Foundation finished

Harry leaned back, bringing the sword up he knew little of the killing curse, only of its dark activation and the fact it was supposed to be sudden, instantaneous death.

The green light streaked towards him and ricocheted off the blade due to its numerous, heavy enchantments.

One of said enchantments was made to 'steal' certain things from creatures slain from it, the most recent creature providing a heavy spell resistance to the blade as it was incredibly fresh.

This spell resistance and Harry's adept use of a sword even one he was unfamiliar with showed as he swatted the curse upwards, causing it to streak at the ceiling and blast against it.

Harry's body released a wave of golden light, a near-death experience being all he needed to suddenly break through from the foundation stage into the first 'official' stage of cultivation.

Qi Gathering.

That golden light seemed to empower him, it all being focused into his eyes as they burned a brilliant golden light.

Of course, being a cultivator as experienced as Harry made you experience quite a few of these, but Harry never really got over the 'Anger' that came with it, especially for ones like these, ones that were sudden, and the wrong move meant death.

That anger fueled through him as he gripped the hilt of the sword and leaned forward. A burst of air blasted from him as the troll beneath him was kicked into the ground more firmly, causing cracks to appear beneath it along the floor as he was sailing through the air.

Almost visible energy began to gather rapidly towards him as his body went through the stages that brought with finishing foundation building, few actual people needed to do 'Foundation' first, as most already had a martial body fit for it, but due to Harry's wounds and the fact martial energy was incredibly rare, let alone widely practiced. Harry didn't 'start' with a body capable of holding the energy.

These changes brought a noticeable difference in his speed, strength, and everything else as the martial breathing technique used for gathering Qi kicked in instantly, one he had been using since he appeared as Harry, one he had been using for a very long time.

This visible energy gathered into him rapidly as he quickly broke through the starting stages of Qi Gathering, not needing time to 'consolidate' his strength due to how much effort he'd put into building his foundation properly.

He turned through the air, dodging a red colored streak heading towards him as he demonstrated years of brutality in a single moment.

He landed in front of Quirrell in a storm of wind, his sword turning as he brought it around and cleaved through the man's leg with ease. A scream ripped from the grown man's throat along with the screaming of another creature.

Harry used the weight of the longsword and his swing to bring it around, twisting his body as the man began to fall to the side due to his sudden loss of a limb.

Only for his neck to be caught with a blade as Harry cleaved through it, the body not even hitting the ground before it was cut off leg and head.

A screeching was heard as a dark wisp seemed to rise from Quirrel's head, a face of ash and smoke seeming to rise from it as it screamed only for a multicolored beam to shoot across the hall, impacting it and with a final scream.

The light seemed to purify it as the thing broke apart as the light engulfed it before it was simply gone, the body of Quirrel suddenly bursting into sand and ash once the creature had been dealt with.

Quick footsteps and then arms were suddenly around Harry as the golden light began to fade. Minerva's eyes tried to strangle him as she held him.

''Don't you EVER do that again, or I swear by Merlin's name I will lock you up somewhere. Make it so nothing will ever harm you again.'' Minerva said as she stroked his hair, the final place for the golden light to leave was his eyes as they slowly became green once more.

''How do you feel Harry?'' Albus asked as he made his way over, fatigue clear in the old man's gait. His eyes showed it as well, along with what looked to be a firm determination about something as he watched the boy.

''I feel fine, tired from cleaning, and then... That, but fine.''

''And how do you feel, having taken a life?'' Snape spoke, his voice as stern as usual, but very... Very vaguely could a hint of a caring tone be heard in the man's tone.

''I didn't take a life, I simply returned what was taken... Whatever that creature was that the Headmaster dealt with was twisted, and the corruption it had caused to Quirrell had long since taken his actual life... Added with the unicorn's blood, his life would be doomed even if we found a way to save it.''

Minerva released him as Harry looked at the sword, examining it for a moment. This was Godric's sword now that he had the chance to really look at it, but as of that moment. It felt like him, to the point as he moved to sheath it at his side, the sword seemed to simply 'vanish'.

