Neither Cats nor Harry Potter belong to me. (as already said, if Harry Potter would be mine, Sirius and Remus would still be alive)
R&R please
"Misto. Misto wake up."
The magical Mr Mistoffelees, or Misto how he preferred to be called, groaned when the voice cut through his tired mind and rolled over.
"Five more minutes Jenny", grumbled the young conjurer.
"Jenny's not here Misto. You need to wake up. We need your help", argued the voice. With a loud groan Misto pushed himself up and opened his eyes. He blinked for a while, then frowned. For some reason he lay in a real bed, his body covered by a night-blue blanket. "Finally. I've been trying to wake up for ten minutes. Munkus is freaking out enough as it is. I didn't want to tell him you wouldn't wake up." Misto turned his head, expecting to see the black and golden queen the voice belonged to, to give a cry and struggle away.
In front of the bed, looking quite worried crouched woman. She had short and spiky black hair with golden strands, creamy slightly tanned skin and deep amber eyes.
"Who are you?!", cried Misto. The female sighed and ruffled her hair.
"Misto it's me, Demeter."
"Sure and I'm a Pollicle", snorted the conjurer.
"You're not a Pollicle. But you're not a cat anymore either Misto. You turned human too."
Misto stared at the female confused, then realised something. His body felt wrong. He felt no tail and the wall he was backed off against was far colder than usual. Slowly he glanced down his arm, to scream. What he saw wasn't black fur, but soft human skin, a few shades lighter than the female's. "WHAT WITH THE EVERLASTING CAT!", cried the conjurer.
The next second the door to the room burst open and a third human rushed in. He was male and older than the female. His skin was around the female's shade. He had wild-looking chin-long black hair with silver streaks and bright silver eye. "Munkus?!", gasped Misto out.
"Who screamed?", asked the man back.
Misto's lips twitched. He did sound like the Jellicle Protector. "Misto saw his arms", answered the female that claimed to be Munkustrap's mate. Immediately the male relaxed his stand and sighed: "Thank the Everlasting Cat. I thought something else happened. Us turning human and waking up in this house is strange enough as it is."
"Munkus…Dem…is that really you?", asked Misto now. He had to be sure it was them. Both smiled at him sadly and nodded. The female took his hand and soothed: "It really is us Misto, don't worry."
He nodded and hugged himself. His body felt so wrong. "It feels wrong", whimpered the young conjurer. Misto might often act calm and aloof, but he was still counted as a kitten and it broke through now. Demeter moved to his side and hugged him. "Believe me Misto, we know", soothed Munkus and crouched down in front of him and Demeter. He took the young conjurer's hand and continued: "I know this has shaken you up, but we still need your help. You might now the most about this."
Misto looked up at Munkus, then took a shuddering breath and nodded. He was fighting back tears by now.
"Oh Misto if you need to cry you can", offered Demeter. Misto looked at both adults surprised, but they just smiled and Munkus added: "She's right Misto. Tugger and I practically did raise you and ever since having Jemima Demeter and I have gotten a lot better at reading kits. Sometimes…you just have to let it all out." That did it and Misto broke. He flung himself forward and started crying into Munkus shoulder. The man rubbed his back, muttering soothing words while he sat down on the bed as well. Demeter rubbed Misto's shoulders carefully and kissed his head. Despite his tears Misto smiled into Munkus' shoulder. He felt so protected right now, so loved, it was a nice feeling. Mum and Dad do know how to make me feel better, thought the young human, then jerked and leaped up. Had he just thought…
"Misto what's wrong?", asked Demeter. Munkustrap watched him carefully, his head tilted and eyes narrowed in thought. "It happened to you too, huh?", asked the man finally. Now it was Misto who tilted his head confused. "Whatever the reason for these forms are", explained Munkus and gestured down at himself. "It appears they came with a whole set of relations and maybe more. Before you woke up Demeter and I both caught ourselves at thinking of you as…our own child."
He said the last part in an uncertain voice, obviously not sure how Misto would react to it. Misto gasped surprised at this confession. "What did you think dear?", asked Demeter, then blinked surprised. Warmth spread through Misto at the word dear and he couldn't keep a small smile of his face. "I…thought of you…you two as my…parents", admitted the young human finally. He looked at both, to find the two adults look uncertain, but then both smiled slowly and Munkustrap got up and pulled Misto against him carefully.
"Don't be ashamed for it", soothed the man and combed Misto's hair with his fingers. "Remember, we feel similar for you now."
"I know", mumbled Misto and continued: "But it still feels kinda strange."
Another pair of arms wrapped around him and Demeter stated: "Well, till we find a way to reverse whatever happened…I can't say I mind this kind of relationship." "Me neither", answered both males in unison, getting all three of them to laugh.
