Disclaimer:I do Not own Harry Potter
a/n sorry for the long wait i had been busy this week with other things. anyways i am back and i will try and update more in the enxt few days. anyways here is the next chapter
It was November 27th which Back home in the United States of course meant that it was Thanksgiving a day that Zee always tried to keep true ever since he started celebrating the day 200 Years ago. Most of the time he would be alone but he would always find time to make a meal for himself and maybe have a glass or in some cases a bottle of whiskey. Despite the many hardships he had in his long life he would always find something to give thanks for. He had too he always wanted to remained upbeat and optimistic even in the worst and darkest of times.
He woke up at 4 in the morning and smiled "Nothing like waking up before the sun gets up" He went over toward Harry and Ron's bed only to see that they were not there. "Oh where the hell did those two go too… now I have to play detective." Zee thought back to last night as to where he saw them last. They were both in the common room with Ginny and Hermione sitting comfortably on the couch. Zee went downstairs only to find Ron sitting in the love seat with Hermione in his lap both passed out. Zee looked over to the couch to see Harry and Ginny spooning each other fast asleep.
"Well now ain't that cute… but someone needs to end this so called peaceful tranquility. Now how to do that… hmm…" Just then an idea sprang into "Oh this will be too perfect." Zee went upstairs to get his boom box. Radio he just hoped that when he turned it on it would not break like the last one. The magical energy up here caused electrical devices to go haywire unfortunately. He brought the radio down stairs and put in one of his favorite CDs he cranked it up to Full Volume and put it on song track he desired.
"This is going to rock." Just then the Stereo blasted loudly in the common room to that of Enter Sandman by Metallica as the guitar work was coming in Zee was strumming an air guitar and rocking his head back forth. The sudden noise startled all four teenagers out of there slumber
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THAT!" Ron screamed shooting up causing Hermionie to fall to the floor both Harry and Ginny fell out of the couch and onto the floor. All four looked over to see Zee standing infront of his stero strumming like he had a guitar and lip sining the song
"SAY YOUR PRAYERS LITTLE ONE,
DON'T FORGET MY SON TO INCLUDE EVERYOOOOOONE!
TUCK YOU IN WARM WITHIN,
KEEP YOU FREE FROM SIN,
TILL THE SANDMAN HE COOOOOOOMES!
SLEEP WITH ONE EYE OPPPEN!
GRIPPING YOUR PILLOW TIGHT!
EXXXXXIT LIIIIIIGHT!
ENTEEEER NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!
TAAAAAAAAAAKE MY HAND OF TO NEVER NEVER LAND!"
He continued strumming to the guitar solo until sparks seemed to fly from the stereo and suddenly the song went dead. "Son of a bitch that's the second stereo I have been through damn magical building! Hermione! Why haven't you figured out a way to get muggle devices to work in this damn castle I thought you were supposed to be smart!"
She looked enraged as she spat back "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU DOING PLAYING THAT GOD AWFUL MUSIC THAT LOUD AT 4 IN THE MORNING!"
"Hey Metallica is NOT God awful that is one of the greatest rock songs of all time my lord and besides its time for the guys to get up and train they looked way to comfortable."
While Hermione was ready to retort Ginny rose her wand and shot the bat bogey hex at Zee who started rolling around the floor in pain "What the deuce! AHHH!!! THERE EATING MY BRAIN! NO NO NO! GET THEM OFF OF ME!" As soon as the curse wore off Zee returned to his feet
"Well I always enjoy that in the morning now that that is settled come on its time to get up we have training to do.
Ron looked around and looked at the watch Hermione had gotten him "Bloody hell its only 4 am we don't have training for another hour"
"Yeah Zee why are we up so ruddy early? Not to mention he rude awakening you gave us I think I dropped a stool in my pants" Harry retorted
"Well my oh my some people are not morning people now are we. My lord you would think waking 5 am you would get used to it. Boo fucking whoo you are up and hour fucking early. Now come one we have good training we are going to do today. But first things first we need to go for a little jog."
"Merlin what do you have planned for us today?" "lets just say I Spoke to professor Dumbledore and Porfessor Athenas mmm I do love calling her professor especially when we are in bed." Zee cleared his throat as Ginny and Hermione Glared at him "That is umm beside the point though. Lets just say that I spoke to them and you two have got the get out of jail for free card"
Both Harry and Ron looked confused along with Ginny and Hermione "Oh for Christs sake you don't have to go to your first class which means we have the entire morning to have a damn good time…"
"They are going to miss class?! That is irresponsible" yelled Hermione
"Don't worry girls I will take good care of them"
"You have that look in your eyes that look in which I know something is going to hurt and hurt bad"
Zee smiled at Harry and Winked.
