Chapter 34 – Subtle Looks and Little Lessons
A/N: A bit of a warning – some discussion of hunting/trapping & fishing.
Hermione was positively delighted at how well the Mabon ceremony had gone. She still experienced minor headaches and some occasional wooziness, but her magical instability had quieted immensely. Draco had warned her with a serious expression that the effects would only be temporary and something more permanent had to be done soon. She had smiled at his concern, feeling relief at the somewhat return of normalcy. He had offered to continue sharing magic with her, but she had quietly dismissed his offer. They were bonding, both magically and emotionally, more and more each day. Hermione needed some time to sort through the roller coaster of emotions that tumbled through her head. She knew she wanted him, needed him, and had come to adore just being by his side. But neither of them had come outright and said what she thought was very plain to see. Something most assuredly existed between them, but just exactly what that was, she couldn't pinpoint.
Hermione had taken pity on Draco immediately following the ceremony. While she had been filled with magic and some type of elemental lifeforce, he had been thoroughly drained. Thinking once again of a battery metaphor, he had had to push out a large influx of his silvery magic to basically jumpstart the process. He was currently laying upstairs in her bed, she had felt terrible if he had attempted to recover in the small cot, with a devastating cold. The morning after Mabon, she watched as he rolled over with a shiver, his face flushed and covered in a fine sweat. It was a sickness of complete and utter depletion. He was also suffering from a high fever and turbulent appetite.
She was currently in the kitchen, a pot of simmering stew in front of her. It wasn't Mum's healing chicken noodle soup, but it was better than nothing. As the thick liquid bubbled, a dull throb creeped up the base of her skull. Gritting her teeth, she reached up and clasped the citrine pendant they had imbued with Mabon magic. Focusing her intention, she waited for the soothing flow of the calming earth elemental energy to recharge her depleting core. As the pendant began to glow, she breathed a sigh of relief as the tendrils of pain receded. Once all trace of the headache had disappeared, she dropped the pendant in a thump against her chest. Thankfully, Samhain wasn't too far away and hopefully with this outrageous plan they had concocted, they'd have more definitive answers. A timer went off signaling the stew was ready and she reached for the nearby ladle and spooned a large portion into a bowl. Covering the pot, she cast a Statis Charm and headed upstairs.
"C'mon Draco, just try to eat a little." She snapped in exasperation.
He had given her a revolted grimace when she sat the steaming bowl in front of him. She had to admit he looked a little green about the gills, but he hadn't kept anything down except for a couple sips of tepid, watered down tea. He shot a dark look at her words.
"You know it will only come back up and I'd rather not risk it." He murmured in irritation, gathering the thick blanket closer to him.
She only scoffed in reply, giving him a pointed look while holding the spoon out expectantly.
"Fine," he grumbled, "But don't say I didn't warn you."
He begrudgingly open his mouth and allowed her to feed him one small spoonful at a time. After a couple bites, he protested he couldn't handle anymore. Hermione was tempted to keep pressing him but decided enough progress had been made, so she set the bowl to the side and checked his forehead. Still warm to the touch, she Accio'ed a cool rag and wiped the small droplets of sweat away. Thankfully, his fever seemed to be abetting. She was grateful even more that neither of them had experienced any real medical emergencies. She did have a small knowledge of some medical responses but certainly nothing beyond basic care.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, dropping the washcloth to the side.
"Wretched." He scoffed, followed by a wheezing cough, "This is probably nothing compared to how we'll feel after the Samhain ritual and that's only a couple weeks away. We've got many preparations to complete and there cannot be any mistakes, lest we end up unleashing a mad entity or spirit upon the Wizarding World."
"I'm well aware of how complex and dangerous this ritual could be." She defended, shooting him an affronted glare.
"I know, I know. Brightest witch of our age and all that." He mocked, rolling his eyes.
"And you are a proper menace." She countered, "We can go over the plan for Samhain if you'd like. I'm thinking some sort of purification prior to would help smooth out the magical flow."
"Ritual purification?" he echoed, "What kind of purification are you considering because there are some, ahem, excessive levels of purification I am not willing to attempt." He finished with a sharp look.
"I'm not asking you to flog yourself or anything that sort!" she squeaked out, "Just things like washing thoroughly beforehand, some fasting, and maybe, umm…." She trailed off.
"And?" he continued, apparently not sick enough to raise a patronizing eyebrow in her direction.
"Noclothingexceptblackrobes." She rushed out in a barely audible whisper, her face heating up fiercely.
"Spellcasting in the buff. My, my Granger." He smirked, "That's rather adventurous of you."
