Chapter 19

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Harry's eyes grew wide, as they entered the rock cavern, deep beneath the oak grove behind the Malfoy gardens. The air down here was not cold, but just cool enough to cause him to shiver in the light bathing robe he wore. The sound of slowly bubbling water drew his attention to the center of the cavern to a large natural rock-lined pool of the clearest water he had ever seen. He heard Remus continue past him as he stopped to gaze down into the pool.

Looking up, he saw they were stopped near a similar but much smaller pool. Feeling Sirius' hand on his shoulder, he looked up.

"This place is incredible, Siri! Has it always been here?"

"Actually, it was here long before the manor proper was built. Lucius believes it was carved out by the earliest Malfoy ancestors for their first rituals. Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah." His eyes were drawn back to Remus, as Sirius gave him a gentle shove in that direction. "What's Remi doing?"

"The smaller pool is to bathe the daily grime and sweat from our bodies before we enter the large pool. You will stand on that flat surface there," He pointed to a smooth stone area next to the pool, "where we will pour ewers of water over you. You will wash with the unscented soap, then we will rinse you. You'll stand on that woven mat Remi just laid down and your feet will not touch the stone again until you step into the larger pool."

Harry listened and watched intently, then nodded. "O'kay."

Remus walked over. "Sirius, you go first. I will follow, then Harry."

Sirius nodded, as he undid the tie on his bathing robe and sent it to hang on one of the hooks carved out of the wall.

"Now, Harry, let's see to your hair." He grasped Harry's shoulder gently and turned him. "No glasses. Severus' potion did the trick then?"

Harry nodded. "What about my hair, Remi?"

It must be long for the ritual and for the ceremony. The female participants as well, though Narcissa won't have to spell hers. Just wear it down."

"I-I've never worn it long." His eyes dropped to stare at the floor. "D-Draco would never allow me, because I'm not a Pureblood."

"Nonsense, Harry!" Remus lifted Harry's chin with a fingertip. "It has nothing to do with blood status. It is a Wizarding Custom--a very old one--that once a Wizard is of age, he allows his hair to grow. It is not required and is only done by choice, which is good for some, since long hair could be a detriment in their professions."

Harry smiled, obviously relieved and pleased. "Is that why you don't wear yours long?"

"No, I tried wearing mine past my shoulders, but, apparently, my hair is so heavy, it gave me migraine headaches." Remus sounded sad.

"Your still a sexy Wolf, Remi!" Sirius spoke in a loud whisper from where he stood on the woven mat. "Hurry up and spell his hair. You're next!"

"Very well." Remus turned back to Harry and raised his wand. "Hold still now. This will only take a moment, though it may feel a bit odd."

Harry watched as Remus began making the odd wand movements as he spoke the spell, in a melodious tone.

"Capillus Allundarus Rapidus ad Coxa!"

A strange sensation started on the top of his head and moved quickly until it encompassed his entire scalp. It felt like a cross between Hedwig preening his hair and being tickled. He tried to stifle the giggles that were threatening to erupt. Then it stopped--abruptly. Remus grinned at him and lowered his wand.

"Give us a turn then."

Harry turned and felt a brush against his bum. Looking over his shoulder, he gasped and reached behind him. If he sat down now, he'd be sitting on his hair!

He looked up at Remus, wide-eyed, just in time to see the older wizard cast it on himself, immediately followed by casting it on Sirius. He watched in fascination as both men's hair lengthened rapidly until the ends brushed their hips.

"Wicked!"

Remus stepped over to the smaller pool, charmed the ewer, and began to quickly wash himself. When he was finished, he cast a Cleansing Spell on the smooth stone and Sirius joined him, beckoning Harry over. He sent his bathing robe to hang near theirs, and stepped between them.

Two ewers of tepid water were dumped over him, before his godfathers began to wash him. Remus worked quickly down his body, while Sirius washed his now-long hair. They finished and stood back, and just as he began to shiver, more tepid water poured over him until he was free of soap. Remus and Sirius had already rinsed their hands, and were waiting on the mat for him. As he stepped between them, Remus summoned two heavy glass bottles, and a basket. After handing the basket and one of the bottles to Sirius, He stepped to the side of the large pool, opened the bottle, and slowly poured the contents into the swirling water as he incanted in Latin. When he was finished, he looked up and spoke another spell.

Harry gasped as candles around the pool and in niches in the walls came to life. He hadn't even noticed them! The smell of sage, sandalwood, and sweetgrass incense filled the space. Once Remus stood back, Sirius took his place. Opening the basket, he sprinkled fresh blossoms of lavender, apple, and chamomile across the surface of the water. He handed the basket to Remus, who banished it and the empty bottle back to the stone table in the corner.

Sirius and Remus both turned to face their godson, as he stood between them. Sirius placed a hand on his shoulder, and spoke in a reverent whisper.

