Ch. 74

(A/N: Star Citizen is fun as hell. Love you guys and girls, and thanks for the continued support.

Discord: https://discord.gg/Eph2esQ

-Pepto)

-- Vulcan POV --

It had been a week since we took the trip to Diagon Alley. During that week dad kind of went crazy like he normally does after we go shopping. He and Hitomi went on a spree of remaking almost all of our school supplies from scratch. When we first came home aunty Hec and uncle Heph showed up with materials and helped dad and Hitomi craft our new wands. Uncle Heph said something about how the wand would be made out of wood from Yggdrasil and the core of it being made out of Celestial Bronze. I knew about Yggdrasil from all of the legends and stories that I had read, but Celestial Steel was something new to me.

When I asked uncle Heph what it was his reply was, "Something that your father can't get a hold of." That shocked me because I thought that dad could conjure any metal. But I also felt a warm feeling that me and my sister were getting something that dad didn't even have.

During the process of making our wands, me and Hitomi were standing outside of the forge watching with our owls on our shoulders. I had named mine Archimedes and he was showing as much attention to the forge as we were. The essence that each of the wands was letting off was amazing and the skill uncle Heph showed put dad to shame. When I looked over I saw Hitomi staring at uncle trying to learn everything about his technique.

When they were finally done aunty Hecate came out with two wands in hand. One was a darker wood with the bottom of it forming a head that looked like momma's summon Katsuyu. While the other was a redder wood and the bottom formed a bit into an anvil. I was mesmerized by the darker wood and without realizing it my hand was already reaching for the darker one. When I unconsciously glanced to the side I saw that Hitomi was doing the same time.

Both of our hands grabbed their respective wands and I couldn't help but gasp. I was blinded by bright golden light, and it felt like something had unlocked in me. Mom had taught me over the years about chakra and how to use it, and dad taught me as best he could about using his essence. But this feeling felt like both of those combined and it was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. I don't like the feeling of not being in control and this foreign feeling of power coursing through my body wasn't helping any.

Once the light faded from the initial touch, the power inside me still roiled around my body. Thinking back to one of the books I read from Diagon Alley I pointed my wand towards the window of the shop. I then flicked my wand up a little and quietly said, "Lumos." What erupted was a white light even brighter than the golden light that was emitted, it was also a lot harsher light than the golden light. But the broiling power coursing through my body started to feel more familiar to me as I felt that it was being used.

Hitomi: "NO FAIR VULCAN! TEACH ME HOW TO DO THAT!"

I was shocked out of my self-reflection by my sister shaking my body and yelling at me. All I could do in this situation was sigh and agree, she'd pester me to teach her until I gave in. With a sigh, I agreed and showed her the movements and described the feeling it should have. It took her a couple of minutes before she was able to cast it the first time. After that, it was a matter of seconds before she started to rapidly cast it until aunty Hec told her to stop.

I decided that I wanted to go test out my new wand more, so I kissed aunty Hec and hugged uncle Heph goodbye, and ran up to my room. I then pulled out the glasses that dad made for me and the 1st year transfiguration book. From there I got lost in studying and practicing the spells until either mom or dad came and got me for food or family time.

-- Hitomi POV --

I loved my wand! It was by no means as cool as my anvil and hammer that I made with dad. But it was still fun running around pranking mom and dad, uncle Jiraiya and aunties Shizune, Kayla, Mikoto, Anko, and Kushina. I did get yelled at quite a bit, but they were all laughing in the end so I count it as a win.

After me and Vulcan got our wands dad was fired up to remake all of our equipment. When he is in this mood it is my favorite, I get to spend time with him learning new things! My favorite piece that he let me help him make was the telescope, there were so many little parts and it was so intricate that it made a good challenge.

Though unlike Vulcan who shut himself in his room learning magic I made sure to spend as much time with Gwen. When dad told us that we were going to be gone for months at a time I was worried about how Gwen would do without me. She was my best friend and I was hers, and I'm scared of how I'd do without my partner in crime. We cried a lot when I told her that I'd be going to a boarding school, it sucked that I couldn't tell her it was for witches and wizards. But mom said that it's for her protection, she said that people like to keep secrets at all costs and magic was a big secret.

By the end of the week, me and dad have finished all the projects. This would be the last day that I get to hang out with Gwen before me and Vulcan go to Hogwarts, so we made the best of it. Mr.and Mrs. Stacey took us to Coney Island where we rode a lot of rides and had a bunch of food! It was one of the greatest days I've had in my life and I was sharing it with my best friend! Unfortunately, time flew by and the Stacey's were dropping me off at home.

I really didn't want to leave, and it took Gwen to walk me to the door of the building. As we were standing there holding hands I started to tear up. It was only going to be a couple of months, but it felt like I wouldn't see her in forever. Before I knew it I felt something a little wet and warm quickly touch my lips and I looked at Gwen a bit in shock as her head retreated back.

Hitomi: "Wh-what?"

Gwen: "My mom always gives dad a kiss when he leaves. She says it's for good luck."

Something inside we started to warm up, and I couldn't help but smile at that. The feeling of her lips on mine was enjoyable and I gave her a quick kiss back. We then hugged and cried some more before I reluctantly let go so she wouldn't get in trouble for taking so long. I did stand there and watch her walk back to their car and I waved goodbye to her the whole way.

Once they drove off I was filled with a new set of determination. Gwen kissed me for good luck and I won't put that to waste! I will do the best I can, and come back as the best witch ever! With renewed vigor, I rushed inside and up to my room to finish packing everything I needed. Tomorrow wasn't going to wait for anyone, and I was going to face it head-on and I was determined to win!

