AN:
600+ reviews guys? I fucking love you all.

More at the bottom, you know it.

DISCLAIMER: ALL CHARACTERS BELOW TO DIANA WYNNE JONES, AUTHOR OF HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE. The fanfic is based upon the BOOK, NOT the movie.

Howl's Moving Castle: The Aftermath

Chapter 26: In Which Sophie Returns (In a Way)

The stars twinkled down as party guests left the mansion, their laughter trailing behind them. The air was still sweet with the smell of the many flowers and of the wine that flowed all night, and it carried in the wind that ruffled Sophie's unraveled curls.

Michael and Martha had left for their honeymoon near an hour ago, laughing with red cheeks as Michael carried his bride into their carriage. Showered with rice and flowers, the two soon saw their way down the drive, the back of the carriage trailing with colorful streamers.

The party continued on well without them, what with Fanny's gracious husband providing a bounty of wine for the guests that continued to flow even as the guests trickled out, and only a few couples remained in the garden. Couches had been laid out inside the tent for those who had a bit too much to drink, and outside fire pits were placed here and there, even though the night was still warm.

Sophie was out in the garden, burlap sac in hand. Though the maids protested, she'd insisted on helping clean up. And how she'd insisted, with her cheeks and nose a telling red. They gave her the sac, and left her alone. There were glasses and plates and napkins scattered all about, even though the party had been held within the tent for the most part. Party streamers and flowerless stems lay forgotten in the dark grass.

Cleaning had always made Sophie feel better. Anything that was methodical and safe made her feel better. And did she ever have a reason for seeking comfort, after Edward's display earlier.

She picked up a fallen wine glass, eyeing the edge rimmed with pink lipstick. A bright gibbous moon shone bright off of it.

Edward had left the party before the bride and groom did. One of his footmen had appeared at his shoulder after the speeches and the cake, whispering in his ear quite urgently. Edward unlinked his arm from where he'd tucked Sophie's through and stood from his chair. With a few strides, he made his way to Michael and Martha, executing a smart bow and murmuring a few words. From what Sophie could see from her chair, her sister and new brother nodded, smiling back uncertainly before Edward returned to her. She watched him loom closer, his lazy smile turning into a smirk.

"Goodbye darling," he'd said. And then he'd swept her up from his chair, pressing her close in a kiss that smashed her lips hard against her teeth. She pressed her hands against him, trying to push away, but he only held on, before dropping her back in her seat. Brow furrowed, face flustered, she opened her mouth to tell him a few choice words before the look on his face stilled her tongue.

His eyes were dark. They threatened.

Her mouth closed, and she settled back into her chair.

"Be good now." He tucked a loose curl behind her ear.

She smiled benignly in return, all the while forcing her fury to her eyes. He nodded in acknowledgment, but they both knew he'd won. Everyone had seen a passionate kiss. And that's all they would see.

Edward turned on his heel and faded into the darkness, his footman following after him. The blush on her cheeks had yet to fade, and they became redder with fury and embarrassment because everyone would think her red with love.

Pah, she mentally spat. I've just about had it to here.

She'd returned to her cake, but not before catching Lettie's worried glance from where she sat across from Sophie. She shook her head, and cut into her cake with her fork, even though the thought of eating made her feel ill.

It was a small relief that she'd been spared Howl's presence in that moment.

Howl had reappeared for the speeches, amusing the crowd with stories of Michael's childhood that Michael had not been aware Howl knew of. Martha had patted Michael's hand lovingly as his face grew an interesting shade of lobster.

Sophie watched Howl's mouth move across his white teeth, longing and anger curling in the bottom of her belly like hot smoke. She watched him bow, raise his glass, and as the next speaker rose, watched him fade away into the garden.

She had then proceeded to drink a lot more wine than she was used to.

And now she stood, her burlap sac clinking behind her, her knees wobbling slightly as did the wine glass that she held firmly in one hand. She placed it into the sac. At this point, she was sure she'd cleaned a good part of the garden. A proud smile crept on her face.

She'd arrived at one of her favorite parts of the garden, a maze of tall bushes that hid little tea tables and boasted an oriental gazebo at its center. It was one of Fanny's newest additions, and when Sophie had come home from her rather traumatic trip, she'd found solace in the maze. She spent as much time as she could at its center, planning.

