The path was narrow, wooden banisters barred walking onto to freshly cut grass and a small pond on the right, where large golden fish swam about excitedly. The path opened up to a larger garden, winding up to a small bridge where the pond had extended under. Lush trees and flowers were spaced out, the songs of several birds slightly echoed in the garden. Harry found himself oddly at peace in his surroundings. Maybe it was the lack of magical plants or just the quiet serenity and solitude the garden offered, he didn't know. He closed his eyes and tilted his head to the sky, inhaling the deep scent of flowers and letting the fresh air fill his lungs. A gentle melody quietly crept into his ears, and he looked around to find the source. He followed the path, until it ended at the garden exit. The music, flowing notes from a flute perhaps was somewhere in the garden. Hoping no one noticed, he stepped over the small wooden fence and followed the sound. He was careful not to disturb anything and he finally came upon a clearing, where, upon a large, well rounded stone, sat perhaps the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, the flute playing a seducing melody that drew Harry unknowingly closer to this woman. She of the dark raven hair flowing with a gentle breeze. Her pale skin soft as cream and her fingers playing expertly along the flute. Her eyes were closed in deep meditation of the song, seemingly playing from the heart rather than notes some one had written long ago.
Who is this girl?
Of Kings and Commoners
A Harry Potter Fanfiction
Simply As Is
Harry didn't recognize her from breakfast or any of the short lessons. He was sure he could remember such a beautiful face. He watched her play, slowly stepping closer. His eyes followed every contour of her body, noting the simple little details about her, like a thin lock of dark brown hair, mingling with the deep black of her hair. She was almost close enough to touch.
And the music stopped.
Her hair floated back down as if the breeze came with the music. Her brilliant robes that seemed to shimmer were now simple blacks and grays of dyed cotton. Her face remained its soft cream complexion though the glow surrounding her had faded.
Harry found himself uncomfortably close to this girl, who had just moments ago seemed to captivate and entrance his senses. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but he certainly didn't want to make a bad impression of looking like he was going to kiss her. Slowly he backed away just as she opened her eyes and suddenly jumped up from her perch on the rock, looking clearly surprised.
"W-who're you? What are you doing here?" She cried out.
Harry was in state of shock. Maybe she really didn't stop because she felt his presence. She was obviously as shocked as he was, now standing and looking wide eyed.
"I-I'm Harry Potter?" Somehow it came out as a question and she eyed him suspiciously.
"I just got here this morning? And I heard you while I was trying to get familiar with the area." He stumbled around with his words still not sure of his place here.
"I know, I know. Sorry you just startled me. I saw you this morning at breakfast." She suddenly relaxed and leaned up against the rock.
"I don't remember you at breakfast. I'm sure I would have remembered you if I did." Harry said, quite positive in his words.
"Thanks. Liu Yen."
She brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and stuck her hand out at him and he took it gently giving it a soft shake.
"Pleased to meet you Liu." The name was difficult to pronounce and she noticed it and simply smiled.
"Everyone just calls me Lien. Lee-en." She pronounced again slowly for him and he nodded, the name agreeing with his accent, though he couldn't quite place hers. Probably American.
"Lien..." Harry pronounced just for good measure and still wondering about the song he had just heard and the feelings that welled up inside of him. Feelings that lingered well after the song.
"Oh geez..." Lien ran a hand through her thin mane of black hair, which seemed a bit tangled more than before and sighed.
"What?"
"Every time we get someone new I have to explain." She held up a hand to stop Harry just as he opened his mouth. "Whenever I play, my songs attack emotions and overpower a person's own emotions with its own. In this case I played a love song..." Her eyes drifted to the ground looking sorrowful, but only for a moment as she looked back up and continued. "More than once I played a sad song and every time someone overheard I have to make sure they didn't kill themselves."
"Uh...ok." Harry couldn't betray the look of confusion on his face and Lien could clearly see it.
"It was just the song ok? You," She emphasized by poking a finger into his chest and poked with each word. "are not in love with me. Ok?"
"Right. Song. Love, no." Harry managed before she walked away. She disappeared from view and left Harry a bit flustered. He had never had such a meeting before; being left with a very odd first impression. Except maybe with Luna Lovegood. Though she revealed herself to be more than just a dreamy eyed and creative Ravenclaw.
He perched himself upon the rock, still warm from where Lien sat and looked up to the clouds. They were lit with the afternoon sun as the clouds passed overhead, casting an orange hue upon the garden. It was probably the solitude and peacefulness of this spot that had drawn Lien to it. He doubted there were others that could capture the same feeling. He smiled as a breeze swept through him and resolved that if he didn't hear music, he would claim the spot for a while.
