Another chapter! Yay! Now, we're beginning the use of sign language! Before we begin the sign language, I want to say that I did no study on it before writing this, so it all just guesswork. Hermione just needs a way to communicate!
Also, I just wanted to say that I love all of your reviews and I look forward to reading them! They give me great ideas so thank you!
ENJOY!
"Italics are signing"
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Merlin aren't even close to being owned by me!
Chapter 3
It had been three weeks since Hermione turned up and she was definitely a positive influence in the lives of Merlin and Hunith. Hunith finally had a daughter she didn't know she wanted, even if Hermione was less feminine than most. She refused to go anywhere near a dress and only wore trousers, tunics and boots. She always wore a jacket though. Not to keep warm, but to hide the scars. She still wore bandages on her neck and her back would flare up in pain every once in awhile. If she was moving too much, a wound or two would open up, but that wouldn't keep Hermione from being up and about. She was always helpful and even cooked a few meals. The village thought she was just a joy to be around. Everyone knew by now that she couldn't speak, but she was a great listener. If she could, she would help many people with their problems. Hunith also learned very fast of Hermione's intelligence. Even if she couldn't voice her intelligence, she would express it in many different ways. She was alway teaching Merlin new things and he was really getting good at sign language. She was also an excellent Physician. She had cured two colds, and a sweating fever. She had fixed gashes and poisons with ease and broken bones were no problem to her. At only fifteen she had more knowledge than any physician Hunith had ever heard of. Except maybe Gaius. Hermione enjoyed midnight forest walks too as they had found out. She would come back in the morning relaxed and smiling. Hermione didn't sleep much, but she always had the energy. Her diet was better and she was getting better.
Merlin had come out of his shell. He always talked to Hermione and wasn't lonely anymore. He was really taking a liking to talking for Hermione when she couldn't express what she wanted to say. Hunith still didn't understand how making gestures with your hands could be a language, but at least it was working. Meanwhile, Hermione was still trying to find a way to express her thoughts without Merlin. She did carry a miniature notebook and a coal pencil everywhere with her. When Hunith asked where the writing tool came from, Hermione had told her that she made it. Hunith didn't know how that was possible. Hermione also had random books appear out of nowhere. Hunith would catch her reading books that came from nowhere and each time she caught Hermione reading, the girl would try to hide the book. Hunith always saw though. It was nothing to mistrust the girl over, Hunith was just curious.
A month passed and the weather was really chilly then. Hermione's wounds didn't need bandages anymore, except the one on her neck. The scars still stuck out on her pale skin, but there was no more risk of bleeding. The only thing to worry about were the wounds on her neck. They opened a couple times and every time it happened, Hermione acted as if she expected it. The wounds were deep and were going to take time to heal, but if they kept opening, they would never heal. Hermione had taken to wearing a black scarf she had gotten from her bag and always touched it with care. It most likely belonged to someone close to her. Anyways, it covered the bandages perfectly. It was September eleventh and no one had seen Hermione for the whole day. Merlin couldn't sit still he was so worried. It was becoming dark and Hermione was still nowhere to be seen. She took midnight walks, but always left a note in case they woke up and she wasn't there. She left no note this time. She just left. Merlin couldn't sit still. He threw on his heavy jacket and ran out the door before his mother could stop him. He knew she wasn't in the village, so that left the forest. It wasn't too dark yet, but still dim enough to make walking difficult. The trees created a creepy effect, but the light of the sunset lit the ground. He kept walking and shouting for Hermione. She couldn't shout back, but maybe she was lost and would walk towards his voice. He kept walking and he was getting scared. He was far away from the village and he was lost. Merlin tripped on a log and fell to the ground. He didn't get up. He lay there and cry. He felt so lost. He cried and cried.
Merlin's tears turned into whimpers and he sat against a tree huddled in a ball, trying to block out the cold. He closed his eyes and wished someone would save him. He felt two hands on his shoulders and he opened his eyes and hesitantly looked up. He was greeted with the comforting sight of glowing red eyes. He gave a sob and tackled Hermione in a hug. She hugged him tight and they stayed like that for a while. Merlin shivered and Hermione lifted him from her. She wrapped her scarf around him to add to his warmth. She gave him her jacket and she was left in a long sleeved shirt and nothing else besides her pants and boots. She only seemed to be worried for him though. Merlin felt warmth and Hermione grabbed his chin lightly to look at his ears and lips. No frostbite, good. She looked around and pointed him to stay put. He obeyed and Hermione went off again. She collected wood and came back to Merlin. She layed it in good form and looked around. Rocks? Nothing to make sparks. She looked at Merlin with a contemplative look. She could tell him. He had magic. He would understand why she kept it from him? He hadn't told her, so she wasn't going to go tell him. She raised her hands and signed words he understood. "Understand please?" Merlin nodded with a confused look and Hermione got close to the wood, closed her eyes and blew on it. Flames emerged from the middle of the wood and lit. His jaw had dropped and Hermione looked away from him. Merlin put his hand over one of hers and she still didn't look at him.
