Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Harry Potter. They are the property of J. K. Rowling.
Upon disembarking at Hogsmeade Station, Harry borrowed a trolley and loaded his things on board. He looked at the address that Dumbledore had given him and went up to a peddler on the corner.
"Excuse me? Could you tell where I can find this place?" The peddler looked at the numbers and laughed.
"My boy, that's easy; it's the Three Broomsticks."
"Are you sure?" Harry gawked.
"Absolutely."
"Thanks."
"Anytime."
Harry was confused but made his way towards the familiar building.
He entered the wooden building to hear sounds of chattering from various customers throughout the place. He walked up to the counter and smiled at the slightly plump woman behind it.
"Excuse me, ma'am?"
"Ah, Mr. Potter, how nice to see you. What can I get for you?"
"Nothing, thank you. I was wondering if someone is waiting for me, or if a message was left for me?" The clerk smiled at him.
"Why yes, as a matter of fact…" she reached into her apron and took out a rolled piece of parchment, "…here you are, lad."
"Thank you, ma'am," Harry answered and unrolled the scroll.
Inside it read:
Harry,
When you are ready, hold this parchment in your hand and say 'Xanthus'.
Sirius
Following the directions, Harry walked back outside where his things were waiting for him. He put his free hand on the trolley and looked at the instructions.
"Well, here goes…Xanthus."
He felt like he was being pulled very hard, and suddenly, Harry found himself outside a very large mansion. The parchment had been a portkey.
The young man looked around at the wonderful scenery. Everything in site was green, and there was a fountain in the center.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, there you are." Harry turned to see an elderly man in a tuxedo approaching him.
"How do you do, my name Mathis, I'm the chief of staff."
"Hello sir, may I ask where I am?" The old man chuckled.
"Of course, how rude of me. Welcome to the house of Albus Dumbledore."
"What?" Harry nearly screeched.
"Oh my, the master did not tell you did he. Well, at least you're here now."
"But I thought that Professor Dumbledore lived at Hogwarts."
"Dear boy, he's not always been at Hogwarts. He comes here when he wants time to rest, or if he must entertain some guests. Anyway, enough of my babbling please follow me."
Harry followed the man up a long sidewalk towards the massive three-story house. It was incredible. It could compete with the Palace of Versailles in a beauty contest any day.
"This place is wonderful," Harry said in wonder.
"Thank you, Mr. Potter, the master has always had good taste."
"Yes, I'm sure, but please, call me Harry."
"As you wish, my son."
As the pair approached the massive wooden doors at the front of the house, Harry was not surprised to see them open by themselves, and Mathis ushered him inside.
"This way, please, the others are already here."
"Others?" Harry asked.
"Why yes. Didn't the master tell you? You are to receive special training are you not?"
"Well, he did mention it."
"Good. Your trainers are already here."
Harry gulped. He wasn't the best person in world at first impressions, and now, he was going to have to meet some special trainers who were supposed to teach him the highest levels of magic. His stomach began to turn, and he gulped silently.
Despite his nervous, Harry still managed to gaze around at the inside of the house. It looked very much like an old, Victorian homestead. Everything in site looked to be at least two to three hundred years old.
"In here, Harry, they are waiting for you in the study."
Mathis showed him towards a room guarded by another set of double wooden doors. The old man stopped walking, and Harry turned to face him.
"Aren't you coming?"
"No Harry, I have duties that I must attend to." And he quickly disappeared.
"Well Potter, better get this over with."
Harry calmly walked up the doors and opened the right one. He stepped into the room, and his eyes almost bugged out of his head.
"Hello Harry, it's good to see you again."
"Well…well…well…Harry Potter, so old Dumbledore decided to send you to the magic school of hard knox, eh?"
"Professor Lupin…Professor Moody?" Harry couldn't stop gawking.
"In the flesh boy. And let's not forget number three," Moody quipped pointing to the other side of the room. Harry turned his head, and his eyes lit up.
"Hi Harry, it's good to see you."
"Sirius!"
Harry was overjoyed. He'd been so nervous about having to meet new people, but it turned out to some of his oldest friends. Professor Lupin and Professor Moody were two of his former Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, and Sirius was his godfather. He couldn't ask for better trainers.
"This is great! I didn't know it was going to be you three." Lupin stood up from his chair and walked over to the young man.
"Harry, listen carefully, this is not a picnic. You are here to learn and to prepare; we know that Voldomort is returning soon. Albus told us about your Nightmare Curse, and he asked that we help you learn to use your abilities fully."
"Remus is right, boy. We need to whip you into shape fast. We need all the good wizards we can get, and who better than Harry Potter. But you must know, that this will not be easy. In fact, it will a hundred times more difficult than anything you've faced at Hogwarts. Are you sure you wish to do this?" Moody asked, and his magical eye glistened.
Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He thought back to everything that had happened to him over the passed few months - his nightmares, his talk with Dumbledore, he and Hermione. Harry suddenly got the vision of Voldomort standing over a helpless Hermione laughing sadistically as he prepared to recite the killing curse. No, he would not let it happen; he refused to let it happen.
"Harry?" Sirius asked, walking over to him. The young man opened his eyes and looked at the three men with an eye of determination.
"When do I begin?" The three smiled at their pupil.
"Let's get to work."