So you might have noticed - because I haven't written in a while, I'm going through the chapters, fixing them up and then continuing on with the story - the plot line will probably change - just a warning. All to make the story longer and better of course... Hope you like it!

'So Commandant,' Eamon said with a mock salute. 'How was another day in the police force?'

James gave his friend a glance and took another swig from his beer. It was a warm Friday night and he and a few friends were at a club in the city.

'Same as always, another day, another drug bust' he replied to a chorus of chuckles. It was as close to the truth as he could tell them. James played the guise of an Investigator in the New York Police force to his muggle friends. But if you looked him up in the official records, you wouldn't find a James Evans anywhere. To tell the truth, everyday he reported to duty as the Head Auror of the Auror department in the American Ministry of Magic. Today of all days, he had busted once again another circle of illegal potion smugglers – he needed this break.

'How's bridezilla?' he asked his friend Andy.

'You better not let her hear you say that if you want to keep every limb that you have. Amy's fine – said to say hi to all of you but otherwise all she's doing is muttering about themes and bridesmaid dresses'

'I can't believe you're actually going to get married' Eamon said 'You know you're signing yourself up to the last form legal slavery in the world? I have no idea why! Now James and I are the only available guys here – actually that's not that bad'

'You're gonna have to watch your tongue when you find the girl of your dreams' Jenny said leaning back against her husband Mark.

'Marriage isn't that bad' Mark replied, snaking his arms around his wife 'It has its perks' he leaned in to peck her on the lips.

The rest of the men groaned in unison, 'C'mon Mark, we told you – no lovey-dovey stuff –why is she here anyway? I thought this was guy's night out!' Eamon complained

Jenny turned back to them 'I'm right here you know – I can hear what you're saying. I'm here to make sure that all of you get home safely when you're stoned… I'm not drinking… You can all thank me later for that' she smiled up at her husband and unconsciously placed her hands protectively over her stomach.

'Really?' James asked the couple.

'Really what?' the rest of the men looked confused. But Jenny gave him a small nod and looked proudly at her husband…

'Congratulations! I'm so happy for you' James leaned over the table to kiss Jenny on the cheek and gave Mark a pat as the rest of their friends looked on, still confused.

'Right, what's going on here? Is there something you three want to share with the rest of us?' Andy pointed at himself and Eamon.

Jenny smiled at them, shaking her head at their ignorance 'Mark is going to be a daddy'

Andy and Eamon looked shell shocked for a moment before offering the pair their congratulations.

'Wow…' Eamon said 'That's deep… so how far along is the bun?'

'First of all' Jenny replied 'I would rather not that you referred to my baby as the equivalent of a French baguette and secondly, it's been just a month…'

'Phew' Eamon gave a short whistle as he scanned their surroundings 'Hey James – that chick's eyeing you out there' he smirked.

'Do I have to say it again?' James rolled his eyes 'I'm not interested'

'Sheesh, all the good looking ones make eyes at you – but you never hook up with any of them – while we suckers are the ones that have to go chasing after them'

'Look, I've explained it to you before… there was someone… she broke my heart – I don't think I'm over it.

'Right. You've been saying that for what? The past six years?' Eamon added snidely

'Why are we even having this conversation?' James asked finishing off his beer with a final swig. 'Right,' he smacked his lips 'Another round and it's on me. Oh, we'll get punch for you Jenny'

The night went on will all the friends chatting amiably and even going out to the dance floor for a bit, but in his apartment that night, James sighed softly as he went to bed.

This was his life now – Eamon really had been right, he had been brooding for all too long – he thought to himself – he would just have to get on with it.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

James woke up with a start and as he hurried to the door, he pulled on a pair of pants over his boxers.

'I'm coming!' He called 'Who is it?'

'It's me, Draco'

'Oh! – What they hell? Its 3:00 in the morning, I just got back two hours ago – What do you want?' James opened the door to let his friend inside.

Draco Malfoy was one of the few people who knew who he really was, after the war they had become friends and decided to move to America where they thought life would be better for them both. Draco knew he would not be accepted in the wizarding community in England and so the two moved. They were both part of the Auror force in America.

'James – I know it's the weekend – and as I can clearly see - 'Draco paused to look James up and down before continuing '- you've had a long night, but we need you in the office – it's an emergency…'

'Hand me the Rejuvenating Potion from the potion cupboard – What's wrong this time?' James asked pulling on a shirt and tying back the bandanna he used to cover his scar. 'Honestly if Huxley let the drugged Cornish Pixies loose again I will kill him'

'It's a little more important than that. There's another group that's calling themselves the Death Squad or something and they're rounding up children from magical families and asking for ransoms. We've had a report from Robards and we've found their head quarters. We need to hurry before they cart off another lot of children from their base.'

