"What the bloody hell is going on?" Fabian muttered, draining his whisky as he came up behind Caradoc who was still focused on the balcony. They both watched as Hermione finally exited with Pandora and her father, her face utterly blank.
"Will you come and meet my fiance, my Mya?" Pandora asked with a smile, her arm threaded through Hermione.
"Xenophilius Lovegood?" Hermione asked with a faint smile.
"That's him." Pandora agreed. "It'll be a far better meeting than your last one."
"One hopes so," Hermione muttered as she sent her father a reassuring smile.
Pandora smiled slightly, "It won't happen again, you know."
"I know," she sighed, "But perhaps to ensure it you'll refrain from playing with experimental potions?"
"Oh, that's what happened." Pandora murmured, "We don't get to See that."
"I don't really understand how it works," Hermione admitted, "Luna tried to explain but…I wasn't very accepting in the beginning."
"No," Pandora mused, "I imagine it goes against your nature or it did in the beginning."
"How much can you See?"
"It depends." Pandora mused, "I get no control but Luna was rather insistent that I help you. She truly loved you very much, she just knew you weren't meant for her."
Hermione turned to her looking stricken, "But I…if I'd known."
"You would have deprived you both of something beautiful that you both desperately needed at the time." Pandora finished.
Hermione let out a long sigh, "I never meant to hurt her."
"You cannot have love without some hurt. My Luna knew that you were not hers to keep, that she only got you for a small moment in time. Her time will come this time around. She will meet her soulmate. I know. I've Seen it."
Hermione nodded slowly as she bit back tears. "Ok."
"You'll be godmother, of course. I imagine it'll be difficult but seeing her grow up from a baby will separate the two in your head. Override the memories so to speak.
"No, I…I couldn't," Hermione protested, attempting not to sound as horrified as she felt.
"Of course, you could." Pandora insisted as she stopped in front of what was clearly a much younger Xenophllius Lovegood. "Darling, I mentioned Mya didn't I?"
Xenophilius' eyes went wide as awed understanding flooded his face before he smiled, "Indeed you did," he agreed, "Xenophilous Lovegood, but you knew that didn't you?"
"Yes," Hermione smiled, "Hermione Moody. My friends call me Mya."
"I wasn't invited to call you Mya," Gideon interjected pointedly coming up beside her, before leaning down to whisper into her ear, "For the love of Merlin, once you're done here let my brother and Caradoc assure themselves you're alright."
"What?" she frowned.
"You have a very expressive face," Pandora supplied, "I imagine they noticed me blindsiding you. Now, go with Gideon, we can meet for lunch on Tuesday. I'll meet you in Diagon Alley at eleven."
"Oh I…right." Hermione looked momentarily bewildered as Gideon choked on a laugh.
"She has that effect on people," he whispered as he guided her away.
"So I'm beginning to realise," Hermione agreed wryly.
"You are alright though?" he checked with a frown.
"I...yes," she sighed, "she just caught me off guard."
"She does that," he agreed. "Which is why my brother and his best friend look like they've been hit by a confundus."
"Oh?" Hermione arched a brow.
"She got to them with her Sight," Gideon grinned, "It's always wonderfully entertaining when it's not you it's aimed at."
Hermione snorted, "Yes I can imagine."
"Right, I brought you the witch," Gideon announced grandly, as they drew up beside Fabian and Caradoc, "try not to fuss too much, her father won't like it."
Caradoc and Fabian looked momentarily flummoxed before they sighed, "What did my cousin say to you?"
"Oh, she informed me I'd be her daughter's godmother," Hermione replied blandly knowing she had to give them something.
"She did what?"Caradoc blinked.
"You heard me, now you've seen I'm in one piece so are you going to ask me to dance or am I going to have to give into the staring my grandmother is doing? I can feel her eyes on the back of my head."
Caradoc snorted, "Dance it is, Miss Moody."
"Aurors Prewett," she smirked as he lead her away.
"What did she really say to you?" Caradoc asked as he led her in a waltz.
"That I'd be her daughter's godmother," she repeated.
"And?" he prompted.
Hermione sighed, "She…had a message of sorts, I suppose. From someone I knew before."
Caradoc's eyes widened in horror at the implications of that statement, "Oh gods, I didn't mean to…."
Hermione shook her head, "I won't say it's fine but it's…an odd comfort. Or I think it will be once I can process what she said."
Pulling her closer than was strictly proper, he attempted to work through his own feelings in light of his cousin's revelations. "If you need any help…" he began softly.
