SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1991 :

HARRY POV

Over a week has passed since the incident at the zoo. The events of that day are still eluding me. I've thought about it for a while, but I can't quite figure out what happened that day. Snakes can't be understood and talked back to. How can we? The possibility shouldn't exist. Nevertheless, I managed to do it. Everything that was supposed to be impossible happened, precisely as it had done before. There have been occasions when I've wondered whether I'm going crazy, but I think I'm still sane.

Running along the usual path I take for my morning run, I reached the end of our neighborhood. I should now make my way back, also have to prepare breakfast, and then go to the library. Upon returning home, I freshen up, finish cooking breakfast, get my books from my bed, and head for the library. There were a few people in the library, mostly university students. As expected, the librarian was delighted to see me. I approach the librarian's desk to return the books I borrowed the previous time.

" Are you done with these? " She inquired.

" Yes, Mrs. Adler. " Is it necessary for her to ask this every time? Is it so difficult to comprehend that I finished these works in a week? Perhaps it is when an 11-year-old reads university-level material. I could simply be glancing at the photographs to her.

" Could you please help me in sorting these? " She said, referring to a stack of returned books.

" Sure, Mrs. Adler, I'll take care of it." It wasn't a difficult task, and she would let me use the internet section if I did it for her.

After completing the task assigned to me. I browse for titles that could pique my interest. Nothing, in particular, caught my attention that much. So I go to the designated spot, where my contacts drop off their assignments. There were three assignments that were to be finished. Around 10 Pounds can be made from these. All right, let's get this done. Finishing off the assignments, I drop them off.

Browsing through various shelves, I come across a book on Relative Physics. Relative physics is by far the most fascinating subject after quantum mechanics, therefore this could be quite intriguing. After picking it up, I proceed to my customary spot away from the other library patrons. I spend most of my time in the library on weekends. My relatives wish to interact with me as little as possible. The feeling is mutual. Hence, the majority of my time is spent at the library.

In the evening, I leave the library and head to master Kaito's place to continue my weapons training. For over two weeks now, I've learning to use weapons from him. Our first lesson was on how to hold a knife properly. Then he used it to teach me some blocks. He asked me to develop my own strike patterns rather than teaching me any. I just copied his, when he attacked me, to help perfect my blocks. Sadly, he didn't find it amusing. According to him, I was competent with a today, we will begin training with the traditional Japanese sword, the KATANA.

The name Kaito is appropriate. It means "strong" in sense in Japanese, which he actually is or was in his prime days. There isn't a doorbell in Master Kaito's home. He says it annoys him, so he removed it when he moved in. Rather, he has a bronze knocker attached to his wooden door. I wait for Master Kaito to let me in by knocking on his door.

" Didn't expect you to come around today " He says as he opens the door.

" I can't just stay away from a man as lovely as you now, can I? " I make an effort to sound genuine and unsarcastic, despite the fact that I have no idea how to do either.

" Don't be cheeky with me, brat. We have a lot to do." With a gesture of his hand, he beckoned me in. Two sheathed katanas were placed parallel to each other on the floor in the training room.

"Do we start today?" I inquire.

"Yes, we begin today, and this is the final lesson that I will teach you" he responds. Final? What exactly does he mean by "final?" In comparison to his, my techniques are still in their infancy. How can he suggest that this is the last lesson?

"But, Master, I continue to lose to you. My methods pale in comparison to yours." I inform him.

"Years of practice and perfecting my talents are the reason you lose. You've been learning from me for four years? How can you compare four years to forty?" Is he under the notion that I am ignorant of this? Oh! Please, I'm not naïve enough to think I can compete with his skills. After all, he has years of hard work on his side.

"I don't mean it in that way, Master. What I mean is that I still have to perfect my moves; wouldn't you be helping me with that?" I ask of him. I wonder what his response will be? Probably it will be along the lines of "I taught you how to walk; you will have to learn to run on your own".

"That is something you must undertake on your own. I won't be helping you with everything." His response follows. After all, he did say something like that. How did I figure it out? I read a story in which the primary character's instructor mentioned the same thing. Master Kaito is repeating that to me right now. Does this imply I'm also the main character in someone else's story? What an intriguing but completely useless theory.

"Do you want to learn how to use that? Or should we spend the day debating philosophical ideas?" He stated this while pointing to the sheathed katanas placed on the floor.

"How should I start?" I move closer to the blade.

" Follow my lead." After saying so, he took a blade from the ground and held it by the handle, in a way that the outward curvature was towards the ground. Is this the right way to hold a katana? Why is it done this way? There must be a purpose for it. Oh! So the blade doesn't fall out and hurt us? That is the only explanation I can think of.

" Have you figured out why you're holding it this way?" He asks as I follow his lead and hold the katana in the same way he does.

"Yes, Sensei" I did pick up little Japanese after meeting him. That is how I discovered what his name represents.

"Same as last time, we begin by learning blocks. Why is this the case?" He inquires while demonstrating a few basic blocks with the sword still sheathed.

"So the blade doesn't fall out and accidentally slice my arm." I'm hoping this is the reason.

"Yes, and keep that in mind, many people have lost their arms because they forgot." I like having both of my arms, I'm not going to forget that anytime soon.

"I'm going to attack you now, block." He didn't even pause to let those comments sink in before launching an attack. Maybe this is why we are doing this with the blades still sheathed so that I can grow used to the blade's weight and build faster reflexes and still have all of my body parts attached at the end. If things were that simple, I'd be a happy man. Ignoring the reality that I have no idea how to be a happy man.

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1991 :

HARRY POV

My entire body is sore after yesterday's practice session. That old geezer was far too harsh on me. At his age, how can he maintain that speed and pack that much strength into his blows? I don't understand it at all. I'm in no mood to wake up. Though I'm afraid I must. The sooner I have breakfast ready, the sooner I can get out of here. I was considering traveling to London today to get my eyes checked and to pick up a few books.

By 8:00, I'm on the metro and on my way to London. There were eye physicians in Surrey as well, but none who would see an 11-year-old without the presence of his parents or guardians. In London? Sure, not at the urban hospitals, but there were plenty of people in the back alleyways who wouldn't mind overlooking my lack of guardian for a few more extra pounds. It'll take some time to reach London, so I have some time to kill. Maybe get some reading done? Yeah, that sounds excellent.

yo guys this is author speaking not Harry.

Just wanted to let you know interaction with magical world starts from next chapter.

Next come will come a bit late as I want it to be long.

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