The Crystal Council
Chapter 4
The Past, Present, and Future
Hermione had a restless week simply waiting to be released. It had only been bearable by the daily visits from Ms. Leighton and Amy and her school books which Hermione had asked for immediately upon hearing about them. Hermione then spent every moment alone with the books reading everything she could about magic in this world from defensive spell to charms to transfiguration it all seemed to be the same from her own universe meaning she had almost over two decades worth of a head start on her fellow students. Hermione had also began testing her magic by trying to use wandless magic and had succeeded with two spell Tempus and Lumos and while only simple spells the future potential of wandless and even wordless magic was tantalizing to Hermione. Her dreams would have to wait until she was freed from this hospital bed which would be later today and considering she was already dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt Hermione was ready to leave now. Ms. Leighton was with Dr, Wilson filling out some paper work and yet something else was on Hermione's mind as she had failed to contact Viskara or received any messages from him. Hermione was also still dealing with the merging of her memories as she could recall the faces and personalities of her friends in the other dimension and in her new memories, she could only see the faces of Amy and Ms. Leighton and the others from the orphanage. The memories that seemed the most faded were those from the original dimension from when she was nothing more than a muggle student. She couldn't remember the names or faces of the children in her early life in the other dimension. Hermione was pulled from her thoughts by the return of the doctor and Ms. Leighton.
"Well that everything you're free to go Ms. Granger. Please do take it easy for the foreseeable future." Said Dr. Wilson
Hermione was off the bed and at Ms. Leighton's side before the doctor could finish his sentence causing both Dr. Wilson and Ms. Leighton to laugh.
"Eager to leave are we. Well I can't blame you being cooped up in bed all week must take its toll on the young." Laughed Dr. Wilson
Hermione blushed "Sorry I'm just really excited to get to Hogwarts and can't wait to get my wand." She said
"I don't blame you I was just as excited when I was going to get my own wand even more so when I was going to Hogwarts." Replied Dr. Wilson
"Indeed, we were all that way at your age Hermione. Though we'll have to stop by the orphanage first." Said Ms. Leighton
"What! Why?" asked Hermione
"Well both the Madam and Amy want to make sure you actually got out of the hospital and get some extra money for the trip as well as your Hogwarts letter." Replied Ms. Leighton
"Alright then what are we waiting around here for let's get going I want to get my own wand!" exclaimed Hermione as she began to drag Ms. Leighton into the hallway.
"Alright, alright no need to pull so hard." Laughed Ms. Leighton
The two quickly left St. Mungos and began walking down the street before Ms. Leighton stopped and turn toward the street.
"Why did you stop Ms. Leighton?" asked Hermione
"Well you just got out of the hospital and there is no way I'm going to let you walk al the way to the orphanage. Therefore, we'll be taking the Knight Bus back home." Replied Ms. Leighton
"What's the Knight Bus?" asked Hermione
"That's right you've never been on the Knight Bus have you. It's a form of transportation for witches and wizards who can't or won't appirate but require a quick way of getting around London." Replied Ms. Leighton
Hermione looked confused for a split second until out of nowhere the Knight Bus appeared and came to a screeching stop. Hermione jumped back several feet and fell into a combat ready stance with muscles tensed and ready to fight or run. Ms. Leighton laughed at Hermione's response.
"It's okay Hermione that's just how just the bus appears. I was also surprised when I first saw the bus." Said Ms. Leighton
Hermione on the other hand was not relaxing in the slightest her both still tense and still ready to run at a moment's notice and was so focused on the door of the bus she missed the worried look in the eyes of Ms. Leighton.
"Hermione are you okay? You seem a little tense…" Ms. Leighton asked as she reached out to touch Hermione.
"Don't touch me!" screamed Hermione fear clouding her eyes as she just back. A few second passed until Hermione's eyes cleared and she realized what was happening. Tears filled her eyes soon after as she began crying due in part to her outburst and chemical fluctuation in her brain. As Hermione began crying, she fell to the floor and suddenly felt arms around her as Ms., Leighton hugged her and began comforting stroking Hermione's hair. A few minutes passed and Hermione began to calm down as her tears dried up and she began sniffling.
"How are you feeling Hermione?" asked Ms. Leighton quietly
"Tired…" replied Hermione
"I can imagine. After an episode like that you must want to get some rest." Said Ms. Leighton
Hermione nodded
"Alright can you get up?"