"You know it"
The boys said goodbye to Ginny and Hermione as they went upstairs and very grudgingly went on to do there morning run.
After a fast paced sprint around the lake the commenced Martial arts training. Both Harry and Ron had really come a long way from when they both first started. While they could not beat Zee of course they could still give him a hard time. The training had widened and strengethened there sences. They were both now quicker and stronger. Zee walked around the room of requirement. The one thing he absolutely loved about this room was the fact that anything that you willed would come to you just like that. No questions asked. He was definitely going to use this room for his plans later tonight. Suddenly the room got larger in the distance dog targets and able targets appeared. Two rifles formed on the deck.
"Ok guys today we are going to do some hardcore weapons training. No more fights with wooden sticks none of that. Today we are going to be using the real things. Before we do that we are going to see how good you two are with a rifle."
"I heard about those… those are goons my dad tought me about them"
"Guns Ron they are pronounced Guns. Well these are actually rifles." He picked one up "This bad boy is the M16A2 service rifle. The primary weapon used by the American military one of the more lighter models around it is only 8lbs today as you can see the targets behind me we will be shooting from 200 300 and 500 yds out this will be table 1 firing. The next part we will do is table two in which you will be drawing dry fire. Basically shooting quickly. That is from 50 yrds out. Any questions so far?"
"Yeah why do we need to train with rifles? I can understand archery, daggers, swords and martial arts…but muggle weapons? Really?"
"Good question Harry. When I volunteered myself to train you guys I told you that I was going to train you in every art, every aspect of combat. Because you never know when or what the situation may call for it. And what you will also learn is what to do once your weapon jams. It will teach you how to resolve a certain matter in seconds to avoid being killed Its better to be prepared. As I have always said I would rather be overly cautious then under prepared."
Harry and Ron nodded in agreement. "I guess I see your point there mate"
"Thank you Ron. Ok with that being said there are certain rules of the rifle and certain conditions. First off the rules. Rule number one Treat every weapon as if it were loaded. Rule number two never point your weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot. Rule number three keep your trigger finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Rule number four keep weapon on safe until you are ready to fire. Remember those rules guys. Got it s far?"
"Crystal clear i suppose" Retorted Harry
"Now for the weapon conditions. This is basic for when you are at the range Condition four Empty chamber, bolt forward, no magazine, weapon on safe, ejection port cover closed. Condition three Empty chamber, bolt forward, filled magazine inserted, weapon on safe, ejection port cover closed. And condition one"
"What about condition two?" Ron asked
"Ha everyone always asks that condition two does not apply to the M16A2 I guess I should have included that. Anyways Condition one Round in chamber, bolt forward, filled magazine inserted, weapon on or off safe, ejection port cover closed. Got it?"
Both Harry and Ron looked confused as they looked at the rifles in there hands trying to study it. Don't worry you'll learn. Now you have two magazines on the deck one is going to be for table 1 and the other for table two. We are going to do table one first with ten shots on each target. Now lets go down to the 200 yrd line because we still have lots of training we got to do for the day."
They walked down to the 200 yard line. Zee when into the different positions. "Now I want you guys to kind of toggle between the positions. You have the Prone, the kneeling and the standing position. Prone is when you are sitting Indian style with your elbows tucked into the nooks in your legs. Make sure you have good muscle relaxation. Kneeling is when you kneel on one knee and have your elbow into you thigh. Once again be sure to have proper muscle relaxation. Then there is the standing. Now when two important things. When you aim in make sure you use your front sight post. Now what you should do is focus your eye sight on the front site post when you aim in. you should do it so that the target will be blurry. And also focus on your breathing as well That's about it… good luck to you guys"
For the hour he watched as the two fired on there targets on both table one and table two shooting. Harry was a sub par shooter at best. While he hit the target it could be seen his breathing was off as his grouping was terrible. Ron however was the star of the show. He could not believe how well Ron adapted to rifle. Even from 500 yards out his grouping was incredible. Zee could not believe that Ron was a first time shooter. When they were done Ron had a smile on his face
"I love this thing I have to get one of my own when I get a chance."
Harry patted Ron on the back "You did good mate"
"You both did very well however Harry I think Ron has you beat by a long shot with this category. It was as if you were a sniper in your past life Good job. Later in the week we will also be working with grenade launchers 50 cals and a lot of other fun devices I can conjure up in this lovely room. Now for the next form of triaining"
Zee threw two daggers down on the ground. Most of the time they trained with Wood but now obviously this was the real thing.
