Harry Potter and The Paladins

by rom5

HP/SG1.AU. SLASH. Revelations after the triwizard Tnmt. set Harry,his friends and new love on a path to strive for justice and a better society for all. independent and powerful harry.

1. Chapter 1

A/N: This story is slash. This is also a Harry Potter SG1 crossover. the timelines will not be in alignement as in the Potterverse it is c. 1995, but the stargate timeline will start between season five and six. Both timelines will be AU.

Prologue.

It was a pensive young lad which rode in the rear right seat of his uncle's car watching the scenery go by, he knew his relatives (he couldn't bring himself to call them family anymore after how he has been treated by them all his life) didn't quite know what to make of his new attitude. It had been a little more than a Week since he had started on this path to independence, although the headmaster might call it rebellion, he thought, I mean how thick can the man be, Voldemort was back in a body, Cedric died next to him by Wormtail's hand and the man went to business has usual, shoving him with the relatives where he knew how Harry was treated, with no provision made for training I mean he has to know that sooner or later I'm going to fight the git again, and no company sheesh!!. Yes, Harry Potter was not a happy camper. Nor was he ever going to just lay down, as now he had someone to share things with and to encourage each other. He also hoped that Sirius would make his appearance soon.

**Flashback 6 days ago**

Harry was aimlessly roaming the corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and wizardry, it had been three days since the events at the end of the triwizard tournament and he was having a horrible time of it. The first night he had been given some dreamless sleep potion, but the last two nights he had had tortuous nightmares too vivid for any other description, he had woken the whole dorm with his screams, Ron had been scared for him but was at a loss as to what to do and Hermione kept babbling useless bookish advice as if it was fact because she read it, they didn't understand, although he knew their heart was in the right place. Because of this plus his guilt over Cedric Diggory's death Harry unknowingly was starting to slip into a depression. All his attention as he kept wandering into unknown parts of the school was on his guilty feelings, so he never noticed he was being followed.

Harry's pursuer didn't know what to think as he observed a very distracted boy who lived, for that matter his still didn't know what to think about the mysterious information contained in the package he had received yesterday from his long dead father. He had swore a wizards oath on his life and magic ( as strong as an unbreakable vow only not as specific) to take up and upheld the historic family duty and legacy, which he didn't even know existed before he was able to open the package as the cover letter asked, once the magic of the oath was acknowledged by the package it opened. The slight boy was stunned when he finished reading after all he was slytherin and here he found himself with this sworned duty. When he looked up again he realized that he had spaced out for a few moments and that he had lost track of Potter, he kept walking with a bit more caution when he heard what he believed were muffled sobs coming from an abandoned classroom, not knowing what to do for a few moments his mind was made up for him when the sobs started to turn into wails, he quickly walked in and closed the door, it would have to be now.

Harry had walked into a classroom when he felt a swelling of his guilt and grief, he stepped up to the wall and let himself slide down with his back to it, hugged his knees and put his head down on them. He hadn't heard anyone coming in or the door being closed in fact he didn't realized anything was wrong until he heard his name being called.

"Potter"

"Potter" The voice called again but more insistent.

Startled Harry looked up to the voice to find himself face to face with an aristocratic looking black boy with Slytherin House robes.. Slytherin robes!!! Panicking he tried to reach for his wand and then remembered he'd left it on his nightstand.

"Potter... Potter I'm not here to hurt you" said the boy and reached with his arms and hugged Harry to try and calm him down. Harry tried to struggle out of the black boy's grip but he kept repeating his reassurance. His words were heard by the panicking boy who finally sagged and raggedly took a couple of breath to calm himself down.

"What do you want? What are you doing here? Who are you?"

"Whoa, Whoa slow down a bit Potter I... I... " He faltered. Then Again "I have to tell you a story that may seem incredible, I'm Blaise Zabini by the way, nice to finally meet you Potter"

It was Harry's turn to falter "Uh aaah! Yes nice to meet you too"

"This is awkward as hell Potter, but we need to talk. Are you up to it?"

"You can say that again. We're in the same year. Why is it you've never said anything like Malfoy? For that matter why haven't we ever talked before?" Asked Harry.

"Yes we are in the same year. I haven't attacked you like Malfoy and his cronies because you've never done anything to me and a true Slytherin never reveals himself or his intentions to neither allies nor enemies and finally we have never talked because you are a Gryffindor. We tend to run in different circles" Answered Blaise.

"You didn't say anything about friends in that little speech"

Blaise appraised Potter more closely and drawled "Very perceptive Potter perhaps this isn't a lost cause after all."

"You didn't answer my question and what cause would we have in common?

"Yes well this the part I don't believe either. Perhaps we should better sit down I have to show you something. This was sent by my father yesterday morning" Said Blaise, showing Harry the package he had received the day before.

"So? What does it have to do with me?"

"Well for one my father died before my first birthday and for two… here you should read this you'll then know as much as I know" Said Blaise handing over the package as he received it with cover letter on top. Harry examined it carefully noting that it was made of wood exquisitely carved with a crest that depicted a flaming sword open angel wings as hand guard, tip up, holding scales of justice underneath it was the word SABINN. The wooden box for some reason appeared to Harry positively ancient although well preserved. He put it on his lap and took the envelope that was on top and extracted the letter.

"Are you sure you want me to read this Zabini isn't this something private?

"I'm sure; go ahead I hope you can answer some questions when you are done.

My Dear Blaise,

I had always hoped that I would live long enough to watch and guide as you grew into the man of honor and good that I knew you would be, however if you are reading this now it was not meant to be.

Before I explain myself further you must however take an oath on your life and magic to dedicate your life to the historical legacy and duty of the Sabinn's (which was the way our name was written originally). The choice is yours. My son it is my hope you do this as your oath would only reaffirm the blood pledge of the first Zabini who bound our bloodline for all time. Those of us who have ignored this and did not take the oath are condemned to a life of bitterness and varying degrees of darkness. This is all I can tell you before you decide. I wish you a good life Blaise,

With all my love,

Zoltan Zabini.

"I gather you took the oath?" Asked Harry.

"Yes, there's more open the box and the other letter's inside"

Harry could not believe he was having a serious conversation with a Slytherin in a civil manner and said so. Blaise responded that if the information on the letters was true there wasn't time for petty and childish rivalries. Harry found himself liking the Slytherin's attitude. He started to open the box and found a family signet ring, a wand magnificently carved with runes and inlaid with silver filigree, an invisibility cloak and a book along with the afore mentioned second letter, he took it out and started to read.

My dear son,

There is so much I must impart to you in this letter so you'll forgive if I ramble a little while I tell you of the responsibilities and duty you must assume now that you've swore the first oath.

Blaise as sworned heir of the Zabinis you are now a Paladin. If you have not heard of the legends of the Paladins they were first known as the knights of King Arthurs' round table. The paladins are led by Merlin's heir since it was Merlin himself that trained them, they're also allies of the of the British monarch since we live in their lands and to be activated by their leader he must have the acquiescence of said monarch which in these times is not expected to fight but only to advise. They are only called in times when danger and lack of justice are rampant in the wizarding world and they are the hand that delivers righteous justice to all that need it. Injustice comes in many forms my son remember that. The Paladins have been called to serve six times in the last fourteen hundred years and it is said that the seventh paladin lord will guide his people into a new era and reach for the stars, what that means I don't know but as you're reading this you'll probably find out and at some level I'm envious my son at another a little frightened as all adventures include several degrees of danger. Please be cautious but not timid in your actions.

