Chapter Four: At Grounds for Parchments and Inkwells
Henry couldn't help but to compare life at the Sha and life on Oak Alcove. It was like comparing a warm sunny day to a torrential downpour. When you really boiled it down, the Dooflys were control freaks that had to have everything neat, orderly, and rule following. The Parsleys' home was alive and bursting with excitement and surprises. Henry would surmise even without the magical element of the Parsleys it still would be quite a lovely life to lead.
The magic was the most interesting part by far however. The goblin in the attic would tell jokes in the late hours of the night and the test was if you could silence your laughter before Mrs. Parsley gave you a lecture. Mr. Parsley had a Normie standing mirror that somehow he enchanted to give impeccable fashion advice. ("You can not mix stripes and polka dots are you mad, sir...MAD!") There was also of course the inventions and pranks that were thought up and implemented by Jack and Matt. A stink bomb would go off every now and again or perhaps they would rig up something to do something else. These sorts of things were all normal. In fact, they were almost encouraged! Sure, Mrs. Parsley may lecture, nag, or shake her head. But there was always a small, knowing smile behind it all. Mischievous eyes that made it quite telling just where her children got their ideas, personalities, and dreams from.
What Henry found to be the top tier most different thing about life with Jon than with the Dooflys was simply the fact that he was liked by everyone in the Sha, respected even. Mrs. Parsley would dab at his mouth with a napkin or fix his collar. She would even be caught trying to sneak a fourth helping of her cooking on to his plate even after he proclaimed that he was finished. Mr. Parsley was adamant on asking Henry about Normie life (Jack says he did the same to her) and was even more interested because he now had two Normie born kiddos to compare his notes and findings with. Henry never grew tired of the questions. It was down right humorous sitting around a dinner table while a grown man asked you about ink pens, firefighters, or soda cans with toddler like wonderment.
"I say I am most confused about the buttons they've...changed over the years?" He had asked one evening with both hands to his cheeks like a teenage girl receiving gossip. Telephones and other forms of communication were some of Mr. Parsley's most favorite topics. "It's a marvel how Normies have gone about life fine and dandy without magic."
One morning Henry and Jon went down to the breakfast table to see Mrs. Parsley, Mr. Parsley, and Whinnie. Henry had been at the Sha for a little over a week and was breathing easier everyday. Oak Alcove felt like being trapped with an elephant on your chest. Once Henry pulled out a chair to sit down, Whinnie got so flustered she knocked her oatmeal bowl right over and onto the floor with a crash. Jon had assured his friend that his sister was not normally this shy or clumsy. With a crimson face, she went underneath the table to retrieve the bowl. It was probably best not to embarrass her, so Henry took a strip of bacon and ignored her.
"We've received letters from school, children," said Mrs. Parsley. Jon and Henry took their identical envelopes. "It's your ticket and a copy of the supplies lists. Many students seem to always need a copy during this time," she gave a side eye to Matt and Jack as they yawned and pulled up chairs. Quietly, all of the children read their letters. Just like last year, the Harnocks Express trollies would leave Riverdancer station from Platform Three and One Half on September first at eleven o'clock am. Henry read and reread the supply list. This was the part that always made it feel the most real to him.
SECOND YEAR STUDENTS WILL NEED TO OBTAIN:
Start Here Spell Book Year Two by The Mystery Man
Practically Perfect Practical Magic by Don Lothario
Unbelievable Easy Untamed Magic by Don Lothario
Methodology of Mischief Magic by Don Lothario
Pour it! Potions Made Easy by Don Lothario
Plants, Roots, Berries OH My by Don Lothario
Every Creature EVER (I'm Serious) by Don Lothario
Every Creature EVER Part II by Don Lothario
"That's just…" Jack furrowed her eyebrows and snuck a peak at Henry's list. "So you've been told to get all of Lothario's books, too." She adjusted her glasses and shrugged. "The new Untamed Magic professor is kinda already looking a bit too showboaty. If I know Spatchy, he's not going to like a textbook written by someone that seems so...so…" she chanced a glance at Mrs. Parsley and settled with, "full of it."
"What's worse," Matt said, "is that Lothario's books are really expensive."
"We will get by," Mrs. Parsley affirmed. "Whinnie will be able to borrow books from all of you and Perry's year doesn't nearly have as much textbooks. Also, I'm pretty sure Carl has an old Spellbook."
"That's right!" Henry turned to Whinnie and her eyes went wide. "It's your first year! Are you excited?" Henry felt his face twist into confusion at the weird expression Jon's sister was making. It almost looked like it was physically painful for her to look at Henry. Instead of answering him, she just nodded so fast the tips of her hair nearly got into her breakfast. "Um...your...your forearm is in the jam," Henry couldn't help but point. Whinnie looked down and squeaked, dabbing at it with a napkin. She opened her mouth to say something but Perry had entered the kitchen with his golden Princep badge pinned neatly to his sweater vest and a coy, smug smile on his narrow face. Henry tried not to laugh at the fact the weeks did not do his facial hair any justice of coming in.
"Good morning, mother, father, siblings, and," his eyes squinted so quickly Henry barely registered it as he said, "others." If Henry followed his gaze, he was looking at Jack. She averted her eyes and poked around at her scrambled eggs. "Lovely morning. Great weather. Temperate but not too humid, wouldn't you say?"
He was about to sit in the only empty chair when he leapt up with a cry of shock. Matt and Jack began to laugh as Perry pulled the deflated whoopie cushion from his chair seat.
"Fascinating, Jack! With simple rubber and air this Normie prank contraption simulates flatulence!" Mr. Parsley said as he took it right from Perry's hands. The latter rolled his eyes so severely Henry could see the whites for a half second. That was accompanied by the dirtiest look towards Jack. Once that commotion had ended Perry was about to speak when a chirp sound followed by a SPLAT and yet another cry from Perry.