"Only the most skilled of warriors can use a dagger effectively, while not as long as a sword it is more for close range. You have to be swift fast and silent because it does not get any more up close and personal. You will learn how to be stealth and also how to disarm when you are defencless. The room of requirement had suddenly changed it looked like a jungle maze of some sort with ropes hanging down and objects to obscure the view.
"Now here are the rules. A simple cut nothing major just a light slice on the arm or back of the neck. You guys need to get used to the pain to know its not a game. Once you feel that pain your senses are gonna go up because your body is not going to want to feel that again. Harry you will go in first then Ron 10 min after Harry you will go in the object is to Hunt each other. Sneak up on each other. Use the training I have given you for stealth techniques and Dagger techniques. The timer starts now."
Harry entered the Forrest maze and then 10 minutes later Ron had entered. Both sweating from the heat and the anticipation of fighting each other. Ron walked quietly thought the jungle waiting listening for something anything he was unable what had happened behind him. Zee had repeled from a vine upside down right behind Ron he slashed Ron across the back of his neck lightly. Ron responded by turning around to strike only to have Zee drop from the vine right side up causing Ron to miss completely. He grabbed his arm side stepped and kicked Ron in the stomach and threw him backward with the knife on his neck
"Oi I thought you said it was me against Harry."
"Well if I told you I was coming you would be anticipating me now wouldn't you? The key to this place is to anticipate every thing. Just then a dagger came flying through the wood. Zee did not even look where it was coming from he just put his hand up and caught it smoothly. Ron looked stunned that had to be the coolest thing he had ever witnessed Zee just smiled
"That was a good throw Harry now come out come out where ever you are" Zee walked around "Yoowhoo anybody home?" Zee closed his eyes for a second then opened them. He sent a swift kick right to his left. He heard a familiar grunt sound as the ground looked as if someone had fallen down onto it. Zee bent over and grabbed the invisibility cloak.
"Good thinking with the cloak Harry very well played"
"How did you know where I was" Harry Grunted as helped him up.
"I feel the downshift in wind and I can feel the presence of when someone is near. By the end of our training you should be able to do the same." Zee clapped his hands and the scenery disappeared
"God I Love this room. Ok now is just basic dagger fighting skills against me. Begin" for the next half hour they fought against Zee relentlessly. While they were both improving they still had problems with him. But they were able to give him a harder time which meant they were definitely improving. Then finally came the last part of training. Sword Fighting, now since they began they had been learning however they were learning with wooden swords. Now it was time for the real thing. Zee dropped two Iron clad swords in front of them.
"Go ahead pick it up get used to that weight"
Ron picked his his up and grunted "Ruddy Hell that is heavy as a mountain troll"
"You both need to get used to that weight. You need to let the sword become a part of you. Needs to be something like an extension of your body not just a sword."
Harry picked up his sword and immediately felt the weight "well this is certainly going to be Hard to maneuver with then the wooden sword. You sure the wooden sword is not as deadly as this? Cause I will stick with that"
Zee chuckled at Harry's joke and took out the sword of Olympus.
"Alright guys. Try and hit me"
They fought for the next hour. Zee could see there skills had diminished a but due to the fact that they were using actual swords. But he knew that would eventually pass. Finally after disarming both of them several times in one clean swoop he decided to call it quits. Both Harry and Ron looked exhausted beyond believe but they were not done yet.
"Allright guys meet me outside on the edge of the forbidden forest in say 20 minutes"
"What are we going to do out there" Asked Ron
"Hunting" Zee smiled and left the room
Harry and Ron arrived at the outskirts of the forbidden Forrest
"So what do you mean by Hunting are you metaphorically speaking or are you actually talking about going hunting"
"No harry I mean literally we are going to hunt today. In the states its thanksgiving and this is a tradition that I have always taken to heart. We are going to hun and kill our own Turkey"
Both Ron and Harry looked shock. They had never done anything like this
"Well come on don't stand there looking like that people will think you have down syndrome. Ron and Harry both reluctantly entered the Forest truth be told they did not really want to hunt for wild turkey and furthermore they did not have very fond memories of this place. Ron feared they might run into those Giant spiders from 2nd year meanwhile Harry just wanted to stay out of the way of any foul beast they might run into too. He knew that certain thing went bump in the night in this forest and even though it was day time he did not want to mess with any of them.
They creeped silently throught the woods careful not to make a sound when suddenly from behind them they could hear the hoof sounds of hoarses. They turned around to see a herd of centaurs rushing by. One of them which stopped and gazed a look at where the 3 were standing
"Well if it is not Harry Potter and his band of two leggers."
