(A/N All Harry Potter characters belong to JKR I'm just having fun with them)

Chapter 8

In the tent, Harry had moved his trunk near the couch and had it in bookshelf form, while reading from his copy of "Curses and Counter Curses", trying to improve his limited repertoire. It was easily an hour before Bill returned, having to report in on the days findings after dinner.

"So, what's with all the blushing around a certain Healer?" Bill's tone was playful, an eyebrow cocked mockingly high.

"It's these bloody contacts; I notice her chest, and these things consider that intent to look through her shirt. I can't even look at the witch without thinking about it. That's not all, she's noticed my blushing as well, and has taken to flirting with me." Harry's tone was exasperated.

"Must be rough, seeing a beautiful witch like that," Bill sounded less than sympathetic. "On a more serious note, thank you, funny or not, that dancing spell saved our arses. You really stepped up out there, and Ian told me about the Wyvern as well. You've got him impressed, that's not easy to do."

"Thanks," Harry said sheepishly, "I'm studying other hexes and curses now, in case something like that comes up again."

"That's good, 'cause it will. I was using Reducto, the wand motion is simply a jab in the direction you want to cast. It's about the fastest offensive hex I know. It is commonly used to blast objects out of the way. I think it was used in mining originally." Teacher Bill was back.

"I'll remember that, thanks."

"I'm tired, you have the eleven till midnight watch, stay within the wards and circle camp. Stay alert."

"Ok, I guess I'll read till then."

"I've got the last watch, so I'm off to bed now, see you in the morning."

Harry sat up reading, the book was almost like a dictionary; it listed curses and hexes in alphabetic order with their counter just below. As he skimmed through the book, he chose some to remember and others to skip. No use trying to memorize them all, some were just silly. He was nearly 300 pages in when it was time for his watch. Heading outside with a work robe on for warmth, he saw Annalisa coming around the back of his tent.

"Evening Harry, we haven't been properly introduced, I'm Annalisa Beucourt."

"Harry Potter," he replied, shaking her hand.

"Oh no, that's not the way at all; you must gently take my hand, bow, and press a light kiss on the back if I'm married; and just brush it with your lips if I am still courting a prospective husband. Her voice was light and soft.

"Very well then milady," Harry replied playing along. He bowed over her hand and placed a light kiss on the back.

"Well done, we'll make a charming gentleman out of you yet."

"I see you like a challenge."

"Maybe so, but it won't be, I think." She said contemplatively, with her finger tapping her lips, as she left for her tent with a light smile directed at Harry. "All was clear on my watch, young sir."

Harry continued walking the circle, listening to the sounds of the night, and feeling the cool breeze. It would have been pitch black if not for a light stone on top of the big tent. It gave off just enough light to be a comfort. All in all, it was a boring hour, but it gave him time to think about and practice the wand movements for the new spells he'd read about.

When Xo took over, he almost didn't notice his approach, he moved with such a quiet, graceful stride.

"All quiet," Harry said as he came around to Bill's tent, "good night."

The Chinaman just nodded and continued on.

Not too far away, on an island south of Port Royal by about seventy miles, Remus Lupin lay in the sand watching his friend running up the beach. It was a private island known as Black Isle, hidden behind old wards as well as some new ones. Sirius Black, the current owner and Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, was here to recuperate from a prolonged stay at Azkaban Prison.

"Moony, this is the life huh, relaxing in the warm sun? No stress, things are finally looking up. I just parrot posted a letter to Harry as well."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? His relatives don't tolerate magic well."

"It should be alright, I mean they couldn't get angry at him for receiving mail could they?"

"I would say so, but he can probably handle it."

"He is quite skilled, and speaking of, how about another practice duel?"

"Fine, but it is embarrassing to get beat by a straight out of jail wizard you know."

"Cut yourself a break Moony, I was the International Dueling Champ for three years running."

"Fine, but if this hurts, you can make your next batch of potion yourself."

The next days flew by in a blur of hacking jungle by day, and reading about more hexes by night for Harry. He had moved into the books left to him by the Flamel's. They really were good, some had huge lists of spells, and others discussed theory of various topics. His current book discussed casting spells and the role of intent and focus when doing so. Not only could the power be controlled, but effect as well. The book also mentioned Occlumency several times, as a most useful skill for all magic users. Already appreciating the benefits of memory, he resolved to research this skill as well.

