CHAPTER 4 - It Begins
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. All characters are creations of Joanne K Rowling, © 2007, to whom I am deeply indebted.
A/N: I'd also like to give credit to DrT (Triwizard Redux) for planting the "what if" seed of changing Harry's escape at the end of Gof. And special thanks to The_scribbler for the most excellent beta work.
Author's Note:
Pursuant to the Berne Convention Implementation Act of 1988 and the Digital Millennium Copywrite Act of 1998, this work is copywrited 2007 with all rights expressly reserved by its author unless explicitly granted. No portion may be reproduced in any fashion without the express written and notarized permission of the author.
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"Good Morning," Sirius greeted the two teenagers standing in front of him. Both were in dressed in black training pants, trainers, and white tops.
"Right now, both of you are not in the best condition I'd like you to be before we start the defense lessons. Harry, I know that you've been working out since we finished this room but it's still mostly just running and the occasional beating you give our trusty punching bag. I'm not so sure about you, Hermione. From what I can assess, you're in good shape; though you don't exactly have a physical regimen that you follow. Lugging around those books must have some merit in them," he teased the young woman who turned a slight pink.
"So for the rest of this week only, we would concentrate more on conditioning. I want you both to develop an everyday workout even if we don't have lessons scheduled. Trust me; you'll need it if you want to survive what I'm planning to put you guys through." The older man gave them an evil smile.
"To start, we will have a warm-up run. We'll be starting with a 15 minute run right now. But by the end of the summer, I'd like you both to be able to sustain 45 minutes to an hour of running. You'll also be doing push-ups, sit-ups, and squats not to mention some rope jumping, shadowboxing, and weight training. For this week, we have to accustom your body to handle the stress it'll go through from trying to learn different disciplines at the same time. I am not going to teach you exactly as they are usually taught. Most likely, we'll modify each so it will fit our needs. There would also be obstacle exercises and some weapons fighting. Now, I first told you I had planned on teaching kickboxing and aikido. I've reached the conclusion that sword fighting would be a great advantage too. So we'll be including that."
"We'll be concentrating first on Muay Thai; it's the traditional Thai kickboxing form. It is also what I know, so it's perfect since it's the one that we would need, not to mention the one I can teach. The traditional form would be using what is called "The Science of Eight Limbs" - your hands, shins, elbows, and knees. It is not so strict in form which makes it ideal for street fighting. Aikido is the art of self-defense concentrating not on punches or kicks, but mainly on how to turn an opponent's attack against him with the minimum use of energy or movement. I think in the event either of you find yourselves ambushed; this would come in real handy. Also, it requires such small movements; your opponents will never know what hit them. I think it would also help you in honing your instincts since it is mastered by reacting automatically to each attack. That said, knowing it would be a great advantage."
Sirius looked at them pointedly. Harry looked excited as Sirius was giving the overview on what he scheduled for them. He could see the physical challenges it presented were appealing to the natural athlete in him. Hermione, on the other hand, was starting to turn a little green. He knew she wasn't particularly athletic but he knew her work ethic enough to be sure that by the time the summer was over, she'll be giving even him a run for his money. Sirius had a little trouble keeping his face straight.
"Lastly, we'll be having fencing lessons first as preparation for sword fighting. I'd like you both to be able to integrate the movements with your dueling, since they are similar in stance. Knowledge of weapons can also be very useful. Remus and I have found a spell which would let you use a corporeal partner for the sparring sessions. It's perfect since that would lessen the cases of accidental injuries, plus it will let you experience practicing with different partners. That would be extremely helpful in training you for anything that might happen."
"Corporeal?" Harry shot a perplexed look at Hermione.
"It means it has a physical, solid form," Hermione answered promptly.
"Ohh," The young man turned back to Sirius.
Not even bothering to hide the grin on his face, Sirius continued his explanation. "In any case, you don't need to worry about that for now, since we'll do Aikido and Muay Thai for the next three weeks before having our first fencing lesson. Now, I want you to start with the form that I am going to show you, and then I will have you do some stretches, then get your butts to the treadmill to finish that 15 minute run."
The two teens complied. After the requisite stretches, they made their way to the mats, so that they could do ten minutes of Hu yung Bo. Sirius demonstrated the form once, had them go through it completely, correcting their posture as they did so, and then set a ten-minute timer for them. Once they were warmed up, they made their way to the treadmills at the corner. Sirius had added another one so he could have his daily run together with his trainees.
Hermione was breathing a little heavier after the run. By the time they finished a round of sit-ups, followed by push-ups, and a sequence of rope jumping, both she and Harry were panting heavily.
Sirius wasn't as winded, but he was sweating already. He went to the little icebox near the treadmills and got three bottles with light pink liquid and three bottles of water. He gave each teenager one clear and one light pink bottle, "These are energy replenishing potions." He said indicating the colored liquids. "They'll help you keep up with the exercises and lessons. Please don't rely on them though; I'd really like you to build your strength. And don't take a huge gulp; you might be bouncing off the walls if you take too much." They gave him a grateful look as they each took a reasonable drink of the potion. Immediately, they felt as refreshed as when they started the exercises. Their muscles were still aching a lot but at least they didn't feel like they were ready to drop dead. They took another measured gulp before they opened their water bottles next, nearly draining it.
