Hello, my freaky darlings. Another weekend, another update. I hope this finds all of you safe and happy. To those of you in southeast United States, stay safe. May Helene pass quickly with minimal damage. If I haven't mentioned this before I am basing much of the Hogwarts castle and grounds on the Legacy video game because it is gorgeous and I adore it. If I have, then this is just a little reminder.
Chapter 11 Training
Lyall summoned her for training the first week back at school. She used a dimensional door to join him at the grove in the forest. "We must grow your magical core to support the greater magics and allow you to connect with the forest surrounding your grove. You also need physical stamina for combat. The best way to do this is with training. You will perform calisthenics every morning and the Hunt will train you in weapons. Tonight we begin with summoning lighting." He walked her through the process. Hours later the best she could manage was static shock. "Excellent progress. Go on a daily run, do those jack things, and sitting things. Next time we will begin sword training."
"I understand."
"Go get some sleep, little light," Lyall said fondly. "You did well."
"Thank you."
She collapsed on her bed, exhausted by the effort she exerted. She set an alarm for two hours before breakfast finished. Plenty of time to exercise, shower, and eat. This became her morning routine. She wrote her mother asking for proper athletic attire as none of her available clothes seemed suitable. Bethan sent her numerous outfits for all seasons. The morning of her birthday she jogged down the stone stairs from the courtyard off the Great Hall to the old boathouse. She wore a loose red vest over a black sports bra and black joggers. She set the timer on her watch and began her run. When it sounded thirty minutes later she stopped and performed a series of pushups, sit ups, and jumping jacks. Then she ran back. Lastly, she stretched and jogged back up the staircase to the castle. This morning, Marcus waited at the gazebo halfway up the twisting stone staircase. "Good morning," she chirped.
He swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly going dry. Hermione had further grown up since the middle of summer. Well, not so much up as begun developing. Her current clothing left little to the imagination, something sure to torment him later. He shook his head to clear it. "Happy birthday!" He thrust a present at her, "Sorry I haven't been around much lately."
"You have a girlfriend. She comes first, I get it. And you have quidditch plus homework," she tried to smile. She suspected she failed.
"Yeah, still, happy birthday," he jiggled the box at her.
"Thank you," she took the box. She ripped open the wrapping and revealed the history of Druids in Britain. "Wow, I've never seen this one."
"Felix found it in a used bookstore, so I suppose it is from all the Flints." He rubbed the back of his neck.
She hugged him, "I love it. Thank you, again." He hugged her back, enjoying the feel of her curves against his chest. She pulled back, "Ugh. I need to shower. I must smell."
"You don't, but we do need to get going to breakfast."
"I'm out here every morning anytime you want to meet me," she offered.
"Thanks."
They finished the climb in companionable silence, "I've been working in the library more than the Refuge if you want to revise. Library books disappear when I try to take them in there."
"Okay, have a good day," he smiled at her.
She waved, congratulating herself for not stuttering or blushing like she feared she would.
Angelina Johnson, the Gryffindor team captain, held tryouts that afternoon. Meaning Hermione revised in the stands on her birthday cheering on her housemates. Cormac McLaggen tried out for every position and annoyed everyone immensely during the ordeal. He and Ron tied for most saves as Keeper. McLaggen sealed his fate when he tried to show Fred how to hit a bludger and sent a it crashing into the stands. He protested claiming Angelina was playing favorites as two of Ron's brothers were on the team. "You tied. Ron fits better with the team. As an added plus he didn't nearly kill our housemates."
At dinner Lila delivered a birthday cake to the Gryffindor table to the delight of Hermione's housemates. Harry and Ron gave her small boxes of sugar quills. The twins presented her with a small box of prototypes. "All tested and safe," they promised. "Though maybe feed the yellow ones to other people." The surrounding students students shifted nervously.
"Maybe Sirius and Remus," suggested Harry.
"Yes," agreed Ron.
