The year had grown darker, with Voldemort's presence pressing more urgently on the magical world. With each passing week, reports of Death Eater attacks were more frequent and devastating. Homes destroyed, families torn apart, and fearful whispers of Voldemort's growing power swept through the Wizarding World. Harry took each report personally, the weight of his role pressing him forward with determination.
One evening, after a particularly intense Order meeting, Dumbledore approached Harry in his calm, thoughtful way, his face drawn with purpose. "It's time, Harry," he said, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "There are pieces of Voldemort's soul—Horcruxes. They must be destroyed if he is to be defeated once and for all."
Harry had anticipated this moment, feeling a mixture of determination and a twinge of excitement. This mission went far beyond a school year's worth of lessons, but Dumbledore promised him guidance and knowledge, including some of the rarest magic few had ever learned.
Their training was rigorous. Dumbledore, with his vast knowledge, began teaching Harry lost magics, sharing ancient spells that had faded into obscurity over centuries. These magics included slayer spells—powerful and dangerous, with specific slayer magic geared toward combating certain creatures, like dragons, serpents, and creatures dark and monstrous. The spellwork was demanding, but Harry's commitment and passion carried him through the intense lessons.
Dumbledore's voice was often serious when training Harry, but outside of that, they found themselves sharing more than just spells and techniques. Harry introduced the old wizard to modern slang and, even more amusingly, fresh insults for Voldemort. Dumbledore took to it with good humor, chuckling as Harry offered some choice phrases he knew would infuriate the Dark Lord.
"Tell me, Harry," Dumbledore said one evening, a mischievous glint in his eye, "is 'Snake-Face' really the preferred nickname these days?"
Harry grinned. "Only if you want to get under his skin, Professor."
The two of them continued like this, training hard by day, and sharing moments of lighthearted friendship by night. With each Horcrux they destroyed, Harry's confidence grew, and he felt himself growing closer to the Headmaster, as if they were kindred spirits in this fight.
To better prepare for battles with dark wizards, Dumbledore suggested they spar—a suggestion that left Harry both eager and slightly intimidated. Dumbledore was a master duelist, and even though Harry had faced Voldemort himself, he knew the experience would be invaluable.
Their spars became a routine part of their training. Each session, Harry grew quicker, more adept at blending advanced spellwork with physical agility and wandless casting. Dumbledore didn't hold back, his spells complex and unpredictable, forcing Harry to think on his feet, to adapt mid-battle.
"Excellent, Harry," Dumbledore praised, after Harry dodged a particularly well-aimed hex and countered with a creative, multi-layered shield charm. "Your instinct to combine spells into one fluid motion is impressive."
Harry grinned, feeling a new rush of pride as he continued his training. Dumbledore's praise meant everything to him, and their sessions gave him a level of skill that he could test elsewhere. Throughout the summer, Harry entered a series of dueling tournaments and wizarding championships, winning rare artifacts, medals, and accolades. Word spread quickly of his prowess, and wherever there was a Death Eater attack, if Harry was nearby, he put it down with unwavering confidence.
Dumbledore had one last task for Harry before the school year: helping to convince Horace Slughorn to return to Hogwarts to teach Potions. They visited the aging professor together, finally managing to lure him out of his comfortable retirement. Slughorn, charmed by Harry's fame and strength, agreed with enthusiasm, though not without his usual stipulations. When Dumbledore informed him that Severus Snape would be moving to Defense Against the Dark Arts, Slughorn's face lit up with interest.
Returning to the Order's headquarters that night, Harry told his girlfriends, Daphne, Tracey, and Hermione, about the faculty change, eager to see their reactions.
"No way! Slughorn?" Hermione gasped, unable to contain her excitement.
Daphne raised an eyebrow. "Slug Club parties, then? And Snape in Defense? Oh, this year will be… interesting."
Harry laughed at the mix of excitement and horror on their faces, secretly looking forward to how the year would unfold.
Before long, it was time for the girls' birthdays, and Harry, determined to make it memorable, planned a grand celebration. The four of them gathered with close friends in a secluded section of Diagon Alley. Harry had even arranged for Fleur to attend as a surprise, her graceful presence adding to the festivity.
As they celebrated, there was a noticeable shift in the evening. They were no longer just students; they were adults, facing dangerous missions and carrying heavy responsibilities, but that night, none of it mattered. They laughed, danced, and drank together, savoring every moment. The night culminated in a private moment they shared, a memory that would bond them all deeply in ways beyond magic. Harry stayed beside each of them, devoted to the love and warmth they gave him, reminding him of the strength that came from companionship.
As the morning of the Hogwarts Express departure arrived, Harry felt a surge of excitement. This was his sixth year—his second-to-last year at Hogwarts. He boarded the train, spotting his friends as they waved him over. They chatted eagerly about the upcoming year, speculating on what Snape would be like in Defense Against the Dark Arts and imagining what new challenges Slughorn would introduce in Potions.
As the train wound its way to Hogwarts, Harry watched the countryside rush by, a confident smile on his face. He felt prepared, stronger than ever. He was ready to face whatever Voldemort or the year might throw at him. He had his friends, his girlfriends, and the trust of Dumbledore. And with each Horcrux destroyed, they were one step closer to victory.
The excitement buzzing in the air was contagious. Harry's girlfriends chattered about their hopes for the year, Hermione already pulling out some fresh parchment to make a study plan. They all had their eyes set on the future, and Harry was more than ready for the year to begin.