Prodigal Witch

Okay, okay! The entire calling and binding to a number of wizards.

Hermione stood in the center of the ritual circle. She looked around to Adrian, Draco, and Theo. She focused on each of them for a moment, making eye contact. They each gave her a nod that they were ready to begin; giving her much needed moral support. No one wanted to proceed without Marcus, but it had already begun and there was no way to stop it. Hermione just had to trust that either Harry would find Marcus soon, or that her magic would find him as the centaurs and Veela thought it might.

Hermione closed her eyes and focused on her magic. She could feel that it was ready. Air, Earth, Water, and Fire were all attuned with her, the power of each element poised to act.

"Evoco Optivus," she said with a clear, firm tone.

Hermione poured everything she had into those two simple words, which literally translated to something like Summon the Chosen. Magic was often deceptively complicated. The words were simple, but to get them to work properly required a great deal more. If that weren't the case, every first year could summon a fully formed Patronus. For the Calling, the elemental magic was essential; without it, they were just meaningless words that did nothing. Those words, channeling the elemental magic, and strong focused control combined to create the Calling.

Hermione could sense and feel the elemental magic ever since she'd woke up from her coma. It was a constant presence. She felt her magic extend and stretch out of her body, each element extending outward like an elastic ribbon.

The fire magic stopped pulling, so Hermione looked in the direction it took. She felt it make contact and saw Draco's eyes go wide.

Hermione couldn't restrain her smile. Her fire magic had quickly reached out and taken hold of Draco Malfoy. She was so happy and so was her magic, she could feel it. Draco began advancing toward the circle. The crowd's silence was broken by a buzz of murmurs and whispers as people reacted. When Draco reached the edge and stepped over the glowing perimeter, he looked partially astounded and partially elated. He approached her and kissed her, hard. Of course, Draco wouldn't be bothered by the massive crowd watching them. Hermione wanted to laugh; she was so joyous and giddy.

"I'm so happy you're here," she told him after they broke the kiss. Hermione clung to him for a moment and didn't care how it looked. Tears of happiness were brimming in her eyes and she saw them in his as well, though he'd never admit that.

"So am I, Granger," he responded, grinning widely. "I knew there was no way you could resist me."

Hermione laughed at his cocky bravado and wiped her eyes.

"What next?" He asked, looking toward Adrian and Theo.

"I felt all four elements reach out. Fire went to you and made contact, but the others are still out there."

Hermione concentrated on the directions her magic took. It seemed fire had moved fastest, but that wasn't too surprising. Fire was quick and impulsive. The other three elements were still moving, just slower.

Air was moving in sweeping arcs, as if it were being blown by the wind, so it was hard to gauge where it would ultimately land. Hermione felt it stop, as the fire had. She looked up and saw Theo staring back at her, his brow furrowed. Hermione felt the Air magic firmly take hold of something and saw Theo look down to his waist. Of course, no one could see it, but it was there and it was forceful. Theo began moving toward the circle, pulled by the air magic, but also excitedly walking himself.

Again, the volume of the crowd increased as they chattered and commented about Theo's movement. Theo practically leapt over the circle boundary and hastened to get to her and Draco. Theo swept her up and kissed her. He was full of emotion, but so was she. She had Theo and Draco with her and no one could take them away from her, ever.