Harry Potter and the Lion's Roar

HermioneJanePotter

Rating: NC17
Genres: Romance, Action & Adventure
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6
Published: 09/06/2006
Last Updated: 07/12/2006
Status: in_progress

This takes place after the events of HBP. What happens when Harry begins to have strange feelings for Hermione, must start training for the showdown with Voldemort, and some strange new facts come to surface that will change him forever?

Chapters

1. Chapter 1: Strange New Feelings

2. Chapter 2: One Hell of a Summer

3. Chapter3: Reunions

4. Chapter 4: An Explanation

5. Authors Note

6. Chapter 5 : Crazy Witches and Ungodly Hours of the Morning

7. Chapter 6: Memories and Minor Slips

8. Authors note!!!!!!

1. Chapter 1: Strange New Feelings

Harry Potter and the Lion’s Roar

Chapter 1:

* * * Number 4, Private Drive * * *

July 31, 1997

12:01am.

A young man with horrible wild inky black hair, startling emerald green eyes and an odd scare lay on his back staring up at the blank ceiling in the smallest bedroom of Number 4 Private Drive. The hot summer air making a slight sheen on his skin with mild sweat since any type of air conditioning had long been cut off from his room. The large blue numbers of his alarm clock, a wizard clock, complete with an interesting, and sometimes rude phrase depending on what time it was, stood out in the darkness, but the young man wasn’t paying attention to them. No, this young man wasn’t just any normal boy, any normal boy awake at midnight on his birthday would have at least registered the significance, but this one, this one was off in a world unto his own with thought.

Harry Potter’s mind was not in his small bedroom, they were back to a certain night in June when yet another person he cared about, this time his Headmaster, friend and mentor, Albus Dumbledore, was taken away from him. He thought back with a touch of bitterness, still thinking he somehow could have prevented it, but had resigned himself to the fact that sometimes circumstances didn’t allow for him to be the hero. Now this thought would have never crossed his hero-complex driven mind if his best friend of 7 years and usual anchor to reality, Hermione Granger, hadn’t send him a very interesting letter 2 days after returning home, telling him if he blamed himself for one moment, or started to pull himself into a pit of self pity and unhappiness like she knew he would, she’d hex his arse from London to the moon and back, then she’d go to work on him. It still amazed him how well that girl knew him, as that had been the exact path he planned on embarking on at the time he received the letter, and smartly choosing to see it her way, and thus avoid certain annihilation and painful suffering that he knew his spunky best friend could deal out.

He smiled softly at the thought of his curly haired friend, and her infallible ability to know exactly what he was going to do, before he even did it, and save his ass before he threw himself into something undoubtedly dangerous. She was the one who always knew him best, better than even Ron, and he could always depend on her, unlike the aforementioned red-head at some points in their history when he’d been bitten in the arse by a jealousy bout.

His mind came back down to Earth and he glanced at the clock, smirking slightly as he realized it was now officially his 17th birthday and he was formally of-age in the wizarding world. A soft hoot from his window pane had him locking eyes with his snowy white familiar and noticing a parcel tied to her leg.

Strange, I didn’t send her out with anything that would need a reply. He thought absently, but nonetheless reached out and relieved the bird of her load. Hedwig happily flew off to her cage and the promise of refreshments while her master opened the letter she’d brought.

Harry,

Well, Congratulations you made it to be an adult, never thought you’d accomplish that one did you? Yes well I will be accepting my gifts of thanks starting now, and I’ll let you know I would rather like the newest edition of Hogwarts: a History if you can’t think of anything.

Funny Mione, Hogwarts: a History, who would have guessed? He thought.

Just joking, but Happy Birthday Harry! I hope your summer is going, well as good as it can be with those....people watching out for you. My parents left the other day for a vacation to the States, so I’m at Grimmauld myself, just me Remus and Tonks really, since Molly’s enslaved her own children according to the letters Ron and Ginny have written me, and the Order is still a bit baffled as for what to do now that Dumbledore is... gone.

Oh Mione, I’m not going to go nutters on you for mentioning it. And he wouldn’t he’d actually come to terms with the events of last June, from Dumbledore’s death to the Minister attempting to hire him for his own devices, down to his and Ginny’s breakup. He’d realized a few weeks into the summer, that although he had fancied the youngest Weasley at one point, his feelings for her had slowly dissipated in their time apart, and he now thought of her more as a sister once again.

That’s going to be a wonderful conversation with her, maybe I’ll ask Hermione how to break it to her gently later.

Well, it’s not too bad only having three of us in this house, it’s actually quite nice to have it so quiet for a change, but Remus says we’re coming to get you on your birthday at 10 am, so be ready, Merlin knows what’ll happen if we stick around too long with your uncle around. I erm... got my Hogwarts letter today, guess the school’s staying open. I got Head Girl, seems McGonagall dropped yours off here when she gave me mine, said it’d save the owl a trip, you got the Head Boy spot Harry! I actually want to speak to you about that a bit when we pick you up. Harry, I know we need to find the Horcruxes and I know what you said about not worrying about school, but Harry, maybe we should go back, if not for the learning then for the protection the place offers while we find them, and Hogwarts’ library is one of the best in the world, since we’re both Heads we’d have unrestricted use of the Restricted Section, so maybe Harry, we should go back. I’ll follow you know matter what you choose, I’ll always be behind you, but I’m just suggesting that maybe it would be better if we did return.... think about it Harry, we’ll talk more when I see you. 10 am!!!!

Love,

Hermione

Harry stared at the letter in silence for a few moments processing Hermione’s words, she did make a fair point, Hogwarts was a moderately safe place now, and the library would be a momentous help, but was he really ready to go back, even as Head Boy, which he frankly had no idea what someone had slipped in McGonagall’s drink, was a journey back to the place that for so long he considered home, but now saw as yet another reminder of the things he’d lost, worth it? He sighed, resigning himself to waiting until he talked to Hermione in person to decide, and plopped down on his bed to attempt sleep before the morning.

* * * * * * * * *

Then next morning Harry woke, and lazily rubbed his eyes, removing them of sleep before he rolled out of bed and went through his routine of getting ready for the day. After showering and brushing his teeth, he made a half-effort to tame his wild hair before giving up knowing it was futile, and dressing in a black fitting t shirt that showed off his Quidditch toned body, and a pair of jeans that actually fit him, thanks to Hermione, who’d dragged him out during a Hogsmeade weekend and gotten him sized for clothes, then proceeded to buy him for than enough for no real reason, he’d attempted to compensate her for them, Merlin knew he had more than enough gold to do so, but she’d only accepted what he guessed was about half of it.

He fed Hedwig a handful of owl treats before putting her into her cage, where she grudgingly sat, glaring at him through the bars, then he began to pack. It was relatively easy with magic, which he could now legally use, and in about 10 minutes, all of his things were packed into his school trunk and ready to go. He decided to make an appearance at breakfast, as it was already 9:30, and simply warn his relative of his leaving, hopefully forever, he doubted they’d care.

He levitated his trunk and Hedwig’s cage down the steps, putting them down by the front door, and turned to see his cousin staring at him in mild horror.

Yes Dudley, this is what it looks like when the tabled are turned. He thought jokingly.

“Y-you’re n-not allowed to do magic outside school.” he stuttered, eyeing Harry’s wand warily as if it would kill him just looking at it. Harry suppressed a grin, and made a point of smirking as he walked past his Dudley, spinning the wand with one hand the way a muggle drummer would his sticks.

When he entered the kitchen, the sound of clattering silverware and dead silence reached his ears and he looked up to see his aunt and uncle staring at him much the same as their son did, speaking of whom, Dudley entered the room two steps behind Harry and proceeded to practically run over to his mum, looking every bit the scared little boy sucking up to his mother.

“Mummy he’s finally snapped! He was using... ma-ma-magic in the hall!” the overly-obese boy whined.

Harry rolled his eyes.

O Merlin that’s pathetic, boy I could turn you into 5 different forms of a rat right now and you run to mummy? Well he never was one for brains.

“BOY! I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU ABOUT DOING THAT..... THAT FREAK STUFF IN MY HOUSE!” his uncle Vernon shouted, the vein in his neck starting to protrude as his face turned a lovely shade of red.

“Should lock you in the closet for this boy!” he snarled. Harry merely laughed, and sat at the table beginning to help himself to some eggs.

“Vernon please quiet down, the neighbors may here.” Petunia put in quietly from the side, but Vernon wasn’t listening,

“Something you find funny Potter? Anything time in your old cupboard and some yard work wouldn’t cure?” he asked. Harry smirked,

“Uncle Vernon you can lock me up all you want now, it will take me all of 2 seconds to escape with a simple unlocking charm, and I’m leaving in a half an hour, and hopefully never coming back, so please assign me some yard work, by all means, I’ll find it highly amusing.” he said cheekily. Vernon studied him for a moment, before answering.

“You’re bluffing, you can’t do magic outside that freak school of yours! They’ll kick your sad arse out! That fool Dumblydor won’t save you this time!” he hissed. Harry’s eyes narrowed from the amused look he had on to narrow slits.

“That....fool as you so dubbed him, is one of the greatest wizards of all time, and a greater man than you could ever hope to be, but no he won’t be saving me because I am legally allowed to do magic now, I’m 17 today, not that you actually remembered.” he growled, standing, snatching his wand up from the table where he put it to eat, and storming out of the room to wait in the living room for the next few moments until Hermione arrived. The nerve of that idiot, mocking Dumbledore, he should have transfigured him into a pigeon and left him there. He sighed, plopping down on the couch in the immaculately cleaned room running a hand through his ebony locks, he needed Hermione to get here soon, he couldn’t wait to see her, she’d make all of this just disappear. She always did.

Sure enough a few moments later, just on the stoke of 10, a pop was heard in the front yard.

Guess she doesn’t seem to care if the muggles notice. He thought, slightly amused as he stood to answer the door, which she was knocking on. He opened the door to reveal his curly brown haired best friend looking more beautiful than he ever remembered, he actually forgot to breath for a moment as he looked her over.

