1

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Hermione Granger awoke slowly, blinking several times to clear her vision. Odd. She did not feel pain anywhere in her body. The last thing she remembered was the look on Bellatrix's face as she shot a killing curse before Molly Weasley could stop her. The young woman shot up in alarm, immediately regretting it as her forehead was met with resistance.

"Ow!" she hissed, rubbing the sore spot as she tried to make sense of her surroundings.

Wherever she was, it was dark, the little light that streamed in came from a sliver of an opening in front of her. Hermione felt around blindly for her wand and flinched as her hand came into contact with a rough, warm woven something on her lap. The material felt stringy in her hands, and as she acclimatized to the darkness, she realized that it was a blanket of moss interwoven with flowering vines.

"What in the world?" she wondered out loud, fingering the material curiously. She still hadn't found her wand - a worrying thought, since she had no idea where she was, or how she got there. She pulled the blanket off her and moved to stand, her foot almost immediately catching on something, making her stumble.

"Circe, what is it now?" she said exasperatedly, only to find her bare foot had caught on a twisting tree root. "Am I inside a tree?"

The thought seemed to be laughable, but she quickly realized that the light breaking through the cracks was covered only by a curtain of the same material her blanket had been made of. A hesitant hand made to push the curtain out of the way, only to stop when she heard voices from outside.

"It's been days, she's been here. Hopper!" someone said in an oddly high pitched tone, "I need my hidey-hole back! My nuts are in there!"

Hermione frowned, was the afterlife just one big mushroom trip?

"Patience, Squeak, she'll be up and about soon, and you can have your nuts then. Oh, I hope she isn't cold, that blanket you and the others made isn't very warm." a soft, worried tone was the answer to the first, only making Hermione more confused.

"She'll be fine," the first voice - Squeak, said, "If you had helped, then it might've been thicker!"

"Well, I'm not exactly able to, am I?" Hopper replied heatedly, "Excuse me for having paws."

That was it, Hermione moved the curtain aside, deciding to face her fever dream, or heaven -whatever it was. "Pardon me, but could you please tell me where I am?"

Whatever it was she expected to find when she exited her little tree hollow, it wasn't what she was faced with. A grey coated bunny and a squirrel were staring up at her, craning their necks from where they stood at her feet.

"Ráwen! Ráwen! Welcome to the Greenwood!" the two chorused. The squirrel, Squeak, Hermione presumed, began to climb up the length of her body, latching onto her leg and then clutching onto what she now realized was a gossamer green dress, until the creature came to rest upon her shoulder.

"Er, hello." she said, not for once forgetting how surreal this all was - she was actually talking to a squirrel. Also, her voice had changed somewhat, it sounded softer, more fluid than it had been. She was just about to ask where she was again when the leaves of the trees surrounding the clearing of her large oak tree began to rustle noisily. Suddenly, her ears were filled with the melodious chorus of several voices.

"Aldariel! She is awake, she is awake!"

"What is that?" she said, whipping her head about to find the source of the voices, all the while cautious of the presence on her shoulder.

"The trees, Ráwen! They welcome you to the Greenwood!" Squeak squeaked into her ear.

Well, that didn't help her at all. "And whereabouts in the world is the Greenwood?" she asked politely, if not a little impatiently.

"Why, in Arda, of course! Middle Earth!" Hopper chimed in. "Mother Oak said you'd ask that."

"Mother Oak?" Hermione asked.

Squeak then pulled her hair softly, trying to get her to turn around. She allowed it, and was met by the sight of the biggest tree she had ever seen in her life. It was no wonder she fit in its hollow. It was twice the size of the Whomping Willow!

"Mae govannen, Oromiel. At last, you are awake." the Oak said in an old, wizened croak in her head.

Hermione's mind was whirring with questions that she shot in rapidfire. "Where am I? Am I dead? Why am I here?"

"You are in Middle Earth, a world far different from your own. You are both dead and not dead, there, you are, here, you are not. As for why you are here, that is the Valar's doing."

"The Valar?" she repeated, sounding like a broken record.

"The Powers that created this land. You have been blessed by them, by Orome especially."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, getting frustrated. This was going nowhere!

"Look to you arms, Oromiel." said Mother Oak.

