(A/N:  As stated in my disclaimer, I'll try to update every week or so, but it could be longer depending on what else is going on in life.  I hope you all enjoy the story.)

Hedwig did not return that night.  She did not return the next morning either.  Harry spent the day finishing his homework and worrying about Hedwig.  Normally, she returns much more quickly than this.  Just when Harry was going to start getting really worried, he heard a flutter of wings coming from outside the window.  Hedwig was back.  Not only with a message, but a small package as well.

            'Hrm, well this is unexpected.  Let's see what all this is about.'  Harry detached both the package and the message from Hedwig and sat down to look at what he had received.  He unrolled the message and it was a response from Ginny.

            Dear Harry,

            Don't you go worrying about the past, Harry.  The past is just that, in the past.  I know I never really gave you much of a reason to spend much time with me.  I guess in a way I was just acting like Ron's little sister.  When you started teaching with the D.A. I started to see another side of you.  No, not like that silly.  I started to see the friend Harry Potter.  The boy who cares for his friends and helps those who care for him, and not just The Boy who Lived. 

            How about we just forget about what happened before, and go from here.  Besides, how can I really treat a prat like the prat he is if he was willing to stand between Malfoy and I?

            Until next time,

            Ginny

P.S.      I hope you don't mind much Harry.  I was getting ready to send Hedwig with your reply and Dad asked me to send Hedwig to Dumbledore so she could pick up some materials for you.  Dad said he wanted to make sure you'd be able to trust the package when it got to you.  I hope it doesn't take too long to get to you though.

            Harry anxiously unwrapped the package and the first thing he saw on top was an envelope.  The envelope had the Hogwart's crest on back and had what appeared to be Dumbledore's handwriting on the front.  Underneath the envelope, Harry discovered a stack of books.  Deciding that the quickest way to discover what all the books were for was to read Dumbledore's letter, Harry quickly ripped open the envelope.  Inside he found a letter written in that now recognizable handwriting.

            Harry,

            As I told you when we last spoke, in my office, on that painful night.  I told you that you had every reason to be upset with me, but for bigger reasons than you had on your mind at the time.  I would like you to use these books to help you with your summer training.  They might also come in handy if you decide to continue the D.A. this school year.

            Speaking of the D.A., while looking at the preliminary O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. results with Griselda Marchbanks, it seems that the D.A. made quite the difference last year.  The members of the D.A. scored on average twenty percent better on the Defense Against the Dark Arts tests than the school average.  That distinction and accomplishment is truly something that you can be proud of.  I know your parents would be.  I know I am.

            I look forward to seeing you at our first lesson.

            Sincerely,

            Albus Dumbledore

            Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

            Harry searched through the box that had contained the letter and was astounded by the quality and the level of complexity of these books.  There was a copy of Jinxes for the Jinxed as well as Light and Dark: How to use the one to defeat the other, and Everything Your Parents Never Told You About Fighting the Dark Arts.  There were a few other books as well, though they were probably for his tutoring.  There was an advanced Occlumency text, How to Beat Legillimens at Their Own Game, and a copy of Personal Transfiguration for Defense.

            Harry spent the rest of the day reading through his new books wondering what these new classes will be like.  He didn't have long to wait to find out the truth about his new classes though.  In fact, he didn't need to wait any longer than the next day.

            "Hello again Harry.  I hope this conversation goes better than our last."  Harry rolled over the next morning only to come face to face with a pair twinkling blue eyes behind a pair of old moon shaped spectacles.  "Don't worry, I will not return the favor you paid me that day in June."  Harry blushed with embarrassment at his Headmaster's calm and direct demeanor.  "As I told you then, I understood that you were upset and did not hold your actions against you.  In case you were concerned, all items were quickly and easily repaired."

            Harry sighed with relief at this news.  Even though he knew that Dumbledore was not angry with him, because an angry Dumbledore could easily have stopped him that day, he had been worried what Dumbledore thought of him for his outburst.  "Professor, even so, I should not have broken your things.  I had no right to do that.  Be upset with you, shout and yell, sure, but destroy your possessions, no.  For that, I'm sorry."

            "Harry, I'm sure you're aware that if I had wanted to stop you, I could have, quite easily."

'What is he doing, reading my mind again,' Harry wondered.

            "A few minutes repairing some slightly damaged items were well worth the benefit.  It was better for you to vent your anger and frustrations while it was fresh than to let those feelings get trapped deep inside you.  Showing anger when it is warranted will not make you a bad person, Harry.  It is when we allow those feelings to fester and grow inside of us that the seeds of true evil start to be sown.  I know you've said a number of times to have people count the similarities between you and our mutual 'friend' Tom Riddle.  No single similarity could possibly be more dangerous for you and the world in general than to have you trap your feelings inside like he did."