Finally they pulled apart and Munkus offered: "Change your clothes Misto, alright? Demeter and I will wait downstairs for you."
Misto nodded and the two adults left the room. Without thinking Misto walked over to a wardrobe and opened it. He blinked. How had he known where to go? This was just getting stranger and stranger. Shaking his head Misto lunged into the drawer and tried not to think. It worked quite well. Again his body acted more or less on its own and he pulled out the clothes he needed. Then he turned around and walked through another door. Surprised he found himself in a bathroom and thought; How with the Everlasting Cat do I know where those things are? I shouldn't know! This is so confusing. With a sigh Misto shook the thoughts off. He'd discuss this out with Munkus and Demeter soon enough. The young human took of his pyjamas. How in the world did I get those anyway? And pulled on his new clothes.
He wasn't even surprised anymore when he had not one problem with putting them on and just shook his head in disbelieve. A thought came to him when he was about to leave for downstairs. How did he even look as a human, and how old was he. Munkustrap looked like he was in his late twenties and Demeter in her mid-twenties. Misto himself felt quite young and was certainly much smaller than the two adults. So, making a decision, he turned around and walked to where he knew the mirror was. He kept his gaze on the ground, but when he stopped in front of the mirror, he looked up. A gasp escaped him.
He couldn't be older than ten or eleven. His hair was still from the same deep black his fur used to be and it was about as short as Demeter's, if a little less unruly. His eyes had remained in their dark-blue colour as well. He smirked a little. He did look a little young to wear what he wore. He wore a pure-white shirt and black jeans as well as black sneakers. How he knew he looked too grown up for an, apparently he knew his age too, eleven years old, he like his look. It reminded him of how he used to look as a tom.
With a sad sigh he remembered the Junkyard and wondered how they were doing without him and the other two. He shook his head and pushed the thoughts away. They'd only get him depressed. Misto walked out of the bathroom and, what was obviously, his room, to walk into a hallway. Looking it up and down, he managed to name the room behind every door. The one the farthest away from the stairs was, apparently, a library, to one right across was a second and bigger bathroom. It had a direct connection to Munkustrap's and Demeter's room, which was right across Misto's own room.
He shook his head again and proceeded to walk down the stairs. The moment he was downstairs, he smelled something and his stomach growled. "Pancakes", muttered the boy and walked to where he knew the kitchen was. It was a big room that had no real separation from the dining-room except for the tile-floor turning to parquet. Munkus leaned against a counter and watched Demeter working over the stove.
"It feels so weird to know what I'm doing while I actually have no idea how I'm doing this", stated the woman at the moment. Munkus gave a chuckle and answered: "I hear you, Love."
"Well, it smells good, that's for certain", cut Misto in, deciding to announce his arrival. Both adults looked up at him and smiled. "Calmed down?", asked Munkus, concern flickering through his silver eyes while Demeter returned her attention to the stove. Misto shrugged and answered: "More or less." He watched how Demeter poured new Pancake-dough into a frying pan and stated: "Somehow I think a cat shouldn't eat that."
"Oh no! A cat definitely shouldn't eat that", agreed Munkus and grimaced. "You ate it once?", asked Demeter with a laugh. Misto stared surprised and Munkus grunted: "My owners youngest daughter thought it to be funny to feed me with those. Ugh, that was a painful visit to the vet." The other two burst out laughing, gaining a snarl from Munkus. Demeter suddenly purred. Both stared at her and she laughed.
"What, I thought if Munkus can still snarl, we might still be able to do other things we could do as cats."
"Well, I can't use my magic like I used to anymore. It's still there but…different", stated Misto. Both adult raised their eyebrows, then Munkus offered: "We can experiment more after breakfast, wouldn't you agree." "Sure thing dad", answered Misto, to freeze. Munkus froze too, before he chuckled and stated: "It will take a while till I'm used to that." "Not only you", muttered Misto.
"Well, I'm done so if you help me set the table we can eat", cut Demeter in. Both males nodded and helped her out. Like with most things he'd done today, Misto instinctively knew how to do what, though he had no idea what he was actually doing. It seemed it was the same for Munkus and Demeter. "Well, enjoy", said Demeter.
Misto carefully cut off a bit of the pancake on his plate and tentatively popped it into his mouth. He chewed and his eyes went wide. "This is great!",, exclaimed the conjurer and started eating faster. He heard chuckled from both adults, who remained with their slow pace in eating.
After a while Demeter asked: "Misto…don't you think you've had enough. That's the ninth pancake."
The eleven year old froze surprised. He hadn't realised that.
