Author's Ramble I really can't believe how many reviews I got, on the first chapter, I am so happy that I'm running around the house bouncing off the walls. I want to say a huge thanks to everyone who took the time to review. I also want to thank my friend Kerry, for looking over the first chapter before I posted it, otherwise there would have been a lot more spelling and grammar mistakes, taking in mind I usually start writing at 11:00 pm.

Sorry it took so long! Enjoy.

22/11/07 – Just fixing up some of my spelling and grammar mistakes

Quote:

We should find our heroes in the bathroom mirror each and every morning."
Bill Lee

Chapter 2

(Dream)

Harry found himself standing in the middle of a room that could have easily doubled for the Headmasters office. Directly in front of him, standing in front of the desk that dominated the room and leaning causally like he owned the place, was a man who looked to be in his early twenties. While he only stood at couple of feet taller then Harry, he somehow still managed to give off an air of immense power and experience.

"Who are you?" asked Harry, somehow though this man seemed eerily familiar, though Harry knew there was no way he could have ever have forgotten meeting this person.

"Oh don't tell me? I'm too early!" exclaimed the man, running a hand though his black hair, which Harry suddenly noticed had shock of white running across the left side.

"I hate it how months tend to blend into one after a few thousand years, but I could have sworn I had the right date this time around." sighed the man, walking behind the headmaster's desk and sitting down.

"A few thousand years?' asked Harry, incredulously.

"How long have you been at Hogwarts for?" The man asked abruptly, as he leaned forward.

"A hour." said Harry without thinking.

"Damn, I'm a couple of month's too early then." said the man, as he sighed and learned back in his chair. He then waved his hand; and muttering 'forget', Harry was back in a dreamless sleep, with no knowledge of his dream or the man.

When Harry came to, he found himself in the Hospital Wing, and he didn't even try to suppress his groan. He hadn't even been at Hogwarts for a couple of hours, and he had already managed to land himself in the Hospital Wing under Madame Pomfrey's care.

Harry looked around and after not seeing the ever watchful eyes of Madame Pomfrey, he got up.

Ouch!

His head felt like someone was drilling into it from above. He was suddenly aware of the wards pushing down on him. He knew where everyone was and what they were doing. Professor Snape was in the dungeons casting a stirring spell, Professor Dumbledore was knitting a pair of socks in his office, and Madame Pomfrey was walking along the third corridor. His head was spinning, keeping up with it all. A spell was being cast on the third floor; a hex was being placed on a particularly nasty weed in Green house 2. His head was spinning and spinning from trying to take in too much information from too big an area. Harry buried his head in the pillow, covering his ears, and shielding his eyes. There were traces of cleaning, and disinfectant charms everywhere. The whole room was glowing of orange.

It was too much. It was everywhere and he couldn't get away. He was panicking and he couldn't think straight. The wards were pushing down on him; there was no where he could go. He didn't know what to do. He was helpless, losing control of everything.

Pull it in, boy. You're going to end up going insane if you keep this up.

I'm not doing anything, thought Harry gritting his teeth together, in an effort to not lose himself.

Yes, you are. You are monitoring too big an area, especially for a magical area like Hogwarts. Pull it in, boy. Otherwise you'll go insane and I won't have anyone new to talk to for another 1000 years.

I don't know how.

Calm down, reach out with your mind till you reach a resistance, and then pull it in sounded the voice, like it was the simplest thing in the world to do, and that Harry was particularly stupid to not have thought of it himself.

Harry did like he was told, reaching out with his mind, till he found what felt like the end, and he pulled. As he pulled it inwards, his head became clearer, till he could hear and sense only himself, as he pulled it in closer and closer, the walls that were glowing orange, turned to white, and he kept pulling till it was wrapped around him like an warm coat. Though he could still feel the wards pushing down on him, it was no were near as bad as before, though he still had a splitting headache.

Harry groaned holding on to his head, as he sat up, he really need a headache potion.

Why don't you make one?

Make what?

Make a Headache potion.

Because I'm horrible at potions.

Why?

Because I just am, okay? Anyway how come you have to know everything, but you won't tell me anything?

Picky! Didn't even say thank you.

