Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction using characters and elements from the world of Harry Potter, created and trademarked by JK Rowling. I do not claim ownership over any Harry Potter characters or the Harry Potter world. This story is for entertainment purposes only, and is not claiming to be any part of the Harry Potter canon. Thank you to JK Rowling for letting me play with the characters and not suing me for writing them into a new situation.
Light of the Moon
Chapter 4
After dinner, and shortly before the sun went down, Astoria was escorted from her rooms by a house-elf. She had only her wand and the white robes that had been given to her, as instructed.
Hermione and Luna agreed that they wouldn't wait up for her, but once she left, they made their way over to the library.
Truly, this was the one place Hermione had been wanting to see all day, but Astoria had insisted they first look at the art galleries and some of the other historical artifacts. Luna was content to go wherever the other two went, seeing as how she'd been in Ophidia for several weeks and had already explored quite enough to discover there were definitely no Moon Frogs anywhere in, or near, the castle.
Hermione, still a little unnerved by her conversation with the portraits of the Queen and her Prince Consort, had allowed herself to be steered in whichever direction Astoria saw fit.
Perhaps it was the Queen's parting words, or maybe it was Tom Riddle's unusual interest in the Muggle-born witch, but Astoria seemed convinced that Hermione needed a full history lesson as soon as possible. She actually seemed very excited to think that Hermione might very well be the next Ophidian Queen, far more excited than their single day's acquaintance should have warranted.
Luna, however, was noticeably silent on that topic, changing the conversation to something more innocuous at every opportunity. Most people thought Luna was speaking nonsense, or that she was easily distracted, since she made observations and topic changes that seemed to come out of the blue. But in the time they'd spent together at Hogwarts, Hermione had gotten to know her well enough to note when Luna deliberately misdirected the attention of others.
Several times when Astoria started talking about the King, Luna employed this tactic successfully. Hermione was actually very curious about the King and about whatever gossip or insight Astoria had, but she was more curious about why Luna refused to talk about him. Since she didn't wish to offend Astoria, though, Hermione wanted to wait until she could speak to Luna alone.
Once they reached the library, however, all thoughts of Luna, Astoria, Ophidia, the King, and even the mysterious riddle, completely flew from her mind.
Hermione had known it would be large, but the space housing the library was enormous, with high ceilings, elegant arches, and large supporting columns. She didn't see how the entire room could have fit into this section of the castle, but she had no doubt magic was involved to enlarge the area.
Unlike many libraries that avoided bright light and any exposure to outside elements in order to preserve the texts, this one was lined with great windows that let in enormous amounts of sunshine. One of them was open to allow owls to fly in and out of the owl post station. No doubt there were security spells on the entire library to prevent theft or damage from sunlight, air, and water. And hopefully, fire.
Its parent library, the library in Alexandria, had burned down many, many centuries ago. But the library at Castle Marvolo was purported to be the largest magical library in existence, as well as the oldest. Many of the scrolls from Alexandria were rumored to have been lost, but Ophidia had almost all of the ones that survived. The most ancient scrolls had been transcribed into more modern text, and the originals were carefully kept under closely monitored stasis spells. Even the transcriptions were difficult to gain access to.
Scholars from all over the world came to Ophidia to do research, especially to find the answers to obscure problems. Legend had it that when Merlin struggled with the creation of a particularly difficult spell that would aid in the protection of Muggles, he traveled to Ophidia and demanded of the then-Pharoah to see some of the Ptolemaic scrolls that discussed Ptolemy's dealings with Muggles. And the Pharoah, angry at Merlin's presumptuousness, as well as his unpalatable view on living in harmony with Muggles, had turned him down.
It had been one of Hermione's fondest wishes to travel to the library at Castle Marvolo, but Harry and Ron had been unenthusiastic, even when she had agreed to include an afternoon at the Museum of Quidditch in Lagus. She'd still planned to go on her own, but hadn't yet made any definite arrangements when the search for a bride for King Riddle had been announced.
And now she was here, and there was a prickling all over her skin, as if a wave of magic had washed over her. It was like. . . almost like. . . coming home.
