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).
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".
**~**
Chapter Ten
Snow began to fall outside the thick glass window, showering the Isle of Marquis in whiteness. Outside, Hermione could see Oliver Wood and Ryan Kips laugh and throw snowballs at each other, knee-deep in the heavy snow.
Sighing, Hermione turned her attention to her tutor, and concentrated on her latest lesson. Gods above, was she bored.
**-**
Months passed by, and Hermione had begun the long and agonizing trials that lead to her becoming the Enchantress, a full-fledged sorceress with amazing powers. With the fate of the world resting in her hands, she found that stress was taking a toll on her, but she kept quiet about it; sometimes it was better to suffer in silence.
Also, she was missing Harry. They had sent each other a couple of owls bearing letters, but when the frost settled on the shores of the Talamancaian woods, they had ceased writing as the journey was too long for the birds to fly. Hermione then relied on Oliver and Ryan for company, who taught her some basic defense skills, and how to even ride hippogriffs and horses with confidence and ease.
The nights are lonely here, at Lorien. I miss Harry very much, but I cannot speak with him until the snow melts and the frost leaves the ground, and the Spring Equinox comes. There is balance then, between night and day, and it will be when I become initiated into the high levels of magery.
Albus Dumbledore has taught me what he could during the owls he sent to my tutor, a Fleur Delacour – she says she is from the Lakes of Mist, which is far North of here, by the Black Clan and on the most Eastern point of the Talamancaian continent. She claims that the weather is warm there, misty and beautiful. One day I wish to see it; Fleur says she even has a younger sister there named Gabrielle. Apparently, she also has a lover there – and guess who that is? William Weasley, Ron's oldest brother.
Hermione put down her quill; smiling slightly at the entry she had just finished writing in her diary. She did this ritually, every night before she went to bed. As she stood from her vanity, a knock on her door caught her attention.
"Come in!" she invited, smiling as she saw Oliver come into her suite, looking a bit tentative. "Hullo, Oliver. What brings you here?"
"Hullo Hermione," he said, smiling a bit, and taking the seat she offered. Months before, he and Ryan kept calling her "Enchantress" and finally caused Hermione to snap at them; she made them from then onwards call her by her given name.
"You looked a bit down tonight at dinner. Is something the matter?" he continued.
Hermione smiled, a bit sadly, before sitting on the edge of her bed and crossing her legs. "Yes, there is something bothering me, but it's nothing that you can help me with, Olli."
"I'd like to try," continued Oliver, concerned from his friend. "What's bothering you? Is it the Enchantress duties?"
"A bit, yes," sighed Hermione, tracing a pattern on her quilt as a strong wind rattled her glass panel. She turned her head to look outside, the darkness deep and resounding, with no stars out that night. "There's a lot of work to do, and I'm finding it hard to take everything in, no matter how well I do. It's… beginning to get hard on me. I have trouble falling asleep sometimes."
"You should tell Fleur, Bode and Croaker. I'm sure they wouldn't mind you taking a couple of days off. We could travel to the mainland with Ryan and go to Iionn, or some of the other towns along the coast," offered Oliver.
Hermione nodded. "I would really like that, actually. But…"
"But…?" repeated Oliver.
"I really miss Harry," said Hermione softly, her eyes downcast.
At this, Oliver sighed silently and got up out of his seat, to sit next to the younger girl. He placed an arm around her shoulders, and patted her shoulder as best as he could.
"I know you do," he murmured, as she began sobbing silently. "And I'm sure he misses you as well, Hermione. What you two share is something amazing, something that no one can take or ever could. It was apparent to anyone from the first day I saw the two of you together."
"I know… but I can't help but miss him now," sighed Hermione, her tears spent. "When things get too rough, I always wrote to him – and it became a crutch. Now, when I do need him and can't talk to him, I feel so helpless."
"You?" laughed Oliver softly. "The Enchantress? You feel helpless? Oh, Hermione, you are anything but helpless. You drive the helplessness away just with appearing somewhere. You take the fear from people with your calming presence. You give hope when there is none."
They sat in silence, Oliver with his arm around Hermione's shoulders until she heaved a sigh and said, "I should get to bed. Thank you for listening to me, Oliver."
