CHAPTER FIFTY ONE- The Coven
Hermine's vision was coming back to her and she could hear the rants of her husband. "How dare you curse us!" Malfoy fumed. Her vision was nearly back now and she realized she was on a rough spun rug in a warm hut.
Their surroundings were humble and covered in the earthy tones of the forest. When she stood up she saw seven witches and wizards standing over them by a fire.
"We had no choice," a middle aged wizard said to them. Hermione thought the voice was familiar to the one who cast the spell on them. "Our home is protected and hallowed to us. You should be grateful my daughters lead you in," said an old witch with green eyes to match Atropa and Pomona's. Her hair was grey but dreaded in the same style as her daughters.
"We are grateful. Truly we are, we only wish to speak with you," Hermione said standing next to Malfoy and placing a hand on him to calm his temper. "My name is-" Hermione began before being cut off by the witch Atropa.
"We know who you are. Who both of you are. You bring terrible danger to us all by being here," Atropa said sitting in a large chair carved out of a tree trunk. "Why should we listen to you?" Atropa asked.
"Sister, please. You forget yourself. I am Pomona, this is my elder sister, Atropa," Pomona said motioning to her sister who sat still as a stone. "Our mother, Amaranth and Atropa's husband, Everest." Pomona finished.
"This is our coven where we have lived for decades. How did you find us and why did you come?" Pomona asked standing behind her sister next and next to her mother.
"My father has spoken to me of the covens and nomads throughout Great Britain. We hoped to find you and tell you of our plight. Will you hear what we have to say?" Malfoy asked, directing his attention to Atropa who seemed to be their leader.
Atropa nodded her head and motioned for Malfoy to continue. "I am Draco Malfoy and this is my wife, Hermione Malfoy. Even in your seclusion and in the protection of your forest you must know of the war being waged outside these trees?" Malfoy asked.
"I seek what you seek. Peace in our world and to keep my family safe," Malfoy finished. "My family was safe before you came to us," Atropa retorted.
"That may be, but you won't be safe for long." Hermione said speaking up. "This war is bigger than any to have come in our history. The evil that began this will not stop until everyone is under his rule."
"The evil wizard responsible for so many deaths and destruction is after my child. My daughter. My innocent girl," Hermione said with tears welling in her eyes. "We ask for any help you can give us, please. Do you have children? Is there nothing you would not do to keep them safe?" Hermione questioned.
The grey haired Amaranth was the one who replied to Hermione. "I left to join this coven when the Dark Lord first came to power. My husband was Muggle-born. Our children are Half-bloods. We left to protect him and our daughters. I do not regret this decision. So you can see, there is nothing I would not do for my children either," she finished.
"Tell us of this plight. We have agreed to listen to you but you may or may not receive our help," Atropa said.
The Malfoy's told their story, from the night the prophecy was proclaimed, to their wedding, the birth of Isola, their escape on the ship, and finally what they asked of the coven. Atropa and the others listened carefully to their words and when they were finished, she asked her husband Everest to escort them from the hut.
"You'll wait here while the elders discuss your dilemma. I am sorry about cursing you earlier. But the coven has to be protected," Everest said sending them inside a little hut on their grounds.
"We will wait here as long as necessary. Thank you for hearing us out," Hermione said to Everest as he departed. "Do you trust them? What if they send out heads to your aunt?" Hermione asked.
"I can't tell yet. If they wanted to kill us surely they would have done so by now," he replied pacing the small hut.
While they waited a young witch with fire hair matching Atropa's brought them bowls of soup and slightly stale bread. Hermione tried to thank the girl but she ran out as quickly as she could.
"How is she not at Hogwarts? She can't be more than thirteen! She should be in school. The Ministry allows this?" Hermione asked. "Every society has its odd balls and outcasts. It's easier to let them be than try and integrate them. They stay with their old ways and we keep with the new," he replied.
The rest of the night was spent in cold, shivering darkness and silence. Without their wands to produce light or head, they had bundled on the scraps of quilt they found in the hut.
Malfoy was getting impatient and his temper was getting the better of him by the time Everest returned. "Atropa has made her decision, we will give you your answer now," he said motioning for the outsiders to follow him.