"What should we do Captain?"
"If this really is an obscurus we're going to need wands, and lots of them. I can put together my best force, but there is no telling what we will encounter."
"This place, it's not on any map."
"I suspect we shan't need one. This device will locate the dark magic," The Head of the Auror department, a gruff militaristic man, came towards his desk pulling out a white stone scrying pendulum. "Layout your most recent map."
oOo
"There you are..." Hermione smiled down at the palm-sized bird wrapped gently inside Severus' stolen and enlarged handkerchief. "We should give her a name."
"How do you know it's a she?" Severus looked down from where he was examining the stones holding the wards of the castle in place. He'd deciphered most, thanks to the runic writing beneath each set.
"All phoenix's are girls." Hermione grinned a little and very gently rubbed her finger over the bird's infant head eliciting a soft trill. A kind smile painted her face and she pulled her closer to her chest before wincing from the nasty jolt that Severus received from touching one of the stones. "I don't think you're going to be able to activate the wards that way..."
Hermione kept her smile hidden; he was such a stubborn man. Her only response was a gruff grumble before he moved further away and out of her immediate line of sight. She stifled a giggle when a deep curse echoed from the room but decided to keep her opinion to herself. Instead, she turned her eyes to the orbs that appeared to be working in harmony now that the third had been replaced. The violent twisting winds that had previously filled the glass was now a calm almost hypnotic swirl.
She glanced through the doorway before taking a small step closer. Severus had warned her not to touch or go near them, but she had to know to whom they belonged. Another glance steeled her nerves and she was able to brush away the ash obscuring the other placard. She tilted her head just a little, "Selvaya, Daughter of Algurth II."
Hermione inhaled sharply when she recognized the name on the crown. It was obvious now that it was written in Runes instead of Theban. A deep sadness fell onto her heart when she turned her eyes towards the orb. Obscurus were made from children—abused or tormented children. The crown they'd found in the entrance way hadn't been an accident.
"You are correct, Lionheart."
Hermione nearly jumped all the way to the ceiling when a soft, kind voice appeared from just around her shoulder. She nearly stumbled directly into the orbs before correcting herself at the last minute to fall hard on her arse right at the base of the stairs hitting the stone that was set to seal the wall. She heard Severus' startled cry before the door sealed him inside, her eyes, however, were locked on the ghostly form smiling down at her from where she'd just stood.
"Wh-ho-are you?" Hermionswalloweded her heart back into her chest trying to keep herself from having a coronary at the tender age of 20.
"I am, a Mother."
Hermione swallowed thickly tilting her head back slightly when Severus' muffled call came through the door.
"You should release him, I am sure the both of you have many questions." She smiled softly lightly running her ghostly hand over the metal surrounding Slevaya's orb causing it to glow a soft white.
Hermione let her jaw open and close dumbly for a few short moments before she shifted on her bruised tailbone to press her palm down into the other step, releasing Severus. She gave him an apologetic look when his panicked face slowly became revealed. Its fear morphed into impatience and he reached down hulling her—none too gently—back to her feet. It was only when she winced did he realize his grip had been too strong and promptly apologized.
Hermione shook out her arm giving him a concerned look, before smacking him in the chest with the back of her hand, "Control your temper." Her glare turned soft when he lowered his head like a kicked dog, letting out a soft sigh followed by another apology. She wasn't going to tolerate his roughness in any circumstance but she could tell he truly hadn't meant to harm her. They would definitely talk about it later, for now, they had more pressing matters.
"Hello, Son."
Severus turned his ashamed head towards the woman standing beside the orbs and furrowed his brows deeply. She could have been his mother if it hadn't been for the softness around her eyes. His mother had sharp eyes, always focused, always concentrated. There wasn't a memory he held of her where she'd ever looked at him so kindly.
"Who are you...?"
"I am, that I am. I am a protector, a mother. I speak for the castle and all therein. Protecting it from harm, as any mother should."
