Hermione could barely find words, even though she'd found exactly what Seamus had theorized. But having the thought and actually finding Nathair were two very different things.
Nathair went to reach for her cloak, but Hermione jerked back.
"Ah, right. You're safe here," Nathair promised. "The fog won't take you in here."
Hermione felt her voice tremble, "How do I know that you're not a manifestation of my own psyche, here to trick me?"
"I called you here. You heard me," Nathair pointed out. When Hermioen didn't budge, he shrugged, "I guess you don't. You just have to trust me."
Hermione considered her options.
Somewhere inside of her, she felt like he was telling the truth.
She pulled her cloak off.
"Took you long enough," Nathair said, stopping what he was doing. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming."
"I…" Hermione, standing in front of Seamus' brother, had a million questions. She didn't know where to begin.
"Right, yeah, let's go get some tea," Nathair suggested, shutting the door behind him. Mind blank, Hermione followed, unable to do more than blink in shock.
Nathair brought them into the kitchen and put the kettle on.
"Seamus wants me to tell you that you're a right prick. And then some. And he's so angry with you." Hermione finally found her voice. She felt her throat close and held back tears for both her sake and Seamus'. "So, so angry."
Nathair sighed, "I know."
"But he loves you."
Nathair turned, smiling. "I know."
Hermione sat, watching Nathair steep the tea.
"Are you dead?" She asked, clsping her fingers around the warmth of the ceramic.
"Depends," Nathair eased into his chair. "Will you ever find a body to bury? No. Will I ever come back to your side?" He gave a long shake of his head, "Also no; I'm tethered here. But was I killed?" He sipped his tea. "That's up for debate."
Disappointment crawled through Hermione. She'd thought that failing to bring Seamus' magic back but bringing Nathair back was their new mission. But that wasn't going to happen, was it?
"No, it isn't," Nathair answered, as though he could see exactly what she was thinking. "I've made my choice. I'll remain here. However…" He motioned around, "I did get a say in my eternity."
"And you chose home?"
Nathair shrugged, "Where else would I pick?"
"Doesn't it make you sad? That your family won't be here?"
Nathair tilted his head, "Time doesn't run linearly here. Who is to say that they aren't, hundreds of years from now, and have all just popped out to the back yard?" He asked.
That just about broke Hermione's brain, but it would lend credence to the way things were left out, as though people were living with him.
"Have we been in here hundreds of years?"
"No, all I'm saying is that…" He struggled, biting the inside of his cheek in frustration. "What I perceive and what you do are different. If you're worried, I'm not lonely. I'm perfectly happy here."
"You gave yourself up for Seamus."
It wasn't a question.
"It's my job," Nathair whispered, shrugging. "I'm the oldest. And besides, in all iterations of the future, this is by far the best one."
"You saw how it would go. You're a seer." This also wan'ts a question. But still, it was a more…concrete confirmation than Hermione thought they'd ever get.
"In pieces. I pulled it all together, though not without great effort and considerable threat to my mortal life." His leg bounced casually. "But now I know for sure."
"You do?"
"Mhh," Nathair sipped his drink, "Before, my visions were shrouded in fog. But now I am the fog, in a sense of the matter. There is no future hidden from me. It's an insane amount of power, I'll tell you that. Unbelievable, really."
"So you're all-knowing?" Hermione asked, eyes wide.
"Ah, well, you flatter me. I still have to 'ask', but there's no uncertainty anymore. Of course, naturally, the first thing I did was see what would become of my family." Nathair said, "And a few other questions that have always bothered me."
"So…you saw Seamus losing his magic because of me. And Aed coming for him. But you also saw a different future, one with yourself here. So you researched where your Mum traveled and came here to take his place."
"Yes," Nathair confirmed.
"But you left me the book. Meaning you wanted us to follow…meaning that I was meant to be here…" She tilted her head, amused, "Wouldn't you know when I was set to come?"
"As I said, time is funny," Nathair shrugged. "I really have no way of telling how long it's been."
