01

By: IShouldBeSleeping (AKA: Moar Sleep)

Disclaimer: I own nothing


Dappled sunlight pierced the thick canopy of trees as small rays of sunshine littered the lush green floor. Darting between these beams of light, a petite child ran barefoot as her laughter rang through the quiet space. Skirts of tulle and lace were hiked up to allow her to run properly, a crown of wildflowers sitting askew her riotous curls.

Tiny flickering orbs of light danced around her as she weaved through the trees. One particular bright ball of shimmering gold settled upon her shoulder before disappearing into the thick mass of coiling browns and auburn, causing the small girl to scrunch up her nose as the little light tickled her senses. Looking back, keen honeyed eyes grew round with surprise to see a large galloping frame quickly closing the distance between the two. Turning towards the other dancing lights about her, she urged them forwards as she did her best to pick up her pace.

"Kettleblossom! Flicker! Quick! He's gaining speed!"

Like the golden orb that had taken refuge in her large mass of curls, the two other lights quickly dove into the thick tresses as the young girl took a sharp turn and whirled around. Sliding against the moss and grass, she struck her hands into the earth. Slender fingers drove into the soft soil as she forced herself to focus.

There. A small tendril of power prickled at her senses. Narrowing her gaze, she took a deep breath and focused on that small spark and imagined stoking it into a blazing inferno. Sweat gathered upon her brow, but she was a stubborn and determined little thing. Vines and branches grew from the earth in a spiral of angry fury creating a thick wall of brambles and foliage, blocking the path between her and her pursuer. She grinned triumphantly before falling to her knees, out of breath.

"Not fair!"

Breathing with exertion, she grinned at hearing the furious trotting of hooves. Maverick was most definitely annoyed. Whenever he got in a strop he had a habit of stomping in place as his tail would swish with agitation.

She thought it was cute.

Maverick had not appreciated her word choice.

"Hermione. You promised no magic!"

"I made no such promise! I said I would consider it. I did and decided to use the abilities I have in order to gain an advantage."

"Well ungain your advantage and come here!"

Hermione's lips pursed. "Ungain is not even a word," she chided.

A soft chuff was her only response, but she really could not stop smiling. Maverick was so much fun to tease. "How about you agree to come apple picking with me and I will take down this barrier."

Maverick scoffed. The little demon knew how much he abhorred the fruit. It was such a ridiculous cliché. "Absolutely not!"

"I promise to brush you down."

His ear twitched at her words. "No twisting your words? You promise to brush my coat from mane to flank until I am gleaming?"

"Promise. You have my word Maverick."

"Take down this wall between us princess."

Hermione laughed and concentrated. Her brow furrowed once again, a bead of sweat trickling down the side of her face. She watched with a pleased grin as the thick wall of branches and earth slowly retreated revealing a very statuesque centaur with an arched brow and amused grin.

"Come here."

Hermione grinned as she raced towards the male, her arms outstretched as she was swept up into a firm embrace, her legs dangling from the ground as he had a ridiculous height advantage over her. "I promise."

Maverick let out a soft nicker, his tail swishing in that upwards way that belied his happiness and easily maneuvered her slender frame upon his back. He gently encouraged her to wrap her arms about his waist so that she had a better grip and not be in danger from falling.

"Ready?"

Pressing her nose into his spine she nodded eagerly. "Let's go!"

He set off into a swift gallop, her wild curls flying behind her and causing the pixies within to hold on for dear life. They chimed at the centaur angrily, but he just picked up the pace.

Hermione laughed and held on tighter.

Maverick was fast and aptly named. He was also a horrible show off, but he was a dear friend and she adored him, despite his ego. It also helped that he was very handsome.

Male centaurs were blessed quite naturally with dashing looks as opposed to the enchanting female centaur. They were all incredibly tall, strong and quite intimidating. However, along with that intimidation came a certain allure that all fey creatures seemed to hold in spades.

At that point, Maverick jumped over a fallen log he could have easily avoided and jostled the slender female on his back.

"Maverick!"

His bark of laughter displayed his amusement as he continued on at breakneck speed.


"Hermione darling. Where did you get off to?"

Hermione did not even bother trying to hide her windswept curls and messy clothing, stained with bits of apple juice and grass that would surely take a miracle to get out.

"Mummy."

Sharp green eyes pinned their daughter as she raised a delicate sable brow.

"Well, I went to see Maverick..."

A deep sigh met her answer as the elder woman knelt down in front of her petite daughter. "Oh my little Mya, you know that you should be telling your father or I if you are going to venture off into the Fey realm."

"I know, but I promised Maverick to meet him and Kettleblossom really wanted to be first to taste some sweet nectar from Grandmothers garden!"

A flickering golden light accompanied by musical chimes blinked quite indignantly at being blamed solely for their foray echoed through the small suburban home.

"Kettleblossom wanted to be first?" She asked dubiously.

"Well, I did too..."

Her husband always said that omission of the truth was not lying per say and it seemed that their daughter was putting his words into use.