When the couple had regained their normal color and breathing; Sirius put them through a regimen of weights. He started Hermione with five-pound dumbbells, instructing her on the correct way of doing the arm exercises. Harry, he gave double the weight. They went through three sets of 15 each for every target muscle before he told them to do leg presses.
For the finishing touch, he let them have their fun with punching bag and the new body opponent dummy he added a few days ago. He was correcting each kick and punch they were throwing according to what he had learned from his Muay Thai instructor when he took the same lessons with James nineteen years ago before their Auror training began.
Finally, he took pity when he saw them breathing heavily again.
"Alright, that's enough for now. Let's have some late brunch then a round of dueling."
The teenagers didn't need to be told twice. They dumped their gear in a pile near the icebox before they grabbed their potions and headed straight to the kitchen.
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Remus and Tonks were having their second cup of tea and a rather lazy, late morning when two teenagers barreled into the kitchen followed by a grinning marauder. After Hermione cast a muttered re-heating spell on the food still spread out on the table, the two sat down and piled their plates high and started eating without another word. Sirius took a seat next to a laughing Tonks.
"Whatever did you do to these two, Padfoot?" Remus couldn't help laughing either at the intense concentration the younger couple was lavishing on eating.
"He's a monster," Hermione replied, her mind had sufficiently recovered some of its processes after a few spoonfuls of late - terribly late - breakfast.
Sirius let out a laugh in the middle of swallowing some eggs and bacon. He had to be patted quite loudly in the back before he was able to calm down. Taking a huge gulp of water, he told the younger girl. "I did tell you what I had arranged."
"You didn't tell us you were also planning to turn into a tyrannical maniac," She accused but gave a sigh. "I suppose, given what you had already said you wanted us to learn, I should've expected this." Then she finally noticed the witch with bubblegum pink hair sitting in between the older men. "Oh hello, I'm Hermione. I'm sorry I was a bit preoccupied when I came in."
Tonks shook Hermione's outstretched hand with a huge smile, "Wotcher, name's Tonks. I'm pleased to meet you finally. I've heard so much about you from these three but they seem to have forgotten their manners at the moment." The two older men looked a bit disgraced but Harry was still silent and focused on his plate, totally oblivious of what's happening.
"Tonks?"
"Her real name is Nymphadora, but she refuses to answer unless you call her by her surname." Sirius said teasingly.
"And so would you, if you're mother had named you that." She retorted.
"I like your hair. It's very…cheery" Hermione seemed to be suppressing a giggle.
"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet. Watch this." Tonks changed her hair from pink to yellow to violet and then enlarged her nose to resemble an elephant's.
"You're a metamorphagus!" The younger witch exclaimed delightedly.
"Yes, and an accomplished one, as she never forgets to remind us," Sirius said dryly.
Tonks haughtily flipped her hair at her cousin but with it still being a vibrant shade of violet, the overall intention was lost. Remus, on the other hand, was still amusedly watching Harry attack his food with unusual ferocity. "Are you planning to talk to us soon, Harry?"
That seemed to snap the boy back to the present. He slowly swallowed, took a drink of pumpkin juice, and then sheepishly said, "I'm sorry. I was famished after the torture Uncle Sirius put us through."
Remus looked warmly at his friend who was sporting an inordinately pleased expression. He also noticed how the young man had addressed Sirius. "Are you planning on torturing and starving them the whole summer?"
Harry spoke up. "I think we're going about this the wrong way. Maybe we should move these defense lessons in the afternoon. That way, we can start with a good breakfast and work on our homework or Occlumency without feeling like our whole body is protesting from standing up."
"I think that'll be better, we can always have an early light lunch so we won't have stomach aches going straight to training after." Hermione agreed.
"Yes, I realized that when I saw how you two looked when we finished and that was just my warm-up session. We'll move all defense lessons in the afternoons and have the academics out of the way in the morning."
"How bad was it?" Tonks gave them a pitying look.
"Let's just say I've been reacquainted with muscles I never knew I had." Harry said with a grimace.
The whole table laughed then Remus turned to Hermione, "Are you finished with your letters?"
She nodded. "I have them up in my room; I'll bring it down after breakfast."
"Letters to whom?" Harry was still shoveling a huge amount of food on his plate.
"I wrote to Ron and Ginny saying I'm going to be hard to reach this summer because my parents have asked me to attend a muggle self-defense and fitness camp to strengthen me. Because they've been worried about the constant dangerous situations we find ourselves in."
"Why did you include Ron? Aren't you going to tell him you're here?"
"We can't risk that right now. I was hoping you guys would be able to floo here and we could tell him together before going back to Lupin Manor to talk with Dumbledore."
"I like how you think, young lady," Tonks said.
Hermione flushed a little at the praise. "I just figured, it's better to be safe than sorry."
