I own nothing, J K Rowling IS Harry Potter. All my 'ideas' are basically ripped from stuff I enjoy; Harry Potter (duh!), Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars, Star Trek, Dragonball, The Matrix, The Lion King, 24, and anything else that even remotely looks far too creative for me to just make up! Don't say I didn't warn you alright!

Chapter 7 – Surprises, Birthdays And Training Starts

The days drifted by, with Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all finishing their homework, and practising any non-destructive spells (including the Patronus charm). Harry was still trying to convince Remus to take half of the Black fortune, but Remus adamantly refused to take even one knut of it.

In the end it had been Bill who suggested to Harry to write a letter to Gringotts and explain in it that half the money Sirius left for him is to be transferred over to Remus' vault, and under no circumstance could it be returned. Harry didn't think this was a good idea, but Bill pleaded with him. Trent said that that probably would have been exactly what Sirius expected him to do, being the son and Godson of two Marauders after all. Finally Harry relented, and sent off the letter.

Needless to say, Remus was not impressed at first. But after Harry had told him that the spirits of Prongs and Padfoot had chained him up and forced him to do that (Trent's idea), Remus had burst out laughing and agreed that both James and Sirius would be proud of the lengths Harry took to achieve it.

Harry and Remus had discussed whether or not to have a proper funeral for Sirius. Harry was against it, saying it wouldn't be right when they didn't have his body. Remus argued that it was only right for them to properly remember Sirius, and by not having a funeral, they were disrespecting his memory.

In the end, Harry relented. Sirius' funeral was to be held on August 17 (a Saturday), and was to be held at Godric's Hollow. Harry inquired to why Remus chose that place, and Remus told him that it was where Harry's parents had been buried. He then told Harry how he felt that Sirius would have liked to be buried beside two of his closest friends. Harry was a little apprehensive at first, as he'd never even thought about where his parents had been laid to rest. But he did agree that Sirius would probably like the gesture.

Finally, the end of July approached, and with it, booklists, birthdays, and the long awaited training. July 30 had dawned, and Albus Dumbledore had stepped through the fireplace and given Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron their respective Hogwarts letters. He then informed them that he would be back tomorrow for Harry's birthday before leaving again.

Harry opened his letter to see what books and items he required for the following year. But before he could, he was interrupted by a shriek followed by a red blur that flew past them.

It was Ron who recovered first. "Er, Ginny, what happened?"

"Ron, I made prefect! Me a prefect! How'd that happen!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Well done, Ginny. Maybe you can help Hermione drag Ron into line this year"

"Shut your trap, Harry! Just because I didn't actually do anything last year, doesn't mean I didn't enjoy being a prefect."

"Sorry Ron, it's just that every time Hermione wanted your help, you just looked the other way. You can't do that this year, not with Ginny's temper…"

"Hey, I do NOT have a temper. Oh…I see what you mean, sorry Harry."

"Don't worry Ginny, I was just teasing. Besides it's not like I have much else to do right now, do I?"

Hermione grumbled, but nonetheless agreed that Harry was right about Ron, much to Ron's displeasure.

"So Harry, which classes did you decide to take?" Ron asked

"Well, there wasn't really much choice. I got accepted into Potions, so I'm taking that, Advanced Defence, Advanced Transfiguration, and Advanced Charms. As for the other two, I chose Introduction to Wandless Magic, and Duelling."

"Ah, so you want to be an Auror, Mr. Potter" Trent interrupted,

"In that case, I now have some idea as to what to get you for tomorrow. You're real hard to shop for, you know that? Oh, and congratulations" Trent pointed towards Harry's feet before going through to the kitchen.

Harry shrugged and mumbled that he didn't think he was that hard to shop for, but bent down to pick up the badge that had fallen out of his letter. Once he turned it over and saw what it was, he almost fainted.

"Harry, what's wrong, it can't be that bad surely" Ginny started

"No, it's just…I'm…I'm captain this year!"

Ron jumped up. "Really, wicked! That means you're back on the team, finally. No offence Ginny, but you'd make a better chaser than seeker."

"None taken, Ron. I totally agree, I was going to try out for chaser anyway."

Harry finally recovered from his shock of being made Gryffindor Quidditch Team Captain, and skimmed over his booklist. He had all but four of the books;

'Standard Book of Spells level 6 – by Miranda Goshawk'

'The Art of Going Wandless – by Trent Fuller'

'Duelling: Give as Good as You Get – by Alastor Moody'

'Advanced Defensive Magical Theory – by Trent Fuller'

"Er, Trent's not teaching Wandless Magic, is he?"

