Birch Manor - Norway and Sweden

Later that day Henning drove Susan and Knud to the nearby station, where they caught a train for Sweden.
Susan of course carried her small brown suitcase and her backpack. Knud had a slightly larger backpack, containing a tent as well. They were prepared for rough sleeping.
"Henning, while we're away please take good care of Martine, she's not getting any younger, and even if she can do magic, she is an elderly lady. Linda will probably learn to accept more from her, than from the rest of us. Your children are stretching their wings already. I believe like true wizarding kids should. And what about you?" Susan said as they left Birch Manor. 
Henning waited till he had turned left on to a larger road and answered: "It'll take some getting used to for me as well. I do not think I have very much magic, or maybe because I always have denied that part of myself. I have a lot of getting used to do in the days ahead. Almost as much as Linda."
"You know, I would not be surprised to learn that she is a witch as well," Knud said. "She kept working those puzzles. Just let her. Some of them are hexed, like Sam guessed." Knud said elbowing Susan softly. Martine will help you out.
"You can choose which of the apartments you'd like for your family," Susan said. "They are more or less alike, but curtains and so on are still to be hung. Some of them are done and are in the barn on the big table. You're free to decorate or not as you like. Only don't move the walls."
"And all those small rooms upstairs, what are those for?" Henning asked
"For apprentices later on." Susan answered. "We plan on opening a school for magic in the holidays, just like Unicorn Farm for us when we went there. Birch Manor is eminently suited to this purpose, remote fields, a wood - we need more different sorts of trees for wands - to be done - you and the children will have wands too, but I think you need to find your magic legs first."
"I have been reluctant to ask, but what about my brothers and sisters. What, if anything can I tell them?" Henning asked.
"We have discussed this as well, and we'd like you to keep silent. You're the first one to come here, we did not do it deliberately, but I at least am happy with it"
"Because of little Susan?" Henning asked.
"Yes mostly. I was certain she had the magic, and by implication you as well. I did not want our first test to be a failure," Susan said.
"Do you think any of us siblings do not have magic?" Henning asked hesitantly. "Shouldn't we all for that matter."
"That's a hard question to answer." Knud said. "Not least concerning those that have not yet had children of their own. Susan and I, our parents were both of non-magic origin, so if it's something genetic, we maybe carry non-magic latently. But I don't know. I only know that even at Unicorn Farm some were the only ones in their family, or among their siblings to have magic - even some with at least a witch or a wizard as parents."
"Let's take a roll call." Susan said. "Starting with the oldest, Nina, How do you say?"
Knud shook his head, "She's such a down to earth type. No."
"But on the other hand," Susan said. "Like with Henning here practicality can hide, call that sublimate, magic. No, let's stop this game. I won't guess. I hope fervently that all our 6 kids and all our grandchildren can do magic. And even most of out in-laws. I've not given up hope on Linda yet. We have to invite Fiona and her husband down when we return home from Sweden and Norway." Susan said. "Her husband is the sweetest man , kind and understanding and with no magic at all he has fully accepted, even embraced being married to a witch."
"And Fiona is...?"
"Oh another apprentice from Unicorn Farm. We're trying to find them all. It's a long, long story, and a sad one too. I'd so like to have to tell it only once, not only to you, but to all our children at once. My birthday will be the perfect occasion, and it's not too far off," Susan said.
Henning nodded. "I'll arrange a 'surprise party' for you while you're away. It would be the perfect double surprise."
"That sounds great. Make it the weekend after the actual date, that would give us the time we need."

***

In the train to Sweden Knud and Susan discussed their tactics. We're going to Norway first. Why?
Selfish reasons, Susan answered, I so much want to find My. She was one of my best friends, after Heidi of course. And she's a wandsinger too, and a genius where potions are involved. She could be of immense help to us.
So the plan is: Travel to Oslo, visit Jan and Olav's wine and party shop. Hope that them and their wives really are the ones we're looking for. Give them 'the magic touch' and have them help us find My.
You make it sound so easy, Susan said, but yes. That's the plan