Your first duty is to find Merlin's heir, The Lord Paladin. He is the Potter Heir, as I'm writing this James the current one has gone into hiding with his family, I assume that his father has never told him of his heritage since Paladin take care of their own although at the rate voldemort has been killing us I must believe there is a traitor and I cannot discount our own family( let me say that since my father never took the reaffirm oath he never became Head of the Family that has led him to corruption and towards bitterness and a dark heart and I fear he has already irretrievably corrupted my wife which is why I'm writing this now hours after you and your sister are born, beware son, I know she's your mother but I'm afraid for your life, I have given instructions at Gringott's for my will which will make it in the best interest of your mother and grandfather to insure your safety. In essence your mother may not bring anyone to the manor and you must be of sound mind and body at 17 to take the ring if they wish to live in the manner they have become accustomed to, after that unfortunately your on your own, last warning beware of your sister being used against you or conspiring to take you down) names of the families known to us can be found in a diary in the Head of House vault at Gringott's. The oath to the lord Paladin is as follows " ego obligatus semper fidelis erus palatine" it is not only an oath of fealty from you to your liege lord, but also the strongest fidelius charm that cannot be betrayed by the parties (although there are always unwitting ways for secrets to spill) as the secret keeper magically jumps to the designated heir of The lord paladin should he fall. By accepting the oath he's also bounding himself to your care and protection. If by some chance James Potter didn't survive the war I know his wife is due to give birth later this year so you and that lord would be the same age it would be your duty to help, protect and advice your liege and being a Potter I'm sure he'll be worthy of your fealty. I keep saying if son, but these are dark times and I'm not even sure if you'll receive this before your 17 in which case you must heed my earlier warnings about our family since the moment you put the ring on you'll be emancipated and they will be free to act. If the Lord Paladin is not aware of his heritage, his parents surely designated a guardian and this person even if he was not given instruction the same magic that released this letter to you will give him clues so he can help his charge to reach Paladin Hall where his true heritage and the key to unleashing his true power awaits. You must get there as soon as possible it's the only safe place for our liege lord until his powers are unleashed. Be careful my son, you will live in interesting times may you live long to enjoy them,

With all my love,

Your father Zoltan

Why me? Why me? That was Harry's first thought. " I just want to be Harry, just Harry, not the boy who lived, not the bloody savior either all I ever wanted was a quiet life to have with my friends and away from my relatives" this he screamed and started to hyperventilate and his hair started to blow and crackle, also his eyes acquired an intense glow. Blaise realized right away that he was going to release a burst of accidental magic and it would be hard to explain what they were doing together in an abandoned classroom after curfew, so he quickly started applying calming charms to Harry and grabbed his face with both hands and soothingly called to him to try to calm him down. The first thing Harry saw when he started to come out of his panic attack were this brilliant pair of light honey colored eyes that seem to shine all on their own and the incredibly handsome but soft androgynous face.

"Potter, Potter. Are you ok? Tell me what's going on." Huh? Harry thought. And then he came back and blushed when he realized he was staring at Zabini's face.

"Yes, yes, I'm ok now. I'm sorry for going mental there for a minute, but you just laid another wrench into my already extremely complicated life and all I ever wanted was to be a normal bloke and hang out with my mates. You know?"

"Well what's normal?" Blaise sarcastically asked as he kneeled in front of Harry and took out his wand and applied the tip to his left palm… "Wait. What are you doing?" Blaise looked up at his would be liege lord and speaking as if at child, answered "I'm about to swear my oath to you my lord"

"I don't want followers, I'm not Him! You don't have to swear an oath to me."

"Huh? Did we read the same letter or not Potter? You did see the part that says when you accept the oath your bonding yourself to my care and protection? So it's not a one way thing or an indenture servitude thing."

"And how am I going to protect you when I cannot even protect myself. You do remember I was kidnapped three days ago an only escaped by the skin of my teeth?"

"Ungh!! The more you open your mouth Potter the more I want to find a hole and crawl inside to live a life of bitterness and darkness as my father puts it. Are you really that naïve? What… how do I put this. Ah yes, I once went to a muggle cinema and watched a war story, in their armies the officers? Yes officers those are the leaders they are responsible for the lives of their men and what that means for example is that if you fall into a trap and someone must be left behind to hold the enemy even if you know that person is going to die the leader says soandso you stay we need five minutes to get away and soandso has to stay five minutes to give his mates time to escape sometimes he survives most not. I'm signing for war here Potter, not that I have a choice after I swore to uphold my family duty which is this but I'm doing this with my eyes open. So buck up because I doubt that your little magical flare up three days ago only triggered my family magic but also all those other heirs that don't have a choice either and you'll be responsible for them also." Finished Blaise. Harry had been absorbing all this and his face was going thru all his changing feelings. Merlin! He's so open anyone can read that face we're going to have to fix that. Thought Blaise. He also was thinking of how cute he was with those gorgeous green eyes. Ever the Slytherin he turned his attention to more practical matters at the moment, Potter obviously would need a little coaxing to move things along and whether they liked it or not they were in this together. Blaise was thinking that maybe taking that oath to uphold his family legacy and duty blindly wasn't so smart, but then again being practically abandoned by his mother while a toddler and being raised by the house elves and checked on everyday by the goblins in charge of his trust 90% of his conversations with another human were with his father's portrait, who proceeded to educate and advise his growing son, but above all honed the boys survival instincts to a very sharp edge. And here he was all because he'd wanted to make his father proud he had decided against those instincts that his father had instilled in him with a right mess. 'I mean who would have believed that I would land myself in the middle of a war with the most powerful dark wizard in centuries' Blaise thought 'Right, lets move on'.

In the meantime Harry was digesting Zabini's little speech which had let him with a lot of mixed feelings ranging from hopelessness to guilt and grief from the murder of the boy he had witnessed. He was also despairing because he didn't know what to do plus intellectually he knew Zabini had a point, more people would flock to him if the letter was to be believed. But what to do? Where to begin? More importantly who to trust? He immediately discarded going to Dumbledore, the headmaster had already informed him quite without compassion that he was going back to his relatives against his almost tearful pleading to go to Sirius'. Is Sirius the guardian the letter was talking about? After all he was the one designated by his parents; he could only hope it was him. He couldn't bring himself to think about the possibility that it could go to his uncle, Merlin knew what he would with it, nothing good he was sure. One thing was sure and that was Voldemort or his minions attempting to kill him again. Slowly he raised his head and his uncertain gaze met a determined one.

"Are you ready Potter?" Asked Blaise. "No but your right, people are going to be coming for me, if the letter is to be believed and sure as the Canons loosing again this year Voldemort and his minions will try and kill me again, so the more allies I can trust the better. What do you know of this oath?" Finished Harry.

"It's not only an oath it's also a two way bond but apart than the letter saying it's a fidelius not a thing. The letter says you'll know."

Harry nodded and with this Blaise Zabini dropped to one knee and proceeded to his fealty to The Lord Paladin.

"Ego obligatus semper fidelis erus palatine"

"So mote it be" Uttered Harry. Immediately they both started to glow and tendrils of magic reached from each one and touched. After that the glow quickly faded but both boys knew it had worked because they were now certain in their hearts and minds that they could trust each other.

"Wow, if you're feeling what I'm feeling I suppose you better call me Harry. At least while we're alone. We don't want to give anything away yet." They looked at each other and grinned.

"And I'm Blaise, So What now? Are you going to tell Weasley and Granger? What do we need to plan for?"

Harry was immediately torn, if finding that he was participating in the triwizard tournament had made Ron jealous of him this could throw him into a monumental hissy fit of jealousy. How he handled this would either cement the friendship he had with the boy he loved like a brother or destroy it. He explained to Blaise and asked for his advice on how to handle it, and made sure he understood that Ron was like a brother to him and didn't want to lose him. They went back and forth with several suggestions and in the end agreed that Harry should start dropping hints during the next day on what they were going to do to fight, observe their reactions and decide if he would bring one or both aboard.

"There's another problem. How did you receive the package?"

"Owl I assume from my vault. Why?"

"Bollocks. If it's from your vault we may have several problems. I may as well explain now. You see I was sent to my relatives when my parents died." They're muggles right?" Blaise interrupted. "Right. They also hate magic and anything or anyone associated with it, namely me. So if they receive some clues that are supposed to help me they'll chuck'em and say they never received anything. That's the first possibility. The other comes from whom my godfather is and his situation." He was interrupted again by Blaise. "Who is your godfather and what's his situation?" "Uh… Ah… Well you see my godfather is Sirius Black."

