Chapter 20
The figure hesitated for a moment before reaching up and slowly lowering their hood. To Hermione's surprise, it revealed the face of a 17-year-old boy with blonde hair and a serious expression. He wore old, worn clothes—a simple tunic and trousers that looked out of place in any modern context.
"My name is Archie," he said. "Just Archie.”
Hermione nodded and awkwardly faced the fire again. The silence stretched for a moment before Archie cleared his throat, drawing her gaze once more. He motioned towards the Marauder’s Map with a tilt of his chin. “What’s that, then?”
Hermione noticed the genuine curiosity in his eyes and couldn’t help but smile slightly. "It's, uhh, a map of Hogwarts." She scratched her chin and picked it up, turning it over in her hands. After a brief hesitation, she decided to use the map as an olive branch, hoping it would foster some trust between them. They were in a strange place, and sharing a bit of her world with him seemed harmless enough.
Hermione nodded and whispered the activation words, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
To her surprise, instead of mapping out the familiar grounds of Hogwarts, the parchment began to shift and change, detailing the forest and the island they were on. The intricate lines spread across the map, showing their immediate surroundings in great detail.
"Oh," Hermione gasped, unable to hide her astonishment.
Archie’s eyes widened as he peered at the map. "Is this... where we are?”
Hermione nodded slowly, her mind racing to comprehend the map's new configuration. "It appears so," she murmured, tracing the lines with her finger. "This is incredible.” Merlin’s Magic, it seemed, chose to help her out in the quest. “Look, here’s our camp," she pointed to a small dot labelled 'Hermione Granger' and another labelled 'Archie.’
“We’ll be able to get off this island sooner than I thought,” Archie murmured to himself, almost in disbelief.
“Was that previously a concern?” Hermione asked, her curiosity piqued.
He raised an eyebrow at her, looking at her as if he thought she was an idiot. “Yes,” he said simply. “There’s a reason why travellers don’t tend to stay here. If I could have bypassed this island, I would have.”
Hermione felt a chill run down her spine. “What do you mean?”
Archie sighed, looking around the darkening forest. “This island has a reputation. It’s known to be a place where people... disappear. There are stories, old ones, about how it traps those who set foot on it.
Hermione's mind raced with the implications of his words. “So, you’ve been stuck here too?”
Archie nodded, his expression grim. “For a few days now. I was searching for a way off when I stumbled upon your camp. The map,” he gestured to the Marauder’s Map, “could be our key to getting out.”
Hermione glanced at the map again, “Well, we’re lucky I activated it then, I need to find and… convince Merlin within ten days.” She chose her words carefully.
He nodded thankfully not questioning the time limit she’d placed, and offered his own olive branch, trusting her and the map out of his eyesight while he traced his steps back to his own campsite to collect his hidden belongings. Hermione watched his name on the map the entire time, cleaning up her own belongings and transfiguring her jumper back into a heavy cloak with a wave of her wand and a whisper of a spell. She took a moment to relieve herself and sat back down to wait.
She inspected the map again, manipulating it to zoom out until she could see distant islands. There weren’t any names on the islands closest to the island they were currently on, but as the islands branched out, names began popping up on them, each one holding, at most, three small families worth of names. The island with the most names - a small village’s worth - was four islands south of them away. Hermione did not come across Merlin’s name until she moved the map to show an island seven islands away north east of them.
She stared at the name, her mind racing. Seven islands away. It seemed both close and impossibly far given the challenges they faced. But it was a lead, and more than she had before. She just had to find a way to reach it.
Archie's dot began moving back towards her, and soon enough, he emerged from the trees, carrying a beautifully crafted bow and arrow along with a small pack. “Got everything,” he said, settling down beside her.
Hermione showed him the map and pointed to the island where Merlin's name was. “Look, I found him.”
Archie studied the map, his expression thoughtful. “That’s quite a distance, but at least we know where to go.”
They continued inspecting the map together, planning their route, when Hermione felt Archie stiffen beside her. His eyes darted to a spot on the map before quickly looking away, trying to mask his reaction.
“Is everything okay?” Hermione asked, her brow furrowing with concern.
