Chapter 21

Time Warp

Sunday July 28,1996

8:00 A.M.

As the teens sat down in the middle of the back yard of the Sanctuary and began their meditation, many changes could be seen in them. They all had much more serene demeanors for one. They all also looked much different to the teens of a month ago.

Harry sat down in the middle of the group and led them through what had become their normal meditation ritual. His slow, even talk, lulling them into their trances. They had long since stop needing him to do this but they all agreed that it was nice to keep the tradition going.

Harry's appearance had change greatly from the scrawny teen of a month ago. He now stood even with Dumbledore at 6' 2" with broad shoulders and muscular arms. They're training having added muscle to them all. He now understood why Bill, the Malfoys, and a few others wore their hair in a long style. He had found it in one of the book on customs of the Magical world that Mad-eye had suggested. It was a standing old custom of showing whom was the head of a house, or in Draco and Bill's cases, the heir of a Wizard house. It was sort of nice to have a different look, and it also made his hair lay flatter then before which he likes. It now came down to the middle of his back, pulled up in a lose tail just past the nap of his neck. He also no longer needed his glasses as Moody had taken him to Amish's shop and gotten Wizarding Contacts after the fifth time his glasses were broke in sparing. They had all taken to wearing the tunics, pants and boots of their Dragonhide Battle robes during their training. They reasoned that if they were going to be fighting in them they should get use to them in training.

Neville too had grown his hair long per the custom, though he tended to wear it down where it lies just past his shoulders. He too had changed a great deal over the month. He now stood 6' even with even broader shoulders then Harry. Where Harry had the broad shoulders, he was still lean. Neville was stocky, looking more like his father had years ago. He also seemed much more confidant then he had before. After receiving a great deal of attention and praise for his discovery of Tangglewood he now had the confidants the other had known he deserved. It also didn't hurt the finally be receiving the love from his parents he so richly deserved. The Longbottoms presents at the Sanctuary extended to more then just Neville. Harry had also gained for having not only his aunt but also his godmother and Mrs. Weasley's presents as well. It turned out Dumbledore had been right and on the first day of training with Moody they had done the STF level reviling charm Neville was in fact at a Sorcerer Level with it's Copper aura and green and yellow halos. Over the past month more and more Silver had crept into his aura tell it a even mix of the two.

Ron had finally stopped growing just past Harry at 6' 3" to which he never stopped ribbing him about. Unlike the other boys he had not grown his hair, since Bill was the heir of the Weasley Clan, he didn't need to and preferred it at a shorter length though unlike the other young men he was able to grow a goatee. He had also filled out and now had the body of a Heavy Weight Fighter. No longer was he gangly and coward but strong and confident. It had been discovered that Ron has been under a curse sense he was six. The curse had been sapping his energy and magic making him just below OWL level 2 in power and always tired. Bill had brought home a cursed item when he first stated at Gringotts and Ron had touched it and been zapped. Fearing punishment he had never told his parents about it. So after a week in the hospital wing at Hogwarts, he had returned with the usual amount of Weasley energy and showing at a STF Mage Level with yellow and green orbs. They also noticed that he no longer needed five helping at dinner, only two.

Hermione also filled out much to Ron's approval. While the men had added four or five inches in height, she was only slightly shorter then Neville at 5' 11". While finally settling down on her need to succeed she also learned to except that the others were not just her friends with her for her ability to help them with their studies. This was helped by the fact that she was now officaly with Ron and had formed a better friendship with the others. Ron and her had started going out formally the week he returned from Hogwarts. It had also been discovered during that time that Ron had had knowledge transferred to him by the brains in the Department of Mysteries. They had spent long hours trying to determine what all he now knew. She also became closer to Luna over the past month to the extent of wearing Butterbeer cork earring made for her by the friend. Her magic had settled too at the Mage Level with green and blue orbs.

Luna didn't look much different in body though toned she had only added an inch or two to her height. Now at 5' 9" she looked like she could hold her own in a fight. Luna had also let it be known that she only acted as odd as she did because she was afraid to get close to anyone. After her mother died trying a spell that Luna herself had invented. She was also trying to hide here intelligence. Luna could have past her NEWT's at the age of nine had she wanted to or had the power available. She had been working with her mother on spells for as long as she could remember. But now that she felt she had a group of people that cared about her. She felt that it was time to let it be known. Thought she still carried her self with an air of dreaminess her eyes told the story. Gone was "Loony Luna" now you could see the determination behind them. She had also increased from OWL level in at the beginning of the month to the Mage Level of magic ability with yellow and blue orbs.

Dudley had not changed much except growing his hair long as well. The only other thing was that he now wears a glove and bracer on his right hand and forearm. This was a gift for his birthday from Hermione and Luna. With it he was able to do a select group of spells. The bracer held different gems that stored spells within them so that with the push of one he could do a Stunner, or with the use of another one he could conjure a sword, or another would cast a cutting curse. There was fifteen different spell stored in the gems. There were also different ways in which he could use them. If he held out two fingers like pointing a gun it would cast the spell normally. But if he were to press the gem with his hand in a fist he could deliver the spell with a punch. The two witches had worked many hours to make it for him and make it so the gems didn't lose the spell once used. He now had a way to be a part of their world and their war. He also received his own set of Dragonhide Battle robes from Harry on his birthday. Made from the hide of a Hebridean Black, the solid black robes had Dark Royal Purple ascents, had become his favorite clothes.

