I've returned once again. Just when readers thought it was safe to venture on the internet and read I have unleashed yet another chapter to torture one and all. Right, first off, I must apologize for not updating in such a long time. Many things have happened, but I'm fully recovered from my op and have gotten over my laziness so now I'm going to update. I'm really sorry, I feel really guilty, so many of you have given me so much encouragement and I don't repay in kind. I'll endeavor to update on a more regular basis. On to the kind reviewers.
End of innocence: After reading your review all I can say is that I am flattered and was left speechless. Thank you so much! You've been reviewing my story for so long, I just have to say I appreciate all of your reviews. Your compliments and the such truly could cause one to border on getting an inflated head. I tried to make the last chapter more of a classical Harry Potter theme. I also like the fact that Ginny and Harry are together, the two just seem to gel so perfectly. This next chapter I'm going to try and make this chapter a mixture of the two worlds, a proper chapter. Thanks again.
Ginnygal189: Another who has persevered with me through so many chapters. I must say that my cheeks were hurting when I got your review, especially after reading end of innocence's review. It's as if you two collaborated. Lol. Thanks so very much. There is nothing better than having nice reviews. I'm glad you enjoy the way I portray Hermione, I try my best to write each character according to the way JK Rowling has portrayed them. As for what she has planned for Harry and Ginny I don't know. I'll just try and keep their interaction as true to how I think she'll have them portrayed as possible. Thanks again!
Lanne666: Don't worry for being away so long and reviewing so late. I've taken far longer than that to update, it is I who should apologize for the late update. If you liked your pickle so much have another one offers . Lol. Thanks for feeling so devoted towards the story, your review along with the others makes me persevere with the story.
Right, now that I've replied to the kind reviewers I'm going to move on with the story. I'm out of touch with the story a little so I'm going to apologize early for any discrepancies or mistakes made now.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Co. are owned and trademarks of JK Rowling and Warner Bros. Inc.
Time had passed and the trio of travelers had, according to Reace, nearly reached their destination. Soon they would be in the area where they could collect the ingredients Harry needed to get back to his own time. Harry's mind was in a complete muddle. In his own time Ron and Hermione seemed to be getting more and more edgy whenever he told them of how things were going in Reace's time. Whenever he asked them they would find some excuse or another to get away or change the subject. One thing remained clear however and that was that he had to talk to Reace about the prophecy concerning him.
"Alright you two, I think we've traveled far enough today." Reace said coming to a halt and bringing Harry back to reality.
"We've made good progress, I'm proud of you two." Reace said smiling, something Harry had noticed was something Reace was doing little of lately.
Harry dismounted and stood by his steed and looked at the area around them. Traveling had certainly been more difficult seeing as how that had entered the more mountainous terrain. The horses had struggled in areas and at times the going had been slow. But Reace was right, they had indeed traveled far because they had reached the spot Reace had thought they'd reach only tomorrow. Since the initial attack they had been unhindered in their riding.
"Heya." Ginny's voice sounded next to Harry's right ear followed by a gentle peck on the cheek.
"Hi Ginny, how're you feeling after all of the riding?" Harry asked smiling down at her.
"Better than you I imagine." Ginny said and walked funny mocking the way Harry had been walking after their first days riding.
"Very funny Ginny, I'd like to see how well you ride if you were in my shoes." Harry said to her feeling rather ginger after seeing her antics.
"Well, if I were in your shoes then they'd fall off and my feet would probably smell!" Ginny quickly replied and stuck her tongue playfully out at him.
"What?!" Harry sputtered and Ginny giggled loudly seeing his reaction.
Ginny laughed some more and then fell silent as she saw Reace approaching them.
"I must say that I am truly impressed with your riding Lady Genevieve, I know very few ladies even in the Order of Knights that can ride so swiftly. For that I commend you." Reace said nodding at Ginny.
"Now, I've picked out where we will camp this eve, so let us hasten to set our camp up." Reace said and walked off towards where he wanted both Harry and Ginny to go.
