Chapter Four: Flying Students and Spells
AN: I misspelt Morgan's last name it is le Fey, not le Fay. Yes, it is important that I correct this. *bows to Merlin* I have also taken artistic liberty with the story of Circe.
It was the oddest dinner ever, to say the least. For the first time since they started to view each other as girlfriends, Hermione and Pansy sat next to one another. Sure they were getting death glares from a majority of Slytherins, but everyone else was smiling at them. Dean and Seamus came up and joked about how Hermione was changing the 'Queen' of Slytherin for the better. Hermione's roommates were in shock, to say the least, and as dinner drew near its end the brunette watched Ginny talked to Neville, Harry, Fred, and George. They all left the Great Hall with Gin in the lead.
She and Pansy left a few minutes later. As they made their way to Gryffindor tower Pansy stopped and pulled the brightest witch of the age into a tight embrace. "Are you worried about tonight Hermione?"
"No." Brown-silvery eyes watched the raven haired girl raise one eyebrow. "Well maybe a little, but that is because it is the unknown. There are no books in the library that I could find that dealt with what we are…"
"So that is why you were spending a lot of time in the restricted section." Pansy had this smirk on her face.
Pursing her lips Hermione asked "So?"
"Easy Mi, don't read what is not there, and besides I have been there looking as well. Perhaps we are never meant to know, or perhaps for each demigod the abilities are different."
This made some sense because of Hercules and Perseus, both sons of Zeus, had totally different powers. Hercules was insanely strong, and Perseus had wits and cunning. "So it would be impractical to write a book about us." Hermione could not help but frown at this news.
"Hey don't be sad," Pansy softly kissed her. "…I have something for you." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small necklace. "My mum gave this to me when I was six. It has been somewhat of a good luck charm for me, and I thought you could use it tonight. Hold up your hair please?"
Lifting her hair Hermione commented, "You know I have often thought of cutting it."
"Don't do it makes you more alluring. You know you have a beautiful neck." Hermione felt gentle lips on the back of her neck. "Not to mention your overall beauty."
Hermione could feel her cheeks get warmer. "Stop it."
"Why it's the truth? I just wish I could be there with you tonight."
"Maybe there is a way." the confidence and the determination in the familiar voice made Hermione smile. "And before you ask Hermione yes I believe you now. Although Fred and George know as well I think it will be fine."
"Hey Harry, so you believe me now huh?" Hermione could not help but laugh. Over the past three weeks, Harry and Neville had been debating her on whether she was being tricked or not and apparently even Harry's somewhat unmovable views could be moved in the presence of a goddess. "So how did Neville fair?"
"Quite well actually, he only tripped down the last flight worried about running into Draco. But your mother caught him with a soft bed of dirt." Hermione nodded.
"So how can you help me get into Gryffindor tower, Harry?"
Hermione and Harry smiled. "You will see trust me Pans. Now Hermione your mother said you will need rest after what you did today, and no I have no clue what she is talking about."
"I tried to go ethereal." Hermione took the Slytherin's hand and gently kissed it. "I will see you tomorrow…"
"Oh no, you don't Mi. I am walking you to your House entrance and that's final." Pansy interlaced their fingers. "Now let's go."
It had taken Hermione nearly an hour to fall asleep, and even then it was fitful. It was your typical creepy falling dream, and then it shifted to a submerged dream followed by being buried alive. The weird thing was that she was not afraid of any of this. It was this that made no sense, and when she did wake up it was to the sounds of people yelling her name. As she looked around she had one response…
"Eeeek, what is going on?"
"You're flying…" was Fred's response.
As she gave him a death glare George said, "Well you asked."
It took her some time to get her feet on the ground, and some explanations to Percy as to how she was doing this. It wasn't until he saw her eyes that he even remotely believed her. Then someone said the one thing she hoped no one would say.
"So why are you not in Slytherin?"
"Because my mum and dad were told not to tell me until necessary, and that wasn't until just before the start of term." Hermione took a deep breath. "My mother believes that you should earn your way."
"So you trying to tell us…" one of Foregut went silent as a chill filled the room.
