Chapter Five
Disc: Sue if you want to, parents are going to have to pay not me. For a proper disc., see the last chapter
Another thing that Harry would never forget was his first impression of Morgaine LeFay. She was short, even shorter than petite Hermione, and exquisitely slender. Her hair was dark with only a few errant strands of silver. Her face was unlined, ageless, a face of immense serenity and tranquility. The features of her triangular face were small and even, but by no means beautiful. However after gazing into her eyes, one forgot that she was not conventionally good looking. Her eyes were her finest feature, large and lustrous, a dark glowing brown, in a small face. They were the only part of her that mirrored her age, the only part of her that looked weary and unhappy and old. It was an unnerving sight, the ancient eyes in the young face. Her voice was pitched low, but carried clearly in the rarefied air. Harry found that there was an aura about her that drew him to her. He stood several steps behind the others and drank Morgaine LeFay in.
Dumbledore was doing the introductions. "This is Sirius Black. This is Severus Snape. This one here is Remus Lupin."
As he introduced Lupin to her, she smiled at him, bent her head and said, "Don't worry, the moon here will pose no threat to you. This is Avalon." Lupin's face lit up in understanding and he stepped back. Dumbledore continued, "This is Ron Weasely, this is Hermione Granger." She greeted both of them gracefully and then Draco stepped forward.
As her eyes fell on him, Morgaine gasped. "Lancelot! Lancelot of the Lake! What are you doing here?"
Draco looked blank, as well he may. Dumbledore spoke for him. "This is not Lancelot, Morgaine. This is Draco Malfoy. He is one of those of whom I spoke."
She nodded. "Of course he is. Forgive an old woman, lad. I mistook you for some one I knew. Some one I had known a long time ago."
"Known and loved, my lady." For the first time Harry spoke, and just then a gust of wind blew his hood of his face, and a ray of wayward moonlight shone on his upturned face. Morgaine stared at him for a minute and then in a choked voice she said, "Arthur, Gwydion, Brother!"
Dumbledore had no need to speak this time. Harry stepped forward and sank to one knee. "Forgive me, my lady, but I am not your brother. I am only Harry Potter. I wish I could bring him to you, just to see your eyes smile once more."
Draco shot him a quick glance of envy as Morgaine lifted Harry to his feet. How did Harry, living with those ghastly muggles know what to say to this awe inspiring woman, when he, living in Malfoy Manor his entire life, being taught every mannerism in the book of etiquette, had been left dumbstruck? He saw that Morgaine was speaking, and pulled himself together.
"Harry Potter." She smiled. "My brother has been dead and gone for a long time, and I believed that the chivalry of that era had vanished with him. Obviously I was wrong. Welcome to Avalon." Harry bowed his head and moved away.
Dumbledore smiled. "And last but certainly not least this is Ginny Weasely." Ginny stepped forward looking a little lost and forlorn. Morgaine looked at her, and suddenly smiled. Then she stepped forward and touched Ginny gently on the forehead. The people watching looked on with surprise as Ginny's body tensed and her eyes glazed. After a minute or so, Morgaine removed her hand and Ginny snapped into consciousness. Morgaine laughingly glanced at Dumbledore.
"Albus, you have brought me a rare gift. The little girl has the sight. The power runs true in her. Someday she will make a powerful priestess. In some years, when she comes of age, I will ask her of you. But not yet. Now is the time for rest. You have had a long and tiring journey. You, girl, come with me." she said, pointing at Ginny. "Albus called you Ginny didn't he? Not a dignified name for a future priestess. I shall call you Virginia."
Ginny stood where she was in an act of surprising defiance and spoke in a voice that was small but clear, "Not Virginia, Guinevere." This time the silence was stifling.
**************************
Morgaine LeFay, Lady of the Lake, Priestess of Avalon, sat in her room in the House of Healing and stared into the flickering flames of the fires that she had ordered lit. The thoughts that were spinning around in her head were one of the many prices she had to pay for immortality - repetition. When she had seen him step forward, in every way similar to her Arthur, she had known that it was happening again. The dreadful tragedy that had torn Britain apart was about to be repeated. She was so deep in her reveries that she didn't hear the knock on the door. She didn't notice it, until the door swung open and a brown bushy head appeared in the crack. Then she turned around. "You are one of the company, aren't you? I believe Albus introduced you as Hermione Granger. Come in Hermione."
