Warning : This chapter contains triggers on miscarriages, infertility and ectopic pregnancys.

Disclaimer : Everything you recognize is J.K. Rowling's and everything you don't is mine.

Chapter 3.

Hermione looked at the devastation around her. Her hands trembling.

Hogsmead was pile of burning rubble and Hogwarts was burning, the smoke clouded out the sight of the towers.

There was no Forbidden Forest. Everything was a vast wasteland with no soul in sight.

She turned, hearing a loud laugh behind her.

Kneeling on the ground was a man covered in chains with long, wildly curly hair, laughing madly.

"You're too late Enchantress. You're all going to die." He said gleefully.

Hermione woke with a gasp. She quickly got out of bed and checked her wards.

Finding them still firmly in place, she threw on a robe and headed downstairs for a cup of early morning tea.

It was only when she was half way through her first cup did her nerves start to settle down.

"Morning." Ron mumbled walking into the kitchen, eyes still half shut with sleep.

Hermione's eyes widened and a large blush crept on her face at the sight of Ron not wearing a t-shirt or a robe.

Through her travels with Seraphina she had been to many beach's and had seen a number of men in their swimming trunks but none had attracted her eyes like Ron.

He was extremely well built with great definition on his arms and chest.

Hermione's eyes started to trail down but Ron turned, grabbing the coffee beans.

"You were restless last night." He said simply, "Bad dreams?"

She struggled to control her blush as she shrugged, "Just weird ones."

"Wanna tell me about them?"

She shook her head, "No point in it now. Just ones that give me the heebies."

Ron shrugged.

"Those brains sure did a number on you." She said softly, referring to his scars.

This time, it was Ron that blushed. "It was more than 10 years ago."

"I can get rid of the scarring for you if you want." She said softly, "I got rid of mine from Dolohov a few years ago."

He raised his eyebrow at her, "But not the …other one?"

"No. That bitch is dead while I'm alive and thriving." She said, a glint in her eyes, "I'm

not ashamed of my heritage. Even if it is written on my skin."

"But then why did you choose to remove the others?" he asked sipping his coffee.

Hermione hesitated, "It was substantially more extensive damage to my ribs and chest…it…it disfigured me to the point where I was deeply uncomfortable in my own skin."

"I'm sorry Hermione." He said hanging his head.

She smiled at him, "You weren't the one who cast the curse Ron."

"I didn't protect you."

Hermione rolled her eyes at him, "I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself, Ronald."

Ron cringed, "That comment was mildly sexist, wasn't it?"

This time it was Hermione sighed, "I understand where you are coming from but the implication that I'm not capable of protecting myself is insulting."

"Even before you became an Enchantress, you were the smartest and strongest person I knew and now even more so." He said running his hand through his hair, "I know you're more than able to protect yourself, I just wish there wasn't the necessity of you having to do so whether it was the Department of Mysteries or Malfoy Manor."

At that Hermione softened. "We ensured that no other teenager would experience what we went through. They can just be kids and only have the worry of exams and quidditch."

"Which is why whoever was trying to break through the Hogwarts wards is so concerning." He sighed, partially relieved at the row they had managed to avoid.

"We'll get them." Hermione said confidently.

§§§§§§§

"You're our wards expert, Naledi." Seraphina said as they sat around the dining room table one evening a few days later, "Is there anything in here that would prevent the wards from being unwoven?"

The African woman with cornrows sighed, "There are very few wards that fit that description. Most magical folk don't even know that wards are woven and not built. Other than us there's a handful of people who would be able to achieve such a feat."

"Are the aurors running background checks on them?" Hermione asked.

Naledi nodded, "One is in Alcatraz. The others all have a solid alibi's."
"Maybe they trained somebody?" Constantia asked.

"I don't think so," Naledi said rubbing her forehead, "It takes decades to get to that level of proficiency. I'm not even on that level yet. I could unweave the Hogwarts wards but it would take me weeks, not a few minutes. Somebody with that skill level would've been noticed, one only gets there with practiced and the whole community would've been a buzz."

The seven enchantresses looked between each other, nobody wanting to say out loud what they all thought.

"Hullo Mio-"Ron said as he stepped into the room, pausing as he saw all the different faces at him.

"Hiya Ron!" She smiled at him, "We'll get dinner started shortly."

He blinked, "Nah, I'll make dinner. You ladies take your time."

She smiled at him as he turned and headed into the kitchen.

"He cooks!" Marigold exclaimed as the women of all ages broke out into whispers.

"Hush." Hermione said, "Back to the topic at hand. Which wards are open to us currently?"

Constantia piped up, "I've dug out a few history books and there's a number of mentioned wards. Perhaps we can divide the reading and make notes of what we think may be useful."

