War Against Magiterran

Chapter 10: Margaret Chapel

The Mage Knights decided to stay at the marketplace for a while and gather information about Viktor Krum. As it turned out, they learned a great many things from Fleur Delacour.

"Oui, King Viktor," she said. "He eez very unpopular 'ere in Durmstrang. A 'orrible ruler who always oppresses us."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "No kidding."

"Oui. Taxes are 'orrible and 'e's always sending troops to gazer slaves from za people. But 'e was not always like zat. 'e used to be a fair ruler."

That caught Harry's attention. "Really? When did he change?"

"About two years ago. Things were better zen."

Harry noted that two years ago was when he had defeated Voldemort. 'I wonder if there's a connection,' he thought.

* * * * * * * * * *

While Harry was gathering information, Ron was fast becoming friends with Margaret Chapel, Fleur's slave girl. He often found time to talk to her and helped her with her duties. Margaret was reluctant to accept his help.

"But if my mistress ever found out..."

"She won't find out. She's too busy drooling over Harry while he weeds information out of her. She won't notice that I'm helping you out."

Margaret could only smile at Ron as he helped her clear snow away or wash pots. After a while, Margaret started to get curious about something.

"Sir Ronald..."

"Call me Ron. I don't like formalities being used on me."

"OK. Ron, why are you so kind to me?"

Ron raised an eyebrow. "I'm just treating you like an ordinary human being."

"Yes, but you're also going long ways specifically for me. And please don't deny it."

Ron sighed. "In full honesty I don't know why I'm caring for you especially in particular. Maybe its because you're sweet, kind, humble, smart, pretty...OH I don't know! I just like you, OK?"

Margaret blushed a deep shade of red and seemed to be speechless. Ron had only just realized what he had just said and blushed as red as his hair.

"W-well OK, I-I suppose I should g-go see the others n-now," he stuttered as he made his way to the other Mage Knights. He suddenly came up with an idea and went to talk to Harry.

* * * * * * * * * *

That night, the Mage Knights were all lying in the beds of the guest tent sleeping soundly, or at least the Weasleys were. Harry missed Hermione so much that he often had a hard time sleeping. He ached not being able to wake up and have her as the first thing he saw in the morning, lying next to him with a soft smile on her face that made his heart melt.

He was finally drifting off when the warning bell sounded! For a split second, Harry thought they were being attacked by Death Eaters until he heard a voice call out "Bandits! We've been robbed!"

The Mage Knights sprang out of bed, threw their cloaks on, and dashed out of the tent. They ran into a hysterical looking Fleur Delacour.

"Zey 'ave taken my stuff!" she yelled. "Zey 'ave taken eet!"

"Fleur, calm down," said Harry. "What exactly have they taken?"

"Everything! My jewelry! My money! My slave girl..."

"What?!" shouted Ron. Fleur calmed down and stared at Ron looking bewildered.

"Zey 'ave taken my slave girl, Margaret," she said.

Ron completely ignored Harry and Ginny's warnings as he ran up to a number of horses that a merchant had for sale. He leapt on to one of them galloped away into the cold night, hot on the bandits' trail. After riding through the snow-covered forest for about thirty minutes he caught up to their campsite.

There were about a dozen rough looking men sitting around a fire, drinking and gloating about their recent raid. Margaret was sitting in the background looking terrified, her hands tied behind her back. One of the bandits went up to her looking drunk. He started stroking her cheek, a disgusting look in his face as the other bandits laughed. Margaret recoiled in horror.

With a roar of rage, Ron sprang into the clearing still astride his horse. Bandits turned towards him looking alarmed. Margaret looked relieved and allowed a few tears of joy fall down her face.

"Eh now, what's this?" said one of the bandits.

"Someone you don't want to mess with," hissed Ron. He gestured toward Margaret. "Let her go."

"Oh I don' think so," sneered another bandit. He along with all the others drew swords and daggers. "That lassie there tis our booty. And anyone who finds us is to be killed." The bandits surrounded Ron chuckling stupidly.

Ron grinned. "Oh, so I suppose you can kill me, eh?" He threw off his cloak! The bandits stopped short when caught sight of his gleaming Mage Knight armor as Ron drew his sword.

"Well now," said one of the bandits looking a little scared. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that this laddie were one of them Mage Knights of Magiterran."

"You fool," yelled another bandit. "There ain't any Mage Knights in Durmstrang. This laddie is just a wannabe. Kill 'im!"

Three of the bandits leapt at Ron flaying their swords. Ron simply remained on his horse and deflected each of the blows with his own sword. He suddenly leapt off his horse, flipped through the air and landed beside the three bandits! With a complete turn, Ron bashed the blunt side of his blade into the faces of the three, knocking them unconscious. He turned to the others. "Going to kill the wannabe?" he smirked.

The remaining bandits hesitated for a moment before they all charged at Ron.

Ron stepped back and twirled his sword around as he deflected each of the blows. With superior skill, Ron out dueled each of the bandits as he either rammed them with his blade or knocked them out with a good stunning or disarming spell. Finally, all of the bandits were out of the picture and Ron made his way to Margaret.

