Chapter 25 – Beltane (Part I)
A/N: My intentions going forward with the Paganism/Old Magic references will be to provide the history and attributes behind the celebrations and holidays without actually going through the rituals themselves (unless they are specific to the plot line such as Cerridwen's initial summoning). Each practitioner of paganism and present-day magic is different with their own personalized rituals. I didn't want to be disrespectful or make assumptions that the way I have written a particular sabbat or ritual is the "proper" way, especially as I am an eclectic solitary practitioner. As always, my mistakes are my own. - delphicpigeon
As spring slowly drifted into summer, the garden bloomed and began bursting with fragrant herbs, colorful flowers, and plentiful vegetables. One warm morning, Hermione had been ecstatic to find that their rose bud had finally sprouted up from the ground. She had excitedly run inside the cottage where Draco was humming softly while fixing a light breakfast.
"It's growing!" she called out happily, rushing into the kitchen.
"It's a garden, that's what it does." He remarked sarcastically.
"I'm not talking about the garden," she huffed, "Come and see!"
She grabbed his hand, tugging for him to follow. He grumbled under his breath, cast a quick Statis Charm, and allowed himself to be drug outside by her. She skipped over to the green shoot, pointing excitedly. They had planted it next to the iris and for some inexplicable reason, she found it incredibly poetic. Maybe, she thought, because irises represented her mother and roses represented his.
"The rose!" she crowed with giddiness.
"I had my doubts that it would even make it this far," he began, crouching down to inspect the dark leaves, "But like everything else in this cottage, it's getting a second chance."
Hermione stared down at him in mild shock. Every day that she spent with him further endeared herself to the spoiled little brat that had once bullied her mercilessly. Regaining her composure, she gave his shoulder a playful smack.
"Oh ye of little faith," she teased, "Outsmarted by a rose of all things."
Draco stood with a pinched expression on his face.
"I wasn't outsmarted by a rose." He murmured weakly, "Now can I go finish breakfast or do I have to starve to appreciate it?"
"Someone's grumpy." She observed, a wry smile on her face.
He gave a noncommittal shrug before stepping back inside the cottage. She grinned at his retreating figure. Not even a cranky Slytherin could destroy her excitement. The rose had grown like she had hoped and today she was going to attempt her first seasonal ritual. After the horror and darkness of Imbolc, she was eager to replace the memories with a much more lighthearted celebration, Beltane.
She had been doing extensive research after Draco had recounted his rather terrifying encounter with Cerridwen. He explained that Cerridwen had specifically mentioned his mother being familiar with the 'Old Ways' and Hermione was determined to discover exactly what those were. In her studies, she had found a variety of ancient celebrations centered around the cycle of nature. Oddly enough, she noticed a distinct shift in her magical perception the closer Beltane came. Her habits becoming increasingly nature based. Her magic ebbed and flowed with the moon, walking barefoot in the grass grounded her, and drinking from the flowing stream felt more refreshing than any cup could provide.
When she had initially begun her search for Beltane rituals, she felt Cerridwen flicker in muted approval from deep within. Bolstered by the goddess's silent support, she had begun prepping for the day. Beltane marked the transition from spring into the pastoral summer season and was celebrated with large bonfires, flowers, and gifts left to appease the aos sí, or fairy folk. Draco had patiently listened to her enthusiastically explain her intentions for the day, gesturing about where she wanted to have the bonfire or the number of bouquets she was planning to gather. He had merely smiled in wry amusement as she chattered on about the many ways ancient witches and wizards had celebrated their magical roots, the folklore they had created, and most importantly, her outrage that these beautiful ceremonies and knowledge were not being taught.
She had chosen to forego the typical Maypole tradition considering it was just them two and after reading a particularly explicit fertility ritual, she didn't think it necessary to include. She had selected a handful of the most mature vegetables from the garden to use as offers and had planned on scouring the forest later for the choicest blooms. She frowned slightly as her lack of certain magical ingredients for particular rites, but ultimately decided that she would keep the rituals simple for both their well beings. Her magic was continuing to descend further and further into chaos and she knew that it would soon come to a rather frightening end. Shaking the dark thoughts from her head, she peered inside the shady interior for Draco.
"I'm going out into the forest to gather those flowers. I should be back around mid-afternoon." She called out, waiting for his response.
He looked up from the book he was reading as he crunched on some toast and gave a nod of acknowledgement before returning to the text. She smiled softly at him and withdrew from the doorframe. Heading towards the brilliant green of the forest, she missed Draco exit the cottage with a determined look on his face.
As soon as she left, Draco jumped up and headed outside hoping he'd have enough time to complete his surprise project before she returned. He had listened to her for the past several days speak of the upcoming Beltane celebration and understood her need to remake her opinion of 'Old Ways' magic. He hadn't been surprised that his mother had been a practitioner of such magic. Many celebrations had taken place within the Malfoy Grove, but he had only ever seen it as the source of old magic that protected the Malfoy lands and a place for wizarding marriages.
