Reminder: All these folks belong to J.K. Rowling
Chapter 12: Time and Time Again
The air around Gryffindor tower had been quiet and peaceful. The room was empty, save the solitary figure by the fire. The figure had been sitting still for hours, following every detail of the book in front of him. Then his eyes fell upon the new line being printed at the bottom of the page. And suddenly, the silence was broken: "IT'S ABOUT BLOODY TIME!" Ron yelled, and fell back into his chair, laughing. "Harry and Hermione, sitting in a tree," he mused to himself. "Good job guys! Good luck." Then he remembered the danger that they were both in. "Good luck," he said again, more solemnly.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A pair of eyes watched the two lovers in the rain. They had been standing in each other embrace for the past five minutes, and it was time to call them back. "Ahem," coughed the intruder. Harry and Hermione jumped and whipped around to see Merlin, standing there, watching them with a strange smile playing across his shining face.
"I hate to interrupt, really I do, but I'm afraid that the time has come for less…enjoyable matters. Please follow me."
Merlin led Harry and Hermione through the halls, and as the reached the Great Hall casually flicked his wand toward them, muttering "Siccus." Suddenly, they found that their clothes and hair were dry.
"You need to be comfortable for what is to come," said Merlin.
Merlin led the two into in to the Round Table Room, where Arthur sat at his spot. He looked up as the two approached.
"Harry, Hermione, what I must ask you to do is very difficult. I can no longer sustain the time of sanctuary. My strength has ebbed. I need you, Harry, to take my place. And Hermione, he will not be able to do it without you. Are you willing to bear this responsibility?"
Harry and Hermione looked at each other. "You don't have to," Harry whispered. "I would understand."
Hermione shook her head. "I'm not afraid. We're together on this, all the way. 'Til…"
Harry gave her a lopsided grin. "Death do us part?" Hermione nodded, hesitated, and threw her arms around him.
"Let's just make sure it doesn't come to that," she said.
Harry nodded, and they both turned to Arthur. "We'll do it," said Harry firmly.
Merlin nodded, and Arthur stiffened. He looked as if he were preparing himself mentally for what was coming. Merlin motioned for the two to sit at the table, which they did. Harry's seat was that of Sir Bors, with the giant cross. Hermione's seat bore the name of Sir Percival, with a picture of a book with two lions on the cover. Merlin stood behind them, placing a hand on their shoulders.
"Place one hand on the table, and give the other hand to your partner." Harry and Hermione stretched out their arms onto the table, and grasped each other's hand tightly. Arthur rose, knelt between the two, and placed a hand on both their arms. His eyes were closed, his will resolute. "It will be alright," he whispered, more to himself than to Harry or Hermione.
Merlin had pulled out his wand, and was walking around the table, muttering softly. As his voice began to gain volume, Harry caught bits of words that he couldn't understand. He looked at Hermione who shook her head. "It sounds like Runic, but I can't understand it."
Merlin began to raise his arms, and now Harry could hear snatches of Latin between the runes. It sounded like a prayer. A spell that was also a prayer. Merlin raised his voice as a howling wind blew in from the Great Hall. "Do you, Harry Potter," Merlin yelled, "Swear to faithfully uphold the code of Camelot, to live in honor, to defend truth and justice at all costs?"
Harry's eyes were watering from the wind. "I DO!" he screamed.
"And do you, Hermione Granger, promise to support and love Harry Potter, to be brave, honest, virtuous, and kind, and to serve the cause without tire or weakness?"
Harry felt Hermione grip his hand tighter. "I DO!" cried Hermione.
"SANCTUM SANTORUM! SANCTUM SANCTORUM! TRIBUO LA POTENTIA DE TEMPUS SANCTORUM A HAROLD POTTER!!"
At these words, a light shot from Arthur's eyes and mouth. The light condensed, swirled, and shot down into Harry. Harry suddenly felt a surge of energy, and a pressure on his chest, like a weight had been placed on his heart. The weight was unbearable, forcing him to the floor. Gasping for breath, he reached up his hands towards the ceiling.
