Summary: There are many alternate universes that branched off from each other, differing in many different ways. The most powerful enchanters and enchantresses of which there is only one in all of these universe holds the seat of Chrestomanci. Hermione is about to find out that that she is destined to hold the power to maintain the balance in all of these universes.
A/N: Changed one aspect in the Chrestomanci series in which nine-lifed enchanters have longer lives than their counterparts and a closer connection between the nine-lifed enchanters but I otherwise remained true to the series. My muse, Takeshi Kaneshiro as Chrestomanci.
The Next Chrestomanci
Above
It was often dismissed as folklore; just a story witches and wizards tell their offspring at bedtime. But the knowledge remains even if it is dismissed as just a story.
The story goes that there are series of worlds that were once one world but split off after major events in history. There is supposed to be thousands of versions of earth in these related worlds but split off after major battles and historical choices. For example, there is or are worlds out there where the United States is still a colony of England, where the Roman Empire still exists or even where the civil war in the United States was won by the Southern States.
Abuse of magic in these worlds is said to be policed by a nine-lifed enchanter who holds the title Chrestomanci. All one has to do is to call upon Chrestomanci three times to summon him or her to your world in order to correct any magical mishap that may have occurred. Unfortunately, this is just an obscure bedtime story to many young witches and wizards and is often told in pureblood families instead of those who desperately needs it, the muggleborns.
The catalyst that created Harry Potter's world had been Nimue's failure to trap Merlin in a cave. Arthur would still die as foretold but Merlin would go on to build a community for other magic users like him which would spread around the different nations in the world. It gave a home and assurance of continuous magical culture to 1% of that world's population.
That in itself isn't a problem as the knowledge and culture passed on from generations to generations of witches and wizards. But the reaction of muggles, as this culture calls non-magical beings, on the existence of wizards and witches made these communities grow inward.
While the witch burnings were completely pointless in that that only Wendelin the Weird (who enjoyed the tickling sensation burning had after she cast the flame freezing charm) had been the only successful case of witch the muggles actually managed to burn, these persecutions throughout history made witches and wizards wary of muggles.
Thus, it gave way for Pureblood Supremacists to place themselves on above muggles and inculcate a sense of superiority to their offspring. This resulted in the existence of the likes Grindewald and Voldemort, the groups of these Pureblood Supremacists are more recent and goes on larger scale but ever since the beginning of time, some witches and wizards recent the ill-use and maltreatment of non-magicals. In turn, some of these witches and wizards resented the children of these muggles who somehow gain magic.
Hermione is one such witch, a muggleborn.
Blood
Hermione refused to give Bellatrix Granger what she wanted, even as she was tortured. It is said that the human body can only handle 45 Dels of pain. Cruciatus is a curse powered by hate and insane Bellatrix Lestrange has much of it in abundance, hatred for the muggles and most of all, hatred for Hermione's kind, the muggleborn. Her body couldn't take anymore, she struggled not to shout but she couldn't help it. First, her mind shut down and not long after that her heart ceased to function.
Enchanters and enchantresses are said to be ten times more powerful than other magic users like witches and wizards, capable of using magic without the use of wands or even ingredients for spells and charms. But especially rare and more powerful than your average enchanters are nine-lifed enchanters or enchantresses and it is only they who can hold the mantle and title of Chrestomanci.
Seeing that they are a great deal stronger than even other enchanters, they can even dispossess the latter of their powers completely.
However, nine-lifed enchanters and enchantresses usually have a weakness. It is not exactly fatal to them but it prohibits them from using their powers to the fullest extent. For example, Christopher Chant, a former Chrestomanci cannot do magic if he is in contact with silver, a small amount will prohibit him from using his powers a great deal while the former Chrestomanci from the current one, Eric Chant, can only do magic through his left hand.
The current Chrestomanci, well, let's say he is a very secretive person and we will get to his weakness later, is sitting as his secretary briefed him with his schedule for the upcoming week in the different known worlds when all of a sudden he felt a strong magical pull similar to when he is summoned but this one is desperate and soul wrenching.
He knew this feeling, it is a feeling when one of the other nine-lifed enchanters or enchantresses lose their lives. He quickly used his magic to check up on the former Chrestomancis who are still alive; Benjamin Allworthy feels achy in his joints, Christopher Chant is being measured for a new coat while Eric Chant is reading a book. He also felt all three stilled as they felt the same thing he did, one of their own just lost a life.
Kenji Yamamoto stood up and disappeared right in front of his secretary and just a blink after appeared before a very unusual sight. A wild haired woman is sitting on a teenager girl who lies dead. A blonde teenager is sniveling by a corner and the room reeked of pain and misery. Magic blood had been split, a blood of an enchanter and he knew just whose it is as he eyed the dead girl.
The woman saw him and in a split second, sent a curse his way. He sensed the level of magic, a powerful witch, not quite an enchantress yet but she was pretty powerful in this world. He didn't even move as he disabled her curse. He walked towards her, the teenage boy was unmoving and shocked at his sudden appearance and how the woman's curses couldn't touch him.
