamber and the whole thing with Sirius and people started to think you were a bit of a hero, and always seemed to be involved in something. Factor in the Quidditch World Cup and then the start of the Triwizard Tournament, and people thought you liked the attention and wanted to keep playing the hero," Katie said, catching on. "The fact that we pulled away, improve ourselves, kept distant and basically showed ourselves as better as our approach just ruffled people, making them think that you, and us as your friends, enjoyed being more powerful or skilled then everyone else."

"Factor in that you've killed a few people and maimed or injured others, and people can form the opinion that you're dangerous and ruthless . . . and well, you can be," Ginny said, also seeing the point.

"So you do think I've become too ruthless?" Harry asked, a bit disheartened.

"No, I don't think that at all," Alicia said, though she didn't fail to notice that Hermione seemed to shuffle nervously in her seat. "I think you can be, Harry, but you're also very kind, loyal, and are a good person. The thing is most everyone else . . ."

"Doesn't know that," Angelina finished, figuring it out, and Harry frowned. "Little brother, even in Gryffindor, you aren't all that close to many of our Housemates. I bet you can't even name everyone in Ginny or Katie's years."

"Well, no," Harry admitted. "I think I'd get close, but I'm sure I'd forget one or two . . . but that's not really that important is it?"

"Not if you don't care about the rumors," Alicia said, "but just look at the GC. A fair few of our members didn't know you well and really only showed up to learn from you, even if some of them probably did think you were either off your rocker or at least arrogant or cruel. Now though? Most of them are at least friendly with you, if not actual friends, and I've seen a couple of them defend you in the halls when they hear someone bad mouthing you."

"And that's because they know me," Harry said, understanding her point.

"Exactly," Alicia said. "So, while yes, Voldemort coming out will bring things back around and make you popular again," Alicia continued a bit more quietly, "it won't affect the underlying solution on why people's opinions are fickle."

"This could be a way to hit two birds with one stone," Angelina said thoughtfully, and they turned to her. "Well, Alicia's effectively telling you to try and get out more, and talk to more people. We all should probably assist you with that, and help ourselves at the same time, but obviously with how people are wary at times, maybe we combine this with trying to spread a little kindness."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise. "You're saying I can work to show I'm not completely heartless and ruthless when I'm not in battle by trying to perform acts of kindness, which will in turn also help me meet people and change people's perceptions."

"Exactly," Alicia and Angelina said.

"That's a good idea," Hermione and Katie both said.

"Next time you hear some firsties complaining about an assignment, offer to help," Ginny said. "That helped change your perception in my year, at least among my friends. Expand on that."

"If you see some way to help someone or to spread a little bit of joy, to provide a kind word when you think it might be needed, do it," Katie said.

"That sounds tedious," Ron muttered.

"It probably will be," Angelina agreed, "but if you work on it, you make a habit of it, and perhaps you might even start to enjoy it, especially if it works."

"Set an easy goal for trying to help one person a day, or do one kind act per day," Hermione said, already pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill to start making notes, drawing up plans, and generating ideas. "When you're doing these things, try and make small talk and get to know whomever you are helping."

"I think this is going to be harder than you all are saying," Harry said with a sigh. "I'm not exactly a very social person."

"Harry, you have a lot of friends, really," Hermione said reproachfully.

"Oh, I know I do," Harry agreed. "More than I ever thought I'd have, but I don't exactly deserve a lot of credit for making most of those friends. Hermione, sure I love you now, but you and I became friends because Ron and I locked a troll in the bathroom with you. You three," he pointed at the chasers, "only got close to me because I was put on the team. You were the ones who also worked harder to get to know me, and Dora convinced me to open up more, which helped a lot. If I'd stayed with the Dursleys we all probably would have been less close. Fred, George, Ginny, mostly because of Ron or Quidditch or Dora. All of Dora's friends and coworkers are mostly because of Dora. Really Ron and Neville are the only ones I met in normal ways, and even Neville has only become closer to our group because of the Triwizard."

"Well, I'm not sure I completely agree with all that, but he does make a fair point," Angelina said, before she grinned. "Clearly the easy solution though is we help you, which we would have done anyway. We get to try and teach you to be social! Finally, it's our turn to be better at something."

Harry sighed as his friends all laughed at that.

"Don't worry, Har," Katie said with a grin. "You might even enjoy this."

*HP*

"Bloody Dumbledore," Harry cursed, leaning over a long piece of parchment. "The man can barely say two words to me directly, but he can certainly assign some nasty homework every now and then."

Katie and Ginny snorted in amusement, the two girls sharing the table with him in the common room. They were both working on their own homework. Astra was lying at his feet.

