A/N: Hi everyone! This is my first ever posted fanfic on this website. I hope you enjoy! Also, this is posted on Wattpad under the same name and same author; please let me know if you see it elsewhere! - Spot
Luz sat up quickly in bed, her breaths heavy from panic, her eyes darting about the room, latching briefly onto each shadow before sliding to the next one. She blinked when something white-blue came into her vision. Shadows don't emit light.
The virtual snowstorm was settling as Luz calmed, but the snow itself was drifting to the hardwood floor of the room she shared with Vee.
Vee!
She quickly looked around, relieved to see the basilisk slipping out of bed and slithering across the room to join her. "Are you okay?" Vee asked.
Luz smiled weakly at her friend. "I will be fine." She looked around her room; snow covered every inch of it. It was a miracle Vee had managed to get to Luz's bed.
Vee gave Luz a skeptical look but didn't push her. Instead, she glanced at the snow-covered room. "You should dissolve this before Eda or King come in."
Luz nodded, lifting her hands and forming the snow into a giant snowflake that filled most of the room. With a flick of her wrist, the flakes disappeared, leaving behind no trace that the room had once been a winter wonderland.
Vee grinned. "You're getting better at that."
"It takes some getting used to," Luz admitted, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "Come on, we'd better get downstairs. I think I can hear King commanding his army."
The two girls giggled; they loved King's roleplaying, and delighted in helping him act out his part by letting him order them around. Eda didn't usually partake in those games, but Luz had caught her smiling fondly at the silly scenes the three created more than once - not that the older woman would ever admit it.
Vee and Luz headed downstairs, met in the combination kitchen-living room-dining area by the small bipedal demon Eda had adopted. "Vee! Luz!" he chirped, grinning at them. "Can we play today?"
"Yes!" Vee cheered, already slithering alongside the demon as they discussed what they'd do. Luz watched them with amusement, heading in the opposite direction to find breakfast.
"Hoot, hoot! Morning, Luz!" a familiar voice shouted.
"Good morning, Hooty," Luz replied, patting the demon on the head and opening the fridge. "Any news?"
"Nope! But I sure would love to make some more friends!" Hooty squawked.
"You already have Luz and Vee," King snapped from the living area. "Why do you need to have more?"
"Oh, come on!" Hooty protested. "Yooooouuuuuu're my friend! Give me a hug!"
"I will not!"
"HUG ME!"
"It is too early for this," Eda grumbled. Luz turned to see her stumbling into the room, summoning some apple blood with her magic and taking a long sip. "What are those two doing now?"
"I believe Hooty is attempting to hug King," Luz said. "Key word being attempting."
"That'll do it," Eda agreed. Louder, she added, "Don't destroy the house, you two! We only have the one living space!"
Crashes interrupted her. Luz laughed as Eda groaned loudly, massaging her temples. Vee slithered up beside them, accepting the snowball Luz discreetly handed her and taking a large bite. Luz's snow had the most potent magic anyone in the Boiling Isles had ever seen. Really, it was a miracle they were able to keep it secret from the other inhabitants of the Owl House.
"Alright," Eda shouted, apparently having taken all she could of King and Hooty's antics, "it's trash day! Time to collect some valuables!"
"I thought you collected valuables from the human realm?" Vee asked.
"No, Owlbert does that," Eda replied, summoning her staff and stroking her Palisman's head. "I, on the other hand, have a different method of acquiring items."
". . . I think I'm gonna be sick," was all Vee could manage.
"As do I," Luz agreed faintly, tugging anxiously at her gloves.
"Come on!" Eda protested, grinning toothily at the girls as she clambered her way inside the trash slug. "Who wouldn't envy where I am right now?"
Vee made several retching noises as Luz slapped her hands over her eyes.
"Me," King said sarcastically. "I envy where you are with all my heart."
"Oh, shut up," Eda grumbled. "Girls, just look: you can find amazing things if you look for 'em!" She grabbed Vee's hand and shoved it into some slime.
