Hermione's Plan
A Year in Mexico, Part 3
By Chem Prof
Alert: This chapter goes back to the beginning of the year in Mexico, so some of the events took place before Harry and Hermione got together. Pay attention to the dates in her journal.
-xox-XOX-XOX-xox-
Chapter 8, A Year in Mexico, Part 3
“Mine?” asked Ron, looking strangely at Hermione.
“No Ron, not yours,” Hermione chided him teasingly. “I’m Harry’s.” She resisted adding, ‘You had your chance.’
Ron groaned as his two friends burst into laughter, Hermione wiping the tears from her eyes that had crept in during her description of Harry’s proposal. “And don’t you dare try to come up with a nickname for me of your own,” she finally managed. “If you thought I knew a lot of nasty hexes before we went to Mexico, wait until you see what I can do now!”
Ron shuddered at the thought. Annoying Hermione was going to be even more dangerous now than it had been before. He decided that it would be a good idea to change the subject, and the conversation turned to safer topics.
“So, everything worked out okay with the time turner?” Ron inquired next. “It sounds horribly complicated to me.”
“It wasn’t as tricky as I thought it would be,” admitted Harry. “Of course, a lot of that was due to the planning and careful notes of my brilliant girlfriend here.” Hermione paused while turning pages back to the beginning of her journal to give him a dazzling smile. She could see another thoughtful look grow on Ron’s face as he realized the different dynamic that would be operating within the trio from now on. “We have a lot more to tell you, Ron, about all the magic and other stuff we learned too,” Harry continued. “It wasn’t all romance, you know.” Hermione responded by sticking her tongue out at Harry and they all had a good laugh before she started in on her tale again, beginning with how they used the time turner, then moving on to the details of their training.
-oooOOOooo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 27, Day 8 / Week 28, Day 1
Everything continues to go well with the time turner. This was the first repeat of the second week, so it was a bit trickier. The last time through, we made sure to leave our resort at the end of the week by 11:00 AM, then went somewhere for lunch. At noon, we disillusioned ourselves and our trunks and went back a week. Then we moved on to the next resort, taking care to avoid being seen by our previous selves. This week, we not only have to avoid our previous selves from the prior week, but also our previous selves from six months ago. The second part is no problem since we arrive at the resort after noon, giving us an hour cushion from when we left. The only thing that might be a problem is that we look a little different than we did six months ago, having put on a bit of weight and, at least for these first few weeks, we’re a lot more tan. But we don’t spend that much time doing things around the hotel so hopefully the staff won’t notice.
-ooOoo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 1, Day 2
We’ve decided on the following daily schedule. In the morning we’ll practice spells, and in the afternoon we’ll do research. (Normally the research would be the part that Harry dreads, but we’ve made it more palatable by deciding to read out on the beach or by the pool. I’ll charm the books we take out each day to look like normal muggle reading material. Harry found my Star Wars collection of books during the week before we left and got hooked, so his books look like science fiction paperbacks. Mine are mysteries.) We’ve brought along 516 books from the Black family library, plus 6 that I bought just before we left, 2 that Tonks gave us, and an Auror’s training guide from Moody, plus the Occlumency book Croaker sent us. Harry’s been giving me a hard time that it would take us more than a year to get through them all, even if we read ten books a week. We’ll see. I’m sure many of the books will have nothing useful in them, but we won’t know until we look through them. We’ll work on the Occlumency in the evenings before bed.
We hired a cab to take us over to the mainland and into the jungle to see a ‘typical’ native village. I’m sure it was a set-up for the tourists, but it did get us out into the jungle. It didn’t take us long to find a suitable isolated spot to practice spells. We put up muggle repelling wards, detection wards, and other secrecy wards. We’ll find another spot next week a little further south, and just gradually move south as our hotels move south. For today, we practiced spells we already know, working on speed, power, and accuracy. Harry’s much better than I am at all of those for the spells he already knows, but I know more spells. It’s a good partnership as we complement each other’s strengths. He helps me with speed and accuracy and I help him learn new spells. The power will develop over time, we hope.
