//------------------------------// // Meeting the guard // Story: Harry Potter, Knight of the moon // by The Walker //------------------------------// Harry shuffled nervously before the door leading to the night guards barracks. He was quite sure that Luna was getting him back for pranking her when he had returned from his travels. He merely shook his head and promised to himself to get her back in the future as he opened the door. “Hello.” Harry’s voice carried into the barracks proper as a rustling sound was heard and a light red Pegasus appeared yawning. “Yes, what is it?” Her voice was light but carried confidence in it. She blinked as she took him in. Harry coughed awkwardly. “I am to be staying in the night guard’s barracks from now on.” The red Pegasus seemed to perk up at this statement. “Princess Luna got us our own stallion toy.” She smiled and yelled as she headed into the barracks. “Hey mares, Princess Luna finally decided to get us our own stallion toy.” Harry heard hoofs hitting the stone floor and the murmuring of voices and decided to correct this mistake immediately. He stepped into the barracks proper and looked over the crowd of mares gathered there. They all stopped talking and looked at him. “Alright listen up, I am not a toy for you mares to play with. I am the new captain of the night guard. You got that?” Harry looked over the mares and everything was silent until the red one who had met him at the door burst out laughing. “I’m sure that’s what the princess told you.” Harry looked at her and asked her in a bored voice. “And you are who again?” She stopped laughing as she saluted. “Second lieutenant Flare Runner of the night guard at your service toy.” Harry stared at her clearly not amused by her addressing of him.  He decided to clear that up right now. The other mares in the room shuffled uncomfortably as Harry’s gaze harden. “I am Harry James Potter, Captain of the night guard, Knight of the moon and your commanding officer. I am not to be addressed as toy or any other playful remarks that disapprove my authority. Is that understood?” Flare Runner opened her mouth to say something when Harry brought his hoof up and slammed it down while calling forth aura of death. “I asked if that was understood.” The mares all nodded once. Harry released his aura and sat down. He jerked his head back as Flare Runner got into his face. “Can I help you?” She scowled at him. “I don’t think you are qualified to take this job.” Harry blinked at her statement. Not qualified to do this job. He may not be a very good leader, but not qualified to do a job. That was a new one to him. “May I ask you your reasons?” Harry was extremely curious to hear her response. “You clearly don’t even want to be here with the way you were acting all nervous earlier. You are a stallion when the guard is mostly mares. Hay I don’t even think you actually want to protect Princess Luna.” The room’s temperature dropped at the last statement. His gaze locked Flare Runner into her place. “You don’t believe I want to protect Princess Luna?” Flare Runner nodded even as Harry’s gaze drilled into her. “Everyone into the practice yard now. I need to show someone their place and why I am the captain of the guards it seems.” Harry turned around and headed towards the sound of metal hitting metal. He heard the sound of hoofs following him. He would show lieutenant Flare Runner why he was more than qualified to lead this guard and protect Luna. Harry looked over the group of female night guards and over to Flare Runner who was adjusting her armor. He glanced over to the group of day guards that had been practicing in the yard when they had arrived. They were watching the mares with an appreciated gaze. Harry grunted as he reached out with his magic and smacked them all upside the head. The entire group of guards flinch and shrunk down under Harry’s gaze. He turned to Flare Runner. “Are you ready?” She nodded once before speaking. “Where’s your sword?” Harry drew his shield off his back and shaped it into a sword. There were some gasps and exclaims of amazement as his shield flowed like water and took the form of a broad sword. The blade floated in front of him and he made a come hither gesture with it. Flare Runner growled at him as she took her sword in her mouth and leaped at him. Harry slid out of her way and smacked the flat side of his sword against her flank. She swung around and her sword met Harry’s sword. They made a clanging sound and Flare Runner leaped back and looked at her sword. There was a large niche in the blade where it had met the sharp edge of Harry’s. She dropped her sword and looked at his. His blade was not even scratched. “What the hay is that thing made out of? It should at least be scratched.” Harry shrugged and decided to go for a white lie. “I don’t know what it is made out of. I got it as a gift from Princess Luna. Now, do you accept me as the captain of the night guard?” Flare Runner grumbled but nodded once as she went to remove the armor.  Harry watched the rest of the night guard talk among themselves as they returned to the barracks to sleep. He decided that a nap would be nice right now. He followed them back to the barracks. Harry growled as he looked over the state of the captain’s room. It was clear that it hadn’t been cleaned in ages by the amount of dust build up. Harry smiled though as he remembered his restored ability to use magic for such mundane tasks. His horn glowed as magic swept through the room making the dust disappear into the ether. Harry looked at his bed and brought his horn down to touch it. It altered until it was bigger and more comfortable to his new size. He jumped on the bed and closed his eyes. When he opened them next a flaming sword was swung at his head. He ducked under the blade and noted the environment and realized he was dreaming. He turned to his opponent. “Stop swinging that sword at my head every time I arrive Spectre.”