Summery: Story picks up where 5th book left off at the station. Harry will be presented with an interesting object, and the Order will gain some new members.
Disclaimer: I. DON'T. OWN. HARRY. POTTER. Everybody got it now? Good. On with the story!
Last Chapter: He got up and opened the door of the office. Harry followed him as he walked out, curious to see who he would be working with for the rest of the summer.
"Harry," said McGonagall. "This is your training partner. I believe you two know each other."
Harry looked at the new arrival in surprise, and nodded. He was shocked.
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"Hello Harry" said Neville Longbottom.
"Hello Neville," Harry replied. He had not counted on being partnered with Neville Longbottom of all people for Advanced Dueling training. It wasn't as though he had anything against Neville, but Neville wasn't the best at magic. Oh well. Harry though. Dumbledore must have a good reason.
"Harry and Neville," said Dumbledore. "Please come in the office with me for a moment."
They both nodded and followed the headmaster into Mrs. Figg's office. "First Harry, I think I should explain why you and Mr. Longbottom have been placed as dueling partners. You two have suffered similar losses, therefore giving you both a great hatred of the dark side, particularly Bellatrix Lestrange, and for you Harry, also Peter Pettigrew." Neville looked shocked at this but said nothing. Dumbledore continued. "You are both in a similar state emotionally. Neville, your Gran wishes for you to learn how to defend yourself properly, as she has come to doubt your in school training, and after last year i don't blame her. That is only part of the reason you are hear however. The other reason Harry will explain to you when he feels ready."
Harry and Neville looked up confused, but again said nothing. Dumbledore began to speak yet again.
"Now, Neville, I believe that Alastor Moody has just arrived, and wanted a word with you before the lessons began. Please excuse us as I still have a matter to discuss with Harry. Tell the others that we will be out shortly." Neville cast them both a curious look and then nodded and left.
"Professor," Harry began slowly. "What was the reason you mentioned that I have to explain to Neville?"
"That," Dumbledore began, "involves the prophecy that you listened to in my office last month. If you recall, when the prophecy was made, the boy in question could have been either you or Neville."
"But professor," Harry said, slightly confused now. "Voldemort chose me as the one to fulfill the prophecy didn't he?"
Harry thought he saw a hint of sadness in the old man's eyes before he started to speak again.
"Yes Harry, Voldemort indeed chose you the night he gave you that scar. However Neville was the other possibility that the prophecy offered, therefore in the final battle between yourself and Voldemort, you will have the greatest power if Neville is aiding you."
Harry was confused. Hadn't Dumbledore just said that Harry was the only one who had a chance of defeating the Dark Lord?
"No Harry, Neville can not defeat Tom Riddle," said Dumbledore as though he could read Harry's mind. "He will simply fight alongside you, and when the time comes, he will be there to back you up."
"Oh," was Harry's reply.
"Now we had better get out there with the others," Dumbledore said standing up. "And Harry, you may tell Neville and the others about this when you are ready. I have asked them not to question you about it."
He strode over the door and opened it for Harry to exit first which he did. When he walked into Mrs. Figg's living room, he found Neville listening to something Mad-Eye was saying, looking scared and sad. Remus was fascinated with the television set, and McGonagall was looking at him and shaking her head disapprovingly. Everyone looked up when he entered.
"Sadly I must go, as I have a meeting elsewhere," said Dumbledore. "Harry and Neville, you will remain here, and be filled in on the training you will endure this summer. I'm sure your new teachers will answer any questions you may have. Goodbye." Dumbledore dissapparated with a pop.
"Harry!" screamed Tonks as she ran from the fireplace. Tonks who had just arrived by floo powder ran and gave Harry a huge hug, and knocked over Mrs. Figg's hat stand. McGonagall raised an eyebrow. Tonks looked up. "Ooops," said Tonks quietly. Then she looked at Neville. "I don't think I know you."
Harry then introduced Neville to Moody and Tonks, as he already knew Lupin and McGonagall.
"Neville," said Harry. "This is Alastor Moody, the real one. The one we had for a teacher in fourth year was an imposter." Neville shook Moody's hand.
"And this," said Harry pointing at Tonks, "is Tonks. Just Tonks, as she would probably hex me into next Thursday if I said her first name." Harry grinned at Tonks, and Lupin chuckled. Neville however looked slightly uneasy.
"Don't worry," said Tonks shooting Harry a playfully nasty look. "I'm not as evil as Harry makes me sound. Just so long as you don't call me by my first name," she added playfully. "I'm an Auror at the Ministry of Magic. I'm a dead klutz, but I specialize in concealment and Disguise. I can change my appearance at will." As she said this she changed her hair from long and blonde to short, spiky, and purple.
"Hi," replied Neville looking relieved. "I'm Neville Longbottom."
"Longbottom?" asked Tonks looking interested. "You related to Frank and Alice?"
Neville looked at his feet and mumbled, "They are my parents."
"I heard-" Tonks started, but stopped her sentence at the look Harry gave her. "Well they were great Aurors."
