Chapter 3 – A Year Alone

Harry Potter and the Valeru

By Lady Urquentha

PG – 13

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J. K Rowling, the exception being any OC characters that might wander in. The plot is my own, and even that may have been influenced by stories I have read in the past. Any resemblance to real events or places is entirely accidental. Meaning that if something is the same as in another story I didn't know about it. Once people thought I had cut and past a story while I wrote it by myself! Let me tell u that it was not pretty! So if something is the same I had made it up its just that the other author and I just think alike! OK?!

Snuffles007

Thanks.

Chance Light

I hope you like this new chapter as much as the first two.

Lady of Masbolle

Thanks, I plan to continue it. As you can see by the fact I've posted a new chapter.

Ana26

Hey Ana. Rather weird review, although I've probably already told you that by now. Thanks for the compliments.

Be0t

Harry/Tonks? I don't remember doing anything about Harry/Tonks. I won't say anything about the pairings, except that I've already decided the main pairings, and I can't change them without changing the entire story. If this means I lose some reviewers, then I'm sorry, but I will not change it. I will say that any romance he does have will not be without its ups and downs. This is not a normal pairing though, it's very rare. In fact, I'd be surprised if anyone had the same pairing as this story.

BloodRedSword

Thanks. While your review is short, it gives me a lot of confidence. I've read a number of stories which you've reviewed, and you always like the ones that I do.

Annoymous – Anonmous

I can see the cliché in the fact that he goes off for training, but I like to think that the actual plot is original. I haven't read any like this yet; maybe you could point them out so I could make sure I don't do the same as someone else? I know what you mean about the chapter lengths, they really annoy me too. The plot kind of has to move quickly here, he only has a few days in which the BSS can cover for him, before he must return to the Dursley's.

Moonstone-mystyk

Well, your wait is over

Zaxxon

You're not the only one to have mistaken it for something about the Valheru saga. I actually hadn't read it, until some people mentioned it. I love his stories, they're really good. Well, mine is absolutely nothing like that, it was born from watching spy kids too many times.

Chibi-NarutoKawaii

Thanks! I intend to!

Anonymous – Ron

Thanks, here's the third chapter. The fourth one is well on its way to being written (in my head at least).

Shannon Snape

Thanks! But I don't understand what you mean about extra names? I don't remember writing names without a character.

Anonymous – Aira

Thanks for the review. I hope this chapter is to your satisfaction.

Bukama:

I really appreciate you giving me such a long review; it's a lot more satisfying then a two-word one (which I'm guilty of quite a bit). The time chamber, he'll age the seven physical years, but he'll use an illusion or a potion or something to slowly change his appearance from his old appearance to his new one while at school. He doesn't magically get muscles or anything. That will come from eating, sleeping or working hard. As for the soul-mate thing, I won't say anything, except that I've already decided the main pairings, and I can't change them without changing the entire story. If this means I lose some reviewers, then I'm sorry, but I will not change it. I will say that any romance he does have will not be without its ups and downs. I've never read the book called 'War of the Rift'; I'll have to see if I can find it.

Noompjuh

Thanks for reviewing, but you're wrong. He isn't spending years in the Time Wing. He spends 7 years there, and there are illusionary spells that he might use. Thanks for your review though, it was quite useful.

Makotochi

I never said whether people will know he's gone or not. There are spells, ancient spells that could make it seem as though he was there all that time. No guarantee that's what I'll do though. Thanks for your comments, anyway

Sappiody

Thanks for reviewing; of course I'll continue the story. I'm enjoying writing it, especially with my beta reader. She's really nice, and she's in my school, so we can talk during class. grins

Anonymous – A Fan

Thanks for reviewing; it really helps boost the confidence. As for the Ravenclaw heir...well, if you don't already know, you'll have to wait and see.

Chapter 3

A feeling of coldness washed over him, before vanishing as he found himself standing in a silver room. The two silver couches faced the fireplace, two wooden desks were by one wall, three empty bookshelves were on the same wall, and four doors led away. Carmen was disappearing through one door, while Ingrid was waiting next to another.

