"Harry, when I agreed to have you better trained in defense, I didn't think you would be practicing it on your friends." He snorted, a smirk playing off his face. Harry was sitting in the Headmasters office the evening of his incident with Ron and Hermione. Dumbledore currently had his patented, disappointed grandfather face on as he peered at him over his half-moon glasses.
"I did what I was trained to do, defend. They tried to curse Daphne in the back first. Then Hermione raised her wand at me so I put her down. Ron forgot he was a wizard and charged with his fists. I then put him down." Harry responded, his amusement leaving his face and replaced with an emotionless demeanor. He had adopted Daphne's Ice Queen persona for himself, figuring it an excellent way to deal with Dumbledore.
Daphne had told him that Dumbledore was a skilled politician and could probably gleam even the smallest of information off facial cues. Dumbledore took off his spectacles and rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly. He replaced his spectacles and looked at Harry for a minute before continuing. "These skills we are teaching you are not to be used lightly. I agreed to it because I feel you have the maturity to undertake the increased responsibility. Am I mistaken?"
"No, sir. I will use...less aggressive means of defending myself." Harry answered honestly. He had only done what he had, in the hopes they wouldn't do anything to Daphne or his other friends.
"Like using words, Harry?" The Headmasters usual small smile returned to his lips.
Harry fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Yes, Headmaster, like words."
"Good, now I believe you have your lesson with Kingsley this evening?" Harry nodded, "Alright. I wont keep you here any longer." Harry stood up and walked to the door. "If I hear of another incident of you harming a student I will have to think differently about your defense training." Dumbledore warned as Harry walked out of his office.
Dumbledore sighed wondering if this frustration was going to be worth it in the future. He needed Harry to be well trained to face the Death Eaters in the coming war. Harry will be a valuable weapon in the coming war. Sure, he wasn't going to teach the boy anything that could potentially take himself or Voldemort down, but he wanted the boy as a soldier to dispatch the Death Eaters, leaving himself to Voldemort. Once Harry died to Voldemort of course, and Harry had rid the world of Death Eaters.
It wasn't a long walk to the room of requirement from the headmasters office. "So what's this I hear about putting a Weasley into the hospital wing?" Sirius asked with a stern look.
Harry shrugged, taking off his cloak and put it on a nearby bench. Only Sirius and Kingsley were present this evening. "He deserved it. Tried to curse Daphne in the back." Harry said shortly. He was still bitter about that fact and knew it was going to take some time until his anger had subsided.
"Why?"
Harry shrugged. "Weasley and Granger thought I was being controlled somehow by Daphne. They wanted to take me to Professor Moody to get me fixed. However they got that idea, I have no idea."
"Why would they want to take you to Professor Moody and not Madame Pomfrey?"
"I didn't ask. It is odd though isn't it? Maybe they trusted him more than Madame Pomfrey? But I don't see why."
"Do you think it requires further investigating?" Sirius asked.
"Maybe. I'll keep my eyes and ears open for now." Harry ran his hand through his short hair.
"Its such a shame. I really liked that Granger girl last year."
"Yeah, but she has clearly chosen Ron over me. Nothing I can really do about it."
Sirius nodded. "Anyways, is Daphne alright?" Daphne was the only one of his new friends that had met Sirius and Remus. He always had an annoying smirk when he brought her up.
"Yeah, I pulled her out of the way just in time. It was odd though. I sensed the magic being cast and my instinct told me to pull her away. A split second later and a stunner flew passed the both of us."
"Always saving the damsel in distress." Sirius said with a smirk.
That was the exact moment Harry felt the same hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He felt the air turn slightly static and the faint smell of o-zone. Knowing what that meant and not seeing a spell flying at him from the front, he sidestepped. It was just in time as a blue flame cutter flew just pass his right shoulder and slammed into the stone wall, leaving a large dark mark.
Harry spun on the spot, flicking his wand into his hand and had a bone breaking hex on his lips. He stopped however when he saw Kingsley grinning from ear to ear, his wand at his side. "You're getting faster Harry. Quite remarkable that you have picked up that talent."
Harry relaxed his posture, dropping his wand arm, but not sheathing it just in case. He had learned the hard way to never be caught off guard. Moody's antics about constant vigilance was good advice. "What talent?"
"You're connecting with your magic on a level few do. You're trusting it, instinctualy. Magic can do many things, things we don't quite yet understand, and when a wizard trusts his magic completely, a bond begins to form."
