The Chronicles of Camelot: 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 20:

Strawberry Moon Bunny: A couple of impressive ideas there; thank you for your review;

StormyFireDragon: a nice idea and something that I may do when Harry and co attend Camelot;

Airlady: Maybe it's because I can't help but see him as a nice guy or because of what happened in the movie, I don't know, but either way, I just CAN'T hate Severus Snape anymore;

Jediprankster: An impressive theory and, if you think about it, it's true; also, yes, the others ARE giving the old banshee the silent treatment;

Loki Palmer: Humorous and yet oh so true; sadly, as I may have said before, Malfoy will not be an enemy for much longer;

Ladygoddess8: I have an idea for Hermione's familiar that will be revealed when they travel to the realm of Camelot;

Lady Cougar-Trombone: Thanks for pointing that out; I was actually going on the movie – unless I mistook that bit;

MariusDarkwolf: A very funny situation and one that so far, has my vote for the name;

Harryhermionealways: the fun is beginning and ending, sad to say, with this chapter;

Francis Black: I would love to know where you got those ideas from, but they are good ones;

ALSO: AS YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED, THE TITLE OF THIS STORY HAS BEEN CHANGED TO THE CHRONICLES OF CAMELOT; IT WILL STILL BE WRITTEN AS ONE STORY, BUT IT WILL NOW BE DIVIDED INTO SEPARATE ADVENTURES FOR THE TIMES AND GOINGS-ON OF THAT TIME; AT THE MOMENT, THE CHRONICLES LOOK LIKE THIS:

Stormy Waters (3rd Year) – Swords of Destiny (Summer of 3rd year and beginning of 4th including their time in Camelot) – Circle of Seven (4th year and the summer that follows) – Holy War (5th year onwards)

SO, ENJOY THE CHRONICLES AND, AS ALWAYS, CONTINUE TO REVIEW;

Then, as the students watched, the unicorn seemed to turn and retreat into the woodlands, before there was a rush of wings and the beautiful creature took to the skies, Hermione's eyes now on the ground. Following her gaze, Harry gasped in awe when he saw what was now lying at the feet of his betrothed;

A beautiful, silver-edged Black Unicorn feather;

'Looks like he wanted my mate to have a gift as well,' Harry told her, before he scooped up the feather and subtly placed it in Hermione's pocket.

Chapter 21: A Stormy End

After receiving their surprisingly honorary gifts from the black unicorn, Harry and Hermione managed to secure their treasures with the Order, Sebastian explaining to his liege-lord that he would find some important use for the unicorn horn while Elora suggested replicating Hermione's feather into a material for a one-of-a-kind robe. Agreeing with their ideas, Harry then added, "Just make sure the original items are kept to their rare magnificence: these are noble gifts and I want to make sure that I can honour the bond I have with the unicorns for a while."

As if to distract Harry from what he was considering to be an exemplary gift, the Hogwarts school year seemed to rush towards its end: Harry and Hermione seemed to battle for the top spot in not only Gryffindor, but the whole of their year, all the while knowing that neither one minded losing to the other; their competition just made it fun.

As March and April passed them by, Harry also grew stronger in the combative sense: Excalibur was now like an extension of his own arm, the melee weapon and blade moving with Harry's moves and commands as if it were some kind of magically-synchronised dance, his strength and prowess shown as impressed praise and comments from the Order and from his small band of friends. Hermione, though not as equally trained in swordsmanship due to her receiving Nimueh later than when Harry had received Excalibur, mostly relied on the bond between her and her betrothed to teach her the finer points of melee combat. These informative mental communications usually resulted in Harry and Hermione locked in deadlock combat deep within the training room of the Lion's Wing, but not before both combatants proved their worth and strength to the other.

However, as Hermione learned after one particular lesson towards the middle of May, there was one thing that Harry would hold the top spot for that year and, quite possibly, more years to come: Advanced Charms.

It was after one of their Friday morning lessons that Professor Flitwick cleared his throat and asked, "Potter, would you and Miss Granger please remain behind for a moment?"

"Yes Professor," Harry nodded, watching as the other third-years left the room, Hermione remaining by his side as Professor Flitwick approached them, his face showing a mix of curiosity and a hidden amount of pride. Once the door had closed, Harry turned back to his professor as he asked, "Was there a problem with the task Professor?"

