Chapter 24 Tutor

Harry had been happy when his grandfathers had helped him. He had thought about the magic and thought it would be cool to be an elemental. But he had never thought he could put his friends and others at risk. He may not set the school on fire but there was a chance something else could happen to them. He worried he would not just freeze the stairs like his great grandsire had done in his day. He had laughed when told but he knew a student could have fallen or been hurt. He had also been told his elf powers made his elemental even more unpredictable. There was no saying he could not have done far more than Henry had. Harry was just relieved he had three grandfathers who could help him. He loved Arcturus but he was no aid in such training.

Harry was thriving in his actual classes and had become a favourite of most of his teachers. He was a natural in his classes and a total bookworm. But there was one class he was not enjoying and the teacher was the issue.

On Monday he groaned when they had to head to class after lunch. "Can I pretend to be sick?"

Draco eyed his cousin with worry. "Should I be worried you are under an imperius? Or you are delusional with fever?"

Hermione agreed with him. "Or a Slytherin in disguise? You skipping a class?"

Harry tried to smile a bit. "Maybe the twins have rubbed off on me."

Draco didn't buy it for one moment. "You know that you would not miss class. Even with a fever."

Cho had come by. "Give the kid a break. It doesn't hurt to miss a class or two."

Hermione glared at her. "All the more reason to go. You aren't nice to him for any reason."

Marcus solved her part when he came up. "Better get to class. Late too often and you can lose flying."

Harry shot Cho a look. "You want me off the team. Have to try harder then that."

Cho stormed away from them saying. "You will be off. Once they see what a complete failure you are."

Hermione dragged Harry by the arm. "We have to go. Or she may have her wish."

Harry sighed and went to go with his friends. "I just wish my lessons with grandsire could count for this."

In the weeks since they started taking the class Harry had hated defence. It was not the class exactly but the man who taught it. Quirell had an odd effect on Harry whenever he was around the man. He could not explain it but it never felt good to him. He had tried to remind himself the man was was a professor but he was reminded about Albus. Though he had no real memories as he was a baby at the time, he did have the feelings. And his family had told him what happened when he had got older. He remembered having a bad feeling around the man. And there was something bothering him about the man.

Harry found himself trying hard in the class not to draw attention to himself. It was the one class he was never overly praised by the teacher. He was just wanting to get in and out of the class. He might be one of the few to drop it after OWL exams.

He was relieved to be leaving when the man stopped him. "Mr. Black I would like you to stay after class."

Draco shot him a look. "I will wait for you in the hall."

Harry eyed the man trying not to be nervous when the others were gone. "Is there something wrong professor?"

The man eyed him as he motioned Harry to come into his office. "You have been doing average in my class."

Harry reluctantly took a seat. "I was not aware that was a bad thing sir. I got top mark on my exam."

The man took out a scroll. "And yet you seem reluctant in practical. I'd pass it off but I have spoken to your other teachers."

Harry didn't know why the man would do so. "I don't really understand."

The man looked up from the parchment. "They all speak of your skill in their class. Professors Claymore and Flitwick rave."

Harry blushed a tad. "Professor Flitwick is my head of house sir."

"And unlike Professor Snape he does not play favorites. Nor is Professor Claymore your head. Transfiguration is a difficult class."

Harry knew that many people didn't pass Owls in transfiguration. "I guess I am simply more natural in them sir."

The man handed him a scroll. "This is a schedule."

Harry was confused when he took it. "Schedule for what sir? I have my class one."

"Your training you will have with me twice a week."

Harry was startled. "Sir I don't think I need tutoring. I am one of your top students."

The man sighed. "But you have potential to be so much better. Your other classes show that."

Harry tried to hand it back to him. "I am happy with my scores. And I need to focus on my other studies."

The man refused to take it back. "This is not an option. You will be having tutoring or you will not be eligible for quidditch."

Harry tried to hide his fear. "If I am not failing I can play."

The man stood up. "You will come or you will have detention for every session you miss. That will ground you."

Harry stood up and grabbed his bag. "I guess."

The man motioned. "I would think you'd be more grateful a teacher is taking their time to help you. Perhaps toilets tonight."

