Author's Note: Sorry for such a long break between updates for the main story (I'm almost finished with my thesis and hopefully should be back to writing for this more!) I hope the side stories are helpful in easing the hiatus a bit (they'll be more and more common). Thank you all for your reviews and favorites, they're highlights of my days. As always, I own nothing, it all belongs to the creators of Merlin and JK Rowling.
Chapter Thirteen: The Board is Set
After the exhausting journey down memory lane, Morgana threw herself into plotting out their next moves. Meeting with the coven to discuss new legislation being passed in the Wizengamot, to running around chasing Harry when he got home from school, to flirting with Sirius and Remus and the boundaries she'd placed between the three of them. Letting them view her memories had been a torturous task but it did benefit their relationship. The openness that existed between the three of them now was startling at times, reminding her eerily of her past with Merlin.
As Harry grew, so did the rest of Corvus House. Sirius began working in earnest with his family to take back the Dark faction that had grown from Voldemort's roots in the Wizengamot. Remus earned his Mastery in Ancient Runes and began working with Ted Tonks as a legal apprentice. Morgana though, had begun moving with the coven, reaching out to gather more women to the cause as she herself gained multiple masteries and started a tutoring program for muggle-borns straight out of Hogwarts who didn't know where to go after graduation.
After Harry's eighth birthday she started to join Sirius and the Black's in their moves in the Wizengamot and facing off against the twinkly eyed Chief Warlock. Her first real encounter with his faction though, happened away from the marble halls and on the cobblestone streets of Diagon Alley.
Luna's seventh birthday was heralded a mass trip to the Alley with all the children so she could celebrate in with them altogether. Gathering at Corvus House early that morning, Harry, Draco, Neville, Luna, Hermione, Theo, and Blaise were pumped full of cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa by Sirius before passed into Morgana and Remus' hands for the rest of the day while Sirius napped. Susan Bones was going to come, but had recently contracted a case of pentapox, a milder cousin to the dreaded dragon pox and so was curled up in her bed at home, though Amelia had dropped off her gift for Luna. Xenophilius and Pandora were off hunting some wrackspurt infestation in the wilderness of the Appalachians, leaving Luna to be cared for by Narcissa and Morgana in turns.
Gathering the children towards the floo, Morgana had Remus step through first before ushering them through one after the other. Theo tripped and fell in head first shouting out "Diagon Alley". Blaise sniffed at that display and dropped the floo powder with a casual toss of the hand. Draco rolled his eyes at Blaise's departure and took Luna by the hand before following. Hermione coughed at the ashes in the air before asking Morgana how exactly floo powder worked, was it a chemical reaction that sparked the innate magic in the air? Neville blushed and stumbled through a thank you before disappearing in the green flames, leaving Harry alone with Morgana. Taking a handful of the gritty powder he sent a cheeky grin at his Mumgana before disappearing in a flash, the words "Diagon Alley" prompting Morgana's swift teleportation, she hated to use the Floo Network, the soot and ashes clung to her for days afterwards.
Arriving in a whirl of air she surveyed the gaggle of children swarming Remus before the entrance of Gringotts. Several goblins were standing guard in front of the marble building and sent smirks at Morgana as she approached. Her acquaintanceship with the Director was well known among the goblin horde as was her true identity, though they had sworn not to reveal it.
"Settle down please. Luna has requested that our first stop be Magical Menagerie so if everyone could please stop jumping over Remus and follow along?" Morgana let her words trail off, an indulgent smile forming as Harry elbowed Draco into compliance and the two started ushering the other kids to follow Morgana down the street.
Remus let out a low chuckle as he led the tail end of the group, his amusement at Morgana's ability to command the children evident. He'd volunteered to help her chaperone this birthday outing purely to see her interact with the kids. After he'd been relegated babysitter too many times to count over the years, mainly because every parent had insisted Sirius was far too irresponsible and childlike to do so, he'd been craving revenge and the birthday party seemed like a perfect chance. Narcissa had mentioned she would be joining them later for tea, but until then, Morgana was the child monitor.