It was just recently however that Harry had looked at the Pensieve, it was quite a surprise to find himself within a memory. The detail, and the fact that he could see everything, was fascinating. It seems that many of the memories were of Nicholas giving lectures about different topics to wizards and witches in a large auditorium. After the first memory Harry watched, he came out in a panic thinking he was late for his watch. He stumbled out of the Pensieve, and looking at his watch, damn, it had stopped working. Stepping outside he found that it was still light, certainly not midnight yet. He had spent only twenty minutes or so watching a two hour lecture on wand movements and the positive effects of precision movements in spell casting. He stood in thought in the doorway to the tent.

"Hey Harry, looking through the walls of Alessandra's tent?" Bill asked with a big grin as he walked up to the tent.

"No," Harry responded seriously, "come in here. I need to show you this."

Bill did as asked, slightly worried by Harry's tone. When he did, he saw a small chest and stone bowl on Harry's trunk. It was glowing with the light of a silvery liquid.

"What's all this, then?" Bill pointed at the bowl.

"It's a Pensieve, it views a memory, that's what all these are. Harry waved his hand over the chest. It was given to me by the Flamel's, I just watched a two hour lecture that Nicholas gave almost 300 years ago, and it took only twenty minutes."

"That's what they meant in that letter, it said they gave you their treasure. I wondered if it was a lot of gold, but thought it rude to ask."

Harry nodded, it did make sense. He used his wand to scoop up the memory and place it back it the vial, returning it to the chest and looking at the labels of the others. This time he saw one that was in the front and labeled 'View First'. Taking it and pouring it into the Pensieve, he turned to look at Bill.

"All you have to do is put your finger in it, coming?"

With that, Harry found himself looking at a comfortable study with what could only be Nicholas and Penerelle Flamel, sitting on a small couch. Bill appeared beside him, looking around in stunned belief.

"Harry Potter, we made this memory to guide you in the use of a Pensieve,"

Penerelle was talking to but not quite looking at him. Bill seemed stunned, but was paying rapt attention. She went on to describe the uses and methods for Pensieve's, how memories could be pulled from the mind, and how to return them. Harry listened carefully, and watched her demonstrate all the things she explained. Then Nicholas spoke for the first time.

"You will find many memories that we have collected, some are lessons in what we consider the basics of becoming a capable wizard, some are historical events we witnessed, and the others are just because we thought they would help you get to know and understand us better. In any event, they are yours. I give you warning, some people or officials of the Ministry would try to confiscate them, so use discretion."

The memory ended, and they were returned to the tent. Neither spoke for a few moments, Harry thinking of the potential for learning and also how it could be used if Sirius or Remus were present. Bill knew it could be of help for studying the site they were trying to enter.

"I'll keep this to myself Harry, would you mind if I use it as well?"

"No, I mean, yes you can use it too, let's just not tell anyone else."

"Sounds good, wanta watch another?"

"Yeah!" Harry said as if it were obvious, and scooped up the memory as Bill picked out another.

That night on Harry's watch, he took over for Belle, who was so tired, she barely nodded as she left for her tent. Harry watched her go, it wasn't that she was out of shape, just not used to all the activities, he thought. He walked the now well worn circle path around the tents, slowly lost in thought, but still watching the darkness around him. After that first watch he had learned not to look at the light stone in camp, as it took away some of his night vision, still, he could see very well. After a few laps, boredom set in, and Harry started looking at the creature repellant ward with mage sight, and then switched to looking through trees, before a slight sound caught his attention, causing him to look up. Barns' tent was there, and he saw right through the walls. Barns was standing in front of a mirror, flexing his arm muscles to himself, causing Harry to snicker. Looking past Barns' tent, the next tent he saw was all dark. Switching to mage sight, he saw that enchantments on the tents looked similar to those on the Burrow, "makes sense," he thought. It was then he started to notice a slight drain on his magic, and wondering if using his contacts cost so much energy, he returned to normal sight.

