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Chapter Seven Training and the Dursleys Return

The following week flew by with Harry finishing up his chore list and a lot of studying. There were also a few more trips to muggle shops, the food in the muggle world was cheaper and had a wider variety. Filling his pantry and icebox after many trips to various stores to avoid suspicion, Harry finally thought, 'At least I won't be hungry this summer.'

Sssloker, Sssslisssser and Ssssliter spent most of their time lazing around the trunk. Harry found that they liked to eat small animals and birds, so he had to make sure that they understood that Hedwig, and really all owls were off limits. The neighborhood cats were also off the menu. There was some grumbling at first, but with Harry promising to provide regular food, they agreed to leave the cats and owls alone. This was important because the first time Pigwidgen showed up, Harry could tell that he would have been Ssslokers lunch.

Practicing for six hours a day in the trunk brought Harrys' skills way up. The target dummies were an excellent training aid. They moved around the room and fired colored lights back at Harry. The extra power boot from the removal of the Horcrux, found him casting his spells with more power and over a longer period of time. All the practice found the power level of his casting under a great deal of control. He was also learning new spells and perfecting old spells at an alarming rate, 'If I spend the time actually working on the spells, it's not that hard. I sure wasted a lot of time at school.' Harry thought to himself.

Harry spent most of his time on Charms and Defense of the Dark Arts. Transfiguration was still a little hard for him and he didn't bother with Herbology or Potions. He did crack open a few creature books but didn't spend a lot of time on them. Dragons were interesting though and he could understand Hagrid's fascination with them. Every night Harry practiced the meditation recommended in his Oclumancy books, with not much luck so far. Clearing the mind was hard, and he couldn't find his 'core' yet. This was also the first step to become an Animagus, so it was killing two birds with one stone.

The biggest surprise for Harry was finding out how much runes could do. They were the foundation for most wards, and almost all enchanted items were that way because of runes. There were privacy wards, silencing wards, 'This should help with Rons snoring.' anti-magic wards, magic detecting wards, intruder detecting wards, and many more. All this was in the few rune and warding books he already had, which wasn't much. Harry definitely wanted to transfer into Ancient Runes this new term.

After a week, it was time to pick up the Time Turner. Setting the glamour necklace for blond hair, blue eyes, darker skin and a slightly higher voice, Harry put on his black robes and Acramantula Silk cloak and hid his purchased invisibility cloak. He left for the park, activated the necklace, and flagged down the Knight Bus.

Going directly to Borgin & Burkes, Harry entered the shop to find Mr. Borgin alone behind the counter. Walking directly to him, Harry said right away, "Money has no value, yet money is all."

Again Borgin left to lock the front door. When he returned he spoke. "How can I help a valued customer of Gringotts today?"

"I was here a week ago and purchased many 'Treasures' including this necklace," Harry pulled down the collar of his robes and showed the necklace, "and also paid half for a Time Turner that you said would be available today."

Not recognizing the face but recognizing the glamour necklace, "Yes, of course. It came in yesterday. I'll be right back." Going into the back room for a few minutes, Borgin returned with a small wooden box. Opening the lid he showed Harry a small gold hourglass attached in a gold circle on a gold chain. It looked larger than the one he and Hermione used a few months ago. "You are lucky. I was able to acquire a deluxe model."

"Deluxe model?" Questioned Harry.

"Yes, most Time Turners go back up to twelve hours in a single use. This one can go back twenty four. Unfortunately the cost is higher."

Harry lifted the Time Turner up, admiring the delicate piece. "How much more?"

"Two thousand Galleons."

"Two thousand?" Harry put down the Time Turner and was quiet for a minute, "OK. Two thousand…If you throw in any books you have on runes."

Borgin was quiet for a few moments thinking, ' I can throw two or three books in no problem. This sale along with what he bought last time, I'm still making a nice profit.' Aloud, he spoke, " Deal. That makes the new total to…eight thousand galleons."

"Fine."

"Remember, only activate this in a heavily warded area or the Ministry will detect it. One turn per hour repeated."

"Will the trunk I bought work?"

