Hogwarts

"Do I have permission to enter?" Harry asked, standing outside of Ginny and her family's tent.

"Come in," Arthur wheezed, laying on the sheets, still healing. Harry came in, taking in Ginny and Jonathan who sat on either side of their father.

"Are you well? Are you in any pain?" Harry asked Arthur.

"Do not worry, I'm awake now. I'll be up and running in no time," He smiled, but it came out as a grimace.

"I hope you get better soon," Harry nodded his head in respect. "If you need anything, let me know."

Ginny smiled gently, and Jonathan grinned.

When Harry turned to leave, Arthur stopped him. "Lord Harry, Jonathan told me everything. You and the ones who raised you are valiant people. You rescued us and took us in."

Harry's lips quirked up, "We did what our customs order us to do. Know that there is no debt for that."

"The people in this land have long forgotten their customs. God must love us if He let us stumble upon you," Arthur said.

Harry smiled as he nodded, "I should go, you need your rest." He gave a lingering glance at Ginny before he turned and left their tent.

As soon as he was gone, the smile was wiped off of Arthur's wrinkly face. He grasped Ginny's hand, "Listen to me carefully, Ginny. Find three horses immediately. Prepare yourself and your brother, make sure no one gets suspicious."

Ginny swallowed as she inhaled shakily looking away from the panicked and confused look on her brother's face. "What's happening, Father?" He asked. "Why would we do that?"

"We're running," Ginny said, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.

Arthur turned his head towards her, "Ginny, we have to do this. There's no other way. If we stay here any longer, we'd endanger their lives, too. You know that, right?"

Ginny stared at her lap, "Yes. I know."

Bill entered his tent, glancing at his wife as she made the bed. "I'm going to the stables," He said, picking up his hat.

Fleur raised a brow, "Right before headquarters? Where is this coming from, Bill?"

"I'm going to check out the new horse they brought. And while I do that you can start preparing for the journey to Mounaterra."

Fleur brought a tray of food over to the table. "I can get everything ready, but," She hesitated, straightening up, "Is it confirmed that you're the one who's going?"

Bill threw his head back, rolling his eyes, as Fleur sat down. "Don't say that. Don't even go there, woman."

He sat down next to his wife. "I was the one who brought forth the idea of sending an envoy. It's my right by default to go."

Fleur nodded slowly, "Of course, but—"

"But what? Why are you so restless this morning?" He demanded.

She sighed. "I don't know whether I should be upset you're leaving or worry that you'd get upset if your father doesn't send you."

"Who else would he send, Fleur?"

Fleur didn't answer, avoiding his gaze.

Bill sighed, softening his voice. "Look, woman, if you're upset I'm leaving, you can think about how you'll greet me with two lives," He placed a hand on her still-flat stomach.

Fleur smiled. "You don't want to be late to headquarters, do you?"

"I'll go to the stables after, then." Bill looked at her, his gaze traveling down. In unison, they leaned in, their lips meeting briefly when, "Sir, do I have permission to enter?"

Bill sighed, and the two reluctantly stood up. "Come in, Sully. Come in."

The tent flap was pushed to the side as Bill's personal guard entered. "What happened?" Bill asked.

"Sir, Count James wants to see you in his tent," He said with a small smile.

Bill grinned at his wife, who smiled encouragingly.

Bill rushed out of the tent, Sully right behind him.

The smile was wiped right off of Bill' face when he entered the main tent, and spotted Harry's back. He walked up to his brother slowly, and faced their father, who was sitting on his seat, face blank. Severus, a guard, stood in the corner of the room. Bill glanced at his brother, then his father, who spoke. "I have decided...that Harry will be going to Mounaterra."

Harry's head snapped up in shock; he looked at Bill, who said nothing, turning around to walk out.

"Bill," His father's voice stopped him. "I have things to discuss with you. You need to stay here. Harry," he glanced at him, "You go and prepare yourself and your men. Tell Ilyas he will be going with you."

Harry nodded silently, looking at his brother one last time before leaving, Severus mutely following.

As soon as they were gone, Bill turned to glare at James.