She’d grown she was now reaching around 5'7", and her tanned and toned body seemed to shine in the early morning sunlight. She had developed womanly curves at some point, and Harry vaguely wondered if he’d been petrified and not noticed. She wore a simple pair of jeans and an emerald green t shirt which strangely matched his eyes and showed off her soft curvy hips and perfect slope of her breasts. Her chestnut brown locks tumbling down past her shoulders in glorious curls, she didn’t wear much makeup, simple eyeliner and a bit of sparkling shadow to bring out her gorgeous chocolate eyes that he could drown in.

Christ what did she do over the summer? Why did I not notice this before? WHAT THE HELL! SNAP OUT OF IT POTTER, She’s your best friend! The voice inside his head shouted, he desperately tried to avoid the one sounding strangely like Sirius telling him Good luck with that.

He didn’t have time to register a comeback or even a thought, as she soon launched herself into his arms, gripping him into a bone crushing hug.

“Harry! Happy Birthday, oh I’ve missed you!” she squealed, still not releasing him from her death grip. He chocked something resembling the word, “air” and she immediately let go, blushing slightly. He found himself grateful for the fresh oxygen and the space between them, if she’d held on much longer, he very well would have given in to the temptation to do some very un-friend like things with her and absently noting she looked cute when she blushed..

Stop. Thinking. Of . Your. Best. Friend. Like . That. You. Stupid. PRAT!!!

After mentally berating himself, he smiled to her.

“I’ve missed you too Mione.” he replied, his mind racing on where these thoughts about his female best friend where coming from. He resolved to think these things over when he was alone and merely ignored the annoying voice until he could sort this confusing rush of new thoughts and feelings later.

“Well Lupin and Tonks are outside, Lupin didn’t want to come in, said something about being too tempted?” she remarked grinning. Harry laughed a bit at the thought of Remus punishing his uncle in various ways came to mind and he nodded, casting a levitation charm on his things, turning one last time back into the house shouting a good bye, and walking out.

Lupin and Tonks were indeed waiting for him at the end of the driveway, Tonks sporting some vibrant purple hair and signature ripped jeans, and Weird Sisters t shirt, while Remus, dressed in a brown polo shirt and black pants looked a bit more formal, the warmth in his eyes and face told Harry Tonks had been doing the old werewolf good.

“Wotcher Harry.” Tonks greeted him, pulling him into a quick hug, checking him over in a very Mrs. Weasley like way for any injuries,

“Hey Tonks, “ he replied smiling slightly, turning to Remus who didn’t say anything before wrapping him in a manly hug, smiling and wishing him a happy birthday.

“Well come on, we can catch up later, Moody’s probably having a right fit since we’re taking longer than 10 minutes to fetch you. Barmy old bugger I say.” Tonks remarked.

“We’ll you’ll side-long apparate with me today Harry, since you haven’t gotten you license yet.” Hermione said, holding out her arm for him to grab. He took it, ignoring the jolt her skin on his fingertips gave him and held tightly to Hedwig’s cage and his trunk as they were gone in a lone pop.

2. Chapter 2: One Hell of a Summer

Harry Potter and the Lion’s Roar

Chapter 2: One hell of a summer.

* * * Grimmauld Place* * *

Harry landed in the entrance hall of Grimmauld Place, apparently Remus had figured out how to program certain people’s apparation signatures into the wards, so now Hermione, he, Tonks, and Harry when he got his licence, could apparate directly into the house. Harry left his trunk and Hedwig’s cage, after letting her out of course, at the bottom of the stairs leaving them for him to take up later and followed the group into the kitchen, where they all sat down around the table while Remus put a pot on for tea.

They all talked for a while, Harry getting updated on Voldemort’s latest movements, which weren’t so good for their side. He’d been striking more and more in the past few months now that Dumbledore was gone, and the Order...wasn’t exactly sure what to do, they knew they needed a new leader, but Dumbledore had lead them since the beginning and it seemed as if anyone they attempted to put in his place just couldn’t compare with the likes of Albus Dumbledore.

They eventually moved on to the topic of Bill and Fleur’s wedding. The plans they knew about, and they laughed and joked at the prospect of the Weasleys running around trying to appease Fleur and Molly Weasley’s demands, that would be an interesting sight.

Through the entire talk Harry couldn’t help but notice the chemistry between Remus and Tonks, sure they’d always been close, that was probably why the started dating in the first place, but this was different, it was like they were pulled to one another by some odd force of nature. Remus constantly had to be touching her in some way, holding her hand, their knees touching from where they sat rather close to each other, o hell Tonks was damn near on his lap. He had to smile at them, Remus needed someone like Tonks in his life. The man spent half his life trying to prove himself or being scorned at by people, for something he became for 12 hours out of every month, and Tonks was the person there to keep his head up, and probably some other things that he didn’t want to think of. But he, nonetheless, was happy the old werewolf had caught a break, Tonks made him happy, and it was great for Harry to see the last marauder, and last father figure he had, happy.

The quartet chatted about mindless things for a while longer, they had lunch, prepared by Remus, since Tonks’ meals had a tendency to either blow up, or make it’s eaters sick, and Remus flat out refused to let Harry and Hermione cook, something about being on a break? All in all in was an enjoyable afternoon, but eventually, Harry excused himself to go unpack his things and get settled.

He levitated his things up to the familiar old room which at one point belonged to his godfather, and set to work unpacking them. After a few minutes he was so engrossed in his work of organizing everything so it would be easy to pack up again later, and mulling over his thoughts on Hermione, he failed to notice the presence of the same best friend that had been plaguing his thoughts.

Merlin, he looks good. Ginny’s a lucky witch. She thought approvingly though slightly enviously , as she watched Harry reach and stretch his muscles to put something on the top shelf of his closet.

Hermione Granger was no fool, she’d known Ron had held a crush on her since their fourth year, he’d made it especially evident in the last year, but she held to feelings for him farther than brotherly, and couldn’t bring herself to let him down, she simply ignored his advances and resolved that if, and knowing Ron, it was a big if, he ever worked up the courage to ask her out, she’d tell him then. A bit cruel she knew, but it wasn’t really holding Ron back, he still managed to get girls, Lavender for example, and she wasn’t reciprocating his tries, so she wasn’t leading him on and left it as it was.

No, she had harbored a bit of a crush on her raven haired best friend since she first met him on the train to Hogwarts. She eventually worked out that it was probably because he was the first boy who’d ever really been nice to her, Ron hadn’t exactly been friendly at first, that she developed this bit of a crush, but it had grown as their years of friendship went on. Harry was smart, loyal, caring, hardworking, courageous beyond belief, and one of the sweetest, though he was probably too modest to admit it, guys she’d ever known. He might be a bit insecure and thick headed at times, but he’d always been there when she needed him most, always wearing the same mischievous grin that had recently taken to making her breath catch, and her stomach flip. No, she was no fool, she knew her best friend was one of the most sought after wizards in England, thanks to his good looks and fame, and she knew he could have pretty much any witch he so chose. But it made her smirk slightly to know that out of any of them, he’d always stuck with her, even if only in the form of friendship.

She sighed slightly, how she wished it could be more, but no. Harry had too much to worry about as it was, with the prophecy, and the horcruxes, and there was that tiny snag of having the weight of the world, muggle and wizarding, essentially on his shoulders, relying on his ability to take down the greatest dark wizard since Grindelwald. She would not allow her wants to pull him off track or add to his list of things to handle, she just couldn’t, so she’d content herself with watching from the shadows as she had for all their years of friendship.

At that moment Harry finally realized that someone was watching him, and whipped around to find Hermione leaning in the doorframe, not looking the least bit fazed by that fact that he was pointing his wand at her, and had probably almost hexed her. She merely smiled at him and crossed into the room, hopping up on his bed and laughed.

“Relax Harry, no one is going to come a get you, the house is unplottable remember?” she soothed. Harry blushed sheepishly,

“Sorry Mione, habit I guess, what brings you up here?” he stammered, ignoring the racing of his heart to see her to comfortable talking to him from the spot on his bed.

No! Bad thoughts bad thoughts!! BEST FRIEND!! He thought for the up tenth time since he saw her that morning,

Hermione laughed, the melodious sound washing over him and making him feel like jumping her then and there, his situation was not made any better by the fact that she decided to lie down now, staring at the top on the massive four-poster bed, and making herself perfectly comfortable.

O. Bleeding. Hell. He thought bitterly. Fate is cruel.

“ I actually just came up to see how you were doing, and well I guess I was wondering if you’d put anymore thought into my letter.” she said.

Change of subject. Thank you Mione! He thought.

“I did, somewhat, and I admit the idea does seem good, but I don’t know Mione I’m still a bit... hesitant to go back there, after last year.” He replied.

Hermione sat up again and she took in her friend, all playful wishes of a moment ago gone now, as she slipped into her protect-Harry-mode she often found herself in over the years.

“Harry I know it’s hard for you. I know I spend more nights awake thinking of what I could have done to help you that night rather than just sat there thinking Snape was right, that I could have done something more, but in the end Harry, it’s in the past. Hogwarts is safer now, McGonagall had to oversee an entire security overview to convince the Ministry to allow the school to stay open. This would be a good thing Harry, like I said, I’ll follow you either way, but I just want you to be sure about this before we do this.” she said firmly, yet with a hint of bitterness and he knew it wasn’t directed at him.

He crossed the room and sat down on the bed next to her, catching her eye and holding her gaze. He could see the sadness in her chocolate brown pools that she held for him, he knew she was angry with herself about last year, thinking she’d been too distant from him and let him down. What she didn’t know was she couldn’t let him down if she tried, she’d simply been trying to live her life, how could he blame her for that. Forgetting everything but caring for his friend, he reached out and grasped her hands in his, keeping the eye contact he had with her.

“Alright Mione, if you think it’s worth it, I’ll go back.” he said quietly, Hermione smiled at him,

“Good, Harry. I’m glad.” she replied. Harry cracked a grin,

“You’re just happy you get to be Head Girl” he joked.