Even the best of plans can go awry. And theirs did, but in the most wonderful of ways. On the long, long train journey from Helsingborg to Oslo, Susan and Knud agreed to splurge on a meal in the dining wagon. It was an old fashioned one, re-enacting some old train whose anniversary was celebrated.
While they ate what could only be described as a show off dinner with all edibles having the exact same colours of the train company's logo, Susan sat watching the other diners. She noticed an elderly lady, sumptuously dressed in snowwhite robes. They looked like snowdrifts and cobwebs. And her husband was dressed to match in tuxedo and top hat. They had to belong to some re-enactment team hired by the train company. Thje lady's hair, put in an artful do, was copper red.
Susan leaned towards Knud. Don't look behind you. I think I'm dreaming, but that lady, the re-enactment couple with the red hair and white dress. I am probably suffering from a bout of wishful thinking but she looks just like My would look 50 years older."
"I have to take a bio-break," Knud said. The small cabin was in the other end of the wagon, and he choose a route, that led him past the couples' table. When he returned he nodded. Could be. Why don't we buy them a drink. I think that's what people did in the roaring twenties.
Susan nodded and Knud went over to the couple: "You're a pleasure to look at," he said. "Can we buy you a drink?"
"Only if you take one too and come and sit here. We could do with some company."
They sat down. The lady was called My, and looked funnily at Knud and Susan when they stated their names. "I think I have heard of you before," she said.
"That sounds like an old cliché," Knud said, "only I was supposed to say it." They all laughed.
The man, who was not really My's husband, only from the same re-enactment circle. told them that he wanted nothing more than to get home. "I had a new grandchild," he explained, "and the family is invited to meet him today. May I be excused?"
"By all means." My said.  "Those two can keep me company, you won't be unduly missed."
He arose, raised his hat and bowed to thee ladies. Then he kissed My's and Susan's hands and got off the train.
"He's a nice man, really." My said. "But this re-enactment is getting boring slowly. We've been dining here all week travelling from Oslo and back. I live in Oslo. Is that where you're going?"
"Yes We're going to Oslo. We're having a mini holiday before the family-invasion of summer." Knud explained. "Can you recommend a nice, but not too expensive place to stay?"
They talked about Oslo, the world, and their jobs. My was still working. She had a small shop selling second hand clothes, and augmented her meagre income with jobs as extras at the theatre and in movies. She also did re-enactment and sewed clothes for the circle. "When I retire, in three years time, I'm going to move back to the northern part of Norway, where I grew up and lived for long." Knud nodded to Susan. "My family and two of my three children still lives up there. My husband died many years ago, it was a stupid accident."
"I'm sorry." Susan said. Knud added his condolences as well.
"It's long ago," My said. "It does not hurt any more, but I still miss him of course. I'm getting older and a bit lonely in Oslo."  
"I wonder if you know a lot about fabrics, I found a strange skirt.while moving, and I'd love to know more about it."
"Let me have a look when we've gotten off the train," My said. "We'll arrive in Oslo in a few minutes, you really should go get your luggage."
"That's a deal." Susan said and followed Knud through the train, now swinging and swaying wildly from going over the switches.

"Do you really think it's her?" Knud asked.
"Called My, from Northern Norway, Check; three years my junior, check; red hair, check; a penchant for snowwhite, cobwebby fabrics, check. Could be a coincidence a matter of mistake. But if it is, we'll just leave her alone after tonight. Even if I've come to like her. She is a nice person. But more subdued than My was. Then again, life seems to have been rough on her."
"Let's just try." Knud agreed.

