The Troubles from Monsters and Men (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

The Scars Left Behind

The following morning, Maria was awakened by Regina knocking on her door. She frowned, realizing Robin was gone. She changed out of her borrowed nightclothes and followed Fee into the kitchen. Robin was already there, as well as Pierre, still reading the tome, and Minerva drinking a hot cup of tea. Regina soon joined with platters full of brioche, honeyed fruit salad, and hot chocolate drinks.

As they ate, Minerva and Regina explained a bit more about the magical world. Minerva came from a long line of prophetic witches that dedicated themselves to maintaining the history of the world and magic. Regina grew up in a modest household of laborers. Though she was gifted in knowledge, her parents could not afford her education, giving it to her eldest brother instead. However, when he was not around, she continued to study in secret, finding passion in the fields of astronomy and chemistry. She met Minerva as a teenager while out in the forest looking for some ingredients for an alchemical experiment she was going to attempt. It was then that Minerva took her under her wing and taught her all she knew. Minerva encouraged Regina to seek out an apprenticeship with an apothecary, though it was a frustrating effort since many did not want to take on a woman for a student. Eventually, she impressed an apothecary with her extensive knowledge, not just of current medicinal treatments, but of remedies once lost to the ages, all while Minerva continued to teach her from the shadows.

Back in the basement, Minerva then spent some time observing Maria as she demonstrated the various things she could do with her magic: create balls of lights and a sort of barrier, heal wounds, and carry lightweight things such as the feather Minerva placed before her.

"Maria, may I have your pearls again?" Minerva asked. "I have a feeling there's more to your magic than the pearls. The pearls were simply made to grant a wish, but you're doing so much more. I'm beginning to think your magic may be more innate than we thought, and the pearls act as a wand does to a wizard."

Maria handed them over and was instructed to repeat her casting. This time, Maria began to feel woozy upon producing the ball of light. She could feel an essence draining from her, seeping from her fingers and into the light, yet the light remained fainter than before. Then she tried to cast a shield. Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead as she scrunched her eyes. The shield was very weak, a mere shimmer across the air but Minerva's hand could wave through it. Robin looked up from his book. He was apprehensive and worried Minerva was pushing her too much.

As Maria tried to lift the feather once more, her breathing became labored, and she collapsed back onto her chair. Robin rushed over to Maria and narrowed his eyes at Minerva.

Minerva dismissively waved a hand at Robin's nose. "Oh, hush now, she merely feels exhausted. She'll be alright. This is no more to her than the exercise of running around a forest is to you. She is much stronger than I expected, with more practice Maria may be capable of great things." Minerva placed a finger upon Maria's temple and a hum quivered through the air. Maria gasped feeling a cooling sensation from the witch's finger traveling down her body and revitalizing her. Minerva then handed her a cup of tea, promising it would help her feel better.

"How curious. Do you know of any other family members with such abilities?"

Maria shook her head. "I've always had strange dreams though. Sometimes they've even felt prophetic... though I can't always remember them."

"Very curious indeed. Only time will tell then." Minerva returned the pearls to Maria's neck and began to study Robin intently. "Now about your memories. May I study your head?"

Robin's hands grew clammy, but he nodded. Minerva placed a cold finger on his forehead. She closed her eyes and muttered an incantation under her breath. Robin began to feel foggy. He fought against the drowsiness, and when it felt like he could no longer bear it, it vanished.