Ginny had also not changed much to her regret, while toned like the others she had only grown a few inches to her height of 5' 6", though she had developed in all the ways a woman should though her brothers hated to admit. She had also matured in her dealings with the others; she no longer became as enraged as she use to. While her body had not grown her magic had. When they had first done the STF reviling charm she had been an OWL level 2 witch, when they last did the spell she had increased to the level of an Arc/War Mage, much to the dismay of her brothers with Red and yellow orbs. She also became fascinated with her Parseltongue ability and delved into the other magical and non-magical languages and cultures. At last count she could speak and intrepid over twenty different languages. Her relationship with Harry had also been good for her and him. They spent long hours talking about nothing and enjoyed every minute of it.

In only a month the teens had completed the Apperation and Portkey licensing requirements and would be issued their licenses after a formal test. They had also, unbeknownst to the adults completed the Animagus Reveling and begun the three weeklong potion that would force the transformation for half an hour then force the reversal. This potion was once widely used before the formation of the original Ministry. Harry and the others had found every book on spells, potions, enchantments and many other subjects in the Black, Potter and Hogwarts libraries all written before the, as they had come to call it, Fall of Freedom. They found many forms of magic that the world no longer remembered as well as items and weapons that fell out of favor after the Fall of Freedom. The potion would be ready the next day and they had planed to take it then go into the Haven for as long as it took for them to transform without trouble.

It seemed the Fall of Freedom was not only felt in the Magical World but by the rest of the world as well. The sudden with drawl of the Magical world and their healers left the muggle world at the inconsistent whim of nature herself. Plagues, Famines, tyranny and operation fill the muggle world following the lowering of the vale of secrecy. Only in the last hundred years had the muggle world regained half the power and security it once had. But of course the "Wizarding" world could not stand that. Over the course of the last hundred and fifty years one Dark Lord after another had come forth to try and hold the muggle world at bay. But I've gone off on a rant. Lets get back to the story.

Now of course it had not truly been a month, not for the teens anyway. No to them it had been almost seven and a half months. Because they were using Haven Time to it's fullest. Their training out side of Haven Time had been fun learning from some of their favorite teaches. Moody had at first been suspires at their abilities increasing as fast as they had, but after Dumbledore told him that they are at an age where their powers and abilities grow rapidly, he just chocked it up to that. After that talk the teens had tried to hold back some in their Real time trainings. It had also been a surprise when they had given Dudley the Glove and bracer for his birthday. But after showing their trainers the books they had gotten the idea from the adults had let it slide. The "adults" had let it be known that they felt that the teens had completed the training that the they felt the teens needed and would be by this morning to discus what they wanted to do with the rest of their summer.

Finishing with their meditation the teens entered the house to find everyone gathered for the discussion. Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Flitwick, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, the Prewett Twins, the Weasley Twins, Bill, Charlie, Mad-Eye, Tonks, Remus, Kingsley, Frank and Alice Longbottom, Gran Longbottom, Emma and Daniel Granger, Odd Lovegood and surprisingly The Minister of Magic Amelia Bones were all seating in the kitchen and adjoining living room.

"Well I'm glad to see you have finally joined us. We were beginning to think you were going to sit out there all day. I know Harry, you meditate to relax after your morning workout. And it helps you keep your focus. You and I have had this conversation before. Now that I have had my fun with you, shall we discus what we have all come here to discus. What do you want to do with the rest of your summer? I, as well as a few others, have some ideas but we would all like to hear what you young ones have in mind." Dumbledore smiled at his soon-to-be Apprentice as they had had this conversation many times over the past month. They had talk at length about what they believed they should do and he knew Harry's idea would shock most in the room.

"Well Professor, we have all talked about it and we would like to do nothing." The room exploded in noise. Everyone was trying to yell what he or she thought of the idea. Harry let them rant for a few minutes then pulled his wand and fired a loud bang out of his wand. Three things happen after this. One, Harry through up a shield to block the ten spells thrown his direction. Two, Albus, Mad-Eye, Arthur, Gran and the Twin Twins laughed at the others reactions. Three the Doctors Granger along with McGonagall, Molly and Petunia chastised Harry for scaring them.

"Now that I have everyone's attention. Would you care to listen to the rest of my explanation? When I said nothing, I was meaning no more scheduled training. We all plan to continue with the morning training. But we would like the opportunity to work on other things and have a little more…more…what's the word Guys?"

"Chaos"

"Havoc"

"Disorganization"

"Pickle"

"Anarchy in the UK"

"Ah! That's it, freedom, to explore different things we would all like to do. I'm looking forward to talking more and learning more from the Headmaster. I know Luna and Hermione have wanted to spend more time working on the glove they made for Dudley, and seeing if there are other things they can do with the gems storing. Ginny has wanted to spend more time with her uncles she didn't have until recently. Ron has been dieing to have at those strategy games of Dudley's. And it's been over a month since Dudley has been able to get a new movie and he has been dieing to see Judge Dredd that just came out. I think we all could do with a relaxing trip somewhere. We have been stuck in this house for a month and we are starting to go a little Nucking Futs. We just would like to have a chance to relax a little." The adults seemed to be shocked that he would say such things but they had to admit they had worked hard for the past month and they could use a little free time.

