1330 hours. Stockbridge, Edinburgh.


The door to McNaughton's Bookshop jingled open as Feliks and his father ducked inside and out of the heavy Scottish rain. He felt Balfour's hand on his head, ruffling the water out of his damp curls and he wrinkled his nose fussily. It was a Tuesday and papa had taken the whole day off work to show him around the city of Edinburgh, where he could buy presents for everyone with the pocket money he'd save up. Of course the first things he wanted to look at were books.

Although many muggles passed by and came close to descending the steps to McNaughton's, none ever cross the quaint threshold. The clever muggle warding charm always called them away to some forgotten errand or thought. It was an enchanting magical shop, with a rather curated selection of tomes for the discerning reader. The Spectres had been coming here for years, according to his great grandfather.

           "Hello!" greeted Kavita Kathri, a middle-aged witch sitting behind a dark teakwood counter with a distracted smile. "Let me know if you need anything."

Feliks smiled enthusiastically at her but his attention could not be held for very long by either of the adults. He swept his gaze around the shop instead, taking in the high bookshelves and artistically arranged displays in which leatherbound books slept with secret promise. Everything smelled like old parchment, with an underlying hint of sandalwood incense. Rose-coloured lamps glowered sweetly from the panelled walls.

Oh, he loved this. It was perfect. "Have a wander, aye?" Balfour was speaking, fond amusement in his voice. "I'm going to pop next door, get a gift for your Oma."

At the mention of Johann's mother, Felik's glanced up to nod obediently. His papa left - reminding him not to bother Kavita too much and to be careful. Careful! Why would he have to be careful? He already knew about the books with teeth, Uncle Sylvain had told him all about that. The boy wizard smiled shyly at the bookshop owner before slipping into the closest aisle of shelves and raising his eyes towards a metal plate at the top.

"NON-FICTION: DANGEROUS BEASTS XXXXX"

He reached for one of the books, about Lethifolds, but it was just a little too high up. Feliks pressed his lips together and concentrated - he felt his legs ache, lengthening, his spine stretching upwards, and there. Tall enough by a few inches. Behind him, the door jingled open again and he heard Kavita greeting another customer. "Oh, Mr Leslie," she spoke pleasantly. "Excellent timing, the books you ordered have just come in."

Feliks paid no mind as he opened his own tome to the first page.

             "That's a thick book for a kid."

He looked up with a start, staring at the bearded man who had noiselessly come to stand next to him. Feliks noted the clean cut navy coat and striped scarf, the peppery cologne and kindly smile. His eyes were blue, intensely curious, and he held a brown paper package of books under his arm. "Interested in Lethifolds, are you?"

"I like reading," Feliks replied with a polite smile and closed the book to hug it against his chest. "About anything." He hesitated, nodding at the package. "What do you like reading about?"

            ""Hm, this and that. Do you mind?" A brusque gesture.

Oh! He realised he had been standing in the stranger's way, the space between shelves being as narrow as it was. Feliks flattened himself against a wall of books and smiled sheepishly, letting the man pass. "Thanks, mate." He followed the figure heading towards a door at the end of the shop with a measured and confident stride. A thin book fell off the shelf as he passed but he did not seem to notice, and disappeared quietly through the back entrance.

Feliks hesitated, then stepped forward to pick up the fallen book. It was poetry. The young wizard did not really read poetry but he flipped it open to the first page anyway. Acquainted with the Night by Robert Frost. His eyes followed the words, scanning each line, lips moving.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.

The bell at the main door danced again, sounding its beautiful music. Feliks looked up, hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Papa was back.