Thomas woke up with the grey light of dawn peaking at him through a large round window. Blinking he sat up, blankets he didn't remember crawling under tumbled around him. Looking around he rubbed his eyes. In front of the window was a navy couch that had no back and only one arm. Beside it a small round table with a pitcher on it. Thomas didn't see the old dusty attic and it's boxes of mice and mould, but a clean spaces room.
One large dark bookcase took up the one whole side of the room. The other wall had three doors, Thomas hoped one of them was a bathroom. A small moan brought Thomas attention to his side. Lars laid sprawled on his back, mouth open and his hair a mess. Thomas smiled at the sight.
It wasn't a dream. He was really here. Sliding out of the bed Thomas's bare feet sunk into a soft grey rug. Padding across the floor Thomas tried his hand at finding the bathroom. The first door, closet to the window opened the largest closet Thomas had ever seen. It was a rainbow of colour hanging from sliver polls and scarfs hanging in thin air.
"Magic," Thomas smiled in wonder. Closing the door with a click he walked a few steps he went to the next door. White shimmered off the floors when the lights flickered to life on their own. Crystals sparkled in the air above Thomas head. Not a string of metal piece kept them floating. They stayed a float all on their own.
A clear round cup that was bigger than the orphanages old bathroom, took up most of the space. Double sinks in a grey wood and a toilet was the only thing left in the room. Walking in Thomas saw there was another door on the opposite side. Thomas ignores that to take care of his morning business.
"Morning Thomas." Lars greeted him when he came back into the room.
"Morning," Thomas said, unsure what else to say he chose to look around the room some more.
"Any questions about yesterday?" Lars crawled out of bed, dragging the blankets off with him.
"I'm a vampire." Thomas said, confirming and not questing this fact. Watching the blankets fix themselves back on the bed.
"Yes, You've awakened yet." Lars yawned and stretched around his way around the bed.
"Awakened?" Thomas asked watching the blanket shaking until it laid perfect flat edge on the bed. The pillows themselves fluffed out and lined up at the top of the bed.
"When a vampire develops his powers, and a need for blood." Lars disappeared into the closet that he glance at before. Curious Thomas followed behind. "You have siren, and wizard blood too, so puberty should be fun for you." Clothes came flying around Lars. Thomas watched with an open mouth. Lars simple raised his arms, and stepped into the swirling mass. When everything settled he came out wearing a red robe, eggplant pants and cobalt sweater.
"I'm fine for now then?" Thomas asked, not sure on how he felt about drinking blood. It sounded far from sanitary. Lard nodded, letting Thomas sighed in relieve. Before an orange scarf from the air and placing itself around Lars's shoulder with a swirl.
"You can ask Father if you like?" Lars offered. Thomas shook his head, he felt a calm air around him. Not even a glimmer of that awful feeling Thomas got in his chest when someone lied around him.
"I'm fine for now." Thomas didn't need more information right now. What would he do with it? He preferred to take one day at a time. "Um, are my clothes okay?" Seeing Lars in new clothes, Thomas felt a bit shabby in his.
"You want to change into something of mine?" Lars looked around his closet. "You're a bit shorter than me, but I have some clothes from last year." Thomas watched wooden boxes slid from the top and come down.
"What's your favourite colour?" Lars asked, his eyes on the many boxes coming down slowing in the air.
"Green." Thomas said in a whisper watching in awe while Lars helped him get him a new outfit. With a nod of his head, Lars clapped his hands together and the box with a green lid came to a stop by their feet. Pulling out an emerald green robe Lars shook it out. "Are this wizard clothes?"
"All wizard where robes. Some of us are more colourful than others." Lars laughed. "Don't worry as you can see we wear pants as well." Lars tossed him put the robe aside and tossed him pair of black pants and a long black dress shirt. Thomas changed, there is no such thing as privacy at the orphanage. Turning Thomas into a fast dresser.
"Not bad." Lars nodded walking around Thomas. "Mother bought that for me years ago, but it wasn't colourful enough for me." Thomas spun around liking green robe swirl around his ankles while he turned. It looked different from the boy he was yesterday, and he felt different too. He felt happier.
"Let's get breakfast. I'm sure Mother has a spread." Thomas perked up. Seeing the wonders of Lars's room. Thomas was eager to see the dinning room. Following Lars down the stairs he smelled the rich smell of bacon and the sizzle of eggs reached his ears. Down a dark wood hallway. Thomas followed behind Lars his eyes darting everywhere and taking in everything. The house looked normal so far, right down the pictures lining the walls. It wasn't until he saw the one of Lars's father and mother that Thomas stopped dead in his tracks.