"I didn't say in the nude." She huffed, "We can't wear any clothing or accessories except plain, black robes."
She groaned at the playful grin on his face.
"You are such a child." She chided, "Now can we continue our discussion like civilized adults?"
He snorted in response, followed by a light cough then gestured for her to continue.
"As I was saying," she resumed, "We'll perform some simple purification leading up to the day of the ritual. That purification will also include cleansing of the ritual tools such as the cauldron and athame. No wands can be used and we'll set up the space prior to the ritual, so when the appointed time arrive, everything will be ready. Is there anything I missed?"
He gave a slight shake in the negative and gave a great yawn. She smiled down at him.
"You are exhausted. I'm glad we managed to get some food in you, so I think its best you rest. I'll back up in a while to check in on you." She spoke softly.
He murmured something low, too low for her to hear, as his eyes fluttered shut. Leaning forward she placed a soft kiss on his flushed cheek and whispered some words of healing encouragement. Standing up, she gathered the half-eaten bowl and washcloth, giving him a final backward glance before leaving the room.
Draco slept for the better part of two days and on the third morning, he woke with a stiffness in his limbs. He his fever had broken and his magic felt restored – thanks the gods. He had been momentarily concerned that he had drained just a little too much and that it might have permanently affected his ability to cast. He had declined Hermione's offer to transfer some the elemental magic, knowing she needed it more than him. He still harbored reservations over the Samhain ritual, despite it being his idea in the first place. He had been surprised when the idea materialized in his head, but he knew it was exactly what needed to be done. She was getting worse by day and something needed to be done. He wasn't looking forward to speaking with Cerridwen, but they required answers.
Standing with a stretch, he walked downstairs and was hit with a delicious aroma. His mouth immediately starting watering as his stomach grown loudly. She was standing in the kitchen, her back turned towards him. As the embarrassing sound echoed from him, she glanced over her shoulder with an amused smile.
"Someone's hungry." She teased, "I would hope so. You've barely eaten in the past several days. Sit down and I'll fix you a plate."
She turned back to the stove and resumed her task while he moved to the table. He watched as she busied herself cutting vegetables and tasting the concoction before throwing in more herbs. He must have lost himself in her calming movements when her words broke his revery.
"All ready." She exclaimed lightly, "It's not much but its full of appropriate nourishment. Although, some meat would be nice at add. It's been awhile since you've brought any wild game back and I was thinking we should have some stored for the upcoming winter. We could even try the pond again before it gets too cold. What do you think?"
He blinked, surprised slightly by her rapid-fire conversation. He wasn't entirely sure if she was talking directly to him or just at him. She cocked her to the side, waiting for his response.
"Oh, er, we should." He mumbled, "I'll set some traps later today then stop by the pond."
She giggled at his stuttered speech and set a plate filled with a colorful array of food in front of him.
"Eat up and we'll go together. I know you've recovered but it never hurts to have company." she pronounced before stopping and giving him a nervous look, "Unless you'd rather not have me."
Finally recovering his bearings, he spoke.
"I would enjoy your company immensely." He answered.
"It's settled then.", she finished with a sparkle in her eye.
After their meal, they each grabbed a thin cloak for the weather had definitely shifted into chilled air. She followed him around quietly, listening as he explained the process behind identifying areas of high animal traffic and recognizing prints then how to properly set the trap so the animal would not suffer. He could see she was a bit uncomfortable at the topic of killing an animal, having not experienced it herself. However, he gently clarified that any hunted animal should be properly trapped and either killed in a humane manner or trapped without injury with the entirety of the creature utilized in some manner, whether it be meat, fur, or as a future potion ingredient. He had been taught to respect the hunt and the ultimate sacrifice each animal endured.
"After each successful hunt, we'd immediately prep the animal and prepare it for consumption that same evening." He assured while delicately setting a spring-loaded trap, "We only hunted til the first kill if it was a large beast. The smaller hunts usually had more to feed our large hunting party."
He stood back, clapping the dirt off his hands in satisfaction.
"That's the last of them." He acknowledged, stuffing the remainder of his tools into the pocket of his cloak.
"What happens now?" she asked, a curious expression across her face.
"Tomorrow morning, we'll systematically check them. Most animals are clever enough to evade the traps and will set the traps off without ensnaring themselves, but if we are lucky, one or two of them will hold our next meal."
"But what if they are all empty?" she inquired, "What then?"
"I just reset them all and wait once more. That's the gamble you take with hunting and trapping." He replied, shrugging nonchalantly.
"It seems terribly boring and a risk." she stated, "Since all the traps are set, shall we try our luck at the pond?"