"Perhaps, but you can't deny that the class and his occasional "nasty assignments" haven't helped you a lot with performing much of the more advanced magic you've learned," Katie said.

"No, taking the class was one of the best academic decisions I've made," Harry conceded, "but that doesn't make this two foot essay on contrasting transfiguration and transmutation any more enjoyable."

"That's what that is on?!" Ginny exclaimed in horror. "That sounds awful!"

"It is," Harry said sorrowfully. "It really is."

"Well, sucks to be you, love," Katie said, "because I just finished my Potions essay."

"I just finished my Charms homework," Ginny admitted.

"Way to rub it in," Harry grumbled goodnaturedly. "My girlfriends are cruel."

"Hmm, he thinks we're being cruel, does he?" Katie asked Ginny with a mischievous grin.

"Apparently," Ginny agreed, "and we weren't even teasing him . . . yet."

Harry sighed, and the two girls giggled. He glanced about for his salvation when he saw a slight argument breaking out among a small group of second years. He frowned thoughtfully, and then glanced at Katie and Ginny who had noticed and nodded.

"Go on, Harry," Katie said. "That or we tease you relentlessly. The choice is yours."

"You're not going to join me in going over there?" Harry asked.

"No, I think you can handle some ickle second years," Ginny said, imitating her twin older brothers. "If you crash and burn, we'll help you in the future, but I think you'll be fine."

"So, what are you two going to do then?" Harry asked.

"Well, if the pretty girl at your feet is willing, I think we go get some practice in," Katie said, and Astra's tail thumped.

"She's willing," Harry said, before grumbling mock sadly. "Abandoning me and taking my familiar with you."

"Yep!" Ginny said brightly. "This could be an incentive though." She leaned over the table and kissed him softly. "Go be social, help the younger students, and then you can come join us."

"Not likely," Harry said glumly. "I'll be lucky if I can help them and then I have to get back to my essay."

"Well, then I have a night to solely take advantage of my smoking hot girlfriend," Katie said with a grin, and Ginny winked playfully at her.

"Alright, I'm leaving," Harry said, getting up and ignoring the giggling troublemakers as he walked over to the second years.

He approached them, telling himself that being nervous was stupid, and that they were just students like him, and younger ones at that. They stopped their argument as he approached, several of them looking at him nervously or with a hint of fear, which made him slightly sad.

"Hello there," Harry greeted politely, trying to sound upbeat. "What seems to be the problem here?"

"Um, there's no pro-problem, sir," one of them said nervously.

"Sir?" Harry said, taken aback. "We're all students aren't we?"

"Um, I guess so," one girl said slowly, "but you're – er – you're Harry Potter."

"I am?" Harry asked, eyes wide open. "Blimey, I wish someone would have told me that. Maybe I could have refused the job."

There were looks of befuddlement at that, and he sighed.

"Just trying to make a joke," Harry said. "I guess I'm not that funny. I'll leave that to the Weasley twins."

He did get some slight chuckles at that and he brightened with a slight grin.

"Well, that's a bit better," he said. "Now, I couldn't help but notice some sort of argument, and I wondered if I could help?"

"You - you want to help us?" one of the boys asked incredulously.

"Sure, why not?" Harry asked.

"Well your – your Harry Potter!"

"So that means that I can't help?" Harry asked in confusion. "I mean, I know the Prophet fluctuates on whether I'm an incompetent mess or a dangerous prodigy, but I like to think I'm somewhere more in the middle of those two extremes, so how about we call me just Harry, and then you treat me like any other student."

The five second years exchanged startled glances before one of them shrugged hesitantly, and then the others either mirrored that or nodded slowly.

"Alrighty then," Harry said, pulling up a chair. "So, what's the issue?"

"Well, we're having some issues with Defense Against the Dark Arts and one of the assignments," one of the boys admitted. "Spells and creatures."

"Well, it just so happens that I am fairly decent at Defense," Harry said with a smile. "Let's see what you're working with and then let's figure out how to solve your problem."

*HP*

Angelina and Alicia walked into the common room and glanced about, figuring they'd find some of their friends to study with, and both smiled as they saw Harry Potter firmly entrenched with ten second years, calmly explaining something about ghouls, from what they could tell, and the second years were hanging on to his every word, writing it down almost feverishly.

"And Harry thought he'd need our help," Angelina said with a grin.

"He's got this in the bag," Alicia agreed. "At least for our House. He'll probably have to work a bit harder at it for the other Houses."

"Yeah, but it's a step in the right direction," Angelina said, and she glanced over to see a group of first years gazing over at the second years around Harry with a hint of awe and also some wistfulness.

