Chapter 4
Hermione used the time in her break to enjoy some tea, she had only been in the department a few hours. Yet it felt like she had been down here for more than a day. She took out her journal and began to flick through her notes and thoughts idly.
Merlin had watchful eyes over Hermione during this time. All the other Assessors made it clear that bothering her was not an option. Despite the harrowing tasks she had already completed her outward appearance did not seem haggard apart from the frizzy hair that seemed to hold magic of its own.
A few minutes before the final simmer was complete and Hermione would begin a monumental challenge of making time move forward. She brought out a goblet of goblin made gold engraved upon it a number of runes and markings some of the assessors had never seen before.
Hermione cast protective enchantments on the circles she drew on the floor so she could pass through without disturbing the marking. She placed the goblet in the centre of the circle and finally went to her brew. She carefully decanted the brew and set it into the goblet before exiting the circle.
She raised powerful wards around the circle before holding small pieces of each earth she had placed previously. She turned to Merlin and the Assessors. "I haven't done this before but you said allow your magic to led you. I just hope this works." Hermione finished as the Assessor rose to join her at the circle.
Hermione sat herself on the floor and chanting out to the circle. It was an ancient form of magic that was rarely used in the modern age. They watched in wonder as golden flares of magic flowed out from Hermione filling each intricate part of the circle. As Hermione's chants began to soften, they saw each piece of dirt twist and turn.
The goblet in the centre began to glow as if it was in the breath of fire. Hermione's hair flared out and then it was silent. Hermione's hair fell around her. The earth of each season was gone, and the Goblet looked blackened.
"Ms Granger?" Nicolas asked out more in fear she had done something far beyond herself. "Is she breathing?" Miranda questioned stood behind her. Before anyone could get close enough to check Hermione sighed with a parched voice she asked, "Did it work?" Her eyes only looked at the warded area that once held the circle.
Newt rushed to get a small drink of water as the rest went to help Hermione off the floor. Once Hermione was up and she took a sip of the water she looked to the once drawn circle and waved her wand to the wards. "Master Famel, would you please check the potion." Nicolas nodded and entered the circle with caution. As he reached the centre with the goblet, he saw the potion was still residing in the vessel. He gently decanted it into some vials and took it over to the potion station.
The others took Hermione over to the sitting area and Miranda cast diagnostic spells. "You've used up a lot of magic lass but you should be fine after a rest." Cassandra began to place crystals in her hand and just looked at the others and mumbled words about grounding.
"So, has she done it?" Merlin asked as he watched Nicolas investigate the brew in front of him. "Would you let me check before asking questions?" Nicolas scolded the portrait as he continued to check the potion. He first cast an identify spell to confirm it was the desired Veritaserum. After confirming it was, he went on to check the potency and purity. Whilst doing so Hermione had made her way to rejoin them. "Remarkable." Nicolas mumbled as he continued to check the potion.
"So." Hermione was too fearful to ask the full question. "It appears Ms Granger, you have managed to brew a completed potion that has equal potency and purity to the top brewer of the country. As well as a shelf life of around 3-4 years before diminished results." Nicolas finished.
"I think Ms Granger its about time you explain what you found and how you did it." Merlin spoke down to them fully aware of monumental moment that had just occurred.
"I think it best she is grounded and restored before you bagger her with thousands old Magical secrets." Cassandra snips out at the portrait before taking the crystals she originally gave Hermione and replacing them for new ones. "She is burning through some of the most highly charged crystals I have. And you...you want to fill her head with more unimaginable knowledge." Shaking her head as she began to guide Hermione to a seat in the sitting room once again.
"Keep a tight hold my love, they will help, and I will be the first to admit you have a strong core probably a result of the mark of Hogwarts reinforcing your magic." She began to potter around and get her some tea before calling out to house elf of the ministry to bring some broth.
Cassandra's glare prevented the other assessors attempts to help or move on the proceedings. She maybe old and what some considered a nutcase, but the older assessors there knew better than to go against her judgement. Besides her affinity to divination, she had the unique talent similar to Luna Lovegood that she was able to see the aura and magical core of a witch or wizard without use of spells. She could also see the flow of magic within the world but after years of giving help she was well into her twilight years and no longer needed to over involve herself.
"Do you think a rune circle might help? I have used them to find my ground." Hermione asked as she sipped on the broth brought to her. "What kind of rune circles have you been using?" Cassandra asked as she continued to change crystals and run diagnostics. "Well to be honest the ones I have used to do not have names that I have found translatable in modern English. In old English they are called innoðmægen trumnes."
