A/N: I have been looking forward to this chapter for a while, even as it is fairly small. It can be thought of as an interlude chapter of sorts. It is the first music chapter that has been included.
The sun was barely peeking out over the trees of the Forbidden Forest and the dew was still wet on the grass surrounding the Lake in front of Hogwarts. The only sound was the pounding of Harry's sneakers on the ground, and his even breathing. His breath was fogging in front of him as he jogged slowly, as this was just his warm-up. Harry had quickly restarted his morning jogging routine once he was resettled in to his Hogwarts routine. He had started it early on in his training in Greece and it was a great ritual.
Harry finished quietly, pausing a second with his arms raised above his head to calm his heart. He stole a quick glance at the castle, and the lack of movement in any of the windows. He turned towards the pack he had set on the grass. He took a long draught of water. Then he levitated the glowing orb, and after thinking for a second, grinned and snapped. The music started, and Harry put down the water bottle and started to run in earnest.
Throughout the ancient castle, students, teachers and ghosts were awakened as the pounding beat of the music echoed throughout the grounds of the school. This was the seventh day in a row this had happened. Starting after that first day, more and more people had begun to sleepily gather in front of the castle, and watch the dark-haired student in light blue basketball shorts and a white tank top jog around the lake multiple times. After the first couple days, other students began to join him, starting with Ginny and Tonks. None of the other students started as early as him, finished as late, or kept the same pace. Unbeknownst to anyone else, Harry would continue to jog long after he wanted to, giving time for all the other students to finish. Harry would make a point to run one lap after the last person finished before turning off the music with a wave of his hand and he would walk calmly to his room to shower.
The next day, Harry, Ginny and Tonks were jogging very slowly as a warm-up before beginning their run. This was the first time that Harry wasn't alone when he started. He had been surprised when he went down to the common room, as he saw Ginny and Tonks in two very attractive jogging outfits waiting for him with smiles on their faces. Harry was originally reluctant to let them accompany him, as he enjoyed the solitude that the early morning runs would bring before other students arrived. But the sight of both girls standing before him in very tight exercise outfits quickly changed his mind.
It had been hard at first after Harry heard Ginny and Tonks talking late that night. He had drawn in to himself for awhile, before remembering his morning jogs atop the mountain ranges in Greece. The morning jogs were used to alleviate the stress of the physical training and the pain and anger of the mental training he was going through. He quickly reinstated the runs and his mood during the day took an upturn because of it. He had resolved to himself that even if Ginny and Tonks didn't feel about him that way, he would be as good a friend to both of them that he could be.
The three friends quickly finished up their warm-up and were about to start the real running when they were surprised to see two groups walking slowly towards them. The first group consisted of Ron and Hermione, Ron clad in a strange looking robe and Hermione carrying her usual stack of books. The second group was Malfoy, surrounded by Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy. Malfoy was wearing an expensive muggle jogging suit, and Harry sent him and Ron a questioning glance.
Ron glared at him before hurriedly stretching, sneaking glances at Draco and copying his stretches. Pansy led Crabbe and Goyle to the bleachers, making sure to place significant distance between themselves and Hermione, who was already intensely interested in the books and parchment around her. Harry shook his head, chuckling quietly. He waved Ginny and Tonks on, who started to jog slowly, talking and laughing.
Draco spoke haughtily. "Well Potter, are you going to stand there?" With his nose in the air, he stiffly started to jog. Ron glared at Harry before setting off, passing Draco and slowing down a little after. Harry laughed and set out, waving his hand as he went. The first song came on, the soft piano causing Ron to yell out to Harry.
"What happened Potter; this isn't my kind of music." Harry kept his gaze ahead and ignored Ron, he passed Draco easily and soon caught up to Ron. As he passed the redhead, the heavy beat came on and the lyrics started. All the muggle-born who were gathered around or jogging slowly started to sing aloud, especially when the well-known chorus came on.
