"So, what did you think?" Harry asked his friends as they sat around the dinner table that evening. He was genuinely concerned at how they would react to the unorthodox training session they went through earlier. After all it was only the first day of boot camp.

"The man is a menace" Susan said "Auntie said he was unhinged, but seeing it in person is a whole new experience"

"I liked it"

All heads swung towards the least likely of the group to be saying that.

"What?" asked Hannah seeing everyone staring "I know that is not usually my sort of thing, but I have to say, I was more than a little pleased with how well we did."

"Yeah, he obviously wasn't going easy on us" Dean said.

"But like Hannah said, we came through it ok" Neville added "For me that validated all those early mornings and extra practice sessions. Some mad man attacks us and we defended ourselves with all we had, and won. Sure, it was a controlled training exercise, but who could honestly say they would have done half as well if not for Harry and Daphne taking us under their wing and making things like this boot camp possible. I for one will be forever grateful to them."

"Wow Neville, for the strong silent type when you get going…" Tracey said.

"He can be very passionate at times" Hannah said proudly.

"Too much information there Hannah" Tracey teased.

"I meant about things that matter, like this group" Hannah said blushing "One track mind you have"

Everyone laughed relieving what little tension remained in the group.

"What is the plan for the next three weeks then Harry?" Neville asked.

"Well the actual boot camp kicks off tomorrow with the normal early morning exercise." Harry started going through the training plan. "First class after breakfast every day will be a practical magic class. Charms, Transfiguration, Defence. A bit of everything really. We are lucky enough to have someone with a broad range of spells, and some unique and interesting ways of using them."

"For those with specialized needs, we have tutors lined up for the second half of the morning, Millicent's mum will be available on the days we need her over the full 3 weeks" Daphne looked to Dean and Theo, they both really needed to work on their potions. "However, Hermione's parents aren't available for muggle studies though this year. They are actually on one of their trips, it wasn't just a ruse to let Moody have his fun. Instead, we will have a surprise day trip planned, don't want to say too much and spoil the surprise, but even you muggle born will like this."

Hermione stuck her hand up "Will we be getting a class with Croaker again this year?" she had been really impressed by the grumpy unspeakable and was hoping for a chance to learn more him.

"Yes" said Harry much to Hermione's delight. She barely suppressed a squeal.

Daphne laughed to herself, wondering how Hermione would react when she found out the Croaker had set aside a whole week and would be having one on one lessons with each of the group. Such was the high regard that he held them in. Nothing he loved better than teaching talented people.

"After lunch will be a full afternoon of either fighting, duelling, or applied magic, based on what your particular interest is." Harry went on "I have it on good authority that the duelling competition at Hogwarts next year will be a different format. No teams, just individual. So that may sway your selection of how you want to spend your afternoons. That will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On the other days, for the afternoon session, we have planned something different. If you think back to when we were first years, we were all pretty much the same. Learning as much as we could about anything and everything. But now that we have a couple of years' experience, everyone now has things that they excel at. And I would love for you to share with the group by running one of the afternoon sessions. Nothing formal, think along the lines of our Saturday practice sessions, but you leading it and doing the things you are best at."

Daphne piped up "I myself would love the opportunity to learn Hannah's unique take on charms. And after her performance this morning I dare say I am not alone in thinking that."

Neville was nodding in agreement, he had been taking lessons from Hannah most of the holidays. His new skills and finesse complemented his power perfectly.

"Now don't panic, if you don't want to run a session you don't have to" Harry reassured them "Just like anything over the next 3 weeks, everything is voluntary. But you all have that special something that I would ask you to consider sharing with the group if you feel comfortable."

He could see that Hermione was already formulating a lesson plan.

"I have time tables here for you to fill out" Daphne handed around the pieces of parchment. Once everyone had one, she explained further. "Ok, so when you have decided what you want to do, just write it into the appropriate square for the day and session. It will automatically update the tutor's calendars and confirm their availability. You will see that your sessions with Croaker are already entered, he has limited time and we wanted to make sure nobody missed out. And yes, they are one on one sessions"

This time Hermione did squeal.

