Spells and Mates

We dance to the songs of the birds, staring deeply at each other. Slowly I lean in, caressing his cheeks as his breath fans my lips...

"Hermio-neee." A distant voice calls

Just a little more, our lips saunters closer

"Her-mio-neee! Don't make me come get you! get your lazy ass off that bed and come do the chores." My grandmother hollers, disrupting me from the fantasy.

"Argggh! Why every time!?" I mumur unhappily, palming my face as I make my way off the bed.

"Good morning ma'am." I greet, on reaching the dining room.

Ketura, on the other hand, is fully dressed for school and is having tea and pancakes laced with maple syrup for breakfast.

She looks up only to smirk at me.

"Hermione do tell, why are you are waking up just now? Would you rather I do the chores for you or Ketura does it?!" My grandmother ask sternly, plopping her hands beneath her chin.

I gulp, looking from Grandmother to Ketura. "No, I'll rather do it. I really am sorry ma'am." I say shakily, for fear of what's to come.

My grandmother by name; Tabitha Crofus, is one of the most revered witch in the Showek High School of Spiritual Creatures [SHSOSC].

By Prowess and experience, all defense I make to counter any attack from her is fruitless.

Worse thing is, she takes Ketura on special classes; making her more knowledgeable beyond my sphere and rank.

"Tabi, let's just let this slide..." Ketura tells grandmother "After all, today is the full moon ritual day, lest we defile ourselves with any impure or filthy thing..." Ketura scorns at me.

"Hmmm... quite true." grandmother nods in consent, lovingly patting Ketura's shoulder.

Sometimes I wish the bond Ketura and Grandmother share, I have it too. My life would have been so much better.

I remember being two years of age when my father brought me to grandmother. Ketura at that time; a three year old child and a child of my grandmother's late daughter was living with grandmother.

The only crime I committed was been birthed by my father -a witch born, and my mother- a werewolf born. They had a one night fling which resulted to me, and mysteriously found their fated mates two years after.

The Werewolf tribe rejected me saying; that I was something that shouldn't exist. A taboo.

The warlocks and witches of the black cat coven, at first sight denounce me but slowly allow me into their fold; but with the promise of staying away from the werewolves tribe, as a witch can't be a werewolf at the same time. It would rip me apart, making me to vanish entirely from the universe. Hence I must permanently have on the Kwazuac neckpiece to stay alive.

"Oh thank heavens, today is a good day..." grandmother turns to me coldly "but the next time, you let me holler your name umpteenthly, I'll make sure to detach your spinal cord, put it back and do it again and again." She threatens.

I nod hastily. Grandmother doesn't give sly threats, she go for it.

"Tabi, we are so going to be late for school." Ketura whines.

"Sorry love, I'm almost done already...just have a little more patience." Grandmother says throwing a piece of pancake in her mouth.

She points to me "Come clear the table... Ketura and I need to get going," She slowly stands, reaching for her big bag on the third chair "Make sure to finish the chores, and come to school on time."

"Okay ma'am." I answer

Ketura stands with the skimpy skirt that makes Principal Eldor rolls his eyes at intervals, she catwalks to the door with grandmother following behind her.

One look at them and a person would conclude that they are mother and daughter. My heart constricts painfully at the thought.

I felt a movement on my leg, only to see Ezra, snuggling close.

"Hey, Ezra." I bent to pick her up. She meos at me, making me giggle.

"How is my little cutie doing?" I ask, gently caressing her. She purrs in pleasure.

Ezra is one beautiful black cat, with blue eyes. I found her seven weeks ago, lieing in a brown carton, close to the forest.

Grandmother had sent me to cut some plants to make herbs for Ketura who had fallen ill.

Sometimes I feel grandmother intentionally shuts me out from all teachings, spells and recipes, otherwise she would never had made me know the herbs particular for food poisoning.

I'd carried the unkempt looking cat home, named her Ezra, and since had nurtured her in secret -away from grandmother and kentura's notice. For grandmother dislikes having pets in the house, I grew up to that.

Overtime, grandmother would walk in from school and perceive the scent of a cat -Ezra.

"Hermione!!!" She'll holler immediately

"Yes Grandmother!" I'll answer, running downstairs to meet her.

"What is this, that I smell all the time?" She'd ask

"What ma'am?" I'd feign ignorance, looking all innocent

"A cat. I smell a cat hermione. Have you been lying to me?" She'd ask, staring at me intently.

"No, ma'am." I would say, shaking my head profusely.

"Okay then, let's go to your room." She would instruct, with me leading the way.