"Oh. So yes, we were supposed to follow you?"
"Yep."
"To what end?" Hermione narrowed her eyes. "As much as you love your brother, I don't think it was just to talk to us one last time. All of this just for you?" She gave a wry grin. "But that's a bit absurd."
"You were half-way right before. You can't bring me back. But Seamus' magic…" He grinned, trailing off.
"He can get his magic back?" Hermione whispered, sitting straight up, breathless, "But how? You've asked for your boon; he's not a wizard, and I'm not a Finnegan…so…is there a loophole?"
"No," Nathair shook his head, "There isn't. But it is important that he does regain his magic. Imperative, one may say."
Hermione blinked hard, screwing her eyes shut.
"So he was right before? About the marriage?"
"Aye."
"Well," Hermione gave a hard laugh, "He won't agree. And it is weird…to be married at seventeen…"
"What if I told you that you'll have a very long and happy life? That his worries about either of you waking up one day thinking it would be a mistake will never come to pass?"
Hermione swallowed thickly. "Is that true? Or do you just want Seamus' magic back, fuck my future?" She asked curtly.
"I'm wounded. You're my future sister-in-law, Hermione," Nathair tutted. "I knew it as soon as Lavender asked Louis to the dance. I saw it all that night. I don't know what shifted the universe, but it did, and here we are now." He leaned across the table, gasping her wrist, "You will be very happy. I promise. Your future is so…beautiful."
"That's crazy," Hermione laughed a bit, wiping her tears. "Your Mum will kill us."
Nathair drew back, "You'll find there are other things more pressing for her to worry about," He said quietly.
"What…what happens?" Hermione breathed in, sharply, terrified.
"Just know that it will be the least of your worries."
"That doesn't make this better."
Nathair shot her a quick, apologetic smile. "I know." He shrugged, "If it makes you feel better, what you'll be doing isn't necessarily a 'marriage. '"
Hermione blinked. "It's not? Seamus said 'no divorce' and 'no cheating, ' so…"
"Depends what you qualify it is. I mean, it's just a twisting of your magic together. Instead of making magic indistinguishable from each other's, it twists it and makes it stronger. Bind itself in a braid. In a sense, it is like a marriage because it isn't reversible. You'll always be tied to Seamus. But it was once just used to make people's magic better, not necessarily romantic. Though, it usually is because it's hard to stay…" He considered his words, "Detached from how intimate of a ceremony it is. In a sense, you're unable to hurt him and vice versa. You couldn't kill each other, for example. If cheating or divorce would hurt your partner, then technically, that wouldn't be allowed. If you both agree, mutually, to break up or an open marriage or no romantics at all, there have been witches and wizards who have done this ceremony of it successfully without the dramatics. So as long as you think you'll always care about Seamus, it's not as bad as he's made it seem."
"Of course I will." Hermione could conceive of a future where, after all this, she'd hate him.
"Well, there you go."
"Do you know anyone whose done it where it' hasn't been romantic?"
Nathair winced. "Well, no, not for the last century of its history. But prior to that, it was all the rage with close friends to become better."
"That seems like a marriage to me, never mind semantics," Hermione said quietly.
"Okay, then it's a marriage," Nathair shrugged. "I know you care about the preciseness of language. I understand the confusion, however. It's not discussed openly much, but it's more fluid than I think you've been led to believe. I admit, however, when I see it in the future, it's a marriage."
Hermione exhaled, "Well…fuck." She rarely swore, but this seemed particularly like the time.
Nathair laughed, as though still surprised to hear such language from her. She supposed that the fact she could still surprise him was humorous to her.
"You'll have a big wedding later, after it's all over."
"It will be over, won't it?" Hermione asked, holding her breath.
"Yes. Soon." Nathair promised, though as stated, Hermioen couldn't be sure what his definition of 'soon' was, "I can't…" He furrowed his brow. "I'm sorry, I can't say specifics."
Hermione tried not to be disappointed. "That's alright. It's fine. I get it."
