A/N: This was for the 2014 concrit fest on lj. Thank you to nicevenn for beta'ing.
Hermione Granger had never been to a traditional Samhain celebration before. She had always celebrated the more commercial Halloween, and could not wait for sundown and everything to begin. It had been her dream to be involved in one since she had read about it during her time at Hogwarts.
Since the war had ended, many discussions had taken place on how to bridge the gap between purebloods and Muggleborns, and the solution had been to educate each group on the culture and practices of the other before they started Hogwarts. Although this would help the new generation of witches and wizards, another solution would have to be found for those who had left the school.
Hermione had come up with a similar idea to the one for those just starting Hogwarts. A series of small seminars focusing on either culture would be arranged to give people more in-depth knowledge, and when festivals of either culture occurred they would organise a way for people to experience them. This had lead to many arguments as many of the festivals were celebrated on the same day. The resolution found, however, was they would alternate between the two cultures until they had celebrated each one both ways. This satisfied both parties, and it was decided that the first festival should be May Day, or Beltane, as many of the rituals were the same.
Tonight's festivities would be held at Lestrange Court. The old Lestrange home had been seized by the Ministry once the war was over and had been converted into a private residence that foreign dignitaries usually stayed in. Tonight, however, the Court would be surrounded by a circle of apples, pomegranates, and pots of earth from each person there, whilst rosemary, anise, and fennel would adorn the doorways and be thrown into the fires for protection. Although they'd there to celebrate the dead and to ask them to walk amongst the living, there was always a chance that a malevolent spirit may try and harm someone.
Looking in the mirror once again, Hermione made sure that her dress and flowers were okay. Hermione's dress had been made in a Grecian style, which pulled in just under her bosom and was made of the finest Acromantula silk. The top was a vibrant orange and the colour got dark the further down it went, until it turned black near the bottom. The three purple chrysanthemum flowers were braided in her hair. Hermione had taken the time to read up on the festival once again and decided that she would wear all three traditional colours associated with it.
She Apparated to the designated point, walked to the boundary of the Court, and placed her apple, pomegranate, and pot of earth next to the rest. She could not see the other end of the line, and knew that there must have been a fair amount of people there already. Hermione looked around for someone she knew, but couldn't see any of her friends. Instead she decided to join the main festivities to see if they were there.
Hermione did not recognise the Court gardens as she walked through them. A massive bonfire had been lit in the centre, and women were dancing around it, throwing what she presumed to be protective herbs. She was captivated by the way that they weaved in and out of each other, like they were making a braid. Once the dance was over Hermione applauded along with the rest of the audience.
Looking around, Hermione saw that many different stalls had been set up along the left hand side of the fire and headed over there to have a look. She spotted Luna on the way, and hurried to catch up with her friend.
"Hello Luna," Hermione smiled as she caught up with her.
"Hello Hermione. Those dress robes are lovely," Luna commented.
"Thank you, Luna. Yours are lovely, too," Hermione replied politely.
Luna was wearing a simple floor length dress in a bright orange colour, with a black and purple sash. It was one of the most normal dresses she had seen her eccentric friend wear.
"Thank you, Hermione. Will you be taking part in any of the divination rituals tonight?" Luna asked.
"I don't know. I have never really believed in divination that much, but I know that it is part of the Samhain festival, and I want to do everything," Hermione answered.
"The divination rituals are not to be taken lightly, Hermione. There are several accounts over many centuries that they have worked for witches and wizards. If you want to do it then go ahead, but if you are unsure and your heart is only half in it, then don't. It would be unfair to the wizard you see, or call," Luna said unusually sharply.
They walked in silence for a moment before Hermione spoke, "A part of me wants to be pushed in the right direction so I can find who I am meant to be with. I am just scared that it's someone whom I hate. I know that the fates never match anyone who is incompatible, but…" Hermione sighed. She couldn't quite put into words what she felt.
"Hermione," Luna said kindly. "The marriages which have been matched by the fates have been some of the strongest our kind has ever seen. Even if you and your intended have a bad history, you will be able to make it work because you were fated. Sometimes it is too dangerous to simply reveal how you truly feel and you have to hide it, or lock it away so no one finds out."