"Harry?" Ginny asked Harry in a whisper as the two led their horses behind Reace.
"Yes Ginny?" Harry replied.
"Can I ask you something?" Ginny asked.
"Sure, go right ahead Ginny." Harry replied noting the sudden seriousness in Ginny's tone.
"Well, it's just that I've been thinking a lot these last few days. In fact, it's also concerning things that I've been seeing." Ginny said.
"Well Ginny, what is it?" Harry asked.
"Where to begin? Well, the thing is Harry I've been noticing that both you and Reace have been a little on edge or apprehensive lately." Ginny said after a moment of keeping quiet to decide where she should start speaking.
"Oh, well there is that huge match we have against Slytherin in quidditch and the fact that I Snape has been on my back because he's convinced I had something to do with the potion incident some time back." Harry said half telling the truth.
The fact was that those things were true, but it wasn't the real reason he was really feeling like he did. He knew now that he had to get this all cleared up as soon as he could, because if Ginny had noticed that there was a change in his behavior then that couldn't be good. A twang of guilt went through Harry at the thought that he hadn't noticed any change in Reace and Ginny had.
"How has Reace been different Ginny?" Harry asked.
"Whenever he looks at us he seems sad and as we've traveled he's grown more and more quiet Harry. There's also a greater sense of urgency in the way he's been going about things these past few days Harry." Ginny stated.
"I'm sure he has his reasons Ginny, well, for the rushing us that is. As for him being sad, maybe you misinterpreted him, because Reace is as tough as nails, hardly anything bothers him." Harry stated as if he were defending Reace's honor.
'Even people like Reace can be sad Harry, he is after all only human.' Ginny thought to herself, but seeing the look on Harry's face decided not to voice this opinion of hers.
The camp had been made and the moon was high in the sky. As per usual Reace sat keeping watch over Ginny and Harry. As was part of his routine he was staring into the night sky his mind far away from where he was.
"Reace?" Harry's voice ventured.
"Harry?" Reace said startled to see the young sitting next to him.
"Can we talk?" Harry asked his heart nearly in his throat after finally plucking up the courage to talk with Reace about what was bothering him for so long.
"Of course lad, what's on your mind?" Reace said smiling a little as he looked at his squire.
Harry was silent for a few seconds, wondering just how he was going to word what he wanted to say. Finally he decided how.
"Have you ever felt bad when you kill people?" Harry asked Reace.
The question seemed to catch Reace off guard as he rose his right eyebrow.
"That's an interesting question Harry. One that would warrant three answers actually. You see it all depends on who gets killed. Take those creatures we fought off at the beginning of this journey, I feel no remorse what-so-ever for any of those that I killed. They are pure evil, spawned from the magics of evil dark wizards whose only purpose is to be effective and lethal killing machines. Their sole purpose in life is to leave pain and misery in their wake. Then there are the people that I've killed. There are two sorts, those that don't know any better when doing what they do and those that know EXACTLY what they're doing. Those that know what evil they are doing and who threaten the weak I also feel no remorse for, it's those that don't know what they're doing that cause me to stop and think." Reace said.
"I'm afraid I don't quite understand Reace." Harry said frowning.
"Well Harry, most of the latter that I've mentioned are youths such as yourself. All they want is adventure and all they need to achieve this is to be guided by somebody with charisma. They're so excited they often don't know that what they are doing is wrong. It pains me when the eager, but foolhardy, youths die because they are misdirected." Reace said sounding somber.
Harry looked at Reace trying to piece everything together.
"Let me put it to you this way Harry. When I was young I had no idea what evils this world has in it. The first time I killed anybody was in defense. Well, not entirely, well, oh, it was a complicated situation. You see my home in Lair was attacked by brigands while the paladins and Knights of the Order were out defending the city against marauders." Reace said and fell silent.
"What happened?" Harry wonder out aloud.
"Hmm? What happened?" Reace said and frowned.
