Beyond the Emerald Green

I do not own Harry Potter, but the companies who claim him do. I am not associated with them in any way. All original characters belong to Orca.

Special Thanks: To 007 and RavenNat, my esteemed beta-readers!

Chapter Three

Discovery

When he woke up the next morning, rain was pelting hard on the window of the room he shared with Ron. It seemed that Harry had awoken before him, but when he climbed down from the top bunk, Ron was sitting up silently on his bed. Harry looked at him with a mixed expression, but Ron’s face was a complete blank.

Hedwig and Pig were unusually quiet as Harry separated them to put Hedwig’s cage on top of his trunk. Ron remained silent, his face expressionless, where only his eyes gave away what he was truly feeling inside. Harry couldn’t bring himself to speak. This was harder than he expected.

"I’ll… er… I’ll write." Harry said dryly, pushing his trunk toward the door as he got dressed in the green apprentice robes that had been magically conjured in place of his trainee ones.

"Yeah." Ron grunted, his eyes glossy.

Harry buttoned his collar and looked at him.

"Let’s pretend we’re just leaving Hogwarts… and we’ll see each other in a little while." He suggested mildly.

Ron looked away and sighed.

"I’m nineteen years old, Harry. It gets harder and harder to pretend, these days."

"It won’t be for long… you never know, we might meet up at some point soon." Harry hated how this was going. The hurt in his heart for leaving was getting bigger, until he feared he couldn’t control it anymore. He put a hand on Ron’s arm.

"When I get back… when we get back, I’ll make sure we’re partners. That way, we won’t be gone from each other for too long, anymore."

Ron looked back at him, a single tear in the corner of his eye.

"Well, the sooner you go, the sooner you can come back."

Harry’s eyes fell to the floor, and he turned to leave.

"Harry…"

"Yes, Ron?"

"Behave yourself now… don’t do anything stupid without me as your brother beside you!"

Harry laughed and cried at the same time. It hurt too much, to leave his best friend. He held out his hand for a handshake, but Ron pulled him into a tight hug.

"Careful out there."

"Don’t worry." Harry drew apart.

"I’ll see you, then?" Ron called after him as he walked out the door.

"Indefinitely!" Harry called back, and was out of sight.

*

The part of the Society’s grounds where he was instructed to go Harry had never been to before. It might of well been the teacher’s lounge, for none of the trainees were allowed to go past the hallway where Harry had gone to see the head of the Society just the night before. Pete, as always, led him with his trunk and Hedwig’s cage floating silently behind them.

"I’ll be missing you, Mr. Potter." Pete smiled sadly back at him.

"Don’t worry, Pete. I’ll be back before you know it." Harry smiled back. I hope, he added mentally.

"Green suits you, anyway." Pete laughed silently, leading Harry, to his surprise, outside under a covered part of sidewalk from the rain.

"You sure you know where we’re going?" Harry had to yell over the pounding raindrops and distant roll of thunder.

"Of course! I was instructed specifically to bring you out here. I’m sure you know a water warding charm, for you’re gonna have to step off by yourself from here. Just keep going toward the trees, and you’ll come to an old schoolhouse that’s being used as a conference center. Alright?" Pete cried.

"Yes, I believe so." Harry checked over his things and began to run through his mind to find the charm.

"Good luck, Mr. Potter. Come back to us soon!" He shook his hand and went back inside, closing the door with a slam Harry thought was not intended.

Well, this is going to prove interesting. Harry drew out his wand and muttered the right words, conducting the charm around himself and his things. Hedwig hooted timidly.

"It’s alright, girl. Don’t worry, you won’t get wet." He reassured her.

With a deep breath and a last look back at the Society’s grand building, Harry stepped out into the rain and walked hastily toward the trees. He didn’t allow himself to slow down, for the thunder was growing louder and that meant that lightning wasn’t too far away. While he never in his life voiced this feeling to anyone, it didn’t surprise him that lightning made him feel uneasy inside. It was just as well to be safe indoors and away from the flash. Hedwig began to hoot again, and Harry picked up his pace. Mud began to slosh over his boots and threatened to stain his new apprentice robes. The small schoolhouse came into view as a single light shown through the window. Relieved, Harry ran the rest of the way to the porch that was covered by an overhang.

Now what? He wasn’t sure if he should just go in or knock. Was his teacher waiting for him inside already? Should he wait there under the cover for someone to let him in? He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair, unsure.

"For Merlin’s sake, get in here!"

Harry jumped. A rough voice came through the door so suddenly that Hedwig started in her cage, banging her wings noisily against the bars.

"Well, come on! Before you catch cold!"