"WHAT!!!"

"Keep your voice down. Sirius is innocent"

"What do you mean? How do you know?" Blaise asked curiosity mingled with a little skepticism.

"Sirius wasn't my parent's secret keeper" Harry started and went on to explain the whole marauder saga from the start. And then continued. "So you see Sirius was the guardian appointed by my parents. Does that mean he's going to receive the package? That would be the ideal situation because he would do whatever he had to help me. The other question is if my muggle relatives are also my magical guardians? Same problem as if they received the package, they wouldn't help unless their lives depended on it. Then another question. Is Dumbledore my magical guardian? Because he is the one that makes all decisions concerning my life and what I am permitted to do, and believe me when I tell you if he knew about this he would not only lock me up tighter than I am right now. He would make sure I couldn't find whatever it is. He already said that there are going to be guards patrolling the neighborhood on top of the blood wards already in place. Of course that is quote for my protection since I am too young to fight, unquote. This is quite possible since I've only seen galleons in my vault and nothing else."

"What number is your vault?" Harry responded. "Why? Its 2237" Blaise looked at him and said." That must be your trust vault. The family vault of Merlin's descendants should be a single digit vault. So if your godfather was unable to fulfill his role most probably the goblins are doing it for a small fee." Smirked Blaise.

"Ok. It's pretty late and I'm tired let's go to bed and think about what else we need to consider and meet back here at half past midnight which hopefully we'll give me enough time to sort out my friends. Thank you Blaise" With this Harry extended his hand to shake. Blaise was startled by the heartfelt thanks and gesture, it took the guarded Slytherin a few seconds to respond to the handshake and then to realize that the paladin bond indeed made him trust Harry. After that each went in the direction of their respectives common rooms.

Harry woke late the next day and although he didn't have any exams due to being exonerated because of the tournament he did want to catch his friends and start setting things up. Last night when he came to bed he stayed up for another hour thinking and came to the conclusion that if he trough previous adventures because of his instincts and the help of his two friends with more allies and training they most surely have a chance, slim, but a chance nonetheless. He thought that the best way to peak his friends interest and help give them an idea of what was ahead was with books, not classroom books, but the kind he himself grew up reading. His uncle loved to read modern spy and war capers and he used to nick them for entertainment and escape whenever he was locked up in the cupboard and later in Dudley's second bedroom. He also believed that the twins would be ideal to help, not only with their mischievous minds but also help with Ron. Coming out of the shower he realized there was no one else in the room, quickly dressed and rushed to the great hall.

Crossing the doors of the great hall he first gaze upon the Slytherin table ad saw Blaise sitting at the end of the fourth years, but didn't wait and kept walking towards Ron and Hermione whom he saw were saving him a seat.

"Bloody hell mate, you look beat up. Where were you last night? I tried waiting for you." Greeted Ron.

"Good morning Ron" he stressed. "Good morning Hermione. To answer your question Ron I just kept wandering the corridors and thinking"

"Morning Harry, you feeling ok. What were you thinking about?"

"About Voldemort" his friends and those around him gasped. "What his coming back to life will mean to mine and the wizarding world"

"And what do you think?" Hermione asked. "That's deep mate." Came from Ron.

Harry was shoveling food in his mouth while the questions were being bandied about and trying to decide what to say.

"I'll tell you on the way to the common room. Could you ask the twins to join us I'd like to hear their opinion, please Ron?"

"Humph, why would you need their opinion, those two are nothing but troublemakers." Opined Hermione.

"Exactly." Harry answered and stood up leaving a somewhat confused Hermione with his answer. He was greeted by the twins and he asked if they would come with them to the dorms as he had something to discuss, they agreed waited for Hermione and the group walked out of the hall.

All of this was noticed by Blaise with interest as that meant that Harry wasn't wasting any time in assembling a team they at least could start to plan with. Because without training he knew it would be long time before they accomplished some thing substantial.

As soon as they crossed the portrait of the fat lady Harry asked his friends to come up to the fourth year boy's dorm. Once they were inside Harry locked the door with a colloportus spell.

Hermione got right to the point. "All right Harry what's with the mystery? What is it that you've been thinking?" The three weasley boys had expectant looks on their faces.

"Well I've decided that I'm not going to sit around anymore waiting to bad things to happen to me or the people I care about. Up to know everything's been a great adventure that we've escaped with no preparation or training, a little cunning and whole lotta luck! The steaks have gotten extreme now with the resurrection of Voldemort, so I'm going to prepare myself look for possible allies and try to make a nuisance of myself to my enemies."

Hermione immediately started to protest. " But Harry, you're only 14 years old plus you know that professor Dumbledore is going to protect us with all the other adults and you already told us he said that there were going to be guards 24 hours a day around your house. There's nothing much for you to do. You're much too young." And finished forcefully.

" well, thank you so much for the vote of confidence Hermione, I had hoped that the friend that I have always consider a sister and whose supposed to be the smartest witch of the age would've at least hear me out without starting the obvious lectures but I guess I'm destined to be let down by my friends" said Harry bitingly.

"Hey don't compare with Ron" she was interrupted "hey he didn't say anything about me." Said Ron always slow on the uptake. Hermione Whirled on him started in on her usual bickering partner. "Oh no? What do you think that crack about being let down by friends was about? Who's the one that got jealous and didn't want to believe the explanations and wouldn't even look at him? Huh?" "Hey I said I was sorry and he said it was ok plus…"

Fred had been observing Harry when he answered Hermione and saw that he was immediately sorry for biting back at his friends and then also saw something he didn't quite like, it was several quick changes in Harry's expression when Ron and Hermione went at each other again, they went from anger to sorrow to resignation. So he looked at George and in that strange way of communicating that twins have, they both understood and agreed that they were going to be serious for once in their lives or their little brother and his best mates weren't going to have much of a friendship left by the end of the day.

"Oi shut up you two and listen very carefully" Fred exclaimed to get their attention. "Are you paying attention? For once in your lives listen and think before you open your gob." Ron and Hermione were gob smacked they had never heard one of the twins be so serious and they looked around trying comprehend what was going on that they had missed and noticed Harry sitting on the bed with his face in his hands. Hermione was going to start again but was cut off by George "We said shut up, weren't you listening Hermione" He said scathingly. This tone really brought her and Ron up. "What Harry is trying to say is that he doesn't trust the adults. And we agree. Isn't that right mate?" he looked at Harry and waited on him.

Harry looked up slowly with an anguished face an answered. "Yes, that's right." Ron asked before Hermione. "What do you mean? Why wouldn't you trust the mum and dad and Dumbledore? At that moment Hermione looked at her watch and realized they were late for class and immediately dismissed the conversation they were having. "Well we'll finish this later class is starting…" George cut her off again " For someone so book smart Hermione you must be the stupidest people person on the planet if you haven't realized by now that your friendship with one of the two people that have been real friends to you in your life is hanging the balance, but if some revision is more important to you than that please go ahead and leave and don't forget to inform those paragons of learning your heroes profs. McGonagall and Dumbledore that we are in the dorm plotting, because you know best, if you didn't read in a book or some professor didn't say it must not be true." finished George. It finally dawned on Hermione that this was serious and that it was true that she had dismissed what Harry was saying as soon as he started to say it when they all came into the room.

"Enough George, Is this true Harry? You're considering not being our friend anymore? Asked Ron with a mixture of anger (at George for destroying Hermione, who was now crying, with his words and at Harry for considering ending their friendship) and dread. " Ah ickle Ronniekins is finally getting his head out of his arse."

"Enough George, you've made your point. And no Ron I could never not be your friend. You were my first friend ever and that means everything to me. Bloody hell this is not how I was planning to have this conversation."

Hermione who was still crying said. "Please Harry we want to understand, don't we Ron?" "Yeah mate, we're listening. Seriously"

"I'm sorry guys, but I'm going to have to ask for a wizard's oath that anything that we discuss here or at the other meeting we're going to have later on will be discussed without my prior approval."

