Harry didn't know how and when he'd decided that making out with the former duelling champion in the ladies bathroom was a good idea but in the current moment, he couldn't say that he cared.

For some unfathomable reason, Claire had decided to kiss him as soon as that middle aged-woman had noticed them and now, after she'd hurriedly left the space, he had Claire sitting upon the counter with him standing between her legs, their lips mashed together in mutual desire.

And now, he pooled her hair in his right hand and used his left to rub her back as he kissed her with naked desire and urgency.

She mumbled against his forceful lips, tasting sweet and salty like butter. A part of him wanted to stop and get some answers from this strange and irresistible witch but that part had been subjugated quite firmly by the part that had been wanting to have this witch for himself ever since he'd seen her again ten minutes ago.

When she pulled back to breathe, smiling wolfishly at him, he knew his self-control was slipping but the analytical part of his mind scanned his surroundings anyway.

He knew that her wand was in a not-so-secret pocket of her dress and the locking charm he'd applied on the door of the bathroom was going to hold unless a literal storm broke it apart. So there really was nothing else vying for his attention than this delightfully needy witch.

He dropped his eyes to her not insignificant cleavage, heaving up and down with every breath she took, held up for him like a feast, those beautiful creamy breasts straining to be unleashed, looking absolutely delicious. She arched her back for him and he put his mouth to good use.

She moaned into his ear as he cut open her dress into two halves with a charm from the tip of his index finger, the cool air bringing pretty red splotches to her exposed milky skin.

He unwrapped her slowly, taking his time to touch and caress her, taking pleasure in every little gasp she exuded into his ears. His lips descended to her breasts, kissing and licking and biting all over, gradually moving to her pink nipples that were so hard for his attention.

The sounds that came out of her mouth then would've undone him, if not for his iron will and a little bit of Occlumency. But the side effect of a rational mind was that he suddenly remembered that his family will still be waiting for him to return.

"Fuck-I'm going to be late!" he cursed.

Claire was suddenly all serious although the glint in her eyes was another matter altogether.

"Then we must hurry, non?" she said huskily, removing her hands from where they lay against his back and bringing it to her own.

In the next moment, Harry could barely keep the surprise and desire from his face as she slid her knickers down her thighs and then to her knees.

"Please," she said kissing him again, her voice slurring just a little, and he needed no more bidding.

He broke apart to see the surprise in her gaze and then her mouth parted open in an unasked question and a scream as he hilted up inside her.

He gripped her legs that were still partially covered from her ruined dress, parted them with each hand, and thrust into her back and forward, pushing her roughly up the marble counter, her head against his shoulder.

She was like a dream, wet and hot but tight, so tight he had to pull her up against him, forcing himself in repeatedly to create that nice long and slick passage that brought sweet and spicy goosebumps down his neck and back. This witch who almost had him under her spell, was as petite as she was powerful, and as he held her against himself, he felt as if she was just made for him.

And then a small part of him, the infuriating realist within him, whispered that maybe this feeling was just a side effect of abstaining from his natural urges for so long.

Claire must be as wild in lust as him because soon, she was whimpering and panting and gasping his name, and he used a hand to pull her into a needy kiss again, increasing his pace even further.

She met his eyes then, the desire depicted as brightly as one of her fiery whips just earlier in the day. "Please Harry," she moaned, "I need you, I need your cock."

The bathroom was filled with noise of their coupling, the slapping of their flesh and her delightful moans and saucy, dirty words.

"I need you, Harry, please, harder... please..." she was screaming as a shudder passed through her, rocking her body as she lay her head against his shoulder, sagging against him.

He was close, he could feel it. She nibbled at his lip, now moaning softly and encouragingly after having already come apart to his rough ministrations. Her yes were shut but he knew that if not her body, then her words will be his undoing.

"Come on... Mon prince..."

And he was right because in only the next moment was he gushing into her, grunting and roaring and filling her up, her tightness milking him for everything he had to give. In his arms, she jerked and moaned and screamed and then sagged again, her eyes bright and her mouth smiling.

