Harry Potter and the Protectors of Hogwarts

v. of holiday remains and catching trains

Harry came down early he next morning, only to find he was not the only one there. Killian and Tonks were in the kitchen making breakfast. Well, actually, Killian was making breakfast and Tonks was sitting at the table, out of harms way. No one else was up yet, not even Mrs Weasley, who was usually up and about before everyone else.

"Want any help?" Harry offered.

Killian immediately put Harry on frying the bacon, sausage and eggs, whilst she buttered mounds of toast. Harry saw five toasts being buttered with five knives, and even as he looked he saw two extra knives join the fray. Harry thought it was safe to assume that Killian was using her telekinetic abilities.

They were setting the table when Mr and Mrs Granger walked in followed by Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Neville and Ron. Mr Lovegood and Mrs Longbottom walked in behind them.

"Mum not here?" asked Ginny.

"Must still be in bed," said Tonks.

Tonks got up and placed two plates heaping with food in front of Molly and Arthur as they sat down.

"Oh, I could have done that," Mrs Weasley protested, trying to get up from her chair to help.

Tonks wouldn't let her.

"Sorry for not having breakfast ready," said Molly changing the subject whilst eyeing the food. "I didn't realise it was so late. But it seems you managed quite well without me."

"For future information Molly, Arthur, rest assured that if you want to wake up late, if you want a bit of a lie-in, or even if you want a bit of lone time together, you won't have to worry that we'll starve without you. It'll be hardship, but we think we'll survive with your excellent feasts. We'll manage to fend for ourselves." Tonks put on her best martyr like voice.

After breakfast the children were shooed out of the kitchen. They spent most of the time in the boys' room. Harry and Ron were playing chess. Ginny and Hermione were sitting in the corner discussing their Hogwarts letters.

Harry spent time between talking with his friends, or reading through some of his old school books as well as the new ones he had received. Mostly he was reading through the Occlumency book he had received from Remus, but he really couldn't seem to make any sense of it. Harry decided to read through it a second time. They headed down to lunch Harry taking his book with his. He settled himself towards the food end of the table; the others seated themselves near him, his book next to him. Hermione as she often did at Hogwarts propped her Arithmancy book against the water jug and started reading as she ate.

The adults all clustered around the other end of the table, laughing over something Tonks was saying.

"Learning Occlumency Harry?" came Killian's voice. Harry saw her eye his book curiously.

"Yeah."

"What technique are you using?"

Harry hesitated. "The book doesn't mention techniques." No techniques that he could make sense of, he added silently to himself. He saw Killian grin at him.

"Who gave you the book?" she asked.

"Remus borrowed it from someone," Harry answered.

"Can I see the book?"

Harry nodded. He was about to get up and walk around to Killian, but it flew out his hand and he saw Killian grab it. She spent five minutes flicking through the pages and then levitated the book back to Harry who grabbed it and put it down beside him.

"How's it working for you?"

"Clearing my mind helps, but it still makes my scar hurt." Harry thought it would help even better if he could actually understand what the book was saying.