Chapter 1: Key to freedom?
A lone boy laid on his bed as the adults talked downstairs. He was only about 4'4 but he had only just turned eleven. He was actually very cute not that he would know because his parents never said so. He was born with the same jet black hair and deep ocean water blue eyes he had had all his life, but none of that was important. The worst three months of his life only had 2 more weeks. He rolled over and shuddered thinking only nine months before he had to go through it all over again. Summer was not his favorite time of the year as it was for most. He wasn't just a surprise for his parents he was an unwanted annoyance. The strange things that had been happening lately only made him feel more insecure.
He pushed his insecurities to the back of his mind and stood quietly trying to avoid making too much noise in his old floor. He carefully made his way to his door and slowly opening it and laying down crawling over to the top of the stairs. He had done this many times and had become very adept at it. He stopped just out of sight focusing on the voices coming from the kitchen.
"You say this school of yours is a boarding school eh?" the boy's father said in his cynical tone.
"Yes sir," a happy voice said that ignored the man's pessimistic tone.
"So your school will take the boy off our hands all expenses paid for nine months?" the boy listened and fought back the tears in his eyes as he heard the rare excitement in his father's voice.
"Yes," there was a noticeable amount of hesitation in the nice sounding man's voice, "We could even keep him over vacations if you wanted."
"Can you take him now?!" the boy's father asked with more enthusiasm than the boy had ever heard in his father's voice and he couldn't bite back the tears that ran down his cheeks but whether they were anger or sadness he couldn't tell.
The boy had heard enough. He pushed himself up running into his room slamming the door before thinking about the consequences. He threw himself on his bed sobs muffled in his pillow when he heard the front door shut. He tensed knowing what was coming before he heard his father stomping up the stairs. Fear made him tremble as his door was thrown open leaving a hole in the wall from the knob.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING BOY!?" his father roared at him back only waiting for the boy to sit up with a doe eyed look before backhanding him hard enough for the boy to cry out.
"I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR STUPID ASS TO BE OUT OF THIS HOUSE," he roared in a slightly crazed manner. The man went to strike his son again as the boy dared a glance up at his father but when he did the light bulb above the man's head blew up leaving the two in darkness except for the light from the hall way as the door still hung open.
"I can't stand this shit anymore. Don't bother coming down for dinner," the man grumbled after a short silence and left the boy to his aching face and confusion over what had caused the light to blow up.
He stayed on his bed curling into a ball and cursing himself for being so scared, so weak, but most of all for loving the parents that hurt him every day. He forced himself to stand even as he tasted the blood in his mouth from his father striking him. He ran to the door almost slamming it until he stopped letting it shut quietly. If he could he would have locked it but he couldn't. He knew his parents didn't want him but now he was going to some kind of military school or something. He walked slowly to his window to stare out into the stars as he always did feeling he didn't belong there. When he did he noticed the man from downstairs who he had thought sounded nice before he heard them talking about his sentence. The man was wearing a pristine suit but when the boy looked around he saw no car. In the few seconds he had looked for the car he looked back and the man was gone when a small popping sound came from behind him. He whirled around expecting his father had decided to hurt him more.
"It's ok I'm not here to hurt you," the suited man said to the wide eyed boy in calming tones. The boy tried to reason out how what he had just seen could happen but nothing came to mind. He stood his ground halfway out his window deciding to let the magician say his piece.
"Just get out of the window," the man said in a panicky voice and the boy paused seeing sincerity in the man's eyes. It had been nearly three months since the boy had seen eyes that cared for his well being and the boy could recognize the look. He stepped down from the window but stayed ready to jump out if the man made a move for him and the man let out a sigh of relief and straightened.
"What's your name?" the man asked quietly with a small smile that almost faltered when the boy looked at him with narrow eyes. The boy knew for a fact that the man knew his name from his eaves dropping but decided to play along.
"Odran," the boy said in an equally quiet voice that had a distinct clipped tone. It was obvious Odran didn't trust the man and wasn't pretending to.
"That wasn't so hard now was it," the man said in a buoyant mood that only increased Odrans suspicions.
"And yours?" Odran asked in an exasperated tone that cracked slightly from his previous sobs. The man gave a thoughtful look his thick eye brows lowering to just over his eyes but his smile took over quickly.
