Nineteen years later. Information is the most valued commodity.
A "Brexit" allows wizards to integrate into society. Fates and fortunes change. Defector becomes warrior; a dark horse, a valiant knight; a victor, slain. The wizards fight for freedom, but an attack forces a choice: become a ruthless rebel, or a graceful warrior. Harry chooses the path of the Alchemist and embarks on the Great Work.
Politics and the quest collide. Diplomacy keeps Harry's dream of change alive, but others seek to corrupt his sacrifice. Death unites. Rebels act fast. Villains speak truth. Compassion emerges, and it begins to heal. A quiet song recalls the flight of his ancestors. Mother Nature schools humanity, and he discovers the forgotten magic of the oak tree. Defector and orphan unite to give love a chance.
A woman urges Harry to"Let go," and he takes a mystical dance with death to release the power of the wind hidden below, to trust it and wield it with compassion. In an epic battle with his fears, Harry unlocks an ancient form of magic, and reveals the true meaning of wizard. He uncovers the Goddess at the crossroads, and frees her from her long rest, but she fears the loss of her deep bond with the wind. He chooses to know thyself, and he unites the King and Queen within to create a new earth. With alchemy's sword, he finds the treasure hard to attain-the highest self. Ambition advances the quest. Saving the victor reveals his growth.
Transformed, Harry brings the healing power of change to those who have been oppressed. A new perspective gives him hope to heal his community. With this sacrifice, endings are celebrated, prosperity assured. His quest finds the truth in the garden: his mother was an alchemist. He is the hero; past villains are exalted. He learns that humanity is united in suffering.
The union of Magical/Muggle, above/below, hope/fear, death/birth, is the destiny realized on the quest. With it, unearthing the Goddess within and her winds of change.
Fear strikes the hearts. Doubt enters the minds and trust is the one thing they need but can't find.
Harry hears voices. A voice coming from the walls, whispering words that shouldn't be spoken.
Something has been set loose. Something that should've never entered the grounds in the first place. Something that shouldn't even exist.
People get suspicious. Is Harry to blame?
Artemis wants to help him clear his name, but she soon finds her mind preoccupied with her own problems. Old doubts have resurfaced after her family gets torn apart. Parts of her history are revealed. Everyone has been lying to her and Artemis starts doubting everything she knew until now.
Because being yourself is hard when you don't know who you are.
The dream was the beginning. The mark was the clue. And the woman in the mirror was the answer.
~~~
The woman in the mirror is the second book in the Artemis Lupin series. Read 'The girl with golden hair' first.
She was used to investigating mysteries on her own. People were untrustworthy. They lied. They tried to change the past. But the past couldn't be changed.
Her own past was complicated. Especially because she wasn't the one hiding it, it was kept from her. For a good reason, they thought.
The dream was her only lead. The only way to figure it all out. The dream was simply the end of a curse and the beginning of a nightmare. Because some secrets are better kept secret. The web of lies and deceit only got more complicated. Familymembers talked out of turn. The wise man was far too interested and the dark saw the truth in her eyes.
Because her dream was simply the story. The story of betrayal, friendship but mostly death. But the thing that could ruin it all, was the very thing they couldn't change. It was the only truth in the past of lies.
Her grey eyes and his black blood.
~completed on 29 August 2017~
(*Disclaimer* all rights go to J.K. Rowling. You can read this without having read the book.)