"No Potter," Flitwick replied, "I have been meaning to speak to you since the start of the new term, but, given your examinations are nearby as well as the fact that you seem to have grasped the full understanding of your lessons, I decided to wait; now though, I must ask. Is it true that, over the Christmas Period, you performed a serious amount of Advanced Charmcasting in an attempt to offer a present for Miss Granger?"

"Yes," Harry replied, looking with a glance of love and memory to his betrothed, "I was able to perform a complex amount of spells to give the right effect, but yes, I did manage it."

"May I see your work?"

Harry, looking to Hermione, shrugged ruefully and, stepping back, nodded to his mentor as he cautioned him, "You may want to step back Professor."

When Flitwick obliged, Harry lifted a hand to his heart, his eyes closed in deep concentration, his breathing as deep and steady as if he were trying to avoid a panic attack. While he was doing this, Hermione then watched as a silvery aura began to cover her betrothed's body, a mysterious mist settling around his feet, forming the same rosy circle that she had seen in the graveyard at Christmas.

"Do you see it now Miss Granger?" asked Professor Flitwick, "The White Mists?"

"Yes Professor," Hermione replied, "But what do they mean?"

"That," answered the charms master, his voice low so that he didn't disturb Harry's concentration, "Is the first line of passage within the Void: as I told you at the start of the term, I have only had one other student reach this level at this age and that was Lord Potter's late Mother, Lily."

"I remember," Hermione whispered, watching as the mist seemed to rise around Harry, the white, smoky tendrils seemingly gathering together like a wall of vines and rope, forming two very familiar images for Hermione, both of them seemingly being formed by the misty tendrils. Prongs and Ariel soon appeared before them, the circle that Harry was standing within now glowing as the stag and doe moved to Professor Flitwick and Hermione, Prongs nuzzling Hermione's cheek while Ariel licked at her palm.

"Feeling and corporeal conjuring as well," Flitwick gasped, "How does he do it so well? I daresay that Potter has become a powerful wizard in his own right over the past year."

"I have sir," Harry replied, now opening his eyes, keeping his hand on his heart as he watched the scene before him. "As you, and most of the school, know by now sir, I am a Holy Knight and life-mate to Hermione: to aid our power and magical reserves to become stronger, we performed a complex ritual known as the Ritual of Release and, since then, my magic has been as easy to access as if it were nothing more than a large book to which I turn the pages as I wish them."

"And yet you survive," Filius commented, "The Ritual of Release is dangerous, but you, a thirteen year old wizard, manage to cast and survive its power as well as feel the essences of power that come from the aftermath. Congratulations Potter, I can safely say that you will see an O against your name for this subject and this year's syllabus."

"Thank you sir," Harry replied, before he looked to Hermione as he added, "Are you finished Mione?"

"Yes," Hermione replied, watching as Harry lowered his hand and cancelled the illusions that he had summoned, the circle and the mists now fading back into the ether.

"Ah," Filius added, "So you can only hold the image and illusion as long as you form the bond between your magic and the Void?"

"Yes Professor," Harry nodded.

"Then you still have some way to go," Flitwick smiled, "But for a third year, you have certainly done an exceptional job Lord Potter: again, congratulations."

HPHG

May left Hogwarts behind and the end of year exams came round once again, Harry and Hermione working their socks off to do as well as they had promised one another; despite their private training, Harry mentally preparing himself for Sirius' trial and the occasional intervention from a certain Dead Man Walking, Harry and Hermione somehow managed to get through to the end of the exams without too much fuss, both of them seemingly repeating the events from two years prior as they moved down towards the Great Lake, Harry allowing Hermione to rest her head in his lap.

"The year is almost over," he told her, running a soft hand through her dark brown hair, "And our destiny grows closer; how do you feel about all this Kitten?"

"I'm fine Sparky," Hermione replied, watching as Harry's other hand seemed to rub itself against the soft, smooth flesh of her cheek, "I'm just worried about the reception that we'll get when you and I return in September after being in Camelot."

"Hmm," Harry replied, laying his own head against the trunk of a large rowan tree, "I'm a little on-edge about that myself."