Harry noticed Colin was glancing at his timetable and then looking at him.

"Colin, you will be having a few one on one sessions with me as well. Millicent tells me that you are lightning fast, and I want to see if you can pass on some of that to me. But also, I feel that I have been neglecting you first years and I want to put that right."

Colin looked pleased "That's ok Harry, what with petrifications, Malfoy senior, Malfoy junior, Lockhart, and your photo in the paper for some crazy adventure with a snake, you had a little bit on last year." Ever the master of the understatement. "And I am sure this year you will be busy having one on one sessions with Daphne. So I appreciate the time." Colin was a people watcher and had seen the subtle change in the way Daphne and Harry interacted.

Harry blushed. Damn it he thought, need to get that under control.

Lavender and Parvati shared a look of understanding. They both put their hand over their mouth to suppress the urge to blurt something out. They will have to get Daphne alone and find out all the details.

Daphne came to Harry's rescue "Now to keep you on track, and to make sure you make it to all your different classes we have a new member of the family who will be helping out."

"Dobby" she called out quietly.

Dobby appeared next to Daphne. "Dobby volunteered to be in charge of the logistics for the next three weeks. He will ensure that you each get to where you need to be, when you need to be there, suitably equipped with anything you need. All you have to do is ask"

She went around the group introducing everyone to Dobby.

Dobby carefully examined each child as they were introduced, he was a great judge of character. He could tell those that would get lost in their studies and need reminding to get to lessons, and those that would push themselves so hard that he would have to pop them back to their rooms afterwards to recover. Overall, he thought that Master Harry and Mistress Daphne had a great group of friends, nothing like the nasty children that used to hang around the Malfoy child.

"And unless anyone has any questions, I suggest we forgo this evening activity and just spend the rest of the evening relaxing. It is going to be a busy few weeks" Harry sat back in his chair and smiled at Daphne. That went well he thought.

Roxanne and Cyrus watched the kids from their end of the table. This year they were leaving the planning and running of the boot camp to Daphne and Harry, only acting as tutors. After all, the pair had proved themselves more than capable of running something like this having done it at Hogwarts the last two years.

The next morning after breakfast they were all in their practical magic class waiting for the teacher to show up. Little did they know he was already in the class disillusioned and watching the children, assessing the various personalities and how the group interacted. They were a happy and boisterous bunch.

"And then Dean levitates a cricket bat and smacks one of the dummies around the head…."

"Mr Creevey, how many times do I need to tell you. Stop showing off in front of the girls and take your seat."

"I am sorry Mr Lupin, won't happen again" Colin reacted to the familiar voice and refrain, giving his usual reply as he turned away from the girls and headed towards his empty desk.

"Why is it that you are never in your seat ready for when class starts?"

"One of life's great mysteries, Sir" Colin stopped dead in his tracks and spun around to face the figure standing at the front of the class who was no longer disillusioned.

"MR LUPIN! Sir?"

Remus took in the look on Colin's face, it was priceless.

"When you are ready Mr Creevey"

"But… but you're my maths teacher, Sir" was all Colin could manage to get out. He was lost for words, which was a very rare occurrence for him. He slumped into his chair. How could this be?

Remus faced the rest of the class "As Colin has just advised, my name is Remus Lupin. And while I do have a flair for arithmancy, the subject is a bit dry to be wasting a beautiful sunny morning like this. Instead I will be showing you a few things that I have picked up over the years. There is no set lesson plan, we will just see where things take us each day."

"Well that was amazing" Tracey said as she sat down for lunch "I can't believe how interrelated all our subjects are until you put it all together like that."

The class had covered many topics and branches of magic. Not the structured format that Hermione so loved, but one that rambled from one thing to the next as they tried new things and new ideas were explored.

