Chapter 2

"Caput Draconis."

As the Portkey activated, Harry felt the now familiar jerk behind his navel and closed his eyes tightly.  The sickening sensation continued for a few seconds until his feet suddenly hit the ground and he overbalanced, falling to his knees.  Harry's glasses fell off his face and the Portkey glided slowly to the ground, landing by his side.

A quiet chuckle greeted Harry's sudden appearance, and he heard someone stand up and walk towards where he was kneeling.  A hand appeared in his field of vision as a gentle voice greeted him.

"I've been expecting you Mr. Potter."

Harry retrieved his glasses and grabbed onto the hand in front of him, accepting the Headmaster's help.  He stood up and looked around the room he had appeared in, but couldn't make out any details.  Harry slipped his glasses back on his face and looked around.

Dumbledore's office hadn't changed much since the last time he saw it.  Pictures of past headmasters and headmistresses still lined the walls, and Fawkes' golden perch was sitting by the door, although unoccupied at the time.  When Harry turned around he met the kindly blue eyes of Professor Dumbledore himself, and standing beside him, was a person Harry had definitely not been expecting to see.  Sirius Black.

"Sirius!"  Harry yelled as he ran to his godfather.

Sirius caught him by the shoulders and pulled Harry into a bone-crushing hug before pushing him back to examine him closely.  Harry knew exactly what Sirius was thinking when he saw his godfather's lips tighten, and shook his head slightly, hoping Sirius would take the hint.  Unfortunately, he either didn't notice or was as thickheaded as his godson could be at times.

"Merlin's beard Harry!  What happened to you?" he exclaimed.  "You look terrible."

Harry stepped back and fended off his godfather's attempts to get him to sit down.  "It's okay Sirius, really!  I've just been having a little trouble sleeping, that's all."

Sirius opened his mouth to comment, but was silenced by Dumbledore's hand on his shoulder. 

"Just a moment please Sirius.  If you haven't forgotten, we have some vital affairs to discuss.  You can catch up with Harry later."

Sirius nodded, but shot Harry a look that guaranteed they would be having a talk later.  Dumbledore stepped forward, not noticing the look or pretending not to, and sat down behind his desk.  The Headmaster nodded towards a chair, indicating for Harry to sit.  Harry pulled out the cushioned seat and did so.

Professor Dumbledore offered him a smile, but it faded as he began talking.  "As you know Harry, because of the events that occurred at the end of last year, some things here at Hogwarts are going to be changing."  Harry nodded slowly.  "Also, due to the Minister of Magic refusing to cooperate in any way with preventative measures-" Harry heard Sirius cough, "- Hogwarts must be prepared in any way possible to defend itself against attack."

Once again Harry nodded, waiting for Dumbledore to get to the point.  "Because of this, and your unique…relationship with the Dark Lord, your godfather and I feel that you should take on some special training to prepare you for anything that may happen until Lord Voldemort is defeated."

On hearing this Harry sat up straighter, hanging on every word Dumbledore said.  Finally, they were giving him a chance to do something instead of just sitting around.  For the past four years he had relied on luck to protect him from Voldemort, but now they were offering him a chance to go into training.

Dumbledore nodded to Harry, a knowing twinkle in his eye.  "Sirius has kindly given his permission, in fact it was more his idea than mine, to have you trained by the Department of Mysteries.  I know a few people there and I was able to pull some strings.  If you agree, we will begin your training as a War Wizard."

Harry's eyes widened at the mention of the Department of Mysteries.  Nobody outside of the department knew what they did.  In fact, those who worked in that department were known as Unspeakables.  If Harry had heard right, Dumbledore was arranging for Harry to be trained under them!

Shifting nervously, Harry asked, "And, uh, what exactly is a… War Wizard?"

Dumbledore just smiled and nodded towards Sirius, indicating he should explain.  Turning in his chair to glance at his godfather, Harry waited.

