DISCLAIMER : I OWN NOTHING BUT THE PLOT!!
Dear readers,
I understand that I have made a few mistakes in my last chapter, and I ask you to please excuse them, for they were unintentional mistakes, and I feel quite embarrassed and horrified that they were even made! Sorry about that....
To my fellow reviewers.........
--- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEWS GUYS!!!
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Chapter Seventeen : The Art of Healing?
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(December 22/23)
"Serenity," started Hermione as she looked over the fenced playground to where Harry stood at City Hall's grand steps. He was in a deep discussion with the plump Mayor, his mother by his side, along with Sir Arthur, Sirius, Remus, and Kingsley Shacklebolt - Captain of the Auror Investigations Department. Hermione guessed he was discussing security issues, and watched as Harry rubbed at his chest absent-mindedly as he continued on. Hermione felt a sickening thud resonate within her abdomen as she remembered that Harry was head of the dispatching band of Aurors.
She feared for him, and as she thought of his duties, she also thought of his wounds that weren't completely healed. 'What if he re-opens the wound?' she kept thinking. Serenity noticed her friend in deep thought, and deeply troubled, as she turned her attention from a pair of boys playing snowball fight with Ginny to her distressed friend.
"Yes? Hermione? What's wrong?" Hermione sighed audibly as she replaced her worried expression with a soft smile.
"I need to ask you of a favor, please." she told her elven companion. Serenity looked at her.
"Of course, anything Hermione." she told her earnestly. Hermione inhaled and stopped walking, turning to the curious Princess beside her.
"Could you teach me the Art of Healing?"
xxx
Serenity stood there, caught off guard by her friends request. 'Teach her the Art of Healing?' Serenity stood for a minute in silence. She didn't know what to say... sure she'd love to teach her Healing,but it was dangerous, even for the elves. If anything ever happened to Hermione, Harry would never forgive her.
Hermione stared at Serenity intently, and saw the conflict in the elf's eyes. She sighed and turned her attention away again.
"But I understand if you cant. Thanks anyways Serenity." she said sadly. She began to walk on through the playground when Serenity caught her arm.
"Hermione, wait." she said. "Hermione, it isn't that I cant teach you, it is just that... the Art of Healing is quite dangerous. Elven magic isn't supposed to be performed by Wizards and Witches. If done wrong, it could be fatal." she told her friend. "It takes a lot of energy, concentration, and commitment. Healing isn't something that can be taught in a week or a month, it takes rigorous training... training of the mind and the spirit. You have to learn to control and contort you magical abilities, being able to form and mold your magic in order to complete the type of healing that is required." Hermione looked to Serenity, determination clouding her chocolate eyes. Serenity knew Hermione wouldn't back down from this, but she wanted to make sure Hermione knew what she was asking.
"That is ok, Serenity. I can do it, I know I can." Hermione told her. "If you teach me, I know I will be able to learn it."
"But Hermione," Serenity sighed; this was going to be tough. "Healing is dangerous! If anything happened to you, Harry would never forgive me. " Hermione then looked away, peering over at her negotiating husband. Again Serenity sighed. "I know you want to help, but this is Elven magic, and Elven magic is temperamental. Im afraid ... Im afraid you might not be able to harness your powers correctly."
"Look, If Neville can learn Healing, then so can I." she retorted.
"Neville doesn't preform this sort of Healing, Hermione. What he does is Remedial Healing." Serenity corrected. "He takes the study of Herbology and the practice of Medi-Magic and combines them. It is quite different. Healing is Elven magic... again, being as temperamental as it is.. it is quite dangerous."
Finally Serenity sighed, as she saw the look of dejection on the Ravenclaw Princess's face.
"Its ok Serenity, I understand." she said. "Thanks anyways."
xxx
Later on that night, after a dinner and a long, relaxing, shower, Hermione retired to Harry's common room, a thick book in her hands. As she entered the room, she summoned a blazing fire to the large stone hearth, and curled herself up within Harry's favorite plush armchair beside the fire. As she began to read her story, in hopes of relaxing her nerves, she thought back on Harry, and how he and his band of Aurors were soon going to be setting out in search of the Death Eater Hide-out. She'd been worrying about him all day, and her nerves just didn't seem to settle.
At the moment, Harry was out in the Training Hall she had seen Serenity and Li training in last night, as he was beginning training the Aurors.
