Chapter 2

The next morning, although Joan got up at the break of dawn, she did not greet Ms. P when she went to work. In fact, she avoided the house altogether. In the end, Jacop came to her.

"It best this way, you two are too close for each others good!"

"Just because she's a muggle doesn't mean we can't be friends!"

"She is going to find out one of these days!"

"I won't let her in the house."

"She needs some muggle friends! And you should go off to your wizard friend's houses one of these days; at least write a letter!"

"Muggles aren't any different from the rest of us!"

"Wizards and muggles should be distant!"

"Mom! Joan's not some random muggle that we need to keep secret from - she is, well, Joan! Our neighbor! And, like it or not, she's my friend and I'm her's! So I'm going to treat her as a neighbor and a friend, not just some muggle, 'cause I don't just care about her from a wizard-muggle relations standpoint, I care about her as a neighbor, friend and peer as well!"

There was a tense silence.

"Jacop… your right… you don't want to put her in danger… don't give a reason… You-Know-Who…"

"Voldemort-"

"Jacop!"

"-kills muggles too. If anything, muggles who know wizards are safer. You saw her face, I'm going to talk to her, no use making her afraid of us." Jacop, realizing that his mother was not convinced, added, "Or else she might tell her parents about everything, who might call the police, who will call the ministry of magic; then we'll really be in trouble."

Jacop marched across the lawn (Jacop's mother seemed to consider going after him, but apparently decided that it was a battle better fought later and went inside), where a rather somber-looking Joan was sitting on a rock next to her house.

She was used to the scene. Already a couple of times that summer, Jacop and Susan (she insisted on being called by her first name) would have an argument about something before Jacop came over. She imagined it was about homework and chores, although she never actually heard what they were saying. Normally, Joan was just hoping that Jacob's mother didn't pull him right back into the house (as she often looked ready to) and was running towards their yard, ready for Jacop to do the same. Today, though, Joan did not move, and Jacop simply walked over the threshold and sat next to Joan. They sat in silence for a few long, awkward moments, then started talking at the same time.

"Look, Joan, I wanted to-"

"I didn't think your mother would let you out."

They stared at each other, Jacop trying to hide his surprise at Joan's sarcastic listlessness. He had seen her like this before, but not often. It dawned upon him that his mother's fear was true; Joan really had taken to heart every word that had been said yesterday. He couldn't help but smile at Joan's impressionability, and at the same time be impressed with Joan's quick acceptance that magic that could erase people's minds actually existed. Why they don't let me tell her, he thought, I don't know, she wouldn't freak out like some muggles would!

Joan stared at Jacop's small, friendly grin for a moment, then all the iciness in her expression was gone. She broke into an ear-to-ear smile, and Jacop looked very relieved.

"You thought I would be mad at you?"

"Yeah… well… kinda had to draw conclusions, y'know?"

"Jacop! You know I wouldn't hold something like that against you! You didn't even do anything! It was just an argument… I felt bad for you; how did your mother take it?"

"Not well, but at least she wasn't mad at me. But I was glad to be in my room, I reckon she went on 'till supper, 'cause she was still talking about the ministry and who-knows-what then! Can you believe it - 10 minutes later! Would've invited the Greepins over, but I know Ms. G likes to wait 'till her husband gets home from work to eat with him, and I swear that our time clock is running fast… I keep saying that were going to have to check our time clock with the Greepins's one of these days, but my mom will have nothing of it, says she doesn't want them to see her watch… Well, having Ms. & Mr. G certainly would have worked, 'cause she wouldn't want Mr. G finding out, and she still doesn't trust Ms. G! I mean, really, she's allowed to know about wizardry, she doesn't count as a muggle under the Statute of Secrecy, they even got permission from the ministry… And since mom was alone she kept going on, and said stuff like 'you better have no part in this, Jacop' 'now don't go slipping up by losing your temper like Mr. Petunie' 'why did you let them! Have I not taught you anything?'"