-ooOoo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 2, Day 5
I’ve started categorizing the spells we’ve been finding. Attack spells, defensive spells, shield spells, wards, etc. I’m getting through two books each afternoon, while Harry usually can only manage one. I pointed out to him teasingly that at this rate we will do twenty books a week, not ten. He gave me an exaggerated eye roll and huffed, but I could see the corners of his mouth twitch. Of course, we’ll slow down when we have to start learning the spells, not just look them up.
The Occlumency is going slowly, but we have plenty of time. I realized that I need to make sure that I always stay ahead of Harry. At least, I need to be better at Occlumency than he is at Legilimency. I can’t allow Harry to find out that I have these feelings for him and am trying to get him to fall in love with me. I don’t want him to get discouraged if he can’t ever get into my mind though. So occasionally I relax a bit and he breaks through briefly and sees a few innocuous memories.
I’ve read in the books from Tonks and Moody that some Aurors feel there is a connection between physical fitness and spellcasting power and endurance, especially endurance. Tonks is one of the fittest witches I know. Well, except for Angelina Johnson. She’s very athletic. These books go on to point out that wizards are by and large not very physically fit because they do so much with magic, and the wealthier families have house elves to cater to their every whim. Well, that last bit settled it for me. Today we started physical training along with our spell practice. First thing in the morning we’ll either run or swim laps, alternating days. For the resorts that have fitness centers, we’ll lift weights in the late afternoon when it cools down and we’re finished with the beach.
I can’t believe I’m so out of shape. We only ran for a few minutes this morning before I had to start walking. But Harry assures me he’ll have me more fit in no time. (I had to hit him when he said that. Just because he plays quidditch, it doesn’t mean he’s in that much better shape than I am. Honestly, how much fitness does it take to ride a broom?) On the bright side, maybe this exercise will do something for these hips I seem to have developed in the last couple of years.
-ooOoo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 9, Day 4
Since we’ve been here just over two months now we decided to take a day off this morning and visit the ruins at Chichen Itza. We were completely unprepared for the surprise we found there. As soon as we arrived we could literally feel the magic in the air. I had suspected from some of my reading that the Mayans were powerful magic users. Once we noticed that we started seeing other clues that this place was built by wizards. Harry pointed out that the Ball Court looked more suited to a game like quidditch than one like basketball. The target ring looks much more like a quidditch goal than a basketball hoop. And it’s about ten meters off the ground. The only place for spectators is atop the walls that are even higher – just like quidditch stands. The final confirmation came when we climbed to the top of the highest temple…
“Wow,” Harry said in amazement. “You can see forever from up here.”
“You’re right. I had no idea this site was so large,” Hermione agreed. “Only from here do you get the full scope of it.” She caught the attention of their guide. “Excuse me, sir, what about those other structures in the distance? I don’t see them on the map.”
“Structures?” The white shirted guide looked out in the direction Hermione was pointing. “Oh, well done! You have quite the eye for ruins. Most people don’t realize that those mounds are actually more ruins that haven’t been excavated yet. They just see what look like green hills.” He peered back at Hermione. “I imagine you’ve been doing some reading about this site to know that.”
While a comment like this would ordinarily have amused Harry, and chagrinned Hermione, neither of them heard the last sentence. They were both staring at each other, realization dawning on them. They could clearly see a temple that was in at least as good condition as the one they were standing on. And normal people could only see ruins covered with trees and bushes. That could only mean …
“Excuse us,” blurted out Harry. “I think my, um, girlfriend’s feeling a little dizzy. We’re going to go back down now and just walk over to the edge of the trees there and sit a while.”
A short while later the pair had successfully slipped away without being noticed and headed carefully through the jungle toward what they were sure was a magical village. Hermione quickly brushed away the satisfied thought that Harry had just identified her as his girlfriend; they had more on their minds just now. After several minutes of climbing over fallen trees and pushing their way through undergrowth they found themselves in a small clearing. Just as they began to cross it they spotted several people coming towards them and stopped.
