After leaving Rivenshire and its aggressive tomato rain behind, the atmosphere became more relaxed. The midday sun lit up the road, the trees rustled in the wind, and for a moment I thought we might make it to Hogwarts without another traumatic episode.
Obviously, I was being overly optimistic... by the standards of this world.
Edwin walked beside me, looking at the ground with his shoulders slumped. He was clearly still affected by what had happened in the city. I decided to cheer him up with my natural talent for... well, existing.
"Hey Edwin, that tomato thing was rough, huh?" I tried.
"They left me smelling like... I can't describe it," he muttered, sniffing his cloak.
"Let's look on the bright side, at least they weren't rocks OR rats OR rotten tomatoes."
"Arthur, they were rotten tomatoes, that's why we smell a little bad."
"Oh, right. Point for them."
As we continued walking, a small pink flash appeared in front of us, floating like a firefly with a diva complex. Then another and another and another. Within seconds, a swarm of tiny winged creatures surrounded us. They had small bodies, shiny wings, and tails that looked like they were made of... magical confetti.
"Oh, how wonderful," Helga said tenderly. "Maripilins. They're harmless but very playful."
"Maripilins?" I repeated. "Is it some kind of butterfly? I have no idea what it is, but it sounds adorable."
One of the creatures landed on my shoulder. I don't know how a magical insect can smile, but I think it did, and I must admit it was quite cute. Well, until... it exploded.
BOOM!
A cloud of what I thought was some kind of pink glitter covered my face and clothes.
"WHAT?! WHY DO THEY EXPLODE?!" I shouted, wiping the glitter off my face.
Rowena stifled a laugh.
"They don't explode. They release magic dust when they get excited."
"Well, this one got too excited with me!" I complained as I spat out some of the dust.
The Maripilins, seeing my dramatic reaction, seemed to find it hilarious, because more of them approached me, waving their shiny tails as if to say, "Target acquired!"
"No, no, no, NO... I won't! AAAAH!" I said as I tried to flee from those 'bright' creatures.
In a matter of seconds, I had an explosion of pink confetti in my hair, another on my chest, and one directly in my mouth that tasted like strawberries. Why did it taste like strawberries? That's something I'll probably never find an explanation for.
Edwin, who minutes earlier had been depressed and looking rather grim, was now laughing heartily. Which... I must admit... made it somewhat worthwhile to be the target of the Maripilins if it made him happy.
"Arthur, you look like one of the festival jesters," he managed to say between laughs.
"Shut up, Edwin. It's a little irritating, you know."
Godric couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing.
"I think they like you, Arthur. It's a great honor, you know?"
"I'd rather have the honor of not being their target of the day!" I said irritably.
Finally, Helga raised her wand and with a gentle wave, a small breeze blew the pink dust off my entire body.
"It's nothing a cleaning charm can't fix," she said kindly, "but I must admit, the pink suited you."
Salazar, without stopping, added in a serious voice.
"In my opinion, we should have let him stay that way until we got to Hogwarts. It would have been an unforgettable first impression."
"No, thank you," I said. "I still hope to have a modicum of dignity when I meet the other students."
"Oh, dear," Rowena replied with a mysterious smile. "I assure you that dignity is the first thing Hogwarts usually takes away from its students."
I didn't know if she was joking or if I should be seriously concerned, but judging by that smile, it was probably the latter.
Now calmer and a little brighter, we continued on our way.
And even though my lips still tasted like strawberries, I couldn't help but smile. After all, in the midst of all that chaos, it was impossible not to get excited; I was getting closer and closer to Hogwarts.
The group continued along the path, now with more laughter and the occasional pink sparkle still falling from my hair (don't ask). Edwin walked a few steps ahead with Helga, who was teaching him how to identify which plants are edible and which ones won't try to eat you first.
I took advantage of the moment to approach Salazar. Yes, I know about all the founders, I chose the most intimidating one. But there was something about him, perhaps his self-control or that air of "I know more than you and you know it" that piqued my curiosity.
"Mr. Salazar," I began cautiously, "may I ask you a question?"
"You can try, kid," he replied without stopping.
Okay... it wasn't a complete no. Good start.
"Earlier... when those people attacked us... you wanted to respond with magic, right?"
