Welcome to Bloody Bogwarts: School of Magic and Shit

The Magic School Bus

It was nearing dawn when Michigan had finally finished packing. It was surprisingly easy despite the school bus in her room. She was fairly exhausted and hoped to sleep on the ride to Bogwarts. Thankfully, she had showered before bed, so she merely put on some comfy travel clothes. Now, her next task was to write the letter to Lola. She wasn't really sure what to say. How do you explain to your 80-something year-old Filipina grandmother that you're a witch and you'll be travelling to a magical university? Maybe a letter isn't the best option...

Michigan jumped when Ms. Frizzle suddenly appeared at her door. At some point during the night she must have changed, now sporting a fitted hand-knit puffy-sleeved mini dress made completely from rainbow yarn (she still kept the meat on her head though). Liz ran in after her, scurried to lay on top of Michigan's head and nestled between her tight curls.

"Almost done? We have to get going. We still need to get you your supplies. We don't have all day."

"Aiyah! Don't scare me like that! I swear I had a mini heart attack," Michigan cringed slightly when Liz accidentally tugged her hair. "I'm almost done. I'm all packed, just trying to write a letter for my Lola. I'm not really sure how to explain to her what's happening."

"Then don't."

"What do you mean don't?! I can't just leave and not say anything!"

"I'm sure she'll be fine. She'll figure it out."

"I'm not going to disappear and expect an elderly woman to automatically assume that magic is real and I'm a witch."

"I mean, it can be tha-"

"Well it helps that I already know about magic."

This time, both Michigan and Ms. Frizzle jumped as Lola spoke from behind the Frizz. Damn, that old lady is sneaky.

"Holy Balls! I swear you guys are trying to kill me! Wait, what do you mean you already know about magic? How? When? Why have you never told me this?!" Michigan interrogated her Lola.

Lola paused for a moment, gathering her words. She had a small smile on her face as if she remembered a fond memory.

"Your parents went to Bogwarts. Your Lolo was a wizard. We learned your mother had magic a few years after she was born. She met your father at school," Lola paused, tears shining in her eyes, her smile slowly fading. She took a breath before she continued.

"A year after you were born they were called by the (insert Ministry of Magic parody here) to complete a mission. They were P.I.s after all."

Michigan sat on her bed, trying to process and listen at the same time. She knew her parents were private investigators, but not magic investigators. It was a lot to learn in one night.

"But when the mission... failed and your Lolo had already passed, I wasn't sure who to turn to. Like your mother, you presented magic at an early age, but I couldn't teach you anything. I was hoping as you got older you would get introduced to the magic world somehow. Guess it's finally happened."

Michigan and Lola were both tearing up at this point. Lola crossed the room and sat next to Michigan on the bed. Michigan leaned into her grandmother's arms.

"I can't believe so much time has passed. I remember the day you were born so vividly, and now look at you. All grown up moving away for school. I know you'll do great. Your parents would be so proud."

Lola finished with a kiss to Michigan's forehead, carefully avoiding Liz, of course. They sat there holding each other, silently saying goodbye.

Ms. Frizzle cleared her throat. "Great, now that that's settled, Michigan, it's time for us to get going, there's still so much to do." She sniffled and wiped her eyes with a chain of handkerchiefs she pulled from her sleeve. Then, she stuffed them back in as she walked to the bus.

"Thanks for ruining the moment Frizz," Michigan responded dryly. She gave her Lola one last hug before grabbing her bags and walking to the bus' entrance.  She gave her room a final look over and waved goodbye, before taking her first step on a new adventure.

After stowing away her luggage, Michigan got comfy in her seat and watched Liz give a quick safety presentation. Not too long after, there was a quick flash of light and the magic school bus was flying over the city she once called home.

Michigan was slowly dozing off staring out the window, but she remembered something important. She walked up to the driver's seat. "Hey Frizz, can I have my knife back?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that... andIwashopingyoudidtoo,"

"What was that?"

"Nothing, here you go!"

Liz grabbed the wheel as The Frizz reached into her other sleeve, and pulled out the balisong. However, she pulled back before Michigan could take it.

"But first, tell me what your Lola said."

"What? Why? You were there."

"Sure I was, doesn't mean I speak Filipino."

"First of all, it's Tagalog. Second, I could still tell you after you give me my stuff back."

"What if you don't? Think of this as incentive."

"I hopped on your magic flying bus to go to some school I didn't hear about until a few hours ago. Why would I choose now as a time to not trust you?"

Frizzle gaped at Michigan's response.

"You right. Here you go, for real this time."

Michigan giddily grabbed her balisong. She twirled it around as she spoke. Ms. Frizzle, who had taken control of the wheel again, had nodded as she listened. "Thanks for sharing, Popper. Hmm, there's a library on campus. I'll check the yearbooks to see if I can find them."

"Really?! That would be great! Wait, do the pictures move like in Harry Potter?"

The Frizz turned to Michigan with a fierce gaze. "Don't ever mention that blasphemous franchise ever again." She turned her eyes back to the... road? sky? All traces of rage gone from her face.

"But yes they do move."

Michigan, taken aback and mouthing a confused 'okay', got up to head back to her seat. Liz stopped her however, pulling at the leg of her track pants. She was guiding Michigan for a quick tour of the bus. Despite being  able to fit comfortably in a bedroom, the magic school bus was quite large and spacious. She noticed the tags and hidden secrets left by previous students. When they, finally, reached the back of the vehicle, she saw two doors. One lead to the bathroom. The other opened up to a dark, damp room. In the middle of that room was a group of children tied together and, hopefully, knocked out. Liz quickly closed the door and lead Michigan back to her seat. Though it was only a quick glance, Michigan noticed it was a diverse group of kids. Two especially stood out, one with a red cap and the other with bright orange, curly hair.

Now comfortably seated with her neck pillow on, Michigan was finally dozing off. Her last two thoughts before her dreamless sleep:

1. Thos kids probably don't have magic if they can't free themselves. Oh well.

2. This is gonna be so awesome!