"It's never a problem," he replied, before tucking her in and brushing a strand of hair from her face. She looked up at him, her brown eyes large and doe-like.
"You treat me so well," she whispered.
Oliver smiled down on her, his Irish lit becoming heavy as he tried to mask his emotions. "You deserve them, you know."
At her slightly sad, regretful look, she propped herself up on one elbow and took his hand in hers. "If I had never have met Harry…" she began.
"I know," answered Oliver, looking down at the quilt over her bed. "If you hadn't met Harry, and if things would've been different… then maybe something could have happened. But because that isn't the case, I'll just have to deal with it."
"You don't have to do it alone, Olli," said Hermione, looking at his dejected and down face.
"I do. To ask anything of you would be wrong – for both you and Harry," he replied, looking up and gracing her with a smile. "You do know I love you, don't you?"
Hermione felt tears well up in her eyes. "And you do know that I only love you as one would a brother?"
"I know," he whispered, before tugging his hand gently free and blowing her candle's flame out. "Sleep, Enchantress. You have a long day ahead of you."
Hermione fell back on the pillows in the darkness, and watched Oliver's shadow move to the doors. He opened the door slightly, making light spill into the chamber.
"Goodnight, Hermione."
"Goodnight Oliver," replied the tired girl. She was asleep before she heard the "Sweet dreams."
**-**
A couple months later…
Harry snarled and slammed down the many pieces of parchment that Sirius had left on his desk earlier that week. He had been training with Remus before the full moon so he had left them to a later date, and now regretted it.
The parchments were filled with names of Death Eater recruits and their progress. Sirius informed him that they had a two spies working for them within the highest ranks of the Death Eaters, something that Harry was grateful for. He just didn't know whether he could trust them just yet, especially now that he knew their identities.
Rubbing his temples, his eyes wandered on their own to the last letter that Hermione had written. Now that it was past the Spring Equinox, and the frost had melted, their owls could resume the long distance journey. The air was warmer and birds sang as they flied through the air, giving the outward appearance that there wasn't anything wrong.
He sighed as he picked up the last parchment piece he threw down, and reread what the slashy scrawl wrote.
Voldemort says it's time to move on. They're leaving the stronghold, a few of the most persuasive and sadistic of them, to head northeast to the Black Clan. The warlocks and witches in that clan are notoriously ruthless, and have been associated with black magic for such a long time that it has become first nature to them. They know no other way of life.
The DE's will be moving out a fortnight of when you will receive this letter – you are to then burn it, and leave no trace. Do you best to halt the group, or reach the Black Clan before they do – the battle's outcome may very well depend on it.
Harry mumbled something under his breath before he held the parchment up above his candle, watching the flames lick greedily at it.
Once it was all but diminished, he stood and began walking towards the center of the Talamancaian clan. As he walked around warlocks who were cooking dinner, chatting, drinking or playing card games, he spotted the younger ones in open areas training for the upcoming war. With his emerald eyes, Harry spotted Ron, Dean and Seamus easily. They were standing in a line, mimicking the movements of Captain Cedric Diggory, the newest leader in charge of the Knights since Oliver Wood handed the title to him to stay with the Enchantress – Hermione…
At that thought, Harry felt a pang ripple through his chest, and hit his heart with enough force to make him stop moving. He found himself replaying the morning he had last seen her.
They woke up together in her bed, the sheets tangled around their bodies in a warm cocoon. Harry woke first, drinking in the sight of Hermione lying peacefully in his arms, her head tucked into the hollow between his neck and shoulder. Her hand was splayed across his torso, claiming him as hers.
Her brown hair tickled his nose as he looked down at her, but he refused to move and tightened his grip on her, tugging her closer to him as he placed his own hand on the small of her back.
Hermione mumbled something incoherent as she leaned into the embrace, running one leg up and down his, trying to get comfortable. Harry gulped, reminding himself that he was leaving that morning and she was asleep – she didn't know what she was doing to him. Really.
Slowly, Hermione's eyes fluttered open. She smiled sweetly up at Harry, pulling back slightly to look at him better in the morning light.
