Chronicles Of Camelot

by DZ2

My answer to Proud Mudblood's challenge: it started with a kiss: a new Harry emerges and a seemingly impossible destiny is set in motion; with Hermione at his side, however, Harry feels he can do anything: can he? Grey-Superpowerful-Harmony (Two 'Book' Saga)

14. Padfoot's Return

Stormy Waters

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its respected characters; all copyright goes to the fantasy queen known as JK Rowling: I do own any OC spells explained at the end of the chapter.

Notes: This story is dedicated to MariusDarkwolf for his brilliant story Harry Potter and the Eyes of the Serpent: a recommended read

Normal Speech

'Thought'

{Parseltongue}

'Mind Speech'

Harry/Hermione

Neville/Luna

Sebastian/Amelia

Review Answers for Ch 12:

We're into the 300 mark for reviews on this story; a big thanks to everyone who has alerted, faved and reviewed this story;

B. Oots: You may not like what you read;

DarkHeart81: Actually, I have an idea on the little play for someone else;

Zamia: Well, he's not so much as dark as he is in my other stories; more…Grey and borderline-Dark;

StormyFireDragon: If it wasn't for MariusDarkwolf, YugiohFreak54, robst and witowsmp, I'd say the same thing about you Storm;

Elle baybee: Maybe soon, but for now, things are going smoothly along;

Redwoodx: I thought I'd put in Ron's comment about dogs to prove a bit of continuity – that he was in Divination while Harry was in AC; also, Harry is protecting Luna from those who would shun her and he is working WITH her, but Sebastian is training her;

MariusDarkwolf: Yeah, I've been a bit sloppy with updates lately, but don't worry, this is one story that ain't going nowhere;

"Oh," gasped Hagrid, Harry noticing his large friend trying his hardest not to actually shed tears with this offer, "Thank yeh 'Arry: yeh 'ave an heart o' gold: all righ' then; if yeh come to me hut later, we can talk about Beaky."

"No problem," Harry replied, smiling as Buckbeak seemed to settle down next to his new master, Harry noticing Hermione and Neville giving him a warm smile as if to show they agreed with what had happened.

Chapter 14: Padfoot's Return

Following the acceptance of his offer from the twins, Harry recalled Hagrid's invitation to an evening meeting; once again escorted by his fellow Holy Knights, Harry made his way across the grounds and down towards Hagrid's hut, their new Care Professor smiling happily as he saw them standing there.

"I was wondering if yeh had changed yer mind," Hagrid commented, inviting the three inside, Harry barely getting across the threshold before Fang bounded over to him, licking his face and making himself comfortable at Harry's feet.

"How's Buckbeak?" asked Harry calmly, stroking Fang and helping himself to tea that Hagrid had provided; as always, Harry pretended to accept one of Hagrid's infamous rock cakes.

"He's much better thanks ter yer bonding with 'im 'Arry," Hagrid answered, Neville and Hermione watching as Harry seemed to grow comfortable with something normal returning to his routine. Hagrid had been his friend for years now and, despite the lack of faith that the Holy Knight of Thunder had in Dumbledore, his friendship with Hagrid would never change.

"I'm glad," Harry answered, his eyes watching the windows as he added, "I hope you don't mind my sense of worry for him Hagrid; it's just I'm concerned that Malfoy may try something and use his Daddy's money to get Buckbeak put down."

"Never!" growled Neville, suddenly rising to his feet, his cup of tea smashing on the floor. Seeing such ferocity in the Holy Knight of Fire, Harry was about to ask the meaning when Neville beat him to the punch, "Buckbeak is your familiar Harry and, other than being the Heir of Gryffindor and the Last Pure Knight of the Elemental Order, you're…well, you: if Malfoy manages to get away with it, I'll fry his so-called perfect hair-style to a crisp."

The flames in Hagrid's fireplace flickered dangerously, but Harry couldn't help but agree with Neville: he had too many accolades to his name for anyone to have the balls to challenge him.

'Now if I could only silence the Dead Man Walking of that fact,' Harry thought, his hand now practically ironing Fang's black fur as he tried to ignore the feelings within him known to the others as the Oncoming Storm.

To distract himself, Harry decided to go for the main reason he had come down here, "Hagrid, can you be honest with me?"

"Of course I can 'Arry," Hagrid answered, "Yeh may 'ave been in the wrong place at the wrong time before, but now yer one of them 'Oly Knights, I'll tell yeh anything that yeh want to know."

"Then can you honestly tell me," Harry requested, "What your personal opinion is of Albus Dumbledore and what you think about the escaped Azkaban prisoner?"