"Well Harry," Sirius began, "you know what an Auror is, correct?"  He continued without waiting for an answer.  "If Aurors are one of the best trained fighting forces in Europe, and law enforcers of the wizarding world, then the Department of Mysteries is our world's last defense against people like Voldemort.  They choose the best Aurors in the division and provide even further training, turning them into the most skilled and dangerous fighting forces in the world.  They are not known by most civilians because they are well versed in the art of disguise, and the Department of Mysteries would like to keep what they do, well… a mystery."

Harry had listened intently throughout Sirius's speech, and now he gawked noticeably.  "Let me get this straight," he said after a pregnant pause, "these are the best and most powerful fighters, tacticians, and spell-slingers in the entire world, right?" Sirius nodded.  "And you want me to be one of them?  You said they pick the best of the Aurors.  I'm only 15 years old!"

Dumbledore spoke up, "That you are Harry, but you are a 15 year old with a death threat from Lord Voldemort, last descendant of Salazar Slytherin, and possibly the most powerful wizard this world has ever seen.  That's not a threat to take lightly."

Harry was visibly shaken as he sat back in his chair to ponder what he had just been told.  The Headmaster and Sirius waited patiently, knowing that the boy had a lot to think about.  Harry's brow creased, and he brushed his hair back out of his eyes.  Finally, Harry broke the deafening silence.

"What about Ron and Hermione?  Will they be able to train with me?"  He leaned forward eagerly.  "And when will I be training?  During school, before, after?  Will I have to drop any classes?"

Dumbledore let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.  Sirius looked at his godson with a mixture of relief and trepidation.

"So you want to do it?" he asked.

Harry replied, "That's what I said, yes."

"Harry," Sirius said gravely, "Are you sure you want this.  Once you make your choice you can't change your mind.  You have to realize, this decision that will affect the rest of your life."

Harry's emerald green eyes burned fiercely as they met Sirius's black ones.  "If this will help stop Voldemort, then I have never been more sure of anything in my life.  He has to be stopped."

Sirius sat back in his chair, and closed his eyes.  At the sound of the Headmaster clearing his throat, Harry turned around.

"Well then Harry, if have you made up your mind?"  Harry nodded an affirmative.  "Good."  Dumbledore nodded and stood up.

"As for your earlier questions.  Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger will be more than welcome to train with you, but they must first receive permission from their parents.  I realize that you three are inseparable, and that is the only reason I am allowing this, although the Department of Mysteries won't be too happy with it.

"You will start training immediately, Ron and Hermione will join you once the term begins, and you will live here for the rest of the summer.  You will meet with your trainers, and be inducted into the Order tomorrow.  You may be required to drop a few of your less important classes," Dumbledore smiled down at Harry.  "I'll let you figure out which those are.  Along the same lines, you may be taking some higher level Defense and Charms classes, but other than that your schedule will be no different"

Dumbledore placed his hand on Harry's shoulder and led him out of the office, motioning Sirius to follow.  They descended the moving staircase and exited past the gargoyle, which moved back into place once they passed.  As the Headmaster led the way to Gryffindor Tower he continued talking.

"I will pay a visit to your relatives tomorrow and retrieve your belongings so you may stay here for the rest of the summer.  If you'd like you may come with me," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye.  Harry nodded in agreement.  It may be interesting to see the Dursley's reaction to his Headmaster, especially after Dumbledore learns that Uncle Vernon once called him a "crackpot old fool."  Harry smiled mischievously.

"After that, I will contact the Department of Mysteries and inform them of your decision.  Representatives should begin arriving tomorrow around dinnertime, and after a nice meal, we will hold the induction ceremony.  The day after you will begin training."

Sirius, who had been trailing behind silently, spoke up.  "What about the rest of his summer, Professor?  You're going to have him train during his break?"

Dumbledore continued walking and replied over his shoulder.  "Harry has made his decision Sirius.  He is now committed and I will be sure he is ready the next time he meets with the Dark Lord."  Dumbledore's voice became angrier as he talked.  "As much as I do not wish it to be so, I am afraid that they must face off sometime in the future.  I refuse to loose Harry the way we did his-"

Dumbledore shut his mouth firmly, but Harry knew what he was about to say.  The way we did his parents.

They continued in silence down the corridors of the castle that Harry knew so well.  The shifting staircases and disappearing stairs made Harry feel as if he had returned home.  When they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, she made a deep curtsey to the Headmaster, and greeted as she did everyone else.  "Password?"

