Protecting the Ones you Love

Ch. 1 Objectives made

Disclaimer: I don't own HP...actually...I own almost nothing...that sucks...

Summary (Ch. 1): This story takes place after Sirius's death. Harry P. learns to deal with this death during the following summer, supported by his friends. He trains during summer to prevent any other deaths for his expense. (srry if this summ. sucked)

"Piggy" - denotes speech

'Fat Piggy' - denotes thought

Harry James Potter sat by the window, looking out into the dark night. His emerald eyes missed nothing however, seeing all that occurred outside his Number 4, Pivet Drive (A/N: Hope that's right, I could check but I'm a lazy bum...if not, correct me plz). He knew that somewhere out there, near or far, his enemy awaited him. The enemy that killed his family, the enemy that forced him to stay with the abusive Dursleys, the that had killed Cedric right before his eyes, just because Harry had badgered him to share the stupid trophy.

He stopped that line of reasoning before it got too far however, not wanting himself to feel depressed, although he would readily admit that he was depressed. He had gone far in this aspect though, fighting off the guilt all through the first two weeks of vacation. Harry smiled as he remembered how his friends had come to comfort him, and he excepted it all eagerly, needing them very badly. They hadn't fail him either, they helped him heal his wounds.

The wounds left scars though, mental ones that only those that looked into his eyes would see, so he avoided looking into peoples eyes . His friends weren't stupid and had noticed this after a few days, but they left him alone for the most part about that. They cared deeply for him, Harry knew this and was extremely grateful for that, but he wouldn't let them see his mental scars, at least the ones about Sirius.

For in his dreams he sees Sirius in a void, just floating around in nothingness, staring blankly at the blackness around him. Harry would always try to get to him, but in his dreams he couldn't help him. After a few nights of having the same dream, every time he closed his eyes, he began to think, 'What if that is actually what happened to his Godfather?' and 'If so, maybe if I get stronger, i can get him out?' He had told his friends and Dumbledore, but they had said it was just a dream, but Harry was adamant in his belief in the dream.

So he decided he would train and study to become powerful in the ways of war in both physical, mental, and magical. He smiled, he had the perfect man to teach him the physical ways, and some of the mental ways. The man he was thinking about had been a friend for most of his life. The man's name was Bobby O'Brian, retired military NCO who had opened a shop close by Pivet Drive shortly after retiring. Harry had met him about 8 years ago, when he was about 8 years old. (A/N: I think he is 15 during this time period, about to turn 16, correct me if I'm wrong plz)

When Harry remembered that day he smiled, it had been bad day for him.

-Flashback (8 years ago)-

7-year old Harry charged out of the alley, desperate to escape his pursuers. He usually could escape them, but he had got cocky and had ended up tripping in the alley, giving them the needed time to close the distance between them. He looked back for a second only to see the group of bullies charge out of the alley, but he as on a straight street, which usually remained clear of pedestrians, so he could easily out run the slower, but more powerful, bullies.

His luck held for a few moments, him able to gain speed easily on the straight, even sidewalk. That is, until a huge form stepped out of a shop right into Harry's way. Harry avoided slamming into the man only barely, but lost his footing in the process. He stumbled for a distance, trying to regain balance, and actually succeeded, but when he looked up, he was surrounded by the bullies.

'Here comes another beating...' thought Harry, his face setting itself into a mask of defiance. Then a shadow fell on the converging bullies.

"What's all this then?" asked a gruff male voice. The bullies looked up and Dudley, their leader looked up and the man that had interrupted his fun.

"Nothing, right Harry?" asked Dudley, looking back down at Harry with a look that promised pain if he didn't answer correctly.

"Course not, sir," Meeting Dudley's stare with one of own. The bullies smiled then started off, following Dudley's lead. The man looked down at Harry, who was still looking at the back of Dudley's head, wishing he could defend himself better.

"You shouldn't give into them, it only makes it worse in the long run," said the man, "By the way, names Bobby O'Brien."

