Quoth the Raven, Nevermore
Disclaimer: see chapter 1. Reviews are welcome, flames aren't. We are going to rush time through this chapter so we can get on with the plot.
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Chapter 18: Long I Stood There Wondering
Christmas was coming! At the Tower most of the Yeoman Warders celebrated both Christmas and Yule, including the McIntyres.
John was worried about Hermione's Christmas present. Did that mean he should give her two gifts? This would be the first Christmas since they became friends and he was puzzled, what did girls like? He knew that books, while Hermione loved them, didn't seem like a proper gift. He decided to ask Queen Anne, she was a girl so she should know, right? One short conversation later it was decided. According to the that stately spirit, a proper gift for a lady was definitely jewelry.
On the winter Solstice after the Yule celebrations, The Morrigan visited John once more. He had a gift for Her, as he always had since he was six. She had given him so much, he wanted to give something back to Her. It wasn't much, but it was with love and the Lady knew it.
This year, it was a small bracelet, made from a silver chain and some shiny stones he had found. It was perhaps crude in its workmanship, but John had made it with his own hands.
The Lady smiled and placed the bracelet on Her wrist, admiring it in the moonlight. Somehow it seemed to shine more brightly, taking on a shimmering silver glow as it rested against her pale skin.
"It isn't much, my Lady, but I know you like hand-made things," John said, blushing.
"Child, any gift that is given from the heart is a treasure indeed." She smiled as her cool hand cupped his cheek. "Something that many seem to forget as they age." The Lady laughed as She ruffled his hair.
John huffed quietly, trying to straighten it. Maggie was forever trying to keep it tamed, but it was a losing battle. "Wanna see what I'm giving Hermione?" he asked shyly.
He really didn't want to offend his Lady but he wanted Her approval. "She's just right for a friend - though she can be a bit bossy."
The Lady smiled. "Show me, child."
John pulled out a silver chain with a silver wire triskele knot hanging off it. "I made this, too. Wolf helped me pick out the chain and shape the charm."
"It is lovely, my little raven," She said as She touched the pendant. It glowed for a moment causing John's eyes to widen. "I have placed my blessing upon it. As long as she wears your charm, no magical harm can come to her and she may pass freely through the Tower wards."
"Do you think she'll like it?"
"Yes, my little raven. She will, as it comes from your heart."
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At first, Hermione had been bit reluctant to leave her old school. Granted, she had no friends there and hadn't been happy, but it was familiar.
However, with Wolf's help, along with her other tutors and parents, they arranged a lesson schedule that guaranteed Hermione she would not fall behind but rather excel in her studies.
Hermione was also included in some of John's more physical activities. At first she wasn't too keen on it, but Wolf informed her that she needed to exercise her body as much as she exercised her mind if she wanted to stay healthy and alert. He promised to go easy on her at first and she soon discovered that some of the more physical aspects of John's training were fun. She especially enjoyed the martial arts classes.
Now Christmas was coming soon, and she had yet to find a gift for John. What did boys like? Maybe she should ask Wolf. This would be the first time she had ever had to get a friend, a boy friend, a present!
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The McIntyres spent Christmas as usual with their family, but they also made time to spend a day with the Grangers as well.
Hermione adored John's gift and promised never to take it off. Her present to him was a bit more practical – she got him a book on knights and armour. John had once mentioned wanting the book, but hadn't been able to find it.
The adult McIntyres and Grangers also exchanged small gifts, and everyone enjoyed the season. At their gathering the Grangers were introduced to Amanda Kensington and Doctor Atwaters.
Wolf spent one day with the McIntyres before leaving to celebrate the rest of the holiday with his own family in Scotland. Before he left John gave him a pair of heavy woolen socks and Hermione gave him a schedule planner. He was touched that the children had remembered him. He had given them two gaily wrapped packages containing assorted treats from the local sweet shop.
This was one of the best Christmas's John could remember having.
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After the holidays it was back to classes. Wolf was amused at the level of competition between his two students. He soon realized that Hermione would push John to his limits and beyond in the classroom, and he would push her to excel in physical training. A fact he capitalized on quite happily.
Spring came and with it finer weather once more brought out John's raven tendencies. Wolf and Ben reminded John that Hermione could not learn of magic just yet, and so his 'flighty' episodes would have to be curtailed.
John was torn – to be a raven with the resulting freedom, or tow the line and keep to his studies. Thor and Hardey didn't make it easy. They often came to sit on the classroom window ledge and called to him. Wolf would shake his head as the young boy squirmed in his seat.
Hermione would scold him when his attention wandered and his fidgeting broke her concentration.
One day John just couldn't take it anymore. Excusing himself to the loo, he locked the door, opened the window and took flight. Freedom!
Wolf and Ben had made a bet. They knew it was only a matter of time before John threw caution to the winds and joined the ravens on the Green. Wolf won. Hermione was in a snit, John hadn't even come back to tell her goodbye before she left for the day. Just wait until tomorrow!
