The Way of the Warrior
By: Cubster
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the Movie King Arthur. That credit goes elsewhere
A/N What would you all like to see in the next chapter or so? I want to make this a good story for as many as possible.
It may have been Harry's birthday, and he may have been Tristan's son. But he still did not get a break from training that morning. Harry was looking up at the sky from the ground, he was muttering about the injustice of it all and how Tristan was a slave driver. This soon ended when he felt a piece of wood lightly hitting him on the stomach.
"Get up, we're not done." Tristan stood calmly above Harry looking down at him with an eyebrow raised. "Just because it is your birthday doesn't mean you can be lay and sloppy. Concentrate then you can spend the rest of the day with your friends."
Harry stood up and took a deep breath before holding his sword with only his right hand limply at his left side. Tristan stepped forward and lunged at Harry's midsection, Harry though took a step back and hit Tristan's blade to the left. Harry then brought his sword down on top of Tristan's head. Tristan dropped to his knee and brought his sword above his head blocking the blow.
Tristan shoved his sword up hard knocking Harry off balance making him stumble backwards. Tristan leaped forward and struck Harry's thigh then on his back; Harry fell forward but broke his fall by landing on his hands. "You're making progress Harry, one more round and then we'll practice your bow work while on horseback."
They were still working on defense and counter attack so once again Harry waited for Tristan to make his move. It was quick, Tristan took two quick steps forward and made to swing his sword, Harry brought his own sword up preparing to block it, at the last moment Tristan turned on the ball of his foot and struck Harry on the other side.
Harry tried his best to ignore the pain but could not help but rub his side a little, "You move too quickly, how in the bloody hell can you turn like that?"
Tristan shrugged his shoulders, "It comes to you, now let's go prepare Isolde and Arrow."
They left the wooden swords by the fence and began to walk the grounds towards the stables that were near Hagrid's hut. Harry and Tristan could tell the Arrow and Isolde were restless, they kept stomping their hooves onto the ground and shaking their heads
Tristan took Isolde's saddle and quickly tacked her, Harry did the same to Arrow and they were soon walking their horses on the grounds. "Your friends are coming down on the grounds, don't let them distract you."
Harry looked around the grounds but could see none of his friends appearing anywhere on the grounds. "How can you see them Tristan, I can't see them anywhere on the grounds."
"I can't see them yet, Dumbledore told me this morning that they would be coming around now."
Harry laughed, "So is that the secret to your scouting skills?" Harry said mockingly as he mounted Arrow and looked down at Tristan.
"Well tomorrow we'll have a small challenge; you will wake up at dawn I want you to hide in the castle. If I do not find you by breakfast you win, if not then I win." Tristan mounted Isolde and walked her closer to Harry.
Harry smiled and held out his hand "Tomorrow at dawn then." Tristan shook it and they both lightly laughed. Harry knew that Tristan would probably find him but it didn't matter, it was all for fun.
They both brought their horses into a canter as they went to the archery range. The Target was now at the edge of the forbidden forest, and Harry had to ride arrow at a full gallop and successfully hit the target. Harry could hit the bull's eye easily at sixty yards but at forty yards and on Arrow he could barely manage to hit the target at all.
Harry let go of the reigns and took his bow into hand, he kicked Arrow in the ribs making him go into a gallop. Harry pulled an arrow out of the quiver that was tied to the saddle and knocked it quickly; pulling back the string he aimed as best he could while bouncing up and down as Arrow ran. He let the arrow loose and it flew through the air, the arrow struck the edge of the target.
"If you were shooting at another human that would haves struck him, do not become discouraged if you cannot hit the center yet, you will get it." Tristan told him as he sat on Isolde watching Harry closely, "You are not standing in the stirrups like I told you when you bring Arrow into a gallop, it will make you bounce less and you will aim straighter."
Harry nodded, sweat was dripping down his face and it collected in his brow, Harry wiped his face with the back of his arm and turned Arrow around preparing to try again. He was interrupted when he heard his name, "Harry." Harry turned his head; he saw Ron, Hermione, and Ginny walking up to him.
He also saw Katie behind them yelling at them that they couldn't be down here. All three ignored her; Harry shook his head at their audacity.
