Hello, my darlings. I hope this chapter finds you all well and having a good weekend. Lavender is going to be annoying for the next few chapters because y'all know what it about to happen. As always I own nothing here. (I would have treated Fred better.) I adore all of you for even reading this and even though I don't always respond, your reviews and comments brighten my day.
Chapter 34 Training
She reached the Entrance Hall just as Firenze came from the other side of the castle. She waved the boys inside the Great Hall. "A moment, professor," she called.
"Salutations, wise one," smiled the centaur.
"I was hoping to impose upon you for a favor if I could."
He bowed, "I stand at your disposal."
"Several wizards will be coming and going from Calle Agra. I want it known they have my blessing. Would you tell the herd, please?"
The smile slid from his face, "I fear since I chose to teach at a wizard's school I am unwelcome in the forest under the threat of great harm."
She arched an eyebrow, "Are you saying my messenger would not be welcome in my forest? That the herd would turn you away unheard and force me to deliver my words at the expense of my time? That their whims are greater than my missive?"
"Certainly not."
"Excellent. If Roan or the others give you problems remind him that my hospitality can end at any moment. The time has come to move on from their prejudices and integrate with Druids again. They can work with me or be left behind. That forest belonged to my people and we sheltered yours within its trees."
"You are correct. I will deliver your message tomorrow."
"Thank you."
Riots of noise greeted her when the double doors opened. The Divination professor gestured for her to enter first. She nodded her thanks. Stacks of pumpkins and flying paper bats filled the empty spaces. She moved around them on her way to the table. Cauldrons brimming with candy and platters overflowing with desserts covered the tables. She rolled her eyes at the glee her housemates displayed as they worked to eat their weight in sugar. Her parents' profession made them adverse to processed sugar and she never acquired much of a taste for it. She joined in the festivities laughing at jokes and teasing others. "Hey, Mione, do you want that?" Ron asked pointing to the lone remaining Cauldron Cake on the platter before her.
"No. Here," she handed it to him.
"I love you," he declared. "I don't care what anyone says, you're great." She laughed and shook her head at his absurd joke. She ignored the nasty look Lavender shot her.
After dinner, she sent Marcus a message to meet. "Have we been summoned?"
She took a second to enjoy that he didn't complain about the weather, simply ready to respond. "No. I thought you might like to join me in the wild woods tonight?"
"With the fae?"
"Some of them occasionally pop in, but no plans. Most likely just fairies, pixies, and such."
"If you want me to, I happily will. Now?"
"Yep." She took his hand. "And thanks. Sometimes I want solitude, but not tonight." Hand in hand they crossed the courtyard and went down the stone stairs to the old boathouse on Black Lake.
"Do you still run in the morning?" he asked.
"On occasion. I probably need to step it up again."
"Theo and I will join you tomorrow. We need to get in better shape, too."
"Sounds good. I'll invite the others, too, only fair. Though they may want to do something else." They lapsed into silence.
The thick branches blocked the light rain until they reached the open space of the hard packed dirt. None of the branches stretched over it blocking the sky. Marcus looked about, "Are we dancing in the rain?"
"We could. But we don't have to," she gestured and a clear barrier blocked the raindrops. The water beaded and created tiny rivers running down the edges.
"Handy," he praised.
"I try," she laughed.
She stepped into her space allowing the welcoming energy embrace her. She turned to look at her boyfriend. He looked confused and awed. "What?"
"It feels different the last time, friendly almost," he looked around at the treetops.
"I like you, stands to reason any space connected to me would like you, too. Your family grove likes me."
"You're a Druid, all nature likes you."
"No, it really likes me, treats me like family."
"Maybe someday you will be family," he said quietly.
"I like that idea," she admitted quietly.
