Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 19:47:19 -0500
From: ron <wolfwalker@glwb.net>
Subject: Return of teh King chapter 13B

Several days later Ar'Ron stood in front of the shimmering shield
surrounding the sacred glade, reaching out he let his hand touch the
shimmering field and tasted the magic. Deciding that today would be the day
Harry would awake he conjured a work table and a comfortable chair and set
down to catch up on some work he had been putting off.


After several hours and mounds of notes from Thorny on what species needed
to be recreated Ar'Ron felt a shifting in the magical field surrounding the
glade before it went down. Looking up Ar'Ron noticed a very tired and
disheveled Harry shuffle out of the glade and approach the table.


"Merlin, I hope I never have to go through that again," Harry said as he
sat down and leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes.


As soon as he sat down Dobby popped in and took one look at his wizard and
started snapping his fingers causing food and drink to appear in front of
Harry.


The smells of food caused Harry to open his eyes and give his little friend
a smile before he started stuffing his mouth with food.


Waiting until Harry started to slow down as he filled his plate for the
third time Ar'Ron smiled and asked, "How are you feeling Mel'Anin?"


Setting his cup of pumpkin juice down Harry answered, "More in control of
myself and my magic" looking up so Ar'Ron could see the haunted look in his
eyes he continued, "I just wish the lesson did not have to be so real."


Holding his cup between his hands as he twirled it back and forth Harry
asked, "Is it always that difficult for everyone?"


Sitting back in his chair Ar'Ron thought for a moment, "My father was the
one who keyed the well of magic to teach us how to control our temper."
Smiling slightly at the memory of his father he continued, " Father once
told me of the time he lost his temper and let loose his rage. This was in
the time when dinosaur's roamed the earth."


Looking up to see Harry leaning forward slightly giving him his full
attention, "When he let the Berserker loose, every dinosaur on the planet
died. Father was horrified at what he had done and spent years in the
sacred glade floating in the well learning to control the Berserker and
then changing the well to teach control to any other Elf that needed it."


Harry's eyes were as wide as saucers as he listened to the story, "Even
though I felt no time pass while floating in the glade I some how know that
four days have passed from the time I was placed there, how long did it
take you to learn control?"


Grimacing as he rubbed the bridge of his nose Ar'Ron slowly replied, " I
never truly needed to use the well to learn to control my magic. Like my
father before me I let the Berserker loose, but unlike like my father I
embraced the rage and welcomed the destruction it caused."


Opening his eyes to see the shocked look on Harry's face he explained,
"Father loved to explore, during one of his visits to another realm he and
his soul mate were captured by the people who lived there and the local
population had this nasty tradition of eating alive strangers in the
attempt to absorb their magical energy."


Staring out towards the glade Ar'Ron's face showed the horror as he relived
the experience. "The first that I knew something had gone wrong was when I
walked by the open portal in the palace and this man like creature swarmed
out of it and tried to grab me.


After banishing it back through the portal I felt this intense pain in my
chest and felt an intense loss."


Looking now at Harry he said softly, "In that moment the crown appeared on
my head and for the first time I knew my people could know death. The rage
that came over me as I realized my fathers had died..."


Swallowing loudly Ar'Ron finished, "I embraced the Berserker rage that
overcame me and stepped through the portal and my magic feeding on my rage
whipped out and destroyed all life in that realm."


Harry watched as Ar'Ron's eyes showed the horror he was reliving and barley
heard him say, "Not even bacteria was spared, every living thing, plant or
animal died in minutes as my magic sought to fulfill my need for
vengeance."


Ar'Ron stood up and gathered his papers together, and not able to look
Harry in the face he said, "To this day I have not dealt with the events
back then, even after all this time when I think back on that day I start
to relive the pain and it is to easy to get lost in the memories, and that
is to dangerous...maybe someday I will go back to that realm and face my
demons."


Facing back towards the tunnel towards the palace Ar'Ron said, "But not
today."


Harry waved his hand and dispelled the table and stood up from his chair so
fast it fell over and grabbed his love from behind, "When that day comes we
will face it together Mel'Anin."


