Chapter 6: Survival of the Fittest
When the ferry reached the port of Calais, Harry was not only provided with a second mode of transport for the Order of Pendragon, but also a personal escort, courtesy of the French Ministry of Magic, his mantle of Holy Knight obviously meaning more to them than it did the British. All throughout the journey, Harry and Hermione sat together, both enjoying the luscious French countryside as well as the looks of the many villages and towns from afar, their rented villa located in a magical district on the outskirts of Paris, the district itself known as Les Terres Magiques, a location that Sebastian translated for Harry into The Mystic Lands.
Climbing out of the car, Harry and Hermione both assisted the Order in moving their things into the villa, while Dan and Emma placed their cars in the rented garages, Harry and Hermione choosing to explore while the Order, with help from Dobby, helped settle their Lord and Lady into their accommodation.
In Harry's opinion, the magical world certainly knew how to make a visitor feel welcome: their villa had five bedrooms and three bathrooms, each one decorated like a member of royalty was staying within its walls. Somehow, Harry had a feeling that word had leaked out through the Ministry as to just who was staying on this holiday; as well as the perfectly designed sleeping accommodations, there were also two training rooms – one for physical and one for magical – as well as a library that had Hermione and Emma drooling, until Harry made a rather intimidating comment as he told them, "From what I've heard, the libraries owned by Godric and Salazar are more like whole complexes under one roof."
"Harry!" snapped Hermione, "Don't tease me like that."
Harry just laughed as he then discovered a large lounge and dining area complete with full Muggle entertainment systems and a whole wall filled with the latest films and CDs. To Harry, this wasn't just a rented villa, this was a palace that could only be complete by the sight and presence of a…
"Harry!" called Hermione from the back end of the villa, "You need to see this pool: it's amazing!"
"Okay," Harry laughed, "Now it's perfect."
HPHG
For the first few days, the Grangers, Harry and the Order all divided their plans into exploring Les Terres Magiques as well as training on their physical and magical strengths and weaknesses, as well as – in the case of Harry and Hermione – having long, informative conversations with one of the five warriors about their future skills and powers. In fact, Harry found himself enjoying the holiday so much that a part of him realised, four days into the three-week vacation that he wouldn't have minded if someone had offered him the place on a more permanent basis.
On the Friday morning of their holiday, Harry was lounging out by the pool, his eyes closed and his hands at his sides as he concentrated on the powerful rushes of magic he had experienced lately, his mind trying to clear away the cobwebs of misinformation that Harry had been forced to endure throughout his life. Now that he was destined to be the new leader of a band of warriors for the wizarding world, Harry knew that he needed to go into any situation, battle or otherwise, with a clear head and so, with his daily relaxations and meditations, he was always able to clear his mind of the stories he had been told and finally decide on his own course of action.
"My Lord?"
Opening his eyes, Harry was surprised to see that Sebastian was stood at his side, dressed not in sun-enjoying attire, but the same long, and to Harry's eyes, extremely heavy-looking white robe that he had been dressed in on the ferry. Sitting upright, Harry curled one of his knees against his chest and gently lay his arms across it as he asked, "What's up Sebastian?"
"I was just wondering if you would like to go through some of the training sets necessary for the Knight of Thunder, my Lord," Sebastian explained, his head low as he remained standing, "Lady Hermione is currently running through some water-taming techniques with Elora and Tyler, Felicia and Dante have gone into Paris with Master Daniel and Mistress Emma for protective purposes."
"I see," Harry smiled, chuckling as he imagined the kind of reaction Dan would give if he heard himself being addressed as Master. "And just what kind of training is necessary for me Sebastian?"
"First and foremost," Sebastian explained, "There is the matter of your emotions, my Lord: as Knight of Thunder, you are pretty dangerous when it comes to being angered and your moods can change as quickly as a lightning flash. If you will permit me, my Lord, there is something that can help with this."
"Only if you stop being so formal Sebastian," Harry insisted, shaking his head, "Or do you not remember my telling you to use my name?"
"I'm sorry Harry," Sebastian grinned, "A bad force of habit."
"I understand," Harry laughed, before he stood up and asked, "What do I need to do?"
"Well," Sebastian answered, "I was thinking we could turn this training into a game: you see Harry, when you grow annoyed with any kind of situation, you immediately lash out, but here's my point: how long does it last? Does it last until you have defeated your enemy or does it last only a matter of minutes?"
"I see your point," Harry nodded, "I mean, when I first grew angry with someone who dared to insult Hermione, it took a full body bind to relinquish that emotion and, even then, I was still annoyed; but the second time I did it was when I cast the Spider Swarm Jinx and it lasted only a couple of minutes, which wasn't necessary, I agree, but it was fun."
"I see," Sebastian commented, stepping past Harry as he added, "Come with me Harry."
Stepping through the French doors at the rear of the villa, Harry followed Sebastian down towards the magical training room, his eyes wide as he opened the door…and found his own reflection staring back at him.
"What is this Sebastian?" asked Harry, looking around, noticing mirrors that surrounded almost every point of the compass around him.
Sebastian's voice came from somewhere within, "Muggles, Harry, would call this a mirror maze and the key thing here is to not rely on your sense of sight or sound to guide you. Plus, if you cannot find your way around, then you will grow angry and maybe even start to panic; now, as I told you, this game is to test your emotions and how you would control them. I have placed a mild Power Dampening Ward around this room to stop your magic being out of control during the game and, in this game, the aim is this: Death-Match."
"Aha," Harry replied, trying his hardest not to make himself dizzy as he saw himself all around, the walls of the mirror maze making him confused and, as he took deep breaths, he began to realise that it was also making him slightly annoyed. "And what's a Death-Match Sebastian?"
"Not what you would expect," answered the Warrior Commander, "In fact, my lord, it is a means of fun and enjoyment for Muggles and certain magical users. Now, here are the rules: we are both only allowed to use one spell and it is a spell known as orbis pigmento, which will fire a ball of paint at a target. I have already cast this spell before Harry and my paintballs are lime green; would you mind testing the spell yourself?"
"All right," Harry remarked, lifting his wand; pointing it to one of his mirrored selves, he commanded, "Orbis pigmento!"
A ball of silver light flew from his wand and splattered against the mirror, leaving a paintball mark that, to Harry's amusement, was actually shaped like a slightly disfigured bolt of lightning. Casting it again to make sure he wasn't seeing things, Harry saw another bolt lying on top of the first; with an amused chuckle, he called out, "Silver!"
"I guessed as much," Sebastian replied.
Harry, however, sensed a problem here; raising his voice, he called, "Sebastian?"
"Yes Harry?" replied the warrior.
"Will these balls hurt?"
"No," Sebastian replied, "Not if we aim for the body and the legs; nowhere near the head or the mouth as these balls can be considered poisonous, especially if the spell is untamed, which is also the second point of this exercise: to prove to me that you can tame a spell that you have never used before. Now, because of the mirror maze, we won't know if we get a hit, which is why an alarm will sound as and when we get hit: if you get hit, there will be a sound like a crack of thunder. If I get hit, you will hear a sound like the howling winds and then, we will have a ten second respite while the room adjusts the maze. Time will expire when one of us reaches…I don't know: what say you Harry?"
"How about fifteen?" suggested Harry, "Given that's how old I plan on being by the time I truly earn the mantle Holy Knight of Thunder!"
"Ideal," Sebastian laughed, before he added, "We shall have one round of fifteen today then my lord and, next week, we shall increase it to twenty and have Lady Hermione join us as well as either Elora or Tyler."
"Why them?" asked Harry, "Why not Dante or Felicia?"
"Because Dante and Felicia are newly anointed knights," explained Sebastian, "Elora and Tyler are more experienced in this exercise: next week will be a team Death-Match and then, to finish, I shall have some special equipment sent for Dan and Emma and the five knights shall take on the four of you."
"That doesn't seem fair," Harry retorted, until he caught the hidden meaning, "Oh…I see; in battle, it won't be fair and so we need to know what to do when we believe that the enemy is all around us, correct?"
"Precisely Harry," Sebastian laughed, "So, I will give you ten minutes to explore the first base design of the maze and then, when you hear the lion's roar, the game shall begin: for what it's worth, my Lord: good luck."
"You too," Harry replied, a part of him hoping that he was going to emerge from this exercise in one piece. Keeping himself as calm as possible, Harry took his first step forwards and began to explore the maze, relying only on instinct and his other senses to help direct him around the mirrored environment, a part of him actually wondering just what part of this Muggles found fun.