"So," said Lupin trying to change the subject. "About the training you two will be undergoing this summer. You will be learning to duel together at the request of Albus Dumbledore. Tonks, Alastor and I will be you instructors. Professor McGonagall is only here today, because your Gran, Neville, requested that you have someone to make sure you arrive home alright.
"You will be arriving at this house every morning at 8:00 every morning, and we will warm up with a jog. After that we will go to an area at the back of the park down the road. We have placed Anti Muggle charms around a bit of woods there so we will be able to practice."
"What are we going to practice exactly," asked Neville, speaking for the first time since Tonks had mentioned his parents.
"Well, we will teach you about curses, jinxes, counter curses, and counter jinxes," answered Lupin. "You will learn a little bit, mainly from Tonks, on ways of concealment and disguise. For some reason Dumbledore wants you to learn everything you need to know to be able to duel against Death Eaters, and win. He won't specify why exactly, I expect he just wants you to be prepared, but we will teach you all of that. Tonks and Alastor will be your two main teachers as they are both Aurors, but I will help out a little bit where I am needed. I will not be able to attend all of the sessions however, as the full moon is next week." He said bitterly.
After a few minutes, Moody spoke. "We have strict instructions from Dumbledore that you two can not tell anyone about this training. Neville, your Gran already knows, and everyone in this room. Aside from that nobody else can know. Not even anyone in the Order."
Harry looked up in shock. I can't believe he just said that, Harry thought. Neville looked confused. "The Order?" he asked puzzled.
"Yes, Mr. Longbottom," said McGonagall from the corner. The Order of the Phoenix. It is a group devoted to bringing about the defeat of You-Know-Who. Your Gran just joined as a member two days ago, which is why we are telling you. Harry already knows, as he, Ms Granger, and the Weasleys all stayed at headquarters last summer. You both may get the chance to visit again this summer if it is safe. Not even the Weasleys however, are to know about this training, although I believe that Bill knows something."
"That is all for today," said Moody. "I expect to see you both in the morning at 8 am. Longbottom, Minerva will help you floo back to your house. Tonks, I think we have to report back to Headquarters."
"See everyone tomorrow," said Tonks brightly, before her and Moody disapparated with a pop.
McGonagall and Neville disappeared in the fire, leaving Remus, Harry and Mrs. Figg.
"Harry," said Remus. "Since June, I have been doing some digging, and have made what I believe is a nice little addition to this book Hagrid gave you."
Harry looked up to see his leather book Hagrid gave him in First year. Lupin set it on the table.
"Open it," he said.
Harry opened it, and saw what at first looked like the same book it has always been, with pictures of his parents, but when he got to the end of the book his throat swelled up. Looking up at him were pictures of Sirius and His parents Harry had never seen before. Most of them looked like they had been taken at Hogwarts.
Harry finally managed a small "thank you." Remus understood Harry's emotions and smiled.
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Harry arrived at the Dursleys' in time for dinner that night, as he and Remus had spent the day at Mrs. Figg's house.
"Where have you been boy?" Uncle Vernon yelled as Harry walked into the kitchen that night.
"Mrs. Figg invited me for tea," Harry replied shortly.
"Well it's time for supper, so sit down," commanded Uncle Vernon.
Harry obeyed, as he was very hungry. He sat through dinner thinking about the gift Remus had given him, trying to drown out his Uncle's long speech about how work had been that day. He was announcing some deal he was about to make with 'some dentist from liverpool' as he had put it. Harry really didn't care for his uncle's job much, however so he focused on his pictures of Sirius and his parents.
When dinner was over, Harry bolted up to his room and sat down on his bed to look at the pictures Remus had given him. It looked as though a person had been removed from a few pictures, whose subjects were now James, Remus, and Sirius. He suspected that Remus had blasted Peter out of these pictures. Harry was grateful for this because he did not want to have to see Peter in the same picture as Sirius and his father. Even thought made him sick with anger and hatred towards Peter.
After a while Harry set his alarm for 5:30 and went to bed.
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After Harry had showered, and eaten a bit of food from Aunt Petunia's cupboard, he quietly exited the Dursleys' house only to bump into someone on the front porch. He looked up and saw Remus waiting for him. Harry smiled, thinking how lucky he was that Remus was still alive, the last of the true Marauders.
He couldn't imagine how Remus must feel, having two of his oldest and best friends dead, and knowing that his other supposed best friend was the one who had caused it. It must be an awful feeling, Harry thought to himself. The deaths of his parents and Sirius had been equally hard on Harry, and it made him sick to know that their 'friend' had caused it, but he had always had his friends to help him, and put up with his violent tempers relating to the deaths he had witnessed.
Remus no longer had that, and Harry decided right there the he would be the best friend to Remus that he could. Remus suddenly spoke, and Harry was brought out of his reverie.
"We are almost there," Remus said to Harry. "Are you ready for your first lesson in Occlumency with Dumbledore? I daresay it will be less painful than those you had with Snape last year."
Harry cringed as he remembered his lessons with Snape the previous year. When he looked up, Remus was knocking on Mrs. Figg's door.