No sooner had Harry stepped outside of the garden doors did he run into Donovan. Though taller by a good five inches, he seemed to tower over Harry, reminding him vaguely of his half-giant friend Hagrid. Another letter he needed to write, he thought to himself.
"Well Harry seeing as you're ahead of the magic game, why don't put you through you paces and see how far you have come in terms of how much power you really have."
Harry quietly followed Donovan around corridors and outside of the temple courtyard, actually stepping outside of the temple grounds and walking quite a ways out. He inhaled deeply as if he had been locked away in a stuffy room and reveled in the beauty of the land around him. Rolling hills, dotted with lifeless patches of dirt and grazing animals. Snow capped mountains surrounded them, a few winding trails leading into the clouds. There was another temple, across the valley that they sat in, with a small village in the center that seemed to bustle with traders and merchants.
"Ok Harry." They had walked quite a ways, following a well worn trail and stepped just past a curious looking rock formation. "We are now outside of the "dead zone" as most call it. I'm sure you can feel the difference?"
Harry nodded, feeling extraordinary, noting the surge of energy he felt once he stepped past the rocks. He pulled out his wand mimicking Donovan's reach for his own.
"Don't worry about them over there. We're sort of contracted. They don't talk about us, and we keep the Chinese soldiers away."
Again Harry responded only with a nod, still relishing in the refreshing feeling of being outside of the "dead zone".
Donovan conjured a wooden bench and sat down. "Ok Harry, I've heard you can cast a patronus. Being a difficult and demanding spell, this should be enough to gauge your strengths. Do what you can to make it as powerful as possible."
Harry smiled and felt at ease with casting a patronus charm seeing as he had cast them so easily just two nights prior. He quieted his mind and found the thoughts that were his fuel for the spell. Inhaling deeply and drawing on the magic for the spell, he raised his wand to cast the Patronus.
"Expecto Patronum!" He cried out and the same silvery misted stag burst forth and charged into nothingness as its form faded away.
"Incredible...really. Well I guess that settles it."
Harry felt a bit of pride surge through him as Donovan stood up.
"You're strong Harry, more so than most your age...but not that strong. Given the same amount of schooling our kids have and I have no doubt you'd be thoroughly schooled in the art of falling on you face."
Harry smiled despite the remark. He knew his Patronus was stronger than most wizards twice his age.
"Well we'll have to remedy that won't we? Besides you might be stronger when you're back home right?"
"I guess so."
The two walked back into the temple grounds, following paths that led to the back side of the temple. Trees lines the walls, being the only vegetation aside from the well cared grass. In the center a long and shallow pool of water stretched from the back of the temple wall and stopped a few feet short of familiar red double doors.
"Ok Harry this is a simple exercise. Observe." With the ease of many years Donovan stepped onto the water and began to walk its length. His feet seemed to barely tap the surface, only causing small ripples as he stepped. He stopped to where Harry stood and stepped off of the water and back onto the grass.
"Now I'm sure there are many spells one could cast to make what I did just possible. But to do it without spells and using just your energy."
Harry stood there in silence, wondering just how it was possible without spells.
"When you cast a spell, it exits through your arm right? Have you ever cast a spell with your other hand?"
"Yes, though it felt kinda of weird. Like writing with my left hand."
"Right but you could do it. So therefore directing your energy to another body part is possible. The spell takes form, is magnified, multiplied in energy and is directed through the wand. But without a wand, it requires more energy, and more concentration. In this case directing energy to your feet. Think in terms of a levitation charm. Or a reverse polarity charm with water. You know like magnets."
The image of his feet acting like the opposite side of a magnet to water was easier to visualize.
"There's a whole mess to learn about manipulating your energy, chi, aura, whatever you want to call it. But we'll skip that for now. It's demanding and don't expect success the first time. Now come on. Step in the water."
"In the water? I thought you wanted me to walk." Harry inquired.
"Baby steps Harry, got to learn to crawl before you can tango right? Now get in."
Harry stepped in, wadding in the pool; the water coming to his calves and he wished he hadn't rolled his boots down like everyone else.
"Now try and direct repelling energy to your legs. When you master this water should move away from your legs like there's a barrier keeping it away."
"Um ok..." Was all he managed as the water had soaked through to his boots and socks.
"I'll be back for you for dinner. Keep at it." And Donovan left.
