So sorry for such a delay. School is manic. I have quite a few roles here and don't have a lot of time to write as I would like. I often find myself reading fanfiction instead of writing it... There are just too many good stories on this site! Speaking of, if you have any suggestions of good stories I would love to receive them. Would anyone be interested in my story recommendations?

And to the story! A nice short chapter for you all! Finishes the Spring Equinox :)

As her two suitors approached Hermione really got to study the two men side by side.

Rabastan, Hermione thought, looked incredible. He was wearing a deep blue robe that matched his eyes perfectly. There was a large wolf on the front of his robe, perched on an outcrop of crops howling towards the moon. The wolf was dark grey, mixed with silver, while the moon almost shone on his robe a pearlescent white. His strong body walked confidently towards Hermione, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her nervous.

Regulus, on the other hand, was wearing a carnival glass coloured robe, smoke coloured ravens adorned it, some flying, others standing regally. He looked quite different to Rabastan, he cut a less imposing figure standing, a few inches shorter than Rabatsan, but Hermione thought he looked just as handsome. His gaze too was fixed on Hermione and despite his eyes having less intensity to them, there was a warmth in them that made her stomach flip.

It was quite an interesting sensation to go through. Her attraction to both men hit her on different levels and it made for an incredibly weird feeling throughout her body.

It seemed to dawn on both men that they were both approaching her at the same time and Hermione both found it amusing and pleasing to see them hurry their steps ever so slightly to get to her first.

Rabastan seemed to win the race and spoke first.

'Miss Fawley, you, as always, look beautiful. You are simply breathtaking.'

'Thank you Mr Lestrange, you flatter me.'

'Not at all, Miss Fawley, you are like a dream tonight.'

The smile on his face and the intensity of his eyes made Hermione know he was being serious and she couldn't stop the blush that spread across her cheeks.

Finding his courage, Regulus was quick to jump in and not be out done.

'Miss Fawley, in a field of flowers you stand alone. The animals themselves look upon you as if a goddess walks amongst us.'

Hermione, who was not used to being spoken to like this at all, blushed even harder at these words.

'Gentlemen, you flatter me. It is clear that I have chosen well in my suitors, for not only do you both look as handsome as ever tonight, you know beauty when you see it.' She finished with a joke, trying hard to hide her embarrassment in being spoken to with such admiration behind some humour.

Both men laughed at this statement and some of the tension left between the two. Some, but definitely not all.

'Would you like a drink?' they both asked at the same time as they offered their respective cups out to her.

Thankfully she was saved from answering as a small chime rang through the garden they were in. It was time for the important part of the night to begin.

Every year on the spring equinox, those couples who were hoping to try for a baby would partake in a special ceremony that focused on fertility. Due to spring being the time of new life it was felt that magically it was the best time to conceive a child.

Hermione had, of course, read all about this and all the other traditions and was really quite excited to get the chance to watch it. She knew that only a few were allowed to attend the ceremony as it was deemed better magically to have less people around. Only those who loved and supported the couples were permitted. Hermione had been touched deeply when two days before the Equinox Naricssa, Isabelle, Marsilia, Evangeline and Primeveire had asked Hermione and Malota to attend as their support. Both were delighted to accept. Malota and her Husband decided they would wait an extra year before trying for a child as her husband, Accius, was currently looking after his father who was quite sick.

Both men offered her their arms and rather than choose so strode confidently between the two of them and began walking to where they would congregate for the ceremony.

Regulus and Rabstan shared a brief sneer with one another before quickly hurrying after her.

They followed the crowd towards an archway that had appeared in the middle of the garden. It was made of old stone with moss growing over it. There were celtic carvings across its face and there was a shimmering curtain that hung between its frame. Hermione shivered ever so slightly as it reminded her of the arch that Sirius fell through. Although this one seemed much more inviting.

Abraxas Malfoy, as the host, walked to stand in front of the curtain and addressed the crowd. 'Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to our humble home, today as we celebrate another Spring Equinox. I am feeling especially blessed today as my son and Heir Lucius will be undertaking the fertility ceremony tonight with his beautiful bride Narcissa. Those who have been asked to accompany the couples as witnesses please follow them through this arch where the Druid and Druidess will walk them through the ceremony. The rest, well you get to enjoy the festivities that we have planned here!'

