Chapter 31

"This doesn't have to end like this, Cri." Hermione yelled. "Accept our ancestors, or feel defeat. You have no power here. Be gone, or face the embarrassment of your ways." Hermione Drew her sword, Dami watching closely. Hermione's sword skills were better, and she would fight the Cri harder than Dami ever could. The Cri lunged forward, her skills not as well as they were thought to be. The Cri was desperate to keep everything under her fist, but her body wouldn't last. Hermione watched closely, moving out of every thrust and reel of the sword, clashing it with her own. The danced around in a circle, like wolves squaring off to see who was dominate.

Dami just pulled out her sword and pointed it at Serenity, who was going to step in. "You had better stay there. This is their battle now. You know what is best."

Serenity shook her head. "You mistake me. I follow the Cri to death; that is my oath. I am a Tegwan, and we never back down, you should know that."

"It's your choice. Fight your sister, or watch and let them decide." Dami swung her sword out to point at the Cri and Hermione circling each other. "I know in my heart you don't want this. It could have ended with out blood shed, but she, the quote/unquote mother of the Ezil Wis, has chosen this path for us. She would rather see them, the ones you lead, dead than out of her reach. Who stupid is it! You are Tegwan, yes, but you are also so much more than that! Reach in you, sister. Show me all of who you are; show your people that you are worthy of their support!"

"Damiana, life's not like that." Hermione jabbed forward, the Cri swung for her head. Hermione ducked and rolled out of the way and back to her feet.

"But it is if you let it be."

Dami gasped as the Cri lunged forward to Hermione, who jumped back, pulling her dagger and jabbing the Cri in the arm. Dami looked back to Serenity, and raised her voice as each sentence came out, "Speak up, stand up to her. Show her that what she is doing is wrong, you know it is. You can stop this. You know how, we don't. I don't want Death tonight; neither does Hermione, but we will do what is necessary. Don't let the little Mi you loved be torn by the fact she killed her own grandmother. Do you job, Damn it! Protect the younger, the weaker, the smaller. Those are your oaths. Uphold those, Tegwan, if you claim Tegwans don't break oaths." Dami glared over her, challenging her to show her oaths. The strongest oaths were not to the Cri, but to the protection of those who can not themselves. Hermione was doing a fine jump, it was the Cri Damiana was calling to protect. The woman would die tonight, for she would not give up until she was dead or Hermione was.

Serenity gulped, and stepped forward, grabbing the Cri's wrist and pulling her sward away. "It is done; we have accepted the ancestors' offers. The properties you asked are yours. Go, and live well."

Hermione huffed, staring only at the Cri. She had been winning; the Cri was old and tired now, barely able to swing the sword with enough force to break skin. The Cri only stared evilly at Serenity. "HOW DARE YOU BE...."

Serenity glared, "Shut up, grandmother. You have been retired. It is time for a change, and it happens now."

Dami yelled to the Ezil Wis around them. "Do you know no respect, bow to your new Cri, and show her your loyalty!" Hermione smiled at Serenity and Damiana. The plan had worked. Hermione knew all along that Serenity would not give in on the protection oaths; that was just the way she was. The Cri was screaming as the girls stood around her, but some how, her voice didn't sound to them. The three Tegwan sisters shared their first moment over their Grandmother, and knew that it wouldn't be their last. Serenity held her grandmother's hand, who was now crying to what ever she could, and opened her wings.

"I grant you what you wished and a home with us if you ever want it. I know that you do not trust me, but you'll see. Things will change."

Hermione walked to Dami and draped her arm around her twin's shoulders. "We believe you. Now show them." She nodded her head toward the Ezil Wis watching over all of what had happened. "You have a lot of work ahead of you."

Serenity looked into the eyes watching her. "It's just another adventure, Mi. Just another Adventure." The older sister winked, and flew, the Ezil Wis following close behind her. The others approached the two girls, Ron and Draco sweeping them up into their arms. Ron kissed Damiana hard, tears streaming down his face.

Draco held Hermione's face between his hands, looking into her eyes. "You scared me too much today, kitten. Don't ever do it again."

Hermione's eyes laughed at him. "The great Draco Malfoy scared?"

