"I believe that life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel, but we are well equipped for it if only we tap into our talents and gifts and allow them to blossom."
~Les Brown

Harry walked down the corridor, his steps never faltering as he made his way through the castle. He had been here for two weeks now and in that time he had learnt so much more than he ever had at Hogwarts. He knew however that it was probably because he was actually applying himself to the task at hand instead of breezing along on Hermione's notes. Tom was an excellent teacher like Lysander had said, he had improved vastly in the two weeks and now Tom felt confident that he could begin applying magic to his fighting. He was however nervous of this and, as he turned a corner, he shuddered to think what he would do. Harry's magical core was the strongest one that the vampyre Lord had ever seen and Alderan had been around for over a millennia so it was fair to say that that was abnormal. Entering the chamber Harry shoved these thoughts away quickly in fear of his mentor seeing them.

Tom was sitting cross legged in the middle of the chamber, his hands were resting on his knees and his eyes were shut. A candle lay in front of him, its flame flickering as it was disturbed by the magic rippling around the room. Stepping closer Harry saw purple, ghost-like tendrils snake out from Tom and zoom towards him. Harry gasped as Tom's magic hit him, running over him in waves. His magic was like nothing Harry had ever felt, it seemed to sing to his own magic, calling out to it and Harry watched in fascination as misty green tendrils swirled around him, mingling with Tom's magic. As the two magic's combined Harry moaned as he was blanketed in them. The formed a shield around him and the pleasure was so intense that Harry felt his knees beginning to buckle. Tom's magic was electrifying, coating his skin and sending jolts of pleasure through his hyper sensitive nerves. Then suddenly it stopped and Harry was left with a sense of loss as the tendrils retracted back to their owners. Tom's eyes snapped open and took in the flushed form of his student, panting and shaking before him.

"Enjoy that did you?" he asked, his voice ringing with amusement as he looked at the bulge in the front of Harry's trousers. Harry was unable to respond and willed away his erection, focusing on anything but Tom's piercing stare. Slowly his panting ceased and his skin returned to its normal pale colour.

"What was that?" he asked, his embarrassment evident as he blushed again.

"I was meditating, focusing my magic and controlling it. One cannot fight properly if one cannot control ones magic" somehow Tom was turning this into part of the lesson and, with a shock, Harry realised that it actually was.

"You planned that!" he said, his surprise evident in his voice but there was also an inexplicable sense of disappointment. Ignoring this he walked over to Tom, assuming the cross-legged position opposite his mentor.

"In battle excess magic is excreted by spells and since vampyres senses are heightened this can distracted younglings leading them to be at a disadvantage, and therefore more likely killed. Alderan has asked that I teach you how to repel stray magic, of course you shouldn't experience it at the concentration you just did however," added Tom with a smirk, "While we practice spells the magic concentration in this room shall increase, when we spar I want you to wrap your own magic around you like a shield, it should protect you from the excess. Now however concentrate on your magic, breath deeply and signal your thoughts to your magical core. I want you to try and control your magic instead of letting it flow where it pleases. Once you feel that you can control it we can begin to train it."

Closing his eyes, Harry dove through his thoughts. His surroundings were completely black but every now and again he would see the white outline of a door that lead to another part of his consciousness. Swimming further into the blackness he saw a small orb of light appear in the distance and made his way towards it. It was green and pulsated slightly, small waves rippling across the bright emerald surface. Now and again the waves would carry with them red and gold streaks, cutting through the emerald. However it never detracted from the image, it made it seem beautiful in a tainted kind of way. It was as though it were a fallen angel, marred by the scars that adorned its body. Swimming further he touched the green surface and was sucked into the emerald expanse, flowing with the colours as if he too were part of the spectrum.

'Your getting distracted' echoed Tom's voice, looking around Harry saw with a start that Tom was beside him. He was surrounded by a purple glow, covering his skin but sometimes dotted with gold and ice blue. He was utterly breathtaking as the colours swarmed in front of his face, illuminating him and making him appear more unearthly than usual.

'What are you doing here?' asked Harry, his voice echoed all around him as if it were the surroundings too asking the question.

'How can I train you if I can't be with you?' came Tom's voice, the smirk twisting through the words like an undercurrent.

Harry found now that he was being dragged along by the current, being pulled deeper into the depths of his magic. Struggling against the tide he tried to grasp onto Tom but his hands went through him like he was a ghost.

'I'm not here, I'm just a projection. Command your magic to obey you or you will be consumed by it" ordered Tom.