Harry looked up, smiled and responded, "Names Harry Potter, and it wouldn't matter anyway, Dudley is my cousin and I live with him anyways, AND his friends are sleeping over tonight, so one defeat is better then many."

Bobby smiled grew, "So true, so true, you want to come in and have a chat?" Harry smiled and nodded. They walked into the shop which dealt mainly in the strange and mysterious things of the world. Harry looked around fascinated by all the objects laying on tables and shelves. Bobby smiled at the child and moved towards a table and a set of chairs.

Once they had sat down, Bobby asked Harry to tell about himself. Harry nodded and proceeded to tell Bobby about himself and why he was living with his Aunt and Uncle. Bobby looked apologetic and gave the boy a comforting squeeze of the shoulder. Harry told him how he had grown up being abused. Bobby looked angry, but Harry just shook his head and said he was used to it. After that Harry finished his (short) life-story with how he was always chased around by bullies, but also how he almost always escaped them. He then asked Bobby to tell about himself.

Bobby smiled and obliged, telling him about his life and how he came to retire from the military to open this shop with his wife (who was out). The two had spent three hours just talking and when Harry noticed it was time to go, he got up reluctantly and said he had to go. Bobby looked thoughtful for a second, then asked, "Harry, how bout you come over again tomorrow and we can talk some more?"

Harry smiled, then nodded his agreement with the plan and left for home. He spent the rest of the night locked up in his cupboard.

-End Flashback-

Harry smiled, tommorrow he would visit Bobby again, and maybe this time he would be able to meet Mrs. O'Brian, since even for 8 years of visiting him during the summer, he had NEVER met her, which he thought was freaky. He decided to ponder this later and to get some sleep now.

He slept that night, having the dream yet again, but he had gotten used to it and it didn't effect him like it used too, all he did was say in his sleep, "Hold on Sirius."

Harry woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and felt ready to take on anything. He got up, wrote a few letters to his friends saying hello and such. He then showered, dressed in muggle clothes and headed downstairs to get breakfast. He ate silently and left for the store and eleven in the morning. He arrived shortly after and walked in with a smile on his face.

Bobby was sitting behind the counter of the shop reading a newspaper. He looked up at the sound of the door and smiled as his not-so-young-anymore friend walked up to the counter. "Hey Harry! You had me worried, you didn't show up when vacation began," said Bobby. Harry had told him he was a wizard 4 years ago and had explained all about the wizarding world, Voldemort, and Hogwarts.

"Sorry, but my Godfather was...injured...during a battle during my school year," Harry said, his smile diminishing, then totally disappeared, "I have to ask a favor, Bobby."

Bobby immediately sat up and looked serious, "I'm sorry for your Godfather, what do you need?" He was looking at Harry expectantly.

"You used to train people for military service, right?" asked Harry. Bobby slowly nodded, beginning to know where this conversation was going. "I want to toughen up, so I can protect those I care about from harm," Harry said, he eyes carrying a determination that Bobby had never seen in the boy.

Bobby thought about his decision for a few minutes, then he looked at Harry, "I would love to teach you, but it will be long, and it will be hard."

Harry didn't hesitate a second, "I understand that, but this helps me protect the ones I love, and I will pay any price for this, whether it's money, time, or blood." Harry voice didn't waver and his eyes never lost their determination.

Bobby looked at Harry for a second then said, "Ok, Ill do it, but you wont have to pay money, but you'll pay the other two."

Harry nodded, thought for a second, then asked, "How will we do this?"

Bobby thought for a second, "We'll use my country home, its got about 200 acres (A/N: I thought about this and decided to make it huge since it would best help the story, but for those that don't know, 200 acres is one big lawn to mow...) and we can train in peace."

Harry smiled then nodded, "I'll go send a letter to my headmaster, because he needs to know where I am." Bobby nodded and waved as Harry ran out the store and straight home.

