Charmed Again: Spellbound
iii (three): Magic School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
Last time on Charmed Again: Spellbound: Winnie talks to her father, Cole Turner, about knowing the Charmed Ones previously. She finds out she is prophesied to be a help towards the cause of either the great agreement between good and evil and help with the downfall of evil or a contributor to the downfall of good. She also finds out that Cole was allowed to be in her life because of his role in her conception. Cole tells his daughter that he isn't ready to speak about his former relationship with Phoebe. Winnie helps Wyatt and Chris with the faeries and finds out about 'King Arthur'. They tell Winnie about Magic School and are about to take Winnie.
ps: i suck at summaries.
"Magic school is in your home?" Winnie was confused after Chris pointed to the brown ornate door at the top of the first landing.
Chris laughed at the cute, confused look on her face. "No, but the quickest portal to magic school is in our home." He told her.
"Plus," Wyatt spoke up, coming up from behind them. "Mom wanted to see you again." He pointed her out.
Winnie's eyebrows met in the middle as she turned to face the matriarch of the Halliwells. They were just previously talking about their restaurant Halliwell's. "She did?"
"I did," Piper smiled hugely, throwing the cooking rag over her shoulder.
Winnie laughed. "I know you said you liked me, but I can't have set that good of an impression," she smiled.
Piper smiled as she shrugged. "Sorry, I just," she laughed. "It's nice to have another magical person in my children's lives that aren't related to them. I know how hard it was for us," she said, referring to her sisters. "And it helped when we told other magical beings who understood," she explained. "I'm glad you're here, Winnie," Piper told the young girl. "I know it's gonna help Chris and Wyatt to make more friends, magical friends," she said this last part to her sons who looked down in embarrassment.
Winnie gave Piper a grateful smile. "Thanks Piper," she said. "If it's any...help, Wyatt and Chris, and now you, are the only magical people I know. Besides my mom, but she's dead, and my dad, and he's a ghost." She joked.
"Oh no," Piper immediately turned sorrowful at hearing that the young woman's mother and father are dead. "I'm so sorry."
Wyatt, trying to make things better, chose the wrong thing to say. "No, it gets better. Winnie basically taught herself everything about magic. Her dad helped her as much as he could with his knowledge, but it was all Winnie." He smiled, prideful over his new friend.
Chris shook his head and his hand met his forehead in a slap.
"Uh, honey," Piper grit her teeth and pulled her lips back, making a wincing face. "I don't think that makes it better."
Winnie laughed at the family's silliness. "It's okay. My mom died when I was six and the deal with them," she looked up, referring to the Higher powers the be. "Was only one ghostly parent was allowed to be there and it was my dad since he was already a spirit." She shrugged.
Piper tilted her head. "I'm confused." Her eyes shifted as she tried to make sense of it. "So you were raised alone? Or with your father? But he's a spirit? I-" She shook her head.
"My dad died before I was born, but he became a spirit because he was pun-" Winnie cut herself off, knowing she shouldn't reveal too much about her former demon dad, especially if he was in their book of shadows. She especially shouldn't tell them that her father was made to be a spirit trapped in the cosmic void to pay for his crimes when he was alive as a demon. Piper might know exactly who she was talking about even if she revealed the smallest details. So she had to be careful. "Probably holding on to me. So he was always around in my life," she saved herself. "My dad tried to teach me as much as he could about magic, but luckily my mom raised me with magic and kept extensive information in our own book of shadows." She shrugged.
Chris wrapped an arm around Winnie's shoulder, pushing her closer to him. "What Wyatt was trying to say, was that Winnie's a badass witch especially after mostly being self-taught."
Winnie nudged Chris. "Nice save," she giggled.
Piper observed the scene, watching as Chris smiled widely at Winnie, his hand lowering from her shoulder to her waist. He was subconsciously leaning into her body, licking his bottom lip as he did so. Winnie was turned slightly towards him, also smiling widely. The elder Charmed One looked to her eldest son and was unsurprised to see him grinning at the two. She laughed to herself, watching the young adults and their clear body language. "Well then," she interjected, causing the young adults to look at her. "I can't wait to see all that you can do." She smiled at her. "Taking her to magic school?" She reminded her boys.
Wyatt smiled. "Yeah," he waved his hand and the portal appeared at the top of the first break of the stairs. "Be warned, Dad might put you through some tests to see where you might be placed."