Hermione nodded again before getting to her feet followed by Ms. Leighton
"Come let's get on the bus and we'll be home in no time at all." Said Ms. Leighton
The two quickly boarded the bus and Ms. Leighton payed the fare and finding a seat near the front of the bus. The ride to the orphanage was unpleasant for Hermione, the bus was swerving left and right making impossible turns. Hermione held tightly onto Ms. Leighton for the entire ten-minute trip and spent most of it considering her new case of post-traumatic stress disorder. She had feared this possibility that the war-torn world she had come from had decided to come with her and torment her in the worst ways. Hermione's emotions were in absolute chaos anger, hatred, despair all swirled around inside her threating to tear her apart from the inside. Ms. Leighton quietly led Hermione off the bus and into the orphanage where the Madam and Amy waited. Before either could get a word out Ms. Leighton shook her head and motioned for both a calming draught and sleeping draught. Ms. Leighton the took Hermione up to her room so that she could rest, Ms. Leighton led Hermione up a set of stairs and into her room where she stumbled into bed fully dressed and shivering, not long after the Madam returned with both potions which she measured out and help Hermione drink. Hermione's body relaxed as her body began to fall asleep. As soon as she was out cold and resting the Madam turned to Ms. Leighton and asked "What happened to her, Ms. Leighton. Why did she look terrified when she walked though my doors?"
"I'm not sure. Hermione had a panic attack of some kind when the Knight Bus stopped to pick us up." Replied Ms. Leighton
The Madam closed her eyes in deep thought. "Very well. Go prepare some small vials of calming draught for Hermione in case this happens again," ordered the Madam
"Right away Madam" replied Ms. Leighton
Hermione woke slowly to a dark room and after looking around and seeing Amy sleeping soundly in the other bed cast a quick tempus spell. She found it was just after five in the morning. Hermione climbed out of her bed as quietly as possible and moved to the cabinet in the room taking out a towel and fresh clothing before sneaking out of the room to grab a shower. The shower room was a large open space with ten showerheads placed evenly around the room and a shelf containing shampoo and body wash. Hermione quickly undressed and moved to the nearest shower tapping a tile near the showerhead with a red H symbol on it causing perfectly warm water to flow forth. For the first time in what must have been years Hermione was able to enjoy a shower, despite being in a new younger body her mind still felt the grime and dirt that had covered her while she had been on the run. She would sometimes go months between any sort of physical cleaning. The shower was refreshing to say the least for her stressed mind. This made another concern raise in her mind the episode she had yesterday. The fear that had risen in her at the sudden appearance of the Knight Bus had triggered her finely honed survival instincts and pushed her back into her memories of the war. This new world was full of dangers and pitfalls and her old world had followed her in the most unpleasant of ways. Then there was this Knight Bus she had no recollection of any such transportation from her old world, what else was different, what was the same. There were too many unknowns she would have to be careful from now on to prevent another episode like the one she had yesterday. Hermione let out a tired sigh turning to grab shampoo from the nearby shelf. Hermione washed her hair before cleaning her body and turning off the water and drying off. She quickly got dressed in a simple light green t-shirt and blue jeans before returning to her room and dropping her towel and clothing into a magical hatch in the wall that went down to the laundry room in the basement. Casting Tempus once more it showed the time at just before six in the morning, deciding to head to the downstairs library however upon reaching the bottom of the stairs she found Ms. Leighton waiting with her arms crossed.
"What are you doing up so early Hermione?" asked Ms. Leighton
"I didn't want to go back to bed after I woke up and took a shower instead." Replied a sheepish Hermione.
"I see well since you're up so early, you can help me make breakfast." Said Ms. Leighton
Hermione nodded before following Ms. Leighton into the kitchen. Hermione was tasked with gathering ingredients while Ms. Leighton began preparing the stove and oven. The two worked in silence for a few minutes before…
"How are you feeling Hermione? Its been a rough few weeks for you and I'm worried about you." Ms. Leighton asked.
"I'm… dealing with it. I would like to know more about what happened to me but for now I'm okay." Replied Hermione
"I see… well if you're feeling up to the trip, we can go to Diagon Alley today after breakfast." Mr. Leighton suggested.