Hermione appeared to be thoughtful for a moment,

“Well it does mean I get to share a common room with the Head Boy, and there’s always the possibility he’ll be a good catch.” she smirked. Harry was confused now,

I thought she fancied Ron?

“ Well, I did hear that the Head Boy this year is a handsome bloke, but I don’t think Ron would be too pleased with you drooling over him.” he said with a grin, though inside hinging on her response.

Hermione rolled her eyes,

“Ron will live with it. He can go find Lavender to snog again for all I care, he’s my friend and nothing more, nor will he ever be anything more despite what everyone seems to think.” she said flippantly. Now Harry was caught between jumping up and down for joy, and questioning her further.

He decided to take the middle ground and leave it alone, as he was now painfully aware of his surroundings, mainly he was sitting on his bed, in and extremely close proximity to his beautiful best friend whom he was beginning to realize he fancied, holding her hand, when the nearest adults were a few floors down and his wand was lying on his bedside table, capable and tempting him to block them out. Hermione came to this conclusion a second later than Harry and they both turned away and flushed, Harry standing quickly to straighten his closet, something anything to occupy his hands.

Damn that was close. Hermione thought.

“Well I guess I’ll leave you to unpack, and I’ll see you at dinner Harry” she said meekly, they locked eyes again and Hermione bit her lip to keep from grinning, and all but rushed from the room to keep him from noticing his effect on her. After exiting and shutting the door behind her she leaned on it, breathing deeply.

This is going to be one hell of a summer. They both thought, before Hermione collected herself and went off in the direction of the library, Harry back to his unpacking.

* * *

Dinner was wonderful, yet uneventful. They quartet exchanged pleasant conversation that continued from lunch, but nothing Earth shattering happened. Remus asked if he could speak with Harry afterwards in his study, and Harry accepted the offer.

After dinner Tonks and Hermione volunteered to wash up, probably since they knew it would take all of 3 minutes to do with magic, maybe 4 so Hermione could repair any dishes Tonks broke and then they could catch up on girl talk. So taking the opportunity Harry and Remus headed off in the direction of his study, but they were stopped halfway up the steps when a pounding on the front door rang through the hall. Harry and Remus dead stopped and looked at each other worriedly, before both pulling their wands and walking back to the bottom of the steps, preparing to open the door. Hermione and Tonks emerged from the kitchen, obviously having heard the knocking, well pounding too, and seeing the reaction from the other two pulled out their wands as well, taking up defensive positions behind their men. After one last eye exchange Remus pulled open the door and prepared to cast an immobilization charm, but froze mid sentence, Harry turned to look at their visitors and when he did, he almost fainted.

Standing in his doorway grinning like an idiot, was Sirius Black, behind him two very familiar figures, long thought dead. One with fiery red hair and emerald green eyes that shone in the old light hanging from the porch, the other an almost exact copy of himself, down to the last inch of height, which was around 6' 2", except for his warm hazel eyes.

“Jesus Christ.” Harry whispered.

3. Chapter3: Reunions

It’s all J.K.’s I own nothing, just this twisted plot line that came from my slightly demented mind. =) reviews are much appreciated.

* * * * * * *

Harry Potter and the Lion’s Roar

Chapter 3: Reunions

Harry stood dumbly on the porch, his mind numb of any coherent thought, his lungs aching for the oxygen they were being deprived of since he’d stopped breathing. Never in his wildest dreams or fantasies had this ever happened, sure he’d wished he had his parents or Sirius back countless times, but he’d never gone so far as to actually imagine what he’d do if they were back. Now, as he stood there looking them in the face, he was having a difficult time compressing the hopeful feeling rising in his chest, knowing somewhere in the back of his mind that this could all be a trap from Voldemort. He protectively stepped in front of Hermione pulling out his wand and guarding her, ignoring her silent protests.

“Who are you?” Harry growled, eyeing the three of them menacingly. Sirius chuckled and his parents, if that was who they were, looked a bit hurt.

“What, I’ve been gone two years and you forget me already? Here I thought I actually made an impression on you, I guess I was wrong.” Sirius remarked.

“Don’t mock me dammit, I could never forget my own godfather but I also know he died two years ago, so it makes it a bit impossible that he, and my parents who have been dead since I was a year old are standing on my porch. It is far more likely that the evil bastard who has been trying to kill me since I was a baby is trying to pull yet another stunt and catch me at my weakness.” he hissed. Lily stepped in here,

“Harry, we can explain, I promise you, just give us a chance.” she asked.

Harry closed his eyes and breathed deep, needing a moment to fight off the urge to give the person whatever the hell they wanted just because they looked like his mother. Hermione rested a comforting hand on his arm, before stepping in front of him and looking evenly at all three visitors, repeating his earlier move and ignoring his objections.

“If you are who you say you are, you won’t mind a bit of questioning then, to authenticate everything?” she quirked. Sirius smirked,

“Sure love, fire away.” he replied cheekily, “And by the way, it’ s good to see your all right after that nasty fall you took last time I saw you, it scarred didn’t it?” he asked.

Hermione shifted uncomfortably, but nodded stiffly, “Yeah, burnt like hell too.” she answered. She could just feel Harry’s eyes on her back, and feel him itching to coddle and apologize to her for it, but she refused to look back, that was in the past, and she was fine, he had no reason to do either of those things. Sirius looked thoughtful a moment and nodded,

II can make up some salve for you, after all this, to get rid of the scarring, my cousin-“ he spat out the word, “Tried the spell out once when we were young, and it ended up hitting me, my arm would be a hell of a lot uglier if I my father hadn’t still cared enough at the time to fix it for me.” he said softly. Hermione locked eyes with him, and saw the truth there, but also mixed in with the pain he held from his childhood days. She nodded, and turned back to look at Harry before she spoke, he simply held her gaze, his eyes boring into her with so many emotions she couldn’t decipher them all, but she gave his hand which she still held a squeeze and turned back to the others.

“If you are James and Sirius, you will be able to transform into your animagi then.” she said calmly.

“Hermione-“ Harry tried to interrupt,

“Harry even if they were Death Eaters under a Polyjuice they couldn’t duplicate the animagus ability, only certain witches and wizards can do it after they’ve practiced and trained. Even if they were animagi before, it would be their form, not James and Sirius’” she replied

That seemed to satisfy Harry, as he nodded and motioned for them to continue as she said. James and Sirius exchanged glances and smirked, Sirius motioned with his hand, as a man would in a formal duel signaling a point, before he and James began to change shape, in one step each of them had transformed, and staring at him, were a grim, his tail wagging happily, and a stag merely staring at him with its warm, hazel eyes. Hermione’s face broke into a grin as she looked back at the other three. Harry took all of two seconds before he launched into Sirius’ arms for a crushing hug, Hermione giggled in a very un-Hermione way, and her smile widened at seeing something good finally happen for her best friend.

“You prat! You better have a damn good explanation.” Harry exclaimed after finally relinquishing his hold, tears glistening behind his wire-rimmed frames. Sirius chuckled and ruffled his hair, noticing that the boy was glancing over his shoulder, his eyes meeting those of his father for the first time in 16 years.

“Explanations later my little godson, for now I think you should go and say hello to your dad over there.” he replied with a twinkle in his eyes, much like the one Dumbledore’s always held. Harry’s eyes moved from his father, back to Sirius’ smirking face, he smiled a bit and nodded silently, turning and walking over until he was about a foot away from his father, the awkwardness of the situation hitting both men, they merely stared for a moment, soaking in every detail of the other, which considering the resemblance, was pretty much looking in a mirror. Harry stopped as the realization hit him, this was really his dad. He was back, and no further encouragement was needed, he leapt into his fathers arms, much as he’d done with Sirius a moment before, the tears now threatening to fall. James chuckled, but held on just as tight as Harry.

“It’s really you!” Harry whispered as the pulled apart, James smirked, and nodded,

“It’s really me, sprong.” he replied, Harry grinned and launched himself into another hug, happily accepted by his father.

“Alright alright, Merlin, sappy ones you lot are.” Sirius muttered, Hermione elbowed him in the ribs, and he yelped, glaring at the younger witch playfully,

“What! I just thought we might get Lily’s questioning over with so she can get to say hello to her son too! Is that alright with you miss, I’m the smartest witch of my age, and quite possibly the bossiest?” He joked. Hermione glared and Harry chuckled,

“Oh you’re in for it now Sirius, she’ll get you back.” he replied. Sirius smirked,

“And I know I’m done for it and probably should run away quickly, but like I said right now I think your mother should be allotted her time. “ he shot back. Harry grinned and nodded, turning to the red head before him, looking her over for a moment, before turning to Remus.

“Moony you think you can handle some questioning? I could ask her but none of my questions would be very pleasant, considering the only memories I have of her are well....” he trailed off, Remus snapped out of his trance, and nodded to Harry, glancing at the other two Marauders briefly, before turning to Lily, she smiled at him.

“When we were in school you had a notebook you wrote in from time to time and in seventh year James stole it, what did you do to get it back?” he asked quietly. James groaned, and Sirius chuckled, Lily merely smirked.

“I hexed him to stay have his feet stuck to the ceiling while he was wearing nothing but some a girls uniform complete with pink boxers which held an interesting little message for all to see until he told me where he hid it.” she replied easily.

“It was quite cruel really, dear.” James replied, “Sirius still has the pictures, or at least he did last I checked.”

“They’re upstairs.” Sirius replied easily, smirking, “Though you’ll never find them.”

“Serves you right, stealing my bloody notebook” Lily challenged

Harry cleared his throat, bringing the two back to the real world, before he turned to Remus, his hopeful eyes betraying his calm exterior. Remus smiled and nodded, and that was cue enough for Lily, instead of waiting for Harry to come to her, as James had, she practically ran across the porch, swooping him into her arms in one of the tightest hugs he’d ever received. Harry felt her tears wetting his shirt as she pressed gentle kisses to his forehead, bent to reach her, and his hair.