Archie hesitated for a moment before responding, “Just thought I saw something.”
Hermione wasn’t convinced. “What did you see?”
He sighed, realising he couldn’t hide it any longer. “It’s my sister, Olive. She left before me to find Merlin.” He pointed to a name on the map, ‘Olive’, situated on an island closer to Merlin’s then they were.
Archie’s jaw tightened, frustration and anger evident in his expression. “If we plan it right, we’ll get there sooner than her if not at the same time.”
“Right.” Hermione nodded. “Let’s go. I’ll transfigure a boat, but you’ll have to sail it. I don’t know how.”
Archie recoiled, eyes wide with disbelief. “Boat—what? What are you talking about?”
~~~~~~~
Hermione peered down at the sky below them and looked back up to the floating sky island far into the horizon. “There must be some mistake,” she said, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Archie looked at her incredulously. “What are you saying? How could you not know you are in the sky? Where else is there?”
Hermione blinked, confusion evident on her face. “What do you mean, ‘where else’? We should be on the ground, not floating in the sky! I thought we were on an island - surrounded by the sea!”
Archie laughed, but it was a laugh born of frustration. “The ‘sea’? You’re messing with me, right? There’s no such thing.
She turned to him, “how are we supposed to get to the other islands?”
He stared at her as if she were speaking a foreign language. “Our wings, of course,” he said, exasperated. “How else do you expect to move from island to island?”
Hermione stared back at him, aghast. “Wings? What are you talking about? I don’t have wings!”
Archie’s expression shifted from frustration to bewilderment. “Hermione, how did you get onto this island without flying?”
“I don’t have wings,” Hermione repeated, equally firm. “I got here with Magic but I’ve never had wings.”
Archie rubbed his temples, looking like he was about to lose his mind. “Hermione—Listen to me, Hermione, you have to have wings. That’s how we travel between the islands. Everyone here has wings.”
“No,” Hermione said, her voice firm. “I don’t.”
“Yes,” Archie insisted, his tone equally firm.
“No,” She repeated, a bit of panic creeping into her voice.
Archie threw his hands up in exasperation. “Yes!” He paused, took a deep breath, and then, in a sudden, swift motion, he pushed her off the edge of the island.
Hermione screamed as she fell, her panic intensifying until, suddenly, a pair of wings burst from her back. They were large and powerful, like those of a bird of prey, but she was flailing, unable to control them.
Archie swooped down after her, his own wings—delicate and vibrant like those of a bird of paradise—guiding him effortlessly through the air. “I’m right!” he called out, his voice filled with a mixture of triumph and concern.
“YOU’RE CRAZY!” Hermione yelled back, her voice trembling with fear and anger. “YOU PUSHED ME OFF!”
“You have wings!” Archie repeated, as if that explained everything.
“YOU PUSHED ME OFF!” Hermione panted, struggling to steady herself.
“You’re fine!” Archie said, flying closer to help her stabilise. “Just spread your wings and glide!”
After several tense moments, Hermione managed to find a semblance of control, her wings catching the air and levelling her out. She was still shaky, but she wasn’t plummeting anymore.
“You pushed me off…” she muttered again, more to herself, still trying to process what had just happened.
Archie hovered beside her, looking both relieved and exasperated. “And you’re flying. See? You’re fine.”
Hermione shot him a glare, but there was a grudging acknowledgment in her eyes. “Next time, just tell me. No more surprises.”
He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Deal.”
They moved back to the island, Archie flying behind her and watching carefully. Hermione landed heavily, thankful she had dropped all her belongings before moving to inspect the edge of the island.
Archie looked up at the sun, gauging its position. “We have enough time to make it to the next island and find a spot to camp for the night.”
Hermione nodded, dusting herself off and picking up her belongings. “Alright, let's get moving then. Lead the way.”
They took off once more, Hermione’s wings feeling more familiar with each beat. Archie guided them with a confident ease, his vibrant wings catching the light in a display of colours. Hermione followed closely gliding on the air from his wings, her own powerful wings cutting through the air as she adjusted to the sensation of flying.
