Looking back, Morgaine's idea that she could simply slip into non-magical London and shop had been a bit silly. First of all, she would have gotten lost. Londinium a thousand years ago was quite different from today.
And although, as Rose, she had been out shopping with Petunia, the instances were few and far between. Oh sure, she would have eventually figured it out, most likely without too much embarrassment. However, having a guide, even one as overly enthusiastic as Charline, had been quite the boon. She would have to do something nice for her.
What she found strange in the few weeks upon awakening was how isolated the magical world had become. Although from what she understood it, having read about the Statue of Secrecy, it had become codified into law. Of course, even in her time, there was often hostility to those who possessed magic, usually among the common folk. But for the most part, they were welcomed as part of the community.
Both Morgaine and Rose had been part of the larger world, so stepping into Diagon Alley had at first been wonderous, even magical. But she could see that it was stagnating due to the forced isolation. Not that everything in the modern world was wonderful, to be sure, the ways to kill one another, for example, had reached the absurd, but to look down upon it seemed folly.
She had spoken to Ragnok about her concerns, of course. Although they still had to live with their magical brethren for better or worse, the goblins were relatively progressive, cherry-picking what would benefit their people as a whole. He also believed the wizards were cutting off their noses despite their faces, to which she agreed.
And there was nothing Morgaine could do about it. She wasn't Queen; her throne and lands had been lost to time. But a small part of her felt responsible for these Britons and wanted to change things, to make these wand wavers open their eyes. The whole thing was quite vexing.
"That's quite the face you are making, 'Little Healer,'" Charline dropped into a seat beside her.
Morgaine sighed. "Sorry, just lost in thought, and where did you hear that name?"
"Oh, it's all over the alley; how you saved some poor girl's life."
"Hardley," she mused.
"I wouldn't say that, dear; you did quite well," another voice called out from across the table.
"Err, hi Mistress Eloise, how are you this morning," Charline greeted the Healer, her face almost turning a beat red.
"I was wondering when you would notice me," the older woman chuckled.
They were sitting in what the alley's residents called 'The Healer Shop.' Run by Saint Mungos, it offered free treatment and, if necessary, a quick port key to the hospital. Until recently, it was stationed by one of the junior healers, which Charline found quite odd. And it's not like she didn't see Mistress Eloise; it's just that she appeared to be busy with some witch with some sort of unexplained rash on her hands.
"Those weeping blisters looked like they hurt," she commented as the patient left the shop.
"Well, the Star Grass Salve should take care of it, although she needs to remember to keep them covered until healed," Morgaine said as she started to get her things together. "Working in an apothecary, she should know better than to touch strange plants without gloves."
"So, you have everything?"
Morgaine looked around, then nodded. Smiling at the Healer, she said," Well, looks like I will be going."
"Well, enjoy your shopping. It's a very special time for a young witch. I still have fond memories of shopping with my parents after receiving my Hogwarts letter."
When the invitation arrived at Gringotts, it had been somewhat expected. Except that it was addressed as Morgaine Rheged, a surname given on the spur of the moment, but whatever magic the castle used to find magicals seemed to have accepted. However, neither the goblins nor Morgaine knew if any letter was sent to Rose Potter.
"So, you really don't mind that Tracey invited her friend Daphne to shop with us?" Charline asked as the two made their way through Diagon Alley towards the Leaky Cauldron.
"No, of course not; I know she's excited that her friend has returned from her vacation."
The two families were quite close, apparently, being involved with business and having various marriages arranged between them.
"This is my bestie," Tracey grinned, pointing to the pretty blonde standing next to her.
The girl in question gave her friend a fond, somewhat exasperated smile. "It's good to meet you, Morgaine."
"You as well, Daphne," she said, chuckling. "Tracey told me you had a sister?"
"She's not feeling well, so she's staying home with her Papa," Evaline Greengrass, who looked like an older version of her daughter, said.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope she will get better soon. And it's a pleasure to meet you and your family Mrs. Greengrass."
"Oh, you're right, Gwen; her accent is quite beautiful," she said. "And it's a pleasure to meet you too, Morgaine."
As the group started moving toward Gringotts, Tracey asked, "So your mom's still traveling?"
