Beta's: 5/8/2015

Unfortunately, solo on this one.

Chapter 7, The Raven and the Owl

She woke slowly to the dull ache throbbing in her ribs and extremities. A smell of sweet herbs, wood smoke, and something else she could not quite place, filled her. It was peaceful and strangely it brought clarity to her sleep-fogged mind.

She was not sure where she was but knew it wasn't familiar. Before she could begin to explore her new situation her mind reeled with images of the wreck. Hit Wizards and the drop both Harry and her fell from spun sickly through her mind. Once the sensations passed for she cautiously, and slowly, opened her eyes.

It was dark, wherever she was. She lay still trying to get her bearings sorting through her thoughts and waiting for her stomach to calm down. Whatever was in the air helped sooth it a great deal.

After a few moments she looked about trying again to get an idea for where she was, or at least, what was going on. It was too dark to tell what was inside the room. She couldn't see any windows or any other sources of light around her. Aside from the heavy scent it was stifling in these dark confines. The blankets that covered her were heavy and not what she was use too. The soft sound of a footstep in the dark broke her from her inner assessments.

Someone walked over to her and sat on the bed. She wasn't able to see much of them. Just a vague outline. A young feminine voice broke the silence. "You're awake, good. How do you feel?"

Hermione looked to the dark shape sitting next to her. She didn't recognize the voice but it sounded pleasant. Not what she would have expected if they had been captured. Hermione's voice was rough from disuse and sleep when she asked, "Where's Harry?"

It was silent a moment while the young woman placed the back of her hand on Hermione's forehead. Not expecting it she flinched even though she could tell the woman was trying to check her temperature. "You must be inquiring about the man who was with you when you were found. We did not know which one was his name but Grandfather has been calling him Son of Raven, or Raven. Young Raven is not well."

Hermione felt the hand move quickly to her arm as she made to get up effectively stopping her. "However," the strange woman assured her. "Grandfather has spoken of a healing that could help him. First however you must speak with him. Grandfather has been waiting for you for some time, Daughter of Owl."

A few moments passed while thoughts stormed through her mind. "Why did you call Harry 'Son of Raven' and why did you call me 'Daughter of Owl'?"

The amusement in the young woman's voice chimed out in her light musical laughter. "My Grandfather is very traditional and set in the old ways; it was he who gave you those names. You should listen to his council because Grandfather has been waiting for you and Raven for a long time. Well, according to Father he has been. However, that is his story to tell. For the moment, I will tell you of some of the injuries you had when you were brought here."

Hermione waited quietly as the unknown woman paused a moment to think. "Both of you suffered a great many broken bones from the wreck. Grandfather is very skilled in many different types of medicine and healed both of your bodies. I should say he healed Raven and instructed me to care for you. You have been sleeping for a few days now."

"Have no fear. Though I do not have the calling my Grandfather does for healing, I have been studying to be a Nurse for several years and Grandfather has given me a few things to help your recovery."

Hermione felt her mind whirling while processing everything the healer was telling her. Her thoughts seemed hung up on two aspects of what she learned so far. She broached the first. "Why did your Grandfather have you heal me instead of doing it himself? Was Harry hurt worse?"

The reassuring voice spoke again from the vague figure sitting next to her. "No, you both were similarly wounded. Broken bones mostly. Raven has a…different malady that is interfering with his healing. Grandfather will explain."

"As to why I was to heal you, it was because Grandfather ordered it so. No men are to enter this room without you or Raven's permission. Not even Grandfather would come in here. He is afraid of offending the spirit of Raven should his mate be seen or touched by another man. Only men, mostly my Grandfather and Father out of respect and to avoid offense with your spirit, are tending Raven."

"Are you feeling well enough to try moving around now?"

With that completely confusing answer, Hermione blinked trying to process what she was hearing. After a few moments she made the effort to move hissing through her clenched teeth. Judging by how much it hurt she imagined she broke more than a few bones in her body in that wreck. However the pain was something she would happily deal with because that meant they were alive. Someone found them in time. That knowledge was worth a little pain.

Thankfully she felt nothing tear and only a few bones creak as she moved to sit up from the weighty blankets cocooning her. After a few moments her strange healer helped her to her feet and both of them walked out into the noonday sun.

The brightness of the day took her a moment to get used to. The young woman half holding her upright waited for a few moments to let her get used to being about.

"Excuse me, what is your name?" Hermione asked while blinking furiously trying to get her eyes to focus.

