The greeting was long. Tons of tradition that Remus couldn't grasp as the guide spoke and motioned to the stranger. It wasn't until he pulled Hermione to the three women standing in red attire that he realized they were almost done.

Hermione stood there, bowing her head as the elderly witches brought forth sticks with rattles hanging on the end. "You have the belly of a wild spirit in you," one of the witches hissed.

"No hearth, no home, no love," Another rambled.

Remus stood back utterly appalled at their almost degrading actions to the witch.

"She is spoken for," Bathuni assured them.

One of the witches held out her hand, and Hermione cringed in the slightest as she took the roots. "No evil spirit come with you," the witch ordered with a nod.

Hermione shoved it into her mouth, and Remus jerked. Bathuni held out his staff, shaking his head- it was clear he wasn't allowed to stop it. The witch chewed the roots and gagged before opening her mouth to the three women before her. One of them handed her a bowl and Hermione drained it before coughing and shaking her head. The last of the witches gave the young woman a cup that Hermione delved her fingers into and drew lines over her forehead, cheeks, and chin.

"I am the earth," she whispered, bowing her head.

"We are the seeds," the witches chanted.

"I am the wind," Hermione groaned.

"We are the life," the trio droned.

Hermione gulped and inhaled. "I am the fire."

"We are the ash."

"I am the rain," Hermione huffed.

"We are the magic."

The older witches rose their rattles to the air above her and shook them fiercely as Hermione seemed physically sick. They stopped their motion as the women bent forward and voided the contents of her stomach onto the dirt. The trio gazed at the vomit and nodded at each other before smiling at the woman when she erected herself.

"You're purged, welcome to Malazai," the witch with the bowl announced.

Remus recalled her rejecting food on the plane. In fact, the witch had been fasting since that morning. He thought it was possibly her nerves but now realized just what she had to go through to enter the wizarding village. The three older women turned to the werewolf and whispered to each other.

"He's marked," one of them breathed.

"Yes, the wild whispers of dog on his skin," another agreed.

The third smirked and waved him over as they moved around the wet mush on the ground. "We shall feast. The rains shall come soon!" She cackled with a clap, causing her rattle to rumble.

Hermione bent as the witches walked away and voided another bout of slimy mush from her stomach.

"What did they give you?" Remus asked as he rushed to her side.

Hermione groaned as she wiped her lips. "An herb that causes you to vomit. They use it to make sure that you aren't bringing illness with you. I suppose they can see and smell it on the contents."

"Why do they only do that if you're without, well, a husband?" Remus questioned.

Hermione tilted her head and bounced her shoulders. "I don't know."

"Because she could be with child and if she was, it would cause her to lose the baby," Bathuni spoke from behind them. "Women could be carrying ailments not seen by eyes. Warrior and wizards have to do the same when returning from traveling far."

"And why am I excluded from this?" Remus questioned.

Hermione gave him a sympathetic smile. "Because you couldn't use it even if they wanted to give it to you. It's untreated Wolfsbane. You have built up a tolerance for it." Hermione said.

Hermione wobbled on her feet, and Remus caught her in his arms. "Okay, you're alright. You need some food and water," He murmured.

Remus pulled her into his arms and lifted the witch from the ground. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and groaned. "I'm sorry, Remus."

Bathuni patted the werewolf's shoulder and waved him along. "I have a place for her to rest by the river. She can recover better away from the others."

The guide led the way as they walked toward the small flowing river. A large tree had a grassy knoll near it, leaving Remus plenty of space to set the witch down. Hermione exhaled as she slumped against the tree. "I'll be fine soon. It's not easy to void your stomach out on command," she murmured with a forced smile.

A young woman in blue came up with two bowls. She set them down next to Hermione and waved. "Healer," she said with a nod.

The young woman with large earrings then glanced at Remus and giggled before walking away. He glared off at her with befuddlement displayed clearly on his face.

"He still doesn't understand, lioness," Bathuni snickered as he blotted the witches face with grass.

"He won't," Hermione groaned as she picked up the steaming bowl.

"Why is Lycanthropy so unusual out here?" Remus asked as his eyes locked with Bathuni's.

"Wolves, men, they fight like lions and hyenas. You are both and have lived long. That's a gift."

"It's a cursed condition, one I won't wish upon an enemy," Remus huffed.

Bathuni waved his free hand and shook his head. "You mishear. It's a gift you live. There are stories of men that stay wolves. Those that were cursed without a heart. Magic doesn't take, it only gives."

"Remus, he's saying they don't see it the same way out here. They live by the might of one's heart, not by their fit into society."