My heart beating frantically, I would unlock the door muttering some prayers to the moon goddess. Grandmother would stare at my room and slowly recite these strange words "Kola tizo menkez chua riz tabala timi na kech"

Poof! The whole place becomes filled with smoke, and Ezra wouldn't be in view.

"I don't know how you do it, but one day I am going to find out..." Grandmother will tell me suspiciously, doing a double take before leaving the room.

I would panick after shutting the door "Ezra..." I would whisper, for fear that she had disappeared.

From the shadows, Ezra would come happily, meowing at me.

This baffles me every single time.

"Cutie Cutie Ezra, let's go do the dishes!" I tease, taking her to the kitchen as grandmother and Ketura are long gone from home.

"Thank goodness now I can practice some spells to help me with the chores." I say, laying Ezra on the wooden counter.

I clasp my palm together "Feki sa mon tua elon kizo!" I chant, a wand appears in my palm.

"Okay..." I sigh deeply, seeking encouragement from the little creature who's concentratedly licking her paw without care in the world.

"Kombro fafas tali ekumi taso oloaz shemike!" I recite loudly, as the dirty dishes soon rise but lands back abruptly in its place.

"Arggggh!" I scream exasperatedly "When will I ever get this right?"

Ezra looks up from her paw to me, before going back to it.

I ruffle my hair unhappily, as I make to clean the dishes.

_

"For a moment I thought you won't be coming to school again." Glinda says on pulling me to the school cafeteria.

It was lunch hour, as werewolves, witches, wizards, elfs, goblins, fairies, all sits with their kind. The Lycans -the royal children of King Endymion; Ares and Athena, sits together away from us.

The Lycans are believed to be the direct descentants of the moon goddess, and are particularly an upgraded version of a werewolf.

They are blessed with enormous power and beauty, and hence rules the spiritual world.

"I woke up pretty late today." I tell Glinda as our legs find its way to the warlocks and witches' unit.

I absentmindedly touch the Kwuazac neckpiece with my left hand.

"...still having same dreams about the mysterious guy?" Glinda ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah... I really don't know why, but the dreams are becoming more frequent." I answer shakily, placing my food tray on a table as we bend to sit.

Only Glinda and an ever-listening Ezra knows about this dream of mine; which started six moons ago.

"Don't worry Hermione, we will get to the bottom of this..." Glinda consoles, patting my palm.

Suddenly she climbs the chair, drawing the attention of other students "Happy Birthday Hermione!!!" She says loudly "Bli li vao liaz ko fed tor!" A cake appears in her hands.

"Wait! What?!... Today is my birthday?" I ask gobsmack.

Glinda nods excitedly, On the cake was: Happy 16th Birthday, Hermione.

I shake my head in disbelief, inhaling deeply "Today is the seventh day of the seventh moon?" I ask

Glinda nods again.

"Oh gracious goddess! Today is my birthday!?! ...I totally forgot!" I exclaim excitedly

"Yeah, I knew you would Hermione..." She says with a smile.

The Elfs and Fairies circled our table, and began singing a birthday song. I felt warmth.

"Thank you so much everyone..." I say to them as they sing on

"Thank you too Best friend" I mouth to Glinda, as I swirl the song.

Needless to say, that Elfs and Fairies are the life of a party. They love parties and celebration to a fault.

Ketura and her minion-witches stared on five seats away, with contempt.

I happily pull Glinda to my imaginary dance floor and soon, everyone was dancing.

"What is going on here?!!!" Principal Eldor thunders abruptly, making everyone to scamper for safety, save Glinda and I.

"Uhmmm... We were just celebrating her birthday..." Glinda stutters

"Whose birthday?!" Principal Eldor' ask angrily

"Hers, Hermione's birthday" She says, pointing to me.

"Oh Hermione's birthday?!" Principal Eldor's demeanor change instantly to a smile.

"Yes." Glinda shoulders relaxed on its accord.

"Hermione... Happy Birthday!" Principal Eldor tells me.

I simply let out a flat smile "Thank you, sir." I retort

"Oh, my my...why didn't you tell me, I would've gotten you a birthday present." Principal Eldor says, patting his long beard.

I mentally roll my eyes "Not to worry sir, Glinda already got me a gift." I say pointing to the cake.

"Nonsense! still meet after closing hour... I'd like to give you a little something." He winks at me.

Pig.

"Alright everyone, hurry up and get going!" Principal Eldor hollers to the crowd. They murmur grudgingly.

"What just happened?" Glinda asks, as we make our way to the class.

"... Like Principal Eldor just went from all angry to all smiling, is there something you're not telling me Hermione?" She asks

"Nope, nothing at all." I say, avoiding her eyes "He was just in a good mood, l guess..."