They met with My outside the turnstiles. "Should we go to my shop, or do you want a coffee, I know a place near where the prices are OK, and the coffee not too terrible."
"Coffee, please," Knud and Susan said at the same time.
"Coffee it is," My said.
"Let me take your luggage," Knud said. "Those heels does nothing for your back."
Like a real lady, My gave him the suitcase, adding: "But it's not really heavy, it only contains my everyday clothes and shoes. I normally change on the train. Now I'll do so in the coffee shop instead, as you suspect these are impractical." She said pointing at her shoes.
Over the coffee Susan showed My her skirt.
"It reminds me of something," My said hesitantly. "I feel happy looking at it. But I am almost afraid to touch it. How come?"
"Happiness can't be bad, can it?" Susan asked, pity and compassion colouring her voice.
My touched the skirt. The transition was not as marked as it had been with Fiona or the others, she did not faint or cry out, she just suddenly smiled, the most warming, happy smile Susan had seen in years. "Susan and Knud, she said. Now I remember you!"
"About time!" Knud said wryly, making them all laugh like teenage girls.
"And you married? How long have you known .. I mean how long .. oh bother." My stopped.
"I found this suitcase in late April, when we packed everything prior to moving," Susan began talking slowly, giving My time to re-orient while taking in what she told. "When I touched the skirt -  it actually is my old skirt - my memories from Unicorn Farm returned. I then did the same to Knud, only using Helge's pants. We have found Martine, and Fiona so far, and of course Heidi and her family. Her father is dead, but her mother, Sandra, is still very much alive. We know that Marit, Jan, Olav and Monica all live here in Oslo. And Hilde is a nurse in Tromsø."
"And we're on our way to them. We're planning a reunion. And maybe to give them their past back as well," Knud said, still taking care not to mention magic in the crammed coffee shop.
"Let's go to my shop." My said. "I think I have something there that would interest you."
The shop was nothing special. Off the main street in a come down part of town. "It's not much," My said, "but it's mine and it have served me well. But now I think it's time to say good bye."
She unlocked the door and showed them to the back of the shop. "I have an old book here. I have kept it for years, actually ever since I can recall. I thought it was fake, but now I'm not so sure. She found the book. An old tome, called 'The Magic Properties of Seaweeds, an Introduction'. She touched it, and it glowed faintly. "It's the real stuff." Susan said. "That's the one Martine spoke off. Dear My could we ask you a big, big favour. Come to Denmark, Not right away, but late June, early July. We need you, your potion-brewing skills and so on. We have ordered brooms, fabric for skirts and trousers, we need to magick them as well. We need someone good at potions and it won't hurt if said person was good at flying a broom as well."
"Because you sure were not!" My exclaimed. "Oops sorry. I am not quite over the chock as yet."
"What more is, you're right." Knud said. "And Martine can only do so much. She's old, 80 years, and a cripple. Fiona is busy with husband - not a wizard by the way - and many small grands."
"We're planning a school along the lines as Unicorn Farm. We'd like you to take Täthi's old job as potions master."
"But," My began.
"Yes?" Susan said.
"My family? A wand, my shop, money for the tickets? A million things." My said, still with a happy smile despite her misgivings.
"You would actually be closer to your family once we got some portals up and running. Tage and Lis know how! And you're a wand-singer. Even a better one than me, as far as I remember. I could do it, so can you! Did you not plan on selling your shop? Liquidation sales and selling the place itself should be doable. You do not have to have it all done by July. An agent could sell it for you. And of course we would pay your fare to the school. Who would not pay for such an excellent teacher?"
"I need some more coffee," My said.
"Show me the kitchen," Knud said. "I'm a master brewer - of coffee - you do the potions, please." Again peals of laughter filled the room.
"Oh," My said holding her sides. "I have not laughed this much in years."
"It's good for you," Susan said, aping the words and tone of Thora, and of course bringing on even more laughter.
Over Knud's excellent coffee they agreed to a new plan. My would seek out Olav and Jan, whom she knew a little from some of her re-enactment ventures. She had never seen their wives, Marit and Monica, but of course she remembered them from the time on the Farm.
"I'm certain I can recognise them," My said, "and if all else fails, I can test them with Martine's gadgets. That was a streak of genius from the old lady."
"It sure was, We almost did not believe our own eyes on the second visit to the old peoples' home in Odense. She was younger by years!"
"And we go North." Knud said. "We'll have to find Hilde. She was good all round."
"More than good," Susan said. "I still remember her beating me, and all of us that first year. I was so bitter, It all changed after the Easter fire of course. We became if not best of friends, then at least close afterwards."
"Same goes for me and Monica," My admitted. "Her father was some high faluting nonsense, at least to my eyes, and I was poor, and the youngest. But after that Fire jumping everything took a turn for the better. We'll have to implement that as well on your school. "
"Our school, Susan said. "We're in this together now, and we trust you."

***

It was a late night. They drank lots of coffee, spoke of old memories, told of their lives, and discussed ways and means of bringing peoples' magic back. My had one leg of Helge's old trousers and half of Martine's brain teasers. Susan insisted they kept some in case Hilde had any children.
In the morning, late morning. Knud once again brewed them some coffee and My walked them to the train station. There they bought a ticket to Denmark for My, ascertaining that it could have its date changed if anything should happen in the time between now and then. Susan and Knud boarded the train to the airport, they did not want to spend a whole day in a train, and the air ticket was even cheaper than the train.

