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Chapter 4

Ten minutes later saw Harry standing in the entrance hall and looking suspiciously out of the huge doors. It was pouring, and Harry had a nasty feeling that he was going to be out there, very soon. He shivered as the cold wind blew through the material of the thin shirt and trousers he had been ordered to wear. He curbed his instinct to cross his arms, as he saw Snape approach.

Harry said nothing in greeting, and Snape pursed his lips, annoyed. Deciding to let it go, he took his wand and cast a quick water-repelling charm on himself, then placed his wand next to his cloak by the doorway. As Harry reached to do the same, Snape's hand flicked out, stopping Harry from performing the charm. He took the wand from the boy's fingers. Harry was annoyed.

'What.I'll get soaked!'

'Indeed. And in doing so you will learn discipline.'

Snape's answer was snapped out, his distemper showing. About to argue, Harry was silenced with a glare.

'You will follow my lead. You will regret it if you stop. Understood?'

Harry did not answer, but looked mutinously at the floor. He was shocked as Snape reached pout and grasped his collar, twisting it. The gesture reminded Harry immediately of his uncle, and the pain that usually followed those words.

'Do you understand?'

Harry heard the threat clearly hidden in those words.

'Yes, my lord.'

Harry relaxed as his collar was released. Snape walked immediately out into the rain, with Harry reluctantly following in his wake. As Snape started to jog, so did Harry.

After two minutes Harry was soaked to the bone. After ten he was struggling to keep up. After half an hour he was practically being hauled along by an annoyingly dry Snape. After an hour he stumbled back into the Entrance Hall, and collapsed into a heap of mud, water, and sweat. Snape on the other hand, was barely sweating.

After allowing his exhausted apprentice a few minutes of rest, Snape walked over to stand before Harry, and spoke.

'On your feet.'

When Harry was slow to move, he barked.

'Now!'

Harry dragged himself wearily upright, and grabbed his wand, as he was led once more down to the dungeons. His initial joy at the though of being able to collapse in his new room was soon vanquished, as Snape led him to yet another previously unseen room. This one was almost bare, the only furniture being a thin, high cupboard set into the wall, at the door.

Seeing Snape had once again laid down his wand, Harry did likewise, and moved towards Snape, wondering wearily what he was going to have to do. His cloths stuck to his skin uncomfortably, and his shoes chaffed. He looked over towards his mentor.

'May I remove my shoes, my lord?'

Snape looked up briefly, noticing the boys shivers.

'You may.'

Harry gratefully did so, feeling slightly more natural once his feet were on the surprisingly warm stone floor. He looked up just in time to catch the fencing foil Snape tossed him. Gripping it firmly by the hilt, He looked up and down the blade, then up at his mentor confused.

'Stand in the centre of the room. Before I can teach you, I will test you. Block any attack I make, but do not launch any of your own. Understood?'

Yes, my lord.'

Snape nodded his approval as Harry stepped out from the wall, trying to stop his shivers. Once Harry was in the middle of the room, Snape advanced. He could immediately see that his new apprentice had the right idea. His foil was held up, ready to move fast if needed, and his movement was followed closely, Harry adjusting his position to match Snape's movement.

The first stroke was blocked clean, though the second, clumsily. When Snape tried a third, he was rewarded by the sharp whipping sound of metal on flesh. Harry winced but made no sound. Snape lunged again, this time fainting high and going for the soft flesh of Harry's calves. Only a quick side step saved Harry from the brunt of the blow, as he struggled to keep his balance and concentration.

At first Harry blocked about half the blows, but as time went on his tiredness began to show, and more and more blows found their target. After a hard blow that should have been easy to block caught Harry high in the back, across his bruises, Snape halted.

Harry kept his guard up for a few seconds, before allowing his foil to fall to his side. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his free hand, and looked up from under his scraggy hair to see what his master had to say.

'That was better than I expected. You kept your guard up, and moved acceptably. On the other hand, I was getting through much too often, as you will realise when your bruises show themselves later today.'

Harry made a face. He had enough bruises from his uncle, without getting more from his training.

'The bruising will make sure you remember what I teach you, and avoid making the same mistakes. Should you do so, you will find yourself in a lot more pain. I expect you to do better next time.'

Snape frowned as he heard Harry mutter.

'What was that, boy?'

Harry did not answer. Tired of waiting, Snape lashed out with his foil, making solid contact.

'Answer me.'

'I said, can we get this over with, I'm bloody cold.'

Harry refused to look up, waiting for wroth to descend. When it did, it's voice was deceptively mild.

'You are cold; in that case, I will just have to warm you up.' The voice hardened. 'I believe some sit-ups are in order. Begin'

Muttering under his breath, but realising arguments would only make it worse, Harry laid down his foil, and sat stiffly, entering into the torturous movement that kept him going. Sweat was soon pouring down his face, and Harry was glad of the moisture on his cloths, as it helped to cool the fire that he felt beneath his skin. After about ten minutes, Snape spoke.

'Stop.' Harry began to rise gratefully. 'Press ups.'

Harry swore, but did as he was bid. He only managed a scant twenty before his trembling arms gave out beneath him, and he fell to the cold floor, where he lay panting, unable to move.

'Are you warm now?' Snape's voice was expecting.

'Yes, my lord.'

In just those three words, Snape could hear the bitterness in Harry voice be replaced by acceptance, as well as a hint of understanding. As Harry struggled to regain his breath, Snape moved over to him, and stood just in front of his head, forcing him to crane his neck in order to see.

'Look at me. I trust you have no more complaints?' His voice was sibilant.

'None, my lord.' Harry had to fight to prevent the pleas he was screaming in his head from escaping into his voice.

'Then I suggest you use the next half hour to clean up, and change cloths. I expect you in my study within that time.'

'Yes, sir.'

Snape stood, still waiting, his face expectant.

'Thank you, my lord.'

Snape nodded his satisfaction, then turned sharply on his heel and walked out. Harry was left alone. He groaned and rolled onto his feet, stumbling as he moved protesting muscles. As he limped back to his room, along the stone corridors, he though of what had just happened.

Reluctant though he was to admit it, this training was going to do some good, maybe even make the difference between life and death when facing the Death Eaters. Still, if every day was going to be this bad, then Harry was not quite sure if it was worth it. Not that he had a choice.

How was that? Any comments? That actually went on a bit longer that I intended, and you might think it was a bit too detailed. But, never mind. Next chapter will hopefully be potions, and Harry finally getting a much deserved night's sleep. Thanks for any reviews - Pose