Chapter 2

Harry had his back against the tree, sweat dripping from his forehead. It had only been an hour, but Aberforth hadn't given him any breaks nor did he usually. However, the forbidden forest provided cover in such a way that he could take just a moment to catch his breath. During the school year, deep in the forbidden forest was Harry's training location which proved challenging in it's own way.

"You're not here to rest, get off your arse, boy," Aberforth yelled. Harry flew to the cover of the next tree as the spot he had just momentarily stood had a become a deep hole. Harry.

"You've been on the defensive for quite some time, If I wanted submission, I would play with my goats. You are not playing tag with these death eaters kid, it's life or death," Aberforth yelled to Harry's annoyance. Aberforth had always been hard on him, especially when it came to training.

Harry rolled from the cover of his tree, sending with him a chain of spells to keep Aberforth busy as he ran closer. His stamina would only take so much more of this, so he would have to be quick. Aberforth met the zing of each spell with an easy deflection into the canopy of the trees as Harry waved his wand causing a chunk of wood to violently fly out of the tree he had just passed.

Aberforth faced him and Harry could see the wand motion of a powerful stunner, but with the quick flick of his wand, the chunk of wood flew toward of Aberforth in the shape of sharpened arrows now.

"Much fucking better," Aberforth roared as he danced between the cover of trees. Each arrow narrowly missing him. Harry brandished his wand like a lasso, as flames gathered around each completed spin before finally sending it barreling toward the last tree Aberforth had ducked behind.

"A fire in a forest," Aberforth yelled as he waved his hand. "You dumbass." A sound of ripped roots and falling dirts accompanied the rise of a solid wall that had been raised from the ground to bear the brunt of the force.

Harry ran behind the fireball as it impacted and without pause punched through the debris, nailing Aberforth in the center of his face. Aberforth, of course, was shocked as Harry stood over him covered in dirt, but it lasted for only a few seconds before Aberforth swung his leg out off-centering Harry. Aberforth with the wave of his brought Harry collasping to the ground where he laid with ragged breath.

Aberforth began wheezing as he picked himself up and stood over Harry.

"With anything you do, don't let up, if you're going to be on offense, keep me on my guard at all times... Wear me down until you can take me out!"

Harry nodded as he managed to sit up on his shoulders to look at Aberforth, "Aberforth, Do you think I'm ready?"

"To be a goat farmer? To stand up to my brother? What are you asking, boy?"

Harry looked impatiently at Aberforth as he helped Harry back up. Aberforth met his impatience with silence as they both began to clean up the mess that had made during their battle. As they put trees back right and fixed some of the huge holes they made, Aberforth broke the silence.

"Listen, kid, you're damn strong for a...kid, and you possess more skill and drive than anyone I've ever known, and I grew up with the great Albus Dumbledore, but the Dark Lord is almost unmatched in skill and ability, not even counting, his dirty tricks. No, I don't think you are ready."

Aberforth put the last tree back in place with his wand and turned to Harry.

"But you will be and that's why we are here. I don't believe in bullshit prophecies, but I do believe in Harry Fucking Potter."

"I don't care how long it takes, he will die," Harry said as he looked at Aberforth.

Aberforth pushed Harry roughly, "If I wasted all of my time training you for you not to kill him, I'll kill you myself."

"I won't let you down."

Aberforth nodded in response, his expression stoic, "I'll see you in two days, boy. Don't be late."

Harry watched as Aberforth vanished quickly, leaving him in the depths of the forest alone as the sun began to rise.

Daphne Greengrass felt on edge as she sat down in her first class of the year, NEWT level Defense against the Dark arts. It had filled up quite a bit, more than she expected, as lasts years class was no breeze with Professor Mabel Fawley. Although, Professor Fawley had been hard to please, she had been a kind professor;gracious to Daphne many times over. However, she too, had died in the wedding massacre of the summer.

This was going to be an interesting class especially with another ministry appointed instructor, but she knew the real cause of her unease, the pureblood slayer. She didn't know if she believed all the rumors that surrounded him, but from all the information she had, she knew he definitely wasn't normal. As she thought of him, Draco and Potter both walked in, choosing seats in the front.

Of course, this wasn't her first class with Potter, but she never had to walked halls with him privately, especially with the allegations against him, and that's what made her feel anxious. She couldn't help but believe them. The professor coughed loudly gathering people's attention to the front of the room. He was a rather short and scruffy looking man with many scars across his face.

