Hermione Granger and the Quest for the Binding Stones

Part 2

The Gathering

Chapter 6

"Just like that, Lilly," Luna said. "Yes, very well done."

The giant golden bird closed its eyes and leaned into the young girls hand as she stroked its head.

"She's a natural, Marcus," his friend, Tarak Williams, said quietly.

Marcus nodded. They stood at the edge of a canyon. The great Thunderbird was perched on the canyon edge facing her gathered human friends. Lilly stood before her, communing with her. Luna and Lavender stood few paces back, Luna looking serene, and Lavender, wand in hand, watching every move the Thunderbird made.

"Toch'act'a won't hurt her," Luna said.

"Um hm," Lavender muttered and changed nothing.

Luna chuckled. "What are you feeling, Lilly?" she asked.

"She's happy," Lilly said, eyes closed and a smile on her face. "She likes people, well some people, and that includes us. She has a special fondness for Mr. Williams."

Tarak smiled. "I saved one of her chicks forty years ago," he said. "They never forget."

"I wish Mum was here," Rose said.

"Hermione has a problem with large animals, I've noticed," Luna observed. "She's never liked horses, I first saw it at Hogwarts. She had a problem with equines, and even Professor Firenze was difficult for her. I think it was a struggle for her to view the centaurs as the equals they are with the resemblance to horses that they have." Luna smiled. "She overcame it, though."

"She rode a thestral," Rose pointed out. "Twice"

Luna laughed. "Not without complaint, at least the first time when I was there."

"Yeah, I suppose," Rose conceded. "She did point it out when she got me and Lilly riding lessons."

"You could ride Toch'act'a if you asked, I bet," Tarak said.

"Not in this lifetime," Lavender growled as she glared at him.

Tarak snickered.

Luna smiled at her friend. "No, I agree. I don't think Lilly should," she said. "But I would like the opportunity."

Luna stepped up to the giant bird and laid her hand on Toch'act'a's neck. Both Luna and Lilly laughed at the same time, and then Lilly stepped away from Toch'act'a. The thunderbird lowered herself to the ground and Luna climbed onto her back between her front and rear wings. The rest of the humans present backed away, and Luna and Toch'act'a took to the sky.

(*)

The picture showed a desert valley. Suddenly an enormous bird flew into the scene with Luna, arms spread in ecstasy, riding her back.

"It was exhilarating," Luna said from over Hermione's shoulder.

"I'll take your word for it," Hermione muttered.

"She's very friendly," Lilly said. "And she's gravid."

"Yes, she is," Luna agreed, nodding. "I'm pleased you caught that, Lilly, and thank you for remembering the camera." She sipped her wine. "Toch'act'a is also quite intelligent. I'd say on the level of a six year old but with a far greater sense of self. She was happy to fly with me."

Lavender put her hand on Hermione's shoulder. "How far through that pile of books did you get?" she asked.

Hermione pulled off her reading glasses and rubbed her eyes, "I skimmed the history texts," she said. "Read the legends and the local history books, and I'm just starting the western geography handbook."

Lavender nodded. "I spoke with Betty," she said. "There's a local pizza shop that delivers. We've all had a busy day, so I thought we'd get carry out."

Hermione nodded, putting her glasses back on and turning back to her book. "Good idea," she said. "No anchovies, please."

(*)

There were twice as many people around the fire, Hermione observed as she stepped through.

"Ya'at eeh," Ellen Merry Dear said. "Welcome once more."

"Thank you," Hermione said, walking up to Ellen and taking her hand. "We are happy to be among you again." Lavender, Luna, Lilly, Rose, and Marcus followed Hermione through the fire, and they gathered behind her. "When last we met," Hermione said in her High Priestess voice. "You gave us gifts, gifts we will treasure always. Tonight we return a thing to you that was taken." From her bag she pulled a small, cloth wrapped object. With great care she unwrapped the figure of Merlyn, bent, and placed it in Ellen's hands.

Ellen trembled, and tears streaked her stern face. "All doubt is now gone!" she said loudly. "The Bilaga'ana medicine woman that was promised is with us!"

A loud cheer went up from the crowd, and many shouted or howled in elation. Lavender smiled, threw back her head, balled her fists, and let loose a werewolf howl of her own. The people surrounding her laughed, and they joined in the howl. In her den a mother Coyote started at the sound, and she looked out across the valley. Her pack mates were roused from their afternoon slumber by the noise, and they gather in front of their dens. The howl from the distant humans rose again, and from their perch on a hill in the desert the coyotes answered.

