Chapter Text
The Family that Chooses You
Chapter 98 – A Sense of Duty
Sirius yawned, only holding his hand to his mouth after Andromeda smacked him in the stomach. “Why are we here so early?” he grumbled.
“Because Harry and Hermione needed to arrive early since they are Prefects,” Andromeda said, rolling her eyes at her cousin.
“Oh right,” he yawned again. “Are you sure you want to be Prefect? You could sleep in,” he asked Harry.
“I think I’ll survive,” Harry replied dryly, his smile lessening the sting.
“Sure but would living be worth it?”
Andromeda, Tonks, Hermione, and Jean all huffed in the same way.
“Okay, I’ll be less dramatic,” Sirius grinned. “I learned my lesson.”
“No, you didn’t,” Andromeda and Tonks said together.
“It’s moments like this that show you two are mother and daughter.” He yelped, sent scurrying by two Stinging Jinxes. “Okay okay! I’m going!” He ran and Harry’s and Hermione’s trunks, Hedwig’s cage, and Crookshanks’ basket floated after him.
“I swear, he likes the attention,” Jean said with a smile.
“He always has,” Andromeda sighed wearily. “Positive and negative, he likes all kinds of attention.” She smiled at Harry. “I’m glad you don’t share that personality trait.”
Harry snorted. “Nope, I’ve had more than enough attention. I’m fine with obscurity.”
“Same,” Tonks said. “I’m the picture of modesty.”
They looked at her bright pink hair, currently in the shape of a mohawk.
Sirius returned, eyebrows raised at seeing them laughing. “Clearly I missed something funny so I’ll assume you were laughing at something I did or said. Your trunks are in a middle compartment as are your pets. I let the beasties out and your other friends should see them and can sit inside.”
“Thanks Sirius.” Harry hugged his godfather.
“Hey, I know you’re thinking about what’s coming,” Sirius whispered as they embraced, “but try to enjoy yourself some before then, okay?”
Harry nodded, trying to appear less concerned than he was. “I’ll try.”
“Good,” Sirius replied and squeezed him tightly for a moment before releasing him.
Harry hugged Tonks, who licked him much to Andromeda’s annoyance and Sirius’ glee. “I’m glad you’re doing okay,” she said. “Send me letters often and maybe I’ll try to come see you a Hogsmeade weekend.”
“I’d like that,” he said sincerely and rubbed his wet cheek against her.
“Thanks for everything,” he said to Andromeda as he hugged her next.
“Don’t you even mention it,” she replied as she squeezed him. “It was my pleasure. Remember dear, tools and intent. You are a good person, Medic Potter.”
Harry hugged her again before reluctantly letting her go. He then hugged Jean and he and Hermione waved before getting on the Express. The pair watched their loved ones leave the platform, Andromeda walking with Jean through the barrier while Tonks and Sirius took the Floo.
“Is everything okay?” Hermione asked Harry before they entered the train proper.
“Yeah, why do you ask?”
“You seemed rather distracted today.”
Harry smiled wanly. “Just nervous. Prefect duties and going back to school and all.”
Hermione did not look entirely convinced. “Well, that is understandable. You will tell me if I can help, yes?”
“Of course,” Harry said. You can’t help me with this though, not this time. “Let’s go see the Prefect Compartment, shall we?” He smiled softly as Hermione nodded eagerly, running ahead of him. He followed sedately until she came back and grabbed his hand, pulling him after her.
Harry whistled when he stepped into the Prefect Compartment. The Express was nice and always clean, but the Prefect Compartment was even nicer. The floor was polished hardwood and the seats covered in a velvet material. The whole train car was one large compartment with all the seats oriented to face a polished desk.
Cedric smiled as he saw the two Gryffindor fifth years walk in. “Hey! I’m glad I guessed right. Good to see you two.”
“Hi Cedric,” Harry greeted. “Congrats on being Head Boy.”
“Thanks, good to see you as a Prefect. I had hoped you two would be picked.”
“Looks like you’re going to have a busy year too, being Head Boy and Quidditch Captain?”
The seventh year smiled. “Yeah, but I think I can manage. I’m not taking that many N.E.W.T.s with me joining the Ministry. Oh hey, allow me to introduce the Head Girl. This is Moira McDougal. Moira, this is Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.”
Moira McDougal looked at the two fifth years with piercing brown eyes. “Pleasure to meet you,” she said. “I know of you two, but never had the opportunity to meet either of you.”
“You know of us?” Hermione asked.
Moira smiled and showed her Head Girl badge: the front was forest green with silver letters. “Yes. My Housemates have said many things about both of you.” She laughed at their looks of concern. “Don’t worry, not all of it was bad. I’ve learned to hear both the good and the bad and make my own decision. As of late, you have more supporters than detractors.”
