PROTECTION ♞ h.p.

1. A New Assignment

AUTHOR'S NOTE - This story begins when Harry is 25...he has defeated Voldemort and become an Auror. It follows Canon through book six except for the tiny detail that you need to erase Ginny from the books. In this "reality," Ginny, not wanting to be just another in a line of Weasleys and wanting to become a healer, chose to go to Beauxbatons and thus does not know Harry. - - I know I know... but please don't be too alarmed; this is as you know fanfiction. So much can happen and it's ultimately about love. I hope you enjoy. Sorry for the horrendously long note ~ Princess. :)

The morning sun was streaming through the window, adding warmth to the otherwise stale and silent office. The large open room was full of desks, most set in groups of two and spaced in several even rows.

The room was empty except for one young man, asleep on a pile of papers at his desk. His glasses pressed into his cheek and his black hair was messy - as though he'd spent many hours the night before running his fingers through it.

It was six thirty in the morning, and as usual, twenty-five year old Harry Potter was alone in the Auror office. Having become a bit obsessed with the Malfoy case, he hadn't felt like going home. Instead he stayed late, reading report after report until he finally fell asleep from exhaustion.

He was enjoying a very pleasant dream involving brooms and open skies when a slap on the head brought him crashing back down to his desk.

Jerking up, his hand was on his wand before he paused, realizing where he was and recognizing the chuckle behind him. Taking a breath, he released his wand and reached up. Pealing his glasses from his skin he settled them back into their correct position. When he did, Ron Weasley came into focus as he rounded the pair of desks and sat down opposite Harry.

"Did you sleep here again?" Ron asked incredulously as he folded his arms behind his head and leaned back in his chair. "You're going to make yourself sick, Harry," he warned.

"I'm fine," Harry yawned before standing and stretching his arms over his head.

"Did you center?" Ron asked frowning when he felt the magical energy flowing off of him as he stretched. "You can't keep falling asleep here," he insisted as Harry headed off to get some coffee.

"I'm fine, Ron," Harry threw over his shoulder.

"We thought you were coming over last night," Ron called, but Harry just waved him off. "Hey, when you don't show up I'm the one who has to deal with Hermione!" Ron yelled after him as he disappeared around the corner. "Have some pity, mate!"

Harry returned several minutes later, raking his fingers through his hair as he sipped his steaming cup of coffee. Arriving at his desk, he found a new file in his inbox.

Knowing it would be his new assignment, he prayed Lupin had forgiven him for the incident in Kent. Picking it up, he sat down and placed his coffee on a messy pile of folders.

"Were you talking to Cho?" Ron asked leaning in. "Hermione thought..."

"No," Harry replied tightly. "And we're not talking about it here, remember? Remus doesn't know yet and I'd rather keep it that way. He'll just overreact and think I'm backsliding."

"Well..." Ron began.

"It's over," Harry interrupted firmly. "I'm fine."

Snapping open the folder, he began to scan the information. He could feel Ron looking at him and it took a second for the words to process. When they did, Harry's stomach dropped and his mouth turned down in a hard frown.

This can't be right, he thought.

"Hey, Ron" Harry said, looking up. "Has Remus mentioned my assignment?"