«The name of the owner disappeared from the pages of the Feather Tome long time ago!» he said strictly.
«What does this mean?» William started to feel really worried.
«That he is long dead!»
At that, William felt completely lost, not knowing what to do now. Meanwhile, Mister Wellington continued:
«Names disappear from the pages of the Feather Tome only in this case!»
«You mean,» William asked once more, «I cant register this feather again?»
«A magic feather cannot be registered twice, as it cannot serve two owners even if it has been inherited. Thus, allowing you to use it will violate article 64 of the Wizard Constitution stating that illegal use of magic feathers by anyone is persecuted and severely punished by wizhunters. But» Mister Wellington suddenly fell silent.
«But what, sir?» William had already said a mental goodbye to studying at the Preparatory Course and to everything that came after it.
«considering the fact that you are using it and that its been with you for a long time, besides, it recognizes you as its owner, and if we consider the fact that magic feathers dont serve strangers and are free to choose a wizard for themselves»
«Then what?» This long listing of all the facts and rules William didnt understand made the waiting completely unbearable for him.
«Then theres no law violation in this!» Mister Wellington finished his thought.
William felt the lump in his throat starting to melt and his hands stop sweating.
«So I may use it because it is already in the Feather Tome?»
«Thats right, young Calhoun!»
«In that case, thank you,» William said sincerely and turned to leave, but at that moment, the old man called out:
«Mister Calhoun!»
«Yes?» William turned around.
«Always keep the feather close to you and give it to no one! Your feather is able of committing any kinds of heroic acts, but at the same time it is capable of truly horrible things.»
William was overwhelmed with happiness. First of all, hed registered his magic feather. Secondly, he was up for the unknown study at the Preparatory Course of magic. Perhaps, that was why he didnt pay due attention to the last words of Mister Wellington and just replied politely:
«Ill remember, sir! Good day!» and walked towards the door.
At the same moment, a shrill eagle cry pierced the room. He turned around in fright and saw that the nest-shaped counter was empty again and the birds that had been sitting quietly on their places were flying around chaotically, filling the room with the noise.
William hurried to leave the room and shut the door behind himself with relief as he headed to Nymus.
«Master Calhoun!» he called out happily. «I hope everything is fine?»
William nodded and Nymus and he left the Feather Nest and started walking along the street filled with wizards and other creatures, unfamiliar to William.
«Where are we, Nymus?» he asked, looking around this strange street.
«Feather Street!» Nymus replied. «Mostly, visiting wizards live here.»
As they were passing one of the numerous shop windows, William read the name «Fancy Wizard. There were several dozen dummies with robes of different designs, lengths and colours.
«Did it go well?» Nymus asked again.
«Yes! Partially!»
And William told him about his odd misadventures in detail. Nymus listened quietly, but in the end, he said:
«Do not worry! At least, now you are the owner of a registered feather, which means we can send a letter to the Wizard Education Department and apply for the Preparatory Course! I shall handle it. Master Calhoun has nothing more to worry about.»
«Im so grateful to you for everything youre doing for me, Nymus!»
«Serving Master Calhoun is my duty!» he responded.
«Where to now?» William asked briskly.
«I shall peregrine Master Calhoun to the Blackfriars Lane, then I shall return to the Magic Post Office and start on the letter to the Department. The answer should come by the evening.»
With that, he took Williams hand and they peregrined.
Chapter six
The Six O-Clocker
Several hours had passed before Nymus appeared again. William busied himself with cleaning his room. As he was tidying up and dusting, he kept thinking about Mr. Wellingtons words and about that other Calhoun who used to wield this feather. Perhaps, that very night, when all Calhouns were killed, someone managed to place their magic feather beside him, right before their death. Because it was clear that the feather could have belonged only to one of his ancestors. But Mr. Wellington made it clear that feathers didnt serve strangers. Whom did he mean by strangers? It must have been another wizard kin! But, according to Wellington again, feathers couldnt be inherited! Why did he have this feather? And why did it obey him?
Then he remembered the morning at the Magic Post Office and Vulpiks reaction to his surname. Vulpiks reaction wasnt much different from Wellingtons reaction at the Feather Nest. What could all that possibly mean? William had been pondering about those questions for a long time, but he failed to find an answer. Finally, he dropped this useless activity.
Not long before evening, Nymus came, as promised.
«Good Mail, Master Calhoun!» he raised his hat in a customary movement.
«Nymus!» William was particularly glad to see his mailmage. Because he was supposed to deliver him a letter from the Department with the results of his request about studying at the Preparatory Course. «Have you got any news?»
«Yes, Master Calhoun! I do not come empty-handed!» At this held out his large right palm. And that one clearly had something inside.
William realized that now the expression «not empty-handed» had acquired quite literal meaning for him. «Who knows,» he thought, «perhaps it was made up by mailmages!»
«Do you have a letter from the Department?» he pointed at Nymuss swollen palm.
«I do! That letter exactly!» Nymus pulled out a blue envelope from his palm pocket and handed it to his master.
William took out the letter and read it aloud:
«Dear Mr. Calhoun!
The Wizard Education Department is happy to inform you that you have been officially granted the status of the Preparatory Course enrolee. You are to complete a year of studies of the special Enrolee Program, within which you are to study such subjects as Featherology, Wizard History Refutation, and Magiflorology. After the year of studying at the Preparatory Course, you will receive grades awarded for each of the abovementioned subjects according to the Fifteen-grade system, which will allow you to enter a MUni according to the total grades you will receive during the Preparatory Course! Please, note that each of the three subjects will be taught for two months. By the end of March next year, you will get a letter with your grades, where you will also find a referral to a relevant MUni.
Best regards,
Daphne Wootton (vice head of the training department)
Enrolee Training Department»
To William Calhoun
13, Blackfriars Lane,
London, England.
William finished the letter and gave the mailmage a happy look.
«Ive been admitted, Nymus!» he exclaimed. «Admitted to the Preparatory Course!»