Winnie furrowed her brow. "Okay," she said hesitantly. "Do you guys still have classes there?" She asked the boys.
Chris rolled his eyes. "Advanced combat and advanced telekinesis. Mom and dad still think need the practice. Even though we've both aged out of the school system." He directed that statement towards his mother.
"You do still need the practice!" Piper called out.
"No I don't, Mom," Chris laughed. "I'm usually teaching the other students how to better their telekinesis. I'm teaching Wyatt too," he teased his older brother.
Wyatt scoffed, laughing. "Speak for yourself, bro. You need the practice," he gave his brother a playful shove.
"Please," Chris rolled his eyes and shoved his brother back. "I've been doing telekinesis longer than you. I'm the master here," he chuckled.
Winnie and Wyatt furrowed their eyebrows as Piper suddenly tensed up.
"Chris...I'm older than you," Wyatt laughed. "Have you forgotten that?"
Chris shook his head. "Yeah, but-" he stopped himself, suddenly feeling extremely dizzy. "Whoa." He swayed slightly, grabbing onto Winnie's shoulder to stabilize himself. He blinked.
Winnie grabbed his waist and arm to keep him steady. "Hey, you okay?" She looked up at his suddenly paler face. She soothed him by rubbing his arm.
"Chris…" Wyatt grabbed Chris' shoulders and watched his brother carefully. "C'mon, Chris," he tried again. What's going on with him?
Piper watched as Winnie and Wyatt took care of her son. Chris looked disoriented and lost as he blinked blankly. Winnie looked scared but also swallowed most of it down so she could try to hold up Chris. Wyatt looked every bit of the strong Witch that he was. But Piper knew her children. She knew Wyatt's eyes. While it held wisdom and strength, there was a small glint of fear. Fear for Chris. She felt the same. She grimaced as she watched Chris. Could Chris be getting his memories back? These sort of episodes have been happening lately but only rarely. She needed to talk to her sisters. And her husband. Immediately. "Honey, you okay?" The matriarch of the Charmed Ones repeated Winnie's question.
Chris licked his lips and blinked his dizziness away. "Yeah. M'fine. I just...got dizzy." He blew out a breath he didn't know he was holding in. He felt a soft squeeze around his waist and a hard, more familiar squeeze around his shoulders. "I'm fine," he looked to his brother. "I promise," he turned to look at Winnie.
"Maybe we should postpone going to Magic School?" Winnie asked. "Just until we make sure you're not dizzy anymore. Get you some food; maybe that's the cause of your dizziness?" She rubbed his back and arm gently.
Wyatt nodded. "Yeah, maybe we should take Winnie's advice." He kept his arm around his baby brother's shoulders.
Chris shook his head stubbornly. "No, I'm fine. I swear," he emphasized. "Maybe it was just the fairy dust getting to me. I always hated that stuff," he admitted.
Wyatt raised his eyebrow and nodded slightly. "Yeah, that's true." He let go of his brother, trusting him at his word.
Winnie wasn't as convinced. She still held on to his waist.
Chris looked down. "Winnie…"
She narrowed her eyes. "Fine. If you get dizzy again, I'm not helping you out," she sniffed as she removed her arm from his waist.
Chris grinned and grabbed her arm and replaced it back around his waist. "I didn't say I didn't enjoy your tenderness. I'm just letting you know I'm fine," his hand went under her chin and gave it a quick rub.
Wyatt smirked at his brother's game. "Yeah," he nodded approvingly.
"Oh, you leave him alone," Piper threw her cooking rag at her eldest. She smiled as she watched Chris and Winnie. She never got to see him like this. Not as he grew, nor as past Big Chris. It reminded her of herself and Leo. How fast and strong their feelings felt. It was nice to see.
Winnie blushed from being stared at and cleared her throat. "Well...Magic School?" She asked.
"Oh it's gonna be awesome," Wyatt grinned.
"Let's find out then," Winnie smiled. "See ya later, Piper," she walked forward and gave the brown haired woman a hug. "Hope you get your recipe right," she smiled.
Piper held the girl tightly and warmly. "I will. I'll let you be the first to taste it once it's perfect," she promised the young girl. She felt a kinship towards her. Not because it seemed like she was going to be a permanent fixture in her son's (especially Chris') lives, but because they both lost their mothers around the same ages. She could relate to her. "Have fun and tell my husband I said hello," she grinned her toothy grin.