Not wanting to appear threatening, they waved hesitantly. Hermione spoke a little Spanish so she called out a greeting, but there was no response. Then they noticed more people come out of the jungle behind them and realized they were being carefully surrounded. Harry’s hand found Hermione’s and she relaxed a little at the protective gesture. She was sure these wizards were peaceful; they only needed to persuade them that they were also. More individuals now joined the others, and they all moved in front of the pair of students, so that they were no longer surrounded. Hermione smiled, but the grim expressions never left the faces of the local witches and wizards. Hermione carefully noted the details of the appearance of the group that now stood before them.
They were a mixed group of men and women, and their skin and hair color and facial features matched what Hermione had read of the local native Mayans. Men and women both wore lightweight tunics which varied in length from about six inches above to six inches below their knees, the shorter ones mostly on the younger women. Their legs were bare and their feet were clad in ankle height leather boots. The tunics were sleeveless with square cut necks, and were decorated with colorful embroidery. Some of them wore bright colored sashes that belted the tunics at the waist. Hermione found herself wondering what they wore beneath the tunics. She could see no evidence of bras on the women, but that didn’t preclude some other sort of undergarment. All in all, they were clothed quite appropriately for the climate they lived in. Their black hair varied from shoulder length to mid-back length, their skin was deeply tanned and their eyes a dark shade of brown.
Evidently one of the leaders of the small band came to a decision about the pair of intruders, for he waved them to follow him and he turned and led them into the village. Here they found some simple huts, but other structures as well, some quite ancient and some newer, most built out of finely crafted stone. Walking by some of the huts, Hermione glanced in and discovered that they were clearly magical dwellings, for the insides were noticeably much larger than the outsides. As they approached the towering temple they had seen from afar, they were led into a ground level entrance, then up a ramp to a large inside room about 10 meters or 30 feet above ground level. Here they saw a large statue of a jaguar, similar to one they had seen inside the main temple at Chichen Itza. Seated on a simple, not overly ornate, throne behind the jaguar was an ancient woman who was clearly in charge.
Without speaking a word the woman looked first Harry, then Hermione in the eye, her piercing gaze taking their measure, which reminded Hermione of the similar scrutiny they had received from the Unspeakable Croaker. Harry met her gaze without flinching and Hermione followed his lead and attempted to do likewise. After several long minutes the elderly woman finally broke the silence.
“Your intentions are not evil.” The guards that had accompanied them relaxed at this, and the grim expressions softened. Hermione chanced a quick smile toward the woman nearest her and it was tentatively returned. “Who are you? Why are you here?”
Relieved that at least some of this magical community evidently spoke English, Hermione began to answer but stopped as Harry spoke up. “I am Harry Potter and this is Hermione Granger. There is a great evil in our country. We have come here seeking a place where we can spend time training ourselves so that we may fight against it when we return.”
The ancient witch nodded thoughtfully. Hermione had noticed the stress Harry had placed on the word ‘time’ and she thought she had seen a flicker in their questioner’s eyes as though she had caught it. “We can help you in your task,” she informed them solemnly. “We can teach you a different way – a different relationship with magic that is relatively unknown in your world. It may give you an advantage in your battle with your evil foe.” Hermione’s head jerked back in surprise as a possible meaning of those words hit her. ‘The power he knows not?’
Yes,” she said with a twinkle in her ancient brown eyes that was eerily reminiscent of the twinkle they had seen so often in Dumbledore’s blue ones, as she saw their surprise. “Even here in our isolation we are aware of the dark lord across the sea. This will certainly be a magic that your enemy will not understand, nay cannot understand. This is the magic of life itself.” She motioned them to be seated, and comfortable padded mats appeared behind them as they settled themselves down on the floor before her. Some of the company that had escorted them into the temple had left, and the two men and two women remaining, including the woman who had exchanged smiles with Hermione, were seated also. The chieftess introduced herself as Ix Chel, the mother of her people.
“Half a thousand years ago men from your part of the world came here to conquer and destroy. Yes, there were wizards with them, wizards just as greedy and power hungry as those they accompanied. In their arrogance they refused to believe that there could be another way, a more peaceful way to express their magic. In the end they were defeated and destroyed, and our understanding was denied to others of your countries. But we were too small in number to defeat the larger force of invaders without revealing ourselves, and the diseases they brought with them took a toll on our people before we could find cures. We have remained here hidden, living in peace, our existence known only to other magical communities of this and nearby countries, communities who are sworn to keep our secret. Naturally, we will expect a similar oath from you before you leave here if you wish to accept our friendship.” Harry and Hermione both agreed instantly, not wishing to offend their hosts by inquiring about the consequences of refusing.