Tonks nodded. "I'll be giving them lessons too, with Remus. I might even help out Sirius here. No use learning an old man's tactics eh?"
"Who are you calling 'old man' ?" Both marauders loudly objected at the same time producing a round of snickers.
"Of course, I didn't mean you, Remus. You look young enough for me to date actually." Tonks said with a mischievous smirk which became a triumphant, knowing look when the older man colored like a ripe tomato.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other and suppressed knowing smiles before they both turned back to their plates. Sirius, meanwhile, looked like Christmas had come early.
Remus tried to salvage his situation though his face was still flaming. "Um..er… Dumbledore was very happy when I told him what we had planned, Padfoot."
"Really?" Harry interjected with an raised brow. Sirius and Hermione each shot him a look full of silent questions before his godfather said, "That's good. Has he spread the word out?"
"Yes. He sent word to whoever will be guarding the Grangers that Hermione won't be spending the summer there. And he's prepared to talk to Arthur and Molly about the Weasleys' lessons. He said Molly might be less worried and suspicious if the idea came from him. They'll be more amenable about their children learning highly defensive and offensive magic. He's asked them to come early this Saturday so he can propose the idea and suggest me and Tonks as teachers. If that foes well, I can floo Ron over here. You'll have enough time to talk to him and it will eliminate the chance for you to be seen by the other Order members. We can come get Ron when everybody has left."
"What do you mean?"
Remus and Sirius shared a look. "Snape is part of the Order, Harry." Remus said softly.
"What?! Why?!" Harry was indignant. Hermione gave him a slightly reproving look.
"He's working as a double agent with the Death Eaters, or so Albus says. I still don't trust the slimy git no matter how much Albus would vouch for him." Sirius said disgustedly.
"He's not always at the meetings but we'd really rather not take the chance. We still haven't decided to trust him with information as possibly detrimental as you being here. It doesn't require a leap of imagination to conclude that living with Sirius would result in whatever form of training he can give you. Right now, the only ones who know that you're here beside the ones at this table are the solicitors at Gringott's and the Weasleys. And they have instructions to keep it quiet."
"Why?" Harry asked again but comprehension dawned on his face just as quickly. "Oh, the Ministry."
"Yes. And of course, for Voldemort also. It's important to have him and his Death Eaters underestimate you as much as possible since it's a terribly good advantage to have. Dumbledore, Sirius, and I have a nagging suspicion that they won't stop at the articles. So we are doing everything we can to keep the fact that you are here hidden as long as possible."
"It was actually Ron who brought it to our notice."
Harry looked at Sirius with just a touch of disbelief. Hermione spoke up, "It's true. If you remember, after the tournament, articles debunking Voldemort's return started appearing. Not long after, Ron and I noticed a few not so appealing articles and references to you had also found their way in print. We decided to keep watch for what else they would publish and Ron decided to write Percy demanding to know why the Ministry was bent on discrediting you. Percy's reply was echoing what the Daily Prophet was publishing to the letter; it was obvious the paper was acting as the Ministry's mouthpiece against you. He said you were an arrogant, attention-seeking and psychologically unstable boy and that Ron would do well to cut off your friendship. He mentioned that he, along with the higher Ministry officials he is 'very close' with, was sure that you would be showing your supposed real colors soon publicly. After the letter, Ron told me he had a feeling that the articles would be the start of what the Ministry was planning for you. He said Percy was too adamant and smug in the letter and if he knew his brother and the other stuffed shirts he worked with, they would have something planned for you aside from the articles."
"I had asked Hermione to accompany me when I received my appointment from Gringott's regarding the guardianship because she had been a really big help and I knew she'd be pleased to see the fruit of her labors. She was too quiet the whole trip so I knew something was bothering her. And then when I was about to sign the documents, she asked the solicitor how private the information would be. The goblin replied that if we wanted, a privacy spell can be added to the document for an additional fee. Hermione begged me to agree to it. So right now, anyone who is not given permission to view your information would see the parchment reflecting you still living at Privet Drive." Sirius looked at Hermione proudly. "I then brought her here so we could talk privately and, at the same time, show her the house. When she told me of their suspicions, I had to admit they were right. I told Dumbledore and we've been trying to gather information on the Ministry since then."
Harry ran a frustrated hand through his hair, messing it further beyond belief. Hermione, who had been watching his reaction the whole time, suddenly let out a laugh. Harry looked at her irritably. But before he could ask what was so funny about the situation they were in, the other three people had also started laughing. "What?!" His eyes flashed at them with annoyance.
Hermione was trying to stop laughing but was failing miserably. "I think you may have dipped in some ketchup." She said, pointing at his hand which had some spots of the red condiment. The same hand that he had run though his hair.
"Oh bugger," He said, touching his hair. Sure enough, he came up with even more slushy red sauce. His mouth twitched and then finally gave in to laughter, forgetting his anger for the moment.
"I think we're ready to go back the dueling room." Sirius said after they had relatively calmed down and magically cleaned Harry's hair.
The teenagers groaned but followed him out of the room without further protest. Soon after, the couple left at the table followed to help.
