Lilja shook her head firmly, leaning forward and pressing another heated kiss against his lips, making her desires abundantly clear. "No. I want this. I want you, Harry. Right here, right now."
Lilja's instincts suddenly snapped to full alertness!
Years upon years of disciplined training as a Valkyrie surged instantly through her veins, honing her senses and sharpening every reflex. In her current life, she'd spent countless grueling months enduring relentless drills meant specifically to prepare her for exactly this sort of surprise ambush. Those lessons were now paying off in a heartbeat.
Without hesitation, Lilja lunged forward, grabbing Harry firmly by the shoulders and yanking him forcefully downward.
"Harry-down now!" she shouted, her voice urgent and commanding.
They both hit the ground hard, just as several arrows zipped over their heads, slicing audibly through the empty space where they'd been standing moments before. Harry cursed loudly, scrambling quickly to regain his footing, irritation evident on his handsome features.
"You fucking centaurs are attacking me again!?" he shouted furiously, eyes flashing dangerously as he glanced toward the source of the arrows.
Lilja blinked in confusion, processing Harry's surprising declaration. Centaurs? They're really being attacked by centaurs right now? She shook her head slightly, regaining her focus as her Valkyrie training reasserted itself. Questions could wait-survival first.
In the next instant, the dense brush surrounding their clearing began violently rustling, twigs snapping and leaves shaking aggressively. The distinct, heavy pounding of hooves rapidly approached, growing louder with each passing second, until a group of at least eight large, powerfully built centaurs burst forth from the surrounding trees, spreading out aggressively around Lilja and Harry.
They wielded large, sturdy longbows, each arrow already nocked and aimed menacingly. Their upper bodies were heavily muscled, skin tanned and roughened from constant exposure to the elements. Their stern faces were twisted into expressions of fierce anger and distrust, their dark eyes locked onto Harry with unmistakable hostility.
Lilja glanced quickly at Harry, feeling the urgency of the moment and swiftly making a critical decision. Modesty no longer mattered-her cover was clearly blown.
Focusing her internal magical energy with practiced ease, Lilja allowed her nudity to vanish instantly, replaced in the blink of an eye by her shimmering, intricately crafted silver Valkyrie armor.
The armor hugged her slender curves like a second skin, providing full protection while still clearly emphasizing her lithe yet powerfully toned form. Silvery metal plates curved gracefully around her ample breasts, molded perfectly to accommodate her figure without restricting her movements. Her toned stomach remained partially bare beneath a section of protective mail, and her armor continued downward, with intricately engraved metal plating encasing her hips and thighs.
A long, elegant crimson cloak, trimmed in fine silver thread, appeared instantly from her shoulders, fluttering dramatically behind her as it flowed gently in the breeze. A delicate silver circlet settled onto her brow, completing her appearance and clearly signifying her status among the Valkyries.
Her trusted magical Norse staff materialized instantly into her waiting left hand, runic symbols shimmering with power along its smooth, ancient length. Simultaneously, her true combat weapon-a genuine Viking-forged steel rapier she'd wielded for years-appeared firmly in her right hand, the razor-sharp blade glinting dangerously in the sunlight filtering through the dense forest canopy.
Harry stared openly at her transformation, clearly impressed by both her sudden change and her strikingly regal appearance. "Wow," he murmured appreciatively, momentarily distracted despite the urgent danger around them. "Lilja, you look like an actual warrior goddess right now."
Lilja felt a faint blush warm her cheeks despite the imminent danger surrounding them, momentarily flattered by his sincere praise. Her lips curved softly into a small, affectionate smile as she admitted, "Technically speaking, I'm a Valkyrie, Harry." She sighed softly, shaking her head in resignation. "And I've just completely blown my cover as a normal transfer student."
Harry chuckled softly beside her, clearly amused despite their perilous circumstances. He smiled warmly, reassuringly meeting her emerald gaze as the powerful blue Sitri crest flared to life on the back of his hand, glowing brilliantly with demonic magic. With a swift gesture, he effortlessly conjured a sleek black shirt over his bare, muscled chest, instantly resuming a more dignified appearance. "Well, Valkyrie or not," he said warmly, sincerity clear in his tone, "I still think you're absolutely gorgeous."