"I think the first years could use a light introduction to some more advanced topics," Alicia said, with a slight grin, seeing the group too. "Might as well go introduce ourselves and then drag them over there. I'm sure even we might learn something if Harry's the one teaching."

"I couldn't agree more."

*HP*

The weeks flew by with November flying by and then December too was quickly passing along. Harry, his family, and his friends had been busier than ever, but at least now it had mostly been due to their own projects and efforts and not detentions with Umbridge and extra work to avoid Umbridge.

Things had been tense for roughly a whole week after Harry's participation in the raid on Greyback's pack, but slowly that had started to wane as he did his best to follow Alicia's initial idea . . . and he received assistance in doing so from many others.

He'd certainly started with tutoring a small group of second years, but that had grown to occasionally helping first, second, third, and even fourth years periodically when he was in the common room. Often times, they would come up to him now, if he was with his normal group of friends and ask for help if they needed it, or if they saw him by himself, they might join him or call him to join them if he was wandering in alone. To say it was a huge change to how he normally experienced being in his own House was an understatement.

Things hadn't stopped there.

Word had spread and those Gryffidors with friends in other Houses now approached him in the library. At first it had only been with their Gryffindor friends, but over the course of the month, others had gotten more comfortable approaching him for help or advice. Members of the Consortium had heard about what he was doing and rallied to help him, speaking more openly and supportive of him in their own Houses and soon they were bringing some of their younger years to him for help in the subjects he was well known for being talented in. Slowly, but surely, Harry's negative and aloof persona was being washed away, and Harry was admittedly finding himself enjoying it to his chagrin, even if he still enjoyed it best when he was with his closest friends and family.

In school, Harry was mostly going through the motions. Still doing well and being a diligent student, but it was the extracurriculars where Harry's focus was. For fun, he had Quidditch practice with Angelina pushing their team to greater heights in pursuit of the next win and the Quidditch Cup. There was the Grim Consortium where he continued to help his fellow students learn offensive and defensive magic and dueling techniques, and he was starting to work in mock duels occasionally which allowed him to observe the progress his students had made while also giving him some additional practice against different opponents. Lastly though was his own efforts along with his closest friends and family.

There had been a startling, but not completely surprising change from his family and friends when he returned from the mission. Well, it was a bit startling to him, but if he took a step back and looked more logically, ignoring his inner doubts, then he should have predicted it. They'd been angry to be left behind . . . so they were now determined to not be left behind again. In pursuit of those goals, his friends were more committed than ever to mastering elemental magic, gaining patronage or matronage from deities, and in a few cases, interested in magehood.

Angelina and Alicia, both being of age and in their last years at Hogwarts, knew that upon graduation they would join the Order and would be able to fight by Harry's side, should it come to that, but both had already had an interest in mastering their elements and possible magehood because of Harry. Both girls already had matronage from Athena, but Angelina was in pursuit of patronage from Boreas, the god of the North Wind, and she also was pursuing patronage with Zeus, as a sky god. Alicia was pursuing patronage with Poseidon and also patronage with Ascelpius, the god of healing. She was considering magehood and patronage under Apollo, whose domain Asclepius fell under. Of course, half the battle was going to be earning the favor of these deities in order to obtain their goals, but both girls were determined.

Ginny and Katie had both been almost relentless in their efforts to find time for Harry to help them with shadow. Whenever Harry couldn't find Astra, he generally only had to reach out with his mind to realize she was with one of those two helping them improve in her native element, and their abilities were rapidly increasing. With patronage, he felt both had a good shot of mastering the element quite quickly.

Hermione was diving into the ice element with a frenzy usually only seen with S.P.E.W. or exam prep. Unlike the others, Hermione had little interest or hadn't shown any interest in trying to get patronage from a god or goddess in that element, but she had finally made the jump and received matronage from Athena, and was interested in possible magehood under Athena or Koios, the god of intelligence.

Ron had finally picked an element: fire, and was putting in the work to learn the element, showing a level of dedication that Harry wasn't used to seeing from his mate of his own volition. Still, he was working hard, and while Harry had originally been a bit worried about Ron picking an element that none of the rest of them knew, his worry had been for naught.

Once again the Grim Consortium had shown its value with a handful of members having some skill or knowledge of various elements, and had been more than happy to add an extra hour once a week dedicated to learning elemental magic, whether that was improving and learning more for those who already had some skill, or picking up an element for those who knew nothing. Ron had two helpers with the element, Slytherin Micah Felide and Hufflepuff Susan Bones, and that didn't include Hermione who of course was happy to help Ron in his new found dedication to a branch of magic.

