"No!" Hermione cried, running over to her fallen knight. Val stood, shaking, her breathing still harsh from her exertions. Harry followed at a slower pace, worried at the amount of blood on the floor.
Hermione slipped her hands under Fury and moved him as gently as possible. His armor creaked and ground against the stone floor as Hermione rolled him onto his back. She opened his faceplate and saw how pale his skin was. He winced at the movement, but then looked up into her eyes and tried to smile. "You know Hermione; I believe I've felt better."
Hermione tried to smile as Harry and Val joined her around Fury's form. Harry knelt down at Hermione's side and his knee landed in a growing pool of blood. He jumped to his feet and tried to wipe it off of his trousers. His green eyes met Val's and they both worried.
Val took one look at Fury's wounds and turned to Hermione. "Can you heal him?" she barked at the trembling witch. Hermione took a deep breath and examined Fury's wounds as quickly as possible. She turned to Val after a moment and shook her head, "I can slow the bleeding, but I can't fix it."
"Then do it and do it quickly. As soon as you do, I'll get him some help and you and Potter can go after the Cauldron," Val said furiously.
Hermione cast the spell and examined the large gash across Ron's leg once again. "It helped, but he's still losing blood." Harry's head jerked up at the hint of panic in Hermione's voice.
"Hermione, let Val take him to the hospital wing," Harry said softly reaching out to put a hand on Hermione's shoulders.
"Maybe I should go with him," Hermione said looking up into Harry's eyes pleadingly.
Harry couldn't blame her, he didn't particularly want to leave Ron alone as well. It was Val that made the decision for both of them.
"You know more about the Cauldron than anyone Granger, you have to keep going." Val retorted as she waved her wand "Winguardium Leviosa" and started back down the corridor as quickly as she could lead Fury behind her.
"Val, send word to Ginny, Susan, or Neville. Someone needs to stay with him," Harry added as the two knights left.
Hermione stood, torn, and Harry sighed looking down at her, "I know you're worried. I am too. But you know how he is. If we don't get the Cauldron he's going to blame himself."
Hermione nodded for a moment and looked back up at Harry, "Why does it always seem to be Ron who gets hurt lately?"
Harry didn't have an answer for that so he turned to look back in the chamber. The room was now clear and the corridor on the other side seemed to be lit by torches now.
"Harry?" Hermione pressed needing him to say something.
"Hermione, how would I know? I think that's a question better left for him," he growled at her, mad at the entire situation.
Hermione's eyes filled with tears as she looked back towards the door Val and Fury had just left. "Do you think he's unstable like the Order was worried about?" she whispered.
Harry looked back towards the far door once more. Ron's aggression, his drive and determination over the past year, his second serious injury in as many days, the bruises from practice, the attacks, his shape changing ability and the newspaper article that followed, the list went on an on and that was only this past school year. Moody's voice echoed in Harry's ears, "Constant vigilance!"
"Constant vigilance," Harry whispered out loud. "Hermione, all we can do is the best we can. Ron's a fighter. He'll be waiting for us when we get back."
"Yes, but Harry, he's so reckless," Hermione frowned. "It's almost as if he is looking for a fight. I'm worried. This weekend he has gone too far. I have to talk to him. There has to be something he isn't telling us."
Harry shrugged as he looked back at Hermione. Ron was in for it when Hermione told him what exactly was on her mind. "I guess its ok for us to go down that corridor now," he changed the subject motioning towards the now lit corridor.
Hermione nodded and they walked towards the corridor, wands at the ready.
They followed the corridor for several hundred meters where it ended in a plain wooden door. Harry reached out and grabbed the handle. He half expected it to be locked, but to his surprise, it opened easily. The door opened to reveal what appeared to be a well stocked and extremely well kept potions laboratory. Harry stopped inside the door, and motioned for Hermione to step forward with a smile, "I believe this is right up your alley Hermione."
Hermione only nodded as her eyes examined the room furiously. The room contained almost all of the equipment she had ever researched for brewing potions. Several tables contained dozens of ingredients some of which she had never seen before. She stepped over to one of the tables where an intricate set of scales rested and started to pick it up when Harry called out to her, "Hermione, what do you think this is?"
Hermione turned to see Harry reach for a beaker full of a silvery liquid. A sudden flash of movement caught her eyes and she gasped as the triangular head of a green serpent came into view from behind one of the iron flasks on the table. The serpent sank it's fangs into Harry's forearm and then vanished behind several bags of potion ingredients. Harry let out a yelp and grasped at his arm as he quickly backed away from the table.
Hermione rushed over and looked at his arm. Without saying a word, she reached out and grabbed one of the beakers lying close by. She placed the beaker under Harry's arm and then squeezed his forearm as hard as she could. Harry winced, but didn't pull away from her, as a dark viscous fluid oozed out of his arm along with small amounts of blood and fell into the beaker.
"Hermione, you know I trust you, but what in the bloody hell are you doing?" Harry asked rubbing his arm and staring at her in confusion.
"That was a green ash winder Harry. Their venom is quite deadly and I don't have a lot of time to get the antidote done. So I didn't have time to explain and be gentle with you." Hermione looked up at him and gave him a reassuring smile as she added several ingredients to the beaker she had started with.
"Uhhh Hermione, you do know the antidote, don't you?" Harry asked her feeling a little light headed.
"Of course I do," she snapped as she continued to gather ingredients together.
"Hermione, have you ever done this before?" Harry continued with a catch in his voice.
Hermione shook her head, pausing for a moment, "No I haven't Harry. Now, could you please start a fire over there and get a cauldron warming for me?"
As quickly as he could, Harry got a fire going and placed a standard size cauldron over the fire. His wounded arm began to burn and tickle as the poison spread, but he ignored it as best he could. He tried to focus on helping Hermione, but it was a struggle.
In the meantime, Hermione had gathered several more items and was carefully weighing them in the intricate scale she had been examining just a few moments before. Harry recognized the look she had on her face as the one she had when she was trying to do particularly well on a test.
"Harry, how are you feeling?" she asked as she began adding ingredients to the cauldron.
"I'm fine. What next?" he asked needing to keep busy.
"I need you to tell me how your symptoms are progressing. It will help me gauge how much time we have," Hermione replied, her hands flying as she continued to prepare her ingredients.
Harry paused for the moment considering how to best answer her question, "I feel a bit flushed and my mouth is dry. That could just all be from knowing I got bitten by a deadly snake though. My arms tingling a bit, but nothing really serious."
Hermione nodded, but never looked up from the cauldron she was working at. Harry paced back and forth trying not to distract her from her task while keeping an eye out for the green ashwinder if it made a second appearance.
"Harry sit down right now, you are only helping your heart spread the poison around," Hermione snarled.
Harry turned pale and sat down in the middle of the floor right where he stood. Not moments later he felt nauseous and his arm was getting worse. "Hermione my stomach is starting to cramp pretty badly and my arm, well it feels like it is burning."
Hermione's head shot up and she turned to look at him for a moment, her face a blank mask. It didn't make Harry feel any better, "Ok Harry, this shouldn't take too much longer."
Harry's relief at her words was brief until he noticed that Hermione frowned when she turned back to the potion she was brewing.
Hermione wiped the sweat off of her forehead and reached over to the table to add several pinches of bat wing to the liquid. There was a loud hiss as the ingredients hit the boiling surface of the liquid. Harry gave out a cry of pain and clutched at his stomach causing Hermione to flinch. "Alright there Harry?"
Harry ground his teeth for a moment, struggling to speak as the pain coursed through his body. "Never better," he managed to spit out between clenched teeth.
Hermione added another ingredient and stirred it clock wise three times. Then she turned back to the table and reached out for something only to pause and let out a sharp gasp.
