The Weasleys came the very next day as they had promised. And they brought Bill with them.

Harry was waiting in the entrance hall for the floo to light up when it did with a roar and Bill Weasley stepped out of the fireplace, "Harry, how are you?"

Harry shook hands with him warmly, "Welcome to Black Manor, Bill."

Bill smiled, "Thank you. I hope you don't mind me coming over because mother's suspicions can sometimes get the better of her."

Harry nodded, "I know but you have no reason to worry. And please stay with us."

The next were the twins who stepped out one after other. George grinned, "Harry, cool place you have got here."

"Right, my twin", said Fred who had arrived, "I bet it would be real nice to own a quiddith pitch."

Harry waited for Ron to arrive but instead of Ron, it was Ginny who stepped out and said shyly, "Hi Harry."

"Ginny, welcome to Black Manor", said Harry gladly, "I hoped you will come."

"Don't encourage her, Harrikins", said Fred and Bill swatted him on the head, "What did mother tell you about not being an idiot?"

The other twin said, "You hurt us, elder brother. We think in stupid, we deal in stupid, in fact stupid is our middle name."

"Then I would be glad to know you two", said Sirius who had entered the entrance hall to greet the visitors, "Harry, if everyone has arrived, please lead your friends to the sitting room."

"Where is Ron?", Harry asked Bill and at that moment, the floor roared for the last time and Ron stepped out, "Sorry mate, got caught up in something."

"Ron, it is good to see you. Have you brought your broom?", Harry asked.

"Uh... mine is too old", said Ron, "it is very slow and jerky."

Harry noticed Ron's ear tips red and realised Ron was embarrassed about it. Before he could say anything, Sirius seized the moment, "Don't worry. I recently had procured several new brooms and we will have smashing time."

"Padfoot, if the guests have arrived, will you take them to the sitting room or are you going to talk to them here itself?", said Remus who had come looking for his friend.

"Professor Lupin", said the twins, "We never thought we would end up finding you here."

Remus smiled, "Well Sirius here is one of my best friends from Hogwarts and he employed me as his steward recently."

"Why did you call him Padfoot?", asked George.

"Because it is my nickname", Sirius explained.

"Are you The Padfoot?", inquired Fred.

"Well I don't know about any "The Padfoot", said Sirius, "But yes, I was nicknamed Padfoot."

"Are you the Padfoot from Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs?", they asked.

Sirius frowned, "How would you know about that?"

Remus explained, "They found the map Sirius. They have been using it and gave it recently to Harry to help him go to Hogsmead."

Sirius guffawed, "The map is still around? I thought we had seen the last of it when Filch had it confiscated from us."

Then he turned to the twins, "Yes, I am The Padfoot, the prankster extraordinaire of the Marauders."

The twins started bowing to both of them comically, "We are you fans! You have helped us in more ways than you can think of."

Bill laughed, "Enough now you two."

"Harry, take your friends to the sitting room", Remus said, "I will go and make sure that the pitch is ready for a game."

As Remus went out to inquire about the pitch, the twins asked Sirius about his pranking days at Hogwarts and some of the pranks that he told them he had done at Hogwarts had them laughing till tears flowed out of their eyes.

Bill who was also nearly overcome with laughter said, "I can't even imagine how did the teachers manage you four and how did the castle remain intact with all the pranks that you four were up to. Out of idle curiosity, I have seen the logs of detention during my time as head boy and I know late Lord Potter and you hold the records but I never dreamt of meeting you in person."

"Considering I would still be rotting in Azkaban if the rat was not caught, I don't think we would have met", Sirius said, "if the war had not happened, perhaps we could have outdone Zonko's."

When it was time for game, Ginny had insisted that she was going to play. The boys tried to refuse her but Sirius intervened and said she could play. Including Sirius there were 8 players and Remus decided to play the referee.

There was no seeker for the game but two chasers, one beater and a keeper per team and the game went on for two hours before they were tired and took their leave promising to return soon.

"Very nice, Harry my boy", boomed Slughorn who was convinced that Harry Potter was a prodigy in potions. Harry wasn't doing anything special in the subject but he had himself seen that there was improvement in his performance. It was just the second lesson over the summer and Slughorn had him finish all the first year potions. And to his delight, Harry found that not having sneering, snivelling Severus Snape breathing over his shoulder did great for his mood. All the potions that he had brewed so far for Slughorn were given an E and Slughorn was hopeful that Harry will get better in the little time that they had together.