"We'll see. The year is young and Malfoy and Parkinson are right there," she quipped. Everyone laughed and looked over towards the Slytherin table.
She penned thank you notes to her family for her birthday presents before preparing for bed. She felt the pull of the Hunt calling her to arms. Silently she slipped from her bed and into the bathroom. She used a doorway to answer the summons.
A stiff breeze whipped her hair around. Her cloak snapped behind her. The leather bracers helped block the chill from her arms. "Hermione!" called Finn. "How lovely you were able to join us. I had Stormbringer saddled for you."
"Thank you. Why do we ride this night?"
"A liar and a thief, but worse, an oath breaker. The man we hunt stole his family's last coin for drink, after promising to change his ways and keep his employment. His stepson made the offerings and called upon us. He would prefer rehabilitation, but will accept his death if unavoidable."
"Very well." She took hold of the reins, "Sounds like worthy prey." Hermione swung up into the saddle and directed her horse after the others. They rode from the stables hard and fast as they had before. They chased the fae from the local pub, across the fields, and towards his house.
Osgar reined his mount in as the man threw himself at the house. The black stallion reared on his back legs, looming over the figure on the ground, "You reached safety this time. Break your oaths again and you may not be so lucky." The horse pawed at the ground. They left him jibbering on his front steps, swearing never to drink again as long as he lived. Perhaps not the rehabilitation his stepson imagined, but still effective.
Marcus joined Hermione a few times during September, occasionally meeting up with her as she climbed the stairs afterwards. The new international season, as the students had taken to calling Quidditch that year, increased excitement and pressure. Theo joined her in the library and in the Refuge more often than Marcus could. "He feels bad, but he's so busy with practices."
"And his girlfriend. I understand, I do."
"He's more upset about the practices taking up most of his time. Sometimes I think he feels bad he doesn't like her as much as he thinks he's suppose to. Pucey puts a lot of pressure on him about it."
"Why?"
"Pucey's girlfriend is her best friend. Gemma fusses at her if Marcus isn't as demonstrative as Gemma wants. Then Ivy fusses at Adrian, see where I'm going here?"
She rolled her eyes, "That is the most idiotic thing I've heard today. And I eat with the Weasley twins."
"I don't disagree, but I'm staying out of it," Theo said, closing his current book and opened a new one.
"Like a good friend," she agreed. "Do tell him I miss him."
"I will," he promised. And they dropped matter to focus on completing their Ancient Runes translations.
She wrote to Remus about the matter explaining that exchanging owls would be foolish and meeting after curfew irresponsible and difficult. He sent her instructions on constructing a set of linked journals. She set to work creating a set for herself and Marcus.
'Hermione,
A two way mirror would allow you to talk face to face, but contains the danger of discovery you want to avoid. The journals also allow you to answer when it is convenient. Enjoy,
Remus.'
Still reeling that she wasn't reeling more when Harry's name flew out of the goblet, Hermione slipped into the Forbidden Forest. Frightened? Yes. Concerned? Certainly. Surprised? Not really. She didn't foresee it. She hadn't considered it occurring. But when the cup flared and a fourth piece of paper shot out she knew. She left Harry with instructions to write Sirius and Ron ranting about how Harry didn't tell him how to enter. She would deal with them both later. Tonight was for her. The grove called. It wanted her to celebrate within it tonight.
As she entered the circle of the trees the gathering magic changed her clothes to a flowing pale green gown. She left her shoes along the treeline. Barefoot she walked to center of the clearing. Above the gibbous moon illuminated the area. Slowly, she opened the magical circle. Glowing fairies floated closer. Hermione sat and watched them moving about. Slowly she leaned back to lay on the ground. "Why is such a lovely lady celebrating alone?" She turned her head to see Catan stride in.
"Good evening, Lord Catan."
"Sir Catan," he corrected. "Would no one join you this evening? No, what does Una call them, sweethearts?"