"Well I am Geogre Bob Muffin the second I am," he said nearly breaking into dance as Odran watched him like he was crazy. George swung Odran's desk chair around and sat in it flipping his hat off into his lap revealing a full head of reddish brown hair putting his feet up on the bed. His completely casual stance disarmed Odran as he had never met someone who smiled so much.
"So your happy because you found a," his voice caught his sobs threatened to start again even if that was the last thing he wanted, "a…another stupid recruit for your military school," Odran said but the words felt wrong on his tongue. Something was special about this man and he only needed to see George appear in his room to know it for a fact.
"Oh no," George said after a brief moment of shock crossed his face before his smile reclaimed his face and with a twirl he put his hat back on, "I guess that could make sense from what you heard," he said before standing and going around the bed and stopping a few feet in front of Odran and holding out his hand as though he expected Odran to shake his hand.
"I am a representative from a very special school. One that will cater to all your needs," George said with a smile still holding out his hand but Odran ignored it.
"My needs?" Odran asked in a near whisper.
"I could explain how you broke that light but I don't think it would be best while we are here," George said waving his free hand around the house rolling his eyes in a bazaar manner. Odran looked at the man trying to detect a lie but only found sincerity in the man's words and finally reached out and took the man's hand which George squeezed gently shook once and let go.
"Can you take me now," Odran asked his desperation bleeding through all his emotional walls and George looked down on the boy with a sympathetic look.
"I'm sorry," George said softly dropping to his knees and taking Odran by the shoulders ignoring the way Odran's eyes were watering up, "I will come back for you in two weeks. Only two more weeks then I will be back I promise, and then you will never have to come back," George said brushing the red mark on Odran's face with the first frown Odran had seen on the older man's face.
Odran smiled at the thought of never returning but at the same time cringed at having to wait another two weeks. It seemed he had finally found an out when the older man stood and walked to the middle of the room and tipped his bowl hat in a friendly manner.
"Until then Odran," George said before popping out of existence again and even after Odran looked out his window the man was nowhere in sight.
The next two weeks were miserable as usual and seemed to pass ten times slower. Odran spent hours in his room staring at his clock trying to will the time to pass in vain. Finally the morning he was supposed to leave arrived. The mood downstairs was buoyant and Odran couldn't deny the feeling was mutual.
He had packed his few possessions into a small briefcase his father had brought him yesterday. It was still open however as he examined his two best shirts as he wanted to look his best.
"Red or green," he mumbled under his breath fairly aware that no matter what he did he wouldn't look normal. Most boys his age were shorter than the girls their age but he was shorter than them. The kids at school had come to call him the stick figure for good reason he thought idly and shrugged with a wince as he grabbed the green shirt.
He raised his arms lifting the shirt up and letting it fall loosely on his meatless frame but still moaned slightly as the fabric rested on the bruises covering his body. He pulled the sleeve on his right arm up and used a whole ace bandage, which happened to be another of his few possessions, around his left arm in hopes of hiding the hand shaped bruise his father had given him as a farewell present last night. He appraised his arm happy with his work as only half the bandaging showed where the sleeve of his shirt cut off.
"Get your ass down here boy!" his father yelled up the stairs in his customary tone. Odran threw the red shirt into his brief case clamping it shut and easily lifted it coming downstairs without looking back. His room had nothing but bad memories and so he practically ran down the stairs without looking back. Just as he got downstairs a soft knock sounded at the door. Odran hid all excitement as he knew it would only make his father rethink his decision and did his best to pout. Father went and answered the door and George tipped his hat in a cordial manner before stepping in as Father invited him in.
"I'm sorry Mr. Brennen but we are on a very tight schedule and won't have time to stay. May I see your son?" he asked the man and Odran almost snickered when he saw George give a almost nonexistent wink in his direction.
"The boy is over there," Odran's father said jerking his thumb over his shoulder. George looked at Odran with a surprised expression before looking stern but the look in his eyes spoke of an act but Odran's father didn't seem to notice as he had plopped down on his chair and started watching a football game.
"It's going to take a lot of work to whip this little thing into shape, but don't you worry Mr. Brennen. We will have him changed into a respectable member of society before you know it," George said approaching Odran but his face was the opposite of his harsh words. He had his ever present smile and his eyes were rolling in that strange way they did and Odran wondered how he could walk in a straight line while doing that before taking George's hand.