"What's wrong Hermione?" Harry asked between breaths.
"I can't remember if the last ingredient is unicorn hair or manticore hair," she shrieked in frustration.
Even as his stomach clenched again Harry could see Hermione's hands were shaking and she looked on the verge of tears. The last thing they needed was for Hermione to start doubting her self, "I trust you Hermione, I now you'll figure out which one it is."
Hermione blinked back a tear and smiled at Harry for a second then turned and reached for a glass vial. With a delicate set of tongs she pulled out one shining silver hair and dropped it into the mixture. The hair made a slight 'poof' and Hermione stirred counter clockwise eleven times. She dipped a ladle into the cauldron and poured the contents of the ladle into a flask. Running over to Harry she lifted the flask to Harry's lips and poured it into his mouth.
"This is going to hurt a bit Harry. There isn't anything I can do about that. I'm sorry," she whispered.
Harry opened his mouth to tell her not to worry about it when liquid fire flashed down his throat into his stomach. The pain was ten times worse than the pain before and in the back of his mind he thought that the cure might be worse than the poison. Harry rolled on the floor fighting and then failing as the urge to scream overwhelmed him. He could feel Hermione hands trying to hold him still, but his convulsions were too violent for her to restrain him.
Just as Harry thought he was going to die the pain seemed to lesson a bit. It took only a few minutes for the pain to disappear completely only to be replaced by an intense soreness. After a moment of lying on the floor Harry managed to sit up and give Hermione a weak smile.
"How are you feeling Harry?" Hermione asked unable to keep the concern out of her voice.
"Thanks to you, I feel alright. I'm really sore, but I have a feeling I'll be fine in a minute or two."
"Good," Hermione replied shakily, her voice breaking, "because I don't think I can do this without either of you two."
Harry patted her hand gently as Hermione's eyes filled with tears again and then she laughed, "Besides, I'd rather not tell Ginny any bad news, if it's all the same to you. I think I know what Susan and Neville were so worried about."
Harry managed to chuckle at Hermione for a moment before slowly standing up. Hermione watched him stand and then asked, "Are you sure you are alright Harry?"
"Well, I've felt better, but then again, I've felt a lot worse as well. Let's get this damn Cauldron so we can get the hell out of here."
Hermione nodded, ignoring his cursing, "Yes let's, I don't think I can stand to not know how Ron is for much longer."
"He's tough Hermione, maybe more than we gave him credit for. You know that Professor Lupin thinks he's a lot like Sirius," Harry managed to say with a smile.
"So do I and it scares me Harry. Look what happened to Sirius," Hermione stammered seeming to be on the verge of tears again.
Harry reached out and pulled Hermione to him, "I said Lupin thought he was like Sirius but he's not exactly like Sirius. Besides Sirius, didn't have a stubborn witch like you to keep him in line."
Harry's teasing tone managed to bring the ghost of a smile to Hermione's face. "Ok Harry, I see your point. Why don't we try to find out what the next challenge is and how we get to it?"
"I don't know what the next challenge is but I know how we get there," Harry replied releasing her.
"How?" Hermione asked perplexed.
"Through that door," Harry said pointing towards a door that Hermione was sure hadn't been there when they had entered the room.
The new door seemed ordinary enough, no different than the dozens of doors that were spread out through the castle. Even though it was to all outward appearances a normal door, Harry could sense the power thrumming behind it. The power seemed benign, but somehow alien to Harry. For a moment, the vibrating power seemed to overwhelm him, but then it seemed to flow past him and it didn't seem quite as foreign as before, but it no longer seemed benign.
"Can you feel it Harry? Does it call to you like a song?" Hermione whispered.
Harry shook his head, "No, I can sense it, and I know I have to go in there, but whatever it is, isn't meant for me. Truthfully, it scares me just a little."
If this surprised Hermione, she did an admirable job of hiding it. Instead, she seemed to glide towards the door and gently placed her hand on it for a moment. Then she turned to face Harry with a slight smile playing on her lips. "This is your test Harry. You will have to trust me when I say you are more than ready for the task."
Harry looked at her doubtfully, "How do you know that Hermione?"
"Do you think it was chance that made you the Boy-Who-Lived? We know you are the one of the prophecy. I think it is safe to say that you will manage to win through whatever challenge is set before you by one who would have been so very friendly to our cause."
"Hermione are you feeling alright?" Harry asked concerned.
Hermione waved his question aside as if it was of no importance. "Go now Harry and face your demons. Return to me, certain in the knowledge of your ability. Do this now and quickly for I must soon return to my knight who is in grave peril."
Harry didn't even take the time to question Hermione about how she knew Ron was in danger or why she spoke the way she did. Worry over his best mate hastened his footsteps as he strode quickly through the door and threw it open, his wand drawn.
He burst into a large square chamber which held a glowing blue Cauldron resting in the center of a silver, five pointed star. The soothing light of the Cauldron began to disappear; overshadowed by the largest Dementor Harry had ever seen. The Dementor glided towards him and Harry felt all the fears he had never given names to, rise up and choke the breath from him.
"Expecto Patronum" Harry shouted as his mind franticly sought for a good memory to power his Patronus. The silver stag burst forth from Harry's wand and galloped towards the Dementor only to run right through it. The Dementor continued to glide towards Harry unaffected by the spell. Harry panicked, his mind frantic for a moment until he had a second though. Harry grinned as he raised his wand again and shouted, "Ridikulous!"
The grin faded quickly when the Dementor failed to be the boggart he had hoped. The Dementor stopped just inches away from Harry and instead of the horrid face bending to administer the Kiss, Harry was flooded with images of Voldemort standing in the graveyard in Little Hangleton where Cedric had died. Then, the image changed to Voldemort forcing him and Hermione to watch as Ron was tortured to madness and then given to his lackeys to finish off.
Dimly, Harry could hear Hermione yelling something, but the roaring in his ears made it impossible for him to distinguish it. Harry's thoughts jumbled together as he tried to remember anything he could use to help against the numbing effects of this Dementor. He could see an image of Professor Lupin as he first explained how to produce a Patronus that day in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom reminding him that he needed a truly happy thought to cast the Patronus charm.
Then it came to him, as if a switch had been thrown on in his mind. Harry reached out and grabbed the Dementor by its cloak and pulled it to him.
"If you want happy thoughts, I'll give you all you can handle," Harry snarled.
Harry forced himself to relax and let the images come as they would. Much like the scenes of Ron's life in the orb of fire, images of Harry's life flashed through his mind at a frantic pace. His Hogwarts letter coming in the mail, the trip through Diagon Alley with Hagrid. Then meeting Ron on the train quickly followed by his first sight of Hermione.
Harry felt his fear ebbing as the sheer joy of life flooded through him. He recalled his adventures with Ron and Hermione over the years and then his mind filled with soft red hair and an impish smile. From their first meeting when she had put her elbow in the butter dish to flying together on the Quidditch pitch, Ginny Weasley had always surprised him. Now she surprised him yet again with how deeply she had ingrained her essence into his life.
Harry's hands dropped to his sides as he finally understood that despite their bantering, teasing Ron and Hermione, meeting late in the Astronomy Tower for rare time alone, Harry had fallen head over heels for Ginny. It was she, along with Ron and Hermione, that Harry thought of when it mattered. So lost in this revelation, Harry never saw the Dementor collapse in on itself and vanish without a whimper.
Only when he felt Hermione touch him on the shoulder did Harry come out of his reverie. His eyes focused slowly on her face as she smiled hesitantly up at him. He felt her brush something off of his face when he noticed his eyes had gone moist.
"I think I'm allergic to something in here," he said quietly, not wanting to discuss the Dementor and his own visions.