Harry looked over to Tristan; Tristan sent him a look that told him to get back to practicing. "Hey, I will talk to you three in a little while; I have to finish up here." Harry did not wait for a reply he just brought his horse back into a gallop, he stood up in the stirrups and he had to admit that it was easier to aim, when he had the arrow aimed he shot it and it landed itself a few inches away from the bull's eye.
He continued to ignore his friends and continued to shoot arrow after arrow at the target getting closer to the bull's eye each time. "You're progressing fast Harry even with the distraction." Tristan told him when Harry finally finished his practice.
Harry smiled his thanks and dismounted his horse to confront his friends who were staring at him. Ron looked jealous, Hermione was smiling, and he could not construe the look on Ginny's face but he knew he did not like it. He turned to Katie who beamed at him, he held out his hand and she walked forward and took it in hers. "Hey guys," he said smiling as he squeezed Katie's hand lightly.
Hermione had a big smile on her face, Ron was still looking jealous but Harry did not know from, and Ginny was glaring daggers at Katie. Hermione walked up closer to Harry and Katie, "When did this happen Harry?"
Harry smiled down at Katie for a moment before looking back to Hermione. "We got together a few days ago, we've been spending a lot of time together and we just gradually got closer."
Hermione congratulated and so did Ron, he was jealous of Harry's training not him being in a relationship. Ginny however just stormed off in anger completely ignoring the calls from Ron, Hermione, and Harry.
Harry heard Tristan to tell him to put Arrow back in the stable and put his gear away. Harry nodded and he led the others back to Arrow. Hermione excitedly talked about what she had been learning over the summer as Harry walked Arrow back to the stable. She told him how read about Occlumency and how it helped with focus on magic.
Harry laughed; he would have to tell her in depth about that sometime, she did not know a fraction of it. Harry heard muttering behind him and turned around to Ron scowling at the ground, "What's wrong Ron; you've been really quiet since you got here."
Ron looked up and shook his head before finally speaking his mind, "Why should you get training? At the Department of Mysteries you were the only one who wasn't hurt. It should be the rest of us learning to defend ourselves better, not you."
Harry looked at Ron with wide eyes, "I can't believe he is jealous again." Harry thought as he stared at his best friend. "I was hurt Ron, you weren't around me the whole time, I was even possessed by Voldemort himself. It was Dumbledore who decided that I needed this, I didn't ask for it. Though it turned out to be one of the better things that have happened to me in my life."
They all stopped when they saw Tristan stop ahead of them and turn around to face them. Tristan walked up to Ron and showed no emotion when he looked down at him. "Do you think you could run a blade through a man and see the look of pain in his eyes? Do you think you could shoot an arrow at a person not even expecting it? Taking another person's life is not something taken easily, Harry has no choice, he is either going to have to kill or be killed himself. Voldemort wants him dead and he will do what is necessary to do that."
Ron gulped loudly but didn't say a word he just kept walking when the others did so. The rest of the walk was silent except when Arrow or Isolde lightly neighed or snorted. When Harry and Tristan finished with Arrow and Isolde they joined the others outside and began to walk back to the castle.
"So what was up with Ginny?" Harry asked Hermione and Ron when they came up to walk beside him, Tristan followed a little behind keeping a close eye on anything suspicious like he always did.
Ron coughed and Hermione looked a little nervous, "Well uh Harry she fancies you, she has for quite a while." Hermione told him as she looked the other way not wanting to see Katie's reaction.
Katie shrugged her shoulders, "She can like him all she wants, me and Harry are together and there is nothing she can do about that." Harry nodded and kissed Katie on the lips lightly then smiled at her.
Ron grabbed Harry's shoulder and pulled him to stay; he told everyone that they would meet them back at the castle. Ron looked sheepish as he looked at Harry, "Harry I just want to apologize for being a jealous git, I am always being shadowed by my brothers and you being Harry Potter and my best friend it's like pouring salt on the wound."
Harry smiled and patted him on the back, "Let's just forget this ever happened; I bet Dobby made a feast since it is the Great Harry Potter's birthday lets go." Ron laughed and they both ran towards the castle.
When Harry got to the Great Hall, he noticed that all of his friends in his year and the old Quidditch team were there. When they walked in they all screamed happy birthday to him and Harry laughed and joined the fray. Harry noticed that Luna Lovegood was also there and he enjoyed that immensely, Neville was sitting beside her and they were both in deep conversation.