She didn't, but what else could she say?
"So we go back. Seamus gets his magic. And then once he has his magic, can he visit you here?" Hermione asked, eager.
Nathair blinked, closing one eye and staring at the ceiling. "There's still one more choice. And he might or he won't."
"Well, Seamus will move heaven and earth to see you," She laughed. It seemed silly that he thought it would be a choice at all.
Nathair shrugged, "Perhaps." But he didn't seem entirely sure.
"Is it that it traps muggles?" Hermione asked, trying to riddle out the danger.
"Yes, but also others. It's just better to be a wizard or witch. And as you know, Aed would love a full set earlier on. He has a soft spot for Seamus, but naturally, doesn't know how to express it normally. So he covets."
"But he'll give Seamus his magic if I ask? For sure?" Hermione pressed.
"Yes, that much is very solid right now," Nathair agreed. He stood, washing his cup in the sink, "Come with me. I have some rather pointless futures to pass along."
"I won't run into a future Seamus? Or me?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"Well, even if you did, they'd know why you're here. But no," Nathair shook his head, "Let's just walk."
So they did.
Nathair gave her a litany of meaningless futures. Meaningless, at least to Aed, but Hermione clung to his words. They didn't always make sense, but she got the sense they would in time, such as 'there is another option for your parents'. That filled her with fear, but she trusted that Nathair would make sure they were safe and pick the path to that. Some of it was laughable and light-hearted, like not to try the new dessert Hogwarts would introduce when she returned.
"Why, is it dangerous?"
"No, it just tastes disgusting."
Some of it was insight into her friends, to push them on the right paths too. This person would end up with this person, but only if they got together at this time (no sooner, no later). A warning not to let two people date. A couple Hermione would have never thought of, but Nathair assured their happiness.
This job over that job, this flat over that one…Nathair gave freely and willingly, almost excited to share what he'd seen. He was more tight-lipped about Hermione's future.
"I think it's better for you to find out yourself," He explained when she tried to pick his brain.
Though the sun didn't change in the sky, Hermione felt like she ought to be getting back soon.
"Your land? Why did you get it? If you knew you'd barely be there?" Hermione blinked.
"Seamus needed a place to train. And it'll be important later." He added, "You'll know."
Hermione crossed her arms, "I don't know if Seamus will believe me. About the marriage. I wasn't the one who needed convincing."
"Oh, yes," Nathair slapped his forehead, "Yes, that's why I had this." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a ring box. "Give him this. And he'll know." He pressed Hermione's hands around it. "Unless you want to be surprised," He added with a hint of humor, "I wouldn't look yet."
They had reached Nathair's workshop again.
"Promise me you're happy here?" Hermione asked, choked up.
"Entirely. I get to hold future knowledge in the palm of my hand. It's exhilarating, Hermione!" He grinned.
"You know, someone might mistake you for a Ravenclaw…" She began to tease, but Nathair snorted.
"Yeah, sure, right." He rolled his eyes. "Look, just do something for me, back in the world?"
"Anything."
"When you publish, don't forget about me. I'd like a call-out, preferably, or more." Nathair said.
"Oh, you want us to put you as a third author? Name our theory the 'Nathair Theory of Magic'?"
Nathair grinned, "Well, you said it, not me."
Hermione felt a bubbling laugh. "Never mind. You definitely are a Slytherin." She put her cloak on. "How do I leave? Back the way I came?"
"No. Being the son of a God has perks, like backdoors," Nathair said, going to the door at the end of his workshop. "This will put you back out at Seamus."
"I'm…" Hermione wasn't sure how to say goodbye. "If what you say is true, this isn't goodbye."
"No, it isn't. Though not for a very long time, surrounded by your family when you go. But I'll be waiting." He assured, "And it won't feel like any time at all for me."
Hermione took one step forward, but all of a sudden, Nathair sighed, grasping her wrist. She turned back, covered, surprised.
