The sun had only risen when a shadow appeared in the middle of a playground in Surrey, England. A non-magical wouldn't have seen anything, and even if they did, they would think their eyes were playing tricks on them. Just one more shadow in the pre-dawn of an early Sunday morning.
But it had a form, a young pre-teen girl who strode across the ground on her way to one particular street. Morgaine wasn't happy to be here, not in the least, but something had been tugging on her magic for the last few days, and she wanted to know why.
"Protective enchantment," she murmured, now standing across from 4 Privet Drive.
Cast by someone knowledgeable but not proficient and most likely in a hurry, she thought, walking up to the door.
"A Blood Charm, Familia protection, but keyed to..." she continued to murmur. Such a charm should be passive unless. "No other protections, odd."
Most would have missed the pull, but as a sorceress, she was more in touch with her magic than most. The charm had been keyed to Rose's magic, well, her own. Worse, whoever cast it, allowed a young magical to fuel the enchantment. But then again, that was no longer the case as it now only recognized that she was now a relative and nothing more.
Which meant her magic changed on a fundamental level and, or perhaps, reconnected.
Her memories of Morgaine were more predominant, but she did remember being Rose. Especially long nights under the stairs dreaming, which now she realized were memories.
There was nothing more for her to do. The enchantment was already failing; it took moments to remove whatever connection it had to her. She knew the Dursleys had never recognized her as family, and whatever protection it once offered was now none of her concern.
Rose had never considered this place her home, and Morgaine had no desire to protect those who dwelled within. Besides, Petunia would be less than pleased to learn that her ancestors reached back as far as the infamous Morgan Le Fey.
With grim amusement, the sorceress turned away.
Getting to Diagon Alley was pretty straightforward from Surrey. Unfortunately, due to the land's many changes, if she walked in-between, she would most likely find herself swimming in the Thames. Instead, Morgaine took the bus from Westhumble Street to Charing Cross. She used the last of her modern money to buy a ticket, and a glamor would keep any non-magicals from questioning why a young girl was traveling alone.
Several hours later, the young sorceress looked around the shabby-looking Inn with amusement. The nexus to the Wizarding Enclave still remained; the old magics were strong, but it was definitely different.
"Hello, young Miss; how may I help you?" An older 'quite bald' gentleman greeted her with a smile.
"A bit of shopping, I think. Maybe a meal afterward," she replied as she walked over to the bar and set down a silver siliqua. "Is this acceptable coinage, or do you only take non-magical money?"
With a raised eyebrow, the Innkeeper picked up the coin, took a quick look then sat it back down. "I apologize, Miss, we don't take muggle money, and you'll have to exchange this for bank notes from Gringotts or the exchange on Carkitt Market. Neither should be busy this time of the morning."
"The Goblin Gwâl is a bank?" Muirgen asked in amusement.
"Goblin Gwâl, haven't heard that in some time. Sorry, the names Tom. And if you don't mind me asking, where you're from, Miss?"
"Cornwall, and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well. I am Morgaine Rheged."
With a bit of a bow, the Innkeeper took her to the back, which opened into a small courtyard.
"Just touch the following bricks with your wand, and it will allow you access to the ally," Tom explained as he showed her the sequence. "If that's all, Miss, I must be getting back, only a few of our patrons stop in for elevenses, but we have quite a good menu for lunch today so please come again."
Much like the old Londinium Enclave, the cobblestoned shopping had stores on both sides catering to the wizarding community. From books to robes, and everything in-between for what a witch or wizard would need could be found. She admired the flowers of one of the many street peddlers, and eyed Obscurus Books, which had piqued her interest, as well as Quidditch Supplies, whatever odd that activity happened to be. But her first destination was to the north side of the alley.
However, she couldn't help but stop finding a familiar name. "Ollivander's: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C."
Shaking her head, she walked on by the small shop. The Latin magicals had been part of the Wizarding Enclave well before her time, having entered the Isles with the Romans.
Morgaine spied Goblin Gwâl, made of snow-white marble that towered over the neighboring shops. It reminded her of some of the more impressive non-magical buildings she had seen in London. She was glad to see the goblins were still part of the magical community. Although she found it amusing, the fierce warriors had become bankers.
"Fortius Quo Fidelius," the sorceress whispered to no one while reading the inscription above the bank doors. Pausing for only a moment, she took the steps to the burnished bronze doors, nodding to the two goblin guards before entering the bank. Pausing only momentarily to scan the threat at the second entrance, she dropped her glamour.
Entering a Goblin Gwâl under false pretenses was ill-advised. She noticed the guards nodding with approval as she crossed the threshold to enter a large room flanked by long counters manned by even more goblins.
Before she could even find a queue to join, a goblin in scarlet and gold approached her. "Milady, may we have a moment of your time?"
Instinctively, she replied in their language. "Of course, warrior, how may we be of service?"
It was unintentional, and although there were few witches and wizards in the bank, they were quick to notice.
"Will you come this way?" He asked, now someone hesitantly; her answering in their language must have shaken the goblin for some reason.
"Of course," she replied.
The room she was escorted into was quite extravagant, with its expensive carpet and wood-paneled walls. She had half expected to be seated in front of the large mahogany desk at the back of the room. Instead, she had been offered a place on a red settee.
The Kingdom of Rheged had good relations with the clan leaders of the Goblin Gwâl in Hen Ogledd. When the Saxons threatened her home, they were paid handsomely to secure the kingdom's northern lands. At Camlann, they were under contract to her personally to protect the baggage and the healer's tents. And, as a Queen, she would expect such service, but there would be no reason why she could be treated as such now.
Even more unusual, a woman in a servant's uniform right out of a Victorian period drama entered the room pushing a tea service. Along with the maid was another goblin, but this one was dressed in a business suit.
"Milady, Director Ragnok is unavoidably detained. In the meantime, will you please partake in some refreshments?"
Offering a light repast while waiting for a goblin clan chief wasn't unusual; however, the last time, it was honey mead and bread instead of tea, bite-sized sandwiches, scones, and mini pastries.
Morgaine only had time for half a cup of Assam tea and a couple of madeleines before more goblins arrived. A number of the gold and red uniformed guards took their places along the walls to join her original escort, and she set down her cup and stood as the Clan chief followed.
"My name is Director Ragnok," the older goblin spoke, motioning for her to retake her seat.
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance; I am Morgaine Rheged."
Nodding, the director took a seat across from her and then asked, "How may Gringotts be of service today?"
So, what exactly happened when she entered the bank? Once again, if she was still Queen of Rheged, then doing business with the goblin clan chief was expected. But as a ten-year-old human female? As entertaining as it might be, hopefully, she would discover why they were making such a fuss.
"I had hoped to do a little shopping in Diagon Alley and perhaps have a bit of lunch. The Innkeeper of the Leaky Cauldron informed me that I had to exchange my money for bank notes."
"English Pounds?"
Shaking her head, she motioned to her coin purse. After a nod, Morgaine reached in and withdrew a golden Solidus.
"It's been some time since Byzantine coins were accepted in the alley," the director said in the goblin language.
"Well, the Innkeeper wasn't interested in accepting siliquae either. Clan chief, as much as I have enjoyed the tea and madeleines, I can see in your eyes that you have questions. Perhaps I can answer them for you."