"Wha? Wait...!" Harry turned to start after him, and fell completely in as a result. He cursed at himself and attempted to cast a drying charm, and only managed to get them from soaked to damp. He stood there still wondering how to do what he was told. He closed his eyes and tried to focus his energy. He felt it surging into his right hand, but it was supposed to go to his legs. He tried to envision it moving to his legs, though it seemed to trickle down. It was like he was re-learning how to cast magic. It was so easy before, but now he felt like...well he didn't know what he felt like. Probably someone who had trouble in class. But seeing as he never had had any trouble with magic, he felt almost naked. Or vulnerable. Either way the magic wasn't going to his legs.
The sun had set and he sky resembled the hues of early morning, the sun casting its last bit of light over the horizon, while the darkness of night loomed ever closer. Though it was still early in the evening, the surrounding mountains had set the sun early. It was about that time that dinner was served.
"Jesus Harry...still nothing?"
Harry's eyes snapped open at Donovan's tactless remark at his progress. At best he could make the water ripple more than if he moved a bit so he knew he was doing something. Donovan looked at him with disappointment and rubbed his temples.
"You need to unlearn all the stuff you leaned at Hogwarts. You don't need a wand, you don't need incantations. You're not even casting a spell. You have to exude you energy from your body..."
"I'm trying!" Harry exclaimed. His frustration had built up over the course of the afternoon. Every time he felt he had done it he'd open his eyes and his feet would still remain soaked. And the fact that he was normally a quick learner...well, was no longer fact.
"Enough of this, come on. You can try some more after dinner."
"More? I'm exhausted..." Harry sighed. He really did focus his energy and it drained him. The process of expelling it out from his legs was another draining task.
"Cry to someone who cares...this ain't Hogwarts Harry. You work at it and you work at until you get it. Understand?"
"Yes sir." He said dumbly. He was right, this wasn't Hogwarts and life was much harder here. No Hogsmeade weekends...in fact no weekends at all so he had assumed considering the sternness with which the temple was run. From what he observed, some would leave to trade at the village but they never took long. Leaving the temple grounds was rare in itself.
Glumly, Harry followed Donovan, using the last bit of energy he had to dry out his pants and boots. His whole body seemed to sag and he dragged his feet into the dining area, taking his seat across Donovan. Slumping in his seat he didn't notice everyone was standing waiting for them, only taking their seats after they had.
Food was brought out by elves, not appearing in the Hogwarts splendor and abundance. Instead the food looked less exotic than at lunch time. Dinner consisted of simple steaks and chickens and sides of rice or potatoes and worn wooden cups of water. Though despite the simplicity of the meal, Harry found the food delicious and it warmed and filled him to no end. He felt his energy restored and wondered what they had put into the food.
He had finished early, and his eyes darted amongst the knights and their squires. He found Lien on the far end; being the only one with long black hair, her back to him, explaining why he hadn't recognized her before.
As if on cue, everyone stood up, prompting Harry to jolt out of his slight daze. They all faced Donovan and bowed, filing out wordlessly. Harry wondered why no one spoke, pondering if it was just dinner that they didn't speak or something or other.
"We don't speak at dinner. Dinner and the evenings is personal time. Breakfast and lunch are time to talk and laugh. Don't ask me why, but that's how it's been since I got here. Come on, back to the strip."
Harry only assumed he meant the long pool and followed the already memorized path. He stepped into the pool and sighed trying to focus...on why, if this was personal time, then why was he still working? He kept at it though not noticing that his thoughts were clear of his Godfather Sirius Black...
By around midnight, Harry had made enough progress to satisfy Donovan. He had managed to push the water away but not for long as the "push" pulsated and small waves crashed against his legs. He had never felt so exhausted in his life. The most he could compare it to was the lesson to learn the Patronus charm.
Some chocolate would be good right about now...he jokingly said to himself.
The water in his boots, which Harry realized, were rolled just below the water line, were soaked and they squished at each step. He'd have to remember to not roll them at all tomorrow. He hadn't even the energy to cast a simple drying charm. No scratch that. Drying charms were no longer simple. All of the simplest spells seems to be the most demanding task.
Making his way into the barracks courtyard Harry found the other apprentices all sitting around a bonfire, some staring intently at the flames, others talking animatedly. His eyes found Lien on the far side. As if to sense his nervousness, she waved him over. He found it embarrassing to not know ten people with whom he stayed, granted it had only been a few days, but he had made twice that many friends in the first two days at school.
"Pool?" She asked.
Harry fell gracelessly to her side drawing a few looks but ignored them and tried to fit in casually. He kicked his feet towards the fire to dry.
"Yup...everyone start there?"
