Author's note: I'm sorry, this chapter is not completely beta-readed, again and I'm as disappointed as you are. I hope you'll find something positive in this story, despite my miserable grammar and style. See you in a month, Daly
Beta's note: err, sorry :X
Chapter 8: Changes
Just as the light began to fade Harry left the HQ and watched how the sun vanished beyond the skyline of London. Osiris stepped besides him and together they waited till the night has come over the country.
They didn't speak, there was no need to do so.
Harry knew that Osiris had read his mind and was in picture about the situation and Osiris knew that Harry wasn't in the mood to talk.
The whole time Harry thought about the past events.
He was aware of Osiris and found comfort in the presence of the creature. Around nine o'clock Harry mounted the Thestral and Osiris took off without a word from Harry.
The night was silent, almost like the calm before the storm.
Silhouettes of clouds stands out against the dark sky in the west and lightnings flashed in the distant.
Harry didn't care. His thoughts were focused on himself.
A bit more than two month and everything was changed.
Three month ago Voldemort had demonstrated his power and nearly beaten Dumbledore. Harry remembered his fear and the gnawing question how to match those powers. And now?
Now he knew that the power was in him, but it was not in his control.
Could he trust his power? Was it his power at all?
If not even him could rely on himself, how could he be a leader?
/When the time comes you will understand it, believe me, Osiris stated and Harry recognized that they were in the Forbidden Forest.
/Yeah, maybe you're right. Thanks Osiris, for everything, replied Harry and made his way to the entrance.
/Of course I'm right, muttered Osiris when Harry couldn't hear him anymore/Everything is foretold. I must find the centaurs and have a little chat with them./
Harry checked his watch. Midnight.
Nobody should be around
He passed the door to the Great Hall and entered the corridor that leads to his room. He tripped over something what uttered a "Uff!". He reached out for his weapon, but his fingers closed around thin air.
Shit, where is this thing when you need it.
Then he remembered the incident in the cave.
Forgetting his weapon he whirled around to face his expected enemy.
He was surprised when he saw nothing, His gaze went downwards.
"Hermione! What are you doing on the floor?", exclaimed Harry.
"Waiting for someone who kicks me in the stomach to enjoy the pain, what did you think?", she asked sarcastically while pressing her hands against her stomach.
"I'm sorry Hermione", Harry declared and helped her to stand up.
He touched her stomach and murmured a minor healing spell.
She released her stomach and looked up to thank him but as she recognized who he was her mouth kept shut.
A awkward silence unfolded itself.
"Hello, Hermione. I'm sorry", and this time Harry didn't mean the kick in the stomach.
A tear escaped Hermione's eye and rolled down her cheek.
Harry oppressed the urge to reach out his hand to wipe it away.
"No, don't feel sorry. I'm sure you had weighty reasons to act like you acted", Hermione replied after a few moments.
Harry made a decision, "Come on. We'll talk in my room."
He went in the direction of his chamber without looking back.
Hermione was about to open her mouth to say something but bit on her lip instead.
She followed Harry till they reached the severe room Harry called his.
She eyed the walls and the ceiling before she said, "That can't be your room. It's so … lifeless."
"I had no time to fix it. And even if I had I couldn't alter much. How should I? I don't posses something that would fit. Please take a seat."
Harry pointed to a chair and sat down on his bed.
When she was seated Hermione replied, "You've your things from Hogwarts, your Firebolt and Hedwig."
Suddenly Harry felt guilty. How could he forget Hedwig? He swallowed his worries and replied, "These things belongs to my past. I'm not a wizard anymore."
"But you're still learning. I saw you in the library", claimed Hermione.
"How do you know it was me?", asked Harry.
"At first I thought you were a stranger. A very odd and handsome stranger." Hermione's cheeks turned red and her gaze slid towards the floor.
Harry smiled but when Hermione looked up again it was vanished.
"Yesterday Parvati and Lavender asked me out about the Imperius-curse and I wanted to know why.
They told me that they talked to the stranger, who stayed at Hogwarts, and that he made them leave and they didn't know why.
