Woohoo! One review! At least someone knows what the heck I'm on about ;)

Thanks a bunch to "tacobell" for the encouraging comments. I've been looking for a good Halloweentown story too…and when I couldn't find one, I decided to write one instead ;)

Hope you like the next chapter!

I've got a cold and have been confined to my room…thus I've been very productive (or unproductive, depending on how you see it…)

Enjoy!

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Chapter 2

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"Good morning Dylan." Marnie chirped as he took a seat across from her at the breakfast table. "Don't you look perky today."

Dylan glared at his sister. "Didn't sleep much." He muttered as he hunched over his tray and began shovelling scrambled eggs into his mouth. He really wasn't in the mood for her comments right now- he had spent most of the night tossing and turning as he thought over what he and Ethan had discussed.

Could he really carry out the spell and help his friend?

Was he really ready to embrace his weirdness?

Would he ever actually fit in?

He wanted to think so…but a part of him wasn't so sure.

"Any plans for today?" Marnie asked, obviously not getting the hint that he didn't want to talk. "Because I was thinking that after class it might be nice to go visit Grandma and Sophie…mom said they should be back from their trip by now."

"Can't. Busy." Dylan muttered before continuing to scarf down his breakfast. He really hoped she wouldn't pursue the subject further. He didn't want to spill Ethan's plans and he knew that she'd never let him live it down if she found out he had enlisted her boyfriend to help him fit in.

Marnie scoffed. "You? Busy? Doing what…"

Thankfully, Ethan chose that moment to arrive at the table and divert Marnie's attention. "Morning." He said, smiling down at his girlfriend. "Mind if I join you?"

The young witch smiled. "Of course not." She replied, scooting over and making room for him to sit down. "Did you sleep well?"

"Well enough." Ethan replied, giving her a quick peck on the cheek before beginning to dig into his food.

Dylan rolled his eyes and tried to get the image of his friend and his sister kissing out of his head. He was genuinely happy that the two had moved beyond mono-syllables, but the thought of anyone liking his sister in that way made him slightly nauseous. He preferred not to think about it.

"So," Ethan began after taking a swig of his orange juice. "Have you guys heard anything about the changes in the school staff?"

"Not really." Marnie replied. "Professor Periwinkle told me that we're getting a new headmistress and a couple of new professors, but she didn't say much else."

The blonde boy nodded. "I heard that too. I also overheard some of the teachers saying that the new administration wants to introduce some new classes."

"Really?" Dylan asked, his interested peaked at the thought of more learning opportunities. No matter what world he was studying in, his main goal was to learn as much as possible.

Ethan nodded. "Maybe they'll bring back a few magical electives." He paused. "Although I guess that won't do me much good anymore…"

Marnie gave him a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure whatever they do, they'll be sure to include everyone. I wouldn't worry about…"

But before the girl could finish her thought, a puff of purple smoke at the front of the cafeteria diverted everyone's attention.

A hushed silence fell over the room and the entire student body turned towards the mysterious display of magic. After a few moments, the smoke cleared to reveal an elegant, middle aged woman in a long purple cloak, surrounded by the members of the Witch U teaching staff.

Ethan, Dylan, and Marnie all exchanged perplexed looks.

"Students" the woman began, looking around the room with a warm smile on her face. "If I could please have you attention for a few moments it would be much appreciated." She paused and waited until every pair of eyes on the room was focused directly on her. "Excellent. I am Professor Imogene Locke, a proud graduate of this fine institution and the former minister of education for the Halloweentown governing council. As I'm sure you are all aware by now, your former headmistress and several members of her staff were wrapped up in a rather unfortunate plot and had to be removed from their positions. I am pleased to announce that I will be taking up the job of headmistress and have appointed replacements for those staff members who are no longer with us."

The students clapped politely at the news. Many were already optimistic that Professor Locke would effectively correct the problems which had arisen under the rule of the Dominion.

"Thank you. Thank you all very much." The woman continued with a gracious smile. "I also see it fit to announce that I plan to implement several changes that I hope will help improve your experience here at Witch U. Starting next week, we will be offering several optional- but undoubtedly useful- after school courses designed to help you foster your individual talents. Many of these courses will be taught by existing members of our staff and some will be taught by qualified members of our fine town. The aim of these courses is not to segregate the student groups, but rather to help develop the special skills unique to each of your species. The dominions suppression of all magic was designed to create discontent- and although use of magic in regular classes will remain strictly prohibited- I do believe that there should be assigned times in which you should all be allowed to exercise your gifts. We do, after all, want to offer you the best learning experience possible."

This proclamation was met with even more enthusiastic applause.

Dylan observed that Marnie was unable to keep the excitement off of her face- she was smiling widely and her eyes were full of anticipation. Luckily, he was able to exhibit far more self control. He had to admit, this idea sounded pretty good- it had always struck him as a bit odd that a magical university had forbidden the use of magic. He had agreed to come so that he could better develop his powers (not that he'd ever tell Marine that) and he was glad that he would finally have the opportunity to do so.

"We are still working on a few of the details." Professor Locke continued. "But we should be ready for assessment and sign up early next week. Until then, I hope that you will all help our new staff members get adjusted and show them what bright students you all are."

