Harry Potter had spent the entire night staring at the ceiling in thought. The "Battle of the Department of Mysteries" as the events of the previous night will come to be refered to was a disaster. Harry Potter and five of his fellow Dumbledore's Army members had stormed the Ministry of Magic in an attempt to free Sirius Black from Voldermort. Unknown to them it was all a clever trap by Voldermort to retrieve the Prophesy. Only the timely arrival of the Order of the Phoesnix ensured the teens escaped with their lives. All 5 of his fellow Dumbledore's Army members were in the Hospital Wing. Hermione and Ron might need to be transferred to Saint Mungo's for further as they suffered the worst of it.

He stood up from his bed and stared around the almost empty dorm room. Seamus and Dean were still sleeping peacefully, unaware of the events of the previous night. It was barely morning, daylight had just started creeping into the room through the windows.

He stood under the shower and stared the wall pensievely. The events of the previous night and the subsequent conversation in the Headmasters office weighed heavily on his mind. After returning from the Ministry using the portkey Dumbledore provided, he had thrashed Dumbledore's office in anger. He blamed Dumbledore for keeping him in the dark about the reason why he had been targeted all his life by the Dark Lord. Trelawny's Prophesy weighed heavy on his mind, the reason why his parents had to die protecting him, the reason why his friends were all injured in the Hospital Wing.

The walk to the Headmater's Office was quiet. Most of the castle were still asleep, having concluded the final exams the previous day. The students would all be leaving for summer the following day.

"Come in, Harry." He had barely raised his hands to knock the door before Dumbledore welcomed him into his Office. The Headmaster always had an uncanny way of knowing who was outside his door. Harry Potter walked into the office and looked around. The damage from his temper tantrum the previous night had being repaired overnight, most likely by the house elves of Hogwarts. "Have a seat my boy" Dumbledore said peering at Harry over his glasses, his eyes were not twinkling as usual. They were filled with sadness and unshed tears.

"I fear I have failed you. In my bid to protect you, I have left you more vulnerable to the manipulations of Voldermort. For that, I am deeply sorry." It was very rare to hear Dumbledore apologize for a mistake. Harry Potter nodded his head slightly in response to Dumbledore's apology.

"Before we proceed, I have some updates on the status of your friends." Dumbledore said.

"How are they? Are they going to be fine?" Harry Potter asked anxiously. He felt guilty for leading his friends into a trap and wanted more than anything for them to be fine. He couldn't imagine facing the Weasley's after what had happened.

Dumbledore raised his hands gesturing for Harry to calm down. "For the most part they will be fine. Although Hermione has been transfered to Saint Mungo's to receive proper care, she will be receive the best care under the experts at Saint Mungo's. The rest of your friends will be remain under the care of Poppy and will be released in the coming weeks."

"What about the Weasley's, have you informed them?" Harry asked. He dreaded facing the Weasleys, they had been nothing but kind to him and he had repaid them by leading their two youngest into an ambush.

"The Weasley's have been informed. They are currently in the Hospital Wing, I suggest seeing them after you leave here."

Harry nodded, although he didn't think he would go to see them. He assumed they would want to be alone for now.

"What about Voldermort? What is the Ministry going to do now that he has revelaed himself." Harry asked.

"I do not expect much from the Ministry but I beleive I can influence Fudge into taking more drastic steps against the Death Eaters now that Lucius Malfoy is in Askaban. We would have to start making preparations for war." Dumbledore said with a grim look on his face.

"War? I cannot fight him, and I don't see how love is the Power he knows not. How will love help me defeat him" The thought of facing Voldermort again sent shivers down Harry's spine. He didn't even know it was possible to possess someone in the manner Voldermort did. Voldermort was decades ahead in terms of knowledge, skill and experience.

"It is true that you cannot fight him and hope to win currently. There is a reason Voldermort is refered to as one of the Worst Dark Lords ever. He has gone further than any human ever in his pursuit of power through rituals and curses. He has knowledge of long forgotten curses, and he is the most brutal of them all. The first Wizarding war was a very horrible time, we lost a lot of talented Wizards to Voldermort. He made them look like kids when he fought them. Apart from myself only your Parents and the Longbottoms have ever manged to match him in battle. I had hoped to spare you from the burden of war but it seems It is your destiny."

"How did my Parents manage to match him, were they that powerful?"

"Your parents were very talented wizards, James was a Master at transfiguration and Lily a Mistress of Charms and Potions. They fought together like a well oiled machine, one defending and the other attacking. They were also very brutal against Death Eaters and didn't shy away from using the more dangerous magics to combat their enemy. Although I disagreed with their methods they saved many lives."

This was new information to Harry. He knew his dad was an excellent flier but he had no knowledge of their magical prowess. Maybe if he learnt to fight like them he could survive this coming war.

"I need to learn to fight like them. Train me."

