(Harry's perspective)
Minerva was true to her word, she really up my training. As soon as the new year started, Hermione and me were pushing how far we could actually go. Minerva had us performing at a fifth year level in Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense. I was quickly reaching a new level with potions, which was a personal accomplishment.
Hermione was even more impressive. She was quickly mastering the spells shown to her, and was easily the best student in school. It appeared that Hermione's confidence soured to unimaginable highs. We exploited Hermione's Time Turner to allow us the ability to be in two places at once. At first she didn't want to, but Minerva convinced her to.
Minerva seemed to be in a league all her own, from what Fred and George had said; she was full of energy and constantly had a smile on her face.
Dumbledore had pulled back abruptly. He had been trying to get me to come over to his way of thinking, but had stopped during the break.
As Hermione and me were entering the room for our training, we waved at ourselves walking out. The first time it happened, we were surprised and when it was our turn we laughed. As far as could be determined, there were no adverse physical effects from constantly going back in time.
Minerva had started off alternating with Flitwick, but he found that he couldn't devote every other week to helping in our Training. He provided us with advance work, while promising to keep quiet about our extra training.
Minerva was talking to her future self, a common occurrence with us, before one of them went off to be available to anyone who needed her. Minerva turned and smiled, "hello again! Today I thought we might take a break from normal spells and work on wards."
Hermione looked surprised, "why now Professor?"
Minerva rolled her eyes a little, she hadn't asked Hermione to call her by her first name and it seemed to bug her. "Well Mr. Potter will be choosing his own place of residence this summer, and I thought it would be good to make sure he can protect himself."
Hermione nodded, her eyes lowered. Hermione still hadn't gotten used to Minerva's unusual attitude towards me. Hermione was upset that I hadn't told her about being trained by our head of house, but relented when she found out that I had been brought up to the same level as her.
Minerva spoke again; "wards require a great deal more energy than the ordinary spell. This allows them to stand for a great deal of time. The more power used, the longer and stronger the results. Now, let's begin with personal wards."
We spent most of the time practicing causing muggles and weak-minded wizards to not notice us, allow us a extra second in dodging a spell coming our way, and a more powerful misdirection that would allow a person to be looked at, but not recognized by anyone who didn't already know it was them. Hermione asked a few background questions, but spent most of the time practicing. Hermione struggled some what, but I didn't pay that much attention.
(McGonagall's perspective)
My future self had warned me that Hermione wouldn't be as able as Harry at this particular type of spell. I quietly took Hermione a little farther from Harry. "Ms. Granger, is everything alright?"
Hermione looked at Harry; "it's just that I feel I'm holding him back." She looked at the ground; "he's so much better at this than I am."
I patted her on the shoulder; "Harry learns a different way that's all. He learns by doing, you learn from study." I looked her straight in the eye; "he wants you Ms Granger, which is all that matters. It was his choice to invite you after all."
Hermione's face brightened and her eyes lit up. She nodded and returned back to her practice. She was an amazing girl, fiercely loyal and highly intelligent. Harry had quite a keeper on his hands if he realized soon enough. I feel sorry for any other boy that found interest in her; it seems her first loyalty is to Harry.
At the end of the three hours they had allotted to train, Harry could perform the spells flawlessly; Hermione only had only a few glitches that were easily corrected with practice. Once we arrived back three hours earlier, I explained things to myself, purposely leaving the accomplishments and other details out.
I arrived in my office to be greeted by Dumbledore. I quickly raised my shields and prepared for a repeat performance.
"I take it your training of Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger is going well?"
Deciding to play dumb was redundant I simply nodded.
I would like you to arrange a meeting with Mr. Potter sometime in the near future…"
"So you can try to break into his mind," I replied sarcastically.
Albus shook his head, "that was a mistake, and I'm sorry to have made it. In answer to your question, no I do not intend to break into his mind or violate it in any way." Albus stood up, "I trust that you will inform me of when would be convenient for him." And then he left.