They said he used no words only a gesture and asked me if it was possible to perform the Imperius-curse as wand less magic. I told them, of course not. Nobody could perform such a complex spell without a wand", Hermione told him while her face-colour turned normal.
Out of sudden a wicked grin appeared on Harry's face.
His right arm came forward and he commanded, "Stand up", and Hermione obeyed.
"What the hell was that?", she exclaimed.
As answer Harry commanded, "Sit down", and she followed the his order without hesitation.
Hermione looked embarrassed and her mouth was open but no words came out.
Harry took the break to call for Dobby and order some food.
After a minute she found her voice again, "That was awkward and impressive at the same time. You're able to perform a mind controlling spell even if it's not the Imperius and nevertheless you claim not to be a wizard anymore?"
"It's a little bit more complicated as it seems. At first the spell isn't mind controlling really, it's just a short command the target has to follow when it fails to resist.
Second, I'm no wizard for real. The spell is divined nature so I, as cleric, am able to cast it."
Harry searched her gaze and for the first time he saw no understanding in Hermione's eyes.
"You're a priest?", she asked unbelieving.
"No, not a priest, a cleric! There is a great difference. Priests proclaim just the church's will and ancient words from the bible. They're muggles in search for spiritual inspiration.
I'm a Templar, an emissary of God", Harry explained to an unconvinced Hermione.
"Since when you believe in God? I didn't even know you're a Christian. And what are you talking about Templars? They are just a myth", Hermione stated.
"Since I felt him two months ago. Religion doesn't matter and the Templars are as real as you and me. Questions answered?", Harry responded.
"Yes, but you caused only more questions", she replied.
Harry was relieved that Hermione revealed her true self. When she didn't come up with "Oh yes, I read about it in this or that book" Harry was shocked.
I should ask her if she read a book 'Dark Lords and how to defeat them'.
"How did you feel God? When the Templars are no myth what are they then? What did you do in the two months? Why did Dumbledore lie to us? What –", Harry interrupted Hermione with a gesture.
Harry took a deep breath before he spoke, "One thing after another. Let me start at the beginning.
At ho… by the Dursleys' I found a letter. It was from the Templars and brought me to their Headquarter in London. I sealed a pact with them.
They offered training, in exchange I had to promise obedience.
I was trained in martial arts, weapon fighting, divine magic and to combine everything in battle."
Harry stopped as he noticed the scanning gaze of Hermione.
"What?", he asked confused as he saw the dreamy expression in her face. From one moment to another her face was blank and she tried to sound unimpressed as she spoke, "You must have doubled your weight and you grow at least four inches."
Harry looked down at himself. After he had dispatched his grey cloak at entering his room he only wore a black T-Shirt and black trousers which show every single muscle.
"Based on what I've read this is impossible", Hermione stated.
"Did you ever heard of gene therapy?", Harry replied.
"Of course. It's a controversial muggle technology to cure illnesses."
"I got a therapy in order to increase muscle built-up and regeneration rate. In addition various spells lie on me and enhance my potential.
Although this is a standard procedure for the Templars my progress was unexpected fast.
And there is something else… . A great source of power I don't understand nor control." He cast a sad glaze at Hermione who gave him a restrained smile.
He was about to ask her what was up when Dobby entered the room with a huge tray hovering in front of him.
"Dobby, what do you understand under some food", Harry rebuked the elf for the huge mountain of foodstuff.
"Mister Potter and Miss Granger must eat, Sir. Miss Granger missed lunch and dinner and I don't know when Mister Potter had his last meal", pronounced Dobby with wiggling ears.
Harry looked to Hermione who turned red again.
"When I realized that you could be the stranger I had to come here", she excused herself.
Eventual Harry became aware that he had still a changed appearance.
He closed his eyes and concentrated his mind on his usual look.
When he looked at Hermione again she gave him a severe look.
"You're a metamorphmagus", she stated and there was no surprise in her voice.
"Partly. Did you already know?", inquired Harry.
"I guessed it. Your hair didn't change while we where at Hogwarts and your are the only one who didn't ask me for a hair-cutting jinx like all the others. What do you mean with partly?
