Chapter 46

The glade hadn't altered in any way physically, but there was an aura of change surrounding it.

It was similar to the way the world felt at the beginning of spring, Hermione mused. A feeling of anticipation, so much potential just simmering under the surface waiting to change; to burst to life.

Pure magic washed over the space, stronger than any Hermione had ever felt before. She had to marvel at the trio who were causing the surge.

There was nothing intentional about it, she knew, it was simply the way they were. Their entire existence hinged on their power – their reason for being.

It was impressive to watch.

Now though, their focus was on the pile of boulders on the other side of the stream. As Hermione watched, the air around the stones seemed to shimmer and dance.

The clouds moved away from the moon, and suddenly the glade was bathed in shiny white light, and there, in the centre of it all, in the spot where once was nothing more than rock, stood a fantastic stone temple.

The trio grinned at each other, before starting to weave their way toward it.

Hermione pushed herself forward, following along behind them silently.

They walked single file, deftly skipping over roots and sticks, hopping on rocks over the stream, and pressing right up against the side of the stone temple. They had approached it from the side, following Amaya's lead as she took them toward the door they all had memorised from Chester's floor plan drawing.

Pushing open the wooden door gently and peering inside, Amaya pulled back to give them a sharp nod before disappearing inside. The other three made to follow her.

Once they were all inside safely, Chester closed the door behind them, and they paused for a moment to adjust to the darkness.

"Let's get going," Was all he said before they were off again, this time following Dìona as she slunk down corridor after corridor.

"I can feel it, guys. We're nearly there." Dìona whispered, a shiver of excitement creeping into her voice.

Finally, they came upon a wooden door, directly at the end of a long corridor deep in the temple. It was plain and simple, neither rotted, nor brand new, and the door handle was plain brass.

There was a pause, where no one moved, before Chester leaned forward and turned the knob, pushing it open gently.

They filed in, taking in the space before them. It was big – enough for maybe twenty people to fit before it got too crowded – and open, the high domed ceiling suggesting at least a little bit of magic involved. In the centre of the space stood a stone dais, covered in a red, velvety-looking piece of fabric, the edges fluttering in the breeze created by the open door.

And on top of the fabric, sat a necklace.

Before Hermione could get a proper look at it, Dìona strode right up to it and shoved it unceremoniously into her pocket. Twirling to face the other three with a shark-like grin, she crooned, "And now the fun begins."

Amaya bit her lip, giving Chester a side-eye glance, before rolling her eyes and grinning, giving into the excitement which have been swirling within her for days. She rolled her shoulders, stretching her neck from side to side as she bounced up onto the balls of her feet, as she spoke, "Oh screw it. It's been ages since I've let loose."

Chester smiled, seeming to unfold himself as he chuckled demurely, looking at Amaya with a fond expression, "I say it's time we remedy that, then, my dear."

Hermione simply shrugged when they turned to look at her for her input, attempting to ignore the queasy feeling building in her stomach.

"Right. You all know the plan. Stick with it unless something goes wrong, and if something goes wrong," Amaya paused dramatically, looking in turn at each member of the room, "Raise hell."

"Aye aye, cap'n!" Dìona saluted.

Amaya rolled her eyes, but the excitement belayed the effect somewhat, as she was practically thrumming in anticipation.

"Good luck, you two." Amaya said with a nod, before jerking her head at Chester, telling him to follow her, and the two of them turned off and disappeared.

"Yeah, cause Mercy knows we need it." Dìona retorted sarcastically with an eyeroll as she stretched her arms over her head, bouncing back onto her heels.

The two remaining in the room fell silent.

"Why do you say that?" Hermione asked after a while.

Dìona looked over at Hermione in confusion, "Say what?"

"Mercy knows. Why not God knows? Or even Merlin knows. Why do you always say Mercy?"

Dìona shrugged, "People tend to use things which aren't real, yeah? Or that are possibly myth. Well, mercy is the greatest myth of the Universe."

Hermione didn't respond, forcing her eyes forward as she clutched her wand tighter in her grip, looking around the room the two of them were in and thinking about the task ahead of them.

"It'll be fine, kid."

Hermione looked over at Dìona, wondering just how obvious she had been about her fears.

Seeming to understand the direction of her thoughts, Dìona rolled her eyes, "Give me some credit. I can notice things that are happening outside of myself, you know."

Hermione shrugged, looking away from the being non-committedly.

"Look. H-dog," Here Hermione rolled her eyes again, "I understand the nerves and the terror that come from a first fight," Hermione opened her mouth the protest but Dìona quieted her with a finger, "And I know that you've been in fights before. Hell, you've been fighting a war since you were eleven! But this is different," Dìona locked eyes with Hermione, "And you know it."

Hermione said nothing, but nodded her head in acquiescence. Dìona's eyes softened in understanding and empathy.

"This is your first fight with your new powers, and we're expecting a lot from you. Maybe it wasn't fair of us to put this on you, but we wouldn't be bringing you into this if we weren't sure you could do it."

Dìona stepped closer to Hermione, bringing one of her hands up to grab Hermione's and hold it between them, waiting for Hermione to look at her before continuing.

"You are ready for this. And you know it, too. You can feel it. I see it in your eyes every time you wield the Essence. The calmness that I feel every time I dive into mine. You are made for this, and I – we are confident you will succeed."

Hermione was in shock at the utter depth of sincerity in Dìona's face and voice. If she didn't know better, she would almost assume that Dìona had been possessed by something larger than her. For a moment, she didn't recognise the woman in front of her.

"Don't worry, Herms. We got this. No-one can beat me."

Hermione rolled her eyes. There she was.

A/N: eh, not a fan of this chapter but the show must go on.

song rec - Honey & I by HAIM

(also, I'm beta-ing Lost O'Fallon Girl's A Hidden Prince if anyone want's to go check that out)