Hermione slipped in and rather timidly walked up to Morgaine. Morgaine noted the fear and awe in her eyes, and set herself out to be as charming as she could. She dropped the slight glamour of the goddess that she had donned and spoke to Hermione woman to woman. After a while Morgaine noticed the fear fading, and trust forming. After a few minutes of such conversation, Hermione came to the point. "Lady, of my friends I am the only one who has ever read about the Arthurian period. So I was the only one to understand your references. I gathered that you found there to be a great resemblance between Harry and Arthur and Draco and Lancelot. Ginny's name is an unfortunate coincidence. I have read about what happened between the three, and I think you fear that it will happen again. Perhaps it's presumptuous of me, but I have come to assure you that it will not. I know that Ginny does not love Draco and I'm almost as sure that Draco has no feelings for Ginny." Hermione wound up, looking a little embarrassed.
Morgaine felt a rush of warmth go through her at the genuine concern of this girl. That was followed by a rush of guilt. 'So that is how the books have put it. Well that's what most people wanted to believe. But this girl, at least, deserves the truth.' She thought to herself. She looked sharply at Hermione. Hermione met her glance unflinchingly. Morgaine nodded approvingly. "Do you know who I am, Hermione Granger?" she asked, pulling herself to her full height.
Hermione nodded. "Apart from Professor Dumbledore, I am probably the only one who realizes it. You are Morgaine, daughter of Igraine, granddaughter of Taliesin, half sister of Arthur Pendragon. You are …" then she stopped short.
Morgaine gave a bitter laugh. "You were about to say the mother of Mordred, who eventually defeated Arthur. Yes you are right, I am all of those. After Arthur's downfall, a lot of people blamed me for his death, for Mordreds birth. But I tell you, Hermione, it wasn't Mordred who defeated Arthur. If it hadn't been for the internal ructions, Mordred would never have been successful. My son was just fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time. The seeds of defeat had been sown earlier.
Let me make one thing clear at the very outset of this tale, Hermione. Neither Guinevere nor Lancelot were ever in love with each other. Both of them had only one love - Arthur Pendragon, Christian king of Greater Britain. The only reason they ever came together was only to make Arthur jealous, to get his attention for themselves. Each of them was using the other. But Arthur, Arthur loved both of them, but he loved his duty more. Arthur was always King first and everything else second. But that only drew them even closer to him. I was there the first time they met, the three of them. They were all mere children then, Arthur and Lancelot about twelve and Guinevere seven. They met here in Avalon. Lancelot was my cousin, the son of the then Priestess, Viviane. Arthur, of course, was my brother. The two were playing together, fighting as children will. And then she strayed in through the mists. The mists had thinned and she had accidentally entered our lands. The minute I saw her, I knew. Her eyes were fixed on Arthur even then. She was taken away and soon after my brother and Lancelot left too, for different destinations. Even as a child, I could see she desired my brother, and with her single minded purpose would get him. Eventually, years later, she did. He married her, and I could see he loved her. And then Lancelot returned. War scarred and brave, he was my brother's greatest knight. All the ladies in the land coveted him, but he was completely oblivious to them. Later, it was said that was because he was the Queens' champion, but anyone with the slightest intelligence could tell that it was the King he adored.