Severus pursed his lips, "That isn't an answer."
The woman smiled and turned her head down to run her fingers over Ariana's orb, calming it further, "I am the first of your bloodline. I gave my life to ensure all others would carry on in my name. I am the light in the darkness. You may call me, Lux."
"Why are you here, now?"
"I have been busy keeping Algurth from removing the crown from its rightful place." Lux lowered her hand down to her side, looking sadly at the orb that had been replaced, "He is a very angry and bitter man, losing a child can do that to even the greatest of men."
Hermione frowned softly shifting the phoenix in her grip before looking at the orb she seemed wary to touch, "Who does that belong to?"
Lux raised her brow following her line of sight, "It is my own..."
"But...obscurus' are made from children..."
"Unintentionally, yes. But I had learned to do the very same in my studies... Unfortunately, magic that has been detached from the soul is wildly unpredictable, powerful but exceptionally dangerous..."
Hermione could only slightly shake her head, she couldn't imagine any circumstance where she would willingly give up her magic, let alone attempt to create something as powerful as what laid before them.
"Who released it?" Severus didn't find his mind wandering at all, he wanted answers and he was going to make sure he received every single one.
"Algurth. He had been trying to do so ever since you first entered the castle. He...does not believe you are worthy of taking his crown, he is not ready to relinquish the castle nor the power herein."
"But... he's a ghost..."
"True, but anger is a powerful thing. He'd already spent years mastering the between world. Even learned how to transfer his soul into animals. It was with this gift that he found the strength to remove the orb." She almost seemed proud of him, if only for a moment, her eyes shifted as though she heard something that neither of them were privy to. A frown marred her otherwise gentile face and she stood straighter than before, "You must go now, he has released the guardians."
"The what?" Hermione was almost done with all this ancient magic herself. Though her curiosity was still niggling at the back of her mind she really just wanted to go home, take a nice warm bath and forget everything she'd learned that day.
"Guardians. I'm sure you are aware of just how dangerous this is as well as the knowledge it holds within. To ensure that its knowledge and power is never to be wielded by a tarnished soul, Kings and Queens of the past have created various guardians to protect the crown. Only the one who is of noble heart and sound mind can pass through their tests and place the crown upon their head, taking control of the castle."
"This sounds like a fairytale."
"Where do you think the writers got their ideas from?"
Hermione shared Severus' sour sentiment but knew that finding the crown had been their goal all along. She looked down at the phoenix in her hands before straightening up her back, "Where is the crown being kept?"
"The room you seek is at the top of the hall. Algurth attempted to bar your way, but Aluxya opened the path for you."
"Aluxya?" Hermione looked down at the bird peacefully sleeping away in her arms slowly understanding, it was a pretty name, better than she could have given her. "I suppose we can't take her?"
"It would presently be unwise, yes but it is your choice alone." Lux slowly turned away tilting her head again, "I must go. Should you find yourself in need, help will be given to those who are brave enough to ask."
Severus narrowed his eyes at her double meaning and turned his eyes away towards the door from whence they had come. He still had questions, but time was running short. He could feel his internal clock telling him that daylight was waning. They needed to move now, or risk being locked inside forever. He waited until she'd completely faded away through the wall before turning towards Hermione.
"Algurth cannot know that the phoenix is unable to protect the castle, we must make him believe he has failed. We cannot take the bird with us."
"But-"
"We will come back for it. When it is safe." Severus' edge was sharp, leaving his words without question. He turned towards the vines that had been the bird's attempt to hold the stone in place and called them free of the stone wrapping them around themselves creating a small nest. It wasn't much, but it would have to do.
Hermione recognized the tone instantly, feeling her pride bristling at the edges. She wasn't a schoolgirl anymore, she didn't need to follow his orders. Still, a part of her mind had to agree with his Slytherin logic even if her Gryffindor pride wanted no part of the deception. She knew when to hold her cards and when to fold them, this was one of the latter.
