Chapter 17:

Healing

A/N Please forgive me for not updating sooner. I am so sorry. Number 1 I had huge writers block, survived a move and a lot of other things… and I'm actually Canadian not British. Number 2 I just learned how to actually access the reviews so thank you for your support, and the new oc idea. I will also be using hopefully at least 2 or 3 prompt ideas. I got a very unkind review about my booooring Dumbledore imagination so that kind of hurts. Other than that, the reason Sirius doesn't have the spells to help Hollyhock read and write is because he's in Azkaban, but around 2 or so years from now I hope to spring them both. I'm hoping to figure out a good way of doing it where it's not quite an escape like in Dangerverse but yet needed because the Potter twins will be 7 and Glacius as a portrait can't perform a spesific ritual. Please enjoy the new Chapter 16, and of course this one. As a side note, yes I know Narcissa is spelled with a double s, but my computer picked it up fine with one so I didn't realize it. I don't want to go reposting all over again because of one name so please be kind.

Gloran and Lahana floated Hollyhock over to the healing pool, their footsteps hushed on the stone tile floor. Each tile was engraved with a rune, which lit up as soon as Hollyhock floated over it. The walls were made of large, octagonal crystals. The crystals glowed brightly as the tiny runes etched there lit up as well. As soon as they neared the pool, Lahana's robe vanished, along with her shoes, Gloran turning away to give her some privacy.

Lahana took the wee child in her arms and stepped into the pool. She leaned the weak, feverish girl slowly backwards as she sank down into the depths with her, covering her body except the tip of her nose, her lips and her eyes. The water was still and tranquil, yet Lahana knew that she had no need to scrub at the oozing sores. She need only rest here and let the water do the bathing. She had her own head above water, watching as her beloved, who had risen to the rank of head healer, make gestures in the air above them. Water flowed upward, tainted with impurities and illness. It evaporated before it had a chance to condense, leaving the pool clear and clean once more.

After half an hour of this treatment, Lahana was happy to see that Hollyhock's hair had come unglued from her back and now floated freely against Lahana's chest. As they left the pool, Gloran held out a white sheet, expertly wrapping Hollyhock up in it. After clothing herself, Lahana then left to anoint herself for a later ritual while Gloran floated Hollyhock over to one of the protected circular sleeping chambers. There, Hollyhock would sleep for a month and a half until the moon waxed gibbus.

As Lahana walked through the halls of healing, other healers bowed to her, acknowledging her status as elder. She reflected briefly on why the moon had to be gibbus and not full. Her tutor told her that a full moon would hold too much healing energy for a disease such as the chicken pox. In Lahana's day, the example had been meningitis of the milder form. If it were cholera, or perhaps yellow fever a full moon would be needed. Strangely, rules like this only applied to children. She thought no more on it as she entered the elders' anointing room.

()()()

Blaise and Harry played tag with Draco in the garden of Zabini manor, though no one could decide who was it. It was more like a free for all as the little five year olds chased each other around the stone paths in the court yard, trying not to jump into the flower beds. Hermione would be coming over later that day, so the boys were trying to get out most of their energy now.

Iliana and Narcisa watched on sadly, Narcisa wiping her eyes from time to time with a silk handkerchief. She was very happy that the children were up and playing with only a spot or two among them, but also very upset that it had been two weeks and her little flower was now lying in a runic circle, lost in an enchanted sleep. Iliana rested a warm hand on Narcisa's shoulder, trying to comfort her, but it wasn't easy, especially since everyone bar Hermione and Hollyhock had celebrated their 6th birthday. Hermione of course was already 6.

"You can't think of her right now Cissy," said Iliana as calmly as she could. "She's in the best care possible."

The weeks passed by as the children played, and were equally tutored by Severus, Narcisa, Morgan, Narcisa and Iliana. It was hard to keep them on a strict schedule for they missed their sister/friend dearly, but after much tears and a little bit of bribing, it was done. Severus and Morgan eagerly watched the sky, having sent the elves to Azkaban with an edible note on onion paper explaining the situation. Remus and Sirius could do nothing in this position, but dutifully ate the note before it was seen.

