A/N : Thank yall for the review's
Kpop1382as To the first question Spoiler's, Second question Possibly but not until at least Third year.
Dramonie1028 He's not dead
Disclaimer: I own nothing that resembles any of J.K Rowling's work
Chapter 11 : Into the Forrest
Sirius motioned the group "Let's go into the Forrest and find out the results!"
The trek into the was Dead-brook Forest beautiful in Hermione's eyes; every way she looked trees seemed to go on forever both hiding the horizon and shielding them from the noon sun. The drone of insects humming started the usual routine. The forest came alive with the layers of sounds echoing in the cold air. Little frogs croaked under large, broad leaves. Sirius kept cracking jokes making the hours pass into minutes. But behind her the Malfoy's were feeling every second of the hike finding every single root and loose stick.
But as the group pressed deeper a strong fog began to slither across the Forrest floor messing with Hermione's sense of depth. Finally Sirius called everyone a halt as they reached an alcove
"So Hermione and Draco see that spooky looking tree archway that where you two are headed so try not to freak out."
Hermione and Draco turned following Sirius hand to the twisted arch were the fog seem come from. Steadying themselves both marched into the foreboding path, this part of the Forest felt old unnaturally old one of those places which had no palpable reason to exist. Creaking, whispering trees, thicker leaves and thick undergrowth at the forest edge, overhanging branches, narrow and twisting path, denser wood, choked with brambles, matted undergrowth, thick bushes, ditch, sprawling branches, and stiff branches.
But once they passed the fog the foreboding disappeared, the ground formed from the remains of trees falling, in successive generations, for centuries, All the trees were tightly-knit, just one strand in a massive web of life. Green leaves, yellow leaves, red leaves. It was a rainbow of rich, autumnal colors. The scent of earth and water drifted through the air. It was a picture of serenity, one which would endure for many long years. The woodland seemed ominously quiet. They paused, now that even the sound of their own footfalls was silent, all that could be heard was the susurration of the leaves in the gusty wind. Looking up, they were transfixed by the myriad of fluttering leaves that danced in the high boughs, making a living roof above them. They were calmed, almost hypnotized, but the longer they stared the more the leaves looked like eyes staring back down at them and the boughs seemed to draw closer, blocking the sunlight as if they were forming a cage around them.
After about thirty minutes off walking they both began to hear different sounds in the forest, tinkle, pop, rustle of leaves, a voice like a thousand tiny bells, sweeter than bird song, a voice as soft and whispered as the swaying grass, buzz of tiny wings beating, almost soundless, singing like tiny angels, a laugh like the high notes of a flute, a chorus of voices no louder than the buzz of a bee, giggling like notes played on a reed flute." Ahead the forest trees are thinner, a clearing perhaps or a glade?" Voiced Hermione but as the pair draw closer they can see that it is neither. The firm ground gives way to a marsh of tall reeds, the soil submersed in water. The autumn sunlight falls directly onto a tree trunk, likely felled for just this purpose, a bridge. There is no hand rail, nothing to steady on. The drop isn't dangerous, just one hell of a messy landing. With one careful boot Hermione test the bark. It's damp with a smattering of moss, likely the sunrays keep the worst of it off. It isn't too slippery, but it's no sidewalk. It's has a girth of about three arm spans, yet the top is still curved. Taking a deep breath and just go the next half meter of tree, arms raised like a tightrope walker. Draco followed suit farther down, the bushes and trees of low growth had disappeared, to make room for gigantic mahogany trees, century old cork trees, and the acajou, whose somber branches formed a vaulted roof of green eighty feet above their head.
This part of the woods, serene, calm, beautiful, nature's garden. Oaks, Beech, Silver Birch, Holly bushes, winding path of mud gets boggy in places as it falls into gullies and rises up the hill, Sound or tinkling water, a stream rushes by in its steep sided ditch, splashing on the rocks, cascading down small waterfalls, carrying twigs and leaves into small natural dams, leaves dance gaily on trees up above, dapple the light, intermittent shade, bird song rises and falls in sweet melodious chorus, snow drops amidst the trees, squirrels scamper and scurry up and down tree trunks. Hermione could swear she heard the whisper of the little aspen leaves dancing in the slight breeze that toyed with her raven black hair. Her ears faintly distinguished the echoing sounds of forest animals far away, and the birds' sweet songs. She took a deep breath; the scent of pine mingled with the breeze. The forest seemed alive with little hidden secrets that only it knew.
