Chapter 14

Core

Fall had come and gone and winter had finally arrived. The lush shades of orange and red were replaced by the ashen skeletal remains of birch trees for as far as the eye could see. Their white jagged and jarring branches bent in every direction.

A perpetual cold breeze had set in Witchaven which traveled from the north. Although snow had not yet fallen, the white bark of the birch trees made it look as if the first snow had already come. It was popular amongst the residents of Witchaven to claim that the first snow was due any day. Timothee heard many of his fellow students talk lovingly of the snow days that were sure to come.

Timothee and Theo were the first to lunch and so they sat at their usual table waiting for the others.

"Look at this Timothee!" Theo said, holding up a test with a giant "C-" written at the top, "This is all your fault! If I only had my pen I would still be getting A's and B's. My dad is going to kill me when he sees this."

Timothee took a bite of his sandwich before saying, "je suis désolé."

"What does that even mean?" Theo said as he folded the test and threw it in his backpack.

"I'm sorry," Timothee answered, "I can study with you next time if you think that will help?"

"I just want my pen to work like it did before." Theo said, shaking the pen next to his ear.

"Archie said he is working on brewing some Felix Felices," Timothee explained.

"I don't know if you realize this Timothee but Archie doesn't seem to be the best at potions. That Wizergen he brewed himself caused our nose hairs to grow three feet!"

Timothee nodded, "All skills take practice."

"Well then I'll tell him you volunteered to test his next batch."

"I hate Latin! The teacher always holds us late and the lunch line is so long by the time I get here," Abigail shouted as she threw her books onto the table and disappeared in the direction of the lunch line.

Theo shouted, "Maybe you should cut through the tunnel!"

"I don't want detention!" Abigail yelled back.

Timothee waived as Jena Barnwell walked past with Mary Povinski. To his disappointment, Jena paid no notice to the gesture.

Theo took a bite from an apple that he had packed in his lunch, "Still no luck?"

"Rien," Timothee answered.

"You and the French today," Theo noted.

"Je suis dés…" Timothee started but caught himself, "Sorry about that. I have a French exam later. I studied all night."

"Isn't French your first language?" Theo asked.

"You study for English exams don't you?"

"Good point," Theo noted, "Hey, where is Archie? I haven't seen him yet?"

"Not sure," Timothee replied, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure thing."

"Okay, why is Jena mad at me for not taking her to the dance? It doesn't make any sense. I didn't ditch her and take someone else. I didn't lie to her and say I was busy when I really wasn't."

Theo looked up from his apple, "Don't you see Timothee? She likes you."

"That's an odd way of showing it."

"Not really. Think about it. She had her heart set on going with you but since you couldn't take her she was disappointed, maybe even a little heartbroken."

"So what am I supposed to do?"

"I don't know," Theo said, "Try and talk to her?"

"But she won't talk to me!"

"Well, there is only so much I can say Timothee. I don't have all the answers, maybe she will forgive you, maybe she won't."

"Ugh, girls are confusing at times."

"No different from us guys."

"Touché."

Archie came barreling through the cafeteria, nearly knocking the food tray out of a sophomore's hands.

"Slow down Mr. Antonopoulos!" Mr. Vandigraff ordered from across the cafeteria.

"Sorry!" Archie yelled over his shoulder as he reached the table. He dropped his book bag and took a seat. His face was red and he fought to catch his breath.

"What has you in such a rush?" Theo asked.

"I… I… I…" Archie gasped as he tried to finish a complete thought.

"Slow down," Timothee said.

Archie reached into his bag and pulled out a water bottle and took a long series of gulps.

"Okay," Theo said, "What has you rampaging through here. You know Mr. Vandigraff might give you detention."

Archie nodded, finally catching his breaths, "Oh boy, you guys are not going to believe this!"

"What is it?" Timothee asked.

Archie reached into his bag and pulled out a notebook and slid it across the table.

Theo opened the first page to a calendar with the large header "January" written at the top. As he flipped through the pages, they came across more months but what was of particular note was the occasional red square in each month.

"You don't think?" Theo said.

"I do," Archie replied, "It's a monthly planner and those circled dates match the magic spikes I've been tracking in the water. I think this person is working with Thorne and Thistle and maybe that Master they were talking about."

"Does it say anything about me in there?" Timothee asked.

"Nothing," Archie admitted, "I still don't know why they wanted you so badly. I mean, I get the whole troblins instead of Goblins the more I think of it though."

"Why is that?" Theo asked.

"Well goblins are incredibly clever and smart creatures where as trolls are rather dimwitted. Mix them together and you get a creature that can still perform magic while not being smart enough to rebel against you."

"What I miss," Abigail said as she placed her tray of food on the table.

Timothee slid the planner across the table, "Here"

"Where did you find this?" Abigail asked.

Archie took another swig of water before starting, "I was in the boys' locker room before gym class when I opened a locker to put my stuff in. Inside was this notebook. I didn't really pay it much mind, even asked around to see if anyone left it but no one said it was theirs. It wasn't until I opened it that I saw the dates. And it hit me. Once a month for every month there was a single highlighted date and it all made sense!"

"Do you realize who this belongs to?" Abigail asked. She opened the inside cover and at the bottom was the handwritten name "Vance Marlett."

"The rocket," Timothee said, "You think he is behind this?"

"Think about it?" Archie said, "Big tall guy who doesn't really talk to anyone. He is classic bad guy material."

"So what do we do?" Theo said, "I mean the guy can take all of us single handedly."

Abigail opened to December, "It looks like he has today highlighted."

"I noticed that too," Archie said, "I was looking for him all morning but he didn't come to school today, that's why I was late to lunch."

Abigail flipped through the planner, "So you think he could be, you know, poisoning our water right now?"

"I don't know but I have a plan," Archie said, "Let's meet after school at our spot."

Timothee, Theo and Abigail stood huddled together in the woods when Archie approached. Small white snow flurries had finally started to fall from the grey sky above and so the three teens stuck out their tongue towards the heavens in an attempt to catch a tasty snowflake.

"It's Freezing!" Theo shouted, his lower lip shivering, "Where were you?"

Abigail turned, "You know it gets dark early? My parents expect me home soon!"

