Weapon

I get the impression that I'm missing something with this chapter but I can't work out what. It's okay but it seems boring...

And I finally remembered the password and username for this site so I LIVE!

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Weapon (Possession Chapter LXXXVIII)
Chapter XXXVII – Training Discussions
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Dumbledore looked around his office. He was pleased with the night's events but now they had to build on them so that they could continue moving forwards. Sirius, Remus, Minerva and Snape were present and now they would lay out the summer training program for Harry. Harry himself was napping in the quarters provided for him and even though that was a little unusual, Fawkes had happily reported that everything seemed okay. He was still adjusting though and so needed to sleep.

He had asked the phoenix if Harry's power indicated that he would be able to complete an animagus transformation however the bird hadn't replied but there was a self satisfied gleam in fire eyes and the Headmaster had been reassured by that. Even he'd been able to feel the change in Harry since the moment he had appeared from Ollivander's corridor but the specifics of such changes were best left to the phoenix's determination.

So in all likelihood the first thing they had to do was establish exactly what had changed. Once that was done, then they could begin to train Harry...

Train.

Heh.

The word was a misnomer and Dumbledore shook his head as he looked down at the preliminary report from Marchbanks. It contained Harry's unconfirmed OWL and NEWT results. Unconfirmed because for such a grade to be issued it had to be verified by other authorities and in the case of one Harry Potter, they wanted to be discrete. The Prophet would have a field day if they found out now, and while the Order would eventually reveal Harry's unprecedented result, it would reveal it at a time that suited it.

Even so, they would still call these summer exercises training as it was, in a way. Harry knew the charms but he would need to learn to control the strength of his abilities and would need to learn the way of combat. Severus had suggested physical training for the boy and Dumbledore had agreed. They would need to teach him some weapons as well as the various signals used by the Order and Aurors in battle. Knowing the magic was not enough but they would still start with animagus training. And somewhere along the line they had to work in ... he was loath to call this training, but at least it was knowledge or education about Harry's hereditary abilities.

The shadows seemed to accompany their young master everywhere, a fact for which Dumbledore was pleased about but they did need to begin to separate fact from fiction. The accounts of the few times Gryffindor had used his birthright were sketchy, even those written by the other founders and so they had to know more. Already they had learnt a lot about the shadows, just by observing Harry. No one had known the shadows could talk, or that they could act without their Masters permission unless in his defence yet they had. The Order had to know more, had to know the limits of their abilities as well as learn how autonomous they were and how extensive was Harry's control. They could not afford an ability or a weapon which was unstable or unreliable.

He had every confidence in Harry though. Already the youngest member of the Order had proven his worth and his adaptability and in reality he knew they had no choice, they could fight Tom but only Harry could win. Tom had a fixation on the young Gryffindor and would continue to come at him until one or the other was dead. It was almost a compulsion but it was one they could exploit.

"I still insist he gets Potion training!" The angry statement broke through his thoughts; Severus' voice, fighting with Sirius, no surprise there. "That's the one area your precious Godchild is deficient in."

The canine animagus looked amused and picked up Marchbanks report, leafing through the pages before he answered Snape. "A XXX result on a NEWT level paper..." he murmured, deliberately keeping his tone mild, "Most wizards would kill to have a deficiency like that."

"The point is he could do better."

"Probably not with you teaching him though," Remus said quietly.

"Are you saying I'm not qualified?"

"I'm saying that Harry doesn't like you. He probably could do better since it seems that all other knowledge from the Dark Lord transferred and by your own admission Severus, the Dark Lord can rival you in Potions when he desires but Harry is unlikely to desire to do better with you as a teacher."

"Who else will teach him then?"

"Is it really that essential to raise a XXX to a YYY. For anyone else we wouldn't even be concerned. If we do Potions training though, then we are obligated to train Mr Potter in Herbology as well to raise that XXX."

"What practical purpose does that serve?" Snape sneered.

"What practical purpose does Potions serve?" The question was returned.

"Like it or not, we are training him for a battle and in battle potions come in pre-packaged vials, ready for use," Remus said reasonably, trying to avert further argument. "Practical Potion Use could perhaps be a topic of training but in the brewing of Potions, Harry is sufficiently skilled for our purposes."