The voice went quiet, and Harry started to feel guilty.

Look, I'm sorry, I have been under at lot of stress, and now suddenly, I can sense magic, I have a voice invading my head every few minutes, and I've already managed to get myself sent to the Hospital Wing, and on top of all that, I have a headache the size of a Hungarian Horntail.

I didn't know that.

Know what? Harry asked exasperated.

That a person can have a headache the size of a Hungarian Horntail.

Luckily for the voice, Madame Pomfrey chose that moment to walk back in, which was not quite so lucky for Harry.

"Harry James Potter, what on earth are you doing up? You are going to get straight back in to that bed, mister!" yelled Madame Pomfrey, causing Harry to nearly jump out of his skin.

Muttering something about 'youths who didn't know what was best for them' Madame Pomfrey made sure he was back safe and sound in one of the hospital bed, before she started talking more calmly. "I swear, for someone who is not clumsily, you are here nearly as often as Neville Longbottom."

"Good thing I'm not clumsily then, otherwise you would probably never get rid of me," joked Harry, half heartedly, his voice hoarse from nonuse.

"I'd have to set a bed aside just for you, if you were." said Madame Pomfrey, surprising Harry by continuing the joke.

She sat herself, in the chair on the right hand side of his bed, and she poured him a glass of water. Harry gulped it down quickly, and as soon as he felt he had his voice back, asked what had been on his mind since he woke up.

"So how long was I asleep for this time?" asked Harry wearily, thinking it couldn't be more then an hour.

"A couple of weeks."

"A couple of weeks!" exclaimed Harry, trying to sit up, but his efforts were put to nothing as Madame Pomfrey held him down.

"Yes a couple of weeks, Mister Potter. You were in coma!" said Madame Pomfrey, making sure he was not going to try to sit up again before she moved her hand.

"But I couldn't have been!" said Harry incredulously.

"Mister Potter," said Madame Pomfrey sternly, "who actually is the medic-witch here?"

Harry blushed, "You"

"And who has just told you that you have been in coma for the last couple of weeks?"

"You."

"Well, I'm glad we've got that sorted out. Now do try to get your rest Mister Potter, and absolutely no trying to get up before I say so. Do you hear me?" said Madame Pomfrey getting up out of her seat, and standing over him.

"Yes, Madame"

"Good, do try to get some sleep now, Mister Potter." said Madame Pomfrey, patting his arm, before going to her office.

Wow

What? Harry asked not in the mood to be polite to a voice that had taken a liking to invading his head, at least this time it wasn't Voldemort.

That woman has to be one of the most mother-hen nurses Hogwarts has ever had.

How long have you been at Hogwarts?

You don't know what I am?

No, said Harry bluntly.

Harry could feel the voice laughing.

I am the castle. A note of pride was evident in its voice.

The castle? Harry repeated disbelieving.

What on earth do they teach at this school? Of course I'm the castle. Magic is a living force, I'm built with magic, the founders magic! The magic that built me makes me basically a sentient mixture of the founder's personalities.

So any building built with magic, would probably be in some degree sentient, thought Harry, I wonder if the burrow is sentient.

The burrow? I am in no way comparable to a...a….burrow? I am a castle, built by four of the most famous wizards and witches of history!

Harry rolled his eyes and stayed silent.

You know, compared to others I have talked to over the years, you don't sound too surprised that a voice is talking to you. The last guy I talked to immediately fainted, and another run away screaming.

This holiday has already been the weirdest yet, that right now I don't think I would be surprised if Snape walked in, in a tutu and started to dance the hula. I'd probably be a little grossed out, but not surprised.

The castle laughed.

It was only a couple of hours later when Harry got his first visitor.

Harry had been dozing in and out of sleep for the last two hours, using this time to run through what he knew out of his defense books, and when he opened his eyes, he was faced with a shadow of a person standing at the window with his back to him.

"Professor?" asked Harry his mind still clouded with sleep.

Professor Dumbledore turned, walked out of the light, and sat down on the chair that Madame Pomfrey had vacated a couple of hours ago.

"How are you feeling?" asked Dumbledore looking at him, his twinkling blue eyes looking at him sadly.

