Some reviews would be helpful and clear confusion.
A/N: Song is Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On". Italics are the words of a goddess into some one's mind or a song.
I want to give credit to Crocker42 whose story "Darkest Light" plot sparked this idea, and who has allowed me to use some of his scenes. To which I have worked my spin on.
And again thank you to Cressey.
Reviews always welcome.
A/N2: Chapter has been edited… finally; took me long enough.
Chapter Two: Define Love
Hermione stood there in the Gryffindor common room in stunned silence. She should be getting ready for bed, but instead, she was standing there listening to Ron try and demonise her for being who she was. Part of her wanted to run up to her dorm and cry, but there was this anger she felt which only seemed to grow as the ginger haired boy continued his tirade. These two conflicting feelings made her uneasy; which in turn made her unsure of what to say, much less what to do. Dean and Seamus had joined Harry and Neville in defending her choice. That made her smile, but Ronald decided to take that as some kind of signal to continue.
"Ha, see she smiles when you talk Seamus!" Ron sounded almost proud of himself for pointing out the brunette's grin.
"Of course she would Ron because we're defending her. Real friends would do exactly what we are doing." Harry's voice sounded derisive of their former friend's actions.
"That thing is no friend of mine!" Ron pointed an accusatory finger at Hermione as if she were on trial.
The next thing anyone knew Ronald Weasley was on the floor covering his mouth. Harry stood over him rubbing his fist.
"Don't talk to her or about her like that again Ronald Weasley. I don't know who you are, but you are not the friend I remember. That bloke would stand beside Hermione no matter what. He tried to jinx Malfoy for insulting her. What happened to him?" Harry turned to face her, and Hermione was awestruck by what he had just done. "Don't worry about this anymore Hermione. The rest of us are on your side." With that, he and the others went to their dorms.
"I cannot believe it, Ron, why are you doing this?" Hermione just let the question remain unanswered as she walked up to her dorm. As she went up the stairs the demigod pulled out her new iPod. It was a gift from one of her mum, and even though was a muggle device it surpasses anything she could compare it too in the wizarding world.
As she entered the room she shared with Lavender, Parvati, and one other girl whose name was slipping her mind at the moment the music began in low sombre tone.
Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today - Ya
Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on?
What's going on?
Ya, what's going on?
Ah, what's going on?
Mother, Mother, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on?
Ya, what's going on?
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby
As the song ended Hermione could feel the others in the room staring at her. Looking over she saw them standing by her bed. Taking out her earphones she looked around the room. "What is it?"
"What were you listening to?" Lavender asked enthusiastically.
"A muggle song called 'What's Going On' by Marvin Gaye, why?"
"You were singing it, and it sounded so sad." Pravati sounded almost heartbroken.
"It fits what I'm feeling." Hermione wiped away a tear she felt falling down her cheek. She wiped it away. "I used to think of Ron as a good bloke if a bit daft."
"He is a complete div, Hermione. Forget about him and go find the girl of your dreams." Lavender said this as she walked back to her bed. "Good night."
Hermione decided to look one last time at the book her mother gave her before giving into kip. "I wonder what tomorrow will be like."
"It will be interesting my dear." Hecate's voice came from all around her.
"Where are you?" Hermione looked all around the room and did not see her.
"Where is who Hermione?" Pravati said. The girl gasped for some reason. "Hermione you're glowing!"
Looking down at her hands, Hermione saw that she was surrounded in silver light. "Must be Ronald, I will tell Professor McGonagall about it tomorrow." 'Why is this happening to me?' Hermione asked herself.
"I wanted to know if you're okay. And only you can hear me, Hermione."
'Meaning you are in my head.' The young teen thought.
"Correct. I give you your privacy though." The raven haired Olympian's words were soothing. "What is bothering you, my daughter?"
'I thought you could read my mind?' the Gryffindor retorted.
"I can, but that doesn't mean I will force the answers I seek out of you. That is the joy of being half mortal: Free will." Hermione raised an eyebrow. "I do not harm anyone unless they deserved it. Now, what is bothering you, my little girl?" This brought her some semblance of peace.