She entered it now, sac clinking behind her. Her hand automatically reached out to brush the broad hedge leaves as she passed them, making the shrubbery rustle. Above, the night sky had deepened to an infinitely dark blue, and clusters of stars scattered their reflections on her irises. Clink, clink. She brought her hand back to her mouth, where it felt swollen from being scraped across her teeth, swollen from the red wine she'd poured inside her. The more she'd had, the more she felt like it was cascading over her heart, cleansing it.

Or so she'd thought.

First right, then left, then right. Then all lefts.

She turned the first right, and that's when she heard the voices.

"Is there anything else I can give you?"

A voice she knew all too well, and it rumbled its question. Sophie stopped dead in her tracks, sac bumping down against her leg.

"You know what I want," said another voice, a softer, higher one. She heard the rustle of clothing.

"No, Maria. I could give you anything, but not that."

Sophie's brow furrowed, and she abandoned her sac as she crept forward, her skirts dragging silently in the grass.

There was a sigh. "I know. I know, you told me as much."

"I will see your father as planned. The news will bring him much joy."

The hedge in front of her turned left and right. The leaves were fuzzy to her eyes, but she could not tell if it was the dark or the drink affecting her.

"And you, you're happy?" The high voice was sultry to Sophie's ears, and she cursed it.

"I will be," came Howl's reply.

"Could I just..." The woman trailed off.

Silence filled the darkness.

"Just once? For good luck? That's all I ask."

Sophie crept further, coming to the T in the road. The voices were to the right. Wrong way, Sophie thought waspishly.

"I don't think—"

As Howl's voice stopped, Sophie rounded the corner to come face to face with Howl and the girl in the red dress. His face was clasped in her hands as she kissed him fiercely, his own hands covering hers.

Sophie stumbled back a step, shocked. It was one thing to know Howl had moved on, but it was another to see it. Now she knew how Howl felt whenever she was with Edward.

It wasn't fair.

The girl released Howl, and stepped down from where she'd been teetering on her tippy toes.

"For luck," she whispered.

Sophie whirled around and fled, blindly fleeing further into the maze.

"Sophie!"

She paused as Howl cried out her name, but shook her head and continued. Right, left left left left.

"Left," she gasped aloud, though it was more of a sob, and she stumbled on her skirts, falling to her knees in the grass.

She gulped for air, gripping into the dirt with her hands, desperately sucking in breath to hold back her tears.

"Left," she whispered nonsensically. Her head spun.

–

She had tilted her head all the way back so she could stare at the stars, and it seemed like an age had passed when she saw a light illuminate the leaves in front of her. Footsteps accompanied it. She didn't move.

"Sophie. What are you doing?"

"Left," she said, feeling her throat moving against the stretched skin of her neck.

The light disappeared, and she felt the brush of fabric against her shoulder as the owner of the voice stepped in front of her. There was a whoosh of air. Sophie assumed they'd sat where they stood.

"Sophie, look at me." The voice commanded her. But the stars, they were so pretty. So far away. She wished she could turn into a star and join them, and they'd all dance across the sky with the moon.

A finger placed itself on her jutted chin and pressed down. She let her head droop. Goodbye stars. Another finger joined the one one her chin and lifted her face. Her eyes struggled to focus on the person crouched in front of her, but at last a pair of very green eyes came into view.

"You're drunk," stated Howl matter-of-factly.

"I most definitely not," she mumbled, feeling like the fingers holding her chin as on obstacle for speech.

"You most definitely not?" He let out a chuckle and his warm breath washed over her face.

She didn't like the touch of his fingers, because it meant he was too close and now all she had to do was lean forward and his lips would be all the closer. And she didn't want to kiss him. She didn't want to taste that woman on him, the woman in red. She'd hate that color forever.

"I'll have to cut off all my hair," she mused out loud.

"You what?" No chuckle accompanied this question, but the grip on her chin tightened.

"Don' touch me," she grumbled, swatting his hand away. She needed to leave, she needed to be away from him, because he'd ruin it if she stayed any longer.

Sophie struggled to her feet, but her right leg had fallen asleep and she stumbled forward.

"Come," said Howl, who was somehow already standing in front of her, gripping her forearms. "I'll take you home."

She peered at him, feeling too dizzy, and wrenched herself back, nearly falling again. Sharp pricks in her right leg informed her that her blood flow was returning to normal and she winced.

