Nearly Headless Nick's Story



Chapter 7



*In the inn*

As Leila began to dry the dishes with as much ferocity as she had washed them when there came a knock at the door.

She quickly dried her hand and, checking herself in a pot she had just finished drying, mad a quick attempt to make herself look presentable.

Deciding it was a lost cause she hurried to the door, and swung it open. As the door swung she began her usual answering the door dialogue.

"Hello, Welcome to Mafilda's Inn- Food and Boarding, how may I help-" then the door was fully opened to reveal none other than. "Nick."

"Oh," said Leila tartly, "Never mind."

With that, she slammed the door in his face.

As she went back to her dishes she heard the door creak open. She spun around extending the dripping knife in her hand. If he laid one hand on her.

"What can I do for you sir?" she said forcing a smile.

He smiled slowly and raised an eyebrow, and she had a pretty good idea what he wanted.

"Please leave sir," she pleaded fighting back tears, would her knight ever come?

"Please, please, none of this 'sir' business," said Nick, walking toward her slowly, "My name is Nick."

""I'll show you the way out sir," she said defiantly as she swung open the door.

Nick walked up so he was right in front of her. He slowly closed the door.

Leila looked up into his eyes. He had a gleam in his eyes she didn't like.

She walked over to the sink yet again, and picked up a pot and began to scrub vigorously.

"And besides," Nick said in a soft voice coming up behind her, "I couldn't leave even if I wanted to."

Leila turned again to face him.

"Which I wouldn't," he said in a softer sultry voice.

Leila turned back around quickly.

"Why can't you leave sir?" she asked snappishly, "Your feet are uninjured I assume?"

"Of course," he said, "But my heart is breaking."

"Oh please," Leila muttered.

"But even if the sight of you didn't make me fill with desire-"

Leila flushed a deep magenta.

"My duties are here."

Leila spun around once more.

"What duties?" she inquired.

"To Valliwood," he said, "I've heard some of the problems around here and a bit odd. Almost like magic."

Leila stared at him.

"Only the fools believe that," she said as she went to check on something in the oven.

While she was bending down, Nick glanced around the kitchen, he saw the knife she had brandished at him lying on the floor where she must have dropped it.

He looked at her quickly, she was still busy.

He reached into his cloak pocket, and withdrew the small piece of wood. Giving Leila another quick look he raised it slightly and with a quick swish and flick of his wrist he muttered-

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

The knife rose slowly into the air.

He smiled as he slipped the piece of wood back into his cloak.

"Madam call me a fool, but please explain to what this is if it is not magic!" he said, trying to sound cocky and yet frightened.

Leila turned and saw the floating knife.

All she could do was stare and then she drew a deep breath, muttered:

"Witchcraft!"

And she fainted into Nick's waiting arms.