Asher lead us to a store called “Gideon’s Bookstore.” It looked like a small bookstore from the outside. But when we entered, it was an expansive library filled with books everywhere! My mouth dropped in awe! Even the library at my town wasn’t one tenth the size of this! Asher whispered in my ear, “Amazing isn’t it? You won’t learn this until your third year. It’s an expanding charm.”
I’ve always found an interest in books. I love all types, from non-fiction to fantasy to fiction to mystery! “Toby, Meghan, I’m going to find my books. The books in here are sorted by year, and then in each year they are sorted in alphabetical order. There are some extra books on each shelf if you want to do extra reading. I would suggest getting those too.”
I nodded, and followed Toby over to the section with a big 1 on top. First, I grab Academic Chemistry, Advanced Mathematics, Beginner’s Guide to Stone Spells, Beginner’s Guide to Business, Introduction to Latin, and The History of Architecture. I see Toby still looking for “A Beginner’s Guide to Stone Spells” when it’s right in front of his face. Typical Toby.
I decide to grab a few more books, including “A History Behind the Stone,” “The Guide to Chemistry for Dummies,” “Practice Math,” and “Ecce Romani!” I pile more and more books into my basket, until Asher comes and tells Toby we should go pay. Behind the counter is a tall handsome man by the name “Mr. Cix.”
“Hey Asher, nice to see you again!” the man exclaims. “Nice to meet you Toby and Meghan!” He continues, “I am the headmaster of The Academy, so I will be seeing you soon! If you ever need to talk, feel free to come to my office!”
Asher then proceeds to hand over some stones. Professor Cix helps Asher pack his books into Asher’s sleek leather trunk. Then Toby steps forward. “Ah, I see you have only bought the required books,” he sneers. Toby looks taken back.
“I didn’t know that we were supposed to buy more, sir.”
The man laughed. “12 stones please.” Toby reaches for his pouch and counts out 12 stones. He then stomps away, with his books, out of the shop. Then it’s my turn. It takes me a while to pile all my books onto the counter and for Professor Cix to count them, but eventually he says, “I can tell you’ll do great at The Academy, Meghan, unlike your brother. 40 stones please.”
I then tap on my pouch twice, and forty stones appear on the counter. While waiting for Asher to finish looking for his books, I had glanced through “Tips and Tricks” which showed me that if you tap on your pouch one time, twenty stones will come out. I learned many useful things. “Meghan, I can expand your trunk for you since you don’t have a stone yet. You might not be able to fit everything in it.”
I nodded, eager to see more Stone Magic. “Amplio, duo, Meghan’s Trunk!”
A yellow ball of light circled his stone and spinned around his stone, growing larger until it was twice its original size. Then it crashed into my trunk. It looked the same, but when I looked into it, it was twice as deep. From the outside, it looked like it’s original size. Prof. Cix helped me stack my books into the trunk. He then tapped it twice, and the lid closed. He whispered something into his stone and different types of lights flashed straight into my trunk. “If you need anything out of your trunk, tap the trunk once and say what it is and it will fly out. Try it now.”
“Academic Chemistry!”
A medium sized red book flew out with the words “Academic Chemistry.” I gaped at Professor Cix. “Wow, thank you!”
He smiled at me. “If you need to open your trunk, tap twice on it. If it’s open, tap twice to close it. Try.”
I hesitantly reached up to tap my trunk. Tap. Tap. It opened. I put the book back into the big trunk. Then I tapped twice and it closed. “Ah! Before I forget, we should make it lighter. When I finish, it will automatically weigh whatever it feels like you can carry.”
Professor Cix then tapped his stone and whispered “Leviora.” A yellow dot emerged from his stone and floated like a feather on top of my trunk. It then exploded. “Here, try!”
He handed me my trunk. I didn’t seem to heavy. Then he handed me his computer. I felt the trunk lighten. “Wow!” I exclaimed. “This is really cool!”
I returned his computer and waved goodbye to him. “See you in a few months!”
Asher and I walked out where Toby was playing on his phone again. “Toby, time to go.”
Toby didn’t respond. “Toby!”
Asher slapped Toby in the face. Toby grumbled, “What do you want? I hate that man Cix.”
“Tobs, you gotta be careful! Professor Cix is our headmaster!” I screeched at my stupid, stupid, brother.
“I don’t care!”
Asher stated calmly, “Toby, we should get the rest of your supplies. Then you can complain about Prof. Cix later.”
