Chapter 19

In the Meadow

The warm spring breeze felt nice as Hermione basked in the sun. While she thought winter was lovely, the cold and the soggy clothing got old fast. Spring made her feel rejuvenated and she spent any of the time she hadn't given to her many causes, outside. With spring came one of her personal milestones. Quietly and without much preamble, she passed her N. E. W. Ts; just two weeks shy of the springtime break. It felt like a final step to adulthood. She was done with formal education; she was of age and she was mated.

When the topic came up about plans for the holiday break, there was hesitation from her mate. They were seated at the Grand Hall at the dais, the buzz was in the air at the announcement of Hermione's return, her early testing and apprenticeship. The professors not in the know were excitedly congratulating her and asking her if she would make use of the upcoming break to finally unwind before having to deal with the difficulties of working as Severus' personal protégé. She turned to Severus and he just shook his head.

Later she approached the subject when they were back in their quarters.

"Why were you so dismissive about the break." The look he gave her was incredulous.

"Hermione, do you think I have the liberties to run away during the break. As a member of the Order, there will be meetings. There is lesson planning and I'm expected to keep an eye on Albus's cursed hand. And there is the oh so little thing of a bigoted despot who can and will call upon me since he knows there are no students for me to babysit."

"Oh." She hadn't consider the reality of things. And while she was now an adult, she still had thoughts of a carefree child. Of course, they couldn't run away for a two-week hols. With serious things coming, they needed to be at Hogwarts and planning. "I'm sorry. I don't know where my head is." She said, dejected and lowered her head.

Severus walked up to her, and brought his hand gently her face and caressed her cheek. "My guardian, oh how I wish we came together on different terms. I would give you everything at my disposal. But the facts are we are stuck in this perpetual hell. And there is even a small part hidden deep down that has plans for a real future together." He could probably feel my sadness as he always does when he is so bleak. "I'm just being realistic. You have come into my life like shooting star. I should be just satisfied watching the beauty before me. But know that if I tried to touch, I would burn up. Best to keep my feet on the ground."

Hermione hated when he talked like this. It showed how much he'd grown to care for her. But was always finding a way to remain separate. She was sure he did it for her own benefit. Like she would survive and he wouldn't and just wanted her to be happy later in life. However, she didn't want to come off as some lovesick teenager. Spouting off about the things she saw for them. Like how she wanted so desperately to see him all dressed up in wedding robes or even better a tuxedo, on the day they get married. Her melancholy broke through her Occulmacy shields and tears leaked out of her eyes. Severus pulled her back into his arms and shushed her.

"We have our time now. And I swear to you I cherish it. Even when you drive me crazy with your questions or scheming. And you suffocate me with your wild hair." He lifted her head from his chest. "You, Hermione are the best thing that's ever happened to me." He said it so sincerely her watered again as he kissed her. It was a declaration, even though the words hadn't been spoken aloud. The intent was there. He loved her. She loved him. And she would do just about anything to keep him with her, always.

Hermione's mind wandered as she thought on how apprehensive she was staying here alone. Having never done so before was worried she'd bored and isolated. But in the short time she had remain behind so far, she found that it was peaceful and beautiful. Due to her status as an alleged apprentice, she was free to roam the halls and had unlimited access to the library due her friendship with Irma. Even the ghosts and portraits found time to be cordial to her.

And while all the liberties she was granted as non-student, the best was the time she got spend with Severus. While the initial idea of her being his apprentice was a ruse, the idea grew on her and she pestered her Severus to show her things. While glowering at her, in his pessimistic but affectionate way, he would acquiesce to her request. But not without mumbling about not being alive to truly teach her. That would irritate her, he said that it wasn't that he didn't trust her abilities, he was just remind her that his life had an expiration date and it was coming up soon.

She didn't know when she closed her eyes and nodded off. But she was slightly startled awake by a familiar deep voice. "What are you doing out here?"

"Basking." She simply said with a playful smile.

"Well don't mind me. I need to pick a few ingredients." She opened her eyes and rolled on to her stomach to feast her eyes on her mate. He wasn't dressed in his normal teaching attire. Simply dressed in shirt sleeves and black slacks. She loved seeing him dressed down. Sensing her growing interest in him, he turned around. "Enjoying the view?" He said with a smirk.

"Of course." She rose from her spot on the meadow grass, "What are you picking?"

"Just some basic florals. Restocking the student closet. Damn wasteful students." He mutters, "They burn through their supplies and my breaks are spent cultivating and purchasing ingredients."

"Do you need some help?" She asks as she sits up and reaches for him.

He gives her a subtle smile, "No, enjoy your basking. You are not truly my apprentice; therefore, I don't have to force you to help."

Hermione smirks, stands and wraps her arms around his waist. "I can help you to make it go faster and then we can have the free time to spend together."

"Insatiable minx." he responded as they lean into one another and start to snog in the meadow. They were beginning to paw at each other's clothes when they heard a rustle and the quickly separated. Wands were grasped as they waited for whomever was encroaching on their private moment.

From behind the nearby tree came out one Hermione's newest comrades; Magorian the Centaur. Hermione lowered her wand, placed her hand against her chest and bowed her head in respect. "Good day, Magorian."

"Good day, Lady Hermione. Have I found you in an inopportune time?" The centaur asked.

