Preventing a repeat of fate

Chapter 18:

For the next week, Luna, Harry and Neville met regularly to discuss their large-scale plans. So far, they were mainly focused on how to acquire the allegiance of the different magical races. The centaurs were proud beings, as were the goblins. They would not bow easily to a human leader, especially after how their kinds had been treated by the wizarding world. All three agreed that they should avoid using violence against them at all costs. If they forced them to yield, then they would be no better than Voldemort. They had to persuade them that allying with the two would-be kings would be in their species best interest. They had to make promises, and then deliver on them. If they failed to do this, then they would be no better than Dumbledore.
Another concern were the house-elves. They seemed to be submissive to their lifestyle. They would need to try to spin their argument in a way that would be accepted by the house-elves, while still greatly improving their lives. The only problem was that little was even none about the house-elves. Harry thought that perhaps, if they knew more about their bondage to wizards, they could find some form of loophole that could ensure the species were no longer treated like slaves. It would be hard. The vast majority were so used to their treatment, that they believed it was their lot in life. Harry, Neville and Luna would have to work with house-elves like Dobby to convince them otherwise.
They also had discussions with Ron and Hermione about the defense group. Hermione seemed to be excited, because apparently the number of people who were coming seemed to be growing by the day. Harry was a little nervous, as the larger the group was, the more risk their was of discovery. However, Luna seemed to be calm about the entire matter, claiming that Hermione was so smart, she would find a way of keeping the secret from slipping through loose lips.
Now, Harry was walking through the corridors, intending to meet Luna for breakfast. However, he was stopped when he was suddenly pulled into an empty classroom.
Instantly, his battle instincts kicked in. He kicked backwards, presumably where his attacker was. He heard a grunt before he turned and lifted a fist. However, before he could attack, his fist was grabbed by his attackers hand. He followed the arm to find the one who had grabbed him.
"Malfoy?" He said in surprise.
Malfoy only grabbed his waist and pushed him into a chair. The blond said nothing and only stared at him in silence.
"What the hell?" Harry asked.
Malfoy said nothing.
"Why did you just grab me?" He continued. "If you wanted a fight, then why not just say it instead of making me sit here? Or, were you intending for something else? Not that I'm not flattered, but I don't swing that way, and I'm also spoken for."
"Self-riches prick?" Malfoy asked in disbelief.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Self-riches prick?" Malfoy repeated, his voice dripping with incredulity.
Harry blinked. Then, after a few seconds, it dawned on him. He looked into his school rival's eyes, and saw not the arrogant ferret, but...
"Hello Galahad." He said, his lips twitching in a slight smile.
"Don't you "hello Galahad" me Potter... Mordred... Whoever you are." Malfoy snapped.
The blond sighed dramatically and sat in a chair facing Harry.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.
"What?" Harry replied. "Tell you that you used to be a knight of Camelot, and that we used to be friends?"
Malfoy began to rube his temples.
"Do you know what it's like, waking up one day with all these memories of another life just flooding through your mind?" He asked.
"No, I don't." Harry replied. "Because I got my memories given to me over two and a half months of horrible dreams which did hardly anything to help rejuvenate my strength for the next day."
Malfoy was silent.
"So, how did you find out who I was?" Harry asked.
"On the train, you called me a self-riches prick." Malfoy replied. "I remember you telling me once, back in Camelot, that that was what you first thought of me."
Harry chuckled.
"Yeah, sorry about that. But in my defense, you did act like a bit of a prick back then. You know, before I actually got to know you."
Malfoy sighed.
"I just cannot believe that that is what you say to me, after what I had to come home to after the war."
Harry frowned in sadness.
"Right. So, you actually returned to Camelot after the battle of Camlinn?"
Malfoy scoffed.
"Of course I did." He said. "And what a bloody mess you and Arthur left. Hundreds dead, and you and Arthur in the middle of it. The survivers said that the two of you killed each other."
"Yeah, that happened." Harry replied sadly. "And not a day goes by that I don't regret it. We were all fools, Galahad. You, me, Arthur, everyone. We were all pawns in the games of Merlin and Morgana."
He clenched his fist.