"I know this is going to sound weird" Parvati said "But I want to change one of my electives from divination to ancient runes. I mean did you see what happen when the Professor powered the runes on that transfigured toy train?" Everyone had just naturally started calling Remus 'Professor'. It just fit somehow with his quiet manner and friendly smile covering for what was obviously a great intelligence. And with his knowledge of magic and love of teaching, calling him Professor seemed right.

Hermione didn't want to do it, but someone had to burst her bubble. "The Ancient Runes classes at Hogwarts are only language translation, not the practical application."

"Well, where's the fun in that?" Parvati responded with a pout.

"Why are you taking divination?" Susan asked "Trelawney obviously does not have her grandmother's gift"

Harry and Daphne shared a look, only Hermione, Tracey, and Neville knew about the prophecy made by Professor Trelawney.

"Seeing used to run in our family back in India. So now every Patil child takes a year of divination classes, just in case. Padma will be taking the class as well." Parvati explained "So at least I will have someone to talk to in the class seeing that my best friend deserted me" Parvati looked at Lavender with a dramatic look of sadness on her face.

"Best friends or not, there is no way you will get me into the classroom with that fraud." Lavender responded.

"I am taking Runes as an elective" Theo said "It provides the basis for further study. You know, actually using them. And I am taking Arithmancy. Warding and curse breaking, that is what I want to do."

"Auror" Neville and Susan said both at the same time. They laughed.

"You know you have to take muggle studies" Hermione said.

Susan sighed "Yes, and it will be as rubbish as Divination. But required for entry into the Auror Academy"

"Yes, but after last year's sessions with Hermione's parents, you could probably pass your OWL now" Tracey said "I know I could after holidaying with them the last couple of years."

"I want to become a Teacher" Millicent said quietly "There is just something about it that appeals"

"That is because you have been teaching Luna, Ginny, and Colin" Tracey said "Imagine having to teach Crabbe and Goyle. Or worse, Ron Weasley and Seamus Finnigan"

Everyone pulled a disgusted face and made some off-colour remarks.

"Oh, I would teach them alright" Millicent said in a voice so dripping with evil intent that it silenced everyone "One year with me and you would see a whole new attitude from them"

Colin flashed his best winning smile at her "You know, you can be right scary sometimes" he said "Part of the attraction you know. Well that and those tight jeans you are wearing" he finished before displaying that incredible speed of his by dodging the stinging hex Millicent rapidly fired at him.

Gee he is fast thought Harry as Colin moved again and returned fire, a stinger just missing Harry as he stepped out of its path at the last second. But this is just what he needed. Lucius Malfoy was just as fast, faster than anyone he had come up against before. Malfoy may not be blessed with a lot of power but his rate of casting was quicker than anyone he had crossed wands with. He had managed to pin down both Daphne and him for a period of time. Harry could see how he had made it into Voldemort's inner circle, instead of just being used for his money and political connections.

Harry decided it was time to end this and get Colin to work on something he had spotted. Harry purposely stumbled slightly and Colin pounced, stepping from behind the bookcase he went for the kill only to find half a dozen paintballs headed his way with enough spread on them leaving him with nowhere to go. To his credit only three hit him.

"I thought I was fast, but you…" Colin said shaking his head as Harry approached to clean him up.

Harry laughed. "You are faster than most and your accuracy is amazing, but I have been doing this longer than you. Once you get another year or two under your belt you will be practically unbeatable."

Colin looked pleased with Harry's assessment until…

"However, as you insist on charging into the fight, you really need to get your shield more consistent, although that too will come with experience. " Harry continued.

Colin agreed "Yeah it is something I am having problems with, I practice it a lot but just can't seem to get a feel for it like other stuff. But everyone tells me to wait until after my session with Croaker before trying to make any changes."

"Oh yeah, he will straighten you out alright" Harry agreed. "I have to say, Millicent has done a great job with you, you are easily the best in you year and probably better than some in my year as well" Harry said.