Harry sighed. "Of course I am grateful professor."

The man motioned. "Go to dinner before I change my mind on the topic. I will expect you tomorrow for our first."

Harry was upset as he headed out of the room. He had never heard a student be forced into tutoring. There were students who were barely passing their classes and were not required. Harry didn't understand why him not being as advanced in the class as he was in charms and transfiguration was such a matter. He was top three in the class as it was. But he was reminded about quidditch and he couldn't take the chance of detentions. He was not about to allow the man to get him kicked off his team before even his first game of the season.

Draco was worried about him when he came out. Both he and Hermione had waited for Harry in the hall. They could see something was wrong and they were reminded of his concern before.

Harry saw their looks and admitted. "I have been ordered to tutoring with him two nights a week."

Hermione was truly confused. "You are barely below me in class. I don't get that."

Draco agreed. "Just say no. I am sure Dad would tell you that he can't do this to you."

Harry stopped them. "If I skip I get detention. You heard Marcus, I can lose my place on the team."

Hermione knew how much it meant to him. "Maybe you can write home or speak to Flitwick. I mean something is not right."

Draco agreed with her. "Send an owl to dad or your grandsire at least. They are school governors and they can step in."

Harry didn't want to cause problems. "It is simply tutoring. I don't want to cause a problem."

Hermione shot Draco a worried look when Harry went ahead. "I don't like this. You know Harry doesn't like the man."

Draco agreed with her. "And he likes all teachers. But he will never write home."

Hermione shrugged. "You could write to your own father. Or his grandfather."

He knew she was right but part of him felt bad. Harry had made it clear that he didn't want to cause any kind of stir. And for now Draco thought that he could respect what his cousin had said on the matter. But if things got bad the two of them agreed that Draco would send word to his dad or to Harry's great-grandsire. They were both governors as well as lords.

Draco watched as Ron appeared and smirked. "If anyone should be ordered to tutoring it is that fool. He could use all the help."

Harry was even more on alert about the man. He had not liked him before and this tutoring was not sitting right with him. Harry though was always one to try and please people and not cause ripples. He knew his dad would have done the opposite. His dad had thrived in this class in the practical but not in the written. Harry should have thrived but part of him was hiding his true powers from the man. He didn't want the man to have any more interest in him then he already did.

Harry headed for his first tutoring after dinner the next evening. He was not sure what to expect from the man. He had spoken to the twins and a few others like Marcus. No one had ever heard of forced tutoring and didn't have any tips.

The man smiled when he came in. "I am happy to see you are on time. We would not wish for you to earn a detention."

Harry thought he may prefer Filch to this. "No sir."

The man led him into a side room that looked like a training room. "This is where we will work. We will not be disturbed."

Harry felt a shiver up his back as the door closed behind him. "I would be more comfortable with the classroom sir."

The man took off his robe and motioned Harry to do the same. "That is my choice Mr. Black. Do we need to revisit detention?"

Harry slowly took off his robe. "No sir. I guess this is fine."

The man eyed him. "It seems a shame you have not tried in my class. You have shown such promise in others."

Harry didn't think that fair. "I am trying sir. Not every student is good at every class."

The man smirked. "With your pedigree and skill in other classes that does not add up. You seem to be holding back."

Harry tried to remain calm. "I have done my best. My family is proud."

"Your father is a top auror. It seems a shame his son is not living up to him."

Harry reminded the man. "I am eleven. Even my father or his boss were not skilled at this age."

"They will be impressed then how you surpass them. I will see to that." Quirell assured him.

"I wish to be a healer and potions, charms and transfiguration are what I need. And they are already proud."

The man motioned him to take out his wand. "You will watch your tongue or you can miss practice tomorrow for detention."

Harry did as told and he tried to focus on what the man was teaching him. He still held back on his real powers but he knew that he could not act as he did in class. The man was determined to make him prove he was more powerful. He didn't get what the reason behind it was. The man had nothing to gain and certainly he knew who Harry's family was beyond his dad the auror. His grandsires would not be happy if the man pushed him too far or hard. They were as protective of him as they ever were. Grandmother would likely lead the charge if she thought anyone was pressuring him.