"Alright, Sir." answered Harry, using his arms to push himself up. Dumbledore held him down.

"Madame Pomfrey has already informed me, that if you are to sit up, I am out on my rear, in no uncertain terms." said Dumbledore.

Oh this is hilarious, the headmaster is afraid of the medic-witch.

Harry had to snuffle a laugh that was threatening to escape, which ended up turning in to a snort.

"Now, let's try this again. How are you feeling?"

"Fine," said Harry sharply, then realising he was being rude continued. "Sir."

"That's all well and good, but the truth, please?" said Dumbledore looking at him sadly.

"I have a headache, my throat is sore, and I'm angry at not being allowed up." said Harry eventually, keeping it as truthful as possible.

Dumbledore nodded, "Anything else?"

"No, Sir." said Harry, keeping his mind blank, of anything remotely connected to sensing magic, and having castles talking to you.

Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes looked at him sadly over the half moon glass, before continuing on.

"We started on this subject last week, but we got side tracked……..." started Dumbledore, but was interrupted as something suddenly occurred to Harry.

"Sir, what was that spell you took of me last week?" asked Harry, curiously.

"Oh, it was just a security measure I had to remove." said Dumbledore.

I wonder if he was a Slytherin, interrupted the voice thoughtfully.

Dumbledore? thought Harry a bit taken back that anyone, or anything as the case was, would even think that remotely possible.

He makes everyone believe that he is harmless, and he also appears to be a very good lair.

Is lying to me now?

He's only leaving out a few bits of information, just like you were doing earlier. Nothing really important.

"Harry?"

Harry jumped,

"Oh. Sorry, Professor, I was daydreaming."

"Perfectly understandable." said Dumbledore smiling, starting to look like his old self again. "I myself have a tendency to wander off course during conversations, and often catch myself daydreaming. I remember the time, I was in this very hospital wing about, oh it must be more then one hundred years ago now. When Grindelwald was at his prime……."

"Hem hem" said a voice behind from Dumbledore, it sounded so much like Umbridge that Harry couldn't help but automatically jump.

Instead of Umbridge, the more welcomed, but no less feared, Madam Pomfrey stood there, tapping at her watch on her wrist.

"Five more minutes, Poppy." said Dumbledore.

"I gave you five more minutes half an hour ago, Headmaster. Mister Potter needs his rest, if you have not already forgotten he has just woken up from a coma. I do not want him unduly disturbed."

"I'm fine," said Harry, interrupting Madam Pomfrey argument with the Headmaster.

"You are not fine!" said Madam Pomfrey fiercely, "You have just woken up from a coma."

"But Madam….."

"But Poppy………….."

"No buts. You can come back tomorrow, Headmaster." said Madam 'Poppy' Pomfrey, crossing her arms and standing firm.

"We will continue this discussion later on, Harry. It seems I am to be kicked out." said Dumbledore, standing up out of his chair and walking to the door. "Madam Pomfrey, Harry." and after a deep nod to them both he left the Hospital Wing.

"Now, you get some rest." said Madam Pomfrey, turning her fierce glaze towards him.

"Yes, Madam." said Harry meekly.

Madam Pomfrey looked at him hard, as if to check if he was lying, and only when she was convinced of his being sincere, did she leave the wing for her office leaving the door open a crack so she would hear if Dumbledore slipped back in.

She is an extremely protective mother-hen.

Understatement of the year.

You say that like it's a bad thing?

Not bad, just…… Harry paused as he thought it out. ..different then what I'm used to.

Well, at least she not sadistic.

The voice began telling a story about a nurse a Hogwarts 400 years ago, who always used the most painful methods possible. At Harry's insistence, the voice began telling different stories spaced out over 1000 years.

An hour later, Harry Potter was fast asleep, and he ended up having another dream he would later wake up, having no knowledge of.

Like before Harry found himself in a room that could have easily doubled for the Headmasters office, and the man was still there, this time standing to the side of the desk.

Like before, Harry spoke up first.

"Who are you?" asked Harry.

"I can't tell you till you know, not even here. But it is no longer possible to delay your training. I was hoping to wait till you knew, but that is no longer an option." said the man, pacing the office, looking tense.