'I think Pansy is being abused by a family member, but I don't know how to approach it.' Hermione set her iPod down and hooked it up to small wheel generator she created with a hamster wheel and some miniature magnets. She cast a spell causing the wheel to spin. 'I don't know how to help her, much less ask her about it.'
"You will have your chance tomorrow." With those words, Hecate's presence left the room, and Hermione drifted off to the first full night of peaceful sleep in months.
Hermione was the first to wake up the following morning, and the last to leave the dorm. She was told last night that Arithmancy was at nine and would be the best class to 'start off with' on the first day. She made it there early enough to get some quick reading on the divine side of her blood. What she read was astonishing. The book outlined how she could enhance a spell by mere thought and could create small flames by sheer force of will. By the time Professor Vector came into the classroom Hermione had was finished with chapter one.
"Ah, seven minutes early Mrs Granger?" Professor Vector asked as she walked into the room.
"Yes ma'am it only seems proper," Hermione answered.
Hermione found that she enjoyed the class. It was exact and understandable. Hermione then went back to the Gryffindor Common to meet Harry and Neville. She had given up on Ron after last night, sort of. As she made her way to the Commons she thought of what she would say to Ron, and after she figured out what to say she calculated his reactions. None of them was good. After making sure no one was around she used the Time-Turner for the first time. As the hour slipped by she saw Ronald walking 'out' with Morgan, and then Harry and Neville heading up the stairs backwards. As time went back to normal the brunette heard the two boys talking about something as the descended the stairs.
"I can't believe Ron would say something like that Harry." The diminutive voice of Neville sounded deathly serious.
"Well, he did. I just hope Hermione does not run into him alone." As Harry and Neville entered the common room Hermione coughed. "Oh… hello, Hermione, you haven't seen Ron have you?"
"No, and I get the feeling that it is a good thing." Hermione tried to hold back the frustration in her voice, but that was a losing battle.
"Yes, but don't worry about it Seamus gave him what for, and I'll tell you everyone in the room wanted to hit the stupid git." Neville had his heartwarming ear to ear smile on his face.
The brunette smiled "So what did he do?"
"He heard that you were in a carriage with Parkinson and Zabini," Hermione's eyes widened at this statement. "…and he started saying that you were betraying the house. Well, when Seamus heard that he came to your defence." Harry said this with a smile. "My only regret is that Percy came in before I could have my shot."
"And that would have cost Gryffindor more points, Harry," Percy said with a serious look on his face. "Now Hermione I do not want you worrying about this, I have told Ron to reconsider his views."
"Have you forgotten you're talking about Percy?" Hermione asked this with her head tilted to one side.
"No, but I am willing to give him a chance to change. You should too okay?" the older boy asked as he left the commons.
"That's easy for him to say that's his brother," Neville said as he followed Percy out. His anger was lost as he stumbled down the steps.
As they entered the Great Hall the brunette looked around and saw Ronald down near the staff table. Ginny waved them over to sit with her and Seamus. "Hey, Hermione did you sleep well?"
"Yes, why?" Hermione had one eyebrow raised.
"Well, Lav said that you were hearing things and that you were glowing silver."
"Must have been Ron messing with you," Seamus said somewhat disgusted.
"Must have been, I will be right back let me talk to him and see if I can get his head on straight." Hermione saw the looks of shock or concern on their faces. "I will be fine, and if anything happens you guys are right here."
Hermione started walking over to Ron. As she approached him she saw the start of a black eye on the left side of his face. She also noted Morgan sitting beside him. It looked as if she was rubbing his shoulder. As she got closer Ron looked over and grunted when he saw it was his old friend.
"Hello, Ron," Hermione said tentatively. He just grunted again. "Look Ron I just wanted to talk and see if we can't still be friends." Hermione was using a soft tone of voice trying not to agitate the young man.
"I thought we were more alike than we are Granger." Ron's voice carried so much hate it was nearly visible.
"What do you mean?" the brunette was holding back the aggravation she felt.
"I thought that maybe one day we could go on a double date. Me with my girlfriend and you with your BOYFRIEND," now the redhead was just shy of yelling. "…but now that is shot."
"No, it is not Ron we can still do that. You just change the gender of the person I am dating. Why is that so bad?"