"Hello Bane.." Harry said quitly Zee suddenly smiled
"Bane my man how long as it been"
Bane scowled at Zees Presence.
"I am certainly not your man Zechial… The stars foretold that you would return here. I prayed that I was wrong. Unfortunately I never am wrong"
"Someone certainly thinks very highly f themselves"
"Now do kindly tell what you are doing in our forest with Bow and arrow."
"Well bane I thought since it is thanksgiving we might as well hunt a turkey."
"You dare have the audacity to hunt in our territory."
"Come on Bane don't be a dick you know as well as I do that I have everyt right to hunt where ever I please. You know that. So please do nto make this any harder then it has to be. Or should I tell the counsel back in the states know you are being a dick as usual"
"You think I care what the councell says or does nothing but traiters that is all"
Zee sighed "Look Bane I remember when you were younger you were actually cool can you please just leave us be? I am not going to want to have to kick your ass in front of your herd now"
Bane knew that he was no match for the demigod and backed off. "Sweet come on guys."
They wandered through the forest a little bit more until they finally came to a Holt. Zee had put up his hands signaling them to stop. There in the distance stood the biggest turkey any of them had either seen
"My lord you have mutants in this damn forest of yours… Ok…Harry I want you to take the shot"
"What?! Me? have Ron do it he is a better shot then I am"
"Don't bring me into this mate Hunting makes me feel queasy just thinking about it."
Zee hushed Harry and Ron "Stay quiet you don't want to scare him off. These little fuckers can run. But that is beside the point Harry you need to do this"
"Why me though?"
"Well beside the fact that we need to eat tonight and I had this thanksgiving dinner planned for for a few weeks now…. But you need to do it Harry because I want you to know what it is like to take a life. I want you to experience it… because when the dust settles from the final battle its going to be either you or Mold in his shorts and I would very much like that to be you. So just let go… let go of the mercy let go of the compassion let it all go and just do it"
Harry nodded silently and took the bow and arrow in his hand. He took aim at the turkey. His form was perfect now all he had to do was release the bow. He held his aim for a minuet or two trying to force himself release the bow. Unfortunately he could not he lowered it and sighed.
Zee closed his eyes
"Its ok Harry… another time I suppose."
He took his Bow and took aim releasing it killing the turkey
"At least we have a feast for tonight…" Harry nodded but knew that he had disappointed and Zee and also disappointed himself. How was he going to kill Voldemort if he could not even kill a turkey. They helped Zee with the turkey and took it back to Hogwarts
Zee Harry and Ron had showed up a little late to potions. They had to get the turkey back to the room of requirement where it was going to be prepped. They strolled into class only to have Snape make his usual snide comments about them
"Well late as usual for Potter Weasley and the American that will be 20 points each and detention with me on Friday night Zee sighed
"Why am I always the American? You can just say Bauer or Zee. But no you need to emphasis that word American. Like it is an insult. Who cares if I am American. Would you like me to start calling you Britt cause that think that is what I will start doing. You call me American I will call you Britt or Limey…yeah Limey sounds much better"
"Enough! From you Mr Bauer take you seat immediately or risk further disciplinary action against you." "Ok Ok im sitting down see… this is me sitting down"
"A further 20 points for disrespectful actions"
"I just fucking sat down! Lord I'll fart the wrong way you will give me shit for it. What do you have against Americans?"
"Mr Bauer you will refrain frm speaking for the rest of class. It would be Hu of you to keep your mouth shut"
"It would be Hu of me? what are we in the 16th century?"
Snape glared at Zee "Of course just prooving my point that you are just another American Cowboy who watched too many John Wayne movies"
Just then a realization dawned on to Zee and he smiled
Holy Shit... it was bugging me for a while but since you said that... well now I know wh you remind me of! Has anyone ever told you that you look like the bad guy from Die Hard? Hans Gruber.. that was his name yeah. I swear it was bugging me for months but I finally got it down. You look like Hans Gruber… Wow. So what was it like fighting John Mclane?"
"REMOVE YOURSELF FROM MY CLASS IMMEDIATELY I will NOT have you disturb me any further!"
Zee just smiled he loved getting a rise out of this guy. Just before leaving the room he turned back and said "Yippee Kiyay motherfucker"
After a long day of classes Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Harry, and Professor Athenas met up later on in the room of requirement for what Zee called a Thanksgiving dinner. With the use of a little magic by Helen they were able to prep the turkey. The cooking was left to Zee whom had claimed for the longest time to be the greatest cook in the world. The room of requirement had provided him with anything that he needed
"You know guys I am not exaggerating when I say this but this is the best room in the history of room I mean anything that I need just pops up…like certain spices for the turkey… now all I need is…"
Just then a small Bar appeared on the side of the room
"Yes! Awesome! A bar! Now the next thing I need is…."