"I think let's wind up for the day", Slughorn said, "We have brewed two potions in a day, can you imagine?"

"Professor, can you tell me about my mother?", Harry asked him, "I mean no one has ever told me about her."

Slughorn took a deep breath before he began speaking, "Lilly was a great witch, Harry and before that she was a great person. She had the talent of seeing the best in those who couldn't see it in themselves. And she was talented. From her first potions lesson, she showed such a proclivity for the subject that I had rightly guessed that she was a prodigy. She was also very popular as a student, almost as much as your father but she kept very odd friendships."

"Odd friendships?", Harry asked.

"Remember I had told you that Severus Snape was her childhood friend? I had asked Lilly and she told me that they lived in the same neighbourhood but her father was a rich muggle and Severus's father was an alcoholic muggle who mistreated his family because his wife was a witch. He was not from a rich family while Lilly was certainly rich by muggle standards", he said, "And I am loathe to say that Severus's friends were some very unsavoury characters. I regret now that they were in my house."

"You were a Slytherin?", Harry asked in surprise.

"Sirius didn't tell you?", he asked, "I have taught everyone in the Black Family and all of them were in my house except him. I was the Head of House of Slytherin."

"Professor, if you were the head of Slytherin you would know Tom Riddle too?", Harry asked.

"Why are you asking about him?", Slughorn asked, "And how do you even know that name?"

Harry suddenly remembered that Dumbledore had told him to not to mention his encounters with Voldemort to Slughorn, not yet.

"Oh, actually I saw him name on the "Special Services to School Award" trophy and I got curious about him. I found that he had caught the monster in the chamber of secrets."

"Oh", said Slughorn, "He did find out the monster in the supposed chamber of secrets. It was an Acromantula. You need to ask any other questions, Harry? If not then we can continue tomorrow."

Harry realised that Slughorn had deftly evaded answering the question. What exactly Professor Slughorn knew about Voldemort that made him uncomfortable?

"Stop acting like a child, Sirius", chided Remus, "This is unbecoming of you."

"It's Quidditch Moony", Sirius bellowed at the top of his voice, "You just can't be stay serious. Where is your sense of adventure?"

"Sit down or I will hex you", Harry said, "And I know quite a few hexes now."

"Alright Pup, no need to get testy on me", said Sirius.

The semi final that they had come to watch was being played between Ireland and Peru and they were supporting Ireland against Peru. The Irish team had 7 great players on the team and each of them had a firebolt. They were the obvious choice between the two teams and every wizard or witch of Wizarding Britain was putting their money on Ireland.

Harry had asked Sirius if he could get tickets for the Weasleys too and Sirius had shook his head. The minister got free passes for the final only and for other matches everyone had to buy their own ticket. The tickets were pricey but the gold was no problem for him. The issue was that there were literally no tickets available even at double the price. Sirius had to contend himself with the three tickets that he could obtain. He however had already obtained tickets for the finals and he had brought a ticket for the top box meant to go to Slughorn.

"Gentlewizards and Gentlewitches, welcome to the Semi Finals between Ireland and Peru", announced a stocky man who was shorter than serious and had a round baby face, "This promises to be an excellent evening."

"That is Ludovic Bagman", Sirius whispered to Harry, "He used to be the chaser of Wimbourne Wasps and he also played for England at a time. Right now, he is working as the head of the Department of Sports and Games."

"The teams are equally matched, equally talented but Ireland has a distinct advantage up its sleeve. Each of its payers have a firebolt and that will make considerable difference to the match. Now, let's start..."

The match ended with Ireland flattening Peru by a huge margin. When the match ended the final score was 420- 100 and Bagman was grumbling.

"Sirius, have you got the butterbeers?", Remus asked.

"I thought you were doing that", Sirius said, "I had told you that I am only going to meet Rosemerta."

"But I thought you were going to order the butterbeer", said Remus, "I was going to get the stuff for the party."

"And there is no butterbeer", Sirius wailed, "Oh the younglings will have to drink firewhiskey like a man."

Remus growled, "As if I would let you give fire whiskey to them. I have already sent Dobby to fetch butterbeer for the party."

Sirius grinned, "Moony, you are a life saver."

"Sirius", said Harry who had just come in, "I am still telling you that there is no use in holding a party like this. I mean what are we even supposed to do?"

Sirius grinned, "Well, there is a pool in the backside for those who care to swim. Then there is the quidditch pitch begging for a proper match to be played. And then there is the snack table laden with a lot of food and the ice coolers which are stocked with a lot of butterbeer. It is going to be fantastic."

