OLD MAGIC, CH 24

Chapter 24: Training and Discussions

The boy under discussion was at that moment miles away from the Hagrid homestead and deep within the Forbidden Forest awaiting instructions from his mentor and adoptive father.

His training had begun when he was barely six years old and now, despite going to Hogwarts, his guardians continued the training of mind and body to ensure he could withstand any attacks against him when he was away from their protection. Unlike his peers, Harry was more physically fit and had better control over his magical core. But he was far from being skilled or powerful enough to take on an adult enemy.

So he had to endure countless training sessions on weapons use, physical training, and working at increasing his magical 'muscles' as he continued to grow. He wouldn't reach his maximum potential until his late teens...nothing could hurry that. Though it chaffed Harry sorely that he couldn't speed that up somehow.

He began to shiver even though he wore plenty of warm clothing. The scarf wrapped around his face plus his warming spell didn't entirely keep out the bitter cold that had swept in during the night and left the day truly frosty. He didn't want to increase the spell's strength because he knew the workout Hagrid had planned would have him sweating soon enough. Hagrid's gruff voice dragged his attention back to the reason he was out here in the cold a day before Christmas.

"Alright there, Harry. You're doing wand less spells today. So, I want you to practice the four strongest defensive spells I've taught you until you can do them easily and swiftly with barely a thought to execute them. Don't be concerned they haven't much kick behind them. That will come as you grow older and stronger."

"Yes, I know...but it's hard to get a feel for how strong the spells should be when I'm not able to produce the full effect," Harry complained. "And with the danger to us all being present now, its hard to wait until I'm ready to actually deal with my enemies who continue to get stronger as I wait to get older."

Hagrid sighed and gave the boy a small smile of understanding. "Aye, I know lad, but there's naught we can do to speed your growth and we wouldn't want to. Life is a series of experiences, Harry. Without them you wouldn't have the wisdom and experience to use your gifts safely ... only time can give you that. You must be patient! Maturity can't be rushed. Now, no more complaining. Get to work!"

Harry sighed. He knew what Hagrid said was true but it still rankled and made him antsy about all the harm he could see happening around him and knowing he could nothing about it yet.

Stop whining about it, Harry, it won't change a thing, he scolded himself mentally. Pushing his ire to the back of his mind, he took several cleansing breathes and began his lessons.

Over the next few hours, he practiced until each spell came with barely a second's thought and effort. But it had come with a cost...his mind felt like mush by the end and his focus began to waver when Hagrid finally called a halt. He'd been monitoring the boy by mentally standing on the edge of the young wizard's awareness. He was pleased by Harry's progress. The boy was far ahead of anyone his age.

"Very good, Harry but enough for now. You need to rest and recover. If you're up to it after dinner, Aurelious wants to put you through more sword work."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Bloody hell, maybe I should have stayed at school," He said facetiously.

Hagrid snorted and gave the boy a light bap to the back of the head which nearly knocked Harry off his feet. "No more than usual, Harry." Then more seriously, "Your life depends on you being more skilled than your enemies expect you to be, Harry."

"I know...believe me, I do," Harry said grimly. Hagrid smiled approvingly, laid his arm on the boys shoulder then apparated them both back to the house.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

"Ahh, just in time for lunch, Rubius," his mother said, smiling at the pair as they entered and stripped off their heavy outerwear. The boy's hair was sweaty and standing up like some punk rock star. "Looking a mite peaked there, Harry. Get some food in ya then shower and take a wee nap to recharge," she ordered, lightly.

"Yes, mum," Harry muttered, smothering a yawn as he hung his winter gear on the pegs near the door.

Hagrid hung his heavy cloak beside Harry's then headed to the library to see how their two other wizards were doing. Pushing open the door, he saw young Draco slouched down in one of the sofa chairs, one leg over the arm, the other on the floor, staring into space and frowning in thought. The potions professor sat in another chair across from the boy, pouring through a book, a deep frown on his face. The laptop was closed and still sitting on the oak table.

"Sobering lessons weren't they?" Hagrid commented, a small smile tugging at his lips when the pair startled at his sudden appearance then gave him twin expressions of dour discontent in response to his question.

"That's an understatement," Draco growled.

"Aye, I'm sure it tis. Well, leave off for now and come have lunch. If you have questions, we'll try to answer them," Hagrid said.

"Food? After what I've been reading I'm not sure I'm hungry at all." Draco shook his head and grimaced.

"An empty stomach will only distract and annoy you, so eating and a lively discussion might ease your mind, young fella, and perhaps give you a new perspective on things," the half giant counseled then turned away to head back toward the dining room.