"I'm not meant to meddle, but," He grasped a scrap piece of paper and scribbled furiously, "Me telling you things about Seamus are small-scale. Important, but not like…telling you which baby to kill that will turn into another Lord Voldemort," Nathair said, "But I can do this much."
Over his shoulder, Hermione saw his handwriting. She wasn't sure if he was just atrocious or the Otherworld was messing with her, but it was incomprehensible to her.
"Don't open it until you're back home upside. You won't be able to understand it yet anyway, but…" He pressed a folded square of paper into her hands, "Don't look yet. Okay?" He asked, his eyes wide. "Hide it," He whispered, and Hermione shoved it in her pocket. Anticipation rose through her body; what would he risk everything for to tell her? What was that important?
He hugged her, "You'll do great things, Hermione Granger. And Seamus will, too. I'm positively chuffed to call you my sister."
"Future sister-in-law," Hermione corrected.
He ruffled her hair in a sibling sort of way. Hermione was unfamiliar with it personally but warmed at the motion, "Potato, poh-ta-toh, Finnegan," He added with a wink, "It's all the same to me."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
Then, he let her go.
Hermione opened the door. She turned back to see Nathair. He gave her a little 'go on' motion, smiling brightly.
Hermione stepped into a milky whiteness, and when she blinked, she was back at her tent, and everything behind her - Nathair, the house, the workshop - was gone.
"Hermione!"
Seamus grasped Hermione, pulling her into a tight hug, nose burrowing into her hair. She stood, frozen, still looking past, like she was expecting Nathair to appear again.
"Hermione, Merlin, are you alright?" Seamus pulled back, "Answer me."
"Fine, I'm fine-" Hermione cut herself off, frowning. "How long was I gone?"
"Hours," Seamus whispered, eyes wide, "Forever, basically."
"That can't be true."
"I don't know, you have the fancy watch," Seamus reminded, "But it felt way too long. I was staring to think I'd lost yeh," Seamus admitted quietly, "That I was wrong. But then I just turned around, and it's like you appeared out of thin air." He took a long gulp. "Did you find him? Nathair?"
"Yes," Hermione whispered, feeling her throat choke up.
"And?"
"And…" Great Gryffindor, where was she to start? "And he told us what to do next," Hermione shifted on her feet, nervously, "But I don't think you're going to like it."
"Why do you say that?"
Hermione quickly explained the necessity of the linking spell before Seamus could interrupt her.
And then she handed him the box. Seamus opened it, taking out a ring, turning it over in his hand. It looked like an engagement ring, and a powerful one. Hermione could feel the power radiating off it from where she stood.
Engraved on the side was an otter and a fox, dancing and chasing each other.
"He left before he knew what my patronus was, so..." Seamus whispered, "And I dreamed of this ring. It's like it's plucked right from my mind. One would wonder if maybe I can't be a seer, here and there, right? But what it shows..." He didn't want to say it.
"To show you the path. Of marrying me." Hermione said, pressing her lips together.
Seamus' face pinched. "Awe, Luv, don't say that I gotta marry yeh like it's an awful task. You know that's not it."
"Of course, that's not what I meant," Hermione murmured, feeling embarrassed.
Seamus' jaw clenched. "What else did he say?"
So Hermione sat in the grass with Seamus and repeated it, all of it. Seamus listened, silently, drinking in the experience. Was he pleased or disappointed that Nathair was so contented here, Hermione wondered? Did he feel guilt that he'd led Nathair to this point? Did he even believe what Hermione was saying, or was he convinced it was a bad acid trip of sorts?
"I need some time to process this," He finally said quietly.
"Right. We have time."
That much seemed clear.
Hermione was now convinced that the universe was actually on their side and would not reveal a path home until they accomplished at least one of their tasks. The only one possible at this time was Seamus' magic.
She let Seamus think about it all night and all day. He stared at the impassible forest as though willing it to open, likely working through the same thoughts Hermione had concluded. Finally, he approached where Hermione read a book, half-heartedly, still replaying everything with Nathair in a never-ending loop.