George steered Odran towards the door and Odran only gave the kitchen a fleeting look. His mother sat at the kitchen table with a happy look going through Caribbean cruise brochures as she had been going through since she learned her "surprise" was going to be taken off their hands. Odran had no real reason to love her as she only watched soap opras and worked in the garden but he did. He wouldn't miss them but he hated how they had his love when it was so undeserved. Odran made a silent resolution to never care for anyone that didn't deserve it again.
Odran blinked a bit as he was lead outside and was slightly surprised to see a car waiting for them. He wasn't surprised when he heard the door to him close without a word and even chuckled a little bit, and suddenly George stopped turning Odran around and knelt before him again. George sent the fiercest look Odran had ever seen on the man's face at Odran's home before his features softened as he turned back to Odran. Geogre reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a stick. Odran looked at the thing cautiously when George started unwrapping the bandages on Odran's arm. Once all the bandaging was off George waved the stick over Odrans arm and then his whole body. Odran's eyes widened as his soreness that he had become so accustomed to disappeared and George only smiled. Odran pulled his sleeve up looking for the hand shaped bruise but it was gone.
"Common we have a lot to do before school starts," George said standing and ruffling Odrans hair and walking towards the car. George took Odran's briefcase and put it in the trunk of the black sedan that was just as fancy as his suit. Odran went to sit in the front seat when he saw someone already in it. He wasn't one to stare but the thing that caught his eye were the purple eyes that looked back at his own. Odran bowed his head a bit in apology and embarrassment before opening the back door and sitting carefully still not used to not being sore. He pulled his seat belt on, an old habit from driving home from school with a drunken mother driving, as George opened the driver seat door and sat down as well and turned looking over his shoulder at me with a broad grin.
"Well Odran I hope you said your goodbye," he said in a sarcastic tone and laughed before turning to the person in the seat next to him, "Lucy this is Odran," he said looking enthusiasticly at the girl to Odran and Odran noticed her head bob up and down but she didn't say anything and seemed to hide from sight behind her seat, "Odran lucy," he said waving from me to her but she only avoided sight even more.
"Hello," Odran said in a quiet voice looking out the window at his parent's white picket fence house with a small smile as George started driving away but was surprised to get a quiet "mhm" from the girl in the front seat.
They drove out of the suburb in an awkward silence Odran being more than happy with the quiet when George seemed forced to try and start up a conversation
"Aren't you a little interested in where we are going Odran?" George said still watching the road. Odran didn't really know how to answer the question. On one hand he wanted to know more than anything and another part of him only cared that it was away from home.
"Of course," Odran said his eyes never leaving the rolling hills he had always wanted to see.
"A quiet bunch," George said with a wistful look that only left the road for a second, "Well would you like to tell him what I told you Lucy?"
Odran turned away from the window to look at the girl hiding behind the seat. At this angle he could see her blond hair and even though her hair was shorter than most girls he had seen he still couldn't see anything else the way she was shrinking down into the seat as though she were avoiding him. He almost laughed seeing the way she franticly shook her head no and went back to looking out his window. He could already tell they would get along if only for lack of communication but he couldn't help but wonder why her eyes were purple. Was it another thing to have to do with the trick the man had done or Odran breaking the light bulb?
"Well it wouldn't be the first time I repeated myself," George said with a laugh.
"I am Mr. Muffin and I teach History of Magic with a very boring ghost," he said with a slight chuckle and Odran's and Lucy's heads both swung towards him with wide eyes.
"Did you say magic?" Odran asked in a incredulous tone that had more than one sarcastic notes in it.
"Why of course I said magic. Haven't you ever felt like you didn't belong where you came from," Mr. Muffin said in a jovial tone that had Odran looking thoughtful.
"Good god we've been kidnapped by a nutter," a high voice said with a resigned voice and Odran only laughed knowing either she was right or they were both crazy. Either way his life couldn't get any worse.
"If I'm a nutter then you both must be to," Mr. Muffin said with a wicked smile, "how do you think you made your father's mouth disappear when he was yelling Lucy? And Odran, how do you think that light bulb exploded? Your witches and wizards and thanks to Harry Potter you will be able to avoid those ghastly homes of yours until you're grown," he said in a very satisfied tone of voice.
"So you're taking us to a school where we will learn magic?" Odran asked a little more curiosity entering his voice and Mr. Muffins shook his head.
