"Vicky?"

"Hi! Look, I'm really sorry but I'm terribly busy right now-"

"Vicky, listen to me-"

"Do not interrupt me! I-"

"Dumbledore."

I held the phone away from my ear and I heard a loud clatter as Vicky dropped her phone and started screeching for Leo. A few rustles burst through the phone's speakers and she called my name in a low voice.

"Aria, what do you mean, Dumbledore?"

"So you know who he is then?"

"Answer me."

"Answer me!"

Vicky sighed and, by the sounds of it, thrust the phone at Leo as I heard him stumble over his protest. "You talk to her. I'm not dealing with this!" I heard her angry, muffled yell and scowled. I never liked her- one of the positives of not having her around. I didn't mind Leo so much, but they weren't Eugenio and Emma. My real parents.

"Aria?" Leo spoke softly.

"Hiya, Leo." MY voice was just as quiet as I hoisted myself onto the bench and hunched over.

He kept his voice down, and I heard a crash in the background and cringed. " Why do you know Dumbledore?"

"I thought this was just some boofhead's prank and called you guys- I didn't think it was real. An owl just crashed through my doorway and this Dumbledore guy had written a letter. He said another parcel should arrive and now there's a kite called Aries in the middle of the kitchen, and gave me an- what did he call it? Uh... Oh! An Invisibility Cloak." I explained quickly.

Leo drew in a sharp breath. "I'm coming home. Vicky will stay here-" Vicky earsplittingly screamed something and Leo cursed. "Hell. I'm on my way. Don't let Aries or Archeon leave!"

"How the hell did you know it was Archeon?"

"Because Ennie, Archeon's travel mate, arrived here telling me Dumbledore was contacting you. I've got to go!" Another crash sounded and he hung up.

Jamie appeared at my side. "Is everything okay?"

I looked at the sink mirror and realized my face was bleach white. "Y-yea. Leo's coming home. This isn't a prank and he knows what's going on, but Vicky's going mad again."

Jack spoke up from behind us. "uh, the owl's trying to leave. "I spun around. "Don't let her!"

Jack finally realized that the door was open and closed it quickly, cutting off Archeon's escape route.

"Sorry, little one." I apologized to the owl as she hooted reproachfully. "Leo wants you to stay here till he gets back." Archeon shut up after that.

I picked the Cloak up from the table, laying it over my hand and watching in amazement as my hand disappeared completely. When I held it out in front of me, I could see straight through it despite the shimmering silver fabric. "This is amazing." I breathed.

I hunched over again. "Leo should be here in about an hour. What am I gonna do with this lot till then?" I gestured at the preening owl and Aries, who didn't look like he wanted to leave anytime soon anyway.

"Well..." Jack started.

"We could always eat more food?" Jamie finished sheepishly.

"Oh alright." I jumped down and flung the cupboard door open. "Feast!"

"Leo!" I heaved the door open and hugged him.

"Hey kid." I let go and he closed the door behind him. "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "Yea, just... confused, is all."

He nodded in understanding. "Fair enough. Hello, Jack, Jamie." He smiled pleasantly and the two boys waved, burying their faces back in their ice cream.

"Where's Archeon and the other one?" A hoot came from the lounge room and Leo perked up, striding towards it with his long legs.

"Uh, yea, in there." I chuckled, following him.

Archeon gave a delighted screech and flapped her wings, staying on the coffee table as Leo knelt beside her and stroked her head. "I haven't seen you for a long while, have I?" He murmured.

Archeon dipped her head a few times and nipped his finger gently, and I leant on the doorway. Aries had made himself comfortable on the dresser and Leo looked up.

"Wow." He breathed. "That is one magnificent bird." Aries let out a proud cry and Leo grinned as Aries bowed his head.

"Spoken like a true Hippogriff, Aries." Leo laughed and ran a finger down Aries' head and neck then stepped away.

I raised an eyebrow. "Hippogriff? As in Griffon?" Leo nodded.

"Yep. Awesome beasts, they are." He looked at my disbelieving expression and ran a hand through his hair. "I believe I have some explaining to do."

Jack and Jamie headed upstairs. "I have a feeling we don't need to hear this." Leo smiled gratefully as Jack lead his boyfriend away.

"Can I see the letter and the cloak?" I nodded and retrieved them from the kitchen, putting them beside Archeon on the coffee table.

"I haven't seen one of these in years." Leo smiled ruefully and I sat down beside him, watching him run his fingers over the soft material. He picked up the letter and skimmed over it.

"Well ..." He started.

"Nothing in this is a lie. Professor Dumbledore is one of the most well-respected wizards there and quite frankly he deserves it. To go to all this trouble to chase after one girl...

"Anyway, Hogwarts and wizardry and spells and potions- they're all real. Vicky and I both went there once. " His eyes grew troubled.

"Vicky- Vicky pulled away from the wizarding world and immersed herself in the Muggle side of things. "

I got the feeling he wasn't telling me the whole truth but I didn't pry.

"There's only so much I can tell you, and little more I can show you. You'll jut have to trust me- or maybe ..."

"Maybe?" I prompted. He looked up, a familiar expression of determination settled on his weathered face.

"Maybe you'll just have to see for yourself."

I gaped at him. "Didn't you say this whole thing was in England or something? Don't forget we're in Australia- literally on the other side of the world." I deadpanned, pointing out what should really be painfully obvious.

Leo rolled his hazel eyes. "I know that, dummy." A flash of embarrassment ran over his expression. "Hell, but I can't Apparate with you. That wouldn't en well. You sort of have a point there."

The conversation fell into a brooding lull, the faint sound of rain starting to hit the eastern windows. The darkness from outside leaked discreetly into the room, letting itself be known as the fluorescent lights fought it back.

"So," I started curiously, "tell me about this wonderful wizarding world of yours."