"Hello boys," came the voice of Mrs. Figg. "Good to see you today." She smiled at them as they entered and quickly shut the door behind them.
"Ah, Harry, Remus," said a voice. "Welcome. You're on time I see. Good."
Albus Dumbledore stepped out of the shadows. He looked at them both for a moment through his half moon glasses.
"Harry, please follow me."
Harry followed into the same office they had been in the day before, and sat down. Dumbledore looked at him and spoke.
"Harry, you are here to learn the art of Occlumency. It is a branch of magic that will allow you to be able to stop intrusions into your mind by others. To do this, you must practice clearing your mind every night before you sleep, so Voldemort can not penetrate your dreams."
Harry listened as Dumbledore explained how to control Occlumency.
Thirty minutes later, Harry was standing up sweating as Dumbledore once again broke through his defenses. He noticed, however, his scar never hurt like it did during his lessons with Snape. Harry was pleased at this.
An hour and a half later, however, Harry had not made much of an improvement and Dumbledore could break his defenses as easy as ever. Dumbledore assured him that this was perfectly normal however, and that he will find it easier to do after practice.
They both looked up as the doorbell rang.
"Ah," said Dumbledore. "That would be Mr. Longbottom. Come Harry, and lets go meet him. Your lesson for today is finished."
Harry stood and followed the headmaster out into the living room. There he saw Neville and Remus waiting for him. Remus threw Harry a jogging suit and told him that he would need to change for their workout.
When Harry finished changing Harry, Neville, and Lupin went for a jog. Half an hour later, they followed Remus into the forest behind the park in Little Whining. They passed the swings that Dudley and his crew had broken the previous summer. After a minute they reached a little clearing far away from prying eyes. Harry saw Moody and Tonks waiting for them.
"Hello," Tonks greeted them as they jogged up to a small picnic table that Moody was sitting at. Harry simply sent her a look that said 'don't bother me I'm tired.' Tonks got the hint, and didn't say anything more.
Five minutes later Neville and Harry found themselves standing as Moody told them the right way to hold their wands.
"No Longbottom," barked Moody as he observed Neville. "Place the bottom of the wand in the center of your palm, and rest it on your forefinger. Wrap your three other fingers around it and then your thumb on top. It maybe uncomfortable at first but it will give you a better grip, and make it harder for another person to snatch your wand. CONSTANT VILIGANCE!"
Neville and Harry both jumped slightly at this but said nothing. After being seemingly satisfied with Neville, Moody moved to Harry.
"Let me see your grip Potter," he said. He started to examine Harry's grip on his wand. As Harry made fist around his wand, Tonks suddenly spoke for the first time in minutes.
"Harry, what's that on your hand?" Harry looked at his hand trying to figure out what she was talking about, when he saw the scar from his detentions with Umbridge last term. 'I must not tell lies' his hand read.
"Nothing," Harry said quickly.
"Nonsense Harry," said Remus. "Where did you get it?"
"In detention with Umbridge," Harry replied bitterly. "She gave me a weird quill, and told me to write after I got mad and said Voldemort was alive."
"What?!" cried Moody and Remus together.
"That's a bloody torture quill!" Moody cried.
"Oh, haven't they been illegal for about seventy years?" asked Tonks.
"Yes"
Tonks looked pleased at her bit of knowledge, and then her face changed to a horrified look as she realized what it meant.
"How long were you writing for you to have a scar?" asked Moody.
"About two weeks of detention," replied Harry. "But it's not like that's the worst she tried to do to me."
"WHAT!" This time it was Remus who had yelled. "What could be worse then two weeks of a torture quill?"
"When I broke into her office last year she told me how it had been her who had set the dementors on me last summer and she would have done the crutacious Curse if Hermione hadn't stopped her." Harry said all this and looked at the reactions. "Neville was there, so he can back me up."
"Neville is this true," cried Tonks.
Neville nodded.
"Why didn't you tell anyone Harry," asked Moody angrily.
"Because the next time I saw anyone other than a student, I was watching my godfather be murdered!" Harry replied angrily. "I'm sorry, but that distracted me for a bit!"
"Alastor, we will owl Dumbledore when we get back," interjected Remus quietly. "Right now I think we should get back to the lessons."
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Later that afternoon, when they all had gone back to Mrs. Figg's house, Moody had immediately sat down to owl Dumbledore.
They never had any indication that Dumbledore had received the owl until two days later, when he spoke to Harry at the end of an Occlumency lesson.
"Harry," said Dumbledore. "May I see your hand for a moment please?"
Harry looked at Dumbledore for a moment and then held out his hand.
"Ah," Dumbledore said. "Well Harry, I think we can get Dolores Umbridge put into Azkaban for this. I am still not happy with the Minister however, but I will bring this up when I see him this week."
"Thank you sir."
Harry left for his next dueling lesson with Neville.
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Sorry this chapter was a little bit boring, but I had to include it. The other chapters will be more interesting.
*cough cough* enter Ginny Weasley.
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