"Well right now we are going to get the things you will need for school, and tomorrow you will get on a train for Hogwarts," he said in his jovial tone. Odran's mood dropped down a few pegs knowing the world ran on money.
"But I didn't bring any money and THEY won't pay for anything," he said in a depressed tone already planning what he would do to survive another year living that horrible house.
"Didn't you hear what I said? A very influential wizard set things up for unfortunate children such as yourselves so you have nothing to worry about," he said his happy mood not skipping a beat.
"I can guarantee you won't be getting anything new but it will hold you over for the school year, and during break if you stay, which I assume you will, you get wages for the odd jobs around the castle," Mr. Muffins said smiling even brighter as he saw both kids spirits lift a little.
Mr. Muffin continued relaxed conversation asking about the childrens schooling and the muggle world. Odran answered most of the questions best he could as Lucy seemed to prefer to stay quiet. Mr. Muffin seemed to have a fascination with aircraft and how muggles could fly without magic but Odran didn't know very much so they spent the evening hearing Mr. Muffins theories. Only a few hours went by when Odran could see an approaching city. He recognized it from school books as London and was a little confused. This magic stuff was obviously a secret so why would they be going to such a famous city?
They continued down the highway before taking a off ramp and more building started to line the road. Odran watched with wide eyes as they went deeper and deeper into the city. Just as we were in the deepest part of the city Mr. Muffin pulled into a narrow alley between two brick buildings that looked condemned. He stopped the car and stepped out heading towards the trunk. Odran got out tentatively when he remembered that his bruises were gone finally starting to consider the existence of magic. He started to follow when the girl in the front seat stepped out closing the door and Odran looked at her eyes curiously. Other than her eyes she wasn't dressed very differently then he himself wearing a T-shirt and denim jeans but he did notice she was taller than him but then again wasn't everyone?
"Contacts," she said lowering her head and walking by him swiftly and he could only shrug and followed. Mr. Muffin took their luggage and headed into a side door followed quickly by Lucy. As soon as Odra crossed the threshold he started to worry a bit as the place seemed abandoned but George nodded knowingly from the center of the room pulling a small leather bag from his pant pocket. He opened it pulling out some grey powder and held it out for Lucy who cautiously took it in both hands before handing the same amount to Odran.
"Ok. This," he said holding up his own handful of the grey powder, "is floo powder. We could take the two day drive to where we need to go OR we can use this," he said with a broad grin as though he was having fun confusing the children.
"Now what I want you to do is throw the powder in the fire and then walk into it and say Diagon Alley. Now you need to say this ver…." He paused as Odran waved him down with a confused look.
"What fire?"Odran asked crossing his arms with an annoyed look at the fireless fireplace.
"Oh….an observant one aren't you?" he asked his happy mood not missing a beat as he pulled out the stick and shot flames from the tip into the fireplace, "Ok now may I continue?" Mr. Muffin said in a patient tone.
Odran threw the powder into the fire and frowned a bit when it turned green but didn't miss a step stepping into the fire. He was still suspecting this was some elaborate ruse to get him to go to military camp quietly.
"Diagon Alley," he said with confidence crossing his arms when he felt himself yanked to his right and tried to follow the many fire places he seemed to be looking out of but couldn't and all of a sudden it stopped moving but he didn't. He shot out of the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace headfirst landing on his stomach with a grunt. Odran pushed himself up getting on his hands and knees looking around with wide eyes noticing MANY strange things before the sound of rustling flames was followed by a weight landing on his back causing him to fall to the floor once more with a grunt.
Lucy let out a long sigh looking around in a curious manner before realizing the ground she had landed on was far too ….boney to be the floor and looked down and squeeked jumping up off Odran to her feet.
"Sorry," she said in a quiet voice holding her hands in front of her face clasped together with a worried expression. Odran only grunted and started to get up when he heard the sound again and made a mad dive to the side only to see Mr. Muffins walk through the fire with a bemused look as a few people in the pub chuckled at Odran's antics and Odran only glared at the wizard.
"That was a brave thing you did, and a bit stupid but how else can we learn?" Mr. Muffin said with a laugh holding out a hand and helping Odran up when Odran took his hand and Mr. Muffin frowned noticing just how little the boy weighed and decided they would split up. While he was getting some food and the allotted money for the children he would drop them off at Olivander's. Finding the right wand usually took a long time anyways and the man had never been bothered by children.
