Eliza considers Shannon closely, awaiting what she assumes will either be an ecstatic reaction to her words or complete and utter denial. She had been warned to be prepared for both, not that she had anticipated the young girl's arrival so soon.
Shannon on the other hand has neither reaction, instead having to stop herself from replying with 'no shit, Sherlock,' which she reminds herself could be seen as rather mean, especially since she truly is marvelled by the circumstance; rather, it's merely that her sarcastic nature feels bound to make snarky comments whenever the opportunity arises. At the same time, Shannon feels that at this point she'd have to be decently dense not to realise that this is a world of magic, especially considering that she is currently around ten or eleven years old, has met a house elf, and has witnessed Eliza actually using magic twice. If anything, Eliza's words only solidify Shannon's theory that she has somehow crossed over into someplace resembling the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – an absolute dream come true for the previously seventeen year old. Of course, her somewhat unenthused reaction could be because of the calming drought that is currently still affecting her.
Questions plague Shannon's mind, one of the first being how her distantly related family's manor is connected to this world; the second being if she will be able to use magic here as well – a dream of hers since she first read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at seven years old. Eliza seems to be anticipating Shannon's questions and seems to settle in her seat, stowing her wand in anticipation for the third degree she feels she is about to receive.
Unfortunately, Shannon is not given the chance to reply nor pose a question to Eliza's declaration when a pop sounds and Eeby the house elf appears at the latter's side, a tray of tea and biscuits floating in mid air behind him. In his arms is another ornate tray holding a large ethereal orb the size of a bowling ball that is held aloft by an intricate silver base that seems almost too slender to support the orb's weight. The entire antique is placed upon a violet velvet cloth that shimmers softly in the light of the chandelier above. Beside the feet of the object's legs is a letter with 'Eliza' written across it in careful forest-green script as well as a bronze letter opener with a raven at its hilt with 'Eliza Logan' engraved along its blade.
"Oh, Eeby, thank you," the woman says with a smile, motioning with her hand to the coffee table. "Please just set everything there."
"Of course, Miss," Eeby replies, snapping his long slender fingers and sending both trays moving toward the table, where they place themselves softly beside one another. "Also, a letter has arrived from London from the Mistress. I suspect she would like a reply at your earliest convenience."
"Yes, I expected as such," Eliza replies, snatching the letter and letter opener off the tray with a quick swipe of her hand. "Pardon me a moment, Shannon dear."
With those words, the elegant woman slashes the green and silver wax of the letter and places the dagger-like blade aside, unfurling the parchment paper inside as she does so. Instead of disapparating, the house elf turns his electric blue eyes on Shannon and a warm smile breaks across his face. To the girl's surprise, Eeby bows low, his hand across his chest and his meticulously-cared for pillowcase brushing the floor.
"Pardon Eeby's boldness, but Eeby would like to greet the newest missus of the Logan household," the small creature states with reverence in his voice. "It is Eeby's pleasure to provide for anything the new missus might need. Eeby is delighted by your return to the family and will work diligently to aid in your transition."
"Oh, um, thank you, Eeby. . . It's nice to meet you," Shannon replies hesitantly, looking to Eliza for clarification.
"Thank you, that will be all for now Eeby," Eliza interjects quickly, looking a bit on edge as Eeby disappears with a deep bow to them both and a loud pop.
Sighing, Eliza gives Shannon a small smile before turning her attention back on the letter in her hand. Her eyes scan the page quickly, a slight pout to her lips before she glances back up at Shannon and smiles ruefully.
"It seems Granny is already aware of your presence in the manor – no doubt Eeby's doing, I'm sure. He's a bit excitable, that one. She says she'll be here this evening to join us for dinner, which means I've not long to finish explaining everything before she and Henry get here – and not all of it will be pleasant," she warns, casting an anxiously apologetic frown towards the young girl in the seat across from her as she leans forward and pours tea for the two.
Shannon stiffens at the warning, a pit of nerves spawning in her stomach. As much as she loves fantasy, she also understands that most, if not all fantasy has its drawbacks, and more often than not, the caveats are dangerous.