The group made their way into the brightly colored shop, dodging several disgruntled wizards along the way. Morgana sneered away complaints about loudness and ill-mannered children as they walked. Following the children into the shop, she smiled as they broke off into pairs, descending on the animals with fervent excitement.
Hermione led Neville along towards the back of the shop, the cages of kneazles and crups drawing her attention. Luna and Theo were peering into the cages of several brightly colored birds, Luna's bright blue eyes gleaming as she stroked the plumage of a particularly lurid green bird. Draco and Harry made a beeline straight for the snake tanks, Draco's excited bounce as they loomed over the scaled reptiles evident. Blaise led a bemused Remus into the corner to look at the owls on display, jabbering away in Italian at the man.
"Aunt Morgana come here," Draco's voice drew her attention to the mischievous duo by the snake tanks and Morgana side stepped loose crup and made her way over to them.
"Yes Draco?"
"Look. Harry can talk to snakes!" Draco gestured wildly over to Harry who was leaning over the tank and quietly hissing at the snakes within.
Morgana watched as a particularly large snake moved closer to the edge of the tank, its head bobbing up and down as Harry hissed at it. Closing her eyes she murmured a spell under her breath to hear what they were saying.
"Do you like being in the tank?" Harry's voice carried a light tone of concern, he was such a sweet boy.
"It is tight, we need space to roam." The snake replied, its tongue lashing out to taste at the sudden shift of power in the air. "The female beside you knows of what we speak. Ask her if you can free me. I think I would like to go home with you, little speaker."
"Harry, would you like to take the snake home with you?" Morgana asked. Harry lit up, his green eyes glowing as he nodded and hissed back a reply. Shaking her head Morgana ruffled his hair and added, "In English please."
A blush formed along his cheeks, trailing down to his neck as he shuffled his feet and responded, "Please. Nagini needs a home, the cage is much too small for her and she's still growing."
Oh Harry, looking down at him Morgana felt her heart melt just a little bit more. Stiffening her back she tried to adopt a sterner tone with him, being a parent was more than just making sure he was happy.
"What about Hedwig? Will you be able to take care of both of them and make it so neither are neglected?"
Harry bit his lip and looked down at Nagini again before responding, "I know I can. Please Mumgana, Nagini needs me, I can tell."
The snake in question was staring at her, dark eyes pulling her in as her tail twitched back and forth.
"I wish to stay with the young speaker great lady," Nagini hissed.
"Alright then, we'll work out the logistics when we get home. Now come on," Morgana flicked a finger at the cage and lifted Nagini out, grunting as the massive snake slid up her arm to rest on her shoulders. "It's Luna's birthday, let's see how she and the others are doing."
Harry followed after her, alternating between giggling with Draco about his new pet and stroking the back of Nagini's tail as it swung down Morgana's back. The rest of the kids had congregated with Luna in front of a case filled with lizards. The small blonde was holding a blue iguana close to her chest, its claws were entwined with her soft blonde curls. She blinked up at Morgana her lips curling into a coquettish smile as she asked the question in her eyes before asking out loud.
"Do you think I could have him? His name is Archibald and he likes long walks in the park and curling up with a cup of tea."
Morgana turned to Remus who was standing next to her, raising her eyebrow at the girl's rather, eccentric outlook. The werewolf shrugged and shook his head, Luna was definitely Pandora's daughter.
"Your parents gave me the go ahead before they left so as long as you're sure you can provide…Archibald with a good home," Morgana's voice trailed off as Luna lit up with a loud squee and began dancing around her friends, swinging Archibald around like he was her dance partner.
"Yes, yes he will. I will love him and care for him and hunt wrackspurts with him. And he will be my squishy," smooshing the iguana next to her face Luna squeed again as its tongue flicked out to lick her cheek.
"Goddess save me from overly excited children," Morgana muttered as she headed to the counter to pay for Nagini and Archibald.