"Dumbledore didn't mention it, he just said Defence, Apparition and Duelling. Why?" Hermione asked.

"It's just he's written both the Defence and Wandless books, so I was just curious."

"It's nothing to worry about Harry. Trent just happens to be brilliant when it comes to doing wandless magic and defence. Albus convinced him to write a book on Wandless Magic. I never thought he'd actually write two, I mean, he hates writing, but anyway" Remus had walked by and explained.

"Did you help him prepare for Defence this year, Remus? After all, you are still the best Professor we've had"

Remus blushed slightly at the compliment. "Thank you, Harry, yes I did help him. I believe he's just going to do a similar thing to what I did. But of course, he won't have to skip lessons, and he'll probably want to have a bit of fun along the way."

"Fun, that doesn't sound good. Not after seeing what you two got up to a while ago."

"Ah yes, well I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure he won't abuse his privilege. My congratulations on your becoming captain. James would be proud, he was captain himself you know."

"Yeah I did, thanks Remus. Say, did Trent finish that room off for the training?"

Remus smiled. "You'll have to wait and see Harry. Now I need to catch up to Trent and make sure he hasn't stolen my idea of what to get you tomorrow. Excuse me" and Remus hurried into the kitchen.

After dinner, Harry had gone upstairs to finish off the book on meditation Trent had given him. Harry had found a few methods that seemed to work, and had just finished 'cleansing the mind' when Ron walked in looking quite smug

"Alright Ron, what've you done. You didn't prank Fred or George did you?"

"Are you nuts, Harry? I don't have a death wish you know. No I've just seen what Mum's going to be cooking for tomorrow, and I think she might even challenge Hogwarts meals with it" Ron said.

"Oh ok then, just as long as nothing gets pranked, I'm sure it'll be great. Anyway I might get some sleep. After all, it's been a rather busy day"

"Yup, night Harry."

"Night Ron."

Despite his practising, Harry found his scar to be prickling as he was pulled into another vision of Voldemort.

"What do you mean you can't find Pettigrew! I want answers Bella, not more questions!"

"Sorry master, but we can't find out were they've hidden him, or even if he's still ali..."

"NOT GOOD ENOUGH! FOOL, CRUCIO!" Bellatrix Lestrange writhed on the ground in agony until Voldemort released his curse.

"We need to get those out of Azkaban before we plan anything major. I need to know who the muggle-loving fool has picked to teach Defence this year."

"My lord, we do know who he's picked. Someone by the name of Trent Fuller. He hasn't been seen for 20 years, so not much is known about him"

"THEN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HIM! CRUCIO!"

Again Lestrange was on the ground in agony, and Harry was woken by the sound of Ron shaking him.

"Harry! Harry, are you all right? Was it another vision? What happened?"

"He's hacked off Ron. He wants to know about Trent, and where Wormtail is. I think it was real because he was so angry. He was torturing Lestrange, and that's all I saw."

Ron looked concerned before asking if he'd be alright to go back to sleep. Harry nodded and slowly drifted off himself. But Harry had to agree with his nemesis on one thing; who exactly was Trent Fuller?

Harry awoke once again, but this time due to the pleasant aroma of Molly Weasley cooking breakfast. Ron must have also smelt it as he was up and had bolted out the door in three seconds flat. Harry silently laughed to himself before he realised that today was his 16th birthday. 'What I wouldn't give to have Sirius back' he thought before he made his made downstairs and into the kitchen. Surprisingly, only Ron, Molly and Remus were up, so Harry decided to tell Remus his vision

"I wouldn't worry about it, Harry, only Dumbledore knows exactly where Peter is, so I don't see how he will get that information. As for Trent, again I wouldn't worry. Not much is known about him, and he likes it that way. Yes most people know he's good with wandless magic, but not to the extent that he actually is. In fact I personally think that his wand is merely for show, he doesn't need it at all. Besides, you need to enjoy today, after all it is your birthday. So try not to worry about it, ok?"

"Thanks Remus, it's just that this is the first time that it's happened this summer. I was almost getting used to it not happening."

"Yes well, let's hope that after you've mastered Occlumency, you can get used to it not happening" Harry just nodded as he washed down his breakfast with a glass of pumpkin juice.

Trent suggested that he and Harry go upstairs to practice Occlumency after breakfast, but Harry really knew this was a diversion so people could arrive for his birthday. He told Trent this, and he just laughed. Harry was somewhat surprised with the progress he had made, but it also might have had something to do with Trent gently probing his mind rather than Snape's all out attack earlier in the year.

