Growing up too fast

The next day Harry went to Mrs. Figg's, not knowing exactly what they were going to work on but eager to find out. "Come in Harry, I'm in the kitchen".

Walking into the kitchen he heard "Surprise! Happy Birthday Harry!" from a few different voices. "Sirius, Remus, Professor Moody what are you doing here?" Harry exclaimed.

"It's not professor Moody Harry. I have actually never taught before. That was the low-life Death Eater who taught you last year."

Harry was hugging Sirius tightly. "Mrs. Figg did you set all this up?"

"Of course Harry, I wasn't going to make you do work on your birthday. I know I have a reputation for being a slave driver, but even I have a heart."

"Hello Remus, I can't believe all of you are here. Has there been any news about Voldemort? Do you have any idea where he is?"

"Now Harry, this is your birthday party we shouldn't be talking shop today," said Mrs. Figg. "Open your presents why don't you."

Harry unwrapped the first gift. It was a book titled 'Inside the Ministry of Magic'. "That's from Arabella and myself Harry. Maybe it will give you some future career ideas." Moody said.

"Thank you."

Sirius got Harry a book about Habinshire England. This is where Sirius' house is. He can't go there of course but other relatives live there now.

Remus' present was a book of misunderstood creatures with a picture of a werewolf on the cover. Obviously a joke since he was a werewolf.

"Professor, how did you come to find out that Sirius was innocent? I mean we have two Aurors in the same room with a person who escaped Azkaban." Harry asked bluntly.

"Dumbledore told me the story before I accepted the job last year. I guess he assumed that I may notice him around the school with you being there."

"Harry, you seem to have grown quite a bit this summer. Arabella has been a bit mysterious on what you've been up to." Sirius asked.

Harry started to say something but Mrs. Figg interrupted him. "Before we give you the details, how about a little demonstration? Would you be up for that Harry?" she winked at him after saying this.

"If you don't think anyone will get seriously hurt I'm all for it." He said going along with her joke.

Sirius and Remus were looking rather confused when Mrs. Figg said, "Sirius, you've gotten a new wand by now, haven't you?"

"Arabella, you know it's illegal for me to have a wand. But of course I've gotten one. What else can they do to me?"

"Well then how about a little dueling?" she asked. "I suggest Sirius and Remus versus Harry to start with."

Remus just laughed. "What are you talking about? You want Sirius and I to duel Harry. He's only just now starting fifth year at school."

"I'll wager 5 galleons on Harry," she said flatly.

Moody quickly said, "I'll take that bet. My money's on the convict and werewolf."

Sirius looked at Harry and agreed to the duel. The living room was expanded so they would have room. "Here are the rules. A protection charm will be on each of you that will protect you from serious wounds only. The only spell that is not allowed is the killing curse. The Cruciatus and Imperius curses are quite legal for this duel. Does everyone understand and agree?" Mrs. Figg said with authority

"I agree," Harry said quickly. "And, you two better try your hardest. You don't know how mad I'll be if I think you're taking it easy on me. Remember I've had Voldemort put the Cruciatus curse on me twice now, so I have some idea what's coming. The best birthday present you could give is to beat me. Come on, you guys aren't that old are you?"

Sirius and Remus just stared at Harry who was looking back with a gleam in his eye. They had never seen him like this before; he seemed so much older right now.

In the first round Harry had blinded Sirius and had Remus choking for air in less than two minutes. They had greatly underestimated him.

"Where did you learn to do that?" they both said looking quite stunned.

Mrs. Figg spoke up, "Harry has been studying with some friends of mine this summer. I take it you both approve? Would you care to go again? Double or nothing Alastor?"

Moody said, "Sure, double or nothing. My pair wasn't ready the first time."

Remus and Sirius agreed to another match looking rather surly this time. They whispered something to each other. Harry knew it wouldn't be as easy this time.

This match lasted at least twenty minutes but ended the same way. They had all gotten in some good shots but Harry had been able to either use a shield or block almost every spell they sent his way.

