Note: The ideas of witchcraft and wizardry, the Salem Witches'
Institute, and any references to the Harry Potter series belong to J.K.
Rowling, a very inspiring author. Laurie and the rest are mine.
It was a dark and stormy night in New York City, darker and stormier than many had ever seen it. Heavy rain poured down and the wind blew it sideways, so strong that it felt like a swarm of bees to anyone who walked in it. The power had been knocked out at around nine o'clock, and many emergency generators were failing all over the city. The only light came from an occasional bolt of lightening that cracked open the night sky with fury. Most families had gathered together and those who lived on the street sought shelter wherever they could find it. No one wanted to be out on a night like this. A few brave policemen patrolled around and the rest of the city seemed to be waiting, hidden. Then, around midnight, things suddenly seemed right again. The wind died down, and the rain slowed from a downpour to a drizzle and finally to a peaceful mist. The clouds parted and the moon could be seen, high and waning. Slowly, the power came back on, and Manhattan resumed its normal glow. Everything seemed to have righted itself, and it had, with the exception of one thing.
Just a few miles from the city, a tall and elegant woman with a long black braid walked almost silently, except for the sniffles of grief she allowed herself every couple of minutes. Beside her, on a stretcher that appeared to be floating in midair, was a man with mouse brown hair. His skin had already taken on the cold gray of death. Every time the woman looked at the man on the stretcher, she seemed almost overcome with grief, until she finally reached the quiet street, on which the Water Mill Farmhouse stood. She pursed her lips and quietly blew out the streetlights in front of her for the next five miles as someone would blow out the candles on a birthday cake. With almost painful footsteps, she approached the front door of the Water Mill Farmhouse, the stretcher still at her side. "You needn't hide from me, Samantha," she said softly. Seconds later, a cloak was thrown to the ground and a short, skinny woman stood before the tall one. Her hair was gray and pulled back in a bun, under a pointed hat.
"Oh, Nancy! It's really true then!" Samantha cried, spotting the body and the stretcher.
"Yes, Samantha. It is really true." Nancy pulled a wand from inside the robe she wore and muttered something. The door in front of them swung open smoothly, and the two women walked inside, stretcher in tow.
"How did he do it? And when? And what are you going to tell his wife?" Samantha was asking, as Nancy lifted the man from the stretcher onto the couch in front of them. She arranged his body so it looked like he had fallen asleep on the couch, never to wake up again.
"According to report, he managed to hold the bond between the brother wands for longer than ever. It backfired and killed Luxor, but it also took every ounce of strength Bill had." Tears glistened in Nancy's eyes as she looked at the man on the couch. "By the time I arrived, it was too late. Bill was beyond our help.but Luxor was already gone."
"Dead?" The word was laced with hope.
"I hope for as much, Samantha."
The women slowly walked out of the house, somber and silent. As Nancy relocked the door, Samantha turned to her with a gasp. "Nancy! You didn't leave a note for his wife! How will she know the truth?"
"She won't. It was his dying wish." Nancy stooped and picked Samantha's cloak up from the ground. Samantha took it and wrapped it around herself, her body disappearing as she did so. She looked to Nancy for further explanation. Nancy sighed reluctantly.
"When I arrived, as I've told you, Bill was beyond my help. He was still alive, but barely. His words.I will never forget his words as long as I live."
"What did he say, Nancy?"
"First, he told me I was the best headmistress Salem has ever seen. I couldn't bear to tell him the truth," Nancy smiled wryly. "Then, his eyes grew desperate. He grabbed my hand and said, 'Don't tell Jocelyn! Not now, please. She wouldn't be able to stand this burden. If she ever needs to know, tell her. Just please.let her live a normal life!' I agreed and then.it was over. Bill was gone." Nancy gave a distressed sigh and Samantha put a tiny hand on her arm.
"Nancy.I've been watching his wife all day." Samantha seemed to be having difficulty saying what she needed to say. "She's a Muggle, first of all. One of the better ones, though.believes in magic, loves fairy tales, you know the sort. She was all worried when Bill told her he'd be home late from work. It's clear she loved him dearly. But Nancy.there's something we didn't know.something not even Bill knew."
"What is it, Samantha?"
"Nancy.Bill's wife is pregnant. It's a girl, Nancy, and she'll be a powerful witch, I can tell! But without telling her about who and what Bill was, I."
"It will be better for the child this way. She will understand better when she is older. And so will her mother. We've spent enough time here, Samantha. Let's go." Samantha nodded and lifted the hood of her cloak over her head, now completely invisible. Nancy listened to Samantha's retreating footsteps, and returned to the place where she had entered the street. She paused for a moment, staring at the Water Mill Farmhouse. Then, she kissed her fingers lightly and threw the kiss towards the street. The streetlamps lit up again, giving the street a warm glow.
"Good luck, young Miss Lacewing. See you in eleven years," she whispered, then quietly left the street.
The next morning, at six fifteen, the quiet street was disrupted by the sound of Jocelyn Manning Lacewing screaming as she found her late husband on the couch.
Chapter One
Eleven years and nine months passed, and it was July, in the dead center of a hot and sticky summer. To be more specific, the date was July 15, and the Water Mill Farmhouse in Water Mill, New York was alight with a relatively small celebration. A small chorus of voices rang out in song, singing happy birthday to the only child who had lived in that house for more than a decade.