"Absolutely." Replied Hermione resolutely
"Very well." Ms. Leighton acknowledged
The rest of breakfast preparation was spent in relative silence with Ms. Leighton cooking and Hermione prepping ingredients and cleaning the utensils. The result was a breakfast buffet fill with eggs, toast, sausage, pancakes, and many other odds and ends. The first children began trickling in at around six-thirty and the room was full by seven with everyone enjoying a heart meal. When eight rolled around the room had been cleared and dishes cleaned. Hermione had returned to her room to grab a light sweater before meeting with Ms. Leighton at the front doors. Upon arriving she saw Amy and Ms. Leighton conversing though both stopped the instant she entered the area.
"I'm ready to go when you are Ms. Leighton." said Hermione
"Good then let's head out. I'll talk to you again later Amy." Replied Ms. Leighton
The two exited the building and turned towards the Leaking Cauldron and began the ten-minute walk.
"What were you talking to Amy about before we left?" asked Hermione
"She just had some question about the upcoming trip to Hogwarts." Replied Ms. Leighton
"I see… that reminds me I had a question. Where will we be going first when we reach Diagon Alley?" asked Hermione
"Gringotts. You need to have your blood tested so that any ancestors that left money for you can be transferred to your account." Replied Ms. Leighton
"What will happen if nothing is found? How will I pay for my books and wand?" asked Hermione
"Well the first thing is that any muggle money your parents had will be converted. Then if that money is not enough the Ministry will cover the rest of the necessary supplies." Replied Ms. Leighton
A few moments later the two arrived at the Leaky Cauldron and moved to the wall that separated the muggle world from a magical one. Ms. Leighton tapped her wand on one of the bricks and the wall began opening to reveal the wonder that was Diagon Alley even after having see it many times in her own world she still could only stand in awe. Witches and wizards moving from one shop to another, brooms enchanted to sweep the street, owls carrying letters back and forth, food vendors selling the strangest edibles. Ms. Leighton took Hermione's hand and began leading the two towards the large bank of Gringotts that stood out amongst all the other buildings at the end of the alley. They entered the building after pushing through a crowd near Quality Quidditch Supplies due to some new broom having been released. They also found a line filled with wizards wait to do business with the goblins. Fortunately, the line moved quickly due to the efficiency of the goblin workforce and they were able to speck with one of the goblins.
"Name and purpose?" asked the goblin
"I'm Sarah Leighton and this is Hermione Granger who is here for a blood test." Replied Ms. Leighton
"You are her guardian." Stated the goblin
"Yes." Replied Ms. Leighton
"She will have to take the test alone as is standard. If Ms. Granger will follow me." Said the goblin who had hopped of his chair and was heading towards a nearby door. Ms. Leighton motioned for Hermione to follow him which sent her jogging after the surprisingly fast creature. The goblin led her down a labyrinth of hallways and so many doors before stopping at one with a name plate that read Klobtes. The goblin knocked and opened the door holding it for Hermione who entered to see a goblin wo she assumed was Klobtes sitting at an oversized desk.
"Hermione Granger for a blood test." Said the goblin at the door before closing it and leaving.
Hermione stood uncomfortably before the goblin who simply kept writing and ignored her.
"Hello Mr. Klobtes… can you help me with my blood test or are you too busy?" asked Hermione cautiously.
Klobtes ignored her for another thirty seconds before putting down his quill and looking up at Hermione.
"Have a seat Ms. Granger. I'll go fetch the potion and paper for the test." Said Klobtes as he walked down a hidden set of stairs next to his desk and walking into the darkness in the back of the room. Hermione took the seat in front of the desk to the sound of a goblin shuffling though piles of junk trying to find certain things that would not like to be found. As the minutes passed Hermione grew concerned for the goblin until he reappeared out of the darkness holding a potion, scroll, and small silver knife.
"Thank you for waiting Ms. Granger. Now then please hold out your hand." Klobtes said while laying out the paper and uncorking the potion. Hermione stretched her hand out over the parchment and Klobtes grabbed her hand moving it over the potion vial and pricking her finger with the knife. Hermione's blood dripped down her finger into the potion… one, two, three drops before healing her finger and corking the potion and shaking it. The potion began to change color for a sickly green to a deep purple then a river blue and then finally a dull gold. Hermione took note of the surprised look on the goblins face though it lasted only a second before Klobtes open the potion and poured it onto the paper. Klobtes then took the paper and shook it gently off the side of the desk before holding it out in front of his face in order to read it. However, when the writing appeared Klobtes mouth dropped and he stared first at the paper then at Hermione and continued this pattern several times before making the paper disappear. Hermione was really confused and didn't understand what was happening, what could have cause this goblin to react in such a way.