Toby nodded without looking up. He picked up his bag (my stupid, stupid, brother left his trunk at home) and followed Asher to another store labeled “Aqua Supplies.” Inside were various office supplies, including quills, parchment, and potion supplies. I grabbed ten quills for I tend to use up my quills pretty quickly. I grabbed 3 packages of parchment as required. Toby calls me “miss-goody-two-shoes” and I hate to admit it, but it’s quite what I am. I then grabbed some colorful notebooks, for who knows what. Finally, I found three nice looking cauldrons and a lab kit. I found Toby once again on his phone like a zombie, and I noticed he already paid. Asher was in line, behind an old woman buying quite a lot of parchment.
I stood behind Asher who was now paying. The lady who checked us out was nice. I hoped she too, were a professor at TA. “50 stones please.” I tapped my bag once and then pulled out 5 stones. “Thank you, and I hope to see you soon at The Academy!”
I tapped my trunk twice and threw in my supplies. Then I tapped it twice again.
She waved me off. “Next,” Asher announced, “We are going to Madam Bynes, for our clothes! Just be polite and you’ll be getting some good stuff.”
Madam Bynes’ shop was right next door to Aqua Supplies. Madam Bynes was an short elderly witch with a pointed nose. “Mr. Winters, I take it you have come for your 4th year things?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And what would you need?”
Asher looked down at his list. “I fear that my lab coats are getting small on me. I would need two of those. Thankfully, one of the three robes you made for me last year still fits. I would need one for the Winter and one for the Spring for dress robes. My work clothes are still in shape.”
“Of course!” Madam Bynes exclaimed. “Now, lets measure you.” The lady pulled out her stone and tapped it. “Modum!”
A yellow light formed a ribbon and wrapped itself around Asher. Asher looked relaxed, like he didn’t feel anything. A card appeared in front of Madam Bynes. It read:
Age: 19 years old
Gender: Male
Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Weight: 152 pounds
Year: Four
“Ah, the norm!” Madan Bynes nodded frantically and walked to the backroom. Toby snorted. Asher nudged Toby as to say, “Be careful!”
Madam Bynes rushed out in a couple minutes with two white suits, a black tuxedo, and a red coat with black pants. Asher handed over the requested payment and stood to the side.
Toby pushed me forward. He seemed to abhor Madam Bynes. “Hello my dear. I take it you’re new to The Academy?”
I nodded. “I would need 2 lab coats, 3 dress robes, and some work clothes. Thank you!”
She gave me a toothy smile and whispered “Modum.” The yellow ribbon tickled me and I giggled. Madam Bynes noted, “It tickles the first few times but you will get it soon enough, like young Asher right here.”
The index card with my info floated in front of Bynes.
Age: 16 years old
Gender: Female
Height: 5 feet 2 inches
Weight: 102 pounds
Year: One
“Just what I thought.” Madam Bynes again returned to the backroom. Toby snorted. Asher nudged. Toby is getting quite annoying. I wonder what’s up with him. Madam Bynes returned with similar lab coats, an fluid orange long dress, a white gown, and a pink puffy dress. Then she handed over some grey worked clothes. “200 stones please.”
I smiled and tapped my pouch ten times. The correct amount appeared in front of her and she thanked me. Toby grumbled as she measured him. I wasn’t able to see his index card as he pushed me away before I could see it. I raised my eyebrow to Asher and Asher shrugged.
Madam Bynes gave Toby the same lab coats, and three tuxedos (who knows why) as well as gray work clothes. He left the shop before paying. “Excuse me young man, return here this instant! She glared at the front door and rushed after Toby.
“Madam Bynes, I will pay for my insolent brother.”
“No, dear, it’s alright. Don’t worry, I will get him.”
Seconds later, Madam Bynes appeared and dragged Toby in the store. I heard her say “Sero” as she shut her door to lock it. “Toby Buckley, hand over the money now.”
Toby then opened his pouch and counted out the stones. I glared at my brother. We would be there forever. I then tapped nine times on his pouch and Madam Bynes ushered us out. I already had tucked my clothes into my trunk. It was almost full.
“Last stop!” Asher announced. We arrived at a store named “Variety Stones.” Asher gestured for me to go first. I stepped in the store and the door slammed shut. “Hello Ms. Conner!” a friendly voice exclaimed.
