A Dream Filled Sleep
Hermione awoke the next morning her head still on Draco's chest. It was early, dawn from the looks of the light outside. The television had shut itself down, something Hermione had charmed it to do years ago. She yawned and shifted, feeling like she should get up and go to her bedroom. As she shifted however, Draco's arm tightened around her and she felt…Comfortable. She curled back up and drifted into a dream filled sleep.
"Rowena!" a deep male voice called.
"What do you want Salazar. I told you…I cannot speak to you, my wedding…" Her voice drifted off. She was wearing white robes, her black hair laced with deep purple and black ribbons, and tied into an intricate braid. Her eyes were misty and her robes were white, lined with gold and red. Her clans colors in her hair, her husbands clans colors entwined into her robes. Salazar walked in, ignoring the fact that she wasn't supposed to talk to him, and he to her. He didn't care what his cousin said at that point. He was leaving. His emerald green robes with black lizards on them swished around him as the door shut behind him.
"I came to give you news of my departure. My wedding gift to you. I know that I cannot live this lifetime with you, but our destiny's are entwined Rowena. I will find you in another life." Rowena's eyes calmed, the tears disappearing slowly. Tamed by Salazar's words, his familiar grace. The presence that she had longed for, waited to return to for so long. And then the betrothal.
"I'm sorry it couldn't be different. How I longed for it to be us…"
"I will always love you Rowena. My soul is entwined with your destiny. Eventually our destinies will have to be fulfilled. Time will demand it. The higher ones will make sure it happens…" He kissed her cheek softly and swept from the room, a small cloud of green smoke signifying his departure.
"Goodbye Salazar," she said softly and wondered briefly what had forced her to commit this act of insanity. She didn't love Godric. Not like she loved Salazar. She didn't need his presence, his grace, she didn't need his approval. She heard footsteps and her brother appeared his purple and black dress robes swishing at his ankles. She sighed, the memories suddenly returning. Her hand in marriage promised to the Griffindor clan to stem the bloodshed between the two clans. They became allies. Her father had told her shortly before his death…Just a year before. She had rebelled at first, but eventually he won out. It was to protect her clan after all.
"Are you ready Rowena?" her brother asked. His eyes filled with sympathy. Now the leader of the Ravenclaw clan, he upheld the promise for the clan's sake, even though it pained him to see his sister so in love with someone she couldn't have.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she said softly as she brushed her cheek where Salazar had kissed her and then followed him to the hall. Seated in plush chairs were guests and allies of the clans, well-wishers, peasants, and standing in the red and gold colors of the Griffindor clan was Godric. She plastered a smile on and strode down the aisle.
Hermione awoke with a start and looked around, Draco had shifted and he smiled awkwardly at her.
"Didn't mean to wake you…"
"It's okay," she said softly glancing at the clock. She moved to the other end of the couch and curled up pulling a blanket softly around her.
"Master?" A house elf squeaked from down the hall, a man looked up, remarkably like Harry. The same eyes, the same hair, the same face. It was the man that she had seen in the previous dream. The one standing in red and gold robes at the alter, except older a little bit more stressed looking. And a bit wiser looking. "You can go in now." Godric stood and the dream shifted as he made his way down the hall into a bed chamber. Rowena lay in a large bed, draped in gold and red blankets. She looked pale, but remarkably happy and pleased.
"Meet your daddy Edan," she said softly, and a baby looking much like Godric moved softly in her arms.
"He's beautiful Rowena, just like you," Godric replied kissing her softly on the forehead. Her eyes brimmed, not with love for him…Not even really a compassion, he couldn't see it, but Hermione could. But more of a sense of a completed duty.
