OK, here is the next Chapter. I am so very very sorry that it has taken so
long (I can't believe I haven't updated in over a month...please forgive
me) but, as any of you who read my review/A/N will know, my life has been
pretty hectic at the moment and this is literally the first chance I have
had to sit down and write something sigh it feels so good. Sorry again
that you have had to wait.
I have just had words with my dad and he is refusing to put the internet back on the family computer (the only one with the internet) until after my exams, which don't finish for another six weeks so that means my updates will only be as regular as my access to the internet (i.e. at college when I'm in or through my friends). This means that the lack of updating is out of my control and there is nothing I can do about it except apologise and ask for you to as patient as you can.
Oh, and I promise that I am not being rude by not responding to your reviews but obviously as I still haven't got the internet back up and working I have had to ask a friend to post this up for me and haven't been able to check my reviews so thank you to every one who has reviewed.
Due to the massive delay you would think I would have had time to proof- read this Chapter (for a change) but this has taken me about three weeks to write and I haven't had time to proof-read so I apologise for my usual abysmal spelling and grammar etc.
Hope you enjoy this...
Chapter 26-The Chamber of the Gods
Draco sat beside Hermione's bed, his fingers wrapped in his hair and his eyelids heavy as he fought to keep awake. He had hardly left her bedside, sleeping only a few hours at a time in either the chair by her bed or back in his room before returning immediately to her, and at the moment his face was unshaven and his eyes had shadows beneath them as he shut off the outside world, watching Hermione and turning over the concept of World- Walking within his mind. The very thought made his brain ache but what choice did he have? He could not simply sit by and watch his girlfriend be taken from him if he had the opportunity to save her.
He studied her face as he thought of what he had to undertake if he was to save her. Madam Pomfrey had attempted various ways of feeding Hermione the nutrients she needed to stay living but her body had simply rejected everything, leaving the faculty puzzled as to how Hermione was still alive. But she wasn't the same Hermione; her cheekbones were becoming hollow and her usually lustrous hair was becoming limp as it clung to her pale skin.
Draco's heart pulled as he watched her, making up his mind about what he had to do. As he began to lilt himself from the chair he heard the delicate rustle of the drapes behind him. He smiled slightly as Dumbledore eased himself into the other hair, his face a sea of calm and understanding.
"May I assume you have reached a decision Mr Malfoy?" He asked slowly, his twinkling eyes meeting Draco's.
"I'm going to save her." Draco said determinedly. "I have to. I can't imagine not having her and she belongs with us, in this world, not with them."
"I imagine that Lilqueth and Asriel will see things differently but you can but try."
"Won't they see reason? I mean, Lilqueth is supposed to the Goddess of light, won't she see how much I care for Hermione? How much I need her?"
"I doubt it. Although the Goddess' over good, Lilqueth and Megorian are hard to bargain with. They are determined Deities and if they want Hermione for their own they will fight for her. Miss Granger is a most powerful asset to the Gods."
"Then I shall have to try to persuade them otherwise."
"As you wish." Dumbledore nodded, "I suggest you accompany up to my office and we shall see what the Runes have to say about this matter."
Draco's look of confusion was enough for the Headmaster to continue speaking;
"The Runes will only grant the ability of World-Walking to one whose needs are of the utmost importance. Alas, I have never had the chance to use them myself, although I hear the experience is quiet peaceful."
Draco said nothing but felt slightly dubious; the idea of his mind being separated from his body was not the most appealing thing he had ever considered. He silently rose from his chair, kissed Hermione on the forehead and followed Dumbledore from the hospital wing.
-------------------------------------------
Dumbledore's office was silent as they entered, the whirring instruments stood still and the portraits stared solemnly at Draco as he entered.
"What's wrong with them?" He murmured to the Headmaster.
"They're nervous. The Runes have not been used in quite a few years and the fact that you may be the one to finally use them, and to save Miss Granger excites them and frightens them. The Runes are not to be taken lightly as they come from Amberal's power, drawn from her spirit, and to tamper with them in a devious way would be a most unforgivables in to those who believe in the power. As you know yourself, not everyone believes in the Runes or their power; most think it is nothing but a myth, a legend used to ease young and innocents, especially if they lose someone. The concept of Algora and Bogelt eases their mind; knowing that their loved ones are safe."
Draco nodded mutely; he had been one of those people, until a few weeks ago.
"I must say," Dumbledore mused, pulling open one of the drawers in his desk, "you took your time to reach your decision."
"I kept hoping she would wake up of her own accord." Draco admitted, feeling sheepish.
Dumbledore did not respond but instead he reached into the lower drawer of his desk and extracted a beautiful pearl box which was engraved in ebony with many Rune markings. Dumbledore opened the box and took out of it a black velvet pouch which he handed to Draco.