"What training?"

"For your……" started the man, then abruptly stopped, "Dumbledore has taken off the spell, hasn't he?"

"You mean the security measure? He took that off a couple of weeks ago." said Harry, not entirely sure why he trusted this stranger so much.

"Did you feel any…..different when you woke up?" asked the man slowly.

"No, should I?" said Harry

The stranger sighed, and then pushing the black hair out of his face the man muttered something softly in a strange language.

"Oh well, you'll know soon enough, so I guess it doesn't matter now, but still we must begin your training immediately." said the man, switching back to English.

"I don't understand what training?" said Harry.

The man rubbed his forehead.

"Look, I can't tell anything, and I mean anything, till you know but due to circumstance out of my control, you must begin training now, for you're…" the man paused there, like he was searching for the right word. After a couple of seconds he found it, but he said it in such a tone, that left the person in no doubt that he hated this word. "..destiny."

"Why should I trust you?" said Harry

The man stepped closer,

"Because what I can teach you now will save your life later on, once you remember you who are."

"I know who I am." said Harry defensively.

"Then who are you?" said the man, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm…….." started Harry, he paused suddenly he wasn't so sure.

"Oh, you have always known who people expect you to be. You're spent so much time living up to their expectations, that you lost yourself." said the man sadly, looking him directly in the eye, making sure his point hit home.

He couldn't deny it, as Harry knew it was true that he had always let the expectations and views of others direct his actions. Just like in first year when he let the views of Hagrid and Ron, direct the Sorting Hat's decision, though his first run in with Draco Malfoy hadn't helped matters, what with the snotty attitude, and disdain which had reminded him so much of the cousin that he had just escaped.

"So are you ready to begin training?" asked the man.

Harry nodded, causing the man to grin widely. Suddenly an idea came to him.

"Oh, what was your name again?" asked Harry quickly, hoping for him to slip up, "I missed it earlier."

The man opened his mouth as if to answer, then laughed instead.

"Nice try, but you have to get up a lot earlier in the morning to trick me." said the man.

Hours later, Harry woke up after a dreamless sleep; feeling like he had barely slept at all.

Dumbledore didn't come back the next day, or the day after. In a way Harry was relieved, it meant that he didn't have to start thinking about his future. On the downside it meant that Harry was struck in the hospital wing, under the care of the hawk eyed, mothering nurse, who had only just let him start walking around the wing. Though to be truthful it wasn't as bad this time. Maybe it was because it was the school holidays, and that he was her only patient but every now and again Madame Pomfrey would sit with him.

Mostly they would talk about Hogwarts and some of the funny cases she has had in her care since she started. Over a couple of days he picked up bits and pieces about her life away from the castle, with her three grown up children and five adorable grandkids. How her husband, an Auror, had been one of the many who had died a Voldemort's hand at least sixteen years ago.

Madame Pomfrey was not the only Hogwarts resident that had suddenly found him easy to talk to. Professor McGonagall and Professor Fickwick often came by to keep him company. They usually talked about his parents Lily and James, and what they were like in school. They also helped him pick up things in Transfiguration and Charms, which he hadn't been able to in a full classroom of students. He seemed to be able pick up on things so much more easily when they were causally explained to him in interesting detail. Also in these conversations, the passion the professors had for their subject was evident and obviously catchy, as Harry found himself several days later debating evolutionally Transfiguration theory, with Professor McGonagall.

Hogwarts now seemed to be more his home then ever. With his conversations with the castle itself, and his fledging friendship with some of the Professor's and staff. He couldn't think of a place where he was more comfortable then Hogwarts. The wards that had been so heavy the couple of hours after he had woken up, was now a comfortable, and familiar weight like a warm cardigan on a cold day.

After another week of resting, talking with the professor's and arguing for his right to walk around the room, he was finally allowed to leave the Hospital Wing.

"Now, Mister Potter," said Madame Pomfrey that afternoon while giving him his last check over. "I expect you to eat three decent sized meals a day, and don't think I won't know if you don't, I have my sources amongst the house elves. Also if you feel any pain at all, I want you to come straight back here, understood?"

