Harry tiredly made his way into his Defense class, sitting in-between Ron and Hermione. He had barely slept the past few days, nightmares continuously haunted him. Hermione briefly glanced up at him from her book, something on defense no doubt, before returning back her attention. Ron seemed to be at as good of a state as he was, but then Ron never was a morning person.

Professor Emrys cheerfully entered the room, marking the start of their lesson. Harry briefly wondered how anyone could be so energetic in the morning.

"Books and Wands away, were going to be doing a thinking class today." The class groaned at his words before Emrys tone briefly turned serious.

"None of you will live through a duel if you can't think to escape it."

The mood of the classroom instantly dropped. Not at his words, but how he looked. Normally The Professor looked young and cheerful but on rare moments such as this, he looked thousands of years old, and his eyes seemed to carry lifetimes of misfortune. Then the moment always passed, and it would seem as if nothing had happened at all.

"Mr. Weasley, what would you do if someone shot a spell you didn't recognize at you?"

"Block it." Ron replied confidently.

"Why?"

Ron gaped for a few moments, struggling to respond.

"So I don't get hit?" He said weakly

Emrys smiled briefly before saying:

"I believe this perfectly transitions into our actual topic of the day, shielding. Although dodging, which is generally what you should do if you don't recognize the spell, is useful, you will often find yourself in circumstances in which you must block a spell."

"The first thing to understand is that anything you do magically, drains you. Anything. From simply levitating a cup of water to firing the stunning spell, it slowly drains your reserves. These reserves are called your Core, and is what Muggles believe to be your soul. It is what enables you to cast magic. The bigger your reserves, or core, the longer you can last in a fight."

"Now, when you cast a basic shielding charm, Pretogo, you instantly dump some of your reserves into the shield spell. If the energy spell that impacts the shield is greater than the energy you put into the shield, the shield fails."

"There are of course better shield charms for different situations, but the basic one can be good enough in a pinch."

Harry was wide awake now, although sometimes dozing through class's, he felt as if he had learned more in one lesson then he had in all the years of defense, with the exception of Lupin's.

"Now, open to page 396, Im afraid I was only joking about books away…"

The rest of the class passed easily until the end of class.

"Good work today!" Emrys said. "Class dismissed, but Mr. Potter please stay after."

Harry resisted the temptation to groan. He didn't want to be questioned on anything again. Packing up his bag, he walked over to Emrys.

"Yes Professor?"

"Do you remember our last discussion, Harry?"

Harry noted that Emrys changed between calling him his surname and his first.

"The one where you interrogated me, Professor?" He asked innocently.

Emrys spluttered slightly

"I did not interrogate you! But yes, that one. I talked to Professor Dumbledore and he has agreed for me to tutor you in advanced defense."

Harry felt stunned. He slowly shook his head.

"I can't Professor."

Emrys looked shocked.

"Why not?"

Harry hesitated.

"Because – Because I don't want to be treated differently."

Emrys smiled sadly.

"I understand. But Harry, you need to know this stuff, more than anyone. "

Harry looked at Emrys with a surprised expression. Emrys was speaking almost if he knew The Prophecy.

"Why me?"

Emrys laughed.

"Believe me, I ask myself that all the time."

Harry smiled, but had a feeling that Emrys wasn't talking about him. He nooded

"Alright."

Emrys smiled.

"We will meet after the feast in the Room of Requirements."

Harry looked shocked.

"You know about it?!"

Emrys chuckled at his expression.

"I do. Now remember, tonight after the feast. "

"Tonight?" Harry questioned.

"No time such as the present."

~0o0~

After leading Harry to the seventh floor, Merlin stepped into the room with a satisfied nod.

The room was huge with black carpeting. On the floor to the left there were several training rings with runes that stopped stray spells from hitting other objects in the room. On the right there were several stations to help tune different skills. Such as a cauldron with ingredients, and blocks of wood and metal for transfiguration.

Jutting out the back wall was a library full of Defense books, as well as some other texts such as Charms.

Harry's eyes grew as he went into the room.

"I never knew you could request something like this!"

He exclaimed.

Merlin laughed. He had helped Rowena create the room way back when and such he could use it perfectly.