He didn't know how long they stood gazing into each other's eyes because then she swallowed and slid from the counter, her wand coming up to repair her dress.

He watched her put her knickers back on, instantly becoming hard again at the thought that they will likely be soaked from his spilling seed by the time she went home. He helped her a little with her dress and then she was leaning into him, her hands on his chest and her cheek against his own.

"Please tell me that I will see you again?" she whispered and he gazed deeply into her eyes to see a little hesitation, a flicker of uncertainty and a smidgen of vulnerability.

"Write to me," he said with as much firmness he could muster, his voice still rough and his head still swimming from her intoxicating musk.

"Okay," she agreed without hesitation and he grinned. In the next moment, he saw the old fun and confident Claire return and he claimed her lips again.

Claire left the bathroom first, and then he followed a few minutes later under a disillusionment spell. He found his family waiting near the entrance to the stadium.

"All good?" his Dad asked as soon as he was within earshot.

He smiled, nodded, and finally, they were on their way back home, and although he wouldn't admit it to either of the witches later, he studiously avoided both Bella and his Mum's gazes as they stepped into the fireplace.

-_- .

Rufus Scrimgeour was a deeply unhappy wizard. As the Head Auror, he'd worked tirelessly for the past sixteen years to get to where he was and now, everything was once again on the brink of unraveling.

The first time it had happened, almost fourteen years ago, he'd been a mid-level junior auror responsible for a team that was hunting down the infamous Death Eater Malric Jugson. He and a few other team leaders been tasked by Bones who was the Head of the DMLE at the time to bring them into custody.

It had seemed like a simple mission, raid the known haunt of the criminal, a watering hole by the name 'The Broken Wand'. He'd gotten it all down to the point where they were ready to make arrests when a member of his team had been taken hostage.

The resulting fight that had followed had almost destroyed his career. Bones and the Bagnold administration had come for his head, stating that his negligence had cost four Auror lives and only through sheer luck had he escaped the termination of his employment.

And that was why five years ago, when it came to selecting the new Head of the DMLE, his name been mercilessly skipped over.

And now, after the Blood war and some major international incidents in the ICW countries in the last few years, when things were just getting back to normal, there emerged another entity that would threaten the balance of powers in their world. And just like that, once again all of his hopes and dreams were on the line.

He knocked twice on the double doors to the Minister's office and they opened automatically, her voice beckoning him to enter.

"Rufus," she greeted him without looking up from the parchment she'd been reading, making him bristle. "What can I do for you?"

He cleared his throat loudly, making the witch sigh.

He sat in the chair meant for him at the desk and waited until he had her attention. It was the least she could do when she was meeting with someone as important as him.

"I've wanted to discuss with you a rather delicate matter," he began, "It's regarding the events from the last week."

Amelia frowned. "Explain."

He took the initiative. "Last week, we all saw the emergence of a powerful wizard, whose motives remain yet unknown. We do not know much about him, except the fact that he comes from a very powerful family. I'm requesting that we, as the Auror force who are the prime defence of this country, offer this wizard an internship with the Aurors, which upon graduating under the watchful eye of myself, will learn how to control and use his power in a way that benefits our country. Upon graduating from the internship, we'll be offering him a place as a trainee in our Auror force."

Amelia listened in rapt attention but leaned forward. "I don't see why you're bringing this up with me. Why are you not taking this up with Bella? She's the head of your department."

Rufus had expected this question and came prepared. "I cannot involve Madam Black as she is close with this subject. It will cloud her judgement."

Amelia gave him a scrutinizing look, one which he couldn't interpret. It's been too long since he'd been close to her. Once upon a time, they trained together, went on missions together and shared meals together. But now, she was the Minister and he was still stuck in the DMLE.

"Rufus," she said quietly, "Please tell me you're not talking about Harry Potter."

