Chapter seven: - Teachers visit

Harry and Dudley were in the middle of a glaring competition when the doorbell rang – both of them ignoring it in favour of continuing. Harry didn't mind Dudley around but Dudley - though was no longer a bully (much) - still disliked his cousin with a passion. Though that might have been because he wasn't allowed any allowance unless Petunia and Vernon were with him when he spent it and they refused to buy any sweats or crisps for the house beside the odd treat.

"Harry! Door!" Petunia called sounding rather strained, Harry huffed and jumped to his feet from the couch and straightened his t-shirt that he was wearing. "Professor… McGonagall, was it? Is here to see you."

"Good afternoon ma'am," Harry greeted his head of house allowing her to step into the house, McGonagall looked as strict as always and was watching petunia carefully – he knew that she hadn't approved of this placement. "Is it ok if we speak in my room Professor? My cousin and Uncle are around at the moment and they are due visitors."

"That would be fine Mr Potter," she agreed nodded sharply, moving out of the way Harry nearly groaned when he saw she wasn't alone. Behind her, too dressed in muggle clothing, was Professor Snape and Professor Lupin.

The latter was fine but the two of them together would be a nightmare.

Turning sharply Harry lead the three professors to his room ignoring the questions about the lock (glad the others had been removed) and stepped inside, where Remus conjured two more chairs leaving Harry to sit on his neatly made bed.

Thanks to Minx who came nearly every day.

"Your assignments Potter?" Snape asked nodding to the many files that lined the two shelves above the best, he looked suspicious. "This is way to organised for one such as yourself Potter. And you don't take this many subjects."

"Personal study…and Blaise decided to decorate and file my things." Harry informed walking over and pulling down his main subjects, Transfiguration, Charms, potions, care of magical creatures, divination, herbology, History of magic and astrology. "Er, I had some extra time and I've done third year work on ancient runes and arithmacy."

"You're finished for the full year?" Professor McGonagall enquired raising an eyebrow and looking over the work for her own subject. It was only the end of January as it was – even the long essays were done. "To a good standard from a glance. Have you experienced any problems with these? Research difficulties?"

"No ma'am," he smiled and pointed to his school trunk which Remus opened and raised an eyebrow at the amount of books, "Blaise and I went shopping three weeks after we got sent home – I Owl order any books I need or want now."

"What do you do with your free time?" Remus asked after a few seconds of silence that had settled rather awkwardly over them. "Hobbies that you do during the summer normally? Anything notable?"

"The boys probably just lazed about…" Snape grumbled,

"I've taken up karate," Harry told his pseudo-uncle pointing at the certificates that were now framed and up on his wall. You got one every time you moved up a level/belt – all three teachers looked over them, "I spend a lot of time with Blaise and Marcus, a muggle boy near here, and others from karate."

"Is that why you don't have your glasses on?"

"I have contacts." He agreed shuddering in remembrance – if he thought Blaise was bad it was nothing compared to being dragged around London by the sensei, "Muggle invention. When will the school open again?"

"September 1st." Professor McGonagall answered pulling out a letter and handing it over to him, "It's the list for next year – though Professor Lupin will not be returning so your new teacher has already given us notice of the books he will require,"

"I'll go get the books in a few weeks," Harry smiled placing the letter in his trunk so that it didn't get lost, Remus and Snape were both reading through the book titles on the list that he'd made. "Are there any others that you would suggest professors?"

"I'll send a list," Remus smiled while Snape sneered at him,

"Your potions practical's are atrocious and that'll never change." The master of Potions spat, Harry sighed mockingly and pouted then laughed unable to hold it in. "I shall recommend some reading material however so that you can at least pass."

"Thank you sirs,"

"Well that is all," McGonagall informed him picking up the work from the numerous files including the extra ones, "I shall have the teachers look over these and send them back with a house-elf or owl."

Well now that was over with – he could go back to his glaring competition with Dudley…

"POTTER! RUNNING! NOW!"

Or maybe not – slipping on his trainers the young teen walked slowly down the stairs to see Marcus leant against the doorframe impatiently along with Blaise who looked so much more sophisticated,

"You forgot didn't you?" Blaise guessed standing up a little straighter and allowing him past out of the house, Harry shook his head in denial causing the Italian to snort in disbelief.

"I didn't! Professor McGonagall, Snape and Professor Lupin were here." He told them both, Marcus didn't know about magic but did know that they attended some fancy boarding school now – though would be able to come home for lessons. "Sorry to say I was unable to shock Snape into a heart-attack with all the work I did."

"Good."
"Meanie."

Shoving Blaise' arm he started off at a light jog until he reached the end of the road and set off at his maximum speed. Sometimes it was best to do long-distance runs at a slower speed but you also had to include shorter runs going as fast as you can for as long as you can. Sensei had said that the first rule of fighting was to run – and that was why they were assigned these tasks every day.

It could only help him in the long run.