AN: Hello there
AN: Hello there! I am really excited about this fic. I've devoted a lot of time to it. Beta'd by the wonderful KillerDustBunny
Notes- This is a completely AU fic. There is magic (more like magik) but not the cannon kind. Harry and the gang are Wiccan, but they do have powers. Think Charmed (even though that has nothing do with the story itself). All spells will be in italics. This is SLASH. That mean boy/boy love. If you don't like it, I really don't know why you're reading this but oh well. Flame if you wish. I need a good laugh now and again.
As to the Wicca aspect of the story, I've done a lot of research and I will try my hardest to stay true to the practice. Naturally, I have to tweak some things to make the story work, but I like to be accurate. If you feel I'm doing something wrong or you have any ideas please, PLEASE tell me! I really want this to be as correct as possible. There will be notes at the end of the chapter to explain anything with a number after it.
THANKS AND ENJOY!
The world is laced with magik. That mysterious force that propels the earth to live and grow. It dwells in ever being, in the trees, the oceans, and even humans. Natural magik is wild and free. But some humans have been given a gift, the ability to control this energy with their thoughts and through ritual. These humans, called witches or wizards by those who can not call upon the power, live among us practicing their craft. Wicca.1
Groups of witches and wizards gather together to perform their rituals in covens. There are many covens through out the world comprised of many different people. Some are light, doing good for their community. Yet there are others. Others who wish harm on those who cross their paths. These dark covens seek to gain wealth and power through whatever means necessary.
At Hogwarts High School, there is a circle of powerful teen witches and wizards working to help those in need. The Coven of the Clearing.
The night was black as pitch. No moon hung in the sky to light the clearing in which a group of teenagers gathered. Twelve young men and women stood in a circle, all dressed in the same simple gray robes. In the center another teen stood before the altar; a girl robed in pure white.
Smoke from burning incense curled around the participants in wispy tendrils of white. Not a sound was to be heard from the woods surrounding the group. No animals crept in the darkness. The characteristic hum of the forest was gone.
A tall, golden haired teen was the first to speak. With a clear, authoritative voice he called out to the sky. "Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, we summon, stir and call you now to bless this rite and guard this circle. Powers of Earth uphold our bodies as we journey between the worlds."
Directly across the circle from the blonde man, a ginger haired boy made anther declaration. "Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, we summon, stir and call you now to bless this rite and guard this circle. Powers of Fire raise your flames within my being until we burn with your divine passion as we journey between the worlds."
A female voice rang out from the eastern corner. "Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, we summon, stir and call you now to bless this rite and guard this circle. Powers of Air caress us, carry us, hold us safe, as we journey between the worlds."
Finally, the last quarter was called by a short boy with hair as black as the night sky. "Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, we summon, stir and call you now to bless this rite and guard this circle. Powers of Water let your life blood flow within us and through us as we journey between the worlds."
For the last verse of the incantation, the rest of the circle joined the first four. Thirteen voices spoke in perfect harmony. "The circle is cast. We are between the worlds, beyond the bounds of time and space where night and day, birth and death, joy and sorrow meet as one." 2
The young girl within the circle quietly began to prepare her part of the ritual. She held a shallow dish of water to the sky. "I purify you water in the names of the Blessed God and Goddess." She set the dish back on the altar and picked up its twin filled with salt. She repeated the phrase, empowering the salt as she had the water.
"I, Ginevra Molly Weasley, am now prepared to dedicate myself to the mighty God and Goddess. I ask for their blessings in my workings and my life. I call upon the High Ones to impart with me their wisdom and guidance." She then lifted small bottles of sacred oil and anointed herself. As she placed the bottles back on the altar she spoke her final incantation.
"I am reborn into my new magikal self. I align myself with Feronia and consecrate my self in your name. I vow to use my power for only the good of my coven, my family, and myself. I will obey the threefold law and hold all that I learn close to my heart." Finally she lifted a large chalice to her lips and drank.
Ginny looked around the circle at her peers. Her eyes locked with the black haired boy to the west. He smiled softly and murmured "Blessed be." The rest of the gathering followed suit.