"Sorry, I needed to get this stuff from Kevin," Archie explained. He had a small brown box under his arm which was slightly hidden by his large blue and gold puffy jacket. Kneeling down he opened the top.

"Abigail, this is for you," Archie said as he reached into the box and pulled out a long brown strand of hair.

"Eww, I don't want that," Abigail said, taking a step back.

"It's Veela hair," Archie explained.

"What am I supposed to do with it?"

"Wrap it around you key. It should act as a core and make your magic more powerful."

"Really?" she said, stepping forward and grabbing the long strand of brown hair. She pulled her skeleton key from inside her grey and green coat, "How should I wrap it?"

"You remember Daniel's spoon?" Archie asked.

"Kind of," She replied.

"Wrap it like that. Probably where the shank stem meets the bow."

"The what and the what?"

"Where the tube part meets the broad heady part."

"Ohhh, gotcha," She said and quickly got to work.

"Timothee, this one is for you," Archie explained and pulled out a long platinum colored strand of hair and handed it to him.

Timothee breathed into his hands in an attempt to warm them up before grabbing the hair.

"Unicorn tail," Timothee said in awe. He held it up and examined its' shine in the diming winter light, "It's beautiful."

"I figured you could wrap that around your rings."

Timothee nodded.

"What about me?" Theo asked.

"I was able to get something special for you Theo, but I don't know if they actually sold it to me. Hopefully you can tell."

"What is it?" Theo asked.

Timothee watched as Archie pulled out an empty glass canning jar and handed it to Theo.

Theo held it up and examined it, "Wow."

Abigail looked up from her key and watched as Theo examined what looked like an empty jar, "I don't see anything."

"It's Thestral hair," Archie explained, "Only visible to those who have seen death. That's why Theo can see it."

Theo unscrewed the lid.

"It's black like the darkest night," Theo said as he reached two fingers in and pulled out what looked to the others like nothing. Carefully he began a wrapping motion around his ornate pen.

"Thestral, huh?" Abigail said.

Archie, grabbed the empty jar, "Some powerful wands have been made from Thestral hair. All the pictures I've seen depict them as a grim Pegasus. Like a black horse hippogryph hybrid with dragon's wings."

Archie closed the box and stood up, "So who wants to go first?"

Abigail took a step forward, examining her black skeleton key with its' new Veela core. Her eyes wide with a wild excitement, "I'll go first. Out of the way!"

Timothee and Theo stepped aside while Archie grabbed the stone that they used to practice their magic on. He placed the stone on an old stump.

Abigail tucked her green lock of hair behind her ear and calmed her breathing. She focused on the stone, gripped the key tightly in her hand, wound up like a pitch, and fired her fist forward in a throwing motion.

There was a deep thrumming sound as a large purple ethereal wave came barreling from her fist and crashed into the stump. The stone flew like a bullet and disappeared in the forest. There was a tremendous tearing sound as the old tree stump was ripped from the earth and thrown on its side. Its' deep roots exposed resembled the gnarled hair of the Gorgon Medusa.

"Merlin's Beard!" Archie said, placing a hand on top of his head.

Timothee and Theo looked at each other, "Wow!"

"Neat," Abigail whispered as she looked at the key in her hand.

The smell of fresh earth carried with the wind.

"My turn!" Theo said excitedly, pen in hand. He pointed the pen at the stump. Then in one blindingly fast motion, he pointed his pen towards the heavens. There was a subtle tremble in the ground followed by a great big "Woooshh!" as the large earth filled stump went rocketing into the air. Black clumps of earth rained down on them as they tried to keep an eye on the stump above.

"Where is it?" Archie yelled.

"I don't know!" Theo said as he placed a hand over his eyes but the stump was lost in the darkening sky.

"Run!" Abigail shouted.

The others followed.

"Stop!" Timothee screamed as he began to run in the opposite direction.

They froze when they heard the cracking sound of branches shattering above their heads. Looking up they saw the earthen stump hurtling towards them.

Abigail tackled Theo and Archie at the last minute, just before the large black stump crashed down behind them, barely missing the teenagers by a foot.

Breathing heavily, they all exchanged the same terrified look. Slowly, the corners of Theo's mouth began to rise up in a smile.

"Can you believe that?" He laughed.

Soon Abigail followed suit as she got to her feet and brushed herself off.

Archie shook the mud out of his auburn hair, "I mean, I figured the cores would help but I did not expect this. We might need to find a way to dial it back some."

Abigail took her key and tossed it into the air before snatching it like a Golden Snitch, "I think mine is just fine. Thank you very much."

"Hey Timothee, why don't you give it a try?" Theo asked.

"Yeah! Let's see what you can do," Abigail followed.

"Okay," Timothee said confidently. He felt nervousness and excitement in the pit of his stomach at the same time.

"Remember, all you have to do is focus," Archie added.

The others cleared away from the stump as Timothee grabbed his two rings. They were bound on one side by the platinum unicorn hair.

"C'est parti," Timothee whispered.

Holding up his ringed hand, he pointed it towards the stump and started with a simple waving gesture. The stump rocked a little in place and settled.

"There you go!" Theo shouted.

"Come on Timothee," Abigail cheered.

"Move, move, move, move," Timothee repeated to himself.

"Clear your head," Archie said, "Let it happen naturally."

They stood for some time watching Timothee try to conjure up the magic to move the stump. Eventually, the frustration building, Timothee began to try more grandiose gestures of slashes, swishes and flicks but the tree stump refused to move.

Breathing heavily, Timothee placed both hands on his knees, the vein in his forehead throbbing and the white of his eyes had a red tint from the exertion.

Theo walked over and placed a hand on Timothee's shoulder, "Hey, it will happen. Don't sweat it."

Timothee shook his head, "I don't understand. Why can't I do magic anymore?"

"It's like what Archie said," Theo explained, "You just have to let it happen naturally. Think back to Bonez's shop. Your body knew what to do with a wand in your hand. All you have to do is retrain that same familiarity with those rings. Channel the magic through them."

"Exactly," Abigail added, "Theo and I never really used wands and so this is the only magic we know how to cast. I bet we would have a hard time with a wand… maybe even more than what you are having with your rings."