She felt bad for him, as he had been on the move all day. At first he had a long and difficult meeting this morning, followed by helping out the city and discussing endless security situations with the Mayor, and now was down in the Training Hall training 60 Aurors. He didn't even have a chance to properly finish his dinner, as he was called up to see his father. Instead, he was forced to scarf down his cold food while on his way to the Hall after speaking to the King.
Hermione sighed and turned back to her book, as she realized that she had been staring off into the fire.
After a good twenty minutes of heavy reading, Hermione's quiet sanctuary was disturbed by a figure entering the chamber. Hermione couldn't tell who it was at first, but quickly realized it to be Serenity. She smiled up at Serenity as Serenity smiled back.
"Whatcha readin?" Serenity asked softly as she walked over to where Hermione sat. Hermione smiled and lifted the book up for the Princess to see. "Ahh... a storybook... Beyond the Sacred Sea. Hmm... never heard of it before."
"Well, it is an older book. My mother loved this book, but I never really took any interest in it until now." replied Hermione. Serenity nodded, and stood up to look out of the window. She walked over to the coved window and strained her eyes to peer over to her right. There she could see the glow of the torch-lit Training Hall. As she leaned forward she could see the many small figures standing along the sidelines, watching a demonstration by someone in the middle of the Hall. Serenity smiled as the Hall temporarily lit up with a deep purple light, followed shortly by a dozen other purple flashes as the training Aurors replicated the spell.
'Looks like it is going well down there.' she thought. She then turned her attention inside to the Princess reading beside the fire. She chewed her bottom lip and turned back to the now starlit sky.
"So... where's Li?" came Hermione's voice. Serenity looked back to her and smiled.
"Oh, he is down helping with the Auror training." Serenity replied. "I guess he is aiding in the physical training, as well as some defense spells."
"Ahh, I see." said Hermione as she turned to look at Serenity, before turning her gaze to the fire. Serenity, again, bit her bottom lip.
"Umm..Hermione." she called out. Hermione turned her gaze to the Elven Princess and smiled. Serenity smiled back as she made her way to sit beside the fire, directly before Hermione. "Hermione, I was giving it some thought, and I've decided... if you are capable of dedicating the time and energy into the Art of Healing, then I would be happy to train you." she told her. "But you must remember, it is difficult, and requires a lot of time. I don't want anything happening to you, so you have to me certain that you are physically up to it. It will strain your body the first month or so, and you'll feel very drained. So, I just want you to know what it is you are going to face."
Hermione looked to Serenity and smiled. "Serenity, you don't have to train me, I underst-"
"Hermione. I am going to train you, and I want to train you, I was just worried earlier." Serenity told her. "You caught me off guard with your request, and I wasn't sure if it was best for you. But I gave it some serious thought, and I believe, as well as Li, that you are capable of harboring this form of Healing. You are a very gifted Witch, Hermione, your aura radiates with your strength - I know you can do this."
Hermione smiled. She felt flattered by the compliment and felt relieved that Serenity would teach her Healing. "But, you said that I was to be up to it physically. What do you mean?"
At this Serenity smiled. "I meant that you need to be in perfect health. I wont begin teaching you if you are in the slightest big weaker than you should be. That includes any form of illness such as the flu, colds, even headaches. Stomach-aches and even pregnancy apply. If you are expecting, the straining might damage the baby, and the decrease of energy from both the baby and the training could seriously hurt you, so... if you are serious about this, then we are going to go to a Mediwitch immediately first thing tomorrow morning, ok?"
Hermione nodded, in mid-blush, as she was taking in all of the information.
"O..ok. Tomorrow morning then." she told Serenity, smiling. She then leapt up and hugged her friend. "Thank you Serenity!" Serenity could only smile.
"No problem."
xxx
The next morning, Hermione awoke to a still slightly dark room. The soft gray light of dawn was creeping its way up her bedroom walls. Hermione yawned and turned over to look at Harry's sleeping form. He looked so peaceful, his ever messy hair tousled everywhere as he buried his face halfway into his pillow. Hermione smiled to herself as she sat up in her bed.
