“It's okay, Aunt Merry,” Thomas said before going back to Lars.

“We'll still have the same classes, though, right?” Thomas said, confirming Lars's earlier words. Lars gave a nod. Thomas thought Lars might do something crazy; if he didn't reassure Lars, he would carry out his plan. “Okay. Then you will do whatever you think is best.”

“Thanks Thomas.” Lars smiled and said, “Now I'm going to shower and get dressed.” Lars walked around his father and went to the bathroom with impressive speed.

“Watch over that fool for me, will you?” Uncle Liam said, walking out of the room with his hand messing through his hair.

“They're both far too stubborn for their own good,” Aunt Merry said, turning as she leaned over to Thomas. “But that's why they'll need us around.” She winked and slid off the bed with her overarm stretched. “We might as well start our day.” She walked around the bed and headed out of the room. Stopping at the door. She turned around and asked, "Will you wait on him?" Thomas nodded in agreement. Thomas flopped back on the bed, looking at the ceiling. Noticing for the first time. That the ceiling had an engraved design engraved in its plaster. Listening to the pounding of the shower from the bathroom. Thomas questioned whether he ought to have fought Lars more. Demanded more information. Sought the reason behind his fear.

“Next time.” Thomas decided. This time, he'll be patient and wait things out. He wasn't sure where he stood. With the cards, Lars was so pale that he could have been a ghost. He wasn't sure where Lars stood, either. With talks of goddesses and visions, Thomas was clueless about it all. Thinking about it made his head hurt.

“Your turn.” Lars called out from the bathroom door, and Thomas looked at him upside down from the bed.

“Okay.” Thomas rolled off the bed and met him at the door. Lars looked back to normal, like nothing had happened. When he brushed past him, Lars whispered his thanks. Thomas nodded. Then he turned.

“Lars?” Thomas stopped Lars, who looked at him with a frozen look on his face. “Wait for me?”

Lars nodded, a real smile drifting across his face. Tired but real. “Thanks.” Thomas smiled back and turned into the bathroom. Hoping that Lars would wait for him. Not to leave the bathroom, but to be able to stand by his side. To be a pillar he could rely on. He felt much better with that straightforward plan in mind. Even though he had no idea how to achieve it yet.

The rest of the day was less eventful, and the rest of the month was as well. Went by with no visions or turmoil, only peaceful bliss. Thomas tried his hand at a few potions, and the simple ones went great. The more complicated ones left a hole in the floor. It was easy to fix and a great way to make Lars feel better. He had never seen anyone laugh so hard. Before he knew it, it was time to board the bus to go to school.

“This is for you.” Uncle Liam gave Thomas a small black ring the morning before they left. “It goes on your pinky.”

“What is it?” Tomas asked, putting the ring on his pinky finger. It was a perfect fit. Thomas admired the matte black ring on his hand.

“It's a storage ring, like mine. All your school supplies are in there, books.” Uncle Liam winked. “Some wood blocks as well.” Thomas brightened; he had carved the family out of hunks of branches he had found in the yard. Berry included, handing them out as he finished them. They had all been happy with their gifts. Uncle Liam was now even helping him find some wood to work with.

“Thanks!” Thomas raised the ring in front of his face.

“How do I use it?” Thomas asked, wanting to give it a try.

“Take your knife out.” Thomas dug out his knife from his jeans pocket. They had to travel through muggle London, so no robes today. “Think about storing the knife.”

"Store the knife.” Thomas said, and he pictured himself disappearing into the ring. Like putting it into a trunk. Thomas watched the knife disappear into the ring. “How do I get it out?” Thomas looked at the ring and back up at Uncle Liam's face.

“Think about looking, and you’ll see into the ring.” Uncle Liam smiled and said, “I see that you're a natural at it. This should be easy.” Thomas looked at the ring. Picturing it opening up to his will. He got an award for an image that appeared in his mind. It was a black space, more like a box, with his school things all stacked up in neat rows. His knife was the last thing in the space. Thomas reached out for you, and then a weight filled his hand. Blinking, he was gone; the box was gone, and his knife was in his hand.

“Amazing,” Thomas whispered, placing the knife back in and out a few times. Before, he felt it was a natural thing to do, much like breathing.

“I see you have it down.” Lars came to his side, pulling on his jeans with his free hand.

“Not comfortable?” Thomas asked, seeing Lars continue to pick at his jeans.

“Not at all.” Lars frowned. “Let's hurry to the train. "We can get back in our robes.” Lars pulled at the edge of his plain white shirt, looking disgusted.

“Let's go then.” Aunt Merry came to the door. Wearing a yellow floral sundress. Looking as chipper as Berry looked sad.

“They'll be back for the holidays,” Uncle Liam said, pulling the small house elf into a hug.

“It's all so sad!” she said, rubbing her tears into Uncle Liam's shoulder.

“I'll write you a letter, Berry,” Thomas offered, trying to bring the cheer back into the usually happy elf. “I can do that, right?” Thomas looked to Lars.

“I'll write you one too.” Lars nodded. “We'll miss you too, Berry.” Berry sniffled and nodded, disappearing with a snap.

“Let's go before she gets more upset,” Uncle Liam said, and Aunt Merry nodded and ushered them out the door. They started at the Leaky Cauldron and walked to the station. It was much too busy for Thomas's liking, so Lars brought him to his side. Letting Thomas walk on the inside and taking all the jarring for Thomas

The big city was much different from the small town he came from. He couldn't imagine living here. When they got to the station, Thomas looked around. Wandering among the crowds of people pulling through. Who, like him, was going to Hogwarts? All he could see were other people dressed like him — like muggles. Who were muggles in all likelihood.

“Platform 93/4 this way.” Aunt Merry pulled Thomas from his thoughts. Only to see them standing between two brick arches. Aunt Merry pointed at a wall. Surely she didn't think Thomas could go through it?

“Um,” Thomas paused, opening his mouth and looking at Lars, whose face hadn't given away anything. Uncle Liam had a smile on his face, his head shaking at either Aunt Merry or himself. Thomas wasn't sure. “Go through the wall?”

“Funny enough, muggles never fall in.” Lars tilted his head in thought. Thomas guessed it wasn't a big deal, but he still eyed the wall. On one hand, he knew that could do some damage to a guy's face, and Thomas didn't want to go to school with a broken nose. On the other hand, he knew that Lars and his family wouldn't send him flying into a wall.

“Must I?” Thomas looked over at the smiling trio.

“Come on, I'll go with you.” Lars chuckled and took Thomas by the arm. Running is dragging Thomas into the wall. “You can open your eyes.” Thomas heard Lars say, opening his eyes, that he hadn't known they were closed.

“Ah,” Thomas said, reaching out and touching his nose. “All in one piece.” Thomas sighed in relief.

“What did you think was going to happen?” Lars laughed as his parents came in through the wall behind him.

“Ah! We're running late!” Aunt Merry came over and started pushing them from behind. Thomas looked around, and the only people left on the platform were other adults.

“I told you we should have hailed a cab.” Uncle Liam muttered, running behind them.

“Take care. I love you guys!” She smacked them both on the face with two big kisses.

“Write and take care of each other.” Uncle Liam said, looking at Thomas. “Some need more care than they think.” His eyes shifted to Lars, who was hugging his mother. Thomas nodded.

“I will,” Thomas whispered, his voice cut off by the bellowing of a train. Lars pulled Thomas up the steps, and the door closed. Thomas waved at Lars's parents, his new aunt and uncle, until they faded from sight.