"Both Potions and Herbology were marked down due to the fact that Harry completed OWL level papers for them but his practical results in both were up to NEWT level," Dumbledore broke in mildly. "Severus, in as much as it pleases me that you would like to teach young Harry further, Remus is correct, for the purposes of the Order and the Ministry Harry's potion making abilities are more than sufficient, however should he ever show a desire to develop them more, he will of course be referred to you for further lessons should you still be willing. Harry does not need further potion classes, or Herbology classes and I apologise if you thought that was why I had asked you to stay over summer.

"Harry needs weapons training, something, which in addition to your formidable potion making abilities, you are more than qualified to teach."

"Weapons?" Snape asked incredulously. He couldn't be hearing correctly.

Dumbledore looked mildly amused. "Yes, weapon training," he confirmed, his eyes twinkling.

The Potion Master snorted. "You're afraid I'll poison your precious Potter in Potions but you are prepared to let me near him with something sharp?" He questioned. Logic wasn't Sirius' strong point, true but he was usually a little more consistent.

The canine animagus simply smiled. "Yes, I will for the simple fact that during his duel in his DADA OWL... or is that NEWT, he used Gryffindor's sword quite proficiently and so he needs that training."

Severus sobered. Potter had... He knew Potter had inherited much of the Serpent Lord's knowledge but if Potter had his fighting prowess as well... "So you are telling me he fights like the Dark Lord?"

"Possibly," Remus shrugged, unconcerned.

His lips curled in distaste. It wasn't that the Serpent Lord couldn't fight. Severus was more than aware of that having sparred with him a few times many, many years ago, it was just that the style was so... basic. It was brutally effective but crude, lacking any degree of elegance or refinement. It was a style that showed no respect for the art and simply went straight for the throat. It was perfect in combat but lacking in all other aspects. It was ugly and he had no desire to hone anyone's ability with it - child of the unrefined Potter's or not, that style was something that didn't need perpetuating.

"Look upon it as an opportunity to instil the proper wizarding traditions into that style," Dumbledore said mildly.

Snape was still not impressed or amused and he didn't miss the dog rolling his eyes but... he needed this. He needed a reason to get close to Potter to report back to the Dark Lord. If it wasn't going to be Potions, it had to be something. "All right," he agreed. He might protest but he had no choice.

-You would if you joined us.-

The Potion Master gritted his teeth against the voice. He wasn't going to listen to it, plain and simple. He wasn't going to listen because he would find his own way through the mess he had created. It was what a Snape did. They did not rely on others. They most certainly did not rely on shapeless, formless voices... even if that voice was powerful.

"I'll do it," he said, "but I take no responsibility for any bruises or lack of ability on his part. The path of the sword is something you are either suited for or not."

Dumbledore nodded in that affable way that he did, blue eyes twinkling, showing absolutely no concern for life or limb. It was that manner that had made many underestimate him, seeing a doddery old fool instead of the cold and cunning leader of the Order. Sirius just rolled his eyes again. It was galling but Snape was a better swordsman than him but they had both learned the art, as did most that descended from old wizarding lines. Sirius didn't consider the fact that Snivelus was better at potions and sword work a mark of being a better wizard. He was better at living, and that was the final score card that mattered. Remus was unconcerned. Snape had said that he would teach Harry, and so he would. The Potion Master was many things but he was a man of his word in things such as this. He had no choice but to be. Besides, Harry would be well protected on any battlefield. It was unlikely that such training would be called for. At least, the werewolf hoped that would be the case. Even so, he had his own concerns.

"Now that Harry has a Weapons Master," Dumbledore said, we need to decide on the rest of his summer teachers. "Minerva has already volunteered to remain to teach him advanced transfiguration but Remus, I was wondering if you could help as well? Your knowledge and resilience would prove useful in training."

"Resilience?" the werewolf questioned. "What a nice way to put it."

"Remus?" Dumbledore enquired, his eyes becoming serious at the almost resentful tone in his Professor's voice.

Sirius just watched. He already knew what was wrong and had tried comforting his old friend as much as possible but there was only so much he could do.