She stretched her arms above her head and heard the crack in her back as she inhaled the fresh scent of the morning air. The heavy curtains had been left back last night, allowing the sunrise's bright glow to fill the room and the soft morning breeze to waft in lazily. Hermione turned and touched a hand to Harry's cheek. She hated having to leave him in bed to wake up alone, but she needed to meet Serenity in the Dining Hall soon.
Smiling, she leaned over and kissed Harry's temple softly before swinging her legs softly over the edge of the bed, mindful of not making too much movement as to not wake him up.
When she had fully dressed herself, she left a little note atop the writing desk for Harry, letting him know that she would be spending the day with Serenity. With that done, she turned and left the room, closing the large doors shut quietly behind her.
She made it down to the Dining Hall rather quickly, as she was excited to begin her day. Serenity sat quietly at the long Dining table as she held Li's hand in her own. She seemed to be examining his arm, and didn't look too pleased with what she saw. She shook her head as she looked back up to Li.
"Li, what the heck did you do?" she asked as she looked to him. He snuffed as he looked rather uninterested as Serenity poured over his arm. Serenity, on the other hand, didn't look so calm as she reached up and forced Li to look at her as she took his chin in her fingers and turned his face back to her. "Li, I asked you a question."
Again, he snuffed and shrugged. "It isn't a big deal Serenity." he told her. "A few minor scrapes and scratches from training the Aurors last night, and from helping out in the City."
Serenity didn't look amused as she lowered her amythest eyes back down to his wounded arm.
"A few minor scrapes and scratches? You call this a minor scrape and scratch?" she asked, indicating to a long gash upon his inner arm, just above his wrist. Li looked down, but didn't reply. His face was once again unreadable. Hermione watched all this from afar as Serenity looked concerned. "Li, what is going on? This isn't the first time I have seen you with these wounds. Please, tell me."
Li only remained silent as Serenity pleaded with her eyes. Li then closed his fingers around her arm as she held his arm in her hands. Serenity sighed and shook her head.
"Li..." she muttered softly as she closed her eyes and held her other hand inches above his wounded arm. Within seconds a soft glow of light began to form just below her palm as she allowed her hand to hover above his wounds. She opened her eyes and ran her hand down the length of his arm, and within seconds the wounds disappeared, almost as if she had erased them away. Li looked on, still an apathetic look upon his features. Serenity looked up at him and sighed. "Listen Li, whatever it is you are doing, I need you to tell me. You're starting to scare me...please."
Li looked to her now pleading face, and it hurt him to see her like this.
"Serenity..." then he paused, looking over to his right. "Hermione." Serenity also turned and smiled at the Princess standing a few yards away.
"Morning Hermione." she said, her cheerfulness back in her voice, though Hermione could tell it was laced with suppressed worry. Hermione smiled to the two.
"Morning. I hope I wasn't interuppting anything." she appoligized. Serenity looked up to Li, who only shook his head. He then stood up, as Serenity stood up with him, and reached his arm to touch her cheek for an instant.
"Serenity, I am going to be returning to Sapphiron tomorrow morning with some of the other elves. I believe it is time I return, I have a lot of unfinished training I must see to." he told her. Serenity seemed like she wanted to argue his decision, but he quickly stopped her. "No. Serenity, you will be safe here. I will inform the Prime Minister of your lengthened stay here, and soon I will send for you, alright? A faction of Guardian elves will be arriving in tomorrow evening, along with your mother, and they will protect you."
"But, why are you leaving? I don't need protection, Li! What I do need is you here! Why do you wish to leave?" she asked, confused and slightly hurt. 'Why was he doing this?'
"Serenity, please, I cannot explain right now, but all will be reveiled in due time, trust in me." and with that, Li took her hand and kissed the back of it, before turning and exiting the Hall. Hermione walked up beside Serenity and touched the Princess's shoulder,
"Serenity," she said softly. Serenity shook her head, and turned to Hermione.
"Don't worry about me Hermione." she said in a soft voice. She smiled a weak smile before pushing Hermione into her usual seat. "Now, hurry and eat. Then we can get started on your training!"
Hermione didn't need telling twice. She quickly finished with her food and left with Serenity, now excited once more, and slightly fearful, at the prospect of being able to actually learn the Art of Healing.
xxx
It had been hours since Hermione's visit with the Mediwitch, and Hermione and Serenity were please to hear that Hermione had been in a perfectly healthy condition.