He finished with a laugh and raised his glass. Those who were staying behind either gave quick hugs to those going through the arch or cheers to Abraxas' statement. Hermione bade farewell to her suitors and went to join Narcissa and her friends.

One by one people walked through the archway and did not appear on the other side. Hermione walked in after Malota and when her eyes adjusted to her new surroundings her breath hitched.

'It's beautiful isn't it.' Malota said, linking arms with Hermione.

'Absolutely stunning.'

And it was. Hermione could only think of one comparison to the image before her and it was the description Tolkein had given about the Shire. There were a smattering of small knolls with doors and windows, another peaceful stream much like the one in Malfoy Manor. The air was rich with Magic and fairies were seen fluttering around. This place had a beautiful sense of calm that washed over her in waves.

The crowd patiently waited for the Druid and Druidess who would conduct the ceremony to appear. This was another part of the Magical world that Hermione had realised she had no idea about. Never once in her time at Hogwarts had she learnt about the Druids and Druidesses, she never heard them mentioned except in a vague historical sense. To discover in her lessons with Narcissa that they still played a significant role in Pureblood Wizarding Society amazed her.

Every 20 years, those who still observed the old customs, would bring their 11 year old children to this sacred place (it was accessible by all pureblood families on particular days) for the Druids to select a boy and a girl to become apprentices. They would spend the next 10 years learning the old ways, special rituals and potions. They would delve into Magics that weren't taught at Hogwarts and would emerge as Druids and Druidesses in their own right. They would then spend their lives devoting themselves to their work, which often included healing those who fell ill, conducting marriages, birth and observing the sacred days and festivals of the year. Today was just one example.

The Druid and Druidess appeared together from the doors of one of the many hill houses that had appeared when the guests had walked through the archway and approached the assembled crowd. The Druid and Druidess were dressed in flowing white, almost translucent gowns. They appeared naked, but without any obvious signs of their actual bodies on display. They both wore crowns of daffodil and baby's breath. Signs of spring, new life and festivity. The Druidess had white hair that flowed down to her ankles in the most complicated celtic knot Hermione had ever seen, also filled with daffodils and baby's breath. The Druid had rich chestnut hair and beard, both long reaching his chest, but not tied in any manner. The Druid held a long staff, while the priestess carried a basket full of eggs, while a small cauldron sat in front of them on a small fire pit.

They called forth those couples that were hoping to try for a child this spring and along with Narcissa and Lucius, The Notts, Zabinis, Grengasses and Parkinsons all walked forward and made a semi-circle in front of the druids. Each husband's robe matching the colour of their wives dress, but as was custom, were four shades darker. The two leaders of the ceremony began to sing a low and beautiful song in Celtic and as they did so each couple came forward one at a time to receive their blessing.

As they approached the cauldron the Druidess would take an egg from the basket and crack it over the clasped hands of the married couple. The Druid would then reach forward and take a ladle from the cauldron. The husband and wife would drink from the ladle which Hermione knew was a potion of flowers and herbs that were supposed to aid with conception, including dandelion and burdock which would cleanse the blood of impurities. Once they had drunk the potion the Druid and Druidess would both place a hand on the woman's womb and continue their song.

After each couple had received their blessing they stood back in their spot and waited for the song to end. Once it was finished the couple were led to their own hill house where they would spend the night, hoping to conceive.

The couples turned to those whom they had asked to come through and support them, Hermione once again felt honoured to have been asked by her new friends and smiled and waved warmly at them. However, there was small sadness in her as while she knew the other four women were likely to be successful tonight, it would take Narcissa a few more months to conceive. She promised herself that she would be there for her new friend and support her through her journey to become a mother. Another chance for her to change History. Perhaps Draco didn't have to become that horrible bully she grew up with.

Once the couples had entered their homes for the night the remaining guests exited back through the archway and into the forest once again. As the group made their way back in the main Manor and towards the floo Hermione cautiously allowed herself to be at the back of the pack, pretending to look pensive and deep in thought. Regulus and Rabatsan both left her to her thoughts, expecting her to be thinking of her friends.

When she was sure no one was watching she brought her wand out from her sleeve and cast the magical signature spell, thinking of Voldermort. As soon as it was cast she knew the diary was here. She felt the tug of magic pull her downwards, below the house. Clearly the horcrux was in the cellar and Hermione now needed a plan to get in there and find it.

As always, thank you for reading! I love and appreciate all your reviews.