Enchantress of the Day and Night
Kneazle
Disclaimer: All characters/ideas belong to JK Rowling, Warner Bros., Scholastics, etc, K.A. Applegate's EverWorld, Fern Gully: the Last Rainforest, Mist of Avalon (the movie), Aladdin, Ever After, Chocolat, The Count of Monte Cristo and from Enchantress of the Stars by Sylvia Louise Engdahl, Cirque De Soliel. Also, mostly my odd dreams take some ideas, Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki, The Vision of Escaflowne, Rayearth: the OVA, Record of Lodoss War, Tekken: The Motion Picture, Macross Plus, Blue Submarine No. 6, Pretty Solider Sailor Moon, Dragonball Z-GT, X-Men: Evolution, The Princess Bride, and from "Disney's Atlantis", Sweep by Cate Tiernan, and Circle of Magic by Tamora Pierce. Most information that is for the covens is based on Wicca, The Dragon's Tapestry, The Prism Moon and The Taker's Key by Martine Bates, Circle of Three by Isobel Bird, and most clan information is from Young Wizards Series by Diane Duane, Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Hexwood by Diana Wynne Jones and Daughters of the Moon by Lynne Ewing. Information I use can be found at the following websites: Bibliomania, Wiccan.com and Feri.com. You can find other information just by surfing the net and looking for information on historical witches and wizards, and Wicca sites. ~AND~ the book that brought me out of my writer's block: Exodus by Julie Bertagna; the movie (2001) Brotherhood of the Wolf (Pacte de Loups).
Author's Note: please note that this story is an alternate universe and therefore, some characters MAY act out of character. They act according to their surroundings, or to the role they play, or to their history. ^_^. This story is also mostly MIXED COUPLES, but I promise that it will end up H/Hr, for sure. There will also be a couple of odd couplings, and because of the rating, there is some adult content in the story (sexual bantering, language, adult issues… etc).
Summary: AU – In a world where witches and warlocks battle over slavery rights, where no sex is seen as an equal, a precious few gather to change the races' views before the war between the two escalates into something that could be the beginning – or end – of an era. Previously titled "Of Witches and Warlocks".
Genres: fantasy, romance, action/adventure, and drama
Dedicated to: My father, because he keeps giving me too many story ideas, claiming, "they'll break up your writer's block!" Also, to my friends who keep encouraging me and saying my writing is great, and of course, my online friends and the reviewers. Stoneheart, ECR Potter, Fae Child, CG Anna…
Thank you.
**~**
Chapter Seven
"My minions!" cried the voice of their Dark Lord, smooth like honey yet filled with malice and unspoken threats.
The cave was dark and eerily silent, with the exception of the water dripping from the ceiling as the rain fell steadily outside the cave. Torches lined the outermost corners of the chamber, leaving little light and the mind run amuck with the shadows dancing around them, flickering in the fire like demons. Some would even swear that that was what they truly were.
"What news do you bring me of the Enchantress?" the Dark Lord asked again, his voice a mere hiss.
One man stepped forward. Severus Snape bowed, a sweeping gesture that brought a twitch to the Dark Lord's mouth.
"Speak," he commanded in a cool tone.
Severus looked up for a moment before opening his mouth to speak. "She and her… guardians… arrived in Skye City not more than two nights ago. City guards captured them with a band of gypsies, milord, before escaping. They have since then disappeared off our tracker – however, young Mister Malfoy is on their trail. I have reason to believe that they will do their hardest to reach Castle Lorien as soon as possible."
"I see." The Dark Lord's long, pale fingers stroked the side of his throne thoughtfully. His red eyes narrowed, before he voiced, "Well, then," with joy, "I suppose I shall send a few of you to the Mystic Lands then." His eyes narrowed once more, and his voice took on a new, different chill. "Find the Enchantress and bring her back here – but kill the others if they resist in any way."
He then grabbed his staff and waved towards the crowd – only a few felt the sting on their arms, signaling they were the first wave to go and find the young girl.
