A/N: Has anyone else noticed any formatting issues in the past few chapters? I seem to be fighting a losing battle with my document manager and it's leading to some strange results. I apologize for any bugs or apparent non-edits that seem to be floating around. I'll do my best to figure it out in the next couple of days.
Dia paused at the threshold of the terrace, absorbing the peaceful scene that lay before her. Wisteria hung in soft fronds from the pergola above, dispelling some of the intensity of the noon sun overhead. Beneath, Hermione stood in the dappled sunlight, working over the outdoor table which had been covered by newspaper and was playing host to a variety of summer vegetables.
The witch wore a light blue shirt dress that fluttered gently in the sea breeze, the long sleeves rolled up to reveal her bronzed skin and strong forearms. She hummed quietly as she worked, her honey and chestnut plait falling over one shoulder as she attended to the vegetables with care. Dia was pleased to note that her knife cuts had improved greatly. Her movements were centered and more efficient and her pace was something that Dia knew she had worked hard for.
Good witch.
Mentally steeling herself, Dia stepped forward and her heart clenched as Hermione turned, a sunny smile breaking over her features. It quickly faded however when her apprentice read Dia's facial expression.
"Master?"
Dia ducked her head slightly and moved closer, concentrating on keeping her breath smooth.
"Hermione, there have been several international events," she said softly, waving a hand over the table. A stasis charm settled over the food which would shield it from the elements until they finished or until Eleni returned.
"What sort of events?" At the unfamiliar tone, Dia looked up sharply. Hermione's voice was remarkably emotionless and Dia caught a fleeting glimpse of the younger witch's impassive features before she took her elbow and lead them away from the table.
"Let us sit," she suggested. Obediently, the younger witch followed.
Dia led them off to the right, up a short flight of white adobe stairs away from the terrace. There was a small sitting area off the doors to her office, closer to the windows of her private suite where the white adobe walls of the villa looked out over the rocky cliffs and the sea below.
Hermione sat stiffly, folding both hands in her lap and fixing her master with an opaque expression. This woman is no stranger to hard news, Dia reminded herself. Sighing, she chose to drape herself over the smooth adobe with more ease than she felt.
"There have been five violations of the ISOS, Hermione. They all occurred last night in the space of an hour," Dia began, watching Hermione carefully. She didn't believe in softening the truth. Caramel eyes widened and her apprentice nodded her understanding. Dia continued, "The first three appear to have been inflammatory acts. The last two resulted in several deaths and injuries as well as introducing a host of issues regarding general visibility."
"Where?" A shadow of pain fluttered across the younger woman's face and Dia tilted her head.
"The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, St. Basil's Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Christ the Redeemer in Río De Janeiro, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and the Sydney Opera House in Australia," she recited calmly. Hermione grew still and a small crease appeared at her brow, but after a short moment she relaxed and looked at Dia directly.
"My parents are safe," she said finally, responding to the unspoken question hanging between them. Dia felt a bit of tension leave her shoulders. She believed Hermione, though it was not the time to determine how the witch knew with such assuredness.
"This brings me great relief," she said softly, leaning forward to place a hand on Hermione's forearm. The younger witch leaned back slightly, her lips drawing together and Dia thought for a moment that she might have been holding back tears. Dia released her quickly and stood.
"Unfortunately, these events have triggered several consequences. For now, each country has been responding to the violations with help from the ICW. It remains unknown at this time what the fallout will be, however it seems there will be an emergency conference of the ICW. This is all to be expected, of course. However, we must do our own part in rendering aid," she paused to see if Hermione was following. The crease between the witch's brows was back and she was biting her lower lip, but again she nodded and looked up at Dia expectantly.
"Our role has manifested itself in two parts. The first comes from the Potions society. All available Masters within our area have been contacted to assist with supplies needed in Barcelona and St. Petersburg. We may also ship a few crates to Rio," she explained, holding a hand out to Hermione. The witch accepted it and stood.
"And the second?" she asked evenly. Dia schooled her features into a serene expression.
"The second comes from the Transfiguration Society. An… unusual request. We shall discuss it tomorrow. For now, please prepare yourself and meet me down in the lab in fifteen minutes. We will be working in the round," she said, already moving them back towards the terrace.
They skipped down the steps quickly and Dia was pleased to feel her apprentice mirror her actions with precision. The strode over the flagstones confidently and she knew they were already moving as one. A good sign….
"How many cauldrons?"
At this, Dia paused at the threshold to the villa. She fixed Hermione with a level gaze. The coming hours would test them both.
"All of them."
To her credit, Hermione simply squared her shoulders and nodded. Good witch.
"I will see you below, darling."
They parted ways and Dia paused to watch the younger witch continue confidently toward her rooms. Unbeknownst to her, this would be an unofficial test that would determine the course of the coming months. It was an entirely unprecedented decision she was considering, and Dia still felt a thread of doubt winding its way through her thoughts.
There is still so much left for her to learn...
As she descended the steps towards the lab, Dia's nose was greeted by the familiar earthy scents of ancient rock, natural water, and a multitude of spices and herbs. Her mind flashed to her apprentice's subtle lifting chin, flashing eyes, and strong body. If anyone could succeed, it would be Hermione.