"I don't know," Timothee sighed, "Maybe I can't do it anymore."

"Non-sense," Archie said, "Time. It just will take some time."

Timothee stood straight up and began to walk away from the others. He heard Abigail and Theo behind him squabble over who was going to do what to the stump next. It wasn't long before he came to a small lake and took a seat at the bank. All around the water's edge were tall green cattails and barren winter forest. Small rippling waves beat against the shore as the dark murky water danced with the cold winter wind. Larger snowflakes had begun to fall and melt as they touched the surface of the water.

Timothee heard Archie's voice from over his shoulder, "How's it going?"

"Going," Timothee said glumly, "I never knew this lake was here."

Archie took a seat next to Timothee, "It's more of a large pond really," He pointed to the far side where two massive iron cylinders protruded from the forest, "You see those two large pipes on far side?"

"What are those?" Timothee asked.

"Witchaven Water Treatment," Archie answered, "My dad actually helped design their facility. They pump the water from this pond to be treated and stored at the Witchaven water tower all the way on the other side of town."

"Why can't I do magic?" Timothee asked bluntly. His brain clearly lost in different direction.

Archie stood to his feet, walked down to the bank and picked up a smooth disk shaped stone. He leaned to one side and chucked the stone, causing it to skip five times on the water.

"Honestly?" Archie asked looking back.

"Honest," Timothee replied.

"I have my thoughts. It could be any number of things from starting a new school, living in a new country to being kicked out of Wizarding School. Heck, just missing your old friends. Timothee you might not realize it but you have been through a whole lot this year. Add the fact that two troblins showed up looking for you last month and any one of those is enough to stress someone out."

"I guess I never considered that," Timothee acknowledged, "I've never really stopped to reflect… but then again I don't know if I want to."

"When you're ready, it's always good to think things through. Don't keep it bottled up inside otherwise you are just going to burst. I'm always here to talk or Theo or Abigail. Samuel and Mara sound pretty nice, I'm sure they would be happy to do the same. Just promise you won't keep it all bottled up."

Timothee nodded, "When I'm ready."

"Good," Archie said, "You know out of the three, I thought that you would benefit most from adding a core. Sure, Abigail and Theo have it down but they've had time to figure out wandless magic."

Timothee opened his palm and watched a white fluffy snowflake land on it. The small crystalline structure melted into a round clear drop of water before Timothee closed his hand again, "It's like my body just forgot what to do. Imagine if you woke up one day Archie and you weren't smart."

Archie chuckled, "What do you mean?"

"No, I'm serious. You're a smart guy. Imagine one day you woke up and you couldn't remember the answers to a test you studied for. You see the question, you remember studying it but the answer never arrives. You just sort of… blank. That is what it feels like for me not to do magic. I used to perform magic so effortlessly. Merlin's barbe, my ancestors have been doing magic for thousands of years. I know I am not a squib but I feel like one."

"You nearly popped a blood vessel trying to make that stump move. I've heard it's like riding a broom or for us muggles we say, it's like riding a bike. At first you might have a hard time but once you get used to it, you will be back to your normal self."

Timothee stood up from the bank and joined Archie at the water's edge. He grabbed a round rock and attempted to skip it on the pond's surface. The rock hit the water and made a loud "galoup!" as it disappeared in the murky depths.

Timothee looked down hopelessly and shook his head, "I can't do anything right."

"Here," Archie said as he handed Timothee a smooth stone, "My dad says skipping stones comes down to two things. The stone you pick and the angle of attack."

Archie picked another disk shaped stone for himself, leaned to one side and skipped it across the water, "Here, you try. You want the stone to almost hover across the top of the water."

Timothee leaned to one side and chucked the stone which skipped three times before being consumed by the murky depths.

Archie high fived Timothee, "See? There you go!"

There was a loud bang from the forest, followed by the echoed laughter of Theo and Abigail in the woods behind them.

"It's getting dark," Archie said, "I better go see what Tweedledee and Tweedledum got themselves into. Make sure they don't burn down the forest."

Timothee sat in the quiet of the water's edge with his hands tucked into the pockets of his margarine colored winter jacket. The fingers of his right hand danced over the outline of his parent's wedding bands. Now with the addition of the unicorn hair, the perfectly round surface was interrupted by a coarse section. There was something strangely satisfying by the sensation of the varying textures.

His father's words echoed in his thoughts, "You see my son? This is how magic should be. It should always be beautiful…to help and to love."

Timothee pulled the rings from his pocket and held them in his hand and whispered, "Vitae Faraham" but nothing happened. Timothee tried again and still there was nothing.

Closing his eyes and slowing his breathing, he relaxed his entire body. He began by blocking out the small sounds around him, the ripples in the water, the rustling of old fallen leaves and eventually was left with the beating of his own heart, "lub dub, lub dub, lub dub."

The beating was fast at first but slowed as he felt everything melt away, even the biting winter cold disappeared around him.

Barely audible, Timothee whispered, "Vitae Faraham."

Even with his eyes closed, Timothee sensed a bright light coming from his hand. Opening his eyes, his heart skipped a beat as a brilliantly reflective wisp danced in the center of the ring with the blue center stone. It was tiny, but bright and warm in his hand.

"Mom," he said, holding up the ring. There was a tiny image of his mother, sitting in a windowsill overlooking the city of Paris. Her beauty and grace were effortless with her long slender neck, beautiful almond shaped eyes and long blonde hair. Her hand danced over a glass goblet where a small fluid figure skater twirled across the liquid.

"Hey Timothee!" Theo yelled as he came through the forest.

Timothee looked back towards his friend, "Bonjour."

"We didn't want to leave you out here by yourself," Abigail said.

"Thanks," Timothee replied. He looked back at the ring and the image was gone but even then he couldn't help but smile as he closed his hand around the rings.

Archie was the last in line, "They completely obliterated the stump," He said and tossed a woodchip to Timothee.

The beige color woodchip still smelled of sap mixed with the charred smell of smoke.

"You should have seen it," Theo said, "The stump shattered into pieces. She casted… what was it again?"

"Confringes," Abigail answered, "It's Latin for shatter."

Archie pointed to her, "I told you it would pay off."

