Surviving Times

MIA'S POV:

The sun shone brightly. A rare sight during falls. A lovely day to 'officially' set out my magic training.

As a result here we are, standing near the woods at the other side of our manor. I was never allowed to enter it, till now. And I concur, no kid should ever come close to this dismal forest. It's eerie, even for me who 'lived' long enough.

"Are you prepared Mia?" Grandma asked for the nth time.

"Yes, Grandma." I answered for the nth time.

Though she agreed to train me, she was reluctant. I know I'm ridiculously young to start any training. But there are few pureblood households who start at the similar age as I am now.

"Sigh… Let me warn you again Mia. What we're about to do is very dangerous. There's no going back once you start, are you aware of that?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Well, then let's not dally." and with a ripple of her wand, the scenery changed. The forest, which could rival the 'Mikage forest' in creepiness, vanished.

It morphed into an enchanted forest.

Creeping cautiously through the beautiful but mysterious forest, majestic trees stood tall and proud, like sentinels guarding a magical territory. Sweet air danced on my tongue, as the humble veins from the evergreens hang down like gleaming hair.

Dew dripped gracefully down onto the luscious emerald grass. The autumn fog designed a misty cover, layering the entire land in an enigma. All together made a dream like enchanted forest. No scene could weigh up to the allure here.

"...What is this?" I sought the lady who was clearly amused at my daze.

"This is where you train. The Anthea Forest." She remarked.

"Oh."

"It's gorgeous, isn't it?"

"Yes. Really beautiful."

"Now, let's go."

We ventured deep into the woods. Numerous herbs and life forms, magical or not, dwelled here. Ultimately, we arrived at what would be our destination.

Whomping Willow? No, it would be...Whomping Wisteria.

"Whomping Wisteria?" I asked doubtfully.

"Close, but not right." Grandma laid her locket on the land.

"Come closer, Mia." I obliged.

We both apparated? I have no idea. It felt nothing uncomfortable...

"Was that a portkey?"

"No, hun. It's just a Key."

Forget I asked.

"A magical key of course, to our ancestral grounds hidden beneath the tree."

"Wait, we have an ancestral ground? How come I never knew about it?"

"You are three. At this age, most of the kids would've just started talking in sentences. Your mother and I thought this could wait."

"...oh."

I was unable to retort it. Everything aside, we're in the 'ancestral grounds.' Which looked like an underground palace. To be serious, I'm rather intrigued about my family. I was of the opinion we were rich but not filthy rich. I was terribly mistaken then.

I helplessly followed my grandma who strode like she owned this place. She cast a spell to turn the lights on. The dim pathways lit up, revealing the walls incorporated with numerous portraits.

"These are our predecessors." Grandma said.

"As you know, we belong to a long line of powerful witches.... It dates back to more than 2000 years ago."

"..." I'm having trouble following this. Weren't we supposed to be your everyday pureblood witches?

"Very few among the sorcerers hold a complete lineage like us."

"..."

"Faye and O'neil are the only ones remaining."

"...Like in Mrs Faye?"

"Yes. Mrs Faye too. You might not believe, but she is a descendant of Morgana Le Fay herself. And every Faye is appreciated for their talent in healing."

"...oh." Never expected the amicable lady to have such a history. I just thought she was an ordinary but albeit skilled mediwitch.

"So that's why, never underestimate any wizard. Most powerful mages are good at deceiving than they are in magic."

"..." no comment. She told me more about our descent. It was interesting. I saw many, many paintings. All of them were beautiful and magical in the literal sense. Grandma said that these portraits all hide a chamber behind them. I was baffled by it.

"What's there inside the hidden chambers?"

"The witche's entire magic research, artifacts, wand, tomb and-"

"Tomb?"

"Yes, every witch of our family is buried here. But that's not all."

"There's more?"

"Yes and the most important of all. Magic Altilium."

"Magic Altilium…?"

"Every chamber here, has one magic altilium of their own. It stores the witche's magic inside them, like a battery as muggles call it."

Holy s… I can feel myself going crazy by the moment. It feels like I'm having a chat with the Truth again.

.

.

.

After a talk on family history, I more or less understood about it. But why am I here? All of this is unnecessary. I merely want to train that's all…

"You might doubt why I'm telling you all of this."

Is she using legilimency on me right now? Let me confirm, no. Then how is she able to read my thoughts? Is my occlumency that bad? Maybe it is… It was self-taught. I shouldn't place a much hopes in it…

"When every witch or on rare occasions, wizards in our family, show magic and possess a considerable amount of it, they are baptised.

"Baptised?"

"Yes, magically. It is terribly essential. This will decide if you can have a chamber of your own."

"I don't understand…"

"The baptism… is more like an acknowledgment from our ancestors."

So basically an 'eligibility test', the last one I took was SAT...which I didn't pass.

"You will need to gain the approval of our ancestors, half of them at least."

"How is it performed?"

"I don't know."

"What?"

"For every individual, it is unique. But there is one thing in common in all."

"And what might it be?"

"Your will and motives."

"My will and motive?"

"Yes."

This is going to be complicated…

"What if I fail or don't want to take the test?"

"That's fine as well. No matter what, Me and your mother will always be there for you."

She beamed a kind smile. Her every word, I know that it's absolutely true.

"Okay then."

"Sigh...Mia, I have to tell you one more thing."

"?"

"You typically know everything now, but there's one crucial thing I haven't stated yet."

"It is?"

"Once the baptism is successful, you will be provided a choice."

"To pick what?"

"The choice if you want to preserve our legacy. And let me tell you. It's definitely not an easy one. It's brutal one, if I must say so." she was unusually serious. "I can't say anything else, dear. You have to make the decision yourself. You are so young… For all one knows, I should've agreed with your mother."

...is this still the same Harry Potter I know? I realize that there will be more than what the works said, but this? I don't know… I've never seen my carefree grandmother this serious. She declared the legacy as if it is an impossible mission to redeem the mankind or something… wait a minute. Redeeming the mankind…

'Show me the mission status.'

[MISSIONS:-

Currently unavailable.]

Huh! Why did I even put hopes on this unreliable piece of #%^&#@$^*!#&#*^%&^$#%^....

Hoo...take a deep breath and calm down.

Think about it, Mia. When did the AI ***k up like this?

It was when I got to know Aziryn in Earthland. Meeting that person changed many things.

It was like a cross road. One which will make an IMPACT.

If I select the known path, nothing will change, just like in Panem. Everything will be okay. My job can be done, and I would be safe…

But if I select the unknown, the increase in risk would be uncomparable. Like a slight drop of water and a vast ocean… my mission would change and become nigh impossible, but the rewards would be worth it. Like Gresil…I was able to bring him with me because of the success.

I wonder what will happen...saving my mother and averting the extinction of Wizards. Could the new mission be tougher than that?

Maybe and maybe not.

Is it worth the risk? The failure might be something a little less nasty than my obliteration…

On the other hand if I triumph, then maybe…

.

.

.

"Grandma, I've made up my mind. Let's proceed."

"Mia Nicolette Morgan, are you aware of the consequences?"

"Absolutely."

"Very well. Let us go ahead with your baptism then."

She was troubled, but there's an almost unnoticeable gleam of pride in her eyes.

She was proud of me.