Harry Potter and the Knights of the Roundtable
Chapter 3: Missing Harry, Training, and the Exchange Students
Hermione Granger was still sitting in her room contemplating what she should do concerning her feelings for Harry. She argued with herself back and forth as to whether she should tell him. A tapping at her window interrupted her thoughts.
She opened the window and an owl flew in. It was a school owl. She untied the note from its leg and began to read. Her eyes widened as she read.
Dear Ms. Granger,
It is my sad duty to inform you that there has been a Deatheater attack on
Harry's aunt and uncle's house this evening.
When the Order arrived on scene, we discovered that Harry's aunt, uncle,
and cousin had been killed. There was
no sign of Harry and we are currently investigating his whereabouts.
Do to this event, as well as your closeness to Harry, it has been decided that you, Ron, and Ginny Weasley should return to Hogwarts immediately, where you can be kept safe. Enclosed is a portkey to my office. To activate it, say lemon drops.
Albus Dumbledore
Hermione stared at the letter in shock. Then she began to cry hysterically.
"Oh God No! Harry!" she sobbed, collapsing on the floor. A few moments later her parents walked in and found her.
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Ron and Ginny Weasley were still trying to come up with a plan to get Harry and Hermione together. They had discussed several ideas but decided against most of them. There was a knock on Ron's bedroom door.
"Com in." he said. His mother, Molly Weasley and father, Arthur Weasley, walked in. As soon as they saw the haunted looks on their faces, Ron and Ginny knew something was wrong. "What happened?" Arthur sighed.
"There was an attack in Surrey this evening. A group of Deatheaters demolished Privet Drive. Harry's aunt, uncle and cousin were all killed." Arthur said.
"And Harry?" Ginny asked, frightened.
"We don't know. He wasn't there when the Order arrived. We don't know where he is."
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Draco Malfoy was walking towards the Great Hall of Hogwarts. As he approached he saw a small gathering of professors talking in hushed tones. Professor Katrina Abbott, the new Potions Master, spotted Draco and walked over.
"Mr. Malfoy," she started. "Draco. I'm afraid I have some bad news." Draco tensed, unsure of what would come next. "There was an attack in Surrey this evening. Harry Potter's aunt and uncle's house was attacked. His aunt, uncle, and cousin were killed, along with Arabella Figg." The color drained from Draco's face.
"And Harry?" he asked in a hushed voice. Professor Abbott gave him a pained look.
"He wasn't anywhere to be found when the Order arrived. We don't know where he is. I'm sorry, I know the two of you had become good friends." Draco made his way to the closet chair and slumped into it, burying his hands in his face.
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Harry threw himself to the left, just dodging the curse that had been thrown his way. Recovering, he fired a body bind curse at his attacker. Lancelot dodged the curse, but barely. The two adversaries continued to fight, using curses as well as trying to get each other with their blades. After a few minutes Harry managed to maneuver into position close to Lancelot and kick him in the groin. As Lancelot doubled over, Harry brought the hilt of his sword down on the hand that held his sword, knocking it out of his hand. Harry pointed his sword at Lancelot's throat.
"Do you yield?" Harry asked.
"Yes." Lancelot said. Harry dropped his sword and offered Lancelot his hand. "You have done well Harry. You are a natural at individual combat."
"Thanks. I had some good teachers." Harry said, as he and Lancelot walked over to Arthur.
"Harry, I am truly impressed with your progress. Now that you have mastered magical and muggle combat, it is time to begin the next phase of your training." Arthur then went on to instruct Harry in matters of politics and strategy.
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Harry sighed as he stood looking out the window in the Great Hall. He missed his friends, especially Hermione. His absence from the wizarding world the last three months had only intensified his feelings of love for her. Harry did not hear the figure come up behind him.
"Galleon for your thoughts." Lady Guinevere said. Harry jumped, startled.
"Sorry." He apologized. "You startled me." Guinevere laughed.