They kept asking questions about how he had learned that but Mrs. Figg wouldn't let him answer and finally said, "Ok, how about this. One more match if you win we'll tell you the story. And, to make it a bit more interesting why don't you join them Alastor?"

"Sure, I have incentive to get in on this. That boy has cost me ten galleons. I at least want to know what you two have been up to."

"Ok, just a reminder," Mrs. Figg added, "you can uses two of the unforgivable curses. I assure you Harry can handle them."

Moody said something to Sirius and Remus and then they were ready.

Sirius sent a curse at Harry that he was blocking when he felt Moody placing the Imperius curse on him. "Why don't you just give me the wand Harry" "That's it just hand it here". Remus was standing right next to Moody waiting to take Harry's wand. Harry played along while keeping an eye on Sirius. When Harry was a few steps in front of Moody, Harry yelled Expelliarmus causing both Moody and Remus went flying back.

Harry laughed, "The fake Professor Moody taught me to throw that off last year. I'll give you another chance."

They went on for another ten minutes or so. They kept trying to surround Harry but couldn't quite do it. Harry had placed the Imperio Loco curse on Sirius which made him move in slow motion when he heard 'Crucio' and felt the pain. Quickly he did what he had been practicing and after a slight stumble, he turned and hit Moody with the 'Puncio' spell, which knocked him back. However at this, both Sirius and Remus yell Expelliarmus and hit Harry square on. He went sailing back, but the first thing he did was use wandless magic to summon his wand back to him and also to soften his impact with the wall. So at the end of the spell, he was still standing there with his wand. Sirius and Remus seemed stunned so Harry put a full body bind spell on them and quickly gathered up all the wands.

"Excellent Harry. I wondered if you would think to try something like that. I'm very proud of you," Mrs. Figg said. "Even though they lost, I think we should fill them in on how you've been spending your summer."

Harry spent the next hour telling the group some of the things he had been doing in the unspeakable department the past few weeks. He could see the look of amazement on Sirius' and Remus' faces. He didn't mention the special Totilla Desissa response to the Cruciatus curse. Larry had asked him not to mention this to anyone.

"Did Professor Dumbledore approve of all this?" Sirius asked "It seems rather extreme to put him through it."

Mrs. Figg spoke up, "Headmaster Dumbledore was informed of this after the department agreed to give Harry some lessons. At first he wasn't sure it was a good idea, but I was able to assure him that it would be entirely Harry's choice and that Harry could stop at any time. The Headmaster would rather see Harry spending his summer as any normal fourteen-year-old boy, but I reminded him who Harry lives with and being locked in his bedroom or doing all the household chores is not normal fun for a boy his age. I convinced him that Harry would probably enjoy spending the summer with other wizards; even it was a little painful at times. What do you think Harry?"

Harry was surprised to hear that Mrs. Figg had stood up to Professor Dumbledore and worked to get this training for him. "That's true Sirius. Spending the summers at the Dursley's has never been fun. That is more like being a captive. This has been one of the best summers I can remember. I would rather have a summer like this than anything else except for playing Quidditch."

Sirius seemed to relent a bit. "Harry, I don't want you to be forced to grow up too fast. We shouldn't be putting any more responsibility on you than any other school boy."

"More responsibility!" Harry exclaimed, "So far, every year someone has tried to hurt my friends or me at school. Voldemort has tried to kill me twice. Do you know how my summers really are? I wake up many nights scared to death that my friends are being hurt or that Voldemort is going to kill me. Can you understand how that makes me feel?" Harry paused to compose himself. "Since I started learning how to take care of myself better, I haven't woken up like that once. I still have the dreams, but I don't feel helpless anymore." He hesitated before continuing, "You all know that no matter what I do, he's coming after me again. Sooner or later a Death Eater or Voldemort is going to get to me, you know that. If I can learn anything that could help me last longer or survive I would have thought you would be all for it. Learning to take care of myself isn't making me grow up to fast, being at the top of the list to be killed by Voldemort has." Harry instantly felt bad for saying this. He hadn't intended to make Sirius feel bad. So he added, "But, it's really great having people like you care about me." Which seemed to help the look of pain on Sirius' face.

