Alba Famiglia

Training From Hell

Chapter Eight

Waking up

Harry was rudely awakened by the bucket of water that was dumped over his head. Screaming loudly as he shivered from the freezing water, Harry got out of bed before shaking out his shirt. Several ice cubes fell out and onto the floor where they proceeded to melt.

Looking at the culprit, Harry was greeted by Jin's blinding smile. "It's time to greet the day!" It was then which he remembered his hellish schedule. Sighing, he glanced at the clock at his bedside. The numbers on it showed that it was only six in the morning. Six! He had planned to wake up at 6.15 and slowly walk to the mansion grounds.

"Now that you're up, why don't you take an early start?" Jin pointed towards the sprawling gardens outside the window, smiling beatifically all the while.

Morning run

Harry grumbled as he began to run slowly. He was tired goddamnit! Running at a steady pace, Harry was about to let his mind drift when a wire appeared before him, causing him to trip face first onto the ground.

"Remember to concentrate!" A voice called from behind him, sounding concerned. It was Jin. Shaking his head, Harry pushed himself from the ground, rubbing his face before continuing to run.

It wasn't the last time he tripped. Or fell. Or was pushed. Accompanied by the smiling demon from behind him, Harry managed to encounter numerous mishaps which led him to get intimate with the dirt. He did not need to know what the dirt tasted like. He really didn't.

Katas

After the run and Harry finished spitting the dirt out of his mouth, Jin made him go through several basic warm-up exercises. It was rather peaceful compared to his morning run... At least it was.

Once the warm-ups were completed, Jin demonstrated one of the forms that Harry was expected to copy. That was when his hell began. Every wrong movement would get him doused in freezing water, with a fan smacking against the body part which had committed the terrible crime of being in the wrong position.

After several repetitions, Harry knew that he was in agony. The forms demanded great flexibility from him which was not something he had in abundance.

Complaining would not only be ignored, but more demands heaped on him.

"Harry, just move your foot a bit higher." A gentle request would be called out from time to time. However Harry knew better. These requests were actually commands and Harry knew he would be in a world of pain if his disobeyed. Once was enough. Shuddering as he remembered the excruciating burning of his muscles as he was forced into a split. Thank god he exercised during quidditch training sessions or his hamstring might have actually snapped!

"Concentrate Harry." Harry gulped as he focused on perfecting his forms, trying his best to clear his mind of all distracting thoughts.

Breakfast

When it reached 8, Harry was dismissed much to the relief of his aching body. Hobbling to his rooms, Harry indulged in a steaming hot shower, refreshing himself before heading to the dining room for breakfast.

When he reached, Mrs Zabini, Blaise and Jin were already seated and waiting for him. Apologizing profusely, Harry sat down and began to eat. Heaping the scrambled eggs onto his plate, Harry stuffed it into his mouth. He was starving after the strenuous morning he had.

"I see that dining etiquette will be very important with you." Noted Jin as he observed Harry. Harry immediately slowed down the pace of his eating. There was absolutely no way that he would give Jin a chance to torture him some more!