"These are the Rubes. I suggest you try them out right away, but try not to go too far. The first time can be a bit...distressing. I do however suggest that you go and shower, perhaps have a shave and get changed; the Gods will appreciate it your plea so much more if you look like you haven't spent the last week in the bog of eternal stench"
Draco didn't like the sound of that but he carefully took the small bag and placed it in his pocket, thanking the Headmaster and exiting the office.
As he closed the door he heard the portraits break out into whispers.
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Draco moved immediately from the Headmasters office and back to his rooms where he showered, shaved and changed with vast rapidity before heading out to the grounds of the school. Once he found a suitable quiet spot beneath a shady Oak he sat on the floor cross legged and carefully removed the Runes from the pouch, laying the out in front of him.
The Runes were oval shaped, each about the size of an egg only completely flat. Their smooth surfaces were of the deepest blue Draco had ever seen. On one side of each of the Runes a symbol glowed with silver, shimmering light and it was difficult for Draco to tear his eyes away. They were so beautiful to look at. Delicately Draco lifted each on to his eyes and examined every inch of them, taking in the ancient patterns on each one.
Sores, to travel physically to Bogelt and Agora, Blaneth, the helper, Celtu for protection, Butanu, which would allow the user to be linked mentally with another person, in or outside of the worlds of the Deities, Mufel, to kill, Kotan for strength, and finally, the four he would need to save Hermione; Goreth, the mental traveller, Asarel, calling of the Goddess', Korget of the dark ones, Tiltoi for equality.
Draco heard Dumbledore's earlier advice of starting with an easy task; he would start off small, and this meant he would travel physically as it was much more difficult for one to separate the mind from the body than it was to keep them together. Carefully, Draco selected the Runes he wanted; Sores, Kotan, Celtu and Butanu; he may as well let Dumbledore know when he had achieved his task.
As he arranged the four stones at the four points around his body it occurred to Draco that Dumbledore had not told him the signs that would allow the Runes' magic to work. Yet, as he thought this, Draco felt the air around the stones begin to vibrate with magic that was older than the world. The Runes began to glow faintly and Draco felt his mind open to receive their knowledge.
His psyche was torn apart as the Runes broke into his being and searched out his core, demanding to know if he was worthy of them. He felt Amberal's fingers and magic search within his mind, asking him questions, and his mind responded. His body stiffened and his mouth opened in a silent scream as her knowledge entered him, allowing him the familiarity he needed in order to save Hermione. He knew what to do.
Gathering himself he began to draw the will that he knew would allow him to safely work with the Runes. He felt the magic begin to trace a course through his veins, filling him with magic and again he found his body stiffen and his eyes widen, but as suddenly as it had started it stopped. He was now connected with the four Runes and as he relaxed Draco drew his hands in front of him and began to trace the symbols he needed in order for his newly acquired magic to work.
His elegant fingers danced in the air, making subtle and delicate movements which shimmered in the air for seconds before fading into nothing. The air hummed and vibrated and Draco felt the world around him fade away and his body begin to move from the circle of Runes. He focused on where he wanted to be; the other side of the lake, and felt himself float towards it, a shadow of himself, as though split into pieces.
As he floated he felt his mind connect with another and felt the wisdom of Dumbledore open to him;
"Ah, Draco. I thought you would be paying me a visit." He heard the Headmaster say with amusement.
"Yes sir, I am on my way to the other side of the lake and thought I should let you know." Draco smiled back.
"You appear to have taken to this quite smoothly; no problems?"
"No sir, in fact I seem to be somewhat of a natural."
"Indeed. Just make sure you land safely enough."
"I will do sir, thank you."
"Good bye."
"Good bye Sir, I will come and see you after I have spoken with the Gods."
The link went silent and Draco landed with a bump on the soft, muddy earth on the other side of the lake. He looked around took check he was actually there, and felt his body to make sure all of him had arrived. Everything seemed in place. He smirked.
"Piece of cake."
But he had spoken to soon, without warning his mind exploded with pain and, gripping the sides of his head, Draco fell to the floor screaming.
"What the hell?" He yelled, trying to hear over the noise. It sounded like a million people were trying to talk to him all at once, and each of them felt that what they had to say was the most important, and to each of the voices there was a face in Draco's mind, but he the faces were in shadow and he could not see them properly. However one voice rang more clearly than the rest and one face was more focused than the rest. Draco focused on it.
The face was a pretty face of a young woman. She had long crimson hair and large eyes that were a deep violet. Her voice was clear and rich and Draco could not help but be drawn to it;
"...you have mastered the Runes and they have granted you the power to guide you in your quest and now you must select that quest, for the first quest you select will determine of the Runes remain yours or if they belong to another. You can hear the voices of those who have attempted to master the Runes in the past and who have either failed or whose quests were not worthy and the voices of those who have still yet to have their quests fulfilled. The quest must not be selfish; it must be assist others and should be followed out because of passion not because of personal gain. If you wish you may select a quest from the voices you hear. The Runes hold great power; the power to save people from death or to change history but theses decisions must not be made lightly. The decision is yours."
