The Phoenix Court: Chapter 7
After master Lupin deemed Hermione healthy, she spent the following days in the castle library helping the scholar with his research. He never confided in Hermione the true aspect of his work, opting instead to give her related tasks that wouldn't reveal much of his research's true intentions. The secrecy, he told her, was by decree of the king; only those who needed to know would have access to the information. Hermione was curious but knew better than to pry. She suspected master Lupin was working with her father and the other advisors to create weapons in preparation for another war. Instead, she contented herself by spending her hours in the library researching the intricacies of the various subjects assigned to her by the master: poisonous botany, the care of magical creatures, transfiguration, and more. She would often call on Neville and Hannah for their insight on various subjects and many happy afternoons were spent with her friends.
As much as she enjoyed broadening her knowledge on the academic side of magic, she was itching to practice her dueling skills. Lupin appreciated her enthusiasm but advised that she needed more time for her body to rest and rebuild her physical and magical strength from the effects of the spirit's pact. She was growing physically stronger every day, but he was worried that the spirit's pact may have weakened her magic.
One fall afternoon, as Hermione walked into the library for their weekly meetings to go over their research, master Lupin presented her with a box. She looked at the plain wooden box, as wide as her palm, with a mixture of disappointment and curiosity. She had been hoping to discuss some of her recent findings with the master. Lupin instructed her to open the lid. Hermione did so and found a clear stone orb, perfectly smooth and without a single scuff or blemish. When she took the stone from the box, she was surprised to find that it was warm in her palm. "What is this?"
"Why don't you try and guess?" Lupin said with a smile, "It will be a new lesson for you today. Look inside yourself and I'm sure you'll figure out the answer." With those words, master Lupin pulled a bundle of parchments from his satchel and settled into his work in a quiet corner of the library.
She held the stone up to the sunshine coming through the windows and watched it cast light beams over the stone flooring. The orb itself sparkled as if it contained a world of stars inside it. She had assumed it was a small crystal ball for fortune-telling, but knew that crystal would be cold to the touch on a day such as this, not warm. She cupped the stone, rolling it around in her hands. Back and forth it went and she stared at it in deep concentration and then—she saw it! A small flicker of light blossomed in the center, then died with her surprise. What color had the light been? And what kind of stone reacted this way?
Clearly, this stone was magical in origin, so she spent the next hours methodically reading through various geological treatises and magical journals detailing the properties of many different crystals and stones. All the while, she kept the stone in her hands, rolling it too and fro. She felt comforted by it as if the warmth from the stone radiated out to fill her with new energy.
Late morning began to fade into late afternoon when she finally found her answer in a moldy leather-bound journal written by a scholar by the name of de Millevert. Madame de Millevert wrote extensively on a stone she used to enhance her magical abilities called the life crystal or more commonly, the elemental stone. This rare stone was only known to come from the sky and it was believed its celestial nature enhanced the abilities of those who wielded it. Simply keeping it in close contact was enough for the user to draw upon the stone's energy and enhance their own magical abilities.
"It is believed the stone can also be used to ascertain the elemental affinity of the user…" Hermione said aloud to no one in particular.
She held the stone up to the light once more and concentrated on it, willing the light to shine once more. Moments passed and nothing happened. She tried again and again, with no successful result. The stone remained clear and unchanged. Disappointed, she sighed and rubbed her eyes in frustration. When learning, things had always come easy to her and she didn't want to let her skills start slipping now that she finally found a master. Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath, in and out… in and out… She kept the stone clasped in her hands and held it up to her chest while she continued in her meditation. She focused on feeling the heat next to her chest and imagined all the thousands of prickles of light that shone inside the stone. Slowly the stone began to grow warmer in her hands. She didn't want to break her concentration and kept her focus on her breathing...in and out… in and out…
"Well done, Lady Hermione," a soft voice said from her side.
She cracked one eye open and saw the blurry form of master Lupin, smiling down at her. He pointed to her hands and she fully opened her eyes to see a flickering dot of emerald green light shining from the heart of the stone.
Hermione was captivated by the light, how beautiful and comforting it was. "I did it! It's glowing green."
"Just as master Dearborn and I suspected. That green light indicates you have an affinity with the earth. That's why the fire spirit's bond hurt you so strongly. Now that we know this, we can focus your offensive and defensive magic towards your strengths and affinities."
"So I'm ready to start practicing dueling?"
"Ah well, I'll need to give you one last examination to be sure, but I don't think it would do you any harm to start practical lessons on the grounds next week. If your magic is strong enough to impose itself, however briefly, on this bonded stone, then I think you are well on your way to being completely healed."
"Bonded stone? Is it similar to the spirit bond?"
"No, it's not as formal in the way a spirit and human can be bonded. This stone belongs to a friend and has been in his possession for many years now. Because of this, the stone has absorbed much of his magic and life essence, or so I believe. This creates the bond. And now if you would be so kind as to return the stone to me."
Lupin carefully took the elemental stone from Hermione, wrapping it in fabric and placing it gently back in the wooden box. Hermione stared at the box for a long moment, she didn't want to relinquish the stone. "Master, how rare are the elemental stones? I assume I can't go to the market and buy one, but how likely is it to obtain one?"
"They are rare and extremely expensive. Merchants do sell them, but many buyers have been disappointed to find that their elemental stones are really just clear crystals or even glass. Old families sometimes pass them down to their children, but those are rare as well."
At Hermione's disheartened look, Lupin added, "But elemental stones can only enhance your abilities so far. Real skill and power come from within. If you take the time to practice and nurture your magic, you will be just as strong as any wielder of an elemental stone. Now I must return this to its rightful owner. My lady, let's continue our lesson next week."