Astoria smiled as she took out her knife, the sheath staying firm in her belt. The wind blew at her curls as she threw the knife up into the air, and as soon as it landed in the grass, Draco, Ron, and Cedric picked their sheep up, placed them on their shoulders, and began the race.

Training warriors stopped to watch, and Astoria laughed, "Come on! Faster, faster Draco. Come on!"

The three ran and ran, and as soon as they passed Astoria's dagger on the ground, they dropped their sheep, falling to the ground. "I won!" Ron shouted, throwing his arms up.

"Don't be ridiculous, I passed the line first!" Cedric shouted, pounding on his chest, hair flying in the wind.

Draco scowled, "What are you saying? I passed first, I won! Me!"

Astoria chuckled at their idiocy.

"Ask Astoria!" Draco gestured to her.

Cedric got to his knees, "That wouldn't be fair! She's your sweetheart!"

Astoria faked outrage, "How can you say that, Sir Cedric? When have I ever lied?"

Ron leaped up and shoved Cedric's head into the grass, laughing, and the two men jumped up to their feet.

"I told you not to do that," Cedric yelled.

"Or what?" Despite his small size in comparison to Cedric's, Ron stood up at him. "Your brain is as big as a walnut."
"I'm a hard nut to crack, doofus," Cedric shoved at him, and when Ron fought back, tugging on Cedric's hair, Draco jumped up, breaking them apart.

"Alright! That's enough," He said, as the two glared at each other, huffing. Draco glanced up, "Harry is here."

Sure enough, Harry had come on his horse, Hedwig, riding towards them.

Ron frowned, "What's wrong with him?"

"Count James asked him to his tent," Draco said, scratching at his head.

"I wonder what the problem is," Ron wondered.

Cedric snorted. "He's probably going gazelle hunting."

Astoria chuckled. "That gazelle deserved to be hunted," Ron laughed, as Harry finally was in speaking distance.

He was quiet for a moment, staring at them, when his grim face broke out into a smile. "Get ready. We're going to Mounaterra."

Ron jumped up, "Ha! Yes! Cedric, we're going to Mounaterra!" He yelled, jumping on Cedric, who laughed. "I was getting fat sitting around all day!" Ron celebrated.

Astoria sent a defeated look to Draco, whose smile vanished.

"Tell Ilyas he is coming with us as well," Harry ordered, turning his horse around, riding off when they nodded their understanding.

Draco shot an apologetic glance at Astoria as Ron and Cedric celebrated.

"I brought up the Mounaterra idea. I told you Prince Andreas needed soldiers," Bill clenched his jaw. "Why him and not me, Father?"

James stared intently at his son as he stood, facing him. "Because, 'I know,' and 'I can do it,' and 'I said'. When did you become so arrogant?"

Bill grit his teeth, "Am I the arrogant one now? The whole tribe is starving. Famine is everywhere. We can't even go on a damned foray. Why?" Bill raised a brow. "Because our Count has a carncumble problem."

James glared at him, "Know your place!"

"Let it go, Father. The whole tribe complains of your old age."

James clenched his jaw, swinging his hand up.

Bill blinked at the sting on his cheek. He looked at his father, then turned around and walked right out.

Harry, about to get on the wooden steps leading to the main tent, saw Bill storming out, and rushed over to him. "Brother," He placed a hand on his shoulder.

Bill shook him off, "Get your hands off me," He spit angrily.

Harry sighed before climbing the stairs and heading inside to meet with his father once again.

James kept his back at the entrance when Harry walked in. "Do you think it is your brother's right to be the envoy?" James asked.

"Yes," Harry said simply. "Why me and not him?" He asked.

James didn't hesitate. "His desire to be in charge is burning at his soul. So I put out the flame." James blew at one of the candles for emphasis, then turned to his son. "Now, let us talk about the flame inside of you. Our guests will stay in the tribe until you return. I am telling you this so you can give your mission all your attention and focus."

James began to pace in front of Harry, who stood still, watching his father. "The future of Hogwarts is in your hands. Resting on your shoulders. Do not come back empty handed from Mounaterra. Your failure would be the end of us all. For the land Prince Andreas gives, you accept any price. But not a single one of us is a sacrificial lamb. Don't forget, as much as you need a home near Mounaterra, the Prince needs Hogwartsian soldiers. Don't ever bow your head down to them. Show them you are a real Hogwartsian who knows what he wants and is just there to negotiate a deal," James finally smiled at his son. "May God help you."