"Now, to get down to brass tacks," Eliza continues as she hands Shannon one of the cups of tea, deciding not to wait for an answer from the young girl, who appears stunned silent as she takes the cup absentmindedly. "I need to warn you that this is the first time I've had to explain this and I never really expected to have to do so so soon, so I ask that you bear with me. I will try to make this as concise as I can and answer all your questions. It is a lot of information and it may take you a while to wrap your head around it."
This time, the woman waits for Shannon to nod and mutter her understanding, shifting awkwardly in her seat as she does so.
"Alright then," Eliza states with a smile, pulling out her wand and fiddling with it in her hand, rolling it back and forth and causing soft sparks to fall from its tip; a habit Shannon assumes from the familiar way her hands handle the magical object. "That being said, I suppose the place to start is to explain the history of the Logan household and how exactly you came to rejoin the family – and why."
"Rejoin the family?" Shannon repeats as she purses her lips, her curls bouncing softly as she turns her head to the side.
"Yes dear," the woman continues, frowning at the girl who watches her with wary eyes. Taking a deep breath, Eliza seems to settle herself before continuing."You see, here in this world, the Logan's are a very old wizarding family with a deep and somewhat mysterious history that dates back to the founding of Hogwarts itself."
"Hogwarts?" Shannon interjects suddenly, causing Eliza to jump in surprise. "So this is the actual Wizarding World then? As in J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World? Not just someplace like it? And the Potter's – you meant the actual Lily, James, and Harry Potter?"
Eliza pauses, her surprise morphing into confusion. "Did you just say Rowling? As in, the Seer, Joanne Rowling? The recluse that used to live in Ottery St. Catchpole?"
The young girl's eyes grow wide. "J.K. Rowling is a Seer?"
"A fairly well known Seer," the woman affirms, considering Shannon curiously. "I thought she had died. No one has seen her in over a decade and her house was found abandoned, although not many were keen on visiting the woman in the first place so that's not saying much. For all we know she packed up and moved to Timbuktu. She was an odd one, even by seer standards."
"But. . . she's an author," Shannon states, a spark of excitement burning in her chest. "An outrageously famous author. She wrote the Harry Potter series. I read the first book when I was seven years old and haven't stopped rereading them since. They are my go-to when I've had a lousy day."
Eliza stares at Shannon blank faced, as though unsure if she is believing her own ears. After a moment, she opens her mouth, the expression on her face one of serious contemplation. "Can you elaborate? What exactly did J.K. Rowling write about Harry Potter?"
A smile grows on the girl's lips at the opportunity to rave about her favourite series.
"The series consists of seven books that revolve around the adolescent life of Harry Potter until he reaches adulthood and his confrontations and eventual defeat of Voldemort," Shannon begins, struggling to contain her enthusiasm. Eliza flinches at the name 'Voldemort,' but the young girl barely notices and moves on, too caught up in the moment to notice. "Basically, she wrote about how Harry defeats Voldemort as a baby but the prick comes back and the series follows all that right up to the Final Battle. The series is probably one of the most renowned in the world; they've been made into movies and are even taught in some schools. I think I've personally read each book at least eight or nine times each. They are pretty much what got me hooked on reading as a kid."
Eliza considers Shannon's words thoughtfully, her hazel eyes burning as her mind works. "So you're telling me that Seer Rowling – or rather, J.K. Rowling laid out exactly how Harry Potter's life unfolds in a children's book series in the world on the other side of the mirror?"
Shannon's brow furrows and she purses her lips. "It's really not a children's series per say, although the earlier books are definitely geared toward a younger audience so I can see why some would think that. However, the books get pretty heavy the further they go and they mature as Harry does so it's more of a young adult series in my opinion. They grow with him from eleven to seventeen, although the fourth book is considered the most complex of the seven. . . You'd really have to read them to understand."
Eliza nods, a small smile playing at her lips at the obvious care Shannon shows toward the reputation of the series, not dissimilar to how the former feels about a few of her favourite novels.
"I'm sorry, but I really need to know," the woman begins after a pause, considering the girl closely. "What year were you born?"
"I was born December 16th 1995," Shannon replies, a bit confused by the seemingly random question.
