A/N: For those of you that have already read the first rundown of American in the Tower, I'm curious. What do you think of my character Adam? For anyone new: same question. Enjoy!
Chapter 2
Contrary
It is not appropriate to bite my classmates. He'd written the line about a million times by now, meanwhile his partner-in-crime was fixing and cleaning door knobs at the desk beside him. A lot of students had picked up the cruel habit of placing sticking jinxes to them, preventing anyone, but mostly teachers, from entering or exiting a room, and then getting their hands stuck. He would never admit that he was impressed, even though she was using a counterjinx that she'd invented herself. It made sense, as most the cause of the problem was an invented spell. Was it weird that the student body caught on to the new and untested spells more than the ones they were supposed to be learning in class?
"Stop staring," she said without looking up from her mountain of door knobs. "Don't you have some lines to write?"
"I've written them. And anyway it's a stupid punishment."
"Would you like to trade?"
He grinned. "You haven't bitten a classmate, have you?" Quicker than he could react, she'd grabbed his arm and brought it to her mouth, biting his wrist. He gulped while she held it, before slowly releasing, inspecting the mark she'd left. So cute!
"There." She waved her wand in a spinning motion and before he'd found his voice again, she had the long scroll of lines and he had the load of half-fixed door knobs.
He gazed at her teeth imprint on his skin, marveling that someone with such a big mouth could have such a small bite. Truly, she was…
"If you need help with the counterjinx, lemme know," she said smugly, her quill already flying over the parchment.
He cleared his throat, reaching for her chin, tilting it towards him as he lowered his face to hers. She allowed this, a teasing smile tugging at those stupid lips of hers… right before they met, she yelled in his face. "Adam! Wake up!" But it was not her voice, it sounded like his brother, River. Uh oh.
He opened his eyes just in time to see his older brother flying through the air, two pillows in hand. "Wakey-wakey!"
Adam rolled off his bed before he got a face full of feet or feathers. "I'm up! Great Morrigan, I'm up!"
Leo, who was only a year younger than Adam, was making kissy faces in the doorway. "You were dreaming about her again, weren't ya?"
"Shut up," Adam growled as he dressed for breakfast. Normally he'd slump upstairs in whatever he'd fallen asleep in, but he recalled today being a special occasion.
"What was it this time?" River asked, clapping him on the back.
"A memory, though the ending was a little different…" His brothers made mutual noises of interest, but still in a mocking way. "Shut up!"
Leo opened his mouth to say 'Make me!' but River pushed him out of the room instead. "Be upstairs in two, Alpha's making breakfast, and if you don't beat Logan and Shep to the table-"
"I'll go hungry, yeah I know."
Of his nine brothers and sisters, he was closest to River (his real name was Kristopher, but when he was little he couldn't pronounce his own name and the alias River was born.) Most of his siblings had nicknames, excepting himself, really. The eldest, Shepherd, had dubbed them for younger kids like River who couldn't remember them all at first, and on into their adult years, they kinda stuck.
There was also a kind of irony that they gave each other 'pet names', so they all agreed to never share that bit of information with anyone who wasn't pack.
Adam was seventeen this year, and should be starting his 7th year at Ilvermorny, but if all went according to plan, that would change.
He climbed the stairs to the kitchen, the delicious smell of eggs, bacon and sausage wafting over him as he did so. Artie was sitting down with Titan, (Arthur, who married Adam's sister Titania,) and Leo and River were already face deep in breakfast meats, but otherwise, Adam had beaten the rush. He quickly kissed the cook, who shook her spatula at him as he sat between River and Titan and began to feast. His siblings looking about as haggard as himself, bright eyed and bushy haired, but Artie actually looked normal. Adam supposed that was a perk of being 'normal'.
Before he knew it, the table was full of the other members of his family. Nyx and Carl (Veronica and Carlos) were seated directly across from himself. He saw Shep and Chevy near the head of the table, next to Dad, opposite Anthem and Logan. Blitz and Nani sat to the left of Nyx, and the birthday boy, Cas, was sat beside where Alpha would sit when she finished cooking.
"I think that's enough, Winnie," Dad called over the general noise and chaos that was a Quince breakfast. "You don't want kids with distended stomachs, do you?"
"That's exactly what I want, Hawthorne," replied Alpha calmly, but turned the stove off all the same. "First one to bring it back has to do the dishes."
'Bring it back', was her way of saying vomit. Classy lady, Adam's mother. Just before sitting down, she squinted out the window. "Mail's here."
Adam went to stand but Titan placed her hand on his leg. "I'll get it. You'll flip the table before getting out of this mess."