"Let him eat", argued Munkus back. Both looked at him confused. He looked up at her from whatever he'd been reading while eating and continued: "Whatever happened to us happened right after Misto's battle against Mac, Love. I might not know much about magic, but I'm pretty sure it's the reason behind his appetite." Demeter pursed her lips for a second, then nodded and said: "I guess you're right. Don't let me stop you sweetheart." She winked at Misto at the last word before returning to her own breakfast.
Misto looked back and forth between the two adults he'd believed to know so well in the tribe. And yet here they were, two of the most serious young adults the Jellicles had and they laughed and talked about nothing important while having breakfast. It was weird, but a nice kind of weird, like the feeling he got from thinking of the two of them as his parents. Misto's musings were interrupted when his stomach growled a little and he returned his attention to the pancakes.
After breakfast was finally finished, Demeter asked: "What have you been reading there anyhow?"
Misto looked over to Munkus, who shuffled through the papers he'd read. "Well, it seems were here completely legally." "Huh?", asked the other two. "These", explained the man and gestured to the papers. "Are birth-certificates, diplomas even criminal records, and they are ours. It's like we were…always there." Misto's eyes went wide once again and he gasped: "Honestly?"
"Honestly. Here, that's yours." He cleared his throat and read: "Your name is Misto Jellicle, ironic if you ask me. Height: 21 inches, Weight: 8 pounds. You were born on the 13 April 1980 in Ramsgate, Kent. You mother is Demeter Aeva. Her given name, before apparently marrying me, was May and now we're all called Jellicle."
"That is ironic", agreed Demeter and muttered: "Aeva May used to my owner."
"I'm registered on here as Munkus Jellicle. Then we have two signatures and that was it."
"Wow", breathed Misto and moved so he could look at the certificate. "I know Macavity and I are powerful, but we can't have done that all alone, can we?" Both adults raised an eyebrow and answered: "Just an idea, but you have to agree Macavity and I are both powerful with magic. That simple explosion of raw magical power could've turned us into humans, but all those details and the knowledge we seem to have…no, someone would've needed to keep complete control over the magic to make this possible. And even Macacity doesn't have that much control."
Both adults nodded in understanding, then Demeter asked: "What else is there?"
"Well, here, this one says that the two of us are owning quite the successful dance-studio. People from all over England and even Britain are coming there to learn all kinds of dancin. From ballroom-dancing, over ballet to hip-hop and more."
" I'm quite sure that means we can still dance like we used to", guessed Misto.
"We have a small dance-studio of our own in the basement", stated Demeter with a shrug.
"Farther…Misto you seem to be quite the smart student. Almost always top-grades and leading part in the school-choir." Misto blinked, then grinned happily. So he could still dance and sing, this kept becoming bearable. "Demeter and I both have our driver's license and a few other licenses I haven't been able to check yet." Munkus shrugged and gathered the papers together. "There is one file I haven't been able to open. I don't know why, I guess we'll see with time."
"So, what do we do now?", asked Misto.
"Explore the house", answered both adults in unison. "We might instinctively know what is where, but it'll still be better when we know the house really." Misto nodded in understanding and together the three of them walked off. The house was quite impressive.
It had a beautiful garden and a backyard as big as the main-clearing of the Junkyard. In the basement, besides the dance-studio was another room none of them had managed to enter yet. On the first floor were the kitchen and dining room, as well as a study and a living room. And upstairs were the two bath- and bedrooms and the library. It was around noon and the three of them lounged in the living room and talked about whatever came to mind. Suddenly a brown flash rushed through the window.
All three jumped up, to gape.
An owl circled around at the ceiling, then it dropped a letter and disappeared again. Demeter backed off from the letter, pulling Misto behind her. Not that the boy minded it. He'd gotten quite used to thinking of Demeter and Munkus as his parents already. Munkus inched closer to the letter carefully and picked it up. It was yellowish paper and looked quite thick. The man frowned, then stated: "It's for Misto."
"What?!", exclaimed the other two.
"Yes. There it stands. "Mr Misto Jellicle, Living Room Couch, Grange Road, Ramsgate, Kent. Can't get much more detailed than that."
He held the letter out to Misto, who took it gingerly. He opened it slowly and pulled out the letter. After a while he was through it, his eyes wider than they'd been today yet. He re-read the letter and Demeter asked: "Well?" "This…that…how…what?", managed Misto to splutter out before he handed it to Munkus to read it out loud.
"HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr Jellicle,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress"
"This has got to be a joke", stated Demeter flatly.
Misto nodded and stated: "I'm a conjurer, not an actual wizard."