"You've got your glasses on again," she murmured, playing with the end of one of the arms.
"So I do," he agreed quietly, laughter rumbling deep in his chest and rising up through his throat. Hermione giggled slightly, feeling the rumble underneath her hand.
"Last night…" she bit her lip, and Harry tensed, thinking she would say it was a mistake… "Do you regret last night, Harry?"
Harry smiled down at his angel, pulling her close to him. He sought out her lips, before claiming them in a kiss that left them breathless. "Never," he answered breathlessly. "Do you?"
Hermione shook her head, cupping his head with both her hands as she rolled on top of him, her hair creating a veil around their faces. "Now why would I do a silly thing like that?" she countered.
Harry grinned, capturing her lips again and again, knowing that as time continued, their time together was drawing to a close.
Soon, when the room was enveloped in the morning rays, Harry closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against Hermione's. "You know I have to go today."
"I know," she answered, her own eyes closed as she sidled down his torso to rest her head on his chest. She heard his heart beat, slow and sure, relaxing her and lulling her into a light sleep.
Staying in silence for a couple of minutes, until Harry slowly pulled the two of them up into a sitting position, he finally chuckled and brushed a strand of her hair from her cheek. "You know that you'll stay in my heart, don't you?"
"Of course. And that you've captured mine?" questioned Hermione, a playful teasing note in her voice.
Harry chuckled, drawing her comforter up to cover her front, which had been exposed until then. It was not done in a moment too soon, as there was some loud, panicked knocking on her door before it was rammed open by Ron, who looked around wildly, asking in a loud voice, "Hermione? Have you seen Harry, he didn't go to his room last… night…"
His eyes finally rested on the couple in the bed together, before blushing a deep crimson colour.
"Right. Well, um… Harry, we're heh… leaving in an hour, you should get ready," he said, then inched the door closed, his red head that last thing they saw.
Both Harry and Hermione burst out laughing, before slowly climbing out of the bed together, each taking a different sheet to cover themselves. They began searching for their clothes, which took longer than usual, as they stopped for kisses between each article they picked up.
Twenty minutes later, they were both dressed – Hermione now in her Enchantress robes, and Harry in his usual Talamancaian pants and matching top. He scooped up Hermione one last time, to speak to her privately.
"As this will be the last time we'll be together for a while, I want to tell you now how much you mean to me," he said. "Promise me you'll take care of yourself, and that we'll owl whenever we can. I want to be with you, and even if I can't do that physically, I want to be with you mentally and emotionally."
"You already are," replied Hermione, stealing a kiss from him before promising him. "Just be careful out there, Harry. With Death Eaters out there…"
He nodded, looking down at her with love and tenderness. "I swear it."
They then left Hermione's room together, walking close enough for people to know that they had descended a level in their relationship, but far enough away to not paw each other as they would have done.
When they arrived in the hallway where the others were waiting. Dean and Seamus were standing off with the Knights, talking in low tones, and saying their goodbyes to Oliver and Ryan.
Ginny and Draco were standing together, dark expressions on their faces. They said nothing to anyone, and kept their dark moods in check – it was enough for people to avoid them.
Ron stood with Dumbledore, both talking animatedly about Quidditch, before stopping to look at Hermione and Harry, who arrived.
Silence fell, making them both entirely uncomfortable. Ron and Harry shared a look, and Ron broke the silence by announcing, "There you are, Harry! Glad to see that Hermione found you!" he turned to Hermione, "Where did you find him? And I do apologize now for waking you up so early, Hermione – when Harry disappeared last night, I knew that you could help find him."
"It's no problem Ron, I wanted to see everyone go anyways. I found him in the library, just a couple floors up," replied Hermione, secretly glad that she could trust the redhead. With a glance at the other Weasley, and her stiff back, Hermione knew that Ginny realized she had been lying. That could be trouble later…
Shaking her head, they stood in front of Dumbledore who smiled down at Hermione, before addressing the ones who were to travel with him back to Talamanca.
"We leave now, then," he said, the twinkle in his eye as his gaze swept over Hermione and Harry.
