Chapter 28
Early the next morning, it was cold, misty, and nobody wanted to get up. However, conscious of their responsibility, at five o'clock exactly, Jack and Dann knocked loudly on the door to Smoke's room, and were rewarded with the sound of groans from within. They went in quickly and began harassing the group, getting all of them out of bed and conscious. Realising that they were not all looking enthusiastic enough for his liking, Dann decided to give them a bit of a pep talk.
'Ok listen up. The work starts here. Now I know you're all tired, and will be wishing you could go back to bed and sleep, but you can't. This could very well turn out to be one of the most important days of you're lives. Get dressed, get some food down you're throats, and get outside to the point at half past. Anyone being late will earn the whole group another speech from Hawk, and I know you'd all hate that.'
Jack grinned as nods of agreement were passed around the room.
'Ok, see you in then.'
They left the room without looking back, though they did hear the scuffle begin them as the entire group raced to get ready. Jack turned to Dann thoughtfully.
'You know, I think this might just be fun.'
A few hours later, and though Jack and Dann still had a grin to give to their group, only a few of the tired volunteers could do the same. Dann and Jack hadn't realised the difference it made, having command of a group of people. Every time somebody stumbled, they had to be there, cajoling and encouraging.
They were glad when a ten minute break was announced, giving them a few precious moments to go among the group and see how they were bearing up. As they did so, it began to rain, just enough o ensure that everyone would be drenched, but not enough to offer welcome refreshment to sweating bodies.
Though there were a group of about ten who were on the point of collapse, there were also about double that number, who were still able to talk coherently, which came as quite a surprise to Jack, as he went round. As they had predicted, Toran was among the group, along with some other comparatively young members of the group. Jack walked up to them.
'How are you feeling?'
Toran stood up, followed by the others. Jack moved hastily.
'Hey, no sit down. Take the most of the break. You won't be getting many of them.'
Most sat back down gratefully, but Toran stayed standing, peering at Jack. He moved uncomfortably.
'So, how are you feeling?'
The young man grinned, shaking his head.
'I've never been so tired in all my life.'
'I know how you feel. Five months ago I was in the same state. I wish I could say it gets easier, but unfortunately, I would be lying.'
'I was dreading those words.' Jack nodded sympathetically. 'So what's next, or don't I want to know?'
'The Course.'
'The course?'
'You'll find out soon enough, believe me. Now in fact, it's time to get started again. Try and get some of you're friend up, we need to get moving.'
And so they did get moving, pulling weary bodies over the where a grinning Sirius was waiting for them. Just as he was about to start explaining what they had to do to the group, Sirius somehow got the idea that Jack and Dann weren't looking tired enough. He announced that since they knew what they had to do, they could do a demo run while he gave an introduction.
'Careful not to show a word of complaint, Jack and Dann rose, and removed their excess kit, laying in on the ground with a quick water repelling charm to ensure it wasn't damaged. Down to trousers and thin t- shirts, they waited for the start signal. All the while, Sirius just stood there, grinning, dry and warm in a thick cloak.
Both were glad they were not one of the volunteers, knowing how much satisfaction Sirius would take in pushing them as close to the limit as was possible. Mind you, Jack thought as they set off, he'd probably take more pleasure in finding our limits, seeing as he hasn't seen us train in a while.
The two went through the course at top speed, swearing at the knee deep mud and grimy water that they had to cross, thinking how easy it would be too just go round the traps, rather than across. But their pride pushed them on. Pride in themselves, what they had done, and in the Guards.
They reached the last obstacle in sight of the group, and realising that they were being watched, decided to put on a bit of a show. They hurdled the first stage, then rolled simultaneously under the bar, before launching themselves into a full sprint to the finish. They stood next to Sirius, breathing ragged, but still smiling. Sirius turned to them.
'Best time yet. Nice one.'
They simply nodded, not to sure if a sound would come out if they trid to reply. Sirius turned back to the group, clapping his hands.
