Credit: Thanks to Ashley for the idea for this chapter!
The Council and Sabrina, Hilda, Zelda, and Salem, talked for another half hour with no interruptions. Ms. Harding checked her watch. "You know, we really should check on Drell's army." She pointed, and a huge world map appeared on the wall in front of her. A red dot represented Drell. A larger yellow dot represented his soldiers. Yellow dots were gathered around a red dot in Greenland. "Ah, I guess that is where his headquarters are."
Sabrina looked confused. "Why would he choose Greenland? Isn't that like, remote and cold and big and under populated...oh, I get it." Embarrassed, she closed her mouth and sat back in her seat.
Annoyed by the interruption, Ms. Harding continued. "It looks as if he has stopped the attacks for now. He may be at rest for a few hours, or a few months – I honestly don't know. This is why I suggest that you three and Salem go home until further notice."
Hilda looked alarmed. "Home? We live in the mortal world! That's gotta be dangerous."
"Which is why I am sending a notice to all witches in the mortal realm to be on alert. However, for your own personal protection, we have been working on something." Ms. Haring pointed at the display case Sabrina noticed earlier. Inside appeared a rather large thermos. She went over to the case, slid the door over, and took it out. Coming back to the table, she said, "This is the first in the line of what we call Fuel Spells. By loading your finger, you can cast complicated spells for a limited time, without all the usual work. This Fuel Spell is of the Energy Ball kind. When you point your finger at something, it shoots a ball of pure energy, thus the name. It's very effective for fighting Manipulates. You may arm your finger in case Drell launches a surprise attack. However, be aware the effects only last a few days."
Zelda offered to go first. She dipped her finger in the thermos, and for an instant her body took on a bluish glow. Seemingly energized, she sat back down in her seat. "My, that's quite a rush." She said as she shook her head. Eagerly, Hilda and Sabrina each did the same, getting a similar effect. Salem went to dip his paw in, but Ms. Harding closed the thermos. When he growled, she said, "Just because this is a time of war does not mean you can have magic. Now, I thank you for your help so far. I will contact you incase of an emergency." Sabrina had one more question. "Wait, can we still tell mortals about us?" If so, she did want to tell Harvey and Valerie...even if they thought she was a monster. She had to tell them the truth once and for all. Ms. Harding relented. "I guess that would be alright. We're casting a world-wide Forgetful Spell as soon as this whole mess is over anyway."
They came out of the linen closet a little dazed. None of them had ever had an experience like that before, and didn't know how to react. "Well, I guess we should just get on with out lives." Zelda suggested. "And Sabrina, you are still going to school tomorrow." Sabrina was outraged. "What??? We're in the middle of a crisis and I still have to go to school?" Zelda explained, "There's no reason why you shouldn't. The war hasn't touched us yet, and I'm sure school will still be open tomorrow. Besides, it might be interesting to see how everyone is reacting to Drell." "Wow, I totally forgot that mortals know about witches now. School is going to be so weird tomorrow..." With a laugh, Sabrina said, "I wonder how Mr. Kraft will respond when he realizes I can turn him into a newt...or a pig...or maybe even a snail..." Hilda stopped that train of thought. "Sabrina, be nice. Even though I whole-heartedly support your desire to turn Mr. Kraft into the animal that he is, restrain yourself from using too much magic. Who knows – maybe the school won't even find out about you if you're careful." "I doubt I'll be that lucky." Sighing, Sabrina went into her bedroom and got ready for bed.
The next day proved to be just as hectic as the previous one. Witches had read the notice, telling them to reveal their magic, and many of them had. As a result, the media was having a field day. Sabrina, Hilda, Zelda, and Salem were having breakfast in the kitchen as they watched a mini- television Zelda had zapped on the island. Every channel was talking about the sudden outburst of witchcraft, as they were yesterday. Only this time, they were taking it to a more personal level. The TV screen showed the front door of a house in California. A tired- looking witch was trying to push out dozens of reporters, all shouting out random questions, most not waiting to hear the answer before they asked the second one. "Is it true that you have magical powers?" "What, exactly, is the Other Realm?" "Why are witches revealing their magic now?" Hilda, Zelda, and Sabrina could see the woman was on her last nerve. They all laughed as she turned the closest reporter into a goat and shut the door.
