Ok, first off, it seems I own an apology to a couple of people, as was pointed out in a review. To these people, I am very sorry I forgot you, and I promise it wont happen again.

I owe a big thank you to my to beta readers. Two beautiful and amazing women, one of whom happens to fell the same way about me. Without their help, this story would not be here. (So blame them!)

Thank you very much.

Chapter 2

Harry awoke the next morning after a full nights sleep. He felt fully refreshed, and decided that he like the idea of a full night of sleep. He walked to the bathroom, and took a nice long shower. Looking in the mirror, he realised that he could probably do with a shave.

Unfortunately he didn't have a clue how to use a razor, and had no desire to ask his uncle about it. The more he thought about it, the more he realised that he had never seen any wizard shave. There must be some sort of charm he decided after a while.

Harry made a note to ask Moony about it next time he wrote.

He went back to his room, got dressed, and decided that he would do some more homework before going down to the shed for some practise. Harry started on the second essay for professor McGonagall, 'Uses and forms of Transfiguration used in duelling.' To be a foot and a half in length.

By the time lunch rolled around, Harry had finished the essay, writing a total of two and a half feet. Harry went down to the kitchen, where he helped himself to a piece of cheese and another apple, along with a glass of water, before heading out to 'his' shed.

Just thinking back to the reaction his uncle had to finding a new shed in the garden, let alone its purpose, caused Harry to break out into a wide grin. He pulled open the door and walked to the centre of the room. Looking around, he settled the books that he had brought with him down on the floor, and concentrated.

After a minute, a life-size model appeared at the far end of the shed. After another minute of concentrating, the mannequin glowed a soft pink, before beginning to move slowly around the room.

Harry grinned, trying to decide what spells to start with. After running the DA last year, he was very well practised with most standard duelling spells.

Harry suddenly had a great idea. He moved over and pulled one of the books he had brought out into his lap. He flicked throw it till he found the spell he was looking for.

He ran over it in his mind a few times, before returning the book to the pile. He stood and faced the dummy, and then pointed his wand.

'Referio'

The dummy was suddenly encased in a pale blue shild, which slowly faded till it was nothing more than the faitest blue tint.

Harry tested his spell by pointing his wand at the mannequin and casting a simple test spell. 'Iubar'. Harry was pleased to see his beam of light bounce of the dummy and strike him in the center of his chest. He stepped back before sending a silent command to his creation, causing it to suddenly speed up.

He stood for a few minutes, trying to decide what spell to use. Suddenly he had a thought. In his minds eye, Harry saw the Order appear at number four Privet Drive after not receiving the regular communication Harry promised them.

He saw them investigate just to find Harry in his shed, lying unconscious after being hit by his own stunner. The idea made Harry wince.

Deciding to use only simple curses and hexes, Harry pointed his wand at the dummy and fired off a spell.

* * * * *

After a few hours of practise, Harry was sweating like never before. He winced as he walked, after spraining his ankle when trying to avoid the leg locker curse that the dummy had reflected at him.

But all in all Harry was quite pleased with his practise. The moving mannequin allowed him to improve his aim, and the reflect spell allowed Harry to practise avoiding the spells that hit the target.

There was one thing that Harry had realised he need to do, and that was to improve his agility. As such Harry decided that every morning he would get up and go for a run, push his endurance to the limits.

Harry crawled up the stairs to his room and promptly fell asleep on his bed.

* * * * *

Harry awoke early the following morning. Looking over at the clock, he saw that it was only just past four in the morning, but after going to bed very early the day before, he felt refreshed.

Realising it was too early to go for his new morning run, Harry decided that he would try to work on more of his homework. Harry worked on his Defence Against The Dark Arts essay for two hours, till six, before heading off on his run.

Harry was used to running, he used to have to run from Dudley all the time, and also playing Quidditch improved his stamina, so he wasn't too surprised that he didn't find it all that hard, at least to begin with.

Harry ran off towards the local town. He ran through the town to the large park on the other side. When he reached it he stumbled down to the large lake in the centre. He fell to his knees beside the lake and stuck his head into the water. He then moved over and sat down with his back against a tree.

Harry sat there for about ten minutes, letting his heartbeat slow and his mussels relax, before he started back for Privet drive. Harry finally struggled throw the door at just gone seven, stumbled up the stairs and towards the bathroom.

Before he reached it however, his uncle came out of the master bedroom and look down at him.

"What the hell have you been up to boy?"