Harry still had a confused look on his face and so Kingsley continued. "I think it happened the night of the World Cup. You were dying yet you hadn't completed your mission to save those girls. You reached into yourself, connecting with your magic, completely giving yourself to your magic, and it responded."
"But, I've always trusted my magic. Doesn't everyone?" Kingsley shook his head and Harry frowned further.
"Not in the way I think you do. Its natural for humans to never fully trust in something. People always have doubts, whether it be about their spouse, god, magic, whatever. No one ever trusts something completely. That's why we have jealousy and pettiness and bigotry. Its natural. But you, I think after that night at the World Cup, you put your complete faith into your magic."
"But what does that mean?"
"You're trusting your magic over your own five natural senses to keep you safe." Kinglsey said, his grin widening.
"Your saying my magic is a sixth sense of sorts?"
Kingsley nodded, "Yes. Your magic has built, in a sense, a passive wall around you, alerting you to possible threats. Its protecting you naturally. Though its not common, its also not unheard of and develops in people that went through similar things you have."
"So, does this magical sixth sense have any other uses than just alerting me to a potential attack?"
Kingsley shrugged, "I don't know. That will be something you'll have to figure out."
"How did you know I had this sixth magical sense?" Harry asked suddenly, his eyes narrowing.
"I had a hunch."
Harry's eyebrows rose, "You sent a flame cutter curse at my back based off a hunch?"
Kingsley at least looked slightly guilty, "It was a good hunch?" Harry wasted no time, bringing his wand back up and sending a silent bone breaking hex at Kingsleys right hip.
The duel ended five minutes later with an amused Sirius waking Harry up. "You're getting better."
"What're you talking about? I lost." Harry groaned, sitting up, holding his aching head. He had taken a blasting hex straight to the jaw which knock him out cold. He could already feel the bruise forming.
"Not exactly." That's when Harry saw the unconscious form of Kingsley laying not far away. "Your last wind wall smashed him into the wall and knocked him out cold. Brilliant spell that was. One of Dumbledores?" Harry nodded, working through the fight in his head.
It was a technique he had developed with Remus so that he could review each duel. Occlumency served to act like a penseive within his own mind and he could walk through all of his duels and see where he went wrong.
Sirius didn't say anything else as he walked over to revive the Master Auror. "Bloody hell, what was that. I didn't even see it coming." Kingsley muttered, sitting up to face Harry.
"One of Dumbledores spells." Sirius answered for Harry, seeing that he was still working through the fight in his head.
"Jesus, the kid's gettin' scary Sirius. I was struggling to keep up with him."
"He has to be scary. Think of who he has to go up against."
Kinglsey nodded, "Do you think we're doing the right thing? He is just a kid."
Sirius looked sadly at Harry, "He stopped being a kid the first time he took a life."
"Yeah, but that was just a month-"
Sirius held his hand up to stop Kingsley, "That wasn't the first person Harry has killed." Seeing Kinglseys confused look Sirius continued. "His first year here, Professor Quirrell was possessed by Voldemort. They battled fighting over the philosophers stone. Harry killed him with his bare hands."
"Surely Dumble-"
"Because of the blood magic that runs in Harry, Voldemort couldn't touch him. Consequently, Quirrell couldn't either and so when Harry defended himself by placing his hands on Quirrells face, he literally disintegrated."
"Bloody hell, you're tell me that just by Harry touching the man, he killed him?" Kinglsey asked, shock and horror playing across his face.
"Yes, he had his hands wrapped around my neck, choking me. In desperation I placed my hands on his face, trying to push him away. I can remember his screams of pain when his skin melted to my touch. The smell of burnt flesh in my nostrils. The feeling of his bone disintegrating in my palms. I've tried to forget about it, but it's impossible to do so." Harry said, causing both adults to jump in surprise.
"Harry I-" Sirius began but Harry waved him off.
"Its okay. Its not a secret that should be kept from Kingsley. It was the first time I have killed, but not the last. I know I will probably have to kill again, its how war works."
"What did Dumbledore do?" Harry noticed that Sirius scowled. His godfather and Dumbledore's relationship was deteriorating rapidly. Neither agreed on anything and even though Harry didn't trust the Headmaster, he also didn't think him evil. He was a threat in the long run, but short term he was tolerable.