Sabrina ate a spoonful of cereal. "I feel bad for all the witches that are being hounded by reporters, although I kind of understand. To mortals, this is big news." "Hey, I'm fine with it. It's better than being burned at the stake." Hilda smiled. "Yeah, that's true. Anyway, I have to get to school. By everyone." Sabrina went to walk out the door, then she said, "Wait, I don't have to keep my magic a secret anymore! I am so zapping myself to school. See you guys later. "She pointed at herself, dissolved into millions of tiny sparkles, and eventually disappeared.
Sabrina meant to land secluded in the bushes outside school, but unfortunately she misjudged and appeared right before the main entrance. It's an understatement to say that she got a few looks as she walked in. Some people even whispered and pointed. A little nervous, Sabrina just smiled and hurried to her locker. Later, as she was walking to first period, Harvey and Valerie caught up with her. "Why weren't you on the bus this morning? I was worried you were sick or something." Valerie said. "Yeah. I even made the bus driver wait a few minutes. "Harvey looked proud. Getting the bus driver to wait for anyone was extremely hard and did not happen often. Sabrina was touched. "Aw, thanks guys! I feel bad now, but..." She took a deep breath. Then she grabbed Harvey and Valerie on the arm and ducked into Ms. Quick's, her math teacher's, classroom. "...I have something to tell you that will make it worth it." Valerie and Harvey were more than curious. Valerie was excited, "Oh, a secret! Is it really really top secret?" Sabrina nodded. "Yes, well, I'd really prefer it if you didn't tell anybody." She shut the door, or at least thought she did. "Harvey, Valerie, I've been lying to you our entire friendship. I've always had this gut feeling that we weren't really best friends because I couldn't be openly truthful. Well, now I can..." She could see her friends were excited and bursting with curiosity. "The only problem is, I'm afraid that you won't be my best friends anymore if I tell you." Harvey put his arm around her, "Sabrina, we will be friends no matter what. Now just tell us already!" Sabrina ducked under Harvey's arm and took a deep breath, "Ok – I'm a witch." Harvey and Valerie as first looked as if they didn't comprehend. Then Valerie understood, "You mean like the ones on the news? With superpowers and everything?" Sabrina nodded, "Well, not like the evil ones who have been trying to take over the mortal realm, but yeah, basically." When they started to look a little frightened, Sabrina said, "Look, guys, I'm still me. I'm still the same person." Harvey said, "This is so cool! What can you do?" Sabrina thought a minute, "I guess pretty much anything if I put my mind to it. I mean, I don't have my Witch's License yet, so I'm still practicing, but I can do a lot." Figuring they might want proof, Sabrina pointed. Instantly the three were transported to the moon. Harvey and Valerie's mouths were wide open, and at first they were scared. Then Valerie said, "Wow! I never thought I'd make it to the moon! And we don't even need space suits or anything." Turning around, she gasped, "Whoa – look at that view!" She pointed at Earth, which was now billions of miles away. Harvey was more distracted by the low gravity, "Sabrina look!" He jumps and rises several feet in the air. Sabrina smiled, "So, you guys are ok with this? I mean, you're not deathly afraid of me or anything?" Valerie turned around, "No, of course not! You're still Sabrina...only with the coolest powers ever!" Harvey, Valerie, and Sabrina formed a big group hug. Sabrina then checked her watch, "Sheesh, we completely missed first period and might be late for second! Come on!" She points in the air, and Harvey, Valerie, and Sabrina disappeared. A few seconds later they reappeared in Ms. Quick's room, and dashed off to second period. They didn't even notice Ms. Quick standing there in shock as they passed her outside the doorway.