"Marlene."

"Hermione." She replied introducing herself properly. Once she finished adjusting to the brightness of the area she took in her surroundings.

The house she was in looked like a log cabin, but it was one of only a few that looked that old. The rest of the buildings in the area looked more modern. Other than a single road, which looked like the only way in here, the clearing was ringed with small homes. She figured there was about twenty of them. Other than the two cabins that sat close to where she was at, there was only one other structure around. It sat in the middle looking like a great hall.

"Where are we? What is this place? Can you at least tell me how we got here?" Hermione questioned in her rapid fire manner as she started coming to grips with the situation.

When Hermione turned to her companion she got her first good look at her. She noticed Marlene had long midnight hair and a distinct dusky hue as she smiled at her. Her dark eyes shined with her own inner amusement at the questions. Aside from the strange manner in which she had talked to her she was dressed in a light airy blouse and blue jeans. Quite modern.

"My people call this place Heartland. We are the People of the Flint, or at least that is how it translates in your language. Our community here resides in the very center of the valley and is a holy place to us. Not many of our people come here anymore, but those who live here almost never leave. A least the older ones don't."

Marlene began leading Hermione toward the other cabin, which was not too far away as she continued. "My Father found you and Raven at the boundary of our lands and the American peoples. Why, is his story to tell. He has only told me that he found Raven and you injured from your wreck while fleeing dangerous people. You are quite lucky; he only surveys the lands once a year. Normally no one who resides here would have found you in time if not for Father."

Hermione allowed herself to be guided the rest of the way silently. Lucky didn't cover it. As usual she found herself picking apart everything that had happened trying to find some sense, or at the least, order to what had happened to them.

Her first question was how they got found in the first place. Granted, Hit Wizards were the elite of the elite as far as trackers and hunters went. She knew the Ministry had a few in their employ but not many. Besides, the blokes had a different kind of accent. Australian maybe? Definitely freelance by the way they handled trying to capture them, and not use to taking prisoners alive.

Still, it begged the question of how they were discovered. Maybe they had a tracking charm on them they missed? No, otherwise they never would have lasted as long as they did in the isles. She supposed they could have just been very good trackers. Still, where were they now? What happened to the Hit Wizards after the wreck? It's not like they were in any condition to fight them off once they were knocked off the cliff.

Her second set of query's revolved around who these people were. She was pretty sure they were one of the Native American tribes that originally inhabited these lands before the colonies, but which one? Hermione's eye's looked about. Not a public library insight either. She hoped that Marlene's father or maybe her Grandfather could fill in these blanks. Though they have been nothing but kind to her, she was leery and very worried about Harry.

The main problem was Harry not being awake yet. It spoke greatly of his injuries because Harry usually healed fast. Sadly she knew very well how fast he healed from a wide range of injuries from their shared time at Hogwarts.

Hermione looked up at the wooden door to the cabin as they approached it, seeing it open and an ancient looking man walk out. He looked like an older male version of Marlene. He was thin, very tall with midnight hair and eyes that seemed almost black. She reasoned he couldn't be as old as he looked if he was indeed Marlene's father. Marlene didn't look much older than Hermione. Maybe a couple of years older at the most.

When the man started talking she was surprised by how musical and fluid his language was. The young healer holding her replied in the same language but seemed to be laughing inside by the look in her eyes. The man winced.

"Something wrong?" Hermione asked.

Marlene laughed. "I cannot go inside. Normally, women are not allowed and besides, Grandfather has ordered the cabin closed to all. I was telling my father that he would have to help you in to see Grandfather but he is afraid of upsetting the Spirit of Raven."

Hermione snorted. "Honestly, is this all really necessary?" She looked at the older man. "Surely you had to touch me to bring me here."

The older man began speaking in English. His voice deep but clearly conflicted. "I am sorry, I am sure you will understand once you have spoken to my Father and he has explained. We are not as backward as we may seem, but our current circumstances are… unique."

"Let me introduce myself and we can talk a bit. My name is Jim, and we have been waiting for you for some time. I am glad you are feeling well enough to be up and around."

The young woman helped Hermione to sit down at a bench next to the cabin before giving the older man a kiss on the cheek and walking away, still chuckling to herself. The older man appeared to be a bit sheepish as he knelt down so they could look at each other eye to eye.

"My daughter. She is not deep into the old ways preferring to live in the modern world. She believes, but they do not guide her spirit as they do for my Father and me. He will answer all your questions once we sit with him but I needed to tell you a few things first."