Trent was impressed at the extent that Harry had picked up on the meditation techniques. He told him that if he kept it up, by the time school came around, his mind should be strong enough to block out any false visions Voldemort might have planned for him. As well as protecting himself from Voldemort trying to access his memories.

Trent then gave Harry his and Remus' presents; an Aurors wand holster (from Trent), and a dragon skin battle vest (from Remus) to be worn underneath his robes. Trent told him that as long as his wand was in the holster, it couldn't be summoned, nor could the actual holster for that matter (Trent informed Harry that several Aurors had been caught out in the last war, so the Aurors had improved the holsters). The vest had been charmed to be featherlight, and was from a Hungarian Horntail, the toughest dragon known to wizard folk.

Finally after two hours, during which time Trent told Harry things he might expect should he wish to become an Auror, Trent informed Harry that is was probably safe for him to go downstairs. Harry came down the stairs, with Trent behind him and looked absolutely shocked at the amount of people who had turned up.

All the Wealsey's (including Percy who was trying his best to hide from the glares Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, Charlie and Bill were giving him), Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, Remus, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Tonks, Mad-Eye Moody, Hermione, Luna Lovegood and her father, Neville Longbottom, and his Grandmother, several of the DA club (including Blaise Zabini, the only Slytherin present) Mundungus Fletcher, Arabella Figg, and Fleur Delacour.

"Wotcher Harry!" Tonks exclaimed, before everyone burst into a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' for both Harry and Neville (who then looked as shocked as Harry did). After all the gifts were opened (mostly books, chocolate or pranking items for the both of them) and everyone was engaged in chatting to each other, Remus winked at Trent, who rolled his eyes but tapped his glass to get everyone's attention.

"Right, now I know they're not of age yet, but in the muggle world, when you turn sixteen, there's a very important tradition that needs to be respected. Or so Remus tells me anyway" Remus just glared at Trent, but said nothing.

"Ladies if you please," and to the surprise of just about everybody, Ginny and Hermione had kissed Harry on one cheek each at the same time that Luna and Blaise did the same to Neville. Needless to say, both boys were too stunned to do anything to hide their blushes (nor could the girls for that matter). Fred and George had started wolf whistling, while Tonks was busy cat calling.

After a brief speech by both Harry and Neville (which basically just thanked everyone for turning up) everyone started having an early dinner so they could catch up with people before those who weren't staying, left. As Harry made his way to his bed, he couldn't help but think that this had been his best birthday ever, despite Sirius not being there. He drifted off to sleep with nothing but happy thoughts that not even Voldemort would be able to break through tonight.

August dawned and Harry realised that today he'd be starting training with Trent and Remus. He walked into the kitchen where he found Trent, the twins, and Ginny. They greeted each other (both Harry and Ginny felt a blush rising to their cheeks but kept it in check) before starting to chat about Gryffindor's chances for retaining the Quidditch Cup now they needed new chasers. They also talked about hoe the new school year was rapidly approaching, and how the twins' shop preparations were going. Once breakfast was finished, Trent got up and clapped his hand on Harry's shoulder

"You ready, Harry?"

Harry shrugged. "I guess. Do I need to bring anything?"

"Yeah. You, your trunk and your wand. I'll meet you in the living room in two hours alright."

Harry nodded and Trent left.

"What do you reckon you'll be doing, Harry?" Fred asked

"I dunno, but I guess I'll find out soon enough, I should be back by the time school starts, so I'll tell you then if I don't get any chances beforehand."

"Don't worry, Harry. Besides as a tri-owner of our shop, you'll be welcome to discounts."

"What d'you mean tri-owner? You didn't!"

"We did, after all, you were our financial backer. We decided that it was the least we could do" George explained.

Harry sat there in silence before Ginny spoke. "Um Harry, you should probably go and pack. You don't want to be late."

"Oh! Thanks Ginny, you're right. See you later then."

With that Harry went up and packed his trunk, shrunk it, grabbed his Firebolt (which Professor McGonagall gave back as half of Harry's present, the other half being the captains badge he got with his letter) and went back downstairs to find everyone waiting for him.

"Right on time, Harry" Remus said.

"Alright then, let's go. We'll see you guys tomorrow" Trent finished, and before anyone could even ask "tomorrow?" they were gone.

The next moment, Harry found himself before pushed through an open door that lead into a totally white room that seemed to stretch endlessly.

"Where are we?"

"Welcome Harry," Trent started "to the Room of Spirit and Time. Your training starts now."