Harry swore to find a new way to travel continents soon as he once again fell to the ground sick after half an hour of spinning. This time though, he landed on the other side of the river with his trunk, so at least he didn't have to take a cool swim. Before he fell over, he was caught by the arms and firmly planted him on the ground. "Easy there Harry," The familiar voice of Alan said from behind them, "We can't have you injured the first day back. And good luck with figuring out a better way to travel countries."
"How did you?"
"How did I know you were thinking about improving the portkey? You aren't the first to have to travel this way before and everyone complains about the spinning. Now, did you follow some of the exercises I sent with you?"
Since Harry was leaving and would miss the first week or so of training, Alan and Alyss had come up with a light training regimen so he wouldn't be too far behind his friends. The legion only called for a certain degree of fitness to be maintained unless you wanted to take a quest. The level of fitness for quest taking was a bit higher as it should be. Many of the demigods at camp were either legacies or simply wanted as normal a life as they could get and not worry about the monsters coming for them and their families. Harry of course nodded.
"Good, good, you arrived two hours before your first magic lesson, so I guess it's time for you to be introduced to the other magic users of camp."
Alan led Harry to an out of the way building that looked more like a modern day prison than anything. It wasn't anything against the magicians, but it was the cheapest building design the Romans could find. With the freedom the camp provided and the resources Lady Hecate provided them they had experimental tendencies. These tendencies also tended to be a bit explosive. There used to be more buildings around them as well. Although the building wasn't much to look at on the outside, on the inside it looked rather impressive. There were no electronics in the lobby, but Harry assumed that was for magic users like him who would short out anything like that without extensive warding.
"This building may look relatively small on the inside, but we have made use of many expansion charms and similar spells to give us a bit more elbow room. All of our electronics are upstairs in the little clubhouse we have here, although don't tell anyone we actually call it that, and you will be allowed up there after about your fifth magic lesson. By then, you'll be expending a bit of magic every day and the ambient magic around you will be dissipated. For now, wait here as I gather up everybody and introductions can start."
It was only a minute or so, before people made trickled their way into the room, both impressively by the different types of magic and mundanely by them simply walking out of the doors and down the stairs. When all were assembled Alan and a Japanese looking female stepped forward.
"So you are our new core based magic user." She stated even though it was more of a question. "I am Amy Tokiwa and I'm the head of our little guild here. Let me see your wand." Cautiously Harry handed over his new holly and dragon heartstring wand to the older teen. "This is a tool," Amy said brandishing it in front of his face, "This is a focus. Your lessons will be taught by a variety of people in this room as well as in New Rome, but you will not grow dependent on this. Wandless magic and nonverbal magic is not something that requires a lot of power, but it does require quite a bit of practice. You will be taught all that is needed for your wanded wizarding tests, but you will be much better than what is asked for. You are Roman now, and we all are blessed by Hecate herself. Magic is in our lineage and therefore we all can reach the heights the best have come to reach. Do I make myself clear?"
Harry had grown nervous when his wand was taken and all attention was given to him, but as Amy spoke, his spine grew stiffer and his heart grew stronger. There was no hesitation in his voice as he answered her question with a clear "Yes."
"Good," Amy said while cracking her first smile that Harry had seen her with. "Sorry about that, but magic is a beast at the best of times to use and around here we like to poke the beast continuously. All magic users go through the same thing the first time they enter here. Ground rules for this building as now. Number one, you do not enter the upstairs portion before your magical teacher and I deem it okay. That's where we keep all the goodies, and we really don't want to have to buy more because an errant magical discharge shorted them out. Number two, no non-magical besides the Praetors or allowed in this building, so no girlfriend in here for extracurricular activity."
"What type of activity are you talking about Amy?"
"Have your parents given you the birds and the bees speech yet?" Alan asked.
"No," Harry said, sounding a little depressed, "Uncle Sirius wanted to tell me when I got back, but Mum yelled at him and told Dad that he had to teach me and my twin that lesson at the end of our second year."
A mischievous glint appeared in most of the magicians' eyes as they all began to think of the possibilities of getting an adult in trouble. A male in the back spoke up, "Amy, I would be proud to offer my assistance in teaching this young boy all he needs to know before he gets sent back next year. After all, who better to teach him than a son of Venus?" An unholy glint appeared in their eyes now.