Tromsø was a big town. But after an uninspiring lunch, to put it mildly, the hospital was easily found. It was huge!
"Hilde is where?" Knud asked.
"She is working in the Milk bank. Susan answered with a lopsided smile "Yes they accept and distribute human milk from there. It is a great thing. If we had had a car or lived closer to the hospital, I'd have given milk as well when our children were small. I imagine Hilde is doing a good job there. And there it is 'Morsmelkbanken B2'."
They followed the road signs to the right place. Norwegian was easy to read for Danes. "What are we going to do now?"
"Follow our plan, we agreed upon a direct approach for Hilde. She was always a no nonsense type."
"And we all believe we participated in some kind of 4H summer course. Thus a question about such an endeavour won't surprise her too much." Knud said.
They sat on a Pergola covered bench outside the milk bank, watching women coming and handing in milk, They pricked up their ears and listened as someone called for Hilde. But it was only a mom calling her older child come back.
At long last the bells on a far away church struck four. Knud and Susan stood, stretched and walked to the entrance of the Milk bank. "I wonder if she'll get out here," Susan said. "Maybe I should take a look around the corner?"
"OK I'll call you if I find her first, and you can do the same." Knud said. But it never became necessary. The door opened and a group of ladies smelling of hospital came out.
Knud took two steps in their direction, saying: "Could you please help us?"
"Yes," an elderly, efficient looking lady said. "What are you looking for?"
"Not what, Who. We're looking for a lady named Hilde, last name is, or at least was, Westvold."
The lady turned toward another very like her: "Hilde, that pair wants to talk with you. At least I think so. Your maiden name was Westvold after all."
"Thank you," Knud said as Hilde said, "Yes that is true. What do you want."
We're planning a reunion," Knud said. "This summer marks the 50eth year since we met at the 4H farm. We'd like to invite you."
"This is a bit ridiculous," Hilde said. "I do not have fond memories from that farm, even though some of the people there were OK, as I remember. I haven't given it a thought in  many years."
"Let's have a cup of coffee and talk a bit," Susan suggested. "I'm sure you know a nice place somewhere near."
"Yes, actually I do. We often go there for an after work cuppa on Fridays. Follow me."
They had a table outside in the sun, far from other people.
"Now, spill it," Hilde said. "I'm not stupid, and that lame tale of 4H and so on. That's not the whole truth is it? I'll have to warn you, thought that any hint of violence will make me reciprocate, and I have the black belt in Karate."
"Ouch, you're still a tough nut!" Susan exclaimed. "We're not after your money, or life or anything. But yes, it is a lame story. It is nonetheless the truth as you know it."
"The truth as I know it?" Hilde said. "Yes I remember that Farm, more summers, not only one, three, I think. Rather boring. What is it, you want?"
"We want to give you something you left behind at the Farm!" Susan said and held the shirt out for Hilde.
"My skirt? Don't tell me you came all the way from ... Sweden, no Denmark, just to give me an old skirt. I do not really believe you."
"No?" Susan said. "The best thing is hidden inside the skirt. Have a look."
Hilde did not look convinced, and Susan placed the skirt on the small table. "Take your time," she said, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Well an old skirt can't kill me." Hilde said and pulled it towards her. At the touch, the tough outer shell, that was Hilde's armour against the hardships of life cracked, and she began crying silently. "My magic, you gave me my magic back," she said as her tears stopped. "You have given me back my memories of those happy ... and some not so happy days at the Unicorn Farm. Now I remember. Now I know what I have been missing all those years. And now I recognise you as well. You were ..
... hopeless flyers!" Susan laughed. "You have no idea how many times we've been told so these last weeks!"
"You are really trying to organise a reunion? Not for 4H girls and boys but for  ... witches and wizards?" Hilde said still hesitating.
"We're planning something more actually," Susan said. "We intend to re-open the school. Do you have any children or grandchildren?"
"By golly! The children! I forgot! I was supposed to pick them up from preschool at five. Come with me!" She paid their coffee and walked in a brisk trot towards the parking lot. "Get in behind, last row, You'll get swarmed shortly, do prepare."
"We have six kids, and grands of our own. We are prepared," Susan said as Hilde slammed the sliding door shut.
Hilde drove with skill, as she did anything, around corners, through rural roads and ended up outside a new built school. "Stay put." She warned and went to the fence. They heard her call and saw a group of children come running at her. She opened the gate and gave a short command. In a neat procession they walked to the car and piled in. Shortly everyone had a seat and had their belts fastened. Hilde closed the sliding door and the front passenger door and climbed aboard once again.
Susan and Knud had to answer the same questions many times over, and Hilde's grandkids had troubles understanding their what a small girl called "wrong Norwegian" Susan said "Shut your eyes and count down from ten, you can do that! Cone on. All together now, Ten. Nine ..." She stopped counting and while the children continued, she pulled out her wand and cast the Mál Sameinast spell that Gilvi once had cast at the beginning of every day at the Unicorn Farm.
"Nå snakker jeg skikkeligt norsk, ikke sant?" (Now I speak proper Norwegian, don't I? ) Susan said and all the children yelled "Yes!" After this they were great friends and Knud and Susan had no trouble making the children play with the brain teasers one after another while Hilde got something to eat whipped up for all of them.
It was as well prepared and tasty as Susan and Knud had expected. "Now what are those funny toys?" Hilde asked.
"It's some Susan and Knud had for us!" the girl who had teased Susan with her Norwegian said. "Really, Synne, just for you?"
"Oh, I'm sure you and granddad can play with them as well," That white one over there, It's very hard, only Paul could solve it. Paul was the oldest of the grandkids, and he had ben able to solve all the puzzles, magical and not with equal ease.
"I don't doubt it," Hilde said. "I think that boy thrives on puzzles and riddles."
"What does the rest of you say. Do you agree with Synne?" Susan asked. "Which ones are the hardest, so that we can tease granddad, and your parents too when they arrive."
They started to line up the puzzles after how hard they were, and Susan and Knud soon had an idea of whom of Hilde's grandchildren had magic, most of them did; and who not, only two.
Please tell me who is who and how many children you have, I keep loosing it," Susan said with a big sigh. "It's a bit overwhelming when I do not know the first thing about this invasion. Susan grinned.
"OK children now sit down, and please stand up as I say your name," Hilde said. All the children sat down in the grass, and Hilde continued. "I have three children, and each of those have children of their own. Nine grand-kids. My oldest son, Hans, is the father of Paul, Synne and Erik." They stood. "My daughter, Nana is the mother of Finn, Dora, Elsa, and Gregers. They rose in order, two boys and two girls very close in age and abilities as far as Susan could judge. "And my youngest son, Rasmus has only two children Roseanne and Mary." They rose, and Susan recognised the two girls who probably had no magic. Luckily those two were siblings, that would make it easier on them, or maybe not as Hilde's grandchildren seemed a thight knit bundle.