Harry was too surprised to answer straight away, as it was the first time any of the Dursley's had spoken a word to him since he got home. Even when Vernon had discovered the shed in the garden, he hadn't spoken to him, thought Harry knew he had wanted to shout his head off.

"Running" was all Harry said before he closed the bathroom door and turned on the shower. After a long, hot shower Harry retreated to his bedroom.

After dressing, Harry decided to write a letter to Moony asking about that shaving charm, and any other useful charms he might need to know.

Dear Moony.

Firstly just to let you know that my 'relatives' are treating me fine, even though uncle Vernon looked like he wanted to explode when he found out bout the new 'shed'.

Also I wanted to ask you about a shaving charm, or anything of the sort. Looking in the mirror I realised I need a shave, but have no idea how to go about it.

Please say hello to Tonks and the rest of the Order for me, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Love Bambi.

After sending the letter off with Hedwig, Harry settled back down to his homework, starting by completing his charms essay.

After lunch Harry went out into the garden and into the shed.

Harry decided to start with some new curses, and after an hours practising, in which he destroyed over twenty five mannequins, he went back to cursing a mannequin with the reflect spell on it, and dodging the returning curses.

Harry joined the Dursley's for dinner, much to their surprise, as it was the first meal Harry had eaten with them since returning for the summer. Of course they didn't object, and it was a very quite meal, as no one seemed to want to be the first to talk. Harry washed up after the meal, again much to the Dursley's surprise, but this time they seemed a little uncomfortable.

Harry figured they were probably torn between not wanting to upset him, and not wanting to have to wash the dishes. Finally they left Harry to alone after figuring that he wasn't objecting about washing up.

After everything was clean, he went back to his room, to find that Hedwig had returned with the reply from Remus.

Harry saw that Hedwig was actually carrying a small parcel, with a letter attached to the parcel. Opening the letter first, Harry started reading.

Dear Bambi.

I have included a book with this letter. In it you will find not only the shaving charm, but also lots of other useful charms and other things.

The rest of the Order send their greetings, and Tonks asked me to say she hopes you are eating well.

I will see you at nine o'clock on the morning of your birthday; I suggest that you have all you bits and pieces packed into your trunk.

Hope this letter finds you well, and don't forget to write at least every three days.

Love Moony.

Harry smiled at the letter. It seemed as if Tonks was taking this 'looking after Harry' stuff very seriously.

He unwrapped the parcel, and found that it was indeed a book; leather bound with the title 'Everything A Young Wizard Needs'

Flipping through the book Harry soon found that it did indeed hold many 'useful' spells. There was a whole chapter about contraceptive charms, and protection against STD's. There were also charms for looking after clothes, such as an ironing charm.

Finally Harry found the shaving charm in the chapter all about personal grooming, along with ones to cut hair, and to increase its length.

Harry set the book down on his desk, deciding to perform the charm tomorrow, in the shed so as not to get caught.

Looking at the clock, Harry decided to read a little before going to bed, so he pulled out on of the books he had borrowed from the school library and read.

After an hour or so, he slowly fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

* * * * *

Harry followed the same routine every day for the next few weeks. He would get up early, go for a morning run, in which he would push himself to run fast and further than the day before.

Following that, Harry would have a shower and a small breakfast, usually a piece of fruit, before returning to his bedroom.

Harry would spend the morning working on his homework, which he quickly finished, even the pieces he knew he didn't need, and all of it over the required length.

When he had no more homework, Harry would go over the theory part of the spells he was practising and reading books on charms, curses and anything else he thought might be useful.

Following lunch, again normally a piece of fruit, and maybe some bread and cheese, Harry would go out into the garden shed to practise his spells. He would put to use everything he had learned over five years of schooling as a wizard.

He would also put into practise the things he leant about while doing his summer homework. It seemed that all the teachers were determined to get their students ready to face the dark lord, and as such set homework to reflect the fact.

Also in the afternoon Harry would work on his potions. He knew that he needed potions at NEWT level to become an Auror, and although he didn't think that he had got the outstanding he need at OWL, he hoped to prove to Snape he was worth taking on.

Along with this routine, Harry also wrote to his friends and the order. One letter he got from Ron really confused him, however.

Dear Harry.

After another talk with professor Dumbledore, it seems that I will be seeing you on your birthday. From what I could gather, most of the family will be going somewhere, though where I haven't a clue. Also mum says we will be seeing you and Hermione.