Edan and Brendon stood facing each other, swords at ready eyes glinting with anticipation. Bowing with a slight incline of the head they began to parry and doge, jab and spring back. Countering and striking as if dancing. On the side were Rowena and Godric, her and brother and sister-in-law Catherine. A beauty if there ever was one. Brilliant red-gold hair and the deepest green eyes, her son had inherited her eyes, but his hair was a raven black. Catherine brimmed with good health but Rowena looked older than her time. She was paler and cloaked despite the heat in the room. Her hair was laced with grays and every few minutes Godric would check on her. She smiled lightly and talked as if nothing was wrong, but everyone knew something was. Brendon flicked Edan's sword and it clattered to the floor, Edan chuckled.
"Well played Brendon"
"I think you owe me some money Godric," Marcus said from the sidelines.
She woke up with a start and looked around for the never-ending tapping that had grown so annoying that she had wrenched herself from the dream. She blinked several times and then saw Hedwig at the window, tapping with her beak and looking annoyed. Hermione stood and quickly went to open the window. Two owls flew in, one Archimedes, and the second an annoyed looking Hogwarts owl. The Hogwarts owl dropped its letters and flew out the window as quickly as it had arrived. She shrugged and after Archimedes dropped his letter he flew into his cage and began to drink looking at her from time to time and hooting happily. She smiled softly at the owl and looked for Draco, she didn't see him but could faintly hear the shower running upstairs. She grabbed the letter Archimedes had brought and slit it open, leaning back she began to read the letter, written in Dumbledore's neat cursive.
Hermione,
I'm sorry to hear bout the Granger's death. You truly would have loved Michal and Lucia. If you can come to Hogwarts on Sunday. Please understand this is the only day before school starts that I can truly meet with you. With all that has been happening I can't travel far.
Dumbledore
She sighed, well at least everything was going quickly. Her adoptive parents estate would be closed that afternoon. Her parents estate would be reclaimed on Sunday. She wondered how this could have been kept from her, the Sorting Hat had hinter to her. Told her she was a true Ravenclaw, though she bore many of the traits of Griffindor. She carefully slit open her Hogwarts letter and read quickly over the new materials. There were only a couple new books. It was also listed that there would be two balls that year, a Yule Ball and a Valentine's Day ball. Students third year and above were to bring appropriate dress robes. She was about the slit open the third letter when she saw it was addressed to Draco. She shrugged and left it on the table for him to open. Glancing at the clock, and seeing it read only 7:30 she curled back up under the blankets and drifted back to her dreams.
"Rowena? Rowena…Don't leave me yet sweety. Don't leave us yet," Godric's voice came. Her eyes opened and she became aware of the chambers. She was under a puffy gold comforter. "Just hold on a little longer Rowena. I've sent for your family. Don't let go…The potions almost finished."
"The…the snake didn't bite…by accident. I didn't…fullfil--my destiny. The goddess…the goddess, will reclaim my soul. I love you Godric…I really do," Godric squeezed her hand. It was true, her goddess had been cruel to her. At only fifty Rowena should still be young and beautiful. She should have lived another twenty years, there was a pop and three wizards appeared. Edan, Marcus and Salazar. Salazar looked pained. Rowena, once a beauty with raven black hair, was grayed beyond her age. Her once joyful blue eyes were faded and pained. She had truly lost her will to live. When she saw Salazar a small light returned to her eyes.
"Rowena?" Salazar asked lightly.
"Salazar…Thank-you for coming," Godric said. Rowena raised her hand slightly and beckoned for him. He came closer and Godric stepped back. Her voice was just above a whisper and too light for anyone but Salazar to hear.
"The goddess…has been outraged by my defiance…I will be with you in my next life Salazar. I always loved you…" she said softly and Salazar squeezed her hand.
"Don't let go Rowena. Fight it, I know you can," He said in reply.
"I've been fighting for far too long…" She said, the pain leaving her voice. She squeezed his hand and then beckoned for her family. A tear slipped down Salazar's cheek but he let go of her hand and stepped back. Godric took his place, Edan and Marcus stepping onto the other sides of the bed. Salazar left the chambers.
"I'll be with you someday Rowena," he swept from the castle. Headed to his own. He too had married. Purely to continue his line. To make sure his clan lived on. He wasn't there when she slipped into sleep, and then departed that world.
