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Chapter 5: The Guild

Harry avoided everyone for weeks. For a few days, Dumbledore wore a disappointed look on his face, but that melted away into acceptance, and they were again on the terms they were before. Dumbledore explained that the reason that he hadn't wanted Harry to join was because members of the DFDL always had a short life span. While they were the most powerful Aurors, Hit Wizards, Unspeakables, Bounty Hunters, and overall Dark Wizard catchers, they always seemed to die pre maturely by taking a task too big for them at that current time and skill level they were at. Harry assured Dumbledore he would do nothing of the like, which didn't reassure Dumbledore because Dumbledore had observed that Harry had inherited his father's thirst for danger.

Harry even joked with Dumbledore about how dangerous the tasks could be if they let in Lockheart. Dumbledore wasn't amused by the light-heartedness of this statement and explained to Harry that the DFDL was almost a guild-like system. Where the only way to rise in rank was through feats set to you by heads of a post. He informed Harry that Lockheart was upset he wasn't immediately assigned to a Head; instead he had to start at the bottom like everyone else. While he forsakes the DFDL, he still flaunted that he was an accepted member of the very prestigious guild.

Harry had also talked to Pompey about his recent joining. According to Pompey, there were about ten levels he had accomplish before he could challenge Pompey himself for the Arch Mage. Harry was starting out at Learner, and then going to Greenhorn, followed by Apprentice. Then there was Warlock, Sorcerer, and Hunter. Most had never got passed Warlock or Sorcerer. Highest three were Old Hand, Magister, and Mage. Anybody of higher rank could give him assignments, but only heads could promote him. He was told if he got to level seven, he would have himself built a castle or outpost for the faction. It in essence would be a small wizarding village, complete with and apothecary, a medical establishment, a tailor's shop, and a pub. If he was successful, his village would grow into a town then a city, then a metropolis. This was metaphorically since the largest establishment ever was Hogsmeade.

His first assignment from Pompey was to collect ten ingredients for an intricate potion. He had collected seven in the weeks passed. He still needed ten. He was told in any way he could get them would be acceptable, and whenever he collected them would be fine. That's why Harry was taking his time. As he was told, he couldn't refuse assignment, but could do it whenever he wanted. So he could be given one, but never complete it without reprimand. The only problem was that he couldn't get another assignment from that person until he completed his original one first. He was also told to start trying turn into an animagus. He needed this if he wanted to go to level six as that was the par for anyone to reach that level. And the reason why most never got passed Warlock.

He was now walking down a somewhat deserted hallway. As deserted as any hallway in Hogwarts could ever get with closely to a thousand students and handfuls of ghosts. There were a few Hufflepuff second years walking by him with fearful looks that Harry didn't notice. He did however notice who just entered. It was the first time since Harry had seen Hermione by herself since the Great Hall a few weeks ago. When she came in, she just missed the hurt look in his eyes before anger took over. She was extremely fearful when he stormed out, fearing he might do something rash. Luckily for her and Ron he didn't.

Harry was once again angered by her presence. How dare she, who he almost called a friend, decide to play games with his heart. She had no right.

"Harry, how are you, I haven't seen you lately?" she ventured.

"Piss off," he spat back, deciding he didn't need a reason to be nice.

"Really," she stated with a scandalized look on her face, "whatever did I do to deserve that kind of response?"

"WHAT? You have the gall to kiss me, that's right you kissed me, and then the next morning you come in hand and hand with that piss ant Weasley. And you ask me why I tell you to piss off? Come now, you're the smartest witch in this castle, surely you, of all people might be able to tell me why?" Harry fumed.

"I understand I sent you some mixed signals Harry-"

"MIXED SIGNALS! You have no idea how I felt! I felt this big," he said holding his fingers an inch apart, "I felt unworthy, not worth to be loved, not worth friendship. Don't get me wrong, I never wanted a relationship with you, or anyone, you made me feel like my wanker was cut off and thrown to the dogs. And you caused it all. Don't you dare talk, no, look at me again. I don't want you to even acknowledge me ever. If you do, so help me…" he finished menacingly.