Lifting one of Harry's hands to his face Ar'Ron placed a gentle kiss on the
back of his hand. "Thank you Mel'Anin."


Turning around in the embrace he placed a gentle kiss on his lovers mouth
before grabbing his hand and starting to walk down the path side by side.


After a few minutes Harry asked, "What has been going on with the arrests
of the muggles and the royals while I was in the glade?"


Steering Harry towards the tunnel that led to Thorny's domain Ar'Ron
answered, "All the army officers involved have been questioned by Elven
mind healers, and except for one the rest have been cleared as just
following orders that they thought were valid and as such have been turned
over to the crown for further punishment."


Entering the farm proper Ar'Ron stopped to watch the herd of War Pegasus as
they flew around a gleeful clapping Thorny. "Of the soldiers that took part
in the invasion of the MLE building, six have been held over for trial as
they willingly targeted children, the others were turned over with their
officers for judgment by the crown."


Sitting down cross legged on the ground Ar'Ron waited for Harry to sit down
next to him before continuing. "We have pretty much been waiting for you
before we bring them before the council for judgment. Not that their guilt
is in question."


Conjuring up dozens of small balls of energy that rotated around the couple
Ar'Ron began to weave magical patterns with his hands and as the balls of
energy passed in front of him they took on the shape of a small bird.


Harry thought for a few moments on what he had been told and watched as
Ar'Ron created balls of energy that when they passed in front of him became
glowing forms of Snidget's.

Watching the energy Snidget's fly around Ar'Ron and land on his
outstretched hands before becoming solid and taking flight as a real live
creature was calming to Harry.


"What of the Prime Minister?" Harry asked calmly reaching out with his
senses to see if he could feel how the Snidget's were created.


Deciding to introduce other colors besides gold Ar'Ron soon had Snidget's
in a rainbow of primary colors in an arial dance around his head. "The
Queen sent word yesterday that she feels that since the crimes were
committed against our people that she will not ask for extradition and made
mention that she would not be unduly stressed if we executed the man."


Seeing the look of calm satisfaction on his mates face as he created the
Snidget's Harry reached over and picked up Ar'Ron's notes.


Harry looked them over before deciding to create extinct magical creatures
with some of the excess nervous energy that was flowing through him. It
looked like a very good stress reliever judging by the smile on Ar'Ron's
face.


Deciding on the Dragonling, a three foot tall mini dragon that has most of
the magical properties of their larger relatives, including immunity from
most magical spells. Harry decided to see if he could increase their
intelligence and alter them slightly so they were more like Phoenix's and
could bond as a familiar to those few worthy mages who went out of their
way to better society. Giving them a loyal friend to help them during their
tasks.


Closing his eyes Harry soon had a dozen large glowing orbs of red energy
slowly circling him.


As the energy circled him they slowly took on draconic shape until they
slowly reached the ground and walked the last few feet to sit in front of
Harry were he would reach out and pet their heads as each would then but
his head into the palm of Harry's hand as they took on permanent life and
let out a small jet of flame and launched themselves one by one into an
intricate arial dance above Harry.


Thorny had caught sight of a few Snidget's flying around the field, he
turned and to his delight noticed Harry and Ar'Ron sitting in the field
facing each other as more and more Snidget's flew off towards the woods
over by the lake.


The small heard of War Pegasus seeing the two sitting in the field and
sensing the magic being preformed landed and trotted over to where the two
were sitting and watched on as the golden Snidget's were soon joined by
Snidget's in red and green with the occasional purple on doing an arial
loop before joining the others on their trip to the lake for a drink.


Harry smiled then let out a small laugh as the dragonlings started to
cavort around him as they played.


"I am going to have to find time to come here every day and do this," Harry
said out loud breaking the silence. "This is so relaxing."


After several hundred Snidget's had been created and flown away Ar'Ron's
hands waved around in another complicated pattern and rabbit sized balls of
energy raced around the two of them near the ground.


"I find that if I am feeling down or have excess energy due to anger there
is nothing better than sitting down and channeling the magic into creation,
the high one gets from doing this is enough to break the most sour mood,"
Ar'Ron said as he waved his hands and the energy took shape of small foot
high unicorns.


