Chapter Ten: End of Summer

Harry with new resolve chose to abstain from getting breakfast he went straight to training. Going to his trunk Harry chose to get right into physical training in his metamorphigi animal forms. Clawing and dodging to blows Harry without yielding attacked the dummies without giving up as his muscles burned from the pain of his exertion. While attacking his animal senses told him that there were people watching him and with his wolf like grace he jumped to the side with fangs bared and claws out looking at whoever disturbed him.
Remus and McGonagall who were waiting for Harry to show to tell him that he would no longer need there help and should continue on his own were growing impatient due to Harry's lateness. Deciding to check on him still thinking he was asleep they walked into his room since there knocks went unanswered. Stepping in they found an empty bed. Concluding that he was working in his trunk they headed down to be met with an astonishing sight. Harry who often while had great muscle definition was still barely the right size for his age, was now standing at least six and a half feet tall and now had an animalistic build to him. Watching the teenager attack the dummies like a feral animal they started to approach. Moving towards them they noted his great speed and agility as Harry rolled and spun around in a defensive posture. The animal that was Harry stood there his eyes searching over the instructors before putting down his guard and spoke.
"Sorry about that. So what brings you down here?" asked Harry who was still looking the same, but his voice had a deep intimidating rumble.
Both thinking how to answer McGonagall was first to respond. "Well it seems you are doing well with you abilities. It is quite impressive with your change. Mr. Lupin and I were waiting for you in the kitchen this morning, but when you didn't show we decided to find you."
"I'm sorry Professor McGonagall, but I didn't realize you wanted to speak with me. What did you want to speak to me about?"
"About your training Mr. Potter" Said McGonagall "We believe you do not need our help, but you should keep working and try to change your animal form a bit."
Harry was glad that he could work on his own, not that he didn't like working with McGonagall and Remus, but he liked to try things and not worry about someone telling him to be careful. "Thank you Professor for helping with my transformations and I will keep working on it." With that his head of house left the room leaving just Remus.
"Well I'm proud of your progress it seems now you don't even need me anymore." Remus said jovially, but Harry could pick out the sadness that Remus believed that Harry wouldn't need him anymore
"Of coarse I will still need you. You're the only person who doesn't see me as some great savior, but as Harry. I will always need you Moony." Harry said honestly
"I know kid." Answered Remus who felt shaky after voicing his opinion of loneliness and uselessness. "Alright Harry I have some work for the Order to do so get some training in." with that Remus left the room.
Harry decided to for go the rest of his physical training due to the amount of energy a partial transformation takes. Changing back to his completely human form exhausted Harry went and began to brew a batch of dreamless sleep potion figuring that just memorizing the book isn't enough he would have to work on them to perfection. Taking out his medical potion book he began to gather his supplies and had his cauldron simmering. After adding his ingredients and putting the jars back he took the cauldron off the fire to cool. Harry was happy seeing the potion looked right at the moment and it only had to cool before he could tell if it was correct. Leaving his trunk Harry heeded the advice of his stomach and continued down to the kitchen only to be once again trampled by a over zealous fan.
"Hello Dobby." Harry said breathlessly "What are you doing here away from Hogwarts?" Harry asked his curiosity peeked.
Dobby he usually timid and shy stature was beaming "Dumbledore is wanting Dobby to watch the house. Dobby is now given great responsibility for the Order."
"That's great Dobby. It's great to see you again. So what will you are doing around the place?" Harry asked wondering if Dobby would have time to just talk due to the fact that Harry was quite lonely.
"Dobby is to cook and clean. The last House Elf was very bad and didn't clean very well." Dobby said the last part angrily. "What would Mr. Harry Potter like for lunch?" asked Dobby suddenly.
Harry shaken out of his angry stupor by Dobby's question looked at him thinking before saying simply "Some soup please." With that the little house elf took off cooking up soup for Harry. Finished with the soup Dobby took a bowl and tray and brought Harry's lunch to him.
"Is there anything else Dobby can get you?" asked the elf wanting to serve.
Harry who was filled from the excellent soup just wanted to have someone around to talk to "No thank you. The soup was excellent." Dobby beamed at his praise "Dobby do you think you would have free time during the day?"
"I don't know. Dobby has lots to do during the day and doesn't want to disappoint the Head Master." Said Dobby. "Why do you want to know?" asked the elf quizzically.
"Well it's lonely in this house and I just wanted to talk to someone sometimes, but you'll be busy so it's no big deal." Said Harry hiding the disappointment in his voice
Dobby looked as if he was contemplating the young wizard before he spoke "Dobby could make time to come talk to Harry Potter during the day. That is if he doesn't mind"
"I would like that very much." Said Harry. Thanking for the mean Harry took a shower to sooth his sore muscles.
Finishing his shower Harry continued up to his room with the intent to study. Opening his desk drawer looking for a quill so he could take notes he found the letters from right after he got his owl results from his friends. "There going to be pissed it took he so long" thought Harry. Sitting down he began to read the letter from Hermione. Dear Harry,

I know we were supposed to meet at Diagon Ally today, but as you know now our results were delayed by Umbrige and were just now getting them. I receive 13 O.W.Ls I know I could have gotten more, but I didn't have the time to study as much as I wanted for all of my test. My mum when she found out my score decided due to my results we should take a family vacation. I wish I could have come to Diagon Ally with you, but my parents wanted to spend time with me and celebrate. I know you must be pretty mad so I will give you time to read and write this letter. I can't wait to see you on the train
With Love,
Hermione

Smiling at Hermione's ability to know what he would do when he got the letter he decided he would apologize for his lack of reply to hers and all his letters and congratulate her. Starting on the next letter in the pile he read the letter from Neville.

Dear Harry,
I hope you won't get upset at this, but I won't be able to go to Diagon Ally. My Gran decided to have a family get together to celebrate my results. I got 9 O.W.Ls and my Gran was so pleased that one less than my Dad got. I would have really liked to gone to Diagon Ally with all of you, but Gran's having family come in from all over and wants to make everything right. I hope you forgive me. So I will see you on the train September 1st.
Sincerely,
Neville

Harry berated himself for being selfish. He shouldn't have left his jealousy of them affect anything. Knowing that they were all worried about how he would take it he decided when he saw them to apologize. Going on to the next letter it was from Ginny.

Dear Harry,
PLEASE don' be mad, but I can't get to Diagon Ally. After my brother got his results Mum and Dad wanted everyone to be home to celebrate his results. I would rather go to Diagon Ally, but I can't really get around what mum wants. I hope you forgive me. Well I hope to see you on the train.
Love,

Ginny With each letter Harry felt worse and worse for ignoring there letters. Looking at the next one which was from Luna. Opening it he started to read about why she couldn't go. Dear Harry,
I know we were all going to meet in Diagon Ally, but since I learned you guys haven't received your O.W.L results I figured you would all be celebrating with your families. I hope we can all sit in the same compartment on the train. I hope you did well on your O.W.Ls. This year are you still doing the DA I wanted to know weather to look forward to it or not? Well see you on the train.
Luna Lovegood

Finishing reading the letter Harry began to write his apologize to everyone. While he didn't write the longest apologize he did write them, but wanted to do it more in person. Noticing it was late and he only had two more days until school starts. Harry tied the letters to Hedwig and watched her fly into the night. As she flew out of view Harry lied down to sleep, but it wasn't very restful.