Round two

Harry woke up late the next day and sure enough he was sore from the head down, Harry groaned loudly and slowly managed to limp his way into the bathroom so he could fill the tub and relax his stiff muscles. Shakira, Sly, and Victoria all followed voicing their concerns at his condition. Harry waved them off saying, "It's all right guys, Severus was rough on me yesterday, but that's what I wanted, no needed him to do."

The three animals sat down on the floor as Harry muttered a spell to make the tub bubble as though it had jets. Harry moaned loudly grateful that it was Saturday and he could sit here as long as he wanted to. It was over an hour later when Harry finally managed to pull himself out of the tub, he wrapped a towel around himself, and poured out the food and water for his companions (well Victoria only needed water like Hedwig she hunted for her own food). Harry used his levitation to place the bowls on the floor, since he couldn't hold five at once without dropping something and went back into his bedroom to get dressed.

Harry put on a pair of dark pants and a blue t-shirt, as soon as his clothes were on someone knocked on the door. Harry sniffed the air and grinned when he recognized Ron and Hermione. Harry opened the door and stood back to let them in Ron spoke first, "There you are mate, we were worried when you didn't come to breakfast." Harry flushed lightly, "Severus pushed me pretty hard yesterday so I stayed here and soaked in the tub." Hermione instantly looked worried, "Are you all right? Do you need to see the nurse?" Harry sighed, "Hermione, calm down I'm fine. It's nothing serious if it was Severus would have given me a potion for it I promise I won't drop dead on you."

Ron laughed while Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and looked miffed which caused Harry and Ron to start laughing even harder. Eventually they both settled down and Harry asked, "So is there another reason you guys came here or were you just making sure I'm still breathing?" Hermione shook her head, "No, it wasn't just that, we were wondering if you wanted to get together and work on that huge DADA paper professor Snape assigned us? Feel like joining?"

Harry nodded, "Sure, just let me get my things." Harry put his books and parchment in his bag and followed them out leaving Shakira, Sly, and Victoria behind because he knew Madame Pince didn't approve of them being in the library. Ron said, "It's good to have you with us mate, so is Serenity going to be coming to?" Harry shook his head, "No, she and Taylor are spending the weekend with their mom."

Hermione and Ron both nodded as they entered the library, Hermione spoke, "All right so we have to write an 8 page paper on threstals arguing weather we do or do not consider them dark and why. He also wants us to give evidence from magical sources to support our opinions and conclusions." Harry groaned, "Hermione we know, you don't have to tell us what the assignment is we're not three." Hermione scowled at them, "Well fine then I'll just leave you two alone to do homework by yourselves for once and we'll see how well things go."

Hermione turned to leave and Ron stood wrapping an arm around her waist, "Hermione, calm down. We're sorry if we hurt your feelings you know as well as anyone there's no way in hell we could've made it this far in school without you there to help us now please stay. Just try to calm down, Harry's right we're not three and we don't need you to do everything for us, we just need you to help us with things we don't get alright?" Hermione sighed as she leaned back into the embrace, "All right, I promise to calm down now let's get started."

They stayed there working for hours Harry told Ron and Hermione about having to give the half-blood Prince book to professor Snape when Severus agreed to teach him Ron groaned loudly when he heard this, "Too bad mate, that book was a real life-saver." Harry shrugged, "It's o.k. I've basically memorized it anyway."

Ron grinned while Hermione just shook her head at the two of them, Harry's stomach growled loudly, "oh, what time is it?" Harry looked at his watch, "guys it's almost one, come on I think we've done enough for one day let's have lunch." Ron nodded vigorously, "I agree completely mate come on Hermione." Hermione stood and groaned loudly rubbing her leg, "Aw, my foot fell asleep." Ron walked over and leaned his shoulder towards her, "Do you need help?" Hermione shook her head, "no just give me a minute."

Ron and Harry waited while Hermione carefully limped around leaning on the table getting her foot working again. It took a few minutes, but she finally managed to get going and they all headed down to the great hall. Since it was a weekend there were a few more students down in the hall when they arrived than usual. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat at the end of the Gryffindor table next to Ginny who was talking with Colin Creevey Harry grabbed himself a roast beef sandwich and said, "Hey guys how are you?" Ginny turned and said, "Oh, Harry." Then she turned to Ron and Hermione, "Ron, Hermione hi, I uh didn't see you?"

Ron gave her a curious look, "How could you not? We came right in and sat next to you what's going on?" Ron's tone changed from confused to suspicious in a few minutes and Ginny's face went red, "Ah, nothing, nothing at all really." Hermione raised an eyebrow at her, "Ginny?" Ginny glanced at Colin who shrugged, "Ah, well, the thing is Colin and I are um. Well you see we're dating."