The coyote's song drifted back to them, and in the glow of the firelight Hermione saw that many of the people wore costumes from different tribes. There were deer skinned visitors from the east, finely adorned representatives of the plains tribes, fur draped members from the north, and seashell adorned friends from the south.

A man approached wearing a feathered head dress and elaborately beaded shirt and trousers. He took Hermione's hand, and said, "Nea'êšemeno."

He is Cheyanne, Luna said in her mind. He says, "thank you"

"You are so very welcome," Hermione said, and the man smiled.

"Johnathan Soaring Eagle," He said. "The Cheyanne welcome you."

As if moved by an inner force, they all stood from their blankets and surrounded their visitors. Hands rested on their shoulders as the gathered People of the Earth began to chant. They are blessing us and themselves, Luna sent. They sing of your compassion, of Lavender's strength, of my power, of Lilly's gift, and of Rose's purpose. As with the Dreamers, we seen are a sign, a portent of changes to come. They also see an ordained purpose to their lives, but as with us they are uncertain as to the actual particulars of the mission. She grinned.

Perhaps we can help. I may have an answer to your question, Luna sent to the entire group. Those that hadn't been at their first meeting gasped and looked at her in shock. As we did with your cousins, the Dreamers, we can join with you, unify us all, if you desire. Luna felt a wave of not just acceptance but eagerness.

She took her Sisters hands. Keep your hands upon us, she sent. Prepare yourselves.

"Simbios!" Luna, Lavender, and Hermione all said in unison.

The world fell away, and once more Luna Scamander led a group of minds into the landscape of the Dream. The people were bright sparks around her, and her sister's presence glowed with her next to her own spark. She felt the people's wonder, and she let her own giddy happiness flow out to them. This is my gift. We can see farther than you can imagine, but first I would like to speak with our friends among the Dreamers. Their view of the world of the Dream expanded. From the Pacific to the Atlantic they could see the masses of people and creatures living, striving, and hoping within their own Dream. She expanded their view again, now to encompass the whole of the earth. Luna felt the same awe and joy from the People of the Earth as she had from the Dreamers, and she directed their focus to an isolated home in the outback of Australia.

(*)

Carla Williams walked across the kitchen of Cohn Manor and placed Obo's cup of tea in front of the aged elf, and then she handed the second cup to Jarra Oonagan. "Strange not havin' a house full," she said. "With the last batch gone and the new not comin' till after Christmas, won't know what to do with ourselves, eh, Obo?"

"Mistress Carla seems to find work without any help," Obo said with a twinkle in his eye.

Jarra laughed. "He's got ya there, Carla," he said as he looked out the desert baking in the morning sun. "Scorcher today."

The old woman smiled and sat in her chair. "Wonder when we'll hear from Hermione and the rest?" she asked.

Hello, Carla, Obo, Jarra, Luna's presence said. I am joined with the peoples of North America, and I am introducing them to the community of Dreamers so that they may become as we are.

Carla barked out a laugh, Jarra smiled and shook his head, and Obo nodded with a broad smile of his own. Welcome, my cousins, Jarra thought. He laughed again. I envy you the experiences to come, the traveling, and the seeing. I am eager to do it again, as you will be. Our purpose is at hand, is it not?

(*)

It is, Jarra, Luna sent into the mass consciousness that was the gathered people, the link, as the Sisters now thought of it. We will explore further. When all the peoples of the earth that remember are touched, then we will see what we can really do. But for now… she drew away from Jarra, Carla, and Obo, and then she turned her attention to the sky.

There was another mutual gasp of wonder, and Luna chuckled as again life and magic glittered across the firmament.

(*)

Reaching across the galaxy Luna grasped a magical spark among the stars, and then she secured her connection to the People of the Earth firmly. Get ready, she sent to them, this is a little frightening the first time. They traversed the unimaginable distance in a heartbeat.

And as with the Dreamers she, her new, and her old friends, looked out at another distant world through a set of alien eyes.

O'k'a'orent Ta flew. That was her being, that was her life, and that was her joy. The eternal clouds around her, the triple suns above, and the sweet taste of the sulfur mist as she opened her mouth and filtered the wind. Five moons shown in the orange tinted sky, and the ring shadow off to her right fizzled with lightening in the depths of the bottomless atmosphere. T'arrent' Ho trumpeted to her and she barrel rolled in happiness. He flew past her as his muscled, diamond shaped body pushed him through the clouds with powerful beats of his wings.

