Shadow Play

Ron and Hermione’s children will be aged around 5 and 3.

Chapter 5: Quidditch Sightings

The first few weeks past quickly and Harry slowly began a routine that he agreed with. First class he had all first years, second was fifth years, then third years lunch, seventh years Monday, Wednesday and Friday to give him time to grade papers fourth years second years and lastly sixth years on Tuesday on Thursday. On the weekends he would go to Grimmuald Place to relax with Ron and Hermione.

“Why don’t you join us this weekend,” asked Hermione as they watched the students walk around in the courtyard. Harry had only been a teacher at Hogwarts for a couple of weeks and thought he had the routine down. “Ron managed to get some tickets from Oliver. They’re playing Ireland against France. I’m even going to ask McGonagall for permission to bring Teddy. He wants to spend more time with you.”

“Do you want me to come as James Black, or Harry Potter,” asked Harry. One of the first years got tripped by a Trip Jinx from a Slytherin sixth year and the first year countered it with a Leg-Locker Curse. Everyone in the courtyard laughed as the Slytherin hopped back inside to look for the counter-curse.

“Personally, I don’t see the difference,” said Hermione. “Both personalities are so alike it’s so difficult to tell the difference, but I’d appreciate it if Harry Potter came. “

Harry laughed. “That’ll make the headlines. Quidditch Match Halted On Account Of Return Of Harry Potter.”

“Harry, it’s been eight years. When are you going to quit running?”

“When is Rita Skeeter going to give to charity?”

Hermione glared at him only to keep from laughing. “Very funny.”

“And what would that be, Granger?”

Both Harry and Hermione turned to look over to find Draco walking toward them, the usual Malfoy smirk on his face.

“Malfoy,” greeted Hermione with very little enthusiasm.

“Hey there, Draco,” said Harry with his most charming smile. He was leaning against the window to try and catch the last of the cool summer air with his arms crossed on the window sill. Draco nodded a greeting to both of them.

“Please tell me what could possibly be so humorous,” said Draco with his arms crossed, acting like he was the teacher and they were the students. Hermione opened her moth to snap back when Harry bet her to it.

“I just told her about a very vivid dream I had involving you and me,” said Harry rest his head on his hands and turned to look at Draco lazily. “It also involved a very dark room, a bed and scented candles.”

“Har-Hey! I told you that wasn’t funny!” said Hermione with a bright red face.

Draco’s eyes widen in surprise and his face flushed before he could control himself and gave a forced cough. “You’re right, Granger,” he said. “It was not funny.”

“I never said it was a joke,” said Harry with a smile through slightly hooded eyes.

“Are you saying you’re serious?” asked Draco and he blushed even more. Harry charmingly smiled at him.

“I’m always serious.”

Hermione’s and Draco’s faces blushed a fierce red and Draco walked away as Harry chuckled softly.

“You are so flirting with him,” said Hermione pointing her finger at him. “And out in the open!”

“It’s only to throw him off,” said Harry still smiling. “But it was so worth it. Did you see the look on his face?”

“You’re enjoying this?!”

“Immensely. Rivalry is like an observation. You learn their strengths and weaknesses.”

“And what’s Malfoy’s weakness?”

Harry continued to smile. “Now that would be telling. Just tell Ron I’ll be at the game.”

“Which you are you talking about?”

Harry laughed. “See you later, Hermione,” he said and walked off. Watching the first years made him itch to be a student again.

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Draco walked into his chambers and slammed the door shut. Damn that man! For the past few weeks James Black had taken every opportunity to be around Draco in between or after classes. Black’s outright open bursts at flirtation were over the top and his tardiness was in annoyance. The man was more annoying then Goyle and Crabbe had been and still managed to be polite about it.

But there was something familiar about him. The way he moved, gestured with his hands and the slight tilt of his head. It was all familiar. So familiar it was plaguing him.