Harry raised an eyebrow as he turned to Colin, "really?" Colin grinned and shrugged, "Yes, that's o.k. right?" Harry rolled his eyes, "Colin I may think of Ginny as a sister, but she and I aren't related and neither are you and I you don't need my permission to do anything why would you?" Ron meanwhile was staring at Ginny in shock Ginny asked, "well what do you think?" Ron sighed, "Ginny you're my sister, but I've realized that you're old enough to look after yourself now whatever makes you happy is fine with me."

Ginny grinned, "That's great, well we're going to go." Ginny and Colin stood to leave, but before they did Ron whispered something in Colin's ear. Thanks to his werewolf abilities Harry was able to make it out, "look, you seem to be a decent guy, but if anything happens to my sister you're not just going to have to deal with the three of us, but my whole family and trust me when I tell you it won't be pretty got it?" Colin nodded vigorously looking utterly terrified Ginny gave her brother a dirty look and left in a huff.

Hermione and Harry laughed as Colin followed her out and then turned their attention back to lunch, they spent the rest of the day together just hanging out together and later that night Harry fell asleep with a smile on his face. The next few days Harry practiced wordless magic, although between Serenity, his friends, and his homework he didn't have a lot of time Harry worked diligently until it was time for him to meet with Severus again.

Harry arrived early for his meeting with Severus and found his professor waiting in the unused classroom once more Severus gestured to the chair he'd conjured and took his own seat, "I thought today we would discuss the origin of wizard themselves." Harry brightened intensely; this was something he'd always want to know.

Severus nodded at Harry's interest and continued, "No one is exactly sure when the first 'magic users' appeared, but one thing everyone agrees on is that they were muggles." Harry's mouth hit the floor, "Seriously?" Severus nodded, "Yes Harry, witches and wizards have not always existed, the first people to use magic were muggles who learned to tap into the natural world around them and manipulate it. No one knows how exactly they did this, but the ancient spells they used were vastly complicated and required rituals and exact wording. These spell were so complicated that even today it would take weeks possibly months to perform even one, and if even one small detail was over looked or not done exactly right the spell would fail."

Harry shook his head, "So you're telling me that every holier than though 'I'm a pure blood and therefore the greatest person in the universe' witch or wizard has a distant muggle relative of some kind?" Severus nodded, "Yes, it may be millions of years back, but all witches and wizards have muggle ancestors there is no such thing as someone whose truly a 'pureblood'."

Harry couldn't help it he laughed he couldn't believe this; here he was sitting in the middle of a war that was over nothing. Harry's laugh soon turned manic Severus stood and grabbed Harry's shoulder, "Harry, calm down take a deep breath." Harry didn't seem to hear him and he suddenly started to cry, but he was laughing and crying at the same time it was a disturbing sound. Severus drew back in shock; he had to shake the young man out of this and now. Severus pulled out his wand and muttered a spell which sent a fountain of water shooting at Harry.

Harry gasped as the water rushed over him he spluttered and coughed, "Are you in control of yourself?" Harry swallowed hard and shook his head in disgust, "no, this war is over NOTHING! All of these innocent people are being killed for no good reason it's vile." Severus took a deep breath, "yes it is, but Harry let me tell you a secret." Harry looked up at Severus who said, "There is never a good reason for a war and no matter what innocent people will always die as tragic as it is. The best anyone can do is fight for what they believe in and do everything possible to protect those who can't defend themselves."

Harry nodded his understanding as Severus asked, "Are you ready to continue?" Harry swallowed hard, "Yes." Severus helped Harry sit back in his chair and then took his own seat. Severus gave Harry another moment to compose himself than began again, "the first witches and wizards were obviously not called that, they were accepted into the community as mystics, shamans, or simply a wiseman/woman depending on were they lived and what the cultural beliefs were. Over time their powers became more." Severus thought for a moment before nodding and saying, "Well, I suppose compact is the best term for it, spells became easier and more and more magical users came into existence. This was a few hundred years before the birth of Christ to give you an idea. There were no schools like Hogwarts back then, so most children were trained by a single teacher. When they reached the age of eleven one of the local witches or wizards would take the child under their wing and teach them magic."

Severus paused to take a breath and went on, "Things were going quiet well until the belief that all those who practiced 'witchcraft' gained there powers from the devil himself suddenly wizards became viewed as the enemy or evil. Which is highly ridiculous, but it's what people thought. Many witches and wizards fled their home for their own safety, there were no spells or charms to protect them against burning in those days (and even if there had been there were other methods implemented to kill witches that no one could survive). Therefore, witches and wizards fled to distant lands were they could be safe and train others to use magic this was the beginning of the separation of the magical and muggle world.