"Hmmm, If you say so...so would you be going to his office later to get the gift he told you to come for?" Glinda asks

"No!" I retort too sharply, Glinda raises her eyebrow questioningly "Why not? If there's..."

"Did I just say No?" I chip in, faking a laugh "I actually meant Yes. Yes." I affirm

Glinda stared on, unconvinced "Hermione...."

"I need to use the restroom Glinda, see you in the classroom later." I say hurriedly, scampering for safety.

Phew! I sigh, pushing the restroom door open. Glinda stands in front of me with a sly smirk.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh" I let out a shrilling scream. "Oh goddess!!!!!!"

Glinda burst into laughter "You seem to be forgetting who your best friend is."

"Geez! Don't you ever do that again." I say, smacking her arm

"Ouch! Such evil woman!" She whines, rubbing her arm

"You are!" I say

"No, you are." she says

"No, you are!" I tell her

"I am a good witch!"

"I am the good witch!!" We batter at each other, before cracking up again.

"...My stomach hurts so bad" I laugh, holding my stomach "...You are so exceptional at witchery Glinda, I wish I can do half the things you do..."

"Maybe..." Glinda pouts, leaning closer to touch the Kwazuac neckpiece on my neck "You just might do better with this thing off."

I shake my head vehemently "No, I think not! How can you even suggest that!"

"Okay! Fine!.. you just might never know." She exclaims, dropping her hands in defeat. "So do you mind telling me what is going on? You and Principal Eldor??" She ask with her arms akimbo.

"No." I retort, shaking my head again.

"No, again!?" Glinda hollers frustratingly

I shake my head insistingly, avoiding her eyes.

Just how do I tell her that after Principal Late wife's demise, I am being constantly reminded by grandmother that I am his second chance mate.

Aren't mates supposed to feel sparks, a pull or butterflies in the stomach?

How come I feel nothing?

"Maybe, some other time." I say to Glinda, who stared at me intently.

She heave a sigh "...I possibly do not know what is going on in your head or what is going on with you right now, but just know that, I'll be here... whenever you need me." Glinda says, crossing her chest.

"...and so will I." I promise, hugging her tightly for the second time today.

"So...tell me aren't you excited?!" Glinda tries changing the subject, as I pull the restroom door close.

"What?" I turn to her

"Aren't you excited? You are officially sixteen for goddess sake..." She says

"Oh...yeah." I say, still not getting it.

"...You just might meet your mate today! some witches are fortunate to meet their mate at age sixteen. You might just be one of the fortunate ones" Glinda winks, doing the flappy dance.

I giggle "Nopeeee, I'll rather be single till after high school... Right now, I just cannot wait to get admitted into Showek's College!" I say excitedly

Glinda let a chuckle "Tsk. You? Maybe and maybe not. You know you have to prove yourself before the panel of the great lords before you are accepted into Showek's College.

Besides they let in only fifty students, once in three years."

"Tsk. Tsk. I know I'll be chosen, I believe so." I declare passionately

"Okay, if you say so...I did hear that extremely hot guys are in Showek's college, and I just might meet my mate there." Glinda says excitedly

"Yeah." I chip in half-heartedly

"...or maybe, just maybe, the heir to the throne; Prince Helios may even be my destined mate" Glinda purrs dreamily

"Nope. That is not a possibility, wake up Glinda! A witch cannot be mates to a Lycan." I tell her

"Well... You know, there's nothing that can't happen if the moon goddess so please to do... You really need to see him Hermione, he is so surreal...So out of this world, I feel like climbing all over him, eating him raw and never letting go." Glinda fantasizes, clutching her chest tightly

"Ewwww! Glinda!" I shake her out of the reverie "This is reality Glinda! You really should not attend any more balls at the royal palace, cause I be the one to get it every single time..." I say exasperatedly

"Come on Hermione, you are so missing out... and the balls are so..." She starts to fantasize again

"No. no. no." I clasp my ears, increasing my pace.

"Come back here Hermione!" Glinda giggles "Fate will tell!!" She hollers.

We saunter into the classroom to see our mates chatting happily, Mr Tilbu wasn't in.

Plants, spiders and chicken poops were flying in the air.

Eros Anathos, the future lord of the black cat coven is in lips-lock, shoving his tongue down the throat of Ketura. My cousin.

I made to roll my eyes as usual, everyone knows they aren't mates and haven't met their mates yet and are just playing around...

I suddenly feel a spark of electricity surge through my fingers.