As the mini unicorns leapt into Ar'Ron's hands and like the Snidget's
before them became real living breathing creatures he said, "I had Hermione
in class yesterday and from what Draco was telling me she is becoming more
like her old self. Madam Pomfrey mentioned at breakfast this morning that
the other Hermoine that is locked up is starting to act like she is
mimicking being in a classroom or the library."


Harry smiled as one of the red Dragonlings leapt to his shoulder after
butting his head against Harry's palm. "If that is the case it should be
only a few more days before she feels the call of her other self and seeks
her out to be rejoined."


Ar'Ron smiled in response to the relaxed laughter coming from Harry as the
dragonling that was on his shoulder licked the side of Harry's face before
spitting and shaking his head at the taste before butting Harry in the side
of the head.


"Looking at the little dragonling in the eyes Harry laughed, "He says his
name is Tail Biter."


"You have given them intelligence then?" Ar'Ron asked smiling down at the
galloping mini unicorns as they pranced around him before running off to
where Thorny had set up an area for them to get something to eat.


Nodding Harry replied, "And given them some of the characteristics of a
Phoenix and a fierce loyalty to their bonded," Harry said as Tail Biter
stood up on Harry's shoulder and placed his front arms on the top of his
head like he was climbing a mountain.


Tail Biter growled low in his throat as he looked around regally


"He says that he wants me to take him to the school as he feels a pull
from, as he puts it, on of the fletchlings pulls at him," Harry scowled at
the Dragonling as he fell of his shoulder after overextending himself
trying to climb Harry Mountain.


"When bonded there will be a true two way telepathic link and they can act
as a bridge between human and dragon," Harry cocked his head
thoughtfully. "I do hope Charlie Weasley bonds, as his crazy love of
dragons is what inspired me to alter the pattern."


Finishing up the last few of the minicorns Ar'Ron decided that it was time
to bring up the last bit of news. "Mel'Anin one last thing of import
happened."


Seeing that Harry had finished and was watching several hundred of the
Dragonlings jumping up and down near where Thorny was conjuring food for
them, he continued hoping he would not take the news badly, as he was about
to be thrust once again to the forefront of public life, this time on a
grandeur scale.


"It seems that the previous heir to the muggle throne willingly broke the
compact, as such the current heir and his brother have full use of their
magic," Ar'Ron said slowly watching closely for Harry's reaction.


Harry's magic flared briefly before he brought it under control. "This
complicates things" murmured Harry as he watched Tail Biter walk back over
with a slightly charred chicken he was eating daintily.


Turning to face Ar'Ron Harry asked, "Does this mean the penalties of the
compact have come into play?"


"Not quite, no one has placed their hand on the compact as yet. Though the
muggle queen has been notified that her kingdom has been shrunk back to
what the compact allows," Ar'Ron said.


Harry narrowed his eyes, "What does that mean exactly? Why do I get this
feeling you are amused by something?"


Smirking Ar'Ron said as he stood up, "Could be because Lord Potter once
again rules his ancestral lands both muggle and magical and the muggle
queen was informed of her vastly curtailed holdings."


Harry groaned and looked up towards the sky. "Why me?"


Gathering up Tail Biter Harry stood up also and walked next to
Ar'Ron. "Seriously though, is the Wizarding world ready to be exposed?"


Thinking for a moment, "Not at this moment but if we plan carefully in ten
years or so, the first step will be to bring in the world leaders and
explain things to them, right after we have sent teams to eliminate all
their weapons of mass destruction," Ar'Ron said as they entered the tunnel
back to the palace proper.


Tail Biter craned his neck around so he was looking up at Harry, {Go to
place of fletchlings now.}



Harry smirked a half smile at the impatience of the dragonling and told
Ar'Ron, "We probably should eat dinner at Hogwarts?"


Nodding his head down towards the dragonling, "This one is impatient to
meet the students and his future bonded," Harry chuckled.


"Then by all means, one must not stand in the way of a bonding," Ar'Ron
told the little dragonling.