Seraphina nodded.

"I'll bow out on that." Naledi said frowning, "I'm going to visit a China and Brazil, there's a few sources I need to check out there as an alternative to the Virgin Seven."

A few of the enchantresses nodded.

"What's the Virgin Seven?" Hermione asked confused, looking at Seraphina.

"We never covered it because it isn't usually applicable to enchantresses these days." Her blonde mentor sighed, "Its seven hundred and seventy-seven knotted wards enacted and enforced over seven hours."

"That sounds great! Why don't we use it?" she asked.

"Because it requires the virginal blood of an enchantress." Naledi filled in.

Hermione's eyes widened, "A sex ritual?"

In the kitchen, Ron's face went bright red. He was fairly uncertain that the enchantresses didn't know that he could hear them.

"No, nowhere near as complicated as that." Naledi said frowning slightly.

"But how does it work ?" Hermione probed further.

"It's the strongest wards we have. Seven enchantresses do a series of complicated movements, channeling the magic in and around them. All the movements and staff strikes are the same for all seven but it is the intent that differs, while six of us concentrate on supporting the seventh, virgin enchantresses and the wards we are trying to enact." The south African said shaking her foot, "The virgin concentrates on sacrificing her virginal blood for the protection – in this instance Hogwarts – and the reason why she is willing to do so. From everything I've read, it has a high chance of success if the motivation of the seventh is deemed worthy. Its closer to a sacrificial ritual than anything else although a few enchantresses would argue that it's a mixture of a sacrificial ritual with blood ritual aspects to it."

"So magic can decide that it's not a worthy enough reason to enact the ritual and it would be wasted?" Hermione asked frowning.

"Yes," Naledi nodded, aware of the other five paying close attention to their conversation, "The cause needs to be pure and the enchantress needs to be convinced of the cause in question otherwise …eish … the magic takes the sacrifice of the virgin enchantress but no wards get enacted and we'd only know after the seven hours."

Hermione paused, "Let's do it."

Seraphina chuckled, "As if finding a virgin enchantress is that easy."

"Well…I am." Hermione said, refusing to blush, "A virgin that is."

The six enchantresses all looked at Hermione incredulously.

"But Hermione you're twenty-six." Marigold said stunned.

She shrugged. "Yes and?"

Looking around she saw their shocked faces, "Oh for Pete's sake. I was too busy trying to keep Harry and Ron alive in school and the year after that. Then I was busy finishing my NEWTS. By the time I was seriously thinking of it, Seraphina whisked me away to apprentice and we moved around too often between country to country for me to form a meaning relationship with someone and I didn't want to do it with just anyone…I wanted it to be special with someone I that I cared about, someone that cared about me in return. So let's do this ritual"

Constantia squeezed her hand, "I'm proud of you Hermione."

"Hermione," Naledi said gently, "The Ritual will be excruciatingly painful for you. Much more so than if you had sex."

She shrugged, "Nothing will ever be as bad Bellatrix Lestrange."

"Darling Sister, are you sure?" Constantia asked softly.

"If Naledi says there's nothing stronger then there isn't. Those children need to safe while they're there. I won't let them be harmed. Not again." Hermione said with steel in her voice.

"It's settled then. We'll start research into the wording and movements." Constantia said with sigh, "Hermione, if at any point you decide not to proceed further, all you need to do is say the word and we shall research an alternative."

Hermione nodded.

§§§§§§§

Once the roast chickens that Ron made were eaten and the enchantresses had left, Hermione spelled the dishes to clean themselves and quietly sat out on the patio, cup of tea in hand to calm her mind.

She enacted a small invisible heat round dome, so she could enjoy the rare snow fall.

Ron quietly joined her on the small outdoor couch.

"You doing okay?" he asked softly.

Hermione nodded, not looking at him.

"Uhm, so sound travels in the house." He said blushing, "I don't want to keep that from you."

She sighed, her own cheeks matching his. "Please stop whatever lecture you're planning on giving me on the topic."

"I'm not going to give you a lecture or say anything about it. Your body, your choice." He said, leaning back into the couch, "I'll be there to support you."

Hermione turned to look at him, eyes wide. "Really?"

Ron smiled at her, "Always the tone of surprise."

At this she simply rolled her eyes at him.

§§§§§§§

Percy stood in front of Hermione desk in the Diagon Alley office.

"We're scheduled to introduce the Equality Care Act next week before the full Wizemgamot." He said, flipping through the pages in front of him and handing them to her, "Padma and I are almost done drafting Lupins Bill."

Hermione nodded, looking at the Equality Care Act.