" What?!! You don't trust us Harry? What do you think we're going to do tell everyone in the middle of dinner? Shouted Ron.

"Yes. I mean you just told everyone in Gryffindor tower. So how can I know you won't blow your top whatever and say something you shouldn't? You still don't get it Ron, I'm going to fight a war were people have already died. If Dumbledore or one of the teachers got wind that something was going on if they interrogated you, you probably wouldn't cave but Hermione would, and as to you they would only have to call your mother who regards Dumbledore just like Hermione and after she threatened you and screamed at you, you would cave like a wet paper bag, and you know it."

Ron was trying to retort but seeing Hermione and the twins agreeing with Harry he gave up but only because he didn't want to be the odd man out, unfortunately for him Harry everyone else notice this, Ron's face was really an open book. In any event no commented and they proceeded to swear the oath. That done Hermione looked at Harry and said. "Well Harry we're listening. Tell us why you won't trust the adults that have been taking good care you" she was a little haughtily saying this as she didn't like the fact that his friend had her swore a magical oath and having point out to her obvious flaws in her character by him and the twins which she was now realizing were true, not to mention that she was most definitely in charge of this conversation like she was accustomed.

" You know 'mione it does not becomes you to be haughty and huffy when your trying to demonstrate that your mature enough to be trusted with the life of others." Barked Harry.

Hermione had tears in her eyes again when she heard Harry's tone. "What's happening to you Harry? Why are you being so hard?" Ron was interested in this answer he had been paying attention specially now that he saw that Harry's tone and words where making the girl he was in love with ( though he still wouldn't admitted out loud ) hurt and cry, which was making him even more resentful after being made to swear that oath.

It was now Harry's turn to tear up. "The answer to tour first question is that I see Cedric's face and dead eyes every time I close mine and I start to think of what else I could have done so he wouldn't have had to die. Sometimes I wish it would have been me so this would all be over. Muggles call it survivor's guilt it's one of the precursors of PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder. I understand that intellectually but the reality is different and until you go through it you couldn't possibly understand." He paused and took a couple of gulps of air as if he was drowning to try and calm himself after the vision that had flashed into his mind while he was answering her. He continued "As to the second question I've been hardening myself against the possibility that two of the three people that I consider family above everybody else will choose to not support me for whatever reason."

" Who? Ron asked knowing the answer but still fighting the resentment.

This however finally broke Hermione's resistance completely and she thru herself at Harry to hug. "Oh Harry of course I'll support you in whatever you need, no reservations!" then she turned to Ron and said "He means us Ronald!!" "I knew that. I mean who's the third person?" Asked Ron lamely. They all chuckled at the brief moment of levity. Then Harry turned serious again and addressed Ron. "You are my best mate Ron and I love like a brother, But you and I have some issues to clear, if we want to move forward, because I feel them eating at me already and if we don't talk about it, it could blow up out of proportion easily. What I don't know is if you want to talk about it now or later."

"no. let's talk about it now everybody else has cast their lot so lets get this over with."

"Ok. Basically it comes to trust you broke it between us and then went and stomp on the remnants of it for two months calling me a liar when I have never lied to you. I may not tell some things but I have never lied. And that Ron hurt me deeply coming from you and made have flashbacks of the Dursley's calling me things. Now every time we're together am afraid of you hurting me again. You have to understand also that if you decide to help you can't be mama's boy anymore." At this last statement Ron protested. "Hey, there's no need to compare me with Malfoy" He had completely melted when Harry had said he remembered him of the Dursley"s those were the worst kind of muggles plus he knew Harry hated them, so he didn't say anything at that time but calling him mama's boy was the same as calling him a spoiled brat and that was Malfoy! "We better take this one Harry." Said the twins. "This is our job after all to educate our baby brother of some hard truths in our family like our big brothers educated us. We, and by that we mean Bill and Charlie too, were going to give you this talk this summer, they are coordinating there vacation time together so that we could talk to you, our dear little brother." "Really?" asked Ron amazed and deeply touched that his big brothers would consider him important enough to schedule vacation just to come talk to him." Pray let us continue ickle ronniekins. Because after this talk the rules made by Bill and ratified by Charlie and abide by us is that you we'll be a man in the eyes of your older brothers since it's the summer of your fifteenth year. We we'll always be there to listen and offer advise only if asked. In our eyes you are a man now and have to start making decisions about what you want to be in life, what owls would you need to get the job you want not the one mum wants, although if you really want to work some desk in the ministry that's of course your decision and we would supported if it's yours not anyone else's." " I Can't believe your talking to Ron about owl's when you only got 3" harrumphed Hermione and Ron concurred with yeah. At this Harry started to laugh. "What are you laughing about? Asked simultaneously the other two thirds of the trio.

" Oh Ron if only you would apply you're the observation skills that you have when you play to the people around you all the time you could do anything in life that you wanted you would be unstoppable, you play chess and you read people's mind by the third move you know what your opponent is going to do and you start setting brilliant traps, I know this and always try to look for them and you still trounce me every time, but get of the table and is like you turn off. Bloody hell mate wake up. You could be anything you wanted. Plus I'm going to need a general for the war that could be you in charge of every one. And Hermione since we're on this you have to take your nose out of a book some times and observe life. The twins are geniuses. They only got three OWL's so their mum won't harangue them with ministry jobs. They could have the greatest marks in years in potions, charms, transfiguration, herbology, COMC and DADA the last one because it's basically a combination of all the others except for potions."

" Oi Fred he's figured us out."

"How can that possibly be? Asked Hermione in a huff.

"Again Hermione you have to observe people in there natural habitat and you apply simple logic to your observations. Tell me. How do you account for two people who got three OWL's each to develop and manufacture all those prank products? And what would they to be proficient at to pick quality in their ingredients?"

And then it dawned on Hermione and she wanted to tear her hair out. "Arrgh. Of course how could I've missed that? Skiving snack boxes: potions, charms. Canary creams: potions, charms and transfiguration. Herbology and COMC to pick the ingredients." She whirled on them. "How could you? Shame on you for wasting that talent. She scolded the twins. They laughed it off. "Who said any thing about wasting talent? We're going to open a store a sell our inventions, we even have investors already with all the money needed. Why do we need a paper that says we got some OWL when we already know the material and how to apply it. But we're digressing to finish ickle ronniekins you have to understand that to be your own man you have to start doing your own thing or mum will stifle your individuality. The problem with her is that she's never recovered from losing her brothers and dad indulges her because he loves her to much but her attitude is unhealthy little brother and it's already cost us Percy, he'll always try to be the perfect little boy that wants to follow the rules to please mum. That attitude is also why Bill and Charlie got jobs far away so she wouldn't berate at every opportunity if they got the same jobs here since they are fairly dangerous jobs. And that's why with us she's only dropping hints about having dad fixed in the ministry to get us jobs in spite of our poor OWL's, but it we'll only be hints since she knows we could go to the continent to open our shop if she pushes too far. She's getting smarter little brother and you're going to get the worse of it because you're her last chance now more than ever since you know who is back. You are going to have to stand strong if you want to be in control of your life but you have your brothers and surely these friends that now we'll understand and back you up. One last thing she knows about this brothers talk since perfect prefect Percy told her, so at the first sign of of anything that smells of independence from you she'll come up with the harshest punishments to stamp it out right away so start thinking how your going to handle that." Ron was overwhelmed by his brother's speech and touched to find out that they thought of him as a man. He was also amazed by Harry; he now understood how he had wronged him. We the boost in confidence by his brothers and best mate believe in him he vowed that he would strive with everything in his power not to let them down ever again. So with the little speech he was capable at the time he thanked them.

"Well with that out of the way hopefully to everyone's satisfaction Harry why don't you answer my original question about trusting the adults?"

"All right Hermione I'll tell you. Simply put because they couldn't do anything against him before and everything has changed for the worse."