"Are you going to be with us?", Harry asked.

"We are your chaperones", said Sirius, "Moony will look after those who go to the pool and I will referee if a match is going to be played. Then there will be standing invitations to people to come back any day."

"How many of them are coming, Harry?", Remus asked.

"The Weasleys, Neville Longbottom, Ernie Macmillan, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott, Lee Jordon, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet", he said, "I didn't knew any other that would come."

"That is quite a number of people, Harry", Sirius said, "It will be fun. Have you asked them to bring their brooms and a swimsuit?"

"Yes, I did", Harry said.

They heard the floo roar and Remus said to him, "I think they are starting to arrive."

When Harry reached the entrance chamber, the Weasleys with Lee Jordon had already arrived and Neville Longbottom was stepping out of the fireplace.

"Hi Harry", Neville said, "Thank you for inviting me. I don't get so many invites."

"Welcome Neville", said Harry, "You lot go on in. I am waiting for a few more people to arrive. I will join you soon."

As Harry waited for his guests, others moved to the sitting room where Sirius was waiting for them. Neville walked up to him, bowed from his waist, "Lord Black, it is an honour to meet you. I am Neville Longbottom, heir apparent to House Longbottom."

Sirius clasped his shoulder firmly, "You are welcome, Neville of Longbottom. I had the fortune to know your parents personally and I admired them for their valour and courage. I am sorry for what happened to them and that too at the hands of a former member of my house."

Sirius greeted a few more of his friends who arrived at Black Manor and then they were led to the Quidditch pitch.

"I know many of you only like to remain on the ground and cheer from afar but others like to get in the air and rough it. So if you are willing to play, pick a broom and if you are just going to watch then grab a chair and a butterbeer", Sirius said, "There is plenty of it and we can have smashing time of it. If anyone fancies, there is a swimming pool on the other side."

There were 8 people who wanted to play Quidditch and as such, there were two teams of 4 players each. There was no seeker so the match had to go on for an hour and the team scoring most goals will win.

Ernie, Harry, Ron and Katie Bell were in one team while the twins, Angelina and Alicia Spinnet were in another. Ernie and Katie were the chasers, Harry was the beater and the Ron was the keeper. On the other team, he twins became chaser, Angelina became beater and Alicia became the keeper.

The match was played with all viciousness that could be imagined. There were a lot of underhanded techniques and the referee, one Sirius Black, pretended to not to care about it. when they match ended, Remus had to see to the bruises of the players.

As they went towards the pool, Harry said to Sirius in an undertone, "Sirius, I can't swim."

Sirius nodded, "Well, I will ask Remus to teach you."

"Why you can't teach me?", Harry asked.

"Harry, I have to leave tomorrow", Sirius explained, "I am going for some urgent business but I promise that I will return in a week."

That evening, he called Harry into the Lord's study, "Harry, I am going on some very important business. You are to keep up with your studies, enjoy with your friends and take your lessons with Slughorn. I need you to get close to Slughorn. Ask him about your parents, his teaching days at Hogwarts and gift him with things that Remus will give you. Try to get cosy to him, warm up to him as if he is your favourite person. Then start telling him about your adventures at Hogwarts. Eventually get him to talk about Voldemort and tell him how you have faced him twice already."

"Sirius why do we need to do this?", Harry asked, "What is it that Slughorn has that he can give us?"

Sirius smirked, "He has knowledge, kid. The most potent weapon and that is what we are after. Slughorn may look like a jovial, affable, pot bellied wizard but he is very knowledgeable on Dark Arts too."

"Are we going to learn Dark Magic?", Harry asked him.

"Not yet but eventually. And Dumbledore has arranged for someone to come visit you and teach you a few things about duelling. And there is something that Dumbledore want to teach you when the school starts. So I will advise you to start meditation. It will calm your mind", Sirius said, "It may sound too much to you Harry but we have to do this. This may save your life someday."

"Sirius I trust you", Harry said, "I will do anything that you ask of me."

"Pup, don't be too quick to trust anyone", Sirius said gravely, "James too was trusting and the rat betrayed him."

"Sirius despite what happened, my father was right to trust his best friends. It is on the rat that betrayed him. Don't every say that again."

"Harry, my boy", said Dumbledore who was visiting the Black Manor, "I am going to introduce you to a friend of mine."