"Hey! It's Carol!" Jon said and got up quickly to pick the bird up after landing face first in Perry's eggs. He gave the limp bird a quick shake as Perry cleaned his glasses with the most sour look on his face. "She's got a letter! I bet it's Esmani! I told her about the plan to break you out of the Doofly house, Henry." Henry smiled and remembered how Esmani had told him that she had learned of the plan. "Carol's service is a bit slow, I bet you got your response on your birthday, huh?" Jon asked and when Henry nodded Jon sort of shrugged and led Carol to her perch. The bird wouldn't cling to the perch and instead just flopped over. As he came back to the kitchen, Jon was reading aloud:
"Dear Jon (and also Henry if you are with him),
I still cannot believe you, Matt, and Jack would do such a thing! I mean, I'm grateful that you did because what Henry has told us about his aunt and uncle is just downright ghastly. You better have not done anything illegal, Jon. You're not even thirteen and you don't want something like that on your record. Henry doesn't deserve to get anymore trouble on his name either, you know. In fact, I've been quite worried about Henry. Please let me know how he is? Would it be okay if you used a different owl this time, though? Carol is sweet but I think one more trip might do her in…"
That part made Matt and Jack giggle. The bird in question was wheezing in her sleep.
"...I'm busy with schoolwork and finishing some last bits," Jon rolled his eyes at this, "but we are going to Bridgeport next Thursday to buy my new books. Who even is this Don Lothario? Anyway we should all meet in Caster's Alley! Please keep me posted and updated, Jon.
Love, Esmani"
Jon made quick work hiding the pink in his ears as he started mumbling about Esmani being a busy body and how it was still summer vacation. Why did she always have to be working? Mrs. Parsley had been listening and had gathered up all of the dishes.
"I think we can do that, can't we dear? Thursday would be good," she gave a look to Mr. Parsley who was still distractedly analyzing the whoopie cushion.
"What dear, what? Oh...oh yes! Yes of course. Thursday is fine," he said.
"What are you all up to today?" She turned her eyes from her husband to the children.
"We're gonna show Henry the meadow in the woods," Jon said. Jack had explained to Henry that it was on a crest of a cliff surrounded by trees where the boys could practice Grilled Cheese Dueling without the Normies seeing in the village below. You just had to not fly over the treetops. "Henry needs some fresh practice. The Normies didn't let him practice an ounce. His broom was locked up, mom!"
"That sounds fun, dears. Be careful and be back in time for lunch."
Obviously there were no stoves or real Grilled Cheese Dueling balls. A Burro ball would be very hard to explain if they cleared the treeline and made its way into the Normie village. One watermelon used for the Pane ball and two ripe peaches did the trick for the Burro balls. Jack even enjoyed stretching out her vocal chords and timing when it came to commentating. Everyone had fun trying out Henry's broom. Even Jack, the most unathletic girl on the planet, had a go on it. It was easily the best broom. Jon's broom was barely as fast as a bumble bee.
Before they had left they had asked Perry if he would like to join them. It seemed as if Henry only saw him at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He was always shut in his room for the rest of the day. Matt was always frowning when Perry was being rather mean or short.
"I wish I knew what was up," he mumbled as the company hiked up the hill towards the woods. "He's sort of a loner and can be a jerk but lately it's...it's elevated."
"His W.A.N.D results came in...I stole them and had a look. He passed all eight with highest honors. And he didn't even gloat once...not...once," Jack looked very worried.
"Wand results?" Henry asked.
"Huge exams your fifth year," Jon explained. "Wizarding Assessments Nearly Done." He puffed harshly from the exertion of the steep hill. Seventh year the humungo one is given. The Caster Assessment Summative Towards Everything Reviewed, or C.A.S.T.E.R. for short."
"Ben got all eight too," Matt shuddered. "At the rate we're going we're going to have another Lead Boy in this family. The shame of it all…"
Ben was the eldest Parsley brother followed by Carl. They were both out of Harnocks school and on with their lives in the magical workforce. Carl worked with dragons and...you know...Henry happened to forget what Ben did. He'd have to ask Jon later. It had something to do with Egypt though.
"Money's gonna be tight this year," Matt sighed. "I don't know how mom and dad do it. All of us kids. Three sets of Lothario books! And Whinnie even needs the basics! A robe and a cauldron...I guess she can borrow a cauldron. But she can't borrow a wand…"
"Says you," Jon groaned.
"I guess be glad you ate your twin in the womb then, eh, love?" Jack said mischievously and began to tickle Matt's ribs. She was just trying to cheer him up and it was working. Though it did leave Henry wondering if that was the truth. You can never quite tell with Jack.
That also left Henry to puzzle about the Parsleys and feel a bit awkward. Here was this amazing, warm, and comforting family scraping by as best as they could with all of their children. And just underneath Bridgeport in Bingpott's National Trust bank Henry Puffer had enough fortune in gold to fund himself, Jack, and the Parsley family for years. Before they had died, Henry's parents had left it all to him. Of course, these riches were only used in the Realm of Magic. You can't use Roodies, Lums, Studs, and Koynz in Normie shops. So in his other world, he was just as broke as ever. He'd be a fool to mention his Bingpott's wealth to the Dooflys. They would not be able to comprehend Henry Puffer having anything that they didn't have. Even if it was included in the "nasty magical world."
The following Thursday morning, Mrs. Parsley woke everyone up early. Two dozen bacon and cheese sandwiches later everyone was showered and dressed for the day. Henry didn't know why, but they were congregated in the middle of the sitting room. He watched Mr. Parsley take a pot off of the fireplace mantel. It made Henry's heart race. He had assumed they were ashes. Mrs. Parsley peaked and tsked her husband.
"We'll definitely be needing more of that, love," she said off handedly. "Ah yes, guests first," she grinned and offered the pot to Henry. He couldn't fix his face fast enough. Ew! They really were ashes. Well...it was bound to happen. Something in the Realm of Magic that wasn't better than life as a Normie. What do you do with loved ones' ashes?
He didn't make a move. In fact he was stunned and Mrs. Parsley's face fell. Oh no. He probably had offended her. Then he'd offend the whole entire family and what if Jon didn't want to be his friend anymore? That's when Jon audibly slapped himself on the forehead.
"Oh duh! That's right, mom," he placed a hand on Henry's shoulder. "Henry's never traveled by MHITG powder!"
"Mitch-y powder?" Henry tried to repeat.
"Sorry, Henry! I should have known," Jon looked bashful.
"Oh dear! Well! It's a great time to learn," she looked quizzical. "If I may, how did you get to Caster's Alley last year?" Mr. Parsley lowered the pot just a bit too. He was invested.
"I uh…" he had to think on the spot. So much had happened that year. "Hagish took me through Bridgeport and...we went to Waylon's Haunt and…"
"Ah, yes, the Underground way," Mr. Parsley interjected. "Fascinating! Were there all sorts of folk? Some real Bridgeport scallywag Normies roam about those parts." Mr. Parsley was getting a bit eager and Henry only shook his head.