"Welcome to N.E.W.T level Defence Against the Dark Arts, I'm your new professor, James Alric. Yes, I'm an Auror. Before I took that path, I worked as a bodyguard for hire across different magical governments, so I am more than qualified. First things first, Let me be clear, I have only two simple goals, I want to continue to develop your strengths while helping you develop new skills and methods for defense against the dark arts, in mainly a practical way. I think that is the most efficient way to help you prepare for N.E.W.T.S."

He picked up a clipboard off the table, gazing out out to the sea students, "Which is why the next few days of class, you will be dueling each other. In order for me to get a sense of your abilities."

Of course. The one thing she felt ridiculous at; Dueling. Her sister was a much better dueler, which she would always hold over Daphne.

"Basically it's just a way for the ministry to know our abilities, right?" Malfoy snickered.

Even if she despised Malfoy, he raised a good point.

"Five points from Slytherin, please raise your hand..."Profressor said. He quickly glanced down at his clipboard. " ... Will this information get back to the ministry? Possibly. If they ask for it, I will give it to them, but mainly this information is for me to access the class because I know having a different professor every year can be damaging to anyone's ability. Any more questions?"

Hermione Granger's hand shot up immediately as expected. Daphne was extremely aware of Hermione's inquisitive mind, they had both taken a lot classes together, but they also both worked under the tutelage of Madam Pomfrey. Even for a muggleborn, Daphne liked her in doses as she was always helpful when she couldn't get a technique down.

"Yes, Ms-"

"-Granger, and I was wondering if this was a formal duel or informal duel?"

"Good question, Ms. Granger, it's informal. Now, will everyone stand up and get behind me so that I can make a ring, and explain to you how this will go."

Five minutes hadn't gone by before the desk and chairs were out the way, and a huge dueling platform stood where they all were sitting.

"Okay, you will be paired at random. The duel will start when I say so and end with the acquisition of your opponent's wand. No dark magic. No unforgivables. Nothing that will require a trip to the ward. I only want bruised egos. After your duel, you are free to leave... or stay!" Professor Alric looked at the clipboard, "Let's see...the first duel will be Mr. Harry Potter and Mr. Seamus Finnigan."

Seamus, who stood next to Ronald Weasley, looked downright terrified as he heard the pairing. It was a known fact Gryffindor's hated Slytherins, vice-versa, but Gryffindor's had unnatural hate for Potter because of the Ginny Weasley incident that had took place in their second year.

"Kick his arse, Seams," Ronald Weasley yelled from the crowd as they both got on the platform.

Potter had a cold and indifferent gaze as he stood on the corner of the ring. Daphne had noticed that was a common look for him.

"Five points from Gryffindor, please refrain from unruly language," Professor Elric said before turning back to the platform. "Are you both ready?"

They both nodded, Seamus was jumpy and very nervous and even from here, Daphne could see the unsteadiness of his wand hand. On the opposite side, Daphne saw that Harry had not even raised his wand yet; it was against his side.

"You may begin."

Within seconds of the match beginning, Seamus was on the ground, his wand in Potter's hand. Daphne, much like everyone else, was in utter shock. It didn't even seem like Potter had moved.

"What the fu-fudge," Seamus said as he sat on the ground, flabbergasted.

"Excellent, Mr. Potter, quick and to the point! Ten points to Slytherin!"

"I guess hanging out with a Weasley will do that to you," Draco sneered.

"Shut up Malfoy," Ron Weasley replied.

Potter walked over to Seamus, offering Seamus his wand to which Seamus took and quickly walked off the stage, his embarrassment apparent to the class, but hidden to Potter as he pocketed his wand, turning to leave the class. Professor Alric snapped back the attention of the class by calling the next match.

"Okay, next match is Lavender Brown an…

Daphne zoned out as the next couple of matches proceeded, she couldn't help but think about what she knew about Potter thus far. She knew he was a half-blood, and that his parents were dead. She knew that every year, he managed to be the center of something controversial and that the Death-eaters wanted him dead. She knew he was a pretty reliable student even if he seemed indifferent most of the time, and that he was pretty strong for his age both in physicality and magical ability. She knew he was found last summer, having supposedly slaughtered everyone at the pureblood wedding, including Theodore Nott, her...

"Ten points to Hufflepuff, Next match, Daphne Greengrass and Hermione Granger!"

Daphne flinched at the sound of her name, and a stone dropped into her stomach, but hurriedly she got on the platform. Hermione was a fantastic dueler which didn't bode well for Daphne.

They both got in a dueling stance, while Hermione seemed confident, Daphne could feel her hand shaking.