"Their dancing!" Thomas shouted with a point. At the end of his finger the couple swung around without a care. Their eyes on each other without a care in the world.
"It was taking last year." Lars stopped and smiled. "My parents never left the honeymoon stage."
"Is the picture moving...normal?" Thomas paused and asked. Thinking that must be it at Lars's lack of reaction.
"Paintings will leave their frame's time from time too." Lars came over and stood beside Thomas. "If any of them bother you. I'll ask Mother to take them down." Lars patted Thomas's shoulder.
"Can they?" Thomas asked shoulders relaxing under Lars's hand "Mess with you?" Thomas nodded at Lars's question. Getting a nod in return.
"My uncle for one. His portrait is in the library, best to avoid him — he had a gutter mouth." Thomas nodded again, avoiding the library was easy — he didn't even know where it was! "Let's get some breakfast."
"Morning Father!" Lars said cheerfully when they entered the dinning room. Thomas's eyes beat a quick path around the room. Gold flowers swayed on the walls dark red paper. Light wood floor matched the twisting legs of the round table. Lars's father put down a heavy leather book onto the table. Greeting them with a smile.
"Morning boys." Mr. O'Sullivan narrowed his eyes at Thomas. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Mr. O'Sullivan." Thomas gave a quick nod. He felt great. Being here took the weight of what if's of Thomas's shoulders. What if he couldn't avoid the Rows, the other kids, where could he hide out now — with the Old Man gone? Those issues and many more. Were gone. Poof. Like magic.
"Truly." Thomas nodded trying to make him believe him. When all he got was a stern look, Thomas opened up a bit. "I can't lie."
"Can't?" Mr. O'Sullivan said his brows puckering together. Thomas nodded.
"That's right." Thomas felt safer than he ever had, and he really wanted to make things work here. Revealing the small secret he kept felt like a good choice to Thomas.
"Ever?" Lars pushed Thomas around until he sat he a chair Lars's pulled out for him. Thomas went along with it as Lars pushed him in.
"Never." Thomas nodded. He couldn't even lie to himself. For a while he thought if he went along with what the Rows wanted. He would get some peace, but every time he tried. Thomas felt paralyzed. Breathing, thoughts, his body all shut down. It was frightening. Thomas vowed that after a few tries he wouldn't do it anymore.
"Is this a vampire trait?" Lars turned and ask his father. His father rubbed the bridge of his nose with a shrug.
"Don't tell anyone about this Thomas." Mr. O'Sullivan said leaning forward he took his hand, rubbing them with great care. "I am happy that you trust us to say this, but I'm afraid what others might do." Thomas frowned. He wasn't sure what a person could do with this knowledge, but he wasn't stupid.
"Your the first two I ever told." Thomas pulled his hands free, "I'm not a people person?" Thomas tilted his head, unsure how to tell him what he meant.
"Thomas isn't a fool Father." Sitting him into the chair beside him. "Right Thomas?" Lars winked at him.
"Wouldn't survive in that house otherwise." Thomas nodded, that was it. He smiled at Lars, happy to have someone who seem to understand him so well.
"Breakfast sirs." A strange creature dress in pink appeared in front of the Thomas. Placing several trays of food on the table with a snap of its fingers. It was about two feet tall, wearing a robe and looking very much like a weird, naked upright cat.
"!" Thomas slammed back into his chair, he would have fell clear over if Mr. O' Sullivan hadn't grabbed the chair arm.
"It's our house elf — Berry." Mr. O'Sullivan reassured.
"Berry is a nice elf. Mr. Thomas." She nodded her large ears wiggling in the air. Thomas blinked once, then twice.
"Breath." Lars voice rolled over him. Thomas took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Is Berry scary?" Her voice shook and her large blue eyes — the size of saucers, brimmed with tears. Thomas shook his head.
"You appeared out of nowhere." Thomas calmed down, feeling a bit bad for making it, Berry cry. Mr. O'Sullivan patted his arm and settled back into his chair.
"I'll warn you next time. Berry will." Her tears gone. She, Thomas assumed it was she, smiled a large and wiggly grin. "I'll be getting more food now." Thomas nodded.
"What's a house elf?" Thomas asked when she left.
"She helps take care of the house." Mr. O' Sullivan explained. "We pay her in clothes." He added. Thomas nodded like he understood.