"Are you Amberal?" Draco asked, his curiosity overriding him for a second.
The woman smiled at him.
"I am." She smiled.
"I need to save Hermione." Draco said to her simply. "Is this quest worthy?"
The woman did not move for a long time, as if frozen in time and Draco feared he had made the wrong choice, but the winds rose and Draco's robes wrapped around his legs, the woman's long locks whipped at her face and her eyes became a blazing violet fire;
"So mote it be." She said in her rich voice and Draco felt himself propelled back to his quiet space.
He opened his eyes, panting heavily and quickly gathered the Runes together and placed them back in the pearl box before heading up to the hospital wing; he wanted to do this with Hermione.
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Madam Pomfrey looked most put out when Draco informed her he would need absolute silence and her co-operation in order to complete his task, however she responded as well she could and Draco was soon settled next to Hermione's bed on the floor, selecting the four Runes he needed.
Carefully he placed Goreth, the mental traveller in front of him, pointing North, Asarel, calling of the Goddess' to the side of him, facing East, Korget of the dark ones on his other side, facing West and, Tiltoi for equality behind him, facing South. Once more he opened his mind and allowed the magic to fill him and for the second time he traced the symbols of the Gods and the Runes in the air, watching them shimmer and fade, calling the magic to him and allowing him passage into the neutral place he needed.
He felt his mind disconnect from his body and drift upwards. He tried to open his eyes and focus but the world was not there for him at that time. The colours blurred and faded, smudging together to become nothing but swirling images and Draco drifted through them quite rapidly, feeling the power around him grow. Soon enough the mental travel ended and Draco felt himself land softly on a hard surface.
He opened his eyes and looked around; he was in his chamber, the chamber back at Malfoy Manor that he had used for so many years in secret. He scrutinised the room carefully; it was definitely the same. But why here?
All too soon he felt other presences joining him and he glanced to the corners of the room to see a figure appear in every one of them; three female, one male. Each of the figures was more beautiful than any mortal could be, and Draco stared and listened as each one stepped forward;
"I am Asriel." The male said, although he needed no introduction. "Overlord of Bogelt." His face was pale white with high cheekbones and his skin was creamy. He was almost too pretty to be male, and his eyes were startling green and Draco saw the coldness that was in it. He was dressed in black robes and held a staff, topped with a burning flame.
"I am Meroviel." The first woman said, "I rule beneath my Lord Asriel over Bogelt and follow his wishes." Meroviel's face was as pale as Asriel's and her eyes just as green. Her lips were blackened and she was dressed in an ornate gown of black and green, with a high, wide collar and peacock feathers in her hair. Her commanding, dark beauty intrigued and scared Draco and he quickly turned to the other two women who stepped forward together.
"We are Lilqueth and Megorian." They said simultaneously, "And together we rule over Agra, caring for the children of the light." Draco stared at them and somehow, he could never be sure how exactly, but he knew which was which. Lilqueth had a creamy complexion and long pale blonde hair that fell down her back, her eyes were piercing blue and she wore a white dress of layers of chiffon. Upon her head she wore a silver band with a blue gem set in the front. Megorian was dark skinned with large, almond shaped eyes that were such a deep brown they were almost black. They shone with knowledge. Her hair was black and cascaded around her shoulders. She wore a dress similar to Lilqueth's only tawny in colour and the band upon her head was set with an amber stone.
"I am Draco Malfoy." Draco found himself saying, "And I come to you, the greatest of the Gods to ask you to return that which is most dear to me."
"We like the girl." Asriel said, "She is powerful and could help us a great deal."
"But she doesn't' belong with you in Bogelt, or in Agora. She belongs with me and her friends."
"How can you be sure of this young dragon?" Megorian asked, "How can you be sure she is not better off with us?"
"Because I know where she should be."
"You assume you know more than we do?" Asriel asked, her voice full of rage and curiosity.
"Asriel do be quiet, you will scare the poor dragon." Lilqueth said in her musical voice before turning to Draco, "you see my little serpent; the Raven is not safe to be in your world. She could destroy everything. Her power is too great for her to command and if she was to return with you existence could cease to be."
"But I need her." Draco protested weakly, becoming aware that he was but one young man arguing with four beings who were older than time itself, "And I know that she belongs with me, I can feel it. Surely you, as the creators of everything, including love, can understand this?"
Draco saw Meroviel flicker in her corner and his eyes settled on the dark beauty of Bogelt. He realised that she had not yet spoken since her introduction, allowing Asriel to do all of the speaking for their side, but now she stirred and her eyes fixed with Draco's.
Draco felt the power within her stare; saw the ancient wisdom of centuries that burned within her and the dark, mysterious beauty that could cause him to falter.
"You have power little dragon." Meroviel said in her rich voice and Draco felt her search within him, her touch was soft and he allowed her to probe every fibre of his mind, "and you love the Raven with all your heart. The love you have for her is as pure as her magic is and that will never die, but you must listen to us when we warn you that the raven is more powerful than many have conceived."
