Chapter III

Only the wind and the loud storm could be heard due to the abrupt silence that quickly filled the room.

Thomas sucked in a breath.

"What?"

"You're a wizard, Tommy," said Ernie, standing up from the sofa. "I know it's hard to believe, but it's the truth." He noticed the disbelief in the boy's eyes and resolved to rectify that.

"Say," he began, "has anything weird ever happened around you with no explanation? And you always felt like you've had something to do with it, but there was never any proof?" The giant man smiled as slight recognition passed through Thomas' eyes. "You're a wizard, Tommy," he said. "Most likely a frickin good one too once you're at Ilvermorny if you're anything like your parents. And that reminds me, I have your letter."

He reached into his pocket and held out the familiar thick envelope out to Thomas who gingerly took it. It was addressed in ink to Mr. T. Oliver, The Floor, Abandoned Hut, the Woods. He quickly pulled out the letter as if it would be taken at any moment and read:

ILVERMORNY SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT & WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Zordon Eltar

Dear Mr. Oliver,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than the end of August.

Yours sincerely,

Dulcea, Deputy Headmistress

Thomas' eyes widened as he read the letter he'd been anticipating for the past week. Multiple questions instantly began running through his head, but the one that stood out the most was, "What does it mean? That they await my owl?"

"Ah... don't worry about that, Tommy," Ernie patted the boy's back, almost knocking him over. "I have that-"

"He's not going!" Uncle Vile interrupted with a pale but determined face. "I'm not paying for it! For this school of freaks!"

Ernie just laughed.

"I'd like to see a no-maj like you try to stop him, and Thomas has money," The giant smugly said which greatly surprised Thomas. As far as he knew, he was a poor orphan who was a nuisance to his relatives.

Muffled, crinkle noises filled the room then.

The giant's eyes flashed as the sound led them to a bent-over Mordant, pigging out over Thomas' cake. Nose flaring, he swiftly waved a hand in the boy's direction. Aunt Scorpina, who had at some point woken up, screamed and fainted again as Ernie spelled Mordant. Thomas just laughed as he looked on at his cousin's new predicament.

"YOU TURN HIM BACK!" Uncle Vile hollered as he clutched his now pig for a son to his chest. "YOU TURN HIM BACK, NOW!" Mordant started oinking in what only could be whining. This only increased Thomas' and Ernie's laughter.

"Oh, pish-posh," said Ernie, wiping at his eyes. "It'll wear off in a few hours. Now, how about we get some sleep? Tomorrow we have a big big day ahead of us. Getting your school things for the first time is not easy after all."

~o0o~

Thomas awoke early the next morning with a familiar claustrophobic feeling. He instantly knew that he was in his closet and that the past week had been a wishful dream. The boy sighed and waited for his aunt's screeching to start.

Instead, there was a loud rumbling noise.

Thomas jerked up in fright, letting out a shout that quickly became a sigh of relief. Ernie was asleep on the couch above him, snoring, hence the loud noise. It wasn't all just a dream. The giant's overcoat rested heavily on him which explained the claustrophobic feeling. Thomas attempted to slip from under the huge fabric but ended up tripping in the process. He landed flat on his face, waking Ernie.

The giant man snapped up with a hand stretched out as if it was a weapon. He looked around wildly, startled not to see a threat. He then laid his eyes on Thomas who was frozen on the ground.

"Alright there, Tommy?" he chuckled. The boy just nodded. "Get up then. We must be going."

Thomas quickly jumped to his feet and dusted himself off. "Going where, sir?"

"Ah, now don't start with the sir this, sir that, Tommy. Call me Ernie," said the giant as he stood from his chair. It groaned in relief. "And we're only going to Mariner Bay, of course." Ernie allowed the boy time to put on his too-big shoes.

Twenty minutes later, Thomas found himself standing in front of the edge of a car lot as Ernie parked the car stolen from the Mourys. He had said something about not being able to use the faster means of travel since someone named Zordon prohibited it. But he used his magic anyway to increase the size of the car and speed up their trip, of course just between the two of them.

Watching Ernie use his magic was very fascinating for Thomas, even more so than the mere thought of it, and the fact that he supposedly should be able to do it himself, made him almost wet his pants in excitement.