"I'm sorry Harry. You're right of course. I'm just upset that you can't stay with me and that I can't be there to help you with these types of things." Sirius added, "Maybe I'm also a little ticked that on your fifteenth birthday you out dueled me. I'll need to watch what I say to you in the future." He smiled at the end of this.

"Harry. I do have a question though," Remus said sounding very serious. "How exactly did you get your wand back after we disarmed you? That's something you seemed to skip over so far."

Harry glanced at Mrs. Figg who nodded at him in a signal it was ok to tell them about it. He told the story of the book coming out of the closet when he was very angry and the other strange things like that.

Then Mrs. Figg jumped in very excitedly. "Let me tell this part. Harry and I were walking to the store one day before he knew I was a witch. A large delivery truck was coming down the street obviously speeding when a little Muggle girl ran into the street to chase her dog. The truck driver didn't see her and couldn't have stopped in time even if he had. I started to reach for my wand but knew I wouldn't make it when the truck just stopped before it hit the girl. Instantly, it just stopped. I looked around and there were no wizards around and then I saw Harry rubbing his hands with a strange look on his face. He then said he wasn't feeling well and wanted to go back home. I knew right then he had stopped the truck and saved that girl. I decided that night to tell him I was a witch and to see if we could work on this new talent of his. You all know that most people think that wandless magic can only be used for the simplest of magic such as changing already enchanted items. There have been accounts in history of witches and wizards doing extraordinary things without wands. I purchased a book about some of those accounts and gave it to Harry. We began working together to see if he could control magic this way. He is quite impressive with the summoning, repulsion and placement spells. We haven't had the time to work on anything else though."

"You stopped a truck from running over a Muggle girl?" Moody asked. "What made you think you could do it? What prompted you to try?"

"I don't know," Harry said honestly "I didn't think about it. It's like I was being told to just stop the truck. I can't explain it really."

"I have a thought," Moody responded. "You said that when you throw off the Imperius curse that you hear a voice telling you the correct thing to do. You also said that you hear a voice that makes you throw off the Cruciatus curse. I think this is the same type of thing. Whatever gives you the confidence to throw those curses is what is allowing you to do things you never knew you could. You have some quite impressive people watching over you Harry, be grateful."

Could it really be his parents? He did hear his mom when the Dementors were near. Maybe they brought out the bad images and the good parts were there as well.

They spent the next couple hours talking about the other Triwizard tasks and how the Unspeakables had lost money by betting on Krum. When Moody asked about becoming an Auror after school Harry mentioned the Fletch had suggested becoming an Unspeakable.

"I think you should plan on being a professional Quidditch player Harry," Sirius said. "Then I could at least talk publicly about my godson instead of telling people 'I have no idea what he does'".

Sirius and Remus both hugged Harry and told him how proud they were of him when they left. Moody was staying for a bit to talk to his sister.

"Thank you for everything Mrs. Figg. This has been the best. Goodbye Professor Moody thanks again," Harry said.

"Make sure you bring your trunk and all of your school things tomorrow Harry," Mrs. Figg added. "We'll be leaving at 12:00".

Harry felt like he was floating all the way home. Seeing Sirius had made him so happy. He was going to miss going to Department of Mysteries every day but was really looking forward to seeing Ron and the Weasley's again. Not even Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia's complaints could dampen his spirits.

He had two packages on his bed waiting for him. The first was from Ron and was a new Chudley Cannons jersey in honor of Ron's favorite Quidditch team.

Happy Birthday Harry

Hope the Muggles aren't giving you too much trouble. Dad says you're coming home with him tomorrow. I guess that means you're going back to the Ministry.