"I'll do it Headmaster," Lupin said. "Someone has to make sure Harry is safe from those that bite," he added, revealing the core of his concern.

"Is there a problem?"

"Nothing more than already has been stated," Remus returned. "I do not and never will trust vampires and I still don't like the fact that you have allied us with them."

"There is no choice."

Most would have expected Dumbledore's voice to be cold on this matter, his tone one that brooked no disobedience and was insulted that the werewolf could question his judgement. It wasn't though. Instead it was apologetic and soft, tired. It was at odds with the serious look in his eyes.

"You think that's going to matter to the werewolves as a whole? We cannot and will not work with Vampires. We have always maintained that and we will always maintain that. I told you, this will not go over well."

"Remus the Ministry is already repealing those anti werewolf laws but you know as well as I do it is the community as a whole that has to learn."

"I know," Lupin said. "I'm just afraid of what you are going to learn," he added.

"What has Tom offered?" Dumbledore asked sharply.

"Nothing, the offer hasn't come yet beyond the normal enticements but with the choice between the path most wizards expect us to take, and working with the blood suckers, a lot of were wolves will choose to follow him, even knowing that he'll probably renege on the bargain."

"They can't expect him to win?"

"They're not sure what to think. Not everyone buys the Ministry line that he was driven back by the Aurors, especially when you're used to distrusting the Ministry in the first place. He's not a sure thing but he's not a long shot either," Remus said, trying to keep his anger out of his tone.

"This is troubling."

"More than you know. There's a third force as well."

"What?" Snape questioned.

"Who were the two who helped You-Know-Who in the Atrium?" Remus asked. "We don't know. No one knows. They could be his, but they could be someone else. There is a lot of interest there."

"They were shadow forces," Dumbledore said, "And they will soon stand with the Ministry through Harry."

"Maybe," the werewolf said. "If they are shadow forces, then well and good but are the shadows one whole, or are there factions?"

-That's interesting,- the shadows murmured to Sirius. -We were wondering how he was going to bring up that there was a third offer. Very interesting... and this way Snape gets to tell Voldemort. Very clever.-

-It doesn't change anything though.-

-No, but it is very interesting.-

Sirius resisted the urge to place his hand on Remus' forearm in comfort but he tried to let his old friend know he was there for him, and he had reassured him numerous times over the past few days.

"The shadows will fall into line," Dumbledore said firmly but was tactful enough to avoid the statement that he expected the werewolves to follow suit.

"All I said is that I'm just afraid what the world will learn. I will do my best but... with the choices that have come to light, I don't know where the werewolves will turn."

The Headmaster nodded. It seemed he would have to speak with the Ministry about sweetening the deal with the werewolves. They were owed it but making the Ministry see that could be difficult and he didn't like setting the precedent. In the end, all they could really offer was long term acceptance for the future but how well the current generations of werewolves valued that was problematic. They were like most humans after all in that they saw their pain and valued that almost above all else. The pain of future werewolves was something they cared about but only in the abstract. It was though difficult to care for such things when you were starving each night and had to scurry through the fringes of wizarding society.

"I will do my best," Dumbledore returned the agreement before looking back towards Sirius and Snape. The two of them had been remarkably silent. Sirius was calm but then he'd probably already discussed things in depth with Remus and had known about the possibility of a third force, no matter what it was. Snape though... his face was studiously blank but Albus was used to reading it. He was intensely interested and he was gauging how much such information would help or hinder his cause with the Dark Lord. After so long, Snape still judged every bit of information but that was the reason he had been able to survive so long as a spy. He only told Voldemort enough to guarantee his position but never enough that the Dark Lord would desire to kill him. It was a fine balance but he played it well, he played it very well.

But the Headmaster wondered how much longer Snape could continue to play. When Tom resumed the battle he was not likely to allow any weakness or any questions. Absolute obedience is what he would demand and from those that survived, that is what he would get.

This had been an educational meeting but there were still one or two things left to discuss. "As members of the Order, how much contact with the Ministry do you think we should allow Harry to have?"