She – and her guardians – would have no idea what was coming.
**-**
Harry stepped out of Hermione's room, his brows furrowed together as he moved around the deck, deep in thought.
There was something evil in the Talamancaian Woods that he knew – that was why they always have had the Days and Nights; they were Amazons, used and bred to be fighters where they would take out anything suspicious… or of the opposite sex. Alas, Harry had never known just how evil and great the thing was. Destroying whole covens that the Days or the Nights did not do? It surpassed his mind, seeing that then this evil would have to be extremely strong.
"Knut for your thoughts?" asked a voice. Harry started; he had not realized that he had stopped walking and was currently standing still in the middle of the deck. He turned his head to see Ron's grinning – and slightly green – face look at him. A frown passed over his redheaded friend's features.
"Something wrong, Harry?" he asked, all silliness forgotten.
Harry shrugged. "Something is on my mind, that's all Ron."
"Oh," a look of understanding passed over his face. He smiled again, though. "Hermione will be fine. She's probably just seasick or something."
A horrified look passed over Harry's face. "What? Are you saying that I like that… that bossy – know-it-all – rude…?"
"Stuck up girl?" Ron finished for him. "Of course."
Harry's jaw dropped slightly, as he stared at his best friend. "You're bloody joking, Ron. That isn't funny. Stop – stop… being a prat."
Ron shook his head. "I'm not being a prat, Harry – I'm stating the obvious. It's apparent that you're attracted to her, and not by any means of bonding, either. The two of you just seem to… click," he finished lamely, shrugging at the word he used.
Harry just gapped at his friend, struggling to find some kind of comeback when Colin's voice echoed down from high above them. The skilled skipper scaled down the mast, turning and twisting and racing across the narrow beams to shout, "MEN OVERBOARD!"
That phrase got everyone in action; they found boats, floating devices and anything that could possibly help the persons who had been bobbing in the water, apparently, for a couple of hours anyway.
Harry and Ron raced over to the side of the boat, and leaned over the rail. Narrowing their eyes, Harry sputtered, "Ron – doesn't that one have a shock of red hair, like yours?"
Ron also narrowed his eyes and squinted into the fading sunset. His eyes flew open as he began shouting, "GINNY! GINNY!" over and over again, before racing to the front of the vessel where Padma, Justin and a few others were tying a rope together.
Harry gasped, and started after Ron, shouting at the others, "That's his sister in the water there!"
That got everyone moving, as their speed increased and Harry watched in awe at the skill their fingers worked. He felt useless, so he moved into the shadows of the group, watching the boat pull as close as it could to the two people floating in the water. The rope was lowered and Justin jumped into the ocean, pulling one man first to the rope, and then Ginny.
Harry and Ron stood back, silent with tension. They saw Parvati lean over the side of the boat where the plank was, and reached to help someone. They grasped a pale hand, and yanked the man up on board, where he coughed and placed a wet hand to his soaking clothes as he leaned over to spit out salt water from his mouth.
Only when he stood straight, and brushed the platinum blond hair out of his eyes, did Ron and Harry know who the young man was.
"Malfoy?!"
**-**
His hair was soaked, and he wasn't in a good mood – after all, he had just been floating in ocean water for the past two hours. Wet and disgruntled he was; patient and dry he was not.
"What?" he sneered, narrowing his eyes at the two shocked teens in front of him. Secretly, he was relived it was them and not a band of Death Eaters. It was also his good fortune because he knew Hermione – the Enchantress – was on the boat as well.
"W-Why were you in the ocean," began Harry, his voice shaking with furry, "and with Ginny?"
"None of your business, Potty," sneered Draco, before grabbing the towel that Padma was offering him. He then stalked off towards the Captain's Quarter of the boat, where he yanked open the chestnut door. He stepped inside, and stopped dead in his tracks.
Hermione was a sleep on the bed, her breathing even and deep. Draco watched her a bit, wondering what to do. He could roll up his sleeve, press the Dark mark on it and tip off the Dark Lord where the Enchantress was… or…
He could not do anything. He would still need to contact Snape, f course, but—
His thoughts were interrupted as the door opened and Harry and Ginny (still wet) stepped in.