"If yeh mean Black," Hagrid answered, "Then I can only say that 'e would never harm an 'air on yeh head 'Arry: 'e's about as loyal to yeh as Fang is ter me. As fer what yeh be askin' me bout Dumbledore: I'm gonna need yeh to keep this silent."

"Okay," Harry nodded, Hermione and Neville moving closer to their comrade as he waited for his answer.

"Personally," Hagrid answered, "I don't think he's the great man I thought 'im to be; yeh see 'Arry, he's the one that left yeh with those Muggles after Lily and James were killed. When I saw 'ow yeh were bein' treated by them, I felt strangely angry and doubted Dumbledore's orders; ever since that day, I've never really believed in 'im, and now that yeh be askin' about him, I can finally tell yeh the truth."

"I see," Harry remarked, "Thanks Hagrid: that means everything to me and I also thank you for your opinion in Black: what I don't really understand is what it is about him that makes people so protective of me?"

"Now that," Hagrid replied, "Is something that I think 'e should tell yeh himself 'Arry and…wha's that noise?"

Harry had heard it too: drawing Excalibur from his belt, Harry raced out of Hagrid's hut and down to the paddock where Buckbeak was now living, his front end reared up in rage and anger, a cowering, groaning figure at the beast's feet.

Harry would recognise the red-headed idiot anywhere, "Weasley: what in the name of magic are you doing here?"

"Dealing with you," answered Ron, "Bonded to this monster: the Board won't stand for it: both he and you will be finally put down as the freaks you are."

"A noble plan," Harry replied, approaching the Hippogriff carefully, his hands held up to calm Buckbeak as he soothed his familiar with his mental presence, "But there are a few things you forget, such as my heritage as Lord Gryffindor and Holy Knight of Thunder. But, you sought this battle and I will oblige: please Weasley, fight me if you will, because I guarantee that the only one who will lose is you!"

A white bolt of lightning crossed the sky as Harry said the last word, his body standing tall and proud over the weakened weasel, a part of him knowing that the asshole must have had someone else involved.

And Harry didn't need to know Mastery Legilimency to know the identity of Weasley's co-conspirator…

HPHG

Ron was in the Hospital Wing all of one night, his wound healed straight away by Madam Pomfrey, despite claims from the red-headed asshole that he should allow it to heal naturally, a part of him knowing he would need the evidence. However, by the time he returned to class, Harry knew that he would need to settle his affairs with the git and soon, so, when Weasley swaggered into Potions on Thursday morning, his arm bound in a make-shift sling, Harry rolled his eyes and prepared for trouble.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for arriving late and not apologising Weasley," growled Severus Snape, his gaze noticing the slapped-together job of Weasley's sling: it appeared to be made from spare rags rather than the professional job of a healer. As he watched the boy approach Finnegan and Thomas, Severus caught Harry's eye and, to his surprise, he found a sly, crafty smile on the boy's face.

Ever since he had learned of Potter's status as a Holy Knight, Severus had been forced to change his mind about the boy's upbringing: he would never willingly admit it, but he had begun to lessen his jibes and taunts to the boy; Merlin, even Longbottom was doing better, though Snape had heard rumours that he and Potter had formed some kind of brotherly bond.

And when you threw Hermione Granger into the mix, her bond with Potter being well known thanks to the actions of the Heir of Gryffindor before the end of last year, Severus knew that he would have to watch what he said to Potter and Granger in the coming months.

Perhaps it was time for a meeting with the boy, face-to-face, particularly when Snape considered who was at Hogwarts and who was after the boy…

"Sir," Weasley called, "sir, I'll need help cutting up these daisy roots, because of my arm…"

"Use your so-called injured arm to balance the ingredient and use your good arm to cut up the roots," Snape hissed, a sudden cough that may have been hiding a laugh coming from Potter's table.

It looked like the rumours of the disbanding of the Golden Trio weren't rumours after all; as the lesson continued, Weasley tried to do everything he could to upset and gain favour from the lesson, but, every time, Severus would counter his attempts and Harry's apparent coughing would become more feigned as he tried his hardest not to laugh.

The deciding factor came at the end of the lesson as the students were bottling their potions and, as Weasley appeared to struggle with his, he slipped suddenly, knocking the solution to the next table, where Harry, Neville and Hermione were working.

However, as Severus watched, half-expecting trouble, he was stunned into submission as the flowing potion seemed to do a u-turn and splash all over the lower part of Weasley's robes, particularly around a certain area of the male anatomy.