"Miss Morgana," a soft voice called from behind her as she settled a stack of galleons on the counter. Turning she was met with several other eager faces as Hermione held out a flat faced orange kneazle, Theo held a wriggly black and white crup mix, and Blaise had a small horned owl perched on his shoulder. Sighing she turned to look at Remus for support, but the man had deserted her to the kids' side and was helping Neville pick out an owl while Draco cuddled with a kneazle kitten.
"Oh bloody hell," Morgana hissed under her breath before digging into her money pouch and forking over the allotted amounts for each animal. The menagerie owner smirked at the growing pile of gold on the counter and Morgana quelled the urge to hex the smug man.
Ten minutes later found the small troupe walking out of the menagerie, each child clutching their new pet close. Deciding to send the pets back to the house for Sirius to care for when he woke up, Morgana had them gather together in a circle and with a flick of her wrist, each animal disappeared, with the noticeable exception of Nagini who hissed at her and tightened her grip on her shoulders at the thought of leaving. Resigning herself to the snake's presence, Morgana let her be, pleased as Harry alternated between talking with Luna about their new pets and hissing with Nagini.
Making their way down the alley the group followed Luna's plan for the day and ducked into the sweets shop next. Remus was rather eager for that trip himself, his chocolate stash for the next full moon had been greatly depleted the prior week, when Morgana on a three-day bender of studying the inheritance laws of Wizarding Britain rose from her study and went on a rampage in the kitchen, devouring everything sweet in sight. Sidestepping said witch, he made his way over to the chocolate section, his chocoholic disciples of Blaise and Draco following in his wake.
"They don't have any Belgian chocolates," Blaise sniffed in disappointment.
"No but they do have those Swedish truffles your mom brought for your birthday," Draco replied, proffering the ornate blue box to the other boy.
Snickering at their elitist tastes, Remus loaded his basket with a variety of cheaper milk chocolates, before indulging in some of his favorite Parisian chocolate bars.
"Remember, only one box today, so pick wisely," he stated between mouthfuls of samples the store clerk held out to him. Being a regular was rather nice.
Mumbling their understanding the two boys went back to bickering over the quality of Belgian chocolates over Swedish.
Morgana was observing the rest of the children, Hermione at her side as the daughter of dentists chirped about how too much sugar was bad for your teeth.
"And if you don't brush regularly, you can get cavities which are little holes in your teeth which are really painful," Morgana shushed the young girl gently as Neville was turning a rather alarming shade of puce.
Luna, Theo, and Harry were staring at the stacks of Sugar Quills and Fizzing Whisbees, trying to pick between the two. Luna herself already had a small selection of Chocolate Frogs in her basket as well as a deluxe edition of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans. Theo had selected a few Licorice Wands for himself while Harry had snuck in a box of Blood Pops to prank Morgana with.
The bells at the shop doors chimed as a slew of new customers entered the shop. Turning from her watchful gaze over the children, Morgana watched as a gaggle of redheaded children entered the shop followed by a plump witch in threadbare robes, obviously their mother. Two identical boys sidled up past Morgana and Hermione, nodding their greetings before they made a beeline towards the Licorice Wands and Blood Pops. A trio of increasingly older boys politely made their way towards the Sugar Quills, smiling and joking as they introduced themselves to Harry and Theo, Luna lighting up as she recognized the young girl trailing behind them. A younger boy shoved Draco aside as he was walking towards the counter with his purchase in hand. Draco tripped over a display stand and landed face first against the ground.
Rushing forward Morgana helped Draco up, checking for any injuries as she did, her brow creased as he inhaled shakily holding his wrist gingerly up for her inspection. Her eyes flashed gold and confirmed that it was sprained. Turning on her heel she pulled Draco to her side as she stalked down the boy who pushed him, causing him to trip. He looked close to Harry's age and had a spattering of freckles along his nose and a curious smudge of dirt along his cheek. He was blithely ignoring her as he grabbed fistfuls of chocolate frogs in his hands.
"Excuse me, I believe you owe Draco an apology for shoving him," Morgana said, narrowing her eyes as the boy scoffed at her.
"He's just a Malfoy," the boy sneered, eerily resembling Lucius.