He was jubilant. This was the Amelia he knew, always figuring out things that others couldn't.

"Of course I am!" he confirmed. "Harry Potter is an unknown who has Merlin knows how much potential. If ignored, he could become a dangerous foe."

Amelia closed her eyes and leaned back. He frowned in disappointment. He liked it better when she was leaning forward and those massive tits of hers were supported by her desk.

But he could still enjoy the view, he decided. Even as she leaned back, she looked exquisite. He took the silence to admire her silently, taking her picture in his mind's eye. If he couldn't have her, at least he could let his eyes feast on her.

Once upon a time, he'd been close to Amelia and had thought they had potential to be something more than friends. Now, he was stuck with an insipid wife for whom he could barely get hard for without imagining Amelia in his arms.

"Rufus," she opened her eyes and regarded him seriously. He felt that she was finally coming around to see things as he wanted her to. "I can't authorize that. Not only is Harry Potter an underage wizard, but he's also the twin of the Boy-Who-Lived who has done nothing but win a duelling tournament. What you are proposing will cause me...us, a lot of grief if his family got the wind of it. And Bella will literally carve us both up if she learned of this."

Rufus smiled wickedly. "His family can do nothing about it. Lord Black may hold an important position in the ICW but his power means nothing here in Britain. And Madam Black will have no choice but follow the law if you sign the internship contract that I draft."

Amelia scoffed. He felt himself deflate at her glare. "What I'm hearing so far is that you want to force an underage wizard into an Auror program just because he seems to be powerful enough to win the Under-17 duelling tournament."

Rufus shook his head. "It's necessary for ensuring the safety of our country. Not to mention, the public will be disappointed in us if we let such a powerful wizard whose intentions we do not know roam unchecked."

Rufus knew he'd played his last card, but he still had a hope in his chest that Amelia would listen to reason. However, the next words out of her mouth made him question if she was the same witch that he used to know and admire. "Harry Potter is not a threat and we shouldn't refer to him as one, neither in public or not in private conversations."

"But-"

But the Minister raged on, looking angry. "Rufus, tell me this. You're saying that the brother of the Boy-Who-Lived, the saviour of our country against the worst Dark Lord in history, is an extraordinarily powerful wizard, who if left unchecked can harm our country, and that you want to take him under your wing behind his godmother's back who is the Head of the DMLE and his godfather's back who is the Head of the DOJ in the ICW, and his powerful family's back who are literally heralded as heroes from the Blood war. You want to go against all of these people just on a hunch that a teenage boy could go on to become a Dark Lord if he didn't join your Aurors?"

Rufus sat stunned into speechlessness as she took apart his entire argument and spat on it. Swallowing a number of retorts that sounded extremely unprofessional even in his head, he stood up.

"I see that I can't change your mind," he said roughly. "I should've expected it, considering how close you seem to be with the boy's godfather."

That did it. The icy fury on her face told Rufus that he had overstepped. He had wanted her to know that he knew all about the long, unscheduled visits from Lord Black that went on for hours but never had he wanted to sound as if he was accusing her of bias.

So he did the only thing he could think of in that moment of uncertainty. He left the office, vowing to do something about the matter of Harry Potter himself.

-_- .

Harry sat in the private parlour of the Potter Manor, doing some advanced charms practise with his Mum.

Time and again he'd been told how brilliant his Mum had been but seeing it for himself and getting used to the benefits of it was another matter altogether. It was still a surreal experience for him when she performed spell after spell with apparent ease, and knowing how much work went into some of it now, he was immensely grateful to that special, unknown power called Fate or Destiny or something that had made it possible for him to be here and witness and experience it for himself.

"Harry, what is it? Harry!" his Mum was calling him, breaking his musings.

"I'm sorry," he murmured and then picked up his wand to perform the *Fidelis Manus* charm to unlock a small wooden box that he had sitting on the carpet beside himself.

Lily looked at him with amused exasperation and a little suspicion but smiled at his partial success. "You were distracted again."