"I don't understand Harry?"

"Well Hermione lets see. Voldemort first rise started in 1970 and 11 years later they were losing, badly, the ministry was fighting Voldemort with many more aurors than they have now and after 11years of war you might expect they where experienced and trained which is not the case now and anyway that idiot Fudge didn't believe me plus he had the only witness kissed by a dementor before he could say anything so I expect he will be more of a hindrance than a help. Sirius told me before he left that he was going on a recruiting mission for the old crowed, he says that the old crowed was a group of people that Dumbledore put together to also fight Voldemort in the first war. The difference is that their best fighters were killed. The Longbottoms and my parents to name a few. So whoever is left and willing to fight is probably old and out of shape. And I seriously doubt their going to do anything different and as I said they were losing. How long do you think they'll last? I mean the Weasley's are a part of it. Even if could see Mrs. Weasley fighting a death eater, the only dueling she has practiced in the past 14 years is against the Burrow. What is she going to do if attacked by a DE scourgify him to death? A group of civilian wizards make for a pretty disorganized army Hermione. Not to mention all our little adventures against Voldemort when he didn't have a body and the faculty couldn't even keep him away or the fiasco of defense teachers we have had with the exception of professor Lupin. This is supposed to be the elite wizarding not only in the UK but in Europe, they teach spells by rote here, move your wand like this and this is the incantation. They don't explain why or how Magic works, it's probably the ministry trying to control I'll grant you, but if they taught magic instead of spells, your imagination could be the limit. So if we throw in the dementor fiascos of the past to years we would also have to conclude that our esteemed head of the Wizangamot and Supreme Mugwump of the international confederation of wizards has as much political power as a fairy. Are those the people's hands in which you want me to place my life, Hermione? The only thing that Dumbledore and his band will be able to do is serve as hope for those who believe his back, that there's someone out there doing something."

"Wow, our dear Harrikins has been doing some thinking. We agree." Said the twins at the same time.

Ron nodded numbly as he was processing every thing Harry had said and he was determined to follow his mate's previous advice and apply his chess skills to every thing in order to form his own conclusions.

Hermione was speechless when did Harry become so observant? Because now that she thought about it his conclusions where mostly right based on what they could deduce from their vantage point. But first things first "Harry? When did you become so observant? And why have you hidden this from us?"

"To answer, when I was three or four and I didn't hide as much, it's just survival. I was that young when I learned that I had to watch my aunt and uncle very carefully for hint of mood changes if I wanted eat that day or ask for some thing that I needed without being locked in the cupboard for 24 or 48 hours without food or water for getting uppity." Said Harry bitterly." I guess I became very good at manipulating them like making them get me a job helping in the school library by making them think I hated to read and was not good at it when in fact it was my escape form Dudley and his bullies because they were banned from it after one time the accosted a girl there. Since I've been in the wizarding world mostly, I've turn those instincts off because all I ever wanted was to find people to love me for me and not because I was survival mode." "Oh. Harry of course I'm in." mourned Hermione and hugged him again. "You know since last night's meeting I've been trying to place my self in the same mental place of all those heroes that I've read in all those novels. We have several things in common." "Like what?" This from Ron. "Like 90% of the time their reluctant. I certainly can agree with that since I didn't start this. And once they are in they are in. they finish it always with single mind ness determination especially when the odds are against them. So do you guys know how to do a good glamour?" he asked the twins. "Of course. That's basic for pulling pranks." "Well you need to put one on yourself and then me we are going to the bookstore next to the leaky cauldron and we have 2 ½ hours before lunch. Ron and Hermione if any body asks I had a bad night and didn't sleep at all, after breakfast you came up here with me to convince me that I needed to rest and I just manage it, you are going to pick me up for lunch. All right?"

"We can do that, but why can I come to bookstore and what's so important that you need it now? Asked Hermione. "Because mainly I'll be buying war and spy novels to help with ideas on what we need to plan and organize. And hopefully give you a better picture of the reality of war before the second meeting tonight where you'll decide how far you want to involve yourselves in this. And finally because nobody will think anything's amiss if they find us reading a muggle fiction paperback. We'll leave more specialized books later and you'll get to come. Tonight's meeting is at half past midnight." With that Ron and Hermione left.

The twins finished with their glamours and were about to do Harry's when he stopped them.

"Dobby" All Harry saw was a grey blur that slammed into his legs.

"The great Harry Potter remembers Dobby, Oh Dobby is so pleased. What can Dobby be doing for the great Harry Potter?"

Harry handed him a note and a letter and told him to post it with a school owl (the note was for Blaise reminding him to bring the box with the letters to the meeting. The letter for Sirius telling him he needed to see him as soon as possible without anyone knowing especially Dumbledore) and said "Can you deliver this without anyone knowing?" "Of course Harry Potter sir." "And also I'll be in need of a bonded house elf I wanted to ask you if you could help find one?

Dobby started to wail "The great Harry Potter doesn't want his Dobby. What has Dobby done? Dobby must punish himself". And s the elf started smashing his head against the wall.

"Dobby stop! Of course I would prefer it to be you, but I thought you wanted to be free. That's why I didn't offer you the job."

"Oooh, All ever Dobby wanted was to serve a great wizard like Harry Potter sir."

"Great, I'll call for you around half past midnight and we'll do it then. Do you know what is required?

"Of course Harry Potter sir, wes be saying a spell while yous put hand on Dobby's head."

"Great I'll see you tonight then." Pop!

"Oi, Harry that elf we'll never betray you bond or no bond." Commented one of the twins while his brother applied his glamour on Harry.

"I'm sure but the bond we'll protect him by making him a low class target since they'll know for sure that he won't be able to give anything away. Let's go."

Harry grabbed his invisibility cloak and the marauders map. They went to the secret tunnel to Honeyduke's and from there to the Three Broomsticks where they flooed to the Leaky Cauldron and crossed the bookstore next door in muggle London.

In the bookstore Harry got books by Tom Clancy, W.E.B. Griffin, Robert Ludlum, Frederick Forsyth, and Jack Higgins whom he thought offered a good mix of war, espionage and clandestine operations. He knew that these books weren't what were needed but all they needed to start with were ideas. He also bought 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu and 'On War' by Carl Von Clausewitz which some of the other books extolled as the greatest treatises on war. That done they paid and returned to school without incident.

Harry and his friends spend the late afternoon and evening reading, Ron was so engrossed in the Art of War that he didn't even notice when dinnertime came and went and they had to order some sandwiches be brought up by the house elves. By 11 pm they were alone in the common room. Harry had shown them which classroom they were going to use on the map, so at 12:15 am Harry and the twins left with the map and left Hermione and Ron with his invisibility cloak ( which wouldn't fit the three of them anymore ) to follow a few minutes later and create a diversion if necessary. It wasn't and they all made it on time.

As soon as they were inside Harry had them sit down to wait. It wasn't long after they heard the door lock itself and Harry asked Hermione to use the warding spells she had quickly researched that afternoon. That done Harry addressed the last person in the room.

"You can come out now" And with that Blaise dropped his new cloak and emerged from it. Of course Ron was the first to react.

"Bloody hell Harry. A Slytherin?"

"Yes Ron A Slytherin and I trust him completely so don't start. Ok?" Ron wanted to say more but after the talk in the morning he had promised himself he was going to think before acting so he kept his peace.

"Every One I want you to meet Blaise Zabini a new friend and ally, Blaise these are Hermione Granger, Ron, Fred and George Weasley." After handshakes all around Harry continued. "Blaise I hate to ask because they should be private but having them read the letters it's the easiest way to explain.

"I agree Harry" and passed the first letter and then the second. The reactions of Hermione and the twins was the same they wanted in the paladins. Ron's was mixed, he wanted in the paladins, but killing off the old Ron wasn't going to be accomplished in one day it would have to be a process, so he also had to suppress a wave of jealousy that had surged in him at it took him a couple of minutes. He finally managed it when the last of twins finished the letter and he saw the look of gleeful determination in their faces.