"Excuse me? That's uncalled for and incredibly rude," Morgana's voice rose, drawing the attention of the rest of the shop, including the boy's mother. Her raised voice also drew the attention of Nagini who'd been dozing beneath Morgana's curls. Unwinding so she could look out at everyone, she yawned showing her fangs, and the boy screamed.
"It's a snake! A slimy snake. Mom!"
Oh the naïve prejudices of children, Morgana cursed internally as the boy shrank away from her, his eyes bulging in fear. The dumpy witch she'd correctly assumed was his mother pushed her way forward, knocking into Remus to get to her child. Running her hands over his face she cooed at the boy.
"Oh Ronnie are you okay?" she sent a venomous stare at Morgana, "That woman and her snake didn't hurt you did they?"
"Hurt him? He ran into my charge and sent him sprawling to the ground, I've never met a more ill-mannered child before," Morgana snapped. The other redheaded children had gathered around them and were snickering at the description of their brother.
"My Ronnie would never do such a thing," the woman snapped.
"Well he did, and I saw it. Draco deserves an apology."
"So what if I did, he's just a slimy Malfoy. Dad says they're all rotten," the boy replied, glaring over at them.
"Ron, that is not something we say," the woman reprimanded her son before pulling herself up and glaring at Morgana. "I apologize for my son's words, but you shouldn't have such a dangerous pet in here, it's scaring the children."
Arching an eyebrow, Morgana looked around the shop and the only child that looked remotely scared of Nagini was standing right in front of her.
"Thank you for your apology, but he really does need to apologize himself for shoving Draco, not you," Morgana replied, she wouldn't let this bigotry stand.
"Ronald, apologize," the woman snapped at her son, reaching out to smack his ear when he glared mutinously at her.
Shuffling his feet, the boy looked up beneath his orange bangs and muttered, "Sorry."
Draco huffed and cradled his wrist tighter to his chest, and Morgana felt her ire rising. What kind of parent raises a child to be so rude, so incapable of sincerity?
"You okay Drake?" Harry appeared at his friend's side, his green eyes glowing with concern.
"Yeah, I'll be alright Harry," Draco muttered back, and the redheaded boy's head shot up.
"Harry? As in Harry Potter? What are you doing with this slimy snake?"
"Excuse me?" Harry drew himself up to his full, rather short, height and glared at the boy in front of him.
"Harry Potter, oh Albus has been so worried about you," the plump witch suddenly moved forward, reaching out to ruffle Harry's hair. Morgana snarled and snatched her wrist before it could come close to Harry, no one touched Harry like that without his permission.
"Do not touch my son," she snapped, her power seething beneath her skin. Nagini hissed in agreement, coiling around Morgana's shoulders to face the short witch.
"Your son?" the woman asked recoiling as Morgana glared at her.
"Yes, my son. I adopted him years ago, he's mine," Morgana said. Harry leaned into her side, his warmth cooling her anger a bit.
"And you are?"
"Lady Morgana le Fey," Remus stated as he walked up behind Morgana, placing a hand on her shoulder in a show of support.
"A Dark Witch then," the woman snapped, and Remus growled low in his throat his eyes flashing amber.
"Morgana is a good person and you have no business judging her or intervening in her guardianship of Harry."
"I do if she's unfit," Molly replied and her children began to shuffle awkwardly behind her, wanting to be anywhere but there.
"I am most certainly not unfit. His previous guardians were, and I saved him from them," Morgana said, her eyes glowing a light gold.
"So you admit to stealing him!"
"No! I legally adopted him; his previous guardians signed away all rights. All the paperwork is filed in the Ministry, and I do not have to justify myself to you or anyone of Albus Dumbledore's ridiculous party." Morgana turned on her heel and sent a stack of galleons and knuts to the counter before gesturing for the children to follow, she was done with the conversation, done with the prejudice.
"Bye Ginny," Luna hugged her friend for a second, "Your mom should really get her head checked out, the wrackspurts have really gotten to her."
"Excuse me," Molly blustered and tried to go after Morgana as she led the group out of the shop, but her eldest son intervened.