She shook her head, "Thank you but…not right now. Perhaps one day but I think I need to work through it myself first."
"It's alright, I understand it can sometimes take time to work through what she says."
"Surely you're used to it if she's your cousin?" she teased.
"I don't think you ever get used to Dora," he replied wryly.
"Perhaps not," she conceded, as the music ended, "Thank you for the dance, Mr Dearborn."
He watched slightly helplessly as she left him and walked back to her family who were watching her with concern. He caught Alex Potter pulling her in for a hug as he headed back towards the twins.
"Well now you're both pathetic," Gideon moaned, as he rejoined them. "Let the witch alone tonight. You'll both need to be very sure of what's next. Pandora was right, she's fractured and I imagine it's to do with what happened before she came here."
Fabian sighed, running his hand through his hair even as he acknowledged that his brother was right. "Right then, we can leave, can't we? Molls went home ages ago."
"Yes," Caradoc agreed. "I've no need to stay until midnight."
Nodding, Gideon steered them towards the floo, noticing Hermione take a blushing Remus' hand to dance.
"Alex is spitting," Izzah grinned as she sat down. "He knows we're here but I said he couldn't come."
"I'll await the howler," Hermione replied, rolling her eyes.
Izzah snorted, "Don't be silly, he'll come and interrogate you in person."
"True," Hermione conceded with a sigh. "I'll need to come up with a reasonable story."
"It can't just be that you wanted my wonderful company?" Izzah teased.
"As much as that was part of it," Hermione smiled ruefully, "I must confess I have a slightly ulterior motive."
"Oh?"
Taking a deep breath, attempting not to react to the way Izzah had leant forward looking intrigued, she forced herself to find the words for what she wanted to say. Confiding in a girlfriend wasn't something she'd ever done. She'd had Ginny and later Luna but she was far more comfortable with boys. "I…need advice." she began slowly.
A wicked smirk crept over Izzah's face, "Is this anything to do with the impressive attentions of a certain Auror Prewett?"
"Partially," Hermione agreed slowly "But…I've been meeting his best friend for lunch."
Izzah frowned, "Who?"
"Caradoc Dearborn."
"Oh! Oh, the man Alex was less than impressed with? The Welsh redhead from the Blishwick ball?" Izzah bounced in her seat.
"That would be him," she agreed. "I…my grandmother had me perform a spell. It's…ugh I thought it was nonsense!"
Izzah blinked, wondering if the witch often became this frazzled, somehow she didn't think so, which meant this was either going to be awful or wildly entertaining. She fervently hoped it was the latter. "Ok, breathe," she commanded, "What spell?"
"It's named the soulmate ritual." she groaned when Izzah looked visibly excited. "It's not a soulmate ritual. It…they said it showed possibilities. The person or people you have the best chance of happiness with."
"And you got this Caradoc Dearborn?" Izzah guessed.
"And Fabian Prewett," she muttered.
"And…Oh my."
"I don't…I'm not ready for anything yet. I've…things to do first but I…what am I meant to do with that!" Hermione demanded plaintively.
Izzah laughed at the indignant look on her face. "Do you like either of them?"
"I like both of them," Hermione muttered reluctantly.
"But?" Izzah probed looking intrigued.
"But…but what if…what if this is actually a possibility for me…how do I choose? What if I make the wrong choice? What if I make a choice and they don't really want me?"
"Oh, Hermione." Izzah sighed, "I don't think either of them wanting you will be an issue. You didn't see the way they looked at you at the ball. I admit I hadn't realised the second redhead was your Mr Dearborn but that only means things make much more sense. As for who you chose…do you not have a preference?"
"No," she whined miserably.
Izzah attempted to rearrange her face into something resembling sympathetic while trying not to laugh. "Well then, how do you feel about a triad?"
"That's not funny." Hermione muttered, "Pandora Carrow counselled just that."
Looking thoughtful, Izzah continued, "It doesn't have to be funny, you know. It's…rare but not unheard of."
"Merlin no! I'd never survive them both," Hermione exclaimed, looking at Izzah properly for the first time since she'd arrived at the Leaky.
Izzah looked momentarily startled before she laughed, "Am I to assume your Mr Dearborn is not all that different to Fabian Prewett?"
"No," she whined, "He's marginally more housetrained. But truly it's marginal."
Biting back a laugh, Izzah once again attempted to force her face into an expression that didn't look amused, wishing that Hermione wasn't making that so challenging. "Well then," she offered eventually, "perhaps in the interim while you do what you need to do, you could consider…training them?"