He then extended his hand to her with his palm upward and removed her magic. Just then, the girl who just died started to wake up, the wound on her body healing and the one on her arm which spelled mudblood started to disappear. Kenji helped her to her feet and because she was disoriented he carried her into his arms, just then two boys broke into the room. One sent a curse his way and he didn't even deflect as he stopped the said boy's magic.
Chrestomanci
Hermione Granger observed the man who saved her from Bellatrix, or at least came after she died and before she gained consciousness again. He is a tall man who seemed to be in his early to mid twenties, has Asian features, quite tanned, possess an aquiline nose and with a thin face. He is quite handsome, as Tonks noted earlier much to the annoyance of her husband.
The Order of Phoenix or what's left of it sat around the table arguing before a man whose powers quite surpass any that they know. No spells or charms seem to affect him and he even disregarded the ancient Fidelius Charm as he stepped into the Shell Cottage uninhibited by any of the numerous protection spell. He was of course insisting that he bring the next Chrestomanci with him.
Some members of the Order, explained who Chrestomanci was to Harry and Hermione who did not grow up in the wizardry world but they also explained that they did not know that he was real because it had been dismissed as merely an old lore as it was passed down from generations to generations.
Harry Potter did not have much in terms of family and even his best friend Ron had abandoned him when he needed him most. All he felt he really had was his other close friend, Hermione, who did not leave even when she was tortured and apparently killed for it. He felt angry that this stranger, no matter how powerful he is, taking away his friend from him. He saw that Ron also felt this way. He felt bad for Ron, he knew how much his friend loves Hermione. Looking around the table, he knew that many of the Order also did not want Hermione to go."
He voiced his opinion and the other around him also shared theirs saying that they needed Hermione in order to win the war.
"He has to be stopped." Hermione told him. The poker face he used on others changed into something more natural and he sighed. "Of course I will stop him, it's my job as Chrestomanci after all. I just wish somebody had summoned me before this became this bad. Anyway, if I do dispossess him and his Death Eaters of his magic, will you come with me to Chrestomanci Castle to start your training?" Kenji asked the nine-lifed enchantress beside him.
Hermione looked around her. Professor McGonagall looked older than she'd ever seen her, it was as if she'd aged decades after Dumbledore's death. Mad Eyed Moody is dead. Kingsley Shacklebolt looked as if he's tired. Tonks and Professor Lupin looked scared of the future. The Weasleys looked tired. The numbers of the Order is dwindling. She took a deep breath and nodded.
"Yes, I would come with you. I would start my training, Chrestomanci." She said and Kenji nodded his assent. He leant forward as if to kiss her and Hermione found herself blushing at his closeness only for him to remove the stud diamond earrings her mother gave her just after she had her ears pierced when she was a year old. "I will explain later." He said in a voice that only she could hear, just then he disappeared a few seconds later to do his job.
Diamond
It only took the Chrestomanci a few hours to settle things into order. He'd dispossessed Voldemort and his followers' powers, effectively making them the very thing they hate, muggles. Without magic however, Voldemort's existence came unraveled that Kenji was forced to anchor his, calling each pieces that have not been destroyed into the body Voldemort spelled into existence but his real age caught up on him, leaving a frail 72 year old man in his stead.
The Chrestomanci's secretary is busily taking notes as Kenji reiterated that these now powerless former witches and wizards either be placed into jobs that they are qualified for in this world or if they want their powers returned be sent into another world where majority of the population have magic, where his envoy would take care of them.
They were currently in front of the Shell Cottage where Kenji sat in a desk he retrieved from his world reading paper works while Hermione stood by his side even as the Death Eaters were in chaos, unable to escape the magical shield he'd barricaded them in.
The Order of Phoenix watched in silence as this unfolded right before their eyes. Some had tears in their eyes as they realized that the war is now over. Harry stood beside Ron silently looking at Hermione who was listening as Kenji explained something they couldn't hear.
"Why did you take my earrings?" Hermione asked. Chrestomanci shrugged and said, "This is just between you and me, the former Chrestomancis and perhaps those who've researched us well. Every nine-lifed enchanter or enchantress has a weakness. I think it is because no one should ever really be all powerful. I couldn't understand how is it that we have not been able to detect your existence for so long when no one has been dampening your powers as was the case with my predecessor, Eric Chant. I realized it is because your magic had been dampened by your weakness. Magically speaking, your weakness is the girl's bestfriend." Kenji explained as Bellatrix fought against her restraints while his secretary shook in fear.
"Of course, it is to your detriment to tell anyone else about your weakness. Am I not right, Ms. Granger?" Chrestomanci warned her. Hermione nodded in understanding. "Good." He replied. He then returned his desk to his world and extended his hand to Hermione. "Shall we?" He asked her.
Hermione looked at her friends and the Order of Phoenix sadly. Kenji's face softened in understanding. "You can still visit them every now and then, after I teach you how to travel between worlds. Would you like that?" He offered. Hermione nodded. She ran towards her friends to hug them and told them she would see them soon.
A/N P.S.: I don't really know if I should continue with this idea. I've had this for so long and it's been simmering in my mind. If you have any suggestions please feel free to place it in the comments section or message me. All except for the pairing because that's primarily the reason why I write these things. Hahaha…