"I will," Winnie smiled back. "Ready?" She looked up to Chris, who was smiling at the women's interactions. She waved Piper goodbye and walked through the open door. Once through the portal, she looked all around her, amazed all over again. "Whoa," she breathed. She looked down the never ending hallway, seeing various students levitating through to their classes. She allowed Chris and Wyatt to lead her to the main sitting room in magic school. She was immediately intrigued by the walls and walls of books shown all around the room.
"I'm gonna go grab Dad," Chris went ahead and jogged away.
Wyatt nodded and leaned into Winnie, whispering into her ear. "Sometimes I wish I hadn't known about magic all my life so I can feel what you feel and see what you see," he admitted and chuckled. "It must be so amazing to see." He rubbed her shoulder gently, watch her wide eyed expression.
Winnie turned to him. "It is," her eyes were still looking around the room. "I can't believe you guys grew up with this." She breathed, a little sorrowful that she didn't get the chance to grow up with magic school. Although she would have never traded her experience with her father for anything.
A cleared throat could be heard as Winnie's and Wyatt's head spun to face who did it.
A slightly pink faced Chris was standing next to his father, trying to contain his fury as he watched Wyatt stand close to Winnie. He didn't like it. Not at all. Nor did he like this feeling of jealousy coming across him. This wasn't him. "Winnie, this is my dad, Leo," he gestured to the man next to him.
Winnie gave the man a smile as she took a step away from Wyatt. "Hi," she held her hand out for him to shake. "I'm Winnie. It's nice to meet you," she said kindly. She gave Chris a curious look as she saw his clenched fists.
Leo returned her handshake. "Same here, I've heard so much about you. From the boys," he gave a warning look to his sons. "And from my wife," he chuckled at that part. "It seems they've all grown fond of you."
Winnie blushed as she retracted her hand. "I don't know why. I've done nothing to deserve such kind sentiments," she looked back to the blushing boys behind her. "Thank you for allowing me to take a look at Magic School."
"Well, hopefully we can place you in a worthy enough class," Leo smiled. "Chris and Wyatt are going to give you a tour of magic school and when that's done, I'll give you some tests to see where a good placement for you will be." He informed the young witch. "Although, I must warn you...the tests won't be easy. Chris and Wyatt have told me how good you are so naturally, as the headmaster, I must challenge you," he joked albeit slightly serious.
"Challenge accepted," Winnie teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Unf," Winnie let out a puff of air as she flew onto her back. She was fighting - demon training, more like it.
She had finished her tour of the magic school and was highly impressed. Despite the long walk through all of the expansive halls, she was so overwhelmed by how many classes there were for students of all ages. Babies were in preschool, grade school students, college aged students, even some adults took classes here.
Upon returning to the great room, Leo immediately started her on tests. She passed Advanced Potion Making and Advanced Spell Casting with flying colors. She flew past Levitation and Advanced Telekinesis with ease. She was now going through Advanced Combat testing. Since the boys told Leo how well she handled herself with hand to hand combat with the lazarus demon, Leo challenged her by having her fight both Chris and Wyatt at the same time. She had long since removed her leather jacket, leaving only her tight ripped jeans and white tank top on.
Wyatt stood over her, ready to throw the 'final' blow.
"Wyatt, wait!" Winnie held her hands up. Her chest was heaving with her breath she took, her exertion catching up with her. She knew that Wyatt's eyes were on her chest, more specifically her cleavage as they moved with every gasp. She was working her feminine wiles to her benefit. She tried to slow down her breathing to concentrate. "You don't wanna hurt me, do you Wyatt?" She pouted her bottom lip, giving him a concerned look. She grabbed at his shirt, her hands at his sides. She pulled him down onto her body.
Wyatt, as much as he knew he didn't like Winnie romantically, couldn't help his natural body's reaction. He was a man, after all. He smirked as he openly checked her out as he held her down.
"Please don't hurt me Wyatt," Winnie repeated, leaning in. She then gave him a wicked smirk. "Because I'm gonna hurt you," she used her telekinesis and threw him across the room. She let out a laugh as he fell onto his face. She smiled as she saw the small crowd surrounding them in the great room.
"Don't celebrate too early," Chris orbed in behind her and immediately placed both arms across her chest and neck. He mimicked his brother from earlier as he leaned in close to Winnie's ear. "You know you really shouldn't turn your back on your enemies," he practically purred in her ear.