"Yes, it's been years since I've spoken of this, not many know Harry, but I feel you can know, after all you are my squire." Reace said grinning, yet sadness permeated from his eyes.
"Right, the brigands knew that the inner city was mostly undefended and decided to loot and pillage where they could before the defenses returned. My family was wealthy and so made a natural target. The brigands were quick and well organized. My father had been deep into the cup and was in no state to defend his family. The brigands were killed true, but not before they slaughtered my family. For such people Harry I feel no remorse in killing." Reace said bitterness etched in his voice.
"I had no idea." Harry said shocked at Reace's tale.
"Don't worry yourself over it Harry, that's life." Reace said shrugging
"Reace?" Harry said his voice soft.
"Yes lad?"
"Say for example that there was this evil but very powerful dark wizard that threatened those you cared about and you had not killed anybody before, what would you do?" Harry asked putting his situation into a parable.
"I'd kill him without a hesitation Harry. Death is not pretty, but if it meant saving those I care about then I would do it, even if it meant me being killed in the process. I'd die happy knowing my loved ones were safe." Reace said without a hesitation.
Harry slowly nodded and everything became clearer for him.
"Harry." Reace said.
"Yes Reace?"
"Don't do anything rash Harry, I've been in that situation many times before and I've nothing to lose Harry. In fact, many would be happy if I die, I'm just to stubborn to do so. You have many who care about you Harry especially her." Reace said motioning towards Ginny's sleeping form.
"Thanks Reace." Harry said feeling more at ease as he looked at Ginny.
'It's weird, he saw right through my veil.' Harry thought to himself.
"I think I'm going to turn in." Harry said yawning.
"Sleep well lad I hope your mind is a little more at ease." Reace said patting Harry on the back.
"It is Reace, thanks again, oh and Reace?" Harry said as he got into his bedroll.
"Yes lad?" Read answered.
"I'd miss you if something happened to you, people do care about you." Harry said and then lay down.
Reace sat staring at the fire as a strange feeling swept over him. Harry's last words had totally taken him by surprise. A faint smile crept on his face and he sighed looking at sky. The wind blew and he felt an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something bad was on the wind. His veteran instincts told him so.
Harry was went into a downward spiral as the golden snitch zig-zagged just out of his reach. Just behind him, attempting to catch up, was Draco Malfoy the seeker for the Slytherin team. Harry was reaching out to grab the snitch when it suddenly changed direction and zoomed back up past him and Malfoy. Draco was the faster to react in this instant and changed direction with Harry following in suite.
"AND BOTH SEEKERS ARE STILL IN PURSUIT OF THE SNITCH! C'MON HARRY PULL MALFOY'S BROOM OUT FROM UNDER HIM!" Screamed Lee Jordan who even though he was finished with school was guest commentating at the schools quidditch match.
"Lee!" Professor McGonogall sternly said to him.
"Sorry ma'am." Lee replied.
By now however Harry had just about pulled alongside Draco Malfoy who was at this moment stretching out to catch the snitch. Harry saw that in another few moments Malfoy would have the snitch. That was something that he couldn't allow. He positioned himself on his broom and started standing on it.
"AND LOOK AT POTTER BALANCING ON HIS BROOM! WHAT ON EARTH IS HE DOING?" Lee called out.
Draco was about to grab the snitch when Harry did the unexpected and leapt off of his broom.
"LOOK AT THAT! HE'S GONE CRAZY!" Lee screamed as the all watching watched Harry's leap in silence.
Harry's hand clutched the snitch as he flew through the air. Malfoy's face was contorted in both shock and rage as he saw Harry soar past him literally snatching victory out of his grasp. Harry's body plummeted to the ground in what seemed like slow motion. He fell a good fifteen meters and did a sort of roll as he hit the ground. A look of triumph covered Harry's face and he got up on one knee and held the caught snitch above his head. His left leg was contorted at an awkward angle while his left arm lay limply at his side.