"Why?" asked Hermione, now looking up to the seemingly sleeping form of her boyfriend, "What would the great Harry Potter, Holy Knight of Thunder, have to worry about going to that other realm?"

"You have to remember," Harry replied, opening his eyes again and looking down to Hermione, a soft smile crossing his face as he spoke, "That I am a Holy Knight, but also a Pure Knight and, if you recall what Godric told me, I'm the new leader of the Knights."

"So?"

"So," Harry continued, "What if, for argument's sake, the Camelot that we're to go to is like the ancient kingdom of legend? Emphasis on the king part of kingdom: what if, because I'm the one with the full legacy of the Knights burning through my bloodline as well as a Twice-Blessed Knight, I have to take the throne of Camelot and become Lord of the Realm?"

"Then that's what you'll do," Hermione told him, "You already know that your power is greater than most knights and, as you said, you are a Twice-Blessed Knight on top of everything else, so, if this means that there is a throne in Camelot and it means that you become the recognised ruler of the realm, then I know that you'll do as good in Camelot as you have here in Hogwarts. Besides," she added, now sitting upright so she could brush her lips against his, "You'll have me at your side, my King; not to mention Neville, Luna and, when the time comes, Riddle, so what else would you have to worry about?"

"Maybe you're right Hermione," Harry laughed, now returning his girlfriend's kiss, before he moved her head onto his shoulder, both of them just enjoying the late afternoon sunlight and the reflection of the lake, "Not like it's the first time that's happened either."

HPHG

"Harry!"

Harry was torn from his sleep by Hermione's voice, the warm breeze of early summer blowing across the lake as he looked to her, his eyes on the area around them as he asked, "What happened?"

"We fell asleep," Hermione replied, Harry now aware of the hint of fear in his girlfriend's voice; moving to his feet, Harry walked down to the edge of the lake and wrapped his arms around Hermione, placing a light kiss on her cheek.

"No worries love, we'll just head back to the Wing, get a little late dinner and then…"

"Harry," Hermione gasped, before she pointed out across the lake and added, "Look up."

Following her shaking finger, Harry watched as Hermione's direction of fear seemed to point out the midnight-blue scene of the sky over their heads, the moon and stars shining with…

"The full moon?" he asked, looking to Hermione with a note of curiosity as he asked, "What is it love? You're shaking."

"Harry," Hermione told him, "There's…there's something I haven't told you; something I found out earlier in the year and its for that reason that we have to get out of here."

"O…okay," Harry replied, moving away from the lake and slowly walking back up to Hogwarts, the lights and candles of the windows making Hogwarts look more enchanting than ever. As they reached the familiar slope that ran up from Hagrid's house, Harry looked to Hermione as he asked, "What is it Hermione? You're so scared."

"Harry," Hermione replied, before the Holy Knight gasped as he felt her mind link with his, her memories moving through him with two words that seemed to try and explain everything, "It's Remus."

Flashback

"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.

Flashback end

As the memories faded away, Hermione ducked behind one of the stone obelisks that were placed at the end of the bridge, her eyes scanning the area around them as Harry asked, "Why…why would you make me…see that again?"

"The last words," Hermione replied, now turning to her betrothed, "Professor Lupin's Boggart; plus, he's been absent for three days out of every month while we've had Professor Snape in our lessons."

'She has a point,' Harry thought, recalling the mysterious circumstances where, at least once a month, Severus would take their Defence lessons and say that Remus was unable to teach his class at the moment; over time, Harry just assumed it was something he had to do himself, but now…

'Wait a minute,' he then thought, 'Amelia's letter: what had it said about Severus?'

He cast his own mind back to the letter in question, about his parents and the reason that Severus Snape owed the House of Potter a life-debt:

As you heard, he does indeed owe a life-debt to one James Marcus Potter for saving his life from a werewolf in their younger years;

'My Dad may have been a reckless and arrogant fool, but he wouldn't take on a fully-grown werewolf at such a young age…unless…'

"Hermione?" he asked, "Are you saying that…Remus…Professor Lupin…is a…werewolf?"

