When Yule Break was over and the second part of the school term began, Hermione dreaded it. In her heart, she wished she could stay with Marcus. They had a wonderful Christmas together, eating and exchanging gifts. They've been together for over a year! Forget the presents, that in itself is remarkable. It makes her miss him that much more because Hogwarts was no longer her place of refuge, especially with the pink lady on the move. To make matters worse, ten of the most feared death eaters escaped Azkaban. Where was security?
The breakout served to drive Marcus over the edge. He sent her six owls in one day- six. Each one told her, in various forms, to come to stay at his house with him. One letter noted that his Gram was willing to pay for a private tutor just for her to be able to finish the school year. Hermione had never had that kind of offer before, and it was very tempting to give into it. But she couldn't abandon Harry, especially with things getting worse.
Once Marcus realized his girlfriend wasn't leaving Hogwarts, his letters took a different turn. In the days following the sketchy Azkaban escape (at least, that's how Hermione views it with inadequate security), he began explaining what she could do to protect herself. That was when a package arrived with Glimfeather. Since the Ministry had lifted its ban on checked packages, it came to her at breakfast in the Great Hall. All eyes turned to Hermione, who wore a shy shade of red on her cheeks.
No one outside of Montague and Pucey knew whom Glimfeather belonged. But everyone was curious because who would send Hermione Granger a package? As far as the student body knows, she isn't dating anyone. However, they all knew someone of some significance had sent her the gift. The pedigree of the owl alone suggested it. And it was Ron who articulated, "Oi! Who'd send you a gift? Be careful, Mione. It might be cursed."
She sent her friend a withering, dirty look and allowed the butterflies in her stomach to carry her away. The student's curiosity increased when the Gryffindor girl took an expensive-looking, slender box out of the beautifully wrapped paper. Inside the box, a dainty necklace sat. However, it was in no way an ordinary necklace.
When Hermione inspected it, several details caught her eye. Firstly it's a beautiful golden design with a circlet of tiny diamonds on a decorative filigree. Secondly, it opens, making it a locket. And last, ancient runes are engraved on the outside, somehow connecting the diamonds. It's a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. Running a gentle finger over it, Hermione carefully put the item around her neck.
It hung low between the valley of her breasts, which was perfect because she likes long necklaces. She also likes mysteries, and the ancient runes will serve to keep her busy. Especially since Marcus stated in his letter, I wonder if you can figure out what the runes do. I'll tell you if you can't decipher them in a week. Game on! Hermione also loves a challenge.
The necklace seemed to be a beacon, attracting attention wherever she went. The majority of it came from a group of Slytherin females who took it upon themselves to unnecessarily comment. It started with snobbish January Davenport, who said, "That necklace looks expensive. Why give something like that to a mudblood who'll only dirty it up?" Her face sneered in the same way Malfoy's does, except whereas it makes him look hateful, it made her look constipated.
Then Scarlett Sweetleaf's upper lip curled in an ugly, sour manner. Her auburn hair glistened in the sunlight as she stated, "You can't stop a pig from wallowing in the mud. It's obvious some pureblood decided to get dirty, which is dangerous." Her chin jutted out like a spear looking for a victim. Arabella McFadden and Daphne Greengrass laughed at her comment.
But it was Brinkley Everheart that frustrated Hermione most. The girl's nose was so high in the air that the petite Gryffindor wondered if she could smell the future. Probably not, because at least Professor Trawleny has some modicum of brains, whereas Brinkley has none. Hermione's point was proven once the idiot spoke. "Even pigs need love, girls. Clearly, an ugly, unloveable pureblood found his lonely desperation soothed by someone equally desperate. How precious." Her big nose wrinkled up to go along with her pinched mouth.
Then Arabella McFadden gave a warning. "These are perilous times. I'd hate for the giver of the necklace to be found out. If reported, it would end badly. I loathe you, Granger, and all you stand for. Sometimes I open my mouth, and the truth just pops out," she declared. Her amber eyes stared Hermione down.
Glaring at all the silly Slytherin strumpets, Hermione let McFadden know, "My time is valuable. I have many tasks I'm working on currently. The most important one is that I'm working hard on not slapping you silly. I think that should count for at least one hundred house points. And while we're at it, my hair straightener is hotter than you."
With that, Hermione walked past the group of shallow idiots who kept asking each other what a hair straightener was. Harry and Ron had seen the Slytherin girls gather around their friend. "What was that all about?" Harry asked.
To which the witch replied, "Nothing except a bunch of rabid vampires out looking for blood." That made both boys chuckle.
