Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter does not belong to me. I just play in the wonderful beach that fan-fic authors are allowed to use. I do claim the plot and any original characters that show up.

Story is rated M for a reason. There is a story line with some lemons.

A/N: A new story. A new beginning. Hoping this gets my creative juices flow again as my recovery from being so sick earlier in the year is progressing. Story is already two-thirds complete, so it will not interfere with my other ongoing stories. Expect postings every weeks or two.

WolfgangNH 25 Sept, 2023

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This week on A Mid-Winter's Eve: Imbolc. The celebration of rebirth.

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Chapter 1

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February 2, 1998

Hogwarts, Scotland

"Hermione, what are we doing and why are we sneaking out of the castle?" Harry asked his bushy hair friend. Well, she was more than a friend since New Year's, but they had kept it quiet after the blow-up at the Burrow on Christmas which had found him on a couch at her parents' house.

She gave him a smile, as though she had just found out some secret she was dying to investigate. He usually only saw that particular light in her eyes when she rushed off to the library. "You know how we've been studying the old pagan holidays, rituals and celebrations this year in Ancient Magics?"

"Yeah, you've told me about them. Are you saying this is a class project?"

"Not exactly. Where is your invisibility cloak?" she demanded.

He raised an eye brown. "The broom closet wasn't enough earlier?" he asked, laughing when she gave him a look.

"We are allowed to attend, but I'm not sure if the Head girl should be seen sneaking out at ten at night," she told him.

"Is it sneaking if you have permission?"

"Well, I only said we are allowed to attend. Anyone over seventeen can attend," she told him.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Does that mean the professors don't know?"

"Well, I hear Professor McGonagall and Professor Vector attend most of them. This is the side of magic that is almost never talked about. I want to see what happens and want you there with me," she told him.

Harry laughed at her. "You know you only had to ask."

She moved in, pecking him on his lips. "I know."

He took out his cloak and they made their way down to the old gates of the practice field. Just outside the door they were met by six people. "Is that you, Granger?"

"I have Harry with me too," she said.

Harry rose an eyebrow to see the long blonde hair of a girl he had spoken to a handful of times over the last year or so. Even in the dull light from the windows at the school he could see the pale skin of Daphne Greengrass.

"The more the merrier," a dark skin boy said from behind the blonde.

"Anyone else?" Greengrass questioned.

"No," Hermione answered.

"Right, take one of these cloaks and a cross," she told them. Harry was surprised to see the hulking forms of Crabbe and Goyle step forward. Crabbe had two cloaks and Goyle had an armful of four pointed stars made of grass.

"Bridgit's Crosses," Hermione said.

"What? Are you sure we should be going with them?" Harry questioned in a whisper.

"Listen, Potter, this is a sacred night. Only those that wish to anger the gods would do anything bad," Greengrass told him.

"Daph, we should get going," a girl with long, straight brown hair told them.

"I know, Trace. Get those on and let's go," Greengrass demanded.

"Who's the last one?" Harry enquired.

"Bulstrode," Zabini replied.

"No Malfoy?" Harry put to them.

Greengrass snorted. "The Malfoys, like others, only talk about the old ways. Do you want to join us or not?"

"Who else will be there?" Harry was full of questions tonight.

"About twenty-five of us. Are you done with your twenty questions?" the blonde girl demanded.

"Harry, Daphne asked and promised our safe passage. I've worked with her and most of the others here for the last few years in classes. I want to see this," she told him.

Harry relaxed some. "Sorry, Hermione. I'm just still a little on edge from, you know."

She put a hand on his arm. "I know."

A few minutes later they were in black cloaks that had elaborate green and white embroidery around the edges and hem. They all held Bridgit's Crosses and were silent as they rushed across the grounds to the edge of the Forbidden Forest just behind the owlery. There was a large group of students. Harry recognized most of them. Neville, Susan, and Hannah were among a group of Hufflepuffs and sixth year Gryffindors. Many Ravenclaws and a few sixth year Slytherin rounded out the twenty-five of them there. Standing on the side of a path were Professors McGonagall, Sinistra, Babbling and Sprout.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward. "I assume everyone is here. Tonight is the celebration of Imbolc. We will lead you to the circle and the elves have already lain out the feast. For those celebrating the event, you must all be seventeen or older," Professor McGonagall told them, her eyes resting on him and Hermione for a moment. "Bathsheba, if you want to start the procession."

