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, Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers).

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

**~**

Chapter Eight

            Hermione watched the Mystic Land's coastline disappear as the galleon continued out further into the Ocean of Ino, the pale morning light glittering across the water as she did so.

            The white sails fluttered as the ship moved with precision and ease through the waters, bobbing gently against the waves as they did so.

            Hermione had sought refuge up in the watcher's tower, where she was currently alone and looking out in the horizon. Below her, Padma and her friends were standing and wandering about, calling out orders to raise this mast, tie that knot. Everything around them was calm, except for the three young men who stood in opposite places on the boat, as far away from each other as they could. Harry and Ron had taken up to spending time with Ginny by the stern, ignoring Draco and Oliver as much as they could. Seamus and Dean had found that their loyalties were being tested, and they didn't know whom to turn to… the two young men that they had befriended in the Talamancaian Clan, or their new friends and heroes, the Captain Oliver and the Knights? Instead, they wished not to be brought into this fight, and kept mostly to themselves, sharpening knives and other armaments.

            Hermione had quite the view from up here, and found great pleasure in watching Ginny with the young woman not knowing. She didn't like the fact that she and Draco Malfoy had come together, and then distanced themselves – it made Hermione suspicious, and she didn't know what their next step would be. She also, really didn't like how Ginny kept hounding herself after Harry. It was quite obvious he just thought of her as his "best friend's little sister".

            Sighing, Hermione turned her head away and looked back at the horizon, narrowing her eyes slightly against the bright reflection of the sun off the water.

            What am I going to do? When we reach Castle Lorien, my secret is out. I think I owe Harry and Ron an explanation, and an apology for making them go through all this when I was right there…

            Hermione sighed, and rested her head against the rough surface of the wooden semi-circle tower. One leg dangled effortlessly off the platform, swinging slightly in the light breeze she felt coming off the salt water. Inhaling deeply and ignoring the squalls from seagulls that circled lazily overhead and in the distance by the disappearing shore, Hermione found herself being lulled into a deep sense of peace and rest.

            The soft tune of the flute floated up to her ears, and Hermione dimly thought, Dennis – Colin's little brother – is practicing, how nice…

            She had barely closed her eyes, it seemed, when a hand fell on her shoulder and shook her lightly.

            "Hermione," someone said clearly.

            Hermione's eyes fluttered open as she looked up at Harry's face, close to hers. She widened her eyes slightly, before stretching and leaning up against the wall. She had slid down during her brief nap, and Harry towered slightly over her legs.

            "Oh… hullo Harry," yawned Hermione slightly before glancing at him. "What are you doing up here?"

            "I… I wanted to talk to you," he said, picking at a loose tread on his vest. He lowered his eyes, so that his hair fell over them, shielding the emerald orbs from Hermione's view.

            "About what?" she asked, crossing her legs to make more room for Harry to sit.

            "About… what happened last night," answered Harry, shifting to sit in the space her legs just occupied.

            "You mean when I was kidnapped?" asked Hermione, her voice steadfast. She quirked an eyebrow, silently urging him to continue with his monologue.

            "Yes… well… I want you to know that I would do anything to save you… because I care about you… I really do," he stumbled a bit, before looking up at Hermione. "You might think that I slacked off when it comes to protecting people I care about, but that's not it. I was so preoccupied with Ron and Ginny that night and the music it took us all a while to notice you had disappeared. But I swear, that if I knew you were kidnapped the second you were, I would've gone right after you. I would have had no hesitations or have anyone try to hold me back."

            "Ah," nodded Hermione, wondering how to take in this information. "How about you just simplify what you just said Harry? I just want to hear the words right from your mouth."

            Their eyes locked, and Harry nodded slowly. He moved closer, resting his weight on one arm as he leaned over to Hermione's face.

            "What I mean to say Hermione, is that I care about you," he said, his eyes dropping down to her lips before locking on her eyes once again. "I want us to be happy… but to be happy together."

            "Oh Harry," breathed Hermione. She lowered her eyes to her hands that were folded in her laps. "I really care about you too… you could even go and say that I fancy you – but nothing could be done. I know too much information that could endanger myself and you, and I don't know what I would do if you were ever hurt because of me."

            She turned her head away to look over the ocean. In the distance, a soft, pearl coloured fog was rolling gently over the water towards them.

            "Why? Why can't we be together, Hermione?" pleaded Harry, sounding desperate for the knowledge.

            Hermione felt the tears well up in her eyes as she turned back to Harry, looking him in the eye as his figure blurred with escaping tears. "Because I know who – and what – the Enchantress is."

**-**

            Barely an hour later, the galleon was lost in the veil of mist that clung to everyone's clothes and damped everything. Hermione was sure that they were already in the Isle of Marquis's magical realm, and that they were testing everyone, but she didn't voice her thoughts.

