AN: I hope that information in this fic is correct, because I haven't even finished the first book. I thought this would be a safe topic to write about since it's in the past, but I will probably end up getting some info wrong. Please refrain from telling me when that happens if it contains major spoilers! But I would love any reviews.

The new boy was coming all the way from China. Pain poured down in sheets outside the window as Will stared outside, in a daze. When the carriage pulled up, barely visible through the blur of rain, he snapped from his reverie and ran downstairs, slowing as he reached the entranceway.

Charlotte was opening the front door, ushering a small body inside. Rivulets of rain flooded into the entrance and she quickly slammed the heavy wooden door back into place. The boy held a small suitcase in one hand and looked rather uncomfortable, wearing a gray coat that was too large on him. He was most peculiar-looking, with the strangest shade of silvery hair and eyes that resembled fog when the sun shines through it from a distance. So pale that he appeared sickly, shivering from the chilly outside air, he looked so pathetic that Will felt sorry for him for a moment, and then sorry for himself – maybe this boy wouldn't be the new friend for which he had been hoping.

No one was saying anything, so Will decided to chime in. "You don't look Chinese," he stated skeptically, raising an eyebrow.

"Will!" scolded Charlotte, whirling toward him. He stuck his tongue out at her. What did she know? She pretended to be an adult, but will saw her more as a big sister than someone who was really in charge.

The new boy looked rather uncomfortable still, but then he shifted his luggage from one hand to the other and looked squarely at Will. "Sorry, maybe if I squint my eyes a bit more, you'll see it."

A smirk tugged at the corner of Will's mouth. Maybe he wouldn't be so bad after all.

Now Charlotte seemed exasperated. "Well, now. Will, this is Mr. Carstairs."

"Feel free to call me Ji- I mean, James. Jem," the boy flustered.

Charlotte placed a hand on his shoulder and started to wheel him up the main staircase. "Let me show you where you'll be staying..."