The basilisk yelped, jerking her hand up and staring at the slimeball laying there. "Um . . ."
"See? What a find!" Eda cackled.
"We will be taking our leave," Luz said quickly, grabbing Vee's clean hand and dragging her along. "See you by lunchtime!"
"More for me!" Eda called back. Luz and Vee quickly made their escape into the woods, stopping once they were out of sight.
Vee handed Luz the slimeball. "I'm guessing you can do something with it?"
Luz pulled off a glove and waved her hand, creating a side pocket on her skirt. "Put it in here."
Vee gladly disposed of the slimeball, and with a twirl of Luz's finger, the pocket was sewn shut.
"You can do it!"
The girls exchanged startled glances. "Did you say that?" Luz asked Vee.
The basilisk shook her head. "I thought you did."
Cautiously, they peered through the bushes, eyes widening when they saw the young student kneeling next to a cauldron.
The witch began to pace. "My parents are right. There are more opportunities on the Abomination Track. Now, to school!"
She stepped forward but accidentally crushed a flower beneath her boot. "Oh no! I'm so sorry!" She knelt down, swirling her finger in the air; a magic circle appeared, and the flower perked back up.
"Plant Magic," Luz realized.
"Can we not engage with people right now?" Vee pleaded. "I don't wanna end up locked in a dungeon again . . ."
Luz softened. "Of course. Let's head to the Owl House."
A rumble interrupted them, and a green-haired witch sitting atop a pot rolled into view; the pot was nestled in a cart, driven by magic. The cart stopped before the Plant Witch and the new witch glanced down.
"Oh, Willow! I didn't even notice you there," she said mockingly.
Willow stood, avoiding the other witch's gaze. "Amity."
Her pot clunked, spilling out a thick purple goo. Amity clicked her tongue, mock-sympathetic. "Oh, you don't have anything to show, do you? This is why you're called 'Half-A-Witch Willow'."
Luz gritted her teeth as she heard that, clenching her fists at her sides. She already didn't like Amity, and felt sympathetic towards Willow, having had to hide her magic similar to how the Plant Witch wasn't allowed to use hers.
Vee lightly placed a hand on Luz's shoulder. Luz looked at her and the basilisk raised her hands, beginning to sign. Don't confront them yet.
Reluctantly, Luz nodded, lifting her own hands and signing in return. You want to meet her?
At the very least, we can encourage her, Vee agreed, and the two girls returned to watching the confrontation.
Amity's pot rattled, and she grinned. "Oh, I think someone wants to say something to you." She snapped her fingers. "Abomination, rise."
Amity's Abomination rose from its pot, towering over Willow and leaning forward to paint a star on her forehead. "You're a . . . star," it mumbled.
"Aww, how sweet," Amity mocked. "As top student, it's my duty to tell you to keep at it. See you in class, superstar."
She headed off with her Abomination. Luz and Vee glared after her before glancing at each other. They were about to climb out of the bushes when Willow let out a frustrated shout, her eyes glowing green as thorny vines popped into view around her, a few snaking towards Luz and Vee and dragging them out of their hiding spot.
Vee yelped, curling into herself and throwing her hands over her head, while Luz's ice magic instinctively started to freeze the vine she was trapped in. Thankfully, Willow soon realized what was happening and immediately calmed down.
"Oh, no!" she cried, quickly releasing Luz and Vee. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to lose my temper like that! Did I hurt you?"
"No, we're alright," Luz assured, scooting closer to Vee and stroking her back gently. The basilisk hesitantly looked up; Luz gave her a reassuring smile. "Hey, Vee. It was just an accident. She's not mad at us."
"Of course not!" Willow looked horrified. "Did I scare you? Oh, I should've been way more careful, I don't usually lose control like that -"
"It's okay." Vee's voice was small and shaky, like the smile she sent Willow, but she managed to uncurl, her smile turning less scared and more shy. "I don't think I've seen Plant Magic that strong since Snapdragon."