Hermione smiled at him for a moment and then nodded, "Must be all the dust," she replied softly, gesturing to the immaculate room they stood in.
Hermione walked over to where the Cauldron sat still glowing but much less brighter than before. Harry watched her closely as she gazed into it for a moment and then turned to Harry. "Harry, can you take this to Dumbledore's office? I need to get to the Hospital wing and I'd rather not have to wait until this is delivered."
Harry looked at her closely for a minute, uncertain, something was odd with Hermione, but he couldn't put his finger on it, "Sure Hermione. I can take it," he offered, dreading the thought of actually touching the cauldron. Harry had the distinct impression that it didn't want him to touch it.
"Thanks Harry," Hermione smiled again, "Oh, one more thing, don't touch the Cauldron. It's not for you."
Harry frowned confused, "You'll have to carry it. Casting spells on it isn't a good idea either," Hermione continued her voice still distant, but she waited for a response.
Harry wrapped his cloak around his arms, worried about Ron, but not wanting to hold Hermione back any longer than necessary, "You go on and I'll get this to Dumbledore."
With a barely perceptible nod, Hermione turned and raced down the passageway back to the kitchens. Harry let out a loud sigh and lifted the cauldron, thankful for the weight training Ron had forced on him. The cauldron was going to be heavy by the time he reached Dumbledore's office.
Hermione felt her throat constrict with fear as she rounded the corner of the corridor and saw both Ginny and Luna waiting at the door to the Hospital Wing.
"How is he?" Hermione asked between gasping for air.
"How is who?" Ginny replied.
"How is Ron, for god's sake?" Hermione snapped.
Ginny looked confused, "Oh, I don't know. I thought he was with you."
"He was hurt pretty badly, Ginny. Val said she was going to take him to get help," Hermione's face twisted with rage. "That slag kidnapped Ron and has taken him to Merlin knows where."
"Who's Val and why do you think she kidnapped Ron?" Ginny continued mystified.
"She's in the bloody Order he's in," Hermione snarled and then turned on her heels and raced back the way she had come from. "She's had it!" Hermione growled under her breath.
Luna regarded the sight of Hermione running through the halls for a moment and then turned to Ginny, "I didn't know your brother was in an Order. What's an Order?"
Ginny shook her head, "I have no idea. He's not in the only one I know of," she replied.
Luna looked at Ginny and shook her head, "Was that what we were waiting on? We've been up here since breakfast."
"What do you mean?" Ginny replied confused at Luna's question.
"Ginny, we've been sitting up here for three hours studying for our O.W.L.s. and you've been jumping at every noise like you were waiting for something," Luna replied.
Ginny looked around the hall for a moment and sighed, "I just needed to be here, Luna. I just… I had this feeling that something important was going to happen."
Luna smiled and handed the red head her bag, "What makes you think it hasn't happened all ready?"
In the meantime, Hermione flew by several students shouting at them to get out of her way. In her rage, she even told the Ravenclaw prefects to sod off after they tried to caution her about running in the corridors. Normally, Hermione would have been winded by the run from the Hospital Wing to Professor Dumbledore's office, this time though her anger filled her with excess energy.
"Pepper Imps," she screamed at the gargoyles in front of the Professor's office. Not even slowing down, Hermione ran through the door, up the stairs, and barreled into the office.
The door flew open to reveal Hermione, her hair wild, and her face red. Both Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall stared at her with great interest and Professor Snape seemed to be regarding her with poorly masked disdain.
"That blonde tart has kidnapped Ron," Hermione growled at Professor Dumbledore.
"Miss Granger, that is no way to speak to your Headmaster," Professor McGonagall admonished.
"How should I speak to him? Ron almost died looking for the Cauldron and now he's gone. When I get my hands on her she'll wish she had never been born," Hermione continued turning on Professor McGonagall.
Professor Dumbledore stood up raising his hands, "Miss Granger, if you will please take a moment and collect yourself. We can talk about this all calmly."
Hermione looked incredulous, "Calmly?" she sputtered, "How am I supposed to be calm? Ron needs to be in the Hospital Wing where Madame Pomfrey can take care of him!"
"Ah, the self righteous anger that only a Gryffindor can muster. Have you lost all trust in Professor Dumbledore, Miss Granger?" Hermione was not looking at the speaker, but she could see his sneer in her mind before she turned to see it on his face.
The sheer rage on Hermione's face, along with her wand pointed directly at Professor Snape, surprised him enough to cause him to recoil from her for a moment before he managed to compose himself and return her glare with one of his own.
Hermione didn't budge, her rage turning into disdain and loathing, "That's rich! You? Talking about trust? You're the one who's still fighting battles from your childhood. It's you that's been horrible to Harry because you didn't like his father. You're the one with the Dark Mark on his arm," Hermione walked towards Professor Snape punctuating her accusations with her wand. "Maybe you changed sides but you were evil enough to take it in the first pace," Hermione finished glaring up at the greasy Professor, her wand pointed in his chest.
Snape paled and opened his mouth to retort, when Hermione whirled around on Dumbledore with tears in her eyes, "I used to think you were perfect! I never thought I could be mad at you for anything, but you lied! You lied to Harry. You never let him know about Sirius until you had to. Then, he had to hear the Prophecy in the Department of Mysteries instead of here in your office. How can we trust you or anyone again?"
The sadness etched on Dumbledore's face almost broke Hermione's heart, but her anger was still too hot, to admit it. With her hands clenched at her side she stared at him defiantly.
When Dumbledore spoke his voice almost broke and he leaned heavily on his desk, "If I ever led you to believe I was perfect, Hermione, I am so very sorry. I am an old man and I have made many mistakes." Professor McGonagall opened her mouth to protest, but Dumbledore waved her off, "It is also true that I have made many when it comes to Harry. I can tell you that I only wanted the best for all of you."
"I want to believe that Professor, I really do, but you wouldn't let Ron in the Order and now he's involved in a far more dangerous Order. I don't know it for certain, but my instincts tell me that you helped him do that," Hermione said a bit more quietly than before.
"What would you have me do Hermione?" Dumbledore asked sitting down, "It wasn't my wish that Mr. Weasley be excluded. However, I am only one voice and other voices were raised against his admission."
"Please Professor, if you had insisted, those same voices would have been silent," Hermione returned refusing to forgive him.
"Is that what you would have had me do? Shall I speak for all of the Order and tell them when and where they may live their lives? Would you have me grow into what Voldemort has become?" Dumbledore said with a bit of steel in his voice.
Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but said nothing. She knew he was right. Her anger began to cool and with its departure, Hermione found herself confused and desperate to see Ron once more. Her necklace was silent, Ron's pain had disappeared and he must of lost consciousness. She needed him. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked from Dumbledore to Professor McGonagall. The older woman smiled, and placed one hand on her shoulder in comfort. Hermione looked up at the compassion in her mentor's face and the tears fell. Professor McGonagall smiled down at the young girl and then back to Dumbledore.
"There, there Miss Granger. Things are not always as terrible as they first seem," Professor McGonagall replied.
"Am I interrupting something?" Harry asked entering the room. He wore his school shirt and pants, his sweater wrapped around the handle and his cloak covering the bulk of the Cauldron as he struggled with it through the doorway only to set it heavily onto the floor. Harry wiped the sweat from his forehead as he took in the other faces in the room. He'd missed something.
"Great Merlin, they truly found the Cauldron." Snape whispered, pulling Harry's clothes from around it. The Cauldron's blue light flared for a moment before extinguishing itself completely.
"Yes, and it cost us Ron," Hermione said bitterly.
"Miss Granger, Professor Dumbledore has been trying to tell you that Mr. Weasley hasn't been kidnapped. He is being treated even as we speak," McGonagall said gently.