Hermione whimpered. "I don't think that's possible….and Izzah, they're not unruly pets! They're people! Unpredictable, irreverent, baffling people!"
Casting her mind back to what she knew of Fabian Prewett, Izzah had to admit she might have a point so decided to change tact. "Well then, how do you feel about some retail therapy?"
"Does it come with cake?" Hermione checked.
"It can absolutely come with cake," Izzah confirmed laughing.
"Then lead the way," she sighed, her mind whirling.
"Dad?" Hermione asked hesitantly, feeling slightly more grounded after her day with Izzah.
"Aye, lass?"
"I…how would you feel about me doing a familial protection spell on you?
"A what?" Alastor finally lifted his head from his newspaper, eyeing his daughter with confusion.
"Familial protection spell," Hermione repeated patiently, "It's…it doesn't protect you from everything but it gives you a little bit more protection. It would allow us to amplify things through the family magic. I think."
"Such as?" Alastor asked intrigued.
"I ah…I'm not entirely sure. I think Granda said it made becoming an animagus easier but mainly it gifts you a little bit of the Ross magic, I think. It kicks in if you need the extra protection. The details were a little hazy, to be honest, I think that book likes making things difficult. But more protection is hardly going to hurt is it?"
"No," he mused, "If you think it's important, lass, then we can."
She hummed, "And…and the string spell?"
"The string spell?" Alastor echoed.
"It…it would allow me a link to you so I'd know if you were in trouble. I was considering the implications for some of the others."
"Such as?" Alastor prompted.
"Well…the Prewett twins. Caradoc. It's…it doesn't need to be to me, or at least I don't think it does, but if we could anchor them to someone it might prevent things from happening as I remember them if we can't stop events from before."
Alastor hummed, "I'm willing to discuss it with your Grandparents. I don't want everyone anchored to you. Have you considered how you'd explain it to them?"
"Can't it just be for protection? If it comes from you…." she trailed off.
He hummed, "Something to consider." he agreed.
"So the familial protection?"
"Aye lass, let me know when," he agreed, knowing she wasn't going to let it drop.
"I'm meeting Pandora today so..after that?"
"Very well. You'll be alright meeting that witch? She upset you at the Blishwick ball."
"I think I was just surprised," Hermione murmured. "And…confused. How exactly can the witch be getting visions from her daughter from an actual timeline in the future?"
"Don't ask me, lass," Alastor held up his hands in supplication. "Saul's your man for that question." he paused, clearly unsure of how to broach his next question, "This..this Luna, Miss Carrow's daughter, you loved her?"
"Yes." Hermione smiled sadly, "But I wasn't in love with her."
Alastor hummed, "So your performance with Miss McKinnon…."
"Was merely to wind up Fabian Prewett." Hermione laughed, "She's lovely but…I don't know how to explain it. I suppose I can't imagine having what I had with Luna with anyone else. It feels like I'd be…tainting it to consider something else."
"Something else at all?" Alasor frowned.
Hermione sighed, "For just now. But I…if I survive this, on the rare times I've allowed myself to consider the future, I see a husband, not a wife. Maybe because somewhere I knew I'd never risk Fleur."
"And who is Fleur?" Alastor asked slightly helplessly.
"She was Bill Weasley's wife," Hermione smiled slightly, "A french quarter veela who was quite possibly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
"Right," Alastor nodded, not at all sure what the correct response to that was.
Hermione snorted, "Don't worry too much about it, Appoline Delacour was stunning from what I remember of her from the wedding, but I could never knowingly risk people I knew. I'm also relatively certain that she has to be pregnant now anyway. Fleur was seven years younger than Bill." Hermione frowned, tilting her head, "Actually, she might already be born now I think on it. Huh. Not that it matters, to be honest, I'm not ready for anything just yet."
"Your other options truly were Caradoc Dearborn and Fabian Prewett?" Alastor checked, "That's who you saw?"
"Yes," Hermione sighed, "They mentioned the possibility of a triad too, although I dismissed it. I'm not…I don't know how I feel about it. I like what little I know of them but…"
"But you're not ready," Alastor finished, feeling brave enough to tug her forward for a hug, "Thank all the gods for that. I don't think any of us are ready to even consider you being old enough to marry anyone, let alone Fabian sodding Prewett, so just you keep being not ready for a while yet."
Hermione snorted, sinking into the hug, "Thanks Dad." she murmured.