"Are you OK?"

Margaret beamed at him. "Yes, I am al...LOOK OUT!" Ron whipped around to see the last bandit swing his sword down at him...

"Stupefy!" The bandit fell unconscious as the stunner hit him. Ron looked up to see Ginny standing at the edge of the clearing, her sword still smoking from the stunner she had just shot, and a huge grin on her face.

"Going a little rusty dear brother? You missed one of them."

"Shut up!" said Ron. Ginny started gathering up the unconscious bandits as Ron cut Margaret free. Margaret threw her arms around Ron and hugged him close. Ron looked a little embarrassed but he hugged Margaret back.

* * * * * * * * * *

The next morning, Harry was bartering with Fleur. "Your friend Ronald informs me zat you want to buy Margaret. I would be willing for 1000 galleons."

"100 galleons," said Harry.

"500 galleons," said Fleur.

"50 galleons" said Harry.

"200 galleons."

"10 galleons."

"100 galleons."

"A galleon."

"50 galleons."

"50 sickles."

"A galleon."

"A sickle."

"A sickle."

"A knut."

"50 knuts."

"Deal!" Harry and Fleur shook hands and Harry purchased Margaret Chapel's freedom for 50 knuts or rather one sickle and 21 knuts.

Margaret Chapel was free but since she didn't have anywhere to go, it was decided that she would accompany the Mage Knights for a while. It was only after the Mage Knights had left a few minutes later that Fleur realized how much she lost from selling Margaret for so cheep.

Chapter 11: Predictions of Invasion

Margaret Chapel turned out to be an added bonus to the Mage Knight's company. She was intelligent, witty, kind, charming, friendly, and all together nice person. The Mage Knights had provided her with warm clothing as they were still traveling through snow on foot. Having eaten a few square meals, Margaret looked a lot healthier and she was more cheerful than when she was Fleur Delacour's personal slave.

She was friendly with Ginny but took a little bit more time warming up to Harry ever since she learned that he was actually the king of Gryffindor. But she eventually became fast friends with him as well. However, she was closest to Ron despite the fact that she was always blushing around him. Harry and Ginny would share a knowing look whenever they saw the two together though Ron was utterly clueless. Ron also had no idea why he felt as if the jelly legs curse had been placed on him whenever Margaret was around.

After traveling for a few days, the company finally made it to a city that was only about twenty miles away from the royal capitol. The Weasleys decided to stop there for a while though Harry was reluctant to do so.

"We're drawing closer to where Hermione is," he said. "I can feel it."

"Well how would you know?" said Ron.

Harry simply glanced down his left hand. There, on the outside of his gauntlet was the golden Ring of the Lion around his ring finger. Harry and Hermione had used the two magical rings as wedding bands, and the closer they got to the Ring of the Phoenix that Hermione had, the stronger the drawing of the two rings to each other was. It was also through the two rings that Harry and Hermione could sense whether the other was alive or close.

Ginny placed a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. "I know you're very anxious to see, Hermione," she said. "But you need rest. You haven't slept for a while and you're going to need it if we have to fight for Hermione." Harry reluctantly agreed.

The Mage Knights once again donned their brown cloaks and they, along with Margaret, set about exploring the city. It wasn't all that different from Hogsmeade and the Weasleys and Margaret had a great time just exploring the city while Harry stayed at the inn. Ginny would go off to look at some shop leaving Ron and Margaret alone with each other, both blushing deeply. They were hardly able to say a word to each other leaving Ginny very frustrated as she spied on them from a distance. They returned to the inn around dinnertime where they met Harry.

"Well, that was a great day now, wasn't it?" said Ron looking less uncomfortable now that he wasn't alone with Margaret. Harry simply remained quiet as he scraped his potatoes around his plate. His food was generally untouched. "Oh, cheer up, Harry," said Ron. "You'll get to see Hermione soon and before you know it, you'll be laughing at us as we start insulting each other over books and food and stuff."

Harry couldn't help but chuckle. "Thanks Ron. It's just that I miss her so much. You know, its sort of like an ache where a part of you has been ripped away from your body, yet you're anxious because you're so close to reclaiming that missing part of yourself." He sighed wearily. "I just want to see her, that's all."

Suddenly, an eerie voice called out from behind hem, "Ah, the fates have informed me that I would meet you here."

Harry visibly froze. "Ron," he said, his voice a little apprehensive. "Please don't tell me that there is someone behind me. Someone with insect like eye glasses, a stuffy aroma of fragrance, and carrying a crystal ball or a cup of tea leaves around."

Ron sighed wearily. "Sorry mate, but it's the old bat alright." Slowly, Harry turned around and let out a groan. Sitting by the table next to them was none other than Sibyll Trelawney, one of the Mage Knights' old Hogwarts trainers. Sibyll Trelawney was a seer, although Hermione had the stern belief that she was nothing more than a lunatic fraud and Harry and Ron were inclined to agree with her. Trelawney had left Magiterran shortly after the conclusion of the War against the Death Eaters and the Mage Knights were not sorry about having her gone.

