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.
Of Kings and Commoners
A Harry Potter Fanfiction
Slow in Coming
It had taken Harry two and a half weeks to finally master the pool. Or so he thought. Now Donovan wanted him to walk on water. He had been so wrapped up in the initial lesson that he had forgotten about walking on the water entirely. Now it was his turn to walk…The whole length of the pool, all one hundred and fifty meters, without falling in. Lien had warned him about it, albeit discreetly, while they chatted in their garden sanctuary.
It surprised Harry about how close they had become, then there wasn't much else to do in the temple other than learn, eat and sleep. Their friendship now rivaled Ron and Hermione's in the secrets they shared and time spent talking about nothing.
It started with Harry sitting on "Her" rock, a little argument about whose it was and whose name "wasn't" on it. It ended laughing and an unspoken agreement to meet after lunch or dinner and talk about the day. They talked about trivial things, like learning everyone's name, which he still had yet to do since he never saw them, to serious things like the pool, and even Sirius. Sometimes nothing at all; just sitting there and enjoying the time off.
Lien, in turn, opened up, talking about her life before she appeared. She was supposed to be a boy, and when her parents found out, they didn't want to be rid of her. So they dressed her as boy and taught her to act as a boy so population officials wouldn't try and take her away. Until she was seven. An incident at school Harry dared not pry about. But she was discovered and her parents had been arrested and some suited officials left her on the side of some obscure road along a mountain. It had been a severe storm, and the frightening thunder unleashed her power to apparate at the temple.
And she had been here since.
They occupied the small open space with a stretch of freedom, Lien taking her perch upon the stone and Harry content to sit in the stone's shade. He had taken seven steps into the pool before falling in this time and Lien had transfigured her mouse into a teacup, which she replicated for Harry. The result was much better than Ron's attempt with his taped up wand.
"That's great. It took Ron a few tries until he gave up...On Professor McGonagall's part. She said he'd transfigure himself before his rat with his snapped wand."
Lien tapped her mouse and it squeaked for her, climbing up her sleeve and nestled itself in her vest pocket.
"I can't help but think how easy it must be with a wand and outside of the dead zone. Max got his wand last week and he's showing off like no tomorrow. Vega's due for his in a bit. I can't wait until I get mine. I wish I could've gotten a wand before…like Hogwarts…" She replied, waving an imaginary wand in the air.
"It is a hell of a lot easier, though you need specific movements for each spell. But it is a lot easier to direct it and watch a spell take form rather than having to use your own energy. It's still kinda weird watching everyone do magic without wands. I've mostly seen doors open and close, simple stuff you know?"
"Yeah that's stuff's easy. I wonder where everyone is today?"
"I noticed that too. More than half of the knights were gone including Donovan. I had to deal with Smitty all day."
"I feel sorry for you." She replied simply.
Smith or just "Smitty" was the American who led the morning exercises. He acted much like Mad-Eye Moody with a different accent and the temperament of a Drill Sergeant. It was a technique that actually helped Harry take a two more steps than yesterday. It was hard to not know him since he still had to attend morning formations for exercises. Some, like Gallagher were impossible to avoid and not know. Others Lien had just told him about.
Xiao Zhang Fong was Lien's instructor, and master of many forms and styles of martial arts. It was the one lesson Harry was made to attend since he had no experience in hand to hand combat or, other than his wild flailing of Godric Gryffindor's sword, no weapon experience either.
Lana Girgorovich was tall brunette from one of the old eastern block countries, if anything a master of makeup and hair. She was too much of a looker not to be noticed and every time he saw her she was doing something with her hair. She was the resident potions master.
Juan Rico Valdez was Vega's instructor because they spoke the same language and as luck would have it, from the same town in Spain, as well as a former bullfighter, so he says, but even Vega said they were just bullshit. He helped teach defensive and offensive spells. Seeing him was as rare as Harry not being drained by the end of the day. Only at "chow" did he see him, usually talking with Vega.
Joe (Lien said he had a confusing last name, but nobody bothered with those anyway) was a half American half Vietnamese from southeast Asia. He was the temple master of charms, though his obsession was illusionism and stealth. Something he was sure to ask him about when he saw him next.
The last one was James Best hailing from Northern England and acted as if he were James Bond himself and literally "The Best". Though he technically was the "Best" since no one else had his last name, he held himself aloof and had the arrogance of a Malfoy, but with the kind of sincerity you only saw in the nicest of people. Lien said it was all just a running joke really. She said his undisputed skill was marksmanship though in what he had no idea.
