All rights to J.K.Rolling.
1
The boy was holding the letter his trembling hands. A large, shark-like grin in his face, happiness and excitement filling his chest. The boy was holding himself to not run to his bedroom, and jump on the bed.
He was a short, scrawny boy. His messy red hair hung down below the chin. His right eye is blue, and the other is green. His name is Falco Winchester, and he was so happy.
But the same couldn't be said about his parents, Nigel and Artemis Winchester, whose eyes were locked at their child. Both adults were worried.
The mother was resting her head in her husband chest, crying in silence. Her tears were not from being proud, nor was from being happy for him, no. She was crying because she's afraid. Afraid of losing her baby boy. Fear of losing another son.
But the red-haired and scrawny boy, who was holding the letter as if it was something precious, was so absorbed in his own world, to notice his parents whispering at each other.
2
As far he could remember, Falco always knew there's something different about him. It wasn't for his heterochromatic eyes. Neither was for his intelligence, slight above the other children in his age.
No, it wasn't about this two things. There's something else, more fantastic about the two boys of the Winchesters, Falco and Jacob Winchester.
Stranger things would happen around them, like the time when Jacob accidently made Mrs. Abbigail, the rude old hag from their former flat, beehive hair style turn into a shiny bald head. Or that time when a six years old Falco, accidently dropped Mr. Rex, the old dinosaur stuffed toy, in the road. Only to reappear on the same night, in his bed.
Years ago, the truth behind these weird 'accidents' finally were explained, when a 11 years old Jacob received the same letter. Two days later, the doors to a new world opened, when a weird dresses woman visited the family on their new house. She spent half part of the morning explaining everything to the confused parents, assuring it was not a prank.
"Yes, Mr. And Mrs. Winchester. Your son, Jacob, is a Wizard, indeed."
How well Falco could remember those words. Nothing was the after that day.
3
– Wicked!
After waiting so many years, his time has come. Grinning like a mad man, he slowly opened the letter. Falco would start his First Year in Hogwarts, where he'll put in action his true objective. However...
– Falco, dear. – his mother called for him. – The letter. Give it to me now, please.
Falco, so distracted in his own wonderland, came back to reality. He saw her crying face.
– Huh? What do you mean, mum?
Still not processing everything, he questioned her. Wasn't she supposed to feel happy of him? Why does she had such pained look in her eyes?
His parents took a seat next to him. Nigel squeezed Artemis hand, trying to comfort her. Then, he turned to his son, and said:
– Falco, how about we look for other school?
– Other school? – Falco asked.
– You don't have to go to a magic school in Scotland. You could chose another school, like Smeltings. Might not be a magical place, but is an excellent institution.
Nigel was a man who usually picked his words carefully. He had red hair, vibrant green eyes and a muscular figure.
– He's not going.
Artemis, however, went straight to the point. Her black hair was always mess, except for special occasions. Her bright blue eyes usually hold a kind, motherly gaze, but not this time.
– Arty, dear... – Nigel tried to calm her, bit was too late.
– I thought we already agreed about this nonsense two years ago, Nigel. He's not going there! – she spat.
Today, she looked scary, and Falco didn't liked it in her. She shot the letter a dirty look, as if it was something evil. Her words sounded like a storm.
Her blue eyes were still glued at the letter, and Falco noticed. By instinct, the kid hold it close to his chest.
– Eh?! Why, mum?!
– Do not question me, Falco Winchester! You're not going to that place, and that's final!
Seeing where things were going, Nigel squeezed her hand a bit more. He had to try to calm her, before things got ugly. If there's something he did not like about her, is her unstable temperament. It got worse after that day.
– Honey, calm down. – Nigel said, calmly.
In contrast to all this situation, he looked calm. That's why he need her to stay calm, too. Unfortunately, it just made things worse. Artemis glared at him.
She jumped from the couch, her sky blue eyes burning her husband soul. She couldn't help, but cry her lungs out. Sobbing, she let out her frustrations:
– And how can I calm down, Nigel?! Tell me?! You do know what this means! Don't you? Our baby boy, Nigel! Going to that place, as if!