Harry smiled sheepishly. "Yes, sorry. Just thinking about something else..." he didn't know to describe to her that all of this just felt like a dream still.

They'd started with simpler NEWT-level charms and rapidly progressed to the work she herself had done under Charms Master Flitwick. He received a smile every time he performed spell correctly and did it before he was expected to, and he tried but couldn't keep himself from preening every now and then under her appreciation. Every wrong move got him a detailed theoretical explanation behind the spell so when he attempted it again, he doubly put his mind to it to ensure that he succeeded.

"I hope it wasn't that girl that is putting you off from your studies," she said mock-sternly and he chuckled.

"Daphne Greengrass? No, she couldn't be further from my mind."

"Lavinia's daughter, was it?" she said thoughtfully. "Was she there to support you? You're in the same house."

"Support me?" he scoffed, "She was there with a proposition. Wait, you knew her mother?"

Lily nodded. "Of course, she was a year below us. She married Gerald Greengrass, who was year above us, just before she graduated."

When he frowned, Lily added, "Maybe her family was in trouble or something. What did you two talk about?"

He saw no reason to hide so he regaled their entire conversation.

"Maybe she came to you on her father's instruction?" she said.

Harry shook his head. "I don't know and I don't really care. I have no reason to."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm only concerned with my own family business, not anyone else's, especially with someone who isn't a friend," Harry shrugged.

His Mum seemed to take his objections in stride. "That's fair. Although, I wouldn't begrudge you for forgiving her."

When he looked incredulous, she hurried to explain, "She practically offered herself to you. Most wizards would jump at the chance, is all I'm saying."

When he continued staring at her in surprise, Lily began to look uncomfortable and he sighed. Who knew having parents meant that every aspect of your life was a fair topic for conversation?

"I'm not most wizards," he said gently but firmly. "She's done nothing to earn my approbation."

Lily nodded in acceptance, the awkwardness between them gone. "I understand that you want a deeper connection," she said and when he moved to pick up his wand again, she continued, "But-"

He groaned. Although, to be honest, a part of him was glad he could talk to her in matters like these too. He suspect that not many families understood each other so well.

Lily glared at him. "But," she continued, "If she or her family is in some kind of trouble, it will be good to know how you can capitalize on it."

Harry was pretty sure that if he had been a little less careful, he'd have choked on thin air.

"What?" he asked in disbelief.

"These kinds of opportunities don't come by everyday," she replied.

Harry chuckled. "No I understand *that*. I just didn't expect you to be so..." he trailed off but then met her gaze, "ruthless."

His Mum looked at him seriously. "Your grandfather had a saying, you know," when he looked interested, she spoke, "*'Only the family matters, everyone else is cannon fodder.'* So to keep our family safe, we have to cross some lines every now and then.

Harry looked at his Mum with a newfound admiration. "Have you crossed any lines before, Mum?"

She gazed at the crackling fire in the hearth, a small grin tugging at her lips. "Some."

Harry continued his casting when it looked like his Mum was lost in some old memories. But that didn't matter to him, not really, only being in her presence was more than enough.

Exactly when he'd finished undoing the charm that he could now swear he could do and undo in the blink of an eye in the heat of the battle, they were disturbed by the door banging open.

"Harry, you're here!" James said breathlessly, entering the room and giving Lily a kiss. "How's the practise coming along?"

"No complaints," Harry attested, flashing his Mum a grin, "Where are you coming from?"

"Oh just a boring Wizengamot session. Apparently, they want to redirect some of the DMLE funds to the Department of International Relations, bloody fools as they are! But that's neither here nor there," he said changing the subject, "Are you staying for dinner? Julius has made Trifle today, it's *otherworldly, I tell you."

"How did you know what Julius has made for dessert, James?" Lily asked suspiciously.

James winced, avoiding her gaze. "I may have been to the kitchen again..." he said sheepishly.

