Fall in love in a weekwe get by

“I didn’t know,” I whispered. – I didn’t know about the protective dome. I thought it was just… well, not accepted. As a common courtesy – people enter the house through the door, not through the window.

Norwood looked at me in amazement and silence for several seconds. Then he covered his face with his hand. Classic facepalm, no translation needed. Wow, it exists in another world too.

But is it really that serious?

– Could this protection really kill? But… it's just the Academy. Not some kind of military base, not a prison. Students. Almost children!

– Children will not break through the defense, the magic is too unstable. Yes, and there is not enough strength. There is no need for students. The protective dome can be felt physically; everyone knows why it is dangerous. Do you often stick your fingers into the fire, knowing that it burns?

I silently shook my head.

– Imagine that yesterday you jumped into it entirely. You were saved by a curse, no less. Paradoxical as it may seem. The allotted seven days means you will have them, regardless of any murderous extravagance. However, I don’t advise you to tempt fate again. Curses are no joke. Same with rituals.

“In order not to get into something again out of ignorance, you need to know,” I looked at the lake, it beckoned, attracted my gaze, as if whispering something. – Where can I get all this knowledge? Who would tell an adult hereditary witch about basic things?

“I wish I could say that Miss Blair should have taken care of this if for some reason she decided to mentor you.” But, it seems, her ghostliness did not add to her intelligence.

I laughed. True, the laughter sounded somehow strange. Not happy at all.

“She taught me how to quickly do my hair, make coffee and open portals. And she showed that shield in time, in the laboratory. Well, at the very beginning I explained where I ended up and why. Oh yes, and offered to use her house and bank account. That's… that's all, actually.

“Brilliant,” said Dougal. Looks like he wasn't far from facepalm number two. – The ability to do a hairstyle is vital for adaptation to a magical environment. Where were you drawn, Miss Freya Sullivan? Judging by the name, not from afar, but the “your world” you mentioned suggests otherwise.

– From London. But the world is different, you understand correctly. Parallel? We don't have magic. The geography, as far as I managed to find out, is the same, but the life is completely different. I still haven’t really figured out that thing you have instead of a TV. Or a computer? I do not even know. And these orders by cards, and portals, of course, and… yes, everything! Same clothes. They sewed my mountain in just an hour, and it doesn’t wrinkle! – Norwood rolled his eyes, and I was embarrassed and again looked away to the lake. A glare of sunlight flashed and disappeared on the dark water. But where does the sun come from here, because the sky is still gray, completely covered with clouds. – Purely feminine emotions, right? Clothes, orders, TV. But you have no idea… it's so strange. When at first glance the world is the same, but in reality…

– Now it’s clear why you were so fascinated by the Chester biome. What, they don’t bake pies there either? – he grinned.

“I don’t know why, but yours tastes better.” Remember pizza boxes?

“I’m unlikely to soon forget such an exhibition.”

“I’ve just never eaten something so delicious before.” And the rest that I tried… The only food that didn’t impress me in your world was Maskelyne sponge cake. Too sweet.

– Madame Headmistress is endowed with many talents, but cooking is not included in this list. Although I can’t share my opinion about her biscuit. I haven't tried it. – And then he asked: “Do you like it here?”

“Yes,” I answered quickly. – Interesting. Incredible. Fabulous. There are so many new things that I always thought were impossible. And the most amazing thing is that there is a chance to learn for yourself, and not just watch.

– For example, what? And let's go from here, we will soon grow into the shore and remain here forever in the form of statues to ourselves.

“Yes, at least this one,” I tugged at the poncho. – I would like to go to school, not to the Academy, I don’t even know, in fact, what exactly I could learn.

There was a path along the steep bank, narrow and barely noticeable. Doesn't look like it gets walked around here much. It’s even strange – such a beautiful, exciting, attractive view. Yes… attractive. I would look and look into the dark mirror of the lake. Until I see…

– Who were you there, at home?

“A journalist,” I answered absentmindedly. The thought, bright and alluring, wagged its tail and disappeared. What did I want to see in the lake? Something important. We need to remember.

“Well, yes, ‘traveling the world and writing about everything’ is understandable now,” said Norwood. Where is he from…?, well, yes, last night and my revelations. He asked mockingly: “Secular gossip?” Stock reports? investigations?