Hermione started right away. "Harry is this true? Is…" Harry cut her off.

" Hermione the only thing I can tell you, apart from what the letters say is that when Blaise swore the oath and I accepted magic erupted from us both a I can feel with every fiber of my being that I trust him"

Blaise interrupted him. "It was the same for me mate." And it was, he could feel the same as Harry.

"So, decision time, it would mean a lot for me to have your support but it has to be your decision. So why don't you talk over and let me know. We'll be by the door."

" We're" " in Harry"

Ron and Hermione look at each and then turn to Harry. "We're in to mate"

Harry was a little overwhelmed at the quick response of his friends. He knew that Ron still had a little problem with his wayward emotions, but also gave him credit for trying to control them, plus after the oath it would be easier for Ron and he wouldn't be able to betray them even in the worst of emotional surge took a hold of him. Blaise saw that Harry was having a little trouble, so he took upon himself to gather the Gryffindors and teach them the incantation for the oath. They went ahead took the oath one at a time and the same glow and tendrils of magic that showed with Blaise. Harry could feel the level of trust and caring emotion flowing back and forth thru the bond between himself and his vassals for that's what they were now. He felt a stronger emotional connection with the other 2|3 of the trio although the fealty was the same. He also seemed to notice and ebb and flow thru his bond with Ron at the very beginning but then it settled and stabilized. Different gasps and wow's were heard from all the Gryffindors as they also felt the bond take hold of them and trust each other implicitly but Harry most of all. It was not only surprising but reassuring. The hardest effect was on Ron now whom the bond was making him feel shame for ever doubting his friend and now lord although he also could feel it was not a slavery or indenture bond, it was reciprocal and he could feel Harry's love and care for him now.

Harry bought everyone back from their musings. "Everyone all right?" As response, Ron stood up, went to Harry and hugged him. "Harry mate. I'm truly sorry for ever doubting you and letting the worst of me take control. I can feel now how much you care and… and love me, I now know I was being a child. Thank you for caring enough to not cast me aside I… I won't let you down ever… my brother."

"You can feel all that? I Know I trust him and I can feel he cares about me and there's something else but I can't identify it. It doesn't feel wrong though quite the contrary." Every one else was examining their bond. The twins could feel Harry's love as a younger brother to them and Hermione felt just as Ron with tears running down her cheeks as she realized at long last that she had true friends, she didn't have to bribe them with help in their studies as she sometimes felt, it was an instinctive reaction from her primary school days where any who talked to the class know it all wanted something from her. All answered that they felt more or less as Ron did. Harry seeing that Blaise felt a little dejected reached for his hand and looked at him. The moment Harry felt the touch and gazed into those light honey colored eyes he knew that the something different Blaise felt was a strong attraction for Harry and then realized he felt the same and was quite pleased.

"I … I think I know what it is you feel different Blaise I'll tell you later all right? I think it's personal if I'm right and I think my prior connection to my friends here shows thru the emotional part of the bond." "Ok. Thanks Harry we'll talk later about it." Harry then continued. "So let's see. What should we do first?"

Ron was the first to speak up. " Well the first thing I think we should do it's start recruiting people for the paladin army, though until we find a way to train them the only thing they could do would be to serve as ears and eyes for us. Also we would need a way safer than owls to communicate"

"I have a way Ron although Hermione won't like it"

"What do you mean Harry" she asked.

"Dobby" And the elf immediately popped into the room.

"Oh the great Harry Potter did not forget about his Dobby…"

"Harry!! You can't be serious you'd be willing to enslave…"

"Shut it Hermione you're acting like the old Ron, Speaking without thinking. We're going to war get that thru your brain. You should to know me better by now, and you should know that I'm not him!! I don't want slaves, but this bond between us also serves as protection to you because when our enemies realize that they can't break it will be one less reason for them to try and kidnap our people. If I'm going to be the leader of this paladin army you know thru the bond that I have to go with whatever is safer for all, not just the comfort of one person. I'm going to have to make tough decisions concerning real people's lives. You should start getting into the right frame of mind if you want to be useful. I swear that'll take into consideration all well thought out advice, but we cannot afford emotional out bursts." Said Harry coldly. He had to make it clear that they had to function we some kind of order an emotional bursts wouldn't be tolerated. For her part Hermione was yet again fighting her tears. The rational part of her brain knew that what Harry was saying was true. She also understood that if she wanted a meaningful place in the organization she couldn't burst into tears every time something she didn't liked happened. "I understand Harry it's difficult to change overnight you know?

"I understand 'mione. I'm sorry I came so hard on you, but we all have to understand that if we don't take the paladins and most importantly ourselves seriously from this moment on we won't be able to accomplish anything"

"Ms. Grungy, Dobby do anything to help the great Harry Potter."

Harry genuinely felt affection for Dobby and didn't want him to give up his freedom because it wasn't right.

"Dobby? There might be another way for you to serve and don't give up your freedom and still be protected. Everyone here swore an oath bond to me, I don't know if it will work for a house elf but I'm willing to try if you are."

This got Dobby ecstatic. He would have done anything for Harry including giving up his freedom, but it was not what he wanted. "Harry Potter is the greatest wizard ever" said the excited elf. "What does Dobby do?" Harry told Dobby the oath and the elf said. It worked, Harry could feel when their magic touched and the undying devotion Dobby felt for him. They explain to the elf their need to pass letters and messages without being discovered. They also asked the elf to Spy on the teachers particularly Dumbledore and Snape, and finally asked him to recruit all free house elves he could for the cause. Harry told him that he preferred that everyone take the paladin oath but that he would accept the house elf bond if anyone felt strongly about it. The group also agreed on how they would go about recruiting people. It was agreed that Hermione would only talk to those wish she felt had an affinity with since to most people she came across to bossy, which she was now seeing was true. The Weasley's would handle everyone else. And Harry would meet with Blaise regularly unless someone else needed to. They also decided to a make a copy of the books to Blaise so that he could familiarize himself with modern warfare and spy methods since he would be their spy in Slytherin for the moment by default. All that decided, Harry asked his friends to go ahead to the dorms with the map and leave the cloak as he needed a few minutes with Blaise. The Gryffindors all said goodnight and that they were happy that Blaise was with them and not hesitate if he needed anything, this touched the Slytherin since it meant acceptance from the others. When they had left Harry asked Blaise to keep an eye out for potential recruits but not say anything. Those recruitments they would attempt once school was out.

"Blaise about those strange feelings you couldn't identify thru the bond. Ungh… I should tell you I think it'sastrongsexualattractionbetweenus." Said Harry Breathlessly. "I think you're beautiful Blaise and I'd like to see were this goes if it's all right with you." Blaise was momentarily stunned, but then realized it was true when looked at Harry's handsome yet still boyish face so he decided to follow that attraction the only way he knew he leaned closer to Harry and kissed him. At first tentatively, But then as if spark was ignited more thoroughly. For his part when Harry finished speaking at first he felt momentary confusion from the bond and then acceptance, but he was surprised when Blaise kissed him and then the sparks when he started to kiss back. They kept snogging for a few moments until they had to come up for air.

"Wow that was, Wow…" Blaise they have any words at the moment he only knew he felt elated. " Yeah…" Answered Harry.

"I guess that answered your question Potter although I would appreciate if you would not refer to me as beautiful, boys and men are handsome" teased Blaise.

"Well I can only promise that I won't do it in front of anyone else, but to me you'll be my beautiful Blaise." Teased Harry back and proceeded to kiss his new boyfriend again although more gently and pouring all his nascent feelings of affection thru the bond which Blaise reciprocated. These Feelings also fueled each other rapidly because of the bond and they both felt they would be in full love quickly. There was another emotional component they felt and that was that they were orphans, which formed a strong kinship between the two boys. When they parted Harry called Dobby again and informed him of his new relationship to Blaise and if he could please respond to Blaise's call. Dobby looked at the black boy for a moment and then clicked his fingers and said he was done they both thanked the elf and he left. Then Harry said goodnight to Blaise and told him he would see him tomorrow night at midnight. So with one final kiss they parted.