"Let it go Mum, you're out of line and you know it." The taller boy tugged his mother along, pulling her away from the confrontation, and her other children followed along like a gaggle of squabbling ducklings.
Standing there for a moment Morgana tried to control her breathing, dimly she noted Remus gathering up the children and getting their purchases out of the way. She knew that she'd be facing opposition for who she was and for her adoption of Harry, but it still hurt, especially since part of her still felt, lacking. She'd caused so much destruction in her time, so much pain…a sharp jerk of her arm followed by a warm body colliding into her leg startled her from her thoughts. Looking down she saw Harry wrapped his arms around her torso from one side as Draco attacked her from the other.
"She was rude and out of place Mum," Harry muttered before burying his face in the folds of her robes.
"She's a Weasley, they're all ill-bred," Draco added.
"She's very strict, mum and her don't get along too well, but Ginny's nice," Luna piped up from behind them, smiling as Morgana inclined her head at her.
"Thank you, children," she said, wrapping her arms around the two already hugging her. "Now let's finish up Luna's birthday celebration, shall we? We have that reservation at Florean's in an hour and I know Luna you wanted to hit Flourish and Blott's?"
Luna bobbed her head up and down in affirmation and a slight high pitch squeal came from the back of the group where Hermione stood. Leading the children out of the shop and down the road towards the bookstore Morgana felt the tension in her neck dissipate slightly. She knew she'd have a migraine later from getting so riled up, but for now, with the children, everything was alright.
Ϟϟϟ
A stack of papers teetered on the edge of her desk as Morgana whipped through her study, her hair flying about her head as she gathered together the documents she'd need for court that day. After Luna's mostly successful birthday party eight months prior, Morgana had been besieged by owls from the Light side of the Wizarding World questioning her parentage of Harry. Sirius helped the best he could, using his status as Harry's godfather and blood-adopted father to help mitigate some of the cries, but his reemergence as a Black was a strike against him in the eyes of many, Molly Weasley was one. The ill-timed meeting with the plump witch in Diagon Alley during Luna's birthday had sparked a low level feud between the housewife and Morgana, one that Morgana was quickly becoming annoyed with, especially as she prepared to bring forth a new Bill to the Wizengamot suggesting that muggle-born families be alerted to their children's magic sooner, and the children themselves integrated into the Wizarding society.
The coven had spent the last few years creating various charities and organizations that pooled together funding to create a magical primary school, one that Harry and friends were to be enrolled in the following year. This new bill would have muggle-borns introduced to magic and integrated at the first incident of accidental magic. The sensors that the Department of Improper Use of Magic used would be copied and a new Department for the Integration of New-Bloods (Morgana's term) would be created using the donations that the coven had been gathering. Morgana spent the previous night rehearsing her speech with Harry and the Marauders, gauging their reactions to see how best she present herself. She hadn't spoken like such in public in a very long time and had been having rather severe flashbacks to her times as Queen of Camelot, where her reign had been darker than not. Harry had suggested she wear her green robes rather than black to negate any "scary Morgana" vibes, stating that the green also looked pretty and matched their eyes.
Touched at his forethought, Morgana had pulled out a thick satiny set of robes, the same emerald green that she and Harry shared. They were adorned with black stitched runes along the sleeves that spelled out wisdom and cunning and the hem was trimmed with the Pendragon crest, a subtle nod to her hidden title as Lady Pendragon. Looking at the clock nestled amongst trinkets Harry had made for her in primary school, Morgana cursed at the time and summoned all her necessary papers to her before disappearing in a whirl of air.
Reappearing before the great doors of the Wizengamot chambers she inhaled sharply before pushing her way through her head held high and back straight. Murmurs echoed through the hall as Augusta Longbottom finished her introduction of Morgana and the new topic at hand.
"Holding four Masteries in Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, and History of Magic, Lady Morgana Le Fey is here to introduce a new bill regarding an earlier integration for muggleborn witches and wizards into our society. I yield the floor to her."
Inclining her head at Augusta, Morgana strode to the stand in the center of the chamber, the rows upon rows of spectators looming about her sending her stomach into a fit. Muscling down the anxiety that squirmed within her she arranged her papers neatly in front of her and began.