But he could feel it, out of his sight but there, all it took for him was to wish to draw it again and it would reappear at his call, no matter the distance between them.

Albus seemed to become lost in thought once he saw that simple action as Minerva began to check Harry over, which he allowed since it would be stupid to stop a worried family member from checking over your well-being after fighting a troll and a dark wizard.

''Well... If you need help sleeping, report to me in my office... I'll have something ready to help you sleep, something strong enough to make sure you properly rest.'' Snape spoke before he turned to the others.

''Head Master, McGonagall. I will see you at the feast after I get this wound on my leg treated, it's reopened with all the movement.''

''Of course Severus... Rest if you need it, I can easily explain your absence if you need me to.'' Albus rumbled out softly and the man nodded before he turned. He started to limp away as he headed for the medical wing.

''That's enough excitement for me for one night, I think I'll retire myself after making sure everything is dealt with... Harry, I shall gather the troll for you, I'll preserve it and we can meet in my office this weekend to discuss what you wish to do with it.'' Albus stated and Harry nodded.

Minerva seemed hesitant to do anything, so Harry took the initiative to help her, squeezing her hand gently.

''Come and see our work on the Undercroft? It's about time for a break anyway, give you time to rest, we'll get snacks and tea prepared as well for everyone.'' Harry asked her and she smiled softly, holding his hand tightly.

''That sounds... Lovely and relaxing Harry, I shall take you up on the offer.'' She answered, unsure as to why his small but firm hand seemed to give her strength. Unaware that Harry was subtly using his newly acquired Qi to help her recover from her fatigue, as well as actively helping her with her own body.

His hundreds of years of skill in it made this an easy task even without focusing as much as he was.

Heading with Minerva he led her through the castle as easily as normal, his Martial Breathing quickly helping him recover from fatigue as well as the Qi he had expended.

Only to come into the undercroft to find everyone has made some good progress, the large table in the middle having now been cleaned of books and polished properly.

''Break time guys!'' Harry called as Elves began to appear, setting up the table for them while taking the things in the 'trash' area and taking it...

Where did trash in Hogwarts go Harry wondered passively as he sat Minerva down.

''Hello, Miss McGonagall.'' Daphne spoke with a soft bow of her head and Minerva chuckled, shaking her head softly.

''No need for Miss now, I am here just to see the work you've all done, which I might say is quite a lot.'' She said as she relaxed, thanking the house elf who poured her tea as she took a sip from it, visibly relaxing as she rested.

The others joined them at the table, Neville speaking up. ''So what did Dumbledore want with you, Harry? You weren't gone for that long.''

Minerva's eyes went to Harry, being clever enough to pick up on what Neville said meant Harry had told a white lie to excuse his sudden leave.

''He just wanted to congratulate me on my recent test scores, while also taking that moment to ask me about our progress on the Undercroft, as well as asking if we needed anything.'' Harry answered, popping one of the bite-sized muffins into his mouth.

He was watching Hermione watch how Daphne sat and ate her snacks, and sipped her tea, seeming to try her best to mimic the Pureblood.

''Do we need anything?'' Seiko questioned, looking around.

''Mmm... A place to sell the jewelry?'' Neville asked with a soft chuckle, it getting a chuckle out of everyone else.

''The Headmaster did say you can do what you wish with anything you find... Maybe ask Ms. Pince? Her brother is a skilled jeweler, she might be able to help you in finding someone to take the jewelry.'' Minerva offered.

''Oh, we know the perfect person to ask her then.'' Harry chuckled, everyone at the table turning to look at Hermione.

''Ah, yes. 'Haha', because I'm the bookworm.'' Hermione remarked dryly.

Harry raised a brow and leaned forward a bit. ''Also the only person here who is able to call Pince by her first name.''

''Irma lets you call her by her first name? My, that's quite the feat, Miss Granger.'' Minerva said and it brought Hermione to blush.

Ever the boss until you compliment her genuine effort and skill, then she was just another young girl looking for affirmation and praise, like any student.

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