Harry Potter and the World at War
By SHDurrani
Chapter 1
Return to Privet Drive and Training and Shopping and Meetings
Harry and Hermione; trio breakup and Ginny joins the group; transfer students at Hogwarts
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter Characters. They are the sole property of J. K. Rowlings. All other ideas and characters other then what has been written in the first 5 books are my own.
A/N: This will be the third version of my story. Thank you Bob and Alyx for your input and review regarding how I have written some of the sections of this story.
For Harry, the ride home was a quite one. His uncle took the Order's warning to heart and didn't say anything about Hedwig being in the back seat with Harry. Harry's Aunt, Petunia on the other hand was being a bit strange in Harry's opinion.
When they got home, to Harry's surprise Harry's cousin, Dudley offered to help Harry with his trunk while Harry carried Hedwig's cage. They got the trunk and cage up to Harry's room, a.k.a. Dudley's Second Room. Once Dudley left the room, after Harry had thanked him for helping him, Harry went about placing his trunk at the foot of his bed and putting Hedwig's cage on top of his chest of drawers.
At dinner the first night, the Dursleys spent the entire meal talking to Harry. His aunt first apologized for all that they had put him through over the years and explained that the Dementors had made them realize that if he had not been there at the time they would not have Dudley with them now. They told him that this incident had opened their eyes to the amount of emotional trauma that was being done by them and they were hoping to at least stop this from happening this summer.
Dudley told Harry that the creatures that had attacked him made him relive the worst stuff that he either had done to people or otherwise and it was then that he realized that there was other things to do other then terrorizing kids.
Vernon, a bit reluctant, apologized for his behaviors to Harry. Harry realized that the apology will probably be the best he will get from his uncle for now.
Also at dinner Harry received a normal portion of food that his aunt and cousin ate. Dudley had lost a lot of weight this past year and finally was able to eat more normal food then the rabbit food that he was on the past few summers. In Harry's opinion the weight loss was good for his cousin.
After dinner, Harry talked to Dudley and found out that he had a few options around the area he could look into to try to start getting into shape. He figured that the best bet for now was to exercise a lot and get into shape since he couldn't practice magic. He also vowed to do some if not all of his homework in the first few weeks of the summer so that he can do some more studying and look into the subjects like Ancient Ruins and Arithmacy that Hermione was always speaking highly of.
Speaking of Hermione, Harry had the idea of calling her and talking to her about maybe getting together and planning a few things for the DA and so forth. He also wanted to maybe talk to her about Sirius and see if she and her family were planning to go on vacation this year or not.
Harry went upstairs to see if he still had her phone number in his trunk. If not he was going to send Hedwig to her to get her number so that he can call her. Luckily he had the number and went back downstairs and asked his aunt, "Aunt Petunia is it possible that I call one of my school friends that live in the muggle world? Her aunt and uncle are dentists. I just wanted to talk to her and see about maybe meeting up during the summer and so forth."
Aunt Petunia asked, "Who is this girl you wanted to call?" She asked this question with a sly smile on her face.
Harry blushed and said, "She goes by Hermione Granger but her real last name is Durrani."
Dudley had heard this and come in and asked to both of them, "You said that her aunt and uncle were dentists right? There is a Dentist Office that opened here in the village with both the doctors with the last names of Granger. Why not ask you 'girl-friend' if it is the same people." Again they both were smirking at this point.
Petunia shook her head and said, "Go ahead Harry, I think that is a perfect idea. Maybe you should look into getting a cell phone so that you don't have to ask all the time."
Harry nodded and made a mental note to look into getting one that week. He then went to the phone in the kitchen since he didn't want to bother his uncle who was in the other room that had the other phone in and picked up the phone and called the number he had for Hermione.
"Granger Residence, Hermione speaking!"
"Hermione is that you?" asked Harry.
"Harry!! It's good to hear from you. I didn't think that you would be able to call so soon. Is everything ok?" asked Hermione.
Chuckling, Harry replied, "Slow down Hermione, everything is great. I was just doing some planning and remembered that I had your aunt and uncle's phone number you gave me a few years ago and thought I would call you."
It took a minute for Hermione to reply but when she did she got a bit hyper about her reply, "Harry so you remember who I am really? That's great, maybe now my mom and dad can come and visit you when they come down from the States this summer. My aunt and uncle opened a new office in your area while we were at Hogwarts this year and they are there three times a week and here three times a week. Maybe we can meet up when they are there. I can come with them and all."
Harry smiled and said, "Yeah I remember, I just didn't want to say it around Ron and everyone because I wasn't sure if you were going to tell them the truth. When we met on the train 1st year and you introduced yourself as Hermione Granger I knew that you were going by your cover name and wasn't ready to tell anyone who you truly was. We really haven't had a chance to talk about it all till now so I didn't really get a chance to say anything. Dudley had said that there was a new Dental office here in the village and the dentists had a last name of Granger. I was going to ask about that. It would be great if we could meet up. I am hoping to get all my summer homework done in the beginning and then start planning for the DA and all that for the next year. I hope to contact Professor Dumbledore about restarting the DA as an official group."
He could hear Hermione smile in the phone and she said, "I really did want to start with Durrani as my last name but Professor Dumbledore and my parents both said it was probably safer if we kept that quiet for the time being. My parents have hinted that there was going to be a big chance that we were going to come out in the open with my real identity this year because of our heritage. I am glad that you are planning on getting started early on your homework and all. Anyway I think that I may be able to get Professor Dumbledore to let you stay over at my place since my parents will be here this summer. They said that they maybe they will be staying a lot longer to help with the war effort. They said that something was happening on an international level and the States were not the only ones involved. May be when we get together on a more permanent basis meaning longer than a few hours a day we can really get down to planning things for the DA. Also, I really don't want to go to the Burrow this summer. Grimmauld Place is another place I don't want to step into for a long time to come. I don't really know who the new owner with the loss of Sirius is. Speaking of which, how are you doing with the loss of Sirius? For the memory of Sirius please don't blame yourself for his death. Harry it wasn't your fault. It was Voldemort and/or Bellatrix who caused his death."