Morgaine explained when they first met that her father had died when she was young and that her mother's second husband had sent her off to live elsewhere. All true. After he passed, her mother started traveling, which was also true in a way.
After Uther had been killed in battle, her mother, Igraine, vanished. The women in her family were all touched by the fey, so for her to disappear into the Otherworld had not been unexpected. Although according to her friend Nymenche, her mother had left with one of her lovers.
"Eventually, I expect her to turn up, but for now, she's enjoying herself, I'm sure."
"Still, for her to miss her daughter's first Hogwarts shopping day," Miss Greengrass tutted.
"Well, she is an apprentice Healer, Evaline, so she does have someone taking care of her," Tracey's mom said.
"And she has me," Charline chirped.
"You're hardly a parental figure, dear. You still can't take care of yourself."
The group took no time at all in the bank; having the former Queen in the group to jump the queue a bit had been unexpected but helpful.
"So, you're not picking up your apothecary supplies," Tracey asked as they looked over their lists.
"Oh, I have plenty. Mister Burton also ensured that I had included what was needed for first years."
"So, how long have you been brewing," Daphne made a face looking at some of the ingredients.
"Most of my life, my mother started teaching me almost as soon as I could walk."
"A lot of the continental families are that way too, Daphne. Your grandmother insisted that I knew my way around a cauldron at a young age."
The young girl looked up at her mom with a questioning look.
"Oh, you know I have no skill at it, sweetheart. I'm surprised that old Slughorn actually allowed me inside his classroom."
"You melted enough cauldrons," Tracy's mom grinned.
Clapping her hands together, Mrs. Greengrass said, "All right, what's next? Flourish and Blotts?"
Now laden with books, the group moved down the alley.
"Ollivander's doesn't seem too busy," Charline said before shrinking Morgaine's purchases. "We can do that, then go to lunch."
"Mom?" Tracey looked hopeful as she began to dance around.
With a sigh, Gwendolyn looked over at her friend. "What do you think, Evaline? Wands first, lunch, then robes?"
"That's fine; it's all Daphne's been talking about too."
"Mum," the blonde gave a cute whine.
"We'll meet you later then. I'll grab Charline; there's another bookstore I want to look at," Morgaine began but stopped when an arm pulled her close.
"Nope, you have to come with us," Tracey said, dragging her along.
"You don't need a wand?" Daphne asked, confused.
"I already have one."
"Doesn't matter. Come on; it will be fun!"
The former Queen didn't think so but followed anyway.
Unlike some newer stores, the wand shop was narrow, allowing only a few people to enter, as was probably designed. The store was mostly empty but for a single chair propped in a corner and stacks upon stacks of narrow boxes from floor to ceiling all around the shop.
"Place still needs a good dusting," Charline commented as Morgaine found a wall to lean back on.
She could feel the magic of this place. It wasn't unpleasant but not particularly welcoming either. Perhaps the store understood that she didn't exactly approve of the shop. Not the wands themselves; she used one on occasion, and even her own people were crafting their own back then, but the Ollivanders had always looked down upon any other wandmakers other than themselves. Of course, the family could have changed in the thousand or so years.
Morgaine had to smile, though, when both girls jumped when the wandmaker made his entrance—impressed, too, as he rattled off what the adults' wands were made of and knew their names. Although she had a feeling the names were tied to some sort of enchantment on the door.
A tape measure flew, doing what? She had no idea; wands were selected, then put back, and the ones that didn't fit reacted quite spectacularly, but finally, both girls had one that appeared to bond with them successfully.
"And you, child," the wandmaker said to her with a curious lilt to his voice. "According to Mrs. Greengrass, you do not need a wand. Do you perhaps have a family legacy?"
"My name is Morgaine Rheged, Mr. Ollivander, and a legacy wand if you mean one once owned by another family member? Then no, it was specifically made for me by a dear friend of mine."
The strange wandmaker stared at her and finally said, "Morgaine Rheged, I will remember that name. It was a pleasure to meet all of you."
As the group left the shop, Charline leaned over a whispered, "Ollivander's always been rather odd, but that was a bit creepy."
Morgaine couldn't help but agree.