What I Always Wanted
Chapter 17: Bright Frilly Dress Robes And Dusty Old Tomes
Harry leapt up off the bed and began pacing the floor.
"I can't believe this…all this time I've been convinced that Priam was the linchpin in all of this and it was Isolde all the time…but why…what in the name of Merlin could she have possibly been after?"
Hermione interjected.
"You weren't wrong about Priam being the key in all of this…I believe that everything Isolde has done has been because of her brother."
Harry quit his pacing and turned to face his wife. Angling his head slightly to the left Harry asked.
"How do you mean?"
Hermione took a deep breath before she began to expound on her theory.
"We know from your little jaunt to the Ministry archives and to Melbourne's house that Priam had quite an interest in the Obsidian Order. And I am fairly certain that Priam's trip around the world to learn about foreign wizards before he took up his post in the International Wizarding Affairs Department was just a ruse to keep anyone from suspecting what he was really doing…"
Harry jumped in with a question.
"What do you think he was really doing?"
Hermione answered without hesitation.
"I think Priam was trying to prove himself worthy of the Obsidian Order."
Harry looked askance at Hermione. Seeing his expression she continued without being asked to do so.
"Though it's not an association of dark wizards as most people believe the Obsidian Order, or as it should be more properly called the Onyx Knights, is a secret society. You have to be a certain sort of wizard to gain their trust and acceptance…"
Again Harry cut in.
"What do you mean a certain sort of wizard?"
"Think about it…they aren't all sitting around coming up with the next potato peeling charm or the newest beautifying enchantment are they. The original purpose of the Onyx Knights was to push magic to its full limit. To use magic to do what could never be done otherwise. The Onyx Knights wanted to do things like eradicate disease and illness, stop time and the aging process. They wanted to rewrite the very fabric of mankind and the world as we know it."
"Seems to me like Ron may have been right about that lot. They sound like a much more hushed-up version of the Death Eaters!"
Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry's mention of Ron and his views.
"There is a major difference in the mindset of the Onyx Knights and the Death Eaters…what the Onyx Knights were trying to do was benefit all people, wizard and muggle alike."
Harry tsked snidely.
"That may have been there intention Hermione but whenever a person sets out to alter the natural order of things…to gain control and power over outcomes and events you create a thirst and a lust for a power that can never be quenched. Its that kind of thinking that leads a person to lose their humanity…its that kind of thinking that produces the kind of people I hunt down everyday."
Hermione laid a hand on Harry's forearm and gently rubbed back and forth in an effort to calm his ire before it took too much of a hold.
"You're absolutely right and I suppose that's what caused the split."
"Split, what split?"
"The split that ended the Onyx Knights of course. As you've pointed out, absolute power corrupts absolutely, the Onyx Knights found that out the hard way. In their quest to conquer mankind's limitations through magic they came to find that not all members of their brotherhood were as altruistic as it had been thought. They began to see some members using their magic for their own selfish ends. The founders tried to intervene and restore some sense of the Order's original purpose by restricting the use of certain spells by certain members. The theory was that as a wizard proved himself or herself worthy to the task then and only then would they be trusted with more complex magic."
Hermione paused and allowed Harry to absorb that bit of information before continuing on.
"The elders of the Knights decided that the best way to enact their plan was to catalog all the knowledge they'd amassed and kept it among those members who had shown themselves to be the most trustworthy. As others were brought into the inner circle as it came to be called this knowledge would be shared with them. Well you can imagine that this new way of thinking hardly went over well with that group of usurpers that were causing all the trouble."
Harry nodded.
"People don't take to kindly to having power taken away once they've had a taste of it."
Hermione went on.
"Exactly. Those who were left out of the inner circle set about trying to turn the more weak minded members against the founders so that they could gain control of the Knights Book of Spells. They succeeded in creating an uprising but they didn't manage to get the book. The insurrection effectively ended the Onyx Knights, the group split into several different incarnations each taking a different name."
Hermione held up her hand and began listing off names.