You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime
The chorus came on and Harry passed the unofficial starting point and he could be heard muttering along with the song, sweat starting to coat his neck and chest. He was wearing his customary shorts and tank top. The song slowly came down and silence reigned. The lakeside route was at its busiest and the students quieted down unconsciously, before the next song started up.
The next song started and Harry grinned as he slowed down to talk with Ginny and Tonks for a moment before the song's bass kicked in. The lyrics started and the same voice from the first song came pouring out. Again the chorus came on and various muggle-born students sang along as they walked or ran along the track.
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears
Sing with me now, just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away
Harry had already lapped his "competitors" multiple times, Draco looking deathly pale and Ron wheezing and huffing. Both had started the exercise talking loudly to no one about how in shape they were and how each was going to run the longest and hardest. Harry was breathing steadily and grinned at them as he passed them again. The song ended in a blazing guitar solo that faded in to silence.
Again the students quieted down as the silence reigned around the lake. Harry looked back to see Malfoy and Ron jogging exhaustedly next to each other, glaring at Harry. Harry rolled his eyes, growing impatient with duo's continued attitude. He expected it from Draco, but Ron was surprising him and Harry didn't like it. Smiling grimly, he decided to really show up the indignant pair.
He paused the music in between songs, and everyone stopped running to look at him. This was far before he normally finished. Grinning, Harry went to his pile of stuff, and pulled off his tank top, revealing his muscular build, and drew muted gasps from the watching girls. He quickly restarted his run, speeding up noticeably as he restarted the song. This time, he loudly sang along as he ran, encouraging the other muggle-borns who knew the words to sing aloud as well. The song started up, and Harry quickly fell in to step along the military beat, rapping along with his increased run speed, breath and voice never faltering.
(I'm a soldier) These shoulders hold up so much
They won't budge, I'll never fall or fold up
(I'm a soldier) Even if my collar bones crush or crumble
I will never slip or stumble
(I'm a soldier) These shoulders hold up so much
They won't budge, I'll never fall or fold up
(I'm a soldier) Even if my collar bones crush or crumble
I will never stumble
Harry caught up to the dwindling group of students, most settled in to the grass alongside the lake, along with the few teachers who came out to unofficially supervise, which today was Professors McGonagall, Flitwick and Snape. Snape was muttering to himself about showy Gryffindors.
The song ended with its military beat being accompanied by the Left-Right-Left marching call. Again the song faded in to silence and Harry crossed in front of the gathered group of students, as the only runners remaining were Harry, Ron and Draco, the latter two both collapsing in exhaustion next to their friends. Harry kept it up, knowing the majority of eyes were glued on his tattoo-ed and rippling back as he continued. The next song came on. The introducing keyboard was soon replaced by another Left-Right-Left marching call, and the rappers voiceover.Sometimes you just feel tired, feel week. When you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up. But you gotta search within you. Gotta find that inner strength. And just pull that shit outta you
And get that motivation, to not give up. And not be a quitter. No matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face .
The song erupted in to a crescendo as Harry sped up, voice echoing along with the lyrics across the lake. The sun was out now fully, shining down on Harry, causing his skin to shine with dried and wet sweat. His shorts had slid down somewhat, revealing the tops of his boxers, along with the angle of his hips. Ginny and Tonks were silent, watching the boy they both loved as he showed the rest of the school just how much of a physical specimen he was. They noticed that many of girls were gazing at Harry with lust in their eyes. The chorus came on just as Harry passed the group on the grass, blowing two kisses and winking at Tonks and Ginny. Both girls smiled wide, not even acknowledging the jealous glares of the other girls.
'Till the roof comes off
'Till the lights go out
'Till my legs give out
Can't shut my mouth
'Till the smoke clears out
And my high burns out
I'ma rip this shit
'Till my bones collapse
The song finally culminated and the next one came on quickly. The classical music with the voices confused many, but quickly broke in to the lyrical section. Most of the magical listeners were confused by many of lyrics, but the muggle-born quickly started bouncing to the beat, singing along with the words when they knew them.