Hermione awoke the next morning her head still on Draco's chest. It was early, dawn from the looks of the light outside. The television had shut itself down, something Hermione had charmed it to do years ago. She yawned and shifted, feeling like she should get up and go to her bedroom. As she shifted however, Draco's arm tightened around her and she felt…Comfortable. She curled back up and drifted into a dream filled sleep.
"Rowena!" a deep male voice called.
"What do you want Salazar. I told you…I cannot speak to you, my wedding…" Her voice drifted off. She was wearing white robes, her black hair laced with deep purple and black ribbons, and tied into an intricate braid. Her eyes were misty and her robes were white, lined with gold and red. Her clans colors in her hair, her husbands clans colors entwined into her robes. Salazar walked in, ignoring the fact that she wasn't supposed to talk to him, and he to her. He didn't care what his cousin said at that point. He was leaving. His emerald green robes with black lizards on them swished around him as the door shut behind him.
"I came to give you news of my departure. My wedding gift to you. I know that I cannot live this lifetime with you, but our destiny's are entwined Rowena. I will find you in another life." Rowena's eyes calmed, the tears disappearing slowly. Tamed by Salazar's words, his familiar grace. The presence that she had longed for, waited to return to for so long. And then the betrothal.
"I'm sorry it couldn't be different. How I longed for it to be us…"
"I will always love you Rowena. My soul is entwined with your destiny. Eventually our destinies will have to be fulfilled. Time will demand it. The higher ones will make sure it happens…" He kissed her cheek softly and swept from the room, a small cloud of green smoke signifying his departure.
"Goodbye Salazar," she said softly and wondered briefly what had forced her to commit this act of insanity. She didn't love Godric. Not like she loved Salazar. She didn't need his presence, his grace, she didn't need his approval. She heard footsteps and her brother appeared his purple and black dress robes swishing at his ankles. She sighed, the memories suddenly returning. Her hand in marriage promised to the Griffindor clan to stem the bloodshed between the two clans. They became allies. Her father had told her shortly before his death…Just a year before. She had rebelled at first, but eventually he won out. It was to protect her clan after all.
"Are you ready Rowena?" her brother asked. His eyes filled with sympathy. Now the leader of the Ravenclaw clan, he upheld the promise for the clan's sake, even though it pained him to see his sister so in love with someone she couldn't have.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she said softly as she brushed her cheek where Salazar had kissed her and then followed him to the hall. Seated in plush chairs were guests and allies of the clans, well-wishers, peasants, and standing in the red and gold colors of the Griffindor clan was Godric. She plastered a smile on and strode down the aisle.
Hermione awoke with a start and looked around, Draco had shifted and he smiled awkwardly at her.
"Didn't mean to wake you…"
"It's okay," she said softly glancing at the clock. She moved to the other end of the couch and curled up pulling a blanket softly around her.
"Master?" A house elf squeaked from down the hall, a man looked up, remarkably like Harry. The same eyes, the same hair, the same face. It was the man that she had seen in the previous dream. The one standing in red and gold robes at the alter, except older a little bit more stressed looking. And a bit wiser looking. "You can go in now." Godric stood and the dream shifted as he made his way down the hall into a bed chamber. Rowena lay in a large bed, draped in gold and red blankets. She looked pale, but remarkably happy and pleased.
"Meet your daddy Edan," she said softly, and a baby looking much like Godric moved softly in her arms.
"He's beautiful Rowena, just like you," Godric replied kissing her softly on the forehead. Her eyes brimmed, not with love for him…Not even really a compassion, he couldn't see it, but Hermione could. But more of a sense of a completed duty.
