Saturday, May 12, 2012

Brian had almost forgotten about the exam results; Rowan's was obviously the highest at all A's on his exams while Brian's and Merula's had A's and B's on theirs. It seemed that Thompson had passed as well. Oh well, you can't win everything, Merula figured.

Their wardrobes were emptied, their suitcases were packed, and notes were given that reminded students not to use magic in No-Maj areas during the holidays ("I always hope they'll forget to give us these," Jacob said sadly); just like before, Professor Triton was there to guide the students into the carriages that took them back to the cavernous Greylock Station, but not before Professor Alastor Drake gave Brian something: a leather-covered book that Brian opened. Tears came from Brian's eyes as he saw his parents on the front page, smiling and waving at him. There was also a note from Alastor himself:

Dear Brian,

I hope you like it! I managed to buy it back on Pluto's Boulevard, but I forgot to give it to you as a birthday present. Sorry about that.

I was able to send birds to your parents' old friends asking for photos.

Use it well.

Professor Alastor Drake

Brian closed the book and placed it in his bag, boarding the Lone Star Express with Merula and Rowan. The Lone Star Express, just like before, flew through the skies, while the students used their suitcases to switch into their casual clothes. Brian was reading the latest issue of the Texas Dragon:

Murder Accomplice Caught!

On June 6, 2001, MACUSA Auror Marcus Pendragon Bank was killed in in his own home by British Ministry of Magic Bureaucrat turned war criminal Dolores Jane Umbridge, who had escaped from Azkaban Prison and fled to the United States in an attempt to ignite Pure-Blood supremacist ideals. Luckily, she was arrested by his now-retired partner, Alastor Drake, who is now serving as deputy headmaster and potions professor of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but one of her accomplices managed to escape justice… until today.

Umbridge's accomplice/contact in the United States has been identified as History of Magic professor Peter Carter by a group of first-year students calling themselves the Ilvermorny Adventurer's Club (at the request of Headmaster Agilbert Fontaine, said students shall remain anonymous). Carter has been arrested for willingly aiding and abetting a fugitive of the law and for illegal immigration. Despite their disagreements in the past, Ministry of Magic Aurors Draco Lucius Malfoy and Harry James Potter have agreed to oversee Carter's extradition to the United Kingdom where he will face the Wizengamot for his crimes.

"And I would've gotten away with it too, if it weren't for those meddling Yanks!" Carter exclaimed before being reminded of his right to remain silent.

"They're talking about us!" Brian said to Merula and Rowan.

"Well, kind of," Rowan pointed out, "Professor Fontaine kept our identities private."

"Even so," said Merula, "we brought a criminal to justice!"

Soon, the train pulled into the underground Platform Negative One at Dallas Union Station, where many students, Brian included, got their tickets renewed for next year.

It took a while to get them all off the platform. A guard instructed the students to go into the booths, one per person, one at a time, in groups of three, to avoid freaking out the No-Majes.

People jostled them as they prepared to re-enter the No-Maj world. Some of them called:

"Bye Brian!"

"See you next year, Bank!"

"Still famous," said Merula, smiling at him.

"Not where I'm going, no," said Brian.

The trio entered the phone booths and they rose back to the surface station.

"Look dad, there he is!" It was Jonathan, the youngest Snyde, pointing at Brian.

"It's rude to point, Jonathan!" Maxwell pointed out to his son before smiling at the trio. "Sorry about that. Busy year?"

"You have no idea, Mr. Snyde," Brian replied. "Thanks for the sweater, by the way."

"Any time, Brian."

"Ready to go, Brian?"

It was Uncle Mike and Alex, happy to see Brian alive and well.

"You must be Brian's family!" Said Mr. Maxwell Snyde. "I'm Maxwell Snyde."

"Michael Smith. Nice to meet you, Mr. Snyde. Before you ask, no I'm not a wizard like Brian and Alex are, but I'm happy that they are. His mom couldn't make it due to work at MACUSA."

"Hope you have a good summer, Brian!" Merula cried out.

"You too!" Brian replied as he, Mike, and Alex left the station.

"Also, don't use magic at home… without Amy's supervision." Mike warned.

"Right! Sorry Uncle." Brian had a lot to tell Alex about… especially their own legacy.

The End… of Book One