"Yeah, stop growing, Adam," Shep teased from down the table as Titan excused herself and went outside. "You're making the rest of us look bad."
"It's a good sign," Alpha reminded them all. "One day he'll be an Alpha in his own right. He just has to conquer the first obstacle."
"I dunno, Ma," Cas sniggered. "You haven't laid eyes on that obstacle, but Leo and I have. If anything, she'll be the Alpha."
River cleared his throat. "I've seen her too. They'd be well matched."
"Thank you," Adam said dryly.
"Well it's not like he'll be conquering anything anytime soon," said Nyx snidely. "Not after your last report card. We all saw that mess."
"Don't be so sure, Nyxie," Adam shot back. "It's not like you graduated with honors from Ilvermorny."
"Or even graduated," River added under his breath.
"Hey!" Nyx tried to swiped at the two of them from across the table, just when Titan reappeared with a handful of letters. She gave a majority of them to their father but waved the last, wax sealed envelope at Adam.
"This what you've been waiting for, Adam? Whoa-" she gasped as Adam leapt over the table, over Nyx's attacks and landed on the hard stone floor with relative grace.
He took the letter from her before anyone could steal it with a short, "Thank you." But Hawthorne ruined his plans to run off and read it alone.
"Go on then, son, read it aloud." He prompted, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Good news for you is good news for us all."
The entire pack watched Adam carefully as he broke the red wax seal, ignoring the shield crest imprinted there. Withdrawing the parchment and unfolding it in full, he cleared his throat and read, "Dear Mr. Quince, we are pleased to inform you that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has a place for you in the sixth year class. Please find enclosed a list-"
"6th year?" Alpha repeated, stopping Adam from continuing. "There must be a mistake!"
He grimaced at her, aware that every eye was on his face now. "Actually...I wanted to be in the 6th-"
"Whatever for? You're on track to graduate at Ilvermorny!"
"Mom," River began placatingly. "He's repeating because she repeated her fifth year when she transferred."
Now she looked more bewildered than ever. "I thought this girl was intelligent!"
"She is!" Adam insisted before anyone could say otherwise. "She was second only to me in our year."
"Then why-"
"Her brother said it was one of the conditions for her going there in the first place." Leo supplied. He was Jake Kowalski's best friend, and thus had access to key information like that.
Calmed, if only for the moment, Alpha smiled. "Well, you got what you wanted, then. Congratulations, Adam." she turned a sharp eye on Shep and Chevy. "Now, when am I getting grandchildren?"
Chevy blushed as Shep made to pick her up. "Right now!"
As the kitchen erupted into raucous laughter, Adam quietly slipped out the back door, re-reading the letter clutched in his hands. Finally, after a long and painful year, he would see her again. He thought briefly of the dream he'd had before his rude awakening and a smirk touched his mouth. His partner-in-crime, his best friend, Lian Kowalski. Soon...
Walking through the gates of Ilvermorny felt strange if only because it was still August. The students wouldn't be due for another month, but Adam wasn't returning to the castle for his education. He hadn't travelled alone, River was eager to view his old stomping grounds, and Shep wanted to show Chevy around. (She'd attended Hogwarts herself.) They were met in the entrance by Professor Wolfe, one of the younger professors currently on staff, he and Professor Potter, that was. He was the grandson of the last Wandlore professor, having taught the class for nearly four years now.
Also like his grandfather, Professor Wolfe was the keeper of Wands. And he was the entire reason the four Quinces had made the trip at all.
"The Misters Quince, I presume?" He began with a wry smile. "And who is this charming beauty you've captured?" He offered a hand to Chevy, who shook it firmly.
"Talako, allow me to introduce my wife, Siobhan." Shepherd said proudly, draping an arm around her shoulders.
"You actually got married?" Professor Wolfe laughed loudly. "You've changed since our school days, then."
"As have you, professor," Shep replied pleasantly. To Chevy he said, "Out of our entire year we were the only boys sorted into Thunderbird."
"That's the house of the soul, or something, right?" she glanced at the wooden statues surrounding the golden knot on the floor. "What's all this for?"
"It's where every student who enters Ilvermorny gets chosen by a house," River explained, pointing at the statues in turn. "The Thunderbird beats its wings, the Wampus cat roars, the Pukwudgie raises its arrow and the Horned Serpents horn just glows."
"What if more than one statue moves?"
Adam remembered his own sorting, six years ago almost. He hadn't met her yet, but Lian had been offered places in Wampus and Thunderbird, choosing the latter of course. He often wondered if they'd have grown closer faster had she chosen Wampus. Adventure was in her blood, sure, but she had always been every inch a warrior, strong and fearless.