"Hermione! Go to him!" Merlin yelled.
Hermione rushed over to Harry, and put her arms around him. "I'm here…I'm here," she whispered. She cradled Harry's head in her arms. Harry looked up into her eyes. It was a pitiful stare. "Oh Harry," she cried. She brought her head, and kissed him. The kiss seemed to give him renewed strength, for he suddenly gasped and sat up.
Arthur had taken his feet again. "It will get better with time, Harry. Now you control the Time of Sanctuary, but there is one more item you will need." He drew out the sword from his side.
"This is Excalibur, Harry. It has served me faithfully for years, and it is the only key that opens the stairway to the Grail. Take it. You may need it."
Arthur handed the sword to Harry, who realized with a start that he knew the blade. "This sword belonged to Godric Gryffindor! I used it when I was fighting the basilisk."
"Yes," Arthur nodded. "Gryffindor was a Champion as well. In times of great crisis, past Champions may come to the aid of future Champions. The hat sensed you needed aid, so it sent Excalibur to you. And now, it has returned."
Harry sat down. He still felt incredibly tired, as if he had been running all day. His face was flush, and his breathing ragged. So was the face of the young knight who burst through the door. "Your Majesty!" he panted, "Mordred's troops, they attacked our outer defenses during the storm! Our forces are being beaten back towards the castle. I don't know how much longer we can hold them!"
The young man fainted. Harry looked at the King, who's face had turned hard and cold. "It is no longer safe here for you. You must leave together to ensure the Sanctuary of Camelot."
"Your majesty, we will do what we can," said Hermione.
"It will not be enough!" shouted a new voice from the hallway.
A thrill of terror went up Harry's spine. Even without turning, he knew that voice. It was cold, and high, like an icy wind on a winter day. Harry turned, and saw silhouetted in the doorway, a tall lanky man. The only distinguishable features on his face were his eyes, burning red from deeply set sockets. He wore brown leather armor, with a black dragon on the chest. It was Mordred.
"Well, well, well. Dad!" Mordred cackled, as he stepped forward. "Giving lessons to new students? Their fates are already sealed. We can't have them going back to their own time. You could save your own life, though, by giving me the Grail."
"You will not have it while I live, Mordred. Squire Harry, give me back my sword. The Time of Sanctuary will stay intact in me, and you and Hermione must go."
Harry stared for a moment. Then he realized-it was bluff. Arthur would let Mordred think that he was the controller of the spell, giving time for Harry and Hermione to escape. Composing himself, Harry handed the sword to Arthur, and stepped back. "Good luck, Your Majesty," Harry said, bowing. Hermione did the same, with her eyes streaming. Then they both turned and ran.
"Harry, we can't just leave him!" said Hermione. "He might die!"
"He was willing to die, to save us. And Camelot! We have to get out of here."
As the two ran through the empty corridors, Harry kept thinking back to Arthur and Mordred in the Great Hall. He really did want to go back and help, but he couldn't afford anything happening to Hermione. Not now that he knew about her. Then, while turning a corner, Harry ran straight into Benedicto.
"Ouch! Harry! Hermione! What are you still doing here? Here, I can get you out!" He grabbed each of their arms, and began pushing them towards a door.
"No! Malfoy, take Hermione! I need to go back to Arthur, and help him defeat Mordred." Harry pushed Hermione toward the door.
"What, Arthur's trying to defeat Mordred!? Where are they?"
"In the Throne Room, but that doesn't matter. I need you to look after Hermione. I'm trusting you with her. It's imperative that nothing happen to her. Arthur gave the Power of Sanctuary to me. Do you understand?"
Benedicto looked paler than usual, but nodded firmly, and grabbed Hermione's hand.
"Wait!" cried Hermione. "Harry, I have to tell you now. I love you!"