Eliza seems a bit surprised by this knowledge but not so much that it shocks her, more so that it is merely informative.
"This is quite. . . intriguing," she states plainly, tilting her head to one side and twirling her wand in her hand. "Judging by your words and your knowledge of certain aspects of this world that you really should not have been able to know, I would assume that there is a chance Seer Rowling has somehow figured out how to cross over, and that there is a significant chance that you have a general understanding of this world – and of the future that is going to unfold. This really is quite unprecedented." Eliza sighs and looks off into the corner of the room where a large portrait of a regal looking African woman with ebony skin dressed in emerald green robes and headdress observes them closely, her hazel eyes shining in the pigmint. Eliza frowns as an expression of tiredness falls across her carefully manicured features. "Granny Logan is going to have a conniption. She never did like Seer Rowling."
Shannon frowns as her confusion grows, which is a considerable feat considering her day thus far.
"What do you mean 'future?' Just because I know the books doesn't mean that I know the future," Shannon explains, a hint of worry in her voice. "If anything, I most likely know more about the past if it is all real."
Eliza shakes her head. "That's not it. . . it's just a bit complicated, especially if J.K. Rowling is actually Seer Rowling. Anyway, we can revisit this when Granny Logan arrives. For now, I suppose I need to finish explaining," she starts, her heel tapping against the floor as she considers her words.
"As I was saying earlier, the Logan household has been around since the founding of Hogwarts and we have a very unique history. You see, our family, particularly the women, are a bit different from other witches and wizards in this world. Specifically, our particular brand of magic is not something that we inherited naturally; we were made to be a part of a particularly special line of ancient magic, chosen to literally challenge the future as prophesy breakers. The person we in the family call the Founder, the one who chose our ancestor, Agatha Logan and her bloodline as worthy of such a task, cast a certain magic over us so that while we exist, the world would never be bound by a prophecy that could change the course of history – that witches and wizards would be free to take their destiny into their own hands in times of great division or threat to the survival of the Wizarding World, at least for the most part. We are a fail safe of sorts; our mere presence in this world disrupts any predestined fate that could lead to mass devastation. That is our magic, but that is also where the Sortis Mirror comes in.
"You see, the Founder knew that there would be those who would come after our family and try to destroy us in hopes of guaranteeing the fulfilment of certain prophecies, good and bad, so she created the Sortis Mirror as a passage to a world that mirrors ours but lacked magic in order to ensure the magic was preserved. She sent Agatha's eldest daughter, Catherine through with the promise that only female descendants of the Logan bloodline who were deemed worthy – true heirs, so to say – would be brought back to this world to sustain the magic, to become witches of the Logan household, and only in times where the continuation of our bloodline here is threatened – or when the ancient magic instilled in those here begins to fade."
Eliza pauses, watching Shannon intently for her reaction thus far, which appears to be unabashed wonder despite the foreboding nature of her words.
"Are you saying that I – that I'm a witch," the young girl stresses,the prospect shoving her anxieties to the back of her mind.
The woman before her smiles, the rigid formality of her shoulders softening at the surprisingly positive reaction.
"Yes, you are – and a bloody good one at that, given your new age," Eliza replies with a shine in her hazel eyes. "The closer to schooling age, the more talented the witch, or at least, that's what I've been told. Something to do about the time needed to adapt. When I came through the mirror it regressed me back to the age of five and I'll have you know that was a pain. Having the mind of a nineteen year old in the body of a five year old was maddening."
Surprise rips through Shannon's chest.
"You came from my world as well?" Shannon questions, considering the woman before her in a new light.
"Oh yes," Eliza responds with a forlorn smile. "That's why I am currently in charge of the first Logan Estate here in Etchingham; so that I can monitor the Sortis Mirror should anyone come through. I am currently the only one in the family who was brought over from the otherside – the Disenchanted as we affectionately call it. Well, I used to be the only one, I should say, now that you're here. That in itself is surprising seeing as there hasn't been two heirs brought over within the same time frame in centuries – not since the Crusades I believe. I wasn't expecting to become a Mentor in my lifetime so you can imagine my surprise when I found you. I feel terribly underprepared; there is usually a century or two between heirs, which means the mirror knows something we don't."