The dark haired girl from last night spoke up next. "Because you could do much better with a man than a woman Hermione," the slyness in her voice was aggravating. "You look angry."
"Yes, I am…" Hermione noticed the smile crawl across Morgan's face. "Is this funny to you?"
"No, it is not Hermione. I am just disgusted with you." Ron's words shocked her. "And this is why: you are hanging out with the scum of the wizarding world. Not to mention lying about your lineage. What would your mum and dad think of you if they heard this?"
"That's none of your business Weasel." The cold female voice caused Hermione to spin around to look at its owner.
"Pansy…" shock evident in her voice caused Hermione to shake her head to regain her composure. "We need to talk…"
"Don't you remember how she mistreated you?" Ron was not holding his voice down anymore.
"So people can't change Ronald?" Ginny asked. "You bloody sure have."
"Is there a problem here Mrs Granger?" the stern voice of Professor McGonagall stopped the conversation.
"No ma'am." Hermione took her schedule from McGonagall. "Ron…" didn't even let her finish her sentence he just turned away from her and continued eating.
"Leave him alone Hermione he is not the friend you once had." Blaise's words were cold but true. This was not the same Ronald Weasley from the previous two years.
"You're right," Hermione started back to the end of the table. "…can I talk to you for a minute Pansy?"
"Sure." The two girls walked off to a corner of the Great Hall. "What is it, Hermione?" Pansy's voice was shaky at best and completely scared at worst.
"Is someone beating you, Pansy?" Hermione kicked herself as soon as those words left her mouth. "I saw a bruise just below your eye last night."
"You did?" the shock in her voice was clear peerless crystal. Pansy looked around wildly for a few seconds, and then looked down at her feet. "I…I don't want to say Hermione, and please don't ask again." Pansy's voice almost sounded caustic. Not wanting to destroy their tentative friendship Hermione just nodded. "Thank you. I will tell you someday Mi, but not today."
Hermione caught the tenderness, and respect in the nickname. She almost wanted to believe that there was love in there as well but did not feel like deluding herself in those thoughts. She let her eyes wonder over Pansy and prayed no one caught her. Making her way back to the table Hermione couldn't wipe the smile off her face at seeing how dejected Draco looked seeing Pansy sitting with Gryffindors. Once she was done with her meal she made an effort to sound excited about starting previously unavailable classes, but at the bottom of schedule was a class she had not signed up for Magical Art. Looking over at her mother Hermione could see a smile on the goddess' face. Thankfully it was only on Fridays just before dinner.
Once breakfast was over with Hermione went with the rest to the hallway leading up to Divinations class, but cut out to Muggle Studies before anyone was the wiser. Once Muggle Studies was done she went back to Trelawney's classroom and took the seat next to where Harry was sitting. When he noticed she was there he jumped just a touch. Divination class was a joke. The professor seemed foolish to Hermione. Ron seemed to have enjoyed the fact that the professor was predicting Harry's death. The longer the day went on the more annoyed she became with Ronald Bilius Weasley. At lunch, he made a few cutting remarks about the two Slytherins sitting at the Gryffindor table. Before she could respond to his remarks placed a hand on her arm and shook her head in negation.
After lunch was Care of Magical Creatures. Hermione was somewhat afraid of the class given the book that was assigned to it. When Hagrid brought out a hippogriff Hermione wondered if her mother had anything to do with this. Harry was the first one of the students to ride one, and Hermione felt a little guilty about stepping back and leaving him out there like that. Of course, Draco and his two ever-present nitwits had ruined the class for everyone. Hagrid cancelled the rest of class. Pansy suggested they use the time to go over their 'family spells'. Hermione didn't pass up the chance to study the material and thought that it was a good idea to study together rather than solo.
"Great that's just my luck." Hermione looked over at the raven haired Slytherin. She was leaning back in her chair. They were in the back section of the library well away from prying eyes.
"What is it Pans?"
"Well, it seems my 'powers' will revolve around the spring time and flowers." The smirk on her face seemed to suggest things other than indignation.
"Well, that is your mother's domain is it not?" Looking at her new associate Hermione could not help but notice how the light played across her face. The deepness of her eyes hiding the kindness she knew to be there, and her short cropped dark hair causing her heart to still for a moment.
