Only The Beginning

Magic?

It wasn't unusual that someone walk through the great oak doors of the orphanage, but it was unusual that someone ask for her. Olive Whitlock had a reputation around the streets of London that she was unlucky, cursed, some even whispered the word witch.

She had been adopted once by a young couple who were unable to have children of their own. She was 8 and returned by the end of the week after a mysterious tragedy led to the home being burnt to the ground, she couldn't explain how it happened, it just did. The family tried to blame it on her, but with no proof and no cause the matter was dropped, however she still heard the foul rumors that swept through the town.

Now at 15, Olive had subjected herself to being a permanent resident of the orphanage, at least until she turned 18, then she was on her own. The home was run by Mrs. Noxis, a calculated and cruel woman who despised any child who occupied the beds under her care, all 17 of them. The children were the caretakers of the house, they did the cleaning, cooking and gardening all while Mrs. Noxis lounged in the sunroom.

It was on that August day that everything changed. The doorbell rang throughout the house, Mrs. Noxis could be heard screaming for someone to get the door as she slowly made her way to the front from where she had been basking in the early afternoon rays. Olive had been in the garden, banished outside to collect vegetables after she'd had a run in with the caretaker that left her cheek red and burning.

"Ollie! There's someone at the door for ya! Come quick!" called Flora one of the younger children.

Olive stood up, suddenly feeling anxious brushing her hands on her skirt to rid them of the soil. No one ever came for her, could it be that they had finally proven something against her? Were they taking her as a criminal? Had Mrs. Noxis truly had enough of her mysterious mishaps and sent for the police to collect her? She straightened out her back and took a deep breath and step by step she walked back into the looming house.

At the entryway standing with Mrs. Noxis was an older man, he looked out of place, the dark and dreary room stood out against his brilliant blue robes with intricate gold leaf detail. She suddenly became aware of how she must look in front of him, her skirt and blouse rumpled and covered in dirt, face sweaty from the rare London sun, her shoulder length dark brown hair in tangles with her bangs usually displayed across her forehead were pushed almost to the side. She looked small and frail, the man looked like he ate three meals a day, where she was lucky if she got 2.

"You called for me ma'am" Olive whispered keeping her eyes on the ground, hands clutching each other, looking Mr. Noxis in the eye angered the woman, and Olive was keen to not upset her again and face harsher consequences.

"Oh! Olive dear there you are!" She had put on her shrillest voice, dripping with a tone that made her sound like the most caring woman to walk the streets England. "This is Professor Fig, he's come to take you far away from here to boarding school. Doesn't that sound lovely?" Olive was pushed roughly in the direction of the professor.

It was at this moment that she snapped her head up to look between the two adults, eyes wide with shock. Almost allowing herself to feel relief, she remembered who she was dealing with. This was clearly a plot to rid Mrs. Noxis of her and she would disappear with no one to question where she had gone. Little did she know that Mrs. Noxis had been given a considerable amount of money to not ask questions and act as though she had never existed once Olive departed the premises. No one would ask anyway; she was an orphan after all.

"Please, if we may have a moment..." said Professor Fig after he noticed the fear on the young girls face.

Once they were alone, the professor looked to her and smiled. "I come in peace my young friend. I know you may be skeptical, and I must admit this is a most unusual situation, but she speaks the truth." Her eyebrows knit together and only deepened her curiosity, then he said something that shook her.