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Hermione and Harry were enjoying a quiet Friday afternoon. Sirius, in an uncharacteristically good mood, had cancelled what would have been their first practical dueling lesson after he put them through another arduous conditioning workout that morning. After the four and a half grueling days where the man had seemed determined to test their limits in every physical and mental way possible, they thought it was only right of him to do so. They were enjoying a much needed break from the training, the Occlumency lessons, and Harry's homework. As a result, they found themselves in the library.
Harry was half-sitting, half-lying on the window-ledge. His back was propped on pillows against the wall; his legs stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankles. Hermione was facing him; her pose mirrored his and was reading a text on Advanced Transfiguration. A book on Charms was similarly propped in his lap. A book he was supposed to be studying, since he wasn't done with his homework yet. However, with their lower bodies touching at every point, his hormones had made their introduction and seemed to have turned a deaf ear to his higher brain's rebukes on his study habits.
She is your best friend! Harry sneaked another glance at the young woman. Yes, she is, and she was looking really good being his best friend, the workouts were starting to do their magic on her amazing body. His eyes traveled the length from her delicate ankles to her now even more well-defined legs and up all the way to… Oh why did she pick today, of all days, to wear those shorts? Harry shook his head in an attempt to clear it. He determinedly focused his eyes back on the text in front of him. When had he started to see Hermione this way? An annoying thought broke through his concentration. Her breasts, Harry's eyes darted to the aforementioned body part. Every curve was hugged by the fit white baby shirt she was wearing. He suddenly remembered when he woke up snuggling to her. They were so warm. And soft. Such warm, soft breasts. No, no, no! Stop it! It's her chest for god's sake! Get a grip on yourself, mate. Harry shut his eyes and tired to banish the traitorous thoughts he was giving his BEST FRIEND. You can't salivate for your friend no matter how fine looking she was, that's against all the rules. Wait, what rules? What was he babbling about? Merlin, I'm just a normal fourteen (going fifteen) year old teenager. He rubbed his hand over his face. Why now? Am I reacting to Hermione just because of hormones? We have grown closer, he admitted. And though we've always been together at school, it was the first time they've spent time relatively alone. He thought about everything she's done for him.
A very warm and loving feeling suffused him when he thought of how she had worked on Sirius' case. And the way she held him that night. He's never been one to be touchy but recently, he's looked for excuses to be just that with her. He found himself offering his hand to help her more. He enjoyed holding and watching her during sit-ups than what may strictly be called friendly. Also, she was the only one who can hug him without his reactionary flinch. What about those soft kisses she gave him? Does she like me? Do I like her? Would I like to be more than her friend? His thoughts went into a less lascivious but definitely more confusing path.
Unknown to the young man with the currently raging hormones and confounded emotions, his seemingly calm best friend had been having the same discussions with herself.
While Harry was trying to concentrate on his homework, Hermione had been admiring the muscles he's been building in his chest and arms. The new and now fitting clothes he's been wearing only helped her veiled perusal. The vintage dark purple shirt was stretched across his chest, defining some of the muscles that were starting to build up. Her eyes slid downward to his flat stomach, her mind going overdrive at imagining how his abs looked like now.
Oh, how she would love to run her hands over that six-pack he should have after all the crunches and kickboxing they've been doing. Six pack?! Her mind shrieked. Good god, she groaned, I'm starting to sound like Lavender and Parvati. What was the matter with her? This was Harry, her best friend. Wait, her other best friend. She liked Ron, didn't she? But Ron was so immature compared to Harry now. And he never could make her feel good about herself like Harry could when he gave her a compliment. No, that's not fair. She couldn't compare Ron and Harry; they were two totally different guys. They grew up in almost opposite lives. Just then, Harry raised his left hand and rubbed his face, effectively cutting off her very mature discussion with her inner self. Wow, he's gotten some very nice...what were they called again, biceps? Whatever, very nice arms. Ughh, I am such a girl! I can't be this shallow, can I? Her brow furrowed. Oh god, am I?
She stole a discreet look at Harry again. Or have I been suppressing an attraction for him all along? She averted her eyes back to her book while she chewed on her bottom lip. She admitted she hugged him more times than a normal best friend should. That was because he always seemed to need a hug, she rationalized back. Ok, fine, it feels really good to hug him, she forced herself to be honest. But it wasn't just those. He was kind, and so insufferably sweet. And he had this way of making her feel safe even if they were in the direst of situations. She didn't feel awkward with him like she did with Ron.
Ron had a way of making her temper flare up, a fact she actually hated since it usually caused her to make rash decisions and say hurtful things. Ron always seemed to make fun of her preference to follow rules and study habits. Harry, while he didn't share her traits, never made fun of her. He simply accepted it as part of her personality. She knew she was intelligent and that it was one of her annoying habits to be somewhat of a know-it all. However, he never seemed to be bothered or intimidated by it. Oh Merlin, do I like Harry? He's always been Harry to her. Her shy and sweet best friend who was always so generous with everything he had. He would always take the side of right, no matter how unpopular. He had strength of conviction she knew even most adults lacked. And….he's always been so honest with her. Ok, so he had a knack for getting tangled up in not so enjoyable circumstances but he always managed to get out of them without ever sacrificing his beliefs. Do I like Harry? Oh god, she can't stand this. She can feel the heat emanating from his body. This is not good, being this close. I need to think about all of this. But not while we're lying side by side while he's calmly sitting there with no idea how he's wreaking havoc on my hormones.