"Make a wish, Laurie!" her mother exclaimed, hugging the girl's shoulders. The eleven-year-old's blue eyes sparkled as she looked at the candles on her cake. Everyone she cared about surrounded her. Her mother, Jocelyn Lacewing, had taken the day off from working in the office to make sure her daughter's birthday was as happy as possible. Gram and Pop Manning were there, along with her Aunts Jackie and Jaime and their children. Her late father's brother and sister-in-law were there, Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie. They'd brought the one person Laurie had not wanted at her birthday party, her cousin Derek, who was a year older and always treated her horribly. He was sneering at Laurie as she bent over the cake to blow the candles out, her straight brown hair falling in her face annoyingly, but she didn't care. Derek could make faces at her all he wanted. Today was her eleventh birthday and she was the happiest girl in the world.
Laurie was nothing amazing to look at. She had a pretty round-shaped face that was sprinkled with freckles and was tall and lanky, like most eleven-year-old girls. She had deep dimples in her pink cheeks and her eyes always gleamed mischievously when she smiled. With the exception of her startlingly blue eyes, she looked exactly like her late father had, when he was alive. The eyes came from her mother, a tall and shapely blonde who had once been a model in the City. This very same mother was watching Laurie with a happy smile as the girl closed her eyes to make a wish. Eyes screwed up tightly, she breathed her wish so that none could hear it.
"I wish something wonderful would happen!" she whispered, and then with delicate breath, Laurie blew out all eleven birthday candles. The applause was deafening, except for Derek, who merely continued to glare in Laurie's direction. She ignored the look on his face as Aunt Jackie handed her a present, which, when opened was revealed to be yet another Barbie doll. Aunt Jackie, who had four sons, seemed to think Laurie was the daughter she'd never had, so she had a warped sense of her niece's tastes. Politely, Laurie thanked Aunt Jackie, and slipped the Barbie doll on the floor next to her seat. Her mother squeezed between Laurie and her pile of presents to rescue the cake and begin cutting it up. Meanwhile, Aunt Jaime had placed a large box in front of Laurie, which, when opened was revealed to be yet another soccer ball. Aunt Jaime, the complete opposite of Aunt Jackie, had four daughters and wanted to turn Laurie into the son she'd never had. Laurie called a thank you to Aunt Jackie and dropped the soccer ball to the floor, next to the Barbie doll. Gram Manning had sidled up next to Laurie and dropped several twenties into her lap saying, "I'd rather let you choose something than choose something you didn't want." Laurie could have kissed her, and did, on the cheek.
"Alright, here's the first piece of cake for Laurie!" Mrs. Lacewing exclaimed, then whispered in her daughter's ear, "Once the mob leaves, your present's up in your room. I think you'll like it."
Laurie grinned. Her mother always chose the best presents. She was about to dig into her cake, when Uncle Harry grabbed her wrist, giving Derek a warning look. Laurie saw Derek reluctantly put something back in his pocket and slink off to sulk in the living room. Uncle Harry followed him, and Laurie knew that Derek was in for a big lecture. Aunt Angie, however, stayed behind and handed Laurie a large box.
"Happy birthday, sweetie," she said, planting an enormous kiss on Laurie's cheek. "There's a great deal of stuff in there, only I'd prefer you not open it here." She looked a little nervous, but Laurie smiled in agreement.
"Okay, Aunt Angie! Thanks!" she piped up and took a bite of cake. She nearly choked on it when she heard an explosion in the living room. Everyone stared at the doorway between the dining and living rooms.
"Is everything alright in there?" Mrs. Lacewing called.
"Everything's fine, Jocelyn! Don't worry, we shall leave your house unscathed," Uncle Harry called back, and everyone had a good chuckle.
"Angie, dear, you know I adore Bill's family, but.well, you all seem a bit odd to me," said tactless Aunt Jackie. "What does Harry do for a living anyway?"
"Oh, he's in government," Aunt Angie replied vaguely as Mrs. Lacewing handed her a piece of cake. "Consequently, I have no idea what he does."
"Didn't Bill work in government before he died, Jocelyn?" Pop Manning asked his mouth full of punch and chocolate cake.
"Yes. I never had the foggiest idea what he was up to," Mrs. Lacewing answered with a laugh, helping herself to her own piece of cake. "We had such fun times. Laurie reminds me so much of him."
"I didn't know Dad worked for the government," Laurie stated, having been too involved in the conversation to even think about her cake. "What branch was he in?"
"Oh, I don't know, something top-secret," her mother laughed again.
"Is that how he died?"
The room grew silent at Laurie's question, which aggravated her. Her father had died just after she was conceived, but she had no idea why or how. No one ever talked about it, though it seemed many people wanted to. Aunt Angie was biting her lip as if trying to keep from crying out a secret and Mrs. Lacewing looked about ready to cry.
"Laurie, I.we'll talk about this later tonight, Laurie. Go play with your cousins, now." Mrs. Lacewing's voice was quiet and trembling, which frightened Laurie. She stood up from the table, carrying the box from Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie with her, and forgetting the doll and the ball and the money. She ignored her noisy younger cousins, who were playing something that involved lasers and Cabbage Patch Kids, and went outside. There was a spot under the maple tree in her back yard that was always shady and cool. She sat down in that spot, holding the box in her lap and wondering what had gone wrong. The snapping of a twig startled her, and she looked up, more than surprised to see Derek looking at her, not with disgust, but with an odd mixture of compassion and friendliness.
