"What is even going on?" Snapped Kiran, but then, the bus shot forward faster than was humanly possible. Kiran let out a nasty oath that made Lucy giggle as her head spun. The bus whipped forward and was soon on a busy street, dancing between the cars, and Lucy was giggling like crazy. Axelle was glaring at her, but a small smile was on her painted lips, and Kiran clung to her hand. Lucy didn't know exactly how long it took to stop, but the ride was very short indeed.
"Here we are," the driver announced. "The Woolworth Building. However... This is sort of the back entrance, if you will. The part designated for No-Maj borns such as yourself." the driver turned to grin at Lucy, who smiled back sweetly. "I'm a No-Maj born, myself. It's wonderful in there... And there's nothing like your first visit."
Lucy looked out at the lovely golden door that seemed to glitter. There was a security man in front of it, wearing a blue military-esque uniform and sleek black glasses. He had a gun on his belt.
"Off you go, girly." the driver coaxed. Lucy stood and looked back at him.
"I didn't catch your name," she said. He smiled.
"Santiago Sanchez," He replied. Lucy smiled, and Kiran suddenly shot off the bus. Lucy followed.
Axelle leaned out of the door and smiled at Kiran. "Goodbye, cutie." she purred. Kiran glared as the bus sped off.
Lucy took Kiran's hand and he blinked, hard, before squeezing gently. She smiled up at him, but he didn't look at her. They walked forward, up five small steps, before the guard turned to them.
"Names." he said in an emotionless voice.
"Lucy and Kiran Mallard," Lucy said brightly. He blinked.
"Access granted. Step inside and head to the right," The door opened by itself, and Kiran scoffed. The siblings walked inside.
The walls were tall, the ceiling shining. Everything looked marble, a deep turquoise, and everything shone. There were three hallways- the one forward was thin and looked empty, no doors, and no end. The one to the left, however, was wide and full of people going every which way. The one to the right was somewhere in between, and they turned that way.
They walked until they reached the end of the hallway, both tense and very unsure. Luckily, however, when they reached their destination, there was a woman at a desk.
The woman looked in her mid thirties. She had Native bones, and a deep red skin tone that glittered in the light of her desk lamp. Her large eyes were melted pools of amber, and an old scar sat over her nose. She had a wide mouth with thin lips that were the exact same color as her skin. Her face was long, smooth save a few almost-wrinkles, and stunning. She looked up and smiled a radiant smile. Her hair was long and wavy, with pure white curls. She wore a dress that reminded Lucy very much of royalty; a flowing white gown with puffy grey shoulders and black pattern on the top of the bodice.
"Why, hello, darlings. My name is Mrs. Keyonnie, and you?" She had a maternal air to her, and her voice was airy. Lucy beamed at the woman.
"My name is Lucy Mallard, and this is my brother, Kiran." Lucy looked up at her brother and squeezed his hand. Kiran was glaring at Mrs. Keyonnie. "I've just received this letter, you see, and I don't really know what to do with it... I don't understand what's going on, to be honest-"
"Yes, my darling," Mrs. Keyonnie beamed, nodding. "You're a No-Maj born."
Lucy blinked. "I don't particularly know what that means," Lucy said, hoping for explanation.
"Why, of course you don't!" Mrs. Keyonnie laughed as if it were all well and good.
"Soyala," said a voice from behind Lucy and Kiran. They both spun, their hands being pulled apart.
A man who looked even odder than Mrs. Soyala Keyonnie stood behind them, face bright. He, too, looked Native, with his warm skin and distinctive bones, but his hair was worn in dreads, mostly black, streaked with grey. He looked a bit older than Mrs. Keyonnie, perhaps forty, and his eyes were smaller and darker. He had a short, straight beard and a long, thin handlebar mustache. He wore a long, black leather trench coat covered in silver buckles, a grey satiny shirt and tight white pants, as well as an old black top hat with silver- things, almost like metals- all over it.
