Happy Saturday, my freaky darlings. Another Saturday, another post. Legal disclaimer: I own nothing. Enjoy.
Chapter 2 Druid Discoveries
The family joined the crowd of people outside the visitor's center. Over a microphone, the site director welcomed them, "Good morning and happy solstice. If your name is called please come forward. We will lead you into the complex in plenty of time. Anyone not lucky enough to be selected can still view the sunrise from numerous vantage points that do not disappoint." His assistant rolled over a drum and turned the crank. "Let's get started." He reached in a pulled slip of paper from the mesh drum. "Anne Norton. Terry Gaiman." Hermione listened patiently. She wondered which site they would watch from. "Owain Awbrery." She bounced on her toes when her grandfather's name was called. How exciting for him. The director continued to call names. "Hermione Granger. Miles Albright." Eyes wide in surprise she made her way to Owain's side. He took her hand and squeezed. She returned the gesture.
The staff gave them instructions and verified Hermione was accompanied. Then the lucky few were herded to the temple chamber. The taller adults crowded Hermione towards the back wall. She didn't mind. She would be present and able to see the light. That was what mattered. She backed towards the wall and stepped into an empty space. She reached behind her and feeling no stone stepped again. She repeated the process in the dark space. A glow illuminated the room from behind her. She spun. Instead of finding herself centimeters from the wall she stood at the mouth of a stone-hewn corridor. Torches sat in scones illuminating it. Glancing into the gloom behind her, seeing the group still milling around, she made a choice.
Stepping forward she moved into the passage. She followed it as it curved back into the mound. It opened into a living area. Two older people sat at a low table in front of the hearth fire. "Good morning," Hermione greeted, "happy solstice."
"Good tidings to you, little Light-Amid-the-Darkness," said the gray-haired woman. The man remained silent. "Are you excited for today?"
"Yes, ma'am. My taid gets to see the light from inside the chamber. I'm so happy for him."
"You're in here seeing it, too."
"I am," Hermione grinned.
The man spoke, "Children always love feasts, Camma. She doesn't have the luxury of time. There is none to waste."
"Hush, Beiric, let her be a child a while longer, while she still can," she chided. He grunted, "It is a custom for us to offer you a gift. Your heart's desire, you have but to request it."
She thought for a moment before making a decision. "I have no idea what to ask for," she admitted. "So, I request you give me what you think I need most."
Camma smiled brightly, "Well chosen, Little Light. Well done." She grasped an item behind her. "What you need and deserve. Use it in good health and long life."
Hermione took the item without looking at it, not wishing to seem greedy or ungrateful. "Thank you," she bowed.
Camma looked at Beiric expectantly. He glared at Camma then turned to address Hermione. "I am honor bound to reward your humility. I grant you my knowledge to store your tools in the ether." He touched her forehead. The idea of how to do the impossible seeming task flooded her mind.
"Again, thank you."
He waved her away, "Yes, yes, so grateful. Spare me another gushing female. Now go, return to your own time." He made a shooing motion with his hands.
"While rude, Beiric is correct, young one. The passage closes when the light reaches us. You need to be well in your own time when that occurs."
"Yes ma'am. Thank you again." She waved and jogged back down the corridor to the chamber and the waiting group. She stood to the side of the opening only she could see. Her back pressed against the stone wall to keep from being shuffled back accidentally. A hush fell over the assembled group as the sun rose and a shaft of light first illuminated the wall above her head then spread to fill the room. She heard a gentle swell of pipes, the melody floating in the air. She smiled widely as the song touched her and filled her. Her magic flared briefly in response then faded away.
Hand in hand Owain and Hermione rejoined their family. "Worth the wait," he said kissing his wife, "made even more precious having shared it with my granddaughter." Hermione nodded in agreement. That part meant more than any other moment of the experience.
Later that day, alone in the tent changing for the last ritual, she remembered the dagger. She conjured it from the void. The stone knife shone in the lantern light. Made of jet and set with sapphires and amethysts the piece belonged in a museum. Delicate runes for prosperity and protection decorated one side. The other denoted balance and justice. She ran her fingertips over the sides appreciatively.
In the twilight, the druids gathered and chanted the old words welcoming the return of the sun and celebrating their survival for another year. To her mild concern, Hermione noticed herself glowing as the ritual crescendoed to its end. The light vanished as slowly as it built. On the walk back she asked her mother if she could see Hermione shining like a firefly. "Um, no, sweetie. You don't look any different to me."
An older lady stopped and smiled kindly at her, "Even open minded muggles cannot see the power, wise one. But you are a shining beacon to those with eyes to see magic. I am filled with joy at seeing the return of true Druids in my time. Welcome and blessed be."