"Here, Harry," she beckoned to him, "your bedroom is through here." When he joined her, she pressed her palm to the plate,

"Ingrid Amanda Carmen Echo Sky Cortez-Hufflepuff, prepare to lock," she said, as a blue light scanned her hand.

"Accepted. Prepared to lock," a voice droned. Ingrid removed her hand and turning to Harry,

"Press your hand to the gold plate, say your name clearly, and say 'lock'." Harry placed his right hand on the plate,

"Harry James Daniel Emrys Potter-Gryffindor, lock," he repeated. The same blue light skimmed over his hand, producing a light tickling sensation.

"Accepted. Locked." The door swung open, and Ingrid urged him through, following him closely. He caught glimpses of grey and silver as he turned to face Ingrid again.

"I'll leave you to settle, but first I'll show you how to call up a map of this place and how to call us," she said, "put on your glasses." Harry pulled them from his pocket and slipped them on.

"Concentrate on the glasses themselves," she instructed, "now focus hard on the tab that says 'Maps'." Harry did so, and his jaw dropped as a whole list of names appeared on the inside of his glasses.

"Now focus on the one that reads Bellum Exerceo," she told him. A whole new list of names came up.

"Concentrate on one of the options, and the map will appear." Harry focused on the tab that read, 'Overall'. On the inside of his glasses, he saw a map showing rooms and corridors.

"To get rid of it, concentrate on the x in the corner." Harry did so, and found himself one screen back. He then selected one that read 'Muggle Fighting Arts Division'. He gasped as a detailed map of rooms, corridors and people appeared.

"I see you've discovered the tracking device on the glasses," Ingrid sounded amused, "everyone in the world is tracked, and put on the map. Don't worry; if the glasses are used by anyone except the one they are intended for, they don't function as anything other then sunglasses. Everyone is constantly monitored for dark activity, so no-one can even consider joining Riddle without us knowing."

"Like the Maurderer's map," Harry breathed.

"It has maps of every country, state, county, city, town, school and Ministry in the world," she informed him, "each one with tracking devices."

"How do you track everyone in the world?" Harry asked.

"Very advanced magic," Ingrid explained, "an old spell was found about ten years ago. When it is put up, it instantly tracks everyone on the world, and puts it onto a main map. Some alterations turned it into the spell that works the glasses. Babies are also detected, from only a few minutes old. Even if anti-magic wards are put up, you will be able to access the maps, but not the trackers." Harry nodded; they must have used muggle technology to do that.

"Now, for contacting us," Ingrid began, "hold the watch up near your mouth and say, 'Contact '. We each have different code-names to protect us from anyone who might overhear you. I'm Unicorn, in reference to one of my animangi forms and Gregorio is Pegasus, in reference to his own animangi form. You'll have direct contact with us." She produced a small, flesh colored piece of material,

"If you put this behind your ear, you'll hear our voice issuing from that, at a level only you can hear." Harry took it, and carefully pushed it against his ear. When he was done, it couldn't be felt or seen anymore.

"And this, when you press down on the one on your ear, you can talk through that, instead of your watch," she handed him a small, flesh colored piece of material, and pointed to his throat. Harry fastened it on, watching as changed to match his skin tone, rendering it all but invisible.

"You need to come up with a code name," she reminded him, "something that signifies you, but something not many people would know." Ideas flitted through his mind, his ancestor, his middle names, the prophecy, but then his mind settled on one final thing, the Maurderers. In honor of his father.

"Prongs," he whispered. Ingrid looked startled,

"How is that significant to you?" Harry smiled sadly,

"My father's nick-name and the name of my Patronus." Ingrid nodded,

"All right, you can change it later if you want, as you might want to do when you find out your own animangi abilities." Harry nodded,

"Thanks." He really meant it, never had anyone gone to this sort of lengths to help him. Even his teachers at school at merely given him the things, and then sent him on his way to figure it out with his friends.

"No problem," Ingrid smiled gently at him. She turned to go, and then faced him one last time,

"Harry, if you need anything, I'm here."