Draco went to a decanter of Scotch and poured himself a small glass before sitting on a chair. His chambers were of the most basic essentials. Tea table, two chairs and a sofa set around the fire place. Book cases full of books herbs and potions, both published and handwritten, a decanter of Scotch and Fire whiskey and a desk to grade papers. His bedroom and bathroom were the same and a door that led to his Potion’s lab.

Walking over to his chair he received a hiss when he stepped on the tail of Ishara, his South American boa. She was given to him by Lucius when he had been accepted into Slytherin, but because of the school rule, he couldn’t keep her in his dorms while he attended. Luckily he was a teacher now and he could bend the rules a little.

“Sorry, Ishara, I didn’t see you there,” he said. Walking over to a wooden box he reached in and pulled out a rat in a Suspension Charm. Setting it on the floor he lifted the charm with a wave of his wand and watched as Ishara chased after her snack.

A knock brought him out of his thought and he got up to answer the door, about ready to yell at whichever student that was idiotic enough o ruin his peace and quiet, and was greeted warmly by Blaise Zabini.

“Blaise, what are you doing here?” asked Draco.

“Visiting my wife,” said Blaise with a smile and walked into the room. “But that’s no reason to not visit my lover.”

“Ex-lover,” said Draco closing the door behind him. “We’re friends now.”

“Best friends.” Blaise sot on a chair and smiled at Draco. “At least I hope we’re still friends.”

“Did I say anything otherwise? Scotch? Fire whiskey?”

“Fire whiskey’s fine. How can you stand that Muggle liquor?”

“It has its own taste.”

“How are the classes going?” asked Blaise.

“All right,” said Draco as he poured a glass of Fire whiskey for Blaise and another glass of Scotch for him. “They’re the same as we were when were attended Hogwarts.”

“Anyone new?”

“Nott’s twins made it into Slytherin.”

“Oh, yes. I remember Theodore and Millicent married right after graduating. What were their names again? Abacus and Alaura?”

“Abraham and Ambrosia. Thankfully they took after their mother.” Draco handed the glass of Fire whiskey to Blaise and sat down on the opposite chair.

Blaise laughed. “Nott wasn’t exactly a looker, even with Glamour. I’m amazed he even managed to get married.”

“Apparently it was arranged by their parents on their seventeenth birthday,” said Draco with a smirk. Blaise grimaced at the mention of an arranged marriage.

“Those are the worst,” he said. “Which is why I’m glad Pansy and I haven’t. With arranged marriages as soon as you have a male it’s more or less called off. Which makes me wonder, why haven’t you gotten married yet?”

“You know why I can’t marry.”

Blaise shrugged. “So we have a union ceremony. It makes no difference to me. And if you need an heir, just ask Pansy. We’ll sign the paperwork.”

“I’m all right, Blaise. I’m perfectly happy by myself and I plan on staying that way.”

“Draco, just because of that stupid custom….”

“Blaise, I’ve dishonored my family name, and it will go down for ten generations. Better for it to end with me then to have my children and their descendents curse my name.”

“Your father dishonored your name, not you. You’re not to blame.”

“I can’t walk down Diagon Alley without someone pointing at me and whispering “Death Eater” behind my back. I don’t want my children and their children going through that.”

Blaise sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Going with the easy way out. That’s the Draco Malfoy I know. The old Draco Malfoy. I thought the war changed you.”

“It did change me,” said Draco eyes flashing. “It taught me nothing lasts forever. It’s better to end it now then wait for it to die out.”

“Who’s to say you are supposed to be the last Malfoy? It could be you twenty-seventh great grandson?”

“Merlin, I hope not,” said Draco sipping his Scotch. They heard a squeaking and turned to see that Ishara had captured her prey and was now eating it whole headfirst.

“Ugh, that’s disgusting,” said Blaise. “Can’t she take that somewhere else?”

“It keeps her happy,” said Draco. After a minute of thinking Draco turned back to his friend. “Blaise, you work for the Ministry right?”