"Where is he? I need to go to him," Hermione demanded.
"Wait. What?" Harry asked looking from Hermione's distressed face to McGonagall. "Why aren't you in the Hospital Wing?" he asked Hermione.
"He's gone Harry! That, that…Val, took him somewhere," Hermione replied.
Harry looked to Professor Dumbledore for confirmation, "Yes, he is being treated in his Order's chapter house. Val was concerned that too many people might connect Fury with Ron if he was brought to the Hospital Wing. I have arranged for you and Harry to go to him there."
Harry nodded, "How is he?" he asked placing his hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"He was alive when he left. That's all we know for now," Dumbledore replied. "While you are there, you will have to wear these masks." Dumbledore reached into his desk and handed a mask to both Harry and Hermione. "Too many people have seen your pictures in the Daily Prophet and it is custom for the loved ones of their Order members to keep their identities a secret."
Harry donned his mask, as Hermione did the same, "What do we do about the Cauldron?"
"You may leave the Cauldron here for the moment. It is well protected," Dumbledore replied. "When you return, we can discuss the disposition of it. I believe that I will have a most intriguing proposition for Miss Granger."
"Professor, the cauldron, it's…" Hermione warned him.
"I know, it's not for me. It has all ready made that perfectly clear. Professors McGonagall and Snape will remain with it for now," Dumbledore replied.
Hermione nodded, satisfied with his answer.
"Talon should be here any moment to escort you to see Fury. Please make sure you address Fury only with his title while he is in his chapter house," Dumbledore warned them.
As Dumbledore finished speaking, the office floo flared with green light and Talon stepped out of the fire. Even under his mask, they could tell his expression was grave.
"Is Fury going to be alright?" Hermione asked as her voice broke, reaching out to Harry for support.
Talon regarded her before responding, "We believe that he can live," he replied.
Hermione sighed with relief, as Talon continued, "However, right now he teeters on the line between life and death. We need the two of you to call him back from the brink."
Hermione paled and moved towards the floo with Harry following behind. Talon nodded to the others, "Dumbledore, always a pleasure. Minerva, your radiance, as ever, eclipses the sun," Talon nodded to each in turn.
"Talon," Dumbledore replied and Professor McGonagall smiled to the knight, "May your sword arm never tire," she finished. Talon nodded to each in turn and stepped into the fireplace, floo powder in hand. He spoke clearly, "Castle Galliard," the familiar green fire flared and he was gone. Hermione didn't hesitate, but stepped into the floo and repeated the words she had just heard spoken.
Harry turned for a moment to look at the three teachers and then, with a wry smile, followed Hermione into the unknown.
The floo network must have been acting up as Harry and Hermione both arrived at the same moment. The resulting collision threw Hermione to the floor and she sat there stunned for an instant before Talon helped her to her feet with a grim smile and a gallant flourish of his arm. Once she got to her feet Hermione noticed the room they were in was much like the Gryffindor common room. Of course it wasn't done in red and gold, but the look and feel of history held sway here just as much as at Hogwarts.
"Welcome to Castle Galliard," Talon began as Harry joined them looking around. "We are not far from the healers, so, if you will follow me."
Harry and Hermione followed Talon as he walked towards the double doors leading away from the entrance. As they walked through the hallway, Hermione caught herself marveling at the pictures of different knights and battles lining the hallway they walked through. A set of double doors stood open on Hermione's right that led into a large chamber with a high vaulted ceiling. Talon noticed their gaze and answered the unspoken question, "That is where the ceremony will be, if it comes to pass."
"What ceremony?" Harry asked seeing nothing extraordinary in the room.
Talon frowned for a moment, "My sorrow, I spoke out of place. The candidate should be the first person to hear the news. Let us hope that it thus comes to pass."
Harry looked to Hermione who shrugged her shoulders. Neither knew what the older knight spoke of.
Talon stopped before a large wooden door set with silver handles. Talon there and turned back to Harry and Hermione, "This is the infirmary. Fury is the only patient now. You should prepare yourselves."
Harry nodded towards the door, "We're prepared."
Talon nodded and pushed open the door. They followed him into a large room with two rows of beds. It was easy to see which bed Fury was lying in by the witch and wizard that were standing by the bed and the shock of red hair they were looking at. Hermione watched the bed closely noting that Ron, while his armor was now gone, still wore the dark mask over his good eye.
What wasn't easy to see was Fury's body until Hermione realized that loss of blood had made him so pale it was hard to tell where he ended and the crisp white sheets on the bed began.
Hermione raced over to the edge of the bed, reaching out for his hand when the elderly wizard put out a hand to stop her. "Patience child, the young squire is no longer bleeding, but it would be easy enough to reopen his wounds."
Hermione nodded looking up to the older wizard, "Will he be all right?"
The witch smiled tenderly at Hermione, "We believe so. Even more so, now that you two are here."
"What can we do?" Harry asked confused looking down at Ron's pale features.
"When young Fury first arrived he was hallucinating. He kept calling for the two of you. Often when someone is gravely injured the mere presence of their loved ones will aid in their recovery."
"Did you heal him?" Harry asked walking around to the opposite side of the bed frowning down at Fury's unconscious form.
"Yes, we were able to mend the wounds. The spells cast on him were able to sustain him until he arrived here," the wizard replied.
"Then we owe you our gratitude," Harry replied offering his hand to the wizard.
Hermione looked up at the pair, "Yes, thank you, for everything."
"You are welcome," the witch replied.
Talon nodded towards the couple, "I would like to introduce the two of you to Kassandra and Hector."
The couple nodded towards Harry and Hermione, "It is to us to keep those of our Order hale and strong for battle."
Hermione nodded turning her gaze back to Fury's still form. "We will leave you now. Speak to him, be near him. Fury will know that you are here and will return to you. If you have any needs, we will not be far," Kassandra finished motioning for the two knights to follow her.
"Wait!" Hermione interrupted them, "How did you know where we would be?" Hermione asked as she turned away from Ron.
"I told them where to find you," Val's familiar voice came from behind the retreating knights.
Hermione rose to her feet, her eyes narrowed dangerously. Talon looked to Harry with a shrug and the three older knights left the two girls to settle their differences.
Val walked towards them with several people behind her carrying trays containing food and pitchers of pumpkin juice, "It might be a long wait and we might as well have something to eat and drink while we do."
Val stopped just out of arm reach of Hermione and the two girls stared at each other for a moment. It was Hermione that ended the silence, "I was ready to kill you when I arrived at the Hospital wing and I couldn't find Fury," Hermione growled.
Val nodded, "I thought you might be angry, but I trust you were told why I brought him here instead?"
"I was, but I still think you took an awful chance," Hermione replied.
"It was not an option for him to remain there," Val replied crisply. "He was my responsibility. As it was, we were seen."
"We were seen? That's what you were worried about? Fury could have died!" Hermione snapped back at the blond girl with bright green eyes.
Harry stepped in between them and raised both of his hands, "What's done is done. Now we sit and wait for R-Fury to recover. He would not want you to be arguing." Harry looked to Hermione, "She did what she thought was best. You know Fury would want to obey the rules of his Order, no matter the risk."
Hermione turned back to Fury's pale form, "It's the risk that scares me," she whispered.
Harry and Val sat next to each other on the Fury's other side. "What do we do Val? Talon said we needed to call him back."
Val smiled to Harry and he sensed something familiar about her, "We remember him. We speak with him and focus on more pleasant times. We wait, reminding him of why he should remain with us."
Harry nodded in reply and settled in to think of every good memory of Ron he could come up with starting that day on the train first year.
