Morgana's Last Gift
"Mor, could I ask you something?" said Sally, approaching a little nervously the woman who was watching Harry and Percy train in the yard. One was practicing small illusions of puppies, and the other was swinging his sword with strength. After almost two months, both already had the foundations of magic and swordplay.
Even the goblin Einjard had said that Percy, with what he had already learned, didn't need to see him every day anymore. If he wanted to learn something new, he should go directly to him… but he warned him not to skip his training, or he would kick his backside. Still, he allowed Percy to come at any hour, always willing to instruct him. In short, the formal lessons were over, giving him more freedom now. Luckily, Percy knew his teacher was serious, so he kept practicing even without being watched. Although sometimes he got distracted and simply enjoyed the day with his brother.
For his part, Harry could now not only feel the Mist but also control it with greater precision. He wasn't far from being able to transform objects using the Mist, and that was even before touching Hogwarts' magic. In other words, his foundation was more solid than that of many current wizards.
Mor lifted her gaze toward Sally.
"I would like to learn how to make potions," she confessed at last, releasing what she had been holding inside, with a slight fear of being rejected. Sally had advanced a lot in magic, but as an adult it had taken her even more time than Harry to be able to feel the Mist. Still, what she lacked in talent she made up for with hard work, staying up entire nights practicing. Now she could even use spells from Hogwarts' books, though with the Mist as her core her spells were somewhat slower. Luckily, they still held the power they should.
"Potions?" Mor asked, glancing at her sideways.
"Yes. When Percy hurt his ankle, Mr. Einjard used one. And when Harry got sick, you also gave him one. I would like to learn how to prepare them so I can help them. Besides… it could also be a way to have a more stable economy in the wizarding world, not just exchanging pounds for gold and then in Gringotts. That way I could give the children better things." Sally spoke with complete sincerity, hiding none of her reasons.
"Of course," Mor replied without hesitation. She snapped her fingers, and a huge black book fell from the ceiling with a crash. "You can use this. It's my research book. Now it's yours."
Sally was left speechless. She hadn't expected it to be so easy, nor for Mor to say it with such naturalness.
"Ah, but… I only want to learn, I don't need all your research," she quickly replied, shaking her head. She knew what that book meant. She had seen Mor prepare potions, and compared to the Hogwarts books, it was like witnessing another discipline altogether. Her mixtures were faster, more powerful… the work of a true master at the peak.
"It's fine, I won't use it anymore. And… there's little time left. I have to go back." Mor smiled softly.
"What?" Sally's eyes widened. "Where?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Since Mor had arrived, she had become someone she trusted to care for her children. She guided them, entertained them, trained them… she was truly their aunt. And Sally had also grown fond of her, learning much along the way.
"To the Underworld," Mor replied simply. "After all, that's my place."
Her gaze drifted toward Percy and Harry, who had just stopped training and, for some reason, were busy digging a hole in the ground. The sight brought a smile to her lips.
Sally, familiar with Greek mythology, widened her eyes. "You… are dead?" she whispered softly, not wanting the children to hear.
"Not technically. I'm in an intermediate state, thanks to a foolish old man," Mor said, shaking her head and frowning as she remembered a certain wizard. "In truth, I shouldn't be in this world at all, but sealed. But two beautiful goddesses helped me escape to support a family as adorable as yours. One of them even gave me the time she used to manifest. But that time is running out." Her eyes lifted toward the sky, toward the stars and the moon. "I have to return to my seal. And perhaps… I won't be able to come out again."
Sally grew even more nervous. "Isn't there anything that can be done?" she asked with a thread of hope.
Mor looked at her and smiled lightly. "Hahaha… are you really asking how to save a powerful witch from the bindings that cost a great wizard so much to create?" she said with amusement. "I won't tell you. I don't want you to put yourselves in danger… or end up facing the entire wizarding world."
In the past, the old Mor surely would have deceived this adorable family into freeing her. But she wasn't the same anymore. After so much time imprisoned, she had seen the light again. And that light came from this family, who had accepted her unconditionally, who had made her part of their lives as "Aunt Mor." A family she never had. That was why she wouldn't do it.
"When?" Sally asked, realizing there was nothing she could do, though her face grew sad.
"At midnight," Mor answered easily.
