Disclaimer: Honestly do I look like JK Rowling to you?

Summary: Godric and Leonis start the eventful journey home.

Chapter Six. Again!

Leonis looked up at trepidation at the great big grey warhorse that stood to attention nearby. "Not that one?" he asked pointing.

Godric followed Leonis pointed finger and nodded. "That is our steed home."

Leonis groaned aloud earning him a quizzical glance from Godric. "He doesn't look very pleasant. His eyes. See his eyes. You can see the evil gleam in them."

Godric looked at the horse appraisingly and could not see the 'gleam' Leonis was talking about. The grey was standing meekly saddled and waiting tied up by the inn's stable. There was nothing wrong with Tiny as far as he could see.

With a playful shove Godric, pushed Leonis forward and pressed a green apple into the unwilling lad's hand. Leonis glanced up his large dark eyes widening in shock and his lips forming a surprise 'o' shape.

"Go on and give Tiny, an apple. I'll go inside and pay Lydia." Godric gave Leonis no time to refuse his suggestion. He abruptly turned on his heel whistling a tune Helga taught him that frustrated Slytherin without an effort.

Leonis on the other hand watched Gryffindor's retreating back and the swirl of his travelling cloak dejectedly. He didn't want to make friends with the wizard's new horse.

Tiny, the-not-so-small-horse, lifted his large black tipped nose and snorted loudly into the air, letting out puffs of mist from his large twitching nostrils. Leonis took a few steps backwards. He definitely did not want to give Tiny the apple. But he knew he had to do something with the fruit and he did not want to feel any more foolish than he already did with the wizard who said he was his father.

Unknown to Leonis Godric was watching, with Lydia at his elbow, for what his next decision would be. Godric saw Leonis look down at the apple then to the horse then to the apple again. For a moment he though Leonis would eat the apple himself. Seeing how much he had eaten at dinner the pervious night…

Then with tentative steps Leonis approached the large horse. He stopped about a metre away and stretched his arm out as far as it could go with the apple. Tiny sniffed violently lowering his great muscled neck. He nickered, shook his mane and pawed the ground. Then very slowly the horse took one step forward and nosed the apple before setting his great teeth into the juicy flesh.

Leonis darted his hand make to his side. Pulling a face at all the gooey juice that was left on his hands Leonis wiped them dry on his jerkin.

Soft laughter however pulled Leonis from his reverie. "Have you ever ridden a horse, Leonis?"

Leonis shot around like a bullet and stared Godric down for a moment. "I've ridden a donkey," Leonis replied heartily. He did not like to confirm Godric's suspicion he could not ride at all, although the likelihood of a pauper on a horse was… in one word impossible.

Godric chuckled and patted Tiny's neck. "Don't let Tiny hear you compare him to an ass."

"Or what?" Leonis inquired.

"He'll make you into an ass." Godric tilted his head to the side. "Now come here so I can lift you up."

Leonis eyed the giant horse and then Godric wrinkling his nose in complete distrust.

"I won't let you fall," Godric said kindly wrapping his large hands around Leonis' waist. "Nor will Tiny."

The next moment Leonis was hoisted into the air and set solidly onto Tiny's back. He sucked air violently into his lungs and held his breath. Clamping his eyes shut Leonis waited for what seemed like the inevitable movement.

Leonis' eyes remained closed even when he felt Godric settle himself lightly behind him and when a pair of arms snaked their way around his waist.

"I won't let you fall." Godric's soft breath tickled Leonis' ear. "Relax and trust me…"

Leonis chuckled nervously. "I am relaxed." But his knuckles were already bone white from holding on for dear life. And they hadn't started moving yet.

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Leonis looked down at Godric's open arms from his position from Tiny's back. Godric beckoned him and so Leonis cautiously let himself slip. Godric caught him deftly and set him firmly onto his feet.

Leonis moaned slightly his knees feeling strangely odd supporting his own weight. It was like the joints had been forced had been forced backwards. And his backside… well…

They had been travelling most of the day and Godric had warned him he would be sore and stiff by the time they were ready for a rest.

"We'll take an afternoon rest from riding and continue in the morning."

Leonis shrugged and stepped away from Tiny. It was only about half past two in the afternoon but if he didn't have to mount Tiny until morning… yes he was happy with that arrangement.

"I have plenty of things to teach you before we reach Hogwarts."

Leonis looked up. "Teach me?"