Willow blushed. "You mean the Plant Coven Head? I doubt I'm that strong . . ."
"If you trained hard, you could probably become stronger," Luz said thoughtfully.
Willow's blush became even darker, and she grinned shyly. "Uh, I'm Willow." She stuck out a hand.
"I'm Vee," Vee replied, shaking it, before gesturing to Luz. "This is my friend, Luz."
"A basilisk," Willow exclaimed, startled. "But how? I thought basilisks were extinct!"
Vee flinched and Willow winced.
"I'm sorry! Ugh, I'm being so ridiculous today!"
Vee quickly slithered forward. "No, no, it's okay! Sorry, I just . . . wasn't expecting that. I was one of the only basilisks that was able to survive."
It wasn't really a lie: she had survived Belos's torture. But it wasn't exactly the full truth either.
Bells rang in the distance, causing Willow to jump. "Oh, I'm late for school. Sorry, I have to go disappoint my teacher. I guess I'll see you both later?"
"Wait!" Vee shouted suddenly, clapping a hand over her mouth in embarrassment as Luz and Willow turned to her. "Willow . . . I really like you. You're the first . . . friend I've had in a long time - besides Luz. So . . . I think it's only fair if I help you out." To Luz, she signed, Could I have a snowball?
Curious, Luz pulled off her glove, curling her fingers over her open palm before pushing them out; her hands sparkled, and a moment later a snowball rested where before there had been nothing. Vee quickly chewed on it before concentrating, shifting her form into a somewhat-humanoid shape and then splashing herself in Abomination goo.
"Let me be your Abomination," she offered to a stunned Willow. Luz was looking at Vee in shock; the basilisk only truly trusted Luz, and was just barely open around Eda and King. For her to risk herself for someone she'd only met a few minutes ago, letting herself be seen in a public place when she avoided them like the plague? This was truly something.
"Are you certain?" Luz asked Vee. You're not worried someone will bring you back to him?
Vee looked away. I'm still scared that it could happen. But I'll be inside a school, full of kids who have probably never even seen a basilisk before. They won't know the difference. Besides, I think I can pull off being an Abomination just for today.
"Is everything okay?" Willow interrupted. "You two have been making weird hand motions to each other."
"Yes," Luz assured, turning back to Willow and shoving her glove back on. "I will be coming with the two of you. I can hide, keep you and Vee company; she hates being in dark places alone."
Vee shot Luz a thankful look before they both clambered into the pot. Willow began pushing her cart forward, looking at both of them with an unreadable expression. "Why are you willing to help a complete stranger?"
"I trust you," Vee said slowly. "Which . . . is rare for me. But I trust you. You remind me of Luz, and she was the first person I ever learned to trust."
Luz smiled. So that was why her friend had wanted to help Willow. She'd seen her as a kindred spirit, similar to Luz.
"You'd better hide," Willow warned as they came in sight of the school. "We can't let anyone know you're not Abominations."
Nodding, the two sank down into the pot, and Willow placed the lid over them. In the dark, Luz pulled off her glove once more, creating a ball of snow and tossing it in the air. It sparkled with magic, providing a shimmering light in the darkness. "The covering should be thick enough that nothing will escape," she said to Vee. "Is this better?"
Vee nodded. "Thanks, Luz."
Luz smiled. "Anytime."
"And we're still going to be careful, right? I don't want word getting back to him that a basilisk and his daughter are here."
"Adopted daughter," Luz grumbled. "And yes, we will be careful. I can only hope that we can be discreet enough . . . and that I don't lose control."
"You'll be fine," Vee assured her. "As long as you stay calm."
Luz nodded, pulling on her glove, and the two lapsed into a comfortable silence.
"Willow! Willow! Did you know that humans nail barbed wire to their kids' teeth? Is it to make them magnetic?!"