"Of course not." She replied, while Severus mumbles something that sounds like "you know that you did." Where Hermione lightly smacks his arm. "Is there something you are in need of?"

"Not from you, my dearest Veela. From the master of potions." The centaur nodded his head toward Severus, who only then respectful bowed his head to the leader of the centaur clan that lives in the forest.

"As always, I am at your service." Severus replies, showing the years of their admiration for one another.

Hermione had been pestering Severus for weeks to go out the meadow to have a meeting with the centaur tribe he said that he befriended. He evaded it, each time saying that he hadn't made contact with them since before winter and therefore would have to wait. Hermione began following him to the meadow, in the hopes of making contact. He would make the comment that they may not come to him with her with him, seeing as he was accompanied by a stranger to them. Where she would counter that they would see her as an ally since he trusted her to be in the meadow by him.

It only took three such visits before the leader made his appearance and looked on the young witch with interest.

Hermione watched as Severus stowed his wand, covered his chest and lowered his head in respect as a greeting to the large creature. Hermione stood behind Severus, bashfully. "Magorian, to what do I the pleasure?"

"Her." He said simply. "We have noticed this being with the master of potions. There is a fondness and trust, but she is not simply a witch."

"You have noticed correctly. This young woman is my mated partner, and she is not of the simple witch variety." Hermione's heart was racing, she didn't want to offend the centaur with her magical gift.

Magorian gestured toward Hermione, where she stepped from behind Severus. She bowed her head in respect, as Severus had done. "Hello." she said softly.

"Of what manner of myth are you?" He asked calmly.

"I'll show you." she said. She lowered her tone, in order not startle the being and she began her incantation and the transformation commenced. "I am a..."

"Veela. One of full blood." He turned his head away from her and to Severus, "Of what great fortune to the man whom does much, dangerously."

"Excuse me." Hermione said, trying to get the centaur's attention so she may try and put her plan into motion in order to gain their favor.

"Yes, Lady Veela."

"I am new to the knowledge of being of this magical ability but was wondering if there was any way I could be of use to your tribe?" Hermione shook her head slightly. The tinkling tone of her Veela voice always left her ears slightly ringing.

"And of what skill do you possess?"He asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Pestering" Severus murmured. Causing Hermione to turn her head and throw him a glair and she heard a light chuckle from Magorian. She turned quickly back to the centaur.

"The snarkiness of the master of potions, extends to his chosen partner."

"Yes. In abundance." Hermione replied. "But to answer your question, I have found that I have the ability to heal. While the most of my abilities extend to my paramour, I can offer some to those that my magic accepts as kin."

"And am I to assume that you would want something in return for this bestowment?"

"Trust and protection." She said sincerely, "You cannot be unaware of the darkness on the horizon. And I know that if the darkness should spread to the school, we would need to find a way to get our young out safely." There was a silence that spread over the meadow. "I know this is big request from someone you haven't met before. But I want to assure you that we will won't abuse the gratitude, it would be only during great duress. And I would love to contribute as my partner does to your tribe."

After some time, he replied. "I will bring this up with my council. I will reach out when a decision has been reached." He looked at Hermione, still in her Veela form. "Your natural form is rather intriguing. It is not every day that I meet a rarity as such."

"I am finding this out myself, if it wasn't for Severus, I wouldn't have known of my gift." She smiled, lovingly up at the man in question. "I hope that you can trust in me as you have my mate." She added, with all the sincerity that she could muster.

"I will return with a decision." was all he said before striding back into the forest.

"Feel better?" Severus asked.

"Not until he comes back with his response." Hermione said while worrying her lip. As she sung the reversal and returned to her normal self.

IPM

It wasn't long before they returned to the meadow and they were approached again. Along with the centaur leader he brought the members of his council. Which she assumed was a sign of trust, since they never seemed to be in a group, most likely to protect their numbers. Since the initial greeting from the tribe and the show of her magical abilities. They have been invited to their camp. Hermione was amazed at the size of the tribe. Her mystical being was of great amusement to the young. They were mesmerized by her wings. They awed at her when she fluttered off the ground, but when pressed to fly higher. She announced that she wouldn't. Severus snickered at her and her fear of flying, despite actually possessing the ability to do so without the use of a broom.

Hermione was glad that she was able to win over the tribe and began to plan for the eventuality of using the camp as a safe haven for the students from Hogwarts. Which would bring Hermione out the the mouth of the forest to await an escort the camp a couple of times a month.

"What potion are you in need of, Magorian?" Severus asked breaking Hermione from her reminiscence.

"We are need of the cream to heal the burns and the one to stitch the skin. The winter months were rough on the younger males, it seems" Magorian said with a slight chuckle.

"No matter the species, the clumsy ignorance of the youth is always paramount." Severus said with amused smirk. "I will make up a batch of each and we can bring them in weeks' time. Is that acceptable or are you in present need?"

"No, that would be fine. Our stores are low, but if the unforeseeable were to happen we will be fine until then." The centaur replied.

"If something like that does happen, please call for me. I'd be happy to come and assist as I can." Hermione chimed in.

"Of course, Lady Veela." Magorian said with a slight bowing of his head.

A/N: Ok I know I said that I wasn't going to bog you all down with more planning chapters, but I truly needed introduce this alliance. It will come in handy for future chapters. Hope you like it, and I am not promising a speedy update, but I will try.