"Hey." he said.
"Hey," Laurie replied, looking back down at the box again.
"You, ah.you seemed upset when you came out here. Are you alright?" There was kindness in Derek's voice that Laurie had never heard before.
"I guess." Laurie didn't really want to expand on that. Derek had never seemed to care if she existed before, and she wasn't sure that she could trust him to care now. For a moment, he looked like he was about to say something, then thought better of it. Instead, he sat down next to her.
After a silent moment, Derek spoke up again. "Why don't you open the present we got you? It's really cool.it'll make you feel better." Laurie blinked at him, her blue eyes matching his brown ones.
"Aunt Angie said to open this alone, so that's what I'm going to do!" she retorted, not sure what caused the fiery words to come out of her mouth. Derek laughed, running a hand through his wispy brown hair.
"I helped my mom choose this stuff to give to you. Trust me, you'll love all of it, and it'll make more sense if me or my folks are around to explain it. C'mon, open it! I wanna see your face when you do. You'll love it." Derek sounded insistent, so Laurie hastily ripped off the wrapping paper and removed the cover. The first thing she saw looked like the back of a picture frame. She picked it up and turned it over to see a picture of her parents on their wedding day. It looked just like the other pictures of their wedding day, only this picture was.moving. They waved at her and her father gave her mother a kiss. It was like watching a home movie without sound. She looked at Derek questioningly.
"Our grandparents took that one. Mom had a copy made for you. There's another one right here." He pulled out another picture frame that had just her father in it, seemingly around the same time as the wedding. Her father kept winking good-naturedly and laughing. Laurie tried to suppress the tears that came to her eyes, but a few managed to escape. She brushed them away before Derek could make a big deal out of them.
"Keep going! There's some great stuff in here!" he exclaimed, continuing to dig. The next thing was a book that read The Standard Book of Spells: Grade One.
"Well.that's, ah.nice," Laurie commented. She wasn't too much into magic, but Derek just smiled at her.
"You'll need it soon. Here's another cool thing," he continued, pulling out a box that read, "Caring for Your Broomstick 101". The back of the box listed the contents, which included polish, straws, and a book on broom maintenance. Laurie couldn't help but feeling that this box was getting stranger and stranger, the further Derek dug. He must've noticed the strange look on her face, because he paused. "Is something bothering you?" he asked.
"Well, ah.I just don't see what I would do with a book of spells and a broomstick care kit. And the pictures of my dad are really great, but." she trailed off. Derek sighed and looked down at the grass.
"My mom told me that they hadn't told you or your mom. I thought she was lying." he mumbled. Laurie stared at him, waiting for further explanation. Finally, Derek looked up. "Maybe that's why my dad wanted me to come out here and talk to you. I mean, aside from the fact that we're going to be at the same school next year and all."
"Since when am I going to a private boys' school? Derek, what are you talking about?" Laurie demanded. Derek looked her square in the eye.
"You're a witch, Laurie. Just like your dad and mine and my mom and me. Your dad was one of the best wizards that ever lived. I mean, he was amazing. He died saving the witches and wizards in America from the biggest evil we'd ever faced. I was just a baby, and you weren't even born yet, but."
"That's ridiculous!" Laurie exclaimed, not sure if her indignation was out of anger, joy or disbelief. "My father worked for the government. He died of natural causes."
"He died, Laurie, because the puppet ruler of the worst wizard to ever exist drained all his strength. Your dad defeated this guy, but he gave his life to do so."
"That's.that's not.it's just.not possible," Laurie stammered, looking down at the winking man in the picture.
"Just listen, Laurie. You're a witch.you must know it. Come on." Derek seemed to be looking for plausible proof. "Okay, have you ever made something happen when you were angry or scared? Something that you couldn't explain?"
Laurie was about to say no, when she remembered only a month ago, when someone had broken into their house. He'd held a gun to her head, but somehow, she'd made the gun turn to glass and smash in his hand. Come to think of it, Laurie had done a lot of similar things her entire life. Defeated, she glanced sideways at Derek.
"Why didn't he tell my mom? Or did she just not tell me?"
"He didn't tell your mom.he didn't want her to know. He thought it would be a burden to her and he wanted her to live a normal life." Derek dropped his gaze again. "He didn't even know that you were going to be born."
"Well, I.what am I supposed to do about being a witch? Do I just go live in a hut, grow a wart and mix things in cauldrons the rest of my life?" Laurie sputtered. This was all coming as quite a shock to her.
"Not exactly," Derek answered, suddenly perking up again. "You're going to be getting a letter pretty soon. It'll be delivered by owl."
"By owl..."
"Just listen. My mom and dad are going to try to stick around until the letter comes. Don't tell your mom. They'll explain it all to her when you get your letter."
"What's the letter about?"
"It's an invitation to come to school at the Salem Witches' Institute." Derek seemed ready to explain further, when someone started calling him from inside. "I'll explain later, when you get the letter. Don't worry about it, Laurie. It'll be the best thing that ever happened to you."