"How appropriate," Harry whispered, "You had the balls to claim your injury was real, but when it came down to it, you prove that your grapefruits are nothing more than a bunch of shrivelled little raisins. Hermione, Neville, let's go to our next lesson: sir, we'll leave our potion on your desk."

Then, before Severus could say another word, Harry turned on his heel and left the classroom, his visage flanked by Hermione and Neville, the Holy Knights aware of a look of pained torture on the faces of every third-year boy they saw, particularly on the face of a ferret who was also making his own way to lunch.

It wasn't until their lesson with Lupin that afternoon that Malfoy revealed the looks and Harry showed the whole school that he had indeed changed…

HPHG

"Heard from your pal, Hagrid lately?" Malfoy asked in his drawling voice, Harry stopping dead just outside the Defence classroom as he had been waiting for this, "I heard that the Governors are unhappy that a pureblood heir was attacked by such a savage creature, even if it is Weasley."

"Yeah," Harry droned, turning slowly, his hand moving towards Excalibur as he spoke, "Funny how Ron appeared to grow a pair right after you were shunned by Hagrid's lesson, so tell me: how much did you offer him?"

"I have no idea what you…" Malfoy was cut off as the sound of metallic singing echoed through the hall, those around them stopping at the sight of the sword, which was now inches from Malfoy's face, "Threats Potter? Wait until…"

"Your Father hears about this; I know," sighed Harry, "Merlin's beard Malfoy, I have two things to say to you: Broken and Record: I know you were the one to offer that magpie-minded asshole something to get Hagrid in trouble. Ron respects Hagrid as much as I do; in fact, I'd say that it's the only thing that we have left in common and, if I find Buckbeak anywhere near an executioner's axe, I'll see to it that you and your Daddy have an appointment…with this!"

Slashing Excalibur through the air, Harry watched as a nearby gargoyle was sliced cleanly in two, a rumble of thunder echoing throughout Hogwarts as Harry faced his long-time enemy, his voice as cold as ice as he spoke, "Be warned Malfoy: I am not the same Potter who knows nothing of his worth and, if I must, then I will use every resource at my disposal to take you down. Neither you, nor Daddy dearest scare me, not when I have a higher connection than you anyway, or have you not met Amelia Bones, Head of the DMLE and Vassal to Lord Potter?"

Malfoy was white with fear as he looked to the nearly decapitated statue, the students around them suddenly moving aside as Harry saw Sebastian make his presence known, strangely flanked by Professor Lupin, who asked, "Problem here, Lord Potter?"

"Nothing I can't handle Professor Lupin," Harry answered, looking to Sebastian as he added, "Just solving a few problems and showing this idiot the jaws of the dragon."

Sebastian nodded with understanding, his own mind recalling their first so-called study lesson, which had mainly been used for Harry to give the Order a set of instructions and private messages through code-words; the jaws of the dragon was a hidden meaning to we have a problem that needs my full attention.

"Ah," Lupin smiled, "Well then; it's a good thing you haven't gone inside."

He turned to the other third years around them, his voice carrying across the hall as he explained, "Today's will be a practical lesson. You will need only your wands."

A few curious looks were exchanged as the class put away their books. They had never had a practical Defence Against the Dark Arts class before, unless you counted the memorable class last year when their old teacher had brought a cage full of pixies to class and set them loose.

"Right then," said Professor Lupin, when everyone was ready. "If you'd follow me."

He led them along the deserted corridor and around a corner, where the first thing they saw was Peeves the Poltergeist, who was floating upside down in midair and stuffing the nearest keyhole with chewing gum.

Peeves didn't look up until Professor Lupin was two feet away; then he wiggled his curly-toed feet and broke into song. "Loony, loopy Lupin," Peeves sang. "Loony, loopy Lupin, loony, loopy Lupin -"

Rude and unmanageable as he almost always was, Peeves usually showed some respect toward the teachers. Everyone looked quickly at Professor Lupin to see how he would take this; to their surprise, he was still smiling. "I'd take that gum out of the keyhole if I were you, Peeves," he said pleasantly. "Mr. Filch won't be able to get in to his brooms."

Filch was the Hogwarts caretaker, a bad-tempered, failed wizard who waged a constant war against the students and, indeed, Peeves. However, Peeves paid no attention to Professor Lupin's words, except to blow a loud wet raspberry. Professor Lupin gave a small sigh and took out his wand.

"This is a useful little spell," he told the class over his shoulder. "Please watch closely."

He raised the wand to shoulder height, said, "Waddiwasi!" and pointed it at Peeves.

