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Beta: gallandro83
Chapter 9 requisite condition
Mathew ducted his head after he set the paper down. He had never meant for the comment to get out but he sat there now, with twelve first and second years looking at him. Think fast idiot. Professor Dursley told me not to say that he is Harry. A few students were waiting for him to explain.
"Um, well, from what I read he just seemed really tired of stuff. And, well, if Alice was, you know, going to school… She would only be living with him for the summer. See?" He explained weakly.
The students bought it except for one girl who just looked at him skeptically. She turned back to her dinner and Mathew sighed in relief. Alright, now I need to talk to Harry. He got a little dizzy, he never knew someone so famous or powerful lived in his neighborhood, and liked to tell stories. Most of which were actually true. Mathew was amazed how much Harry had told them. Mathew felt good in his knowledge of history thanks to Harry and his stories. It made going to Professor Binn's class manageable.
Mathew got up quickly now that he was done with his dinner and headed up to the Ravenclaw common room.
-o-
Harry walked into Albus's office in the morning. "I got your mail for today." Albus said in greeting. Harry looked at the pile and wanted to scowl.
"Anything other than press?"
Albus handed a small pile of letters from various ex-D.A. members and one from Hermione. "Damn nothing from the goblins. Thank you Albus." He set the small pile of letters down and took a seat. "I wanted to ask how we are explaining James escorting Alice then it suddenly changed to Harry taking his place."
The grin faded and Albus gestured to Hermione's letter. "I think you should read that."
Harry picked up Hermione's letter and noticed the back had the Ministry Seal.
Harry Potter,
Your presence has been requested for an inquiry over the Niete-Catton incident. Please appear promptly at 8 a.m. Friday October 1st. The inquiry will be in the presence of The International Confederation of Wizards.
Hermione Granger, Minister of Magic
It was short and to the point. "This is all for just a damn estate?" Harry really didn't want to believe inheritance would be this important.
"I believe it is because the Niete fortune spreads across several countries, including England, France, Germany and Italy."
"What did they do to get so wealthy? You gave me information about Alice, not her parents. The only reason I know who they are is because of a off hand comment from Moody years ago." Harry just scanned through the press mail.
"Much of the wealth came directly from Alice's parents business practices. They invested well, and started several companies, one was for books publishing. Their publishers sold Lockhart's books." Harry snorted. "Another Niete owned company deals with translation of ancient text. They also bought out several muggle companies for medicine."
Harry sighed. "So what do you propose I say when I get there?"
"I suppose you will need to be honest. Go ahead and tell them exactly what they want to know."
Harry frowned but nodded. "I'll finish reading the letters in my room. So what about me being gone for those in school?"
"I'll set up a public statement where you called in Harry to fill in for you since you were very sick since the three of us were good friends."
Harry nodded and began walking out with just the personal letters in his hands. Albus cleared his throat and gestured to the pile of letters still sitting on Albus' desk. Harry sighed and shrank them to fit in a small pouch he conjured.
Harry hurried down to his room before anyone saw him and unleashed his pile of mail. He looked at the letters that Albus gave him. "Neville, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Ginny, Oh one from Tonks, that should be pleasant." He grinned as he opened it.
Harry, its Tonks, just wanting to check on the kid. Glad to see you again, although I wish you had dropped a heads up first before you headed off to a potential disaster. From what I got from Alice, there is no loss with her Aunt? Well, at least she got's you now. I am sure you will be much better at parenting than her aunt. Well, that's from what I heard from Alice. Anyway, owl me if you still want that beer, I need to drag your ass to more parties.
Tonks
Harry snickered at the last part. He wrote a quick reply.
Tonks, yes, I hope I will be. Do you know anything about the letter I received from the ministry about an inquiry? I haven't checked to see if Alice has received one. I guess I'll do that next. I doubt that I need to just explain why I was there. I'll owl you later, we need to drag Remus and Fleur when we go, they are just barely getting comfy. You can't do that well surrounded by students. Me and Susan are trying. But we already had a running start.
Harry.
Harry closed the envelope and headed out to send his letter. With the letter on its way to Tonks he checked to see that it was close to lunch. He headed towards the dinning hall and bumped into Mathew. Mathew looked up at him thankfully.
"Oh good, I was hoping to see you before lunch Professor." Harry looked at the poor first year and waved for Mr. Andrews to follow him. Harry led around the third floor until a door suddenly appeared. They walked in and Harry almost chuckled. The room had an assortment of listening detectors and protection runes along the walls.
Two seats appeared in the middle of the room and the wide eyed first year was waved to sit in one. Harry to the opposite on. He sat down and started. "Welcome to the room of requirement. We can't be listened to in here. And I think it would be nice for you to know where it is incase you feel a need to be alone to sort things out."
Mathew was still wide eyed but nodded. After a few seconds he was able to gather his wits. "I almost let it slip Professor." He looked down highly embarrassed and ashamed. Harry gave a fraction of a smile. "I was reading the Prophet yesterday and said aloud something like its good he can get some company during the summers." He turned red and said, "I am sorry it just slipped and then I just explained sorta about how 'Harry Potter' doesn't seem like a person who would have much company. But it still was close."