"It sounds like a Reducto curse," Timothee said.

Abigail held the skeleton key up and examined it lovingly, "I'll have to try that next."

"Shhh! Everyone down!" Archie ordered. He ducked down and ran towards the tall reeds and waved the others to follow.

"Aw, I got mud on my shoes," Abigail said.

"Shhhhh!" Archie shushed.

"You don't know what my mom is going to do," Abigail retorted.

Archie pointed across the lake, "Look!"

"Wait," Theo said squinting his eyes, trying to see in the dark, "Is that?"

"Vance Marlett," Archie finished.

"The rocket," Abigail added, "What is he doing out here?"

Across the lake the tall red haired teen was unmistakable even from the other side of the pond in the diming light. He was truly large, even compared to a grown adult but for some reason, he didn't walk with the normal confidence that he possessed. He looked nervous, almost scared with his head darting this way and that. He had a blue and gold gym bag slung under his shoulder, and it looked to be full. They watched as he made his way towards the two large iron water treatment pipes on the other side of the lake and disappeared inside.

"The water treatment plant, it all makes sense" Theo said, "He's going to poison the town again!"

"He did have today highlighted in his planner," Timothee noted.

"So what do we do?" Theo asked the others.

"What do you mean?" Archie said.

Theo turned back to the others, "I mean, are we just going to let him poison the town or are we going to go in there after him. Let's find out what he is up to. Figure out why Thorne and Thistle were after Timothee and put a stop to this whole thing."

"What if the troblins are in there? And this time they do get Timothee? What then Theo?" Archie said nervously.

"This time we are prepared," Theo said holding up his pen, "This time we leveled the playing field."

Archie shook his head, "You just got those cores."

Abigail chimed in, "Did you see what we did to that stump?"

Archie's face turned red as he looked at Abigail in disbelief, "Oh don't tell me that you are with junior Auror over here? Stumps don't hit back and what about your curfew? It's pretty much night!"

"I think it's time for payback," Abigail said.

"Yeah, let's go," Theo followed.

Theo disappeared through the reeds with Abigail right behind him.

Archie cupped his hands around his mouth and whispered, "Theo! Abigail! You guys can't be serious!"

Archie shook his head, "They think they can take on the world."

"You know we can't let them go alone," Timothee said.

Archie sighed, "I know…" and together they made their way around the pond.

Chapter 15

The Rocket

"I can't see a thing!" Theo whispered.

"What am I stepping in!" Abigail hushed.

"AHHHHHH!" Theo yelled, "He's got me!"

"That's me!" Abigail shushed, "Stop being such a baby!"

"You're a baby," Theo fired back.

"Real mature Theo, real mature."

"You know, maybe this wasn't such a good idea."

"You think!" Abigail hissed. Her foot caught a bolt head and she lost her footing. When she grabbed for the curved pipe wall, there was a loud, "Splat!"

"Aw, what did I just put my hand in?" She said in disgust.

"What is that smell!" Theo whined as he plugged his nose.

"Psst!"

Theo and Abigail both screamed and grabbed for each other.

"Shhhh! It's just me." Archie shushed, "He has probably heard you guys already. Sound travels in tunnels and caves. It's basic acoustics."

"Sorry were not all brains Archie," Theo chided, "But if you didn't notice, we can't see a thing!"

Timothee held up his rings and shook them in the air as he called out, "Lumos, Lumos, Lumos, Lumos, Lumos!"

"What are you doing?" Abigail asked.

"It's a light spell," Timothee whispered.

"Lumos!" Said Abigail and a blinding light exploded from the end of her key.

Theo placed a hand across his face, "My eyes!"

"Thanks," Timothee said, he looked at the two rings in his hand and shook his head.

Archie placed a hand on Timothee's shoulder, "Don't sweat it."

Timothee nodded.

The water treatment tunnel was large at six feet in diameter and there was plenty of headroom to stand. The sulfurous smell of bog, swamp and plant rot saturated the air. It was musty and surprisingly humid inside the tunnel. Thick green slimy algae lined the floor and walls, and a trickle of water dribbled down the base of the pipe. The combination of curved flooring and algae made each step a treacherous game of "don't fall" for the young wizards.

"Watch your step Timothee. We don't want you to fall like in Salem," Theo laughed, nearly taking a spill himself.

"Ha. Ha." Timothee replied.

Abigail glanced at her slime covered hand and began to wipe it off on her pants, "Is this where our drinking water comes from?"

Archie walked like a tight rope walker with his arms stretched out, "Not exactly."

"Then what are these pipes for?" Abigail asked.

"Back logged waste disposal," Archie said.

Abigail looked at her hand, mortified, before turning back to Archie, "Wait, waste disposal?"

Archie nodded his head.

"Yuck!" Abigail cried, utterly horrified, "How far do we have to go?"

Archie held a finger to his lips for silence, "If you would have waited for me to finish before running off, I could have told you that my father helped build this place. I could have asked him all sorts of questions, like a better way to access these tunnels."

"Yeah, but what about Vance?" Theo asked, "Who knows when we would've gotten this opportunity again?"

"I know exactly when we would've gotten this opportunity again because we have his planner! We know to the end of the year when he would be back! You guys rushed into this thing and didn't think, we aren't prepared, we don't know where we are going, and for all we know we could be walking into a trap." Archie scolded.

"I get it. My bad Arch," Theo apologized, "So what now?"

Archie looked around, "I say we scout it out, see what Vance is up to and then bug out. Come back when we actually have a plan."

Abigail held her key up higher, "Hey guys I think I see something up ahead. It looks like a stairwell."

The tunnel opened up into a room with grated metal platforms on either side. One by one they climbed onto the platform and made their way up a set of stairs and through a hallway. At the end of the hall was an open warehouse filled with large vats, tanks and water pumps. The lights were off and the soft humming of machines reverberated through the building.

Archie leaned in, "Hey I see a light over on the far side."

Abigail held a hand over her key to block out the light, "How do I turn this thing off?"

"Nox," Timothee whispsered.

"Nox," Abigail casted but the light continued to glow.

"Focus," Theo encouraged.

Abigail took a deep breath and focused on the key. Giving it a small flick, she whispered "Nox" and the light vanished.