Hermione knew she had overstepped the line that kept the conversation going at the other end.
Petunia was watching the conversation from the corner of her eye as she was doing the dishes and had seen Harry's emotions go from smiling to happy to apprehension to downright depressed and saddened in the matter of minutes. She knew that something big had happened at the end of term for Harry but didn't want to approach the subject in front of Vernon in case it was something that would get him started on how dangerous it was to have Harry around. She knew about the wards that were protecting her family around the house and knew that Harry staying with them was a key essential for the protection to be still there.
Breaking out of her musing she was confronted from a pasty white Harry that looked ready to collapse. She put down whatever she had in her hand and quickly dashed to his side with a chair to sit down on. She then took the phone from him and spoke into it, "Hermione I am not sure what you said to him but he has just frozen up. What happened last term that could cause this much trauma? Oh this is Harry's aunt in case you are wondering."
Hermione gasped and said quickly, "Mrs. Dursley is Harry ok? I didn't stop to realize what I was saying and started blabbing about Sirius, Harry's Godfather. The last week of term Harry was attacked by Voldemort in his mind that led him to believe that Sirius was taken and that he was being tortured and would be killed if Harry didn't go to the Ministry and go to a specific location in the Department of Mysteries to retrieve something. I was able to get him to try and verify the legitimacy of the vision but due to the treachery of a house elf of Sirius he was led to believe as were the rest of us that Sirius was indeed in trouble. We tried to get the only teacher that is a part of the Order that Professor Dumbledore founded to fight Voldemort to pass on his information but the professor was not forth coming on his help due to other problems in the school. Anyway it was a trap that we unfortunately fell for and Sirius came running to help defend Harry and the rest of us. Sirius fought his cousin in a little known area where there is a archway that they used to use to do executions because anyone going through there did not survive or come out the other end. At least that is what is believed. Not much is really known about the arch down there. Anyway to get to the point Sirius was hit by a spell and fell through the veil in front of Harry. Harry is now blaming himself for the loss even though Professor Dumbledore has told him that it wasn't his fault and that it was between Voldemort's and Bellatrix's."
Petunia just stared at the phone and Harry for short moment and then asked Hermione for her phone number and she would call her and talk more or even setup a time for her to come over to the house later.
After hanging up the phone, Petunia gently took Harry and led him up to his room, where she proceeded to put him to bed. Then she did something she never thought she would ever do and that was kissing Harry on the top of his head good night.
Harry got up the next morning groggily and couldn't really remember how he got into bed. Then it all came back to him, his conversation with Hermione and then freezing up. He then realized that it was later than usual that by the look of the way the sun was in the window. He immediately got up and looked at what he was wearing realized that he had somehow gotten to bed without changing. After getting some clean clothes he headed to the bathroom to take a quick shower. He went down to the kitchen dreading the possible screaming from his aunt for not being up to make breakfast only to find that she had made him some breakfast and was sitting and drinking coffee when he walked in.
He said, "I am sorry for not getting up early to make breakfast this morning, it will not…"
Petunia smiled and cut Harry off by saying, "Harry don't worry about it. I let you sleep late. Unless you want to I will not force you to make breakfast or any other meals so that you can recover this summer and maybe have a normal summer for a change. Your uncle got a raise at work and we have decided to get someone to start doing our yard work for us so you do not have to worry about that. Unfortunately your uncle is still not comfortable around magic so please if you are going to do your homework do it in your room. The telephone company is coming this afternoon to install you another line in your room so you can talk to Hermione and any of your other friends without worrying about Vernon."
Harry looked up and smiled at the mention of Hermione but then the memory of almost losing her last month came back to him and he just looked down at his plate and said quietly, "Thank you Aunt Petunia. I will help around as much as I can and as much as you will allow me to. If it is ok with you I would like to walk around town and get a feel for what is available and what has changed."
Harry got up from the kitchen table and took his plate and glass to the sink to clean and put away. Once done with that Harry told his aunt he was going to go and walk around the area before it got too hot outside and he would be back before lunch.
After leaving the house Harry walked around the park for a while and decided that he wanted to go and see where the Granger dental office was. To his surprise it wasn't too far down the road from his house and it would probably take no more than 20 minutes to walk to the office at a leisurely pace. He noted the days that they were open for future reference and went on down the road. A few blocks from the office Harry found a Martial Arts studio and a gym next to each other. He went into the gym first to inquire about a short term membership in say like a month to month basis and was told that they didn't do those kind of memberships. Harry wasn't sure if it was due to his clothing or if it was a common policy so he left it at that and left the gym. On a whim he decided to check out the studio next door and watched the instructor as he taught the students wearing what looked like bath robes (A/N: I am making it look as if Harry has never been around Martial Arts much to know what they are wearing.) and were practicing both defensive and offensive moves.
One of the older students who was also sitting at the front table made herself known to Harry, "Hello sir, I see that you are somewhat interested in what is being taught here. Do you have any questions?"
Harry smiled at her and said, "I am not sure yet but I wanted to know if it was possible to get some training done before end of July at the earliest. I don't have to be very efficient but I want to get some hand to hand work to increase my agility and from what I can see the students here are really doing a lot in that side."
The young girl looked to be oriental like the instructor on the training floor. It then donned on Harry that she just maybe related to him. She smiled at Harry and said, "Well Mr. Potter I can see that this will be an interesting summer for you."
It was then that Harry did a double take on what she said and she smiled and said, "Yes Harry I know who you are. I have heard a lot about you from Fleur and Gabs all last year and it's only fitting to have the chance to meet you at last. I didn't know you lived around here."
Harry nodded while assimilating the information just presented to him and then said, "Yea since I was 5 years old. Anyway, hopefully those two didn't over emphasize my role during the tournament and all."
The young lady finally got her mind in gear and introduced herself as Ming Chen and that the sensei (teacher) was her maternal grandfather. Harry and Ming discussed what he needed to do to get into the class and what his future in the class was.
"Harry, from what Fleur told me about your performance in the tournament you should do really well," said Ming.