He looked at Lucy and Kiran then. "Forgive my wife. She's just come back to work since our daughter was born," he explained.
"Lovely," Lucy said unsurely, and smiled. "How old is she?"
"Well," Mr. Keyonnie got a crooked grin. "I believe she's eleven now."
Lucy blinked again. "O-oh,"
"Can someone just tell us what the hell is going on," snapped Kiran. "Or why the hell we're here? What is a No-Maj? What is Ilvermorny? Do you people really believe there are such things as witches and wizards and magic-"
Mr. Keyonnie interrupted. "Pardon me, dear boy. I would be delighted to elaborate. You see, you and your sister are here to take vows of secrecy. The Unbreakable Vow, to be precise; we can't have the No-Mages knowing about us, you see. A No-Maj is a non-magical person, such as yourself. Ilvermorny is a school for wizards, as I am, and witches, as my wife and your sister are. We do not believe it, dear boy, but we know it to be true- and I would be overjoyed to show you both." Mr. Keyonnie spoke with a sort of mocking patience to Kiran, and his eyes glittered. Kiran scowled.
Lucy cleared her throat, and Mr. Keyonnie looked at her, all cruelness fleeing from his obsidian eyes.
"Yes, my dear girl. Walk over to my wife, if you would."
Lucy slowly did so, and Mrs. Keyonnie stood and curtsied. Her gown was lovely, extravagant, and seemed rather impractical for everyday wear. "Your dress is gorgeous, ma'am," Lucy said shyly. Mrs. Keyonnie's brilliant eyes lit up.
"A million times, thank you, darling," Mrs. Keyonnie got on her knees and outstretched her arm. "Your arm, if you would."
Lucy reluctantly followed suit, and Mrs. Keyonnie gently wrapped her long, painted fingers around Lucy's elbow, and Lucy reciprocated.
Mr. Keyonnie pulled out a long stick, perhaps a foot and a half, that was pure white in color and tapped it against Lucy's hand. A string of red flame wove around Lucy's and Mrs. Keyonnie's arms, like a unfelt, live wire, and Lucy gasped loudly. Kiran paced forward and wiped his mouth with his palm, face quite similar to when he had been messing with the envelope carrier.
"Do you, Lucy Mallard, vow to never reveal anything about magic or the Wizarding World to any No-Maj?" Mr. Keyonnie asked.
"I-I do," said Lucy uncertainly. More flame wrapped around Mrs. Keyonnie's and her arm.
"Do you, Lucy Mallard, vow to protect the secrecy of magic, our World, and our governments to the best of you ability?"
"I do,"
"And do you, Lucy Mallard, vow to never again have any contact to any No-Maj other than blood family while in the Wizarding United States?"
"I- what?" Lucy's head whipped to face Mr. Keyonnie, who raised a brow.
"You may never have a relationship, friendly or romantic, with any No-Maj ever in America. However, you could always move to another country- say, Hogwarts, upon becoming of age."
Lucy stared at Mr. Keyonnie for a long time, before finally whispering, "I do."
The flames renewed once more, and then, Mrs. Keyonnie let go and stood.
Then, Mrs. Keyonnie and a skulking Kiran were on their knees and under the spell.
"Do you, Kiran Mallard, vow to never reveal anything about magic or the Wizarding World to any No-Maj?"
"I do."
"Do you, Kiran Mallard, vow to keep the Wizarding and No-Maj Worlds separate, to the best of your abilities?"
"I do."
"And do you, Kiran Mallard, vow to take full responsibility of your sister, Lucy Mallard, in any legal matters she may face in the Wizarding World from now until she is seventeen years of age?"
"I do." Kiran said. The spell was finished once more.
"Now," Mr. Keyonnie said, looking between a troubled Lucy and an infuriatingly confused Kiran. "There is an hour seminar today- ten minutes from now, actually- for No-Maj borns and their families. I encourage you both to attend... Of course, Lucy will learn all of it at Ilvermorny, but it will be good for Kiran to get information on it."
