9 – Beltane

I arrived at the Ministry shortly after eleven, returned the expired Portkey to the Department of International Transportation's drop-off box, and headed home. What an evening. I was thrilled to see Severus awarded his Masters Scroll, but the meeting with Albus had been disturbing to say the least. I understood his need for my skills, but his detachment was hurtful. On the other hand, I had made some good contacts with a few witches and wizards from other countries. Something, I could use in the future.

Illuminating the cottage as I walked through the front door, I headed to the bedroom to change. My ritual robes were lying on the bed where I had left them, the alter materials in a pack by their side, and my cauldron was on the floor. As I changed into the white shift, I began to focus on the events of the evening and the ceremony of the night.

Beltane was always one of my favourites Sabbats. It was such a happy time filled with spirit and energy. It was when the Goddess and the God finally unite, creating life after the winter sleep.

It was nearly midnight when I hiked through the forest to a spot that I had chosen earlier in the week, not too far from the cottage. I had placed a Disillusionment Charm on the area as I had built a large balefire structure in the clearing. I didn't want hikers passing by to get ideas about lighting or destroying it.

Setting up a small alter and placing flowers in the cauldron, I lit the fire with Incendio and began the ritual. I don't often use crystals, but for some reason, I was drawn to them tonight. Placing them with their points out at each elemental direction, I summoned the Guardians. Mentally increasing the flames of the fire and sending sparks to the stars, I invoked the Goddess and the God. Inhaling deeply, palms up and arms outstretched to the sky, I called to the powers that rule.

"May the power of the One

Source of all creation,

May the Goddess of the Moon

Eternal mother to all.

May the God of the Sun

Exuberant father of life,

May the spirit of our ancestors and

The power of the elemental realms be with me here,

In this place, at this time.

I am open to your powers.

I am open to your spirit.

I am open to your teachings.

I am open to your love."

I brought my arms slowly back to my sides hearing the wind begin to rustle in the trees, watching the fire rise higher into the sky, feeling the earth vibrate gently under my feet, and a calm presence enter my soul. I stood, arms slightly raised, palms up, and eyes closed as I felt the energy surround me, filling me, and as the wind in the trees, the crackle of the fire, and the chirp of the crickets became my orchestra, I began to dance. Around the fire, I spun and twirled together with the leaping flames. The Circle began to glow, a beautiful yellow-white aura rising from the ground drawing on the energy from the rite. I was so happy, so full; I threw my arms to the sky and laughed, spinning around the fire. The aura had extended about two feet from the ground when I noticed that it was beginning to break along one side. Puzzled, I stopped. The break widened slowly, finally creating a three-foot doorway in the Circle.

How odd, I never made a doorway, I thought.

Then, I realized that I was not alone. A shadow stood about eight feet from the perimeter, unmoving and ominous. My heart raced, but as the fire crackled behind me I understood.

"The Goddess is inviting you in," I called to the shadow.

"Are you the Goddess?" the shadow returned.

"She is a part of me as I am a part of Her," I answered.

There was silence, and the shadow remained still. The aura of the Circle glowed pale pink, then light red before returning to the yellow-white hue. The doorway remained open. Finally, the shadow approached and removed its hood and cloak, letting it drop to the forest floor before stepping in. I smiled as the Circle closed behind him. We stood regarding each other for a moment before the music of the rite began again, and again, I began to dance. Severus stood still, watching, as I let the music fill me. From the opposite side of the fire, I finally saw him extend his arms slowly from his sides and breath deeply; his head tipped back, his face to the sky. I continued around the Circle until I came chest to chest with him and imitated his stance. I could feel his warmth. His chest rose and fell with each breath.

Slowly, our arms dropped, and we faced each other, silently. I raised my hands to his face, fingers spread, as I began to trace his features without touching him. When my hands reached his shoulders, he began the same ritual, tracing my features, without touching. We followed the lines of each other's bodies as we ran our hands over each charka, acknowledging the energy they emitted. It was silent and sensual, and the Circle's aura rose even higher. By the time we reached the feet, the aura was at least six feet high.