“There is magic within you, but there is also magic within all living things,” began Ix Chel. “In addition, some magic users have infused the structures around them with their magic, which lingers after they are gone. This temple is a prime example. Can you feel the magical power emanating from it?” Both teens nodded. It was a feeling similar to what they got from Hogwarts. “But most magic users can tap only into their own magic. Over many generations we have developed our ability to draw magic from the life around us. We can reach out with our senses and feel this magic, draw it to us, and manipulate it to alter things around us.”
Harry leaned over to Hermione and whispered, “Does this sound familiar to you?”
Hermione’s mouth twitched as she whispered back, “May the Force be with you.”
Their conversation abruptly ceased as their host confirmed their analogy by stretching out her hand, concentrating briefly, then levitating a tray of beverages from the corner of the room over to where they were seated.
Hermione was the first to regain her ability to speak. “Wandless magic!” she breathed. The elderly witch smiled at them.
“Most of us still use a wand, as it does make it easier to focus the magic. But it can be useful to do certain things without being dependent on a wand.”
“I’ll say!” Harry agreed, thinking of different times when he had lost his wand or been disarmed during a skirmish. Such as his fight with Snape a month prior.
“Is there any limitation to the type of spells you can cast when drawing on this magic?” asked Hermione.
“That is a very insightful question, my child,” said Ix Chel, nodding in approval. “Since you are using the magic of life, spells intended to injure or destroy another living thing will not function properly. But that does not mean it cannot be employed in battle. For example, you could summon a knife to your hand, but you could not banish it toward an opponent. You could, however, throw the knife at your opponent after summoning it.”
“So there is no dark side of this magic?” asked Harry, concerned about the possibility of Voldemort using it against him if he discovered the secret.
“You have been watching too many American motion pictures,” she chided with a smile. “There is no dark side in the magic of life. In nature there is life and there is death, and creatures kill each other for food and protection and territory, but there is no evil. Only within sentient creatures is true evil found.”
Harry and Hermione were silent while they absorbed that declaration. After a few moments Ix Chel asked, “Now, do you wish to visit with us for a time and study our magic?”
The pair enthusiastically accepted the offer. They were then introduced to the two witches and two wizards sitting with them, who would be their guides and mentors. The older couple, who Hermione judged to be her parents’ age, were Chantico and Bolon and the younger pair, who appeared to be in their early twenties, were Mayahuel and Ekahau. Upon Hermione’s inquiry, they learned that the four of them spoke English, and had been selected partly for that reason. Others in their village had learned other languages. The two teens were given their own tunics and leather shoes to wear while in the village.
Harry immediately removed his shirt and put on the tunic. Hermione, who was wearing a T-back tank top which would not look very good under the low cut square necked tunic, hesitated, then turned her back to Harry and removed it while the two witches stepped up to assist her in donning the tunic. On future visits she would wear a spaghetti strapped tank top which had a similar back and neckline to that of the tunic and wouldn’t show. The teens both decided that the shorts they were wearing wouldn’t be too visible so left them on. Mayahuel gave Hermione one of the colorful sashes to belt the tunic, which made the garment conform better to her figure and also shortened it to a few inches above her knees. Once they were completely attired, Hermione decided that they didn’t look too out of place. Her hair was brown instead of black, but her eyes were dark brown and her tan skin was only somewhat lighter than the lightest of the locals. Harry was more pale, but his black hair blended in well with that of the other males.
After Harry and Hermione were given a tour of the village and fed, the older couple left the four younger ones alone, declaring that they would be available for assistance whenever needed. Mayahuel sat with Hermione while Ekahau sat with Harry and they spent the rest of the afternoon instructing the British witch and wizard about this innovative (at least to them) idea of magic.
