The Intelligent Potter

*** Present

Harry pulled his sword free from Iliad's conjured wall of diamond, and sent a 'bombarda' at the diamond, only to find it had been a trap all along, as Iliad banished the shards back at Harry, who grunted as he was hit in the leg by one he didn't manage to stop with his late gust of air.

Iliad didn't stop there either, he kept going, making sure to be pushing Harry back at all times, making sure not to let Harry get close enough to try assaulting him a sword once again.

Harry panted with exertion at his magic-intense duel with Iliad, who didn't seem to have tired yet, going strong on his offense, the young Potter's magical core, despite being massive for his age, still not comparing to Iliad's large trained magical reserves.

With a final swipe, Iliad managed to send Harry spinning into a wall, sending a stunner to officially end the duel.

Harry came to to the sight of Iliad's proffered hand, which he took, helping himself up, wincing slightly as his weight came to rest on his injured ankle.

"Good fight." He said to the Lord Greengrass.

Iliad looked at Harry calculatingly, "Good fight." He replied evenly.

"Was I…yaknow, up to expectations?" Harry said uncertainly at the look of scrutiny he was getting from Iliad.

The Lord Greengrass sighed, "Yes and no."

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"As a 13-year-old," Iliad began, "You are far ahead of any level feasibly expected from any student, even a 7th year and would likely beat many auror trainees, especially with the wide range of magics that have been taught to you by Albus and Arcturus." He continued before hesitating, "However, I fear that you will not be ready to face the Dark Lord anytime soon, you wouldn't have stood a chance at the height of his previous power, but with The Darkness on his side, well, let's just say, any chance you ever had has marginalized significantly."

"It will be a long war" Dumbledore said, standing up and walking over to Harry, "And we will all be there to support him," at this he put his hand on the last Potter's shoulder, radiating comfort.

"The final battle will not be for years to come," Arcturus said, "It is regrettable that Harry has to face the Dark Lord at all, but if and when he does, he will be fully prepared."

Iliad objected almost immediately, "But even the likes of Albus and yourself would stand next to no chance against The Dark Lord and The Darkness, with your decades of experience and training."

"At 13, Harry can fight a fully grown wizard head on," Arcturus said, "by the time he reaches his age of majority, his magical core will be unprecedentedly large, he was destined to fight Voldemort on equal footing, he will not go into the battle short of magical capability." He said with an air of finality.

"You would rely on the prophecy?" Iliad said with slight contempt, "I truly thought you were smarter than that Black."

"Relying on the prophecy?" Arcturus barked back, "Do you SEE us relying on the prophecy? Does the training which allowed the boy to take on a fully grown wizard seem like RELYING on the prophecy?! We are doing our best, Iliad, and HOPING that all the cards will fall in place!" Arcturus said, letting loose of his magic, letting it envelop the room, flowing out of the Lord Black in a steady stream, making the already intimidating figure of the Lord Black even more so.

Iliad glared back at the Lord Black, his pride unwilling to let him back down from the standoff.

He was cut off by Dumbledore just as he opened his mouth to speak, "Enough! Arcturus, Iliad, we can't be squabbling like children! We have to prepare for what is to come, and fighting about it isn't helping anybody. We are not relying on the prophecy to carry us through this, which is why we need your help Iliad, Harry may have to be the one to defeat Voldemort, but he sure as hell doesn't have to be the only one fighting."

Arcturus' magic retreated into its master's body as quickly as it had filled the room.

After a few cold seconds, Iliad also sighed, "Albus is right, we can't be wasting our time like this."

With that the Lord Greengrass walked back into the dueling arena and beckoned Harry, "Come boy, again!"

Harry frowned slightly, indicating his ankle wordlessly.

"You don't always get to fight in ideal conditions, and besides, I'm coming off a duel too." Iliad said dismissively.

Dumbledore moved to stop the duel but Harry waved him off.

"No, I have to do this." Harry said, determinedly.

Iliad grinned, "That's what I'm talking about!" he said before starting the duel at top-notch, letting fire and water fly in equal amounts at his younger opponent with reckless abandon, peppering Harry with spells, who grit his teeth as the numbing spell on his ankle began to wear off at all of the pressure he was forced to put on it to evade Iliad's attacks.

Iliad simply outclassed Harry in every way, but he didn't let that get to him, fighting to the best of his abilities, despite the circ.u.mstances.

No matter how valiant the struggle though, Harry was overpowered, taking another stunner to the c.h.e.s.t, only to be revived and given to the count of ten before Iliad started the duel again, unforgivably refusing to let up on Harry.

In the stands, Hermione was distraught at the blatant abuse Harry was taking in his battles with Iliad, and even Daphne was flinching slightly, uncomfortable with the amount of pain her father was ruthlessly inflicting on Harry, seemingly without a care in the world.

After their 5th duel, Dumbledore finally intervened as Harry attempted to get to his feet, barely succeeding, and just about managing to hold onto his wand, having taken a cutting hex to the arm.

"Enough is enough, Iliad" Dumbledore said firmly, "No amount of training means anything if you kill the boy, and I think we need to have a talk about your methods."

Iliad agreed grudgingly, letting Dumbledore take Harry to the infirmary.

*** End of Chapte