A familiar silken form entered the room drawing everyone's attention to it. It was at this moment that Hermione noticed a small dog at the boy's feet.
"Yes she is a demigod, and no that does not make her the brightest witch of her age that is something she must earn." The goddess floated up to the sixth year that had been cut off. "And young man the next time you kick my sacred animal I will turn you into one." It was then that Hermione looked at his feet and saw a small dog with flaming eyes limping away from him.
"Yes ma'am," was the miniature voice. First, the Handmaiden of Gaea left, and a few minutes later her presence left.
"That was your… mum?" All the Hermione did was nod. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because of what you are doing now I am not a goddess and I am not as powerful as Merlin. So if you don't mind quit staring at me."
It was as if ever one blinked at once. After a few more question Percy ushered everyone back to bed, but Hermione and Harry said they would do so in a little bit. As soon as Percy was out of sight Hermione was hit by a flying raven haired Slytherin. "Oh, Mi are you all right!?"
Rubbing Pansy's back Hermione replied, "I am now." They stayed like this for a few minutes until Hermione heard a yip come from the floor. Looking down Hermione saw the little dog jumping around their feet, and before she could 'shoo' it away Pansy picked it up. "What are you doing Pans?"
"Well it is you mother's favoured animal isn't it?" the bookworm just nodded. "Well do you think she would mind if I took this one as my familiar?"
"I don't think so, but I am the wrong one to…" She was cut off by a fabric falling on top of her.
"Hey, Ron what's up?" Harry's voice was markedly kinder to Ron than it was several hours ago.
"Nothing, hey what are you doing down here at this time of night?" Hermione could see Ron leaning over the couch.
"Nothing, why is something wrong Ron?"
"Have you heard Hermione thinks she is a demigod? What a div."
Before Hermione could respond a soft pair of lips pressed against her own. In the kiss induced haze, she realised that she and Pansy were under Harry's Invisibility Cloak. "That's harsh you know Ron, and besides you didn't see her mother show up and jump on Edward Foregut's case. Let me tell you, Ron, it isn't a joke."
"Oh come on Harry that could have been Lav or Pravati under a clever enchantment." At this point, Hermione started to squirm and the hand was removed, and the swiftly replaced by a soft pair of lips which was a welcome upgrade in the Gryffindor's opinion. "Well, whatever the case is I'm sure her fame won't surpass yours good night Harry."
"Good night Ron," Harry grumbled. Hermione then felt the cloak get lifted off them. "Well looks like you found a good way of keeping Hermione from snapping back at Ron."
"It was a spur of the moment thing."
"Sure it was…" Was all Hermione could say before she returned the kiss. Next thing either of them knew was a warm wet tongue started licking the side of their faces. "Ack, what the heck are we going to do with you?" Hermione was now rubbing the little guy/girl behind the ears.
"Better yet what are we going to name her?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. "She does not have the plumbing to be a male."
"Hmmm… How about Rexa?" and before anyone could say otherwise the little hound yipped her approval.
"Well, I need to get you back to Slytherin dormitories before they get wise about your disappearance."
"I will see you tomorrow Mi." With one last kiss goodbye, Pansy picked up Rexa. "Come on girl time to meet my other friends."
The next morning was a madhouse. By the time she got to art class the whole school was abuzz about her true nature. It made her smile somewhat at the look of shock on Draco's face the moment he found out it was not a joke. What was infuriating was that Ron joined Draco on this one.
"Hey Granger, heard the story about your mother. Do you honestly believe she is a goddess?" Draco's smirk was laughable considering said goddess was behind him.
"Yes, Hermione who do you want to buy that stick?" Ron chuckled.
"I expect no one to buy it, and besides my mother only honours her children that study, and that don't ask for handouts." The two boys couldn't know the truth in the statement. Her book had told stories of some of the more foolish siblings she had. Not to mention the ways in which they died. In some cases, it was a little too much information.
"Sounds like a rehearsed answer to me Weasley…" Draco looked over at Ronald. "First time you have stood next to me Weasley."
"Well, this is the first thing you and I have ever agreed on." Ron had this obnoxious smile on his face, but it was the look on her mother's face that made Hermione and Pansy take one step back. "What are you scared of Hermione the truth?"