Harry nodded, as she took his temperature and blood pressure.

Madame Pomfrey smiled at him fondly.

"Now while I don't want to see you as a patient for at least half way in to the term, don't be a stranger."

"I won't, Madame." said Harry smiling.

She smiled at him slightly before the stern professional took over.

"That about does you, Mister Potter." said Madame Pomfrey, closing the curtain around his bed, so he could get changed out of the hospital grown.

Left alone, Harry slipped in to a pair of black jeans, and a white t-shirt, before putting on top a black robe. The clothes, which was apparent with anyone remotely familiar with Harry's wardrob were clearly not his. They had been left for him folded neatly on the chair, with a note in a familiar handwriting on top.

The note had simply said…

Harry,

I have taken the liberty of purchasing a few new articles of clothing for you as when your truck was searched yesterday for something for you to change in to today, it yielded only a few school robes, and yards of material in shapes of t- shirts and trousers, which I concluded that any normal person would simply drown in.

We still have much more to talk about, so I request that your first spot of visit be my office, where I can arrange with you your accommodation, and go over, a few necessities.

Professor Albus Dumbledore.

Oh no.

What is it?

Dumbledore brought me some clothes.

That's good of him. The clothes you were wearing before were absolutely hideous.

I know, but….

What the big deal? He brought you some clothes, get over it. You might as well wear them; I thought you wanted to get out of here.

I know but…. said Harry, as he leaned against the wall, only to feel like he had just been electrocuted. OW! What was that for?

You're being an idiot.

In the end Harry did put on the clothes, having no other option, but not without a lot of muttering about 'bossy castles', 'maddening headmasters' and 'it must be a bloody conspiracy'.

Half an hour later found Harry still standing in fount of the gargoyle entrance to Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore had 'forgotten' to give Harry the password, and the castle was not being very helpful. It apparently didn't like being called bossy.

"Smarties…mnm….Jelly Babies…Sherbet Lemons….Oh can't you just open up, he's expecting me." said Harry, but the gargoyle was unmoved and remained stubbornly in place.

Can't you open it up? You are the castle aren't you?

I don't see why I should; beside I wouldn't want to start seeming 'bossy'.

Harry felt like throwing his hands up in disgust. The only good thing that had happened today was that he had finally been allowed to leave the hospital wing. Then it had gone steady wrong from there, starting with Dumbledore giving him clothing, the castle being in a temper and showing it by moving staircases to go the opposite direction while he was already on it, and now Dumbledore 'forgetting' to give Harry the password.

Great! What else could possibly go wrong?

"What in Merlin's name are you doing here Potter?" said Snape having just come sweeping down the corridor, with his robe billowing out behind him.

"Trying to guess the password, Sir." said Harry,

'That is self evident, I meant what are you doing out of the Hospital Wing." said Snape sharply.

"I imagine that would also be self-evident." said Harry, without thinking "Sir."

Snape gave him a long hard glare, before almost spiting out, "Bird Brains"

The gargoyle immediately stepped aside. Harry looked at Snape.

"Don't ask." growled Snape.

Restricting his comment to a mere rising of his right eyebrow, Harry jumped on to the moving staircase and let it take him and Snape up to the headmaster's office, the only problem was that it refused to move any further once it got about halfway between the gargoyle and Dumbledore's office.

While Snape got his wand out to try to get the damn thing moving, Harry sighed, and turned inwards, of all the things the castle could have done in revage, it just had to pick sticking him with Snape on a small moving staircase. It was time to start groveling.

Look I'm sorry I called you bossy.

You're only saying that because you're stuck there.

Partly, but also because that I am sorry

But mainly because your stuck on a staircase with Snape.

Well…..

In that case I don't know if I should accept your apology.

Look can you just get this damn thing moving, I'll make it up to you later.

Anything? The castle now sounding interested, which immediately put Harry on his guard.

Depends on what it is. Harry said carefully

How about you have to clean out the chamber of secret, it's getting kind of smelly down there now, and beside it was all your fault anyway, that there is a rotting basilisk down there!

What else could I do? It was trying to kill me!

Pity it failed, said the castle nastily.