Winnie turned her head to meet his gaze as she smiled. She looked from his lips (which were dangerously close to her own) to his eyes. "And you really shouldn't grab on to a floater."
Chris was confused. "Huh? Whoa!" He called out as he and she were both levitating in the air. He held onto Winnie tighter, now scared to fall from this height. "Please don't let go of me," he pleaded.
"Aww, poor little witchlighter is scared to fall," Winnie fake pouted. She pushed Chris away, now using her telekinesis to hold him up and she used her levitation to hold herself up.
Wyatt was awed at what he saw. "Dad, she's using two powers at one." Usually that was only something that he and Chris could do.
"I know," Leo continued to observe Winnie. "You guys were right. She's really good." He nodded his head.
"Super good, oh my god," Paige chimed in, walking into magic school with Piper, Melinda, and Paige's children behind her.
"I've never see Chris and Wyatt get their asses kicked," Paige commented, then paused. "Unless if they're doing the ass kicking to one another." She giggled with her children.
"Shh," Leo told his sister in law as he continued to watch the fight. He was concentrated, him being in headmaster mode.
Winnie jumped slightly higher in the air and kicked both feet into Chris' chest, sending him soaring towards the floor. She floated herself back onto the ground, running to where he landed. She jumped on him, ready to send them back up in the air when she felt Wyatt grab onto her back and place his arm around her neck tightly in an effort to choke her. "Get off," she struggled to breath as she clawed at his arm. The three tussled at each other; Chris on the floor, fighting Winnie. Winnie fighting off Wyatt and Chris. And Wyatt was trying to throw Winnie off of Chris. All you could see were fists and kicks, you could hear the thuds of hits landing and groans from the young adults.
Leo held his hand out. "Stop," he commanded the three combating witches. He watched as all three let out sighs of relief and exhaustion. As Winnie, Chris, and Wyatt recovered, he told the crowding teachers and students to return to their classes.
Winnie let herself fall against Chris' body, smiling as his hands held onto the sides of her waist. She giggled as Wyatt fell against her back. "Winnie sandwich," she joked under her breath so only the two could hear her. She smiled as she felt their bodies moving with laughter.
Wyatt chuckled as he lifted himself from Winnie's body, grabbing her waist to pull her up. They both, in turn, helped Chris up. "You really almost kicked our asses," Wyatt let out a sharp breath from his nostrils.
Winnie laughed. "I did kick your asses." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"You may have kicked Wyatt's ass, but not mine," Chris boasted as he put an arm around Winnie's shoulder.
Winnie scoffed as she pushed Chris' arm off, teasingly. "You wish."
Leo smiled at the interaction. "Well, it seems like your combat training is beyond expectations," he complimented. "You say your dad taught you? Even as a spirit?" His eyebrows met.
Winnie gave him a toothy smile. "Yeah, it's a long story." She waved her hands, gesturing with her actions that they really weren't interested in it.
"Well, I can assess by all the tests that you're on Wyatt and Chris' level," Leo nodded. "With your approval, I'd like to enroll you in the same classes they're in; Advanced Combat and Advanced Telekinesis. Maybe even help teach Advanced Combat like Chris and Wyatt do since you're even matched with them," the former Elder mused. He was really impressed by this young Witch and as a former Whitelighter and Elder, he wanted to know how she became so educated in Magic virtually alone and how she got to be so good at combat training. His curiosity was killing him.
Chris smacked Wyatt on the chest. "Finally some competition. I'm tired of beating your ass," he playfully bantered with his brother.
Winnie shrugged. "Whatever you think is best," she said humbly to Leo.
"Wait, that is so not fair!" A voice cried out from the extended Halliwell children.
Wyatt rolled his eyes as he heard the familiar whines of his little sister. "Melinda, stay out of it."
"Shut up, Wyatt!" Melinda sneered at her brother and marched towards her father. "How come she gets to be in advanced classes and not me? I'm your daughter for god's sake. I should be in the advanced classes," she crossed her arms over her chest.
Leo shook his head at his youngest child and used his 'Elder' voice as Piper once called it. It was a gentle, caring tone that was used carefully as to not offend the receiver of the Elder voice and steer them away from their anger. "Melinda, you barely come to your magical classes. You've told me yourself that you'd rather be in your college classes."
Melinda stammered as she tried to find a comeback to her father. She flared her nostrils in anger. "I can do both, Dad," she tried again.
