A Magical Addition

Chapter 2

Hey. Thanks for all the reviews, it's so encouraging to know you're actually reading this, I'll try not to disappoint. I've taken all your comments into account and will imply them from now on. Anyway hope you enjoy the first proper chapter.

The next morning Sophie was awoken suddenly by the loud, castle shaking roar of water gushing from the taps. She ruffled her starlight hair and rubbed her eyes groggily rather surprised that she hadn't somehow ended up in Howl's bed like she usually did on the occasional night when she stumbled into her own room.

She made her bed in a trance like state only to realise that she had slept in the clothes she had worn the previous day. A little disgusted with herself she grabbed a few towels and made her way to the shower room. After the hair incident Howl had insisted that she never entered his bathroom again and even if she wanted to he had put a magical barrier over the door. Sophie rolled her eyes,

How do I live with such an egocentric man? She thought to herself as she passed the bathroom door, coloured rays of light beaming out from around it.

'Because you love me.' His smooth, calming tone sang down the hall after her.

And apparently he reads minds now!

As the steaming hot water ran over her body, her muscles tensed and then relaxed her mind wandering to her wizard who also bathed just next door.

'HEY! YOU TWO?' Calcifer's loud nasally voiced erupted through the castle 'ANYMORE HOT WATER AND WE'LL BE OUT FOR A WEEK!'

They both chuckled, Calcifer was never amused by the amount of water they used, more so Howl than Sophie. However not wanting to upset him further she hastily shut off the water stepping out and wrapping herself in a towel. As she padded back down the hall, Howl just happened to step out in front of her.

'Mmm, good morning.' He said softly, Sophie's eyes wandering over his perfectly chiselled torso, he was truly beautifully built.

'Good morning.' She replied meekly holding onto her towel a little tighter and brushing past him as she continued back to her room.

15 minutes later…

Sophie stood hoking through the kitchen cupboards.

'I think it's almost time for a trip into Porthaven Markl.' She said with a heaving sigh trying to think of a way she could use the leftovers to make breakfast. The young apprentice sat up at the kitchen table, his legs not quite reaching the ground as he swung them back and forth. He groaned in protest as he flicked jadedly through an old spell book of Howl's.

At that moment the wizard came prancing down the stares, his white, puffy shirt hanging loosely over his beautifully carved chest. He moved swiftly across room seizing Sophie's arm and spinning her around into a dip. Sophie giggled as her body surged with excitement and nervous butterflies as he lingered over her, his fresh, dizzying smell of hyacinths and herbs filling her nostrils and making her a little light headed. His soft lips pressed gently against hers for a moment before he pulled her back up with ease leaving her a little dazed.

Markl clasped one hand over his eyes, the other over his mouth as he was still at that age when girls and kissing were both gross.

'Someone's in a good mood this morning.' Calcifer muttered reaching out for another log and dropping it on top of himself. The fire demon watched the couple as they exchanged a loving gaze.

I wonder how long it'll take him. He thought with a twinge of worry. What will he say? What will he do? He's such a coward, so unpredictable!

'I'm afraid we're all out of food.' Sophie said shutting the cupboard door and folding her arms. Howl smirked, his eyes slowly closing. A sudden wind blew through the kitchen as the wizard hovered a little above the ground, his long black hair blowing wildly up behind him. Sophie did her best to hold down her skirt, the pages of Markl's book flipping over in a cream blur. It then stopped suddenly, Howl returning to the ground with a beaming grin.

'Crisis over.' He stated winking at his astounded love who stood with her mouth hanging agape as it always does when he performs those impressive little tricks.

'Where are you going today Howl?' Calcifer asked, his flame enlarging and then dying down again.

Howl moved across the room, his four inch heels echoing off the wooden floor as he went. He grabbed his grey and peach diamond patterned jacket of its hook whipping it over his shoulder and then heading for the portal completely ignoring Calcifer's question.

'I won't be long.' He said cheerfully clunking the handle round to black and then disappearing.

With a sigh Sophie glanced out the kitchen window into the sea of white puffy clouds.

That's one benefit to living the sky, She thought It never rains.

With a smirk the hatter reopened the cupboard which, prior to Howl's spell which in his books was "child's play", had been completely bare. However now it over flowed with delicious looking produce.

'I love magic.' She muttered to herself.

…

That evening, after settling the former witch of the waste into her bed, Sophie returned downstairs just in time for Howl's arrival. He had been in and out several times that day however she was used to that, it was the thought of him being around other girls when he would go out through the yellow or green portal that worried her.

His shockingly blue eyes immediately connected with hers, a smile spreading over both their faces, but suddenly Howl froze. His lips tightened into a firm straight line, his brow furrowing.

'Something wrong?' Sophie asked sounding a little concerned.