"You seemed like you were deep in thought about something." She said, and then decided to play a hunch. "Or should I say someone. Who is she?" Harry's eyes widened.
"How did you know I was thinking about a girl?" he asked. Guinevere smiled.
"Because Harry, you have the look of a man who is in love." She said. "Tell me about her."
"Her name's Hermione. She's the most beautiful woman in the world, present company excluded." Harry said. Guinevere blushed slightly. "We've been best friends for six years. She's smart, funny, and has a good heart. She's stood by me through everything, even though it has placed her in great danger."
"Have you told her?" Harry shook his head no. "Why not?"
"A lot of reasons. My other best friend, Ron, had a crush on her. I didn't want to hurt him. They even dated for a while, but decided to end it mutually. Like I said, she's my best friend and her friendship means the world to me. I don't want to do anything to destroy that. And I don't think she feels the same way. If she were to reject me, I'd just die inside." Harry said. "I guess that makes me a coward. Plus I have absolutely no idea how to even act around women when it comes to the romantic stuff."
"Harry, from what you told me about your friend, I don't think you have to worry about destroying your friendship. If you really love her, you have to tell her. Life is too short." Guinevere said, and then smiled. "And as far as how to act, that won't be a problem either."
Harry's eyebrows rose. It was only then that he noticed Guinevere was not wearing her normal battle attire. Instead she was wearing a very plain dress.
"You've mastered individual combat and you are making speedy progress with strategy and the politics lessons. But it takes more to be the heir of Arthur and a Mage-Knight than that. You also need to know the arts of chivalry. We start that training today."
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In the wake of Harry's disappearance, Professor Dumbledore made the decision to move the students to Hogwarts several weeks early. Security at the school, already tightened after the sneak attack last year, was doubled. Currently everyone was in the Great Hall for the Welcoming Feast. Dumbledore rose to his feet and the hall grew quiet.
"As you are all aware, over the summer we lost one of our best students. There has still been no word on the fate of Harry Potter, though I assure you that the Ministry as well as the Order is working tirelessly to find him. Let us all hope and pray that he shall be returned to us soon, safe and sound." He said. "Now on to other business. I would like to announce that this year Hogwarts has the privilege of hosting several exchange students. May I introduce Jennifer and Jason Linx, from the Salem Institute of Magic; Eric Ader from the Moscow School of Magic, and Moira Lynch from the Dublin School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Applause broke out among the students. All four were sorted into Griffyndor.
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Later that night in the Griffyndor Common Room, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Draco were sitting silently near the fireplace. They had been sitting there for hours in silence.
"Mind if we join you?" an Irish-accented voice said. The group was startled out of their thoughts. They glanced up to see Jennifer, Jason, Eric, and Moira standing there.
"Please, have a seat." Ron said. "I'm sorry we didn't introduce ourselves earlier. Its just we've been through a really rough time the last two months."
"I know. I heard that you four were good friends with Potter." Eric said. Ginny turned to him.
"We were more than just friends. Harry's been like another brother to me and Ron." She said. "And he and Hermione are probably the best friends there are in Hogwarts." At this statement Hermione began to cry again. She stood up.
"I-I'm sorry. I have to get to bed." She said, and ran up to her dorm.
"I take it there was more to their relationship then just friendship." Eric said, slightly sad. He was attracted to Hermione and had contemplated asking her out. Ron, Ginny, and Draco caught his tone.
"Yeah, you could say that." Draco said. "They're in love with each other. Though neither of them will admit it to the other for fear of rejection or ruining their friendship."
"Yeah. I knew it even when Hermione and I were dating." Ron said.
"You and Hermione dated?" Jason asked.
"Yeah. I had crush on her for a while, but once we started dating I realized I didn't really feel for her like that. Plus, her heart was already elsewhere." The group sat in silence for a few minutes.
"What do you think happened to him?" Moira asked.
"I don't know. But I do know he is not dead. I can feel it." Ron said.