Shannon stares blankly at the woman in front of her, processing this unbelievable information. She hadn't expected such a revelation.
A sudden fear bubbles in her stomach.
"Wait a second," Shannon starts, turning to her aunt with foreboding. "If you were brought over from our world – if heirs are brought here when the continuation of the bloodline is threatened or the ancient magic fades or whatever. . . does that mean that once we are here we can't go back through the mirror? Back to the – the Disenchanted?"
Eliza's expression falls significantly, confirming Shannon's intuition.
"I'm sorry to say that the journey through the mirror is a one way trip," Eliza replies, setting aside her wand and taking a sip of her tea in her discomfort. "We were never meant for that world and once we return here, there is no way back – not that any of us have been able to figure out anyway. It had taken three of the greatest witches and wizards of all time to aid the Founder in getting Catherine through the mirror in the first place. That's not to say that there isn't hope," she adds, giving Shannon a sympathetic look. "You never know with magic. It's unpredictable, it is. Who's to say that it can't be done, especially if it's true that Seer Rowling figured it out?"
The blood drains from the young girl's face as she processes the woman's words.
"But my family," Shannon stresses as frustration wells within her, albeit not as much as it would have had she not taken a calming drought. "I can't just disappear – they will be worried sick. What about my life there? My friends and other family members? I was about to start my senior year – I was accepted into college. My life was just starting and – and I'm my family's only child. They'll be completely distraught when they realise I'm gone."
Eliza sighs, an understanding air falling over her. Seeing her reaction, Shannon pauses, recognizing an intense sadness in the woman's eyes that catches her off guard. The sight mollifies some of the anxiety and heartbreak that shakes her at the realisation that she will never see her family again.
The woman fidgets as she words her response carefully.
"The Founder took that into consideration. She made it so the heirs that returned were forgotten in the Disenchanted," Eliza replies, her voice somewhat thick with emotion.
"They – they won't remember me?" Shannon asks, her heart sinking.
"As if you never existed," the woman across from the girl states, her expression riddled with her own grief at the subject. "They will bear no pain at your loss. There could be exceptions, but we really have no way of knowing. The only evidence that there could be is that there were rumours when I was a girl of the estate being haunted, but I was never told any specifics."
Shannon remains quiet, processing the fact that she would never see her family again – that she would never heather father's calm wisdom or her mother's warm laugh, that she could never tell them that she loves them or feel their arms around her again. Even if she could, they would not even know her.
"I understand what you're going through more than you know," Eliza continues when Shannon does not respond, setting her tea aside. "I had been engaged, you know, before the mirror chose me. I had a family whom I adored, friends who I cared for, and a man who I was prepared to spend my life with. It broke my heart knowing Vincent would never remember me, but alas, it was not meant to be."
Shannon blinks in surprise. "Vincent?"
"Yes. Quite lovely, he was, especially for a muggle, and a looker to boot. That being said, I wouldn't trade Henry for the world," she adds quickly, a fond expression gracing her lips. "He's a real charmer and I can't imagine my life without him. As much as I was desperate to return in the beginning, I've found that I quite enjoy my life here. While I do miss the Disenchanted, I could never go back. I'm not the same girl that I once was – I'm a witch and I'm damn proud of it. I worked hard to be where I am and I find all the trials and tribulations worth it."
Shannon ponders Eliza's words and the woman herself, curiosity growing within her. As much as she is grieved by the loss of her family, knowing that at the very least her loved ones will not suffer her loss gives her some solace.
Sighing, Shannon leans back in her seat, processing Eliza's explanation thus far and once more thankful for the calming draught. If she hadn't had it, she assumes she'd be distraught right about now instead of able to think things through and come to grips with what has happened to her. Even with everything, she really is somewhat thrilled by the opportunity set before her, to be able to live out her wildest dreams in her favourite fantasy world – that apparently isn't much of a fantasy but rather her heritage.
"Does it get easier?" Shannon asks after a moment, fiddling with the end of her skirt. "Knowing that the life you once lived is – is basically nonexistent? That the memories you've made, the person you were. . . the people you loved. . ." The girl trails off, unable to properly form her question.