'It's the one Robards handed in yesterday right? Let's go then' James turned on the spot and soon he was at the Ministry of Magic. Before long, Draco appeared beside him.

'Have you gathered as many Aurors as you can?' he asked Draco

'Yep – their waiting in the briefing room for you to talk to them and then we're gonna go.'

'Thanks…'

They entered the room to find about 15 – 20 Aurors waiting expectantly.

'Thank you all for coming here at short notice' James addressed them. Although James was far younger that many of them, they all recognized him as their leader and held a deep respect for the young man.

'Okay so you've all been briefed by Draco. From what I can gather, there's a group that is kidnapping kids from wizarding families and asking their parents for ransoms. Thanks to Robards here' James signaled to the older Auror and there was a small round of applause and a few appreciative nods in his general direction 'so thanks to him, we've found their base and we need to infiltrate it as soon as possible – it's an emergency so an armed ambush is the best solution – so that's what we're gonna go with – okay?'

The Aurors nodded their assent.

'I want us to split up into three groups. I'll lead one, Draco the other and Robards the last. I've sent you all a copy of the plan of the group's headquarters that I received right? The group that's with me will attack first – we'll be going there straight on – no doubt they've got detection charms so that means the minute we get there we've got to start the attack. Once most of the guards have left their posts to come fight us, and then Robards group will attack from behind. Finally when we have most of them occupied and Stunned – remember we want to question them later – the group led by Draco will try finding a way to get to the children – bring them back to the Ministry so we can identify them and then hand them back to their parents. Got that everyone? Okay – let's move out. Wands ready…'

'My group – go! James turned on the spot with several of his colleagues and then they were there. It was an old run down factory that looked to be out of use; the guards were surprised to see them but immediately started firing spells at them.

'GO!' James called to the other Aurors and they raced forward shooting spells everywhere. They seemed to be in control when suddenly more guards appeared.

'That should be all of the guards' James said to one of his colleagues 'Signal to Robards that he's ready to move out'

'Got it' the Auror replied

'Remember, stun as many of them as you can – we'll need to question them later' he called to his colleagues as he leapt over the immobile body of a guard.

'Melvin – DUCK!' James shouted as he saw a guard aim a spell at his unwary colleague…

'Cruci-'

'-STUPEFY!' the guard flew backwards and through the wall of the building behind him.

'Thanks…' Melvin muttered

'It was nothing – let's get going, I think that was the last of them' all of the guards seemed to be down thanks to Robards' team and it was an easy job to stun the last few.

'Where's Draco? – has he found the kids?'

'I think so – I reckon they're in that big building over there' Robards replied. The two teams headed over to the building and were met by a frustrated Draco.

'They're in the small room at the back… there are about 7 of them… but I just can't get them to come with me… they just keep on crying…'

'What do you expect?' James asked 'they must be afraid' he walked into the building and sure enough, in a small dark room he could see the silhouettes of 7 young children – the oldest had to be only 9 years of age. As he approached them, a young girl of about five years of age began to wail…

'Hey sweetie… don't cry… we want to help you – we're gonna get you back to your mama in no time…'

The little girl sniffled 'Really?'

'Of course' James said kindly 'Now tell me what your name is…'

'Sophie'

'Alright Sophie, why don't you come out here with me, then I'm sure the rest will follow' he held out his hand for her and she took it shyly. Sure enough, as soon as they left the building, the rest of the children followed tentatively.

'Okay, now I want you all' he addressed the children 'to hold onto the hand of one of these nice people here' he gestured towards his colleagues.

When all the kids ran off to hold the hands of the Aurors, and little Sophie had latched herself onto James, he addressed a little boy who was look quite lost.

'Why don't you hold the hand of this nice man here? His name is Draco – you can call him Uncle Draco' the little boy eagerly latched himself onto James' friend while Draco threw him a venomous look to which James looked blissfully ignorant.

'Now we're gonna apparate… Kids it might feel funny but you've got to hold on tight okay?

The children all chorused back 'Okay!'

Back at the Ministry the Aurors were having a hard time identifying all the children…

'You know…' Draco said shifting through a file 'I don't think all of these kids are from America… I've got one here saying that he's from Upper Hangleton… and the only Upper Hangleton that I know of is England…'

'Contact the British Ministry of Magic immediately – they ought to know if children have gone missing from their country. When you've got through to them, tell me immediately. I need to gather some more information.' James said turning to the little girl beside him.