XXXXXXXXXXX


As Harry and Ar'Ron walked side by side into the great hall all
conversation stopped as the students turned to watch their favorite
professors walk into the hall.


Soon whispers could be heard as the students noticed the red dragonling as
it was frantically turning its head side to side as if it was searching for
something.

Tail Biter was besides himself as he felt so many young minds as he looked
over the students. Turning towards where Draco was sitting he sniffed the
air and flicked his tongue out as if he was tasting the air. {That one
feels nice...Maybe...No.}


Turning towards the group of former Ravenclaw students near the head table
{Hmm...That one feels...No.}


Turning around in Harry's arms to face towards the table the former
Gryffindor sixth years were sitting Tail Biter stiffened and became rigid
right before launching himself out of Harry's arms and gliding towards the
tall red head shoveling food into his mouth. {This one...Yes...Bonded.}


Ron looked up from his plate when he heard the screams of the girls sitting
at the next table in time to see this small dragon heading straight for him
and land right in the middle of his plate of chicken.


Reacting instinctively he reached for his stave but froze as the dragonling
crooned at him and their eyes met.


Ron's mouth dropped open as the two stared at each other. Then Tail Biter
walked forward and butted his head against Ron's chest before reaching down
and grabbing a chicken drumstick and beginning to eat.


In a half awed state Ron said out loud, "He says his name is Tail Biter,"


Shaking his head to clear the fog he noticed the little dragon eating his
chicken, "Oi that's my supper get your own."


Neville and Seamus started laughing as they took in the indignant
expression on Ron's face.


Minerva watched on in shock as Lord Potter walked in with a small dragon in
his arms and reached for her wand when the dragon launched itself towards
Ron Weasley. Her shock and fear for one of her students quickly became
amusement as Mr. Weasley shouted out in shock as the young dragon started
to eat his food after he had spoken the dragons name.


"Lord Potter I hope you have..." Minerva started.


"Harry is that a baby dragon young Ron has there?" Hagrid not able to
contain himself from asking any longer interrupted the headmistress.


Harry smiled at his large friend and nodded towards Minerva, "Tail Biter is
a dragonling, don't let him hear you call him a baby dragon as he might
become a bit upset and flame your beard off."


Chuckling at Hagrid's gleeful expression he continued, "Dragonlings are an
ancient intelligent relative of Dragons. Tail Biter is full grown, and you
just witnessed the bonding of wizard and familiar."


"Ron is in for a surprise....If he thought Hermoine was bossy just wait,"
Harry was interrupted by the shouts from the Sixth year table.


"Oi Bloody hell. That's my supper you overgrown lizard It was cooked just
right" Ron Bellowed. "What do you mean I would be more pleasant to be
around if I ate properly flamed food."


Ron Turning towards the head table yelled out, "Oi Harry come collect your
bloody Lizard will ya mate."


Holding his laughter barely in check Harry told him, "Sorry Ron, you are
going to have to come to an understanding with your familiar all own your
own."


Ron fell back in his seat looking at the red dragonling in
shock. "Familiar" as the other sixth years laughed.


XXXXXXXXXXXX


Hermione rushed through the halls trying to get to defense class early in
the hopes of getting some answers from Harry.


Entering the classroom she placed her bag on one of the tables near the
front and sat down waiting for Harry to show up.


Hermione grew frustrated as more and more students filed in and took their
seats and yet no Harry.


Turning at the sound of the door closing she watched as Harry strode into
the room and stopped at the desk.


"Good morning class, if you will pass your homework up to the front we will
get started," Harry told the class as he placed his books on the corner of
the desk.


Turning around to face the class as he collected the rolls of parchment
Harry noticed the look on Hermione's face. She looked angry and when he
made eye contact she immediately raised her hand.


Sighing he said, "Yes Miss. Granger you have a question?"


Making a noise of displeasure, "Harry just where have you been for the past
few days? I mean really who does Professor Ar'Ron think he is, assigning a
homework assignment that hard and only giving us a couple of days to finish
it. I was unable to find any books in the library to answer the question he
asked. I don't think it is fair to require us to do assignments on
impossible subjects...."


