Axis Mundi [HP]

CH 5 [Sacrificial Bird]

Illusions, as it turned out, were simply a way for magic to periodically concentrate in one spot, enough for its physical shape to be revealed to the naked eye. Acher's new book "Illusions For Absolute Beginners" didn't phrase it like that of course. Instead, the small text was simply an archive of the easiest-to-perform charms arranged from simplest to medium in difficulty. Acher could perform his own experiments though so he wasn't too bothered by the lack of nuance. He got it from the kid's section of Flourish and Blots after all so the lack of details was expected.

Acher and his mother moved through the busy halls of Kings Cross, the blonde carrying his new magically enhanced suitcase with a confident grip. The small cat carrier with Acher's new companion was nestled securely in his parent's arms.

The boy studied the detailed picture of a ladybug in the "Bugs and other animated illusions" section before opening his palm and pushing his magic through his arm and into his readied hand. His hand was hidden in his pocket, of course, he was not about to get in trouble. Coalescing the magic in his hand before tying it into a secure knot Acher imagined the small body of the ladybug. The way it gleamed, how vibrant the red was, the small tickle of its thin legs across his skin.

When he was pulled out of his musings by the loud hiss of a nearby train departing a small red bug was nestled in his hand.

Success. He smiled.

Weaving through the various people acher couldn't help but tense a little. He didn't like crowds, at all. The incessant smells and sounds, mingling masses casting flickering shadows over his vision as they passed by. It caused a tingling ache at the sides of his jaw, squeezing his gut in a suffocating grip. If he tried hard enough though and focused more on the book in his hand he could drown it out substantially enough not to want to cover his ears. At least the lighting wasn't too bright.

They arrived at the spot. A wide, square column made out of solid brick.

"You sure this," his mother pointed at the unyielding wall. "is the platform entrance?"

Acher nodded, taking the pet carrier in his other hand, dispelling the quick illusion. "When I run through it I'll be teleported to the right venue."

Isabella's face twisted again "That's dumb. Why can't they just use that fireplace thing-"

"The floo network?"

"Yeah that." she waved "Why can't they use it to transport you directly to the school?"

Acher pursed his lips before shrugging.

The woman sighed. "Well...whatever." she then looked at him, albeit properly as if assessing him in full for the first time in a long time. She had that look on her face again, one he couldn't decipher. Well, Acher apparently wasn't very good at figuring out what people were feeling anyway so he might be overselling it. "I'm assuming...this is where we part."

The shorter blonde nodded.

Isabella's face twisted further before she slowly kneeled before him and embraced his smaller frame with her bony arms. She was warm. Acher placed the pet carrier down and pressed his palm against the back of her shoulder blade. They stayed like that for a solid five seconds, his mother's long hands squeezed at his sides before she pulled away from him and gazed into his eyes.

"When I was your age, I read The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings for the first time," she said making Acher pause in surprise. "There are many fantastical beings in those books, elves, dwarves, dragons...and...and wizards. I always loved them the most."

She reached out and smoothed her finger around the whispy tuffs of his hair, tucking them behind his ear. "I may not be a wizard like I always wanted back then. But. I'm glad you get to be one Acher. Even if I...don't fully understand it." the shaky smile she was wearing fell slightly. "You're a smart kid. I know you are. But I, still worry. This Hogwarts is far away...and...I just..."