Odran followed the man who seemed to be in deep thought out of the strange bar. The sight before him was startling to say the least and he heard Lucy gasp softly behind him and he himself couldn't say whether or not he gasped from the sensory overload. The first thing that caught his eye was the people. There had to be hundreds most of which were running around in robes hands full of random things ranging from boxes to paper and even large cages with what looked like owls. But that was just the insane crowds of people. The vendors were selling pieces of animals and what looked like knick knacks and other useless things. Just about the only thing Odran could make sense of was the paper and pens but even those were ancient and looked like something you would only see in an English book feather and all.
Mr. Muffin walked quickly towards one of the stores stopping in front it and looking back with an amused expression as the two children slowly made their way through the crowd eyes lingering on different things before they got to Mr. Muffin and he ushered them inside.
"Oi Alex?" Mr. Muffin called looking about the store having moved Odran and Lucy in front of him holding their shoulders.
"Be out in a minute!" a voice called out from somewhere behind the counter. Mr. Muffin nodded happy to know his friend was here and turned the two kids towards him.
"I'm going to go get the money for your things and then some lunch. Alex will be out in a minute and help you find your wands," he said in a chipper tone.
"You have two customers who need new wands! I'll be back in about fifteen minutes," Mr. Muffin yelled to the back before going out the front doors.
When Mr. Muffin was gone Odran's eyes wandered along shelves and shelves of boxes. Lucy stayed in the center of the room giving Odran a suspicious look as he fingered the edges of a rather large stack. A crash from the back startled both Odran and Lucy who turned quickly in the sounds direction but Odran accidently knocked a few boxes down in his haste causing the precarious stack to fall covering him completely. Lucy turned in surprise and say Odran disappear under the boxes and started snickering covering her mouth with her hand before she broke down a laughed in her high voice bending over with her hands on her knees laughing at the situation with abandon.
A sandy blond young man poked his head out from behind a shelf and looked at the boxes curiously and then smiled at the girl who was nearly in hysterics as it became obvious Odran was slowly crawling his way out of the wand avalanche. The man stepped out from behind the counter wearing a tan apron over a white dress shirt and grey slacks and reached down helping Odran out of the pile with a slight smile. As Odran stood and dusted himself off clearly frustrated Lucy was trying to stop laughing but even all her effort and her hand covering her mouth didn't quiet her snickers or the way her short blond hair bobbed in unspoken laughter. Odran turned his back on her choosing to ignore her when he suddenly felt a streak of heat and then saw sparks nearly catch his hair on fire. Odran looked down to see a dark brown long stick. Odran stared at it like it was a monster as the thing had just nearly caught his hair on fire.
The shop owner quickly plucked the wand from Odran's pocket and grabbed the box somehow finding the box instantly. He held the wand carefully giving it an appraising eye.
"13 1/2 inches, mahogany, fairly flexible, and a dragon heart string core. A fine wand for what is surely to be a fine wizard," the man said with a small smile playing on his lips before he put it in its box and replaced it inside Odrans pocket who hadn't stopped staring at the thing, "One down one to go," he said with a joyful whistle as he waved Lucy towards the counter and began searching through boxes occasionally taking out a wand and having her try it.
Odran cautiously opened the box peering at the stick or wand had he called it? Odran ignored the sound of glass breaking as he was entranced by the odd wood he was stroking and he could swear he felt electricity between his hand and the wood but it wasn't uncomfortable at all. He stayed dazed caressing the wand as though it was indeed a new pet but if Odran knew anything it was that he had found his wand. A second crash finally snapped Odran out of his trance as he looked up to see Lucy looking guilty about whatever she had broken but the middle aged man only patted her head and handed her another wand.
"Why couldn't mine just fall into my pocket," Lucy said with a depressed expression glancing at Odran who was still a little dazed but when she said that he smiled at her in a friendly manner.
"It wasn't the only thing that fell on me," Odran said rubbing his head pretending to wince and Lucy nearly snickered again when a very even stream of sparks shot from the wand she was holding and disappeared before it could hurt anything. The man took the wand for the girl putting it back in its case gently before handing it to Lucy ceremoniously.
"10 inches, willow, twisted wood, and a unicorn tail core," he said fairly pleased with himself apparently. Just as Lucy looked at the box in her hands with a faint smile Mr. Muffins came in with a large bag. Odran's mouth began watering immediately as the smell of fresh bread filled the space.
