In Which Howl Meets a Little Gray Mouse

A/N: Thank you to all those who have added this fanfic to their story alerts/favorites list as well as to all those who have reviewed! You guys are awesome XD

(fyi I'm in a super good mood b/c I just finished my LAST formal physics lab; ergo I thought I'd submit this chapter ^^ I hope you like it…)

Disclaimer: Ce n'est pas mien. (french, oh là là)

Dedication: to purdycute, for some feedback on my ideas. Thank ya ^^

Chapter 3

'Hey, at least I'm open-minded,' Howl begrudgingly thought to himself. He was, after all, doing something he had never in his life done before; he, Howl, was in a compost heap. Yes, there was rubbish all around. It smelled ghastly – like that time Michael had tried to cook on Calcifer and some old, scented spell books had burst into flames on the spot. Thank goodness Howl had had the foresight to cast a spell that would repel the waste from his precious suit.

Yet however open minded Howl tried to be, in reality he was just annoyed. How did it come to this? It was all because of that lovely witch-girl – in the measly second she glanced back over her shoulder, probably to gaze at the magnificent Square for the last time, he was overcome with an absurd desire to hide. For some reason, he couldn't let the witch-girl see him – yet.

Howl groaned in frustration. Why should a powerful, dashing wizard like himself have to hide? Ah, well there was one explanation he could think of. But that only applied to the Witch of the Waste. Certain that the witch-girl had never done him any harm, Howl dismissed the matter, thoroughly confused.

By now his chest had stopped pounding. Yes, that girl had really given him a fright. Howl wondered if Calcifer's heart would be pounding because of Howl's little escapade. He made a note to ask him later. But to ask him would run the risk of explaining why he was in a compost dump. Howl would rather face a crying heartbroken girl than admit to Calcifer his absurd weakness.

Figuring he had spent quite enough quality time with the rubbish for that day, Howl carefully stood up and stepped out of the bin. He simply stood there, taking in his surroundings that he had initially missed in his hurry to hide. He was standing in a narrow, winding ally that was immediately off one of the main roads. He could just hear the May Day music from the Square, along with the occasional high-pitched giggle of some girl. Howl longed to rejoin the festivities, or at the very least, get another drink. He hadn't even danced yet. But Howl knew he couldn't go back yet – he needed to find the witch-girl.

While Howl was standing there pondering, he began to rise off the ground. As his desire became clearer, his speed steadily increased – until finally he shot up, planning to perch on some roof top to scope out the witch-girl, but came to a hovering halt as he whizzed by a window. Howl cringed. His reflection was hideous. Well, his suit was gorgeous, but his hair was a royal mess. Just as the nauseous feeling became too much to bear, he noticed that the window led to a bedroom. And lo and behold, there was a vanity – complete with brush.

Ever so carefully, Howl pried the window open. It only squeaked a bit. He then floated to the vanity – not wanting to chance creaky floors – and sat down in the lacy chair. Seizing the brush, he vigorously combed his unruly hair. Through his efforts and a bit of magic, it was once again gorgeous.

As he put the brush back in place, Howl noticed a perfume bottle. Afraid he might smell of rubbish, Howl used a generous amount of it without bothering to check the label. He sprayed it all around him, rose into the air, and began to twirl. Faster and faster, until his long blonde hair stood on end and the room was crackling with magic. It was quite a sight.

After the eighteenth twirl he realized he was no longer alone. A young girl had entered the room and emitted a startled "Oh!"

Panicking, Howl leapt out the window and flew away, ignoring the astonished "Wizard Howl?"

On the roof Howl could still hear the girl's exclamations.

"Mama, mama! Wizard Howl was just here! He flew out the window!" The young girl poked her head out of the open window, desperately searching.

And the reply: "Step away from that window young missy! You are lucky Howl didn't eat your heart out!"

Howl chuckled. Michael sure did an efficient job of blackening his name. He should teach him a new spell as a reward.

