That night, Harry and the rest had gone to bed, feeling exhausted. It had been a long day and Harry felt he deserved several hours of uninterrupted sleep. He didn't get. He was woken several times that night. Mr. and Mrs. Granger had stayed up late, celebrating their daughter's engagement. As much of a fight Mr. Granger had put up to stop the wedding, Harry heard the man laugh long into the night. Mr. Granger dipped a little too far into his rum tumbler and his wife had to help him up to the stairs. As the two of them passed Harry's door, Harry heard Mr. Granger make a toast to Ron. "As fine a man as I've ever seen." He said with a hiccough. "He'll make my daughter happy."
Hours later, Harry was again woken by Ron and Hermione sneaking down the hallway. They made their way though the hall and down the stairs and Harry saw them running hand in hand through the yard, spinning circles together.
Harry had never see two people who enjoyed holding hands so much.
Morning came too early for Harry, who pushed himself out of bed, his head pounding from lack of sleep. He brushed his teeth and ran a hand through his hair.
Leaving the Granger's estate was much harder than it should have been. As determined, as he was to get home and speak to his army of Sentinels, Ron was practically drunk on happiness. He would often begin speaking and stop in the middle of a sentence, a half-smile on his face and his eyes far away. The knowledge that he and Hermione were finally getting married was too much for the young man.
Hermione wasn't any better. It had taken the two of them over an hour to pack a single suitcase. They would begin stuffing loose clothing into their trunks when they would stop and stare at each other. They would stay like that, speaking to each other in their special way, until Harry walked into the room and yelled at them.
Each time they were brought out of each other's minds, they would laugh and promise to finish packing. But in moments after Harry left their room, they would fall into each other's eyes again. I was enough to drive Harry mad.
On top of the lovebirds' lack of contribution, Draco was missing. No one had seen him since he had left the dining room the night before. Harry wished the best for Draco and the girl, but he began to worry when they hadn't returned by mid-morning.
Ginny was Harry's only ally that morning. She kept a close eye on Ron and Hermione and helped Harry pack the trunks into the car.
Ginny leaned back on the car after loading the last trunk. "Ron and Hermione have gone mental." She said with small smile.
Harry moved next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. It felt good. "They're getting married. They can finally be happy."
Ginny looked up into Harry's eyes and smiled mischievously. "When are we getting married?" she asked innocently.
Harry knew it was meant to be a joke, but he couldn't force a smile. "I can't marry you."
Ginny drew herself up, the smile still on her face. "You won't marry me! Do you have someone else in mind? I know the famous Harry Potter could hardly be satisfied with a loser like me, but-"
Still, Harry couldn't even smile. "I can't marry anyone."
Ginny suddenly looked confused. "What do you mean?"
Harry shrugged uncomfortably. "As long as Voldemort is alive..." He shook his head miserably. "I'll not be a very good husband if I bring Voldermort's assassins down on both of us. A husband is supposed to protect his wife, not bring danger to her. As long as Voldemort is alive, he will be after me. I can't put someone else in that situation."
Ginny pushed away from him, suddenly. "You idiot!" she screamed, blood rushing to her face. "Even after spending all this time around Ron and Hermione, you don't know a thing about love! Haven't you learned that all that shit doesn't matter? Ron would die for Hermione and she would die for him. Time, danger, obstacles they don't make the slightest difference. Being in love means that you would die to be with someone."
Harry rubbed his hands over his eyes. "It's not that simple, Gin. The choices aren't that easy! If Ron knew that being away from Hermione made her safer, he would leave! He would suffer without her as long as his being away kept her safe."
Harry could see Ginny fighting the tears that filled her eyes. She trembled slightly and with a loud sob, she collapsed against Harry. Harry caught her and pulled her face into his shoulder. "It will be OK, Gin."
"No it won't!" Ginny screamed, her voice muffled against Harry's shoulder. "I love you, Harry, but we won't end up together. There are too many things going against us. Voldemort, all his Death Eaters, school. Hell, you're famous, Harry. Every girl in our world makes doe eyes at you. I keep wondering when you're going to come to your senses and drop me."
"Never, Ginny. You're the only girl I've ever loved." He held her, then. For close to an hour, Harry rubbed her back talked with her. During that hour, they laughed, kissed, and stared into each other's eyes. It was like something from a story, Harry found himself thinking as he looked into Ginny's blue eyes. It feels so good.
A half an hour later, everyone had said their good-byes, but Draco still hadn't shown up. Harry led everyone to the car, saying that Draco could catch up later. He had a broomstick after all.
Harry put his hand to the car door, when he heard Draco shout.
"Harry! Wait up!"
Harry turned and saw Draco jogging across the yard, his Nimbus 2001 over his shoulder. His long, pale hair was windswept, the way Harry's got after hours of Quidditch practice. There was a wide smile on his face.
When Draco reached the car, Harry asked, "Where the hell were you?"
Draco winked. "You told me to go after her, Potter. I did."
Harry couldn't help but smile back. "How was it?"
Draco's smile became wistful and his eyes were distant. "The best night of my life."
"Draco, there have been some new developments. We've got to go back to Ron's house."
Draco nodded. "All right. Can't say I want to leave right now, but I'll get my stuff."
"No need. It's all in the car."
Draco's eyes widened. "We're leaving now?"
Harry nodded.
Draco's shoulder's slumped and he turned to face the house. For the first time, Harry noticed a pretty girl standing by the house. She was under an apple tree, trying to avoid the sun. Her hair was decidedly windswept, also. Harry's heart skipped a beat.
Harry grabbed Draco's shoulder and turned him back. "Draco, you didn't do anything with this girl that you shouldn't have, did you?"
Draco cocked an eyebrow. "Don't worry, Potter. We didn't have sex."
Harry's grip tightened. "That's not what I meant and you know it. You didn't take her for a 'ride', did you?" When Draco didn't answer, Harry rubbed his eyes with his hand. "Draco...this is serious. If the Ministry finds out about this, they'll probably break your wand."
Draco shrugged. "Big deal, Potter. I'd give it all up to stay here."
"It's not that easy, Malfoy. We have a responsibility-"
"I know!" Draco exploded. "It would be so easy to just give it all up. I'd rather live the rest of my life as a Muggle than not be with Emily. But I can't stop. I can't turn my back on everything I've just recently begun to enjoy. If I did that...I'd be no better than my father. I know enough of responsibility."
Harry felt bad about berating him, but didn't know the words to make it better.