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Spring slipped into summer. Because they were privately schooled, the two of them didn't have an extended summer vacation. However Wolf arranged for regular outings that served as brief respites. They were usually both fun and educational. Euro-Disney might not be considered educational, but keeping up with two soon to be ten year-olds could certainly be considered exhausting physical effort and an education in itself.
Although Hermione and the Grangers were not told the full extent of John's restrictions, Wolf made sure all outings stayed well within the prescribed time limit set up by the Lady. One did not question Her edicts, one just obeyed.
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Today was July 31st, John's tenth birthday. As usual, there had been a small party by the Yeoman Warders and their families the day before. This time, the Grangers and Hermione were invited. The Common Area in the Block had been decorated to celebrate the occasion.
The next day, Hermione and her parents saw John off to visit Ben's family.
"I wish you could come, 'Mione," John insisted. "We'll only be gone a couple of days, but you'd have fun. Charley and I usually play football and ride our bicycles. The library isn't too far from the house either," he tempted.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine, John. Mum and Dad want to take me to Gran's for the weekend. Something about a new addition to the family?"
John laughed and hugged his friend. "See you in a couple of days then. Be sure to stay out of trouble!" His only answer was a sarcastic snort.
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Diagon Alley wasn't busy on the first of August. The Hogwarts letters hadn't been sent out yet, so there wasn't the last-minute rush to buy school supplies.
Wolf, Ben, and Maggie escorted John through the Alley with ease. The amulet that the Lady had given John made it impossible for anyone to recognize the missing Boy-Who-Lived. They didn't need to change John's eyes, hair or even cover the famous scar, as the amulet made it seem like John was just another child on an outing with his family.
Their only reason for today's trip was to visit Ollivander's. Although John was a year early for his wand, it was felt by all concerned that he was ready for it. It was against the law for a child under 11 to get a wand if he hadn't been accepted as a first-year at Hogwarts. However, they had managed to get around that particular restriction with the Crown's help.
As they stepped inside the shop, John's first impression was that the place was creepy.
"Ah, Paul Wolfram - oak, 10 inches with a dragon heartstring core; and Margaret O'Brian - yew, eight-and-a-half inches with a unicorn hair core… and who is this?" The sudden appearance of an even creepier old man stepped out of the shadows.
John looked up at the strange old man. Where had he come from?
"Mr Ollivander, this is my husband, Ben McIntyre, and our ward . . ."
"Harry Potter!" Ollivander stated. "I wasn't anticipating you until next year. Great things, I expect from you." He bent down to peer at the faded scar. John watched as the man's eyes widened in recognition.
"How? You aren't supposed to know . . .?" Wolf sputtered, reaching for his wand.
"Peace," Ollivander soothed, holding up his hands as he straightened once more. "Anyone with half a mind can see that he is goddess-touched. I have certain immunities against most enchantments. However, True Sight was gifted me long ago. Now then, why have you brought him a year early?"
"He needs a wand now," Wolf said, pulling out a sealed scroll. "This will help smooth things. You will keep quiet about this!"
Taking the scroll and reading the royal edict with the Queen's seal, Ollivander nodded. "Well, everything is in order." He went over and turned his "Open" sign to "Closed," pulled down the shade and locked the door.
In the next hour, John was measured, and then tested with what seemed like every wand in the shop. He knew they wouldn't find his wand here. The Lady had said so and much to his frustration, despite repeated attempts to tell them that, no-one had listened! Ollivander had been insistent on trying wand after wand, and had particularly tried to get a holly and phoenix feather combination to work for him. Finally John gave vent to his frustration.
"If I may?" John stated in a loud voice, finally getting everyone's attention. "Sir, would this help?" He held up a block of wood and a feather. "The wood is from an ancient blackthorn and the feather is one from the Lady herself. She said to give these to the wand-maker. He'll know what to do with them."
"Why didn't you say so?" Mr Ollivander asked in a huff as he returned the Holly and phoenix feather wand to its dusty box. Albus Dumbledore would not be pleased that his plans for the boy had been circumvented.
"I tried, but no-one was listening to me!" John rolled his eyes in a long suffering pout.
So, in the end, John's wand had to be custom-made.
"Come back tomorrow. It'll be done then," Ollivander said, dismissing them.
The old wand-maker watched the family leave, rubbing his chin. The child was goddess-touched! He bore Her mark over that faded scar. Only another who had been goddess-touched would've recognized it for what it was. There aren't many that followed the old ways any more.
He had to wonder what Albus had been playing at, interfering in the will of the Old Ones. Ancient magic was stirring and Ollivander shuddered at the thought of it. He prayed that the Phantom Queen would be appeased with only minor bloodshed in the days to come. The Morrigan was, after all, not known for Her gentle nature. She was referred to as the 'Washer at the Ford' - where she was often seen in times long past washing the bloody clothing of those who were destined to die in battle that day.
Looking down at the blackthorn blank and the iridescent sable feather, he sighed. He had work to do.
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We are getting closer to Hogwarts. Everyone is wondering about who's going to Hogwarts or not, well, you'll just have to wait and see.
Until next time. -GF and the Frau
