Chapter 14

Minerva McGonagall didn't miss the Scottish weather, or even the Scottish castle where she had worked most of her adult life.

She missed the greenery, and the forest.

So, while enjoying her typical English tea in the morning, she didn't at first think anything of the fawn grazing on the lawn just outside the small side dining room she liked to use.

She looked for its mother, and then recognized the species. Her father was a hunter after all, and that deer belonged in Wales and England, but it didn't belong here.

The transfiguration expert was quickly out the side door, casting a spell.

"I knew it! You are no deer, but a student. POTTER!"

The fawn with fading spots, looked up at her, eyes wide, before bolting to the dueling stands, dodging stinging hexes.

Several squires started to clap, and they bowed to the witch.

"That boy is nothing but trouble. Talented trouble." She muttered to herself. "James thought he had kept HIS animagus form secret. Ha! A nice Welsh hart in Scotland, so near the Forbidden Forest? Not likely."

"James Potter, you've a fine son. I hope you saw that. I miss you." She said aloud, feeling that James wasn't really that far away.

**OO**

Neville, Hermione, Millicent, Joseph, and Harry were all waiting on kitting.

"How many books do you think we start with in the library?" Hermione asked. "What's our budget to get specialty books?"

Millicent huffed, Neville shook his head, but they both handed small silver coins to Harry. Joseph held his hand out to Harry received one from him one as well.

"Harry thought the next question would be about the potions lab." Joseph explained.

Hermione's glare was only half-hearted in her excitement at starting her own library. The tents were used in the school as private study and practice areas for potions. No dueling, spells, or members of the opposite gender allowed without a chaperone.

"Carrying these with you at all times in your moke-skin bags. Emma Granger's art class, Sister Margit's weaving class, and Luna Lovegood have all offered decoration help if you so desire. Keep you tents clean, and check the food stores. You don't want to have an emergency, then find out you snacked your way into trouble! You all get a squire's allowance, so budget accordingly.

"Check your kits thoroughly. These are packed by apprentices, and we all make mistakes. No yelling if you find something missing, just fill out the checklists, and bring it back.

"You are responsible for your own potion stores after the initial stock is used up. Requests for more can be made here, but you have to harvest it yourselves. Don't take stock without a request being approved! You all know the procedures by now.

"Questions? No? Then sign out your kits, and start your inspections. I need the checklists back by 1700 tonight. Dismissed."

Neville looked the depressing small amount of the herbology texts mentioned for the library.

"Neville, I'll make copies of all of your specialty herbology texts for everyone. Joseph, the Potter library has some impressive ancient runes books you might want a copy of." Hermione offered.

The blond veela boy made Millicent's day. "I have a small personal library that my grandmere sent. I do believe she would not mind my friends sharing."

"Friends, Joseph? Vraiment?"

"Of course, Millicent! True friends. I am 'appy to share with you." Joseph said, blushing.

Harry looked at Squire Joseph look at Millicent with such admiration and vowed that he would find a way to end his marriage contract with the girl so that she could be free to find love.

He looked at Hermione and winced.

Harry was selfish enough to know that he really didn't want to give up Hermione. He would, if his body refused to grow. That should be enough to break the contract. But the thought of Hermione and Neville, or Hermione and Joseph or Hermione and anyone but him hurt.

Nope, he wanted to keep Miss Granger for himself, thank you very much. Milli was a friend, a good friend, true, but Harry would gladly walk her up the aisle to another boy.

Harry would never marry the girl. Never. Might love Millicent in a way, like a sister.

Love of a wife, that kind of love was saved for Hermione.

**OO**

Their cohort section went to the lawn by the dining area to set up their tents and check them.

Harry had just finished setting up his tent when he looked to see if Neville needed help, as his tent wasn't up.

The problem wasn't having difficulty with the task at hand. Neville was busy watching Hermione in the process of setting up her tent, and her form-fitting work clothes made it clear that she was no longer a little girl!

"Mr. Longbottom, may I remind you that Miss Granger is betrothed?" Harry stated, stepping in front of the boy to block his view of Hermione bending over to set up her tent.

"I, I. Right. I need to set up my tent. Hermione's looking very beautiful today, don't you think?"

Harry saw red, and pulled back his fist, but Joseph caught his arm, and swung him around.

"Non! Stop my friends! Harry, he was looking, not touching or hurting her. Neville! If you looked at me that way if I were a girl, I would hit you myself. Glance, admire, sure. But don't stand and drool. You need to be done in a couple of hours, and you haven't started." Joseph said in a remarkably kind and straight forward way.