And then, as if the word wizard had been the keyword information rushed through the boy's brain. He gave a startled cry and held his head. Two gasps sounded through the air and he looked up. Munkus and Demeter held their heads as well. For a while no one moved while information continued to be poured into their brains, yet it was finally too much and Misto welcomed the soothing numbness of unconsciousness.
"…time."
"But he's been out for almost 24 hours now. I'm worried."
"As am I Love, but he is younger than us after all. Besides, I doubt he was fully recovered from his battle with Macavity already."
"I suppose so, but…"
"Love, go to sleep. I'll stay here. You've been awake ever since we woke up."
"You too."
"Not true, remember, I fell asleep over the files."
"Suppose so, alright."
What was that about?, wondered Misto while he fought against the darkness surrounding him. In a flash it cleared and he shot up in his bed. Two hands took a gentle hold on his shoulders and pushed him back down. "Slowly Misto. You were out for quite a while", came Munkus' soothing voice. Misto looked up at the man. His silver eyes glowed in the darkened room and he had a soft smile on his face.
"What happened?", groaned Misto when his head started to spin.
"Give it a few minutes. It'll come back to you." Misto looked up at the man that was somehow his father and somehow now, but took the advice and took a deep breath. "I'll get you something to eat, okay?" Misto nodded and he heard how the door closed softly after Munkus. He frowned in confusion. What with the Everlasting cat had happened to have him black out?
Suddenly it came back to him and he sat up again.
The letter, the headache, the sudden rush of information. Confused he searched through his mind and found that he now had a basic knowledge of how this magic worked, that hidden in a wall in the library were magic books, that Hogwarts really did teach young witches and wizards and that Munkus and Demeter apparently were wizard and witch by themselves.
"In those files and rooms we couldn't open has to be something connected to this Wizarding World then", mused Misto to himself. "True", answered Munkus' voice and he reappeared in the room, carrying a tray. He set it down on Misto's lap and he looked at it. It was a bowl of fruits, a glass of orange juice and two slices of bread with ham and cheese. "Demeter had this already prepared in the fridge", explained Munkus.
Misto nodded and, while picking up a slice of bread, asked: "So, you and Dem are magical too now?"
At this the other chuckled and answered: "It appears so. We had to take in a lot more information than you, considering to make this believable we need to know more than you. In theory Demeter and I know all we need to know. When you are at Hogwarts we'll have time to put it to practise. At least I believe you will want to go." Misto nodded, not about to speak with his mouth full. "Good. We'll take you Diagon Alley tomorrow then so we can buy everything. Also an owl, if we want to keep contact it will be the easiest that way."
Misto nodded again, then asked: "How's Dem adapting to all of this?"
Munkus frowned and answered: "She's…freaked out, that definitely, but I have the feeling she'll come around. Although once we know how to get along we won't use much magic. Everything I saw till now makes it seem like we rather live in the normal world and…to be quite honest I'm glad about that."
"Oh me too", laughed Misto. "Being human is weird enough. Now this new magic takes the cake. Nothing else, please." Munkus laughed and the two continued to chat while Misto ate. Once he was done a yawn escaped him and Munkus offered: "Go sleep some more. It's already late and you finally need to recover fully." "Says the Jellicle Protector that went to fight Macavity three days after his from a Pollicle broken arm healed", muttered Misto tiredly, but lay back down. "Touché", chuckled the man and stood up.
"Munk?"
Misto glanced away when the many turned to look at him. He felt ridiculous asking this. "Yes Misto?"
"C-c-could you…sing something?" A blush covered Misto's cheeks and he kept his gaze locked on the wall, but then he felt Munkus sit back down on the matress and the man's arms wrapped around him. He was pulled halfway on Munkus' lap and the man soothed: "You don't have to be nervous or embarrassed by asking this Misto." Misto nodded and snuggled against Munkus chest. The man started to hum, before he broke into a song he'd once heard him sing to Jemima.
Come stop your crying
It will be alright
Just take my hand
Hold it tight
I will protect you
From all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry
For one so small
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart
Always
Why can't they understand
The way we feel
They just don't trust
What they can't explain
I know we're different
But deep inside us
We're not that different at all
And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know?
We need each other
To have, to hold
They'll see in time
I know
When destiny calls you
You must be strong
I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on
They'll see in time
I know
We'll show them together
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Believe me
You'll be in my heart
I'll be there from this day on
Now and forever more
Oh, you'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart
Always
Always, I'll be with you
I'll be there for you always
Always and always
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
I'll be there always
Misto felt himself drifting off to sleep at the last note, but still felt Munkus tucking him back in and kissing his forehead. "Love you dad", mumbled the boy sleepily. A soft chuckle reached him and the last thing he heard was: "Love you too Misto."