Fred and George were trying to coerce Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil to eat one of their newest candies, they both refused, they had been subject to their pranks more than once. Hermione was trying to talk to Ginny but she was not paying attention to a word of it. Katie was talking to her best friends Angelina and Alicia, they were all giggling and Harry could only guess that Katie was talking about their relationship.
Harry saw that most of the teachers were there except for Hagrid, Snape of course was gone and he did not know who the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was. Dumbledore was talking to Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick about who knows what. Tristan was leaning against one of the walls keeping a close on everything and Remus was standing beside him. They were both silent, and it was fine by both of them.
Harry and Ron walked over to Hermione and Ginny, Ginny was blatantly ignoring Hermione and Harry noticed that Hermione was getting flustered. When Hermione saw them approaching she immediately stopped talking. Harry remembered that he needed to ask Ginny if he could have his spot back as Seeker on the Quidditch team. "Ginny, McGonagall said that my Quidditch ban was no longer up, but she said that you have to give it back to me in order for me to have my position back."
Ginny narrowed her eyes at Harry for a moment before stepping closer to him, "No, I don't think I will." She stopped for a moment before smirking "Well unless you break up with Bell and go out with me then I may think about it." She didn't give him a chance to respond; she just turned on her heel and left them speechless.
Harry looked shocked, Hermione was deep in thought and Ron looked angry. "Where does she get off doing something like that, you're the better Seeker Harry you deserve the spot." Ron said glaring at the back of Ginny's had who looked smug and proud of herself.
Harry shook his head and left to go talk to Katie, "Hey Katie," Harry said as he walked up to his girlfriend. "Well Ginny won't give up the position to me." Katie looked shocked as well as Angelina and Alicia.
"Why would she not give you the spot, she knows you are the better seeker." Katie said with a menacing glint in her eye. "The little hussy is probably mad that she can't have you, that little baby has to learn to grow up." Katie muttered to herself, this made Harry laugh when he heard what she said.
"She said the only way she would willingly give me it back is if I dumped you and went out with her, which would never happen. So I guess I will just have to take it from her." Harry said to her wrapping his arm around her waist.
"That shouldn't be too hard, sure she beat Malfoy last year but she doesn't hold a candle to you Harry." Angelina said putting her two cents in, Alicia agreed and Harry nodded.
"Well might as well go tell Ginny that I am challenging her for the spot back." Katie nodded and they both left Angelina and Alicia and went over to Ginny. She glared at them both and turned her back to them before Harry could say a word. "Ginny, I am challenging you for my position back on the team, you may not be willing to give it back but I am going to take it away." Harry had a hard look on his face when he said this to Ginny. Her glare quickly turned into a look of shock and worry, but that quickly disappeared as well.
"If that is the way you want it fine, but if you take it away from me I will never give you another chance to be my boyfriend." She said haughtily as if it were a horrible punishment, this only made Harry smile.
"I will be looking forward to it then."
Ginny looked liked she had just been slapped in the face when Harry said that, she turned on her heel and left to go look for someone to talk to. She quickly joined Parvati and Lavender who were gossiping about who knows what.
Fred and George soon ambled over to Harry and Katie who were sitting at a table talking with Hermione, Ron, Angelina, and Alicia. Fred and George stood behind Harry and then smiled at each other before each of them grabbed a shoulder and pulled him back until they reached the table with all his presents.
"Well Harry, it is your birthday. And we all know the best things about the birthdays are the presents so open them up and show us what you got." Fred said as he and George shoved Harry into the seat.
Everyone else swarmed around him including the teachers, Harry heard shouts of "Open my first, open mine last, mine is the one with the broom wrapping paper."
Harry just ignored them all and took the first one in his reach, it was from Ron and when he opened it he found Quidditch Goggles. Harry looked up at Ron with a large smile "They are impervious, and they will fit over your glasses." Ron told him, Harry stood up and hugged him.
"Thanks mate." When Harry opened the rest of the presents he received mostly of Defense Against the Dark Arts books and sweets. He got a pair of Quidditch gloves from Fred and George along with one of those Green Dragon hide jackets that they were fond of. Harry laughed when he got it and put it on to please them. From Hermione he received a wand holster and a book on how to become an Auror.
