Note: Please look to prologue for disclaimer and additional notes about the story.

A Dance With Fate

Canopus Carina

Chapter 19 of 20

Before he was going to leave, he wanted to get an identity he could use while he was there. He wouldn't be able to choose when he got there, not the day, month, or time- only year. He wouldn't be able to choose where he was placed either, only the country. He knew he would look the same as usual and even though he cut his hair short and started taking contacts, he still bore the Potter family resemblance. Therefore he was looking through the Potter Family Book in an attempt to loose resemblance to his family while he was there. He would have to change his knees, his cheekbones, even his hands if he wanted to loose all resemblance of Potter males. It was if they had preformed some cloning spell so they all looked the same.

As he began to loose hope and decide to just use Polyjuice or something, he found the greatest of coincidences. "Oh, what are the chances?"

Things were looking up.

Monday: 12 December 1977

When he had the time, and since he was partnered with Peter that was quite a lot, Remus would turn to his young instructor. There were many times that Harry looked just like any other teenage that it was easy to see he was only a year older. However there were times like these that that young visage was suppressed by an older soul residing in his body. If the eyes are the window of the soul, Harry was a very old man –at times even older then Professor Dumbledore. Throughout these lessons his has noticed that Harry had seen and been through almost everything and was ready to take anything on when the situation arose. It almost made him honored to be in his class, to have some of his knowledge, learn from the mistakes (as he never claimed or pretended to be perfect).

Today the other boy was leaning against the High Table, watching his students go through the paces. Usually he would wander the floor, fixing stances, reiterating pronunciation, or just offering praise, but for some reason he stayed away today. Ever since he had gotten back from whatever he was doing after the maze lesson, Harry had been a little off. During the Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw game, he was tightlipped with whatever he did, dedicating his attention solely on the game. But once the game was done he had mysteriously retreated to his office. As the Marauders had a rather difficult essay due the following Monday in Transfiguration, they didn't argue about the strange behavior. But when they were essay free they attempted to speak with the recluse only for him to be busy studying volumes upon volumes of potions books.

The next lesson had happened on Wednesday the thirtieth, though it seemed rather week compared to the maze lesson. Harry had set them up to be working on proper dueling techniques as he figured the Dueling Club should actually duel once or twice. He looked a little more like himself as he wasn't hovering over books in the near darkness. But even then, his smiles seemed to be a bit strained. Whatever he was studying didn't seem to be going over very well.

The following lesson had been squeezed in after dinner last Thursday night. He had apparently planned the lesson before he found out that the second, fourth, and seventh years had an exam the following day in either Potions or Transfiguration. While he probably had a chance of convincing Professor Slughorn in changing the date, as he wants Harry in the Slug Club, no one had the ability to change Professor McGonagall's test. Probably not even the headmaster or the Dark Lord. Combined.

Harry tried to make due with the preoccupied teens that showed up anyway but ended up canceling class a half hour into it. He said it was because they needed to study and that they would resume it on Monday. Some complained that it was worth it, but the Marauders held back their own complaints. The older boy had dark circles under his eyes and desperately needed the sleep. They hoped he was taking the time off to get some sleep as it didn't seem as if he was sleeping much already. At least now, he seemed to be happier.

"I have a feeling all of you have a good handle on today's lesson," Harry started.

Remus could feel his disappointed start to invade his mind, he could just see Harry canceling the meeting today as well. While they were only practicing sending charms to each other, it felt as if they were actually doing something that would matter in their life. It was okay to miss one or two lessons, but it would possibly put the students on a lax system by cutting two short. But right before he was going to raise his hand to suggest that they continue and Harry rest if he needed it, Harry continued:

"Line up against that wall. We are going to start on actual duels. And I will need one volunteer."

Remus immediately volunteered himself and was easily picked as only three people were brave enough to raise their hands as well, and they had already been picked in previous lessons. Harry had cast a complicated series of spells that moved the house tables together, therefore creating a platform covered with a hard surface to walk on, but if applied too much pressure as would happen if someone fell, it cushioned the impact. He indicated with his hand for Remus to join him on the tables.