Several times, Harry almost stumbled as he found the opening through to the next section of the maze and others, he'd turn in the wrong direction and walk smack into his own reflection, a part of him growing slightly agitated; finally, after what seemed like an age, there was a sound like a thousand lions roaring and Harry prepared himself, using the mirrors not only as cover, but as a means to see his enemy.
The first strike was completely unexpected: Harry had been aiming his wand around an opening when he had felt a sting on his neck; slapping his hand to the sting, Harry pulled it away and found lime green paint lining his fingers.
"One to nothing," he laughed, "Good work Sebastian."
The mirrors shifted and Harry heard Sebastian's voice from just to his right, "Thanks very much…oh shit."
"Orbis pigmento, one-all," Harry whispered, a silver bolt now adorning Sebastian's white robe as Harry watched the mirrors shifting around once more, the young wizard using his senses and his instincts to guide him through the maze.
The hunt was on…
HPHG
Over three hours later, covered in lime green and silver paintball markings, Harry and Sebastian both emerged from the training room, the Holy Knight of Thunder humming the tune to We Are The Champions while Sebastian simply patted Harry on the back, proud of how Harry had won the round:
Flashback
With the score tied at 14 all, both Harry and Sebastian were now like deer caught in the headlights: they had been in here an awful long time and, with the maze adjusting itself every time one of them scored a point, it was almost impossible for them to gain a point now that both of them were on the attack and the defensive.
If it hadn't been for Sebastian allowing a slightly longer respite to regain their breaths, as well as using a mild Aguamenti charm to help hydrate their bodies, then the warrior feared that his young lord would have collapsed from emotional exhaustion a long time beforehand. As the respite ended, Sebastian curved through the maze like a fox through the brambles, his eyes on every mirror and every route as he hoped that he wasn't the one to break the stalemate while another side to him reminded the warrior that this was still a game of survival and he was determined to win. True, Harry was his lord and master, but this was a battle of wits and magic and the experienced commander was determined to emerge victorious.
Turning through another maze exit, Sebastian stopped dead: Harry was standing right in front of him, leaning almost mockingly against a walled exit to another part of the maze; when he saw Sebastian there, Harry smiled and waved as he asked, "Game over?"
"Yes Harry," Sebastian grinned, raising his wand, "Orbis…"
"…pigmento maxima!" Harry finished, surprising Sebastian as the balls of silver paint flew from Harry's wand, splattering the mirror and…wait what?
'Mirror?' thought Sebastian, until he felt a barrage of silver balls striking him in the spine; wheeling round, the commander saw Harry there, his wand actually smoking as the barrage finally found its target.
It wasn't until Sebastian looked back to the mirror that he realised what had happened: he had made the biggest mistake in any battle and allowed his enemy – literally– to back him into a corner and the Harry that had been leaning on a walled exit had in fact been standing right behind him, leaning on an ordinary mirror.
A double-edged sword had been played against Sebastian: the master had been outfoxed by the apprentice and, as he turned and shook Harry's hand, Sebastian knew that with a one-on-one contest, Harry was the victor.
Sebastian was determined to even the score in the Team Death-Match…
Flashback End
Looking down at his lord, Sebastian laughed as the fact of the matter came back to him: he, the seemingly self-proclaimed expert at this exercise had fallen for the oldest trick in the book and allowed himself to be taken advantage of.
Yet, the crazy part about that was the fact that he just didn't care: Harry had been acting a little too stoic in the past few weeks and yet, when he had been focused in battle, he had let nothing slip. This mask had also faded in the room when Harry, for the first time in a very long time, was allowed to actually live his life as a child on holiday was supposed to.
To him, it hadn't been an exercise-based game: it had been fun and games and, as the smile on his face would suggest, Harry was more than convinced of the fact that he was eagerly awaiting round two against the top two experienced members of the Order of Pendragon.
What Sebastian didn't know, however, was that Harry wouldn't just be ready by then: he would also be changed as a warrior and as the Holy Knight of Thunder all thanks to the ritual.
But for now, he needed to get a well-earned shower, fill his growling stomach and then go to find Hermione, the two of them both having agreed on their first night that the first weekend was the perfect time to perform the Ritual of Release.
HPHG
The bedroom shared by Harry and Hermione had lost all its grandeur as the two were now sat in the middle of the floor, in the centre of a large runic circle that had been drawn in blood, the runes symbolising each of the elements and each of what Harry had read to be the emotional states of the Holy Knights: Strength, Honour, Valour, Trust, Bravery and Truth.
Looking to Hermione, who was kneeling before him, her body stripped bare save for her undergarments, Harry asked, "Are you sure you're ready to do this love?"
"I am," Hermione replied, taking Harry's hand as she sat down, crossing her legs and, with her right hand, taking his left and vice-versa, forming a near-perfect X-shape between them. Looking to Harry, who thankfully had gained a fair bit of weight since his freedom from the Dursleys, Hermione asked, "Are you? I know that it will hurt you more because you're a Pure Knight."
"For our unity," Harry replied, his bright emerald eyes emphasising his point, "I will take even the ultimate risk to do any kind of release on my body: now, remember love that it will hurt us both and that, until I say the word, we cannot let go of one another, understand?"
"I do," Hermione answered, watching as Harry sat down with her, his own legs wrapped around her body as if cocooning her in his embrace, their arms ever-straight as Harry took a deep breath.
"And remember," he whispered, "You must say every line we rehearsed after I have, okay?"
"Yes," Hermione replied, watching as Harry closed his eyes, a soft, silvery glow suddenly rising around his legs and flowing upwards until it began to coalesce within his chest, the area around his heart now glowing like white lightning as he spoke in an almost ritualistic chant.
"Fulmina perrumpunt libera animam meam," Harry's voice was both fuelled by power and yet, as he said the words, the glow began to spider-web its way down right arm, slowly making its way to his fingers, the feeling of raw magic being channeled through him causing Harry's face to twist and contort in discomfort. Nevertheless, he continued, "Vestra potestate publica fieri consors!"
Hermione gasped herself as she felt a warm tingling now covering her body, her legs being massaged by the tingles as they swam from Harry's encasing grip into her body; at the same time, she felt her hands warm up, the tips of her fingers feeling like she had dipped them into molten magma as the white glow began to crawl across her skin.
Knowing that this was her time, Hermione spoke up, her voice in the same tone as Harry's, "Sit vis tempestatis fiat meum, et dimitte nobis aquam iungere."
At her words, the silver glow began to increase its crawling speed; however, when it reached Hermione's heart, it seemed to become snared by a cyclone of silver and blue that swallowed it up into her, neither Hermione or Harry daring to open their eyes or release the other from the pain. Hermione was now grinding her teeth and actually gripping onto Harry's wrists, feeling him return the favour as well as almost lock her in a full-body lock with his legs as the blue light now left Hermione's heart and began to crawl down her left arm and gather at her fingertips, the power of water flowing through her as an ominous rumble of thunder sounded in their ears.
Now came the hard part: the last part was something they had to say in unison and, if they got it wrong, then the ritual had its deathly possibility engaged, which meant they could die. However, unlike other casters of this ritual, Harry trusted Hermione and she trusted him; together, as if one voice, they began to chant once more, "Iam virtutem tonitrus et mare unum omni tempore, ut simul nos et opus faciunt origine spirituali elementis leo bestia nobis; vobis mandamus!"
As the chanting was finished, Harry and Hermione gave a collective cry of pain, their eyes opening, the colours in their eyes coming alive as waves of white magic flowed from Harry, a similar collection of waves flowing from Hermione, though hers were ocean blue. Together, the two of them seemed to bind together, forming a spiralled chain of magic that formed over the heads of the two knights, both Harry and Hermione lost in the awe and wonder of what they were witnessing.
As they watched, the two wizards then saw the chain descend between them, its magic forcing their arms apart before the tip of the blue began to snake towards Harry, linking directly to his still-glowing heart while the white slithered over to Hermione, bonding in a similar fashion to her still-glowing heart. Then, as if simulateneously linked by this moment, both Harry and Hermione whispered one last piece of the ritual, "Donec vobis unum nobiscum."
The blue and white snakes of magic began to slither into the knights' hearts, both Harry and Hermione now laying their hands upon their laps as they doubled over, the heat and energy shared between the two driving their pain levels to the extreme; this time, however, they did not cry out as they looked upon one another, Harry now sporting a pair of eyes that were heterochromic: one was his mystical emerald green and the other was pure silver, like a bolt of pure lightning.
Hermione had undergone a similar transformation: her eyes were also heterochromic, but, unlike Harry, she bore her usual – and in Harry's opinion, attractive – chocolate-brown eye as well as one that could only be described as sea-blue, her second eye almost shimmering like waves upon the sea while Harry's seemed to glow like it was caught in a never-ending flash of lightning.
