Chapter 10
I had completely immersed myself in the library.
In my quest for a single solution, I had immersed myself for seven days and nights in ancient manuscripts whose pages crumpled under my fingertips, translating languages that had long since died out and deciphering long-lost magical theories.
Where are all of our Eidolons?
And what on earth had roused us?
A treasure trove of forbidden knowledge lay hidden within Malfoy Manor, despite its shadowy past. The Malfoy family's compulsive collection of magical records was something I was grateful for for once; its archives extended beyond the Ministry's restricted section.
As I turned the pages of another book, the soft light of magical lanterns cast a shadow across the pages. Once neat and tidy, my desk is now a veritable jumble of open books, notes scrawled on parchment, and cold, empty cups of tea.
I hardly registered Draco's entrance into the room.
"Granger, for the sake of Merlin." His tone was one of disinterest. "It seems like this place has consumed you."
I skipped the glance up. "Time is of the essence."
With a sneer, Draco moved closer. "We have no idea what danger we are escaping."
I looked up at him at last. His arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against a bookshelf, his platinum hair slightly disheveled from a night of sleep (or lack thereof). He wasn't doing much better either. Both of us were beginning to feel the strain of our predicament.
"Our elephants have been captured, Malfoy." I made a hand gesture toward the open books on the table. "They were not simply gone. They were claimed by an entity so old that it knew our identity before we did.
Anxiety gripped Draco's jaw. The fact that we were no longer in charge was something he had not entirely embraced. Something more substantial had already begun to act hostilely toward us.
"Did you come up with anything helpful?" With an incisive look over my notes, he shifted to sit across from me and asked.
I took a long breath and reached for a book to give him. "I couldn't find anything similar, so I used this passage."
The text was in such bad shape from being so old, but the translation I had made on the side stood out:
An agent of transformation, the Primordial Bond is more than just a power tether. The selected ones will bring the legendary into the present by reawakening forces long believed to be myths. However, there are repercussions to having power. A test is on the horizon, and they'll have to prove themselves or perish.
I waited for Draco to respond before looking up.
His expression was unintelligible as he tapped his fingers against the desk. Then we find ourselves in the midst of a long-ago prophecy.
"Generally speaking."
The sound of his breath was sharp and unsettling. Absolutely fantastic. Additionally, has anyone mentioned the type of trial we are facing? Alternatively, should we sit tight until an enemy tries to murder us?
Then I massaged my temples. "That is the issue. What occurs once the Eidolons vanish is not addressed in these writings. It's as if nobody has ever lived through it to record it.
Many moments passed while Draco just stared at me. Finally, he reclined in his chair and chuckled slowly, without humor.
Which means we can't see. Oblivious to the world around.
Hands clenched. "Not entirely. Oh, there's more.
In an instant, Draco's grin disappeared. The answer is "absolutely."
Before reading out loud, I was hesitant.
"Becoming their worst nightmare is the only way to reawaken what was lost."
A curse word hung in the air with those words.
Draco remained silent for an extended period. Something sinister flickered across his face as he gazed at the page.
I choked. "It seems like we should figure out what that signifies."
It was awful.
The uncertainty. All that waiting. Complete and utter lack of command.
A week had passed since our Eidolons vanished. After just one week, the library felt like my own personal battleground. Oh, and it's been exactly one week since I first had dreams.
Not even Draco knew. No, not just yet.
Since the Eidolons disappeared, every night I've been pulled into the same vision—a strange, unfamiliar place covered in pulsating shadows that appeared to be almost alive. Out of the shadows came a cold, insistent voice whispering:
“You aren't prepared just yet. But eventually, you won't be able to avoid it.
On a nightly basis.
Looking over the translated text brought a lump to my throat: "They must become what they fear most."
My greatest fear was already boiling over. It was something I wasn't sure I wanted to deal with.
As he observed me battle fatigue, Draco, who was across from me, had concerned eyes. "Get some sleep," he whispered gently.
That was my protest. "Resting is not in my schedule."
His jaw dropped in frustration. "None of us do, but putting in the hours that will lead to your demise won't help us achieve our goals."
I could tell his worry was sincere despite the harshness of his tone. Let yourself sleep, Hermione—I mean, for a short while. "I will persist in seeking solutions," he vowed.
After a lengthy, quiet moment, I gave in, my brow furrowing in a mix of doubt and exhaustion. "A alright. "Only for a short while."