It had certainly been a long while since Misto had slept that great the last time. When he woke up the next day the light of the rising sun shone into his room and he gave a great yawn and stretched. The next second excitement rushed through him. They'd be going to Diagon Alley today to buy everything Misto would need to go to Hogwarts.
Quickly the boy leaped out of his bed, chose new clothes and rushed into his bathroom. He brushed his teeth, washed his face and combed his hair without even realising he did it. He did realise though that doing things he had no idea about bothered him less than the day before. After putting on the new clothes, which were a fresh version of what he wore the day before, he skipped out of the room and down the stairs. It really did feel kind of nice to be a part of a family like this. When he came into the kitchen Demeter stood in front of the stove already and Munkus sat at the table, reading the newspaper.
"Morning", greeted Misto cheerfully. Both looked up at him and smiled. "Good morning to you too Misto. You look quite excited", said Munkus and folded up the newspaper. Misto, while sitting down as well, noted happily that Munkus wore something similar to him. "I am excited", admitted the boy.
"Well, then eat up and we can leave", laughed Demeter and placed a plate with ham and eggs in front of him. He smiled up at her in thanks. Demeter smiled back at him, then sat down on Munkus' lap, laying her head on his shoulder. After breakfast all three got up and ready. Demeter, who wore pale-blue jeans and a golden-white-and-black spotted T-Shirt, had gotten herself a bag and both of the adults shrugged into vests. Misto himself didn't, but picked it up and followed the two adults outside.
"So, how do we get to London?", asked Misto, remembering that Diagon Alley was there.
"Train", answered both adults.
"I thought we have a car?"
"Well yes", answered Munkustrap and to Misto he sounded a little nervous. "But I'm still not so certain about driving one. It may work like anything else but…" He trailed off and frowned. Misto nodded in understanding and followed the two adults to through the streets.
"This looks so strange from up here", muttered Demeter after a while, drawing laughs from both males. "It is different", agreed Munkustrap. Misto looked around eagerly. It was quite impressive. Also, many things about humans that had confused him before made quite much sense now. About a block from the railway-station a man suddenly ran up to them and started talking to Munkus.
"Go ahead", muttered the black haired man.
Demeter and Misto walked a few meters away, but turned to watch what was happening. The strange man still talked, yet something shocking happened. Munkus bright silver eyes suddenly became a little duller, as if his sight faded and then he responded to the man. They talked for a while, then the man nodded and rushed off. The second he was gone Munkus blinked and shook his head.
"This was weird", stated he while walking up to Misto and Demeter.
"What happened? Your eyes turned dull", asked the woman.
Munkus shrugged and answered: "It was strange. I just…I just acted. I really didn't think. It seems this man's daughter has a course in our dance-studio and needed to cancel her next training." He shrugged again. "That is weird…and worrying", agreed Demeter. "Worrying?", asked Misto. "Sooner or later someone might notice our eyes dulling if such a thing happens more often", explained the female, nervously twirling her spiky hair around her finger.
Munkus placed an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, kissing her cheek. Misto turned his head away and pretended to gag, grinning inwardly. Honestly, he didn't mind them doing it. Cats were affectionate creatures by nature, if one had their trust that was. So honestly, he could think of worse ways to show affection. Yet something told him to act like he did. Good thing he did too. A few meters away he spotted a group of boys who gagged at the display of affection as well.
"Misto", chided Demeter with a smirk.
"Sorry mom", answered the boy with a cheeky grin. The two adults simply shook their heads. Finally they reached the ailway-station and, to everyone's relief, the train just arrived. They got in and sat down. Misto himself looked out of the window in awe. He'd never been in a train before, at least a moving one. Skimble had once taken all kittens to his station, but that was quite some time in the past already.
To Misto's great surprise, he'd actually fallen asleep during the ride, gaining him a grin of mirth from Munkus, to which Demeter whacked his arm. "At least not the head again", heard Misto the man mutter and burst out laughing. Obviously the dream-couple of the Junkyard had their quarrels often enough as well. Misto was still snickering to himself when they left the station and started walking through London.
A strange tugging sensation hit the boy and confused he asked: "Do you feel that to?"
Demeter nodded and Munkus sighed: "I fear it's the part of us that remained a cat."
"So our hearts? Ww might loo and act like humans, but at heart we're still Jellicles", asked Demeter. Munkus nodded and turned his head. He stared to the east and murmured: "I can only guess, but I think our hearts try to pull us home." "We can't go back to the Junkyard though, not like this", argued Demeter and looked down at herself. "No, that we can't. We have no idea if we would still understand what the others say, let alone could make them believe us", agreed Munkus.