"Thank you, Regent Longbottom, for that lovely introduction. I am pleased to stand before my fellow witches and wizards of the Wizengamot today. I would like to start by addressing the rumor that I am the guardian of one Harry James Potter." Morgana's eyes narrowed at the brightly dressed Albus Dumbledore in his seat as Chief Warlock. "I am in fact his legal guardian, I adopted him several years ago after stumbling into him in a rather unfortunate situation. His previous guardians were unfit for raising a magical child and willingly signed over custody, you can find all of the paperwork filed here in the Ministry."
A feral grin lit across her face as Dumbledore bristled from her words and the whispers around her increased. "Now, to the matter that brought me here today. As many of you know, I was not raised here in Britain, but I have quickly learned to call it home these past few years. In adopting Harry, I've been immersed in the rich culture and history that we possess as we learn it together. It's been truly a blessing."
Pausing she smiled and let the murmurs settle before continuing, "However, it's come to my attention that there is a severe lack of education for our young ones. Of course, families can self-teach their children or hire governesses, but I've found that to be a cold and less influential environment for children. And so, I enrolled Harry in muggle primary school."
Enraged shouts filled the room as men and women took to their feet.
"How dare you!"
"Filthy muggle lover"
"Disgusting betrayal of our bloodlines."
Morgana waited for it to die down, a smirk dancing across her lips when everything finally subsided.
"Yes, it is a startling move, one that I was hesitant to make. But I couldn't give Harry the full breadth of knowledge that a child would need, and the socialization the muggle primary schools allow for children is incredibly beneficial to their growth. I've included several studies done by both magical and non-magical professionals alike," she flicked her wrist and papers floated out to the stands. "And it was a good decision. Harry began interacting with larger groups of children and was learning more and more by the day. His friends in our world, often expressed jealousy that his lessons were so varied." She let out a soft laugh before continuing. "Imagine my surprise however, when Harry upon attending school, befriended a young muggleborn girl, completely ignorant of her powers, her status as a witch. Naturally, I had to remedy that." Morgana let her eyes flicker over to the spectator stands where Hermione was seated with her parents, her cheeks flushed as she was singled out.
"After discussing options with several other esteemed members of the Wizengamot, I reached out to her family and brought them into the fold. It's been two years now, and the young girl has flourished in our world, attending magical lessons with Harry and several other children. Together they are shaping a new path for their generation, one that I wish to champion and speak for amongst you all here today. Muggleborns are integrated into our society the day they turn 11, not before and not after, not even if they've experienced significant magical accidents. This is not only detrimental to their own learning, but ours as well. How are we to expect them to embrace our traditions, our values if we do not teach it to them? That is why I propose that we introduce these children far sooner into our society, integrating them in at the first signs of accidental magic, and enrolling them in the first ever magical primary school. There they will be taught our histories and our traditions, taught about the foundations of magic, that way they are fully prepared for Hogwarts once the time comes. That's not the end of what I am proposing however." Lifting a finger to forestall any interruptions, Morgana continued. "I propose that we enroll our own children into these schools, so that they may learn side by side with their new peers and that we may create a new world, one of equal understanding and balance."
The entire Wizengamot erupted into action, men screaming abuse at Morgana even as others shouted their support for her. The women had a more subdued response, their eyes calculating as they looked down at the witch before them.
After a while the fervor died down and a man stood in the furthest reaches of the stands. Marking Lord Nott, Theo's father Morgana waited patiently for what he had to say.
"How do you suggest we finance this new school of yours Lady Le Fey?"
"Thank you, Lord Nott. Over the last few years, I and many like minded witches have been puzzling over this very thought and have come together to form a coven." Silence reigned as people stood and sat in equal measure, bound by shock. There hadn't been a coven, a formal coven in over two hundred years. "Together we drafted this bill and together we raised the money necessary to fund the school I've proposed here today. We're ready to donate it for the cause as soon as the bill is passed." And not a moment before Morgana thought as several faces lit up with greed in the crowd.
