Chronicles of Camelot

United we stand

It took Harry and Hermione two days to fully recover from the after-effects of their ritual and, in that time, the Holy Knight of Thunder began to sense his own energy growing stronger, as well as noticing the elements around them reacting to his emotions, the most popular of reactions being flickering flames, slowly increasing winds or an ominous rumble of thunder.

Hermione, on the other hand, not only used the two days to research the elemental powers of water, but also began to explore her more passive abilities: as she discovered, she really could breathe underwater and even use the bottom of their villa pool to meditate or concentrate: it was almost like, whenever she was in the water, Hermione's senses and magical focus became a lot more pin-pointed and she could concentrate on her tasks with greater ease.

At the end of the second day, Harry asked for the Order to come into the main lounge of their villa, Hermione at his side, Dan and Emma seated with the warriors as he addressed them. "First off, I would like to thank you for handling my affairs during the Restoration Period; from what Dan and Emma tell me, you handled yourselves well."

"We will always strive to deliver 110% in everything we do to serve you Harry," Sebastian told him, his eyes slightly darkened by the revelations made during his Lord's rest period.

"Accepted," Harry nodded, before he linked his arm with Hermione and continued, "Second, I want you all to know that the ritual was indeed a complete success and, within the next few weeks, both Hermione and I will be looking into ways to use our newfound bond to our advantage. When we return to Hogwarts, the two of us will continue these private studies with my focus being more on the elemental side of me and not the side that is the Holy Knight of Thunder."

"Am I correct in assuming a bond has formed between you and Hermione?" asked Tyler, looking to his lord with a renewed sense of respect.

"You are," Hermione took over, "Harry and I can now speak within each other's minds and, as long as we are together, then we are protected by the other's magic. Although I am merely an Anointed to Harry's rank of Pure Holy Knight, our powers almost even each other out and our bond has never been stronger."

"So what is it that you wish of us?" asked Elora, watching as Harry moved to a chair where Padfoot was sat on his haunches, the shaggy dog whining with contentment as Harry ran his hand across his fur.

"First and foremost," Harry explained, "I would like you, Elora, to meet Sebastian, Hermione and I outside the Magical Training Area tomorrow morning for a little sparring session that will hone our reflexes. You need only your wand and nothing else; while the four of us are tending to this session, I would like the rest of you to act as though you are on holiday. Go into Les Terres Magiques and enjoy yourselves; take a trip into Paris if you want to, but don't act so stoic all the time. Now, not only that, but I want you all to know how grateful I am for your assistance in helping me accept this newfound responsibility of mine and, although I am returning to Hogwarts, I would be honoured if you, my Order of Pendragon, would join me as my personal guard."

"We would be honoured, my lord Harry," Sebastian remarked, inclining his head as he explained, "For a while there, we of the Order were wondering what you were going to do about your return."

"Good," Harry smiled, "Then, with that last remark, I think it's safe to say that we can all get on with whatever we were doing; oh, but Dante?"

"Yes my lord?" asked the young warrior.

"I would like you to come and meet me in the Physical Training Area the day after tomorrow so that I can run through some sparring drills with Excalibur."

"As you wish my lord," Dante replied, inclining his head to his lord as they all left the lounge, Harry, Hermione, Dan and Emma remaining behind for a while. Looking to his family, as he had recently begun to accept them as such, Harry then smiled before he shook his head, his eyes on the door where the warriors had left them alone.