Slamming the book down on his desk that Harry was holding he said in a firm
restrained voice, "Miss Granger, while I am aware of your condition at the
moment that does not excuse you from this reprehensible behavior on your
part."


Taking a deep calming breath Harry continued, "Where I am and what I do is
really none of your concern. And as far as who Professor Ar'Ron thinks he
is I would think it is obvious by his title of Professor."


Sitting down in his chair and rubbing the bridge of his nose where his
glasses used to sit he continued, "The true sign of intelligence is not how
hard you can research and spout back useless facts that you found in books,
but how well you take what you find and learn to use it in every day
life. The whole point of this homework assignment, which I was the one to
assign, was to let me know how well you could take what you have learned so
far in defense and apply a spell for one thing to another situation."


Looking at the young witch with disappointment Harry told her, "Not every
thing in life can be solved with a book and to tell you the truth books are
tools, not objects to be worshiped as the ultimate authority on whatever
subject is on the cover."


"Even your beloved Hogwarts a History has sections of falsehood in it as a
precaution of keeping certain knowledge about the castle a secret," Harry
told the horrified witch


Standing up with a sigh Harry called out for Dobby


"Majesty calls for his Dobby?" the little Impare' asked with a slight bow
after popping in.


Smiling Harry asked, "Dobby would you please escort Miss. Granger to the
hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey?"


With another bow Dobby said, "Yes Majesty" before walking over and snapping
his fingers to collect all Hermione's belongings.


Looking at the distraught witch Dobby motioned for Hermione to stand and
follow him out of the room.


Watching his friend be escorted out of the room Harry felt a wave of
sadness wash through him. Even though he knew that she could not help
yourself as the two halves of the same person fought for dominance, he
still felt the loss of the person who had stood by his side since becoming
friends after the troll incident in his first year.


Turning back to the fidgeting students Harry once again addressed the
class, "Those of you still having trouble producing a patronus can get some
extra supervised practice in the defense lab down the hall with Professor
Remus Lupin who agreed to set aside time in the afternoon between one and
four."


"I should warn you that we will be practicing the patronus charm against
several boggarts in a fortnight." Harry said.


Seeing the looks of anticipation and horror on the students faces he
laughed silently to his self.


"Today I think it is time for you to learn a new type of shield charm so
turn to page 576 in your textbook and read through the theory of the globe
shield and we will start the practical part of it the second half of the
class," Harry told them.


XXXXXXXXXXXX


Tail Biter followed his newly bonded into the sixth year dorm common room
and not willing to let his bonded complain any further commented, {Maybe if
you find yourself a nice female to clutch with you would be more pleasant
to be around.}


"Wha..." Ron said as he sat down at the table near Neville and Seamus.


Neville thinking this could be amusing asked, "What did he say Ron?"


Pulling his books out of the bag he said in a confused tone, "Something
about finding a female and clutching. Not sure what he is on about."


Seamus snorted so hard before falling into a fit of laughter he fell off
the chair he was sitting on. "Oi Ron I think he means to find yourself a
girlfriend and get laid."


Turning an amazing shade of red Ron Looked over at his familiar sputtering
in embarrassment.


{How does one of your size get laid? Are you not almost full grown? I don't
understand.} Sent Tail Biter in mock confusion.


Watching the young man turn a deeper shade of red Tail Biter thought,
{dragonling 1 Human 0.}



XXXXXXXX Minerva McGonagall walked down the hallway towards the hospital
wing where if she was the type to favor one student over another would find
one of her favorites was currently an occupant.


Walking in the doors she spotted Poppy walk out of the hall leading to the
quarantine rooms. Increasing her pace she was quickly across the infirmary
and by the mediwitch's side.



"How is she Poppy?" Minerva asked.


Sighing as she put down her notes Poppy answered, "As well as can be
expected as each half fights for domination."


Looking back towards the room she just left she added, "I was told to
expect this, but it is one thing to be told what will happen and another to
watch, helpless to do anything about it."