"Observant," he replied sarcastically, "Of course I did."
His eyes remained fixed ahead, but his jaw still showed traces of the previous tension.
"Why didn't you?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Because Godric asked me not to," he replied, as if it were obvious.
"What if he hadn't stopped you?"
There was a brief silence. It wasn't uncomfortable... it was more like the kind of silence you take to choose your words carefully.
"Most likely, I would have given those ignorant people a lesson they would remember for the rest of their lives," he admitted honestly, without a trace of regret. "Not out of cruelty... but as a warning. Fear keeps them at a distance, and distance keeps our people safe."
I couldn't help but frown.
"But... wouldn't it be better to get people not to fear us in the first place?"
Salazar let out a short laugh, almost sounding amused.
"That's the kind of answer I'd expect from Helga or Godric after two jugs of good mead." He finally turned his head toward me, looking me straight in the eye. "Tell me, Arthur... in your home, do people willingly accept what they don't understand?"
I froze for a second. The reality hit me.
I remembered my own world. Technology, science, religion, social media... the irrational fear of what is different was still there, intact.
"No," I replied, "I guess not."
Salazar nodded, as if he had won a small debate that I didn't know was happening.
"Magic is a gift. It's dangerous depending on who you ask, and human or magical nature doesn't change just because you want it to. That's why Hogwarts exists. To teach, but more importantly... it exists to protect."
"Protect wizards?" I asked.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Protect both sides. From the other."
And... wow. That phrase carried more weight than it surely had in my previous world.
For a few seconds we walked in silence. Then, unable to remain serious for more than 40 seconds, I said.
"So you're the most serious one in the group, right?"
Salazar looked at me and, surprisingly... a small smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"Let's just say I'm the only one who remembers that reality bites and it's not always sunshine and rainbows."
"No, I'm sure it's not," I said with a laugh, brushing off another bit of pink dust that was still on my shoulder.
His smile grew half a millimeter. For Salazar, it was probably the equivalent of a laugh.
"Arthur," he said suddenly, "that little spark of magic you showed us yesterday... was it born of fear or desire?"
The question took me by surprise.
I remembered the moment: surrounded by people, cornered, without a plan, and desperate not to die burned or impaled by a medieval fork.
"I think it was my will to survive," I replied honestly.
Salazar nodded with satisfaction.
"The magic that comes from fear can save you. But the magic that comes from our desires can change the world. Decide which one you're going to cultivate."
I thought about it.
It was... possibly the most epic advice anyone had ever given me, after "don't put metal in the microwave."
Then Salazar, somewhat more cheerful than usual, added.
"Now, if you're done with your interrogation, I suggest you stay alert. I see other Maripilins ahead."
"WHAT?!" I covered my head in despair.
"Calm down," he said in the most serious voice in the universe. "They're only coming for you. The rest of us will be fine."
"WHY ME?" I said aloud.
"Perhaps they are attracted to your inner glow..." dramatic pause "But I'm sure it's the outside."
Okay, Master Salazar earned my respect.
We continued on our way amid stories, occasional sparks, and, unfortunately for me, a couple more Maripilins who followed me as if I were the magical equivalent of an all-you-can-eat buffet.
The afternoon began to turn orange as the sun descended. The forest gave way to a wide hill, from where the sky seemed bigger, brighter... and more magical.
Helga lit a small fire with a circular motion of her wand, Rowena conjured up some blankets that smelled of lavender and "sleep-better-than-in-my-bed," and Godric showed us how to properly hammer in a tent peg "in case we ever ended up camping alone."
Salazar just watched, as expected, but this time without his usual frown. I would say his expression was calm... at peace.
Edwin fell asleep as soon as his head touched the blanket.
It took me a little longer.
I looked up at the sky, still with the faint taste of strawberries in my mouth, and thought:
"None of this was in my life plans: not being a kid again, not having black eyes, not running away from medieval tomatoes, not talking to Salazar about magical emotional philosophy."
Maybe, just maybe, this world wasn't only going to change me. Maybe I could also change something in it, help them... With a faint smile and hoping that the Maripilins weren't nocturnal creatures, I closed my eyes.
Tomorrow my adventure would officially begin, and I would make sure it was something big.