"Anytime," he murmured into the crown of her head before pausing thoughtfully, "And maybe…maybe use this time to get to know them. You might never be ready, and that's alright, but you'll never know if they're truly an option until you get to know them as more than the stories other people told."
"You're quite wise sometimes," Hermione quipped, not looking at him.
"Such cheek," he grumbled. "Now, shouldn't you be off to see Miss Carrow?"
Hermione's eyes darted to the clock. "Shit! Yes, see you later!"
"Hello, my Mya." Pandora beamed when she exited the floo.
"Hello Pandora," she returned warily.
"You look less burdened today," Pandora mused.
"Do I?" Hermione asked archly.
"Yes, you've made a decision, a temporary one at least," Pandora smiled guilelessly. "I think it's wise. Although I would suggest telling them the truth at some point soon, especially if you intend to keep them safe. You do intend to, don't you?"
"I…yes?" Hermione replied, wondering what it was about Pandora that made her sound so unsure of herself.
"Oh good. Then you should definitely tell them. They're already so confused, it's wise to let them work through it all at once. It'll keep them busy until you make a final decision."
"Pandora!" Hermione exclaimed, unable to keep the smile from her face.
Pandora smiled wickedly. "This is unprecedented and going to be difficult but Caradoc is still my cousin and I can still want to tease him."
"Dear gods," Hermione muttered, "Luna in no way prepared me for you."
"That's because you were less open before." Pandora smiled. "I can't wait to meet her, it's been delightful getting to know her."
"How does that work?" Hermione asked desperately. "It shouldn't be possible."
"Oh, a great many things aren't possible. Like a baby stalling a monster for over a decade and yet…one finds they are."
Hermione groaned, "You're not going to explain it are you?"
Pandora hummed, "One day perhaps. When you're ready."
"And I'm not now?"
"Not even close," Pandora confirmed, gentling her words with a smile. "To truly suspend reality as we know it is a wondrous thing."
"Right," Hermione sighed. "Of course. Did you have an agenda for today?"
"Oh, those are your things aren't they?"
"Not today," Hermione replied,
"Oh!" Pandora swivelled to look at Hermione, her excitement palpable, "Oh then let me play at being you! How fun!" Hermione bit back a groan, not at all sure what to make of Luna's mother. "Lets…lets…Oh I know, let's go for cake at Cornelia's and then I feel like a trip to the menagerie would be best."
Deciding to just go with it, Hermione nodded her agreement, following the witch to a cafe she had no idea existed. Perhaps in her time it hadn't, although it was off a small lane of the main body of the Alley and she'd had no idea it was there either so who knew.
"Their lemon cake is particularly delightful," Pandora advised as she led them to a seat.
Hermione's lip twitched, "I see, am I to assume that I'd be best to request that?"
"Oh yes!" Pandora beamed, "And their custom blend."
Resigned but amused, Hermione nodded, "You're in charge."
"Oh! Oh, I do like the sound of that!" she beamed at the waitress when she appeared, rattling off their order. "Now then my Mya, when are you going to arrange a visit to Mrs Weasely?"
"Oh! I ah…I don't know." Hermione stuttered, blindsided by the question.
"I babysit from time to time," Pandora continued conversationally, "her older boys are delightful, although, of course, you know that. Come with me?"
Hermione paused thinking about that for several seconds before her desire to see them outweighed the pain of knowing nothing was how it should be. "Alright," she agreed.
"Wonderful, I'm going on Friday. Mrs Weasley meets up with a group of friends for tea. You'll come?"
"Yes, I'll come," Hermione agreed, hoping she was making the right choice.
Pandora smiled as their order was placed in front of them, "Shall I be mother?" she asked, gesturing towards the teapot. With a slight quirk of her lips as she heard Luna in her mother's voice, Hermione nodded, watching as Pandora fixed her tea exactly how she liked it without her having to say a word. "Now, I understand you're doing some bridge building."
"I'm sorry what?" Hermione looked at her confused.
"With students."
"Oh. I see, ah yes. It's important." Hermione replied, flustered.
"More than you know," Pandora responded softly.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked sharply.
"Two boys who need to be reined in by someone who won't fall for charming smiles and pretty words. A girl who needs help to forgive. A lost boy who needs to be taught that they're worthy of love. A broken spirit who needs reminded that their needs are important too. A boy who needs proof that he's not a monster. You can't fix them alone, but you can start the process."
"So much pressure," Hermione whispered as the enormity of what Pandora was saying hit her.
"No," Pandora disagreed, "No pressure. Just be you."