"And the-" Hermione started to say but was interrupted by a loud knock on the door with it promptly swinging open, the Malfoys striding in.

"I tried to stop them Enchantress." Janice said following the two blondes. "But they refused to leave and insisted on bursting in!"

Hermione smiled at the woman whom she had poached away from Kingsley to be her receptionist.

"It's okay Janice." She smiled and stood, walking to face the blonde pair. "Please close the door on the way out."

Nobody of the four people said anything while Janice left.

"What can I do for you today Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy?" She asked pleasantly.

"Enchantress." Draco said bowing his head at her, "My apologies for budging in like barbarians but this simply could not wait."

She nodded, waiting for him to continue.

Before anybody could say anything else, Draco Malfoy kneeled in front of Hermione, his wand balanced in an open palm he held towards her.

"I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, do swear fealty to Enchantress Hermione Granger, to honor, serve and protect. I vow that me and my heirs are shall uphold this vow to the utmost best of our ability. I vow to be your vessel in times of war and in times of peace, whatever you need you may have of me, shall be fulfilled. This I vow. So mote it be."

A bright blue light surrounded Hermione, Draco and Astoria.

Draco stood slowly, his wand still in his palm.

Hermione blinked, eyes wide, completely flabbergasted at the unexpected development.

"I … Percy, please order us some tea while we sit." She said, "I think this occasion calls for it."

The Weasley hesitated and nodded before promptly heading out the door.

"Let's take a seat, shall we?" she suggested, her voice wavering slightly. No amount of training had prepared her for an action such as this, especially not from Draco Malfoy.

The small party of three sat on the small couches Astoria had placed there a small while previously.

"I have to say Astoria," Hermione said, "I simply adore the way you've decorated, it brings me joy each time I see it."

The young woman smiled brightly. "Thank you, Enchantress."

Percy brought in a tray of tea.

"Would you mind awfully if Percy was to stay?" She asked politely.

"Not at all." Draco said as Percy took a seat.

"Now, Mr. Malfoy-" she started.

"Please just Draco." He interrupted.

She nodded once at him as she poured the tea. "Well Draco, please be so kind to explain as to why exactly you have sworn fealty to me today?"

"Enchantress, I'd like to explain." Astoria said, taking an offered cup of tea.

Hermione nodded at her.

"Our marriage was arranged by our parents from the cradle. We both grew up knowing that one day we'd be wed. Neither of us were very pleased by the prospect while we were at Hogwarts…especially with Parkinson sticking her nose everywhere." she sniffed at this, "It was only when Draco returned for his NEWTS did we connect and well, we fell in love."

Draco grabbed her hand at this.

"In the contract our parents signed on our behalf was a clause stating that prior to our marriage, Healers had to confirm that I was … fertile." She paused, looking down at her hands, "When they said I'd never bear children… Draco could've broken our engagement. Narcissa insisted that we do. The Malfoy line was due to die out, you see…But Draco said, if he didn't marry me, he wouldn't marry anyone… Narcissa came around before the wedding. And then a year after we wed, I found myself pregnant. I've never been happier. I've always wanted to be a mother, you see, more than anything else. I spent that year morning the child I would never have and then... I was expecting." She blinked away tears.

Nobody had the heart to interrupt her.

"My joy lasted for two weeks and then the healers…it was an ectopic pregnancy. These last years I've…We've kept busy, I started a decorating business and well, you know of Draco's economic exploits. And then Padma commission me for this office and I hoped, oh Merlin, I had hoped you might be able to heal me." She was crying in earnest now.

"After we left here," Draco said giving her a handkerchief, squeezing her hand, " We did everything as per your instructions and yesterday, the healers confirmed we're to have our first child. All the hurdles we had prior to our…appointment with you, are no longer hurdles we need to jump."

"I'm pregnant." Astoria burst out, smiling through her tears, "A perfectly healthy baby in perfect position."

Hermione smiled, "Congratulations to you both! I'm so happy for you Astoria."

She nodded, drying her previous tears. "It's only thanks to you Enchantress."

"Please, both of you, call me Hermione." She said softly, "But it doesn't explain the fealty vow."

Draco coughed. "You've not only made my wife happier than I've seen her in recent years but you've also allowed us to continue you the Malfoy name. A simple thank you or a galleon…would never have been sufficient for me…so you have my support and resources."

Hermione and Percy shared a look and she nodded, "Understood. Now before you two depart, can I examine you Astoria? For my own peace of mind."

Astoria smiled, "Please!"

"Percy, if you'll excuse us." Hermione said standing.

Fifteen minutes later, she walked the soon to be three Malfoys down the stairs and said farewell.

It was only when they were out the door did Hermione turn to Janice, Percy and Padma and laugh slightly, still in shock.