Laurie felt herself smiling at her usually ornery cousin, who smiled back congenially. He jumped up and gave a quick wave before running into the house. Laurie, meanwhile dug through the rest of her box, finding several types of candies she'd never heard of, like Bertie Bott's Every- Flavor Jelly Beans. She also pulled out gift certificates to robing stores, bookstores, wand stores and even a wizard pet store. At the very bottom of the package was a large bag of gold coins with a key and note attached to it. The note read:
To Miss Laurie Lacewing Vault 217, Gringotts of West Watchmaker Way, New York Miss Lacewing, Your father has left you a considerable amount of money in this vault. Please see a representative in the front of the bank when you wish to access it. Thank you for banking with Gringotts.
Putting the note back in the box, along with all of her other wizard treasures, Laurie decided she'd never had a better birthday. This was the first year her wish had come true. A witch! What could be more exciting than that?
Laurie didn't have to wait long for her letter. It came five days later, at around noontime. Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie were staying at her house still, and she and Derek were digging through her wizard candy supply. After several boxes of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Jelly Beans and a couple dozen Chocolate Frogs, both of them were feeling very full and exhausted. Mrs. Lacewing called up to ask them if they wanted anything for lunch, and the reply was a weary "no" from both ends. Laurie lay sprawled out on her bed, thumbing through the contents of her book on broom care, when there was a sudden flapping noise outside. Derek gave her an excited smile. "This is it!" he cried. The cousins leapt up and dashed downstairs and towards the front door. As they barreled past the adults, Mrs. Lacewing asked, in as stern a tone as she could muster, "And where do you two think you're going?"
"We're, ah.going to get the mail!" Laurie answered truthfully. Giving her daughter a skeptical glance, Mrs. Lacewing nodded. Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie smiled, knowing exactly what had caused Laurie and Derek's excitement.
The two children ran outside to the mailbox, which Laurie pulled open hastily. Among the junk mail and bills, she found it: a parchment envelope with the seal of the Salem Witches' Institute on it. It was addressed to Miss Laurie Lacewing of the Water Mill Farmhouse, Water Mill, New York. Squealing in excitement, Laurie raced past Derek back inside and right between her mother, aunt and uncle.
"Mom! Look what I got in the mail!" she exclaimed breathlessly.
"Wow!" Her mother seemed unimpressed, not quite sure what the letter was. "Is that a party invitation or something?"
Laurie had opened the envelope and, in a hushed tone, read the letter aloud. "Dear Miss Lacewing, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to the Salem Witches' Institute in Salem, Massachusetts. Congratulations!" Mrs. Lacewing made a motion to say something, but Laurie kept reading. "Please report to Platform 10 ½ on September 1 at ten o'clock in the morning. The New Hogsmeade Direct will take you to New Hogsmeade Station, from whence you shall depart for the Institute. I look forward to seeing you there. Sincerely, Nancy Frankincense, Headmistress. P.S. Please see the enclosed list of supplies you will need for the upcoming school year." Laurie looked up from the letter, beaming. Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie were smiling as well, and Derek, who had just reentered the house, managed a smile between gasps of breath. Mrs. Lacewing looked concerned.
"Is this.is this some sort of practical joke or something?" she managed, finally, staring at Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie.
"Not a joke at all, Jocelyn. This is something Bill wanted to tell you, before he died, but never got the chance to," Aunt Angie said, softly.
"What are you talking about? Bill worked for the government. He." Mrs. Lacewing seemed at a loss for words.
"No, Jocelyn. Bill did not work for the government, in the official sense. He did belong to the Department of Magic, and he was going to tell you as soon as he could, only." Uncle Harry trailed off. "Jocelyn, our family are wizards. We have been for thousands of years, before this continent was even discovered. Laurie has inherited quite a bit of her father's talent in that area."
"Bill was a.a wizard? That's nonsense! No.it's.impossible!" Mrs. Lacewing dropped her gaze. "Why wouldn't he have told me?"
"He wanted to protect you, Jocelyn. Times were dark eleven years ago. Your husband defeated the most evil wizard to ever surface on this continent, and lost his life in the battle," Uncle Harry tried to explain, his emotions surfacing. Aunt Angie put her hand on his forearm and looked Mrs. Lacewing in the eye.
"Jocelyn, the point here is not how or why Bill died, though I think you have a right to know. The point is that Laurie is a witch, and going to Salem will give her the best education she can get in the Americas," Aunt Angie said, steadily. Mrs. Lacewing seemed to be conceding.
"How much would it cost?" she asked.
"Nothing. Except, of course, for books and supplies, but that's not going to be a problem. Bill left you and Laurie a considerably large inheritance.in wizard money, that is." Aunt Angie gave a shy smile and Mrs. Lacewing returned it with a pale, exhausted look. She turned to Laurie.
"Laurie. Is this something you really want to do?" she asked weakly. Laurie swallowed hard.
"Oh, Mom.it'd be great! It.it would make me feel closer to Dad, I know it would. Please, Mom, please?" Laurie was almost in tears, begging. Mrs. Lacewing gave her a tender smile.
"How can I say no to that? What do we need to do?" she asked. As Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie began discussing school supplies and the train with Mrs. Lacewing, Laurie felt her heart doing a little dance of sheer happiness. Her birthday wish had come true.