Merlin didn't understand why she was afraid he would reject her. Maybe she was injured because of her magic? Maybe she was from Camelot? It was all a guess, but right now, he wanted to tell her of his magic. "You have magic?" Merlin waited for her to respond and she nodded. "I knew you had some kind of magic. Or else your eyes wouldn't change color the way they do." She glanced at him with her red eyes and smiled. She hadn't thought of that. Merlin came closer to her and whispered, "I have magic too." She tried to look shocked, but it didn't work. Merlin gave her a look and she blushed. She scooted up next to him and motioned to the fire. She held up her hand and twisted it in a complicated motion. The flames rose and one of them detached from the rest. She moved her hands in an elegant swish and the flames formed a dragon. It flew around the flames and Merlin looked at it with wide-eyes. She made another motion and the dragon turned to glass. She grabbed it before it could drop in the fire and blew on it with a breath of chill. The glass was now clear and Hermione held it out. It was stunning.
Large wings were spread out from the beast and almost every scale was visible in detail. It's mouth was open and sharp teeth could be seen. It's eyes were carved in perfection and spines ran down its back. She thought for a moment and then sat in front of Merlin. She got an excited look and kissed the dragon's head. Nothing happened at first, but it began to move! Merlin was completely amazed as the dragon began to move and fly around like it weighed nothing. It eventually landed on Merlin's shoulder and nudged his head. Merlin brought a hand up and pet the still glass dragon. The dragon wiggled like a dog and jumped around. Hermione silently laughed and Merlin did laugh. He took the dragon and handed it back to Hermione. She took the escaping dragon and kissed its head again and it went still. She handed it back to Merlin and he looked at it in wonder. "Your giving it to me?" Hermione nodded and smiled softly. He set it down carefully and jumped on Hermione and they landed on the ground with a 'humph!' He hugged her tight and repeated over and over again "thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Hermione laughed jerkily and hugged him tighter. He whispered into her neck, "you're the best sister ever." Hermione froze and so did Merlin. He didn't mean to say that. Merlin lifted his head and looked into her red eyes. She whispered painfully, "sister?" Merlin nodded hesitantly and Hermione smiled widely. She kissed his forehead and hugged him again. Merlin laughed and whispered to himself, "I have a sister." Hermione nodded and removed Merlin from her person. He laid next to her and they stared at the starry sky through the leafless trees. It was relaxing he looked over to her and asked, "is this what you do when you go for your walks?" Hermione nodded and held out her hands for him to see and signed "and practice." He thought for a moment. "Practice magic?" She nodded and he looked at her. "Can I practice too?" She shook her head and sign back, "my magic is different." He nodded sadly and pouted. Hermione chuckled and summoned the glass dragon. He was still a little boy. What would he do with a glass dragon? She thought for a moment and turned it into a knitted stuffed dragon. She put it in front of him and he gasped. "I love it!" She whispered to him, "keeps the n-night-m-mares aw-ay." He looked at her with all the love in the world and kissed her cheek. He turned his back to her in embarrassment and she chuckled silently. She slid her arm around him and cuddled him close to her. He snuggled up to her and there they slept under the stars.
Hunith was beside herself with worry. She hoped Hermione found Merlin. Oh, her little boy better not be lost. It was almost the afternoon when a knock was heard on the door. Hunith rushed to it and swung it open. There stood Hermione and Merlin with sheepish smiles on their faces. They both had leaves and twigs stuck in their hair. Hermione more than Merlin due to her curly mess of hair. Merlin was holding something in his arms and he had a large smile on his face. Hunith quickly hugged Hermione who hugged Hunith back and Hunith moved to Merlin. She gave him a big hug and then glared at him. "You ran off into the forest! At night! You knew Hermione could care for herself, but you can't young man! Come inside both of you!" Merlin hid behind Hermione who shook her head in amusement. Merlin scooted in and Hunith closed the door behind her and stood in front of the two. Her arms were crossed and a no nonsense face was in place. "What were you doing in the forest so late Hermione? No note?" Hermione tapped Merlin's shoulder and she watched as Hermione signed to Merlin. He replied, "she was doing something for me." Hunith gave Hermione a confused look and Hermione pointed to the thing Merlin was holding. Merlin held it up and Hunith gasped. A stuffed dragon! It was so beautifully knitted! Hunith soon forgot her anger and hugged Hermione again. "Thank you dear." Hermione smiled and took off her jacket as well as Merlin's. She didn't remove her scarf though, which only meant one thing. Hunith sighed and got out the bandages. Hermione hated Merlin seeing her hurt. Merlin saw the bandages and knew he wasn't supposed to be there. Hermione had once told him that she hated him seeing her in pain. Merlin told her that he didn't like seeing her in pain, but if she ever needed him, then never hesitate to ask.
