Harry Potter and the Knights of the Roundtable
Chapter 6
"Oh, Harry, I'm not crying because I'm upset." Hermione said. "I'm crying because I'm happy. I love you too."
The words hit Harry like a freight train. She loved him. For the last two years he had been hiding his feelings, afraid that they wouldn't be returned. He suddenly realized he had been a fool not to tell her sooner. Harry reached over and took her hand, kissing it lightly.
"Hermione, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to admit this sooner. I was so afraid of losing you as a friend. Can you forgive me?"
"Only if you can forgive me." Hermione responded. "After all, I've been as big of git about this as you have." Harry laughed.
"Okay, it's a deal." Harry replied. "No more living in the past, beating ourselves up over what can't be changed. Instead we look to the future. Hermione Granger, would do me the honors of being my girlfriend?" Hermione stood up, pulling Harry up with her. Once standing, she put her arms around his neck and leaned in and kissed him. Harry's mouth opened slightly to accept her tongue and she deepened the kiss. As they kissed, Harry put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. They stood in this position for several minutes, while their tongues engaged in a gentle exploration of each other's mouths. Finally they broke apart.
"So, should I take that as a yes?" Harry said, grinning.
"Yes." Hermione said, leaning in once again to kiss Harry.
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Two hours later, Ron, Jennifer, Ginny, Jason, Draco, Moira, Neville, and Eric sitting alone in the Gryffindor Common Room, waiting the return of Harry and Hermione.
"Where do you think they are?" Eric asked.
"Knowing those two and all the pent up emotions and sexual tension they've had towards each other for the last six years, they're probably in the Astronomy Tower, making up for lost time." Draco replied. Ron and Ginny shot him a look.
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Draco." Ginny said. "It took them this long to admit their feelings. I highly doubt it they're going to rush into something like that."
"Yeah Draco. Unlike you, some of us can control our animal emotions." Ron said. Draco was about to respond when they heard the portrait open. The eight heads turned towards the sound. Harry and Hermione walked through, each with their arm around the other's waist.
"And just where have you two been?" Ginny asked, with a twinkle in her eye. Hermione blushed.
"Oh, just in the library." Harry said, "Celebrating."
"Celebrating what?" Draco asked.
"Harry asked me to be his girlfriend!" Hermione answered excitedly.
"And she said yes." Harry said with a grin. Ron launched himself out of his chair and pulled both of them into a hug.
"Its about bloody time!" he exclaimed. Draco and Ginny soon joined them.
"Finally!" Draco exclaimed, turning to Ginny. "So whose day was it in the pool?" Ginny pulled a small tattered book from her pocket. She flipped through a few pages.
"According to my records, its Dumbledore." Ginny said.
"YOU WERE BETTING ON OUR RELATIONSHIP!?" Harry and Hermione exclaimed incredulously. "WAIT, DUMBLEDORE!?"
"Yeah mate, hell almost everyone in the school has been waiting for you two to get your heads out of your asses and admit what everyone else saw." Ron said.
"You people obviously have way too much time on your hands." Harry said. He sighed. "Anyway, since you guys are all here, I wanted to talk about your training schedule."
"Should we leave?" Jennifer asked, gesturing to herself, Jason, Moira and Eric, obviously hoping that they wouldn't have to.
"No. I was planning on doing this tomorrow, but since you're here." Harry said, pulling the Orb out and handing it to Jennifer. She took it into her hands, and it immediately glowed bright blue. She then passed it to Jason. It also glowed when he took it, as well as for Moira and Eric.
"Good." Harry said. "The four of you have shown my friends great caring and friendship these last two months, and from what I know of your past, you each have demonstrated courage, intelligence, and a desire for good. Because of this, the Orb has judged you worthy of an invitation to join the Knights of the Roundtable." The four smiled, clearly excited. Harry held up his hand. "Before you agree, I will repeat what I told Ron, Hermione, Draco, Cho, Neville, and Ginny. Your training will not be easy, nor will your life. The Knights of the Roundtable are called to be ever active in the defense of freedom and justice. We will be at the forefront of this war, as well as any new conflicts that should develop. Some of you may become injured; others may die. That being said, who wishes to accept the invitation?"
Jennifer, Jason, Moira, and Eric glanced at one another. No discussion was really necessary. With the exception of Harry, the people in the room were their friends. They would stand by them no matter what. They had also been raised on stories of the horror of Lord Voldemort's first reign and had spent the last two years watching the world plunge back into that darkness. Each had lost friends, family members, or acquaintances to the forces of darkness. And each had been raised on the stories of how the Boy-Who-Lived had conquered Voldemort the first time.
"We're in." Jennifer said, as the others nodded their heads. Harry drew Excalibur and repeated the ritual he had performed with the others.
"Everyone take a seat." He said, motioning to them. Everyone sat down, facing Harry.