With the force of a bullet, the wad of chewing gum shot out of the keyhole and straight down Peeves's left nostril; he whirled upright and zoomed away, cursing.

"Cool, sir!" said Dean Thomas in amazement.

"Thank you, Dean," said Professor Lupin, putting his wand away again. "Shall we proceed?"

They set off again, the class looking at shabby Professor Lupin with increased respect. He led them down a second corridor and stopped, right outside the staffroom door.

"Inside, please," said Professor Lupin, opening it and standing back.

The staffroom, a long, panelled room full of old, mismatched chairs, was empty except for one teacher. Professor Snape was sitting in a low armchair, and he looked around as the class filed in. His eyes were glittering and there was a nasty sneer playing around his mouth. As Professor Lupin came in and made to close the door behind him, Snape said, "Leave it open, Lupin. I'd rather not witness this."

As Severus left the room, Harry then noticed that, for the second lesson in a row, Ron was nowhere to be seen; Madam Pomfrey must be taking longer than he'd originally believed to repair the seemingly irreparable damage to Ron's anatomy.

'Still,' Harry thought, 'It's not like he didn't deserve it.'

Seeing the class all assembled, Lupin turned before he indicated an old wardrobe, which shook ferociously as he then asked, "Now, does anyone want to take a guess as to what's behind here?"

"That's a Boggart," explained Dean.

"Very good," nodded Lupin, before he then asked, "Now, would anyone tell me what a Boggart looks like? How about you Miss Granger?"

"No-one really knows," Hermione explained, "Boggarts are shape-shifters, so only those who have faced one know what they look like."

"5 points to Gryffindor," Lupin smiled, before he then turned and asked, "Mr Potter, would you tell us why exactly no-one knows why a Boggart differs?"

'What am I?' thought Harry coldly, 'A Hufflepuff?'

"Boggarts take the form of whatever the person fears the most; the only way to get rid of a Boggart is with a charm that turns the fear into something amusing, but, let's take me for example, how could you make something like, I don't know, Voldemort funny exactly?"

There were shudders at the name before Lupin nodded at his answer and example, "Well done Mr Potter, take 15 points for Gryffindor; 5 for the answer; 5 for the counter and 5 for the example; now, The charm that repels a Boggart is simple, yet it requires force of mind. You see, the thing that really finishes a Boggart is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you find amusing. We will practice the charm without wands first. After me, please...riddikulus!"

"Riddikulus!" said the class together.

"Good," said Professor Lupin. "Very good. But that was the easy part, I'm afraid. You see, the word alone is not enough. And this is where you come in Neville, would you step forwards please?"

Harry then watched as Neville approached warily before Professor Lupin asked, "Now Neville, what is it that you fear?"

"Do you think he'll say Snape?" asked Harry, looking to Hermione as she seemed intent of keeping her focus on this lesson.

"No," Hermione answered, "He wouldn't say that…would he?"

He did…

"Professor Snape."

Nearly everyone laughed. Even Neville grinned apologetically. Professor Lupin, however, looked thoughtful. "Professor Snape...hmmm...Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?"

"Er - yes," said Neville nervously. "But - I don't want the Boggart to turn into her either."

"No, no, you misunderstand me," said Professor Lupin, now smiling. "I wonder, could you tell us what sort of clothes your grandmother usually wears?"

Neville looked startled, but said, "Well...always the same hat. A tall one with a stuffed vulture on top. And a long dress...green, normally...and sometimes a fox-fur scarf."

"And a handbag?" prompted Professor Lupin.

"A big red one," said Neville.

"Right then," said Professor Lupin. "Can you picture those clothes very clearly, Neville? Can you see them in your mind's eye?"

"Yes," said Neville uncertainty, plainly wondering what was coming next.

"When the Boggart bursts out of this wardrobe, Neville, and sees you, it will assume the form of Professor Snape," said Lupin. "And you will raise your wand - thus - and cry "Riddikulus" - and concentrate hard on your grandmother's clothes. If all goes well, Professor Boggart Snape will be forced into that vulture-topped hat, and that green dress, with that big red handbag."

There was a great shout of laughter. The wardrobe wobbled more violently.

"If Neville is successful, the Boggart is likely to shift his attention to each of us in turn," said Professor Lupin. "I would like all of you to take a moment now to think of the thing that scares you most, and imagine how you might force it to look comical..."

The room went quiet. Harry thought...What scared him most in the world? His first thought was Lord Voldemort - a Voldemort returned to full strength. But before he had even started to plan a possible counterattack on a Boggart-Voldemort, a horrible image came floating to the surface of his mind: A rotting, glistening hand, slithering back beneath a black cloak; a long, rattling breath from an unseen mouth…then a cold so penetrating it felt like drowning.

