Chapter 3
Style is not Just a State of Mind
Harry moved to the side quickly, touching Remus's right hip, making him aware of his position, so the adult didn't walk into to him at any point. McGonagall now emerged from the fireplace, dusting herself off and walked towards Remus, who stepped in front of her to prevent her walking into Harry.
"I believe I should go to Gringotts initially." McGonagall addressed Remus; however this conversation was entirely for Harry's benefit.
"Lily and James always kept a quantity of muggle money in their vault as he disliked paying the exchange rate the goblins have a tendency to charge, six hundred pounds should be sufficient plus whatever other money might be needed ?" the man responded as if casual conversation.
"Very well why don't you stay here and wait while I complete the school business." she replied, Harry moved over to the Professors side touching her sleeve to notify her he was ready.
So the Professor McGonagall and Harry departed the Leaky Cauldron through the back door and entered Diagon Alley which due to the earliness of there visit was thankfully quiet, no students had received book list yet and so the traffic in the shops was just one or two witches or wizards who had come for a days shopping. The pair proceeded to Gringotts and the professor provide the goblin at the desk with a Harry's key, the goblin inhaled through his long nose pushing his half moon glasses up and inquired will Mr Potter also be riding to his vault in a barely audible whisper. The professor nodded and they were ushered through a back door to the carts that travelled down to the vaults, at which point Harry was instructed to remove his cloak.
Harry was relieved to stop having to dodge people walking into him if just for a few minutes while he went to his vault refilled his money bag and removed six hundred pounds from a pile of muggle money at the back of the vault, lucky Remus remembered his parents old habits, this was more muggle money than he had ever seen and he carefully folded it and placed it in his money bag with his galleons, sickles and knuts. On the way out of Gringotts Harry handed the bag to professor McGonagall replaced his cloak, they exited into the Alley.
Professor McGonagall then lead Harry round the shops buying things they had previously decided he needed, several books, a top up for his potions kit including some of the more obscure ingredients that NEWT students might use, a new quill, ink, parchment and owl treats. Their final stop before returning to the wizard pub was Madam Malkins Robes for all occasions the professor entered asked to be escorted to the rear fitting room, as they entered Harry took care to stand directly behind the Professor and remove his cloak so for all intents and purpose the assistant had just failed to notice him. Subtly handing the folded robe into a hand McGonagall had behind her back Harry stepped around her.
The assistant jumped, did a double take looking at Harry's scar and said "Oh Mr Potter what can we do for you?" Harry explained he had completely out grown all his robes and would require a new set and a set of potions work robes, which would resist most spills of often dangerous solutions. Harry had pretty much reached his full height just below six foot, unless he suddenly became fat, Harry hoped these robes would last longer than his previous sets. As the assistant rapped the items and the professor paid for the goods Harry slipped behind her removing the invisibility cloak from her hand and putting it on, Harry squeezed out of the fitting room and stood near the exit so as McGonagall walked out and opened the door wide Harry could slip out after unnoticed.
The professor spoke quietly "Very nicely done Mr Potter, however I am not sure I wish to know how you have become so adapt at deception." Fortunately the Professor couldn't see the smile on his face as he remembered all the time he had spent sneaking around under the cloak. They returned to the Leaky Cauldron and found Remus in a quiet little booth. As they approach Remus moved round to one side allowing Harry to sit in-between the two adults at the circular table.
"Tired yet?" inquired the man with a twinkle in his eyes. Harry poked him in the arm.
"Well my part of the exercise is complete and I must say if your best friend's son was any sneakier I would think he was up to something."
"A true marauder." Remus grinned and with a slight of hand produced an open bottle of butter beer under the table in front of Harry.
Harry accepted this gratefully and slipped it under his cloak.
"Will you be returning immediately with your shopping?"
"I think that is best." handing the bag containing the remained of Harry's money over the table.
"I'll be staying for a few minutes to catch my breath, before proceeding into London." Actually intending to let Harry rest before the second leg.
"Very well I shall expect you back in two hours the elves should have dinner prepared by seven thirty." and with that the stern women took a pinch of flu powder from her bag before handing it to Remus, walk to fireplace throwing the powder in and saying "The Three Broomsticks" stepped into the flames and was gone.