"Yes," Hermione replied, now taking Harry's hand as she led him across the bridge towards the Hogwarts courtyard, "I didn't want to worry you anymore about my safety; not after what happened the last time, but I did want to tell you. Remus, Professor Lupin, is our friend and I thought that if you knew then you may…"

"I'd understand why it is he holds me in such high regard," Harry finished, "I see; well, thank you Hermione for telling me; now, let's get back to the Common Room and we can talk more there."

"Oh," a new voice spoke up, Harry now stopping dead in his tracks as the voice continued, "I don't think so Potter."

'Not you,' thought Harry, 'Not now.'

Ron Weasley, seemingly back to his old self, aside from the Slytherin serpent on his crest, stepped from the darkness of the courtyard, his wand pointed at Harry as he looked to them.

"Weasley," Harry spoke up, "What are you doing out here?"

"You mean after you corrupted the Sorting Hat and made it put me in Slytherin?" asked Ron, his voice showing raw desperation as he addressed Harry. "After you allowed that to take you away from your best friend, from your true family? Well, it doesn't really matter Potter; you see, when you die, and you will, I'll see to it that everything I am owed is given to me, but, until then, I think it best that we take care of the closing matters: namely your little Mudblood friend there."

"Weasley," Harry growled, sparks dancing at his fingertips, storm clouds now gathering overhead as he spoke, "Don't challenge me; you may not like what happens."

As the clouds shadowed the moon, Harry felt his own powers spiking, his eyes on Ron as he seemed to do what he did best: ignoring some pretty good advice. "No! You will not turn away from those who've done more for you than even that bitch ever could: Harry, it's not too late, we can still be friends; just leave her behind. I don't mind that you're this Knight; I kind of like being the best friend of someone so powerful, so…"

"Wealthy?" asked Harry.

"There's that," Ron agreed, unaware of the deep hole that he was digging himself, "If you leave her and come back to your real family, then I'll even say that I'm sorry. Harry, can't you see that being around those less worthy than a pureblood has corrupted everything you hold dear? But it's all right, because Professor Dumbledore and my family can help you; I'm even willing to bet that Ginny will forgive you…in time."

"And now we get to the key," Harry finished, but, before he could make another move, a fourth voice cut their conversation off.

"Harry, Hermione, Mr Weasley, what are you doing out here? It's not safe."

'Remus,' thought Harry, reaching into the recesses of his magic, his will and strength now summoning Excalibur to his side as their Defence Professor appeared, his face showing a mix of fear and relief when he saw Harry standing there.

"Everyone's been looking for you," Remus explained, looking to the skies as he cleared his throat, "But you need to come inside so that you're safe: Harry…"

"It's all right Remus," Harry nodded, "I know: my bright, brave and the-one-that-I'll-never-turn-my-back-on girlfriend known as Hermione Granger really is the brightest witch of her age. Weasley," he turned back to Ron, who was still shaking, his wand in his hand, "We'll have to finish this later; for now, if you want to live to see tomorrow, I suggest you do the right thing…for once…and get your ass back to the Slytherin Dormitory; oh, and for the record, Ginny does forgive me and she's like a sister to me. Hermione is my one, my only and my true girlfriend, my betrothed and, one day, I will have the honour and privilege of calling her my wife!"

"No!" Ron yelled, before Harry felt a strong spell colliding with his spine, clearly an effect of Accidental Magic; however, as he fell to the floor, a glimmer of silver caught his eye, Excalibur now at his side.

"Time's up," Harry gasped, trying to fight against the after-effects of the spell, "Rules change."

The first thing they heard was an agonisingly painful sound that, when Harry would later recall this moment, he would identify as bones and muscles breaking, followed by a long, mournful moan and a distorted voice that screamed at them, "RUN!"

"Remus," Harry whispered, holding tight to Excalibur, "How is this…how did he…"

"I read about a potion," Hermione explained, "It's called the Wolfsbane Potion; surely he wouldn't; Professor, did you…"

"RUN CUB!" Roared the rapidly transforming wolf, Harry now turning to Ron, a look of rage in his eyes.

"Are you happy?" he asked, his silver eye now glowing as he hissed, "You just had to attack me, didn't you? Clearly, with the storm that I summoned covering the moon, my friend, my teacher was safe, but now: thanks for nothing Weasley. Dobby!"

