Chapter 40 — Morgan le Fay and King Arthur
At eleven that night, they attended their very first Astronomy class of the term. Their teacher, Aurora Sinistra, lectured mainly on the names of stars and the paths of the planets.
"A bit boring, isn't it? What's the point of staring at all that?" James grumbled. It was already well past midnight. They had just come down from the Astronomy Tower and were heading back to their dorms.
This was the only time they were allowed to roam the castle legally at night. Even if Filch spotted them, he could only mutter under his breath and stalk off to patrol elsewhere.
"I don't think it's pointless at all. Haven't you ever wondered—Muggles have already begun exploring the stars, and yet wizards are still stuck at mere observation." Russell pulled his robes tighter against the cold.
"We've fallen far behind, haven't we?"
"You're right," James admitted with a shrug. "Even if Dumbledore hopped on a broom, I doubt he could fly past the atmosphere."
"Maybe by then the Muggles will already be cruising between the stars, and wizards will still be stuck down here on Earth. Though I suppose the pure-blood fanatics would be thrilled—after all, they'd be the only ones left."
"That's a terrible joke, Russell," Rosen said with a straight face… only to burst out laughing himself moments later.
The three of them joked around the whole way back, completely unaware that Fawley trailed behind them alone. For various reasons, nobody was particularly fond of him.
Fawley didn't seem bothered, though. He walked with a constant frown, lost in thought.
"We have History of Magic tomorrow morning," James suddenly remembered, making a face. "I heard it's the dullest class in all of Hogwarts. And the professor is a ghost—can ghosts even teach?"
"I know about that," Rosen said, speaking up. "I read his story in Hogwarts: A History."
Clearing his throat, he began to recite what he had read.
"Professor Binns has taught History of Magic since Hogwarts was founded. His sharp mind and clear logic were praised even by Salazar Slytherin himself. He was invited to join the staff and became the school's first—and rightful—History of Magic professor.
"The book says that, nearing lunchtime, students would reluctantly leave his classroom, excited and full of wonder. Transfiguration had shown them the marvel of magic, but Binns' history lessons filled them with endless imagination."
"Really?" James sounded doubtful. "That makes it sound almost… promising."
"Oh, please," Russell yawned. "Those accounts are ancient. Ever since the day Professor Binns forgot to bring his body to class and drifted in as a ghost instead, his lessons have only grown duller."
"A sharp mind and clear logic… that was all when he was still alive. Don't get your hopes up."
As he said it, a sudden idea struck Russell's mind.
Could he ask Professor Binns about the history of Morgan le Fay?
If what Rosen said was true, then Binns—who had been born centuries ago—might not be too far removed from the age of King Arthur.
---
"I teach History of Magic," Professor Binns said slowly. "I study facts, not myths or legends."
He cast Russell a sluggish glance, as though trying to memorize his face—something extremely rare for the ghostly professor.
"But regarding Morgan le Fay…"
He hesitated.
"Her story sits somewhere between history and legend. The only thing I can say with certainty is that she did exist."
"She was King Arthur's half sister—same mother, different father—and an adversary of Merlin. Like her brother, she was also a ruler, the queen of Avalon. Aside from her mastery of dark magic, she was an excellent healer, and she was an Animagus capable of transforming into a bird."
"Could you tell us more about her life, Professor?" Russell asked.
"Well… technically today's lesson was supposed to be about the Four Founders of Hogwarts."
Binns paused, wheezing faintly as usual, then continued:
"But it has been a very long time since I've met a young wizard truly interested in history. Very well."
He cleared his throat, and in his trademark drifting, airy voice, began recounting:
"...Morgan le Fay eventually reconciled with King Arthur. After the Battle of Camlann, she and several mysterious women placed the gravely wounded Arthur onto a boat and carried him to Avalon to heal. Some texts claim she later withdrew to Avalon, continuing her studies in magic and becoming one of the guardians of the Eternal Isle."
"In certain regional traditions, however, she is portrayed as an unrepentant villain, punished for abusing dark magic—imprisoned in an enchanted forest, or transformed into stone. In Welsh tales, she sometimes merges with figures like the Lady of the Lake, becoming a symbol of nature's mystical power."
"But between the two versions…" Binns concluded, "I find the latter far more plausible. Avalon is, after all, only a legend."
Just then, the bell rang, neatly ending the lesson.
---
"I didn't expect you to be interested in Arthurian legends," Rosen said excitedly, giving Russell a firm pat on the shoulder. "I always thought your only passion was studying."
"I just want to understand what wizard life was like in that era."
Russell frowned thoughtfully.
"From what Professor Binns said, wizards lived openly alongside Muggles during Arthur's time. So… when did the break between them happen?"
"What does it matter?" James said dismissively. "I'm starving. Let's go eat."
Hearing that, Russell realized he was hungry too, and they all hurried toward the Great Hall.
As they began eating, a sudden flurry of wingbeats echoed from outside. Moments later, owls streamed into the hall just as they did every day.
One owl in particular stood out—a large brown eagle owl carrying a package nearly twice its own size. Yet judging from the smoothness of its flight, the weight barely bothered it.
Spotting Russell, it glided down and landed carefully on the table in front of him.
"You've worked hard," Russell said softly.
He quickly unfastened the large parcel from its back and placed a generous helping of bacon and sausages on a plate, offering it to the owl.
The bird wasted no time, tearing into the food hungrily.
Never again, Gugu swore to itself.
First trip, it lost a letter.
Second trip, it was nearly eaten alive by some bizarre plant.
If it hadn't been quick-witted, it might never have made it back at all.