Harry finished his butterbeer slowly and when he poked it through the cloak Remus took it as deftly as he gave it and deposited on the table, then stood to the door exiting onto the pavement outside holding the door open long enough to allow Harry through. He flagged down a taxi and again left the door open for Harry to get in first, he told the driver the name of a department store and the cab headed off. "You can lose the cloak now Harry you are a famous muggle." Checking the driver was concentrating on the road Harry removed the cloak and Remus tucked it into his bag.
"I'm glad to be out of that." said Harry.
"Glad to be able to see you again." said Remus with the twinkle in his eye.
"Where are we going Professor?" asked Harry with a mischievous grin.
"I've told you Harry I'm not your teacher ..." and he stopped realising what the Harry's grin was for.
"Ok I am your teacher again but I'd still like you to call me Moony. Alright?"
"Alright, so where are we going Moony?" Harry smiled.
"Well first of all to get you some clothes to wear with your robes that aren't eight sizes to large and yet six inches too short. Then we have to get you a jerkin."
"A what?"
"Like a padded leather jacket you wear while fencing."
"Oh right." Harry replied as the taxi slowed to a stop outside a tall building with massive glass display windows and two men in rather Victorian looking outfits standing either side of the doors.
"Six quid please guv'." said the cabby
Handing him a ten pound note from out of the bag Remus replied "Keep the change."
"Cheers guv'." said the cabby as Harry and Remus exited the back of the cab and entered the tall building.
Harry walked behind Moony mouth half open he had never really been shopping with the Dursleys and never seen the inside of a department store, Remus lead Harry up two escalators to the men's wear department first stop was underwear he was told my the older man they selected some trunks and a number of plain black and grey socks and a few pairs of sports socks, then walking over to another section Remus was approached by a young women in a smart looking suit Harry assumed was an assistant. She asked if she could help them, Remus leaned closer and whispered something to her, a grin appeared on her face and she told them to make there way over to the changing rooms and she'd be there in a minute. She hurry off and started moving over the hangers and shelves, Harry turned to Moony and asked "What did you say to her?"
"Oh nothing." Moony replied with a very mischievous smile on his face.
"Tell me !" demanded Harry but was interrupted by the young women's return carry an arm full of clothes, Harry was handed a few item and told to go and put them on and come out and we'll see how they look. He did as he was told shooting a slightly angry look at his old mentor. He came out and the girl comment on the trousers being to long and the shirt not long enough handing Harry more items and telling him to change again. This procedure continued for the best part of three quarters of an hour until the girl had a three pairs of trousers several tops about four shirts she was happy with.
About half way through this ordeal Harry had come out wearing a pair of grey trousers he like and a shirt he didn't and the women had agreed with him, handing him a blue long sleeved top that was quite stretchy and close fitting and told to swap it for the shirt. Tired of the walk to and from the changing room Harry slipped the shirt over his head and handed it to the women whose eyes lingered on Harry's torso which had developed from carrying stones for the Dursleys rockery. Harry took the top and put it on and found he was much more comfortable in this than the shirt, but much less comfortable with the look in the young women's eyes. He reverted to swapping items in the changing rooms from that point and tried to ignore the fact he thought the women was flirting with him.
Final when Remus called a stop to the proceedings and instructed the assistant Harry would also need a couple of pairs of shoes and she went off again to collect some, Harry turned to Moony and demanded "What did you say to her?"
"Oh that I just told her to dress you like she would her boyfriend." Remus said fighting off laughing
Harry's eyes widened gave Moony a playful punch on the arm and said "I'll get you for that."
"I better watch my back then hey." as both of them now started laughing, and only finished when the assistant returned carrying eight boxes, after finding the right size in two pairs of shoes the assistant liked Remus to Harry's great relief said that would be all and thanked her and accompanied her to the cash desk, where upon, Remus handed over the princely sum of four hundred and sixty pounds of Harry's money. Harry couldn't believe he had just spent so much just on clothes and told Moony this as they exited the store, the older man smiled at him and just said "Style is not just a state of mind Harry, you'll see what I mean when u get back to School."