Her anger reverbed in the room, like a thunder.
– You know what this means! I don't want this nightmare in our lives again!
– Yes, Artemis. I do know very well. – he respond her back, with a pained tone in his voice. – And also don't want it, alright?!
Artemis, in her outburst, said hurtful words, in a slightly tone of accusation. Nigel, starting to lose his patience, answered her. His voice hold pain and anger.
– Unfortunately, I do know. – he bit his lip. – But...
– But what?!
Still letting her anger control her words, Artemis yelled at Nigel. The poor man sighed, already feeling a headache coming.
Falco felt an argument on the air, and decided to make a run for his bedroom. He would hide his precious letter, away from his mother hands.
He was next to the stairs, trying to be silent like a ninja, but...
– Falco! Come here now!
...His mother noticed everything, and called for him, angry. She was about to run after him, but her husband held her arm. And another fight started.
Hearing his mother, the gentle woman who loved him so much, yelling at him like this felt like a punch in the guts. He gripped the letter, still close to his chest.
In his room, Falco locked the door and took a random book from his shelf. Then, he hid the letter inside his novel Carrie and put it back in the bookshelf.
Finally, the boy jumped on the bed, and cried.
– This is not fair. I want to go to Hogwarts. I waited for so long, just to be denied. – Falco sobbed on his pillow. – How will I find him, if I can not go?
After crying his lungs out, the boy fell asleep.
4
Falco spent most part of his day in the bedroom, brooding. On the next day, his mother had enough of his attitude. She pretended nothing happened, and suggest him to enjoy the summer while he can, before going to Smeltings.
Hearing the name of that bloody school made him want to vomit. The disgust was evident on his face, but Artemis chose to ignore it. Instead of question him, she told him to go see Mary Payne, his school friend, after moving out.
He said no, in a petulant tone. This attitude of his cost his Atari, but he could careless. He was so angry, and he knew he might hurt her. There's also a part of him, that knew his mother won't lose this opportunity to 'clean' his room.
Artemis used this excuse to snoop around Jacob room, when he tried to hide something fishy. There's no doubt she would use this trick against him.
On the next morning, Artemis had enough of his stubborn attitude. Determined, the woman decided to put an end in this nonsense.
Falco was lying down on his bed, reading The Amazing Spider-man comic books. He was muttering I'm Ready from Fats Domino, when he heard someone knock on his door.
His mother entered the room, carrying her red purse and a plate of cookies. She had a warming smile on her face, as if the two last days never existed.
– Falco, dear. Look at me.
She sat next to him, making the boy take his eyes off the comic. Falco pouted. He's still angry at her, and his petty immature anger made him want to ignore her, even though he knew it was wrong.
Artemis, however, ignored it and decided to explain her motives. He had to understand her. She put the plate of cookie next to him, and made herself comfortable.
– Falco. – she called him again, this time with a serious face. – I know, I may had said things that might hurt you. You know I love you.
Falco nodded, with pink cheeks. Artemis continued:
– But you must understand, it was for your own well being. And for that matter, I hold no regrets. Do you understand me?
This time Falco ignored her, pouting and crossing his arms. Artemis frowned, and grabbed his left ear, making the boy yelp. Her face reminded Falco of an angry lioness.
– Ow, ow, ow! Mum!
– Falco. – her voice made him tremble. Her severe expression showing disappointment. – I thought I raised you better than this. So don't give this petulant attitude and answer me, young man.
She let go of his ear. Falco caressed his poor ear, and said:
– Sorry, mummy. I know you and father love me, and I love you two. But I want to go to Hogwarts, I wanna learn magic. It's the only place I'll feel normal! Not in a place full of snobbish gits like Smellytings.
– Language, Falco! – she chastised him, sighing. – And you must know, Falco, that Smeltings is one of most refined institutions of our country!
She tried to show the good points, but...