Harry watched her go, very confused. She stirred up emotions in him he'd never felt for anyone before. It wasn't that he fancied her; it wasn't that kind of emotion. It was something deeper, something more abiding. But at the same time, he instinctively knew that it wasn't the love between a boy-friend and girl-friend, he somehow knew he was going to get his turn at that love later. It was more like what he felt for Mrs. Weasley, except more then that

Pushing those thoughts aside, Harry looked around his room. It had changed since his entrance, he was sure of it. The walls were gold now, as were the tiny orbs near the ceiling that lit up the room. On a raised dais at the back of the room was a mahogany canopy bed with gold sheets and curtains. At the foot of the bed was his scuffed and marked trunk, lying open and empty except for his books. Harry assumed everything had already been put away, like his robes. By the bed were two matching bed-side tables, upon one of which rested a white laptop. On the other table were three large vials filled with liquid. The carpet beneath his feet was pure white, as was the couch by the fire-place. On the right hand wall was a large empty bookshelf, next to a white-rimmed mirror. The left-hand wall was completely taken up with the giant glass doors that led out to a balcony over a garden. The wall opposite the bed was half taken up by a TV-screen, while the door was in the other half. By the bed was a gold jeweled perching post, clearly meant for Hedwig, who perched on it. Harry walked over to her, and stroked her feathers gently, smiling softly,

"Hey, girl." She chirped softly and rubbed her head against his hand. Harry gave her a last pat, and decided to explore the room a bit more thoroughly.

He walked over to the bed, and sat down carefully. It was as hard as stone beneath him, but slowly gave beneath his weight. Harry stood up, and sat down again, curious. This time, it gave instantly. He grinned; obviously it was charmed to adjust to his comfort levels. Next he looked at the bottles of potions by his bed. Each was neatly labeled as 'Pain-Reliever', 'Dreamless-Sleep' or 'Healing'. Each would come in handy during his training, and even before that, during this year to himself. He wanted to catch up on things he should know at this age, things he'd need to defeat Voldemort. Harry stared over at the lap top, before turning away. He didn't know how to use it, he'd wait for someone to show him, or ask later.

He moved over to the bookshelf, running a hand over the empty shelves. It wouldn't much use to him empty; he'd have to find out where the library was. His fingers hit something, and Harry peered over at it. It was small note written on muggle paper. He detached it carefully, and lowered his eyes to it,

'Speak thy desired subject and watch every book in the library on that subject appear'. Harry frowned, but decided to try out the idea.

"Dueling," he said clearly. He gaped as each shelf was suddenly bulging with thick books, each one to do with Dueling. He grinned; he wouldn't have to find the library.

Moving to the mirror, he stared into it. His reflection stared back at him, wide-eyed.

"You really need to do something about your hair," the mirror remarked, "and you are so thin!" Harry jumped, it was a magical mirror. He moved on quickly, not wanting to listen to anymore of the mirror's smart remarks.

He walked over to the sliding doors and pushed them open. He stepped out onto the balcony, staring out. Several stories below him were brightly colored flower-beds, elegant hedges and beautiful stone statues and water features. The scent of roses, lilies and exotic flowers mingled as they reached his nose, and the gentle breeze was cool against his skin. After a few moments, he returned inside, carefully sliding the doors shut.

He opened the door and stepped back into the first room he'd entered. He moved to one of the other doors, one that had silver letters over it proclaiming 'Library'. He entered the room, after repeating his full name to the door, and his jaw dropped. The room was so large, he couldn't see any of the walls, and he'd appeared in the middle of the room. Shelves stretched as far as the eye could see and further. He walked to the nearest one and peered at the closest book.

"Love Potions," he read. He scanned the rest of that bookshelf, and found that they were all about potions for love and lust. He turned around, and stepped through the doorway that was suspended in mid-air.

He reappeared in the main room, and turned to the final door. 'Training' was above the door, and Harry entered. He found himself faced by another row of doors.

"Hospital Wing...Potions Lab...Dueling...Spell Strength...Muggle Gym...Quidditch Pitch/Running Track...Forest...Jungle...Desert...Tundra...Mountains...Plains...Virtual Reality," he murmured, reading each sign. After a moment he walked to the door labeled 'Mountains', and pushed it open.