It was a dark and stormy night in New York City, darker and stormier than many had ever seen it. Heavy rain poured down and the wind blew it sideways, so strong that it felt like a swarm of bees to anyone who walked in it. The power had been knocked out at around nine o'clock, and many emergency generators were failing all over the city. The only light came from an occasional bolt of lightening that cracked open the night sky with fury. Most families had gathered together and those who lived on the street sought shelter wherever they could find it. No one wanted to be out on a night like this. A few brave policemen patrolled around and the rest of the city seemed to be waiting, hidden. Then, around midnight, things suddenly seemed right again. The wind died down, and the rain slowed from a downpour to a drizzle and finally to a peaceful mist. The clouds parted and the moon could be seen, high and waning. Slowly, the power came back on, and Manhattan resumed its normal glow. Everything seemed to have righted itself, and it had, with the exception of one thing.
Just a few miles from the city, a tall and elegant woman with a long black braid walked almost silently, except for the sniffles of grief she allowed herself every couple of minutes. Beside her, on a stretcher that appeared to be floating in midair, was a man with mouse brown hair. His skin had already taken on the cold gray of death. Every time the woman looked at the man on the stretcher, she seemed almost overcome with grief, until she finally reached the quiet street, on which the Water Mill Farmhouse stood. She pursed her lips and quietly blew out the streetlights in front of her for the next five miles as someone would blow out the candles on a birthday cake. With almost painful footsteps, she approached the front door of the Water Mill Farmhouse, the stretcher still at her side. "You needn't hide from me, Samantha," she said softly. Seconds later, a cloak was thrown to the ground and a short, skinny woman stood before the tall one. Her hair was gray and pulled back in a bun, under a pointed hat.
"Oh, Nancy! It's really true then!" Samantha cried, spotting the body and the stretcher.
"Yes, Samantha. It is really true." Nancy pulled a wand from inside the robe she wore and muttered something. The door in front of them swung open smoothly, and the two women walked inside, stretcher in tow.
"How did he do it? And when? And what are you going to tell his wife?" Samantha was asking, as Nancy lifted the man from the stretcher onto the couch in front of them. She arranged his body so it looked like he had fallen asleep on the couch, never to wake up again.
"According to report, he managed to hold the bond between the brother wands for longer than ever. It backfired and killed Luxor, but it also took every ounce of strength Bill had." Tears glistened in Nancy's eyes as she looked at the man on the couch. "By the time I arrived, it was too late. Bill was beyond our help.but Luxor was already gone."
"Dead?" The word was laced with hope.
"I hope for as much, Samantha."
The women slowly walked out of the house, somber and silent. As Nancy relocked the door, Samantha turned to her with a gasp. "Nancy! You didn't leave a note for his wife! How will she know the truth?"
"She won't. It was his dying wish." Nancy stooped and picked Samantha's cloak up from the ground. Samantha took it and wrapped it around herself, her body disappearing as she did so. She looked to Nancy for further explanation. Nancy sighed reluctantly.
"When I arrived, as I've told you, Bill was beyond my help. He was still alive, but barely. His words.I will never forget his words as long as I live."
"What did he say, Nancy?"
"First, he told me I was the best headmistress Salem has ever seen. I couldn't bear to tell him the truth," Nancy smiled wryly. "Then, his eyes grew desperate. He grabbed my hand and said, 'Don't tell Jocelyn! Not now, please. She wouldn't be able to stand this burden. If she ever needs to know, tell her. Just please.let her live a normal life!' I agreed and then.it was over. Bill was gone." Nancy gave a distressed sigh and Samantha put a tiny hand on her arm.
"Nancy.I've been watching his wife all day." Samantha seemed to be having difficulty saying what she needed to say. "She's a Muggle, first of all. One of the better ones, though.believes in magic, loves fairy tales, you know the sort. She was all worried when Bill told her he'd be home late from work. It's clear she loved him dearly. But Nancy.there's something we didn't know.something not even Bill knew."
"What is it, Samantha?"
"Nancy.Bill's wife is pregnant. It's a girl, Nancy, and she'll be a powerful witch, I can tell! But without telling her about who and what Bill was, I."
"It will be better for the child this way. She will understand better when she is older. And so will her mother. We've spent enough time here, Samantha. Let's go." Samantha nodded and lifted the hood of her cloak over her head, now completely invisible. Nancy listened to Samantha's retreating footsteps, and returned to the place where she had entered the street. She paused for a moment, staring at the Water Mill Farmhouse. Then, she kissed her fingers lightly and threw the kiss towards the street. The streetlamps lit up again, giving the street a warm glow.
"Good luck, young Miss Lacewing. See you in eleven years," she whispered, then quietly left the street.
The next morning, at six fifteen, the quiet street was disrupted by the sound of Jocelyn Manning Lacewing screaming as she found her late husband on the couch.
Chapter One
Eleven years and nine months passed, and it was July, in the dead center of a hot and sticky summer. To be more specific, the date was July 15, and the Water Mill Farmhouse in Water Mill, New York was alight with a relatively small celebration. A small chorus of voices rang out in song, singing happy birthday to the only child who had lived in that house for more than a decade.