"I've been using it since I came to Hogwarts, you tend to pick up a few tricks here and there."

"Now then, let's get started shall we?"

Harry in spite of himself looked quite excited. He nodded happily, seeming to marvel at the amount of space he had to practice.

Although Harry didn't know anything advanced, Merlin could tell that once Harry learned something, He would master it easily. The problem would be teaching him. He liked Harry but he knew that younger people had trouble concentrating on learning base concepts so that they can master advanced spells.

"Come on then." Merlin called walking over to a table in the library.

Harry followed diligently, although he had a slightly put-out expression on his face.

"Now then, as I've said many times in class Harry, you will be nothing without the proper knowledge."

Harry hesitated before replying:

"I know – but I've already been in battle. Doesn't that count for anything?"

Merlin turned, expecting an approach like this from Harry.

"Did you duel any Death Eaters besides Bellatrix Harry?"

Harry shook his head.

"No Sir."

"Did you take any Death Eaters down Harry?"

"No Sir."

"What happened when you faced Bellatrix?"

Harry paused before dejectedly saying.

"She beat me easily."

Merlin sternly stared at Harry before saying

"Then why do you believe you have the proper knowledge for a duel Harry?"

Harry sighed, ruffling his hair.

"I don't sir."

Merlin nodded.

"I know you want to jump into casting spells, but believe me Harry, this is as, if not more Important than jumping into the dueling ring immediately"

Merlin sat down at the table, summoning a book to his hand.

"Now come on Harry, sit."

~0o0~

Harry stared at Merlin with a confused expression. A book on magical cores lay in front of him.

"Emrys, why have I never heard about my core if it's so important?"

Merlin smiled, glad that Harry was asking the right questions.

"Because the wizarding world is less interested in the how's and is content to only understand enough to perform magic, you do not need to know about your core if you wish to perform magic, only if you want to refine it. "

Harry nodded.

"What exactly can I do if I learn more about my core Professor?"

"Refinement of your core allows greater control of the energy you put into your spells, in a long battle you don't want to be throwing around more power than is needed, quick and precise spell work makes for an excellent dueler."

Harry nodded, seemingly hesitated and then asked;

"Is that why you are so good at wandless magic sir?"

Merlin sighed, he had been expecting Harry to eventually ask him about that, he had debated on what to tell him for some time.

"No Harry. I used something much more advanced, that I hope to one day teach you. Today is not that day." Merlin said solemnly.

Harry nodded.

"Now then! Enough theory, let's put it to the test." Merlin said abruptly standing up.

Harry looked excited as he followed Merlin over to one of the training rings.

Merlin strode to one side while Harry walked to the other. Facing each other, Merlin got his wand out that he (thankfully) remembered.

"Right then, I want you to cast as many spells at me as you can until your completely exhausted. I will not fire back, only deflect and block your spells. I'm afraid you will be completely exhausted tomorrow, but we need to see how you're doing so far."

Harry nodded and raised his wand arm.

"Stupefy!" Harry shouted sending a jet of red light at Merlin who easily deflected the spell.

Harry continued to shout spells at Merlin for about 10 minutes before he collapsed from exhaustion.

"Why wasn't I able to go that long sir?" Harry asked weakly.

Merlin laughed lightly, pulling Harry up.

"Most times in a battle you won't be casting spells for 10 minutes straight Harry, you did well for your first time."

In truth, Harry had done very well. Wizards his age usually only lasted up to 5 minutes before collapsing on their first try.

"Now then, head to bed Harry. Next time I will start to teach you how to better control the energy you throw off with your spells."

Harry blearily nodded, stumbling out the door to the sweet call of bed, the door slamming shut behind him.

Merlin stood in the center of the room, fire and shadows flickering on him for a few moments before snapping his fingers and whirl-winding to his office.

A/N. Hello everyone! I've had one or two reviews expressing some concerns that the Cube explosion scene from last chapter resembled another Merlin/Harry fanfiction called Not What You Seem. I had never before read this fic, and It is never been my intent to steal ideas like that. The idea actually comes from another Magic book that I read in which a Cube tested the strength of a spell. Anyway I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I don't think it was my greatest but I released it as I felt that I really started to get moving on the story. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited and followed this story!