This was also the beginning of muggle prejudices many magical people hated muggles for forcing them to go 'underground' as it were and other resented them muggles for the death of friends and loved ones. The distant magical communities created during these times was what gave rise to the stories of Avalon and other tales (most of which are entirely true), but still hatred of witches and wizards continued to spread and the worst crimes committed were against muggle born children of that era. Muggles thought magic was the work of the devil so when their own children started displaying such power it frightened them, many attempted to use exorcisms to 'force the devils power' out of these children and many children were killed outright."

Harry gasped in shock and disgust Severus got a look of deep sadness on his face as he continued, "This began in the dark ages and they were very aptly named because those were very dark times indeed. Witches and wizards began developing new spells to make themselves invisible, alter memories, and protect themselves against persecution. This was the beginning of the oblivate charm, invisibility cloaks, and potions to protect against burning and other muggle witch killing methods. Witches and Wizards began taking muggle born children from their homes at the first sign of magic in order to protect these children from the community and in some cases their own family."

Severus paused once more and shook his head sadly, "it never ceases to amaze me how people manage to convince themselves that murder is acceptable as long as it is done in the name of God. If anything I would think that makes the situation worse and not better." Severus cleared his throat before going back to the lesson, "it was around 1300 when the first wands came into use. Before than most wizards had used hand carved staffs, but as spells became simpler and more potent another method was needed many talented witches and wizards came together and started making the first wands. They were marvelously accepted, and because only a few people could create them, wand making became a rare specialty, and it still is to this day. Not all wizards can create a wand and there are many theories about why. Some say it's because wand makers have a connection to magic others don't and some say it is an in-born skill just as some wizards are good at quidditch (like yourself) and some can't even sit on a broom without causing themselves or others serious injuries (Like Mr. Longbottom)."

Harry snorted and Severus smirked, "It was also around this time that the magical community began to refer to themselves as witches and wizards (I have no idea were or when the exact term was coined). It was also when magical schools such as Hogwarts began to be built, again the exact date isn't known. By this time the magical community had separated itself completely from the muggle one. Many people had qualms about taking in muggle born students due to the prejudices of the muggle world, but if a person has magical abilities and does not learn to control them that person could die by tapping into wandless magic during incidences of extreme danger. Or they could hurt others present when magic manifested itself. All children with magical capabilities had to be taught properly, muggle parents were personally told about their children's abilities and it was explained to them that magic was not evil, some didn't accept it, but most did."

Severus paused once more, "it was during this times when pure blood ideas began to take real hold they had always existed, but this is when they took real hold. Most wizards tried to avoid encountering muggles at all, but the population began to dwindle wildly and for several years in the 1500's the wizarding world was on the brink of dying out completely. Therefore, most people grudgingly accepted muggle borns as a 'necessary evil', but many wizards were still against them. So to smooth the waters over the ministry and the school governors decided to have separate requirements for the families of muggle students as opposed to pure blood or half blood children."

Severus shook his head at the stupidity of this before going on, "The parents of muggle born students were forced to swear a confidentiality oath not to tell people the truth about their children, for the child's own protection. If they were asked the family was simply to say the child was either staying with relatives or studying at a school (since there were no public schools back then not everyone could afford to go and it would look suspicious if a poor family had a child at any kind of school). Many magical schools set-up scholarships for children who could not afford supplies otherwise, these were usually muggle borns, but occasionally it would also include a pure-blood or a half-blood student. This system is still in place today."

Harry couldn't help interrupting, "well then why don't the Weasley's get scholarship money for their kids, they don't have a lot of money?" Severus sighed, "They could have it, but they don't want it. The Weasley family is too proud to accept money they want to handle their family's needs on their own. May I continue?"

Harry blushed as he nodded, "There have been numerous attempts over the years to reunite the magical and non-magical worlds. As the prejudices against witches are no were near as severe as they once were and there are naturally connections between the magical and muggle governments, but that's about as far as it goes. Most witches and wizards feel that reconnecting with the muggle world would be a mistake because muggles would want magical solutions to all of their problems. Naturally, that isn't possible there are many diseases and conditions that even magic can not repair or cure. Things have improved over the years, aside from connections to the muggle government muggle parents no longer need to swear oaths of secrecy if their children are accepted to a wizarding school. Mostly because very few muggles even believe in magic and so even if parents of witches and wizards told people what their children were no one would believe it anyway. Aside from muggle-born students the wizarding world as whole has very little contact with the muggle world, which is completely ridiculous in my opinion. All wizards and witches should know how to live in both worlds and not just one, furthermore many witches and wizards become dependent on their magic to do everything. Then if they get into a situation were they can't use magic for whatever reason they're basically screwed."