Harry nodded. "I love you too, Hermione." He grabbed her into a furious embrace. "Now get out, and be careful."
She pulled away from him. "Take this, so you can find me." She gave Harry the ring he had given her that morning. Had it only been that morning? It had seemed like ages ago. Harry nodded, slipped the ring onto his pinky finger, and motioned to Malfoy, who opened the door that for the two of them, led to freedom.
"Here, Harry. You might need this." Benedicto gave Harry his sword.
"Thank you. Good luck. Now go!"
As Benedicto grabbed her hand again, and led her out the door, Harry called after them. "I'll see you again soon! Believe in me!"
And just like that, Harry found himself alone in the hallway. He raced back to the Great Hall.
As he entered, Harry heard the clash of metal on metal, and saw Arthur and Mordred on the far end of the room. It was clear that although Arthur was strong, Mordred was younger, stronger, and was gaining the upper hand. His swings had gained a ferocious repetition, as if trying to break through Excalibur itself. With a yell, Harry entered into the fray, sword raised. Mordred saw him coming and punched him in the face, knocking him backwards. Harry felt blood come from his lip. But his interference had given Arthur time to get to his feet, and to parry Mordred's next blow, and launch a new attack.
And so the two swordsmen began battling the lone figure in brown. Mordred was fighting tooth and nail, but the tide of the battle had turned. Then, he dodged one of Arthur's attacks, and clubbed him in the gut with the butt of his sword. Arthur doubled over, gasping for air, and Harry swung wildly at Mordred to distract him. Mordred countered, kicked Harry hard in the groin, and rammed his knee into Harry's head. Harry went down, seeing stars, and had dropped his sword. He shook his head, blinked, and looked up in time to see Mordred stand over the fallen Arthur, and raise his sword high in the air.
"The Time of Sanctuary is over!!" Mordred yelled, and he brought the sword crashing down.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
What? Are you joking? This isn't the end! This is a cliffhanger! A little something to whet your appetite for the next chapter. See you all soon, and please keep reviewing. ;)
Chapter 12: Time and Time Again
The air around Gryffindor tower had been quiet and peaceful. The room was empty, save the solitary figure by the fire. The figure had been sitting still for hours, following every detail of the book in front of him. Then his eyes fell upon the new line being printed at the bottom of the page. And suddenly, the silence was broken: "IT'S ABOUT BLOODY TIME!" Ron yelled, and fell back into his chair, laughing. "Harry and Hermione, sitting in a tree," he mused to himself. "Good job guys! Good luck." Then he remembered the danger that they were both in. "Good luck," he said again, more solemnly.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A pair of eyes watched the two lovers in the rain. They had been standing in each other embrace for the past five minutes, and it was time to call them back. "Ahem," coughed the intruder. Harry and Hermione jumped and whipped around to see Merlin, standing there, watching them with a strange smile playing across his shining face.
"I hate to interrupt, really I do, but I'm afraid that the time has come for less…enjoyable matters. Please follow me."
Merlin led Harry and Hermione through the halls, and as the reached the Great Hall casually flicked his wand toward them, muttering "Siccus." Suddenly, they found that their clothes and hair were dry.
"You need to be comfortable for what is to come," said Merlin.
Merlin led the two into in to the Round Table Room, where Arthur sat at his spot. He looked up as the two approached.
"Harry, Hermione, what I must ask you to do is very difficult. I can no longer sustain the time of sanctuary. My strength has ebbed. I need you, Harry, to take my place. And Hermione, he will not be able to do it without you. Are you willing to bear this responsibility?"
Harry and Hermione looked at each other. "You don't have to," Harry whispered. "I would understand."
Hermione shook her head. "I'm not afraid. We're together on this, all the way. 'Til…"
Harry gave her a lopsided grin. "Death do us part?" Hermione nodded, hesitated, and threw her arms around him.
"Let's just make sure it doesn't come to that," she said.
Harry nodded, and they both turned to Arthur. "We'll do it," said Harry firmly.