That's Rock Bottom
When this life makes you mad enough to kill
That's Rock Bottom
When you want something bad enough to steal
That's Rock Bottom
When you feel like you've had it up to here
Cause you mad enough to scream but you sad enough to tear
The song finally ended and Harry stopped in front of them, but not to finish. He conjured a backpack and carried it to Ron and Draco. "Here guys, test this out. How heavy you think it is?" Both Ron and Draco smirked at Harry and tried to lift it up, Draco gasping after raising it six inches, and Ron collapsing after not being to make it leave the ground at all. Harry grinned at them, winked at the gathered audience before easily throwing the bag around his shoulders, and waving the music on.
The song came on, the beat starting quickly and the lyrics quickly taking off, everyone watching getting in to the beat as they watched Harry grunt as he jogged around the lake quickly with the bag bouncing roughly on his shoulders.
This is ten percent luck,
Twenty percent skill,
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will,
Five percent pleasure,
Fifty percent pain,
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!
The song finally ended, and Harry came to a stop in front of Ginny and Tonks, before slipping off the bag and sitting lightly between them. Both of them drank in the sight of his shirtless chest heaving in front of them. They scooted closer to him protectively, as many girls were lingering around them, stealing glances at Harry. Harry Banished the pack and turned off the music before placing the small orb in his small workout bag. He sat back down between them and rested his forearms on his knees. Both girls gasped as they saw the small scabs on his shoulders from the straps of the bag digging in to his skin. They each picked a shoulder and started massaging it smoothly as Harry groaned and muttered quietly, "That feels wonderful. I shouldn't have run with the pack in my tank, let alone with nothing."
Harry glanced up to see Ron staring angrily at him, and Harry surmised, and the petite redhead rubbing a knot out of his right shoulder. He nudged Ginny, and nodded to Ron looking. Ginny turned and saw her brother, whose eyes widened at Ginny and he turned away hastily.
Ginny's eyes narrowed dangerously. She made to get up, but Harry quickly restrained her, shushing her complaints about Ron. He got up quickly and hauled both girls to their feet before throwing his sweaty tank top back on and picking up his bag, began to walk back to the castle. He ran back to the Gryffindor room and showered hurriedly before joining the others at breakfast.
A few days later, Harry was sitting quietly in the common room, for once alone as Ginny had class and Tonks was in one of her many meeting with Dumbledore. Harry had ignored or evaded the Headmaster's various attempts to talk to him, as he knew he would be asked about his powers and his training, neither of which he felt comfortable answering questions about. Feeling a shadow in front of him, Harry finished the sentence he was writing and looked up to see Neville in front of him.
"Hey Neville, what's up?" Harry smiled at Neville, thinking how much he had changed. He had filled out a bit, and his confidence had grown a lot after his grandmother had rewarded his good grades with a new wand, as opposed to one his father used before he was driven insane. Harry silently resolved to get to know Neville better, seeing as Ron was being such a git this year.
Neville sat down next to Harry on the couch and rested against the backrest. Well, last year, our defense teacher wasn't that great. She wasn't terrible; it wasn't as if she was a criminal who scarred the students." Harry chuckled at the craziness of the statement. Neville smiled back at him. "But she was boring and went awfully heavy on the written side and lightened the load of the practical studies. So Ginny, Hermione and I started something called the Defense Association. Ron stepped in and sort of took over but it went okay until he took over. It is school sponsored and McGonagall usually supervises it, thought we ran it mostly." Harry pushed his homework away and sat back thoughtfully.
"Wow Neville. That's really cool. That is a great idea and it sounds like you guys ran it really well. I would love to come this year, and join." Neville laughed softly before responding.