'I'll help you Harry, It's the least I can do for some one who's going through what you are,' Bobby thought sadly as he picked up the phone and called his wife, "Honey, we gonna have a guest over to the house for about 6 weeks, so could you get the guest room ready?" He heard a confirmation and was asked who was coming, "He'll be coming home with me dear, but I know you'll like him."

Back at Pivet Drive, Harry ran up to his room and prepared a note to Dumbledore:

Dear Dumbledore,

I am writing to inform you of my decision to attend a training session with an old friend to build up my physical abilities. Please do not be worried, because I trust this man with my life. I please ask you not to tell anybody else about this, because I don't want them to worry. Please take care and say hello to the teachers and Fawkes for me please.

With Respect,

Harry James Potter

He quickly tied the letter to Hedwig's leg, gave to bird a petting, which resulted in a content owl, who nipped his fingers playfully before leaving for Hogwarts with instructions to return to him in the countryside.

After the note had been delivered, he preceded to pack his belongings (not much actually) into his trunk and muttered the incantation for the trunk to shrink (A/N: I added that to the trunks because it makes it easier for Harry to travel...) and stuffed it into his pocket. He left Pivet drive behind and headed for the store, not bothering to tell the Dursleys because he was certain they wouldn't care.

He arrived and after helping around the store for a few hours, they headed into the back room. Harry was puzzled until he noticed a blue light coming from behind a door. He looked suspiciously at it and Bobby chuckled, "Didn't you ever wonder why I absorbed that wizarding stuff so easily Harry? My wife is a witch!"

Harry looked dumbfounded for a second then grinned, "That's mean surprising me like that..." He didn't really mind though, some people like to surprise people (himself included). Bobby opened the door to reveal a blue swirling portal, through which he pushed Harry, who went through to meet a woman who looked the same age as Bobby, and who had a caring visage.

Bobby soon walked through and introduced his wife, "This is my beautiful wife Vivian O'Brian." He had said this with pride and love.

Harry smiled at her and offered his hand, "Harry James Potter, at your service, mam." He said then bowed slightly to her while shaking her hand. When he stood straight she was smiling at him widely.

"Nice to meet you finally, Harry, Bobby has told me a lot about you," she informed, "Why are you here?" Harry's smile disappeared, replaced by a look of determination (A/N: Can't you tell I like that word?).

"To learn how to protect the people I care about," Harry stated looking pleased that at least this part of his plan was working so far.

"You couldn't have a better teacher, and when he's done, I can teach you harness you potential that I keep hearing about," Vivian said with a smile still on her face.

Harry looked shocked for a second, then smiled, "You would do that for me?"

"Of course, but for a price," Vivian returned, with the same smile that seemed to be ever-present on her face.

"Anything," Harry stated without hesitation, "Anything at all." Vivian smiled and nodded.

"First payment starts now, call me Vivi (A/N: Vivi is a funny name, heh, anyhow...), and second," She said looking directly into his eyes, "Defeat Voldemort, fight him and win, like you have been doing for your entire life...that is all I ask as payment."

Harry nodded, "I would be glad to call you Vivi, and the second one is a given, he must pay for his crimes."

Bobby smiled at his wife, "Okay, now that that is covered, lets eat dinner, but Harry, your training starts tomorrow." He then looked thoughtful, "You don't mind using firearms do you? You will be going through the exact training that is required for military service, so I thought I had better ask."

Harry looked at him for a second, "Whatever it takes Bobby, whatever it takes." Bobby nodded at this and they went to eat dinner.

A/N: I'm gonna skip the training in the story and move directly on to where he goes back to Hogwarts, but if you guys want me to write a side story with the training in it, then just ask.

So...How'd you guys and gals like it? This is my first HP ff and I hope it came out satisfactory. I would like to have a vote, there is going to be a romance in this thing somewhere, but I cant decide who Harry will fall for, so if you respond quick enough, Ill let the girl with the most votes be the lucky one. Choices are Hermione, Cho, or Ginny, the choice is yours (unless I become seriously bored waiting...) R&R plz!