Totally confused Harry accepted this and followed his old mentor round the corner to the shop, Remus said he could get a jerkin from, it was a strange shop sort of dealing with goods for people who spent their weekends recreating battles in fields, something that sounded pretty stupid to Harry but again didn't say till after they had left the shop with the jerkin. This time Moony wholeheartedly agreed but then used another funny expression. "There's nought stranger than folk." Harry didn't even know what nought meant but agreed, thankful that the shopping had been completed. Harry had enough money for a taxi back to the Leaky Cauldron so he avoided walking carrying all his bags and just before the cab started to pull to a stop slipped his invisibility cloak over his head and clutching a few bags so as to lighten the load for Moony, exited the cab.
They entered the magically hidden wizarding pub and quickly but carefully proceed to the fire place, where they both flu'd back to 'The Three Broomsticks', Remus going first so he could again cover peoples view of the fireplace. Noticing the time on a clock above the bar Moony said, as if to himself "Oh dear if I don't hurry I'll be late for dinner." and the pair hurried back up the road and out of the village to the picket fenced allotment that was Harry's home for the next six weeks.
Harry and Moony approached the gate and saw what appeared to be an old man trying in vain to remove a patch of weeds and an old brown perched on the roof of the potting shed. Harry now exhausted from the days shopping walked into the grounds after his mentor removing his cloak as he did so, seeing as he stepped into the boundaries the old Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and with a screech Hedwig flew down from the roof of the two story building. Harry held out his arm and Hedwig landed on it "Hello girl, have you missed me?" he asked the beautiful snowy owl, which nipped his finger affectionately in response. Walking towards the Headmaster Hedwig repositioned herself on Harry's shoulder.
"You can tell a lot about a wizard from his familiar Harry and your owl was most put out at not be allowed to return to you. She's been sulking on the roof since I arrived."
"Thank you for taking care of her Professor." Harry replied reaching up and stroking the feathers on the bird's wing. "Professor, why did you appear to be an old gardener weeding when I was approaching and Remus looked like an old woman when I was looking in from the outside?"
"Ah Harry, that's one of the protections that have been placed on the property and rather clever piece of charm work by Professor Flitwick, Its called an Illusio Charm similar in many respects to the anti-muggle charm on Hogwarts making it look like a ruin, however this charm works on wizards as well and has the added advantage of disguising anyone seen on the grounds. Anyway have you enjoyed your shopping Harry..." then not really waiting for a reply, told Harry to deposit his new belongings in his room and join him in the kitchen for dinner. After Harry had taken the bags and Hedwig to his room making sure she had a fresh bowl of water, some owl treats in her bowl and leaving the window open in case she wanted to go hunting; he descended the stairs and entered the kitchen.
Sat at the counter where most of the members of the order of the phoenix Harry knew from the previous year, Harry assumed the meeting had been over for a while and members where just waiting just discussing minor issues and perhaps staying for dinner. Sitting in a seat in-between Moony and Mad Eye Moody, Dobby *pop* in front of him and set a place for him, Harry grinned at him Dobby returned the gesture with a manic grin and *popped* away to collect dishes of food. As the food was served Moody engaged Harry in light conversation (or light for the infamous Auror) about Harry's results, his career choice and the training all of which pleased the old man, which was scary in itself as Moody's face matted with scars and his smile seemed totally unnatural.
After the meal the Headmaster asked for attention and announced his intention to have a small memorial service for Sirius in the first week of the school term at Hogwarts so most of the people who knew him best could attend. Hearing this Harry fell very silent, he had pushed the memory of the previous years encounter with Voldemort from his mind. The mention of his Godfather's name brought it all back, his head bowed he excused himself and exited into the sitting room Harry took up a seat next the fire, curling his legs under himself stared into the flames. It had been his fault Sirius was dead, Tom Riddle had invaded Harry's mind because he wasn't strong enough to stop him and convinced him to go to the ministry to save Sirius even though he wasn't even there. If Harry hadn't been so stupid his Godfather wouldn't have had to come and save him and fallen through the curtain never to be seen again, he vowed to himself this wouldn't happen again. Never again would Harry be too weak or reject help to obtain his goals, he was destined to destroy the Dark Lord or die trying but his last encounter had proven he wasn't ready.