"Well, I'll let you three alone. Adam, will you come with me, please?" Talako Wolfe gestured for him to follow, leading into a large room off the main one. Adam remembered this place too, he'd only seen it twice a year since attending school. The North American school was very strict about their laws and regulations. Since young wizards could be something of a risk, all students had to surrender their wands at the conclusion of each year, only to receive them again after the summer had passed. "Remind me what yours was, again?"
"Rowan," Adam said promptly. "Rougarou hair core, fourteen and a half inches."
"Contrary," Talako murmured as he perused the shelves with its thousands of boxes. Shikoba Wolfe had said the same thing about Adam's wand when he was eleven years old. Only after a few years in the Wandlore class did he understand why: Rowan was a wand wood that was most happily placed with those that were clear-headed and pure-hearted, and it's a common saying that no dark witch or wizard ever owned a rowan wand. Adam's wand was contrary to its nature because the wood and core were complete opposites: rougarou hair was always believed to have an affinity to Dark magic, like vampires to blood. Professor Wolfe reached for the long box and examined it briefly before removing the lid and offering it to Adam.
He took it in his right hand, swishing it experimentally. Since his last growth spurt, the wand finally felt at home in his grasp; for the first few years it had rather felt like he was dueling with a small staff. It was an original Beauvais, despite the doubts surrounding that fact. Many of the wandmaker's products were made from swampwood, but everyone had a phase. During his first and second year, Adam had developed the habit of tracing the patterns carved into its length while listening in class or just thinking in general. There was not an inch of his wand he hadn't memorized, and to have it in his hands again made him feel complete.
Well, almost.
He'd have received it for keeps, had he stayed at Ilvermorny, within a months time, along with everyone else in his year. He'd only told a few that he was transferring instead, but no one that was also friends with Lian. He rather liked the idea of surprising, or throwing her off guard. That had always yielded the best responses in the past, he remembered with a fond smile.
"So, you're really leaving us, then?" Talako asked briskly, putting his hands in his robe pockets.
"That's the plan." Adam replied softly. "It's nothing personal. I love this school, I just…"
"Oh I understand well your plight, not that I've suffered the affliction myself," Adam tried not to be offended by his choice of words: Talako couldn't hurt a fly. Mosquito, maybe, but he was only human. "The days I roamed these hallways as a student with your brother I learned things about your family that made me very grateful to be a Wolfe."
"You were never scared of him?" Adam asked curiously. Morrigan knows there were still people he knew who would pointedly leave the room whenever he, or one of his younger brothers entered. His friend Matt only started talking to him again this past year.
"Only when he was furious," Talako admitted, glancing towards the door leading to the hall. "And it was several years before I saw that side of him… How long before he found Siobhan?"
"They've only been married three years," Adam said, appreciating how his professor grimaced. "Their actual courtship was rather short, if you can imagine."
"Oh I know Shep. I'm surprised he bothered to have a courtship at all once he found her." Talako sighed, shaking his head ruefully. "I suppose we'd better hunt them down, then?"
"Won't be much of an issue," he replied with a shrug, turning to open the door and he was half-way into the sorting hall when it happened.
An eerie voice behind him said in a flat, echoing tone:
"The one to return balance to the wizarding world rises…"
Adam cricked his neck turning around fast enough, finding Talako Wolfe standing stiffly where he'd been so casually standing. His hands withdrawn from his pockets, they were raised in weird gestures, but that wasn't the most startling thing. The focal point of the entire situation were his eyes. Normally dark like coffee, Talako's eyes were greyish white like a thick fog or fragments of a cloud.
"Professor..?"
Talako's mouth opened and that haunting voice sounded once again, as if a hundred Talakos stood in the Wand room, chanting together:
"The one to return balance to the wizarding world rises...
groomed in darkness, shrouded in death...
and Saturn's chosen will reveal the path, but his choice will cross unspeakable agony…
should either fall the wizarding world shall dissolve into chaos, for the mighty titan must be freed…
the heirs to save, a line to preserve…
groomed in darkness, shrouded in death…
The one to return balance to the wizarding world rises…"
Professor Wolfe's mouth and eyes closed, his body relaxed as though he'd been released from some magical hold. When again his eyes opened, they were dark once more, looking curiously back at Adam. "Well?"
Adam chewed his tongue. "What?"
"You just said finding them won't be an issue, were you kidding?" Talako moved to join him at the door, following him back into the hall and closed the door behind them. "Are you okay?"
"I think so," Adam knew he was acting strange through his professor's eyes. But after what he'd just witnessed, he had a right to be wary.
