It was not long before Harry developed a schedule. Early the the mornings, he would go for a run and stretch his body. Afterwards, he would do all types of exercises he could think of, which was not as short as one might expect, having learnt some from watching Dudley practice boxing. He would also take the time to just sit upon a tree in the small forest, on the grounds and watch the blue skies, clear lake and beautiful flowers. It was a moment of peace and relaxation he allowed himself, a moment of stillness and reflection, so as to not be overwhelmed and to keep himself in the present.
He would then have a long negotiation with his house elves, including Milly to try and cook, something he had grown to appreciate and even enjoy over the years, and ultimately fail each day. This always resulted in an impressive breakfast, even a full English Breakfast for a lone person not used to eating. Harry figured that the house elves worked to prove themselves worthy to cook breakfast. He still had not given up, in fact adding the request of simple meals.
After a shower and an hour of rest, he would gear himself towards his lessons. His motive primarily rested on all of his near death experiences, and all that would undoubtedly come in the future. Nor did he want to remain helpless any longer. They couldn't hurt him if he saw them coming, after all.
His lessons would start with the practical side of things, his years at Hogwarts teaching him that he learnt best with practicals or under duress. His main objective was to learn to control his magic again, and the power of his spells, with all portraits coming and going with some sort of advice. Not that all of it was genuine advice. This was best proven when a particular such advice from Simon led him to become a Salmon with human legs who could survive without water. Ignoring these mishaps, Lily predicted that he would have it down by the second week ended. It was not something he had not done before, but just something he needed to relearn. If time permitted he would revise his subjects and advance even further as well as learning new subjects such as warding. After a light lunch he would focus on the theoretical aspects, learning about History, Potions , Runes, Arithmancy , Astronomy, COMC, and about obscure spells to learn once he mastered control over his magic along with subjects long forgotten, even at Hogwarts. Of course, he barely understood them, but that was another matter. He would on alternate days, learn of politics, legilimency and improve occlumency. The rest of the day would then be his. On the weekends he would do his daily workout and practice magic, before attempting the animagus transformation process which would take time.
Harry remembered his first lesson where he tried to control his powers : He levitated a feather , it shot up so quickly towards the ceiling that the feather had lost the feathery part of it. The feathery part was later rediscovered inside of his Grandfather's portrait and no one was quite sure how it had ended up in there. Not even the house elves. At least he was beginning to control it. Somewhat.
On the other hand, 3 days into his stay at Potter Manor, he happened to sleep the whole day, due to exhaustion. He dreamt of his his first piece of magic : Throwing a whole raspberry pie at his father, who stood speechless, covered in pinkish goo. His first word. It had been quite disappointing for the marauders and Lily, who had placed numerous bets on what would be his first word, It was naturally their own names that they had bet after. That Harry's first word turned out to be "Sot !" had nothing to do with the cat secretly encouraging baby Harry in private. Nope, nothing. On asking, he would discover that it had been the family cat, Spot. He remembered the day when the Secret Keepers were changed, and when Dumbledore put those spells on them. Needless to say, it took quite an effort to stop Harry from marching out to kill Dumbledore then and there.
Everything seemed so much simpler and easier to Harry. Things did seem easier when one remained cut off from the world, and even Harry knew that he would have to rejoin at some point or the other. This, he reflected, was a valuable life lesson taught by the Dursleys : A life lived sequestered away, was not life at all, in fact. Regardless, what he knew intellectually, did not always transfer to his heart.
Speaking in terms of his other progress, he was already beyond 7th year in theory, and would soon in a few days start actual spells of the same, control not being perfect. He had mastered his control till 4th yr spells. He seemed more sharper. He no longer felt any loyalty to anyone save for some towards his friends. He still was a very loyal person, but his faith had taken a huge blow and his trust had been shaken severely. He just hoped that for both their sakes, that everyone were under spells. He also got various apologies, gifts and letters from fans,starting from being dated back to Halloween 1981, till today, 1996. He had various letters from different people - Krum, Fleur, Diggory's parents, Neville, Luna, Seamus, Dean, Remus, fan letters, Quidditch scouts, Madam Amelia Bones and different letters kept from him, in a Gringotts vault. Unfortunately, he would only be able to reply until Dumbledore knew of his breaking out from under his thumb. Once he knew, interception could occur. The chances were high. His parents had asked if he looked over their will before the reading, but he hadn't. He may have gotten his parents in a weird way but not really. The pain of them not really being there, was as acute as their presence. He simply hadn't the courage to read the will and confirm that his parents were dead even if a portion of themselves rested behind. His parents understood of course, and did not blame him in the slightest. They were also particularly creative with their words. He had learnt more from his mother in a day than from Vernon in 15 years.