            "Tom hated his father, at first, just for abandoning Tom's mother and himself.  He held that anger securely inside for a very long time.  After he came to Hogwarts, he had a few altercations with some of the other students.  Nothing major, just normal school boys fighting for dominance much like young Mr. Malfoy and yourself.  He was ridiculed by his own housemates for losing to a Muggle born.  Slowly, that hatred of his father grew to a hatred of all Muggles.  Then, with time, Tom evolved into what we know today."

            "I had seen you all of last year get more and more caught up in your emotions.  Your anger at being guarded without your knowledge, the frustrations over seemingly being the forgotten member of the trio, yes I noticed it.  I also noticed how far into depression you sank over the Christmas holidays, feeling guilt for Mr. Weasley's attack.  I knew Sirius' death would hit your hard, perhaps irreversibly.  I couldn't just sit and watch that happen.  Even if I had to take the brunt of your anger."

            "I did not lie to you that night.  You had a right to be mad at me.  I kept the knowledge of the prophecy from you long after I should have told you.  I was able to focus your emotions into something you could address and move on from.  Sure you still feel sad and maybe even still some guilt, but you are able to cope and will someday move on from the events of that day."

            Dumbledore's eyes started to give off his trademark twinkle as he leaned a little closer.  "This does not give you leave to go into my office and break some of my possessions when ever you feel like it though.  I do want you to try to express your feelings to others though.  It doesn't have to be me, but there's a reason your feelings keep trying to burst out of you.  It is not healthy to keep them all tied down all the time."

            "But, Professor, why should I burden other people with my feelings, my doubts, my fears.  Anyone I would confide in at the moment is either swamped under their own concerns, or ….."

            "Harry, I know it will be hard for you, but remember.  For those who love you, who really truly care for you, your true friends, such an outpouring of trust could never be considered a burden.  Anyone who knows you, and I mean really knows you, would be honored that you trust them enough to talk with them in that way."

            Harry was looking down by this point; obviously uncomfortable with the path this conversation has taken.  "Okay, Professor.  I'll try to be more open with my thoughts and feelings," Harry mumbled.

            "Wonderful news.  Now, onto my real reason for coming by today. Why don't you get dressed, come down for breakfast, and we'll get started." 

            After rushing around taking a shower and getting dressed, Harry hurried downstairs not wanting to keep his headmaster waiting.  He entered the kitchen and was greeted by a sight he had never thought he would see in his uncle's house.  There, standing at the stove wearing an apron that said 'Kiss the chef" and wearing a fluffy white baker's hat was Dobby. 

            "Mr. Harry Potter!  Dobby is so happy to be seeing you again.  Professor Dumbledore was telling Dobby that Mr. Harry Potter would need extra help this summer, so Dobby just had to come and help."

Dumbledore walked in from the back yard, "Ah, there you are Harry.  Please, take a seat.  Dobby should be done with breakfast in just a minute."

            "But, sir, what about.."

            "Your relatives have decided to take a bit of a vacation this holiday.  I don't think we'll have to worry much about them."

            "But the protections, you said"

            "Ahh, yes, that.  Well, I said that as long as you could call this house your home you were safe.  I never actually said they had to be here at the same time."  By this point Dumbledore's eye twinkles were mesmerizing.  "We should not have a problem conducting your advanced studies in peace here this summer.  In a few weeks, we might even be able to move you to a different location so you can spend time with your friends.  For now, Dobby here has agreed to work for you.  He'll still be an employee of Hogwarts, just working for you as a special assignment.  You see, it's a one of those annoying points of law we have.  You can't have a house elf, if you don't own a house."

            "Thank you, Professor.  This will definitely make this summer much more enjoyable.  First not having to put up with the Dursleys, but having Dobby around will be better than spending my time alone."

            "You might not want to thank me yet.  I don't think you'll be spending enough time lying around to be able to get lonely.  Now, after breakfast we'll have a bit of Occlumency training.  Later this afternoon someone will be here to help you work on your physical endurance.  I know you try to keep in top Quidditch shape, but different muscles are used on the ground.  Now, eat up.  We have a long day ahead of us."

            Breakfast went quickly.  Dobby was still as good of a cook as ever.  He was making an extra effort since he was working especially for Harry now.  Once breakfast was complete, Harry and Dumbledore walked out into the backyard.

            "Before we begin Harry, I understand that Mr. Weasley has explained to you about the award from the Ministry.  The award and the privileges that come with it are not to be taken lightly.  There are those within and around the Ministry who would try to catch you in wrong doing so they could try to get that privilege revoked.  I realize it's a moot point in a year, but a lot of things can happen in a year."

            "I'll be careful, Professor."

            "Now, about your classes.  Most of them will be taking place here in your back yard.  Don't worry, additional wards and charms have been put up keeping us from receiving unwanted attention.  No Muggles will see or hear what we do here."