Harry was tiring fast now and his magic was relentless, it came at him in large waves that sent him tumbling deeper through the emerald ocean like a shipwrecked sailor. Unsure what way was up all he saw was the green surrounding him. It was calmer here and instead of being swept away by the current he was just nudged lightly. Calmness spread throughout him as he floated, he found that he had no need for breathing and assumed that he, like Tom, was only a projection. His muscles felt like lead weights and as he was slowly dragged deeper he felt his eyelids growing heavy, begging to be allowed to shut. He almost gave in to the urge before a sharp voice brought him back to awareness.

'Harry listen to me, you need to command your magic to obey you, this is a trap.'

Where had he heard that voice before? It seemed familiar but he was just so tired, maybe a few minutes of sleep would help him gain the energy to focus more.

'Harry no! Don't do that! You have to listen to me, command your magic.'

Urgh if only that stupid voice would shut up he could get some sleep! Snapping open his eyes in irritation he decided that maybe his he did what the voice asked he would be able to rest. Conjuring up his remaining energy reserves he let it surround him like a cloak.

'Obey me, you are mine and so you shall do as I command!' he bellowed, his voice resonating through the liquid. Immediately after this the lulling waves became angrier. They hit into him, barrelling him further into the expanse. Slowly the green water darkened until all he could barely see anything, swimming further he squinted in the half light. It was too quiet, far too quiet. The water was getting thicker now making it harder to keep going, his brief spurt of energy had drained him considerably, and now it was only through determination that he continued on. Soon he came up against a barrier, the liquid had congealed to form a giant mass preventing him from going any further. Swimming back he then catapulted himself forwards breaking through the barrier and out into the light.

'You have reached the centre of your core, now command it to obey you once more.'

A golden orb was at the centre of the light. It was beautiful, the glassy surface rippled slightly at Harry's approach, as if his movements disturbed it somehow. Gazing at its surface his eyes burned at the brightness but he never cared. He wanted to touch it so badly. Raising trembling fingers to the surface he reached out to it-

'Don't touch it, its power will destroy you, complete your mission and return.'

Retracting his hand Harry gave one longing look at the orb before swimming away from it. Turning back he looked at it before clasping his hands together. Summoning the dregs of his energy his let it swirl around him before continuing.

'Obey me, you are mine and so you shall do as I command' his voice echoed and when it reached the orb the surface dimmed a little, a new crystalline layer had formed on top and he could see the molten gold lashing at it violently but still it would not give.

'Take me back' he ordered. Gold bonds wrapped around his wrists before stretching outwards back from where he had came. They must have reached the other side for Harry found himself pulled along quickly and before he knew it he was opening his eyes.

"Good Harry" said Tom, "Now you have contained your magic we can get on with the lesson."

"Can I rest a little first?" asked Harry, his eyes drooping as his fatigue made itself known. Without waiting for a response Harry curled up on the cushioned floor before slipping into a gentle slumber.

Tom smiled at the endearing sight, his mask broken for a few moments as he let the boy rest. He truly was a remarkable child and his magic couldn't have been easy to contain. Taking pity on him he lifted Harry up and walked to the door at the back of the room, unwilling to Phase Harry back to his own in case he woke him. Wandlessly opening the door, he kicked it open a little further with his foot. Heading through the lounge they entered his bedroom, placing Harry gently on the soft mattress before pulling back and looking at his sleeping form. His heart lurched painfully as Harry gave a sob. Creasing his brow he took a step back. He couldn't allow himself to become further involved with the childe. Their destinies were already entwined enough without adding another complication. Hearing the boy cry once more Tom's curiosity got the better of him and he dived into Harry's mind, thankful that his heightened legilimency skill meant that he never had to have eye contact.

The grounds of Hogwarts was eerily silent as Harry walked across them briskly. Tom saw him march right past him, entering the confines of the castle and followed quickly. Through the doors however was not the entrance hall but a cosy room. There was no furniture and the cluster of people stood awkwardly, gazing at Harry as if he had some disease.

'You traitor' screamed a red headed boy with a long nose.

'How could you do this to us?' asked a girl with bushy brown hair, tears running down her cheeks.

'I'm sorry I -' began Harry desperately.

'Sorry doesn't cover it. I died for you and you betray me by joining Voldemort' said a handsome man with long brown hair.

'Sirius, its not like that please-'

'Harry he has killed hundreds of innocent people' said a woman with flame red hair that Tom recognised as Lily Potter.

'You've disappointed me son' sighed a man with messy black hair and hazel eyes, curling his arm around Lily's waist making Tom realise that he was James Potter.