The stands suddenly burst into a roar of cheers as Gryffindor supporters poured from the stands to congratulate Harry. His team mates flew down to also congratulate him. Ron's face was covered in dried blood after a bludger had hit him in the nose as he stopped the quaffle from going through one of the hoops.
"HARRY POTTER HAS DONE IT! WHAT AN INCREDIBLE MOVE! SNATCHING VICTORY FROM THE JAWS OF DEFEAT!" Lee's voice roared across the pitch.
"Bloody brilliant mate!" Ron said patting Harry on the back.
"That was dangerous, are you alright Harry?" Ginny asked looking at his left limbs.
"Sort of." Harry said wincing a little but his smile never leaving his face.
Many people were patting Harry on the back and cheers echoed throughout the area as the celebrations started to get underway. Harry's team mates carried him off the field to the hospital wing so that he could get seen to.
Harry lay in the hospital wing as Madam Pomfrey prepared the necessary potions for his injuries. Ginny was at his bedside as well as both Ron and Hermione.
"Damn mate! What a move! I'd never have thought of doing that! Jumping off your broom to catch the snitch fifteen meters above the ground! The look on Malfoy's face was priceless!" Ron said and imitated Draco's face as Harry caught the snitch, which resembled a dumbstruck baboon in many ways.
"We won, but that was very dangerous Harry, look how you hurt yourself. A broken leg and arm! Losing the game isn't the end of the world you know." Ginny said.
"What talk is that? From my own sister yet! Blasphemy I say!" Ron said giving Ginny a startled look
"She's right you know Ron. Harry could've killed himself with that stunt. What if he didn't land properly?" Hermione said in her matter of fact tone.
"Uh oh, I know when I'm licked." Ron said seeing both Ginny and Hermione ganging up on him and he motioned to his lips as if he zipped them closed.
Harry was chuckling all the way watching Ron dig himself into yet another predicament with the girls.
"Ron, I think that's a good thing to do, quit while you're ahead. When they work together it's a hopeless situation." Harry chuckled.
"Right, here we go mister Potter, just drink this up and you'll be alright." Madam Pomfrey said handing Harry a sky blue potion that was bubbling ever so slightly.
Harry drank it and frowned at the horrid taste. It reminded him a lot of soggy toast with anchovies, or something like that.
"What did you expect? It's not going to taste like a butterbeer, this is medicine to fix multiple bone fractures." Madam Pomfrey said and then looked at Ron.
"Now mister Weasley, let's see to that nose of yours." She said and handed him a similar looking potion to Harry's only it was lighter in color.
Ron made a gagging noise after downing the vile liquid.
"Right, shall we go off to the common room? I believe that the others are awaiting your return Harry." Ron said smiling again.
"Sure, let's go!" Harry said standing up and all four went to the common room where they were met with a cheers that deafened their ears.
"Three cheers for Harry!" Seamus yelled out to which the crowd of enthusiastic Gryffindors responded.
The celebrations went late into the night and after many more cheers, imitations of Harry's dive and Malfoy's look of defeat later Harry was on his way to bed when Ginny stopped him.
"Harry, I know you give it your all in the quidditch matches, but please remember one thing." She said.
"What's that Ginny?" Harry asked.
"I don't want to win the match and lose you. Then it's an ultimate loss, if we lose the game and you're alive then we still win." She said looking at him with true concern in her eyes.
"Don't worry Ginny, I knew what I was doing. But I'll keep that in mind." Harry said to reassure her, though he had gotten more hurt than he thought he would.
But Ginny didn't need to know that. They said their goodnights and went to bed.
Lair was now in view of the three riders. They had successfully found the ingredients that Harry needed to get to Cyonis to make the potion he needed to get back to his own time. The nearer they drew to Lair the gloomier Reace seemed to become. Harry was caught in two frames of mind. He was glad to be returning back to his own time because then this torture on his body and mind would end and he could live normally again, or as normally as he could live that is.
