Standing By

Lady Countryrose

Ch. 16

Hermione had told Cobra that she needed their group to take a detour from their mission. Telling him that there was a key for her to find.

"What is this key," he asked her.

She pulled out her Titanium keys, pointing to the red lily. "Her husband is the key I'm looking for. I promised her that I would."

Cobra gave a small nod. "Was the promise before the letter showed up?" She gave a small nod. He pulled out a map to look over it. "If we cross the bay to your mountain. Then from there, we'll go east to where we need to go… "

Hermione nodded, "Okay, we have a plan." She looked over to where Lucy was. "When should we tell them?"

Cobra laced his fingers with hers. Grabbed Midnight by the neck. Then made their way to Gajeel's table, where Lucy was sitting. Where the three sat across from them.

"What's going on," asked Lucy.

Cobra laid out the map he had. Then pointed where Hermione needed to go. "My sweetheart has to go here, to get a new key." He then showed a river for them to follow. "Then we'll go this way, to get to the Tower of Heaven."

Lucy shivered from her seat. "Why are we going there, when Natsu had destroyed it. From the last time we were there."

"He may have destroyed the tower itself. But there is a hellhole of tunnels behind it. Where we dug and lived. Never truly seeing the sun." Midnight pointed out, showing where to find the tunnels.

Cobra glared at the map. "Are you thinking that maybe 1135, might be level eleven, tunnel thirty-five."

Hermione took a deep sigh. After the first of Hogwarts, going down to the depths of the castle. Facing Devils Snare, flying angry keys, and killer chest board. Then second year, hearing about Slytherins hidden chamber. Yeah, she was not a fan of the deep underground world of the unknown.

'At least it's not up in the sky.' She shivered. 'I hate heights more than anything.'

Gajeel huffed, "I'll let the master in our detore." He grabbed the map, then left the table.

Lucy looked into Hermione's eyes. "Are you alright?"

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, but I hope I get the key. Before anyone else gets into serious trouble, while we're delayed."

Lucy nodded, "I can understand that. At least we won't be that far behind."

Gajeel came back. "Time to leave. We have a three hour window before the master sends people out."

Together the five of them picked up their things. Left on the ferry, making their way across the bay.

Once on the other side, Hermione called out Lily, who led them up the mountain pass. The group traveled about forty-five minutes. Lily led them to a cave.

"This is where Hermione must go alone," Lily spoke sadly to the group. "She must find what she's looking for, alone."

"No," growled Cobra with heat in his eyes. "I won't leave her!"

"There is no living thing in the cave. At least, none that will harm her. This is her test of her worth."

Hermione nodded her head, sending Lily back into the key. She turned to Cobra with a kind smile. Kissing him near the edge of his mouth. "Watch over Macbeth for me," she teased softly before going into the cave.

"Moma," Macbeth cried softly in return. "Don't leave me with mean Daddy."

Hermione made her way, surprisingly well through the cave. She felt a magical signature, urging her forward. Turning left, then right and left again. Until she faced a small bowl, in the middle a cave chamber.

She looked around for a moment. Before walking towards the bowl. Where she found not one key, but two. Plus a gold key, which she knew, didn't belong to her. With a smile, she took the keys and wondered back where she came.

After what felt like ten minutes from finding the keys. She stepped outside. Only for Cobra to tackle her. Rubbing his cheek against her. Scenting her with his scent.

"Okay," she raised her hands to his cheeks. Making him look at her. "I'm alright." Once he was calm, he managed to keep an arm around her. Allowing Hermione to turn to Lucy. "I found something of yours." Handing the golden key to Lucy.

A gasp left Lucy's lips, as tears leaked from her eyes. "Thank you." Before taking the key, then hugged Hermione. "Thank you!"

The group of five, then followed Gajeel down the mountain. Before stumbling to the right river to follow. Then took a break, by that said river.

"How far do we need to go," whined Midnight. Taking his boots off to rub his feet.