"But my mum wanted my dad to teach it to me."
"You said your mom yelled after your uncle offered right?" Amy asked.
"Well yeah."
"And is your uncle a prankster?" Alan then asked.
Harry nodded and Amy went in for the kill. "Well there you have it, she probably just wanted to make sure you got the proper lesson. Your uncle would have most likely told you wrong for a few laughs. No, instead you can learn from us and surprise, Hades maybe you can even teach him, when he sits you down to talk."
Harry liked the idea of teaching his dad something and what Amy said made sense. Uncle Sirius would have probably told him wrong just for a few laughs. "Alright," He said, "That sounds good." The rest of the magicians chuckled, it felt good to corrupt someone's innocence, even if they had to wait almost two years.
-Hail Praetor Potter-
Harry's first lesson was a lot more interesting than it would have been if he had gone to Hogwarts. He didn't cast any spells, but learning how to power his core through other means, meditation, and the promise of having his animagus transformation completed by the end of his third year, more than made up for it. Now, it was down time for the legion meaning there were no more training sessions and lessons for the day, so everybody was free to do what they wanted. Harry made his way to the third cohort's barracks to see if he couldn't find Jason and Reyna. Harry didn't have to bother as he was tackled in a rather large hug as soon as he stepped into the barracks.
"When did you get back Harry?" Reyna asked in their not to innocent position that sent many of the older campers chuckling.
"I've been back about four hours now," Harry said as Jason gave them a hand up and they started wandering, "I just had my first magic lesson!"
"That's so cool Harry, can you show us a spell!" Jason asked excitedly.
Harry sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, "Sorry, I don't know any spells yet. But, I do know that tomorrow I'll learn a few."
"Oh," The two non-magicals were a bit disappointed, but they quickly bounced back as all children tend to do. "Well come on, there's tons of things to do. We must go explore!"
The three eleven year olds thoroughly explored all that they could find out about and reach that afternoon. They met Terminus and all agreed that he was a bit too grumpy. For an afternoon, all of them could be kids like they were supposed to be and if things were different in their pasts, may have been how they acted if given the chance. They didn't think of this though, and instead simply enjoyed an afternoon with friends. Everything else could wait.
-Hail Praetor Potter-
The moon was high overhead and illuminated the two figures on top of the Coliseum walls. The male figure had one are behind him, propping him up, as his feet hung over the edge. His other hand was slowly stroking the blonde hair of the second individual. They simply sat there, content in each other's presence and looking at the night sky.
"Those three you have will play large roles in the future of this camp won't they?" Alyss asked softly, trying not to disturb the peace of the night sky.
"They will be great, perhaps even legendary. I look forward to the next few years," Alan mused.
"Have you thought of what you want to do once you reach twenty-two?" She asked.
Alan sighed. Although it was still five years and a month away, twenty-two was the age where all legionnaires were asked to move aside. They would move to the reserve, but the barracks and a leadership position were not accessible to them on the usual day. "I don't know to be honest. I like New Rome and I like teaching, but to be here for the rest of my life. Something pretty special would have to happen to keep me interested."
"And if I were to ask you to stay?"
"If we are still together and you wanted me to stay, I'd build our own villa just to have you happy," He smiled down at her.
Alyss laughed as she gave him a quick peck on the lips, "That was so cheesy." Alan just shrugged with a grin on his face as he went in for a longer kiss. "I don't want to get up, this is too perfect."
"But I have new trainees that are just begging to be put through their paces," Alan whined.
"So these new recruits are more important than me?" Alyss asked, trying to be as cold as possible, but the effect was ruined as her eyes sparkled with laughter.
"Ha ha, you are so funny. Come on," Alan said lifting her up, "I'll walk you back to your house."
A/N: So this is a short chapter, but honestly this was a filler anyway. Next chapter is a skip to the World Cup and they will spend the year at Hogwarts. Harry won't participate, I'm just getting that out there, but Charles will follow canon on that day.
A few of you have asked about the Titan war and I will say that after the Tournament, the war will be taking care of and then they will return for Voldemort. Yes, Reyna will still be paired with Harry. I hope that this satisfies you all.
Until Next Time!