"Yeah, Ron and Seamus have been less inclined to have a go since they came upon Millicent and I duelling" Colin agreed "Who would have thought that Weasley could shut up for more than 5 minutes"

"Anyway, I want to see if we can use that speed and accuracy of yours to end fights before they begin" Harry said "I want to try an exercise, I will count down for a duel, on 'one' I want you to be ready to fire three stingers as fast as you can, use my wand hand as a target. The first one should leave your wand on 'go'."

Colin got the timing just right and a stinger was flying directly towards Harry's wand hand, he created a shield and watched as the next one was almost on him. He had a decision, keep powering the current shield, or drop it and create another. He decided to drop the shield and created another just in time to bat the second one away with a small shield. And the third one was on him, still with no time to do anything but shield.

"That was great Colin" Harry praised him.

"You managed to shield them all pretty easy." Colin replied.

"I did, now why was that? Apart from knowing what you were going to do" Harry watched the boy think about it.

"Because they were coming straight at you" Colin got it first time.

"Good. You are fast on your feet and fast with your wand, let's use that. After your first spell, take a step to your left and fire your second one, then take two steps to your right and fire your third." Harry watched Colin think that through and had a quick practice of the foot work involved.

He had to make an adjustment to his starting stance but nothing that would flag what he was going to do.

This time as Harry shielded the first stinger, the second one was coming in a bit from his right causing him to pivot a fraction to his right to shield the second. Even though he was expecting it, now his body position was opened up to the third stinger that seemed to be coming directly at his chest. Adjusting quickly, he moved his shield to cover it in time.

"Well done Colin, exactly what we were after" Harry praised Colin, he really was a quick learner. "Of course, the danger is becoming too predictable, so don't just do the same move, judge your opponent's moves, maybe your second move can be going further the same way as your first move. The important thing is to use your speed of casting and your incredible footwork to create an opening. I mean even I wouldn't want to stand there and slug it out with the heavy hitters like Susan and Millicent, let alone someone like Neville."

"Yes, this works well for me, it comes pretty natural too. I mean I usually move around a bit but mainly defensively, dodging spells. It never occurred to me to use it for offence. Thanks Harry. But what about spell selection?" Colin asked "I can fire off stingers really quickly, but they won't win me a fight"

"Yes, but what if your third spell was an expelliarmus, you had me turned around and I was wide open." Harry offered.

"Yeah but I find the wand movement too intricate to cast with the same speed as the stinger." Colin agreed.

Harry laughed "Seriously, wait until your session with Croaker, things will be better, trust me."

"Master Potter, sir. Wake up" Dobby gently shook Harry trying to wake him.

Harry rolled over and opened on sleepy eye "Dobby? What time is it? And why are you waking me?"

"It is being 4ams sir" Dobby responded "Lord Black says to wake you. He says that you need to be getting up. He did not say why."

Harry grumbled a bit and then dragged himself out of bed and got dressed. The only room with a light on downstairs was the kitchen, he walked through the door. Sirius and Remus were sitting on either side of the table engaged in a quiet conversation, it looked pretty serious.

"This better not be some sort of a prank, Padfoot" Harry said as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

"Anything but I'm afraid Harry. Now that Remus is here, it is time to visit an old friend" Sirius was not smiling, neither was Remus. "You ready for this?"

Harry took a deep breath and let it out slowly "Yes, let's do this"

Peter heard footsteps approaching, footsteps from at least two people. He quickly got off the bed and pressed himself into the darkness of the back corner of his cell. The torches in the corridor outside flared, casting their flickering light dispelling some of the darkness. Was it time for 'Lord Black' to visit and tell him how lucky he was that there was no dementors patrolling the corridors? Not like Azkaban where he had been locked up because of Peter. No, it was too early for another visit, and he was always alone. He wouldn't risk word getting out and tarnishing the Black family name any more than what it was.

But it was Black, Peter saw as Sirius slowly emerged from the darkness of the corridor into the light. For once there was no gloating smile, no forced friendliness, he just stopped and stared without saying a word.