“Really?” Harry asked with disbelief.
“After your speech in second year, your actions in third year, and Blitz Quidditch last year, yes. You have not won over everyone, but it is easy to ignore them these days.”
They chatted a little more before Harry and Hermione went to sit in the corner of the compartment, near the front. “She seems nice,” Harry said.
“She really does,” Hermione said with a little surprise. “I doubt she is buttering us up but it’s also hard to believe what she said about us and what they say in Slytherin.”
“Well, we do know at least a couple of nice people in Slytherin.”
“That’s true,” she conceded. “I’m a bit worried about who will be the Slytherin fifth year Prefects.”
The door slid open and the mystery did not last long.
“I am so happy to see you two,” Daphne said with a broad smile. Blaise nodded companionably from behind her.
“Not as much as we are to see you,” Hermione said with evident relief, hugging Daphne and shaking hands with Blaise.
“Afraid you would see two other people?” Blaise asked with a sardonic grin.
“That obvious?” Harry said with a laugh as he hugged Daphne.
“Malfoy expected to be Prefect but as like most things, was destined for disappointment,” Blaise snorted while shaking Harry’s hand. “He does well enough in class but he has a problem that Professor Snape says is not conducive to being a Prefect.” He smiled broadly at Hermione and Harry’s interest. “A self-inflated sense of worth coupled with flouting authority.”
“Professor Snape said that out loud?” Hermione gasped.
Daphne snorted. “Well, in Slytherin, Professor Snape announces the upcoming Prefects the year prior, before school ends. When Malfoy demanded to know why he was not chosen, Professor Snape called his bluff and laid out all the reasons why Malfoy would be a terrible Prefect.”
“He tried to get his father involved, as per usual, but Lucius Malfoy had other problems this summer,” Blaise said with relish.
They were soon joined by Susan and Ernie MacMillan who would be the Hufflepuff Prefects and Terry and Padma Patil as the Ravenclaw Prefects. By then, the compartment filled with all of the Prefects. Cedric and Moira rose and introduced themselves. They then went through all the rules the Prefects had to abide by, passed out copies of the rules they were to enforce, and their duties for the coming year. They told the new Prefects where the Prefect’s Offices were, where they would be residing as the Head Boy and Head Girl, and the location of the Prefect’s bathroom. By the time they finished with all the information, the train had already left the station.
The fifth years were scheduled to patrol the Express first. The four pairs divided up the cars and went off to their routes. On the way to their cars, Harry saw a livid Draco glaring at everyone, especially at him. Then he crossed paths with Daphne and Blaise and Draco had no idea who to glare at more. Harry breathed a sigh of relief as they walked past the angry boy, he had too much on his mind as it was.
It was a little strange to be patrolling the train as a Prefect. He got his fair share of people staring at him because he was Harry Potter. Since he was involved with the incident last year, people still whispered about him in varying tones of awe and disbelief. While the Prophet had reported on Crouch Junior’s ‘escape from both Azkaban and death’, Sirius and Ted managed to keep Harry’s name from the article. However, the Prophet wrote a second article about the damage that was caused to Hogwarts and Harry was mentioned in that one. Quite the sneaky way the Prophet managed to get around the original agreement.
Harry bore the attention well enough. He managed to remain pleasant, declining to talk about what happened and ignoring the rudest of people and questions. He was friendly to the incoming first years, most who were simply nervous over everything, and less inclined to interrogate Harry about what happened with Crouch. Though many were awed to be in the presence of Harry Potter.
Hermione noticed that he was less shy about the attention. Instead, he was more detached and distant. Before, Harry would either try to shy away or do his best to ignore it. This year, he simply did not seem to let it irritate him. Not because it did not irritate him, but that he was bothered by something more important.
A part of her was happy that he was not letting the attention bother him. A bigger part of her was worried. He had seemed to be improving as the summer went along. She was so happy to see him cook again, doing more in the kitchen as the weeks passed. She was so impressed that he had learned Healing magic and became a Medic, and a little jealous as well. Hearing him tell her that Andromeda and Tonks had helped him a lot to come to terms with the attack was a relief.
Yet in just a few days’ time, from when she saw him a few days prior to this day, something happened to make him like this. It worried her. She wanted to respect his privacy. She believed that he would tell her what was bothering him when he wanted to or needed to.
She was still worried though.