'Hermione is more beautiful now than ever,' thought Harry, smiling as his energy and fatigue began to slowly fade away.
"Thank you Harry," Hermione whispered, her own magical levels falling as the pre-organised rest period following the ritual took effect.
The last thing that both Knights did was look each other in the eyes as they realised what had just happened, both of them losing consciousness with one word, 'What?'
Chapter 6 and the ritual is done, but what will the backlash be for the wizarding world and especially for Harry, given his INNER curse from Voldemort?
Also, what benefits await the Holy Knights with their bond stronger and, when next they battle, can Sebastian make the battle-score become 1-1?
Keep Reading to Find Out;
Next Chapter: While Harry and Hermione undergo the rest period, back in England, we find out why Neville was so uncomfortable and his grandmother has a suggestion to help out; plus, we discover the situation with the Dursleys, Dumbledork and Dead Man Walking; also, Sebastian and the Order have a quiet word with Dan and Emma about September and, in their minds, Harry and Hermione discover the truth about their bond and their powers from a very surprising source…
Chapter 7: The Longest Day
Sebastian, Elora, Tyler, Felicia and Dante all looked up, each one of them gasping in unison as they felt the connection between the Order and their Lord strengthen, the mysterious crest that was upon Sebastian's robe suddenly glowing with silver and blue light before the dragon on their crest came alive and seemed to link the crown with the sword in its claws, forming an X-shape across its breast.
"Lord McDale," gasped Elora, moving to her leader's side as she watched him seemingly rubbing his hand over the crest, "What does this mean sir?"
"It means that Lord Harry and Lady Hermione must have performed the ritual," explained Sebastian, "Now that their elemental bloodline has been awakened, the two of them are one in mind, body and magic, unified by the power of Lord Harry, Holy Knight of Thunder."
"So what are your orders sir?" asked Dante, leaning rather casually against the wall of the villa, "According to the Storm and Ocean Lords, we must report to them when their warriors become stronger."
"And we will," Sebastian agreed, "But our duty to Lord Harry comes first: we will speak with Master Daniel and Mistress Emma about assisting our Lord and Lady at Hogwarts and then, when the period of restoration expires and they awaken from their trance, we shall work to help them both tame their powers."
"And what of Albus Dumbledore?" asked Tyler, "You know as well as I do Sebastian that he won't give up until he has Lord Harry under his command."
"Then it is imperative that we do not allow that to happen," Sebastian told them, looking to each of his comrades as he explained, "While Lord Harry and Lady Hermione recover through their link, we will venture back to the mainland and keep a close eye on those who could either harm or help our Lord and, once we are done, we will go to Gringotts and allow Lord Harry to know of his full inheritance."
"How?" asked Felicia, looking to Sebastian with a note of confusion in her voice.
"We will speak on his behalf with Ragnok and allow Lord Harry access to the artefacts of his family," Dante explained, "I understand that he does have the Sword of Gryffindor at his side, as well as the alliance of an Ancient House, but, if we are to protect him, then we must do it right, agreed?"
"Agreed," the four Order members nodded, looking to their leader as he looked once more to the newly-animated dragon's crest, a part of him hoping that his Lord and Lady would be all right following the restoration process.
"Very well," Sebastian sighed, "Now that we understand our places here, I have a task for each of you…"
HPHG
Neville Longbottom was having an unusual summer: first, his fellow Gryffindors, Harry and Hermione are divided from the infamous Golden Trio; then, Harry becomes a Lord and is recognised as a Holy Knight, which is big enough. But then, he gains the allegiance of the Weasley Family as a means to pay off a life-debt owed from Ginny.
So why was it that Neville actually felt like the spare wheel in Harry's little gang of friends?
It was true that he and Harry had not been real friends like Ron had pretended to be and Hermione had allowed herself to become; however, Neville did know that his family had a history with the Potters and that Harry's mother – rest her soul – had been named as Neville's godmother. But, on the other hand, Neville had wanted to rekindle the friendship that his Father had held with James Potter and, despite what his sense of duty was telling him, he wasn't doing this simply because Harry had revealed himself to be a Holy Knight.
He wasn't called Ronald Weasley; he was Neville Longbottom and he was a boy who prided himself on the company he kept as well as those who deserved respect and, after what had been done at the party, it was clear to Neville that Harry was someone who deserved respect.
"Something wrong Neville?" asked his grandmother, distracting the boy's train of thought as Neville looked up from his seat in the dining hall of Longbottom Manor, his summer reading tasks open before him.
"No Gran," Neville replied, his face shifting into a smile as he looked out of the window, "Just thinking."
"About Harry and Hermione?" she asked, Neville nodding almost subconsciously as he looked across the rolling meadows and the valley of Snowdonia that his family's home was located within.
"I'm not jealous," he explained, "But I just can't trust that the Weasleys will keep their vow to Harry and, now that he's a Holy Knight, it makes me feel further away from my family's kinship with him than ever."
"Why don't you tell him that?" asked Augusta Longbottom, her hand on her grandson's shoulder, "He is your friend, isn't he?"
"I suppose," Neville smiled, "But what do I say?"
"You stopped him from making a big mistake, didn't you?"
"Yeah," answered the thirteen-year-old, "So?"
"Are you truly that dense?" laughed Augusta, earning a look of sorrow from Neville as she shook her head, "Tell him that you wish to confirm your position as his friend and, in the name of your family's kinship with House Potter, simply wish to act as a warrior and/or friend to him. In fact, you could offer to undergo a blood pact with him: after all, you're both born on the same day."
"We are?" asked Neville, slightly shocked at this new piece of information, "But my birthday is always the day before Harry, isn't it?"
"No," Augusta replied, pulling a chair out as she sat down with Neville, "That's the strange thing: you see, both Alice and Lily went into labour at exactly the same time and had both you and Harry at the same moment. Now, you may say that it is a mere coincidence, but, before their…unfortunate deaths, Lily and James were always round here with Harry and, when the two of you were together, you were truly inseparable. It was like the two of you were real brothers and, though it was rare, but there were times when Harry was only happy if you were happy."
"Wow," Neville gasped, "I never knew that."
"Frank didn't want me to tell you," Augusta explained, "Because of the threats posed between you, Harry and Dumbledore; you see Neville, I never told anyone this personally, but, as Harry has recently proven, I don't think I can trust Albus Dumbledore any longer either."
"So what do I do?" asked Neville, returning his attention to the window.
"Write him a letter," Augusta suggested, "And ask him to meet you in Diagon Alley: if you want to tell him about this, then do, but let him make the last decision, all right?"
"All right," Neville smiled, before he joked, "Anything for my brother."
"That's more like it," Augusta smiled, ruffling Neville's hair as she left him to his homework;
However, as she left Neville alone, the Dowager Longbottom was unaware of Tyler and Elora hiding in the shadows, both of them smiling as they saw their Lord's world being rebuilt.
Now they had to inform Sebastian of this progress…
HPHG
Ron Weasley was in a bad mood – surprise, surprise – and it was all the fault of that attention-seeking prick he had once called his friend: it was bad enough that Harry was now with Hermione, which cut off the only chance Ron had with the girl, but to be given the rank of Holy Knight and then to actually give his family money and station was the final insult.
When his Father had returned to their hotel in Egypt and found Ron there, in a bad mood, all he had said was, "It's your own fault, remember that," before he had gone out and spent the summer with the family, leaving Ron to stew in his own juices and drown in vivid imaginations containing Potter begging for mercy and Granger in his bed.
Ron was determined to get her back and get back at Potter and, thanks to the recent news about the Azkaban escapee, Ron believed himself to have a weapon that he could use against Mr Holy Knight.
If only he knew about the looming figures of Dante and Felicia hiding among the shadows of the hotel room, their advanced skills easily brushing through his jealousy-driven mind and wild imaginations.
Now they had to warn Sebastian of this ass-hole's plans and hope that their Lord was as sharp as he seemed…
HPHG
Albus Dumbledore was in a quandary: his prime weapon had been driven from the Dursleys by the decree of that interfering witch Amelia Bones and now, as well as having the protections of Madam Bones as well as the strength of his own magical ability, Albus knew that Harry had changed and undergone a magical transformation.
This was all wrong was all that the old fool could think to himself: Harry wasn't supposed to know about his destiny as a Holy Knight until Albus was ready to tell him and, even then, the wards and compulsions would have sunk in deep enough so that Harry saw Dumbledore as the real leader around here. Then, with help from the prophecy and Harry's uncanny knack for saving people, Albus could mould the last of the Pure Knights and make him his obedient servant, bringing about a second coming of the Light in magic with Harry at his side until he killed Tom, which was when Albus would kill Harry and claim victory by conquest.