"Alright Aluxya, you rest here... we'll be back for you soon." Hermione gently scratched the underside of her chin before tucking the handkerchief nice and snug around her. She even cast a small warming charm over the fabric before deeming the nest well enough to be left alone. When Severus offered out his hand to help her up she refused to take it, making her displeasure over the entire circumstance very clear.
Severus took a deep breath curling his hand at his side into a tight fist. He really couldn't blame her for being upset at him, he only wished that she'd have chosen another time to make him feel bad about himself. His mind was already turning in every possible direction but straight and he didn't need the added weight of guilt resting on his shoulders.
He decided that the wisest choice he could make was to keep silent, lest he say something regrettable. He followed closely behind her though as she led the way back up the arching floor. About three minutes into their ascent natural light had started to reach towards them and both of them could feel a weight being lifted off of their chests. As they neared the final bend their path was completely illuminated allowing them to lower their wands.
Hermione kept her lead as she neared the doorway, trying to keep her ears tuned for anything that may insinuate danger though thus far all the chilled well had given her was a numbness on her bare arms. A smile ticked at the corner of her mouth when just after the thought crossed her mind, a warming charm was placed over her shirt abating some of her frustration for the man in black.
The sun felt wonderful on her face as she came to stand in the doorway her eyes turning up to the large atrium ceilings. Beautiful stained glass light shined down from all angles. Mirrors shifted the colors creating a beautiful coat of arms on the white tiled floor. With gold inlay outlining the shape created by the light. It truly was a mastery of craftsmanship. Her awe turned to disdain when her eyes lowered down enough to see all the way to the end of the long room.
Algurth inhaled deep, his lip curling into a dark sneer. His hand rested upon the King's crown that sat upon the stone plinth at his side, its mate sitting just beside on its own plinth. An exact replica still in place on his ghostly head. The magic protecting the crown wouldn't allow him to actually touch it, but he could put any number of obstacles to bar their way.
"Turn back now, there is nothing here for you."
Severus loathed a self-entitled man more than idiocy and this man seeped self-entitlement as though it was air needed to sustain life. The petty part of him wanted to retrieve the crown simply because he'd told him not to, though the logical side of his mind was warning him to remain cautious. He came to his full height regardless, turning his eyes towards the alcoves lining the hall.
Six large animals filled each one. A raven, a lion, a serpent, a dragon, a wolf and a stag. More symbolism about his life couldn't have been found in one room if it had tried. His jaw clenched tight as he came further into the room. His eyes straight ahead at the crown.
"Your reign has ended."
"This castle shall not fall into your hands, it will never be yours."
That is not your decision to make.
Hermione and Severus both jolted internally when a deep genderless voice filled their thoughts, as though speaking from all around them. The ground trembled softly before the raven statue's eyes glowed brightly. Another deep tremble echoed through the room as the stone seemed to come to life. Nearly as tall as a one-story house, the large stone bird stepped heavily down from its small plinth and began to make its way towards the center of the room. The door behind them slammed closed before the light above shifted, creating a spotlight for the beast and blacking out all else.
Hermione could feel a weight on her chest and the unmistakable pressure of a full body bind locking her limbs in place. Though she tried to speak, she found her body outside of her command. Darkness quickly swallowed her whole and she found herself suddenly transported to the other side of the room, directly behind the raven. She tried to turn her eyes but found herself locked in place, her vision only what was given to her by the magic inside the room. Her heart beat just a bit faster as the sound of grinding stone came from her right. Her breath stuttered when she came face to face with the large stone serpent that had been the closest to where she'd been moved.
Severus had felt a similar feeling keeping him in place, forbidding him from attempting to keep Hermione at his side. It wasn't until he saw the large stone snake move just behind the Raven did he understand that it wasn't just he who was about to be tested for their worth.
Your soul is not your own. You have filled the cracks you have made with another's. You have cheated death and thus may not take this test alone. Should either of you fail, death will come for what he is owed.