"No actually. Only myself and those two," She pointed to two older boys. The one on the left was tall and stocky, and had thick American accent and a mop of hair to rival Harry's. The other was just as tall, but lean, his sleek black hair reminded him of Draco Malfoy, though this one sounded Hispanic as his voice could be heard over the rest.
"Maximus Deleon, is the American. Max for short. Juan Ramos Garcia y De La Vega the third is the other. Everyone calls him Vega...his video game obsession has something to do with that. Both are about nineteen, and me being seventeen are the oldest and the only ones to get to the pool at our ages." Harry was a bit surprised at her age as she looked older than she said.
"So Max, Vega and yourself are the only ones to go to the pool? How long did it take for you guys?"
"They both took a month. Me? I got it down easy in two weeks."
"Wow," Then a thought occurred to Harry. "wait, I'm not getting any special treatment am I?"
Lien simply looked into the fire.
"Hardly. We all know you go to Hogwarts. Therefore your knowledge and practical application of magic are well above ours. Which is why you probably won't attend the morning lessons anymore and go straight to training exercises."
The logs in the fire shifted about as a few more were thrown on.
"Everyone who has apparated here did it by accident. They have no knowledge of magic. It was always some desperate situation for them to suddenly use their powers. You coming here is like having a head start."
"Oh...well I guess that saves time then doesn't it?"
"A little bit."
Silence followed as other continued to chat away. Logs cracked and embers floated up before passing away.
"Does his happen every night?"
"Just when we feel like it. You'll sense it. It's kind of an unspoken thing. It just happens. But we all feel it, don't ask me why or anything. But it's nice. Bonfires help people think...at least for me."
Again silence followed this time the whole circle was quiet. Once by one the younger squires left, some looking about the right age for Hogwarts, others looking like second of third years. Lien left followed by Million and Vega. Harry kept his eyes on the flames. Random shapes and curves reflected off of his round glasses.
He hadn't thought of Sirius, though now with that thought, he filled his mind. That in itself was a wonder, and even more so that the thought of him wasn't as painful. The burdens of the prophecy and his fame back home were far from his mind. He had a normal conversation with a girl that he thought he loved because of a song she played, learned the names of two others that lived here, and now was staying some place where he wasn't being heralded as the Boy-Who-Lived. He was just simply another boy who happened to have a head start. These, among other random thoughts floated about his mind, changing with each floating ember. His friends, his godfather, Quidditch, and even that damned prophecy, all the way down to the simple thought of how much money he would have to spend to buy his new school supplies flooded his mind .But this time, unlike before like at Hogwarts, Privet Drive or Grimmauld Place, his thoughts were worry free. His mind was content and relaxed for the first time in a long while.
I think I'm inclined to agree with you Lien, bonfires do help me think.
To be continued…
A/N: I figured I wasn't going to get any more reviews as much as I would love to. But I finished editing this post rather quickly so why not get it out there? I really think I did better this time around. I'm usually not fond of OC's in stories, but some authors out there pull it off beautifully. I'm hoping to make Donovan and Liu Yen some of those OC's that stick out in people's minds. I think the main problem I have is the other knights and their apprentices. They aren't very crucial to the story, but because there aren't that many of them I want to introduce them, but if I do that it seems more like a filler chapter rather than part of the story. Maybe some input from readers? I dunno. I hope you can see the semi internal conflict on this. Really what is the point in introducing characters that have no effect on the story? Still I want to…simply because...oh well. Well because of the two nearly instantaneous reviews I received, I got motivated to do my edit/proofread of chapter 6. hopefully I'll get some more from you guys. It really helps. So please review!
Javier – I wish I had more consistent reviewer like you. It makes me feel like I have a steady fan base. (If I have a fan base to begin with) But I guess you can't have one without steady reviews. So you won't have to wait too long until the next chapter is out. Next week perhaps?
Akalei – Yes I was in Iraq, not for a year though so I can't complain or compare to other's experiences. We went because the nation guard unit slated to go was ready yet. So they called us up. Shrugs That's the way it goes in the 82d sometimes. And thanks for you high opinion of my writing. I'm more inclined to believe simple words like that as opposed to "OMG you're such a GREAT WRITER, better the J.K. herself etc etc blah blah blah." Not that I have received any like that, but I've seen my fare share before. And no doubt I'll take a peek at your story. Thanks for the review!
p.s. anyone else go nuts at the announcement of the book six title "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" ? Lord know if JKR didn't say it herself, would have believed it to be Harry or Voldemort. I know a lot of people are going to start springing some Draco fics on this one, Personally I think it's going to be a new character. But that's just me…
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