"Ohh…" Joan was slightly taken aback by the uncarictaristicness of Jacop's aggresive rambling, as it wasn't everyday Jacop got lost in a bitter world of words, and at a loss for words due to not understanding a lot of what was said. "Sounds horrible… I'm, er, sorry… I didn't know-"

"Don't worry, it's not your fault, you know my mom…"

"Well, y'know, I bet she wasn't actually talking about it before, she probably just wanted to say her stuff, chew you out, but she waited 'till dinner 'cause of all the chaos… Also, I bet she wanted to talk to you alone, away from the twins… and anyway, you saw how scared and nervous she was yesterday."

"Oh… y'know, you could be right… now that I think of it…" Joan often had more insight into Susan, particularly due to the fact that Jacop and Susan were almost always arguing. Jacop was not the best with authority.

"It's still pretty bad, though-"

"No, no, if there was ever a time I deserved it, it was yesterday…" Jacop looked dead serious. "You… you don't understand, Joan, how serious that was… that was beyond back talk or pranks or anything silly like that… 'course Mr. Petunie would still be in way more trouble than me…" He smiled, and Joan copied him, though she failed to see the humor. Joan wanted to change the subject as this was extremely confusing to her, but she couldn't bring herself to do it; she had too many questions.

"What's… what's a Quaffle? I didn't think it meant anything, 'thought it was a silly, nonsense word, but… why do y'all want to keep it a secret from me?"

Jacop shifted uncomfortably, not liking where this was heading. "It's, um, a ball from Quidditch…"

"What's Quidditch?"

"It's a, um… sport…"

"Really?! How's it played? Have you played it? Can we play it one day?"

"Um… No, we can't play it… but yes, I play it at school sometimes, this year I'm trying out for the team…"

"Oh. Well… how's it played? And why can't we play it?"

"Well… it's really complicated… there are three goals on each end... three hoops, more precisely… and the keeper makes sure nothing- They're like a goalie. And the chasers are like forwards, strikers and midfielders, all in one… well, three… Anyway, they get the Quaffle into the hoops. And then there are two beaters and two Bludgers, and the beaters try to hit the Bludgers away from their teammates with bats, and hit them at other people on the other team… and there's one seeker, who has to catch the tiny, super fast, unpredictable golden snitch, which ends the game and gives that team a 150-point bonus."

"That's not… too complicated… but why can't we play it? I can set up some hoops, the Petunie's have a Quidditch set…"

"Ah… well, there's one thing… it's… it's played on broomsticks…"

Joan laughed, picturing a bunch of people running with brooms, occasionally jumping on top of them, a few of them running with the broom between their legs, and falling a lot in the attempt.

"Well, I got some brooms! Between four families, we'll have plenty! Even more if the "

"Not - not… Not just any broomstick. They, um… they fly."

Joan's jaw dropped. A game played on flying broomsticks? It seemed amazing, and Joan whished she could try to play, but…

"I can't make a broomstick fly."

"You don't have to… Yeah. Exactly. So that's why."

"Still… it's seems so cool… y'know, while your at your school, I could make some money… y'know, selling lemonade and origami dragons and stuff like that… and then, next summer, you and me can go to a game!" Joan's eyes glimmered with excitement, and Jacop expression turned to one of hurt.

"Um… Joan…Thanks, but you… you can't see Quidditch."

"Why?!"

"You… your not supposed to know about Quidditch…"

"Because…"

"Because… well…" Jacop put his head in his hands. The thick clouds that made everything dark below matched his mood precisely. There was no way around it. She already knows so much anyway… he rationalized, A little more won't hurt…

"Your what us wizards call a muggle." His voice was barely audible, just above a whisper… yet it filled all of Joan's brain. The absurdity of the statement sunk in. A wizard? Jacop?! It didn't seem right… She must have heard wrong… But then, how did he know so much about about wizards…

"Your - your a wizard?" Joan's surprise was hardly concealed by whispering (at least, she was trying to whisper, as Jacop must have been whispering for a reason, but she hardly could keep from shouting).

Jacop simply nodded. Neither knew what to say. Actually, Joan knew exactly what she wanted to say, but couldn't find her voice. Joan didn't know what being a wizard meant, except that they could do magic of some kind and wore a long, pointy hat. Still, it seemed extraordinary that her best friend… fantasy being real… She now regretted that she had always shunned the fantasy genre, as she now knew next to nothing about wizards. But wait! She thought, My neighbors, a bunch of wizards, argued over speaking about some things… things I had never heard of… maybe all the things they were talking about had to do with being a wizard?