From Remus he got the greatest thing he could imagine, Remus gave him two books, one was the secrets of all the pranks the Marauders had pulled during their years in Hogwarts. Even a couple of pranks they pulled after school. The other book was a manual on how to become an Animagus, it was written by his father. When Harry finished looking at the books he had tears in his eyes, he stood up and walked over to Remus.
Remus smiled and held out his hand, Harry shook his head and knocked the hand away and hugged him tightly. Remus reciprocated immediately, "Thank you Moony."
"You're welcome Harry."
No one said anything during this moment for the two friends, but soon they both let go and Harry turned around to come face to face with Dumbledore. Dumbledore smiled and signaled Harry to come with him to the head table. "Harry Tristan and I both told you that the answers to all your questions would come on your birthday well this present will give you the answers you wish for."
Dumbledore gave Harry a slender package in a black velvet cloth with silver embroidery on it. Harry reverently set it on the table and slowly unwrapped the velvet cloth, inside it was a box made of oak, it was about four feet long from hilt to the end of the blade. It was black steel with a razor sharp edge, the edge of the blade was silver revealing the edge and Harry knew this would kill a man with such a swing of the sword.
The grip of the hilt was tightly wrapped black leather, it was long enough for two handed use but was also easily manageable with one arm. The sheath was hard leather and it strapped to his back, he would have to practice doing that soon. Harry thought this sword was a masterpiece.
When Harry picked up the sword he felt a wave of power spread through the sword, it felt just like when he picked up his wand for the first time. "Why do I feel this power Dumbledore?" Harry asked as he inspected the sword closer trying to find the answer to his question.
"It has your half of your wand core in the hilt of that sword; we made it so that sword is also your wand. You are now capable of using your swordsmanship and your magical skills at the same time. Make sure to study those books I gave you, they will come to great use to you." Dumbledore said as he looked down at the sword, he then reached into his robes and pulled out Harry's wand. "Your wand is still capable of use, use it in school, we can't have you waving your sword around in school. Dumbledore winked at Harry and chuckled at himself.
Harry joined in and he turned around to see Tristan coming up to him. Tristan pulled out his own sword and set it down beside Harry's. They were completely identical, "They made the sword by my instruction." Harry looked up at Tristan and smiled; Harry took the sheath and began to strap it to his back. Tristan helped Harry strap it on correctly and then put the sword in the sheath for him. "You'll have to practice to sheathe and unsheathe your sword" Tristan told Harry. Harry nodded and proceeded to put the box that held the sword back into the velvet cloth.
"Thank you Dumbledore, I will practice using this as much as I can." Harry said to Dumbledore; Tristan patted Harry's shoulder and then nodded his head.
As soon as Harry turned around to look at everyone they all swarmed around him to see the sword. Fred and George were in the lead, "Come on Harry, let us see it." The dangerous duo pleaded, Harry laughed and after a couple of tries was able to grab the hilt of his sword and he pulled it out of the sheath. A whoosh of air was heard when he twirled it once and then held it out in front of him for everyone to see. "Wicked" Fred and George said before they were rudely pushed away by everyone else to get a good look. Dean, Seamus, and Neville goggled at it "That's bloody fantastic "Neville said as he looked at the curved blade. Dean and Seamus nodded their heads in agreement and soon they were pushed out of the way too.
The last people to see the sword were Hermione, Ron, and Remus; Remus looked at the sword meticulously then looked up at Harry. "I know I do not need to tell you this Harry, but do not be foolish using this blade." Remus then smiled and added "I wonder what Malfoy Jr. will say when he finds that sword strapped to your back."
Harry smirked and Ron looked like Christmas came early, "He will probably get his own sword or something." Ron said and Harry laughed.
"I bet he does." Harry said and everyone else nodded.
The party soon escalated once more, Fred and George were pulling pranks everywhere. Tristan was opening up and speaking to Remus and Harry. Parvati and Lavender were flirting with Seamus and Dean and Neville was speaking to Hermione and Ron about starting the DA
Harry was talking to Remus and Tristan about the DA as well; Remus suggested that he continue the club. The students still needed to be effectively instructed to fight and Harry was the best to do so, Harry nodded and looked at Tristan for his opinion. Tristan said that it was a good idea but he shouldn't let it interfere with his training. Harry assured that it wont and that he would be able to handle all of it, their discussion was interrupted when Ginny charged into the Great Hall.