Harry looked at the student and neighbor. The child looked like he was expecting a punishment. Then Harry thought back to what he just said and started laughing. "Do you really think I need company during the summer?" He managed to get out.
Mathew looked up surprised to see the Professor laughing. Fear kept the student silent but Harry finally stopped laughing. "Its fine, there was no damage done and I know you didn't mean for it to slip. Hmm." Harry thought for a moment. "Mathew, raise your leg." The first year was confused but did so anyway. Harry raised his hand to it. It heated for a second before he stopped. "O.k. when ever you are about to say something that might reveal me, you will feel that warm sensation on your foot. Its similar to the kind my students have. If you feel that you need to talk about anything, I am around, if you can't find me, find Alice. You can bring her here, and you two can talk in private. Tell her about where she is going to be living during the summer, she has never had much contact with the muggle world and the most information she has, is from a book. I am sure you two would have some thing to talk about."
Mathew nodded. He didn't expect this. He smiled to Harry and said, "Thanks Professor. I will be more careful now. And I'll see to talking to Alice." Harry smiled and showed Mathew exactly how to find the room.
-o-
Alice entered Miss Bones' office cautiously and sat on the couch facing the fire. Susan felt the anxiety the girl was bringing with her into the room and quickly set down her work. The medi-witch brought tea and sat next to the young girl. "Is there a reason for this visit?" asked Susan carefully. She poured some milk in Alice's tea and handed it to her.
Alice took a deliberate sip before sighing. "I mostly needed to get away from everything you know?" Susan nodded with a hint of a smile.
"How are you taking everything?" she asked vaguely.
"I think I am ok. Its like with my sudden memories. When I think about it, I feel kinda numb." Alice's posture relaxed a little. "I know its silly but I feel like… like its both a dream come true and a nightmare." She sniffed slightly.
Susan placed a comforting arm around her. "It's not the best circumstances to gain a father is it?" Alice nodded. Susan looked at the girl thoughtfully before saying. "I know that Harry is placing every effort to make sure you will be both happy and safe. I can't say how I felt about your aunt, but I know that you can't waste what happiness you have now because of something that was out of your control." Susan gave her a tight squeeze. Alice looked uncertainly at Susan. Susan just thought of something and asked carefully. "Do you grieve for your aunt?"
Alice felt the tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes, but I hate her. She was horrible. But I still feel bad that she is gone. When the Minister tried to consol me I just told her that Nan wasn't worth it. I think she isn't but I still feel…" Alice couldn't continue. She continued to cry for a while. Susan just held her and stroked her hair.
"She was the last connection to your family right?" Asked the older woman. Alice nodded. "And you also kind of scared that something like that might happen to you too?" A shadow passed through the girls eyes before she nodded again. "Its ok to grieve for someone that you knew. You don't have to love someone to know that you might miss them in some way. It also doesn't mean a thing if you are scared how she left. It doesn't make you a bad for thinking either way."
Alice wiped away her tears and sat quietly with Susan. Susan prodded gently to what they planned to do over vacation. Susan was only aware that Alice would come back a few days before Christmas eve. Alice was grateful for the distraction and they talked lightly for a few hours. It was close to dinner when both felt ready to leave the privacy of Susan's office.
-o-
Harry sat on his desk meditating. He had asked Susan to join him for this class and was relieved that Fleur could cover her for the two hours. Harry felt the students come into class but were all silent. He knew why but did not mention to Susan that he had never shown them his full magic signature. They had enough practice now to be able to handle it without getting sick. That was what he had hoped. He broke his meditation at the same time Susan did. They both looked up at the class. Everyone was staring at Harry. He turned to Susan and grinned. She just raised an eyebrow at him.
"I guess if not all, many off you have used sight or sensation and are looking at me right now." Every student nodded. Harry smiled at a few of the squinting eyes that looked at him.
Pam, Owen, Bruce and Alice just stared. They had discussed in private why their professors aura never extended beyond his body. Now they knew that he was holding it in how ever that worked. Owen and Alice looked at each other and suddenly received an appreciation for what Harry did. Professor Potter would have overwhelmed them if they had seen him like this the first time they performed sight.
Pam looked at the two then back at their professor. The magical signature of anyone she had met in the school only extended about seven or eight centimeters. Everyone in the 'Advance Magics' class was actually more. Alice thought it had to do with meditating all the time. Pam thought about that now. She remembered that most of the adults extended twice as far. Pam shuddered remembering when they looked at their headmaster. His magical signature extended out a few meters and would engulf people who would walk near him.
Alice looked around the class and back to her dad. She took a deep breath and used 'sight' and 'sensation'. She was almost blinded. "God." was all she was able to mutter. Harry looked back at the class. His magical signature was a sphere that enveloped half the class with blue, green, silver, red and yellow light ribbons. No one could even make out to three other magical signatures they had first seen a few days ago. The students in the back saw outside of an aura and the one muggle born in the back muttered. "Its like looking at a star."
Harry stood up and instantly repressed his magical aura. All of the students fell forward. They all felt that they were being sucked towards their professor. "Alright, I guess that answers the questions as to why my aura was so precise right?" Several students nodded. "The reason I had you all learn Sight and Sensation was for this. So that you can understand the enormity of having such an aura and what it means to wield that much power." Several students looked confused. "Today we are going to 'condition'." Harry looked over to Alice who nodded steadily.