"Right this way, Tommy," Ernie walked past the boy who followed him. The giant led him down path after path until they finally came upon a store called the Skull Cavern, and Thomas had this irking feeling that only they could see it. The inside of the place was very dark and very gloomy, and the people in there were somewhat gloomy themselves, and what seemed like a fog was surrounding their ankles. Thomas looked around fascinated.

A young bartender was talking to a pale little man that weirdly reminded Thomas of a dog. The bartender had a gnarly body with neck-length brown hair. "Juice with an edge like usual, Ernie?" he said, pausing his conversation with the dog-man.

Ernie waved at a few people that seemed to know him before saying, "Make that two to go, Devin, but one without the edge," he chuckled, placing a huge hand on Thomas' shoulder whose knees buckled from the pressure. "I would stay to chat, but Ilvermorny duties call."

The bartender glanced up from making the drinks with a smile on his face before he faltered, knocking down seemingly ten glasses in his shock. "Oh my," he said, staring dumbfounded at an intrigued Thomas, "it can't be?"

"Thomas Oliver," whispered the old bartender, and silence fell over the Skull Cavern at once. Even a feather falling could be heard over the intense quiet. "Is this real?" The man rushed out from behind the bar towards Thomas, ardently shaking his hand. "I can't believe you're here at last," he said as Ernie grinned. Thomas was speechless as everyone just stared at him in awe. And suddenly, he found himself shaking hands with every other patron in the Skull Cavern.

"Professor Finster!" Ernie greeted loudly when the very pale dog-looking man made his way forward, grabbing his hand and patting him on the back. "This is Professor Finster, Tommy. He will be one of your teachers at Ilvermorny."

"Thomas," Professor Finster grasped the boy's upper arm. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. A marvelous pleasure. A very satisfying pleasure."

The man attempted to indulge Thomas into an odd, repeated conversation, but the other commoners wouldn't let Professor Finster hog him. It took forever for Ernie to make the gathered crowd part so they could head to this mysterious place they were going.

"I told you, you're famous, my boy!" Ernie bellowed as soon as they left. He was chuckling heartily as they arrived before a brick wall. Thomas, thinking they were either at a dead-end or taking a break, turned towards Ernie. He wanted to ask about his parents and how they died, and how he became famous.

"Ernie?"

"Hmm?" said the giant who was now staring at the brick wall intensely.

"What did you mean that I have money?" Thomas asked instead. Though he was curious about his parents, he was hesitant to talk about them. "I'm pretty sure these awful clothes I'm wearing say otherwise."

The giant glanced at him out of the corner of his eye with a gleam. "You didn't think your parents left you with nothing, did you?" Ernie placed his hand on the wall and moved it left, right, down, down. "We'll stop in No-Maj Angel Grove to get you some clothes that fit you as well if you want."

The man moved his hand up and received a click. Thomas' eyes widened, his mouth dropping open in astonishment.

"Say hello to Mariner Bay!" said Ernie as he laughed with joy from Thomas' bright expression. They stepped through the magically shrunken brick wall. The boy's eyes gleamed as they walked past all types of extraordinary stores. Ernie even had to push Thomas forward as he stared at the nearest shop that was literally made out of cauldrons.

"We need to get your coins first, Tommy," Ernie had said. "You will need a cauldron, though." Thomas just nodded but stared up at the man confused. "Coins?" he whispered to himself.

Thomas didn't quite understand at all what Ernie meant by coins – it wouldn't even be enough to get a sandwich – until he walked inside the enormous wizard bank called Gringotts. Almost immediately, his eyes just about popped outside his head when they laid on the ugly bird-like humans with black fur, sitting on tall stools behind tall podiums.

"Tengas, Tommy," Ernie said as if he knew exactly what Thomas was thinking. "Really prideful Tengas. Only one reason why you'd have a death wish if you tried to steal from here."

Thomas felt like the giant man was telling him not to call them humans, or birds. Mentally taking notes, he silently wondered about the other reasons why not to steal from here. They arrived in front of the biggest podium of the bank that held an even uglier Tenga with spectacles on his nose. This Tenga had a stack of silver coins pushed to the side of him.