We stood and faced each other, this time allowing our hands to touch, to feel, to know each other's presence. Severus tipped his head forward, and our lips met in a tender, lingering kiss, our hands still gently caressing. The kiss deepened as our arms wrapped around each other, the flames of the fire imitating the growing heat between us. Pulling back slightly, I reached for Severus' frock coat. This was something new, and I leisurely unbuttoned the long row of buttons, slipping the coat from his shoulders. He watched me intently with hooded, dark eyes. I, then, began unbuttoning his shirt as he slowly began to caress my upper arms and shoulders with his fingertips. It sent shivers down my spine, and I shuddered. He smiled a smile that filled his eyes and made them glow, the flames of the fire reflecting in their dark depths. When I had removed his shirt, Severus started toying with the shoulder straps of my shift, the silky fabric sliding under his touch. He lowered his hands from my shoulders to brush his knuckles lightly over my breasts, watching my reaction as he did. I caught my breath, and he smiled again, as did I. His hands traced the curve of my chest and reached my hips, gently grasping the fabric and slowly lifting it over my head. I stood naked before him as he tossed the shift aside. Undoing the buttons of his trousers, he pulled me close as I slid my hands down the back and over his buttocks, pushing the material away. He stepped back and toed off his boots, kicking the trousers away at the same time. The Circle's aura was glowing pale pink as we stepped close to each other again, our fingertips beginning another dance. Gingerly lowering to the ground, we lay in the soft grass feeling each other's warmth. It was so slow: gentle touches, lingering kisses, hands following curves and contours in loving caresses. As Severus positioned himself over me, and I cradled him between my knees, the aura, now a light red, closed into a dome over us, the sound of the forest orchestra reverberating off the glow. As our union became complete, the aura changed to a bright, almost blinding, white, encompassing us, and blocking out all sound except for our ardent breathing. The fire's flames rocketed to the top of the dome and spread across its ceiling; the aura and the fire uniting as Severus and I were: the union of the Goddess and God.

When we were done, Severus lowered himself onto me for a moment, nestling his nose into the crook of my neck and bracing himself on his strong, upper arms, allowing his heart to regain a slower pace. Then, he rolled onto his back by my side, arms slightly extended. We lay there in silence for a moment, the aura having diminished, and the sound of the forest now almost gone. Neither of us had said a word since he stepped into the Circle, and I propped myself onto my elbow to look at him. His eyes were squeezed shut as a tear track ran over his temple and into his hair. I gently traced the track with my fingertip, then kissed the tear away. His jaw tighten, his lips pressed together as he inhaled deeply, but his arms came around to hold me close.

"What's wrong?" I asked, snuggling into him, my head on his shoulder, arms wrapped around his waist. I could feel him trembling slightly, as if he were cold.

He breathed deeply again, and I waited.

"I never thought that I could feel this way, that anyone could love me like this, and yet you do. Why?" He stared up at the blaze of stars.

"There are many reasons, but simply accept that I do. There's no need to question it," I answered as I kissed away another tear. "Did you enjoy this experience?"

"Very much," he rasped.

"It wouldn't have happened if our hearts didn't feel the same way. We are blessed by the Goddess and the God."

"She let me in," he said barely above a whisper.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because you love me, and I love you."

He hugged me tightly, nuzzling his nose into my hair, and placing a kiss onto my forehead.

"Do you feel better?" I asked after a few moments.

"Yes. What did it mean when the aura closed?"

"It meant that you are mine, and I am yours, and our union is from the heart. We made love, and now, we are one."

We lay in each other's arms as the flames of the fire began to fade, then we gathered our clothes and the ritual tools, and wrapped only in Severus' cloak, walked back to the cottage. As we climbed into bed and cuddled next to each other, we sighed at the same time and chuckled at the coincidence. It was pure contentment. We slept a peaceful sleep feeling warm and safe and loved.