Not What It Seems

Part 3

We stood in an awkward silence for what should have been a half an hour; the whole world still going on with their lives around us. Buses and cars were honking, random people yelling at each other, pigeons flying outside of our window. Finally, Dad came in, noticing the dead silence.

            “Um…what do you guys want for dinner?” Dad said, nervously looking at the three of us. Then all hell broke loose

“What are you talking about?”

“How long have you known?”

“Are you on some sort of medication that we should know about?”

“This can’t be real!”

“Are we being punked?”

“WIZARDRY IS A MYTH!”

While my brother was shouting his interjections, I finally yelled this out so I could be heard over David’s ranting. We were both open to yell more, but for some reason, I was incapable of talking. I opened my mouth, but no words came out, not even a sound. I looked at  David and saw that he had a panic-stricken face that probably matched my own. Why couldn’t we talk? What was going on? We both looked at my mother and saw that she had her eyes closed and was reciting some sort of incantation. David and I just stare at each other, as if to say is this really happening?

“Well then, I am just going to get started on the lasagna. Everyone okay with garlic bread as a side?” Nobody made the slightest movement or noise.

“Great! If you need me, I will just be in the kitchen.” He said almost nervously, walking out of the living room as fast as he could.

Mom finally stopped reciting her incantation, took a breath, and opened her mouth to speak again.

“I was going to explain anyway, you needn’t have yelled; but I guess I had to have you two find out the hard way. Yes, you two are wizards; and as I just demonstrated, I am a wizard too, as is your father.” We just looked at her for a few seconds before she remembered she magically glued our mouths shut.

“Oh, sorry.” she said, snapping her fingers, and with that we were released from the spell.

“Okay….” I started, “how can we be wizards? The only remotely weird thing that has happened is that I can now read people’s minds, which you appear to have no problem with. What does the mind reading have to do with anything? I don’t remember Harry Potter or Abigail Williams from The Crucible being able to read minds.” I retorted.

“Because of fear of an uprising, this fact has sort of been kept secret, but more powerful wizards have certain affinities. Your father and I knew since you were born that you were special, that you were going to become a very powerful wizard someday. Now your powers have finally started showing through, and although you may not be able to see it, your father and I, having been connected to the wizard world, are able to spot the signs easily. That’s one of the reasons we moved here in the first place! Why do you think J.K. Rowling wrote about a boy living near London?”

“Um, because she thought it would be a cool place to put a boy wizard?” I asked.

“No,” Mom said, “because London is a magical epicenter. There are many powerful entities that reside here, and many dangerous ones as well. The Penbrook Academy will help you train your powers for the good of mankind, and for your own safety.”

            David, having been silent through this whole exchange, finally talks, with a look on his face that is preparing himself for disappointment.

“What about me? Do I have powers? Have my powers made themselves known yet?” He asked hopefully.

“Not quite yet, but every wizard develops their powers at different times. It is usually around 14 or 15. However, your sister is finally able to tap into hers and she is nearly 18. So, like I said, it varies. You might gains yours tonight, tomorrow or next week, but we are for now we are unsure when exactly yours will make themselves known to us.” Mom says, and with that David looks crestfallen. Mom pulls him into a hug and murmurs that he will get his powers and it will be alright.

            We make our way to the dinner table and we have a quiet meal. All you could hear was the clanking of forks against plates for a majority of the dinner. Dad attempted to make conversation, but we knew it was no use. My brother and I were too lost in our thoughts to talk. We cleared the table and got around to go to sleep, both David and I not wanting to stay in the same room with our parents for much longer. Finally, before David and I headed up, because I was sick of the awkward silence, I decided to interject one more time.

“I just have one more question. Penbrook Academy? Is that like Hogwarts in disguise?”

Mom is the one that responds to this question, “No, it is no Hogwarts, but Penbrook Academy is a school for wizardry; a very prestigious one, I might add. You are very lucky to have gotten in, Hayley. David, you were offered a position there because of your impeccable grades and the hope that your powers will develop within the next year. Now, you two must get some sleep, you have a big tomorrow.” She said, kissing us both on the forehead and shooing us up to bed.

            When I woke up the next morning, I was feeling a little tentative about the day ahead. Even more so when I realized that my brother and I lack the uniforms that every one else at the school will have. Hoping we will get some direction at school, I dressed quickly in a deep blue tunic with black leggings, a small cardigan, and my ballet flats. I smudge on some eyeliner and dab on some lip gloss and run down the stairs. I see David already helping himself to a huge blueberry muffin from the few on a plate on the kitchen counter. With Mom and Dad having already left for work, we eat in silence. Getting our coats on and taking our keys, we head out the door into the brisk morning air. Knowing David has something to say (mind reading, remember?), he finally spits it out.

“Hay, do you think I will get my powers soon?” he asks, not meeting my gaze.

“I don’t know, bud. I’m hoping you do, then I won’t be alone in this.” I responded

“You have Mom and Dad, don’t you?”

“Yeah, but it’s not the same, and you know it. I don’t want to be the only freaky wizard kid in this family.”

“I don’t think you’re freaky.” David mumbled, and we walked in silence the rest of the way.

            Within twenty minutes, we got to the school. There are girls and boys dressed in green and grey uniforms walking around, just like the kids we say yesterday. Sticking out like sore thumbs, David and I walk along, getting curious looks from every one we pass. We look at each other, finally pushing open the doors, and I know we are both thinking the same thing, here we go.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note:

Hey everyone!

What do you guys think is going to happen next? Let me know what you guys think! Vote, comment, add to your reading list, post this on your Twitter's, etc. I take any and all constructive criticism.

I will also be posting a part of "MIss Invisible" later..unfortunately, I have to get to doing homework at this point in time.

Have a magical day, everyone ;)

-Emily