Sighing to herself, "I believe the re-joining should happen anytime
now. Though to be honest I am not sure how Miss Granger will be affected,
she most likely will not be the same person she was before she was split
into two," Poppy told the Headmistress.


Before Minerva had a chance to reply there was a blinding flash of light
followed by a large bang.


Both witches rushed down the hall towards the rooms each of the Hermione's
had been sleeping, only to stop mid stride as they noticed Miss. Granger
laying on the ground next to two runic bracelets.


 "Oh my," Minerva whispered as she looked around and noticed that there was
only one Miss. Granger.


"Poppy how is she?" Minerva asked the medi-witch as she was kneeling
besides the fallen girl.


Looking up at the headmistress as she conjured up a stretcher and levitated
the unconscious young witch onto it she said, "Magically she is exhausted
and her reserves are almost completely depleted. As for the rest we won't
know until she wakes up and I can asses if there is any personality
changes."


Minerva stood there for a moment as she pondered the information from Poppy
before bending over and picking up the two runic bracelets from the floor
as the medi-witch floated the prone figure of Miss. Granger into the main
infirmary.



As she followed Poppy out of the hall she stopped briefly on her way
out. "Poppy do let me know if there is any change to Miss. Granger's
condition. I need to send an owl to Lord Potter and let him know what has
happened."


Waving her hand in acknowledgment Poppy smoothed out the covers as she
tucked them around Hermione and made for her office's supply cupboard for
several potions including a strengthening potion along with the new
modified pepper up potion Severus had just finished.


XXXXXXXXXX


Ar'Ron and Harry were relaxing in the steaming pool in their bedchamber
having decided to skip supper in the great hall and have trays of finger
foods served at the edge of the pool.


Placing his goblet back down on the flagstone edge Harry swam over to the
other side of the pool where Ar'Ron was relaxing near the rapid bubbling
spring near the waterfall. "We should do this more often, this is so
relaxing."



Nearing the naked floating form of his soul mate Harry entered the bubbling
upstream and floated there letting the moving water relax his muscles.


Draco entered the rooms looking for Harry and Ar'Ron to pass several
message on to them. Hearing the sounds of the water fall and some other
sounds he could not place he walked towards the bathing room off of the
master bedchamber.


Stopping he stood in the doorway for a moment and took in the sight of two
of the most desirable men he had ever seen.


Noticing the tightening of his pants to the point of discomfort he snapped
out of the daze he was in and cleared his throat to get the attention of
the two who had lost all track of time and were floating half awake in the
pool.


"Pardon Majesty, My Lord if I could have a moment of your time I have
several messages to pass along," Draco told them hoping that they would not
notice the visible tenting of his pants.


Putting his feet on the bottom Ar'Ron looked over towards the door to their
rooms and noticed the pained and wanting look in the eyes of the young man
standing there. Waving his hand he conjured a chair for Draco to sit in and
on the down swing of his hand he enlarged the fabric to the front of
Draco's pants by a large margin giving some much needed relief to the young
man.


Walking towards the side of the pool Ar'Ron waited until Draco had sat down
and Harry and swam over and joined him before saying, "What is on your mind
Draco?"


Trying very hard to hide his embarrassment and growing erection Draco
cleared his throat and looked over their heads towards the waterfall on the
other side of the pool.


"The first bit of news is quite good, Headmistress McGonagall has asked me
to pass along a message saying that the two Hermione's have been rejoined
and she is sleeping, though she will be in the hospital wing for several
days as her magical reserves replenish themselves."


Harry's smile was more of a grin that reached from eye to eye as he said,
"That is very good news indeed. I will find time to stop by after breakfast
and before my first class to stop in and see her."


"And the other bit of news?" Ar'Ron asked.


Sighing as his erection started to loose a little of its hardness Draco
told them, "The other bit is...Well I am not sure if it is good news or
not."


Looking down from the waterfall to Ar'Ron's face he continued, "The trap is
finished, the excavation site is all set up and the cave of the founders
fully furnished with the props. Just in time too, as reports from the
centaurs tell us that several masked wizards have been exploring the edge
of the forbidden forest testing the ward line near the Quidditch pitch."


