I think I'm going mad. Like clinically mad. Things just keep happening. Things I can't explain. First big things, like the time freeze and the 'earthquake' and now little things. Things that I thought I did but wasn't sure. Things like-okay, I was almost positive I had only half a water bottle full before class starts. When it ends it was filled to the brim. I looked down at the petrol tank on my way home and freaked because I didn't realize the light was on. But before I could even get the station I had half a tank. Im either seeing things or imaging things or just fixing them. Fixing them beyond any means of comprehension.
"Ellie! Is your bed made? I'm on my way into your room right now!"
I groaned as I shut the front door. Shit. I totally forgot to this morning. I was going to but then I lost my cell phone in the covers and it wound up being messier then before and I was running late, so I just left it as is. I'm going to have to wash supper dishes by default now. Why can't I ever remember to do that?! I trudged to my room, my dance bag dragging behind me, wishing my Dad wasn't raised a military brat and wasn't so into structured beds. I also wished I would remember to make my bed in the morning.
"Looks like we're actually following chore chart today! It's a miracle! Who are you and what have you done with my daughter," Dad exclaimed as I came into my room. I froze and gazed around my father at my bed. It was perfectly made with military corners and everything. I didn't make it this morning...I'm almost certain of that. I could feel my heart quicken in my chest. I didn't make that. Did Marcus make it for me?
I began to search my dad's face for any sign that he was 'testing me' in some way. There were the normal oil stains from working all day at the garage across his brow, the withered and tan skin, the kind gray eyes that crinkled when he smiled, and his bright smile coming through his two day scruff. He wasn't trying anything. I could feel my resolve, and sanity, crumpling. My walls usually have a knack of crumbling down when I'm around my Daddy. The two days, with everything that's happened, we're catching up with me.
"Everything all right, poppet?" he questioned breaking out of his conversation and taking my face between his hands.
I can't say. I'll sound completely off my rocker. So I told a half truth.
"Really tough day at Pointe. My technique was all off and I was completely distracted," I sighed, pushing out the fact that my distraction was probably for good reason.
"We all have our off days! Cars need a tune up every once in a while. If they didn't I'd be out of business," dad grinned, kissing me on the forehead. "Wash up, dinner is in ten. Mum made your favorite."
I could feel my legs shaking as he trotted out of the room. Collapsing backwards onto my bed I reached up and ripped out the solitary hair tie that confined my tresses into a semi-tight bun. I began to massage my scalp, willing my growing anxiety headache to null. Finally resigned to figuring out the current situation I bolted out of bed and into the hall. Ripping open the door to Marcus' basement bedroom I loudly trotted down the stairs and threw myself onto the threadbare couch. Marc looked up from his magazine with a slightly alarmed look on his face.
"Can I help you? Thanks for knocking," he deadpanned tossing his mag to the side. "What if I'd been wanking?"
I immediately shuddered. Talk about your disturbing mental images.
"Euchk! Don't be a prat! Did that truly need to be said?"
"You gonna tell me why you barged on in here?"
"Did you make my bed?"
"What? No. Why would I do your chore," Marc scoffed with a slight eye roll. I felt my lungs crumple. What is going on?!
"Christ, Ellie! Are you crying? What's wrong? I'll make it next time if it means that much to you!" Marcus declared, getting out of bed and settling in beside me. His arms slid comfortably around my shoulders as the tears coursed down my cheeks.
"I think I'm going mad, Marc. Things keep happening. Things that I know I didn't do. The water bottle, the petrol, my bed. I didn't fill them! I didn't make it! It did it on its own!" I exclaimed, burying my face into his collar. I could feel Marcus pull away from my clawing embrace, so hesitantly I looked up from the fabric of his shirt. I immediately burst into a fresh wave of tears. He was looking at me like I'd gone off the deep end! Which I have!
"Are you on your monthly gift?" he questioned, grimacing at the words coming out of his mouth. I let out a strangled shriek. "You're acting extra emotional for no reason."