Merlin nodded, and Arthur stiffened. He looked as if he were preparing himself mentally for what was coming. Merlin motioned for the two to sit at the table, which they did. Harry's seat was that of Sir Bors, with the giant cross. Hermione's seat bore the name of Sir Percival, with a picture of a book with two lions on the cover. Merlin stood behind them, placing a hand on their shoulders.
"Place one hand on the table, and give the other hand to your partner." Harry and Hermione stretched out their arms onto the table, and grasped each other's hand tightly. Arthur rose, knelt between the two, and placed a hand on both their arms. His eyes were closed, his will resolute. "It will be alright," he whispered, more to himself than to Harry or Hermione.
Merlin had pulled out his wand, and was walking around the table, muttering softly. As his voice began to gain volume, Harry caught bits of words that he couldn't understand. He looked at Hermione who shook her head. "It sounds like Runic, but I can't understand it."
Merlin began to raise his arms, and now Harry could hear snatches of Latin between the runes. It sounded like a prayer. A spell that was also a prayer. Merlin raised his voice as a howling wind blew in from the Great Hall. "Do you, Harry Potter," Merlin yelled, "Swear to faithfully uphold the code of Camelot, to live in honor, to defend truth and justice at all costs?"
Harry's eyes were watering from the wind. "I DO!" he screamed.
"And do you, Hermione Granger, promise to support and love Harry Potter, to be brave, honest, virtuous, and kind, and to serve the cause without tire or weakness?"
Harry felt Hermione grip his hand tighter. "I DO!" cried Hermione.
"SANCTUM SANTORUM! SANCTUM SANCTORUM! TRIBUO LA POTENTIA DE TEMPUS SANCTORUM A HAROLD POTTER!!"
At these words, a light shot from Arthur's eyes and mouth. The light condensed, swirled, and shot down into Harry. Harry suddenly felt a surge of energy, and a pressure on his chest, like a weight had been placed on his heart. The weight was unbearable, forcing him to the floor. Gasping for breath, he reached up his hands towards the ceiling.
"Hermione! Go to him!" Merlin yelled.
Hermione rushed over to Harry, and put her arms around him. "I'm here…I'm here," she whispered. She cradled Harry's head in her arms. Harry looked up into her eyes. It was a pitiful stare. "Oh Harry," she cried. She brought her head, and kissed him. The kiss seemed to give him renewed strength, for he suddenly gasped and sat up.
Arthur had taken his feet again. "It will get better with time, Harry. Now you control the Time of Sanctuary, but there is one more item you will need." He drew out the sword from his side.
"This is Excalibur, Harry. It has served me faithfully for years, and it is the only key that opens the stairway to the Grail. Take it. You may need it."
Arthur handed the sword to Harry, who realized with a start that he knew the blade. "This sword belonged to Godric Gryffindor! I used it when I was fighting the basilisk."
"Yes," Arthur nodded. "Gryffindor was a Champion as well. In times of great crisis, past Champions may come to the aid of future Champions. The hat sensed you needed aid, so it sent Excalibur to you. And now, it has returned."
Harry sat down. He still felt incredibly tired, as if he had been running all day. His face was flush, and his breathing ragged. So was the face of the young knight who burst through the door. "Your Majesty!" he panted, "Mordred's troops, they attacked our outer defenses during the storm! Our forces are being beaten back towards the castle. I don't know how much longer we can hold them!"
The young man fainted. Harry looked at the King, who's face had turned hard and cold. "It is no longer safe here for you. You must leave together to ensure the Sanctuary of Camelot."
"Your majesty, we will do what we can," said Hermione.
"It will not be enough!" shouted a new voice from the hallway.
A thrill of terror went up Harry's spine. Even without turning, he knew that voice. It was cold, and high, like an icy wind on a winter day. Harry turned, and saw silhouetted in the doorway, a tall lanky man. The only distinguishable features on his face were his eyes, burning red from deeply set sockets. He wore brown leather armor, with a black dragon on the chest. It was Mordred.