Harry sat silently in the room thinking about the past and his future and getting more determined to start his training. Professor McGonagall entered the room and took up a seat opposite him, Harry looked up wiping a sleeve across his eyes, unaware previously he had been crying. The stern women met his now steely gaze and asked if he was alright and prepared to talk about the tutoring, Harry replied in the affirmative. The professor explained to Harry the first day, he was to wake at 07:00 would have an hour to get ready for a one hour training with Remus, then would have breakfast, at 10:00 he would spend two hours doing Transfiguration before lunch, in the afternoon he would repeat the mornings activities and the evening could spend in private study or meditation, the second day would start the same but would have Professor Snape for the lesson after breakfast, following this session Harry would have the whole afternoon to spend in meditation and to read as previously discussed. The days would alternate like this but the weekends Harry was given to work on the other NEWTs Harry was taking, taking advantage of the presence of the three mentors. Unlike wizarding families Harry hadn't been allowed to do any magic during his holidays as was after his pep talk to himself he would not waste this new opportunity. When the Professor was finished Harry was told that following his long day Harry should have an early night to make sure he was ready for the lessons tomorrow so Harry exited the professors company and returned to his room.
Seeing the House elves had unpack both Harry's trunk and his new acquired possessions and seeing Hedwig still on her perch Harry decide he should keep up his correspondents and quilled two letters to Hermione and Ginny. He told them both of his OWL results (apart from the O*) and apologising for not being able to visit the burrow and the length of time since his last letter, finally telling them he missed them he signed off, sealed the letters with wax from a candle at the desk and took them over to his owl who sat preening herself.
Petting the owls head Harry asked "Feeling up to taking a couple of letters for me girl? They should both be at the Burrow I think, you can stay there and wait for replies if you like, I'm going to be pretty busy here, and don't want you getting lonely."
The owl responded with another affectionate nip and stuck out her leg for Harry to attach the letters, completing this Harry carried her to the window and throwing her up into the air, giving her a head start, Hedwig opened her mighty wings and with a couple of flaps was away into the nights sky. Harry turned undressed and crawled under the clean sheets of his very comfortable bed worn out by a day shopping, Harry didn't know how girls could enjoy such a thing, as Lavender and Parvati seemed to, from their numerous conversations about the subject, Harry was quickly away into another dreamless nights sleep.
*****
Style is not Just a State of Mind
Harry moved to the side quickly, touching Remus's right hip, making him aware of his position, so the adult didn't walk into to him at any point. McGonagall now emerged from the fireplace, dusting herself off and walked towards Remus, who stepped in front of her to prevent her walking into Harry.
"I believe I should go to Gringotts initially." McGonagall addressed Remus; however this conversation was entirely for Harry's benefit.
"Lily and James always kept a quantity of muggle money in their vault as he disliked paying the exchange rate the goblins have a tendency to charge, six hundred pounds should be sufficient plus whatever other money might be needed ?" the man responded as if casual conversation.
"Very well why don't you stay here and wait while I complete the school business." she replied, Harry moved over to the Professors side touching her sleeve to notify her he was ready.
So the Professor McGonagall and Harry departed the Leaky Cauldron through the back door and entered Diagon Alley which due to the earliness of there visit was thankfully quiet, no students had received book list yet and so the traffic in the shops was just one or two witches or wizards who had come for a days shopping. The pair proceeded to Gringotts and the professor provide the goblin at the desk with a Harry's key, the goblin inhaled through his long nose pushing his half moon glasses up and inquired will Mr Potter also be riding to his vault in a barely audible whisper. The professor nodded and they were ushered through a back door to the carts that travelled down to the vaults, at which point Harry was instructed to remove his cloak.
Harry was relieved to stop having to dodge people walking into him if just for a few minutes while he went to his vault refilled his money bag and removed six hundred pounds from a pile of muggle money at the back of the vault, lucky Remus remembered his parents old habits, this was more muggle money than he had ever seen and he carefully folded it and placed it in his money bag with his galleons, sickles and knuts. On the way out of Gringotts Harry handed the bag to professor McGonagall replaced his cloak, they exited into the Alley.
Professor McGonagall then lead Harry round the shops buying things they had previously decided he needed, several books, a top up for his potions kit including some of the more obscure ingredients that NEWT students might use, a new quill, ink, parchment and owl treats. Their final stop before returning to the wizard pub was Madam Malkins Robes for all occasions the professor entered asked to be escorted to the rear fitting room, as they entered Harry took care to stand directly behind the Professor and remove his cloak so for all intents and purpose the assistant had just failed to notice him. Subtly handing the folded robe into a hand McGonagall had behind her back Harry stepped around her.