"Mel, you've tried that," Chris, trying to defuse his sister's growing anger, spoke up. He stood next to Winnie, who was just staring at Melinda in understanding. "You almost had a mental breakdown trying to come to Magic School after you were done with your classes. You can't orb over here like we can."
"But it's not fair!" Melinda said once again. "I'm in all the boring classes of Magic School. I want to go have fun like Chris and Wyatt and…" she trailed off.
"Winnie," the new witch on the block offered.
Melinda continued. "The fun that they're having."
"It's not fun, Mel, it's hard work," Wyatt told her. "We had to take the classes you're taking too," he reminded her.
"No you don't! I'm in remedial classes, Wy," she rolled her eyes. "Shouldn't Winnie be in remedial classes since you guys probably found her off the street?" She insensitively said.
Winnie blinked in surprise. "Excuse me?"
"Prudence Melinda, you apologize right now," Piper did not like the way Melinda's tensions were rising. She recognized her daughter projecting her insecurities as anger.
"I'm sorry, but you know what I mean, Mom," Melinda rolled her eyes. "No offense, Winnie," she looked to the violet eyed woman. "But you're probably a beginner witch who is just coming into the craft and were picked to be Wyatt's charge. How can she be in the same classes as Wyatt and Chris?" She posed that question to her father once again.
"Melinda…" Leo attempted once more. "You've just seen Winnie fight your brothers. Your brothers who are the best in their classes at combat and advanced telekinesis. And she used two powers at once with no hint of strain on her shoulder. She's more than proved her worth."
"And I'm not a beginner witch. I've done this since I was born," Winnie carefully spoke to Melinda. She was pissed but she wanted to respect Wyatt and Chris' little sister.
"Didn't both your parents die when you were a kid?" Melinda hissed uncharacteristically.
Winnie blinked. That was it. "Careful," Winnie tilted her head. "Wouldn't want me to kick your ass..." She told the young girl innocently.
Melinda glared at the dark haired woman in between her brothers. "I'd like to see you try." She raised an eyebrow.
Winnie smirked and too raised an eyebrow back at her. "Seeing as you're still in remedial classes for magic and I almost just kicked both of your brothers asses, I doubt you really want me to try," she scrunched up her nose in amusement as she challenged the young girl. She didn't want to be saying these things but Melinda woke the anger in her.
"Alright, alright," Piper walked behind her daughter and gently grabbed her shoulders and massaged them gently. "Break it up."
"I don't like her," Melinda whispered to her mother stubbornly.
Piper shook her head. "It's okay, you're fine to feel what you feel." She acknowledged her daughter's emotions. She looked down at the top of her daughter's head, wondering why she felt so negatively towards someone she'd just meant.
Wyatt and Chris shook their heads at their younger sister, tired of her antics. College certainly had changed their baby sister.
"Well," Wyatt grinned, trying to break the awkwardness. "Welcome to magic school!" He clapped.
"Mom, it's not fair," Melinda was complaining to her mother and brother back at the manor. She laid her head in her mother's lap. Wyatt and Leo stayed at magic school, explaining to Winnie how to help teach Advanced Combat. "Why can't I do the fun stuff?"
"Well honey, you chose to go a non-magical route," Piper was rubbing her only daughter's head, smoothing her wavy hair back. "And with making that choice, it left your magical duties behind. That's why your brothers picked up the slack for you, so you could concentrate on college." She pointed out. "You can always focus back into magic school if you want." She offered.
"I want to," Melinda sighed. "But…" She shut her brown eyes.
"But what?" Piper asked.
Melinda sighed again. "Wyatt and Chris know what they want to do in their life. I don't. And I want to know."
Piper's eyebrows were furrowed. "What do you mean, sweetie?"
Melinda opened her eyes and connected her brown eyes to her mother's brown eyes. "Wyatt obviously embraces his magical life. He has no problems with trying to balance a normal life with magic. He prefers magic. He thrives in it. King Wyatt, kicking demon ass, the stupid advice he gives me, all of us. He was born for it. 'The Twice Blessed Child'," she sneered in a mocking voice. "Chris, on the other hand, prefers a normal life. It's why you let him take over P3, it's why he excelled so well at college." She frowned.
"Well, Melinda, both of your brothers excelled in college," Piper pointed out. "The three of you have my smarts," she smirked.