Harry laughed, agreeing immediately. Lily gave James an exasperated look that spoke vividly of years of experience in tolerating his antics.

-_- .

He'd just left his Mum and Dad to talk a walk when some familiar voices coming likely from a sitting room upstairs caught his ear.

He followed the noises to discover that a group of three were occupying John's private sitting room, conversing loudly.

"And then I slept till the afternoon!" Ron Weasley boasted to which John looked jealous. Hidden underneath the effect of a disillusionment charm, Harry wondered if jealousy was his twin's perpetual state of existence. Did he even know how to feel any other emotion?

Then he remembered that John had seemed happy for him at the award ceremony of the duelling tournament and he felt a twinge of guilt for thinking ill of his brother.

"Lucky git!" John exclaimed. "Mum never lets me sleep past eight!"

Weasley looked aghast. "Still? But you're almost fourteen!"

John shook his head. "That doesn't mean I'll be spared from her anger if she ever caught me being late to breakfast."

"The family breakfast?" Hermione asked.

John nodded and she continued, "My parents and I always eat our breakfast and dinner together. We used to before I went to Hogwarts, and now since that they see me for barely two months a year, we want to spend as much time together as possible."

Weasley grimaced, "That's mental! It's only breakfast!"

Hermione glared at him. "I think it's sweet and thoughtful," she defended and Harry saw that John was wisely keeping out of what was becoming a classic Weasley and Granger spat.

In the next moment, they were going at each other's throats and Harry began to lose interest in the conversation. But then, he saw Hermione huff and stand up.

"I'm going to go say hello to Rose and Dorea," she announced and left the room.

Harry followed her and when he felt that they were a safe distance away from John's room, he cancelled his charm and stepped beside her. "Hello Hermione."

He had to give her credit when she barely flinched but turned to glare at him, her hand on her heart. She was wearing a baby pink shirt and white trousers, looking an abundant amount of normal in this abnormal world they were inhabiting.

And pretty, his heart said with a decidedly firm squeeze to his insides, she looked extremely pretty.

Her hair didn't look like it had the same bushiness as Hermione of his previous world had. Instead, it looked very manageable, framing her face in a way that was extremely reminiscent of his Hermione.

"Harry," she said warily, looking both uncomfortable and awkward. Harry hated that he made her feel this way.

It wasn't as if she could ask him what he was doing here, as this was his house. So she chose to fold her hands awkwardly, still regarding him with a guarded expression.

"I didn't know you were here," Harry spoke gently, "Were you meeting with John?"

Hermione nodded. "We, Ron and I that is, usually visit in the summer," she informed him, and he inwardly gave her credit for understanding the reason behind his question in the first place. It was just like her to figure out what he meant without him even saying it. Since Harry had never lived here, he didn't know that John had his friends over often.

"Right," he smiled, searching for things to say, "I didn't know," he scratched his head, thinking darkly as to how and when had it become so hard to talk to his best friend. "I'm sorry, I'm just new to all this," he gestured with his hands in a sweeping motion around him.

Hermione's gaze softened. "Are you doing alright?"

"Having my family back is fantastic," he said honestly.

She nodded. "Is everything alright now with your parents and your sisters?

Harry didn't need to pretend to like the topic of their conversation. "It's more than alright. They accepted me like I was never gone," he admitted and Hermione beamed at him, her grin and the twinkle in her eyes lighting up her features and giving him aching flashbacks of the Hermione he'd left behind.

"I'm happy for you, Harry," she said, his name rolling of her lips so easily and familiarly that he had the strongest urge to embrace her.

"Thanks," he began to walk with her. "Where are you going?"

"To find your sisters," she replied, to which he asked, "You're friends with them?"

Something in his tone might've thrown her off because she narrowed her eyes. "Yes, why?"

"No, I just thought that you won't have time to be friends with my sisters, considering John will be monopolizing your time," he jested.

