Looking around, Evergreen found himself within a dark forest. There was smoke billowing up all around, and panicked animals were scurrying away in every direction. Despite the apparent fire in the near distance, it was cold. Not a bitter winter cold that would freeze one's nose and turn unshielded ears tomato red, but the kind of cold that one felt in the soul when a loved one slipped away ー it felt like loss.

Above him, he heard dozens of voices hooting and hollering, the way a sports team would after winning their championship game. Looking up, he saw dozens, if not hundreds of dark humanoid figures, completely covered in dark hair with long, batlike wings. He almost thought they were bats, but they were something far bigger and more terrifying. They descended quickly until they surrounded him. Their hooting and hollering gradually got louder and more frenzied until he was surrounded with all of the figures swiftly closing upon him, their rank breath and unwashed fur making him lightheaded. He fell.

Awaking with a start, Evergreen nearly fell out of his bed, squinting his eyes at the sunbeam that just happened to land right across his sleepy face. He let out a breathless yelp. He soon picked himself up as Link opened his eyes and looked over. He assured his friend that he sometimes just moved and spoke in his sleep, just like his dad did.

It had been a busy and weird first week. Charms and Transfiguration were easily becoming his best subjects. Evergreen's work was cut out for him, in Alchemy and History of Magic, however. He had never had a green thumb or a deft hand in the kitchen, so he was increasingly nervous about brewing their first potions at the end of the month. Regarding History of Magic, Evergreen had always been decent at memorizing, and his knowledge of American history was also decent, but he struggled to learn the entire history of a whole different world ー a world that had been silently living side-by-side with the one he was used to, all along.

This Saturday morning was exciting, for Link and Evergreen would be trying out for the racing team. Evergreen had been anticipating this day since his first flying lesson. Coach Frost explained to them that even though some brooms were naturally faster, a skilled flier could beat nearly anyone at a race. Foreign brooms like the Nimbus and Firebolt brands were known to be some of the fastest in the world. However, there were some American brands that some considered to be even better. The Sequoia and Slipstreamer were some of the more well-known American brands, according to Link. He had a Sequoia 2005 that he had gotten as a present for his eleventh birthday. All the school brooms were Slipstreamer 2000's, and those were the ones they were going to use for their tryouts.

So, after breakfast, the boys and a few other hopefuls made their way to the Quidditch pitch, trailed by a small group of curious onlookers, including Diva, Glade, and Andie. The stadium was easily one of the most ornate things that Evergreen had seen in the magical world. Dad had taken him to some pro basketball games at the Rose Garden, some hockey games in Washington, and even a game or two of soccer and baseball, so he was vaguely familiar with the appearance of the average American sports stadium. This one, however, wasn't average. Sure, it could only seat maybe 5,000 people, but it had five tall towers that each seated roughly 20 people. A massive golden golem of the mascots of each of the four houses sat atop four of the towers, and the fifth bore a large gordian knot that appeared to be made up of two massive, solid-gold ropes tied together.

The stadium itself and the flags that adorned it were the same colors as their robes: cranberry and navy. The grass wasn't turf as Evergreen had supposed. It wasn't even grass, but a thick, fluorescent green moss. All of Evergreen's experience with moss as a child was just finding it and knocking it off the side of trees with his tennis shoes. This moss, however, seemed to be moving underfoot, never quite breaking away from the rest. Despite dozens of kids all trampling it underfoot, it remained as untouched as if there wasn't a living soul ever to have disturbed it. There was certainly a special kind of magic at work in this stadium.

Coach Frost was waiting for them as he hovered slightly above the center of the field on his black broom, polished to reflect any bit of light nearby. The broom was beautiful. Evergreen considered how much it may be worth and if Dad would be okay with him getting one soon. They all approached the bulky form of the coach as he lighted upon the moss pitch with all the grace of a Swan Lake ballerina.