“Oh Harry, I’m so sorry, so, so sorry.” she wept, Harry merely squeezed her tighter, blinking back his own tears, as he replied,

“You have nothing to be sorry for...mum, I’m alive because of you.” he replied gently, and this only made Lily cry harder, everyone stood quietly watching as Harry held her until her tears turned to sniffles, and she slowly released him, smiling slightly as she wiped her eyes, and looked up at him,

“Merlin you look so much like you’re father.” She remarked quietly, and Harry chuckled,

“If I had a galleon for every time I heard that.” he joked, breaking the ice once again, as everyone chuckled a bit, before Sirius turned over to Remus,

“Prongs I think we’ve forgotten to say hello to one very vital member of our Marauder group here.” he spoke with a devilish smirk that at one point had made women swoon over him. James matched his grin with an equally mischievous looking one, and the two each wrapped and arm around the old mate’s shoulders,

“Hello Moony, miss us?” they asked playfully, and the rest shared a grin, Lily still clutching onto Harry’s arm as if she’d lose him again if she let go, not that Harry minded.

Remus locked eyes with each of his best friends, looking past their joking faces and seeing they missed him as much as he had missed them, and with slightly tearing eyes, and grabbed them both into a hug,

“You have no idea.” he replied, and all three men grinned,

“Oh and I suppose I’m just chum for company eh Moony?” Tonks chimed in with a smirk, Remus blushed slightly, causing Sirius to nearly choke.

“Remus, my little cousin! Of all the women in the world, you pick my little cousin? “ he asked dramatically, Remus chuckled, and shrugged,

“I tried to explain to her it was unfair to her, but she’s very...persistent.” he replied. James raised an eyebrow to Sirius,

“Wait, she” pointing to Tonks, “Is the little Nymphadora we used to baby sit when we were 15?” he asked, Lily snorted,

“Someone let you idiots babysit?” she quipped. James stuck his tongue out at his wife in a childish way, and Tonks glared.

“Please not the name, I already have this one who refuses to call me Tonks, no you too.” she groaned as she slipped into Remus’ side comfortably, his arm wrapping around her waist automatically, and Sirius groaned.

“Not only did you pick my little cousin, you’re also shagging her!” he cried.

“Oh shut it Sirius I’m a big girl now, who I do or do not shag is none of your bloody business.” Tonks retorted. Remus flushed yet again, and everyone besides the three of them laughed a bit. Lily finally released Harry, and went to rest her head on James’ shoulder, though she didn’t let him out of her range of view. Hermione quietly slipped over next to him and squeezed his hand, locking eyes with a grin, conveying her happiness to him in a simple exchange before turning to the group,

“Why don’t we continue this inside, now that everyone’s been cleared, maybe we could trouble Moody, Kingsley and McGonagall to get over here so we can alert them?” she suggested.

“Let them know in the morning, nothing will happen between now and then, I think we all deserve an explanation and some time alone before Moody comes charging in here tomorrow.” Remus replied. Hermione grinned and nodded,

“An who is this?” James asked curiously, not missing the exchange she and his son had gone through when they thought everyone was watching Sirius and his cousin’s bickering. Harry flushed the tiniest bit before speaking,

“Sorry, this is one of my two best friends in the world, I don’t know what I would have done without her over the past few years. Probably would’ve gotten myself killed.” he replied with a flattering grin, absently thinking about how much more he could have said about Hermione. She blushed horribly, and elbowed him,

“That is not something you say to people to make them feel better Harry! You’d have gotten along fine without me.” she remarked modestly,

“Mhmm sure Mione.” Harry replied absently. Over to the side The three Marauders and two women exchanged smirks,

“Are they..?” James asked vaguely. Remus laughed softly and shook his head,

“Probably should be, but Harry’s got enough on his plate at the moment, I think he’s too blind to see it.” he replied.

“They look like us James.” Lily replied absently.

“Complete with hexing and whining at times too.” Sirius remarked smartly, then pretended like the swat to the back of the head Lily gave him didn’t hurt.

“You mentioned something about enough on his plate?” James asked after a few moments of silence, watching Harry and Hermione bicker. Remus nodded solemnly,

“I’m sure you’ll find out one way or another, but I think it’s more his story to tell you, let’s just say Tom hasn’t exactly let him be.” he answered quietly. James and Lily both paled a few shades and both sets of eyes flicked unconsciously to the boy in question, still grinning playfully, as the brown haired witch in front of him grew even more exasperated with his teasing.

“Alright you two, let’s get inside, it’s hot out here.” Sirius called, interrupting the banter and making the two involved flush red, before scurrying off into the house. The five remaining chuckled,

“I still say Christmas.” Sirius remarked,

“I’ve got Valentine’s Day.” Tonks added,

“October 12th.” Remus put in, James chuckled,

“You have a bet on them?” he asked, the others laughed too,

“Not just a bet a pot of money, the entirety of the Hogwarts staff, most of the Order and pretty much anyone else who wants in.” Remus explained.

“The Weasley twins set it up.” Tonks said, before realizing they probably had no idea who the Weasley twins were. “Right, we better get in for the explanations then huh?” she asked, as the Marauders and their two girls entered the house, closing and warding the door behind them.

* * * * * * * *

Well it’s another wait for you guys as it’s 3 am and I am much too tired to finish up the explanations, it should take up a good portion of the next chapter, plus Harry gets some bonding time in with his parents. I hope so far you all like it, this should be enough to tie you over until I get some sleep and write more. please read/review.

4. Chapter 4: An Explanation

Well here’s my explanation... I hope you all find it up to par, you all want such a great thing that I’m hoping this will make the cut. I’ve already started chapter 5 so the wait for that should be somewhat shorter. Please review.

* * * * * *

Harry Potter and the Lion’s Roar

Chapter 4: An Explanation

Once safely inside the house, the group headed into the kitchen and sat down around the table, Remus put on more tea, and James and Lily looking around the room distractedly, Sirius looked slightly miffed he hd to be back in the house he was held captive in for so many months, or years if his childhood counted. Once everyone was settled in, Harry looked between the three of them and asked the question on everyone’s minds.

“Not that I’m complaining, because I’m not, but I would like to know how the three of you have accomplished the feat of defying death.” he said with a slight smirk, but still a serious look in his eyes that told more than his playful exterior ever could. James sighed and raked a hand through his wild inky hair and nodded,

“Well it basically has to do with a lot of what would probably be considered dark magic nowadays.” he started off with a tired tone. The four who were listening to the tale all seemed a bit confused by this, but no one interrupted as the story went on.

“You see the magical laws have changed over the years, or rather our understanding of what qualify’s as dark magic has changed. All magic has the potential to be dark, it is more in the users intent of the magic and how he or she manipulates the raw magic that makes it either dark or light.” Lily explained. Everyone nodded, it made sense even a simple ACCIO could prove badly if used with bad intentions. James nodded and picked up from his wife’s input.

“Right, dark magic is simply magic used in the wrong way, with the intention to cause harm, or good magic manipulated in such a way that it no longer makes for a positive result, or simply has more of a tendency to be used in that way. Well as you all probably know, my family line, as well as Sirius’ go back for hundreds of years. Sometime over the course of those years my ancestors decided to use a sort of “dark magic” known as blood bonding.” he said, clearly, but slowly, as if not wanting to lose anyone. Hermione gasped at the mention of this particular kind of magic and the color in Remus’ face seemed to drain a bit, the other two sent questioning stares at their partners. Hermione spoke up.

“Blood bonding is sort of like the concept of horcruxes, only you could say it was the light version of it. “ she began, and everyone besides Harry seemed surprised that even she knew what horcruxes were, let alone understood the concept of them,

“It ties an inanimate object to a person or persons, only instead of requiring great sacrifice and the tearing of your soul, it requires blood from the bonder or bonders and some kind of love, though no one ever figured out how the spell detects the love. It’s more rare now than probably the practice of using horcruxes to defy death, but old wizarding lines used to bond one member of the family to something, usually a family heirloom or possession that was held highly to the family, and it could be used later on to bring the members of the family back since all members of the same line had the same blood, or close to it. It was known to bring people back when they were missing, or a few cases even bringing people know to be dead back! It was basically a way to ensure the family’s survival, or a family member’s survival. But that was only with an immensely complex ceremony that probably no one knows any more because it has been so long out of practice. How are you all here?” she explained easily, her manner of speaking caused Sirius to chuckle at the look on his friends faces who didn’t know of Hermione’s uncanny ability to know seemingly everything about everything, or if not to be able to learn about it.

“Hermione here is one of the brightest witches of our age, she reminds me a lot of you actually Lils, girl could outsmart a Rowena herself I swear it.” he remarked proudly. Hermione blushed, and Harry smirked at her discomfort, reaching under the table and squeezing her hand in a comforting gesture. At any other time, the trail of fire raging up his arm at her touch would have made him think, but at the moment, his mind was too busy trying to comprehend how his three family members were back rather than his potential romantic feelings for Hermione.

James laughed at Sirius’ description,

“Well I can see that she definitely will get along with Lily, but yes what she says is right. Blood bonding is an ancient form of trying to defy death, it seems wizards and muggles alike have been fascinated with the subject ever since it first became apparent. Why people died, life after death, what death really was, how to avoid it, all these questions lead to medical and religious revolutions in the ancient world, but in the magical world, it lead to forms of darker, more mysterious forms of magic.” he went on.

“So basically, your family performed this, blood bonding thing, but Hermione said it requires some ceremony to actually be of use, how does that help you?” Tonks asked, trying to follow this odd tale.

James nodded, “Ordinarily it would, and yes my family, somewhere along the lines had felt the need to preserve themselves. The object my line was bonded to is a portrait of one of my great grandmothers, with way to many greats in front of it to understand. But it was an heirloom handed down through the generations which essentially, kept the spirit or the soul of the bonded person or line alive, until it was called upon to bring them back, or the object was destroyed.”

Everyone nodded, again, following pretty well up to this point,

“This is where is gets a bit fuzzy. Like Hermione and Tonks here have said, the bonding is one thing, but it is pretty much null in void unless someone performs the ceremony and calls us back. Now Lily was connected to the bonding when we exchanged the bit of blood before we where married, and Sirius I’m assuming, through the blood brother bonding the three of us did some drunken night in the dorm.” He paused, with a wicked grin which Sirius mirrored, Tonks and Harry only smirked. Remus rolled his eyes but didn’t retort, Lily and Hermione looked slightly outraged, but held their tongues, for now at least.

