Freaks: Year Two

The Fake Letters

"Thank you for lunch Mrs. Jenkins, it was delicious," Alabaster told her, getting on his boots to finally go home. The Jenkins were quite nice. Mrs. Jenkins was so different from his Mother, and her children acted differently as well. They bickered and fought, but they were also quite protective over each other and Alabaster could relate to that.

"No problem, dear, I am happy you enjoyed it," Mrs. Jenkins said, giving a warm smile. That was another thing that made their families quite different. Alabaster's Mother never smiled at him. She rarely smiled at all.

Pandora gave a sidelong glance to Christopher, trying to remind him with her eyes about the reading spell and the advice of how to get schoolwork done without ever actually telling him what it was. That part seemed cruel, but Pandora knew that Theodore would not be joking about inflicting any harm on those he had threatened so they just had to play it safe.

Christopher was not getting the hint.

Pandora shook her head and went up to her younger sister. "Can you distract Mum? Please?"

"Why?"

"It's important, just...a distraction would be nice."

Maryrose looked sceptical, but she gave a slow nod. She quickly went over to Anthony and whispered something into his ear. He looked confused, but nodded and Maryrose turned to their Mum who was talking to Alabaster. "Mum, can you help me with something?" She looked over to Pandora who urged her to go on, and turned back to her Mother. "Right now? It is really important. It will only take a couple of minutes and we can help Alabaster get home."

Mrs.Jenkins looked over to her daughter. "It really can't wait?"

Maryrose shook her head.

"Okay, fine," Mrs Jenkins said and Maryrose also pulled Anthony along upstairs with her, Mrs Jenkins following and Pandora wondered what exactly her sister had planned the distraction to be.

Once they were all upstairs, Pandora turned to Christopher and said in a low voice, "Remember? The spell? The tips about schoolwork? You said you would do it."

Christopher sighed. "Oh. Right." He approached Alabaster. "Er...so...you have a letter, huh?"

Alabaster nodded, and held it up. "I do."

"Er...you know I heard your cousin gave you a pretty handy spell that helps you read out the words...makes it a bit easier, right?"

Alabaster nodded, although it was a hesitant one. He feared that Christopher and Pandora were catching on, but he tried to act normal. "It does help, yes, but the Slytherins don't allow me to use it. It is...noisy."

"Oh, it is," Christopher nodded. "But...the key is to find a quiet space where you can use it. A private space where no one will go to. Then, you can use it as much as you like. It's inconvenient, but...it's better than nothing, right?"

Alabaster slowly nodded. He couldn't believe he had not thought of that. He would definitely have to try that in the future. "Thank you."

"No problem, and you'll have a good tutor to help you out, I am sure," Christopher continued. "History Of Magic is a bloody annoying subject. I think everyone struggles in it."

"I did," Pandora piped up.

"See, us Ravenclaws did, so there is no shame in it," Christopher said and Pandora couldn't help but be impressed with the way he was being with Alabaster right now. "Just...try to find secluded areas to use that spell, alright? I am sure it will do wonders for your grades."

"Thank you, Mr Goldsparks."

Christopher made a face, his mind going to his own Father. "Yeah, do not call me that. Ever."