"Good morning, everyone. Before we get started, I want to remind you that there will be no horseplay or roughhousing of any kind. I don't want to send anyone to have all their teeth grown back in if we can avoid it. Brooms are fun, but dangerous. Enjoy yourselves but remember that I won't admit you just because you're talented; you also need to show a certain restraint and respect for this magical exercise."

He then instructed them each to get a hold of a broom. Each Slipstreamer had a ring on the end of it in a different color. There were rings of yellow, red, blue, green, and purple, with multiple brooms sharing the same color. Both Link and Evergreen grabbed hold of one of the red ones.

"So, what I want to see," began Coach Frost, "is for each one of you to lift up, fly twice around the stadium and then dive toward that X marked there."

He took out his wand and pointed when he said this. A red x appeared right next to him.

"And then I want you to land softly and as close to the last second as possible. You won't be judged on how close you get, it's more about your landing style."

He called the hopefuls all up by color. He started with blue, then green, purple, red, then yellow. Evergreen watched as dozens of kids flew up and around the stadium. A few couldn't stay in the sky long, a few legitimately crashed, but for the most part, Coach Frost's directions were followed, and they just kept going.

When it was Evergreen's turn, he mounted the broom, kicked off the way he had learned in his flying lessons, and accelerated skyward. His hair went flying in every direction and the tears seemed to literally be pulled from his eyes. He wobbled a bit on the broom, but he held on for dear life. His turning was somewhat clumsy, but he just kept holding on, willing the broom to follow his lead. Eventually came his moment of truth and he pulled the broom into a dive.

Down, down, down he went. He felt the broom give way to gravity and he was just free falling at that point. He knew the ground was coming up fast and he nearly second-guessed himself, but at the very last moment, with an instinct he couldn't explain, he pulled up just slightly. He jerked to a stop and the force of the sudden stop pushed Evergreen into a front flip. He somehow landed on his feet, holding the broom in his right hand, exactly on the center of the red x conjured by Coach Frost.

"That'll do son." Coach Frost said with a slightly amused sound to his voice.

Letting out a deep breath that he didn't even realize he was holding in, Evergreen realized that he didn't really care what his results were. He enjoyed flying, and the feeling that came with it. He was just grateful for the chance to try, even though part of him found the whole thing to be positively terrifying.

The weekend came quickly and many of the students were looking forward to some wholesome recreation. A few games of exploding snap, wizard Monopoly, broom jousting, magical music, exploring the grounds, swimming in the river running along the side of the school ー there were indeed a great many things to do. However, Evergreen spent most of the weekend in the library.

On Sunday afternoon, he ran into Professor Habitatio.

"Evergreen," she began, dressed in her signature powder blue robes that made her look statuesquely tall to Evergreen. "It's a beautiful day outside. The temperature is perfect. Maggie is going swimming with her friends Chastity and Sandy. You should join them."

"I'd like t-to." He managed, "But I'm k-kind of working on something."

The blonde witch looked at the array of books before the 11-year-old: a book on curse breaking, a few on advanced defense techniques, one of potions far too advanced for a sixth grader, one on the connections between wandlore and runes, and one on the magic of music that Evergreen had actually borrowed from Maggie.

"What sort of something are you working on, where you would need such advanced reading?" she asked with an amused smile.

"Something about m-my mom." Evergreen said almost unconsciously.

"Your mom? I thought she wasn't in the picture."

"She's not."

Evergreen quickly realized his mistake. He wasn't really supposed to be talking about his mom. Sure, he trusted Professor Habitatio, but anyone could overhear their conversation in the library. Someone like Swab. He realized that he needed to figure out how much Swab knew about him and his mom somehow. He figured he should just deflect from talking about her at the moment.

"D-do you have a-any recommendations of books in your s-subject I could start with? I'd like t-to take your class if and when I c-can." He managed.

"Certainly."