"What if it doesn't work?"
Pandora smiled slightly, "It could go one of several ways," she admitted. "You might not save them all, but you have to try. You have help. Sirius and James are about to entrust their care to your father. You have already changed things for Remus by introducing him to Professor Croaker. Lily is easy, she wants to fit in, you can help her and you have a whole family willing to lend their expertise. Severus will be harder but no one has ever loved him unconditionally, and you could. You will. You have far more similarities than differences. He will be wary, but you are nothing if not stubborn, my Mya. The contacts you can give him won't hurt either. Regulus is the one who truly hangs in the balance."
"And Peter?" Hermione voiced softly, dreading the answer.
Pandora winced, "Is a lesson," she replied apologetically, "A lesson that trust can be broken, that we have to pay attention to the signs we're shown, that not all evil is Slytherin, that often the disillusioned seek power. That sometimes we miss what we create with our own behaviours."
"So there is no hope for him?" Hermione asked slightly desperately.
Pandora's smile was sad as she shook her head, "Not that I have Seen. But that does not mean I cannot be wrong."
"If you See," Hermione began carefully, "Did you See before?"
"I don't know," Pandora replied softly, "I do not remember before, not for me. I See your before. I see flashes of theirs. I do not see my own."
Hermione let out a long breath, trying not to show how devastated she felt by Pandora's words. Peter couldn't be saved. It was going to hurt them irrevocably, but worse than that, if she couldn't fix things quickly enough. It was going to kill several of them."Ok."
They passed the next hour with lighter topics before Pandora announced it was now time to go to the menagerie, lamenting her lack of colour-coded schedule in a way that made Hermione giggle.
The menagerie was bustling and loud when they entered, "Hello Mr Gamp!" Pandora called to the elderly man behind the counter.
"Miss Pandora!" he beamed, "Back so soon?"
"Here for a friend today," Pandora replied gesturing to Hermione, "My Mya, may I introduce Mr Hector Gamp, Mr Gamp, Miss Hermione Moody."
"Moody?" Hector Gamp's overgrown eyebrows shot up towards his unruly hairline. "As in Auror Moody?"
"My father," Hermione agreed, forcing a smile onto her face.
"Mother of Merlin," the man breathed, "I remember when you disappeared! Where were you?"
"Adopted in the muggle world," Hermione replied blandly.
The old man's face softened, "I bet your father is ecstatic to have you back." he voiced gently. Mouth quirking a real smile, Hermione nodded. "You go and have a look around lass. Our Pandora's good at knowing when people need to come in."
Giving into the inevitable, Hermione trailed after Pandora who was cooing at some crups. "What you want is over there," she gestured vaguely to the opposite side of the shop. Rolling her eyes Hermione did as she was bid, walking over to the cages lining the other wall. Groups of tiny half-kneezles squeaked as they fell over each other to come and see the newcomer.
"I don't want a new pet," she told them sternly, scratching several chins through the bars. One by one, all of the kittens lost interest until one fat little ball of ginger fluff remained, staring at her. It didn't make a noise as it surveyed her. "Crooks?" Hermione whispered,
"Oh good, you found him!" Pandora beamed. "Mr Gamp! We'll be needing supplies."
"What?" Hermione turned to face her, "My father will murder me!"
"Of course he won't," Pandora chided, "And Crooks is a good boy, aren't you darling?"
The kitten eyed her seriously, giving a small meow of what Hermione assumed was agreement. "Of course, he doesn't have a name yet, this time, you could call him something else."
"What?" Hermione frowned.
"He was sent back, twice. It's why he was so grumpy, too many people had broken his trust."
"Oh! Oh, that's awful!" Hermione turned back to the kitten who was eying her seriously. "Fine," she sighed, "Looks like you're coming home with me."
"Wonderful!" Pandora beamed, clapping her hands together. "Now, we'll just sort that and then you can head home for today. Friday at eight and then the same time next week?"
"I ah…sure." Hermione agreed weakly.
"You can do the schedule next time," Pandora grinned.
"Is that…is that a cat Hermione?"
Hermione groaned, "Pandora sort of…confounded me into it. I had him…before."
Alastor blinked, eying the tiny ginger kitten glaring at him with barely concealed distrust. "Oh?" he muttered.
"Crookshanks, I got him in third year. Pandora said he'd been sent back to the shop twice in my timeline, that's why he hated everyone. And I couldn't leave him!"
Alastor bit back a groan at the pleading look on his daughter's face. "No," he sighed, "I imagine you couldn't."
