7 A Mother's Advice
Our conversation lasted deep into the night. Many methods were discussed on how to face the coming events. While some were rejected for being too ridiculous, most were at least labeled as 'to be considered.' By the end, we had a rough outline of what we were going to do.
1. Develop our individual strength. Though many would follow me just because of my money, no witch or wizard would truly respect me unless I was extremely proficient in magic.
2. Discover a way to cure Elric and the Longbottoms.
3. Make the magical and muggle worlds financially dependent on the Eilean family. For the magical community, our first task was to reduce the influence of those noble families who had supported Voldemort. In the muggle community, we would use my knowledge of future events to grow my wealth exponentially. While I didn't know the specific dates of companies' growths, when certain technology would be released, nor when political and economic events would occur, my general knowledge would be more than adequate to make a killing.
4. Find an alternative fuel source for the muggles and promote environmentally friendly products. Before climate change ever got to the point of risking human existence, it would first put many magical creatures at the risk of extinction. In fact, the wizarding community had already documented over a hundred species that no longer existed. For now, my idea was to fund research into hydrogen power, but that may change in the future.
5. We wanted to try and find a way to remove the portion of Voldemort's soul from Harry Potter well ahead of the events in the seventh book. While this would reduce our ability to predict future events, it would also enable us to act sooner.
6. Gather all the Horcruxes we can as soon as we can. Of course, to avoid the chance of alerting Voldemort, we would only destroy them once we were prepared to act openly.
7. Create a group of like-minded individuals – similar to the Order of the Phoenix – to fight against Voldemort and other evil witches/wizards. Hopefully by sharing my 'divination' to people who signed a strict confidentiality contract – or, even better, swore and Unbreakable Vow – we could get good and influential witches and wizards to join us. Frankly, I couldn't understand why Dumbledore, despite having very strong suspicions that Voldemort would return, disbanded his Order.
8. Form close ties to magical creature populations, specifically the goblins. If goblins had the capabilities to go to war with wizards in the past, then their power was probably far greater than was hinted at in Rowling's books.
9. Engineer it so loyal people held positions of power at the Ministry. Also, gain an influence with ministries internationally.
10. Find a way for the wizarding world to peacefully announce its existence to muggles. Exactly how we would do this, I wasn't sure. But I knew it would be better for us to reveal ourselves on our own terms than wait for muggles to discover us.
11. Save as many people as we can. This is more of a mission statement than anything.
Of course, these points were just our general goals for the time being. There was no telling how it would change in the future.
Looking at the list, I had the feeling of being a little overwhelmed with what Eva and I were setting out to accomplish. I couldn't help remarking in a sarcastic inward voice on how I would certainly never be bored in the future.
As our meeting was coming to a close, Eva's tone turned strict and she said, "I know this is very important, but you have to promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"You have take one day off each week. That means no studying and no working. If for some situation prevents you from doing so, then you'll make it up the next week by taking two days off."
My face scrunched up in protest. "But there's no time for that! With everything that's going to happen, you can't expect me to waste one seventh of my time."
"You can and you will. My knowledge of parenting is limited, but I do know working constantly is unhealthy. Hell, for a child, even working towards these goals six days a week will probably cause harm to you. There's no point in us trying to save the world if you never get to enjoy life. You need to have fun, to laugh, and to have friends. If you can't do that, then, as your guardian, I'll make you take time off."
I could tell from her face and tone that there was no arguing with her. Yet, even though logic told me that 'having fun' was inefficient, a part of me felt a strange warmth from the care she was showing me. I knew this warmth was something both the original Keira and I were feeling. I had never had a motherly figure in my life, nor someone that truly cared for me for that matter. It was nice.
"Alright, I promise." Eva's strict face broke into a smile and she nodded at my promise in satisfaction. "And… thank you, mother."
Eva's happy face immediately turned to one of shock. She had not expected me to call her that. But, at that moment, that's how I truly felt.
"F-for what?" Eva asked.
"For caring about me," I responded.
Eva again smiled before bringing me into a hug. "Always." She held me for a good minute before letting me go. She then took a letter out from her robes and gave it to me. "Sarah gave this to me the evening before she died. She wanted me to give it to you when I felt you were ready. This seems as good of a time as any."
I took the letter, my hands shaking slightly from the original Keira's emotions. It was sealed with wax that had an intricate raven motif imprinted in it – the Eilean House symbol. Unsealing it, I removed the letter, which was smudged here and there with tear drops, and began to read.
