It became the first night in a long time where sleep didn't come easily. Harry found himself staring at his ceiling, his thoughts mimicking the never ending chase of lines looking for their tails.

How could he not love her? Lien presented a relationship that actually seemed normal. It wasn't influenced by friends, family or even Voldemort. His interaction with anyone other than the older knights was virtually nonexistent. If he didn't know what they thought how could he care? He didn't have anyone nagging his ear off about what he should be doing.

No, it was very much just the two of them. She wasn't playing any damn song, and the only thing influencing the way he felt was Lien herself. And that was that. He knew he loved her and that was all that mattered. She had given him the night to think about it, when all he needed was one hour. One hour to decide the rest of his…summer.

Sleep, he decided, was not very important at the moment…

Of Kings and Commoners

A Harry Potter Fanfiction

Definitely Unexpected

He was not exhausted. He had learned a while ago that his body could dish out more than he thought possible. Sleep was as elusive as his Godfather last night. His mind was riddled with thoughts, and each conclusion more depressing than the last. But mornings left little room for thinking. His legs burned from running, and every other muscle felt like jello, but they still functioned properly. He couldn't say as much about his mind though.

The thought of leaving for the summer as planned was the single thing dragging him down. He hated that would have to leave the comfort of anonymity and most especially Lien. He had long since concluded that his feelings for her were, if not love, then something damn close to it. And that he didn't want to lose it. And even though he would return over the winter holidays, it still didn't change the fact that it was still several months without her.

Despite his short time, he had settled into a routine and she had made herself a part of it. Probably the best part of it. That he could have these feelings for a girl, act on them and have them accepted, welcomed and most enjoyably reciprocated was the greatest, more wonderfully normal feeling in the world. It meant he was loved for who he was as a person. It meant he would have girl problems at some point, a problem he longed to have despite the frustration he had seen it bring his friends at Hogwarts.

For once, He wished the summer to be longer. For once, Harry did not want to return to Hogwarts.

Harry couldn't speak to her. He met her in the mornings before breakfast, but said very little. Despite the awkwardness, he cherished the moment, wondering when he would have to recall them when he was at school. He ignored her looks of concern and ate his breakfast with vigor so he could speak with Donovan in private.

Donovan was no Dumbledore to say the least. He had no twinkle in his eye, nor did he exude the comfortable atmosphere the Hogwarts Headmaster so naturally did. But he would have to listen. Harry knew he's get straightforward, no-nonsense answers so they could resume their exercises. He waited until they had dressed down into their black trousers and his now grayish long sleeve tunic. The button up no longer had buttons and he had stopped wearing it.

Not quite sure where to start, he asked the first question that came to mind.

"Do I have to leave at the end of the summer?" Harry knew the answer. But he had hoped to hear otherwise and that all of his nights tossing and turning was for naught.

"Quite settled in are we?"

"Well…yeah. I'm just another face here. I don't have to worry about school, grades, my friends…Voldemort…"

"But?"

"I know I have to go back." He sighed. Voicing his thoughts proved he never needed to talk to anyone. "They're all relying on me…But who knows who else will get killed because of me! Here everyone is safe right?" He looked up with hopeful eyes for a moment, despite knowing the answer.

"…"

"No I suppose not."

"It seems you don't really need any answers from me Harry."

"No sir. It's just…I just don't want to leave all this. I'm normal here ya know? I'm learning a lot more and well…life's a whole lot easier here."

"Easy wrong over the hard right?"

"No sir. I wish I could though. If I even had the option to make that choice. But don't even have that."

And with that his fears were confirmed. He lost himself in the exercise, putting forth more effort than before. His lungs and muscles burned with a not-so-unpleasant soreness that seemed to relax his body at the day's end. He begged to pry off his tunic, for the summer heat was tiring him as much at the training itself. But the old Everknight's adamant refusals left him soaking wet and a bit slower than he would have liked. By the time they were finished, Harry felt overly dehydrated and decided to skip dinner for more reasons that exhaustion.

"Harry…three more weeks. Then we get going." Donovan told him offhandedly, just before closing the doors behind him.