"What are you doing here?" snarled Harry, taking a threatening step closer to Draco and the still sleeping Hermione.
"Nothing Harry – I'm leaving now," said Draco, his drawl as strong as ever. As he left the Quarter, a voice in his head began the usual "Harry, the Wonder Boy" Rant.
Perfect, perfect Potter. Merlin above, how I hate his guts, always doing the right thing… or so he thinks. He thinks he's all high and mighty, super amazing, and the donkey's shit. Everyone loves me, Oooh, look, I'm Potter, watch me prance around with my knickers above my –
"You know, you look like a drowned rat," offered a voice, slightly behind him and in the shadows.
Draco turned; ready to snarl at the person who dared to interrupt his thoughts about Boy Wonder.
"And just what did you think calling me a rat would do?" he huffed. "I prefer looking more like a drowned dragon."
"Well, then," said the person, stepping out from the shadows in slightly in the light. "I just find it interesting to see the way that you all interact. Funny how you all depend on each other."
"We do not!" said Draco indignantly.
"Sure you do… you just don't know it yet," smiled the young man, before melting into the shadows.
"Hey!" gasped out Draco, taking two large steps and colliding with a solid wall. Rubbing his nose, and glanced around and swore under his breath. "Damn it…"
**-**
Hermione's eyes fluttered slightly as she felt her drowsiness slowly leaving her. She wished she had never done water magick – it had left her extremely weak and tired, and she was sure that she had passed out for more than a few seconds.
She didn't have to wait long to know approximately what time it was, because the faint smell of food made her stomach growl.
"Steady on," she whispered into the dark room. The moonlight shone in through the small barred window, lighting the doorway out. The door was open, beckoning Hermione to leave the dark confinements of the room she was in.
Why had no one waken her? She was so hungry, and she was sure that everyone had now figured out that she was the Enchantress. Oh, she moaned, just add that to my growing list of stress!
Instead, as Hermione moved out of the room, she heard the faint whispers of swingy blues traveling over the still night. Hermione walked out of the room, through the hallway and closer to the music.
The boat rocked gently against the soft lull of waves hitting its side, but Hermione moved steadily on. She heard the laughter and cries of people having a good time and felt her heart drop from her ribs to her stomach.
Always the odd one out, she sighed in her mind, looking up to see a mirage of stars glittering high, high above her in the inky black sky that seemed to go on forever. Looking into the West, Hermione saw the red sun setting, casting a deep blood reddish glow across the water and basking everything with an ethereal light.
A shout of laughter caught Hermione's sharp ears, making her head turn towards the noise. With no one left on board, Hermione wondered how she was to make it to shore, since all the boats alongside the galleon were gone.
What am I thinking? I am the Enchantress, I can ask the water to help me get across, you silly witch you, thought Hermione, smiling calmly as she leaned over the boat's edge.
"Hello," she murmured to the water, which shimmered and glowed a pale, dull blue before bubble escaped and floated towards the surface. "Fancy giving me a lift to the shore?"
Before she could utter another world, a small spout of water burst from the bubbled area, stopping at a perfect level for Hermione to step on its jets. At first tentative, she eyed the top of the spout with much disdain. Would it hold? She wondered, before placing her foot on the white-ish, flat, top.
It held her weight, and comfortable, Hermione placed the rest of her body on its spout and laughed in glee as it allowed her to ride across the yard or so to the shore, where a bonfire was built. Lowering itself the closer it came to the shore, Hermione jumped off, just getting the bottom of her pants wet.
"Thank you," she murmured gratefully, before the spout collapsed and bubbled. She turned and walked towards the bonfire. The closer she got, the happier she became when she saw the large band of nomads that were sailing their galleon talking to Harry and Ron, and a whole lot full of other people much like their sailors.
