Present Mixed in the Past

Chapter 28| Heir Training

Harry knew he was going to be spending the summer with Sirius, Aunt Petunia was having her divorce with Vernon that summer and she already sent Dudley off with some of his friends on a trip they had invited him to. She already had them write and sign a letter describing everything that they had seen and felt while living under Vernon's roof. Everything to help her not only get full custody but to prove that they were living under a violent home.

Anyway, what he wasn't expecting, was to be taking heir classes with the Twins, Neville, Luna, and Draco. Surprisingly, Hermione had managed to talk with Lady Longbottom, who was going to be the main teacher of their heir training and convinced her to let her join as to get more knowledge on the process of being a true Wizard.

The group of them had a wide range of classes on becoming Heirs. There were lessons on different languages, proper spelling and speaking, ranks of the Noble Houses, how to increases-as well as decrease- ones ranking of their Noble House, specific laws that were for and against them, certain traditions that were dying out, etc. Harry and Draco's favorite lessons were on dueling.

"It's a long-forgotten practice that has been watered down to become more palatable to the more muggle-raised."

The adults narrowed their eyes down at Hermione. She didn't flinch and only nodded in a well-meaning manner. She could understand the problem with all she was hearing. Muggle-raised children were finding it hard to understand the world around them and instead of setting up classes to help them, or maybe find them some Wizard-raised child to help show them the ropes and explain things, people got rid of the traditions. Got rid of them because they seemed off.

"Of course, in the now society, that is perfectly fine. We do not need..." Lady Longbottom paused, looking for the right word.

"American Cowboys, Lady Longbottom?" Harry offered with a sweet smile.

The grandmotherly woman nodded sharply, continuing on with what she was saying.

"It is impolite to challenge someone without a reason. If it is with a friend, then it does not need to be public. If it is an enemy, choose your words carefully for they could be used against you in that duel. Or turn the public from your defense to your enemy's defense. Understand?"

The group nodded, the twins offering her more childish smiles. She shook her head at them, muttering about how diluted their blood was. She then went on explaining more in depth the rules and regulations of dueling.

After that, they paired up with an adult and dueled. Of course, they were in an area where the silly Trace couldn't be tracked. The Purebloods had openly mocked the Trace as Dumbledore's idea, something that Hermione mentioned was harming both sides. When questioned, she responded with this:

"Muggle-borns that are being abused have no true way of defending themselves or even escaping if they must. Furthermore, Muggle-borns are more likely to be blamed for magical mishaps that happen from a random wizard than those living in Wizard society. However, Wizard parents are then pressured to either hide their children's magical progress or to not let them do anything more than theoretical. Either way, the lack of being able to practice magic and what they have already been taught would cause students to forget what they were taught and slow their magical progress."

The Purebloods were surprised by this and had nodded. That had helped with their view of her. Just a bit.

After all the explaining and demonstration between Lucius and Sirius, which was a spectacular show of magic, and finishing their own mock battles with the adults, they all got paired up with each other. Hermione was with Luna, the twins had to be separated so they stayed with Sirius and Lucius, Neville had to challenge his grandmother and Harry got to duel Draco.

Everyone first practiced simple defensive spells before they got the chance to use the more aggressive spells. Narcissa and Snape stayed on the sidelines with Remus, the three of them having their wands ready to stop a duel if it got too dangerous.

Magic flowed through the air as the young children threw spell after spell at each other, nimbly dodging out of the way. For Hermione, Luna, and Neville, it was difficult to get into the swing of it. They weren't used to a fast-paced sort of dueling, not after the war anyway. The twins were used to flashing quick spells and getting out of the way, but the real stars were Harry and Draco.

In their old lives they constantly dueled each other for fun. Their favorite form was with swords, it felt more natural. However, they had often dueled with Wands as well. It wasn't long before they had gotten into their old rhythm, flashing lights and magic swirling around each other them as they dodged and shielded themselves from the others attack.

Minutes drew on, the only winners were the twins as Luna and Hermione had exhausted themselves equally and Neville had lost to his grandmother. The old crone held a look of surprise and mild pride. Clearly, she had underestimated him.

Soon, all eyes were focused on the final duel. The boys laughed as they barely dodged an attack or when their hair turned a different color because of a silent pranking spell. It was similar to how they dueled with their swords, Snape noted.

The Potions Master narrowed his eyes on them, watching them more closely. Their bodies were too young, and yet their knowledge and skill were far beyond that. Glancing over to Black and Lupin, he found them watching in both awe and guilt. He didn't understand that look. The boy was loved and cared for, maybe not a Prince as Dumbledore had said, but he wasn't abused... Was he?

Looking back, he saw the boy finally lose his wand to his Godson, who held the most triumphed look.

"That makes us even." He huffed.

Harry only grinned and laughed, nodding. Quickly, he grabbed his wand and the pair of them went back to their little class, their eyes shining like gemstones. Harry soon focused on Lupin, his grin growing as that shine dulled to a more natural green color.

"I think you should take the DADA offer. I'll get to see you more, and I bet you'd be an amazing teacher at it!" He chirped happily.

Remus blushed a little, a soft smile on his face. He then nodded.

"Only if Dumbledore offers it to me. Though I wouldn't mind giving all of you a private class."

The group chirped happily at that, the twins whispering something in German that Harry quickly responded to in Spanish. Draco easily slid in with his French, while Neville shook his head at them all and spoke in another language. Eventually, they all were chattering and chittering in their own languages, but it was clear that they understood each other perfectly well.

Glancing to the two, that proud and guilty look was back. Snape didn't like it. He didn't like not knowing what was going through their head. Yet, he will trust them for now, he'll question them later.