For prevalent Story line sake, Halloweeen was on a Thursday, the last chapter took place on a Friday, and this chapter will take place Saturday (Quidditch match), Sunday (Dueling Training), and the rest of the week leading up to the dueling match. Cheers, and enjoy!

Chapter 10

"The Quaffle is up...And the game begins!"

Harry zooming down the field beside Malcolm Preece a sixth year, and Heidi Macavoy a fourth year was one of the most exhilarating things of Harry's young life. The quaffle was being thrown around between the three so fast that Ravenclaw chasers were having a hard time keeping up, especially with Harry on his Nimbus 2000. Heidi scored a goal on the first possession and Harry was chasing Ravenclaw captain Rodger Davies down with everything he had to prevent the older fourth year boy from taking a shot at the goal. Harry was able to intercept a pass intended for Davies, and toss it down to Preece who took an alarmingly quick shot at the Ravenclaw goal post, leaving Keeper Grant Page in utter awe of the chasers prowess.

After about twenty minutes of fast play Hufflepuff was destroying their Ravenclaw rival 90 to 30. Diggory was doing well in the air, keeping the pretty second year Cho Chang distracted by constantly waving at her, while he also swept in and disrupted chaser play which gave Harry and Heidi a chance to wreak havok on Grant Page.

Somewhere around the thirty minute mark the chasers were told by their captain to blitz the offense when Anthony Rickett, a Hufflepuff beater, knocked one of the Ravenclaw chasers out of the game leaving it to a two man defense, with Cho Chang attempting to help out as much as Cedric was on defense. This led to an influx of goals, 9 of which were eventually scored by Harry. Leaving Heidi and Malcolm to score 12 in between them. The score was 40 to 210, that was before Cedric swept into the snitches position ending the game 360 to 40.

The ground was suddenly a blur of yellow and black as the badger house stormed the field with excitement. They all knew this would be likely there second easiest game behind Slytherin, Gryffindor was after the all with some only real talent, specifically with Oliver Wood on there team. However those thoughts were pushed to the back of their heads as the quidditch team embraced. Now Harry wasn't very flirtatious, but when a girl like Heidi Macavoy hugs you like that, you have to at least make a comment, "So all I have to do is score 9 goals and I get hug from a blonde beauty? Should I set make a goal of this?"

This boys all laughed and Heidi merely shrugged, "If you manage to score nine goals against Oliver Wood in a few weeks I'll give you more than a hug Potter!"

This led to some cheering among the boys as a Hufflepuff chant went up threw the grounds, and the house of badgers were on a hot streak, with a slaughter house to start the season.

Diggory spoke with his team briefly in the locker room before they all went upstairs, "That was a good win today. Potter for your first game you played beautifully, actually managing to outscore both your senior chasers, and helping us secure a win even without catching the snitch is always ideal. It takes all the pressure off me, and leaves us for clean wins. That was the perfect effort out there guys. I look forward to our game against Slytherin and Gryffindor even more now, and I am sure we can be putting that quidditch cup in Professor Sprouts Office this June! Now lets go celebrate, but bring it in first. Badgers Fight?!"

And the team called back, "TO WIN!"

The team left in a moment of cheers as the words of their battle cry echoed the locker room. The battle cry however was still echoing and being chanted in the common room when the seven players stepped through to a deafening chant. It would rotate around Diggory, then Macavoy, then Potter, and even Preece, the stars of the game. The beaters and keeper were also pounded on the back in approval as the team was all handed a butter beer and the older players even had some fire whiskey. Harry agreed to do one shot with his whole team in celebration in victory, however when he did he thought he might cry. This led to some laughter and him getting slapped on the back by the boys.

As he went to join his first year friends he was welcomed into the group as a hero. Susan and Hannah just about mugged him with hugs, and even Megan Jones was ecstatic for the group. Justin and Ernie slapped hands with the boy and they all went and took up spots in the corner to watch their housemates party like it was going out of style.

The party went on through most of the afternoon and the house elves brought dinner into the common room since most of the students were likely to drunk to make it to dinner, while others didn't want to ruin the party atmosphere. Harry however went down a little early claiming exhaustion and a need to get up early the next morning.

Darrel who was one of the Hufflepuff beaters agreed and soon followed the advise of the first year chaser and made it to bed himself.