Melinda smiled and let out a small laugh. "You know what I mean, mom. Chris can somehow balance a non-magical life with magic. Owning P3, helping you creating recipes for the restaurant, just normal mortal things," she said. "I can't get there. I don't know what I prefer. I love magic, I do," she insisted. "But I love having normal mortal experiences. I feel like I can't balance them both. Which is why I took the time to go to college. To see if this is what I want." She told her mother.
Piper nodded slowly. Now she understood why Melinda chose a normal life. "C'mere," she pulled her daughter up so that she was holding her in her arms. She smiled as Melinda's arms wrapped around her stomach, like when she was a child. "Thank you," she rested her chin on Melinda's head. "For finally explaining why you chose this route. But Melinda...Chris and Wyatt didn't just have this in them. They went through this whole issue too."
"What?" Melinda looked up at her mother incredulously. "No they didn't."
Piper smiled. "I know it may seem like it was natural; and to any outside observer, you would be able to tell that Wyatt came to magic more and Chris came to a normal life more, but they had their struggles. This...internal debate that you are having right now was one of them."
"How come I didn't see this?" Melinda asked, shaking her head. How did she miss this? She was their sister.
"Because they didn't share it with anyone," Piper informed her daughter. "Not even each other. This was something they had to do themselves. They, like you, came to me with their dilemma. Each of you had your own way of trying to figure it out."
Melinda raised her head. "What did Wyatt and Chris do? How did they figure it out?"
Piper smiled her maternal smile. "I can't tell you," she shook her head. "This is something you need to do yourself."
Melinda sighed and grumbled. "Can't you just give me a hint?" She tried.
Piper shook her head, smiling. "No," she said, slowly getting up. "But what I can say is that you've always been the mediator."
Melinda furrowed her brows, looking much like her mother. "Wyatt and Chris hardly ever argue. They're each other's best friends. I'm the mediator of nothing," her hands were outstretched in front of her for emphasis. "Wha? Where are you going?" She followed her mother.
"To cook. It's almost dinner," Piper told her daughter. "We're not done talking, by the way."
Melinda frowned, confused. "That's the only problem I had."
"No, it's not," Piper looked at her daughter with a knowing look as she grabbed ingredients from the fridge and from kitchen cabinets.
"Uh, yes it is," Melinda laughed as she leaned against one of the counters next to her mom.
Piper rolled her eyes at her daughter. "What is your deal with Winnie?" She confronted her only girl as her hands busied themselves with making food. "You never even met the girl and you two almost came to blows today."
"Ugh," Melinda rolled her eyes. "I don't like her."
Piper laughed. "You don't know her, Mel."
Melinda reached into the cabinet above her and grabbed a jar of peanuts. She popped a few into her mouth. "I just...don't like her." She repeated.
Piper grabbed her daughter's chin and rubbed her face slightly. "That doesn't give me a reason, kiddo. Try again," she went back to her sauce making.
Melinda sneered as air blew out from her nose. "Everyone is fawning over her like she's this new thing," she rolled her eyes. "She's amazing at magic," she admitted. "Amazing at combat, has a rocking body," she sighed. "She seems to have this balanced life figured out. Chris and Wyatt can't stop talking about her and you are bragging about her a lot of the time too." To Melinda's surprise, her mother started laughing at her. "What's so funny?" Her head dipped low, expressing her confusion with her mother's amusement.
"You're jealous of her," Piper was still laughing.
"No, I'm not!" Melinda denied, her hands crossing over her chest. Her face gave her away. Her lip, curled up in a sneer. Her nose was scrunched up in detest, her eyes narrowed and blazing with jealousy. Her brows were furrowed and almost met the top of her eyes. "I'm not jealous of her," she repeated, trying to convince herself.
"Yes, you are," Piper nodded. "You're jealous of her abilities, the way you think she has a balanced life and you're jealous that we talk about her. You wish we did that with you, but honey, Winnie isn't balanced either. And even if she is, she's had to make that same choice that you had to make, that your brothers had to make too." She clarified to her daughter.
"It seems like she's had it so easy," Melinda shrugged.
"She hasn't, love," Piper shook her head. "Her father died before she was born, and her mother died when she was very young. She had to learn magic all on her own. That's why I'm trying to care for her. I know what it's like to lose your mom. We both lost our mom at around the same age. It's nice to have someone there, if not to be maternal, but to just watch out for you," she told her daughter. "She's not replacing you," she tapped her daughter's chin.