"Once Dumbledore finds a place for us to use for training, we'll get started. Most of you have had extensive DADA training, and in some cases, some real life magical combat experience." Harry said, looking at Ron, Ginny, Draco, Hermione and Neville. "So I'm sure it won't take much time to train you up on that end. However, magical combat is not the only skills you need to know. You will also be trained in the art of muggle warfare, and learn to combine the two. Unfortunately we do not have a lot of time. Voldemort will shortly be informed of my return, as well as the circumstances surrounding my disappearance. Of this I am sure. Even with the use of a time stretch spell, I won't be able to take the full five months necessary to teach you everything. So I have designed an intensive seven-week training program that will teach you as much as I can. After you complete it, you will assist me in training the rest of the Knights of the Roundtable."
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"What is it Snape?" Voldemort sneered. Severus Snape was standing before his throne, his head down, not daring to look into the eyes of his master.
"Master, I have news. One of my spies reports that Harry Potter has resurfaced at Hogwarts." Snape answered.
"Indeed." Voldemort said sneered. "And was your spy able to find out where Potter was? Or was even that task too difficult?"
"My Lord, according to the Potter boy, he was taken from his aunt and uncle's house by," Snape answered, "Merlin."
"What?!" Voldemort raged.
"According to my spy, Potter claims that Merlin removed him from the house, and he was taken to Camelot. It was here he met King Arthur and was informed that he had been chosen as the heir to Arthur." Snape replied. "He was trained as a Mage Knight and now has begun recruiting students at Hogwarts to reform the Knights of the Roundtable." Voldemort smiled.
"So, Arthur's heir has finally returned. Excellent." Voldemort said. "Assemble the Inner Circle in one hour." Snape bowed and walked out of the throne room. "So the final battle approaches. This time your heir shall lose Arthur."
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An hour latter Voldemort's inner circle was assembled. Besides Snape, also present was Lucius Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Lestrange, Nott, as well as about a dozen others.
"Our good friend Severus has brought interesting news." Voldemort said. He then went on explain the information that Snape had provided.
"With all due respect to Severus," Malfoy sneered. "How do we know that this information is genuine? After all, this story is somewhat hard to believe."
"It is true." Voldemort said. "The prophecy that Severus's source refers to is well known to me."
"My Lord, if this is true, what can we do?" Lestrange asked.
"It will take Potter some time to train his knights, particularly if he is stupid enough only to recruit students." Voldemort sneered. "But we must not underestimate him. Therefore, I will resurrect the Blood Knights."
"The Blood Knights?" Crabbe asked.
"Yes. During my ancestor's reign of terror, the Blood Knights were the most feared soldiers of Darkness in history. But then Arthur and his Knights stuck their noses into their business. But this time will be different."
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The next day Harry and the rest of the new Knights met Cho in the hall outside of the Ravenclaw dormitory. When she saw Harry and Hermione holding hands, she immediately broke into a grin.
"So who won the pool?" she asked.
"Dumbledore." Ginny replied. Cho shook her head, making her way over to the new couple.
"Congratulations. It's about time." She said. Harry rolled his eyes, and then turned to Hermione.
"How many more times do you think we're going to hear that today?" he asked. Hermione grinned.
"Probably at least a hundred or so." She replied. The rest of the Knights laughed.
"Before we head down to breakfast, there's one more thing I need to talk to you guys." Harry said. "No offense, but its something I need to talk to Ron, Hermione, Draco, Ginny, Neville, and Cho about privately." Jennifer smiled.
"No problem. We'll meet you outside the Great Hall." She said, as her, Jason, Moira, and Eric turned and walked off.
"What's up?" Draco asked. Harry pulled the twelve rings that Guinevere gave him.
"Guinevere gave me these rings to give to my most trusted friends. I want each of you to wear one." Harry said, handing out a ring to each of six. "Aside from Dumbledore, you six are the only ones I trust completely. No offense to Jennifer, Jason, Moira or Eric."
"We understand, mate." Ron said. Each of the six slipped the ring onto their right hand.
"These rings have been charmed so that whenever one of us is in danger, the other's rings will glow." Harry explained.
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Five minutes later the group approached the Great Hall, where the met up with Jennifer, Jason, Moira, and Eric and opened the doors. The rest of the school was already there, eating breakfast and talking loudly. When they noticed the group walk in, the conversation ceased. For a few brief moments no one moved, surprised at the site of eleven students now wearing the uniform of the Knights. Then they noticed Harry and Hermione holding hands.
"Its about time Potter!" a voice yelled from the Hufflepuff table. The voice was soon joined by dozens of others. At the head table, Dumbledore and the rest of the teachers watched with amusement. Cho broke off from the group and went over to the Ravenclaw table. Harry and the others took a seat near the head of the Gryffindor table. Harry glanced up at Dumbledore. There was a smile on his face and Harry could swear that the Headmaster had winked at him. Harry turned away and began to eat.