Fine, I promise I will clean out the chamber of secrets as soon as possible, now can you get this god damned staircase moving, before I do something I'll really regret.

Fine, you don't have to be so impatient about it.

Seconds later the staircase began to move up towards Dumbledore's office, Harry breathed a sigh of relief. When the staircase finally reached Dumbledore's door, Snape turned swiftly to face him, his black robes billowing out behind him.

"Potter, wait outside. I have something important to discuses with the Headmaster," said Snape abruptly, leaving Harry alone on the staircase as he knocked once, barged his way in to the headmaster's office and slammed the door behind him.

Just as Harry was getting himself comfortable for a long wait, the door slowly opened again, and Harry walked past an extremely displeased Snape.

"Ahh Harry, how are you today?" asked Dumbledore as Harry sat down in the empty chair closet to the window. Snape closed the door loudly and stood behind the other chair.

"Fine, Sir." answered Harry after a slight hesitation. He could tell that Dumbledore was not satisfied with his answer but let it go for now at least.

"Good. Now Severus would you please continue with what you were saying?" said Dumbledore leaned forward making a tent out of his fingers.

"Sir, I really must protest…." started Snape, looking at Harry angrily.

Dumbledore stopped him, giving him a hard look.

"If that is what you wish Headmaster." Snape sighed, speaking though his teeth.

"It is." said Dumbledore calmly.

Snape shoot another look at Harry, and looked straight at Dumbledore as he talked, probably to try and ignore the fact that Harry was sitting there listening.

"A Dark Mark had been spotted last night above a house in Little Whinging, Surrey. I believe you know which one, Headmaster."

Harry immediately tensed. There could only be one reason Voldemort would bother with that muggle community so soon. The Dursleys. All Harry could think of at that moment was that if his worst fears were realized, if the Dursleys had died because of him, it would have been his fault. They didn't even like him, and now it was likely they had died, for their connection to him, as the only living family he had left. Everyone around him seemed to die, and it was all Harry could do not to curl up in a ball, and shut out the world completely.

"I wasn't given any of the details till after the attack. Luckily no one was home at the time, apparently they had moved to America a week back in a hurry." continued Snape.

Harry let go of the breath he hadn't been aware of holding. This caused both Dumbledore and Snape to look at him.

"Good." said Harry his voice more confident then he felt. In truth he felt like vomiting, the Dursleys had been in danger just because they looked after him. How many more deaths would he be the catalyst of before this war is over?

Not only did Harry have to kill or be killed, he felt like he was endangering everyone who stuck around him, even his muggle relatives hadn't been safe from it. What would he do if Voldemort decided to target Ron or Hermione, and he lost the only friends he had ever had? How could he face their families, knowing he was catalyst of their death? It had been bad enough with Cedric, what if the Weasley rightly didn't want anything to do with him any more.

Harry was so wrapped up in this type of thinking that before he knew it, Snape had gone, and it was just Dumbledore and him sitting in the office in silence.

"Now where did we get up to last time?" said Dumbledore after a moment of moving some of paper's around on his desk. "Oh yes, how could I forget, I have decided to introduce a new class this year, do to with defense, Moody and Tonks have already agreed to run them. While I know that the normal load of work in 6th year is more then enough, I am afraid I am going to have to insist you take this elective, instead of your normal Divination elective. I hope this is not too unagreeable for you?"

Harry smiled, "No, Sir."

"Excellent, now moving on, I wish to talk to you about those DA meeting you held last year…………."

Dear Ron and Hermione,

Guess what? Dumbledore given us permission to continue with DA, well he didn't actually say it, but you know how he is. I'm also dropping Divination, sorry Ron, but no way I'm going to sit though another year of listening to someone predict my death every week. I'm taking a class with Moody and Tonks instead.

Anyway as you probably already know from Dumbledore, I'm at Hogwarts for the rest of the summer. It a big change from the Dursleys, I've been getting in a lot of flying practice, and yes Hermione I have already completed my homework. It's been great except for the fact that Dumbledore making me complete theocclumency lessons with Snape starting tomorrow, and he's also making me do some potions work so I don't 'end up blowing up his classroom next term'.