"Raven is well in body," Hermione nodded relived. There was nothing in his eyes to make her think there was anything but truth in his words. "Though he is a bit weak. I do not have great wisdom in healing but my Father does. Rest assured we have taken good care of him."

"One of the things I would like you to understand is my Father has been waiting for the two of you for some time. As such, if you have questions please ask and he will answer. In his excitement he may forget something. Also, he does not speak your language so I will be there to translate for him. Please, even though you will be hearing his words through me pretend I am not there. Any questions before we speak to my father?"

Hermione shook her head. All that mattered to her at the moment was getting answers to her questions and it seemed the only one who could do so was this man's father. Like Marlene she found herself laughing a bit inside when the older man offered his arm for her to use as support. His face was very conflicted. He drew a deep breath to steady his nerves before he lead her inside.

The first thing she noticed was this room offered no windows and it was very dark compared to the light of day outside. Candles were lit but it did not do much as her eyes tried to adjust once again to the darkness. The room was not very big and seemed smaller than it should be with all off the furs, skins, bones, and other such things adorning walls or lying about. She felt a bit like she did when she got to Hogwarts the first time. Like she was stepping into the past or something similar.

Jim helped her to sit on the floor among a large pile of skins while she was looking around the room. Hermione absentmindedly thanked him while taking in everything. It was like being in an old western movie where the cowboys talked with the Native Americans, but also not quite like it. This was no movie set. She could feel the magic in the air, either from the strange incense or from the objects about her.

As her attention spanned the room she finally focused on the man in front of her. If Jim looked old, the man in front of her looked absolutely ancient. Older than Dumbledore but without the beard. He sat with his back strait and tall, legs folded wearing many necklaces and a strange headdress of pelts, feathers, and beads. His eyes shone brightly through the darkness that shadowed his aged face while he waited for her to get comfortable. When he spoke, his voice was a mix of emotions and as musical as the other times she heard it. Jim translated almost immediately but she kept her eyes on the man in front of her.

"I am pleased to see you are awake, Daughter of Owl, and that you have finally come. I know you are concerned for Son of Raven. I would like you to understand that I know a great many medicines form a great many people. To understand how we can heal him, you need to understand my story. I have never told anyone my story, but you will need to know because you will need to trust me. Healing Son of Raven will depend greatly on this trust. Will you listen to my tale?"

Hermione nodded while also replying that she would. Jim translated quickly while the older man looked like he had gotten his birthday wish. As he talked Hermione found herself drawn into the story. He was very expressive, waving his hands and showing great emotion in his lined face at various points through the tale. It did not take long for her to no longer hear Jim translating, but to almost be able to hear it from this Shaman himself. English words ran alongside their native tongue all blending together in the tale she became lost in.

"My tale begins long ago in the old days of our people. I was a child, not even a man when this tale starts. Our Shaman of the day, Owl Bear, called our people together for celebrations to honor our ancestor's spirits.

"I sat next to my father's father who was a great warrior of our people. Our people have always been warriors, even after the peace with the Americans. Our people were still deep in the old ways then and they danced in the firelight calling out to their ancestors for guidance, protection, or to send their love. Great songs of battle, victory, love, and honor were sung that night while I watched for the first time."

"But I did not spend long watching the celebration. I felt a great call come to me and turned away from the dancing and singing of my people. My Father's father felt the call too and turned with me also seeing the pair at the edges of the clearing. He told me, our Ancestors spirits were calling me, I must answer or I will offend them. Knowing my duty and unafraid, I walked to the pair I felt calling me with the proud eyes of my Fathers father watching."

"In a tree sat a great Owl and Raven. Both are very spiritual vessels recognized by our people, and many other peoples who are wise in the old ways. It is very rare that our Ancestors come to us in any form, rarer that they come in these. It signifies a great change or events of great importance. I was very young but raised in these ways. So I bravely walked to them to take on myself the council of my Ancestors spirits.

"When I stood before them I could hear their words in my mind telling me I was chosen on this holy night. They had come to me to tell me I must turn from the Warrior's Path of my people and devote myself to become a Shaman. I was powerful, blessed with the gifts of our ancestors to heal. Owl told me I would do this, learn the medicines of our people and then after I became a man, I was to leave my homeland and travel seeking the medicines of other peoples and make them my own."