"He was always well-behaved," she voiced defensively.
He snorted, "Before or after he scratched everyone? Didn't you say he hated everyone bar you and Black?"
"Well…" Hermione fidgeted, making Alastor snort, holding out his hand towards the glaring kitten.
"You're going to have to get used to me lad," Alastor warned. Crookshanks tilted his head, seeming to consider that before he rubbed the side of his face against Alastor's hand.
"See you'll be best friends in no time," Hermione grinned. Alastor eyed her disbelievingly but continued to stroke the now purring kitten.
"How did it go with Miss Carrow?"
Hermione groaned, "I…I don't quite know what to do with her," she admitted, "She is both very like Luna and completely different. She's…more secure in just saying whatever's in her head. Luna…I never realised how much she held back. I should have though, shouldn't I?"
Alastor studied her seriously for several minutes, not sure what to do with the pleading expression on her face. "I think…we all have layers." he said finally, "We often choose what we show."
"But I was supposed to know her better than that."
Alastor sighed abandoning Crooks, who shot him a dirty look, in order to wrap an arm around her shoulders. "From what you've said, you'll know her better this time. It won't be the same obviously but…it doesn't sound like the girl had many safe places to be her for a long time. You can make sure that's not the case this time around."
"I don't know how I'll cope being Aunt Hermione," she whispered leaning into him, "What if I can't?"
Alastor sighed, "It's..going to be difficult. But over twenty years will separate you this time. She won't grow up without her mother if you have anything to do with it, I don't imagine you'll allow her to grow up isolated either. She won't be the same as your Luna."
Hermione let out a harsh breath forcing tears back, "When did you get so wise?" she teased, mimicking her words from earlier.
"I'll have you know I've always been wise," he retorted, "No bugger listens to me though."
"That's not true," she disagreed softly, "Your Aurors adore you, even if you terrify them."
He made a disbelieving noise at the back of his throat, hugging her closer, "Aye well. It's my job to scare them, they're all overconfident little sods when I first get them."
Hermione laughed, "I can't wait to watch you with Sirius and James. Although please, for the love of magic, talk about all your scars."
"Why?" he frowned.
He didn't expect her to let him go, looking up at him with a look of what could only be called gleeful mischief, "Because they think Auror training will be cool. I told them you all had scars and they were horrified. I don't think they completely believed me."
Alastor looked at her in horror. "We've not accepted them yet," he muttered.
Hermione shoved him "Don't be absurd, you will."
"Well see," he muttered.
She laughed, "Right, protection spell?"
He sighed, "Are you sure?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" she frowned.
He shrugged awkwardly, "It's likely to be quite taxing."
"Be quiet," she hissed, "It should have been done years ago."
He snorted, "None of my Aurors would believe your nerve," he muttered, startling a laugh out of Hermione. "What does it involve then, lass?"
"No idea," she shrugged, "We'll need to go and visit Gran."
"Lovely," he muttered, "You know she's going to fuss?"
"I think it makes her feel needed," Hermione shrugged, "It's like she doesn't know how else to show she cares."
Alastor blinked before he laughed, "Merlin, please say that to her face lass."
"No thank you," she replied primly, ignoring the grin he sent her. "Let's go."
"Hermione, mo sholas!" Robert beamed at his granddaughter as she stepped through the floo. "And…Alastor. Is everyone alright?"
"Everyone's fine," Hermione reassured him, sinking slightly into the comfort of his hug.
"Then not to be blunt lassie," Janet voiced, "But what are you and your faither doing here?"
"Can't we just visit, Gran?" she shot back cheekily.
Janet's lip twitched, "Aye but I don't think your faither has ever nipped in for a visit just because, which means something's going on,"
Hermione snorted letting Robert go, "Fair enough. We wanted to see the protection spell."
Robert nodded, "Up you go then, you know where the book is."
"On my own?" she checked.
"Do you need an escort?" he asked sardonically.
"No," she replied hesitating, "But…I still don't think I like it."
Robert laughed," The book? Merlin lassie, come on then." he guided her up the stairs until they were stood in front of the grimoire. "Open it up and ask then, mo sholas."
Hermione took a deep breath, not sure why this felt as monumental as it did, "Family protection spell," she murmured, watching as the pages flipped.
"Blood of the caster mixed with blood of the recipient," she muttered, her eyes scanning the lines. "Add in three scoops of powdered tigers eye, two of Verbascum and two of witch hazel. Draw the rune for Algiz over the heart, on the forehead and on the centre of the back with the mixture. For best results consider a ritual." Hermione paused, blinking, "What does that mean?"