He took her hands and pressed a small kiss on the inside of her wrist, "Me, too." She wasn't entirely sure who leaned in first for the kiss, but she enjoyed the ensuing snog. Thousands of butterflies swirled in a tornado in her stomach. Desire pooled below it along with a yearning for more, the desire to chase those tendrils of pleasure seeking to fulfill the promise of more. Marcus moaned and ran his hands over her igniting tint fires everywhere he touched. A light giggle drew their attention. Small delicate creatures darted about on gossamer wings. They hassled and teased the couple enough to cause them to part ways. "Okay, okay, we get it, you want to dance and we aren't doing it right," Hermione chuckled.
Marcus shifted his grasp, "Shall we indulge them, little witch."
"We shall." Gracefully they waltzed about the open space as the magical creatures wheeled around them. At an unheard signal, the fliers vanished. Hermione stepped back, "That's usually my cue to head back. Especially if we're going on a morning run."
"We are," he confirmed. He kissed her before they parted in the Slytherin common room. She slipped into her curtained bed. She dreamt of lovely nonsense that night.
BUZZ! BUZZ! The vibrations of her alarm woke Hermione. She rolled over and groaned into her pillow. She hated this part, late nights and earlier mornings. At least she managed to sleep. Quietly she dressed and made her way out to the castle. Hints of winter floated in the air. She could smell the promise of snow on the breeze. November promised to be cold. Her Slytherins waited at the base of the stone stairs. "Good morning. Ready?"
"No," replied Theo. "But let's go."
"We're just going to run, no extras for now. First, we need to stretch." She demonstrated. "Just focus on keeping up." She set her timer and jogged along the shoreline."
"Keeping up?" cried Theo. "What does that mean?"
Marcus started, "I'd take her advice." Theo grumbled and followed his friends. Theo collapsed in a heap when they finished. Marcus braced his hand on his thighs, breathing heavily. "I thought I was in decent shape."
"You are," she said, "quite fit. But flying a broom uses different muscles and takes less stamina, or rather is a sustained slow release of energy." Hermione smiled wanly. "You'll notice I'm not exactly perfectly composed."
"You can still stand," shot back Theo. "I cannot stand. I will not stand. I live here now."
She laughed and held out her hands, "Come on. You need a shower with breakfast."
"I told you I live here now. I will cry if you make me climb those stairs." He batted her hands.
"Stop being such a drama llama," she snapped. "I'm sending you back incognito, no stairs until after a shower."
"Oh, thank fuck. I love you," Theo struggled to his feet.
"You're spending too much time with Adrian," teased Marcus.
"Entirely possible."
Two days before the Gryffindor/Slytherin match Hermione's wrist pinched three times in rapid succession. Considering the odd pattern, Hermione collected all five boys. When Ron pointed out the upcoming match she merely raised an eyebrow. "Right, no complaining." To avoid rumors she created a door to the forest.
In the moonlight, four figures waited. One addressed the others as the wizards approached. The figure furthest from him answered. Knowing the unpredictable behavior of the fae, Hermione slipped her athame into her hand and subtly moved in front of their group ready to react just in case. The figure did not disappoint. A dagger came flying at them. Without breaking her stride she responded by shielding the sides and back of the group freezing the dagger in the air. The others paused, but since she kept walking they followed. Hermione snatched the dagger sending it into the ether. Finn and Corc grinned proudly as the wizards came to a stop in front of them. Next to them, a lithe black-haired fae gave them an appraising look. He held out his hand palm up. "My dagger," he demanded.
"I don't have your dagger," she responded. "I found a dagger flying through the air, and I'm keeping it. I know I found it because as allies I know none of you would have attacked me or anyone under my protection within my grove."
"We're leagues from the earthen circle," he retorted.
She gestured and the woods around them came alive. "But within its forest which are my lands. So, again, I found a dagger and I'm keeping it."
The larger redheaded man threw his head back howling with laughter. "Ha! She's got you there." He looked at Finn, "I like her."
"So do we. Lady Hermione, this is Ser Emrys and Waylon Smith. Gentlemen, Lady Hermione Granger, Tempest of the Wild Hunt."