Silence fell between the two once more. Then Snape sighed, closed his book, leaving it on his chair, and rose to his feet. "He's right. Let's be off and leave this feeling of doom behind for now."

Draco said nothing in response. Snape eyed his Godson a moment longer then left him alone. The boy stared at the ceiling for several minutes, lost in his morbid thoughts. Suddenly, his stomach growled making him scowl down at it. Sighing, he climbed to his feet. Perhaps Hagrid was right. Being around people right now and getting something hot to eat were better than listening to his own bitter thoughts and trying to ignore his angry middle's complaining.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

The number of guests were fewer than when Snape and Draco had arrived so everyone sat at one end of the huge dining room table so they could talk and pass the food easier.

As he was serving himself from a platter that held a delicious smelling fish pie, Darius eyed the two men thoughtfully. Passing the platter to Harry, he asked, "You two seemed unusually disturbed after today's lessons...want to talk about it?"

Snape frowned, put a small amount of mushy peas and a single banger made of venison on his plate then sipped a little of his spiced cider before answering. "We...had a discussion on what issues need addressing and in what order of precedence they should be dealt with."

"Ahh...that's good. Let's hear it then and see if it coincides with our thoughts on the subject," Darius encouraged.

Hagrid nodded agreement, filling his plate full. He drank deeply of his large mug of mead before settling to eat and listen.

Agatha set a bowl of Apple Fool down on the table and a dish filled with the offal of the fish she'd made the pie from on the floor for Wine who appeared instantly from his place near the fireplace in the kitchen, giving the cook a soft mew of thanks before digging in.

"You're welcome," Agatha murmured before taking a seat next to her son and filling a plate for herself, her attention tuned to the two wizards.

In brief fashion, Snape told them what he and Draco had discussed then everyone began a lively question and answer period that only marginally made the pair feel better about what they'd decided.

When the conversation wound down, Hagrid gave Snape a quick glance before saying, "Aye, it's true Voldemort needs to be ended permanently and his minions ferreted out before any true progress toward protecting our world as a whole can be begun, however..."

"However, how do you find him when he's in spirit form and could be anywhere? And if you do get lucky and find him, how do you dispose of him? I hadn't heard anyway to disperse a spirit except by exorcism and the Dark Lord isn't about to hang about long enough to allow that to be done," Draco interrupted, frustration clear in his voice. Though the food smelled wonderful, he found he was still too upset to eat and was only pushing around his sausage and peas without truly eating any of it.

Harry flicked a glance at Snape and Hagrid. He wondered if they should tell Draco what they knew but a tiny shake of Snape's head made him keep silent.

"It's not as hopeless as you think, Draco. There are those who know the Dark Lord's present whereabouts. They only wait for the right opportunity to put an end to him," Snape answered without revealing too much.

Draco blinked in surprise at his God Father. "Does that mean you know?"

"Yes, but I can't tell you anything. The fewer people that know about this the less likely the Dark Lord will get wind of the plan and escape again."

The blond looked only mildly mollified by this answer. "Fine, that's certainly understandable. I hope that means the threat will be dealt with soon?"

Snape sighed and took a drink of his wine. "That is our hope." Silence fell for some minutes, everyone focusing on their food and thinking about what had been said.

"Would anyone like some Apple Fool?" Agatha asked, adroitly putting an end to the solemn atmosphere. She picked up the bowl and served her son then herself before passing it on to an eagerly reaching Harry.

"I adore this dessert, mum!" He said, grinning widely, serving himself a huge dollop.

Darius smiled in amusement, taking the bowl from the boy and serving himself a healthy amount of the creamy concoction.

Though still a bit out of sorts, Draco couldn't resist having some as well.  The rich dessert made of mushed apples, fresh whipped creme and sugar with a slice of apple on top was to die for.  His face was rapturous after the first bite.  He had to admit, this was the best Fool he'd ever had.  It wasn't something made at Hogwarts at all and his mother wasn't a cook.  He was truly getting spoiled by all the good food served at the Hagrid's home.

"Brilliant dessert, Mrs. Hagrid," Draco said, grinning. Others chimed in with their enthusiastic agreements as bowls were emptied quickly.  Snape smiled in amusement at his Godson's reaction to the dessert.  He'd passed on it as such things weren't something he normally indulged in.

"Thank you, all. Glad you're enjoying my Grandmother's recipe," Agatha said, pleased at the response all around.

"I've got to get the recipe from ya," Darius said. "I always forget when I'm here."

Agatha laughed. "Of course. I'll send it to your e-mail."

Draco paused in licking his spoon to stare at her in surprise. Then he shook his head. It always stunned him on how much the old ones knew about muggle technology. It made him feel positively prehistoric in comparison.