It reminded her of that first time she'd entered Diagon Alley. There was so much to look at, so many different people, so many new things, and yet she'd had this overwhelming feeling like it was exactly where she was meant to be.
Hermione breathed in deeply, the scent of old parchment, the crackle of magical energy. It shot through her like a burst of adrenaline.
She looked over at Luna and grinned, excitement flooding her veins. When she started taking a step over to the nearest shelves of books, Luna caught her by the arm.
"We need to get you checked in, first."
A very large desk with several officious looking wizards and witches bustling behind it took up a corner closest to the door. The sign above it indicated these were the librarians.
Luna led her over to the line for new patrons, which was fortunately very short.
"Name and country of origin, please," intoned the stuffy-looking wizard in the dark robes.
"Hermione Granger, Brittania," she answered, quickly.
He sniffed the tiniest bit, as if her answer displeased him. "And your purpose for using the library?"
"Pleasure," Hermione said. When the wizard raised his eyebrow slightly, she quickly added, "And research."
"And what are you researching?"
She thought he was being a bit nosy. She wasn't certain if it was common for the librarians to know exactly what everyone was looking up in the library. "I haven't decided yet," she said, truthfully. She was always researching something.
The librarian did not appreciate that answer. He pursed his mouth, as if thinking. Then he asked, "What is your purpose in Ophidia?"
Yes, very nosy, she decided. "I'm here to solve a riddle," she said, pointedly.
His eyebrows rose straight up into his hairline at that. Certainly, he must have seen a variety of Suitors who had come to stay at the castle over the last several months, so it couldn't have been surprise at her purpose. Perhaps it was her confidence, or her boldness that unnerved him; the presumptuousness to believe she would be the one to solve the riddle and one day become Queen.
She tried to stifle a smile at his expression, though Luna made no such attempt.
At her soft laugh, he frowned. He quickly gathered himself back together, and with a scowl, he held his hand out for Hermione's wand.
Reluctantly, she handed it over, and he quickly had it banded with a silvery-green stripe at the bottom.
He returned it, and gave her a map of the library. Ophidians seemed to like giving people maps. "Your wand allows you access to any of the areas marked with this same color. They are areas of general study and information, and constitute the majority of the library. The spell on your wand allows you to take down and return any of the books on those shelves. It will also work to keep a record of books and scrolls you've accessed, and tapping parchment with your wand while speaking 'Scribendi' will write out a history of everything you've looked at during your library session. Be certain to do it before you leave the library, as your browsing history will be erased when you leave. The next time you return, the band will automatically appear on your wand, and you do not need to check in with the librarians unless your purpose has changed and you require access to more restricted locations."
Despite his bad attitude, Hermione thanked him enthusiastically. She felt like a child receiving her first library card.
Now that she knew what she was looking for, she saw that Luna's wand had the same color band on it, and that all the shelves closest to her were also marked with the silvery green. She wondered where she should start. She thought of all the tales that Astoria had told them that morning.
Before the librarian could move on to the next patron, she asked him, "Where is the section on Ophidian history?"
The frown never left his face as he said in short, clipped tones, "It's on your map."
"Oh, of course, pardon me." She pulled the slip of paper out as she walked away from the desk and the bad-tempered man. It was a magical map, with the largest category names floating above their corresponding locations. If she drew her finger down onto that section, much smaller categories floated out to pinpoint things more easily.
The section on Ophidia was quite large, and not too far away, so Hermione pocketed the map, and headed in that direction.
"Was there something you wanted to look up?" Luna asked, as they walked between the stacks. She paused for a moment to glance at a volume of legends on rare magical creatures. She tapped her wand to the title, presumably recording it for her to find again later.
"Oh, I don't know," Hermione answered. "I just wanted to look and browse some of the subjects. Everything is so very well kept! It's a very beautiful library. I wish I could have seen the library at Alexandria, that must have been magnificent."
Luna nodded at her words. "I understand King Riddle is very particular about things meeting the very highest standards." She frowned. "And that he is very swift about enforcing needed corrections."
Hermione heard that hint of disapproval again. She broached the topic that had been niggling at the back of her mind. "What is it about this country that makes you uncomfortable? Or is it the King?"
