Hecate
The Goddess of Magic, Crossroads, Moon
Ghosts, Witchcraft and Necromancy
Returning home from the Ministry saw Hermione preparing for her Sentries arrival. Brewing restorative draughts, pepper up potions, and a slew of other potions she wasn't quite sure she'd need. She spent most of the day in her above ground laboratory, only stopping at Elpis' insistence that she eat something.
Sighing, she took her lunch in her private study and instructed Elpis to prepare the guest bedrooms with clean sheets and fresh toiletries. Tapping her fingers against the large ebony desk she had custom made for her study, she thought about her future plans. Her first priority was to see to the health of her Sentries, her second was to complete the blood bonding ritual that would begin the moment her Sentries allowed their blood to drop onto the marbles she had given them.
What she hadn't told them, was that by allowing their blood to be absorbed by the crystal marble, was that it would begin to mix with her own blood. It would start a bond that would prevent them from harming her, and she them. It would last for exactly seven days, the precise amount of time before the Winter Solstice that was required to perform the ritual. Seven days to ensure that her Sentries could perform the ritual without a hitch, and that they would be willing to do so.
She had made a dangerous deal to control the Moirai, and she wasn't foolish enough to think it would be easy, however, things that were worth it rarely was. In a fit of desperation, she had called upon the Old Goddesses of Magic, Power, and Justice. They had answered her call, and she had struck a deal with them. She would be their Vessel, and in return she would have control of the Fates, and be the first Queen of the new world. Failure was not an option.
Sighing she ran a hand through her now smooth curls, one of many gifts from the Goddesses. Deciding to retire for a mid-evening nap to better prepare herself for her chosen's arrivals. After all, with those five she was going to have her hands very full.
Slipping into her room, she closed the drapes and set an alarm. She knew that as soon as the first ray of sun broke the horizon tomorrow, her Sentries would be transported to her. And she wanted to be ready.
Her last thought before drifting off to sleep was that while Voldemort had sought to be the Master of Death, she was going to become the Queen of Fate.
Meanwhile in Azkaban Thorfinn Rowle was sitting up looking out the small barred window of his cell. One of the Weasley children had been by to visit just moments ago. Glancing down at the small marble in his hands, he began to count the hours to his escape. As the sun drew nearer in the sky he pricked his finger on a bit of rusty metal from the bars of his cell. Carefully he allowed seven drops of blood to fall onto the marble, staring in wonder as the marble got brighter with each drop, finally as the seventh drop was absorbed the marble began to heat up. Once it was so hot he could barely stand it, he threw it to the ground as hard as he could, only to be swallowed up by the heat of the fire inside. As he was pulled away, he could hear the shouts of the other prisoners, as well as those of his brethren. I'm coming my Queen, he thought as the fire blinded him.
Waking up to the chime of her alarm Hermione smiled victoriously. Today was the day. Today marked the beginning of a new Era, and she couldn't wait to bring it in. Putting on her dressing gown she glided down to her foyer. While she knew, her Sentries would eventually see the inside of her bedroom, for now it was her own inner sanctum that she wasn't ready to share.
As she had expected, the first rays of the morning sun brought along with it the trembling of her wards. Suddenly five fireballs appeared in her foyer nearly simultaneously. As one the flames died when she lifted her hand, accepting her Sentries into her wards and magic.
"Welcome home, loves." She told them smiling brightly as the early morning sun cresting over the horizon. "Welcome home."
"My Queen, it is a pleasure to be in your presence once again." Thorfinn told her, already attempting to charm his way into her favor.
"Actually, the pleasure is mine. My Queen. At least it will be if this visit is anything like last time." Chimed Rabastan.
And so, the pissing contest begins, she thought with a wry smile. She watched the reactions of the other three and had to hide an unladylike snort when Antonin murmured to Marcus and Adrian, "They must have gotten a much better visit than mine." Overdramatic on his part. She had healed him after all, she could have left him there to die, and no one would have batted an eye.
