Chapter 11

I cant wait for Christmas~~~ :)

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Arthur wandered through the marketplace, trying to keep up with his sister as she shopped. She danced through the crowd of witches and familiars with practised ease; she was in her element. Dylan and Brandon raced ahead but Leon and Alistair decided to wait at home.

Arthur breathed in deeply, spices and magic. He smiled slightly, it reminded him of his mother. She used to take them to the magic market every year. He loved the market. It was teeming with life, with little witches ran between people's legs and sellers advertising their wares.

He scanned the market and spotted something he knew his mother wuld love, his lips curled into another smile. He already bought Alana some new books and Brandon a new bat, Alistair a coffee mug, Dylan some dragon proof gloves and Leon enchanted fire works. He shook his head, Leon loved fire works- he constantly begged Alana to create them.

He turned to ask his sister whether she would check his enchantment when he noticed she was frozen.

Then, he noticed everything around him had stopped. No wind, no movement...

No anything.

It was as if time had stopped.

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"Hello Arthur" came a warm and gentle voice behind him. The mystery person strolled up behind him beaming at Arthur's back.

"Hello" he replied cautiously. It was never good when he got signalled out in a crowd.

"Don't turn around. I want to keep my identity a secret, at least for now."

"Who are you?" asked Arthur curiously, whoever had stopped him was definitely powerful but didn't appear to mean him any harm.

"Your familiar."

"I see..." Arthur replied thoughtfully.

"You don't seem surprised" the familiar pouted.

"I have been expecting you, just sooner. Why didn't you come to me before, you were summoned quite a while ago."

"I cant get anything past you, can I?"

"No. So don't bother trying." he replied bluntly.

"Hah, when can I see you again?" asked the familiar, trying to keep excitement out of it's voice.

"You didn't answer my question" snarked Arthur with a frown.

"I wanted to make sure you were the right witch for u-me."

"Hm. and how are you even doing this?"

"I'm accessing one of your latent abilities. You had so many to choose from... Is it true then?"

"Is what true?"

"Are you really connected to a grimoire? I thought they were just a legend."

"..."

For a moment it was eerily quiet. Then, the familiar burst into laughter and Arthur smirked.

"I'm going to take your silence as a yes."

"Take it as you will" Arthur replied loftily.

"Right! I've decided then! I'm going to visit your dreams from now on. Goodbye Arthur..." He felt lips press gently to his cheek before the familiar walked away.

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Everything resumed, as if someone had just hit play.

"Was that your familiar?" asked Alana with a raised eyebrow and Arthur simply nodded. He didn't question how she knew- it was Alana after all.

"Mmm, Alice always used to do that. She changed my life you know. I was the meekest little welp until she came along and showed me my worth." she replied warmly, resting his arm over his shoulder.

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