The first thing Harry noticed was that he was freezing and he could barely breathe. His teeth were chattering and he was turning blue. After a quick warming and oxygen spell, he looked around. He was on the side of a snowy mountain, high up above the clouds. No wonder it was so cold, and the air was so thin. This must be training ground, to train in mountain terrain.

He quickly left the mountain, and walked over to the Virtual Reality Room. Entering it, he looked around, puzzled. It was completely white room, enclosed with nothing inside. Shrugging, Harry turned to leave. But the door was gone. Eyes widening, he whirled around, searching for a way free.

He found no door, but he did find something else. Something that freaked him out. An enormous black dragon was at the other end of the suddenly enormous room. But wait, it wasn't a room anymore. It was a volcano, and Harry was perched precariously on the edge of it, just in front of the bubbling lava. He gasped, as he realized what this was. A muggle virtual reality room, where they controlled what appeared in there, and what it looked like. But if it had wizarding magic tied into it, Harry wouldn't be surprised if this dragon was substantial. He drew his wand, prepared to defend himself if necessary. He was so used to being by himself in this sort of thing, that he completely forgot about his ability to contact Ingrid and Gregorio.

The dragon's head swung towards him, and they stared at one another for a moment. The dragon launched itself into the air with a furious snarl. Harry tightened his grip on his wand, and slowly lifted it to point unerringly at the dragon. Furiously, he scanned through everything he could remember about dragons. Their hide repelled most spells...they were big...their eyes were their weakest point. Grinning, Harry flicked his wand hard,

"Conjunctivo!" he shouted. The spell issued from his wand, and Harry realized he needed to work on his aiming as it struck the dragon's side. It bellowed its rage and dived. Harry froze in place, too scared to move. At the last minute he panicked and attempted to jump to the nearest rock.

He screamed as he fell downwards, towards the boiling lava beneath him. The wind rushed past him, and his eyes stung as he hurtled head-first down. His wand fell out of suddenly nerve-less fingers, and he watched it tumble down into the lava below him. He squeezed his eyes shut as he neared the fire, bracing himself for the pain of being burnt alive.

But it never came, after a few moments, he tentatively opened his eyes. He was on his back, staring up at a very amused looking brunette girl. She had her hands on her hips and a grin on her lips. Harry felt the heat rush to his cheeks; she'd seen him battling the dragon? Or rather, trying to avoid the dragon?

"Did you enjoy the flight?" she asked. Harry groaned as he stood up. He heard a soft chuckle behind him, and whirled. Ingrid stood there, leaning against the open door, grinning. Harry groaned and dropped his head into his hands,

"This day just keeps getting better and better," he muttered, "I'm going." He pushed past them and hurried out of the room, too embarrassed to do anything else.

He'd just flopped down on his bed, cheeks still burning, when there was a tentative knock on the door.

"Um...Lord Gryffindor?" Carmen's voice came through the door, sounding slightly nervous. Harry groaned, he really did not want to face her at that moment. Nonetheless, he didn't feel like insulting his main companion for the next seven years on the very first day he met her. Slowly he stood up and went over to the door, and pulled it open. Carmen was standing nervously in front of him, looking up at him.

"Um...I just wanted to say sorry. I didn't mean to upset you like that," she said tentatively. Harry gave her a small smile, no use holding grudges, especially when she hadn't known he would react like that.

"It's okay," he paused, and then pushed on, "do you want to come in and talk?"

"Sure," she said enthusiastically, "I'd love to get to know you better." He stepped back to allow her to step in. She stepped in, and they went over to the two-seater couch and sat down.

"So, what is your life like?" she asked eagerly, "all I know about you is what everyone knows, that you're the Boy-Who-Lived and you've faced Voldemort himself five times and lived to talk about it." Harry looked startled,

"You say his name."

"Yeah. Uncle Gregorio was very strict about that, said something about fear of a name increasing fear of the thing itself," Carmen shrugged. Harry grinned,

"I've had that one thrown at me several times as well. Well, a quick summary of my life. I was brought up by my muggle relatives, without any knowledge of the wizarding world until I turned eleven. I attend Hogwarts. Every year since then I've faced Voldemort or one of his lackeys. Oh, and my potions teacher hates me." Carmen grinned,

"I know what you mean. The fencing teacher here, Donald Donmensic, is a real bastard," she said fervently, "hates me. I think he's jealous of my uncle."