"Yes, but the strength of my magic will depend on what season it is. Listen to this: Your magic will experience a waning during the fall. It will level out during the winter, and in spring you will experience an explosion of power. The peak of your power will be in midsummer." Letting out a huff she continued. "I mean I like the thought of it, but won't that affect my studies here at school?"
"Maybe, but maybe not, if either of us will experience that it will probably be me. Think of the myriad of domains my mother has." The brunette let her head fall at this thought. "I mean she is the goddess of the night so during the day I will be weaker than I am at night."
A gentle hand on her shoulder causes the Gryffindor to look at her oft cold hearted companion. "Hey don't say that."
"Why?"
"One because you are the brightest witch of the age, and second because I don't think the goddess of magic would gift any of her children with insane magical power."
"You have a point."
The rest of the day progressed without mishap. Draco was absent from dinner that night, and his absence caused his two goons to glare at poor Hagrid. Hermione's mind was consumed with worry for her friend as she went to bed. Her sleep brought her no peace however as her dreams were plagued once more with scenes of a place immemorial.
The sun beat down on the training grounds so hard the young mage could barely focus. Hecate had been training since dawn, but still was having trouble focusing on her training. Lynceus was chewing her out at the moment for the failure to control her magic. She could have severely injured someone had she not been quick with a fire quenching spell.
"What were you thinking Hecate? Someone could have lost their life in that inferno!" the raven haired man's voice was rising in volume as his tirade continued. The brunette started to ignore her mentor's scream session. She let her mind drifting to the thief from last eve. The young woman's dark hair reminded her of the night sky and her eye was the colour of an endless field of grass. A tapping on her forehead brought her back to the here and now. "Were you even listening to me?" Lynceus' was glaring at her like she had just killed his mother.
"Not really my mind was… distracted." She decided to 'admit to' the errant behaviour she exhibited, and take the consequences.
"No kidding, and do you not remember what lesson one in magic is?"
"Distraction is death, one must keep a focused mind or the magic will be uncontrolled." She rolled her eyes, at the statement. She was no child and had taken care of the flames that she created. "Aside from the SMALL fire, I created there was nothing wrong with my form today."
"What could be clouding your mind so much that you insult your instructor?"
The older mage's comment made her wince. He was two decades her senior, and here she was insulting the man.
"Sorry master. I met someone last night, and I cannot seem to get them off my mind."
"Oh so who is the lucky man?" the angry tone was gone from his voice and was replaced with the comedic tone everyone loved.
"It is a woman." Hecate could feel the blush creeping up her face.
This broadened the smile starting to cross his face. "Well, I am sure she is something to have caught your eye."
In a near whisper, she replied, "She is."
A rocking sensation woke Hermione from her dream, and Brown's grinning face was the site that graced her bleary eyes. After deflecting some comments about talking in her sleep Hermione proceeded to the washroom to get ready for the day. She had promised Neville and Harry that she would meet them before breakfast.
As she entered the Great Hall her brown-silver eyes fell on her two friends. Waving to get their attention the brightest witch of the age made her way to the two raven haired boys. "What did you want to talk about?"
"You Hermione," Harry's words seemed restrained. "Your eyes have these strange lines in them, and..."
Hermione cut in. "After breakfast, I will tell you everything."
After the trio ate their breakfast and traversed the distance to the grand library of Hogwarts Harry asked. "Now Hermione about your eyes…"
"Do you remember what I said on the train about my mother?" Hermione said this as quietly as possible.
"Yes, but Hermione that is nigh impossible. I mean if you're a demigoddess then your mother is…" Harry said quietly as they entered the library.
The young witch looked over her shoulder to make sure they were not being spied on. "A member of the Olympian Pantheon."
"You got to be joking?" Harry asked.
"Would I joke about something like this?" Hermione said with a raised eyebrow.
"Never," the boy-who-lived looked down at the table.
"Ok then, let's get moving before we are late to class." The boys rolled their eyes at this comment. "What am I the only one who likes their classes?"
"No. You are just the only one out of the three of us." Harry said this with a sly grin plastered across his face. Hermione just rolled her eyes and followed her friends out of the library.