Tentatively, Harry opened the door and squinted as the light hit his eyes. Hastily, he pulled his trunk and Hedwig inside. Closing the door behind him, he looked around for the owner of the voice. The schoolhouse was actually only a single room, with no furniture of any sort. It was empty and musty; obviously it hadn’t been used in a while. The light’s source was a small fire in a grate on the opposite wall. It was there that he saw the tall, dark and muscular figure.

Harry absentmindedly brushed at his uniform, even though he was completely dry from the water repelling charm. Nervously, he ran his hand through his messy black hair again and looked intently at his personal tutor.

"You’re awfully quiet, Harry." Said the man, his back still turned.

"Er…"

"Is that how you greet your godfather?" He turned to look at Harry, revealing a face cast in shadow that held a glint of a smile.

"Sirius!" Harry cried, relief washing over him. "Oh my God! What’re you doing here?!"

Sirius laughed and came closer so that Harry could see his face clearly. He was clean shaven and groomed, his hair cropped professionally over his ears. While his eyes were still dark, a small glint of light reflected back as he smiled. His wizarding robes were not of the Society, but black- covering a black dress shirt and tie; his boots blended in perfectly.

"I came here to meet my apprentice. And to see my godson. Fancy that I get to do both at the same time."

"But… you mean you’re my senior? How?" Harry asked incredulously.

"I’m not sure how to take that question," Sirius’ eyes narrowed at him mockingly. "But, yeah, I’m your senior. Of course you should have known that my career before my little time in Azkaban was an auror, didn’t you?"

"You never… no one ever…" Harry shook his head.

"Yes, well… Dumbledore has had me back working for the Society ever since the end of your fourth year. Of course, it’s not publicly known still. That filthy rat has eluded being seen all this time. While the searches for me have been called off and a lot of people now know of my innocence, it’s still not wise for me to just go parading into headquarters. You won’t be needing those, by the way." He pointed at Harry’s uniform.

"What? You mean my uniform?" Harry looked at himself.

"As good as you look in it, I’m afraid it stands out a little too much since we’re trying to be subtle. As you can see, I’ve long since lost my uniform." Sirius grinned.

"How come you never told me this in your letters?" Harry asked, pulling his uniform off.

"You know I can’t tell you anything like that in a letter. It could have been intercepted." Sirius crossed his arms and leaned up against the wall, peering out the small window.

"So… what now?" Harry threw open his trunk and stuffed his uniform inside, reaching for his normal wizarding robes.

"For now, I get you settled in and we’ll contact Moro and Dumbledore. Then we’ll get our assignment." Sirius rubbed his hands together.

"Where are you staying?" Harry couldn’t believe his luck. He was partnered with his godfather! He’d finally be able to spend time with him like he should have done his entire life.

"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise… but, I guess I have to tell you if you’re to apparate there."

"You got your apparating privileges back?"

"Yes, with some governmental manipulation on Dumbledore’s part. Otherwise, just think of the name ‘Stag’s Head’ and you’ll be there. You know how to shrink your trunk, don’t you?" Sirius said.

"Yeah, but I’ll have to let Hedwig find her own way… she doesn’t particularly care much for being shrunk and stuffed in my pocket." Harry pulled out his wand.

Hedwig, without prompting, got out of her cage and flew to the windowsill. Sirius opened the window just enough for her to go through when the storm subsided enough for safe flying. After a few well-chosen words, Harry’s trunk fit nicely in the pocket of his wizarding robes and he stood ready beside his godfather, beaming.

"See you." Sirius grinned, and disappeared with a loud pop.

Harry took one last glance out the window, patted Hedwig, and apparated himself.

*

Sirius began to worry when Harry didn’t show up immediately at his side in the dense forest. While he knew Harry was immensely talented and powerful in magic, he was still young and using apparation with little experience. He almost began to consider going back, when Harry popped up beside him.

"There you are! What took you?" Sirius sighed.

"Sorry, I must even mumble in my mind. Ended up in ‘Homestead’ instead of ‘Stag’s Head’." Harry apologized, combing out his hair with his fingers.

"Homestead?"

"Yeah, I think it was Florida, actually. Bunch of palm trees and girls in bikinis." Harry laughed.

"Oh, no wonder, then." Sirius snorted.

"Come off it." Harry punched him in the shoulder playfully. He then took notice of the trees surrounding them and tried to look for any sign of civilization. "Where are we?"

"Stag’s Head, like I told you. Here, follow me."

