Gemini paused, choosing her words with the careful precision of someone explaining a minefield. The weight of the Parker family's future hung in the balance, and she knew that her next words would shape not just Peter's education, but the very fabric of their lives together.
"Hogwarts and Ilvermorny," she began, settling back in her chair, "represent two fundamentally different philosophies about magical education and family bonds. Hogwarts, nestled in the Scottish Highlands, has operated for over a thousand years on the principle that magical children belong with their families until they're ready for formal education at eleven."
Peter looked up from his book, sensing the gravity in her tone. Ben and May leaned forward, their hands unconsciously finding each other.
"Ilvermorny," Gemini continued, "was founded in the seventeenth century by Isolt Sayre, a descendant of Salazar Slytherin who fled Ireland to escape her dark wizard aunt. The school itself is magnificent—hidden on Mount Greylock in Massachusetts, protected by powerful enchantments that make it invisible to No-Maj eyes. Like Hogwarts, it has four houses: Thunderbird for the soul, Pukwudgie for the heart, Horned Serpent for the mind, and Wampus for the body."
"That sounds wonderful," May said cautiously. "So what's the problem?"
Gemini's expression darkened. "The problem lies in American magical law and the trauma of the Salem Witch Trials. MACUSA—the Magical Congress of the United States of America—operates under the Rappaport's Law, which mandates complete separation between magical and No-Maj communities. When a magical child's abilities manifest, Ilvermorny's detection systems identify them immediately."
She gestured to the letters on the table, their official seals gleaming ominously. "What happens next depends entirely on MACUSA's assessment of the family situation. If the family is deemed 'suitable'—wealthy, stable, unlikely to ask difficult questions—their memories are modified. They'll remember their child attending an exclusive boarding school, nothing more. Letters will arrive regularly, report cards will be sent, but they'll never truly know their child again."
Tony's face had gone pale. "And if the family is deemed... unsuitable?"
"Complete memory erasure," Gemini said quietly. "The child simply... disappears from their lives. No photos, no memories, no acknowledgment that they ever existed. The child is relocated to MACUSA-approved magical foster families or group homes near Ilvermorny."
The silence that followed was deafening. Peter had gone very still, his book forgotten in his lap. Ben looked like he might be sick.
"That's monstrous," May whispered. "How can they justify tearing families apart?"
"They tell themselves it's protection," Gemini replied. "And in some cases, it genuinely is. America has a complicated relationship with anything that seems supernatural. A magical child in the wrong family could end up in government laboratories, subjected to experiments that would make Voldemort's torture seem merciful. MACUSA has seen it happen."
Tony ran his hands through his hair, his usual confidence shaken. "So they're choosing the lesser of two evils. Destroy families to save children from potentially worse fates."
"Exactly. But Peter..." Gemini looked directly at the boy, who was listening with the intense focus of someone whose entire world was being redefined. "Your situation is particularly complicated. Last night's magical outburst was detected not just by Ilvermorny, but by MACUSA's Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. They'll want to interview your guardians, assess your home environment, determine whether you pose a security risk."
Ben stood abruptly, pacing to the window. "Security risk? He's eight years old!"
"He's an eight-year-old who manifested defensive magic powerful enough to interfere with Hammer tech," Gemini pointed out. "In MACUSA's eyes, that makes him either a valuable asset or a dangerous liability. Either way, they'll want control."
Peter finally spoke, his voice small but steady. "What about Hogwarts? You said it was different."
Gemini's expression softened. "Hogwarts operates under British magical law, which is far more lenient regarding Muggle families. When a magical child turns eleven, they receive their letter by owl post. If they're from a Muggle family, a Hogwarts professor visits to explain the situation and help with the transition."
"And the family?" May asked hopefully.
"Remains intact. Muggle parents are sworn to secrecy, but they're allowed to know about their child's magical education. Students attend Hogwarts from September to June, with holidays at Christmas and Easter. They return home each summer until they graduate at seventeen."
Tony leaned forward. "What's the catch? There's always a catch."
"The catch is that Peter is an American citizen. Hogwarts doesn't typically accept international students without exceptional circumstances. We'd need to establish legal residency in the British magical community."
Ben turned from the window. "How?"
Gemini's smile was decidedly mischievous. "Magical immigration law has some interesting loopholes. If a family can demonstrate magical heritage or significant contribution to the magical community, they can apply for British magical residency while maintaining their Muggle citizenship elsewhere."
"But we don't have magical heritage," May protested.
"No, but you have a magically gifted child who was instrumental in stopping a terrorist attack on Stark technology. Tony's testimony alone would carry significant weight with the British Ministry."
Tony's grin was sharp as broken glass. "I do love a good bureaucratic workaround. What do we need to do?"
"A week-long 'tourist' trip to London. I'll arrange meetings with the appropriate Ministry officials. Peter will be registered as a British magical resident while you maintain your American Muggle status. In the eyes of MACUSA, you'll have emigrated beyond their jurisdiction. In reality, you'll be living right here in Brooklyn."
Peter looked up at his guardians with hope blazing in his eyes. "We could stay together?"
Ben knelt beside his nephew's chair, taking the boy's hands in his own. "Peter, I want you to understand something. Magic doesn't make you different from us—it makes you special. And we're not going anywhere."
May wiped tears from her eyes. "We're a family. Magic or no magic, that doesn't change."
Gemini watched the family embrace with satisfaction. "Then it's settled. I'll send MACUSA a formal declination of their 'generous' offer. Tony, I'll need you to draft a letter of recommendation for the British Ministry."
"Already composing it in my head," Tony replied. "Kid shows more courage than half the heroes in Greek mythology."
Ben looked up from hugging Peter. "Miss Black, we can't possibly repay you for this. Is there anything—"
"Actually, there is," Gemini interrupted. "I'm in need of shop assistants. Ethan just resigned to pursue a research opportunity with some old colleagues. The position comes with housing—there's a lovely apartment above the shop—and competitive wages. Both magical and Muggle currency, naturally."
Ben blinked in surprise. "You're offering us jobs?"
"I'm offering you a chance to be part of Peter's magical education from the ground up. He'll need guidance navigating both worlds, and frankly, I could use help managing customers who think they can intimidate me into better prices."
May laughed despite her tears. "When do we start?"
"As soon as you can arrange the move. Brooklyn to Brooklyn—shouldn't be too complicated. Tony, can you show them the neighborhood?"
Tony pulled out his phone, gesturing to activate a holographic display that made Peter gasp in wonder. The three-dimensional map showed Gemini's shop glowing softly in the heart of Brooklyn, with familiar streets and landmarks clearly visible.
Ben studied the display, relief evident on his face. "Peter's school is still within the bus route. He won't have to change schools until Hogwarts."
"Perfect," Gemini said. "Peter, you'll continue your regular education while I teach you basic magical theory in the evenings. By the time you're eleven, you'll be better prepared than most Hogwarts students."
Peter looked around at the adults who were reshaping their entire lives to protect his future, and felt a warmth that had nothing to do with magic. "Thank you," he said simply. "All of you."
Tony ruffled the boy's hair. "Hey, we're the ones who should be thanking you. You showed us what real courage looks like."
Gemini stood, gathering the Ilvermorny letters. "I'll handle the unpleasant business with MACUSA. Ben, May—welcome to the magical world. I have a feeling you're going to fit right in."
As the Parker family prepared to leave, Peter clutched his borrowed book tightly. The fairy tales inside had taken on new meaning—they weren't just stories anymore, but glimpses into the world he was destined to join.
A world where families stayed together, where courage mattered more than politics, and where a boy from Queens could find his place among witches and wizards.
Hogwarts was waiting.
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