Lilja's heart fluttered unexpectedly at his words, even as the centaurs moved menacingly closer. She shook her head lightly, unable to hide the gentle, affectionate warmth shining openly in her eyes as she softly teased, "Harry, is now really the best moment for flirting?"
Harry laughed again, giving her a confident grin, though his eyes were sharp and focused on the approaching centaurs. "With you? Every moment is perfect."
Before Lilja could respond, one of the centaurs-taller and noticeably older than the others, his black hair streaked with silver-stepped forward, his massive hooves striking the ground loudly with a commanding presence. The centaur leader narrowed his piercing, dark eyes at Harry, his voice deep and harshly accusatory.
"You've finally returned, devil! First your foul serpent desecrates our sacred grounds and slaughters my people, and now you dare return personally to finish us off!?"
Harry blinked rapidly in shock, clearly taken aback by the accusations. "My serpent?" he asked incredulously, eyes wide with surprise. "Are you talking about the basilisk? We killed that thing weeks ago!"
The centaur leader snorted derisively, his large nostrils flaring with obvious distrust. "You think we're fools, devil? We are talking of your evil demon serpent! We saw clearly enough your beast's brutality. Do not deny it-your cursed creature attacked our village, murdered our kin, and defiled our lands once again with your presence!"
Lilja glanced briefly toward Harry, noting genuine confusion and shock flashing openly across his face. Yeah, she doubted Harry would ever commit whatever insane atrocity they were blaming him for. It must have been the stray devil he was warning her about earlier and now they were blaming him!
"Wait!" Lilja shouted firmly, stepping forward with her sword lowered in a cautious gesture of peace, her voice ringing clear and powerful above the rising noise of angry hooves and tense breathing. "Listen to me carefully! You've made a grave mistake. Harry isn't the devil responsible for your village's destruction. He would never commit such an atrocity! What you encountered was a stray devil-"
"Silence!" The centaur leader's booming voice roared furiously, cutting her off mid-sentence as he pointed a large finger accusingly toward Lilja. His dark eyes blazed fiercely, filled with bitter hatred and unshakable prejudice. "You know nothing of our suffering, whore servant of a foreign god! You side openly with these demons, whose very existence defiles the purity of our sacred forests! All demons are colluding, evil creatures who seek nothing but destruction and chaos!"
Lilja clenched her jaw tightly. She had once fought tirelessly against genuine evil when she was a member of the Order of the Phoenix. She knew intimately what true cruelty and evil looked like.
Harry was none of those things, and these centaurs' refusal to even listen was infuriating beyond words.
"You're mistaken," Lilja replied, her voice hardening into a steely tone of warning. "If you refuse to listen to reason, then you leave us no choice but to-"
"Don't bother," Harry sighed heavily from beside her, interrupting her sharply with evident irritation and weariness in his voice. His posture remained alert, eyes fixed calmly but firmly on the centaur leader and his warriors.
Lilja glanced toward Harry.
"They won't listen. I've already had the displeasure of dealing with these creatures once before. They stubbornly insist this forest belongs to them, despite the fact that Hogwarts castle-and its grounds-predate their claims by centuries. If anything, they're the ones trespassing here, not us."
"You dare speak such lies, demon!?" another centaur snapped bitterly, his face twisting viciously with rage as he raised his bow and aimed a deadly arrow straight toward Harry's chest. "You will die first!"
Lilja tensed instinctively, preparing herself to leap forward and shield Harry from harm-but before she could even move, a sudden explosion of movement erupted beside her.
She gasped quietly, momentarily stunned by Harry's massive barrier of crystalline-clear water that appeared instantly before Lilja and himself. The thick, shimmering shield absorbed the incoming volley of arrows effortlessly, the sharp projectiles losing all momentum and dropping harmlessly to the ground at their feet.
Lilja stared at Harry in astonishment, marveling at his powerful defensive magic. She'd seen glimpses of his talent before during their sparring sessions, but witnessing him act so decisively in genuine combat amazed her even more deeply. Yet there was no time for further contemplation-the battle was fully upon them.
Despite this being her first real "battle" in this life, she was not going to hesitate. Not when these creatures were going after the man she had such complex feelings towards!