Sirius led him through the forest, each tall tree towering so high that Harry could hardly make out the fluffy clouds above them. There was a distinct smell in the air, too- of seawater. He had no idea where Sirius was taking him. This forest was not familiar. After a short hike up a sloping hill, Harry caught sight of something very odd.

A house made of dark wood was perched on the top of a cliff face, only half of it was hanging off the side of the rock precipice it was on. The whole side that was held up by invisible means (or magical, he figured) was encased with glass windows, instead of wooden walls. Sunlight hit the windows and reflected off of them, hitting Harry’s face with a welcoming glow.

"Welcome, to Stag’s Head." Sirius said, turning to him.

"It’s incredible, Sirius! How’d you come across this? Where exactly are we?" Harry gasped.

"Well, we’re in the northern part of Scotland’s East Coast. As for how I acquired this place… I… I, built it." Sirius began walking again, heading for a staircase encased in the stone itself, leading up to the house’s front porch.

"Built it?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Not too long after your fourth year. Er… the thing is, your dad always talked about living in some remote forest where he could watch the world and no one could watch him. That was… of course… before he fell in love with your mother. So, since I had no place to go, and hiding was my only option, I built this place in his honor. That’s where ‘Stag’s Head’ comes from. Plus, I built it with you in mind; there’s plenty of room." He led him up the steps.

"I can’t believe this. This is incredible!" Harry was in complete awe.

"Yes, it is… if I do say so myself." Sirius threw out his chest and grinned back at him. "And here’s lesson number one for my godson and apprentice as an auror: your home is a sacred secret. Absolutely no one is to know where you live. Only those with permission from Moro can know. So, as much as I know you want to tell Ron and your other friends, you must wait until you’ve gained your auror status and have permission from Moro. Understand?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, sir."

Sirius ruffled his hair, stepping onto the porch.

"If only James could hear… he’d punch you for such formality!" he laughed. They both approached the door, which Harry immediately noticed.

"Did you do this too?"

He pointed at the intricate carving of a stag on the door.

"I’m a regular Bartha Skewert! That witch has got some creative ideas!" Sirius joked.

"Boy, you are old." Harry dodged a blow.

"Funny. I could have you reprimanded for such talk towards your senior!" Sirius pointed his finger at him solemnly, before laughing again and opening the door.

Inside the house it was warm and inviting, bright and sunny as the sunlight beamed through the enormous walled windows that filtered down the hall that led to the room. Sirius took off his robes and hung it on a coat hanger with two pegs; Harry did the same. Without a word, Sirius went further inside with Harry at his heels. The window walled room held a fantastic view of the coast below… nothing but water beyond the horizon. Sunlight warmed him as Harry drew closer to look out, noticing as he went past that there was a fireplace on the only wall that wasn’t a window and two armchairs.

"Can I get you anything, Harry?" Sirius called from behind him. Harry turned to see him peering from a small room that branched off from the windowed one- the kitchen.

"Er… sure. I’ll have some tea, if you don’t mind."

"Don’t mention it. This house is as much yours as it is mine, so whatever you want- take it. No need to ask. Just remember who I am and what you are, though."

Harry beamed, thrilled to be alive. A house to share with his godfather- a home to call his own. Never before had he felt so happy, not even at Hogwarts.

Sirius showed him the rest of the house, which had two bedrooms and two baths, an office, and a large empty room that he hadn’t found a use for. Despite the house’s size, he had it sparsely furnished- since he was living alone and adding one more male did not make much of a difference. Harry didn’t care though, it was heaven to him. His mind swam with the notion that only hours earlier, he had felt depressed and scared of his future- which, even though his work would be dangerous, now looked bright and promising. Gratefully, he let Sirius help him unpack in his new room, which was ten times larger than what he ever had at Privet drive. There was an enormous window, with drapes so thin and wispy that they didn’t prevent the sunny light that brightened the room. His bed was conservative, yet comfortable as he sat down for a moment. On the large dresser he placed all the framed photos he owned and all of his Quidditch trophies. Harry stepped back to admire his new room with a contented sigh.

By that evening, Sirius had contacted Moro and Dumbledore. They were to meet the following morning to discuss their first action. Harry only felt slightly nervous, but sitting with his godfather in front of their warm fire, with the dotted starlit sky seeping through the windowed walls, everything was as it should have been at the time. But, there was one thing missing… Ron- and, he thought a moment longer… Ginny.

*

"Mr. Black… Mr. Potter… good to see you again."

Harry and Sirius stood before the Royal Aurors Society head and Professor Dumbledore in Dumbledore’s office at Hogwarts. It had been nearly a year since Harry had left the school, and visiting it again brought back fond memories- and ones he’d rather not remember. He and Sirius had entered the grounds and castle by secret means, so that no one would see them. Harry wasn’t even entirely sure how they got in… Sirius nearly pulled him along and he had a hard time noticing just how they were moving. All he knew was that at that moment he stood facing his superiors, waiting for his first taste at being a true auror.