When Ginny approached Harry she looked ready to kill "Get on the pitch, we're doing this thing now." Ginny said and she left immediately afterwards heading for the pitch. Harry was still for a moment before summoning his broom and he followed Ginny outside of the castle. Harry noticed that all of the occupants of the party followed him and they all made their way to the Quidditch pitch. When they got their, they saw Ginny standing in the middle of the pitch waiting for him.
Everyone else filed into the bleachers and waited for them to begin, Katie stayed on the pitch to release the snitch. "Anything goes except of course anything fatal, mount your brooms." Katie said, Ginny and Harry both mounted their brooms and Katie then released the snitch.
Harry did not look at Ginny at all, he pushed off as hard as he could and flew into the air as fast as he could. He was testing the limits of his Firebolt and was having the time of his life. He turned in the air and hovered in the air waiting for any sign of the snitch. He saw that Ginny took a different approach to locating the snitch. She was circling the pitch at break neck speed looking for the snitch.
"Amateur" Harry muttered as he watched Ginny, she would never be able to effectively spot the snitch buzzing around like an annoying gnat. Harry took his eyes off her and focused on finding the snitch. He did not strain finding the snitch too hard or he would miss it, he remained relax looking for the elusive golden ball.
It wasn't long until Harry saw the snitch; it was in the middle of left hoop on the far end of the pitch. Ginny was on the other end of the pitch and had not yet seen the snitch, he casually flew down and made his way towards the snitch, however; before he could make it there it went on the move and he had to pick up speed to chase it.
Harry had given himself away during the chase of the snitch, and Ginny was now pushing her own broom to the limit to catch up to him. Ginny pulled back and took another route, she was then able to pull up and cut Harry off from the snitch, she then rammed herself into Harry as hard as she could. Harry brushed it off and continued on his route, this made Ginny angry and she tried again but her attempts were futile.
Harry was getting annoyed and decided to mess with her, he dived down and ignored the snitch for now, he knew Ginny would follow him instead of looking for the snitch herself, he was right; she dived down after him attempting to catch him and probably knock him off his broom. Harry dived down as fast as he could then pulled up 5 feet from the ground; he pulled up hard and went completely vertical into the air doing a corkscrew.
Ginny was not so lucky and slammed into the ground, Harry did not care, he saw the snitch once again and honed in on it. He had is undivided attention on the snitch now, Ginny was out of the picture and he could not lose now. Harry and the snitch were gaining altitude by the second but soon the snitch once again dived.
Harry did not let it out of his sight, what ever move it made Harry mirrored it. When Harry was just about twenty feet above the ground and only inches away from the snitch he felt a burning pain in his thigh, he looked down and saw that his robes were on fire and burning his leg. Harry quickly took off his robe and threw if off. Harry looked and saw that Ginny was up and her wand was out pointing straight at him. Ginny fired another spell at him, it was another Incendio spell but Harry dodged this one.
Harry once again disregarded the snitch, Ginny was disqualified anyway, "Why is she doing this, it is just a game." Harry muttered as he turned his broom to face Ginny, Harry landed his broom on to the field and faced Ginny. "Why are you doing this Ginny? It is just a sport." Harry winced as the pain in his leg; he ignored it though and ducked when another spell flew by his head.
He decided enough was enough, he pulled out his sword and held it limply in his hand, Harry looked up into the stands and saw that everyone was frozen, even Dumbledore was not moving. Tristan was nowhere to be seen. Harry looked around for Katie and saw her frozen on the ground, he had to duck down once again when another spell flew and he looked back to Ginny.
What he saw made him step back in shock, she looked normal all except for her eyes; they were blood red and were glaring right at him. "You aren't Ginny." Harry yelled out to the imposter, she just laughed in a maniacal voice.
"Very good Potter, this body is Ginny Weasley's; however she is now my host to destroy you Potter."
The voice was unmistakable to Harry, it belonged to Lord Voldemort's, he had possessed Ginny's body just like he had done 4 years prior and to himself just over a month ago. Harry held his sword to his side and both his hands around the hilt. Voldemort laughed when he saw this and began to mock Harry, "You think you can defeat me with that pathetic muggle weapon?" Voldemort said as he raised Ginny's wand.
