Chapter 2

The Gift of the Bloodline

Harry swung his sword so fast and hard that Cloud was shocked. Cloud quickly pulled out his sword and blocked it. But Harry than let go of his sword with one hand and punched Cloud in the face. Cloud drew back from the punch, made a fist and punched Harry right back. But this punch had more effect than the punch Harry gave Cloud.

"That's enough." Cloud said panting. "Lupin's right, you do have great potential."

Harry's eyes turned back from blood red to green. "Thanks." Harry said panting. "But I'm still not happy about you talking about me."

"Well, my work here is done." Cloud said. "You were the fastest ever to finish my training. You've learned to use the buster sword."

"Are you serious?" Harry asked in shock.

"Yes. I've taught you to use your emotions to gather strength. That's one of the best strategies." Cloud said.

"You're telling me that you planned this whole thing out." Harry said. "That you brought Lupin here because of that."

"Yep." Cloud said in a monotone voice. "Now get to the north wing to start your training with Vincent Valentine in using fire-arms."

"See you around." Harry said gleefully. Harry left and ran to the north wing. When he got there, he was surprised to see Ginny there. "What are you doing here?" Harry asked.

"Oh, hey Harry. I'm here to train with Vincent, but he doesn't seem to be here." Ginny replied.

"Well, can you think of where he might be?" Harry asked. Ginny shook her head.

Harry had this feeling that he was being watched. He looked up into the rafters but couldn't see anything.

"What is it?" Ginny asked.

"I don't know. But I have a feeling that something is there." Harry said with his eyes still in the rafter. Harry decided there was nothing there and looked back at Ginny. The split second he looked away a bullet came flying at Ginny. Harry ran over to Ginny in a millisecond and pushed her out of the way. The bullet pierced Harry's arm.

"Argh." Harry said.

"Harry." Ginny yelled. "Are you ok?"

"So the rumors were true. You do have it." A voice said that came from the rafters. Both Harry and Ginny looked up in the rafters and saw Vincent with his rifle in his hands.

"Why did you shoot him?" Ginny yelled.

"Because I had to see for myself if he truly had the gift." Vincent said quietly. "To see if he really had the ancient bloodline running through his veins."

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked still holding his arm.

"You have an ancient bloodline. A bloodline of a village destroyed a century ago. The people who had this bloodline had a gift. The gift of knowing when dangers coming and where it's coming from, and to use a power called cover. A power that allows you to protect someone in a blink of the eye." Vincent said. "When you walked into the room, you felt like someone or something was up in the rafters. That's why you looked straight at where I was."

"So, why are you telling me this?" Harry asked.

"Because I promised myself that if I found anyone with that bloodline, that I would help them hone it to its fullest potential." Vincent said.

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Because I want to bring my people back to their former glory." Vincent said quietly.

"Your people? You're telling me that you and I have the same blood?" Harry asked in a shocked voice.

"Yes." Vincent said. "Now, we'll start your training using a rifle with paint-filled bullets. Vincent gave Harry the gun. "Now, take a few shots at that target right there." Vincent pointed to a target on the other side of the room.

Harry held up the gun, took aim and fired. The bullet missed the target and hit the wall behind it. Paint splattered everywhere.

"Pathetic. You'll be coming back soon to wash that paint." Vincent said.

"It wasn't that bad. It was pretty close." Ginny said.

"You really think so?" Vincent asked.

"Yeah." Ginny said.

"Well, why don't you give it a shot?" Vincent asked Ginny.

"Ok, I will." Ginny said. She raised up the gun, aimed, and fired. The bullet hit the section just out of the bulls-eye. "Wow, I guess it isn't that hard." Ginny said.

Harry blushed. Wow, how did I get beat by a girl? Harry thought. "That was a good shot Ginny."

"Thanks." Ginny said blushing.

"That's enough. If you want to flirt, do it on your own time. Not on mine." Vincent said. "Now, Harry, take another shot."

Ginny handed Harry the gun. Harry took another shot. This time, it hit the target but on the very end of it.

"That was better, but still not good." Vincent said. "Take another."

Harry raised it up again, and shot again. It hit the target a little up from where it hit the last time he shot.

"Well, at least it hit the target." Vincent said. "I mean, I've seen worse."

"Thanks a lot." Harry said in a sarcastic voice.

"Now, give the gun back to Ginny." Vincent said.

Ginny took back the gun and took another shot. This time, it hit the target right on the bulls-eye. "Yes." Ginny yelled.

"Good shot." Vincent said. "Just remember, shoot, don't aim. Anyways, that's enough for today. Good job Ginny."

"Ummmmmm." Harry said.

Vincent left the room without saying another word. "Well, that was weird." Ginny said. "How's your arm?"

"It's ok. But I'll need to go to the hospital wing to get the bullet out." Harry said.

"I'll walk you there." Ginny said. The two left the room and started walking towards the hospital wing.

"Where did you learn to shoot like that?" Harry asked.

"Well, I was training at my last school with a man named Irvine Kinneas. But I ended up being transferred here, and continued my training with Vincent."

"Ohhhh." Harry said. "I was going to say, 'If that was your first time than I'm really embarrassed'."

"You don't have to be embarrassed." Ginny said. "So, how's your arm doing."

"It's doing ok. But, it definitely doesn't feel good that the bullet is still in there." Harry said.

"Well, for your first time, you didn't do that bad; especially because you had an injury." Ginny said.

"Thanks, that means a lot to mean." Harry said. "Here we are."

"I'll wait here for you." Ginny said.

"Ok, I'll be right back; it should only take a second." Harry said. Harry walked into the hospital wing.

"Why are you back already? Madam Pompfrey said. "You were just in here a couple of days ago."

"What can I say; I have a knack of getting injured." Harry said laughing.

"That's not even slightly funny." Madam Pompfrey said.

"Just get this bullet out of my arm, ok." Harry said. Madam Pompfrey quickly took out the bullet with some silver tool, than cured Harry.

"Thanks a lot." Harry said. Harry left the room where he was expecting to find Ginny waiting for him, but she was nowhere in sight.

"Ginny, where are you?" Harry yelled.

Harry suddenly had the feeling that he had when he walked into the north wing room. Harry ran down the hall and found Ginny being cornered by Ron.

"You're still talking to that idiot, Harry?" Ron yelled.

"So what if I am? What are you going to do?" Ginny asked. Ron suddenly pulled out his sword and swung at Ginny. Harry quickly did what he did in the north wing and towards Ginny, grabbed the sword in Ron's hand, and put the end of the blood on the side of Ron's neck.

"How did you-"Ron said but was cut off.

"I told you, if you ever touch her again, I would kill you." Harry said, pressing the sword harder into Ron's neck. "My problem is, I don't know if I should cut your arms and legs off, or if I should just kill you quickly."

Ron looked into Harry's eyes, and saw that just like before, his eyes changed from green to blood red. And fear, although already in him, struck him hard. The look in Harry's eyes just was unbearable. He quickly looked away. Harry, knowing what was happening with Ron, just smiled.