"That's enough of that or we will be late," she chastised her husband. "MHITG powder is way quicker, dear. Magic Hole in the Ground. You can throw it anywhere to make a magical hole in the ground to get to the Realm of Magic or Magic Town or even Caster's Alley. We normally just stick to the fireplace, really. Those are all connected and it makes things nice and neat, you see."
"It's a funny feeling, Henry," Jack said and took a pinch. "Just a pinch is all you need." She tossed the glittering powder from the pot into the fireplace. "Watch." In an instant, the concrete floor of the Parsley fireplace sunk and sagged until a hole formed with a golden, shimmering light emitted from its depths. "To Caster's Alley!" She shouted and jumped straight down the hole. Once her head was gone, the hole materialized back into the concrete floor of the fireplace just as if the action was played backwards on a video reel. Concrete being sunken into a hole, a hole rising and filling up into a concrete floor.
"You gotta speak clearly," Matt said. He dipped his hand into the pot.
"And you have to exit from the correct hole," Mrs. Parsley added over Mr. Parsley's shoulder. He could hear Matt shout for Caster's Alley and then he, too, had been swallowed by the Magical Hole in the Ground.
"There's a lot of holes to choose from, you know...if you don't speak clearly…"
"The boy will do great, Maggie, don't fuss about," Mr, Parsley kissed his wife on the cheek and sprinkled some powder into her open palm.
"If he were to get lost, Sean? Then what? What would his aunt and uncle think? We're responsible for him you know." She gave Henry one last worrying look.
"Oh my aunt and uncle?" Henry felt as if he needed to say. "They would probably throw you a party if you lost me."
"Henry Puffer…" Mrs. Parsley said in utmost shock and sadness. "You poor dear. Just please remember to say clearly where you're going. Go right after me, yes?" Henry nodded. She gave him one more weary look before she clearly spoke and disappeared into the hole.
"Keep your elbows tucked in too," Jon advised.
"Having your eyes closed helps a bit too. Since we're traveling by fireplace. There is some wayward soot trapped from time to time," Mr. Parsley added.
"But Henry don't...you know don't freak out and get out at the first hole you see. Wait until you see mom, Matt, and Jack."
It was a lot to take in but Henry took a pinch of the powder all the same. For his first time, he gave it a gentle toss and watched his hole manifest before him right there in the fireplace. He gave himself one more second to compose and take a breath. He stepped forward to the edge of his hole.
"You have to be a bit quick Henry," Jon warned. "You don't want it to close."
Henry closed his eyes, held his breath, and said, "C-c-CASTER ALLEY!"
He jumped into the hole like you would a cold swimming pool.
And then he was falling.
He wanted to scream but nothing would come out as his body twisted and turned like he was stuck in a giant tornado. He didn't feel like he was in a dirty hole but more of an airless tunnel. The sound of air rushing and whipping at his ears was almost deafening. Carefully, he squinted his eyes and only saw vibrant gold that made it feel like he was staring directly into the sun. He clenched them shut again. Something knocked hard into Henry's elbow and he yelped as he tucked them in tighter to his body. What would happen if he threw up his bacon and cheese sandwiches right now? With one more attempt, he squinted and finally saw other holes and what was beyond them. He didn't know where to go! He didn't know where to stop and if anything made him this more stressed to the point of maybe crying this would be it. He was trapped in an airless vortex of loud noises, bright lights, and confusion and he just wanted it to end.
"Help," he could only chirp and in an instant his whole body was going sideways and out of a hole like an enclosed slide instead of straight up. He was dizzy, probably bruised, and very defeated. Begrudgingly he wiped some soot off of his pants and sleeves. Slowly, he rose to his feet and realized his glasses were broken. MHING powder was not for him. The archway at Waylon's Haunt was slower than that?
Where am I? He wondered and realized he was in the middle of what looked to be a shop for wizards and casters. But nothing sold here would be allowed at Harnocks.
It was dimly lit and from what Henry could see, the look of a madman's antique shop. There were shrunken heads, bones, teeth, dark and mysterious statues, and old textbooks covered in runes Henry couldn't begin to decipher. Was that cushion stained with plasma? That was a glass eye! Oh no! Was it looking at Henry? His stomach felt strange as he looked at the strange, evil looking masks. Instruments that looked like they were used for torture were rusted and on shelves. Through the dusty window, the alley in front of the shop was in no way shape or form Caster's Alley.
Henry was losing it quickly. He could feel the tears begin to form.
Feeling lucky, he made his way over to the shop door. It didn't look like anyone was here. Either the…(business?) was closed or totally out of commission. Either way Henry knew he had to get out of there. As quickly and quietly as he could, he began to inch his way towards the door, minding the creaking floorboards. The shop door had a window and when he got close enough he nearly lost his breath.
Two people were on the other side of the glass.
One of them was Kimmie Slymer.
He could not let her see him covered in soot and with broken glasses. He had fixed them last year but there was not time to think of all of that. His eyes darted to the left and the right. He was running out of time! At seemingly the last second Henry noticed a large cabinet that looked like he could squeeze into if he really tried. There was no other choice. Through uneven vision, Henry crawled in and closed the door of the cabinet just enough to leave a small crack to peer out of. Merely three seconds later, the bell above the shop door tinkled.
The other person towering over Kimmi Slymer no doubt had to be her father. He had the same pale, angular face set inwards with steely, cold blue eyes. His hair was greasy, auburn and touched his shoulders. The heavy, almost tired looking lids drifted from one item to the next almost out of boredom. Like an afterthought, the man happened to spit out a quick and sharp, "Don't you dare touch a single thing in here, Kimberly." Henry wanted to snicker at the use of her full name but watched as she rolled her eyes at her own father. It was amazing how tall she was getting. Her once pudgy face was thinning. She looked even meaner than last year.
"Only if you buy me a present."
"Now you listen to me," his voice chilled Henry's spine, "I told you I would buy you a racing broom." Henry's heart sank and watched as Mr. Slymer lazily drummed his fingers on the shop counter. What were they doing here?
"What's that even going to do if I'm not even on the House team?" Kimmi crossed her arms and grumbled. She was sulking. "Henry Puffer got a Zoomsweeper Pegasus, daddy. Last year! He was a first year student and got special permission from Professor Garspatuon and Headmaster Simbledore to play for the Alpaggard team. It's not fair." She was full on whining now and Henry didn't really know how to process his feelings on being talked about like that.