The Council and Sabrina, Hilda, Zelda, and Salem, talked for another half hour with no interruptions. Ms. Harding checked her watch. "You know, we really should check on Drell's army." She pointed, and a huge world map appeared on the wall in front of her. A red dot represented Drell. A larger yellow dot represented his soldiers. Yellow dots were gathered around a red dot in Greenland. "Ah, I guess that is where his headquarters are."
Sabrina looked confused. "Why would he choose Greenland? Isn't that like, remote and cold and big and under populated...oh, I get it." Embarrassed, she closed her mouth and sat back in her seat.
Annoyed by the interruption, Ms. Harding continued. "It looks as if he has stopped the attacks for now. He may be at rest for a few hours, or a few months – I honestly don't know. This is why I suggest that you three and Salem go home until further notice."
Hilda looked alarmed. "Home? We live in the mortal world! That's gotta be dangerous."
"Which is why I am sending a notice to all witches in the mortal realm to be on alert. However, for your own personal protection, we have been working on something." Ms. Haring pointed at the display case Sabrina noticed earlier. Inside appeared a rather large thermos. She went over to the case, slid the door over, and took it out. Coming back to the table, she said, "This is the first in the line of what we call Fuel Spells. By loading your finger, you can cast complicated spells for a limited time, without all the usual work. This Fuel Spell is of the Energy Ball kind. When you point your finger at something, it shoots a ball of pure energy, thus the name. It's very effective for fighting Manipulates. You may arm your finger in case Drell launches a surprise attack. However, be aware the effects only last a few days."
Zelda offered to go first. She dipped her finger in the thermos, and for an instant her body took on a bluish glow. Seemingly energized, she sat back down in her seat. "My, that's quite a rush." She said as she shook her head. Eagerly, Hilda and Sabrina each did the same, getting a similar effect. Salem went to dip his paw in, but Ms. Harding closed the thermos. When he growled, she said, "Just because this is a time of war does not mean you can have magic. Now, I thank you for your help so far. I will contact you incase of an emergency." Sabrina had one more question. "Wait, can we still tell mortals about us?" If so, she did want to tell Harvey and Valerie...even if they thought she was a monster. She had to tell them the truth once and for all. Ms. Harding relented. "I guess that would be alright. We're casting a world-wide Forgetful Spell as soon as this whole mess is over anyway."
They came out of the linen closet a little dazed. None of them had ever had an experience like that before, and didn't know how to react. "Well, I guess we should just get on with out lives." Zelda suggested. "And Sabrina, you are still going to school tomorrow." Sabrina was outraged. "What??? We're in the middle of a crisis and I still have to go to school?" Zelda explained, "There's no reason why you shouldn't. The war hasn't touched us yet, and I'm sure school will still be open tomorrow. Besides, it might be interesting to see how everyone is reacting to Drell." "Wow, I totally forgot that mortals know about witches now. School is going to be so weird tomorrow..." With a laugh, Sabrina said, "I wonder how Mr. Kraft will respond when he realizes I can turn him into a newt...or a pig...or maybe even a snail..." Hilda stopped that train of thought. "Sabrina, be nice. Even though I whole-heartedly support your desire to turn Mr. Kraft into the animal that he is, restrain yourself from using too much magic. Who knows – maybe the school won't even find out about you if you're careful." "I doubt I'll be that lucky." Sighing, Sabrina went into her bedroom and got ready for bed.
The next day proved to be just as hectic as the previous one. Witches had read the notice, telling them to reveal their magic, and many of them had. As a result, the media was having a field day. Sabrina, Hilda, Zelda, and Salem were having breakfast in the kitchen as they watched a mini- television Zelda had zapped on the island. Every channel was talking about the sudden outburst of witchcraft, as they were yesterday. Only this time, they were taking it to a more personal level. The TV screen showed the front door of a house in California. A tired- looking witch was trying to push out dozens of reporters, all shouting out random questions, most not waiting to hear the answer before they asked the second one. "Is it true that you have magical powers?" "What, exactly, is the Other Realm?" "Why are witches revealing their magic now?" Hilda, Zelda, and Sabrina could see the woman was on her last nerve. They all laughed as she turned the closest reporter into a goat and shut the door.
