Chapter 3
Sometime during the next week, Harry received a letter asking him to arrive by six on the first of July, and requesting that he arrive in his new uniform. Quarter to six on the first found Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny (who had also been chosen) walking through the entrance hall of Hoqwarts, dragging their trunks behind them. They were met by a house elf that told them to leave their trunks where they were and go to the Great Hall. When they entered they found Dean and Seamus sitting with a group of about eight others, at the single table that now stood in front of the raised platform. The four sat down with the group, and were introduced to the others. There were three Ravenclaws, three Hufflepuffs, and two Slytherins. By six, ten more had arrived, including Alicia, Katie and Angela from the Gryffindor Quiddich team. As soon as the last of them had sat down, the group heard the doors open, and watched a group of adults, headed by Dumbledore walk in and take their places at the Staff table. While most of the teachers sat, Dumbledore remained standing, his blue eyes twinkling as he surveyed the chosen group. He began to speak. 'I am sure you are all wondering why you are here. It is because you have been chosen as the Guardians. Before I go any further I must ask if anyone does not wish to be here. If so, leave now.' None moved, and Dumbledore smiled. 'In that case I can go on. You will become the guardians of the Light, and when the time comes you will lead the battle against the Dark. You have each been chosen because you have special skills. The entire student body will be receiving training for what is to come, and you will be the ones leading then into battle. In the next eight weeks you will learn what it is to be a Guardian. Healers, strategists and leaders will be selected from amongst you. You will all change. You will learn to work as a team, to know each other's thoughts. But it is not easy. You will work harder and longer than others. You will be in danger.' Dumbledore watched for any reaction, and was pleased to see calm and attentive faces. 'Your training begins tomorrow' There was a pause. 'I will now introduce you to your instructors. I will be teaching you strategy and tactics. Madam Ling will be taking you in Language Studies. Professor Snape will take you for Potions. Professor Cors will be taking Skills. Dr Kerr in Healing, and Professor Ching in Duelling. Professor McGonagall in Animagi Studies. While most of your classes will concentrate mostly on your mental capabilities, Professor Black will be taking care of you Physical capabilities. Mr Silar will be teaching you horsemanship and also working on your flying skills, while Master Prenshaw will be teaching you Combat skills. Is that all clear? After we have eaten they will hand out sheets explaining everything you need to know. Now I expect you are all hungry, so on with the feast!' Dumbledore clapped his hands, and the table were piled high with food. A loud murmur went up as the group started talking.
Harry gave a long, low whistle. 'Well that was unexpected.' He said 'Your telling me!' Ron sounded amazed 'Did you get that, we get taught duelling!' 'And animagi, that should be interesting.' Added Hermione 'I've always wanted to learn healing.' Put in Ginny.
The rest of the meal passed quickly, with Dean and Seamus joining in the conversation. When all had finished, the food and plates disappeared, and a sheaf of parchments appeared in each place. Harry was about to read them when Dumbledore stood once more. 'Please wait to read those till later. You will now be shown your new quarters by Professor Black. I bit you all good night.' He and the other teachers stood up and left the Hall, leaving Sirius facing the expectant faces of 24 teenagers. He cleared his throat. 'First thing, unless one of the other teacher is around please call me Padfoot.' Harry grinned at that, having guessed that was what he was going to say. 'Right, if you could follow me I'll show you where you'll all be living. You're things have been moved there for you.' They were led into the entrance Hall and through a door on the far side and into a long room. 'This is your common room; though until term stars you won't be spending much time here. That door will lead you to the Headmasters study for emergencies, and that one to the Staff Room. This one leads to the Hospital Wing.' The three doors all had little bronze plates on the engraved with where they led to. Sirius led them into the next room. It was obviously a dorm, though much bigger that the normal ones. It had nine beds down each side. On one side of each bed was a cupboard, and on the other a small table, above which hung some sort of rack. At the other end of the room was a door. ' 'Clothes go in the cupboards, equipment in your trunks at the ends of your beds. The racks are for weapons when you get them. This is the boy's room. Through that door is the girl's room. The connection is necessary to enable you to work as a team. No one uses it uninvited. Clear? Through there is the showers, same in the girls.' He led them back out into the main room. 'You also get to the girls room through there. This is the study, and there is a small library through there for you to do basic research. This door leads to a small kitchen you are allowed to use. And now for the fun bit; the Headmaster has decided you need to learn how to take care of yourselves, so has decided you will have to do your own clothes washing until term stars. In there is everything you need, plus instructions. Sheets will be done for you once a week.' As Sirius grinned at them, Harry heard load groans from behind him. He didn't know what they were making such a fuss about; he had been doing the Dursley's washing for years! Sirius then showed them one last door. In here is the duelling room. At the moment it's locked, but after you learn the basics you can use it to practice your skills. Any questions?' Several hands went up. 'Do we still have meals in the great hall?' 'Only lunch and supper. Breakfast you make for yourselves if you have time.' 'What time do we have to get up?' 