Somehow I did not have the original prompts for round/chapter one, but here are the prompts I used for this
Word Prompts: bubble, cauldron, daffodil
Scene prompt: For the first time in three generations, [Malfoy Manor, Grimmauld Place, Lestrange Park, Rosier Abbey, &c-choose one!] had an owner who cared to honour the old ways. (For this one, I obviously went with the Davies home.)
It was a week later that Hermione finally emerged from the Davies' family library with a grin on her face. She quickly made her way from the library to Roger's study. He looked up as she entered the room.
"Roger, I think I've figured out a way to stop them!" She stopped in front of his desk where she held up a stack of parchment. "The red caps taste for Beltane blood rituals, I mean."
The tall, sandy blond wizard set aside the files he had been reviewing to give Hermione his full attention, knowing that if Hermione had a breakthrough that she was rushing to tell him about, then it was worth listening to.
"What did you found?"
"Well, in reviewing both the in-depth books from your library, plus a couple other darker books from Grimmauld Place that Harry leant to me, I've noticed that the increase in red cap attacks, for lack of a better word, during Beltane started when those participating in the rituals made the rituals more modern." She set a stack of notes on Roger's desk. Her boyfriend tactfully hid his grimace at the almost three-centimetre high pile of pages that were filled with Hermione's tiny script. "Based on what I've learned, if households, especially the old pureblood families, honour the old ways and perform the rituals as they were meant to be performed, then that just might stop the atrocious creatures from attacking."
Roger looked at her curiously, before turning his eyes back to the papers before him. "What do you mean by 'honour the old ways'?"
"Beltane is a time to celebrate unions, fertility, and harvest." Hermione sat down in the large overstuffed chair in front of Roger's desk, making herself comfortable. "The union to celebrate the handfasting between the Goddess and God can either be a physical handfasting or a trial union that lasts for a year and a day and is not legally binding, some couples look at the trial union almost like an engagement before they legally bind themselves to each other.
"Other traditions include braiding one's hair, the use of a cauldron representing the Goddess, circling the Maypole to promote fertility, jumping over or circling the Bel fire sun-wise three times for luck and gathering flowers such as primrose or daffodils, ribbons, and streamers for decorating the household," she paused for a moment. The excitement of a new discovery always left her slightly breathless, in awe of the world around her. "I believe that if these rituals are followed based on the old ways before any of the blood magic ward renewal rituals or the virgin rites are performed, then this just might stop the red caps. We shouldn't have to fear being attacked by those creatures when this is supposed to be a joyous holiday and prosperity for the coming growing season is a driving force behind it."
Roger took a moment after she finished speaking to re-read a section she had highlighted. "So based on what you've said and what I've read so far, then if each household honours the old ways, we may be able to stop those blood-thirsty creatures. Sometimes the modern era has a leg up over the old ways, but as you said, love, there is a reason for tradition."
He stood up and made his way around his desk to stand in front of Hermione before helping her up from her chair.
She nodded in reply. "I think so. Of course, I'll have to take it to my superiors, but we've got almost two weeks till Beltane still, so even if it's wrong, then I should be able to find something else." She paused before looking at him questioningly, "If this does work and is approved by my superiors, are you willing to tie yourself to me for a year and a day, just to participate in this ritual for your own home?"
Roger's answering grin was positively wolfish as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "If it means I get to keep you, then yes I am. I'd gladly tie myself to you for the rest of my life if it meant being able to have you in my arms."
Hermione blushed.
Roger brushed his fingers across the light colour staining her cheeks. "Well, this sounds like a moment to celebrate," he murmured.
Hermione laughed. "I don't want to get ahead of ourselves, I could be wrong."
He smirked. "Love, you are very rarely wrong, but to make you feel better, how about this? What if we celebrate the fact that this is the first time in a week that I've seen you for more than ten minutes in one go?"
"I think I can celebrate that." A smirk of her own spread across her face, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "What shall we start with?"
"How about a nice relaxing bubble bath, before some alone time in the bedroom?" He waggled his eyebrows, as his hands slid from her waist down to cup her bottom.
Hermione jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. "That sounds wonderful," she whispered against his ear, before nipping the lobe.