And with that master Lupin gathered up his parchments and books and left her in the library to contemplate today's lesson. Hermione knew that he was right, she would be strong even without the aid of an elemental stone, but she still wondered how far she could take her magic if she used one. She decided to remain in the library for a little longer so that she could research more on the nature of the stones. Before she realized it, the sun was beginning to set and the servants walked the aisles lighting candles for the scholars and other courtiers.
Fatigue began to set in and she rubbed her eyes, trying in vain to remove her urge to shut them. Just a few minutes of rest, she thought to herself, and then I will go back to my research... She laid her head on the table and soon moved in and out of sleep. She could hear the thumps of footfalls as people moved about her and the scraping sound of the heavy oak chair being moved. She slipped into a pleasant nap where she dreamt of beautiful silver eyes and sweet kisses under the moonlight.
She felt like she barely shut her eyes when a loud clang woke her from her sleep. She groaned and lifted her head to meet the molten silver eyes she had seen in her dreams. Prince Draco gave her an apologetic look, ignoring the servant who stood further back who looked fearfully between a fallen candelabra and the prince. "I—I'm so sorry! Forgive me, your grace."
Draco turned around and waved the servant away with his hand, "Never mind that. Go back to your duties."
Clearly relieved, the servant bowed low and set about righting the fallen candelabra. "Yes, your grace."
Draco sat down and nonchalantly resumed reading from the large tome in front of him. "Did you sleep well, my lady?"
"I—well, not really. I feel more tired now than I was before. How long was I asleep for?"
"Not long, the candle I lit has barely burned down, see?"
Hermione ignored the candle. She was more than slightly embarrassed the prince had seen her sleeping in the library. "You should have woken me."
"You looked so peaceful. I didn't want to wake you and it was rather charming to see that you drool in your sleep."
Hermione's face flushed with embarrassment. She sat up straight and brought her hand up to her face, none too discreetly trying to wipe away any drool, only to find her hand meet her dry face. "You wretched liar! I did not drool!"
She gave him a glare in mock outrage and looked around for something to throw at him. She picked up a small leather-bound journal and prepared to aim for his smug smiling face. He laughed and held up his hands in surrender, "Now is that any way to talk to your prince? And I'm sure throwing priceless books are frowned upon by polite society."
"You're just afraid I'll ruin your beautiful face."
A flicker of surprise lit his face and turned into a wicked smile, "You think my face is beautiful?"
"Is that what you took away from this conversation?"
He started laughing again and she glared at him a moment longer before she too couldn't contain her laughter. A loud shushing sound came from somewhere in the distance and they laughed even more. Draco extended his hand to her and she took it. She couldn't help but think how right her hand felt being held by his. They moved between the stack of books, towards a secluded corner of the library.
Their laughter faded in the dim light and suddenly there were only the two of them. Hermione became very aware of the prince. She stood so close to him that she could smell the scent of sandalwood and pine. She leaned closer and he moved to envelop her in his arms. She rested her head against his firm chest and sighed in contentment. She would have liked to fall asleep again in these arms.
They stayed in that embrace for a long while. Hermione could only think about him, how warm he felt, how right this moment was, but her thoughts snagged on a thorn that had been hiding in the recesses of her mind. Perhaps because she felt so comfortable, she couldn't stop the words from coming out of her mouth, "Why are you here, your grace?"
He rested his chin on the top of her head, "Master Snape needed a bit of assistance with his research. I've been looking into potion ingredients. And you?"
"No, I mean why are you here? With me...like this?"
She felt him stiffen and he loosened his arms to let her go and stepped back, "Did you not want me to be?"
She felt the cold envelop her and looked up to meet his eyes. His face was an impassive mask. The same mask he wore when they first met under the moonlight. She hated it. She wanted his smiles and kisses, but at the same time, she feared them, because she knew there would be a day when his attention would be for someone else. She was so greedy, she knew she was reaching for someone she shouldn't—couldn't have. She had told herself to be content with the flirtation as it was, but she hadn't realized things had changed for her until now.
"No, you misunderstand me. It's not that. I just—I am so happy when you are here with me. I just don't understand, why me? Do you truly care for me?"
His mask broke. His eyes darkened and he turned from her, he seemed to fall into himself and she regretted asking him anything. But still, she needed to know...They stood in an uncomfortable silence and then Draco's eyes met hers once more. They shone bright with determination and passion. "I do care for you. Sometimes you're all I can think about. I don't understand it, but I feel drawn to you."
Hermione could scarcely believe his words. He cared for her, her, the daughter of a minor noble. It was like a fairytale. She placed her hands on his shoulders and pulled him down to her to place a chaste kiss upon his lips. He grinned at her like an idiot and she laughed, kissing him again. She peppered his face with little kisses, she was so happy she could burst with joy. But she still felt a pit in her stomach. They cared for each other, but would his father accept it? "Then where do we go from here? Will we always be destined to spend moments hidden away like this?"
Draco pulled her against him again. She closed her eyes and buried her face in his chest, inhaling deeply. She wanted to absorb him, fill her senses with him, while she still could. After an excruciating silence, he spoke, "I must be honest with you, my lady. My father won't allow it, even if I wasn't the prince, he would disown me before welcoming you as a Malfoy. But when I become king, I can live as I please."
"And if you don't become king? Will you still live as you please?"
She didn't dare look at him. He was so quiet for so long. He held her tighter as if he could keep her with him forever. In her heart, she knew the answer, but she wanted to believe that he would fight for her. Would she be strong enough to fight for him?
When he finally spoke, his voice was shaky and unsure, "I want to... For myself, as much as for you."
A tear escaped her eye and she blinked furiously to try and contain any more. She wouldn't cry. Not here. She wanted to be happy with him, at least in these moments. Gods help her, she was a fool.
A/N: My plans for this chapter flew out the window, but I'm happy with how this turned out. Thank you for reading!