Cassandra looked baffled as she had never heard of such circles and finally decided she would allow the others to approach Hermione. "Miss Granger would you be so kind to tell us the name of the circles you have been using again." Nicolas asked as he approached the sitting areas. "innoðmægen trumnes" Hermione stated clearly in almost perfect old English.
The portrait of Merlin began to laugh hysterically. "Of course, she would find something so ancient and innate to assist her." He said between bursts of laughter. "I believe it would be best to let her know what she is then I will inform you all what she has been using." He finally stated after his laughter calmed. The assessors could not disagree as they were at a loss.
"Miss Granger you are something known as a true magic born. This means that you have true affinity to magicks and can master them as such without much study or guidance. Although most true magic born have one or two true affinities it appears to us you seem to embody the name as such." Merlin finished. "Now onto the circles, the circle she is using could be roughly translated to founders' strength. Originally created by Salazar the old snake it would only have affect for someone with affinity to the Ley lines, but they would have to have a previous connection or "tap" as it were to connect. As I am to assume you've used these circles within Hogwarts, and you have the mark it would explain how you are to use them. They can fortify and strength one's magic as well as cause an overall shift in total power of the witch or wizard using them."
For the assessors in the room it was a quandary to wonder how Hermione would be able to do such Magic but after watching her today, they come to realise that Hermione was a wonder in herself.
"I must ask Miss Granger, how did you come about to this knowledge?" Merlin asked as the Assessors were processing the information they were given. "Well, when I was helping to restore Hogwarts and mainly charge with the wards. I spent a great deal of time with the foundation stone. Before I even chanced using magic on it, I read anything I could find as well as spent weeks translating the runes and script engraved into the stone. When I began to restore the wards I could feel the pull of enchantments within the stone room and found a somewhat small library. Most of the books have taken me months to translate but there were many ideas and Magicks that I had not heard of. I study as much as I could and it truly helped me in restoring Hogwarts to being the stronghold it was meant to be." Hermione stated as if the hidden room was common knowledge.
"You may find this surprising but most people don't know of the corner stone of Hogwarts let alone be privy to private library's that have been enchanted since the time of the founders dear girl." Nicolas started as he released that Hermione had been so cut off from the real world that her preconceptions were quiet away from the reality she face.
"I believe the "Library" you speak of Ms Granger is not a Library but more a private study of one of the founders. Most likely the founder who put the most magic into the protection of Hogwarts. I am most surprised you gained access, but they do say that Hogwarts itself answers its own calls." Merlin spoke out. "So it is the study of Rowena Ravenclaw, I am to assume?" Hermione question.
Merlin chuckled. "To make an assumption like that would mean that you have taken some of the written history as Gospel. Although Rowena was the queen of scholarly pursuits of learning she was not the mastermind of the ingenuity of Hogwarts. Most of the credit should be based by the original master of the Ley's Salazar, dear girl."
Hermione had realised many years ago that often the truth of the past can be often lost in translation, but she found it hard to believe a wizard like Salazar would allow his enchantments to accept her. "If you seek more answers maybe you should look for the man with the answers." Merlin added much with a twinkle in his eye not dissimilar to that of Dumbledors.
"I'm beg your pardon, but no portrait of the founders has spoken in centuries let alone Salazar Slytherin was not known to have any existing paintings and the 3 on record stated after his disappearance they did not come to life." Hermione stated in a matter-of-fact tone. "Much like all of my portraits being ruined?" Merlin was attempting to provoke her. Before she could answer he began to talk to the other assessors in the room.
"I think with all we have seen the proceedings are over. Her wards are more powerful than anyone present and as verified by yourselves some of the best you have seen. A Mastery title in Wards is apt. With the new information of her use of Rune circles and Ley lines which currently we have no one present or staffed within the building to match a Mastery in Ancient Runes and Ley Lines." He began spurting off.
Nicolas interjected as Merling took a breath within in speak. "Mastery in Potions and Alchemy, I have seen enough to completely satisfied in her ability. Newt what is your assessment?" Newt smiled "I don't believe Ms Granger is at Mastery level for Beast however does have a natural affinity and if she sought to seek the area further, I am sure she would quickly become a master." Nicolas nodded to this.
"Also, a Mastery in Arithmancy, it was clear to see that barely any of you could keep up with her calculations and working. She is so adapted to working independently I would also assume she has a Mastery in Charms." Melin commented. "Quiet right!" Miranda added onto the end of the sentence.