Chapter One: Training

"Ahhh!" Harry screamed as he dropped to the floor. The deaths of his parents, Cedric, Sirius, and Dumbledore had all just flashed before his eyes in successive order.

"Rid yourself of your emotion, Harry!" exclaimed the voice of Remus Lupin.

"I'm trying sir," responded Harry. "I really am, but sometimes it just becomes too much."

"Okay well perhaps that's enough for today. Overall though, you've made great strides in your Occlumency so far. Granted, I am not a very powerful Legilmens, but you have successfully repelled me a few times today."

"I do have great motivation after all," Harry uttered sadly.

"After we return from the wedding I want to continue with the Occlumency lessons though. At least for a few more weeks alright? After that, I would like to teach you Legilmency. It requires a lot of the same skills, just that you'll be trying to force yourself in, rather than push someone else out."

"Sure thing, Professor."

Harry had done little to hide the disappointment in his voice. It was no secret he did not enjoy having his mind attacked over and over. He was greatly looking forward to the wedding however, even if he did have to see Ginny. A little awkwardness was a small price to pay to see Ron and Hermione again.

"As far as your spellwork is concerned, that is all up to you. You have surpassed my abilities by now. I have always thought that you showed great potential, but what you're doing at your age is remarkable," stated Lupin, obviously impressed.

"I still have a far way to go," Harry said softly.

"Don't be too hard on yourself; you've done me very proud. Say Harry, fancy a duel before bed?" queried Lupin.

Harry was quite tired, but he was never one to back down from a challenge.

"Sure."

"Okay, now I really want you to focus on using nonverbal spells."

"Right," said Harry. He still vividly remembered the way Snape had taunted him about keeping his mouth closed when dueling.

Harry withdrew his wand and faced Lupin. Lupin did the same. Harry and Lupin walked towards each other, bowed, and turned to walk away. They faced each other for an instant before Harry moved first.

Expelliarmus! thought Harry.

Lupin was ready however and put up his defense. "Protego!" he bellowed. He tried a full-body bind on Harry, but missed narrowly.

Harry's fatigue was starting to take a toll on him, but he gathered some strength and sent a strange beam of yellow light resembling lightning towards Lupin. Harry missed greatly with the spell though, hitting a table behind Lupin that immediately lost all its legs and fell to the ground.

Lupin saw what the spell had done to the table and gained a look of horror at what Harry had been planning to use on him, but quickly recovered, and prepared for his next move.

Harry knew very well that Lupin was very skilled at Freezing Charms but he decided that there was an alternative to the Shield Charm that would be much more effective. He concentrated hard on appearing behind Lupin, and disappeared with a crack right as a stream of blue light was headed towards where he was standing. He Apparated directly behind Lupin and Lupin was so surprised that he did not even put up a defense to Harry's next spell.

Impedimenta Harry thought with the little strength he had left. Not waiting to see if his spell had an effect or not, he fired off another spell, but decided to conserve energy by saying the incantation.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Lupin fell onto his back. Harry, realizing his victory, released the spells from Lupin who immediately looked in astonishment upon Harry.

"Since when have you been able to Apparate so quickly? I have never seen anyone Disapparate and Apparate in the middle of a duel," said Lupin, who looked quite impressed.

"I don't know," said Harry honestly. "That was the first time I've tried it. I saw it at the Ministry when Voldemort did it in the middle of his duel with Dumbledore," Harry said, his voice trailing away at the end.

This is a time I could really use you Professor thought Harry. Thinking about Dumbledore's death added to the already-crushing weight of the world on Harry's shoulders.

"What was that spell you hit the table with?" asked Lupin, dreading the answer.

"It's a Limb-Remover," said Harry. "I read it in a book about temporarily incapacitating your opponent. Don't worry," said Harry quickly, realizing the look on Lupin's face, "it is easily reversible. Anyway, I'm beat. I'm just going to head off to bed."

"Okay. Goodnight Harry."

"'Night."

Harry stumbled into the corner of the Shrieking Shack that he had been sleeping in since he had become of age and left the Dursleys forever. Although they all seemed happy to see Harry going, he could have sworn he saw a tear on Aunt Petunia's cheek as he walked out the door. He saw tears on Uncle Vernon's face as well, but those were most certainly tears of joy, considering he was running around whooping and hollering.

What am I going to say to Ginny when I see her? he thought. This is all so complicated. Maybe it's best if I don't think about it and just let it happen as it happens. As Harry continued to ponder what would happen at Bill and Fleur's wedding, he slowly drifted off into a worried sleep.

Harry awoke the next morning as the sun seeped through the various cracks in the walls. Yawning as he rose, Harry couldn't help but think he would need a more sufficient area to train very soon. Sure, the Shrieking Shack was abandoned and not many people dared to come near it, but it was not a place to practice complex spells, and the floors were less than comforting for Harry as he dropped to them several times when working with Lupin.

"Ready to go Harry?" asked Lupin as he stepped into the room. "I assume if you can Apparate mid-duel you can find your way to the Burrow?"

"Yes, sir," said Harry sleepily. "Just let me gather my things."

"Okay well I'll whip up some breakfast while you're doing that," called Lupin

Lupin left the room and muttered a few words. A table full of eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, and orange juice appeared out of nowhere.

Harry began to magically place his clothes, spellbooks, his Firebolt, and other items into his trunk. He then moved Hedwig's cage onto the top much to her dismay.

"Sorry Hedwig," Harry apologized. "I forgot you don't like me doing that."

"Alright, I'm packed," said Harry as he lugged his trunk into the room.

"Okay well mine as well have a bite before we leave," suggested Lupin.

The two of them sat down and had some breakfast.

"How are you doing Harry?" asked Lupin suddenly.

"Oh just a bit tired," he replied.

"That's not what I meant," said Lupin. "I've overheard you talking in your sleep a lot lately."

"Really?" asked Harry. "Umm… what have I been saying?" asked Harry, starting to worry if he had perhaps given away some information unknowingly.

"It's really just the same few words," Lupin responded. "Something about a Horcrux, someone named Nagini, and a few other indiscernible things."

"Oh," said Harry, feeling that his fears about indulging information had come true. "Well please don't take offense Professor, but I don't really care to tell you what that's about."

Lupin looked hard at Harry for a bit, and then smiled faintly. "I've always thought you trusted me Harry," he said sadly, "but I guess you've changed."

Harry observed the saddened look on Lupin's face and Harry realized he had hurt him with what he just said, but he did not say anything to Lupin. He could not tell him about the Horcruxes, Dumbledore would have told him himself if he wanted to know, Harry concluded. Lupin looked to be waiting for a response, but upon not receiving one, looked even sadder than before.

"You go first, Harry. I'll be right behind you," he said.

Harry focused on arriving at the Burrow, and with a loud crack, he was gone. Lupin followed quickly in suit. Harry and Lupin both arrived with a thud on the front lawn. Then, a familiar voice greeted them.

"Well, glad to see you two could drop by after all."