Unknown to both of them, the sensei had walked up behind them and listened to the conversation. He of course knew all about Mr. Potter and his reputation from long ago. He was surprised to see him here at this time in his dojo but as he listened to the conversation between his granddaughter and the young man he was here to learn how to protect himself and others.
After listening to their conversation long enough and probably would have spent longer listening if his granddaughter had not noticed his presence and made them aware of it.
"Grandfather I would like you to meet Harry Potter. Harry this is my grandfather Sensei Mitsuma," introduced Ming.
Harry stood up and bowed to the sensei like he saw some of the students do when they walked in. The sensei smiled at the gesture of politeness from the young man and bowed back in response. He then took Harry's hand and shook it in the traditional western cultural way of doing so.
Sensei spoke, "It is a pleasure to finally get to meet you Mr. Potter. Your history I well known back home and I am happy to be able to finally meet you in person. So from what I can get from the conversation you are having with my granddaughter, you are hoping to do some muggle-style defense studying or actually getting into shape?"
Harry nodded and said, "That is correct, I have come to the realization that the only way to win this war against the dark idiot is to actually do it without a lot of dependence on magic. That is one of the failings of the wizarding world. They dependant on magic and their wands and it will be their downfall. I am planning on doing some work with a defense group next year at school in the hopes of getting them up to speed on different defense styles."
Matsuma nodded and said, "All bold and noble ideas but to teach a rock to walk when it has always lain still would be very foolish if not impractical. But then again who knows what will happen. Anyway if you are interested in training I would be willing to get you through a lot of the training and all in a more condensed version of the work and hopefully get you up to mastery in a few of the disciplines before you leave for the rest of the year. Just out of curiosity, why only till the end of July?"
Harry smiled and said, "You are probably right about the purebloods and all but we can only hope. As to why only till the end of July, well according to my best friend, I am probably going to be moving out of Surrey for good by then. My godparents, who are her parents, are returning to England and have voiced their wish to take me in for good. Also by the 31st I will be 16 and at that age according to my family laws I am going to be of age and will be able to take the position as head of the Potter family among others."
Matsuma smiled and said that if Harry was interested he was willing to start this afternoon with a review of Harry's agility and strengths and weaknesses and then go from there. He also said that starting tomorrow he would suggest that Harry start running 2 km in the morning and 2 in the evening, which happened to be about how far it would be from here to his house to get into shape. "Take the running slowly at first but try to increase the speed and shorten the time during the this time of training," was one of Matsuma's statements to Harry.
Harry agreed and for the next two hours Harry spent going through tests that if Harry didn't take up Quiditch, he would have not been in shape to even try. In the end, Matsuma told Harry that he would probably have to start off running half the distance between his home and here and then work his way up in how much he ran. He would also spend half his time with his granddaughter getting more limber. The more limber he is the better he is in defending and doing offensive work.
After further discussions and scheduling, Harry decided to start his work out with a run home. True to Sensei's statement, he was only able to keep up the pace the first half of the distance and had to slow down to trot and then finally to just walking the rest of the way to Privet Drive.
Once Harry got home, Petunia asked him how his walk around town had gone. Harry told her about him finding the dental office and then finding the martial arts studio a few doors down from there. He then told her how he was going to be training with them in the afternoons starting the next day and would do so till he returned to either his friends or to school in September, whichever came first.
Petunia asked if he needed to get some workout clothes and if so that they can get them in the morning after Vernon left for work. Harry said he probably should get some since the ones he had are worn out and more likely too loose. He also needed new shoes that would give him better support during his runs and so forth. They made more plans for the coming day over a late lunch and after cleaning up his plate Harry went upstairs to start looking through his school work and all.
Taking a leaf from Hermione's book, Harry decided to get his summer homework over with, in the classes he had planned on taking for the next term. He decided to do the assigned potions homework just in case he was able to take the class.
That evening after dinner, Pig came into his room with a letter from Ron and Ginny and Hedwig came in with a letter from Hermione guessing from the handwriting on the envelope.
The letter from Ron was his usual vague self and didn't say much. He spent most of the letter talking about Quiditch, which to Harry was starting to get old fast, and he decided not to reply to his letter. Ginny was a bit longer and was more concerned to how Harry was taking everything from last term and that if he needed to talk to anyone either she or Hermione would be there for him. Harry just wrote a quick thank you to her and sent Pig, who was being a pain to poor Hedwig, on his way out of the room.
Harry sat down and took a look at the letter from Hermione. He just didn't know what to do or say. It was bad enough that he froze up last night after she was just trying to help him. He started to read her letter:
Dear Harry,
Aunt Petunia told me your reaction when I started talking about Sirius and I wanted to first off say that I am sorry to go that direction at the time. I know that you really don't want to talk about it so I will only say this once. Please Harry in the memory of your godfather, don't shut us out. You didn't kill him and you are not the one responsible for his death.
Harry didn't finish the letter. The Department of Mystery incident was still fresh on his mind and he wasn't ready to give up on feeling guilty for both leading Sirius to his death and almost losing Hermione. He put her letter down and lay down on his bed and cried himself to sleep.
His aunt came up later to check on Harry before going to bed herself and saw Harry had cried himself asleep again. She sighed and tucks Harry in and turned off the light in the room.
The next morning, Harry woke up to a tapping noise on his window and saw an unknown owl with a letter. He was surprised to get a letter from Blaise Zabini and after reading the letter he understood why. She had been getting peer pressure from her fellow upper classmen in Slytherin to join the death eaters even though her parents supported the light side. She had been pleading with for some ways to get out of the mess and not be forced to join the Death Eaters. Harry suggested wrote back immediately to at least let her know that he had gotten her letter and read it fully and suggested that she inquire about making a request to be resorted at the beginning of the year for her own safety and if she and her parents wanted to they could ask for help from Professor Dumbledore for safety reasons.
Harry then sat back down and finished reading Hermione's letter and saw that she was predictably reminding him to finish his homework early so he had time to either study or relax the rest of the summer. After completely reading her letter, Harry was at a loss to what to write to her. He decided to put off writing back to her and go down to breakfast and then back up stairs to get ready to go to town with his aunt to get some new clothes and shoes.