Hermione got here a couple days ago. She's been studying every night.

Oh yeah, she's acting like a prefect already. We won't be able to get away with anything.

See you tomorrow.

Ron

The next was from Hermione and it was a journal. Her note said

Happy Birthday Harry

I'm really going to have to study extra hard to keep up my grades with all the extra work of being a prefect. I hope you two will try to follow rules this year. I don't want to take points from my own house.

This is a journal (really a diary but you wouldn't want to call it that). It may seem strange, but I thought it might be a good idea to write down the adventures you've had since starting school. With everything that happens to you it would probably be a great thing to show your kids one day.

I hope you don't think it is too weird. I imagine you would want to see one if either of your parents had kept one.

I'm already at the Weasley's so I'll see you tomorrow. I can't wait to hear what you were doing at the Ministry.

Love

Hermione

A diary, she got me a diary. Harry thought. She is the most practical person he knew. He would have never considered getting a diary but she did have a point. If either of his parents had kept one he would love to read it. They must have had great experiences. He couldn't imagine having kids of his own though. He thought it would be useful to record all the things that he, Ron, and Hermione had done. Not that many people would believe it all. Maybe it was a good gift.

He fell right to sleep. But it was not going to be a peaceful sleep. He was seeing a group of hooded figures surrounding a tall thin wizard. 'How could you let this happen?' the wizard roared. 'My most powerful supporters and you let him get away. Is this the best I can ask for?' The bowing hooded figures were all saying 'No my lord, we weren't prepared. It will never happen again.'

'You know this cannot go unpunished' the wizard in the middle said. One by one the wizard faced each figure and calmly said, 'Crucio' and each hooded figure screamed in pain. Harry knew what they were feeling but thought they deserved everything they would get. He couldn't see any of the faces until the wizard came to the last hooded figure. Harry hood the figure say 'My lord I have failed you and accept my punishment. I will not let it happen again.' The wizard said, 'I believe you Lucius, see that it doesn't happen again' The figure looked up and Harry saw the face clearly. Lucius Malfoy and then the figure was screaming in pain.'

Harry woke up with his scar burning but he wasn't afraid. As Hagrid said, 'What will come will come'.

Harry stayed in his room until late in the morning. The less time he had to spend with the Dursley's the better. He had everything packed and ready to go. He decided to let Hedwig out so she could fly there. He started dragging his trunk down the stairs and it was thumping loudly as it hit each step. "Take care with those stairs boy". Uncle Vernon bellowed 'If you scratch even one of them you'll be doing lawn work all next summer to pay for the repairs'

Harry wasn't going to take this any more. He used wandless magic to make the trunk float right under his hand and calmly walked into the kitchen.

Dudley roared, "Harry's doing it again. His trunk is flying!" while gripping his bottom and hiding behind Aunt Petunia who was shielding Dudley from Harry. Uncle Vernon screamed, "You've done it now boy, you're not allowed to use your abnormality out of school. I'm going to suggest they lock you up."

Harry just looked at Uncle Vernon and smiled. "Am I going to get into trouble? Magic can only be done with a wand. Mine is packed in the truck Uncle Vernon. I'll see you next summer. Bye". Then he just walked out the door.

Harry reached Mrs. Figg's house but was starting to feel a bit nervous. He was going to be facing a test of what he had learned in a couple hours. He was sure that there were going to be things meant to trick him and to see how prepared he was. He knocked on the door and heard "Come on in Harry, I'll be ready in a minute"

Stepping through the door he immediately saw objects flying at him from all over the room. He quickly let his trunk fall and successfully stopped every item from hitting him and only needed to dodge a couple of times. When there was nothing else to stop he noticed Mrs. Figg standing in the doorway to the kitchen just smiling. "Well let's get going Harry, play time is over." She must have been a very tough teacher in her day he thought.

"Mrs. Figg, just in case I don't get a chance to thank you later, I really appreciate all you've done for me. I can't believe how nice you've been to me."