When Hermione finally got the chance to research the runes, it was to her utmost irritation. Everything she found only led to dead ends. So, she sucked it up and went to speak with Professor Babbling. The kind woman had the brilliant student sit in the chair across from her desk. "What brings you to see me, Hermione?" the dark-haired professor questioned.
Taking off the necklace, the Gryffindor laid it out on Professor Babbling's desk. "Well, you see, Professor, I received this necklace a few days ago. I've been trying to decipher the runes on the design, but I'm afraid I've reached nothing but dead ends. I can't make this out as it appears to be some archaic language that doesn't exist anymore."
The professor picked the jewelry up and held it close to her eyes. Then she pulled a monocle magnifying glass out of her desk drawer and studied the runes. Professor Babbling's face looked deep in thought until her wand pointed to a bookshelf on a far wall. An ancient text floated to the desk and opened to a page. "You're right, Hermione. These runes are archaic, so much so that it had me baffled for a bit. But I can make out traces of two languages. One is Coptic, and the other is Thracian. Together they form intricate spellwork. Beautiful really," the runic master explained.
Once everything had been translated, Professor Babbling told the Gryffindor girl, "Whoever gave you this loves you deeply because only profound love would make this work. And the giver realizes you must feel the same, or it wouldn't have been given."
That made Hermione pause. As her heart sped up, her voice caught in her throat, but she asked, "What does it mean, and what does it do, Professor? Do you know?"
Professor Babbling smiled and assured the young witch, "I do know. Allow me to tell you."
The lady explained that it's covered in protection. It protects the mind, the heart, and ultimately the spirit. Not in dark ways or by using dark magic. No. "It uses love, Hermione. This necklace has been passed down for generations, and devotion is attached to it. If ever you were to get into real danger, this necklace would protect everything that makes you who you are. Your body may be broken, a little bruised, and scarred, but the beauty that defines you on the inside will remain. Does that make sense?"
Hermione couldn't respond because the lump in her throat made her choke up at the moment, so she nodded. The professor clarified, "Now, it won't keep you safe from a killing curse. That's one of the ways it's not made from dark magic. But this is beautiful. There are two other things you should know. One is it's held together by the essence of pure love. As I noted, it's been passed down, and each giver has poured a bit of their tenderness into it. It should feel light and lovely around your neck when you wear it. The second thing is, it also acts as sort of a portkey. Deciphered in the runes, it will activate with a pure tear- a tear of love. So, use that wisely."
Wow! Hermione had no idea, but something was nagging her. "Professor, the runes, what exactly do they say? Because they're precious."
With a soft smile, the kind professor touched each rune and said, "Love over all."
That made Hermione give a snort of derision. "That sounds, so cliche, like love, conquers all or some drivel."
However, the runic master lightly reprimanded her pupil. "Don't scorn the runes, child, without knowing the whole story. Learn the story behind the runes and necklace before judging it as cliche. You might find something surprising there."
When Professor Babbling handed the piece of jewelry back to her, she put the necklace on and refused to take it off. And even though Hermione thought the runic motto silly, it's just as the woman said. It felt light and lovely around her neck, like the love she shares with Marcus. Even when the pink lady threatened to get on her nerves, the necklace was a calming agent. Not intentionally, but it was all the same.
As time passed, the DA learned more interesting spellwork with the promise of the Patronus on the horizon. Hermione noticed how Harry and Cho Chang grew closer, much to her dismay. Knowing how much Ginny cares for him makes her feel a little sad. Then she thought about Luna. Luna is sweet and deserving of someone. And instantly, her mind turned to Pucey and Montague. So, Hermione hinted at a double date for Valentine's Day in her latest owl to Marcus.
The response she got was No. Absolutely not. That bugged her more than being unable to figure out the runes independently. So the sneaky witch took it upon herself to invite Luna and one of the boys (she hasn't decided which) to a Valentine's lunch date at the Hogshead Inn and Bar. Hermione had told Marcus to meet her there, where they could have a nice lunch before their actual date.
After spending all morning throwing articles of clothing this way and that across the dorm room, Hermione settled on a tiered red mid-length skirt with a white long-sleeve t-shirt top. She wore a denim jacket over it with the sleeves zhuzhed up. It's cute, and since she's become a master at the hair and makeup spells Ginny taught, Hermione felt like she looked pretty too.
Catching up with Luna at the castle entrance, the two girls caught a carriage. While sitting, the brunette saw a glimpse of her friend's outfit. It's tamer than usual, but not much. She wore a brightly printed skirt full of flowers. Luna saw her looking at the skirt and said, "If you scratch the flowers, they smell. See?"