"That is good news indeed Draco, it means that Voldemort has taken the
bait," Ar'Ron said quite pleased.


"How in Merlin's name did you get the Centaurs to cooperate anyway?" Draco
asked.


Laughing at the memory Harry said, "Do you really want to know?"


Eager to hear the story Draco nodded his head and forgot the fact that the
two men he was lusting over a few minutes ago were still naked and leaned
forward to hear the story.


"It all started the day after we arrived in Toria. We had just left the
ward room at Potter Castle after adjusting the wards and discovering that
two of the ward nodes along the edge of the forbidden forest had been
damaged and need to be fixed or even replaced," Harry started the tale.



Flash Back

Appearing soundlessly near the edge of the forbidden forest Ar'Ron turned
to see if he could find the node that needed to be repaired. The shocked
cries from Harry quickly drew his attention. Turning to look to where Harry
was searching he saw his soul mate pulling vines off of a broken pedestal.


Seeing Harry had found the node he quickly walked to his side. "This damage
was done on purpose" Ar'Ron said softly.


Surveying the damage Harry asked ,"What could have done this? I thought the
nodes had built in protection."


Waving his hand and casting a diagnostic charm on the device Ar'Ron sighed
when he read the results. "This was done by a magical creature that had
knowledge of its placement." Stranding up from his bent over position he
continued, "And only one magical race had the knowledge of the ward nodes
existence. The ones charged with there protection..."


THWAP


An Arrow hit the ground between Harry and Ar'Ron causing them both to
quickly turn and look behind them.


"Humans you have been warned about trespassing in our forest," A voice
called out form the trees.


"Now you shall pay with your lives for not heading our command," Bane the
leader of the Centaurs said as he and a dozen warriors walked out from
behind the trees.


"Bane" Hissed Harry as he watched the Centaur walk into the clearing bow
notched back with another arrow.


Narrowing his eyes Ar'Ron stated, "Bane, the forest does not belong to you
or the Centaurs. If anyone is said to own this refuge it would be Lord
Potter," Ar'Ron pointed to where Harry was standing.


Spittle gathering at the corner of his mouth as he let loose his anger,
Bane Yelled out, "NO, I destroyed two of the stones of protection when I
became the leader of the Centaurs."


The other Centaurs were shocked at this admission and nervously stamped
from hoof to hoof


"Now no Human controls the Forest, It now Belongs to us. The Centaurs rule
here now," Bane said as madness crept into his eyes.


Quickly moving his arrow from Harry towards Ar'Ron he pulled back slightly
before yelling out ,"Die Human," And releasing the arrow.


Ar'Ron held up his hand causing the arrow to disappear halfway to its
target.


Anger, A flashback to the days when he was young the berserker within
lazily turned in its sleep.


Ar'Ron's eyes showed like twin spotlights in the dark as a majestic set of
bells could be heard as the crown on his head not only became visible but
started to pulse with a intense white.


Bringing his arms up in front of him Ar'Ron quickly touched his wrists
together before crossing them and then breaking them apart violently.


Everyone watched as a wave of magic barreled from Ar'Ron and hit Bane at
the point where his human shaped upper body connected to the horse half and
watched as it shimmered and the blood curdling scream Bane let out as his
body was ripped into tow beings.


A magnificent stallion reared up and as it did so did a human male fall
off.


The Centaurs watched in shock as the stallion ears flat against its head
bit at the air in front of the fallen Bane before rearing once more and
galloping away.


"NO, What Magic is this?" Shouted from the mouth of the fallen man.


"What have you done to me human," Bane shouted in anger as he tried to get
to tow feet instead of four.


The Centaurs horrified at what happened and hearing Ar'Ron state, "The gift
that was given and now abused in your arrogance has been taken back,"
Quickly turned their weapons towards the King of magic.


"HOLD," Came a shouted command from behind the fallen leader of the
Centaurs now a man.


"Greeting Firenze" Harry said hoping with his arrival cooler heads would
prevail.


"Hear me brothers, put down your weapons," Firenze said as he walked into
the clearing.


One of the Warriors called out, " Firenze you are not needed here, go now
before we kill you along with the humans."