***

 The trip to Sweden came sooner than expected.  The oldest of Hilde's sons, Hans, was a travelling salesman and had to go south for some business. He offered Susan and Knud a ride as far as he was going.
"That would be very nice indeed," Susan said.
They set out early next morning, and drove in silence along fjords and inlets. The Sun was low in the sky as they took off, it never set all Summer barely touching the horizon at midnight.
Hans stopped somewhere along the road and came out with three steaming cups of coffee."Hilde told me a high tale yesterday. She said that you and probably me as well were witches. What's the truth behind this?"
"It's the plain, simple truth," Knud said. "Short version: We met at a school for witchcraft and magic almost 50 years ago. We all forgot, due to some ... let's call it unforeseen circumstances, but we, Susan and I, had our memories restored and now we're travelling Scandinavia to restore the witches and wizards we remember from school."
"The longer version has to wait for later, there's still a lot of pieces missing," Susan said with a complaining smile. "But look into yourself. Has you never experiences instances ..." Susan stopped and revisited yesterday's puzzle party with Hilde's children and grandchildren after dinner. Hans had solved the yellow puzzle at first try. this could mean that he was gifted with second sight. "..where you just knew what was going to happen?" Susan ended.
"Yes," Hans said after a prolonged silence. "That ability has won me many a bet and earned me many strange glances from persons who thought I had peeped in their personal notes. I have learned to suppress these glimpses, learned to live with it."
"But that's your magic showing," Susan said simply. Once we get you a wand, you'll be able to learn."
"Do I need a wand?" Hans asked.
"Yes you do," Susan responded. "At least for most of the real magic. You can begin stretching that magic muscle of yours by following those premonitions, write them down, react upon them. You're not a boy risking a rap over the knuckles for your words any more. Be careful of course, but it gets easier with practise - as indeed everything."
The rest of the drive was mostly silent. Hans was thinking and driving, and Susan and Knud were resting, gathering strength for the coming days.