Draco shrugged and walked over to the girl. Her name is Emily, Harry thought. She's a Muggle and now she knows about us.
Draco spoke in quiet tone to the girl. He made motions toward the car with his hands. He's saying goodbye, Harry realized. And neither of them looks happy about it.
Emily had folded her arms below and it looked as if she was shivering. Draco would often step forward to touch her or hug her, but he seemed to catch himself every time. From the way she leaned toward him, she wanted him to touch her. Neither of them will say it, Harry thought. Love was a new emotion for Draco and he wouldn't want to ruin by going too fast.
There was a long, awkward silence and Draco finally turned to walk away from the girl. Pain was clear on the Emily's grimacing face. Draco looked like he was going to be sick.
Last chance, Harry thought.
Emily took a step and caught Draco by the shoulder. Draco turned and she threw herself into him. He caught her and pulled her to his chest. Neither spoke, but their love was obvious to everyone in the yard.
"Well done." Harry said and turned back towards the car.
((()))
The ride back to Ron's was a silent one. Draco, who hadn't slept the night before, dozed in the back seat, his head against the window. Ron and Hermione spoke to no one but each other. They used their 'mind speech', so Harry and the rest couldn't hear what it was they were talking about. Ginny sat in the front-side passenger seat, next to Harry, who was driving.
Halfway through the ride, Harry relinquished the wheel to Ginny. She had never driven before, but with Harry talking her through it, she picked it up soon enough. After an hour or so, Harry felt comfortable enough to fall asleep.
It was Ginny that woke him. "Harry, wake up. We're home."
Harry opened his eyes and saw the precariously built Burrow jut into the air like a skyscraper. The car pulled into the long, dirt driveway that led up to the house. He could see the twin's shed nestled next to the house.
"This doesn't make sense." Ron said from the back seat.
"What?" Harry asked.
"The Sentinels. They're supposed to be here."
The lawn around the house was empty. Surely three hundred people wouldn't be able to stay in the house. Harry couldn't believe it. They're secret weapon against Voldemort, the Sentinels, hadn't come. "Son of a-"
His curse was cut off when the car shook.
"What's going on?" Ginny yelled, her hands tight on the wheel.
The groaned as it slowly lost speed. It felt like they were driving through water.
Harry looked over to Ginny and was surprised to see that her face had become blurry. He looked back to Ron and Hermione and saw that their faces had blurred as well. He waved a hand in front of his own face and saw that it left strange after-haze.
Draco groaned as he woke. He looked around and his eyes widened. "What?!"
Before Harry could attempt to answer, the car suddenly jumped forward. Ginny's face cleared and the after-haze disappeared. Ginny slammed on the breaks and stared out Harry's window, eyes wide.
Harry looked and felt his own eyes widen. In the grass surrounding the Burrow, several hundred people stood, staring at the car. Hundreds of men and women looked at the car, wariness in the eyes.
The Weasley's yard had become a war camp. Hundreds of tents stretched out of sight and into the fields beyond the Weasley's property. Harry could see men and women training with every weapon imaginable. The sound of crashing steel rang out over the entire camp.
Ron pushed his door open and stepped out onto the grass. He looked out over the Sentinels, counting them. The Sentinels didn't seem to recognize their Grand Master.
A dangerous looking man stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of a sword belted onto his hip. He was short but Harry could see the sinewy muscles tighten in his arms. Harry could see the Sentinel shield shining on the man's chest. "Who are you kids?" The man demanded. "You don't belong here."
Harry and the others all got out of the car. They moved to stand next to
Ron stepped towards the man. He towered over the shorter man and even in jeans, he gave off a noble aura. "I do what I want, Sentinel. And so do you."
The man took a step back and fell to one knee. "I apologize Grand Master. I didn't know you."
Ron looked down at the man. "How do you know who I am, now?
"I can feel you, m'Lord."
"Good," Ron said, his eyes as cold as ice. "Find me Sentinel Jared of the Core."
"With pleasure, m'Lord." The man said and ran off in search of Jared.
Harry moved to Ron's side. "What was that all about? Why'd you treat that guy like that?"
Ron turned to Harry. Looking into his eyes, Harry could see the man that the Sentinel had seen. Ron was a force. "Look around, Harry. These Sentinels aren't bowing before their Grand Master. Some of them seem to hate me. Whatever the reason is, these men are mine and they must know who I am. The Grand Master of the Sentinel Order not a sixteen year old boy."
They heard a shout coming from the house. Harry turned and saw Jared standing on the back stoop, George Weasley at his side. Both were smiling widely. George was making inviting gestures with his hands.
Ron led the group to the house. Jared went to a knee and George rolled his eyes.
"Don't let it go to your head, Ronnie-kins." George said as he hugged his brother.
Ron turned to Jared. "We need to talk Jared. Assemble the Core and meet me in the house."
Harry had heard Ron talk about the Core when he had related the story of his capture. It was a group made up of the five most powerful Sentinels plus the Grand Master. Ron had not been treated well by Joseph Dent's Core and had little liking for the group. But he knew their power and how they could help him get what he needed.
Jared suddenly looked uncomfortable. "I can assemble the Core, m'Lord, but I'm afraid I'm no longer part of that group."
"What?"
"I'm no longer one of the five."
"Why not? Don't you want to be one of my Core?"
"Of course, m'Lord. But by bringing every Sentinel in the world together, we have discovered many Sentinels that we had prior knowledge of. There are many in this camp that are more powerful than me. Of Dent's Core, only Nia remains. The rest are outsiders."
Harry knew Nia as a particularly cruel Sentinel. She was the one who had originally captured Ron.
Ron let out a slow breath. "Fine. Summon the new Core. Bring them here."
Jared suddenly looked even more uncomfortable. "There is a problem in that regard, as well, m'Lord."
Ron threw his arms in the air. "What is it?"
"Like I said; many Sentinels that we had no idea existed are here and...many will not follow you."
Ron rubbed his eyes with a hand. "Why not?" he groaned.
"You are very young. They have not seen you fight as I have. They can't believe that are fit to lead them."
Ron shook his head in disgust. "What do I have to do?"
"There is certain Sentinel, Mikel TreeHammer, his name is, who leads the movement against you."
Hermione squinted her eyes. "That name sounds Giantish."
George nodded seriously. "He is a Half-Giant, Hermione. He even Bigger than Hagrid."
Ron looked at Jared. "What do I do with this TreeHammer?"