She looked at him in what seemed to be a motherly way and said "My pleasure Harry. It has felt good to be around a student again. Maybe I'll take it up again. "

"Mrs. Figg, do you think you could help me with something?" Harry asked. "Hermione got me a journal for my birthday and I'd like to charm it so that only I can read it unless I give permission for someone else to." Harry thought for a moment and his dream re-entered his mind. "I guess we should make the charm go off if I ever die though, otherwise no one would ever be able to read it."

This last bit shocked Mrs. Figg. "Harry, why did you say that?"

"Well, Hermione gave me this journal so that I could show it to my kids. If Voldemort gets his way that won't happen but it may still be a nice record of all the adventures Ron, Hermione and I have been through. I'm just trying to look at things realistically. I'd rather give it to my kids though."

"Well that is a very practical way to look at things, but I'm quite sure you will be giving it to your children." She proceeded to work out a charm that Harry wanted and placed it on the journal. "Now only you can read it unless you tap it with your wand and say the person's name followed by 'Is Granted Access'"

"Great, thanks. I guess I'm ready to go now."

Fletch was waiting when they arrived. "Final day Harry, ready for one last test?"

"I think so sir. I've been going through everything you've taught me." Harry said, dropping his trunk in Fletch's office.

"You go on into the room we were in the last time Harry. I've got to run a quick errand and then I'll meet you there." Without Harry knowing anything Fletch went to Arthur Weasley's office and was disappointed to find Percy there as well. "Hello Arthur, Percy. Arthur, I was wondering if you had a few minutes to spare."

This surprised Mr. Weasley. "Hello Fletch, what brings you to our area?"

"I would like to get your opinions on a project we've been working on. One that you may have some specific interest in." Fletch said hoping he wouldn't have to be very specific with Percy around.

"What could I possibly provide to..." and then he noticed the way Fletch was looking at him and it sunk in. "But I'd be happy to give my opinion if you think it would be of any use. Percy, I'll see you at home later."

Percy said, "Maybe I should come as well. I could write a report to put in the Ministry files."

Fletch said flatly. "I'm afraid we can only allow Arthur in right now, maybe next time though." Percy looked quite disappointed and a bit angry.

Mrs. Figg walked him down to the room and said. "I'll be in the observation room Harry. Just remember what you've learned but do what comes naturally. This will probably be difficult, so don't feel bad if you don't make it all the way through. I'm going to suggest one thing, if you need to, use wandless magic to your advantage. We don't need to explain anything to them about it, Fletch will understand."

All of the people who had been helping came down to see him before the test, even Bill who said. "Good luck Harry. No hard feeling about how we've gotten along is there? I do think you've come a long way."

This surprised Harry who said "Thanks Bill, no hard feelings at all." Harry didn't quite believe Bill and thought maybe Fletch made him come down. He was sure that whatever Bill added for this test would be difficult."

After what seemed like quite a long time Harry heard Fletch's voice. "Ok, Harry we're ready to begin. You will have no protection charms on you whatsoever this time. You will feel the full effects of any spell. Any wizards you face will have protection so that you cannot do fatal damage to them, so make sure you treat them as true Death Eaters. There may be other creatures and they also have protections. So, if you feel you need to kill a creature go ahead, they will be stopped but not killed. The only spell that is illegal is the killing curse."

Harry thought he heard a voice that was familiar but the sound was cut off. "What do you think you're doing here Fletch?" Mr. Weasley injected. "What are you doing to Harry, you can't let him go through this."

Fletch turned to him and said, "Don't worry Arthur. I wouldn't do anything to harm Harry. I can't explain everything, but please trust me."

"Ok, Harry here we go." Fletch announced.

Out of one corner of the room entered two wizards in hoods. It took about 15 minutes before Harry had finally beaten them. He had let a couple of their spells get through which made him angry with himself but recovered quickly.