In reflection, Harry didn't remember who began speaking of their memories aloud. However, sometime in the reflection, Val and Hermione seemed to reach an accord, and the three focused on calling Fury back to them. Hermione, Harry and Val had stayed up late into the night talking first of Ron, and then speaking of the outside world. Only when one of the Healers had come by and told them that Fury was passed the danger point did they relax and choose a bed for the night. It seemed as if they were only asleep for a moment when they were awoken by a voice asking them if they were ready for breakfast.
Hermione opened her eyes to see two boys standing in front of her, both wearing masks. She studied them for a moment before answering, "Breakfast would be wonderful, thank you."
Harry and Val sat up and Harry rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, "Did someone say breakfast?"
One older of the two boys nodded, "Yes, My Lord. If it is your wish we will lead you to the morning meal."
"Could we get clean first?" Hermione asked them.
"Of course, Lady, we can take you to the guest rooms before you eat."
Val stood up and adjusted her tunic, "Take the Lord here to the guest rooms to freshen up," she said gesturing to Harry. "I will take the Lady to my private quarters, if it is her wish, and she can freshen herself there."
"As you wish Squire Val," the older man at arms replied.
Val turned to Harry, "If you will follow these pages, they will take care of you and you can meet with the Lady in the Feast Hall."
Harry nodded and followed the two boys out of the room.
Hermione turned to Val as soon as the pages had led Harry out of sight, "I noticed you were careful not to use either my or Harry's name, why?"
"It would not do to let anyone know who Fury's loved ones are. I have no reason to distrust the pages, but we find it prudent to not to let others know of weaknesses," Val said frankly. "It is the reason both of you are wearing masks, so you can not be used to manipulate him."
Hermione's eyes narrowed, "So, all of this is to protect Fury?"
"As well as yourselves. Fury is a valiant fighter and has gone on several important missions for our Order. As such, there are a few Death Eaters who would be very interested in Fury's weaknesses and might seek them out to extract revenge."
Hermione nodded in understanding, "That does make sense, I guess."
Val nodded in answer, "Now, if you will follow me, we can get you prepared for the ceremony."
"Ceremony?" Hermione questioned.
Val smiled for the first time that morning, "If the potions are as effective as the Healers hope, then Fury and I will be knighted in the morning after we have sat our vigil. It is an ancient ceremony and it is most fitting that the two of you are there to see it. If he has not recovered enough, then it will be done tomorrow night."
Hermione frowned for a moment and then looked squarely at Val, "Why is it fitting that I am there?"
"You are his Lady. One of the Codes, a knight must live his life by, is that of loyalty to the one they have pledged their heart to. You will even have a small part in his knighting, and, if you give yourself over to the moment, it may be one of the most important moments of both of your lives."
The earnest look on Val's face was shocking to Hermione and she didn't know how to respond to such a weighty statement. Instead, she turned to practical matters, "So, I guess I need to get ready then. Are you going to show me what I need to do?"
To Hermione's surprise, Val beamed at her, "I most certainly am. Now, if you will follow me, we will get you cleaned up and fed. After that I will show you a few things here in the Chapter House that you may find of use."
Hermione's shock was evident when Val took her arm and led her away from the infirmary and towards her private quarters.
"Val, wait," Hermione stopped, "If Harry and I are needed here for Fury, who is coming for you?"
Val turned and looked back to the Hermione a look of surprise across her features, "I have no such love, but I do have one such friend."
"How long have you known her?" Hermione asked realizing how little she knew of Fury's partner.
Val's laughter was vaguely familiar to Hermione, but she could not place it, "For six years and he would not appreciate being called a girl."
"He isn't your love then?" Hermione asked again surprised.
"Oh no. He has eyes for another," Val replied. "Come, let's get freshened up."
Before a half an hour had passed, Hermione found herself meeting in their Feast Hall with Harry and Val. While the Hall was not as impressive as the one at Hogwarts, it was a very large and ornate structure. The columns were carved statues of the greatest fighters in the history of the Order and the walls were covered in bas-relief etchings of some of the greatest battles in history. As she and Harry marveled at the beauty of the Hall, Talon approached unnoticed.
"I hope you are being well taken care of," he said in his normal jovial tone.
Both Harry and Hermione nodded in response and Harry spoke first, "How long has this Hall been here Talon?"
"This was one of the Order's first structures. It has been here for over nine hundred years. If you like, I can show you around the Castle once you have eaten. Although Fury is awake, the Healers believe he should get a bit more rest before he has visitors." Talon stated pointedly at Hermione, who had already half risen from her chair.
Harry reached out a hand and placed it on Hermione's arm, "We understand Talon, and we would love to see whatever of the castle you can show us."
Talon turned his eyes towards Hermione, "You are not the first Lady who has waited for word of her Lord in this place. Nor, do I fear, are you the last. Have faith, you and he will be reunited soon enough."
Hermione nodded and raised a hand to her eyes and wiped away one traitorous tear, "You must think I am silly to worry so."
Talon regarded her gravely for a moment, "Not so Lady, I myself have sat in these halls too often and waited for word that one of my noble young warriors would live or die. It is a burden beyond measure and I am glad that soon it will be my burden no longer."
"Are you retiring then Talon?" Hermione asked with a smile.
"Nay Lady, one does not retire from the Order. I am, however, old and not the warrior I once was. I fear I will fall in this next Great War and it will be to younger men to pick up the banner I have borne for so long," he said softly as if to not startle the two of them.
Both Hermione and Harry seemed startled by Talon's words and the old warrior seemed to notice immediately. "Fear not young ones, I am not quite ready to leave my brothers yet. Though some of my friends are now lost to me, I still must do my duty for a while more."
"Is it hard losing your friends while you live?" Harry asked quietly looking at the knights surrounding them. He couldn't help but notice that none of them were older than Talon.
Hermione whipped her head around to stare at Harry. Talon, on the other hand, gave the slightest of wistful smiles, "It is hard at first and then it is powerfully lonely. I can still see them in their youth."
Talon had stopped looking at either Harry or Hermione and his gaze now rested on sights that had long since faded from this earth.
"How young we were when first we met. We trained until the sweat burned our eyes and it felt as if our arms would be wrenched from our sockets." Talon looked down at the two of them with a benevolent smile, "Still we somehow found the energy to dance after our duties were attended to."
"When I first began my training, I could not understand why all squires were required to learn to dance. Then when I discovered it was to be dancing from hundreds of years ago, I understood even less."
Harry nodded in agreement with Talon's statement.
Talon continued, "Then we danced for the first time and it all became clear."
"What became clear Talon?" Hermione asked, her curious nature getting the best of her.
"The dances of the past were designed to glorify the ladies. They brought forth the natural gracefulness and glory of the female form. They were slow enough that you could truly look at your partner and lose your self in their eyes. They brought out a romance that has almost gone from the world."
Harry thought Talon was a bit mental when he looked at Hermione and thought that she was going to cry.
"Hermione, is something wrong?" Harry asked.
Hermione shook her head violently causing her hair to fly around her head in swirling cloud, "I'm fine, it just sounds so… so lovely."
Harry wasn't used to hearing Hermione talk like a girl. Now, he knew she was a girl alright, and he had even noticed before Ron, but he still didn't see Hermione often act all 'girly' as he would consider it.
"Well, maybe you and Fury can dance like that sometime," he replied weakly wishing they could talk of something else.
"Indeed Lady, you should have many opportunities to dance thus with Fury. Val, may I trust that you will see that the Lord and Lady here are well garbed for the ceremony?" Talon asked turning to look at Val.
"It would be my honor to do so, Sir Talon. Does this mean the ceremony will be tomorrow?" Val eagerly questioned.