“Today you will be picking your stone. There is a specific stone per each person. Rarely are two stones the same. Now, there are three parts to each stone. There is a solid covering which reflects your physical appearance. Then there is a solid core which represents your personality - who you are inside. Lastly, there is a fluid which affects how your stone works. First we need to pick your core. I need you to put your hands over each of the following materials. Tell me which one feels different when you put your hands over them.”
I looked down. There were ten different cores. The first one was ash. I knew it was meant for spiritual and religious beings. I was not one of those. When I put my hands over it, I felt nothing. Then there was oak. I felt nothing, as I was never a leader. I was also never a follower. The third was sage. It was for wisdom. I felt a pull on my hands as I put my hands over it. “It’s sage mister -.”
“Oh, I forgot. I’m Mr. Apse. I see you are smart. Just like your father. If only he were Good, he would have succeeded greatly.”
I nodded. Ever since I heard about my dad, I wanted to know more about him but I didn’t want to be similar to him. He was a villain after all!
Mr. Apse picked out some sage from the pile. As he picked it up it turned into a small green stone. “Next, we need to pick your covering. I’m going to place several images on the table. I need you to select the one that looks most like you.”
Mr. Apse pulled out a folder labeled “BG16.”
Several pictures of brown haired girls were laid on the table. I rejected the girls with short and medium hair immediately. I had waist length long hair. Then I rejected the girls who were frowning - I was a happy person. I finally narrowed it down to a card named “17.”
“Ah, yes, Rose Quartz.” He picked out a pink slab. “Finally, we need to pick your fluid. Fluids act weirdly. All I need you to do is to stick your hands into these pots and tell me which is the warmest and which is the coolest. There are three - blood, tears, and baby oil. I have enhanced them with secret properties to make them magical.”
I stuck my hands into the three pots. To my surprise, my hand remained dry. I was relieved that I didn’t have to endure the smell of blood. When I felt blood it was freezing cold. Tears was warm. Baby oil wasn’t warm or cold. “Blood was cold and tears was warm,” I told Mr. Apse truthfully.
“Ok, then. Could you produce some tears for me? I just need you to focus on something sad that happened in your life. Could you do that?”
I nodded. That was easy. It was the night Elizabeth and Luke died. Mr. Apse held up a vial to my face and touched the back of my head and whispered something. A couple of tears fell into the vial. “Now we need blood. I need you to focus on the last time you got into a fight - verbal or physical.”
I decided physical would be stronger and I remembered the time Toby and I had a fight over ice cream. Mr. Apse held a vial against my hand and punched me very lightly against my back. A few drops of blood dropped into the vial. “Now it’s time to put everything together.
He mixed together my tears and blood. It became a shade of light red. Then he pulled out the sage stone. He dropped the stone into the vial. The liquid surrounded the stone. He poured the vial onto the slab of rose quartz. The liquid had became jelly-like. “Now I need you to do something. I need you to push on the quartz while thinking of someone you love.”
I pushed all my mighty onto the quartz while thinking of Toby. I closed my eyes until Apse said, “Enough. You can look now.”
I gasped. In front of me was a pale pink stone. “Thank you!” I exclaimed, stowing my stone in my pocket.
Mr. Apse smiled. “That would be 10 stones. Don’t forget to come back next year for stone repair.”
I handed the required payment to Mr. Apse who thanked me and bid me farewell. I walked out and Asher walked in. I guess Asher’s stone needed repair. Toby was focused on his phone. I took out my stone, tapped it, and whispered “Modum” while thinking of Toby.
The yellow ribbon measured Toby and the index card which he was ashamed of read:
Age: 16 years old
Gender: Transgender
Preferred Pronoun: he
Height: 5 feet
Weight: 145 pounds
Year: One
I gasped, but luckily Toby didn’t hear me. He was trans! I quickly disposed of the evidence with “Uro!” I needed to protect my little Toby. I hoped he wouldn’t make his gender obvious. Asher soon returned out with his stone, nice and shiny. Toby walked in. I heard him grumble his answers to Mr. Apse. He soon returned out with a dark brown stone.
“All right. You guys have an option. You could return with me to my house, or you can go back to yours and I will pick you up when The Academy starts.”
I said, “I want to go with you” at the same time Toby said, “I want to go home.”
Asher chuckled. “Ok, I’ll take Toby home and Megs can stay with me!”
Asher grabbed Toby and my hand and tapped his stone twice and said, ““Tollite me, Buckley Manor.”