'As it says on your sheet you're due to meet me in the Entrance Hall at ten past five. This week I'll wake you at ten to, but after that you'll have to get yourselves up.' Sirius grinned as groans erupted once more. 'What time do we go to bed?' 'That's an easy one; you go to bed as son as you've finished all your work.' He paused waiting for any more questions. 'Right in that case I suggest you unpack and go to bed.' The group turned round and headed into their rooms, but Harry hung back to talk to his godfather. Harry was caught in a massive bear hug, which he returned. 'Harry, are you OK? Snape said. why didn't you tell me?' Sirius voice was concerned. Harry shrugged 'Look I don't want to talk about it. I'm fine now.' Sirius nodded. 'Ok.' 'So have you been her since the end of term?' 'Pretty much, I had something to do for Dumbledore, but since then I've been getting ready to teach you lot.' 'So what are we doing that means we have to be up at ten past five?' 'Running.' 'You have to be joking.' Ron and Hermione had joined them, the shock evident in their voices. 'Hello, Hermione, Ron. And sorry, I'm not. Running, swimming, and agility training mostly.' 'Fun, fun, fun.' Said Harry 'Yep.' Answered Sirius, grinning again. 'Now I've got things to do and so have you so I think it's time to say goodnight.' 'Night Padfoot.' Said all three 'Ta-ta. See you all bright and early.' The three grinned and went into the dorms. They found everyone unpacking, and the door between the rooms open. Ron and Harry had beds in the middle of the room, next to each other, while Hermione was at the near end of the girl's room. Ron and Harry both opened up their trunks and took out some clothes ready to put away. When they opened their cupboard, they made the same discovery the other had made before them. Hanging inside was three sets of Black Velvet robes with a strange emblem on the front, and three white shirts, again with the emblem. There was also what looked like a pair of white karate trousers. Harry turned to Dean, about to ask if they were supposed to be there when he heard: 'What the hell are these?' Harry concluded that they were. Around the room, the muggle-borns were attempting to explain the answer to the others. Harry turned to Dean. 'They're what muggles wear when they fight.' 'Then why the hell do we have them?' Harry shrugged 'No idea.'
When he had unpacked, and hung up his knives and on the rack, Harry sat down on the bed, which, he noticed was a lot smaller and less comfortable that those in the old dorms, and began to read the parchments they had been given. The first was a timetable outline of the day. Harry noticed they had lessons till half nine, and wondered when they were supposed to do homework. There was one for each class, saying what they had to wear and take. The last was a sheet from Dumbledore explaining that the last class of the day would be discussion only, and that they could wear any clothes until told otherwise by their tutors. Harry was slightly curious as to what tutors were, but was s o tired that he simply changed and rolled into bed, and was asleep before anyone even turned the light off.
Sometime during the next week, Harry received a letter asking him to arrive by six on the first of July, and requesting that he arrive in his new uniform. Quarter to six on the first found Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny (who had also been chosen) walking through the entrance hall of Hoqwarts, dragging their trunks behind them. They were met by a house elf that told them to leave their trunks where they were and go to the Great Hall. When they entered they found Dean and Seamus sitting with a group of about eight others, at the single table that now stood in front of the raised platform. The four sat down with the group, and were introduced to the others. There were three Ravenclaws, three Hufflepuffs, and two Slytherins. By six, ten more had arrived, including Alicia, Katie and Angela from the Gryffindor Quiddich team. As soon as the last of them had sat down, the group heard the doors open, and watched a group of adults, headed by Dumbledore walk in and take their places at the Staff table. While most of the teachers sat, Dumbledore remained standing, his blue eyes twinkling as he surveyed the chosen group. He began to speak. 'I am sure you are all wondering why you are here. It is because you have been chosen as the Guardians. Before I go any further I must ask if anyone does not wish to be here. If so, leave now.' None moved, and Dumbledore smiled. 'In that case I can go on. You will become the guardians of the Light, and when the time comes you will lead the battle against the Dark. You have each been chosen because you have special skills. The entire student body will be receiving training for what is to come, and you will be the ones leading then into battle. In the next eight weeks you will learn what it is to be a Guardian. Healers, strategists and leaders will be selected from amongst you. You will all change. You will learn to work as a team, to know each other's thoughts. But it is not easy. You will work harder and longer than others. You will be in danger.' Dumbledore watched for any reaction, and was pleased to see calm and attentive faces. 'Your training begins tomorrow' There was a pause. 'I will now introduce you to your instructors. I will be teaching you strategy and tactics. Madam Ling will be taking you in Language Studies. Professor Snape will take you for Potions. Professor Cors will be taking Skills. Dr Kerr in Healing, and Professor Ching in Duelling. Professor McGonagall in Animagi Studies. While most of your classes will concentrate mostly on your mental capabilities, Professor Black will be taking care of you Physical capabilities. Mr Silar will be teaching you horsemanship and also working on your flying skills, while Master Prenshaw will be teaching you Combat skills. Is that all clear? After we have eaten they will hand out sheets explaining everything you need to know. Now I expect you are all hungry, so on with the feast!' Dumbledore clapped his hands, and the table were piled high with food. A loud murmur went up as the group started talking.