“I guess it’s a good thing we never got around to including Peter.” he remarked absently, and instantly all cheerful expressions vanished from the attendants of the table. James shook his head and trudged on.

“Anyway, back to my point, I understand why we were all able to be called back, but what I’m still having trouble grasping is how we were called back.” he answered frustrated. Lily took a second to place a comforting hand on his before turning to the group,

“We do have a theory though,” she said, “We think, that inadvertently, Harry may have called us back.”

Harry looked shell shocked to say the least,

“Me?” he managed to ask. Sirius nodded,

“Think about it Harry, the original spell was created for the purpose of protecting your family line, using the power of love. Now, my guess is, your subconscious need to have the three of us here to help you defeat little Tommy, and the love you held for us, may have found a sort of loophole, in the whole ceremonies and rituals and the lot.” he explained. Hermione nodded,

“It would make some sort of sense if you put it that way.” she said quietly, Remus nodded and chimed in,

“And this might not be the first time it’s happened, if what you said about this bonding being so rare in the first place is true, I’m guessing there wouldn’t be too many documentations of a rare event caused by a rare event, if that makes any sense.” he remarked. Everyone chuckled a bit but nodded, and then a few moments of silence ensued. Before finally Harry spoke up,

“So essentially, you’re here because of some lighter form of dark magic, some really old portrait and in some twisted way, me?” he asked, trying to clarify for a moment. The three exchanged glances and shrugged,

“Yeah, pretty much.” Sirius replied,

“Like I said, I still don’t understand it. It was like one minute I woke up from a nap or something, and I was suddenly aware of where I was, but I had no body, like I was free spirit or something, and then my body just ...materialized it the best way to put it. It aged the same way I suppose I would have naturally, but all of a sudden I was just there...” James said in a slightly awed expression. Sirius and Lily merely nodded with him and everyone was quiet again, it was finally sinking in to everyone. After a few moments of processing it, Harry sighed a raked a hand through his hair.

“Well this is certainly a minor shock.” he said quietly, causing everyone to chuckle, or at least crack a smile at his blatantly obvious remark. Remus eyed the boys condition for a moment, then glanced at the clock, noticing it was almost past midnight and he had yet to speak with him as he’d intended to before they were interrupted.

“I think we could call it a night for now, everyone I have something to discuss with Harry before we get to bed. “ he said casually. Almost everyone looked ready to object but he silenced them with a hand,

“I know more than anyone here that the three of you would like to be caught up on the world happenings and I know you, Harry, want to catch up with your parents, I’m sure they’re curious as to your life so far as well, but believe me when I say we’d be here until dawn trying to explain everything and after my chat with you Harry I think you’ll agree Hermione and yourself will need some sleep.” he defended his previous statement. Sirius sighed and silently agreed, pulling himself from the chair and turning to him

“Which rooms are off limits to sleep in, just so I know.” he asked. Remus smiled gratefully at his old friend. He knew the man wanted, and very possibly could, force them to sit and explain everything tonight, but he was giving in easily for his sake if nothing else. Remus knew Lily and James would be more lenient to leave if they saw Sirius giving in so easily, he was usually the stubborn one.

“My room, from the last time you were here, Nymphadora and I are in there, as well as her old room, that’s Hermione’s, and yours Harry took that one.” he responded easily. Sirius nodded, smirking in Harry’s direction before leaving the kitchen with no more fuss. Tonks stood next, giving Remus a chaste kiss and murmuring about meeting him up there before she too followed out. Remus sent a pointed look in Lily and James’ direction, and when neither moved he sighed tiredly. Harry noticed, and cut in before a struggle ensued.

“Remus is right you guys, I wouldn’t even be able to explain half my life to you before dawn, let alone any questions you might have, and I have to speak to him about something first so you’re better off crashing somewhere upstairs, and in the morning we’ll get McGonagall and Moody over here, then maybe head to Diagon Alley to get you some clothes, which I’m pretty sure you need, and Mione and I can get out stuff for Hogwarts. Then the rest of the night is yours to get any and all information out of us, I promise. “ he said in a slightly pleading tone. Lily sighed and stood up, pulling a more reluctant James up with her.

“Alright, but tomorrow you’re telling us everything.” she said, in a tone no one at the table wanted to disagree with, as it was eerily similar to Molly Weasley when she wanted something, and if the two red heads were anything alike, they were in for sure danger if they went against her wishes. Harry nodded to her with a small smile,

“Don’t worry mum, you’ll find out everything whether I want to tell or not, I’m sure.” he replied. Lily smiled, leaned over and kissed his forehead goodnight before turning to James and pulling him out of the kitchen before he could fight. Harry watched them go quietly before turning back with a slightly overwhelmed but nonetheless, happy expression, to Remus, who was smiling softly in his direction. Hermione grinned broadly at him, before slowly standing,

“I guess I better get going too then.” she said quietly. Harry looked up to her and nodded with a small smile on his face, squeezing her hand in a silent goodnight. Remus looked on, barely stifling a laugh at how obvious the two were, yet neither seemed to have acted yet, if they even knew, before he cleared his throat.

“Actually Hermione can stay, I’ve already told her, but if she wants to sit and hear it again I have no objection.” he offered. Hermione shrugged and took her seat next to Harry once again, both looking expectantly at Remus. He took a deep breath, looking down and tracing the wood grain of the table before he spoke.

“Harry the Order has decided to start training you, and Hermione, since she is so close to you” he remarked quietly, sounding almost pained to have to say it. Harry looked a bit stunned, but nodded slowly all the same digesting what his werewolf friend had said, and Remus continued.

“We should have started long ago, but I guess there was always that feeling that you were just a kid, and you deserved to be one, and have a shot at a normal childhood, but we both know it never really worked out that way. Dumbledore left us instructions in his will, along with a letter to you.” he said, reaching in his robe pocket and pulling out a thick letter sealed with the Hogwarts crest and putting it on the table in front of Harry. Harry eyed it with some trepidation, but turned back to Remus, waiting for more.

“You’ll both start at 5 tomorrow morning, with Moody, he’ll be doing most of your training, as well as myself and Nymphadora at times too.” he continued with a serious look, before sighing,

“It’s not going to be easy Harry, it’s combat training. Dueling, hand to hand, sword fighting, the whole shebang. You’re basically going on an accelerated Auror training regiment. So be prepared.” he finished quietly.

“What about Ron and everyone else?” Harry asked in a slightly dazed voice, “Hermione is training because she’s so close to me, why not the rest of them?” Remus sighed,

“Because frankly none of them are up to the standards of you two, or with the exception of Ron in nearly as much danger. They will be trained, once you two are a bit further and those of us training you feel they’re ready.”

Harry nodded and stood up, he was slightly surprised at this announcement but it was not unwelcome, he knew as well as anyone he’d need as much help as he could get for the upcoming battle with Voldemort. He took the letter and bid Remus goodnight, Hermione on his heels as he left.

“5 am in the backyard, wear something to work out in. And don’t be late, you know Moody.” Remus called after the two. Harry waved over his shoulder to signal he’d heard him, and disappeared out of the kitchen. Remus sighed, staring where his nephew in all things that counted had just been standing, it was gutting him to force the boy into this, but he really didn’t have a choice anyway, at least with training he’d be prepared. Taking one last look around the kitchen and sighing again, before standing, and with a flick of his wand darkening the room before exiting. He checked the wards before climbing the steps up to his room, where he was sure a certain fuchsia haired witch would be waiting for him.

* * * * * *

Harry and Hermione exited the kitchen and climbed the steps in a contemplative silence until the reached the floor holding both their rooms. Hermione turned to him and smiled meekly.

“So I tonight was a big night.” she remarked bluntly. Harry snorted but cracked a grin at her statement all the same.

“No really?” he joked. Hermione half glared at him and playfully punched his shoulder which Harry laughed at and held his hands up in surrender.

“Easy witch, I was only joking, no need to maim me.” he pleaded. Hermione rolled her eyes,

“I did not maim you, you big baby, I smacked you, It did not hurt.” she drawled. Harry smirked, rubbing the spot she hit with fake pain.

“Did too!” he replied indignantly, though fighting to hold his serious expression.

“O Merlin, the boy who lived my arse.” she shot back, turning to walk away with a smile.

“O you’re in for it now Granger!” Harry growled playfully.

Harry took all of two seconds, to grab her around the waist, both laughing hysterically, and twisting her around to face him. They continued to laugh for a moment of two, until they both were suddenly aware of their close proximity. Their noses almost touching, feeling the hot breath of the other on themselves and feeling the tingle it sent up each of their spines. Harry cleared his throat and stepped away, both of them blushing the color of the Weasleys’ hair.

“Well I guess we better get to bed, we have to get up in a few hours “ Harry said awkwardly, Hermione nodded, and mumbled a good night with a shy smile, before turning and practically running into her room, closing the door and leaning up against it breathing heavily. Harry watched her go, and when he door shut he growled at his stupidity, banging his fist on the wall lightly, before turning to his room too, trying to sleep before the hard day he was sure to endure tomorrow. Dumbledore’s letter left unopened on his bedside table, until he was more put together. Though despite both their efforts to be rested in the morning, it was a restless sleep for both teens, new thoughts and feelings about each other, and the three new comers as well as the changes in their lives swirling around their minds as they dreamt.

5. Authors Note

Authors Note: Sorry to anyone who’s been trying to read chapter 5, I got messed up and so it’s now under the next chapter .... so sorry.

6. Chapter 5 : Crazy Witches and Ungodly Hours of the Morning

Harry Potter and the Lion’s Roar

Chapter 5

* * * Number 12 Grimmauld Place * * *

The next morning, Harry was awakened by a very loud, annoying, beeping noise near his head. He rolled over to face the direction it was coming from and after blearily prying an eye open, he groaned in agitation when he saw the blue letters of his alarm clock--the source of said loud beeping noise--glaring back at him with it’s customary time fitting phrase. This morning, it had hit Harry’s feelings on being woken up so early right on the head.

