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Chapter 10

Over the weeks until term starts, Harry settled once more into a daily routine, and carried on satisfied with his studies. He was enjoying life, mainly because no one was trying to kill him for once, but also because he had finally got comfortable around Snape, and knew more of what was expected of him.

As a few other members of staff turned up, as it got closer to the beginning of term, Harry would occasionally be given a class by one of them, most noticeably Dumbledore, or McGonagall. These sessions he enjoyed immensely, as they were aimed at area's he studied very little with Snape. With Dumbledore, he looked at tactics and strategy, learning how to combine different strengths and weaknesses, and how to manage people. With McGonagall he was starting on the long road to becoming and animagus. For now it had been mainly theory, but Harry was looking forward to the ay when he could start the transformation itself.

It was during one of his classes with Dumbledore that they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Dumbledore leaned back on his chair, and easy smile on his face.

'Come in.'

The door opened, and a tall, athletic looking man stepped through. Despite his height, Harry guessed him to be in his low thirties.

'Hello, hello. Harry, this is Mundungus Fletcher. He is the man who is going to be responsible for the training of the fourth form and up in the new class. Duelling and Defence.'

Harry rose to his feet, turning to face the newcomer. He dipped his head slightly.

'Sir.'

Behind his glasses, Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling merrily.

'Please, have a seat.'

'Thank you Albus.'

As they all sat back down, Harry, still shooting curious glances at the new professor. Realising this Dumbledore took pity on him.

'So, have you decided what you are going to do with our students yet?'

Fletcher grinned, and Harry guessed that there was some sort of ongoing joke between the two men. However his attention was drawn to what came next, rather than to working it out.

'Well, I've been thinking about it, and unfortunately the only one that is going to have enough effect in a short time is the hardest. They're not going to like me for it.'

'If it saves their lives it doesn't matter if they don't like it. Report any absentees straight to me.'

Deciding he couldn't take the suspense any more, Harry leaned forwards.

'Excuse me, but why should they dislike you for teaching them how to duel? I know loads of my year who would jump at the chance.'

Fletcher regarded him for a moment.

'You are in the fourth form then?'

'I am.'

'It is not the duelling they will hate me for, but how I get them in a state where they are actually physically capable of taking part.'

'Harry had a feeling he knew where this was going.

'Our contacts say we have until Christmas to prepare. Three months is too short a time for me to be nice. Many will think muggle training is beneath them and refuse. When I force them, they will hate me. If you're in fifth form, you will shortly see what I mean.'

Harry stood up quickly, at attention despite the fact that Snape was not present. Dumbledore gave a chuckle.

'I'm afraid you are talking to the wrong person Mundungus; Harry is an apprentice to the masters. He goes through that sort of training every day.'

Fletcher raised his eyebrow in appreciation.

'The Masters? In that case I will be sure to push you harder than the rest in the coming months. Actually, now I get a look at you I should have guessed. You look like you're in training, and the clothes as well.'

Harry grinned, at ease once more. 'Sir, I have another question. If this is a new class, what's happening to DADA?'

'Good question Harry. For fourths and above, two lessons a week are to become compulsory. Those choosing to take the subject full time will have it instead of one or two of their optional classes. In that case, they will train at least once a day.'

Harry nodded his head, making a mental note to tell Ron and Hermione to choose to do it full time. Despite the hard work, Harry knew they would all need it in the coming war.

Realising the time, he turned to Dumbledore.

'Sir, Master Shadowman will be expecting me.'

'Of course, I will see you later.'

Dumbledore inclined his head as Harry gave a bow, both to his headmaster and to his new professor. He jogged quickly down to the dungeons, realising that it was time for his physical training. Groaning mentally, he changed quickly, then went into the study, and bowed quickly.

'My lord.'

Harry was faced with a distinctly annoyed Snape.

'You are late. Do you have an explanation?'

Harry was careful to keep his face expressionless

'No, my lord.'

'Very well, in that case you're punishment will be part of today's training. I need to talk to the headmaster, so we will use the new training hall today. Follow me.'

Snape led Harry up through the corridors to a door Harry would have sworn had not been there the day before. On it was a gold plaque with the words Training Hall engraved neatly into it. Mentally raising his eyebrows, Harry entered. Inside was a large room, with padded canvas floors. There were red lines on the floor, one marking off a duelling ring, another a fencing square. To the left of the door was a long bench, and stacked equipment.

On the far side of the room was a framework identical to the one in the dungeons. Long wooden beams were set at different angles and heights. When a spell was spoken, the bars moved at varying speeds and in different directions. Sometimes he was ordered to get from one end to the other, sometimes just stay inn the middle and avoid the bars for as long as possible. It all depended on the mood Snape was in, and right now, he wasn't in a good mood.

Harry obeyed some snapped orders quickly, removing his shirt and shoes, with his heart sinking as he did so. The only times he had previously be ordered to train barefoot he had ended up in a significant amount of pain. Shrugging off his worry, Harry walked out onto the canvas, and completed a quick set of exercises without problems, before moving over to the frame.

'You will stay in the middle. You keep going till I say stop. Move.'

Trying to ignore the annoyance in Snape's voice, Harry moved quickly to the centre of the frame, and stood ready to move. He didn't hear the activation spell, and as a consequence the first movement nearly caught him off guard.

As time wore on, Harry turned all his attention to staying upright, and as such didn't notice when the doors opened and Dumbledore walked in, accompanied by Fletcher. Nor did he noticed the conversation between his mentor and the Headmaster, or the piercing gaze which the new professor sent his way.

After twenty minutes, Harry was sweating heavily, and gasping for air. As still more time passed, he caught sight of Snape out of the corner of his eyes, arm folded, and looking nowhere near relenting.

Anger pumped adrenalin to tired muscles, and Harry increased his pace yet again. His silent defiance met with raised eyebrow and questioning glances. At the forty minute mark, Snape finally relented, whispering finite incantantum, and leaving the room, allowing and exhausted Harry to fall to his knees on the canvas, his chest heaving.

'That was very impressive.'

Harry glanced upwards when he heard Fletcher voice, too tired to care that a near stranger had just witnessed his punishment. He accepted the offered glass of water with a grateful nod, and gulped it greedily.

'I'm surprised you lasted that long.'

Harry looked up once again, noting the openness of the voice.

'Practice. It's a punishment, I'm just in trouble a lot.'

Harry shrugged, and then grinned, a though having occurred to him.

'Is this room for your classes?'

His query was met with a nod.

'I would love to be here when you introduce my year to this particular regime.' Harry shook his head regretfully.

'You will be.'

Seeing Harry confused face, he continued.

'You're physical training is usually four hours, correct?'

Harry nodded his head.

'You'll spend the first three with me, then the last with Master Shadowman so you can practice your fencing. So, you'll get plenty of practice. I'm installing another few sets of these, and I'm going to make a few adjustment to make them harder. If you can do forty minutes then I've obviously got something wrong.'

Now it was Fletcher's turn to grin. He pulled Harry to his feet, and nodded his goodbye.

'I'll see you later. By the way, your master said he wants you down there as soon as you can walk. Unless you feel like doing another lot, I suggest you get going.'

Harry nodded his head and smiled.

'Thank you, sir.'