The morning of April 26th arrived beneath a pale, pearlescent sky. Soft morning light filtered through the nursery curtains, casting dusty ribbons across the room. Everything seemed unusually peaceful, as though the day itself had dressed up for the occasion.
Morwenna woke before the sun had fully risen. She lay in bed for a while, listening to the quiet of the nursery. The fire had burned low during the night, leaving only a few glowing embers in the hearth, their orange light flickering against the soot-stained stone.
Cinder was curled up at her feet, his warm, heavy body pressed against her shins. His russet fur rose and fell with each slow breath, and his enormous ears lay flat against his head as he slept soundly.
Morwenna reached down and stroked his flank. His fur was thick and soft, and the warmth beneath it spread pleasantly into her palm. Cinder stirred, opening his amber eyes before giving his tail a single sleepy thump against the blankets.
"Today," she whispered.
His ears immediately perked up. He knew that tone. It meant something was about to happen.
Morwenna climbed out of bed, curling her toes against the cold floorboards. She barely paid the chill any attention as she made her way to the window, where a thin layer of condensation clouded the glass.
The garden below was still shrouded in morning mist, its familiar greens and greys softened by the haze. Even so, she could make out the patch of snowdrops near the hedge. There were twelve flowers now, perhaps thirteen. She decided she would count them properly later.
Behind her, the nursery door creaked open.
"Happy birthday, ma chérie."
Jane stood in the doorway, already dressed for the day. Her dress were a rich indigo, the traditional colours of the Evans family, while her vibrant red hair was pinned back with silver combs that glimmered in the fading firelight. She looked different this morning.
The tension that usually lingered around her eyes had eased, replaced by a warmth that made her expression especially tender.
Morwenna turned from the window.
"Maman."
Jane crossed the room and scooped her daughter into her arms. Morwenna settled comfortably against her mother's hip, reaching up to touch one of the cool silver combs in her hair.
"Three," she announced, holding up her fingers.
"Three," Jane agreed, her voice trembling slightly with affection. She pressed a lingering kiss to her daughter's forehead. "Can you believe it, petite?"
Morwenna considered the question with her usual seriousness.
"Yes."
Jane smiled and carried her to the tall mahogany wardrobe. After setting her down on the rug, she opened its doors to reveal a dress Morwenna had never seen before.
It was made of deep indigo silk, its rich colour reminiscent of the sky just after sunset. Delicate silver embroidery curled along the sleeves and hem, while tiny silver flowers were scattered across the skirt, each one carefully stitched into the dark fabric.
"This is for today," Jane explained.
Morwenna reached out and touched the silk. The fabric felt cool and smooth beneath her fingertips, with a satisfying weight that made it flow gently as she moved her hand.
"Evans colours."
"Yes. Today, you will wear my family's colours."
Morwenna glanced at the dress before looking up at her mother.
"And Dada's?"
"Another day." Jane knelt in front of her, gently smoothing Morwenna's fine white hair away from her face. Her green eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Today is for Grand-ma Celestine and Gran-père Lucien. For all of them, really. But especially for them."
Morwenna nodded then raised her arms to be dressed.
Jane carefully slipped the silk dress over her daughter's head before fastening the small, cloth-covered buttons at the back. Her fingers moved with the ease of long practice, and when she finished, she turned Morwenna toward the tall mirror.
Morwenna studied her reflection.
Against the dark indigo silk, her white hair appeared even brighter, almost luminous. The little silver flowers scattered across her skirt caught the morning light whenever she moved, sending tiny glimmers across the room.
"Pretty," she murmured.
"Beautiful," Jane corrected softly. "You are beautiful, Morwenna."
Morwenna continued examining herself for a moment before raising a hand to touch her cheek.
"More me," she said. "Today."
Jane drew a quiet, sharp breath. For a moment, she couldn't trust herself to speak, but she managed to keep her voice steady.
"Yes, my love. More you today."
By the time they reached the kitchen, controlled chaos had taken over.
