August 27, 1888 - Lukeson Home, London

School was less than a week away and Sybille was excited. Finally she wouldn’t be the one left behind, the smallest and youngest of them. She wasn’t that anymore anyway, but still, she felt this was a rite of passage. Even bigger than getting her wand. All summer her siblings had groaned at her questions but she still had so many. Once she would have asked mama, who wouldn’t have minded the endless parade of questions but would have humored each and everyone for Sybille. But mama wasn’t an option and Sybille didn’t really like thinking of her anyway. So she looked for her oldest brother, Ace, who was the only one who still answered her questions.

By now one would have thought she would be out of questions, that she would have asked them all. But one still lingered. The biggest one, the one that worried her the most. If she didn’t ask it she was scared she never would, but was it one that she really wanted the answer to?

She had spent most of the morning in the kitchen making a new type of cookie and now that they were finished she had made a plate for her brother. He always looked worried these days, and besides, she’d found that they all tolerated her questions more when she brought treats. So she went searching for Ace a plate of cookies in her hand until she found him in the study. Sybille knocked on the door, peering in as she might have with papa, “Ace? I brought cookies.” She held them out to him as she stepped into the study.

  

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Hogwarts season was less than a week away. It seemed like it was too close for comfort. Just a little bit more time with his siblings. Ones that he didn't want to yell at. How was he going to handle Avril without having his other siblings to keep him less stressed out? Perhaps some time with uncle Hubert and aunt Brenda would do some good for her. Though he'd never hear the end of it from aunt Jade. He didn't really care at this point. He also had Rosie to take care of.

Now he was working on some paperwork left over from work. Since the school season was starting soon, more paperwork had begun. Having stayed where he was in his job, he could certainly change figure things out when he wasn't in mourning. A fact that had been the deciding factor of waiting until next summer on what to do with his career choices.

Grandmother was expected for dinner on the thirtieth. Not the night before the others left for Hogwarts, as she had felt too much excitement so close together would not have been smart. Perhaps that logic was due to a vision of some sort, though he would likely never know. Unless it was big and important, she tended to keep her visions to herself.

Looking up the knock on the door, it was strange to be the one addressed first in his father's study. He was still used to it being his father's study, not his study. "Come in, Sybille. I'm just doing some paperwork." He responded softly. He motioned for her to sit in the seat in front of the desk. That seemed normal enough.

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Magic by MJ!

Giving Ace a tentative smile, one that spoke of her worries, she stepped into the office and took a seat in the chair across from Ace. Her legs dangled even when she sat on the edge and her toes barely skimmed the floor when she pointed them. She put the plate of cookies in front of Ace with a smile, trying to resist kicking her legs (mother would have told her that it wasn’t lady-like). “I thought you might like a treat.” She explained. “How is paperwork?” Paperwork just sounded boring, but it seemed like Ace never really minded it.

  

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The smile was returned by Ace. Watching his sister take a seat, he couldn't help the slight amusement of the fact that she was not fully grown quite yet. The very idea of her feet not touching the ground was slightly amusing. Ignoring that amusement for her sake, he looked to the plate as it was placed before him. Then looked back at her. "Thank you Sybille." He responded. Looking to the paperwork, he gave a soft shrug. "It is fine. Work has picked up with the approaching school year."

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Magic by MJ!

“Do all jobs have lots of paperwork?” Sybille inquired with a tilt of her head. It seemed that Ace had an awful lot of paperwork all the time, not just with school. To be honest she really wasn’t even sure what he did other than it was at the ministry and had something to do in a vague sense with school. “Do you think bakers have lots of paperwork?” She asked after a moment, approaching the subject she was really worried about.

  

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In all honesty, Ace wasn't sure what he did half the time for this job. Perhaps this was simply brought on over the frustration of this summers fog drama. "All jobs, no. It really depends on where you wish to work. As well as your skill level. A baker wouldn't have paperwork unless they owned the bakery." It surely wasn't a surprising question. Though it may come as a shock to the young Sybille that her dream of a bakery may never come true, he decided not to make comment of that.

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Magic by MJ!

Oh good, not everyone had paperwork, Sybille had begun to fret that would be all she did instead of baking. Tentatively she voiced this newest concern, “And if they did own the bakery, then they’d do more paper then baking?”

  

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Smiling a bit, Ace was starting to realize exactly why Sybille was in his office. "It depends on how popular the bakery would be. And with baking like yours, you might be having some very busy nights doing paperwork after your bakery closes."

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Magic by MJ!

Ace always seemed to know what she was thinking, Sybille found herself grateful for it. "But, my baking won't be that good if I can't practice." She confided in her brother, worry tinging her words. "What if I can't bake at Hogwarts?" The words crossed her lips with real disappointment and worry blatant on her face.

  

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Baking the passion that Sybille seemed to hold dear to her heart. "Of course it will, Sybille. You were born a natural baker. I don't think that fades with time." He stated softly. Baking at Hogwarts was a different matter. "Well, if you can't bake at Hogwarts, you can always bake at home during breaks. But I'm sure if you make friends with the house elves, they would be more than happy to welcome you into the kitchen."

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Magic by MJ!

Sybille smiled at the comment, but it was still hesitant. She wasn't sure that was how it worked. Baking at home wasn't the answer she wanted either, but she politely nodded. Now befriending the house elves was an idea and smiled at that, a broad real smile. “You think they would teach me?” She asked.

Word count: 55

  

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Ace was glad to know that he could make at least one of his sisters happy. Though... Avril was never happy. Jolie was a wild card with her emotions sometimes. Girls. "Teach you what? I can't imagine how your perfect baking could possibly improve."

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Magic by MJ!

"I'm hardly perfect." Sybille objected, crossing her arms at her brother sternly. "There's so much more to learn. Like complex cakes and pastries. And then there's enchanted desserts. Oh! What if they could teach me how to make even better scones. Or even figure out how to make a croissant!" Excitement carried in Sybille's voice a happy smile, she even forgot to keep her dangling feet from swinging like a lady did.

  

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Ace had to hold back a snicker from his sister's reaction. She seemed so offended that he would call her perfect. "Well, you will have to share such treats with the whole family after you learn them. I'm sure the cook will be happy to cast the spells for you while your here before you turn 17." Which was true. The cook seemed fine with letting both baking girls to follow their dreams as they went about invading the kitchen.

Most families would never allow such things. Mother tried not to, but she seemed to have been a bit too subtle for Sybille to really get the hint. Never having wanted to hurt the girl's feelings. Ace didn't care if society didn't want Sybille to bake. He'd rather that she be happy in life. Even if it was odd.

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Magic by MJ!

At Ace’s suggestion Sybille nodded. It wasn’t the same as doing it herself but it was something. Yes, it would all be alright. “Thank you Ace.” Sybille gave him a large smile as she slid out of the chair. “I’ll let you get back to work now. Enjoy your cookies.” Another grin and she was almost skipping out the door. They’d make it work somehow, Ace was definitely right.

  

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