Luz laughed. "I believe it's to straighten their teeth," she corrected.
"What was that?!" the new voice exclaimed.
"Alright Augustus, I'm going to show you something, but you have to be cool," Willow warned.
"I can be spool - uh, cool!" Augustus replied eagerly.
"Alright. Abomination, rise!" Willow ordered. Both Vee and Luz rose to the top of the pot.
Luz nodded to Gus, dissipating her light spell, and Vee shyly waved. "H-Hi."
Augustus's eyes widened. "Whoa! Willow, who are they?"
"Augustus, meet Luz and Vee," Willow announced. "Guys, this is my best friend Augustus. He's President of the Human Appreciation Society."
"Really?" Luz's eyes sparkled.
"Now you've done it," Vee groaned, smiling. "Luz is a fan of all things human. Honestly, it's grown into kind of an unhealthy obsession . . ."
"Of course it hasn't! I only visit the human world once every week!" Luz protested.
"And you stay there for the rest of the day," Vee pointed out.
"You've been to the Human Realm?!" Augustus whisper-shouted.
Willow and Vee hastily made shushing noises, Vee sinking back into the pot to hide.
Luz nodded. "I believe I knew an Augustus there . . . everyone called him Gus."
"A human nickname? Gus?" Augustus looked absolutely delighted. "Call me it! Gus! I love it!"
A bell screamed, causing Vee to yelp and Luz to jump.
"Gotta get to class!" Gus said, hastily darting off. "See you guys at lunch!"
"Bye, Augustus!" Willow called back, waving. "Alright," she added to Luz and Vee, "back into the darkness you go."
The two quickly sank back down as the lid was replaced, and Willow wheeled them to her Abomination class.
Everyone came up one by one to present their Abominations to the teacher. By the tenth one, he was fuming. "Pathetic! The biggest abominations are you all! The next hopeless Abomination, everyone gets homework! For an entire month!"
The students all groaned.
Amity took that moment to speak up. "I'm ready to present my Abomination, sir. Abomination, rise!"
The teacher chuckled. "Excellent, Ms. Blight, but of course, I always save the best for last! You'll need to wait your turn! Instead we'll go with . . . Ms. Park." His voice darkened, and the students collectively began muttering.
Luz and Vee cracked the lid open, giving their friend reassuring looks. "Don't worry, you will do fine," Luz whispered.
"And I'll do my best to be an appropriate Abomination," Vee added.
Willow gave them a strained smile before wheeling her cart up to the stage. "Uh . . . Abomination . . . rise?" she said hesitantly.
Vee rose up on her feet, sending the lid of the pot flying and moaning to the class.
Willow smiled. "Abomination, bow." Vee quickly did as told.
The Abomination teacher looked delighted. "Impressive! Does it speak?"
"Abomination, speak," Willow said to Vee.
"You're a star in my eyes," Vee said, slowing and deepening her voice for added effect.
The Abomination teacher chuckled. "Delightful! A plus!" he exclaimed, painting an A on Vee's forehead. "It appears we have a new Top Student!" Some Abomination goo removed the badge from a shocked Amity's cloak and pinned it to Willow's instead.
"Thank you, sir," Willow said shyly. "Abomination, cower," she added to Vee, who slid back into the pot.
The bell screamed; the students jumped out of their seats, beginning to chatter with one another. Amity stormed up to Willow. "Your Abomination was mush!" she snapped. "What did you do?"
"I took your pep talk to heart," Willow replied nervously.
Amity scoffed. "I've got my eye on you, Half-a-Witch." She walked backward, not breaking eye contact with Willow.
"I think Amity's onto us," Willow whispered.
"Now may be time for us to return to our home," Luz whispered in reply.
Willow shook her head. "Normally, I'd say yes, but Abomination students bring their Abominations with them all over the place in order to show them off. And now that I have the Top Student badge, everyone's gonna want to see my Abomination; it'll look suspicious if you're not here."