"Morning, Sir," said Ernie. "We need to retrieve some money for Mr. Thomas Oliver here. Here's his key." The giant handed the Tenga a small golden key. "I also need to visit the You-Know-What vault for Professor Eltar," he handed over a letter as well. Thomas quietly wondered why Ernie couldn't say the vault name as the Tenga examined the key and the letter. "Or was 'You-Know-What' the actual vault name?" he thought as he watched the Tenga magically verify the items. He wouldn't be surprised if that was indeed the case after the things he had seen today. A curious part of him wanted to ask what was in the vault, but he had a strange feeling it was unspeakable.

"Everything seems to be in order. Crave!" called the Tenga, and another one came running towards them. The new Tenga quickly led them through a tall door off to the side. They entered a cave-like passageway that contradicted the marble of Gringotts. There were tracks on the floor and a cart resting on top of it. The Tenga named Crave calmly told them to climb in, though Ernie had some problems doing so.

Thomas tried to contain himself, but when they shot off into the torch-lit darkness, an excited whoop shot out of him. Ernie, who was already nauseous, looked at him with a barely managed grin as the cart drove itself. The moving item fascinated Thomas. Almost as much as the burst of fire, he caught a glimpse of that he strongly believed came from a dragon.

After a handful of drops, twists, and turns, the cart finally came to a halt beside a small door. Ernie hastily jumped out of it with a slight struggle. Crave gracefully led them towards a huge door with the golden key in hand. When it fully opened, Thomas gasped.

"This can't be all mine," he whispered goggling at the heaps of silver, steel, and brass coins piled to the ceiling.

"It's all yours, Tommy," smiled Ernie.

"If only my relatives knew about this," Thomas couldn't help but laugh. "They would've been loads of nice to me."

Ernie frowned at that. "The silver ones are Dragots," He shook his head and started explaining while they began to pile his money in a bag. "Steel ones are Kerats, the brass are Quarcks, and the iron are Sprinks. Fifteen kerats to a dragot, five quarcks to a kerat, seventy-five quarcks to a dragot. There. That's enough to last you the school term." A confused Tommy pondered this as they got back inside the cart to head to the You-Know-What vault, which was deeper underground.

When they arrived, Thomas was ordered to stay in the cart as Crave and Ernie entered the top-secret vault. He knew something really important had to be inside the vault if he couldn't even see it. After a while, Ernie came back with a brown package tucked into his pocket and a serious expression on his face.

A few minutes later, they stood outside Gringotts in the bright sun. Thomas looked around excitedly, anxious to spend his money now that he had a bag fuller than any he had his entire life.

"Do you still have your letter, Tommy?" The giant asked, interrupting the boy from his daze. Thomas nodded and took the envelope out of his pocket. He brought out the second piece he just now noticed was there.

"Great, it has a list of everything you need."

ILVERMORNY SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (navy)

2. One plain pointed hat (navy) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (navy, burgundy fastenings)

Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags

COURSEBOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Adelle Ferguson

A History of Magic by Kendall Morgan

Magical Theory by Burley Hardwood

A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Noah Carver

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Fran Thomson

Magical Drafts and Potions by Riley Griffin

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Mason Truman

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Liara Troyd

OTHER EQUIPMENT

Wand cauldron (pewter, standard size 2) set

Glass or crystal vials

Telescope set

Brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad OR any other domesticated animal.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST-YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

"First things first… we need to get your uniform," Ernie said pointing towards Madam Fairweather's Robes for All Occasions. "How about you head in there and get sorted out while I go get me some juice." He left before Thomas could even protest. The boy entered the shop feeling nervous.

Madam Fairweather was a young and friendly witch. "Ilvermorny, dear?" she asked him as soon as she spotted him.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, and the woman swooned to his surprise.

"Oh, how I love a young fella with manners. Follow me, young man, I actually have a boy your age being fitted up just now."

She led him to the back of the shop and made him stand up on a footstool next to a pale boy with a pointed face. He was also standing on a footstool while another witch stuck pins in his long navy robes. Madam Fairweather slipped a robe over Thomas' head and began to do the same.

The boy glanced at Thomas and said, "Hello. Ilvermorny as well?"

"Yes," Thomas nodded.