The assistant jumped, did a double take looking at Harry's scar and said "Oh Mr Potter what can we do for you?" Harry explained he had completely out grown all his robes and would require a new set and a set of potions work robes, which would resist most spills of often dangerous solutions. Harry had pretty much reached his full height just below six foot, unless he suddenly became fat, Harry hoped these robes would last longer than his previous sets. As the assistant rapped the items and the professor paid for the goods Harry slipped behind her removing the invisibility cloak from her hand and putting it on, Harry squeezed out of the fitting room and stood near the exit so as McGonagall walked out and opened the door wide Harry could slip out after unnoticed.
The professor spoke quietly "Very nicely done Mr Potter, however I am not sure I wish to know how you have become so adapt at deception." Fortunately the Professor couldn't see the smile on his face as he remembered all the time he had spent sneaking around under the cloak. They returned to the Leaky Cauldron and found Remus in a quiet little booth. As they approach Remus moved round to one side allowing Harry to sit in-between the two adults at the circular table.
"Tired yet?" inquired the man with a twinkle in his eyes. Harry poked him in the arm.
"Well my part of the exercise is complete and I must say if your best friend's son was any sneakier I would think he was up to something."
"A true marauder." Remus grinned and with a slight of hand produced an open bottle of butter beer under the table in front of Harry.
Harry accepted this gratefully and slipped it under his cloak.
"Will you be returning immediately with your shopping?"
"I think that is best." handing the bag containing the remained of Harry's money over the table.
"I'll be staying for a few minutes to catch my breath, before proceeding into London." Actually intending to let Harry rest before the second leg.
"Very well I shall expect you back in two hours the elves should have dinner prepared by seven thirty." and with that the stern women took a pinch of flu powder from her bag before handing it to Remus, walk to fireplace throwing the powder in and saying "The Three Broomsticks" stepped into the flames and was gone.
Harry finished his butterbeer slowly and when he poked it through the cloak Remus took it as deftly as he gave it and deposited on the table, then stood to the door exiting onto the pavement outside holding the door open long enough to allow Harry through. He flagged down a taxi and again left the door open for Harry to get in first, he told the driver the name of a department store and the cab headed off. "You can lose the cloak now Harry you are a famous muggle." Checking the driver was concentrating on the road Harry removed the cloak and Remus tucked it into his bag.
"I'm glad to be out of that." said Harry.
"Glad to be able to see you again." said Remus with the twinkle in his eye.
"Where are we going Professor?" asked Harry with a mischievous grin.
"I've told you Harry I'm not your teacher ..." and he stopped realising what the Harry's grin was for.
"Ok I am your teacher again but I'd still like you to call me Moony. Alright?"
"Alright, so where are we going Moony?" Harry smiled.
"Well first of all to get you some clothes to wear with your robes that aren't eight sizes to large and yet six inches too short. Then we have to get you a jerkin."
"A what?"
"Like a padded leather jacket you wear while fencing."
"Oh right." Harry replied as the taxi slowed to a stop outside a tall building with massive glass display windows and two men in rather Victorian looking outfits standing either side of the doors.
"Six quid please guv'." said the cabby
Handing him a ten pound note from out of the bag Remus replied "Keep the change."
"Cheers guv'." said the cabby as Harry and Remus exited the back of the cab and entered the tall building.
Harry walked behind Moony mouth half open he had never really been shopping with the Dursleys and never seen the inside of a department store, Remus lead Harry up two escalators to the men's wear department first stop was underwear he was told my the older man they selected some trunks and a number of plain black and grey socks and a few pairs of sports socks, then walking over to another section Remus was approached by a young women in a smart looking suit Harry assumed was an assistant. She asked if she could help them, Remus leaned closer and whispered something to her, a grin appeared on her face and she told them to make there way over to the changing rooms and she'd be there in a minute. She hurry off and started moving over the hangers and shelves, Harry turned to Moony and asked "What did you say to her?"
"Oh nothing." Moony replied with a very mischievous smile on his face.
