Is The Dark All Dark?

Chapter 8: Training

Is The Dark All Dark?

Chapter 8

Harry was silent as he walked through the grounds, taking the long way back to the tent after spending nearly three hours in the library with Daphne, Draco and Blaise. He had been surprised by how easily he got along with the other two Slytherins. He had also been able to tell that Draco was attempting to make somewhat of an effort. The young wizard glanced down when Padfoot bumped his nose against his leg in an attempt to regain his attention.

"Don't give me that look. Just because I helped him with his homework doesn't mean I'm just suddenly going to be best friends with him. Draco and I have too much history for me to just forget it overnight. Doesn't matter if we're brothers or not." Harry snorted, shaking his head. Padfoot nodded his head before continuing to walk at Harry's side.

"We were beginning to wonder if we were going to have to go out and find you two. Why were you gone for so long?" Remus questioned with a concerned look on his face. Sirius shifted, standing at his godson's side with a grin on his face.

'Someone decided to help a pretty witch with her homework." He teased.

"Daphne wasn't the only one there!" Harry laughed, shaking his head at his godfather's antics.

"Who else was there? I'm assuming it was more Slytherins?" Tonks questioned, sitting two cups of tea on the table. Harry couldn't help rolling his eyes as he sat down, amused at just how much all three of the adults cared about him.

"Blaise Zabini and Draco. They sort of rescued me when I was ambushed by Weasley and Granger." Harry stated with a shrug. Tonks and Remus shared a look before turning their attention back to the teenager. He knew that they were worried about him interacting with Draco considering everything that had happened between them over the last few years.

"It wasn't anything more than me helping them with homework and them bouncing ideas around to face the dragon." Harry objected, holding his tea mug between his hands. He enjoyed the heat that radiated against his hands as he looked down at the table, getting lost in thought.

"Well since you've been in the library all day think you're up for some afternoon sparing lessons?" Tonks questioned, already moving to stand up.

"I was actually hoping Remus could teach me a new spell that Daphne suggested for the first task? She said there is one that is used to summon objects. Figured I could learn it and attempt to figure out a complete plan." Harry suggested. He glanced between Tonks and Remus, hoping one of them would help him.

"Sure, we can practice in that clearing close to the forest just behind Hagrid's hut. I know just which spell you're talking about." Tonks commented with a nod, her hair briefly flashing another color in her excitement.

"Izzy have dinner ready when you return." The Potter house elf exclaimed. Sirius couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head for a moment before shifting following his family back outside. He sat on the steps of Hagrid's hut next to Fang watching the two grown wizards work with his godson, pride in his heart as he saw the determined look on the boy's face. It was the same look James would get on his face when they were working on a new spell for a prank and honestly he remembered seeing it on Narcissa's face a few times when she was working on a potion or charm during the summer. He could see similarities from both Harry's birth parents and his blood adopted ones.

"Why is this spell so hard?" Harry groaned, dropping to the ground, lying on his back.

"You can't expect to get it on your first try. Remember how long it took you to learn the Patronus charm last year?" Remus stated. Harry grumbled slightly, crossing his arms over his chest. Remus chuckled, shaking his head at his godson's antics. Tonks leaning against the tree watching the two males interact. She knew that before last year Harry hadn't gotten the chance to have any family bonds.

"We've been out here for a few hours. Maybe we should head back to the tent and see what Izzy made for dinner? It's been a long day if you're tired already." Tonks teased. Harry released a grumble, moving to dramatically throw his arms over his eyes in complaint at the thought of having to get up. Remus couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head fondly.

"Fine. We could always leave you here and let Hagrid and Fang deal with you." He suggested, teasing along. Harry finally grumbled, pushing himself into a sitting position to playfully glare at each of them for a moment before pushing himself to his feet.

The walk back to their tent was silent, each of them falling into a comfortable silence. Harry glanced over his shoulder ever so often, having an odd feeling of being watched. Since their 'conversation' had been cut short earlier it wouldn't surprise him one bit if Hermione or Ron had decided they wanted to try and corner him again.

"Harry, wait up!" a voice yelled from behind him in the direction of the castle. He stopped, glancing over his shoulder in confusion. He couldn't help but frown slightly when he saw Ginny Weasley walking towards him. Padfoot released a slight growl at the red haired Gryffindor, standing pressed against Harry's leg.

"Miss Weasley isn't it time you were inside for dinner? It's getting late and wouldn't want you to get in trouble for being out past curfew." Remus stated, stepping forward with his arms crossed.

"I don't have to listen to you. You're not my professor anymore so you have no say over what I do around the castle." She stated, a sneer evident on her face for a brief moment. Tonks bristled, glaring at the young witch, her hair glowing a red color for a moment.

"He is still an adult and according to the Tournament rules he is considered Harry's headmaster so you do still have to show him respect little girl." She snapped. Harry glanced between the two adults and the third year for a moment. He didn't want Ginny to start causing more drama on top of what he was already having to deal with.

"Harry this is ridiculous. Just reenroll into Hogwarts, let Headmaster Dumbledore guide you through this tournament instead of this...him. You might have an actual chance of winning this over the other three champions if you do." Ginny stated, looking up at him, batting her eyelashes in a failed attempt to flirt.

"I don't want to win the tournament. I want nothing to do with this stupid thing. I was happy were I was, learning what I was learning and staying the hell away from people that want to use me for either my name or my money. Both of which I never asked for! I would give all of that up if I could have my family back." Harry snapped, finally losing the small grasp he held over his temper. He turned and stalked towards the tent, not noticing Draco leaning against a tree a small distance away watching them. The blonde haired Slytherin pushed off, walking towards his twin, a small scowl on his face.

"You know you could have all of that if you would stop pushing our mother and father away. That's a decision you're making all on your own. Though I don't think father or mother would approve of you spending all your time with a werewolf and a blood traitor. You do know she is our cousin that was disowned because her mother married a mudblood right? " He stated, falling into step beside him. Harry suddenly slammed to a stop, glaring at his brother. Padfoot released a low whine, feeling the raging magic that his godson was emitting. He glanced around for Remus or Tonks, realizing both of them had probably walked Ginny Weasley back inside to speak with Dumbledore about her behavior.

"Do NOT try to use that against me Malfoy! Don't think just because today in the library went well that we are anything close to being friends, let alone brothers! And why the hell would I want anything to do with your family when they've hated me and looked down on me for the last two years! I don't give a damn what your father thinks!" Harry sneered, balling his hands into fists. He wanted nothing more than to deck the Slytherin in the face but knew that would only land him in trouble with Snape and Remus. He shoved past Draco to continue walking towards their tent, his hand brushing against the top of Padfoot's head as they continued their walk.

"Will you stop and listen to me!? Stop acting like some pig headed muggle and act like the pureblood wizard you actually are!" Draco snapped following after his twin. Neither boy seemed to registered what happened next when Harry suddenly slammed to a stop, swinging around, his fist connecting hard with Draco's jaw. The stunned Slytherin hit the ground, sitting there with his hand pressed against the tender skin, staring up at his twin with wide eyes.