Sands of Change
Lady Countryrose
Ch. 2
Wendy had worked her magic, healing Hermione Granger. Hermione was surprised to see that her carved arm, completely healed. Along with any other cut or bruise. But Wendy could not heal her malnutrition or magical exhaustion. Those would take time and potions.
With those things hanging over her head. She wasn't allowed outside the guild. Hermione wasn't going to argue. She really didn't have anywhere to go. After taking her potions, she fell right to sleep.
When morning made itself known. Mainly an urge to use the bathroom. Hermione slipped out of bed and found the bathroom. After using it and washing her hands. She looked at herself in the mirror.
'I look like I had done a tango with death. Only to manage to curtsy with grace and manage to live.'
Hermione knew she had skave through war and death. Even her hair and eyes told her that much.
'I need to find some clothes and take an hour-long shower.'
She left the bathroom, hoping to find clothes before the shower. Just her luck, Lucy came into the room.
"Oh, you're up," Lucy sounded surprised. "Do you need anything?"
"Clothes, I was hoping for a shower."
Lucy smiled, bringing out a key. "I call for the Celestial maiden, Virgo." A moment later a maid, in pink hair and short maid outfit, came into the world in stardust. Giving Hermione some clothes, bathroom supplies and a hairbrush.
"Anything else, princess," Virgo asked Lucy.
Lucy smiled, "No, thank you, Virgo." Then the maid was gone. She then turned to Hermione. "Will you be coming downstairs when you're done?"
Hermione felt uncomfortable, but knew that she would have to face other people. "Wouldn't I need to see Wendy first?"
Lucy smiled, "She should be here after your shower." Then she left the room.
Hermione took a deep breath and made her way back into the bathroom. After her long enjoyable shower. She wrestled into managing her hair, but had gotten all the tangles out. Dressed in the clothes that were given to her. Only to find herself more awake.
"I have never worn such short shorts and short shirts. How am I going to keep the cloth from riding up?"
Without much thought, she ran her hand over the shirt, picturing it growing to her hips. She wanted something long and baggy. Only to see it grow down the length she wanted.
"Oh, thank goodness," she whispered. Then left the bathroom, only to see an angry looking Wendy.
"Did you use magic?"
Hermione sighed, "I had to extend a shirt that Lucy had given me. It might as well have been a bra."
Wendy blushed, "Sorry. Let's see how you are this morning."
Hermione nodded and sat down on the freshly made bed. Seeing Wendy waving her hands over Hermione. After a few moments, Wendy pulled away with a worried look.
"What's wrong," asked Hermione.
Wendy sighed, "You're healing much faster than expected. I just don't understand."
Hermione thought of what she heard and experienced from the night before. "Before coming here, magic from where I was from. It was not this strong, like a raging river. Before, it was a struggling stream."
Wendy gaped at her. "That would mean that you would heal faster. If you were strong in magic before. You would be much stronger now!"
Hermione sighed, looking to her arm. Only to remember that nothing remained. Not even an angry red outline. She was physically healed, but the trauma was still lingering. She had a shadow of a nightmare about Bellatrix LeStrange. But not enough to wake her from her dead sleep.
"Let's get you downstairs. I want to see you eat something."
Hermione felt her stiff muscles as she moved to her feet. Making herself get onto her feet. Once outside the medical room. Lucy was waiting in the hallway. Together, the three of them slowly made their way down the stairs. Where they managed to sit at a table near the bar.
A white-haired barmaid came to their table with a smile. "Hi, I am Mirajane, please call me Mira. What can I get you?"
Hermione smiled softly. "Can I have a white egg omelet and strawberry kiwi slushy, please?"
Mira smiled as she wrote it down. Then she looked at the other two.
Lucy smiled, "Strawberry pancakes and strawberry milkshake."
"Veggie omelet and orange juice," replied Wendy.
Once Mira left, Hermione leaned back in her seat with a sigh. Even though she felt rested, she was still tired. Part of it was due to people watching her. She was kind of used to it, being Harry's friend. But to have their focus solely on her, was different.
Lucy looked around before facing her again. "What are your plans, now that you're well?"
Hermione looked up into Lucy's eyes. Causing Lucy to hop back. Not expecting the slightly intense look.
"I don't know. For the very first time in my life. I really don't know. Which is a little unsettling, but freeing. I would have never believed that it would. But I was drawn here for a reason."
"You said that before, what do you mean," asked Lucy.
Hermione knew that everyone was listening. Why wouldn't they be? After dropping in last night, she had expected people bombarding her with questions. But was thankful that no one disturbed her rest.
"I have been feeling this annoying… This is hard to explain. But my magic willed me to be here. For what purpose, I don't know. But I am needed here for whatever reason."
Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "I just knew that I was not wanted, back where I was. No matter how much Harry wanted me there. Or how much Charlie would have liked to argue. High society would never let me live my life.
"Knowing that they would love to see me restrained into submission. Either restraining my magic, my voice or my will." Hermione took a deep breath. "Even the government was corrupted by idealists that thought my blood would delude their pure way of life."
Lucy gaped at her. "You are self taught, aren't you?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "In what manner of speaking are you referring to?"
Lucy shrugged her shoulders. "I have this feeling that you may have gone to school. You would do anything to learn more."
Hermione smiled, "I did. I guess I have self-taught myself. I really hated feeling restricted. Going the speed that the school wants me to go. Only to be restricted on how much you should learn. No, thank you."
At that moment, Mira came with their food and drinks. Then left to wait on another table. They ate their meal without another word. While the guild was in deep thought.
'She fought a war that we would never understand.' Most of them had thought.