The rest of the week went by without error. Draco finally returned on Thursday and made a big deal of his 'injury'. No one at the Gryffindor table was buying his stick, but a majority of Slytherins were soaking it up. Upon his return, Pansy started to break away from Draco and his associates. She and Hermione had started to study their abilities after the last class of the day. Hermione was worried about doing this at first due to time constraints, but like with other classes, she started using Time Turner to achieve these ends. Something that Professor McGonagall did not tell her was how tired the instrument would make her. It seemed to her that she wanted to sleep for more hours than there were in the day, and there were a couple of times that she wanted to do that very thing. It was only her dedication to her studies that kept Hermione from doing this.
As she settled down to sleep on Thursday her dreams were once again plagued with visions of two ancient mages.
The moon shone brightly in the night sky as Hecate gazed out across the sea. A gentle breeze moving her bangs across her eyes once more. Moving the strands of hair with her hand Hecate let out a long and steady breath. She had sent a missive to the intruder from last night that she wished to speak with her this evening. A sound from behind her caused the brunette to turn quickly hands ready to cast a spell if it was required.
Seeing the silhouette of a young woman Hecate lowered her hands. "Don't sneak up on me like that."
As the other teen stepped into the light the Atlantian noble let her eyes wonder over the figure that emerged from the shadows. "I am sorry my lady, but it is a habit of mine." A smile crossed the woman's face as she met Hecate's eyes. "Is this a social call, or is this about my intrusion last night?"
"Social." The lady of the house could feel the warmth gathering on her cheeks. She decided to focus on something besides her guest's figure. "I believe you clarified the incident last night as a mistaken identity?" The other woman nodded her head. "I have confirmed your story, so I believe I owe you an apology."
"Oh really?" the smile broadened on the woman's face. "Well, it is accepted Hecate."
Hecate could detect something other than humour in the green eyed woman's words, but could not place it. "Well you know my name, but it seems that I do not know your real name. If it is not against your code I would like to know your name."
"It is not against my code, but in my line of work names are dangerous things." The young woman drew closer to her. "It is Leto by the way."
"Funny we are both named after goddesses it seems."
"So it seems."
After some gentle conversation, she learned that Leto had risen from nothing to one of the primer shadow mages of Atlantis. This was news to her. The only shadow mages she knew of were noble, but that did not preclude a commoner from being one. They were just very rare, and indeed Leto informed her that Magnus one of the generals of the kingdom, and an old friend of hers.
As the conversation drew to a close both women agreed to do this again, and Leto let herself out the same way she entered: through the shadows. Once she was certain she was alone Hecate made ready for bed. As her eyes closed she whispered what thoughts were drowning her mind.
"I think I am in love."
As Hermione awoke she felt breathless. The dream felt so real it wasn't even funny. The more she tried to remember it the more it slipped away. It was aggravating that she could remember a dream that scared her to death as if it were a school exam, but dreams she wished to remember slipped out of her mind like water from a sieve. She let out a sullen breath and decided to get ready for the day. Today was art class, and the last thing she wanted to do was anger this particular professor.
As she entered the Magical Art classroom she saw a collection of all the houses. Something that she thought she would never see outside of the Great Hall and the Quidditch Pitch. She wasn't that big of a quidditch, but Harry played and as such she would support him. Then she saw someone waving in her direction.
"Hey Pansy, what are you doing here?"
"I signed up for this class. What are you doing here?" Pansy had a grin on her face.
"Uh… so did I… not really it was a suggestion I could not refuse." Pansy mouthed 'Your mother.' "Yes."
"She's the teacher of the course why would she want…" Pansy was cut off as Professor Spruce entered the room.
"Good afternoon class." Spruce sounded upbeat and overjoyed.
"Hello, Professor Spruce." The class responded as one. After going through the introduction to the class and how they would be graded on skill and innovation. This seemed to have Pansy's eyes sparkling. Once the class was given its instruction the brunette standing next to green eyed Slytherin saw Spruce motion for her to follow.
As she walked away from the easel she caught a glimpse of something moving off to her right. Looking over towards Pansy she saw a copy of the girl at her paint station, and glancing back she saw a mirror image of herself in deep thought. Looking around the room it seemed that the others could not see or hear them. They followed the goddess out into the hallway.