Luna was silent for a moment. "I find Muggles endlessly fascinating," she finally said, the topic changing abruptly again. "I also find it interesting that Ophidians know so little about them."
Hermione slowed down, turning to look at Luna, trying to understand her reasoning.
Luna, not seeming to pay any attention to the fact that Hermione had stopped walking, continued blithely, "Astoria is very excited to visit Muggle London on our trip back to Brittania. I've promised her we can go to see some of the famous museums and art galleries; she's particularly interested in those. Everything she's learned about Muggles she's learned from books, or the experiences of others."
Turning, Luna looked up at the signs above the stacks, as if reorienting herself. "Oh! The Muggle section isn't far from here, let's stop in and take a look. I'd seen a hilarious tale of an Ophidian who had visited an American pizza shop and thought Muggles didn't know how to use eating utensils."
She walked away, leaving a bemused Hermione to follow in her wake. Luna kept up a casual chatter about Muggles as she wove between some of the stacks.
For a moment, Hermione thought Luna didn't actually know where she was going, as she seemed to backtrack several times, going up one row of shelves, only to come back the same direction from a few rows over.
"Oh, here we are!" she finally said, stopping in front of several shelves with books that had colorful spines. There were a few tables set in an open section between several angled bookcases. Luna grabbed a couple of books on Muggle homes and lifestyles and, without waiting for Hermione, headed over to the table right in the center of the other tables.
Curious, and sensing that there must be a reason for Luna's odd behavior, Hermione followed. She noted a couple of books on explaining Muggle science that looked interesting, and so, copying Luna's behavior, she snagged them and carefully brought them over to the table.
Luna appeared to be looking for something within the book she held in her hands. For several moments, Hermione just watched her.
What she really wanted to do was go and explore the rest of the library. She certainly didn't need to do any research on Muggles. She thought about telling Luna she'd meet back up with her later.
As if she could sense Hermione's thoughts, Luna looked up with her usual serene expression and said, "Hermione Granger. Aren't you going to sit and look at your book?"
With a sigh, Hermione accepted that Luna wanted something specific from her, so she took the seat next to hers. Opening her book, she pretended to read. It was clear the author hadn't done the slightest bit of research on Muggle science as they had several theories confused. No wonder people viewed Muggles as backwards when books like this portrayed them so inaccurately.
Luna's wand sat on the table beside her. With her eyes still on her book, the blonde witch covered her wand with her hand and said, so quietly Hermione could barely hear her, "Muffliato."
Anyone nearby would hear a buzzing sound they couldn't pinpoint, and it would ensure the two women would not be heard. The hairs on the back of Hermione's neck prickled as she realized Luna had just walked her into one of the least populated areas of the library, surrounded them with empty tables and chairs, and then cast a spell to prevent eavesdropping.
"Luna, what's going on?" Hermione asked without preamble, her casually acquired book forgotten. Better to be straight-forward than to wait until Luna revealed what she was thinking in her own circuitous way. She kept her voice low, even knowing the spell would hide their voices, but not wanting to take a chance.
"I don't want any of the Ophidians to overhear us speaking," Luna said, still looking down at her book as if she was intently absorbed in it. "They are…particularly proud of their country and might become defensive if they thought we were saying something negative."
Hermione thought about her words for a moment, still feeling the prickle of fear. "Are we saying something negative, Luna?"
With a sigh, Luna looked up at her. "I don't like it here."
Hermione felt a measure of relief wash through her at something so simple. She'd been expecting high treason. "Oh, Luna, you're probably just homesick. You've been away from Brittania for weeks, but I'm sure you'll be able to go home soon and will feel much better."
Slowly, Luna shook her head. "There is something out of balance here in this country. And it has to do with the King."
At the mention of King Riddle, Hermione's ears perked up. There was just something about him she found endlessly fascinating, and she wanted to know what her friend thought of him. "Have you seen something unusual?"
Tilting her head to one side, Luna tapped her fingers on the desktop, as if deliberating on how much she should say. "Have you noticed the Wrackspurts won't go anywhere near him?"
"No, I can't say that I have," Hermione said, taken aback.
"Well, you've only been here a day and haven't had much time to observe him. I haven't conversed with the King, but I've seen him several times at supper and occasionally around the gardens or in the library."
