been... recovering, I suppose you could say. I woke up on Saturday to
Leigh leaning over my bed and practically bellowing that I was going
to make her late. She rather promptly dragged me off to Otafest.
XiaoBai - *grins* Yeah, stories with lots and lots of chapters can get
realyl long,a nd really hard to read over time, but I'm glad you liked
BS enough to read all of it ^__^
serena borialis - Yeah, Hermi needs more of a 'tude, but I'm working
on it. The focus has now turned from Harry (since his completed his
little war) to Hermi. I miss Draco too, but no worries; once AAW is
finished he'll be back home in BS, and might just bring Angel with
him. Or not. Haven't decided.
Scamber Dragon - Heh, that would be too funny, eh? Ah, now I just have
to think of a way to work the dare in... And here's more, sorry about
the lateness >.
Perfection Unattainable - Interesting is a good word for it, hey?
Disturbing works too. Whoo! I'm unique! *dances* Sorry, I'm somewhat
hyper. Grad Retreat today.
wichick - Executioner is actually from a bout of role playing I did
with some of friends of mine a few years back (Bunny-Mask and Rang, to
be specific...), and for some reason I had to stick him in there. And
yes, Executioner is a him-- he's usually in the form of a giant battle
axe, but Harry's been carrying him around as a ball. His backstory
will come in sooner or later.
Adrielle*Silverleaf - *snickers* Ah, Death threats. It is impossible
to live without them-- and who would want to. Some people can get very
interesting. ^__^ I'll have to try and beat my record over the course
of the next couple weeks, since I got dragged out to Otafest and
didn't get home until really, really late. Note to self, don't go
partying right after Anime Conventions. Hang-overs and Leigh shouting
in your ear do not mix. And Dray is over in America, and will be
coming home as soon as Black Rose finishes her spin-off.
Wytil - AHHH!!! *whimpers* Noooo! The poor pringles!
CastusAlbusCor - I can understand heat. It's been super hot here, too,
as of late. And I understand Grad. Grad stuff... the MANDATORY Grad
stuff, I mean... can be a pain. Urk, mandatory retreat. Mandatory
mass. I don't want to go listen to five hours of preeching! Sleeping
in would be nice! Solar powered brain! The newest thing on the market!
*laughs*
fantasydima - Well, you're finding out today, since it's Tuesday and
look! a new chapter. I didn't write anything over the weekened
though...
WolfMoon - ... Yes, and my reccomendations to read this in bits and
pieces goes right out the window... *snickers* You people have no
lives, you know that? Honestly, reading so much in one shot... any
ways, here's chapter 61!
dragon - Insanity is fun.
LKoKennan - Kaiserin is the feminine form of the german/prussian title
'Kaiser', which as you guessed, is the king, although it translates
better into 'Emperor'. The fun things you learn. And History rocks; I
love learning about it.
brion - Black Rose has full control of Draco until she finishes her
story. Then, Draco will be coming home, with all the experiences and
memories of what happened in AAW.
ccs rox - I may or may not use Angel. Haven't decided.
theunexpecteddragon - Yeah, Lupin's going to be really messed, ne?
Burning Light - Yes, I've read Destiny's Child. It was a few years
back, but it was rather good. *grins* Summoning Demons. How fun-- and
I'm a fan of Ranma. No, that's wrong. I'm a fan of Nabiki ^__^. No, I
haven't read Children of an Elder God-- isn't that one of the fics
from the Bet? Or am I getting my wires crossed? Soul-stealing items
are fun, and Executioner's back story will come about... eventually.
You're probably right that it will take 25 chapters, though...
Marie - Nope, Ginny has no idea.
Mister Potter is property of Madam JK Rowling.
---
Blackened Sunrise
Chapter Sixty-One - Destiny
The Itch
---
Some things were truly pains in the ass.
Hermione came too with a tortured moan, blinking her eyes rapidly,
and trying to clear the brilliant white from them. Light could be a
very, very evil thing, she had learned. Grunting, the female pulled
herself painstakingly into a seated position, and cupped her face in
her hands-- and promptly froze.
What the hell...?
Finally, she blinked the light from her eyes, and the Enchantress got
a good look at herself. She was damned sure she hadn't dressed in
this outfit this morning-- or whenever it was she had been sent into
the Maze From Hell. Damned bloody sure-- because she _knew_ she
didn't own any clothing like this. She doubted _Harry_ owned anything
like this, and the boy was known for his strange tastes in outfits.