-- Tsunade POV --

This has been the most chaotic, stressful, and relaxing week of my life. Vulcan was more independent than usual, while Hitomi spent most of her time in the forge with her father or at the Staceys. While Hitomi at the Staceys and Vulcan shut in his room, me and Zach were able to have a little bit more time together. I had missed the quality time on the couch laying on his lap as he ran his fingers through my hair. But I dreaded not seeing my babies for months at a time.

When I brought it up to Zach his usual reply was, "They'll grow up eventually. Think of this as trial runs." That didn't fix the anxiety I was feeling, but I knew he was right. The tighter we hold them, the more they will seek freedom, and I don't want to be a helicopter parent.

Today was the day my babies would begin their journey through the magical world. We're currently standing and staring at a pillar between the 9th and the 10th platform of King's Cross. Zach and I each were pushing one of the carts with the kid's trunks and owl cages. I looked over to my husband skeptically.

Tsunade: "We're really just supposed to run into a pillar and hope to Gods it's a portal?"

Zach: "Yup."

I stared him down and all he did was shrug. When I looked over to the kids, Vulcan was as skeptical as I was and Hitomi looked like she was about to just go without us. Before she could act on impulse Zach started to pick up a little speed and jogged into the pillar. In the blink of an eye, Zach's cart hit the wall which caused Zach to faceplant into the thing. Little Amber was pitching a fit in her cage at the disturbance. I couldn't hold my laughter and busted out in a loud one, the kids followed suit.

Zach: "Well that was not supposed to happen."

Tsunade: " -haha- You think?"

???: "Do you all need any help?"

A woman's voice came from the other side of the pillar. When I peered to the side I saw a middle-aged red-headed woman with 4 kids that had the same hair as her. Looking at their luggage I saw the cages like our children and put together that they're going to the same place we are.

Tsunade: "Yes, we're trying to get to 9 3/4."

???: "Well you're close! It's actually on the other side of the pillar!"

With her saying that Zach looked a little sheepish as I shook my head and headed in their direction to the other side. When I reached the woman I stuck my hand out to give her a handshake and she shook it.

Tsunade: "Thank you, my name is Tsunade Briggs. We were told our kids are magical not too long ago and it's been a wild ride. The big oaf is my husband Zach, and our twins are Vulcan and Hitomi."

???: "Nice to meet ya! I'm Molly Weasley, and my twins are Fred and George."

She pointed to each of them when she said that.

George: "I'm Fred."

Fred: "I'm George."

When they said that I thanked the Gods that I didn't have same-sex twins.

Molly: "Yes well sorry. Then there is Ron here who's going to Hogwarts for the first time as well. And the baby of the family is Ginny."

Looking at Ron I saw that he couldn't keep his eyes off Hitomi. He kept glancing at her and looking away, his little face getting redder with every look. For some reason, my hackles on the back of my neck started to rise and I had to fight to not emit any killing intent. It had just donned on me that I've never thought of my kids dating, they're still my babies after all. But then I realized that if I reacted like this, Zach would be 10x worse. So I quickly grabbed his hand and squeezed it to keep him calm.

The ever perceptive twins picked up on the subtle cues and made a break for it and ran through the pillar. Then before anything else could happen a small voice came from a boy with brown hair and green eyes hidden behind classes broke in. His cart had a trunk that had HP initialed on it and a cage with a snow-white owl.

???: "Excuse me, I'm looking for platform 9 3/4."

Zach leaned over and whispered in my ear so no one else could hear.

Zach: "Harry Potter."

Molly went into detail on what to do with the lone boy while we shamelessly listened. With renewed vigor, Zach was the first to go through, followed by Hitomi. Ron unsurprisingly was next followed by me, I didn't want to give Zach a chance to threaten the smitten boy. Good thing I did because Zach was already staring the boy down and I gave a seemingly light chop to Zach's head. Vulcan followed behind me then came Harry, Ginny, and finally Molly.

Once I was sure that Zach wasn't going to kill the little boy I started to look around and was shocked at the bustle this station had. The beautiful red train that read "Hogwarts Express" on the front took my breath a little, and I saw Zach drooling over it. I could tell he wanted to tear it down just to rebuild it, and I shook my head at his antics. The twins were wide-eyed as we followed the Weasleys and Harry to the coaches.

We deposited their luggage with one of the attendants and went to what the attendant said was a first-year coach. At the entrance of it, the twins were getting their hugs and kisses from Zach and it was finally my turn. I had made sure that I put on my lipstick extra thick and started to kiss their faces. It's a parent's duty to embarrass their children, and I'm going to miss them so much. Hitomi was just giggling at all the kisses, but Vulcan was not happy about that.

Vulcan: "Mom! You're getting your lipstick all over my face!"

Tsunade: "What are you too old for your mother's kisses now?"

Vulcan: "No! But how am I going to wipe off all your lipstick!"

I just smirked at my son. He was getting more flustered by the second, so I decided to throw him and Hitomi a bone and brought out a handkerchief. I then licked a corner and wiped my lipstick off their faces.

Tsunade: "Remember to call us every couple of days. If we call you more than twice in a row, answer it no matter what. Also that me and your father love you."

Vulcan: "Love you too Mom and Dad."

Hitomi: "LOVE YOU!"

With the goodbye, the kids entered the car and we watched through the windows as they walked down the car to find a room. Once they found one they liked we stood outside it waving goodbye to them. Zach held me tightly as I started to tear up, and the train blared its horn and started to move.

Tsunade: "It's going to be empty at home without them."

Zach: "You're right, it'll be really quiet."

Tsunade: "I miss them already."

Zach: "Me too."