"Unfortunately, I won't be able to train you."

"Why Not?" Harry said as he stood up angrily. "You saw what happened yesterday, I won't survive the next fight."

"Calm down Harry. With my responsibilities as the Headmaster and overseeing the war efforts I will not be able to dedicate the time needed to train you up. This doesn't mean I will leave you on your own."

"Who is going to train me then?" Harry asked.

"I always thought we would have time till you graduated from Hogwarts before facing the reality of Voldermort rising again. I wanted you to enjoy the years of your childhood without the burden of war, unfortunately that is a luxury none of us can afford any longer. I have taken the liberty of inviting an old friend of mine to oversee your training. He should be here any moment from now."

Knock knock, there was a knock on a Headmaster's door. "Come in Gabriel" Dumbledore said. Harry assumed Gabriel was Dumbledore's friend who was going to be training him.

"Albus, my old friend. I came as soon as I got your message." Gabriel was a beardless bald man with a kind looking face. He looked like someone who always had a smile on their face. He was of West African origin judging by his skin color and accent.

"Welcome my old friend" Albus said standing up to hug his old friend, his eyes were twinkling again. Harry was stunned, he had never seen Dumbledore hug anyone before. "This is my student Harry Potter, Harry, meet my old friend Gabriel. He is one of the most talented Wizards I know." Dumbledore said.

"You flatter me too much. If I remember correctly, you were the one who saved my village from the rampaging Chimaera." Gabrielreplied. Dumbledore laughed heartily and responded "I am sure we would have time to compare stories later. For now, we have serious matters to discuss."

"Harry Potter, Albus has told me a lot about you." Gabrielsaid extending his hands to Harry with a smile.

"It's nice to meet you Sir." Harry said, shaking Gabriels calloused hands.

"Gabriel runs a Private Wizarding Academy, it is an invitation only school and only the most talented of Wizards are invited." Harry had read about Private Wizarding Academies with Hermione during the Tri-Wizard tournament. She had dragged Harry to the Library with her to research on other schools for Wizard and Witches. PWAs were a new development in the Wizarding World, in fact the first PWA was established merely 15 years ago. Unlike regular wizarding schools, PWAs invite exceptionally talented students to join only after they have completed their OWLs. They help their students gain mastery in several estoric branches of magic like Rituals, Soul magic, Divination, Healing, Battle magic, Conjurations. Some of which are illegal to learn in certain countries, Britian being one of such countries. Harry didn't think he qualified to get an invitation to a PWA, his grades apart from Defense against the Dark Arts were average at best. Definitely not enough to be consired a talented Wizard.

"Albus has sent me your grades Harry and I have gone through them. Your grades are above average at best. Now Albus assures me that you are a very talented Wizard, your low grades only being a sign of lack of proper motivation." Gabriel said looking at Harry. Harry bowed his head slighly in shame. His upbringing at the Dursley's had imbibed in him a mindset of not standing out, even in his grades. The Dursleys hated it when he outperformed their precious Duddykins, "no way a freak was smarter than their precious boy, he obviously cheated." Vernon would say before locking him in the cupboard without dinner.

"But I am going to assume a newly arisen Dark Lord being after your live and that of your friends should be enough motivation to improve yourself. For a Wizard who conjured his first Corporeal Patronus capable of repeling over 100 dementors at 13 you must have some talents." Harry didn't think conjuring a Corporeal patronus was that big of a deal but for Gabriel to mention it, the patronus charm must be more advanced than he had imagined.

"Gabriel is the founder and headmaster of the first Private Wizarding Academy, Emrys Academy. Only the best and brightest are invited there." Dumbledore explained. Harry could already envison where this was going. "As I said earlier, I would not be able to train you myself Harry." Dumbledore continued

"What about Professor McGonagall and Flitwick? Can't they train me" Harry asked.

"While I have utmost faith in the abilities of Minerva and Filius, they cannot dedicate the time needed to train you with their other responsibilities to the School. Time is of the essense now, with the Dark Lord now revealed to the public it won't be long before he starts his campaign of terror. The Order of the Phoenix can keep him busy for the time being but eventually he would seek you out himself. The only place you can learn to protect yourself given the short time we have is at Emry Academy." Dumbledore concluded. Harry had to admit it made sense, McGonagall and Flitwick were already busy enough as Professors at Hogwarts not to mention their responsibilites with the Order of the Phoenix. Dumbledore was right, there was no time to wauste.

"That being said, Harry James Potter, you are officially invited to The Emry Academy" Gabriel said in an official voice as he handed Harry a very thick envelope. "This envelope contains everything you need to know about taking fellowship at The Emrys Academy. Do you accept the Invitation?" He continued as he handed over the envelope to Harry. Harry looked at Gabriel, it was obvious he was expecting an answer immediately and he didn't look like someone who would ask twice.