"My parents are up the street getting my other things," said the boy. He had a proper voice. "When I'm done here I'm going to bully father into getting me a broom. I'll smuggle it into Ilvermorny somehow. You got a broom?" the boy asked.

"No," Thomas answered, assuming that the broom Aunt Scorpina made him sweep with for chores wasn't applicable.

"How about Quidditch?"

"What about it?" said Thomas, a little confused about what Quidditch could be.

"Do you play? Also what house do you reckon you'll be in?"

"No. And I have no clue," he replied. This boy was making Thomas feel very stupid.

"Well, you'll just have to find out when you get there, I suppose. I know I'm going to be in Wampus though. Crap, it will be embarrassing if I get in anything else. Imagine getting in Pukwudgie."

Thomas chuckled, not really sure how to respond.

"Oh my! Look at that freaking huge creature!" said the boy suddenly, pointing towards the front window. Ernie was standing there with two bright smoothies and a wide grin.

"That's Ernie," said Thomas, a little irked at the way the boy called his first friend a creature. "He brought me to get my things."

"Why? Where are your parents?"

"They're dead," Thomas mumbled.

"I'm sorry," the boy said in the most insincere way ever. "Were they magical?"

"They were both a witch and wizard."

"You should thank God. Anything otherwise is just embarrassing. Hey, what's your name?"

Thomas opened his mouth to answer, but Madame Fairweather tapped his hip to say he was done, halting his reply. Thomas quickly left the room with a goodbye glance. He thought over to himself everything the boy had said, especially about his parents, as he drank the smoothie Ernie gave him. They stopped to buy his parchment and quills in a tense silence. Ernie hadn't yet pressed the reason why.

"Ernie?" he called when they left the store.

"Hmm?" the giant answered.

"What's Quidditch?"

"Ah!" Ernie swiftly smiled. "I forgot how little you know about our world. It's a wizard sport, almost like soccer but with brooms and four balls."

Thomas nodded in understanding before calling him again. "Ernie?" he said. "What are the houses at Ilvermorny?"

Ernie smiled again. "That's a good question. The four houses are: Horned Serpent, Thunderbird, Pukwudgie, and Wampus. When you're up there getting sorted, you best hope for everything but Wampus, Tommy. The mass lot of dark wizards came from there. Heck, even You-Know-Who came from there."

"You-Know-Who?" Thomas implored curiously.

"Right, you don't know anything about him," said Ernie with a slightly nervous expression. "I'll tell you over lunch, how about that?"

"Sure," said Thomas. "I actually have another question."

"Ask away."

"Why is it embarrassing if your parents aren't both magical?"

Ernie dug his heels into the ground.

"Who told you that?" said the giant with an instant angry expression on his face. Thomas stuttered as he told Ernie about the prissy boy in Madame Fairweather's.

"That's a damn lie I tell you!" Ernie became heated, and Thomas was reminded of how he looked when he turned Mordant into a pig. "Some of the best magical folk in our world are no-maj born, just take your own mother for example!"

Thomas wanted to ask more about his mother, but he could tell by Ernie's expression, that that was the end of the conversation. They went and bought his school books, and got all his equipment from the Apothecary and that cauldron store. Now they were going to get one of those sticks Thomas saw being waved around.

"We're going to get you a wand, Tommy," Ernie laughed when the boy said just that. "A wand, not a stick. Oh! That reminds me. I still need to get you a birthday present."

Thomas blanched. "Y-you don't have to do that. I–"

"Of course I do! Say… I'll get you an animal," Ernie interrupted, grinning excitedly at the boy. "Matter of fact, let's go get it now!"

A minute later, they were entering Mao's Animal Emporium that housed all types of animals from owls, to cats, to toads, to 'other domesticated animals,' as the sign so pointed out. Ernie told him to look around and pick out any animal he wanted, and so, Thomas wandered the store trying to spot out an animal that stood out to him. He was about to choose between a snowy white owl and a jet-black one when he noticed another bird off to the side, perched up proudly by the window and staring at him. It sat discreetly in a small and empty habitat, and there was something really familiar at the way it looked at him with a certain melancholy.

Thomas blanched as the realization soon hit him. This was the same bird, the same falcon from the Zoo, and that was all it took for Thomas to make his decision. Soon, Ernie and he were walking out of the store with the falcon in a bird cage in Ernie's arms. They had all the necessities it would need shrunked down in one of the many pockets of his coat. He ardently thanked Ernie over and over again until the point it had to be annoying.