Severus' body suddenly grew cold. His mind reeling back to the day he had almost lost the woman before him. He had been on the brink of death, yes, but it had been she who had truly died. If he were to fail, he wouldn't just lose the chance at the crown but his very purpose for living at all. The very spell that had saved their lives had come to damn them in the end.
Your first test is one of logic, a simple riddle is what I have for you: 'We hurt without moving. Poison without touching. We bear the weight of truth and lies. We are not to be judged by our size. What are we?'
Hermione could not hear the raven's words as she had been given her own task. One that was meant to challenge her resolve. She had to remain silent, resist her helpful nature to allow Severus to complete his task on his own. The serpent before her had released her binds but she hadn't dared to move even her eyes once she'd been told. It hurt all the way down to her core but the lesson she had to learn was even more important.
Severus picked the words the raven had given him apart with extreme caution. He didn't know if there were any second chances in these trials and he didn't want to take the risk. He could no longer see Algurth beside the crowns but the darkness around them prevented him from seeing anything beyond the raven standing in front of him. A wealth of emotion threatened to break his resolve to see any of this through. He hadn't wanted this at all. He'd just wanted a quiet life, away from everyone and everything. Was it so much to ask for?
He closed his eyes bringing himself back into focus. Locking his emotions away, deep down inside; a cold mask of indifference painting his sharp features. It was in the quiet that he finally understood the answer to the riddle.
"Words."
Correct.
The raven lowered its head before stepping out of the spotlight. Severus felt compelled to move forward like a piece in a chess board. As soon as he'd taken the raven's place, a new light appeared revealing the dragon.
I am your innermost strength and power. I represent everything you have ever stood for. A tottering balance between dark and light. I offer this as your next test. To be great, one must master not only his strengths but his weaknesses as well. A dark cloud slowly formed in front of the dragon, taking shape into that of a man. It didn't take long for Severus to realize, that he was looking into the dark eyes of himself. To defeat them is one's greatest power.
Severus had only a second to dodge the first dark curse that came from his doppelganger's wand. A dark curse he had learned but never dared to use. A curse designed to rip the flesh from one's body in a thousand strokes of a burning knife.
He had fought many a dark wizard but none aside from one had ever had such extensive knowledge as he in the dark arts. It wasn't just a match of skill or power but a test of moral. He was sure if he were to use anything that would rival the darkness he kept hidden away in his mind that he would fail, having fallen victim to the darkness of power.
Hermione watched on from beside the new guardian that had taken the place of the snake. The stag having come to stand beside her. With kindness came pain, the loss of trust and the will needed to carry on. She found herself standing before Ron. A friendship lost when she'd found the strength to stand up for herself. Despite the time that had passed the pain of his betrayal still struck deep inside her heart. Could she find the strength inside to forgive him or bend to the kindness inside her soul?
Severus blocked another spell sending himself sliding backward from the force against his shield. He knew there was only so much a defensive stance could do. He needed to attack, he needed to take down the darkness that still threatened his ever-present thoughts. The more he pressed pushed himself to think of a solution the more clouded with painful memories and self-doubt his mind became. Even his most recent misstep down in the ward room intensified wavering his concentration.
Who was he? A lowly unwanted child of a mother who had married out of necessity. A woman whose life he had made miserable just by how very existence. A constant reminder of a past mistake that could never be undone. The son of a father burdened with raising a child meant for a world he could never understand. A teacher who loathed every minute of the time spent in the halls of a school meant to guide and nurture children to their highest potential unable to let go of the past to properly see to his duties. A dark, hateful man blaming a child for his mistakes only to be bound by honor and love for a woman who was never meant to be his.
A man, found in the darkest of places. Given something he had so desperately longed for but never believed he would ever achieve. A choice made during the darkest days of his life; setting in motion completely unforeseeable events that had raised him higher than he had ever been. A girl—woman— brought to him under the most difficult of circumstances to bring new light into the small bit of hope that had remained in his stone heart. A woman who had brought so much into his life that at times he truly didn't believe it to be his own. A love so long sought after that it was still terrifying to try and comprehend its full power. A woman, who had seen the light inside his heart when no one else ever had.
