The Adventures of the Junior Phoenixes, Part 1: The Pendant of Life

Chapter 6: Witching Way

Chapter 6

     The students arrived on the 11 AM arrival at Salem Station from Boston. The Phoenix Flyer arrived right on time as usual. A mass of young and older people disembarked from the train and began to talk and scurry off the platform, going in all directions. Shade kept a keen eye out, looking for the students in the madness of the platform.

     Suddenly, he saw a girl with messy brown hair and a few minor scars on her cheek. Ignatia, Shade said to himself. He walked closer to where he saw her and noticed some of the other students as well. Cedrique, Rose, Nymphara, Polly, and Sky Heart were standing in a small circle, with Ignatia standing next to their circle and Rain Fox next to her. Standing next to them were two beady-eyed witches gathering them together and seemingly shouting instructions to them, trying to shout over the din of the steam engine and the bustling of the platform. Behind the circle of students stood the boy, Dareo Hyrcanian, still standing on the steps of the train’s car. He frowned as he came down. I wonder about that kid, Shade said to himself. He walked closer to them and tried to shout to them but even his voice was lost to the din of the platform.

     “Hey!” Shade shouted. “Hey, kids!”

     The students kept talking and looking about, and the two witches kept talking and trying to gather them all together.

     “Hogwarts!” Shade shouted out, and the students and the two witches all turned to look at him.

     Shade waved them in, and held up his Ministry Badge. “Follow me!” he shouted, and they looked first at the two witches, who nodded and they went, in file, to follow Shade.

     Shade walked off the platform and towards the interior of the Salem Station House. Inside were a few food vendors and a café. The food vendors were there for the Muggles, but the café was not visible to Muggles, and served magic folk for years. The Leapin’ Leprechaun was mostly empty, though, many of the patrons gone into town in the early hours, and most folk were heading towards the center of town or to the Jefferson. Shade opened the door to the café and held it open for the students. He motioned them to sit at a long table.

     The two witches walked in and told the students to look at the menus and order something to drink. They then turned to Shade and looked at him.

     “Well, you’re an interesting fellow, now, ain’t you?” the taller witch asked. She was thin and had wispy hair, looking to be about mid-thirties and pale skinned. The second witch was shorter, a little heavier but healthy toned, and wore a kind smile and had her hair up in her pointy hat.

     “Sorry, I’m Shade Richards, the liaison assigned to these students,” Shade said, extending his hand, “And you are?”

     “Rainy Ludlow,” the taller one said, looking at his hand dismissively. “And this is Marion Runner. We’re here to make sure the children get the best accommodations and are adequately prepared for their school year.”

     Marion gave just a little wave.

     “You are the liaison, so you’ll just be giving them a few instructions then off with you. Tell us where we need to go, and we’ll take care of the rest.”

     Shade stood there, confused. “I was told to accompany the kids to Witching Way and help them-“

     “There will be no need for your services other than to help us to the rooms, carry their bags and trunks, handle the necessary paperwork,” she kept saying, looking at her checklist and clipboard, not looking up at Shade, “And to stay out of our way.” She gave a fake smile and turned away. Marion Runner looked up at Shade, gave a small curtsy, and walked behind Rainy.