Silently, the large group trekked back down the beaten path that they had come from, taking in the last sights of the beautiful Lorien Island. Harry could hear the birds chattering in the background, and the brush of leaves being pushed around as animals scurried about, but nothing could make him not realize how close Hermione was standing next to him.
He kept his control in check, and squeezed his eyes tightly shut, repeating over and over in his head, I will not jump her, I will not jump her! Until she placed her hand in his, squeezing it gently.
He visibly calmed down, and flashed her a small smile; nothing that didn't go unnoticed by three people.
Finally, they reached the edge of the forest, and spotted two small rowboats that were bobbing gently against the dock. In the distance, they could see a large vessel waiting for them.
Hermione stood with Bode and Croaker slightly behind her and Ryan and Oliver behind them, watching the others as they stepped into the rowboats. As soon as everyone was in them, they magically began to move out into the sea where the large vessel was waiting for them.
Harry and Hermione kept their eyes locked on each until Harry faded into the mists that surrounded Castle Lorien…
As he had reflected, he didn't notice that Ginny and Draco were looking at him with an odd look reflecting in their eyes…
**-**
In the dark caves up north at the very edge of the Talamancaian Woods, Voldemort was plotting. He knew he had to get more supporters, and where else would be best except for the Black Clan in the Belluci Desert?
He sat back in his throne, looking over his loyal subjects (or so he knew better). They were just waiting for him to give the command. Something that Albus Dumbledore's followers wouldn't think he would do.
Finally, the idea struck him like a bolt of lightning – and with his masterful plan in mind, he raised a hand to gain the attention of the Death Eaters.
"I have had a brilliant idea – something that the Priest would not believe possible," a slow grin was forming on the young man's face. "I want all of you… to just go out there and have fun. Attack some villages, plunder a bit. Work your way to the Belluci Desert, and then once you are at the Black Clan, we shall head to the Mystic Lands…"
There was some twittering amongst his followers, before Voldemort continued.
"I will need my Death Eaters to be there for me, if we are attacked. When I reached the Mystic Lands, I will be twice as strong as I am now, as I will be controlling all the old magick that resides dormant there… and that is where we will have the battle of the era!"
Cheers rose from his followers, and Voldemort smiled inwardly. They were so easy to control.
**-**
Bode raced through the marble white halls of Lorien castle, clutching the most recent letter that Dumbledore had sent him. Although Hermione's year wasn't finished, the world was in dire need of their Enchantress, and time was running short, as Voldemort was moving ahead with his plans sooner than everyone had thought.
He skidded to a halt before an open door, where he could see Hermione leaning over a tabletop, writing something on her parchment. Fleur was standing over her, watching as she wrote, and smiling.
Rapping on the door, he made both females look up at him, curiosity written all over their faces.
"Is something wrong, Bode?" asked Hermione, frowning.
Bode wheezed, before stepping into the room and handing Hermione wordlessly the letter. Her eyes skimmed over the scrawl, rereading a couple sentences. Finally, she pushed her chair back and stood, glancing at Fleur once before turning to Bode.
"Tell Oliver and Ryan it's time to head back to Talamanca."
A couple hours later, Hermione was standing next to Oliver and Ryan, their hands clasping their staffs tightly as she went over what the letter had said.
"Basically, Voldemort is on the move and we need to head back to Talamanca to stop him," she said. "Are you okay with that?"
"Of course," Ryan nodded and said, his eyes dark and troubled. Oliver remained speechless, but his own eyes mirrored Ryan's. They were both ready to fight. "We'll apparate then, right into the Talamancaian Clan's location."
"Excellent. We should leave now, then," agreed Hermione, taking hold of the arm Oliver was offering her. As they turned back to Fleur, Bode and Croaker, they waved and wished them good luck once more, before the ground beneath their feet swooped and dived, creating a new foundation.
The world around them blurred and then reappeared as something different, but also something familiar. They were back in the Talamancaian Forest, and before them were a couple of Knights practicing their defense.
One stood and straightened before turning to them. "Oliver! Ryan!" he shouted, dropping his staff in surprise. "What the 'ell are you two doin' 'ere?"
The rest of the Knights turned towards them at their name, and bowed as they saw Hermione with them, out of respect.