Talon smiled at Val a moment before replying, "It seems that Fury will be well enough for the ceremony. Though, he will restricted from missions for several days. You both will sit your vigils tonight and be knighted in the morning. Have all of your duties done by this afternoon so that you can prepare yourself."
"Yes, Talon," Val answered quickly and then motioned to Harry and Hermione to follow her out of the Hall.
The three of them walked through the maze of corridors as Val pointed out several items of interest. Val walked quickly as they passed from one doorway to the next until she abruptly turned into a doorway. Harry had to stop quickly not to pass it by or run into one of the other girls. When he and Hermione entered he saw Val talking to an elderly lady who was smiling widely and admonishing Val for her attire. As the woman finished her lecture, she turned to Harry and Hermione with a smile as she gestured them over to her.
"Hello dears, I understand you will be taking part in the coming ceremony and that you do not have appropriate garb," her voice warbled as she smiled.
Harry shifted uncomfortably under her gaze as she continued, "Well, you just let me take care of that. Now come here young man, and let me look at you," The elderly lady grabbed Harry and spun him around looking at him critically.
"You could stand to put on a little weight," she said as she looked him up and down. "Still, you're not so small that I would have to put you in children's clothes."
Hermione managed to only giggle a bit at Harry's discomfort, but her humor was short lived when the elderly witch walked up to her, "Why, you're just a little slip of a girl, lass. However, I do have just the dress for you." The old woman walked around a corner and returned with long close fitting white dress that had long sleeves and a train with it.
The woman held it up to Hermione and nodded to her self. Then she looked at Hermione for a moment, "You are chaste, aren't you?"
Harry looked at Hermione blankly, but Hermione blushed furiously and stammered,"Y-y-y-yes, I am still chaste."
The elderly lady nodded in approval and went around the corner again.
"Hermione, why did she ask if you were chased?" Harry whispered confused.
Hermione blushed deeply, but Val burst out laughing. "Not chased but chaste. She was asking if she had ever been with a man."
It was Harry's turn to blush deeply, "So you and Fury haven't… well, you know?"
"God, Harry," Hermione sputtered while Val held on to her sides as she rocked with laughter. Harry and Hermione looked over at the laughing girl and once again, Harry felt that her laughter was familiar to him. He knew he had heard that exact same laugh at this expense before.
The elderly woman reappeared with an emerald green tunic and simple black. She held them up to Harry and then nodded with a smile. "These should suit you just fine young master. Now I believe that Val has to take you to the Sanctuary so you can learn your part in the Ceremony."
Hermione and Harry thanked the lady for her help and followed Val on another journey through the long corridors of the Castle. Val came to a stop by a doorway that looked no different than any of the other ones they had seen since they had arrived. Val opened the door and gestured for them to walk in. Hermione stepped in first and gasped when she saw the huge mural on the opposite wall.
The mural depicted the battle of the Sacean Shore where Arthur defeated the first of several attempted Saxon invasions. The figures on the mural moved through the battle as British knights strove to push the invading horde back into the sea. The wall on the left showed different knights in plain white tunics kneeling in front of their swords a look of awe on their faces.
On the right wall a circle of witches danced among a circle of stones. Their hair was wild and joy and power mixed among them as they joined together in sisterhood. Hermione turned to look at Harry who was looking straight up. Hermione lifted her head to discover what Harry was gazing at. Above them the ceiling was the image of the night sky and the heavens seemed to blaze with the glory and majesty of life.
"This is the Sanctuary of our Order. Here any member may come and ponder those things which may trouble him. It is one of our places of refuge and here will you learn of your place in the Ceremony tonight and in the morning. I will leave you here for now, though soon we will meet again." Val said with a smile.
"How will we learn our parts if you leave us?" Hermione questioned before Val could depart.
"Someone will be here soon to help you with the protocol. Trust that you will not be left in the dark." With that Val turned and quickly walked down the corridor.
Both Harry and Hermione were quiet for a moment and Harry let out a great sigh. "This all seems unreal doesn't it?"
Hermione shook her head "No Harry, it seems all too real to me. This place, the Order, all of it is so very Ron. Ron, whom can do nothing half way. The man who must be great at a thing or will not do it at all. Can you not see how words like honor, duty and courage would call to him like a library calls to me?"
Harry nodded, "That's a good thing though, right?" he asked in response to the look on Hermione's face. "I mean we want him to feel important and this ummm… hobby helps."
"This isn't a hobby Harry. This is a cause, this is a vocation and it's one you have for life. I know this is going to sound selfish and petty but it's going to be part of the rest of my life as well and I don't know if I can handle knowing Ron will always be in danger."
Harry stood there in shock starring at Hermione for a moment, "The rest of your life? So that means you want to …you know…be with Ron….forever?"
Hermione flushed in a way that would have put any Weasley to shame, but she managed to look Harry in the eyes all the same, "Well of course I do Harry. I know that it doesn't make any sense and I know that it sounds crazy but somehow I think it's the right thing. Now it's not going to happen anytime soon but I do think it is going to happen"
"You know, I admire you for that Hermione. I know I feel strongly for Ginny, but the idea of forever seems, well scary. Of course, forever might only be to the next time Voldemort catches me," Harry said with sarcasm dripping from every word.
Harry had expected for Hermione to tell him not to worry, but instead her eyes blazed and she planted both of her fists on her hips as she glared at him. "Harry James Potter, that is no way to talk. You have way too many people who are giving their all to help you for you to even joke about such things. All of us deserve better than that, especially Ginny."
Harry couldn't even look Hermione in the eyes, so he stared directly at the ground, as he mumbled an apology to Hermione.
Hermione's face softened as she looked at a now chastened Harry, "It's OK Harry; we just want you to know that things aren't as bad as they might seem sometimes."
Harry smiled and seemed about to respond when the door opened and a tall man in his mid twenties strode through it. He surveyed the room confidently and then broke into a smile when he laid eyes on the two of them, "Greetings My Lady and Lord, I am Flourish, and I will be your Protocol teacher today."
Harry bit back a laugh and looked at Hermione, who seemed quite interested in what Flourish had to say.
"Now, I take it that the two of you aren't familiar with the Knighting Ceremony?" Flourish asked as he smiled down at Hermione. Flourish was a man in his early twenties with long, wavy blond hair and bright, colorful tunic and hose. Harry was immediately reminded of Zacharias Smith, and not in the most flattering of ways. Hermione though didn't mind the man's attention, but Harry's skin crawled to be around him.
"No, we are not, but I'm sure with your help we will get everything right," Hermione said returning his smile.
Flourish grinned even larger, clapping his hands together, "Well then, let's get started, shall we? First things first, are you one of the knights-to-be sister?"
Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but Harry spoke first, stepping between the two. "No, she is Fury's Lady," Harry answered standing as tall as he could in front of the slender man. "Perhaps you should tell her what the Lady of a knight should know."
Flourish wiped the smile off of his face and paled slightly looking from Harry 's frown to Hermione's confused expression, "She is Fury's lady? You do not jest, my Lord?"
"Why would he be jesting Flourish?" Hermione asked her smile gone.
Flourish took a step back and stammered, "I just assumed you were his sister, Lady."
"I think Hermione, that Flourish here was a bit taken with you," Harry interrupted. "Finding out that you are the Lady of such a protective knight-to-be must have been a bit disconcerting."
Flourish smiled sheepishly, "Be that as it may, I am here to teach you about your parts in the upcoming ceremony. As such, perhaps we should carry on with the lesson."
Hermione nodded and shot a look at Harry.
Harry rolled his eyes and smirked back at Flourish, but settled down to hear what the poncy boy had to say. Harry couldn't help but smile at the thought of what Ron would do to the scrawny man as he started his instructions.
Thus began one of the longest hours in Harry's life.
