A day after the Hogwarts school term began, the Quattor Academies commenced. It was dark and cold when the two neighboring brother's windows lit up. With care, they ensured their children properly wore their uniforms. They had been enrolled into the Quattor Acadamies and though nervous, they knew the Quattor Academy was much better than the local village school
Despite the chill and the early hour, the two families gathered at the largest home that of Thurman Black. In a corner of the living room, Eaton Black can be seen drinking coffee, while Annis helps her sister-in-law prepare brunch for their families. Apparently, there was no need to pack a school lunch as the Quattor Academy provided free lunches. It was a great relief to the two women making their days that much easier.
Eaton Black quietly sipped his coffee watching his two sons deal with their children. Thurman's eldest Elden was ten, a tall lad with a solemn expression. Orlo only nine was much the same only with gentler looks. Laurice the only girl in the bunch had sleeky raven hair and a spark of life much like Annis. They were the only ones attending the academy as Horris was only five years old and Melvin only three years old, but if all went well, Horris would join his siblings and cousins the following school year.
Harmon only had four children two boys and two girls. The eldest Irvin was eight years old, a kind thoughtful lad. Mariesa just six was a pretty lass with adorable ringlets and flushed pink cheeks. The two of them would be accompanying their cousins to the Quattro Academy, while Sherman age four, and Emelyn age two would remain behind until they turned of age.
Still, all of Eatons' grandchildren were dark-haired and fair with gray eyes like those of the rest of the Black family. It was a shame none of his grandchildren had inherited his mother's eyes. But the Black family had a strong set of features that tended to be passed down for generations.
After brunch, Thurman's wife, Betrys, and Harmon's wife, Tuliana fussed over their children's uniform. They made sure everything was neat and tidy and double-checked that they had everything. Bundling even the littlest child up, the family set out into the cold morning. The morning was cold enough that the ground was covered in a thin layer of frost and their frosty breaths could be seen.
"Iz cold, graw-pa," Emelyn whined, the youngest out of all the grandchildren. She shivered and tucked her face into her father's chest, Harmon.
"We're almost there," Harmon replied as they walked out to the road near the crest of their village of Hermsworth.
To the family's surprise, they spotted several neighbors with their children in uniform. Betrys and Tuliana became much more relaxed at seeing the neighbor's children getting ready to go to school. It wasn't that they didn't believe in magic, but because it had already been proven that it existed. It's just at times it seemed as though they were in an impossible dream just waiting to wake up.
They had not waited for long when right on the minute a brightly silver, and cerulean-colored double-decker bus suddenly appeared right in front of them coming to a screeching halt. All of the children gaped including their fathers and mothers not used to the presence of magic. The only ones who remained calm were Eaton and Annis, who had both ridden on the Knight Bus before in the past.
The doors were swung wide open to reveal the bus driver, a squib in a neat blue bus uniform with a matching cap, and a curly mustache. The mustached squib loudly asks, "All aboard for Quattor?"
"Yes, sir!" The Black family children said. They eagerly climbed aboard followed by friends and even neighborhood children. Their younger siblings can only look on in envy and hope that they will turn six years old soon. The bus doors close shut and with a whirl, the bus vanishes further down the road from him and out of sight.
"Papa, when I go?" Emelyn excitedly asked.
"When you're six," Harmon patiently explained.
"Tomorrow?" Emelyn eagerly inquired.
Harmon sighed causing Thruman to snicker at his brother's discomfort. "No, Emelyn not tomorrow."
"Not tomorrow?" Emelyn's little gray eyes filled up with tears. "Want to go too!"
Harmon sighs as he deals with his youngest child's tears. He and his wife, Tuliana wave goodbye and hurry home. They would have to figure out how to calm their youngest child, thankfully Sherman was much more well-behaved. It was a silver lining in the scheme of things.
On the other hand, Thurman listens to the excited chatter of Horris, who will be turning six years old come May. "I can hardly wait to start next year!" Horris happily said. "I'm going to practice reading and writing with mum, so I can be ahead of my class!"
"Alright son," Thurman said patting the top of Horris's head, while Melvin holds on to his mother's hand walking with an intent concentrated expression on his tiny face.
"Well, I say this calls for a celebration," Annis happily clamored. "I'll bring some tasty treats including treacle tart and sweets from like chocolate frogs and others so the children can share with their friends and not feel left out!"
Not waiting for a reply, Annis happily drags her brother away, Eaton. Her broom could easily carry the two of them since it was a family broom. She'd bring back an entire box for her great-nieces and nephews to enjoy. She was sure they were just going to love them! (Sadly, she failed to notice the rather sudden ashen-colored face of her older brother).
"So, this is our life now," Betrys' drily muttered to herself. "I should have listened to my mother when she said the Blacks are right strange folk to marry into."
"C'mon love, where's your sense of adventure," Thurman teased his wife.
"I don't have one," Betrys grumbled, before sighing. "I just wish you would have warned me beforehand, Thurman."
"Ah, yes, I can see that conversation going well,' Thurman warily replied. "Dear, my aunt is a magical hag, because my grandmother is a magical creature out of fairytales. And did I mention that we descended of a pureblood magical family except we are currently disinherited? Yes, I can see that going well over our first date."
"No need for sarcasm, Thurman," Betrys warningly said.
"I mean, there just never seemed to be a good opportunity," Thurman replied. "And unless our children turned out to be magical, I never much saw any need in addressing the problem. Magic has never really been much of a part of our lives except via Dad and Aunt Annis. I guess it just never seemed real to us until now."
Betrys lips twitch into a smile and glanced down to peek at Melvin, who determinedly continues to hold to his mother's hand and walk forward. "Well, I suppose I can understand your misgivings," she admitted. "Still, your family you have to admit it is something right out of a Victorian novel."
"Yup," Thurman rightly agreed. "But at least they are on our side."
"For now," Betrys mumbled under her breath.
"Well, there's no denying that," Thurman cheerfully replied. "On that note, several of the cousins are having children. Cousin Narcissa and the other cousins rather liked the crochet blanket you made for Emelyn. Cousin Arthur's wife, Molly Weasley said that if you showed her how to make them, she offered to make several using of them using enchanted knitting needles."
"Enchanted knitting needles," Betrys grumbled, "I never thought I would hear the day."
Thurman expectantly looks at his wife until she finally relents. "Fine, but they better be coming over to our house," Betrys warningly said. "I don't like to use that sparkling powder at your father's house to travel back and forth. It makes me sick to my stomach."
"Thanks' love," Thruman said kissing his wife on the cheek. The two of them hold hands with each other and their children happily return home. It was certainly a rather abrupt change in their lives, but it was a welcome change.