            "I understand from our discussion a few weeks ago that Professor Snape had stopped your lessons.  As I told you then, it was a mistake on my part to not try to teach you myself.  I feel it is in both of our best interests to rectify that mistake before we start on any new material."

            "As I'm sure you know by now, Occlumency is a way to defend your own thoughts from being invaded by others.  This is important, not only because of your link with Tom Riddle, but also because it is a required skill to learn in order to become an Auror.  Normally, it is a skill not taught until you are in their training program, though.  I do not think you will have a difficult time learning it however.

            "Difficult time?  Professor Snape spent almost a full year trying to teach me and I couldn't even keep from blocking out that trap in June."

            "Ahhh, there lies the difference.  Learning the theories and putting them into practice are two different things.  The first thing I would like you to do is to learn these focusing exercises.  Attempt to totally empty your mind of any thoughts.  This is the easiest way to be aware of an attack into your mind.  If you are thinking of nothing, then whenever you see visions occurring, you know someone is trying something.  Later we'll work on focusing on just one specific item.  That way you'll learn to recognize when your thoughts shift from what you're focusing on.  Then we will work on being able to think about many things but always being aware of what it is you are thinking about so if other images appear you'll know that they're not the images you're expecting.  We have time before we get to that point though."

            By the time lunch arrived, the Harry had been able to master the focusing exercises.  He had even been able to be able to focus on just one thing.  So far, he's been having a slight problem noticing when the image changes, but Dumbledore assured Harry that he's been making great progress so far.  He also instructed Harry to be sure to perform the focusing exercises right before going to sleep at night.  It should reduce the chances that Voldemort will be able to get to him while sleeping.

            Harry and Dumbledore enjoyed another pleasant meal cooked by Dobby.  Afterwards, Dumbledore had to leave to attend other business.  Before he left he asked Harry to be sure that he was careful with the rest of his classes and to keep his wand with him at all times. 

            Harry settled down to his book of jinxes after lunch and awaited the arrival of the person who was going to help him with his physical training.  He didn't have long to wait.  About two in the afternoon, Harry was roused from his book by knocking at the front door.  He went to open the door since it was agreed that Dobby shouldn't, in case it was a Muggle.  Dobby was in the entryway in case it was someone who should not be here.

            Harry opened the door to be greeted by a face he never would have expected to be attached to someone to train him in physical fitness.  The person greeting him looked to be in her twenties with bright purple hair and a Weird Sisters t-shirt on.  "Hello there, Tonks.  Thanks for helping with the Dursleys the other day.  The look on my uncle's face when you, Lupin and Mad Eye threatened them is definitely in my top ten memories."

            "Ah, 'tweren't nothing Harry.  Honestly, we should have done that, years ago.  They'll be out of your hair until you leave for the year, and then you'll only have to put up with them for a month next year.  You'll be fine.  So, are you ready to start getting in shape?"

            "Shape?  You make me sound like a lazy lump that sits around all day.  I'll have you know I have quite the Quidditch frame."

            "Aye, I'm sure you do, but there's in shape to fly around all day, and in shape to run for you life when need be.  The shape that will help you dodge unfriendly spells and keep you alive.  That is the shape we'll be getting you into.  First, go get changed into some exercise clothes, we can't have those baggy jeans falling off of you while we're running can we?"

            "But, Tonks, all of my clothes look like this.  All I've ever received besides my robes for school have been hand me downs from my fat cousin."

            "Well, we can't have that can we?  Well, I promised Dumbledore I'd take you running for a couple miles.  He never said where we had to run.  Go change into the best outfit you have for jogging, I'll be right back."  With a pop, she was gone.  Harry ran upstairs and put on some clothes of Dudley's that were quite old, but were more likely to fit him since when Dudley wore them, he wasn't as big as he is now.  Then he rushed back downstairs just as Tonks reappeared in the back yard.

            "Here we go Harry.  I know just the place.  Just had to pick up some Muggle money from headquarters."  Harry opened his mouth to protest, but didn't get too far.  "Don't worry; you can pay the Order back later.  I just didn't want to go through the ordeal of going to Gringott's.  Once word gets out Harry Potter is making a withdrawal, yet is not in Diagon Alley, they'll start looking for you to pop up in stores."

            Harry and Tonks took a run over to the local mall after she changed her hair to blonde in order to blend a bit better with the rest of the Muggles.  They kept a fast pace, but Harry could tell that Tonks was expecting him to speed up greatly by the end of his training with her this summer.

(A/N  I'm stopping here only because I want to get into detail with the shopping trip, and figured if I left it in with this chapter, I would end up rushing through it to keep the whole chapter from being fifteen pages long.  I should be posting the next chapter much sooner than this one took to get out.  Enjoy!)