However, thanks to that mudblood bitch, Harry's other knack for interfering where he wasn't welcome and the damned Ministry's edicts about Harry being granted emancipation, Dumbledore had all but lost out.
He had one last card to play, however: Remus was coming to Hogwarts as the new Defence Teacher and, with Dumbledore's little hints about Harry needing his help, Albus knew that it would be a case of the blind leading the blind as Remus would seek to protect Harry and then, when the time was right, Harry would meet the recently escaped Sirius Black and the final chess piece would be in place.
Even Harry James Potter couldn't hide from destiny and, once he learned the truth about Sirius' incarceration, Harry would come running to Dumbledore and the Holy Knight would be his once more.
It was all for the Greater Good and, if Dumbledore worked fast, he would be able to get Harry before the Knight underwent his true maturity, after which he would be unable to touch Harry due to the rank, station and authority that all Holy Knights presented themselves.
There was only one real Light Lord in the world and his name was Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and soon, Harry would be his.
That, however, was about as unlikely as Fawkes really being his: the phoenix stood on its perch, sensing the evil intentions of the old one and the threat he posed to Fawkes' true master. The phoenix knew he would have to wait for the right moment, but, before the summer was out, Fawkes would need to warn the warriors of his Master about the plans of the old one and the care they would have to take around Remus Lupin.
However, Fawkes needn't have bothered worrying if he had known that, at that precise moment, one Sebastian McDale, Commander of the Order of Pendragon was watching from the shadows, his eyes shining with hatred and oaths of vengeance upon Dumbledore for what he was planning. Through the link he shared with his other warriors, Sebastian sensed that their missions were successful and that left just one target:
The reason that Dumbledore thought he had won as well as the ones that Sebastian would take great pleasure in exacting justice upon for daring to harm his Lord…
HPHG
"Harry, wake up please; you need to see this."
Harry's heterochromic eyes adjusted to a sudden darkness all around them as Hermione leaned next to him, her arm around his shoulders, her eyes fixed on a spot before them. With a groan, Harry sat upright and, rubbing his eyes, asked, "What's wrong Mione?"
"That," answered Hermione, pointing towards what appeared to be a gathering of light and raw magic that had just sprung up before them, its silvery and blue colours indicating that it was somehow tied to the recently bound witch and wizard.
Looking into the energy, Harry pulled his head back as he asked, "Where are we? Is the rest period over?"
"No," Hermione answered, looking around as she added, "If my guess is right, I think we're somehow inside our own magical consciousness: the ritual bound us together and," she actually laughed as she looked at Harry, "You're going to think I'm crazy, but, before I blacked out, I thought I heard your voice…inside my head."
"You did," Harry remarked, "And I heard your voice in my head: I don't know how, but it happened nonetheless."
'It happened because we knew you were ready,' a mystical voice answered his question, making Harry and Hermione look back towards the raw burning energy before them.
"What…who are you?" asked Harry, "And what do you mean by ready?"
'We are the collective consciousness of your predecessors Knight of Thunder,' answered the voice, its glow now burning bright silver, Harry and Hermione looking to one another as the voice continued. 'If you wish a more personal form to speak to, then we shall oblige you.'
The silver and blue snaked out from the energy and began to coalesce around Harry and Hermione, forming two mysterious figures: one was dressed in long silvery robes with white hair that ran down to his shoulders, a beard that seemed to stop somewhere around his waist. His eyes were almost golden-coloured and, as he looked to Harry, this figure bowed with respect.
His companion, on the other hand, had Harry gasping as he saw crimson robes covering a muscular body, a head of golden-coloured hair and deep brown eyes staring at Harry and Hermione. The reason that Harry gasped, however, was because of the blade that was sheathed at the waist of this newcomer; he knew that sword, he owned that sword.
"Godric Gryffindor," Harry gasped, before he bowed with respect, "The Holy Knight of Fire."
"Yes," answered Godric, his voice tinged with a Western accent, "And I think my companion needs no introduction, does he Hermione Granger?"
"No," Hermione answered him, looking to the silver-robed wizard, "Myrddin Emrys…you're Merlin."
"That I am child," answered the official Father of Magic. "And it is a pleasure to see warriors so powerful now adopting the mantle of the Holy Knights: Harry James Potter, Lord of Gryffindor and Slytherin and Holy Knight of Thunder, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"Thank you sir," Harry gasped, bowing to Merlin as he looked between two of the biggest names in magic, his eyes wide as to just how far back his legacy went.
"Now," Godric continued, "I believe you wish to know of your bond and the powers acquired through it, yes?"
"Yes," answered Harry, watching as Merlin gestured with his hand, conjuring a comfortable-looking room complete with refreshments and a roaring fireplace. When they were all seated, Harry asked the key question, "How is it that Hermione and I can now speak with our minds?"
"You can because your lineage is far older than you think," Merlin answered; he had a grandfatherly voice that made Harry think of Dumbledore, save for the lack of any manipulative essence within his words. "As you know Harry Potter, you are the descendant of both Godric and Salazar, both of whom were Holy Knights in their time."
"Were Helga and Rowena?" asked Hermione, earning a hearty laugh from Godric as he looked to her.
"Oh Emrys," he laughed, "I like this one: yes child, my darling wife Rowena and Salazar's wife Helga were also Holy Knights, each one of us a pure knight. Tell me Hermione Granger, do you know which elements were ours?"
"Gryffindor is the element of fire," Hermione answered, as if she had swallowed the book once again, "Ravenclaw were represented by the element of air, Hufflepuff by earth and Slytherin by water: so that would mean Helga was an Earth Knight, Salazar an Ocean Knight, Rowena an Air Knight and you, Lord Gryffindor, I already know to have been the Holy Knight of Fire."
"Correct," Godric laughed, "Were I a teacher, you would have earned points for that Hermione Granger, but you are right in all four accounts, though Rowena was more commonly known as a Holy Knight of Sky instead of Air and Helga preferred the term Terra, as in Terra Firma. Now, as Emrys told you, you already know that you are the descendant of Salazar and I, but what you were not told was something you have probably just figured out: you are, in fact, the Heir of the Four Hogwarts Founders and so, in contrast to an ordinary Knight, your powers far exceed those of any other, which is how you and Hermione Granger are bound through mind."
"So that would mean that I OWN Hogwarts?" gasped Harry incredulously, "What does that mean for my power as the Holy Knight of Thunder?"
"Only that you are not only the last Pure Knight," explained Merlin, "But you are also the last leader of the Holy Knights, which, in hindsight, grants you the full powers of the elements themselves and, through your little ritual, you now share those powers with Hermione Granger. This kind of unity has never been seen since I first crafted the Knights and so, through this power, I feel no shame in telling you this Harry Potter."
The fireplace flickered in Harry's heterochromic eyes as Merlin leaned forwards, his eyes dark and foreboding as he explained, "Over thirteen years ago, a prophecy was made about you that said you would be the one to defeat the Dark Lord: this…is…a…lie!"
"I know," Harry nodded, "I already defeated Voldemort: he's dead, despite the fact his ghost is trying to kill me."
"Yes he is," Merlin agreed, "But this ghost is not the Voldemort that you know: for you see Harry Potter, it is not Voldemort that is trying to come back, but his older self: Tom Marvolo Riddle. You did defeat the Dark Lord as a baby and now, in a sense of loyalty and homage, Tom Riddle is trying to return so that he can complete the destiny set before him: as an Anointed One. It is why there exists a portion of his soul within your scar and why…"
"Wait, what did you say?" asked Harry, "I have a portion of Riddle's soul inside me?"
"Yes," Merlin nodded, "I thought you knew this."
"No," Harry replied, looking from Merlin to his ancestor as he waited for an explanation.
"There does exist a piece of his soul inside you," Godric explained, "But it's power within you is now simply that of the Commander of the Holy Knights, sort of a Captain, you could say. This soul piece was placed in you by Tom Riddle after the unfortunate deaths of Lily and James Potter and has been there ever since that day. When last you met him, deep within Salazar's Chamber of Secrets, the seal around your scar began to fall and you began to become imbued with power. Now that the ritual has released that power, everything that Tom Riddle is, was and forever will be is now yours to do with as you wish."
"But what does he want with me?" asked Harry, "And what is the prophecy?"
"Well first of all, it's fake," explained Merlin, "The one who made it was a woman pretending to have Seer capabilities known as Sybil Trelawney; she is nothing but a fraud with no ties to the ether at all. However, since you asked, this is the prophecy."