"But everyone knows that Hermione is the most powerful witch at Hogwarts." Draco pointed out.
"She is more than that." Meroviel continued, "She is the most powerful witch in history."
"Is that why you chose to work through her."
"Partly. The magic within the Raven is as pure as our own and the fate of the world was with her and the decision she made. She is not simply of magic, she is magic. The prophecies of old spoke of her and the choices she would have to make. The two consequences of her decision were so closely linked that even we did not know which way the future would turn. She chose the path of light, although the darkness within her will never die, and that means that the world is safe from the evil she fought against, but it will never be safe from her, just as she will never truly be safe from the darkness within her. We chose to work through her in an attempt to guide her. As has already been explained to you we did not want the world to be destroyed but could not decide the overall outcome, we could only guide the Raven. The end decision was hers to make."
"You talk in riddles." Draco said, "Although I think I understand what you are saying. Is there nothing I can do to save her?"
Meroviel smiled a sad, mysterious smile before retreating once more to her corner, it was Lilqueth who glided forward and answered him, speaking in her musical, wispy voice;
"We can release her into your world; however the penalty is a great one."
"Don't you think we have suffered enough?" Draco asked, his voice filled with rage, "We have fought between the two sides and have lost friends and family, what sacrifices are worse?"
"How much are you willing to forgo for your Raven?" Asriel's deep voice asked from his corner. Draco wheeled to face him;
"I would give up everything I have for her." He said simply.
"He speaks truthfully." The dark Megorian answered, her eyes closed and her mind penetrating Draco's. "He would make the ultimate sacrifice."
"Could you give up who you are?" Asriel asked Draco. "Could you live to be nothing more than normal, no longer your Raven's equal, but beneath her?"
Draco hesitated, biting his lip slightly;
"Yes." He answered after only a slight hesitation. "If it will return her to me than I would give up everything I am and anything I have."
"Then let it be." Asriel boomed, raising his arms up to the infinite sky and gathering the essence of everything into his hands.
The other three deities joined him and soon the air was filled with their magic as light shone from each of the; black and green met azure and amber in a crescendo of power and magic, and the four became entwined as the power formed above Draco. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the awful roaring sound that suddenly met his ears, filling him with a sense of dread.
Yet there was no climax to whatever it was that was happening to him. He felt himself suddenly fall and land awkwardly, and it was only then that he realised he had been suspended ten feet in the air by the combined magical forces of the deities. He ran his mind over himself, mentally assessing every part of his being. He didn't feel any different yet what made up who he was had been taken from him. He stood, shaking, and faced the Gods;
"Is it done?"
"It is indeed." Asriel said, his eyes shining, and Draco could see that he held in his hands a glowing ball of green magic; Draco's essence. The dark God toyed with the ball of energy, making it jump lightly across his fingertips and around his hand, all the while his eyes never leaving Draco's.
"What has this achieved?" Draco asked; realising that he had never questioned their motives behind asking him to sacrifice his magic.
"We do not disclose our reasons." Lilqueth said in her mysterious voice and Draco felt his anger rise slightly inside him as the Gods bombarded more of their riddles.
"Do not fret little dragon." Meroviel smiled, "it is not worth the worry."
Draco felt rather hard done by but gathered himself together as well as he could in order to respond;
"Thank you." He whispered, feeling suddenly queasy. "I...I should probably go now."
The Gods all inclined their heads slightly, a smile playing around their immortal lips.
"Goodbye my young dragon." Meroviel said in her rich voice, "You and your Raven shall prosper."
Draco kept his eyes on the dark Goddess as he felt himself be transported back to his body and Hermione; he could not quite figure out the look that was on her face as she melted away from him. Her eyes were dark and mysterious yet a faint smile played on her black lips and her hands moved in silent gestures that indicated further meaning; but what that meaning was Draco was not sure he would ever know.
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The hospital wing faded into focus and Draco shook his head a few times to clear it of all that had just happened. Slowly he eased himself from the sitting position and stood to face Hermione: Her face was still serene and he reached out a soft hand to softly caress her milky skin. As he watched a light emitted from the touch and Draco stared in amazement as a soft wind rose, fluttering Hermione's hair around her face. As it settled back onto the pillow Draco smiled at the shades of russet and auburn that he had not seen in so many months. He heard her breath catch in her throat and watched as she nuzzled into his palm, her eyelids fluttering slightly.
"'Mi." He whispered. "Hermione."
Her eyelids fluttered once more before opening and Draco grinned broadly as his grey eyes met deep cinnamon ones.
"Welcome back." He smiled, not knowing what else to say.
"What happened?" Hermione asked, her voice weak from lack of use.
"I'll tell you about it later." Draco said, leaning over softly to kiss his Raven.