"Oh yes, that will work just fine. Also anywhere with a high concentration of magic like Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade will hide the activation from the Ministry."

Paying the bill and picking up the Time Turner and three more runes books, Harry left back to Diagon Alley.

Changing his glamour back to his Sam Underhill persona, Harry had lunch at the Leaky Cauldron. Most of the conversation was about the upcoming Quidditch World Cup so Harry kept to himself, only talking with Tom. Thanking him for an excellent meal, complimenting him about his 'To Go' order, saying, "The food is working out great." and buying another case of Butterbeer, Harry headed to Flourish & Blotts. Spending over three hours browsing and picking out books Harry ended up with,

Self-Updating Wizard Law book

Modern Wizarding History

Runes of the World

Runes of the Ancient World

Sumerian Runes

Germanic Runes

Acadian Runes

Master Runes

Master Charms

Master Transfiguration

Master Defense Against the Dark Arts

Guide to Pureblood Etiquette

Wards for the Home

Enchanting for Beginners

Master Enchanting

Master Potions

Basic Healing

Master Healing

Household Charms

Curses and Counter Curses

Magical Construction

Magical Plants and Fungi

5 Minute Meals: It's Magic

Harvesting Magical Creatures

Magical Prospecting: How to Mine and Process Your Find

It's a Small World: Space Enhancing

He also picked up Hogwarts: A History. 'Hermione will love that I finally have a copy of this book.' Having to show his curse breaker ID to buy the Master books, Harry decided to head home, but before leaving the alley he found a dark deserted alcove, one he saw earlier, and fished out the Time Turner and invisibility cloak. Checking his watch and finding he has been in the Alley for five hours, He turned the hourglass five times to the familiar sensation of watching the world go backward extremely fast before settling again. Staying in the alcove with the invisibility cloak on, ten minutes passed until Harry saw a familiar person passing by and looking around and into the alcove he was in. Smiling to himself, Harry waited five more minutes before removing the cloak and heading home.

Three more days passed with more practicing, experimenting, studying, and talking to Sssloker, Sssslisssser and Ssssliter. Ok, with the Time Turner it was more like four or five days. Harry worked out system where he would wake up, eat breakfast, go into the training room, turn back time for four or five hours.

After practicing for two or three hours, he would go into the third room that he has set up as a potion lab, even though it hasn't been used as that yet, and study until he heard his earlier self get up and enter the training room. He would then have another meal and go back to sleep for another few hours or leave the trunk. Staying out the trunk until he knew he couldn't run into himself, he would spend the rest of the day doing chores or anything else he felt like.

Turning Back time really freaked out Sssloker, Sssslisssser and Ssssliter. Taking them back once really screwed up their internal clock and it took them about a month to completely recover and they refused to do it again. It took them about a week to really understand seeing Harry enter a room, come out another, go into another, and then coming out another. This made Harry laugh at their confused grumblings. Hedwig really never knew what was going on because she spent all her time out of the trunk, she didn't like being locked in.

Receiving an owl from Gringotts one day before his appointment with Barkaxe, with a note that said only "8am." Harry packed up his trunk, set out to the park and activated the Portkey at 7:45. Arriving in an almost empty room, Harry was met with a spear tip inches from his face. "Halt and identify yourself!" Grumbled out an armored goblin.

Gulping, Harry answered, "H-Harry Potter. I have an appointment with Account Manage Barkaxe at eight."

Lifting the spear, the goblin said, "Your early, you will have to wait."

Nodding, too nervous to speak, Harry waited. At eight a goblin came to collect him and take him to Barkaxe. Seeing Barkaxe, Harry finally started to relax. "Hello Account Manager Barkaxe. Thank you again for setting this up for me. I'm sorry that I arrived too early. "

Understandable Mr. Potter. Next time try to be more punctual."

"Ok. I didn't want to be late and figured that it would take a few minutes to reach your office and wanted to be here by eight."

"Most humans think that way Mr. Potter. In the future when we give a time, arrive no more than five minutes early."

"Sure, no problem." Harry replied feeling a little nervous again. He definitely didn't want to annoy the Goblins.

"Good, now onto business. Cursebreaker Swiftdeath has taken an interest in you and has agreed to train you. You should feel honored Mr. Potter."