"Tell me !" demanded Harry but was interrupted by the young women's return carry an arm full of clothes, Harry was handed a few item and told to go and put them on and come out and we'll see how they look. He did as he was told shooting a slightly angry look at his old mentor. He came out and the girl comment on the trousers being to long and the shirt not long enough handing Harry more items and telling him to change again. This procedure continued for the best part of three quarters of an hour until the girl had a three pairs of trousers several tops about four shirts she was happy with.
About half way through this ordeal Harry had come out wearing a pair of grey trousers he like and a shirt he didn't and the women had agreed with him, handing him a blue long sleeved top that was quite stretchy and close fitting and told to swap it for the shirt. Tired of the walk to and from the changing room Harry slipped the shirt over his head and handed it to the women whose eyes lingered on Harry's torso which had developed from carrying stones for the Dursleys rockery. Harry took the top and put it on and found he was much more comfortable in this than the shirt, but much less comfortable with the look in the young women's eyes. He reverted to swapping items in the changing rooms from that point and tried to ignore the fact he thought the women was flirting with him.
Final when Remus called a stop to the proceedings and instructed the assistant Harry would also need a couple of pairs of shoes and she went off again to collect some, Harry turned to Moony and demanded "What did you say to her?"
"Oh that I just told her to dress you like she would her boyfriend." Remus said fighting off laughing
Harry's eyes widened gave Moony a playful punch on the arm and said "I'll get you for that."
"I better watch my back then hey." as both of them now started laughing, and only finished when the assistant returned carrying eight boxes, after finding the right size in two pairs of shoes the assistant liked Remus to Harry's great relief said that would be all and thanked her and accompanied her to the cash desk, where upon, Remus handed over the princely sum of four hundred and sixty pounds of Harry's money. Harry couldn't believe he had just spent so much just on clothes and told Moony this as they exited the store, the older man smiled at him and just said "Style is not just a state of mind Harry, you'll see what I mean when u get back to School."
Totally confused Harry accepted this and followed his old mentor round the corner to the shop, Remus said he could get a jerkin from, it was a strange shop sort of dealing with goods for people who spent their weekends recreating battles in fields, something that sounded pretty stupid to Harry but again didn't say till after they had left the shop with the jerkin. This time Moony wholeheartedly agreed but then used another funny expression. "There's nought stranger than folk." Harry didn't even know what nought meant but agreed, thankful that the shopping had been completed. Harry had enough money for a taxi back to the Leaky Cauldron so he avoided walking carrying all his bags and just before the cab started to pull to a stop slipped his invisibility cloak over his head and clutching a few bags so as to lighten the load for Moony, exited the cab.
They entered the magically hidden wizarding pub and quickly but carefully proceed to the fire place, where they both flu'd back to 'The Three Broomsticks', Remus going first so he could again cover peoples view of the fireplace. Noticing the time on a clock above the bar Moony said, as if to himself "Oh dear if I don't hurry I'll be late for dinner." and the pair hurried back up the road and out of the village to the picket fenced allotment that was Harry's home for the next six weeks.
Harry and Moony approached the gate and saw what appeared to be an old man trying in vain to remove a patch of weeds and an old brown perched on the roof of the potting shed. Harry now exhausted from the days shopping walked into the grounds after his mentor removing his cloak as he did so, seeing as he stepped into the boundaries the old Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and with a screech Hedwig flew down from the roof of the two story building. Harry held out his arm and Hedwig landed on it "Hello girl, have you missed me?" he asked the beautiful snowy owl, which nipped his finger affectionately in response. Walking towards the Headmaster Hedwig repositioned herself on Harry's shoulder.
"You can tell a lot about a wizard from his familiar Harry and your owl was most put out at not be allowed to return to you. She's been sulking on the roof since I arrived."
"Thank you for taking care of her Professor." Harry replied reaching up and stroking the feathers on the bird's wing. "Professor, why did you appear to be an old gardener weeding when I was approaching and Remus looked like an old woman when I was looking in from the outside?"