"I think we could find a spot for you. I actually came over because, well, after Ron took over, things sort of slowed down because Ron is okay, but he doesn't know that much more than the rest of us, and the older years really don't respect him." Harry snorted and muttered in response. Neville smiled again. "So what I wanted to ask you was if you would take over. I talked to Ron and he said that he thought it was a waste of time and he wouldn't do it. You obviously know what you are doing and I know that the other students will respect you."
Harry sat, shocked at Neville's request. "I don't think Ron will like this. And me and him aren't getting along as it is. How does Ginny and Hermione feel about it?" Harry asked thoughtfully.
"Ginny is all for it, and Hermione was very noncommittal but then again, she's been noncommittal ever since she started going out with Ron." Harry sighed. He didn't show it, but he did miss the Hermione that he knew before he left, who fixated on her goals, and wouldn't stop until she had researched the answer or forced someone to tell her the answer.
"I'll do it, but I am going to ask Ron first." Neville nodded and followed Harry over to where Ron was sitting.
"Hey Ron, question for you." Ron narrowed his eyes and answered roughly. Hermione, sitting next to Ron, shrank and continued to furiously do her homework.
"Yeah Potter? I am a busy guy you know." Harry arched his eyebrow at the empty parchment sheets scattered on the table in front of Ron.
"Yes, anyway. Neville told me about the DA last year, what do you think about it?" Harry said very vaguely.
Ron looked supremely happy about the fact that Harry was consulting him on something. He leaned back and tried to look thoughtful and wise. In Harry's opinion, he failed miserably. "Eh, waste of time." Harry's face stiffened as he glanced at Hermione, who wore a hurt look on her face.
"Even though your girlfriend put a lot of effort in to it? I think its an alright idea." Ron glanced at Hermione, but she had already schooled her features in to a blank look and she hurriedly went back to her books.
"Of course Hermione did a great job, I just don't think that it worked as well as it could have." Ron tried to sneak a glance at Neville, but everyone saw it and Harry rolled his eyes at the try at a subtle insult. Ron was anything but subtle.
"So you aren't going to join then?" Ron snorted and shook his head before dismissing Harry with a wave of his hand and turned back to his near-empty parchment. Harry dug his fingernails in to his palms, trying to stop the anger at Ron's new outlook on life.
Schooling his features and controlling himself, Harry grinned and winked at Neville. "So you won't care that I am going to teach it then? Alright, Hermione, would you like to help me plan it? I am total rubbish at the paperwork stuff." Ron stared at Harry, and almost threw a retort back in his face when he realized that had been set up. He couldn't protest it because he had already said he wasn't joining.
Hermione started; shocked that Harry was asking her to help. She stuttered out, "I'd…I'd love to." She quickly turned back to her studies, missing the glare from Ron.
Harry grinned at her. "Great. Thanks." He nodded to Ron before turning back to the couch, where Ginny and Tonks were watching quietly. They had entered without notice and watched the whole thing. Both were grinning widely at Harry.
Ginny jumped up and hugged Harry quickly. "So you'll do it?" He nodded yeah and Tonks and Ginny both jumped on him, laughing. Neville smiled as he watched them, before the girls turned and hugged him quickly, causing him to blush a deep red. Harry laughed.
"Thanks Neville, I knew you were the right person to ask him." Neville stuttered through a response as Harry settled in to his couch and finally continued his homework, now happily accompanied by his two favorite girls.
Songs used:
Lose Yourself, Eminem, 8 Mile soundtrack
Sing For the Moment, Eminem, The Eminem Show
Soldier, Eminem, The Eminem Show
Till I Collapse, Eminem, The Eminem Show
Rock Bottom. Eminem, The Slimshady LP
Remember The Name, Fort Minor, The Rising Tied
A/N: There ya go. I know it was short, but it was just an intermediate chapter and I wanted to put out the songs. If anyone is worried about how much I messed with Ron's and Hermione's characters, it's because its fan fiction and its mine! Hermione's change will be explained later in the story and I think that Ron's character is a bit annoying, so I just exaggerated those traits here.