Chapter 4

AN: Cool…another chapter to get posted! Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did typing it! :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no money from this.

After arriving back at her flat, Hermione took a moment to get her bearings. The kiss she had just shared with Duke had left her reeling. Bloody hell could the sexy rogue kiss! How was she supposed to go back to researching after that?! As she leaned against the wall, her gaze moved over to her desk and to where the latest book sat open where she had left it; her last obscure text to check. Shaking off the effect of Duke's very talented lips, Hermione walked over and sat down.

The book was Magic's Mysteries & Myths by Alex Tellall.

"Most wizards and witches take the magic they wield for granted, never truly wanting to understand any more about it than what they are taught. It is sad, really, since magic offers so much. Many believe magic only has two forms, light and dark. However, this is not true. Magic comes in many forms. Just as a slicing hex can kill, blood magic can heal but there is also the magic of life. For instance, the miracle of birth be it human, animal, plant or all that is between. Life itself has its own magic."

Hermione read on, hoping the author would give her something to use to rid Haven's residents of the Troubles. About halfway through the thick tome, she found useful information.

"The wizarding culture overall is a very closed minded group, believing that our way of magic is the only true magic out there. I cannot express just how wrong that belief is. I am not just talking about muggle magic, which can be every bit as powerful as any witch or wizard's spell, but there is also the magic of the many creatures and other beings in our world alone.

"I am also speaking of magics not of our world, alien magic if you will. Now, before you write me off or call me barmy, listen very carefully. There are indeed other types of magics that exist in our world; we just refuse to acknowledge them, seeing them as beneath our notice. Allow me to elaborate..."

Hermione skimmed the next few chapters.

"...technologies that allow beings, creatures and things to be moved from one location to another...:"

"...seems superhuman: faster reflexes, sense of surroundings, telekinesis, a strict discipline..."

"...is a ring of runed stones with a water like wall that must be walked through to visit other worlds..."

"...can sense a whirlpool of light which allows a traveler to cross vast distances of space almost instantly..."

No, no and NO! This was not what she was looking for, although she would certainly be reading these chapters at a later date. She continued to scan the pages.

"...a passageway that uses pure energy..."

"...candy making secrets fiercely guarded..."

"...the ability to enter sidewalk drawings done in chalk..."

"...Time turners are not the only things that can manipulate time streams..."

"...has many magical ways of travel: Portals, Gateways and Aether..."

Hermione almost jumped for joy. It seemed her persistence had paid off; finally, other magics that sounded a bit more like hers but different at the same time, kind of like the Troubles. She slowed down to more thoroughly read what was written. She did skim over the details of this world and its inhabitants, ways of life and such. Finally, towards the end of the chapter, the author spoke of the world's magic.

"Portals are just as the word means. However some are protected behind doors while others appear to be two obelisks tilted to form a type of arch. Both types will seem clear, seeing whatever is in the background however, when someone actually approaches the openings, an opaque mist will rise to show the destination.

"Gateways also transport but unlike Portals, these Gates have a fixed object that activates them; objects such as: jewelry, a weapon or a staff. These Gates are similar to a wizarding Portkey but the object stays, unlike a Portkey.

"The third and most potent and versatile is Aether. It is concentrated magic and quite pure. There are three ways to interact with this magic. However, before any interaction can occur this Aether must be imbued into the natural metal of Etherium. First, it can be mounted like a jeweled piece to wear. Second, it can be liquefied and drank. Beware though, this must be done in very small doses for too much will kill the imbiber. Third is a vapor form which is inhaled."

Hermione deflated considerably by the end of the chapter. The author had finally talked of a magic that was along hers but still too different. Sighing deeply, she continued scanning the next chapters.

The final chapter of the book managed to restore her hope.

"Before we go into the last chapter, let me congratulate you for making it this far. I salute you, reader. It shows that you are not as closed minded as those around you.

"The last bit of magic I wish to enlighten you about is one that I have already written about in great detail. However, unlike the already spoken of Aether, this Aether is here, in our world, but it is a bastardized form. This Aether can be found in a little town in Main called Haven.

"It astounded me that after all my discoveries one of the most powerful magics was right under our noses. This form of Aether is absorbed through the skin and changes the person, sometimes for the better but, sadly, the changes are generally more detrimental to the person or town.

"From what I have managed to ascertain, the residents have been dealing with this magic for several centuries. There is a pattern, every twenty seven years this magic makes itself known. Also, it seems, there is a woman who has the ability to sooth and, sometimes, release the havoc causing magic that has been aptly named the Troubles. Many through the years have called her the Trouble Whisperer."

Hermione was ecstatic to learn of this information. She wondered if Audrey Parker was the woman for this go around of Troubles?

"It seems a mystical barn appears after about eight to nine months and once the woman enters the barn these Troubles seem to go dormant for another twenty seven years and the town's people return to their simple lives. However the amount of destruction done and lives lost is mind boggling."

The chapter told of some of the Troubles of the past. Hermione found herself fascinated and a bit horrified for the many ways the Troubles had and could manifest; some going back generations within a family while others newly appear each cycle.

There was no rhyme or reason to them. Nothing that would let someone know, they just manifested. Usually there was a trigger of some sort; like an emotional or physical trauma which was just as random.

"My research ends four hundred years ago or so. There is little written but I have managed to speak to a few families and they all say about the same thing. There was a woman (descriptions vary) that suddenly appeared. She looked human but had an otherness about her. She was neither nice nor was she rude. She seemed to keep to herself except for when she didn't. However, after living in Haven for several centuries with a dark blond male, they mysteriously disappeared to never be seen again. Some claim that was the first time the mystical barn showed up while others say it was after what would become the normal cycle when it made its first appearance. Shortly after this, a group was formed to help those affected, bringing them to Haven; this protective group recognize each other by a tattoo somewhere on their bodies.

"Who is right and who is wrong is a mystery most likely to never be solved. Is there a way to make these Troubles go away for good? I do not know. All I can say for certain is that this Aether feels too similar to the pure form I discovered many years a go. It could be as simple as a banishing charm or as complicated as a healing ritual or somewhere in between. Sadly, I am simply a discoverer not a healer."

Hermione sat back in her chair and stared into space, allowing her brain to digest all she had just read. As she felt her hope spring to life, she knew she had to share this with Duke.

AN: Congrats to any who picked up on the shows/movies I pulled from. My hubby also helped me with many. Here's the list in order they appear: Star Trek, Star Wars, Stargate: SG1/Stargate: Atlantis, Farscape, Einstein Rosen Bridge, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Mary Poppins, H.G. Wells – Time Machine and finally, Skyrim. I had a lot of fun figuring out what could be used and to see it as someone unfamiliar with such entertainment we have would see them. Also, I took a few liberties with the series Troubles, Duke is never told what he would see just before he dies.