"Harry,"
He looked up, looking more than a little lost and perplexed. Well, actually he looked like he was about to panic. Hermione picked up on his tension, she sat up straighter. "Are you alright? You look bothered."
"What? Oh, er. No, I'm fine." He was looking a bit guilty. That struck Hermione as a bit odd. But she gave a mental shrug. It was quite possibly her imagination.
"Would you just like to watch a movie?" She had to get out of this… intimate… situation.
Harry released a smile of relief. "Sure. Let's get a couple of butter beers and make some popcorn. Would you like that?" Hermione nodded.
They both stood up and put their books on top of the study table. Neither noticed that they didn't say a word to each other until they reached the den to argue about which movie to watch.
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Harry was pacing back and forth in front of the fire.
"Would you please stop? You're making me nauseous." Hermione said exasperatedly. "It'll be alright, he'll be here soon."
"I know. I'm just a little nervous on what his reaction would be when we tell him."
"He'll be fine, Harry. He knows the dangers." Hermione tried to reassure him as well as herself.
"Well, you know Ron. He might take it the wrong way when we say he can't train here."
"You think he'll be jealous he isn't being tortured by Sirius personally?"
Harry laughed and some of the tension left his body. He took a seat in front of Hermione at the table. "Well, a little, if I'm to be honest. I've been a little wary of his insecurities since our fight about the Tri-Wizard Tournament."
Hermione placed her hand over his. "We'll make him understand. At least you're aware of his insecurities now and are doing what you can not to add to it. We'll just have to reassure him this was the best we could do." She said softly.
The fire glowed green at that moment. They turned to see a familiar, lanky, redhead holding a package stumble out.
"Harry, blimey, you look…. What are you doing here?!" He turned to Hermione accusingly then his eyes narrowed as he saw their still joined hands. Hermione saw what caught Ron's attention and as normally and slowly as possible, she removed her hand and placed it on her lap.
"Hey, Ron." Harry said nervously. He got up and fetched a butterbeer for his friend. "Have a seat. We have quite a lot to tell you." He motioned the seat next to Hermione.
Ron was turning the famous Weasley red as he sat without a word and sat the package at the seat at his other side.
"Before you blow up or anything, we want to say that we thought of everything and had tried all that we could do, ok?" Hermione was slightly becoming more nervous as she saw Ron's color. She mentally readied herself in case Ron's temper went out of control.
"About a week ago, Dumbledore came here and revealed that there had been a prophecy made about me." Harry went straight to the point, also noting his friend's heightened color.
Ron looked taken aback. Apparently, this wasn't what he expected to hear. His face lost some of its vivid shade.
Harry let out a relieved breath. "He was the one who heard the prophecy so he was able to show it to me as a memory. It said that an infant born at the end of the seventh month to parents who have escaped Voldemort thrice would be his downfall. A Death Eater heard this part of the prophecy and told his snake-faced master. My parents, along with another couple involved, immediately went into hiding. But the rest of the prophecy that Voldemort didn't know about told of him marking the infant as his equal, had powers he didn't know of, and that neither can live while the other does." Harry was surprised at the normal tone of his voice. He sent Hermione a delighted grin.
Hermione gave him an equally beaming one of her own, letting him know she understood the barrier he had just broken through.
Ron still looked aghast as he tried to understand what the prophecy meant for Harry. He didn't see the meaningful smiles his friends exchanged. "Bloody hell, Harry." He had a disbelieving expression.
Turning back to the young redhead, "I know. Believe me, I was a wreck when I first heard it."
"So you really have to kill You-know-Who? Or else… What are you going to do?"
Harry frowned a little at Ron's ready acceptance of his supposed fate. "Ron, just because it's a prophecy doesn't mean it would have to come true. There are still a lot of things that can happen between now and when or if I do face Voldemort again. There are still a lot of other possibilities."
"But, Harry…" Ron saw the look on Hermione's face and shut his mouth though it was clear he thought the two must be slightly delusional.
"In any case, Uncle Sirius decided on some insurance in the event I do find myself face to face with the mad murderer and his Death knibblers again. We've begun training in defensive and offensive magic while building up our strength with exercises and physical fitness training." Harry knew it might be a bit too complicated to explain the concept of Muggle martial arts to Ron.
"That is why I sent you and Ginny the letter. I've joined Harry in training." At Ron's hurt look, Hermione quickly placated her friend. "We just started a few days ago. Sirius and Harry had only decided to go ahead with it about a week ago." For some unknown reason, Hermione was loath to tell Ron how involved she was with the decisions made a week ago. "I had to write Ginny not to owl me for the summer and of course, I had to send one to you. too."