Understanding the girl's implication, Eliza sighs and rises to her feet, moving to take the seat beside Shannon. As she sits, she places a hand on the young girl's shoulder and gazes into her eyes meaningfully.
"I promise that it will get better. I can't say that it will be easy or that you won't have times where you'll curse the Founder and cry yourself to sleep – but it will pass. You are not alone here, nor without family. You've simply returned to where you were always meant to be," Eliza assures Shannon with a small smile. "I know that may not be comforting now, but it will be at some point – and you'll have me to help you as well. Most Mentors don't have personal experience with the Disenchanted; usually they need to rely on records and oftentimes those don't line up with the time period they came from, either too early or too late. Plus, I'll have you know that magic is quite alluring once you've had a taste of it. Being from a world without magic gives one a better appreciation for it – and more of a thirst to master it."
A small smile pulls at Shannon's lips, understanding her point and knowing herself well enough to know she's likely to attempt to learn as much as she can. As she considers Eliza's words, she realises something and her smile quickly turns to confusion.
"What do you mean by the timing is too early or too late? Shouldn't it all be too early if we are usually separated by centuries?"
Eliza's brows raise in surprise at the question, taken aback by the implied meaning of the woman's words that Shannon had picked up on.
"How astute of you," she states, a look of admiration in her hazel eyes. "I dare say you have a good chance at sorting Ravenclaw, although you never know with our family. Each of us are born with different aspects of the Founder's magic so we tend to bounce around between houses. Heirs like us even more so, which is why we have the Essencia Orb to give us a better understanding of our specific talents."
"Are you saying that I – that I'll be attending Hogwarts?" Shannon asks as shivers run down her spine. She had been devastated as a child when her Hogwarts Letter never arrived and the prospect of having her childhood dreams fulfilled sends her also makes her glad for the first time that she has regressed in age if it means she can attend Hogwarts.
"Of course!" Eliza replies with a twinkle in her eye. "There's no better school for a witch of the Logan household. Your ancestors would turn in their graves should we send you anywhere else – especially the Founder. She'd probably come back to haunt us herself should we dare."
Joy and anticipation resound in Shannon's heart as she beams at the woman beside her, the information aiding in mollifying her heartache.
"Now, back to your prior question," Eliza begins, removing her hand from Shannon's shoulder and pursing her lips. "It's sort of complicated. You see, as an heir, there is a lot that you will need to be aware of. For starters, you need to understand that age is not the only thing that changes when we pass through the mirror," the woman continues, her shoulders tensing once more.
"Atop the Sortis Mirror are the words,'Time, Age and Distance fall before Destiny.' Basically, all heirs brought to this world experience the fall of all three in order to ensure that destiny falls unfulfilled – they have to fall before destiny does, which helps keep the magic alive within our family. To pass through the mirror to this world is the fall of distance, and considering you're American, I'd say it applies doubly to you. You were brought across continents and worlds to be here. The regression in age is the fall of age, as I'm sure you've figured out seeing as you are now about the age of ten or so. And then the fall in time is. . . you said you were born in 1995, correct?"
"Yes," Shannon agrees readily, sitting on the edge of her seat with rapt attention. "December 16th, 1995."
Eliza nods, her wand once more rolling between her fingers. "And you were seventeen when you left, so it was what, 2012?"
"2013," Shannon corrects, a frown pulling at her lips as her intuition builds again. "Are you trying to say that this isn't 2013? That the falling of time is – is time travel?"
A smirk pulls across Eliza's face. "The Sortis mirror has another unique trait in that when it chooses an heir to be brought home, it also chooses when to bring them. It sends the heir to the time that specific heir is needed most, where they can make the most difference. I was born in 1948 in Brighton, but after visiting the Logan Estate here in Etchingham in the Spring of 1967 for my engagement party, I regressed to the age of five in 1975, eight years into the future."
Shock reverberates through Shannon as she stares at the woman in front of her who can't be more than thirty years old and yet should be in her mid sixties by the girl's calculations.
"Shannon, the date today is August 15th, 1991," Eliza informs the girl, who stares stunned at the woman before her as she struggles to comprehend her words. "You've gone back roughly twenty two years."