"Make a wish, Laurie!" her mother exclaimed, hugging the girl's shoulders. The eleven-year-old's blue eyes sparkled as she looked at the candles on her cake. Everyone she cared about surrounded her. Her mother, Jocelyn Lacewing, had taken the day off from working in the office to make sure her daughter's birthday was as happy as possible. Gram and Pop Manning were there, along with her Aunts Jackie and Jaime and their children. Her late father's brother and sister-in-law were there, Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie. They'd brought the one person Laurie had not wanted at her birthday party, her cousin Derek, who was a year older and always treated her horribly. He was sneering at Laurie as she bent over the cake to blow the candles out, her straight brown hair falling in her face annoyingly, but she didn't care. Derek could make faces at her all he wanted. Today was her eleventh birthday and she was the happiest girl in the world.
Laurie was nothing amazing to look at. She had a pretty round-shaped face that was sprinkled with freckles and was tall and lanky, like most eleven-year-old girls. She had deep dimples in her pink cheeks and her eyes always gleamed mischievously when she smiled. With the exception of her startlingly blue eyes, she looked exactly like her late father had, when he was alive. The eyes came from her mother, a tall and shapely blonde who had once been a model in the City. This very same mother was watching Laurie with a happy smile as the girl closed her eyes to make a wish. Eyes screwed up tightly, she breathed her wish so that none could hear it.
"I wish something wonderful would happen!" she whispered, and then with delicate breath, Laurie blew out all eleven birthday candles. The applause was deafening, except for Derek, who merely continued to glare in Laurie's direction. She ignored the look on his face as Aunt Jackie handed her a present, which, when opened was revealed to be yet another Barbie doll. Aunt Jackie, who had four sons, seemed to think Laurie was the daughter she'd never had, so she had a warped sense of her niece's tastes. Politely, Laurie thanked Aunt Jackie, and slipped the Barbie doll on the floor next to her seat. Her mother squeezed between Laurie and her pile of presents to rescue the cake and begin cutting it up. Meanwhile, Aunt Jaime had placed a large box in front of Laurie, which, when opened was revealed to be yet another soccer ball. Aunt Jaime, the complete opposite of Aunt Jackie, had four daughters and wanted to turn Laurie into the son she'd never had. Laurie called a thank you to Aunt Jackie and dropped the soccer ball to the floor, next to the Barbie doll. Gram Manning had sidled up next to Laurie and dropped several twenties into her lap saying, "I'd rather let you choose something than choose something you didn't want." Laurie could have kissed her, and did, on the cheek.
"Alright, here's the first piece of cake for Laurie!" Mrs. Lacewing exclaimed, then whispered in her daughter's ear, "Once the mob leaves, your present's up in your room. I think you'll like it."
Laurie grinned. Her mother always chose the best presents. She was about to dig into her cake, when Uncle Harry grabbed her wrist, giving Derek a warning look. Laurie saw Derek reluctantly put something back in his pocket and slink off to sulk in the living room. Uncle Harry followed him, and Laurie knew that Derek was in for a big lecture. Aunt Angie, however, stayed behind and handed Laurie a large box.
"Happy birthday, sweetie," she said, planting an enormous kiss on Laurie's cheek. "There's a great deal of stuff in there, only I'd prefer you not open it here." She looked a little nervous, but Laurie smiled in agreement.
"Okay, Aunt Angie! Thanks!" she piped up and took a bite of cake. She nearly choked on it when she heard an explosion in the living room. Everyone stared at the doorway between the dining and living rooms.
"Is everything alright in there?" Mrs. Lacewing called.
"Everything's fine, Jocelyn! Don't worry, we shall leave your house unscathed," Uncle Harry called back, and everyone had a good chuckle.
"Angie, dear, you know I adore Bill's family, but.well, you all seem a bit odd to me," said tactless Aunt Jackie. "What does Harry do for a living anyway?"
"Oh, he's in government," Aunt Angie replied vaguely as Mrs. Lacewing handed her a piece of cake. "Consequently, I have no idea what he does."
"Didn't Bill work in government before he died, Jocelyn?" Pop Manning asked his mouth full of punch and chocolate cake.
"Yes. I never had the foggiest idea what he was up to," Mrs. Lacewing answered with a laugh, helping herself to her own piece of cake. "We had such fun times. Laurie reminds me so much of him."
"I didn't know Dad worked for the government," Laurie stated, having been too involved in the conversation to even think about her cake. "What branch was he in?"
"Oh, I don't know, something top-secret," her mother laughed again.
"Is that how he died?"
The room grew silent at Laurie's question, which aggravated her. Her father had died just after she was conceived, but she had no idea why or how. No one ever talked about it, though it seemed many people wanted to. Aunt Angie was biting her lip as if trying to keep from crying out a secret and Mrs. Lacewing looked about ready to cry.
"Laurie, I.we'll talk about this later tonight, Laurie. Go play with your cousins, now." Mrs. Lacewing's voice was quiet and trembling, which frightened Laurie. She stood up from the table, carrying the box from Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie with her, and forgetting the doll and the ball and the money. She ignored her noisy younger cousins, who were playing something that involved lasers and Cabbage Patch Kids, and went outside. There was a spot under the maple tree in her back yard that was always shady and cool. She sat down in that spot, holding the box in her lap and wondering what had gone wrong. The snapping of a twig startled her, and she looked up, more than surprised to see Derek looking at her, not with disgust, but with an odd mixture of compassion and friendliness.