"Could you be more insensitive!? Here I am telling you that I've gone mad, which is a completely logical reason, and you ask me if I'm on my period?!"
"Ellie-you're bawling because a water and petrol can were filled and you forgot that you made your bed. Oh bung up-you're getting snot on my shirt," Marcus sighed. He heaved me out of his collar and palmed the tear tracks on my cheeks. "Ellie, think about it. Be straight now. Ever since school let out you've been dancing like crazy. You're probably exhausting yourself. So the little things you do everyday are slipping from your memory? You probably did them on auto-pilot and completely forgot. Stop being daft and use your brain, yeah? You're smart, act like it."
I was down to sniffling now as Marcus continued to attempt to play with my hair as our Mum always does when we're upset. The fact that my humongous brother was attempting to be matronly (a completely opposite of his usual hyper-masculine self) was rather comical so I let out a small giggle. Marc grinned and thumped me gruffly on the back, his sensitive nature gone.
"Right-o then. All better?" he questioned, eyeing me nervously as if I'd bust into spontaneous tears again.
I wanted to be all better. He explained the small things but my mind was still semi-hooked on the bigger ones that happened. But for the most part I felt relieved that things were explained reasonably. So to save Marcus from having to further console me, I nodded and deliberately bent down to wipe my nose on his shirt. Marc made a large noise of disgust and jumped up, swatting at me as he went.
"Euchk! Gross! You're seventeen, grow-up Ellie!" he exclaimed, grabbing a pillow and chucking it at me. "Go eat chocolate and get your crazy hormones under control! You're as bad as Mum right now! Mood swings in this family, honestly!"
I laughed and chucked a pillow back at him which he caught instantly (because he always catches stuff we throw at him) and fired back at me. I made to grab another one but he was faster and soon there was a barrage of soft items pelted in my direction, most of them hitting his target.
"MARC! NO FAIR!" I shrieked, diving down on the couch and covering my head. "And you call me immature? You're twenty and taking advantage of your supreme football skills to use it against me! That's immature on it's own!"
"You started it, Elle! Better be prepared to receive what you dish out, eh?!" Marc laughed, continuing to pile the pillows on my back so I was covered in a mountain of fluff. He really does have a lot of pillows for any self-respecting bloke. I was about to tell him such when Dad came calling down the stairs for dinner. Marc immediately forgot what he was doing and bolted. Honestly, boys and their food.
It took me a minute to extract myself (making as much as a mess as possible) and by the time I got to the dinner table everyone was already seated and waiting expectantly.
"Finally!" Missy declared, grabbing for the mashed potatoes and lading a huge portion onto her plate.
"Oink!" I simply replied, taking my seat next to her. Mum cut off any retort Missy could give with a look so she settled for sticking her tongue out at me.
"Lellie taught us to do skips and jumps today," Nessie immediately declared, stabbing a huge chunk of pot roast with her fork and attempting to shove it all in her mouth. Dad sighed and grabbed it before she could, cutting the meat as she babbled on. Mum was eating her own style of the meal, with maple syrup on her mashed potatoes, but grinned around the table nonetheless.
"So I got a wonderful-Melissa, do not put that broccoli in your napkin-phone call today," she announced (pausing only briefly to scold Missy without even looking at her) once Vanessa finished her retelling of class. Dad grinned at Mum and scratched at his beard, a gesture he uses to cover large smiles. "A school called."
Marc's brow crinkled, his fork hovering to his mouth.
"What sort of school? For who? Because I was meaning to talk to you about transferring next year. A real four year University wants to offer me a full scholarship to go there when I'm done with my general education. A scout was at practice today and said that their team is in dire need of a good Keeper."
Mum's face lit up as she turned to Marc, her earlier news forgotten.
"Oh Marc! A real bachelors degree? Rather than just an associates? That's brilliant, love! I thought you were going to break my heart and stop at your AA!?" she exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement.
Melissa and I exchanged looks. That was a weekend I don't think anyone could forget. It was filled with yelling and tears for one. Marcus sat our parents down at the end of his first year at Community University and told then he wanted to pursue professional football after finishing his general education rather then getting a full degree. I'm pretty sure Mum's blood-pressure skyrocketed and she had mini aneurism.