She smiled as the students broke out into one last round of applause and gave them all a curt nod before leaving the room in a swish of purple. Once the rest of the facility departed, the buzz of conversation once again filled the room as the students began to discuss this new development.

"This is going to be great!" Marnie exclaimed, beaming at both Dylan and Ethan. "I'm finally going to get to use some magic!"

"Yeah." Ethan replied, unsuccessfully masking his disappointment. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

Marnie hesitated slightly, realizing that her now-powerless boyfriend probably didn't share her excitement. "Don't worry Ethan." She began, placing a comforting arm around his waist. "I'm sure some of the electives won't involve magic. After all, a lot of the creatures here don't have powers. You and Dylan can sign up for something non-magical together…it'll still be fun."

Dylan looked up at the sound of his name and shot his sister an angry glare. "Who says I don't want to lean magic too?" he blurted out, instantly regretting his words.

Marnie stared at him apprehensively. "Right…" she began sarcastically. "Because you totally love magic…you just can't get enough of it…"

Dylan felt himself filling with anger as his sister spoke. He was sick and tired of her assumptions and disparaging remarks.

She didn't know how he felt.

She didn't understand…

"I've had enough, Marnie." He half-shouted as he stood up from his seat and grabbed his tray. "You're not the only one in this family with powers. Like it or not, I am a warlock and if I want to do magic then it really isn't any of your business."

Marnie stopped her rant and looked up at her brother in shock.

"I…well…" she stammered, not quite sure what to make of his little outburst. "Did you just use the 'w' word? I never thought I'd see the day…"

Dylan scowled at her for a moment before turning abruptly and storming out of the cafeteria.

"What was that?" Marnie muttered, turning to look at Ethan. "What did I say?"

Ethan sighed and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I don't really know. You might want to talk to him about it though…" he glanced nervously into the hallway. "Look, I have to go, but I'll be right back, okay?"

"Okay…" Marnie replied, looking slightly confused.

The boy gave her another kiss on the cheek before taking off down the aisle and running out into the hall.

Marnie shook her head, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

"Boys…" she muttered quietly and she picked up her fork and finally began her breakfast.

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"Dylan! Wait up!" Ethan cried as he tore around the corner. "Come on man, talk to me."

Dylan finally slowed down and waited for his friend to catch up.

"What?" he asked, folding his hands across his chest. He clearly wasn't in the mood for a heart to heart chat.

"I just wanted to check on you…" Ethan began, giving his friend a reluctant smile. "You know what Marnie is like…she sounds sarcastic but she doesn't really mean it. She cares about you a lot, and I'm sure if you explain to her that you've had a change of heart she'll…"

"…mock me." Dylan finished, rolling his eyes. "Trust me, I know her. It's not even worth the effort."

"Ah, come on." Ethan tried again. "You have to see it from her point of view. To her, you've always been the one unwilling to embrace magic. Your thoughts on the matter may be changing, but unless you let her know, she's going to assume that you're the same."

Dylan sighed and leaned against the dusty brick wall. Maybe Ethan had a point. Maybe it would be best to talk about everything with Marnie. How could he expect her to see him differently if he couldn't admit to her that he was different?

"Alright. You may have a point." He began reluctantly. "I'll try talking to her."

Ethan smiled. "Good…and we're still on for today after class right? With these new electives starting up next week I want my powers back more then ever…"

"Yeah, we're still on." Dylan replied. "Meet you out by the big oak tree?"

"Sounds like a plan." Ethan said before giving his friend one last smile and heading back towards the cafeteria.

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Meanwhile, in an alternate dimension filled with captives and criminals…

"This is preposterous!" Dr. Goodwin fumed, stamping her foot in futile protest. "I refuse to be imprisoned like this. If I ever get out of here I'll…"

"Get revenge on the Cromwell's?" Silas Sinister asked, his deep voice reverberating off the walls of their magical prison. "Yes…that would be nice, wouldn't it?"

"Wishful thinking." Dr. Grogg muttered as paced back and forth across the room. "We're never getting out of here, and the Cromwell's are much too powerful"

"Always the optimistic one, aren't you?" Goodwin spat bitterly.

"I like to call it realistic…"

"Now now." Silas cut in. "Fighting won't do us any good. We'll find a way out of here…I'm sure my daughters are coming up with a plan as we speak."

Grogg scoffed. "I wouldn't count on it." He ignored Silas' glare and continued. "Besides, chances are they don't even have their powers anymore. If Periwinkle used the spell I think she did, putting you in here will have vanquished their powers as well. They're useless to us."

"Damnit!" Silas swore, clenching his fists in rage. "All the more reason to get out of here and get rid of those meddlesome Cromwell's once and for all…"

Silas was about to resume his rant when the sound of approaching footsteps caused all three of the prisoners to fall silent.

They exchanged nervous glances and waited as the sound drew nearer…

"Did somebody say 'Cromwell'?" a male voice asked as he slowly emerged from the shadows. "I've been plotting my own revenge on them for over a year…"

"Really…" Goodwin began, perplexed by the new arrival. "And who might you be."

"The name is Edgar Dalloway." He replied with a slight bow. "And I think I may have found us all a way out…"