Harry gave a long, low whistle. 'Well that was unexpected.' He said 'Your telling me!' Ron sounded amazed 'Did you get that, we get taught duelling!' 'And animagi, that should be interesting.' Added Hermione 'I've always wanted to learn healing.' Put in Ginny.
The rest of the meal passed quickly, with Dean and Seamus joining in the conversation. When all had finished, the food and plates disappeared, and a sheaf of parchments appeared in each place. Harry was about to read them when Dumbledore stood once more. 'Please wait to read those till later. You will now be shown your new quarters by Professor Black. I bit you all good night.' He and the other teachers stood up and left the Hall, leaving Sirius facing the expectant faces of 24 teenagers. He cleared his throat. 'First thing, unless one of the other teacher is around please call me Padfoot.' Harry grinned at that, having guessed that was what he was going to say. 'Right, if you could follow me I'll show you where you'll all be living. You're things have been moved there for you.' They were led into the entrance Hall and through a door on the far side and into a long room. 'This is your common room; though until term stars you won't be spending much time here. That door will lead you to the Headmasters study for emergencies, and that one to the Staff Room. This one leads to the Hospital Wing.' The three doors all had little bronze plates on the engraved with where they led to. Sirius led them into the next room. It was obviously a dorm, though much bigger that the normal ones. It had nine beds down each side. On one side of each bed was a cupboard, and on the other a small table, above which hung some sort of rack. At the other end of the room was a door. ' 'Clothes go in the cupboards, equipment in your trunks at the ends of your beds. The racks are for weapons when you get them. This is the boy's room. Through that door is the girl's room. The connection is necessary to enable you to work as a team. No one uses it uninvited. Clear? Through there is the showers, same in the girls.' He led them back out into the main room. 'You also get to the girls room through there. This is the study, and there is a small library through there for you to do basic research. This door leads to a small kitchen you are allowed to use. And now for the fun bit; the Headmaster has decided you need to learn how to take care of yourselves, so has decided you will have to do your own clothes washing until term stars. In there is everything you need, plus instructions. Sheets will be done for you once a week.' As Sirius grinned at them, Harry heard load groans from behind him. He didn't know what they were making such a fuss about; he had been doing the Dursley's washing for years! Sirius then showed them one last door. In here is the duelling room. At the moment it's locked, but after you learn the basics you can use it to practice your skills. Any questions?' Several hands went up. 'Do we still have meals in the great hall?' 'Only lunch and supper. Breakfast you make for yourselves if you have time.' 'What time do we have to get up?' 'As it says on your sheet you're due to meet me in the Entrance Hall at ten past five. This week I'll wake you at ten to, but after that you'll have to get yourselves up.' Sirius grinned as groans erupted once more. 'What time do we go to bed?' 'That's an easy one; you go to bed as son as you've finished all your work.' He paused waiting for any more questions. 'Right in that case I suggest you unpack and go to bed.' The group turned round and headed into their rooms, but Harry hung back to talk to his godfather. Harry was caught in a massive bear hug, which he returned. 'Harry, are you OK? Snape said. why didn't you tell me?' Sirius voice was concerned. Harry shrugged 'Look I don't want to talk about it. I'm fine now.' Sirius nodded. 'Ok.' 'So have you been her since the end of term?' 'Pretty much, I had something to do for Dumbledore, but since then I've been getting ready to teach you lot.' 'So what are we doing that means we have to be up at ten past five?' 'Running.' 'You have to be joking.' Ron and Hermione had joined them, the shock evident in their voices. 'Hello, Hermione, Ron. And sorry, I'm not. Running, swimming, and agility training mostly.' 'Fun, fun, fun.' Said Harry 'Yep.' Answered Sirius, grinning again. 'Now I've got things to do and so have you so I think it's time to say goodnight.' 'Night Padfoot.' Said all three 'Ta-ta. See you all bright and early.' The three grinned and went into the dorms. They found everyone unpacking, and the door between the rooms open. Ron and Harry had beds in the middle of the room, next to each other, while Hermione was at the near end of the girl's room. Ron and Harry both opened up their trunks and took out some clothes ready to put away. When they opened their cupboard, they made the same discovery the other had made before them. Hanging inside was three sets of Black Velvet robes with a strange emblem on the front, and three white shirts, again with the emblem. There was also what looked like a pair of white karate trousers. Harry turned to Dean, about to ask if they were supposed to be there when he heard: 'What the hell are these?' Harry concluded that they were. Around the room, the muggle-borns were attempting to explain the answer to the others. Harry turned to Dean. 'They're what muggles wear when they fight.' 'Then why the hell do we have them?' Harry shrugged 'No idea.'
When he had unpacked, and hung up his knives and on the rack, Harry sat down on the bed, which, he noticed was a lot smaller and less comfortable that those in the old dorms, and began to read the parchments they had been given. The first was a timetable outline of the day. Harry noticed they had lessons till half nine, and wondered when they were supposed to do homework. There was one for each class, saying what they had to wear and take. The last was a sheet from Dumbledore explaining that the last class of the day would be discussion only, and that they could wear any clothes until told otherwise by their tutors. Harry was slightly curious as to what tutors were, but was s o tired that he simply changed and rolled into bed, and was asleep before anyone even turned the light off.