"Fight him. M'Lord."
"What?!" Hermione screamed.
"Fight a Half-Giant?" Harry asked. "That's suicide."
Jared nodded sadly. "Truly. He's a very powerful Sentinel. He and his bond-mate, a Half-Giant named Hertha, are a intimidating pair."
"What kind of man is this TreeHammer?" Hermione asked.
Jared shrugged. "He's loud, rude, and not overly bright, but extremely dedicated to the destruction of Voldemort. Voldemort went to his TreeHammer's family in Scotland to offer them a place in his army. TreeHammer's father, a full Giant, denied Voldemort. In return, Voldemort killed the whole clan. TreeHammer has sworn vengeance."
Ginny shook her head. "If he's so dedicated to bringing down Voldemort, he wouldn't be causing all this trouble."
Jared shrugged. "He simply wants to make sure that the right man leads the Sentinels. He doesn't believe Master Weasley is fit for the job."
Ron sighed. "If he knew how much this job sucks, he wouldn't want it. I'm tempted to just let him have it."
Jared sniffed. "That would not be a good idea, m'Lord. TreeHammer is passionate but a strategist he is not. He'll lead the Sentinels to their downfall."
"I guess I have no choice, then." Ron said.
"Of course you do!" Hermione squealed. "You're not fighting a Giant!"
"A Half-Giant." Ron reasoned. "He can't be more powerful than Dent was."
"Don't count on that, m'Lord." Jared said. "Dent was the most powerful KNOWN Sentinel. TreeHammer had been hiding in the hills of Scotland. The Order had no idea he was even alive. From what I've seen he's far more powerful than Dent was."
"Shit." Ron muttered. "I barely beat Dent."
"I'm afraid that is the only option."
"Well," Ron said. "Let's this over with. Where is this TreeHammer?"
"Now?" Hermione squeaked.
Ron shrugged. "No time like the present. If he's gonna pound me, I might as well get it over as soon as possible. I don't want my face to be pulp when we get married."
"I'll take you to his fire." Jared said.
"Fire?" Ron demanded.
Jared nodded. "Yes, m'Lord. TreeHammer has built a massive fire pit on the edge of the property. He sits by there all day drinking and wrestling with his brothers and the Sentinels that have decided he's more fitting to rule than you."
"How many Giants are here?" Ginny asked.
"TreeHammer brought three of his brothers. Huge, dangerous looking brutes. All Half-Giants, they are. I don't think the ecosystem could support full sized Giants."
"Are they all Sentinels?" Harry asked.
"No, only TreeHammer. His brothers want revenge for their family's murder. They think that TreeHammer will lead them to it."
"Let's go to them." Ron said.
Jared nodded and left the porch, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Draco following him. George ran off to bring Fred and the rest of the Weasleys, who were eating in the house.
As they made their way through the camp, the eyes off everyone around them followed. Ron strode through the host; cold and hard. He met the eyes of many of the Sentinels around him. Few seem to recognize him as what he was. Some knelt when as he past. Ron gave these men small nods of appreciation.
Most though, stared at Ron with indecision clear on their faces. They didn't know whether to follow this teen-aged boy or not. Ron's eyes past over all of these, emotionless. Most looked uncomfortable when Ron's gaze fell on them and a few even fell to their knee.
Still, some stared at Ron with unconcealed contempt. Ron saw these men too and Harry had the feeling that Ron would remember every one of them. Harry felt sorry for these men who didn't know the power that Ron had.
Regardless of their feeling for Ron, everyone stopped what they were doing to follow Jared's group. They knew what was coming, and they all wanted to watch the battle between the two most powerful Sentinels on earth.
By the time TreeHammer's tent came into view, nearly one hundred men and women followed them. It was massive; at least twenty feet tall with supports made from the thick trunks of ancient trees. A sigil was sown into the side of the tent; A massive hammer with roots that lay on a field of blue. Loud, booming laughter and the clatter of plates could be heard coming from within the tent.
Ron looked around and spotted a open clearing. He turned back to Jared and said, "Get TreeHammer. Bring him over there." Ron pointed at the clearing.
Jared nodded and went towards the tent.
Ron moved to the clearing and his eyes covered every inch of it, looking for holes or roots that he might trip over once the fighting started.
The crowd that followed formed a circle around the clearing, three or four people deep. No one spoke, they simply waited.
Hermione pulled the others away from Ron saying, "He's the only one that can do this." Hermione bit her lip with worry, and Harry could see her trembling slightly with fear.
Ron began to pace. Back and forth he walked, his hands on his hips. With every trip, he began to breathe more heavily. But it wasn't from exertion, Harry knew. A vein in Ron's neck pumped madly.
"He's angry." Hermione said quietly. "I can feel it. He's angry the Sentinels who won't follow him. He's angry at this TreeHammer. Most of all he's angry because he doesn't want to fight. That's not why he brought them together."
It was true, Harry saw. By the time the laughter in the tent cut off, Ron was practically shimmering with rage. He stripped off his blue T-shirt and his chest was red with anger. His hands opened and closed, his knuckles white. His jaw was clenched and the muscles in his jaw jutted under his skin.
"Angry" Draco muttered. "No, he's livid."
"I SEE THE BOY HAS COME TO CHALLENGE HIS BETTERS!" a voice exploded from over their shoulders. Harry turned and standing there was the biggest man Harry had ever seen. He's not a man, he told himself. He's a Half-Giant.
Hagrid dwarfed all normal men. This beast dwarfed Hagrid. As Mikel TreeHammer walked into through the circle of onlookers, Harry numbly noted that Ron, who stood taller than most men, barely came TreeHammer's bellybutton. He doesn't have chance, Harry thought miserably.
TreeHammer looked more a bear than a Giant. TreeHammer wore no shirt and his thick, red hair covered his chest and back. His long, fiery beard and hair was braided in intricate ways that Harry would have thought the man's huge fingers were incapable of. He wore a dirty, ragged kilt that was dyed blue and white. The white had long ago faded into a cream color.
Through the thick, red hair covering the man's chest, Harry could see the Sentinel shield tattooed into the skin. Following TreeHammer were his brothers and a female Half-Giant that Harry knew could only be Hertha, TreeHammer's bond-mate. She looked a lot like TreeHammer, just with less hair. Like TreeHammer, Hertha went shirtless and her huge, lumpy breasts fell to her almost to her belt.
Harry heard Draco grunt in disgust. "Horrible."