-ooOoo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 12, Day 7
What an incredible experience that was! This was the last day we spent in the Mayan magical community, having spread the visits out as much as we could – one per week. It’s too bad we didn’t discover them until a Friday. It really helped to have a week between each day we spent there to practice what we were learning. Harry’s idea of making the summoning charm our first priority was brilliant. Today we timed how long it took us to summon our wands from 10 feet away and cast a spell. Not surprisingly Harry’s faster than I am, but I only took a half second longer than he did.
Levitating and moving around rocks wandlessly was quite a bit trickier. It combines Windgadium Leviosa with Accio or Banishing. Making the rock move wasn’t too hard; making it stop where we wanted it to was the problem. The first time Harry tried bringing a rock towards him it would have hit him in the face if he hadn’t ducked! Harry says he’s going to keep practicing until he can not only move rocks where he wants them, but he’ll be able to lift a starfighter out of a swamp!
We had to say goodbye to Mayahuel and Ekahau today. We’ll really miss them – it’s amazing how close we’ve grown after spending only four days together. It was wonderful learning about such a different culture. We explained the time turner to them and told them that even though we’ll see them tomorrow as far as they’re concerned, from our point of view it will be several months before we see them again. They then decided to take us swimming in the cenote to celebrate.
Well, I found out what they wear under their tunics. Not much! When we got to the cenote they removed their tunics and each was wearing only a very brief loincloth underneath. Fortunately, Harry and I have been wearing swimsuit bottoms under our tunics since the first day, because they don’t stand out as much as shorts. I decided I might as well take off my tank top too, given how Mayahuel was dressed. I’m sure Harry really enjoyed that. Mayahuel has an incredible figure. I think he looked at me as much as he did at her though, but that might just be wishful thinking on my part.
It was fun swimming there but the water was pretty cold. Harry got an up close lesson on how cold affects a certain part of women’s anatomies. It was nice though, lying out on the rocks to warm up in the sun before we put our tunics back on. I teased Harry about getting him to wear a loincloth like Ekahau’s. The back is nearly a thong! Then he said he would if I would wear one like Mayahuel’s. Hers was even smaller than his. Touché, Harry Potter.
-ooOoo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 15, Day 1
It looks like we’re going to be here for a while. If we go another ten weeks before we join my parents, then repeat the whole thing, it will be a year in total. Given that, we decided today to try to become animagi. It took Harry’s dad and Sirius three years, but we have some notes Sirius left Harry which should eliminate the research period. I think we can manage it in a year or less.
-ooOoo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 24, Day 6
Our Occlumency and Legilimency are going very well. We’re pretty evenly matched. Harry is better at Legilimency and I’m better at Occlumency. Now that my feelings are out in the open, I don’t have to try to hide them any more. Harry announced today that he was going to find my memories of Viktor kissing me. Rather than correct his misperception, I countered that I was going to find his memories of kissing Cho. We flipped a coin to see who would go first.
“Legilimens!” Harry and Hermione always did their Occlumency practice in the living area of his magical trunk, just in case a maid came to the door while they were locked in a trance with each other. Now they were facing each other across his table and he was trying to fight his way into her mind. Hermione was able to block Harry’s probe for several minutes, but couldn’t hold him off forever; he was just too powerful. She could usually throw him out after he had found one or two memories, but she couldn’t stop him completely. So she witnessed several scenes of her encounters with Viktor flash through her mind – Viktor asking her to the ball in the library one day and her shocked acceptance. Meeting him in front of the doors to the Great Hall and him complimenting her on how nice she looked. Dancing with him at the ball, and him walking her back to Gryffindor Tower. Finally him giving her a kiss on the cheek outside the portrait hole, right before she climbed through to confront an angry Ron. Suddenly her mind was clear and she saw an apologetic Harry looking at her with loving concern in his eyes.
“Hermione, I’m so sorry,” he said as he pulled her into his arms. “I had no idea that’s all it was.” Hermione hadn’t been all that upset. In fact she was pleased, even relieved, that he found out so that it wouldn’t ever be any cause for jealousy, but she was enjoying the hug so she let him continue to comfort her.
“That’s okay, Harry. I’m actually glad now that it wasn’t any more than that. I’m quite happy that you were the one who gave me my first real kiss.