4:45 ARE YOU CRAZY!

He switched the annoying device off, groggily forcing himself into an upright position as he rubbed his face to try and force himself awake. He reached out, blindly grabbing his glasses from the bedside table, and blinked his eyes open in reluctance. Taking a minute to become more aware of his surroundings since he was barley conscious, he pulled himself out of bed and decided to change. Harry began to slowly pull on a pair of black sweat pants, a blue fitting t-shirt, and hastily threw on socks and trainers. He went into the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and washed his face with some cold water, which finally did the job of waking him. He attempted to run a comb through his impossible hair to tame it’s worse than usual appearance of bed-head, but gave up after a moment. Leaving the room and wandering down the steps, he stumbled into the kitchen at 5 to 5. Sitting at the table pouring over the Daily Prophet in the dim lighting of the room, with an amused smirk gracing her face, was Hermione. She had on a similar outfit as him--gray sweat pants and a Gryffindor-red beater shirt.

"Not a morning person are we?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. Harry merely half glared at her, before plopping down into the chair across from hers.

"It’s 5 o’clock in the morning, we’re about to go through serious combat training with a barking mad and more than slightly paranoid Lieutenant Colonel of the Auror corps, and your sitting here reading?" he asked disbelievingly. Hermione laughed and folded the paper up, before standing.

"Yeah, sounds about right," she replied cheekily as she stepped onto the back deck, winking over her shoulder at him. Harry merely rolled his eyes and followed, grumbling about crazy witches and ungodly hours of the morning. The two entered the yard at one minute to 5, and came face to face with the grizzly Alastor Moody. They exchanged good mornings (some more grumpy about it than others), and then the old Auror looked both on them over. His magical eye momentarily stopped swiveling and went with his natural eye as he sized them up, before nodding to himself, which sent the electric blue orb spinning again.

"Alright, you both know why you are here. We will be using Grimmauld and sometimes the Auror training facilities farther north, and when Hogwarts starts up, you will continue training there. Unfortunately for you two, as of every day you step out for training your arses are mine for the duration. You two have done well against Tom so far, but you’ve survived partially on luck, which, believe me, is never a good thing to rely on. I’m here to fix your problems, as well as shove a full Auror regiment among other skills into your head along with Remus and Nymphadora. The only thing I want you two to think of in this training, is that when your life is on the line, you use what you have to in order to keep yourself alive and send you home at night; anyone or anything in your way is shown no quarter," he started. Both teens swallowed hard at his bluntness, but knew he was only telling them for their own good.

"Have either of you considered becoming Aurors?" he asked, and both of them nodded. Hermione’s nod coming as a surprise to both men, though Moody was careful to never let it show.

"Why?" he asked simply, looking to Harry first.

He shrugged. "Just seemed like it fit really. The evil bastard’s have taken almost everything from me, the least I can do is protect other people from knowing that pain," he explained. Moody nodded and turned to Hermione.

"I’m tired of seeing people I love throw themselves in the line of fire, only to have more and more ripped away from them and if I can do anything to stop it, I will. This is what I see as helping to stop it," she replied, ignoring Harry’s piercing eyes from her side.

The old Auror nodded. "Alright, well, it seems like both of you have someone or something worth fighting for. Good. Focus on them when it gets hard or seems impossible to win; it may just give you that bit of drive that saves your life."

He waved his wand and immediately three bokken appeared.

"You will be trained in all aspects of fighting: Hand to hand, dueling, team fighting when the rest start up, tracking, concealment, and with a variation of muggle and wizarding weapons. Today you will be starting with learning the basics of the sword."

For the next hour Moody went through the basics of blocks and attacks with the sword, eventually pinning the two of them against each other to practice as he watched from the side. After about an hour, Remus came to stand at his side, silent.

"How are they doing, Moody?" he asked quietly, watching as Hermione blocked a swipe to her legs. Moody never took his eyes off the pair as he answered.

"It’s like they’ve both done this already Remus; they’re sloppy, but its like the already know the motions, they know what to do, just not when to do it. " Remus nodded.

"Well, Minerva’s inside and we have something to talk to you two about, so why don’t we call it a day for them?" he suggested. Moody agreed and vanished the bokkens.

"That’s it for today, I’ll see both of you tomorrow morning," he said to the two. Both teens looked utterly exhausted, sweat forming a thick sheet on both of them, but they nodded, and all four started back to the house. They entered the kitchen at the same moment McGonagall and Tonks did.

"All right Tonks, what in Merlin’s name am I doing here at 8 in the...?" her voice was lost when her eyes landed on the table where Lily and James happened to be munching on their breakfast.

Before anyone could react, the couple both dove out of their chairs, sprawling out onto the floor with loud bangs to avoid two hastily cast stunners coming from Moody’s wand.

"What the bloody hell was that for, you barmy old codger!" James yelled from his comfortable position on the floor. Remus now had Moody restrained, mostly, with a body-bind jinx and Minerva was to stunned to do anything.

"Merlin, Mad-eye you were a bit crazy 20 years ago, but at least then you weren’t trigger happy," James exclaimed as he pulled himself off the floor, brushing himself off.

"What in Merlin’s name is going on here?" McGonagall asked, her Scottish burr thickening just a tad.

Remus quickly launched into a hasty explanation of the revival of the three, after which he released Mad-Eye from his bind (though keeping a close eye on him) while McGonagall looked like she was going to faint. With his exceptional sense of timing, Sirius stumbled into the kitchen half asleep a moment later, completely oblivious to the eerie silence or the looks he was receiving from two of the occupants of the room. Harry was biting hard on his lip to prevent himself from laughing at the _expression on his Headmistress’ face, and it appeared as though Hermione had developed a fit of coughing. After a moment, Sirius looked up and grinned roguishly.

"Minnie! It’s been ages since I’ve seen you! And Mad-Eye, nice to see you still have some of your nose," he teased.

"Oh Merlin, I never thought I’d see the day I’d happily hear that ridiculous nickname!" she exclaimed, grabbing Sirius forcefully and hugging him harder than a woman her age should have been able to, before quickly moving on to the other two. Mad-Eye merely chuckled at Sirius’ remark.

"Nice to see you again too lad," he returned, shaking hands with James and Sirius, and being gathered into a hug from Lily, he apologized about the stunners. After the happy greetings, which got everyone in the room smiling, they all sat down for breakfast, which was as amusing as ever with Sirius and James at the table. The group chatted about old memories and recounted some hilarious, and sometimes embarrassing, tales of when the Marauders reigned. The way they were all behaving was like no one had ever left, cracking jokes and reminiscing about the past. Everyone was treading carefully on the subject of current events, as those who had just been informed of the revival weren’t exactly sure of how much the threek new, and those who’d originally discovered it, knew the three didn’t know much.

After a few hours, Minerva reluctantly excused herself, saying she had to get back to Hogwarts for some pre-term preparations, and quietly reminding Remus and Tonks of the next Order meeting, which prompted a clearing of the throat from the old werewolf.

"Yes, I know Remus," Minerva replied quietly, turning to Harry and Hermione.

Harry cracked a small smile. "We’re getting inducted, aren’t we?" he said. It was a statement, not a question. He knew they were getting in, so, really, there was no point in asking. James and Lily looked like they wanted to protest, but held back knowing all would be explained later. McGonagall nodded slowly, sadly.

"Well, I really must be going," she exclaimed after a moment, bidding everyone goodbye and quickly disappearing out the door. Moody followed, muttering something about checking to see if trainees showed up on time. After they heard the front door click shut behind him, Harry stood.

"Well, I think I’m going to get a shower. Would you all like to head to Diagon Alley after?" he asked, and after receiving an affirmative answer, he headed off up the stairs.

* * * * * * *

An hour later, six of the seven occupants of the house were Flooing to the Leaky Cauldron, as Tonks had to head to work. Lily, James, and Sirius were all under some glamour charms so as to not attract attention while walking through the alley, and all were completely unrecognizable.

Lily’s normally fiery locks were transformed into curly, dirty blonde strands. Her eyes were now an amazing shade of blue, which rivaled her natural color in intensity. Her light skin had transformed into tanned and she wore a pair of Hermione’s jeans and t-shirt, since she didn’t have any of her own. Sirius had lightened his ebony locks to a dark brown, and made them look shorter, a fringe falling just about his eyes. Remus and James had cracked jokes about it being his playboy look, to which he merely smirked. His eyes were a warm hazel, much like James’ natural color. James was sporting a look much like that of Charlie Weasley; long fire red hair pulled into a pony tail, his eyes now a deep silvery gray and temporarily corrected to not need his glasses. His tanner skin had been lightened and his face dotted with freckles, which Sirius had found very amusing. He and James had dug through some old boxes in the attic, luckily finding Sirius’ old clothes and now both were wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt like the rest. The three of them were answering to alias names: Lily was now Anna, James was now Ben, and Sirius had taken it upon his creative genius--or so he’d dubbed it--to name himself Jack. They were, if anyone asked, old friends of Remus’ visiting from Australia, which wasn’t entirely a lie anyway.

When they emerged from the pub through the gateway, the group headed towards Gringotts first. Hermione, Sirius, and Remus went to wait in line to exchange Muggle money into galleons, while Harry and their goblin guide led Lily and James down to their vault.

Harry sighed tiredly as the vault doors opened and he noticed that his fortune had in fact grown since the last time he was there. He quickly entered, filling his bag with enough galleons for today’s trip and money for school, before he noticed his parents were simply leaning in the doorframe.

"You know it’s your money. You should take some to have on you," he suggested simply. James looked around quickly before his eyes found his son again.

"If anything, this vault has grown since I was here. Did you use any of it? We did leave it for you to use," he asked quietly. Harry sighed, filled up two other spare moneybags for his parents and exited the vault without answering. He waited only until they were back on the cart, watching as the goblin finished locking the doors, before giving his answer.