She gave him a hint of a smile and then looked at him curiously and he felt that he'd just asked something obvious. "John doesn't decide who I'm friends with," she said a little sharply and he felt inwardly relieved, "Rose spent eleven days at my side in the hospital wing, you know, when John was down in the Chamber," she averted her gaze.

He understood. "I didn't know that," he touched her arm and was grateful that she didn't flinch. "Look Hermione, I want to talk to you, will you come sit with me?"

He resisted the urge to fidget under her scrutinizing gaze. "Alright," she agreed.

He guided her to his chambers, opening the door to his cozy and grand sitting room.

"I swear I can't believe all this is mine," he joked.

Hermione chuckled. "It is quite grand," she quipped.

"Tell me about it," he snorted. "Sometimes I half expect someone to burst in and tell me it's all a mistake."

Hermione smirked, brushing her fingers along the edge of a polished mahogany desk. "If that happens, let me know. I'd love to watch you argue your way into keeping it."

He grinned. "Oh, I'd win. Charm and wit, you know—irresistible combination."

She raised an eyebrow. "Right. Let's hope they're enough to convince whoever designed this décor not to arrest you for your taste in furniture."

"Oi!" he exclaimed, laughing. "I'll have you know this is classic wizarding luxury!"

"Classic, indeed," she teased. "Straight out of a 1800s history book."

They both burst into laughter, the grandeur of the room suddenly feeling far less intimidating and the company much more comfortable.

Standing side by side on the loveseat near a window, Harry could almost make himself believe that it was just like old times.

"Hermione," he began, and something in his demeanour might've tipped her off because she grew serious. "I wanted to tell you that I had nothing to do with Ginny Weasley's disappearance."

She swallowed but made no move to turn away from him. He rejoiced a little at their closeness.

"I believe you," she said softly. Then she scrunched her eyes shut. "I don't know why but I believe you."

He didn't know whether to dance in joy or grow alarmed at her strange admission. Ever since he's read in his younger counterpart's journal that Ron Weasley had poisoned Hermione as well as any other in his house that would lend an ear to his ramblings against him, Harry had known that he had to do his best to make her believe the truth. And the truth was there too, which he'd never had the chance to admit it to her or anyone else.

"Tell me what happened in the Chamber, and don't leave anything out," she said firmly and he smiled in wistfulness at seeing his best friend's natural bossy self reappear.

Then he began to narrate.

"I only know what I saw from the moment I was in the Chamber. Fawkes gave me a lift to the atrium. Before that, I saw Ron trapped on the other side of the debris. I swear, one moment I was in the library, trying to find some clue as what the beast in the Chamber was and in the next second, Fawkes was coming to stand in front of me, on my desk, beckoning for me to take its talon."

Hermione was listening in astonishment.

"He flew me right to the atrium of the Chamber, and I saw John lying there unconscious, just beside Ginny. There was a boy there too, a slightly older student, maybe a sixth or seventh year. He was Voldemort. He was holding Ginny's wand and he unleashed the Basilisk on me."

He heard her gasp but forged ahead with the tale.

"I could barely distract the snake before Fawkes helped by attacking its eyes and blinding it so that I could move and try to go near John and Ginny. I saw that Ginny was pale, and her body almost didn't look solid. John also didn't wake and Voldemort told me that Ginny didn't have much time left. He asked me to duel him."

He heard a sharp intake of breath at that. "And you did?" Hermione asked breathlessly.

"I had no choice," Harry shrugged. "I failed to stop him. Then when he'd amused himself enough, he set the Basilisk on me again."

"What happened?"

"Fawkes happened," he smiled. "He dropped the sorting hat on my head. The hat gave me the Sword of Gryffindor. I fought the beast and killed it but one of its fangs stabbed my arm." He said and at this point, he began to pull back the sleeves of his shirt to show the scar.

Hermione immediately moved to touch it, her eyes shining with tears.