Harry shivered, then looked around, hoping no one had noticed. Many people had their eyes shut tight, but, as he tried to counteract the thought of the Dementor, Harry suddenly had a very vivid image of how to counter the Dementor; he was holding it.

"Everyone ready?" said Professor Lupin.

Harry was, the image set clearly in his mind: everyone else was nodding and rolling up their sleeves.

"Neville, we're going to back away," said Professor Lupin. "Let you have a clear field, all right? I'll call the next person forward...Everyone back, now, so Neville can get a clear shot…"

They all retreated, backed against the walls, leaving Neville alone beside the wardrobe. He looked pale and frightened, but he had pushed up the sleeves of his robes and was holding his wand ready.

"On the count of three, Neville," said Professor Lupin, who was pointing his own wand at the handle of the wardrobe. "One - two - three - now!"

Lupin flicked his wand at the doorknob. The wardrobe burst open. Hook-nosed and menacing, Professor Snape stepped out, his eyes flashing at Neville.

Neville backed away, his wand up, mouthing wordlessly. Snape was bearing down upon him, reaching inside his robes.

"Riddikulus!" squeaked Neville.

There was a noise like a whip crack. Snape stumbled; he was wearing a long, lace-trimmed dress and a towering hat topped with a moth-eaten vulture, and he was swinging a huge crimson handbag.

There was a roar of laughter; the Boggart paused, confused, and Professor Lupin shouted, "Parvati! Forward!"

Parvati walked forward, her face set. Snape rounded on her. There was another crack, and where he had stood was a bloodstained, bandaged mummy; its sightless face was turned to Parvati and it began to walk toward her very slowly, dragging its feet, its stiff arms rising.

"Riddikulus!" cried Parvati.

A bandage unraveled at the mummy's feet; it became entangled, fell face forward, and its head rolled off.

"Seamus!" roared Professor Lupin.

Seamus darted past Parvati.

Crack! Where the mummy had been was a woman with floorlength black hair and a skeletal, green-tinged face - a banshee. She opened her mouth wide and an unearthly sound filled the room, a long, wailing shriek that made the hair on Harry's head stand on end –

"Riddikulus!" shouted Seamus.

The banshee made a rasping noise and clutched her throat; her voice was gone.

Crack! The banshee turned into a rat, which chased its tail in a circle, then - crack!- became a rattlesnake, which slithered and writhed before - crack! - becoming a single, bloody eyeball.

"It's confused!" shouted Lupin. "We're getting there! Dean!"

Dean hurried forward.

Crack! The eyeball became a severed hand, which flipped over and began to creep along the floor like a crab.

"Riddikulus!" yelled Dean.

There was a snap, and the hand was trapped in a mousetrap.

"Harry!" called Lupin, Harry stepping forwards, the image ready in his mind: however, when the Boggart-Hand faced him, its body twisted and contorted until it formed not an image of a Dementor, but a very pale, blood-soaked, cut-streaked, wounded and practically dead figure that made Harry's heart stop dead.

Hermione…

"You failed me Harry," Boggart-Hermione whispered, her voice as sweet and melodious as the real thing, "You killed me: you are no Knight; you're a demon!"

"No," gasped Harry, stepping back and actually dropping his wand, his eyes on the Boggart, the real Hermione moving to his side, her mind frantically trying to reach her betrothed through their link.

'Harry,' she cried in his mind, 'It's all right love; I'm really here: you haven't failed; you haven't killed me.'

"Hermione," whimpered Harry, the Boggart's influence on him stronger than ever, "I'm sorry."

"Here!" cried Lupin, suddenly skating across the floor, standing in front of Harry, Sebastian moving to Harry's side, taking his lord into his arms as they looked to see what Remus was frightened of.

The full moon stared back at them, though to the others, save for Harry and Hermione, it looked more like a crystal ball.

"Riddikulus," gasped Remus, his voice almost desperate as the full moon became a deflating balloon that shot through the class, before it moved back into the wardrobe, Sebastian still holding onto Harry, the Knight of Thunder stammering his apologies.

"Professor," Sebastian exclaimed, "I'm getting my Lord Potter to his chambers where he can recover: please excuse us."

"Yes of course," Remus replied, a part of him now filled with sorrow as to the sight that Harry had envisioned; even the mere sight of the full moon didn't have that kind of effect on Lupin.