The young teenagers made their way closer to the source of the glow until it was just on the other side of a large blue pump with large white piping coming out on either side. The pipes were as wide as a door and there were six of them stacked on each other. Rays of light cut through the cracks leaving very little room to see what was on the other side.

Archie walked up to a seam between two of the pipes and peered in.

"What do you see?" Theo asked.

"It's the Rocket alright," Archie answered.

Abigail leaned in to get a look, "What is he doing?"

"He's chained up," Archie said.

"Chained up?" Timothee repeated.

Archie looked back to the others, "Yes, he is chained up to a large metal pipe,"

Archie began to look further down the aisle, "I can't see much, we should get a better look,"

They walked between two large rows of pipes until three of the pipes went into the ground and three pipes ran up towards the ceiling leaving a small triangular space. Squeezing through the gap they found themselves on the same aisle as Vance.

Timothee saw what Archie said was true. Vance had a large metal collar around his neck with a thick metal chain that ran around a wide metal pipe. The pipe that he was chained to poured water into a large troth that went out of the building. He had a blue tattered blanket and a plate of food.

"Did Thistle and Thorne do this?" Timothee asked.

"I don't know," Archie answered, "Let's get a closer look."

Theo grabbed Archie by the arm, "Wait."

"What is it," Archie asked.

"Something doesn't feel right."

"Do you think it's a trap?"

"I don't know but this just doesn't make sense. If he is our guy, shouldn't he be pouring potion into the water supply or something, not just sitting around?"

"Well, we won't know until we check it out," Archie said.

Abigail leaned over to Timothee, "Look who is Junior Auror now."

Archie turned to take a step forward, but in the darkness he did not see the pail in front of him and knocked it over. The loud metal hitting the cement floor clattered as it skidded away and hit a pipe making another hollow "clong!"

"Who's there?" Vance called out.

It was the first time Timothee had actually heard him speak. His voice was in a higher registry than he expected and it was unmistakable, "He was… scared?"

"Who's there?" He said again.

"What do we do?" Theo whispered.

"I don't know?" Archie replied.

"What if he needs help?" Abigail asked, "I mean look at him, all chained up, who would do that to a kid?"

"It might be a trap," Theo whispered.

"Okay, then you guys stay here. I'm going forward," Abigail persisted.

The others followed hesitantly as Abigail made her way towards Vance.

"Uh, hi," Abigail started as she walked into the light.

"Abigail?" Vance said.

"You know who I am?" Abigail asked.

"We go to the same school," Vance answered, "Wait, what are you doing here?"

"It's a long story," Abigail said.

Theo, Archie and Timothee entered the light as well.

Vance shook his head in disbelief, the look of worry growing with every second, "What are all you guys doing here?"

"We kind of followed you," Archie admitted.

"You guys need to go," Vance demanded, adjusting the metal collar around his neck "It's not safe here."

"Who chained you up?" Theo asked.

Vance looked up at the skylight over head, "That's not important, what is important is that you guys need to go. I don't have time to explain."

"We are here to help," Abigail insisted, "We can help get that collar off of you."

"No. I am okay. Please, just go," Vance pleaded. His breathing became labored as he continued to fumble with the collar around his neck. He leaned over and grabbed some of the flowing water from the pipe and splashed it on his face.

"Look," Vance started, but suddenly his chest fired forward and he pointed towards the skylight overhead. He rolled around, the chain rattling with each move.

Abigail ran to Vance and knelt down by his side, "What's wrong?"

Vance kicked away the blanket he was sitting on, revealing inch deep claw marks in the hard concrete. It reminded Theo of bear claw marks on a tree but only this was concrete… Concrete!

Timothee looked up and watched as the clouds began to part revealing a beautiful pale full moon.

"Uh oh," Timothee thought as everything suddenly all began to make sense in an overwhelming wave. He now knew the reason why Vance had highlighted a particular day of the month and the fact that he was so large and incredibly strong. Even the story of his absence from the football game all made sense. He wasn't highlighting a particular day of the month. He was highlighting a particular night!

"What is it?" Archie asked.

"We need to go!" Timothee shouted, "Vance wasn't highlighting particular days Arch. He was highlighting the full moon!"

"He's a…" Archie said.

Abigail screamed as she fell away from Vance who continued to writhe on the floor. Looking up, his eyes had turned large and yellow and as the moonlight came pouring in through the skylight above, the round pupil shape turned into black slits. The lower part of his face began to protrude forward while his ears became pointed and long. Grey hair grew all over his face and body except for a garnet red tuft that ran from the top of his head and down his back. His teeth grew into menacing fangs and the bones in his forearms grew longer and longer. His fingers elongated and his nails turned into long hooked claws. There were jarring cracking sounds of bones shifting, dislocating and realigning for his new form. Finally Vance fell still, a deep rattling snore emanated as his powerful frame heaved with every breath.

"Werewolf," Archie finished.

The werewolf's ears perked up at Archie's word and its' enormous body slowly shifted. Vance was known for his impressive size but now in this new form he was truly terrifying. The werewolf growl didn't sound like something that would come from a dog but something bigger like a lion or a tiger. It was primal, feral, unfiltered by breeding, it was wild.

Looking up to the skylight, the werewolf stood on its hind legs and howled to the moon.

Timothee felt the hairs on the back of his head stand on end and goose bumps run up and down his arms. He took a slow step back with the others, trying not to draw attention to themselves.

After greeting the moon, the werewolf's large yellow eyes fixed on the four teenagers.

"Vance, are you in there?" Abigail whispered.

In less time than it would take to blink an eye, the werewolf had lunged at them pulling the chain taut. Archie pulled Abigail back as a long outstretched claw slashed towards them. They landed on their back with a grunt.

Abigail looked down at the bits of white cotton that poked out from four long claw marks across the chest of her jacket, "Thanks"

"Don't mention it," Archie groaned.

The werewolf went wild as it fought the chain and collar on its neck with a ferocious hatred, pacing from side to side, lunging and more pacing. Its long white fangs turned on the chain and it whipped its' head from side to side with savage fury.

"Do you think it will hold?" Theo asked.