He felt a cold stab of regret as he recalled the last time he had been there. Forcibly carrying her to that altar, the dying cries of the innocent sacrificial lamb, and the look on his mother's face before he abandoned her. Despite all that had happened from the moment Hermione had been tortured on his ancestral home's floor, he was utterly grateful to be where he was. Prior to her arrival, he had all semblance of hope and thrived only on survival. The survival of his mother, to make it another day with as little bloodshed as possible. Some days he thought he might drown under all the blood and guilt. He recalled the moonstone brooch his mother had bequeathed to him, their saving grace from that place. He had asked Hermione to unknowingly guard it for him that unfortunate day and felt that tonight, under the moon and by the light of the Beltane bonfire, he should gift it to her properly. The moonstone bore her mark. It was only fitting that it should be hers.
Turning his mind back to the present, he walked to the edge of the stream and glanced around. He knew she had been preparing some basic rituals for tonight, but his concern for her increasingly erratic magical behavior prompted him to devise a plan that might keep them both safe. Selecting a relatively flat location, he set to work. Picturing of one of the many gazebos that had lined the massive lake at Malfoy Manor, he meant to create a place in which she could practice ritual magic safely and away from the cottage. He also wanted a secondary location for her to escape to. He had silently observed her become increasingly drawn to the stream's side. Several mornings, he had found her sitting quietly at the edge of the water with her hands planted firmly on the ground. He had been worried at first, but the peaceful and radiant expression on her face had immediately quelled those fears.
Felling a handful of trees, he created the basic structure of the gazebo with a small wooden bridge arching delicately over the stream, connecting their yard to the surrounding forest. With a precise slicing charm, he cut shingles and laid them in in a downward slanting motion along with a water repelling charm to keep the inside dry during any rain. Thinking back to the vase he had transfigured for her so many months ago, he gave the shelter a soft eggshell color. Stepping back, he found the structure too simplistic and decided to carve intricate designs into the main poles. In addition, he carved the rune symbols for protection and security, along with Cerridwen's symbol, into the base of the structure and cast a Disillusionment Charm over them. He then set to laying a series of protective charms and layers of shielding magic to make the structure as durable as possible, whether it be from her magic or others. He hoped they were never attacked here but it would be foolish not to prepare for such a possibility. He cast a couple of blasting charms to test the stability of the small building. It wouldn't outlast a Maxima Bombarda or Fiendfyre, but it would manage well enough against smaller hexes.
Now that the outside was finished, he began working on the inside. Using the thick base of the trees, he transfigured two chairs using the roots as the legs and arms. He turned the handful of leaves into stuffing for cushions and created two tables, one small and the other large. He did his best to use every part of the downed trees. He collected unused logs and limbs to be used as future kindling, setting aside a couple smooth and knot-free sections to transform into bowls, cups, and plates. He also selected intact branches to place above their fireplace. He vaguely remembered she had mentioned something about placing greenery in certain places as celebratory decoration. He looked up, realizing that her appointed return time of mid-afternoon was approaching, and quickly finished up the last of his work with a final appraising look.
He hastily returned to the cottage, changed clothes, and returned to the armchair as if he had never left in the first place while eagerly waiting for her return.
Hermione emerged from the forest, her arms laden with bright flowers. She had been delighted to find several small clearings with wildflowers blanketing the ground. As she strolled towards the cottage, she considered how she would arrange the many blossoms when a foreign structure caught the corner of her vision. She cautiously twisted her head in the direction of the object and all the flowers fell from her hands. Edging towards the building, she glanced around for any signs of intrusion or that their wards had been breached. Finding sign of neither, she came to a stop in front of the graceful structure and let herself admire the enchanting beauty it exuded.
The design was simple but blended almost organically with the surrounding nature. Hesitantly, she placed a foot on the arching bridge and gave it a small push. Finding it solid, she walked across as the stream ran smoothly beneath. As she neared, she felt the protective magic rolling off the building and instinctively knew this had been Draco's work. She reached out and placed a hand on one of the thick poles, feeling the distinctive energy of each layer of magic. Immediately, she felt safer within this place. Releasing the tension from her shoulders, she inspected the interior. She ran a finger across the smooth wood of one of the chairs, appreciating the lovely design. Easing herself down, she sat back in silence.
She was instantly enveloped in the sounds of the forest, a profound peace settling over her. The gurgle of the nearby stream, the sweet melodic song of several birds, the soft shuffle of swaying branches, and the whisper of tall grasses. Closing her eyes, she drank in the calm and simplicity of it all. She sat there, breathing deeply and evenly, til the afternoon gave way to dusk. Gradually, she opened her eyes to see Draco's silhouette in the doorway of the cottage, the indoor light casting his shadow across the yard. Her heart stuttered gently at the sight of him. She knew she'd need to find some way to repay him for such a beautiful gesture. Standing, she walked over to where she had dropped the flowers, collected them, and walked towards the wizard who was captivating her more and more with each passing day.
Post A/N: I originally had Beltane planned as a single chapter. However, after writing out the entire scene (plus some additional details), I realized this chapter would be disproportional to the other chapters with too many details being thrown at the reader. Please don't hate me too much lol. Also, I just want to give so many thanks to everyone who is reading, reviewing, kudoing, etc. This story has snowballed out of control and I love it so much. - delphicpigeon