LoP: Chapter Three:

Training

"That will be all for today," Moody told them, "We shall commence training three times a week and work on your technique." They could all tell that both Moody and Harry were exhausted. "Now, Weasley, do keep your wits about you next time, remember, Constant Vigilance! Granger, great reaction time, however, we must work on how much power to put behind your spells. Mrs. Potter, your reaction time and technique were good, but you too must also maintain a sharp mind, and to always expect the unexpected, Constant Vigilance!" Moody told them critiquing each of their performances. "Potter, impressive work, I can see why Voldemort had trouble against you. However, you were lucky. Only your determination saved you and it will greatly help you succeed in the tournament. I do not recommend that you try using any charms or hexes you have seen only once, and have never used."

"Yes, sir," said Harry. Of course, of everyone, only Harry had been able to stand up against Moody. But, he knew in truth that it wasn't determination that saved him, it was desperation. He still hadn't mastered his wandless magic, and couldn't even manage to use it half the time. But, when he was in need it was there. He knew he would have to master it by the time the tournament came. If the dreams he had been having were, in fact, not just dreams, he had no choice.

As they made their way back to #12 Grimmauld Place from the Phoenix Sanctum, they all wondered what they had gotten themselves into. The next day, with Hermione's help, Harry had managed to convert their basement into a dueling practice room. The day after that Moody went over the basics of dueling, everything from the different stances to simple strategies and some of the spells that would be allowed in the World Tournament. He also worked with them on their individual weaknesses. For Harry and Ginny it was simply going over the different hexes that would be allowed during the tournament. Hermione went through different exercises to increase her magical power, and went over different strategies that played on her own strengths. Ron however was a completely different story. He was the best strategist of all of them and would easily exploit their weaknesses whenever he didn't second guess himself. His power rivaled Ginny's and his technique was a lot like Harry and Ginny's as well. Ron's biggest weaknesses was his inability to use Occulmency, because Harry and Hermione would constantly read his thoughts to anticipate his next move, and his inability to use wordless magic with even the most basic of spells.

When each of them went to their homes, they were all drained, except Harry who went straight to the Dueling Practice Room. As the weeks went by he was spending more and more time in there, for reasons unknown to everyone else. Hermione tried using Legimens at Ginny's behest, and while she was able to easily enter Harry's mind, he was shielding all thoughts regarding his unusual training habits and anything else to do with the World Tournament with ease. When she tried to subtly crack through his resistances he forced her out and left her with a headache that lasted for quite a long time.

"Harry's been acting awfully strange lately," said Ron, sitting in Harry and Ginny's kitchen with Ginny and Hermione, "I haven't seen him training so hard since the Tri-Wizard Tournament."

"I wish we could figure out why," said Hermione, who was still feeling the after effects of Harry shutting her out of his mind, "He asked for my help in creating that practice room, and he spends all that time in there, and doesn't seem interested in training with the rest of us."

"I was hoping you could find out," said Ginny, "Maybe he was just bummed out about the fact that Alastor beat him again the other day." She was still getting used to calling him by his first name.

"Almost beat him, it was another draw," corrected Ron, "besides we all know Harry's not like that," Ginny and Hermione nodded in agreement.

"I guess I'll just ask him tonight," Ginny told them.

Harry didn't come out for dinner and was up half the night as well. Ginny tried to ask Harry what had been bothering him, but he fell asleep instantly exhausted. By the time she woke up the next morning he was already gone. After performing the locating charm, she found him in the Dueling Practice Room. He spent all morning and most of the afternoon there. He made his way to the kitchen, exhausted and before he could go anywhere else Ginny cornered him.

"Harry what's going on? You've been training like a mad man for days, and you've hardly rested," said Ginny, who was very concerned for Harry and was on the verge of tears.

"I can't do it," said Harry.

"Do what?"