Draco headed off and James started the flow of questions.

'Sophie, how were you brought here? Do you remember?'

'I don't… I don't know… There was a nice man; he said he was going to show me how to make butterflies… then… then he pointed his wand at me… I don't remember anything else… It was so dark all the time…' she whispered.

'Where do you live… What suburb I mean? Do you know?'

'Yes! Yes!' she said excitedly 'Daddy taught me! I live in Ottery St Catchpole!'

James was taken aback… he knew Ottery St Catchpole very well… and as far as he knew there were only a few magical families living in the area…

'Sophie – what's your surname?' When she looked at him curiously, he explained 'The name that comes after Sophie – your full name…'

Understanding what he wanted she said 'My name is Sophie – Sophie Weasley!'

James looked at her in shock… she couldn't surely be! But as he studied her features he realized the similarities… Even though her hair was brown, it had a tinge of Weasley red that was unmistakable… she had the same unruly freckles as Fred had once had… and the same nose as Percy…

'Sophie' he said hoarsely, hoping as he asked his question that she hadn't married again 'What's your mother's name?

'It's Penelope… Penelope Weasley' Sophie replied… and he breathed a sigh of relief but he now knew for sure where she came from…

'You're Percy's daughter?' For some reason his felt constricted…

'You know daddy? Yay!' she cried

'No!' he said abruptly 'I don't know your daddy… but I can make sure that you go back home to him soon…'

'James!' Draco called from the office 'I have the Head of the Auror office in England on the line…'

'Wait here Sophie – I just have to get something arranged so you can go home safely okay…'

'Okay' she said sweetly…

James hurried into the office. 'Sir?' he asked

'Hello?' the voice on the line said 'Yes, this is the Head of the Auror Office England… We were informed that there was something that you wanted to speak to us about…'

'Yes, my name is James Evans and I am the Head of the Auror Department in America. We have recently infiltrated a group who call themselves the Death Squad who have been kidnapping children from magical families all around the country and asking for ransoms – or so it seems. It looks like we have two children here who are from England… their names are Jason Smith… and Sophie… Sophie Weasley…'

"Thank Goodness you found them – those two children have been missing for almost a month and their families have been worried sick… I'm sure these are the same children we are talking about. I will contact their families immediately and have them escorted to the American Auror Institute. They will be able to check if the children are really theirs, sign the papers and the children will be able to go back home to their families… I am sure that their parents will want to give you thanks in person…'

'NO! James said suddenly before he composed himself 'No, that won't be necessary…. really… please give them my sincerest apologies that I could not be there with them'

'Mr Evans, do you have a prior engagement?'

'No, but…' James wasn't feeling particularly articulate at the moment…

'Then I insist that you meet them…I will be there myself to ensure that they get home safely. Meanwhile, I hope that they rest of the children find their families safely… Thank you – we will be there in just two hours… I hope to see you soon…'

'But sir,' James started but his English counterpart had already hung up… dejectedly he put the phone back and called to Draco.

'Draco – have you figured out the names and families of all the other children?'

'Yup – except for Jason and Sophie… otherwise their families are coming to pick them up in about half an hour… some have been picked up already…'

'All the necessary papers have been signed?'

Draco nodded

'Great – Jason and Sophie are being picked up in two hours, but I've got bigger problems…'

'As in…?' Draco asked dryly

'Sophie is the daughter of Percy and Penelope Weasley… I can't let them recognize me… and apparently I've got to be there when they pick her up…'

Draco let out an exasperated sigh 'I never really understood why you ran away from them…'

'I don't suppose you would… but I really can't let them see me… You have to believe me…'

'Do what you always do… put on your bandanna to cover you scar and I doubt they'll recognize you without your glasses – seeing as you don't wear them anymore.'

'I guess…' James got up sighing; he put his bandanna and said 'I've got to tell the kids that they'll be going home soon.'

He went to Jason first, as expected the young boy was excited at the prospect of going home… Next was Sophie…

'Sophie' he called as he strode out of the office 'Guess what?'

'What?' she smiled up at him adorably…

'You're going home! You're going to see your mama and you daddy! They're coming in two hours!'

Sophie didn't seem as happy as he had expected her to be and he immediately became worried…

'What's wrong sweetie? Don't you want to go home?'

'I do, I do' she said earnestly 'but… that means I'll have to leave Uncle James behind…'

'Oh, don't worry about Uncle James; he'll be fine… be happy okay? You're going home!' he swung her into the air as she giggled madly.

An hour and fifty minutes later Sophie Weasley, Jason Smith and James were waiting outside the Ministry. They had been waiting therefore more than ten minutes and the kids were getting restless.