After the hug, which lasted quite a bit longer than was truly necessary, Harry stepped back and announced that it was Hermione’s turn. She cast the spell and spent several minutes working her way into Harry’s mind. Finally she found the memory she was looking for – Harry stood there paralyzed as Cho moved nearer. She was much too close. He could see every tear clinging to her eyelashes. Then her lips touched his. His first instinct was to jerk back, but her hand had somehow found its way to the back of his head and she held him in place, her fingers entwining themselves in his hair. She kissed him again, this time more firmly, but he was too stunned to kiss her back. Cho nibbled on his lips for a few seconds while his chest grew tighter and his limbs seemed to turn numb. Suddenly she pulled away, blushing and hurrying from the room. Harry stood there in shock for ten minutes just staring at the door in the now deserted Room of Requirement.
Hermione pulled back in surprise. “That was it?” she asked incredulously. Harry nodded sheepishly. “I got all jealous because of that?” His eyes widened at that admission, but she paid it no mind. She had already told him how she had felt about him that year. “And that was the only time?” she continued. Harry shrugged. It hadn’t really been much of a relationship. One kiss and one disastrous date.
Hermione gave him a hug, then kissed him briefly before leaning back and smiling. “Now I really wish I had made a move last summer.” Harry agreed wholeheartedly, and the Occlumency was forgotten for the rest of the day.
-ooOoo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 30, Day 5
We just finished spending another three days in three successive weeks at Chichen Itza. It was great to see Mayahuel and Ekahau again. They were amazed at how much Harry and I have changed. Of course they noticed right away that we were together now. Something about the way we look at each other. Mayahuel told me she knew it was going to happen just seeing how we treated each other the first time around.
Chantico and Bolon were very impressed at how much progress we’ve made at using the magic of life wandlessly. Our control of levitation is much better, and now we have also been able to make use of things in the natural world. We can make a bush restrain someone, something like the Whomping Willow, except it will only hold them, not attack them. We can use plants to hide ourselves in the jungle. We can douse someone or something with water with just a thought. We caught Bolon by surprise with that one. Chantico teased him mercilessly about it. And we can make tree roots rise up out of the ground and trip up creatures by entangling their feet. Harry suggested that we could use this especially effectively against dark creatures, and Ix Chel agreed with him. But the most important thing we can do is cause a slab of rock to erupt from the ground. We need to use our wands for this, though, since rock isn’t alive. But what’s so vital about that is that a slab of rock will stop an unforgivable curse, including Avada Kedavra!
We’re going to spend the last two days of our week at Coba, but we’ll probably wait a few weeks for that. Ix Chel says there is a powerful wizard there who can help us refine our technique. Harry is still determined to lift that starfighter! She also said we could tell Ron about this magic, and anyone else that we trusted with our lives, as long as they take the oath. We’ll have to think about who all that might be.
We went swimming in the cenote one last time. It’s still cold, but now Harry’s much better at warming me up. (Although he seems to enjoy warming up some parts of me more than others.)
-ooOoo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 32, Day 3
We have been making great progress on our Animagus forms. Bolon was able to help us out a lot on our last visit to Chichen Itza. It turns out he is a hawk animagus. Being able to feel life magic helped tremendously in terms of getting in touch with the creature inside us. It turns out that Harry is a jaguar and I am an owl. That really got the Mayans’ attention, since the jaguar is sacred to them. I was hoping for a form that was a little more powerful, but Harry pointed out that being an owl would be incredibly useful. I’ll not only be able to cover long distances in a hurry, but I can blend in anywhere in the wizarding world.
Now that we know our forms, we can start attempting partial transfigurations. Harry was quite amused when I managed to turn my hair into feathers. He asked me if I was going to leave him for Hedwig, but I reminded him that Hedwig is a female owl, and he knows better than anyone that I’m heterosexual. I hit him before he finished asking me if I fancied Errol. I do think that once I can become an owl it might help me learn to enjoy flying better. I know Harry would love it if I enjoyed it as much as he does.
