After the purchasing of the needed items Zephyr started to feel hungry, and his stomach started demanding food with loud growls.

You'd like some food, wouldn't you? – Alfred asked carrying the loot of the day.

Yes, I would – He answered.

No worries, I'm a good... ish cook – He said smiling

It's fine – said Zephyr with a slight smirk

Are you excited about school?

I don't know... I never was around many people, I'm kind of scared.

You don't need to worry. I was in your shoes, I never really made many friends before school.

And you did during school?

Not really, I had a couple of friends, but still more than before, eh?

I guess so.

What food do you like, Zephyr? – Asked Alfred summoning a comically stereotypical chef hat.

I don't know, I mostly ate what my parents gave me – He answered.

Okay then, I guess we are having fish and chips.

Sure.

Alfred started levitating the ingredients. This impressed Zephyr of course, and Alfred felt like showing off, so he closed his eyes, and started putting together the breading for the fish while cutting up the potatoes at the same time. He also seasoned everything perfectly, and into the oil everything went. After a few minutes of cooking, the breading was nice and crispy, the fish was juicy, and the potato was golden brown.

I can't wait to do this myself  – muttered Zephyr with his jaw dropped.

Takes many years I'm afraid – said Alfred proud of himself, but then added – but I'm sure you'll be better than just a magical chef.

You think so? – asked Zephyr.

I know so – answered the man.

So... about the thing you wanted to tell me when we were at the tailor's...

Ah, right... let's eat before I tell you. You must be starving by now – he said as he put a plate of food in front of the boy.

Enjoy your meal – said Alfred to Zephyr.

You too – he answered back starting to eat his food.

Zephyr took a bite of the fish, but he didn't really seem to be all that much into it, but this was barely visible, as he only let out a small frown.

Not much into fish?  – Alfred asked

No, it's fine – lied Zephyr to not make the man uncomfortable.

As you wish – he said and went back to the consumption of his food.

They ate silently, once they finished, Zephyr immediately asked him what the thing was that he was trying to tell him.

So... I hate to give you bad news right after what you've been through... – he paused trying to get a reaction out of Zephyr.

Zephyr just looked at him strangely, and awaited the news.

Alfred took a piece of paper off of the shelf, it seemed to contain important information, because it had a large red stamp on it. Alfred gave it to him, but Zephyr couldn't read that well, so he looked back up at Alfred.

Could you read this for me?  – asked Zephyr.

Sure – He cleared his throat.

"Certificate of adoption

This is to certify that  Zephyr has been formally adopted into the Reed family by Darya Reed and Sebastian Reed

Witnessed on 30th of September 1970"

Zephyr didn't understand the concept of adoption so he asked.

What's an adoption?

It's when your parents can't or don't wish to take care of you and you are given to a different family.

This shocked Zephyr, but at the end of the day they did raise him, so it didn't change much, it just seemed strange that his parents gave him up at the date of his birth.

Who are my parent then?

The Owens. Knew them myself. Sophie and Drake Owen. They were great untouchables, but a revolution took their lives, after five peasants overpowered them. There hasn't been a day I don't think of them.

I see... – Zephyr said – so I'm technically Zephyr Owen? Sounds strange.

You can keep your name if you want to, but technically yes.

I want to keep it, they raised me so far.

Okay.

They were silent once more for a few minutes, Zephyr tried to digest the facts presented to him.

I understand that this may be too much, but don't worry, things will turn out better from now on – he tried to comfort Zephyr who was quite confused.

Your room is on the second floor, I have it ready for guests, but I don't have people over very frequently.

Thank you – Zephyr said, as he took his things and did as he was told.

What Zephyr saw on the second floor was pretty surprising to him, every ornament was made out of gold and reflected the orange glow of the descending sun. Once he opened the door, the same level of decoration greeted him. He put his things down, packed his clothes into the wardrobe, and made his bed as he was taught from a very young age.

He lay down on the bed, and looked at the snake that was angrily looking at him while coiled up on his chest.

You shouldn't worry... if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't know nearly as much about myself.

The snake however didn't seem to have nearly the amount of acceptance of the man as he did. It constantly made faces, trying to warn him about something, but he just ignored it, as he had no reason to do otherwise.