Madame Pomfrey's been a mother hen ever since I got here, making sure I eat enough to food to feed at least one staving third world country each night. She's determined to 'fatten me up'; I'm beginning to think she's been spending to much time talking with your mum, Ron.

Moody and Tonks, just got here just last night, and this morning at 5:00am I was woken up to run around the Quidditch Pitch 20 times. I swear Moody is sadistic, this morning he woke me up by blowing an air horn in my ear.

Anyway, wish I was where ever you two are.

Harry,

"Ok, this is a sword." said the man, holding it up. "You hold the pointy end away from yourself. The aim of this weapon, is to stick the pointy end in to your enemy. Any Questions?"

"Yeah, which ends the pointy one again?" said Harry jokingly.

"Very funny, you little smartass. How you even used one before?" asked the man.

"Once to kill a basilisk," said Harry, "but beside's that, no I haven't."

"Since you're a first time user, you're going to be more danger to yourself then others, so….." said the man, and suddenly instead of holding a sword, he was holding two sticks, "we will use these to begin with."

The man, tossed one of the sticks to Harry and he caught it in the air.

"We will do some freestyle first, to see what level you should start on. After which we will start on some drills."

"Sounds great," said Harry sarcastically.

The man sighed, and dropped the sticks. "Ok, what the hell is eating you tonight. I've seen a less surly Dementor."

"Nothing." said Harry automatically, before sighing at the look the man was giving him and continuing. "I've just got two classes with Snape tomorrow that's all."

"And that's bad, why?"

"I hate Snape, and he hates me."

"Why?"

"Because he hated my father."

"And you hate him, why?"

"Because he hates me."

"Isn't that just a tad irrational" said the man.

Harry glared.

"Ok, I can take a hint, but just think about it kid." said the man. "Now, let's see what you're got."

Harry woke up the next morning to a clash of cymbals, he groaned, burying himself deeper under the blanket, and bringing his pillow around his ears to soften the noise. The noise stopped soon after, and Harry had already fallen back asleep, when he was awaked again with a splash of cold water.

For some reason this more then anything else Moody had done shocked Harry to the core, and before he knew it, he had sat straight up in bed, and…….

Suddenly Moody was on the floor against the wall, at least six feet from were he had been standing two seconds ago.

For a minute or two, they didn't say anything, simply stared at each other, at the mere impossibility of what Harry had just done without a wand, it was like he had done it as a long forgotten reflex, and that thought for some reason stuck a cord with Harry.

Before long though, Moody had recovered enough to grumble that it was definitely going to be Tonk's turn to wake him up tomorrow, before ordering him to jump to and be dressed in five for his run around the Quidditch pitch.

For some reason this caused Harry to grin, the more things change the more they stay the same. That grin also caused Harry two more extra laps, followed by fifty push ups, and fifty stomach crunches.

If what Harry had done was mentioned at all during the day, Harry didn't hear of it.

Once his morning torture sessions was over and done with for the day, Harry headed reluctantly down to the dungeons, as while he would have happily put of his lesson with Snape completely, there was no way he was going to be late. That was only asking for trouble. Once he reached Snape's office, he knocked softly.

"Come in." snapped Snape from within.

Harry opened the door slowly, and walked in.

After lunch found Harry in the room of the requirement, determined to brush up on his dueling ability, and he read as much as he get his hands on. From books such as 'How not to lose your head and 153 defense spell, to use to defend yourself from danger, instead of running for your life by the bestselling author of 153 Attack spells, in case your friend's turn out to be real bastards to 'Dueling; A history'. As well as 'Dueling: How not to get yourself killed'.

Harry also read up on anything he could find about Voldemort's first rise from newspaper articles to books. Thinking that by knowing what Voldemort had done the first time around, might help to give him an idea of what he could expect to happen in the next couple of years. There was no way Harry was going to allow he's friends to get in to the amount of danger they did last year, because of his need to rush in to danger and 'play the hero'.

The hours flew like minutes, and it was not till the castle spoke up that he realised the time.

You are planning to have dinner tonight aren't you?

Of course, Madame Pomfrey would have a fit if I missed a meal. Why do you ask?