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Author's Note; I know it may seem like I could finish it here; and I could, but I am not doing so please don't anybody ask if this is the end...there's more to come yet. And I promise I will update as soon as possible but as you have read above it may be a while. Thank you so much for your patience.
I have just had words with my dad and he is refusing to put the internet back on the family computer (the only one with the internet) until after my exams, which don't finish for another six weeks so that means my updates will only be as regular as my access to the internet (i.e. at college when I'm in or through my friends). This means that the lack of updating is out of my control and there is nothing I can do about it except apologise and ask for you to as patient as you can.
Oh, and I promise that I am not being rude by not responding to your reviews but obviously as I still haven't got the internet back up and working I have had to ask a friend to post this up for me and haven't been able to check my reviews so thank you to every one who has reviewed.
Due to the massive delay you would think I would have had time to proof- read this Chapter (for a change) but this has taken me about three weeks to write and I haven't had time to proof-read so I apologise for my usual abysmal spelling and grammar etc.
Hope you enjoy this...
Chapter 26-The Chamber of the Gods
Draco sat beside Hermione's bed, his fingers wrapped in his hair and his eyelids heavy as he fought to keep awake. He had hardly left her bedside, sleeping only a few hours at a time in either the chair by her bed or back in his room before returning immediately to her, and at the moment his face was unshaven and his eyes had shadows beneath them as he shut off the outside world, watching Hermione and turning over the concept of World- Walking within his mind. The very thought made his brain ache but what choice did he have? He could not simply sit by and watch his girlfriend be taken from him if he had the opportunity to save her.
He studied her face as he thought of what he had to undertake if he was to save her. Madam Pomfrey had attempted various ways of feeding Hermione the nutrients she needed to stay living but her body had simply rejected everything, leaving the faculty puzzled as to how Hermione was still alive. But she wasn't the same Hermione; her cheekbones were becoming hollow and her usually lustrous hair was becoming limp as it clung to her pale skin.
Draco's heart pulled as he watched her, making up his mind about what he had to do. As he began to lilt himself from the chair he heard the delicate rustle of the drapes behind him. He smiled slightly as Dumbledore eased himself into the other hair, his face a sea of calm and understanding.
"May I assume you have reached a decision Mr Malfoy?" He asked slowly, his twinkling eyes meeting Draco's.
"I'm going to save her." Draco said determinedly. "I have to. I can't imagine not having her and she belongs with us, in this world, not with them."
"I imagine that Lilqueth and Asriel will see things differently but you can but try."
"Won't they see reason? I mean, Lilqueth is supposed to the Goddess of light, won't she see how much I care for Hermione? How much I need her?"
"I doubt it. Although the Goddess' over good, Lilqueth and Megorian are hard to bargain with. They are determined Deities and if they want Hermione for their own they will fight for her. Miss Granger is a most powerful asset to the Gods."
"Then I shall have to try to persuade them otherwise."
"As you wish." Dumbledore nodded, "I suggest you accompany up to my office and we shall see what the Runes have to say about this matter."
Draco's look of confusion was enough for the Headmaster to continue speaking;
"The Runes will only grant the ability of World-Walking to one whose needs are of the utmost importance. Alas, I have never had the chance to use them myself, although I hear the experience is quiet peaceful."
Draco said nothing but felt slightly dubious; the idea of his mind being separated from his body was not the most appealing thing he had ever considered. He silently rose from his chair, kissed Hermione on the forehead and followed Dumbledore from the hospital wing.
-------------------------------------------
Dumbledore's office was silent as they entered, the whirring instruments stood still and the portraits stared solemnly at Draco as he entered.
"What's wrong with them?" He murmured to the Headmaster.
"They're nervous. The Runes have not been used in quite a few years and the fact that you may be the one to finally use them, and to save Miss Granger excites them and frightens them. The Runes are not to be taken lightly as they come from Amberal's power, drawn from her spirit, and to tamper with them in a devious way would be a most unforgivables in to those who believe in the power. As you know yourself, not everyone believes in the Runes or their power; most think it is nothing but a myth, a legend used to ease young and innocents, especially if they lose someone. The concept of Algora and Bogelt eases their mind; knowing that their loved ones are safe."
Draco nodded mutely; he had been one of those people, until a few weeks ago.
"I must say," Dumbledore mused, pulling open one of the drawers in his desk, "you took your time to reach your decision."
"I kept hoping she would wake up of her own accord." Draco admitted, feeling sheepish.
Dumbledore did not respond but instead he reached into the lower drawer of his desk and extracted a beautiful pearl box which was engraved in ebony with many Rune markings. Dumbledore opened the box and took out of it a black velvet pouch which he handed to Draco.
"These are the Rubes. I suggest you try them out right away, but try not to go too far. The first time can be a bit...distressing. I do however suggest that you go and shower, perhaps have a shave and get changed; the Gods will appreciate it your plea so much more if you look like you haven't spent the last week in the bog of eternal stench"
Draco didn't like the sound of that but he carefully took the small bag and placed it in his pocket, thanking the Headmaster and exiting the office.