"Well is he any good?" The question was dismissive and not truly engaged.
"Well he…" there was a pause there, "no." She looked up at her father and chewed on her bottom lip. "It's just because he's famous, really," she reasoned. "Just because he has that scar. Ooh! Great and Wonderful Henry Puffer with his scar, broomstick, and…" she didn't continue and Mr. Slymer looked quite put off.
"Kimberly you have mentioned this all too many times and I grow tired of it. Need I remind you that it is rather unbecoming to garner less than tolerant relations with Henry Puffer. Our kind owe a lot to him in regard to the heroism of making the Dark One disappear." Watching Kimmi look down to the floor red faced and defeated made Henry sort of start to like Mr. Slymer. That was the strangest part of the day.
An elderly man entered and Henry's good feelings evaporated. Had he seen him?
"Ah yes! Good morning, Mr. Borkins."
"Pleasure, Slymer," Henry did not like the way this guy spoke. It was as if he was a cliche movie villain. All drawn out and slow speech patterns. "Tickled pink, in all honesty. And you've brought the little. Good morning to you, madam." Kimmi looked disgusted by the man. "How can I help you? I have new stock just today. All discounted for you sir! I could…"
"No, no, no," Mr. Slymer dismissed with finality. "No buying today, Borkins. I'm...I'm afraid we are in the business of selling on this morning's venture."
"Selling?" Any hint of a smile was gone from Mr. Borkin's face.
"You have heard that the Council is forgoing more raids," Mr. Slymer ignored Borkins. He reached into his long overcoat and took out a roll of parchment. Borkins leaned forward over the counter to read what Mr. Slymer was holding out. "Let's just say there are some items from...olden times." He quickly looked down at Kimmi. "If the Council were to find them I'd be...how shall I say?" There was a beat as he scratched his chin. "Embarrassed."
"Let's see," Borkins put in a monocle and scanned the list on the parchment.
"There wouldn't be any reason for the Council to trouble you though. Right, sir?"
Mr. Slymer must not have liked that question.
His whole back straightened and even from the cabinet Henry could see his lip curl.
"It would do you some good to remember that the Slymer name is a label of decorum and respect. So no. I have not been visited yet however the Council grows more and more meddlesome and likes to jump to conclusions. There are whispers of a Normie Protection Decree." Kimmi rolled her eyes at the exact same time as her father. It was uncanny. "No doubt that mangy, Normie lover known as Sean Parsley is behind it."
Henry felt white hot anger.
He did not like Mr. Slymer.
"You see this? Sometimes that type of poison can appear…" Mr. Slymer had a finger on his list. Borkins was just nodding.
"Very good, sir. Very good. Yes, yes, you're right. Let me see…"
"Daddy! I want that," Kimmi said very suddenly and abruptly. She was pointing to a golden instrument on a velvet pillow.
"Ah yes! That right there is the Compass of Grandeur. Prick your finger with it and the plasma will show you the right direction of home no matter if you are sideways, turned around, or upside down. It's the best friend for thieves and burglars...even pirates. Your daughter has very good taste, Mr. Slymer."
"My daughter," Mr. Slymer said through clenched teeth, "is going to amount to more than a low rung thief with no education and no common sense, thank you very much."
"I meant no offence sir, you're right, you are," Borkins agreed.
"Though," he shot a very cold glance to Kimmi, "if her grades do not start looking better she may as well be shipped to the nearest vessel to Aarbyville." Henry felt his jaw drop and Kimmi's ears went pink.
"It's not...teachers have their favorites at that stupid school. Like the Normie born Esmani Ghadjer she…"
"It's shameful enough to listen to girlish priss fights," Mr. Slymer's words sliced like a knife made of pure icy stone. "But to then be beaten in every exam by a girl of no castering family must leave you ashamed and pathetic." Kimmi swallowed. "As you should be." Could that actually be tears forming in Kimmi Slymer's eyes?
"T-t-that's...a normal thing," Borkins gently intervened trying to change the subject on to anything but the domestic squabble forming before him. "It's not uncommon for Normie born kiddos doing good things at Harnocks. It's...I guess Ancient Plasma is just not as prevalent as it once was…"
"Not with me," Mr. Slymer emphasized. His nostrils were flaring. Borkins struck a nerve.
"Right. Of course sir," the other adult bowed awkwardly.
"I think it will do you some good to attend to my list," Mr. Slymer was getting more and more irritated and short. "I am in a hurry today. Important business. I wish not to be here all morning, afternoon, and evening if you'd please."
The adults started to negotiate and talk quietly as Kimmi looked around the shop. Henry was beyond nervous as she drew nearer and nearer towards the cabinet he was hiding in. She was examining some sort of bronze gauntlet. Henry had seen the placard. It said that it was known to kill Normies and Normie born. He didn't like how Kimmi's eyes lit up as she read the very same placard. Then, her blue eyes were looking right at the cabinet. Henry felt she was looking straight into his mind. She edged nearer and Henry's breath caught. Just as she was about to touch the handle Mr. Slymer called out.
"Come, girl. I have finished."
Henry dabbed at his brow with his jacket sleeve as Kimmi rolled her eyes and walked away.
"And good day to you, Borkins. I shall see you at our estate tomorrow to pick up the bounty." Borkins had on a smile that nearly looked like a sneer as he waved. He continued to wave. And waved even twenty beats after the door had closed. And then, all at once his facade dropped.
"Good day to YOU, Mister Slymer," he mocked and Henry had to bite back a laugh. "Prissy, little prat. If you've sold me nearly half of your Untamed goods...there's probably thousands of others stowed away in your precious mansion." As he muttered, he was also walking towards the back of the shop and disappeared entirely after awhile.
Henry waited for a few more minutes to make sure, then as quietly as he could muster, he slipped out of the cabinet, past the displays, and out of the shop door.
It was hard to see out of broken glasses but Henry tried to catch his bearings. The dingy alleyway that the shop was on looked just as dark as the once surrounding it. It almost looked as if every shop was dedicated to the Untamed Magical Arts. Borkin and Blurtz looked to be the largest, however every which way the shops were just as nasty or ghastly. More shrunken heads or giant black spiders in cages in another. Even the people were more lucrative and dark. He tried not to meet the eyes of two dark looking wizards who watched him curiously from the shadows of their shop windows. Henry didn't know if he wanted to know what they were muttering to each other. It was putting Henry on edge and he tried to hold his glasses to his head hoping that he would find a way out of here.