Dad wasn't crazy about the idea but he couldn't really negate it. He himself didn't complete a full round of University but went to Mechanics School and opened his own Garage shortly after graduation high school. He was perfectly successful and the shop was the top used in our town. He wanted us to have as many opportunities as possible of course but knew that some dreams didn't exactly need the background that followed schooling.
But Mum was a teacher and education meant everything to her. 'Dreams could be great and merry for a long while but once you grew older how were you to support yourself after?' With being one of four we couldn't afford to go to private school but we sure as hell were going to get into the best schools we could for Uni. So when Marc told them he didn't want to chaos ensued. They finally settled on holding the issue until the time came for him to transfer.
"Yeah, I figured it was the best of both worlds. Professional teams draft more from the University roster then when you try to self-join," Marc shrugged, a smile pulling at his lips. "So was it the scout that called you?
"Oh! Oh! My news!" Mum exclaimed, pressing a hand to her forehead. "What have I told you lot about sharing fantastic news with me mid-announcement. I plum forget what I'm saying."
"Would you like me to tell them, dear?" Dad laughed, raising his eyebrows at her.
"No, no-anyways, a representative from a private school called and said they were looking to offer enrollment to Melissa and Elena. She was very nice, though rather brisk, on the phone. Her name was McDonald or the like, I don't quite remember but I wrote it down. Anyways, she said that you two are rather remarkable girls and would be a great edition to their roster. She's offered a scholarship as well!"
It was my turn to have food hover before my mouth. What? Why would anyone offer me a place at a school when I only have two years left before Uni? Mum's face was shining as she looked at us. I don't think Missy had anything to say on the matter either. So I opened the floor in the only way I knew could alleviate the awkwardness.
"Who would ever find Melissa remarkable?" I teased.
"Ellie," Dad warned.
"I'm a remarkable dresser! You're the one that's remarkably stupid." Melissa argued.
"How remarkably shallow," I shot back.
"Girls," Dad declared more firmly. Our argument ceased at that tone of voice.
"Both you girls have top marks and are very talented, I don't see why a school wouldn't want you," Mum offered, grinning at the two of us. "Melissa-eat your broccoli or no dessert, dear."
Melissa scowled at her plate and pushed the stalks around with her fork.
"Why would a school want me for two years? That's a bit out of the ordinary? Yeah?"
"It is a bit weird," Marc announced.
"Yeah weird," Nessie declared with a huge grin, just so she could be included in the conversation.
"I don't know-I found it a bit odd myself. Melissa is going to primary this coming year herself but I wasn't to argue with a private school offer. It would look fantastic on your university applications, dear. It couldn't hurt to hear the representative out," Mum declared, glancing over at Melissa and beaming. I almost did a double take. Her plate was a quarter full with broccoli not two minutes ago and now it was clean. Melissa herself was smiling smugly but her eyes were wide with surprise (a small thing I don't think anyone but I noticed). "Well done, dear, that wasn't so bad was it? Anyways-since tomorrow is your day off of dance I invited the representative over for tea. Your father is even going to close the shop for a few hours so he can be there. I'm not saying that you have to go to the school, Elena love, I'm just asking you to hear her out. You're not fond of your current school at all, anyways."
I frowned into my food. She was right. I didn't like my school very much. I didn't have many friends there. I mostly stuck to my dance friends and none of them went to my current college. It was just that, a college. I didn't get the enjoyment most teenagers seem to get so a change wouldn't be so bad I suppose.
"Okay," I shrugged, standing up and starting to gather the empty dishes (it was my proper night to 'clear the table', so Melissa could wash and Marcus empty the garbage). "I'll see the representative tomorrow. What can it hurt? It's just a school, right?"
Louis
"You look positively white, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall sighed, glancing at me sideways as we brusquely made our way down the sidewalk towards the Miller household.