Hermione shook her head. "That's how they live in the mountains. They rarely wear any clothing. They must have found some to remain decent." Even as scared as she was, Harry knew Hermione couldn't pass an opportunity to lecture.
"Hardly decent." Draco muttered.
In TreeHammer's massive callused hands was a hammer of gargantuan proportions. That's how he got his name, Harry thought. The handle of the long hammer was the trunk of a tree. TreeHammer had never taken the time to scrape the wood, so the bark still held to the wood.
The head of the huge hammer was a massive block of stone, easily a square yard large. The roots of the tree wrapped around the stone several times, holding the stone tight. Magic, Harry thought. Magic would have been needed to forge such a weapon.
The large block of stone was scraped and chipped from hundreds of battles. A man could get crushed beneath that weapon. He knows how to fight, Harry thought, and he's a Sentinel, which makes him ten times as dangerous.
Through a mouthful of yellow, crooked teeth TreeHammer boomed, "VOLDEMORT DID IN MY FAMILY! I'LL HAVE MY REVENGE! YOU CAN'T LEAD US, BOY! YOU'VE NOT THE POWER!"
Ron, who should have been shivering with fear, glared back at the beast. "I brought the Sentinels together to Voldemort down; to end the fighting. Now you bring the fighting amongst your own. You deserve whatever I do to you."
TreeHammer stared at the boy for a moment before exploding into laughter. "I LIKE YOU, BOY! MAYBE WHEN YOU'RE DONE HEALING, YOU CAN JOIN MY CORE!"
"I'm honored." Ron said.
"AS YOU SHOULD BE!" TreeHammer bellowed. He took a step into the circle, gripping his massive hammer in his hands. "WELL, I CAN"T SAY THAT I'M GOING TO ENJOY THIS. NO HONORABLE MAN FIGHTS HIS INFERIORS, BUT-"
Whatever TreeHammer had meant to say, the crowd would never know. Ron cut the beast off by sprinting straight him. TreeHammer hooted with pleasure at seeing Ron charging. He hoisted his massive hammer to his shoulder and when Ron came into reach, he swung the weapon, intending to smash him with it.
The hammer fell and the crowd sucked in a collective breath. Ron waited for the hammer to come within a hand-length from his head before somersaulting forward, between the Half-Giant's legs. He rolled on his shoulder and came to his feet quicker than Harry could follow. TreeHammer bellowed in pain and Harry saw Ron behind the beast, having just punched the beast in the back of the knee.
TreeHammer was quicker than Harry thought possible. He spun and swung his massive hammer toward Ron, like a golfer teeing up on the course. Ron saw the hammer a moment before it fell and was able to move enough to take the blow on his shoulder instead of his head. The swing lifted him from the ground and threw him across the clearing. He hit the ground and slid several feet before coming to a stop. He pushed himself to his feet, holding his shoulder. His mouth was formed in a grimace of pain.
TreeHammer look at Ron with genuine respect. "YOU"RE STRONG, BOY! I SHALL EARN MUCH GLORY FOR DEFEATING YOU. THIS BATTLE WILL BE A CHAPTER IN MY LIFE-BOOK!"
Ron shrugged his shoulder until the feeling could return. TreeHammer charged, his huge legs eating up the space between them in seconds. He brought the hammer over his head, meaning to smash Ron.
One moment Ron was standing, staring at the charging beast, and the next, he was in the air, flying toward TreeHammer. One moment later, Ron stood behind the beast, TreeHammer's huge hammer in his hands.
TreeHammer charged a few steps before he realized he no longer held his weapon. He spun and saw Ron holding his hammer. "WHAT?!"
Ron looked ridiculous holding the weapon. He had to hug the wood to keep a grip on it. Ron spun once and launched the hammer over the crowd. The hammer spun through the air and came down with a crash on TreeHammer's tent. Harry could hear the ceramics within the tent shatter.
The crowd suddenly exploded with cheers. The Sentinels appreciated Ron's ingenuity.
TreeHammer stared at his tent for a moment before turning back to Ron. "SO IT GOES, BOY." The Half-Giant cracked the knuckles on his hands. The sound reminded Harry of gun fire. "NOW WE WRESTLE! THE SPIRITS WILL BE PLEASED!"
TreeHammer charged and, this time, Ron didn't wait for the beast to reach him. He ran at the Half-Giant, as well. They met in the center of the clearing with a meaty smack.
Ron's faster than TreeHammer, Harry thought, but he can't be stronger. Can he?
TreeHammer and Ron rolled on the ground. TreeHammer grabbed Ron around the waist with a single meaty hand, but Ron quickly shrugged out of it. Ron swung a fierce punch and TreeHammer howled again.
TreeHammer lunged for Ron with both hands and grabbed around the shoulders. He lifted Ron bodily over his head and slammed him into the ground. He cocked a hairy fist back to pummel Ron but pulled back with a yelp of pain. The hand that had been holding Ron to the ground came to TreeHammer's chest with three broken fingers. Ron was fighting fiercely.
TreeHammer jumped up and down in pain, clutching his broken hand to his chest. Ron caught him on the way down. He reached his arms around one of TreeHammer's thick legs and wrenched sideways. TreeHammer feel like his namesake and Harry heard a voice in the crowd yell "Timber!"
The ground shook when TreeHammer hit the ground. Ron ran across the beast chest and landed several quick punched to the Half-Giant's face. Soon, TreeHammer's eyes became slightly unfocused.
Ron pulled his fist back and grabbed a fistful of the beast's beard. "Yield!" he screamed.
TreeHammer closed his eyes in an attempt to focus them. When he opened them again, they were still dilated. "I yield." He muttered quietly.
The crowd of Sentinels cheered and hooted loudly as Ron dismounted TreeHammer. Ron walked across the clearing, making his way toward Hermione. The cheering doubled when Ron wrapped Hermione in a gentle hug.
Hertha, TreeHammer's bond-mate ran across the clearing to her fallen husband. TreeHammer accepted her attempts to get him to his feet. His legs were still weak when he kissed Hertha lightly on the cheek. "I'll be fine, my love." He said, no longer yelling. His gaze turned back to Ron. "I've been bested by a better man, is all."
TreeHammer fell to one knee unsteadily. He brought his broken hand to his chest and put the other on the ground in front of him, his fingers curled into a fist. "I bow before your might, Grand Master."
Ron brought a hand to his chest. "Rise, Sentinel."
A grin broke out on TreeHammer's face. "I don't know if I can, m'Lord."