"Exactly as it says, " Robert shrugged, "We've a ritual circle in the garden we can use, your Gran will talk you through it. Is there an incantation?"
"A chant I think," she replied softly, stumbling over the unfamiliar words, "Bidh mi gad cheangal ris an draoidheachd againn gus an dìon e thu aig amannan feum."
Robert laughed, "Merlin lassie, you're murdering the Gaelic!" It took several patient corrections before she could say it properly. "We'll be sorting that, we can't have you unable to speak like a true Ross." he groused.
She rolled her eyes, "What does it mean?"
"Roughly?" he inclined his head, "It translates as I bind you to our magic so it will protect you in times of need."
"Oh," she whispered, "It sounds better in Gaelic."
"We'll make a proper Ross of you yet, mo sholas," Robert grinned approvingly. "Now will we go and tell your dad we need some of his blood?"
Hermione grimaced, "What're the bets he won't be too impressed with that plan?"
"Absolutely not," Alastor barked.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Why not?"
"Because it's blood magic, Hermione!" he retorted, his face pale as he regarded his daughter, taking in the stubborn set of her chin that was unfortunately all him. "It's…nothing good comes from blood magic."
"Nonsense," she scoffed, "Blood magic allowed Harry to live as a baby, fuelled by love and sacrifice. It wasn't dark, Lily had to have known it was likely she'd die, so she made her death mean something. Are you truly telling me that you think that was evil?"
Alastor made a small whining sound at the back of his throat that he'd deny if anyone ever mentioned it. "But…blood magic…"
"Gets a bad rep," she conceded, "Because blood is powerful. But based on that, surely given that we're using it for protection, it has to be good."
"What if it strips someone of their magic to protect someone else?" Alastor demanded.
Hermione let out a long slow breath. "Nothing in the book indicated that. It seemed to suggest that the things Ross magic is known for will be easier for you, and I gather there's a layer of protection in the runes. It didn't indicate any more than that."
He sighed, "I don't like it."
"Then we don't need to do it.'' Hermione shrugged with a nonchalance she didn't feel. This felt too important to allow him to back out of it.
"But you want to?" Alastor replied softly, noticing her tense.
"You're a bloody Auror!" she exclaimed without meaning to, "And no offence, Dad, but in my time, you looked a bit worse for wear. It would… I'd prefer to know you were as safe as we can make you."
Alastor groaned, knowing he'd lost the moment her lip had wobbled. "Bloody stubborn wench," he muttered, wrapping his arms around her tense body, "Very well then lass. Go and let your gran talk you through your first ritual."
It was worth it when she relaxed into the hug, letting out a sigh of relief as she squeezed him tightly. "Thank you, I've already lost three parents," she murmured so softly no one else heard her, exhaling sharply, he hugged her tighter.
"Right then, lass let's go and get started." Janet prompted, hiding her smile at her son in laws capitulation. Hermione nodded, letting Alastor go to follow her grandmother out into the garden. "We've been using this circle since we moved in," Janet explained taking her to a small clearing where magic felt like it was pulsing in the air. "Can you feel that?"
Utterly overwhelmed, Hermione nodded, walking around the circle silently, cataloguing the runes that lined the inner and outer layers. "We'll need candles," Janet continued when she came to stop beside her again, and you and your father will need to be cleansed before you step in. We'll give you the ritual bowl of course and I imagine your father has robes, you'll need to borrow mine for now but we really should get you some of your own soon. Skyclads better but I imagine that neither of you wants that."
Hermione looked at her in horror, "No thank you," she squeaked, making her grandmother laugh.
"You get used to it," Janet grinned, "But perhaps not for your first."
"Perhaps not with my father," Hermione corrected, still looking horrified.
Janet snorted, inclining her head. "He's not one for much ritual magic lass, I imagine you'll be fine. But I promise …the feelings that come with that level of magic mean you won't notice once you allow yourself to embrace the experience."
"I'll take your word for it," Hermione replied, looking unconvinced. "Although…how am I meant to draw a rune on his back if he's in robes?"
Janet paused, "Fair point. Let's hope he has trousers and a tunic then. Someone will if he doesn't. Now, we won't be able to help once you're in the circle, and you'll need to remember to open it once you're done. Do you want me to talk you through it?"
Looking like a deer caught in headlights, Hermione nodded, listening with rapt attention as Janet walked her through the ritual as best she could, hoping it would be enough.