The blonde man who had been the first to speak once again raised his voice above the others. "We, the Coven of the Clearing, thank the Watchtowers for coming to our ceremony and consecrating our circle. We thank the God and Goddess for entering our circle and empowering our magikal workings. And now we would like to welcome our new found sister, Ginevra, to our coven. As above, so below. The circle is open but never broken. So mote it be." 3
Ginny found Harry as the circle dissipated and the coven went forward to congratulate her and talk amongst themselves. They embraced, Harry squeezing the girl tight. "I'm so happy for you, Gin!" She grinned at him, though she was pulled away by her brother.
Harry slipped away, leaving the clearing and the celebration. He walked alone through the woods, studying the leaves and trees around him. He was smiling to himself when a familiar voice called his name.
"Harry! Wait up!" Harry stopped until Hermione had caught up with him. She tucked her arm through his and grinned up at him. "That was pretty amazing tonight. I have never seen Gin so happy," she chirped. Harry replied with yet another enigmatic smile. "Walk you home?" she asked and he nodded.
"You're awfully quiet tonight. Something wrong?" Hermione's voice was laced with concern.
"No," he said. "I'm just tired is all. And I am not looking forward to school tomorrow." Hermione frowned.
"Why not? You know, if you just put the slightest effort into your work you wouldn't be so apprehensive. This year, I am not letting you or Ron copy my work," she said, her eyes steeled with determination.
"You say that every year. And you will stick to it," he paused, "For like a week," he chuckled. Hermione threw him a mock glare.
"I mean it this time. You'll never learn anything if you just copy."
Harry laughed again, "Yeah, sure."
They continued chatting about this and that until Harry's house came into view. Hermione's eyes softened. "Are you going to be all right tonight, Harry?" her voice was low and worried. Harry merely shrugged and hugged her before they parted ways.
"Don't worry about me, 'Mione. I'm fine."
Harry opened the door and slid into his uncle's house. Dudley sat on the couch, bathed in a bluish light from the TV. He gave a loud snore, assuring Harry that his cousin was in fact asleep. Harry let out a sigh.
But it was too early to relax. Vernon Dursley gripped the back of his nephew's shirt in his meaty hand, nearly lifting him off the floor. His face was red and his mustache quivered with his anger.
"Where were you, boy?" he asked in a loud stage whisper. "You were supposed to scrub your aunt's kitchen spotless today. You were out with those freaky friends of yours, weren't you?" Harry nodded. Vernon turned purple trying to rein in his voice as to no wake his slumbering son.
"How many times have I told you? I do not want that filth in our good Catholic house." He glared at the teen. "Don't think you've gotten out of anything, boy. I expect that kitchen to be spotless when I wake up in the morning!" With that, Vernon snuck quietly up the stairs, so as not to wake his sleeping family. That is, as quietly as a man of his size could.
Harry got out the cleaning supplies and set to work. He scrubbed the floors by hand, as well as the counters and cupboards. He could just hear the television over Dudley's snores. He listened carefully, making sure he did not wake his cousin. If he did, there would be hell to pay.
The job was not done before the wee hours of the morning. Harry returned the supplies to their proper place and tiptoed up the stairs to his tiny bedroom at the back of the house. He collapsed on to his bed at no later than 2 o'clock, but before sleep could take him, he uttered a prayer.
"Goddess, help me. Let me stay strong. Only two more years until I can leave. Please, keep me strong until then." Crystalline tears slipped silently down his cheeks.
Notes:
1-Wicca- Here's a link to an article that can better explain what Wicca is. www .glasstemple .com /basics /index .php ?conjure introfaq (take out the spaces)
2-The ritual that Harry and the others are performing is called casting a circle. In Wiccan practice all spells/workings must been done in a space consecrated by the caster. The version I use here is a mish-ash of different rituals.
3-"As above, so below. The circle is open but never broken. So mote it be." – This is the end of the ceremony. These words close the circle and sort of ensure that the magik works. The first part means that the magik of the gods above is the magik of the witches on earth. Almost like "On earth as it is in Heaven" as said in the Bible. The middle is just a phrase to say that the magik is always working and that those who cast the spell are always connected. The last four words are another assurance that the magik will work because the caster believes it will. This will be at the end of all rituals in this story.
AN: First chapter down! And so many more to go. If there are any questions, let me know in a review hinthint or a message. I'll do my best to answer them. Also, who thinks they know who the "tall, golden haired teen" is? (Hint- It's not Draco)
Thanks!