"Who would staff your fantasy school?" another voice echoed from behind her.
"I have a list of potential instructors, I attached it to the proposed bill, including a financial analysis of what the school would cost and how much revenue such an endeavor could potentially bring our nation. Think of it, ladies and gentlemen, Wizarding Britain could be the first nation to have a government backed magical primary school. The notoriety we as a country would gain with this move, well it would be spectacular."
Heads began to nod and Morgana felt a vicious glee rise within her, they were listening. And she didn't even have to resort to less than savory measures to get them to do so.
"And what of Hogwarts? Would the children go there then? I wouldn't want to see any of our precious children led astray to go outside of Britain for their schooling," Albus Dumbledore had finally entered the arena. But Morgana was ready for him.
"But of course they would attend Hogwarts, it's the oldest and longest lasting magical school in the world. It's historical value and prestige is momentous. I cannot think of why they wouldn't go there."
"But you cannot guarantee it can you? What's to stop you from continuing on with your school and usurping Hogwarts?"
"Chief Warlock, I would never," Morgana shook her head and lowered her eyes to her platform, "Hogwarts is an institution, we would never challenge her. We merely wish to bolster the education of the children, so that once they reach Hogwarts, they're all on equal footing. Is that so against your beliefs that you would challenge this?" The old man's eyes glinted dangerously as Morgana blinked up at him, drawing him off of his pedestal and onto the ground with her.
"No, that is not what I am saying. I'm merely worried…" his voice trailed off as Augusta interrupted him.
"Oh stop being so contrary Albus. Lady Le Fey may not be in your political party but her idea is a sound one and I for one am interested in reading her little proposal."
Dumbledore leaned back in his seat his lips pursed in a visible frown as Augusta prompted the flood of Morgana's Bill into the hands of each member of the Wizengamot.
"Thank you Lady Le Fey, for bringing us your bill. We shall review it and come to a decision by the next session," Amelia's voice rang across the chamber, making her presence known.
Stepping back from the platform, Morgana turned on her heel and headed out the door. Her bill was in the hands of the Wizengamot, she'd said her piece, now she just had to wait and hope that the machinations of the coven behind the scenes had been enough to pass it.
Ϟϟϟ
Harry was still asleep, but she was sharing her morning tea with Remus and Sirius in the lounge. The two men had spent the previous night battling Remus's more lupine side and looked a little worse for the weather. Carding her fingers through Remus's short curls Morgana sipped at her tea, luxuriating in the softness of the curls along her fingers and the weight of Remus's head in her lap. Sirius was laying against her, his head nestled in the crook of her neck as he lightly snored.
A loud croak preceded Dagda's arrival as the large raven swooped in through the open window and dropped a note on her lap before winging up onto his perch in the corner of the room. Reaching over Sirius, Morgana set her tea down and ran her nail under the Longbottom seal along the seam of the note. Flicking the letter open a full-throated laugh fell from her lips as she read the simple message from Augusta.
The Bill finally passed, though the idiots took long enough. Time for phase two. Tea is at three, Andy's bringing the whiskey.
Time for phase two indeed.
Ϟϟϟ
Bright blue, purple, and pink rubber ducks floated along the gently ebbing current of the lake. One by one they bobbed past Morgana as she stood in the center of the water. The skies over head were cloudy, rain clouds pooling together threatening to open up and pour down onto the world below. Bending at the waist, Morgana dipped her hand in the water watching the rivulets sluice off her hand and back into the lake. Lifting her head at a sudden noise behind her, Morgana turned and fell back into the water in shock. Lounging on a giant yellow float, hair down to his shoulders and a strange goatee, skin lightly tanned and with a martini raised in a toast to her was Merlin.
A/N:
osterreicher97: Merlin definitely had some penitence to do for the Old Religion as Morgana wasn't the only one at fault. And it's true, she shouldn't have put so much weight on the Caillech's words.
ThatGreenDooredBookshop: Thanks for your review! I hope the little teaser at the end of this chapter gives you a little look at how their reunion goes :)