Chapter 40: “Harry’s Martial Arts Journey”

After his encounter with Sirius Black in Godric's Hollow, Harry Potter's life began to incorporate new routines. In addition to his regular visits to Cordelia and adventures with Emma, Harry started meeting Sirius at the same park once a week.

These meetings were Harry's way of slowly rebuilding the bridge of trust between them. He was convinced Sirius hadn't played a part in sending him to live with the Dursleys, but fully trusting him again was a process that would take time. He did not know if the now-changed Sirius had any ulterior motives.

The betrayals by Dumbledore and his parents had deeply affected Harry, making him wary of placing his trust in others too quickly.

As the weeks turned into months, Harry felt a strong urge to start learning self-defense. His body had become stronger and more agile thanks to his previous year of physical conditioning and the transformative effects of the purification ritual. To balance his newfound physical capabilities, Harry decided it was time to add martial arts to his repertoire. He believed that learning how to defend himself in non-magical situations would not only be practical but would also enhance his agility and speed, which were vital in magical combat.

Harry's preference leaned towards Jiu Jitsu or Muay Thai, having heard of their practical applications in real-life situations. However, finding a dojo in London that taught these specific martial arts proved challenging. His options were narrowed down to Judo, Karate, and Kung Fu.

After some deliberation, Harry opted for Kung Fu. Inspired by Bruce Lee's films he had rewatched with Emma, he felt that Kung Fu's fluid movements and emphasis on technique would lay a solid foundation for his martial arts training. He reasoned that he could always explore other styles later on if needed.

Upon recommendation from Ethan, his fitness trainer, Harry visited a reputable Kung Fu dojo known for its authenticity. Though not that authentic since it adopted the Karate system of colored belts for rankings, it was regarded as one of the best in London.

For the admission formalities, Sirius accompanied him. Sirius, being an Auror, possessed basic self-defense skills and was curious about the level of combat proficiency of muggle self-defense experts.

At the dojo, Harry and Sirius were greeted by the sensei, a master in Kung Fu who claimed to have trained in China with years of experience. The dojo was a place filled with respect and discipline, decorated with Chinese calligraphy and photos of old martial arts legends that Harry knew nothing about.

At the dojo, Sirius stepped forward for a demonstration match against one of the younger trainees, eager to test the waters of muggle martial arts firsthand. Despite having a fair bit of experience in physical combat from his Auror training, Sirius quickly found out that his magical battles hadn't prepared him for the stamina needed in a martial arts duel. The young apprentice, quick and adept, managed to evade all of Sirius's attempts to land a hit. Before long, Sirius found himself out of breath, and with a swift move, the apprentice took the opportunity to gently take Sirius down.

Harry watched the match with a sharp eye, taking mental notes of the apprentice's techniques and the fluidity of Kung Fu movements. Even though Sirius got up with a slight hit to his ego, he couldn't help but admit to Harry that there was real merit in learning muggle martial arts, especially seeing them in action.

Encouraged by what he saw, Harry formally enrolled in the dojo. His training began with the basics - stances, punches, and kicks, each movement precise and purposeful. The dojo taught more than just fighting; it introduced Harry to the philosophy behind Kung Fu. It talked about achieving a balance between the mind and the body and the importance of being patient and persevering through challenges.

Seeing Harry's enthusiasm and recognizing an opportunity to strengthen their bond, Sirius decided to join the dojo as well. It wasn't just about learning to defend himself without magic for Sirius; it was about spending quality time with Harry and improving his own physical conditioning.

As Harry got more involved in his Kung Fu training, he started feeling a deep sense of calm and focus. This wasn't just exercise; it was a way to discipline his mind, something that he found surprisingly helpful in his magical studies as well.

The lessons at the dojo, focusing on precision, discipline, and control, weren't just making him a better martial artist; they were shaping him to be a more disciplined wizard. Every kick and punch, every new move he mastered, not only built up his physical strength but also fortified his mental resilience and control, essential traits for anyone delving deep into the magical arts.

Harry's daily routine had evolved into a blend of strict discipline and eager learning. He hadn't given up on practicing magic; instead, he dedicated a large part of each day to getting better at spells.

He quickly got the hang of basic spells that Hogwarts students learn, like Wingardium Leviosa for levitating objects, Lumos to light up the tip of his wand, Nox to turn it off, Alohomora to unlock doors, Expelliarmus to disarm opponents, Rictusempra for tickling, Engorgio to enlarge objects, and Reducio to shrink them. Harry's goal was to be able to cast these spells silently and, eventually, without even needing his wand.

Every day started with a run in the early morning, a routine that energized him for the day's tasks. After that, Mira would take him close to the dojo for his Kung Fu classes with other students. Returning home, he devoted his afternoons to magical practice, channeling his energy into perfecting each spell's wand movements and incantations.

In the evening, after some strength training at the gym, he'd have another magic practice session. This busy schedule was only interrupted by his weekly outings with Emma. They'd expanded their adventures to include movie theater visits, where Harry could relax and enjoy films he hadn't seen in his previous life, a welcome distraction from his intensive training regimen.

All the physical training was done under the watch of his experienced trainer, Ethan, who ensured that the amount of exercise was appropriate for his age. Any minor injuries he picked up were quickly healed with magic, preventing long-term issues.

Sirius had become a steady presence in Harry's life, joining him for Kung Fu training whenever he could. These sessions didn't just boost their physical fitness; they also strengthened their relationship. Harry, now more open and trusting, confided in Sirius the harrowing details of his life at the Dursleys, his near-death experience, and the reason Dumbledore likely believed he was dead.

This honesty brought them closer, healing old wounds and building a strong godfather-godson bond. As he balanced the magical and mundane, Harry Potter was carving out his own unique path, supported by the new family and friends he'd found, all while nurturing a renewed sense of purpose.