The following morning three sleepy faces awaited him at 6:00AM as he was preparing to make it out towards the door. It was surprising to see Hannah, Darrel, and Susan awake at this hour, especially on a Sunday. Sunday was the one day a week Neville didn't even join the boy as to him it was the day off where they would relax and do basically nothing except maybe catch up on homework. Harry was used to working out a lone on Sunday, but it appeared that was going to change, "You lot look dead. You might want to take a pick me up potion if you are going to follow me outside."

Darrel being the older boy, and clearly more proud grinned, "I don't need a pick me up to keep up with you Potter!"

Harry shrugged, "If you guys start to fall behind, or can't go on, meet me at the Black Lake, that is where part two starts."

The others all held determined looks however and followed Harry outside the common room where the barrels shifted aside for them to exit. Harry broke into a slow jog, slower than usual to allow his housemates to keep up with him. When they hit the grounds the fresh air seemed to wake the group, and they were all able to speed up a bit. Harry was surprised the group made it a mile, but shortly after Susan and Hannah stopped and dropped to the ground. Both boys stopped to see if they were okay, but both just waved them ahead, and the boys shrugged and continued on. After another ten minutes Harry could tell Darrel was really struggling to keep paste. It was a Sunday so Harry decided he would have mercy on the boy who was probably a little hung over, and sore from yesterday and went down to the black lake. When they arrived Darrel dropped into the sand staring off into the sky heaving for breath. Harry however just went to his knees as the girls approached. Harry heard Susan ask, "What next?"

But Harry was trying to find his focus, and even his breathing. After he accomplished that he opened his eyes to see Hannah and Susan in a matching position as him, while Darrel was just beginning so sit up, clearly exhausted. Harry spoke first, "You guys did good for your first day. Darrel, that was some amazing strength to make it through the whole run. I was very surprised, and inspired. I could tell you wanted to stop more than anything, and its admirable that you held on. Hannah, Susan, you guys don't have quidditch to keep you guys in shape. The fact that you all made it over a mile is actually rather impressive. I would suggest you guys start with an every other, to every third day coming out with me, and slowly work your way up. You will want your core to rebuild and over time you will be able to do it everyday like I do."

Everyone nodded at that, while Darrel seemed determined to help his player on the dueling team in any way he could. Susan and Hannah shared the determination, but from what Harry could tell were different reasons. Harry then spoke, "Since you are all familiar with Occulmency these drills Professor Snape taught me should be a little easier on you. Close your eyes and find your center. Drop your shields and allow your magic to flow to your hands as if you are preparing to cast a spell."

Harry felt the sand shake as he concentrated on the sound of his own voice, "Now push your magic out. Don't think about a spell or wand movement, just think about how peaceful your mind is. Or do like I do and focus on the water that is coming onto the shore. Project your magic around you, and feel it become one with your mind, area, and body."

The heir to the Potter family could feel the magic around him. He was sure most of it was coming off Darrel, but he could also feel a more feminine touch to magic, like when his mom was with him. He knew that was probably Susan's as he could almost feel her touch in the magic. Hannah's was the quietest, but it was also the most consistent. As if she were softly singing at the same tone constantly, without raising her voice, or even saying words, but simply humming a fine tune. He could distinctly tell there were three magical presences, and after a few minutes he was sure he could distinguish each one.

Opening his eyes the green eyed boy looked at his three friends who all appeared to be on other worlds. Harry then jumped to his feet with cat like reflexes speaking softly, "Open your eyes and draw your wands. Darrel if you would talk your sister through summoning the basic protego charm, I will do the same for Susan."

Darrel nodded doing his best to tell his sister the theory and wand movement behind the shield charm while Harry started with Susan, "Okay Susan. Lets try something different. Watch me produce my shield."

Harry did the basic incantation and a shield that was different from normal appeared in front of him, this shield did appear more solid, but it was much smaller than usual. Susan noticed and asked, "Why is your shield different? Yours is normally blue and from head to toe. This one only covers shoulder to shoulder and waste to neck, and also red."

Harry explained, "The wand motion I did was a little more precise, while if I do the full motion its a head to toe shield, but first I want you to build the basic shield first. Do the wand motion first with this."