Remus glanced down at Hermione as she finished the water. "You mentioned a cure."

Bathuni laughed with a nod. "Luan, he knows the way."

"Then what's this," he waved at the village.

Hermione sat up and smiled. "A holiday, Remus. We have time, I promise. Weeks," she reminded him.

"You rest up. I'm going to take your wolfman to see the village," Bathuni said with a bob of his head.

Remus was reluctant to leave her, but Bathuni already was pulling him along. Hermione waved and relaxed against the tree as he turned to be introduced to Malazai.


The evening had already peaked before Remus realized he hadn't seen Hermione all afternoon. She was going from hut to hut, doing business he wasn't privy to, while he learned a few games from the children in the village. He was exhausted by the time the large drums were being pulled out from their storage, and the women were bringing bowls of dishes toward the center of Malazai.

Remus helped light the fire with a flick of his wand, causing erupt cheering from the children and he even assisted in helping the witches with their tasks before the evening. No one told him he couldn't, shouldn't or to stay away. Many asked about his scars, and he reluctantly told them how he received them. They seemed… enamored with his strength. Something else Remus wasn't used to hearing.

It was a different feeling of being accepted as a strange guest than a burden as he had in many circumstances before. Bathuni appeared from one of the larger huts and waved him over. "Come! Sit with me. The witches have a dance!" He shouted.

Remus padded over, and a large man stepped from the hut next to Bathuni. "Good evening," Remus said with a nod.

"This is the wolf but man?" The man with the red beads asked.

"Yes, he came with lioness of rain and life," Bathuni responded with a bow. "Remus this is Chieftain Roun."

"Come, sit with us. The warriors want to hear of your magic. She spoke of you being a leader in her country," the chieftain announced.

Remus cleared his throat and nodded. "I am not a leader, just to clarify."

"You're her leader?" Roun asked.

"He's her spoken," Bathuni confirmed.

"Spoken?" Remus asked.

Roun laughed and waved him off as his ears swayed with the stones. "Spoken yet not spoken? Hermione is a lioness."

"What is a spoken might I ask?" Remus questioned.

"Witches hearts be rapid like the rivers, wolfman. She can't accept an offer to bed if she has a spoken wizard or warrior," Roun declared with a nod.

Remus's nose flared at the concept, but he was careful with his words. "Why would she accept a bed if she's only a visitor?" The question made his cheeks flame with both frustration and mortification.

"So cold a lonely night when the drums play and hearts on fire. She may not husband a wizard, but she may ask for a bed. Hermione has declared that she will be sharing yours when asked by one," Roun explained with a nod.

A thought occurred to him as he stared at the men before him. The conversation that they had before the portkey. His words matter much more than hers. "Yes, well, quite right," Remus huffed with a nod.

Bathuni gave him an agreeing motion, and they sat down near the fire. The food was terrific, and Remus ate with his hands after watching the others do it. The witches, including Hermione came out with the children in masks and Bathuni tapped his ear. Remus pulled out his enchanted object, and the drums started. It was magic…

The witches began shouting in whatever language they were speaking and clapping to the drum beat. Little by little, the children danced and sang along as the women circled and rocked while clapping. Remus watched Hermione as she sang in their language; it seemed so different to see her this alive. Mist rose above the witches, and soon forms started to clear. Different animals of all types rose above them, including an enormous wolf head above Hermione.

Remus didn't notice the elderly witches hobble out, waving their rattles until they were around the young women. The trio was tossing powder at them as they circled the children soon, the women's flesh glittered in the firelight. The chanting became louder. The animals above started chattering and creating an animalistic beat to the song. The drumming increased, the women jumped and spiraled as they circled the children, and the men stood, clapping, and chanting with them.

Bathuni pulled Remus to his feet and clapped before raising his hands and repeated the clapping. He nodded for Remus to join the motion and soon He was participating in the wild nature of the song. Wizards dressed in bright yellows and reds launched out toward the circle, waving staves and chanting with the witches as they walked counter to them. The misty animals grew wild as their howling reverberated over the village.

The older witches raised their rattle staves, and the drums halted, causing the misty animals to flee and run from the witches. The women had sunk to the ground, panting as the men shouted with the children. Remus didn't realize he was gasping as his hand clutched his chest- Moony was howling in jubilation which was an experience he hadn't felt since Sirius was alive.

The warrior wizards started helping the women off the dirt, each speaking to them with fondness and pressing a thumb to their forehead. Hermione remained, she stayed to the ground as her wild hair masked her face. A hand touched Remus's bare forearm, and he turned to see the grinning guide.