Harry and Hermione, still in shock at the existence of a piece of Voldemort…no Riddle's soul in Harry's head, watched as a mystical voice spoke from all around them, each of the words making the hairs on Harry's neck stand on end;
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…
Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…
And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…
And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…
Harry felt like his whole world had suddenly crashed all around him: this was the reason that his parents had died? Because of a false prophecy made by some fraud who, now that Harry thought on it, happened to bear a name similar to the teacher at Hogwarts?
'No,' he thought, a part of him growing angry again, a rumble of thunder sounding all around them, 'Not like the teacher at Hogwarts: she is the teacher at Hogwarts: damn you Dumbledore!'
Hermione, sensing the hatred and rage within her Harry, quickly grabbed him, nodded an excuse me to Godric and Merlin and then, with all the love and energy she could muster, kissed him senseless, pouring her heart and soul into the kiss, knowing that their bond was growing stronger because of it. When she let go, Hermione placed her forehead against his as she whispered, "Harry, if Godric and Emrys are right, then it means that the only one we have to worry about is Dumbledore; once we deal with him, then we can solve the riddle about Riddle and his part as an Anointed One."
"You're…" gasped Harry, his hands shaking as he held onto her, "You're right Hermione," wiping his eyes, he looked to the two ancients as he asked, "Just one question: if Tom's an Anointed…who anointed him?"
"Gellert Grindelwald," explained Merlin, "In a day when he feared his own death, he took a child, a young Tom Riddle, and turned him into the Anointed Holy Knight of Darkness; however, thanks to Dumbledore's interferences and circumstances changing in our lives, Tom Riddle surrendered to his own darkness and Voldemort was born. Now, when he returns, Tom Riddle will return as the Anointed Knight and seek you out Harry Potter, not to hurt you, but to serve you. As the last Pure Knight, it is your right to command and lead the other Knights, be they Anointed or Holy and, within one year, I can promise you this: you will have one more Anointed within your ranks and he will serve you well."
"But if Tom is coming back," Harry remarked, "How can I ensure he follows his destiny?"
"That's easy," Godric answered, the images around them starting to fade as Harry and Hermione felt the comings of awakening covering them; the rest period following the Ritual of Release was coming to an end.
As the images fell completely, Hermione and Harry heard Godric and Merlin speaking in unison, a silver and blue light escorting the Holy Knights back to the land of the living as their last words echoed all around them;
'You must willingly give your blood to bring him back.'
HPHG
Opening his eyes, Harry found that he was lying on the floor of his villa bedroom, Hermione seemingly wrapped in his arms, a silvery light now shining from Harry's heart as his powers settled inside him, the magic of the Holy Knights – not just his Storm powers – flowing through him, granting Harry a strong sense of determination as he looked at his girlfriend. It seemed impossible to believe, but Harry actually found himself agreeing with what he had been told: now it all made sense: his encounters with Tom and the way that death seemed to evade both of them, as if drawing them towards the inevitable encounter that was to come.
But, if Merlin and Godric were right and Harry was meant to rule over Tom, then what would that mean for the natural order and, in the unlikely event that it did happen, what would be the outcome concerning Albus Dumbledore and his blasted, fake prophecy?
Only time would tell…
Chapter 7 and what a way to twist the HP universe: still, I always did wonder what would happen if there was another reason for Tom wanting to come back and so, here is that occurrence;
Now that he knows the truth, can Harry trust himself to return to Hogwarts and act as a student while building his forces?
Also, can the two discover the depths of their power without all of Hogwarts figuring out there's a new owner?
Keep Reading to Find Out;
Next Chapter: Sebastian and the Order have a quiet word with Dan and Emma about September; Harry and Hermione engage in the Team Death Match against the Order; the Holy Knights hear from some old and new friends and Harry pieces together Merlin and Godric's clues about there being another Anointed: it's Neville, but what element should Harry grant him and, a bigger question, how does he do it?
Chapter 8: United We Stand
It took Harry and Hermione two days to fully recover from the after-effects of their ritual and, in that time, the Holy Knight of Thunder began to sense his own energy growing stronger, as well as noticing the elements around them reacting to his emotions, the most popular of reactions being flickering flames, slowly increasing winds or an ominous rumble of thunder.
Hermione, on the other hand, not only used the two days to research the elemental powers of water, but also began to explore her more passive abilities: as she discovered, she really could breathe underwater and even use the bottom of their villa pool to meditate or concentrate: it was almost like, whenever she was in the water, Hermione's senses and magical focus became a lot more pin-pointed and she could concentrate on her tasks with greater ease.
At the end of the second day, Harry asked for the Order to come into the main lounge of their villa, Hermione at his side, Dan and Emma seated with the warriors as he addressed them. "First off, I would like to thank you for handling my affairs during the Restoration Period; from what Dan and Emma tell me, you handled yourselves well."
"We will always strive to deliver 110% in everything we do to serve you Harry," Sebastian told him, his eyes slightly darkened by the revelations made during his Lord's rest period.
"Accepted," Harry nodded, before he linked his arm with Hermione and continued, "Second, I want you all to know that the ritual was indeed a complete success and, within the next few weeks, both Hermione and I will be looking into ways to use our newfound bond to our advantage. When we return to Hogwarts, the two of us will continue these private studies with my focus being more on the elemental side of me and not the side that is the Holy Knight of Thunder."
"Am I correct in assuming a bond has formed between you and Hermione?" asked Tyler, looking to his lord with a renewed sense of respect.
"You are," Hermione took over, "Harry and I can now speak within each other's minds and, as long as we are together, then we are protected by the other's magic. Although I am merely an Anointed to Harry's rank of Pure Holy Knight, our powers almost even each other out and our bond has never been stronger."
"So what is it that you wish of us?" asked Elora, watching as Harry moved to a chair where Padfoot was sat on his haunches, the shaggy dog whining with contentment as Harry ran his hand across his fur.
"First and foremost," Harry explained, "I would like you, Elora, to meet Sebastian, Hermione and I outside the Magical Training Area tomorrow morning for a little sparring session that will hone our reflexes. You need only your wand and nothing else; while the four of us are tending to this session, I would like the rest of you to act as though you are on holiday. Go into Les Terres Magiques and enjoy yourselves; take a trip into Paris if you want to, but don't act so stoic all the time. Now, not only that, but I want you all to know how grateful I am for your assistance in helping me accept this newfound responsibility of mine and, although I am returning to Hogwarts, I would be honoured if you, my Order of Pendragon, would join me as my personal guard."
"We would be honoured, my lord Harry," Sebastian remarked, inclining his head as he explained, "For a while there, we of the Order were wondering what you were going to do about your return."
"Good," Harry smiled, "Then, with that last remark, I think it's safe to say that we can all get on with whatever we were doing; oh, but Dante?"
"Yes my lord?" asked the young warrior.
"I would like you to come and meet me in the Physical Training Area the day after tomorrow so that I can run through some sparring drills with Excalibur."
"As you wish my lord," Dante replied, inclining his head to his lord as they all left the lounge, Harry, Hermione, Dan and Emma remaining behind for a while. Looking to his family, as he had recently begun to accept them as such, Harry then smiled before he shook his head, his eyes on the door where the warriors had left them alone.
"I wonder if they'll ever accept my rule about using my name," he wondered aloud, watching as Hermione seemed to be content with curling up in his lap, Padfoot now lying down at his master's feet.
"Give them time Harry," Dan suggested, "They've been raised and bred to act as servants: changing their nature isn't going to happen overnight: anyway, Emma and I have some news of our own."
"What's that?" asked Harry, looking to his guardian.
"When you and Hermione were resting," Emma told him, "We went with Felicia and Tyler into the Mystic Lands and were able to get our hands on some finery and custom-made robes so that we would avoid any more encounters like what happened in customs."
"All right," Harry grinned, "Did the warriors get the crest we needed?"
"They did," Dan explained, "And the crests were in the same place as Mr Weasley: we know that Hermione's will be at her left shoulder just like yours is on the right, but I just want you to know that, for the first time since I met you Harry, I actually understand the effort you've made for our sake. Thanks son."
With a yawn, Harry stood up, walked over to Dan, lowered himself down and whispered three words in the man's ear, a look of shock and pure delight appearing on Dan's face as the Holy Knight then led his girlfriend out of the living room and off up to their bedroom.
Back in the lounge, Emma asked, "What did he say?"
Looking to his wife, Dan smiled as he replied, "No problem Dad."
Emma had tears in her eyes as she looked to where Harry and Hermione had left the room, her voice almost failing her as she asked, "Dan…do you think…he's…"
"He's himself again," Dan nodded, "We were the ones to write the address in his card and now, between you and me dear, I think he's finally accepting his place as a member of our family."