Trelawney stared at Harry with a sad look in her eyes. "The fates have informed me that I would meet you here," she said again. "And I see that the path you are treading inevitably leads to..." she paused for dramatic effect before she whispered, "death!"

Harry groaned. Ron muttered "Across the sea from Hogwarts and even Magiterran and she still doesn't fail to predict Harry's demise."

Margaret looked a little worried but she relaxed when Ginny mouthed, "She's a fake," to her.

"Come on guys, let's go," said Harry. The company stood up intending to leave when Trelawney suddenly went into a trance, a misty look coming to her eyes. Harry abruptly stopped short; he realized that Trelawney was about to make a real prediction. Harry had once seen her go into this state nearly three years ago when she had predicted that Harry's life would change forever in a way he couldn't possibly have imagined that day. At first Harry had dismissed the prophecy, but later that day, while out riding, he had come across a troll whom had captured a young farm girl. And that was how Harry met Hermione.

"Guys wait," he said as he made his way to Trelawney who was just starting to speak:

"The dark days have returned and those who devour the deceased are back along with their Dark Lord. They shall invade the homeland from across the sea in three days time. From Hufflepuff they enter and there will be War against Magiterran once again."

Sharing a glance, the Mage Knights ran back to their room. As soon as they had calmed down they started pondering about Trelawney's words.

"What the old bat just said, that wasn't real was it?" asked Ron. Harry nodded mutely.

"She's made true predictions before," he said. "You just have to discern the difference from her trances and when she is making it up."

Ginny looked worried. "Harry, what she just said. You don't think that..."

"I'm afraid so," said Harry. "Magiterran is going to be invaded in three days time." He straightened up. "The three of you are going back to Hogwarts now!"

"What?!" yelled Ron and Ginny and unison.

Harry continued. "Go back to Hogwarts right now with the portkey. You have three days to organize the Alliance militaries and meet the invading fleet on the Hufflepuff coast. We cannot let them catch the Alliance by surprise. I'm staying here to try to rescue Hermione."

"We can't just leave you back here by yourself!" yelled Ron.

"Don't you get it?!" shouted Harry. "If you don't go back now there won't be a home to where we can return to! You need to go back!"

Ginny was visibly shaking. "But Harry, if we take the portkey, how will you and Hermione get home?"

"I'll think about that when the time comes," said Harry. "Just go!" Ron, Ginny, and Margaret glanced at each other as Harry pulled out the portkey that had brought them to Durmstrang. Wordlessly, the three took hold of it and disappeared. Harry sighed. He was alone now.

* * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, at the Durmstrang royal palace, Hermione was in a bath, her hair in a messy bun. A small part of her was wondering why she was even bothering taking one but she had always been hygienic and the warm water also helped calm her anxious nerves. Still she was very aware of her surroundings and was highly nervous about taking a bath even to keep clean. The bathtub was huge, about the size of a small swimming pool and the walls were covered with gold. Hermione was leaning against the bath's side, the foam of the bubbles covering her body.

Hermione let a few tears fall as she played with the bubbles. She missed Harry deeply and ached not being with him. She missed having his strong arms surround her and she missed not being able to lean on his shoulder and feel content. She missed his emerald eyes and the way he always smiled at her that made her heart melt. She just plain missed him, pure and simple as that.

Hermione sighed sadly as she glanced down at her left hand. There, shining on her ring finger was the scarlet ring of the Phoenix. She could sense through the ring that Harry was coming closer each and everyday, giving her hope. But she also despaired knowing full well that he was walking into a trap. Of course, knowing Harry, he'd probably charge in even if he knew it was a trap, just to save her. She also felt utterly useless for not being able to warn her homeland of the upcoming invasion.

The door to the bathroom suddenly swung open. Alarmed, Hermione sunk lower into the bubbles, making sure she was completely covered. Edward Lingilam and Igor Karkaroff along with a few other Neo Death Eaters marched in. Lingalim gazed down at Hermione and smirked. Hermione felt like ripping that smirk off of his face and shoving it up a body cavity she was too polite to mention.

"Well, I see we've come in at the right time," said Lingalim.

"Get out!" hissed Hermione. Her face was red with rage. The Neo Death Eaters laughed. Hermione slowly raised her right hand to the back of her ear where her staff was hidden.

"Temper, temper, your majesty," said Lingalim. "I wouldn't dream of taking advantage of you in this situation though I cannot speak for my colleagues."

"What do you want?"

"The master wishes to speak with you," said Karkaroff.

"He's here?" said Hermione, a sudden chill going through her spine.

Karkaroff nodded mutely and stepped out of the way as a tall, armored man entered the room. Terrified and shocked, Hermione screamed out loud for there was no mistaking the emerald encrusted sword, the raven black hair, and most especially the gleaming red eyes. It was Voldemort!