Hermione looked obediently, and the sight that met her eyes made her gasp in surprise. Her left forearm, where her Mudblood scar had been fresh and pink the last she saw it, was now faded and illegible, marred by a thin line in the middle like an arrow had shot through it. The word twisted around it like magled vines of silver around a tree branch. Most surprising, however, was the familiar pattern the scars followed the protruding white line.

"Is that - is that my wand?!" she half-shrieked, surprising the squirrel on her shoulder, who hung on to her hair in alarm.

"Quilde, Oromiel." the oak hushed, "It will be explained in good time by a friend of the forest. Come, the forest has prepared you a feast."

She was led by Hopper and Squeak to the other side of the humoungoud tree, where shielded from the brilliant morning sun was a brook happily bubbling along. Near the bank was a short table just about her arms' length. Several animals were milling about, some hustling around makeshift plates of leaves and stone bowls. Hermione bent down to help a hedgehog that had been carrying about a stone bowl twice its size.

"Let me help you there, little one." she said, lifting the bowl, as well as the hedgehog, who she placed inside the bowl to carry. "What's your name?"

The little critter grunted shyly, "Sebastian, my lady." it said, peeking up at her.

Hermione laughed at the absurdity of it all, "Hello, Sebastian, I'm Hermione, although, it seems as though everyone has different names for me now."

"We call you Ráwen, lion maiden!" Squeak chirped helpfully, "The trees call you Aldariel, the tree crowned lady, and Mother Oak calls you Oromiel, daughter of Orome."

She was led to sit at the table, where she faced the brook. It was a stunning sight, really, all the green, and the glittering water, the moss covered rocks and the animals, several raccoons and mice ran about preparing everything for her, she grinned at them as they passed, oddly not the least put off that they were preparing her food.

Hermione held back a sigh of relief upon seeing that there were no meats at her table, it would have been quite awkward had the animals been forced to prepare one of their own. A stone goblet of wine had been placed to her right, as well as a stone urn, next to her leaf plate was a set of wooden utensils waiting for her. Laid out on the table were bowls of vegetable greens and fruits, loaves of sweet smelling honey bread next to a serving of what looked to be clotted cream, and a few pots of different berry jams. It was quite a feast, a bit too much in her opinion. The animals looked up at her expectantly when they finished their preparations, as if waiting for her to begin eating.

Hermione smiled at them in thanks, "Thank you very much, but won't you join me? It's quite lonely, dining with one's self."

If animals could smile, they were certainly doing so now, as each critter moved to help themselves, but also pick separate things to put on her own plate, like worrying mothers.

Hermione chuckled to herself as she nibbled on a slice of honey loaf. Her eyes wandered around, quickly coming upon the sight of several deer creeping up from behind Mother Oak.

"Á tule." she said softly, surprising herself with the ease of the foreign language rolling off her tongue. The deer crept up warily, looking at the apples she held out to the welcomingly. When they finally came close enough, she set a bowl of greens for them to share.

A few moments passed peacefully, until the animals suddenly tensed, their heads all pointing in the same direction on the other side of the brook. She frowned, trying to make out the shape that was peeking through the trees. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest when she realized that the leaves barely hid a golden mane that glinted in the sunlight. Understanding the little critter's alarm, she stood, moving to separate them from the predator, that which she had been named after.

"Hello," she said, looking straight into the creature's large dark eyes, "Will you hurt us, mellon nin?"

The beast shook his head, its mane following the movement, "I would not hurt you or yours, Ráwen. I bring you no harm."

She nodded, "Come, join us."

The rest of her new animal friends looked on warily as the lion joined her, stepping on the stones to cross the brook carefully. He laid down with all the grace of the king of all animals, and made his presence known at her side. He was a rather large lion, almost the height of the biggest stags that had joined her.

"What are you called, mellon nin?" she asked, running her hand through his mane absently, smiling when the beast pushed himself into her hand and purred.

"You may call me Godric." he said, watching her knowingly.

Hermione's eyes narrowed, "Are you perhaps the friend of the forest, come to explain things to me? Because I'm still quite confused about all this."

The lion chuckled, "Yes, that would be me. Orome thought it fitting that I would be named after the greatest lion you knew before."

Hermione crossed her arms expectantly, waiting for him to begin.

Godric huffed, pushing his head against her arm, as if he were a house cat begging for a scratch.

She sighed, "All right, but you have to tell me everything."

The lion nodded, "This is Middle Earth. The world you know of no longer exists, it, your past was lost to you the moment that dark witch struck you with the killing curse."