Harry transfigured a small rock onto the ground into a stick and handed it to the red head, softly taking her wand from her for a few moments. After a few tries she had the circular motion down, and then he had her add the words in. He could feel pulls in her magic, and briefly wondered if one day she may have an affinity in wandless magic. He handed the red head back her wand, and told her, "Now perform the shield charm."

The first time merely a whisp of silver came from her wand, but after three tries she created something that looked slightly more solid. Harry applauded the girl with a smile, and this time said, "Now I am going to fire a stinging hex at you, and I want you to block it."

Susan nodded with determination, and when Harry flicked his wrist a red spark flew towards Susan, and she brought up her shield just in time to catch the hex, however it did instantly make the shield collapse. Susan clapped up and down excitedly and embraced her friend tightly.

Looking over to the other two, Darrel had adopted Harry's teaching method and now had Hannah throwing curses at him, while he was preparing her to deflect a returning curse. Harry turned his attention back to the lovely Ms. Bones saying, "Okay, now that was a pretty weak stinging hex, I am going to throw a bit stronger tickling charm at you, and I want you to dodge the first, and block the second okay?"

Susan grimaced, but shook her head in agreement. When the first spell came at her she basically dove out of the way, while she had little time to block the next charm, and was soon was laughing out loud. Quickly Harry removed the charm, and told her to try again. It took them several turns, while Harry eventually had to show her, that a dodge didn't have to be so drastic, but a mere shift of the body. He had her throw five charms and hexes at him, trying to hit him, but after being unable to, Harry felt she had a better understanding of it. She then got hit by the first charm a few times, but after the fourth try she managed to dodge and shield perfectly, and even managed to dodge a third surprise charm, and fire back while Harry called out, "Fantastic Susan!"

Harry then called out to Darrel, "Lets switch, and see if either of us missed anything."

Darrel nodded, clearly hoping to try something different soon, which Harry understood and was willing to oblige. Hannah was now in front of him as he asked her to trade spells with him for a moment. Her shield was little weaker than Susan's, but like her magical aura it was more consistent, which made the accuracy a little better with each charm and hex they traded. After her shield collapsed Harry called time, and told the girls to trade spells, while Darrel and him did a drill, "Now I switch it up every practice. Since the girls did shields we will to. Next time we can teach each other spells and practice real dueling. But right now I just want you to throw up your best shields and hold me off for as long as possible. Professor Dumbledore taught me that the best way to strengthen your shield is a lot like strengthening your muscles, just keep casting and keep casting, and keep stretching it a bit further, and eventually it will be a little easier...I will attack first."

Darrel nodded taking his place across from him. Harry then started spitting stunners, and blasters at the boy at rapid speeds. Lucky for Darrel he had already placed the shield up, and when Harry called out to change shields after thirty seconds to a more solid object, the boy barely had time to do so as now clumps of sand and rock were ricocheting off the young mans shield. After another solid thirty seconds Darrel was weakening and Harry called to switch back to the regular protego charm and they finished at about 1:15 seconds.

Harry was pretty impressed, but was also unable to compare the fifth years strengths and weaknesses as he had never worked with someone only a little older than himself. Harry then took his turn, and Darrel began smashing his shields with blasters, and such. They switched shields every thirty seconds, but after nearly two and a half minutes Darrel realized he may never have beaten Harry in that duel the other day had he not thrown that shield breaker. And since that would kind of defeat the purpose of this exercise he was nearly unable to break the shield. At three minutes Harry called time.

He was clearly tired, but was also clearly ready to take more, "This is the goal. We make it to three minutes...both of us. Then from there at two minutes we add a second caster, and at four minutes all three people will be casting at the shielder. Dumbledore said the true goal is to last five minutes. At that point you change it up until you basically have all three casting at you for five minutes. Even in Dumbledores prime he said he could only do that for a few years, but that is our goal."

Darrel nodded patting Harry on the back, "This is a good work out. By the end of the year I think I may be able to beat Tonks if we keep going like this all the time. She is thinking about being an auror. Maybe after a few months we should invite her out here. Tell her we are just training our dueling prospects, and stuff."

Harry thinking that was actually a pretty good idea, agreed and wrapped up the work out, "That is all were going to do for today. I say if you guys are up to it meet back out here Tuesday, if not then Wednesday. We will definitely take off Friday and Saturday for the dueling tournament, but other than that we can resume a pretty normal schedule after this week. I am sure Neville will be glad to have someone like Darrel to match up against, and someone like Hannah and Susan to give him a chance at winning."