Harry has managed to turn his hands and feet into paws. I think a few more months should do it. We have 20 more weeks here so I’m hopeful that we’ll be full animagi before we get back home.
Bolon and Chantico were also a great help to us in dueling. Combat is much more than knowing a lot of spells. It turns out that Chantico is even better at it than Bolon is – she’s what we would call a dueling master. We’re getting pretty good at two on two. When we get to Coba we’ll practice more at fighting against larger groups.
-ooOoo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 40, Day 4
We finished the last of the books from the Black family library today. We’ve learned a lot of dark and borderline dark spells. We still have more than two months to perfect them now. We’ll probably never use a lot of them; the important part is that we have the ability to recognize and block them if a Death Eater uses them against us. The following offensive spells are the ones we’ve chosen to focus on:
Expeliarmus – disarming hex – we can cast this with enough power to not only disarm someone but hurl them back against a tree hard enough to knock them out. Harry can also control it so that the weapon dislodged comes right to him. I’m getting close to being able to do that too, but I can’t catch it as well as he can.
Diffindo – cutting curse – with enough power we can seriously injure someone. With enough precision we can slice through someone’s robes without cutting them. Or cut a rope that’s tying someone’s hands. (Harry thinks he can use it to cut my bikini strings so my top will fall off, but he hasn’t so far. He’s such a goof! I don’t know why he would bother – I never wear the top out on the beach anyway!)
Reducto – blasting or explosion curse – good for general use in blasting things apart, can also blow someone’s arm off if we aim it accurately with enough power.
Everbero – bludgeoning hex – we can now cast this wandlessly, and push someone back or knock them over. Harry is close to being able to cast this wandlessly with one hand while simultaneously casting another hex with his wand.
Incendio – fire starting hex – we think this will be very useful against inferi.
Sectumsempra – slashing hex – cuts a horribly deep wound. I have trouble making myself use it because of the emotional baggage associated with it. But since Snape made it up we have to assume the Death Eaters know it.
Diffractum – bone breaking curse – this one will really incapacitate someone, but is usually not life threatening. We will probably use this a lot in tough battles.
Disruptium – Organ rupturing curse – this is the curse Dolohov hit me with at the Department of Mysteries. I’ll never use it, but you better believe I know how to block it now. Harry wants to use it on Dolohov himself if he ever meets up with him again.
Projectilius – solid bolts of magic ranging in size from arrows to spears depending on how much power you use. Smaller projectiles can pin opponents in place, larger ones will impale them.
Fiero – flaming lasso – Harry says Dumbledore used this on inferi. We think it will also be useful for restraining captured opponents.
We also learned a more powerful shield, that will not only block a hex but send it back at the caster. Probably the most valuable information we got out of the Black family books, though, was the information on wards. We now know a lot of wide area spells for protection, concealment, detection, and traps.
We also know more about how Horcruxes are made, and have several possible methods in mind for how to destroy them. We really need to know what method Dumbledore used on the ring. I don’t want Harry losing his hand, or worse. I hope we can talk with his portrait, or that he left some notes or memories we can look at.
-ooOoo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 46, Day 6
We just spent a day at Coba. What an incredible place! It’s much more spread out than Chichen Itza, and the magical area is much larger. Muggles think that most of it is unexcavated ruins, where Chichen Itza is much more thoroughly explored. In fact, what looks like unexcavated ruins to them are magical dwellings.
Our four guides from Chichen Itza came with us to introduce us to the people here. The leader is an imposing wizard named Ah Kinchil. I got the impression that he might even be as powerful as Dumbledore was. He spent several hours with us and gave us advice on how to complete our animagus transformations, and especially how to do them quickly and effortlessly. Right now it’s still pretty painful. He’s also helping us use life force magic more instinctively. We need to get to the point where we don’t have to stop to think about what we’re doing, just think it and do it.
We also learned more combat tactics. Ah Kinchil is a great tactician. We discovered that fighting against groups is much different than one on one or even two on two dueling. We intend to be able to more than hold our own if we ever find ourselves up against a group of Death Eaters like we met at the Department of Mysteries again.