We appeared in a flash in our front yard. Toby was once again on the ground, his bag in wrinkles. “Bye Toby!” I smiled sadly at him and gave him a hug.
Asher grabbed my hand and repeated the spell “Tollite me, Winters Castle.”
I’ve always found an interest in books. I love all types, from non-fiction to fantasy to fiction to mystery! “Toby, Meghan, I’m going to find my books. The books in here are sorted by year, and then in each year they are sorted in alphabetical order. There are some extra books on each shelf if you want to do extra reading. I would suggest getting those too.”
I nodded, and followed Toby over to the section with a big 1 on top. First, I grab Academic Chemistry, Advanced Mathematics, Beginner’s Guide to Stone Spells, Beginner’s Guide to Business, Introduction to Latin, and The History of Architecture. I see Toby still looking for “A Beginner’s Guide to Stone Spells” when it’s right in front of his face. Typical Toby.
I decide to grab a few more books, including “A History Behind the Stone,” “The Guide to Chemistry for Dummies,” “Practice Math,” and “Ecce Romani!” I pile more and more books into my basket, until Asher comes and tells Toby we should go pay. Behind the counter is a tall handsome man by the name “Mr. Cix.”
“Hey Asher, nice to see you again!” the man exclaims. “Nice to meet you Toby and Meghan!” He continues, “I am the headmaster of The Academy, so I will be seeing you soon! If you ever need to talk, feel free to come to my office!”
Asher then proceeds to hand over some stones. Professor Cix helps Asher pack his books into Asher’s sleek leather trunk. Then Toby steps forward. “Ah, I see you have only bought the required books,” he sneers. Toby looks taken back.
“I didn’t know that we were supposed to buy more, sir.”
The man laughed. “12 stones please.” Toby reaches for his pouch and counts out 12 stones. He then stomps away, with his books, out of the shop. Then it’s my turn. It takes me a while to pile all my books onto the counter and for Professor Cix to count them, but eventually he says, “I can tell you’ll do great at The Academy, Meghan, unlike your brother. 40 stones please.”
I then tap on my pouch twice, and forty stones appear on the counter. While waiting for Asher to finish looking for his books, I had glanced through “Tips and Tricks” which showed me that if you tap on your pouch one time, twenty stones will come out. I learned many useful things. “Meghan, I can expand your trunk for you since you don’t have a stone yet. You might not be able to fit everything in it.”
I nodded, eager to see more Stone Magic. “Amplio, duo, Meghan’s Trunk!”
A yellow ball of light circled his stone and spinned around his stone, growing larger until it was twice its original size. Then it crashed into my trunk. It looked the same, but when I looked into it, it was twice as deep. From the outside, it looked like it’s original size. Prof. Cix helped me stack my books into the trunk. He then tapped it twice, and the lid closed. He whispered something into his stone and different types of lights flashed straight into my trunk. “If you need anything out of your trunk, tap the trunk once and say what it is and it will fly out. Try it now.”
“Academic Chemistry!”
A medium sized red book flew out with the words “Academic Chemistry.” I gaped at Professor Cix. “Wow, thank you!”
He smiled at me. “If you need to open your trunk, tap twice on it. If it’s open, tap twice to close it. Try.”
I hesitantly reached up to tap my trunk. Tap. Tap. It opened. I put the book back into the big trunk. Then I tapped twice and it closed. “Ah! Before I forget, we should make it lighter. When I finish, it will automatically weigh whatever it feels like you can carry.”
Professor Cix then tapped his stone and whispered “Leviora.” A yellow dot emerged from his stone and floated like a feather on top of my trunk. It then exploded. “Here, try!”
He handed me my trunk. I didn’t seem to heavy. Then he handed me his computer. I felt the trunk lighten. “Wow!” I exclaimed. “This is really cool!”
I returned his computer and waved goodbye to him. “See you in a few months!”
Asher and I walked out where Toby was playing on his phone again. “Toby, time to go.”
Toby didn’t respond. “Toby!”
Asher slapped Toby in the face. Toby grumbled, “What do you want? I hate that man Cix.”
“Tobs, you gotta be careful! Professor Cix is our headmaster!” I screeched at my stupid, stupid, brother.
“I don’t care!”
Asher stated calmly, “Toby, we should get the rest of your supplies. Then you can complain about Prof. Cix later.”
