As soon as the calendar hits September 1st, my head immediately goes into the Season of the Witch and Pumpkins galore, and my heart longs for Hogwarts. So, of course I had to write this.

Hello!

This is my first time writing Harry Potter in general, but I've been in love with this pairing for, oh, so many years now.

This is based on the ancient traditions that were performed by young maidens on Samhain to foresee their future husband. I absolutely love doing research for this topics, and if you find that you enjoy the premise of this story, I encourage you to read further into the different traditions from the Celts, Samhain, etcetera, etcetera.

The characters may seem a little off on their actions and way of being, that is all changed with the purpose to be able to incorporate the main idea. For example, there is just no way Hermione's character would've agreed to do this. But! I tried to keep them as close to character as possible.

I apologize in advance for any grammatical errors.

'This is really silly,' Hermione thought as she locked the door behind her.

Her dorm was empty as was required. Her feet carried her towards the table she had transfigured earlier this afternoon from a stool. Static rivers of cold wax formed patterns on the wooden surface surrounding the tall white candle. The tall orange flame flickered; an enchanted flame, Parvarti had told her, so it wouldn't blow out with the wind that entered from the open window.

She felt a chill over her body and berated herself for not wearing a thicker sweater. For the twentieth-something time that day she questioned herself why she was going through with this.

She bit her lip slightly at the sight of the final items placed on the table: a small bowl filled with apples and a dark wooden brush.

This was going against everything she believed in. And it was her roommates's fault.

It was no secret that Parvarti and Lavender harbored a particular fondness to Divination since their third year. They were known to spend at least an afternoon every week with Professor Trelawney; who over tea and biscuits, would share and explain more of the 'Art of Divination' and how to 'open their Eye to the future'.

If you were to ask Hermione, Divination was not a real science. There were no facts, no valid arguments, and no real evidence other than coincidences and manipulation; therefor deeming it worthless. That was after all the reason why she had abandoned that class during her third year. Even so, she couldn't deny she had been curious last Friday evening when both of her roommates had excitedly gathered at least half a dozen of girls who happened to be at the Gryffindor common room to share some magical traditions.

She had had been working on her potions essay. Ron had laughed, calling her out for it wasn't due for another week. Hermione was used to it. It was a back and for between them that had always happened since they first became friends on their first year. Granted, it wasn't always this friendly teasing, but over the years she had learned not to take it seriously and Ron in turn learned to control the way he expressed his comments.

That night however, she was still upset with him over their last fight, so she had as politely as she could told him that she was aware and maybe if he took his classes as seriously as he should, then maybe he could actually get his homework done on time. Ron obviously didn't take the hint and proceeded to mention that with Harry's book their work would be cut in half. He missed seeing Harry shaking his head frantically at him. Hermione had snippily told him she doubted a few notes on a book that they shouldn't even have anymore would actually help them that much and told them how it was part of the grade doing the correct research.

After a nudge and a shake of head from Ginny, both boys had promptly left the room.

At that moment Lavender and Parvarti arrived and wasted no time to share their information. With Halloween being next week, Professor Trelawney had taught them about ancient traditions of simple fortune telling that young witches used to do on All Hallows Eve. Between giggles, they explained some of them were used to foresee their future husband.

Hermione had rolled her eyes. Merlin! She had better things to do than to entertain that idea.

She couldn't hide her surprise when they asked her opinion.

"Why would it matter what I think?" she had asked confusedly.

"We were wondering if you knew more about them," Parvarti had blushed sheepishly. At the perplexed look she had continued. "Professor Trelawney mentioned that some of those traditions were passed down to, uh, some muggle communities. Those were practiced by muggles."

Hermione had frowned. "We were just curious," Lavender had intercepted quietly.

But it had picked her interest. The next day she found herself at the library doing more research, fascinated that the Wizarding World had managed to influence the Muggle World so early on that easily. By Monday, she had satiated her curiosity and the subject was forgotten. Or at least by her.