Harry looked to Hermione. This was a different McGonagall.

Professor Babbling held a Bridgit's cross over her head before starting an incantation in a language Harry didn't recognize. Most of those around them started the same chant. Whatever language it was, Harry could feel the magic around them start to respond. Hermione shivered as well. "Get in line behind me," Greengrass told them.

They followed Greengrass into the dark forest. Hermione was between him and the blonde, but something had Harry feeling a little protective of both of them as the forest around them seemed to stop breathing. It was still. No rustling of branches or leaves overhead. No sound of animal or beast. Only the quiet incanting of most of the people with them.

As they walked further into the forest, the trees grew thicker, the darkness only broken by a few candles that were evenly dispersed through the line, Hermione reached behind herself and took his hand. In the cold February night, her hair grew frizzier, like there was a static charge in the air. It was a good fifteen minutes before they suddenly took a turn and a large clearing opened at the end of the path. In all his adventures in the Forbidden Forest, he had never seen this place.

Walking out of the trees, Harry's eyes grew as they came into the outer ring of a druid stone circle. There were two concentric rings. The first must have been fifty feet across, with the second another twenty feet or more from the first. Daphne led them into the circle, indicating they should stand next to her. Zabini lined up to his right, Davis beyond him. The rest lined up, all equally placed as though directed there by some unknown force.

In the light of the half-moon and the handful of candles, Harry made out a shape made of sticks and covered in moss. It was a rough shape of a man with rounded shoulders, long limbs, and horns on its head.

"What is that?" Harry whispered to Hermione.

"Shhh," Daphne snapped in a hushed whisper as Professor Babbling stepped into the centre. She was still talking in the language that he didn't recognize as she walked up to the statue. This went on for a few minutes as the moon rose higher in the sky. The magic in the circle grew, making him feel a little like he was drifting. It was a pleasant feeling, but it was unlike any magic he had felt before. Hermione and most around the figure started to sway with the growing power.

Suddenly Professor Babbling cried out, "Glaoimid ar an dia adharcach, chun athbhreith na talún a bheannú. Glaoimid ar an máthair breith na ndaoine a thiocfaidh isteach in earrach a saoil a bheannú. Iarraimid ar an mbeirt beannú a thabhairt dóibh siúd a leanann na seanbhealaí agus an síol a theastaíonn uaidh a thabhairt don talamh chun é a bhreith arís."

The magic spiked in a pleasant way. It coursed through his body from his feet to his groin, then his balls before continuing up his spine, over his arms and ending in a shiver up his neck. Harry couldn't remember channelling so much power, not even when he defeated Voldemort almost two years ago. It was like his body was dancing with electricity. Professor Babbling pointed her wand at the figure, igniting it in a bright orange fire. As soon as it burst into flames, Harry let out a breath as the power rushed out of his body. A pulse rushed out from the circle, shaking the trees. A moment later, there were calls of animals and what he thought were excited yells from the centaurs.

Harry swayed a little. Hermione stumbled. Harry had to catch her as Greengrass fell to her knees. As Hermione fell into him it was another shock. Hermione gasped as the magic in both swung back and forth. It was like a wave bouncing from one side of Harry and crashing off the other side of Hermione before coming back to crash inside him. He almost fell as he tried to steady the magic in them. No one around the circle was unaffected, with most falling to their knees, others swaying until falling over, like Professor Babbling.

"What was that?" Harry croaked; his mouth dry from how much magic had just been in him. He still felt supercharged, but not as much as he had before the pulse.

"Is it always that strong?" Hermione asked. There was a quality to her voice that had Harry responding as his cock went semi rigid.

"I've never," Greengrass said in a voice that sounded like her thoughts were far away.

"Bathsheba," Professor Vector addressed the Runes professor, walking up on unsteady legs to the woman with concern.

"Merlin, what was that?" Zabini asked.

"I don't know, but I felt that," Davis said, leaning as heavily into the dark skin boy as Hermione was them.

"Help me get Daphne up," Hermione told him, her legs still too weak to really stand. Harry moved to extend a hand.