Toby nodded without looking up. He picked up his bag (my stupid, stupid, brother left his trunk at home) and followed Asher to another store labeled “Aqua Supplies.” Inside were various office supplies, including quills, parchment, and potion supplies. I grabbed ten quills for I tend to use up my quills pretty quickly. I grabbed 3 packages of parchment as required. Toby calls me “miss-goody-two-shoes” and I hate to admit it, but it’s quite what I am. I then grabbed some colorful notebooks, for who knows what. Finally, I found three nice looking cauldrons and a lab kit. I found Toby once again on his phone like a zombie, and I noticed he already paid. Asher was in line, behind an old woman buying quite a lot of parchment.
I stood behind Asher who was now paying. The lady who checked us out was nice. I hoped she too, were a professor at TA. “50 stones please.” I tapped my bag once and then pulled out 5 stones. “Thank you, and I hope to see you soon at The Academy!”
I tapped my trunk twice and threw in my supplies. Then I tapped it twice again.
She waved me off. “Next,” Asher announced, “We are going to Madam Bynes, for our clothes! Just be polite and you’ll be getting some good stuff.”
Madam Bynes’ shop was right next door to Aqua Supplies. Madam Bynes was an short elderly witch with a pointed nose. “Mr. Winters, I take it you have come for your 4th year things?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And what would you need?”
Asher looked down at his list. “I fear that my lab coats are getting small on me. I would need two of those. Thankfully, one of the three robes you made for me last year still fits. I would need one for the Winter and one for the Spring for dress robes. My work clothes are still in shape.”
“Of course!” Madam Bynes exclaimed. “Now, lets measure you.” The lady pulled out her stone and tapped it. “Modum!”
A yellow light formed a ribbon and wrapped itself around Asher. Asher looked relaxed, like he didn’t feel anything. A card appeared in front of Madam Bynes. It read:
Age: 19 years old
Gender: Male
Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Weight: 152 pounds
Year: Four
“Ah, the norm!” Madan Bynes nodded frantically and walked to the backroom. Toby snorted. Asher nudged Toby as to say, “Be careful!”
Madam Bynes rushed out in a couple minutes with two white suits, a black tuxedo, and a red coat with black pants. Asher handed over the requested payment and stood to the side.
Toby pushed me forward. He seemed to abhor Madam Bynes. “Hello my dear. I take it you’re new to The Academy?”
I nodded. “I would need 2 lab coats, 3 dress robes, and some work clothes. Thank you!”
She gave me a toothy smile and whispered “Modum.” The yellow ribbon tickled me and I giggled. Madam Bynes noted, “It tickles the first few times but you will get it soon enough, like young Asher right here.”
The index card with my info floated in front of Bynes.
Age: 16 years old
Gender: Female
Height: 5 feet 2 inches
Weight: 102 pounds
Year: One
“Just what I thought.” Madam Bynes again returned to the backroom. Toby snorted. Asher nudged. Toby is getting quite annoying. I wonder what’s up with him. Madam Bynes returned with similar lab coats, an fluid orange long dress, a white gown, and a pink puffy dress. Then she handed over some grey worked clothes. “200 stones please.”
I smiled and tapped my pouch ten times. The correct amount appeared in front of her and she thanked me. Toby grumbled as she measured him. I wasn’t able to see his index card as he pushed me away before I could see it. I raised my eyebrow to Asher and Asher shrugged.
Madam Bynes gave Toby the same lab coats, and three tuxedos (who knows why) as well as gray work clothes. He left the shop before paying. “Excuse me young man, return here this instant! She glared at the front door and rushed after Toby.
“Madam Bynes, I will pay for my insolent brother.”
“No, dear, it’s alright. Don’t worry, I will get him.”
Seconds later, Madam Bynes appeared and dragged Toby in the store. I heard her say “Sero” as she shut her door to lock it. “Toby Buckley, hand over the money now.”
Toby then opened his pouch and counted out the stones. I glared at my brother. We would be there forever. I then tapped nine times on his pouch and Madam Bynes ushered us out. I already had tucked my clothes into my trunk. It was almost full.
“Last stop!” Asher announced. We arrived at a store named “Variety Stones.” Asher gestured for me to go first. I stepped in the store and the door slammed shut. “Hello Ms. Conner!” a friendly voice exclaimed.
“Today you will be picking your stone. There is a specific stone per each person. Rarely are two stones the same. Now, there are three parts to each stone. There is a solid covering which reflects your physical appearance. Then there is a solid core which represents your personality - who you are inside. Lastly, there is a fluid which affects how your stone works. First we need to pick your core. I need you to put your hands over each of the following materials. Tell me which one feels different when you put your hands over them.”