'Are you sure they're coming?' Jason whispered to James

'I am one hundred percent sure! We're just a little bit early' he replied

'So Sophie,' he asked the little girl who was being unusually quiet 'Do you have any Uncles or Aunts?' even though he fully well knew the answer.

'Yup… I have lots of Uncles and Aunts…'

'Tell me about all of them' he said. James wanted to know how the Weasley family was going and what they had been doing for the past six years.

'Well… first there's Uncle Bill and Aunty Fleur… she's really pretty… she has a daughter named Dominique and a son named Adrian… Dominique's really nice – she's two years older than me – but I don't like Adrian, he's five as well but he's mean to me'

'I'm sure he doesn't mean to be that way' James assured, laughing slightly 'Go on'

'Well then there's Uncle Charlie and Auntie Sam – the both work with dragons… their so cool…'

'Do they have any kids?' James asked expecting the answer she gave…

'No but Uncle George and Aunty Angelina do – they have Fred – he's six… and Aunty Angelina's gotta baby inside her!'

James laughed at her naivety… 'Are there any more?'

'Well there's Uncle Ron and Aunty Hermione… they're not married but they're gonna get married… they asked me to be the flower girl!' she said excitedly…

James was so happy that finally, after everything, that Ron and Hermione were getting married. He had always known that it would happen one day – they were meant for each other, but the news only made him feel more alone in the world.

'Wow' James said… he desperately wanted to ask about her but he stopped himself 'I'm sure you're going to be a very pretty flower girl.'

'Yup – Aunt Ginny says I'm gonna be awesome… but Grandma says Aunt Ginny isn't herself any more… but she looks very happy… and Uncle Derek is really nice to her…'

James sighed… she had finally been brought up – after years without knowledge of her, after years of trying to forget about her… there it was… James supposed she had forgotten about him… she was dating again and was really happy. After hearing all of this new James was feeling even more apprehensive about seeing Percy and Penelope again… after all, now there was no use revealing who he was to them anymore, it would probably mess everything up for her…

If the kids were feeling nervous, it wasn't anywhere close to how edgy James was… for the first time in 6 years, he would be seeing someone from the Weasley family and he was nervously hoping that they wouldn't recognize him. As he contemplated these thoughts there was a loud 'POP!' from in front of them.

James looked up to see the Head of the British Auror office looking down at him.

'Sir' he said standing up.

'Call me Adrian, Adrian Pucey,' the other man said warmly 'the two families will be here any moment'

'Thank you – we were glad we could be of assistance'

'No worries at all, I'm just glad everything turned out alright – I'm sure the parents will want to thank you themselves'

Then all of a sudden there were two more popping sounds and worried looking Percy Weasley, Penelope Clearwater – James caught himself – Penelope Weasley, Zacharias Smith and his wife were standing in front of them.

'Daddy! Mummy!' the two children cried, leaping into their parents waiting arms.

Percy Weasley was kissing his daughter all over and there were tears in his eyes 'Oh Princess – we thought we lost you, we're so glad you're safe.' He enveloped his wife and daughter in a bug.

James just stared astonished – Percy Weasley sure had changed in the past six years. Percy turned to look at the man that had saved his daughter; Sophie leapt out of her father's arms and turned to introduce her savior.

'Daddy, this is James – Uncle James' she twinkled.

Percy laughed 'So now everyone is your uncle eh?' turning to James he said 'We're indebted to you for returning our little girl to us'

But when Percy and Penelope look a bit more closely at the Head of the American Auror Department, they both gasped… 'H…Harr… No sorry… it can't be… Sorry – I thought you were someone I used to know…' Percy blustered 'Someone I'm indebted to in fact'

'My name is James… James Evans… I'm the Head of the American Auror department… It was nice meeting you… I wish you all the best of luck… your little girl is simply charming…' James turned and squatted next to Sophie 'Hey there sweetie, Uncle James has got to go now okay? But we'll meet again sometime… I'm sure of it' he assured even though he knew it was likely that they would never see each other again…'

'Oh - I'll miss you Uncle James' the little girl said giving him a sloppy wet kiss with tears in her eyes before heading to her dad.

'Um… it was a pleasure meeting you… um… James…' Percy gave him a firm handshake before walking away to the apparition point

Sophie waved at him from her father's arms and the tears welled in James' eyes as he realized once again that he was letting go of the only family he had ever known…

I hope you liked the revised version of the story - this chapter only had minor changes but be warned that future chapters may have drastic changes... Muhahahaha! Review - or else! Please!