Sally's eyes widened, surprised at how little time was left. "Why didn't you say so earlier?" she complained, with a touch of anger.
"What would it have changed? You would only have been sad for longer," Mor replied calmly. "Don't tell the children why I left. I'm only telling you because I felt you needed to know."
"I see…" Sally murmured, lowering her arms. Then she lifted her gaze with determination. "Then we have to throw a farewell party."
Though her eyes still shone with sadness, she tried to smile.
Mor looked at her and smiled softly. "Then I'll be waiting for it."
,,,
That same night, the room was decorated with improvised garlands and a cake rested on the table. Everyone surrounded Mor, who stood in the center, while Harry clung to one of her legs and Percy to the other, insisting with laughter that this way she wouldn't be able to leave.
The idea made both Mor and Sally laugh.
"Alright, but if you don't let go, there won't be any cake," Mor said with a smile toward the two. Yet the children seemed unwilling to release her.
"No," protested Harry, shaking his head and holding on even tighter.
"If you go, who's going to teach us how to bother the Dursleys' dog?" added Percy with equal stubbornness.
Mor smiled and raised both hands. With a simple gesture, the little ones floated gently into the air until they landed in their seats. "Don't worry. If destiny allows it, we'll meet again," she said softly. "And in the meantime… I'll give each of you a gift to remember me by."
She pulled a small pouch from her clothing and reached into it. First, she took out a golden sword engraved with runes glowing with a magical light. She touched the blade, and it transformed into a small sword-shaped pendant. She handed it to Percy.
"This will help you when you need it. It will go perfectly with your necklace," Mor explained with a smile.
Percy received it with enthusiasm, trying to make it grow again but without success.
"It's still too soon," Mor warned.
Then, she pulled out a green book that looked ancient but was in perfect condition. The cover was adorned with delicate runes. She handed it to Harry.
"This book contains forgotten spells, runes, and rituals. It will only reveal itself when you're ready to understand them, and only you will be able to open it. Take good care of it," she said. Harry hugged the book to his chest as if it were a treasure.
Finally, Mor looked toward Sally and took out the last item from the pouch: a black wand, finely carved and smooth, with Greek runes engraved on the handle.
"This will help you handle this world's magic better. Its core comes from an animal that no longer exists, so take good care of it," Mor said.
"Thank you," Sally replied, receiving it carefully, her sadness hard to conceal.
The small farewell party went on, though with a melancholic air. Harry and Percy ended up with damp cheeks and swollen eyes from crying so much at the thought of their aunt and favorite teacher leaving.
Close to midnight, Mor took out a pocket watch and looked at it: it was eleven. She had only one hour left before being dragged back into her seal.
"Then, let's clear the path a little for where my nephews will be," she murmured with a smile, disappearing from the room to appear just outside the city.
She crossed through a magical veil and observed the surroundings. All around, the night pulsed with the presence of thousands of monsters. Europe was one of the most infested places, a territory where demigods could barely survive without being hunted to exhaustion. That invisible wall had been created long before Harry and Percy arrived, to protect the wizarding world. But now, with the two of them inside, the barrier itself had become dangerous: their awakening could trigger chaos that threatened not only the children but the British wizarding world as a whole.
"I'll give them enough time to grow," Morgana said, as an immense amount of magic began to concentrate around her. "Even if it costs me a harsher punishment." Her expression hardened.
"Merlin, you foolish old man… I wonder what face you'd make seeing me do all this just for three people," she murmured with irony, before letting out a cry that echoed in the darkness.
The monsters felt it instantly. A tide of creatures surged toward her: beasts of every kind, twisted shadows, nightmare vermin. Even dark dragons rose into the sky, roaring as if the whole night itself had turned against Morgana.
Meanwhile, in the Ministry of Magic, chaos erupted. The trace of every wand in England activated at the same time, as if every wizard were casting spells simultaneously. Magical alarms rang in every corner.
A tremor shook all of England. Many Muggles thought it was an earthquake, but after that shudder, nothing else happened.
At the stroke of midnight, Sally lay in bed with Harry and Percy at her sides, all three with dried tears on their cheeks.
"I hope we meet again, Morgana," Sally whispered tenderly, hugging the children sleeping beside her.