Oh, just a thought, and that it happens that the house elves just sent the food up to the great hall.

Bugger! exclaimed Harry, dropping his books on the table, before running down to the Great Hall.

When Harry eventually make it to the Great Hall he was ten minutes late and therefore had to sit in the worst seat on the table, between Snape and Trelawney. While he and Snape had come to a understanding to ignore each other. Trelawney was under no such understanding, so Harry had to spend the whole of dinner, being told the numerous ways he was going to die, like he has meant to for the last three years.

By desert time, she was reading his palm,

"Oh, my dear child, you have such a short life line, such a close relationship with death at such a young age.

"For Merlin's Sake women, will you crease scaring the boy in to an early grave, and in the process giving all the rest of us a headache." snapped Snape, glaring at Trelawney over Harry's head.

Harry was shocked, Dumbledore was mildly amused, Flitwick fell out of his chair, and McGonagall laughed outright.

Harry couldn't help but grin he had never seen the Professor's so informal, as they had been this summer. Flitwick kept the table laughing by telling dirty jokes, and McGonagall went around with her hair down, something that no one would ever believe if they hadn't been there, and she apparently actually had grandchildren. One of which was coming tomorrow, which McGonagall made sure to warn him of that night.

"Now, Harry. I hope that while he is here that you will keep him out of trouble, he is always getting into it no matter what his poor mother and I do." said McGonagall,

"Potter!" scoffed Snape, "actually keeping someone out of trouble when he can barely keep himself out of it. Ha! That will be the day."

"I don't remember you being invited in to this conversation," said McGonagall, giving as good as she got.

"You didn't seem to care about that when you barged in to my discussions with Dumbledore last week did you."

"It was for your own good and you know it."

Dumbledore stepped in, "Children, Children, there is no need to argue."

They both glared at him.

"Well if it makes you feel better by all means argue away."

They bickered about everything from teaching to Harry himself, all night, leaving the rest of the table walking away after dessert wishing only for someplace quiet, preferably without Snape and McGonagall nearby.

"Now, keep you guard up." yelled the man, from a safe distance from the fighting pair.

"Easy for you to say." yelled back Harry, bringing his sword up to block the overhead hit from his offending partner, a dummy that the man had conquered up an hour ago for Harry to train with.

The fight lasted for the next twenty minutes, to the clash of metal, till at last his offending partner surrendered after a clever feint to the left by Harry. After bowing to him, the dummy disappeared.

Harry after returning the bow let himself collapse to the floor closing his eyes, he was so tired. Between the Defense class with Moody and the class he had during his dreams that he couldn't even remember when he woke up, he was exhausted. The man had been making him learn how to wield a sword for the last two weeks, and it was only now that it seemed he was finally getting the hang of it. When he did open his eyes again it was to see a sword pointing towards his face

"What did I say about letting your guard down." said the man, before laughing and helping him up. "You got to be careful about being to trusting, if there is ever a doubt about something question it. You have to be careful. Don't take anything on faith."

"Then why should I trust you, I don't know anything about you?" said Harry, on his feet.

"I can't….." started the man.

"….tell me till I know. Yeah I get that part." said Harry finishing his sentence.

"All I can say is that when you do know, I can safely say that you'll know me better then I know myself." said the man, "Now, this time don't let your guard down, and watch your footwork, your tending to favor your right side, don't be to predicable."

"Yes, Sir." said Harry. "Anything else?"

"Yeah, try not to let me make a fool of you again like last time." said the man grinning.

"Oh I won't" promised Harry, bringing up his own sword.

After yesterdays reading marathon, and the welcome fact that Moody and Tonks were going away on business (so therefore couldn't wake him up at 5;30 to train), Harry was looking forward to an long relaxing day. Flying around, and basically doing nothing at all. Unfortunately, if there was one fact of the universe that Harry was well aware it was that he rarely got what he wished for, and instead of waking at the desired hour of 10:00 am, he was woken at 6:30 am. Someone was jumping on his bed. A small short someone.

Grandson...trouble…

Harry groaned.

Why did the one day he got to relax, be the same day a hyperactive eight year old came to the castle?

Ok, please forgive me, for my spelling and grammar errors.

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