"There were the Ebony Lords, the Knights of Darkness, the Magical Order of Knights and of course the Obsidian Order. The members of the Obsidian Order wanted to remain true to the original purpose of the Onyx Knights but by then stories of a secret society of wizards bent on domination of the world had spread far and wide. It was said that these wizards possessed the secret to immortality, that they could resurrect the dead. Hence the belief that the Obsidian Order is some sect devoted to the worst kinds of magic."
Harry chewed his lower lip as he puzzled over Hermione's last words.
"People thought that the Obsidian Order could resurrect the dead!"
Hermione bobbed her head up and down to signify that Harry's assertion was correct. Mulling that piece of information over in his mind Harry surmised.
"You reckon that Isolde Melbourne would've known all these stories seeing as how she and Priam were so close and he had this preoccupation with the Order and that she faked her own death to get at the Knights Book of Spells."
Again Hermione nodded.
"Yes I think that Priam went out searching for the Order. And whoever or whatever he got himself mixed up with was directly responsible for what happened to him. And I am almost certain that Isolde faked her own death so that she could exact revenge for her brother's death and find out if the Book of Spells truly exists."
"Because if the stories are true and the Book of Spells truly does exist then there's a chance she can get her family back."
Harry's words were followed by several seconds of heavy silence which he himself broke when he added.
"Excellent theory but its just that, a theory, we haven't got a way to prove a bit of it which puts us right back where we started with more questions than we have answers."
Hermione furrowed her brow and her eyes took on a steely glint as she said.
"We've sorted out tougher mysteries than this before and we'll sort this one out too."
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It was a quiet Saturday that found both Harry and Hermione prowling the halls of Grimmauld Place. It was a rare occasion to find both the Potters home on the same evening let alone on a Saturday but as luck would have it Hermione, who normally had weekends off, had elected not to go and get ahead of things for next week. Harry had joked that she hadn't gone in because she'd probably done everything that there was to do. Though she had chucked the book she'd been reading at him and called him a cheeky git Hermione had to concede that her husband knew her well. Harry's day of freedom was one of complete and total orchestration. Much to the surprise of Kingsley Shacklebolt and Agamennous Melbourne Harry had asked for the weekend off. He'd said he wanted to start taking more time off to be there for Hermione and to prepare for the baby's arrival and while that was true it was also true that he was just plain knackered. In the weeks since Harry and Hermione had figured out the latest twist in the ongoing saga of Isolde Melbourne Harry'd been going top speed at work, putting in fourteen hour days and even putting in three overnight surveillances. And that wasn't even counting the hours he put in towards his sideline of investigating Isolde. Thus when the opportunity to take a few days to himself without a thought for anything had arisen Harry jumped at the chance.
He was presently sprawled across the large comfortable couch in the downstairs lounge, mindlessly flipping through the channels on the telly as he munched his way through a massive ham and turkey sandwich worthy of Ron. Harry'd just settled on a program when he heard a sharp rapping at the door. Setting his sandwich and the remote on the coffee table Harry leapt off the couch and trudged to the door. Without bothering to ask who was there (Grimmauld was equipped with a cloaking charm that only made the residence visible to a select group of people, mainly close friends and family) he opened the door and smiled as he caught sight of Paige standing on the door step.
"Well if it isn't the prettiest healer in London!"
"Oh go on! I bet you say that to all the healers you meet."
Harry replied mischievously.
"Only the one's with lovely bits like yours."
Paige replied with a roll of her eyes and with a warm smile said.
"Better not let Hermione hear you going on like that."
Harry returned the smile as he ushered Paige inside the house. Placing a quick peck to her cheek Harry added playfully.
"You needn't worry about the missus, I'm rather certain she'd agree that your bits truly are lovely. Shall we ask her?"
Before Paige had a chance to react Harry's voice boomed across the foyer as he called out to Hermione.
"Love, don't you reckon that Paige's got lovely bits?!!"
Shock registered on her face and her eyes went wide at Harry's exclamation. Before Paige could fashion a thing to say Hermione's voice preceded her into the room.