Zephyr laid down to have some rest after a long, exhausting day. Sleepiness quickly took over him, and he fell asleep.

The next day came so quickly, that Zephyr felt like barely a few minutes had passed. Alfred knocked on the door, this reminded Zephyr of his parents, so he responded the same way he would've done normally.

I'm awake – he said and changed into one of his used clothes.

Alfred waited outside for Zephyr to come out. Once he opened the door, the man looked at Zephyr strangely.

You can't go to school in these, go get changed into your uniform. They are very strict on you having the proper clothes right from the start of term.

Oh, right... school. Sorry, I'll do that – He said as he sluggishly went back into his new room, and changed into his formal clothes.

Much better – Alfred said as he saw him in the new clothes. 

They went down to the kitchen and Alfred asked the child what he wanted to eat for breakfast, in response Zephyr just shrugged.

Well... I guess we will eat this – He peeled some boiled eggs, and buttered the bread for Zephyr.

This also reminded Zephyr of his parents, but didn't say anything, they could be just lucky coincidences.

You said that you met some friends when you  were in primary school, right? – He asked as he started consuming the food given to him.

Yes, why? – Alfred asked looking at the child. It was clear to see, that Zephyr was rather anxious about meeting new people.

Did they stay your friends?... you know... after school...

Some of them did, I think your classmates will like you though.

Why do you think that? – Zephyr asked.

Well if I were your classmate I'd be friends with you.

You are just saying that because Rose was our family's maid, aren't you?

Absolutely not – He answered convincingly.

Well, if you say so... but what do you like about me so much?

You are clever, and funny – He answered, but to Zephyr this didn't seem like the truth.

Okay... I guess. Do my classmates go to the same wizarding school as me after they finished primary? – Zephyr asked changing the subject.

Well, they might, but it's not guaranteed, many families prefer different kinds of schools for their children. You know they have different rules, different curriculum, different ways to keep order, so on and so forth.

You have that planned out for me as well, don't you?  – Asked Zephyr, because he thought the same would apply as the primary school choice.

Of course I do, we have similar traits, the same spirit animal, and so on, therefore the school you could benefit from the most is the one I went to. You really remind me of myself, just a bit more cool and collected – He paused for a second – Not that I think that I was smart or anything... I thought I was rather average. I never broke top five in my class.

Top five? What do you mean?

Well, Zephyr, in most of the wizarding schools, there are groups of ten, call them classes or something... they say it's because groups of ten students is the perfect amount for them to teach, but in reality – He stopped, and started whispering with a light, cheeky smile on his face – It's really because they can't put up with more than ten preteen students at once.

This joke made Zephyr laugh.

They can be a handful, can't they?  – Alfred asked the rhetorical question.

Yeah.

What time is it? – He asked as he took out his pocket watch to tell the time – Blimey, we are late... let's hurry up! – He said as he stuffed his face rather inelegantly with the last piece of toast and the last boiled egg, and forced the watch back into his pocket.

Zephyr didn't finish his food because he didn't feel like eating much, anxiety filled most of his stomach, he could only force down a few bites before feeling full.
Alfred gave a swish with his wand, a somewhat new looking bag appeared. He gave another flick, and Zephyr's notebooks and other school necessities flew into it.

All right, seems like we are good – He said as he looked around hastily to see if they forgot something – Oh, your tie... – He said, but Zephyr interrupted.

I'll get it!

Don't stress yourself – He said as he gave another flick, and the tie went around his neck tying itself perfectly around Zephyr's neck.

Not fair, you have magic and I don't... – He shook his head with a smile on his face.

Well, it comes in handy on fancy occasions such as dances and stuff... I hated those as a child. I'm what you might call a wooden legged pirate – He laughed – Anyways, off to school with us.

They started walking towards the school. They barely spent 5 minutes of walking until they found a several storey tall building filled with golden engravings and statues all around.

Is this it? – Zephyr asked looking both amazed and slightly grimacing at the overly fancy display presented in front of him.

Yes it is. Fortuna Primary school. Takes me back... all these years, and nothing has changed.

Really?

Yes, not even a single statue or anything. I wouldn't be surprised if even the staff stayed the same too. This place might be bewitched, I am really not sure – He shrugged as he seemingly wondered off to his thoughts and memories.