"Hermione! You're awake!" someone shouted. Hermione inclined her head a bit to see Ginny waving madly at her, from her spot beside Harry (sitting a little too close for Hermione's comfort, as the jealous green-eyed monster began to appear), and Ron.
"Hello Ginny, Harry, Ron," smiled Hermione as she appeared near them. She could feel the roaring fire burn against her pale skin, but accepted the seat beside Ginny, on the outermost edge of the log they were sitting on. It barely had enough room for her to place her buttocks on, but the end was also dewy and moldy.
"Perhaps I will stand," she said instead, eyeing the patch that she was supposed to sit. Didn't Ginny see that when she sat? Or was she purposely trying to get her dirty?
"'ave ya eat'n? No, 'course ya 'aven't," came Parvati's familiar voice. Hermione felt Parvati's fingers wrap around her upper arm, before she dragged the teen towards a more quiet area.
Hermione sent a dark glare over Parvati's shoulders to Ginny, who was laughing at something Harry and Ron said. "What's she up to?" Hermione practically snarled.
Parvati sighed, smiling softly. "She fancies 'Arry."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Wonderful." She then turned to Parvati with worry in her eyes. "Do they… do they know who I… am?" she asked carefully. They were not completely out of the hearing range of certain members of their band, and Hermione noticed more than one perk up at their sudden change of topic.
Parvati shook her head. "Nah… an' ah doubt they'll get it for 'nother while. Yer safe… fer now. Anyways… don't stray too far from camp. There's something sinister in da woods t'night… see ya later, 'Ermione."
Hermione nodded, smiling and bidding Parvati farewell as she listened to the jaunty tunes that a guitar player sung out, with his four friends, all playing different instruments ranging from lutes to fiddles.
Hermione was paying so much attention to the fact that everyone was up and dancing, eating or getting drunk that she didn't hear the snapped twig until it was too late – and the two strong arms grabbed her from behind, pulling her into the dense woods.
**-**
Oliver, Leader of the band of this loud, rowdy bunch of Knights, was thoroughly confused. They – his men and those two younger ones that the Priest had sent – had been walking for hours at an end, and they had yet to reach the Lake of Apollo. Oliver had figured that they were going in the generic Southwest direction, but maybe he had underestimated the position of the sun. He was never good at telling time anyways…
But that still didn't make up for the fact that he was lost. Well, lost wasn't the correct way of putting it. More likely he knew where he was coming from, and where he was going. He just didn't know where he was at the moment. And he was sure something would happen soon that he could use as the directional guide.
And then, miracles happened – they reached a clearing.
"Gods above," muttered Dean, looking at what was before them.
It was nothing really, just a deserted camp with a fire's embers still slightly glowing. However, what caught their attention was the Dark Mark (a skull with a serpent coming out of its mouth) was drawn into the sandy ground. A discarded branch lay near by.
"There are Death Eaters around here," mumbled Ryan, looking over his shoulder uncomfortably.
"I think it's best if we keep moving, in this direction," said Oliver, pointing opposite where they were with his staff. "It's the best way to move, and it's the direction that they Death Eater's took… that way we can hunt them at most and keep some information out of them if need be." He was about to open his mouth and say more when a blood-curling scream filled the forest.
Birds scattered above them, and bushes moved as small animals scurried away in fright. Oliver glanced over his shoulder once, and without a second thought, he and his Knights took off at a run through the forest, jumping logs and ducking branches to arrive where they heard the scream.
Oliver, Seamus and Cedric arrived there first, hunching in berry bushes and peaking through its leaves to catch a glimpse of what was going on.
They saw a brown-haired teenager tied to a stake that was nearly twice her length, ropes cutting into her skin enough to draw blood. Around them were at least ten men, all wearing bushy fur-lined jerkins. They had high, knee-length leather boots, and spoke in heavy accents that Oliver and the others couldn't decipher. With the fact that light was scarce and their only source was now the moon and scattered stars above them, Oliver felt his heart clench tightly.
He could hear a faint note of music coming somewhere from his right, but it was too far away to tell, and was being carried by a soft breeze coming off the ocean.