When Harry stepped thru the portrait into the Gryffindor common room he found the rest of the trio waiting for him. Hermione immediately asked.

"Harry what were you doing? It took long enough to explain those things?"

Harry thought it over and decided to tell his best friends he needed to share the happiness he was feeling with someone. He told them he now had a boyfriend and was quite happy about it. Ron immediately congratulated him. After all there was no stigma in the wizarding world against homosexuality. Hermione on the other hand was muggleborn and although she wasn't prejudiced it would take her a little while to assimilate.

"Harry, I'm sorry. You know I don't care and we'll help with the bigots." Said Hermione naively.

"Hermione, you've been in school for four years, you've got to look around you a life live. After all this time you haven't noticed all the gay couples in school? Tell me you at least know there's no race discrimination either?"

" I… I… Really?

Ron was the one who answered her. "Yes. Take a look around tomorrow in the great hall instead of reading thru breakfast and you'll see. Over 30% of wizards and witches end up with some of the same sex. The only thing we care about is the blood crap." "And the light and dark crap too." Finished Harry.

"What do you mean Harry?" They asked almost simultaneously.

"This is not the time for this discussion but I will give a quick example of what I think. Ok?" They both nodded. "Tell me first. What makes a spell light or dark?"

Ron said. "The Ministry determines that" Hermione said "I thought it is if the magic is harmful to you or others."

"So according to your definitions wingardium leviosa is a light not harmful spell?" They both nodded. "So if I place you under wingardium leviosa, float you thru the window and cancel the spell and I wouldn't be dark but I still' killed you? No don't answer or we'll never go to bed, but that's one of your first assignments Hermione to research fact from crap on that issue. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

The next several days passed quickly but not uneventfully, they had been successful in recruiting almost 30 people into the paladins.

From Gryffindor they got:

Lavender Brown.

Katie Bell.

Colin Creevy.

Dennis Creevy.

Seamus Finnigan.

Angelina Johnson.

Lee Jordan.

Neville Longbottom.

Parvati Patil.

Alicia Spinnet.

Dean Thomas.

Ginny Weasley.

That was of course not counting themselves. From Hufflepuff they recruited:

Hannah Abbott.

Susan Bones.

Justin Finch-Fletchley.

Ernie McMillan.

Zacharias Smith.

And from Ravenclaw House joined them:

Terry Boot.

Cho Chang.

Michael Corner.

Marietta Edgecombe.

Anthony Goldstein.

Luna Lovegood.

And Padma Patil.

Some people were a little difficult to convince, but after the first few told their friends of the trust and caring emotions that flowed thru the bond they all took it. Zacharias Smith being the more skeptical.

Harry had asked Dobby if there was anyplace in the castle safe from prying eyes and ears and Dobby had taken him to what the elves called the come and go room but in reality was called the room of requirement. It was located in the seventh floor in front of a tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. Harry had called a meeting so that he could answer questions at length. So it was that after the leaving feast that they found themselves gathered in the room of requirement.

As soon as the door locked in the room with everyone already present

Blaise emerged from his invisibility cloak. There several gasps from the assembled when they saw a Slytherin amongst them which Harry quenched right away.

"People… People quite please and listen. Blaise is one of us his our spy in Slytherin. Also to get it right out of the way you should also know that he's my boyfriend." Several shouts and angry protests were heard thru the crowd. Harry was furious no one had the right to judge neither his personal choices nor his love for Blaise which was something that kept growing as the got to know themselves better in their nightly meetings.

Harry's emotions exploded thru the bond and everyone stopped talking at same time.

"Well that was unintentional but it got your attention so listen up. This Paladin army was started because of Blaise here the letter you read is a paraphrasing of a letter Blaise's dead father left him, so he was the first to swear his fealty. As to our relationship that's personal and none of your business. Clear? Zacharias you're dying to ask questions so go ahead.

"Uh how did you know… right the bond. Well I guess I was skeptical but I can deny the feelings I'm getting from you. So my questions would have to be what are we supposed to do? And what else can you to tell us about you know who?"

"First of all, his name is Voldemort. If you're afraid to say the name you'll be of no use in the fight. What I expect from you for the next several weeks is to keep your eyes and ears open for any information on Voldemort and his death eaters or the ministry. I don't want you to place yourselves in any danger to get information. Just pass on whatever you hear thru dobby that will make regular mail rounds to all of us. Hermione is coordinating that and you need to get with her before you leave tonight. I can't tell you much more right now, I need to know more about the bond. I can tell you now that once I find this Paladin place my powers will be unleashed to quote Blaise's father's letter. What we gather from this is that I'll get more powerful. We don't know anything else until I can meet my guardian."

"You don't live with your guardian? When will you meet him then? Asked Colin Creevy.

"No Colin I don't. I don't know when I'll see him. It should be sometime in the summer. It's complicated, so if you all promise not to shout I'll tell you. All right?" They all did and Harry started to tell the story of Sirius in detail ending it with Barty Crouch Jr's kiss a week ago at the orders of Fudge. Susan Bones spoke up this time.

"Harry I know you're telling the truth but it all feels so incredible. Now I know why you don't trust the minister but not everyone in the ministry is like that. My aunt is the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and I'm sure she wasn't involved in that. She couldn't be. She doesn't even likes Fudge."

"Susan I'm sure not everyone in the ministry is like that. But Fudge is still in control"

"Would it be ok with me confronting her with your godfather's and Barty Crouch's? The worst that could happen is that I tell her that that's what you've been saying in school I that I believed you. I assume you already told Fudge where to shove it?"

Harry thought it over and said. "Yeah. Why don't you do that right after you get home and also ask about Voldemort coming back. It should tell us in which way the ministry is heading. All right everyone coordinate with Hermione for mail rounds. Oh and one last thing we'll try to coordinate a party somewhere as an excuse for a meeting, so if you get an invitation from anyone in this room convince your parents to let you go. Have a good start of summer." With that Harry grabbed Blaise's hand and put Blaise's invisibility cloak on but instead of leaving they went to a little alcove behind the stage, which Harry had asked for when he asked for the room. Once in the privacy of the alcove they took the cloak off and Harry took Blaise in his arms and kissed him. He couldn't get enough of the beautiful black boy that made went to fly every time he was near him. Blaise also was amazed at these new feelings he never knew existed. Until he had met this handsome boy with green eyes he never believe that there was something or that his loneliness could ever be lifted, but it was, and he was determined to never let go.

" Harry love, I think I shall go directly from the train to Gringott's I'm very anxious to know if my mother knows of my emancipation as I'm not looking forward to a confrontation with her. I know of her reputation as a black widow from my housemates and they all speak as if afraid of her. I don't think I'm ready to stop if she decides to try something." This was not the first time that Blaise had expressed this fear so this time Harry was ready with a proposition.

"Blaise I think you should hire the goblins to revise the existing wards on your place and improve them as much as they can including placing it under fidelius. Have you heard from your sister?"

"Yes she wrote sometime back that she was going to spend a few weeks with a friend from Durmstrang."

" That's great, you write to her and tell her that the goblins are going to upgrade the wards de to this rubbish rumor that the dark lord was back and she should let you know in advance when she's coming so that they wait for her and key her into the wards. Then when you leave Gringott's if you want to apply for a position I'm in need of a live in bodyguard to keep the muggles from bothering me. An emancipated wizard should have no problems with three muggles." Finished Harry smiling.

"Great idea love. I love it. But won't it cause trouble?"

"Of course but not anymore than I'm going to have with them just for existing. And a few spells should scare them into submission. As soon as you're finished with your business at Gringott's call Dobby and he can take you to the house. Better yet why don't you stop somewhere and buy a portable cooler to place in my room and some snacks and beverages that way we can avoid the muggles as much as possible. It should take us 2 or 2 ½ hours to get home from the train station, you will probably get there before us, so you should go inside and make yourself comfortable, but stay under the cloak until we determine where the guards will be."