"Sent me back to my abusive muggle relatives to live in captivity for the summer." Harry responded coldly.
"Surely he-" Kingsley began.
"He's not the saint everyone thinks he is." Sirius cut him off.
"No man is, but he had to have his reasons." Kingsley finished.
"He did. But in my opinion they weren't very good reasons. It doesn't matter anymore since I never have to go back there."
"We've gotten side tracked and only have a few hours left. Should we continue with today's lesson?" Kingsley asked, changing the subject. The rest of the evening progressed normally. He didn't see Hermione in the Gryffindor common room that evening like he usually did. It took an hour to finish his charms homework before falling asleep. He was thankful that everyone gave him space. By some of the whispers and stares around him, it was clear that word had already spread about his fight with his ex-best friends.
–
Harry was walking down the 2nd floor charms corridor alone for once. It was rare that he found himself alone, walking in-between classes. Usually he had Neville or Daphne with him but both had gone off to do other things.
As he walked, enjoying the rare peace and quiet, he heard sniffling coming from an abandoned classroom. It sounded like someone was crying. He wasn't one to stick his nose in another persons business, but he was curious.
He slowly opened the door and poked his head in. A first year Hufflepuff was sitting in the corner of the classroom with her head in her hands, crying softly. Thinking quickly, Harry stepped inside and shut the door softly so as not to startle the girl.
"Hey, are you okay?" He asked softly, stepping further into the room. She looked up, startled by his presence. He held his hands up to look as non threatening as possible. "What's your name?"
He walked to a nearby desk and sat down, setting his book bag on the table. "Emily."
"That's a pretty name." He was rewarded with a blush and she stopped crying. "Want to tell me why you're here?"
"J-just some other students teasing me." She responded, wiping her eyes of tears.
"May I ask what they were teasing you about?"
"T-they c-called me n-names." She began to tear up again, the memory of her bullying coming back to her.
Harry took a guess as to what names they were calling her, "Was one of them mudblood?" She nodded her head, as sobs began to wrack her body. Harry swiftly moved from his seat and pulled the girl into a hug. He was surprised at how quickly she latched onto him, burying her head into his chest. He began to feel his shirt dampen but didn't care as he began to run his hand through her wavy blonde hair.
"Do you know who called you names?" He felt her head move up and down in a positive. "Were they in Slytherin house?" Again she answered by nodding her head. "Was the person blonde haired?" This time she answered in the negative which made Harry frown. "Were they the same age as you?" She nodded her head, still crying, though not as bad as earlier. This made Harry frown further. It seems Malfoys influence was getting to the younger years.
"W-why do they hate m-me?" She said, her words muffled into his chest.
He continued to run his hand through her hair, "They don't hate you. They fear you."
This got her attention and she looked up from his chest. Harry felt his heart breaking when he saw the lost and sad look on her face. Her blue eyes were puffy and red from crying. "Why do they fear me?"
"In this world, many believe that those born to magical parents are superior, and they fear you because you weren't born to magical parents. They fear you becoming stronger than them and proving their beliefs wrong."
"But that's not right!" She cried.
"It isn't, but they believe it none-the-less. People like you and me will always be seen as lesser beings because we aren't pureblood."
"Even you? You're Harry Potter though!" Harry looked at her questioningly. He hadn't suspected her of knowing who he was, though he probably should have. She gave him a pointed stare as to say 'of course I know who you are', which made Harry chuckle.
"Sometimes I forget my fame. I'm not too fond of it. Yes even me, I'm a half-blood and because of that, some will still look down on me."
"But you're a hero!" She said almost angrily which made Harry chuckle even more.
"I'm not sure about the hero bit. Do you want to know something? Something few know?"
She nodded her head, eyes wide. "Dumbledore is a half-blood as well." A small gasp escaped her lips. "And do you know who Voldemort is?" She nodded her head cutely. He was pleasantly surprised when she didn't wince when he said his name. "He was a half-blood too."
This confused her greatly, "But why would the purebloods follow him if they don't like half-bloods?"
Harry was even more surprised with her knowledge of the last war. "They don't know he is a half-blood. Voldemort styled himself a Lord and so they believed him to be pureblood. In fact, you can still go and see young Voldemort here in the castle. A medal and a picture of him is in the trophy room from the forties. He was once Tom Riddle."
"Really?"