“Department of Magical Transport. Why?”

“Has a man named James Black come through in the last few months?”

Blaise looked at Draco in surprise. “The new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher? Pansy told me about him. What’s he like?”

“Dark hair, green eyes and very flirtatious.”

“In a good way,” asked Blaise with a smirk. Draco gave him a glare. “Hey, I just want to know.”

“Then don’t ask,” said Draco. “I want to know more about him, but every story he tells is slightly different.”

“Pansy told me he came form America.”

“He said he lived in America, never said he was born there. He did say both of his parents were British.”

“Who are his parents?” Draco shrugged and Blaise sighed. “Well, that’ll complicate things a bit. Dark hair, green eyes, mid to late twenties, just transferred from America and birth parents unknown. That could take a while. Why do you want to look him up?”

Draco shook his head. “I don’t know. Something about him seems familiar.”

“Familiar? Like how?”

“So familiar it’s irritating. One second he’s brash, charming, has the attention of the whole room and the next he’s alone, not wanting any company and shrugging people off. He shrugged Granger off and their friends.”

Blaise scratched his head to think. “You’re right, that is complicated. I’ll try my best at it.”

Draco smiled at his friend. “Thanks, Blaise. Now go see your wife!”

Blaise roared with laughter that Draco softly joins in on.

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Harry Apparated to the point near the Ireland stadium and looked around. His hair was free from the confines of the ponytail and his glasses rested on the bridge of his nose. His bangs still hid the scar on his forehead but that was hardly a problem anymore. Most people knew him by face alone nowadays.

”Uncle Harry!” cried three voice and Harry was barreled by two small objects.

“Hi, Rosie. Hey, Hugh,” he said hugging the two Weasley children. Both were red haired and brown eyes, but both were as different as their parents. He smiled over at Teddy standing nearby. “Hey, Teddy.”

“Hi, Uncle Harry,” said Teddy. “I got into Hogwarts! Gryffindor House!”

“I know,” said Harry puling him into a hug. “I’m so proud of you. And I bet your parents are too.”

Teddy’s smile brightened and he returned the hug.

“Hey, Harry,” said Hermione walking up with Ron, holding baby Julian on her hip.

“Hi, Harry,” said Ron.

“Hawwy! Hawwy!” squealed Julian waving his chubby arms.

“Hi, guys,” said Harry happily. “Hey, Juli.” And he took Julian from Hermione. Julian laughed as Harry lifted him in air and brought him back down to rest on Harry’s hip.

“ ‘Gain! Again!” Julian squealed and Harry laughed.

“Please don’t call him that,” said Ron. “It’s a silly nickname.”

“He likes the nickname,” said Harry. “Don’t you, Juli?” And Julian laughed as Harry blew on his cheek.

“It’s a girl’s name.”

“Oh hush, Ron,” said Hermione watching after Rose, Hugh, and Teddy as they watched other young wizards fly around on training brooms. “No harms done. You really are good with kids, Harry. You should have one of your own by now.”

“Why should I have one of my own when I have yours,” said Harry handing Julian back to her. Hermione looked back at the two oldest. “And besides, I have Teddy.”

“Still not the same, Harry,” said Ron.

“Rose, Hugh, don’t even think about getting on those brooms!” she ordered to her son and daughter. “Teddy, you as well!”

“Oh, Mummy!”

“Aunt Hermione!”

“It’s all right, Hermione,” said Ron. “They won’t get hurt.”

“But they’re too young to ride a broom, Ron. They’re not even in Hogwarts yet!”

“Teddy’s in Hogwarts and he starts broom riding soon.”

“He’s still not ready!”

“I’ve rode a broom when I was only a year old,” said Harry. “The only thing I broke was the vase my Aunt Petunia sent Mum for Christmas.”

“You see, Ron, they’re took young!” And she left to drag Rose and Hugh away from the booms and back to the group. Ron and Harry sighed as Hermione left.