            Instead, Hermione kept to herself, wrapping Oliver's green cloak around her shoulders tightly, trying to ward the chill off. She sighed and tried to keep the memories of Harry's shock and surprised face out of her mind, but every few seconds when she glanced to her left she would see his face again and again – but there was also a malice that was growing and forming her green-eyes monster as she spotted Ginny moving around him like a leech.

            Everyone on the galleon was silent as the ship cut through the dark blue waters, barely bobbing up and down as the water was still and calm.

            "Look!" someone called out softly, pointing as the misty veil slowly began to disappear and the landscape gradually came into view.

            On top of a small hill in the very center of the island stood a castle, and all around it, blocking its entrances from their eyes was a forest filled with old, aging trees that reached up into the sky.

            As they sailed closer, they saw two figures waiting for their galleon to come closer. They wore blood red robes, with odd engravings that changed when you looked at them from two different angles. They stood tall and proud, unmoving, except for their eyes that were hooded and wary. They were fairly young in appearance, but they seemed to give off a wave of magic that reeked of old magick.

            Hermione realized at once who they were – they were the Guardians of Castle Lorien, the ones who were to train her with her magick and make her become the Enchantress that she was destined to be.

            "Stop here," she ordered, her voice unwavering. "We ride on to the land in small boats."

            The anchor was dropped, splashing and bubbling the area of the surface where it broke into the water. As Parvati and Padma came up to Hermione to wish her goodbye, she whispered into their ears, "Go and find more help – we will need all those who can fight with us… soon the battle will begin."

            They nodded and hugged their friend and Enchantress goodbye, before stepping back and helping them into the rowboats that were waiting in the water for them.

            Oliver and his Knights went in pairs in the boat, a few left on the galleon to go with the nomads. Hermione stepped into her boat with Harry and Draco behind her, all standing tall and proud as the boat moved forward through the water without anyone rowing. Hermione suspected that it was the Castle's magic.

            As they hit the sand bar, Hermione glanced up at the two Guardians. They were watching her with as much curiosity as she was regarding them with. A smirk found its way on her lips as she stepped out of the boat.

            The Knights looked around, a hand gripping their staffs as they did so; always prepared for a battle they were.

            Harry, Ron, Ginny, Draco, Seamus and Dean looked around in wonderment and awe as they took in the large trees that were growing behind the two Guardians.

            Hermione took a step forward, and bowed slightly at the two, like Minerva had taught her all those moons ago.

            They looked at her in slight surprise, before a smile befell one of them. He cleared his throat and began to speak. "My name is Bode and this is Croaker. I am a Guardian of Castle Lorien. Come – warm yourselves at the Castle's fire and speak of your tales during your feast. We have been expecting you for quite some time."

            The other, slightly taller and chubbier than Bode, said in a strong voice, "Welcome to Castle Lorien," before turning on his heel and beginning to head up a path that lead through the forests of Lorien.

            As they walked through the forest, one by one, Hermione took the time to take in her surroundings. She was sure that she would be staying here for some time, at least, and she wanted to be sure of everything around her.

            As they passed over a stone bridge, Hermione looked to her right and saw the small river that was just as placid as the ocean was when they came into the Lorien makeshift harbor. Weeping willows lined the banks of the small river, with red berry bushes below them. The sight was beautiful and positively said, "Earth magick is at work here!"

            As they turned around a sharp corner, Bode said in his voice, with a wave of a red robe-clad hand, "Welcome to the Castle, the home of the Guardians of the Enchantress and the home of the High Priest, Albus Dumbledore."

            At this, Harry let out a shout, raising an eyebrow. "Last we heard of him was when we left Talamanca. He had lived there for the past seventeen years."

            "Aye," nodded Croaker. "The Priest does live in more than one place… it is his job to make sure that everything is in order in the Lands."

            Harry nodded, subdued, and shuffled along with his hands in his pockets. Ron leaned forward and whispered some encouragement in his ears. Harry nodded, patting his friends' hand as he smiled at him, and continued walking towards the Castle.

            As they turned, Hermione let out an inaudible gasp. A stone pathway leads up to the entrance of the Castle, where coniferous trees lined up along the side. Square boxes made of stone held large bowls of fire that sprang to life as they walked by, illuminating the Castle's entrance even more. Two pillars stood on either side of the massive doors, holding up what was a circular balcony above them. Indented a little past the pillars were the two doors to the Entrance of the Castle Lorien. On the doors were decorative flowers, trees, and other Earthly symbols.

            As the Guardians approached the door, they swung open and together the large group walked in. They entered a courtyard with a large pool of water in a rectangular pond that was the length of the courtyard. Old oak trees lined the side of the pool, offering shade on bright sunny days and refuge to stormy weather. The Castle itself was magnificent.