"Yes really. A great many lies surround Riddle and his past. Once you get to know it, he isn't as scary as he sounds."
"Why wouldn't his followers look into his past though? They would have found that no actual Voldemort existed if he just made the name up."
This caused Harry to laugh outright. "You are very quick for your age." She blushed cutely at him. "In my experience, followers of Voldemort aren't very bright. They also aren't knowledgeable of muggles since they hate them. They trusted him on the basis that Voldemort was powerful and therefore had to be a pureblood while conveniently ignoring that Dumbledore who was regarded as the most powerful wizard in the world, was a half-blood."
"You must be powerful like Dumbledore and Voldemort. Everyone says you are."
"I am." Harry said truthfully. There was no point hiding that fact. He was. He knew it, his teachers knew it, and the world now knew it. "But I am young and in-experienced. Voldemort and Dumbledore have many years under their belt. I am just a fourth year still in school. Compared to them, I am still nothing."
"I wish I could be like you." She muttered, snuggling into his chest like a younger sister would.
"My power is more a curse than a gift." Harry said sadly. She looked at him through adorably confused blue eyes. "Did you read the papers about my fight with a basilisk?" She nodded her head. "What the papers don't say is that for the entire year I was ostracized. Other students, even some teachers feared me. They thought I was the one setting loose the basilisk on them. They called me names and blamed me for every student that was petrified. When things go right, I am praised, but if anything goes wrong, even when I have nothing to do with it, I am hated. It is the nature of my fame."
"I won't ever hate you." Harry could see the determination in her eyes and it made him smile.
"I know. What's your next class?" He asked, suddenly changing the subject. The fact that he was still here, and now several minutes late for history came over him. Professor Binns wouldn't miss him but her teacher wouldn't take kindly to missing her.
"Herbology." She responded.
"Okay, I'll walk you to the greenhouses so you don't get into trouble." She nodded and got up. Harry walked her down to the grounds of Hogwarts.
"Found my stray Badger, Mr. Potter?" Professor Sprout asked when he escorted her into Greenhouse 2.
"I did." Then he stepped closer so only she could hear what he was about to say. "She was being bullied by some younger Slytherins about her blood. I took some time to explain the reasoning behind those attacks."
"What did you say to her? She looks happier than I've ever seen her!" She whispered back. Harry glanced back at Emily and saw she was talking excitedly with another Hufflepuff girl. The very red face she was sporting and short glances at him hinted they were talking about him.
"I have a way with girls professors." He saw a small upturn of the professors lips.
"Yes I know you do. Miss Torridge isn't the only one to have a crush on you Mr. Potter." Harry chuckled lightly.
"Well, I am late for history and should get going. Have a good day professor." Harry said.
"Thank you Mr. Potter. Do you need a note?"
He shook his head, "I doubt Professor Binns will have noticed my absence."
This time she laughed, "You're probably right. Ten points to Gryffindor for helping another house."
Harry bowed his head and walked over to Emily. "If you need anything, just ask." She blushed heavily as he walked out of the greenhouse. He ended up not even bothering to go to history that afternoon. Instead he took the time to get his broom and go flying. He hadn't done it all year and missed the freedom of flying around the castle.
He ended up skipping lunch, enjoying his time in the air too much and only landed for his Runes class. His evening training session was with Tonks this time. They went over different methods for attacking a guarded house. Since the aurors weren't authorized to use deadly force, Sirius had stepped in to improve upon the aurors way of conducting raids.
Sirius was once an auror himself, being the partner of Frank Longbottom. So, Sirius also knew how the aurors conducted missions, but with Sirius' know how of the dark arts and willingness to use deadly force, he changed the way to properly conduct a raid on an armed position.
Sirius' method was similar to the aurors. Strike hard, strike fast and overwhelm with numbers. The only difference was that Sirius firmly believed in putting down someone for good instead of simply stunning or disarming.
Training that evening was relatively light as always when it was with Tonks. Her lessons were more lecture than anything. It was fine for him since it gave him some time to rest. The other nights were brutal to his body.
Another day passed and still neither Hermione or Ron had so much as looked at him. He preferred it this way. It seemed that his message had been taken by the two of them and they were going to leave him alone from now on. Gryffindor house had been rather awkward ever since their fight. Everyone had taken Harry's side, even agreeing that it was right to defend a Slytherin from such a cowardly attack. It just wasn't the lion's way to attack from behind.