"How are you, Harry?" Professor Dumbledore asked kindly.

"Never better, sir." Harry smiled back.

"Glad to hear it. I trust you and your senior are getting on well?" Dumbledore’s eyes sparkled with humor.

Harry grinned at Sirius. "Yeah, he’s alright."

"I believe I can handle this young hooligan." Sirius smiled mischievously back.

"Well then, gentlemen. Can we get on to business?" Moro interrupted with a slightly annoyed tone.

"Certainly." Dumbledore nodded.

"Thank you. Well, I’ve just gotten word from Fletcher. He’s been tracking some Death Eater movements just out of Oxford and reports have been saying that they’re planning another attack. It’s not known whom it is they’re targeting. Fletcher has requested that I give him backup. We need to know who they’re after and get them to safety before anything happens. Then some of us will go in and lay an ambush. Hopefully we can avoid any casualties and major damage without the Muggles noticing. Are you up to it, Black?" Moro said.

"Sounds like a reasonable assignment to me." Sirius nodded thoughtfully.

"What about you, Mr. Potter? Do you think you’re ready?" Moro turned to him, but his question was flat and unnecessary.

Harry nodded.

"Don’t worry, he’s with me." Sirius grinned.

"That’s enough ground to worry." Dumbledore mumbled where only Harry could hear. He laughed silently.

"What was that?" Moro turned sharply to the old wizard.

"I said that we’d better let them on their way." Dumbledore said simply, his eyes half closed as he addressed Moro.

"Alright, then. I’ll be expecting a full report as soon as you’re able- make that soon. After what happened last week… well, just be careful out there."

Harry tried not to look stricken as he remembered the recent deaths, but managed to keep his face indifferent and nodded.

"You can count on us." Sirius smiled, but there was no humor in his voice.

*

They apparated to a small village just outside of Oxford as soon as they left Hogwarts. Harry was bristling with excitement and apprehension. He wasn’t entirely sure of what to expect, and he stayed so close to Sirius that he became a second shadow. If his godfather found this annoying, he didn’t say anything. Perhaps he preferred it that way.

Harry couldn’t help but rest his hand on the pocket where his wand was held, thinking that at any moment a Death Eater could jump out. The reflexes born of his Quidditch skills made him exceptionally skilled at dueling- although it was what he hated the most, remembering his fourth year and what his first real duel brought upon him and the world. But, regardless, Harry felt ready… and yet not ready at the same time. What was Ron doing right now? Studying for an exam? What would he say if he were there beside him? Not having Ron to fall back on made Harry’s heart ache slightly. While it was wonderful being with his godfather, and he felt safe and secure, it was not the same as having your best friend to share mutual feelings for what laid ahead.

Sirius led him through the village, consisting of a few official buildings, some shops and restaurants, and homes. The wizarding families that lived there concealed their magic heritage well, for nearly half the population were good-natured Muggles. The sight of two wizards walking harmlessly down the street did not perturb much interest from the few pedestrian locals about in the late morning. It must have been a common sight.

They stopped at a small pub near a dark lake that rolled mist over the grounds around it. It seemed, as they walked inside that this was the place to hang out in this village, for it was filled with men of all ages and women straggling about. The heavy scent of mead and gin, smoke and grease, hit Harry’s nose like a Bludger. Sirius glanced at him before walking inside all the way, smiling slightly.

"Not quite The Three Broomsticks, eh?" He said.

"I doubt they sell butterbeer here." Harry said over the din of voices.

"Just act normal and do what I do." Sirius nodded over to a corner, where a tall and lanky looking man with sandy brown hair sat huddled over a mug of frothy beer. Harry followed Sirius to where the man was sitting, and when they were seen, the man looked up and smiled slowly.

"Ah, there you are, Opal. And I see you brought your young one with you." His voice was tired, but pleasant.

"Good morning, Birch. Yes, this here is Emerald. Son, this is Birch." Sirius sat down and pulled out a chair for Harry. Harry had no idea why they were calling each other by different names, but he set his question aside for a more suitable time and place. He nodded politely and sat down; a maid came to them promptly.

"I’ll have a beer." Sirius said.

"You have Pepsi?" Harry asked tentatively. Both Birch and Sirius glanced at him with concealed curiosity.

"Sure, hon. I’ll be right back."

Harry blushed slightly as the two men looked at him.