That was the time that threats on England began to come from every side. Enemies were constantly at the King's throat and the borders were under heavy attack. It was this war tossed kingdom that Arthur had to rule, and he did it nobly. He instituted the Knights of The Round Table, possibly the greatest warriors ever. His adviser was Kevin, the Merlin of Britain following Taliesin, a capable man, though not brilliant. Arthur himself had to assume leadership. No wonder he had no time for love, or even friendship. Lancelot and Guinevere both felt neglected and piqued. She was the loveliest lady in the land, and he was the finest knight. They turned to each other for solace. When Arthur found out, he was struck to the heart. The two people he had trusted the most had turned against him. What Arthur never realized was that they had done it just to vie for his attention. But Arthur had no time to arbitrate. He sent Lancelot off on a wild goose chase after the Grail and Guinevere was put into a nunnery, supposedly for her protection. This was Arthur's greatest mistake. With Lancelot gone, a lot of idealistic fools went with him, and there was no capable person to command Arthur's armies. Arthur always thought that he was capable of carrying the travails of the world on his shoulders. This was one time the burden proved to heavy. Taking advantage of the situation, Mordred attacked and Arthur's kingdom fell. Arthur died! When this news reached Guinevere, she wasted away and died soon after in the nunnery. When it reached Lancelot he threw himself on his sword. And thus the age of Chivalry passed."
Hermione listened to the declaration with bated breath. When Morgaine finished, she sat back and drew a deep breath. "Oh God," she said aloud. "So that is why he refused Harry's friendship. Oh God." She looked at Morgaine and bit her lip. "Lady, Ginny has been in love with Harry ever since she set her eyes on him."
"And what about La… I mean Draco?"
"I don't know, but I have reason to believe that Draco loves Harry as well."
Morgaine's eyes widened. "And Harry? What about Harry?"
"I don't think Harry knows anything yet."
Morgaine nodded. "Thank you, Hermione, you've been most helpful. Now you must go and rest."
Hermione rose and went to the door, but stopped halfway, turned around and looked at Morgaine curiously. "Lady, answer me one more question. Who did Arthur love more - Lancelot or Guinevere?"
Morgaine looked seriously back at Hermione, "I don't think Arthur himself realized it, but it was Lancelot."
Hermione bowed her head and left, leaving Morgaine LeFay to her own very disturbed thoughts once more.
Well, what do you know, one whole review. Hallelujah. You people out there are being really mean. Please be nice and review.
Thanks go to:
Rachel, my sole reviewer, sob sob, thank you. I agree Harry and Draco are awesome together
Disc: Sue if you want to, parents are going to have to pay not me. For a proper disc., see the last chapter
Another thing that Harry would never forget was his first impression of Morgaine LeFay. She was short, even shorter than petite Hermione, and exquisitely slender. Her hair was dark with only a few errant strands of silver. Her face was unlined, ageless, a face of immense serenity and tranquility. The features of her triangular face were small and even, but by no means beautiful. However after gazing into her eyes, one forgot that she was not conventionally good looking. Her eyes were her finest feature, large and lustrous, a dark glowing brown, in a small face. They were the only part of her that mirrored her age, the only part of her that looked weary and unhappy and old. It was an unnerving sight, the ancient eyes in the young face. Her voice was pitched low, but carried clearly in the rarefied air. Harry found that there was an aura about her that drew him to her. He stood several steps behind the others and drank Morgaine LeFay in.
Dumbledore was doing the introductions. "This is Sirius Black. This is Severus Snape. This one here is Remus Lupin."
As he introduced Lupin to her, she smiled at him, bent her head and said, "Don't worry, the moon here will pose no threat to you. This is Avalon." Lupin's face lit up in understanding and he stepped back. Dumbledore continued, "This is Ron Weasely, this is Hermione Granger." She greeted both of them gracefully and then Draco stepped forward.
As her eyes fell on him, Morgaine gasped. "Lancelot! Lancelot of the Lake! What are you doing here?"
Draco looked blank, as well he may. Dumbledore spoke for him. "This is not Lancelot, Morgaine. This is Draco Malfoy. He is one of those of whom I spoke."
She nodded. "Of course he is. Forgive an old woman, lad. I mistook you for some one I knew. Some one I had known a long time ago."
"Known and loved, my lady." For the first time Harry spoke, and just then a gust of wind blew his hood of his face, and a ray of wayward moonlight shone on his upturned face. Morgaine stared at him for a minute and then in a choked voice she said, "Arthur, Gwydion, Brother!"