Harry walked back downstairs and found his aunt in the kitchen going through some papers on the table. She looked up and smiled and asked, "Are you ready to go?"
Harry nodded and said, "Yes ma'am, I had a few letters to answer before I came down."
Petunia took her purse and said, "Might as well get going then. Dudley is going to be out the whole day training for his boxing and all, at least that is what I think he is doing."
Harry nodded and said, "If it was last summer I would also wonder, but this summer I actually went with him to the gym he goes to and I know he works out there."
With that said, Harry and Petunia went out to the Petunia's car and they drove to the area mall. As they were entering the mall, Harry was tackled by brown fuzz who he immediately identified as his best friend Hermione.
"Good morning Hermione!!! It's good to see you too, but air is starting to become a necessity," said a smiling Harry.
Petunia laughed at the sight of her nephew being bowled over by a young lady with curly brown hair. It wasn't till she saw that Harry was slightly turning blue from lack of oxygen that she was forced to help him and the girl up from the floor.
Hermione meanwhile was blushing badly at the realization that she was making a fool of herself in public with the boy that she had come to fall in love with. She finally came to her senses fully when Harry had gasped out he was in need of air. She immediately loosened her grip on him and with Harry's aunt's help she got off of Harry.
Harry slowly got up and then gave Hermione another hug but a more gentle one this time. He then said, "Hermione, it is great to see you and all. Aunt Petunia, I would like to introduce you to my dearest and best friend, Hermione Granger nee Durrani. Hermione, this is my aunt Petunia Dursley."
Petunia smiled and noted her nephew's introduction in the beginning as a more then friendly relationship between the two. She also noted the blushing that was forming on the two teens.
She greeted Hermione by saying, "It is wonderful to finally meet one of Harry's friends from school. You look like the mixture of your parents. I remember meeting Sarah and Sikandar years ago before Lily died. I hope to see them again soon."
Hermione smiled and said, "I know that they are going to becoming over in the middle of the July to stay for a long while. I will pass on your message about coming by and seeing you again. So what brings you to the mall?"
Harry blushes and says that he needs new clothes including workout clothes and all.
Hermione smiled and said, "If it's ok with both of you I would like to join you and help. I am bored and have already browsed the bookstore twice."
Harry smiled and said, "I don't have a problem with you helping Hermione. Of course if it is ok with you, Aunt Petunia?"
Petunia smiled and said, "It is ok with me, I am sure Hermione will be better at giving you a better idea on what is the in designs and all or you young teens then I am. With Dudley, the choices are real limited with his size and all."
Hermione and Harry nodded and after discussing what exactly they were going to get they decided on the stores to look at first.
For the next two hours they spent shopping for everything including everyday clothes to workout clothes. They also got Harry a pair of tennis shoes and loafers. The last thing Harry got was a new watch that he could replace the one destroyed in the tournament.
After doing the shopping they stopped for a cup of coffee at Starbucks©. Harry and Hermione talked to his aunt about what had been happening the previous year with the Ministry and how they had treated Harry. Petunia was not a happy camper by any means. She told Harry and Hermione that she would talk to the headmaster about the chances of filing libel suits against both the minister and the Prophet for what they had been spewing against Harry.
Hermione said, "I would suggest contacting Gringots Bank to get suggestions on solicitors in the wizarding world because they are more knowledgeable with such matters like the suits and so forth. If you think it is best ask the headmaster his opinion."
Petunia nodded and said that she would do so as soon as possible. After finishing their drinks they got up and gathered their shopping bags and left the mall. Petunia offered to drive Hermione where ever she wanted to be dropped off before taking Harry to the Dojo for his afternoon training session.
Since Hermione's aunt and uncle's office was near the dojo and she wanted to see the training that Harry was partaking in, she asked if she could come and watch Harry train. Harry said it was fine with him and so Petunia took the two teens to the Dojo and dropped them off before heading home.
Both Harry and Hermione went into the Dojo and greeted Ming. Harry introduced Hermione to Ming and told Hermione that he was going to go and change. The sensei was still working with another group of youngsters so Hermione and Ming started talking.
"So Hermione, I understand that you and Harry are really close," commented Ming.
Hermione blushed and shyly said that they were best friends and all.
Ming wasn't fooled by the way she said that and pressed on by saying, "You know that Fleur said that the two of you had the air about you that you were closer the just friends as you say you are. You ought to know that Harry hasn't said that he didn't have feelings for you and all."
If it was even possible to get any redder then Hermione had proved it. She replied, "I doubt that he would even think of me more than just friends. Who would want a bossy bookworm like me that would irritate everyone more times than not."
Unknown to Hermione Harry come up behind her with his finger to his lips to signal Ming not to let his bushy-haired friend know he was there. He let Hermione confess her feeling for him and this was causing him some trouble trying to figure out his own feelings. Part of him was happy that she returned his feelings, but part of him was also mixed with what he knew about Ron's feelings toward Hermione. Harry backed up and started to make some noise as he walked closer to the girls.
Hermione turned to look at Harry as did Ming and both whistled with admiration at the new look on Harry. Ming was the first one to speak and said, "Wow Hermione, you definitely have a catch here. If you don't do something this year I am sure that all the students, girls and boys, will be going after him."
This made both Harry and Hermione blush madly and all. Neither teens had time to make a return comment before the sensei came in from the training area and escorted his previous class to the waiting area where the parents were. Afterwards he joined the trio at the desk and introduced himself to Hermione. Hermione bowed politely to the sensei and received an raised eyebrow from Harry and a smile from the sensei who had also returned her bow in kind.
Hermione decided to let on to them that she was already a brown belt in three disciplines and had completed her training before going to Hogwarts. After talking a bit Hermione realized that she should start getting back to her aunt and uncle's office to head home. Harry told Hermione that he would come by the dental office when they are there again in the morning and they can either go back to his aunt's house or they can go somewhere else.