"Ah Harry, that's one of the protections that have been placed on the property and rather clever piece of charm work by Professor Flitwick, Its called an Illusio Charm similar in many respects to the anti-muggle charm on Hogwarts making it look like a ruin, however this charm works on wizards as well and has the added advantage of disguising anyone seen on the grounds. Anyway have you enjoyed your shopping Harry..." then not really waiting for a reply, told Harry to deposit his new belongings in his room and join him in the kitchen for dinner. After Harry had taken the bags and Hedwig to his room making sure she had a fresh bowl of water, some owl treats in her bowl and leaving the window open in case she wanted to go hunting; he descended the stairs and entered the kitchen.
Sat at the counter where most of the members of the order of the phoenix Harry knew from the previous year, Harry assumed the meeting had been over for a while and members where just waiting just discussing minor issues and perhaps staying for dinner. Sitting in a seat in-between Moony and Mad Eye Moody, Dobby *pop* in front of him and set a place for him, Harry grinned at him Dobby returned the gesture with a manic grin and *popped* away to collect dishes of food. As the food was served Moody engaged Harry in light conversation (or light for the infamous Auror) about Harry's results, his career choice and the training all of which pleased the old man, which was scary in itself as Moody's face matted with scars and his smile seemed totally unnatural.
After the meal the Headmaster asked for attention and announced his intention to have a small memorial service for Sirius in the first week of the school term at Hogwarts so most of the people who knew him best could attend. Hearing this Harry fell very silent, he had pushed the memory of the previous years encounter with Voldemort from his mind. The mention of his Godfather's name brought it all back, his head bowed he excused himself and exited into the sitting room Harry took up a seat next the fire, curling his legs under himself stared into the flames. It had been his fault Sirius was dead, Tom Riddle had invaded Harry's mind because he wasn't strong enough to stop him and convinced him to go to the ministry to save Sirius even though he wasn't even there. If Harry hadn't been so stupid his Godfather wouldn't have had to come and save him and fallen through the curtain never to be seen again, he vowed to himself this wouldn't happen again. Never again would Harry be too weak or reject help to obtain his goals, he was destined to destroy the Dark Lord or die trying but his last encounter had proven he wasn't ready.
Harry sat silently in the room thinking about the past and his future and getting more determined to start his training. Professor McGonagall entered the room and took up a seat opposite him, Harry looked up wiping a sleeve across his eyes, unaware previously he had been crying. The stern women met his now steely gaze and asked if he was alright and prepared to talk about the tutoring, Harry replied in the affirmative. The professor explained to Harry the first day, he was to wake at 07:00 would have an hour to get ready for a one hour training with Remus, then would have breakfast, at 10:00 he would spend two hours doing Transfiguration before lunch, in the afternoon he would repeat the mornings activities and the evening could spend in private study or meditation, the second day would start the same but would have Professor Snape for the lesson after breakfast, following this session Harry would have the whole afternoon to spend in meditation and to read as previously discussed. The days would alternate like this but the weekends Harry was given to work on the other NEWTs Harry was taking, taking advantage of the presence of the three mentors. Unlike wizarding families Harry hadn't been allowed to do any magic during his holidays as was after his pep talk to himself he would not waste this new opportunity. When the Professor was finished Harry was told that following his long day Harry should have an early night to make sure he was ready for the lessons tomorrow so Harry exited the professors company and returned to his room.
Seeing the House elves had unpack both Harry's trunk and his new acquired possessions and seeing Hedwig still on her perch Harry decide he should keep up his correspondents and quilled two letters to Hermione and Ginny. He told them both of his OWL results (apart from the O*) and apologising for not being able to visit the burrow and the length of time since his last letter, finally telling them he missed them he signed off, sealed the letters with wax from a candle at the desk and took them over to his owl who sat preening herself.
Petting the owls head Harry asked "Feeling up to taking a couple of letters for me girl? They should both be at the Burrow I think, you can stay there and wait for replies if you like, I'm going to be pretty busy here, and don't want you getting lonely."
The owl responded with another affectionate nip and stuck out her leg for Harry to attach the letters, completing this Harry carried her to the window and throwing her up into the air, giving her a head start, Hedwig opened her mighty wings and with a couple of flaps was away into the nights sky. Harry turned undressed and crawled under the clean sheets of his very comfortable bed worn out by a day shopping, Harry didn't know how girls could enjoy such a thing, as Lavender and Parvati seemed to, from their numerous conversations about the subject, Harry was quickly away into another dreamless nights sleep.
*****