'Now it's you're turn. These two will lead you. If anyone gets over five minutes, the whole group goes again. For now, just once round. Come on, on your feet, get moving!'
Rolling their eyes, Jack and Dann moved to the front of the group, and set off at a dead run for the first obstacle. Up and over, down and through, round, drop, stand, crawl. Half way through, and with time running out, Jack dropped back to push on the stragglers,. Leaving Dann to lead the group.
As it turned out, they needn't have bothered. Dann, a few metres ahead of the bunch, and running backwards, shouting them on, was the only one to get in under the time limit. So it was back to the start, and back to the start, and back to the start. By the time it was over, even Jack and Dann were beginning to feel the pressure. Finally given a break, the group lay sprawled on the grass while Jack and Dann walked over to a still smiling Sirius.
'You really enjoy this, don't you?'
'Course I do. Watching the hate build up in them, and waiting for the respect to come the first time you praise them. What more could I ask for?'
Turning away shaking their heads, Jack and Dann rejoined their group. It was going to be along day.
Harry, meanwhile, watched the groups from a distance. Standing on the platform that had been erected along the front of the main building, looking out over the training ground, few noticed him through the haze of water falling from the murky sky.
Occasionally the gazes of the members of Fire would flicker over to him, but that was all. They were too busy with their groups to approach him, and for that Harry as grateful. He had much on his mind.
It was only days before he would be returning to Hogwarts, and leaving the training almost entirely in the hands of others. At the end of the week members of Sword would be replacing Fire as the group leaders, and Fire and Ice would accompany Harry back to the school. The rest of the Guards would remain, overseeing training.
Harry went inside, going to the new office, where he was hoping to find Hunter. He was in luck, and the two settled down to talk.
I finally posted another chapter. I know it's been ages, but as you will have realised, I've been working full time on my other story. However, I have got the first part of another chapter written, so you might be lucky and get another in the near future. I will try to get these up on a regular, if occasional basis. Many thanks to all of you for your patience. Thanks for any of you who can be bothered to review - Pose
Early the next morning, it was cold, misty, and nobody wanted to get up. However, conscious of their responsibility, at five o'clock exactly, Jack and Dann knocked loudly on the door to Smoke's room, and were rewarded with the sound of groans from within. They went in quickly and began harassing the group, getting all of them out of bed and conscious. Realising that they were not all looking enthusiastic enough for his liking, Dann decided to give them a bit of a pep talk.
'Ok listen up. The work starts here. Now I know you're all tired, and will be wishing you could go back to bed and sleep, but you can't. This could very well turn out to be one of the most important days of you're lives. Get dressed, get some food down you're throats, and get outside to the point at half past. Anyone being late will earn the whole group another speech from Hawk, and I know you'd all hate that.'
Jack grinned as nods of agreement were passed around the room.
'Ok, see you in then.'
They left the room without looking back, though they did hear the scuffle begin them as the entire group raced to get ready. Jack turned to Dann thoughtfully.
'You know, I think this might just be fun.'
A few hours later, and though Jack and Dann still had a grin to give to their group, only a few of the tired volunteers could do the same. Dann and Jack hadn't realised the difference it made, having command of a group of people. Every time somebody stumbled, they had to be there, cajoling and encouraging.
They were glad when a ten minute break was announced, giving them a few precious moments to go among the group and see how they were bearing up. As they did so, it began to rain, just enough o ensure that everyone would be drenched, but not enough to offer welcome refreshment to sweating bodies.
Though there were a group of about ten who were on the point of collapse, there were also about double that number, who were still able to talk coherently, which came as quite a surprise to Jack, as he went round. As they had predicted, Toran was among the group, along with some other comparatively young members of the group. Jack walked up to them.
'How are you feeling?'
Toran stood up, followed by the others. Jack moved hastily.
'Hey, no sit down. Take the most of the break. You won't be getting many of them.'
Most sat back down gratefully, but Toran stayed standing, peering at Jack. He moved uncomfortably.
'So, how are you feeling?'