It was weird hearing Sir Jerome's tone in a child's voice.

Hermione had stopped working to see what the fuss was and had come over.

"Right. Sorry Harry. Miss Granger, please forgive my rudeness. I'll get back to work."

"Start don't you mean?" Harry accused, but stomped over to his own tent, and went inside.

He tried to keep his mind on the task and making sure that everything was one the list.

This was actually another test, as the knights would sometimes remove things on purpose from the kits to see if the squires noticed. It became sort of a game of who could catch who out.

Harry had no intention of losing to Charles. Anything missing would be found and noted. And the squire was determined to resist the temptation to banish all of Neville's bog rolls or something.

It was a close thing.

Harry had been saving up his allowance, and sent Soda to buy extra food in stasis for them all. He had gone hungry too many times in the past, and shrunken food stores took up little room in the pantry. Better to have extra and never need it then go without.

It could always be donated to the orphanage later.

He also had Soda buy some of Hermione's favorite chocolate, a basketful, for the library in her tent. And some new books.

Harry wanted Hermione to know that he cared about her very much, even if he wasn't as mature as Neville. The rat!

**OO**

Harry was finishing up his detention in the stable. While he would never deliberately do something wrong to get into trouble, pranks at Hogwarts aside, this job was without doubt not a punishment for him.

And technically, he didn't have to do this morning and night. Just night. But he loved coming here after Latin mass, and just do a mindless job.

He loved the smell of hippogriffs. And really, their dung was not unpleasant at all. He carefully finished off the next bag, and stacked it with the others.

He had already finished thoroughly grooming Buckbeak, so had started on the fertilizer.

Harry had chosen very poor language after his last health check. That on top of getting transported to the Scamander's, which really wasn't his fault, had left him on edge. The healers still didn't know what was wrong, but Harry hadn't taken it well. Sister Marquette had nearly fainted, and she was in charge of the little ones in the orphanage.

She refused to have him help there, as was the first assigned detention.

He had been avoiding everyone since. He did his assignments, but that was it. He was one very, very unhappy squire. He had even ducked Sir Hector the other day by posing as a hippogriff, a new form for him that he should be able to celebrate with his friends, but he didn't want to.

He had chased away both Luna and Millicent, begging just to be alone.

So, he went to work, filling another bag of fertilizer, finding a sort of peace in the work.

The dung was sold in the Magical Via dei Coronari at a shop run by the wife of a retired knight. She shared the profits with the school.

Harry wondered why students at Hogwarts didn't grow plants for sale, or do enchanting for sale, but this wasn't Hogwarts. The students here worked hard.

Charles came in and bowed to the bay mare in the front stall. She squawked at him, and he backed away quickly.

"Well, you're smarter than Malfoy. She's broody. But Buckbeak here is in fine feather. Fancy a fly?" Harry said, trying to pretend to be okay.

Sir Hector had smuggled Buckbeak down to Rome after Malfoy Sr was going to have the beast killed for scratching his heir. Hagrid had cried to Moony who wrote Harry.

"No, it's too hard to talk at speed when flying. And you've been avoiding everyone and eating in your room. The trials are coming up. And there's the thing with Hermione." Charles stated.

"I've been avoiding everyone because my magic is flaring. Okay?"

The problem was that his friend Neville found Harry's betrothed to be the finest form of womanly kind, and Harry caught him eyeing her. It nearly came to blows, and Neville did apologize. But the problem wasn't Neville, it was himself.

Hermione's and his magic were compatible, but Harry was not growing up!

Charles handed him two bracelets that were much like his own that he always wore.

"Put these on, my squire. We have an appointment in forty-five minutes ahead of the ICW meeting. Get cleaned up and wear your fancy dress uniform. With the squire ascending badge."

Harry nodded, and ran to obey without asking where they were going. Honestly, as long as it was away from here, he was happy. He still hadn't heard back from Ron, and was hoping to soon.

**OO**

'Draco' stirred in his sleep. Something had happened, and he felt more powerful all of a sudden.

His eyes popped open, and he got out of bed. He snatched up his wand and called for an elf.

"Cruicio!" Draco yelled, and the elf shrieked in agony.

His mother came in and he cut off the spell.

"Master?"