Sirius snorted. "I'd love to be able to say none but that's not going to be possible, but minimal. They can't come to rely on him, any more than we should and while he has come of age he is still young. If they want to speak with him, they can come here. Besides, if Harry remains here, then Hogwarts will become a focal point in the battle. It's going to be one anyway, this just ensures that we know where the Dark Lord will attack and rather than having him attack everywhere searching for Harry, isn't it better to have one place where you know he will concentrate his attention. Apart from leaving other places in relative peace it means we can concentrate our defences."

Dumbledore nodded and Remus gave a quick jerk of his head to indicate his acceptance of the reasoning. Snape looked thoughtful for a few moments. "With the boys OWL results, they are going to want him for more things. They're not going to like that."

"They don't have to like it," Sirius muttered under his breath.

"They're going to want more and they will run the argument that having Harry remain here just endangers the rest of the students. I can already see the letters from concerned parents flooding the Minister's Office that their darlings are being put in danger."

"Their darlings are in danger everywhere. By keeping Harry here we can account for that and increase the defences."

"I know that!" Snape returned. "The Ministry's not going to buy it though. Not unless there is public support for the move."

Albus nodded. That was true. They could do it and ignore public sentiment but that would just weaken morale and they needed all the morale they could get. It looked like Elliot would be busy highlighting the fact that Harry was still technically a child and would do better as normal environment as possible. If they pitched it so that the parents would think that by sending their children to Hogwarts they were helping Harry then that could be useful. Harry would still fight, he'd just do most of it here. And Sirius was correct on that. If Harry was here, Tom would come as well. The nature of his obsession would not allow anything else.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, bringing everyone's attention to himself. "The Order will make it clear to the Ministry that Harry's base of operations is to remain at Hogwarts, however, to counter that, and because they will no doubt insist and we would be forced to, we will allow them to plan to use Harry is specific battles, where the Order is consulted and fully involved in. This will allow them the illusion that they may call upon him at will, while giving us control of the circumstances, in as much as control achieved in something like this."

Sirius' black eyes flashed dangerously, something darker than pitch lurking behind them as he considered the Headmasters words. The plan was logical but it still allowed for Harry to be involved in open combat and that was something he wasn't easily going to allow. Did they not understand how important Harry was, how young he was, and how bad this was going to be..?

For them...

The shadows laughed in his ear at the last. Sirius didn't really feel anything but a residual fear at the thought of Harry in combat because he knew his Godson's servants would keep him safe, no matter what happened but to maintain his position that's what he would show. Maybe this was his way of trying to warn them, even though he could say nothing... but the canine animagus knew they wouldn't listen to him and he knew they were already doomed. What happened now, was reflex.

"That still puts Harry into a direct, frontline combat position," he ground out through clenched teeth. This time it was Remus who tried to comfort him. The werewolf understood and shared his sentiments and felt the fear Sirius knew he would have been feeling if not for the shadows' intervention.

"I know," Dumbledore said tolerantly. "But it is better for us to control that combat rather than having Tom force it upon us, because I sense, one way or another he is going to force young Harry into combat. In skill and power they might be equal in experience, they are not, and Tom knows that and after having Harry snatched from him so many times, he will take advantage of anything."

"He won't just continue to court him?"

"No. If the opportunity arises, yes, there will be further courtship but eventually courtship will be over or Tom will get bored or desperate and he will strike then, no matter how much he might wish dominion, his sense of self preservation will be stronger. We want Harry to strike before the courtship is over," Dumbledore said matter of factly. "Because Tom will still be sure of his power then and that may be the only time he is vulnerable. Harry can defeat Tom, I have no doubt of that but there will be two ways of doing it, a long drawn out conflict where neither side wins, or a battle where we are ready before he is, one where we strike first. That is why, despite the risk, Sirius, I am... reluctantly willing to have Harry in combat. He will be our first strike and with the right backing from the Order and the Ministry, that strike will be enough."

"You can't possibly think it will be over in one battle?" Snape asked, not quite holding back a sneer.

"It won't be," the Headmaster agreed. "But if we strike now, one year will be enough." He added, his blue eyes twinkling not with happiness but with the anticipation of the end.

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