Harry was surprised. He didn't think that Swiftdeath thought that much of him when they met before. "Thank you and thank Swiftdeath.' He said excitedly.

A scary, toothy grin formed on Barkaxes face, "Don't be too excited Mr. Potter, Because of your limitations as a human and the time and secrecy constraints, you will find the training extreme."

A knot formed in Harry's stomach after hearing this. Steeling his resolve, Harry responded, "I will do my best."

"I'm sure you will Mr. Potter. You definitely have enough motivation. Now I understand you have acquired a Time Turner? Please bring it out and follow me."

Following Barkaxe down many twisting and turning hallways for five minutes, found Harry in a large cave like room with two stone desks with stone chairs, many stone archways scattered around the room and Swiftdeath looking impatient. Or normal for him as Harry would find out. Barkaxe spoke, "Mr. Potter, your new teacher, Swiftdeath. You will be brought to this room from the Portkey room at eight. You will then turn back time for six hours and train with Swiftdeath. Then you will be returned to another portkey room and leave almost as soon as you arrived originally. You will do this six days a week for the remainder of the summer. You can begin as soon as I leave, and Mr. Potter, good luck."

Barkaxe turned around and left the room. Harry turned to Swiftdeath and waited for him to speak. "Come here Mr. Potter so we can get started and stop wasting time." Harry put the chain of the Time Turner around himself and Swiftdeath. The chain magically expanded to go around both necks. Six turns found both in the same room. "Now Mr. Potter, bring out the supplies you were told to acquire before this meeting."

Expanding his trunk and removing Master Runes, Runes of the world, Runes of the ancient world, Curse breaker guide book, the Cursebreaker field kit, the Dragon hide vest and gloves, and a variety of blank rune stones. There was also a bag of oranges. Harry couldn't figure why there were oranges on the list. He was still too nervous/excited to speak, so he laid it all on one of the stone tables for Swiftdeath to examine.

"This will do." Said Swiftdeath. "We will be spending our short time learning how to identify and counter many different types of wards and curses. Most of this is accomplished by being able to identify different runes and distinguishing the different types of magic on an item. Carving runes will be required and I expect you to practice before our time here."

"Yes sir." Harry nervously replied.

"I am led to believe that you are entering fourth year and haven't taken runes last year?"

"Yes sir. I have been going through the books on the list and am a quick study."

"A quick study," Swiftdeath said sarcastically. "we shall see. Come to this arch and tell me what the runes say."

Harry examined the arch for five minutes before turning back to Swiftdeath, "I can only recognize three of the runes. This one here says," pointing to a circle with a squiggly line thru it, "means frozen. This one means," Pointing to a lopsided upside down U shape, "means enter, and this one means," pointing to a straight line with a small 'bump' just off center, "means threshold."

"Correct Mr. Potter, on two of the three." Pointing to the straight line with a small 'bump' just off center, "This one means border. You were close but in the field, close is the difference between alive and dead. Now can you tell me what you think this arch does?"

Thinking for a few minutes, Harry responded, "It is an intruder ward that freezes anyone crossing it?"

"No Mr. Potter. It is a ward that removes snow and ice from anyone crossing through it. If you don't know what all the runes on an object do, you shouldn't fool around with it."

Swiftdeath spent the rest of the time teaching Harry to identify runes, how to bypass basic wards, how to use the scope and his new glasses to see magic, and the basics of carving runes, all without a wand. Harry still had a lot of ground to cover, and a lot of homework to do. Swiftdeath told him to spend at least two hours a day practicing carving runes, and at least three memorizing them and their meaning.

A little before 8 am again, a goblin came to collect Harry. Following him to another Portkey room, Harry went home.

At the end of the week the Dursley's returned home from their vacation. "Boy! Get down here and bring the luggage to our rooms!" Vernon yelled.

Harry groaned when he heard Vernon's voice and found his way downstairs. "Your rooms are locked. How am I supposed to bring your luggage there?"

"Don't give me attitude boy!" Vernon yelled back but Harry could tell that you forgot about the locks and was embarrassed. "Leave the luggage for now and make us lunch."