Twenty minutes later, Harry and the rest were finishing up their breakfast when Professor McGonnagal approached him.
"Mr. Potter." She said. Harry turned. "The Headmaster wishes to see you in his office when you are finished. He also requests that your Knights remain here in the Great Hall until you and he are finished."
"But Professor, we have classes in a few minutes." Hermione said. Ron rolled his eyes.
"I know Ms. Granger. I shall inform your teachers that you will be late." McGonnagal replied.
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"Ah Harry. Come in." Dumbledore said. Harry walked into his office.
"Hello Fawkes." Harry said, petting Dumbledore's pet phoenix. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes. First, let me congratulate you and Ms. Granger. I have long seen the love you hold for each other. I was wondering when you would finally admit it to each other. Second, I believe I have a solution to the issue of training facilities and a headquarters." Dumbledore said. "As you are well aware, Salazaar Slytherin built a secret chamber, the Chamber of Secrets, under Hogwarts and only his heir could open it. The Chamber has been destroyed to prevent a repeat of last year." Dumbledore was referring to how the Deatheaters had infiltrated the school using the Chamber. "What you do not know, indeed what I did not know until very recently, is that Godric Gryffindor also built a secret chamber, with the help of Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Raveclaw. They knew what Salazaar was up to, and needed a way to meet, along with their allies, in secret so that Salazaar would not realize that they new of his intentions to take over the wizarding world. Only the heirs of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw would be able to open it."
"And since my parents were descended from them, I should be able to open it." Harry finished.
"Yes. And I believe I may know where the entrance is. Now, from the view vague accounts I have discovered, this chamber is many times bigger than the Chamber of Secrets. I propose that you open it, and we refurbish it to meet your needs." Dumbledore said.
"It sounds like an excellent plan." Harry said.
"The third item I wanted to discuss was your recruiting intentions." Dumbledore said. Harry went on to explain how he would recruit, explaining that the rest of the DA club would be the next ones recruited, but only after Ron, Hermione, Draco, Neville, Cho, Ginny, Jennifer, Jason, Moira, and Eric were trained.
"Excellent. So you plan on recruiting members from each house?" Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded. "And will you only be recruiting from Hogwarts?"
"No. The Knights will be an international unit. I plan on recruiting additional people from other countries." Harry said.
"And your training program?" Dumbledore asked. Harry explained the program he had drawn up.
"I see." Dumbledore said. "Then perhaps I can offer two more suggestions. First, I believe that it might be best if we moved those students who are accepted into the Knights into new living quarters; keep you all together. As you know, the Slytherin Dorms have been razed; perhaps we could refurbish them for your needs." Harry thought for a moment.
"Okay." Harry said. "And the second suggestion?"
"Harry, it is my belief, and I'm sure yours as well, the Voldemort will shortly learn of your return and your heritage, if he has not already. He will not give us much time. Therefore, would you not agree that maximum time and effort must be given to readying your Knights?" Dumbledore said. Harry nodded, a hunch as to what Dumbledore was going to propose rising in his thoughts. "Therefore, I believe that the members of the Roundtable should be released from all school requirements. I am more that confidant that their training as Mage Knights will cover the essentials anyway. And of course, the entire Hogwarts staff is here to assist you, should you require it."
"Thank you Headmaster." Harry said, grinning. "You know people are going to think you've finally gone off the deep end when they hear this?" Dumbledore chuckled.
"Harry, they have been saying that for years, which is good. The more they underestimate my sanity, the easier it is to get them to go along with me." He said.
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"So what did Dumbledore want? And why did want us to wait here?" Hermione asked.
"He wanted to discuss a few things." Harry said. "He sends his congratulations to us, by the way." Hermione giggled.
"Let me guess. He said it was about bloody time?" she asked.
"More or less." Harry said, and then addressed the group. He explained about the chamber Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw had built, as well as where Dumbledore believed the entrance to be. "So we're going to head there now and check it out."
"What about classes?" Hermione asked. The others laughed.
"That's our Hermione." Ginny said, "Always worried about class." The others laughed in agreement.
"Well, that was the other thing Dumbledore wanted to discuss." Harry said. "He has suggested that since I plan on recruiting members from all three houses, as well as several other schools eventually, it would be best if the Knights had our own living quarters. He has suggested that we refurbished the old Slytherin dorms for this purpose and I agreed. So, after we check out this chamber, we'll divide up into two groups and get started. Second, he is also of the opinion, as am I, that training the Knights take precedence over all other concerns. As such, all current Knights, as well as future Knights, are relieved of all other school responsibilities. In affect, we are no longer students at Hogwarts, though we shall train here, live here, and operate from here." He looked at Hermione apologetically. "That means you'll have to give up your position as Head Girl." Hermione looked sad for a moment, then brightened.
"Okay." She said.
"Wicked!" Ron exclaimed.
"Well, what are we waiting around for? Lets get started." Moira said excitedly.