"What shall we do?" asked Seamus, whispering. His eyes blazed and his whole posture screamed out "FIGHT!"
"Nothing yet. We don't know how many of them there are, or who the girl is for that matter," Oliver was about to say more when two of the men began to talk.
"Vell, vhat vill ve do vith the girl?" asked one with a hooknose, heavy fringe and dark, dark brown hair that fell in thick blocks across his forehead.
"Think Viktor! This girl is very strong!" said the second, a tall spindly man with thinning hair. "We could use her to get to some of that gypsy gold that I'm sure her friends have… or even better, bond her to you and use her as a slave!"
The one named Viktor moved his position from blocking the face of the girl, and when he did, Oliver moaned out quietly, "It's the Enchantress, blokes."
There was a collective sound of the Knights shifting position and muttering dark things under their breath.
"Now what?" sighed Dean, running a hand through his hair.
Oliver looked around, before sighing dejectedly, "we can only wait… and see what happens."
**-**
Hermione's eyes moved back and forth. Since she had been kidnapped from the gypsy camp, she had not uttered a word, and they had not gagged her. But they also didn't know who she was and thought that tying her up would do the trick of keeping her magick stilled.
In any other situation, Hermione would've been able to get herself out of the mess, and she had been working on it until she heard the word "bond". Then, she started to panic.
She had never seen a bonding, nor wanted to participate in one. Wouldn't it be ironic for her to be bonded to a warlock when she was to free those from bonding?
Hermione watched with guarded eyes the scene unfolding before her, but voiced her opinion on the bonding. "You know, I don't think that bonding me is a very good idea."
"She speaks!" cried a bounty hunter from the back of the group. Yes, Hermione had long figured out what they were – bounty hunters trying to make money off of her. Wonderful, she deducted.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione resisted the urge to spit out some witty remark.
"Vell, vell… vhat is your name, girl?" asked the one called Viktor.
"Hermione, dunderheads," she replied.
"Herm-own-ninny," mused aloud Viktor. Hermione tried not to cringe at the coarse sounding form her name was coming from the oaf's mouth. Yet, she didn't try to correct him. She was trying to worm her hands out from the rope, but it was fairly new and made recently, so she couldn't tell it to go back to where it came from.
"Viktor, stop talking to the girl and let's get the bonding along!" snapped the tall man.
"Fine, Karkaroff," snapped back Viktor. "But then I vill get acquainted vith my new bondling."
Karkaroff nodded, and Hermione felt fear wrap itself around her stomach and heart. Cripes, this is not how my destiny is supposed to go… she thought with panic.
She was about to open her mouth and scream out some sort of earth-spell to help her, when there was a loud battle cry from three different directions.
Out from her left, Hermione saw Oliver, captain of the Knights that she had freed back in Talamanca. From her right, she saw a very blond, pale young man jump out of the bushes holding what appeared to be some twisted form of the staff, yet immensely smaller. And from in front of her and from Viktor's back, Hermione saw Harry jumped through the bushes and slam into the nearest Bounty Hunter, making him fall on the ground with a loud, "oof!"
Oliver then whacked someone over the head with his staff and yelled, "ATTACK!"
From the bushes on her left came a dozen Knights, all bearing staffs and battle attire. They, like Oliver, wore dark black button-up shirts under a brown leather vest, and greenish pants tucked into black leather knee-height boots. They also had metal wrist guards with designs of leaves and vines creeping about them, and shin guards of a similar pattern – yet they wore them and moved with them like they had no weight. Hermione suspected that they were magical.
Ron raced to Hermione's side during the small battle as Bounty Hunters tried to ward off magical warlocks and Knights, all bearing swords and staffs.
"Are you all right?" asked Ron.
"Do I bloody look all right?" screamed Hermione, over the noise of swords clashing with daggers and the moans of men who fell.
Ron grinned and pulled out a dagger to cut the ropes off. He moved through them, cursing every so often when it took longer than necessary to break the binds. Finally, when she was free, Hermione fell to the ground, and hugged it as best as she could.
