"So who do you think she's going to see?" Marcus asked, trying to watch McGonagall as the rounded the corner.
"I dunno, it's not next door, obviously. Must be number five." Ayla said thoughtfully.
"But there's no one in number five mum. It's just a holiday home." Edie piped up.
"Yeah, but I'm sure someone was renting it for the start of the season." Ayla said, walking back to the kitchen. She was closely followed by Marcus and Edie.
"What's up Mum?" Jake asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"We just saw one of our old teachers." Marcus explained. "Hey you think she's still teaching?"
"I don't know. Wasn't she Headmistress, after Dumbledore...you know."
"What's that got to do with the end house?" Rae asked, now interested in the confusing conversation.
"Well it looked like McGonagall, Professor McGonagall to you mind Jake if she's your teacher, you be sure to show her respect. Anyway it looked like she was going to talk to someone else on the street. But I would have sworn they're all muggles round here." Marcus said, in his mind he was picturing his neighbours, trying to figure out if any of them could have magical blood.
"Maybe it's that nice Canadian lady?" Rae suggested.
"What Canadian lady?" Marcus and Ayla asked together.
"I've seen her in the lane sometimes, when I'm riding my bike."
"I thought I told you not to speak to strangers." Marcus started.
"She spoke to me first. Besides I didn't say much. And I didn't take any sweets or anything from her. Or go in her house!"
"Ok sweetie, why don't you and your sister go eat breakfast in the front room?" Ayla said, trying to avoid an argument. Rae might have been the baby of the family but she had all her father's talents for arguing.
"Did I do something wrong? I stuck to the rules."
"No princess," Marcus soothed. "Just be careful when you're playing in the lane."
"I'm always careful Daddy."
The two girls left the room, leaving their parents and older brother sitting at the table.
"Jake I want to ask you something." Ayla said, once the girls were out of hearing range.
"Am I in trouble then?" he interrupted.
"No, why would you say that mate?"
"Well mum sent the twins in the other room, usually means I did something wrong."
"No it's not that. I just wanted to know if you'd mind us telling the girls about Hogwarts? I think they'd be happier if they knew exactly where you're going."
"Yeah, ok."
"Aw my baby, you're such a little star!"
"I know mum." Jake said, grinning as he took a bite of toast.
"So when are we going to Diagon alley?" Marcus asked, excitement lining his face once more.
"Up to you Jakey." Ayla said.
"When are we going where?"
"To get your books." Marcus explained. "It's a street in muggle London that's full of wizarding shops."
"And a muggle is a?"
"It's what we call non-magical people."
"Right. Why?"
"You know I'm not really sure."
"They can't see it, muggles. The shop I mean." Marcus said, interrupting once more.
"It's invisible?"
"Well it's hidden and the entrance, they just don't notice it. Just walk right by as if there's nothing worth paying attention to."
"Ok mum, dad you're spinning me out here."
"How about we try to explain it all today, and then get your books tomorrow?" Ayla suggested.
"Sounds like a plan. Dad are you pouting?"
"No."
"Seriously Marcus you're such a child at times." Ayla said, shaking her head.
"I just wanted to go today. Get him his books, his owl, his first broom!"
"I have to clean? At school? What a gip!"
"Nah mate, brooms are for flying on. Not sweeping up."
"Now I know you're pulling my leg. Next you'll be telling me the rug in front of the fireplace is a flying carpet."
"No, but the old one was. We had to get rid of it when you flew out the window on your third birthday." Ayla said, grinning.
"I did what? I don't remember that."
"You were only titchy mate. You should have seen the look on Granny Bev's face!"
Jake's face turned white at the thought of himself as a toddler, flying through open windows on a magic carpet.
"Don't worry sweetie, you didn't get far. Just out into the garden."
"Ok then"
"Look, you go get dressed and me and your dad will try and sort out everything we have to tell you. And you can think of anything you want to ask us."
"And we'll fill your sisters' in on the basics. Only what you already know, then they can ask questions too."
"Yeah, that ok mate?"
"Fine by me." Jake said, getting up and leaving the room.
"So how do we tell the twins?" Ayla asked.
"Just tell them I guess. Come right out with it. Girls, come here." he shouted.
"Dad, we're watching TV." Edie said, as she stomped into the kitchen, closely followed by Rae.
"This is better than TV." Ayla said as the two girls sat down at the table.
"You remember when you thought you saw fairies down the bottom of the garden Rae?"
"Yeah, and Edie said I was being stupid."
"Well you were, fairies don't exist!"
"Yes they do. And pixies, and unicorns and a whole lot more besides." Marcus interrupted.
"No way!"
"You're pulling our legs." Edie said, imitating her brother perfectly.
"Nope, it's true."
"Honest girls. See the school your mum and me went to, the one Jake is going to, is a magic school. For witches and wizards."
"And your brother's going there to learn how to be a wizard."
"And in a few years you'll go there too."
"Rae, I think mum and dad have lost it."
"Really squeally mum? There's fairies and magic and all sorts?"
"Yup!"
"Prove it."
"We'll wait for your brother to come down first."