Hope you like this chapter, I'm keeping them short and sweet ^-^ Special thanks to jack malvine, james proper, donty one and rueben for encouraging me! xx

"Sophie" she heard a voice call out to her. She ignored it and went back to watching her father create his latest potion. Sophie thought this one was a masterpiece, it was an antidote for general poisons.

"Sophie", there it was again. Where was it coming from? She got up from the workbench and followed the voice outside the shop; where there stood a handsome young blonde boy at the bottom of the steps.

She heard him speak, "Sophie, wake up", yet the voice was uncharacteristically like a little boys-it was a soft yet deep voice that called her out from her slumber. Sophie opened her eyes slowly.

Howl was standing just outside the car, shaking her gently to wake her.

"Come on in, were here", he held out his hand to help her out of the car. Sophie sat up and stepped out of the car, stumbling when she stood because she was still half-asleep. Howl's strong hands held her in place, preventing her from falling. Sophie looked up at him in surprise, noticing their closeness and blushing slightly. Wait. Why was she acting this way towards such a shady man? Get some sense Sophie! Now she was fully awake.

Howl just smiled, "let's go", he carried her bag as they walked to the door of his home in Kingsbury. The journey had been tiring for Sophie, as it was rare for her to travel. Sophie looked down the street, noticing that it was evening now. Sophie heard Howl knock on the door, and wondered why he would knock on the door to his own home when a young boy with messy brown hair opened it.

"Master Howl!" the young boy exclaimed with joy as he hugged him around the waist. Sophie was utterly surprised that Howl accepted it wholeheartedly. The boy pulled away.

"Who's the lady?" the young boy asked, looking Sophie up and down curiously, as if he were suspicious of her.

"Markl, this is Sophie, Sophie, this is Markl", he gestured between the two of them.

"It's a pleasure", Sophie held out her hand to shake Markl's but he just turned away and retreated to his room. Sophie was a little shocked, but Howl told her not to mind him. As she stepped inside Sophie wondered what their relationship was, perhaps Markl was…Howl's son?

Sophie's train of thought shifted when she took in the features of the house. She looked around in wonder as she took in the dated books that lay sprawled about the main room, and the bookshelf covering the whole wall, extending from the floor and stretching up to the roof. On the opposite end of the room stood an exquisite fireplace. Candelabras' lined the dining table. A quill and ink waited patiently to be used on an antique desk.

Howl didn't seem surprised at Sophie's reaction to the awe-inspiring room. He chuckled and Sophie snapped her head to face him, a little embarrassed. He led her to her temporary bedroom.

Once Sophie had settled in she made a late dinner of bread and cheese (the only food residing in the house). Markl, Howl and Sophie all ate together at the dining table, yet Markl was avoiding eye contact with Sophie, solely asking Howl questions about his journey. Sophie was a little unnerved at why he would act this way towards a stranger. Had she done something to offend him? Impossible! She had only just arrived. Sophie decided to let it go for now, and once they finished dinner and cleaned up, she sat on the couch in front of the fireplace as Howl was busied himself with lighting it. With Howl's quill and ink she began to write a list of the 'items she requires' in order to counter the spell.

After a while Howl joined her, crossing his legs and opening a book that he rested on his lap. He read quietly as she compiled her list. Sophie felt a bit pressured to write something that looked genuine quickly, with him sitting right beside her. This is what she had so far:

Ingredients:

A String of Pearls,

Spider Silk,

Sea Salt,

Sugar,

Ambrosia Leaves

"Those are the things we need to break my curse?" Howl inquired, leaning close to Sophie to read her handwriting. Sophie tried to ignore his invasion of her personal space.

"Yes, this is what we'll be needing" she fibbed, knowing that this list would buy her some well needed time.

"Very well, we'll set out to acquire them tomorrow!" Howl's excitement shone through in his tone of voice but he appeared to be rather nonchalant.

He turned to her, "You really are great Sophie, you already know how to make the spell" he unintentionally stabbed Sophie in the heart with a pang on guilt as he went back to his book of spells and magic fables.

Sophie internally shook her head, she didn't have to feel bad about lying to him. She was going to find a way. Besides, she was sure he had deceived many people in his lifetime. Sophie let a yawn escape from her mouth and rested her head on the couch. All this chaos was draining for her, a girl who generally lived a simple, honest life. The fires warmth made her feel safe and sleepy. Her eyes drooped and she forced them open. Yet again they drooped against her will, but she didn't bother resisting anymore, allowing herself to drift off into a peaceful slumber.

Howl was abruptly pulled out from his immersion in his book when he felt a weight on his shoulder. He turned his head in surprise, only to find Sophie's resting against him. He couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. He noticed a strand of hair that had fallen out of her braid and now rested across her face, as she softly breathed in and out. Howl reached out towards her, tucking her hair behind her ear gently.

Howl shifted his attention back to the book and read well into the night, too enthralled to move, in addition to not wanting to wake Sophie. Without realising it he had fallen asleep next to Sophie, his head now resting on her own.