"Blessed be," replied Hermione.
Bethan smiled at her daughter, "Your family may be unable to see your full glory, but never doubt how proud of you we are."
Hermione hugged her, "I love you, too."
Back at school Harry and Ron showed her the invisibility cloak and told her about the Mirror of Erised. Ron described seeing himself as Head Boy and quidditch captain, overshadowing his brothers for once. Harry spoke of his family. "You know, family is more than just the people born to the same group," she said softly. Harry looked away uncomfortable. She changed the subject. "I wonder what I would have seen?"
"A vast library," joked Ron.
"Filled with a dragon's hoard of books," added Harry.
"Maybe," she agreed laughing.
Hermione had questioned Amira about the events over break. "Did my being a Druid affect the lottery?" she asked first.
"Yes, and at the same time, no. More your possible destiny lead you to be there."
"Who were Camma and Beiric?"
"Leaders of our people when we lead our peoples to defeat the Romans."
"Why did Beiric say he was honor bound to give me a gift?"
Amira looked surprised at that. "What did you ask for and what were you given?"
"I asked for whatever they thought I needed," Hermione answered. "Camma gave me a jet athame with gems on it. He showed me how to store it."
Understanding spread across her face, "By letting them select your gift you showed humility, Your humility allowed Camma to gift you her athame. You showed your worthiness to Beiric. So, he gave you useful knowledge."
"What would have happened if I asked for something specific?"
"You would have been given it, but only it," answered Amira. "And certainly not anything as fine as this."
"Why did they call me the Light-Amid-the-Darkness?"
Amira frowned, "Because that possible destiny is nearly confirmed. Your skin glows when you use your powers or perform a ritual doesn't it?"
"It does," she confirmed.
"If you choose it you will walk a gray path to restore balance in our world. You will demand justice and enact vengeance when demanded. But always remember it is your choice what path you walk. No one can take that choice from you."
Hermione nodded, "Yes, ma'am."
Detention! Draco Malfoy got her sent to detention. She might murder him. At least Professor McGonagall proved strict but fair. The poncy git was in there, too, the tattletale. The trio reported to Hagrid's hut at twilight. "Right, you lot, something has been attacking the unicorns in the forest. We're going to track the injured ones down," Hagrid told them. Malfoy looked horrified and Ron kept glaring at him. "Right, Malfoy and Ron with me. Harry, Hermione you two go to the left." He handed Harry a lantern, then picked up the other and gestured for Ron and Malfoy to follow him to the right.
"Hagrid should have had you go with Malfoy, less likely end in violence," remarked Harry.
"No, he would have spent the whole time making comments about blood status. Ron is the least of all evils. He's a pureblood. Come on, let's go." They headed into the forest.
They ventured deeper into the gloomy forest, the trees looming overhead almost menacingly. Shadows stretched out cast by the lantern's glow. Hermione silently slipped her hand into Harry's for support. He didn't say anything, nor did he let go. The forest felt abandoned. She felt a pull from deeper within. She shifted in that direction. She felt the longing. She felt the call of the druid's grove before she realized what it was. The grove circled a clearing exposing the sky. Oak and yew trees towered over holly bushes. She felt the buzz of energy and the caress of recognition and welcome. She smiled faintly. She liked the feel of the grove. This was the space of her ancestors. She spread her arms and accepted the grove as her own.
A high pitched whiny startled them. They raced towards the screams. They discovered a unicorn lying on the ground, blood gushing from the wound on its neck. Hermione cried out, startling the dark figure feeding on the blood. The hooded figure turned, saw them, and fled. Hermione raced forward. The dark hooded figure darted deeper into the forest. Hermione dropped to her knees next to the unicorn, "No, no, no. You can't die." Tears trickled down her cheeks. "Harry, what do we do?"
He joined her looking solemn at the crimson blood, dark against the white coat. The unicorn whimpered. "What can we do?"
She placed her hand against its chest. She found the thready pulse and felt the spark of life beating there. A melody floated through her head. In an ancient language she didn't know she sang, letting the music fill her and then pour into the creature beneath her hand. As the song repeated she began to understand the meaning behind the words. Closing her eyes, Hermione ignored the glow of her skin. Under her ministrations the jagged edges of the gash closed, healing to a closed wound. The unicorn shook its head and staggered to its feet. Joined by the other they bowed and raced away into the darkness. Hermione swayed. Harry caught her.
Once she stabilized he let go, "Hermione, what was that? What happened? What did you do? Were you glowing?"