Uhm... Alfred, the first day is starting... I think... – Zephyr nodded towards a witch that stood on a podium.

Oh yes, that's the old headmistress,  Mrs. Phelps. We loved her, but she is getting too old to run the school. It's a tradition that the oldest headmistress or headmaster that is alive opens the year. Even if they are retired – He whispered to not interrupt the witch talking.

I would like to open my beginning of term speech by saying how wonderful it is to see your smiling faces, and the eagerness to learn. I see some returning people, but instead of being our pupils, they are fathers and mothers to a new generation, and we are most pleased to see them too – Mrs. Phelps reached her hand out to show the children and parents the cast of teachers that were sitting around her. One teacher stood out to Zephyr in particular, he seemed to be wearing very shabby clothes and looked highly undernourished, and was constantly shaking.

What's the deal with him? – Zephyr looked at the unknown teacher at the table.

I don't know, he wasn't here when I was at school. Might be the peasant studies professor... yes, you might be thinking now, that such a class is completely redundant, but... it must be good to know if the government decided that it was necessary. 

So I will be studying my own... sorry, my adoptive parents' kind?

Well... yes, but exactly for that reason you'll have an edge against your classmates, eh?

Yes, but I don't really want to put other people down.

It's not putting them down, but rather inspiring them to study more – He corrected the child.

If you say so – Zephyr answered and looked back at the ex headmistress that was going on and on about how pleased she is about everything.

Yeah, she's very sentimental... about a lot of things... if you only listen for a bit every 2 minutes, you'll be good. You might even catch her speaking about a different topic  – He smiled.

This made Zephyr chuckle, and the woman noticed it.

Although, what I enjoy the most, is people listening to my speech rather than chuckling at something unrelated – She stared at Zephyr with a very disapproving look.

Zephyr went more red than his hair, and looked at the ground so he didn't have to make eye contact. 

So as I was saying, lessons start at 7:45 am, not a moment before, not a moment after, and finishes at 12 pm exactly. Pupils are asked to leave the school after lessons, unless they have some kind of extracorricular activities asked for and/or approved by one of our teachers. I trust that the class schedules, have been handed out in advance.

Zephyr looked at Alfred with a questioning face, and as an answer, Alfred gave him a wrinkly piece of paper that had all of the lessons on it from Monday until Friday. Zephyr nodded, folded it in half and put it into his coat's pocket.

Now, meet your current Headmistress, Bianca Wallace! - She pointed towards the teacher sitting right next to her. The teacher stood up, took a bow, and sat back down.

Professor Debroux will take each of the students to their respective classrooms, there is a letter on your schedule that determines which class you are going to be part of - She continued.

Zephyr looked at his piece of paper, and it said Class A.

"A" Line here, please! – She stepped down from the podium to stretch her arm out.

Zephyr went in first, now face to face with the headmistress. His eyes were still fixated on the ground.

A very uneven line of children formed in front of the woman.

A straight line please! – She said, and after a few seconds of the children looking around, they did as they were asked.

So, Mr. Debroux, please take them to their classroom.

O-of course, madam headmistress – He stood up awkwardly.

Zephyr now knew two of the teachers' names. Debroux was the teacher that stood out from the line with his shabby clothes and shakiness.

Everyone, gather around me! Excellent – He said as if he was in constant fear of something.

As the children gathered around him, he opened the wooden door engraved with gold in front of the new found pupils to let them in.

Don't get lost now! – he raised his shaky voice slightly – Each group of ten have their own floor, with the exact same layout, so you might want to remember which one you belong to. Obviously the ground level is for group "A" and as the floors' number increases, so does the respective class.

Zephyr noticed that he spoke in a way he hasn't heard before. He could barely understand his thick accent.

Class A, please settle down in your headteacher's room, it's on the very end of the hall, your headteacher will arrive shortly after all the groups are settled in.

The group of children did as they were told, you could hear them talk, trying to make friends, laughing among each other, and then there was Zephyr. He stayed silent and observed the classmates, and his surroundings. One girl stood out to him in particular, as she was very high energy, running around, trying to introduce herself to everyone that seemed to not do anything. Everyone, but Zephyr. She took a quick look at him, and turned to another kid as she seemed to not have any interest in a silent boy.