"IS SHE AWAKE?"

"No. She's stable though but no, not awake."

Rose felt the warm sun upon her skin and wiggled slightly in her bed. Her whole body felt stiff. Her head throbbed in light pain. Her toes were so cold.

She slowly opened her eyes, adjusting herself to the bright sunlight coming from the window above her.

Rose was laying on a twin-sized bed with white linen sheets and a thin white blanket over her. There was a single pillow under her and white drapes were pulled all around her bed so she could be out of the public's view. It was the Hospital Wing, she realized.

Morgana.

Scorpius.

Blood.

Uncle Fred.

Merlin's staff.

Rose's eyes shot open and she sat up in her bed getting ready to kick off the blanket. Ghost meowed loudly as he laid on Rose's legs adjusting to the sudden movement.

"Rose! Calm down..." Rose looked to her right and saw a familiar red-headed soul. Lily Potter. She smiled at Rose and motioned her to lay back down on the bed. Rose refused the suggestion. "Your family is here... Scorpius told them everything —"

"Scorpius is alright?" Some relief entered into her body.

Lily nodded happily. "Yes, yes he's alright. He's the one that carried you back up to the castle and got McGonagall to contact your parents. I think he's in class right now..."

"How long have I been out?"

Lily looked at Rose, her smile slowly faltering. "This will be the third day."

Three days. She had been out for three days, and Scorpius was okay, and her parents were here and Morgana was on the search for Merlin's staff to come back to life and to give muggles magic...

Rose's head throbbed more and she finally laid back down on the bed.

"I feel like my head is going to explode..."

"That was a lot for one night," Lily admitted, eyeing the shadows behind the drapes as they continued to talk. "They are already beginning a plan to stop Morgana. Merlin... this feels all too familiar..."

There was silence between them as conversation beyond the drapes continued.

"Let's go over the positives," Rose heard her dad's voice, "we know they can't kill us just by touch. That saves us the whole evacuating situation and relying on Rose to keep the souls in check.

"We also know that Morgana can't do anything without Rose's compliance. She needs Rose and the staff and right now she has neither... and Rose will never help Morgana—"

"Ronald, don't you see that just puts Rose in more danger?" Hermione's stern voice cut in. "Rose is a tool for Morgana and she'll do anything to get her... the gem saved her and I'm eternally grateful to you Harry for giving it to her but you heard Scorpius... she tried getting to Rose by getting to Scorpius... I want her home."

Rose's eyes widen and she looked at Lily in panic, as if she could do anything. No, not this conversation again. She wasn't leaving Hogwarts. She wasn't skipping her OWLs. She wasn't leaving her friends and family and... Scorpius...  she wouldn't leave him not after what he did for her that night. He never left her side. He refused to let her go through it alone.

Guilt washed over her. Although thankful for Scorpius's company he could've gotten hurt and it would've been all her fault... All. Her. Fault.

"Hermione, think about it..." it was Ginny's turn to now speak. "Hogwarts is the safest place —"

"The souls can get to her in Hogwarts. Last time she was in the Hospital Wing Harry's parents were visiting her." Hermione interrupted, her voice cracking every now and again. "I love that they were there to make sure she was safe but if they can get in so can Morgana."

"You're right," Ginny sighed in reply, "but it's not just the souls that you have to worry about with Morgana. You heard Scorpius she has living supporters. Ravana is one and he's still out there and we have no idea who else was there that day with him when the Veil was broken. Hogwarts will protect her from them and just like that night with Morgana the souls will be looking out for Rose. Fred, James, Lily... all of them. Even in the afterlife, they are protecting us and it seems to me they haven't failed yet..."

"Harry and I have been talking and we both agree that someone close to her needs to be in the castle. If it was our child— although Rose is practically another daughter to us — I would want someone I know and trust and a part of our family to watch over them..."

There was a moment of silence until Harry spoke up and said, "I'm taking the position of Professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"H-Harry, mate... are you sure? You've always wanted to be an Auror and now you're the head of it —"

"Ron, I have no problem with this. I think we can all agree I can relate to Rose on what she's going through the most... not just being in mortal danger at such a young age... but also having a connection with the Veil. Also, I think we can all agree I would make a brilliant Professor — oomph."