"I'll explain later. We need to find Hagrid and get out of here. The forest is less safe than usual." Laboriously she climbed to her feet.
"Let's head back to those trees you liked so much," he suggested.
"Good idea." They began retracing their steps through the woods, Hermione walking slower than before from exhaustion. She held onto Harry's arm for support. The sound of several large somethings rapidly approaching them slowed them further. They entered the grove clearing as four centaurs did from the opposite side.
"Halt, trespassers," said one raising his bow.
"Trespassers indeed, you halt," snapped Hermione. "You do not own the forest. This is not your territory and you know it. Here, on this side of the forest, especially within these trees, you trespass. Explain yourselves."
Harry eyes both sides nervously, "Uh, Hermione..."
"No, Harry. This forest belongs to Druids first. This is a druid's grove, within a Druid's wood. If the centaurs wish us to respect their camps within they must respect ours."
"This area belonged to druids long ago," sneered a brown-coated one. "They are gone."
"Am not," shot back Hermione hotly. "I stand right here before you. I claim this grove, as is my ancient right. I healed the unicorn. The attacker has fled. There is nothing here for you to hunt. I demand you leave."
"We have weapons," responded the one with the bow.
"Peace, Roan, to spill druid blood within druid lands is to bring about the death curse upon our herd."
"Frienze, stay out of this."
"No, the darkness approaches once again, as does the tempest. I will not risk angering her now." He turned to the children, "Allow me to return you to Hagrid."
"Thank you," Harry said. Firenze assisted them to climb on his back, ignoring the protests of the others.
"War is coming, young ones, and I fear you are at the center. The skies speak of little less."
"Does seem increasingly likely," muttered Harry. They continued in silence until reaching Hagrid, Fang, and Malfoy.
Peace, Reubus. I bring you your charges. The unicorn hunter stands foiled and we have his scent now. We will patrol the forest after you leave."
"We need to stand together against evil," replied Hagrid. "Thank you for your help." He reached up and helped Harry and Hermione down.
"Yes, thank you," said Hermione politely. Firenze gave her a small bow.
Hagrid released them from detention sending them back to their dorms after they returned to his cottage. The Gryffindors walked in silence until Malfoy diverted towards the Slytherin dorms. "Will you tell me, now?" asked Harry.
"Wait until we're back in the common room, the last thing we need is another detention or to lose more points."
Harry nodded, "That's fair." They entered the portrait hole and Hermione led them to the empty room at the top of the boys' tower as they could not climb the stairs in the girls'.
"What is this place?" asked Ron looking around.
"Extra common areas for smaller gatherings. There is another atop the girls' tower," Hermione told him. She gestured to the seating. "Let's sit." Harry and Hermione filled Ron in on the events of the evening from their point of view, up to and including Hermione arguing with the centaurs.
"We decided to save this conversation for later with you," Harry said.
"I didn't want to have to repeat myself," explained Hermione.
Ron nodded, "That's understandable, thanks."
Hermione smoothed her jeans over her thighs, "Okay, here goes. You remember I said my parents and grandparents on my mum's side, and I are druids? My family consider themselves New Age druids. So did I, until I had interactions of a magical nature here."
Ron gaped at her, "Are you saying you're a Druid druid?"
"Well, learning to be anyway."
Harry looked confused, "Would one of you explain, please?"
Ron spoke first, "They used to be magical protectors of the British Isles."
"Like we learned in school," added Hermione. "They were mostly wiped out by the Romans."
Ron continued, "Or went into hiding."
"Okay," said Harry.
"So, most people currently calling themselves druids belong to the New Age movement. While they conduct rituals they do not possess the magical abilities of old," finished Hermione.
"What kind of abilities?"
She let Ron answer, "Elemental magic, shape-shifting, mostly into animals. Some of them can heal and cast really strong curses." He shrugged, "Wizards can do similar things, but not like druids." Realization hit him and he slowly turned to look at Hermione.
"I can't do everything, yet. But I can do elemental magic and I healed the unicorn tonight."
"But you're going to learn how to do the rest?" Harry asked.
"Eventually, I suppose. Amira said she would teach me everything I could learn. Not all druids can do the same things."
"Is that why you glowed tonight when you healed the unicorn?" asked Harry.
"Yes, ritual magic and the deeper magics aren't like wizard magic. It has different effects. My skin glows."
"That is wicked, Hermione," said Ron in an awed voice.
"Thanks, I think."
Amira congratulated her on both bringing forth her healing gift and saving the unicorn. "I intended to wait until your core increased, but necessity does not always work on our time. Focus on healing yourself and others when you can until it becomes second nature."