Hermione smiled and said that they would be back in two days and she would be happy to see him then. With a notable skip in her step (A/N: I know I am being weird but deal with it.) she walked out of the Dojo.
Harry smiled and turned back to the sensei and bowed and they both walked into the training area to start training. Ming just shook her head at the two clueless teens and went back to filing paperwork and reading.
(A/N: I really don't plan to write everything that happens for the next month so I am skipping ahead.)
About the middle of the fourth week back, Harry got a letter from Professor Dumbledore asking him to meet him at Mrs. Figg's house the next day, Thursday, at 1 pm.
Harry told his aunt that he was asked to go down to Mrs. Figg's house to help her with moving some furniture. His aunt smiled and said that it was fine.
After an early lunch, Harry grabbed his wand and headed out the door for a quiet stroll to Mrs. Figg's house. When Harry got to the house he was still a bit early but not wanting to be late he rang the door bell.
Mrs. Figg answered the door and welcomed him inside the house. "Harry it is good to see you again. Professor Dumbledore will be here shortly. Why don't you take a seat in the living room? Would you like something to drink, Tea or pumpkin juice?"
Harry declined both and asked for some water. While Mrs. Figg got him a glass of water, Harry took a seat on an old sofa in the living room and was shortly joined on it by Mr. Tibbles, Mrs. Figg's old cat. Mrs. Figg found Harry with the look of content petting her cat when she brought him some water. Before she could comment on the picture in front of her, her fireplace flared green and Professor Dumbledore stepped out of it.
Mrs. Figg smiled at Albus and said, "Good afternoon Albus. I will leave you two to talk your business. If you need anything just holler."
After Mrs. Figg went to the kitchen and Professor Dumbledore took a seat in an arm chair facing Harry. Harry was by now sitting up straight and wondering what the headmaster wanted to talk to him about.
"Good afternoon Harry, I hope your holiday so far has been well. I wanted to come and talk to you about what has been happening in the wizarding world and some requests I have been getting from other schools and from the public in general."
Harry spoke up and said, "Good afternoon Professor and for a change my summer has been doing great. I want to first apologize for my actions the last time we met at the end of the school term. I should have never let my anger get out of control like that."
Albus just held up his hand and said, "First of all outside of school call me Albus. As to what happened in my office you have nothing to be sorry about. I have either replaced or repaired most of what I wanted to replace by now and like I said that day I had wanted to do some redecorating of my office right now. I've heard from both Remus and Arabella that your stay at the Dursley's has improved a lot. They no longer hear your uncle being nasty to you and have on occasion seen you sitting with them in either the kitchen or the den. Anyway we have a lot to discuss and not much time to do so."
Albus proceeded to pull out some parchment and handed it to Harry before continuing, "First off, Harry, Fudge has resigned as Minister of Magic but before he did he cleared Sirius's name and this paved the way for the legal bindings of this parchment to be taken effect. Harry, Sirius made a will out after Christmas and made sure I had it before it was too late."
Harry took the parchment and read it:
Sirius Orion Black
Last Will and Testament
I Sirius Orion Black, of sound mind (some debate this issue) and sound body do here by leave the following to the following people.
Albus Dumbledore, I leave you 12 Grimmauld Place as head quarters for the Order of the Roasted Chicken (otherwise known as the Order of the Phoenix) to be used till such time as the dark lord has been vanquished. The only stipulation is that you give Remus Lupin a place to stay there till he decides to move out or otherwise. At that point it is to be done with as pleased by the order.
Ronald Arthur Weasley, I leave you 5,000 Galleons and the collection of signed Cannon's jerseys to be found in the attic.
Hermione Jane Granger (Durrani), I leave the name to be determined depending on whether Sikandar and Sarah have returned to England yet, I leave the entire Black library except the books that Remus and I have determined to be not suitable for your or anyone's general use. I also leave 5,000 galleons and suggest you get your act together and tell him how you feel.
Molly and Arthur Weasley, I leave you 15,000 Galleons for all the support you have given me and my godson.
Fred and George Weasley, I leave 10,000 Galleons for your joke shop and a book that Remus has on some of our, the Marauders, exploits and ideas for jokes.
Nymphadora Tonks, I leave 25,000 Galleons.
Minerva McGonagall, I leave you and the Gryffindor House team the newest Firebolt Brooms on the market.
Severus Snape, I leave you 5,000 Galleons and all the Potions ingredients in the dungeons.
Sikandar and Sarah Durrani, I leave you 25,000 Galleons and I wish I was able to see you again. Please take care of both Harry and Hermione. They will need you more than ever now.
Remus Lupin, I leave you 250,000 Galleons.
Finally, my godson, Harry James Potter, I leave you the rest of the black family fortune and I hope that you tell her your feelings for her and soon. By the power vested in me as your godfather I hereby pronounce you as an adult now. According to law, you are emancipated due to the fact that I have died and your parents are also dead. Good luck in the future and do not base your whole life on one prediction. Live your life to the fullest and don't blame yourself for my death if I died while saving you. I died the way I wanted to and that was by fighting.
To all my friends and family, good luck and long life.
Sirius "Padfoot" Orion Black
Harry had tears in his eyes after reading the will and looked up to see that the headmaster also had tears. After a few minutes Harry went spoke up and asked, "Did everyone else have a chance to read this?"
Albus shook his head and said, "Remus and I thought it would be best if you read it first before the others. I have asked that everyone meet at the next Order meeting to hear the will. Now I want to talk to you about a few things that have been going on since the attack on the ministry. For some reason Voldermort has been attacking some key areas around the world. There has been some word from other ministries that the old Death Eater cells have been getting active again. I am afraid that Voldermort is going a lot faster than his last reign of power. I have talked to Hermione's parents and they are going to be coming back to England help with the effort against Tom. I have received messages from different ministries asking if it is possible if they can send some of their students to us to study Defense Against the Dark Arts. The reason why I am coming to you today is to see if you would be willing to train with Sikandar and Sarah to get up to speed with the defense stuff and when term starts are willing to help teach the class. I was hoping that Sikandar and Sarah would take the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor but they said that they would rather work on the outside and help defend the rest of the public."