As he closed the door he heard the portraits break out into whispers.
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Draco moved immediately from the Headmasters office and back to his rooms where he showered, shaved and changed with vast rapidity before heading out to the grounds of the school. Once he found a suitable quiet spot beneath a shady Oak he sat on the floor cross legged and carefully removed the Runes from the pouch, laying the out in front of him.
The Runes were oval shaped, each about the size of an egg only completely flat. Their smooth surfaces were of the deepest blue Draco had ever seen. On one side of each of the Runes a symbol glowed with silver, shimmering light and it was difficult for Draco to tear his eyes away. They were so beautiful to look at. Delicately Draco lifted each on to his eyes and examined every inch of them, taking in the ancient patterns on each one.
Sores, to travel physically to Bogelt and Agora, Blaneth, the helper, Celtu for protection, Butanu, which would allow the user to be linked mentally with another person, in or outside of the worlds of the Deities, Mufel, to kill, Kotan for strength, and finally, the four he would need to save Hermione; Goreth, the mental traveller, Asarel, calling of the Goddess', Korget of the dark ones, Tiltoi for equality.
Draco heard Dumbledore's earlier advice of starting with an easy task; he would start off small, and this meant he would travel physically as it was much more difficult for one to separate the mind from the body than it was to keep them together. Carefully, Draco selected the Runes he wanted; Sores, Kotan, Celtu and Butanu; he may as well let Dumbledore know when he had achieved his task.
As he arranged the four stones at the four points around his body it occurred to Draco that Dumbledore had not told him the signs that would allow the Runes' magic to work. Yet, as he thought this, Draco felt the air around the stones begin to vibrate with magic that was older than the world. The Runes began to glow faintly and Draco felt his mind open to receive their knowledge.
His psyche was torn apart as the Runes broke into his being and searched out his core, demanding to know if he was worthy of them. He felt Amberal's fingers and magic search within his mind, asking him questions, and his mind responded. His body stiffened and his mouth opened in a silent scream as her knowledge entered him, allowing him the familiarity he needed in order to save Hermione. He knew what to do.
Gathering himself he began to draw the will that he knew would allow him to safely work with the Runes. He felt the magic begin to trace a course through his veins, filling him with magic and again he found his body stiffen and his eyes widen, but as suddenly as it had started it stopped. He was now connected with the four Runes and as he relaxed Draco drew his hands in front of him and began to trace the symbols he needed in order for his newly acquired magic to work.
His elegant fingers danced in the air, making subtle and delicate movements which shimmered in the air for seconds before fading into nothing. The air hummed and vibrated and Draco felt the world around him fade away and his body begin to move from the circle of Runes. He focused on where he wanted to be; the other side of the lake, and felt himself float towards it, a shadow of himself, as though split into pieces.
As he floated he felt his mind connect with another and felt the wisdom of Dumbledore open to him;
"Ah, Draco. I thought you would be paying me a visit." He heard the Headmaster say with amusement.
"Yes sir, I am on my way to the other side of the lake and thought I should let you know." Draco smiled back.
"You appear to have taken to this quite smoothly; no problems?"
"No sir, in fact I seem to be somewhat of a natural."
"Indeed. Just make sure you land safely enough."
"I will do sir, thank you."
"Good bye."
"Good bye Sir, I will come and see you after I have spoken with the Gods."
The link went silent and Draco landed with a bump on the soft, muddy earth on the other side of the lake. He looked around took check he was actually there, and felt his body to make sure all of him had arrived. Everything seemed in place. He smirked.
"Piece of cake."
But he had spoken to soon, without warning his mind exploded with pain and, gripping the sides of his head, Draco fell to the floor screaming.
"What the hell?" He yelled, trying to hear over the noise. It sounded like a million people were trying to talk to him all at once, and each of them felt that what they had to say was the most important, and to each of the voices there was a face in Draco's mind, but he the faces were in shadow and he could not see them properly. However one voice rang more clearly than the rest and one face was more focused than the rest. Draco focused on it.
The face was a pretty face of a young woman. She had long crimson hair and large eyes that were a deep violet. Her voice was clear and rich and Draco could not help but be drawn to it;
"...you have mastered the Runes and they have granted you the power to guide you in your quest and now you must select that quest, for the first quest you select will determine of the Runes remain yours or if they belong to another. You can hear the voices of those who have attempted to master the Runes in the past and who have either failed or whose quests were not worthy and the voices of those who have still yet to have their quests fulfilled. The quest must not be selfish; it must be assist others and should be followed out because of passion not because of personal gain. If you wish you may select a quest from the voices you hear. The Runes hold great power; the power to save people from death or to change history but theses decisions must not be made lightly. The decision is yours."
"Are you Amberal?" Draco asked, his curiosity overriding him for a second.
The woman smiled at him.
"I am." She smiled.