"What happened? Why did you destroy the paper?" Asked Hermione
"My apologies Ms. Granger but I believe that there may have been some contamination and that had altered the results of your test. I sent the results to my boss who will decide what to do next." Replied Klobtes
A few moments would pass until a new letter popped onto the desk out of thin air. Klobtes grabbed the note and quickly read through it.
"Come Ms. Granger my boss wishes to see you." Said Klobtes as he stood and moved around to the door.
"Why? What going on?" asked Hermione growing more concerned with each moment
"Relax Ms. Granger, we just need to make sure that there was no contamination of the test. We do this to protect our clients from theft. If nothing is found, you will be released without any further fuss. Now please follow me." Replied Klobtes
Hermione still had an uneasy feeling about the entire situation and really didn't want to do this alone. However, with no other options she rose from her seat and followed Klobtes out the door. The journey was much longer this time around taking with just as many hallways, doors, and a massive staircase. Eventually they stopped at a door larger than all the others they had passed, and the name plate read Hylboirm: Head Goblin. Klobtes knocked and entered without waiting dragging Hermione with him.
"Sir, this is Hermione Granger I sent her results up earlier. What is our next step?" asked Klobtes
"Our next step is to use the enchanted blade. Go get it." Ordered Hylboirm
"Yes sir!" replied Klobtes before running from the room
"I imagine you have questions Ms. Granger. Please ask and I will answer to the best of my ability." Said Hylboirm
"What's going on? What did my test say that I have to get retested?" Asked Hermione
"Your test showed two extreme outliers in terms of your ancestors as such we much ensure that there was no foul play on any parties part." Replied Hylboirm
"Who were the outliers? How will I be retested? You mention a knife." Asked Hermione
"We will retest using a very special knife called The Blade of Ages. It's part of a set of knifes distributed through the world rumored to have been created by Merlin himself. This particular blade if used to draw blood which is then dripped on parchment will cause the blood to form the lineage of the person from which it was taken." Replied Hylboirm
Before Hermione could respond the door opened and Klobtes returned carrying a case. Klobtes quickly carried it to the desk and placed it in front of Hylboirm who then opened the case. Inside was a beautiful gold dagger. The blade was honed to a point so fine that it seemed to slip in and out of reality, the guard had an upward curve with a moon shaped sapphire on one end connected by a design of stars to a sun shaped ruby at the other end, the hilt was cover with designs depicting everchanging scenes from history with a large emerald in the very bottom of the hilt. Hylboirm gently picked it up from its velvet bed and held it out to Hermione who took it gently by the hilt.
"What do I do next?" asked Hermione
"Use the blade to draw your blood then allow it to fall from the blade onto this parchment here." Replied Hylboirm
Hermione was entranced by the blade as she held it in her left hand, she positioned her right hand over the blade. Her right hand seemed to move on its own as the blade cut into her palm sliding across the bottom of her hand with the wound healing as the blade moved along her skin. The blood seemed frozen along the top of the blade almost floating on top of the edge. Hermione turned the blade down allowing the blood to flow off onto the parchment below. A glow began to emit from the dagger and parchment below as the first drop of blood hit the paper. As the glow faded Hermione's entire lineage appeared on the paper which was rapidly snatched up by Hylboirm. Both goblins stared at the paper as Hermione put the dagger back in its case, when she looked back up the goblins were in shock holding the parchment in trembling hands. The silence that followed was short as Hylboirm set the parchment down on the desk allowing Hermione to read what had appeared.
First Ancestors
Merlin Morgan Le Fay
Hermione was now also in shock as she stared at the first words on the page the rest of the world fading out until Klobtes place the first test on top of the second diverting Hermione's attention.
Blood Ancestry Test
Hermione Granger
Born on September 19. 1979
Father: Johnathan Granger Status: Deceased Non-magical
Mother: Allison Granger Status: Deceased Non-magical
Heir of Merlin the First and Morgan Le Fay
Titles gained: Princess of Avalon, Princess of the Fae, Guardian of Magic.