Misto gave a soft whimper, to be pulled against Demeter. "I miss Vic", whispered the boy. His older sister had to be worried sick.
"Oh sweetheart, we miss our siblings too", cooed Demeter softly.
Misto glanced up at Munkus, who gave a pained smile and chuckled: "Yes, I do miss Tugger as well."
He ruffled Misto's hear, then took a deep breath to compose himself. "Ready again?" Demeter and Misto locked eyes for a moment, then boht nodded and parted. Yet Misto continued holding Demeter's hand. He needed an assurance that he wasn't alone in this. Demeter, as if hearing his thoughts, squeezed his hand a little and smiled at him. Misto smiled back, then Munkus called: "There we are." Misto looked up.
They stood in front of a shabby looking old pub. The Leaky Cauldron. If you wanted to enter Diagon Alley from London, you had to go through there. As far as Misto knew some spells made it more or less invisible to normal people. Muggles, reminded Misto himself and scoffed internally.
To him humans were humans, dogs were dogs, cats were cats and Jellicles were Jellicles.
Such separation within a race was despisable to him. Each and every cat was always welcome with the Jellicle cats and the other way around. Peeks and Pollicles could get along too if they wanted. But that witches and wizards thought of themselves as something better than normal humankind, which easily outnumbered them. And if they set their mind to it, normal humans could easily cause the magical people to vanish. They had better weapons. Even one of the best wizards would have trouble with a machine gun. If they didn't spot the gunner soon enough to hit him with a spell, they were dead. "What's wrong Misto?" Misto gave a start and looked up. Munkus and Demeter looked at him worriedly and with a small smirk he told them what he'd thought about. Once he was done both laughed and Munkus ruffled his hair again.
Misto almost purred. He really liked that gesture of affection.
"We think the same dear", answered Demeter. Then she smirked and added: "But around other wizards you should keep those thoughts to yourself."
Misto nodded and finally the small family entered the Leaky Cauldron. Inside it was dark and just as shabby as outside. Only a few people where there yet, but the barkeeper looked up from his work. His eyes locked on Misto and he asked: "First time Hogwarts Shopping?" Misto stared at the man. He was old, quite bald and somehow resembled a toothless walnut.
"Indeed", answered Munkus. His tone, though reserved, remained calm and friendly. It reminded Misto of the tone he used when he tried to keep his cool during rehearsing the awful battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles.
"Through that door, you know the trick I s'pose?"
Munkus nodded and said his thanks before leading the other two through the door. "Trick?", asked Misto while he stared at the brick wall in front of them confused. Munkus smirked at him, then pulled something out of his vest. Surprised Misto saw that it was a smooth black stick. "Is that…" "A wand", answered Munkus. "We found them in our drawers yesterday", explained Demeter and her eyes strayed to her own vest. Misto nodded in understanding and watched how Munkus tapped a few bricks with the wand.
"How do you know which one to tap?", asked the boy. Munkus shrugged and answered: "I don't know, I just do."
Then he stepped back and put the wand away again. A gasp escaped Misto when the bricks started moving, opening to an archway. And through it Misto saw the most impressive Alley he'd ever visited. And being a cat he'd visited a lot of them. "Well, let's go", said Demeter and walked on. Misto looked around in awe, wishing to have at least eight more eyes. "Whoa", he heard a kid gasp. "That's the new Nimbus 2000. It's the fastest broom there is."
While a little information about brooms rushed through Misto's mind, he thought; Brooms, honestly? Aren't wands, coats, owls and cauldrons cliché enough? "Cliché, isn't it", whispered Demeter into his ear. Misto laughed and answered: "You have no idea." "Now what's so funny?", asked Munkus and looked at them both. The two shared a glance, then shook their heads with grins. Munkus only raised an eyebrow, then smirked and walked on. Misto looked at Demeter, who looked quite nervous.
"What's wrong?"
"I hate it when he smirks like that", answered Demeter while they continued following Munkus through the Alley. "That means he's planning something I won't look forward to."
"Really? For me his smirk looked just normal."
Demeter rolled her eyes and smiled. "Knowing him as well as I do, and especially his own little quirks, helps me see differences in his smirks. Believe me, you find them when you know what to look for. And I'm not looking forward to whatever I'm going to face later today." Misto stared at the woman that was his mother right now. Sure, she was Munkus mate, or wife right now, but he'd never thought that there were differences in the former tabby's smirks. Misto nodded, then turned back to Munkus and asked: "Where are we going anyhow?"
Munkus looked back at them and answered: "Gringotts. It appears we have a vault with quite the amount of money there." Gringotts?, wondered Misto, then the information came. Ah, Wizarding Bank, got it. They soon stopped in front of an imposing snow-white multistoried marble building. "That is it?", asked Misto, awed at the money only a small part of the marble there must have cost.