She inclined her head, "This is Marcus Flint and Theodore Nott, my warriors. And Harry Potter, the champion. His seconds, Neville Longbottom and Ronald Weasley." She gestured to the Hunt riders, "May I introduce Prince Finn and Ser Corc of the Wild Hunt."
Finn stepped forward, "Friends, Lady Hermione is not a messenger and her own duties." He handed Harry a medallion on a chain. "This will summon you when we are available to train. We intend to hone your reflexes and responses."
Emrys stepped forward, "While we will show you how to effectively fight the scum known as giants. And Waylon will craft your warriors weapons to do so. You already found one of his daggers."
"I didn't get a good look, but it seemed very nice. I'll examine it more closely later."
The two groups separated and began. Emrys worked with them to determine their level of training, frequently pointing out when magic could boost the attack or aid in defense. "You may be able to progress to limited casting through the weapons. Some wizards do master the ability." All three sweated profusely when they rejoined the others. Harry, Ron, and Neville looked worse than Theo and Marcus.
"How are you not destroyed?" demanded Ron.
"I've been working out for years.
I told you I go running and you were welcome to join me. You choose not to."
"I'm going to," declared Neville. "Come get me in the morning, please."
"Me, too," said Harry. He looked at Ron.
"I'll think about it," he muttered sullenly. Ultimately he decided against it, citing the upcoming match. "Maybe after that."
"Your choice," she shrugged.
The dreams returned that night, urging her to search, stressing the need to find what was missing. Unable to sleep early that morning, Hermione got up and wandered the castle in the direction of the lower levels. She examined the walls, trying to match them with the ones in her dream. Why must dream quests be so vague? What was wrong with just saying come look on the 3rd floor left corridor? On the other hand, she was finding interesting new rooms. Around the corner from a music room complete with instruments and a dance studio with barre and mirrored wall, she encountered Luna. "I see you found your shoes."
"They don't go missing as often and come back faster," reported the blonde.
"Imagine that. What are you doing?"
"I was going for a walk, then I was waiting for you, not that I knew that."
"Well, here I am. Where are we going?"
The blonde regarded her curiously, "You tell me."
"I'm looking for something beyond the guardians. I know it's in the dungeons near Black Lake."
"Which guardians?" asked Luna.
Hermione considered it carefully, "Druidic ones, maybe foxes or rowans."
Luna considered, "I think," she said slowly, "I know where you need to go. Follow me." She led Hermione further down and towards the lake. Hermione felt deja vu of recognition as the hallways became familiar. She stopped in front of a tapestry depicting a pair of foxes in a forest of rowan trees.
"Luna," Hermione gasped, "this is it. It has to be." She touched the tapestry infusing it with a bit of magic. "I seek the lost."
"Very poetic," praised Luna.
The linen rippled, then split revealing a slumbering portrait. "Hello," said Hermione quietly. The figure jerked and snapped awake. "Good morning."
The man shifted and stretched, "Maidin mhaith go dei mhin." (Good morning indeed.)
Hermione spoke in the ancient language, "A tu an caille ata a lorg agam?" (Are you the lost I seek?)
"Um, should I go?" asked Luna.
The man shook himself, "No, no, Little Seeker. My apologies you may stay. Seekers of the Hidden are few and their births far between." He turned back to Hermione. "You need the knowledge to destroy the defame?"
"I do," she confirmed.
"The higher paths, like the Light-Amid-the-Dark, like you and I, or Defender-of-the-Weak are watched by the high kings and queens of the fae. We belong to the Morrigan. On the next full moon, you can petition her and request a boon."
"Thank you. Um, do you know what happened to the other Druids?"
"They began vanishing around the founding of the school. Not long after my and Amira's deaths our people disappeared, seemingly forever. Be cautious and fearless, little Light. Be strong."
"I will. Thank you."
"My name is Riderch. I would be pleased if both, or either of you, visited again."
"I'm Hermione and this is Luna. I'm sure I speak for both of us when I say we'd love to."
"Very much," agreed Luna.