"She also stops Mother from burning down the kitchen." Lars added, grabbing a tray of towering jam dripping pastries.
"I heard that young man!" Mrs. O' Sullivan came in carrying a pitcher of juice in her hand. Her clothes matching Berry's.
"I haven't burned down the kitchen — lately." Placing the pitcher down. She tucked herself in beside her husband.
"Help yourself Thomas." Mrs. O' Sullivan said waving to the dishes covering the large round table.
"Try this!" Berry raise a small tray with a red shinning fruit on it. Picking it up the small fruit reminded Thomas of a tomato, but much smaller. Under Berry watchful gaze he popped the fruit into his mouth. Biting down his mouth exploded with juice. Coating his mouth and running down his throat. It had the rich, tender flesh of near raw meat and tasted as juicy. Thomas eyes watered. It was the tastiest thing he ever eaten in his life!
"Can I have another?" Thomas ask Berry, she offered him another one of her wiggly smiles.
"Have them all!" Berry place the small tray in front of him.
"Thank you." Thomas smiled at her and helped himself to another. Berry blushed and disappeared out of sight.
"Berry likes you." Mr. O' Sullivan laughed adding some bacon to his own plate. "And Thomas likes the Blood Fruit." Lars laughed while Thomas stuffed his face. The name of the fruit didn't stop him one bit.
"It was Berry's idea." Mrs. O' Sullivan smiled, pouring herself and Lars a cup of juice. "When she heard Thomas was coming. The fruits were the first thing she thought of!"
"Why would she?" Thomas wondered. Even if she knew he was coming, why go out of her way? For him?
"One. She likes guest, and we rarely have any." Mrs. O'Sullivan said taking a drink of her juice.
"Two. Your family now, and Berry takes very good care of her family. Has for decades." Mr. O'Sullivan added.
"Three. She has a bit of a crush on you." Lars wiggled his eyebrows, making Thomas blush not used to the friendly teasing.
"Don't mess with Thomas!" Mrs. O'Sullivan dropped some bacon on Lars's plate. "And eat more than those pastries."
"Here Thomas this is for you." Mr. O'Sullivan passed Thomas the leather bound book. Thomas had to take it with two hands to make sure he didn't drop it. Moving the tray he opened it up. It was an album with more moving photographs, but these looked familiar and very strange.
"Is this my-my father?" Thomas asked with a stutter. His hands shaking as he touched the edge of the large picture on the first page. A man, a tall man. Wearing all black, from his shirt, and vest to the shinny tops of his shoes. His short black hair, revealed pale pointed ears. Watching the man wink on the page. Thomas instinctively reached up to his own ears. Before looking at a face that mirrored his own, but looked more mature. Thomas could tell at one glance what he would like in the future. It was eerie, and made Thomas shiver.
"Eric Blood." Mr. O'Sullivan said wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Master, and revolutionary leader."
"Master?" Thomas couldn't even begin to guess at the second word.
"He was strong enough to make his own heart beat, and to lead others." Mrs. O'Sullivan added. Thomas frowned, didn't everyone make their own heart beat?
"Some vampire can't control themselves." Lars scooted his chair closer to Thomas. "Master vampires can, and help others. They attract people who are weaker, because they know they'll be safe under him."
"There is more to it than that, but let's keep it simple." Thomas watched Mr. O' Sullivan give Thomas a look. It was a look he had seen before. Old Man had it, when he could tell Thomas more but wouldn't share. Thomas found it was better not to dig for answers after that look. It only made adults want to hide the answers deeper. "I don't want to overwhelm you." Mr. O'Sullivan gave Thomas a smile. "You can ask more later. There is no rush."
"He wanted vampires to live in harmony beside witches." Mrs. O'Sullivan said waving her hand in the air. "He fought to keep vampire out of the dark corner of the magical world, and bring them into the light."
"Is that why he's gone?" Thomas turned his eyes to Mrs. O' Sullivan. Her hands drop the table and her smile turned sad, but Thomas wanted to know, and ignored the pain he felt for asking.
"Yes." Lars rubbed Thomas leg under the table.
"Not everyone agreed with your father. Vampires and witches alike." Mr. O' Sullivan leaned over and turned the page for Thomas to see two smiling women with their hands entwined.
"Eric, your father — loved not only a witch but a siren." The short curly haired women giggled and whispered into the ear of the tall slender blonde. Her eyes a brilliant green that shimmered like the blue, and purple scales trailed up the sides of her face.
