Esmerelda and Katherine were hidden behind a tree watching two first years. Katherine gripped her broom tightly while her blue eyes looked at Esmey's concern face. Maud and Mildred were whispering amoung each other away from the third years. The older girls were not planning to eavesdrop. They heard of Mildreds plan of sneaking out. Neither girls knew the reason why but hearing that Mildred was planning to break the rules made Katherine want to do the same. Esmerelda's dissaporval look was confirmation she thought Katherine was out of her mind.

She had to find out. It had been over two weeks since the mist of time. Wondering if Noah was safe or if he did transport back into time. If he did, she knew that he would no longer be a boy but now an older man. If he even lived thru the new era. The thought gave her chills.

"This isnt a good idea" Esmerelda's words were a sharp whisper. Katherine couldn't help but shush her friend. She knew Esmey was uncomfortable breaking a major rule like this. The girls were warned in Potions Lab that if they left the grounds, expulsion would be the consequence. Katherine knew she had to assure Esmey that she would be back, that with the protection spell her mother cast on the school, all she had to do was let her back in. Katherine gripped her broom taping it once.

"Hover" she commanded. Before taking off in a different direction from Mildred. Looking in the first year direction she only knew of Ada Cackle's old home. Not sure where Hubble planned to go. A part of her wanted to make sure the girl would be safe. Yet, Katherine had her own issues to handle.

Her broom flew steady. The magic trouble seemed gone. Unsure what caused the issue. Katherine couldn't help but blame it upon stress. She had been overwhelmed this whole school year, third year was not for the weak. Within the two weeks from the mist, she managed to catch up with her work and even send out many letters to WeirdSister College. Hoping they would allow her to take courses at their school.

Continuing on her path she kept her eyes looking for any sign of life below. Her goal was to make sure he was alive, the guilt of it being her fault ate at her everyday. Hoping Noah survived but knowing that if he did she had to let go. Katherine needed to be the Witch that both her parents wanted her to be. Letting go of the one person that made her feel more alive then anyone ever did.

A small rooftop building was visible. Lowering her broom within the woods, packed with trees, she landed next to a rundown shed. It was nothing spectacular. Placing her broom near the window Katherine started to peep inside. It was dark, no lights were lit. Not wanting to feel like a peeping Tom, Katherine gathered up the courage to head toward the front door. Leaving her broom behind.

He stood at the door, his hand was nearly turning the knob to enter the rundown shed. She was shocked. He was not an old man but still his youthful self. He was alive. How did he escape? Of course she was happy to see him but it made the task so much harder. He turned to face her. His expression was stern and hard. Keeping her eyes upon him she walked toward the seventeen year old. Noah didn't open his door but stayed silent as he scanned Katherine. For the first time in two weeks they were finally infront of each other. Noah made his way down from the porch. She backed away shaking her head not understand how.

"I was worried, sick about you, how did you escape. But" Katherine's words stop. It wasnt the fact that he escaped, she was happy he was safe. The words Ms. Bat said the day the mist occurred. Only magical beings could see this mist. "how did you know?" The question that needed to be answered was out.

Noah's eyes fell behind Katherine upon the large broom resting near the window. "We all have secrets Joy" his words firm. Katherine took a deep breath. He knew but if he knew about her she wanted to understand how. She wanted to know who and what he was. The lies between them kept growing. As the clouds above turned grey; filled with with rain ready to pour. Her eyes narrowed as lightning struck. Noah cleared his throat taking a step toward the witch.

"Its better if you let me show you" his icy tone made the hair on her neck rise.

Not waiting for the quick movement, Katherine fell backwards. Noah shifted into the black wolf. His hazel eyes narrow. Katherine scooted herself back too shock to stand up. Fear in her eyes as she watched the boy before her shift back into his human stance.

"I'm a shifter"

She did not need him to say what he was. Even though Katherine sat speechless from learning what he was; she knew of such creatures. They were the demons young witches heard in stories. The demons that parents told their young ones about to frighten them. Simon, her father had one story in particular he would share with her. Thinking of the tall tale:

A witch gullible and free

Broke the rules

She decided to leave and see

Alone in the woods, she met a shifter

Following rules is key

The shifter did the unthinkable

And their was no more witch to be

It was a lesson and story tied into one, but Katherine never saw a real shifter until now. Even though she was a witch seeing other magical creatures was rare. Noah's firm grip on her wrist helped pull the young girl to her feet. She wasn't comfortable staying near him but couldn't back away. Shock still kept her from running.

"How long have you known about me" she asked. Was she the fool the entire time? Feeling so foolish she looked down at the ground while Noah spoke.

"When I saw your mother, she told me to stay away...or else"

It all made sense. She saw him. The black wolf, her mother made her departure from. Hardbroom never told her. The clouds gave another roar.

Knowing she needed to return so Emserelda could grant her access inside. Noah and Kathetine continued their conversation toward the school grounds. She could have done the walk alone, but she still wanted answers. Katherine felt like she deserved the truth. He freely gave her answers. He spoke about the Mist of Time being a tale in America. That he never saw such a thing before until that day. The stories always explained how one must enter and return the same way or seek shelter. That he had shifted into a different creature, his favorite. An owl. He flew as fast as he could toward his home. Luck was on his side. Katherine looked at him as the school came into view. Rain drops fell upon her blonde hair and skin. It was time for her final goodbye

"I don't think I'll see you again"

Saying it made it true. Even though she was away for the two weeks she couldn't help but enjoy all the conversation they held. The school year was almost over and he was the added bonus.