Vee moaned. "This was a horrible plan. We're gonna get caught, and then they're gonna send us to the Conformatorium, and then they're gonna send us to -"
"Hey, hey, relax," Luz interrupted, placing her hands on her friend's shoulders. "I have an idea. I will be Willow's Abomination and you can sneak out of the school. If I use my Ice Magic, I should be able to control the Abomination to do as Willow commands. When I return, we can snuggle with King. Is that alright?"
Vee hesitated before lifting her hands and beginning to sign. But someone could recognize you!
Luz shook her head. They won't. The Emperor hasn't put out any Wanted posters for me because he doesn't need anyone to know that he lost his 'daughter'. She rolled her eyes as she signed the word. No one will recognize me. I promise.
Vee sighed before nodding. "Alright." Transforming back into her basilisk form, she slithered over to the first-floor window, pausing to glance one more time at Luz. Luz, understanding, walked over as well, pulling off her glove and pressing her palm to the glass. Ice began frosting over the pane, shattering into shards.
Vee hugged Luz quickly and waved goodbye to Willow before climbing outside and slithering off in the direction of the Owl House. Luz pulled her glove back on and turned to Willow. "Ready to continue?"
Willow nodded, watching as Luz clambered back into the pot. "You don't have to do this, you know."
"Of course not," Luz agreed. "Yet I want to. I am your friend, am I not?"
Willow smiled at that before placing the lid atop the pot and wheeling it outside.
Willow had been right: everyone had wanted to see her Abomination now that she had the Top Student badge. Luz was exhausted from manipulating her ice for so long, and had nearly dozed off when the bell screamed for lunch.
"Are you okay?" Willow whispered as she wheeled the cart to the end of a lunch table. "You look exhausted."
"Merely overuse of my magic," Luz whispered back. "I am alright."
"Here!" Gus chirped, handing her a sandwich. "I brought you some food!"
"Thank you," Luz replied, relieved, reaching for the sandwich. While she had been taught decorum at the Castle, she was too tired to care about that right now, and instead chose to take a large bite. She did chew appropriately though; some lessons didn't disappear.
"Gus," Willow said nervously, "what if Amity -?"
"I SAW THAT!" Amity shouted, leaping onto the table and pointing at Luz, who quickly dropped back down into the pot. "Abominations don't eat!" Amity reached into the Abomination goop, grabbing Luz's dress front and shaking her while Luz hung limply. "Who are you?!"
"Amity Blight!" The Abomination teacher's voice rang through the cafeteria, startling Amity. "I suspected some jealousy, but this is going too far! Report to Principal Bump's office this minute!"
"But sir -" Amity tried to protest.
"Now!"
Glaring, Amity released Luz and stalked off in a huff.
Luz held up her goo-covered sandwich. "Oh, Titan."
"Here, you can have the rest of mine," Willow offered, handing Luz her tray.
"That isn't necessary -"
"I'm not that hungry," Willow assured. "Go on, take it."
Luz smiled at her friend, relieved to be eating again, though this time she was careful to keep it hidden inside the pot so no one saw. Really, had Belos taught her nothing? She knew better than to eat while disguised as an Abomination!
. . . Yeah, it's best not to ask about that particular incident . . .
After lunch, Willow only had a few more classes before she was finally able to escape from the prying eyes of curious students. She wheeled her cart into an abandoned classroom, pulling Gus in behind her, and removed the lid. "Thanks for all your help today, Luz."
"It was nothing," Luz assured her, climbing out of the pot. "I was delighted to help."
The door suddenly slammed open, revealing a smirking Amity. Realizing that it was too late to control the Abomination goo with her ice, Luz hastily dropped to the floor. Amity stepped aside, allowing a much older witch to enter.
"Principal Bump," Willow greeted him nervously, she and Gus backing up as the principal knelt, lifting Luz's chin and turning her head from side to side.
