A/N Thank you so much for the great reviews last time! You guys are awesome.

I feel TERRIBLE for taking so long to update.

I probably shouldn't have started this story when I did…this is a horrible time for essays and exams. Unfortunately I won't have time to make real progress for another two weeks- but I have a (hopefully) good plot in mind and I beg for your patience.

Sorry that this chapter is short. Don't have time to write a long one right now. Hope its better then nothing!

PLEASE REVIEW!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dylan walked towards the large oak tree that dominated the courtyard behind the school. His potion theory class had let out a few minutes early and he wasn't surprised to see that Ethan had not yet arrived. Figuring that he had at least a few minutes to relax before embarking on that afternoon's adventure, the boy made himself comfortable on patch of soft grass and began rummaging around in his bag for something to read.

He had successfully managed to avoid Marnie after their 'conversation' that morning and he hoped that he would be able to keep his distance for a few more days. In truth, he really wasn't all that mad at her…but the thought of admitting that he was ready to embrace his powers made him feel more then a little uncomfortable. He didn't want to seem like a hypocrite…and he certainly didn't want to admit that she was right about the whole 'magic is pretty cool' thing…

He was still having problems coming to terms with it himself and he didn't need his sister rubbing the issue in his face (which, knowing Marnie, was bound to happen).

The thought of finally embracing his magic filled him with a strange combination of feelings. He was excited to see what he could do…but he also felt embarrassed…and guilty.

Dylan knew he was being irrational, but a part of him felt that by embracing his powers he was betraying his parents. His mother had always advocated the benefits of being 'normal'…and his father had been a human who (Dylan assumed) would have wanted his children to lead regular human lives. Although his father had died when Dylan was only eight, he still felt the need to honour his memory by being the kind of son he would have wanted.

He wondered what his dad would say if he could see him here now…

He wasn't even sure if his dad had known that his mother was a witch…or that his children would inherit her powers…

Dylan wished that he could ask his mother these things, but the subject of his father was something that he didn't want to bring up. It always upset her too much and it was better to simply avoid the topic.

Sighing loudly, Dylan continued to rummage around in his bag. He finally caught sight of his magical literature text book but before he could grab it, a loud screaming noise coming from the witches glass on his wrist diverted his attention.

Scowling slightly, Dylan pulled his hand out of his bag and flipped open the magical device.

"Dylan!" His mother exclaimed happily as soon as her son answered her call. "I'm glad you picked up."

"Hey mom." He replied, relieved that it was her and not Marnie calling his witches glass. "How are you?"

"I'm good." Gwen began with a smile. "I miss you guys a lot though…it's been so quiet around here. Bu Sophie's coming home next week, so things should get a little better."

"She is?" Dylan asked, mildly surprised that his little sister had completed her first phase of training so quickly.

His mother nodded before replying. "Yes, your grandmother says she's mastered level one spells perfectly and she is going to come home for a bit of a magical break. That's actually why I'm calling. We're going to have a family dinner next Saturday to celebrate Sophie's graduation- are you free?"

"Sure. Sounds good." Dylan said with a nod.

"Great." His mother replied. "So next Saturday, 6:00, at your grandmother's house."

The boy nodded again. "Okay. That should be fine."

"Excellent. Unfortunately I have to run…there is a family coming by to look at this house now and I don't want to be caught talking to the kitchen sink again…"

Dylan chuckled. "Alright mom. I'll see you in a few weeks."

"Great! Love you sweetie. Be good." She replied before slowing fading away.

Dylan shut the witches glass and reached out to grab his book. Before he had a chance to flip to the first page, however, a voice behind him interrupted his short-lived silence.

"Dylan! Hey dude." Ethan said happily as he approached the other boy. "Ready to go?"

Dylan smiled at his friend and quickly shoved his book back in his bag. "Ready as I'll ever be." He replied as he got up off of the ground.

"Good. I called Benny to take us into town- he should be here any minute." Ethan began. "I say we go by the potions store first and get what we need for the power spell…then we can have some fun getting you in touch with your inner warlock."

Dylan nodded, trying not to flinch at the mention of the 'w' word. "Sounds good to me. Have you got a list of what we need for the spell?"

"You bet." Ethan replied, pulling a worn looking piece of brown paper out of his pocket. "It seems simple enough. We just need to pick up some witches bane, frog spit, and toads eyes. I think I've got everything else. The potion will take a few days to brew- when its done, I'll drink it, you say the spell and I should get my magic back."

Dylan turned to look directly at his friend. "You're going to drink that?" he asked. "Wow…you must really miss your powers."

Ethan gave a small chuckle. "Yeah, I guess I do." He paused. "It won't be that bad. Definitely worth it. I'm just thankful I found the spell in the first place- I didn't think there was a way to get them back at all."

"How did you find the spell?" Dylan asked curiously as the two began to walk towards the road to wait for Benny.

"It was actually pretty weird…" Ethan replied. "Everyday for two weeks I woke up to find that the same old book had fallen off my bookshelf. I kept putting it back, and it kept reappearing…so one morning, I decided to actually open the thing, and the first page I turned to contained the power retrieval spell. I figure it must have been some sort of sign that I'm meant to do this….Weird, huh?"

"No kidding." Dylan replied.

But before the boys could discuss the matter further, a familiar yellow cab pulled up the curb. Benny gave them a friendly wave and the two headed over towards the car.

"Hey guys!" the overly enthusiastic skeleton said in his usual happy tone. "Where are you headed today?"

"Just into town." Ethan replied. "If you can drop us at the corner of Main St. that would be great."

"Sure thing!" Benny said as the boys hopped in and buckled their seatbelts. "I've got lots of rib-cracking jokes I can tell you on the way."

Ethan and Dylan exchanged a knowing look before sitting back and preparing themselves for a ride filled with cheesy jokes and bad puns.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Meanwhile…

Edgar Dalloway could not suppress the wide grin that was spreading across his face.

"Yes…" he muttered. "Everything is going exactly as I planned…"