"He wanted a world for them — and you." Mrs. O' Sullivan said brushing off some crumbs on the table. "She, Terra wanted that too."
"One day they disappeared." Mr. O' Sullivan said, Thomas's hands shook so hard. He hid them under the table. Afraid of breaking something resting on top. Lars grasped his hand, letting Thomas cling to his fingers.
"Are they still alive?" Thomas swallowed his breath. He had always assumed they were dead, but maybe...
"Eric and Terra are still alive." Mrs. O'Sullivan said with a firm tone. Tapping his knuckles on the table. "We know that because your necklace is still in one piece."
"My locket." Thomas grabbed it through the shirt with his free hand. "How do you know she made it?"
"I helped her pick it out." Mrs. O' Sullivan smiled but it was weak and her eyes watery. "It was a custom make, and I can feel her magic on it. Felt it the moment I entered the orphanage." She sniveled as she spoke, but Thomas understood, that once again, magic was the answer.
"And a witches magic dies with her. She helped make your locket Thomas. That's how my parents know they're still alive." Lars took over, giving his mother a moment to collect herself. Squeezing their interlocked hands, Lars gave him smile, a genuine smile. Thomas looked into Lars's eyes, and saw not sadness, but peace. The truth baring down on him, but somehow looking into those blue-grey eyes gave him strength. Taking a deep breath Thomas asked his next question.
"What happen to them." Thomas asked, turning away from Lars to his parents.
"We only know that Veronica-Veronica." Mrs. O'Sullivan stumbled her words her lips trembling. Thomas picked up where she left off.
"She's dead." Thomas said, he knew when they only mentioned two of them that the third, had to have died. She nodded, bringing a napkin to her eyes.
"She returned to the seas, but not before using her magic to let them escape." Mr. O' Sullivan said, standing he went over to his wife, moving the chair to wipe her into a hug.
"That's when they hid you, and why my parents couldn't fin you until now." Lars said, mimicking his father he pulled Thomas into a hug. "You'll meet them one day." Lars whispered into his ear. "I promise." Thomas leaned his head into Lars's shoulder. He knew he should be more upset, but it felt so distant from him. He was sad that the women in the picture died. It was sad when anyone left, but it wasn't like the Old Man. He didn't know these people personally, but...
"One day." Thomas whispered into Lars's shoulder. One day he would meet them, until then. He would stick to dealing with one day at a time. There was no need to rush, coming to that idea made Thomas feel a lot better. Good enough to let Lars's hand go.
"I'm okay." Thomas said, pulling out of the hug. "Are you sure?" Lars said still holding him by the shoulders. Thomas nodded.
"One day is one day, but for now..." Thomas looked to Lars's parents. Mrs. O' Sullivan had taking to sitting on her husbands lap. "I have you guys...right?" Thomas's look at the
O' Sullivan's hoping he was right, and not making a big fool of himself.
"Of course!" Mrs. O' Sullivan perked up, her husband gave a nod.
"Not only now Thomas, but always." Lars hugged him again, and Thomas returned it, he was getting used to all these hugs. Soon he felt, he wouldn't be able to do without them.
"After breakfast. I thought we would go to Diagon Alley." Mr. O'Sullivan snatched a pastry from around his wife. She looked like she had no intentions of moving from her spot and took a piece for herself.
"Diagon Alley?" Thomas asked taking a drink of the juice Lars pour for him. Which was not only calming, but the best orange juice he ever had.
"It's the place where all wizards shop." Lars said topping of Thomas's juice, before digging into his own meal.
"Even if Lars's old clothes are cute on you. You need more." Mrs. O' Sullivan said biting down on her toast.
"We confirmed your entrance, and we need to get your school supplies." Mr. O' Sullivan added jam falling out of his pastry.
"Are we going to poof there?" Thomas asked finishing off his last berry. Everyone around the table burst out laughing. "What?" Thomas looked around, wondering what was so funny. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He saw nothing come off.
"Yeah," Mr. O'Sullivan smiled knocking his knuckles on the table. "We'll be poofing."
"Only after breakfast." Mrs. O' Sullivan let out a happy sigh, with a shake of her head. No one said anything else. Even Berry was quiet when she placed another tray of fruits down on the table. Everyone seemed lost in their thoughts. Thomas looked at the open book, and closed it with one hand. One day he would look through it again, but for now. He enjoyed the world he had only discovered yesterday. One of magic, and where people cared about you, and the last thing. Meant more to Thomas than all the magic in the world.