Next came five dementors through one corner of the room and five from the opposite corner. Harry sent his patrons toward the first set but didn't know how to delay the second set. He decided to send one of the large benches lining the room flying at the second set. The bench slammed into the second set and delayed them long enough for the Patronus to finish with the first set and get over to them.

Next Harry heard a sound that sent chills down his spine. It was a werewolf. They had sent a werewolf after him! He had never fought a werewolf before. Then it came charging at him. He sent another bench crashing into it, which knocked it down. Harry was looking around the room and trying to figure out what he could do. The werewolf charged again and Harry used the puncio spell to knock it down again. While it was down, Harry brought one of the beams in the ceiling crashing down on it. He didn't know if that would stop it or not. For a moment he thought it had, but then the werewolf stood back up in the rubble and growled at him. Harry looked at the table behind him and was getting ready to send it at the werewolf when he noticed the table was set for diner. Suddenly Harry new what to do. Instead of sending the table at the werewolf, he sent one of the knives that was setting on the table. The knife hit the werewolf and it staggered and then collapsed. The knife was made out of silver that was fatal to werewolves.

Then came four more hooded wizards one from each corner of the room. They immediately started sending spells his way. He was dodging and using blocking spells. He managed to stun one of the wizards and was turning towards another when the other two simultaneously did the disarming spell on him. Instead of immediately retrieving his wand, he used wandless magic to bring down another ceiling beam on those two wizards. He then turned and sent the table flying to the remaining wizard smashing it into him. He quickly summoned his wand and turned to handle what came next.

After a couple minutes he heard Fletch's voice, "I think that will be all Harry, we'll be down in a minute to collect you.

Harry wondered why they stopped. Had he done something wrong?

Fletch turned to Mr. Weasley. "What do you think Arthur? Have we taught him a few things he wouldn't have learned in school?"

"That was amazing. I can't believe he can do that. I've never known an Auror who could have gotten through all of that," Mr. Weasley said.

"I feel the same way Arthur. And I can tell you that he didn't show everything he can do. Why don't you go to my office and we'll bring Harry in there. I'm not going to tell him that you watched this. You are probably the closest thing to a family he has and I thought you should know that he could handle himself quite well. I hope you agree this has been in his best interest."

"I guess it is good he has learned so much, I just wish it wasn't necessary that's all. I'll be down in your office. Thanks for letting me to watch this." Mr. Weasley left and Fletch could tell he was trying to take in all that he saw.

"Arabella, do you think he'll tell Harry he saw this?" Fletch asked.

"I doubt it Fletch. He would probably think it would make Harry uncomfortable," Mrs. Figg answered.

When they went to collect Harry he immediately asked, "Did I do something wrong Fletch? Why did we stop?"

Fletch laughed "No Harry, you didn't do anything wrong, we ran out of opponents. I didn't really expect you to get through those last four wizards. It's not the first time I've been wrong. You did very well. By the way, I have something for you." He handed Harry an all black ring. "This is the ring of the Unspeakables and it was your fathers. We take them back whenever we lose a team member but I think it would be good for you to have this. Watch what happens when it gets near another ring." Fletch put his ring near the one he gave Harry and the top black stone glowed bright green. "Out in public, it will work over greater distances. If you decide to ever come join us we will get you a ring of your own, but you are an honorary member as of now."

Harry looked at the ring like it was the most important thing in the world. Something that his father wore all the time. He almost started crying right there. "Thank you Fletch, you don't know what this means to me. I only have one other thing of my dads." Harry hugged him.

"So much for acting like and adult Harry," Fletch joked. "Come on let's go meet Arthur Weasley so you can get on with your summer. Harry put the ring on his finger and it was the perfect size.

Mr. Weasley was waiting in Fletch's office when they arrived. "Hello Harry, are you ready to go home?"

"Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. Thanks again Fletch, Mrs. Figg I really appreciate everything you've done for me."

"You're welcome Harry, I'll see you soon," Mrs. Figg responded