Then another man stepped into the light. Peter recognised the man's features immediately. He tried to press himself further into the darkness as he gasped. Peter could barely believe his eyes, he had thought the werewolf long dead, but here he was looking surprisingly healthy. The flickering light behind the man highlighted the faint scars on his face and the weariness around the eyes, but despite that he looked remarkably well.

The third member of the party then stepped into the uncertain light. This one was a child. No that wasn't right, the third member of the group, though shorter than the other two, was anything but a child judging by the breadth of his shoulders. He was dressed like a muggle, wearing muggle jeans, runners and a sweatshirt. It was the hair that provided the clue, the Potter hair. Was this Harry? There was a vague resemblance to James, mainly the hair. Then he saw the eyes. Lily's eyes. This was definitely Harry Potter.

Harry looked at the cell, there were three solid stone walls with the front appearing to be open. The ripple in the air of the open space belied that, obviously warded giving the illusion of openness.

Against the left-hand wall there was a bed made from one solid slab of rock. There was a basic toilet arrangement, another solid slab of rock with a hole in it, against the right wall. All pretty standard stuff, the Greengrass manor had a similar cell attached to the old Roman barracks that they were currently using as accommodation for the boot camp, except had bars across the front.

What did pique Harry's interest was a large open wooden wheel attached to the back wall. At first he couldn't figure out what it was. It looked like an old water wheel you would see at flour mills from days past, it was almost as tall as the ceiling.

There was something familiar about the whole setup, the open front, the large wheel, he just couldn't figure out what it was until…

"Oh yes sirs, Mr Rat is be getting two meals a day. Mr Rat be getting plenty of vegetables. And he has been getting his exercises." The house elf reported "Mr rat is not be getting his dinners until he uses his wheel"

"Thank you, Milo, that will be all" Sirius said before the elf popped away.

Of course, thought Harry, it was a mouse cage, three solid sides with a glass front, complete with exercise wheel, just like the muggles have. Not a very subtle prank, but subtlety wasn't Sirius' strong point.

Movement in the cell caught his attention. He focused on the figure cowering in the back corner. So, this was Peter Pettigrew, the man who had betrayed his parents to Voldemort. Harry felt an overwhelming surge of anger flow through his body. It had come from nowhere but it was filling him up so much he felt like it was seeping from the pores of his skin. His magic flared in response to his anger, stronger than he had ever experienced. The air crackled with the power of it. His eyes glowed the deepest green and his hair stood on end.

Harry's wand leapt in to his hand, pointed at Peter, the tip glowing green with the spell waiting to be cast. Harry marched forward straight through the wards that were sealing the cell, the air smoked where he had passed through. Peter sunk to his knees as Harry stopped six feet away.

Peter had spent many hours in the presence of Voldemort, although that was a long time ago and the memories had faded. Seeing Harry like this brought the terror back again. The was nothing he could do, nothing he could say. Death was upon him and all he could do was wait on his knees for Harry to deal it.

The seconds passed, Sirius and Remus stood quietly watching Harry, not saying anything, just being there for him.

Harry lowered his wand and returned it to its holster "I am no murderer"

Peter just about passed out with relief. "Oh, thank you Harry. You have a good heart, just like Lily and James"

Harry's wand flew into his hand again, pointed at Peter again. "Don't you dare! Don't you dare speak their names."

Peter whimpered and crawled back into the corner as far away from Harry as he could get. Harry turned his back on him and walked through the wards out of the cell again, his anger dissipating.

Sirius watched Harry, waiting "What do you want to do with him? He can live out his days here. It is no trouble."

"You two get a say in this as well, you both suffered greatly because of him" Harry said.

"Well, he is already dead" Remus said "I mean literally. He was pronounced dead by the Ministry. So…" he left the statement hanging.

They all turned to stare at Peter who was curled into a tight ball on the floor whimpering to himself.

"But I feel it is not my decision to make" Remus continued "Harry has suffered more than anyone as a result of this piece of scum traitorous acts"

Sirius looked at Harry "I understand your feelings about killing him, I myself have no qualms about doing it, after all I went to Azkaban for doing just that."