An old sign worn and moldy told him he was in Simagon Alley. This did not help because he wasn't sure where that was in relation to Caster's Alley. Judging by the purple, hazy sky he was definitely in the Realm of Magic. Just where?
"You lost, boy?" One of the gruff wizards in the shop poked his head out. Henry swallowed uncomfortably as he noticed and absorbed the fact that this particular shop sold poisonous eatables.
"N-no...fine, thanks," Henry stammered.
"HENRY PUFFER! What in the blazes are you doing down here?"
Henry's heart leapt and did a somersault. The very tall, fluid like motions of the jack of all tradesman from Harnocks came into view. It was Hagish! Henry could finally breathe a bit easier and relax.
"Hagish! I got lost! MHITG powder didn't go so well for me!"
Hagish grabbed Henry by the jacket sleeve and gave a very hard look to the keeper of the poisonous shop. The latter seemed to blanche and slam his door. Marking it with a closed sign afterwards.
"Look at you, boy!" Hagish assessed Henry as he steered him towards a familiar fountain and the looming tower of Bingpott's National Trust. Kindly, Hagish began to dust Henry off with his large hands. Any harder and he'd have careened Henry right off of his feet. "You have got to speak your clearest when using the MHITG powder, bud," he said. "Simagon Alley is no place for you. It's dodgy and eerie and...dark. I don't mean it's brightness content. I'm talking about the shops. Only the seediest of the seediest shop there. I don't want to see you down there willingly, okay?"
"Oh trust me, no thank you," Henry agreed. "Like I said I was totally lost and…" Henry squinted. "But hey...so why were you down there?
"I was hoping there'd be a place to get Acidic Snail Repellent," Grumbled Hagish. "Professor Hoppcraft's cabbages are getting ruined by their pesky trails. You alone, kid? I don't like that."
"No, no," Henry said, bracing for the long story, "I was staying with the Parsleys but we got separated. The powder, again. I've gotta find them!" Hagish nodded and decided the repellent could wait. Instead, he escorted Henry which made him feel like he had felt just last year. It was nice.
"I want no secrets between us," Hagish said. "Complete honesty. Friend-like and all." Henry nodded with a quizzical look and nearly stopped in his tracks when he saw Hagish look so sad. A deep frown pulling at his lips and brow. "So...so...I'm going to be honest when I ask...why didn't you write to me? Did I do something wrong? Did you not like your birthday gift?" Henry wanted to laugh out loud of the relief he felt. Hagish really can be very childlike with his emotions and it made Henry feel good that he cared so much.
"Oh Hagish it was a splendid gift! I love it so much! As for the writings, the note and card were wonderful but...my aunt and uncle took everything away. They can't stand what I am and what that all entails, Hagish. I'm so sorry."
"Vengeful Normies, they are," Hagish all but growled. "I should have known…"
"Henry! OH YES! HEY HENRY! OVER HERE!"
Henry looked upward and saw Esmani Ghadjer on the top steps of Bingpotts. She took the steps two at a time and jumped the remaining two at the bottom. Her hair was even more frizzy than he remembered but it had been quite humid the last couple of weeks. She looked him all over with a large smile that faded and fell rather quickly.
"Oh Henry you're filthy!" She gasped. "And your glasses! What happened?" She looked up towards Henry's companion. "Oh! Hello, Hagish! Good to see you!" Like a rapid tennis match, she turned again to Henry. "Henry if someone did that to you I'll have a stern paragraph by owl for them later." She crossed her arms. "Are you heading up to Bingpott's?"
"Actually...I should be waiting for the Parsleys," answered Henry.
"I think they've found you, mate," Hagish grinned and pointed.
Henry and Esmani followed his finger and saw black and dark brown headed people sprinting up the crowded street. It was Jon, Matt, Jack, Perry, and Mr. Parsley. When the adult of the company was at Henry's feet, he dabbed at his forehead with a handkerchief and began to pant.
"Henry," he nearly wheezed. "We'd figure you'd have at least gone one sort of hole too far. "Maggie is all sorts of put out. She's down right frantic. I can see her coming now." Jon approached next and looked at his friend all over. Henry could see his eyes narrow when he noticed Henry's glasses were broken.
"Where did you end up coming out of?" He asked.
"Simagon Alley," Hagish basically moaned in horror.
"Aw, dope!"
"Neat!"
Those were the unison responses from Matt and Jack.
"We're not allowed to step near that alley's entrance," Jon explained with envy.
"And that's a bloody good thing, mind you," Hagish gave a pointed look towards Jon.
Like a fiery, galloping stallion, Mrs. Parsley came barrelling into view with her purse flailing wildly behind her in one hand and poor Whinnie Parsley clutching onto the other one for dear life. She looked as white as a ghost.
"Henry! Oh my dear, sweet Henry! You could have been anywhere! I'm so ashamed!" Mrs. Parsley was gasping for breath and there were tears in her eyes. Seemingly out of nowhere, she pulled a huge duster out of her huge purse and began to properly dust Henry off. While she was doing that, Mr. Parsley had gently taken Henry's glasses off, tapped them with his wand, and handed them back as good as new. Henry mumbled his thanks. "Hagish! Dear Hagish, thank you for finding our Henry! I was so worried and I am so glad you were there. Simagon Alley of all places! OH Hagish, bless you!" She was shaking the jack of all tradesmen's hand so hard it was almost knocking his feathered cap off of his head.
"Not a problem, ma'am," he said with a toothy grin. "I best be off to attend to the snail repellent." He gave Henry one last look, "do be careful this year, mate. I'll see you all at Harnocks." His height made him easy to see through the throng of people milling about the happy alley. Henry watched him go and then made sure Mr. and Mrs. Parsley were a bit distracted before he addressed Jon and Esmani.
"You guys will never guess who I saw in Simagon Alley."
"Who?" Both of his friends said in unison.
"Kimmi," he whispered, "and...her dad."
"Did Ostanius Slymer buy anything at that place, Henry?" Mr. Parsley asked from behind and made Henry jump. He wasn't used to adults actually caring about what happened to him. Judging by the older man's face, it was a serious matter.
"No, sir he was...selling," Henry stopped to think.