Working with McGonagall shouldn't include the informing of Muggle borns but since this was a rare case it was being handled by us. Usually the Deputy Headmaster was the one that went out and told the families. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about the fact. I didn't realize how nervous I would be until we were a block away. It just suddenly dawned on me that we were about to change someone's life forever. I experienced first hand my sister's boyfriend's acclimation to the world, and while Cameron handled it with major grace I could still see the jarring effect it had on him. And he didn't even have powers. So I can't even imagine how a family would take it when their own flesh and blood are pulled to a world they didn't even know existed.
"What was the worst reaction you've received?" I questioned, pulling the sleeves of my striped button down and navy v-neck jumper over my palms and catching the edges with my fingers. Victoire gave me a huge smile of approval before I left, stating that pairing the dressy with jeans and boat shoes makes it a perfect combination to 'change a family's life' (her fault I started getting nervous, really).
"I was thrown out of the house after I proved magic myself. Well they had the dog chase me out. But a few days later I received a letter asking me to come back. Apparently they started noticing their son's powers more closely after my arrival," she explained with a wry twitch of her lips.
"So most people take it well?"
"Well is one thing, Mr. Weasley. We have to ease them into the situation. Go along with them, help them transition. It takes a knack but you learn to do it well. Now-go ahead and knock on the door," she ordered, pulling down on the same tweed suit she wore yesterday. It seems McGonagall doesn't have many Muggle outfits.
So with a deep breath, I raised a shaking hand to the knocker and gave it a few solid knocks. There was an immediate bang on the other side of the wooden barrier followed by a shout that became more distinguishable as it got closer.
"I GOT IT! I GOT IT! I GOT IT!"
Then the door was yanked open, leaving a bare space.
"IT'S THE DAISY MAN! I WANT ANOTHER DAISY, DAISY MAN!"
McGonagall shot me a dirty look as we looked down at the little girl. Nessie was clad in another ridiculous pairing of clothes: a shirt with multi-colored wiener dogs on it and polka-dot sleeves, a pair of rainbow leggings, and a hot pink cowboy hat.
"Nessie! For the love of everything, what have we told you about not opening the door to strangers!" Another voice exclaimed from farther down the hall. I instantly straightened my shoulders and brushed a few wrinkles from the front of my jumper.
"But it's not stranger Lellie! It's the daisy man!"
"What on earth are you-oh! It's you! What in the world are you doing at my house?!" Elena exclaimed, freezing mid-way from picking up Nessie, a look of pure shock on her face.
"Well I-" I started, stopping mid-sentence, not exactly sure how to go on. I was at a loss for words. She looked different today, out of her sweats and overlarge jumper that she was wearing yesterday. She had on a fitted jean button down shirt and a pair of leggings. Her hair was loose around her shoulders and I had to remind myself to swallow. Merlin, could I be a bigger prat? She looked so pointed standing there with her sister on her hip and looking at me with a raised eyebrow.
"I-uh, what I mean to say is we-erm..."
There I did it. I'm a bigger prat.
"We seem to have an appointment with you and your sister today. My name is Professor Minerva McGonagall. I spoke to your mother over the phone yesterday," McGonagall cut in, giving me an undistinguishable look. It looked like a cross between amusement and exasperation.
"Oh! The school offer! You're apart of this school?" Elena questioned, turning back to me.
"School? Right. Yes, school," I declared.
Stupid. I'm stupid. I was so confident and eloquent yesterday with her. Now I can't even get out a few words. Of course yesterday I had a mission to do and now I'm off script and obviously freaking out. Why in the world was I even freaking out? I mean it's not like I'm completely unequipped to talk to a female. I've had plenty of girlfriends. One might even call me smooth. I'm quite good at talking to them actually. A bit more shy then Fred or James but I can hold my own. And now? Nothing. I say nothing and look like a blathering idiot.
Elena smiled broadly, opening the door further so we could step into the hallway.
"Man of many words I see. Well come on in then," she laughed. Motioning away. McGonagall shot me another look. Pity this time. And briskly followed Elena into the cozy house. We walked past a kitchen and into a small living room that could probably rival The Burrow in terms of comfortableness. Elena set Nessie on the ground and motioned for us to take a seat.