"Expelliamus!" Severus found his strength deep down inside his core. A power that he had never trusted before. The power of love.
The doppelganger's wand flew into his hand with a sharp snap, defeated by a single spell meant only to disarm. He watched with great satisfaction and renewed strength when both he and the dragon bowed their heads to his feat. He watched himself disappear back into the darkness from which it'd come before taking a step forward into the light that the dragon had shortly after vacated. He felt stronger than ever before—truly invincible.
Hermione wiped a stray tear from her eye as Ron slowly disappeared into the void. Her heart ached but she knew she had done what was right. She knew where she belonged. To whose side she was meant to stand. All of her doubts on whether she was truly ready and able to handle a man so complex, so broken, washed away by her final words. There would never be another inside her heart.
As broken, as angry, temperamental and beyond cantankerous as Severus was; there was no one she could trust more with her life than he. There was no one who had come to understand even things she hadn't fully understood about herself than he. A man more experienced in the world than she but still able to take in new experiences was something she would never take for granted. A childhood crush could never stand up to the bond that had grown between them.
Even as the next guardian took its place before her, she found strength in the knowledge that together, there was nothing they couldn't do. The wolf that came in front of her slowly inclined it's head before it's eyes locked right onto hers. She could feel an odd pressure inside her skull but found herself nearly powerless to stop its assault. It took her precious seconds to decipher just what exactly it was searching for when a pattern in the called memories started to become clear. Loyalty. It was searching her life and laying down judgment on her loyalty to others.
Severus squared his shoulders looking up dead center into the eyes of the mighty lion now standing in front of him. He now found himself standing dead center in the room. His body distorting the crest on the floor beneath his feet. He found himself unafraid of whatever task the guardian had to offer, emboldened by his past experience.
You dare to stand before me? A boy born without any extraordinary skill set out to make himself a man worth fearing.
"I am a better man."
You are a weak man! You dare to believe yourself redeemed when you have so many more lives on your bloodstained hands?
"I am not who I was," Severus would not allow the lion's words to tear him down.
Meliorism, is not the only thing to be found on the road to redemption. Sacrifice and bravery are it's most loyal companions. For my task, I give a choice. Two small palm-sized orbs appeared in each of the lion's upturned paws. A white, and a black orb. Bravery is not only facing your fears but understanding and accepting the sacrifices that must be made to ensure that the greater good can be kept in power. Should you choose white, the town and all those in it will perish along with this castle and all that it holds inside. Damning you, and you alone to bear the weight of its existence. With all the knowledge and power you could ever imagine. Choose black, and you shall spare the castle, and the town but lose your companion, forever. For in all things truly good, a sacrifice must be made.
Severus felt the world around him crashing down into tiny irrevocable shards. It was an impossible choice. The thought of losing the one person who had given light inside his dark light almost seemed impossible to comprehend. It was Hermione's love for him that had gotten him through the first two tasks, now it was damning not only him but innocent lives as well. How could he possibly choose?
Hermione felt her body slowly coming back to her. The memories that had washed her face with tears faded away to the bright light of the room now completely revealed once more. Her heart and soul ached for the choice that was being presented before her. Could she choose Severus over the lives of so many others? How could one even begin to justify such a choice? There had to be another option, another choice. There was always another choice.
Severus opened his eyes to the relit room, his eyes searching around for Hermione. When their eyes met over the small distance that had now been made between them, he knew without question that she had been given a similar choice. He could tell by the resolve on her face that she wasn't taking either choice into consideration. A truly, brave decision.
"I choose, to sacrifice myself."
"I choose, to sacrifice myself."
Their voices rang out in tandem, neither one looking away from the other, conceding to whatever may befall them, determined to see their choice through to the end—together. A sacrifice had to be made, and they were both willing to choose themselves to see to the greater good.