Ron had taken a step further and professed his interest in magehood as well, but under Hephaestus. In the Consortium, he'd been picking Harry's brain more about what it was like to forge items and learn to fix things, which Harry had been more than happy to talk about, something which had drawn interest from Hufflepuff Alex Sykes, Slytherin Avis Lasterfelt, and Ravenclaws Cho Chang, surprisingly, and Luna Lovegood. All four had experience in forging and creating items, and had been more than happy to talk with Ron, who admitted he was curious about being able to make things like that, having actually worked on his dad's old car with Arthur occasionally and admitting that he'd enjoyed working with his hands. Harry suspected that the fact it was something completely different from any of his brothers was also something that intrigued Ron.

With them set to hop on the train to leave Hogwarts for Christmas break the next day, Harry had already promised Ron to bring him out to Harry's forge that Sirius had made for him, and show him a bit and let him tinker a bit to see if he liked it. If he really did, then Ron really thought he might be interested in pursuing magehood under Hephaestus, the master builder and god of fire.

Things were looking up, in Harry's opinion. They were all growing stronger, growing more confident in their abilities, and Umbridge had mostly been neutralized, allowing them to actually enjoy their time at Hogwarts while they awaited the true start of the war.

*HP*

Theseus Scamander sighed as he sat down in his chair, relaxing for the first time that day. He was alone. He'd never found someone after Leta's death, instead just pouring himself into his work, whether that was for the Ministry or for Hogwarts. Newt and Tina visited often, their children and now grandchildren were also regular visitors. A wife and child had never been in his cards, but he'd always loved his family, growing only closer to his brother after Grindelwald.

He summoned himself a glass of firewhiskey, reveling in letting the stress from the day leave him behind. He'd spent the whole day at Hogwarts, which while enjoyable in some ways, was not the greatest of assignments.

Dolores Umbridge was rather hopeless in his opinion. She had the capabilities and potential to be good, but she was as bigoted and vile as any person Theseus had ever met, which made her useless. She just refused to learn when to shut up, when to toe the line, and to leave Harry Potter and his friends and family alone. The fact she kept accusing him of abusing the system or lying when she was the guiltest person at the school of doing that, and hadn't even bothered to apologize to the boy whenever she was proven wrong was perhaps one of her worst crimes, in Theseus's opinion. She was a hypocrite, and a rather incompetent and vindictive one at that.

Well, she wouldn't be his problem next term. He was done letting her screw things up. He'd tried his best to turn her into a proper teacher, but you couldn't help someone who refused to change and didn't want to be helped. All he could help her do was tie the noose, which he'd done.

He frowned as his wards signaled someone at his entrance. Theseus made his way to his front door, his wand ready, and he frowned seeing Dolores Umbrige outside his gate. He walked outside, eyes scanning as he approached.

"Madam Umbridge," he addressed curtly, but not welcoming. "What brings you to my residence at this time of night?"

"This," she said coldly, holding up an envelope, and he stared at it before glancing at her.

"Were you confused by the contents?" Theseus asked flatly.

"You can't dismiss me from that school," Umbridge said, eyes bulging.

"I believe I can," Theseus replied firmly. "I'm rather surprised you thought you had any shot of remaining at the school. While your teaching has improved, under my strict supervision, your attitude has not changed. You are just as much of a disgrace to that school as you are to the Ministry. The cursory investigation into your department shows you are just as miserable to your employees as you are to the students. Your time is over, Madam. Change your attitude and maybe you might find future employment."

"You are mistaken, Scamander," Umbridge said sweetly. "Your opinion is invalid, and you will not dismiss me from that school or the Ministry. I am here to relieve you of your position."

"Is that so?" Theseus said, eyes narrowing, and he reached out with his senses and felt the other seven people just outside his wards. She was a decoy.

She smiled viciously. "Yes, and I think you know it now, don't you? Oh, yes. This will be fun."

Theseus raised a strong shield as he felt his wards fall, having been blasted apart. He nonverbally sent off a patronus charm before spinning out of the way of a killing curse. He bemoaned his age and not for the first time wondered how Albus always seemed so sprightly despite being nearly a decade older.

Theseus threw a fireball which engulfed one of his opponents, who screamed, only partially shielding himself, and Theseus recognized Carlos Dobbin, one of the "deviants" that Harry Potter had helped capture at the World Cup. Theseus didn't take it easy on the young man. He threw three chained blasting curses blasting the man through Theseus's iron fence.