"So, you're saying I've been reborn? Like in Buddhism? Is this Nirvana?" she asked, looking around.

"Alas, it is not the land of which you speak, merely another stepping stone to finding your peace." Godric said.

"So what is this place? In what kind of world could I be able to talk to animals and trees? Does everyone do that here?"

"Not everyone," Godric acknowledged, "a few, but not all. This world is divided into several different races, the first are the free peoples, the elf-children, the dwarves, the ents, men, and hobbits. Then there are those consumed by darkness, balrogs and goblins and orcs, and many more, fell creatures that pollute this realm with their filth."

"Where do I fall in, then?" she asked.

"You are among the Istari,the wizards, the only woman amongst them, as well as the youngest. You are Hermione the Green, maiden of the forest, and lady of lions, tree-friend and daughter of Orome."

Hermione frowned, "And what is it that I'm meant to be doing here?"

"Whatever you wish, of course." Godric said simply, "Anything or nothing at all."

Her frown deepened even more, "So there are others like me? Wizards, you said?"

"Yes, five of them, Saruman the White, Gandalf the Grey, Radagast the Brown, who coincidentally lives quite near, and the two Blue wizards, Alatar and Pallando."

"Is my magic any different here?" she asked, eyeing her left arm.

"I cannot say. Perhaps the Valar has seen it fit to bless you with the magic you once had. After all, they did give you the tongue of trees and creatures and elves."

"Is that what we're speaking? Elvish?"

Godric nodded, "Sindarin, to be precise. The common tongue would be what you would have once called English. It is spoken by men and hobbits alike."

Hermione sighed, "So is this it, then? This is my new life? Green forests and animals?"

Godric growled, making Squeak jump a little in fright. Hermione tutted, and hushed the squirrel with a soft pet. "This forest is not as green as you might think. Only in the clearing of Mother Oak is it healthy. Hidden from you, a darkness seeps into the very roots of the land, poisoning everything and everyone."

The daunting tone of the lion alarmed her, and she turned to face Hopper, who had been observing the conversation quietly, "Is this true?" she asked.

The rabbit nodded solemnly, "The Greenwood is sick. It has been very bad lately, the mushrooms rot and the air smells of death. Not good at all. The Brown wizard tries his best, but it is too much for him, I think. We hoped that Ráwen would help."

Hermione nodded, "I will, I promise."

She moved to stand, but a heavy paw stopped her from doing so, "Rest, now, Oromiel. It is not the time to save Middle Earth, not yet."

For the next two weeks, Hermione stayed in her clearing, learning how to weave from the spiders who had spun her gossamer dress and practicing her magic, which was taking a while of getting used to without a wand in her hand. She was feeling quite proud of herself, honestly, because in a matter of days she had crafted, with the help of her new friends, two new dresses, breeches, a tunic, and a travelling cloak. She had also learned that her magic fell on the peaceful side. Nature spells came easily, as well as healing charms, so easy, in fact, that she no longer needed the incantation for casting. Harmful curses were more difficult, draining much more energy than they should have.

So she set aside jinxes and curses in exchange for growth charms and healing spells, practicing the former for shorter periods of time. For the last two days she had been exploring the outskirts of her little clearing, with the ever vigilant Godric at her side, who had somehow been given the duty of guarding her. At times, when her magic took a little of toll, he even nudged her into mounting him the rest of the way back to Mother Oak.

And this was what they were up to now, journeying back from their day of healing the trees at her border to where the animals would be preparing for her supper. The charming creatures were very much like house elves in the way that they simply refused to let her prepare anything for herself. She wasn't quite sure where they got the food, she suspected they were nicking a few things from the Brown wizard's stores. The wizard was someone she had yet to meet. The animals had told her that he was busy scurrying about the entirety of the Greenwood, trying to help all that had fallen into sickness. Again, when she suggested offering her help, Godric held her back, saying it was not yet the time.

As the lion and the maiden neared Mother Oak, Hermione felt a stirring in her wards, it was different from when animals crossed the border, more powerful, and rather intimidating. She turned quickly, eyes waiting for an intruder. Godric, too, seemed on edge, a growl escaping his throat in warning.

"Who goes there?" Hermione asked, trying her best to keep a steady voice.