She stood over an hour later, trying not to let her nerves show, her eyes cataloguing the circle as she watched her father step into it. "On you go, lass," Janet urged softly, squeezing her arm in comfort.
"What if something goes wrong?" Hermione checked.
"It's a protection ritual lass, nothing is going to go wrong," Janet soothed, not showing her own nerves. She'd hoped that she'd be able to help guide her granddaughter's first ritual, however, that wasn't the way it was going to go and so she had to hope that magic was on their side.
Hermione swallowed harshly but nodded, taking a deep breath as she picked up her sage, trying not to feel awkward in her borrowed robes. She felt the presence of magic the moment she stepped into the outer ring as she focused, lighting her sage and beginning to smudge the perimeter. Once done, she stepped into the second ring, her eyes widening as the runes carved in the ground glowed. Continuing around the second circle, she was less surprised when she eventually stepped into the inner ring.
"It takes us all by surprise the first time, lass," Alastor murmured with a slight smile. She gave a huff of laughter.
"Warning might have been nice," she muttered.
He snorted, watching as she stepped up to the first candle, lighting it with her wand. "Spirits of the North, guardians of the earth, I ask you to ground this magic and nurture our purpose." she startled at the visible swirling of green hued vapour. Closing her eyes in exasperation she muttered, "Of course it's dramatic.'' The mist swirled around them, seeming both amused and calming. It was a heady experience. Forcing herself to move on, she walked towards the next candle, trying to remember the words her grandmother had taught her, "Spirits of the East, guardians of Air, I ask you to guide my understanding and allow this magic to flow." She was unsurprised this time when the candle flame began to flicker and sweeping curls of yellow seemed to dance amongst the green making her feel lighter than she'd felt since returning to the past, a sudden clarity hitting her as she realised that as painful as it was, this truly was where she was meant to be. Alastor watched with fascination as a look of understanding washed over his daughter's face, not daring to speak in case he broke her concentration. In all the years he'd been participating in rituals, he had never seen such a physical manifestation of magic during a first attempt, it was both breathtaking and terrifying, reminding him that magic always had a greater purpose, and that it appeared to have decided his daughter was part of it.
Hermione bent to light the next candle calling out in a voice that no longer sounded unsure, "Spirits of the South, guardians of fire, I ask you to fuel this magic and light the way so I may stay true to magic's purpose." Even Alsastor was surprised when the red mist that joined the others was followed by actual flames, the runes on the ground lighting up with blue hued fire. "Bluebell flames," Hermione murmured, startling him when he realised that meant something to her, unable to stop his jaw from dropping when his daughter seemed to move without conscious thought, holding up her open palm as identical flames appeared in it, dancing up her arm without causing any harm.
"Mother of Morganna" he breathed into the silence, as her entire body relaxed, a small smile playing on her face as the flames wound their way around her like a rope. They remained as she moved on to the final candle.
"Spirits of the West, guardians of water, I ask that you help keep magic moving to prevent stagnation and feed growth." Blue hued vapour joined the others, each of the colours swirling around each other in constant movement.
Alastor watched as she returned to the northern point, still lit with blue flames making her look ethereal in the darkness. "I close this circle, may magic bless our purpose."
Taking a deep breath, Hermione walked back to the centre of the circle, reaching for the ceremonial bowl and dagger, not looking at all surprised when the fire on her hands wrapped itself around the bowl's rim. Silently, she sliced down her palm, counting until she reached sixty, hoping it would be enough. She moved towards her father, barely registering the look of awe on his face as she reached for his hand, cutting his in the same place as she'd cut her own before kneeling with the bowl to add the rest of the ingredients. The mixture turned gloopy before it merged into a smooth blue potion, the same colour as her flames.
"Bidh mi gad cheangal ris an draoidheachd againn gus an dìon e thu aig amannan feum." she murmured each time she painted the rune on his skin, starting with his forehead, before moving down to his chest before circling him to do his back. He gave a startled yelp at the momentary blast of heat that engulfed him the second she stepped back from the last rune. Hermione's head snapped up, looking at him in concern.
"I'm fine," he mumbled, barely above a whisper.
She eyed him disbelievingly for several long seconds before she nodded, setting the bowl down before moving to the northern point, blowing out the candle, she worked widdershins, ending in the East before calling "I open this circle, may magic continue to bless our endeavours."
Alastor blinked as the mists cleared and the fires extinguished themselves, leaving only a handful of blue flames dancing in his daughter's outstretched palm.