The Letters
The summer holidays, in the opinion of the twins Vex’ahlia and Vax’ildan Vessar were the best time of the year. Well any holiday really. Any excuse to not be in school around teachers and other kids. Just the two of them roaming around their block and going home to their mother when it started to get dark. The only way to live, Vax called it. They played at adventure, and the street of Byroden could be anywhere in the world they wanted.
On this day Vax had found a particularly long stick and was currently pretending it was a sword. Their mother had recently taken them to see a new Sinbad movie at the cinema and now blades were the only things her twin seemed interested in. Vex smiled at him and was trying to find her own stick so they could sword fight. Of course they weren't supposed to he picking up sticks in the first place. Not that they really cared. The playground equipment in the small park was old and rusty, and the metal slides were so hot they could have fried eggs on them. Obviously the sticks were the best option.
Vex eventually found a good one to her liking. The twins really only played with each other. And they preferred it that way. Something always seemed to go wrong when they tried to be with other kids. Or most people in general. Once when Vax had shouted at some kids who’d pushed Vex down and she’d scrapped her knee a water main had exploded, soaking everyone and nearly flooding that whole street. Since then they were always just with each other. It was easier. Besides they understood each other better than anyone else. Of course there were always people who picked on them for that.
They got picked on for seemingly everything. The fact that they didn’t have a father and that they were the kids of an immigrant were favorites of their classmates. Even though they’d both been born in England not many people saw them as English.
Though it had lead to one of their greatest pranks ever. Their first ever days of primary school they’d pretended that they only spoke Spanish. That had got them exempt from class work for nearly an entire term. But when it had ended they been forced to catch up on all of it over a single holiday break.
Their mock sword fight was interrupted by a kid from their street. One who they always tried to avoid.
Vax stiffened instantly stopping in their little sword fight. He glared at the boy. “What do you want Tucker?” He wished mum had let him bring his finger knife today. It was always a great deterrent.
"You both are such loosers. You always play with each other. Probably because you don't have a father.” Lazy insults. These kids needed to get some new material. But these taunts always seemed to hit Vex deeply.
“No. Because the rest of you are just stupid wankers.” Vax snapped.
"You just can't communicate. You’re weird, you don't belong here. Why don’t you go back where you came from?”
Vex was starting to shake. comments about their mother always set her off.
Vax growled. “Shut up. You don’t know anything about us.”
"I know that you are a mistake." It seemed like every bird and animal within eye shot reacted. The birds flew up suddenly. The other animals came out of seemly no where. There were so many animals. Rats climbed out of sewer grates. Cats jumped down from fences and dogs broke free of their owner’s leashes.
Even vax got freaked out and backed up towards her. The other boy screamed bloody murder as a dog barked and started to chase him, snapping fiercely at his heels as its owner gave chase.
Vex looked over at her brother, "what was that?"
”I have no bloody idea.” Vax held his sister’s hand and went to find a quiet place for them to sit down. With all the animals now running around the park things were still chaotic. Dog walkers were trying to retrieve their pets and keep them from attacking the several cats still milling about.
They found a bench to sit down on. “That was insane…” Vex’s voice shook.
“It’s was so weird… weirder than normal with us.” Vax agreed.
"I know... it's weird.. I don't have an explanation.” Vex looked down at her hands.
The twins never had an explanation for the odd things that happened around them. Loud noises, flickering and exploding light fixtures, that one time Vax had argued with a teacher and suddenly all her hair was on end like she’d been given an electric shock.
“Should we tell mum?” Vax asked.
"Tell her what? That animals do weird things around me? We can't be causing this.” Vex protested.
“I know that… but… this time it was huge. That’s never happened before.” He gestured at the slowing chaos as people retrieved their pets.
"She's just going to think we are imagining it…” Vex mumbled.
“Everyone saw it. We couldn’t have imagined it.” Vax pointed out.
”Ok… but still. It was too crazy.” Vex insisted.
“And she always just… smiles when we tell her this stuff…” she’d say that they were like their father. Whatever that meant.
"I don't understand... is there something wrong with us?“ Vex squeezed her brother’s hand out of worry.
“No.” Vax said firmly pulling Vex into a hug.