"I'll just go get my Mum and sister," she announced, heading down a hall. McGonagall gave me a pointed look once she was gone.
"That was rather smooth, Mr. Weasley," she announced. I blinked. McGonagall was teasing me. And I couldn't tell her stuff it.
"Don't remind me," I muttered, covering my face with a hand.
"Why you red, Daisy man?" Nessie questioned. It took me a full second to realize she didn't follow her sister.
"I'm not red," I immediately countered.
"Your cheeks are. You get sun'd burnt? Mummy says always put on sunscreen so you don't get burnt'd," she chattered, crawling up next to me on the couch and kneeling so she was level with my face. "Give me another daisy."
"Vanessa! Leave our guests be!" A woman exclaimed, waddling into the room followed by Elena and a man that I assumed to be her father. Nessie sighed and jumped off the couch, going to the corner and busying herself with a dollhouse there. Her Mum was heavily pregnant and every bit of my French etiquette training kicked in. I jumped out of my spot on the couch, which was the closest to the door, and offered it to her. Elena's eyebrows shot up and she immediately brought her hand to her mouth. I could tell she was covering a smile though because her eyes said it all.
"Oh! What a gentleman! None of the boys in my house do that for me! Why don't you do that for me, Richard?" She questioned, taking a seat and turning to her husband, who merely rolled her eyes.
"Probably because he's done it four other times before?" Elena quipped with a small snort of laughter. Her mother swatted at her as she perched on the arm of the couch.
"Why'd I have to bring the tea? I always bring the tea," another girl questioned, coming in carrying a tray.
"Thank you Melissa," her Dad replied sternly before turning to McGonagall and offering a hand. "Richard Miller, it's a pleasure to meet you. You've already spoken to my wife Maria."
"Thank you very much for accommodating us. This is my intern, Louis Weasley," McGonagall replied, shaking hands and motioning towards me. "I'm sure you're wondering all about our school."
"Oh yes! We were very excited to find out that a private school had interest in our girls!" Mrs. Miller exclaimed, rubbing her protruding belly. "Where is this school! What's it all about? What's it's ratings?"
"Maria-let the woman breathe," Mr. Miller laughed before turning expectantly to McGonagall.
"Well it's a very unique school to say the least," McGonagall started. "Not everyone can be admitted. It takes a special gift to be quite frank."
"What sort of gift?" Elena questioned, her head cocked to the side and brow furrowed.
"I suppose the best way to say it is to just be upfront. I've been in this position many times and it's never easy to skirt around it," McGonagall explained. "I know you've just met me but I abhor that you each keep an open mind."
I internally groaned. Now the whole room has a trepidatious look on their faces. I suppose she's right there's no way to ease into it but this was getting awkward and I knew it was only going to get worse.
"I am Headmistress of a school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and it is just that. It is a school to train young witches and wizards," McGonagall explained carefully. Mr. Miller's face immediately went red as Mrs. Miller gave him a very confused look.
"Pardon? Did you say wizard? Is this a joke? Are you being serious now? Why would you come offering schooling to my girls and tear it all away?" she questioned with a nervous laugh and suddenly her wide eyes filled with tears. All the color had drained from Elena's face as her sister looked blankly a us.
"How dare you," Mr. Miller exclaimed, standing to his full height. He was roughly the same size as my Dad and just as intimidating. "How dare you come into my house and spout of nonsense? It's an invasion of privacy. How did you get our girls information anyways?"
"If you please, Mr. Miller. I assure you I am being completely serious," McGonagall replied, standing to her own height. She was a good deal shorter and very much older but just as intimidating. McGonagall had that effect. She could look like a pile of bones about to blow away sometimes but then she snaps into her Headmistress mode and BOOM! she's as scary as a dragon.
"Honestly sir, she doesn't joke," I found myself putting in. All eyes snapped on me. I should really learn to keep my mouth shut. Elena was still stark white but she mustered enough energy to give me a raised eyebrow.