I trust that was long enough to satisfy you for a bit. Sorry about the wait. Finals in Dari Land. I did well, though. No worries.
Almost done. A chapter more. Two more at the most. I've got the next story all planned out. It's called "When Two Worlds Collide 2" the Return of the Sentinel"....Just kidding. Sheesh.
Hours later, Harry was again woken by Ron and Hermione sneaking down the hallway. They made their way though the hall and down the stairs and Harry saw them running hand in hand through the yard, spinning circles together.
Harry had never see two people who enjoyed holding hands so much.
Morning came too early for Harry, who pushed himself out of bed, his head pounding from lack of sleep. He brushed his teeth and ran a hand through his hair.
Leaving the Granger's estate was much harder than it should have been. As determined, as he was to get home and speak to his army of Sentinels, Ron was practically drunk on happiness. He would often begin speaking and stop in the middle of a sentence, a half-smile on his face and his eyes far away. The knowledge that he and Hermione were finally getting married was too much for the young man.
Hermione wasn't any better. It had taken the two of them over an hour to pack a single suitcase. They would begin stuffing loose clothing into their trunks when they would stop and stare at each other. They would stay like that, speaking to each other in their special way, until Harry walked into the room and yelled at them.
Each time they were brought out of each other's minds, they would laugh and promise to finish packing. But in moments after Harry left their room, they would fall into each other's eyes again. I was enough to drive Harry mad.
On top of the lovebirds' lack of contribution, Draco was missing. No one had seen him since he had left the dining room the night before. Harry wished the best for Draco and the girl, but he began to worry when they hadn't returned by mid-morning.
Ginny was Harry's only ally that morning. She kept a close eye on Ron and Hermione and helped Harry pack the trunks into the car.
Ginny leaned back on the car after loading the last trunk. "Ron and Hermione have gone mental." She said with small smile.
Harry moved next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. It felt good. "They're getting married. They can finally be happy."
Ginny looked up into Harry's eyes and smiled mischievously. "When are we getting married?" she asked innocently.
Harry knew it was meant to be a joke, but he couldn't force a smile. "I can't marry you."
Ginny drew herself up, the smile still on her face. "You won't marry me! Do you have someone else in mind? I know the famous Harry Potter could hardly be satisfied with a loser like me, but-"
Still, Harry couldn't even smile. "I can't marry anyone."
Ginny suddenly looked confused. "What do you mean?"
Harry shrugged uncomfortably. "As long as Voldemort is alive..." He shook his head miserably. "I'll not be a very good husband if I bring Voldermort's assassins down on both of us. A husband is supposed to protect his wife, not bring danger to her. As long as Voldemort is alive, he will be after me. I can't put someone else in that situation."
Ginny pushed away from him, suddenly. "You idiot!" she screamed, blood rushing to her face. "Even after spending all this time around Ron and Hermione, you don't know a thing about love! Haven't you learned that all that shit doesn't matter? Ron would die for Hermione and she would die for him. Time, danger, obstacles they don't make the slightest difference. Being in love means that you would die to be with someone."
Harry rubbed his hands over his eyes. "It's not that simple, Gin. The choices aren't that easy! If Ron knew that being away from Hermione made her safer, he would leave! He would suffer without her as long as his being away kept her safe."
Harry could see Ginny fighting the tears that filled her eyes. She trembled slightly and with a loud sob, she collapsed against Harry. Harry caught her and pulled her face into his shoulder. "It will be OK, Gin."
"No it won't!" Ginny screamed, her voice muffled against Harry's shoulder. "I love you, Harry, but we won't end up together. There are too many things going against us. Voldemort, all his Death Eaters, school. Hell, you're famous, Harry. Every girl in our world makes doe eyes at you. I keep wondering when you're going to come to your senses and drop me."
"Never, Ginny. You're the only girl I've ever loved." He held her, then. For close to an hour, Harry rubbed her back talked with her. During that hour, they laughed, kissed, and stared into each other's eyes. It was like something from a story, Harry found himself thinking as he looked into Ginny's blue eyes. It feels so good.
A half an hour later, everyone had said their good-byes, but Draco still hadn't shown up. Harry led everyone to the car, saying that Draco could catch up later. He had a broomstick after all.
Harry put his hand to the car door, when he heard Draco shout.
"Harry! Wait up!"
Harry turned and saw Draco jogging across the yard, his Nimbus 2001 over his shoulder. His long, pale hair was windswept, the way Harry's got after hours of Quidditch practice. There was a wide smile on his face.
When Draco reached the car, Harry asked, "Where the hell were you?"
Draco winked. "You told me to go after her, Potter. I did."
Harry couldn't help but smile back. "How was it?"
Draco's smile became wistful and his eyes were distant. "The best night of my life."
"Draco, there have been some new developments. We've got to go back to Ron's house."
Draco nodded. "All right. Can't say I want to leave right now, but I'll get my stuff."
"No need. It's all in the car."
Draco's eyes widened. "We're leaving now?"
Harry nodded.
Draco's shoulder's slumped and he turned to face the house. For the first time, Harry noticed a pretty girl standing by the house. She was under an apple tree, trying to avoid the sun. Her hair was decidedly windswept, also. Harry's heart skipped a beat.
Harry grabbed Draco's shoulder and turned him back. "Draco, you didn't do anything with this girl that you shouldn't have, did you?"
Draco cocked an eyebrow. "Don't worry, Potter. We didn't have sex."
Harry's grip tightened. "That's not what I meant and you know it. You didn't take her for a 'ride', did you?" When Draco didn't answer, Harry rubbed his eyes with his hand. "Draco...this is serious. If the Ministry finds out about this, they'll probably break your wand."
Draco shrugged. "Big deal, Potter. I'd give it all up to stay here."
"It's not that easy, Malfoy. We have a responsibility-"
"I know!" Draco exploded. "It would be so easy to just give it all up. I'd rather live the rest of my life as a Muggle than not be with Emily. But I can't stop. I can't turn my back on everything I've just recently begun to enjoy. If I did that...I'd be no better than my father. I know enough of responsibility."
Harry felt bad about berating him, but didn't know the words to make it better.
Draco shrugged and walked over to the girl. Her name is Emily, Harry thought. She's a Muggle and now she knows about us.
Draco spoke in quiet tone to the girl. He made motions toward the car with his hands. He's saying goodbye, Harry realized. And neither of them looks happy about it.