I was about to back away as I stood up and flexed, but then I noticed a sparkle on my wrist. It was the same mark that had shown up on us the night the Eidolons disappeared, and it was gently glowing.
Almost imperceptibly, delicately, but surely present.
I scowled and fixed my gaze on it. "It's reacting," I whispered as I ran my thumb over the sigil. "Oh, that's novel."
The light flickered once, as if it were a single heartbeat.
Suddenly, the whole manor shook before either Draco or I could utter another word.
In addition to the walls. Yes, even the library.
Every single thing.
A dense, oppressive, and silently menacing wave of old magic swept through the room.
I got to my feet in a flash, wand in hand, my heart thumping with anticipation. "Whaddya know about that?" My demand was strong.
During that brief moment, I noticed that Draco's face turned pale. Just as he was about to say, "Hermione—" the very air around us changed.
We were abruptly whisked away from Malfoy Manor as the walls vanished into blackness and the shelves grew to inconceivably enormous proportions.
Somewhere else we were. We will find it someday.
And after what seemed like an age, I experienced true terror.
The feeling of losing my balance was brief.
The ground beneath us shook as we slammed down. I landed on my hands and knees, the impact with the rough stone sending my breath pounding out of my lungs.
I forced myself to stand up after taking a deep breath. Quite chilly. It was the first thing that stuck out to me: the air was bone-chillingly cold, the kind that seeped into your very bones instead of simply coating them.
Then, "Granger—"
By my side, in a steady but strained voice, was Draco. He was already standing when I turned around, his eyes narrowed and calculated as he surveyed our surroundings.
It dawned on me—
We had left Malfoy Manor.
Everything was in ruins.
There were no stars or moon in the vast, blackened sky above us; instead, it seemed to stretch on forever. Around us, half-submerged in fog, massive, crumbling pillars stretched toward the emptiness above. The ancient, cracked stone beneath my palms bore sigils I couldn't decipher.
It was an antiquated vibe. Left behind.
And the worst part was that it seemed self-aware.
Rising to my feet was a painful ordeal for me. "Do you know where we are?"
With his wand raised, Draco was slowly making a circle. Had no clue. It seems like we didn't end up here by chance, though.
Something powerful pulsed through the air as a low-frequency rumble shook the very foundations of the earth beneath our feet. With my heart pounding against my ribs, I swiftly turned around, wand prepared.
After that—
The hushed murmurs started.
"I froze."
It was in a language I didn't know. It was as if the wind were carrying the voices of an invisible, watchful entity as the low, sinister sound slithered through the air.
At my side, Draco tensed up. Could you kindly confirm if you also hear that?
Sucking hard, I choked. Say, "I hear it."
The murmurs intensified, encircling us and filling the room until they merged into a single, eerie voice, as if emanating from beneath the surface of the earth.
"You have come at last."
I gasped for air.
Worst case scenario: Draco clenches his fist tightly around his wand. What's going on?
No one paid him any mind.
"Bound by fate, divided by choice."
Prior to our Eidolons' departure, these were the words that reverberated throughout the room.
"Your trial begins now."
As soon as the final syllable escaped our lips, the very earth gave way.
The stone peeled apart, exposing a chasm of pulsing, golden-red fire beneath us, just as I was about to react. A raging cyclone of light and heat engulfed us as the magic surged upward.
My back swayed and I covered my face. The fire was abnormal; it changed color from gold to black, fluctuated, and was unstable.
Then, as if the fire were breathing, it started to take form.
From the fire, a figure arose.
Meanwhile, my respiration ceased.
In front of us stood a monstrosity that was completely foreign to my perception. Its humanoid form belied its twisted, ancient features as it towered above a flame wreathed in obsidian and golden light. A horned beast with blazing, soul-piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me.
At my side, Draco became rigid. Then, "Granger—"
"I have noticed that." I uttered hardly more than a whisper.
A persona advanced. It proceeded to speak thereafter.
"You seek what was lost."
My heart was pounding in my ears.
"But power cannot be reclaimed without sacrifice."
Grit was all Draco could muster. "In the event that this is a depraved game—"
The figure cocked its head slightly, as if seemingly amused.
"This is no game, Draco Malfoy."
Without moving, Draco was paralyzed.
Subsequently, the being pivoted toward me.
"And you, Hermione Granger."
The weight of its stare was like a brick pressing against my bones.
"Are you prepared to become what you fear most?"
The atmosphere drew inward.
Draco yelling my name was the last sound I heard before everything went up in flames.