Prompt: Ravens
Chapter 23: Messenger
A lone raven soared through the canopy of trees. It navigated the underbrush with practiced ease until it finally came to rest on a small perch just inside an open window. Pulling a small chain hanging from the ceiling, a treat landed on the windowsill. The raven danced happily as it helped itself.
"What did you bring me, Icabod?" Lilith asked, standing from her seat at the table to take the parcel from the awaiting bird. Lilith knew most witches and wizards in the states were still using owls for their post. It seemed like a fad to her. Ravens had done just fine for most in the states for hundreds of years. Perhaps the biggest problem was that they were extremely smart and perceptive. There had been a small uprising in a village after a raven had been hit with a misplaced hex. A murder of crows had nothing on the wrath of the ravens. Other ravens would often refuse to deliver items to cruel customers, or worse, they'd drop the mail off into a nearby puddle. Owls could be more reliable. Ravens though, if you treated them right, they were loyal. And they didn't forget kindness.
Opening the daily issue of The New York Ghost , she scowled. The war in England was on the front page. Once Hermione was more mobile and willing to venture out into the world, it would be nearly impossible to shield her from the truth that Harry Potter, the boy who lived, still lived. Picking up her wand, she rearranged the news stories and reworded the war story to heighten the risk to anyone associated with Harry Potter in place of the story of his heroic exploits. Even if they were abroad. Maybe she should make some paranoia potion to really ensure Hermione stays isolated.
Lilith put the paper on top of a stack of books she had set aside for Hermione. The books the young witch had requested were specific and ran on the dark side of magic. It wasn't terribly surprising given the ordeal she had been through. Lilith really wasn't one to judge. Too much was unspoken about the so-called dark arts. It wasn't helpful. Some things were simply misunderstood while others, like the residue, needed to be spoken about and taught about to ensure there were counter rituals. Ignorance was no defense at all.
Gathering up the bags of food and supplies, Lilith packed a trunk with everything Hermione would need to care for a newborn and recuperate for the next month A flick of her wand had the trunk spinning, Lilith disapparated with it.
The cabin was invisible. It wasn't far from her own place. Close enough to keep an eye on her charge without being intrusive. The trunk followed her as she stepped through the protective enchantments. To her surprise, it was a quiet morning. Liam might only be a week old, but his lungs were certainly developed. Hoping the silence didn't mean he was up all night and just now sleeping, Lilith stepped up onto the porch and knocked as quietly as possible.
After a few seconds, footfall could be heard before the door opened a crack. Hermione looked exhausted. "Good morning," she said and moved aside to let Lilith in. "Liam is sleeping. I put a silencing charm around his bassinet."
Lilith nodded knowingly and got to work putting the supplies away. "The wand is working for you?" she asked. Giving Hermione a wand had been a risk, she needed Hermione to trust her. Even if Hermione left the cabin, she couldn't cross the barriers without significant effort. Lilith was confident she'd have enough notice to stop Hermione from leaving.
"It is, thank you. I didn't realize how not having one was affecting me," Hermione answered, started a kettle of water. "Tea?"
"Please," Lilith said and then checked on the sleeping baby before sitting at the small table. "I brought the books you wanted too."
Hermione stood still at the comment and then finally turned. "They're unorthodox I know. I just…"
"What to understand what had infected you," Lilith finished nodding her head toward the jar on the shelves. "I'll move it if it bothers you. It's useless without a body to inhabit and this cabin is the most secure place I know." She added the last part to ingrain in Hermione how safe she was inside the protections of the cabin.
"Leave it. If you don't mind. For now," she said, only looking away from the blood filled cage once the kettle whistled. A tea setting flew to the table as the water poured itself. "How does one free it?"
"Hm," Lilith hummed as she took a sip of tea. "The books will be more technical, but basically, the host must give it permission to consume the soul and then it controls what remains."
Hermione nearly choked on her tea. "I understand why it wasn't more explicit in what it wanted from me other than my permission."
"Best not to go about free things you don't know what they are," Lilith repeated Hermione's assessment. "How are you feeling? Need any more potions?"
"Just sore and tired. I hadn't really thought much about what it would be like to have kids. When I did, I didn't think I'd be doing it alone when the time came," Hermione said, choking on the last of her words.
Lilith leaned over and covered Hermione's hand with hers. "You're not alone. I know I'm the same as having a partner, but you don't have to do this alone." The pang of guilt over the lies pricked at the older witch. She'd take the time that week to update Severus and get a real update on the War. It would at least help Lilith plan more effective lies if the situation was going to be prolonged.