Susan stood up and looked at Harry expectantly. "I have asked Miss Bones here to aid in demonstrating what a condition is. A condition is a set of terms set on something or someone. The conditions focuses the magic used by that object or person for a set goal. When a condition is set, an aura can become enflamed since all the magic is focused on performing through the set conditions." He nodded to Susan who stood next to him.
"I became a battle field medi-witch during my seventh year at Hogwarts." She suddenly blushed at that but didn't look at Harry. "I was a decent fighter, but I was too busy treating injuries to aid in the fighting, so Harry taught me how to use a condition. I conditioned my magic so that my job on the battle field was to heal." She concentrated and several students grinned when they saw Miss Bones Aura grow from the few centimeters to well over a meter. "With a condition in place, I was able to heal and save many Aurors during the fighting. And many of them were healed instantly and were able to continue fighting." Some of the students were excited but Susan added sadly. "But this left me defenseless, I couldn't even cast a shielding charm. Every time I went out to heal, I was basically doing a suicide run." The excitement faded slightly. "As Harry knows, several people had sacrificed themselves to save me since they knew I was more important than they were during the fighting." No one was looking eager to learn conditioning now that something like it could cause such sacrifice.
"Also." Added Harry. "Performing a condition is a moderately hard spell and draining. If a person performs a condition for a prolonged amount of time, they will become weak. Miss Bones can testify that it could take weeks for a person to recover magically." Harry looked at his students then said. "At one point I had half dozen conditions on myself at all times. I have actually tried to use this method to drain my magic completely as a way to destroy my curse. No luck. In fact I learned that I was never drained when I used condition. And I know of only two people who can perform a condition and not be drained from it at all and we are both sitting in this room." Harry looked right at Alice who wasn't feeling very special at the moment. Several students turned to her in surprise. "Before anyone says anything, know she has broken that condition, and in fact didn't even know she performed it. And I know it is nothing she is proud off." There was the unsaid order to not question her. They all accepted it.
Miss Kee raised her hand timidly. Harry smiled then pointed at her. "How many conditions do you have on right now?"
Harry looked like he wanted to say something else then looked for Susan for help. She smiled and shook her head. "None." Several students laid back in there seats.
Susan spoke up. "Today we are going to show you how to perform a condition, and how it can be used to perform various jobs." Harry and Susan split the class and slowly showed a student at a time how to perform a condition and its impact on their body. "Concentrate on a task and use both your mental discipline from Occlumency and your skill of meditating to force a focus on your magic." The student she worked with tried two more times before he was able to enflame his aura. He smiled and went to work on his own.
"Now Miss Johnson, don't try and enflame your aura, just think of a condition that you can manage to do right now." Pam concentrated but there was no change. She seemed very put out. "Miss Johnson think of something you would like to do right now." She closed her eyes and concentrated. When she opened her eyes her magical signature flared three times its original size. "That's great!" Pam blushed slightly. "What condition did you use?" Asked Harry. He smiled at her openly.
Pam faltered and her aura shrank back to normal. Her blush deepened when she said, "T-to impress you." A few people were able to hear her and chuckled.
Harry didn't loose his smile and said, "Well then, mission accomplished." Pam was beyond red. "Now try to use that same kind of idea to make a condition you can apply to a situation." She nodded not daring to say a word.
The students began to get excited again when they saw their magical signature fluctuate so much when using conditions. Several students realized they have different results with different conditions, and for the rest of class the students experimented with the condition they set on themselves.
"Professor Potter!" shouted Mr. Olsen. Harry turned to the seventh year. Harry nodded for him to speak. "If conditions are so great, why are then not widely used?"
Harry smiled at the question. "One, is because it get be very draining. If you are on the field fighting, and you can't make it past on day, your dead. And a second is as far as I know, no one has used them before. You will be the first students it will be taught in a way that I am using it. I have actually shown a few friends years ago. But like Miss Niete, there are people who stumble across the ability without knowing what they are doing. But compared to what they do there is a significant difference. Someone who doesn't know what they did might place a condition of 'I will not steal'. The condition raises their aura but it does nothing to aid that person in anything other than the temptation not to steal. If a person who loves to steal performs that condition, then he may have a series of accidental magic preventing him from stealing."
Susan continued. "But then there are people who Harry trained like me. And we focus are abilities on a specific goal dealing with magic and our determination to perform it gives us a completely different affect."
Harry picked up from there. "Sorry Miss Niete, I am going to use you as an example."
Alice huffed, "Thanks dad." The class chuckled.
Harry smiled. "As I was saying, when my daughter was injured from the prefect who attacked her, she was seriously injured. I was able to heal her in about thirty seconds. Susan here." Harry pointed to his girlfriend. Susan gave him a playful glare. "Had she found Alice on a field battle, Alice would have been healed in about five seconds. Then Susan would have run to the next person. Or I would have banished her myself to the back of the battle field." Harry grinned at Susan.
She glared back at him. "He did it too." The class snickered.