The Ravenclaw began to scratch one and encouraged Hermione to sniff it. To anyone on the outside looking in, they would think this odd and strange behavior. Truthfully it's just an everyday occurrence as things like this are bound to happen around the interesting blonde.
Honestly, Hermione had to say, "It really does smell like flowers."
The rest of the ride had the brunette reconsidering her matchmaking skills. What if Luna ends up hating the date? What if Marcus is angry? But she hadn't time to worry too much because the carriage stopped. The girls got out and wandered to the pub. Marcus and Graham met them there, one with a bemused look on his face and the other with an eyebrow raised in question.
Hermione pulled her boyfriend aside and whispered, "Just be nice, alright. I know you told me not to, but I couldn't help it." He groaned as a response.
As far as Valentine's lunch dates go, this one takes the cake. When they were seated, it began with Luna telling Marcus, "You have a lot of wrackspurts around your head. But don't worry, Hermione will fix it."
Marcus looked to his girlfriend, who smiled behind her menu. Then Luna remembered Montague wanted to get out of his marriage contract with Cricket Carrow last year. So she asked about the situation. Graham stated, "I cannot believe you remember that. Thank you for asking. My father was unhappy, but I told him he could stick where the sun didn't shine. Then he punished me for backtalking and told me he would make me another match if I wasn't married by the age of twenty-two. Lucky me, I have six years to go." He held up a glass and saluted everyone at the table.
That's when Luna declared, "You must have had a lot of fifenellas with you when you spoke to him. Fifenellas give you courage when you think you have none." She patted Graham's hand, and he gave her an inquisitive look.
Marcus eyed the odd couple with interest throughout the appetizers and the main course. His friend has prattled on nonstop. Graham never does that unless nervous, and since he's among friends, there's no reason to be uneasy unless... But that's ridiculous. Surely Montague isn't actually interested in Hermione's peculiar friend! However, from how his friend keeps eyeing the blonde and listening to her odd talk, it appears to be the case. Marcus turned his gaze to his own girl. She sat, giving him a superior expression like she had caught the snitch. It only made him grumble to himself.
The quartet had a pleasant meal, and they parted ways after. Graham went with Luna to Sugarplum's, leaving Marcus and Hermione alone. Once alone, the quidditch rookie went to the bar counter. Hermione could make out Dumbledore's brother speaking with her boyfriend and nodding. When he returned, he held his hand out for her. She took it, and the pair departed through the floo into the enchanted backyard of the chateau. It's a part of the gardens she's not seen yet. Oh, Merlin, it's breathtaking.
Row after row after row of an arched rose walkway stretched out before her eyes. The roses are grounded with manicured green boxwoods underneath. It's like walking through a garden of romance. That's when Hermione remembered it was Valentine's Day. The day of love and romance. How fitting.
An odd, warm feeling spread throughout her body as Marcus walked with her under the archways of roses. In a moment of clarity, she knew this was it. This was the spot Hermione wanted to be married at, right here in this garden. She can picture it perfectly. Walking under these roses with her father by her side would be nothing short of romantic, pretty, and magical.
Her eyes trailed over to her boyfriend, and she knew it's him. He's the one for her. And then a freak-out commenced. How the heck can she know who she wants to marry at age sixteen? Her hand reached up and touched the locket. The rest was history because Marcus sat her down under a charmed canopy of trees with an ever-warm blanket, glasses of hot chocolate, and a neatly wrapped box. With a smile on her face, she took the top off the lovely box and found a bouquet of enchanted midnight roses.
Marcus kissed her head and informed her, "I've decided these are your special Valentine's flowers. I'm going to give them to you every year."
Smiling an adorable smile just for him, Hermione inhaled the sweet scent wafting off the roses. "I can live with that," she whispered.
Then Marcus motioned to the necklace. "You never told me if you found out what it does. I know you understand the runes, but do you know the rest?"
After thinking about what he asked, his Gryffindor shared her knowledge. "You're right. I know the runes since I told you Professor Babbling helped me translate them. She also explained how it's created with love and that love's tears will trigger the portkey aspect. I'm unaware there's more than that." She made sure not to say how she thought the motto to be hokey.
Her honey hazel eyes found his as she listened to him speak. Marcus sat up from his resting position and imparted something Hermione had no idea was even possible. But then magic can make the ordinariness of things extraordinary. He asked her to take the necklace off and let him see it. When she did, he opened it up and smiled at their picture nestled inside. Topsy had taken it Christmas morning after opening gifts. Her parents are on the other side of the locket.
Pointing to the inside, he informed his girlfriend, "The locket is similar to your charmed galleon but works differently. The interior is enchanted. If you write a message, fold it up to fit, and close the locket, it will come to the person who holds the mate."