There were others, about four or five, but Harry never saw them other than at meals. Even those he knew he didn't try too hard to interact with seeing as Xiao and Donovan were the only ones he really spoke to on a daily basis.
Dinner had rolled around and Harry, wet feet and all still at only seven steps came into the dining area, where all other knights were accounted for. Those that weren't at lunch looked rather worn and tired. The same silence at came at dinner seemed to resound with everyone's curiosity at what had happened. Still considered the new guy, Harry was lost as to the whole situation.
Oddly enough Donovan had dismissed him to his quarters after dinner. It was a welcome relief though and he could go to bed from sleepiness rather than exhaustion. He came in and tore off his top and shirt looking wide eyed and smiling at the letters on his desk and Hedwig sitting on one end of his desk eyeing his falcon, still nameless, who sat on the other side.
In two weeks time he had been wading in some pool, learning how to fight and sleeping all in between. He had forgotten about letters. Two and a half weeks? Well, he was on the other side of the world and birds can't be expected to be as fast a commercial airliner. The letters themselves looked a bit worse for wear, with a few scratches and tears along the envelopes.
Must have fought over who'd be carrying them...
"Hey girl...," He stroked Hedwig's feathers and seemed to relish in his touch more than usual. "Been a while. This is...uh..."
The falcon sat proudly, awaiting its name.
"Well I dunno. What should I name you?"
Harry could have sworn he saw her slump.
"How's Jade sound?" He didn't know where he thought of it, but then he got Hedwig from a book, so he figured some originality was due.
The falcon straightened up proudly, almost nodding in approval.
"Well then Jade, you and Hedwig, don't need to fight over who's carrying my mail, which is why I assume there are scratches on my letters."
He held up the letter and they looked to be intact. A letter from Hermione, Remus and Hagrid. Not wanting to sound like some parent scolding his children he left it at that.
"I'll make sure that both of you get a good workout don't worry."
Harry snapped the seal on Hagrid's letter first. His typical scratchy and messy script graced the parchment.
Dear Harry,
Just heard what happened to you. Hope you're ok. I'm back at Hogwarts for a bit before me and Olympie head out again. More towards the Urals this time. I may or may not be back to teach, but hopefully everything will go ok. Grawp says hello. He's getting along just fine now. Dumbledore seems to like him and talks to him a whole lot. Well best be going. You know I like to keep them short.
Hagrid
Harry understood. Despite loving letters, he didn't like writing them much. He always felt his thoughts were too fast for his quill. He'd either rush it and forget something or go slowly and lose his train of thought. Hagrid didn't mind short letters either and seemed to have the same appreciation for them.
Dear Hagrid,
I'm alright. Though mail takes two weeks to get here. I'm sure Dumbledore has filled you in on all the details. Still working hard and learning. One guy teaches martial arts, though I'm still at the basic level. It's not odd to get a good work out from kids two or three years younger. Like magic you want to learn all of the good stuff straight away. Tell Grawp and Firenze I said hello.
Harry
Next he opened up Hermione's letter, which was filled with her prim and proper, neat and clean, almost printed quality writing. It smelled of some perfume and a kiss was pressed on the bottom with a little arrow pointing to it saying, "Not me Harry, just my cousin Naomi." He assumed the perfume was too. Her cousin was either one of his "fans" or simply teasing Hermione.
Dear Harry,
Cho Chang had written to me the other day saying that you were in a lot of danger and are now staying in Tibet? I wondered about it and owled Professor Dumbledore. He told me all about it and I just hope you're alright. I'm just curious about why Cho owled me. Are you writing to her? Oh well I'm sure you'll tell me all about it.
France is wonderful. This time I don't feel like such a tourist with my parents hanging around. Naomi (my cousin, the one I told you about) is brilliant! I'm learning loads. Don't worry I'm having some fun too. She lives near the coast so we go to the beach a lot. I really wish I found about her being a witch much sooner. I won't bore you with talk I should bore other girls with though. Let's just say the art of flirting is one of Naomi's finer skills that she wants to pass on to me.
That part struck Harry as odd. Yes, he realized Hermione was a girl, and a very pretty one at that. Though he realized it before the Yule ball. To him she was the bookworm, not the outgoing socialite. Imagining Hermione at some club enticing some French guy was just plain weird. Weird, but not surprising. He knew someday she'd realize she was better looking than she thought herself to be.
