This is how Harry had spent the rest of his days of the school year at Hogwarts. He would wake in the morning, head to the kitchens for breakfast and then spend the rest of the day in the room working on as much as he could in dueling, something that he knew he was taking to naturally just as he had with flying.
His wand had continued to be very temperamental so he had mostly worked on movements and stances he had found within the books and practiced putting together wand movements quickly, effectively and as efficiently as possible.
He had been left alone for the most part as Ron had not even attempted to talk to him even after he had left the hospital wing.
Hermione had woken a week after the events in the department of mysteries and seemed to hold no ill feelings towards Harry, though she was insistent that Harry needed to grieve, something that annoyed the teen rather quickly. He had noticed that both Neville and Ginny would make excuses to spend time with him when he wasn't in the room, something else that bothered him.
He was quite happy to spend time with the pair but it seemed that they had no reason at all to do so other than to keep an eye on him and Harry had had enough of that, particularly over the last year or so.
He had mostly managed to avoid the two though when he wanted to be in the room, much to his own relief and thought that he would be able to just board the train home without any further problems or annoyances, of which he had had his share of this year.
The peaceful exit he desired was not to be however.
It had begun two days before the train was to take the students back to Kings Cross when he was summoned to Dumbledore's office, not completely unexpected but not exactly a welcome distraction either.
He entered the headmaster's office and took a seat opposite the man and waited for him to speak, having nothing he wanted to talk to him about himself.
Dumbledore stared at the teen speculatively for a moment before he began.
"How are you Harry?", he asked in concern.
"Fine sir", Harry shrugged.
He truly did feel ok. Anytime a sense of sadness threatened to overcome him he managed to swallow it down.
Dumbledore just nodded, not at all convinced but decided against dragging out that particular subject any further.
"I'm afraid that you are going to have to return to your relatives for at least the first part of the summer my boy", Dumbledore spoke again after a moment.
"I thought as much", Harry responded casually knowing full well that would be happening.
"I'm sure we can make other arrangements for later on", Dumbledore tried.
"I'm not going back to Grimmauld Place", Harry stated in return, having no desire to be in Sirius's house. "And the Burrow is unlikely as Ron is not talking to me", he explained.
"I'm sure Mr. Weasley will come around", Dumbledore said in an attempt to placate the teen.
"Actually sir, I'd rather just be left alone this summer", Harry requested. "I have more important things to focus on than quidditch and avoiding Fred and George's pranks", he added seriously.
Dumbledore sighed and shook his head. "I do not think it is wise for you to spend all of your time alone Harry", he pointed out.
"But that is my choice sir", Harry replied a little irritably.
Dumbledore sighed again and conceded the point with a nod.
"Very well, but there will be a member of the order on guard at all times", he explained.
"You mean to keep an eye on me", Harry retorted.
"They are there to keep you safe Harry", Dumbledore responded firmly.
Harry snorted slightly.
"That's what the wards are there for", he said shaking his head. "You said yourself that anyone who intends harm cannot pass them, so having a member of the order there is a waste of time", he pointed out logically. "It is an additional protection Harry", Dumbledore answered calmly. "Do not take it for granted", he advised.
"So again I will get no privacy", Harry frowned. "Living with them is bad enough without being watched constantly by people who are supposed to be on my side, I am not a child Headmaster, I don't need baby sitting".
"I'm afraid that is how it has to be my boy", Dumbledore sighed sadly.
Harry just shook his head in frustration.
"Is that all?", Harry asked after calming himself.
Dumbledore sighed again and nodded.
"Goodbye Professor", Harry stated as he made his way to the door.
"It is not good to stifle your feelings Harry", Dumbledore warned. "It will only make you bitter and send you down a path that you are much better than", he added. "I implore you to rethink your summer plans", he finished, clearly concerned.
Harry had paused after he had opened the door but did not turn to face the man who had addressed him. When Dumbledore had finished Harry just shook his head at the words of the headmaster and left the room.
The next bothersome thing to take place had happened as he was leaving the castle to get the train to London when he was accosted by Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle in the entrance hall.
He was just about to exit when he was forcefully turned around by the blonde who was clearly furious with Harry.
"You'll pay for what you did to my father", Malfoy hissed threateningly.
Harry simply found him amusing, and not a threat whatsoever after what he had experienced over the last couple of weeks. "Go on then", Harry challenged, folding his arms casually.
"What?", Malfoy asked with a frown.
"Go on then", Harry urged, discreetly gripping his wand that he had stashed up his sleeve.
Malfoy looked towards his two goons, who just stared dumbly back. Realising that he would get no help from them he reached into his pocket and fumbled as he tried to retrieve his wand.