Emily had folded her arms below and it looked as if she was shivering. Draco would often step forward to touch her or hug her, but he seemed to catch himself every time. From the way she leaned toward him, she wanted him to touch her. Neither of them will say it, Harry thought. Love was a new emotion for Draco and he wouldn't want to ruin by going too fast.
There was a long, awkward silence and Draco finally turned to walk away from the girl. Pain was clear on the Emily's grimacing face. Draco looked like he was going to be sick.
Last chance, Harry thought.
Emily took a step and caught Draco by the shoulder. Draco turned and she threw herself into him. He caught her and pulled her to his chest. Neither spoke, but their love was obvious to everyone in the yard.
"Well done." Harry said and turned back towards the car.
((()))
The ride back to Ron's was a silent one. Draco, who hadn't slept the night before, dozed in the back seat, his head against the window. Ron and Hermione spoke to no one but each other. They used their 'mind speech', so Harry and the rest couldn't hear what it was they were talking about. Ginny sat in the front-side passenger seat, next to Harry, who was driving.
Halfway through the ride, Harry relinquished the wheel to Ginny. She had never driven before, but with Harry talking her through it, she picked it up soon enough. After an hour or so, Harry felt comfortable enough to fall asleep.
It was Ginny that woke him. "Harry, wake up. We're home."
Harry opened his eyes and saw the precariously built Burrow jut into the air like a skyscraper. The car pulled into the long, dirt driveway that led up to the house. He could see the twin's shed nestled next to the house.
"This doesn't make sense." Ron said from the back seat.
"What?" Harry asked.
"The Sentinels. They're supposed to be here."
The lawn around the house was empty. Surely three hundred people wouldn't be able to stay in the house. Harry couldn't believe it. They're secret weapon against Voldemort, the Sentinels, hadn't come. "Son of a-"
His curse was cut off when the car shook.
"What's going on?" Ginny yelled, her hands tight on the wheel.
The groaned as it slowly lost speed. It felt like they were driving through water.
Harry looked over to Ginny and was surprised to see that her face had become blurry. He looked back to Ron and Hermione and saw that their faces had blurred as well. He waved a hand in front of his own face and saw that it left strange after-haze.
Draco groaned as he woke. He looked around and his eyes widened. "What?!"
Before Harry could attempt to answer, the car suddenly jumped forward. Ginny's face cleared and the after-haze disappeared. Ginny slammed on the breaks and stared out Harry's window, eyes wide.
Harry looked and felt his own eyes widen. In the grass surrounding the Burrow, several hundred people stood, staring at the car. Hundreds of men and women looked at the car, wariness in the eyes.
The Weasley's yard had become a war camp. Hundreds of tents stretched out of sight and into the fields beyond the Weasley's property. Harry could see men and women training with every weapon imaginable. The sound of crashing steel rang out over the entire camp.
Ron pushed his door open and stepped out onto the grass. He looked out over the Sentinels, counting them. The Sentinels didn't seem to recognize their Grand Master.
A dangerous looking man stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of a sword belted onto his hip. He was short but Harry could see the sinewy muscles tighten in his arms. Harry could see the Sentinel shield shining on the man's chest. "Who are you kids?" The man demanded. "You don't belong here."
Harry and the others all got out of the car. They moved to stand next to
Ron stepped towards the man. He towered over the shorter man and even in jeans, he gave off a noble aura. "I do what I want, Sentinel. And so do you."
The man took a step back and fell to one knee. "I apologize Grand Master. I didn't know you."
Ron looked down at the man. "How do you know who I am, now?
"I can feel you, m'Lord."
"Good," Ron said, his eyes as cold as ice. "Find me Sentinel Jared of the Core."
"With pleasure, m'Lord." The man said and ran off in search of Jared.
Harry moved to Ron's side. "What was that all about? Why'd you treat that guy like that?"
Ron turned to Harry. Looking into his eyes, Harry could see the man that the Sentinel had seen. Ron was a force. "Look around, Harry. These Sentinels aren't bowing before their Grand Master. Some of them seem to hate me. Whatever the reason is, these men are mine and they must know who I am. The Grand Master of the Sentinel Order not a sixteen year old boy."
They heard a shout coming from the house. Harry turned and saw Jared standing on the back stoop, George Weasley at his side. Both were smiling widely. George was making inviting gestures with his hands.
Ron led the group to the house. Jared went to a knee and George rolled his eyes.
"Don't let it go to your head, Ronnie-kins." George said as he hugged his brother.
Ron turned to Jared. "We need to talk Jared. Assemble the Core and meet me in the house."
Harry had heard Ron talk about the Core when he had related the story of his capture. It was a group made up of the five most powerful Sentinels plus the Grand Master. Ron had not been treated well by Joseph Dent's Core and had little liking for the group. But he knew their power and how they could help him get what he needed.
Jared suddenly looked uncomfortable. "I can assemble the Core, m'Lord, but I'm afraid I'm no longer part of that group."
"What?"
"I'm no longer one of the five."
"Why not? Don't you want to be one of my Core?"
"Of course, m'Lord. But by bringing every Sentinel in the world together, we have discovered many Sentinels that we had prior knowledge of. There are many in this camp that are more powerful than me. Of Dent's Core, only Nia remains. The rest are outsiders."
Harry knew Nia as a particularly cruel Sentinel. She was the one who had originally captured Ron.
Ron let out a slow breath. "Fine. Summon the new Core. Bring them here."
Jared suddenly looked even more uncomfortable. "There is a problem in that regard, as well, m'Lord."
Ron threw his arms in the air. "What is it?"
"Like I said; many Sentinels that we had no idea existed are here and...many will not follow you."
Ron rubbed his eyes with a hand. "Why not?" he groaned.
"You are very young. They have not seen you fight as I have. They can't believe that are fit to lead them."
Ron shook his head in disgust. "What do I have to do?"
"There is certain Sentinel, Mikel TreeHammer, his name is, who leads the movement against you."
Hermione squinted her eyes. "That name sounds Giantish."
George nodded seriously. "He is a Half-Giant, Hermione. He even Bigger than Hagrid."
Ron looked at Jared. "What do I do with this TreeHammer?"
"Fight him. M'Lord."
"What?!" Hermione screamed.
"Fight a Half-Giant?" Harry asked. "That's suicide."
Jared nodded sadly. "Truly. He's a very powerful Sentinel. He and his bond-mate, a Half-Giant named Hertha, are a intimidating pair."
"What kind of man is this TreeHammer?" Hermione asked.