Anyway, if you need anything, I mean it, just drop me a line. Hedwig knows where I'm at. Mrs. Weasley sent her to me after you disappeared. I won't even describe to you her reaction about you. But you know how much she cares about you. Well, it's about noon time here. Time for a nap...I know! Me taking a nap instead of nose deep in a book…Shut it because I know you're laughing!
With Love,
Hermione
Typical letter from her. He always found her letters a bit impersonal, but she more than made up for it in person. Some nights when neither of them could sleep she could talk up a storm about nothing... some things personal, others not, but mostly about books and homework.
Dear Hermione,
I am in Tibet, at least they say I am. But looking at the surroundings and the locals who come up to bring food to trade, I'm pretty sure I'm somewhere in Asia. Yes I am writing to Cho. We left the year on a bad note for both of us and she wanted to apologize. Letters are taking about two weeks to get here. They've given me another bird, a falcon (or hawk, I'm not quite sure yet) this time, her name is Jade. Well this way letters will get to different people a bit quicker. I'm sure you'll recognize her since hardly anyone is using a bird other than an owl to deliver the post.
So you're in France without your parents? That must loads of fun. Doing whatever you want. Though you assume right when I think you'd be spending the majority of that time in the books. It's good to hear you having some fun and no I don't want to hear your exploits flirting. Don't shatter my image of "Hermione Granger the bookworm". But be safe, everyone says French guys maybe slick but they also drop girls at the sight of another set of legs. But don't take my word for it. I've never been to France. I was surprised a bit at the lipstick at the bottom. Tell Naomi that if she wants to send me a kiss she can do it person.
He almost grabbed his wand to erase that last line. Still he doubted he would ever meet this Naomi so it wouldn't hurt.
Anything? You mean it? Just kidding. Don't worry too much about me. I'll be fine here. I don't need anything really. Just have some fun and make sure you have some stories to tell when get back.
With Love,
Harry
Lastly was Cho's letter. A few scratches here and there and the same smell of jasmines and some unnamable potion ingredient wafted out at the snap of the wax seal.
Dear Harry,
How are you? I was worried at first since it took so long for you to reply. But then I remembered you were in Tibet and figured Hedwig couldn't fly that distance overnight. I was surprised a bit when another bird came in and dropped off your letter. Definitely a change from the usual owl. They always seem to stare at me. Your new bird sat there perfectly still facing the wall. It was a bit unnerving, but she really is a beautiful bird. Once I stroked her feathers she couldn't stand at attention anymore. It was cute.
I hope things are alright for you over there. From what you say it doesn't seem that bad, but I guess seeing as you said you'd only been there for a day or two, you really can't judge. The shop is holding up pretty well. Actually, by the time you get this I should be in Hong Kong. You can't even imagine the stuff you can buy out there. Really I should take you there. Diagon Alley just can't compare. Maybe next summer? Or you can ask to visit me? That would be great. We'll be here for about three weeks with my Uncle.
Really I miss last summer. I couldn't enjoy it for what it was.
Harry understood. That was the summer after Cedric died...
But now I'm studying if I'm not working. I still don't know what I want to do. I know what my parents want me to do though. They want me to go back home and get some advanced potions lessons and take up the position of Potions Master at St. Mungo's or Clairvoy's. But I don't even like potions. I maybe good at it, but I don't have to like it. If I had it my way I'd probably go pro.
Quidditch was an easy topic for them and they both fantasized about playing professionally instead of doing what they were made to do...
But seeing as I'm still under their roof I have no real choice. Maybe I should move out? Yeah right. But really write back soon as I a break from studying. Hope you're doing ok over there.
Sincerely,
Cho
Harry clicked his pen, a feeling that still seemed so foreign to him. He tapped the desk, once forgetting there was no ink bottle as he tried to figure out what to write.
Dear Cho,
I'm doing fine here. I've learned quite a bit here. I guess it takes a lot to apparate here since Lien told me that before me that last kid to come came about three years ago. That's right I haven't told you about Lien...or anyone for that matter. Well most of the ones learning here are either older than me or younger than me. Lien is closest to me being eighteen. I overheard her playing the flute in the garden once and when I found her, the song hypnotized me or something. It was like watching veelas. I was completely entranced, like I was in love with her or something. But when she stopped playing it stopped. Like the veelas stopped dancing. You saw how all the guys reacted at the Cup. Like that. How do girls react to veelas anyway?