Hermione was now sitting in the middle of a darkening clearing, seeing as it was nearing dusk, as she sat cross-legged in a patch of soft grass. Serenity sat before her, coaching her on and aiding her in chanelling her energy. She had been trying, for the last several hours, to train Hermione in learning how to focus her magic properly and to chanel it to a single spot - a pinpoint area of her body where she could hold it and grasp on to it.
The one thing about the Wizarding world that Serenity didn't seem to understand, was it's lack of concern for the control of magic. Children at young ages, who were never taught to control their powers, often found themselves bursting vases in anger, unconsciously floating cookies and other desirable objects to themselves, and draining themselves of energy due to lack of control. Serenity had been taught at a young age that it was essential for a powerful entity to know how to control their magic before releasing it. Uncontrolled magic could be deadly.
Serenity now found it quite difficult to teach one to learn how to control their energy, as it came as second nature to herself. She found Hermione's magic patters to be scattered and loose. Although Hermione was quite powerful herself, and had a good sense of control on herself, she didn't seem to contain her magic as well as she should in order to learn Healing correctly.
"Ok, good Hermione. Breath in deep and steadily. Good." Serenity coached. Hermione was doing as she was told as she tried to focus her in a certain point - between her palms. Hermione now sat, relaxed loose, with her palms held facing the other before her stomach. Her fingers almost touched as she struggled to gain control of her powers. "Good Hermione. Now, focus. Focus hard on where you want your collected energy to flow." Serenity repeated for the hundredth time.
Hermione took in a deep breath as she did as she was told. She could feel her energy coursing through her every vein as she tried to focus her energy on a single point. By what she was feeling, Hermione judged that her energy was gathering, but still hadn't reached its final destination.
Hermione struggled as she squinted her eyes tight. Small beads of sweat began to form all along her brow as she strained all her muscles.
Serenity watched her, impressed that she had progressed this far. It was truly a feat to be proud of. Most Wizards would have passed out a long time ago had they tried to harness all their power in one day. Serenity continued to gaze on, careful not to allow Hermione to push too hard, or she will pass out. Finally, Hermione was starting to show strain, and her face was flush of any color. Serenity knew it was time to call it quits for tonight.
"Ok, good Hermione, but I think it would be best if we stopped for the night. You are doing great but-" Serenity stopped as she noticed Hermione wasn't listening. She kept pushing herself; she knew she could do this.
'Come on! Just a little more! I know I can do this!' Hermione told herself. She continued to push herself as she heard Serenity's muffled voice call to her. She seemed to be telling her to stop, but Hermione knew she couldn't stop now, not when she was so close.
"Hermione, that's enough. You'll hurt yourself if you continue like this! Hermione!" Serenity called out. Serenity tried to get Hermione to stop, but it didn't seem to work. She knew if she were to disturb Hermione physically, it could cause serious shock to Hermione, and that was dangerous. Serenity was going to have to try to convince Hermione to stop or....but suddenly, as Serenity had expected, Hermione collapsed.
Serenity leapt up and ran to her friend lying in the grass.
"Hermione, Hermione! Are you ok?" she called out. Hermione groaned as she raised a hand to her head. Serenity laughed as she helped her friend up off of the grass and into a sitting position. "Hermione, I told you! It isn't good to push yourself so far! You'll only hurt yourself!" Hermione laughed as well as she held her palm to her now throbbing forehead. "Come on, let's get you home."
Hermione stood up and closed her eyes for a moment, allowing the circles in her head to cease.
"Sorry Serenity, I guess I just got a little carried away!" she said sheepishly. "I mean, I was so close!" she said. Serenity smiled.
"Yes I know! But Hermione, you cant get carried away like that!" said the Elven Princess. "Hermione, you have progressed more than any Wizard or Witch in this day and age could ever dream of progressing! You should be proud! But next time, when I say it is time to stop.. you STOP!" The two girls laughed and made their way back up to the Castle, both in need of a long rest.
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Ok, sorry guys. I know I am dragging the plot along right now, but there is stuff that I am trying to incorporate that takes time to describe and stuff!
I hope you liked this chapter!
Oh, and I made the title of the book Hermione was reading up. So there really isn't a book called BEYOND THE SACRED SEA. Lol, I didn't want to give her a real book title, cuz the world she is living in isn't real.. haha, make sense? Lol... ahh well.
Thanx again all!
SM131