"With how things are with the Ministry, the Prophet, and Voldemort's return, my uncle and Remus think that my training should be known by as few people as possible. They had wanted to start as soon as was possible so, I was only able to have a talk with you today. It was too dangerous to owl you with all this information what with everyone still thinking I'm at Privet Drive. It would be mighty suspicious if I could just drop by to visit friends anytime I liked. Hermione told me it was you who first suspected what the Ministry was up to. We are all taking that seriously as things seem to be unfolding as you feared. That was good thinking, mate. Even Dumbledore agreed, he has the Order on the lookout for any additional information."
Ron flushed at the praise and finally smiled, releasing the tension between the three of them. "Well, uh...it was nothing. But Merlin, you two have been busy!"
"And so will you be. You didn't think you'll escape additional Defense lessons this summer, did you?" Hermione good-naturedly arched a brow at Ron who predictably groaned.
"Um, we tried everything to be able to have you stay here but Uncle Sirius and Remus said it would be too precarious if both of you disappeared for the balance of the summer. They, we, all decided it's easier to cover for Hermione since she's muggle-born and her parents' interactions with the wizarding world are extremely limited."
"Right now, Professor Dumbledore is talking to your parents about you and your siblings undergoing Defense lessons from Professor Lupin and Tonks. He's telling them it's because of your family's involvement with the Order and your closeness to Harry. I don't think your mum would be amenable to the fact that we are, if you think about it, training for war. Only the three of us, Sirius, Professors Lupin and Dumbledore are aware of the prophecy and its possible implications. I hope you're not angry." Hermione beseeched at Ron.
The young man didn't say anything for the longest moment. Harry and Hermione was starting fidget, unsure of what else they could say. Finally, Ron released a sigh. "I suppose that is the best you could do. Though, I would have liked it better if I had been allowed to stay here with you guys. Bloody hell, Harry, you're house is amazing!" Ron looked around the kitchen with awe.
Harry and Hermione shared relieved grins. Then Harry got up, "You wouldn't have believed the disaster it was before. Apparently, Uncle's family was as dark as you could be, even darker than the Malfoys. We've worked really hard to fix it up. We haven't finished yet but we've made significant changes for us to be able to be comfortable here. I'll give you a tour." They took their butter beers and showed Ron the renovated parts of the house.
They had started with the bedrooms, then the library. Ron only looked over briefly at the sight of tons of book before asking to see another room.
Harry paused at a newly constructed wall in the hall where a mid-sized framed picture of a teenaged, redheaded witch was grinning happily in between a bespectacled boy with wild, black hair and a rather handsome, dark-haired young wizard with sharp cheekbones. "There used to be a horrible portrait of Mrs. Black hanging here. Every time she saw Uncle or me, she'd start cursing about blood traitors and half-bloods. We tried everything to take it down, and silencing spells weren't working. Finally, one time, Uncle had enough and blasted the entire wall in a fit of temper. Turns out it was the only to get rid of it." Harry's mouth turned up at a corner while Ron laughed.
They continued to the living room and the redhead ogled at the array of liquors Sirius stocked.
"Wow, have you tried the Firewhiskey, Harry?" Ron was trying to see if the glass front shelves were locked by any kind of charm. He gave a triumphant yelp when it opened without any effort.
"Well, not really. I've been a bit preoccupied. Besides, you guys weren't here so I figured it wouldn't have been as fun as trying it by myself."
"Can I take one?" He asked beseechingly at his best friend.
Harry would have happily let Ron take home one of the bottles, he was sure his Uncle wouldn't mind since there have been a couple of times when he even offered Harry a glass. Just as he was about to reply though, he saw the thunderous look on Hermione's face. He paused. "Er..."
"Oh c'mon, Hermione. Why don't you loosen up a little? You're worse than being with McGonagall sometimes." Ron said mutinously as he knew immediately why Harry had hesitated.
At Hermione's stung, hurt look, Harry's temper irked. "Easy Ron, she was only looking out for us. It's going to be too obvious if you show up with a bottle of Firewhiskey after visiting me." He said a careful, measured tone, consciously hiding the annoyance he felt.
"Fine." Ron was still petulant but Hermione gave Harry a quick look of gratitude.
"Don't worry, I'll find a way to slip you one without anyone finding out how." Harry waggled his eyebrows conspiratorially.
"Brilliant!"
"Harry!"
They turned to look at each other and laughed. They went on to the den where the two had a grand time showing off the electronic gadgets to Ron. He seemed especially entertained by the telly and let out a playful whoop every time he pressed a button that made the DVD player play or eject a disc
With Ron's curiosity sated, they finally made their way to the dueling room. Ron was impressed as they took turns demonstrating how every piece of equipment worked and telling him how Sirius was bent on punishing their bodies almost every afternoon. Ron was torn between feeling glad that he wasn't subjected to the rigid schedule as they were and envious of the obvious effects the exercises had given them.
"Well, you can't complain of how you've changed, Harry. I mean, blimey, you must have grown about four inches since I've seen you and you say you've only started this a week ago."