As the class filed out, Neville, Dean and Seamus standing at Harry and Sebastian's sides, Hermione remained behind, her mind whirring with what she had seen; looking to their professor, Hermione asked, "Professor…are…are you…what I think you are?"

"Yes I am," Remus answered, watching the spot where Harry was retreating with Sebastian, "Please take care of him Miss Granger; I fear I may have failed to do that."

"I will…Remus," Hermione smiled, "And, when we're alone, please call me Hermione: anyone who cares for him as much as I do has my respect."

"Thank you Hermione," Remus nodded, watching as his student left the staffroom, his own mind still trying to get over the sight of Harry in so much pain, and so frightened of what he had seen.

If Remus' guess had been right, Harry should have seen the Dementor; hearing those screams as he had done would have had a rather startling effect on him and would have driven him to counter them, but no; his fear had been his betrothed, his mate, his Hermione.

'Albus,' thought Remus, 'Why do I have the sudden feeling that you had something to do with this?'

HPHG

Reaching Godric's Wing, Hermione gave her password to the statue of Lancelot and raced inside, her mind still trying to break the barricade of fear that had formed around Harry's consciousness.

Her; his Boggart had been her; and those things she had said to him: he had killed her; he had failed her; he was a Demon?

'No,' Hermione thought, noticing Neville, Luna and the Order all waiting for her, Harry clearly being seen to by Sebastian and Tonks, Hermione wondering if she could speak to their Auror friend about the effects of Boggarts. If they were meant to be studying those things, then Harry would be forced into so much pain.

Moving towards the master chambers, Hermione gasped as she opened the door and immediately had to shut it as a bolt of black lightning missed her head by inches, Sebastian's voice speaking from the other side, "Don't come in here: it's not safe!"

"Sebastian, it's me!" Hermione retorted, hoping her bond with Harry would protect her from his onslaught, "What happened?"

"I got him back here," Sebastian exclaimed, his voice carrying through the door, "And then he started screaming: I tried to calm him and this…this tempest came from nowhere: have you tried the bond?"

"Every chance I get," Hermione replied, "It's like his mind is closed to me: me, Sebastian: his betrothed: what did that Boggart do to him?"

"What?" gasped the familiar female voice of Tonks, "A Boggart did this? Are you sure Hermione?"

"Sure as Harry's the Holy Knight of Thunder," Hermione replied, pulling out her wand, "I'm coming in."

Pushing open the door, Hermione used her knowledge to craft shields around the room, the black lightning now dancing all over the room, but not touching her; in one side of the chamber, Sebastian and Tonks were using their own magic to redirect and dodge the blasts, the Order's Commander looking as helpless as he felt watching Harry.

And, speaking of Harry: Hermione could only weep as she saw him: Sebastian was right: his body was glowing with the silver power of the storm that he commanded, black lightning flying not only from his fingertips, but from his body and every pore on his skin, his eyes wide and terrified.

Looking to their protectors, an idea, an inspiration, came to Hermione as she commanded, "Get out: leave me here with him."

"He could hurt you," Tonks cried, rolling over to where Hermione was standing, her shield doing its work.

"No," Hermione explained, "I think he knows I'm here, but he's sealed within himself; that's why I can't reach him: leave me with him."

"My Lady," Sebastian exclaimed, "Are you sure? It is my duty to protect you and my Lord to the best of my ability."

"And it is also your duty to obey our every command, even if it overrides the means to protect us," Hermione explained, gesturing to the door as she told him, "Leave Sebastian: don't allow anyone to enter here and see to it that we are undisturbed."

Sebastian felt a clash of his instincts going on inside him, but, in the end, he knew she was right; giving Hermione a salute, the warrior left the room, Tonks looking to Hermione before she joined him, Hermione sealing them both in as she spoke, "Harry, if you can hear me, then know that it's all right: we're safe: I'm alive and I will never ever think of you as that Boggart told you."

No response; it was time for extreme measures; pointing her wand at both him and her, Hermione removed all of their clothing, her eyes widening as she took in the glowing, athletically-trimmed look of her betrothed, her own body looking as strong as his did; truly, their bond, the Ritual of Release and a new life with Dan and Emma had given Harry his strength back.

'Though Merlin help me when we take it to the next step,' Hermione thought, her cheeks flushing at the sight of her boyfriend, 'He could intimidate a horse with that thing.'

Moving closer to his body, Hermione used a quick levitation charm to lower Harry to the bed, the black lightning cascade falling as he seemed to pick up on her meaning. Pulling back the bedcovers, Hermione slid in next to him, her naked body touching every inch of his glowing flesh, his wide-eyed, terrified look slowly becoming relaxed.