"Is that a threat?" A new voice asked. It was Ron Weasley. Harry looked around and noticed there was quite a crowd now. Malfoy was there looking on with glee, and so was the Weasley sister, staring at contempt at Hermione and her brother.

"Shut up," Harry said lazily and threw a blue lightning bolt at him with a flick of his wrist. It didn't cause a lot of damage, just some wincing on Ron's part and hair to stand on end. That's when the greatest fight in Hogwarts broke out. Malfoy decided to jump in the fray just for the hell of it, but was on Ron's side, as was like most other times. This time was different however. Instead of them throwing one or two curses and it ending, it keep going. Having joined DFDL, Harry could now buy training from Pompey. He had bought enough to make his element grow a level and to extend his commanded over dueling. He was no longer at the mercy of Weasley or Malfoy. They, together, were at Harry's mercy.

They soon realized this after a minute of their duel. After countless curses rebounding back from the shield Harry conjured, which had a brown bear walking across it, they were finally defeated, with them pinned to a wall. Harry just looked at contempt at each of them and storm off, where he did not know.

He finally arrived at a turret overlooking the sunset. Harry often enjoyed this spot.

"You know they really like each other," a voice said. It didn't really startle Harry, he was only half-surprised to see Luna Lovegood standing there.

"Aye, but it doesn't ease the pain. She hurt me, you know?" For Harry did know as she had a crush upon Ron. They meant last year, Harry was amused by her, but in a way they both enjoyed. As soon as Harry found out that members from her own house would steal her things, Harry's rage boiled over and he threatened everyone from that house that if they didn't quite and if they didn't quite being mean to her, he would make them all regret it.

"That I do." She answered back. They had an understanding that even her, one who believed the unexplainable and unimaginable, couldn't explain. After Harry blew up at her housemates, they had a great amount of respect for the girl who was friends with Harry potter. While Harry himself didn't consider them friends, for he never had so he didn't know what one was, they were in fact friends.

They continued to star at the sunset for a long time, well into the night before Luna left.

Harry was trudging into the forest, looking for his last potion ingredient. It wasn't difficult to get, if you could find it. He finally spotted it growing under the ground when he decided to kick the dirt in frustration when a big piece flew away with a giant dirt clod.

Harry finally reached Pompey's office to give him the potion ingredients.

"Ah, Harry, how are you old chap?" he asked in a horrible English accent. It must have shown on Harry's face as he burst out laughing. "Sorry 'bout that, what can I do you for?"

"I just came by to give you the ingredients you wanted," Harry responded.

"Excellent," Pompey said and threw said ingredients into a boiling cauldron. "I tell you what, that stuff right there makes an excellent stew."

"It's not potion ingredients?" Harry asked.

"Heaven's no, if I needed potion ingredients I would've asked Snape or Sprout." He responded.

"Oh, well do I still get promoted?" Harry asked.

"Of course, you are now Harry the Greenhorn," he pronounced, "ready for your next assignment?" Pompey asked.

"Certainly," Harry replied.

"Excellent, I want you to hunt down and kill Caleb, the new resident of the Forbidden Forest."

AN: How was that you all? It would have been earlier, but I only thought out the plot of the beginning and end, no middle. Also, I thought about the DFDL. Is that a good idea by the way? I hope so. I hope you all like it. I'm thinking about doing a new story, but I don't want to because I want to finish at least one more story. So I might open up a new account and do it there. I just don't have a plot yet, but some ideas new to fanfics, and those that are original and easy to believe. IDK, maybe you all could give me ideas for it or this or any other stories of mine, just make sure you read my bio first so you don't piss me off. Also, make them believable. This is your chance to have a story you all want, don't waste it. Peace.