Tom had seen enough and exited Harry's mind. The childe remained asleep, his face serene with only the occasional whimper to indicate that his dreams were anything but nice. Tearing his gaze away from his form Tom strode out of the room, his mask back in place but his mind lingering on the scene he had witnessed.

Harry opened his eyes and stretched, yawning slightly as he took in his surroundings. The room was painted a pale blue with much the same furniture that he had in his own. The only indication, apart from the walls that he wasn't in his room was the green bedspread that he lay on. Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes. Instead of feeling confused that he was in someone else's room he felt oddly calm. It was strange and he got the impression as if he almost belonged there. Shaking his head to dispel such ridiculous thoughts he got out of the bed and made his way towards the door. In the room beyond there was a comfortable looking couch with a table in front and a bookcase in the corner. A lamp hung from the ceiling but was rendered unnecessary by the light beaming in from the two large windows and in between them was a fireplace. Sitting on the couch was Tom, he was leafing through the book, a bored expression on his face. Every now and again he looked out of the window longingly, as if he wished to be out enjoying the summer instead of stuck in here. Wondering why he was forcing himself to stay inside Harry realised with a stab of guilt that it was probably because of him.

"Ah good you are awake, would you like something to eat or do you want to continue with the lesson" said Tom looking over at Harry before closing the book and placing it back in the bookcase. Harry's stomach growled in anticipation of a meal and Tom, picking up on it, smiled before walking through to an adjacent room. Waiting for a few moments Tom came back through with a tray with a plate of sandwiches on it and a glass of what Harry guessed was blood. Placing it on the table Tom motioned for Harry to sit down next to him on the couch. Moving forward Harry sat down and leaned back luxuriously before taking a sandwich and biting into it.

"Harry, I heard you talking in your sleep and I just wanted to say that if you want to talk about anything then don't hesitate to come to me, we are a lot more alike than you realise" said Tom. Looking over at the man Harry saw concern flash in his eyes before it was quickly replaced with a mask on indifference.

Finishing his sandwich Harry took a sip of the blood, his eyes rolling back in his head as the pleasure it brought assailed him. Recovering he saw Tom stare at him before hastily saying that he was ready to which his only response was an amused smirk.

Standing in the middle of the arena Harry watched in amazement as Tom ran forward, using his speed to lift himself of the ground and throwing a ball of flame from his palm towards a dummy that stood before him. The dummy ignited and Harry gazed as it turned to ash, the heat of the blaze warming him in the otherwise chilly room. Seeing Tom motion him forward he took his place before the ashes as Tom repaired the dummy with a quick move of his hand. Signalling that he should start Harry ran and let himself be lifted in the air. Channelling his magic from his core he felt it spread from his chest up his left arm. Imagining a burning flame his eyes widened as a ball of flame shot out of his hand and hit the dummy. In his surprise however he forgot that his speed was the only thing keeping him in the air and crashed to the floor, bouncing slightly as he came into contact with the enchanted tiles. Straightening himself up he looked over to Tom who was staring at him, his expression calm but amazement lingering behind his blue eyes. Smiling to himself Harry walked back over to Tom.

"Try it with water" said Tom, his eyes burning with curiosity.

Eventually Harry ended up doing the same move over and over again except using different elements each time. He never really got used to the rush of power he felt flowing through him when he released his magic but each time he saw Tom still held the same amazement in his eyes. When the lesson ended Tom reminded him of the ritual that night before going back into his chambers and acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Leaving the arena Harry walked back to his room, he was happy with his performance today but it was mild in comparison to what had transpired between him and Tom. He felt that he was finally getting to know the man in some way and that today some barrier had fallen between them. He couldn't honestly say that never scared him but what frightened him most was the part of him that was thrilled by it. Shuddering at the memory of Tom's magic he entered his room and tried to focus his mind on getting ready for the ritual.

A/N: Hey guys thanks for the feedback! Sorry for the late update I've been busy with my other fics. Remember that Tom is Harry's mentor and so it would be natural to be concerned about your charge, there is an attraction between them but most of the signs can easily be interpreted as a mentor/pupil relationship - Harry's reaction to Tom's magic was not because it was Tom but because of the power behind it, likewiseTom taking Harry to his room was because he was concerned for him and never wanted to wake him by Phasing to his own not because he loves him. I'm wanting to develop their relationship slowly but I don't want people getting the wrong impression at this stage :)

As for the different levels of the magical core, I really hadn't planned that and I just seemed to fit. If anyone has any questions I'll try and answer them to the best of my ability but I confess that I'm still trying to wrap my head around some of the things I wrote in that scene!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

I apologise for any spelling and/or grammar mistakes contained within this chapter.

Please Review!