"I'm much, much stronger my dear. Bless you and your son for being so patient. Soon. Very soon. We'll do the last ritual, and I will move into my own body. You will have a child that has had all of my experiences to help him in the Wizengamot with the Black seat. The Black family will rise again in great power, and you my dear, shall be a part of it."

The woman bowed low. The elf, not having been dismissed, quivered on the floor. The poor thing had thrown up in the aftermath in pain and stress.

"What are you waiting for elf! Clean up this mess, and then get back here so that my darling 'son' can practice some more!"

"Yes-s-ss Mistress-ss-ss"

"House-elves are a danger, Narcissa. You should kill all but one, and make sure that it is the tamest one."

"As you wish, Master. I beg that you allow me to wait until after the World Cup. I am in charge of hosting a group of our colleagues. It will be more work than one elf can manage. Even with...encouragement."

"As you wish, my dear. No time limit, merely a suggestion." Draco's voice purred.

Narcissa stood tall and proud waiting for dismissal, which finally came.

She ran to her bedroom and cried. Cried for her lost innocence. Cried for being stuck in this awful cycle of evil. Cried for the way that she had to act. She pulled out paper and wrote a quick note. He would understand. He would help her.

"Libby!"

"Miissstreess neeeddss Libby!"

"Go to Professor Severus Snape. He'll give you a cure. No matter who calls, do not come back! You are his now, and I include a lace glove in the letter so you follow my instructions carefully. You can choose to be bound to Hogwarts or free. I will tell the Dark Lord that you died of your injuries. Take all of your family with you. You know how to share the glove."

"Dobby's m-m-mother, Kim-m-mmie is too old-d-d to lose the b-b-bond."

"Good. Leave her here, and don't let her know where you are under any circumstances! Please, this is important! Lucius will question her!"

"Yes-s-s mistress-ss. Libb-bby will!"

The sweet little house-elf embraced her mistress painfully, and popped away first to the Abraxan stables, where Libby called her family, then onto Hogwarts

Narcissa wallowed in sorrow. Why had she ever taken the Dark Mark?

**OO**

It was earlier here, wherever here was, and Harry looked around. The street they were on was extremely clean, the place very well taken care of.

Businesses were clearly just getting started for the day, when a local baker saw Charles. His face broke into a huge smile, and offered him some fresh croissants and hot drinks.

Harry fumbled with his money pouch, but the man shook his head.

"When real trouble came to my village, the knights came in. One brave man was impaled by the rampaging chimera and died right there."

They saw that there was a little bronze plaque both on a nearby wall, and on the exact spot where he was killed.

"We never forget. We never forget."

Charles pointed out the lady with the young children, the baker's wife and their daughters behind the counter. The other villagers all going about their normal day.

And every single one stopped and thanked them.

Sir Hector stopped and asked an older woman if she was married. She smiled fondly in remembrance.

"I was, young man, long ago. To a good and true knight. We settled here after his first ten year. We had a good life. Married fifty-seven years. A chimera attacked the village, someone tried a ritual or something, who knows why. My husband was too old to be fighting such beasts, but one young man was already down, and another badly hurt. He too got badly hurt. He lived for a while after that, but well. It's part of who he was."

The woman shouted at the baker in a local Pyranese dialect that was almost French.

Three very lovely, very buxom young girls came outside.

In perfect Parisian French they came onto Harry, and tried to talk him into 'just a kiss or two' before he took his vows.

"Thank you very much. You are all beautiful, and any knight would be honored to be with you. But I am to stand trials soon."

Monsieur Delacour walked in with his eldest just then.

The man seemed stop when he saw Sir Hector, but bowed in respect before focusing on the squire next to the knight.

"'arry! It's been too long." Alain came over and kissed both of Harry's cheeks. "I once offered you shelter in my home. That extends to you and your wonderful, wonderful elf. Anything that our House can do for you, just let me know. Oh, I forget myself. This is my daughter, Fleur."

Harry bowed, and for the first time in his life, he felt a…something. This girl was a GIRL. He realized that he was starting to stare.

"Nice to meet you, Fleur."

"You as well, M. Potter." The girl grabbed his arm, and led him to an outside table while her father went inside to buy pastries.

"Please, call me Harry. How is Gabrielle? She sounded better in her last letter, but it was hard to tell."

"My sister is alive because of you, and my family is very grateful. She is still seeing a mind healer, but I do think that she is better. I wanted to let you know that if there was ever anything that I could do for your, personally, I would."