Harry was surprised about the reaction of the world to what he and a handful of other students had done last year. He knew that if he was going to do this he was going to have to have Hermione with him on this.
"Professor, I am honored that you have given me this opportunity but I cannot with a clear mind accept this position without Hermione being at my side," stated Harry.
Albus smiled and said, "I expected you to say that and to be honest, I wouldn't have it any other way. My only question is, what about Mr. Weasley?"
Harry gave a sigh and said, "Honestly Professor, Ron is not mature enough to be able to be impartial to all houses. Both Hermione and I have friends in all the houses including Slytherin. Hermione and I have spent the summer in contact with Blaise Zabini (Female) and she has been in contact with a few of the other Slytherin and have found quite a few that do not want to have anything to do with Tom Riddle. Hermione and I have discussed it and decided if we are going to continue the DA we are going to have to allow the Slytherin to join. I decided that if anyone has any problems with this they can leave the group because as the old American Revolutionary warrior, who I can't remember off heart, once said, "United we stand, Divided we fall." I believe that the Sorting Hat said a similar thing last year."
Albus was not surprised by this since Zabini had also contacted him about being resorted because she had refused to take the mark. Albus started talking, "I understand about Mr. Weasley and I have also been in contact with Ms. Zabini and she has requested to be resorted. She says that she and her parents are being targeted by the death eaters. I am in the process of finding them a safe place to stay but right now I haven't got anything. Two weeks ago the old Order headquarters was attacked and destroyed so we have no place for it too."
Harry thought about it and realized something, "Professor was there another manor other than the one at Godric Hollow that was owned by the Potters?"
Albus was surprised and realized he hadn't thought about the Potter Mansion as of yet, "Harry that is a great idea, I forgot about the Potter Mansion. It has been unplottable since it was built by Gryffindor himself. You have been here for almost a month and I think that it is long enough for your protection. Sikandar and Sarah will be in country tomorrow so we probably should wait till then before you leave."
Harry smiled and then realized that since the Mansion hasn't been lived-in in years that it may not be habitable and he asked a simple request, "Professor, I just realized that the mansion hasn't been lived-in in years and was wondering if I could get Dobby and Winky to lead the house elves that are there in cleaning it up. Is there any house elves on site?"
Albus smiled and said, "That was the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. Dobby and Winky want to work for you now instead of me and Hogwarts. Technically they would be working for you at Hogwarts since you are the heir to the founders."
This time Harry basically fainted from hearing what the headmaster said. After Albus brought him back to the living, Harry started sputtering and saying, "How can I be the heir to the founders. It takes me longer than most to get spells right including transfiguration."
Albus sighed and said, "That would be my fault Harry. When you and Hermione were born you were both showing a great amount of magical powers. James, Lily, Sikandar and Sarah had agreed that to keep you safe from the dark lord, we bound all but a third of your powers. Unfortunately, the killing curse that you had survived bound another 1/3 of the remaining energy in you. By your birthday the bindings should be released. I am hoping that the bindings that we placed on you will be able to release the binding that was done when you were a year old. Your birthday is in a week and hopefully if all goes well you will be with other wizards like Sikandar and Sarah and we will be there for you."
Harry nodded and said, "I understand and it makes sense now. I can only imagine if Hermione has a third of her powers left in the open what would happen if all her powers are released in September."
Albus chuckled and said, "We can only imagine at this point."
For the first time since Sirius's death, Harry was able to laugh full hardily and this was one of those times. Just imagining that Hermione would have more magical powers then she already had by September 19th (her birthday) (A/N: I am sticking with the Books this time) made Harry start laughing out loud. After a few minutes he calmed down to the amusement of Albus.
Albus then started saying, "Harry, barring something happening between now and tomorrow, you will be picked up by Hermione and the Grangers at 10am. I will send Petunia a letter letting her knows that you may not be coming back next summer. The only thing I wanted to ask is if they are in danger is it ok if they come to the Potter mansion?"
Harry nodded and said, "Since the beginning of the summer they have been treating me with a lot of care. They had apologized at the beginning of the summer and said that they were trying to do this because they didn't want what happened to my parents happen to me. I would be honored if they would choose to come to my house for their safety instead of Uncle Vernon's sister's house. Now I will not allow her to come unless she is in real danger and only after my aunt and her family are already at the mansion."
Albus nodded and said, "I think that is more than satisfactory. I am glad that your family has finally seen its errors and has come back to a loving family. Let us hope that there is not a reason to have them come to the mansion unless for personal reasons which could be to visit you. Oh there will be a meeting of representatives of the governments that have pledged their support in the effort against Tom tomorrow. This was one of the reasons why I wanted you out tomorrow morning. They will be arriving at the mansion by 2pm and the meeting will be held at 4pm. You and Miss Granger/Durrani, I haven't asked her what she wants to go by now, will be attending the meeting as a representative of Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts staff and the students will be represented by Mr. Weasley for now. Oh speaking of students, Harry I have been asked if some of the students could stay here after the meeting to keep them from having to travel back and forth from the country."
Harry took it all in and said, "All the students that want to stay are welcome to. I would like to be able to do some training in muggle defense this summer. I have been working with my cousin in some forms of defense and have been going to a martial arts Dojo to train more. I would like to set up training for those that want to at the mansion."
Albus nodded and said, "That is fine if you can find a teacher that is willing to train over the summer."
Harry said, "I have already approached my sensei about the idea. He is from the Japan's Fiji School of Witchcraft and Wizardry but had decided to teach martial arts to muggles instead of going further with his magical training. He is familiar with Voldemort and has pledged to help me train as much as I can while I am here. As it is I am already far into the training and have attained the third level of skills."
Albus thought about it and spoke up after a few minutes, "Harry, this sensei of yours, would he be willing to teach muggle defense at Hogwarts this year? I really would love to meet the man and offer him the opportunity."