The class ended with a lot of students realizing that they exhausted themselves. Susan gave them enough pepper up potion to make it to their dorms and ordered them to sleep. The class said a satisfied and thoughtful good bye to the two teachers. Harry noted that Alice didn't exhibit any signs of being tired or even drained. She walked toward him and he shook his head. He mouth out 'tomorrow'. She nodded being a little put out. She waved to him and headed out with the class.
-o-
Harry closed to portrait and escorted Susan to her hospital wing. "What was that about James?"
Harry smiled at her. "You caught that?"
She looked at him for a moment. "Fine, don't tell me." she said airily.
"Its not like that. I am just thinking how to explain some things to her. Alice needs to know what she placed on herself. She had questions that I didn't know how to answer yet." Susan nodded.
They walked in comfortable silence until they reached Fleur and Remus. "Hello Remus, Fleur how are you two?" They both smiled more confident in their relationship.
"We have been fine, and the wing has been quiet with no emergencies." Replied Remus.
Susan walked over to her office door and unlocked it. "That is good to hear."
Remus leaned closer to Harry and said, "Remember, you are covering for me on Monday. Full moon will end on Sunday night and I won't be able to shake the effects of the wolfs bane potion." Fleur looked over to him expectantly. "Fleur has been giving me different variations of the wolfs bane potion to see the various effects. This month is her second potion variation she is trying." Fleur beamed. Harry and Susan laughed and waved a good evening to Fleur and Remus.
Susan let the two of them inside her office and sat on the couch. "I take if from the class today, that you never showed them what your signature looked like." Harry looked at her innocently. Susan stuck her tongue out. "That was evil, why didn't you tell me they never saw you like that before. I can see why you scared the bejeezus out of them all." Harry smiled at his girlfriend.
"Remember when I showed you three about what I was doing. You nearly killed me. Not to mention Hermione fainted when she was finally able to see it. I had to find a way to ease them into it before I start the condition part of class. At least no one fainted, although a few came close."
Susan grinned widely. "Was that the real reason why I was in the class?" Harry just laughed and wrapped his arms around her.
"That reminds me, I need to send notes to the teachers to be lenient of them tomorrow, they won't be able to use some magic very well in the morning if not all day." Susan nodded.
"So did you read all those letters?" Susan looked up to him.
Harry kissed her then said, "Yes. The one from Mrs. Weasley was especially threatening. Neville is doing well, and so is Gin, oh god that was interesting. You know she is turning into her mother? Their letters were the same and almost word for word." Susan laughed. "I placed them next to each other and the only difference I could see was Mrs. Weasley seemed to be addressing a five year old, and Ginny was addressing a ten year old."
Susan's eyes danced with his description of the two letters. "Anything else?"
Harry sighed. "Besides the Ministry letter and a crap load of press mail I am just tempted to burn." Susan was told about the Ministry Inquiry before they started meditating in the class room. Susan leaned against him and sighed contently.
"So did you ever ask Alice if she got a letter form the Ministry?"
"Crap. That is another thing I forgot to talk to her about."
-o-
Harry woke up at 6:30 a.m. to shower and dress. He was down for breakfast promptly at 7 a.m. "You alright there James?" Remus sat down for breakfast and poured syrup on his pancakes.
Harry shook his head slightly. "I have to go to the Ministry today for a Inquiry about Alice's assassination attempt." He quickly drank another cup of juice and looked over to Alice who was chatting happily with her friends. "I guess she didn't get a letter since she didn't talk to me or Albus. Later Remus, I need to get over to Hogsmeade to apparate to the Ministry." He was tempted to kiss Susan a good bye but the school was filing in to the Hall. He touched her shoulder and she smiled and nodded a good bye. He turned and left.
Harry felt the girls of the school eye him as he left. Harry sighed. It was going to be hell on Monday. Remus had to ask him to fill in since the full moon was coming up.
When he arrived in Hogsmeade he went to a back alley before changing back to Harry and apparating to the Ministry. Harry arrived at the Ministry at a quarter to eight. He registered and was escorted to a waiting room. Hermione walked in and gave a slight smile before starting. "I have been requested to summon you here for an account of what occurred at the Niete Estate. Please follow me." She turned and Harry caught up to her.
The escort and guest entered a large hall in a section of the Ministry Harry had never been in before. He recognized a few members of the members of the Confederation who nodded to him. Hermione left him and took her seat at the table facing him. Harry stood there feeling as if he was on trail.
"We have gathered here to record the accounts of Harry Potter. May justice be what rules us all." A chorus from the table said, "May justice rule us."
"Mr. Potter, we asked you to appear before us to recount the incident dealing with one Alice Niete. However some of us," There was a hard glare to three people at the end of the table by the speaker. "believe it would best to have you give your recount under veritaserum. Will you submit to this?" Harry wanted to smile and laugh at the ridiculous request but nodded. A house elf appeared and left the tray for Harry to take the serum. He took it quickly and counted to ten before looking back up to the table. Harry looked at the group wondering why Alice was so important but went ahead with his testimony. He described what had occurred in the mansion and waited for them to respond.
"We would like to ask you a few questions." Harry nodded cautiously. He was waiting for this and wondered what they were planning.
