A/N Belongs to JKR. I make no $. Fencing competitions start as early as 11 years of age. Olympic Gymnasts can be as young as 14. I'm adding that specifically because of when age wise Harry is training and what he is training in. A Shinto is an antique type of Katana, typically approximately 40 inches total length with a blade length of 27 inches or so, weighing 1 lb 14 ounces. I picked it for two reasons, one it was one of the lightest blade weapons I could find that weren't basically knives, and two I like Japanese culture, etc, and this type of sword started with the letter S, which admittedly is a dumb reason to use it but still, I figured Salazar would be vain enough to pick it for that reason. I've tried to show how dull, monotonous, and repetitive training is, hopefully it didn't make it unreadable. Please review.

BLINK

Location: Death's abode

Time: Between Breath's (Sometime after James left Luna)

Death: "Head me my apprentice. Because you will be more powerful then most, maybe all of the other mortals, you must be careful. Do what is needed, not what you can. Try not to let your true power show, as having a bit left is a good surprise for you but not who you might end up fighting. You will be able to do some that no one else can, but remember, this is true for others which means some will have powers you do not. Practice your sight, however, for advice I would say do not teach it to your betrothed. You think we would not know? It was a close thing, I thought I would have to break your betrothal, however her mother agreed in principle, and it was enough. You both chose to roll the dice of chance, and it was enough. I must warn you though, you will need at least another, maybe as many as five more. That will be hard on you all. The daughter of the moon can see who would best fit, which is why I advise you to let her see what she can without your obstruction. Her sight is trouble enough without adding yours. We, you and I, must see to balance the scales. We must hope your training is enough. Seek the instruments, trust the fates, and love, love as best you can. I know I'm not a good teacher for that, so we must hope that the love you received these last years will be enough. You, you and her, must accept the second first when you show yourself, or roll the dice of chance again. Her life hangs in the balance, she has told you so. Be careful my apprentice, my son. The first cusp is almost upon us and there is only a razors edge between love, and death for them all. While death is the balance to life, as there can be no life without death, there must *be* a balance. This is why babies and young children are automatically given another chance through the cycle of life. To much death will bring ruin. To little death will also. You know the balance, and can see if a soul is working towards redemption. Redemption is a strange thing son, it can not be given, it must be earned, and the earner must want it, sometimes more than they want anything else. The soul will show if it is truly trying to earn it. Punish the wicked if you must, protect the innocent if you can, and uphold the balance. Now, practice with the staff, sword, and sythe. You will need all three along with your wand before you are done."

Harry starts to run every where he goes, trying to build up some stamina. Playing with Luna in the woods seems to have helped. Swimming in the streams, hiking the mountain paths. Still, lifting a sword, even as light of one as a British Hunting Sword (1 lb, 11 oz, or .88 kg) leads to exhaustion fairly quickly for someone that has never had to try to fight with one before.

Harry runs to the closest outbuilding, a low long hut that seems to disappear into the distance. Once he enters the door he finds stacks of swords, staves, scythes, slings, bows, quivers of arrows, pouches of shot, and pole-arms of all descriptions. Death is there, waiting to train him in any of the weapons, whichever are his favorites. The lightest first. Stance, footwork, parry, dodge, lunge, riposte, feint, Passata Sotto, Remise. An hour, then rest. Repeat. Water, a light snack. Practice, practice, practice. Muscle memory is needed. Muscle mass is needed. Start with rattan, then move up the weight of the blades. One day, Death shows Harry an enchantment. A saber with a raven etched into the handle.

Death "You will be fighting in the mortal realm with magic users that speak Latin, so this weapon might be a good fit. Stand back and watch." Death whispers over the blade, with a voice that carries even though the volume is slight, "punga". The saber flies from his hand, attacking the closest training dummy. Whack, thwack, thump. "subsisto". The saber stops, and floats back to Death's hand. "It attacks by itself, your skill isn't such an issue in that situation. It's also a good training tool as it will not try to kill, just disable." Harry "I'm still working on Latin, father. Was that attack and ?" Death "Stop. Strange how the Latin word is so much longer, still, it was enchanted when that was the primary spoken word in the area I was made. In dire straights, use 'punga mortem' instead. The blade was designed as a training blade, and was never meant for war, however that enchantment was added after the maker used the blade to save the life of his daughter. He'd hoped his daughter would never need it and she didn't. Her son did though. He did not live to learn the way of the sword. You must." Running, swimming, sword practice, parry, thrust, practice, practice, practice. Staff fighting, evasion, deflection, blocking, striking. Spin, sweep, thrust, strike, block. Eat, sleep, practice. Eat, sleep, run. Eat, sleep, fight. Every night, he dreams of Luna. Once a month he checks on her using the mirror of souls, an item that lets those who have passed on watch their loved ones from Death's side of the veil. Once a year on the day of their bonding, he goes to see her to renew the vows. Harry waits for Luna to call so they can try to save Xeno, but time doesn't seem to pass the same way on Death's side of the veil. Death tells Harry about his dad, and how he fought with honor and distinction in someplace called the Falklands. How one battle was so bad only two people walked out, and Death walked with them. Near the end of the training, Death hands over an antique Shinto. "Harry, please take this with my blessing. These past human years you have worked hard to be worthy of the charge I have given you to unite the Hollows, the instruments of Death, and collect the fractured soul of Tom Riddle. This Shinto will help with that. It was made by a superb master craftsman, one of the best that ever walked the mortal realm. It once belong to Salazar Slytherin and is yours by right of conquest, as is his house, lands, treasure and chattel. It will come to your side when summoned no matter the distance. There is a basilisk etched on the blade, and it was once said that to see this blade bared was to see death. His house has fallen into ill repute, and Salazar asked if you might try to work towards at least the redemption of the blade. Lastly, before you once again spend the majority of your time among the living, while there please refer to me as father. You and your allies are welcome in my house at need. You are welcome any time. Be well apprentice, and go forth."