Harry jerked his head up, he had never heard professor Snape talk like that before, Severus smirked once more and nodded, "Yes I do know how to swear I just don't do it often. Magic should not be a crutch people have to learn to function without it, but few are willing to and that is where some of the biggest problems can arise. Now, I believe that's enough for tonight, let's began to duel (no spoken words this time)."

Harry stood and pulled out his wand as Severus removed the chairs and did the same thing. The two of them bowed to each over and begin. Severus shot what Harry recognized as a disarming spell which Harry was able to block then Harry threw Rictoshampra at Severus who dodged and threw a powerful blasting curse, Harry knew he couldn't block it and tried to move out of the way. Unfortunately he didn't get completely clear in time and the curse grazed his shoulder sending him spinning towards the wall Harry hit hard with a loud groan.

Severus lowered his wand and moved towards him, Harry muttered a tripping hex and sent his potion master falling to the floor. Severus Acciod Harry's wand and picked the young man up by the collar keeping his back pressed to the wall in a way that Severus had to know was causing pain. Harry bit his lip as Severus spoke, "Not bad Harry, very Slytherin of you, I am impressed. You should try to fight even after you fall in battle the men you will be facing against will not show mercy and being captured by a death eater is an experience you do not want to have trust me. However, at the same time you must be willing to cast more than one spell disable your opponent completely if you only do one spell that does not incapacitate your opponent immediately it will only anger your opponent and they will fight back harder and be harsher with you."

Harry nodded his understanding as Severus lowered him and pulled a potion out of his robes, "Take off your shirt so I can apply this." Harry carefully took his robes off and unbuttoned himself feeling an immense gratitude that he hadn't worn a t-shirt today because lifting it off his head would've been exceptionally painful. Severus gently applied the potion to Harry's already bruising back, "You did fairly well today, we will continue working on silent magic and I will also be teaching you physical fighting. Such as muggle boxing and training drills used by the modern military you have to be able to defend yourself with and without magic. Eventually we will work occulmency into the duels as well, I won't lie to you doing all three at once will be exceedingly difficult, but you need to learn it all."

Harry nodded as Severus finished, "I understand sir and I promise I'll give it my best effort." Severus stood, "Good I would expect no less, you may put your clothes on; oh, and Mr. Potter 15 points to Gryffindor for proper Slytherin ruthlessness and cunning in a duel." Harry shook his head in amusement, "Thank you sir." Severus raised his wand, "Again." They preformed three more duels before Severus allowed him to leave, Harry didn't win any of them and he was once again fully exhausted by the end.

The next morning Harry practically limped to the great hall causing Serenity to snicker when she saw him, "So I take it, Dad gave it to you hard." Harry groaned as he buried his head in his hands on the table, "That has got to be the understatement of the millennium he's going to be teaching me physical fighting to."

Serenity laughed outright and said, "You are going to be in such pain by the time he's finished with you." Harry shook his head, "Remind me again why I asked him to teach me?" Serenity shrugged, "Because you need to kill the Dark lord and Dad is the only person in this school capable of teaching you who is also willing to do so."

Harry nodded, "oh, yeah I forgot, listen I'm going to take a little nap in my oatmeal, will you wake me up if I start to drown, or if class starts which ever happens first?" Serenity grinned, "Sure." She woke Harry up five minutes before class and handed him a bagel with peanut butter on it, "You need to eat." Harry nodded as he took a bite and they walked to DADA.

Severus had them hand in the papers he'd asked them to write and then began to lecture; "All right now today we are going to discuss acromantula's. "Harry had to stifle a laugh as he noticed the utterly terrified look on Ron's face as Professor Snape continued, "Mr. Potter perhaps you can tell us what an acromantula is?" Harry rolled his eyes without Severus seeing, even though things between them were not even close to being as bad as they once were Severus still picked on Harry in class.

Harry answered, "Yes sir, acromantula's are giant spiders that can grow to be as large as elephants, they are sentient and can speak English. They eat live meat just like real spiders, and will take humans as prey if they can. They are sensitive to light so using a lumos spell can help you to drive them back."

Severus nodded, "Acceptable Mr. Potter another way to defend against acromantula's is a spell Arania Exzimae (a/n I have no idea if I spelled that right). This will not only create a bright light, but also push them away from you." Severus had them all come up and perform the spell until the whole class could do it properly.

After class Harry headed back to his rooms and took his companions down to Serenity's garden to run around a little (it was still cold out and he didn't want them running outside in the snow) Harry helped Serenity tend to her plants as they relaxed and had some fun.

A/n o.k. that's all for now and I know it was short and I did a lot all at once, but there it is. Next chap Malfoy rears his greasy blonde head once more and Voldemort causes some damage.