"I need to save Hermione." Draco said to her simply. "Is this quest worthy?"
The woman did not move for a long time, as if frozen in time and Draco feared he had made the wrong choice, but the winds rose and Draco's robes wrapped around his legs, the woman's long locks whipped at her face and her eyes became a blazing violet fire;
"So mote it be." She said in her rich voice and Draco felt himself propelled back to his quiet space.
He opened his eyes, panting heavily and quickly gathered the Runes together and placed them back in the pearl box before heading up to the hospital wing; he wanted to do this with Hermione.
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Madam Pomfrey looked most put out when Draco informed her he would need absolute silence and her co-operation in order to complete his task, however she responded as well she could and Draco was soon settled next to Hermione's bed on the floor, selecting the four Runes he needed.
Carefully he placed Goreth, the mental traveller in front of him, pointing North, Asarel, calling of the Goddess' to the side of him, facing East, Korget of the dark ones on his other side, facing West and, Tiltoi for equality behind him, facing South. Once more he opened his mind and allowed the magic to fill him and for the second time he traced the symbols of the Gods and the Runes in the air, watching them shimmer and fade, calling the magic to him and allowing him passage into the neutral place he needed.
He felt his mind disconnect from his body and drift upwards. He tried to open his eyes and focus but the world was not there for him at that time. The colours blurred and faded, smudging together to become nothing but swirling images and Draco drifted through them quite rapidly, feeling the power around him grow. Soon enough the mental travel ended and Draco felt himself land softly on a hard surface.
He opened his eyes and looked around; he was in his chamber, the chamber back at Malfoy Manor that he had used for so many years in secret. He scrutinised the room carefully; it was definitely the same. But why here?
All too soon he felt other presences joining him and he glanced to the corners of the room to see a figure appear in every one of them; three female, one male. Each of the figures was more beautiful than any mortal could be, and Draco stared and listened as each one stepped forward;
"I am Asriel." The male said, although he needed no introduction. "Overlord of Bogelt." His face was pale white with high cheekbones and his skin was creamy. He was almost too pretty to be male, and his eyes were startling green and Draco saw the coldness that was in it. He was dressed in black robes and held a staff, topped with a burning flame.
"I am Meroviel." The first woman said, "I rule beneath my Lord Asriel over Bogelt and follow his wishes." Meroviel's face was as pale as Asriel's and her eyes just as green. Her lips were blackened and she was dressed in an ornate gown of black and green, with a high, wide collar and peacock feathers in her hair. Her commanding, dark beauty intrigued and scared Draco and he quickly turned to the other two women who stepped forward together.
"We are Lilqueth and Megorian." They said simultaneously, "And together we rule over Agra, caring for the children of the light." Draco stared at them and somehow, he could never be sure how exactly, but he knew which was which. Lilqueth had a creamy complexion and long pale blonde hair that fell down her back, her eyes were piercing blue and she wore a white dress of layers of chiffon. Upon her head she wore a silver band with a blue gem set in the front. Megorian was dark skinned with large, almond shaped eyes that were such a deep brown they were almost black. They shone with knowledge. Her hair was black and cascaded around her shoulders. She wore a dress similar to Lilqueth's only tawny in colour and the band upon her head was set with an amber stone.
"I am Draco Malfoy." Draco found himself saying, "And I come to you, the greatest of the Gods to ask you to return that which is most dear to me."
"We like the girl." Asriel said, "She is powerful and could help us a great deal."
"But she doesn't' belong with you in Bogelt, or in Agora. She belongs with me and her friends."
"How can you be sure of this young dragon?" Megorian asked, "How can you be sure she is not better off with us?"
"Because I know where she should be."
"You assume you know more than we do?" Asriel asked, her voice full of rage and curiosity.
"Asriel do be quiet, you will scare the poor dragon." Lilqueth said in her musical voice before turning to Draco, "you see my little serpent; the Raven is not safe to be in your world. She could destroy everything. Her power is too great for her to command and if she was to return with you existence could cease to be."
"But I need her." Draco protested weakly, becoming aware that he was but one young man arguing with four beings who were older than time itself, "And I know that she belongs with me, I can feel it. Surely you, as the creators of everything, including love, can understand this?"
Draco saw Meroviel flicker in her corner and his eyes settled on the dark beauty of Bogelt. He realised that she had not yet spoken since her introduction, allowing Asriel to do all of the speaking for their side, but now she stirred and her eyes fixed with Draco's.
Draco felt the power within her stare; saw the ancient wisdom of centuries that burned within her and the dark, mysterious beauty that could cause him to falter.
"You have power little dragon." Meroviel said in her rich voice and Draco felt her search within him, her touch was soft and he allowed her to probe every fibre of his mind, "and you love the Raven with all your heart. The love you have for her is as pure as her magic is and that will never die, but you must listen to us when we warn you that the raven is more powerful than many have conceived."