"Not a marriage," He said firmly, "And I'm doing this because I do think we'll always love each other, even if things go south. I don't think I could come out of this experience without feeling so…tied to you that it would be worse than death to imagine us ever at odds," Seamus said quietly, "But I'm not going back and tellin' my Mam that I got hitched in the Underworld."
"Alright. My parents probably wouldn't be keen on that either," Hermione agreed. "Are you ready for me to become a Finnegan Witch, though?" She asked with a wry smile.
"As much as I'm ready to become a Granger Wizard," He replied, reminding her that this went both ways. A stronger tie of both their magics.
"Okay," Hermione put her hands on her hips, "How do we do this?"
"We use the four elements," Seamus said.
"Water, earth, fire, air?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. Seamus shrugged.
"Magic is inherently natural, Luv," He pointed out, "And handfasting. But I think that's meant to really be tying magic together," He said slowly, as though realizing, "Alright, erm, candles. We need candles."
There had to be candles in the tent, Hermione reckoned. They ransacked it, finding a strange assemblage of department store candles, not at all the witchy, magical ones Hermione hoped that they'd have on hand.
"Someone must have liked lighting candles in the bathtub," Seamus muttered, as all the ones they found were very specific-smelling in nature, mostly with vacation-esque scents like 'Tropical Coconut' or 'Island Paradise'. It was enough to form a circle around them, which would do the trick.
"Air?" Hermione prompted next.
"Insense. Or just something to burn; not a candle. And not burn, but," He groaned, "You know."
They went searching again.
"No incense, but…sage?" Hermione said, coming out from the pantry with a dried bushel in her hand, "I found it in the back."
Seamus examined it. "I think that will do. Okay, uhm, water. To purify."
Hermione took out her wand, "Well, that's easy enough-" She started, reaching for a bowl, but Seamus held up his hand.
"Wait! Don't we have water from the stream? That magicall cleansed us?" He pointed out. They'd taken some and stored it in the medicine cabinet on the first day, just in case of injury.
"Seamus, that's genius!" Hermione gasped, skidding as she got up, "I can't think of something more perfect. Now, we just need Earth. Do we depot something?" She asked, noticing a few flowers around the space.
Seamus winced. "This one may be a hard one, and we might have to hope for the best. Wheat or bread. Represents growth."
"Well, we ate all our bread early," Hermione pouted, now wishing she'd had magical foresight to save the ends of bread that neither wanted to eat but did anyway, knowing that it would have a higher purpose.
Seamus and Hermione sat, staring at their kitchen contents for a long while, shocked that there wasn't any wheat anywhere. Though, perhaps not that surprising…they were really starting to have to ration food of late and-
"Rations!" Hermione gasped, digging around in her pack, "Oh, Weasley Twins, I could kiss you!"
"Sort of offensive when you're about to marry me, Hermione," Seamus teased, "Or, sorry, a 'not-marriage'."
"These," Hermione held up a box, rattling something inside, "Fred said they're meant to be a full meal replacement. And what is a feast without-"
"The bread service?" Seamus guessed. Hermione was scanning the back of the box with helpful written meal menus. Her finger patted one of them.
"You geniuses…" She whispered, "The…erm…pink one. It's meant to be buttered dinner rolls, turkey, stuffing, and pie." She held up the piece, breaking off just the front of it. "You think this will work?"
"I think it's an impressive piece of magic and far better than any other choice." Seamus shrugged. "The last thing we need is something to tie our hands together at the end."
Hermione found their shirts from the first part of their journey in the cave. They'd gotten so mucked up that their only use was for wash rags now.
"Seems rather fitting, right?" She asked. "They are the start and end of this journey."
She ripped them into long strips.
"Is that it?"
"That's it…" Seamus' eyes glimmered. "So, Luv, want to make another potentially very bad decision?"
Hermione pressed her lips to keep from giggling, "We do seem to be racking up quite the list." But, dropping to a seriousness, she held his cheeks in her palms, "I've already gone through hell. This is just…extra."
"Let's do it, then."