"It never gets boring around here, does it ?" she asked smiling as she walked up back up the stairs.

§§§§§§§

The seven enchantresses stood in the formation of 7 in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, practicing movements and the Celtic wording they would have to get right.

"Remember, we need to synchronize the right leg and the staff hitting the ground at the same time for the first hour." Naledi said as they took a break, most women panting heavily. "It's only 6 new movements that we've got to get down, the others we all already know."

Hermione drank deeply from her bottle of water, her breathing calming down somewhat.

"Do we know who keeps trying to get through the wards ?" Marigold said to Hermione's left.

"The aurors are at a dead end." Hermione said, adjusting her bushy ponytail. "All the death eaters were put into Azkaban years ago. And they have no new suspects."

Constantia froze and turned to look to at Hermione, "New suspects?"

She nodded, confused at the elderly woman.

The short white-haired women's eyes widened, and she started to pace. "What if it isn't a new suspect but an old one?"

Six women turned to her confused. "What do you mean? We know Voldemort is gone and burnt to ash and ashes spread in a location only Kinglsey and Harry know."

"No, somebody older than Voldemort, older than Hogwarts itself." She said quietly, still pacing, without saying another word she vanished from the hall.

Seraphina sighed, "There she goes again. Let's take 10 and start practicing again without her."

Before anybody could say anything else, Constantia appeared again, holding a large dark tome.

"Ladies, I think we need to go to the Chamber Of Secrets." She said deathly pale.

"What's wrong ?" Seraphina said putting her hand on the elder woman's shoulder.

"This is Morgana Le Fey's Grimoire." She said to the six other women, "I translated it from Celtic to modern-day English about two decades ago. She was the one who created the Virgin Seven Weave. She left detailed instructions on everything she had created and two other passages…one of them is the one I'm referring to…Get comfortable ladies."

Hermione conjured an armchair for her to curl up in and others did the same.

"This man's reign of horror is unprecedented. He drains a person's essence out of them with frightening ease, strengthening him further. Whole villages would fall to him, leaving behind smoldering ruins of what once was. Once Sister Eilis fell to his wrath, his power increased tenfold. From there, he abandoned his hunt for muggles, witches and wizards and directly targeted the enchantresses. Four more fell before we learned to hide, to gather our knowledge and our strength." Constantia's melodic voice sounded through the hall, "With the assistance of Sister Helga and Sister Rowena we devised a plan to rid the world of his evil. His original vassal was destroyed in our initial confrontation but what we did not foresee was his soul anchor to this realm. He returned, less than a year later and took over Salazar Slytherin's body. The remaining Hogwarts Heads reorganized Myrddin and Myrddin in Slytherins body departed from Hogwarts before we could once again confront him."

Hermione's eyes widened at this.

"In the months that followed, Godric Gryffindor fell to Myrddin. We did not have the knowledge that he used dark sacrificial ritual, which had rendered him immortal from age or normal wounds of the flesh." She paused, a frown darkening, "We found his remaining six soul anchors and destroyed them in forbidden fire- that's fiend fire – but the vassal we could not destroy. The essence that he had absorbed from my sisters and the sacrificial ritual rendered it impossible. With the help of my mother and her mother before her, we created a complex weaved ward calling it the Virgin Seven Weave. The last seven of us lured him back to Hogwarts one winter night and trapped him in a chamber bellow the castle with the Virgin Seven Weave on top of him, preventing him from moving or using his magic for the next Millenia but it will fail eventually. My only hope that in the future there will be a way to destroy the worst beast that has ever walked this land." She breathed in deeply, "There's a caveat from her daughter, Mother never stopped in her search to rid the world of him, she passed peacefully in her sleep never having found the solution to this great problem."

"Isn't Myrddin another name for Merlin?" Sasha asked softly, just as pale as Constantia was.

"Yes." Hermione said rubbing her forehead, a headache forming. "We literally have to kill Merlin."

§§§§§§§

AN : I want to thank you all for the lovely reviews, follows and favorites. It never fails to make me smile. I want to clear a few things up that a reviewer mentioned.

Hermione has not installed herself as a dictator. Yes, she manipulated her way into England because it was her home and she wanted to settle there. She has as much power as anybody else on the Wizengamot.

The enchantresses didn't help with Voldemort because they cannot enter a country where they are not invited to. The ministry didn't invite them in so they couldn't help in either wizarding wars.

I'm sorry I didn't make it clearer from the beginning. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

As always, a big thank you to my Alpha, Smos who is the bomb dot comb.

Also, a big shout out to the 8 South Africans reading xx

Be kind to one another, especially in these times.

Stay safe, stay sane.

Love,

Blonde Tyche xx