The two were sitting at a small wrought iron table. Fleur had grabbed Harry's hand and hadn't let go. Her thumb was making little circles on the back of his hand, and it made him feel odd butterflies in his stomach.

Harry nodded but needed to change the subject quickly. He knew. When in doubt, talk about sports or something neutral.

"Are you going to the World Cup?"

"Non, my father doesn't want me to go to Britain."

Harry remembered the Veela rights that they had talked about long ago. And all of the awful things happening recently.

"That's probably best. I'm sorry that I lost my seat in the Wizengamot. If I ever regain one, I do promise to try and help your people."

Fleur nodded. "The Potter's are 'onorable people."

She leant in to kiss him, and for just a moment, Harry was tempted.

"Mademoiselle, I am betrothed to a lovely witch, and would not dishonor her. No disrespect meant to you. You couldn't have known."

"I wish you all the best, 'arry Potter. She is a very lucky fille."

Alain reappeared just then with Charles. They were talking under a privacy bubble that was taken down. Harry was gifted a basket with a variety of morning baked delights from the grateful father.

"Just a little token. We need to go. My wife was craving croissants and these are the best. Nice to see you 'arry. Take care. And Bless you!"

Fleur kissed both of Harry's cheeks goodbye, but something was very different between hers and her father's embrace. "Good-bye my friend. I'll write to you and send it with my sister's letters."

They left in a swirl of magic, and Harry turned to Charles. "We just happen to bump into a female veela?"

"It was worth a try. Your healer suggested it."

Harry wanted to be mad, but decided to soak up the history of this village, and where Sir Hector won his shiny gold star of merit.

"Ready to go deal with politics?" Charles asked, and they were off to the ICW.

He thought about Hermione and realized that she too was indeed a girl.

**OO**

"You were nearly late. Well, you got them. So well done, I suppose." The group of new prisoners looked angry or scared or both.

"Thank you, Lord Malfoy."

"You are to tell no one of this. Obliviate. You finished the job, and were well paid. You will remember meeting me, and then going to Diagon Alley. You lost the money in Knockturn. Those thieves."

The man nodded blankly, leaving behind prisoners, and taking an empty bag with a jagged cut in the side of it.

**OO**

"Where did you go yesterday?" Millicent asked. He had been seen mucking stables first thing in the morning, then poof, gone.

"Charles took me first to Gourde St Hector. Grabbed a fresh croissant. Then we went to Paris for a session of the ICW. He wanted to object about the Triwizard Tournament and we did get to raise the problem of disappearing children for a minute before it was sent to committee. I was there as a decoration, I guess."

There was no way he was telling these two about Fleur until he processed it all. Then he would. Probably.

"Did they really offer you your own voting seat?" Hermione asked, waking him from his musing.

"They did indeed. The great Albus Dumbledore nodded sagely, but didn't object as I thought he would.

"And did Sir Hector remind them that you were a member of Ecole Merlin, not Beauxbatons, Durmstrong or Hogwarts." Millicent asked.

"He did do so strongly. And then Sir Hector proceeded to say that if Dumbledore thought that the tasks were 'better' than the ones of the past, he would like to ask if they were easier than the ones I faced as a first year in Hogwarts. He showed them either your or Hermione's memory of the Troll attack. Considering that I knew you were already safe, it was still very scary to watch from that perspective."

Harry stopped talking, and Millicent reached over and squeezed his hand. Hermione moved and gave him a hug before moving to allow her mother sit as she walked in.

"What was Dumbledore's reaction to that?" Millicent prompted.

"He didn't try to explain anything."

Emma plopped down; her hands covered in different colors. Harry pulled out his wand.

"Thank you. Even magical turpentine doesn't seem to do the trick."

Shouting was heard nearby, and Minerva bustled over to put a stop to it.

"I authorized the ICW trip and said you two could go. How did that turn into Harry getting nominated for a medal BEFORE he first trial?" The Knight Commander demanded loudly of Harry's knight.

Emma quirked an eyebrow at the blushing boy, who was trying to hide.

"I may have left out a few details of the meeting." Harry said sheepishly, getting to his feet in respect.

"What you had for treats is one thing, though I want to know that too. But leaving out that you were nominated for a bravery award already?" Sir Romano demanded.

"They're making a big deal about the Cerberus, like it was hard to train him or something. Sure, I didn't do it that night. But who wants to be in a castle with a potential lethally violent creature without doing something? I don't know. Something to make it better? I was told to make friends with it! Ordered to by you sir."