He settled back to sleep. "Thank you, Luna," said Hermione.
"You would have found it eventually," she said. "But you're welcome. Can I ask a question?"
"Of course," Hermione started walking back towards the center of the castle.
"What is a Seeker of the Hidden?"
As soon as Luna asked so knew. "Someone naturally skilled at finding things, or seeing the world differently. It is an apt description for you."
"That sounds like a good thing."
"Very." Hermione walked in silence for a few steps. "Would you like to come with me when I petition the Morrigan?"
"Could I?" Luna halted. She bounced on her toes and clapped her hands. "Oh, thank you."
"You're welcome. The full moon is Sunday. I'll meet you just outside the front door around nine."
"Sounds good." The younger girl skipped off, calling over her shoulder, "See you at the quidditch match."
"After a brief morning nap," Hermione told herself. She headed back to her bed.
She sent Marcus a good luck message before the match. Luna's eccentric commentary amused Hermione greatly. She still felt her heart in her throat as bludgers flew and players zipped around the stadium. The score remained close each team taking the lead in turn until Harry and Draco dove after the snitch, neck, and neck. Madame Hooch blew her whistle ending the match. Harry rose in the air, the snitch clutched in his hand in triumphant. The stands erupted in cheers. On her way to the post game celebration, Hermione stopped to console her boyfriend on the loss. "Gryffindor is always our hardest match. And it was close. We might still win the Quidditch Cup."
"It's the hope that kills you," she quipped. He swatted her bottom playfully. "I'll see you tomorrow at the Slug Club meeting."
"Don't remind me," he groaned. She laughed, waved, and sneaked out of the Slytherin locker room.
Laughter, chatter, and the occasional cheer reached her before she arrived at the portrait hole. The Fat Lady regarded her suspiciously, "Running behind, are we?"
"Yes. Mimbulus mibletonia." It took the Fat Lady a moment to swing open. "Thank you." The wave of sound hit her face. She located Ginny easily. Each player had a gaggle of people collected around them as they rehashed the action, "Good job, Gin."
"Thanks," the other girl shifted uncomfortably. "Have you talked to Harry yet?"
"No, I just got back." Hermione looked around trying to locate her other two friends. She didn't see Ron, but Harry stood near the stairs. She left Ginny to her fans. "Hey, Harry. Good job, captain. Congrats on the first win."
"Thanks, Mione." Harry hugged her, "Hell of a match."
"Very close," agreed Dean. He tried to subtly move her face away from the couches. "Malfoy nearly had it."
"Aye, very close," agreed Seamus. "Ron did a fine job. Nearly as good as Wood. Though Flint is a beast this year. Phenomenal flying that was."
Harry agreed, "I'm glad we played them now before he gave Ron the yips."
Hermione giggled, "That's for sure. He gets in his own head. Speaking of Ron, I haven't seen him." Dean and Seamus shifted from side to side, their eyes moving nervously toward the couches. Hermione looked more closely. Locked in an embrace Ron and Lavender messily snogged on one of the couches. "Oh." The others watched her. "Really some things are meant to be private." She shuddered comically.
"Yer not upset?" clarified Seamus.
"About so much. I sit on those couches. That looks sloppy and I'm forced to watch. But about Ron kissing Lavender? No. Why?"
Dean looked confused, "Everybody thought the two of you fancied one another."
"Obviously not as he's trying to suck her face off. That's a funny way to convey interest in someone else. I hope he does like her. I care about him because he's my friend and we've been through some serious stuff, but I'm not in love with him."
"Oh," Dean said lamely.
"Yes, oh," she laughed. "Should I stand on the table and make an announcement and save you all the effort of hiding them?"
"Nah, might have the reverse effect," joked Harry.
"Very true," she agreed. The subject returned to the merits of the Slytherin team. Hermione ignored the concerned looks shot her way when Ron and Lavender exited the common room hand in hand. She retired to bed when Harry did, thinking nothing about the new development in Gryffindor relationships.