As Val led Harry and Hermione back from the Sanctuary, Harry found the opportunity to voice his dislike of Flourish, "I never thought I would say this, but that guy was a bigger prat than Zacharias Smith."
"He wasn't that bad Harry, he was just a bit overzealous," Hermione replied primly.
"Overzealous, I think not. You're just saying that because he was flirting with you. If Fury had seen it, he would have torn that git's head off," Harry retorted.
"Maybe he was flirting with me, but I wasn't flirting with him. Regardless of that, he had information we needed to know so everything would go right for Fury. I would think by now that you would have a little faith in me at least," Hermione huffed.
Harry smirked back at her and a fight seemed to be brewing when Val spoke up, "Despite his flirting, Flourish would never make advances to the Lady of a knight. All members of the Order are valued, but those who fight are held in higher esteem. Further, of all of our fighters, the knights are the crème of the crop. As such, they are given great respect in all things. To make such advances to the Lady of a knight is tantamount to asking for a beating from that knight."
"In that case, I am going to mention it to Fury. It would be incredibly entertaining to see him teach Flourish a lesson," Harry laughed to himself earning frowns from both of the girls.
Hermione shook her head and ignored Harry, instead turning her focus on Val, "Val, wouldn't your friend needed to have gone through the same lessons that we did? I'm surprised he didn't join us."
"Friend, what friend?" Harry asked turning towards Val.
"As Fury's closest friends have been invited, as have been mine," Val replied with a slight tinge of annoyance.
"Oh, wouldn't she have needed the same lessons?" Harry asked curious.
"No, he wouldn't. His family is extremely traditional. He would have been incredibly offended if he had gone through Flourish's lesson, as my friend considers himself quite well informed on these matters," Val chuckled to herself. "He knows his role."
"So, your Lord will be here this evening?" Harry asked with a wink towards Hermione.
"No, my friend only," Val replied as she rolled her eyes. "I have all ready had this conversation with your counterpart. He is just a friend."
The three of them walked along the maze of corridors for several minutes before they walked into a large chamber, which reminded Hermione of a great Cathedral with high arches and a vaulted ceiling. At one end of the hall, Talon was pointing out something to several attendants who then left quickly out of one of the many side doors. As soon as Talon spotted them, he briskly crossed over to them.
The older Knight couldn't contain his enthusiasm as he greeted the three, "So I trust that Flourish was helpful with his instructions?"
"Not as helpful as he wanted to be," Harry said with a chuckle.
Talon looked confused for a moment and then was a bit startled when Hermione kicked Harry. Before another row could start Val stepped in, "I believe that Flourish was under the impression that the Lady here was Fury's sister. He seemed to be quite taken with her until the good Lord here set him straight," she said pointedly looking at Harry.
Harry shrugged, "Just keeping an eye out for my mate."
"Fury doesn't need you to keep an eye out for him. Fury trusts me and you should to," Hermione huffed.
"You, I trust, but that creepy git made my skin crawl," Harry fired right back.
Talon steeped between the two and spoke to Val, "Would you be so kind as to escort the young Lord here to quarters so he might rest before his preparations? I believe your friend has arrived as well and should be waiting upon you there. I would speak with the Lady for a moment and then I will bring her there myself."
Val bowed to Talon and took Harry lightly by the arm and guided him out of the Hall.
Hermione looked up questioningly at Talon as soon as Val and Harry vanished around the corner. Talon smiled at the look on her face and motioned for her to follow him. After walking for a moment in silence, Talon turned to her and questioned, "Do you ever find it hard to be Fury's Lady?"
Hermione was surprised by the question, but answered it as honestly as she could, "I do sometimes. I worry about what might happen to him and what I would do if something did happen to him."
Talon nodded, "It must be hard for you. It was hard for my wife as well. There were times when I didn't think we were going to make it. She understood why I wanted to be a part of the Order, but she was an artist and I think it pained her greatly to know I took part in any form of violence."
Hermione looked up at Talon as they walked, "The fear of losing him sometimes feels like it's crushing my chest. I'm torn between wanting him to do all the things I know he can do and wanting him to take a boring, predictable job so he will always be safe."
Talon's face grew grave for an instant as he regarded the girl beside him, "Fury is who he is. I know this is of little comfort, but seeking to change that will only make the both of you miserable. I can see your love for him clearly. It is etched on your face when you speak of him. We do not choose whom we love in this life, nor do we know how long we will have that person to love. Therefore, is not the logical thing to do to love them as fiercely as we might for as long as we can?"
Of all the things in the world, Hermione Granger relied on logic foremost. Now her old friend was being used to tell her to not worry about something that worried her. It seemed crazy, but perhaps it was the right thing to do.
It was easy for Talon to see that Hermione was waging an internal struggle as they walked, so he took the kindest course of action. He distracted her, "Wel,l let us get you back to your quarters. Very soon Fury's vigil will begin."
As Ron knelt in the Sanctuary, he couldn't help but feel awed at what was about to take place. He was going to become a knight, not some stupid title that people get for being a good singer or a sports star, but a real knight. The sheer responsibility of it threatened to overwhelm him, but the pride he felt somehow managed to help him keep his head about him.
Talon's footsteps echoed throughout the Sanctuary and they announced to both Ron and Val that the vigil was commencing in earnest. Talon stepped in front of Ron and placed a simple white belt in his hands.
"White is the symbol of purity, of cleanliness of mind, body and spirit. A knight must be pure of all taint. For his glory to shine forth without shadow, he must be free of the darkness. Wear this as a reminder that all things that you do reflect on both yourself and your Order."
With that Talon strode down towards the other end of the Sanctuary where Val was kneeling in her own vigil and repeated his words. Ron considered the belt and the nature of darkness as an hour passed. Two pairs of footsteps entered the Hall from behind him. One approached him and the second walked over to Val. As Ron waited he caught scent of the person approaching. He looked up and smiled as Harry stopped before him. Harry held out Fury's sword and Ron reached up and took it from him. As Harry handed him the sword he spoke in a grave tone, "The sword is the ancient symbol of knighthood. It is the sword with which the knight defends the weak. It is the sword with which the knight vanquishes evil. It is the sword, which is the embodiment of courage in battle. Yet beware, for the sword is double edged and its glory and majesty may easily turn to pride and hubris for the unwary knight. The true knight is humble before all."
Ron nodded and held his sword in front of him so that the crosspiece of the hilt lay in front of his eyes and the point of the scabbard rested lightly on the floor. Ron was glad that Harry had been here to be a part of the ceremony. He hoped that Harry would always be there when the good things happed in his life. His mind wandered to what those good things might be when he heard a lighter set of footfalls approaching. Then her scent reached him and he knew for certain whom it was—his mate.
He would never tell her that was how he considered her; because he worried it might be a bit primal for Hermione. This was, after all, the girl who lived in the intellectual and she might very well see it as some sort of male control thing, rather than just a simple fact. Ron was so caught up in these thoughts that it took him time to notice that Hermione was standing in front of him in a simple fitted white dress. Again the word "mate" seemed to echo throughout the corners of his mind.
Hermione held out a simple chain made of fitted links and her voice rang out cool and clear in the silence, "The Knights chain is a symbol of loyalty. Links join together to form the unbroken circle of the chain. These symbolize your devotion to your Order, your friends and to your love, to me." Hermione lifted the chain and kissed it. Then with a smile she wound it around the hilt of the sword.
"Think upon my words. If in the morn you find yourself worthy, then I will place it around your neck and you will be bound by it for all time. Take not my words lightly, for this oath you swear holds beyond the veil and into whatever comes after."