Mr. Keyonnie walked them through a hallway to the left and into what looked like a small auditorium. They sat near the back and waited for it to begin.
Eventually, the auditorium room was about half full of parents and children around Lucy's age. Mr. Keyonnie, who had left after escorting Lucy and Kiran to the room, had returned and walked on stage with his wife and a young girl, presumably their eleven year old daughter.
The girl had sleek, deep auburn hair in a high ponytail, side bangs framing her lovely, tan face. From this distance, Lucy couldn't tell the color of her large, dark eyes. She was very pretty, and tall for eleven; she had to be almost five five. She was also quite thin, and on her lanky figure she wore loose black jean shorts, black suspenders, and a loose scarlet top that hung off of one shoulder.
Finally, two more people walked on stage, a man and a woman. The Keyonnies took their seats, and the man and woman stood in front of their own microphones.
The woman was at least part african american, with shimmering mocha skin and a wide, pierced nose, and she was lovely. She looked about fifty and was a bit wide, a bit short, though the turban wrapped on her head gave her an extra half foot. It matched her retro-looking dress, and she smiled out at the audience with a gaze that commanded silent attention.
The man was white, with thin white hair and big, silver eyes. He was handsome for an old man, and wore a crisp suit. He was well over six foot.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," the man said. "I welcome you all here today and apologize for any possible inconvenience. My name is Samuel G. Quahog, and I am President of the Magical Congress of the United States of America, more commonly referred to as MACUSA. And this lovely woman is-"
"Gonna be damned if she lets a man introduce her," the woman spoke with a thick Southern accent and smiled charmingly out at the crowd. "My name is Asera Picquery, great niece of the greatest President in MACUSA history, and Chief Headmistress of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Quahog grinned and shook his head, looking like a true politician. Lucy found that she still liked him a bit more than Picquery. "I'm sure you all have a lot of questions, and that is exactly why we are here- to give you answers. I understand how you're feeling; lost without any idea of what is happening to you or your child-"
"How exactly do you know that, Sam? You are a pureblood," Picquery asked, eyebrow quirked. Quahog raised a brow of his own and cleared his throat, then continued on.
The hour went like that; Quahog trying to explain things, and Picquery interrupting with a rude comment. However, Quahog's message was sent.
Magic was real, just as real as the air breathed and the dirt in the ground. The Wizarding World kept it a secret from the mundane World because No-Mages were believed to fight too easily when they were afraid, especially in America. The Wizarding World did its best to keep magic within their population, but about 10% of wizards born every year are to No-Mages. Allowing No-Maj borns into their world had never been easy, according to Quahog, but allowing them to live in ignorance to their abilities was far worse, he said. Accidents revolving around magic tenfolded, and it was becoming harder and harder to keep their world a secret. So, sometime in the early 1900's, a system was invented to keep No-Maj borns coming in without endangering either World; the Unbreakable Vow system. If you broke an Unbreakable Vow, you died. Tuition for Ilvermorny was free, which both Quahog and Picquery seemed quite proud of. Apparently, in most Wizarding School, it was as expensive as college.
He rambled on for a while about pride, and secrecy, and laws, but Lucy closed her eyes and leaned her head on Kiran's shoulder, fully expecting to be knocked off. However, Kiran slowly tipped his head onto his sister's, and Lucy fell asleep for the second half hour of the seminar.
She awoke when it ended, however, when the other No-Maj borns left with their families. She and Kiran stayed seated, as they always did, until everyone else left. It was a respect thing, Kiran often said- first to arrive, last to leave.
Quahog, however, was taking his time leaving. Lucy shifted impatiently in her seat, and Kiran pinched her.
"Ow," Lucy hissed. Kiran glared, and Quahog looked over.
"Oh! I hadn't realized I wasn't alone," the President smiled kindly.
"You did very well, sir," Lucy said coyly and smiled. "That lady was very mean for interrupting you so much,"
"Thank you, dear. Don't think too harshly of Professor Picquery," Quahog winked. "You'll be living with her, soon." Lucy made a face, and Quahog laughed a rich laugh. "It's been lovely meeting you, but I really must be on my way. However, before I leave, may I have your names?" Quahog gave a warm smile.
