Dueling for Salem

"Thank you all for coming today. I'm Athena McFarland, and I'm the Secretary of Education for the Department of Magic, which means I coordinate the four magical schools in the United States. I've also started a program called the Non-Magical Placement Program, and I want to talk to you about that this morning."

In the small lecture hall, Myra sat amongst her friends, watching her mother in front, moving gracefully and speaking about her pet project. Myra listened, though she knew every detail of the program and was not planning on enrolling in it herself. Sadie and Jackson were also listening, but the rest of her group was clearly not paying attention. At breakfast, Abby and Wesley had treated everyone to their feelings on the Muggle program and how they would never be part of it.

"In this program, we place magically educated students in non-magical communities. We have found that the witches and wizards educated at such schools as Salem are well-equipped to help in non-magical situations. Of course, no one will know that you are magical, and you will be offering aid without anyone realizing what you are doing. Because of the requirements of the position, several years of non-magical studies are recommended. However, we are looking for students with a variety of interests and backgrounds. You need not be of non-magical birth to join. So far, fifty students have been placed, in many fields, including as healers, aurors, law enforcement and government officials..."

Abby snorted at the mention of her chosen field. Myra didn't want to become a Muggle; that was all she knew, and she was afraid that if she didn't have a chosen career within a few months, she would be immediately enrolled in her mother's program.

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Jared came into the lecture hall a few minutes late. His class was mostly seniors, so he had cancelled it and spent the morning with Constance, leaving campus to get away from the students. They had almost survived two weeks as professors and needed to find a way to celebrate. "Let's go out tonight," she had said. "Some place way off campus. Non-magical." He couldn't argue with her. He needed away as badly as she did.

It took Jared a minute to notice his dad standing along the back wall. "Hi," Jared whispered.

"Jared. How are you? How's the job?"

"Fine. Dad?"

"Yeah."

Jared breathed deeply. "Do people fall asleep a lot in your classes?"

"It's history, Jared. It comes with the territory. Yes, they fall asleep all the time."

Jared sighed with relief and his father laughed.

"Just blow something up. You're a wizard."

"If only it were that easy." They leaned against the wall for a while, listening to Thea's speech. Jared thought of his last two classes of the week, then the promise of the night in Boston with Constance.

"Your mother wants to do dinner tonight. Any plans?"

"Do Myra and Joan have clearance to leave?"

"I think so."

"Yeah, I can do dinner. As long as it's early."

"I see." Clive smiled, then turned back to the front.

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The McFarlands sat around a rough wooden table at the Accio! Bar and Grill in magical Salem. JP and Myra were still in their school robes. Thea was happy with her speech and told the family that she was looking forward to the next year. She still had to speak at three more schools, but she had met several students who were interested.

"Congratulations," Jared said. "I'll encourage them, I promise."

"Thanks, honey."

"Hey, Mom," JP said, biting into her sandwich. "Can I duel?"

Everyone rolled their eyes. They did not want to hear this discussion again. "No."

"Why not? I'm getting good grades."

"It's the second week. Join another club. Don't they have a basic charms club? You can work on your spells without actually fighting."

"But why can't I just duel?"

"Joan, I'm done with this discussion." JP looked down, dejected. "Myra, how's school going? Do you want to do any job shadowing?"

Myra mumbled a few non-committal responses. Jared caught her eye and changed the subject. "Mom, Homecoming's in a few weeks. Are you coming?"

"I don't know. They say all alumni are invited, but it's pretty much a school dance. I've supervised my share of them. I assume you're going to be one of the guards, considering it's your first year and they can order you to do practically anything."

"Yes. I'll be there."

JP groaned.

"What were you planning on doing?"

"Nothing."

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Jared and Constance met in the living room of the teacher's quarters, having locked the students in their dormitories. They were both in Muggle clothing and laughed upon seeing each other. Even though they were both familiar enough with Muggle fashion to dress correctly, it was still a major change from their work week look. Jared was in simple jeans, but he noticed how Constance looked like a different person, much less shy than usual in her skirt and high heels.

"Ready?" she squealed.

They walked across campus, hoping that students weren't looking out their windows. They had to make it off the school grounds to be able to apparate, and they had just reached the border when two figures apparated next to them. "Professors," Aurelius said. "Good evening. You have the night off, I suppose?"

"Yes, sir."

"Enjoy yourselves." He walked briskly away.

Clytemnestra looked them both over and smirked, then moved away in a swirl of green robes.

