Chapter 47

That afternoon, Hermione and Severus took Grendel back to the lair via the Gypsies' camp. 

There was a light snow on the ground, and the trees around the camp had been decorated with paper ornaments made by the children.  There were strings of popcorn on the trees, and snowflakes of tinsel fluttered there as well.  There was a big party taking place with music and food that smelled so divine that Hermione's stomach rumbled.

As they walked into the camp with Grendel, the whole company became aware of them. The music stopped, and every face turned their way.  Grendel gave a roar, and the children screamed with delight and swarmed over the huge animal.  They had all been waiting for the magical day when Raven's big monster would come to see them.  Grendel loved the children, and they followed him in dancing lines as he lead them weaving in and out amongst the trees.

Nicholi came with open arms and hugged Hermione and Severus.

"Welcome, my friends. Come and sit by the fire.  Have some food. The children were just speaking of your huge, wooly friend.  He is quite a fierce-looking beast, isn't he?  Your story is often told as we sit around the campfire.  The children have not yet tired of hearing it."

He gave them places by the fire and filled plates of food for them. He watched as a couple of small ones clamored upon Grendel's back.  He glanced at Severus to see if there was any harm but saw the man smiling at his giant beast.

Severus noted Nicholi's concern. "They will be fine. Grendel is as gentle as a 10-day-old puppy."

Hermione asked, "Where's Magi?"  She looked to see that the old woman was not there.

Nicholi shook his head, "She sleeps a great deal these days, and she has grown weak.  We fear we will lose her soon.  She is 123 after all."

"One hundred twenty-three!"  Hermione gasped. "We had no idea."

Nicholi laughed. "She does not like people to know her age, and she is my grandmother's mother.  She is the last of our ancient line.  My parents died in an accident many years ago on a steep mountain.  The wagon rolled down the mountain.  My grandmother died of a broken heart after that.  But Magi stayed with us these many years. She will come to the fire in a while.  She went for a nap earlier."

The music and dancing resumed, and Hermione and Severus sat watching the festivities as they ate their food.  Hermione saw Severus' brow was creased, and he was deep in thought.

She tugged at his sleeve. "Are you okay," she asked in a whisper, concern creasing her own forehead.

He smiled down at her and reached out to touch her, and she felt his mind join hers. "Yes, I was considering the ramifications of introducing Grendel to Magi.  Old age is part of life, yet she is a very treasured part of this caravan of life. Grendel cannot stop death, but he can take her pain and give her some years of life and maybe even her eyes.  But it's a serious healing, and I would have to ask him. She would also have to be told.  Maybe she's looking forward to life beyond this plane.  Maybe her magical insight is because of her blindness. It's very complicated.  The camp would then know what Grendel is.  Right now their children might be receiving his energy and simple healings.  We cannot keep Grendel here too long among the whole group."

Nicholi, who had been dancing, noticed the silent communion that his two friends were having.  He came close. "Is there a problem?"

Severus stood. "May we speak to you alone?  I would like to talk to you about Grendel, and Hermione would like to visit Magi alone if it is possible."

Nicholi was obviously curious, he but said, "Of course, Hermione. I know she would love to see you."

They went toward the wagons, and Grendel came from the trees to stop before Severus a moment.  Severus placed a hand on his head and bent to talk to him.  The big beast gave his hand a soft lick and then bounded off to play with the children some more.

Nicholi watched the exchange, curiosity plain on his face.  He led them to a bright red wagon and rapped on the door, Magi's frail voice bid them enter. 

Hermione said, "I will speak to her, Severus."  She vanished into the wagon, shutting the door behind her.

Severus turned to the curious Nicholi and said, "Can we walk out into the trees? I crave some privacy."

"Of course, Severus." 

Nicholi was a wise man and knew when Severus was ready he would explain.  He did not need to ask the questions that burned through his thoughts. 

Finally Severus looked around and used his wand to place a silencing charm around them.

"Forgive the mystery.  Grendel is a very special animal.  You may have felt his power."

Nicholi nodded. "Yes, I have never encountered a creature that has a magic about him like this one."

"Nicholi, Grendel is a healer."  Severus looked the man in the eye.  "He can help Magi, if she wishes it.  It may or may not extend her life many years, but it will definitely add quality to the life she has."

Nicholi's eyes tearing up, he went to his knees in the dirt. 

"You would offer this miracle to one of us? We are but a humble people.  She is the life of this caravan.  We are aggrieved at her suffering."

Severus, touched by the man's emotion, squatted to talk with him eye to eye. He reached out to place a hand on Nicholi's shoulder.

"One can never be ready for those closest to them to die, but this must be her choice.  She may be ready even if we are not. She is a very special woman.  You have been a great support to Hermione and me, and we want to be able to give back.  We must be careful, though. Grendel cannot give life, and what he gives will drain him.  He has patched me up many times at the brink of death, but it costs him weeks of lost energy, almost as if he is arthritic.  His body needs to rebuild its magical energy just like we need our strength from food.  He spends a great deal of his life alone."

Nicholi looked alarmed. "Will the children tire him?"

"He's having a great time with them.  He's never spent time with children before," Severus explained.  "Come, let's go back to the wagon and see what Hermione has discovered."