The elf appeared on command, Harry gesturing to Ron as he demanded, "See that back to either the Hospital Wing or the Slytherin Dormitory: I don't want to see it again!"

Ron was about to argue when Dobby took him away, Harry now rounding on the spot to face the threat of the werewolf that was now standing there before both he and Hermione. There was a terrible snarling noise. Lupin's head was lengthening. So was his body. His shoulders were hunching. Hair was sprouting visibly on his face and hands, which were curling into clawed paws. Remus the wolf must have stood some 7 or 8ft in height, his fur-lined body now a mass of muscle and feral appendages that threatened the safety and life of the beings before the dark beast; yet, as he stood there, Harry looked to the skies and an idea came back to him.

"It's the moon," he whispered, watching as the wolf raised one of its giant paws; however, before it got close, Harry gasped as a wave of ice rose from the ground, sealing the beast in place; without turning his head, Harry whispered, "Thank you Hermione."

Holding Excalibur to the skies, Harry poured all of his power into his summoning, the raw magic of the Holy Knights now coursing through both blade and bearer as Harry seemed to glow, his silvery eye shining brightly, Excalibur's blade emitting a wave of white magical light that shot straight into the sky, an ominous rumble of thunder sounding from overhead.

"Come on," Harry whispered, his voice showing plea, "It has to work; this time it has to work: please!"

His prayers…went answered; moments after the light had hit the skies, a large series of thunderclouds began to cross the skies, thunder, lightning, hail and rain all drowning Hogwarts and the area around them in what would later be described by Muggles as the most violent storm in decades.

As the moon was completely blocked out by the thunderstorm summoned by the Holy Knight, Harry lowered Excalibur, wiped his brow and looked to Remus, his face now twisted into a smile as he saw his theory was proven right.

Remus Lupin, now human, lay on the ground before them, covered only by a shabby black robe and a cloak, the ice that Hermione had sealed him in now being melted by the torrential storm.

"Come on," Harry explained, using both his wand and the power of Excalibur to levitate Remus inside, "Let's get him to Severus and then we can call it a night."

As they walked inside, Harry and Hermione didn't notice the two figures watching them from behind the stone obelisks, the outlines of the Storm and Ocean Lords hiding a smile on both faces as the two deities looked to one another.

"It's time brother," Storm Lord whispered, "He is ready!"

"They both are," Ocean Lord replied, "And their allies are prepared: I will go to the Castle and make the preparations: when will he be told?"

"When he is safe," Storm Lord answered, "And when he has his family back."

HPHG

The next morning, Harry awoke in a rather unusual position: he was slumped out on one of the couches within the Lion's Wing, his cloak and robe covering him, Excalibur resting against the arm of the chair, a low fire burning in the hearth as Harry allowed himself to be brought back to the land of the living.

As if to help, there was a sudden popping noise and, when Harry looked, he smiled as he saw a large mug of hot chocolate and a small vial of Pepper-Up Potion.

"Thanks Dobby," Harry whispered, taking the still hot drink before he downed the potion, his energy and body recovering after the excitement of the night before. After taking Remus to Severus, Harry had been instructed to allow the storm to pass over, the Potions Master explaining that the magic he had used had been stronger than most and Harry needed his rest. Taking the advice, Harry had come back to the Wing with Hermione, been overlooked by Sebastian and the Order, sent a word of notice and information to Amelia and then…well, he must have fallen asleep in the living room.

'Weasley,' Harry thought, one event from the night before coming back to him as clear as day, 'If you hadn't been so stupid, then Remus would have been safe before anything had happened: I'm through taking your shit!'

Dressing in his robe and cloak, Harry gathered Excalibur as well as the Order and made his way down to the Great Hall, his eyes catching sight of Severus and Remus moving from the dungeons, the werewolf looking proud to see that Harry was all right.

"I'm sorry," Harry replied, "I couldn't leave you in pain."

"You did the right thing Harry," Severus remarked, his voice nothing like the teacher he had been, "But I must ask: how did you know that it was the presence of the moon that brought the wolf out?"

"Professor Lupin's Boggart was the full moon," Harry explained, "And the very presence of the moon at that time seemed to unnerve him; or that's what my amazing girlfriend Hermione seemed to recognise."

"She really is the brightest witch of her age," Remus commented dryly, "Where is she?"