"I don't think we should stick around to find out," Timothee suggested, grabbing the others and shepherding them farther away.

They began to turn for the way they had come when an all too familiar voice said, "Look what we have hear Thistle."

"Quite the predicament indeed Thorne."

Timothee turned and saw the two troblins standing on a water pipe just out of reach of the werewolf as it thrashed wildly below them. They were dressed in the same garb as their first encounter only this time, Thorne was missing half of the ear on the left side of his head.

"What happened to your ear?" Timothee asked.

"Punishment," Throne replied coldly, "Master did not like our goblin game that lost us the child."

"Did not like the game at all," said Thistle, "Not one bit."

Thorne pointed to his half ear, "She wanted to make sure we would never play it again by making sure we were different."

Theo pulled out his pen and pointed it at the troblins, "If you're here for Timothee, you have another thing coming!"

Thistle grinned, "The little wizard wants to duel again Thorne."

Thorne pulled out his wand, "A duel would be most interesting Thistle."

Abigail pulled out her key, "Let's see what you got!"

Thorne laughed, "Our master does not know we are here foolish children. We came here on our own accord."

"Then what do you want?" Timothee asked.

Thorne pointed to his half ear, "Paypack!"

Thistle pointed his pine wand to the chain that held the werewolf and casted, "Reducto!"

There was a loud "Ching!" as a chain link disintegrated, freeing the enraged creature. It turned to the troblins and swiped at them but they vanished with a loud "pop!"

Snarling and foaming from the mouth, the werewolf's large yellow eyes fixed on the four teenagers before it went on all fours with the hair on its' back standing on end. The powerful muscle's in its forearms tensed and flexed as it lowered itself into a pouncing stance.

For every step the teens retreated backwards the snarling werewolf took one step forward.

Timothee whispered from the corner of his mouth, "Run!"

The werewolf charged them. Snarling, growling and gnashing its teeth that made an audible chomping sound.

Archie pointed to the segment of divided piping which they had crawled through, "It's on the right!"

"Hurry!" Theo yelled as he watched Archie crawl through the piping first.

Timothee turned around to see the werewolf only feet away.

"Duck!" Abigail shouted.

Timothee hit the cold hard pavement as a large purple ethereal fist flew inches over his head. There was an audible, "thoom!" as the werewolf and fist collided. The werewolf, which had lowered its massive grey shoulder into the fist, was driven back with its claws buried deep into the concrete. The fist exploded into a purple cloud and the pipes on either side of the aisle bowed outward and cracked, releasing hot steam like a screaming locomotive.

The werewolf shook its' massive head and focused its' eyes on Abigail.

"That's the best I got, we need to move!" Abigail confessed.

Timothee followed Theo through the piping and Abigail dove through as a large grey arm rifled in after her, its' massive paw swinging this way and that. The arm retreated and was replaced by the head of the werewolf which strained and struggled to push its' way through.

Abigail rolled over on the floor, "He can't get through."

Theo grabbed Abigail by the shoulder and helped her to her feet, "We need to go before he does!"

They ran down the aisle towards the door at the end. Timothee turned around to see the werewolf had disappeared.

They shuffled down the stairs two at a time, nearly falling over each other as they landed on the metal grated platform at the bottom. Jumping down into the pipe, they didn't have time to note the overwhelming sulfurous smell as their feet splashed the curved floor.

"Is he behind us? IS HE BEHIND US?!" Archie screamed, as he fought to keep balance while navigating through the pitch black.

"I don't see him!" Timothee answered.

"I don't see anything!" Theo cried out.

Abigail pulled out her skeleton key and began waving it frantically, "What was that spell Timothee?"

"Lumos!" He answered back.

"Lumos!" She casted but the key remained dark, "Oh, come on!"

"Focus!" Archie cried.

A deafening howl reverberated through the tall waste pipe, forcing them to cover their ears.

Abigail flicked her key in the air, "Lumos!" but the key remained dark.

"You need to focus!" Theo yelled.

"That's kind of hard right now!" Abigail screamed back.

Timothee looked back the way they come but could not see a thing in the dark.

Theo held his pen over his head and took three quick breathes before shouting, "Lumos!"

The large pipe was filled with brilliant white light.

"Do you see it? Do you see the werewolf?" Archie screamed, as his eyes tried to adjust to the light.

"I don't see anything!" Abigail said, rubbing her eyes and blinking them repeatedly.

"Come on, this way!" Timothee urged as he started down the pipes. He kept a palm on the wall even though the thick brown and green sludge began to coat his hand.

"I think I see the opening!" Archie said, pointing his own sludge covered hand down the pipe way.

They looked as if they were running on ice as their feet slipped this way and that. Archie fell to one knee and was helped up by Abigail who also fell.

There was a small opening that grew bigger as they approached. The light of the full moon had lit up the water and surrounding forest in a pallid blue. A cold breeze was blowing in and it smelled of fresh air and not of the sour rotten egg odor that had plagued the pipes.

Only feet away, Timothee could taste the freedom when a large black figure blocked out the moonlit exit. The creature's eye shine magnified by the light coming from Theo's pen. It was the werewolf and it let out another bone chilling howl from the entrance.

Timothee spread out his arms and dug a heal into the ground in an attempt to slow the others. They fell backwards and landed in the bottom of the pipe in a loud splash.

Archie pointed a trembling finger, his glasses askew on his face, and stuttered, "It must have taken the other pipe to cut us off."

"What do we do now?" Abigail yelled.

Theo pointed his pen at the werewolf but the beast was not discouraged as it slowly crawled into the pipe towards them. The hairs on the back of its neck were raised. Its' long white fangs exposed as globs of drool ran from its' mouth.

Timothee felt the others trembling behind him as he reached a sludge covered hand into his shirt and grabbed his two rings. The pensive memory of his two parents and him as an infant suddenly flashed before him as he felt the warm breath of the werewolf against his face.

His cold slimy hand trembled as he took one last shallow breath and whispered the only spell he could think of, "Expecto Patronum."

There was a brilliant blue flash in the pipe. Timothee opened his eyes and watched as the startled werewolf rolled backwards and fell out of the opening. A large ghostly unicorn reared up on its' hind legs and kicked its' hoofs.