The four of them (Ron, Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle) broke out into laughter. As Percy made his way to intervene Hermione stepped forward "If you're so confident about your beliefs then you would not be afraid to accept a duel challenge from me." Hermione drew her wand as she stepped forward. Her mother lifted an eyebrow. 'I have got this don't waste your energy they aren't worth it.'
'If you're certain,' the smile on Hecate's face made the people behind her let out a held breath.
"What no second?" Ron asked.
"Correct, because I don't think I will need one, especially given who I will be duelling." A chorus of 'Oh's' followed that comment.
"Fine Weasley you're my second."
It astonished Hermione that Percy wasn't stopping them then she saw someone sitting on the Slytherin table with an ear to ear grin on her face. She was the same woman from the Leaky Cauldron, and Hermione was racking her brain to figure out who she was. Her long thin black hair and silvery eyes reminded her of the description of her sister Circe. She would change men into pigs upon drinking a potion, and who would if that failed to seduce the man then remove important parts of their anatomy. The book her mother gave her described her gaining immortality by taking one of the Apples of Immortality and eating it. This act earned her a two-millennium imprisonment in the Sea of Monsters, and after which she served as Hecate's personal assistant.
A soft cough off to her right made Hermione's head snap in said direction. It was Professor Dumbledore. "Do you mind if I oversee this little duel?"
"No professor I don't." the brunette said with a small smile gracing her features.
People cleared a duelling area for them to duel. Which shocked Ron, it looked like he was expecting Hermione to back down. She and Draco took the customary position in the middle of the area that had been cleared.
"Are you ready Granger?" The smirk on Draco's face was annoying.
"Yes." Hermione curtsied then walked the required distance turned to face Draco. And without waiting for him to cast a single spell she decided to end it out of pity for Ron. "Petrificus Totalus!"
As the stream of energy left her wand Hermione felt Draco prepare his counter spell. Using her free hand cast a gust of the wind in his direction. The wind knocked Draco's wand out of his hand shortly thereafter the spell collided with him. Flicking her wand once more she caused the spell to reemerge behind Draco and collide with Ronald. She could see a trail of the silver snake behind her. Thinking quickly she doubled up the spell (which surprised everyone) bringing it up over peoples' head and down on the two that had their wands drawn.
As Crabbe and Goyle fell on their face Hermione felt this shiver run up her spine, and she felt instantly weak. She fell to her knees amid gasps and shrieks of awe. Pansy, Harry, and Rexa were at her side in no time.
"I am fine, I am just tired. Anyone else, think that I am faking it?" No one said anything. "Okay with that out the way I need to eat…"
As the memory faded she put her earphones in, and selected a song on her iPod. She strolled into the art class. Before she could hit play a pair of hands covered her eyes. "About time you know." A soft pair of lips touched her cheek.
"I couldn't help it I had to sleep after what happened at lunch." Hermione leant back into Pansy.
"I'd believe it. So what was it like to have access to your powers?" The Slytherin kept her voice low and soft.
"I don't know how it is going to be for you, but for me, I could feel Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle preparing to cast their spells. Not to mention I was able to manipulate a spell that I had already cast."
Hermione tried to get out from Pansy's grip. "Ah ah, I don't think so Hermione Granger this is my surprise for you."
"Can't I just sneak a peek?" Hermione could not wipe the smile off her face.
"Nope Kitten. I have been working on this after dinner for the past week with you mother giving me time to stay after curfew." They stopped walking "Okay now you can look."
As Hermione opened her eyes she saw three familiar faces staring back at her. She, Pansy, and Rexa were in front of the beautiful lake scene she had been painting over the last week and a half. "Oh by the gods Pansy it's beautiful."
Hermione turned around and put her arms around Pansy's neck. "Thank you, my love." A pair of slender arms went around her waist. "Now before I put my name on it where do you want it sent?"
"I would like to look at it every day, but it would be hard for me to get it home. So send it to my home. My mum and dad look forward to meeting you." Hermione placed a gentle kiss on Pansy reminiscent of their first kiss.
"I will gladly do so, and I would love to meet them."