"Oh," Remus murmured and placed the translator back into his ear.

"Go get her," Bathuni ordered with a nod.

Remus swallowed and motioned agreement before filing out from the log table and walking over to the barefoot witch. "Hermione," he murmured as he reached her.

When she glanced up at him, he saw the feral nature inside left from the dance. "Moony," she breathed.

He bent down and offered his hand, but she didn't take it, only glancing at it as a foreign, strange object.

"She is wild yet! Grab her!" Bathuni shouted over at him.

The werewolf moved closer and helped the witch stand, only for her to sway closer to him. Remus smiled as she gazed up and pressed his thumb to her cheek. "You're alright, just a bit of magic," he assured her.

"Yes," she whispered as her hand touched his chest. "Magic," she affirmed.

The warriors thumped their staves to the dirt in unison nearby. The beat soon quickened as the two outsiders stood near the circle. Remus could see even in the dim light that her eyes dilated and her lips parted ever so gently. The presence of even his heartbeat began to match the thumping on the dirt.

He wasn't sure what was first. The baiting sound of the tribesman sounding for something, or her hand wrapping around his shoulder, but it led to the action. Hermione pulled Remus close enough to kiss his lips and pulled away just as swift. It was chaste, but the lingering texture of passion and tension stayed with him as she bound over to the group. The clapping and chanting were mute in comparison to his stunning realization- she had kissed him.

"Lioness! Come eat," Bathuni chuckled and waved the wild witch over.

Remus straightened his shirt and walked over to them as she settled in his former seat. "So, where did the nickname for lioness come from?" He asked.

Hermione didn't meet his eyes as she gestured for him to sit next to her. "I had healed a lion cub that was trapped beyond his pride. When he was free again, I walked away enough for the females to get him. I took care of the lion so he could live another day."

Remus sat down and picked up his abandoned bowl. "That's an inspiring story. I can see why the name stuck."

"Did your wolf howl with the song, Remus?" Roun questioned with a grin.

"Yes," Remus huffed and rubbed his chest. "It has been a long time since I felt like that."

Hermione glanced over at him as she took a bowl Bathuni passed her. "Really? That's excellent. You've told me Moony has been quite sad in recent years."

"Yes, it was the first time since Sirius that I felt," he paused and cleared his throat. "Belonging is a good word for it."

"Ah, the wolf is strange, wolfman. He howls to the heart for things we wish and want," Bathuni agreed with a nod.

An older man walked into the clearing, and the chatter stopped. Everyone seemed to be interested in the odd wizard as he strolled toward Roun and company. Remus felt his mouth run dry and an unusual presence press against him.

"That is the animal wizard, he speaks to them," Bathuni whispered to Remus.

"Where is the wolf?" the man's voice was deep and full.

Remus's hair on the back of his neck stood. "My name is Remus Lupin," he spoke before standing.

The man scowled and scratched his chin before nodding. "We will speak tomorrow. I heard your cry, now be happy with your night," he dismissed and reached for a cup before walking off.

"What does he do?" Remus whispered as he sat back down.

"He heals the mind," Hermione replied and reached for her wooden cup.

One of the warriors walked over with a flower and placed it in front of the witch. "For you, Healer," he said with a bow.

Hermione raised a hand and dipped her head. "May the water rush through your heart."

When he walked away, Remus bent closer to her. "Why the flower?"

"It signifies her purity to heal wounds of the world. She may not be our people, but she is of this land. Luan, healer of lakes and rock, had her walk in the moonlight free as a babe to cleanse her soul. Hermione is the blesser of rains," Roun explained and waved a hand at Hermione's dress.

Hermione smirked and leaned to Remus, bearing speaking, but he heard her clear as day. "I had to walk the plains naked and do a rain dance. The following day the monsoon started."

Remus jerked from her and blinked. "Starks?"

"Yes, to cleanse my soul as they say," Hermione laughed.

Bathuni barked out laughter and waved at the sky above them. "The witch with a roar of a lioness."

He was starting to understand the whole event. The gestures and respect, but slight isolation that Hermione seemed to undertake. "What was the task for?"

"To bring you here," Hermione voiced before reaching for her food. "I'm bloody starving."

"To cure me?"

Bathuni held up his glass with a grin. "To heal you, Wolfman. The heart of the world," he declared.

The odd realization that she possibly planned this long before she returned was a stunning one indeed. There was so much at the ledge of these thoughts. Part of him, perhaps even Moony himself, felt a need build in his chest. He didn't know how to say how much he truly felt for the witch who blessed the rains.