Chapter 43: Almost There
Phoenix tensed a little. Her hands were ready to freeze or blow up her kidnapper.
"You think freezing me will work?" The stranger said.
With these words, Phoenix relaxed, letting out a tremendous sigh. Grinning, she jumped and spun around, looking at the person behind her.
"Kaleb! I knew it was you!" Phoenix screamed excitedly as she jumped and hugged him.
"I was wondering if your whitelighter sensing depleted!" He said "Uh, Nix… you can let go. I need to breathe!" Kaleb squeaked.
"Sorry, I just have missed you and the gang."
"Yeah, Miranda and Bailey were very excited when they found out you were coming home. But their parents had bad news for them. They were going out of town for the holidays. Oh well." Kaleb shrugged. It was no loss for him.
Phoenix looked at him, confused. "Weren't you and your mom supposed to spend the holidays with your gypsy clan? I thought they went out of town? And why are you here, anyway? Don't tell me mom and the Aunts had a demon attack and forgot about me!"
"Well, first question, no, mom's boss told her she had to attend a conference. I begged her if I could stay either at your house or one of your aunts. I didn't like the last conference she made me go to. She told me if neither of them minded, it was fine. Mom was heartbroken about not spending Christmas with me. Second, your mother is right behind you!" Kaleb pointed.
She put her hands on her hips, not believing him. "Nice try! Last time I looked mom and dad was not there!"
"Really? Then how do you think Kaleb got here?" Paige questioned.
Phoenix spun around like she did moments before. Sure enough, her mother was standing in front of her. "Mom!" she said, giving her an enormous hug.
"Nice to know I was missed." Paige said, returning the hug.
"So, where are dad, Katie, and Henry?" Phoenix let go of her mother
"Your father is off taking care of one of his parolees. Katie and Henry are over at Aunt Piper's house, which is where we are going."
Phoenix was about to say something when someone ran right into her. She was about to give them a piece of her mind until she realized who it was.
"Neville?"
"Sorry, Phoenix, I didn't see you. I was trying to find my toad."
"Lost him again?" Phoenix asked. She looked over to Kaleb and her mother, both looking at her with a quizzical look and mouthing, 'toad?' Phoenix smiled and nodded, understanding what they are thinking.
"Yeah, have you seen him?"
"No, sorry Neville I have not. Maybe he is still on the train?"
"Maybe, well, see you after the holidays Phoenix."
"Yeah, see ya, Neville." Phoenix waved him goodbye, then turned back around to her mother. "Well, shall we go?"
"He actually has a toad for a pet?" Kaleb asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, and others have rats, owls, or cats as well."
"Well, I can see more of the cat but a toad? I mean come on witches do not have toads! It is more cats than anything!"
"Well, obviously Hogwarts thinks differently about those clichés." Paige said, having the same feeling as Kaleb did. "But anyway, we need to get to the manner. Kaleb, would you be so kind and grab Phoenix's trunk?"
"Yes, Mrs. Matthews."
"Great, let's move over to that dark corner and orb out of here." Paige said, heading towards their destination, Kaleb and Phoenix walking slowly behind her.
As they were walking towards the dark corner, someone knocked into Phoenix, this time onto the ground.
"Out of my way Matthews!"
"You watch it, Malfoy!" Phoenix yelled, as Kaleb was helping her up.
Draco stopped, turned around, and faced her, his wand at his side. "I don't move for anyone Matthews."
"Really?" Phoenix said, moving her wand from her back pocket.
"I think we need to finish what we started back in Madam Hooch's class." Draco said, raising his wand in the air.
"Oh, we have already finished it, Malfoy!" Phoenix spat as she, too, raised her wand and her left hand.
"Nix, I think we need to go. You are making a scene."
"Let everyone look. It would be fun to humiliate Malfoy in front of everyone."
"I think you are the one to be humiliated, Matthews. But I think your friend is right, maybe later at Hogwarts. It would be better without the parents around." Malfoy gave off a sneer and left.
Phoenix kept her wand up for a while until she lost Malfoy in the crowd. Kaleb walked over to her, pulling her arms down.
"Easy Nix, he is gone. Let's go find your mom." He said as he dragged her along with her trunk. "Geez, you've been to Hogwarts less than five months, and you all ready have an enemy." He turned back to Phoenix and gave her a small smile. "That is the Nix I know!"
"Will you two hurry?" Paige said, seeing the two walking up behind her.
"We're coming, we're coming!" Phoenix yelled back, rolling her eyes, still frustrated over Malfoy.
"Just had a brief confrontation Mrs. Matthews, but everything is alright now."
"Oh… okay." Paige looked back and forth between the two. She saw the look her daughter was giving and knew what happened was not good. 'Since I heard nothing going on, I guess I could let it slide.' "Alright you two let's get going." Paige looked around, making sure no one was paying attention, and orbed out.
"You had to say that!" Phoenix snapped out.
"What! I'm sure she would find out. She is your mother Nix."
"Yeah, you're right, let's go."
Phoenix looked around for any passer byes that might pay attention to them. When no one was, she picked up her bag and Cali's cage. Kaleb grabbed her trunk and Phoenix's arm. The two left for the Halliwell manor in orbs.