A wide screen TV appeared with the football game on the screen
"YES! Now that is what I am talking about yes! Have not watched TV in so long I need to catch the next episode of NYPD Blue its my favorite show… hmm I wonder now all I need is…"
Just then two supermodels in Bikinis appeared holding a beer in one hand and a steak in the next
"BEST ROOOM EVER!!!!" Just then he felt the squeezing pain behind his ear he looked over his shoulder painfully to see Helen with a stern look on her face
"Get rid of them NOW!"
"haha ok babe just testing it out that's all."
The supermodels disappeared Helen tried some of Zees mashed potatoes. "Oh Merlin this is delicious"
"I know just when you thought there was something I couldn't do I go on and im the best at that too. I just can't help myself. best looking guy best at fighting best in bed and now best at cooking I am just too good… I should not be aloud to be this good. What were the gods thinking I do not know"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "How do you put up with him professor?"
Helen chuckled "What can I say a lot of what he says is true. Unfortunately he does get bragging rights for that"
"See Hermione I told you and you thought it was my large ego pfft you should know that there are other things large about me too."
"Ok you have only said that a million times we get it" yelled Ginny
"Yeah mate we don't need to know all these things about you your perfect you can do no wrong" retorted Ron.
Zee smirked at the comment and sighed "No Ron I am not perfect… I wish I was… I have not always come through… I have failed before and because of that…. Well lets not get into that at the moment. Dinner is ready"
They could see the hurt behind his eyes so they chose not to pry onto the subject to maybe just let it be. Zee had set up the table and carved the turkey. Everyone took a piece just before they could dig in Zee called for a toast.
"I know that this is not a British Holiday however it is still right to give thanks and praise for what is important… Family, Friends… for the past 200 years or so I have been celebrated this day even before it was considered a holiday…. And only 4 times have I ever had it in the company of others… and that was because I was at War and I had it with my troops…. But today that changes…because this time I have the dinner in the company of friends… true friends… Helen you are one of the view people in my long life I feel I can open up too and amazing enough you are able to put up with a lot of my BS cock and bull attitude which I find amazing…. You truly are one of the most beautiful woman I laid my eyes on."
She smiled as he continued "That is probably the most touching thing any man has ever told me
" Well I'm not just any man... Hermione.. I know that I drive you up the wall crazy I know there are days when you want to take my incredibly large ego and strangle me with it. Just know that I do that because I Love you. You are kind of like a sister to me which is different for me because I never had a sister like companion. You are a true friend and a brilliant mind to clash with"
Hermione looked taken a back "Zee I don't know what to say"
"You don't have to say anything Hermionie… Ginny like my other sister whom I fear a little bit more because you make bats come out of my nose. You have a feisty little attitude which clashes perfect with mine because in so many ways we are both alike Minus my vulgar attitude of course. Since the day I met you I could tell you were very outgoing and full of life. The room lights up when you are in it and I know if Im in your company well..it certainly won't be boring and there will be something fun and destructive to do"
Ginny blushed "Thanks Zee"
"Don't mention it Now Ron… love able Lanky I can eat like a dumpster and not gain a single pound Ron"
"Oi I do not eat like a dumpster"
"Of course you don't… anyways beside the Point… you were quick to accept me as a friend and even quicker to accept me as a brother. I'm proud to call you one of my few good friends."
Ron nodded "Its all good"
"And of course the inability to say the right thing at the right moment is priceless" Chuckled Zee causing a loud protest from Ron "And Harry. Sweet loveable Harry. In all of my year I have been alive I do not think I have met anyone as Courageous as Heroic and as self sacrificial as you. Your loyalty to your friends and family knows no bound. And that in itself is an admirable trait. I have met a lot of good men in my life. None of them come near to being as amazing a person as you Harry. I am proud to be training you I am proud to be here and I am proud to call you my friend"
Harry nodded "And I am proud to call you a friend Zee we all are."
Zee smiled as he looked at the table "I am proud to call of of you my friends… I have not had too many in my life time. But I have to say even though it took me 3700 years to finally meet good people it was well worth the wait… I give thanks for you all." Zee rose his glass as did others. They toasted to his speech Zee sat back down
"Now as Dumbledore always says… Tuck in." and with that they had there meal.
a/n Nice little chapter there that i decided t throw in. It is a little rushed i wrote it last night. which i decided at last minuite to throw it into the story because as you may know i have all the chapter written out i decided t just add a little thanksgiving chapter. anyway please read and review