"Where were they?"

"I have no idea."

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The club in Boston was loud, the bass up as high as possible. Constance and Jared had no problem getting in, which Jared found strange with his limited experience in Muggle places like this. He had been to plenty of Muggle establishments with his father, and his mother had wanted her children to be well-versed in both magical and non-magical ways of life. However, ever since he went to Salem, his acquaintance had become increasingly more and more magical. He could not even remember the names of his non-magical friends from before his days at Salem.

Jared allowed himself to be pulled onto the dance floor, where he moved awkwardly among the pulsating crowd. He was quickly reminded that he, like his geeky father, was a history teacher, and that no amount of magic or flashing lights could change that. Constance, however, was a natural.

"Are you?...you know," he shouted over the music.

"No, I'm not. It's in my family a long way back. My parents don't even like them."

They were talking in code, but Jared understood. There weren't many wizards left with fully magical bloodlines, and most didn't boast about it. But they still existed. Jared, like everyone in the magical world, had heard of the Armisteads, but he didn't want Constance to know. From what he had heard, they would never have tolerated a daughter who taught Muggle Studies.

"It's really fun going home for Christmas. They're not fans of the job."

"I should think not."

"What about you?"

"My dad."

"Full, or born?"

"Full, no magic."

"That's great."

Jared had never really thought about it that way, but he also didn't teach Muggle Studies. He tried to dance, but only succeeded in tripping over his feet. As one song ended and someone climbed up onto the stage at the front, Constance shouted, "I'm getting a drink. One that doesn't burn on the way down or taste like pumpkin. You want anything?"

"Sure. Whatever you're getting."

She pushed her way through the crowd, who were still dancing, but looking toward the front of the club. A man in tight silver pants and a long silver wig took a microphone. "Hello," he crooned in a false woman's voice. "Having a good night?"

The audience cheered. "I'd like to sing a little song for you, if that's alright."

Jared watched in detached interest. Constance came back with a drink. He couldn't tell what it was but drank it anyway as the performer began to sing. "And every little thing he does is magic. Everything he do just turns me on." The crowd was beginning to sway. They finished their drinks and Jared bought more. The singer finished to drunken hooting and climbed off the stage, making his way to the bar. "Anything," he said, his voice much different than on stage. The bartender handed Jared his glasses as the singer leaned against the bar. "With someone?"

Jared looked behind him to make sure the question was aimed in his direction. "A friend from work." He was nervous but managed to say, "You sounded good."

The man snorted, then took a shot of whiskey. "Right."

"Sorry."

"No, that's rude of me. Thank you. You don't look like you come here much."

"I don't."

"What do you do?"

"I'm a teacher."

"Huh." He looked Jared over for a minute, then extended his hand. "I'm the Lady Angelica...Or Troy. I'm Troy."

"Jared McFarland."

"Hey. You know, I don't do this usually, but...here's my number." He handed Jared a piece of paper then disappeared back into the crowd. Constance came up to Jared. "Get lost?"

"Uh...no. I got this."

She laughed. "A Non-magic boy. I've been looking for one of those for years. Call him."

By the time they left the club, Jared and Constance were incredibly drunk. They walked down an alleyway and took each other's hands, then apparated. They ended up near the Accio! Bar, which was teeming with witches and wizards, and fairly far from the school. "We should never apparate drunk," Jared said.

"I think it's illegal, actually."

They made their way slowly back to the school entering the teachers' quarters as quietly as possible. Successfully inside, they looked around, surprised that the lights were still on. Clytemnestra was at the table, looking through a stack of papers. "Why, hello," she said when they entered. Constance ducked into her room, but Jared sat next to Clytemnestra at the table.

"You are completely drunk."

"A little."

"Have a good evening?"

"Yeah, you?"

"Absolutely"

Jared hiccupped. "Looks like fun."

"Shut up, McFarland. Some of us care about this school."

"What are you working on?"

"Curriculum review. Exeter doesn't want to increase Muggle Studies, but we're getting a lot of pressure from DC."

"From my mother, you mean."

She looked up and considered for a moment. "Not just her, but yes. She believes that witches and wizards have an obligation to help the Muggle...non-magical community, so she wants to integrate more of us into their world."

"What does Exeter think?"

"He thinks that we only have an obligation to ourselves. We know more than they do. Why should we help them when all they'll do is fear us?"

"What do you think?"

"I'm trying to decide. I don't know, you're the Muggle. Do they need us?"