Wednesday morning during breakfast both Parvarti and Lavender took a seat next to her, she was about to shrug it off when the blond haired girl called for her attention. Lavender paused and explained. Her roommates requested her to spend part of the next evening out of their room to which she immediately questioned. She asked Hermione if she remembered their conversation on Friday, after replying that she did, Parvarti told her giddily that they were planning on doing one of the 'rituals' that Professor Trelawney had shared with them; but apparently they needed a deserted room for that.

Hermione's first reaction was to scoff.

"Laugh if you want, Granger." Lavender had looked offended. "We're only asking you this favor. We know you won't join us."

Hermione had pursed her lips. She was right.

"We thought it could be fun to try," Parvarti placated. "We're not even sure if it will work, but we want to try it as a tradition."

Out of the two of them, Hermione could stand Parvarti a bit more than Lavender. And her comment made her soften up a bit – after all she had spent some time doing research as well– so she asked them how long they would need the room for. After answering and thanking her, they told her she was welcome to join them.

She had given them a grimace and told them she would think about it. She didn't need a fortune teller to know what her answer would be.

It didn't stop her mind from wandering to the invitation, after all it was in her nature to be naturally curious. If it even worked – which she doubted– how it would've been possible for a muggle to be able to perform the 'ritual'? Wasn't magic something that was strictly, well, for witches and wizards? Was divination even real magic?

At the last thought she had to bite back a bitter laugh.

Ever since she came to be in the magical world, divination had done nothing but cause misfortune and horrible predictions. Especially from Trelawney. Hadn't Professor McGonagall specifically said that Trelawney started the year by predicting at least the death of one student? It was just her good luck that this time she had Harry to cast her predictions to. The actual boy who defied Death and the odds, and continued to defeat Voldemort himself. Of course Trelawney would predict his death. The boy had a Dark wizard after him for Godric's sake!

And then, there was the prophecy. The bloody prophecy. Also provided by Trelawney herself.

Her firm posture wavered at that. After all, the prophecy had gotten it right so far. And Dumbledore seemed to really trust it. Merlin, everyone in the order did. Mr. Weasley had gotten hurt because of it.

So, could it be that it might just be real?

But it still isn't precise, a voice had argued in her head. Harry was still alive, even after Trelawney's ridiculous predictions over the last three years.

It was a branch of magic. Just not precise, nor reliable. Besides, ancient muggle civilizations could be a little gullible when it came to magic, so it was no wonder they would rely on divination.

Not that gullible, the voice had argued again. Magic was real. They just didn't fully understand it. They were not meant to. They did have some witch trials all over Europe and later on over America. Granted, the unfortunate were muggles, real witches knew better. But they still had certain knowledge.

Both communities had lived together over the years, certainly it wouldn't be so farfetched that muggles hadn't just picked up some actions, but that the witches had taught them some as well. If so, then, did it work with them just as well? Were they able to?

Hermione's first answer would've been no. But then she remembered what she had read in the library.

All Hallows Eve. Samhain. Halloween.

A night filled with magic, for the veil that usually separated the astral world and their world lifted and allowed the spirits to roam the Earth with the living. They already roamed the halls of Hogwarts and several other magical locations, but the day was still celebrated by old families. Mostly pureblood. According to 'Samhain Throughout the Ages' and 'Magical Celebrations', while muggles were unable to actually see spirits, the magic on that special day allowed them to connect with them, to the point of being able to see them o hear them directly.

If muggles were affected by the magic of All Hallows Eve, why wouldn't they – wizards and witches – be able to tap further into it? Especially to a branch as basic and unpredictable as divination?

And if that was the case. Maybe it would be les unpredictable and more precise for a witch?

It was with those silly thoughts and her determination to find out that by that evening, Hermione Granger had accepted her roommate's invitation.

Which is how she found herself in this situation in present time.

Inside an empty room, on the night of Samhain.

Blowing out a breath, she reached out her hand for an apple from the bowl and for the brush with the other. She eyed her reflection in the mirror on her side and walked purposely towards it.

It was a full sized mirror with a golden frame and was guarded by two candles on the floor; one on each side. Hermione stared at her reflected brown eyes and frowned.

The 'ritual' was quite simple. She was stare at her reflection while brushed her hair and ate the apple. According to Lavender, if she stared closely at the sides of her reflection, she would catch the face of her future husband.

