Crouching Muggle Hidden Wizard
"Even if I was banished to the darkest place, my love would never let me be a lonely spirit."
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Hermione's P.O.V.
Hermione had sat beside Pansy all through the night. It was now about six in the morning and the cold northern light was beginning to creep in through the triple-glazed window and over the large stone windowsill. Hermione was still awake despite the fact that she had kept watch for the entire night and she sat clutching desperately at her best friend's hand, as if willing some of her life into Pansy. Hermione felt a presence behind her and turned to see Sheila, the girl who had brought her tea last night, creeping up behind her, not however in a prankish way but more like she knew that the friends would be together. Hermione's face was streaked red with tears for her friend, which she hastily tried to wipe away with the damp cloth she held for Pansy's brow as she was unwilling to have the child see her in such a undignified way.
"Who is she?" the child asked warily.
"Her name's Pansy Malfoy and she is a friend of mine and a great woman." Came the reply.
"Yes, but who is she? What is she?" inquired Sheila again.
"She was the wife of an ex-death eater's wife and she went to school with us – Harry, your uncle and I. She's a trained reconciliation councillor and we became friends after school about ten years ago. Just on a trivial note - you might find it interesting that she's having a baby."
"Ooh, has she chosen a name yet?" the girl excitedly questioned.
"I don't know at the moment but I think it's Luanne, Narcissa or Lydia if it's a girl or Petr (a/n it's Russian [I think] for Peter), Daniel or Draco if it's a boy." Smiled Hermione begin poignantly reminded of the excitement her own children had aired each time she had been expecting and this made her long for home.
"Oh, I almost forgot – mama says that the medi-witch will be here tomorrow, maybe the day after. She has to come from Crastina on the other side of the mountains and it is too dangerous to apparate from there, as there is a great weakness in the magic arts around there. It is one of the seven places on the earth were our magic can fail and the old ways, the ancient magics rule supreme." Sheila informed her elder.
Hermione knew all to well about the Ktazir Yurj – the seven places that only the most ancient of magic ruled supreme and where all great deeds and tales end. Harry had met his doom in one such as these, killing Voldemort in the most powerful battle of sorcery since the beginning of time. Wormtail had sold himself to the guardian of the site so as to ensure Voldemort's victory but instead Harry had died, leaving Wormtail with a scar that could only be erased by the greatest act of repentance a man could give – his life in some form or another.
Snapping out of her train of thought Hermione said, " That's not soon enough! We have to go and meet someone tonight in the Mountain of the Sword of Light."
"Well you'd better leave soon. You can apparate to the bottom of the mountain but if you plan to go any further it'll take you about five, perhaps seven hours. We'll take care of her. Perhaps when the medi-witch comes we'll find out what's wrong with her" The little girl looked at the woman as if understanding her plight. An old head on young shoulders thought Hermione thoughtfully.
"Yes, you are right I'd better leave soon. In fact I'll leave after breakfast." She agreed. Taking a long, hard look at her friend whom looked as blue with cold and as desperately ill as Hermione had ever seen, she picked up her bag. And taking a deep breath prepared to leave the family who had been so kind to he while she had been with them for this short period of time.
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It was a dark a night as any that Russian had lived through when Hermione finally found what she had been searching for over the past twelve, maybe fifteen hours. The small hole in the rock might look like one of the many that were scattered over the mountain face to any muggle but to a well travelled and knowledgeable wizard or witch it was something else entirely different indeed. It was a traveller's rest for wizards – these scattered the mountains of Europe and provided good food, good drink and a nice, soft featherbed. Each varied according to their country of origin and this one was nothing spectacular. It had a bar, a boarding area, large squashy seats surrounding a blazing fire and it was on one of these seats that Hermione found what she was looking for. On one large stripped sofa sat Ron Weasley. Hermione's mouth gaped open and found her gaze transfixed upon him.
"Hermione, I…I…I…." Breathed Ron looking stunned.
She moved towards him and putting her arms around him started to cry. They were tears of happiness, of pain and of love, of finding and losing, they were tears shed for the lost years. Ron looking stunned at her response put his arms around her and whispered soothingly into her hair, "I'm sorry, so sorry. Don't cry - I'm here, I'll protect you. I'm so sorry."
Author's note: I've finally done it - I've got the Ron and Hermione meeting done! Did you like it? I think I've been reading too much of the "Earthsea Quartet" by Ursula LeGuin. I also know where this story is going – wow! Thank you so much HGW for reviewing every time you are so nice and lovely etc. I seriously hope the rest of you learn from their example.
Disclaimer: I own nothing – J. K. Rowling owns the Harry Potter stuff, Crouching Tiger… is owned by Ang Lee (I presume)