"No sweethearts. I wished for solitude right now. My destiny, or rather my friend's, revealed itself this evening. I need to collect myself before I begin to untangle the web."
"Do you desire for me to depart? I would never intrude."
She pulled herself up to a sitting position, "No, it's fine. You're not one of the people I'm avoiding. And I shouldn't be alone too long. I overthink and brood."
"May I sit?"
"If you wish." She tucked her legs under her body.
"My thanks, my lady." He sat resting his arm on his bent knee, "What are you fleeing?"
"Teenage angst," she waved him off. "I won't bore you. May I ask why you are here?"
"Like Lyall and Finn, I find you fascinating. So much potential and the drive to reach it. It has been centuries since the Hunt had a Tempest, my father's time at least. And if you think teenagers are the only beings with drama you are vastly mistaken. I am here avoiding my own drama. Amuse me with yours, won't you?"
"One of my friends is a Chosen One. He attracts trouble no matter what he does. And before he rises to the challenge before us he shut down and sulks. The other one needs to pull his head out of his arse. He's insecure and gets jealous easily. Comes from having five dynamic and successful older brothers and a younger sister, I suppose. But he can be such a git sometimes. It gets exhausting rather quickly. And they both will expect me to already know all of the relevant information."
"They don't see the effort you put in, do they?" he asked quietly.
"They do not," she answered softly. "Than again, I don't always show them. I fear I hide it even sometimes. Other times they ignore it. I am as much to blame as they are."
"Do you make time for yourself, little light?"
She groaned, "Not you, too. I have a name."
"Aye, you do, Lady Hermione. Do not dodge my question."
"Rarely. And I suspect I will have even less time going forward. Harry will need help training for the tournament."
"Some advice from your elder, my lady, you must unwind, relax, find joy."
"Easier said than done. And you're barely my elder."
Catan chuckled and inclined his head, "You are correct. Does not make me wrong about making time for yourself." He stood and moved in front of her. He waved his hand. Strains of courtly music floated on the air. He held out his hand to her. "Dance with me?"
"Huh?"
"Dance with me in your grove on Samhain. Enjoy yourself tonight."
She took his hand and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet, "If you insist."
"I do. There are no other druids for you to dance with. You admit to no paramour. You are still a decade too young to tempt away for something more, so let us dance." Catan led her in a simple dance resembling a waltz. He added twirls and flourishes causing her to laugh. He left her breathless from giggles at the end. "My thank," he bowed. He glanced up at the sky. "You should head to bed, Lady Hermione."
"You are correct. Thank you for the company."
"You are most welcome. Every druid should be able to say they danced in the moonlight with the fae. And fairies and their ilk do not count."
The next days proved to be a challenge as Hermione predicted. Ron flat out refused to listen to reason. Harry betrayed him and that was final. Harry lost his temper and words were exchanged. Neither would talk to the other at the moment. Worse, Ron would only talk to her about homework or how rotten Harry was. Harry only complained about Ron or agonized over the Tournament. The only truce occurred during quidditch. And only then because Angelina threatened to cut both of them if they didn't knock it off. Turned out the Seeker and Keeper didn't have to speak to another often, if at all.
Once Harry learned about the dragons he became less concerned about Ron's wobbly and more concerned with his survival. Remus sent her references for the summoning charm Harry decided to use to get his broom. She mastered it and the flame freezing charm before teaching them to him. She offered to exercise with him, but he said quidditch practice was enough for him. She simply shrugged and left him to it.
Hermione slammed into the common room, her arms full of library books. Several first years ran when her gaze turned in their direction. She stomped to the study tables. She placed the books down. "Hermione, love," started Fred.
"Why have you brought the library here?" finished George.
Because when I take them into the Refuge they snap back to the library, she thought savagely. "Because the library is crawling with Viktor Krum and his stupid fan club. I cannot get anything done," she waved wildly. The two second years at the end of the table fled. "Oh knock it off. This is a completely rational reaction. Those girls are a menace."