She called over two of the pukwudgies working in the library and gave them book titles and an author's name Evergreen didn't know. They returned with the two relatively small volumes. She explained that one was more about theory and the other one was on basic application. Evergreen found them both quite eye opening.

Soon enough, Professor Habitatio was apparently satisfied with whatever she thought Evergreen was doing and she left him to his own devices. He continued to study. For one, he wanted to know some basic self-defense, just in case this strange darkness found him. He also wanted to figure out all of the properties of his wand and of the tonal runes on it. He had figured out most of the runes by the time dinnertime came around. Apparently, some of the runes, which turned out to be Norse in origin, corresponded with transfiguration, others with charms, some with battle spells, and there were three that were directly related to some pretty intense curses. He decided to avoid those for the time being.

Speaking of time, Evergreen had almost completely lost track of it and would have probably missed dinner if Seta hadn't suddenly piped up.

"Evergreen," he mumbled, "It's almost 7:00."

"Yeah, and?" he asked, oblivious.

"You should eat something."

"Oh, yeah! Thanks S-seta."

They made their way to the commons and ran into Link on the way. He called Evergreen a nerd when he said that he was just coming from the library. They laughed all the way to the commons. According to the bulletin board in the awards wing, both had made it onto the racing team. Excited, they spent much of their time talking about the team and their future broomsticks.

The next week went by fairly quickly as Evergreen prepared for his audition for the sixth grade's play, which happened to be "Julius Caesar," by William Shakespeare. He was equal parts interested in and in dread of the day. The idea of stuttering up on the stage incoherently for all the world to see was terrifying. He couldn't believe that the charismatic Professor Park and his, at times, disturbingly likable friend Link had talked him into it. Being the center of attention was not his idea of a good time. He was giving them the benefit of the doubt though. He knew that Link wouldn't let him enter into something that would cause any real lasting damage to him. He didn't know Professor Park though, and she didn't know him either. For all he knew, seeing him attempting to get through the monologue he had selected, repeatedly, just might be all she would need to second-guess her estimation of his talent in the performing arts.

On the other hand, he knew that both Dad and grandpa were both heavily involved in the music scene, being a drummer and a guitarist respectively. Who knew? Some of that talent may have found its way down to him. No one knew, he amended, because he never even considered trying his hand at acting until Professor Park, in all her maybe-five-foot glory, had opened up the opportunity for him. Friday afternoon was when auditions were being held. The Sayre Theatre was the location of the whole song and dance (though not literally a song and dance, thank goodness). The fact that it was in a big, booming theatre would make auditions even more nerve-wracking.

Apparently, Glade and Andie weren't interested in auditioning. Andie exclaimed that they were only 'visual arts' people but promised that they would be at their performances if they got into the play. Evergreen left the commons after lunch with Link, Diva, their familiars, and the group even ran into Maggie and some of her friends on the way. The theatre was located in one of the basement levels of the school, kind of near to where Link had mentioned they could find the kitchens.

Upon entering the Sayre Theatre, they were greeted with the grandest theater they had ever entered. There was a scarlet curtain pulled across the stage with golden ropes hanging thereon. The stage, like those of old, was on a slight incline, with seats that went from the floor almost all the way to the high ceilings like an amphitheater, and there were at least 5,000 or so seats. There was a pit at the base of the stage for an orchestra, and there were sparkly little creatures flitting about in the catwalk area.

"Fairies." Link had said, indicating the bright little things.

"Really?" came Diva's response. "I guess that makes sense, considering we are surrounded by forest."

"What are they doing here?" Evergreen pressed.

"They are some of the vainest creatures in the magical world. They like to be used as decorations, and some can even glow and cast beams of light." Link replied and Seta let out a laugh that he tried turning into a cough at the last moment.

"Interesting. So, instead of the usual s-spotlights and things in N-no-Maj theaters, they have f-fairies here?"

"Exactly. I have been to the theater a few times and the fairies really have a skill in bringing magic to the stage."