"I didn’t know I had anything until I was 11, and then when I knew the circumstances in which I gained the money, I didn’t want it much. If people had to die so I could use it, I didn’t want it. Plus, it gets bloody annoying that people assume because I have the money that I’m a snob with it. I mainly use it for Hogwarts stuff…that’s pretty much it," he replied simply.

"You didn’t know you had it until you were 11?" Lily questioned confusedly.

Harry smirked. "Yeah. Aunt Petunia didn’t take very kindly to my being a wizard; I probably wouldn’t have even known I was one until Hagrid showed up to take me to Hogwarts," Harry answered.

"What the bloody hell do you mean Petunia? Why were you under her care?" Lily screeched, causing the goblin who was climbing into the car to stumble a bit from shock and glare at her.

"Sirius was framed for your betrayal and the murder of 12 muggles. He was sent to Azkaban. Really it was Pettigrew, as I’m guess you figured out, but he staged his own death to frame Sirius by cutting off his finger. And then Dumbledore figured out I had some sort of protection from Voldemort through your blood, and in turn, Petunia’s, because of the sacrifice you made to save me," he said.

"Sirius was in Azkaban?" James asked quietly, staring at the floor and looking a bit fearful.

Harry nodded grimly. "Yeah he was, he didn’t tell you?"

James shook his head. "He said it was your story to tell, not his."

Harry sighed deeply. "Well, I’ll explain the whole story when we get back. But just for some basics, since I’ll probably be gawked at when we’re in the Alley today, I’m apparently the only one to be cursed and survive the killing curse. So from when I was a baby, I was famous, though I never knew it until I was 11, and since then I’ve faced Voldemort 4 times because of the damn prophecy that he knows part of," Harry explained at the cart came to a rushing stop. James and Lily’s eyes widened at his mention of the prophecy.

"You know about that?" Lily asked quietly, the way any mother afraid for her child would.

Harry nodded as they reentered the main bank. "We’ll talk more later, but, yeah, I do know about it. Dumbledore told me the end of 5th year," he said quickly as they approached the other 3 waiting by the door. Harry immediately brightened upon seeing Hermione and Remus chatting adamantly about something, and Lily and James silently agreed not to ask anything else until their explanation time.

The group headed out of the bank talking cheerfully, careful to use alias names so as not attract too much attention, as much as that was possible when it came to Harry Potter. Once they arrived at the store, Harry opened the door chivalrously for Hermione and Lily before stepping in behind them. They were immediately swallowed up by the crowd of people, most appeared to be Hogwarts students of various ages bustling around with one or both of their parents trying to find books.

Harry and Hermione quickly retrieved their lists from their pockets and collected their needed books; Harry for the subjects of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, and Muggle Studies (which he’d decided to pick up merely for the way it looked on a resume as Hermione had so graciously pointed out when she’d owled him about schedules). Hermione, as usual with her overload of work, had the same as Harry, but with the addition of Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and History of Magic.

Both Potter men were forced into a few more minutes of browsing for the women when they pulled the puppy dog pouts, though both admittedly didn’t put up much of a fight. After each woman grabbed a small collection of books that peaked her interest, the group then maneuvered their way to the register and paid the shopkeeper. Harry insisted on carrying Hermione’s bag with her tomes in it, and looked down for a brief second to pick it up.

He barely looked up in time to notice Hermione knock into a pudgy dark haired girl and promptly fall flat on her back. The dark haired girl whipped around to reveal her face and Harry silently groaned. Pansy Parkinson was staring back at him. Harry helped Hermione to her feet before Pansy spoke.

"Potty, you should teach your little Mudblood better manners! She should know to watch where she’s going. Now I’m going to have to burn these robes seeing as they have Mudblood filth on them," she said snidely, causing everyone in the group’s hands to itch for their wands.

"Parkinson, get lost! Shouldn’t you be trailing behind Zabini now that your precious Malfoy is in hiding?" Hermione replied acidly.

Pansy glared at her. "Oh, Mudblood, did St. Potter over here forget to teach you your place, too? Well, I suppose I should expect as much from a half-blood Dumbledore crony like him."

That was the last straw for Hermione. She could take her own mistreatment from Pansy, and she knew Harry could handle himself too, but taking a stab at him in front of her was the wrong move. She forgot all means of magic as she pulled a punch starting somewhere around her waist and connecting with Pansy’s big crooked nose. The nose immediately started to bleed profusely and Pansy let out a shriek.

"You little wench!" she screamed before pulling out her wand, and firing hexes at Hermione. A few hastily cast Portegos did the trick and before Pansy could warm up for round two, Harry stepped in front of Hermione,

"Parkinson, just leave, that’s enough," he said simply. Pansy glared at him for a few minutes before finally marching out of the store in a huff, without even purchasing her books.

The group all looked around and shrugged at each other, ignoring the odd quiet that had over come the store and exiting quickly before the shopkeeper could throw them out. The rest of the trip was uneventful; after a trip to Madam Malkin’s to allow the three of the group without clothes to get some they Floo-ed back home seeing as how no one really felt like spending much time in Diagon Alley today since it was much too gloomy and ominous. Though in the back of Harry’s mind, the chat he was going to have with his parents was having the same effect on him.

* * * * *

Ok first I would like to apologize for the post, un-post, and re-posting and so on that my story has been doing, I’ve been changing my mind about stuff and it’s just blah! Second, I’d like to thank my new beta reader Jacqueline for all her work on this chapter, it is much better than it was originally I assure you. Lastly I would like to warn you all, I’m leaving for vacation in 2 days and I won’t be able to update until the 23rd when I get back since I recently smashed my laptop.... don’t ask it’s a long story involving a tv falling and my dog.... yeah. But my point is, I’m hard at work on chapter 6 and I’m hoping to have it in my beta’s able hands by the time I leave so I can post quickly when I get home. And as always, reviews a re much appreciated, thank you all for being so patient.

7. Chapter 6: Memories and Minor Slips

Ok everyone, here’s chapter 6, I don’t own anything as usual. Read and review please.

* * * * * * * * *

Harry Potter and the Lion’s Roar

Chapter 6: Memories and Minor Slips

* * * * * Grimmauld Place * * * * *

Harry’s mind was whirling with thoughts about the talk he was about to have with his parents as he climbed the steps to his room, his schoolbooks slung over his shoulder. Almost as soon as everyone stepped through the Floo into the house, the three new arrivals hit him with pointed looks, clearly showing they all thought they’d waited long enough for an explanation. Harry promised to meet them all in the drawing room after taking care of his books.

Now as he climbed the steps, all sorts of questions and insecurities about revealing his past to his parents were reaping havoc on his mind. What would they say? Would they be disappointed in him? How exactly was he going to explain his life to someone? He couldn’t even explain most of it to himself, let alone others!

Seeing her friend’s obvious turmoil over the matter, Hermione, who was walking up the stairs next to him, offered to help him in his explanation. Harry almost declined; it really was something he should do himself but, thinking twice, he resolved it might be easier to have a friend there just for support, really, considering reliving some things was going to be painful to him since the wounds were still raw.

Hermione reassured him with a small smile, and, after squeezing his arm briefly before running ahead, arranged to meet him and the other three in the group in the drawing room in 10 minutes.

Not feeling much in the mood to rush into the conversation, Harry leisurely walked the rest of the distance to his room, trying to formulate some sort of plan on home exactly to break everything to them. But before he knew it, he found himself entering the drawing room to find that everyone had, in fact, beat him there.

Harry took a deep breath and shut the door, locking it behind him and discretely placing a silencing charm on the room in case things got out of hand. It was an action not missed by any of the other occupants of the room, but everyone decided not to comment.

Harry crossed the room and noticed for the first time since his entrance that on the ancient mahogany table around which everyone was seated, was an ornate stone bowl, one which Harry recognized instantly as a Pensive. Noticing his confused look, Hermione bit her lip.

"I thought...that maybe your birthday present from me would make this go a bit smoother. Maybe showing them what happened rather than telling will give everyone a clearer picture," she mumbled nervously, her brown eyes shining with an odd mix of anxiety and hope that he’d like the gift. Harry stared at the large bowl a moment before grinning slightly, leaning over and wrapping Hermione into a tight hug.

"Thanks ‘Mione, it’s great," he replied honestly, before taking a seat on the couch next to her. Hermione let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding and broke into a smile.

"Good I was worried you wouldn’t like it, but I thought since the Occlumency lessons didn’t go so well–"

Harry snorted at this, but chose not to comment, so Hermione continued.

"I thought somewhere where you can put your thoughts to clear your head would be nice," she said.

Harry grinned at his best friend, quietly noting how adorable she looked when she was nervous, but reluctantly, he pulled himself out of his musings and forced himself to focus back to the task at hand. He turned his attention to the three sitting on the couch opposite to them, and sighed.

"Alright, well, where would you like to start?" he asked seriously.

"I find the beginning usually helps, Harry" Sirius remarked, for once, his playful demeanor seemed to have taken the back seat for this talk. Harry smirked and nodded, looking between his mother and father for this part.

"As I told you this morning, you already know that it was Pettigrew who betrayed you… sold you to Voldemort—“

Neither of his parents flinched at the name, though they may have had a brief look of pride in him for saying it.

“—When he came after us that night, you both died trying to protect me, and, in the end, your sacrifice saved my life as it turns out," he said, his emerald eyes meeting his mother’s own, and held her gaze for a moment before going on.

"When you died, mum, trying to put yourself in my place, you placed a protection over me--a blood protection. When our dear friend Tom tried to kill me, he failed. His purpose was to, obviously, get rid of any problems in the future. "

Lily and James’ expressions changed, now both held confusion.

"Failed?" James questioned.

Hermione nodded and decided to pick up for her friend. "Harry is the first person ever to survive the Avada Kedarva curse," she spoked softly.

Both of the Potters’ looked completely floored. Harry chuckled at their faces and lifted the inky fringe falling on his forehead, revealing the scar that he so hated to them.