The lion and wolf slowly lowered their paws, the orbs vanishing away, before inclining their heads in respect. The choice of the unknown took great courage. The resolve to stand by their choice, the loyalty to stand beside the other, the keen mind needed to see beyond the rules laid before them spoke to the true nature of their souls. They had passed their tests.
"No!" Algurth's voice shook the room with unbridled power. His body flickering solid and translucent as he harnessed his anger. So blinded in his anger he hadn't seen the guardians turn their gemstone eyes in his direction, each one lighting with a power all their own. The swords meant to knight those worthy of carrying the crown fell from the wall with a raucous crash.
Hermione turned to the sound of metal on metal. Her first thought had been to protect Severus and thus had stayed her ground. It was only when the spectral king launched himself at her did she realize his true target. She raised her wand to cast a shield over herself but the words hadn't even made it to the tip of her tongue when a blinding light forced her to shield her eyes.
The cold steel pressed for only a second against her raised arm before she felt a heat like never before. It was in the second after that she found herself falling backward against a firm chest, her shoulders held up from the floor under her arms. She blinked dumbly trying to force her eyes back into focus when a loud painful scream echoed throughout the room.
Severus had moved quickly, but not quicker than the guardians. Their magical power having turned the room blindingly white tunneling his vision for only a second. He'd blindly reached for Hermione and as her body fell into his hands, he'd held on tight. He lowered his head as the room exploded with energy, a hastily cast shield charm keeping them somehow on their feet.
When the light receded and the ringing in their ears lost its dizzying effect, each one turned their eyes to the other. Hermione offered only a crooked smile while Severus' eyes turned soft. Slowly, he pulled her to her feet running his hands down over her arms. She hadn't even a scratch and for that his heart lifted. Hermione took a slow breath, her eyes pulling away to watch the guardians return to their alcoves. Each one going quiet and still. She leaned heavily into Severus just to take a moment to wrap her head around all they had just done. Closing her eyes when she felt his hand come up to hold her head against his chest.
"You have done well." Lux's voice fluttered softly through the quiet that had befallen them. She smiled gently as she watched them come apart to look at her from where she stood behind the crowns, "Not many could pass all six tests."
Hermione swallowed slowly taking a breath to calm her nerves," Why has any of this happened?" A question long since circling Severus' mind made a surprise appearance from the woman who had been asking every question but this one.
Lux smiled gently pulling a single thread from the tassel on the pillow beneath the Queen's crown, "A single thread, though it may brilliantly shine. Can never see its true purpose in the pattern of the grand design."
When the last word left her lips she raised her hand towards the ceiling. Both Hermione and Severus turned their heads as the mirrors above began to shift. Their eyes fell down to the floor where the crest had begun to change. Gone was the raven that sat at the top, replaced instead with a heart wrapped in thorns. The tome from which it stood gone, replaced with a rounded band, the word loyalty forming around the base. The shield bearers formed into that of a regal lion, its jaw closed in peace and a large serpent whose head was bent down in reverence. The four sections inside shifted to three. A Griffin at rest with a sword laid down beside its feet for a valiant battle won, in the bottom left; a book whose pages were open, a page held mid turn signalling the beginning of a new era took the bottom right and at the top center of the new trifold was a gorgeous phoenix whose wings were open, a gorgeous fire burning beneath signalling rebirth. Along the banner at the bottom, three words appeared one after the other, Wisdom, Redemption, Love.
As the last of it fell into place Hermione felt a deep emotion welling up inside her chest. An indescribable feeling that brought such a peace inside her heart. It was something she would never be able to give words to but it would always be something to remember. Tears spilled from her eyes unheeded and unnoticed as she turned to look up into the face of a man she had never in her wildest dreams would have ever believed to have captured not just her heart but her soul as well. She never really wanted to be a Queen, nor did she ever want him to take on a responsibility that he had no desire to take. This choice was his...and his alone.
