It was a calm day before everything occurred.

It was a normal day. The school year had just begun, and students were ready to head off to their first day of classes. That's when it happened. An old woman with graying hair; still blonde in parts. A beautiful purple robe and classic witch hat from those fairytale books Harry read when he snuck off to the library. Attached to the hat was a veil, down and covering her face. Even with the veil, many can see she is old enough that it shocks most that she can stand, let alone walk at all, even with help.

In speaking of help. The one helping her was a member of a Ministry. Based on the mask, many believe they will be from the Unspeakables. That begs the question, is this woman a retired Unspeakable? Why else would she be here with one?

The students watch as the Headmaster meets the two halfway, and then proceeds to help her the rest of the way. As they pass by the first years of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, they hear him asking what is going on and why they're at Hogwarts. It spreads quickly, like wildfire.

What the students don't know is the answers to Headmaster Dumbledore's questions.

Until the small group reaches the front of the hall, and the woman leans in to whisper to the Unspeakable.

His voice is magically altered from how it comes out, "It has come to the attention of the Unspeakable Department that magic is fading from the world. Slowly, but still fading." There was a pause, letting the information sink into everyone's minds.

How does one react to that? Yelling and shouting? Certainly, that would be a great reaction, but not the one that would count. They need to be calm, but how can they do that? Harry does not know, and by looking at the people around him, they think the same as him.

Then, the Unspeakable continues," I am here with a shaman. She has asked to show the last bit of magic that will exist after all is said and done."

—*—

Harry knew he shouldn't be eavesdropping, but in his defense, Ron talked him into it. Hermione tried to talk them out of it. It just didn't work as she wanted it to. Similarly to their first year, she followed along while complaining about what they were doing.

How else were they going to get answers to what was going on? No, this was the only way they could get them. Or, at least, Harry hopes this is the best option. If all they had to do was walk up and ask their questions… Harry didn't know what he'd do if that were the case. All Harry knows is that something is wrong.

How could magic be dying, and why would it start?

"It's has to be Voldemort," Ron mumbled. He didn't want to think of the possibility of it being anything else. Because that would mean Voldemort isn't the biggest enemy. That he wasn't the worst person they could meet.

Harry and Hermione didn't answer Ron, but they shared a look. Neither of them wanted Ron to be wrong. That's when they hear it.

"You're certain that your idea on why magic is fading?" That was the Headmaster.

"Yes, it will grow worse after this war ends." They hear the Unspeakables response. That worries the group of sixth-year Gryffindors more.

"But to put any of the blame on me?"

The three students freeze, not expecting that.

"You wish to get rid of aspects of magic that respect Lady Magic herself. What you are doing is showing that you believe you are above her, and demand respect from her instead of vice versa. The correct way." That wasn't the Unspeakable or the Headmaster. That was the shaman. Harry thought he wouldn't hear her voice. After all, she had whispered to the Unspeakable back in the Great Hall. Wait, what does she mean by that?

"I do no such thing," Dumbledore sputters out. It does nothing to cease the shaman.

"You may not see it that way, but Lady Magic certainly does. She does not appreciate being thrown to the side as if she is not the reason you are even alive right now."

Harry jumps when the Unspeakable continues, noticing Hermione and Ron doing the same.

"We do not deny that you don't intend to show that, but even now you still want to keep something as simple as making an offering to Lady Magic in this school makes it hard for her to believe you are not disrespecting her." And, that is something, not even Ron, who should have known such a small and harmless ritual, knew about it. How could they not know about this? Were they disrespecting the very being that gave them their magical core, and not even realize it?

"I did not want to make the muggleborn uncomfortable. They enter a new world and are told to throw food away into a fire. No, they would not understand."

Hermione scrunches her face. Harry can agree if it was something as simple as putting some food in a fire, offering it up as respect for Lady Magic, then why would it be so confusing to muggle-borns? If they were just told to put some food into the fire for her, then maybe they would not understand, but if you inform them that it was to honour the being that gave them the magic that flows through their body? Yes, they could understand that. After all, it was a simple thing. The Unspeakable agreed with them.

"If you simply told them in the welcoming package that it is a way to honour Lady Magic and thank her for allowing us to have magic in general, they would understand. Maybe they'd even start practicing at home before the term would start."

There was no more talking between the three. The Headmaster did not have any way to refute what he was told. He had to concede.

The trio rushed back into their seats at the Gryffindor table. It was easier to do this without being detected due to everyone else standing and milling around with others.

Once the Headmaster, Unspeakable, and shaman returned to the hall, Professor Flitwick moved the professors' table onto the floor in front of the students' tables. The students' tables were then adjusted to be sideways compared to usual.

Anyone could sit at any table it seemed, as there were no houses at this time. Just students and staff wanting and needing to learn about this future.

And so, the screen that had stood tall since the Unspeakable and shaman arrived began to stir with motion, showing a beautiful - if confusing - scene.