Curses started raining down on Theseus's position, and his wand was a blur blocking spells, conjuring items to take unforgivables, and casting offensive spells back. He shot explosive curses, fireballs, cutting curses, disarming charms, withering curses, lightning bolts, and used air to try and blast away his opponents, but while Carlos Dobbin might have been a poor duelist, Theseus's other opponents were less so.

He raised the earth around him, providing shielding and he ran back to his home, knowing he stood a better chance if he could canalize his opponents, but two of them cut him off, and Theseus once again found himself in a pitched battle defending from shots in all directions.

He could feel one of those in front of him faltering in strength, and he decided to take a chance. He wandlessly created a gap in his shield and then wandlessly launched a air cutting curse, and one of his opponents gasped in pain as his chest was ripped open, and the air blew back his hood. Theseus recognized Emerson Lestrange, father to the infamous Rodolphus and Rastaban Lestrange. His age had caught up with him, as it did everyone. It seemed the Death Eaters were taking a risk to come out and deal with him. It was nice to be wanted at his age.

Theseus pushed the fight, charging the one remaining that was blocking his path, and throwing an area shock spell behind him which caused two more of his opponents to fall to the ground. The man in front of him didn't falter, fighting harder and raising the ground to counter Theseus's mobility.

Theseus grimaced as a cutting curse made it through his shield and clipped his hip. He fired an overcharged lightning bolt at the one who sent the curse, and the man only managed to partially block the spell before he collapsed, twitching from the lightning.

A blasting curse knocked Theseus down and he groaned in pain and fatigue. He just wasn't built to handle this anymore, but he needed to hold out until help could arrive. Just as he thought that and got to his feet, the ground rose up and smashed into him like a boulder throwing him back and to the ground hard.

Two bludgeoning hexes came and smashed into his chest and he grunted as the wind was knocked out of him, and he just managed to cast one more curse which blasted one of his opponents away, the man having dropped his guard, but a bonebreaker came and smashed his wand arm, and he knew it was over.

"My, my, you are quite the problem, even at your age," Umbridge said, moving forward, an angry look on her face.

"Get out of here, Umbridge," a voice growled out. "You got to see him suffer and now you need to get to your alibi. Carlson, grab Ross, and get out of here. Alecto, grab the others."

"Dobbin and Lestrange are dead," Alecto Carrow said. "I'm not sure Monegue is going to make it either."

"A fucking mess," the gruff voice said. "I told them we should have come with some better duelists."

Theseus' eyes started to forcibly close as a cloaked man raised his wand to finish him, when two cracks ripped through the air. Theseus could only hear as his assailants scattered in the face of Theseus's reinforcements, but then again, his sister in law was not someone to trifle with, and if she brought Newt with him, then they were in trouble.

That was his last pleasant thought as darkness took him.

"Apparate away!" A gruff voice ordered, and Porpentina Scamander swore as the assailants almost all apparated away, leaving Theseus, and three bodies. From what she could sense, two were dead and the other was an inch from death. They'd left those who could tell them nothing.

"Theseus!" Newt ran forward to his brother, and Tina kept her focus on the surroundings, in case the bastards tried to circle back on them.

"Are we too late?" Tina asked worriedly.

"No, he's alive," Newt responded, "but at his age . . . well, we'll have to see if he wakes up. If he does, his recovery is going to be long."

"We'll be there for him," Tina said, eyes narrowed, "and he'll pull through. He's a stubborn bastard, and he'll help us find who did this."

"Yeah, of course, love," her husband said absently, looking worried.

"Let's get him to St. Mungo's, love," Tina said. "We'll alert the aurors and Albus, and then we'll try to figure out why he was attacked, and who these corpses are."

*HP*

Harry was sleeping cozily, his dreams focused on finally heading home for Christmas break and enjoying Shadow Hold when his dream changed. It was like when he used to have Voldemort dreams, but different, and not like the dreams from Hades.

Now, he felt strong, stronger than he'd ever felt with the darkness around him. He felt an urgency to get somewhere. One of his pack was hurt, and he had to save them. Harry shifted in darkness appearing ina familiar corridor, and he snarled seeing a large snake striking a familiar red-haired man, sinking its fangs into him once and then twice. Harry bound forward and bit down at the base of the large snake's head, and the snake hissed in pain, but was unable to break free from his bite. Harry sniffed, smelling a familiar and hated smell in the snake. It was tainted. It was evil. It would die . . .

Harry bolted up out of his bed, nearly smashing into Ron who was standing over him looking worried.

"Your dad's . . . been attacked!" Harry said breathlessly. "Astra just got there. We have to help. Your dad – he's hurt bad! We've got to go!"