"Why"

The only explanation she could truly think of "We are built off of lies and I do not think it's safe" she needed to think of herself. She needed to put her future first. The shock wave of reality hit her heart. To lose a friend was hard.

Feeling a tight grip pull her close. Noah's nose was nearly touching hers as he whispered "Don't be foolish. Other then keeping the fact I can shift from you, I have been honest...I will never hurt you." The girp made Katherine second guess his words. Adrenaline ran thru her blood. She could smell his scent thru the rain. Pushing herself away from the Shifter. Shaking her head.

"My name isn't even Joy" she snapped. Katherine was tired of living in this illusion. "We are friends of lies...You don't even know me" her head kept shaking while her clothes were drenched. The worst idea she had in a long time, feeling like she should of left him alone. Katherine knew this was who they were. Two young magical people, lying about who and what they are. Noah kept watching Katherine. She could tell that he was becoming fustrated with her wanting to call it quits.

Lightning struck as a loud thunder followed.

"Unless every moment was a lie...I call this bullshit."

Noah ran his fingers thru his wet brown hair. The shirt clung to his muscular figure. "We hid things...afraid to be judged. but our connection was real"

Katherine couldn't deny it. The moment she met him he was full of joy and life. The missing piece to her puzzle. He was already living a life of adventure that she long to have. Katherine never saw this side of Noah. He was determined as his eyes narrowed on her.

"Tell me...who are you then" Noah's words were stern and deep. A gold rim circled his pupil for a brief moment. Katherine's sapphire eyes locked onto his. She felt the magic in her blood warm her skin from the rain.

"A witch"

Turning to leave Katherine didn't know how to feel. She wanted to sleep it off and cuddle with Zelena. Cry it out. She was confused. Noah took a step toward her. Gripping the back of her hair he pulled her slowly to him.

His other hand rested on her neck while his finger stroke her cheek. Looking at him Katherine allowed his lips to touch hers. She couldn't explain the want. As their lips locked upon each other, it was exciting, scary, wanting it all to work out. A tingling sensation upon her forehead, the young witch was no longer protected by her mother's kiss. The spell was broken. Noah gently pushed Katherine away.

His words had no emotion as he took a few steps back. "Then leave"

She watched as the boy who was her first kiss leave her. Reminding herself that she wanted this. Yet a part of her was conflicted. Wanting to scream his name, he still didn't know hers. Katherine realized she left her broom but couldn't worry about it. Once inside the main gate she ran to the door.

Knock. Knock.

Esmerelda granted Katherine entrance. It didn't take long for Katherine to tell Esmerelda everything. Before Esmey could even offer advice or input the girls stopped at Ada Cackle's office. Ethel had entered the headmistress office. Both third years were shocked at the first years actions. Esmerelda and Katherine came to an agreement that she would stand guard while Esmey went tend to her sister. Once the two Hallow girls were away from sight Katherine's ears filled with Esmerelda's words.

" I, Esmerelda Hallow... freely gift my witches' powers to the one with the Cackle I stand"

As the last word went thru Katherine's ear she ran inside the room. Her wet clothes dripping on the floor as she screamed.

"ESMEY NO"

Cackle and Ms. Gullet stood near the Hallows. Both of the elderly witches had sinister grins while Esmey's presence became dull. Katherine walked over to her friend catching her before she fell upon the ground. A loud popping noise occured.

Ada appeared. While Ada Cackle hissed her sister's name, Katherine looked at Agatha. In that instant Katherine and Esmerelda both realized what had happened. Esmerelda was tricked by Ada'e evil twin into openly allowing her magic to transfer hands.

Esmerelda turned toward her younger sibling "You knew" she whispered.

Ethel smirk was the answer. Katherine wanted to lunge and punch the girl. She didn't understand why a sister would be so cruel. Feeling Esmey's breaths becoming deep she knew that the Hallow she held onto was fighting back tears. After all she just gave her magic away to the one person that was trying to destroy their Headmistress. The person keeping them safe.

Agatha cleared her throat making Katherine's eyes avert from Ethel's smug face upon the elderly witch. It had been a few months since they laid eyes on one another. Ms. Gullet stayed standing in the background, her fire red hair braided imperfect to the side. All three girls watched in horror as the Cackle sisters argued and fought amongst themselves. It was watching Ethel do the unthinkable. A scroll was in the younger Hallow's hand.

"Your true birthing scroll" Ethel informed Agatha Cackle. The true birth certificate scroll was handed over. Katherine and Esmerelda exchanged looks. Both girls could not believe what Ethel was doing.

"It's a lie...you lied" Agatha's cold words filled the room. The presence of the witch made Katherine's hair on her neck rise. The girls watched in horror while Ms. Gullet laughed, Agatha used her newly given power to trap Ada Cackle into a picture. The three girls were alone. The only pupil in the room that showed no fear was Ethel Hallow. Katherine and Esmerelda clung to one another. She knew her best friend was scared, being nonmagical always frightened Esmey. Early in term when she flew out in the grounds, the conversation the pair had. Being nonmagical and out in that world. As long as Agatha is headmistress no one is safe Katherine thought. She wished her mother would appear and fix this mistake. Not realizing with her protection spell broken Hardbroom had no idea the trouble her daughter was in, now and in the future.

Thanks for the reviews, means a lot!! The story is different then what I'm use to writing. Loving the challenge.