I looked down. There were ten different cores. The first one was ash. I knew it was meant for spiritual and religious beings. I was not one of those. When I put my hands over it, I felt nothing. Then there was oak. I felt nothing, as I was never a leader. I was also never a follower. The third was sage. It was for wisdom. I felt a pull on my hands as I put my hands over it. “It’s sage mister -.”
“Oh, I forgot. I’m Mr. Apse. I see you are smart. Just like your father. If only he were Good, he would have succeeded greatly.”
I nodded. Ever since I heard about my dad, I wanted to know more about him but I didn’t want to be similar to him. He was a villain after all!
Mr. Apse picked out some sage from the pile. As he picked it up it turned into a small green stone. “Next, we need to pick your covering. I’m going to place several images on the table. I need you to select the one that looks most like you.”
Mr. Apse pulled out a folder labeled “BG16.”
Several pictures of brown haired girls were laid on the table. I rejected the girls with short and medium hair immediately. I had waist length long hair. Then I rejected the girls who were frowning - I was a happy person. I finally narrowed it down to a card named “17.”
“Ah, yes, Rose Quartz.” He picked out a pink slab. “Finally, we need to pick your fluid. Fluids act weirdly. All I need you to do is to stick your hands into these pots and tell me which is the warmest and which is the coolest. There are three - blood, tears, and baby oil. I have enhanced them with secret properties to make them magical.”
I stuck my hands into the three pots. To my surprise, my hand remained dry. I was relieved that I didn’t have to endure the smell of blood. When I felt blood it was freezing cold. Tears was warm. Baby oil wasn’t warm or cold. “Blood was cold and tears was warm,” I told Mr. Apse truthfully.
“Ok, then. Could you produce some tears for me? I just need you to focus on something sad that happened in your life. Could you do that?”
I nodded. That was easy. It was the night Elizabeth and Luke died. Mr. Apse held up a vial to my face and touched the back of my head and whispered something. A couple of tears fell into the vial. “Now we need blood. I need you to focus on the last time you got into a fight - verbal or physical.”
I decided physical would be stronger and I remembered the time Toby and I had a fight over ice cream. Mr. Apse held a vial against my hand and punched me very lightly against my back. A few drops of blood dropped into the vial. “Now it’s time to put everything together.
He mixed together my tears and blood. It became a shade of light red. Then he pulled out the sage stone. He dropped the stone into the vial. The liquid surrounded the stone. He poured the vial onto the slab of rose quartz. The liquid had became jelly-like. “Now I need you to do something. I need you to push on the quartz while thinking of someone you love.”
I pushed all my mighty onto the quartz while thinking of Toby. I closed my eyes until Apse said, “Enough. You can look now.”
I gasped. In front of me was a pale pink stone. “Thank you!” I exclaimed, stowing my stone in my pocket.
Mr. Apse smiled. “That would be 10 stones. Don’t forget to come back next year for stone repair.”
I handed the required payment to Mr. Apse who thanked me and bid me farewell. I walked out and Asher walked in. I guess Asher’s stone needed repair. Toby was focused on his phone. I took out my stone, tapped it, and whispered “Modum” while thinking of Toby.
The yellow ribbon measured Toby and the index card which he was ashamed of read:
Age: 16 years old
Gender: Transgender
Preferred Pronoun: he
Height: 5 feet
Weight: 145 pounds
Year: One
I gasped, but luckily Toby didn’t hear me. He was trans! I quickly disposed of the evidence with “Uro!” I needed to protect my little Toby. I hoped he wouldn’t make his gender obvious. Asher soon returned out with his stone, nice and shiny. Toby walked in. I heard him grumble his answers to Mr. Apse. He soon returned out with a dark brown stone.
“All right. You guys have an option. You could return with me to my house, or you can go back to yours and I will pick you up when The Academy starts.”
I said, “I want to go with you” at the same time Toby said, “I want to go home.”
Asher chuckled. “Ok, I’ll take Toby home and Megs can stay with me!”
Asher grabbed Toby and my hand and tapped his stone twice and said, ““Tollite me, Buckley Manor.”
We appeared in a flash in our front yard. Toby was once again on the ground, his bag in wrinkles. “Bye Toby!” I smiled sadly at him and gave him a hug.
Asher grabbed my hand and repeated the spell “Tollite me, Winters Castle.”