– Full of snobbish, arrogant, bigoted prats, whose mother is a bi...!
– Falco!
...The boy could see that place as a disease, full of gits and bigger arseholes excuse for teachers. A bunch of pompous, that's what they are. Falco would bet all his comics that he won't to deal with this kind of professors in Hogwarts.
– And you know its true! You saw it yourself, mum!
Falco was right in that matter, though Artemis wouldn't admit. As he said, his mother saw it when the three Winchesters went to look for other school. And Smeltings happened to be their best and worst option.
Naturally, the two adults couldn't afford that kind of school, but if it means their son away from that place, they would work harder for this chance. So, they worked like mules, just to pay for their son school.
Four months later, Artemis and Nigel got promotions. And the couple took Falco to make a visit in Smeltings. In their eyes, Smeltings sounded like a place to be proud of their child. But Falco didn't like the school.
The boy didn't even tried to hide his disgust. Seeing those kids, all dressed in their pompous uniforms, walking around with their pathetic hats and carrying those black sticks.
When he saw that scenario, he made a weird pose, and said he would rip his eyes off.
It would be a miracle, if he stills has any chance of being admitted there. That rude comment and overly dramatic act gained him the antipathy of the horse faced headmaster, not that he cared about Mr. Horse Face opinions.
His parents, however, grounded him, and called him ungrateful. It hurt him, and he felt guilt at the time. They never felt so disappointed, and they made Falco write a apology letter for the headmaster.
However...
– Remember Mr. Horse Face, mum?
...The boy could only laugh, wishing for a chance to burn that moustache.
Artemis face-palmed herself, cursing her lack of tact for all the times she cursed next to the boy. But she raised her eyebrows, frowning. Something that Falco said picked her attention, and the dark haired woman questioned him:
– Falco. You said 'normal', as if you're not. What do you mean, Falco? You're normal! They're bothering you again, those delinquents? I swear, if ...
Falco blushed, and hide his face on a pillow. Besides being a strict mother, Artemis was a overprotective mother. The delinquents, or The Three Stooges, as Falco called them, loved to pick on him. 'Creepy Eyes', that's his nicknamed.
– No, mum. They're are not. – he lied. – It just... I am a Wizard, you know. So freak things are going to happen, like before. And I would feel lonely.
He did his best to not sound as a self-pitying brat. His mother hugged him, giving him comfort. Unfortunately, her words did not.
– Falco, dear. You are normal, okay? Don't talk like this. You won't be a loner in Smeltings, little bird. Who knows, maybe Mary might join you. – she gave him a smile, trying to convince him. – But one thing is certain: you won't go to Hogwarts. I don't want to lose you, too.
– I see.
He nodded, and bury his head on hear shoulder, crying in silence. He tried, but couldn't convince her. He will go to Smeltings, hoping that Mary join him, at least.
– You can cry, my little bird.
She let him cry on her shoulder, caressing his red hair with her fingers. Her maternal instincts kicking, feeling bad for hurting her baby feelings. But if it means he's safe, then it is worth.
– May I come in?
His father knocked on the door, and opened it.
– The car is ready, honey. – he turned to his son. – Here, you can buy some sweets or crisps. See you later, bud.
He gave his son some money, and left, leaving the two alone. Artemis sat up, and kissed her son forehead.
– How about this, huh? I'll buy some popcorn and sodas. Then, we'll have a movie night. I'll bring a movie from Blockbuster. How about Jaws?
Falcon nodded, with shiny eyes.
– Okay, then. See you later, little bird.
5
Ten minutes later, the red haired boy was bored. He finished his comic book and put it away. There's no Kit Kat at home, so no sweets. And his Atari was hidden, so he could not play till night.
– But I don't have to play at home.
He could play at the arcades, and probably win something good. Perhaps, if dear lucky was smiling at him, he could even buy a burger.
– Alright, then. Time to kill some monsters! Arcade, I'm coming!
For the first time in that day, he felt excited. So he picked his Walkman, took his money and left the house.