"Mmm," she said, kissing the soil. "I never though I would see the day when I would do this…"
Ron watched with amusement before he pulled Hermione up. They saw that the battle was nearly over, and the last few Bounty Hunters ran off into the woods, trying to regroup and form a tighter band.
Harry placed his staff back at his side, as did Oliver. The pale teen Hermione recognized as Draco placed his very short staff into a holder on his side.
"Hermione, are you okay?" asked Harry, moving closer to the dirty and disheveled girl. Hermione glanced at him, offering a small smile.
"Of course," she replied. She then turned to Oliver, and he in turn looked at her for a moment before bending on one knee and placing a fist over his heart.
"Oliver Wood, Captain of the Fifth Regiment of the Priest's Knights," he began, looking at Hermione's eyes, "bound by duty and honor to protect and serve you until the dying day."
Around him, the other Knights fell to their knees and copied Oliver, making Dean and Seamus look confused and surprised at the turn of events.
Harry and Ron frowned in confusion.
"Hermione, what's going on?" asked Ron, glancing back and forth between her and Oliver, his eyebrows forming a V.
Hermione glanced around and nearly winced when she saw the look Draco was giving her – one of smugness, like he knew who she was, and just needed the proof.
Well, now he has it, sighed Hermione. She then glanced back down at Oliver and smiled softly.
"Rise, Captain. I accept your protection and the offer of your Knights."
Oliver rose, with his regiment behind him, all quiet and solemn. He then fixed his eyes on Harry and the other teens.
"I see that you were traveling with the Talamancaian son?" he asked, looking Harry over.
Feeling the blood rush to his cheeks, Harry tried to stop the blush from forming. He knew that this Oliver Wood was a Priest's Knight, which meant he worked under Dumbledore like he did, but that didn't mean he liked him. Nor did he like the way that he and Hermione seemed to know each other. He also didn't understand what Oliver had meant and why he had gotten down on his knees, but Harry planned to find out.
Sharing a glance with Ron, Harry cleared his throat and stepped forward. "Come on, it's getting really late and we're off in the morning. Hermione? Coming back to camp?"
"Excellent," interrupted Oliver, "We'll come back with you and all take off tomorrow morning for the Isle of Marquis."
"Isle of Marquis?" blanched Ron. "Why would we be going there? Isn't it a mythical place, anyway? Shrouded with misty clouds and only those with pure intentions can make it through its veil?"
"That's right," said Seamus, speaking up for the first time since the battle started. Ron started and looked at him in surprise. "But we need to go there."
"Why?" asked Draco, drawling out the word. His smug smirk indicated that he knew why, and wanted someone to reveal the secret.
"Because that's where we'll find the Enchantress," snapped Cedric, not falling into Draco's trap. Hermione visibly relaxed, something that went totally by Harry and Ron.
Soon, thought Draco, soon your secret will be revealed, Hermione, and you won't be able to stop it.
Slowly, the large group began to move through the forest and back to the gypsy camp, with Hermione walking slowly beside Oliver. Harry shot him a dirty look, something that Ron didn't miss. Ron also didn't miss the smug looks Draco was giving off towards their direction.
Sighing, Ron shook his head slightly. And the tension level just rose a little more…
**~**
**Shakes head** I can't believe that you all stayed with me… it means so much. I was having a lot of trouble writing the next chapters, but now they're flowing (it's also a good way to spend math class writing up chapter scenarios rather than paying attention)! Thanks to all:
E.C.R. Potter, Sparkle Tangerine (times 2 reviews!), Emily, hermione2620 (times two as well!), Stoneheart (also times two!) malu, Mistress of the Pen, Silver Storm Dragon, Amelia Riddle (fan of Tom's, btw?), Katie Weasley, fan, sal, stormyfire, FairLady, Kristal, Hermione and the two people who didn't leave a name… thank you all!
I hope this adds to the excitement… leave a review and tell me what you think!
