Xavier My Savior

4 • Year of Skulls

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Q U E N T I N

Someone rapped on the train window. I put my book down and pushed my glasses back up, unsurprised that it was Caro wanting a shortcut. She waved from the other side, smiling charmingly in a yellow-striped sundress.

Wrapped around her suitcase handle was her corn snake, which I'd met earlier this summer. It was red, white, and orange and called Chorizo, which meant sausage in Spanish and proved she had a problem.

Nevertheless, it was better than all the food names I'd imagined.

Next to her was her brother, holding Taco's leash and staring into the compartment a little mournfully. He was eleven now.

I opened the window. "Hey Caro, Julio."

"Sup, Q?" Julio stuck his head inside, brown hair curly but neat, unlike his sister's. "Did you know I'd be going to Hogwarts this year if I wasn't a Squib? I've never been more depressed. Proper crying in the shower and everything."

Caro swatted his arm. "You can't keep saying that to get free candy!"

"Aww," he slumped against the windowsill and lifted his head at me pitifully, "can I have some anyway? I'm starving and need a pick-me-up."

"Sorry," I said, spreading my hands. "I haven't got any yet."

"How about money?"

I almost checked my pockets but resisted in time. "Er...no."

He made a face at me. I was thinking that this guy couldn't possibly be more dangerous than Caro, but then I remembered that he'd convinced his parents that Taco was at home for months — without magic.

Just as I realized this, he lifted Taco and held him in my face. "How could you say no to him, man? I can't believe you." And to my horror, he plopped Taco beside me and commanded, "Eyes, Taco."

Taco placed a paw on my leg and stared up at me with eyes of pure distilled sorrow. My heart had already shattered, but it didn't stop there.

"Beg," Julio commanded, and Taco got on his hind legs to shake his clasped paws at me, and began to whimper.

Oh no. His manipulation tactics were very similar to Caro's. I was already on the verge of selling my soul.

Xavier appeared beside them, and he pulled Julio out by the back of his shirt. "If you keep doing this, someone will eventually steal the dog. Put your money back, Quentin."

I pocketed it and got some last pats into Taco before Julio seized him. That was close. Julio fist-bumped Xavier. "Have a good time in magic school, X."

Xavier nodded respectfully. "Thank you. Enjoy boarding school."

Julio walked off, and Taco barked a happy farewell. I tried to telepathically tell Taco I'd die for him.

"Hey!" Caro shouted after her brother. "What about me? Wish me a good time too!"

"You're not as cool!"

"¿Me estás jodiendo? Xavier has never been 'cool' in his entire life!"

Julio disappeared through the barrier with a wave, and Caro huffed and puffed for a while. And because she never stayed the same for more than a few seconds, brightened again and carefully placed her trunk inside before starting to climb in herself.

Once she was seated, Xavier squinted at the window. He was obviously analyzing the situation and finding the best movement to maximize dignity.

He eventually came in the same way as her, nearly dropping his suitcase on his foot. Right after I laughed, he gave me a once-over. "Wow, you're still short."