"You," she pointed a finger at him, ignoring how it shook. "Stay away."

"I believe we've gone through this part already, Sophie dear." Howl's voice was soft. Sophie shook her head, bringing her hands to her ears.

"No! I don' wan' to hear it, just leave me be!"

Warm hands gripped her arms once again.

"Go!" she shouted. "Go be with that girl." She tried to free herself once more, but the grip was tighter.

"I don't think you have a right to be jealous, Sophie," Howl growled. "Unless you have something you wish to tell me?"

She shook her head, leaning back into the hedge she'd backed into. "You don'...you don' know it. You are...you will always be with a woman, eating their hearts."

"I believe we've gotten to that part as well, and we're well past it too, Sophie." He stepped forward, and his immediate warmth made her realize how cold she was getting.

"I'll take you home," he said again, but he didn't move except to release her arms.

Sophie shook her head.

"Your mother will worry," he tried.

"To hell with Fanny," Sophie stated. "Look," she waved one freed arm lazily in the air. "I'm sure you have a lot of things to do with...with that girl and so don' bother about me. And, and I'm nearly married, so this is highly improper Mr. Wizard Jenkins sir." Her hand landed in the middle of his chest.

"So," she finished up. "Please take your leave."

"Improper?" Howl spat out the word. "Why..." He trailed off. He stepped back. Her hand slid down into nothing.

"I will leave you, if you answer me this one question."

Sophie shivered, and nodded. "Go on."

"Do you love him? Do you truly love him?"

"That's two questions," she quipped.

"Just answer the bloody question!" he roared, and Sophie pressed back against the bush in fright. He shook his head, pressing a palm to his brow. "Just answer the question," he whispered.

"I..." I love you she thought. "I love..."

An image of Howl, his magic, his soul rushing out of him and into Edward, came unbidden across her mind.

"I love him," she sighed. "I love Edward."

She saw his neck move as he swallowed.

"Well. Well then. I shall take my leave. Good evening, Miss Hatter."

There was a rush of air, and he disappeared.

Sophie stood, her hands clenching and unclenching as she stared at where he had once stood. She stared for a long time before she moved again.

She woke up to aching knees. With a groan, she peeled her cheek off of whatever it was pressed on, and squinted at the light coming into the room. Looking down, her eyes met with her toilet and the unpleasant mixture of toilet water and half digested cake within it. Her stomach roiled.

Clutching her middle, she unsteadily creaked to her feet and stumbled out of her bathroom, only to stumble back in to disgorge the rest of the previous night's dinner.

Not long after, she reemerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her and her hair wet from the shower. The light that shone brightly through her terrace doors made her squint in pain. As she passed her desk she rang her servant bell, glad for once that she had one.

As she was slipping on underclothes inside the semi-darkness of her closet, a knock and a "Can I help you Miss Sophie?" came from the door.

She sidled over, hair swinging wetly against her back. She opened the door to see her maid Lucy, standing prim in her starched uniform.

"Good morning Lucy," Sophie said, pressing a hand to her forehead tiredly. "Could you please bring me some chamomile tea with ginger?"

"Yes ma'am. Will you be needing anything else?"

"No, that's all. Thank you."

"Right away, ma'am." Lucy bobbed, and Sophie shut the door, pressing her palm to the space in between the door and the opening. Her hair was soaking her undershirt.

Her chest rose and fell as she took a deep breath, before returning to her closet.

Memories of last night flickered in her mind as she flicked clothes on the rack, but she pushed them aside as she pushed aside each dress.

The last time she made her way to Mrs. Fairfax's house, she'd rode on her cane. Now that her cane was somewhere she could not remember and Fanny would not allow her to travel otherwise, she would take the carriage.

She hadn't realized how close Mrs. Fairfax actually was, but in all fairness she wasn't exactly thinking clearly that night.

The carriage ride was pleasant. She'd insisted on taking a chaise, as the day was so fine. The packets of seeds lay in a basket by her feet. She told Fanny she was bringing Mrs. Fairfax a specimen of flower for her bees. What she did not tell Fanny about was the small purse that hidden in her pocket, two golden rings clanking inside, nor did she tell her about the papers tucked under the basket's undercloth.

As she pulled up to the house, Mrs. Fairfax came out the open front door, a smile on her wide face.