Instead of being empty like she had hoped Hermione found herself looking at the headmaster standing across from the classroom. He was not looking at either the two students instead he seemed entrapped by 'Spruce' who had taken her normal form.
"Good afternoon Professor Dumbledore." If Hermione were the betting type she would lay a wager that the headmaster was dumbfounded if the look on his face was any indication.
Dumbledore regained his composure and bowed his head. "Good afternoon my lady, I assume that one of these two is your daughter?"
"Very astute Professor Dumbledore, but I assumed you knew who was teaching Magical Art." Hecate had an ear to ear grin on all three faces. Dumbledore shook his head in the negative. "Well in any case you are correct Hermione is my daughter, and Pansy is the daughter of a fellow goddess."
"I see. Well, it is a pleasure to know that you trust this school enough to allow us to teach these two young demigods." Professor Dumbledore popped a lemon drop into his mouth, bowed his head again and walked away.
"He knew?" was the shocked question from Pansy.
"Yes, it would have surprised me if he didn't know about the divine blood in the two of you." Hecate sighed. "It surprises me that he did not sense me… but then again it would have angered me if he did sense me." The goddess was laughing at the irony/hypocrisy in her words.
"Professor Spruce can we get back to class?" the Slytherin's voice sounded almost desperate.
"Of course Pansy, but after class, it would be advised that two of you cover some of the material in those books."
"Yes, Lady Hecate." Pansy quickly turned around and nearly ran back into the classroom.
"She loves art?" Hermione raised an eyebrow in question.
"Yes, now back to class and use whatever inspiration you can find."
After the class finished Pansy told Hermione that she needed to go get her book and that she would meet her in their usual spot in the library. As Hermione entered the library she felt this unnerving sense of danger. Looking around she could see no one around that would cause this feeling. The only person near her was the librarian. Walking back outside the feeling was kicked just intensified. It seemed to be pulling her in the direction of the dungeons. The feeling, however, did not emanate from the dungeons. It emanated from an unused classroom. The door was locked, yet she felt whatever was causing this feeling laid behind this door. Leaning in close to the barrier between her and the object of her curiosity Hermione could hear a familiar male voice yelling at someone. Leaning her body closer into the door the Gryffindor felt her body 'slide' through the wooden door. As she arrived on the other side Hermione's eyes fell upon Crabbe and Goyle standing before a cowering Pansy.
"Did you hear me, Pansy?" Crabbe's voice was filled with rage. He raised fist left nothing to Hermione's imagination as to what the two intended to do to their housemate.
"Impedimenta," Goyle spun around wand drawn, but her target Crabbe was as slow on his feet as he was in his head. Hermione didn't give him the chance to respond with a spell of his own "Expelliarmus!"
"Granger what are you doing in here!? We locked the door!" Goyle was smiling widely. "Hey, Crabbe look who it… CRABBE! What did you do to him?"
"Stopped him from getting in my friends face, are you okay Pansy?" observing that the Slytherin girl nodded her head slightly Hermione extended her hand. "Come on let's get out of here."
Pansy grabbed something out of Crabbe's hand and walked over to the sole Gryffindor in the room. Casting the unlocking charm on the door and leaving with Pansy following quickly behind. It wasn't till they made it to the library that Hermione noticed she was holding Pansy's hand. As she loosened her grip the other girl tightened it. Hermione started looking for a location out of the way, but still within earshot of Madam Pince. As she took a seat Pansy just fell into her arms and broke down crying. They remained like this for a while with Hermione whispering comforting words in Pansy's ear.
Once the Slytherin stopped crying Hermione asked: "Are you all right now?"
"Yes thank you, Hermione." Pansy wiped the last remnants of tears away. "I have never had anyone other than Blaise or Mil does this for me Mi." the other girl then leant in and kissed the brunette on the cheek. "If they had a brain they would think you loved me."
Hermione giggled a little bit. "Well we need to study these books, so let's get started." The brunette thought she saw the Slytherin's shoulders fall, but decided not to act on it. 'I wish I could tell her I do lover her.'