Harry smiled and said, "I thought about it myself and was going to ask him before I left if he would entertain the idea. I go to the Dojo in about an hour so if you would like to meet me there or if you would like to join me in the short walk to the Dojo we can meet him."
Albus nodded and said, "I will meet you there. These old bones of mine will not keep up with you and you're walking. Your escorts have been complaining that they are not able to keep up with you and that is including young Tonks. Say in 90 minutes?"
Harry nodded and said that was fine. Harry returned to Privet drive and told his aunt, "Aunt Petunia, Hermione and her aunt and uncle are picking me up tomorrow at 10am for the rest of the summer. I would like to extend an offer to you and your family to stay at my family mansion that has just been released to me by my parent's executor of their will so that I can stay there and so could my friends."
Petunia nodded and smiled, "Thank you for offering for us to stay at your family mansion. I am sure that if time comes and our safety becomes a factor we may end up taking you up on that offer. Are you still going to the Dojo?"
Harry nodded and said, "Professor Dumbledore wanted to meet with my sensei about maybe teaching the techniques he is teaching me to the rest of the school and to some select little this summer. I better hurry if I want to be on time."
Harry ran upstairs and got dressed in his running gear and put his training gear in his duffle bag, which was one of Dudley's old ones. After getting ready, ran down the stairs and after taking a bottle of water took off toward the Dojo.
He got to the Dojo about 10 minutes early and went in. There was still a class going on so Harry went and took a quick shower and changed into his Martial arts gear. When Harry left the changing rooms he was spotted by his sensei and was waved over.
"Ah I see one of my advanced students has come early. Why don't we have a little spar between you and me to show these students what to expect in their future training?"
Harry nodded and said, "Sure sensei."
Unbeknownst to them, Professor Dumbledore had come in the door to the Dojo and was watching from the sidelines with the rest of the parents.
Sensei started talking and setting the rules of the spar, "We are going to just show you what you can expect in the next level of training. Mr. Potter here is actually two levels above you."
With this, Harry took his stand with his hands loose but in front of him while the sensei took his stand slightly lower. Sensei decided to take the first opportunity to attack Harry used both his skills at Quiditch and the ones that he learned this summer to get away from the attack and counter. The sparring continued on with neither side gaining ground but they showed the moves. In the end they accepted a draw and the sensei spoke to the students.
"Since we limited this fight to only the moves that you will expect to see in your next level of training, both Mr. Potter and myself were already equal in skills. That is it for today everyone. I am sorry to say that this will be my last class with you at least for this summer. I have been asked to work with the council of Martial Arts Training centers to work on a project that could last at least till next summer."
Harry was surprised about this and was wondering what was going on. That was when he noticed that Professor Dumbledore was in the audience. After the younger students got up and left Harry went to Professor Dumbledore and said, "Glad you could make it. Professor Dumbledore this is Sensei Mitsuma."
Harry had introduced Professor Dumbledore to his Sensei when he had walked up to them. Albus bowed to the sensei in respect and so did the sensei.
Albus then spoke up, "It is an honor to finally meet you sensei. Harry has told me many good things about you and your teachings and I would like to speak with you about a proposition in regards to the new school year in the fall."
Sensei Matsuma spoke up, "The honor is mine Professor. Your reputation has reached us all the way to Japan. Harry has told me about your fight against the dark lord and was willing to work with him to get trained in non magical defense in case of him losing his wand in battle. Let us step into my office and speak while Mr. Potter goes and practices his moves."
Harry smiled and nodded and bowed at the same time to both Albus and sensei. He went on to the practice mat again not noting that they had another visitor enter the visitor's gallery.
0.0
Hermione had decided to go and see Harry practice at the Dojo. She was surprised to see Professor Dumbledore talking to the sensei. Instead of wanting to interrupt the conversation she sat down on one of the chairs in the gallery and watched as Harry went through his moves. Ming saw Hermione come in and walked over to the chair next to Hermione and sat down.
Ming started to talk to Hermione, "Hey Hermione, how are you doing? I see that you noticed Professor Dumbledore and grandfather talking over there. It would seem that they are discussing the chances of having grandfather teach at Hogwarts this year."
Hermione smiled and Ming and said, "Hey Ming I am doing great and you? Yeah I noticed the two and thought better of interrupting them. It would be a weird experience to see the arts taught at Hogwarts since most of the pure bloods don't know anything about it and stick their noses up at the mere idea of learning muggle techniques."
0.0
Albus and Matsuma entered the office and sat down. Albus was the first to talk.
"Sensei, Harry and I feel that the general student body of Hogwarts would benefit by your teachings if you would be willing to teach our students. I know for a fact that there is at least two students including Mr. Potter that has either started training in this field of defense or has attained years of training. Fortunately both of them are real close friends."
Sensei nodded and said, "The governors of Hogwarts had approached the council about sending someone to teach this course after receiving an idea from one of your students, a Miss. Granger, in the possibility of getting approval for the class. I believe she is one of Harry's friends. I am more than happy to teach the course if you would like."
Albus nodded and said, "I would be honored if you were to do so. As to Miss Granger, I hadn't expected her work to produce such results in such short period of time. I am glad that the governors have already accepted the idea and are willing to allow the course."
Sensei nodded and said, "I am glad to help in any way. I lost family in the last rising of the dark idiot and don't want to lose any more. I have a grandson that is starting his first year with you at Hogwarts this year and so I really want him to feel that he is going to be safe in the years to come. I want to spend time back home in Japan gathering some material for the class. I will be back by the 20th of August, in time to be ready for the new school term. This is the basic list of items I require here at the Dojo for the students to have for their training."
Albus took the list that the Sensei offered and said, "I will include this in the items needed for the students that take the course."
Matsuma spoke up and said, "One other thing about the course, I would like to recommend that you allow me to force the students that are taking the course to meet me before breakfast every morning to run before classes. This way they get into shape and work out better."
Albus nodded and said, "I will post that with the class information in the school owls. I should have a list of students that are interested in the class by the middle of August which should be in time with your returns from Japan."
Matsuma nodded and both men ironed out the final details of the classes.