"Hmm…" Godric murmured gravely. "Certain things will be expected of you as my son. Illegitimate or not."

Leonis rolled his eyes. "Brilliant… just brilliant…"

Godric ignored him and nodded genially at the log. "I'll unsaddle Tiny and you can tell me about your past life."

Leonis sighed heavily. "But why?" he whined.

"Because if we are to function as father and son we better start learning about each other."

Leonis snorted but otherwise started to do as he was told. He walked glumly over to a fallen stump and sat.

Godric turned his back and was busy unsaddling and rubbing down Tiny. "Anytime soon will be fine."

Leonis sighed and started his story. He spoke of living with his mother and 'aunt' at the old lord's keep. How he was treated differently and was seen as an outcast. He spoke briefly of the visiting bishop and the whispers of witchcraft in the keep… this was when he faltered.

"My mother wasn't a witch," Leonis stated.

Godric nodded. He had finished with Tiny and had taken a seat beside Leonis to listen to him.

Leonis wiped under the lids of his eyes even though they were devoid of tears. "It were my fault," he said suddenly.

"Pardon? What was your fault?"

Leonis looked up at Godric apologetically. "I killed my mother."

Godric clamped his jaw shut and said nothing. As he turned his face away Leonis continued speaking.

"I was angry at my aunt. She said… oh it doesn't matter what she said to me. But I was really, really mad. Madder than I have ever been in my life – and scared. Something inside of me seemed just to break and I didn't care about the consequences. Something happened then something I can't describe or explain. All the windows in the house shuttered and the curtains ripped… there was… there was a great wind inside the house and somehow I knew it was me. It was me that was controlling it all and I could not stop. I did not want to stop… That was why the bishops came. Mother said she had caused the…the disturbance and I – I – I… I did not have the courage to save her. And that is why I burned the bishop for what he did to my mother…"

Godric took Leonis' hand, which by now were trembling violently, in his own and squeezed reassuringly. "Your mother's death was not your fault, child." Leonis caught a dry sob in his throat and glanced quickly away.

"You weren't there… when they…they…"

"I understand…" Godric sighed. "I understand all too well."

Godric suddenly stood and as he still held Leonis' hand, the boy was forced to stand beside him. "I will teach you how to defend yourself this afternoon. That should take your mind off depressing notions."

"Why would I have to defend myself?" Leonis demanded.

"You're only a little wizard yet. But there already may be enemies made for you."

"What type of enemies?" Leonis demanded. "You're not making any sense!"

Godric stretched and purposefully let go of Leonis' hand to search through one of the travel bags he acquired at the inn. Finally he pulled out a dirk with a long sharp blade. "Know, dear Leonis. I am regarded as one of the great wizards of this age. With your blood bond to me you inherit my enemies."

"Great," Leonis muttered sarcastically. "Give me life on the streets any day over this."

Godric fought the urge to roll his eyes something that he found in the last forty eight hours difficult to control. Instead he tossed he dirk so it landed with a dull thud by Leonis' feet. Leonis jumped away staring at Godric with disgruntled eyes.

"Since you are so small and I don't trust you with a full blade I shall first teach you how to use a dirk to protect yourself."

Leonis sighed and looked at the little weapon.

"Well pick it up boy," Godric growled pulling another dirk from the top of his boot.

Leonis bent slightly and picked up the blade experimenting with its weight. It was a very plain blade and extremely light.

"What do I do with it?" Leonis asked. "I mean you can't possibly want me to jab you in the guts with it!"

Godric grinned and formed a ready stance. "That would not be comfortable no," he conceded. "I would like you to attempt to protect yourself from me."

"What?" Leonis tilted his head to the side. But his eyes widened however when he saw Godric take a running leap at him. "Aaarrrrggghhh….!" Leonis cried ducking to his left but was too late. Godric had him on is back already on the ground.

"I can see this will be fun," Godric commented. "If another has a weapon drawn always be at the ready. Even if it is me…Again!"

Leonis nodded and slowly got to his feet. Only to be knocked down again in a moment of seconds. The face of Godric loomed up above him once more.

"If you are knocked to your feet in a fight get back up quickly….Again!"

Leonis tried again, successfully feinted left and dodged right. Godric swung back down and Leonis dropped and rolled under his legs. Godric however was able to stand on his wrists.

"Using your brain. Good. If you are going to do something don't hesitate. Always move quickly… Again!"

Leonis groaned aloud. This would be a long lesson…