After that we've been hanging out and talking in the garden. She's really cool. Her full name is Liu Yen, but since everyone had trouble pronouncing it they called her Lien. She and her instructor are both Chinese. He teaches hand to hand fighting, and sad to say I'm probably the worst off of the bunch. I'm not in as good a shape as I thought I was.
Right now I'm stuck on learning how to walk on water. Confusing at best really since I'm not using a wand and just my own "energy". I'm getting there slowly but I'm getting there. It's really exhausting. Think casting a Patronus charm for the first time. I feel like passing out when I get to my room.
I'll ask Donovan if I can go to Hong Kong, though I doubt it. Aside from now and school I've never traveled, that and they're pretty strict about any of us leaving here. I wouldn't know what to do with myself. But I'll ask anyway. By the way I still have Hedwig, but my other bird, Jade, I think is a bit faster so I think I'll use her to send my post.
I'm really tired now, despite having a day off. I'll get my first real sleep in a while.
Sincerely,
Harry
Morning came as swiftly as ever for Harry. Despite the seemingly short night's rest, his body felt renewed and filled with energy. Morning exercises were easier, despite Gallagher taking an extra long route to run for them. He tackled, no pun intended, combatives with extra energy. More so than usual, and Xiao, the instructor, noticed. For his enthusiasm, Harry felt like he was thrown clear across the courtyard. Again despite this, he felt great.
He assumed it was because he was able to recuperate his energy during the day and night. But even then he wasn't quite sure why he felt good. Maybe he was just having a good day. He hadn't had one in such a long time. Some days at school he would be on the ball on all of his classes, answering questions correctly, and nailing the tests and homework. Today just felt like one of those days.
Lunch came quickly and the day seemed to wane. The food looked it's usual, ungraceful and sloppy look, but tasted just fine. With a nod from Donovan, Harry excused himself and made his way to the pool. He stood over its edge and stared at his reflection. The image he saw was what he had expected. Same round glasses, messy mop of hair, which after all these years had yet to grow. His reflection looked like it hadn't aged at all. He looked like a normal young man...
On the inside though, he felt as old as Dumbledore. Attempts on his life, dragons, mermaids, and even now, apparating, without a license, in the middle of Tibet. He let out a loud sigh and his energy seemed to be depleted at his sudden insight on his soul. His last thought lingered on his mind as he took a laborious step onto the long strip of water.
He hadn't thought of Sirius in a long while. His image replayed in his mind over and over. They followed from his first meeting to his falling into the veil which repeated more times than he would have liked. With it, a wicked voice, filled with satisfied laughter accompanied Sirius' falling. Harry had long since vowed revenge on Bellatrix Lestrange. He had heard all the stories on revenge, how the one seeking it would live an empty life, and how it solved nothing. It didn't matter to Harry. One way or another he would bring that bitch to justice. Whether it was by the Ministry's hand or by his own. She would pay...
"Well done Harry."
Donovan's voice cried out from the top of the wall where he stood. The sun was setting dramatically behind him, and his towering shadow grew even more. Harry looked up and back to his feet, to fin he had walked half the length of the pool.
"Wha? Wo- Whoa!"
And with a splash Harry found himself submerged and soaked. He stumbled out and cast what he could of a drying charm which worked better than he expected. He wiped his glasses, which fogged a bit. Donovan hopped from the wall and walked over looking over the result of Harry's hard work.
"Half way. Not bad. Not bad at all. Keep at it and tell me when you make it all the way."
Harry simply nodded, not really comprehending that he had walked half of the distance. He still wasn't used to being left to his own devices. The professor would always explain the theory and study behind everything. Here Harry was left on his own, to figure it out on his own. He walked back to the end and took another step, his foot slipping a bit side to side. It wasn't more then five steps later did he find himself back in the drink.
"What the hell?"
"Don't think about it."
"What?"
Lien had seen Harry come back to his room soaking and looking quite the opposite from the morning. He explained what he did and she gave him her answer.
"Relax. When you focus, you're forcing your energy to your legs. The energy is already there. Think of something else, like before. Visualize, the magic flowing from your legs. If you think too much, you'll constrict the flow. Basically two things: Relax and believe."
And she left, her mane of thick black hair following in her wake.
Believing was one thing. Relaxing seemed to be a whole other story. Last time he thought of Sirius, but now as his image came to him, depression only followed. His steps were shaky and sank a bit more than last time. His fifth step, usually his last, was just that, as his foot slowly sank to the bottom.
