Chapter 54 - Back to Hogwarts
Harry had a bucket of very cold water thrown on him first thing in the morning! Sputtering through the water, Harry saw that both the twins were in his doorway grinning. "Instructions from our dear sister Harry. Told us not to ask questions."
Wringing out his shirt, Harry just smiled at the twins. "I believe I might have deserved this one. Am I square with Ginny now or do I have to grovel a bit?"
"Groveling in private is a good idea. Away from Mum preferentially. Whatever you did to offend our fair sister is probably not something she needs to find out about. We are judging it harmless as she came to us instead of Mum."
"Ok, thanks for the advice. Anything we can do for you while we're at Hogwarts today?"
"Taking requests from us is just asking to end up in trouble, Harry. Let's get you settled in before we start using you in pranking others."
"Thanks. Tell your mum I'll be down directly as I've already had my shower."
The twins laughed and headed back down for breakfast. Harry dried himself off and was soon sitting down to one of Mrs. Weasley's tasty meals. Ginny had popped him on the back of the head on the way to her seat so Harry figured he wasn't in too much trouble. She did smile shyly at him when he was passing the plate of toast around.
'Rotten situation last night. I am sorry for picking on you because I was frustrated!'
'It's ok, just not something I normally think of. It is somewhat hard to avoid seeing some things with six males in the house! You've been punished for it so we're square now.'
'More talking later at Hogwarts?'
'Maybe, Mr. Potter.'
Harry looked down toward the other end of the table. "Are you or Mrs. Weasley escorting us to Hogwarts or Hogsmeade this morning, sir?"
"No" Mr. Weasley replied. "We got a notice by school owl this morning that said a dedicated floo route from here to the Hospital Wing has been set up since Ginny will be traveling back and forth. All you have to say is the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts. It was quite nice of Dumbledore to do that."
Harry groaned in his seat and laid his head on the table. "What's wrong Harry?" came from George.
"It's a good thing Ginny is going to be studying healing" Harry said. "I'm going to need fixing up every time I floo anywhere!"
Ginny giggled across the table at Harry. "And if you keep ending up landing on me, we're both going to need healing!"
Mr. Weasley shook his head at the statements that Harry made. "It isn't all that difficult to control your landing Harry. It's just a mater of controlling the magic in the floo system. You know how to connect with the magic of the charms in your broom; travel by floo is kind of the same. When you get to the hearth you want, you just stop the magic from pushing you forward. Like braking on your broom."
"That sounds almost too simple to work" Harry said. "I guess I've been to busy worrying about the landing to notice the magic itself. I'll try it your way Mr. Weasley and see if it works better for me."
"If it's all the same to you Harry" Ginny said smiling, "I'll go through after you. It probably will safer for me that way!"
Harry stuck his tongue out at Ginny as the twins laughed at his discomfort. Mrs. Weasley told Harry and Ginny that while she thought that they might be back by lunch, she wouldn't be surprised it they were kept a bit longer. Harry said if there were time, he would give Ginny a tour around the school and maybe visit Hagrid.
The family finished their breakfast and Mr. Weasley left for work. Harry and Ginny went to get their book bags and note taking supplies. Harry strapped on the wand holder he had received and went to rejoin Ginny in the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley handed them each their wands. Ginny pushed hers in pocket. Harry got help from George in loading up his wand holder properly so all he had to do was flex his wrist one way and his wand immediately went into his hand.
Ginny graciously stepped aside with a grin to let Harry had first chance at the floo. Harry waggled his eyebrows at Ginny making her laugh as he grabbed a handful of floo powder. Taking a deep breathe and remembering what Mr. Weasley had said earlier, Harry threw the powder and clearly said 'Hospital Wing at Hogwarts'.
Trying to concentrate, Harry actually felt the magic this time going through the floo network. There were no other grates or fireplaces so that when Harry saw light in front of him he tried using the magic as a braking agent, slowing him down. When he emerged from the fireplace, Harry only took a couple of steps instead of his usual uncontrolled fall. A smiling Harry looked around to see Madame Pomfrey and Headmaster Dumbledore waiting in seats in the office. Hearing another arrival, Harry leapt out of the way to avoid the incoming Ginny and they helped each other brush the dust and soot off themselves.
"Well done, Harry and Miss Weasley." Dumbledore stood up and waving his wand got rid of the rest of the aftereffects of the floo travel from the youngsters. "It seems you're getting the hang of magical travel Harry," Dumbledore said. "Miss Weasley, we'll see you later at lunch. Harry, let's go for a walk".
Waving goodbye to Ginny and Madame Pomfrey, Harry followed the older wizard out of the medical wing. Dumbledore set a brisk pace as he headed for one of the classrooms on the first floor. "We're going to the Defense against Dark Arts classroom." Dumbledore said. "There are some books there I would like you to look at before you come back to start classes. Professor Quirrel has not reported in as yet but I think I have found an adequate replacement for you at this time."