            It stood tall, it's gray brick used as a natural camouflage for the grayish sky behind it. A waterfall poured down it's middle, leading its way into the pool of water. Another doorway, the actual one into the Castle, was hidden behind the waterfall.

            Bode and Croaker led them there, glancing back only once to make sure no one had been left behind. When they were satisfied, they swung open the doors with a movement of their hands, and beckoned the group inside.

            They entered a chamber that was pure marble. Archways led off to other rooms, and a staircase in the center of the marble chamber led up to what one could believe were rooms. A giant chandelier with millions of tiny white candles swung hundreds of feet above their heads, its arms twisted and coiled into something resembling a tree or branch.

            Bode stopped and pointed at an archway to his left. "In there is the kitchen hall. You may eat in there and discuss what you need to, as Croaker and I will need to discuss – something – with the Priest."

            "Is he here now? Dumbledore?" asked Harry, stepping forward. Bode glanced at Croaker before answering. The other man gave a sharp nod.

            "He is, but you will seem him later. Now, eat and drink, rest… you have a long journey ahead of you," he said, with no room for defiance.

            The large group slowly piled into the kitchen room, finding wooden benches to sit down at, as empty gold plates appeared before them.

            "There's no food," said Ron, moaning and rubbing his stomach. "I'm so bleedin' hungry."

              Hermione smiled softly and ran a finger around the rim of her plate, slightly startled to feel the hum of magick radiating off of it. Getting an idea, she leaned close and asked, "May I have some beef please?"

            Seconds later, mashed potatoes, gravy, a beef platter and vegetables were on her plate, warm and freshly made. Her goblet filled itself with pumpkin juice, and soon everyone else had cottoned on to getting a meal.

            Halfway through their feast, Hermione found herself as the center of their attentions.

            "Now that we're here," mumbled Ron through a mouthful of food, "We should be able to find the Enchantress."

            "Yes, I'm quite sure Dumbledore knows who it is," agreed Harry, glancing at Oliver, who sat a bit down the bench. "What do you think, Oliver? Would we be able to find the Enchantress now that we're here?"

            Oliver's eye betrayed nothing as he raised an eyebrow at Harry. "You should," he said in his accent. "I don't see what is stopping you from finding her."

            "What do you think she can do?" wondered aloud Ron, placing an elbow on the table and swinging a drumstick around as he spoke. "D'you think she has this otherworldly powers? Or look any different than Ginny or Hermione?"

            Hermione blanched at this, coughing as she choked on a piece of food that went down the wrong way.

            Oliver sprung up, slapping her on the back until she swallowed and managed to calm down. "Thank you," she said, smiling up at him.

            Harry forced the feelings of anger and resentment down back into his stomach. He was in no place to claim Hermione for his own – and he did care about her more than he had let on when they were on the boat. She had been the bold one and said she fancied him; he had only said he cared, like a brother would care of a sister. He was also sure that he and Hermione would've had more time to talk if Ginny wasn't always around.

            He did like the little girl, but he didn't have the same feelings she obviously had of him. Though, he didn't say anything mainly because it was Ron's little sister, and they were still getting acquainted after being separated for sixteen years. 

            Sighing, Harry's mind took a turn from his feelings to the Enchantress. He was sure that now that they were at Castle Lorien that they would find out who she was, and they would go and find her. The Guardians would help them, being they were to train the Enchantress to find her full potential.

            A jolt of the table told Harry that the meals had been cleared, and they were free to talk and laugh and enjoy themselves. Ron had Seamus and Dean in a conversation about where they had been, and were conversing freely. Ginny was sitting off by Draco, speaking to him in low tones. Harry didn't know whether or not to trust the Malfoy, as his father wasn't one of his favorite people. Lucius had also help murder his father, which made Harry hate most of the Malfoy family line.

            As his eyes swept over the rest of the people, they stopped at Oliver and Hermione, who were sitting close and talking in very low tones. Hermione's eyes darted this way and that, while Oliver was frowning and making sharp gestures.

            Harry stood, scraping his chair back as he slowly walked towards the two. As he came closer, he heard snippets of their conversation.

            "… You need to tell them now –"

            "-- Not yet, it's too soon…"

            "… In danger of being found by Death Eaters…"

            "– Castle Lorien is safe, I'm fine here…"

            "… The Enchantress has duties to perform – "

            "… I know, I'll get around to them when they are called for, Oliver," Hermione finally sighed. Harry, confused, stopped for a second. How did they come from the Enchantress' duties and make them Hermione's duties to perform? It wasn't her task to do…

            "Hermione?" Harry asked, clearing his throat as he took two more steps towards the two. "Can we talk?"