"How are you Alex?" Mr. Muffin asked with smile still holding the bag with one hand as he reached out to shake the Alex's hand and looked around at the mess, "Still trying to sort out everything?"
"Olivander was a genius. I can make wands up to par with his but only because he taught me," he said smiling broadly at Mr. Muffin, "but I fear I will never has his memory," Alex finished rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish smile.
"He was one of a kind," Mr. Muffin said with a sad smile before reaching into the bag and handing Odran the biggest sandwich he had ever seen. Odran dropped his wand into his pocket holding the sandwich which resembled one of those huge things you always saw on the tele but this actually looked like the ones on the commercials. He hesitated as he had never really been given food by anyone without something attached.
"Go ahead," Mr. Muffin said with a smile and Odran didn't need to be told twice. He was so focused on consuming the seemingly massive sandwich he didn't even notice Lucy receiving her own and even Mr. Muffin nibbling on one, but Mr. Muffin watched carefully as Odran tore into the sandwich and Lucy gave out a disgusted sound watching the manner the scrawny boy eat. Alex Olivander, having been adopted by Olivander to continue his line of wand crafters, took Mr. Muffins aside leaving Lucy and Odran to their sandwiches even if Lucy had lost her appetite.
"So these two are the ones for the new program?" Alex asked with a sincere curious voice.
"They were the worst off ones by far. Hopefully it will go well for them and us," Mr. Muffin said sincerely.
"The boy is very small," Alex said in a slightly disturbed tone, "but his wand found him effortlessly on my part."
"His parents were abusive and neglectful but Hogwarts should change that. I think he is going to become a Gryffindor. I barely told him what floo powder was and he didn't even hesitate to walk into the fire," Mr. Muffin said from Alex's comment before tilting his head at Alex because of the second thing he had said, "A good omen perhaps?"
"Hopefully," Alex said with a nod and his draw dropped when Odran showed up in front of the pair in perfect order not a speck of food on him despite his messy eating habits.
"We need books for school right?" Odran said with a hungry glint in his eyes and both older men looked at each other Alex smiling mischievously.
"Ravenclaw," he mumbled his opinion as he went back around his counter intent on trying to finish the sorting of the wands he had begun two years ago when Olivander died a peaceful death, "Good luck with getting your things children," he said with a wave before disappearing into the maze of shelves that held countless wands. Mr. Muffin only shrugged when he noticed Odran and Lucy's confused looks and ushered them outside. Olivanders was one of the businesses that supported the new program so the wands were free.
Mr. Muffin motioned for Odran to take his hand and Odran took Lucy's hand as they forged their way through the masses and when they finally entered a store Mr. Muffin smiled apologetically.
"Last minute buyers," he said with a laugh. Lucy let go of Odrans hand almost immediately but Odran didn't think much of it. The store wasn't as packed as the streets but there were still a good number of people to move around. It was filled with racks that seemed to have the robes they had seen teenagers wearing all day. They were more worn then most but so were the cloths he was wearing. Odran glanced over at Lucy noticing that her clothes were a bit worn as well.
"Ok you need to go get 2 or 3 robes," Mr. Muffin said looking the two children up and down before his gaze settled on Lucy and then he glanced at Odran, "It's safe to say you should get the smallest size so I'll help lucy find a few that fit her. Can you manage on your own?" Mr. Muffin asked and Odran's head bobbed up and down.
Odran wandered off in the direction of the boy robes trying to find the smallest. It didn't take him very long as he frowned inside the changing booth. He probably didn't have to go inside one as he was leaving his cloths on but he will a little self conscious about how the smallest seemed to hang off of him. He hated being small but there wasn't much he could do. He tucked the bottom of the robe into his shoes and examined himself with a frown. He could only hope he grew some and fast. He slipped the third robe off and put it over his arm too. He wasn't picky so it didn't take very long at all to find the smallest. He only poked his head out the door when it nearly slammed shut on his head only just hitting him squarely in the forehead. Shaking his head he cautiously looked outside.
"Stop messing around Danny!" a girl shouted at a boy who was obviously older then her. She had dark brown hair that was bound behind her in a braid that ended at her lower back. He couldn't see her eyes but the way she was jabbing her finger at the boy who was a few inches taller than she was. She moved again when he tried to dodge away and pushed him into a closed both which flung open as it was empty. She turned around focusing on Odran with an apologetic look that didn't make its way to her dark brown eyes.