"Er… I haven’t had soda in years. It’s a normal request for a Muggle my age, anyway."

Birch nodded and smiled faintly, staring back into his mug of beer.

"So then, Opal, I trust you are well."

"Yes, but I’m concerned about you. Perhaps Emerald and I can lend a hand with the job." Sirius led the conversation as if it were normal chatter. Harry listened with burning wonder- it was obvious they were talking in code, which explained the code names.

"I would appreciate that, thank you. Some friends of mine have also offered. They should be in town shortly." Birch glanced around the pub.

The maid came back with Sirius’ beer and Harry’s soda. They drank in silence for a while, trying to act as normal as possible. It wasn’t hard, for the pub was brimming with life, making it hard for anyone to notice anything. Harry began to feel left out of the meeting, wanting desperately to prove that he could involve himself too without instruction. He carefully thought out how he was going to word his question, and when he decided what was suitable, he cleared his throat.

"Er… Birch? How many problems with the job did you say there was?"

Both Birch and Sirius smiled slowly, and the gleam in Sirius’ eye made Harry beam proudly.

"Well, I’ve had some of my employees go over the problems, and I’d say there be about a dozen, maybe more. If we work hard as a team, perhaps we can get it all cleared up." Birch rubbed his chin, thoughtfully.

"How soon should it be done?" Sirius asked.

"It’s hard to say if and when it’ll leave any permanent effects, so as soon as possible." Birch lowered his voice slightly.

"Do you know what part will be hit the hardest by the problems?" Sirius asked briskly, glancing around.

Birch looked grim.

"No."

Sirius looked at Harry with a blank expression, then nodded slightly. He turned back to Birch.

"Does Vixy know where we can start looking?"

"She’s up at the moor and knows where to start. Perhaps you can catch up with her there, before the others arrive. We’ll meet for dinner, then, before we set out to clean things up." Birch said mildly.

Sirius stood up and motioned for Harry to follow. He smiled and shook Birch’s hand, Harry doing the same.

"We’ll see you then, Birch."

"Take care, Opal. You too, Emerald… stay close to your father." Birch gave a slight wave, then huddled back over his half-empty mug of beer. Harry raised his eyebrows slightly, before Sirius lightly took his arm and led him out. It wasn’t until they were alone and walking up a path into a more desolate area of the town that Harry spoke up.

"Care to explain?"

Sirius colored slightly and grunted, keeping his eyes straight ahead.

"Er… sorry. I- er… forgot to tell you about that aspect of the meeting. You see, when you meet other aurors in public, you use code names and speak in code. That way, any Death Eater or whatnot can’t easily suspect us and point us out. Also, when you’re investigating secretly, you don’t wear your uniform- like Birch. Birch is Fletcher, by the way, if you haven’t figured that out already. Although, I trust you caught on; that was a good question you asked. I’m proud of you."

Harry blushed slightly.

"Why ‘Opal’? Who decided I’m ‘Emerald’?" he asked shortly.

"Your senior chooses your code name. Opal is just another name for a shade of black. My senior was Anthony Flemming. Voldemort killed him in the first war. Anyway, so, I thought ‘Emerald’ was appropriate for you."

"My eyes." Harry answered.

"Yes. When you meet Sally, or ‘Vixy’, you’ll see how she earned her name. Our names reflect some characteristic of our appearance, so that aurors from out of town can recognize us. But, remember this, never use your code name or anyone else’s in front of Death Eaters when you reveal that you are an auror. Also, aurors can’t work in the same area between ten-year periods. This also prevents the Dark Arts from recognizing us too easily. Got that?"

"Yes… father." Harry grinned genuinely.

It was Sirius’ turn to blush again.

"Well, I am, in a way, you know. I’m your godfather- plus it’s another disguise. If anyone knew you were my apprentice, it would be conspicuous. It’s more natural that you be my son. You don’t… mind… do you?"

Harry nudged him in the arm, laughing.

"Of course not." He said quietly after a while.

They reached a large and nicely built house at the end of the path that was hidden by trees. Sirius led him up the walk and to the front door, where he knocked gently. After a moment’s pause, the door opened and a tall witch with red-orange hair and a pointy nose answered.

"Opal! How long it’s been! Come on in!" She cried, flashing a pearly white smile.

"Hello, Vixy. I believe you’ve yet to meet Emerald." Sirius stepped inside, Harry right behind him.

"Oh, my word." She whispered as she closed the door behind them. "Amazing. Oh, the last time I saw you, you were so small! Harry… I knew your parents well."

He shook her hand, before she pulled him into a light hug.

"Appropriate name, especially for Lily’s son." She said. "For once, Sirius, you made a good choice."