In a flurry of skirts, Sophie rushed off of the chaise as soon as it stopped and ran into Mrs. Fairfax's arms. The comforting smell of baking and honey filled her nose as Mrs. Fairfax's arms enclosed around her.

"Alright, Sophie?"

"Hello, Mrs. Fairfax." She pulled back with a grin. "I've got a present for you.

"Are these they?"

The basket lay forgotten on the kitchen counter, its contents long since removed. Two empty mugs sat next to them, still scented with remnants of tea.

"Yes," said Sophie, the rings in her open palm clinking together. "They're pure gold, and were boiled in rowan tea. The diagrams I've given you will help focus the spell. Will you be able to finish by the wedding?"

They were seated on stools in the kitchen, a large hefty table before them.

"Might I suggest a circle surrounding this pentagram?" Mrs. Fairfax placed a fair finger on the crinkly parchment. "It will help contain the magic further, especially since the rings themselves are circular. Like and like."

Sophie frowned, tapping her lip. "I hadn't thought of that."

"Haven't you shown anyone else these?"

"No," Sophie shook her head. "Too risky."

"Ah, yes," Mrs. Fairfax sighed, and shifted from where she looked down at the papers to looking at Sophie. "I wish you'd tell me what's wrong."

"I wish I could," Sophie bit her lip. "But, I can't."

"You know, the last time you were here, you were in a bit of trouble?" There was no smile on Mrs. Fairfax's face.

Sophie only looked at her.

"Why, I have the book you took from my library still shivering from the spell you used."

At that, Sophie's eyebrows shot into her hairline. "I...I mean, you must know that I..."

"It's quite alright dear." The woman shifted in her chair, fixing her skirts. "And I bet the trouble you were in has to do with the trouble you're in now?"

Shiftily, Sophie nodded.

A slight frown etched itself at the edges of Mrs. Fairfax's lips. "Sophie, you must realize that every use of magic, especially big magic, comes with a price. Like the pull and push of the ocean, there is always give and take."

She felt her jaw clench nervously. "I...hadn't realized."

"Take the Witch of the Waste, for example. You saw what happened to her." Mrs. Fairfax exhaled noisily. "Such promise, and the woman ignored the most important rule in magic."

"How...how do I pay the price back?" asked Sophie, tugging at the end of her sleeve. She did some rather big magic, back when she performed Mrs. Fairfax's spell.

"Well, it's big magic, big spells you ought to worry about, and it all has to do with intent. Take a look at the spell you used. Now, the inventor of that spell intended for it be used on those with negative intention. Poor witch hated this lad, but still loved them too much to do much harm to him. She used her hate. Not a great spell for most anymore, as hate fuels it much better."

Sophie swallowed hard. That would explain why the locket wasn't as effective as she'd tried to make it.

"If you put out negative, you get negative, and same's the opposite. Such and such. That's the price you pay."

"Ah," Sophie managed, after a moment of silence.

"Well then. I'm glad that at least this time, you've asked for help with this spell instead of doing this all yourself. Silly dear." With a groan, she slipped offer her stool and landed with a loud thump on the tiled kitchen floor. She gathered the papers, shuffling them into a neat pile and tapping them twice against the table.

"I'll take a look at these, make sure that they're secure. You said you wanted the Witch of the Waste's old castle?"

Sophie slid off her own seat to stand at her friend's elbow.

"Yes that's right. Thank you so very much, for everything. And...I'm sorry about the book."

"Not to worry dear, that old thing is such a temperamental one. I'll let you know once I've finished with the rings. And thank you for the seeds dear, purple honey sounds delightful. I'll have to experiment on its affects on my spells..." Her voice drifted off as Mrs. Fairfax walked further into the house, leaving Sophie in the kitchen.

With a satisfied smile, Sophie gathered her basket and stepped outside.

"Miss Sophie? The Wizard Suliman, here to see you."

Sophie looked up from her seat in the indoor green house, the book in her lap lying closed.

"Yes. Please see him to the parlor?"

"Yes ma'am." The butler bowed, shutting the door behind him.

The bench was seated in a patch of sunlight, and Sophie shook her head to dispel the warm drowsiness that she was basking in earlier.

When she arrived at the parlor door, Suliman was seated. A tray of tea things was already placed on the table, and he was pouring tea into two cups. As she entered the room, Suliman looked up and placed the pot down, standing up to greet her.