Tilly stood at the centre counter, flanked by three other house-elves. All four were working at a frantic pace, preparing the day's treats and refreshments. The air was thick with the sweet scents of wild honey and vanilla, so rich that Morwenna could almost taste them with every breath.
On the long preparation table sat a mysterious bundle roughly the size of a small child. It was covered with a white cloth that shimmered faintly with the unmistakable hum of an active charm.
Morwenna stopped in the doorway, her eyes widening as she stared at it.
"Is that—"
"Nothing!"
Tilly interrupted at once. The tips of his large ears turned a bright shade of pink. "Tilly is making absolutely nothing! The little miss should go to the morning room. Breakfast is waiting there."
Morwenna looked at the bundle, then at Tilly, then back at the bundle.
"Cake," she declared.
"Tilly has absolutely no idea what the little miss is talking about." He folded his small arms across his chest, attempting to look stern, though his trembling ears betrayed his barely contained excitement.
Morwenna gave him a knowing little smile, one that looked suspiciously like her mother's, before turning and hurrying toward the morning room.
Cinder trotted after her, his bushy tail swaying behind him.
....
The Floo flared emerald green at half past nine.
Morwenna was waiting in the entrance hall with Cinder when the flames came to life. She had been sitting on the bottom step of the staircase for some time, her indigo dress spread around her like a pool of twilight against the stone floor.
She hadn't told anyone she was waiting, but there she remained, perfectly still, one hand resting on Cinder's head.
Viviane stepped through the flames first.
As always, she looked immaculate, her dark travelling robes untouched by the soot and heat of the Floo. She brushed a stray fleck of ash from her sleeve before looking up.
The moment she spotted Morwenna, her usual professional composure softened. She still carried herself with the same poise, but for once, it hardly mattered.
She crossed the hall and knelt in front of the little girl.
"Mon trésor."
Morwenna leaned forward and rested her forehead against Viviane's shoulder. It was what she did when words couldn't quite express what she wanted to say.
Viviane immediately wrapped her arms around her, holding her close with quiet, unwavering affection. The familiar scent of her perfume mingled with the warmth of the nearby fireplace.
"You are three now," Viviane whispered. "I can hardly believe it."
Morwenna drew back to study her godmother's face. Viviane smiled softly before reaching into her robes and taking out a pale grey memory stone. It was the very same stone Morwenna had entrusted to her a year ago.
"I kept it with me for the entire year, just as you asked." Viviane placed the stone in Morwenna's open palms, her fingers lingering briefly over the child's small hands. "Now it's time to give it back. It's full."
Morwenna accepted the stone with both hands. It felt strangely heavy despite its small size. She pressed it between her palms, closed her eyes, and fell completely still.
The entrance hall grew quiet. Only the crackling of the Floo and the steady ticking of the clock broke the silence. No one interrupted her as she absorbed the memories collected within the stone over the past year.
When Morwenna finally opened her eyes, they shone with an unusual brightness. She looked at Viviane.
"You carried it."
"Every single day."
Morwenna nodded and carefully returned the stone to her pouch. Then she reached up and gently touched Viviane's cheek.
"Good," she said.
For a brief moment, Viviane's composure faltered. The corners of her eyes grew moist, and she had to look away before she could trust herself to speak.
Elara arrived an hour later.
She stepped out of the Floo with her usual precision, brushing the soot from her dark robes before straightening one sleeve with a sharp tug. Her gaze immediately settled on Morwenna, and the sternness in her expression eased ever so slightly.
Morwenna was still sitting on the staircase, with Cinder alertly beside her. She watched Elara finish adjusting her robes before standing and waiting for the older woman to approach.
Instead, she walked down the remaining steps herself and crossed the hall. Stopping in front of Elara, she placed one small hand on the woman's knee.
"Bonjour," she greeted her.
Elara glanced down at the little hand before meeting Morwenna's serious gaze.
"Bonjour, petite," she replied, her voice softer than usual.
