Pansy and Hermione took up their usual spot in the room of requirements with the second journal between them. Hermione was deeply engrossed in the description of the spell that was created from the Parkinson matriarch's research. There was even a rough sketch of the pattern she created to draw earth spirits out of the ground. In the center was the rune for the earth, then all around it was a massive tree. hanging from the bare branches were symbols Hermione had never seen before. All around the entire thing was a circle, which Pansy pointed out was probably a moon. There was a translation for all of the symbols on the following pages. The work was brilliantly detailed, every bit of it perfect. There were little scribbles and notes in red in various places but the concept was divine.
"Did it work? Did she really accomplish all this?" Hermione asked in awe.
"Turn the page and find out!"
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Never in my life did I expect... It was a million times more powerful, more humbling, more exhilarating than I could ever have dreamed since starting this endeavor. I was confused at first, I'll admit. Though I created this spell, this pact with the very earth, I could never have predicted the response of the spirits when we saw them. I had no idea what they would look like, what they would say or do. I only knew what I would ask of them. My brother carved the massive tree into the cavern floor beneath my family's ancient home. The manor had been abandoned for some time now, left for bigger and better things, so I knew it would be safe. After the tree and moon were carved into the dirt, I and all our fellow members took turns carving the symbols as we made our promises to the ancient earth.
After the carving was done, we each spilled a drop of blood in the roots of the tree and suddenly they came to life! The twisted and turned, and we felt that we were being watched. We made our offerings of milk, salt and honey. We poured the offerings into the moon carving and it began to glow as a true moon does. The roots of the tree began to part, and a woman climbed up out of the ground! She stood on the spot where the roots wound around the base of the moon, naked and quiet. My brother and I formally bowed, taking knees and swearing fealty. We made our promises, then our requests. As we told our story of the coming peril she never spoke. Long after we were done speaking she watched us all as we bowed in our humility. She tilted her head and I knew she was wondering if we could handle the cost of what we asked. I, with all my heart, told her that I would do what ever was asked of me. My brother and our friends promised the same. She stepped aside and let out a low whistle, like a song. Something else began climbing from the earth. First one massive paw, then another. A beautiful wolf sprang forth and sat by the woman. She laid a hand on its head. None of us were afraid, but my heart did race, and I believe the wolf could hear it. The woman looked from the wolf to me, trying to communicate some request of her own. Then, I heard a voice in my head; clear as crystal, light as air.
'I offer you a gift.' She said. 'My wolves will grant you the power you need. This power is a living thing to be nurtured and respected. But, there is a price for what I offer. You must each give yourself to the wolves. They are but spirits now, but will make a home in you, and give you life, as you give life to them.'
'How do we give ourselves?' I asked.
'What ever they need, they will take from you, and you must let them. Once they make their bond with you they can speak with you, give you guidance and lead you through your future. You will conform to their order and in turn, they will never fail you. These are the true spirits of earth, not like the misguided monsters that already tromp through your world. These spirits are pure and cannot be tainted. You in turn cannot be tainted. You will have no distrust to fear, nor lies or betrayal. Do you accept what I offer?'
I accepted immediately. The offer she gave was exactly what I'd hoped for, but I could not imagine what came next. More wolves came up through the earth. Their bodies all were made of mist and smoke, but their teeth were real enough. There was one wolf for each of us; Fourteen in total. They snarled at us and snapped their teeth. They were testing us, I knew. Then they came for us. They closed their jaws around our bodies and tore the human flesh from our bones. I do not remember much else, except the feeling of freedom and exhaustion from running. I remember that I panicked until we found the night air. We ran that night as a true pack. We woke this morning in a pile of each other and were overcome by a sense of peace. I felt that the very earth approved of us then. There was a feeling of love and understanding that flowed between each of us and I have never been so happy. There is another feeling tugging at the corners of my mind, though. The wolf inside me tells me that I am to lead this pack, but I must take a mate. My brother is not meant to lead with me. I have spoken to him of this and he said that it was explained to him already and that he is at peace with it.
'All that matters is that we accomplish what we set out for. We will all do what is required in return.'
Again I was relieved. I sensed that my brother truly was accepting of the way things were to be. I knew another thing that frightened me a little. I would marry, and I would keep my name, but I must have a child. Two, in fact. For the promise with the earth spirit to be fulfilled, I must within two years time, bare two children to lead the pack after I am no longer able. Suddenly the entirety of my life is in clear focus, and I am compelled to soldier on, despite knowing what is coming.
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"Oh, Merlin, Pansy... This all really happened?" Pansy nodded and smiled sadly.
"I think she knew even then that she would not live to see me graduate school."
"Wait..." Hermione furrowed her eyebrows and shut her eyes.
"Yes?"
"Sorry, wait, there are too many questions!"
"Just ask away, then. I'll tell you anything you want to know."
She didn't know why, but she felt compelled to ask about the tree and moon. "The tree your mother mentioned... is it still around?"
"Really? That's the first thing you want to know?" Pansy laughed. "Not 'Do you turn into a wolf?' or 'Now that your mum is gone are you the leader of a mystical pack of earth wolf beings?" She laughed again.
"Well now!"
Pansy shook her head and smiled. "Yes to all three. That tree is my family crest."
"...Oh.." Hermione was in shock. Who wouldn't be after learning that their friend was a shape shifter who was the leader of her own pack?
Hermione frowned and tilted her head. "I didn't know you had a sibling."
Pansy swallowed and looked down. "I never knew her. I have a sister but.. you'll have to read about her for yourself." She smiled apologetically and packed up the journal. "Just not tonight. I think that's enough drama and shock for you for one night. You have your own shock and drama to deal with, yes?"
Hermione threw her head back and groaned. "Uggh! I do not want to deal with it."
Pansy looked her with a sideways glance. "Are you really going to take a zero for this assignment because you're upset with who ever this mysterious family might be that you never knew about them? Or that you are a pure blood?"
"Okay, look, I have thought about it. Do you realize what all this means?"
"Please tell me."
"If I'm a pureblood then that means that my parents were never my real parents. They never told me. I never knew or even suspected that I didn't belong with them. I looked just like them! Not that you can tell now.." She sighed as she twisted strands of her black hair through her fingers. "They were brilliant too, you know. They were full of useless facts. Everything that is me, I always believed came from them. I mean we aren't talking about some distant cousin out there, Pansy! Do you realize how high the odds are that who ever it is that is out there, could be my real parents? Or even a sibling? What am I supposed to do with that? Pretend it doesn't matter and fall right into step of what is expected of a proper pureblood witch? Pretend it doesn't bother me?" Hermione was nearly in tears.
"What if they didn't know?"
"What?"
"Think about it. I have a sister that I never knew about. I didn't find out about her until a few months ago when my mum died and I read these journals. Actually it was when I took her place in the pack that I found out. Either way... the point is I never knew. I would love to have known all this time, and found her or better yet, grew up with her and have myself a proper sister. I never got that chance. Look, all I'm saying is, you just don't know. Yes, there's a side to the story you don't know and yes, there's a chance it will not be what you hope it will be, but there's an equal chance that the circumstances were out of their control. Maybe you have a chance at being really truly happy. If it turns out badly, then you keep your head up, if it turns out well, well then that's all that matters. But I know you, Hermione, not knowing is always worse. You can't deal with things you don't know about."
Hermione looked at her folded hands, feeling properly scolded. "You're right." She whispered. "I'll do the assignment. But I don't know what will come of it."
"And that's fine. It's a start anyway. You deserve answers."
Hermione nodded and Pansy put her arm around her shoulders as they left the cozy room to return to their separate dorms.