What are you up to Albus?
(Harry's perspective)
When we returned to the common room to do our homework, Ron came over and asked to play a game of chess. I had very little left to do, so I agreed. Already knowing that I didn't stand a chance, I let my mind drift to other things.
Dumbledore used to be someone I looked up to, should I hold him responsible for things he has yet to do? The easy answer is yes I should, but what should I do if he tries to come clean? I can't tell him that I have already lived a possible future, he'd probably think I 'm nuts. The easy answer would be to tell him to shove it and get on with my life.
Minerva has been a lifesaver these past months; she has helped me to achieve a level of skill that I previously thought impossible. I owed more to her than I could repay. Minerva gave me a wealth of information and has helped me to become more than a lucky kid.
Sirius has also been on my mind. He could be chasing Peter, but he's here instead. I wish Dumbledore had allowed me to bring him during my fifth year, but I can't afford to dwell on that.
I quickly lost to Ron, as I wasn't paying close attention. As I returned to work, I noticed Hermione looked up at me for a second.
Hermione was the final thing that was radically different. At some point, her attitude towards me changed. She was still a know it all, but at times I caught her watching me when she thought I wasn't looking. At first I thought it was because I was acting so different, but as I showed more of what I had been hiding the more she kept stealing glances at me.
Later in the night I couldn't sleep. Getting up, I decided to head down to the Common room. Sirius followed me down as well. Using one of the scanning charms Minerva taught me, I found that there was no one there. I quickly placed a ward that would tell me if someone left his or her dorms.
Sirius turned human and sat in a chair. "I take it no one's coming down?"
I nodded. I sat in a chair near by. "Sirius, can I ask you a question?"
"You already have, but yes you can ask another."
"Don't you want to catch Wormtail? Isn't that why you broke out of jail?"
Sirius nodded, "it was. When I went to see you, I had planned on simply seeing you and leaving. When you called me out and brought me with you, I decided that this would be much easier as you would get me closer to my target. After awhile, I realized that I still had a obligation to you and that I should protect you by being as near you as I could."
Sirius sighed. "All the anger I feel towards Peter is still there, but it's balanced against what would be better for you." Sirius' eyes gained a far away look. "In all the years in Azkaban, I always assumed you were safe. It never occurred to me that Dumbledore would leave you with them."
"They were the safest place that I could be at the time."
"That still isn't a reason to have left you there all those years."
I nodded, not really having anything to counter it. We sat there for an hour or so, not sure of what to say next. Finally my day caught up to me, and I felt myself drifting off when Sirius said, "perhaps you should go to bed now." I nodded my agreement and returned to my dorm. Sirius lay down beside the bed, and went to sleep. Once my head touched the pillow, I was immediately asleep.
(Sirius' perspective)
Harry had fallen asleep as soon as he lay down; he must have put in a long day. A part of me worried that he was pushing himself to hard, but another part was so proud of his accomplishment. When Hagrid wouldn't give Harry to me, I should have gone with him to get him back from Dumbledore. I shouldn't have chased down Peter without help, but I was always the hot head. I could feel my dog form growl at the memory. So many regrets, so much I should have repaid. I wanted to tell Remus I was sorry, but he didn't know my innocence.
It was my fault Harry was like this; I will do my best to change it. No matter the cost to me, through the pits of the Abyss if necessary, I will protect Harry.
Heaven help those who tried to harm him.
A/n: Soon things will come to ahead. Wormtail will make an appearance in the next few chapters.
Gabwr: Every intention of it.
FeigningInocence: About Dumbledore, my view is rather different than most. He will become a 'good guy' again, but there will be a price he has to pay. McGonagall is one of those characters that you can have a free hand at, makes her interesting. Sirius has more in this chap.
athenakitty: He, he. Here are some answers and more are coming. Good idea, but I don't see how it fits.