Melinda looked down as she realized her mom hit the nail on the head. "And what about Wyatt and Chris?"
Piper smiled. "Wyatt finds it interesting that he can be open with someone his age about magic without them addressing him as King Wyatt," she rolled her eyes. "He also needs a girl who isn't related to him or part cupid to talk to about Rachel," she gave her daughter a knowing look.
Melinda was startled. "Oh! Is he finally going to get off his ass and ask Rachel out?"
"Language, and oh I hope so," Piper admitted as she closed her eyes. She and her daughter shared a laugh.
"And what about Chris?" Melinda raised an eyebrow. "He talks about her to, but not so much as Wyatt does."
Piper smiled. "He likes her," she sang, enjoying the gossiping session with her daughter.
Melinda wrinkled her nose. "Who, Wyatt? I thought we just established he was asking Rachel out?"
"No, Chris," Piper gently smacked her daughter's shoulder.
"Chris? No!" Melinda's eyes widened, popping another peanut in her mouth.
"Yes," Piper grinned. "He won't admit it, and I don't even think he knows, but you can tell," she nodded. "Obviously it's just attraction right now, but you never know," she shrugged.
"But it's Chris," Melinda said. "He hardly ever talks to girls. Honestly, I was starting to think he was asexual until you told me this," she giggled.
Piper let out a laugh through her nose. "I know, but Chris was always concentrated on protecting you, helping Wyatt, helping me and dad. He's had girls around, when it fit his time," she smiled.
"What?" Melinda shrieked. "Uh, where have I been?"
Piper grinned. "Being a normal transitioning adult," she told her daughter. "Besides, you know Chris is always to himself," she rolled her eyes. "I've always hated when he did that," she muttered to herself, remembering when Chris came back when Wyatt was an infant to help save the future. He was the same then too. "And I don't think this is something he'd tell his /baby sister/ about." She gave her daughter a look.
Melinda sighed. "Huh. Still, I feel like I've missed so much," she looked down. "I've missed this…" she said. "You rubbing my head, us gossiping about Chris and Wyatt, although before it mainly used to be about Wyatt," she pointed out. "College is just draining so much from me," she admitted. "I don't want to miss more."
"You won't sweetie," Piper turned down the burner to hug her daughter. "You'll find a way to balance it all. Just make sure you know what you want your priorities to be," she grabbed Melinda's face in her hands. "We will be here waiting for you when you're ready." She smiled and kissed her daughter's forehead.
"I love you mom," Melinda hugged her mother tightly.
"I love you too, baby." Piper held her daughter.
"It's so hard for me to wrap my mind around there being a magic school," Winnie was telling some of the Halliwells who remained. Tamora, Kat, and Henry Jr, Paige's children, all stayed for their own classes at magic school. Although it was only Tamora and Kat who were staying for their classes, as Henry Jr didn't have any powers.
"Yeah, it's pretty cool," Henry Jr smiled at her. "Sometimes I wish I had powers so I can practice magic too," he looked down.
Winnie's eyebrows furrowed. "You can still practice magic," she told him.
Henry Jr raised his eyebrow. "No, I can't," he started. "I'm mortal. I was adopted by my parents." He confided to the caramel haired woman.
"Okay," Winnie licked her lips and nodded. "But you can still practice magic. Mortals for hundreds of years have their own magic. Creating hexes, wards, using crystals," she shrugged.
Henry Jr looked almost hopeful, before he squashed it down. "That's not real," he shook his head.
Winnie smiled at him. "It is. When I was little, my mom told me about a friend that she confided in about her magic. She was mortal, but still practiced her own mortal magic. My Aunt Nikki was the one my mom went to for magical properties of herbs whenever she forgot them. Nikki didn't have any active powers, but she still had magic inherently in her. It's in everyone, mortal or magical," she nudged the young boy. "It's what gives us our powers, it's what gives even mortals powers."
"Mortals can't have powers," Henry Jr interested again.
"Oh?" Winnie arched a brow. "How about when you or any mortal wants something so badly, even if it's out of your league or range to have it, suddenly it's yours? That's manifestation, that's intention. And it's magic," she grinned. "And like I said there's wards, curses, hexes. There's even different types of magic depending on the culture. Healers are considered witches in many African tribes, except they're celebrated. Active powers don't make a witch, it's the intent to do good that does," she smiled.