"Abomination, rise," he ordered, stepping aside. Luz quickly did as told. "Abomination, lie."
Luz slowly plodded over to a nearby desk, lowering herself onto it and sending Gus and Willow a panicked look. They stared back at her helplessly, unsure of what to do. Bump approached, beckoning for Willow to join him.
"When Ms. Blight told me of your Abomination," he said to her, "I had to see what it was made of."
"I have the list -" Willow began, rummaging in a pocket.
"No. We were hoping for a closer look," Bump interrupted, pulling a dagger from his sleeve. Luz's eyes locked on the weapon and she was barely able to smother a whimper, remembering all the times the Emperor had "disciplined" her. She tried to take deep breaths, knowing that she couldn't allow herself to fall into a panic when her life was on the line. She couldn't, however, prevent frost from spreading over the desk she lay upon, or the gathering snowstorm from appearing in the corner of the classroom.
"Willow." Bump's voice brought Luz partially out of her flashbacks, and she turned in time to see Bump handing her friend the dagger. "Please make the first cut."
Willow stepped closer to Luz, the two exchanging panicked glances. The snowstorm was growing stronger, finally forcing Bump to turn away and stare at it in confusion. "What -?"
"GO!" Willow shouted, pulling Luz off the desk and out into the main hall. The two friends ran, Luz's footsteps leaving an icy trail behind her.
The girls paused behind a nearby pillar, panting. "I'm so sorry about this, Luz," Willow wheezed. "I didn't mean for you to nearly get dissected!"
"It's alright," Luz assured her. The flashbacks tried to rise again, but she forcefully pushed them down. Everything was fine, and she wasn't with Belos. "It was enlightening to learn more about this school."
"You've never been to one?"
Luz shook her head. "I had an . . . isolated childhood."
Red patterns were suddenly painted across the walls, and forcefields began blocking doorways.
"Oh, no," Willow moaned. "Come on, this way!" She tried to reach for Luz's hand but Luz hastily jerked back out of reach. Willow frowned at her in confusion.
"Sorry! I-It isn't safe for you to touch my hand. Just lead me to the exit!" Luz said quickly.
Willow nodded, leading the way through several twists and turns.
"I can see them!" Luz shouted, spotting the school entrance. "We're nearly there!"
"Abominations, seize!" Bump's voice boomed. The girls whirled around to see several Abominations coming towards them. Willow quickly dragged Luz behind a pillar, Luz quickly jerking away once they were safely hidden.
"Sorry!" the two whispered simultaneously. Willow peered around the pillar before turning and sinking to the floor, hiding her face in her hands. "I don't know what to do," she whispered, her expression falling. "Amity's right, I'm Half-a-Witch Willow."
Luz frowned as her friend said that, ignoring her discomfort as she reached forward, grabbing Willow's hands. "You are Full-Witch Willow!" Her eyes sparkled as an idea came to her. "And someone once told me great witches are resourceful." She waved a finger, pulling apart the pocket she'd hidden the slimeball in. Tipping it into her palm, she dissipated the pocket and handed the slimeball to Willow. "Can this help at all?"
Willow's eyes widened. "A seed! Thank goodness you had this!"
Luz blinked, surprised to learn what the slimeball actually was. "Yes. Thank goodness Eda advised me to keep it on hand."
Willow placed the seed in her lap and summoned a spell circle. "Please, grow, little seed!" she begged. A moment later, thorny vines sprouted, whipping their way through the school, destroying the Abominations and pinning the principal to the ceiling. Having lost his focus, the barriers around the doorways began to fade. "Let's go!" Willow shouted, pushing Luz ahead of her.
Just as they were almost there, Amity slid in front of them, glaring. "Not so fast! I want my badge!" she snarled. "Abominations, seize!"
Willow quickly summoned more vines, slashing through the Abominations while Luz thrust out her hands, freezing the gooey monsters in place.