0.0
After a while, Harry had finally noticed that he had an audience and was surprised that it was Hermione. It was only then that it was one of the days that her aunt and uncle were in Surrey for the day. He smiled and then went back to practicing not really knowing when he will be able to practice before the school started since both his sensei and he will not be around till then.
After completing his normal routine and having no other person to practice with, Harry went and sat next to Hermione and Ming.
She smiled at Harry and said, "Good afternoon Harry. I thought I would come by and see you train instead of waiting for you to meet me later."
Harry smiled and Hermione and said, "Good Afternoon to you Hermione. Today I had another visitor watching our practice. Today is going to be the last time I am going to be able to practice for a while. At least till we get to school if all goes well in there."
Hermione then remembered seeing Professor Dumbledore and asked, "Harry, why is Professor Dumbledore speaking with the sensei?"
Harry smiled and said, "I guess you would find out soon anyway, I proposed to Albus that we do some Muggle fighting techniques on top of magical. Also my sensei is magical and being so he is well prepared to be in our world. Albus is talking to sensei right now in hopes to get him to agree to teach."
Hermione smiled and was hoping it worked out, "I hope it happens. I actually made a inquiry into starting this course at Hogwarts to the governors of the school. I wonder if they have approved it or not. I haven't had a chance to practice more then a month since I started at Hogwarts."
Harry smiled and said, "I am only one step away from getting a black belt in one area and still have a few steps in another."
Harry went back to his work out a little more before the headmaster and the sensei came out of the back office. Hermione went and bowed to both the headmaster and the sensei.
Albus said, "Good afternoon Hermione. It is good to see you again. May I introduce our new muggle defense teacher Sensei Matsuma? Sensei this is Hermione Granger or Durrani in the future."
Sensei bowed to Hermione again and said, "We've met Albus. Ms. Durrani, it is good to see you again, how is your family doing?"
Hermione smiled and said, "My family is doing great. I am glad we are able to have this kind of training at Hogwarts because it will help in fighting against the Dark Lord and his followers. I look forward to it."
Albus decided to speak, "Well I am going to go back to the castle and let Minerva know of the new class that we are offering. I will see both of you at the Potter Mansion tomorrow for the official reading of Sirius's will. Hermione I am sure you are aware that your parents are coming with you to pick up Harry tomorrow?"
Hermione nodded and said, "Yea they told me this morning when they got in. It is great to have them back in town for longer than a few weeks a year. Last year I didn't get to see them much because dad had gotten sick and didn't get a chance to come over like they used to."
Albus nodded and after a few other comments to Sensei and Harry, he apparated away. Harry got changed into some clean clothes and met Hermione in the front of the Dojo where she was watching another training class go through their work out.
"Hermione do you want to head back to my place or go to the clinic?" asked Harry.
Hermione smiled and said, "They told me that they were going to pick me up at your place later since they had a few things to pick up before leaving for the summer since they are going to join us at the mansion at least for most of the summer."
With this said, both Harry and Hermione started to walk back to Privet Drive. While they were walking Harry started talking again, "This class is probably going to be the best thing that has come to Hogwarts this year. Probably have a lot of the half blood students and the Muggle-born students taking the class because they are familiar with it. The hardest part will be getting some of the pure blood students like Malfoy."
Hermione said, "I know for a fact that we won't have a problem with Ginny and Luna. Before they started Hogwarts, they had been training in a Dojo in the village near them. Ron is the only one I am worried about really."
The rest of the walk to Harry's house, Harry was contemplating asking Hermione to be his girlfriend. He had over the last few weeks been thinking about her a lot and seemed to realize that she has grown into a beautiful young lady.
Hermione was also thinking about the way Harry had finally grown out both with muscles and in height. Since their first year, Hermione had started seeing Harry as more than just a friend. She was not sure how much more than just a friend she was attracted to Harry so she wasn't too heart broken when he had gone out with Cho their 5th year. She knew that Harry hadn't really wanted to go to the dance their 4th year so wasn't ready to ask her out and she wasn't really ready to go their either. It wasn't till the Department of Mystery incident that she realized that she had been in love with Harry.
Harry was thinking the same things about his feelings about Hermione. When Doholov had attacked Hermione he almost lost all will to fight thinking that he had lost Hermione before he had the chance to tell her how much she really meant to him. Neville pointed this out to him after the attack knowing that he was feeling more than friendship for Hermione.
About half way to the house the two teens found themselves slowly taking each other's hand and holding them in comfort.
Once they got to the house, Harry led Hermione to meet his aunt and they sat down and had tea at the request of his aunt.
"So Hermione how was your day so far?" asked Petunia after she had sat down in front of the teens.
Hermione smiled and said, "It has been great so far. My parents came from the States this morning and it has been great to have them finally here for a longer period of time than usual. I watched Harry's practice today and was surprised at how far he has gotten this summer."
Harry blushed at this and looked away to prevent the two ladies from seeing it. Petunia smiled at her nephew's embarrassment and smiled at Hermione. "I just got a note from Professor Dumbledore letting me know that Harry will be leaving today actually because of a need to move up the order meeting to tonight instead of tomorrow as was previously scheduled. After you two get done here why don't you head up and help Harry packs his stuff and is ready."
Harry and Hermione walked upstairs and started to pack Harry's stuff in his trunk. Afterwards they took Hedwig's cage and Harry's trunk and went back into the den to wait for their departure.
Petunia smiled at the couple that was on the couch and went back into the kitchen to start supper for her family.
About 30 minutes later there was a knock on the front door and Harry got up and went to answer the door.
End of Chapter
(A/N:) This is a redo of this chapter. I have rewritten this chapter and added a bit more background on the H/Hr relationship. Ming will come into play again in the next chapter or two. After two reviews complaining about the extremely fast way of both Harry and Hermione getting their black belts I have decided to keep them at least at a lower belt level.
(A/N2:) For those that have been reading my other stories I am sorry for not updating them. I have not been able to write anything for them because of my loss of another laptop. I may try to update my Severitus Story but will not be updating a New Start because this is replacing it. I hope you all like this story and please let me know what you think.