"You were in charge protecting Alice Niete during the time of the attack, but was it not Professor James Dursley who was assigned to this task?"
Harry grinned. "As the Aurors who were present can confirm," Harry changed to Professor Dursley. "I was present and accounted for. I deemed it necessary to change back to-" Harry reverted to his natural self. "normal since I knew that I would need to find a protector for the girl if she was going to still be an assassination target."
There were murmurs at that. "Are you saying you are the Professor of Advanced Magics at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"
Harry quickly said, "Yes, I created the disguise as a necessity to avoid unwanted attention to the students whom I was teaching." A few of the witches and wizards at the table looked to Hermione who gave a slight smile.
"Very well, moving on. We would like to know the reasons to your adoption of Alice Niete." Harry was beginning wonder when they would get around to this one.
"A major reason was that she was a student whom I have come to respect and knew would need protection from predators to her situation." There were several quick glances around the room. "Another is the debt her family truly did create when they saved my mine. I know what it is like to be placed in the care of a cruel family. From what I have seen of her distant relatives, her situation would be far worse than the one I would wish on a child."
A portly wizard spoke up. "Thank you for the explanation, however some of us have doubts that your intensions are less than pure in relation to the fortune at stake."
Harry snorted. "I am under veritiserum." He said simply.
The man persisted, "But you can still say half truths."
Harry said frankly, "Why would I need a fortune sir? I am aware that any one of you have the authority to look at my assets and can see for yourselves, that before the time I was a teacher, I lived a frugal life with no use off the money held there. I left it best to pass it on to any children I may have in the future. But my condition left that unlikely, I thought a chosen heir may have been a suitable replacement." There was more harsher murmuring at this. Many did not believe that he would not only seek the child's fortune for himself, but he was looking for an heir for his own wealth. Hermione just looked at the other wizards smugly. A faint I told you so painted on her face. Harry repressed a grin. He was relieved Susan wasn't dragged into this conversation.
"We are pleased at your answers. One more question would suffice our curiosity. What is the contents of the class you are teaching?" Hermione looked surprised at the question. She looked to Harry apologetically. Harry smiled at them all. He had already broken down the truth serum as it entered his stomach. It did not mean that his answers were not true. He had answered them all honestly. But now faced with the question and the questions most likely to follow he wondered if he should tell them what Albus wanted, what the cover was, or what he now wanted to do with the students. He looked at them all. Everyone eager, except for Hermione, to know what Harry Potter would say. What could only be taught by the great wizard that it was deemed important enough to pull him out of his personal exile.
"Know before I answer that question that what I teach to for the safety of the entire wizarding world." That made everyone pay extra attention. "I am passing on what I have learned fighting Voldemort to these students whom I have come to trust." There was a roar of disapproval, outrage, and malice about his intentions. He continued unhindered and said, "I am teaching these students to protect the world from me." He looked deadly serious. The table was just staring at him. He continued. "I have within me a deadly curse laid by Voldemort as he died. I am making sure that there will be someone to stop me if I loose control. That was the reason why I lived away from the magical world. To continue to protect. I plan to return to that world a fraction of my conscience lighter because if I ever cave in, some one will be there to stop me." Harry saw the face of every single student in his class. "I trust those students with my life. And I am honored Albus has found so many students who are worthy of that claim. I do not have long to live ladies and gentlemen." There was startled murmurs. Hermione looked stricken. Damn she didn't know. "With the curse still with me, I will live maybe fifty more years. I have made preparations with Remus Lupin, whom I trust, to take my remains to a place where no one on earth may find them. As we are unsure if the curse will still reside in my bones." That whole last bit was a lie, but Harry felt he needed to stretch to give them assurances if the curse was indeed that powerful. "In the mean time, Albus Dumbledore and my self have been working on solutions to aide in the removal of this curse."
The silence around the high table was interesting to Harry. The Confederation showed an array of intensions from placing him in a cell to protect themselves to awe at his selflessness of taking steps to stop himself. Others were just jealous that such knowledge where going to students whom they didn't see as worthy of such teachings. Harry waited for a reply. Finally the leader looked to his group then back to Harry. "Very well. You have proven your judgment in years past. We will defer to it in this matter. Thank you for your time Mr. Potter."
Harry turned to go, before he felt a wave of intention and turned back. "Know now." He said coldly. "That no one who has intentions against me or the students of the school will be unable to go near Hogwarts or Hogsmeade. That is the least I could do for them." He glared back to the three wizards at the corner the three representatives puffed at the glare. Everyone at the table looked in the direction as well. Several wizards looked outraged that any of the Confederation would over step their bounds. Harry was relived that the anger was directed at the three wizards and not at himself for suggesting it. Hermione smiled at him again as he left. Harry left with a parting wave.
Harry apparated back to Hogsmeade and began to wonder if he did the smart thing about revealing what he was planning. Albus didn't even know the intentions he had for his students. Harry sighed and decided that Albus deserved to know now since the Confederation knew, and he would have known now anyway if he had not stepped down from his position of that council.
-o-
Professor Dursley was wandering the corridors trying to decide how to tell Albus of his decision. The headmaster would not be pleased with his reasoning. Harry decided to check on Remus's class. He wasn't too keen on the idea of teaching students that were not of his class, but knew he had to do it since he was the only free teacher in the school.