"He comes to the library?" Hermione squeaked out, suddenly panicked by the idea that he could appear around the corner at any moment.
"Of course, where else would the King go to do his own research but his library?"
"I wonder what he researches," Hermione mused.
Luna dismissed her thoughts with a wave of her fingers. "Riddles, probably. And how to create a particularly difficult one. And what to do if no one solves it."
Hermione laughed, before she realized that Luna wasn't making a joke.
The other woman continued, as if Hermione hadn't sidetracked the conversation. "There is something very dangerous about him. He stares, sometimes, as if he can read a person's mind and doesn't like what he finds there. He holds too still when I can feel there is always a storm raging inside of him. And everything here is too. . . clean. Too perfect. Too calm. It is not a natural state of things."
Frowning, Hermione said, "There is nothing particularly wrong about any of those things, though."
"No," Luna admitted, "not wrong. Just. . . out of balance. This whole country feels just on the edge of balance. One step the wrong direction, and everything falls into an abyss."
Hermione shook her head. "There's nothing wrong with a country that has high standards for its citizens. The scope of what he has accomplished during his reign is nothing short of astonishing." She felt a strange need to defend this king she hadn't even met yet. She greatly admired his work and it left a strange feeling in her gut to hear Luna speak unfavorably of him. "It's hard to see when you're used to something different, but everyone is healthy and happy. Isn't that the proof of a good ruler?"
"Perhaps," Luna answered with a shrug. "I have nothing except the Wrackspurts that won't go near him to fuel my suspicions; and my own intuition, which admittedly is only slightly more than 72% accurate."
She cocked her head to one side, as if listening, and then asked in a very different tone of voice, "Can you feel the magic of the land, Hermione?"
Hermione pursed her mouth, trying to decide if Luna had changed the subject just because she didn't want to talk about the King anymore, or if the topics were connected. You could never tell with Luna. "I haven't had much time to do any elemental magic since I've arrived."
That dreamy, far-off look was back in Luna's eyes, the one most people associated with her. "The land pulses with magic, bright and serene. Perhaps it is a thousand years of wizards and witches connected to the earth and the air and the fire and the water, but the whole country feels alive. If I listen hard enough, I think I could hear Ophidia singing to me."
There was something very unique about this witch, Hermione had always known it. She had sometimes envied that quality, as she sometimes did the things she couldn't understand. She had occasionally underestimated her, as most of her former classmates often had. But in the years they had known each other, and even though Hermione generally scoffed at most Seers, she couldn't help but acknowledge that Luna often Saw things about the present or the future, or even the past, that was unavailable to others.
"Ophidia is on a cusp," Luna whispered. "Something new is about to happen, but there's no saying whether it is for good or ill. Only that there is energy gathered. And at the heart of it is a king who can overwhelm with a glance, but is alarmingly obscured. I cannot sense him and his tie to the land." She paused, and then added in a tone of finality, "And the Wrackspurts cannot find him."
Hermione shivered a little at the dread in Luna's voice. But she couldn't quite bring herself to believe Luna's vague observances. There were a hundred explanations for each of the concerns, not the least of which was the fact that Hermione wasn't even certain that she believed Wrackspurts existed. But she didn't know how to voice her doubts as Luna hadn't made any accusations.
She was about to open her mouth to ask Luna another question when a woman came around the corner. The hard, angular lines of her face showed no surprise at finding them there at the tables. From the slow way she sauntered up to them, it looked like she was deliberately seeking them out.
Luna's hand went back to her wand, and though Hermione couldn't hear her voice the spell, she was sure the buzzing of the Muffliato came to an end.
"Well, well," the newcomer said. Her voice was as sharp as her eyes. Her expensive dress robes were thin, so as to be almost too revealing of the curvy body that was underneath. She also had satin gloves that climbed up to well past her elbows, proclaiming her one of Ophidia's nobles.
"Lady Carrow," Luna acknowledged, politely. "How lovely to see you here!" Her tone was innocent, something no one could find fault with, and yet Lady Carrow's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"I didn't know you were interested in Muggle history as well," Luna continued, with an air of surprise. "How wonderfully progressive of you!"