The head of the Order was pinching his nose, eyes closed.

"How long did you spend training this dog, Squire?" The Knight Commander asked.

"I reported to Sister Gisele and Sir Hector about it, sir and that I was bringing it food, and playing fetch with it. Well at first. Once or twice a day. And then I tried music, but it fell asleep. And then I thought about riding it, because, you know, it's so big and wonderful. And so, I used a lot of treats and stuff. It took me at least two weeks. Sir. Maybe three.""

"Before you could ride a Cerberus."

"Well, I was eleven. I bet I could do it a bit faster now. More experience with animals."

"How long before you could ride a dragon?"

"What?! Harry's not getting near a dragon, much less riding one!" Emma shouted, getting to her feet, but Sir Hector put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Oh! Charlie Weasley works with dragons. I don't think that he's ever tried to ride one though. Let's see. You need fireproofing potion by the gallon, and lots of burn paste. Easy to make, a firstie can do that. And strength, swiftness. Probably something to change your scent so that you don't smell like food. That's the problem with a lot of animals. We smell like food…"

Harry's very fast dialog was interrupted by the tall man with the clearing of his throat.

Harry straightened.

"Mr. Potter. I remember a certain bright seven-year-old designing a mirror system. You have shown quite a bit of adaptability. The answer to the dragon question is never. The problem I have is that I don't know if you could succeed or not, or you would roast yourself. Xenophillus Lovegood recently rescued an injured Welsh Green.

"In England?"

"Well, Wales, but yes, the country of your birth."

"Isn't there an arrest order for me, since I haven't paid taxes on the Black house since I was a baby?"

"Graham Bulstrode may have also been at the ICW meeting yesterday. I could have accidentally invited him. Oh, did I tell you that he knows Andromeda, and she is willing to work for a discount. And we have your school records through age eleven, so clearly you weren't in the country, were too young, blah, blah. Dumbledore tried to dismiss this one. Twice. And threatened to fight for the Black seat money back when they whined about the condition of the home."

"I don't understand. Draco got the ring long ago. Why didn't this come up then? We were expecting them to."

"That is a very cogent question. Narcissa has been seen publicly with her sister recently. Something is up, and I don't think it is good news for us."

"Sir, if Britain asked for our help with a problem, what would you say?"

"Don't ask questions who already know the answers to."

The Knight Commander took a breath, and visibly prayed. The feeling of peace was so strong, everyone could feel it.

"I want you to help Mr. Lovegood in his efforts to heal that beast. Welsh Dragons are endangered, and the small flight of them really can't afford to lose even one. If you can't help it, don't kill it. We'll monitor it, and see if it can get better on its own. Do you understand these orders, Squire Harry Potter?"

"Yes, Knight Commander."

"Good. You might want to stock up on burn paste and those other potions. Get some of the squires to help you. And yes, I have been talking to my friend Amos Diggory, squire."

"I have a lot of plants ready to harvest. Fresh is better if you are going to be brewing." Neville stated.

"Thanks mate, I knew I could count on you." Harry sincerely said.

Things had been strained between the boys, so this was nice of Neville to offer.

"If you see Luna, ask her for help in grabbing the slug mucus and other animal parts we'll be needing, please?" Harry requested.

"I will." Neville promised.

Harry got up, and offered a hand up to Millicent. She smiled at him, and they chatted on the way to the potion's lab.

"Your tent, Mr. Potter. Just in case we have to pack quickly." Sir Romano commanded.

"Yes, sir. Emma, do you have time to help us with some potions? I need a chaperone for the beautiful Millicent so we aren't alone in a place with a comfy couch."

"I am available, and happy to help brew potions. I'll call Dan, and we can make this a family day."

Emma smiled at Millicent, knowing that the girl suffered from the way people treated her because of her looks. But Dan and Emma were always kind, no matter what.

**OO**

The Knight Commander was awoken by the blonde girl wearing in a thin nightdress, and was speaking very, very eerily

"Beware the Goblet of fire and blood for it brings death to those who drink it.

If the knight refuses the tasks,

The girl of fire will die of water.

The boy who lived has a choice to make,

To be a knight in truth, or let evil conquer

To win, the Champion must kill the dead,

To win the champion must fight fire with fire.

To win, he must challenge the wicked, and claim his proper place

To win, the Knight must rescue the maiden he loves.

Should he step from the path now the world will burn.

And great will be the suffering thereof.

Beware the Goblet of fire and blood for it brings death to those who drink it."