They resemble mantas a mind in the peoples midst observed.

O'k'a'orent's mate was strong and gentle, and soon their littles would be clinging to her back as they learned the ancient ways of the soarers.

Luna and the gathered people felt the Tha surge within their host, and O'k'a'orent Ta used her magic to funnel the nutritious mix of sulfur and carbon crystals that rained out of the clouds to her gaping mouth. In that moment she was one with the Tha, living as one with the whole of creation. She reveled in the peace that was the connection to the all, and Luna's friends felt her joy mixed with their own.

(*)

Luna drew them back and opened her eyes. I believe this is what he imagined I would do. She sent to them. There is more, I am certain, but for now is this not wonder enough? There were mutterings of astonishment, some chuckles and a few tears of happiness.

"Merlmak saw you from afar," and old man said. He looked to be an ancient face in a pile of blankets. John Merry Deer walked over to the old man and helped him to Luna. The rest fell silent as he approached Hermione, Luna, and Lavender. "I am William Standing Bear," the old man said. He looked at Luna and smiled. "You are Rolf's wife?"

"Yes, Mr. Standing Bear," Luna said. "Rolf sends his compliments, and I am very happy to make your acquaintance."

"Rolf Scamander is a good man, a true man," William Standing Bear said. "I was a young boy when we stood on the cliff, and Newt opened his case. Marcus' father was with me me that day, to see a wonder, my father had told us. He was right." He took Luna's hand and looked deeply into her eyes, into her soul. "White Medicine Woman, you have been looked for, sought after, and now I see you."

"And I see you," Luna replied, and she kissed his cheek. "We seek your help. As we have told the Dine, we search for a thing Merlmak made. He left them scattered over the earth, and we are gathering them to break the great enchantment the holds the elves in slavery."

William smiled crookedly. "He did say you would be led by her," he said looking at Hermione. "Injustice offends you, doesn't it? Hurts you in your heart and causes you pain. Don't tolerate it, do you?"

Hermione looked at him grimly. "No, sir. I don't"

William laughed. "Sit, sit," he said. "You bring Leon with you?" he asked John.

"Yep," Marcus replied for him, and he ushered Leon forward. The two old men embraced, and then spoke in a Navaho/Apache mix for a moment.

William turned back to Hermione. "We will show you some of the stories of Merlmak we have kept," he said and smirked. "Might answer a few of your questions." William turned to the fire and sat while Leon threw a fist full of the story sand into it. The fire flared and Leon stepped in.

"Our friends from the east tell us that Merlmak arrived on their shores thousands of moons ago. He came to them broken and angry. His home and all his family and friends had been destroyed. He cared for his brother daughter for a time, but at last he left the shores of the far lands and journeyed to us aboard his great canoe." The ship that Leon had made in the flames for them the last time appeared in the fire again. It sailed up to a forested shore, a long wooden bridge extended from its bow, and then Merlyn emerged from the rear and walked down the gang way to the shore. A group of natives met him.

"Merlmak needed to learn the ways of the Great Spirit," William continued. "He first tried to rule the people, but they simply laughed and turned away. After a time his anger and hurt became small enough that he was able to learn. He traveled the land, learning from the people, and carrying stories of distant tribes to the corners of the earth." The fire showed Merlyn, dressed in long robes and carrying his staff, walking in the forests, plains, and deserts, and meeting with the tribes. "At last he came to the Dine, and he settled with us for a time." Again the fire showed the pueblo and its growth. "Merlmak taught us, and we taught him, for he had an anger that still burned. Coyote had destroyed his home for entertainment, and Merlmak had yet to understand Coyote's purpose. The Great Spirit gave Coyote power. She gave Coyote the power so that he would stir the people. When the people become too comfortable, too complacent, then they lose that thing that makes us interesting to the Great Spirit. We are her greatest expression here on the earth, and she desires our growth as spirit people." William looked at Hermione and smiled.

"Here Merlmak learned to be a human."

The fire showed Merlyn gathered with the Dine. They surrounded him and placed their hands on his shoulders, and Merlyn wept.

"And at last we were able to help him mourn the loss of his home," William continued. "At last he was able to speak of it to us. Merlmak told us of a great island, his home amid the waves. He told us that his canoe was but a small example of his people's art. He told of his brother in all but blood, and of his brother daughter that he accompanied to the far lands, and how they were saved from the destruction of their island. He loved his birthplace, and he was deeply saddened and angered by its loss."