"Raven then spoke to me. I was told that one day, they will return and when they did they would bring their children with them. Their children would be hurt, and their lives would be on my hands to heal. My ancestor's spoke of how important this was at great length and that I must not fail. It was possible that they may never return, but I had to be ready if they did."

"If I failed in my quest our people would all die, our ancestor's spirits were restless in the fear of this happening. A great Darkness was rising to the east, across the great waters and after it had passed, it would return. Greater than before sweeping the world and leaving behind only those who joined it. Our people would not join such a thing, and so our fates were tied."

"I was saddened and happy. Sad, because I could not be a great warrior like my Father and my Father's father and all my ancestors before me. Happy because our Ancestors had honored me with this great quest to help my people."

"Young though I was I knew my duty to my people. The spirits of my ancestors flew away and I returned to my Father's father deep in thought. He waited for me concerned because he could see our ancestors visit, but not hear them speak. I told him what was required of me, what our ancestors wanted me to do. My Father's father gave me council for my conflicted heart telling me that he had slain many enemies of our people. He had defended our peoples many times and lived through many battles and had brought great glory to our family. Yet, he felt in his bones that I would shadow all because our ancestor's spirits had never visited any of our family before. Nor had any achieved such a greatness that could claim to have saved all."

"And so I began my training with Owl Bear. I spent many years learning the medicines of our people and when I became a man, I began my journeys away from my home into the lands of other peoples to learn of their medicines."

Hermione did not know whether to laugh or cry. What was it about Harry that attracted prophecies to him the way they did? Why was it always Harry who was involved in these things? She sat silently thinking and listening while the Shaman continued his tale.

"I was gone a great many years as I traveled the wide world. I studied hard learning all I could so that when my time came I would be ready. As the years past and my time away from my people lengthened I became concerned. I was worried that I had been gone too long and yet, I was afraid I did not know enough to return. Fearing returning unprepared I continued for many years more. It was not until Owl and Raven came to me in my dreams that I stopped my traveling ways."

The ancient man seemed to be lost within his memory as Hermione watched. "I remember the night was black and I was far from home learning the medicines of a people that no longer walk the world. They came to me and spoke of how pleased they were of my devotion and progress. However, it was time for me to return to my people. They told me it would be many years until they returned with their children, if they did at all."

"And so I returned to my people and found that Owl Bear had gone and my people needed me. I was very wise in healing and became our peoples Shaman. I spoke to any of our people who left our lands and asked of them to find and bring me anything of healing from any peoples they came across. I was not sure if I was ready for my task but I did not want to break my ancestors trust. I continued to learn all I could while helping my people and waited for the Return of my ancestors."

"During this time my son was born and for the first time I had a joy outside my duty to my ancestors. Very much like my Father's father he is. My ancestors visited me in my dreams once again not long after his birth. They counseled me that my son needed to be a warrior of our people and must once a year journey these sacred lands after he became a man. One day, if they returned, he would be the one to bring their children to me."

Hermione couldn't help but look at Jim when she heard the surprise in his voice while he translated. He was looking at the old man who sat before them with wonder and wide eyes. If it wasn't for the fact that Harry was hurt and this whole thing seemed to be a way to help him, she would have been very upset at the Dumbledore like manipulation she was seeing here. In the end she let go of the slight. At least this was something that could actually help Harry, not kill him.

Thinking of Dumbledore almost had her frown. Hermione had make an effort to not to so it wouldn't upset the Shaman. Dumbledore, at least as far as she could tell, wanted Harry weak. She was not sure why, but she knew of some of the lengths he had gone through. At night, not as much as it used to be, Harry would tell her things. Horrible things. Things that had happened to him, at the Dursleys, at Hogwarts when she was not around, and during his summers. She already knew some of it but Harry would share even more during those times. He shared his pain, and for Harry, that was a big deal because he was a very private person. Unfortunately, a side product of being raised in a home absent of love. At least, love for him.

Her belief in Dumbledore and her trust in the system was destroyed after listening to Harry cry night after night. Nothing; there was absolutely nothing in this world that could justify what was done to him, and she truly believed it was done on purpose. Why, she didn't really know but she knew it had something to do with that stupid prophecy. She wished Harry had time to tell her the full contents before the Hit Wizards showed up.

Hermione had a long list of what she called 'Crimes against Harry' that she had looked into over the years. Sadly with little to no success. When Harry had started sharing she made lists trying to reason it all out so she could help him by showing him why it had to be this way. Unfortunately she never found one ounce of anything that would justify any of it.