The werewolf pinned its' ears back and growled with its large yellow eyes reflecting blue. The patronus charged and the werewolf took flight, leaving the four teenagers in the cylinder once again.

It fell quiet before Abigail asked, "What was that?"

"A Patronus!" Archie answered in awe, "Was that you Theo?"

"No. Or at least I don't think it was," He answered.

"Abigail?" Archie said.

She shook her head, "I don't even know what that was."

"It was me," Timothee confessed.

"What!" Archie yelled, "You casted a Patronus from your rings?"

"I didn't know what else to do," Timothee said.

"That was magnificent!" Archie yelled, "I can't believe it worked."

"I didn't think it would either," Timothee replied, "But somehow it just felt like the right thing to do."

They got to their feet, covered in green and brown smelly sludge and climbed out of the pipe. A light winter snow had covered the landscape in a white blanket of powder.

"How did you do it?" Archie asked.

Timothee looked down at the dirty rings in his hand, "I thought of my mom and dad and it just sort of happened."

Their conversation was interrupted by another howl in the dark night. It was farther away, but in the direction of Witchaven.

Abigail illuminated her skeleton key, knelt down and studied a paw print the size of a text book, "We need to go after him."

Theo's head shot in her direction, "What are you nuts? You want us to go after a werewolf?"

"It's our fault he escaped, we can't let him hurt anyone," Abigail said.

"Or worst, bite someone else," Archie added.

"What happens if he bites someone else?" Theo asked.

Archie fixed his glasses, "Well then the next full moon we will have more than one werewolf to worry about."

"Oh that's just great," Theo yelled, looking up at the full moon above.

"Look Theo," Abigail started but he cut her off.

"No, you look. First off, that werewolf escaping isn't our fault. It's the fault of those two pesky troblins. And second off, how are we going to stop a werewolf once we find it? I don't know about you guys but I feel like we just survived by the skin of our teeth. Not to mention we all smell like…"

"No you look!" Abigail fired back, "What's the point of being able to do magic if we don't actually use it to do some good when we have the opportunity? Huh? We have the smartest kid in school, two wizards and a witch. We can figure this out guys! I know you are scared. Heck I am scared, back there we could have been killed but if we don't do the right thing, then all this magic, all of it would be for nothing. I'll go it alone if I have to but together as a group we are unstoppable," Abigail extended her hand out, "Who's with me?"

Timothee stepped forward and placed a hand on top of Abigail's, "My father once told me that it is our responsibility to use our gifts for beautiful things, to help and to love. So if we let Vance go off, he could hurt someone else or hurt himself and that would go against everything my family stands for. You can count me in."

Archie nodded his head and sighed adding his hand to the pile, "The smartest kid comment was a nice touch."

Abigail looked to Theo, "We need you."

Theo pulled his pen out and gave it a once over before reluctantly finishing the pile with his hand on top of all the others, "I guess it is time to see what this thing really can do."

Chapter 16

Tapetum Lucidum

Abigail's key lit the trail of paw prints that tracked across a white dusted athletic field, "He went straight back to our school."

"There shouldn't be too many people at school at this hour," Archie said, looking at the partially lit three story building across the field, "Maybe the basketball team? A few custodians? Detention should already be over."

They started walking across the field, their feet crunching on the freshly frozen snow which had left a frost on the blades of grass.

Theo saw a gust of wind create a white snowy funnel that spun and faded, spun and faded over again. He asked, "So what's the plan?"

Archie thought aloud, "We need to find a way to contain the werewolf so it can't harm anyone else or worst, turn them."

"Like a cage," Timothee suggested.

Archie nodded, "That would be ideal but I don't know where we would find a cage big enough to hold a werewolf or how we could get him in there."

"Maybe we can lure him in with food?" Abigail suggested.

Archie stopped in his tracks, "Food…food…food…"

"What is it?" Timothee asked.

"That's it!" Archie said.

"That's what?" Abigail asked.

"We could lock him in the freezer at school!" Archie explained.

"Freezer?" Theo asked, "Why a freezer?"

"It's perfect. Our school should have a large industrial freezer somewhere in the back of the cafeteria. Have you ever seen one before?" Archie asked.

Theo shook his head, "no."

Archie began to walk again, "Well they are large metal boxes. They have thick walls for insulation and the doors tend to be pretty hardy. Not to mention a heavy duty latch that should hold a werewolf."

"That's all good and fine, but how do we lure a werewolf into a freezer?" Theo asked.

"We could try food like Abigail suggested. Get his attention and have him chase us into the kitchen. Hide once we get there and hope the pile of food lures the werewolf in. Once inside, we can close the door behind him," Archie explained.

Abigail shook her head, "Wait, you want the werewolf to chase us? Did you see how fast he was?"

"Good point," Archie noted, "What about running a relay?"

"Like a race?" Abigail said.

"Exactly," Archie said, "I watched the Olympics this summer and I noticed that the 400m dash took about fifty seconds while the 4x100m relay only took forty seconds. The same distance only they were able to shave off ten seconds by dividing the distance between four runners. We could do the same thing."

"How do we get the werewolf to stop following one of us and start chasing another?" Abigail wondered.

"I don't know," Archie said, "Maybe we could use noise?"

"Periculum?" Timothee suggested.

"What is that?" Abigail asked.

"Cast it," Timothee said, waving his hand in the air.

Abigail pointed her key across the field and casted, "Periculum!"

A purple ball of light fired from her wand and burst into a star of sparks that lit up the dark frosted field before vanishing into the night.

"Periculum!" Theo casted and this time red sparks shot across the field.

Timothee clutched the rings in his hand before outstretching his arm and casting, "Periculum!"

A blue ball of light shot forward and burst into a gold ball of sparks that disappeared.

"Bravo," Abigail said with applause.

Theo patted Timothee on the back, "You're getting it."

Timothee grinned, "I guess I am."

Archie raised a hand, "I hate to ruin a good moment, but I can't cast sparks. What am I going to do?"

"What if you were the first leg of the relay?" Abigail suggested.

"That could work," Archie said, "Risky and dangerous but it could definitely work."