Sabrina ate a spoonful of cereal. "I feel bad for all the witches that are being hounded by reporters, although I kind of understand. To mortals, this is big news." "Hey, I'm fine with it. It's better than being burned at the stake." Hilda smiled. "Yeah, that's true. Anyway, I have to get to school. By everyone." Sabrina went to walk out the door, then she said, "Wait, I don't have to keep my magic a secret anymore! I am so zapping myself to school. See you guys later. "She pointed at herself, dissolved into millions of tiny sparkles, and eventually disappeared.
Sabrina meant to land secluded in the bushes outside school, but unfortunately she misjudged and appeared right before the main entrance. It's an understatement to say that she got a few looks as she walked in. Some people even whispered and pointed. A little nervous, Sabrina just smiled and hurried to her locker. Later, as she was walking to first period, Harvey and Valerie caught up with her. "Why weren't you on the bus this morning? I was worried you were sick or something." Valerie said. "Yeah. I even made the bus driver wait a few minutes. "Harvey looked proud. Getting the bus driver to wait for anyone was extremely hard and did not happen often. Sabrina was touched. "Aw, thanks guys! I feel bad now, but..." She took a deep breath. Then she grabbed Harvey and Valerie on the arm and ducked into Ms. Quick's, her math teacher's, classroom. "...I have something to tell you that will make it worth it." Valerie and Harvey were more than curious. Valerie was excited, "Oh, a secret! Is it really really top secret?" Sabrina nodded. "Yes, well, I'd really prefer it if you didn't tell anybody." She shut the door, or at least thought she did. "Harvey, Valerie, I've been lying to you our entire friendship. I've always had this gut feeling that we weren't really best friends because I couldn't be openly truthful. Well, now I can..." She could see her friends were excited and bursting with curiosity. "The only problem is, I'm afraid that you won't be my best friends anymore if I tell you." Harvey put his arm around her, "Sabrina, we will be friends no matter what. Now just tell us already!" Sabrina ducked under Harvey's arm and took a deep breath, "Ok – I'm a witch." Harvey and Valerie as first looked as if they didn't comprehend. Then Valerie understood, "You mean like the ones on the news? With superpowers and everything?" Sabrina nodded, "Well, not like the evil ones who have been trying to take over the mortal realm, but yeah, basically." When they started to look a little frightened, Sabrina said, "Look, guys, I'm still me. I'm still the same person." Harvey said, "This is so cool! What can you do?" Sabrina thought a minute, "I guess pretty much anything if I put my mind to it. I mean, I don't have my Witch's License yet, so I'm still practicing, but I can do a lot." Figuring they might want proof, Sabrina pointed. Instantly the three were transported to the moon. Harvey and Valerie's mouths were wide open, and at first they were scared. Then Valerie said, "Wow! I never thought I'd make it to the moon! And we don't even need space suits or anything." Turning around, she gasped, "Whoa – look at that view!" She pointed at Earth, which was now billions of miles away. Harvey was more distracted by the low gravity, "Sabrina look!" He jumps and rises several feet in the air. Sabrina smiled, "So, you guys are ok with this? I mean, you're not deathly afraid of me or anything?" Valerie turned around, "No, of course not! You're still Sabrina...only with the coolest powers ever!" Harvey, Valerie, and Sabrina formed a big group hug. Sabrina then checked her watch, "Sheesh, we completely missed first period and might be late for second! Come on!" She points in the air, and Harvey, Valerie, and Sabrina disappeared. A few seconds later they reappeared in Ms. Quick's room, and dashed off to second period. They didn't even notice Ms. Quick standing there in shock as they passed her outside the doorway.