"Now that I have my victim," Remus gulped at the wording, "we shall begin. As we went over earlier, we bow. Very good. During a battle with dark wizards, they won't exactly wait for you to bow, instead will start firing spells the minute you are in range. But it is a good thing to learn just in case you are apart of a duel between each other or in the off case you get a dueling fanatic as your opponent in battle. It has happened. And now we begin with the duel."

Remus automatically started casting his most complicated spells in hopes that Harry hadn't heard of some of them therefore not knowing how to block them. Harry however only put up a rather strong Protego shield that made his spells ricochet off its surface. He knew that Harry had more experience and therefore probably had a higher magical maturity, so he stopped firing any spell that could be blocked by a simple shield as his.

"Formido!" he yelled. The surrounding audience were probably confused when nothing came out of Remus' wand, but he knew it had worked. If cast correctly, directly at the person you want to infect, the victim would experience their worst fear. He stepped back to wait for the spell to complete it's minute time period that it infected the victim's mind. It would give him enough time to take a breather, but the moment he took his eyes off Harry his robes were on fire.

Once he was able to get the fire out of his robes, he looked up to see a wand pointed directly at his face and his wand ripped from his stunned hands. He had lost. He couldn't believe his spell didn't work.

"You truly are terrifying when you start throwing curses," Harry smiled, "but remember, just because you excel in them, doesn't mean that your opponent will be affect as you wanted."

"How didn't it work?" he stuttered. He had known this curse for four years and had always worked before.

"The spell Remus had used," Harry answered, addressing the class as well, "was one to bring forward the victims worst fear for them to see in their mind. Anyone who falls under its spell should make sure to understand that it is only in their head. While it only takes a minute before it wears off, it does not have any counter-spell. If you remember that it just your imagination, you should be able to see through the illusion and still be able to use your wand. I would like everyone to remain in line and one by one you will be allowed onto the platform to battle my shade." He motioned to a black mist that had accumulated on the other side of the platform. "It will be able to fight back just like in a regular duel. Have fun!"

As Harry had said, each person was given a chance to fight the shade. Once the shade was able to disarm you (as the shade was practically all-powerful) the next student would have their chance. Harry seemed to be quite proud of his students and even extended the lesson so everyone was allowed another chance if they wanted. But even that happy lesson had to end soon and the Marauders decided to stay behind and talk.

"I had lived my worst fears and was still expected to fight," Harry said, startling them, "that is why I was able to fight while under your spell so quickly."

"I don't think you have ever stayed after class before, Harry," Sirius joked, "not that I mind or anything!"

"Yeah, well, I needed to say something before I left today," he answered with a sad smile. "You all are going home for the winter holidays? Well, I'll be gone until probably Friday or Saturday but I'll go with you on the way back. It was fun riding to Hogwarts in September, so it should be just as much fun going back."

"You haven't been taking the train back and forth?" Peter asked with wide eyes.

"No, primarily apparition, but by Floo Network when I can't avoid it. I hate the floo."

"Me too!" James exclaimed.

And before they knew it, they were in deep conversation about transportation, classes and just life in general. Harry seemed to be in a much better mood than the preceding weeks but wouldn't say anything other than that his task there was almost complete. It took him a while, but Remus remembered that Harry had come to Hogwarts for a reason and had never thought to teach these lessons. He didn't know whether to be amazed that the older boy had such a knack for teaching or annoyed that he didn't know the true reason Harry was there. After a little thought, he figured he should stick with the former. After all, they would see each other during the winter holidays as they always met up at some point or another. And he could try to weasel out the information then.

So he let his mid forget about all worry he had about anything he didn't know about his surroundings. He didn't know how long it had been since he had the time to just relax and chat with friends. Harry deserved to take his break as well as when he wasn't teaching them dueling, he was traveling the world in search of something. They all deserved to just be teenagers for once before they were forced back to the harsh cold world.

End of Chapter 19 – 1,689 of words

Posted: 2 July 2007