A soft hand snaked around her waist, the very touch feeling alive with static magic, a spark of lightning dancing at the fingertips as Hermione looked up, her brown and sea-blue eyes meeting one emerald and one silver eye, though both were now crying as the owner of those eyes held her tightly.

'Hermione,' a sorrowful voice whispered in her mind, 'Did I…did I hurt you?'

'No my love,' Hermione replied, 'I am safe: it was just a Boggart; I know you'll never hurt me and, besides, I think we now have a reason to remain so close.'

'But it was so strong,' Harry told her, 'I actually felt like you had been lost to me: why?'

'Take a wild guess,' Hermione replied, her body now feeling safer than it had done being here with her betrothed, 'Who do we know who would use any means necessary to see us divided?'

'I'm going to kill him!' Harry snarled, the raging sea of magic and raw energy being calmed by Hermione's presence, 'I am only yours and will always be yours and not even Albus Dumbledore will change that: I swear it!'

'I know you do love,' Hermione replied, placing a soft kiss on Harry's lips before she lay her head upon his chest, 'I know you do.'

"Although," Harry laughed out loud, "If Dad ever finds out that you and I were in bed like this, I won't need to worry about any kind of magic killing me: he'll do it for them."

HPHG

Downstairs, Tonks, the Order, Neville and Luna were witness to amused, relieved laughter coming from the Master Chambers, Sebastian smiling to himself as he looked to the others.

"Find out who did that," he commanded his warriors, "No-one harms my Lord like that and gets away with it."

"Yes sir," replied the Order, all of them leaving…save one.

"Are you okay?" asked Tonks, approaching the straggler, Neville and Luna making themselves scarce as they decided to explore their new home in more detail.

"I'm his protector," answered Tyler, "And I couldn't help him when he needed me most: how do I redeem myself now?"

"By not being his protector," answered Tonks, putting an arm around the young warrior, "But by being his friend: that's how I do it."

"Will you help me?" asked Tyler, looking into the Auror's eyes, "Will you…teach me?"

"Of course," Tonks answered, before she found herself surprised as Tyler hugged her in thanks, before he pulled away and seemed to mumble his gratitude, a red flush crossing his cheeks.

HPHG

It took Harry some time to get over his encounter with his chaotic Boggart, but, when he combined his relaxations with Sebastian's lessons, Hermione's company, the growing friendship between him, Neville and Luna and the companionship from Tonks, Harry wasn't all that surprised when he woke one morning and, feeling a familiar tightness in his heart, he whispered, "It's here."

"What's here?" asked Hermione sleepily, her voice coming from Harry's chest where she seemed to have made a permanent bed or relaxation point, though they no longer spent their night-times fully nude any longer. This was mainly to avoid any temptation to do anything that they knew they shouldn't, but it was also because Harry knew that he would need to have a little talk with Dan before that happened.

Lifting her head from Harry's bare chest, Hermione brushed her lips against his as she asked, "What's here love?"

"Halloween," Harry answered and Hermione gasped as she mentally checked the date.

"Oh Merlin; I…I hadn't noticed: are you…"

"Don't worry yourself so much Kitten," Harry replied, brushing his lips against hers again, "You've been the key reason for my distractions, a fact that I don't deny not one bit."

"Is it my fault that you're so attracted to me Sparky?" asked Hermione, Harry chuckling at the use of the pet-name that she had come up with for him: he had thought of Kitten because of what had happened last year, but for her, it was Sparky – and it wasn't due to the scar on his forehead.

"Are you complaining?" asked Harry.

"Not one bit," Hermione replied, letting herself settle back on her boyfriend's chest as she added, "Isn't it a Hogsmeade Weekend as well?"

"Yep," Harry replied, "Did I ever thank Mum and Dad for signing my slip?"

"I think the fact you call them that is thanks for them," Hermione told him, running a gentle hand along his chest as she lay there, "Though if you're really planning to thank them, then why don't we tell McGonagall to leave our names off the list this year?"

"Now that's an idea I don't mind," Harry smiled, giving his girl another kiss on her forehead as he added, "And while I don't mind lying here all day, we do have a duty as students to take advantage of any opportunity that rises to get the hell out of here."

Hermione could only laugh as she felt Harry's body stirring beneath her, the Knight of Thunder moving to get ready as he prepared for a really enjoyable day with his betrothed.

However, as Harry returned from getting dressed, now wearing a long black and golden-threaded robe decorated with his Crest, his hair and clothes styled and done up to perfection, his happiness turned into concern when he saw Hermione, dressed in a basic t-shirt and blue jeans, her own robe laid aside, eyeing a parchment with a look of worry.