Edan and Brendon stood facing each other, swords at ready eyes glinting with anticipation. Bowing with a slight incline of the head they began to parry and doge, jab and spring back. Countering and striking as if dancing. On the side were Rowena and Godric, her and brother and sister-in-law Catherine. A beauty if there ever was one. Brilliant red-gold hair and the deepest green eyes, her son had inherited her eyes, but his hair was a raven black. Catherine brimmed with good health but Rowena looked older than her time. She was paler and cloaked despite the heat in the room. Her hair was laced with grays and every few minutes Godric would check on her. She smiled lightly and talked as if nothing was wrong, but everyone knew something was. Brendon flicked Edan's sword and it clattered to the floor, Edan chuckled.
"Well played Brendon"
"I think you owe me some money Godric," Marcus said from the sidelines.
She woke up with a start and looked around for the never-ending tapping that had grown so annoying that she had wrenched herself from the dream. She blinked several times and then saw Hedwig at the window, tapping with her beak and looking annoyed. Hermione stood and quickly went to open the window. Two owls flew in, one Archimedes, and the second an annoyed looking Hogwarts owl. The Hogwarts owl dropped its letters and flew out the window as quickly as it had arrived. She shrugged and after Archimedes dropped his letter he flew into his cage and began to drink looking at her from time to time and hooting happily. She smiled softly at the owl and looked for Draco, she didn't see him but could faintly hear the shower running upstairs. She grabbed the letter Archimedes had brought and slit it open, leaning back she began to read the letter, written in Dumbledore's neat cursive.
Hermione,
I'm sorry to hear bout the Granger's death. You truly would have loved Michal and Lucia. If you can come to Hogwarts on Sunday. Please understand this is the only day before school starts that I can truly meet with you. With all that has been happening I can't travel far.
Dumbledore
She sighed, well at least everything was going quickly. Her adoptive parents estate would be closed that afternoon. Her parents estate would be reclaimed on Sunday. She wondered how this could have been kept from her, the Sorting Hat had hinter to her. Told her she was a true Ravenclaw, though she bore many of the traits of Griffindor. She carefully slit open her Hogwarts letter and read quickly over the new materials. There were only a couple new books. It was also listed that there would be two balls that year, a Yule Ball and a Valentine's Day ball. Students third year and above were to bring appropriate dress robes. She was about the slit open the third letter when she saw it was addressed to Draco. She shrugged and left it on the table for him to open. Glancing at the clock, and seeing it read only 7:30 she curled back up under the blankets and drifted back to her dreams.
"Rowena? Rowena…Don't leave me yet sweety. Don't leave us yet," Godric's voice came. Her eyes opened and she became aware of the chambers. She was under a puffy gold comforter. "Just hold on a little longer Rowena. I've sent for your family. Don't let go…The potions almost finished."
"The…the snake didn't bite…by accident. I didn't…fullfil--my destiny. The goddess…the goddess, will reclaim my soul. I love you Godric…I really do," Godric squeezed her hand. It was true, her goddess had been cruel to her. At only fifty Rowena should still be young and beautiful. She should have lived another twenty years, there was a pop and three wizards appeared. Edan, Marcus and Salazar. Salazar looked pained. Rowena, once a beauty with raven black hair, was grayed beyond her age. Her once joyful blue eyes were faded and pained. She had truly lost her will to live. When she saw Salazar a small light returned to her eyes.
"Rowena?" Salazar asked lightly.
"Salazar…Thank-you for coming," Godric said. Rowena raised her hand slightly and beckoned for him. He came closer and Godric stepped back. Her voice was just above a whisper and too light for anyone but Salazar to hear.
"The goddess…has been outraged by my defiance…I will be with you in my next life Salazar. I always loved you…" she said softly and Salazar squeezed her hand.
"Don't let go Rowena. Fight it, I know you can," He said in reply.
"I've been fighting for far too long…" She said, the pain leaving her voice. She squeezed his hand and then beckoned for her family. A tear slipped down Salazar's cheek but he let go of her hand and stepped back. Godric took his place, Edan and Marcus stepping onto the other sides of the bed. Salazar left the chambers.
"I'll be with you someday Rowena," he swept from the castle. Headed to his own. He too had married. Purely to continue his line. To make sure his clan lived on. He wasn't there when she slipped into sleep, and then departed that world.