Of Earth and Sky

The Serpent and the Eagle

Alexandra and Cassandra Huntington were witches. In fact, they came from a whole long line of witches and wizards that ran back all the way to the middle ages. They lived in England with their parents in a quite comfortable house out in the country. Their house was surrounded on all sides by several miles of deep woods, so muggles seldom ever got anywhere near their home. In fact, if they did get near it, they would remember a dentist appointment they were late for and ended up hurrying through the woods back to their own world. Of course the local dentist was often very unpleasantly surprised when disheveled people came crashing into his office claiming to be late when their appointment was really the next Tuesday.

All this confusion was, of course, the family Huntington's fault. They had cast a spell over the entire of Hunt's Wood just to make sure no one came near their home who wasn't supposed to. Well, at least muggles who weren't supposed to. In fact, the poor Huntingtons were unfortunately prone to unwanted visits, often from extended family, coworkers of Mr. Huntington and, every once in a while, people they didn't know at all. But they took it all in stride, smiled graciously, and were impeccable hosts.

Alexandra and Cassandra were very well mannered little girls. To be absolutely precise, they were ten-year-old twins. They were the same height, a very comely average size, had deep bluish green eyes and lovely light blonde hair that fell in delicate waves a few inches bellow their shoulders. They were quite lovely over all, and also completely identical. And on August the fifteenth the Huntington twins' household happened to be quite a bit more full than usual. This was of course all to do with the letters.

"I've got mine!" Alexandra Huntington ran down the hallway past two of her great Aunts and a few of her smaller cousins into the room she shared with her sister. Of course, there were quite enough rooms in the house for each of them to have their own room, but Mr. and Mrs. Huntington believed that because the girls were twins they should learn to share better than other children. Still the room was quite a bit more spacious than the others and included a shared walk in closet and a beautiful adjoined bathroom. The room itself was a wonderful butter yellow color with a window over looking the east wood. The walls were covered in posters, mostly of Cassandra's favorite bands from the wizard wireless. At the moment Cassandra was lying down on her bed reading Witch Weekly, and scanning the fashion section for new fall clothing designs.

"Give it up Alex." Cassandra had not even looked up from her magazine as her twin entered the room. "I know you have mine too, so you might as well just give it to me."

Alex wilted slightly, then perked up again as she ran over and jumped onto her sister's bed. "Cassie really, we don't even know if we've been accepted yet, and you're already shopping for a new wardrobe?" Cassie simply turned the page and ignored her sister. Alex sighed, "Alright you! But someday, someday I swear I'll surprise you!"

Cassie stuck out her hand and Alex dropped into it a heavy white parchment envelope labeled:

Cassandra Amelia Huntington

The bedroom

Huntington Family Home

Hunt's Wood, Essex, England

Cassie smiled brilliantly. "Thanks Alex. And by the way, of course we've got in. Huntingtons have been going to Hogwarts since it was founded. Remember, Salazar Slytherin was our great, great something or other third cousin twice removed's best friend, and Rowena Ravenclaw was our... well I don't know but we're related to her somehow as well. Plus the fact that we both know we have magic. Other wise you might have broken an arm instead of a finger when we were playing Quidditch with cousin Derrick."

Alex nodded, her nervousness sliding easily from her face. "You're right Cassie. You're always right." She smiled and looked down at her own envelope:

Alexandra Cornelia Huntington

The Library

Huntington Family Home

Hunt's Wood, Essex, England

Cassie patted her gently on the shoulder. "Don't worry so much Alex. Nothing bad is going to happen. We're going to the best school for witchcraft in the entire world. Nothing can stop us now."

Alex shrugged her sister's hand off gently, then looked into her twin's face. "That's the point Cassie. We're going to the greatest school for witchcraft in the whole world. What if I'm not smart enough? What if it turns out I have barely enough magic to get by in History of Magic, or something horrible?"

Cassie raised one eyebrow. "My darling sister, Cousin Derrick goes to Hogwarts. If he can pass, you can."

Alex took a deep breath to calm herself. "Alright then. We'll open them together. One... Two..."

*

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Ms. Huntington,

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 August 20.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

When Alex looked up from her letter Cassie had already moved on to the list of books. After finishing the long list Cassie quickly turned to face her twin. "Good Lord! I knew that we'd need a whole bunch of books, but this is really over the top!"

Alex quickly took out the list of books and equipment from her own envelope.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

uniform:

First-year student will require:

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry nametags

Course books:

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)

By Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guild to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi

By Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

By Newt Scamander

Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart

Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart

Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart

Magical Me by Gilderoy Lockhart

Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart

Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart

Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart

Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart

Other Equipment:

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size two)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS

ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

"The entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart? Are they joking? There's no way every student in school could afford to buy a whole set!"