"Not Krum?" questioned Fred.
"No. He sits at a table quietly trying to work. They gathered around everywhere giggling. I left when three of them tried to sit with me."
"Before or after you hexed them?" clarified George.
"Before." She sat and began opening books. "Now go annoy someone else. I have work to do."
Ron laughed, "You always have work to do."
Her glare darkened, "Don't I just?"
"You're always working ahead. Relax, Mione. That's not due for a week."
"You can't think of a single reason why I need to have this done? Really, Ron?" she snapped.
"You need to lighten up and relax more," he said again. He moved over the couches. "Play a game once in a while."
She closed her eyes and suppressed the desire to set his head on fire. She opened them and started on her Potions essay. She met with both Amira and Lyall tonight. She didn't have the energy to waste on Ron. Harry dropped into the chair across from her. She completed the thought she was writing before acknowledging him, "Yes, Harry?"
"Do you have time to look over my Charms essay if I finish it?"
"Probably not tonight, but maybe at breakfast tomorrow, lunch at the latest," She turned her attention back to her homework.
"Okay, thanks," he paused, "Hermione?"
"Hmmm?" she didn't look up.
"Thank you for helping. None of us say that enough. Especially since you have your own stuff going on."
She looked up in surprise," You're welcome."
"I made sure Diggory knows about the dragons, too."
"Very Hufflepuff of you," she praised.
She spent an hour discussing the gray decisions of past Light-Amid-the-Darks with Amira. Some moments were small things, but these were the events that sent people to the arms of the dark. "That is not to say that some do not revel in the evil they do. Or that those that do cannot be redeemed. Your real issue is determining who will squander the second chance and who will not."
"You promised it wouldn't be easy," sighed Hermione.
"Most things worth doing rarely do."
Nesan waited with Lyall that evening, "Greetings, wise one. Lyall and I were discussing your training. You are unlikely to ever be wielding a great sword. You're a small thing. To be deadly and not dead a small thing needs to be quick and nimble in the battle. Catan mentioned you are light on your feet, so we will begin there."
Lyall explained, "Lord Nesan will be teaching you to dance before his wife, Saraid, teaches you to be chaos on the battlefield."
"Sensible plan," she nodded.
"Not exactly how you envisioned spending your evening," laughed Nesan.
"It never is," she laughed.
"Let's get you properly attired." He changed her joggers and jumper into a dress and slippers. "You need to be accustomed to the weight of the skirt and how it moves as you do." Once content with her outfit and shoes, he held up his arms in invitation. "Let us begin."
Hermione found dance lessons to be just as exhausting as sword play. Her arms ached in different places. Her legs burned as she climbed into bed. Lavender, Pavarti, Fay, and Sally-Anne slumbered quietly. Moments like these she envied them. No hours of training followed by hours of schoolwork before an hour of helping Harry train ending with more training for her. They had plenty of time for sleep and silliness. She sighed, didn't she sound bitter? After this year hopefully she won't have the burden of training Harry. She could use the break from something. Did that thought make her unworthy? Weak? She rolled over, none of these thoughts mattered. Her alarm would be going off before she knew it.
Instead of facing off against Gryffindor in November, Slytherin faced Beaubatons in the first quidditch match. Hermione sat with Neville to avoid Harry and Ron's feud. The French school won by a slight margin. She finished the journals and sent it via owl post.
M,
Think of this as a late birthday gift and early Christmas present. What is written in one appears in both. This way we can communicate even when getting together in person is impossible.
H.
M: Thank again, this is brilliant.
H: And convenient, not as much as talking, but better than the lack of contact we have now.
M:Sorry about that. I should have pushed more to have time to myself. Gemma complains I'm not romantic enough either.
Personally, Hermione didn't think Gemma knew him well enough. Instead she offered to help.
H: Would you like some suggestions?