"This is all I have as a remembrance to that night, after the curse backfired, Voldemort virtually lost all power and was reduced to a spirit. He fled, and I was sent to the only relatives I had left with your blood, mum," he went on.

"My blood? Why? Why would Albus send you to such a horrible place?" she asked, a hint of pain leaking into her voice, and James wrapped an arm tightly around her waist.

Harry smiled, a bitter smile, before saying, "Because the same protection that saved me also doomed me to living under someone’s roof; someone with that same blood so that the protection could continue to work.

"So, I lived with Aunt Petunia until I was 11, never knowing what magic was or anything about my past. I was simply told that you two had died in a car accident and that I was taken in out of the kindness of their hearts–"

"So that’s the rubbish they gave you to justify making you live like a house elf?" Sirius remarked sarcastically, the spite dripping off his words. "Always wondered how they got themselves to sleep at night."

Harry could see his parents beginning to get angry at the mention of his treatment, and held up a hand to calm them.

"There’s nothing that can be done about it now. I’m alive, and, if I have nothing else to be grateful to them for, it’s giving me somewhere to stay until I was 11 and during the summers," he said with finality, silencing anyone else’s remarks, which everyone seemed poised to give. They all resigned themselves to keeping quiet, and listened to him continue.

"So, now that we got that out of the way, I’d rather show you the rest," he said, pulling out his wand an extracting a series of memories and putting them all into vials Hermione bought with the Pensive.

For the next few hours Harry and 4 of the most important people in his life, went through the strands he took out; the memories of his first encounter with Voldemort, the Chamber of Secrets, the night Sirius returned in third year, the Triwizard Tournament, the Department of Mysteries and the night last June that seemed to pierce everyone’s heart. He was careful, however, not to reveal the Horcruxes, as much as he may have want to. Harry decided that, for the moment, to at least keep that to himself.

After each memory, Harry would stop and explain what was going on, as well as a quick summary of his year that year. He introduced the youngest Weasleys to James and Lily, as well as pointing out some other friends of his whose parents they may be familiar with, and telling them anything he thought they should know.

After all that, his parents merely sat in silence, staring at him with looks of dumbstruck awe, mixed with so many more emotions. Lily looked as if she was mere moments away from bursting into tears, and James was simply giving him a strong look. Harry’s heart swelled as he recognized the pride his eyes held for him. Sirius was busy muttering obscenities about Snape and what fait awaited him if he ever met the greasy git again.

Harry chanced a look at Hermione, who was looking at him with a small smile as she reached out and laced her fingers with his, giving him a comforting squeeze, and Harry immediately felt like a weight hand been lifted from his shoulders. Before he could allow his thoughts to drift back to the lovely girl next to him, he turned his attention back to the three sitting quietly on the other side of the table. He cleared his throat and looked at them all sincerely.

"I know it’s a lot to swallow at one time, but you deserved to know. I’ve been through a lot, and I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t easy…it’s probably why I have so many insecurities about losing people I love and probably other things. But I did make it through, and I’m better for it now that I look back, I think. I would never have wanted some of the things to turn out the ways they did, but that’s life, and I hope that it gives you both a better understanding of how I got to be who I am now," he said simply.

He and Hermione stood up and quietly left the room, leaving the three to their own thoughts and devices. They silently walked out to the back deck and settled down next to each other on the stairs. Harry put his head in his hands, rubbing his face as the mental and physical strain of the past few days started to catch up with him. Hermione merely sat with him for moral support, knowing he’d open up to her eventually; pushing him wasn’t going to give him any more incentive to talk.

"That was surprisingly easier than I was anticipating," he said quietly, after a moment.

Hermione smirked at him, her eyes twinkling coyly. "Well, my Boy-Who-Lived, glad to hear that you can get through a chat with your parents,” she goaded.

Harry glared at her. "Oi, Granger, are you mocking me?"

Hermione giggled, and nodded vehemently. Harry grinned predatorily and Hermione knew she was toast; before she could even react he’d pounced on her and started mercilessly tickling her sides.

"HARRY! ... Please...stop!" she managed to choke out between her laughter and gasping for breath.

Harry merely grinned. "Sorry, what was that?" he played.

"Please stop!" she squealed. Harry took pity on her and stopped, but did not move from his position of hovering above her, his wicked grin of triumph threatening to crack his face in half. Hermione smiled up at him from her comfortably spot on the floor.

"That wasn’t fair," she whined, pulling a pout face. "You’re bigger than me, you brute."

Harry chuckled. "Well, you deserved it ‘Mione! Imagine the nerve of you mocking me, the Boy-Who-Lived! Such cheek should be punished," he joked. They both shared a good laugh before Harry spoke again.

"Thanks ‘Mione, for today. I really needed someone there for me," he said sincerely.

Hermione smiled, her heart melting at hearing his words.

"It was nothing. Any friend would be there for you when you needed them," she replied modestly.

Harry shook his head. "No, they wouldn’t, and you did, so I just wanted to tell you how much it means to me that you care," he replied in almost a whisper.

It was then that he realized the close proximity to her, and from the look that flashed through her eyes, she had noticed too. The internal battle that had been raging in him since he first saw her when she picked him up flared once again. Unconsciously he bent lower toward her…he could feel her breath on his face…their noses almost touching…

Just as he was about to pass the point of no return, reality came flying back at him. The realization of what he was about to do hit him like a kick to the groin and he immediately jumped off of her, flushing as red as one the Weasleys. Hermione seemed to have the same thoughts because she, too, jumped off the deck and flushed crimson.

"I....uh, we—" Harry stuttered, trying to give an explanation for what he’d just done, or well, almost done. Cursing his teenage hormones, he shut his mouth quickly before he had a chance to make a bigger fool of himself. After a moment of silence, Hermione cleared her throat, straightening her shirt and smiling at him as if nothing had happened.

"Well, I have some summer homework to finish up. I’ll see you at dinner, Harry," she said smoothly, not even a hint of what just occurred between the two of them slipped into her voice. It was as if it never happened and in that moment, Harry was immensely grateful.

After she disappeared through the door, Harry decided he could get in a bit of flying before dinner which, to him, was a way to wind down and relax after the long and stressful day…and a wonderful opportunity to clear his head.

He Accio'ed his broom, since he didn't really have the mental strength to run into anyone if he walked to get it, and a few seconds later it slipped out through the open window in his room, landing about a foot away. He mounted it and was off in his own little world-- one where there was no Voldemort, no worries about what tomorrow brought, no girl problems. Just the wind in his face and the various loops and rolls he pulled as he flew.

Once he felt he'd successfully cleared his head, he released his practice Snitch from a box he'd summoned from his room. It was an attempt to get some practice in before going back to school. He had managed to catch it a total of 5 times in before he noticed someone was on the ground watching him. Judging by the messy mop of hair on said person, there was really no guessing who it was. He turned and dove down almost right on top of his father, before barrel rolling into a sloth grip at the last second and catching the Snitch from right on top of James’ head a final time. Then he easily touched down to the ground and dismounted.

James looked at him with a mixture of amusement and pride as he watched him put the Snitch back in its box.

"Good to see you got the Quidditch genetics from me! Your mother can't stand flying," he joked. Harry smiled; a brief thought of the similarities between his mother and Hermione crossed his mind before he nodded.

"Youngest Seeker in a century," he replied with a hint of pride.

James smirked, and motioned that they should both sit. Harry complied with his wish, sighing slightly as he plopped onto the grass. The two Potter men sat in silence for a moment before either spoke.

"Your mother is a bit shaken up," James remarked quietly. Harry winced visibly.

"I didn't mean to scare her,” he said earnestly. “I just thought you guys deserved to know what I'm getting into."

James nodded. "I know, and she does too, and she'll come around after she has some time to let it sink in. She's just having some trouble grasping all that has happened to her little boy I suppose," James replied, looking at Harry much the same as he had felt inside-- with mixed emotions.

The truth was, he, too, was having trouble grasping the concept that his son-- the little baby who he'd vowed to love and protect from the moment he first held him in his arms, the young man so like himself sitting next to him now--was had gone through everything he'd just watched.

Harry seemed to notice his look. "I know it's a lot to take in, and I know that you will probably have some trouble accepting it. Hell, I know I did, but in the end, it comes down to the fact that it's him or me, there's nothing anyone can do to change it. Now, I don't have any plan of rolling over and letting him win; I plan on fighting like hell for the people I love, the people who were taken from me and my friends, and all the innocent people who will die if I fail. But there's a reality that I might fail, he is the greatest dark wizard in a hundred years, it's not going to be a cakewalk. But if I do have to die doing this, I don't want people to worry about me, especially not you and not mum.”

“You both mean too much to me to have you upset over something no one can change. I missed out on too much with the two to waste the time I have with you in case I do fail. I just want you to know that; don't think about what could happen or what has happened to me, because I don't want it. All I want from you and from her, are to know you, for once in my life, to get a chance to love you the way I have since I knew you existed," he said quietly. The two men stared at each other for a moment, hazel eyes boring into emerald, until finally James nodded, pulling his son into a hug on the lawn.

"We loved you too Harry, and I promise, we'll do anything we can to help you beat the bastard," he whispered, his voice choking a bit as he fought off tears of pride for the great man his son had turned into.

* * * * * * *

Ok first off I am the one who is responsible for this chapter being so late, im sorry guys. (And of course my beta Jacqueline had nothing to do with my lateness and is in no way shape or form responsible for it, nor did she force me to write a note like this at the end.) =) Well I know it’s a bit short, and a bit boring, but it’s just a filler so look forward to a more exciting chapter coming up. I thank Jacqueline once again, without her this would surely but a pretty crappy story.

8. Authors note!!!!!!

Author’s Note!!!!

Alright well I just wanted to tell all my readers that I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry to all of you for not updating in forever. I’ve just been really stressed out with school starting, and the school volleyball season took up pretty much all my time, and I just haven’t had the time or energy to work on the next chapter. But not to worry all, the season is over so I should have much more time to write and update regularly now that im only practicing 2 nights a week. I love you all for all your support and sticking with me through my crappy updates. Look out for them soon!

–HermioneJanePotter