Emma nodded in agreement with her husband, her eyes still filled with tears as to the maturity and calm demeanour of the smart, influential young man that, officially, she could now think of as the son she always wanted.
HPHG
'Why did you do that Harry?' Hermione asked through the bond, her lithe form curled up on their bed while Harry was busy in the bathroom. 'You know how Mum will react when he tells her.'
'Hermione,' Harry replied, the Holy Knight of Ocean picking up a strong feeling of praise and finality from her boyfriend. 'Dan and Emma have wanted to hear those words leave my lips for a while now: why do you think they wrote son in my card or even bothered to accept me so easily? Besides,' his train of thoughts came to an end as he emerged from the bathroom, wearing only a set of pyjama trousers, exposing his athletically-changed frame.
As he curled up in his bed with the girl of his dreams, Harry spoke his thoughts out loud, "If I can do one thing to make Emma smile, it's starting to think of her as my Mum: if my real Mum was alive and she saw me now, she'd probably say the same thing."
"I guess so," Hermione sighed, allowing herself to be consumed by her boyfriend's embrace, "I guess I was just worried about how they'd take it."
"Well," laughed Harry, "Judging by the fact that they're not trying to break down our door, I'd say that they're taking it pretty well: if you want me to continue calling them Dan and Emma 'Mione, then all you have to do is say so."
"No," Hermione smiled, taking her favourite place on her boyfriend's chest, "I'd say that what you did was exactly the right thing to do: I love you Harry Potter."
"And I love you too Mione," Harry remarked, placing a soft kiss on her forehead as the woven blankets of sleep began to cover them, drawing them into the land of dreams and desires.
HPHG
The next morning, after Hermione had taken a refreshing swim and Harry had run a few laps in the Physical Training Area, both Holy Knights met their new mentors outside the Magical Training Area, Sebastian and Elora looking like they had their game faces on, the leader of the Order looking simply to avenge his former loss while keeping it formal, but competitive.
"Now," Sebastian explained, "Since you won the last round Lord Harry, your allotted time for exploration will now be five minutes and, this time, we work through a process of elimination: given that the last match was to a score of fifteen, this one will be a straight 7-shot lifeline; once you've been hit seven times, the door will open and you must leave until the end of the match."
"Agreed," Harry nodded, glad that he had already explained to Hermione over the two days what they were planning: at first, the idea of a magical paintball match with the Order had sounded intimidating to the Holy Knight of Ocean, but, when Harry had explained about the mirror maze twist, Hermione understood how this was training.
Unfortunately, the Knights had an advantage over the Order and, even if Sebastian said otherwise, they would still be able to use it: their advantage was their telepathic bond and, given that this was now a Team Death-Match, the need for Harry and Hermione to work as a team would allow them to roam throughout the maze at will.
"Now," Elora continued, "I have already tested my paintball spell and it came out blue; what about yours Hermione?"
"Gold," Hermione answered, "As in the colour of Godric Gryffindor's Crest, the same crest that is worn by Harry."
"So it's almost like Gryffindor and Slytherin are teaming up for the first time in nearly 500 years," Harry remarked, earning a laugh from Sebastian and Elora as he turned back to them. "Now remember; no aiming for the eyes or head; only chest area, arms, legs and feet; also, in light of the previous match, I think it only fair that we each get one chance to launch the Paint Barrage Jinx that I used on Sebastian at the end of our match, agreed?"
"Agreed," the others chorused, Sebastian almost glaring at Harry as he recalled that moment, the leader of the Order picking up the conversation, "As a rule, we will only fire the Paint Barrage Jinx if the caster is at six lives lost: think of it as a last stand spell."
"Agreed," Harry remarked, before he stepped past Sebastian, Hermione joining him, before the two of them entered the mirror maze, their five minute explorations beginning. However, as they walked through the maze, Harry recalling every open area and trick corner, he mistimed one of his steps and nearly went plunging into a pit at their feet. Only Hermione's quick hands and the lightning-quick reflexes of the Pure Knight saved him; when they pulled back, Harry saw that their path had indeed been changed; now there weren't just trick mirrors, but panels in the floors that could only be accessed by gangplanks and narrow crossing points.
"Something you forgot to mention Sebastian?" called Harry, his face reddening as he heard a laugh from the Order; truly this was to be a test of survival; as he pulled back again, Harry turned to Hermione. "If I heard right, there seems to be some kind of watery substance at the base of the pit; if need be, cheat!"
"Harry," Hermione remarked, "How could I live with myself if I cheated?"
"Just imagine it's Ron," Harry suggested.
"That'll work," Hermione laughed as the familiar lion's roar resounded through the maze, Harry giving her a quick kiss on the lips as he set off at a faster pace, his eyes and ears doing the work for his other senses.
For hours, the four combatants circled and doubled back on one another, Harry narrowly avoiding the trick platforms and hidden attacks from the Order; by the time three hours had elapsed, Harry counted off five cracks of thunder and six howling winds, but, since he had not heard the expected splatters of the Paint Barrage Jinx, he knew that Hermione was still safe. Looking to his own robes, Harry counted two of the shots from him, which meant Hermione was down by three.
Stepping through another open mirror, Harry stopped dead: all around him was…himself: his reflection stared back at him like a thousand Harrys looking at one another, the many different mirrors around him reflecting onto one another, earning Harry a strong, pounding headache that made him feel confused and angry; he couldn't even tell where the one fake mirror was anymore.
With a growl, he closed his eyes and allowed his rage to flow into his energy, calling on the magic within himself, his own advice coming back to him as he began to prepare to use magic. The Power Dampening Ward may be in effect, but that was simply against wandless magic and, if Harry concentrated enough then…
Opening his eyes, the Knight of Thunder smiled as he saw sparks of silver dancing across his fingertips, each of the sparks no larger than a 20p piece, but large enough to cause enough damage: all he had to do was push enough magic into it.
As he was channelling the energy, Harry heard two more howls of the wind and another crack of thunder, before he looked down at his hands, the lightning in his fingertips now growing as if it sensed his concern for the Lady Knight; now was the time.
Pushing outwards, Harry sent a powerful bolt of silver lightning flying from his fingertips, the forked elemental shape crashing into the mirror and shattering it into a thousand pieces; as the mirror fell, Harry saw Sebastian on the other side, covered in six balls of paint; the Order leader raised his wand, a sly smile on his face, but Harry, with an equally perceptive grin, whispered, "Nice try."
Spinning round, he cried out, "Orbis pigmento!"
There was a curse, a howl of the wind and the seventh silvery shot was fired on Sebastian, who had actually hoped that he would see his lord use his newfound powers to aid in his hunt; it was the whole reason he had crafted the trap mirrors in the first place.
But, once again, the master had been outfoxed by the apprentice: Sebastian McDale had been eliminated and now, as he rushed past the leader, Harry shook his head almost pitifully as he called out, "Better luck next time Sebastian: should have fired at me when you had the chance."
'I know,' thought the Order member, a smile of admission on his face, 'Well done my lord: you have finally found the element within.'
As the match continued, the next to be eliminated was Hermione, but not before Harry heard a sound like a tidal wave washing throughout the passageways, drowning the damages that had been done on all sides, Hermione speaking to Harry in her mind, 'I take back everything I said about cheating my love; it wasn't necessary, but it was fun.'
'Such is the fun of being my girlfriend,' Harry laughed, following the sound of the water as he added, 'Dad would skin me alive if he found out about this.'
'Such is the fun of being on holiday,' Hermione retorted, Harry hearing the sound of the door opening, 'The only time that you can act like a big kid and get away with it.'
'I didn't mean that,' Harry remarked, 'I meant that he'd tell me I was a bad influence on you.'
'He'd better get used to it,' Hermione insisted, 'I wouldn't trade you, your heart, your Slytherin attitude or your chaos-inducing influence for the world; oh, and duck.'
Harry did, then wheeled around, crying out the spell as Elora cursed once, her body now marked by silver ball markings, her face set in a smile of admitted defeat.
"Game, set and match Harry," she smiled, shaking his hand, "You truly are the champion."
"Tell me that after next week," Harry sighed, escorting her to the doorway; however, as they left the Magical Training Area, Harry met a sight that made his eyes darken, his breath leaving his body in ragged hissing motions as he added, "On second thoughts, scratch that."
Elora looked from her Lord to the door of their rented villa, Sebastian, Dante, Tyler and Felicia moving to his side as Hermione took his arm, her eyes on the newcomer with a sense of curiosity and fear. "Harry," she whispered, "What's he doing here?"