The man kept pushing him and by the end Harry was exhausted. He had trouble holding in his real powers. It sometimes slipped when he was tired or stressed. He wondered if the man somehow knew or was just lucky.

He handed Harry water at the end. "It seems I was right. You are holding back."

Harry took the lid off the bottle. "Or now I have simply had more practice then before."

The man smirked. "Oh we will be showing your real skill soon. Shame we have to end but I assume it is nearly curfew."

Harry went to grab his robe. "I don't want detention for being out after hours."

The man laughed. "Truly not like your fathers then. I recall they prided themselves in such."

Harry slipped into his robe. "I wasn't aware you knew them sir. And no I am told I take more for my Uncle."

Quirell smirked a bit. "The wolf I assume. He did get those two out of issues. I went to school with the three."

Harry went to leave. "They never mentioned it to me."

The man called as he went to leave. "No they would not. But I am sure they will remember me."

Harry didn't like the sounds of that. "Too bad my first quidditch game is not in October. You will have to wait for a reunion."

The man had an odd look in his eyes. "I am sure things could be arranged. Now get to your tower."

Harry practically ran for the door. "Good night."

Harry had to wonder as he fled through the halls to his tower. His dad had told him about many of his classmates. And some of his teachers. Many of the staff had been teachers when his dad went to school. Severus had of course been at school with his dad and had Professor Claymore. He was a year younger then Harry's dads, and had been an auror for some years. Dad or Uncle Moony had never mentioned the man to him before. He wondered if they just had not taken notice of him. They would not have known every student especially if not in their year or house. The man though seemed to know a lot about them..

Draco and Hermione were both anxious when he got back. He knew they both thought that he should write home and didn't want to worry them more then they were. He had no idea why the man bothered him and didn't want to cause a stir.

Draco practically pounced when he came in. "How was it? He isn't acting odd is he?"

Harry assured him as best as he could. "No. No more then he usually does around me at least."

Hermione eyed him. "You are telling the truth right? If something is wrong someone should know."

Harry assured his two friends. "I would tell someone if there was something to worry about. I promise."

Draco looked at Hermione as Harry went up. "He isn't telling us something. There is more to this."

Hermione agreed with him. "We need to find out. Or go to his dad."

Draco stopped her. "For now we can't. But there has to be a way to find out something."

Hermione suggested. "We may need some help. From a person, or a pair I should say, who know their way around."

Draco grinned when he realised what she was saying to him. "If anyone can help it is those two. And they love him."

Gryffindor or not there was no doubt the twins cared about Harry. Draco was not Harry's only family among the students. Draco knew Hermione was right and maybe they should send for help from home. But for now they would keep their word to Harry not to. But that didn't mean they were going to sit and do nothing. And they were both agreed on the help to use.

Draco went to follow Harry up the stairs but said. "That man has no idea what he is messing with. Harry is not alone."

Harry had got through the rest of the week including a second tutoring in one piece. He still did not like it at all. And the man kept making comments that suggested that he knew more about Harry's family. Harry couldn't figure out what his issue was. If the man had such a problem with Harry's dads in school surely his dad would remember. Dad and Uncle Moony had told him about pranks on others like Severus. He was starting to truly worry there was something that he was not being told.

On Saturday evening he headed down to Hagrid's hut. He was having his lessons that evening though he was not sure who he was studying with tonight. He was happy for this extra training as always unlike the tutoring.

Hagrid was not alone when he got to the hut. "Oh I am sorry if I am early. I didn't mean to interrupt."

Hagrid turned to him. "Right on time as always Harry. We just lost track of time talking."

Aberforth stood up to leave. "I should be heading back to the pub. Thank you Hagrid for the roots."

Harry eyed the man. "I didn't know you came up to the school often. I mean since…"

The man turned to him. "One of my goats has a weird malady. I knew one of the roots Hagrid has in his garden would help."

Hagrid reminded Harry. "He is not his brother. Aberforth has been a good friend."