Greengrass looked up at him. Harry felt his breath catch. Her light blonde hair looked to be as full of power as Hermione's as silky strands gently floated around her. She had brilliant dark blue eyes that Harry felt enthralled with. It was like when he looked into Hermione's eyes. She reached a hand to his. "How are you standing after that?"

Harry gave her a wry grin. "I feel more energized than ever."

Hermione giggled. "You feel excited about something," she commented as he realized his now fully erect cock was digging into her side as he pulled Greengrass up. When her hand touched his he could feel the magic in her. It snapped, sending more waves between the three of them, with Harry at the centre of the maelstrom. Harry gasped to feel the surge of magic, not to mention the near orgasmic feel of it. This time his knees did give out, bringing all three of them to the ground. Both girls gasped louder than him.

"Bloody hell," he got out after a moment.

Professor Babbling was standing on unsteady legs with McGonagall propping her up. "The Great Horned God has given his blessing. It is stronger than any I have felt in the thirteen years I have led this," Babbling said to the surprised voices around her. "If anyone would like, I am sure the Great Mother and the goddess Bridgit would bless any union or sacrifice you would make tonight. Until then, let us eat." She clapped her hands, looking steadier. "Bring the mead and wine."

A half dozen house elves came out from between some of the stones and torches were lit on the outside of the Druid circle.

"What is going on?" Harry asked, trying to figure out why he felt like he was channelling the magic of ten men and looking at the blonde like he did the brunette. His body wanted both.

Daphne replied, "Merlin, Potter. How strong are you?"

"I told you he was," Hermione said, almost challenging Daphne to say anything different.

Daphne's blue eyes were locked on his again. An elf came over and held out two goblets. "The good masters should drink to honour the night," a familiar house elf said.

"Dobby?"

The elf smiled. "Dobby bring mead for the Great Harry and his misses."

A deep drink from the goblets had them all recovering enough to stand. Laughter was already coming from the tables. Dobby gave them a smile as they stood before leading them towards the tables and benches. "Are you two alright?"

"I didn't know you cared, Potter?" Greengrass joked. Harry didn't miss how hard she was clinging to his arm, as though she was still a little unsteady. Hermione was squeezing his other hand tight.

"It's Harry, if you call her Hermione," Harry told her.

"I only call her Daphne because of the years we have been in Runes and Ancient Magics," Hermione told him.

Daphne smiled at Hermione. "And even that is a great compliment. Please call me Daphne."

They sat at a table, the food smelling delectable and Harry finding himself starving for some reason. Harry was between them. "So, Daphne, what happened tonight?"

"Hermione didn't tell you?"

"I wanted to see it and then explain things," Hermione said, he didn't miss the flush on her face.

Daphne raised an eyebrow. "Really?" Something passed between the girls that Harry was curious about until his stomach growled.

Daphne chuckled. "You must have gotten a large blessing. I can feel your body burning through magic."

"Is that what that feeling is?" Hermione asked, a pensive look on her face.

"I thought you knew that our magic would be 'reborn' tonight. This is the rebirth festival. The magic that was passing through the three of us is the same effect, just not everyone touches each other," Daphne told them.

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Reborn. You mean it cleans our magic?" Hermione asked. "I don't remember reading that."

"Not all knowledge is in a book. Eat and drink. I'm sure you are hungry as the blessing does its work," Daphne told them, taking up a silver goblet of mead.

Harry and Hermione reached for their own cups before eating. Harry wasn't sure how many cups of the honey tasting drink he had before Daphne suddenly asked, "Do you both want to make a sacrifice to Bridget and the Earth Mother?"

Harry was feeling lightheaded but good. In his fuzzy state he had noticed that he was feeling pretty randy as well. The way Hermione had been rubbing his leg, and sometimes going high enough to run her hand up his cock, had him ready to drag her off somewhere to snog... maybe get a little bolder tonight as well.

"What type of sacrifice?" Hermione asked, her hand roaming up again. Harry couldn't keep his groan in as she gave his shaft a gentle squeeze.

Daphne's eyes became half lidded and he sucked in a breath when her hand found its way onto his other calf, and then soon over Hermione's. Hermione started before giving a questioning look to Daphne. Harry was between bliss and fear to have two girls' hands on his shaft like that. "The blood of a virgin," Daphne said in a soft, seductive voice.