"You sure?"
"Yeah," Adam nodded, glancing at the statues as they walked around them, but not really seeing the way the Wampus cat followed his every move.
He wasn't a fool, even History of Magic classes covered how several wars had been influenced by prophecies. Curious on the subject, he'd done a few readings on the concept. However, he didn't know that the Inner Eye ran in the Wolfe bloodline, and even after what he had just witnessed, he wasn't sure he'd call that a vision. The way Talako's eyes had glowed and the hundreds of voices sounding from his mouth...to Adam, that sounded more like possession.
Still, he'd been the one to receive it. In all his research, they never described what you were supposed to do when you were given a prophecy. I mean, other then tell the right people, I imagine…
The newly minted Minister looked like he'd rather swallow a thousand grindylows than swing his gavel, but he did so and called, "Cleared of all charges!"
The man standing before the full Wizengamot smiled broadly. "Thank you, Mr. Scrimgeour." Then, privately he thought, It only took 15 years to receive a proper trial, and 80% of that was spent in prison… Really I should be showing the new Minister where to shove his gavel. Sirius Orion Black turned to his supporters near the exit. Harry was already hopping the divider and running towards him. They embraced as Sirius exchanged a relieved look with Remus and even his cousin, Tonks, who had given herself black hair and silvery eyes in his support. He'd secretly hoped Minerva would find it in her heart to turn up but wasn't surprised when she'd only sent Hagrid in her stead.
"'Bout ruddy time!" The half-giant crowed, slapping Sirius on the back and almost knocking both he and Harry to the floor. "Oh, sorry!"
"That's alright," Sirius wheezed, releasing Harry only to pull him into a side hug. "I'm sorry it took so long, but if you'd like-"
"I'm already packed!" Harry cried, green eyes bright with joy. "Anything to finally get away from the Dursleys!"
"Of course, the house still needs work," Remus reminded them. "Walburga might finally be stuffed into Kreacher's corner of the house but there remains thousands of dark magic just lying in wait-"
"Moony, I'm a free, innocent man! Time to celebrate!"
They had quite a few rounds at the Leaky Cauldron, talking about anything, everything. Quidditch mostly, where Harry was concerned, and eventually memories of his parents; Sirius thought he saw something impossible. He moved from their table where Hagrid was snoring while Tonks and Harry listened to Remus talk about the time James tried to scale the girl's dormitory as a stag. The cloaked wizard had vanished up the stairs, where Sirius followed, withdrawing his wand if it came to that.
Once upon the landing, he took aim at the retreating figure. "Stop where you are. Turn around."
The wizard paused, but did not turn. "Contradicting statements, Mr. Black."
"Turn around." Sirius repeated firmly, trying to keep his wand arm steady. That voice.
"And if I don't?"
"Sirius?" Harry called from the pub, but he didn't take his eyes off the back of the wizard.
"You might wanna go back to your friends and family, Mr. Black."
"I know it's you," Sirius growled. "Why now, after all this time?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. But do you really want to spend your first day as a free man chasing ghosts?'
"You're no ghost."
The wizard had the audacity to chuckle. "Aren't I?" He turned slowly, and Sirius saw his silver eyes gleaming beneath the hood, that smug smirk fixed in place. "Then again, I could be a figment of your imagination."
"Incarcerous!" Thin cords appeared from thin air to bind the wizard, but he'd anticipated this. He'd always been a step ahead.
His wand slashed through the air and the cords fell to the ground, severed to useless pieces. Sirius raised his wand to defend himself, expecting the worst of dark curses. But the wizard only laughed again. "I was weak in coming here... But the time for answers is reserved for a later day. Enjoy your freedom, Sirius." And before Sirius had even finished firing everything from disarming to anti-disapparating spells there was a soft pop, and the wizard vanished.
He cursed under his breath, but out of respect to Tom, the owner and also a desire to not sully his new status with a charge of property destruction, he put away his wand and returned to the bar. He ordered a firewhiskey and drank it without pause or any sense of feeling. Maybe Azkaban had given him a few loose screws, but he knew that he hadn't been hallucinating just then. In his mind, the wizard would have mocked him fiercely and fired dark hexes one after another. In this encounter, he'd been gentle, and somewhat encouraging. But how is he even alive?
"Sirius?" Remus joined him at the bar. "What's wrong?"
He turned to his friend, swallowing. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"I didn't believe you when you said you'd become an Animagus at 15; you have a knack for denying my doubts." Remus tilted his head at him. "Try me."
Sirius took a deep breath. "...Roman's alive."