He snickered at the seemingly contradictory statement she made and patted his pocket to make sure the fishing rods were still there. Casting a Gemino spell then a Shrinking spell, both of their rods sat comfortably in his inner cloak pocket.
"Fishing is just as much a game of luck and chance as trapping is." He snorted out.
"That may be the case," she responded, throwing him a haughty look, "But at least with fishing I feel like I'm actually doing something."
"If I recall correctly, you feel asleep the last time we fished." He teased, "I hardly call that doing something."
She scowled and turned on her heel, heading towards the pond. He shook his head in amusement and followed her as yellowing leaves around them, coating the ground in a carpet of gold.
Once they had arrived at the pond and settled at the edge of the dock with lines cast, Hermione was immediately bored. She thought History of Magic with Professor Binns had been a smidge boring, but this was just ridiculous. She sat on the wooden planks, kicking her legs, anything to stave off the growing silence. Draco had only snorted at her twitchy movements. She tried to stay still, intent on proving herself capable of pushing through at least an hour of this absurd sport. However, she had only made it 15 minutes before her body and mind, were itching to do something. Anything else.
"If you keep that up, we'll never get anything. Stop making so much commotion." He ordered, throwing her a sideways glance.
"I can't help it!" she cried, "This is terribly boring. How does anyone manage it?"
"Its supposed to be relaxing," he replied, "Or at least that's what I've read. I'll admit, I do find it quite nice. No pressure whatsoever. You sit and wait patiently."
"Argh!" she shouted, "I can't do this. I feel like I'm going stir-crazy sitting here hold a rod just waiting for something to happen."
"That's literally all fishing is," he observed sarcastically, "Oh. There is also some reeling and casting occasionally."
Narrowing her eyes at his tone, she scrambled up and dropped the rod on the deck next to him.
"Then you can enjoy that on your own. I'm going to do some more reading on the Samhain ritual and make any necessary notes." She remarked condescendingly.
"Don't have too much fun Granger." He called over his shoulder as he magically lifted Hermione's abandoned rod to cast and reel on its own beside him.
'You know you could have done that in the first place instead of letting me make a fool of myself." She retorted, scowling at his back.
"I haven't lost all my Slytherin tendencies yet. A foolish and impatient Gryffindor always makes for good entertainment." He taunted, settling back into his task.
Hermione grunted and whirled towards her swing, grabbing her notebook on the way. With a wave the wooden plank transfigured into a large swing. She nestled into the curved wood, wrapped her cloak around her, and set it to a gentle swing. All too soon, she was lost in in the complexities of ancient ritual when a loud yell startled her concentration.
"What on earth?" she started, searching for the source of commotion.
Finding Draco pulling frantically on the rod, huffing and shouting in some odd mixture of exhilaration and trepidation, she leapt up from the swing and ran towards him.
"What is happening?!" she shouted, "Are you alright?"
"I'VE GOT A FISH!" he hollered in return, "But the bloody thing is fighting me!"
Hermione reached his side and watched as he twisted and turned, yanking the rod with a grunt.
"I thought you made it so that when the fish was hooked, it was encapsulated in a bubble?" she questioned, catching herself staring at his broad shoulders as they worked to pull in the slippery aquatic acrobat.
"Yes!" he countered breathlessly, "But I didn't consider making the bubble stationary!"
She giggled in response, the thought of Draco Malfoy being outsmarted by a fish just too amusing to ignore.
"I'm glad someone is enjoying this." He muttered, still fighting to reel it in.
She continued laughing at his efforts til he finally managed to bring the animal to the dock's side where he pulled out his wand and immediately cast an Immobulous on the comically angry looking fish. Levitating the watery bubble and its prisoner into a contained area, he wiped a forearm against his brow and let out a low whistle. Hermione couldn't help but let herself admire how wonderful of a provider he had become, so different from the spoiled little brat she knew all those years ago.
"All done?" she quipped, giving him a small smirk.
"One fish isn't enough." He pointed out, "If we are going to store meat for the winter, we'll need more than this."
"Aren't you going to add an Immobulous charm to the capture bubble?" she commented, gesturing to the rod.
"Oddly enough," he started, giving her a lopsided grin in return, "I confess I quite enjoyed the thrill of dragging it in. I think I might forego that particular assistance."
Hermione snorted and shook her head.
"Men." She scoffed.
Heading back to her swing, she watched as he awaited the next catch and she pondered when he had become such a catch himself.
Post A/N: Work has been an absolute killer and the Samhain ritual required an attention to detail I couldn't quite commit. So this week you get a little slice of life, silly banter, and just some good ol' fluff with no pressure. Enjoy my friends 😊