"I wonder if he's digging for a treasure or something." Glinda whispers, laughing hard.

Getting no comeback, her eyes furrowed worryingly at me "Are you okay?" She ask

"I feel so uneasy, Glinda." I tell her shakily, finding an empty seat behind Eros and Ketura.

"Please! Everyone Settle down!" Mr Tilbu walks into the class abruptly.

The noise dies down.

Ketura stealthily adjusts her skimpy skirt from Eros laps, blows him a kiss and did a catwalk to her seat.

"Today being the full moon ritual, I am going to be teaching you the diverse ways of drawing powers from the moon..." Mr Tilbu's voice fades away.

Everything seemed blurry.

A force of electricity envelopes me, making me muffle a scream. It cascades swiftly from my hair, shoulders, arms. I feel it reaching for my fingers and pulling me towards Eros.

Eros?

Eros Anathos? No no no no...

He can't be my mate. Can he?

Eros turns to stare at me, his eyes flickering in shock.

"Follow me." he says hoarsely

I stand to follow him, clasping tight my trembling palms.

"Mr Tilbu, we will be back shortly." He tells the teacher, who simply nods in respect.

We walk to an empty building, close to the school field.

"What's your full name, Hermione?" He asks, tearing his beautiful eyes from me.

He knows my name.

My lips part in awe as the sun glints on his golden hair, such chiseled face. Perfection.

"Hermione... Hermione Circe Crofus." I utter slowly, staring at my feet.

"Hermione Circe Crofus, I am sorry but I can't have you as my mate. I need someone beautiful and strong like your cousin Ketura Crofus..." Each word pierces through my heart like double edged sword. I whimper as tears brim my eyelids.

Doesn't my mate care a little about how I'll feel?

"On this note..." He utters, raising his hand up to the sky. A knife appears in his hand.

"No! Wait .." I beg fearfully for what he is about do, my heart beating rapidly "Pleaseeee." I cry

He ignores me, slitting his palm as he touch my temple "I, Eros Nathaniel Anathos, future Lord of the Black Cat Coven, reject you, Hermione Circe Crofus as my mate and future lady of my coven."

A powerful force suddenly lifts me from the ground and throws me hardly to a wall.

Black dots covers my vision... the last thing I heard was his retreating steps.

My eyes' flips open to see a white shinning bulb. I turn to see Ares and Athena; the children of the king staring at me.

"Your Majesty!" I sit up in fright.

"How are you feeling?" Athena's voice came soothingly.

Somebody pinch me, is this a dream?

"Good... I feel good ma'am." I answer slowly

Suddenly, the pictures started rushing back... Eros and I. Eros rejected me. My mate rejected me.

I burst into tears, Athena extends a piece of cloth to me.

"I... don't... know...he... didn't... even...give...me...a.. chance..." I sob loudly

"We saw..." Athena says sadly, while Ares looks away gritting his teeth.

"How...do...I...make...this...stop?...It hurts...so...bad." I cry, clawing at my chest.

Athena reaches over, hugging me.

If it were a different circumstance, I would have probably screamed my lungs out, to the heavens that Princess Athena hugged me; a royal hugged me.

Instead sadness, pain, anger envelopes me as I cry into her arms.

Glinda abruptly yanks the door open "Hermione!!!" She hollers tearily rushing over, as she suddenly comports herself on seeing the royal children.

"Your Majesty." She bows, Ares return a tight-lipped smile, standing up.

"...She was the only person we could reach out to," Athena says looking at Glinda "I can't say, I understand how you feel...but please, whenever you feel like talking or reaching out to me, just say the word..." She smiles, standing up.

For her age, I think she talk brilliantly well.

Ares gives a wave, as they both leave with their escorts.

"Oh goddess! Did we just encounter the royal twins?! Prince Ares and Princess Athena?" Glinda utters absentmindedly

"...like, I just breathe in the same breath of air as both of them?"" She says in awe

"Yeah..." I nod, staring at the exit door.

Glinda plops her buttocks on the side of the bed "...so sorry this happened Hermione, it's all over the school... You don't deserve any of this..." Glinda murmurs, putting her head on my shoulder

I nod shakily, trying to keep the tears from coming back.

"It hurt so much Glinda...Make it stop..." I cry, my shoulders raking roughly.

"Oh Hermione, you'll be fine I promise..." Glinda sobs too, willing my pain to go away.

I clean my tears. The wiper.

"Princess Athena, forgot this." I whisper, looking at the piece of clothing. It had the royal symbol on it.

