Harry Potter and the Time of Change
By: Bethy Ann
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter unfortunately.
Summary: Harry discovers that he must train in order to kill Voldemort. During the summer set after the 5th book. New people, new discoveries, and love is shared all around. Ginny/Harry, Hermione/Ron, and a little bit of Remus/Tonks.
AN: So it's been awhile. I've been out of remission for about 4 months and I went to camp as a Senior Counselor. It was pretty amazing. I wrote part of this chapter at camp and finished it at home. I hope you like it!
Chapter 3:
It had been a week and Harry kept growing more muscles. He wasn't just growing physically but mentally. He was studying harder then ever. Instead of saying an incantation, he swished his wand so he could be proficient in the movement. He was improving so fast that during the time where he studied spell work, he didn't have much to do. So in that time he studied how the brain worked and how science has improved in the Muggle and wizarding worlds. He used Hedwing to order books and he got the books in one business day. He learned a lot and he knew what he was going to do with this knowledge.
He met Jon's sister Sophie but he never saw the other boy in the picture he saw. He asked about it once and learned that Ryan and the mother died. Once he learned this he didn't ask again. He could tell that talking about them hurt. He knew the feeling and he didn't want to hurt his new friends'. He learned that Jon's Dad fought in the first war and could do wand less magic. He told Jon's Dad what he was doing and asked him for help. Mr. Clinton taught Harry the basics when he saw that Harry was a natural. Harry was improving and Mr. Clinton knew that Dumbledore was right about Harry being the only one to kill Voldemort. Harry was very powerful but he didn't know it; at least not yet.
Harry woke up at five on Wednesday and got dressed. He was halfway down the stairs when he heard a door open. Harry froze on the stairs for a second and quietly but quickly made it to the door.
"Potter." He heard Dudley yell quietly.
Harry turned around and saw Dudley come down the stairs. Dudley was wearing sweats and was fidgeting nervously.
"I don't have all day Dudley so spit it out," Harry said impatiently.
Dudley cleared his throat and said, "If you help me get into shape like you, I'll make sure my Dad feeds you a decent portion."
Harry was stunned and said, "Okay but it's going to take awhile."
"But it only took you a week to get so in shape," Dudley protested.
"Yeah but I didn't have fat anywhere. You have a lot and it's going to take while," Harry said.
"Okay fine. Tell me what to do," Dudley said.
They went outside and Harry told Dudley about the stretches. Five minutes into the run and Dudley was panting heavily. Harry ran backwards and started yelling at Dudley to pick it up the speed if he wanted to get into shape. At the end Harry coached Dudley with the other exercises. By the end, Dudley was on the ground panting.
"If you can, work out during the evening or whenever you can. It'll help a bit," Harry said.
"Ok," Dudley managed to wheeze out.
Harry was walking back to the house when Dudley said, "I'm sorry, for everything I did. You didn't deserve it; no one deserves to be treated like scum."
"Why are you sorry now? What brought this on all of a sudden?" Harry asked.
"Piers saw me with a girl he liked and he got the gang to taunt me and hurt me…physically. I didn't like it and it got me thinking of the things we had done to you and everyone else. I was actually just lending an ear to Cindy- that's the girl Piers likes- because some girls are giving her a hard time. But, yeah, that's why I'm sorry. I have real friends now and they all do Kung Fu. So now I do Kung Fu with them," Dudley said.
Harry's brain was on overdrive by all the information that Dudley just gave him. Kung Fu is a type of fighting, maybe I could join or something, Harry thought.
"Do you-," Harry began to say but Dudley cut him off.
"I could show you some moves when we're done working out. Since you're helping, I could help you out," Dudley said.
"Thanks," Harry said and wiped some sweat off his brow.
They walked inside and Harry showered and went back into his room. Once Harry got in his room, he saw Hedwing with a letter. He untied it and stroked Hedwig's head. Hedwing hooted and flew away.
Harry unrolled the letter and read:
Harry,
You will never guess what Ron and I are doing! Well maybe I should start at the beginning. Ron went into town about a week or so ago and met this boy named Brandon Harding. Brandon is this really good martial arts kid and has been teaching Ron and I all these tricks. Don't tell Ron that I told you because he wanted it to be a surprise. So be surprised when you see him! Anyway, everyone is doing well. How are you holding up? Are the Dursleys treating you right? They better be because if they aren't, I'll put my bat boogey-hex on them! Take care!
With Love,
Ginny
Harry was a bit surprised that Ron and Ginny were doing Martial Arts. Maybe this summer is just the beginning of something good. Maybe this year it will be different; a good different.