"I don't know," Harry replied, before he snapped his fingers once, giving the Order a signal for them to step aside so that he could talk with their visitor; stepping through his entourage, he asked, "Can I help you with something…Headmaster?"
"Yes Harry," Professor Dumbledore replied, his voice as grandfatherly as ever, though now it seemed almost devoid of its friendly tone, "You can invite me in: you're in terrible danger."
HPHG
"Boss? BOSS?"
Amelia Bones looked up from her desk as the voice of her newest Auror sounded through the department, a familiar head of lightened hair appearing over the heads of her other co-workers, before a young woman with a slim, well-defined face appeared, a pair of deep blue eyes staring out from under a head of what could only be described as pink hair. She was dressed in a set of black and blue robes that not only held the traditional Ministry crest but, with special permission from Amelia's key client, the woman also wore the Potter Family Crest on her forearm, showing her to be in the service of the House.
"What is it Tonks?" asked Amelia, noticing the look of fear and panic in the eyes of her subordinate/assistant to Lord Potter.
"It's Harry boss," Tonks replied; her real name was Nymphadora, but no-one who had plans for family dared to call her that name. "We just got word from a weird little elf that he has a rather unwelcome visitor to his holiday villa."
"Harry?" asked Amelia, standing up as she heard the name, "Then that makes the unwelcome visitor…"
"Dumbledore," Tonks nodded, "How did he know where to find Harry?"
"I'll find that out," Amelia replied, throwing down the paperwork she had been dealing with, "Has he been invited in yet?"
"Not yet," Tonks replied, her hair changing colour from pink to a dark, almost messy brown style, "Harry must understand he's there for the wrong reasons."
"I agree," Amelia nodded, placing her wand against her vassal's crest, "Good thing I had the foresight to charm this into a Portkey that locks onto Harry: stay here, but make sure that the French Ministry know of my arrival; I may need some backup on this one; oh, and see if you can get a hold of Ragnok at Gringotts Bank: tell him it concerns Lord Potter; I'll be back."
With that, Amelia pressed her wand into the heart of the phoenix on her crest, before she declared, "Activate!"
HPHG
"You have no business here Headmaster," Harry remarked, standing firmly between his warriors, "This is my holiday and I must insist that you leave at once: I told you once before that you have no business poking your nose in during the holidays."
"But Harry," Dumbledore remarked, "You need to let me in: you are in terrible danger and only the information I can provide can help you."
Harry actually scoffed as his advanced magical senses detected the attempted wandless compulsions, the old man's eyes slowly regaining that damned twinkle; at the same time, Harry felt a light presence brushing over his mind, but, before it could get deeper, there was an ominous rumble of thunder and a bolt of lightning struck the area right next to Dumbledore, Harry's eyes glowing with raw magic.
Behind him, he heard Hermione ask, "How does he keep doing that?"
"It's a basic defence for the Holy Knight of Thunder," answered Dante, "When his mind, magic or physical presence is threatened, his elemental nature takes over and a bolt of lightning strikes the ground; it's slightly similar to what happened on his birthday to Mr Weasley, except that was a transportation, whereas this one is but a warning."
"And I suggest you take it Dumbledore," Harry remarked, "I don't want anything to do with you until September First: so whatever grave danger I may be in will have to wait until I return to school."
"Even if it means having to confront the one who betrayed your parents to Voldemort?"
Another bolt of lightning struck the ground, but this time, it came with an icy edge to Harry's voice that had Hermione frightened as the Holy Knight asked, "What?"
"Lord Potter!"
The sound of Amelia's voice had Harry look to the rear entrance, his voice raised as he called, "Over here!"
Amelia rushed into the main hall, saw Dumbledore, and that was pretty much it. "Albus? What the bloody hell do you think you are doing interfering with the livelihood of a Lord like this?"
"Ah Amelia," Albus grinned, Harry noticing the twinkle returning to his eyes, "Can you kindly explain to Harry about the recent Azkaban outbreak?"
"WHAT?" Amelia shrieked, "That's why you're here? Because of that is the reason that you choose to approach Lord Potter? While I will agree that he does deserve to know, it wasn't so desperate for him to know that you had to interfere. Now leave here at once or I shall be forced to hand you over to the French Ministry immediately…unless you want some other charges to be brought into the open."
Harry, watching the verbal tennis match that was going on here, asked as calmly as he could, "Could somebody please explain what the esteemed Headmaster is talking about?"
"I will Harry," Dumbledore answered, "All you have to do is invite me in."
"No," Harry answered, his eyes now steely cold as he added, "Get out and leave me alone: and, if I find out that a certain red-headed family had anything to do with this, then rest assured that you will be missing a few Gryffindors come September! Whatever grave danger I may be in can wait, but it will be me that meets it and not at your request."
"In other words Headmaster Dumbledore," Sebastian spoke up, now shielding his lord from the danger that was standing in front of him, "Leave and never bother Harry again: he is perfectly safe and there is nothing you can say against that."
Dumbledore looked from Sebastian to Harry and then to the Order, noticing Hermione and Amelia stood together as well; for a second, he thought about using Hermione's parents to get Harry back into his clutches, but that idea was removed when Harry moved back and linked hands with Hermione, a powerful silvery glow enveloping them and their cohorts.
With no other choice, Dumbledore inclined his head, "See you in September then."
He left, allowing Harry to turn to Amelia, a smile and a glare in his eyes as he asked, "Now, does someone want to tell me what the bloody hell that was all about?"
"I will," Amelia replied, "And, though I hate to ask it Harry, I think it would be beneficial if you cut your holiday short and return home: I will have Aurors protecting you and shall also speak to Ragnok about this; as your Vassal, you have my word."
"Thank you Amelia," Harry nodded, heaving a sigh as he felt his energy levels weakening from the instinctive magic he had performed; with a side-long glance to Sebastian, Harry added, "Have what protections you think best Amelia, but I know that my Order of Pendragon will protect me."
When Amelia nodded in reply, she left the hall and went to speak with Dan and Emma, leaving Harry to turn to Hermione, a guilty look in his eyes as he sighed and exclaimed, "He just never gives up, does he?"
"You know what they say Harry," Hermione reasoned, "United we stand; divided we fall."
"Mum and Dad are going to love this aren't they?"
Hermione looked over her boyfriend's shoulder, before she smiled and added, "I get the feeling that they won't mind it at all."
"Why do you say…"
His words were cut off when he felt Emma's familiar embrace wrap around him, a dampness running down his robe as she held him close, Dan standing tall and proud next to his wife as he looked to Harry.
"Did you say what I think you said son?"
Harry, realising what he had said, just smiled and nodded, "I did Dad; I'm sorry Mum."
"Don't be sorry Harry," Emma informed him, "We don't mind this if it means keeping you and Hermione safe from Dumbledore's reach; I'm just happy that you can finally call me…"
"Mum," Harry smiled, "Well, you did call me son."
HPHG
Safely back in England, or at least as safe as could be considered, Harry and Hermione returned their attention to their meditations as well as spending the odd day exploring their bond and their new powers. Harry's revelation that he could finally cast lightning at will was impressive, but, add to the fact that his magical spikes were centred around the flash of lightning just made him feel that much more unique.
Amelia had set them up in a private apartment in Diagon Alley that, when Harry had first seen it, hadn't been surprised to learn that the building was leased by Gringotts and, given the importance of Harry's role as Holy Knight, Ragnok made sure that they were alone and that there were several other occupants who were really undercover Aurors, goblin guards and, of course, the Order.
Harry ate breakfast each morning in the Leaky Cauldron, where he liked watching the other guests: funny little witches from the country, up for a day's shopping; venerable-looking wizards arguing over the latest article in Transfiguration Today; wild-looking warlocks; raucous dwarfs; and once, what looked suspiciously like a hag, who ordered a plate of raw liver from behind a thick woolen balaclava.
After breakfast Harry would go out into the backyard, take out his wand, tap the third brick from the left above the trash bin, and stand back as the archway into Diagon Alley opened in the wall.
Harry spent the long sunny days exploring the shops and eating under the brightly colored umbrellas outside cafes, where his fellow diners were showing one another their purchases or else discussing the case of Sirius Black, which, for Harry, had become a sore subject ever since Amelia had told him the truth on their first night.
Flashback
Seated in the main room of his apartment, Harry turned to Amelia as he asked, "So, what was Dumbledore talking about when he mentioned my parents being betrayed and what does this have to do with Azkaban?"
With an almost guilt-ridden gulp, Amelia answered him, "I should have told you this before Harry, but I was afraid as to how you would take the news: not long after you finished at Hogwarts, there was a breakout at the wizard's prison, Azkaban: the name of the escapee is Sirius Black, who is – or rather was – a friend of your Father's. Now, before I continue, I want you to promise me that you won't let this corrupt your judgment."
