Beta's note: Hey guys, there goes the second chap. I just realy hope I catched the right file, the checked one... Anyway, author says thanks to the reviewers, "YamiRose: DarkElementalGoddes" and " Honigdrache" that would be.
So have fun reading and blame the spelling and grammar errors on me, partly :P
Next chapter comes around tomorrow or so, when I've got time again.


Chapter 2: The Challenge

Two months had passed since Harry's disappearance and the very next day the new term in Hogwarts was on the doorstep. A pensive headmaster sat in his office and spoke quietly to himself. "Two months and no sign from Harry. My only weapon vanished into thin air. From right under my nose. Everything is still in place, except Harry and his wand. It wasn't Tom. I would know about that. Neither can the ministry hide something from me. So, Harry, where are you?" His conversation was interrupted by Minerva McGonagall.

"Ah, Minerva. Come in, come in. Lemon drop?" "No, thank you, Albus", the aged witch answered and took a seat in front of Dumbledores desk. "I assume you have something for me", the ancient wizard said. "I fear no. Nobody has an idea where Harry might be. How anyway! We are the only ones, who know that Harry is missing. Do you believe he is dead?", a worried McGonagall asked.

"No, the ministry would know, if he is dead. They would also know, if he used his wand." "So he is a prisoner?", she asked concerned.

"I don't know. It makes no sense. Only the Deatheaters or the ministry are resourceful enough to hide Harry from us. But the ministry would have no advantage when they do so and if they are do it, Fudge is to incompetent to handle such a situation. Our spies would know for sure. And Tom. If he had captured Harry, he would it made public and we were attacked. Everything is very confusing", Dumbledore didn't speak to his deputy-headmistress, but to himself.

"Kneel before the sign of our Lord", Uther commanded, the principal of the Templars and Harry obeyed without hesitation. He was in the Chamber of Truth again, where he had had his first encounter with the council of the order. This special chamber was charmed to bring every mental shield down. Nothing could be hidden here. This was the place of the ceremony. In front of Harry stood a magnificent cross, created out of pure gold and silver.

"Today we are assembled to witness the oath of our future members. Now the first test. Begin!", the leader ordered and a knight appeared in front of every adept. They were muggles and wizards alike, trained for one year to servants of God. Normally they were discernible at their white gear, but today they wore black pants only. The knights held red hot staffs and on Uthers sign they pressed one end against the chest of the adepts, right above the heart. The metal hissed and smoke rose to the ceiling. All but one made no sound. The other howled in pain and was carried away by a knight. One out Ten left Harry didn't look at his mark. He knew it was the symbol of the Templar, burned in his skin, now black and red, but in the end it would be red and white.

The spectators were death quiet.

"Begin with the second test", Uther said.

Harry picked up his wand and raised it to eye-level, still kneeling. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the weight of the piece of wood in his palm. Then it was gone, hovering a few centimetres above his hand. He formed an image of his new weapon in his mind and let his power work. Then he felt the weight again, but this time heavier as before. His eyes snapped open and looked on a perfect copy of his image. The visitors applauded for the eight adepts, who hold their weapons, too. Two had passed out. The crowd silenced immediately, when Uther raised from his seat.

"Swear the oath!", he commanded and solemn bells ringed everywhere.

"I bind my live to the glorious Templars and promise to obey it laws and rules. I acknowledge the superiority of the council and the principal.

I swear to serve God with my mind, heart and soul", the adepts chorused, "I plead you, take my unworthy gift in your compassion. Make me your messenger of your word to enlighten the ignorant and to preserve the world of good and right." Only Harry said nothing.

"Omnipotent Lord rise my soul to you and give me strength to serve you. Bringer of light stand beside me in the dark. Keeper of life judge about me." So the chant ended and nothing happened. Cheers and clasps surrounded the new members. The council stood up and everything was silent once more. But before someone could make a noise, Harry began his pledge.

"I swear to serve the good and hunt the evil.

To vanquish the evil I was born and to banish it to hell I shall live.

I will never rest until my quest has come to the end.

Now my time has come. I call upon the holy might.

Aid me from here and now, that I spread your word to the world with mercy and justice.

Lead my way, that I never miss the right path. Hear my call and be my power. My fate is predestined and now I demand my birth-right," Harry stood up and hold his weapon high above his head, unaware of his surroundings, even that he was engulfed in golden light.

"God! Hear my call and answer me!", his voice boomed to the hall.

No sound was to be heard, but suddenly the light became bright and blinding. When the present people opened their eyes again, the light was gone. Harry stood in the centre of the room, sword risen and white wings growing out of his back. Still no sound was made. Astonishment, awe and fear paralyzed the people. Only Harry was unimpressed.

As if everything went the way he expected, he fell to his knees and waited to continue with the last part of the ceremony, the wings disappeared.

This part gave the adepts the chance to promote in the hierarchy of the order. The lowest rank was adept, then knight, the next was paladin, the highest but one was executor. The highest rank was principal.

One by one the Templars came back to reality and the talk went haywire. The council had his difficulties to restore order and when Uther announced with shaking voice, "Adepts choose your challenge", the rumours still flew around.

Harry knew what the man expected.

In the two months of his training he had become friendly with most of the Templars, especially with the council members.

Harry heard how three of his fellows challenged some knights.

The others declined. Every gaze switched from Uther to Harry and back. The council had known that Harry possessed potential, but in two months he had overcome all expectations and now this display of power. Harry spoke slowly and deliberately. Against common assumption, he was shocked to the bone by himself. He didn't know what happened. There was this strange sensation and then... this power.