"I don’t know how to take that, Sally." Sirius looked smug.

She laughed at him and beckoned them further inside.

"Come have something to drink and I’ll fill you in. I trust Birch gave you something to ponder downtown?" Sally called over her shoulder.

Sirius began to tell her about what went on while Harry observed the large house. Much like the one he was sharing with Sirius, it was bare for it’s size. It had a musty, unused smell and dust was clearly seen on what little furniture he could see. Dusty sheets covered walls and floors, looking like the house was preparing to undergo renovation or that it’s occupants were moving.

The kitchen was the perfect proportion to the size of the house, for it was so large that Harry was sure a Quidditch game could be played without much damage. Sirius was sitting on a stool beside the kitchen island and Sally was busy with a kettle over an enormous stove.

"So, Harry! Tell me what you think about being an auror so far." Sally asked without looking over her shoulder.

"So far, so good." Harry pulled up a stool next to Sirius.

"He catches on quick, like I said." Sirius ruffled his hair.

"That’s not surprising. James hardly made mistakes." Sally poured tea into three mugs.

"Oh, believe me, Sally… James had his share of misgivings." Sirius smiled faintly.

Sally turned to hand them their tea with a mixed expression. After a moment’s awkward silence, Harry let his curiosity get the better of him.

"What was my father’s code name?"

Sirius and Sally looked at him, and then at each other.

"Raven. For more reasons than one." Sirius looked away to stare at the kitchen’s large pantry.

There was a loud knock at the door and Sally got up to answer. Harry tossed his father’s code name around in his head, wondering what Sirius meant by "for more reasons than one". There was loud clatter and shuffling of feet coming from the front door, and soon a whole line of wizards and witches wearing everything from Muggle clothes to swirling wizarding robes came in to the kitchen.

"Opal! Long time, no see!" Cried a short, balding wizard wearing faded blue jeans and a T-shirt with the phrase "Mind the Gap" across it.

"Hey Black, guess we can call you ‘gray’ here, before long!" Joked a wizard so large, he could have passed for a giant.

"Oh my! This can’t be… can it?" Said a witch wearing purple swirling wizarding robes, looking at Harry with awe.

This got the attention of the whole crowd, making Harry unconsciously shrink down on his stool under the stare. Sirius took another swig of his tea and put a hand proudly on his shoulder.

"May I introduce my apprentice, Harry Potter."

After an intake of breath and a pause of silence, the tumult of aurors were upon him, shaking his hand and clapping him on the back.

"If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I was looking at James!"

"How you’ve grown! Has it really been this long?"

"I can remember when you were this big!"

"Can’t wait to see you in action, boy… you must be as good as you’re dad to have gotten out of scholastic training so soon!"

"Are you eating enough? Sirius, have you been feeding this youngling properly?"

"Alright, alright! Let poor Harry breathe, for Merlin’s sake!" Sirius nearly batted them away. Harry was as red as a turnip under all the attention, feeling slightly put-off. Here he was trying to prove himself as a capable adult auror, and the seasoned ones were fussing over him like it was all a family reunion! At that thought, however, Harry calmed down. He had never had anything like that before.

At that moment, the front door had opened and closed, and Birch appeared in the kitchen looking wind-blown and gruff.

"Listen up, everyone. We don’t have much time."

*

It was explained over the following hour that the situation had grew steadily worse since word got back to headquarters. An unknown number of Death Eaters were converging on the town to eliminate someone, or a family. That was all anyone knew. What they did know was that the Death Eaters were going to make their move at nightfall that evening. The plan thereafter was to send at least one auror to every known wizarding residence in the town and give warnings- as well as protection. So as not to reveal themselves, most would transform into their animajus forms and lay ambush to any Death Eaters that show up. Everyone agreed and left the large house to their posts; Sirius and Harry stayed behind a while longer with Sally.

"You’re not an animajus, are you?" Sally asked Harry.

"No… I… didn’t quite have time at headquarters to learn." He said.

"You should, you know. It’s a very handy technique in cases like these."

"I’m sure I’ll be able to teach him, after all, I learned by myself with two others my age." Sirius said, making way to the door.

"Illegally." Sally gave him a hard look. "At least when you do, Harry, register yourself once you learn how."

"What form do you take?" Harry asked, although with one look at her and remembering her code name, he answered himself. "A fox."

"A vixen, to be precise." She smiled. "Well, we better be off. You know where we’re going, Sirius?"

"Yes, ma’am." Sirius nodded.