Ron smiled at Hermione and wished that he could tell her just how beautiful she looked tonight. Often he was struck by how much Hermione had changed in the years he had known her. She was no longer the annoying little know-it-all and had become a calm, self-assured, know-it-all. Ron came very close to laughing as he imagined her expression if she could have read his mind.
When Hermione smiled back at him, Ron suddenly became aware of how close she was standing to him. He could see the relief upon her face to see him kneeling there. The sum of this caused him to fight the urge to wrap his arms around her hips and pull her closer. Just when he thought he might give in, she took a step backwards and then turned and walked quietly down the Hall.
Time passed as Ron considered Hermione and their relationship. He took a deep breath and chuckled as he caught a different scent wafting through the Hall. It was familiar to him, both as Val and as his friend. He wondered how she would react if she knew that not only did he know her true identity, but that he also knew the identity of her guest.
I suppose, at some point, I should tell her that I know who she is. Maybe I'll tell her "guest" as well so she won't feel so isolated.
The rest of the night seemed to pass in what Ron would later describe as a partially aware dream. His mind had flown through all the things he had done while at Hogwarts, his accomplishments and his regrets, to dreams of what might happen after he left school. Vaguely he wondered what Val was thinking of during her vigil and resolved to ask her when they were both knights.
Talon's footfalls sounded in the Chamber and with a gesture he motioned for Ron to stand. The ache that shot through his knees and thighs threatened to cause him to cry out, but he bit back the pain and shook his legs to increase his circulation. When Talon returned with Val they walked briskly down several corridors until they reached the cleansing pool.
Talon handed them both fresh white tunics and trousers, "Now you will take the ritual bath. Let the water cleanse you of any doubt or taint of failure. I will return swiftly for you."
Fury looked at Val for a moment and blushed. Val shook her head and as if by silent agreement they moved to opposite ends of the pool and faced away from each other. Ron stripped and washed as silently and as quickly as possible. Within a matter of minutes he had dried himself and was dressed again and a moment later Val joined him waiting for Talon.
Talon came back into the room and silently led them to the Great Hall where a crowd of people waited for them. Fury could see the other Knights, smiles etched on their faces as they remembered their initiation. The squires crowded forward, their faces alight as they dreamed of the day they may be in Fury's place. Above all, Fury could see Hermione, Harry and Val's friend standing at the front of the room, off to one side. Harry looked uncomfortable in the borrowed clothing. Hermione stood at his side, a wide smile on her face as she met his gaze. Fury glanced over to Val to see her nod to her "friend." He stood near, but apart from Harry and Hermione, wearing a similar mask and dressed all in black. He acknowledged Val's nod with one of his own, but there was no trace of a smile or good cheer.
Talon led them to the front of the Hall and told them to kneel. Talon stood in front Fury first and spoke aloud for the assembly to hear; "Now you stand at the threshold of destiny. So I will ask you, in front of all of these witnesses, are you worthy of knighthood?"
Fury's mind raced as he pondered the question, but to his shame the answer came all too quickly. His cheeks flamed as he answered with a softly spoken, "No"
Talon's face broke into a smile as he looked down at Fury, "Then endeavor to be worthy."
Talon grew serious once again, "Is it still your wish to take on the responsibilities of a Knight of the Order of the Coure de Lion?"
"It is," Fury replied in a voice he hoped sounded confident.
"Then swear your Oath so all may hear your words."
"I swear to defend the weak, to honor my oaths, to fight the darkness, to be foremost in battle and to be true to my Order and my lady for all time," Fury's voice rang out.
Talon had Fury stand and wrapped the white belt around his waist and hung the sword from it. Then he motioned to Hermione, who came forward and held his chain so that all could see. After a pause, she lowered it to her lips and kissed the chain softly and then turned towards Fury, "Let this chain be a constant reminder of the oaths you have sworn and the weight of the responsibilities that you have accepted."
Hermione's smile grew as she continued, "Let it also be a reminder of the pride I have in you and my own Oaths that I have sworn to you as well."
Hermione stepped to the side as Talon drew his sword. He raised it to his lips and kissed the blade before he brought it down to rest upon Fury's right shoulder, "I name you Defender of the Weak."
He raised the blade, kissed it again and lowered it to Fury's left shoulder, "I name you fearless in battle."
Once more he lifted the blade to his lips and kissed it again then lowered to softly to Fury's head, "I name you Knight of the Order."
Talon sheathed his sword and lifted Fury to his feet, "Now let this be the last blow you take unanswered." With those words, Talon slammed his forearm into Fury's chest driving him to his knees. Then Talon reached down to Fury and extended his hand.
Once Fury was standing, Talon turned him to face the crowd, "It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Sir Fury. Fear him, for he is mighty; honor him, for he is worthy; and, love him, for he is your brother."
Talon turned to Val and repeated the rites. In this, Talon gave all three symbols without the second oath in relation to the chain. Fury watched on with pride as Val was christened by Talon's blade and named before the crowd, "It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Sir Val. Respect her, for she will protect you; honor her, for she is worthy; and love her, for she is your sister."
Ron had never before gotten hammered on Firewhisky but he was certain that no matter how strong it was he was sure it couldn't make him feel any better than he did right now. As soon as the Knighting Ceremony was over a hoard of house elves had rushed in and set up row on row of tables and chairs. It hadn't taken long for every available square inch of the tables to be covered in food and Fury had be gratified to see that Hermione seemed to be having a wonderful time. At this moment Hermione was engaged in a conversation with Talon about how the Order's magisters did their research into new spells. Of course this gave him an uninterrupted opportunity to indulge in own of his favorite pastimes, Hermione watching.
As he gazed at Hermione he was forced to admit that he could understand why some blokes thought she was plain. If you just looked at her as a sum of different parts then she could be seen, well as average. The thing was you can't look at a person as the sum of their different parts. There was something about Hermione that seemed to just shine through her skin. Maybe it was her goodness or perhaps it could be here inquisitive nature. Fury quickly decided it didn't matter because what ever it was it was unique to Hermione. Fury couldn't see it in any of the 'pretty' girls that the blokes at school talked about all the time.
How people could think that a girl who glowed like Hermione did was plain, was beyond Fury but he guessed that it had worked out to his advantage. Coming out of his momentary reverie he noticed that Hermione was looking at him with a curious expression written across her face. 'Is there something troubling you love?" he asked softly.
Hermione beamed at him and shook her head softly. "You just seemed to be somewhere else for a moment. What had you thinking so seriously?"
"I was thinking how I couldn't understand why every bloke in Hogwarts wasn't trying to get you to go out with them, as beautiful as you are," he said while taking her hand in his.
Hermione's laugh delighted him and he bent his head down to softly kiss her hand.
"Well aren't you being so very charming Sir Fury? If I didn't know better I would think you want something from me," Hermione teased.
"Oh but I do want something my Lady."
"And what pray tell would that be Sir Fury?"
Fury was surprised how husky his voiced seemed as he replied. "You"
If Hermione was surprised she gave no sign though she did flush red for a moment and the color seemed to spread down her neck and disappear into her dress.
Hermione leaned forward so she could whisper "In what way my gallant knight?"
Surprising him self he managed to say "In every way." with out stammering or blushing.
Hermione flushed again and she brought one of her hands to her mouth, before she could say anything though Fury spoke again. "I didn't say that to pressure you into anything Hermione but I thought you should know exactly how I feel."
Hermione gazed at him and took a deep breath. "I know I'm not ready for everything but I want you to know that I do want that. I do want you to know that one day when I am ready I will show you just how much I love you for being patient."
Fury reached out and took a drink from his goblet and turned back to Hermione. "We have all the time in the world, love."
Fury had turned to face the table when he felt Hermione lean in and whisper in his ear. "I might not think it's time for some things but I think we are over due for others."