"I can't do wandless magic. Well, not all the time. I've only been able to do it out of desperation," Harry explained, "I needed it to beat Voldemort to save you and everyone else. It was only because of our love for each other and my desperate need to have it always, that I was able to do it before. Since that day I've barely been able to manage Alohomora or Wingardium Leviosa! It wasn't until Moody started bombarding me that it came back to me!"

"Well you can't be expected to master wandless magic overnight," said Ginny, "Maybe Moody can help."

Harry shook his head, "No one can do it but me. So I think for now I have to try and do this on my own, because one day desperation won't be enough."

"Just take it a little easier, and let us help you," said Ginny, "You don't have to fight all your battles alone. There are no more prophecies; you don't have to be 'The Chosen One' any longer!"

"I know it's just…" Harry began.

"Everyone has all these expectations and you don't want to disappoint them right?" said Ginny not really believing it, "With everything you've done, you've already made us a lot prouder than we could have ever hoped. I love you Harry, and that is all that should matter right now, you'll never disappoint me!" she gave him a quick kiss, "Harry get some rest, we're supposed to be going over Chain Magic tomorrow." Harry gave her a quick kiss and then after a small lunch, went up stairs and went to sleep.

"Chain Magic is an essential art form when dueling, and is useful for putting your opponents on the defensive," explained Moody, "As demonstrated during our first session with Ms. Granger and Mr. Potter. Chain Magic is the process of linking different charms, curses, and hexes together in rapid succession using wordless magic. The best way to counter Chain Magic is a complex and very powerful spell called the Reflectis Charm, as demonstrated against Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Now you already do a bit of chain magic, though it is unintentional." He said pointing to Harry.

"Really?" Harry said in disbelief, trying to figure out what he used chain magic for.

"Yes, that Afterimage maneuver you use links together the Mirro Charm and Apparation."

"Oh."

"Very well, now pair up and practice amongst yourselves," said Moody.

By the time their training for the day was finished, Ron was starting to become more proficient at wordless magic, and could link up to three spells, two consistently. Harry was linking seven spells, while Ginny could do five. Hermione topped them all, being able to link eleven different spells together.

Training didn't stop there as Harry went straight into the Dueling Practice Chamber as soon as he and Ginny arrived back at #12 Grimmauld Place. After a few more training sessions Harry was beginning to master using wandless magic, but Ginny could tell that something was still bothering him and he was shutting out everyone like when he went out to hunt for Voldemort and his Horcruxes. Harry was even beginning to leave his wand at home when they went to their training sessions. However his mastery was sporadic at best as Ron was able to beat him in a duel.

"Harry…" Ron began.

"I'm fine!" Harry shouted, the frustration he felt was not well masked in his voice. A short distance away Ginny, Hermione, and Moody all watched.

"Ginny, we have to find out what's wrong with Harry," Hermione said, her voice filled with worry.

"Yes, I would like to know as well," said Moody, "his aura isn't as strong as it was before."

"You can sense a person's magic aura? That ability is really rare," said Hermione impressed, the only person they knew who could do it was Draco Malfoy.

Moody shook his head, "I can see them, now what about Harry?" Both women looked at "Mad-Eye" in shock; it was rare for him to use any of their first names.

"He's been training day and night almost non-stop trying to master wandless magic," said Ginny.

"I thought he could do it already," said Hermione.

"I thought so too, but I guess he can't do it all the time. I guess it seems he can only control it when his limits are being pushed."

"Moody is there anything you can do for him?" asked Hermione.

"No, I can't help him if he doesn't want me too," said Moody, "But, if he took some time off, perhaps a day or two, he may see that his abilities have increased significantly."

"Well Harry won't do that until he completely masters wandless magic," said Ginny, "he won't even listen to me half the time."

"I think I can help you with that," said Hermione with a devilish smile on her face, "just make sure you get all wands, including Voldemort's, and floo powder out of the house before you leave for work tomorrow."

"What do you have in mind?" asked Ginny. Hermione could only smile as she told Moody and Ginny all the details.