"Merlin had been manipulating Arthur, and Morgana had been manipulating me. All because of a bloody prophecy that I would kill Arthur and he would kill me."
Malfoy only looked at him sadly.
"So," Harry began. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened to you?"
Malfoy sighed.
"Guinevere declared herself High Queen, due to the lack of a surviving king. All four of your brothers were also dead. Guinevere acted mournful to see all of the dead, but really, the only death she truly mourned for was Lancelot."
Both of them rolled their eyes at this.
"She did allow memorials for both sides, but really it was only for show. I myself took your brothers and yourself back to Orkney, as I thought you would wish to be berried in the place you called home."
Harry smiled.
"Thank you." He said.
Malfoy continued.
"It was only when I returned from Orkney that I discovered what Guinevere was doing. She was systematically weeding out anyone who so much as sympathised with you, or who refused to swear their loyalty to the woman who had betrayed Arthur. Kay even had a public execution under charges of treason."
Harry scoffed.
"And by treason, we actually mean because he refused to swear allegiance to the woman who had betrayed his foster-brother."
Malfoy nodded.
"It wasn't long until she sent me on a mission I knew she did not intend for me to return from."
"What?" Harry asked.
Malfoy frowned.
"She sent me to find the Holy Grail, "to heal the land from the horrible war"."
Harry frowned. The Holy Grail was a legend. It was said that any water that was produced by it would possess powers of healing. It was said to be so powerful, that it could even bring back the newly deceased.
?Well, after a few months I was able to find it." Malfoy continued. "But then..."
"Let me guess, you ascended to Heaven in a beam of light?"
"What?" Malfoy asked in confusion. "What are you going on about?"
"Nothing." Harry said quickly. "Please, continue."
"Well, anyway," Malfoy continued. "I was on my way back to Camelot, when I heard a horrible rumour. Apparently, while on another deadly mission for Guinevere, Sir Tristan had been bitten by a deadly serpent, and the healers were claiming their was no way of healing him."
Harry's breath court in his throat. He remembered Tristan. He had been a quiet man, only a few years older than Gawain. His secret love for his Uncle's wife Isolt was almost as well known as Lancelot's affair with Guinevere.
He had respected Tristan. Most did. For while Lancelot gave into his desire for Guinevere, neither Tristan nor Isolt ever acted on their feelings for each other. He remembered that, just after Nimue's death, Tristan had approached him and comforted him. And while Tristan had not exactly sided with him during the war, he also did not side with Arthur. He was among the few knights who defended the people from the crossfire, and this only served to increase the amount of respect that Harry held for the man.
Hence why it was disheartening to hear of the man's suffering.
"What happened?" He asked.
Malfoy sighed.
"I tried to go to him, to heal him with the grail. Unfortunately, by the time I reached where he had stayed during his illness, it was too late. I arrived to discover that he had called for the healing arts of Isolt, only for him to die as her ship docked in the port. Isolt, upon finding him dead, apparently also perished due to a broken heart."
Malfoy sighed.
"I remember, standing at their graves. I remember feeling saddened that they had died, that all who were good were dead and that Guinevere of all people had lived. I thought I could use the grail to help them."
He looked down.
"The magic of the grail was great. It could even bring back the newly deceased. But... It's enchanted waters could only do so much. Only one life could be brought back, but I wanted to bring back two. A price had to be paid. A life for a life."
Harry gasped.
"You didn't?"
Malfoy nodded.
"I poured the water of the grail onto their graves, and willingly gave all my energy to it. My last memory is of lying on the ground, dying. However, just as I closed my eyes for the last time, I remember... Fire... And two... Creatures, their voices a beautiful song of joy and rebirth, and never dying love."
Harry's eyes were wide. His mind was turning.
"Fire... Beautiful singing... Galahad, are you saying that the power of the Holy Grail, combined with your noble sacrifice, turned Tristan and Isolt into phoenixes?"
Malfoy shrugged.
"I suppose." He replied.
Harry sighed.
"Well, at least someone got a somewhat happy ending." He said.
They were silent for a long time. Finally, Malfoy spoke.
"So, Potter... Mordred..."
"Harry." He said.
"What?"