"What are you on about?!"
Paige stepped into the downstairs lounge just as Hermione came up the hallway from the direction of the below stairs kitchen. A quizzical expression marred her face. Harry smiled and said.
"Paige and her lovely bits have come up to see us."
That said Harry dropped back onto the couch, picked up his sandwich and taking a healthy bite, resumed his channel surfing. Hermione stared at her husband for a moment then with a shake of her head turned to greet her guest. Smiling warmly Hermione covered the distance separating them and embraced her friend.
"Paige it's wonderful to see you."
Paige returned the affectionate hug.
"It's lovely to see you as well. Judging from the look about you marriage and motherhood are agreeing with you."
Casting a glance at Harry, Hermione absentmindedly ran a hand across her protruding belly and replied.
"I suppose it does at that."
Paige chuckled as she spoke again.
"It does…it truly does."
Hermione nodded.
"I haven't seen you in ages but from the look of you I'd say you've been keeping well enough."
Hermione eyed Paige and added.
"Seen Charlie lately?"
A crimson tinge stained Paige's cheeks as she replied.
"It's been very busy at St. Mungos and…and…"
Paige stopped for a beat the crimson tinge in her cheeks deepening and added.
"Charlie popped in for a few hours last night…"
Hermione cut in.
"Yes it rather shows."
At Hermione's words Paige went positively scarlet. Sooner than either witch could voice another word Harry switched off the television and rising to his feet said.
"I'll leave you ladies to it before the pair of you creates a need for me to oblivarate myself."
Hermione and Paige shared a laugh as Harry exited the room. Paige then turned to Hermione and said.
"I hope I haven't come at a bad time. I know how rare it is for you two to manage to get the same day off…"
Waving off Paige's concern Hermione interposed.
"No rarer than you and Charlie getting any time alone…think nothing of it. Now then sit yourself down and tell me what's been going on with you."
The two women sat down on the couch and caught each other up on the happenings in their lives. They discussed work, Hermione's pregnancy and of course Paige's impending wedding.
"So we've finally given in and decided to let Molly have run of the wedding planning. With my schedule at hospital and Charlie being off in Romania it just makes the most sense to turn things over to someone who's got time to oversee things properly."
Hermione nodded at Paige's words. Paige continued.
"And Fleur's volunteered to keep Molly from going too far overboard. Although Charlie reckons we need someone to keep Fleur in hand."
Hermione laughed out loud.
"Charlie may be right."
Paige smiled.
"Yes he may be. Traditionally that would be the maid of honor's job but as I haven't got one its all down to Fleur."
"Fleur isn't your maid of honor then."
Paige shook her head.
"Most likely Fleur will be one of the bridesmaids but I haven't gotten around to asking my would be maid of honor if she'll stand up with me."
Again Hermione nodded.
"Well I'm sure she'll be flattered you've asked and more than pleased to stand up with you."
Paige grinned.
"I'm glad to hear you say that considering that I'm asking you."
Hermione's eyes widened in shock as Paige's words registered.
"You're asking me to be your maid of honor?"
Paige nodded. The shock still showing on her face Hermione queried further.
"Not that I'm not flattered that you've thought of me but surely you've a childhood friend, or family member that you'd rather stand up with you."
Paige shook her head.
"I was never much for socializing and I doubt that Samantha Brecks would consent to being my maid of honor seeing as how I haven't spoken to her since we were eight and her family moved to Broome. As for my family the only person who'd qualify would be my cousin Ophelia and I'd rather French kiss a chimera than have to suffer through that."
Hermione burst out laughing.
"She can't be as bad as all that."
Paige rolled her eyes.
"You've never met her."
Paige continued.
"The thing is I haven't very many people in my life that I call friends. Most of the ones I do have I have because of my relationship with Charlie…and don't misunderstand me I love Fleur, Luna, Angelina and all the rest to bits but I doubt we'd be as close as we are if I weren't marrying Charlie. But I think differently where you're concerned. We're so much alike I reckon we'd have hit it off even if I'd never met Charlie. Merlin knows as often as Harry lands himself in hospital we were bound to meet sooner or later."