"Is that true, Leo?" Paige asked her brother in law, overhearing the new young witch tell her son about the different forms of magic.
Leo nodded. "Some witches gain their active powers by someone in their lineage practicing the magic that Winnie's described. A lot of the people who own the herb or metaphysical shops that you go to are mortals who practice a simpler form of magic." He spoke in that voice he often used with the Charmed Ones, the one with aged wisdom from his long years as a whitelighter.
"Wouldn't that be Wicca?" Paige tilted her head.
"Yeah," Leo nodded again. "But that's just one area of it. Like she said, different cultures have different forms of...mortal magic," he amusedly used Winnie's words. "Back when Prue was alive, your sisters were sent back in time to help your ancestor Melinda. None of lady wives had active powers, but they used their own type of magic to protect Melinda. It certainly exists, it's just not as known with the surgance of active powers," he shrugged.
"Do you think she could show Junior?" The youngest Charmed One asked hopefully.
"Do you think you could show me?" The young man in question asked, the same expression on his face like his mother's. Even though they weren't blood related, nor did they even look alike (Henry Jr's race being completely than Paige's, or his father and sisters), in this moment, he and his mother looked identical.
"Yeah, I'll come by early on the days I'm supposed to help teach and help you out," Winnie shrugged.
Henry Jr smiled excitedly. "You think I can even work my way up to potion making or scrying?" His eyes were wide and had a light of happiness in them.
"Yeah, I don't see why not. Like I said, it's about intention and how much energy you put into it. And surrounded by this family? You have a whole lot of energy, magical energy, around you," she joked.
"Oh, this is so cool," Henry Jr grinned. "You're awesome, can we keep you?" He lifted his hand up for a high five.
Winnie giggled and returned his high five.
"Junior, we don't keep people," Paige playfully reprimanded her only son as she walked up to her son.
"C'mon mom, you have to admit, it's so cool that I might be able to help you guys. I wouldn't have powers, but I can still help you in some other ways. I've always wanted to do that," Henry Jr admitted. "I feel so helpless when you guys are in danger and I can't do anything for you and Tamora and Kat," he looked down as he frowned.
Paige pursed her lips in a smile like she usually does as she hugged her son tightly. "I know, honey. I tell you what, if Winnie can teach you something that can help us, you and Dad can help us then," she rubbed his back slightly. "Hi, I'm Paige," she introduced herself to the young witch.
Winnie smiled at the dark haired, fair skinned Charmed One. "I'm Winnie. It's nice to meet you."
"So do you really think you can teach my son some things?" She asked.
Winnie nodded. "Yeah, I just need to ask my Aunt Nikki for some advice and for some of her source materials and I can give him some one on one."
Paige started to speak up, then stopped. She wanted to speak with Winnie alone. "Sweetie, go get your sisters for me. It's time to go home."
Henry Jr looked at his watch. "Oh wow, yeah. It is that time. See ya, Winnie," he waved at the witch as he went down the long halls.
Winnie narrowed her eyes, knowing that the Charmed One sent away her son for a different reason. "Okay...what's up?"
"Do you really think mortal magic is real?" Paige asked outright.
Winnie gave her a secret smile. "I know it is."
"How so?" Paige pursed her lips, doubtful of this young girl's confidence.
"My Aunt's done a few spells on me and I could swear she has an active premonition power with how she used to know too much about me," Winnie laughed. "Even when she used to live across town from me," her eyes widened in wonderment. "How she knew 16 year old me was in the middle of getting a tattoo three cities away is beyond me, and that has to be some form of magic."
Paige let out a chuckle. "Yeah, my adoptive mom used to be the same way," she smiled at the girl. "I like you," she said.
"Well thanks," Winnie blushed. Her moon charm on her neck suddenly felt hot and her hand flew up to cover up the shining light. "Uh...I have to go," she said suddenly. "Is there a way out of here?"
Paige nodded. "Concentrate on your home. Where it is, what it looks like," she told the young girl. She watched Winnie as she shut her eyes and began to concentrate. She saw Winnie visibly relax, her shoulders falling into a neutral position. She smiled as she waved her hand, remote orbing Winnie away to her home.
eh. i feel like this isn't good work but i suck at writing. i'm just trying to get these chapters out for you guys! thank you so much for the feedback! keep the reviews coming, they keep me writing faster and keep me accountable to write lol. let me know what you think!