"First name basis." Harry replied. "Presuming you want to work together again. If not, then you can go back to Potter."
Malfoy was silent for a long time.
"Depends," He began. "What, exactly, do you mean by working together? On what?"
Harry grinned bitterly.
"You don't honestly think we're remembering our past lives for no reason?" He asked. "There's a reason for all of this."
Malfoy frowned.
"What is it?"
"To make sure we don't repeat our fates." Harry replied.
"How so?"
Harry grinned.
"We're going to bring an end to the feud of Merlin and Morgana, and actually succeed in freeing Britain."
Malfoy's frown deepened.
"Merlin and Morgana are back too?"
"Yeah." Harry replied. "Merlin is Dumbledore, and Morgana is Voldemort."
Malfoy groaned.
"Great, and now my father is one of the idiots who are following her... Him... Whatever."
Harry nodded.
"But your not going to follow Voldemort, right. I'm not. It was because of Merlin and Morgana that we all died."
"Yes, I realise that." Malfoy said. "Your brothers mentioned that they feared your mother was using you, but I ignored them because I believe she wanted what we all wanted."
Harry shook his head.
"She never wanted Britain to be free, she only wanted vengeance against Merlin and the Pendragons."
"Speaking of which," Malfoy began. "Has Arthur returned as well? And if so, what are we to do with him?"
"Arthur is now my ally, and my friend." Harry replied.
Malfoy's eyes narrowed.
"How can we trust him? Didn't he try to kill you as an infant?"
"No, that was Merlin." He replied.
Malfoy nodded.
"Makes sense. So, who is he? And does he even remember?"
Harry nodded.
"Yeah, he remembers." He replied. "And he's Neville."
Malfoy blinked.
"You're joking."
"Nope."
Malfoy only stared at him. Then, he face-palmed.
"We're doomed." He groaned.
Harry chuckled.
"Neville is far stronger than you give him credit for." He said. "Don't worry, Nimue's here too."
"Well, at least there's someone with a brain." Malfoy replied.
"Hey." Harry said, laughing.
They both sat in silence for a few seconds.
"So," Harry began. "Will you stand with us, and rewrite the stars?"
"Of course." Malfoy replied. "Compared to Dumbledore and the Dark Lord, you're actually somewhat sane."
"Gee, thanks." Harry muttered. "But you may want to stop calling Voldemort the Dark Lord. People might think your still loyal to him."
"Then what do I call him, Potter?"
Harry grinned.
"Call him by his name, Voldemort."
Malfoy frowned.
"Come on," Harry urged. "You're a knight of Camelot, and you're afraid of saying a name?"
Malfoy scowled.
"Fine, Potter. I'll help you against Dumbledore and V... Voldemort."
Harry smiled.
"Great." He replied. "And please, enough of this Potter nonsense. We're friends, call me Harry."
"Alright." Malfoy replied slowly. "Then I guess you can call me Draco."
Harry smiled.
"It will be good to fight by your side once more, Draco."
He extended his hand. After some hesitation, Draco shook it.
"So, where do we begin?" He asked.
Harry smiled. It was good to have his friend back.

Once Harry finally reached Luna for breakfast, he whispered to her that the wracksperts had cleared from Draco's head. Luna answered him with a wide smile.
"Great." She replied. "Oh, and I have some more great news." She continued. "I believe that we have known each other long enough in this life."
Harry's smile widened.
"So you think we can go public?" He asked eagerly.
Luna nodded.
That was all Harry needed. Without hesitation, he lent in and kissed his lover fully on the lips. After only a few seconds, she returned it passionately. He wrapped his arms around her body and she wrapped her arms around his neck. After what could have been a long time or no time at all, they were forced to part for air. Harry could hear muttering among the students watching, but he did not care. He laced his fingers into his lover's and together, they walked into the Great Hall.
His heart was full of an inordinate amount of joy. He could now be publicly with the woman he loved, his friend had returned, and he was fighting for a better future for himself and the ones he loved. Life was truly looking up.

Two weeks later, he sat, flanked by Luna, Neville, Ron and Hermione. They had somehow arranged a large round table in the Hog's Head inn, which was good as they had quite a number of people. Apparently, Hermione had been busy with her recruiting.
