A/N: Short chapter, but that's only because the next chapter will be wicked long. It should be up this weekend (yay, four day weekend!).

CH6: Pressure

"I'm tired of being what you want me to be,

Feeling so faithless lost under the surface.

Don't know what you're expecting of me,

Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes."

July 11, 1996

Harry lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. It was days like these, when he had to much time to think, that he missed Sirius the most. He always dreamed of what life could have been like if he had grown up with his godfather, if he had gotten to spend more time with him ...

"Well, this is a productive way to spend the day," commented a dry voice above him. Harry shot up straight.

"Who are you?" Harry demanded, eyeing the blond-haired man who was lounging in the doorframe suspiciously. "How'd you get in here?" He gripped his wand tightly.

"Relax, Mr. Potter." The man pushed off his spot and sat in Harry's desk chair. Harry just glared at him.

"Not until you tell me – "

"Security around here isn't as strong as it should be," the man remarked, stretching leisurely. "You proved that the other day."

"Who are you?" Harry repeated. He was sick of the question dodging.

"Allow me to introduce myself – Kyle Tompson, at your service." He took a mock bow. "I'm with the WIA."

"The what?"

"The WIA – the Wizarding Intelligence Agency."

"Wait, like, spies?" Harry relaxes his guard for a minute, thinking about all the old James Bond movies Dudley watched.

"We prefer the term undercover agents, but, yes. Spies."

"That doesn't explain why you're here."

"Right to the point, aren't you, Mr. Potter?" Kyle smiled briefly. "I'm here because, every year, we scout the wizarding population for potential news recruits. And this time, I've picked you."

"Me?" Harry looked bewildered. "Why me?"

"Can you honestly not think of a reason?"

"But – me? A spy? I don't know ... "

"I'll give you time to think it over." He reached into his pocket and produced a small white business card, handing it to Harry. "Here. This card is a portkey. Just say the words 'I accept' to activate it." He looked Harry right in the eyes. "I know this is a big decision. We'll be waiting for you when you are ready. Have a good day, Mr. Potter." He walked out of the room.

"Wait – "Harry looked out into the hall, but Kyle Tompson had disappeared. "Weird."

He studied the small card in his hands. The letters WIA was emblazed across the top, glittering slightly. He bit his lip.

Was this what he wanted? To become a ... secret agent? This whole idea was absurd. But ...

Harry did have to admit that any skills he learned would give him the edge against Voldemort. The world expected his to win, to be the savior again. Talk about pressure. And he would have a way to protect the people he cared about. There would never be another case like Sirius.

He ran a finger over the title of the card.

Kyle Tompson jumped slightly when he entered his office. Harry Potter was sitting there, waiting for him. The black-haired teen smirked.

"When do I start?"

A/N: The mystery of the speakers last chapter is solved. Tune in next time for Harry's spy training.