Howl began to pace about the roof. He couldn't see the witch-girl on the main road anywhere. She wasn't that fast a walker. Stumped, Howl turned around and sat in frustration. He put his face in his hands and tried to think. If he concentrated hard enough he could locate all the magical beings in the town. It was a complicated spell though and would waste precious time. However he decided to go through with it and began to clear his mind.

"Ah!" Howl's eyes snapped open as he heard the startled shout. It was her, he knew it. Sprinting to the edge of the roof, he peered over, and thrust himself into the air. His landing was slightly more graceful as he touched down behind a bend in the ally. He hesitated, staying put. Howl was still wary of making an appearance just yet.

"Looks like a little mouse has lost its way." It sounded like one of the officers to Howl. He had never liked those men. That, and he was annoyed at his ingenious nickname being stolen. Little mouse, indeed.

"Oh! no…I'm fine." It was her voice. He then heard retreating footsteps. She meant to run away again. Didn't she realize the power she could wield?

"Come on, I'll buy you a drink." Howl was furious. She better say no, he thought. She better say no, say no –

More footsteps. Howl held his breath.

"No thank you, I'm busy," the witch-girl said rather stiffly. Howl breathed a sigh of relief.

"She sure is cute for a mouse," another man's voice said. Damnation! There were two of them. He stiffened again.

"Say, how old are you? You live around here?" it was the first man's voice again. Howl's anger slowly crept back. It was really none of the officer's business. Howl made a mental note to ask the witch-girl himself later.

"Pe-please let me pass!" Oh dear, she was frightened again. Though rightly so, Howl admitted.

"It's that mustache of yours – all the girls are scared of it," explained number one. Howl nodded in agreement. Mustaches were not beautiful. About time some men realized it.

"Nonsense – I think she's even cuter when she's scared." There was that word again: cute. Howl decided it was time to break this up.

"Hey there, I'm sorry," Howl said to the girl as he walked around the corner. He came up behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder – for good measure, so she wouldn't run away. "Where've you been?"

She started, clearly recognizing the voice though not sparing even a glance up to confirm it. Howl was disappointed. He would have liked to see her sad, deep eyes again.

"Hey, who're you?" said the non-mustachioed man, clearly annoyed.

Howl saw no reason to answer the question. "I'm with her," Howl said slowly as if speaking to a small child. "And shouldn't you two be off? Why don't you take a little walk?" Howl waved his finger and the two men marched away at a fast pace.

"Hey!"

"What the…"

Howl turned to his friend. "Don't hold it against them, they're harmless. I'm Wizard Howl, by the way. You may call me Howell."

"I'm Soph…ah – Sophia." Howl was so delighted at having learned her name to question the truth of it. Sophia – it seemed to fit, for the most part.

Seeing she was too astonished to say anything else he added, "Where to Sophia? I'll be your escort this evening."

"No really, I'm only going to Cesari's."

"Ah, Cesari's. I've been meaning to go there myself. We shall go together." Howl's tone was final. Having no other choice, the two set off, arm and arm, with magic coursing between them.

A/N: Hurray for eventual movie references! I do so wish I could fly like Howl. It's my number one super power of choice.

Yeah not much happens in this chapter, sorry. I want to try to make this story longer than I initially intended it to be, but I'm having trouble thinking of other scenarios. So, any suggestions as to things Howl and Sophie should do? I can't say I will use all of them, but they would help stimulate my own ideas as well ^^ Thanks.

Also, my exams are next week so the update will most likely not be asap ^^; sorry…

Ah, also, Sophie gives Howl the "wrong" name b/c he's wizard Howl after all and she is a tad suspicious of him. Plus when you think about it, there's no way Sophie could tell him her real name b/c then Howl will immediately realize Grandma Sophie is this Sophie and imo that should be a gradual realization.

Howell and Sophia hahaha so creative.

(Oh and please review. Critiques are the best :P)