Never before had Hermione felt so lost.
It had only been three days ago when, upon finding an envelope addressed to her in Professor Dumbledore's desk, she had set to reading all she could find about the place the letter mentioned, this Middle-earth. The only things she could find were vague references to the place in songs which had no date, and in a single history book in the Hogwarts Library. It said that the world was parallel to the one she herself walked this day, and could only be entered with a complex spell and a charm from the other realm.
In the envelope, in addition to the three-page letter, there sat a pendant of the purest silver, which Hermione now wore around her neck. Its shape reminded her of the stars as they would gleam in the night sky.
Finally, she closed her notebook, in which she had recorded the songs she had found, paragraphs copied from the history book, and footnotes of her own, tucking it away in a pocket before finding Harry, Ron, and Ginny, lounging solemnly in the Gryffindor common room.
"The three of you," she said, her voice stern, "get up."
They stood, each anxious. Ron, however, was distracted by Hermione's outfit.
"What the bloody hell are you wearing?" he said, eyebrows furrowing.
The gown was a very pale blue, made of an unidentifiable fabric, with flowing pale lavender sleeves and beaded trim, the end of the skirt trailing behind her.
"This was on my bed when I got up there, and the letter specifically said to put it on, and to tell the three of you to head upstairs; each of you will find something suited to the dress's time upon your beds." Hermione offered a glowing smile. "We'll need to leave the common room soon; Luna is to meet us."
The three of them shrugged and stalked off up the stairs.
Ginny was the first to walk down, holding her skirt up so she would not trip on it. The pale green gown was well-cut and draped over her frame like it was made for her alone. The bodice, though short, was beaded and glittered like pearl. The pair looked each other over, then up at the boys' staircase as a loud noise alerted them that Ron, at least, was coming of the boys wore clothes that looked far more out of place than the girls' did. They each wore a sword on one hip in addition to the odd clothes, for which Hermione really had no name.
Harry was first to speak: "Hermione, are you going to explain this?" he said, looking over his girlfriend with appraising eyes.
"These outfits need little explanation. Dumbledore left them for us, for them to appear upon the moment of his death. This letter," she held up the envelope, "explains that, in the event of his passing, we are to speak the incantation while standing in a circle with our arms linked. He said that another world would have need of us.""Why?" Ron asked."He did not explain; he simply left me this letter." She laid it out on the table. It read;
Hermione,
No doubt you are wondering why I have left this note for you to find in my desk. I am the only one who knows of what may happen.
The charm enclosed, the three gowns, and the two outfits are all relics of another world, called Middle-earth. A world populated with Men, Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, and Orcs, it is much like our own Middle Ages. Find yourselves wary, though; you will be percieved as strange beings.
The five to take this journey are; Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Ginevra Weasley, Ronald Weasley, and Luna Lovegood. Find each other in my office. She will have a note to read with her gown.
Also enclosed in this envelope are five folded pieces of parchment, each with two names, one on the outside, the other inside. These are your names in this world.
I know you will search for more information before departure, but I must offer a few words of warning. This spell can only be used twice, from our world to theirs, and should you find yourselves slain in that world, expect it to seem as only a dream, and find yourself in your own bed as if waking from a night's good sleep.
Unless you find yourselves seperated, the first person you should seek is Lord Elrond of Rivendell; give him the oddly-addressed envelope within this, and he will understand. Should you be seperated, seek first Gandalf the Grey, for he will tell you of the welfare of the others.
Sincerely,
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
Hermione folded up the note, sliding it back into the envelope before they left the Gryffindor common room for Dumbledore's was waiting for them, wearing a gown of a richer blue tone. Hermione grinned and handed out the five pieces of parchment. Ron opened his, gave a confused look, and handed it back.
With a laugh, she said, "Your name is Rothrandir. Its meaning is...copper-haired wanderer! How perfect."
Ginny handed hers over. "Rosmir," she smiled. "Copper-haired jewel. No hiding that you two are related."
Luna's face was slightly screwed up as she contemplated her own new name. "Lothrendis?" Hermione gently took it and nodded. The brunette continued, "It means flowered wanderer. Hmm.
"Harry was bewildered as he handed his paper over. "Hitharn, which means royal mist. Not sure why he picked that."
Ron raised his eyebrows. "And what's yours?"
Hermione opened her parchment. It was folded more than the others. It read;
May you find the name Hísiven Rhovanel to your liking. It should fit you better than Hermione Jean Granger. Lord Elrond will be able to explain this to you. Hísiven means Maiden of Mists, and Rhovanel means Wild Star, and the trinket you wear links you closely to this name and to the elves.
Tell your four companions this. The swords, nor your wands, are to be used lightly. Magic is of a different nature in the world I send you to. Your magic and theirs are different, and your magic will alter itself to match theirs. The three women will find their appearances altering to match the Elves. Ron, Harry; expect your hair to be grown beyond your chins upon arrival.
"My name is Hísiven Rhovanel," she said, before reading the paragraph aloud.
The five linked arms. Hermione looked over the paper before tucking the letter back into the envelope and hiding it in her dress. She then recited;
"Alcarin Menelya, entluesse lomion, emerwen, macarril, elerinna silwen, ar cultarcil. Ortanlumbule nin."
She chanted the words, closing her eyes. It felt like she was being pulled through a curtain crafted of knives; a scream emitted from her lips as she felt her friends ripped from her, all but one. Upon landing, she looked over at Ginny - Rosmir, she corrected. Best start thinking of her by that name. A hand touched the top of her own head. She bled. Her eyes were open long enough to see a woman with long black hair bending over her.
The names are already defined. Easy enough. The incantation roughly leads out to this; Glorious autumn day, the return of the son of twilight, the sheperdess, the swordsman of flame, the star-crowned white elf, and the golden red royal one. Lift up the darkness for me. Each title references one of the five travelers.