The scene changed to Merlyn sitting by the fire and telling stories.

"And Merlmak knew of the future," William said. "He told us of the coming of the Bilaga'ana like himself, and that the trials of that time would be hard, but he said that we would see the Bilaga'ana learn as he had, become human as he had, and then he said that a Bilaga'ana woman would come, that she would have White Medicine Woman by her side, and his brother daughter at her back. And he told us we would know her by her compassion."

Luna smiled broadly. Yes, they certainly would, she sent just to Hermione.

"Merlmak loved his brother daughter. She is a fierce skinwalker warrior that returns to the people again and again." The fire showed a werewolf fighting a horde of fur clad warriors, then a werewolf defending a small girl from a lion, and then it showed her charging into an oncoming crowd of men dressed in armor. "He told us that his promised one would also be in the company of White Medicine Woman, a person of great strength and wisdom, and of great power. Last he told us that his precious flower, his seeker, holder of the key, would come among us with her animal sister, and that we were to aid in her hunt."

"Merlmak's days were long on the earth. The people that had welcomed him grew old, their grandchildren grew old, and their grandchildren's grandchildren grew old, yet Merlmak remained." William looked across the gathered people to a man dressed in skins. The man had a long sharp nose and finely chiseled features. "The Wampanoag were first to see him, and it was they who bid him farewell when he journeyed to the other lands and met with our cousins. They tell this story of Merlmak when he first came to us."

Leon flared the fire around him, wiping away the image of Merlyn waving from the stern of his ship.

"As he wandered the forest Merlmak came upon a woman by a stream." the scene in the fire followed William's narration. "'What are you fishing for?' he asked as she cast her net into the water. 'The trout in this stream are fat and large,' she told him. 'Many meals can be made from just a few.' Merlmak used his Orenda, and many fine trout flew from the water to the shore. The woman gathered ten and began throwing the rest back into the river. 'Why do you throw them back?' Merlmak asked her. 'We must take only what we need from the earth,' she told him. 'These will become more in time, and my children will know their children.' This was Merlmak's first lesson, for his people had taken without thought, and that was part of their undoing."

William smiled at the Wampanoag man, then he turned to a woman. "The Natchez tell this story," He said. "One day Merlmak appeared on the banks of the great river. The people welcomed him and told him of their great chief in the sky. Every morning the great chief would rise and walk across the sky to his night lodge. Half of the days his wife, the moon, would join him and half the days she would shun him for the night. The people asked Merlmak what he knew of the great chief and his wife, and Merlmak told many stories to the people. He spoke of how the peoples of the earth made great temples to the sun and moon, of how feasts and ceremonies were made in their honor, and when he had finished the chief of the people asked Merlmak's help in building proper sacred places to commune with the great chief of the sky."

"Merlmak showed the medicine people of the great river how to raise the earth with their power," William continued. "Together they marked the patterns of the stars and how to know the passing of the seasons by them. He showed how to set stones at the far ends of the sun's journey so that they would know when winter was done and that summer had become autumn. And so the mounds were built with Merlmak's help. Many thousands came every year to see the sun and stars mark their travels, and Merlmak was with them."

The fire showed huge masses of people gathered on and around the mounds. The sun rose over a point of earth on one mound, and the people danced and sang their praise.

William looked at another man with a red painted face. "And perhaps most important, the Niimiipu tell this story. 'Merlmak walked the sea of grass until he came to the Rocky Mountains'."

In the fire Merlyn strode through head high grass. When he arrived at the mountains he was met by a group of extravagantly painted people.

"Merlmak had a love for mountains, and he dwelled there with the Niimiipu for a long time. In his company was an elf, No'oma, and she was kind and helpful to the people."

Well, well, well, Luna sent to Hermione and Lavender.

"Merlmak and No'oma travelled to Matȟó Thípila, and there he made his home."

The fire showed a tall flat topped spire of rock. Its sheer sides were lined with vertical groves and rubble was piled around its base.

"As time passed the people would come to Matȟó Thípila to seek him out, and No'onma would greet them. One day a man came to Matȟó Thípila seeking Merlmak. 'I have come to speak with him,' he told No'oma. 'I have a gift for him and a question.' No'oma took the man into the heart of Matȟó Thípila and there he met with Merlmak. 'I bring you a gift of flint and obsidian' the man said, and he laid many fine points at Merlmak's feet."