Munkus nodded and muttered: "We should stay close together. If we can trust those memories we gained goblins are not creatures to be necessarily trusted."
"Why do Goblins runt his bank anyhow?", asked Misto. He watched how Demeter's eyes dulled slightly before they cleared and she answered: "I think because it was founded Gringott, a goblin." Misto nodded in understanding, then Demeter started to move. Her formerly free hand was closed tightly around Munkus', but her face betrayed nothing of her obvious nervousness. Misto himself did his best to look anything but nervous, which got easy when they had finally entered.
The bank looked even more royal than Bustopher Jones' human home, which belonged to a lord he believed.
He read the warning on the doors interested.
"Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there."
"Somehow I think trying to steal from here would even be impossible for Macavity", muttered Misto to the other two. Both just nodded, then Munkus pulled them up to a counter. A goblin sat there, checking through what looked like sapphires to Misto.
"Yes?"
"We'd like to withdraw something from the family vault", answered Munkus. Again his voice had changed slightly. To Misto it was a mystery how the man didn't get confused with the many different tones he could use. Right now he sounded perfectly polite, even warm, though a little hostile.
The goblin seemed to be impressed by it as well, because he looked at Munkus for a second, before he asked: "I will need the name of the family and the key sir."
"Of course", answered Munkus. "The name is Jellicle. As for the key…Love?" He turned to Demeter. Misto looked up at the woman. She gave him an apologetic smile and pulled her hand from his. Then, to Misto's surprise, she pulled out a necklace from underneath her T-Shirt. On it hung a small silver key. She pulled the key off and handed it to Munkus, who in turn handed it to the goblin.
"Not the safest place to keep a vault-key", stated the goblin while checking it.
"One where you can't lose it to easily though", argued Munkus back, his tone challenging the goblin to argue back and still somehow he managed to stay a little polite. Misto shook his head. This one he could at least understand, but it was still weird. He figured that Munkus learned using this voice when facing Macavity.
"All seems to be in order", said the goblin suddenly and handed the key back. "Gornuk will lead you." He gestured left and Misto jerked in surprise when he found a goblin standing next to him. Gornuk's eyes shone with mirth at Misto's reaction, but turned around and said: "Follow me."
Misto hesitated, but then felt Munkus hand on his shoulder and started to move. Demeter took his hand again and so the three of them followed Gornuk through another door, to come to something that looks like a mine-car. Misto gulped, but climbed into it. Munkus saw on his right and Demeter on his left. He nervously held onto Munkus arm, who had his hand placed on Misto's knee to spend comfort.
"It's okay", whispered Demeter to him, silent enough so the goblin wouldn't hear her. "What freaks you out so much?"
"I-I'm not sure", muttered Misto.
"It's overwhelming to you, isn't it?", asked Munkus suddenly. Misto looked up into the Jellicle Protector's, his father's, silver eyes and nodded mutely. It was all so much to take in and it would just get more. "Why aren't you guys freaked out as much as I am."
"Because we've seen and lived through so much more than you already sweetheart", answered Demeter. "Believe me, we're freaked out too, we just know how to handle it." Misto nodded, but refrained from asking what they had seen and lived through. He had a fairly good idea what the worst was. There was a time when Macavity had managed to capture Demeter and Munkus. No one had ever confirmed or denied it, but apparently Macavity had raped Demeter right in front of Munkustrap, who'd been held back and forced to watch and listen by quite the number of henchcats.
Suddenly the cart stopped and Gornuk stepped out. The family followed and he asked: "Light please." Munkus handed it to the goblin, who took it and walked up to a vault. There he stopped and placed the light down. "Key please." He was handed that as well and proceeded to open the door to the vault. Misto felt his eyes widen at the amount of wizard money he saw. Munkus stepped forward now and started gathering up some of everything.
Galleons, Sickles and Knuts, thought Misto while shifting through the new information in his mind. 17 Sickles in a Galleon, and 29 Knuts in a Sickle, that means there are 493 Knuts to a Galleon. What happened to the good old 100 principle Pounds and other currencies have? He snapped out of his thoughts when Demeter tugged him back into the cart. Munkus sat down next to them again and handed the money to Demeter, who put it into her bag. Gornuk started the cart and sooner than Misto had thought they were back out on the street. There they waited for Demeter to put the key back onto her necklace.
They bought everything Misto would need for Hogwarts and soon only his wand and the owl they wanted to buy were missing. By now the boy had a massive headache from all the new information he'd received through magic that put them into this. "We're almost done Misto", encouraged Mukus. Misto nodded tiredly and followed his parents into an old shop.