Harry did not say a thing but dodged the sickly green light that soared towards him, the Avada Kedavra curse, Voldemort's favorite. Voldemort hissed and began casting as many spells as he could at Harry, Harry did his best to dodge the curses that Voldemort launched at him, he had no cover like he did in the Atrium at the Ministry of Magic or the Graveyard, he had to do as best he could without any.
"Why possess Ginny?" Harry asked after he dived away from a particular nasty looking red curse, he stood up and sheathed his sword, he didn't need it yet.
"The little girl was so full of malice over you and the Bell girl that her mind became open to my attack. Malice is a breeding spot for evil Potter, our connection through your scar and the hated you felt for Bellatrix made it very easy for me to possess you. It is the same for the Weasley girl, she has a different connection to me and he has hatred for the Bell girl. I am just using her to get to you Potter."
"I won't let you win Tom."
Harry struck a nerve with Voldemort when he called him by his birth name, Harry could not handle the barrage of curses and jinxes that sent his way. Harry did his best to dodge the spells but he knew he could not keep it up for long. Unfortunately for Harry he was correct and he eventually lost his footing and fell to the ground. Voldemort laughed and pointed Ginny's wand at Harry, "Foolish boy, no one can match the power of Lord Voldemort. Avada Kedavra."
Harry knew he did not have time to get out of the way from the deadliest curse known to man, in a last ditch effort Harry raised his sword and swung it with all his might at the curse that was only three feet way from him. To his and Voldemort's surprise Harry's sword absorbed that which would have killed him, the green light was sucked into the blade of the sword and down to the hilt where it slowly dissipated into nothing.
Harry did not just sit there, his survival instincts were in full blast; he scrambled to his feet and rushed at Ginny. Harry was initially thinking of decapitating her immediately, but then he remembered that this was Ginny, she was being possessed and he could not kill her. Harry raised his blade and struck his stunned foe with the hilt of his sword on the head.
Voldemort did not have anytime to react when Harry rushed him, the only thing he could do was back up a step before everything went black for him. Harry looked down at the unconscious form of Ginny Weasley, she looked peaceful but he could still see a crease in her eyebrow which showed anger. He knew she was possessed, but he still felt cold towards her for the malicious feelings he held for the young woman he held most dear to him.
Harry heard footsteps behind him and saw Tristan coming towards him an arrow knocked in his bow. "I could have killed her, but I let you handle it, you did well." Harry smiled and looked over to his left and saw that Katie was coming towards him.
"What happened Harry?" She asked as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Harry told her about how Voldemort possessed Ginny and froze everyone else except for Tristan. A tear fell down Katie's face, Harry lightly kissed where the tear was and smiled, "She is knocked out and everyone is coming down as we speak, nothing can happen."
Katie nodded and they waited for everyone to come down on to the field, Dumbledore was in the lead, he had no twinkle in his eye and his step held no bounce. He walked with a purpose today and Harry knew there would be many questions when Dumbledore got him to his office.
Remus was almost at the stage of breakdown, Hermione was biting her nails in worry, Ron looked around confused at was going on and everyone else Harry just disregarded for now. Dumbledore approached Harry and he and Tristan were both requested to come to his office after the examination of Ginny was completed. Harry told Dumbledore that Voldemort possessed Ginny and that she needed help as soon as possible.
Harry and Tristan left Dumbledore to take care of everything on the pitch and everyone else tried to get answers any way they could. Harry just glared at anyone who asked and most people dropped it except Ron of course who demanded answers from Harry. It was Tristan this time who signaled Ron to leave Harry alone. Ron backed off in fear and knew he would have to wait for answers just like everyone else.
"Tristan, this day was interesting."
Tristan nodded in agreement and they both walked up to Dumbledore's office in a comfortable silence, both of them deep in thought.
A/N Man guys I am so sorry for the long update but I had a lot of bad stuff happening to me lately and I haven't had the heart or time to add another chapter to my story. I promise this story will never be abandoned and I will do my best to update as fast as possible. I made this chapter a little longer and Harry got his weapon this chapter. You will see a lot of fancy stuff with this sword trust me, I hope you all like it. My next chapter will be up very soon. Review and girls get a back rub and Guys a dollar.