"Hmmm," Mr. Parsley said behind a smile as he brought his fingers to his chin. "So he's nervous." Jon's father looked completely giddy with satisfaction. "The Council could very well charge him with something from the Untamed days of old. Oh how I'd wager for it to be me. That'd be a dream…"
"Now you listen to me, Sean Parsley," Mrs. Parsley hobbled up to her lanky husband. "You ought to be more careful." Her eyes were sharp as she appraised him. "The Slymer family is trouble. Plain and simple. Regal and proud and down right nasty in their uppity...ness!" She frantically gestured. Henry followed the family into Bingpott's and noticed a gargoyle bow politely from the corner of his eye.
"So you don't think I can handle myself, darling?" There was real hurt there.
"I'm just hoping you're thinking of the implications. You have many mouths to still feed and care for," she said with finality and Mr. Parsley looked put in his place and a bit put out. That was, until he noticed Esmani's Normie parents and then his eyes lit up like fireworks.
Mr. and Mrs. Ghadjer looked nervous and wayward in the huge gargoyle bank. Mrs. Ghadjer was shaking so badly she had to grip her husband's arm when a gargoyle's beady eyes met her own. They were looking for their daughter to introduce them to her friends and Mr. Ghadjer had to use both hands to adjust his pagari when he was yanked by an enthusiastic Esmani.
"Pita? Maan? These are my friends Jon Parsley and Henry Puffer. With him are Jon's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Parsley," Esmani gestured towards the sets of adults. The Ghadjers bowed politely and Mr. Parsley gregarious grabbed Mr. Ghadjer's hand and shook it fiercely. Henry honestly couldn't tell what the latter gentleman thought of such greetings.
"It is SO wonderful to meet you," Mr. Parsley said and the Ghadjers could only nod along and look a bit concerned. "What do you say to a drink? Hm! Yes! You're in the Realm afterall!"
"Oh that's…" Mrs. Ghadjer began.
"Nonsense! You're Normies! You must have a drink or maybe two. Oh! Wowee! Look at that! Normie money! Maggie! Look at that! It's real! Normie money! And you're exchanging it here, I presume?" He was pointing with wild abandon towards the ten Simoleon note in Mr. Ghadjer's hand.
"Simmer it down, dearest," Maggie said with a tight lipped smile, "no need to startle them." She put her portly body between the Ghadjers and her husband. The adults exchanged some boring adulty conversation before Esmani was carted with her parents by one gargoyle and the Parsleys, Jon, and Henry went in another.
"Meet you guys back here after!" Esmani called with a wave to Jon. Mrs. Ghadjer spoke quickly to Esmani in a language Henry couldn't understand and Esmani went totally red. Mrs. Ghadjer just laughed and patted her daughter's shoulder.
At Bingpott's, the bank is run by gargoyles. Down, down below are hundreds of thousands of vaults that you must get there by mine carts driven by said gargoyles. Henry never really was allowed to go on rollercoasters, but he realized he must really like them because just like last year, going on the Bingpott's railways was fun, exciting, and Jon and he even put their hands up and screamed. Mr. Parsley looked green and Mrs. Parsley grabbed at their collars when she felt that they were too close to the edge of the cart.
Henry's stomach dropped when he saw exactly what the Parley's had in their vault. Whereas he knew his vault contained piles and piles of coins of every color in the currency system, the Parsleys had a small pile of studs and one, lonely lum. Her face was blank with emotion, but Henry watched Mrs. Parsley wordlessly sweep it all into her bag. There was no more money in the whole Parsley vault. The adults led him to his vault and he was almost embarrassed. He didn't know if he did, but he sincerely tried to shovel coins into his leather bag that fit into his pocket without letting on to the Parsley family how rich he was. He just felt in his bones it wouldn't' be right to let on.
"Now, meet back at the fountain," Mrs. Parsley said and Henry felt a bit warmer again.
"Fine mom. It's not like we don't do this every year," Perry rolled his eyes and made his way towards one of the closest shops. Henry watched the older boy's figure get smaller and just watched him go with a sour look. How was that boy even a part of such a kind, warm family?
"We're off too, mom," Matt said. "Tavion's got a…"
Jack shoved him in the ribs.
"Tavion's over there and we have got to catch up with him! He went to…" Jack paused.
"...Forgotten Hollow over the summer and…" Matt looked at Jack.
"...he's got this heirloom that is probably 300 years old!"
Mrs. Parsley merely looked at them knowingly.
For a while, the three just stared at each other.
"Well! Off you pop, then," Mrs. Parsley laughed and the older couple ran off. Whinnie was holding her hand and she turned to Jon and Henry. "I'm going to go with Whinnie for her robes. The cut from the boys' is just not right for her. Makes her look like she's being swallowed in a potato sack. Fountain, boys, okay? One hour?" Whinnie's eyes were clenched in embarrassment and Jon and Henry nodded quickly. They stood and looked back towards the bank as Mr. Parsley was lagging behind with Mr. and Mrs. Ghadjer. Esmani was with them and looked like she needed saving. She gave the boys desperate eyes and they could only chuckle.
"Alas! To Waylon's Haunt we go!" Mr. Parsley walked right past Henry and Jon with the very unsure Ghadjers. Mr. Parsley must have worn them down. Esmani stopped with the boys and just shook her head.
"My parents really like your dad, they truly do," she laughed. "He's a lot."
"Being with your parents is probably better than Winterfest for him," Jon shrugged. "Come on!" And with that, the three friends cheerfully strolled along the winding, brick street of Caster's Alley. The purple sky was hazy with the blues and greens of that permanent star system above. The moon was full and bright and visible through milky gray clouds.
Henry never forgot Hagish's words of wisdom from last year, but the jangling of his Magicoins in his leather pouch made him eager to spend on him and his friends. So, he bought three ice creams for them all and they licked them happily as they chatted and caught up with one another. They would peruse shop windows and tease each other if one got a brain freeze.
"Uh...just like Boris Burtlebee," Jon sighed longingly at a replica Grilled Cheese Duelling Uniform in the Grilled Cheese Duelling Emporium. Esmani had to playfully pull him away as she laughed and dragged him into the shop next door to buy more rolls of parchment and inkwells. Across the alley from there was the caster joke shop Capers and Comrades. This is where the trio found Matt, Jack, and Tavion Gordan who were filling their shopping bags with all sorts of oddities. All the while, Jack was muttering critiques and suggestions towards Matt on how they could be better or done with better results.
"We can make that work," Matt would smile at her so sweetly it made the younger kids groan and head out the door. No one wants to see that.
So the next shop they perused in they found Perry in the bookstore Grounds for Parchment and Inkwells. The smell of old books and bounded leather hit Henry's nose and made him smile. His first journey here with Hagish all coming back to him.