Harry had been thinking about what he wanted, now that the anger had subsided to a level he could manage, he could think about more than just revenge for himself, he could think about what it would mean to finally have the truth come out about the circumstances surrounding the death of his parents.

"Peter is going to redeem himself. He is going to turn himself in and face judgement for all his evil deeds" Harry looked at Peter daring him to disagree "He will confess to being my parent's secret keeper, he will tell who cast the fidelius charm on my parents' house, he will admit to being a death eater and telling Voldemort how to get to them"

Harry stopped to glare at Pettigrew again, Peter was still curled up on the floor but had stopped whimpering. He was staring at Harry and calculating the odds of defying him. Peter was thinking if he could just get out of this cage it may be possible to escape. Unfortunately for Peter his devious scheming showed in his eyes.

Harry's anger went through the roof "You dare?" Harry stated with disbelief as he marched back through the protective wards. Peter hurriedly regained his feet and backed away from Harry as fast as he could.

Harry didn't bother drawing his wand, as soon as he was through the wards, he just stuck out his right hand as if he was grabbing Pettigrew by the throat. Next thing Peter knew he couldn't breathe, his windpipe was being crushed.

Harry closed his hand a fraction and Peter just about passed out with the pain. He was tearing at his throat trying to dislodge the invisible hand. Harry then raised his hand and Peter was lifted off the ground.

The pain, the lack of air, and the absolute terror he felt witnessing the power Harry was displaying was enough to push Peter over the edge. He passed out.

Harry released the spell and let Peter drop to the floor in a heap. Harry stood there looking at Peter waiting until the anger abated again. That was twice in one day that it had got the better of him despite his best efforts at controlling it.

Sirius and Remus were watching the whole scene play out from the other side of the wards.

"Are the wards meant to work that way? He just marched right through them as if they weren't there." Remus asked.

"Well he does have Black blood from his grandmother, and he is my godson and heir" Sirius replied "But no, they definitely don't work that way, I would have been stunned if I tried to do that without deactivating them first. You would have suffered a worse fate."

Remus had heard the stories about Harry, and had seen him in the class room, but this was the first time he had seen his power. "And the glowing eyes, the surging of his magic, and not to mention the wandless magic? What is going on here Sirius?"

"I can't say Remus. Harry will tell you when he feels more comfortable around you" Sirius sounded anything but comfortable giving his friend that answer.

"You mean when he trusts me" Remus replied "That's fine, I understand. In fact, that actually pleases me to hear. I am a stranger to him and he should be keeping his secrets. One day he may trust me, I would love to hear his story when he does. Until then, nothing I have seen here will be repeated."

Peter was stirring. He slowly sat up rubbing his throat, it was incredibly sore. He had an overwhelming feeling of dread which he couldn't place, until his eye fell on the young man standing in front of him. Harry was staring impassively at him, he had his hands clasped together in front of him with his feet shoulder width apart.

Peter broke into tears and started begging for his life. "Please Harry, don't kill me, I will do anything you ask"

Harry turned and walked back to Remus and Sirius

"Call Amelia, get her to send a couple of aurors that she can trust to pick him up. She can fill him full of veritaserum and get his full story." Harry said "You won't get into trouble delaying handing him over, just say you didn't know who you could trust in the Ministry. Who knows Padfoot, you may even get Peter's Order of Merlin for capturing such a dangerous criminal"

Harry turned to face Peter before continuing with a warning. "If he doesn't cooperate or tries to escape, I will personally drag him back here by his scrawny little rat's tail. And I will visit him, often. Very often. Trust me, by the time I finish with him, he will wish he took up the chance to be guarded by dementors."

Author's Note:

Hi all, slowly getting back into the mind space for writing again. With everything going on, writing seems such a small thing to be doing.

I have figured out the story arc for the next year of Hogwarts, so hopefully the chapters will flow a bit better than the last few have.

Thank you for your reviews, I really do appreciate you taking the time to put your thoughts into words.

Stay Safe.

Greg