Out of nowhere, several rabbits came bursting through the trees in front of her, carrying with them, like sled dogs, a short brown clad man, with a beard as wild as Hagrid's. They were travelling at such a fast pace that Hermione barely had time to lift her hand to stop them before crashing into her and Godric. The first of the rabbits froze to a halt just a few inches away from her, looking frightened for its life because Godric had begun to sniff around the poor thing.

She waved her arm over them again and brought down the spell. "Hello, friends, what brings you to my side of the wood?"

The bearded man scoffed, and in a panicky voice said, "Your side of the wood? Who are you, girl, to claim ownership of this meadow, which I have grown from seed and sapling?"

"She is Hermione the Green, Rawen, lady of lions, Aldariel, maiden of the trees, Oromiel, daughter of Orome." Godric announced in a proud voice only a lion could make.

"The Green?" the man chirped, "Orome?"

"You know my name, good sir, pray tell, what is yours?" she said kindly.

"Radagast, Radagast the Brown. You're a witch, then, girl? Never met a witch before."

Hermione smiled knowingly, choosing to ignore the white stain on the side of his head that looked grossly close to bird droppings. "Finally, another Istari. Godric said I couldn't meet you yet, I suppose the Valar have seen it fit for us to meet today. Why the rush, Radagast the Brown?"

"I am on my way to find Gandalf the Gray, for I have seen things, horrid things that bring sickness to this forest. It is witchcraft that -"

The wizard paused in his words, suddenly, his eyes narrowed at her, roving up and down her person. "You're a witch."

"I am." she said cautiously.

"It is a foreign magic, an evil magic that brings darkness to this wood, one I have not seen before. One that rots the very roots of the trees and that poisons the animals, poor Sebastian is still recovering. And you, you're a new witch. A foreign witch. Are you an evil witch, girl?" the wizard sneered, faltering slightly when Godric let out a low growl.

Hermione held her hands up, "I promise you, wizard, I am not, I am merely - did you say Sebastian? The hedgehog?"

"What is it to you?" the man asked, watching her every move.

"Is he with you?" she asked, looking around the sled, "Can I see him? I promise I can help!"

The sudden change in the girl shocked the wizard, but the suspicion did not leave his eyes. A twittering drew their attention away, and both Istari looked up to find a blue jay fluttering above their heads. The bird landed on Radagast's shoulder, and pecked his ear as if scolding the wizard.

"She's telling the truth Aewendil. Trust her, she can help." the bird chirped.

Radagast eyed the bird in surprise, then levelled his gaze on Hermione, who tried to look as innocent as she could. She watched the short man dig into his robes and bring out the hedgehog who was barely the size of his palm, and shaking sickly.

"Goodness," Hermione gasped, nearing the wizard, without asking, she took the creature from him and knelt on the grass, laying Sebastian on her lap. Like she had done several times in the last few days, she took out a jar of essence of dittany, harvested from plants she had found growing next to Mother Oak, and let the potion trickle into the hedgehog's mouth. She then closed her eyes and cupped him into her hands, murmuring quietly under her breath.

Radagast watched in silent awe as the witch glowed a brilliant light, slightly tinged in green, resembling an elleth in her brightness. A sigh of relief left him when he saw the hedgehog release a breath with ease.

"He will be fine after a few hours." Hermione said, eyes fluttering open. She stood, quietly walking towards Mother Oak, where she laid the animal inside her hollow, covering him with her own blanket.

"I swear on the Valar, Radagast the Brown, that I am not evil." she said, after turning around.

As if he had trusted her from the beginning, he nodded gruffly and got back onto his sled, "Well come on then, girl, we've a Gray wizard to find!"

Hermione hesitated, eyeing the man's shit stained hair and moth lined clothes. She may have been lady of the forest, but she still valued her personal hygiene.

"Godric will take me." she said simply, looking to the lion who nodded in agreement.

"Very well, then. Let's go!"

a/n: First things first, to people who follow me and my current WIP, The Hidden Duchess, I am most definetly procrastinating - the next chapter will be up soon! at least, when i get to start it.

Also, for new readers, if this in anyway reminds you of a gorgeous story called The Elvenqueen by PristinelyUngifted, I promise that ot wasn't my intention - this has been a brainshild for quite a while now and I only stumbled across her story recently. I had convinced myself not to post it - to avoid drama that comes with this website and copying issues, but a few of my readers have told me to post this anyway. If any of you find that this story's origins are too close to that of PristinelyUngifted's, please do say so. i will be sure to take down this story.