"We need to see Dumbledore or Harry. Are they here?" asked Hermione, stepping forward. She was in no mood for nonsense.
"Hermione!" shouted a new voice, and she turned to see Ron running towards her, and jumping over a log. Raising an eyebrow, Hermione felt a small smile appear on her lips, seeing that the redhead was well.
"Hello Ron," she replied, as the gangly boy swept her up into a hug. "I see that you are well."
"Yep," he replied, setting her down, before placing an arm around her shoulders. "Here to surprise Harry?"
Hermione laughed. "Actually, I need to talk to him and Dumbledore. We got news about Voldemort moving ahead with plans. I'm here to help stop him."
The playful mood was all but gone at Hermione's direct and blunt sentence, leaving Ron speechless.
"Well…" he began slowly, "Harry should be around here somewhere. C'mon let's go look for him."
Hermione nodded, telling Ryan and Oliver to stick close by in the area, before leaving with Ron to try to find Harry. "How has everyone been?" asked Hermione.
"All right, I suppose," answered Ron, his voice a bit hesitant.
"That doesn't sound so sure."
"Well, Ginny and Malfoy are always together lately, and are usually talking in low voices. Sometimes I catch what they are saying, and it never makes sense. Though, I do hear them mention Harry often, and your name, and even sometimes Death Eaters," sighed Ron. "I hope she knows what she's getting into."
"I think she does, but if you'd like, I'll talk to her later," replied Hermione, smiling up at Ron.
He looked relived, and nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that. She's the only girl around here, and I know she feels a bit lonely."
"I can imagine," laughed Hermione as they entered Harry's office, which was in a hollowed out tree trunk. There, Harry sat, his head bent over a parchment as he pondered over it.
"Hey Harry," said Ron in greeting. "You've got a visitor."
"Tell Sirius I can't talk right now, I'm trying to plan what Voldemort is up to next."
"He's off to the Belluci Desert," answered Hermione with a smile on her lips. Harry's head shot up, and his eyes widened when he saw her.
"Hermione!" Harry shot up out of his seat, making it clatter on the ground as it fell backwards. "What… how?"
Hermione laughed and gravitated towards Harry, as he wrapped his arms around her tightly, inhaling her unique scent. "I just arrived. Dumbledore sent me news of what Voldemort is up to, and Bode agreed that its time to test some of the new powers I've learnt."
Harry laughed, holding her close. "Well, at least we know that we've got an amazing brain on our side."
"Don't underestimate Voldemort… from what I understand, he's a genius," said Hermione softly, burrowing her head in Harry's shoulder. "Anyways, we should make a plan of attack."
Ron nodded, agreeing, although neither Harry nor Hermione saw him do so. Clearing his throat, he continued, "Hey you two… I know you haven't seen each other in about nine months, but could you cut the lovey-dovey stuff until later when you're alone?"
This earned laughter from the two, who broke apart. "Right, Ron," said Harry, "Let's call a meeting, ASAP, all right? Get everyone here."
Ron nodded, and spun on his heel out of the office, and disappeared shouting, "EMERGENCY MEETING!"
Harry chuckled, watching Ron's retreat, before looking back down at Hermione. "It's been too long," he murmured.
"It has," she agreed. She was about to add more, when the fire that burned in the center of Harry's office changed colours, roaring to life and turning red.
They sprang back, towards the entrance of the office, watching the fire with narrowed eyes. Hermione had a hand up, ready to chant the water spell she had learnt, when a piece of parchment flew out of it and landed on the floor in front of their feet.
Hesitantly, Harry reached for it, undoing the wax seal of two snakes, and read the contents.
"The time of peace is in the past. The time of war is in the future. Be prepared, Enchantress. Your time draws near."
Harry and Hermione shared a look, foreboding settling deep in their stomachs. The war had begun.
**-**
I decided to let this chapter out early, mainly because I wasn't getting the reviews I wanted for the previous chapter, but also because I got bored and didn't want to study for my last exam tomorrow afternoon. So wish me luck, and please review this chapter. I know it's pretty crappy and doesn't have that much action, but that'll come soon enough. Enjoy!