Dumbledore had no need to speak this time. Harry stepped forward and sank to one knee. "Forgive me, my lady, but I am not your brother. I am only Harry Potter. I wish I could bring him to you, just to see your eyes smile once more."
Draco shot him a quick glance of envy as Morgaine lifted Harry to his feet. How did Harry, living with those ghastly muggles know what to say to this awe inspiring woman, when he, living in Malfoy Manor his entire life, being taught every mannerism in the book of etiquette, had been left dumbstruck? He saw that Morgaine was speaking, and pulled himself together.
"Harry Potter." She smiled. "My brother has been dead and gone for a long time, and I believed that the chivalry of that era had vanished with him. Obviously I was wrong. Welcome to Avalon." Harry bowed his head and moved away.
Dumbledore smiled. "And last but certainly not least this is Ginny Weasely." Ginny stepped forward looking a little lost and forlorn. Morgaine looked at her, and suddenly smiled. Then she stepped forward and touched Ginny gently on the forehead. The people watching looked on with surprise as Ginny's body tensed and her eyes glazed. After a minute or so, Morgaine removed her hand and Ginny snapped into consciousness. Morgaine laughingly glanced at Dumbledore.
"Albus, you have brought me a rare gift. The little girl has the sight. The power runs true in her. Someday she will make a powerful priestess. In some years, when she comes of age, I will ask her of you. But not yet. Now is the time for rest. You have had a long and tiring journey. You, girl, come with me." she said, pointing at Ginny. "Albus called you Ginny didn't he? Not a dignified name for a future priestess. I shall call you Virginia."
Ginny stood where she was in an act of surprising defiance and spoke in a voice that was small but clear, "Not Virginia, Guinevere." This time the silence was stifling.
**************************
Morgaine LeFay, Lady of the Lake, Priestess of Avalon, sat in her room in the House of Healing and stared into the flickering flames of the fires that she had ordered lit. The thoughts that were spinning around in her head were one of the many prices she had to pay for immortality - repetition. When she had seen him step forward, in every way similar to her Arthur, she had known that it was happening again. The dreadful tragedy that had torn Britain apart was about to be repeated. She was so deep in her reveries that she didn't hear the knock on the door. She didn't notice it, until the door swung open and a brown bushy head appeared in the crack. Then she turned around. "You are one of the company, aren't you? I believe Albus introduced you as Hermione Granger. Come in Hermione."
Hermione slipped in and rather timidly walked up to Morgaine. Morgaine noted the fear and awe in her eyes, and set herself out to be as charming as she could. She dropped the slight glamour of the goddess that she had donned and spoke to Hermione woman to woman. After a while Morgaine noticed the fear fading, and trust forming. After a few minutes of such conversation, Hermione came to the point. "Lady, of my friends I am the only one who has ever read about the Arthurian period. So I was the only one to understand your references. I gathered that you found there to be a great resemblance between Harry and Arthur and Draco and Lancelot. Ginny's name is an unfortunate coincidence. I have read about what happened between the three, and I think you fear that it will happen again. Perhaps it's presumptuous of me, but I have come to assure you that it will not. I know that Ginny does not love Draco and I'm almost as sure that Draco has no feelings for Ginny." Hermione wound up, looking a little embarrassed.
Morgaine felt a rush of warmth go through her at the genuine concern of this girl. That was followed by a rush of guilt. 'So that is how the books have put it. Well that's what most people wanted to believe. But this girl, at least, deserves the truth.' She thought to herself. She looked sharply at Hermione. Hermione met her glance unflinchingly. Morgaine nodded approvingly. "Do you know who I am, Hermione Granger?" she asked, pulling herself to her full height.
Hermione nodded. "Apart from Professor Dumbledore, I am probably the only one who realizes it. You are Morgaine, daughter of Igraine, granddaughter of Taliesin, half sister of Arthur Pendragon. You are …" then she stopped short.
Morgaine gave a bitter laugh. "You were about to say the mother of Mordred, who eventually defeated Arthur. Yes you are right, I am all of those. After Arthur's downfall, a lot of people blamed me for his death, for Mordreds birth. But I tell you, Hermione, it wasn't Mordred who defeated Arthur. If it hadn't been for the internal ructions, Mordred would never have been successful. My son was just fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time. The seeds of defeat had been sown earlier.