The compliment caused a sneer to appear immediately on the woman's face, turning her handsome visage into one of ugly anger. But she quickly wiped it away, composing her expression back into the haughty one she'd arrived with. "As if I would waste my time with such a useless topic as Muggles."
Luna's face brightened, as if Lady Carrow had delivered them a compliment. "Then you're here to welcome my friend Hermione Granger to Ophidia, and to wish her luck! Truly, the Ophidians have been very kind to us here, haven't they, Hermione?" She turned to look expectantly at Hermione, who was hesitant to agree with her when it was obvious that Lady Carrow had intended nothing so kind as a benevolent greeting.
"Oh!" Luna said with a touch of dismay, before anyone else could say anything. "I forgot to introduce you! I'll do that, first. Hermione Granger, this is Alecto Carrow, a Lady of Ophidia." In a chatty tone, she added, "Her brother is one of the elite nobles of Ophidia. Very influential and well-known."
Lady Carrow's eyes narrowed at this description. Luna had obviously hit a nerve, probably intentionally. "As the eldest by only 10 minutes, my brother, Lord Carrow, may own the family lands, but we are of equal ranking in society, girl." The woman couldn't have been more than 10 years older than the two Brittanians, but it was clear she considered herself far superior.
"Oh, are you really?" Luna asked, disingenuously. "How very fortunate for you!" As if the woman's statements were of little consequence, Luna continued, "And may I introduce to you my good friend, Hermione Granger. She will soon be presenting herself to solve the King's riddle!"
It was obvious that Lady Carrow expected the two younger witches to stand up to greet her properly, and that she was offended when they failed to do so.
Hermione followed Luna's lead, and smiled in a friendly fashion. "How nice to meet you, Lady Carrow."
Her greeting was rudely ignored.
"I had heard there was a Muggle-born here in the castle that had the audacity to think she could try for the hand of the King. I had even heard that she had had the effrontery to speak directly to the portrait of Queen Merope. From such reports, I had expected a particularly formidable witch, perhaps even one who could give me competition. But looking at you, I see I have little to concern myself with." Her gaze took in Hermione's plain robes and the books on Muggles scattered across the tables. "A shame Athanasius did not take my advice and limit the participants to only those with a proper magical heritage. Then we would not have to suffer the presence of those who are not worthy of wielding a wand here in Ophidia."
Hermione understood now why Astoria had spoken of the woman with such a negative tone. Also, why she didn't fancy wrangling nobles on important political decisions. If they all showed this level of prejudice and lack of manners, it must be very trying indeed to achieve any progress.
With a falsely bright smile, Hermione asked, "Oh, are you close to the King? You seem to know him well."
"Of course." Lady Carrow tossed her head, although the limp hair that was gathered at the nape of her neck barely moved. "Athanasius and I are of an age, and I have spent my life as a part of this court. I am intimately acquainted with the workings of the castle; it is much like a second home to me," she said, pointedly.
That would explain the territorialism the woman was displaying. Her 'intimate acquaintance' was surely with the King himself and not simply the castle. She must have hoped the King would choose to marry her one day, and it was a thorn in her side that he was seeking a bride through this competition.
"Ah," Hermione said, as if in understanding. "I can only imagine that the King must be all too aware, then, of what quality is available among the daughters of Ophidia. He surely felt it would be to his benefit to look farther than his own borders for a queen that could meet his high standards." She saw the rage come into Lady Carrow's eyes, and the way her hand twitched towards her wand, but she ignored it. "How exciting it will be for you when you do finally welcome your new queen!"
"It will certainly not be you!" she spat out. "You little Mudblood, you could never hope to be worthy of the King's attention. I will solve the riddle. And if I do not, it will be because it is not solvable. When he is finally convinced that there is no one in this land or any other who can be his true equal, he will offer to me what should have always been mine. And you had better hope that you are long gone when that happens, because I will see your abhorrent presence removed from this court the moment the Silver Crown is on my head!" Her face had purpled in rage by the end of her diatribe.