"Miss Hatter, a pleasure. I hope I wasn't too late?"

"Please, call me Sophie." She waved for him to sit, and took the seat near him, angling herself towards the fireplace. "You're early, actually. Calcifer will arrive any moment."

Suliman picked up the pot again, and finished pouring the second cup. "Miss Sophie," he relented, with a smile. "Sugar?"

Sophie shook her head, and accepted the cup he handed to her. "I really should be serving you. Fanny will think my manners in grave danger, and what with me getting married soon."

Suliman was a big man, and Sophie felt a smile quirk up as he held the tea saucer delicately between his two large hands.

"Married indeed. The topic of our discussion, as I understand. I got your missive this morning. I was surprised you'd call so quickly."

"We haven't much time, and I realized that informing you the day of the wedding would not have been conducive," Sophie stated, placing her cup on her lap.

"Ah, yes. Very good. Do you mind?" He waved a hand about the room.

Sophie looked at him, her brow turning slightly in confusion.

"Security spells."

"Ah," Sophie nodded. "Yes of course. Please go ahead."

Suliman stood up after depositing his tea cup on the table. He waved one hand in the direction of the windows and doors, and then sat down.

"That's it?" asked Sophie.

"Essentially. I'll finish it once Calcifer arrives."

As if summoned, a loud zipping sound followed Suliman's words, and a small ball of fire appeared in the fireplace. It was glowing a deep, dark red.

"Calcifer?"

Two blue eyes rolled up from underneath the roll of fire, and a small arm poked out the side, waving.

"Here I am," he said, almost inaudibly.

Sophie leaned forwards, nearly sitting off of her chair. "Calcifer, are you alright?"

"Yea, yea," he mumbled, and seemed to make a visible effort to perk up. His voice was just a bit louder. "So, let's do this."

Sophie gave him another worried look. "Right..."

Suliman interrupted by clapping his hands loud, once. "Righto, security spells are all set. I'm ready when you are."

She cleared her throat, setting herself back properly on the chair.

"Okay then. Right, so the plan is, I'm going to disappear from the alter with Edward."

Suliman's eyes widened. Calcifer only spat a spark into the air, feigning boredom.

"I want us to get away from the guests. We'll end up in the Witch of the Waste's old castle. As soon as we are gone, and I mean both of us, have everyone we've assembled be ready to teleport there immediately."

She drew out a piece of paper from the book she'd carried into the parlor.

"Here are the schematics of that particular spell, if anyone need know it." She handed it to Suliman, who took it in his hands and studied it seriously, some of his thoughts coming out in incoherent mumbles.

After a moment, he tucked it into his inner coat pocket.

"Right. So, when we are all there, we will have landed on a binding circle. When you all arrive, arrange yourself as quick as possible," Sophie handed him another sheet of paper. "And begin the binding spell. Edward is..." Her throat closed up, and she choked.

Suliman gave her a knowing look, before glancing at the paper, nodding. "Might I suggest something? There should be an extra angle in this part of the spell pictogram. It will enforce the containment."

Sophie bit her lower lip in thought, reaching into her pocket for the pencil stub she usually kept. She handed it over to Suliman, who awkwardly pinched it with his fingers before putting it to the paper.

As he went over it, Sophie continued. "Calcifer and I will take over from there. Needless to say, I can't exactly tell you what we'll be doing, suffice that you will have helped us all greatly."

Suliman nodded over the paper. "This will give everyone a better idea of what to do. I am glad that you decided to divulge this earlier."

"Be sure to be armed," came a small voice. They looked to Calcifer. "It won't be easy."

As Sophie watched Suliman ride his horse down the drive and out of side, she could feel a bit of her old self coming back. A thin smile stretched over her face, and as she turned into the house, she finally let herself think of Howl.

AN:

Dudes. I. Love. You. All. If it weren't for all of your reviews, this might not have taken the bargain length of three months (I know, it's still bad) to update.

Finals this semester...never have I studied so hard ever.

And I love all your reviews. I do. In fact, the one that honestly made me cry a little (not with joy) helped get this baby on the internet.

Aftermath is coming to its end!

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Anyway, please review! I look forward to hearing from you. I shall go off and reply to everyone now. /2amandnottiredyet.