"Now, that we have learned the charm I want you all to line up and prepare to immobilize one of the fairies." There was a resounding scrapping of chairs when Harry walked in. The fairies were quickly released one at a time and frozen as soon as they exited the cage they were in. The girl who was next in line to immobilize her fairy stopped and stared at Professor Dursley. Harry raised his hand at the fairy as it was about to attack the poor girl. She suddenly came to, then saw her fairy a few inches away from her. She flushed and went to the back of the line to try again. The other girls were almost jealous of the girl whom the Professor had protected.
Harry grimaced at the girls faces. He then noticed some of the boys faces had a similar look when he stopped the fairy with out a wand. "Hello Remus. How is class?"
'immobulous'
"Its fine, the students in this class learn fast. Especially for third years." Harry leaned against Remus's desk.
'immobulous'
"So how did the meeting go?" Remus asked cryptically.
'immobulous'
Another fairy got away and started to harass the students in line. Remus grinned at Harry. Harry whispered 'Lockhart' before he said to the class. "Twenty points to the student who can freeze that fairy."
Several students gave it a brave try. Most of the class went under their desks. The fairy threw various objects at his attackers and laughed. The critter was fast and taunted the students relentlessly. Finally a student from Hufflepuff managed to freeze the 'little bugger' as he called it. There was cheers from his house mates. Remus said for them to get back in line and continue. They did so with out complaint. "It is a good class. The 'interview' wasn't so bad. There were a few shady people on there though. They some how convinced the other Confederates to have me take veritiserum." Remus hmm'ed at the information.
"You think any of them might have, you know, had a hand in the attack?"
Harry shook his head. "I don't think so, but I know next to nothing of the Niete family and their investors. One thing that is a saving grace, The International Confederation of Wizards does not know of the Inquiry I am placing with the goblins. They work independently of each other." Remus nodded.
"Class we are done for the day. Place the remaining fairies back into their cages and you can go. Also! Monday, due to my lycanthropy I will not be able to teach class." There were murmurs of disappointments at that. Harry grinned to Remus, both because Remus was a great teacher and that they would have a great surprise. "However, I have asked that Professor Dursley will take my place for that day."
There was a sudden intake of air from the students. They stared at Harry wide eyed. The mysterious teacher is going to be teaching them for a day!? The class left excitedly.
Harry smiled then asked while Remus was cleaning up. "So how did Fleur rope you into take her experimental potions? No private time?" Harry grinned slyly.
Remus didn't miss a beat. "She would flame me."
Harry laughed then. "Are you serious?"
Remus shook his head. "No, she didn't need to threaten me with anything, I would gladly do anything for her. And she is very good with potions." He added testily.
Harry smiled then looked at the class that was coming in. Great, it is a seventh year class. Thought Harry as several girls just stared at him. Harry had been used to stares for most of his life. He had even gotten used to feeling comfortable while being stared at, but what these girls did was unnerving. Harry had a sudden thought. "For Fluer's observations, does she need to be in with you when are under the influence of the potion?"
Remus nodded. "Its kinda nice really. She said she will change to a Veela and keep me company all night." Remus smiled wistfully.
Harry smiled then said, "I am happy for you." He let Remus start the class. Harry waved at them and left. He still cringed when he saw the disappointment in their eyes.
Harry arrived in Dumbledore's office with time to spare for dinner. Albus grinned and waved for the newest professor to take a seat. When Harry sat down he leaned forward and laced his fingers in front of his face. Albus recognized the position and knew he was going to get told something he didn't like. "What is it Harry?"
"I met with the Confederation of Wizards. Normally I would expect that a interview of that manner would not need the aid of veritiserum right?" Albus looked appalled. "Its alright, I wasn't so much asked anything personal, thank god. But one question they asked me was the purpose I had here at the school." Harry paused for a second. He didn't want to tell Albus that he had broken down the potion. "I gave honest answers for why and who I am, and I found my self giving them an answer that I honestly never really thought of but has been going on in the back of my mind." Harry looked at his former headmaster. He nodded to continue. "I told them, that I was training these students to stop me if I loose control."
Albus looked disappointed and a little left out but nodded. "I can understand the position you are in. But is that really necessary?"
Harry smiled. "It won't be for long Albus. You already know how much time I have left if I don't dispel the curse." Harry looked at the old Professor, who had a array of mixed feelings about the decision.
"Thank you for telling me Harry. How far into the progress are your students?" Harry smiled. Albus hasn't given up on getting his favorite pupil cured. He just wanted to bide his time to convince him that there must be a cure.
"They are doing fine. I am glad that all of them are so mature about the training. They are ahead of my progress when I started exploring the possibilities." Albus smiled and nodded. Harry took it as a dismissal. "Thank you for your time Albus. I am already late for dinner." They both grinned and Harry said a farewell as he left.
Albus sat back in his seat feeling very old. He looked to Fawkes, "I would like to have you send a message please." The phoenix flew to Albus' shoulder. "Wait for a reply. It is very important that I get this conference." The bird cooed before it disappeared into flames. Now all Albus had to do was wait.