"He would be reading a book called Presenting as a Perfect Princep," Jon whispered. "A study of future careers one could have as a Harnocks Princep…" Jon read aloud as he craned his neck sideways to the back cover of Perry's book. The older boy slammed the book closed with a loud snap and gave his younger brother the evilest of eyes.
"Go away," he snapped.
"If you couldn't tell, friends, my brother is the extremely ambitious type. He's got it all planned out you see. Graduate Harnocks, work for the Council of Casters, get a girl to fall in love with him...big plans, see," Jon droned on as Perry looked livid. Esmani looked quite uncomfortable and rightly directed Jon away from his seething brother seemingly in the nick of time.
An hour later, the Parsley family, the Ghadjer family, and Henry met up at the fountain and walked together in a group back towards Grounds for Parchment and Inkwells. In that time, the children bought some Alpaggard merchandise, some candy, and some other odds and ends to stand out this year. You just had to look cool in year two. Better than the first years and at least a bit as cool as the upperclassman.
The crowds were getting thick and Henry realized that they were not the only group of families to be heading this way to the bookshop. When they approached, the people were pushing and jostling by the doors trying to get in or get a better look. The reason, Henry read, was a huge banner stretching across the upper window of the shop:
DON LOTHARIO
Will be signing copies of his riveting autobiography
ME, MY SPELL, AND I
Today 12:30 pm to 4:30pm
"Wow! We could actually meet him, you guys!" Esmani clapped her hands. "I mean," she fixed her hair and tried to look a bit more casual, "the man's pretty much the sole author of 99% of our textbooks this year."
"I don't see the big deal," Jack said from somewhere behind them. "Matt is by far the best looking of any caster on the entire planet."
"Ew, Jack," Jon groaned.
She shrugged.
"And even still," she continued almost as an afterthought, "Spatchy is leaps and bounds hotter than this Lothario guy." Esmani jumped up and put her hand to her chest as if Jack insulted her idol.
"You think Professor Garspatuon is...is…" she couldn't bring herself to continue. Jack just laughed. And placed a hand on Esmani's shoulder.
"You'll understand in a couple of years, kiddo," she said.
Henry rolled his eyes at the "girl talk" and instead fixed his attention to the crowd made up of mostly wizards and witches. They looked to be Mr. and Mrs. Parsley's age. A tired wizard at the front was keeping their excited chatter at bay and pleading with them all to calm down, not to shove, and mind the book displays. He looked like he was at his breaking point.
Due to their sizes, Jon, Henry, and Esmani were able to squeeze past and inside. There was a long line winding right to the back of the store and at a table with a huge cardboard cut out (that could move because this WAS the Realm of Magic) of himself sat Don Lothario. He had a large, lavish quill and it was feverishly going as he signed his books. Esmani reminded the boys of the books on their lists and they each grabbed the copies that they needed. When they met back up with the Parsleys, Mr. and Mrs. Ghadjer were looking very concerned with all of this commotion.
"Oh goodness! There you children are. Ah! Good, good. Glad you have your books now…" she sounded out of breath. "In just a minute we will actually be meeting him! Sean! How's my hair look?" She patted it down while her husband assessed it with the strangest look on his face.
"I'm not seeing the significance," Mrs. Ghadjer said to Mrs. Parsley.
"Take a look at that," Mrs. Parsley pointed and when the cardboard cutout of Don Lothario was visible to the two moms Mrs. Ghadjer's jaw dropped and she looked at her husband, towards the floor, and then back to Mrs. Parsley with a shy grin. "Exactly."
Ever so slowly, Don Lothario came into view surrounded by piles of his books, advertisements for his next ones, and his merchandise. Along with the cardboard cutout, there were posters and photos of him that also were able to move, smile, and wink. Mom aged women were swooning like teenagers. The real Lothario was sitting at the table, smiling his devilishly handsome, white smiles to anyone who came towards him with a book. His forest green robes perfectly matched his eyes and his wizard's hat was set low on his head to cast a mysterious shadow over his sharp cheekbones. Lothario's olive skin would flash with each photograph the disgruntled photographer took of him. He had a large camera that emitted puffs of pink smoke with each flash that was bright enough to blind someone.
"Step aside, child," he snapped at Jon and shoved him out of the way. "This is for the paper!" He shot some more photos and ignored Jon's angry face.
"As if I care!" Jon raised his voice at him while he rubbed his bony shoulder.
Don Lothario looked up from the book he was signing at this. His eyes went from Jon and then they fell on Henry. At once, he stood up and the biggest grin split his face.
"Could that really be the Henry Puffer?"
What seemed like a hundred faces turned towards Henry and some of the crowd parted a bit as they whispered feverishly. Lothario whirled around the table, not even blinking, as he stood before Henry and grabbed at the young boy's hand to give it a shake. With no word edgewise, he couldn't help but allow Lothario to pull him towards the front back around the signing table. The crowd was in an uproar applauding and Mrs. Parsley was shouting. Matt was whistling while Jack blew raspberries (she didn't know how to whistle)
"Big smile, Henry! Biggest smile!" Said Lothario through his own large grin. "With you by my side, we'll damn well make the front page." And Henry could only stand there and nearly get his eyes burned out from the flashes of pink smoke. It seemed like fifty five pictures were taken of the two of them. When Don Lothario finally released him, his fingers were numb from shaking hands and his shoulder was sore from having Lothario's arm around him. "Oh no you don't," Lothario laughed and pulled him into his side again once Henry tried and failed to covertly slide back to the Parsleys.
"Ladies and gentleman," Lothario boomed and the whole shop went silent. "It is my extreme pleasure and the highest honor to bask in a moment like this!" Don was waving his arm like a true presenter and Henry could feel his face igniting with blush. He tried to make out Jon and Esmani in the crowd but it was useless. "Seeing our famous Mr. Puffer in this shop has made me realize that it is time to come forth with the largest announcement of my career!" Lothario paused for effect and the crowd went rabid with whispers and speculations.
"You see," Don waved the crowd to be quiet and they did just that. "When young mister Henry stepped into Grounds for Parchment and Inkwells I dare say he thought he'd just be picking up my book and getting an autograph...which he SHALL!" Airly, the man chuckled and moms everywhere in the crowd swooned. "All of his little friends and students will! In fact! There is a reason my books are on the course list this term for I…"
These pauses were ridiculous.