Soft black gloves encased her hands, only the very tips of her
fingers-- from about the knuckle to the tip of the nail-- were
visible. Steel plates were bolted into the backs of her gloves,
offering that extra bit of protection. The gloves were belted into
place at wrist and at elbow, where the gloves came to an end. Her
robes were gone, having been replaced with a black silk duster that
fell smoothly over his body, and over the rest of her outfit.
Granger's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she found herself in a
black leather corset; sure she had the body for it, but she most
assuredly did not have the attitude needed to properly carry off a
corset. A short silk skirt-- she was _very_ glad it wasn't leather--
brushed her thighs, and the tops of the mid-thigh height black boots
she wore. Thankfully the boots lacked any sort of heel, but they also
apparently lacked any way to get them on or off. It was really rather
surreal.
Her athame was slipped into a sheath upon her hip, and the golden
weapon she had found in the maze was in flail form upon her back.
Not to mention her frizzy, out of control brown hair had been pulled
out of her face, and held back with what-- she reached up to check it-
- felt like a bandana. What in the world was going on.
Very few have made it through the Maze, Young Mistress.
"What the... Bloody hell!" the sixteen year old yelped skittering
backwards as a glowing ball of lavender flickered into being at the
center of the... rather circular room she was in.
Do not be afraid, Young Mistress, another voice purred out, and a
pink light fluttered past her face. She had the distinct impression
that fingers had just traced her jaw line.
We are not here to harm, a green light peered cautiously out from a
small crack in the wall. More and more lights began to fill the room,
and Hermione found herself staring at something she'd read about--
and had believed to be extinct.
True Faeries.
Young One, a regal voice cut through the reassuring whispers,
apparently coming from a pure white ball of light, You have passed
the test that is the Maze. It was designed to judge those who would
lead us to our rebirth in the human lands. It was--
Oh stop lying Titania, grumbled another voice, this the only male
voice in all the whispers and words, You're the Queen of the Seelie
no more, remember? That Maze is our prison, Young Mistress. And by
completing the weapon, by surviving, by leaving, you have set us free.
The male voice spoke with a confident air, as a crimson and orchid
faerie floated up to her nose. Then the light that surrounded him,
that flashed from wings and clothing faded away, and Hermione could
see the tiny man's features. She lifted her hand and he landed
lightly upon it, folding his elegantly patterned red and purple
dragonfly-like wings against his back.
His hair was brilliant, fiery red, and eyes of deep soulfully violet,
his tunic white but with red and purple trim. He stared calmly into
her eyes, despite the great difference in size.
This time when he spoke, it was with words, "While we can not leave
our prison, we can still watch the going ons of the outside world. We
have watched as those creatures that survived solely on mana faded
and perished. We have watched the elves took leave of this land, and
as the dragons became nothing more than beasts. We have watched the
Enchantresses and Warlocks of old fade into the frail Witches and
Wizards of today. We looked on as Man split into factions, between
race, between country, between abilities... all this we have watched
for long centuries."
"What does this have to do with me?" wondered the only current
Enchantress.
The faerie smiled faintly, "You, Young Mistress, have a special
destiny before you. Your friend, the Living Weapon, is bringing back
the old ways. He is reviving that which we had thought to be truly
lost. He will recombine Man into one. He will change the Witches and
Wizards back into their predecessors. He has already begun
negotiations with the Mor'Quessir-- the Dark Elves of the UnSeelie
Court-- and has brought about his subordinate's recreation of the
Druids. Change has arrived, and you, Young Mistress will be in the
thick of it."
"I... I don't understand..." the most knowledgeable sixteen year old
at Hogwarts bit her lip. She hated it when she drew a blank on
something so obviously as important as this.
The faerie smiled benevolently, "I am Therius, Young Mistress. Any
question you have, you have need but ask of me. I will be your guide
through all you must know," he fluttered up to her head and settled
himself upon the black bandana around her head, "And you, Young
Mistress, will be the one to return the Court of the Seelie to
Midgard-- to your realm."
---
End Chapter
Wow, a whole chapter of Hermione. Haven't had one of these in a
while... if ever. I can't remember...