Meanwhile:  Hermione moved into the tiny, dark wagon and found Magi reclined on a small bed in the back.  She was covered in many colorful quilts and a small candle was burning on her bedside table. She was stroking the fur of a small, orange cat that reminded Hermione of Crookshanks.

"Magi, how are you?"  Hermione asked, taking a small stool by the bed.

The old woman reached out a hand to her, and the small cat scooted away.

Hermione took her hand. "It is good to see you, my friend."

"Old and weak have I become," the tiny woman said.

"It's not so unusual for a 123-year-old," Hermione teased with affection in her voice.

"Nicholi," she said with a sigh. "He knows I do not like my age told.

Hermione said, "I wish I had known. I would have plied you for your stories before this."

"I have lived in a caravan most of my life.  I have seen many wonders in our travels but none of the modern world of the Muggles.  I have no references to compare."

"Well, the wonders of these mountains would be enough."

"Has that man asked you to marry him, yet?"  Magi asked curiously.

Hermione nodded happily and told her about the dance and the proposal." She extended her hand to show her ring to the old woman.

"He's a good man. His life has been hard, but he is now the best of men," the old woman told Hermione. "If I were 80 years younger, you would have to fight for that one," she said with a cackle that ended up a cough. "Darn old age; it takes away the joy."

Hermione held her until the coughing stopped. "If you had a chance at a longer, healthier life, would you take it?" Hermione asked, squeezing the old woman's shoulders affectionately.

"Life is precious, and I have had more than my share. Yet one never wants to leave the children."

Hermione said, "Severus and I have brought Grendel.  He romps among the trees with the children. He is a very special beast, Magi.  He has the ability to heal, give strength, and make your body stronger." 

"A Curandarian!" she said, her white eyes widened with surprise. "Many years ago, I heard about a man who had one.  But it was a story from my childhood."

"Grendel is rare, but he's very much real.  He has agreed to help you if you wish it."

She sat now on the edge of the bed. "This is true; you really have the animal here?"  Her face was alight with possibilities, and Hermione knew she was very excited about the possibilities of a better, longer life.

Hermione squeezed her hand and held her arm with the other.

"Yes, he is here. I take that as a positive answer.  Lie back. I think if we are careful we can squeeze him in here with a little magical enhancement." 

She used her wand to widen the inside of the wagon. Then she went to Magi and stroked the old woman's hair. 

"I will be back."

She opened the door and spotted Nicholi and Severus coming from the trees.  She ran to Severus.

"She will do it. She wants to live."

Severus nodded, smiling down at her, though he was worried.  He had never asked Grendel to heal someone else.  Was this too much for his friend?

There was a rush of voices, and the children came from the trees with Grendel in the middle.  They all walked at his side with their hands buried in his fur. Grendel came and bowed before Severus.  Severus knelt before the beast and put his hands on the sides of Grendel's face.  He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Grendel's. For a long, silent moment they communicated with feelings and thought.  There were no words.  Grendel then swiped Severus face with his big tongue and walked past him. He licked Hermione's hand as he went by, and then he crawled into the little wagon. It sagged under his weight.

Severus took his wand and magically closed the door.  He went to Hermione's side. He took her into his arms and held her.

Hermione felt him trembling against her.

"He will be all right, Severus. He's very strong, and he will know when to stop."

"Will he?" he whispered against her hair.

"Yes, he will, Severus."

Nicholi stood with them as they watched the little wagon.  The children, not knowing what was happening, stood silent with them watching.  The music had stopped, and the rest of the group gradually stood with them watching but not asking...not knowing why they all watched.  Perhaps some thought she was dying.  Some waited just knowing something wondrous might be happening.  They could see the expectant looks on the faces of Severus, Hermione, and Nicholi.

It was nearly two hours that they stood and waited, and then a roar from the wagon sounded and the door opened.  Magi walked out steady and strong. Her eyes were a piercing blue, and her nearly white hair was now a dark grey.  She looked 50 years younger. She placed her hands on Grendel's head, and he climbed down the stairs a bit unsteadily and lay upon the snow. The children ran to him, their hands touching his body, and he licked a hand, an elbow, a face as they poured out their love on him. Severus saw the bleakness and the strain on his friend's face.  He'd seen it many times over the years, but as he watched, it seemed to reverse and was soon gone.  Grendel climbed to his feet and came to him, pressing his head against Severus' hand, and then he gave a happy yap and tore off with the laughing children.

Severus stood dumfounded.  Hermione stared after the happy animal as the Gypsies swarmed around Magi, their old mother, as they cried.  They started to sing and dance.  Instruments were summoned, and they had a celebration of life.  With the children, Grendel, and Magi in the center, they danced into the night, and Hermione and Severus danced with them.

That night as they fell into bed in the lair and Grendel snored from his bed in the corner, Severus held Hermione close. He caressed her skin with gentle strokes, and his lips pressed against cool skin that warmed as their passion was ignited. Her hands and fingers sought to ignite his ardor as well.  The dance of the night became their bodies' rhythm, and they danced an age-old dance of love.  Their cries of ecstasy were soft and gentle against each other's lips.  They lay spent, and Severus said against her temple as he pressed a kiss, "Christmas is truly about love."