"Only one way to find out," Tony says cheerfully. "Mom won't let me get a broom until I learn how to fly one in school, because she says I'm going to crash for sure and the school's got faster access to healers."

"So they're generally dangerous, or she just knows you and flying?" Bella asks.

"Um... yes," says Tony. "I think 'yes' is the answer to that question."

"Heh. Still. Flying. That's gonna be awesome. ...Are brooms really expensive? Do you think we'll be allowed to use school ones outside classes?"

"Brooms are kinda like... bicycles," says Tony. "Good ones are expensive, crappy ones not so much."

"And crappy ones have one speed and look dorky but they still work?"

"Yep!"

"Awesome. I know what I want for Christmas. Probably not enough notice for it to be a birthday present, since that's in less than two weeks."

"Aww, your birthday's in two weeks?" says Tony. "I should get you a present. I'll get you a broom!"

Bella blinks. "Uh, really?"

"...Sure, why not?"

"A, um, bicycle-sized present is kind of big, isn't it?"

"Oh, they're not as big as bikes," Tony assures her brightly. "Well, some of 'em are a little longer, but they're not as tall, they're pretty much one-dimensional. Mom's eagle owl could carry one no problem."

"I mean - sized as in significance? ...Price?"

"Oh," says Tony. "Right. Yeah. I mentioned we're super rich, right?"

"And that means you're allowed to buy your brand new roommate a flying broomstick for her birthday in a week and a half?"

"Sure," says Tony.

"...Okay, I won't owl my parents about it then," laughs Bella. "When's your birthday?"

"April twelfth!"

"No-o," says Tony. "Wizards do name their kids all kinds of weird shit, though."

"Like what?"

"Lots of Latin and Greek and constellations and stuff like that," she says. "I dunno, I can't think of any examples, you'll see what I mean."

"I did notice some weird names on the hall doors but I thought it might be a coincidence," says Bella. "Clytemnestra and Libra and Prima and stuff."

"Yeah, see?" says Tony.