***

When they had said their good byes to Hans, promising a visit to Tromsø soon again. they stood at the train station.
"You know what?" Knud said suddenly. Why on earth and beyond are we going by train, plane, car and so on. Why don't we just teleport wherever we want?"
"I once asked Join that question," Susan answered. "He told me that your expenditure of energy is a function of distance travelled. We could teleport from Tromsø to Helsingborg and survive it. But we would have to sleep, eat and rest and nothing else for days afterwards. It was and still is that way with a lot of things. the mundane way of doing it might take time, but the magical way exhausts you. And as we're going to have to function the moment we arrive in Helsingborg, it's just not practical. That's why portals are essential."
"I never knew," Knud said. "I think we should have been warned."
"In a way we were," Susan said. "And I think Jon placed an inhibition on us. No one ever overstretched their powers as far as I know."
"There goes my wonderful idea." Knud said with a deep sight. "Well at least we're going to enjoy some peace on the train journey there."

In the compartment of the train they discussed the Swedes. "Well I only know that Anna still lives in Helsingborg," Knud said. Tell me a bit more, if you can."
"Anna was on the green team same as us,as you surely remember. She was great at at least healing and general magic, and most important, she was one of the wand singers. She first joined David's team for that ill-fated first broom racing, but she defected, left the team and stood up to David. We almost had to throttle her on the racing day, as she was going to tell on David. She lost at least some family members to Tristan and Torben's terror, and she was one of the helpers that last day. Her elder brother, Kalle, was nothing special on any accounts, he followed the stream. But he was not a bad egg, only weak. He died after all the fuss had died down, some 8 years after David. I suppose it was an honest accident or an illness. I won't blame Anna for her brother's missteps. David, Tristan and Torben taught us that much at least."
"They sure did," Knud agreed. "Your description of  Kalle tallies with mine, I won't pry."
"Oh we can ask," Susan said. "His death date is on her facebook profile, thus no secret."
"Ah, OK, but it won't be the first thing we mention either."
And Helge, I really liked him," Susan said.
"I think we all did," Knud said. "He was always so clumsy. He got hurt, he fell down trees, he forgot his spells. Do you remember when we pulled him out of the pile of lumbers one winter's day?"
"Oh yes I do."
They agreed upon using much the same tactics as with Hilde. It had worked, and inventing new ruses all the time was not necessary.

They slept for a while and woke in time to eat their lunch packets, sending grateful thoughts to Hilde for the treat, and generally get straightened out before the train rolled in to the Helsingborg station.
After getting off they stood on the platform; Susan looked totallu lost: "I think they moved the train station," Susan said lamely. "Nothing looks as it used to do. We're even under ground. I wonder what happened to the station I knew?"
"Well, there's a map over here. I'll have a look," Knud said. "Södergatan is what we're looking for?"
"Yes for once a nice and easy job, and an address," Susan said with a sigh.
"It's real long time since you last went to Helsingborg," Knud said laughing, "at least by train. This station has been in use since 1991."
"Oh really, yes maybe, there has never been a reason for me to go here by train since I grew up." Susan said getting red.
"And Södergatan is very close. We can walk there in ten minutes, Knud said. I know where it is now."
"I trust you with a map," Susan said. "Lead the way."
They turned their back to the harbour and walked into the bustling streets of Helsingborg.
"It's not a very nice town," Susan said. Tall buildings of glass and grey stones rose over them everywhere they looked. The old fashioned houses were few and far between.
"No, not really, when you leave the centre," Knud agreed. "This looks more like a German city than anything else," he said.
"An apt description," Susan said.

They had no problems finding Annas apartment. Knud was good with a map, and the houses were marked with big, visible numerals.