"I promise," Harry remarked, his eyes cold as he asked, "Why?"
"Because," Amelia replied, "When your parents went into hiding, very few people knew where they were hidden; one who did was Sirius Black and, according to eyewitness reports, he told You-Know-Who."
"Voldemort," Harry remarked, earning the expectant flinch from Amelia, "Don't be afraid to say the name Amelia: I wouldn't expect that from you."
"I'm sorry Harry," she replied, "Bad memories: anyway, the thing is this: your parents trusted Sirius to the point that they…well…they gave him a really powerful responsibility."
"Which was what?" asked Harry, the light in the room dimming as his emotions began to reach the surface.
"Your godfather," Amelia answered, "Sirius Black loved and respected the Potters so much that, to hear he betrayed them makes most of us wonder if he did love them."
"And what?" asked Harry, "Are you saying that he's escaped to finish the job?"
"That's what people say," Amelia told him, noticing how this was affecting his emotions. Looking around, Amelia lowered her voice to a mere whisper as she added, "Between you and me though Harry; I don't think he did betray them: in fact, I think he was set up somehow and, if he has escaped, then the last thing he wants to do is hurt you. I only tell you this so that you won't go looking for Black: you see, there's more to the story, but I don't think you're ready to hear it: just promise me Harry that you won't go looking for Black."
"What am I? Suicidal?" asked Harry, his tone indicating how angry he was, "Why would I go looking for someone who wants to kill me?"
Flashback End
Once Harry had refilled his money bag with gold Galleons, silver Sickles, and bronze Knuts from his vault at Gringotts, he had to exercise a lot of self-control not to spend the whole lot at once. He had to keep reminding himself that he had five years to go at Hogwarts to stop himself from buying a handsome set of solid gold Gobstones (a wizarding game rather like marbles, in which the stones squirt a nasty-smelling liquid into the other player's face when they lose a point). He was sorely tempted, too, by the perfect, moving model of the galaxy in a large glass ball, which would have meant he never had to take another Astronomy lesson.
Even though he knew of the fortunes that he possessed as a Holy Knight, he didn't really want to waste money on trivial things either: he had a feeling that if he did that, then Hermione would scold him for acting like his former self, but the thing that tested Harry's resolution most appeared in his formerly-favourite shop, Quality Quidditch Supplies, a week after he'd arrived at the Leaky Cauldron.
Curious to know what the crowd in the shop was staring at, Harry edged his way inside and squeezed in among the excited witches and wizards until he glimpsed a newly erected podium, on which was mounted the most magnificent broom he had ever seen in his life.
"Just come out - prototype -" a square-jawed wizard was telling his companion.
"It's the fastest broom in the world, isn't it, Dad?" squeaked a boy younger than Harry, who was swinging off his father's arm.
"Irish International Side's just put in an order for seven of these beauties!" the proprietor of the shop told the crowd. "And they're favorites for the World Cup!"
A large witch in front of Harry moved, and he was able to read the sign next to the broom:
THE FIREBOLT
THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART RACING BROOM SPORTS A STREAM-LINED, SUPERFINE HANDLE OF ASH, TREATED WITH A DIAMOND-HARD POLISH AND HAND-NUMBERED WITH ITS OWN REGISTRATION NUMBER. EACH INDIVIDUALLY SELECTED BIRCH TWIG IN THE BROOMTAIL HAS BEEN HONED TO AERODYNAMIC PERFECTION, GIVING THE FIREBOLT UNSURPASSABLE BALANCE AND PINPOINT PRECISION. THE FIREBOLT HAS AN ACCELERATION OF 150 MILES AN HOUR IN TEN SECONDS AND INCORPORATES AN UNBREAKABLE BRAKING CHARM.
PRICE ON REQUEST.
Price on request...Harry didn't like to think how much gold the Firebolt would cost. He had never wanted anything as much in his whole life - but he had never lost a Quidditch match on his Nimbus Two Thousand, and what was the point in emptying his Gringotts vault for the Firebolt, when he had a very good broom already? Harry didn't ask for the price, but he returned, almost every day after that, just to look at the Firebolt.
There were, however, things that Harry needed to buy. He went to the Apothecary to replenish his store of potions ingredients, and as his school robes were now several inches too short in the arm and leg, he visited Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and bought new ones. Most important of all, he had to buy his new schoolbooks, which would include those for his three new subjects, Ancient Runes, Care of Magical Creatures and Advanced Charms.
Harry got a surprise as he looked in at the bookshop window. Instead of the usual display of gold-embossed spellbooks the size of paving slabs, there was a large iron cage behind the glass that held about a hundred copies of The Monster Book of Monsters. Torn pages were flying everywhere as the books grappled with each other, locked together in furious wrestling matches and snapping aggressively.
Harry pulled his booklist out of his pocket and consulted it for the first time. The Monster Book of Monsters was listed as the required book for Care of Magical Creatures. Now Harry understood why Hagrid had said it would come in useful. He felt relieved; he had been wondering whether Hagrid wanted help with some terrifying new pet.
As Harry entered Flourish and Blotts, the manager came hurrying toward him.
"Hogwarts?" he said abruptly. "Come to get your new books?"
"Yes," said Harry, "I need -"
"Get out of the way," said the manager impatiently, brushing Harry aside. He drew on a pair of very thick gloves, picked up a large, knobbly walking stick, and proceeded toward the door of the Monster Books' cage.
"Hang on," said Harry quickly, "I've already got one of those."
"Have you?" A look of enormous relief spread over the manager's face. "Thank heavens for that. I've been bitten five times already this morning -"
A loud ripping noise rent the air; two of the Monster Books had seized a third and were pulling it apart.
"Stop it! Stop it!" cried the manager, poking the walking stick through the bars and knocking the books apart. "I'm never stocking them again, never! It's been bedlam! I thought we'd seen the worst when we bought two hundred copies of the Invisible Book of Invisibility - cost a fortune, and we never found them...Well...is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Yes," replied Harry, "I need the Beginners Guide to Spell Crafting by AP Walker and the Apprentice's Dictionary of Runes by M.E. Price."
"Ah, an Ancient Runes student I see," the assistant smiled as Harry then asked for the Master's Guide to Enchantments and, as he was about to ask for a copy of Advanced Charms Level 1, he recalled the book he'd been sent by Minerva and decided against it: after all, he would receive each one as it came along, so there was no real need for it.
"Here you are," said the manager, who had climbed a set of steps to take down a thick, black-bound book. "Master's Guide to Enchantments: the perfect companion for the budding Charms Master."
But Harry wasn't listening. His eyes had fallen on another book, which was among a display on a small table: Death Omens - What to Do When You Know the Worst Is Coming.
"Oh, I wouldn't read that if I were you," said the manager lightly, looking to see what Harry was staring at. "You'll start seeing death omens everywhere. It's enough to frighten anyone to death."
But Harry continued to stare at the front cover of the book; it showed a black dog large as a bear, with gleaming eyes. It looked oddly familiar...
The manager pressed each of the requested books into Harry's hands.
"Anything else?" he said.
"Yes," said Harry, tearing his eyes away from the dog's and dazedly consulting his booklist. "Er - I need Intermediate Transfiguration and The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Three."
Harry emerged from Flourish and Blotts ten minutes later with his new books under his arms and made his way back to the Leaky Cauldron, hardly noticing where he was going and bumping into several people when it suddenly hit him.
'That dog,' he thought, his eyes on the street, though his mind was elsewhere, 'It looks a lot like Padfoot.'
'Harry?'
The sound of Hermione's voice had Harry looking up, his eyes on the apartment building as he asked, 'Yeah?'
'Are you all right?'
'Fine: what's wrong?'
Hermione's answer was laced with venom as she answered, 'Guess who's back from Egypt?'
'I'm on my way,' Harry remarked, making his way to the apartment as he hoped that nothing was going to happen, his thoughts about Padfoot's mystery now cast aside for his duty to Hermione.
Chapter 8 and it seems that Harry is about to find out if someone can change in such short a time or whether we're looking at target practice: what will the outcome be?
Also, where does Dumbledore get off thinking he rules Harry's life when Harry told him swiftly that he didn't want his help? Can Harry find some way to teach the old fool a lesson?
Keep Reading to Find Out;
Next Chapter: The Holy Knights hear from some old and new friends and Harry speaks with Neville about becoming an Anointed, but Neville has an offer of his own; plus, Hermione gets a new pet and Harry is slightly suspicious of his canine companion; also, the return to Hogwarts doesn't go as smoothly as Harry had hoped, but a new friend saves the day;