Harry nodded, his face a mask of stone, back straight as a rod. "I will succeed in my mission if it costs me my life, Father. I'll be back and I will make you proud."

James grinned as he nodded.

Bill stormed into his tent, throwing his hat onto the ground, startling Fleur.

"What happened?" She asked, just as he brought down the clothing rack. "Bill!" He stormed over to the counter top, wiping it clean of all the plates and jugs. "Bill, stop! Stop it!" Fleur shouted, standing up and backing away.

"Leave me alone," He growled, continuing to make a ruckus.

Fleur looked at the tent flap, desperate. "Sir Sully!" She screeched.

Sully rushed in, his eyes widening as he took in the mess, a raging lord and a panicked woman. Bill's chest heaved as he sank to his knees, "Out! Get the hell out!" He looked at Sully, who hesitated before leaving.

Bill let out a shout before smacking his head against the ground, and Fleur winced as she sank to her knees beside him. "Are you going to talk?" She asked, worried.

Bill breathed heavily. "Envoy. Harry is the fucking envoy."

Fleur closed her eyes, "I told you that—"

"Enough!" Bill yelled, and she flinched back. She twisted around, spotting a jug of water and a bowl. She poured the liquid, then passed the bowl to Bill. "Here, drink."

He looked at the water, then took it from her and gulped it down quickly, tossing it to the side when finished.

"This must be Mother Lily's doing," Fleur said quietly.

Bill shook his head, "It doesn't matter. I couldn't care less. I know what I'm going to do."

Fleur's eyes widened. "No, please. Don't act in fury. Those who act when angry always lose."

Bill batted her away. "Enough, woman. For the love of God, enough."

She didn't back down. "Finish your business and get your alps ready. When that tactless brother of yours messes up, you'll get what you deserve. And remember, angels of death are lurking around James." She leaned her head against his shoulder, and Bill glared at the floor.

Draco, dressed in his leather armor, sat with Astoria on the rocks behind the trees, secluding themselves from the rest of the training field.

"The news got stuck in my throat, Draco," She said sullenly. "I can't swallow it and I can't spit it out."

Draco tilted his head, "You talk like this is the first time we'll be apart, Astoria."

"When were we ever together, Draco?" She asked, not looking at him. "Isn't waiting for you in my father's tent and waiting for my husband in our tent the same thing? It's not the sorrow of separation that's eating at me, it's not being able to be together. Every time we talk about getting married it gets delayed for some reason," She complained, finally meeting his gaze.

Draco grasped her hands, "I promise you, there will be no waiting this time. I don't know whether or not Mounaterra will be a success, but the first wedding in the new land will be ours," When she smiled, he continued on. "The drummers will cry out 'Astoria and Draco are finally getting married'. All the girls in the weaving area will say 'The most beautiful girl in the tribe is getting married, it should be our turn soon'. When you leave Sir Sirius's tent, even daughters of the King will be jealous."

Astoria grinned, "I can't wait for that."

Draco kissed her forehead, "Me either, my love. Me either."

Titus and his men, all dressed like Corbians, mounted their horses, Elanora and Bartemius watching them in the courtyard. Titus beckoned for Elanora to come forward.

"I wanted to tell you how sorry I am, Titus. Your pain must be unimaginable," She consoled.

"Only you can understand, Elanora," He said. "Your father was killed by Corbians as well, after all."

Elanora nodded, "Have a safe trip, Titus."

He smiled, "I will see you soon, Princess."

Bartemius and Elanora watched as Titus led his men outside the palace.

"You have watched a great commander transform into a real Templar knight with your own eyes," Bartemius said. "Revenge," He mused. "It was the sole thing lacking inside of Titus. A knight is no different than an ordinary fighter without the desire for vengeance. Quirinus' death became our miracle. Titus' miracle."

Elanor raised her brows, "May God forgive Quirinus' sins."

Bartemius nodded his agreement.

And, done! Next chapter, Harry goes to Mounaterra! What do you guys think?