As they neared the next island, Hermione marvelled at its beauty. The lush greenery mirrored the previous island, but this one had an air of tranquillity that was almost palpable, they could see cascading waterfalls and signs of wildlife moving among the trees and underbrush. They landed gracefully, Hermione feeling more in control of her descent this time yet still heavy with fatigue as the muscles in her wings were used for the first time.
Archie led the way into the forest, his eyes scanning the area for a suitable campsite. After a short walk, they found a small clearing near a brook, the sound of running water providing a soothing background.
“This looks perfect,” Hermione said, setting down her pack.
Hermione used her magic to set up wards around their campsite this time focussing on guiding wildlife away from their camp and built a campfire with a flick of her wand. Meanwhile, Archie ventured into the forest to hunt. He returned with two rabbits, expertly prepared and ready to cook.
As they settled in for the night, Archie cooked the rabbits over the fire, the aroma filling the air. They ate in relative silence, both of them lost in their thoughts.
“Let’s get some rest,” Hermione said after they had finished eating. “We can assign shifts on islands with other people on it. For tonight, my wand will wake us at first light.”
They settled in for the night, the fire crackling softly as they drifted off to sleep under the canopy of stars.
~~~~~~~
The next morning, Hermione woke to the soft buzzing of her alarm charm. She stretched, feeling the stiffness in her muscles from the previous day’s exertions.
She woke Archie, who grumbled but got up to check on his gear. “Morning,” he said, glancing at her. “I’ll go hunt for breakfast.”
Hermione nodded. “I’ll set up some wards and take a quick bath in the river.”
While Archie hunted, Hermione found a secluded spot along the riverbank. She undressed and waded into the cool water, letting it wash away the grime and fatigue. She took her time, enjoying the refreshing sensation and the brief moment of peace. After drying off and getting dressed, she returned to the camp.
Archie soon came back with a few more rabbits. They switched places, and Hermione began cooking using what she had learnt from watching Archie while Archie went to the river to bathe. When he returned, they ate breakfast, both feeling more refreshed and ready for the day ahead, they packed and got ready to pass through the island to the other side.
~~~~~~~
On the night before the eighth day, Hermione and Archie landed on the final island before Merlin’s. This island was unlike any they had encountered before. The air was filled with the melodic calls of countless birds, creating a symphony that echoed through the trees. Vibrant plumage flashed between the branches, and the ground was carpeted with feathers of every colour. However, aside from the birds, there were no other animals in sight. In the centre of the island stood a majestic temple, ancient and weathered, dedicated to the worship of birds.
As they approached the temple, Archie’s eyes lit up with reverence. “We should leave offerings here tomorrow before we go,” he said, his voice filled with awe.
Hermione nodded, intrigued by the island’s unique culture. Archie had come to understand that there were simply some things Hermione didn’t know about living on sky islands, and he took it upon himself to explain.
“We don’t harm birds,” Archie explained as they set up camp. “They’re sacred to us. Worshipping them isn’t unique to this island, but it’s especially significant here.”
He left to hunt down berries for their dinner, while Hermione got back into their routine of setting up camp. She used her wand to establish protective wards around their campsite and conjured a small fire to keep them warm through the night. The birds’ constant chatter was a comforting background noise as she worked.
In the morning, they inspected the map and realised they would arrive at Merlin’s island sooner than Olive.
Before departing, they made their way to the temple to leave offerings. The structure was grand and imposing, with intricate carvings of birds adorning its stone walls. Inside, the air was cool and still, a stark contrast to the lively sounds outside. They placed their berries on the altar, and Archie muttered a quiet prayer of thanks and protection.
Finally, they trekked to the other side of the island, navigating through the dense forest with the help of the map. The birds seemed to guide their way, flying ahead and perching on branches as if to show them the correct path. When they finally reached the edge of the island, Hermione took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the journey ahead.
“Here we go,” she said, spreading her wings. Archie did the same, his eyes filled with determination.
With a powerful leap, they launched themselves into the air, flying towards Merlin’s island. The wind rushed past them, and the islands below blurred as they sped towards their destination. As they flew, Hermione couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and hope. They were so close now, and she was determined to see this quest through to the end.