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Mathew stood in front of the charms class waiting patiently for the second years to get out. He skived off potions to figure out what to say to Alice and finally just decided to talk to her. The class door opened and Alice came walking out ahead of the rest of the class. "Um Alice?" Alice turned and saw a pale brown haired boy walk to her.
"Can I help you?"
He simply gulped before he said, "I need to talk to you about Professor Dursley do you have any free time right now?"
Alice nodded, "Um ok. Hey Julie!" Alice turned to a girl leaving the class room, "Tell Owen and Pam I am going to be late!" Alice turned back to kid, "Ok lead the way, um what's your name again?"
Mathew felt embarrassed, "Mathew Andrews, but you can call me Mat." Alice saw Mathew's Ravenclaw badge and nodded. Mathew lead her to the room of requirement thinking of a place to keep secrets. When they entered the room there were several snooping detectors and furniture facing a fireplace. Mathew sighed, relieved he was able to find the room. Alice looked around the room in amazement. It was the exact opposite of Professor Dursley's room. The place was filled with magic. She felt like she was in a pool of it. "What is this place." She breathed.
Mat finally closed the door and the door disappeared leaving a small outline to where it is. "Harry said that its called the room of requirement. He wanted me to talk to you here since no one can over hear us."
"Harry? You know who he is?" She didn't say who Harry was only that she might now what he was talking about.
"Professor Dursley was my neighbor." Alice just stood there staring at him. "What?"
"Wow, you knew Professor Potter as a neighbor?" Mathew nodded. He began to smile and started laughing. "What's so funny?" asked Alice.
"Besides the fact that I live next to the most powerful wizard in the world and all he did was complain about weeds in his daffodils? I don't know."
Alice just let that sink in. "He grew flowers?" She started giggling along with him.
"That and tell stories. He said that if I needed to talk about any of it I could come to you." Alice smiled in appreciation.
She took a seat next to Mat and asked, "So what was he like as your neighbor?"
"He liked to grow things. He always had a garden going in his back yard. One year, a magazine wanted to publish his backyard but he turned them down. One of his favorite summer past times was to actually tell stories. You know I think I got more history lessons from him than from Professor Binns." Alice laughed.
The rest of the time they shared small stories about what they new about Harry. Mat shared that he had always admired how Harry could live as freely as he did, and Alice shared how she felt him as a mentor and as a father. It was close to dinner when they decided to meet again some time next week to talk about Harry, Mat's neighbor.
-o-
"Welcome back class." There were a few weak replies and Harry grinned. "I would normally have you all not come to class today, but I want you to meditate in class how you can use a condition to aid in what ever profession you will be entering. And note that there can be several conditions that any job can use." Several of the sixth and seventh years were still thinking Auror training. They grinned to each other then the class began to meditate.
Towards the end of class he was pleased that many of the students lost the pinched look on their faces. Harry called, "We are done for the day, no class this weekend, just take time to meditate. I suggest you don't use more magic outside of class until the end of Monday." There were a few weak feeling students but they said a grateful thank you for no class. Harry smiled before he forgot to mention, "I will meet some of you again on Monday. I am replacing Professor Lupin for the day. Its full moon this weekend." Several students grinned. Pam was ecstatic. Alice looked at her friend and just rolled her eyes. She pushed everyone out of the door and came back into class a moment later.
Harry yawned, "Sorry I guess I am a little tired. How are you Alice?"
Alice took a seat in front of him. "I am fine. Thanks for having Mathew talk to me." She said earnestly.
"He did? That's good." Harry looked at her waiting for her to ask her question.
"I just wanted to ask you about the condition thing. The way you had the class do it yesterday was a little different than what I did."
Harry understood immediately. "I know. I had them learn condition of will instead of emotion."
Alice just blinked. She smiled and asked, "Its because emotion can be too unstable right?"
"If I wasn't so partial I would award you points. But yes. The emotions that we think matter most are the ones that can be the most unstable for a condition. Doubt plays a big part in emotional conditioning. Emotions can either do two things." Harry pulled out a bottle of butter beer from his desk. Alice looked at him in surprise. He looked at her then pulled out another for her. "Your friends left them in here when they found you and never claimed them." Alice smiled and shook her head when she received hers.
"Ok." Harry conjured a bucket. "Lets say that the beer is magic and the bottle is the condition." Alice nodded. "In a normal person the magic is used in about this fashion." He poured a small amount out steadily into the bucket. "If a person uses a regular condition, the kind I showed the class, this happens." He began to pour out slightly faster.
Alice grinned and said, "Your wasting your beer."
Harry smiled back saying, "There are two more in my desk. Now, if the condition is based on an emotion two things can happen. One is this." Harry simply turned the bottled upside down and the beer came out in unsteady gulps. Alice began to understand almost immediately. She looked up, half afraid. Harry noticed and said quietly, "The other thing that can happen is..." Harry placed his thumb over the opening and shook the bottle rapidly before he let the contents spray out into the bucket.
"Is that what happened to me? But how can I even use magic then?" If she had that much power, why had she never noticed it before.
Harry smiled, "You were very lucky with the way your condition worked. Your partitioned mind held the condition in a place where it could not be affected, you were still growing magically as you are now, and also, you inherently absorb magic around you."