Thirty minutes later, Harry found himself dressed in jeans and a polo shirt sitting on a bench across from a string of houses where some wizarding families resided. Sirius and Sally were in their animajus forms positioned around the perimeter. Because Harry could not transform, he had to disguise himself by other means. His hair was magicked to a dark brown color and his glasses were transfigured to smaller ovals in a copper frame. He sat with the local newspaper, which he had put a spell on to enable him to see right through the paper and watch the street in front of him. The only thing he couldn’t disguise, however, was his scar. With each breath of wind, Harry nervously fixed his bangs to cover his forehead.

A car alarm went off further along the street, and Harry looked up with mild curiosity like any other Muggle would. It had been a long time since he had made contact with the Muggle world, but it made no difference. The few people who walked along the sidewalk gave him only quiet small-town greetings and walked on. After nearly an hour, however, Harry grew tired.

If only I had my invisibility cloak, Harry thought to himself. Then I could walk around unnoticed. I wish Sirius hadn’t talked me out of bringing it.

A large black shape was coming toward him out of the corner of his eye, and Harry saw Sirius in his dog form come bounding up the sidewalk. He stopped in front of him, tongue hanging out, and looked back at the direction from which he came. Harry smiled and patted his head, then looked where he was looking. Down the sidewalk were two men, wearing dark clothing and walking slowly toward him.

Harry slowly fingered the wand under his shirt, watching them carefully with narrowed eyes. Sirius began to growl, and Harry nodded. He folded up the newspaper and got up, walking calmly across the street to one house with a fenced gate. He went inside and walked to the backyard, where a marble colored cat sat waiting on the back fence.

"They’re coming. Get the others." He muttered, watching the cat’s purple colored eyes narrow with understanding. As Harry watched the cat leave, Sirius transformed back to his human self.

"It’s odd, though. There are only two of them that I could see. Although, Sally has probably spotted more. She went to tell Birch." He whispered, seeing a light turn on in the house behind them.

"They know." Harry motioned to the house.

"Unless absolutely necessary, they’ll leave by other means. Otherwise, the families need to act as normal as possible if we’re to nail the scum." Sirius nodded.

Harry fixed his hair back to its normal color and changed his glasses. He also changed his clothes back to his wizarding robes.

"What now?" he asked.

"We wait. Come on, follow me."

He followed Sirius back to the front of the house and mimicked his every move. Sirius often corrected him, but Harry managed to keep himself close. They ended up concealed in bushes along the sidewalk, and they watched the two Death Eaters slowly pick out their target. Harry felt his hair bristle with hatred, forcing every bit of himself to stay where he was next to his godfather. Sirius took notice, and placed a hand lightly on his shoulder.

"Wait for the signal." He whispered lightly in his ear. Harry gripped his wand tighter. He went over all the lessons he had had during his short year at headquarters on the ambushing of enemies. He considered all the pointers Sirius had told him before they separated that night- to stay behind him, don’t throw out any hexes or curses unless he had to, if they somehow move into any of the houses, to stay outside and back them up… if it got out of hand- apparate immediately to somewhere safe and notify headquarters. Harry was hoping it wouldn’t get that far. He wanted it all to succeed.

The Death Eaters had stopped in front of the house next to them, anxiously looking up and down the street for watching eyes. Harry and Sirius were well concealed among the bushes, but Harry had no idea where the others were- if they were even there yet to start out. One of the men was reaching into his pocket; Sirius stiffened.

"Get ready…"

The Death Eater pulled out his wand.

"NOW!"

Sirius leapt from the bushes, wand outstretched. Harry shot out behind him, heart beating so fast he thought it’d leap out of his chest. The lawn the jumped onto was immediately filled with a dozen aurors, completely surrounding the Death Eaters.

"Under the authority of the Ministry of Magic you are hereby under arrest!" Birch/Fletcher shouted at the two men.

The Death Eaters looked around them with wide eyes, but something in their expression made Harry feel uneasy. They gave him a bad feeling, growing more profound by the moment.

"Sirius…" Harry hissed from behind him. "Sirius, something’s up."

One of the Death Eaters cracked a nervous, but proud smile.

"You may have us, but they have you!"

At that moment, there was a loud swishing sound, and with a dreaded pit in his stomach, Harry turned to see a larger circle of Death Eaters surrounding them all. Sirius grabbed Harry’s arm.

"Apparate. Now. Go!" He yelled at him. But before Harry could so much as say anything, the Death Eaters were upon them. Harry leapt to the side, half pushed by Sirius, who began bellowing out curses left and right. Sparks from both sides raged and men and women filled the air with their spells. While it wasn’t hard to distinguish who were Death Eaters and who were aurors, everyone was moving around so fast that Harry couldn’t lock his eyes on anyone in particular. He knew he was to apparate away and contact headquarters, but a small voice at the back of his mind kept telling him to stay.