"You're right, Luna. I never thought of that. I'll think about it some more before I do anything. I'm not sure which ritual I would do though," Hermione grateful for her friends advice.
"If you wanted to do something simple, you could always peel an apple to reveal your true love's first initial."
"Thank you so much, Luna. You have been a great help," Hermione said sincerely.
"Just remember that your match is not confined to the living. Many who have passed on have been called back on Samhain night to be by the side of their true love."
"I will, Luna. See you later," Hermione said, promising her friend to think things through carefully.
As she passed each stall, Hermione tried to take in as much information as she possible could. There were many different parts to Samhain other than just celebrating and remembering the dead, and divination rituals to find your true love. The harvest had been gathered, all the plants had begun to wither and die, and it was time to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. Like most new years it is a time of reflection, and a way to clean out the old and make space for the new.
It was something that Hermione was used to. She often made New Year's resolutions, but as hard as she tried to keep them, she couldn't.
"Do you want to know who your true love is, my lady?" a man standing behind one of the stalls asked her as she passed by.
Hermione thought about what Luna had said for a moment before nodding her head.
"What do I have to do?" she asked.
"Take an apple from one of the baskets, peel it in one long strand, and throw it over your shoulder. When you turn around, you shall know the first initial of your true love," the man replied.
Hermione took a few steps closer to the stall and gazed at the apples in the baskets. She took a pinkish–red one that had hints of green and had stood out to her, and one of the knives on offer. After a few minutes Hermione had managed to take the whole peel off without breaking it, and promptly threw it over her shoulder. When she turned around, she saw that it had clearly formed the letter 'R'.
"Did it work, my lady?" the man asked curiously.
"It did indeed," Hermione replied as she picked the peel up and put it in a barrel where the others were.
Hermione thought of everyone she knew who had a name beginning with the letter R, and was single, but no one came to mind.
It must be someone I haven't met or who has passed on, she thought. The thought comforted her a little. He wouldn't have been there to see her humiliation, and vilification at the hands of her ex-fiancé. It had been this which had deterred Hermione from moving forward and settling into a new relationship.
She had loved him and thought that he had loved her too, but after everything that had happened Hermione realised that she had never meant anything to him.
As she made her way to the bonfire again, Hermione noticed that several tables had been erected and the feast had begun.
She spotted Luna sitting with Harry and Ginny, and was about to go over to them when she heard cries of shock coming from her left.
Turning to see what was going on, she saw a figure was emerging from the flames of the fire. Hermione could tell that it was a man by their build and height, and when she got a proper look at him she gasped.
"Regulus…" she whispered in slight shock.
He had come for her, she was sure of it.
Hermione found herself walking over to him, her eyes fixed on his form, and he turned to look in her direction as if he could feel her gaze on him.
A flash of recognition went through his eyes, and Hermione knew that she had been right.
He walked steadily towards her, and when they met he took her hand and kissed it.
"My lady, I am Regulus Black and I believe you called for me from the fires this Samhain night," he said looking deeply into her eyes.
"I am Hermione Granger, and yes, I did call for you," Hermione replied almost breathless.
It was irrational for her to respond like this to a man she barely knew, but she couldn't help herself. His eyes were the deepest grey she had ever seen, and her body thrummed with excitement.
"Would you like to join the feast?" Hermione asked smiling.
Regulus smiled back and said, "Lead the way."
Hermione started to walk towards her friends again. Although she could hear the crowd twittering away, she took no notice of them.
In the wizarding world, if a woman asked a single wizard to feast with her on Samhain and she fed him, then they were announcing to their families and loved ones that they were going to marry.
In the time between seeing Luna and picking up the apple, Hermione thought a great deal about doing a ritual. She knew that it was time to let go of the past and embrace the future whole heartedly. And what better way to start than to find out the initial of her true love? Hermione trusted her instincts, and they were telling her that it was the right thing to do.
As they got closer she saw Luna look up with and smile at her. Hermione took great comfort from it, and knew that if her other friends didn't like it, then she would have at least one person to support her.