"You may begin."

"Everte Statum," Hermione yelled.

Daphne threw up a protego, successfully blocking the spell, but Hermione had already sent another spell.

"Impedimenta!"

Daphne sidestepped it before sending a tickling charm toward Hermione which Hermione nonverbally canceled. Of course, she was doing nonverbal magic already.

"Expelliarmus!"

Daphne sidestepped that as well, frantically trying to come up with another spell, but before she could her wand flew out her hand and into Hermione's.

"Good match," Hermione said, smiling politely at Daphne.

Daphne shrugged.

"Ten points to Gryffindor, Excellent Duel. Next Match, Sue Li and Hannah Abbott "

Daphne left the platform, turning to leave the classroom along with Hermione.

"Hey Daphne, You did well, back there! Just work on not letting me overwhelm you with spells, and if you want me to help you with nonverbal, I'll gladly help!" Hermione spouted off as they entered the hall.

"Thanks," Daphne replied unenthusiastically, a bit embarrassed at her quick loss.

Hermione didn't get the hint as she kept talking, "You're welcome! I just wish I could figure out how Harry gets so far ahead, he's been doing nonverbal since the end of his third year!"

"How do you know that?"

Hermione bashfully smiled, "He helps me sometimes, every once in a while with a difficult spell that we learned in class, that's if I can catch him, so I can't help but question him for the minute or two he helps."

"That's...surprising."

It would make sense that Potter would be kind to someone like Hermione, she isn't a pureblood.

"He's quiet, but I think he is harmless,"

"I wish I could believe that...I want to believe that, but he was the only person at the wedding, covered in blood, and standing over all of the dead."

"How do you know he wasn't framed," Hermione replied in a matter-of-fact kind of tone.

Daphne got annoyed, "Maybe he was, but maybe he wasn't...I have to get ready for my next class, I-I'll see you in the hospital wing later,"

Hermione looked skeptically at Daphne, "Yeah, I'll see you later."

Harry closed his eyes as he sat at his desk, overlooking a scroll for class. it had been hard to keep his attention in classes when he felt so far removed from them. He wanted to focus on the war, but of course, Dumbledore kept him as clueless as possible during the school year. He wanted Harry to not have to worry about those things if at all possible, but Harry wanted to be involved. Harry felt the frustration he had been feeling since the war began his fourth year.

Harry slammed his fist on his desk. If the prophecy was true then what was he doing here. More innocent people were dying needlessly. All because they didn't know that only Harry could defeat Voldemort. Even then there were still Horcruxes that needed to be located. All because Dumbledore felt he should focus on classes that he didn't need at this point. He knew just like everyone else that they were going to take over the ministry soon enough, and there would be a witch hunt for him, he would have no time for school then.

Harry leaned back in his chair, after classes, he had spent majority looking over the fiendfyre curse as he was aiming for full mastery over the powerful and difficult curse. On his desk was a scroll of the incantation, and wand movements, in which he rolled up and stood up from his desk. He had to meet Daphne for their first week of corridor duty. Harry walked out of his room to the vacant chamber, both Draco and Blaise were missing. He knew they usually liked to hang out in the real Slytherin's common room during school, Draco more than Blaise, but Blaise was someone who liked getting information.

Harry quickly exited the chamber and met Daphne in front of the Slytherin's common room.

"Hello, Potter," Daphne said casually.

"Hello, Greengrass."

The first fifteen minutes of walking was silent, the only sound coming from Hogwarts Ghost flying by or the occasional portrait. After finding a couple, and deducting points, Daphne finally broke the silence.

"Your match today was impressive."

"Thank you," Harry replied. Although, he wouldn't have called it a match at all. It was over before it started.

It was quiet again for a while as they continued to patrol.

"Hermione told me you helped her with spells occasionally," Daphne said unenthusiastically.

"I prefer we didn't small talk," Harry replied truthfully, "Let's just get this done unless...you're trying to get at something?"

Taking not a second longer, she asked her question.

"Okay, What happened...at the Massacre?" Daphne asked. Quickly, she added, "and I'm not saying you're the pureblood slayer, I just want to know the truth."

He usually wasn't one to try to dissolve rumors or answer accusations, but he knew, through Blaise, she and Theodore Nott were an off-and-on couple.

"Whatever you choose to believe, is what you believe. Goodnight," Harry replied as they arrived back to the Slytherin common room

As Harry left her, he couldn't help but think about the truth. He had killed Theodore Nott, and he didn't regret it.