He had felt the touch of God. Everything was a blur of pride and honour. Automatically he said, "I challenge ... executor and council-member Bor van Haag." Whispers filled the room. At first he had shocked them to death and now he surprised them again. Uther seemed to regain control over his mind and body as he had been spared again.

Bor was no such good condition. He showed an anxious face and looked like he had already been beaten.

"So it is decreed. Duellists take your place!", the relieved principal proclaimed. Being bond through an oath, Bor raised and called for his sword. When all person involved were ready, the audience became aware of the fact, that two exotic weapons would be taking part.

First Bors doubleblade-sword and second Harry's strange looking weapon. One half of Harry's weapon was a blade, the other half a white staff, together nearly two meters long.

"Ready? Go!", Uther shouted and Harry cast a shield charm around him, just in time, then Bor was already in front of him and stroke with his blades. A few centimetres in front of Harry's throat, a blue shield appeared and Bor was thrown backwards. Harry lunged forward but his enemy was already on his feet again. The spectators ignored the other duels, every pair of eyes was on Harry and Bor. Bor blocked with one blade and used the other to strike. Harry dodged and blocked Bors next blow. The end of the staff pointed right in the face of his opponent. Suddenly, a bright light erupted from the staff and blinded Bor. Bor staggered but stood, the man wasn't executer for nothing. To his disadvantage Harry hadn't challenged him for nothing, too.

In the time his adversary was distracted Harry cast another powerful spell. Bor was hit by a red sphere and dropped to his knees.

The muscular man grasped his weapon with both hands and chanted slowly, white light radiating from him. After a few seconds he was restored, but in the defensive. Harry stroke with his blade and Bor could barely block, but a quick counter-attack wounded Harry at the left arm. The former wizard stepped back and looked at his arm.

While he held the staff in the left hand, his right covered the wound for a second and the cut healed. Both duellists paused and observed each other. Both were sweating lightly.

Simultaneously both started to chant, weapons clasped in both hands, voice steady and eyes closed. Harry was faster and run towards his opponent. Harry aimed at Bors shoulder and Bor didn't block.

Harry grinned as he saw this.

Bor had used a shield spell, like Harry had anticipated and he used a anti-magic field, which neutralized the shield. Harry's blade cut deep into Bors flesh and the surprised Bor wasn't able to block the following blow of the staff aiming straight to his head, which knocked him over.

Before he had blinked with an eyelash he had Harry's blade at his throat. "Do you surrender, Bor van Haag?", he was asked by a smiling Harry.

Bor nodded terse and was released. Harry lend him a hand and he took it gratefully. "Shall I heal your wound or are you able to do it yourself?", Harry teased, smirking.

"Watch out, youngster, or you lose your position quicker than you beat me!", the older executer snapped. Meanwhile the other duels where finished and Uther announced the result.

"Today we witnessed great shows and we are proud to welcome five new adepts in our order." Polite applause rang through the room and the five stepped before the council. Plain white robes were handed over and they were instructed.

"Also we greet the two knights", continued the principal.

The two wore solemn expressions as they put on the white robes with red hem and applause and cheers were heard.

"Now honour our new executer and council member Harry Potter!", Uther proclaimed, proud to no end. Harry didn't hear any clasps our cheers, when Amelia gave him his white robe with golden hem and golden decorations. Then she bent over to him and whispered, "We need to talk after this is done." Harry nodded and sat down at the long table were the Templars celebrate the day. Much beer and wine flew in the name of God and Jesus and at the end of the evening Harry knew that Templars were human-beings only more powerful, with the same weakness for lots and lots of alcohol.

At 9 p.m. Amelia approached and led Harry to the council chamber, where the rest of the council was gathered. The faces of Cris and Garret were expressionless, Uther beamed with pride and Bor looked dejected. Amelia smiled at him as she left his side and took her place at the round table. Uther cleared his throat and moved uneasily in his chair.

"This was a splendid fight against old Bor, but your oath and victory brought us much trouble. You know, there can only be five person in this very round and..." "I understand. Hereby I waive my claim for a seat", Harry interrupted his friend.

"You do ... what?", Uther stuttered, surprised. "Getting old, aren't we, Uther? The boy said he doesn't want to sit around and do nothing. Come on, old lad, you sensed it to. He wants to leave and kick asses", Cris grunted with a hint of understanding gleaming in his eyes.

Uther was about to argue about the age-topic when Amelia silenced him. "Harry, you know that your rang as executor grants you much favours and freedom, but you have responsibilities too, even if you didn't swear the oath to the order." "Ah, yes. The oath. Tell me Harry, where did you get that one? We didn't teach you such a ... unordinary pledge", a curios Garret asked. "I don't know. Something took control over my brain and suddenly there were those words and it felt right to speak them. It was a fascinating experience", Harry stammered.

"What about that wings?", Cris questioned. "Wings? What wings? This ones?", Harry pointed to his back with the angelwings spread.

The council nodded. "No clue", he said and shrugged with his shoulders, the wings gone once more. The adults were baffled.

"No clue", Uther repeated slowly, he looked Harry in the eyes. "Will you go back?", he asked softly sensing Harry's urge. "Yeah. I value the time I spent with you folks but I have a oath to fulfil. Tomorrow is the first of September, this will be the day of my return. From this very day God's grace shall smite my enemies."

"So you go home?" "No. My home is where God can be found and I will be there where innocents are in need for help. This is my promise to you. Call for me and I'll walk through heaven and hell to fight side by side with you. But till then we have to say 'Goodbye'. Sleep well and may God watch over you, my friends."

With this little speech Harry retreated and went to his chamber to rest. The council didn't sleep for a long time and discussed the past and the future of the order, read many scrolls, heard prophecies and consulted the holy book.

All this was observed by never-resting eyes and ever-lasting mind.