"There was a diary in Ginny's robes. I tried to stab it through the fang but Voldemort told me it was too late," he exhaled loudly, "Ginny's body had turned milky white, and Voldemort looked solid." Harry turned towards Hermione who was now holding his hand, "He mocked me, saying that I barely had a few minutes left to live. And then he disappeared and I blanked out."

He saw a tear run down her cheek. "I don't remember anything after that, except waking up in the hospital wing and then Dumbledore awarding two hundred points to Ron, John and you for special services to the school."

"Oh, Harry," she said and then his arms were closing around her and she was melting into him. "I'm so sorry! How you have suffered!" she wept into his shoulder.

It could've been ages before she pulled away and he immediately missed their closeness. "It wasn't all bad. At least I can boast that I got saved by a phoenix."

She laughed through her tears. "Prat."

Then she grew serious. "So, this is it?"

Harry nodded, looking into her eyes. "This is a faithful account of everything that happened."

For a few minutes they sat in complete silence, the crackling of the fire and her ragged breaths the only sounds in the room. Then he grew impatient.

"Do you believe me, Hermione?"

She looked at him miserably. "You know that John claims that he killed the Basilisk and he says that you-"

Harry felt crushed. "So you don't believe me then."

"No! I do! I do believe you!" she pleaded, "At least, I want to believe you. I'm sorry," she burst into tears again. "I don't know what to do. Why would John lie?"

Harry didn't know the answer to that question. "Maybe he doesn't remember and he thinks he killed it?"

Hermione shook her head. "I don't know. Dumbledore met us, you know, after the incident. He said that John had done a great service to the school. He didn't go into the specifics but he did say that John was a hero."

Harry stood up at that, walking to gaze at the fire. His mind was whirling.

"Harry?" Hermione spoke.

"I don't know what to think, Hermione," he said finally, "Someone is lying. And it isn't me."

It was a moment later that he felt hand on his arm and he turned to see Hermione, with her tearstained face looking at him with a deeply conflicted expression.

"I'm sorry," she said again, "I'm trying to understand what happened," she seemed to struggle with something then. "I am still...I'm having..." she didn't finish. He waited and she took a breath. "I need some time to figure out some things..." she trailed off.

"I understand," he said, leaning forward to place a chaste kiss on her forehead. He lingered for a second more than he intended before turning back to the fire again. "When you're ready, come to me. I'll be around."

She nodded and turned to go. He felt her eyes on his back twice before he heard her footsteps leaving the room.

He just knew that he was fighting an uphill battle with something he still didn't understand and forces working against him.

He had work to do.

-_- .

Harry was the first to breakfast, having always maintained the habit of rising early. Coming to stand near the serving table, he helped himself to an apple and took his usual seat around the table.

The second down was Lily, still rubbing her eyes but her face seemed to light up at seeing him there. "Good morning!" she said happily.

"You look happy," he commented.

Picking up an apple herself, she sat down. "We're going shopping today!"

Harry looked aghast. "What?"

"Your Dad and I are getting you a new wardrobe," Lily announced.

"Magical or muggle?"

"Both, of course," she replied.

Harry groaned. Today was already decided for him then, and all without his knowledge.

"You don't need to look so glum, you know," his father quipped, joining them and coming to ruffle his hair.

He looked up to see them both displaying matching grins. "Why?" he asked sulkily, enjoying this way too much, even though it was completely against his wishes.

"What do you mean?" James asked in confusion. Harry couldn't tell if it was genuine or fake, you can never know with his Dad.

He glared. "Why do I need more clothes? I thought we already did all the shopping we needed for the year."

"Because appearances matter and not only are you representing the Family in public, you're also a celebrity now."

Julius appeared and began to pour cups of Earl Grey all around the table.

James agreed with Lily's explanation and sat down in his own chair beside her. "And celebrities are expected to show-off!" he said, hiding his grin behind his tea cup.

Harry sighed. "I could just run away for the day, you know, go for a walk in the country side. I'll magically reappear at dinner time."

Lily scowled at him. "You'll do no such thing!"