Hermione took in a shark breath. "You don't mean to kill someone?"

Daphne laughed, sending sparks of pleasure through him. "If you don't move your hands, I'm not sure I can hold it in," Harry told them.

Hermione looked to him.

"I don't mean kill anyone, Hermione. There are other ways to get the blood of a virgin," Daphne told her, the girl's hand holding him a little tighter. Instead of being painful, the extra pressure was rather enjoyable.

Harry groaned, his eyes closing for a moment. "I don't care what you bloody do. I'm about to strip one of you down," Harry told them, knowing he wouldn't normally say that, but he wasn't really thinking with the head on his shoulders at the moment.

Hermione bit her lip. Her hand tightened and Harry felt about ready to explode, never having been touched like that before. "Is this the 'traditional' part you were trying to tell me about?" Hermione asked.

"I told you, until you try it, don't be so negative about what you don't understand," Daphne told her, leaning over towards Hermione.

Hermione leaned over him. It was as though both girls were drawn to each other. Harry really liked Hermione, and would never cheat on her, but what guy didn't dream of two gorgeous witches kissing each other while holding his cock. Harry wanted them to kiss before internally chastising himself, thinking that he was just drunk and daydreaming. That was until Hermione said, "Sex magic is forbidden at Hogwarts."

Harry's eyes widened.

"It's not sex magic. It's a sacrifice to the gods for the gift they have given us. Can't you feel the magic in you. I know it's the most I have ever felt and all I want right now is to feel a man inside me for the first time. I want to feel Harry in me, and I want to kiss you," Daphne told Hermione.

Hermione looked a little shocked until Daphne leaned over more, her chest under her robes brushing against his. He really did almost lose his nut to see their lips meet. Hermione looked really shocked for a moment until she started to return the kiss. Harry was having a challenging time to breathe, trying to keep himself from exploding in his trousers.

"Do I get a say?" the last of his resistance asked.

The two girls broke apart. The sultry look on both their faces had his blood running hot. Hermione's and Daphne's chest were heaving as they were trying to catch their breaths. Hermione finally looked away from the dark blue eyes of the blonde to meet his. "Harry, I want you inside me too."

Harry groaned, a shiver running through his body. Daphne looked at him. "Take Hermione first. She's yours. Just save enough for me," Daphne begged.

"Bloody Merlin," Harry exclaimed.

Something had him standing. Hermione launched herself at him, wrapping her legs around his waist, needing him to hold her up by her nice arse, as Daphne led them away from the table. Daphne's mouth found its way onto his jaw, to Hermione's mouth, then to his. He wasn't sure he was aware of what he was fully doing as he lay Hermione onto some thick furs inside a tent just big enough for the three of them to move around comfortably. He didn't even remember walking to the tent. Hermione was kissing him, then kissing his jaw and neck. It was all that he was concentrating on.

He pawed at her in a way that seemed to make them both needy. He had to sit up to take off his cloak and jumper. When he did, Daphne slipped her arms around his neck. In his half-drunk, magic fuelled lust, he attacked her mouth like he had Hermione's. She pushed his cloak off, then worked his shirt off.

Meanwhile Hermione was desperately trying to shimmy out of her jeans and to get her own jumper off. Harry let her go so he could reach for his belt and push his trousers down. When his trousers dropped, he slipped a hand inside of Daphne's cloak to be surprised when his hand touched the smooth skin of her stomach and side. Harry pulled back to look at Daphne, some common sense coming back into him for just a moment. "Wait, are you sure?"

"This may be the only time I ever get a choice. I like you, Harry. I have for a while. I really like Hermione. Tonight is a night to celebrate the rebirth of magic and the young. Celebrate with me?" she just about pleaded as she undid the last clasp on her cloak. Harry watched in some wonder as she opened it and let it fall down her arms. Daphne Greengrass was a goddess in her own right. Her slim waist, decent breasts with large nipples and the neatly trimmed muff between her legs were breath taking.

Harry was about to kiss her again when he sucked in a sharp breath. Something warm and wet had just latched onto him. Looking down he saw a sight that was beauty incarnate. Hermione had managed to get her clothes off. Her breasts were a little larger than Daphne's with small nipples and an athletic body. What had made him take in such a sharp breath and hold it was the site and feel of her mouth around the tip of his cock. Her tongue moved and he sucked in a sharp breath. Daphne looked down and did her own intake. "That fits in me?" Daphne questioned.