Gajeel looked at the map. "If we follow the river down for three more hours. We could camp, then another thirty minutes after that. We should be in the tunnels."

The five travelers had walked for another three hours before stopping again. After the tents and rest of the campsite was dealt with. Lucy and Hermione made their way to the river to call out their spirits.

Hermione fished out a new key with a heart shape, and deer antlers, surrounding it. She called out, "James!"

As the star dust began to settle. Before her stood a man, with rectangle looking glasses. Dressed in aurora robes, from their world.

"What can you do and what payment would you like?"

He gave a warm-hearted smile. "I am support, call me to aid Sirius and we cause double the damage. If I am out with Lily, she can give medical aid. I change into my stage, good for eavesdropping the targets. I can use it to carry you out to safety."

With a deep breath, he looked at the river. "As for my payment." He shrugged his shoulders. "Being with Lily and friends again."

Hermione nodded her head. Surprise when James gave her a hug. "Thank you, for keeping Harry alive." Before he dusted away.

The next key, she looked with worry. Because she didn't know who it could be. Seeing an image of a Celtic shaped raven. With a wave of her wrist. "Raven!"

Standing before her, was a man that she had seen died. Dressed in long imposing black robes, was her old potions professor. "Professor Snape," she asked in disbelief. "What can you do and your payment?"

He glared at her hard. "I make all kinds of potions. From healing to poisoning. I can change into a raven to aid in lookout and reconous missions. I can even deliver a bloody message!"

He crosses his arms over his chest. Imposing image as ever. "My payment, I want to wander. Pick up fresh potion ingredients, when possible."

Hermione looked around her. "You can do that now…" Just before she could finish, he walked into the woods.

Lucy smiled as a Mermaid looking spirit had washed her next to Hermione. With a big grin on her face. "She is back," Lucy sighed out with happiness.

"I got a boyfriend to see," stated the Mermaid before she disappeared.

Hermione looked at her friend with a kind smile. "Are you having fun?"

"The best," cried out Lucy, in happiness. Before getting back on her feet and looking over Hermione's shoulder. "What about him?"

Hermione sighed, grabbing Lucy's arm. "Best to leave him alone." Then led them back to camp.

When they reached camp. The two were tackled by a black and white haired menus. "Moma, poison Daddy is being mean." Hugging the two girls, preventing them from getting up.

"Macbeth!"

"Midnight!"

The two had cried out. Trying to wiggle out of his hold. But kept a tight grip on the two of them. Causing two Dragon Slayers to growl at him. Before they picked him up and tossed him away.

Cobra picked Hermione up and scented her with his scent. While Gajeel did the same with Lucy.

"Awe," Midnight grumbled. "Since you two had found your mates. You have been, no, fun."

"What about you," hissed Lucy. "When have you become handsie?"

Midnight grinned, "Only to get Cobra's goat." He shrugged his shoulders.

Cobra growled, "Can't wait to find your soulmate. The one who completes your polar opposite of your nightmare magic."

Lucy moved in Gajeel's arms to look at Cobra. Seeing that they were sitting in an oversize chair. "Soulmate?"

Cobra hugged Hermione, making her oddly comfortable. "Like mates to dragons. Legends state that they were made to be a perfect match. Someone who either is made perfectly equal to you. Or a polar opposite to balance you in every way."

"Legends," Lucy asked in wonder. "So you don't believe in it."

Hermione shook her head. "I lived a long life to know. Legends have a bit of truth. But I wouldn't blindly believe in it."

Professor Snape came into camp. Giving vials to each Dragon Slayer with an element of their own. Either for healing or an energy boost. He told Hermione to call him for more or regular healing potions. Before he left them.

Everyone had gone to bed. Where Hermione was sharing a tent with Cobra and Midnight. While Lucy was in another tent with Gajeel.

Cobra wrapped his arms around Hermione, as he fell asleep. Keeping her close.