Hermione slowly sat in front of the large mirror.

'This is just for research,' she thought as she placed the apple on her lap.

She took a front section of her hair and started to brush at the bottom working her way up. The knots slowly coming loose. Pausing to take a bite of the apple and looking over she shoulders in the mirror before moving on to the next section.

It was a good thing she was washing her hair the next morning, otherwise it would look even bushier the next day if she were to leave it like that.

As she worked around her hair, the world around her started to dissipate. She focused on the gently pulling of her hair. The acid and sweet taste of the apple. Her eyes would glaze over her reflection's shoulders smoothly. She barely had to think her actions anymore. It seemed to come naturally, as if eating while brushing her hair in the dark was a regular occurrence for her.

She didn't notice the candles on her side fading. Or the wind picking up strength. But it was hard to miss the pale translucent face that was starting to take form over her right shoulder.

The brush dropped in surprise.

Hermione almost turned around, even though she knew she would find the room empty if she did, but Parvarti's words rushed into her mind like an urgent whisper.

"Do not take your eyes off the mirror, no matter what."

It happened too fast.

The face started to morph, and color began to show.

Not even one second later vibrant red hair, playful brown eyes and a teasing smirk showed over her shoulder's reflection.

The gasp had barely left her lips before the candles went out completely and the image disappeared from her sight.

The spell was broken.

Hermione stood up with a jump and hurriedly backed away from the mirror. Her foot caught with an object and sent her tumbling to the floor. With a groan she saw the half eaten apple roll away before stopping. It must have fallen off her lap when she had jumped up.

A timid knocking broke her out of her trance.

"Hermione? Are you alright?"

It was Parvarti. She must have heard her falling.

"Yes!" she cried out.

Hermione stood up once more, picked up the brush and disposed of the apple before opening the door.

Two pairs of wide eyes stared back at her.

Hermione supposed she looked crazy. Her hair was bushier than usual thanks to the brushing out, and she wasn't sure, but she thought her eyes looked disturbed.

"Hum…"

"Well…"

A pause.

"Did you, er, see anything?"

Hermione pursed her lips. She had been the last one to try it that night. Both Lavender and Parvarti had sworn to have seen a figure of smoke behind them. Parvarti had admitted to have turned around when it first appeared and suspected that had been the same reason why it had disappeared before she could know for sure who it was. Lavender had said nothing over whom she had seen.

With denial of what just happened, she decided that even if she had seen anything, like Lavender, she had the option to keep some information to herself. She was still too freaked out.

"Not quite," Hermione lied. "I… I think I saw something. But I turned." She casted her eyes down and hoped that they believed that the blush that was taking over her face was of embarrassment.

"It's just, we–you've been there for almost forty minutes. And we heard some noise."

Had she really been there that long? Neither of them had taken longer than ten minutes. It might have been her imagination, but they looked a bit concerned.

She shrugged it off with a laugh. "I did quit divination, it's no surprise."

'And did the right thing by doing so,' she thought bitterly.

Both girls seemed to believe her and entered the room to get ready for bed. As usual, they chatted for a while. Except this time they made an effort to try to include Hermione into their conversation. At first she was annoyed and was starting to shut them down when she realized that they actually meant it. They wanted to include her.

The brunette surmised that they were trying to make an effort since she had showed interest into something that they both enjoyed. With that in mind, her smile turned sincere and her answers indulgent.

As silly and obnoxious they both were, it was the first time in a long time that they made the effort to include her and tried to find common topics with her. She let out a breath of relief when they restrained from divination all together.

Eventually, they all went to bed. The room filled with soft snores and slow breathing, but Hermione's eyes refused to shut. They kept wondering to the tall mirror in the room. Still shocked. Still trying to deny it.

Even though she knew it wouldn't happen again, she was dreading to find Fred Weasley's face staring back at her.

For the time being I will keep this as a one shot with a possibility of a continuation.

Please leave a review to let me know if that's something you'd be interested in!

Any questions are welcome as well :)

Stay awesome, stay wicked. And Blessed Be.

FireOfInspiration