"Probably back in the Wing," Harry answered, before Sebastian filled in the blanks.

"Last I saw of her Harry, she was moving down here to the Great Hall, but she will be fine," he moved to the door, Harry and his small entourage following as the Holy Knight of Thunder found that Sebastian's words proved true: Hermione was indeed safe, protected on both sides by the familiar forms of Dean, Seamus, Neville and Luna. Harry, however, shook his head as he looked from the Gryffindor Table to the Slytherins, Excalibur shining brightly as if it sensed the magical spike within its master.

Moving towards the Slytherins, Harry felt a modicum of confusion fill his body as Draco Malfoy looked in his direction, his face paling when he saw the Holy Knight advancing on the Slytherins. Ron Weasley, however, seemed to have returned to normal as he was indulging himself in the breakfast feast, his eyes not even noticing Harry's arrival.

Keeping close to the Slytherin Head, Harry whispered, "I really wanted to avoid this, but his actions left me no other choice."

"Harry my boy," Dumbledore spoke up, Harry's anger only growing even fiercer as he heard the title he really hated from the old man, "How are you? I assume this freak weather is your doing?"

"That's not the only freak thing about him," Ron growled, before he felt a sharp, metallic edge against his throat, an icy, commanding voice addressing him.

"Stand up!"

Ron finally did look up and what he saw made even his idiot-minded, cloth-for-brains attitude take notice: Harry's emerald eye was now shining with the full fury of the storm, his silver eye seemingly holding a black core that made it look like a human eye; his hair seemed to billow around his head and, as many people looked in their direction, there was a sharp crackling sound as bolts of white lightning danced over Excalibur's blade. You'd be a grade O idiot and a Rank Number One asshole to think you could challenge this kind of power.

Cue Ronald Weasley, "What's your malfunction? Did the thick-headed Mudblood get bitten by the werewolf last night?"

"Werewolf?"

The cry echoed around most of the school, Harry's teeth now grinding together as he seemed to calm the whole school with nothing more than a bolt of lightning that struck the Slytherins.

"I said stand up," Harry commanded, "You wanted to make a spectacle of yourself, well; here's your chance. I've put up with your asshole comments and no-brained antagonising all year and I won't take it any more. If you hadn't struck me down last night, I could have helped with the situation, but no, as usual, you use your mouth before you use your brain. Now, Weasley, as Vassal Lord to House Weasley, I, Harry James Potter, Holy Knight of Thunder challenge you to the right of combat by swords: Sebastian, would you be the official?"

"Of course my Lord," Sebastian replied, watching as Harry swept Excalibur in a wide circle, the floor now clearing of tables, food and chairs, the students being left to stand around as Harry faced Ron again.

Ron, staring in stunned silence at the spot where his meal had once been, turned and asked, "And why should I accept your battle Lord Potter? I'm not a member of your Vassal House; you have no power over me."

"Maybe not," Harry remarked, "But I do have power over your House and, if you do not stand up and face me, you will consider yourself Ron No-Name from here on out!"

"You wouldn't dare," Ron laughed, but stopped when, for the second time that morning, he felt the cold, empowering steel of Excalibur against his throat, "You're no killer," Ron laughed, "You won't hurt me."

"Want to bet on that?" asked Harry, the students of Hogwarts now sharing a gasp of awe and fear as a ring of pure lightning seemed to divide the students from the two combatants. "Do you want to bet, Ronald No-Name that I won't harm the one who tried to get my familiar executed, kidnap and rape my betrothed, delusion himself to the point where he thought I would leave her whom I love and come back to the so-called right side? Do you want to bet I wouldn't harm that certain someone? I think it close to a thousand to one odds that you're right: now, stand up or I will strike you down!"

For once in his life, Ron Weasley listened; standing from the only seat left in the room, the red-haired reject turned and faced Harry, Sebastian doing Harry a favour as he gave Ron the very sword that Harry had given him, before he stepped aside and nodded to Harry, who lifted Excalibur before his face, his eyes shining from either side of the sword as he gave the customary, honourable salute.

"No spells," Sebastian explained, "No potions; just a one-on-one swordsman's duel: Lord Potter, as the declared party, is this a battle of submission or a duel to the death?"