"Well, well, well. Dad!" Mordred cackled, as he stepped forward. "Giving lessons to new students? Their fates are already sealed. We can't have them going back to their own time. You could save your own life, though, by giving me the Grail."
"You will not have it while I live, Mordred. Squire Harry, give me back my sword. The Time of Sanctuary will stay intact in me, and you and Hermione must go."
Harry stared for a moment. Then he realized-it was bluff. Arthur would let Mordred think that he was the controller of the spell, giving time for Harry and Hermione to escape. Composing himself, Harry handed the sword to Arthur, and stepped back. "Good luck, Your Majesty," Harry said, bowing. Hermione did the same, with her eyes streaming. Then they both turned and ran.
"Harry, we can't just leave him!" said Hermione. "He might die!"
"He was willing to die, to save us. And Camelot! We have to get out of here."
As the two ran through the empty corridors, Harry kept thinking back to Arthur and Mordred in the Great Hall. He really did want to go back and help, but he couldn't afford anything happening to Hermione. Not now that he knew about her. Then, while turning a corner, Harry ran straight into Benedicto.
"Ouch! Harry! Hermione! What are you still doing here? Here, I can get you out!" He grabbed each of their arms, and began pushing them towards a door.
"No! Malfoy, take Hermione! I need to go back to Arthur, and help him defeat Mordred." Harry pushed Hermione toward the door.
"What, Arthur's trying to defeat Mordred!? Where are they?"
"In the Throne Room, but that doesn't matter. I need you to look after Hermione. I'm trusting you with her. It's imperative that nothing happen to her. Arthur gave the Power of Sanctuary to me. Do you understand?"
Benedicto looked paler than usual, but nodded firmly, and grabbed Hermione's hand.
"Wait!" cried Hermione. "Harry, I have to tell you now. I love you!"
Harry nodded. "I love you too, Hermione." He grabbed her into a furious embrace. "Now get out, and be careful."
She pulled away from him. "Take this, so you can find me." She gave Harry the ring he had given her that morning. Had it only been that morning? It had seemed like ages ago. Harry nodded, slipped the ring onto his pinky finger, and motioned to Malfoy, who opened the door that for the two of them, led to freedom.
"Here, Harry. You might need this." Benedicto gave Harry his sword.
"Thank you. Good luck. Now go!"
As Benedicto grabbed her hand again, and led her out the door, Harry called after them. "I'll see you again soon! Believe in me!"
And just like that, Harry found himself alone in the hallway. He raced back to the Great Hall.
As he entered, Harry heard the clash of metal on metal, and saw Arthur and Mordred on the far end of the room. It was clear that although Arthur was strong, Mordred was younger, stronger, and was gaining the upper hand. His swings had gained a ferocious repetition, as if trying to break through Excalibur itself. With a yell, Harry entered into the fray, sword raised. Mordred saw him coming and punched him in the face, knocking him backwards. Harry felt blood come from his lip. But his interference had given Arthur time to get to his feet, and to parry Mordred's next blow, and launch a new attack.
And so the two swordsmen began battling the lone figure in brown. Mordred was fighting tooth and nail, but the tide of the battle had turned. Then, he dodged one of Arthur's attacks, and clubbed him in the gut with the butt of his sword. Arthur doubled over, gasping for air, and Harry swung wildly at Mordred to distract him. Mordred countered, kicked Harry hard in the groin, and rammed his knee into Harry's head. Harry went down, seeing stars, and had dropped his sword. He shook his head, blinked, and looked up in time to see Mordred stand over the fallen Arthur, and raise his sword high in the air.
"The Time of Sanctuary is over!!" Mordred yelled, and he brought the sword crashing down.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
What? Are you joking? This isn't the end! This is a cliffhanger! A little something to whet your appetite for the next chapter. See you all soon, and please keep reviewing. ;)