The first thing he saw was a black shadow slide across the trail. "Liethifold" he thought, he recognized it from Professor Lupin's dark creatures class.

"Expecto Patronum!" Prongs lit up the night, chasing after the dark shape.

"What was it?" asked Owen, who had been just leaving his tent to take over the watch.

"Liethifold," Harry replied calmly, after Dementors he wasn't fazed in the least. "I felt its draw on my magic first, then saw it. Looks a little like a dirty rug."

"Good job, that was some Patronus." Owen seemed slightly out of breath, but his wand was up and held steady. "I'll take over now, you go get some rest."

Owen's voice had a touch of surprise in it. He had expected Belle or Harry to set off an alarm if something unusual occurred, not just deal with it in such a relaxed manner.

The next morning saw everyone in the Big Tent after breakfast, looking to Ian who wanted a meeting.

"Well, that was another excellent breakfast, you Helpers are getting off easy this trip, thanks to Chef Dobby. I want Bill, Annalisa, Owen, and Xo with me, the rest stay away from the site at this time. We will complete the preliminary site survey, to figure out these concealment wards. It will take some time with the erratic shape of the ward lines. This will be a tricky and dangerous task. Any questions?"

"Lone Feather and I plan to head toward the river looking for plants, can we take the Helpers?" This was asked by Denny, in an almost whining voice.

"That's fine with me, if it's ok with Bill and Annalisa."

Bill looked at Harry and nodded, but Annalisa had tasks for Belle. Ian looked up, to announce that everyone was to regroup by two o'clock.

Harry left to pack his gear, agreeing to meet Denny in an hour. He was halfway to his tent, when a large red bird landed on his shoulder. He stayed still not knowing what to do. After a bit a loud voice in his ear caused him to jump.

"Take the Letter-Don't have all Day!" The voice squawked.

A parrot, it was a parrot with a letter tied to its leg. Looking around to make sure no one saw him scared of the bird, he took both the note and bird into Bill's tent. He offered it some water, but this apparently wasn't good enough.

"Mai-Tai and Mangos!" The bird squawked in a snobbish sort of way.

"Err… I only have water," Harry said slowly, holding out a cup.

"Uncouth, people." The parrot insulted, cocking its head to the side.

"Right, I'm sorry," Harry said, incredulous at having this conversation with a bird.

"Charmed, I'm sure. Winston Redcrest the III at your service, Sorry."

"No, my name is…never mind, I don't have time for this." Harry put the water in front of "Winston", and took the letter.

Mr. Harry J Potter – Junior Marauder

Harry, how are things? We can exchange letters with the bird that brought

this missive. You shouldn't send your own owl, it's quite a journey. By the way, don't get the Parrot started on its "Qualifications" or you'll get an earful. Moony and I are relaxing, and regaining our health, if you know what I mean. It's all white sand and blue water for us old dogs to play in. Wish you were here, write back.

Padfoot & Moony

Smiling, Harry quickly wrote, detailing about what had happened so far, where he was, and who he was with.

Padfoot and Moony,

I am doing well now, but it started pretty rough. My uncle killed Hedwig and ditched me, but I'm ok now. I met Bill Weasley, and he needed help, so I'm with him. Lots has happened lately, at Gringotts I was left things from the Flamel's. Did you know Penerell was a Potter? I found out I had a family vault, but there's not much in it. I am learning loads of magic, I even sailed a ship. I am a Cursebreaker's Helper now. I got to hurry now though. Can you write back? I hope so.

HJP

A quick Impervious charm on the parchment and a small bit of string, and the parrot flew off to the north, still angry over Harry's lack of mangos.

Harry soon saw why Denny had wanted a Helper. The fatso could hardly travel on a cleared path, much less clear his own at the same time. This was left to Harry, as Lone Feather just gave him a slight smile and turned into a crow, hopping from branch to branch just behind Harry's path of destruction.

"Hold up there boy, I need to collect the leaves of this bush here. They sell for 2 Sickles a leaf." Harry gritted his teeth at the pompous man calling him boy. Lone Feather perched above, watching the area around. Harry chugged some water, and practiced some different hexes on a tree as he waited. It didn't take long, and they were on their way again. Several stops later saw them to the edge of a fast flowing stream, large rocks in the middle the tops covered in moss, the water splashing on the other half keeping it clean.