"Now, remember what we told you when we explained the ritual. Once you touch that water, clear your mind and concentrate on purifying yourself in preparation for the ceremony, where you will gain another family."

Harry smiled and nodded, then schooled his face blank. He watched as they stepped past him and moved slowly and carefully down the roughhune steps, into the pool. They turned as one to face him, and each held out a hand to him. A reverent silence seemed to have settled over the entire chamber. He took a deep breath, released it, and stepped down into the pool, letting his godfathers guide him into place between them.

Sirius spoke first. "May you be cleansed and consecrated, in the name of the Great Father, and Great Mother. Blessings be upon you as you enter this sacred place."

Then Remus spoke, both men pouring cupped hands of the fragrant warm water over Harry as each phrase was spoken by them alternately:

"Element of water, in the name of Llyr, cast out all impure energies. May you be blessed and be filled with the energy of pureness of physical health. So mote it be."

"Element of earth, in the name of Anann, cast out all impure energies. May you be blessed and be filled with the energy of pureness of heart. So mote it be."

"Element of air, in the name of Gwydion, cast out all impure energies. May you be blessed and be filled with the energy of pureness of mind. So mote it be."

"Element of fire, in the name of Belimawr, cast out all impure energies. May you be blessed and be filled with the energy of pureness of spirit. So mote it be."

When they were finished, Remus led Harry to stand near the far side of the pool before he returned to stand facing Sirius. As they poured handfuls of the water over each other, they chanted in unison, as Harry watched silently:

"By the elements of water, earth, air, and fire, in the names of our Lord and Lady, cast out all impure energies. May you be filled with the energies of the pureness of health, heart, mind, and spirit. So mote it be. You are cleansed and consecrated in the names of our Lord and Lady. This magic is sealed. So mote it be."

The older wizards turned as one and moved slowly through the water to where Harry stood. Guiding to face the side of the pool opposite where they entered, they flanked him and guided him up the rough steps and to another smooth stone area where another woven mat lay. Sirius removed the charmed glass bottle from where it hung by magick around his neck, and opened it. Remus stood behind Harry, his front toward Harry's back, and waited quietly for Sirius to begin. Harry closed his eyes and thought about why they were doing all of this.

Sirius stood in front of Harry, facing him, dipped his finger into the wide mouth of the bottle and proceeded to anoint Harry's body with the sacred water, as he spoke the next part of the ritual:

"Blessed be your Mind, that learns the ways of the Great Mother, and the ways of the Great Father."

Remus reached up and pulled the hair away from Harry's face, so Sirius could draw the rune of purity on Harry's forehead.

"Blessed be your eyes, that have seen such pain, and have seen such joy."

Sirius dipped his finger again and drew the rune on each of Harry's eyelids.

"Blessed be your lips, that utter the names of She and He, and keep Their secrets."

He drew the rune on his godson's lips.

"Blessed be your hands, that help, guide, and protect under Their guidance."

Remus released the long hair, and lifted Harry's hands, palm up toward Sirius, so the runes could be drawn in the center of each.

"Blessed be your breast, formed in strength."

Sirius dipped his finger and drew over each nipple.

"Blessed be your heart, filled with unending love, gifted you by She, to share with others."

The rune was drawn over his heart.

"Blessed be your phallus, For without which you would not be."

Sirius very carefully and lightly drew the rune on the shaft of Harry's flaccid member, and was pleased that Harry didn't even flinch.

"Blessed be your Womb, For without which you would not be."

At the mention of the word 'womb', Harry emitted a small gasp. He hadn't expected that as part of the ritual. Sirius waited a moment for Harry to compose himself, then dipped his finger, and slowly and deliberately drew the rune on his belly, below his navel. Then he knelt.

"Blessed be your knees, that shall kneel at the Sacred Altar."

Each knee was marked with the rune.

"Blessed be your feet, that have brought you through much, in the ways and the will of the God and the Goddess."

Sirius dipped his finger a last time and drew the rune on the top of each of Harry's feet. Standing, he faced his godson again.

You are cleansed and consecrated in the names of our Lord and Lady. This magic is sealed. So mote it be."

"So mote it be." Repeated Remus and Harry.

Harry opened his eyes to see Sirius smiling down at him. Feeling something warm and fuzzy press against his arm, he turned to see a smiling Remus holding out a clean bathing robe for him. He pulled it on, then slipped his feet into the clean slippers. After belting his robe, he waited silently while Remus and Sirius donned their robes and slippers. Everything would be left here for a special group of elves to take care of and prepare the chamber for the next time it would be used.

Harry, flanked by his godfathers, walked back the way they came, silently, as they kept their minds on the special evening just beginning.

Tbc...

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capillus allundarus rapidus ad coxa - hair lengthen rapidly to the hip