"That wasn't exactly because of the exercise, Ron. Uncle had been adamant I take nutrition potions. He said it was to compensate for the malnutrition I had suffered. I guess its working fine then." He smiled shyly.
"More than fine." Hermione blurted out, before realizing she had spoken up. Both she and Harry turned a bright red. Ron looked from Harry to Hermione and back and clamped his mouth in a tight, tense line.
Harry shook his head. "Actually, we were thinking of a way to persuade you to have your own physical regimen this summer. I mean, I might have had some help with the potions but Hermione's body..er.. I mean um, physique has been totally from the work-outs we've been doing." The younger witch colored even deeper.
Ron's eyes narrowed even further at Harry's slip but still said nothing. He looked like he was having some sort of internal debate.
"I can give you instructions on how to go about it." Harry was determinedly trying to pretend that nothing was amiss. He looked at Ron with a silent plead in his eyes. "You can take some of the weights, and one of the dummies. I think this will help you a lot when or if you decide to try out for Quidditch this year. Wood's graduated."
The young redhead wanted to scream at the two. He had a pesky feeling that something else was going on and he couldn't help the wave of resentment that rose in his chest. He wanted to start a fight with Harry but he saw the almost desperate appeal in his eyes. A memory of their recent fight flashed in his mind and he cringed, friendship winning over his insecurities this time. "That would be awesome, Harry" He said, forcing a smile.
He saw Harry's shoulders sag in relief, while the latter was mentally thanking Ron for getting his implied message. He just wasn't ready to deal with…whatever it was. He proceeded to the weights; cast a lightening and shrinking charm on them before moving towards one or the dummies to do the same. Ron let out a panicked shout, effectively stopping him.
"Bloody hell, Harry, are you insane?! What do you think you're doing? The Ministry would be here in a second!!"
"Calm down, Ronald. Sirius was an Auror before. The Barmy Hole is unplottable as well as under a Fidelius charm. Any magic we do here is untraceable by the Ministry. It would be the same when you train with Professor Lupin at Lupin Cottage. It's also unplottable and under the same charm, it being the headquarters of the Order and all." Ron looked mollified and then delighted at the prospect of being able to perform magic undetected.
"Oh well, that seems fair. By the way, I forgot to tell you, Fred and George asked me to give you a package. I think I may have left it on one of the kitchen chairs."
Harry nodded. They spent several more minutes going over the uses of the equipment Ron was taking home before they went back to the kitchen where the redhead instantly discovered the function of a wonderful muggle appliance called a refrigerator.
*****************************************
The trio was washing the dishes when the fire again glowed green. It was already late at night, and they were feeling the effects of the butter beers they've consumed so they were happy to see Sirius, Remus, Professor Dumbledore, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley appear in the kitchen.
"Harry, you've grown!" Molly Weasley gave him one of her infamous hugs which almost cut off his circulation.
"You're looking good, Harry." Arthur patted him on the back when his wife had released him and moved on to Hermione.
"What are you doing here, dear? I thought Ginny said you were at some sort of summer school." Molly asked.
"Oh well, Harry asked me to come for the afternoon since Ron was visiting. He wanted us to see the house together. Sirius picked me up from camp and apparated me here." Hermione flushed a little at having to lie at the kind-hearted woman who had taken them in for several summers.
"I have to bring her back soon, too. I promised the muggles there I'd have her back before midnight." Sirius quickly backed up the fidgeting younger witch.
"Well, we'll hurry up now then. We don't want you to get in trouble." The witch motioned to Ron.
Mr. Weasley didn't say anything but gave them all a knowing look. "We'll be going. It's late and we only have the twins watching the Burrow. It's good to see you, Harry. Come visit us sometime ok?"
"I will, Mr. Weasley."
Molly gave them each another bone-crushing hug before the three Weasleys disappeared back into the green flames.
"I'll turn in for the night. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Harry." Hermione half-hugged her friend, still feeling bit too conscious of the chaotic emotions she was battling earlier that afternoon. Then she bid goodnight to the Headmaster and Remus before reaching up to kiss Sirius on the cheek and left the kitchen.
Harry felt a stab of jealousy at the affectionate way his friend bid his godfather goodnight. Then he promptly berated himself at his irrational reaction. Get a grip! He told himself joining the three older wizards at the black island again, mirroring a conversation that had happened not too long ago. He looked at the Headmaster whose eyes seemed to be twinkling from amusement. He thought his reaction might not have been as private as he hoped. Either that, or the professor was a master at reading people's hidden emotions.
"Hello, Harry. You are looking better and better every time I see you. I'm ecstatic at the steps you all have decided to take this summer." Harry looked at the older wizard warily, trying to deduce if his compliment held any deeper meaning. "Alas, we must discuss a not so pleasant topic again this night."
Sirius got up. "Would you all like some butter beers?" Harry shook his head, "Can I please have some pumpkin juice instead?"
The older two wizards begged off for tea. His godfather sat back at the table after fetching the drinks.