***

They rang the bell by Annas name, she still was Anna Berggren. but they knew this from their searchings.
"Anna speaking. What do you want?" her voice sounded on the comm device
"We're old schoolmates of yours," Susan said - she had cast the language spell on them earlier. "We've come to invite you to a reunion."
"Well," Anna said. "Tell me your names and the school."
"Knud and Susan from the 4H summer school," Susan said. "We're having our 50eth anniversary coming up this summer."
"Just a sec." Anna said. I'll be right down.
After somewhat more than a second, the door opened and Anna joined them. She looked like herself. The blonde, archetypical Swedish girl had grown into a just as archetypical Swedish woman. Her hair was still blond. She was dressed in a shirt and a blouse neat, not a  lady, but respectable.
"Let's go for a walk while we talk," Susan said "I'd like a soft ice. I have a soft spot for pear soft ice."
"there's an excellent soft ice stand in the park over there," Anna said pointing.
"Let's go there. It's a great day for a walk in the park." Knud said.
"We are Susan and Knud," Knud continued. "Do you remember us from the Farm?"
"I'm not sure," Anna said. "I mostly remember being afraid of the horses there, and not being allowed in the big girls' group for that reason. It was not a very happy time."
"I think most of us have some bad memories from those summers," Knud said. That's why we organised this reunion. To get rid of all the bad feelings."
They bought an ice, Susan of course ordered a big pear ice cream in two colours. "Ohh, they look exactly like I remember them. I hope they taste as good too. We're living in Denmark, she said at Annas quizzical looks, "They don't sell pear ice there." She bit into the ice and voiced her satisfaction.
"And now," Susan said, "we want to show you something. We're still looking for more children from the Farm. You might be able to help."
"I think not, Anna sad. The only one I really remember is my brother and he died many years ago. Cancer took him."
"I'm sorry to hear," Susan and Knud said.
"But show me, I'll see what I can do, even if I'm not keen on this reunion thing."
"This old skirt," Susan said. "Do you remember who it belonged to?"
"Can I have it!" she asked. "I have a feeling, I've seen it before."
"Please," Susan said.
The shirt did its usual magic. Anna gave a start, and said: "Ohh. You fooled me. No, you freed me, my memories. It all comes back now. It was so not a 4H Farm after all. I'll be happy to come to the reunion. When and where?"
"At our place, Birch Manor in Denmark. When is still to be decided, we're still looking. More specifically, we're looking for Helge here in Sweden."
"I can help you. Quite a lot," Anna said. "As a social worker I have access to the data base of all Swedes. But there were more than Helge. Many more. I remember The Eklund children and that older girl ... Ingrid. Have you found them already?"
Susan bowed her head, and Knud hawed and hemmed before finally speaking: "We found them, sort of. We found their obituaries."
"They died. All of them? How terrible." Anna said.
Susan decided not to withhold anything: "Harald, Bo, Lukas and Britta died from carbon monoxide poisoning in their summer house the first summer after the magic was lost, and Ingrid in a traffic accident only a year or so later. And that's not a unique thing. It's the same in Denmark, Norway, and so on. Only a few left. Fortunately all us wandsingers."
"Wandsinger? Oh yes. I'm remembering more and more every minute. I think I've got a lot of catching up and work to do. My holidays start Friday. I'll surely be able to look up Helge before then. And I could go and look for him during my holidays. Would that be acceptable?"
"Would be great. Here, this is the other half of Helge's old trousers, as a way of restoring his magic. Only fair to use them. I had them for mending." Susan said smiling. "I often did, I was a quick seamstress back then."
Knud laughed an turned serious again: "By the way, Martine is the only teacher still alive, she lives at our place until further notice."
They exchanged addresses, phone numbers and other information, and Susan promised to keep her up to date with any and all news they had. Whereupon Anna promised the same. "One last question, I dare hardly ask. ... David, Torben and Tristan ... They are not still around? Are they?"
"As I said, all teachers except Martine are dead. That answers for Torben. He died at Tristan's place together with him. They were trying to make it big in aqua-places." Anna smiled sickly. " And David is dead too. He died as the last as I still think of them as "post loss of magic deaths", 8 years after. Only your brother has died since."
"You knew?"
"Yes, we did. I stalked your Facebook profile and found the anniversary notice." Susan explained. "But I did not look much further. Only to find your address. We were not out to pry, only to find."
"Oh yes, I see," Anna said, "That notice pops up once a year, and as I'm not very active on SoMe any more, it's bound to be almost on the top."
They walked back to the station, Susan considering and deciding against telling of Tristan's sister. That could wait, and she was dead after all.
"Hope to see you soon," Anna said as they boarded the ferry. Susan and Knud had remade their travel plans to visit Susan's home town and look for magic traces there.
"You're always welcome at Birch Manor," Susan called.

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