Not wanting to start any trouble yet Harry kept quiet and headed toward the kitchen, making grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for the Dursley's. Harry made four sandwiches each for Vernon and Dudley and one for Petunia. He even made one for himself and served them all.

Beginning in the kitchen then inspecting the rest of the house, unlocking all the doors, Petunia and Vernon joined Dudley at the kitchen table. "The house looks in order boy. You didn't do any of your freakishness while we were gone did you?"

Harry rolled his eyes, "No uncle Vernon, there was no freakishness going on while you were gone."

"Watch the attitude boy! It is only with our good graces that find you with a roof over your head, and what are you doing with that sandwich? Normal food is for normal people!" Dudley sat back, already on his second sandwich, happy to watch Harry get yelled at.

Getting tired of Vernon's attitude Harry decided it's time to play his trump card. "I guess my godfather Sirius was right. You couldn't resist causing problems." Vernon started to get up to grab Harry, but Before Vernon reached him, harry continued, "Oh there is a restriction on me using underage magic," Vernon froze, shuddering at the word magic, "But there is no restriction on an adult wizard doing the same."

Gettiung scared, angry and just plain ugly looks at this announcement, Vernon and Petunia sat back down. Petunia said, "That doubly door fellow said that other wizards couldn't do magic here!"

"Only wizards that wanted to hurt me or my family couldn't do magic here. You remember how I told you that an elf floated that pudding on Mr. what's his names head during that dinner party two years ago? That elf wanted to get me in trouble, but he was using magic a lot before then. Besides, only you and Dudley are any blood relations. Vernon isn't."

"Vernon was turning purple, but after that last statement, he became white like a ghost. "Is it true, Petunia dear?"

"I'm not sure Vernon I don't know what the freaks can do or what they can't."

"Boy, don't threaten me. Like you said, they can't do anything to Petunia or Dudley."

"I don't think they can. But then have I ever really been part of the family?" Harry asked questionably.

All the Dursley's now were white. Harry said "Now I don't want any trouble, and having you cursed will only cause more trouble than it's worth, so how about we make a deal? My godfather left me some money." Harry saw the greedy look enter Vernon's eye. "Now don't get any bright ideas. You can't spend it in the Muggle, normal world, only in the magical one, and I know you would never go there. Now, I can come and go as I please, no more cooking for you all, or doing chores anymore. I can provide my own food and if you are good and I am picked up by my friends a few weeks before school, I will convert some of it into muggle money and give it to you."

"What's to stop us from taking the money and kicking you out of the house?" practically yelled Vernon.

"Nothing, but like I said you couldn't use it and my godfather, and probably even my friends family, would find out and it would only cause you problems. Magical problems."

Vernon turning purple said. "Go to your room! Petunia and I have to discuss this and we don't want to see you again until we call for you. Stay in your room!"

Harry went upstairs, happy with getting out of the kitchen without being assaulted and with the grilled cheese sandwich. That night nothing happened, Harry heard loud voices coming from downstairs the rest of the day and through the night. He slept in his room that night, staying out of the trunk in case the Dursley's came into his room. He slept in his clothes and kept the trunk in his pocket in case anything happened. The next morning after breakfast was over, the Dursley's called him downstairs. Dudley wasn't there, but Vernon and Petunia were. "How much money are we talking about?"

"What?"

"You said you would give us money before you leave, how much were you talking about?"

"I'm not sure of the conversion rate, but I believe it will come out to about 1000 pounds."

The greedy twinkle was back in Vernon's eyes. "Fine we can agree to no more chores and no more meals if you agree to spend the day away from the house. If you leave before eight in the morning and not return till after eight at night, we don't want to see you around. If you agree with this, and can give us half the money upfront, you have a deal."

Harry couldn't believe it worked. 'I guess the threat of magic and the promise of money was just too much for the Dursley's.' He knew he would have to avoid Dudley out in the world, but knew he could easily with his new face and his invisibility cloak. "Fine to get the money I will have to go to London to get it converted to muggle, normal money. I also have no problem staying out all day, you won't see me or even know I'm here, but I will want my wand and broomstick back."