"Hey." he said.
"Hey," Laurie replied, looking back down at the box again.
"You, ah.you seemed upset when you came out here. Are you alright?" There was kindness in Derek's voice that Laurie had never heard before.
"I guess." Laurie didn't really want to expand on that. Derek had never seemed to care if she existed before, and she wasn't sure that she could trust him to care now. For a moment, he looked like he was about to say something, then thought better of it. Instead, he sat down next to her.
After a silent moment, Derek spoke up again. "Why don't you open the present we got you? It's really cool.it'll make you feel better." Laurie blinked at him, her blue eyes matching his brown ones.
"Aunt Angie said to open this alone, so that's what I'm going to do!" she retorted, not sure what caused the fiery words to come out of her mouth. Derek laughed, running a hand through his wispy brown hair.
"I helped my mom choose this stuff to give to you. Trust me, you'll love all of it, and it'll make more sense if me or my folks are around to explain it. C'mon, open it! I wanna see your face when you do. You'll love it." Derek sounded insistent, so Laurie hastily ripped off the wrapping paper and removed the cover. The first thing she saw looked like the back of a picture frame. She picked it up and turned it over to see a picture of her parents on their wedding day. It looked just like the other pictures of their wedding day, only this picture was.moving. They waved at her and her father gave her mother a kiss. It was like watching a home movie without sound. She looked at Derek questioningly.
"Our grandparents took that one. Mom had a copy made for you. There's another one right here." He pulled out another picture frame that had just her father in it, seemingly around the same time as the wedding. Her father kept winking good-naturedly and laughing. Laurie tried to suppress the tears that came to her eyes, but a few managed to escape. She brushed them away before Derek could make a big deal out of them.
"Keep going! There's some great stuff in here!" he exclaimed, continuing to dig. The next thing was a book that read The Standard Book of Spells: Grade One.
"Well.that's, ah.nice," Laurie commented. She wasn't too much into magic, but Derek just smiled at her.
"You'll need it soon. Here's another cool thing," he continued, pulling out a box that read, "Caring for Your Broomstick 101". The back of the box listed the contents, which included polish, straws, and a book on broom maintenance. Laurie couldn't help but feeling that this box was getting stranger and stranger, the further Derek dug. He must've noticed the strange look on her face, because he paused. "Is something bothering you?" he asked.
"Well, ah.I just don't see what I would do with a book of spells and a broomstick care kit. And the pictures of my dad are really great, but." she trailed off. Derek sighed and looked down at the grass.
"My mom told me that they hadn't told you or your mom. I thought she was lying." he mumbled. Laurie stared at him, waiting for further explanation. Finally, Derek looked up. "Maybe that's why my dad wanted me to come out here and talk to you. I mean, aside from the fact that we're going to be at the same school next year and all."
"Since when am I going to a private boys' school? Derek, what are you talking about?" Laurie demanded. Derek looked her square in the eye.
"You're a witch, Laurie. Just like your dad and mine and my mom and me. Your dad was one of the best wizards that ever lived. I mean, he was amazing. He died saving the witches and wizards in America from the biggest evil we'd ever faced. I was just a baby, and you weren't even born yet, but."
"That's ridiculous!" Laurie exclaimed, not sure if her indignation was out of anger, joy or disbelief. "My father worked for the government. He died of natural causes."
"He died, Laurie, because the puppet ruler of the worst wizard to ever exist drained all his strength. Your dad defeated this guy, but he gave his life to do so."
"That's.that's not.it's just.not possible," Laurie stammered, looking down at the winking man in the picture.
"Just listen, Laurie. You're a witch.you must know it. Come on." Derek seemed to be looking for plausible proof. "Okay, have you ever made something happen when you were angry or scared? Something that you couldn't explain?"
Laurie was about to say no, when she remembered only a month ago, when someone had broken into their house. He'd held a gun to her head, but somehow, she'd made the gun turn to glass and smash in his hand. Come to think of it, Laurie had done a lot of similar things her entire life. Defeated, she glanced sideways at Derek.
"Why didn't he tell my mom? Or did she just not tell me?"
"He didn't tell your mom.he didn't want her to know. He thought it would be a burden to her and he wanted her to live a normal life." Derek dropped his gaze again. "He didn't even know that you were going to be born."
"Well, I.what am I supposed to do about being a witch? Do I just go live in a hut, grow a wart and mix things in cauldrons the rest of my life?" Laurie sputtered. This was all coming as quite a shock to her.
"Not exactly," Derek answered, suddenly perking up again. "You're going to be getting a letter pretty soon. It'll be delivered by owl."
"By owl..."
"Just listen. My mom and dad are going to try to stick around until the letter comes. Don't tell your mom. They'll explain it all to her when you get your letter."
"What's the letter about?"
"It's an invitation to come to school at the Salem Witches' Institute." Derek seemed ready to explain further, when someone started calling him from inside. "I'll explain later, when you get the letter. Don't worry about it, Laurie. It'll be the best thing that ever happened to you."