"We must get out of here soon Remus," Sirius whispered so softly that only Remus's keen hearing could pick it up. "Lily bore twins, and in the magical world twins are sacred. Even though Hollyhock is a vine elf it doesn't matter. She must participate in the twin bonding ritual."

"You mean the one which strengthens their magic two-fold?" Remus whispered back.

Sirius nodded minimally and the two of them began to plan. The twins were only 6 now. They could have escaped as dog and wolf long ago, but didn't want to cause an uproar around the whole wizarding world. Remus wasn't innocent, for under torture he had indeed spilled the beans. It was Sirius who was the innocent one, though since the public saw them fighting with Bellatrix… Well, it was all just a ruse. Remus curled dejectedly up in his cell. He wasn't worth saving.

The gibbus moon shone high above the healing halls as Gloran lifted Hollyhock from her sleeping circle. Her sheet remained white as snow, showing that the pool had done its work. He smiled fondly at the little girl, who reminded him so much of the wee children he and his mate had had, all grown up now and following their own career paths with mates of their own. He carried the child to the deeply carved, large runic circle, setting her in the center after unwrapping her. She now looked like a regular chicken pox victim. After this, he walked to join his wife at the edge of the circle where nine times nine elders and healers stood.

The elders and healers each held staffs, his wife holding out his own oaken staff to him. She clasped hands with him, then stretched out her staff, as did he. Each healer and elder beside them clasped hands, then extended out their staffs, forming a web over Hollyhock's still, sleeping form. No picking and choosing was done here. No submissives were left at home because their dominants wouldn't let them perform. Gloran even saw a few pregnant submissives. He forced himself back to the healing at hand and while he chanted he was grateful there was nine times nine for healing in the first place. It was the strongest number.

The elven language flowed around him, speaking of healing, of vitality and happiness. It was a short ceremony, but even so, Hollyhock looked better than she ever had before. Her elder, his lovely and thoughtful wife, lowered her hazel staff when the ritual was over and bundled the sleeping child up in warm clothes . She kissed him and vanished without a sound as the other elves dispersed.

It was the gibbus moon and everyone was gathered at Malfoy manor. No one could sleep, and the children refused sleeping drafts point blank. Harry was in the middle of his biggest tantrum yet, when a figure appeared soundlessly in the middle of the living room. He went quiet at once and leapt to his feet, running over to her and hugging her waist.

"Elder Lahana!" he sniffled as he looked up at the bundle in her arms.

As soon as the bundle heard Harry's voice, the bundle yawned, and growled like a grumpy badger. Elder Lahana laughed and put Hollyhock down. The two children embraced and then it was hugs all around. No one cared who they hugged, even the adults. The elder herself received a number of hugs from the children and adults alike, beaming with happiness. Eventually she stated that she needed to leave, letting the family have some alone time with their darling sibling/daughter/cousin.

It was not long after that when Harry, Draco and Blaise realized they were tired after all. Narcisa picked Hollyhock up for a cuddle, letting Morgan and Severus give her a kiss before they flooed back to Hogwarts. Hopefully Dumbledore wasn't watching over late night floo calls or Morgan might be in trouble. Lucius stole Holly for a brief cuddle before Narcisa walked toward Holly's bedroom, an over-excited Feebee bouncing along side her. Draco reluctantly ambled into his own bedroom and Lucius tucked him in as Feebee took over for Narcisa, fussing over her little mistress.

"She's completely healed," said Iliana, eavesdropping from the doorway with a sleeping Blaise over one shoulder. "Those elves are miracle workers."

Narcisa nodded as she made sure Holly's stuffed animals were next to her and the portrait of her father was set up so she could talk to him easily. James opened his eyes and smiled down at his little girl, so happy to see her all better. Feebee ushered the women out the door and they walked down the hallway together. They found Harry sleeping on the floor near the fire, ready to go home. Iliana hoisted him up after waving goodbye and they spun out of sight in a whirl of green flames.

A/n How did you like the chapter? Who or what would you like to see in the various ones to come? Asteria will be popping up once I can get Remus and Sirius free. Ideas are welcome. The next chapter will be the first Christmas chapter because I love that prompt.