However he knew that he would miss Reace who had become almost like a father figure to him. He was sure that was why Reace had been brooding around at night and was so gloomy. Harry's train of thought was broken as they approached the gates of the city of Lair.
"Who goes their?" Called a figure at the gates.
"It's me you old fool!" Reace called back a grin on his face.
"Old fool am I? Maybe I won't let you in?" the voice of Cyonis called back.
"Since when are you on gate duty? Isn't that sort of thing beneath you?" Reace answered.
Cyonis just muttered something and the gates started rising allowing the trio to enter the city. Shortly afterwards they were met by Cyonis himself.
"So, how did it go Reace?" he asked Reace as Reace dismounted from his steed handing it over to the stable boy.
"We found the ingredients, you'll be able to prepare your potion Cyonis." Reace said his smile fading.
"It'll take at least another two weeks to prepare Reace, so there's still time to spend with the lad." Cyonis said to him quietly.
Reace nodded as he watched Harry dismount from his own horse.
"I need to speak with you Cyonis, are you up for a drink?" Reace said eventually.
"I must be important if you're willing to offer me a drink. Come, we can speak in my chambers, I know you don't like the ale much here." Cyonis said.
"Thanks old friend. I'll just take care of Harry and Lady Genevieve." Reace said and turned to the two who had just arrived at them.
"Harry, I have business that I need to take care of, so I'm giving you a free run. Enjoy it." Reace said and then walked off with Cyonis.
"That was unusual." Harry said surprised that Reace had just given him the night off without any training or anything.
"He's sad Harry, I think he wants your last few nights here to be enjoyable. No matter how hard he tries to hide it you can see he's been dreading seeing you go." Ginny said watching Reace's retreating back.
"Truth be told I'm also going to miss the big guy." Harry said feeling sad himself.
"No, you think?" Ginny said sarcastically and bumped Harry.
"What was that for?" Harry said grinning.
"I don't know. Let's make the most of the time off then. Well, first off, I could sure do with a good bath." Ginny said as she took Harry's hand in hers and looked into his eyes.
"You lucky we're under Reace's wing. Do you realize how expensive baths are in this day and age? Right, I'll see you in about an hour then after our bath?" Harry said heading off to where he would get his bath.
"Alright, see you soon!" Ginny said smiling and went her own way.
"So what is troubling you my friend?" Cyonis said pouring a honey colored liquid into two glasses and handing one to Reace.
"Thanks. Well apart from the fact that I'm going to miss that lad so damn much,
there's something that's been bugging me." Reace said and took a sip of his drink.
"What's that?" Cyonis asked taking a seat opposite Reace.
"We were attacked early into our journey by lizardmen Cyonis, bearing the armor that I believe was supplied from this very city. Armor and weapons that only those in one of our Orders here would have access to." Reace said taking another sip of his drink.
"You speak of treachery then?" Cyonis verntured.
"Precisely. There is something on the wind Cyonis, something ill indeed. I foresee dark times ahead." Reace said.
"Ay, I have felt something like that too Reace. Kind of makes me feel better hearing it coming from you though, I thought I was becoming paranoid." Cyonis said chuckling.
"You are paranoid you illusionist!" Reace said grinning.
"Illusionist?! How dare you? If I'm an illusionist then you fight like Salus!" Cyonis sputtered.
"That's very low you know." Reace said and both men chuckled at one another.
Hours later Reace was on his way to his room when none other than Salus ran to meet him.
"Sir Reace! Thank goodness I've found you!" Salus said out of breath.
"What is it Salus?" Reace said frowning at Salus and the way Salus suddenly spoke to him with respect without having to be reminded to.
"Our scouts have just returned with word that an army of lizardmen are heading towards Lair! And I'm sure they're not here to visit, we need to organize our regiments and meet them in battle!" Salus said still trying to catch his breath.
"Lizardmen? Right, I'll get my men!" Reace and ran off his mind quickly going into battle mode.
Salus smiled as Reace raced off before running off himself.