Merlin stayed put and sat on his bed with his stuffed dragon. He would stay this time. He didn't take joy in it or anything. He just wanted Hermione to know that he was there for her whenever she needed. Hermione eyed him with emotions between pride and disappointment. Neither went well together. Hermione looked at the ceiling as she removed the black scarf delicately and set it aside. Merlin watched the scarf that was blood stained, clean instantly and she winked at him. She's been doing magic all that time! He just never noticed! His eyes caught the blood filled bandage and he paled a bit. Hunith unwrapped the old bandage and revealed the wound, it was ghastly. It was open and oozing blood. All four gashes were wide open and bleeding. Merlin's face paled dramatically, but Hermione didn't see, her eyes were shut tight. Hunith grabbed a bowl and a basin of water with a rag and began to clean the wound. Tears came from Hermione's eyes and she gripped the bedding. She let loose as close to a scream as she's ever gotten. It hurt so much. Merlin got over his shock and ran to his sister's side. He took her hand and said in a calming whisper, "take my hand. You can squeeze it if you want. It'll make you feel better." She didn't hesitate in grabbing his hand and holding it tight. She tried her hardest not to crush the little boy's hand. She was breathing hard and tears streamed down her face. Hunith had begun to see up the wound again and Hermione bit her lip so hard that it began to bleed. Merlin sat on the bed beside Hermione and hesitantly reached up a hand to her head. He stroked her hair and the tension in her shoulders decreased. Her breaths were more controlled she still didn't open her eyes.
Merlin could feel something happening. Energy, power, whatever it was moved through her. Merlin looked at his mother's stitching and saw that ever so slightly, her skin was mending beneath the stitches. He didn't cease his stroking and Hermione still clutched his hand. His presence was helping her heal? What was it? It was an hour when everything was finished and Hermione was about ready to pass out. Everything was wrapped and clean and Hermione laid back on the bed, still clutching Merlin's hand. Merlin looked at his mother and Hunith looked down at Hermione sadly. He asked his mother quietly, "will she get better?" Hunith shook her head and answered, "she won't if the wounds keep opening. We'll give it a while and if it's not better, we'll take her to a Physician." Merlin nodded sadly and whispered in Hermione's ear, "get better please." Her hand had loosened around his and he removed it. He walked over to the door and followed his mother to the river where she washed out the bloody bowl and basin. She was probably doing laundry at the moment, so he would go and keep her company.
He walked over to the river and found his mother there, crying. He ran up to his mother and hugged her. "Please don't cry mum." Hunith sniffled and hugged her son. "Mum, why are you crying?" Hunith let him go and turned back to washing the bowl. "She's just in so much pain. A sweet girl like that doesn't deserve any of it!" Merlin nodded and sat down by his mother. "She made the boys stop pushing me around." Hunith looked at Merlin and asked, "how did she manage that?"
"She threatened to teach them how to hunt."
"How would that make them stop?"
"She said she was going to teach them how to hunt by throwing them in the forest in the middle of the night with an angry wild boar."
Hunith chuckled at the threat and remember her using something similar once. "She did that for you?"
"Yeah and then she healed my scraped knee."
"That was kind of her."
"She told me that kids used to pick on her when she was my age."
"Really?"
"Yeah. They called her ugly and always picked on her for being smart. I think they were just jealous of her."
"I believe you're right, Merlin."
"She said that everyone she loved was dead and she was glad that she had us. She hadn't been happy in a while."
"I'm glad we have her too. She's made me happy. Has she made you happy?"
Merlin looked at his mother with wide-eyes and answered with complete confidence, "extremely happy. She helps me, teaches me, makes me feel better and understands me." Hunith looked back to the river and scrubbed the bowl once more. Hermione was really helping her sons confidence. He took a deep breath and said to his mother quietly, "I adopted her last night." Hunith almost dropped her bowl in the river and she looked at Merlin wide-eyed. "What?" Merlin looked at the ground and played with a blade of grass. "I adopted her as my sister. You should have seen how happy she was. Her smile lit up the whole forest!" Merlin eyed his mother and thought she'd be mad. She wasn't mad though. She was so happy, so extremely ecstatic. "Well then, it looks like I have a daughter."