Vex held onto him," there has to be...“
“No. There’s not.” Vax said just as firmly.
”What’s the explanation then?” Vex questioned.
“I don’t know…” vax admitted. It was starting to get late and they needed to walk home before the street light came on. Vex was very quiet and nervous when they got to their home.
“Did you two have a good day?” Their mother smiled at them when they got in and shut the door behind them.
"No..." Vex spoke softly.
She got a concerned look in her eyes. “What happened?”
"Tucker was being mean again. But then all the animals went crazy. He got bit by a dog... It was weird...” Vex tried to explain
Elaina got that odd look in her eyes. “Well… dogs can be odd. He probably thought you two needed protecting.”
"Why do you always look like that when we say stuff?” Vex asked, getting a little frustrated.
“You just remind me of your father so much.” She said softly hugging them both close. “Now. I want you both to get washed up for dinner. No arguments.”
Vex just shook her head. "Why does weird stuff always happen around us? Is there something wrong with us? Vax said there wasn't but still.“
“Of course there’s nothing wrong with you.” Elaina told them gently.
"Weird things always happen around us.“ Vax insisted.
“Weird things happen to everyone.” Their mother insisted.
"As often as we do?“ Vex questioned.
“Some times yes.” Elaina smiled.
"Everyone always blames us.“ Vax muttered bitterly.
“Strange things just happen.” Elaina brushed Vex’s hair back. “You are not to blame. Either of you.”
"Ok..." Vex nodded.
“It’ll all work out.” Elaina promised. The twins nodded and went to wash up for dinner.
Thankfully the rest of their night was quiet and they were able to easily settle into their twins beds in their shared room.
In the morning their mother called to them. “Could you two get the post?”
"Sure." Vex was already up and dressed. She found her way to the door to do as asked.
There were the normal things addressed to their mother. But there were two very thick paper envelopes addressed to the twins. Vex’s read. ‘To miss Vex’ahlia Vessar, the largest bedroom, 13 Byroden dr, London.’
Vex took all of it of the floor, handed the things addressed to their mother to her. She began to look at the envelope addressed to her.
“What’s this?” Vax was looking at his own letter. “What kind of paper is this?”
"I don't know. It's incredibly thick. Let's just open it.” Vex said pulling hers open the best she could.
Vex’s letter read.
Dear Vex’ahlia Vessar
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress,
Confused Vex looked up at her brother waiting for him to say something.
“What. The. Hell.” Vax was looking dumbfounded. “Is this some kind of joke?”
"I don't know.... it seems like it...“ Vex reread the letter again. Hogwarts? Witchcraft? Wizardry?
“What do you two have there?” Elaina came into the room from the kitchen. Vex handed her the letter. Elaina took it. There was confusion on her face. “Hmm… it can’t… was he…”
"Was who what?" Vax asked.
“I…” she seemed to be thinking about something. “I need to make a call.” She took Vex’s letter with her out of the room with her.
Vex looked back at Vax.
"What is she not telling us?”
“She’s never acted that weird before.” Vax was still looking at his letter and he pulled out a second piece of paper. “Oh. Wow they gave us a list of stuff. So weird.”
"Huh... this all so strange.” Vex read the list over his shoulder.
“Yeah listen to this. ‘Headmaster: Albus DumbledoreOrder of Merlin (first class), Supreme Mugwump, Chief Warlock and Grand Sorcerer, International Confederation of Wizards.’ How crazy is that?” Vax was almost amused.
"What the hell... this is a very elaborate joke.” Vex just shook her head.
“Yeah look there’s a supplies and book list.” Vax pointed out.
"Vax... you don't think... this is real?“ Vex looks at the coat of arms on the envelop in her hands.
“How could it be? Magic isn’t real. I mean look at me. Do I look like a wizard?” Vax grinned.
"Well no.. but I don't know…” Vex said distractedly.
“Well if you’re a witch where’s your green skin and warts?” He teased. That got a laugh out of Vex at last. “Seriously.” Vax laughed. “Time to get you a pointy black hat and a broomstick.” He looked at the list. “Oh says here first years are not allowed their own brooms.”
”Oh really?” Vex looked at the list.