The man in the fire spread the offering before Merlyn, and he nodded to the man.

"Merlmak smiled at the generous gift, and he said, 'I am pleased with your gifts and would ask what you want from me?' The man bowed his head and said, 'I have lost my family and tribe. A flood came in the night, and I was the only one to escape the water.' He looked to Merlmak with sorrowful eyes. 'I wish to forget.' Merlmak bowed his head and a tear fell from his eye."

Merlyn laid his hand on the man's shoulder and the man looked up into his kind eyes.

"'I understand your sorrow, and I will help' Merlmak said to the man. 'But in return I ask from you your life. From this day you will be my warrior, protector of my home. Do this, and I will give you what you ask.' The man agreed, and Merlmak performed a great ritual. He granted the man the forgetfulness and more, for he made the man into a bear, and the bear became legend."

In the fire Merlyn raised a great magical force and directed it at the man. He bent and changed and grew into a giant bear.

"Those that sought Merlmak with a pure heart were hidden from the bear, but those that tried to find him with greed or anger in their hearts met the bear instead. To this day the bear still guards Matȟó Thípila."

William looked at Hermione. "There are more tales, but I now sense you have questions."

Hermione looked at him and smirked. "Two," she said. "Where is Matȟó Thípila, and can you call No'oma for us?"

(*)

(Nea'êšemeno!) Thank you – Cheyanne

Matȟó Thípila Devils Tower, Wyoming

My great grandfather was Wampanoag

My wife's grandmother was Cherokee.

I grew up among the Dine.

I've drawn similarities, but revealed nothing. The secrets are kept.

Well, it appears I got myself some critics. I've said this before to some reviewers, guess I should state it outright.

"attack of the Mary Sue's."

From Wiki: "A Mary Sue is an idealized and seemingly perfect fictional character, a young or low-rank person who saves the day through unrealistic abilities. Often this character is recognized as an author insert or wish-fulfillment.[1] Sometimes the name is reserved only for women, and male Sues are called "Gary Stus" or "Marty Stus"; but more often the name is used for both sexes."

None of these women and girls are perfect. Hermione has, as evident in the books, some issues with self-control and confidence, she's also devious in my take. Luna has issues that will be arising later in the saga, unrequited love for Dean, and her general 'Lunaness'. Lavender has been through the fire. She has some independence issues (she chafes at being micromanaged), she has some control issues, and she has some deep seated insecurities that drive her perfectionism. Rose is a ten year old with all the issues that comes with, she is a Weasley, and in addition she has all the crap that comes with being a genius. (Is there any doubt she wouldn't be?) They used that word for me in my youth, but I grew up friends with three over 180 IQ individuals that dwarfed my intellect. My characterization of Rose is based on the two that didn't go insane.

"Lavender was terrible in school"

Nope. Hermione ragged off on her because of jealousy, but, per cannon…

From Potter Wiki: "Magical abilities and skills

Divination: Lavender shared a close relationship with Professor Trelawney. It was implied that she was good at Divination and most likely took the subject to N.E.W.T.-level.

Transfiguration: Lavender advanced to N.E.W.T.-level Transfiguration, showing aptitude in the subject. She must have achieved either an 'Exceeds Expectations' or an 'Outstanding' on her O.W.L. exam.

Charms: In 1996 Lavender along with Parvati was able to cast the Locomotion Charm in preparation for their upcoming O.W.L. exam. She was also able to produce a non-corporeal Patronus, an advanced piece of magic."

No other examples are given so…

"Read the books!"

Kinda have, a few times, okay so maybe 10,

or 15.

"Didn't Pansy try to drug and rape Ron in original story? Here we have Hermione saying Pansy isn't bad? Are these story not related and I'm just confused?"

Ah, this one. Yes, you are. Allow me to help. Pansy, in my take, has undergone an intervention (Sisters of the Moon) as you state she tried to drug Ron but was stopped by Ginny, Lavender, Luna, and Cho. During her intervention she had an epiphany, and that changed her life, as it does to people. From that point on Pansy dedicated her life to righting the wrongs her side did in the war, and making amends with Hermione as indicated in the last part of Sisters of the Moon. Hermione has also been through the fire, and she understands forgiveness, and she also understands having an important ally. Pansy is still Pansy Parkinson, though, so…