"And you, young man, feed this woman's delusions?"
"They're not delusions," I replied calmly.
"So you're both mad, then?"
"We're not mad, either," I retorted.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall cut in, giving me a sharp look. I tucked my hands in my pockets and snapped my mouth shut. "We are very much telling the truth. Hasn't anything happened with your daughters, Melissa especially, that you simply can't explain? Elena, would've been in the last few days?"
Mrs. Miller's jaw opened slightly at this but Mr. Miller looked as angry as ever.
"Have you been spying on our family?! I should call the police!"
"Dad!"
We all looked over at Melissa-who had spoken for the first time since entering the room. Her father was staring at her with his mouth agape. She stood, defiantly, and turned to McGonagall.
"So the things I can do, they're real? I'm not crazy?" she questioned earnestly. Elena was looking at her sister now, her brow furrowed and her thumb nail in her mouth. She removed it and took a deep breath, closing her eyes.
"No dear, you are not crazy," McGonagall replied simply. "You are a witch."
"Could you prove it, please?"
"I would be happy to," McGonagall replied, giving me a sharp look. Oh Merlin, she was going to change into a cat. Give them a heart attack why don't you? And within a second a graying tabby cat was sitting in her place, the square markings prominent around her eyes. Mrs. Miller gave a little shriek of surprise and Mr. Miller simply fell back down into his chair. Elena had gone stark white again. I was beginning to become concerned for her.
"Kitty!"
But before Nessie could dash over and assault Professor McGonagall in cat form she was back to her regular form.
"I knew it! I knew something was up with me! I could make my veggies disappear! And things break when I'm angry! And one time when Clara Smith was being a cow I think I turned her hair pink!" Melissa exclaimed looking between McGonagall and I."Mum, she's not lying!"
Her parents seemed at a loss for words, they were looking at their daughter like they've never seen her before.
"Hogwarts students start their first year at age eleven. It's usually when their powers have made enough of an appearance to be trained," McGonagall explained. "We'd like to offer you a spot for Melissa to come train with us."
"What about me? You were here for me too. I'm clearly not eleven. I'm not even a wi-a one of those! I can't be!" Elena exclaimed suddenly. I turned to her and gave her a small smile.
"Have things been happening to you the past couple days? Things that you can't really explain? Have you been feeling different?" I questioned quietly. Her face changed there, crumpling slightly before she steeled herself.
"Elena is actually the reason I'm here myself. Usually our Deputy Headmaster is in charge of telling non-magical families of their children's powers but it seems that Elena here is quite a special girl."
"No I'm not," Elena argued quietly, raking her hands roughly through her hair. McGonagall took no notice of her protests since it seems she had the full attention of Mr. and Mrs. Miller at last.
"Elena seems to be one of a kind. Usually if magic isn't present by eleven the chances of it ever making an appearance is none, but here we have Miss Miller. She is legally of age in the Wizarding world, at seventeen, and is displaying powers. We would also like to train her in the art," McGonagall explained carefully. "It would be a new experience for everyone, like I said we've never had anyone over the age of eleven come into magic, but it's important that she be trained."
"Ellie darling, are you alright?" her Mum questioned, taking her daughter's hand. Elena had stopped tugging at her hair and was sitting there with her eyes wide. Without a response she got up and bolted down the hall. McGonagall even looked a bit surprised at that. I immediately felt a pull to follow. Not just because it was dire that we train her (because who knew what an of age wizard with fresh powers could actually do) but because I didn't want her to be so upset.
"Would it be alright if I talked to her?" I found myself questioning. Her father looked a bit taken aback at that but nodded and stood from his chair.
"She'll be in the willows," he sighed, motioning for me to follow. The first few seconds were of silence before he gruffly cleared his throat.
"Are you one? A wizard?" he questioned quietly.
"Yes, sir. Both my parents are. In fact my whole family is," I explained with a small shrug. "I'll be entering my seventh, and last year, at Hogwarts come September. Both my sisters have already graduated."