It was a relief to her when a compartment door opened as they passed and Lyla and Mirabelle threw themselves at him. Their happy chatter and earnest greetings brought a genuine smile to Harry’s face and the girls dragged him into the compartment so he could say hi to the other Gryffindor second years. They were excited that he was Prefect, and asked if he would still be their Professor Potter. He tried to threaten that he would not if they kept calling him that, but since Professor McGonagall endorsed the name calling, they felt safe in continuing to do so.
“And if you don’t, I’ll tell Katie,” Lyla said imperiously.
“Tattletale,” Harry said fondly as he ruffled her hair. Earning a sour look and a raspberry for his actions.
By the time the second years let them go, their patrol was done. They walked back up the train to find their friends and things. As they entered the car, they found a miffed looking Crookshanks waiting for them in the hall. He meowed at them indignantly until Hermione picked him up. “What did you do to my cat?” she asked the compartment as they entered.
“We didn’t do anything,” Angelina said, frowning slightly.
Crookshanks was glaring at Alicia who was glaring back just as fiercely.
“Alicia threatened to shave him a couple of years ago,” Harry said as he sat. “I think he still remembers that.”
“Why did you threaten to shave him?” Hermione asked, scowling.
“Because he stole my shawl and was about to claw it up. I’ll still do it,” Alicia said severely.
Crookshanks yowled, swiping at the seventh year girl.
Alicia hissed back and flicked a finger at the cat which then led to an escalating argument between Alicia and Hermione. Angelina watched them, utterly fascinated, egging them on as appropriate.
Katie smiled at Harry as he sat down. Hedwig hooted at him but remained on Katie’s leg, clacking her beak with satisfaction at Katie petting her. “How was patrolling?” she asked him.
“A little strange to be honest. It’s weird to be looked at as someone with…authority? Respect?”
“We look at you with respect,” Angelina said.
“Mixed with exasperation,” Harry said with a small smile. “Yeah, just like that actually.”
Angelina and Katie rolled their eyes, chuckling as they did. “What do your duties look like usually?” Angelina asked.
“Patrolling the castle a few times a week. I think it averages to about two or three times a week per month. We can negotiate shifts among us. You always patrol as a pair and there are usually four pairs at a time. They break up the patrol times into about two hour shifts from after curfew to midnight. The ghosts generally roam and patrol the castle from midnight to morning with certain professors being the first to be notified if something’s wrong that they do on a schedule.
“Otherwise, we help with gatherings and events, can be called upon if a professor needs some help. Watch out for people in our House of course. Nothing too bad usually. We’re allowed to take up to ten points away from someone per incident and we can suggest detention as a punishment but the Head of House has to verify and confirm it. Anything that deviates from that means we have to explain ourselves to the Head of House and potentially the Headmaster.”
“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Katie said. “You’re going to be busy, with O.W.L.s and Quidditch and that. You think you’ll be okay?”
“I think so. I’m usually good with keeping up with classes and homework, especially with Professor Snape being more of a…well a proper Professor.” He looked about as if expecting him to be listening, making the others laugh. “Patrolling will take time but I can always review in my head or something, I’m sure Hermione will come up with something.”
“Flash cards will be the easiest way to study during the slow moments,” Hermione said, stopping mid-argument with Alicia, then immediately resuming her argument.
“Flash cards apparently,” Harry grinned. “As far as Quidditch goes, well I just hope my new Captain will be a little more lenient than my last one and not have so many practices and they don’t last that long.” He fluttered his eyelashes at her.
Angelina snorted. “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t have as many as Wood did. Nor as long. Probably pick up a few extra before a game, but once or twice a week will be more than enough. Besides, I’m taking my N.E.W.T.s a bit more seriously than he did.”
“Aren’t you going for the League too?” Harry asked.
“I am, but I still want to do well on my tests. Never know if I’ll actually make the League you know. It’ll be tougher for me.”
Katie smiled. “I’ll help you all when I can since this is my gap year. I want to study a little harder this year so I don’t get overwhelmed my next, but will be happy to help you guys study and review. I did promise Hermione after all.”
Hermione, still arguing with Alicia, held her thumb up in acknowledgement, making the other three laugh and Alicia snort.
After a while of chatting, Harry rose and left to use the restroom. Hermione waited for the compartment door to close, listening for a moment before she spoke. “Does Harry seem okay to you three?”
“He seems a bit distracted. I wondered if it had something to do with Prefect duties,” Alicia said.
“No, he was like that before we even learned what the duties were,” Hermione said.
“Hmm, you think something happened?” Katie asked.
They listened as Hermione told them that he seemed different from a few days ago compared to seeing him today, when she and her mother went to Grimmauld before going to King’s Cross.
“It could be anything,” Angelina said slowly. “I know he’s still recovering a little from the attack. That sort of thing sticks to you.” She winced and looked at Katie apologetically.