Let me make one thing clear at the very outset of this tale, Hermione. Neither Guinevere nor Lancelot were ever in love with each other. Both of them had only one love - Arthur Pendragon, Christian king of Greater Britain. The only reason they ever came together was only to make Arthur jealous, to get his attention for themselves. Each of them was using the other. But Arthur, Arthur loved both of them, but he loved his duty more. Arthur was always King first and everything else second. But that only drew them even closer to him. I was there the first time they met, the three of them. They were all mere children then, Arthur and Lancelot about twelve and Guinevere seven. They met here in Avalon. Lancelot was my cousin, the son of the then Priestess, Viviane. Arthur, of course, was my brother. The two were playing together, fighting as children will. And then she strayed in through the mists. The mists had thinned and she had accidentally entered our lands. The minute I saw her, I knew. Her eyes were fixed on Arthur even then. She was taken away and soon after my brother and Lancelot left too, for different destinations. Even as a child, I could see she desired my brother, and with her single minded purpose would get him. Eventually, years later, she did. He married her, and I could see he loved her. And then Lancelot returned. War scarred and brave, he was my brother's greatest knight. All the ladies in the land coveted him, but he was completely oblivious to them. Later, it was said that was because he was the Queens' champion, but anyone with the slightest intelligence could tell that it was the King he adored.
That was the time that threats on England began to come from every side. Enemies were constantly at the King's throat and the borders were under heavy attack. It was this war tossed kingdom that Arthur had to rule, and he did it nobly. He instituted the Knights of The Round Table, possibly the greatest warriors ever. His adviser was Kevin, the Merlin of Britain following Taliesin, a capable man, though not brilliant. Arthur himself had to assume leadership. No wonder he had no time for love, or even friendship. Lancelot and Guinevere both felt neglected and piqued. She was the loveliest lady in the land, and he was the finest knight. They turned to each other for solace. When Arthur found out, he was struck to the heart. The two people he had trusted the most had turned against him. What Arthur never realized was that they had done it just to vie for his attention. But Arthur had no time to arbitrate. He sent Lancelot off on a wild goose chase after the Grail and Guinevere was put into a nunnery, supposedly for her protection. This was Arthur's greatest mistake. With Lancelot gone, a lot of idealistic fools went with him, and there was no capable person to command Arthur's armies. Arthur always thought that he was capable of carrying the travails of the world on his shoulders. This was one time the burden proved to heavy. Taking advantage of the situation, Mordred attacked and Arthur's kingdom fell. Arthur died! When this news reached Guinevere, she wasted away and died soon after in the nunnery. When it reached Lancelot he threw himself on his sword. And thus the age of Chivalry passed."
Hermione listened to the declaration with bated breath. When Morgaine finished, she sat back and drew a deep breath. "Oh God," she said aloud. "So that is why he refused Harry's friendship. Oh God." She looked at Morgaine and bit her lip. "Lady, Ginny has been in love with Harry ever since she set her eyes on him."
"And what about La… I mean Draco?"
"I don't know, but I have reason to believe that Draco loves Harry as well."
Morgaine's eyes widened. "And Harry? What about Harry?"
"I don't think Harry knows anything yet."
Morgaine nodded. "Thank you, Hermione, you've been most helpful. Now you must go and rest."
Hermione rose and went to the door, but stopped halfway, turned around and looked at Morgaine curiously. "Lady, answer me one more question. Who did Arthur love more - Lancelot or Guinevere?"
Morgaine looked seriously back at Hermione, "I don't think Arthur himself realized it, but it was Lancelot."
Hermione bowed her head and left, leaving Morgaine LeFay to her own very disturbed thoughts once more.
Well, what do you know, one whole review. Hallelujah. You people out there are being really mean. Please be nice and review.
Thanks go to:
Rachel, my sole reviewer, sob sob, thank you. I agree Harry and Draco are awesome together