From his own house, there were Fred and George, Lee Jordan, Ginny, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, Lavender Brown, Pavati Patil, Dean Thomas, Colin Creevey, and, somehow, Dennis Creevey. Harry did not even know how Dennis got there, seeing as he was only a second year. He could see Neville looking at the small boy uneasily, evidentially uncomfortable with such a young person being involved. Harry was also uncomfortable with Dennis's presence, but he knew that the Creevey brothers would fight for him, regardless of what he said.
From Hufflepuff, they had Hannah Abbot, Susan Bones, Ernie McMillan, Justin finch-Fletchly, and a boy Harry recognised as Zacharias Smith, a player on the Hufflepuff Quidditch team.
And finally, from Ravenclaw, they had Michael Corner, Terry Boot, Anthony Goldstein, Pavati's twin Padma, Cho Chang, and one of cho's friends whom Luna informed him was Marietta Edgecombe.
In all, there were currently twenty-eight of them. Not too small, but just large enough to still be manageable. However, it was still nothing when compared to the ranks of Camelot's knights. Harry was still pleased to see how diverse the crowd was, even if it seemed to lean a bit too heavily towards Gryffindor.
"So, is that everyone?" Ron asked.
"It should be." Hermione began.
However, Harry shook his head.
"I'm still expecting a few more people."
Both Hermione and Ron stared at him.
"Who?" Hermione asked.
Harry grinned.
"Only a couple of people."
Ron groaned.
"Please tell me that's less than what Hermione calls a couple of people?"
Harry chuckled.
"I hope so."
"You mean you don't know the exact number?" Hermione demanded.
"Don't worry." Harry replied. "My errr... Friend, said he'll be careful and only find who he believes we can trust."
"And who exactly is this friend?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
Before Harry could answer her, the door to the inn opened once more. Soon, Draco entered the Hog's Head, followed by five other Slytherins.
At the site of the Slytherins, everyone were on their guards. Several people even jumped to their feet.
"What are you doing here Malfoy?" Ron demanded.
"I was invited." Draco replied calmly. He then turned to Harry. "Did I find enough people?"
Harry scanned the people who had followed Draco, and nodded, satisfied.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Wait, what?" Ron asked, turning to Harry in shock. "You invited him?"
"Yes." Harry replied calmly.
"But... But..." Ron spluttered.
Everyone was staring at him in shock. Then, they began yelling at each other, demanding answers. Harry ended up having to bang his butterbeer against the table.
"Okay, calm down, calm down!" He said.
Instantly, they all quieted down and looked at him expectantly.
"Now, I know this is surprising," He began. "I know that we've never gotten along with Slytherins all that much. Well, now it's time to change that. We are on the brink of war, and we need to stand together."
Neville straightened next to him.
"I agree with Harry. Yes, Voldemort and many of the Death-Eaters may have come from Slytherin, but this does not mean that the entire house is evil. We should not dam the lot for the actions of a few."
The entire gathering was staring at Neville, dumfounded. Never before had they seen the usually shy boy speak with such confidence.
"War is coming," Neville continued. "We have much bigger threats than each other. It's time to stop our petty rivalries and start working as one. We are all, students of Hogwarts. We are all, part of this school. Right now, this school is in danger. Our school, is in danger. Our world, is in danger. A thousand years ago, the founders, despite their differences, were able to work together and build this school. Are we to let someone like Umbridge, or the Ministry, destroy what these four great witches and wizards built so long ago fall because we couldn't work as they did?"
Everyone was silent. The Slytherins stood in the middle of the room, while the rest of the gathered students stared at them in distrust. Finally, as if by silent agreement, they parted to let the the newcomers sit. Draco came to hesitantly sit where Harry and Neville were, his house-mates sticking close to him.
"And for the record," The blond began. "Recent events have caused me to greatly alter my opinions, and I am now less willing to be like my father. I would rather not be the servant of a madman, thank you very much. And I have also worked to find people who's families were neutral during the last war, and who are not willing to side with Voldemort."
Harry smiled, though many of the people were still tense.
"So, who did you bring?" He asked.