Katie immediately shook her head. “No, it’s okay. Don’t hold back on my account. I talked to my mum and dad a lot at the beginning of summer and it helped a lot. I wasn’t as affected by it as Harry was. I think earning his Medic’s badge helped him a lot but, well, you know how Harry internalizes things. He’s gotten way better but he still worries.”
“He’s still functional at least,” Alicia said. “He’s not simply going through the motions, but I see what you mean Hermione. He’s not completely in the moment. He’s holding back a little.”
“We’ll just keep an eye on him and help when we can,” Katie said. “That’s all we can do really, and let him know he’s not alone.”
The door snapped open and the four girls jumped. Harry came running in and for a moment they thought he was upset at them for talking about him, thinking he overheard them. “Sorry,” he said as he snatched up his Medic’s Kit. “Be right back.” He dashed out of the compartment.
“Should I follow?” Hermione asked, looking out the open door with concern.
“No, let’s wait and see,” Alicia said as she peeked out the door. “There’s no commotion so I don’t think there’s anything serious going on.”
He returned a while later. “Everything’s okay,” he said, relieving the tension. “I was walking past a compartment and apparently someone brought fireworks. They went off in a trunk and the whole thing flew off the rack. Cut a boy’s face and broke a girl’s arm.”
“Are they okay?” Hermione gasped.
“Yup. I healed the cut and the break, wrapping both in a bandage just in case. The Conductor sent a message to the castle and said Madam Pomfrey is aware. He’ll come get me if they want me to do anything else before the train gets to Hogsmeade Station.”
“Look at you!” Angelina praised, hugging Harry and pulling him onto her lap. “Thattaboy Medic Prefect Rabbit!”
He smiled shyly. “It was pretty easy to heal, not much to fuss about at all.”
“You still did it and we’re still proud of you, so we’ll fuss about you,” Alicia said with a proud smile.
“If you insist,” Harry said happily.
The door opened again and George threw Harry a look of annoyance that was plainly false and exaggerated. “Hey! Uh. I’m talking to Harry and not Medic Harry or Prefect Harry, but get off my girlfriend!”
“I pulled him to me and I’m congratulating him on helping healing some injuries,” Angelina replied, glaring at George.
“Oh is that how we congratulate him? I’ve never let a bloke sit on my lap before and I’ll be honest and say I’m not too keen on the idea, but if that’s what we’re supposed to do…”
Harry made a retching noise that made everyone laugh hysterically. “No offense George but no thank you, at all,” Harry said.
“Oh thank Merlin,” George said, wiping his brow with relief.
Harry slid off Angelina’s lap and sat beside Katie again. She threw an arm around his shoulders and he relaxed a little, leaning into her like he used to as George, Fred, Ron, Ginny, and Luna squeezed in. Katie noticed that Harry did not feel at ease as he used to, and that made her think about the conversation she just had with Hermione. She squeezed his shoulders gently and she immediately felt better when Harry did lean against her more.
However, that tiny feeling of worry grew ever so slightly.
-0-
“Harry! We have to lead the first years!”
“Oh right!”
The Welcoming Feast was as grand as the last four years. The newest group of first years were sorted easily into their Houses. Dumbledore gave a kind speech that welcomed everyone and for the first time in years, had no special events or conditions. He simply welcomed the new students, spoke about how proud he was of Hogwarts last year, how the visiting schools had nothing but kind things to say about their stay.
Almost no one noticed how his gaze lingered on Harry for a long moment, nor at the way Snape and Remus looked at him. Harry knew why they looked at him like that.
Now with his speech over, the students were beginning to make their travels back to their House common rooms. Fifth year Prefects were the ones that traditionally took the first years to their House and Hermione and Harry rushed to the front of the table.
“First years over here please!” she called, her voice cutting through the clamor of the students easily.
Seven small first years gathered around them, three boys and four girls. They looked up at the two Prefects in open awe and nervousness.
“Hello,” Hermione said with a very large smile. “We are your Fifth year Prefects. Welcome to Gryffindor! My name is Hermione Granger and this is my best friend, Harry Potter.”
“Who likes to be called Professor Potter,” Alicia remarked as she walked past.
“Don’t listen to her,” Harry said hurriedly.
“Hey! Where’s your pin?” Lyla asked, stopping and glaring at him. She ignored his look of exasperation. “It was a birthday present!”
Harry sighed deeply and reached into his Medic pouch and revealed it, then pinned it to the pouch. “Is that better?” he asked flatly, trying to scowl and failing.
“Much!” Lyla said with a cheery smile.