The man had grabbed up his cloak to clothe the child, and then got lost in her words.

He called for a female elf, and sat the girl down on his coach. The Lovegood girl seemed very much asleep, though her perturbant grey eyes were open.

"Soda take Miss Luna back." The elf bowed, and the two popped away.

The knight commander made a copy of the memory and put it in his pensive and swore. He disliked real prophecies, and hoped that they made the right choices to prevent disaster.

Harry Potter needed to compete in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and no amount of swearing would change that. But no where in that mess did it say he had to go alone.

**OO**

Sir Romano had summoned Harry and his knight to give them the news about the latest prophecy that they had received.

"We live in interesting times." Sir Romano stated, and gave them written copies of Luna's prediction.

And wasn't this one interesting.

"Dumbledore did send that recent letter. Voldemort is now mortal." Sir Hector stated. He had been very worried that Harry would be a target at Hogwarts of any Death Eater still living or the Dark Lord himself.

"Not quite. The diary has not been found. The book was sold and who knows where it is. I think that the scrying put in South America, but it was moving slowly. Imagine, some poor honest seller of books having such a vile thing! If it had stayed at Malfoy Manor, I could have negotiated for it. But there are rituals we can use to contain the monster at least. And we finally found a necromancer willing to aid us. Is that the right word when it's a woman?" Sir Romano informed.

"I believe so sir. Just to let you know, I have decided to stay, and extend my contract." Sir Hector stated.

When Harry was eleven, Sir Hector had signed a contract that saw Harry through his knight's trials.

"But what about Zora Zabini? You should have children. I know you wanted to wait until you had helped me end Voldemort. The commander here could give you an open-ended contract." Harry objected.

"Yes. If you wanted to sign a no-date, open contract, I'd be happy to have you. I request a month's notice before you leave, just to get everything ready. And I'm happy to have a man of your character here. And what's this about a witch?"

Sir Hector glared at his squire. "Nothing important sir. My squire and I need to chat about keeping private things private. Again.

"I'm not happy about this tournament, but the girl hasn't been wrong yet. Let's go, squire."

The knight commander chuckled as he dismissed them. He remembered getting that same look from his knight long ago.

He hoped that Charles wasn't too hard on the boy.

**OO**

Sir Hector stated plainly. "Zora is smart, beautiful, and wickedly clever."

"Zora?" Harry teased gently. "Need I remind you of the rules?"

"Look at what she has done in the short time she has been here!"

The potions at the school had always been top-notch. Madam Zabini had been volunteering to help the younger children learn basic potion prep. It had surprised them that she had a daughter, but like other families, her father had kept quiet about her until she got her letter.

Alice Zabini had slightly lighter skin that her mother, but the same hair and eyes. She was clever and was invited to join in the lessons.

After seeing how good the school was, the girl was enrolled with the terms new first forms' cohort.

When Madam Zabini was presented with the tuition bill, she scoffed, paid the higher Hogwarts rate. Monseigneur Brown also found a vault key on his desk with a note that it was for any orphans who needed it, and regular deposits would be made to help replenish those funds.

If the woman wanted to remain anonymous, she really shouldn't have scented the stationary with the same exclusive and expensive scent that she wore.

And she had aided in other ways as well. Professor Zabini was helping the older student identify all sorts of muggle and magical plants that can be used for poisons. One- and two-part draughts. But she did it to offer antidotes to some of the worst things that knights faced, and now their kits included all sorts of healing potions that they had never had before.

All in thanks for freeing her from slavery.

"I'm staying for at least awhile. Another three to five years." Charles stated. "She also understands that I am a knight and am not free to court anyone. She said that she is in no rush either."

"You just want the shinies that knights who complete their twenty-fifth-year get." Harry teased.

"No, I want to keep people safe from your pranks."

"We'll get to fight together?"

"Too right, my apprentice." Sir Hector lost his smile for a moment. "Seriously, Harry. Are you alright?" Neville's been shaving for two years, and I have seen you without a shirt." Hector was pointing out that puberty had not yet reached the boy, despite the use of time magic.

"I know, I know. Sister Gisele had more facial hair than me."

They both laughed at that with fond memories of the cranky sister.

"It's not right that you are pushed into the trials early. You are still a boy. But I have seen you in action. If you become a knight, you will be a brother-in-arms. My little brother. I expect you to protect the innocent with all of your might."

Harry nodded, and snapped the book shut, wiping a sudden tear from his face.