Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. One Piece belongs to Oda. Special thanks to my beta AurthorA97

Chapter 16

Education

Many months have passed since Minerva first met her students. The four months reminded her how powerful they were before as well. Chosen One or not, Harry was a powerful wizard in his own right. What Minerva could recall of teaching Luna Lovegood, the Ravenclaw, was brilliant in her own way. Luna tended to believe the unbelievable, this world's reincarnation of her, taking that belief in stride to give strength to her magic. That both of them were so skilled here too was a testament to the children themselves.

Minerva was watering her garden as she awaited her two pupils. They were always quite prompt, despite Luffy and Harry's antics suggesting otherwise. Luffy always seemed proud of his brother's magic. Minerva had only heard encouraging things from the brother. It saddened her to remember Harry lacked such familial support in his past. Harry flourished under this kind of family.

"Good morning, Madame Minerva," Luna called out as she approached the older witch's hut.

Minerva put down the watering can. She turned around, smiling politely. The smile shifted to one of confusion. Luna was there, on time, as usual, only there was no sign of Harry or Luffy or even Ace.

"Where are the boys?" She asked Luna.

"Their grandfather is visiting today," Luna answered. "He's training Luffy and Harry to be marines."

That was surprising. Luffy wouldn't shut up about becoming the pirate king, and Minerva knew that both Harry and Ace wished to be pirates as well. Not that she was particularly thrilled with that kind of choice, her knowledge of pirates being nothing but violent savages. Luffy and Harry talked about their dreams once after a lesson. The boys hoped not to be stereotypical pirates, but rather the romanticized pirates. The ones that sought adventure and freedom, just wanting to sail. Minerva reserved her judgment.

Harry's penchant for danger followed him here too. Minerva could see Harry being a pirate alongside Luffy, throwing himself into trouble for his friends. If he wanted to look after his twin, so be it. At least she can help him more as a child then she did before.

Despite that, hearing that their grandfather wanted them to become marines? It confused Minerva. With the boys' dreams of being pirates, that seemed to be in contrast to marine life. Perhaps their grandfather didn't know? No...Luffy was plenty eager to share his dreams. It's possible the grandfather was trying to beat this dream out of them with rigorous marine training. Though she hopes he did that in the metaphorical sense. If Minvera found out that this grandfather was comparable to the Dursleys...

Oh, Minerva, ever the professor.

"Well, then. Let's not dally." Minerva invited her student deeper into the garden. "I will have to catch him up after. Today, Luna, we will be practicing charms."

They worked on this lesson for an hour. This had usually been Flitwick's course, but Minerva assumes he wouldn't mind her teaching these skills to children in need.

At the end of the hour, there was a loud crash followed by screaming. Minerva rushed towards it. Her instincts were telling her a Potter was involved, his friends not far behind.

Sure enough, Minerva's path was blocked by Luffy. He rolled to a stop right at her feet. Luffy stood up, rubbing a large bump on his head.

"My goodness! Luffy, are you alright?" Minerva asked as she knelt beside him.

"Garp needs to tone it down a little," Luna said with an indifferent air in her voice.

Minerva looked at the former Ravenclaw in disbelief. Was this normal for the boys? Some had hoped not.

Harry and Ace ran out as well. They called out to their younger brother, dragging the older teacher out of her thoughts. As they were checking Luffy over, Minerva noticed a rather imposing figure following them. Feeling frightened for her three lions (Luffy and Ace were never sorted, though she believed them to be Gryffindor regardless), she moved to shield them from the approaching man.

The man didn't like that. "Oh, and who are you supposed to be?" He asked her.

Harry looked away from Luffy. His eyes widened when he noticed what was happening. Hardy rushed up to his professor. "Minerva, it's alright! He's our grandpa." He turned to the grandpa. "Grandpa, this is the magic teacher for Luna and me! I missed class today for training!"

Garp huffed in amusement. Minerva still glared, her typical stoic expression in play while she stared him down. "So you're the one who's been helping to train Harry? I'd have to thank you for your help with that."

Minerva wasn't impressed. "And what exactly would you be doing?" She asked him.

"I'm training them as well," Garp replied.

"Are you? To me, it looked as though you were using your grandsons as punching bags!" Minerva countered.

"Nonsense. I'm just toughening them up to be fine marines." Garp argued.

Minerva was further incensed by this. She had seen 'toughened up' children before, two whole generations of children hardened by a war none of them should've been fighting. Her students- lions, eagles, badgers, and snakes alike- were soldiers in a war. Harry suffered most of all.

So she yelled at Garp. Garp yelled back. Both of them yelling over the other in a jumbled mess. The four children snuck away before fists or spells began flying.

It took a while longer for the adults to notice the kids left. They shouted themselves almost hoarse. Garp was the first to try searching; only Minerva wasn't entirely done with him yet.

"Wait, Garp, why is this so important to you?" She asked him. "That the boys be marines?"

Garp stopped in his tracks. He took a deep breath, mulling over his options in his head. While he did want as few people as possible to know about the boy's heritage, this woman did seem somewhat reclusive and trustworthy. She had their best interests at heart, standing up to him on their behalf.

After a moment, he said, "I don't want them to be judged by the sins of their fathers. Hopefully, by being marines, my superiors would be able to look past all that."

Minerva knew better than to press for more details. She had one more pressing question on her mind. "Just how severe are these sins?"

Garp didn't answer, walking away. He was eventually finding his way back to Dadan's to see the children talking with the other bandits.

The boys started to freak out, thinking Garp was going to train them some more. He instead told them, "Nah, that's enough for today; we'll continue it tomorrow. Oh and Harry, let me know when you've got those lessons with that witch. I don't want to intervene a second time."

Meanwhile, Minerva was enjoying some late night tea. The meeting with Garp was playing over again in her head. What could have Harry and Luffy's father done that would cast a shadow over them? She sighed to herself. At least Garp was trying to keep the shadow as small as possible, so it won't haunt them starting. She took comfort in that.

I don't have much else planned, but I did want these two to meet before we get really going, and I'm just as anxious as you guys for the twins to start their journey. The next (and final)chapter is them setting off, so it will probably be a short one. Then we'll be off to the East Blue Saga! As always, I appreciate any reviews. Favorite this story if you haven't already. And I will see you all in the final chapter. Stay Awesome!