Mirabelle and the second years waved and called him Professor Potter as they passed, eliciting more sighs from him.
“Seeing how my reputation is in tatters,” he said to the delighted first years, “let’s show you how to get to Gryffindor Tower. Follow us.”
He and Hermione led the first years up the stairs, showing them landmarks on how to get to the common room in one of the more direct ways. They also answered the myriad of questions the new students had, treating all of them with equal consideration.
Harry smiled when they entered the common room, their eyes wide open from wonder as they looked around, taking in all the sights. It almost felt like he was experiencing it all for the first time with them, seeing them act like that. It made him feel warm, old too, but warm. He took the three boys to their dorm room and got them settled before he walked back down to the common room.
The team were in their corner and Angelina waved when she saw him. “You’re such a good Prefect,” she praised when he walked over. “You’re so good with them.”
“It’s only the first day,” he protested with a laugh. “I might snap and lose patience pretty fast and they’ll hate me.”
“Nah.” Fred made a dismissive noise. “That’s not like you at all. You’re as likely to snap and be mean to people that don’t deserve it as I’m as likely to not play a prank.”
Harry was very touched by that.
“You going to wear that around all the time?” George asked, nodding at Harry’s Medic pouch.
“Well, maybe, or at least tie it to my school bag. I’m glad I had it out for easy access on the train. Now that I know how to do some basic healing, I see everything as a potential hazard.”
“That’s our band name,” the twins said in unison. “Potential Hazard.”
“Who’s potential and who’s hazard?” Katie asked, laughing.
This sparked a lively debate until the portrait door opened and a small murmur filled the room. Madam Pomfrey had walked in and when she saw Harry she waved. “A moment if I may, Mister Potter? Oh and do bring Miss Bell if you please.”
The pair looked at each other for a moment before they walked to the Medi-Witch, who led them into the hall outside the common room.
“I’m fine,” Harry said automatically.
“Thank goodness for that,” Pomfrey snorted. “I don’t need you setting a new record for visiting me, Mister Potter.” She looked down at his kit and smiled widely, taking in the Medic badge pinned to it and the pouch with the Coin. “I do believe congratulations are in order. Samantha and Andromeda sent me letters when you obtained your license. I am very proud of you, Medic Potter.”
He blushed. “Thank you! I had your example to follow. Since you’ve seen me a lot that is.”
She laughed. “Clearly. Also, I took a look at Mister Graves and Miss Riley when they came in. Excellent job. I wanted to commend you for your fine work.”
He blushed deeper. “Oh it was, well not nothing to them, but I mean, I’m glad I could help.” He grinned. “Is this why you had Katie come out too? A witness?”
Katie giggled and Pomfrey waggled her finger at him. “I see the school year hasn’t beaten the cheek out of you yet. No, not so much. I actually wanted to speak to Miss Bell before your schedules were formally finalized. Your mother and Professor McGonagall told me you have aspirations for Sports Healing? I took a peek at your schedule and I wanted to offer some tutoring to you. We can meet several times a week and I will teach you Basic Healing with a focus on Quidditch and other sport’s related injuries. It would increase your workload but it will give you valuable experience and knowledge that can improve your application for apprenticeships and programs.”
“That would be amazing!” Katie said excitedly. “You’d really do that for me?”
“Of course, dear. Samantha took an informal Basic Healing program with me while she was a student. I only offer it at my discretion to those that I think can handle it and are worthy of the time and effort. I was so happy to hear you are trying for the Healing field and want to help you if I can.”
Katie hugged her. “Thank you!”
Pomfrey smiled and embraced the girl fondly. “You’re very welcome. I will work out a proper schedule and pass it on to Minerva. It won’t be easy but I know you can handle it.” Her eyes twinkled when she let Katie go. “And by all means, bring this one along every so often. Since he’s a Medic, he already knows most of the basic break treatments but you never stop learning, especially Medi-Magicals.”
“You just want me there so you don’t have to worry about me getting injured,” Harry teased.
“Damn, you caught me,” Pomfrey said flatly, making Katie whoop with laughter. “Have a good evening you two.”
Katie bounced up and down her feet. “I’m so excited,” she said enthusiastically.
It was hard not to get caught up in her energy. Harry grinned with her. “Yeah, that’s so cool you get to do that. I’m sure it’ll help you a lot.”
“It’ll be fun to learn with you too,” she said. “You know more now so you get to help me.”
“No problem at all,” he said easily. “I’m excited to learn more with you too.”
As they walked back into the common room, Katie noticed that he seemed a little more relaxed, still wearing a pleased expression from Pomfrey’s praise. She felt better seeing him like that.
That tiny bit of worry did not go away however, not completely.