"Three weeks? That's all I have left!?!" Harry exclaimed, voicing the exact thoughts in his head. The doors stopped and Donovan turn to him, crossing his arms.

"Yes three weeks. I know there's about a week or so on top of that left in the summer, but we're using that time to travel. They "say" they fixed the Portkey and floo problem. But, I'd rather not take any chances and neither does Albus. We ride by Pegas horse back to Hogwarts."

"Wait…what? Pegas horses?" It wasn't a lot of information but it was still too much to grasp in his current state of mind.

"Rest. I'll have the elves bring you some food." Donovan commanded, ending the conversation a lot shorter that Harry would have liked.

He rested, but he didn't sleep. His body felt drained, both physically and magically and he lay in his bed in a near daze, trying to stay awake and think, but also longing to sleep. His mind, however dazed, managed to get his body to sit itself upright at the sight of the house elves.

The food brought strength back to his body, and the healing draught they brewed soothed his muscles. Despite his renewed strength and vigor, his body seemed to drain at the sight of her walking into his room just as the elves carried his plates away.

She looked tired. Her hair was down, and smudges of dirt were on her face. A layer of sweat gleamed on her face and at the removal of her coat, he could see her tunic was also similarly worn. Yet, she possessed an air about her that stilled his heart. She sat on his bed, uncertainty in her eyes. He waited for her to speak, to hear her voice tell him about her day and sooth him into nothingness. But she didn't. She tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear and seemed fascinated with his sheets.

It took all his strength to speak first.

"Three weeks." Her eyes met his finally, but she said nothing.

"I'm going back in three weeks. I don't want to go. I'll be back in the winter…but…"

And uneasy silence settled as he held her gaze. Slowly she brought her hand to his face, pulling him closer. Her breath on his lips fogged his glasses as she touched his forehead with hers.

"I don't want you to go either."

He didn't know what it was. It wasn't sadness in her voice. It was more like…desperation. He could see a longing in her eyes he never saw before, and a sudden fear rise up inside him. She cupped his face and whispered a quiet spell and felt the room echo a small low sound.

A room silencing charm?

After a pause she whispered again and he could feel her skin, as well as his, tingle and grow warm at the banishment of dirt and sweat. Despite the charm, he felt beads of sweat roll down his cheek and that fear growing ever stronger, wondering just what in the hell was going on or at least that it wasn't a dream. His mind was still a blur from the days exercise and still flooded with thoughts, but now his focus was purely on the dark eyes that peered into his soul.

Oh my God…

The thought reverberated in his mind as she brought his lips to his in a passion they hadn't repeated since the first time they kissed. The taste of her became a wild hunger forcing itself to the surface, again leaving his mind to wonder what he was doing. The furious kisses slowed down as she paused, tracing her tongue across his lips. Harry's eyes grew wide as she slowly gripped her tunic and pulled it over her head and toss it into the corner.

The pressure she put against his loins as she straddled him had been a concern before; to not to make it so obvious in the past. But she had never been half naked in front of him before. Her lightly tanned skin shone in the candle light, giving her a beautiful glow. His eyes were only torn away at the taste of her skin beneath his lips as she forced them upon him. The pressure below his waist was suddenly no longer a concern.

His lips traced fire across her skin, drawing soft moans from her lips and repeated caresses from his lips. She brought her hands up to his collar, having to fight the urge to let him continue. With a low growl she tugged as hard as she could, hearing only a small rip. Her frustrated moan at the much-too-long pause in the moment incited a small chuckle from Harry's lips.

With a smile he grasped her hands and began to make the small rip larger, until it was torn away completely. The feeling of his skin beneath her ignited another round of kisses, now giving her a chance to set him a blaze as he had done. Guttural moans escaped his lips and now they both fumbled with their trousers.

The nervousness that had once been prevalent in Harry's mind had disappeared. He was going to make love to her, that much was certain. But he had never done so before, had she? Could he please her? She would have no problem that he was also sure of. But his concerns never lasted long.

Again they paused and she held a hand between her thighs, drawing her hand up to just below her navel, uttering a spell and setting a glow to her hand that quickly faded. Roughly she kissed him, and brought the kisses to his ear, trailing her tongue across his lobe.