"Ah, luckily I went through a Lockhart phase. I have all of them except his new one, 'Magical Me'."

Alex nodded, then raised an eyebrow. "Went through a Lockhart phase? I think you're still going through it!" Cassie scowled at Alex and stuck her tongue out. Alex returned to reading her list. "I suppose I could use Aunt Myrtle's set. Then we'd each only have to get 'Magical Me.' But honestly, what kind of person writes a book and calls it 'Magical Me'?"

Cassie rolled gracefully off the bed and stood up. Her hair was in perfect order as were her sky blue robes. "Now you know why I stopped reading them."

Alex smirked as she once again looked up from her list. "Too bad. You did all that fashion research for nothing. You're only allowed to wear plain black robes. They are very specific."

Cassie scowled and grabbed her own list off the bed. "Damn!" She let the parchment drop back onto the bed. "Ah well, at least we're allowed to wear our own clothes in the common room and on the weekends."

"Who told you that?" Alex scanned the letter again frantically, afraid she had missed something.

Cassie laughed heartily. It sounded like Christmas bells, light and jolly. "Silly, Cousin Penny told me. Now, we'd best get down to the family meeting."

Alex smiled evilly. "How much do you want to bet that Penny will be late because she's off snogging that Weasley boy?"

They left the room giggling and began down the hall toward the family room. A little less formal than the living room, this room could be enlarged to accommodate all of their relatives. At the moment the room was at it's largest and full of Huntingtons.

Great Grandmother Huntington stood up from her great fluffy armchair. As the family matriarch, she gave all speeches and directions. She smiled warmly at the twins. Although she was nearly a hundred years old she was still beautiful with her long white hair and delicate figure. That day she was dressed in beautiful flowing periwinkle robes. "I see the last of the clan have arrived. Let us begin!"

She took a small pair of reading glasses out of her robe's pocket as well a short list. "Now let's see," she said quietly as she smoothed out the sheet of paper, "We have Olivia, Carlton, Michael, Alexandra and Cassandra going this year." She looked up at the five cousins standing next to each other right in front of her. "Well, let's have them. I know you all got them, and I'm sure you all got in so there's nothing to be nervous about." The twins grinned identically and handed their grandmother the letters.

Once she had all five letters there was complete silence. The entire Huntington family waited with baited breath as Great Grandmother Huntington read through each of the letters. "List," she said and held out a hand. One of the twins' cousins, Michael, handed her his book list. She read it over carefully, raising her eyebrows when she got to the list of Lockhart books. She then daintily tucked her glasses back into her pocket and looked down at the five children, an appraising look in her eye.

"Well, I'm sure we can rustle up five sets of Lockhart books. You each have only about twenty aunts. We'll just need five of that last one. You also have about fifteen cousins who already go to Hogwarts and twenty or so who have graduated and won't need their first-year books. So it looks as if we'll be spending only a short time in Flourish and Blotts. I approve the letters and lists. You all may go now. And I expect that you five be at the fireplace at exactly ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Your families will be spending the next several days in Diagon Alley, site seeing and what not. You mustn't be late, any of you." As the family filed out of the room Great Grandmother beckoned to the twins. "Happy birthday girls. Eleven is an important year, especially for wizard children. I hope you both do wonderfully at Hogwarts."

The twins smiled happily and hugged their grandmother. "Don't worry grandmother, we won't disappoint you."

*

The next day the Twins and their parents, along with their cousins and their respective aunts and uncles met in the living room that housed the communal fireplace. Although it was useful in the winter as a mass source of heat, the great fireplace was mostly used for traveling. There were smaller fireplaces in individual rooms used for making fire calls, but it was the family fireplace that was used most often. Today the family was using it to transport thirteen witches and wizards to Diagon Alley.

"Good morning all." Great Grandmother Huntington strode into the room dressed in a pink floral dressing robe, her long white hair secured back in a tight braid that floated along behind her as she walked. She smiled kindly. "I just wanted to be here to see you all off. Have a wonderful time in Diagon Alley. You will all be staying in the Leaky Cauldron. The bartender Tom is an old friend of mine. I expect good reports on your return."

"God, I hope she hurries up!" Cassie whispered animatedly into Alex's ear. Alex turned to face her twin scandalized. Cassie shrugged. "I'm not trying to be rude, I just can't wait to go."

Alex nodded appreciatively. "I must agree. We've only ever been to Diagon Alley once before, and we were only four then."

Cassie grasped Alex's arm and smiled mischievously. "Come on." Alex stared at her blankly. Cassie sighed and rolled her eyes. "Try for once to be subtle. The others are all listening to Grandmother, we can grab a bunch of Floo powder for the vase and be the first to the fireplace as soon as she's done!"

