Chapter 1: New Beginnings

BONESBOROUGH

27 YEARS AGO

"This is your lunch. I put a chocolate cupcake in there because I know it's your favorite."

"And sweetie, here's 2 snails so you can buy something to drink."

"Well this is it. Your first day. Be sure to make it a good one champ!"

"I can't believe my little baby boy's attending Hexside! I'm so happy I could-BWAWHAHA!"

"Ok mom, cool it with the waterworks wouldja? I gotta get going."

"Goodbye Son!"

"*Sniff* I'll pick you up after school honey!"

"Mom!"

Xander Emberton was practically speed walking, slightly embarrassed by his mother's last statement (and her near frantic hand waving.) For most of his life, Glandus was the only school he ever attended, that is until his parents, Erina & Wulfric Emberton, moved to Bonesborough earlier in the summer after Wulfric managed to land a better job in the town, working as an entry level antidote salesman. Xander meanwhile, had passed the entrance exam with flying colors, thanks to his skills practicing Oracle magic, impressing Principal Bump & securing him a spot in the Oracle Track.

2 months later, now clad in his purple track uniform, coupled with his nice professional haircut, and his bagged lunch which was in his backpack, the raven-haired, fair skinned 15 year old continued his trek to the prestigious Hexside School of Magic & Demonics, finally arriving with plenty of minutes to spare.

"Well here it is. Hexside. Time to make it happen!" Xander said as he walked up the concrete stairs brimming with hope. Walking down the rather large hallways, he pulled out a folded up piece of paper (being his schedule) from his pocket, noting his first class in Oracle Magic was not too far off.

With a good 5 minutes to spare, the sophomore stepped inside the classroom, walking past the slew of colorful looking classmates while also noticing the professor had yet to show up, he managed to find a good seat near the front. Sitting down, he turned around to face the classmate behind him; a girl his age, with a sophisticated look on her face, and green hair tied up in a nice bun.

He then smiled warmly and extended a hand "Hello. I just transferred here from Glandus. My name's Xander Emberton. Nice to meet you."

"Talk to me again and I'll jynx your hiney into next week." She responded rather coldly.

"Ooookay then." Xander said as he slowly retracted his arm. He then heard a *psst* from the student sitting right next to him; "That's just Odalia. Don't take it personally, she's like that to all of us. Best to just ignore her" She said.

Xander then rolled his eyes "Good to know."

Once Oracle Magic 101 concluded, he looked at his schedule again, realizing he had PE next, followed by History, Lunch, Math, Art, & ending things off with Free Study. Placing the schedule back in his pocket, he proceeded to turn into a west corridor.

Only for him to literally bump into another student, blissfully unaware.

"OW! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE WALKING BUSTER!" The girl yelled, rubbing her forehead as she got back up.

Xander was offended by her accusation "ME? YOU WERE THE ONE NOT PAYING ATTENTION!"

Once he got back up, he got a good look at her; she was a few inches taller than him, had yellow eyes, pale skin, bright orange hair in a rather abundant amount, and her uniform matched her peepers, indicating that she was in the Potions Track. He would've found her attractive if he wasn't so ticked at her.

Xander then deduced the reason behind her running into him; she was talking to another girl, also in the Potions Track, slightly taller, same color skin & hair, albeit the hair was in a different style, green eyes & big round spectacles.

The taller girl sighed, "I keep trying to tell her that, but she never listens."

"Whatever. But she's right. Sorry about th- hey wait. I've never seen you before. You new?"

Regaining his composure, Xander took a collective breath "I am. I actually started today. My name's Xander. Xander Emberton."

"Xander huh? Cool name. Mine's Edalyn Clawthorne, but everyone just calls me Eda. Well, except for my sister Lilith." She pointed her thumb next to the taller girl.

"That's me."

"Anyhow, since this is your first day, let's just put this whole 'knocking into each other head first' ordeal behind us. Whaddya say?" Eda asked, extending her hand.

Admittedly he was reluctant, but Xander decided it was only fair to give her another chance. He was raised on such principles after all.

"Deal." He shook her hand in response.

"Now that that's taken care of, me and Lily here gotta get to our next classes. See ya around new meat!" Eda exclaimed as she bolted towards the east pavilion.

Lilith just shook her head. "There she goes again. See you around, Xander."

"You too Lilith."

As Lilith followed suit, Xander couldn't help but smile at Eda's personality; and he had an inkling he'd be seeing a lot more of her & her sister in the days to come.