"But everyone knows that Hermione is the most powerful witch at Hogwarts." Draco pointed out.
"She is more than that." Meroviel continued, "She is the most powerful witch in history."
"Is that why you chose to work through her."
"Partly. The magic within the Raven is as pure as our own and the fate of the world was with her and the decision she made. She is not simply of magic, she is magic. The prophecies of old spoke of her and the choices she would have to make. The two consequences of her decision were so closely linked that even we did not know which way the future would turn. She chose the path of light, although the darkness within her will never die, and that means that the world is safe from the evil she fought against, but it will never be safe from her, just as she will never truly be safe from the darkness within her. We chose to work through her in an attempt to guide her. As has already been explained to you we did not want the world to be destroyed but could not decide the overall outcome, we could only guide the Raven. The end decision was hers to make."
"You talk in riddles." Draco said, "Although I think I understand what you are saying. Is there nothing I can do to save her?"
Meroviel smiled a sad, mysterious smile before retreating once more to her corner, it was Lilqueth who glided forward and answered him, speaking in her musical, wispy voice;
"We can release her into your world; however the penalty is a great one."
"Don't you think we have suffered enough?" Draco asked, his voice filled with rage, "We have fought between the two sides and have lost friends and family, what sacrifices are worse?"
"How much are you willing to forgo for your Raven?" Asriel's deep voice asked from his corner. Draco wheeled to face him;
"I would give up everything I have for her." He said simply.
"He speaks truthfully." The dark Megorian answered, her eyes closed and her mind penetrating Draco's. "He would make the ultimate sacrifice."
"Could you give up who you are?" Asriel asked Draco. "Could you live to be nothing more than normal, no longer your Raven's equal, but beneath her?"
Draco hesitated, biting his lip slightly;
"Yes." He answered after only a slight hesitation. "If it will return her to me than I would give up everything I am and anything I have."
"Then let it be." Asriel boomed, raising his arms up to the infinite sky and gathering the essence of everything into his hands.
The other three deities joined him and soon the air was filled with their magic as light shone from each of the; black and green met azure and amber in a crescendo of power and magic, and the four became entwined as the power formed above Draco. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the awful roaring sound that suddenly met his ears, filling him with a sense of dread.
Yet there was no climax to whatever it was that was happening to him. He felt himself suddenly fall and land awkwardly, and it was only then that he realised he had been suspended ten feet in the air by the combined magical forces of the deities. He ran his mind over himself, mentally assessing every part of his being. He didn't feel any different yet what made up who he was had been taken from him. He stood, shaking, and faced the Gods;
"Is it done?"
"It is indeed." Asriel said, his eyes shining, and Draco could see that he held in his hands a glowing ball of green magic; Draco's essence. The dark God toyed with the ball of energy, making it jump lightly across his fingertips and around his hand, all the while his eyes never leaving Draco's.
"What has this achieved?" Draco asked; realising that he had never questioned their motives behind asking him to sacrifice his magic.
"We do not disclose our reasons." Lilqueth said in her mysterious voice and Draco felt his anger rise slightly inside him as the Gods bombarded more of their riddles.
"Do not fret little dragon." Meroviel smiled, "it is not worth the worry."
Draco felt rather hard done by but gathered himself together as well as he could in order to respond;
"Thank you." He whispered, feeling suddenly queasy. "I...I should probably go now."
The Gods all inclined their heads slightly, a smile playing around their immortal lips.
"Goodbye my young dragon." Meroviel said in her rich voice, "You and your Raven shall prosper."
Draco kept his eyes on the dark Goddess as he felt himself be transported back to his body and Hermione; he could not quite figure out the look that was on her face as she melted away from him. Her eyes were dark and mysterious yet a faint smile played on her black lips and her hands moved in silent gestures that indicated further meaning; but what that meaning was Draco was not sure he would ever know.
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The hospital wing faded into focus and Draco shook his head a few times to clear it of all that had just happened. Slowly he eased himself from the sitting position and stood to face Hermione: Her face was still serene and he reached out a soft hand to softly caress her milky skin. As he watched a light emitted from the touch and Draco stared in amazement as a soft wind rose, fluttering Hermione's hair around her face. As it settled back onto the pillow Draco smiled at the shades of russet and auburn that he had not seen in so many months. He heard her breath catch in her throat and watched as she nuzzled into his palm, her eyelids fluttering slightly.
"'Mi." He whispered. "Hermione."
Her eyelids fluttered once more before opening and Draco grinned broadly as his grey eyes met deep cinnamon ones.
"Welcome back." He smiled, not knowing what else to say.
"What happened?" Hermione asked, her voice weak from lack of use.
"I'll tell you about it later." Draco said, leaning over softly to kiss his Raven.
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Author's Note; I know it may seem like I could finish it here; and I could, but I am not doing so please don't anybody ask if this is the end...there's more to come yet. And I promise I will update as soon as possible but as you have read above it may be a while. Thank you so much for your patience.