            "Of course," said Hermione, glancing back at Oliver with what could be described as a warning look. "Take a seat."

            Harry did and glanced at Oliver, who got the message.

            "Leaving," he said in a singsong voice, getting up and walking towards another table where his Knights were talking in rowdy tones.

            Harry gulped and began slowly, "Remember on the galleon, when I said I cared for you?"

            "Yes…"

            "Well, I didn't mean that," said Harry, wondering if he was phrasing that correctly.

            "Oh?"

            "Yes, what I meant to say was that I fancy you, like you said you fancy me," replied Harry, glancing up at Hermione, who was watching him with amusement. "I truly admire you and your skill. You kept a calm head while we were in the dungeons back by that city where Lavender disappeared. You also were resourceful and managed to get all of us to safety – which I owe you a thanks for."

            "No problem," said Hermione, breaking into this monologue. "Anything else?"

            "Er… yes… I was wondering… as you said you know whom the Enchantress is… how does that come back to you? Does it put me in danger if I say I want to be with you?"

            "Oh Harry," sighed Hermione. "It puts you in so much more danger than you should be placed in."

            Frowning, Harry bit the inside of his cheek. "I still want to be with you, and I want to help. I don't care if it puts me in danger, Hermione, really! I just want to be with you."

            Hermione smiled softly, before taking Harry's hand in hers. "I believe you, but when the time comes – and the battle begins – you will wonder why you got mixed up in all of this. I assure you that you will think that, Harry, and I cannot wish that you die in battle or lead a war, grief-stricken life."

            Harry opened his mouth and reply when Bode came into the kitchen room, his eyes sweeping around the tables until they found Hermione. He took a couple steps in her direction, before stopping.

            Hermione glanced at him and knew it was time. She turned back to Harry and said in a low voice, quickly, "Don't be mad at me, Harry, I wanted to tell you – the time was just never right. Please, don't be angry."

            "What? Hermione, what are you talking about?" asked Harry, glancing at Bode, and then her. Oliver and the other Knights had risen, watching the scene unfold itself.

            "Please," pleaded Hermione, "don't be mad."

            Harry watched in confusion as Hermione stood and made her way towards Bode. Bode took another step forward and handed her a folded pair of scarlet robes with gold trimmings. She took it in her arms, and held it close as she looked up at him.

            Bode smiled gently down at Hermione and said, "It is time, Enchantress."

**~**

AN: well, I managed to get the next chapter out. Though it's not very long, I hope that everyone enjoys it because there's some H/Hr action and well, Hermione's secret is out. It's the turning point of the story, really, because we'll get some Voldemort action in the next chapter, and also Lavender comes back! Yay! So, happy holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Years, and don't forget to review!

Silver Storm Dragon: Really? You spotted some mistakes? Hmm, I went over and found one myself, but I didn't notice anything else – I'll take extra precautions for this chapter and the rest of them. Unfortunately, I find that Betas take to long to get back to me… **frowns** so I don't have one… but I'll certainly double and triple check the story from now on! Thanks! And thank you for the book recommendation too – I'll head to Indigo or Chapters and see if they have it.

Tamillo: Thanks so much for your review, and I understand your worries and reasoning. I don't mean to "lay it on thick" of Oliver/Harry/Draco tension towards Hermione – it's just they all seem to want her for different reasons, and it does have some meaning later on in the story. Also, I know some parts lag and some jet, but sometimes you just have to have those (I hate writing them myself, but if it's describing something, it usually means it's important). We'll learn more of Hermione's powers soon, and her role in the whole story, so don't worry. Basically, the fun has just started. Thanks, though, very much for your review. I took everything into consideration and I hope that this chapter makes up for what the others lacked in. Also, the Days and Nights? The Days are basically Amazons – strong witches that only want to see the male race brought under submission. The Nights are the same as them, only the male equivalent. They don't care about the Enchantress or the Priest – they only care about their values and ethics. They're rogues and bounty hunters who would do anything to see their ideal world created… in a way they're evil, but they don't seem to know any better. Hope that helps.

Stoneheart: Hmm, guess you're right about that; Hermione didn't seem surprised to see Ginny… I guess I would be if I was in her place, but it could also be that she had other things on her mind at the time – I know that when that happens to me everything else seems to disappear and nothing surprises me. Heh, Draco is one of those characters who wants to achieve something that has a good purpose but goes around doing it the wrong way. He's neither good nor evil, but someone in that gray mass in-between. His role as a spy will become more apparent when the actual battles begin.

Thanks again to everyone who reviewed!

PS: If you haven't seen The Two Towers yet, I suggest you do. I saw it last night and it was great – and the trailer previews for X-Men2, Terminator 3, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the new Disney/Pixar Finding Nero (I believe it's called) were just fabulous! LotR was so worth the packed theatre!