They had just found a seat in the center, less than half a dozen rows back as Professor Park stepped out from behind the heavy, scarlet curtain. When she did so, golden sparks spread out like a spiderweb upon the surface of the fabric. With her was a house elf whose head went to Park's hip, wearing what appeared to be a miniature pirate outfit complete with a puffy shirt and a big hat. Maggie's friends clapped at their appearance and then so did everyone else. The short, older witch was adorned in bright red robes, with a golden scarf draped loosely about her shoulders. She graciously accepted the applause but soon held out a hand.

"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; so, let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, and grievously hath Caesar answered it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest– For Brutus is an honorable man; so are they all, all honorable men– Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honorable man… You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts, and men have lost their reason. Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me."

The words were spoken by Professor Park and her words carried over the whole theater, despite having no visible microphone. Even the fairies stopped chittering about at the sound of her proclamation. She finished her speech with a bow, cutting off the applause much more quickly this time with the lifting of her hand.

"The words of Marc Antony at the funeral of his dear friend Julius Caesar." she declared. "Today, you audition for parts in this year's play. It is Julius Caesar, written originally by William Shakespeare, the bard of eternity! I have edited it for time and for content because I love the story, but I figured a little bit of comedy never killed anyone." She let out a clear and sharp laugh and many of the seated students did the same.

The audition process was straightforward. Those auditioning would stand on the center of the stage, say their name, and then give their prepared monologues. Link's and Maggie's were so good, as was Diva's, which was surprising for someone who appeared to be as mild-mannered and unassuming as she. Pretty soon, Evergreen was 'on deck,' meaning that there was one person who was to audition before he was. He was beyond nervous. He didn't know what to make of himself. What if he forgot his monologue? What if he passed out? What if he did some accidental magic and made his or someone else's robes disappear? He knew that this was a time he needed his dad.

He pulled out the pocket watch that Dad had given him and pressed the button on the top, whispering Dad!" A quiet whirring sound was made, and the watch popped open. There where the clock's face should have been, he saw another face, Dad's face.

"Hey E.E." Dad said, "What's up?"

"I'm g-gonna audition for the s-school play. I'm j-just so nervous."

"You are? That's awesome! You're awesome! E.E., You got this. You are a Quandary, and Quandarys aren't quitters. You know that?"

"Yeah, I know."

"Plus, your mom is with you everywhere you go. She was strong and that strength is inside you too. Find it. Can you do that for me, son?"

"Yeah, I think I c-can."

"I know you can. Go out there and kill it."

At this, Evergreen closed the pocket watch and walked from offstage to the exact center, where a green X had been made with tape of some kind. He held his head high and spoke his name slowly and clearly. He then began his monologue. He had practiced this at least four times a day, every day, for the past week in addition to his homework. History of magic and alchemy were already shaping up to be quite a bear.

In the beginning, he started getting nervous, so the speed of his words increased, causing him to almost start to stutter. He merely took a deep breath and continued speaking slowly and with all the drama that he could muster. It took immense focus to make sure his words were as clear and sharp as Professor Park's had been when she had taken the stage earlier. Soon enough, though, it was over, and he started back to his seat.

"Evergreen," Professor Park began, stopping him in his tracks. "That was really good."

She said this with an overly enthusiastic smile as she scribbled something on the parchment in front of her that she had been writing on throughout the afternoon. The house elf leaned into her and whispered something. She was taken aback at whatever it was, but she looked at Evergreen and then the elf whilst nodding her head in apparent agreement with whatever the elf had said.

Just like that, there were only a few more people to audition after Evergreen and then they all up and left. Evergreen's mind was at work. It took tremendous concentration, but he had managed through his five-minute bit without stuttering once! Whilst casting magic, it was important to do so clearly and sharply, just as was required in the theater. Who knew? Perhaps the theater would end up saving his life. Only time would tell.

A/N: Two chapters this week and more to come. 10 chapters till the end of this story. Like and review if you're enjoying it!