"So it's real? My girls, they're really one of them?"
"Yes, they are." I answered, as he held open a glass door for me.
"Right then," he nodded, seemingly lost in his own thoughts for a second. "Ellie will be right out there under the willow trees."
I looked past his pointed finger at the small cropping of weeping willows before picking my way across the grass towards them. I could hear faint counting beneath the leaves and when I pushed them aside they revealed Elena holding tight to a branch as she rose up and down on the balls of her feet. The area was completely surrounded by a curtain of soft green leaves and inside were the twisting entrails of the tree's branches, flailing out at all levels. The sun filtered through the curtain, leaving the area bathed in a green twinge like we were under the Black Lake.
"Fifty-two, fifty-three, fifty-four, go away, fifty-six," she continued, not even looking at me.
"Can't I talk to you?" I questioned, sitting down on a very low branch and watching her go up and down.
"I need to relevé. It's the only thing that makes sense right now," she answered.
"Can I help to make other things to make sense?" I questioned quietly. She stopped suddenly and glared at me.
"Who are you?! You don't know me!" she snapped.
"Oi! No need to get snippy! I didn't say I knew you, Elena," I sighed, putting my hands up defensively. "I'm just trying to help you. You looked pretty freaked. I mean you were the color of The Grey Lady back there!"
"I don't know who the hell the Grey Lady is!" she shot back, her voice rising.
"She's a ghost at school!" I explained, my volume matching hers. She blinked at me for a second before automatically going back to her moves.
"Sixty-one, sixty-two, sixty-three, sixty-four."
"Sorry-that probably doesn't help. Look, Elena, I know this is a lot to take in. I know this is probably bloody scary but it's the truth and hiding from it isn't going to make it go away."
"Yesterday I was freaking out about defying the laws of physics and today I know why. But to be frank the reason why is more freaky then the actual defying the laws of physics!" She exclaimed, freezing on the balls of her feet and holding it there.
"I get that," I shrugged.
"I still don't know if I believe it," she replied. I sighed and tugged my wand from the back pocket of my jeans. Elena, still frozen on the balls of her feet, stared at it with her brow furrowed.
"This is my wand," I explained, which made her snort with a small laugh. "Don't laugh, if you chose to be trained you'll get one of your own."
I picked up a rock from the ground and pointed my wand at it. With the proper incantation it was transfigured into a single pink tulip. Elena fell flat onto her feet and gaped at me. With a twist of my wand I made it hover the two yards of space between us and stop at Elena's face level. She stared at it for a moment before raising her eyes to me. Her eyes were frosty and sharp but they suddenly became softer as she looked into mine. The corners of her mouth turned up slightly and suddenly, as if she realized exactly what she was doing, it was all gone and hard again.
"Go on, take it. It's completely real," I urged with a small smile. Hesitantly, Elena reached out and took the stem between two fingers. She looked at me, and once again the ice seemed to involuntarily melted from her features. Her lips parted slightly as she rolled it between a thumb and forefinger. Her other hand came up and lightly touched a petal with a finger tip. And her eyes were on mine again. She was obviously processing everything and there was a shock of white teeth as she gnawed on her lower lip. I had an unexplainable urge to go over and gently release her bottom lip from their grasp. But I resisted, because frankly that would be awkward.
"It's real," she breathed. "But it was a rock."
"Of course it's real. My transfiguration skills are kinda awesome," I shrugged, smiling slightly. She looked at me then, her gray eyes wide and glassy with unshed tears. She turned away for a moment and discretely wiped her cheeks. When she turned back around she had an odd look on her face. Like she was trying to come to terms with everything but there were large pieces still holding back. It seemed as if the smaller ones won out because her next questioned came as sort of a surprise to me.
"So I can do this?"
"Eventually, with proper training," I shrugged, eyeing her apprehensively.
"I'm like this? I'm a-" she paused then, her mouth screwing shut and the words getting caught in her throat. "I'm a witch?"
"You're a witch," I nodded, giving her a smile.
And to my ultimate surprise, a small disbelieving smile graced her face.