A man entered the room and Harry shuddered. The man looked like a nightmare. He had one leg to start with. In place of his other leg was a wooden leg which stumped every time he walked, his face was a patch work of scars criss crossing his face, he had a brown mane of hair which was unevenly cut and he had half of his nose missing. Also he had only one eye. In place of the other one, was an artificial electric blue eye which revolved all around and gave him a sense of vertigo. Harry was a bit scared of the man's appearance but Remus was talking to him as if he were an old friend. The man's artificial eye was roving around the room as if checking in the all the directions while his natural eye was trained on Harry.

"Harry", Dumbledore said, "Allow me to introduce you to Alastor Moody, former Auror and a very good friend."

"Hello sir", Harry said courteously.

The man sneered, "Scared of my appearance, are ye lad?"

Remus chuckled, "Don't scare him Alastor. He is just a kid."

Albus spoke before Alastor could, "Harry, Alastor Moody is one of the most famous Auror of all time..."

"Professor, what is an Auror?", Harry asked.

"Auror are equivalent of soldiers and dark wizard catchers. They were the reason in the last war that we didn't suffer as much as losses as we could have", Dumbledore explained, "Alastor here was one of the most famous Aurors and half of the cells in Azkaban are filled due to him. He was responsible for bringing in most of them."

"It is a pleasure to meet you sir", Harry said to the Auror.

"I knew you parents", growled the Auror, "Your father was a tough nut to crack and a fierce fighter. Escaped you-know-who three times. Him and you mother. I tried to convince him to join Aurors but he was not a fan of following rules. He and that Sirius Black could have been an asset to the Auror forces."

"Thank you for telling me sir", Harry said, "I know almost nothing about them."

"Harry, Alastor has agreed to teach you a few things about duelling but he will do it on the condition that you will not tell about these lessons to anyone", Albus said.

"What will you teach me sir?", Harry asked the Auror.

"I will teach you to stay alive", growled the Auror, "From what Albus told me, you are bad at keeping yourself out of trouble so you should know how to defend yourself."

"Harry, Alastor will teach you twice a week and I advise you to take these lessons seriously and learn everything that he teaches you. I know Sirius has also decided to teach you some so it will be to your benefit."

"Yes Professor."

"Now Remus and Alastor, if you will then I would like sometime alone with Harry", Albus said.

As they left, he turned to the teen, "Harry, how are your lessons with Slughorn going?"

"He is very knowledgeable potions master, Professor. He has taught me so many little things that have helped with my brewing. Snape does not take time to teach these things or we could do better in these classes."

"Harry, I know Sirius has told you to get close to Slughorn and I will ask you the same", Albus said, "It is important that you do this because it will help us a great deal."

"Professor, what is he hiding that we have to know?", Harry asked.

"He has a memory that we need", Albus explained, "At some point in the distant past, Slughorn had a conversation with Voldemort about a magic is which very dark and forgotten. It is that memory that I want. Slughorn has tempered with that memory but I believe it is still there."

"Professor, can you temper with your memories?", Harry asked disbelievingly.

"Yes Harry", he said, "It is actually very easy for a person to temper with others' memories if they know enough of mind magic."

"Mind magic?"

"It is a very delicate branch of magic and forbidden from public knowledge", Dumbledore explained, "That is why there are a very few practitioners of mind magic out there. They can read you surface thoughts as easily as reading a book, can look into all your memories."

"Do you know any practitioner of mind magic, Professor?"

"I, myself am an expert in mind magic", he said bowing his head, "Other than me, Voldemort and Severus Snape are two others who are master in it."

"Snape can read minds?", Harry asked in shock.

"Professor Snape, Harry", he corrected, "And yes, he can read minds but not without performing a spell. Without performing a spell, he can only see your surface thoughts."

"How do I protect my mind?", Harry asked.

"That is what I will be teaching you, Harry", he said, "In the meantime, don't look into his eyes when you are answering a question."

"Sir, can you tell me something about my mother?", Harry asked Slughorn at the end of the next class.

"Your mother was a great witch, Harry", Slughorn said, "She was very gifted at potions and often rivalled for the top place with Severus in her classes. She could have gone on to do mastery in the subject if she wanted. She was also kind to others but she hated bullies. She was very proud when you were born and it was the last time that I saw her."

"Sir, did she ever talk about her home life?", he asked.

"Yes, she did. Her parents were rich muggles and she lacked for nothing. She also had a sister who was non magical and during her first year, she was often sad because her sister was not talking to her. She later told me that her sister was jealous of her gift. Her parents died shortly after she graduated but I don't recall how they had died. I know you miss her but believe me when I say that she is watching over you at all times."