Harry shrugged. "If you wanted me to comply with this scheme, you should've only told me when it was time to go, not now when I can still make plans of my own," he smiled wickedly.

James guffawed.

Lily turned her glare to her husband. "He's definitely your son."

James couldn't speak for he was laughing so hard.

"If he really does it, he's definitely *your* son, Lily," he spoke, taking a breath, "He's got your temper."

Lily narrowed her eyes, pointing her finger at James. "Will you stop laughing and ask your son why he insists on tormenting me?"

James wiped his eyes, still chuckling. "Tormenting you? Lily, he's a natural-born Marauder. I'm proud of him."

Harry leaned back in his chair, smirking. "See? Dad gets it."

"Of course, I get it," James said, grinning at Lily. "This is good plotting, Lily. The boy has talent."

Lily threw her hands in the air. "Jesus Christ, I'm surrounded by lunatics!" She looked at Harry. "You're going. No walks. No countryside. No schemes. End of discussion."

Harry tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Noted. Now, hypothetically speaking, if I _were_ to escape, would you want me to leave a note or just disappear mysteriously for dramatic effect?"

James burst out laughing again, nearly spilling his tea. "Merlin, Lily, he's brilliant! That's exactly how you'd do it!"

Lily groaned. "I swear, if you two keep this up, _I'm_ the one running away!" She got up.

"Let us know when dinner's ready!" James called after her retreating form, earning a cushion thrown at his head.

"Merlin, what's happening!?" Rose asked, eliciting another round of chuckles from her Dad.

Julius popped in with the day's Daily Prophet and Lily unfolded it, giving them all a dirty look.

Harry saw his Mum sit down again to read when he saw the face turn thunderous.

"Mum?"

Suddenly, the temperature of the room had died down. James got up to go read behind her shoulder.

"She's gone too far this time!" James muttered venomously. "That bitch!"

Rose looked wide-eyed at her parents and then at Harry, and he signalled her that it was alright.

Turning to his parents, he asked what was the matter.

James was fuming while Lily was still silently reading the whole article, her face set in stone. "What is it?" he asked again.

Harry asked for the newspaper and saw that on the front page lay a story about him. Or rather, a new full-page defamation featurette on him.

"Who is Harry Potter? A friend or a threat to Britain?" Harry read aloud and felt a familiar rage simmer within him. He thought he'd seen the last of his character assassination in his own world but nope. It looked like he was going to go through the same thing here.

Then he saw a look pass between his parents.

"Mum, Dad?" Harry said placatingly, "I don't think this merits too much thought."

"Not merits much thought?" Lily repeated dangerously. "Harry, no one touches our family and gets away with it," she said and turned to James, "No one."

James nodded and asked for Julius.

"Master?" the elf said in his usual gravitas.

"Ask Sirius and come meet us here," James ordered.

Julius bowed and popped away.

By the time Sirius arrived, everyone was awake and aware of the news. The padfooted one looked at the sombre mood of everyone and asked, "Who died?"

Lily threw the newspaper at him.

He took a minute to read the article and when he turned to them, he had an unnatural glint in his eye.

"We aren't going to let this go," James said firmly. "This is a blatant attack on Harry and our family."

Sirius nodded. "Rita hasn't bothered us for more than a decade. This seems rash, even from her."

"Whatever it is, we have to set a precedent or one will be set for us. We can't let her write whatever she wants and get away with it.," Lily supplied.

"But what can we do?" Harry asked to the room.

Sirius smirked. "As it happens, I have information that you'll want to know about Rita Skeeter," he began and at everyone's patient looks, he added, "She's an illegal animagus."

A thoughtful silence descended upon the family and was broken only when Lily spoke, "Julius, please fetch Bella. Tell her we are having a family meeting."

The obedient major-domo bowed and popped away to his task.

"Right. I'm hungry," Sirius said, "Food first, plans later."

James hid a grin while Lily rolled her eyes. Harry released a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.

So this is how a family operates.

-_- .

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