She reached into a hidden pocket and took out a small silver box. It was no larger than her palm, its surface smooth and unadorned except for a finely engraved star on the lid.
"This is for you," Elara explained. "Whenever you feel something strongly, whether it's happiness, wonder, or any other positive emotion, press the lid. The box will hum, but only you will be able to hear it."
Morwenna accepted the box and pressed the lid experimentally.
Nothing happened.
She looked up at Elara, her expression questioning.
"You must feel the emotion first," Elara explained patiently. "The box can't create feelings. It can only preserve them for you."
Morwenna studied the little box before holding it against her chest. The cool metal rested over her heart for a moment before she carefully tucked it into her pouch beside the memory stone.
"Thank you."
Elara gave a stiff nod. Then, in a gesture so brief that Morwenna might almost have imagined it, she reached out and brushed a hand over the child's white hair.
Sylvaine arrived last, just before the festivities were due to begin.
The Floo flames had barely settled when she stepped out, her silver hair pinned into its usual immaculate bun. Small and straight-backed as ever, she paused to survey the entrance hall, taking in the decorations, the floating lights, and the little girl waiting on the staircase.
Morwenna rose and walked over to her.
Sylvaine crouched to meet her at eye level, moving slowly and deliberately. Once she had settled into position, she studied Morwenna's face for a long moment without saying a word.
"Three," she finally remarked.
"Three."
"You look like your father. You have his hair and his bearing." Sylvaine tilted her head slightly, examining her granddaughter with a thoughtful expression. "But there's something else now. Something that wasn't there before."
Morwenna waited patiently. She had already learned that Sylvaine never spoke without a reason, and she wouldn't offer an explanation until she was ready.
At last, Sylvaine reached into her robes and produced a small crystal sphere. It was perfectly clear, like spring water, and no larger than a marble. She held it between her thumb and forefinger before offering it to Morwenna.
"This is for you to use when you are older. On a night when the moon is full, look into it. You will see something true."
Morwenna carefully accepted the sphere. She raised it toward the light, turning it between her fingers, but the crystal appeared to be nothing more than a clear, empty ball.
"Later," Sylvaine reminded her.
"Later," Morwenna agreed.
She tucked the crystal into her pouch, where it settled beside the silver box with a soft clink.
By the time the family gathered in the great hall, the room had been transformed into something almost magical even by their standards.
Thousands of tiny silver flowers drifted through the air, turning lazily as they caught the light. Their movements cast delicate reflections across the walls and ceiling, giving the entire hall a soft, shimmering glow. The long dining table was covered with deep indigo cloth, and at its centre sat the birthday cake.
It was shaped like a fox.
The cake had three tiers, each covered in purple, violet, and white frosting that shimmered like crushed gemstones. Its ears had been carefully sculpted, and two tiny silver candies served as its eyes. Its tail curled neatly around its feet, while delicate silver flowers had been piped along its back.
Morwenna stopped in the doorway and stared.
For once, she seemed entirely at a loss for words.
Tilly appeared beside her, having clearly been waiting nearby to witness her reaction.
"Does the little miss like it?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes."
The word came out in a soft, almost reverent whisper.
Tilly's ears trembled with satisfaction. "Good! Tilly worked very hard on it. Very, very hard. He worked on it all week!"
Morwenna reached out and gently patted his hand in thanks before walking into the hall.
The adults had already gathered. Jack and Jane stood beside the fireplace, their hands clasped tightly together.
Aldric and Seraphina were near the windows, where Seraphina had temporarily abandoned her knitting. Celestine and Lucien stood beside the dining table, Celestine's green eyes following every step of her granddaughter's approach.
Raphaël and Luelle stood together nearby. Luelle was already trying to catch one of the floating flowers, repeatedly closing her fingers around empty air as it drifted just beyond her reach.
Saoirse lounged across a high-backed chair, one leg hanging carelessly over the side. Viviane stood beside Jane, her dark eyes filled with warmth and pride, while Elara remained slightly apart from the others, quietly observing the room.