"It's ok…" She whispered.

Amidst a sheen of sweat and various other things he'd rather not name, Harry Potter had woken up. In his arms was a beautiful girl and they were both very much naked. Shock never registered, but it was there right next to complete and utter bliss. Very much the same as what he had experienced many times last night. Or was it still night? It could have been Monday morning next month for all he knew.

The sky was still dark. Without his glasses he couldn't read his watch. He felt her shift in his arms as his thoughts replayed the ecstasy they both shared. Apparently she was just as inexperienced as he was, making the entire affair, though very romantic, a fit of smiles, giggles, and occasionally clumsiness. He brushed away a lock of hair on her face, who smiled at his touch, dreaming whatever it was she dreamt.

It was a feeling of exhilaration, losing his virginity. He certainly didn't expect it to happen, much less with a girl he hadn't known for very long. He smiled a bit as he recalled Seamus Finnegan, joking around in their room, talking of girls and whatnot.

You notice that we always hate losing stuff right? Yet something as important as virginity, something you can never get back, you can't wait to get rid of?

Again he looked down at her face, as smile spreading across his face. He kissed her forehead and pulled her closer still, placing light kisses on her lips. Seeing her asleep was rare in itself and those moments in garden where she fell asleep were moments treasured. He believed in the old saying that to see person in their sleep, you see who that person really is. Well he didn't used to believe; she had changed his mind. She had to be an angel.

Her eyes flickered awake at the sensation of his lips and she smiled.

"Hey…It's not time to go is it?"

"Would you if it was?"

"No…"

Before he had though that the comfort of her arms was the greatest feeling in the world. Then he made love to her. But now, as she nuzzled her face in his neck, her skin, warm against his, his mind was changed again. He was completely vulnerable in her arms…and didn't care at all.

Doesn't get much more intimate does it?

He smiled inwardly at the thought and felt her breath in his ear.

"I don't want you to leave…"

Those words were etched in Harry's mind. Already a week had passed. Each day feeling longer, and the nights, shorter. The exercises picked up an incredible pace he had never thought possible to keep up, but he did. Barely though. He had learned fairly quickly to read Donovan's moves, only to be beaten down again once he changed styles, loudly proclaiming that no everyone fights the same, but to watch for the same signs; changes in stance, breathing patterns, their eyes and so on and so forth.

Yes the days were painful, but the nights were like heaven.

They didn't always make love. But they slept together, and for Harry, that was enough. When they did though, it was with that same a sense of desperation that each time could be the last. And despite the pleasure they felt and joy they brought to one another, there was a lingering sadness in the back of his mind. He would still have to leave. He would have to leave her behind. Obscurity no longer mattered to him. What was important was that he stayed here for her.

It was strange for him to be thinking these thoughts without her around to evoke them. But the latest lesson was on what Donovan called "Feng Shui". He said a long while ago that some wizards are stronger when they are near their home. Wizards would learn, subconsciously, to tap energy line within the earth for more power. For wizards to gain a burst of energy usually meant they tapped an energy line.

So Harry sat in silence, well outside the temple on a hill top by himself. He found the lines easy enough, they felt much like people, exuding magic in small or large amounts. Tapping it and using it was easy as well. And it was that extra bit of energy he needed to stay awake.

It seemed to be a universal thing for lessons to be absolutely boring not matter how useful.

It would turn out to be the worst week he had ever had.

Staying at the Dursley's was terrible in itself, but now Harry was alone and his body was longing for her touch. She was a lustful addiction and it didn't help the Donovan was his only human contact during the week. He would walk up the hill, give him a sparse amount of food and tell him to walk a mile or so in which ever direction he felt, sit down and meditate. Learn to find the line again. Still, he could always see the temple, and it always seemed that the winds favored him. He could hear Liu Yen play her flute into the night. Always some beautiful song, but it was always the first song that would be his favorite and the most beautiful.

The melodies were his only solace. He wasn't permitted to sleep, though in one act of benevolent grace, Donovan allowed Harry to remove his tunic. It took some manipulating to get his magic to keep him from getting sunburned. At least now his tan would be even…up to his waist.