His hair also began changing. With help from the portraits, Harry was able to control his metamorphmagus abilities to the optimum, so he could hide among muggles efficiently, but he would need a real teacher for the things only an actual metamorphmagus could teach him.
By this time, Harry now had some things he urgently needed to be done : Visit a healer, visit his vaults, search for Sirius, do some more shopping and make sure to remove everyone from the influence of Dumbledore. And he needed a secure way to contact Moody. When it would be discovered that he was gone, Harry wanted to make sure that he would help it look like he hadn't much a motive, for he knew that the spells Dumbledore placed on the house would probably tell him that his absence was much voluntary.
First Harry visited the healer. Rose Pomphrey, was her name apparently. Upon asking, Harry was amused and wary of the sister of the Hogwarts nurse. For if she was anything like the latter... he shuddered. As Harry entered the clinic, he spotted the nurse." Now first things first" she bustled, without even asking for his name, " we healers give oaths so whatever you say is private. Many of the patients can't afford to release some knowledge, so just clearing your doubts. Check up on the Hippocratic oath if you want." Well, Harry thought, no one could deny that the two nurses are sisters. And direct. He had of course previously checked, just in case. So, he revealed his name, abuse, Voldemort's injuries, headmaster's influence and scars.
" Those disgusting little, vile.." She had ranted angrily. " Tell me you are not with them anymore." She demanded.
" I'm not and I never need to go back," he said calmly, " Besides I am not sure if it was them doing this so much as if they were spelled."
" Alright then." She paused. " What do you plan to do with them."
" At this stage? Nothing. I am not ready to go head to toe with that issue and I have bigger fish to fry. One day, perhaps."
She was horrified at the belt scars on his back. After getting a long list of potions, Harry made sure to extract another vow of silence, which she willingly gave.
He finally made a trip to his vaults at Gringotts, knowing it was about time. He paid no attention to the gold, but took his parent's journals, ancient books and The marauder map improved and the Marauder book of pranks.
He and Ragnok discussed what to do next. He agreed that they should cleanse Remus and the Tonks family promptly, and start filling cases and safeguards against Dumbledore with the help of one Andromeda Tonks. Neither of them could come up with a place where Sirius could be, but they managed to cross off a few places and start a lookout for him.
He also inquired about The Marauder's Castle, but it seemed that the knowledge to access it had had disappeared with Sirius Black.
" Remus Lupin, in the last year and half of the war was kept immensely busy by Dumbledore, to gain werewolf allies and barely saw his friends. Due to this they could never share the information, and later on led to unfortunate suspicions on his person. Which you would undoubtedly have foreknowledge of."
Harry gave a long sigh.
" Is it possible for me. to send Moody an owl through Gringotts so no one gets suspicious?" He asked, changing the subject. " And I'd like to set up a meeting with him if possible tomorrow in one of the conference rooms?. You can take the fee from my vaults ." Harry asked.
Ragnok thought for a while, " It is. Just give me the letter, and everything will be set up. Maybe with his help you can bring the others to be cleansed here. And the ones to cleansed during the will readings, will be cleansed for free."
Harry hastily scribbled upon a piece of paper, and presented him with the letter.
Alastor Moody,
Hey Mad Eye , ol' chap! Remember the time when I was asking you for some advice ? When we both we talking about meddling old coots , your job at Hogwarts and snakes. Well there is a slight issue. I suggest you come to where I work, Gringotts if you don't remember though we both know that's unlikely. Tomorrow at 10 am would be best. It would be wise for you to come on time. I'll set us up a room at my workplace. Just to reassure your paranoia, this isn't a trap but a very Sirius matter.
Until tomorrow,
Evan Jameson
Enough hints, Harry felt for Moody to understand where to come if not for his identity. And Mad-Eye was paranoid enough that Harry knew, nobody would be reading this letter. He also indulged in some last minute book shopping.
10 o'clock couldn't come soon enough, Harry decided the next day. He had already finished his exercises. Today's sessions had comprised of him dodging tennis balls coming to him at an incredibly high rate, to optimise his reflexes. Refreshed, and heavy with breakfast, it was only 9:30 am. He doubled checked his portkey, wand, and holster. He retired his shoelaces and paced. One would've thought that he had learnt some patience by now.