Paige stopped speaking and the two women shared a smile over Harry's tendency towards injury. As the moment passed Paige added.
"What I'm trying to say is that you're the closet thing I've got to a best friend, a fact which I rather like, and I'd be well pleased if you'd stand up with me at my wedding. So?"
Hermione smiled brightly as she replied.
"So long as we can find a pair of dress robes that don't make me look like some sort of massive Christmas bauble I'm in."
Paige returned Hermione's smile and said.
"Funny you should mention the dress robes. I'm scheduled to meet Molly, Fleur, Ginny and Ophelia at Madame Malkin's in an hour to look at robes."
Hermione pursed her lips together and rising from her perch on the couch said.
"I'll just go and tell Harry where I'm off to…"
Paige's smile widened into a full blown grin. As she headed for the stairs Hermione called back over her shoulders.
"I hope you and Charlie enjoy babysitting as you'll be doing quite a lot of it once this sprog is out!"
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The remainder of Hermione's Saturday was spent trying on every jeweled, ribboned, ruffled, bowed and sashed frilly robe in every ghastly color known to humankind. To top it off she had to contend with Molly and Fleur ooohhing and aaahing over the appalling monstrosities, Ginny's sour disposition and Ophelia's simpering distaste of absolutely everything. Needless to say they hadn't found one single thing they could agree on. To say that the ordeal had been hellish was an understatement, thus when Molly suggested they meet again tomorrow to see if they'd have better luck Hermione took advantage of her roles as maid of honor and the wife of Harry Potter. Without missing a beat Hermione had made use of Madame Malkin's fireplace to place a floo to designer Madame Elisavet Agapios. After explaining her predicament Madame Agapios readily agreed to design the robes. So as not to insult their host Hermione arranged for Madame Malkin to assist with fittings and the like.
By the time the group left the shop everyone was all abuzz at the sudden turn of events. Hermione, however, found she was wound a bit tight and in need of something to calm her nerves before heading home. And so after saying her goodbyes to everyone Hermione stopped off at Berlinker's Book Shop. Berlinker's was a relatively new establishment that specialized in rare and out of print materials. As she entered the shop the familiar dank and musky scent of old books edged with a generously thick helping of dust brought a sense of calm and content overcame her. Inclining her head at the shopkeeper's assistant behind the counter Hermione allowed her eyes to say she was only doing a bit of browsing. The brown haired wizard behind the counter smiled briefly in Hermione's direction before directing his attention back to the Daily Prophet he was reading.
Hermione spent the next hour wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles of the shop trailing her fingers across the cracked leather covers and the dog-eared parchment pages of the various volumes and manuscripts lining the shelves and tables that cluttered the shop. At her side a stack of seven books that she intended to purchase levitated. Hermione had just started to head for the counter when out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of a table piled high with books labeled "Rare Antediluvian Texts". Ever the bookworm Hermione couldn't resist taking a look. Buried near the bottom of the pile Hermione came across an exquisitely bound tome. The cover was encrusted with glittering black stones and the pages were edged in silver. Captivated by the beauty of the volume Hermione carefully flipped it open and began reading. The book was written in ancient Celtic in which Hermione was fluent. She had read several pages when she realized that the book wasn't exactly a book but was more like a personal journal of spells. As she continued her perusal through the book cum journal Hermione began to notice some very familiar spells and symbols. Her heart rate quickened as she came to the realization that the familiar spells and symbols were one and the same as those in Isolde's journal. Feeling the weight of the jewel encrusted cover against her palms Hermione was struck with a sudden notion. Hastily she thumbed through the pages, eyes searching frantically for the information that couldn't possibly be there. And then she saw it, the standard of Anrai, the high priest of the Knights of Onyx. Clutching the volume to her chest Hermione made for the counter, her other purchases hung forgotten in mid-air. She must hurry home to show Harry what she had found, the fabled Knights Book of Spells.
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