Jacop's head was spinning as well. He said it. He told her all about Quidditch… Now he was talking about wizards… If his mom - if the ministry, for that matter, found out about this, he was in serious trouble… But it was just a matter of time until Joan would have found out anyway, why else would they know all this stuff about wizards that muggles weren't allowed to know? Yes, he thought desperately to himself, if she drew her conclusions from a little 2-letter word, she would have found out anyway…

"What's a muggle?" she asked, still whispering (though barely), the clouds now making the sky so dark it was comparable to night.

Jacop took a deep breath. He was only a rebel when he was actually standing right in front of someone telling him off, or telling him what to do. But he wasn't used to rule-breaking like Joan. She would have found out… Joan's not stupid, she would have found out… Why else would we know all these secrets… She would have figured that out on her own… Then I wouldn't be sitting here right next to her, ready to explain everything. To Jacop's relief, he finally started to calm down to his own words. It would have been worse had I not told her. Joan needs to trust me, and if she figured it out like some secret that we've been telling lies around… well, we have, but… muggles- actually everyone fears the unknown more, so it's better this way… I think… well, I could get in trouble but I don't think the ministry would send people to Azkaban for- well, I'd still be in huge trouble, get expelled from Hogwarts maybe even… He shuddered at the thought. If the ministry came, what they would do… There is always memory charms, they could obliviate her, then she wouldn't- he stopped. He remembered the scared look on Joan's face yesterday when they mentioned modifying her memory, and they weren't even being serious. That is what they would do… Something clicked in Jacop. He knew one thing: he was going to explain everything, everything. He was not going to leave his best friend in the dark.

"Is- is it bad, being a muggle?" Joan asked uncertainty, staring curiously at Jacop's silent, still body. "Y'all right?"

"Y-yeah, I'm fine. And no, no… definitely not, it's not a bad thing being a muggle, it just means you don't have magic powers, which is fine, it just means your not a witch."

"You don't look fine. What's up?" Joan was staring quizzically at Jacop with concern.

"I... " he sighed. "Wizards aren't supposed to tell muggles about the wizarding world, or that they themselves are wizards. It violates a law called the Statute of Secrecy." he paused, and could read the look on Joan's face quite clearly. "Well… um… the Statute of Secrecy was put in place when the wizards in medieval times were being prosecuted. At least, I think that was why the Statute of Secrecy was made… It could have been why Hogwarts was made… I'm not sure, I'm not the best in history of magic…"

Joan smiled, and Jacop attempted to smile back.

"Well, I just… I just…" his voice dropped so low that it was barely audible over the soft wind. "I just broke wizard law."

Joan gave him a sideways glance. Being quite the rebel sometimes, Jacop was often the voice of reason that kept her out of trouble; it occurred to him now just how much they trusted each other. Joan was obviously trying to picture Jacop, the one who always listened to rules, who was keen on staying out of trouble if he could help it, the responsible one, being a criminal. It just didn't seem right.

"W-what will happen if they catch you?"

"Hopefully, not much… get a warning… might get expelled from Hogwarts… hopefully I don't get sent to Azkaban…" Jacop shuddered at the thought. No, he thought, breaking the Statute of Secrecy is definitely not bad enough for Azkaban… I hope...

"Is-is Azkaban really bad? What is it?" Immediately, Joan wished she had asked about what Hogwarts was instead. Based on Jacop's shaken look, she was pretty sure she already knew the answer.

"Oh, yes, yes. Azkaban is the worst there is!" Jacop replied grimly. "It's wizard prison, you s-"

"They can't throw you in prison! They just can't put you in Az-"

"Shh! Don't yell, my mom will flip out and other muggles might hear!" Jacop was glad to see that Joan seemed to be catching on, and shared his sentiment about not talking about Azkaban any more.

For a long moment they stared at each other as the clouds allowed a little glimmer of sunlight through, Joan stunned into silence and Jacop dreading saying the next part.