"Submission," Harry explained, "With each duellist getting one chance for a respite: the respite shall be five minutes and the duel shall end with the words I Yield. As per the rules of such a duel, stakes are required: should I, Lord Harry James Potter, be the victor then you, Ronald Weasley, shall become a slave to House Potter for all of your actions against the betrothed to Lord Potter."

"And if I win," Ron growled, a cold smile on his face as he foolishly added, "Which I will; you, Potter, will surrender everything you own and all your fortunes to me and Hermione shall become my slave."

'Sparky?' Hermione sent to Harry, the Holy Knight of Thunder remaining stone-faced while his thoughts were awake.

'Don't worry yourself Kitten,' he told her, 'Ron's more likely to just start swinging for the fences; he hasn't even saluted; be careful: he'll cheat.'

"Agreed!" Harry announced, a golden light now enveloping both duellists, Harry know holding his sword high in the stance known as the guard of the Hawk, while Ron, as soon as Sebastian announced the start, did exactly what Harry had thought; started swinging madly. With swiftness and dexterity, Harry parried, deflected and side-stepped the young Slytherin with the grace and style of a master, all the while not laying a single blow on him.

"Fight back!" Ron yelled, "Fight back you coward and prove you are who you continue to preach you are!"

"I don't need to fight back," Harry replied, now twirling on the spot and deflecting Ron's next blow with the side of Excalibur, "You have no honour left Ron: could you never see it? Fred, George and Ginny are on my side; your own Father didn't come to defend you when I left you hanging with your new friend Malfoy and I have managed to leap over all of your obstacles that I may as well be a champion stallion at the Kentucky Bloody Derby."

Ron came in again, but this time, as Harry deflected his blow, he sliced forwards with Excalibur, his sword's edge sliding against the blade of Ron's sword like it was being sharpened by a blacksmith, the Holy Sword's own edge now inches from Ron's neck as Harry flicked his wrist once, Ron's blade flying from his hand while Harry, stepping back as to avoid any kind of sneak attack, held Excalibur high over his head, his right hand held outwards as he faced his opponent.

"You're more than welcome to call for a respite," Harry explained, "But now that you are disarmed, you don't really expect to have a chance against the Holy Sword Exca-"

"STUPEFY!"

The stunning spell, as Harry had read about, came so quickly that only the magical defences of Excalibur's blade stopped Harry from receiving the full fury of the spell; at the same time, there was a crack of thunder and, when the flash of red light finally dissipated, Ron was cowering on the floor, the full back area of his robe now bearing the Crest of the Holy Knights.

"You cheated," Harry told him, approaching Ron's cowering form, "And you paid the price, but now the question is…who fired the spell for you? My guess," he looked up and faced the Gryffindors, all of whom were now parted like the proverbial Red Sea, revealing one Head Boy.

"Percy Weasley," Harry sighed, "You who are a member of my Vassal House: you show dishonour and disgrace your Lord's decrees and for what? Money? Power? Prestige? Tell me Percival, because I'm confused: just what do you get out of trying to attack me and thus forfeiting your brother's freedom?"

Percy Weasley fell to the floor, his eyes wide and terrified as he stared at his brother…and his brother's new Master;

His Mother wasn't going to like this one…

Chapter 21 and the end of the Stormy Waters segment of the newly named Chronicles of Camelot: so, Ron has been given his just desserts and, for once, he can't stomach them; and Percy has caused a pretty bad boo-boo that will have Hurricane Molly on Harry's back pretty soon, but, what will the end result be?

Also, now that Remus is outed as a wolf, what will become of the Defence Position and Harry's destiny as Holy Knight?

Keep Reading to Find Out;

Next Chapter: The first chapter of pt 2 of the Chronicles of Camelot – named Swords of Destiny – in which Harry meets his family once again and deals with some unfinished business; plus, Sirius' trial looms closer and Harry has a dream-world visit…from the Lords of Nature;

Please Read and Review…

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Also, in regards to Harry's new friend – the dragon – if anyone has ideas for a name, I'd love to hear them; only thing is: it will be a FEMALE dragon;

SECOND NOTE: You've all been very helpful and inspirational for this story, so thank you; the mysteries of the Knights and Lords of Nature will be revealed VERY soon;