" Patience is a virtue " said Lily, looking slightly amused. "So is silence "he said, tired by everyone telling him to sit down.
"Ah, yes but patience is a virtue far more valuable and hard learned" said James sagely. Simon coughed in the background, destroying his father's zen image. " No, it's a word, " Harry said sarcastically.
Before James' little brain could come up with a witty comeback, the clock struck ten minutes to ten and with a shout of goodbye, he was gone, amidst the yells of 'Be careful!' And 'Come back in one piece !' .
Ragnok led Harry to the conference room. " No magic can be used inside and I doubt it'll come to a physical fight but stay alert and cautious nonetheless." He warned. Once inside, Harry now had to wait for the appearance of one Mad Eye ' Paranoid' Moody.
The room itself was nothing interesting- just plain brown walls and a white floor, but Harry could feel the energy coming of them, preventing the use of magic. Since Harry knew it couldn't be the blockage of magic, he assumed it just nullified the magic coming out of his body into the atmosphere.
It didn't take long to hear the clank of a wooden cane. And not a second later, the door squeaked open to admit Mad Eye Moody into the room. His wooden leg clinked as he came in. His blue eye whirled around, while his dark eye was fixed on Harry though, he didn't seem to identify him. His face was just as Harry remembered- littered with scars and seemed to be carved out of wood with a good chunk of his nose missing. His grey hair stood up, on the edge.
He then spoke in his growling, gruff voice." Wouldn't know who you were if not for your letter. Learnt to be discreet then? Your new look is very similar but healthy enough for them to not recognise you. Constant Vigilance ! " he shouted suddenly, successful at deductance. However Harry did not react, having expected it. " What did you call me the first time you met me and what was my response?" Moody asked.
" I called you Professor and you said ' Don't know about professor boy, didn't actually get around to teaching last year', " Harry replied before asking his own question, " Who impersonated you and what happened to her?" Harry changed the gender hoping to throw him off, if he happened to be an impersonator. " Barty Crouch Jr. Kissed on Fudge's orders. Nice twist on the gender. Now.....on to business " Said Moody.
" I'll be blunt " Harry stated, " I read Sirius' will. I performed a test. I'm officially emancipated, Lord of my house, Free of any spells and potions and away from Dumb-as-a-door's influence " He kept the knowledge of being Lord of multiple houses to himself.
Moody nodded." So now the only question is how you want to play this game ." Stated Moody. Harry took some time to think .
" I have kept the will reading a week before August. I know September might be a bigger blow, and he will be unprepared but he will be least expecting the blow while in the summer. It will also help to test loyalties before Hogwarts, where anything can go wrong. The other part is that it will make Dumbledore think he has won some part as I know he has captured Sirius, but I have not been able to find him. I have also been training continuously. With the help of the will reading I plan to erode his support a bit and later press charges against him. I also need your help in bringing the Tonks family and Remus here so the goblins can cleanse them. The rest will be during the will reading. I need you as a spy in the order to collect information and see if anyone will be loyal to me, Dumbledore or Voldemort. I would like for you to keep looking out for dirt on both Moldy Shorts and Dumb-as-a-door." Moody gave a laugh at the names. " As well as Sirius more importantly. " Harry continued, "If anyone would know where to look it would be you . Will you help ? " asked Harry.
Moody gave a grin that scared Harry more than he would like to admit. " To bring down Dumbledore and watch him spin around in circles? You needn't ask. Constant Vigilance! Anything as long as I capture dark wizards."
" How do we contact each other ?" Harry asked.
"Well it's good I came prepared. See that parchment? Whatever I write on mine will appear on yours and the other way round. Only the two of us can read what is on it. A small alarm will ring when one sends a message. But if you silence it as I will be doing, then remember to constantly check it for urgent messages. I'll send you a update once every 3 days. "
Harry grinned. It was a start of a beautiful take down.
AN:- Hey ! Done again. Thanks to whoever voted and commented . The next chapter will be up and running sometime in the next 3 weeks. I would love to update frequently but my prelims start in 3 days and last till Feb 17. Please comment,vote and give your suggestions and corrections. To clear some doubts :
Yes Harry will enter his 6th yr
He will meet Ron and Hermione
The portraits have the essence of the person. It has their memories, habits everything. It's basically them . On the other hand the real person with the magic and all is dead. Physically and magically. People can change but Portraits remain constant. They will not grow up or show change in personality when the ought to. They're like real life echoes tha are real but not. This is really the best I can do at explaining it....
Anyway look forward to the next chapter
Moon Signing Off