“She’s so much like Mum,” said Ron. “It’s really scary. Mum didn’t like us learning how to fly early either.” He turned back to Harry with a smile. “It’s good to see you, mate. See you a few times a year isn’t enough.”

Harry sighed. “You know why, Ron. Ever since the Last Battle they’ve never left me alone. I’m a living legend. Every minute of my life is recorded. I had to get away.”

Ron nodded. “I know, Harry. I understand. As one of your friends, I was interviewed over a dozen times, and before I married Hermione I was asked to marry at least twenty girls just because I knew you.”

Harry laughed. “Boy, did Hermione have a fit about that.”

“A fit about what,” asked Hermione dragging Rose and Hugh behind her. Teddy was following reluctantly behind them.

“Nothing,” said both men and Hermione gave them a skeptic look.

“But I am old enough t ride,” protested Teddy, looking pleadingly at his aunt.

“Not until Madam Hooch says you are,” said Hermione.

“I’ll let you ride mine later,” said Harry in low voice. Teddy smiled up at his godfather.

“Ron! Hermione!” called a voice and all three turned to see Katie walking through the crowd, one hand on her back to support herself. “There you are.”

“Katie, you’re here,” said Hermione happily, then hit her husband. “Ron, go help her!”

Ron immediately went to Katie’s side and helped her through the crowd. Hermione Configured a chair for her to sit on. Katie sighed as she did.

“Oh, thank you, Ron,” she said. “And thank you, Hermione. The game won’t start for a half hour so I thought I’d try to find you. I knew I was pushing my luck but I had to try, and I’m glad I did.” She looked over at the sixth member of the party and gasped. “Harry?! Oh my God! Is that really you? I haven’t seen you since the Last Battle. Where have you been?”

“Oh, here and there,” said Harry hugging her. He was glad to be able to talk to her without the pretense but he knew it wouldn’t last long. “Staying away form the media mostly. Every time I walked out of my house it’s like a reason to interview me on the latest rumor or political standing.”

Katie laughed. “Well, be that as it may, I’m glad you’re here. We all missed you, Neville, Luna, Oliver, even McGonagall, through you’d never hear it from her. Maybe someday, we all will get together sometime and talk.”

Harry smiled. “I would like that.”

A gong rang and everyone started filing to the stadium, the children cheering. Ron and Hermione followed the children with a smile as the children song a child’s wizard song about flying. Harry turned to Katie with a smile.

“Well, since I don’t have a companion and you don’t have an escort will you allow me to show you to the stadium?”

“Why, thank you, Harry,” said Katie and took Harry elbow. Together they followed Ron and Hermione to the stadium.

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Draco had just finished dinner in the Great Hall when the Evening Prophet arrived. After taking the paper and paying the owl he opened the paper to read. He nearly choked on his pumpkin juice when he read the headline.

Harry Potter Spotted at Irish Quidditch Game!

Harry Potter, the man that saved the world at the age of 17 from the Dark Wizard called Voldemort, writes Sam Marshal, was spotted at a Quidditch match between the Kenmore Kestrels and the Quiberon Quattel Punchers. Witness have tried to speak to Potter but Potter had effectively evade them, how is still uncertain. In the eight years since the disappearance of Harry Potter there have only been five actual recordings of the hero. The first was by Lisa Smith in New York City, Anne Thatcher in Loch Ness Scotland, Jasmine Hugo in Paris, France, and by Sarah Louis in Diagon Alley ….

The rest was various bits of information on what Potter had been doing before he disappeared. He had been training to be an Auror till he resigned and left, leaving his possessions to Ron and Hermione Weasley. Potter had just disappeared one day without a word, not telling anyone where he was going, not even his friends who he considered closer then family. Everyone he had associated with had been interviewed and each gave the same answer. They did not know where Potter was and even if they did, they wouldn’t give it to the media.

