Chapter 3
"Jack."
"You never said anything."
Uncle seemed irritated at this. "Of course I didn't! It's your parent's last dying wish for me not to tell you, not to mention you could never even keep secret what you got me for Christmas until you were nine. How would you keep a bombshell like that under control?"
"I can't do this."
"You'll have to. Anyway, you don't have to take the throne until you're ready, maybe in a few years."
I was speechless. I stared at him, wide-eyed. "You never even hinted-"
"Jack. You're being foolish. Now pick yourself out of that pit of self-pity you've dug for yourself, and come downstairs. The Ministry officials left a half an hour ago, when it was made apparent you weren't coming down. That was very rude of you, by the way."
Reluctantly, I brushed myself off and plodded down the staircase. He was right. I walked into the kitchen and sank into one of the worn wooden chairs. Uncle levitated a cup and saucer in front of me containing his cure to all stressful situations- tea. I sipped it gratefully, scalding myself in the process. Uncle sat opposite me, rubbing his temples. "I suppose you should start lessons as soon as possible."
"Lessons?"
"Etiquette, political science- all of the things Hogwarts doesn't cover. Hogwarts is the best magical education in the United Kingdom, but for everything else, you'll have private tutelage."
"Ah."
"So, we should get there as soon as possible."
"When?"
"Tomorrow seems good."