"So, Harry. Are you going to Hogsmeade?" Susan's question brought him out of his thoughts. They were in the library studying. It was just her, Neville, and Tracy. Daphne was in alchemy class and Hannah was in the Hufflepuff common room.
"Er, I don't know. Haven't thought about it I guess." That was true. He had completely forgotten that this weekend was a Hogsmeade weekend.
"You have to have some fun Harry. You spend too much time studying." Tracy said, placing her transfiguration book down in order to look at him.
"Yeah, you need to get out and have a good time!" Susan piggybacked off Tracy.
"And I suppose you have an idea of how I should have a good time?" Harry asked, waggling his eyebrows. He got a blush from both of them which made him smirk triumphantly.
"Shut up Potter." Tracy responded. "You know what we meant. We're all going together. Join us."
"I suppose I could make time..." Harry trailed off, a smile playing on his lips.
Susan rolled her eyes, "Yeah, like you have anything better to do."
Harry rolled his eyes sarcastically back at Susan. "I have many things to do."
Tracy snorted, "Like owl this mysterious friend of yours?"
"No, that's not it." Harry cursed himself at how defensive he sounded.
"I think that would be it Trace. Think its a girl?" Susan asked. All of a sudden, he hated her quick deduction skills passed on by her aunt.
"It must be. Look, his cheeks are going red! Ooh! Who's the girl Harry!" Tracy squealed. Harry looked desperately to Neville for some assistance but was met with an amused look that reminded him of his godfather.
"She must be important if Harry is willing to give up a whole Hogsmeade trip just to get her letter." Susan said.
"She, is a friend. That is all, and no I am not giving up a Hogsmeade trip for her letter." Harry said shortly. He didn't even believe himself. Saturday was his favorite day for a reason. "I said I would go with you."
"Uhuh. Well, I hope to someday meet this mysterious girl that has captured our Harry's heart so." Tracy said in an annoying tone. Harry refrained from telling them that she would be here in less than a month.
"So Neville. Any special ladies you wish to take to Hosgmeade?" He asked, desperate to get the girls attention off him. Neville blushed red giving away his intentions towards a girl. It wasn't necessarily fair for Harry to divert attention onto Neville in that manner since he already knew that he wanted to ask Hannah out to Hogsmeade.
Harry secretly thanked the gods that Hannah had quickly gotten over her crush and hero worship of him. It definitely would have made things awkward if the girl Neville had a crush on was crushing on him.
"Oh my god. Who do you want to take to Hogsmeade on a date?" Tracy asked. Neville gave him a betrayed look.
"Hannah." Harry responded for Neville. Both girls squealed.
"Harry!" Neville shouted, earning a hush from Madame Pince.
"Sorry mate. Sometimes you need a push." Harry shrugged.
"Ask her. I know she will say yes!" Susan said.
"She will?"
"Of course she will. All she ever does is talk about you." Susan said like it was a well known fact.
"She does?"
"Of course she does silly. Ask her!" A small smile played across Neville's lips. Harry had learned that Neville sometimes needed a prod in the right direction. He knew the correct way to go, but was hesitant to take it because he feared himself. Harry vowed to instill self-confidence in his new friend.
"But what if she says no?" Neville asked.
"She won't, trust me. I'm her best friend and I know she likes you."
"Who likes him?" Hannah asked, making everyone jump in their seats. She walked up with Daphne. Hannah walked over and sat next to Neville while Daphne took an empty seat next to Tracy.
"No one. I think I've had enough talking with you crazy women. Neville?" Neville took the hint and grabbed his books and quickly hurried out of the library. Sometimes retreating was the correct option.
"You think I should ask her out?" Neville asked once they were clear of the library.
"Yeah I do. You two obviously like each other."
"But what if I screw things up? It could ruin my friendship with you or the others." Neville said, fear coming over his voice.
Harry stopped and turned to Neville, placing his hand on his shoulder. "If things don't work out between you and Hannah, don't think I would abandon you. I wont. You are my friend. The others feel the same way. However, I think you and Hannah will find yourself very happy together."
"You think so?" Neville asked, a new hope coming over him.
"Yeah I do. You two just seem... right for one another."
"Thanks Harry." Neville said, looking relieved, like a great weight had been lifted off of him. "What about you? That girl that writes you letters is more than a friend isn't she?"