Property gained: Island of Avalon, Tower of Merlin, Library of Merlin.
Currency gained (Converted to Galleons): 8.3 billion
Hermione was in shock, how was this even possible she was the only descendant of both Merlin and Morgan Le Fay. Taking another look at the knife test results seeing that from the first son of Merlin to her father there had only been male heirs and she was the first female heir. It was also obvious that at some point the bloodline had been lost in the muggle world as the last name changed to Granger around seven thirty C.E. Hermione looked up intending to question the two goblins who had preformed the tests but found them missing. She looked around trying to find them. When she finally turned around completely sifting in her chair did she find the goblins with nosed to the ground bowing to her.
"What are you doing?" asked Hermione
"We are bowing to you, My Lady." Replied Hylboirm
"Why are you doing that? And why are you calling me that?" asked Hermione who was a little creeped out.
"When your bloodline was revealed its power became known. All magical creatures will recognize you as the Princess of Avalon and treat you with absolute respect, My Lady." Replied Hylboirm
"Okay then that needs to stop now, no more bowing or my lady stuff. I need to keep a low profile in the world can you prevent this from updating my records in the Ministry." Asked Hermione
"Of course, My Lady. Anything you ask for the Princess." Replied Klobtes
"Please stop with the formality, I get it I'm a princess. Now I need more information what else can you two tell me about what is happening?" asked Hermione
Both goblins quickly looked at each other before looking back and Hermione.
"Yes, my Princess there are two thing you must know of. First there are two vaults older than all the others and were not built by us and that we haven't been able to open. We believe they belong to Merlin and Morgan. Secondly there is a prophecy concerning you that you should hear." Replied Hylboirm
"Those vaults sound interesting, but I want to hear the prophecy first." Said Hermione
Both goblins looked at each other before Klobtes began to recite the prophecy to Hermione
"A child reborn lost in space-time, a bloodline born of the First and the Fae. The child will herald a new age, Light and Dark brought together a new power awoken. A beast of crystal its power immeasurable, a gift to the Queen. Four knights and lovers chosen. The First, with will of fire and strength of heart. The Second, with the serenity of the moon with kindness and perception. The Third, power with grace and poise carried of wings of flames. The Fourth, the right hand of Darkness, black as night turned to dawn. The child will banish the Kings of Light and Darkness and destroy their thrones and from the ashes a New Kingdom shall rise."
Hermione's face paled as she heard the prophecy and a fear like no other took hold of her.
"How did you come to know this of this prophecy? Who told you about it?" questioned Hermione
"It was relayed by Trelawny. I was in the room when she spoke the prophecy, My Lady" Replied Klobtes
"Did anybody else hear the prophecy?" asked Hermione
"Yes, the man called Dumbledore, My Lady." Replied Klobtes
"FUCK!" screamed Hermione
Magic crackled around Hermione as she tried to get herself under control magic shimmering around her. Translucent scaled armor flashing around her body fading in and out with her magic. Wings forming behind her back, claws around her hands and feet, a tail out of the bottom of her spine, and a fearsome draconic skull covering her own. Suddenly the entire armor shattered falling to the ground in millions of tiny crystal shards as Hermione took a deep breath and turned to the two terrified goblins hugging in the corner of the room.
"Show me the vaults now." Said Hermione in a deadly calm voice.
A at long last an update to the story. It's also a much longer chapter and next time we will delve into the vault and learn more about Merlin and Morgan and about the world of magical creatures. No promises on when the next chapter will come out just know that I'll be working on it as often as I can.
Now for the review responses…
MidnightWriterPhilosopher: You're welcome. Have another one.
Sarronxo: I'm glad you are enjoying my story. The answer to your mind merging question is yes there will be a form of mental distortion that will occur later in the story.
Jsingleton47: Thank you. I hope to deliver future chapters for a long time to come.
Kpop1392as: Four reviews at once… awesome. First yes, the traitor is another Weasley though I won't say which one, multiverse theory is perhaps one of the most used and best understood ideas in physics (though we have no evidence for it) and comics and that's why I used it with slight modification. Viskara created the world the Hermione now resides in. He knows what is happening and simply can't intervene yet. Amy is Hermione's best and only friend at the orphanage and will assist with her adventures at Hogwarts and have a quirk that could cause trouble seems like fun.
The3blacksisters: Here have more just don't get addicted.