"Sir, did Voldemort study at Hogwarts?", Harry asked.

"Don't speak his name", Slughorn said harshly, "And why do you ask about him?"

"I knew nothing about magical world till I was 11 years old. Hagrid told me that my parents were murdered by Voldemort but he knew nothing about him. I have asked a few people but no one seems to know anything about him. I was curious to know if he had studied at Hogwarts and if he did then in what house."

"I will tell this to you but promise me to never ask it again", he said, "Voldemort was a student at Hogwarts and he was brilliant in his time, going so far as to become the head boy in his day."

"His name was Tom Riddle, isn't it", he asked.

Slughorn looked at him in shock, "How do you know that?"

"Professor, will you promise me not to tell anyone what I am going to tell you?", Harry asked him.

"What is it?", Slughorn asked.

"It is a secret that I haven't even told Professor Dumbledore", he said, "Do you promise to tell to no one?

"Yes, I promise my boy", he said, a bit greedily.

"Professor, what do you know of the Chamber of Secrets?"

"C. Ch. Chamber of Secrets!", Slughorn said astonishingly, "That is just a myth, my boy. No one has ever been able to find it so far."

"Professor, the chamber exists. I found it in my second year", said Harry, "And there was a monster in there."

"H. Ho. How did you find the chamber?"

"That is a tale for other time Professor but two years ago I came face to face with Voldemort in the chamber of secrets. He was using some weird magic."

"No one can return from the dead, Harry", said Slughorn, "that is Necromancy."

"Professor, Tom Riddle had dragged a girl in the chamber and was using her life force to gain a body", Harry explained, "In the chamber he told me that he had gone more than anyone on the path of immortality."

Slughorn's face was clouded and fear evident in his voice, "Harry I believe you are telling the truth but I know of no such way that one can return from the dead. Voldemort had died on that night in Godric's Hollow."

"That is where you are wrong, Professor", Harry said, "Sirius made some inquiries into the matter and no body was ever found. Who is to say if he really died? And he really wanted to kill me even that night in the chamber. I asked Sirius if we can defeat him for once and all but he said he don't know how Tom Riddle could be alive. I have heard you are very knowledgeable person, sir. Don't you know some way that can help me?"

"I am afraid I can't help you, Harry", said Slughorn, "And don't repeat anything to anyone else that you have just told me."

When Slughorn left, Harry was left to wonder exactly what Slughorn was afraid of.

"Heir Potter,

I hope you are enjoying the vacations. I have recently heard from a friend that you have been having a gathering of friends at your residence and inviting friends from all the houses except Slytherin.

Are you done with the assignment that Professor McGonagall had given to us? The essay on animagus transformation sounds very difficult but I am finally finished with it. I am currently working with the nasty essay that Snape set for us. I just hope to be get over it. Potions has never been my favourite subject and I can hardly wait for my OWLs so that I can ditch this subject.

How things have been going with you? Father has confirmed for us that we are going to the Quidditch final and he got a seat for us in one of the top boxes and I am hoping that I can meet you there.

I have heard that you spend a part of your holidays at the Weasleys. Is it true?

I am sure now that I don't want to reveal my identity to you presently. Let it remain a suspense for now.

Later"

"Constant Vigilance", shouted the Auror Mad-Eye Moody, "Always remain alert about your surroundings. If you are not vigilant in a hostile environment, anyone can take you down and you will be at the mercy of your enemy."

Harry nodded and kept listening.

"And remember that in a duel, your life is more important than your enemy's. You don't have to kill anyone if you don't wish to but disable them so that they can't stand again. You stun a wizard and he can be enervated by another. But you hit them with a reductor and they won't bother you again. Do you know about dodging?"

Harry shook his head, "No Sir."

Moody whipped out his wand, "You are about to learn the hard way."

For the next 10 minutes Moody kept shooting stingers at Harry who tried to dodge the hexes that the auror was peppering him with but he was not having any success so far. He was hit with at least 7 out of every 10 hexes and that was one too many.

After 10 minutes, Alastor stopped peppering him, "Remember to keep moving lad. Don't hesitate. Try to see where your opponent is going to cast and try to read them. What can't connect with you can't hurt you. Now we are going to do this again."

A/N- I know it was short but a long chapter is coming next so I wanted to get it out of the way. Leave me reviews, please.