As Hermione's eyes grew as large as the mug of hot chocolate, Marcus pulled something from the pocket of his khaki pants. He handed it to her, and his witch realized the cover design was identical to the locket with the exact runes. Her expression was curious as she asked, "What is it?"
"Open it, and you'll see," he encouraged. His emotions were eager for his girl to peek inside. And when she did, his face matched hers with huge smiles from ear to ear.
With enthusiasm in her voice, Hermione remarked, "Oh wow! It's a pocket watch! And our picture is on the inside cover. That's really cool."
Then she thought about how the watch and locket work. But there's something on her mind, which she specified. "So, if I can send you a note and you can send me one, how will I know it works?" Her fingers danced over the runes.
Marcus had no idea. That led to them trying it out, with Hermione writing the first note. They determined a message had been sent because it heats up, not scalding hot like boiling water, but warm enough to know something was waiting. This newfound information made Hermione's day because now, "I can talk to you in real-time!"
Then she contemplated, "Where did you get this from? I know Professor Babbling said it's passed down from generations, but is it a Flint piece or Fawley?"
Snuggling closer to her under the blanket, Marcus gave a chuckle. With their legs touching, he could tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, which he did. "Well, it's neither, really. These beauties come from my grandmother's mother's side of the family tree. You see, my Gram is one of six sisters from a long line of Rosemont witches. It's interesting because the Malfoy family claims absolute purity at the top of the sacred twenty-eight, but the Rosemont witches are the oldest line of generational witches. Where the Malfoys seem to birth nothing but males, the Rosemonts are the same with birthing females. The lineage is potent and mighty but understated."
Hermione sat in rapt attention listening and soaking in all the knowledge about this line of strong women she'd never heard of before. She'll have to visit Ms. Cecilia to learn more about her mother's family tree. He continued sharing what his grandmother told him. "The Rosemont family dates back to before the middle ages and what we know as the forming of England. Though the druids knew deep magic, there's even more profound magic that they don't know. It's said the sacred twenty-eight have a little bit of that magic, the magic of the druids, in them- the purity of the druids. But there's a magic that dates back to the dawn of time that they don't know. The Rosemont family witches are the keepers of that magic, and it's rooted in intense, sincere, overwhelming love."
For the first time ever, Hermione hated interrupting but, "Why have I not heard about that deep magic? Why do I not know about the Rosemont witches? Tell me more, Marcus."
He conjured pillows and another blanket for them to lie on. Once comfy, he resumed the tale. "I suppose we haven't heard about the Rosemont witches because it's unspeakable. At least, that's sort of how my Gram described it. I didn't know about this until I asked her for something more that could protect you from the peril I know you'll be in for Potter. As for the deep magic, she told me that it's in everyone. You just have to feel it and look for it in your soul. There you can connect to it. I'm not sure how they were tasked with keeping the deep magic, she wouldn't say, but Gram noted that it called to them. That's all I know about it. The Rosemont line also has a lot of healing and prophesying qualities as well."
They both thought about his abilities as a natural healer and reckoned he got it from the Rosemont line. The whole intriguing tale about the Rosemont family only makes Hermione's curiosity that much greater. She has to know more about them and the deep magic.
Then she thought about how the deep magic is like deep love. It's vast, unconditional, and the only thing that reaches a soul. The soul has greater depths and capacity for love. Love is like the grass, but the heart is like deep, cavernous molten rock. Grass gets cut, dries up, and can blow away. But the core, the heart, is solid and permanent. Fake love is like grass, but real love is molten rock. It's nurtured and chipped away a little each day. It's cultivated between two people who are ready, open, and willing to be chipped away at. And she supposes the Rosemont family was ready, willing, and open to receive the deep magic. Professor Babbling was correct. The story behind the runes is fascinating, and it isn't cliche. It's complex and ardently heartfelt.
And gosh... love takes off the masks of fear and insecurity. Hermione sat up and looked down at her boyfriend, who was gazing at her. She took his hand, caressed it, kissed it, and put it on her heart. "I think I was looking for you the minute I read my first love story. I dreamed, I hoped, and I cried. Then I found you, and now the only love story I want to read is ours. And it goes like this... I can't imagine my life without you. Happy Valentine's Day, Marcus."
She kissed him and took his breath away. And it was full of words they didn't need to say. It felt easy. It felt right. It felt like they were two people put together deliberately over time and space. The heart knows when the search is over. It's weird how a person in almost a year can make you feel so much of what a person in two months, weeks, or years of knowing you couldn't. Time means nothing, but the right person means everything.