"Absorb magic?"
Harry nodded. He pointed his hand at her and muttered a incantation. "Use both sight and sensation." He commanded. Alice was surprised by the tone but did it. She looked at Harry then at herself. Air pooled towards her. She looked at her dad and saw that air was pooling towards him a lot slower than it was going towards her.
"You most likely have been absorbing magic since you were born." Alice looked scared. This was too much. Harry got off his desk and hugged her. Harry cancelled the spell quickly and Alice began just to see the normal glow of her signature. She close her eyes and opened them to see her dad look at her apologetically. She hugged him back.
"I absorb more magic than you do, don't I?"
Harry nodded. "But unlike you can I cut myself off from doing it. I do this because the curse I hold does the same thing." Alice sat there until she finished her butter beer. Harry banished the bucket and its contents and finished the remaining amount of his own bottle.
"Thanks for explaining this dad. Its… a lot to take in."
Harry smiled at her sadly. "At least I am here to explain it to you."
Alice nodded gratefully. She then looked up startled. "You were all by yourself when you did this weren't you?"
Harry grinned at her. She is smart. He thought again reminding himself of their first conversation. "Yes, I didn't have my friends with me. I needed them to keep a safe distance. Well after I burned myself, Susan followed me everywhere."
"Burned?"
Harry smiled wistfully. "When I was still learning how to define what a condition is and how to use it, I would get sudden burst of magic that would literally burn my skin. For the most part it was my hands. Its one of the reasons no one in the class is allowed to tell anyone else of what's learned here. There are several instances where I almost killed myself doing what I am teaching you. The burning is just one of them." Alice nodded again.
"Thanks again." She said finally she finished her bottle and handed it back to him. He smiled banished the bottle to the trash. "So I guess I'll see you on Monday?"
Harry smiled, then said, "What? My favorite pupil isn't going to visit me this weekend?"
Alice giggled openly thankful that something about her was solved. She headed for the door. "I'll see what I can do." Then left.
Harry sighed. He felt bad about telling her this way. She really wasn't ready to comprehend it all. Harry doubted that she understood the ramifications absorbing magic will do later in her life. Harry looked at both empty bottles that sat in the trash and said, "I am going to need something a lot stronger than this." Harry pulled out a bottle of fire whisky from his desk and made his way to Susan's office.
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Another chapter done! Thanks again for all the reviews, no new chapter next week since I am mostly not going to have access to a computer. Next chapter will be in two weeks, Jan 2, 2005. Now to the reviews!
Fuzzball : LOL thanks for pointing these out, Me and my beta really just bounce ideas off each other since we are pretty bad at picking some of these things up. We will try harder to make this the best reading experience we can give.
Heaven's Reaper: Mathew is a character I have been trying to get back into the story for almost four chapters but never seemed right for him to make his reentrance. Now is the perfect time since he will need to be in the story by the end of part 2.
Otspock: I like his classes too. Its probably the most fun I had writing so far.
zero-skillz: Hopefully you will be satisfied with the small scene in this chapter. I have been trying to keep chapters a little shorter than this, but the last few seemed to run over board. So much to write and so little time.
Schnuff: Thanks for the review, Harry's return is still unknown since he has been hiding in Hogwarts for most of it, but we'll see him going out later in the story and force to face the things he is famous for. And actually there is no 6th or 7th year story, Later when I get closer to the end of this one I am thinking whether I should make a sequel to this or go back to write a 6 and 7th year story. I would like to do both, but I plan on doing one project at a time since I can get kinda spastic when my college classes start up again in the second week of January.
loopy dance: Thank you for the critic, me and gallandro are both had a hectic time with real world, and we both kinda goof off with the grammar of the story. I hope you are willing to forgive us in the future if and most likely when we both miss something that should be obvious.
Locatha: You know I just caught my self doing that in chapter 7 or 8. Thanks for the heads up and keep the grammar mess ups coming, hopefully I will get them fixed in a far off update.
Again there is no chapter next week, Merry Christmas. Teaser is still below I guess you all will just have to read that over and over again.
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Chapter 10 Adventures in Babysitting
Albus bade for them to enter the conference chamber where his guest sat. Harry was the last person to enter. He chuckled when he saw the visitor. The wizard's dark hair was slicked back by grease and his curved nose pointed to Harry. He held an amount of a sneer when he greeted the Professor.
"Potter."
"Snape"
"Brat"
"Git."
Harry and Severus sneered at each other for a moment longer before they both smirked. "Its good to see you Severus." Harry offered his hand. Severus took it.
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Since I am going to miss a week, here is another teaser for the same chapter.
"Those are all good reasons but I am looking for control. If you can learn precise control you can actually defend against almost any curse or hex thrown at you." Harry realized he probably shouldn't do this wandless and looked to the student closest to him. It was thankfully a guy, "Can I borrow this?" He pluck the students wand. "Mr. Allswan, can you please throw as many curses at me as you can, you are free to move as if this is a duel."
The Griffindor grinned, and threw several curses. When they were half way to Harry a few girls gasped. Harry raised the borrowed wand and said confidently, "Wingardium Leviosa." Several students just gawked that the chosen charm.