-ooOoo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 50, Day 7
This was our last day with the Maya. Ah Kinchil was very impressed with how well we have assimilated what he taught us last time. (Of course, we had a whole month to work on it.) Harry changed into a jaguar for him and ran around the jungle and climbed a tree. He was so impressive – so sleek and powerful. I could stand and watch him for hours. Then I changed into an owl. I was right about liking flying more. I finally understand what Harry means when he talks about soaring. At the end I dive-bombed Harry in his jaguar form, pulling out at the last minute and landing on his back. Later he told me it was almost like a Wronsky feint. Whoops, he just told me I spelled it wrong. It’s Wronski. Anyway, quite a crowd had gathered by that point and they all applauded as Harry the jaguar came trotting back with Hermione the owl perched on his shoulder.
Next we fought some mock battles against some of their warriors. We could handle nearly any two of them (not including Ah Kinchil) and we held our own against a group of eight. Blocks and shields are my strength, while Harry’s is his quickness. Together we feel we’re nearly unstoppable, as long as we aren’t surrounded. Both of us are much more powerful than the average wizard now. They were amazed at how easily we could break through their shields.
In the afternoon Mayahuel and Ekahau took us to Tulum to see the temple there. The wizards have completely abandoned that site to the muggles, but it’s still impressive to see. The view of the ocean there is incredible. Just south of the ruins is a magnificent beach. It has the whitest sand I’ve ever seen. To my surprise the beach there is clothing optional. I wonder if Mum and Dad know this, or if maybe they’ve already visited there this week. Mayahuel and Ekahau joined us in going nude. Harry’s a real sweetie. He looked at her only a little bit, then focused his attention on me. Ekahau is very ‘gifted’, one might say, but I’m quite satisfied with how Harry looks.
What an incredible way to bring our journey to a close. Laying out in bright sunshine on a beautiful white sandy beach next to my love, both of us naked – it’s like one of my fantasies come to life. I simply can’t believe how happy and content I felt, just lying there on my back with my eyes closed in the warm sun, holding hands with him.
-ooOoo-
From the Journal of Hermione Granger – Week 52, Day 8
This will be my last entry for this incredible journey we’ve been on for the last year. A year for us, but only two weeks for the rest of the world. We’re on the plane on the way home. Harry’s sleeping in the seat next to me, with his head on my shoulder. It’s almost impossible to believe what’s happened to us since we left. I can’t wait to see the look on Ron’s face when we tell him everything. I’m not looking forward to Ginny’s reaction though. Or Mrs. Weasley’s for that matter. I think she’s had her heart set on the two of them getting together for years. But I hope Ginny and I can somehow come out of this as friends. I don’t have so many that I can afford to lose one. But that might take a while. In the meantime – well, I’ve learned how to block and evade hexes pretty well during the last year.
Hermione felt Harry stir and looked up to see a pair of green eyes gazing at her. “Hey. How are you doing?” Harry asked.
“I’m pretty good. Just finishing up writing down some of my thoughts.”
“Have I told you yet today that I love you?”
Hermione checked her watch. “Hmm. It’s after midnight, so it’s Wednesday now. So no, I guess you haven’t,” she replied as a smile danced across her face.
“Well, then, I better take care of that. “I love you, Mine.” He leaned over and gave her a soft, sweet kiss.
Hermione sighed in contentment, feeling her heart swell inside her. “I love you too.”
Soon she dozed off and fell asleep with her head on his shoulder this time, the smile never leaving her face for the rest of the night.
-xox-XOX-XOX-xox-
A/N The way the time turner worked in Book 3 was that it returned them to the approximate location where they had been at the time they were returning to. (The movie got it wrong.) This story follows the book, not the movie, so every time they use the time turner they have to remember where they were at that time so they know where they will reappear.
The names of the Mayan characters are taken from Mayan and Aztec mythology.
The names of some of the spells they learned are taken from a very thorough list compiled by fanfiction.net author Chris Widger.
Several fanfics I’ve read have had either Harry or Hermione become a jaguar animagus, but this chapter was actually written prior to my reading those stories.
Author's Other Daughter's Note: It's my turn to post this, so I thought I'd say hey too. If you ever get a chance to see Chichen Itza, do. It's pretty cool.