"It's no big thing, Tommy," Ernie gruffly said, shaking his head with a smile on his face. "Just think of it as a birthday present making up for the twelve years without one. Now to Master Rilla's, we go!"

A doorbell rang as they entered inside an ancient shop. The tiny place resembled a library but with narrow boxes piled high to the ceiling instead of books. Thomas gazed around intrigued, until a gruff but quiet voice interrupted him.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Genelle, Mr. Oliver," An old, tall man said coming from behind a tall shelf of boxes. "I knew I'd be seeing you soon, Mr. Oliver. It feels like yesterday I was selling your parents their wands. Marina Patel, willow, and unicorn hair, nine inches, great for charms. John Oliver, beech and griffin feather, very firm, great for spell work. Anyhow, let's get started shall we?" He grabbed a long tape measure off of a desk. "Hold out your arm, please."

The man magically set the measure off by itself as he walked behind the shelves again. The device measured every part of Thomas' body it could get to, and by that, he meant every single part.

As the old man rumbled behind the shelves he said, "Now, Mr. Oliver, no two wands that are made by me are ever the same. Just like siblings and DNA, if I were to compare, there's always something that makes it unique, different. This is partly the reason why no wizard ever gets good results with another wizard's wand – unless it bonds to you of course."

The tape measure fell stagnant to the floor as the man took down multiple boxes. "Try this one first, Mr. Oliver," he said. "Dragon heartstring, twelve inches, very flexible." He handed Thomas the wand but almost immediately snatched it away as soon as it touched his hand. This went on for a few minutes until the man got a peculiar look on his face.

"I wonder," he murmured. Master Rilla disappeared for a while before coming back with a smooth, brown wand. "Try this, my boy," he huskily said, "mahogany and falcon feather, thirteen inches, nice and firm."

Thomas took the wand and almost instantly a sudden warmth raised in his fingers. He lifted and swished the wand and a stream of multicolored sparks shot from the end like a rainbow. Ernie cheered for joy, but the old man still had a weird look on his face, however. He wrapped and boxed Thomas' wand as he muttered the word "interesting" over and over again.

"Sir?" said Thomas. "I don't mean to nose in, but what's interesting?"

Master Rilla stared at him with his weird look. "Mr. Oliver," he said. "I've been in this business for a very long time, and I remember every wand I ever sold. Every single one. In that time, I remember only one power source, a falcon at that, giving two feathers. One of them resides in your wand, my boy," the man leaned in close. "His brother," he said, "the other. It resides in the wand that gave you this here scar." Master Rilla pointed towards his K-shaped mark. "We shall expect great things from you, Mr. Oliver. Great things indeed."

Thomas blinked and gulped, inwardly wondering who this mysterious scar-giver was. He hurriedly paid the man for his wand and uncomfortably left the shop. It was almost evening as they made their way through Mariner Bay, back through the wall, and into the nearly empty Skull Cavern. As they sat down for lunch, Thomas resolved to get much-needed questions answered. The boy silently stared at his falcon as Ernie ordered two deluxe burgers and juice combos for the both of them.

"Ernie?" he said as they waited. "What was that man talking about? Who gave me this scar? I was told it came from the car crash my parents died in…"

"Hmm!" huffed the giant, fearfully shutting Thomas up, "Marina and John Oliver did not die in a car crash, Tommy. Imagine that, people as strong as your parents dying in a car crash!" The man roughly slammed a hand on the table causing Thomas to steady his drink to protect it from the rumbling it created.

"So, h-how did they die?" Thomas questioned, beginning to get anxious. Ernie's frown immediately shifted, and he peered down at Thomas with a solemn expression, seemingly contemplating.

