The second Harry entered his room he had a plan in mind. Grab Hedwig, throw on his Invisibility cloak, get onto his Firebolt, and take off for either the Weasley's or Grimmauld Place, either would give him a good place to regroup, to think about everything and maybe get so direction.
A few seconds later and he rembered that he had no broom, no Invisibility cloak, and didn't know where Sirius lived even if he wanted to find his forr godfather. For the first ti since arriving in this world he felt trapped. Almost as much as when he lived with the Dursleys.
He couldn't go anywhere, couldn't escape the situation if he wanted to.
****
It was only after he was certain Riddle had departed the ho that Harry snuck down the steps and out to the back yard. He needed to get out and enjoy the fresh air, to clear his mind for a little and he almost made it to the wooden storage shed when he ran into another.
"Oh I didn't know you were..."
"Uh hi Harry, how are..."
The two stopped in their joint conversations before bursting out into laughter. Monts later Harry, humor still in his voice, gestured towards the broom in his sister's hand. "Thinking about doing so flying?"
Amy nodded excitedly, "I was hoping to try out for the Quidditch team next year."
He smiled broadly at her joy. "Well, if you are anything like you will be a natural. I was Seeker my first year after all."
Awe mixed with just a hint of envy lit up the redhead's face. "Do you think uh, maybe you could show ..."
"I'd love to."
Soon the two were airborne on brooms, with Harry giving various bits of advice and Amy soaking it up with an almost fanatical determination. A few dives, sharp turns, and climbs later and the two took a short break, drifting lazily in the air.
"Do you miss it, Quidditch I an?"
The boy floated a bit closer, before shrugging lightly. "Yes and no. I was never a fanatic of the ga, that was always Ron. I just love flying. Plus, it was sothing I was good at, sothing that I received praise for because of what I could do, not who I was."
It looked as though she wanted to ask more, but instead remained silent.
****
Harry could almost guess who was at his door based on the quiet knocking that ca later in the evening. Once more he called out for them to enter and monts later Jas slid into his room. "Hi..."
"Hey"
The two males fell silent, Jas shuffling his feet and looking around the room for sothing to break the awkwardness between them. He gave up seconds later with a sigh. "Harry I know this seems unfair, that we are forcing you into this but that couldn't be further from the truth. Your mom and I… well we know you don't need this."
That had been sothing the boy-who-lived wasn't expecting to hear, and his attention focused in on the man.
"You're incredibly talented Harry, for rilyn's sake you cast the Patronus in your first year. We have no doubts you will succeed, that isn't what this is about."
"Then what is it for? Why were you both so interested?" he countered, voice lacking any real spite.
Leaning back against the wall he let out a sigh, "I was good in school Harry, darn good depending on who you ask. A 'Transfiguration prodigy' they called , but even with that I wouldn't have been prepared without help. I lacked direction, lacked experience, lacked contacts and understanding of how the world worked. It's sothing Hogwarts doesn't teach you, doesn't teach anyone. Without McGonagall it would have been tough."
A previous conversation returned to the younger's mind, "McGonagall? She ntioned she tutored you, does that an you went through an apprenticeship too?"
Jas nodded, "I did, and it helped. Of course my own talent was important but she gave direction, which is really what this is all about. You aren't like others who need this Harry. So students, will need this type of thing to get any real job after graduation, will need an adult witch vouching for them, giving them special instructions and training in order to find a career. You aren't one of those people. Instead this is to make your life easier. You rember the elental magic book she sent you right?"
Upon seeing the nod, if hesitant, the man continued. "Think of it like that. I have no doubt you would have discovered this on your own, but how long would it have taken? A year? Two? Three? Would you have found it at Hogwarts at all? Think of how much more you will know just because you were pointed in that direction."
Harry agreed, at least in his mind, with what the man was saying. He didn't have a plan for graduation, hell he hadn't even begun to think of anything more than 'maybe Quidditch or helping people' back in his own world and he had been at the end of his fifth year.
"And its more than just 'here are so books you should read'. She would take you to social events with other duelists or defense experts, introduce you to colleagues or those in her field you would have never t otherwise, help you form connections and contacts that are so crucial to getting anywhere in this world, regardless of whether you are a man or woman."
Again, he agreed and the idea sounded helpful, amazing even. But it had been the way it was worded, the manner in which it was offered that bothered him. "What does she get out of it?"
Jas looked at him for a second, before snorting with laughter. "Sotis I forget how mature you are Harry. Most of the ti it is gold, the family pays for the tutors ti and efforts after all. If the individual already has a job it can be other compensations. If they are new to the area maybe they are given free room and board or an introduction to a company the family might have ties to. In my case the Potters pushed to have McGonagall assigned as Deputy Headmistress far earlier than she likely would have been otherwise."
"And Riddle? What does she want?"
"From what we talked about after you left? Nothing, well apart from the usual things."
That had him on edge. "Usual things?"
But the man was waving a hand as if it were a minor inconvenience. "Nothing serious, more of the natural benefits both individuals involved receive. Just as you will be able to rely on her na and reputation so will she receive benefits from yours. Imagine if you make so amazing discovery a few years after graduation. People might say that her training helped you and would look favorably back onto her as well. By taking you to parties and gatherings she would have soone to accompany her as well. You might not realize this Harry but the Magical world can be very lonely at tis, especially for a teacher. Having soone to talk to can be a blessing in itself."
"So I would be her date?"
The older shrugged, "Sort of, and can you bla her? You inherited my looks Harry. Who wouldn't want a drop-dead gorgeous young man to attend a ball with?"
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