Severus felt his entire life slowly coming into place. Every choice, every decision he had ever made was starting to become clear. Every heartache, every life laid upon his hands had led him to this moment. Every sleepless night guarding his promise, his action in battles long since won. His heart had become strong through the adversity but his soul had become complete the very moment he took on a responsibility he should never have taken. It wasn't about getting a return on what he deserved but rather taking on his new role in this life. Taking the power that had been granted by the innocence of a child who had grown into their own by the aid of his hand. The choice to live in the light, to take his rightful place among the good was more terrifying than living in darkness.
He turned slowly, looking up at the shimmering gold that held the weight of the world inside its jewels. This was a choice that could never be returned. He felt Hermione leave his side, her hand taking his for the briefest of moments before he found his feet moving forward. Each step, felt lighter and lighter, as though he were shedding the weight of his misgivings with each step. Lux stood just behind, her eyes soft and without judgement, her hands folded neatly over her elaborate robes that seemed to move on their own.
The final step felt like an eternity but when he found himself right before his birthright, he had never felt move resolved, "I do not wish to be a King."
Lux smiled even more, slowly inclining her head, "The choice of title is yours alone, though may I inform you that without a Queen, you shall never be a King." Lux turned her eyes over his shoulder looking at Hermione kindly, "The responsibility of this castle rests inside this crown whether or not you are a King makes no difference."
Severus let out a slow breath, turning his eyes back down. Those were terms he could live with. When his hands rose to take the crown he paused shifting his gaze over to the Queen's. He couldn't do this alone. His stance shifted and instead of taking the one meant for him, he raised the Queen's crown from its pedestal turning to look at Hermione.
A gentle, beautiful smile formed creases around her eyes, she knew without asking what he was offering. There was never any doubt in her mind that she would have supported any decision he had made. Her heart did flutter with the choice he was presenting to her. A deep breath moved her feet forward and when she came to stand before him, she knew what needed to be done. She reached for the King's crown, the weight surprisingly light in her hands. When he raised the crown in his hands she lowered her head to allow him to place it properly.
As soon as the metal settled upon her wild curls all of her senses seemed to intensify. As though she had become one with everything around her. She could feel the warm breeze whispering through the trees covering the grounds, feel every blade of grass, every flower, turned up towards the waning sun. It was an experience that truly needed to be shared. Her eyes turned down when he took to one knee before lowering his head as she had done. A slow breath left her parted lips as she placed the crown gingerly upon his dark locks.
Like a circuit that had been completed a power began to swell inside them before washing their entire world in a beautiful golden glow. Their clothes turned soft, light and long flowing. Transforming into regal robes of simple yet elegant design. White and gold outlined Hermione while a deep ash grey and silver outlined Severus'.
Their heads turned out when the collapsed doorway just behind the crown stands began to lift into the air; the broken pieces repairing themselves before sliding slowly into place. It wasn't just what they could see before them, their extra senses told them that the entire castle was coming alive, repairing, rebuilding to its former glory.
oOo
Galia stood at the castle gate, watching beside many others as the deep red wards that had come to bar anyone or anything from entrance came down in a brilliant golden light that cascaded down like water overflowing a cup. Everything the light touched became new again. The crumbling walls, the over grown trees, all receded, forming like a new dawn in the dimming light of sunset.
Galia had done her best to keep everyone back but she was the first one to notice the coat of arms rebuilding along the tall wooden doors. The new seal not lost upon her memory. Her hands quivered as she carefully handed over her son to his father and was the first to take a step forward.
Her hand hovered over the shimmering gold and silver before she finally found the courage to reach out and touch it. The metal was warm beneath her fingertips as it split down the center pulling itself open to reveal a beautiful remastered path. The tree that had stood center was gone, leaving the view straight up to the castle doors unheeded. When the large majestic doors gave way to two figures holding hands, Galia's heart leapt with joy. They had done it.