"Ah, our shape-shifter guests." All three of them shot up at the sudden voice, then Misto saw him. An old, white haired wizard stood in front of them. "Now tell me you three, how is being human after not being one for all your lives?"
This made Misto and Demeter tumble backwards while Munkus snarled slightly and asked: "How do you know."
"I know, because I know", answered the man in a friendly way. "After all, two of my wands can't disappear just like that out of my shop, now can they? It appears though that you get along quite nicely, so let's just get the young wizard here his wand, shall we." He turned around and practically skipped away.
"Munkus?", asked Demeter. Misto heard how freaked out she was. "I have no idea what just happened", stated the man and shrugged his shoulders. That was when the man, Misto guessed he was Mr Ollivander , came back, some boxes in his arms. He put them on a table and looked at Misto.
"Come closer. We have to find the right wand for you." Misto looked at the two adults, scared out of his mind, but Munkus only nodded. So the boy took a deep breath and walked up to Ollivander. The old man handed him a wand and said: "Give it a flick." He did just that and a lightning shot out of the tip, incarnating a lamp. Misto jumped and practically thrust the wand back into Ollivander's hands. "Definitely not that one", he said with a professionalism that made Misto wonder if this happened more often than not. He tried a few more wands, before he finally held one that sent a warm feeling through his arm. He gave it a flick and familiar crystal-blue sparks shot out, raining to the ground. "There, perfect. That is a 11 inch Mahogany wand with a Hippogriff-feather core. A rather rare core I might say. And the perfect combination of the two behind you."
Misto turned around confused, to find Munkus and Demeter looking quite lost as well. "Pardon us?", asked Munkus.
"Take out your wands." Both followed and Ollivander first took Munkus and held it against the light. "Ah yes, 11 ½ inch Mahogany wand with Dragon heartstring core and the other", he handed Munkus' back and took Demeter's, "10 ½ inches Cherry wand with Hippogriff-feather core." Understanding appeared on both adult's faces and Misto had to repeat the old man's words in his head before he understood it as well. In the end they paid seven Galleons for the wand and left the shop.
"I think that was the weirdest that happened today", stated Misto after the door had closed after them.
"I quite agree", said Munkus, then shook his head and said: "Let's buy this owl and then we can go back home."
"Finally", groaned Demeter and rubbed her temples. "My head starts to feel like it's about to explode."
"Not just yours", muttered both males while they journeyed to Eeylops Owl Emporium. When they walked in, all of them winced. The screeches from some owls in this shop were quite high. "You choose one Misto. It's going to be yours after all", offered Demeter. Misto looked up at her and Munkus, who had his arms around the woman, then smiled in thanks and started looking around.
The owls looked all quite interesting, but none caught his eye. He was about to give up, when he saw it. In a cage on the counter crouched a black owl, white feathers speckled over its body. It did look quite sad though. "Excuse me?", asked Misto. One of the workers turned to look at him and he pointed at the owl. "What's wrong with this one?"
The worked frowned sadly and explained: "Well, this is supposed to be a Snowy Owl, but because he was born with mainly black feathers and white speckles, instead of the other way around, he is quite shunned by the other owls and no one was interested in buying him yet." Misto felt horror spreading through him. This story was way too familiar to him, because it matched his own. His birth-mother, who'd been as white as Victoria, had shunned him too. His father, at least that was what his mother said, had been a pale-brown tabby and while all of the others used to be either white or brown Misto himself had gotten born as a black tuxedo kitten with three white paws. That and his early developing magic had finally gotten his mother to abandon him in an alley. A week later Tugger and Munkus had found him and taken him to the Junkyard and a month after that Vic had appeared. A Pollicle had murdered the rest of their family.
Misto shook himself out of his thoughts and scanned the owl again, before nodding and turning to Munkus and Demeter.
"Can we buy that one?" He pointed to the black Snowy Owl. Both adults looked at the owl, then nodded and walked forward.
"Really, you're gonna buy that poor lad?", asked the worker, an elated smile on his face. It was obvious he'd hoped since long someone would buy the owl.
"Poor lad?", asked Munkus. The worker told them the same story he'd told Misto and Demeter stared at Misto, her eyes glowing with sorrow. Now both knew why Misto had chosen that owl. It reminded him of himself. The worker handed Misto the cage and said: "There you go lad. Take good care of him."
"I will, I promise", answered Misto full-heartedly. The man nodded and the moment they stepped outside Munkus said: "You did the right thing Misto. Now, how do you wish to call him."
Misto thought for a minute, then a name came to mind. His own before becoming the Magical Mr Mistoffelees.
"Quaxo. He'll be called Quaxo."