And that you won't be going back to the Dursleys after, but you won't be coming here either. I am afraid I haven't got the slightest clue what's going on, but at least I will get to see you. Will give you your present when we meet up, where ever that is.

Best regards.

Ron

Slowly the days passed, and Harry's birthday came closer and closer.

The night before his birthday, Harry packed everything into his trunk. After ensuring all his homework was packed, along with all his quills and ink, his clothes, and all his books, Harry went of to bed.

* * * * *

Harry awoke the following morning, and after his run and shower he went into the shed. Harry conjured up a mirror. One of the things Harry had practised a lot over the last few weeks was conjuring objects out of thin air, and had managed to get fairly good at it.

He sat down in front of the mirror, before pointing the wand at his face.

'Tondere'

As Harry slowly moved his wand, the stubble around his face fell away, leaving him clean-shaven. Harry dismissed the conjured mirror with a simple wave of his wand, before pointing his wand at the small pile of shaved hair.

With a muttered spell 'Incendio' Harry watched the pile burst into flames before disappearing entirely.

Harry then went back to his room to wait for moony and Tonks to arrive.

At precisely nine o'clock, the front door bell rang. As soon as he opened the door, Remus and Tonks proceeded into the house.

"Come on Harry, we need to be quick" Remus said as he lead Harry up to his room.

"Is every thing packed in your trunk?"

Harry turned to him. "Yeah, its all in there."

Remus smiled and nodded, before proceeded to shrink Harry's trunk and put it in his pocket.

While Remus was doing this, Harry watched out of his window while Tonks waved her wand at the shed. After a few waves of her wand the shed glowed silver, obviously showing where she had removed the charms she had cast.

Then she proceeded to check all around, and seeing nobody watch, she pointed her wand at the shed again. "Incendio" Harry heard her shout, and watched as the shed burst into flames.

After a few minutes, she pointed her wand again and this time shouted "Reducto" and Harry watched as the shed blow apart, leaving nothing but a few smoking embers where a shed had stood moments before.

"Ah, very good that girl" Harry heard Remus mutter over his shoulder, before he turned back to Harry. "Well then, come on Harry, we must not be late, so we've got to get going."

Harry followed as Remus led the way back downstairs, where they meet up with Tonks. Harry followed them both as they lead the way down Privet drive. Fairly soon Harry realised where they were going, and was proven correct as Remus knocked on Mrs. Figg's door.

Mrs. Figg opened the door, allowing the three of them to enter. They proceeded through to the front room, where Tonks started a fire in the fireplace. She then opened a jar and took out what looked to Harry like floo powder.

She looked to Remus, who nodded and then she throw the powder into the fireplace and called out 'Leaky Caldron' as she stepped into the flames, before disappearing.

"You next Harry" Moony said. As Harry picked up a handful of the powder he heard Moony thank Mrs. Figg. Then Harry threw the powder and called out 'Leaky Caldron' and everything vanished in a swirl of fire.

Harry stumbled out of the grate in the Leaky Caldron. Looking around he noticed that it was very quite, as it was only just twenty minutes past nine in the morning.

He noticed Tonks standing off to the side, and moved over to her. A couple of seconds later the fireplace flamed up and Remus stepped out. He spotted the other two standing by the exit to Diagon ally, and headed over. As he walked past the bar he smiled at the landlord.

"Thanks for the use of your fire Tom"

"Anytime Mr. Lupin."

Remus then proceeded to lead the way into the courtyard behind the bar. Tapping on the bricks he opened the arch into Diagon ally. As Harry walked down the street he noticed that there were an awful lot of Aurors standing around.

Tonks noticed his curious glances. "The Ministry has stationed a whole troop of Aurors to the defence of Diagon ally, and another to the defence of the Ministry. There are also two squads stationed at St. Mungo's."

Harry mealy nodded at Tonks's words. It was nice to know that ministry were finally taking Voldemort seriously, but it unnerved him to see so many Aurors in one place.

Harry followed Remus as he lead the way into Gringotts, and up to one of the goblins standing at the side of the main hall. The goblin looked over the three of them quickly before addressing Remus.

"You all here for the reading?"

Remus merely nodded his accent.

The goblin asked them to wait a moment, and then headed off to a desk at the far end of the hall. Harry walked up to Remus. "What reading is he talking about?" he asked.

Moony looked over at him, and Harry was shocked to see unshed tears in his eyes.

"The will" he said softly. "Sirius's will"

Harry said the only thing he could think of as the goblin lead the three of them to a large door at the side of the hall and bade them enter.

"Oh"