He should have gone to Sirius; it was what Godfathers were for after all. Yet he didn't because Dumbledore said so. Someone should have been checking on him over the years, but no one did. Considering he was illegally placed it made sense that no one in the Ministry would have but Dumbledore should have. Yet he didn't.

Not to mention the growing up without birthdays, Christmas, friends, or love. Being forced to cook, clean, or get regular beatings. It wasn't until they became a couple Harry actually started to think it was okay be do well in school. Before he always choose to dumb himself down to avoid doing better than his cousin for fear of getting beaten or not getting fed. That was no life at all for anyone.

Yes, for some reason Dumbledore wanted all this to happen to Harry, to make him weak. The only conclusion was he wanted Harry easily controllable or something. Again, she really had no clue what the purpose in all this was.

Hermione found herself broken out of her internal musing when Jim started translating again. She quickly looked back up at the aged man before her and fell back into the story he was weaving.

"So we waited. I here with our people learning all I could and my son protecting our sacred lands. More years past and the seasons came and went, until now. I had grown worried that I had failed or that you would not come. Now you know my story, it is time for you to know why Son of Raven has not woken yet."

"Son of Raven has a great malady of the soul." At Hermione's confused face he clarified. "There are three components that make a person who and what they are. Their mind, soul, and body. There must be balance at all times between the three. If the mind is unwell, the body will not respond as that person desires. Even if the soul and body are well. The same can be said for the body, A person's mind may be strong and their soul bright, yet if the body is unwell, the person will not function correctly."

"Son of Raven's malady is within his soul and it is this darkness that I hope to heal. The reason you must trust me is that I can heal him, but I cannot heal him alone."

"What do you mean you can't heal him alone?" Hermione asked, though she had an idea where this was going.

The old man paused for a moment before he began talking again. "Young Raven has a Darkness within him. A Darkness that has been inside him for a long time. I think, all his life. You wanted to know why he had not healed and awakened yet, it is because I have made him not. This Darkness he carries has grown tired of sleeping and is trying to take Raven. Raven's mind is too weak to fight him. To heal Raven we must take the Darkness from him. This is dangerous to do, not just for Raven, but also for all of us. They are bound together tightly. This Darkness does not wish to leave Raven, and Raven cannot help us. This is why we need you."

Without a second thought Hermione leaned forward with a determined look in her eye. "What do I need to do? How can I help Harry?"

The Shaman nodded and cautioned, "This Darkness has bound itself to Raven's soul. We must cut it free before we can kill it. To do so will make Raven even weaker, possibly Raven may die. They have been a part of each other for a very long time, I do not know if either can survive without the other."

At hearing Harry might die she could not help the tears that gathered in her eyes before she heard Jim translating what the old one before her was saying. She did note the compassion in his eyes. "Fear not, in my travels I learned a great many things, and while far to the south in lands older than these I learned of something from a lost people that may help Raven. It is very risky, and if it does not work we may die with Raven. I do not know how strong the Darkness is, but I do know it will fight us as we try to kill it."

"The Healing requires Raven to be strong, something the Darkness inside him will not allow. If you truly wish to help Raven I can bind your soul to his. With your soul bound to Raven's he will become stronger. Be warned, this will not work unless both of you are very close. If your love is strong for each other, Raven will fight the Darkness. You will keep him strong, Raven will fight, and I will cut the Darkness away from Raven. Once we have completed the healing and Raven is strong enough alone, I will unbind you from him."

There was no doubt in her mind she would do it. Anything for Harry. Thoughts swirled about in her mind while she tried to make sense of it all. Mistaking her silence for consideration she looked up when Jim translated his last words to her.

"Think about it Daughter of Owl. Come to me tonight with your answer. However, come no later. If we are going to heal Son of Raven, it needs to be tonight."

With that the Shaman rose slowly from his seat and moved through an archway that was covered by a great hide of some kind leaving her to her thoughts. She did not know how long she was there for but when she looked up Hermione noticed Jim was still there.

Thoughts in order she looked at the kind face of the man before her. "Is it possible for me to make a phone call? It's international, but I can pay you for it."

Nighttime was only a few hours away.

Authors Notes:

Okay, Chapter Seven revision is done. For those of you interested in the story instead of my drivel, by all means leave a review telling me what you think of this chapter, and then hit that 'Next' button. Enjoy the read. As always thank you to all reviews and readers. You are noticed and appreciated.

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