At the woman's incredibly rude words, Hermione felt the adrenaline rush through her fingertips as if she were about to plunge headlong into battle. With some effort, she held back the urge to fly to her feet and engage the enemy. This was simply posturing and empty threats; it had no sense and no purpose. Neither one of them could make the decision for the King, no matter what they might say otherwise. There was only one solution, and that was to solve the riddle, and any arguments they made in the meantime were so much empty words.
She forced herself to hold eye contact with the woman while she took two slow breaths.
Before she could respond, though, Luna said, "Oh, dear! Are you quite alright, Lady Carrow? You seem quite upset. Have you perhaps over-exerted yourself? Do you need us to call an elf to help you?"
Luna rose to her feet, as if she would round the table to approach the other woman.
Hermione placed a gentle hand on her wrist, "No, Luna, I'm sure Lady Carrow will be just fine. She is surely just anxious about her own upcoming trial before the King." She quoted, "'Expectation is the root of all heartache,' and dear Lady Carrow must have quite the case of heartache with such very high expectations."
Luna appeared to brighten. "That definitely sounds like Wrackspurts. What a coincidence, we were just talking about them earlier. My father has a remedy for removing those pesky Wrackspurts, and I'd be happy to try to help you clear your mind of them. I have some time now. Will you be sitting with us, Lady Carrow?" Luna made as if to clear the books beside her so that Lady Carrow could join them.
In the face of such an offer, Lady Carrow could do nothing but grit her teeth in distaste and frustration. "I will not." As her last parting shot, she hissed at Hermione, "Remember what I've said, girl!"
Louder, she added, "And do try to enjoy your very brief stay here in Ophidia," before she strolled off down the aisle. Her step was only slightly quicker than it had been when she had arrived.
The two from Brittania waited until she was well around the corner before they spoke again. Luna's hand once again covered her wand as she whispered the Muffliato that gave them a minimal amount of protection from eavesdroppers.
"Well, that's a first," Hermione said. "Usually people only hate me for what I accomplish after I've already accomplished it, not before. And certainly not when the chance of me actually accomplishing it is so slim. Dozens and dozens of witches have gone before me, has she treated every single one so poorly? I'm surprised the King hasn't chastised her for her behavior towards his possible future wives."
Luna shook her head. "She's unkind to start with, but worse since she feels threatened. She had been under the impression that if no one solves the riddle, that the King would most likely marry her. It's why she never bothered to join the ranks of the Suitors in the first place. It was recently brought to her attention the error of her assumption, and she was forced to enter to compete for his hand the same as everyone else. Since then, she's been a terror to everyone who she considers a threat."
"I don't understand," Hermione said. "Her name must be ahead of mine, then, which means that she will get her chance at the riddle, and if I even have the option to try to solve it, it will be because she failed. And that couldn't possibly be my fault."
Luna looked very thoughtful for a moment. "Did you hear what she said about talking to the portraits? I don't believe it's common for them to talk to passersby, certainly not foreigners. Merope does sometimes, but Tom almost never does. She must have heard about your conversation, and she thinks it's significant."
A little thrill ran through Hermione. It had been exhilarating to speak with a queen, even if it was only a portrait of one. It was a pleasure to speak to the Prince Consort, as well. How strange to think that if she solved the riddle and married their son, that they would be her parents-in-law. Or portraits-in-law, she supposed. Knowing that the extremely rude Ophidian noble felt threatened by her conversation with royal portraits, gave her a grim sort of satisfaction, and she was not above denying it.
Still, she could recognize that there was danger for her here in the castle, and she would try to act accordingly.
"Do you suppose we are being watched?" she asked Luna, quietly.
Luna shrugged, but the look in her eyes told Hermione that it was more acknowledgement than dismissal. "It doesn't change anything even if we are."
"That's true," she admitted. "Is it terrible of me to say that I almost hope Astoria solves the riddle tonight, just so we can rub it in that awful woman's face?"
Luna scrunched up her face in a frown. "That would definitely be a terrible thing to say. Poor Astoria would be so dreadfully unhappy. Besides, then she couldn't come to Sweden with me, and Papa won't let me search for the Blibbering Humdingers if I don't bring along a partner."
Hermione laughed at her friend's woeful expression. "There's nothing for it, I suppose, I shall just have to solve it myself then."
Luna's face was serious once again. "I am afraid you are probably right."
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