"What is it?" he asked, making her look up at him.

"Sirius," she whispered, Harry's eyes widening in shock as she read the letter:

Pup,

I know you told me to stay away, but there are things you need to know; will meet you at the edge of Hogsmeade Village at noon to talk;

Padfoot

"Is he crazy?" asked Harry incredulously, "What's he doing coming here?"

"I don't know," Hermione answered, "Are you going?"

"Do I have a choice?" asked Harry, heaving a sigh as he slid Excalibur into its sheath, before he offered his hand to Hermione, the Knight of Ocean smiling at him as they made their way down to the main entrance, both Hogsmeade and an old friend waiting to greet them on a day that would otherwise spell doom and gloom for Harry.

HPHG

"Harry, my boy," called Dumbledore, appearing near the entrance as McGonagall checked off everyone's slips, "I'm afraid you must stay behind."

'So much for a happy day,' thought Harry, turning to greet the Headmaster as he asked, "Why sir?"

"Your slip is not signed by the Dursleys," Dumbledore explained, before he was surprised as Harry laughed and McGonagall saw red.

"Albus," shrieked the Head of Gryffindor, "I told you a thousand times over and a thousand times again: those…monsters are no longer Mr Potter's legal guardians: my apologies Lord Potter," she added, turning back to Harry, before she held up his slip, "Not only have you your form signed by Mr and Mrs Granger, but Amelia sent me her personal permission and told me that Miss Tonks and your Order would be with you."

"Thank you Minerva," Harry replied, using the Head of Gryffindor's name to show her his full gratitude: she had addressed him out of respect; it was only fair he return the favour.

'Better luck next time Dumbledore,' Harry thought, taking Hermione's arm and leading her out of Hogwarts, following the crowd down to Hogsmeade Village, the familiar figures of the Order and Tonks greeting them at the entrance to the village.

Hogsmeade looked like a Christmas card; the little thatched cottages and shops were all covered in a layer of crisp frost; there were holly wreaths on the doors and strings of enchanted candles hanging in the trees.

"Only in Scotland would this be okay," Harry remarked, looking around the village, "Only Halloween and it already looks like Christmas around here; now," he turned to Sebastian and the Order as he began speaking, "There are some rather personal tasks I need to see to, so Hermione and I will meet you lot at the end of the day and please Tonks, don't follow us."

"I won't," she replied, Harry nodding in agreement as he turned and made his way through the magical village, Hermione snuggling into his embrace as she shivered with the cold.

"Here goes," sighed Harry, walking past a tavern known as the Three Broomsticks and passing Zonko's Joke Shop, a part of him catching sight of two familiar red-heads skulking around inside; with a sad smile, Harry continued walking until he reached the end of the village, where a very familiar large black dog was waiting for him.

"Hello Padfoot," Harry smiled, petting the creature fondly, "I was wondering where you'd run off to."

Padfoot snorted and turned away, leading Harry and Hermione up a rather narrow path, until they came to a small cave with a well-lit campfire and a few provisions; no sooner had they entered the cave than Harry gasped as Excalibur's edge began to glow with a brightness that he had only ever noticed around Hogwarts.

Moments later, Padfoot looked around once before he changed back into Sirius Black, the prisoner of Azkaban looking to Harry fondly as he smiled and whispered, "Hello pup."

"What are you doing here?" asked Harry, watching as Sirius seemed to get warm near the campfire.

"I'm here to tell you the truth," Sirius explained, "About my involvement in this night…12 years ago."

Chapter 14 and Harry and Hermione seem to be bonding even closer, but will Harry's fears affect their relationship or can he conquer the demons of his mind?

Also, what will Harry do after Sirius has told his story? Can Lord Black be redeemed in the eyes of the Holy Knight?

Keep Reading to Find Out;

Next Chapter: Sirius tells Harry EVERYTHING about Halloween and the truth about his role as the Secret Keeper; Hermione comes to another revelation and discovers a way to clear his name; Harry receives a message about a meeting…with Lucius Malfoy; and, to top it all off, Christmas is in the air and Remus would like to join Harry and Hermione;

Please Read and Review…

NOTE: The comment from Hermione about Harry intimidating a horse came from MariusDarkwolf's story 'Harry Potter and the Eyes of the Serpent' a well-recommended story and an excellent read;

SECOND NOTE: The idea for Harry and Hermione's fully-naked touch calming Harry's magic came from robst and his story A Kiss Can Save The World; all copyright and inspirational thanks to him;