SIX: LIME
The month of July came with rain that was soon replaced with sunlight and clear skies. With Harry's help, Hermione began researching the meaning of the spell used to Mark. She also researched the spell of the Dark Mark, Morsmordre, and its meaning. The spell Voldemort used to bind his Death Eaters to him was strange, in how it was worded and how he performed it. His exact words were most difficult to understand mostly because of the pace at which he spoke the spell. Once Harry got it all, he began examining other memories that Severus had, with permission of course, to learn of the Dark Lord.
"So what have you found out about the spell Hermione?"
"I know the words. I also know the power which he uses to bind them to him."
"What are they? The words I mean."
"Powers of Darkness come to me; Give me magic that be; Surround my soul and place; Bind together in evil grace; Powers of Darkness be with me; Allow magic to see; Enforce my symbol now; May it be till rotting ground." She looked at her book, trying to find something. "Here it is. There was once a time where magic was separated into three groups. Light, Dark, and Gray. A majority of magic in the world at the time was Light, few were Dark, and Gray was never accomplished except by Merlin himself. Magical creatures were also separated into these groups, but none where Gray either. It seems that Gray magic was said to be impossible because the soul could not hold two types of magic that were so opposite of one another."
"So how did Merlin have Gray magic if it was so hard?"
"Merlin was more than a wizard. He was an Elemental. Elemental magic is in a whole other class than our magic. Wizards who are Elementals are really two souls, because they have two types of magic. So if Merlin was a Light wizard, as proven in history, then he was a Dark Elemental. This made it possible for him to control Gray magic."
"That sounds far fetched Hermione. Can you be sure about this Gray magic."
"I'm reading the book written by Merlin himself Harry. I am sure because it says so in here. 'Gray magic, a power between Light and Dark, is a powerful ally that, when controlled can prove to enhance ones life. Elemental magic, the reason I can control Gray magic, is the power of the Earth and Sky.
"The elements are as follows, in order from the most powerful to the least: Spirit, Air, Fire, Water, Earth, Metal, Stone, Lightning, and Wood. The element of Spirit, the most powerful of all, can only be obtained when all other elements are controlled. Each of the lesser Four are children of the major Four. Metal is the child of Fire and Earth; Stone is the child of Water and Earth; Lightning is the child of Air and Water; Wood is the child of Air and Fire. Spirit is the mother of all Elements. Air is most powerful at dawn, Fire at Noon, Water at dusk, and Earth at night…' It all makes sense now." She stopped reading and began writing in her book.
"What are you thinking Hermione?" Harry tried to read her writing, but it was too small for him to see it clearly.
"Voldemort used Dark magic to create the bonding of the Dark Mark, and then created a spell for the symbol itself. He worked off of Elemental magic to create his power, because he is using the element Earth for his power."
"What do you mean using Earth?"
"He used the darker power of night, the time in which the element Earth is most powerful."
"So that is why he does everything at night?"
"Precisely. He is using the night against us, because it is the parallel to day, like Dark is to Light."
"This is strange. Why would he want to do that?"
"Because he is most powerful when Darkness aids him. He already has a Dark bond with his Death Eaters, so using the night as his Dark aid is only suitable."
"So how do I reverse it?"
"You call upon the powers of Light to illuminate and eliminate the Dark, unbinding them and allowing them to become their own being of power."
"Own being of power?"
"With the Dark Mark binding the Death Eaters to him, he is able to obtain power from them because of the bond."
"That makes sense, I suppose. What have you found out about Morsmordre?"
"Nothing so far, I've been concentrating on the Parseltounge spell until now."
"Well, I'll leave you to researching it." And he left the room, shutting the door softly behind him.
The Latin wasn't hard for her to read, it was finding the words that was difficult. She had Severus conjure one for her, a small sparkling skull with that snake producing itself from the mouth. She thought she had found something helpful, for 'mors' is Latin for death. But she was having trouble finding 'mordre' or anything remotely like it. After a few hours, she found the word 'mordere,' which means to bite. It seems that Morsmordre meant The Bite of Death. It fit really, since Death Eaters conjured this symbol over places they raided. Once she catalogued everything and wrote out her findings, she made to Albus' office, where she was certain she would find Albus still there with Aiden and Aileen, playing and entertaining them.
That was exactly where she found them, only she was surprised to find that Peeves was there as well, actually behaving and playing a game of Exploding Snap with Aiden, who was having fun just throwing the cards and watching them explode in midair. Peeves seemed to like the children without anyone saying anything to him. He came to visit Hermione in the hospital wing, even though Poppy had forbidden him in. He told her the children would be great, and for a poltergeist, that is something to surprise someone with. Since the Second War began, Peeves seemed to change. He had played wicked tricks on Dolores Umbridge when she was the Defense teacher, but his tricks got worse once Albus left. Many knew that Peeves respected Albus for his humourous side, and did not take too well to him being taken out of his position. Albus was playing with Aileen, who was having a ball with pulling at his robe and beard. The man was amazing, and Hermione couldn't help but laugh as she watched his expression as she pulled extremely hard on the hair by his jawline.
"I can take them now Albus, Peeves. Unless you're having too much fun?" Albus rose, smiling, and handed Aileen to Hermione.
"I believe it is Peeves and Aiden who are having all the fun." Another explosion from the side of the room. "They're on the fifth deck so far." Peeves waved hello, not really looked back but concentrating on the renovated rules in which he and Aiden were playing by.
"If it makes them happy, I suppose Peeves can come back to our rooms. But he must behave himself once he arrives." She picked up Aiden, the cards, and smiled at the poltergeist. "Would you like to play with them some more?"
"I'd like that missy Snape! Be there later, got some pranks planned for classes!" And he was gone.
"At least he listens to me. But I credit the children for that."
"Yes, he really does listen to Severus as well, mostly because he's afraid that Severus will call the Baron if he doesn't listen."
"That makes sense. Here's the notebook Albus, with everything I have found out. I have also recorded my theory on how Harry's spell to remove the Dark Mark will turn out, it is based on the spell used by Voldemort."
"Thank you Hermione. You really do not know how helpful you have been. I will see you later than?"
"Yes, later. Good day Albus." She walked out, down the stairs, and back to the dungeons.
"And you could read it?" Severus was holding her, the coverlet up to his shoulders.
"Yes, why?" Hermione was snuggled against him, her body molded to his.
"No one has ever been able to read the Book of Merlin. You are the first in history to since it was written."
"Then I have just made history. That is not the point Severus. I figured out what power this megalomaniac is after. And if he succeeds in getting it, then we are all doomed."
"Why?"
"Because if there is more Dark than Light at the Final Battle, Dark will conquer. If there is the same amount of both, Gray will destroy both sides. We must have more Light than he has Dark or else we will lose."
"And why are you not too worried about that?"
"Because no one is completely Dark or Light, but no one is Gray either. Merlin was only Gray because he was of two types of magic, and the Dark Lord knows that if he is nothing but Dark, which he is not at the moment, then he will be invincible."
"So what are we to do?"
"We are to do nothing." She looked at him, a smile on her lips.
"Are you crazy?"
"No. I know that there is no way for him to become completely Dark unless he is naturally of two types of magic that are both Dark. No one is one or the other, everyone has 100 percent magic, and a majority of his is Dark, making him the way he is. But there is some light in him, and that is why I do not worry."
"Fine Hermione, whatever you say." He kissed her softly. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight Severus."
"They have arrived my lord." A robed figure bowed, a high chair before him, the fire crackling.
"Good. We shall hit them when they least expect it; the day after Potter's birthday." Laughter filled the cold room.