"Alright, listen up Tommy," The giant leaned in close and dropped his voice an octave. "Once upon a time, there was a very bad wizard. A very, very bad wizard. His name was... his name was…. was Ze… Z-Zedd." Thomas listened closely even though he didn't know how a story would answer his question. "He was so evil that every wizard or witch in the country feared to say his name, opting for You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named instead. This horrible wizard wreaked havoc, pain, and destruction everywhere he went for decades. Hell, Mariner Bay wasn't even as happy and bright as it looked today. No, when You-Know-Who was in power, nearly every store was shut down or controlled by his followers, the Putties." Thomas was on the edge of his seat, hanging on to every word. "But one day," Ernie's eyes glistened, "this dark wizard suddenly disappeared. And as the wizard world rejoiced his vanquish, the rumor mill lit up. Many wondered how he disappeared. Some said it was because of MACUSA, the Magical Congress of the USA. Some said it was because of Zordon, and some even said You-Know-Who was just in hiding. Only a few knew exactly what happened. I was one."

"What happened?" said Thomas with big eyes.

"One night," Ernie continued, "that dark wizard visited a house in Reefside. He had a target that he was desperate to destroy for some ungodly reason. This target was valiantly protected from the moment You-Know-Who stepped into the door, but the dark wizard still reached it, unfortunately. He threw a curse at the defenseless target in victory. What he didn't realize, though, was moments before..." the giant man sighed, "the target's mother had cast her love over him by sacrificing herself. Love is magic's strongest form, you see, and the curse rebounded on the wizard, and he was finally destroyed. The only thing he left as proof of what took place was... was a K-shaped scar on the target's forehead."

Thomas' mouth dropped wide open as Ernie finished. "You mean to tell me that this story is true?" he placed a hand on his forehead. "That's how this happened?"

"Yes, Tommy."

"The target is me?" said the intrigued boy, eyes wide in disbelief. "And the protectors were my parents? You-Know-Who killed my parents?"

"Yes," Ernie bowed his head sadly as Devin brought their food. "Now let's eat."

They ate in silence as Thomas thought over everything he had just learned. He had many questions but didn't know where to start. Once full, they grabbed his things and headed out of the Skull Cavern. Thomas followed Ernie down path after path until they came up to the car lot where their stolen car sat. With a wave of Ernie's hand it disappeared.

"Don't tell Zordon," said the giant before he grabbed Thomas and they were literally sucked into the air. They reappeared in Thomas' bedroom on Fifth Lane Avenue - the giant had to bend low in order to fit.

Noise was heard downstairs meaning the Mourys were back. Ernie turned towards Thomas who was doubled over with queasiness from the magical ride.

"Well I best be leaving you, Tommy," said the giant with a reluctant expression. He pulled out a small envelope. "Here's your ticket for the Ilvermorny Express, be at Command Center Station before twelve thirty on September first to catch it. And if your relatives refuse to take you, tell them I'll be seeing them." The giant man rolled back his shoulders. "Oh, and happy birthday, Tommy."

He disappeared.

~o0o~

It took Thomas about two weeks to gather up enough courage to talk to the Mourys about transportation to the station. Those two weeks were the most peaceful he'd ever had in this house because his relatives were now scared of him. That meant no chores and no being yelled at, something Thomas was extremely glad for.

Thomas let his falcon nip at his fingers through her cage as he built up his courage to go downstairs. Once he'd found out the falcon was actually a girl, he had decided to call her Saba after a magical witch he'd found interesting in one of his school books. The falcon decreased Thomas' loneliness greatly, becoming his closest friend and companion, not that he had any at that. With one last nip, Thomas gave Saba her favorite treat and left his room to find the Mourys. He found them in the sitting room. Uncle Vile was watching the news, Aunt Scorpina knitting some type of contraption, and Mordant playing his Gameboy. Thomas walked in a few steps and cleared his throat.

They jumped.

"Um…" he said. "Uncle Vile?"

Uncle Vile let out a grunt and Thomas took that as a sign to continue.

"I uh – just wanted to tell you that I need to be at Command Center Station in, uh, two weeks to go uh. . . to go to Ilvermorny."

Uncle Vile immediately opened his mouth to argue but Aunt Scorpina gave him a look. His mouth closed.

"We'll have you there, boy," his aunt spoke.

"Thank you," Thomas replied before running upstairs. He flopped on the bed under Saba who stood perched on his headboard. She had apparently broken out of her cage in his absence, which he guessed was unsurprising considering she escaped captivity at the Zoo.

"Whew!" he let out a breath. "That was easier than I thought, Saba."

Thanks,

Gwynn J.