Harry ran into the fray, going against orders and began to hex and curse what Death Eaters he could see. Sirius was backing himself into a corner, and Harry knocked over one of his pursuers and cursed the others. There wasn’t any time for Sirius to either praise him or reprimand him for going against orders. Instead, they went back-to-back to clear away the Death Eaters that were pressuring the other aurors. That was, until, Harry heard a loud scream from the house.

Everything was everywhere. Furniture was toppled over, rugs were rolled up and tossed to corners from frantic traffic, pictures hung at odd angles. Harry quickly moved from room to room, looking for anyone. He passed down a hallway, going towards the back door, when he heard a soft whimpering from the floor. Underneath a hall table, was a little girl. Harry bent down and smiled at her patiently.

"Hello there, don’t worry, I won’t hurt you, I’m an auror."

"They took them!" the girl sobbed.

"Where? Where did they take them?" Harry asked urgently.

"I… I dunno! My dad, my dad… he… he’s…!"

Harry heard a crash coming from what must have been the kitchen.

"You stay here. Do not come out. I’ll get your family and come back for you, alright?"

The girl nodded, tears streaming from her eyes, and Harry got up. He cautiously approached the kitchen, wand readied. More whimpers and cries came from the light that seeped from the kitchen door, along with harsh commands and threats. With a deep breath, Harry put a hand on the door.

Please, let me get this right. Harry prayed.

He kicked the door open.

"Stay where you are! You are under arrest" He bellowed.

There were two Death Eaters, caught at full surprise by Harry’s entrance. A woman was huddled over a large crumpled form in the kitchen, sobbing. One of the Death Eaters held a boy around nine years old roughly by the collar of his shirt. Immediately, that Death Eater pointed his wand at the boy’s throat.

"Well, well, well… if it isn’t the famous Harry Potter!" the Death Eater sneered, however Harry could sense a slight taste of fear in his voice.

"Let the boy go." Harry growled firmly. He cursed himself in his mind, for he couldn’t disarm two Death Eaters at the same time.

"What are you going to do, Potter? Think you can stop us?" the other Death Eater hissed.

"I stopped your master nearly seven times, you fool! Do not underestimate me." Harry felt the power within him build like a threatening tidal wave.

This made the Death Eater’s confidence waiver. Harry took the chance and shouted out the disarming curse at the one with the boy, and then hexed the other’s legs with the Jelly-Legs curse. It was an extremely lucky shot. The boy fell to his knees, sobbing, and crawled over to his mother, who grabbed him quickly. Harry immediately magicked shackles onto the Death Eaters’ hands and feet, then checked the family. Much to his despair, the woman’s husband and the children’s father was dead by Avada Kedavra. He felt his stomach drop and had a hard time trying to keep from being sick.

The woman looked up at him, tears streaming down her face.

"Thank you for saving my Zach… thank you for saving us, Mr. Potter. Charles, my husband… he would be grateful too."

Harry felt the tears prickling at his own eyes, feeling like he should have been quicker. His throat felt dry and his voice cracked.

"You’re… you’re daughter is safe as well."

There was a frantic scrambling behind him, making Harry whirl around with his wand to face a haggard looking Sirius and Fletcher, each taking in the scene gravely.

"Are you alright, Harry?" Sirius asked breathlessly. Harry nodded, eyes lowered to the ground and averted from the scene. The woman had begun to sob again and the boy could only whimper.

"Why?" The woman whispered with each sharp breath. "Why us? How can someone be so evil? Can this ever be stopped completely?"

Harry felt her words begin to strangle his heart. This was the first time he had seen something like this first hand- and have a part in it. He had thought he could truly make a difference, but not even The Boy Who Lived could save everyone. Not yet.

"Come, Harry. Things are under control now." Sirius took his arm gently and led him out of the house. The scene outside was not much different from inside the house. Gardens and bushes were flattened, fences were damaged and pieces missing- even the car in the driveway of the house next door had its windows broken and tires flat. Aurors were dragging away stunned figures in black cloaks, others were helping the wounded. Harry watched it all as if it were some horrible dream, not feeling his feet land on the ground as Sirius led him away from the chaos.

He began to notice that all the aurors he had seen at Sally’s house were around and alive- except for one.

"Sirius? Sirius… where’s… where’s Sally?" he croaked in a voice that was not his own.

Sirius turned without stopping or meeting his eyes.

"I need to get you home, Harry."

His tone answered Harry’s question.