Sylvaine watched from a corner, peering over her spectacles as she took in the entire scene.
All twelve of them were there, and every pair of eyes followed Morwenna as she entered.
She walked to the centre of the hall and looked up at the silver flowers floating above her head. They drifted around her in slow spirals, like little stars suspended in the twilight.
"Pretty," she said.
"They are all for you," Celestine replied, her voice carrying gently across the room. "Every single one."
Morwenna turned slowly, following the flowers with her eyes as they floated past. Cinder sat beside her, his amber eyes tracking each one that drifted within reach.
The birthday feast was an undertaking of considerable proportions.
There was more food on the table than Morwenna had ever seen in one place. Platters of roasted meat sat beside savoury vegetables, freshly baked pies, delicate pastries, and bowls of fruits she couldn't identify. Tilly and the other house-elves had clearly gone to extraordinary lengths to make the occasion special.
Morwenna sat between Jane and Celestine, with her plate filled with small portions of the dishes offered to her. She worked her way through them methodically, taking one bite at a time.
Beneath the table, Cinder waited patiently, maintaining his usual dignified composure in the hope that something might fall his way.
The hall soon filled with conversation and laughter.
Saoirse entertained everyone with a story about a market in Morocco, where she had apparently encountered a goat and a thoroughly bewildered merchant.
She acted out the entire incident, switching her voice to imitate the merchant's outraged cries and gesturing so enthusiastically that she nearly knocked over her own goblet.
Luelle laughed so hard that she almost choked on her wine. Raphaël passed her a napkin without even interrupting his quiet conversation with Aldric, clearly accustomed to his sister's antics.
Meanwhile, Lucien turned his attention to Morwenna and began telling her about the garden.
"Ah, the red ones, petite," he said in his gentle, melodic voice. "They are beginning to bloom in the greenhouse. There's even one that's almost blue, though not quite. I think it only pretends to be blue."
Morwenna considered this carefully.
"Can it be blue?"
"Perhaps next year. The little flower is trying very hard."
She nodded, apparently satisfied with the flower's determination.
Across the table, Luelle had recovered from her laughter and was now attempting to balance a spoon on the tip of her nose.
Raphaël watched her with the weary resignation of a brother who had long since accepted that his sister would never behave normally. Saoirse, meanwhile, seemed to be placing a silent bet on how long the spoon would remain in place.
It fell a moment later.
Luelle caught it before it hit the table and grinned triumphantly, while Saoirse looked genuinely disappointed.
Morwenna laughed. The sound was bright and clear, rising above the conversations around her.
Several of the adults turned toward her, their expressions softening at the sight of her delight, but no one interrupted her or drew attention to it. They simply let her laughter become part of the happy noise filling the hall.
After the meal came the cake.
Tilly carried it in himself, his small arms straining beneath its weight. Two other house-elves walked beside him, ready to catch the cake if he stumbled, but he managed to carry it safely to the table.
With great ceremony, he placed it in front of Morwenna and stepped back, his ears trembling with anticipation.
The fox's silver candy eyes gleamed in the candlelight.
Morwenna studied the cake for a long moment before looking at Tilly.
"Perfect," she declared.
Tilly made a strange little sound that might have been a sob. He quickly disguised it as a cough, but the suspicious brightness in his eyes gave him away.
Then everyone began to sing.
They didn't sing the Muggle birthday song. Instead, they sang the old song the Keith family had used for centuries. Celestine and Lucien joined in with the French version, their voices blending with the English lyrics until the two languages flowed together in a single, beautiful melody.
Morwenna sat perfectly still, listening with her whole being. Her gaze moved from one face to another as she watched everyone singing for her.
All of them.
When the song ended, she closed her eyes and placed both hands flat against the table. She thought carefully about her wish, concentrating on it with all the seriousness a three-year-old could muster.
No one asked what she had wished for.
Morwenna opened her eyes, leaned toward the cake, and blew out all three candles.
===
There's image below