"I accept the invitation." Harry said. This was the only way for him to prepare for the coming war. He had to do what ever it takes to survive and protect his friends.

"Good, you should go pack your trunk. We are leaving within the hour." Gabriel said

"What? You mean we are leaving now. I thought I would be leaving after the summer." Harry was stunned. He had assumed that he would be resuming at Emrys in September like he usually did at Hogwarts.

"Emrys does not run on the same calendar we use at Hogwarts." Dumbledore explained

"It is open all round the year. I know you want to say goodbye to your friends before you leave, you can write a letter and I will deliver it to them." Dumbledore continued. He looked at Harry with a sombre expression, he understood Harry's reluctance to leave his friends without a goodbye.

"Also It would be impossible for me to get an International Portkey Permit to come pick you up again this Year. I used up all my favors to get the permit for this visit. Apparently the British wizard community are not very inviting to visitors from my part of the world." Gabriel said. Harry didn't know anything about International travel for Wizards. Apparently there was an immigration system, he had just assumed Wizards were apparating between countries without any checks.

"I will be waiting for you here. Make haste, we need to leave quickly so we can catch up with our Portkey." Gabriel said as Harry stood up and left to go pack his trunk.

"What do you think of him?" Dumbledore asked Gabriel once Harry was out of earshot. During their entire conversation Gabriel had been reading Harry's magical aura, the aura of a Wizard revealed a lot about them. All magic leave their traces, from the most basic charms to the darkest curse, they all leave an imprimt which only the most experienced wizards notice. Very few Wizards have mastered the art of sensing magic, it requires utmost patience to learn and takes years to master. Wizards who master it often find themselves working as curse breakers or enchantmenters. Gringotts in particular are always in need of curse breakers to explore long forgotten tombs for ancient relics. A very dangerous high paying job, without the ability to sense magic curse breakers might find themselves victims of ancient curses.

"I sense Death all over him, dark magic. Particularly in his scar." Gabriel said

"Yes, remnants of the killing curse he survived as a child." Dumbledore replied

"What I sense is not just remnants. The dark magic in his scar is as strong as ever, almost as if he just survived the killing curse today." Dark magic like the killing curse always leaves a strong imprint on the victim, particularly a victim who survived. "The aura of the killing curse ahould have faded after 14 years, but then we have no precedence for a victim surviving the killing curse, perhaps his mother did some obscure rituals which ensured his survival." Gabriel continued.

"Hmmm, I have considered the possibility but I have not managed to come across anny such ritual in all my years. " Dumbledore said.

"I will keep a close eyes on him, I am sure Morgan will have more insight when she see him."

Gabriel and Dumbledore proceeded to reminisce over old stories. During Dumbledore's time as Transfigutation Professor, he had spent a few summers traveling around the World to learn of new forms of magics and spells. Since he took the role of Headmaster, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confedration of Wizards, the work load had not allowed him to continue his summerly travels.

He had visited several old and hidden magical communities around the World. These communities guarded their secrets very jealously, and rarely welcomed strangers. It was during one of such travels he had met Gabriel, he had managed to warm his way into the village by assisting them in taking care of a rampaging Chimera. Gabriels tribe were worshippers of Shango, the God of Thunder and Lightning. While they were not experienced in the casting of intricate transfigurations, subtle charms and spells, they had the ability to call upon the power of the elements. Dumbledore had shared his knowledge of transfigurations with and in return they had taught him a little bit of their magic. Although their most powerful magics were tied to their bloodline and ancestry he was still able to learn a few things from them.

Harry knocked on the Headmaster's door, he had been able to quickly pack his trunk because the Dorm was empty. The rest of the boys had gone to the Great Hall for breakfast.

"Come in Harry, are you done packing?" Dumbledore asked

"Yes, this is a letter for Ron and Hermione." Harry replied as he handed Dumbledore two folded peices of parchment. He had written letters to Ron and Hermione explaining breifly why he had to leave without visiting them. It had taken him a while to compose his thoughts into the letter knowing fully well it would be a while before they meet again.

"I guess we will be on our way. Always great to see you Albus." Gabriel said as he stood up and shook hands with Dumbledore. Harry stepped out of the Headmaster's office behind Gabriel as they walked towards the gates of Hogwarts from where they could take a Portkey or Apparate.

As they approached the gates of Hogwarts Harry looked back at Hogwarts one last time, Hogwarts had been his home for the past 5 years and he had to leave it now. He would miss it very much, Hogwarts held a lot of special memories for him. Meeting his Godfather in the Shreiking Shack, riding on the back of an Hippogriff to save said Godfather, catching his first snitch. Those were some of his favorite memories of Hogwarts, but he had to go away, at least for now. As Harry left Hogwarts behind he took his first steps to becoming the Wizard he was destined to be.

Authors NOTE; I will try to update new chapters every 2 weeks, might increase the frequency of updates as time goes on.