Harry was momentarily taken aback by Neville's awareness. He should have known that Neville would fish more out than the girls. He had a way of reading people that was unparalleled to others. Neville may not be the most gifted wizard, but he had other talents.
"I don't know Nev. I don't know."
–
"I underestimated how nice it was to have a day off." Harry said. He grabbed his mug of buttebeer and gulped it down. He was at the Three Broomsticks with Daphne, Susan, Tracy, and Blaise Zabini. He didn't know the quiet Slytherin well, but Daphne and Tracy vouched for him. So far, he found he enjoyed his company. He was quiet, but had an intelligence about him. His words were calculated but honest and well thought. He also didn't prescribe to the normal pureblood bigotry. His family was from Italy before moving just a few years ago to England. Outsiders were looked down upon by the older English pureblood family almost as much as half-bloods.
"I knew you would have a good time." Tracy smirked. They sat in the corner of the pub. It was packed with students, all enjoying their freedom from the cramped castle. Madame Rosmerta bustled around, handing drinks and taking orders from her customers.
"What do you think Hannah and Neville are up to?" Harry asked, looking around for any sign of them. Neville had gotten the courage to ask her out on a date just a few days ago and of course she had said yes.
"Hopefully off snogging somewhere." Susan said causing everyone to laugh.
"Can you imagine them? Hannah and her shyness and Neville and his clumsiness." Harry said through his laughter causing everyone to laugh harder.
"Like you can do so much better!" Tracy said after catching her breath.
"Care to test me Trace?" Harry smiled triumphantly when she went beat red and her jaw dropped, not having suspected Harry to offer a snogging session.
"I didn't know it was possible to shut Tracy up." Blaise smirked. Tracy punched him in the arm in response earning more laughter.
"Wouldn't you rather be snogging this mysterious girl of yours?" It was Harry's turn to go red.
"What mysterious girl?" Daphne asked quickly, her eyes narrowing at her best friend.
"I already told you she's just a friend." Harry said just as quickly. He winced when his words didn't come out as strong as he intended. A part of him had hoped when she came to Hogwarts he might have a chance at taking things further with her. Still, a large part of him figured that she wouldn't ever see him in a romantic light. She was three years older and one of the smartest and most beautiful women in the world. He was nothing compared to her.
"What mysterious girl?" Daphne repeated irritably.
"You know those letters he gets every Saturday?" Daphne nodded. "They're from some girl, though he wont say who it is." Tracy finished.
"Who is she?" Daphne demanded. Their was another emotion behind her eyes other than curiosity, it almost looked like jealousy. He put that idea out of his head quickly though. She wouldn't be jealous of him talking with another girl. They were just friends after all and she hadn't shown any interest in him romantically.
Harry shrugged, "A girl I met at the World Cup. She lives in France and we keep in touch." She looked relieved which made him question that she didn't like him more than a friend.
"Look who showed up." Tracy said, changing the subject. Harry looked over his shoulder and saw Hermione and Ron walk into the Three Broomsticks. He caught Hermione's eye but she quickly looked away.
"They still bitter about what you did to them?" She asked.
Daphne snorted in an unladylike fashion, "Bitter? They're probably livid. He broke Weasels shoulder and wrist. Not to mention he made the book worm look like a fool."
Harry rolled his eyes. Word had travelled fast about what happened between him and his ex-friends. Daphne had been a big reason the accurate events of that day was accepted as truth. It led to the two Gryffindors being further ostracized and Harry put on an even higher pedestal in the castle.
"I'm glad you put those two in their place." Susan said, staring down the two Gryffindors as they took their seat in the opposite corner of the pub. The others nodded in agreement.
"I just hope they don't do anything else." Harry responded, finishing the last drop of butterbeer.
"They would be stupid to do anything." Daphne said, placing a hand on his arm. She didn't often touch him, especially in public and the action took him slightly off-guard.
"Anyways, I think it's getting late. I have to be back for my training." Harry said, getting up quickly. They followed him back to Hogwarts where they then split up for the evening. The walk to the seventh floor was quiet as usual. He was beginning to greatly enjoy his lessons and looked forward to them. As he walked, he pulled out the letter from Fleur and re-read it on the way. His stomach fluttered with every word read and he felt his strength greaten with every written letter.
Thank you to everyone that has reviewed/favorited/followed. Next chapter, Fleur arrives and things begin to heat up.