"Right now, I do not like what has been happening at the Ministry. There have been several instances of break-ins happening under their very noses. None of these have been offensive or aggressive. Most seem to be reconnaissance in nature."
"Scouting missions." Harry nodded and stared back to Dumbledore.
"Yes, they are. We are still not sure what Voldemort is looking for at the Ministry, but Sirius and I suspect it might be the prophecy; though we do not have conclusive evidence." Remus spoke up.
"The Death Eaters have also been surprisingly quiet. Snape is being totally useless with his lack of information." Sirius had a derisive scowl on his face.
Dumbledore turned a tired, reproving look at the dark-haired man. "He's close to gaining Tom's trust back. He'll be able to provide us with invaluable evidence soon."
The two men said nothing though they had the same doubtful expression at how invaluable any information provided by their childhood nemesis would be.
"So right now, everything we know is still guesswork?" Harry asked quietly.
"Not everything. We have taken note of the movements of the feelers Voldemort has put out. They all seem to be in range of the Department of Mysteries." Remus offered.
"But, even more disheartening news is that Fudge still refuses to budge. He is doing nothing to prepare the Ministry and has even taken to redirecting the public's attention on you." Dumbledore looked angry, as he seemed to be remembering a recent altercation with the minister. "I have tried to talk to him again and make him see reason. But aside from withholding the kiss from being performed on Pettigrew, he has refused to do anything else."
"He's still alive?!" Harry's temper immediately flared up.
"He is, though his cell at Azkaban is no more a prison cell than a box isolating him from everyone. Do not be hasty in meeting out a person's punishment, Harry. Try to show sympathy to prisoners as best you can." The Headmaster gently admonished him.
Harry wasn't aware of his raised voice. "He betrayed my parents!"
"That is true, Harry. But he is also one of the Death Eaters who was inside Voldemort's inner circle. He might still be able to provide us with information. He is a weak person; trust me when I say that his punishment is worse than being kissed by a dementor." Remus said softly.
Harry fumed silently. No matter how he can see they were right, his heart could never agree with what they were saying.
"I don't like it anymore than you do, pup. But we have to accept it for now."
"Going back to the issue of Ministry's attempts have discrediting you. We have to take some necessary steps." Dumbledore shifted back the conversation.
Remus nodded. "It's been getting worse. The Prophet isn't publishing any more articles about you but they have managed to make you a joke through some nasty references and sly, inserted comments."
"I know. Hermione and I have been reading the rag cover to cover everyday. She says I can't exactly sue them for libel since they've stopped publishing any direct attacks on my reputation."
"She's right, which makes your position even more precarious. Sirius tells me that we have Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley to thank for the preemptive action he secured regarding your whereabouts."
"I've also been making myself more visible and have taken to visiting my old haunts so as to pacify them in thinking I've just reverted back to my old, debauched bachelor ways."
"That is wise. But what worries me is Harry's lack of presence at Privet Drive. The Ministry might have someone check if he is still living there. I always have an Order member at the Dursleys, both as a lookout and a guard."
They all fell silent as though they were all waiting for something. And then Harry spoke up. "I understand. I'm willing to show up at the Dursleys from time to time. It's nothing really, as long as I know I never have to live with them again."
Dumbledore gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you for volunteering to do that Harry. I had wanted to ask you but I was hesitant to tell you that you'll need to see them again."
"Maybe Tonks would agree to pose as you when she has her shift. That would lessen the time you need to actually be there."
Harry gave his former professor a look of utmost gratitude. He abhorred having to spend any more time at the Dursleys and had only volunteered when he felt that the three men was at a loss on how to ask him to do it.
Remus gave him a soft smile. "I'll talk to her about it tonight."
Sirius suddenly had an evil look. "It's quite late, Moony. What have you been doing with my little cousin?"
"She asked me to help her fix something at her apartment, thank you very much." Remus retorted while Harry swatted his godfather on the arm.
Dumbledore laughed at the three young men. "Oh, you don't know how you all give me hope in these dark times. Maybe it is time for you two to look for the appropriate witch for Sirius so he can have a taste of his own medicine."
Harry grinned at the headmaster's direction while Sirius visibly gulped at the knowing look on Remus' face. The younger wizard failed to grasp the Headmaster's implication that he and Remus already had their own appropriate witches.
"Harry, my boy, I forgot to ask you about a school matter."
"Yes, Professor?"
"Professor McGonagall submitted your name as prefect this year but I haven't approved it yet. I was actually thinking you might already have too much on your plate, but I had wanted to check with you."
Harry felt grateful at the headmaster's initiative. He was thinking maybe, he might be able to start trusting the professor again. He thought about the prefect privileges and duties. Can he handle it? He wondered if Hermione would be picked as the fifth year girl's prefect. Well, of course she would, he snorted. Well, he definitely would like to be guaranteed some time alone with her next year but he still wasn't sure if he could handle the additional work.
"Would you mind if I think about it for a while, Professor?"
"Dumbledore nodded, "Of course, Harry. Just send me an owl when you make up your mind."
Harry nodded. "Thank you, Professor."