"She's an interesting one that Eda." He thought, practically ignoring the 'new meat' comment as he made his way to the gym for PE.

Once the first half of his class schedule was over, it was finally lunchtime. Using the 2 snails his mom gave him, Xander purchased a can of Mountain Doom in the cafeteria store; not long after he was walking rather aimlessly through the tables, hoping to find a good but vacant spot to have lunch. 2 minutes later a voice called out his name, and he knew exactly who it belonged to.

"Yo Xander over here! Come sit with me and Lily!"

"Oh hey Eda & Lilith" he said as he sat down in front of the orange haired sisters.

Xander then set his can of soda aside, reached into his backpack, and pulled out his lunch bag. He poured the contents out, revealing them to be a boo-logna and cheese sandwich, a bag of sour scream & onion potato chips, & the chocolate cupcake his dad placed inside the bag before Xander left.

Eda couldn't help but notice the yummy looking food Xander had before him; the cupcake being especially tantalizing to her. Compared to the lunch she was eating, which was nothing more than a box of apple blood & some pretzels, Xander practically had a banquet all to himself! Even her sister's lunch, consisting of a garden salad, a bag of Hex Mix & a bottle of Ginger Ale, trumped Eda's.

"That's a really nice cupcake you got there Xandy." She said.

"Uh thanks. My mom made it for me; she's a really talented baker."

"I'll bet. Think you could spare a piece or two?"

"Oh gee Eda I dunno. I mean, I just met you and-"

"Pleeeeeeeaaasssse?" She asked whilst batting her eyelashes.

Xander was noticing just how enticing Eda found his pastry as well as her mediocre lunch. Sighing, he summoned a plastic knife via a small spell circle and began to slice the cupcake clean down the middle.

"Ok fine. But only because I see that your lunch leaves a lot to be desired."

With a big grin, Eda happily took her half of the delectable cupcake.

"You're the best Xandy. I owe ya one." She said with a wink before munching on her treat. Lilith just sighed and resumed eating her salad.

Blushing slightly, Xander scratched the back of his head "No prob Eda."

As lunch continued, He and the Clawthornes were chatting up something fierce, with Eda explaining all the pranks & mischief she's pulled (without even a hint or guilt or remorse in her voice) & Lilith talking about how she & Eda both plan to one day join the Emperor's Coven. Xander simply couldn't believe what his pointy ears were hearing. The sisters in turn found out that he not only attended Glandus, but was a very skilled user in Oracle Magic, even being the top of his former class. They also found out exactly why he & parents moved to begin with.

"That must've been real tough huh? Leaving your home, saying goodbye to all your friends?" Lilith asked.

"Yeah." Xander replied rather glumly after taking a sip of his drink.

Eda just smiled "Well Xander, you just earned yourself 2 new friends, in me & Lily. Right sis?"

"Absolutely. In fact, if it's not too much trouble, maybe you could read my palm, take a glimpse into my future perhaps?" Lilith asked, offering her an open hand in front of Xander.

"Sure. I mean if that's what you want." He faintly blushed, using his right to gently hold Lilith's.

"I must warn you though, whatever future I can see always ends up being accurate, unavoidable in a way. Hence why I was top in my class. Are you sure you still want your future read?"

Lilith gave him a determined look "I'm very sure."

"Well ok then. Here I go."

Xander took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and set his fingertips on the palm of Lilith's hand. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes, now in a deep violet glow, and was breathing steadily.

"I see you, rising through the ranks, yes, and eventually you're at the top, becoming a cut above the rest. Wait, now I'm seeing what looks to be a sinister act of sorts…."

Hearing that, Lilith immediately pulled her hand back, startled by his near-ominous prediction.

Eda raised an eyebrow at this, but dismissed it just as quickly.

"Wow. That was kind of terrifying."

"You have no idea." Xander responded rather bluntly. He then turned to Eda "How 'bout you Eda? Wanna get your fortune read too?"

Finishing the last of her half-cupcake, she scoffed, then chuckled "In your dreams Xandal-wood. I don't need a fortune teller to know that MY future is nothing, if not bright! And you can take that to the bloodbank!"

Little did she know, she could not have been any further from the truth.

PHEW! That was quite a chapter to do, seeing as how this is my first time and all. Btw, did anyone notice the 'Mean Girls' references sprinkled throughout the beginning? Anyways I don't own The Owl House nor Mean Girls; that's all Paramount & Disney. Don't be afraid to review; every bit of criticism helps!

Until next chapter!