Within a few moments the alarms had sounded off in Lair and all men were getting ready to repel the advancing Lizardmen. Reace had sent out scouts of his own to confirm what Salus said and was ready with his men to meet the attackers head on as he heard that Salus was indeed correct.
Dark clouds had gathered on the horizon and a few raindrops fell here and there. Reace sat on his steed, fully clad in his armor and essential weapons while his cloak fluttered behind him in the rising wind. He turned his horse to address those that he had chosen to fight under him.
"Men! We go forth to protect our loved ones and the people that live in Lair! You all know the drill, we hit them hard and fast and allow the others to finish them off once we've done the initial damage! Forward!" Reace roared.
The men shouted in unison all become pumped up for the ensuing battle and then being led by Reace they charged through the city towards the gates.
'Thank goodness I sent Harry off for the night, I'd hate him to be caught in this fight so close to getting home. This is a truly huge force according to my scouts.' Reace thought to himself as he began to pull ahead of his men.
Harry and Ginny heard the alarm signals and were trying to find out what was going on when they saw Reace followed by about two hundred fully armored knights charge past them.
"Hey, what's going on?" Harry asked on of the nearby guards that looked very anxious.
"An army of Lizardmen are bearing down on Lair, Sir Reace is leading the initial strike as usual and will be followed by the other nights. It's going to be a bloody battle, the army of Lizardmen is great I hear." The guard said as he licked his chapped lips.
"Damn! I should be there with him! Ginny, go to safety, I've got to go and get into my armor and help him!" Harry said trying to get away.
"But Harry you could be hurt or killed! This isn't your fight!" Ginny pleaded with him.
"It is my fight Ginny! I'm Reace's squire! I should be riding next to him! We're to protect everybody in this city including you!" Harry said and freed himself from her grasp running off.
Reace had just exited the city when suddenly heard a loud clanging behind him and the screams of men and neighing of horses. He came to a stop and looked behind him and saw that the gates of Lair had been closed behind him. Three of his men had made it out with him and four had been impaled under the gate.
"What the hell is going on Sir!" One of his men screamed to Reace.
"Treachery." Was all Reace said and he felt a knot start to form in his stomach.
"What are we going to do?" Another said starting to panic.
"We have been betrayed, yes, I can sense magic is holding the gate down. I pray Cyonis can get it open quickly." Reace said ignoring the question of one of his riders.
"Sir?" The man repeated.
There was a loud yell behind them and suddenly a huge hissing sound ensued. The four stranded riders turned to see that the Lizard army were in sight and would soon be upon them.
"I relieve you three of your duty, I will not send you to your deaths." Reace said his voice calm and unwavering.
"What are you going to do Sir?" The third one asked him.
"I will fight. I'm going to buy as much time for Lair as possible. The gates need to be opened." Reace said and got his horse ready for the charge.
"You'll not fight alone Sir Reace!" The first rider said to him and positioned his horse next to Reace.
"It's been an honor serving under you Reace." The second rider said and he too took his horse to Reace's other side.
"It'll be an honor to fight with you once more Sir Reace." The third rider said and took his place as well.
Lightning flashed across the darkened skies followed by the loud crack of thunder. The four lone riders faced the approaching army their cloaks billowing in the rushing winds. Lightning flashed again and the few raindrops that had started falling earlier starting to fall to the earth harder and faster now. The entire surrounding area was filled with the hissing sound of the approaching Lizardmen army only being drowned out by the loud clap of thunder.
"For Lair!" Reace roared and charged forward.
"For Lair!" The three riders roared with Reace charging forward with him.
A/N And that dear readers is where I'm going to leave this story for now. This is a chapter that I've been planning for a long time, as are the next two to follow. I hope it won't disappoint any. I don't know how to feel about this chapter. I feel it is an important one, though if I did it well is another question. I hope I didn't disappoint too much. I really tried to put a lot of emotion into this one and will try and put more in the next chapters.
Cheers
Lost in A World of Pain