There was a sound of two bodies slamming each other into hugs and Hermione's muffled cries. "Oh, Harry. Thank you! Thank you, so much."

"I should leave," Lily got up from her chair. Her eyes seemed to glisten as she looked at the white drapes and the dark shadows upon it.

"Don't you want to see Harry?" She asked, looking at the older woman carefully.

Lily smiled and looked longing at the drapes. "I-'ve been watching my son for a while. Always from afar of course. Sometimes at night, I sit next to his bed as he sleeps and talk to him but... he never hears, but I like to pretend he can..." Lily looked down at her shoes and then at Rose. "I think it would just be too painful to see him so close and awake and him not being able to see me."

She gave Rose a smile that warmed her up more than the morning sun ever could and blew a kiss to Ghost. "I'll see you soon." And with that, she disappeared and Rose was left alone in the Hospital Wing.

After a couple of minutes of laying there on the Hospital bed, alone, the drapes finally were thrown back and revealed to everyone that Rose was awake and well. She was bombarded by Hermione and Ron with hugs and kisses as Harry and Ginny told Rose about Harry's new employment as if she didn't overhear.

"You're to stay in the castle at all times!" Hermione made sure her daughter was looking at her directly as she said this. "You will wait for your Uncle Harry to escort you to and from Quidditch practices. When you have Care of Magical Creatures you must report to Hagrid if you see anything — I'm serious Rose. I need you to obey these rules or else..."

Hermione didn't finish her sentence but Rose knew what her mum wanted to say, or else I'll be worried sick about you.

"Scorpius told you about Merlin's staff?" Rose asked as her mum brushed her hair with her fingers in comfort.

Ron nodded. "He did. He also told us how he told you to go and leave the danger, but you stayed. Rose... you could've gotten hurt and you could've gotten Scorpius hurt..."

Rose looked away from her dad ashamed.

"I hope the next time something like that happens you'll do the right thing and leave."

She refused to look at her dad. He was right. He was absolutely right but... if it were to happen again... if she could redo it... she'd do the same thing, because if she didn't then how could they know of her plans? Now, they have an idea of what the hell is going on and they have a plan to stop her. Next time though... she'd do it alone.

"Does everyone know? About Morgana?" Rose looked at her Uncle Harry as she spoke.

He shook his head, "Not everyone. Not yet. The Aurors know and Minister Shacklebolt knows and they are on high alert. We just don't want to cause any public outburst of panic and we don't want to inform Morgana's followers. Not until we at least capture Ravana..."

"But Morgana is sure to tell them I know. She's not stupid she knows I'll tell you all about her plan —"

"But we won't be a part of spreading it to them —"

"The public deserves to know about Morgana!"

"Rose —"

"No! It's not fair! Do you remember when the ministry refused to believe Voldemort was back? You fought for the truth to be out!"

"ROSE!" Harry barked, and the whole room grew tense. Hermione threw daggers with her eyes at Harry. Ron's whole body stiffened. The white hair on Ghost stood erect. Ginny stepped closer to Harry as if warning him. Harry never raised his voice, at least, Rose never experienced it. He never yelled at his children, his family, his nieces, and nephews.

She had crossed a line and Rose knew it. Her throat began to tighten up.

Harry put his head in his hands and rubbed his eyes under his glasses. He sighed and then looked back up at Rose with an apologetic look. "Rose... you weren't there when Voldemort rose to power again. He killed Cedric and I was angry no one was doing anything about it. The evidence was right there. If Fudge had believed me and was actively getting ready to defend against Voldemort, I would've been content. At least something would be done. At least someone was helping me.

"Rose we are helping you. Shacklebolt knows and the Aurors are on the lookout for any Morgana sympathizers. We don't have enough information to give to the public and they'll want information when they go into a panic about this. We need to come up with a plan before we get everyone riled up about Morgana."

Rose nodded, but she was quiet. He had very good points, but one thing Harry should know from being in her shoes once upon a time. It wasn't good to keep all this in. It wasn't good to depend on a child.

"Right..." Rose whispered. It was all she could say.

"When we leave today, we are going to find out more information on the staff of Merlin," Hermione took her attention away from Harry and on to her daughter. "I know you want to help... so help us with finding out about Merlin - but in a safe way. Use the Hogwarts's library."