The picture that was with the article was of Potter watching the Quidditch players fly. He was holding up a young boy of what appeared to be three and was pointing to the players, speaking but no sounds were heard. Wind blew aside a lock of hair to reveal the scar that was hidden underneath.

“What’s wrong, Draco,” asked Pansy. “You look like you saw a boggart.” When Draco didn’t answer she looked over his shoulder at the article. “Good Merlin, he is back!”

Draco looked at her in surprise. “You’ve heard?”

“Rumors mostly,” she said. “But you know rumors. Rumors are like a day. They come once and then become old news.” She looked back at the picture. “Is that really him? He almost looks like Black.”

“Yeah, that’s Potter,” said Draco with a nod and pointed to a boy next to Potter. “See there’s Weasel right there and the Lupin boy.”

“I’ve seen better pictures,” said a voice over his other shoulder and Draco looked up to see James Black leaning over his chair to look at the article. The look on his face puzzled Draco. “Where they going for a natural look or awestricken?”

“Stop breathing down my neck,” snapped Draco turning the paper to the next page.

“I didn’t realize I was that close,” said Black with a smirk. Draco didn’t turn back to him but his face had an obvious glare.

“Well you are, so back away.”

Black’s smirk turned into a smile. “But that article looks interesting.”

“Then get your own paper.”

Black shrugged. “News bores me,” he said and chuckled as Draco looked at him in confusion.

“You’re a strange person, Black,” he said. Black laughed and pushed away from Draco’s chair.

“I know no greater compliment,” he said and walked out of the Great Hall. Pansy and Draco watched him leave in confusion.

“You’re right,” said Pansy picking up her pumpkin juice. “He is strange.”

Draco nodded, still looking at the retreating form of James Black. He was so familiar, and his breath had been so warm on his neck. And the look on Black’s face when he saw the picture before it changed to its usual expression. It was one of a furious annoyance. Why would James Black be annoyed at Harry Potter?

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Harry walked out of the Great Hall and stopped in a deserted corridor, nervously biting his nail. Damn! How could he have been so stupid?! He knew there were reporters and cameras there, but he had hoped they would be paying attention at the game. And with his hair covering his scar so thorough he was sure he’d never get spotted, but the damn wind had to pick up.

It wasn’t the first time he had been spotted. Over time wizards would recognize him and when they did Harry left again. He had lived in New York for his first year after he disapeared where he learned how to act in a Broadway musical. He had a good voice for musicals and workable acting skills. He stubbornly fought for minor roles, not wanting the publicity that came with the star roles. After a couple of years, Harry left to travel again, applying the acting skills he learned to stay hidden from wizards when he ran into them. He also added Glamour Charms to hide his scar and lighten his hair. Very rarely did the real Harry Potter appear and only when he felt he wouldn’t be seen.

He bit down on his nail harder. What was he going to do now? He had spent eight years keeping off the media’s radar and one day of indulgence could ruin it for him. If the media found out where he was then that meant pursuits and that meant interviews and interviews meant….

“Harry?” called Hermione and Harry turned to her.

“Hey, Hermione,” said Harry with a smile.

“I just saw the article. I swear, if I had known…”

Harry waved off her statement. “It’s all right, Hermione,” he said trying to calm her with his most charming smile. “I knew this would happen sooner later. One picture would push interest and make them look every which way.”

“And right at Grimmuald Place. Everyone knows it your last known residence before you gave it to me and Ron.”

Harry shrugged. “Ron can handle himself. If not then he hasn’t learned anything while we were hiding.”

Hermione gave him a smirk that would have rivaled Draco’s. “Oh, he’s learned something all right, and you are not,” she said with a nod, the smirk gone. “He’ll be fine.”

Harry nodded. “Now, I have some papers to grade,” he said and sighed dramatically. “The wonders of being a teacher.”

Hermione laughed as Harry waved good- bye and left for his office. Through is face bore a smile his mind was still full of nervous thoughts.

TBC