"...I will be bestowing more than my book, Me, My Spell, and I (trade marked) to Henry and all of his little friends but his schoolmates will be getting the best gift imaginable…..ME." He was shaking Henry around so hard he could feel his newly fixed glasses slipping down his skinny nose.
"It is my greatest honor to announce that as of September first it is I who will be taking up the post of the Untamed Magic Professor at Harnocks School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"
The crowd exploded in a fury of shouts and applause.
True to his word, in a flash, Henry was bogged down by what seemed like the entire career or Mister Don Lothario. His thin arms were practically shaking under the weight of it all as the latter man laughed that showmanship's way. Quietly, he edged out of the spotlight and towards a corner where he found Whinnie Parsley standing next to her new cauldron.
"Take them...please," Henry said desperately and tipped the books into her cauldron. "I don't need them in the slightest and if I did...I'd buy them myself." He was surprised and delighted when Whinnie giggled. He had been sure the youngest Parsley didn't like him very much.
"You're...funny," she whispered and looked down. Henry's heart beat faster.
"So, a phony in his natural habitat, eh?" A voice so familiar it made Henry's skin crawl made him turn to see Kimmi Slymer. Of course she'd be here. Of course she'd be sneering. Henry straightened his posture as her blue eyes raked up and down Whinnie.
"Who's a phony?" Henry said sternly.
"The 'amazing' Mister Henry Puffer," said Kimmi. "Can't even go into a bookstore without needing to be the center of attention."
"Oh what do you even know!" Whinnie said and took Henry back a step. He didn't know her voice could get that loud. She was glaring at Kimmi and even though she was shorter than the meaner girl, they looked to be equals in that very moment.
"Ah! So! The famous boy's got a little girlfriend," Kimmi made a great show of making kissy noises and Henry was blushing. Esmani and Jon must have heard the escalation because they fought the crowd and were over as quickly as they could with their own stacks of Lothario books.
"Oh! I knew it was you," Jon addressed Kimmi like something smelly. "I could smell you all the way from the other side of the store." He looked towards Whinnie. "Suppose you couldn't be bothered with picking on someone your own year. Have to have a go at my sister, yeah?" Kimmi looked genuinely surprised at the new knowledge and looked at Whinnie and to Henry. Her eyes did a very strange thing and she fixed them to look even meaner than before.
"What I'm bothered by is people like you in a place like this." She crossed her arms. "I suppose your whole family will have to eat canned beans this winter to make up for the price tag on all of that," she waved a pointed finger to the stacks of books and Whinnie's cauldron.
"You fixing for a go, Slymer?" Jon exclaimed and tossed his book into his sister's cauldron. He was red faced but let Henry and Esmani put their hands on his shoulders to calm him down from doing something stupid in the middle of a shop were parents and other adults were around.
"Jon! Esmani? Henry?" Mr. Parsley struggled through the crowd with Matt and Jack. "Kids! It's too crowded in here to shoot the breeze. We better go outside."
"Hm, that's funny...Sean Parsley."
All eyes looked towards Mr. Slymer. He had come towards his daughter and put a hand on her shoulder. It was very creepy how they had the exact same sneers.
"What's funny Ostanious?" Mr. Parsley's features were serious.
"You have any room to talk about crowded places when your house is probably the most crowded of them all," he began to laugh. It was so strange and frightening, Henry decided. Like a dead man that came back to life just to try and remember how to laugh. Kimmi's own shrill laugh mixed with his and Mr. Parsley stood firm and poised.
"How inappropriate to make such blows in front of children," he said.
"Busy over there at the Council?" Mr. Slymer ignored Mr. Parsley's warning and instead changed the subject. "Perhaps they're paying your overtime?" Without permission, he grabbed a book out of Whinnie's hand and gazed at the cover. "A used edition of a first year spellbook, hm...I would guess no overtime then. Really Sean you're just setting your children up for failure," he turned the book over in his hands, "this edition is over ten years out of date. Pitiful." Henry hated the way Kimmi was grinning.
"Give my daughter her book back," Mr. Parsley said with finality. "Please."
"Alright, alright," he handed the book back to Whinnie who grabbed it up quickly. "I'm just merely saying," Mr. Slymer flicked his hair over his shoulder, "a complete Ancient Plasma castering family like yourself living in shambles is an utter disgrace."
"Again, these talks are not for young ears," Mr. Parsley addressed the children with his eyes. "However I can tell you that in my opinion, what disgraces the name of a wizard is your sort, Mr. Slymer." Kimmi's jaw dropped and Mr. Slymer's lip curled.
"Agree to disagree," Mr. Slymer's fishlike eyes lazily strayed towards Esmani and then behind him towards Jack who was laughing merrily along with Matt. "The company you keep as well as whom you let your family keep is the lowest level of disgrace my mind can think of, really."
"I am no longer interested in engaging with you, Mr. Slymer," Mr. Parsley said. "You are entitled to your very wrong opinion. The plasma make up does not make up the wizard. It's the character and the heart. I hope to raise my children to be able to spot the difference," Jon's father was looking directly at Kimmi and Henry couldn't believe she actually looked towards the floor.
"COME, girl," Mr. Slymer said and forcefully yanked Kimmi's wrist to twist her way from Mr. Parsley. "OUT OF MY WAY!" He yelled at a completely confused Hagish who had just entered the shop most likely looking for the Parsleys and Henry. The Ghadjers had also met up with everyone at this point and could not hide their horror at the first impression Hagish normally makes to normal folks.
"The whole family is not worth a grain of salt," Hagish shook his head.
Back in the huge group, the Parsley family, the Ghadjers, Hagish, Esmani, Jon, and Henry walked up Caster's Alley towards the archway that led to Waylon's Haunt. This is where Esmani would go with her parents out into the Normie world.
"See you in a couple of weeks!" She hugged both boys.
Mrs. Parsley nearly had to peel Mr. Parsley away from the Ghadjers as he tried to ask them about the way the busses worked. Then in an instant, Esmani led her apprehensive parents through the archway while the Parsleys, Hagish, and Henry moved to the side.
"You be good the rest of the summer," Hagish winked at Henry as the latter took off his glasses. "Remember to tuck in those elbows and speak clearly."
"I will!"
And then Henry was pinching the new pot of MHITG powder that the Parsleys bought. He threw it on the sidewalk just as he watched the others do and shouted his destination. It wasn't his favorite way to travel but not everything in the Realm of Magic was perfect.