"Get out of here!" Willow shouted.
"Not without you!" Luz shouted back, a blast of her ice making a hole in an Abomination's chest. "We can defeat these Abominations together! You are not the only witch with a strong magical talent!" She knelt to the ground, tore off her gloves, and slammed her palms against the floor. A thick sheen of ice began spreading, across the floor, along the walls, only leaving a clear space for Luz and Willow.
"That is enough!"
The girls whirled around as Bump freed himself with a quick spell, summoning some Abomination goo to help him to the floor. "Ms. Blight, cease your attacks at once! Ms. Park, you may retract your plants. Mr. Porter, do stop trying to sneak around. And intruder," he turned to Luz, "clean up this mess!"
Luz and Willow exchanged glances. Bump didn't exactly seem too keen on trying to attack them again . . . Luz sighed, waving her hand and thinking warm thoughts. The ice slowly began to melt, then dissipated completely. Willow followed her friend's example, snapping her fingers and summoning the vines back into the seed. Gus walked over to join them while Amity stood beside Bump.
Bump surveyed the leftover cracks in the walls and floor and the melted Abomination goo. "There's always someone," he sighed. "Ms. Park! What you did today was illegal, irresponsible, and completely foolish! Imagine what might have happened should your partner have decided to turn everyone into living ice cubes!"
"I would never -" Luz began, horrified.
"I'm not finished," Bump interrupted, raising his hand. He looked back to Willow. "However, you have shown remarkable talent, managing to summon so many vines from a single seed. Color me impressed; you will be switched to the Plant Track immediately." He snapped his fingers, and Willow's uniform changed from Abomination-purple to forest-green.
Willow gasped, inspecting her new colors and twirling around with a giggle. "Thank you, sir!"
"As for you . . ." Bump looked at Luz and sighed. "I do thank you for the challenge you provided me. I haven't seen this much chaos since Edalyn attended."
"Eda attended?" Luz asked, surprised. "She seems averse to ordinary education."
"Oh, she was," Bump grumbled. "She caused no end of trouble, for staff and students alike! However, she was, while not a model pupil, certainly a star one, and one I do miss. Just don't tell her that." Luz laughed, nodding. "Unfortunately, as you do not attend this school, nor any other from what I can see of your outfit," he snapped his fingers, summoning a scroll, "you are hereby banned from Hexside." He unrolled the scroll, revealing a picture of Luz covered in Abomination goo and the words BANNED written elegantly at the top.
"That's alright," Luz replied hesitantly. "But . . . would you mind keeping these within the school area?"
Bump considered her for a long moment. "A runaway of some sort, hm?" he mused. Luz opened her mouth, attempting to protest. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." He rolled the scroll back up and placed it in his sleeve. "And yes, I will keep these posters on school grounds, no farther."
Luz smiled, relieved. "Thank you, sir."
"You are all free to go," Bump said. He glared at Luz. "And keep your little basilisk friend away from here, too."
Luz blinked. "How did you -?"
"The Abomination teacher saw the trail of goo leading to a shattered window," Bump said flatly. "Also, she's just outside. Along with the Owl Lady and her demon."
"What?!" Luz rushed out the doors. Bump was correct. "I asked you to let Eda know that I was alright!" she said as she hurried to meet with Vee.
"You could've been in trouble!" Vee protested, before glancing over Luz's shoulder and gulping. "And were, by the looks of it."
"Kid, what happened in there?" Eda asked.
Luz smiled sheepishly. "Vee and I are banned."
Eda cheered. "Babys' first Wanted Posters! You girls make me so proud!"
Vee yelped. "Luz -!"
"It will stay on school grounds," Luz soothed. "The principal gave me his word."
"Edalyn, it's good to see you," Bump said, walking down the school's steps. "Please take your little troublemakers back to the Owl House, and see to it that they never enter my school again!"
"No promises, Bumpypoo!"
"Never call me that."