M:Yes, please. Especially in case I wuss out and keep dating her.
H: Bring her a flower between classes, even if you have to transfigure them. Plan a picnic on one of the upper balconies. Go stargazing.
M:You're amazing. Thank you. How goes the Hunt?
She told him about the rides that year and finishing her training. That lightning seemed to be her energy.
M:Lightning is super rare for druids to create. Fire and water are far more common.
H: That's what Amira said. The weapons training is slow going. And slow progress gets old fast. At least I can parry with the daggers now.
M: You'll get it eventually. You're fantastic.
H:Thanks.
They talked this way most evenings. Sometimes more candidly or in depth than they might have in person. Marcus discussed his feelings of being thought unintelligent. She confessed her fears about not being enough to fulfill any destiny. Both felt relief they weren't losing their friend. They both also felt a bit guilty about their other feelings. Marcus poured more effort into his relationship wanting to say he really tried when it ended.
Hermione skipped down the stone steps to the old boathouse. To ward off the chill in the air before she warmed up properly she wore a sleeve shirt. She suspected she would be in heavier materials within the next few weeks. She'd written to her parents for new trainers as she would need to replace this pair by Christmas at this rate of wear. At the bottom of the stairs she stretched, set her watch timer, and began jogging to the right. She fell into her usually stride. The dark lake water to her left, the trees to her right. The fallen leaves crinkled and tore under her feet. She passed her personal landmarks: a pile of perfectly round moss covered rocks, a stone benched carved with initials, and an old lamppost. When the timer ended she found an open area to stop. Each week she increased the number of crunches, pushups, and jumping jacks she did, she had reached forty-five of each. She dropped and started her crunches. The cessation of birdsong halfway through her pushups alerted her she was not alone. Still performing the movements she reached out with her magic. One humanoid approached from the school side. She didn't recognize the body shape, not that that meant much. The shape seemed male and non-hostile. She turned her head as she finished the last one. A gray and black tracksuit didn't narrow down his identity. She stood to begin the jumping jacks as he drew close enough to make out facial features. Viktor Krum ran up as she jumped up and down clapping her hands over her head. She completed her exercises by the time he reached her.
"Good morning," he said coming to a stop at the end of the wider space.
"Good morning," she answered.
"I am not invading?" he asked uncertainly.
"Interrupting? No. I just finished."
"You are Herminny, yes?" He did not move closer.
"I'm Hermione Granger. And you're Viktor Krum."
"You are not impressed by fame," he stated.
"By fame? No. By your accomplishments? Yes. Being a professional seeker before you finished school is a big deal. But you're still just a person."
"You are remarkable."
"You have no idea," she muttered. "Thanks. I'm on my way back." She pointed towards the castle.
"May I join you?"
"If you like." She began running with Krum first following her, then coming up next to her. Chivalrously, he ran along the shore on the more uneven path. At the boathouse she slowed to a walk, finally coming to a stop. She stretched. "I do this every morning if you want to join me," she invited.
"You would allow?" he asked eagerly.
"If you want to. Company is nice." She tucked her hair behind her ear.
The movement caught his attention. Krum's eyes widened, he grabbed her left arm, "Are you, are you of the gpyugume?"
"I don't know. What is that?"
"Witch of the woods, a priestess," he looked frustrated.
"Wise one or druid?"
"Da, wise one,"
"Um, I am."
He looked crestfallen, "I cannot accept offer."
"Why not?"
"You are" he gestured unable to articulate his thoughts.
"A person, female, short, a Gryffindor, what?"
"Important."
"Not really, I'm just me." He started protesting. "Just like you don't like people only seeing Krum the Seeker, I don't want to only be known as Hermione the Druid. I am more than that."
"I understand," nodded Krum. "I will see you tomorrow."
"Sounds great, see you then."
"Da." She waved and jogged up the stairs as Krum made his way to the Drumstang ship.
