A Mother's Love and the Black Book
Sally had been going out every day for two straight weeks, and she always came back exhausted. Harry and Percy watched her with worry and sadness, feeling that they were spending less and less time with their mother. Yet, seeing her so tired, neither of them wanted to be a burden. So, the moment she arrived, they would hug her briefly and then slip away together into the backyard, playing quietly so she could rest.
Even so, Sally couldn't help but smile when she saw them being so obedient and understanding. But at the same time, her heart ached. She was still unsure if she should tell them the truth about the magical world while they were so young.
They were only six years old. On more than one occasion, Sally had even asked her editor—as if it were just another question about her books—whether she should reveal to two little boys the existence of a hidden world that they would, sooner or later, inevitably enter.
The answer had been simple, yet striking:
"Wouldn't it be better for them to know early on, so they're more prepared? If there are children who were born in that world, of course they'll be ahead of yours. The only real concern is making sure the place you send them is safe."
Sally agreed with that, and it was why during those last two weeks she had been visiting Diagon Alley every day. She observed it from different angles, trying to memorize every detail: the streets, the shops, the differences in class among wizards, the kind people and the not–so–kind ones. With Tom's help, who explained the basics, she learned far more than she had expected.
She also gathered information about the last war, and among the books she stumbled upon a curious and popular children's tale: Harry Potter and the Seller of Evil. Reading it, she realized that within those exaggerated and twisted lines was the story of how Harry had ended up with her. There were countless other books of the same style, all portraying her son as a famous figure in the magical world.
But that also meant that many might hate him, for being the child who had defeated their leader. Sally understood immediately that Harry could not be recognized. At the very least, his scar had to remain hidden—the only detail those stories seemed to get right. The personalities they invented were absurd, which was to be expected given that they were writing about a one–year–old.
She even burst out laughing when she read that Harry supposedly had a mount: a red dragon that breathed fire. Looking up, she saw Harry in the garden, battling Percy with two small sticks they pretended were swords, and her laughter only grew.
On one of her visits, she also came across a mysterious woman selling accessories. The woman was hidden beneath a cloak and a witch's hat, and for some reason Sally felt compelled to enter her shop, swearing she had never seen it before that day. She ended up buying two necklaces for the boys: Harry's was shaped like a wand, and Percy's like a sword. Both were delighted and refused to take them off, not even when going to bed.
The strange thing was that the very next day, the shop was gone.
The price had been enormous—nearly half of what Sally had earned from selling her gold at Gringotts. She only hoped it hadn't been a scam and that they truly were powerful protections. Fortunately, Tom confirmed that both necklaces carried magic within them. He couldn't say what spells they held, but they were defensive. That gave her a measure of peace.
In addition to wandering Diagon Alley, Sally shut herself in her office, studying all the books she had bought: magic, potions, enchantments, alchemy… Even if she could never cast spells, she was learning them in detail to know which ones might be dangerous for her children. She discovered that many could be lethal, but just as many could be used to help and protect.
At some point, Sally became obsessed. She wanted to understand everything, convinced that when the time came, she could help them with their studies even if she could not use magic herself.
…
"Do you think Mom is in trouble, Percy?" asked Harry one afternoon, peering through the window into the office where Sally sat surrounded by piles of books.
"Maybe she's just researching a lot for her new book," Percy replied, though his eyes also showed concern.
"How can we help her?" pressed Harry seriously. "I don't want Mom to be so tired."
"I don't know…" said Percy, lowering his shoulders.
"It's because we're not big enough yet. Maybe when we turn eleven and meet Grandma, we'll really be able to help Mom," Harry said firmly.
"Maybe," Percy answered without much confidence. Both boys sat in small hammocks in the garden, heads lowered.
"I'd like to ask my grandmother to help Mom," whispered Harry, clenching his little fist. Then the two went back into the house.
At that moment, Harry's pendant glowed softly. Among Sally's books, a black tome appeared out of nowhere, unnoticed by her.
…
In the third week of endless trips and study, Sally fell ill. For Harry and Percy, it felt as if their world had collapsed. Worry overwhelmed them, and they ran around without knowing what to do. Fortunately, Sally called the babysitter, Amy, to look after them while she rested.
The boys peeked through the bedroom door, their faces clouded with worry, not daring to make a sound.
"It's alright, boys. Your mother just has a cold and is exhausted. With rest and medicine she'll be fine," Amy said gently. She carried a tray with hot soup and medicine, setting it on the nightstand. "How about you two take her the medicine yourselves?" she added, lowering the tray carefully for them.
Harry and Percy nodded with grave determination, as if they had just been entrusted with an ancient mission to save the world.
Amy smiled softly at the love the little ones showed for their mother, and she guided them carefully so they wouldn't spill anything. The boys held the tray together, each taking a corner, advancing slowly and cautiously until they stood before Sally's bed.
"Mom, take the medicine," said Percy with solemnity.
"And the soup," Harry added quickly.
Sally opened her eyes with effort and smiled when she saw them. She sat up slowly, took the medicine and the soup, and drank them in front of the boys without a single complaint, only to give them peace of mind.
"Thank you, my little knights. But I don't want to pass this on to you," she said with a hint of pain, wishing she could hug them though knowing she had to hold back.
"It's alright, Mom. Get well soon," Harry replied.
"We'll stay close," added Percy seriously.
"Thank you… I love you both very much," whispered Sally before lying back down again.
Harry and Percy looked at each other with proud smiles, then tiptoed out of the room.
…
Outside the bedroom they were still a little worried, but remembering that the medicine would work calmed them down.
"I know! We can help Mom by cleaning her office," Harry proposed firmly.
"You're right," Percy agreed with a smile.
Re–energized, the two ran toward Sally's office with renewed enthusiasm. Amy watched them rush by like a whirlwind and shook her head fondly, relieved to see them recover their cheer so quickly, before returning to Sally's room.
"Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital? You look very exhausted," Amy asked seriously.
"Yes, I know… don't worry, Amy. I just need to sleep well tonight. I'm sorry for calling you on such short notice," Sally answered tiredly.
"It's fine. But you really should take better care of your health. After all, to your children you are their whole world, and if you get sick, they'll feel deeply unsettled," Amy said with quiet firmness.
"I know… it's my fault," Sally admitted with a strained smile. "When I recover, I have to do something very important. I have to tell them."
Then she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep, helped along by the medicine. Amy didn't understand what she meant, but simply smiled and left the room, turning off the light.
As she passed by the office, she paused for a moment: Harry and Percy were there, struggling to organize their mother's books. They had climbed onto two chairs to reach the shelves.
Harry picked up a black book that caught his attention. He looked at it in confusion for a few seconds before placing it at the center of the desk. At that moment, Percy, carrying a mountain of volumes, lost his balance and fell to the floor, buried under them.
Harry burst out laughing, completely forgetting the book.
"You're such an idiot, Percy," he said between laughs, making no move to help him.
"Help me, you idiot!" Percy protested, kicking his feet as he tried to wriggle free.
Amy, standing at the doorway, couldn't resist coming in to help Percy, while Harry continued laughing gleefully.
Meanwhile, the black book on the desk glowed faintly. For an instant, golden runes in a Greek style appeared across its cover, encircling the image of a burning torch in the center.