"Not to worry, you can give it back tomorrow." Glinda consoles, hugging me tightly

"...but what really happened? I only knew you left the classroom with him, without telling me. I was shocked though. I didn't think it would have anything to do...do with mates..." Glinda says quietly

"I really don't know Glinda... I find it so hard to process this... All that just happened..." I stutter, looking out through the window.

How could the moon goddess do this to me? What did I ever do to deserve this?

All witches and warlocks know one has only a chance of having a mate. Just one mate, or our cats will go crazy and slowly die.

Too bad I never even got to meet my cat.

So what now?

Will I ever find love and be happy? Will I get to start a family of my own, and have miniatures of me playing around?

I guess, No. happily. ever. after. for. me then...

Ditching class for the first time, I hurry home -to my room. I needed to let all the hurt and pain out, without pity glances from Glinda or the matrons in the school clinic.

How fast do news spread anyways?

I fling my bag to the floor, jumping to the bed as my tear glands let its fury out.

Hours into the night, when I had become too exhausted to shed a single tear, only the slow panting of my breaths could be heard.

I hear a knock abruptly, It was grandmother.

I sit up, trying to hide my puffy red eyes.

"Hermione." She calls, walking in with a tray of cookies. It is the calmest I have heard of her in so many years.

"My sincerest sympathy Hermione..." She says, dropping the tray on my small table "Fate can be so mysterious and unpredictable, but you never should give up on yourself. Some witches are destined to be alone, some aren't... And that is why blood comes first. If he says he wants your cousin, you should let them and be sacrificial. Besides, Principal Eldor is patiently waiting. You should open up to him..." Grandmother says lowly.

I look up at her in shock.

I know she doesn't like me, but this... Like right now?

"Get out!" I utter angrily.

"What?" She asks surprised.

"I said Get out!" I holler at her.

I didn't know from whence the boldness came from... at that moment I didn't care.

I had it all to my throat.

"I'll let this slide because it is expedient that you mourn. You loose, your cousin wins..." She breathes harshly, slamming the door.

I let out a painful cry, kicking the tray of cookies away.

"I feel so alone." I mutter, hugging my shoulders tightly.

Ezra.

Where's Ezra?

I turn exasperatedly, in search of her.

How come, I haven't seen Ezra since I got back from school.

"Ezra." I call, checking her white cot

"Ezraaaaaa." I whisper again, checking every little corner in my room.

She's nowhere to be found. She just disappeared.

Ezra left me too.

I close my eyes, soothing my chest with my fingers as I try to stable my breathing.

"Hey, little cousin." The door yanks open. Ketura saunters in confidently "...seems like the town's dump is in this room" her mouth curls I'm disgust.

I clasp my knees shakily, holding them together "What do you want Ketura?" I ask

"Oh, I just want to see how my poor little cousin is doing..." Ketura smirks. I look away sadly.

"Okay now that you've seen her, can you please go?" I utter, fighting the tears that is brimming in my eyes

"Sure! Certainly! After all, I can't stay a minute longer in this dump... But do have this in your nonfunctional skull that Eros is mine, mates or not. And you'll do very well to stay clear off him... Do I make myself clear?!" She threatens

"Yeah." I nod in defeat. I felt too tired to argue, after all he rejected me for her.

He didn't want me.

"Good!" She smiles satisfactorily, reaching the door "I am glad you learnt your place on time, so I wouldn't have to waste my magic on you. Remember our last duel?" She giggle, slamming the door shut.

Her laughter echoes.

"That wasn't a duel Ketura, you and grandmother just simply connived to burying me alive for twelve hours." I whisper to the wind.

"Meow" A subtle sound came.

Ezra is gone already. It can't be her. She left too.

"Meow!" It came louder. I turn to see a severe burnt Ezra on the floor, struggling to breathe.

"Ezra! Oh goddess!!!" I exclaim, rushing to her fearfully as I carried her "What happened to you?" Tears creases down my cheeks, my heart went out to her.

This can't be... No no no no no...

What do I do? What spells do I make? I pull my hair frustratedly. My heart was aching so bad.

I am cursed.

Everything around me is unfortunate.

I can't loose Ezra. Please goddess I can't loose Ezra.

Ezra lets out a subtle cough, trying to stand in my arms.

"Ezraaaa." I cry, feeling her tremble roughly. Suddenly her claws tug at my Kwauzuac neckpiece, ripping it open.

"Nooooooo." I gasp, leaving her to fall to the ground.

Swiftly she enters me. The hair on my neck stands still.

The room goes dim, as the atmosphere becomes sizzling hot.

"Hermioneee." I hear whispers.

A red light suddenly breaks forth from my chest, crumpling me to the floor.

I black out.