"And don't forget you still need to study for you O.W.Ls," Ron pipped in, and everyone gave him a confused look. "What? Just because I didn't study doesn't mean I don't want my daughter not to."

Hermione couldn't help but bust out laughing, along with Ginny and Harry. This made Rose break out into a smile.

"I'll be back Monday," Harry said, his eyes on his niece, "as your Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."

"Will you cut me some slack for the OWL?" Rose asked hopefully.

"I'll see what I can do," and her Uncle Harry gave her a wink.

+++

The walk back to the Gryffindor common room was lonely. She had stayed in the Hospital Wing for breakfast, lunch, and even dinner as Madame Pomprey kept checking in on her. Her family left around lunchtime, but she saw Hermione whisper something to Madame Pomprey which she guessed is why she stayed in the Hospital Wing for so long.

"Looking for your friends?" Rose jumped at the sudden voice but quickly calmed down as she saw Nearly Headless Nick float by her side. "Thought you'd be more acquainted with ghosts."

Ghost meowed at Rose's feet.

"I don't think your Ghost will let you ever be alone again after what happened."

"You know?"

"Of course I know," Sir Nicholas said smiling sadly at the girl. "I know everything about the Veil and the souls that you talk to. I myself talk to them frequently."

Rose stopped in her tracks and Sir Nicholas stopped his movement as well, his head turning to Rose.

"Did you know about me?"

A small silence and then a sad, "yes" came out of Sir Nicholas's mouth. "I could feel the Veil breaking when it did. I could sense your birth and the soul's attraction to new life. When I met you on your first day at Hogwarts I could tell you were still blinded and had not accessed your sight yet..."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Rose asked, her eyes watering. "I would've liked to know what my future entailed from the beginning."

Sir Nicholas began moving forward again, and Rose and Ghost followed suit. "Rose, if I came up to you the first day we had met and told you of your fate would you have believed me?"

Rose said nothing.

"What about your second year? If I had told you then would you believe? How about the beginning of this year? Would you truly believe if I told you at the beginning of this year that your fate was connected to Ravana's, connected to the souls of the dead, connected to the broken Veil...?"

Rose, again, stayed silent. He was right. She wouldn't believe him, in fact, information like that told by a ghost-like him would scare her. Who would she ask if it were true? Would she take it seriously?

"Did you know about Morgana?" Rose asked, her voice breaking as she said the witch's name.

Sir Nicholas shook his head, his neck slightly wiggling, "No, I learned about Morgana the night you did. For Morgana to hide her presence like that she holds immense power."

"I thought you can't use magic when you go through the Veil?"

"You can't, but you don't know Morgana as I do..."

"How so?"

The air around Sir Nicholas grew colder, colder than he gave off as a ghost. He continued to float forward but he was slower as if he was now dragging something along behind him. "My father went to Hogwarts with Merlin and Morgana from 1412 to 1419. After leaving Hogwarts, my father became a wandmaker in King Arthur's land. He was very skilled in his craft and word got around to how well his wands were made. Morgana, although cold, often visited my father to look at his wands - just look. She was constantly in awe about how many wands he had made. Always muttering about how there were more wands than wizards it seemed. My father made nothing of this. He was proud of his work and Morgana was a skilled witch. If she favored his wands then he must be doing something right.

"Something switched in Morgana's mind when she met my mother, a muggle. No - no it wasn't jealousy. It was an opportunity. My father was always nice to Morgana. Even at Hogwarts if anyone talked badly about Morgana, although she didn't need it, my father would stand up for her. Well... not so much stand up for her... but tried to show the good of Morgana to others.

"When she met my mother, she saw this as an opportunity to repay my father for all his kindness.

"One night Morgana took my mother on a walk to talk. She had just given birth to me and Morgana used this as an excuse to congratulate her... to get her alone. In the tales, the five out of ten knights of King Arthur were the first to die under Morgana's hand of trying to deliver the magic. Ask yourself, why so many? Why did she do it so fast? Why not seek help?"

"Because she was selfish." Rose interrupted, her heart beating a mile a minute. "Sh-she took those knights by herself and wanted to give them a gift they couldn't handle. It all without choice."