"Harry while I'm sure we all agree that you have all earned a little rest the fact of the matter is there is more we believe we can teach you. Now I think the idea is a good one. Right now we just cannot go on a trip somewhere. It just simply is not safe enough right now. When this war is over I will send you and your family on a trip my self. But for now it is my opinion that the next step in your training should be full Auror training." Madam Bones looked smugly at the teens but she was not ready for the answer.

"Madam Minister Bones what do you believe is left of the Auror training that we have not accomplished?" Harry truly loved it when he was able to make people get that fish out of water look. Though the look did not last long.

"Kingsley Brian Shacklebolt what have you been teaching them?"

"Don't look at me Madam. I have only gone over Apperation, Portkey, and the basics of the other things they could apply for licenses for."

"Madam Minister, it was a question. I am unaware of what you mean to teach us. And would like to know before we except or reject your offer." Amelia just shook her head.

"Of course Lord Potter. It would entitle dueling techniques, multiple opponent techniques; Ministry regulated spells, and concealment and evasion techniques. It would also give you the authority to arrest person wishing you harm."

"Well Madam Minister I really don't see why that is needed. We are at war and I for one am not going to be trying to arrest anyone meaning me harm. I will be trying to do harm un-to-them. As for the Ministry regulated spells I think we can and have determined all the ones of interest and will be applying for our licenses tomorrow. As for concealment and evasion…" as Harry said these words he gave a slight wave of his hand and the teens disappeared only to re-appear a moment later with a wand or weapon to an Auror's or professors throat or in Harry's case one of Mad-Eye's own Knives.

"We have our ways don't you think?" Harry relaxed and so did the others. After giving Mad-Eye his own knife back he walked back to the center of the room and asked…

"Who else has an idea how we should spent the rest of the summer?" No one seemed to be able to move. They hadn't been expecting what they had just seen. Finally Dumbledore gathered himself enough to break the silence.

"Harry I do believe you have been hiding something from us. Might I have a word with you before we continue." Harry nodded, they had known that they would have to revel some of their secrets to get what they wanted so he had no trouble telling Dumbledore what he wanted to know.

Walking into the basement then into the Haven. Dumbledore began placing silencing and privacy charms around the room. Harry just shock his head and waved his hand over the arch sealing it.

"You can stop with the charms Professor. The room is now sealed and technically no longer in part of the house. Really it is no longer part of England. And to answer the question on the extensive brain of yours the answer is 42. And the answer to the other question is yes we have been doing much more training then just the ones that everyone knows about. Now as for the how, lets skip to the why shall we." At that Harry walked over to the chairs and table that had just appeared and took a seat, waving a gob-smacked Dumbledore to sit as well.

"Harry I have..." Albus didn't get to finish as Harry held up his hand to stop him.

"I the Lord Harry James Potter head of the House of Potter, Heir to the Lines of Gryffindor, and sworn protector of the Castle Hogwarts do here by give my word that at no time over the last month have I or anyone under me used or tried true Dark Magic. Under penalty of magic you have my word that I shall never fall to Darkness." There is a blinding flash of light and a trill of phoenix song.

"Harry that really was not necessary. I did not doubt your conviction to the Light. But I needed to know. So thank you. Now that that is out of the way, you said something about the why."

"I had hopped you would have realized that before now Headmaster. Riddle. Riddle is the cause, reason, meaning and purpose to all this. In a fulked up way he has already won. His name, as well as yours and mine will live on forever. He has immortality Headmaster. There is not a child today or in the future that will not know his name, or of the things he has done. We may rid this world of his body and spirit but his stench will remain. He is why we are doing this, why we have trained so hard, why we are now what we are. It is also why we will continue to train harder then you all could imagine. This is why we have asked for you all to leave us to it." Harry sat there waiting for the fall out that never came. As he waited Albus Dumbledore stood and walked to the dueling platforms. Then chuckled.

"Harry might I make a request? Open the arch and have the other come down here. I think a demonstration is in order. You see, some of them believe the reason you don't want more training is that you are being arrogant. They believe, that when the time comes, you and the others will fail and doom us all. I do believe you are being a little over confident but there is really only one way to determine that one way or the other." Dumbledore's twinkle was almost out shined by the sparkle in Harry's eyes.

"Will this demonstration be only between us or the others as well?"

"Oh we can not be the only one's to have some fun."

"Well then might I make a few stipulations?"

"Of course."

"Then I suggest…

Hermione Vs. McGonagall

Luna Vs. Tonks

Ron Vs. Kingsley

Ginny Vs. Mad-Eye

Neville Vs. Flitwick

You Vs. Me

"I do believe that that should about prove it." As Harry left to gather the others Dumbledore could only smile. This could be fun.