"You said you can't use magic! why do you need your wand? Or the broomstick?" Asked Petunia.

I'm not going to use them, but I need the wand for identification at the wizard bank, and I just want to have my broomstick with me. Don't worry I will keep them both locked up in my trunk. You won't see them or me for that matter, unless by accident."

After a few minutes of quiet discussion between Vernon and Petunia, they agreed and Vernon said he would take him to the bus stop to London in the morning. "You will have to find your way to and back from London on your own. I have to be at work. If there is money on the table by the time I get home the deal is set. Go to your room, I don't want to see you until tomorrow. We leave at 8:30."

Harry immediately went up to his room and into the trunk and told Sssloker, Sssslisssser and Ssssliter exactly what happened. They were happy to hear that he was able to get exactly what he wanted, a relatively Dursley free summer, but were a little upset about having to spend the rest of the summer in the trunk. Harry reassured them that he would try to take the trunk with him and would find a secluded spot and let them out so they could explore and hunt for themselves during the day. Being able to turn themselves invisible made Harry OK with this. Noticing that the Dursley's sent him to his room with no food, and that they didn't expect to see him until tomorrow, he decided to make himself something to eat, deciding not to use the Time Turner that day. Luckily it was his day off from training as he didn't want to have to wait any longer to get to London so we could pay off Vernon and start his new summer. This shouldn't affect his training with Swiftdeath, he would still show up at the bank at eight train, and be back a few minutes after he left. Now, he had to find a place to spend the day and somewhere he could let his friends, the snakes, out to explore. Harry didn't really have to go into London to get muggle currency, he had about 1500 pounds left, but he decided to spend the time trying out is Evan James identity at the Barclays branch in London. Plus making Vernon wait was always fun. He also wanted to go visit Harrods, he heard it is the biggest department store in the world.

Around six he left his trunk and spent the rest of the evening in his old bedroom in case the Dursley's checked on him, even though he was pretty sure they wouldn't. Sleeping on the old bed was uncomfortable after sleeping on the new one in his trunk. The next morning found him awake and ready at the downstairs door at 8:25 waiting for Vernon to be ready to go. He had left earlier using the Portkey to training and already returned and ate before meeting Vernon at the door. Swiftdeath would not understand missing a training session. Vernon didn't say anything to him just grunted and angled his head toward the car. Getting into the backseat, there's no way he was going to sit upfront with Vernon. Five minutes later found him being dropped off in front of the bus stop before Vernon took off again. Vernon didn't provide him with bus fare. 'I guess he expects me to find my own way there. Maybe magically,'

Harry took the bus to London and got off in downtown. Finding his way to Barclays after an hour long search wandering around, found him entering the bank.

"Hello welcome to Barclays how can I help you today?" asked the teller.

Harry showed his Evan James ID and bankcard. "Yes I would like to withdraw some money from my account please."

The teller eyed him suspiciously but took both IDs. After checking the account and seeing the extremely large balance, he called a manager over. After a few minutes of discussion, the manager asked Harry, or Evan, to follow him into his office.

"Do not worry Mr. James there is no problem for a valued customer. Since this is the first visit made to this branch we would like to extend our hospitality and ask if there is anything you require from us?"

Harry was quiet for a minute, it seems like the ID was working and they were trying to be helpful but he couldn't think of anything that he needed. He just wanted to check to see if you could get his money out. "No that's all right. I just wanted to withdrawal around 2000 pounds please."

"Right away sir, I will be right back .how would you like that?"

"A variety of 5, 10 and 20 pound notes would be fine please, thank you. At least 1000 in 50 pound notes in a separate envelope would be nice."

The manager left the office and Harry waited five minutes before the manager returned with two envelopes and he handed them to Harry. "All we need is your signature on the slip to authorize us to withdraw the funds and this transition will be complete." Harry signed the slip. The manager said "Thank you for your business today if Barclays can do anything for you in the future please don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you. Can you possibly give me directions to Harrods from here?"

"Not a problem Mr. James, here and let me write it down for you."

Harry and he left the bank, following the instructions. Harrods was about a 5 to 10 minute walk away.