It was a surprise when Donovan came when he said he would. He always seemed to bring food several minutes later than when he said he would. If he focused hard enough, he could feel his presence as he approached. This time however, he felt an extra presence. He wasn't sure what as he had only learned to distinguish him from the lines. Whatever it was it was weaker in magic, but larger in size…

"Oy! Harry! Up an' at 'em!" Boomed Donovan, not sounding the least bit winded after a steep climb.

Slowly and painfully he rose from his half lotus position and squinted his eyes to adjust to the sunlight. His muscles felt knotted and he stretched to keep them from cramping. True to dramatic form, Donovan cast a shadow over him and behind him followed two horses complete with reins and saddles.

Must be the pegas horses he was talking about…

"Yeah these are the pegas horses I told you about." He said, seemingly reading Harry's mind. "Go on now…say hello and all that." He nudged the younger looking one towards Harry and it took hesitant steps forward.

If there was one thing Harry remembered in Care of Magical Creatures, it's that they are very intelligent…more so than some people in fact. This horse however, was no Buckbeak, so fear of dismemberment didn't freeze him in his tracks. He bowed a bit and smiled, slowly walking up.

"Hello there…" He spoke quietly and admired its shiny brown coat, save for its white socks. It felt soft to the touch and he could feel it accept him.

"It's a lady. Young and energetic she is. A bit reckless too." Donovan noted proudly inciting a snort from her counterpart.

"Does she have a name?"

"Not yet. That's up to you. She's yours."

"Mine?" Harry exclaimed. He had never even ridden a horse before!

"Yeah yours. Don't think you're getting off either. You need to learn how to ride. Come back before dinner and go back out first light…" Donovan mounted his own and started for the temple

"She'll teach you how to ride. Just ask if you have any questions…and don't think you'll be getting it up tonight. You'll be too sore…" And he rode away before Harry could respond.

Guess the cats out of the bag huh?

If Donovan knew then everyone else knew as well. But seeing as he scarcely interacted with anyone else he didn't really care.

"Wait!" Harry called out. "How the hell am I supposed to ask her questions if she can't answer!?!" Either Donovan didn't hear or he refused to answer as he continued his slow gallop.

"Well…shit…" He looked at the horse and it seemed to look at him, worried at just what would transpire over the next few hours.

They're smarter than you think…

"I, uh…I've never ridden a horse…go easy on me ok?"

She snorted and nodded. He found where his foot should go and figured mounting shouldn't be that hard. It didn't look all that hard anyway. Gingerly he slid his foot in and tried to boost himself over…only to land flat on his ass not surprising himself in the least.

"Figures…" He sighed looking up at his horse through the haze of dirt he had kicked up. If she could speak he knew what word she'd say.

Pathetic.

TBC

A/N: Wow. I haven't finished chapters this close together in a long time. I feel kinda off about this chapter despite how easy and fun it was to write. Honestly I wasn't expecting to write the love scene(maybe I'll write that lemon interlude later on). But I think it fits…for the moment. I'm sure I can find some way for it to mess up my story. I'm not even sure if the dates are right, that Harry only has three weeks left. A minor detail. And finally I re-introduce the pegas horses. The writing bug hasn't really bitten me, but I'm doing better. Please review. I really want to know how I did this chapter and it helps motivate me to write…or at least to have Word open so I can make the attempt. :P been messing with yo-yos and my paintball stuff to kinda clear my mind too. Any players of either out there?

Japanese-jew – Veela-bard? A different way of putting it, but it's close... The everknights, I guess kinda bring a balance to magic. Not really good or bad. Like grey…ish. And at this point Harry is just Harry. Ancestry isn't a factor just yet. Hoepfully I'll get to that point soon.

LT2000- thanks a lot for your review. Good ego boost. I like Lien also, I really didn't want her to be a "cho-replacement" either. I knew readers would see her that way at first. As for how Harry feels about her…guess it's pretty obvious now. But the next chapter should prove to be interesting enough. Hope you liked this one.