Seeing another alcove the pair walks into the area holding the engraved bark up high in the middle was a giant oak tree oddly shaped like a man. "Umm we are here to get the results from the blood test, to find out what god will shape our magic?" Hermione spoke in the bravest voice she could muster, At these words the tree began to twist forming before their eyes a huge walking tree. Both let out a sharp scream but a booming voice calmed them "Calm yourself young humans."
Both at the same time said 'You can talk?" The Tree-Man shook with laughter "Sirius is still up to his old tricks I see, yes I can speak I am a Ent, you can call me Oak-thorn the Fog Sheppard or just Oak-thorn will do."
Hermione couldn't resist the asking "What exactly is an Ent? What purpose do you serve?" Oak-thorn breathed deeply causing more fog the fill the air "We are Sheppard's to aid in protecting the nature when ever their isn't a Warden, but when there is we are the core of a Warden's might to defend nature. Now then let's have a look at the blood bark." He sat into a throne that had be hidden to them. "Come young ones climb up and sit on these old ….. legs, oof my memory is not what it once was."
Hermione and Draco climbed up the root shaped legs of Oak-Thorn, "Now… let's see here….. hmm you boy are bound to Airmid Goddess of Medicinal Plants and Keeper of the Spring of Resurrection."
A green aura glowed around Draco after Oak-Thorn spoke, "Now it is your turn little lady… It seems the Branches of Fate's have honor me with… anointing this Daughter of Cernunnous the new Warden of the Dawn!" Hermione was still trying to figure out what the old tree had said when he spoke again
"We shall perform the Rite of the Warden in front of your love one's" Both eleven year olds were transferred to his gnarly shoulders.
The adult's had just watched the two children enter into the fog, Sirius pulled out his want and transformed a large boulder into stone pillar with three foot wide circle on top of it "Anyone fancy a game of Gobstones?" Sirius asked summoning a large bag of marbles "You are going down again!" Andy said summoning her own bag and walking to her husband. Lucias rolled his eye at his in-law's before pulling out a cylinder of leather out of his robes following Sirius lead transformed another rock into a writing stand. Pulling out the parchment out of the holder, "Really dear you need to do that today?" Narcissa asked, Lucias sighed and nodded his head "Unfortunately the opposition demanded a response of the new amendment added to the bill, if I do not they threaten they would keep it in grind-lock." Narcissa look displeased but she also kept in mind the world of politics never sleeps or takes a break. He herself pulled out the latest book by Gilderoy Lockhart "Year with the Yeti" it was a guilty pleasure to be sure, but it would help her not worry as much about Draco and Hermione.
Sirius pulled his fifteen polish onyx stone's each one having a white skull on them then he lined them into formation, Andy groaned when she saw which marbles he had chosen. These marbles once belong to Bellatrix before Sirius won them from her. They were unique in the way that the skulls would mock the other players each time they knocked the opponent's marbles out of the rings. Her's on the other hand were just simply stunning, each one of her's was enchanted to have a galaxy swirling inside each of them.
Once both of their marbles were lined up Sirius spoke "So what saw the stakes be?"Andy thought for a second "You pick first and ill match it with something equal to it." Sirius grinned "Fine if I win we try out that new position we saw in that indie book." Andy glared at him but quickly smirked "Fine but if I win I get to bring out my toy and you will not resist it." Sirius eyes went wide for a second but Gryffindor pride kicked in "Deal"
Hermione and Draco both felt the path was way shorter with Oak-Thorn's huge stride, while they traveled the old tree told a story that had them both invested in the end. Between Oak-Thorn's steps and the story they arrived in no time back to the adults. Lucias saw them first rolling up his parchment "They are back." Causing Narcissa to look up and hastily put her book away. As they were let down Hermione heard Sirius groan in defeat and saw Andromeda do a victory pose.
But eventually everyone formed a half circle with Hermione in the center Oak-Thorn spoke "Hermione Black, Daughter of Cernunnous do you accept the title and responsibility that the Branches of Fate have given you?" Hermione looked at the ancient being in front of her, deciding it felt right she said "I accept the title and all the responsibility of being the Warden of the Dawn." Oak-Thorn plucked an acorn out of his beard and handed it to Hermione."Swallow it and the power will flow through you." She eyed the acorn bracing herself, in one motion she swallow the acorn. At first she felt nothing… then horrible pain….then she felt blackness.