You decided it best to talk to Joe first before doing anything. His bedroom was on the first floor where mom's, yours, and the twins slept upstairs. At first hated having his bedroom away from everyone else. Only now, he enjoyed not having to fight for the bathroom with his sisters as he had his own bathroom suite and more privacy. You sighed reaching his door and knocked.
"Joe?" Concerned, you called. "Joe, I'm home. Can we talk?"
After a pause, you heard the click of the lock and saw the door open slightly. Taking it as a yes, you entered Joe's room to see him going over a number of brochures with a scowl on his face. "Can you believe that Lydia Rune wants me to change genders and sign up for this Cauldron Academy all girls boarding school?" Irritated, he asked. "I thought it was a joke until mom changed me into a girl and spoke of that same school!" He huffed, adding, "Worse, that stuck up Josh Gary wants me to sign up for that Eliete Scientiam all boys boarding school!"
"I graduated from Cauldron Academy." Softly, you said. "It's a great school for witches."
"I am an athlete." Firmly, Joe said. "Everyone in school knows my goal is to enter the Olympics gymnastics team."
"I know, Joe." Calmly, you said. "Still, magic is within you and if, if mind you, fate decides you are to become a girl, Cauldron Academy will teach you how reach your full magical potential."
"You sound as if you want me to go to that school." Pouting, Joe grumbled.
"I would rather you didn't go to Elite Scientiam." Honestly, you said. "Did mom explain it to you at all?"
Joe ruefully shook his head. "I didn't exactly stick around long enough to hear her out." Frowning, he admitted. "She hurt my feelings, my pride! She changed my body without my permission, making me feel completely weird!"
You nodded. "The first experience is always the worst." Calmly, you said. "I was changed into a boy for a week during my training to get a taste of what it feels like."
"They kept you a boy for a week?!" Alarmed, Joe asked. He frowned, showing a look of brotherly protectiveness. "Who did it..."
You giggled. "I appreciate you wanting to protect my honor, little brother." Bemused, you said. "However, it was necessary so I would understand how you would feel should I feel tempted to use my magic to pull a prank on you."
"Then why did mom change me?" Annoyed, you demanded. "Certainly she knows how it feels."
"For you to even detect magic, it has to be used against you at least once." Smiling, you explained. "For you to become resistant to magical power, it has to be used against you for a period of time, depending upon the boys will to fight off the magic."
"You mean like building a resistance to injury from punches in boxing?" Curious, you asked.
"Exactly." Nodding, you said. "Its not personal." You paused then asked, "Would you like me to explain what this is all about?"
Joe sighed before nodding. "Let's have it."
You explained dad's position and who mom will eventually become and what would happen if Joe were to go either way as a witch or mad scientist. Joe became increasingly pale as he listened to you and looked as if he were going to be sick when you finished. "If what you are telling me is true, I'm in the middle of a tug of war between mom and dad." Quivering, he said. "Mom wanting me to be a witch and dad wanting me to be a mad scientist."
"That's the just of it." Wincing, you said.
"Don't I get a say in this?!" Worried, Joe demanded.
"The choice is yours to make, bro." Honestly, you replied. "Still, that does not stop witches and mad scientists alike from trying to sway that decision."
"Including you and mom." Frowning, you said.
You sighed. "I admit, I would rather you be a witch than a mad scientist." Serious, you said. "Still, I am not trying to sway you, just give you the facts."
Joe sat down, rubbing one arm as he did when he was nervous or uncertain.
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