Rolling her eyes heavenward she pointed towards the stairs. "Upstairs! Wash up, all of you," she said sternly as she eyed the tiny pixies hidden in her daughter's hair.

Knowing better than to disobey, Hermione scurried up the steps as she apologized profusely to Kettleblossom.

Watching her daughters form disappear, the woman shook her head. Dark glossy locks of ebony danced around her shoulders as the simple action became rather graceful in her effortless movement.

A soft tap on her shoulder alerted her to another's presence as she found a hovering Booka holding a piping hot cup of tea in his hands. Large butterfly wings outlined in warm colors spanned from his back and they flapped quite insistently as he gave her a stern look. To be honest, it was quite endearing as his large round hazel eyes peered at her from thick lashes. A long bulbous nose twitched subtlety as he balanced the cooling cup in exasperation.

"Thank you Aarin and I am sorry for not drinking this immediately."

Aarin took a bit of offense. As if he would serve cool tea to her! His tongue clicked a few times before a Kobold came scurrying out towards the pair, his long claws careful not to scratch the wood beneath him. Taking the cup in his scaled fingertips, he blew a hot breath over the now cold tea and warmed it up to a nice hot temperature.

Smiling in thanks, she took the now piping hot cup of tea. Gods forbid she partake of the drink at a less than proper temperature. If she thought the British were strict with their tea, they had nothing on Fey.

Looking to the Kobold with warm brass scales and short curling horns protruding from his head, she smiled serenely. "This is perfect Oris. You two spoil me so."

Oris blushed at the compliment, his scales turning an interesting shade of puce as he adjusted the white frilled apron upon his waist and bobbed his head. A series of deep growling yips escaped his snout as he cocked his head to the side.

"Oh that girl. She is upstairs." Looking at the two sternly, her lips thinned. "Don't think of giving her any treats before dinner. She needs to wash up first."

Although she was spoiled by the two, she had nothing on her daughter. Her daughter was treated like a prim little princess and she was thankful that she hadn't developed a selfish streak in her. Goodness knows if she asked, someone would see her every desire met and if that was impossible, well her father would find a way.

"Sarah my Queen. I'm home."

Speaking of the devil...

Aarin and Oris both bowed in respect as the male entered the foyer, his expensive Italian leather shoes being toed off carefully lest his love scold him for trekking dirt into their home.

Before Sarah could respond, a tiny curly haired missile shot past her and latched herself onto a tall, lithe frame. "Papa!"

Dual jeweled eyes glowed with absolute adoration as he reached down and picked up the small child easily in his strong arms. Settling her upon his hip, she reached up and wrapped her thin arms around his neck before placing a kiss upon his cheek. "I missed you Papa!"

"And I you Princess."

"Papa? Grandmother asked when you and Mama are going to visit. Beltane is soon and she wants you both there."

His jovial smile faltered the slightest bit upon mentioning his mother. "Well, thank you Princess, your mother and I will be sure to speak with her soon."

"Grandmother said you would say that, so she said to expect her tomorrow for lunch. Can we have honey cakes?"

Oris trilled his agreement as Hermione grinned down at the unlikely baker.

Sarah let out a long sigh knowing that if her mother-in-law wanted to visit, there was literally nothing she or her husband could do to prevent that. She loved her, but she could be quite overbearing at times.

"Well then, I will go to the garden for some fresh flowers and I will see if we can get some freshly picked fruits from some friends," said Sarah.

"Thank you," her husband replied.

"It's fine. Besides, she is family Jareth."


Author's Note: This is a preview to test the waters so to say. I am not sure what the reception will be and I am also not sure where I am going with this as I have no clue. All I do know, is that if I continue, this will be a VERY LONG story! It will take some time for Hermione to actually get to Hogwarts and there will be very established relationships with families, friends and the relationship between the Wizarding world and the fey realm.

Well, honestly I did write a completely different story with Hermione less involved in the fey realm, but lost it when I accidently deleted it. Now that I am writing this again, I have changed it around and am taking a very different route.

I am not sure where this will end up but there a few things you should take note of:

- This is very AU, so I am not sure if Voldermort will be the cause of friction in the story or something else. I am leaning towards another evil.

- This is a Hermione centered story.

- Obviously it is a crossover with Labyrinth with both Sarah and Jareth as her parents living in the mortal realm, but having easy access the Fey realm.

- I am taking inspiration from Fey lore and Dungeons and Dragons, so expect a lot of mythology and such to play a large role in this.

- As with all of my stories, there will be a romantic interest. I am no sure who it will be yet, but for a bit I was thinking of making this a Severus x Hermione crossover. (That is what my original one was going to be) However, now I am not sure. I also thought about Draco, but again I am on the fence. As you may know, I have a soft spot for Slytherins and unconventional pairings. Yes, I am also considering Marcus Flint and Victor Krum. We shall see...

Any and all feedback is lovely! It helps me shape the story and write something that you may enjoy and I adore taking inspiration from all of you.

Thanks

Me