"I can only change my head and it takes me great efforts to do so, but it's still handy to conceal who I am."
While they were talking, Harry began to eat and indicated Hermione to do so, too.
Without saying anything he thanked Dobby for bringing so much because it nearly didn't last.
"You didn't explain what the Templars are," continued Hermione their chat.
"Oh yes. They are a group of clerics who serve God. I don't know everything about them, they are keen to keep their secrets. And so am I. They have a hierarchy with five levels. The lowest rank is Adept. When you win your first fight you become Knight. When you show courage and bravery you can become Paladin. The title Executor is reserved for the most powerful and noblest Templars. The top position is called Principal, this is the leader of the Templars, at least until some certain events take place. He is elected for a lifetime from all Executors.
You can reach every position by defeating a person of the respective rank in a one on one fight.
The local coordination is in the hands of a council, consisting of three Executors. The global leadership is up to the Principal and four Executors.
They have rules that prohibit contact to the world except it's a personal matter for the Templar or they are forced to. And of course they recruit out of the regular population.
Maybe everything will change, when …" Harry stopped himself and avoided Hermione's gaze. He didn't want make promises which would be hard to hold.
"When, what, Harry?", Hermione asked, sensing that Harry hid something from her.
Harry sighed, mentally. He should've known that he wouldn't get away so easy. He considered to tell her a story, when he remembered a sentence from a conversation with Bor a month ago.
"Harry, to solve a problem with another person, tell him or her the truth. Maybe you've to fight the person afterwards, but an honest battle is a hundred times better than a lie."
"I can't tell you. I promised to keep it a secret, at least for a while. Please, Hermione, don't urge me to brake my oath", Harry looked in her in the eyes while he spoke and tried to show her the importance of his request.
Hermione was quiet for a few moments. Then she nodded and after a while she smiled at Harry.
"Guess what, Harry? Ron and I restarted the DA!", She beamed at him.
"Really? That is bloody great", Harry said candidly, remembering their secret training sessions last year and reprimanded himself for forgetting it over the summer.
"Yeah, and everyone was there even Cho and Marietta. Some of us considered to bring in other students. You've to come and see yourself. We fought at the first meeting yesterday and you'll be so proud. Everyone worked hard in the holidays and improved a lot. Ron defeated Cho and Marietta at the same time, hardly to believe, is it?", Hermione's eyes blazed with ardour.
"Ron did somethin' more than eating and sleeping over the summer. Are you kiddin' me?", Harry asked with a frown.
"No, I'm not kidding. He trained with Moody and even beat him a few times."
Now Harry was speechless. Ron defeated Mad-Eye, the best Auror in the world. Then he had to work very hard.
Hermione used the break to look at her watch.
"Bloody hell! It's almost morning! Our next DA-meeting is in seven hours. I've to prepare some things. I loved to talk to you but now I must go. Will you join us? We're meeting in the room of requirement."
She gave him a pleading look and Harry could do nothing else than nod.
Hermione smiled and stood up.
"See ya later", she said and vanished through the door.
Harry stood up too and began to clear away their dinner.
Before he finished Dobby plopped in and started to run around. Harry granted the elf to deal with the dinner and was about to pick up his clothes, when his view decreased rapidly.
Suddenly he was blind for a moment, in the next second he stood behind Hermione.
She went along a corridor and took no notice of his presence. He wanted to say something but his mouth felt like it was in another place and his voice sound from far away.
Hermione turned round a corner and Harry was dragged after her by a irresistible force.
When he saw her again he was about to yell a second time, but before he could do so a shadow appeared from behind a statue and surrounded Hermione.
Harry heard a muffled scream, then he felt groggy. He had to close his eyes and when he opened them again he was in his room.
A vision. Hermione!
He jumped towards the door and flung open it.
He sprinted towards the corridor where he believed to find Hermione.
After a few second he was in passage where his vision had begun.
He increased his speed and called for Hermione.
No reply came and he darted around the corner, but it was not Hermione, who waited for him.