"You fools there are no humans here. Open your eyes and truly look,
"Firenze spat out in disgust.


Turning to look a the humans once again he truly took in their appearance
for the first time. Noticing the clothes were of a style he had not seen,
they shimmered as they moved. Then looking at the one who had attacked Bane
he noticed the crown on his head and that he had pointed....


"No it can not be...they are stories told to amuse our children," He gasped
out in shock.


"Yes Swift. The true ones have returned," Firenze said gently.


Swaying slightly as the truth settled in Swift dropped his bow to the
ground as he placed his face in his hands as he realized how he, the others
and Bane had condemned his race.


Looking over at Bane with loathing Firenze finished, "In your arrogance you
have broken the vow our ancestors took when the rohanin first approached
the True Ones and were gifted with the joining."


Turning his back on the man, "In your hatred of everything non Centaur you
have not only diminished us you have attacked the King of Magic."


Weapons could be heard hitting the ground as the other Centaurs dropped
them as the realization of what they had done sank in.


One by one they dropped to their front knees and bowed their heads


Swift walked over to stand before Ar'Ron before he to dropped to his knees
," I beg of you do not hold my people accountable for our crimes. Have
mercy on our women and children."


Bowing his head Swift said with pain in his voice, "Take my life as I have
forfeited it in my arrogance. Take my life but spare the children."


The other warriors called out in ones and two's to also take their life but
to spare the children.


Ar'Ron reached out and gently grabbed the face of the kneeling Centaur and
lifted it so they were looking each other in the eye.


"I was there as the rohanin with their love for their steeds were given the
gift of the joining by my father. A gift that the only thing asked in
return was to become the protectors of the forest and all those that lived
therein.

Over the years you have lost your way and have become more arrogant with
time.

Then the last few survivors were given another chance when they came to
this forest and vowed to the then Lord Potter to protect and serve the
creatures of the forest. And Lord Potter gave your kind another chance to
return to the path that was set out for you by your ancestors."


Sighing he released Swifts head and looked over towards Bane. "Bane has
paid the ultimate price, he lost his gift of the joining."


"Mel'Anin, this is your forest and these are your people so sworn to your
ancestor, what is your will in this?" Ar'Ron asked.


Harry looked for a moment at the bowed and kneeling Centaurs before walking
to stand in front of Firenze. "Firenze."


Nodding his head Firenze Replied, "Harry Potter."


"Your people need you. They need a strong ,compassionate leader, one who
can lead them back to the original path that your ancestors set for your
race. They need someone who can teach them that hate is an easy trap to
fall into, one that leads to destruction," Harry told him.


Eyes glowing with power as magic now was guiding his hand Harry reached up
and placed his now glowing hand on Firenze's chest. With a bright flash
Harry dropped his hand to his side to reveal a forest green tattoo of a
tree topped with a crown adorning Firenze's right chest.


Harry stepped back and smiled. " It is time to take your people home."


Looking down at his chest he felt the magic as the tattoo was placed on his
chest and his eyes widened in shock as the realization of who Harry Potter
truly was set in.


Bowing his head briefly Firenze said, "It shall be done as you say Lord
Potter, Prince of Magic."


"Come Brothers it is time to go home, we have much to tell the others,"
Firenze said turning and melting back into the shadows of the forest.


Swift and the others turned to look towards Harry and Ar'Ron and seeing
them nod their heads they quickly got to their feet and with a bow turned
and entered the forest.


Draco was in awe as Harry finished the story, "Merlin" he whispered.


"Draco, if you would please contact the other members of the Council of
Twelve and ask them to join us for breakfast in the council chambers in the
morning to go over our preparations one more time," Ar'Ron told his charge.


Standing up Draco noticed for the first time all the extra fabric in the
front of his pants.


Seeing the look of confusion on his face Ar'Ron stifled his laughter. "I
thought you looked a little uncomfortable and decided to help out," waving
his hand once again Draco's pants returned to normal.


Nodding his head afraid if he said anything his embarrassment would show
Draco turned and left eager to get on with the task set before him.