Hermione smiled around his cock and moved her head up more.

"OH fuck," he muttered, feeling himself tense already. No one had ever given him a blowjob and here was his girlfriend working to take him all in while another girl was watching in rapped attention.

Daphne giggled at him. "I think that is the intention tonight."

Hermione pulled back and started to move her head. Kneeling over her and having her doing this had Harry watching in rapped attention. He only looked away when Daphne leaned over. "I never thought that would turn me on," she told him, taking his hand. Harry ran his fingers through her curlies as she moved to kiss him. Harry wasn't sure what was better? Daphne grabbing his shoulders as he learned to play with the blonde or Hermione doing her best to get him off. Harry lost that fight quickly.

"Hermione," he tried to warn her.

Instead of pulling her head back, she dove her mouth onto his cock. Harry bit down on the spot he was sucking on Daphne's neck as he unloaded in Hermione's mouth. Daphne cried out in pain from the bite as his fingers dug deeper into her. A second later, her fingernails dug into his shoulders as her body started to shake. His hand was slick but became drenched as she cried out.

Hermione gagged a little on how much he spurted into her mouth before trying to swallow.

"Merlin, Hermione," he muttered. Daphne was panting and using him to keep herself up, his fingers still in her warm twat. Her body was still shaking.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked Daphne.

"Fine," she said, finally letting him go and moving down to kiss Hermione.

Hermione smiled as she let him out of her mouth. "I want you in me now," she told him. Daphne's mouth was then over Hermione's.

Harry moved down, something telling him this was what he was supposed to do tonight. She spread her legs. Harry moved between them, his semi-flaccid cock coming to rest on the fold of her core. Hermione moaned into Daphne's mouth.

The kiss they shared had his hard-on return quickly. The feel of Hermione's slick folds had helped as well as her writhing under him. His body involuntarily rocked his hips. Harry had a primal need to dive into her, but held back, slightly unsure of himself and not wanting to hurt her. Seeing her heaving chest and Daphne's hand touching Hermione's underswell was seriously taxing his resolve.

Hermione reached her hands to grasp his forearms. Harry moved his eyes up to lock her eyes with his. He didn't miss how her lips were puffy and wet from kissing. Her expressive chocolate eyes were half lidded. They were staring at him, the magic in her clear for him to see and drawing him in. His cock seemed to grow more.

"Do you want me?" he asked her.

"Always," she responded. "Please, Harry, I want you inside me."

It was all he needed, leaning down to kiss her as he pulled back. It took a time or two to figure out how to line up with her core, but when he did, he pressed into her. She was tight and moist. Hermione whimpered a little. He went to stop, and she put her hand on his hips to pull him in. Harry pressed past an even tighter spot. Daphne moved in to lean over him. He fought his excitement to feel Hermione's breast against his chest and Daphne's against his arm and back. When Daphne kissed the back of his neck, Harry pressed as far in as he could, his crotch against Hermione's now.

She let out another whimper.

"I'm not hurting you?" he asked.

"Just move slowly. It does hurt us the first time," Daphne whispered into his ear. Harry hissed as she took his earlobe into her mouth.

"I want you," Hermione said, her eyes closing as he slowly moved in and out. The sensation was even better than when he had been in her mouth. Daphne continued to kiss his neck and back, encouraging him on.

Hermione started to make noises of pleasure. Going with the moment, his mouth left hers and moved to her chest as he moved his hips. Hermione moaned when he kissed her left breast, then took a nipple in his mouth. Her hands came up into his hair to hold his head there. He felt Daphne move back to Hermione's head.

Hermione was quickly bucking her hips as he thrust into her. He didn't think it took long before he was cumming for the second time that night. He thrust as far into her as he could. Hermione cried out through Daphne's lips as he spent himself inside her tight core, her walls convulsing around him. He grunted, unable to say anything else as his magic melded with hers in that instance.

When they were done, he used his shaky arms to keep himself from falling on her. She was breathing as heavily as him. Daphne was moving between them. This time when she kissed him, her tongue was in his mouth. Their tongues battled each other for a bit.