Harry smiled and apologised. "I am sorry I didn't mean to be rude or anything. I was simply surprised to see you here."

The man smiled kindly. "No offence taken. I should head back to town and allow the two of you to do what you are."

Hagrid motioned Harry to follow when they were alone. "We should get going. Your teacher will be wondering if we don't."

Harry followed him out the back door. "I am surprised he turned to you and not Madam Sprout. She knows more of such."

Hagrid shrugged. "I did well in herbology before expelled and I have learned more. Especially in helping with the animals."

Harry knew that made sense. "Charlie always said he learned so much from you. That you could be a great teacher."

Hagrid blushed a bit at that. "He was a favourite of mine. Professor Grubby-Plank is retiring and Minerva has hinted maybe."

Harry was amazed and happy for the man as he trailed off. "You would make a great teacher for the class."

Hagrid had his name cleared back when Albus had been arrested. He had a wand and he would be able to teach. He may have not finished school but he knew more about the woods and the animals in them then most could. Hagrid had been living at school since he was expelled and learned a lot from the old groundskeeper. Harry had always loved to visit the man since he was a baby. He thought Hagrid would make a great teacher and was happy the man may get a chance.

Harry found Firenze but also Remus in the paddock waiting for him that night. It meant animagus and maybe star training for him. Magorian and his grandfathers handled healing and his other lessons. Harry was happy to spend the evening with them.

Remus finished with him an hour in. "I will head home. I will leave you some time with Firenze."

Harry stopped him though. "I have a question. About well…."

Remus stopped and put a hand on him. "You know you can ask me anything. I am here cub."

Harry sighed. "Did you go to school with Professor Quirell? I mean did you know him?"

Remus was a bit confused but he nodded. "He was younger. We were in our third year when he began school."

Harry had to ask. "Was he a lion?"

Remus smirked. "He was a Ravenclaw. Though I sometimes wondered how."

Harry was confused. "He is the defence teacher. He couldn't have been too bad."

Remus motioned him to sit. "I never understood how Albus offered him the post. He was muggle studies for a year."

"Did you guys pull a prank on him? Do something to him?"

Remus was confused by the question. "Not that I remember. He was a book worm nothing more. Why do you ask?"

Harry didn't want to tell him about the issues. "He made a comment about my dads and you. I had to wonder."

Remus gave him a look that told him he didn't believe Harry fully. "You will tell me if there is more. Me or your dad."

Harry hugged him. "I will. I promise."

Remus went to leave. "The only student we pulled much on was Severus. If he can forgive us….."

Harry laughed a little as the man left. He felt like pointing out that Severus still held a bit of a grudge against Sirius. Remus and Lily had been big parts of his life and he always kept a place for them. Severus may not act on it but he still mentioned revenge on Sirius after all this time. He had helped Harry out of loyalty to Harry's forster mom and to Remus. Harry turned his attention to his astronomy lessons with Firenze. He had class on Wednesday with students but learned so much more here.

Firenze went to lead him back later. "You will come to myself if you need aid. No professor will prevent my aid."

Harry looked at him. "I know I can come here. I am fine."

Firenze didn't allow it to pass as much as Remus. "There was more to those questions. You have sanctuary with us if needed."

Harry was happy the centaur did not press him more. "Thank you. I will remember that I promise."

Hagrid was waiting for him. "I will take Harry up to the school."

Firenze repeated one last time. "Remember what I said."

Harry assured him. "I will."

Hagrid didn't ask but started leading Harry to the school. "It is almost curfew."

Harry wished that his talk with Remus had given him more answers. He knew his Uncle would not lie to him. If they had done something truly awful to the man Moony would remember. But there was some reason his professor had brought up his dads and his Uncle. There was more to this. His mind went to Aberforth for a moment as well when he went to bed that night. He wasn't sure why the man's entrance into the picture even phased him at all. The man had helped them with his brother.

Harry went to go to sleep but shook away thoughts of Aberforth. 'You are letting your worries of Quirell spread to others.'

AN: No Voldemort is long gone and dead, as I know will be asked. But what is Quirell up to? And is Aberforth coming back into picture a coincidence