Tai Yagami was not a sceptic. Indeed after everything he and his friends had been through as kids, it was hard to be sceptical of anything. He thought he had long ago grown out of scepticism. After all it was hard to be sceptical when you were a Digidestined with a dinosaur looking digimon for a best friend. Even after his parent's death's not twelve months ago, realities harshness had not been able to penetrate his faith in the unknown and what could be found there. That was until those letters had arrived.

Indeed he and every one of the other Japanese Digidestined had received letters. All of them the same. All of them supposedly sent from a British Ministry of Magic inviting them to attend a School of Magic in the United Kingdom. The letter had not been very specific on its location. The thought of magic existing was pushing the limits of his belief. And yet if it was real, if what was on offer was genuine, how could he refuse it.

When the letters had arrived for him and his sister Kari he had been unsure. Upon ascertaining that not only they but every single member of the D.D. had received a similar letter he had called a meeting. Every member and their parents had attended along with the digimon. It had been a strange meeting. The parents had been against them even meeting with these people but all of the D.D. had felt they should at least hear them out. They had also considered that their enemies may be trying to draw them in to the open. Each letter had advised them that these people were aware of the existence of the digimon and that they were invited as well.

This fact unnerved them all. Izzy had theorised that if they really did know magic then they could be aware of the digimon's existence as well. This lead to a lot of fighting between everyone. Eventually even with the risks associated with accepting the invitation, the group had decided to listen to them.

That was how Tai ended up standing outside a large, expensive looking house in the middle of the afternoon. Luckily there appeared to be no one around so Agumon and Gatomon were able to wait outside the house with Tai and his sister Kari. They had been the first to arrive and were currently waiting for the rest of the D.D. and their parents to arrive. Kari was leaning against the fence that surrounded the house. She hadn't said much since they left to come here. She was still suffering from their parents deaths in a car accident a year ago.

It was for that fact that at the meeting Tai had made sure that each person would decide whether or not they would attend the school as individuals. He had wanted that because he wanted himself and Kari to get a new start. He had not told the others but he was hoping to convince Kari to come with him. Neither had ever really let go of their parents deaths. Tai was hoping that they could start afresh in a new country, a new world and at least start moving forwarded.

Tai and Kari were both so lost in thought that they didn't hear the approach of Tai's best friend and his family. Matt had to shout to get their attention.

"Hey Tai, Agumon, Kari, Gatomon are we the only one's here."

At his voice Tai, Kari, Agumon and Gatomon all turned to look in his direction. Matt was accompanied by his little brother T.K., their parents and Matt's digimon Gabumon and T.K's digimon Patomon.

"Yeah, well we wanted to scope the place out before anyone else got here. Beside's Kari and I have a bet going on, on whose going to be last. I say Mimi but Kari says it will be Davis." Tai tried to sound confident truth was he was worried about this place and the people behind this.

"I hope you put money down cause Kari is going to win." T.K announced half laughing before going over to talk to her. Patomon joined Gatomon whilst Matt, Gabumon and his parents came to stand near Tai.

"Nice looking place. I wonder if the school looks anything like that." Matt let out a low whistle to accompany his comment.

"Yeah. It will be a pity if this is an ambush. Shame to ruin such a beautiful building." Tai said in a very serious voice.

"Lighten up. You haven't led us wrong before. Everything will be okay." Matt tried to cheer Tai up, it wasn't working well.

"Really. Are you still gonna be this carefree when Sora shows up." Tai intended for his comment to sober Matt up. It worked for about ten seconds. During which time Matt looked as if he had swallowed Digi sludge. Tai knew it was a low blow as Matt and Sora had only recently broken up. Both had decided to remain friends but it was still a little awkward.

"Low blow man. Low blow. Just relax. Everything will be just fine" Matt was trying to help Tai. He felt that Tai had become way too serious after his parents deaths. Not that he blamed him, he was trying to take care of himself and Kari whilst making sure they both completed school. It was hard so Matt had appointed himself to try to help Tai in any way he could. Even if it was just to try to get him to relax.

"Yeah. Fine. I'm sure it will be." Tai spoke with a far off voice. He had been watching Kari who was doing a wonderful job of pretending to be happy whilst talking to T.K. Even Matt could see she wasn't really happy but decided to let it go. Sometimes they just needed to pretend to be okay.

The small group lapsed into silence after that while they waited. They didn't have to wait long as the others started to arrive. First came Izzy and Tentomon, Joe and Gomamon, Ken and Wormon and Cody and Armadillomon. Then Sora and Biyomon, Yolei and Hawkmon and, much to Tai's disappointment, Mimi and Palmon.

Ten minutes after the others arrived Davis and Veemon, who had overslept came sprinting towards them. After several people had admonished him the group all went quiet and turned to Tai. Even the parents were looking at him waiting on him to make the call. Even though Tai had basically made Davis their leader he had conceded leadership to Tai at the meeting.

Tai who was beginning to look uncomfortable took a look at their group. He noted the apprehension, fear, mistrust and in Izzy's case inquisitiveness. The last people he looked at were Kari, Gatomon and Agumon. When each had given him a nod signifying that they were ready and had faith in him he turned to face the door. It was a large wooden door and seemed designed to intimidate those who approached it.

"Alright. Let's do this." Tai announced as he strode forward and knocked extremely loudly on the front door whilst the others came up behind him.