Jared shrugged. "He's loud, rude, and not overly bright, but extremely dedicated to the destruction of Voldemort. Voldemort went to his TreeHammer's family in Scotland to offer them a place in his army. TreeHammer's father, a full Giant, denied Voldemort. In return, Voldemort killed the whole clan. TreeHammer has sworn vengeance."
Ginny shook her head. "If he's so dedicated to bringing down Voldemort, he wouldn't be causing all this trouble."
Jared shrugged. "He simply wants to make sure that the right man leads the Sentinels. He doesn't believe Master Weasley is fit for the job."
Ron sighed. "If he knew how much this job sucks, he wouldn't want it. I'm tempted to just let him have it."
Jared sniffed. "That would not be a good idea, m'Lord. TreeHammer is passionate but a strategist he is not. He'll lead the Sentinels to their downfall."
"I guess I have no choice, then." Ron said.
"Of course you do!" Hermione squealed. "You're not fighting a Giant!"
"A Half-Giant." Ron reasoned. "He can't be more powerful than Dent was."
"Don't count on that, m'Lord." Jared said. "Dent was the most powerful KNOWN Sentinel. TreeHammer had been hiding in the hills of Scotland. The Order had no idea he was even alive. From what I've seen he's far more powerful than Dent was."
"Shit." Ron muttered. "I barely beat Dent."
"I'm afraid that is the only option."
"Well," Ron said. "Let's this over with. Where is this TreeHammer?"
"Now?" Hermione squeaked.
Ron shrugged. "No time like the present. If he's gonna pound me, I might as well get it over as soon as possible. I don't want my face to be pulp when we get married."
"I'll take you to his fire." Jared said.
"Fire?" Ron demanded.
Jared nodded. "Yes, m'Lord. TreeHammer has built a massive fire pit on the edge of the property. He sits by there all day drinking and wrestling with his brothers and the Sentinels that have decided he's more fitting to rule than you."
"How many Giants are here?" Ginny asked.
"TreeHammer brought three of his brothers. Huge, dangerous looking brutes. All Half-Giants, they are. I don't think the ecosystem could support full sized Giants."
"Are they all Sentinels?" Harry asked.
"No, only TreeHammer. His brothers want revenge for their family's murder. They think that TreeHammer will lead them to it."
"Let's go to them." Ron said.
Jared nodded and left the porch, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Draco following him. George ran off to bring Fred and the rest of the Weasleys, who were eating in the house.
As they made their way through the camp, the eyes off everyone around them followed. Ron strode through the host; cold and hard. He met the eyes of many of the Sentinels around him. Few seem to recognize him as what he was. Some knelt when as he past. Ron gave these men small nods of appreciation.
Most though, stared at Ron with indecision clear on their faces. They didn't know whether to follow this teen-aged boy or not. Ron's eyes past over all of these, emotionless. Most looked uncomfortable when Ron's gaze fell on them and a few even fell to their knee.
Still, some stared at Ron with unconcealed contempt. Ron saw these men too and Harry had the feeling that Ron would remember every one of them. Harry felt sorry for these men who didn't know the power that Ron had.
Regardless of their feeling for Ron, everyone stopped what they were doing to follow Jared's group. They knew what was coming, and they all wanted to watch the battle between the two most powerful Sentinels on earth.
By the time TreeHammer's tent came into view, nearly one hundred men and women followed them. It was massive; at least twenty feet tall with supports made from the thick trunks of ancient trees. A sigil was sown into the side of the tent; A massive hammer with roots that lay on a field of blue. Loud, booming laughter and the clatter of plates could be heard coming from within the tent.
Ron looked around and spotted a open clearing. He turned back to Jared and said, "Get TreeHammer. Bring him over there." Ron pointed at the clearing.
Jared nodded and went towards the tent.
Ron moved to the clearing and his eyes covered every inch of it, looking for holes or roots that he might trip over once the fighting started.
The crowd that followed formed a circle around the clearing, three or four people deep. No one spoke, they simply waited.
Hermione pulled the others away from Ron saying, "He's the only one that can do this." Hermione bit her lip with worry, and Harry could see her trembling slightly with fear.
Ron began to pace. Back and forth he walked, his hands on his hips. With every trip, he began to breathe more heavily. But it wasn't from exertion, Harry knew. A vein in Ron's neck pumped madly.
"He's angry." Hermione said quietly. "I can feel it. He's angry the Sentinels who won't follow him. He's angry at this TreeHammer. Most of all he's angry because he doesn't want to fight. That's not why he brought them together."
It was true, Harry saw. By the time the laughter in the tent cut off, Ron was practically shimmering with rage. He stripped off his blue T-shirt and his chest was red with anger. His hands opened and closed, his knuckles white. His jaw was clenched and the muscles in his jaw jutted under his skin.
"Angry" Draco muttered. "No, he's livid."
"I SEE THE BOY HAS COME TO CHALLENGE HIS BETTERS!" a voice exploded from over their shoulders. Harry turned and standing there was the biggest man Harry had ever seen. He's not a man, he told himself. He's a Half-Giant.
Hagrid dwarfed all normal men. This beast dwarfed Hagrid. As Mikel TreeHammer walked into through the circle of onlookers, Harry numbly noted that Ron, who stood taller than most men, barely came TreeHammer's bellybutton. He doesn't have chance, Harry thought miserably.
TreeHammer looked more a bear than a Giant. TreeHammer wore no shirt and his thick, red hair covered his chest and back. His long, fiery beard and hair was braided in intricate ways that Harry would have thought the man's huge fingers were incapable of. He wore a dirty, ragged kilt that was dyed blue and white. The white had long ago faded into a cream color.
Through the thick, red hair covering the man's chest, Harry could see the Sentinel shield tattooed into the skin. Following TreeHammer were his brothers and a female Half-Giant that Harry knew could only be Hertha, TreeHammer's bond-mate. She looked a lot like TreeHammer, just with less hair. Like TreeHammer, Hertha went shirtless and her huge, lumpy breasts fell to her almost to her belt.
Harry heard Draco grunt in disgust. "Horrible."
Hermione shook her head. "That's how they live in the mountains. They rarely wear any clothing. They must have found some to remain decent." Even as scared as she was, Harry knew Hermione couldn't pass an opportunity to lecture.
"Hardly decent." Draco muttered.