"She did this to try and fix the wrong she did to my mother." Sir Nicholas said, he finally stopped, the weight he was dragging became too heavy to continue. "Morgana thought my mother was an outsider, living in a world of magic, marrying a man of magic, giving birth to a boy with magic. My mother was the first person Morgana tried to give magic to. Sadly, this gift was not well taken and my mother died by Merlin's staff."

Sir Nicholas's voice hitched, but he continued. "My father was enraged. There was no way he would forgive Morgana for what she did. So Morgana lost the only friend she had and in haste to figure out how to fix this, she wanted to prove that it could've worked. So then came in the ten knights, that turned to five knights, and only two stuck by her side till death."

Rose looked at the tall ghost next to her, her own brown eyes stinging with tears. "She didn't tell me about your mother when I met her."

Sir Nicholas nodded softly, "Why would she? It was her greatest failure." He sighed, and the air seemed to go back to normal cold when it came to standing next to a ghost. "Morgana is a strong witch, and what makes her strong is her will to fix the thing she broke. Her thoughts on giving everyone magic are well and good, but her delivery is unkind and forceful. She is powered by her determination and the fact that she could even attempt to give power to others makes her just as much stronger. If any other wizard or witch would hold that staff... they would not survive it."

"Only Morgana and Merlin can hold the staff?"

"Morgana is Merlin's equal, as Grindelwald was Dumbledore's equal and Voldemort was Harry's equal. So far, the staff has only been tamed by Morgana and Merlin."

Rose felt her chest grow tighter and heavier than ever before. "Even in death, she's too powerful..."

Sir Nicholas began to smile. "Forgive me, I may sound a bit like a Ravenclaw, but in this case, knowledge is power. You now know about one of Morgana's secrets. I find that Morgana is very keen on keeping her personal life at Hogwarts a secret. Only one person has ever been close enough to Morgana to truly understand how she works."

Rose's eyes widened. "Your father! Is he a ghost too? Could I reach out to him through the Veil?"

"Ever since the Veil broke I have been calling out to him, but alas he has not answered. I suppose he is keeping his distance away to avoid seeing Morgana." Sir Nicholas said, but his smile didn't falter. "Although, he was quite the writer back in his days at school and kept very detailed diaries about his days at Hogwarts. In fact, they stored them right here in the school's library. Which, if I'm not mistaken, are where Ms. Alivna, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Malfoy seem to be at this nightly hour."

Rose felt her body lighten and her own smile returned to her face. "Oh, Nick! Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you." She leaned in for a hug, only for a second until remembered he was a ghost. "Right, sorry..."

Sir Nicholas let out a sigh, dealing with this kind of situation on a daily, and motioned Rose to get moving to the library.

Rose took off on a run, with her white Kneazle running right at her heels, towards the Hogwarts library. Before she got to the door the words Sir Nicholas said rang through her head, Ms. Alivna, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Malfoy... Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy...

She skidded to a stop and looked into the candlelit library and saw just that. Eloise, Albus, and Scorpius were all together surrounding a table filled with books and talking softly to one another. They were all together. Albus was there...

Before Rose could take a step in, Ghost had run into the library and jumped up on the middle of the table the Slytherins were sitting at. They all looked at the cat and then instantly started looking around for any sign of Rose.

A second later, all she saw were black robes, green tyes, and white shirts as the three pummeled her into a large group hug.

"Oh, Rose you're awake!" Eloise's muffled voice came through.

"Of course you'd go straight to the library after waking up..." Albus laughed.

"I'm so glad you're okay," said Scorpius, who managed to get a hold of Rose's hand through the jumbled mess of bodies.

Eventually, they all stepped back to examine Rose and conversation broke instantly. All three of them were talking at the same time. Words like "Morgana" and "blood" and "panthers" got through the chatter.

"Can't believe she's behind all this..."

"Thankful Uncle Fred got there in time-"

"You see this Rose! It only took you to almost die for the boys to make up."

Rose busted out laughing at Eloise's comment, gaining her a big "SHH!" from Madam Pince.

She looked at her friends and a sense of warmth went through her like nothing before. She was... hopeful. And with a foe like Morgana, she needed to keep this hope.

"Guys, guys, guys! We can catch up later. You won't believe what Nearly Headless Nick just told me..."