"Why?"

"One, he wants Uncle Gregorio's job, as headmaster, and two," here she giggled, "I think he fancies Aunt Ingrid." Harry's jaw dropped,

"This Donmensic guy fancies your aunt?" Carmen nodded, laughing outright now,

"It's kind of funny to see him when she's around. He keeps trying to call her by her first name, but she doesn't let him." Harry had only known Ingrid for a day, but he could imagine what her face would be like.

"What does your uncle think of it?" he inquired.

"Publicly, he ignores it. Privately, he thinks it's hilarious, something that doesn't endear him to his wife, I'll tell you," Carmen whispered conspiratorially.

"I imagine it wouldn't," Harry agreed, "but what about you? What's your life been like? Who are your parents?" She suddenly sobered, her face grim,

"My parents...they're dead. They died when I was six. My father was an auror, and he died fighting some dark wizards. My mother...she committed suicide a few months later." Harry gulped,

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to bring up bad memories." She smiled bravely at him, but stared off to the side,

"It's okay; I don't remember much about them. My guardianship was passed to Uncle Gregorio, my mother's brother. I went to a muggle school until I turned eleven, and then Aunt Ingrid home-schooled me here. I've learnt Potions, Transfigurations, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Astronomy, History of Magic, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Muggle Studies, Divination and Healing. I also learned how to use a lot of the gadgets we use here. I also learnt dueling, archery, fencing etc. I know most of what we're going to learn here." She shrugged. Harry gaped at her,

"So you know all of this?"

"Pretty much," she admitted, "but my weakness is dueling, I'm really bad at that, so I think I'll be having extra classes in that while you're learning everything else."

"I'm ok at dueling," Harry commented, "according to my Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, at any rate." She nodded,

"You'd have to be, to have stayed alive this long against Voldemort." She hesitated and then looked directly at him,

"Look, I know most of the school work up to seventh year; do you want me to help you get ahead now? It means you won't have to study so hard later?" It took Harry only seconds to agree,

"Sure. I mean, I've only memorized by spell books up until 4th year, so I've got quite a bit of work to do, even to catch up with my class," he admitted. Carmen grinned,

"Ok. So what say we work on school work in the morning, and then in the afternoon we can do physical exercise and anything we want?" she suggested. Harry nodded.

"Ok, what were your OWL results?" she asked, "we can work from that."

"Um...my worst subject was a 'D' in Divination," Harry winced, "and 'P's in History of Magic and Astronomy. I got 'E's Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Charms and Transfigurations. My 'O's were in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"What classes are you going to take in sixth year?"

"Potions, Transfiguration, Herbology, Charms, DADA and COMC," Harry answered, "and a new class called Dueling Club. I also have to learn Occulmancy." Carmen nodded,

"Well, we're going to be taught Occulmancy and Leglimancy over the next few years, so we don't need to work on that. We should probably work on the weakest subjects of your next year classes, and the classes you aren't taking next year. You should have an all round knowledge, not just those things you need for your career. Ancient Runes could come in handy, and you may as well learn the others. By tomorrow morning, I'll come up with a schedule for classes." She seemed somewhat hesitant before she spoke again,

"Another thing we probably should work on is emotion-control. Being in a war and duels often involves being able to control your emotions to the point where no-one can sense your true feelings without your permission. Your opponents gain an advantage when they know what can make you feel different things." Harry nodded; he could see the sense in that.

"Is there anything else?" she asked, "if not, I'd better go." Harry stood up as she did, and walked her to the door.

"I'll see you later," she said, as she stepped out of the room, before pausing, "if you're hungry, just snap your fingers and a house elf will appear." Harry nodded,

"Bye."

He shut the door as she left and went to sit down by the fire, thinking over the events of the day.

A.N. OK, Review people! I want to know what happens but I will stop writing if you don't review. (Actually I probably will still write, it's just that you won't see it. Aren't I mean?!) 4th Chapter coming up soon!