In a swift, agile leap, she closed the distance between herself and one startled centaur, landing firmly upon his broad back. Before he could react, Lilja swung her rapier downward in one fluid stroke, her blade slicing cleanly through skin, muscle, and bone. His head separated instantly from his shoulders, tumbling lifelessly to the ground below.
Another nearby centaur turned sharply toward Lilja, roaring in anger and raising his bow, quickly drawing back the string with impressive strength. Yet she was already prepared, lifting her Norse staff high in her other hand as ancient words poured fluently from her lips. She channeled her divine magic expertly, directing a powerful Norse war-spell outward from her staff.
"?eysa!" she commanded sharply, her voice reverberating with raw magical power.
A pulse of invisible concussive force erupted outward with devastating intensity, striking the charging centaur squarely in his muscled torso. Lilja watched calmly as his entire massive form lifted helplessly from the ground, hurtling backward through the air. His body crashed violently through a dozen thick, towering trees, snapping branches and cracking sturdy trunks like brittle twigs. The centaur's body fell limp and motionless upon landing far away, clearly killed instantly by the immense impact.
"KILL HER!" The remaining centaurs screamed furiously, their expressions wild with rage, fear, and desperation.
Yet before any of them could even begin to charge at her, Harry moved swiftly once again, clearly determined to protect her in turn.
Lilja turned her head sharply toward Harry, her eyes widening slightly in surprise and awe as she observed him swiftly summon forth the water-blade he'd wielded so casually during their earlier sparring session. This time, however, the blade had changed dramatically-transformed from a mere harmless training implement into a weapon of lethally high-pressure water.
Harry lunged swiftly forward, thrusting the deadly water-blade expertly toward the charging centaur nearest them. The attacking centaur shouted angrily-but his cry was abruptly cut short as Harry's blade easily pierced straight through his thick chest, emerging bloodied from the creature's muscular back. The centaur's eyes widened in shock, his body spasming weakly before collapsing lifelessly to the forest floor, blood rapidly staining the ground around his fallen form.
Lilja stood poised confidently. This was her first true battle since reincarnation-and despite the danger, Lilja realized she was genuinely enjoying fighting alongside Harry. Her growing affection and attraction toward him strengthened even further.
What could she say? She was a Valkyrie and powerful strong warriors like him were a massive turn on!
She turned swiftly toward the remaining furious centaurs. "You should have listened when you had the chance," she warned them softly, her voice deadly calm and clear with undeniable authority. "Now, you've sealed your fates!"
— Harry —
"So... you're really a Valkyrie, huh?" I glanced curiously at Lilja as we carefully navigated our way out of the dense trees of the Forbidden Forest. "I knew there was something unique-something special about you. But... I still get the distinct impression there's more you're not telling me."
Lilja's bright emerald eyes met mine briefly before she averted them nervously toward the ground. She lightly bit at her lower lip, clearly weighing how much to tell me as we continued walking side by side. Finally, she exhaled slowly and quietly said, "There might be something more, Harry-but I'd rather not discuss it just yet if that's alright with you? I promise I'll tell you soon, but for now..." she trailed off, looking shyly up at me through lowered lashes. "Can you give me a little more time?"
I paused a moment, taking in the shy vulnerability radiating from her expression. I certainly couldn't refuse such a gentle request-not after the incredible bravery she'd shown fighting alongside me against the centaurs.
I smiled reassuringly down at her and nodded easily, wanting her to feel comfortable. "Of course, Lilja. Take as much time as you need. I'll be here whenever you decide you're ready."
A grateful, relieved smile slowly formed on her lips, brightening her entire expression beautifully. "Thank you, Harry," she whispered, looking genuinely comforted by my easy acceptance.
"Besides," I continued with a teasing grin, lightly nudging her shoulder playfully with mine, "after today's battle, you've earned more than enough of my trust and patience. You're incredible with that sword of yours-I'd definitely love to learn more about your background sometime, but only when you feel ready."
Lilja laughed softly, her entire demeanor noticeably relaxing beside me. "That sounds good to me," she replied warmly.
Those annoying horse-people had seriously crossed the line. This wasn't the first time they'd attacked me, and this latest aggression had almost gotten Lilja involved as well. They were definitely becoming an escalating problem, and I knew I'd have to talk with Dumbledore soon about the growing threat these centaurs posed to the students and staff at Hogwarts.