"You won't be instructing me yourself then, sir?" Harry asked with some disappointment.
"Do you believe that there's a right place and time for some things to occur Harry?" When Harry nodded, Dumbledore continued, "There may be time down the road when I may take a hand in training you myself but you must get the basics in place before then. I fear I am too old to do some of the things that must be done with you now, so I have found you someone a little closer to your own age. Do not worry, we will have conversations about what you learn and what progress you may wish to make. My Fridays are open until school starts if you wish to visit or to avail yourself of the library."
When Harry's eyes lit up at the mention of the library, Dumbledore gave a little chuckle. "Your mother was usually found in the library during her spare moments. She had a great love for learning, which I see you have inherited. Your father on the other hand, was more interested in creating a little havoc his first couple of years here. I hope the Marauders aren't planning on making reappearance while you study here."
Harry saw the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes and thought he might enjoy a good prank from time to time. "Of course not sir. We're here to learn as I understand it."
"Just remember Harry that all learning doesn't necessarily have to be done in a classroom. Well, here we are, the professor is waiting for you. You and Miss Weasley are invited to join us in the Great Hall for lunch. We'll see you later."
"Good morning then Headmaster." Harry watched the headmaster walk back towards the Great Hall and his office. Harry tried to settle himself down. He just had the horrible thought that it might be Professor Snape on the other side of the door. Harry shuddered in anticipation but didn't give into the temptation to panic.
'Ginny?'
"Kind of busy Harry!'
'Just forgot to wish you good luck. See you at lunch!'
Harry got a warm feeling and a mental hug from Ginny through their connection. Fighting back a blush at the emotion Ginny had sent, Harry turned the door and walked into the classroom. To find Professor Lupin waiting for him!
"Remus" Harry exclaimed with delight, "you're my special instructor? That's great!"
"We'll see Harry. Time for instruction. Take a seat and let's begin."
Professor Lupin spent the better part of an hour going over the basics of magic and then another hour giving a lesson of basic spells that Harry could use for defense. He allowed Harry to ask questions and answered them as best he could. Harry was amazed at the number of things he could use against a potential foe. Everything from a tickling charm to placing objects between himself and his opponent. Harry dutifully wrote everything down to review later. Remus eventually called for a break and let Harry get up and move around a little.
'Harry?'
'Hi Ginny. How is Madame Pomfrey?'
"We're having a lot of interesting conversations so far. Who's your instructor - Dumbledore?'
'Remus actually. We're on a break now.'
'Have you asked him about your trunk yet?'
'Just about to. Talk later.'
'Say Hi to him for me.'
Harry turned around to find Remus staring at him. "And how is Ginny this morning?" he asked of Harry.
"That obvious, was it?"
"You're going to have to do a better job of disguising those talks Harry if you wish to communicate with Miss Weasley that way. You don't want to draw any extra attention to her or you."
"You're right professor. We'll work it out so it's not so obvious to others."
"Did you have any luck getting your trunk unlocked Harry?"
"Unfortunately no. All my tries just unlocked a Howler that first insulted me and then told me I had already held the key to opening the other side. I don't suppose you have any ideas, do you?"
"Sorry, if I knew, I would have told you back at the Leaky Cauldron. I am sure there will be other hints. Your mother would have ensured that you got access."
"I told Mr. and Mrs. Weasley about the trunk and they promised to keep thinking of a solution. If I can't come up with anything by the time schools starts, I'll ask Dumbledore."
"That's an excellent idea. I also brought a couple of books for you and Ginny to look at about your mental connection. What you have seems to be something like a Bonding spell that was popular a couple of hundred years ago."
"Dumbledore lent me a book that discussed Legilimency and Occlumency but that sounds a lot more permanent."
"It can be. Harry I don't want to alarm you but the Bonding spell was sometimes used as part of the old marriage ceremonies. Sometimes willingly, but sometimes not. It can be very dangerous if forced upon another person! However, all the records I've seen or heard say that the Bonding spell could only be performed by the willing knowledge and participation of at least one of the parties. That doesn't sound like what you and Ginny went through but I would let her know that problems may occur. I've written down what I've learned about it and put it inside one of the books I'm lending you."
"Thank you professor, I can't thank you enough for doing this research."
"Think nothing about it. A little mental exercise is usually a good thing. Speaking of exercise, how are you getting along physically?"
"Pretty good I think. My strength is better and my back is no longer tied up in knots."
"That's good to know" Professor Lupin said. "I want you to find time each day to walk or run or find some weights to lift. That does not include flying. The better you are physically then the better you'll do defending yourself."
"Well, I definitely want to do better if I have to defend myself."
"Good, then here's where we'll start. I'm going to attack you!"