The wizard glanced towards Calcifer who stared back at him blankly only hoping he wouldn't say something stupid or alarm Sophie.

'Calcifer…can you…' He began and then paused glancing around the room. Sophie still stood on the bottom stair, her hand lightly placed on the mahogany banister, her deep brown eyes still concentrated on Howl as he was behaving in the strangest manner.

'What is it Howl?' She demanded a little frightfully.

Howl took a deep breath and closed his eyes. It was as if he could sense something but couldn't quite put his finger on it.

'A witch…' He said, his voice almost a whisper. Calcifer simmered down into a mere glow as if he was trying to stay out of things.

'A witch?' Sophie repeated, her eyes leaving Howl to scan the room cautiously.

'I think,' Howl doubted himself as he slowly reopened his eyes. 'Did you have any visitors whilst I was out?' He asked glancing between her and Calcifer. Sophie shook her head but Howl continued to stare at Calcifer who was avoiding his gaze very obviously. 'Calcifer?' He said suspiciously. The fire demon purposely didn't reply pretending not to have heard him. 'You're going to have to tell me sometime!' Howl snapped tapping his foot impatiently and crossing his arms.

Sophie finally descended the last step and hurried to Howl's side clawing at his sleeve, her eyes still glancing around the kitchen come living area.

'Maybe you're just tired Howl…it's probably nothing.' Calcifer finally spoke up but Howl wasn't buying it.

'You're terrible at excuse making my friend.' Howl replied tetchily wrapping his arm around Sophie's shoulder and squeezing her a little before suddenly changing the subject. 'How was your day beautiful?' He said softly, planting a kiss into her silvery hair.

'Average,' She replied her head suddenly snapping back towards the staircase as Markl came flying down practically tripping over his nightwear.

'Howl!' He panted 'The mobile in your room…it's spinning like crazy! What's going on?' Calcifer flared a little, wondering why this simple situation that only he knew about, was wreaking such havoc with the castle.

Howl immediately released Sophie and fled up the stairs after the rather flustered yet excited Markl. After throwing a last suspicious glare towards Calcifer, Sophie followed after them. She half ran down the corridor to Howl's room to find the young apprentice standing in the doorway. She slowed and continued to his side peering in. Howl stood in front of the magical trinket which hung from the ceiling, the small propeller on one end spinning wildly, a bell tinkling repeatedly. As Sophie appeared it turned slightly to point in her direction. Howl's muscles tensed as he glanced over his shoulder, his eyes locking with those of his girlfriend's. Markl took a small step away from her and leant with his back up against the door frame.

'S-Sophie?' His babyish voice asked in surprise. Howl's gaze dropped as he shook his head in disbelief.

'It can't be…' He muttered looking back at the mobile which continued to spin and tinkle in Sophie's direction.

Sophie's mouth opened and closed not quite understanding what was going on.

Does it think I'm a…a…a witch? But I'm not!...At least I think I'm not.

'It must be faulty!' Howl said almost angrily his hand wrapping around the trinket and forcefully pulling it down, throwing it into the corner in a rage. His breathing was deep and raspy, his fists clenching and unclenching.

Sophie and Markl both stared at him wide eyed.

'You're not a witch Sophie…you can't just suddenly become one, can you master Howl?' Markl asked sheepishly, his reddish hair hanging in his eyes.

'Go back to bed Markl.' Howl ordered, his back still turned on them in a hunch, his head hung. The young apprentice didn't hesitate retreating to his room swiftly without so much as a backwards glance. Sophie remained in silence as she lingered by the door. He was rarely like that, since they'd gotten properly together his tantrums had become less frequent and usually had a small magnitude.

'H-Howl-'

'I just don't understand…I can't work it out…you're…b-but…'He was also rarely speechless and it was beginning to worry the silver haired hatter. 'I need answers…I need to see…' He voice faded away into an incomprehensible whisper.

'See who Howl?' Sophie asked as he brushed past her in the doorway and marched towards the stairs.

'I won't be long!'

His answer every single time!

'See who Howl?' Sophie snapped stamping her foot in the process, she had always ignored him not answering her questions, but enough was enough. She followed him back down the stairs, but he was very quick on his feet. She stumbled forward grabbing his sleeve and yanking him forcefully. 'Howl!' She practically screamed causing him to stop suddenly. Calcifer flared up and opened one eye to view the scene.

With an exasperated sigh he finally gave in.

'I'm going to see Suliman. This whole thing is…making me stressed.' He said glancing at the fire demon out the corner of his eyes who suddenly vanished into the logs in a puff.

Sophie's jaw slowly dropped,

'But, but Howl what if she-'And with that, he was gone.

Thanks for reading. Please, please keep the reviews coming and silent readers…I know you're there ;) Updates coming soon.

~*Sarah*~