a/n- please read and review! PS- sorry this chapter is so short. the next will be longer, I promise.









The Knight's Mess



After snagging some empty rooms for the three friends, Buri led them to the mess hall shared by the armies of Tortall, the King's Own and the Queen's Riders, and also by any visiting knights. Buri pointed to a table, and they plopped into three seats, followed by Buri. The remaining five seats at their table were filled by Raoul and four others- two men and two women.

The nine got up, took trays, and got their food, then returned to their table. They all introduced themselves, though the adults seemed to already know each other. To Hermione's left sat Lady Knight, Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau. To her left was Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan, followed by Sir Cleon of Kennan, Sir Nealan of Queenscove, Raoul, Buri, and finally Harry and Ron. Their dinner-mates' history was quite interesting. It seemed that everyone was a knight except for Buri, but who was a commander of the Queen's Riders. Raoul was commander of one of the regiments of the King's Own. Lady Alanna was the first, and until a few months ago when Keladry, or Kel as she preferred, had been knighted, the only Lady Knight. She was also the King's Champion, and called the Lioness. Keladry had been Raoul's squire in then past four years, and had had many adventures with him and the King's Own. Cleon and Nealan (Neal) were close friends of Kel's, both of whom she had known for eight years, since she first began her training.

After the knights and Buri had introduced themselves, they turned expectantly to the Hogwarts trio. Hermione hesitated, then spoke. "We are from a place called London, in a country named England. I know you haven't heard of it, but trust me, it exists. We are heading into our fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, under Headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore. I don't know if you have magic of any kind here, but where we come from the people with Magic, such as ourselves, tend to lead an underground life, and the Muggles never even know about us." Seeing their faces, she explained, "Muggles are people without magic."

Kel answered her. "Yes, as a matter of fact we do have magic here, but it has a slightly different name. Here people with magic are said to have The Gift, and their Gift is trained sometimes at magic schools like your own, but more often in special classes in other programs. For example, here in Corus all the Gifted pages receive magic classes along with their others."

Alanna nodded, then said, "Well, now that we're all done eating and we have learned a bit about each other, let's try getting you back to your London."

The four got up and headed to Alanna's chambers, and Kel, Cleon, and Neal also got up to go do various tasks, leaving Raoul and Buri alone at the table.