In TreeHammer's massive callused hands was a hammer of gargantuan proportions. That's how he got his name, Harry thought. The handle of the long hammer was the trunk of a tree. TreeHammer had never taken the time to scrape the wood, so the bark still held to the wood.
The head of the huge hammer was a massive block of stone, easily a square yard large. The roots of the tree wrapped around the stone several times, holding the stone tight. Magic, Harry thought. Magic would have been needed to forge such a weapon.
The large block of stone was scraped and chipped from hundreds of battles. A man could get crushed beneath that weapon. He knows how to fight, Harry thought, and he's a Sentinel, which makes him ten times as dangerous.
Through a mouthful of yellow, crooked teeth TreeHammer boomed, "VOLDEMORT DID IN MY FAMILY! I'LL HAVE MY REVENGE! YOU CAN'T LEAD US, BOY! YOU'VE NOT THE POWER!"
Ron, who should have been shivering with fear, glared back at the beast. "I brought the Sentinels together to Voldemort down; to end the fighting. Now you bring the fighting amongst your own. You deserve whatever I do to you."
TreeHammer stared at the boy for a moment before exploding into laughter. "I LIKE YOU, BOY! MAYBE WHEN YOU'RE DONE HEALING, YOU CAN JOIN MY CORE!"
"I'm honored." Ron said.
"AS YOU SHOULD BE!" TreeHammer bellowed. He took a step into the circle, gripping his massive hammer in his hands. "WELL, I CAN"T SAY THAT I'M GOING TO ENJOY THIS. NO HONORABLE MAN FIGHTS HIS INFERIORS, BUT-"
Whatever TreeHammer had meant to say, the crowd would never know. Ron cut the beast off by sprinting straight him. TreeHammer hooted with pleasure at seeing Ron charging. He hoisted his massive hammer to his shoulder and when Ron came into reach, he swung the weapon, intending to smash him with it.
The hammer fell and the crowd sucked in a collective breath. Ron waited for the hammer to come within a hand-length from his head before somersaulting forward, between the Half-Giant's legs. He rolled on his shoulder and came to his feet quicker than Harry could follow. TreeHammer bellowed in pain and Harry saw Ron behind the beast, having just punched the beast in the back of the knee.
TreeHammer was quicker than Harry thought possible. He spun and swung his massive hammer toward Ron, like a golfer teeing up on the course. Ron saw the hammer a moment before it fell and was able to move enough to take the blow on his shoulder instead of his head. The swing lifted him from the ground and threw him across the clearing. He hit the ground and slid several feet before coming to a stop. He pushed himself to his feet, holding his shoulder. His mouth was formed in a grimace of pain.
TreeHammer look at Ron with genuine respect. "YOU"RE STRONG, BOY! I SHALL EARN MUCH GLORY FOR DEFEATING YOU. THIS BATTLE WILL BE A CHAPTER IN MY LIFE-BOOK!"
Ron shrugged his shoulder until the feeling could return. TreeHammer charged, his huge legs eating up the space between them in seconds. He brought the hammer over his head, meaning to smash Ron.
One moment Ron was standing, staring at the charging beast, and the next, he was in the air, flying toward TreeHammer. One moment later, Ron stood behind the beast, TreeHammer's huge hammer in his hands.
TreeHammer charged a few steps before he realized he no longer held his weapon. He spun and saw Ron holding his hammer. "WHAT?!"
Ron looked ridiculous holding the weapon. He had to hug the wood to keep a grip on it. Ron spun once and launched the hammer over the crowd. The hammer spun through the air and came down with a crash on TreeHammer's tent. Harry could hear the ceramics within the tent shatter.
The crowd suddenly exploded with cheers. The Sentinels appreciated Ron's ingenuity.
TreeHammer stared at his tent for a moment before turning back to Ron. "SO IT GOES, BOY." The Half-Giant cracked the knuckles on his hands. The sound reminded Harry of gun fire. "NOW WE WRESTLE! THE SPIRITS WILL BE PLEASED!"
TreeHammer charged and, this time, Ron didn't wait for the beast to reach him. He ran at the Half-Giant, as well. They met in the center of the clearing with a meaty smack.
Ron's faster than TreeHammer, Harry thought, but he can't be stronger. Can he?
TreeHammer and Ron rolled on the ground. TreeHammer grabbed Ron around the waist with a single meaty hand, but Ron quickly shrugged out of it. Ron swung a fierce punch and TreeHammer howled again.
TreeHammer lunged for Ron with both hands and grabbed around the shoulders. He lifted Ron bodily over his head and slammed him into the ground. He cocked a hairy fist back to pummel Ron but pulled back with a yelp of pain. The hand that had been holding Ron to the ground came to TreeHammer's chest with three broken fingers. Ron was fighting fiercely.
TreeHammer jumped up and down in pain, clutching his broken hand to his chest. Ron caught him on the way down. He reached his arms around one of TreeHammer's thick legs and wrenched sideways. TreeHammer feel like his namesake and Harry heard a voice in the crowd yell "Timber!"
The ground shook when TreeHammer hit the ground. Ron ran across the beast chest and landed several quick punched to the Half-Giant's face. Soon, TreeHammer's eyes became slightly unfocused.
Ron pulled his fist back and grabbed a fistful of the beast's beard. "Yield!" he screamed.
TreeHammer closed his eyes in an attempt to focus them. When he opened them again, they were still dilated. "I yield." He muttered quietly.
The crowd of Sentinels cheered and hooted loudly as Ron dismounted TreeHammer. Ron walked across the clearing, making his way toward Hermione. The cheering doubled when Ron wrapped Hermione in a gentle hug.
Hertha, TreeHammer's bond-mate ran across the clearing to her fallen husband. TreeHammer accepted her attempts to get him to his feet. His legs were still weak when he kissed Hertha lightly on the cheek. "I'll be fine, my love." He said, no longer yelling. His gaze turned back to Ron. "I've been bested by a better man, is all."
TreeHammer fell to one knee unsteadily. He brought his broken hand to his chest and put the other on the ground in front of him, his fingers curled into a fist. "I bow before your might, Grand Master."
Ron brought a hand to his chest. "Rise, Sentinel."
A grin broke out on TreeHammer's face. "I don't know if I can, m'Lord."
I trust that was long enough to satisfy you for a bit. Sorry about the wait. Finals in Dari Land. I did well, though. No worries.
Almost done. A chapter more. Two more at the most. I've got the next story all planned out. It's called "When Two Worlds Collide 2" the Return of the Sentinel"....Just kidding. Sheesh.