Chapter 19: Chapter 19
Koby approached the table, carefully balancing two steaming cups of tea. Jamie, her gaze never wavering from Tony, raised her cup and took a leisurely sip, savoring the comforting warmth. In a measured tone, she began, "You see, Rappaport's Law holds a pivotal place in magical history. It came into being courtesy of a rather complicated love story involving a witch and a non-magical person. This love led to a most unfortunate exposure of our world to the unsuspecting masses."
She paused, allowing the weight of the situation to sink in before continuing, "This breach of the International Statute of Secrecy prompted the Magical Congress of the United States to act. They enacted Rappaport's Law, a draconian measure, to put an end to any such liaisons and to preserve the secrecy of our world."
Jamie leaned in, emphasizing the law's great impact. "This law created a rigid barrier between the magical community and the non-magical world in the United States. It influenced every aspect of their lives—from how they interacted socially, to how they educated their young, and even how their governing bodies functioned. Wizards and witches were bound by stringent rules, their contact with non-magical folks severely restricted. This remained the status quo until 1965 when the law was finally repealed."
Taking another sip of her tea, Jamie shifted her focus to Tony. "Have you ever noticed your mother's wand? It's crafted from birch, a wood that tends to favor those skilled in the art of divination—seers, in other words."
"The woman your mother was conversing with is Seraphina Picquery," Jamie continued. "She served as the President of the Magical Congress of the United States of America in 1992, a formidable witch whose influence still held to this day."
Tony, struggling to process this newfound information, interrupted with disbelief. "Wait, she must be over a century old! How on earth does she look so young?"
"Wizards age more slowly," Jamie replied, her displeasure evident as she shot a stern look at Tony. Then, she resumed, "Now, about those chains. They seem to bear the markings of a powerful seal. It's clear that you possess latent magical abilities, but I'm uncertain as to why your mother would use such ancient magic to completely lock them away. I suspect the key to unlocking your potential lies in your mother's wand."
Tony was at a loss for words, his emotions swirling like a tempest. He instinctively reached for the cup of tea and took a long sip, using the moment to regain his composure. Finally, he managed to speak, albeit with a shaky voice, "Then, can you return this necklace to me? I can exchange it for something better."
Jamie nodded in agreement, her expression softening. She deftly plucked the memory from the necklace and handed it back to Tony, saying, "It's a remarkable magical item. A protective spell has been woven to it. It'll keep you safe.
Tony accepted the necklace, choosing not to return it to its box. Instead, he placed it around his neck and tucked it beneath his collar. The connection to his mother felt comforting and reassuring.
"Will you accompany me to my home? I want to search for the wand my mother left behind," Tony requested, determined to uncover the truth.
Jamie smiled slyly and teased, "You want my help? It'll cost you a million."
Tony rolled his eyes but agreed nonetheless. "No problem!"
Without wasting any time, Jamie grabbed her stuff and followed Tony outside. This was a matter close to Tony's heart, and he couldn't bear to wait any longer. His mother's secrets were unraveling before him, leaving him with more questions than answers.
While Tony's driving skills were impressive, Jamie still found the car ride uncomfortable. She contemplated using Apparition but refrained, knowing that she lacked the precise address of their destination. Instead, they arrived at the Stark's mansion, a sprawling estate surrounded by well-maintained gardens. Tony had already dismissed the household staff, and he led Jamie inside, heading straight for the study.
Standing before the closed door of the study, Tony hesitated, uncertain whether he should open it. Jamie stood silently behind him, waiting patiently for his decision.
After a moment, Tony steeled his resolve and slowly turned the doorknob, allowing the heavy door to swing open. It had been a long while since he had set foot in Stark's manor, but the diligent servants ensured that the study remained clean and unchanged. Tony's gaze swept across the familiar room, and he found himself standing in the very spot where Maria used to be. In his mind's eye, he could almost see her figure still lingering there.
However, Tony knew he couldn't afford to dwell on memories for too long. He approached the table, the same one where Maria had stood, and gently ran his fingers along its edge, imitating her actions. As he did, he heard a soft click, and to his surprise, a hidden compartment within the table's edge revealed itself.
Inside lay a box, approximately fourteen inches long. Tony took out the box and placed it on the table, gingerly lifting its lid. Within, he discovered a wand that bore a striking resemblance to the one he had seen in his mother's memories.
The wand's light seemed dimmer now, having lost its original owner. Tony raised his head, his gaze shifting towards Jamie. Seeking guidance, he inquired, "What do I do next?"
A mischievous smile crept across Jamie's face as she recalled the old Ollivander,the wandmaker from whom she had purchased her very own wand. "Why are you looking at me? Pick it up!"
Tony paused for a moment, gathering his composure. He grasped the wand just as Maria once had and held it aloft. "Now what?" he inquired once more.
"Go on then. Give it a wave!" Jamie encouraged, her voice filled with anticipation.
Tony waved the wand somewhat clumsily, and suddenly, a gust of wind swept up from the bottom of the closed room, engulfing Tony and lifting him off the ground.
Puzzled and caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, Tony looked at Jamie with a blank expression and shouted over the roaring wind, "What's going on?!"
Taking two steps back, Jamie raised her voice to be heard above the howling wind. "Just wait!"
In the next instant, chains materialized, intertwining around Tony's body. They were the very chains that Maria and Seraphina had jointly laid. With a crisp sound, the chains and the silver birch wand shattered into fine pieces. The room grew dimmer as the light dissipated, and Tony slowly descended from mid-air, gravity reclaiming its hold on him.
Dazed, Tony watched as the burst of light traversed the room, gliding through the window and vanishing into the sky. An unexpected pang of sadness washed over him, momentarily overwhelming his senses.
"Hey, Tony!! Snap out of it!" Jamie's urgent shouts pierced through Tony's reverie. He tore his gaze away from the vanishing light and turned his attention to the chaos unfolding around them; books and furniture were floating upside down, caught in a swirling vortex.
What's going on?!" Tony exclaimed, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and confusion.
"Stay calm! You're a wizard, but your magic has been suppressed for far too long! Control your emotions!" Jamie shouted, her voice strained as she struggled against an invisible force that pushed her backward.
Tony attempted to suppress the tumultuous emotions within him, however, his efforts seemed futile as the surrounding objects continued to whirl around him.
Dark, ominous substances began to manifest around Tony, the first ominous signs of someone turning into an Obscurus, a dangerous entity formed from the suppression of magical abilities. Jamie's eyes widened in alarm as she recognized the gravity of the situation.
"No, Tony! You must resist it! Focus on the positive, on the joy of discovering your magic!" Jamie shouted, her words desperate as she tried to break through to Tony.
Without warning, a blinding flash of light erupted from outside the window, drawing the wand and chain back into their previous state. The light encircled Tony for a brief moment before dissolving into thin air.
The suspended items abruptly halted their chaotic dance, crashing down with a thunderous clamor. The invisible force that had been pushing Jamie back vanished instantly, nearly causing her to stumble.
Jamie immediately rushed over to Tony, her wand at the ready as she cast several diagnostic spells to check his condition. From her small pouch, she retrieved bottles upon bottles of potions, paying no attention to Tony's protests as she poured them all directly into his mouth.
. . .
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