“We could bring an owl, a cat or a toad though.” Vax was cracking up. This was such a stupid joke.
"If this really is a joke then they spent a lot of time on it.” Vex observed.
“Yeah. What a waste of time.”
They heard a knock at the front door. Vex was the one who answered it.
There was a man in long robes and a stern expression was standing at the threshold.
“Um… hello?” Vex asked unsurely.
“Are you Vex’ahlia?” He asked looking down at her with vague interest.
”who’s asking?”
“My name is Syldor Vessar.” He said. “I need you to go fetch your mother.”
Vex instantly turned and tried to find her mother.
Elaina was still in the hall trying the phone number she had written down on a very old piece of paper.
"Um. Mum. There's a man at the door who says his name is Syldor." Vex said getting her attention.
Elaina dropped the phone which dangled on its cord. “He is?”
“yeah. He said he needed you. Who is he?” Vex asked.
“Get your brother. Wait in the living room.” She told Vex gently before hurrying to the door. She stopped short when she saw the man. “Syldor…?”
“Elaina.” The robed man inclined his head to her. “May I come in?”
"I guess I don't have a choice." Elaina spoke.
He stepped inside. “They’re like me after all it seems. I was told they got their letters.” Syldor said. “They belong in my world.”
"What do you mean? They have always lived with me.They don't even know you.” Elaina pointed out.
“And yet here they will be labeled as freaks by your kind.” Syldor said. “They do not belong here. Not at some common school where their natural gifts will be wasted.”
”They don’t know you.” Elaina repeated.
“You haven’t told them?” He questioned. “Have they ever made something happen? Something you couldn’t explain?”
"Um. How could I tell them. I didn't know it was real.” How could she have believed him?
“After events like that you didn’t think it was real?” Syldor demanded. “The girl can control animals. The boy can practically vanish.”
"How could you know that? You aren't here.“ Elaina snapped.
“I hear things. The ministry keeps tabs on magical children. And the school let me know that they’ve been accepted.” Syldor said shortly. “And now you’re telling me that they have no clue what they are.”
”no. How could I?” Elaina just stared at him.
“I told you what I was. Showed you.” Syldor said. “And yet you still refuse to believe. All the more reason I must take them. They do not belong here. And if they suppress their magic they will die.”
"You can't take my children from me. They don't have to suppress it.” Elaina said desperately. He couldn’t be telling the truth could he?
“Right. Everyone around them will completely accept them for being a witch and a wizard.” Syldor said, a sarcastic bite to his tone. “Need I remind you or the witch trials? People were burned and thrown of buildings if they were even suspected of having magic.”
"They could just do it in the house... this is all they know. They don't know you at all. You left us.“ Elaina reminded him.
“They’re my children too Elaina. Do not forget that.”
"You left us. You don't care about them.” She snapped again.
“If they were like you I knew they would be safe. Now that I know they are like me they are in danger.” Syldor said. “You are in danger if they are here.”
"They are in danger if they stay with me?“ Elaina‘a heart sank.
“Yes. There is a war going on. If they believe the twins are purely muggle born then they will be killed. Along with yourself.” Syldor explained curtly.
"So I never get to see my kids again.“ that was like a knife in her heart.
“After the war is over you can see them. But they will be safest with me and at school until then.” Syldor said flatly.
Elaina nodded," if that will keep them safe."
She hated it but what other option did she have. If that kept her kids alive she had to let them go.
“Yes. It will keep them safe.” They were his blood after all. Half blood or not they carried his name. The only ones who did.
"Ok. Just let me talk to them first." Elaina was heartbroken at the thought of her kids leaving.
Syldor nodded. “Be my guest.”
"Come back tomorrow.” She told him gesturing him out the door.
Syldor pursed his lips but nodded. “Tell them. What they are. Everything I told you. They are special.”
"They don't need magic to be special.“ she told him. They had always been special to her.
“Either way.” He said. “They need to be told.”
”I will tell them. Come back tomorrow.” Elaina said her voice tight as she blinked away tears.
”As you wish.” Syldor gave her a curt bow and walked out the door.
Elaina watched him walk past a lamp post and vanish as if he was somehow hiding behind it. He was gone… and now she had some serious explaining to do.