Harry pulled back, his body still going through its high, but already responding to the blonde girl. He moved to be on his knees. Daphne shuffled so her front was pressed against him. She willingly moved her neck to the side as he kissed along her chin, neck, shoulder and to her breasts. Like Hermione, she put her hands into his hair to hold him as he sucked on her nipple.

"I want you inside me," she whispered.

Hermione had recovered and her wandering hands had Daphne moaning as Hermione gently played with Daphne's chest. "Lay on Hermione," he told her, the lust and the magic flowing between them guiding them.

Daphne lain down on Hermione, there pussies lined up over each other. Hermione pulled Daphne into a kiss. Harry didn't ask this time, feeling pulled to her. Harry was on his knees as he took Daphne's hips. Pressing the tip of his cock against her entrance, Daphne moaned, which grew as Hermione's hands roamed over the blonde's body. Daphne moved her crotch up, rocking back and forth. Harry took in a sharp breath as the tip of his head moved in and out of her.

For whatever reason, he plunged straight into Daphne. She was tighter than Hermione and let out a whimper of pain. It was enough to have him stop. She was clenched very tightly around him as he had fully buried himself. "It will be alright," Hermione whispered to Daphne.

After a moment, she calmed, and he felt her unclench.

"Should I keep going? I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Just be gentler," Daphne said, looking over her shoulder. Daphne rocked her hips some, a small moan leaving her after a moment of doing so. Hermione began to kiss Daphne's shoulder and upper chest. Her rocking hips slowly had Harry take up the motion, moving in a slow way. As he took over, she let his hands on her hips guide her.

Harry started slow. As her breath quickened, more moans and other sounds came out of her. Hermione lavished her chest with kisses and caresses as Daphne arched her back and pushed up on her outstretched arms. Harry was now pushing and pulling her on his long pole, grunting at the sensation.

When she suddenly started to quiver, a cry of pleasure escaping her, Harry lost it as she tightened around him again. He pulled her so he was buried as far in as he could be. He felt her juices dripping out as he pumped his nut into her. Daphne's magic pulled on his before pushing back. The sensation had him shoot even more into her at the excitement it induced.

After a moment, Harry pulled out. Daphne collapsed on Hermione as her arms and legs gave out. Hermione wrapped her arms around Daphne as Daphne put her head over Hermione's shoulder, her body still shivering as she caught her breath.

Harry sat heavily next to the girls, his own breath going in heaving gasps. For the first time since this night started, he was finally coming down from the high that the magic around them had started.

Hermione looked over at him. 'I love you', Hermione mouthed.

'Love you too,' he said without hesitation.

Daphne pushed herself up on her arms so she could shift. Her head fell onto Hermione's breasts. "Can I sleep with you two? Just for tonight?"

Harry gave her an understanding smile. Something had happened between them tonight, more than just all three of them losing their virginity. Harry felt his magic reaching out for both.

Looking around, he found a few blankets. "Come here," he said.

Daphne rolled off Hermione. It took a few minutes for Daphne to be on her side, her head on his chest and a hand on his stomach. Hermione had her head in the crook of his arm, one hand rubbing the side of his head, the other pushing the still sweaty hair of Daphne off her face. Harry kissed Daphne on the top of her head.

"I think she's already asleep," Hermione told him, giving her own yawn.

Harry shifted to kiss her head. "I'm knackered."

"I am too," she said, suddenly sounding as though she was just barely awake.

Harry drifted off with two girls on him. Their chests on his side were exciting but sleep quickly overtook him as well.

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Irish: Glaoimid ar an dia adharcach, chun athbhreith na talún a bheannú. Glaoimid ar an máthair breith na ndaoine a thiocfaidh isteach in earrach a saoil a bheannú. Iarraimid ar an mbeirt beannú a thabhairt dóibh siúd a leanann na seanbhealaí agus an síol a theastaíonn uaidh a thabhairt don talamh chun é a bhreith arís. = We call the horned god, to bless the rebirth of the land. We call the mother to bless the birth of those that shall enter the spring of their lives. We call on both to bless those that follow the old ways and give the earth the seed it needs to be reborn.

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Next time on A Mid-Winter's Eve: Consequences of a fun Mid-Winter's Eve