This gave the group some laughter as they all trudged back towards the castle. The girls were sweating, but were casting freshening up charms, while the boys were simply drenched and happy about it.

Being a Sunday morning the castle was still mostly a sleep at 8:00Am. So the group went to shower, and agreed they would eat breakfast in the Great Hall together.

It took only about thirty minutes for Harry to be waiting down in the common room with Darrel Abbot, while the girls were still getting ready the two talked, "I really admire what your trying to do Harry. In your shoes I am not sure I could do the same."

Before Harry commented back he flicked his wand outwards shooting a spell softly around them telling Darrel, "Its a privacy ward. This just leaves us free to talk."

Darrel nodded while adding, "See its stuff like that. Its cool that you can do such advanced magic at your age, but I can't even imagine how much work it took to accomplish such magic with an underdeveloped core. I learned wards when I was in fourth year at home. I know they teach wards in Hogwarts if you take Runes, but I was considered accomplished as a fourth year to do it, because they don't teach it until sixth year."

Harry sighed. He knew telling his friend and student mentor the truth would probably be a lot easier then the lies he usually told everyone else, "Can I be truthful with you Darrel? Meaning, can I trust that you won't say anything to anyone else about what I say?"

Darrel grinned, "I promise anything you tell me behind a privacy ward I won't tell anyone else. Is this another state secret?"

Harry chuckled, but even Darrel could tell it was forced, "No. Its more of a personal secret. I'll start by asking is there anything you wouldn't do for your sister?"

Recognizing the severity of the question Darrel straightened up, "I would die for my sister. Unquestionably."

Harry smiled lightly, "A true Hufflepuff's conviction. Standing in my shoes I think you would do the same thing then. Now imagine this. You know your going to die for your sister, but you have years before its going to happen. Now if your lucky you'll save her life, and maybe even the rest of your family to. If you have a miracle and maybe the God that my mother grew up worshiping is real, then maybe you might survive to. If your unlucky though, your going to die...no matter what. If your really unlucky you'll die, and so will everyone you love. But now you have a golden opportunity, a sort of time machine to go back and fix it all. To train and strive to change the course of history. No matter what it took, would you take it?"

Darrel's heart sunk listening to the young man. He recognized what Harry was saying. If he was lucky maybe the Dark Lord would rise in twenty years from now, and he would be in his prime and be ready to tackle the monster with everything he had. Even then it would take some luck to walk out alive, and even more so to see his whole family walk away. But by chance maybe he only had a few years, and he was unlucky, everyone he knew would perish. The young mans heart broke at his young friends situation, "I would do whatever it took. I would sacrifice it all to see my family safe."

Harry nodded, "I would to. If my family would let me, I would. My mum and dad though want me to live a normal life though. So I play quidditch. I duel for hobby sometimes. I study inventive magic, and wards, for fun. I make friends, I try to live my life as much as I can. But above all else I train. Because I want Rosalie, and Jack, and the Potter family to survive. I want us all to move on, but above all else I want those two to live a happy and long life. That would mean the world to me. And I am willing to give up my own world to see there's be a happier place."

Darrel sighed placing a hand on the young man's shoulder, "No matter what anyone says Harry, you are a Hufflepuff, through and through. More so than anyone else in this house. I've never had such inspiring or such loyal words coming from anyone. I will do whatever it may take me to do, to ensure you are able to give that world to your siblings, and have that miracle we were just talking about happen. Because then with some luck we will both be alive to see our families grow. That is something worth fighting for Harry. Don't ever lose your conviction, because that's a beautiful ambition. If I hadn't heard you say it, I would've never believed it came out of an eleven year olds mouth either."

This made both boys chuckle, while Harry thanked the oldest Abbot scion. Around this time Harry noticed the girls come down the stairs and were clearly ready for breakfast. It was nearly nine AM, and the boys had been talking for nearly a half hour, and all were clearly hungry as Harry took down the ward and wiped a tear out of his eye. If either girl noticed they didn't say anything.

Breakfast came and went, while Harry even was given a chance to hug him mum, in privacy mind you, and search out his best friend.

It took a little while to find Neville, but when he did, he was a little scared, "Neville, are you alright?"