Of course she will succeed.
Dia cast open the heavy gilded doors and was pleased to see that Stelios had left the sconces lit and prepped the room for a durational brew session. The workbenches had all been shifted to form a U-shape allowing her to treat the space as an easily accessible inner and outer circle of sorts. A piece of parchment resting upon one workbench indicated a copy of what he had undoubtedly already sent to Ana. Bless him...
Aside from the light crackling of the sconces, the lab was silent, a thick heavy blanket of expectation weighing upon the air. It was a familiar, heady sensation and despite the dire circumstances, a corner of Dia's lips lifted slightly as she took a moment to summon her dragonhide apron.
Tying it assuredly, she rolled her neck and shoulders for a moment, allowing her arms to rake through the air. The lab felt alive today and it had been a long time since she had been able to flex her brewing muscles, so to speak. There was much to prepare, but Dia was confident they had enough materials to last several rounds through all the cauldrons before they would need to break and restock. It would mean a seven hour session at minimum.
Turning, Dia heard Hermione's light steps coming down the stairs. She was pleased to see her apprentice had washed quickly and that her hair was neatly confined beneath an ivory wrap. She wore two layers of dark blue robes similar to Dia's own - light enough to be comfortable but with a heavier outer layer that would protect against steam and spills.
"Master," she quickly bowed and came to stand at Dia's side overlooking the lab. The witch took in the unusual configuration of the room and looked at Dia expectantly.
"Attend to your apron, please." Without breaking eye contact, Hermione held out a hand and the dragonhide apron came to her immediately. Good.
"Apprentice. We are to brew an assortment of healing-related potions utilizing all fifteen of our cauldrons. The Mandrake Restorative Draught will take the largest cauldron. The remaining will be divided and and utilized for the following brews in order of priority. Four sleep-related potions including Pepper-Up, Awakening Draught, Sleeping Draught, and Dreamless Sleep. We will also brew potions for Calming, Blood-Replenishing, Bone-Knitting, Smoke Inhalation, and Burn Paste. How would you proceed, maximizing our time, available ingredients, and cauldrons?" Dia asked, folding her hands behind her.
Despite their deadline, it was still a teaching moment and she would not sacrifice careful tutelage for time. It was her privilege to cultivate a deep passion and appreciation for the art of potion-making in her students. Stress had no place in her curriculum.
Hermione took a deep inhale then cocked her head.
"Accounting for time and volume, I would brew Pepper-Up and Calming in the two ten liter cauldrons, replacing the second with Smoke Inhalation and Burn Paste in the second and third rounds. The Awakening, Sleeping, and Dreamless Sleep Draughts can all be brewed in double batches in the five liter cauldrons leaving one cauldron for Smoke Inhalation. The remaining potions can be brewed and attended to in the five three liter cauldrons," she said confidently.
Dia suppressed a surge of pride.
"Preference on cauldron material?" she asked, keeping her expression neutral. Hermione glanced over toward the cauldron stores thoughtfully.
"Put the Smoke Inhalation, Awakening, and the Bone-Knitting in copper to maximize potency. The Burn Paste in pewter to speed coagulation," she answered swiftly. Good.
"Temperatures at the outset?" she asked. Hermione gave her a level gaze.
"The Mandrake Restorative Draught will begin at 260º. Pepper-Up, Smoke Inhalation, and Blood Replenishing all begin at 190º. Bone-knitting at 175º, Calming at 150º, the four sleep potions begin at 120º, and Burn Paste at 80º," she replied.
Dia gazed at Hermione's calm features, lit softly by the firelight. There was no doubt in her eyes. Dia smiled gently.
"Well done, Apprentice" Dia said softly. Hermione lifted her chin slightly, but remained serene. Good. She knew to remain focused on the task at hand until their work was finished.
Stepping forward, Dia lifted both arms as though preparing to conduct a symphony orchestra. She felt a quickening in the energy of the room.
"Watch," she instructed.
Closing her eyes, Dia began envisioning each workbench with a cauldron and its required tools and ingredients neatly prepped. Her arms and fingers moved in familiar spirals and arcs from decades of practice and from the sharp intake of air off her right shoulder, Dia knew they were soaring into their respective places in an impressive, chaotic dance.
She remembered the first time she had witnessed Mistress Cunningham command her lab. It had been a stunning skill to witness and one that had taken several years to master. It was time Hermione had a taste of what lay beyond the hours of rote memorization and knife cuts of her first classification.
Feeling the settling of the lab's energy, Dia slowly opened her eyes and gave one last complicated flourish to light the cauldrons. As an afterthought she waved an arm toward the edges of the room and lit the hundreds of extra white candles that lined the cracks and crevices of the natural stone walls that had once been a sea cave. It was a familiar, awe-inspiring sight.
Turning, she saw the lights dancing across Hermione's face which was alight with wonder.
"Two minutes ensuring mise en place and then we shall begin," Dia intoned gently, placing a hand on her apprentice's shoulder.
The surprise on Hermione's face was quickly replaced by steely resolve and she gave a firm nod.
"I understand, master."
The true challenge still lay ahead.