"Lucy and Kiran Mallard," Lucy announced, and Quahog smiled.
"Very nice to meet you, indeed," Quahog gave a short bow, and left.
Kiran led her out and weaved through the building almost expertly. Lucy didn't ask how; they probably gave directions, and Kiran was nothing if not impeccable at following directions.
They ended up outside. It was a lovely street with cobblestone roads and old cottage-style buildings, all connected.
"I'm assuming you didn't hear much past the basic explanation," Kiran said.
"Not a word," Lucy said in awe. Kiran sighed.
"Well, this is Six Alleys," he said. "Basically, the biggest thing in Wizarding New York. The Alleys are Isolt's Alley, James' Alley, Chadwick's Alley, Webster's Alley, Rionach's Alley, and Martha's Alley. This is Martha's Alley; the Alley based on Government. The buildings here are the MACUSA Headquarters," Kiran motioned behind them. The building looked like just another cottage now, and Lucy frowned. "The other buildings here are the N-MMPC Building, or No-Maj Magic Practitioner Correlations Building and the Magical Immigration Headquarters. They're all set up basically in a star formation. There are a few cottages in each building; they're all connected on the inside. You can only get inside Six Alleys through one place in each Alley; the MACUSA headquarters here."
Kiran's voice was dull and tired as he explained calmly. Lucy noted mentally that had he stayed in school, he would have done wonderfully. They walked down until they were in a large circle, in between all six of the alleys. Kiran pointed to the one to the left of Martha's Alley.
"That is Rionach's Alley. The way into it from the No-Maj World is St. Florentine's Hospital; St. Florentine created this place around a hundred years ago. The other buildings are the Magical Beings Building, for things like Werewolves and the like, and the Fantastical Beasts' Zoo and Museum, owned and operated by one Newt Scamander. Next is Webster's Alley, where you'll find a good deal of your school supplies. The way in is Lopdren's Robe and Wardrobe Shop, and the other buildings are Michellana's Book Shop, The Astronomy Tower, and American Dark Arts' History. Then there's Chadwick's Alley, where are the four wand shoppes; the way in is Jonker's, but there's also Beauvais', Quintana's, and Wolfe's. It is suggested you visit all four before deciding on a wand. Then you have James' Alley, and the way in is St. Florentine's Church, and there's also the Fireplace Installation, Apparition Building, Zaddie's Orphanage, Droe's Space Simulation, Kevin's Pet Parlour, and Kalapow-something or other's Quidditch Store. Oh, and Quidditch is the Wizard's sport, by the way. And, finally, there is Isolt's Alley, whose entrance is the Blind Pig- which is a bar you are never to go into, been here since before the alleys were built around it- there's Juanegnon Bank, MACUSA Treasury, Ilvermorny Registration Building, and the Underground Apothecary."
Lucy looked in awe all around her, listening to her brother's voice. There were women in stunning ballgowns, men in suits, and children in clothing that varied from as nice as the adults' to very casual. It hadn't really hit her how absolutely odd and ridiculous and insane any of this was until now, and as soon as Kiran had finished talking, she laughed. It started off as an off-hand, amused giggle, but transformed into a loud, joyous sound that lasted long enough that she couldn't breathe.
"Is this really happening, Ki? Are we really- are we really in the middle of a bunch of wizards and witches and stuff? In the middle of their world?"
Lucy looked at her brother, who, for the first time since the owl flew into their house, had a small smile on his handsome face.
"Yes, Lucy," he said quietly. "We really are."
Lucy laughed again and started dancing, much to Kiran's chagrin, and he ran around trying to stop her. However, Lucy was fast on her feet and danced away, happy and feeling very much at home in this peculiar place, so pretty and so foreign, and yet so comforting to young, imaginative girl full of absolutely nothing but pure and unadulterated hope.