Hayley dragged you upstairs to mom's bedroom, where she was just getting ready to go down to the kitchen to get supper ready. She saw Hayley, dragging you upstairs with a cross look on her face and immediately thought you had done something to upset her.
"John!" she snapped. "What did you do!?!"
You became annoyed and Hayley knew it by the way you tightened your grip on her hand. "He didn't do anything to me, mom." she said, quickly. "But he IS doing something you should know about."
Mom gave you a cross look, which annoyed you more and you returned the look. "Innocent until proven guilty mom." you told her. "Or does not not apply in the world of witches?"
Hayley immediately hushed you silent as mom's face turned slightly pale before asking you both to come into her room, which you did, and she closed the door. Hayley quickly explained the situation and asked you to show her your book. You did so. Mom took it then let out a low sigh, seeing the cover.
"Jack's book." she whispered, concerned.
She thought back, remembering her older brother. He was older than her by 14 years and the two weren't close due to the age gap. Upon reaching the age of three, her mother reduced Jack to a three year old and had him grow up with her. Although he was furious, he eventually forgot and he became closer to her and her sister, Catherine. Unfortunately, the distance between them returned as she and her sister discovered they had magic powers, and that Jack didn't. Eventually, after attempts by her and Catherine to try and have a closer relationship through magic failed, the family fell apart. Unknown to her and Catherine, Jack had taken a magic book from Catherine, and during the years of isolation, he found a way to read it and learned how to mimic his sisters' magic, eventually writing a book nearly identical to Catherine's, only he called it 'chaotic science'.
However Jack did made contact in the last 3 months of his life, and both, she, he and Catherine parted on good terms, especially after he revealed his secret. However, both your aunt and Mom thought the secret of how he managed to manipulated magic, although highly unstable, (though Jack never knew this) as a guy, died with him.
Now, mom saw that his secret did not die, it was in your hands and, judging by Hayley's concerned expression, he was studying and practicing Jack's 'magic'.
"How long have you been studying and practicing this, John." she asked you, in a guarded tone.
"A little less than a year." you replied, in the same tone.
Your mother nodded. "It's not too late." she thought. "I can still get him to abandon this." then she said, "I am very sorry, John. But I can not allow you to keep this book."
Suddenly the book vanished from her hand and appeared inside yours. "I'm very sorry, mom." you replied. "But I can not allow you to take it."
"Don't fight me on this one, John." said your mother, trying to be patient. "That science is dangerous."
You frowned and the book vanished, back to its hiding place in the coffee table. Your mother stomped one foot, struggling to control herself. "JOHN!"
"Uncle Jack told me that this science will one day save this family." you told her, sternly. "I'd rather you punish me now and forgive me later than take the risk of having to mourn over your early grave!" you held back a sob as you turned to Hayley. "Or graves..."
Mom knew the reason Jack gave you his book, he was pleased that you had a relationship with your sisters he never did. She guessed that he had intended for you to lean how to protect yourself so any mischief from your sisters can be stopped, and that knowing you can respond to them, might prevent history from repeating itself. Mom suspected that you, not knowing Jack's story, mistook his words and learned his 'magic' to protect the family from some unknown threat.
"You know that magic exists and that Hayley and I are witches." said mom, trying to reach you. "We are far from defenseless." she held out her hand. "Let me show you what magic can do, so you can see for yourself."
"That overconfidence has proven deadly throughout history, mom." you said. "I might try your magic, someday, but for now, I must focus on my science. If there is a true threat on the horizon, I want us to be ready for it."
With that, you vanished from sight and your mother stomped her other foot, frustrated. "John Harrison, you get back here!" she yelled. "I'm not through talking to you!"
You immediately reappeared, looking apologetic. "Sorry, mom." you said, more timidly.
Mom sighed. "At least he still listens to me." she thought. she then turned to you sternly. "I seriously doubt that anyone is teaching you this chaotic science, I can't have you learning this by trial and error."
"I am following recorded lessons, left by uncle Jack." you replied.
"And who is there to congratulate you on a job well done?" asked Hayley. "Who is telling you what you did wrong and why when you fail?"
You blushed slightly to that and your mother nodded. "As I thought." she said. she then softened her tone a little. "At least let me help you, John. Chaotic science and magic are very similar."
"Only magic is more stable." added Hayley, guessing.
You thought about their words, then let out a low sigh as, inwardly, you were dying to show mom how far you had come with your science. Finally, you softly said. "Fine, I'll take you to my lab."
Mom nodded at you then said, "First things first..."
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