"Yes. Now be quiet and let me hold you for the rest of our lives."

Athos and Albus crossed their arms at the twins. "You planned that, to talk Serenity out of it, and didn't tell us?"

The girls smiled at each other. Dami spoke up, "would you have felt as sure about this if we had? We knew that Serenity would listen to Reason, it just had to be shoved into her face."

"I swear, you two will see us dead with your antics."

Hermione grinned at Harry and Ginny, "Nope, that's Harry's job, I just make life interesting." Ginny gave the two girls hug, and ruffled Draco and Ron's hair. "and Harry's got Ginny to keep him in check, so you won't have to worry about him either."

The group of people laughed, and they all headed back towards the castle, where Albus treated the entire school to a week off of classes to celebrate the fact that they had no more worries.

18 years later.....

The Cri had passed on to the Ancestors three days after the battle, her heart failed to beat when she had nothing to control. The buried her with little ceremony, but one her marker there is an eternal rose, planted in the night by two cloaked women when no one was looking. Serenity had smiled when she saw it. It was tradition for an Ezil Wis's head of name to plant it, and she was surprised that Hermione and Damiana would grant the woman who caused them so much pain such a strong symbol of respect.

They celebrated in the Great hall during the summer. Athos was one hundred, and every one who knew him came out to celebrate, including many of his students. He was the longest sitting DADA teacher, and was one of the more liked.

Hermione danced around the great Hall with Athos, celebrating his one hundredth birthday. Damiana was cradling her fourth little boy. Ayden was fifteen(named after Hermione and Dami's father), Cael was nine, Cian was six, and the youngest, Tristan, was only three months old. Mrs. Weasley couldn't be prouder, and like every dotting Grandmother, was wrangling her older three grandsons from Ron. Harry and Ginny were twirling around while their seven year old daughter, Maegan (who had Harry's dark hair) sat on her Uncle Fred's lap, who was only drinking water. She was his savior, his niece. He loved being with the little girl, and when Ginny threatened that he would never seen the little girl if he touched a drop of alcohol, he stopped. Hermione felt guilt some times, but it had been for the best. He learned, even if it was a little late.

Draco sat with his twins, a boy and a girl, 8 years old. His son, Maxwell, had his mother's hair, honey brown, but he had a distinct smirk, and bright blue eyes. His daughter Amara was twirling around with Great Uncle Albus and Great Aunt Gwyn, who were holding her between them, her blond hair wisping into her golden eyes. He watched as so many of the people he had come to love celebrated, but there were still a few people missing. Had it really been 18 years since they had seen her and her group. Hermione and Dami received letters three or four times a month, and gifts for all the children, even Harry's. Dami and Hermione never talked about the possibility of their children being Ezil Wis or Ezil Jast, because what ever they were, they were staying right here, at home.

Serenity walked in then, a small little girl walking beside her. Serenity had done some thinking and rearranging as well. Her husband, who was her original companion, was a wizard of little power and a lot of heart. Their daughter was named Tzira, after the mother of the three girls. Hermione smiled, and walked over to Serenity, Dami close behind, having handed Tristan to George, who wasn't quite sure what a baby was, exactly. Serenity nudged her daughter forward, who bowed to them. Hermione summoned over Amara, who did the same to Serenity, but then turned her head sideways. "Who are you and why is my momma making me bow?"

Serenity grinned when her little girl laughed. "I'm Nicolette, and this is my momma, the Ezil Wis Cri. And your mom is the head of our family. It's silly, isn't it?" The two little girls ran off to play, and the sisters greeted each other.

Later on, as Serenity was getting ready to leave, Hermione asked Serenity, "So, how's motherhood treating ya?"

"Just another adventure. I seem to have a knack for finding them."

"You've seemed to Fair well."

"Only because I've had a good wind at my back and Couple of little sister to keep my in line."

"Good luck, on your adventures, then."

"Adventures?"

"Tegwans always have more than one."

A/N wow, it's done. If you were wondering what Damiana means, it means the tamer. I love strange names. The meaning of the name has an impact on the person, I belive. Any way, you all have been a lovely audience and I am very pleased with this story. So here is what it is, I hoped you have enjoyed it.