Chapter 51: Grandpa Sam

"Grandpa Sam!" the twins yelled.

Sam hugged the two girls, then let go, getting a good look at the two.

"Hey, girls, it has been awhile. You two look more like your mother every time," He looked over at Phoenix. "I heard you go to a different school, is that right?"

"Yes, it is called Hogwarts."

"Are you doing okay? Do you like it?"

"Yep, loving it!"

"That is good. Hello Kaleb, I didn't see you there."

"Hello, sir." Kaleb said quietly.

"And how are you doing?"

"Fine, sir."

"That is good."

Sam gave the three a small smile, then looked over at the table full of books.

"What are you three up to? Or should I say, Phoenix and Kaleb, what are you two up to?"

"Oh, just…"

"Phoenix, can I talk to you for a second, excuse us, grandpa!" Katie said, cutting off her sister.

"No, problem."

Katie grabbed hold of her sister's arm and dragged her to the opposite side of the room.

"You might be careful about what you say."

"Why?"

"Because I remember Uncle Leo and Uncle Coop say something about Grandpa. They were going to ask him if he could spy on us."

"And couldn't there be another reason Grandpa could be here?"

"Well… I suppose."

"But I guess we could be cautious."

"Yeah, tell him it is for homework. Don't tell grandpa the truth."

"Right, let's go." Phoenix took her sister and dragged her back.

"Well, did you two have a pleasant chat?"

"Yes, Grandpa."

"Well, what have you been up to?"

"Just homework."

"Homework? You, Phoenix? Tell me the real reason."

"Okay, fine, I'm doing some research for a school project on someone, and Kaleb and Katie are helping. So, I told the truth." 'Okay, not really, but Katie has a point.'

"Really? Who is it on?"

"Some guy named Nicolas Flamel."

Sam was silent for a moment. "Have you found anything?"

"Oh… you know just little things here and there."

"Anything helpful?"

"No, not really."

"Well, I'm sorry."

"Hey grandpa, why are you even here?"

"Katie!"

"That is all right. I'm here for your girls's birthday."

"That is not until two days, sir." Kaleb piped up. He was watching the way Sam was acting. It didn't suit him well.

"Oh, well, I thought about getting reacquainted with my grandchildren. I haven't seen you girls for a couple of months, you know."

"Why be here and not at home or at the manor? Why did you have to come to Magic School?" Phoenix questioned.

"To talk to your mother."

"Okay."

"So, about your project. When is it due?" Sam asked.

The twins and Kaleb looked at each other, wondering why he would continue on with the subject.

"At the end of the school year." Phoenix answered. 'I am burying myself deeper!'

"And for what class?"

"History of magic."

"Hmmm," Sam looked back over at the table, then back again. "Would you like some help?"

The three looked at one another. None of them knew what to say. 'Should we accept his offer? Or decline? Katie heard Uncle Leo and Coop talk about using Grandpa as a spy. Well, mom and the aunts would say to keep people closer if you suspect something.'

"Sure Grandpa, that would be great." Phoenix replied. Katie and Kaleb looked at her questionably.

"Okay, what is it you need to know?"

"Um… well, it says Nicolas Flamel was an alchemist looking to create the philosopher's stone. Did he ever succeed? How old is he if he was still alive?"

Sam tried hard to think of an answer to each question without giving her the correct one. "No one has ever created the philosopher's stone. Some say the thing isn't real. For your next questions, he wouldn't be still alive."

"Do you think it is real, Grandpa?" Katie continued the questions.

"I have seen many things in my line of work that I never would have thought to be real."

"What do you think it is and does, sir?" Kaleb took his turn.

"I have no clue what it is or what it can do." He looked at the three. "Do you kids need any more help with your project or did my answers help?"

"I think we can do the rest just fine. Thank you, Grandpa."

"Okay kids, I'm going to the manor to say hi to your brother and aunts." Sam reached over to hug the girls.

"What about mom?" Phoenix asked.

Sam swallowed, "Right, I'm going to her office first," and orbed out.

"What was that about?" Kaleb questioned.

"I wanted to see how he would react to certain questions."

"Why?"

"Because he knew Katie and I could tell if he was lying."

"And your conclusion, Nix?"