"Sorry he just can't find cloths for himself," she said with a laugh before Odran stepped out completely his robes coming into view.
"Oh how cute," she said in a nearly fan girl manner, "Are you playing wizard?" she asked in a completely sincere manner and Odran's eye brow twitched slightly as it was obvious his height was going to give him problems. He could almost tell she was 5'0 just from eye from his father berating him for being so short and telling him he would miss out on lunch until he started to grow like a real man. Odran bit back his angry retort at the girl and walked slowly towards the front of the store leaving the girl in his wake.
"I'm Haley!" she called as if he would care. He knew she was weird just from the way she carried herself and mumbled something about teenagers. He had never seen someone with dark eye liner and black T-shirt matched with denim jeans and sandals almost radiated weirdness to him and the fact that she thought HE was going to "play" wizard irritated him to no end.
Odran waited for a few minutes before Mr. Muffin and Lucy appeared him holding some robes over his arm with a pleasant look while Lucy looked, as evasive as ever straight at the ground.
"Did you find some that fit?" Mr. Muffin asked politely and Odran nodded before he relinquished them to the man who sighed noticing the size realizing he had been right about the small boy. Mr. Muffins didn't let his nerves or anger show simply by reminding himself Odran would be well fed from now on.
The day was chaotic but went on without further embarrassment on Odran's part. He was amazed to see Mr. Muffins drop all their supplies into two separate pouches that should not have been able to hold so much, much less a whole cauldron. It was absolutely ridiculous, but he continued to follow the man without complaint. The only thing that gave him pause was when they went to get books.
Odran had only had time to flip through a few of the books but didn't really understand much of it. What time he did have he spent with his nose stuck in A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. The idea of changing things into other things was just fascinating to him. What really got him thinking was that if you could change other things maybe you could change yourself. Odran had never been what he saw as the ideal boy and this cook could hold the secrets to changing all that. Barely any of it was understandable but he was hell bent on understanding it.
"If you can change a cup is it possible to change yourself?" Odran asked curiously the same light of hunger in his eyes and Mr. Muffin only laughed.
"Well sure but you won't be ready to learn that for a long time. Now common it's getting late and you're going to need plenty of rest for tomorrow," Mr. Muffins said gently taking the book from Odran and heading towards the store owner. Odran followed his brow lowered. He hated it when people told him he was or wasn't ready for something. Just give him the resources and see what he could do. What was the point of restricting what was taught based on a standard?How were people supposed to set themselves apart if everything they were taught was a rigid planned schedule?
After they had done all the shopping they headed to a small inn and before long they were all settled in separate room. Odran couldn't help but be uncomfortable around the goblins and other creatures that would sometimes ear. The organs that apparently had some use repelled him faster than his father. All in all he was feeling a little overwhelmed. If he had a decent book he would be able to relax but his father had made it clear that everything under his roof was his property so Odran had left behind his small but satisfying collect of books. Having been controlled for most of his life his only solace came from alternate realities and fairy tales. Now he found himself in one and suddenly didn't know what to do. Eventually he pulled out his transfiguration book but once again had trouble making heads or tails of it. With a frustrated sigh he reached in the small pouch again. Mr. Muffins had said he only needed to think of what he needed and it would come to him but what happened when he didn't know what he needed? He closed his eyes and focused on nothing just continued to chant in his head "Give me what I need to get started" and his eyes shot open when his hand came in contact with something. He yanked his hand out of the bag only to give a frustrated sigh.
"What do I need this for?" he whispered to himself throwing the box next to the transfiguration book and sticking his hand back into the bag with the same thoughts. It only took a second before he pulled out The Standard Book of Spells Grade 1. He glanced at the book skeptically before opening it and to his own amazement it wasn't gibberish. He read the first page and then the second. He put it down with a frown realizing he was missing the essential tool the book kept mentioning and then inspiration hit him. He opened the box to find his wand and took it out of its box realizing how it fit into his hand perfectly. This stick was the key to his new life and with it he could do anything. All it would take was study and if he focused on this book no one would be able to decide what he was ready for and not. He sat with the book in front of him looking through the magic theory and almost started practicing until he saw a warning that apparently underage magic was only allowed at school. With a slight curse under his breath he focused on understanding the new vocabulary terms that would unlock the ability to changing himself into something worthy of admiration.