I approach the central bowl and make a ceremonial bow. I raise my hands to my face, folding them into a boat. Take a deep breath, holding and touching the spirit world. Exhale. A lump of blue spiritual flame trembles in my palms. The flame swings slowly, not burning, not even physically warming....That is what spiritual fire is. Myth has it that strong kitsune can summon such fire in great quantities and even weave their illusions with it. It would be interesting to see that in person.
I dip my hands into the bowl and leave the flame there, fanning the flames until they rise above the bowl in deliberately slow, half-meter-long tongues. This unhurried movement is reminiscent of the movement of algae in underwater currents — the same fluidity. When I turned my back to the bowl after another bow, the heads of the aquatic inhabitants were already poking out of the water. In complete silence, as if in anticipation, we left the place.
Only after a few minutes did the girls let go of their obsession, and cautious questions about "what it was" followed. Without going too deep for them, I explained as best I could the nature of the spiritual flame. Only general facts, so to speak, because this phenomenon is no longer magical, but mystical, and to really know its meaning, one can only be able to call it, to work with it. That is, to be a user of spiritual practices, of which there are many in the world.
For a few minutes there was silence again, and we walked not too hastily, more like a stroll. I thought I'd be late because of the headmaster, but at least the girls are doing well, at least the firewood and stones are collected. There are not so serious and complicated details left. The garlands of various plants are also ready, and hanging them up will not be too difficult. I also hope that the guests will not be late, because they need to be introduced to some of the finer points.
At the right clearing, the work was boiling. At first glance, everyone was doing something on their own, without prompting or guidance. Crabbe and Goyle were hauling rocks from a large pile, Potter and Weasley were laying out wood for the fires, Malfoy was studying some papers with the most serious look on his face, Padma was hanging garlands on the trees around the clearing, and Luna, who had a wreath of fresh flowers on her head, was spinning in a dance, humming something and smiling a lot.
That's how the whole picture looks at first glance, but it's actually more complicated than that. First of all, Draco doesn't just stand there with papers and make a clever appearance, he uses the magic of orienteering and measuring: with the diagram in his hands, he accurately marks the places of the campfires, the resonance points where the stones are piled up, the places for the participants.
Padma uses her diagram to place the garlands, but her sister is in the kitchen. The rest of the boys are just doing physical labor. Luna, the lousy thing, has fallen into a trance, heard the first songs from the deep spiritual planes, and is now doing the ritual dance of greeting the spirits gathering from everywhere. I didn't teach her that.
I may teach her spiritual practices, but what she is doing now is a local Celtic peculiarity, although the Slavs have it too. Japanese practices are different, very different. I wonder where she got it from? Or maybe one of the local spirits suggested it? After all, it's local female magic. Hmm-a-a-a, this girl has an amazing imaginative potential, I feel that if she does not slow down, she will overtake me in this magic very quickly. Now that's a gift, and you can clearly feel that someone from the locals is clearly pushing Luna along.
Well, I'll deal with Luna later — I'm going to do a joint immersion into the spiritual plans and everything will become clear....or at least partially clear. Right now I have important things to do. By the way, when I started practicing Transfiguration, I didn't think I would need it so soon. The central fire, the largest, is surrounded by a ring of large gray stones. Each stone has a different irregular shape, and the gifts and offerings are to be stacked on them.
Since none of my assistants are familiar with this business, it is up to me personally to change the shape of the stones according to a single pattern — a cube, with a slight curve, so that they fit together properly and tightly. It is much easier to place a jug of milk or grain on a flat and wide surface.
It's just a shame I haven't gotten to the Transfiguration section yet, which deals with the topic of permanent material color change — so I'd paint the stones light gray or white. Fleur, by the way, tried to help with the stones, but she couldn't get them all the same shape, and practicing here and now wasn't the best idea. So the girl, puffing at her obvious failure, went to help with the garlands. I, having finished with those stones, went to check on the boys' work. The general main scheme was made by me, and checking its efficiency is not a problem for me, who sees energy webs of magic.
It was interesting to see how with each new stone or campfire a new module was connected to the general construction in real time. A shiver ran through the lines, as if they were taking a test breath, and then they stopped waiting, pulsating with the magic the construct had already managed to absorb from the surrounding background. Or did someone think I would start this whole nightmare on my own?
An outer ring of large, half-meter and larger boulders, the outer perimeter of which was marked by torches; a meter-wide ring of open space, the inner perimeter of which was covered with small stones; the first ring of fires, half a meter in diameter, surrounded by stones, with a meter and a half of space between the fires; a meter-wide ring of open space, the inner perimeter of which was covered with small stones; a meter-wide ring of fires, half a meter in diameter, surrounded by stones, with a meter and a half of space between the fires; a one-meter-wide ring of open space and another ring of fires, staggered in relation to the first ring, also covered with cobblestones;
A central platform, six meters wide, in the center of which is a three-meter-high fire pit with a three-meter-high cinder block. Outside the perimeter of the ritual ground, on the flattest spot, a large wooden table and wide but short benches for three people with backrests were set up. For Luna and me, it will be enough to cast spells on top of the ritual, like a superstructure or an ingredient network — the basic scheme can withstand even more.
Well, I think I've done my part and the circle is coming together properly. The guards of my men will arrive in a few hours, just as the boys are finished and can go to wash and change. Summoning spirits isn't an option this time — because of the power of the ritual, no one will agree not to participate, and protective charms and spells will simply blow away, so only living people. Although, Malfoy mentioned in his letter that each of the guests will be bringing two to four bodyguards, so hopefully everything will be fine....
I warned Draco, who was in charge of the boys, and Padma, who was in charge of the girls, to remember to follow the instructions in the special pamphlets each participant was given. When I was sure everything was in order, I went to see Hagrid — he, with the help of some house elves, was to bring the sacrificial sheep in on time. And there are other things to do.
I turn around again. A light dress filled with silver light, revealing only the girl's ankles and hands, decorated with patterns of flowers and some symbols. Her loose, slightly curly hair falls below her shoulders, with two thin braids of pearls at her temples. Golden skin and horns, eyes gleaming with gold and silver, blue and green sparks swirling around her lithe frame.
With each touch of the solid's slender feet, waves and the delicate ringing of bells spread through the spirit world. Hundreds and thousands of the most bizarre creatures, from fairies to a mighty black raven with four eyes glowing with an infernal radiance, whose wingspan covered the entire clearing. I feel a shiver run through the world, like a herd of beasts approaching. I lower my eyes to Luna. A swarm of light fairies has woven delicate white flowers into her hair, and now she's wearing a floral necklace around her neck.
The loud, tinkling laughter of the little creatures was almost lost in the mighty chorus of the gathered spirits, singing a sad but beautiful song with the smell of earth and cold rain. Luna smiled at the blonde fairy, showering the girl's hair with pink, sparkling pollen. A new dance began. I'm not worried about her: the spirit of the gray bear has generously shared his life force with the miko. I shake the bangs out of my hair, turn back to the castle, and walk away.