Neville was staring down the third floor corridor in confusion and clear fear, "Something isn't right."

Harry stepped beside his friend putting a hand on his shoulder, "What isn't right? Why are you looking down this corridor Neville, did you see something? Quirrel?"

Neville shook his head, "I don't know. I was heading back to Gryffindor tower, when I felt this presence. It was so powerful I just stopped and stared. I didn't see or hear anything, I just felt it. Harry something really powerful is lurking around the castle. I can feel it, and I think its effecting all of us in different ways."

Harry shrugged his shoulders a bit, "I haven't felt anything, but I'll definitely keep my wits up. Maybe I have just been so distracted I've missed it."

Neville merely stared for a moment longer then walked away, "So you've had a busy few days. Are you okay?"

Silently relieved his friend still cared he nodded, "Yeah. I wish we had been fighting together, and playing quidditch together, but other than that, you know I am not to bad."

Neville winced, "I am sorry you had to go through all that. I should've followed after you when you tossed Ron, but I was surprised by your anger I was just shell shocked."

"You didn't miss much. Almost getting killed by three different dark creatures isn't what I would call a fun Thursday night!" Harry joked.

Neville sighed, "But had we faced it together it would've almost been easy. I watched the memory in Dumbledore's office. He told me what happened between the Abbots and Bones, and I think its brilliant. I even talked to mum about it last night, and she really respects Madame Bones, so I think that was a good move. Dumbledore wasn't sure if we were on speaking terms, but wanted me to know what was going on. I was thankful and didn't complain, but I realized that you could've died and it would've been my and Ron Weasley's arrogance that had gotten you killed."

Harry was slightly shocked and stopped for a moment, "How do you figure that?"

Neville turned to face Harry, but looked around first, then responded, "That troll couldn't have withstood both of our onslaught. After four spells or just maybe our first two that thing would've gone down. From there the Acromantula wouldn't have stood a chance against five of us. Even if we didn't know the anti spider charm. Which I still don't know how that monster survived the first strike. Then that Dementor would've easily fallen under our combined patronus. Separate its not that strong, but together we could easily have repelled a single dementor. All three against you though, while your having to defend the three girls as well, that was to much to ask anyone. You were lucky, and I am really really thankful for it. I don't know if I could've lived with myself."

Harry brought his best friend in a tight hug, "Were brothers Neville. Were going to get mad at each other every once and a while. That's just what family does. Next time will face the danger together, and it won't stand a chance. This was more like a freak accident than anything."

Neville nodded, "Your right. I just wish someone was going to be there to watch your back with some power in Hufflepuff."

Harry seeing the opportunity pounced on it, "Actually Darrel, Susan, and Hannah all wanted to start training with us. I gave them a little pre-run today and think they have some pretty good potential. They are going to start just 2-3 times a week maybe less starting out, but they wanted to get on the train. Are you okay with that?"

Neville shrugged, "Abbot's the dueling captain, he could probably teach us a few things, while we could return the favor. The girls I am not so sure about."

Harry added, "They are going to be with me a lot though, and if your not around I need someone to watch my back."

Seeing his point Neville nodded, "I think I need to convince one my housemates to join up sometime soon. I'll need someone to do the same for me eventually."

Willing to compromise Harry encouraged that, "Find someone and bring them in. We can do that pretty much whenever, that way you won't be surrounded by badgers to!"

Neville smiled and clapped his brother in all but blood on the back, "Sounds good man. I got some studying to do with Katie Bell, so I will catch up with you at dinner alright?"

Harry grinned, glad to be back on his best friends good side, "Rodger that! I'll see you tonight!"

(A/N) That ends this chapter. The dueling tournament will take up most of the next chapter, and mirror of erised, will lead us right up to the Christmas holiday. I hope everyone is okay with Darrel being the kind of mentor in Harry's life. I wanted Tonks, but her only being there for one year kind of ruined that. I plan to bring her in after the holidays and have them all train together. The group isn't going to grow and be massive, but there will be a pretty good number (Under 10) training with them at some point. Hannah and Susan won't be entering any kind of relationship with Harry until the end of second year, but there will be glimpses and stuff until then. On another side note the quittditch players mentioned in the match were all pulled off the Wiki so they are all real characters, the only OC I have created are the Potter siblings, and Darrel Abbot. Cheers!