"Now, now boys. I assure you it is a pleasure to see you all. First things first though, are any of you injured? No. Very well. Come to the dining room where Elpis has prepared breakfast for the six of us. I've brewed restorative draughts and pepper up potion for all of you." She told them turning to lead them into the dining room. It was deliberate on her part to turn her back to them, it showed she didn't fear them, that she was confident in her home and her abilities as a witch. Even if they were to attempt to attack her with brute force, the magic in the bonding wouldn't allow it, and they would find themselves dead within seconds.
"You each have your own room here, along with a personal bathroom. Elpis will be needing to take your measurements so I can order you suitable clothes. As much as I would love to watch you all wander around naked, I'm told that would make me an unsuitable hostess." Turning around at the head of the large oak dining room table she gestured for them all to sit.
They did so hesitantly, as if they were afraid to get the grime of Azkaban on the upholstered chairs.
"Oh, will you just sit already. The damn things are awful to look at anyways, but they were a gift from an old suitor, and I hadn't the heart to throw them away. Now I'll have reason to." She barked at them. Pleased when they all immediately sat. She noticed the way Thorfinn and Rabastan seemed to take immense joy in ruining the furniture while Marcus and Adrian sat more gingerly, as if afraid of upsetting her.
Antonin remained standing, and with a huff she sat as well. Honestly, he was going to have to get used to her being the one in power. Once she was seated comfortably, he sat as well sending her an amused smirk. Rolling her eyes at him she turned her attention to the breakfast laid out.
After taking a small sampling from the buffet before her she leaned back to admire her Sentries. Although dirty and worn down they were all very handsome. From Thorfinn with his shaggy blonde hair and scruff, to Antonin with his Slavic features, to Rabastan, Marcus, and Adrian's Aristocratic good looks. They cut quite the figures, even after being emaciated in Azkaban for years. In a few weeks' time, they would be back to looking just as handsome as ever.
"I'm sure you're all wondering why I decided to free you from Azkaban and bring you into my home. So, who wants to ask first?" she asked before taking a bite of sausage. They all exchanged glances, before apparently deciding that Rabastan would be their mouthpiece.
"We all understand you have a desire to become Queen, but how do we fit into those plans? And just how are we to know this isn't some plot to kill us in the end?" He asked her, raising his eyebrows in her direction.
She took great joy in noticing that the men before her were trying very hard to not just devour the food like animals. Swallowing another piece of her breakfast, "It's simple really. I am bound by magic that I cannot hurt you, just as you cannot hurt me. And before you start Antonin, it had to be activated by blood first." She told them sending Antonin a scathing glance for attempting to interrupt her.
Honestly, she was tempted to hex him silent. Perhaps she would have to visit him tonight to persuade him to seeing things her way more clearly. She had expected him to be difficult, but this was getting ridiculous.
Thorfinn spoke up this time, "And just what are we expected to do for you in return for our freedom?"
Hermione eyed him from the corner of her eye, "There is a, ritual. One that requires all of you to bind yourselves to me. And in return I will be bound to each of you. It will be the equivalent of a marriage however, this one will be quite literally blessed by the Goddesses." She told them, waiting for one of them to object.
"And what of the Gods? Will they bless us as well? Magic must have a balance, as I'm sure you already know. "Adrian piped up, gingerly laying down his fork.
Hermione sent him a tooth filled smile, "That is something you will discover if you participate in the ritual, in seven days' time." Glancing at the clock on the wall she frowned.
"I'm sorry, but I have something I need to check on downstairs. Please, finish your breakfast, and call for Elpis should you need anything at all. She'll be happy to show you to your rooms. You have free reign of the manor and its grounds, however I ask you do not enter my chambers unless invited, and I shall return the courtesy to you." Standing she waved her hand sending her dirty dish to the kitchen.
Walking away from them she smiled when she heard Marcus say, "I don't know about you lot, but I'm performing the bloody ritual with her." Followed by a round of aye's. Yes, everything was coming together quite nicely indeed. But for now, she had a guest to dispose of.
A/N: And Chapter seven is complete! Thanks so very much to my Beta Vino Amore for the awesome feedback on this story. Up next, some sexy time with Antonin, I think y'all deserve it for putting up with some filler chapters. So tell me what you think? I love getting feedback, and from here on out the chapters will (hopefully) be longer than the previous ones. Keep in mind that may result in some slightly slower updates, but I will endeavor to get these chapters out to you as soon as possible.