"The moss is what we're after: it's a useful potion ingredient, six Sickles an ounce, after being ground down of course." He handed Harry a bag, an instructed him to hop onto the boulders, and put all the moss into the bag. Harry grumbled, but did as told, the bag held a surprising amount of moss. "Must be enchanted," Harry thought. After an hour of collecting, and fully testing the waterproof charms on his boots, he returned a full bag to Denny, who was sitting on a log dozing in the sun. Lone Feather was nowhere to be seen. Handing the bag over woke the Herbologist.

"Better head back then, what say you?"

"Yeah, that'd be great, actually. Where is Lone Feather?"

"Around somewhere I suspect, come let us go." Denny rocked back and forth to gain momentum and struggled to his feet. Harry had to work not to laugh at this. They began heading up the trail, when a slight rustle caused Harry to look back. He saw a Green Tree Boa wrapped around a dark bird.

"Let it go," he hissed to the snake. It looked up at him curiously.

"Why, should I?" It asked.

"The bird is a friend," Harry said with menace, oh, how he hated snakes. He started to draw his wand, watching the snake's tongue flicker.

"Very well speaker, I shall do as asked." The snake uncoiled slowly, slithering back from the crow. As soon as it was away, Lone Feather transformed. He was rubbing his neck and gasping. The snake was slithering away quickly, when Harry heard it hiss, "I must find another lunch."

Denny was backing away, and looking shocked. Lone Feather stood, weaving, and croaked out a thank you. He tapped his neck with his wand, and a slight glow of a numbing charm was seen.

"I just helped; it wasn't that big a deal," Harry said.

"Perhaps to you, but I was the one stuck with a snake wrapped around my neck. I couldn't change back until it was off, so you did save my life, thank you." The words were quietly said, pain evident, but the meaning was clear. Harry bowed his head in acknowledgement.

"You have a valuable gift to speak to other creatures. One I wish I had as well."

"People back home think its dark magic." Harry said bitterly.

"It is not, nature magic maybe, but dark no, not unless you use it that way."

"I say, do you need help, chap?" Denny interrupted. Lone Feather's eyes glinted, remembering the sleeping fool would not wake, during all his thrashing and falling from a tree, but the young man turned to a slight rustle of his wing.

"No," he replied slowly, "let us return to camp."

The trip back was slow; Lone Feather rubbing his neck, and Denny slowing them down to pretend to look at a plant while catching his breath. It was a grateful Harry that met Bill in the Big Tent.

"It's going to take some time to get into this one Harry. The Warder used a sunburst pattern to place his runes, probably due to their worship of the sun. What that means for us, is a lot of Arithmancy before we can be placing our own function runes in to override theirs," Bill explained. Harry nodded his understanding, a little confused at how one ward counters another.

"What do you need me to do?"

"We have to cast some spells at the wards that test the interactions with the wards energy. This is the boring part; you will just follow me around writing down readings as I call them out." Harry shrugged, and went to get a bite to eat; he seemed to be eating a lot.

Lone Feather and Denny were speaking with Ian, and placing the plant findings with the collected spider venom. Ian looked at Harry as he was standing up, and nodded, recognizing his help again.

Bill was right, it could be a little boring, but Harry was actually glad of the slow pace. His mornings were spent with Bill, copying down equations and facts on the wards that Harry really didn't understand much of, even though Bill explained it all clearly. Harry felt bad, until Bill told him it was very advanced Arithmancy, and it was over the Hogwarts and NEWT level anyway. After lunch; Bill, Annalisa, and Ian, would sit and share notes, and brainstorm on how to proceed, where to test next, and what to expect.

Belle was carving various runes into dragon bone as directed by Annalisa, Harry was planning to help, but lacked the knowledge, and as Bill did not have the time to teach him at the moment, and it was easer to let her get on with it. So Harry's afternoons were free for a while, he dove into studying, and actually doing his summer homework. He also spent much of his time in the Pensieve when Bill wasn't using it, to review the day's work.