As thanks Blaise kissed him again, which prompted a heavy snogging session as both of them were thinking the same thing, laying with their boyfriend in bed and the possibilities? So that's how Hermione and Ron found them when they came to report that everyone had gone and all details of the mail rounds were taken care of. They said goodnight and left. The boys stayed for another half hour before bidding each other goodnight. At the last minute Harry told Blaise that he should get under his cloak a few minutes before he got to the station in case his mother or someone else was waiting for him to get off the train and then pecked in on the lips and told him he would see him tomorrow at the house.

The next day after the Gryffindor trio boarded the train and found a compartment, Ron and Harry started a game of chess and Hermione opened a book. After a while Justin Finch-Fletchly and Susan Bones came in and asked to talk to Harry.

"Harry, Susan and I were talking and we thought that maybe we also should recruit from other wizarding schools from around the country."

"What do you mean other schools from around the country? I thought Hogwarts was the only Wizarding School."

"Harry you didn't know there were other schools?" Asked Ron surprised.

"Ron I'm muggle raised I can deduce and ask questions about things that I see and hear but I've never heard of other schools. Have you 'Mione?"

"No Harry" she answered.

Susan explained. "Well there are almost sixty thousand witches and wizards in the UK Harry; they have to go to school somewhere. There are six schools in the country. Hogwarts of course, which is the best but, is reserved for very old purebloods and their descendants and some select muggleborns that are bright and appear to have power. Although at eleven there's no way to know for certain if they'll be powerful or not. Camlann in Somerset, which is 3 times the size of Hogwarts approximately 750 students and it's for very rich half bloods, disgraced purebloods and very rich muggleborns. These half bloods are real, what I mean by that is one muggle parent. Also this school is very good in DADA because a little more than half of their graduates go to serve in the Royal Wizarding Corps…"

She was interrupted by Harry" Wait. What's the Royal Wizarding Corps?"

"The RWC is the monarchy's magical armed forces. About a 100 of them protect The Queen always, but the rotate in and out of this duty to serve in the regular armed forces and for training. They also have to swear on their life and magic to only use magic to defend themselves from magical attack when they're serving with the regular forces. Anyway muggleborns and half bloods from Camlann that want to live in the magical world and work with magic this is a great place as there's no prejudice there. They get to learn from the unspeakables among other things and get to be quite good at magic as good as aurors but with military discipline."

Harry had another question. "But what has the ministry has to do with the monarchy?

Hermione answered that. "Honestly Harry if you and Ron didn't sleep thru every class of History of Magic you'd know that."

"Ungh… I just don't understand why we have to try to endure that tortuous drone of a ghost he puts me to sleep right away. Why doesn't Dumbledore doesn't just hire another teacher?"

Susan took over again. "Pureblood politics Harry, plain and simple. Dumbledore has final say in the hiring of teachers, but the board of governors assigns the budget. If what they give for salaries for next year is only 5% more than last year that's not enough to hire another teacher after all Binns is a ghost he doesn't get a salary. Then the board, Who is appointed by the Minister, can tell there boss that they have the budget under control and the minister can tell the purebloods, who are not interested in any outsiders learning about government or politics they teach that to their children at home. Everything else is paid by the Hogwarts trust which is controlled of the headmaster. When the ministry appointed the board to impose a curriculum the goblins that hold the trust made them pay for the teachers."

Harry was stunned if the purebloods and the ministry had this level of control he was missing a lot of information in which to base his decisions. "Hermione first thing you have to get me books on this stuff and I am missing a lot of pieces for this fight. From what I'm hearing it's not only Voldemort we'll be fighting but the ministry also. With that level of control they won't give it up for someone else that fights even for them."

"Yes, I think you're right, my aunt says that Fudge is paranoid control freak, and he has a group of toadies that help him in maintaining it." Susan smiled. "This is serious Susan. Why are you smiling?" " It's just that an image of the chief toady came to mind and when I say toady I mean she looks like a toad, with wide bulging eyes, very wide mouth and thick lips, Sickly sweet smile, high pitched shrieking voice, no neck and she always wears pink. Disgusting that Dolores Jane Umbridge, and she is a mean one, my aunt detests her, She is the senior undersecretary to the minister, if you meet her Harry be careful, She's not Fudge's hatchet man for nothing. Anyway we're almost to London so let me finish with the schools Carmarthen Bay is for the same type of student as Camlann but middle class. And so is Gosforth, this to schools provide the bulk of the let's say managerial class of our world. Finally we have Kilham and Martham they tend to the rest. Kilham only goes up to fifth year but Martham does the full seven, they specialize in COMC as they are located in the middle of a magical forest. And Finally they each have a little over a thousand students."

When Susan finished Justin took over the conversation. " My original point was Harry that some of us have friends in other schools and we have all summer to arrange some sort of organization there. My best mate from home goes to Camlann, although we only found out last summer and by accident that we both were wizards, he could recruit everyone but the purebloods at Camlann easily and with some work some of the purebloods. Susan and some others in our house have friends in Carmarthen Bay and Go forth." Harry was paying attention and thought this had merit so did Ron and Hermione who voiced their opinions.

"Why do you think your mate could recruit that much of the students at Camlann?"

"Didn't miss that did you? Simply because the majority is muggleborns or with a muggle parent and my mate is the grandson of the duke of Devon shire, His father is Marques, he is an earl and he's second cousin to the royal princes. That brings enormous influence in the muggle world."

"Agreed. Do you think he would like to help us? Does he know who I am?"

"Yes, I think he will, he's been raised as noble Harry to defend Queen and country and that's what we're doing defending our country from a terrorist. And Harry everyone with magic knows who you are he'd love to meet you, he's jealous we go the same school. Although he believes we're not friends, since we weren't last month. I also never got to tell him anything bad before I was petrified second year and after well I knew you were the one that killed the monster he knows that too. By the way we were never told what kind of monster it was?

" It was a basilisk mate, ruddy big too over 60 feet, it was being commanded by the ghost of you know who, he had possessed my sister and was trying to suck her life so he could came back to life. Harry killed the basilisk with the sword of Gryffindor."

Justin and Susan lost all the blood in their faces.

Harry continued as if nothing had been said. "Then if he's willing to help I need to meet him as soon as possible. Could you arrange it for tomorrow?"

Justin was still a little paled and Susan was still speechless. Justin said. "Bloody hell Harry you were twelve!!! Exclaimed Justin. Then composed himself and continued. "Well if I can tell him that story on top of the dragon one we'll be seeing you two minutes after I see him."

Harry laughed. "Sure go ahead mate, call for Dobby as soon as you know what time you could come I'll be home all day."

Susan and Justin opened the door and left. A few seconds later it opened again. The trio looked up to come face to face with none other than Draco Malfoy and his two goons.

Harry Groaned. "For Merlin's sake Malfoy, Don't you know when to give a rest?" Ron and Hermione were standing next to Harry with their wands drawn but not showing.

"Potty, Potty, Potty. Your death is a certainty. The Dark Lord will do to you the same thing that he did to your friend. You'll pay Potter."

Harry was seething inside but apparently one of the properties of the bond was that it helped controlling ones emotions. So instead he drawled. "Well, if he couldn't do it while I was alone and he had the benefit of the attendance of your daddy and his other lapdogs. What makes you think he'll ever manage?"

"Don't you dare talk about my father that way." Said the furious Malfoy, he brought his wand up to curse Harry, but before he could anything he and his goons were cursed by about 20 paladins that were alerted by Susan and Justin. As they were reaching the station less than a minute later, they all disembarked from the train quickly leaving what looked like three masses of Jell-O.

** End Flashback**

"Boy! Boy!" Shouted Vernon Dursley trying to get Harry's attention. "Huh?" Came back Harry.

"Get your freaky things from the boot, boy. And come inside quickly we don't want normal and decent people looking at the likes of you." With that he turned and walked with wife and son into the house.