Draco began gesturing to his companions.
"These are Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, Tracey Davis, Daphne Greengrass and Daphne's sister Astoria."
"And how can we trust any of you?" Ron demanded.
"Because we're actually smarter than most of our fellows." Theodor replied. "We know that, if He-WhoMst-Not-Be-Named does win and wipe out all the Muggles and Muggle-borns, then the half-bloods will go next. Then there will be those who might have some muggle ancestry, but enough wizarding to now be considered pure-blood. And then, there will be so few of us left, we'll probably wipe ourselves out due to inbreeding."
The other Slytherins nodded in agreement.
"Plus," Daphne began. "We like Umbridge as much as any of you."
The atmosphere somewhat calmed, though was still tense.
"So," Harry began. "Shall we begin?"

For the next half hour or so, they all discussed the concept of a secret study group, devoted to learning how to defend themselves. All in attendance seemed receptive to the idea, though many also wanted to here Harry talk about Voldemort, and what really happened during the third task. It had been hard, but Luna's presence made it so much easier. Oh, how glad he was they could now be publicly together.
The atmosphere remained tense for a long time, but thankfully he and Neville managed to smooth over any disagreements. Harry could not help but smile every time he saw him. It was in moments like these that he could truly see the Arthur he had once known.
Eventually, they had all signed a piece of parchment Hermione had produced, and the crowd left the inn, eagerly awaiting the next meeting.
Now, only he, Luna, Neville, Ron, Hermione and Draco remained.
"Okay," Ron began. "Seriously mate, since when do you trust him?" He asked, pointing to Draco.
Harry shrugged.
"It's complicated. But trust me, we are all heading to the same goal."
Hermione frowned.
"Harry, are you sure..."
"Granger, don't worry." Draco interrupted. "I know we've never gotten along that well, but not all of us Slytherins are follows of Voldemort. I know it will take some time to get used to, but I want what you want."
Both Ron and Hermione looked between Harry and Draco for a long time.
"Don't worry," Luna began. "You'll understand when the wracksperts clear from your minds."
They both stared at her for a long time. Finally, Ron shook his head.
"Fine." He began. "If you think it's a good idea Harry, then I won't stop you. But Malfoy, any funny business and..." He let the threat hang.
Ron and Hermione got to their feet and walked out of the inn. Harry, Neville, Luna and Draco also left, though they walked in a different direction, to somewhere they could have some more privacy. They ended up standing near the shrieking shack. After Harry put up some privacy wards, they began to speak.
"So," Draco began. "That went well."
Harry nodded.
"Good job finding so many people."
Draco shrugged.
"You're the one who kept everyone from breaking out into a fight."
Harry smiled.
"I couldn't have done it without Neville."
Draco turned to Neville.
"So it's true then?" He asked. "You are actually Arthur Pendragon?"
Neville nodded.
"I know, hard to believe." He began. "But it's just as hard to believe that your Galahad, or that Harry is Mordred."
Draco nodded.
"So, now what?"
While it had been about two weeks since Draco had regained his memories, he had not been part of their secret meetings. They had all agreed it was best they were not seen together in public until after the first meeting of the secret defense group. So now it was time for the former knight to join in the planning.
"Well," Harry began. "The next course of action is to go on a little field-trip on Samhain."
Draco frowned.
"Where and why?"
"Samhain is when the vale between our world and the spirit world is at it's thinnest." Luna replied. "We must go to the Lake of Avalon, to retrieve Excalibur from my mother and to ask her if she knows anything concerning the whereabouts of Caliburn."
"And how are we supposed to get to the Lake of Avalon on Samhain?" Draco asked.
"Sneak out of course." Harry replied.
Draco face-palmed.
"How are we going to sneak out?"
Luna smiled.
"I've got some ideas."
"Like what?"
Luna only continued to smile.
"You'll see."
Harry laughed at Draco's expression of frustration.
It was truly good to have his old friend back. Yes, Galahad had been one of those who had encouraged him to rebel against Arthur, but his reasoning was much like his own. He had been pushed into the mindset through the actions of Merlin and the lose of someone close to him, much as Mordred had. And now, his old friend was standing beside him once again.