"Joan," he paused, and waited until Joan was looking at him. "Joan, I don't want you to freak out, and this is why I'm telling you all this. If they- the Ministry of Magic find out, they will… They will take you, and they will obliviate you." Jacop stared at Joan's shocked expression and quickly added, "Meaning they will change and erase some memories."

"Th-th-that's still better than what they would do to you!" And before Jacop could think about what he was saying, he blurted out:

"I'm w-worried that they will… they will… take away all of your memories with wizards and that...we wouldn't know each other... we wouldn't be friends anymore and...I know it's kinda selfish-"

"Not at all!" Joan's eyes were not as wide as dinner plates - they were wider. The new, bright sunshine glared in their faces, but Joan didn't look away. For a second, Jacop thought she was Petrified, but they he remembered that the nearest Basilisk was likely a hundred miles away. "I- would they really do that?! 'Cause… 'Cause your my best friend, and anyone who is going to mess with that is going to have a heck of a lot of trouble doing so!"

Jacop regretted saying anything. "Joan… these are wizards… powerful ones, too, you'd have no chance!"

"We'll have to try. Your mom won't let us become friends again, she'd be too worried. This time… these memories… are our only chance, and we're going to protect that chance."

Jacop sighed. "Look, I need you to do a favor. Do. Not. Tell. Anyone."

"Wouldn't dream of it!"

"Good, 'cause the ministry will only find out if they… well… find out you know all this."

"Or if someone tells them!"

Jacop jumped a mile. He stared down at Kyler in shock.

"Merlin's beard, Jacop! You just broke the Statute of Secrecy into a million pieces! A billion, I reckon! Your mom was right - you would never be able to keep the secret from Joan; she knew you'd eventually br-"

"KYLER! YOU. KEEP. YOUR. MOUTH. SHUT! I can't believe you, Kyler, mark my words, the second the hat touches your head you'll be in Slytherin, turning us in, eavesdropping-"

"I'm not going to turn you in, if you'd let go of me!"

Jacop let go as if Kyler were boiling hot acid, and Kyler rubbed his shoulders.

"Jeez, Jacop, you think I'm gonna turn you in? You gotta be jocking! Also you could've grabbed on softer, y'know."

Jacop muttered "Sorry."

"I can't believe you! You - of all the people, you'd be the last to break the law!"

"It's not as simple as that."

"What were you trying to do?"

"Warning Joan about Obliviators. But I think I just made things way worse."

Kyler chuckled. "Uh, yeah. Big time."

Then Kyler got all serious. "Listen, I have to tell your mom."

"No! Don't you dare tell his…"

"Look, she's right," he continued, ignoring Joan. "Your telling Joan too much. Your going to get her into trouble. She's already in trouble… Whereas before the ministry would've let it slip by, now she is definitely going to be obliviated, should they find out. Sorry, Jacop, gotta do this for you too, I don't want you in trouble."

Jacop started to retaliate, but Kyler interrupted him. "You think she'd tell the ministry? No, she'll cover up for you!"

Jacop stared at Kyler. What he said sank in. "Your really clever, you know that, right?" Kyler turned and walked away.

"Did you know that was the most Kyler has ever talked?" Joan grinned.

"I know Kyler! Yeah, he's hiding how clever he is, he's too shy."

"Ah, he'd be in Ravenclaw…"

They heard a distant yell. "Stop guessing what house I'm going to be in!" Then Jacop shuddered as he heard the door close.

"I- I'm sorry, Jac-"

"It is not your fault, Joan. You haven't broken the law in the slightest, it's my problem that I have to deal with now." They looked at each other and smiled.

"Don't worry, Joan."

"We'll play soccer tomorrow, if you want, Jacop?"

"I, uh, doubt…"

"JACOP! GET OVER HERE! NOW! NOW!"

"Good luck!" Both spoke at the same time. They laughed, then Jacop held out his arms. Joan hugged him like she'd never see him again.

"JACOP! I MEAN IT! GET AWAY AND GET YOURSELF IN HERE, NOW!"

"My mom…"

Jacop smiled and jogged to the door of the house. The door slammed shut behind him.

"What were you thinking?! Do you want to get us in more trouble with the Ministry?!"