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My Dear Keira,
If you're reading this then I must be dead. Sitting here writing this feels so surreal. I am now in a position no mother wants to be in: to leave their child parentless. It breaks my heart to know I won't be there to raise you and watch you mature into a fine, amazing woman. Sadly, such is scenario we find ourselves in. Now, in this short time remaining, I want to perform my duty as your mother and leave you with what advice I can.
In a letter like this, I'm sure most mothers would tell their children that they don't regret helping the good factions in a war. But I do. I regret it with every fiber of my being. The Death Eaters are chasing us because we opposed You-Know-Who and they blame us for his fall. Had I known my actions would endanger you, I never would have done them. It may sound noble to fight for a good cause, but if you risk losing what's most important to you, then what's the point? So, my first advice to you is to protect what you love and care about with all your might.
In my life, I was always pressured by the Eilean name. Though my mother passed away when I was fourteen, you are nevertheless in a similar situation to me: being forced to shoulder the weight of an ancient and noble house. We are the oldest remaining house in all the wizarding world and are also the wealthiest. The duties of being the house's matriarch were drilled into me from an early age…and I hated it. I wanted to be a normal witch.
It was probably because of my hatred towards my duties that I first became interested in your father, a muggle-born wizard and thus someone who it was unthinkable for me to marry. However, that interest quickly turned into a true love and we married as soon as we left Hogwarts. Instead of managing my family's money, I let others manage it for me while I turned all my attention to my family. I have never regretted focusing on family rather than duty.
However, my intention is not to advise you to follow in my path nor to tell you what you should do. Instead, I want to tell you to find your own path and, once you've found that path, put everything you have into it. While I do have regrets, marrying your father and having you are not among them. Thus, my second advice is to live your life in your way, regardless of others' expectations.
Having said that, my next advice deals with your Eilean heritage. While our house may be powerful, since Scathach and her daughter died, it has never been so at an individual level. With each passing generation, for reasons unknown, the witches and wizards in our family have steadily become weaker. So, while we can economical dominate anyone, we have always remained neutral in all conflicts and stayed in the background because we lacked the strength to defend ourselves should the need arise. In addition, over the years we also became susceptible to muggle sicknesses and our birthrate fell.
However, none of this seems to apply to you. From your appearance to your magic power, you are nearly identical to what our family's oral traditions say Scathach was like. If my ancestors still lived, they would have cheered your birth. But I have always been worried for you. Great power comes with its own responsibilities and will always draw undesired attention. As I see it, you have two paths forward. One, you hide your abilities throughout your life. Second, you become so powerful that no one can oppose you.
Should you choose the route of power, then my third advice to you is to go to our vault at Gringotts. At .the back of the vault is a sealed chamber. According to family records, this chamber was left by Scathach herself as a means to pass her heritage down to worthy descendants. Unfortunately, besides Scathach's own daughter, none have been able to enter. But I believe you can. I don't know what's in there, but I'm confident nothing Scathach left behind will be useless. If you want power, this should be the first place you go.
With my limited time, those are the three major pieces of advice I have for you. However, I also encourage you to listen to what Eva and Elric tell you to do. They may not be replacements for your father and I – just as we would not be replacements for them – but the love and teachings they can impart to you are no less valuable because of that.
Ultimately, live how you wish to live. Love who you want to love. Protect what you want to protect. Annihilate your enemies. Hold close your friends.
You meant the world to your father and I. However, every action your father and I took was supposed to help show you that fact. If you weren't able to experience our love, then I guess we truly failed and I can only hope you will realize how important you were to us at some point in the future. I suppose, in a farewell letter such as this, I should be telling you how much I love you over and over. Instead, let me say it just this once….
With all my love,
Sarah Eilean
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I let the letter fall to the table. My body was shaking and tears were falling rapidly from my eyes. "You didn't fail," I sobbingly whispered. "I love you too." Seeing that I was done reading, and seeing my emotional state, Eva brought me into another hug.
Fifteen minutes passed before I finally managed to bring myself under control and process my mother's letter. While I could feel the original Keira dwelling on the more emotional parts of the letter, I was drawn to her third advice of going to Gringotts. Scathach's inheritance? Of course I wanted that!
Still hugging Eva, I said to her, "We're making a trip to my vault at Gringotts tomorrow."