Laurie felt herself smiling at her usually ornery cousin, who smiled back congenially. He jumped up and gave a quick wave before running into the house. Laurie, meanwhile dug through the rest of her box, finding several types of candies she'd never heard of, like Bertie Bott's Every- Flavor Jelly Beans. She also pulled out gift certificates to robing stores, bookstores, wand stores and even a wizard pet store. At the very bottom of the package was a large bag of gold coins with a key and note attached to it. The note read:
To Miss Laurie Lacewing Vault 217, Gringotts of West Watchmaker Way, New York Miss Lacewing, Your father has left you a considerable amount of money in this vault. Please see a representative in the front of the bank when you wish to access it. Thank you for banking with Gringotts.
Putting the note back in the box, along with all of her other wizard treasures, Laurie decided she'd never had a better birthday. This was the first year her wish had come true. A witch! What could be more exciting than that?
Laurie didn't have to wait long for her letter. It came five days later, at around noontime. Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie were staying at her house still, and she and Derek were digging through her wizard candy supply. After several boxes of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Jelly Beans and a couple dozen Chocolate Frogs, both of them were feeling very full and exhausted. Mrs. Lacewing called up to ask them if they wanted anything for lunch, and the reply was a weary "no" from both ends. Laurie lay sprawled out on her bed, thumbing through the contents of her book on broom care, when there was a sudden flapping noise outside. Derek gave her an excited smile. "This is it!" he cried. The cousins leapt up and dashed downstairs and towards the front door. As they barreled past the adults, Mrs. Lacewing asked, in as stern a tone as she could muster, "And where do you two think you're going?"
"We're, ah.going to get the mail!" Laurie answered truthfully. Giving her daughter a skeptical glance, Mrs. Lacewing nodded. Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie smiled, knowing exactly what had caused Laurie and Derek's excitement.
The two children ran outside to the mailbox, which Laurie pulled open hastily. Among the junk mail and bills, she found it: a parchment envelope with the seal of the Salem Witches' Institute on it. It was addressed to Miss Laurie Lacewing of the Water Mill Farmhouse, Water Mill, New York. Squealing in excitement, Laurie raced past Derek back inside and right between her mother, aunt and uncle.
"Mom! Look what I got in the mail!" she exclaimed breathlessly.
"Wow!" Her mother seemed unimpressed, not quite sure what the letter was. "Is that a party invitation or something?"
Laurie had opened the envelope and, in a hushed tone, read the letter aloud. "Dear Miss Lacewing, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to the Salem Witches' Institute in Salem, Massachusetts. Congratulations!" Mrs. Lacewing made a motion to say something, but Laurie kept reading. "Please report to Platform 10 ½ on September 1 at ten o'clock in the morning. The New Hogsmeade Direct will take you to New Hogsmeade Station, from whence you shall depart for the Institute. I look forward to seeing you there. Sincerely, Nancy Frankincense, Headmistress. P.S. Please see the enclosed list of supplies you will need for the upcoming school year." Laurie looked up from the letter, beaming. Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie were smiling as well, and Derek, who had just reentered the house, managed a smile between gasps of breath. Mrs. Lacewing looked concerned.
"Is this.is this some sort of practical joke or something?" she managed, finally, staring at Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie.
"Not a joke at all, Jocelyn. This is something Bill wanted to tell you, before he died, but never got the chance to," Aunt Angie said, softly.
"What are you talking about? Bill worked for the government. He." Mrs. Lacewing seemed at a loss for words.
"No, Jocelyn. Bill did not work for the government, in the official sense. He did belong to the Department of Magic, and he was going to tell you as soon as he could, only." Uncle Harry trailed off. "Jocelyn, our family are wizards. We have been for thousands of years, before this continent was even discovered. Laurie has inherited quite a bit of her father's talent in that area."
"Bill was a.a wizard? That's nonsense! No.it's.impossible!" Mrs. Lacewing dropped her gaze. "Why wouldn't he have told me?"
"He wanted to protect you, Jocelyn. Times were dark eleven years ago. Your husband defeated the most evil wizard to ever surface on this continent, and lost his life in the battle," Uncle Harry tried to explain, his emotions surfacing. Aunt Angie put her hand on his forearm and looked Mrs. Lacewing in the eye.
"Jocelyn, the point here is not how or why Bill died, though I think you have a right to know. The point is that Laurie is a witch, and going to Salem will give her the best education she can get in the Americas," Aunt Angie said, steadily. Mrs. Lacewing seemed to be conceding.
"How much would it cost?" she asked.
"Nothing. Except, of course, for books and supplies, but that's not going to be a problem. Bill left you and Laurie a considerably large inheritance.in wizard money, that is." Aunt Angie gave a shy smile and Mrs. Lacewing returned it with a pale, exhausted look. She turned to Laurie.
"Laurie. Is this something you really want to do?" she asked weakly. Laurie swallowed hard.
"Oh, Mom.it'd be great! It.it would make me feel closer to Dad, I know it would. Please, Mom, please?" Laurie was almost in tears, begging. Mrs. Lacewing gave her a tender smile.
"How can I say no to that? What do we need to do?" she asked. As Uncle Harry and Aunt Angie began discussing school supplies and the train with Mrs. Lacewing, Laurie felt her heart doing a little dance of sheer happiness. Her birthday wish had come true.