"Hello again, Hermione," Luna said warmly.
"Hello, Luna. This is Regulus Black. Regulus, this is my good friend Luna," Hermione said introducing the two of them.
"It's nice to meet you, Regulus."
"It's nice to meet you too, Luna," Regulus replied.
Harry and Ginny were trying to mask their shock, but failed miserably.
"You did one of the divination rituals, then?" Harry finally asked.
"I did," Hermione answered.
"I'm guessing you will be feasting together as well?" Ginny asked, her eyes sparkling at the news.
"Yes, we will be," Hermione replied softly.
"I'm so happy for you," Ginny said, getting out of her seat and pulling Hermione into a hug.
"If you hurt her, I'll kill you," Harry said sternly to Regulus.
"I wouldn't dream of it. The Fates have given us a great gift and will make sure that we do not waste it," Regulus said, happy that Hermione had people who cared for her.
Hermione pulled out one of the vacant chairs in front of them and motioned for Regulus to sit. Once they were both comfortable, Hermione took a plate from the pile and started to fill it with food.
"What is it you do then, Hermione?" Regulus asked curiously.
"I work in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. I research, write, and present news to the Wizengamot in the hope that I can improve standards of living for them," Hermione replied.
"Not many people would do that," Regulus commented.
"No, they wouldn't. I saw the way Mr Crouch, and Mr Diggory treated poor Winky, and I hated it. I'm sure Harry and Ron will tell you about the time I tried to free the Hogwarts elves," she said as she placed the plate between them.
"You tried to free the Hogwarts elves?" Regulus asked, sounding amused.
"Yes. I only found out afterwards that most of them had refused to clean Gryffindor tower because of it."
"Your heart was in the right place, though," he said softly.
"It was one of my many failed attempts at things. The only good thing is that I learnt from each one of them," Hermione said.
As she picked one of the bits of chicken off the plate, he said, "I doubt that you haven't failed many things."
"You'd be surprised," she whispered, as she held the meat close to his lips.
Regulus held Hermione's arm as he leaned in slightly and took the morsel of meat in his mouth, his eyes never leaving hers as he did.
Hermione's breath hitched a little when she felt his tongue brush against her fingers.
She had never done this before, and it felt sensual and almost too intimate to do in front of people.
Throughout the rest of the night they talked about their childhoods, their dreams, and what they wanted for the future. Hermione had to admit that the Fates seemed to have chosen well for her.
As the celebrations started to die down, Hermione became eager to leave.
"Are you ready to leave?" Regulus asked.
"More than ready," Hermione replied.
She got up first and held her hand out for him to take.
"You're leaving?" Ginny asked.
"Yes. I'll see you soon, Ginny," Hermione replied.
The two of them walked in a comfortable silence towards the Apparition point.
"Hold on tight," Hermione said as she Apparated them to her house.
A Year Later
Hermione and Regulus were getting ready for the Halloween party that had been organised by the Ministry. Every guest was required to arrive in costume.
They had decided to go as Beatrice and Benedick from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. It was quite appropriate, as although they had come to love each other very much, they verbally sparred at every chance they got. Nothing nasty was ever said, but they did tease each other constantly.
Hermione thanked the Fates every day for sending Regulus to her, as he was exactly what she needed. They had the usual arguments most couples do in the beginning, but they resolved them quickly.
Hermione was checking in the mirror that everything was okay with her dress, when Regulus came in and leant on the door frame.
"You look beautiful," he said, catching her off guard.
"You scared me. I didn't know you were there." Hermione turned around to face him. "You don't look bad, either. Do you think they will miss us if we don't go?"
Regulus smiled and walked over to her.
"Unfortunately I think they would," he said before pulling her in for a chaste kiss.
"That's a shame, because I would rather stay in with you," Hermione said.
Regulus chuckled at his wife.
"I have an idea. Why don't we go to the party, but leave early. That way we put in an appearance but still get time to ourselves."
"That might actually work," Hermione agreed, pulling Regulus in for another kiss.