"Snuffles," the Headmaster answered.

Harry glanced up in surprise at hearing the password.  "Isn't that kind of obvious?  Ron, Hermione, and I talk about Snuffles a lot."

Sirius placed a hand on Harry's shoulder from behind and answered.  "It's just for the rest of the summer Harry.  You, me, the Headmaster, and your trainers will be the only ones who use it."

Harry nodded and followed the Headmaster into the Gryffindor common room as the portrait swung forward.  Dumbledore pointed up the stairway.  "You may stay the night in your old room tonight, but tomorrow we may find you somewhere a little more convenient to stay the rest of the summer.

"Now, I will leave you and Sirius alone to catch up.  You do want to go with me to retrieve your belongings tomorrow, correct?"

"Yes sir," Harry said.

Dumbledore nodded.  "Very well.  I will see you tomorrow morning bright and early Harry.  Breakfast will be in the Great Hall as usual."  He turned without another word and swept out of the Tower, closing the portrait hole behind him.

Harry glanced at his godfather.  They were alone with him for probably the first time in his life, and with no time limit imposed upon them.  The silence was oppressive.

Harry studied Sirius closely.  He had gained weight since the last time they had been together, but the haunted look given to him by Azkaban remained.  His robes were dirty, ragged, and torn in many places, especially around the knees.  Sirius's long black hair was dirty and tangled, as if he had not had a bath for a month, which he probably hadn't.

"Well," Harry said awkwardly, "how long are you staying?"

"Until the end of the summer.  Then I will go back to actively fighting Voldemort."

"Oh…I see."  Harry shuffled his feet.  "Will you have to stay in your Animagus form?"

Sirius nodded sadly.  "But only when I'm where other people could see me.  The Department of Mysteries knows the truth, and they believe Dumbledore, but we think its better to be safe than sorry."

"The Department of Mysteries believes you?"  Harry asked excitedly.  "Then why haven't you been cleared?"

Sirius only had to say two words.  "Cornelius Fudge."

Harry glowered dangerously.  "That man is so frustrating!  Why doesn't Dumbledore do something about it?"

"Harry," Sirius consoled, "Fudge is the Minister of Magic, and as impotent as that man is, he holds a very powerful position in the government.  We can't just go over his head, and blackmail is out of the question."

"I know," Harry growled, "but he won't even concede that Voldemort is back.  He's so stubborn!"

Sirius touched Harry's arm to calm him down.  "Don't worry Harry.  We'll find Peter eventually, and then Fudge will have to pardon me.  Until then, I will do what I can to fight the Dark Lord inconspicuously."

Harry jerked away from his godfather angrily.  "How can you tell me not to worry?  You're my godfather, and I'm not even allowed to see you unless you're hidden!  How fair is that?"

Sirius sighed and sat down in one of the comfortable red armchairs sprawled around the common room.  "It's not fair Harry.  Not one bit.  But there's nothing we can do about it right now."

Harry nodded and a mask of calm fell across his features.  He seemed to pull all emotion out of his face and body and stuff it away.  He nodded.

"I see," Harry said.  "Well, if there's nothing else Sirius, I think I'll go to bed now.  See you in the morning."

Harry turned around and mounted the stairs.

Sirius stood quickly.  "But Harry, I-"

"We'll talk later Sirius," Harry interrupted him.  "I'm really tired now, it's almost three in the morning, and I have to be up early to go with Dumbledore."  He continued up the stairs without stopping.

"See you in the morning Harry," Sirius whispered.

***

Harry climbed the stairs to his dormitory after leaving Sirius in the common room.  He felt bad about that, but at the moment he had to sort through his own emotions.  Harry entered the fifth year's dormitory and looked around.  Nothing had changed from last year, but the absence of his classmates made the dormitory seem empty.

Without thinking, Harry moved to retrieve his pajamas from his trunk.  He kneeled down to open the trunk before he realized that it was still at the Dursley's.  Containing a sigh of frustration, Harry collapsed on the bed without removing his clothes and promptly fell asleep.