The twins sidled as quietly as they could toward the fireplace. Cassie reached up and grabbed two fistfuls of grayish powder, giving one handful to her sister. They waited impatiently a foot from the flames, fidgeting hopelessly while Great Grandmother Huntington went through all the rules.

"And finally dears, please, do your parents a favor and stay out of Knockturn Alley. That means you Carlton." A short boy with sandy blond hair and a heavy dusting of freckles looked down at his shoes. She smiled amiably. "Well, I suppose that's it then, have..."

"Diagon Alley!" Cassie was already in the fireplace, and in the blink of an eye was gone.

There was a five second pause as the rest of the family stared blankly at the roaring fireplace that had seconds earlier swallowed a little girl. Alex recovered first. She quickly threw her powder into the fire, jumping in before anyone could grab her. "Diagon Alley!" she cried, and in a moment, she too was gone.

Great Grandmother chuckled quietly as Mr. and Mrs. Huntington scrabbled to get powder and follow their daughters. Mean while the other cousins were fighting them for the vase, impatient to follow their cousins. Eventually everyone made it into the fireplace. Great Grandmother replaced the vase on the mantle, and left the room still chuckling over the disastrous departure.

*

Alex stumbled out of the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron covered in soot and coughing horribly. Cassie was already sitting in an armchair next to the fireplace holding out a mug of Butterbeer. "Drink up!" She passed Alex the mug as soon as she was steady on her feet. "Good Lord, you sound like you're about to cough up a lung!"

Alex glared at her twin, but took the mug gratefully. With Cassie's help Alex managed to dust off most of the soot from her light pink robes. Cassie pulled a comb from the folds of her own robes and began straightening out Alex's hair. By the time the rest of the family arrived both of them were seated in fluffy armchairs by the fire, sipping Butterbeer and looking none the worse for wear.

Mr. Huntington glanced down at his daughters sternly. Alex looked into her mug, feeling slightly guilty, but Cassie simply smiled innocently up at her father. Mrs. Huntington used a gloved hand to cover a giggle. Mr. Huntington's expression softened. "Next time you two plan to run off like that, let us know in advance. Then we won't have to worry needlessly."

Olivia Huntington, the last cousin to arrive brushed the soot from the front of her light blue robes and glared at her cousins. "Yes, and next time take me with you! I reckon Carlton nearly pulled out half my hair before he took the vase from me!" Carlton stuck his tongue out at her, and Olivia instinctually grabbed her strawberry blond ponytail and held it out of reach.

Michael stood next to the fireplace, doing nothing to clear the soot from his black robes and dyed black hair, and staring into the flames. "You all are too happy. Why can't anybody see my emotional pain ... "

"Oh don't start Michael! I really don't have any patience for your emo rot today!" Olivia interrupted. Michael glared at her and continued to stare into to the fire muttering darkly.

Carlton had snuck up behind Michael, intent on using a coal he had scooped up from the fire with a pair of tongs from the hearthside to set his robes alight. Luckily Michael turned before he could be burned. "Drop it you little pyro!" Michael screamed so loudly Carlton jumped a foot in the air sending the tongs and coal flying.

Mr. Huntington quickly flicked out his wand and saved the flying objects from harming anyone in the busy pub. "That's enough, all of you! We are in a public place!"

Michael stood sternly, and folded his arms across his chest. "Besides, if you'd burned me, I would have hexed you into oblivion!"

Carlton sat down in a fluffy armchair next to Alex muttering about how if Michael actually believed what he himself had said he wouldn't have minded being burned because he was already in too much emotional agony to feel it.

"I take it you all are the Huntingtons," A voice came from behind the bar. The whole family turned to see a toothless old man step out from behind the bar. He held out a hand to Mr. Huntington. "My name is Tom. Ophelia told me you all would arriving." He smiled knowingly. "She also informed me of the behavior habits of the children." All five of the Huntington cousins blushed fiercely. "I've set you all up in a secluded and sound proof charmed wing of the inn. Then you can make all the noise and wreak all the havoc you want, without disturbing the other guests."

Mr. Huntington managed to nod in a somewhat dignified manner, despite his completely haggard appearance. "Thank you, Tom. Be assured that my wife and siblings are most thankful for your forethought. Although," he glanced sternly at the children, "I doubt very much that the children will be a problem after today."

Tom nodded. "Well then, how about I lead you to your rooms? As you can see the pub's a bit crowded and you are taking up quite a bit of room."

Cassie grabbed Alex's arm and yanked her forcibly from her chair. "Hurry! We can't let them get the best rooms now, can we?" She started after Tom dragging Alex behind her while Olivia, Carlton and Michael started tripping over themselves to catch up. The adults all shook their heads and rolled their eyes. This was going to be a long visit indeed.