The young man grinned, shaking his head.
'I've never been so tired in all my life.'
'I know how you feel. Five months ago I was in the same state. I wish I could say it gets easier, but unfortunately, I would be lying.'
'I was dreading those words.' Jack nodded sympathetically. 'So what's next, or don't I want to know?'
'The Course.'
'The course?'
'You'll find out soon enough, believe me. Now in fact, it's time to get started again. Try and get some of you're friend up, we need to get moving.'
And so they did get moving, pulling weary bodies over the where a grinning Sirius was waiting for them. Just as he was about to start explaining what they had to do to the group, Sirius somehow got the idea that Jack and Dann weren't looking tired enough. He announced that since they knew what they had to do, they could do a demo run while he gave an introduction.
'Careful not to show a word of complaint, Jack and Dann rose, and removed their excess kit, laying in on the ground with a quick water repelling charm to ensure it wasn't damaged. Down to trousers and thin t- shirts, they waited for the start signal. All the while, Sirius just stood there, grinning, dry and warm in a thick cloak.
Both were glad they were not one of the volunteers, knowing how much satisfaction Sirius would take in pushing them as close to the limit as was possible. Mind you, Jack thought as they set off, he'd probably take more pleasure in finding our limits, seeing as he hasn't seen us train in a while.
The two went through the course at top speed, swearing at the knee deep mud and grimy water that they had to cross, thinking how easy it would be too just go round the traps, rather than across. But their pride pushed them on. Pride in themselves, what they had done, and in the Guards.
They reached the last obstacle in sight of the group, and realising that they were being watched, decided to put on a bit of a show. They hurdled the first stage, then rolled simultaneously under the bar, before launching themselves into a full sprint to the finish. They stood next to Sirius, breathing ragged, but still smiling. Sirius turned to them.
'Best time yet. Nice one.'
They simply nodded, not to sure if a sound would come out if they trid to reply. Sirius turned back to the group, clapping his hands.
'Now it's you're turn. These two will lead you. If anyone gets over five minutes, the whole group goes again. For now, just once round. Come on, on your feet, get moving!'
Rolling their eyes, Jack and Dann moved to the front of the group, and set off at a dead run for the first obstacle. Up and over, down and through, round, drop, stand, crawl. Half way through, and with time running out, Jack dropped back to push on the stragglers,. Leaving Dann to lead the group.
As it turned out, they needn't have bothered. Dann, a few metres ahead of the bunch, and running backwards, shouting them on, was the only one to get in under the time limit. So it was back to the start, and back to the start, and back to the start. By the time it was over, even Jack and Dann were beginning to feel the pressure. Finally given a break, the group lay sprawled on the grass while Jack and Dann walked over to a still smiling Sirius.
'You really enjoy this, don't you?'
'Course I do. Watching the hate build up in them, and waiting for the respect to come the first time you praise them. What more could I ask for?'
Turning away shaking their heads, Jack and Dann rejoined their group. It was going to be along day.
Harry, meanwhile, watched the groups from a distance. Standing on the platform that had been erected along the front of the main building, looking out over the training ground, few noticed him through the haze of water falling from the murky sky.
Occasionally the gazes of the members of Fire would flicker over to him, but that was all. They were too busy with their groups to approach him, and for that Harry as grateful. He had much on his mind.
It was only days before he would be returning to Hogwarts, and leaving the training almost entirely in the hands of others. At the end of the week members of Sword would be replacing Fire as the group leaders, and Fire and Ice would accompany Harry back to the school. The rest of the Guards would remain, overseeing training.
Harry went inside, going to the new office, where he was hoping to find Hunter. He was in luck, and the two settled down to talk.
I finally posted another chapter. I know it's been ages, but as you will have realised, I've been working full time on my other story. However, I have got the first part of another chapter written, so you might be lucky and get another in the near future. I will try to get these up on a regular, if occasional basis. Many thanks to all of you for your patience. Thanks for any of you who can be bothered to review - Pose