"Dammit! Why can't I get this?" He cried out frustratingly.
Harry was sure Donovan would arrive in some dramatic storybook way and suddenly enlighten him with an all encompassing answer and it would all be easy. Just like all the magic he had learned before. He didn't and Harry sat beside the pool, waiting for the "A little less than damp" drying charm to fully dry out his boots and socks.
"Still no luck?" He heard Lien's voice called out. Being the first voice he had heard since morning exercises and studies.
"No. Believing is easy since I know I can do it. I got halfway until Donovan popped out of nowhere. But relaxing, or thinking of something else isn't working."
He heard her sigh and could hear her steps draw close and stop at the while marble tiles that bordered the pool. Not surprisingly she stepped on and smiled.
"Just act like you're walking on he ground. That's what I do. Xiao told me that when you focus you constrict the flow of energy, like when you think too much about breathing. You know, how you seemed to exert more effort the more you think about it? But focus is a good thing since it builds your reserves of energy...or something like that. But really it's just like walking on the ground."
She paced about, and even spun around on her heel to prove her point.
She took his hands pulled him up to his feet and led him onto the water. "No, look at me, don't look down, focus on me." His steps were shaky and she waited for him to steady himself.
Harry suddenly felt reminiscent of the Yule Ball and how Pavarti Patil led him about the dance floor. It seemed both then and now he felt like some blundering fool, lacking the coordination that everyone else around him seemed to have. At that time, he felt embarrassed at having her lead and at himself for having two left feet. Now he just felt, well, substandard. He had experienced success so often with magic, at least as long as it was outside of regular classes. It was frustrating to say the least. And he had a girl, who was a lot less experienced than he did, leading him about like he was a child.
He continued to look at her; it wasn't as difficult, as she smiled at him and hummed some nameless tune. He couldn't help but smile back. He followed her eyes, a deep brown as they looked back. The thin lock of hair that flowed down the side of her face seemed drawn to him as she continued to walk backwards. Her ponytail came up over her shoulder and moved with the same rhythmic pattern of her steps.
He felt drawn to her...this time without the music.
At some point in time (Harry couldn't tell) they stopped walking, and the feeling of grass beneath him told Harry he had crossed the pool, though that thought was perhaps the furthest thing from his mind. He took another step closer to her closing the gap between them, while he trapped her between himself and the stone wall behind her. Her hands were warm in his, allowing himself a nervouce glance and a blush before his eyes found hers again, and this time, nervous or not, their eyes didn't stray.
A/N: Well I know it's been way too long since I updated. Sorry. But a lot of things have been going on here at Fort Bragg keeping me too busy or too tired to do anything. I know I hate it when an author has a good story and doesn't update in forever so I can understand if some readers are a little bitter with the speed with which I update. Again, sorry. I'm a little tired right now so I won't leave too much. Just don't expect another update in a while. Forgive me!
Javier – I know I over did it on the ridiculously long Hispanic name. But not without reason. Not a reason relevant to the story mind you. Though I wish I knew how it worked or knew the structure with which they are given. If you read Jamie Wilde's incredible epic of a Ranma ½ / Battletech fanfic, you'll understand. There's a ship in there that has an even more ridiculously long name. I think of it as my little tribute to him seeing as he's an inspiration to me, and should be considered one of the top authors of all time. I'm not Hispanic and don't mean to offend any readers with that name. It's not long for stereotypes sake, just a small little tribute.
Other than that, thanks for the review. A little further ahead I have one or two knights interacting more with Harry, and it's actually relevant. But that's a bit further up ahead, once I start writing new chapters again (I'm just editing the once that are already done…) As far as Lien, Maybe you won't like this chapter for what happens but there is a reason Queue in dramatic music for this and the music. Again thanks for the review!
Gohan00 – It's the 4th of July weekend, and I have no life. Those two things considered I'm sure you'll be happy when you get this chapter. Thanks for the review.
Quis – Well I'm sure this'll be in your box before soon since you're the only one to take up my offer for a beta. Kinda makes me wonder if I have more than one or two readers.
A/N v.2.0 – If you didn't notice I tend to ramble on about review replies. Sue me. I don't get crazy amounts of reviews each chapter. But If I didn't I would be able to respond in a more personal manner. So I guess it is good in a way. And check my profile for the link to Jamie Wilde's site.