They were fifty feet away from school and already they saw that a pair of swinging doors had been pushed in with the grey metal bent this way and that.

Theo rubbed some grit from his pen, "Hey Timothee, do you know any other spells we can use?"

Timothee looked at his rings, "Well, there is Expelliarmus but that is a disarming charm."

Theo chuffed, "I doubt a werewolf would use a wand."

"True," Timothee said, "It's been so long since I've studied spells. Um, well there is Protego which is a shield charm and Locomotor Mortis which is a leg locking curse."

Theo shook his head, "Protego. Locomotive Mortis. Got it!"

"Locomotor Mortis," Timothee corrected.

"Oh!" Theo replied, "Loco-MOTOR Mortis."

Timothee gave a thumbs up, "Wi."

Archie walked to the grey metal doors and ran his fingers along four metal claw marks that ran from top to bottom. The metal had been shredded like wet paper and the jarring metal bent in all different directions. The upper hinge was broken and the door sagged to one side. Light and warm air poured out from within the building.

Archie turned to the others and gulped, "Here we go."

Archie's wet shoes squeaked as he walked through the empty halls of Witchaven High School. It was strange being in school after hours. The building was empty, almost haunting in the still eeriness.

Archie's glasses fogged from the warm air and he pulled them from his face to wipe them with his damp shirt.

The others had taken their positions around the school and it was Archie's job to lead the werewolf to Abigail who would be waiting in the school foyer. Next would be Theo in the south wing of the school and last would be Timothee at the bottom of the stairwell that lead to the cafeteria.

Archie's voice cracked as he called out, "Hello?"

His eyes darted from side to side for any signs of movement while he followed a set of mud paw prints fearing what lay at their end.

Archie passed a white poster board with a drawn orange basketball and red glitter lettering that read, "Griffins vs. Stags at Dansville High."

"Well at least we don't have to worry about the basketball team," Archie thought.

He made his way into the auditorium, all the while on high alert. Rows of plush empty folded olive green theatre chairs lined both sides of a red carpeted walkway where the mud prints were getting fainter and harder to follow.

Archie turned to see Abigail waiting for him at the entrance of the Auditorium. She gave a quick and nervous wave.

"Don't worry," She encouraged, "I'm right here waiting!"

Archie's blood froze as a deep howl emanated from a stairwell located off to the side of the theatre. Archie swallowed hard and thought "Aw man, he is in the school storage, anywhere but there."

Witchaven High school had a basement below the auditorium that was rumored to be haunted. It was originally a fallout shelter turned storage room and filled with all sorts of odds and ends that had been accumulated over a decades' time. The theatre club met there regularly to build sets and costumes while others tended to avoid the estranged location. Pipes ran along the ceiling that creaked, hissed and moaned constantly.

Archie stood in a doorway at the top of the stairwell that led down to the storage room. It reminded him of the entrance to the basement to his house, an entrance that he did not like to go down when he was a kid. He knew it was childish to be fearful of a basement but something about it just made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

"Hello?" He called, from the top of the stairs, this time a little louder. If he could get the beast to come to him, he wouldn't have to go down there but his greeting was met with silence.

"Here goes nothing," Archie thought, as he grabbed the cold metal railing and took his first step down the painted cement stairs. The robin's egg paint used on the stairs was chipped and cracked but an unmistakable set of claw marks could be traced all the way down.

"Don't get bit, don't get bit, don't get bit," Archie repeated to himself as his heart pounded in his chest, "Don't get bit? What am I thinking? Don't die! This werewolf could slash me to ribbons!"

The light overhead flickered, as another deep grumble came from the dark entrance at the base of the stairs. Archie felt his lower lip tremble and so he bit down on it hard in an attempt to stem his fears.

"Go first, they said," Archie thought, "Why would I agree to go first? I don't know magic."

Archie's feet were on the bottom landing when he looked through the dark entrance before him. The rapid beating of his heart would not calm. He felt a pain in his chest and wondered if he was having a heart attack.

The piles of junk that filled the storage area made it hard to see. Stacked chairs, student and teacher desks, and moveable chalkboards were only a few of the objects he could make out in the minimal light.

"Where is he?" Archie began when his body froze. His eyes locked on a large brown furry back standing ever so still amongst the piles of junk. The stairwell light had hit the fur just right otherwise he never would have seen it.

Archie turned his body sideways on the stairs, ready to take flight, "Pssst!" he called out but the large werewolf did not move.

"Pssst!" Archie whispered again.

Standing still in the dark, he looked for the slightest sign of movement but in the poor light he didn't know if the werewolf was moving or if his mind was making things happen that weren't there.

"I can't just stand here, I need to get his attention," Archie thought. His eyes searched around the entrance, trying to find an object he could throw. There was an old worn football just a few feet in the room, lying on a desk. Archie kept one hand securely gripped to the stairwell railing as he took his first steps into the dark storage room, his eyes never leaving the werewolf.

Stretching out, he found that the ball was still out of his reach by a good three feet.

"Just a little bit more," he thought as the tips of his fingers finally let go of the railing and took the few lone steps into the storage area. Grabbing the oblong brown leather ball, Archie leapt back to the stairs, lined up the shot, and fired the football in a clumsy spiral. The ball hit the werewolf in the back and Archie did not wait around for a reaction. He ran up the stairs two and three at a time, using the railing like a rope to pull himself up.

Archie heard the football as it bounced in the room and something heavy drop to the ground.

Reaching the top step, Archie spun around and saw that there was nothing behind him.

Standing still, breathing heavily, he saw a brown figure roll into the light at the base of the stairs. It was a large brown fury bird like head of a Griffin, the school's mascot.

Archie put a hand over his heart and let out a deep breath, shook his head and smiled, "You're going to give yourself a heart attack. You threw the ball at a costume."

"Arch!" Abigail whispered loudly from the entrance of the auditorium, "You okay? Theo wants to know."

Archie turned and gave a thumbs up before looking back down the stairs and felt his blood run cold. The color in his face vanished and his knees trembled.

The animalistic eye shine of two yellow orbs peered silently from the darkness below. They were fixated on him like a predator.

The hairs on Archie's arms stood on end and sweat began to trickle down his temple. Archie knew the moment he turned to run that the werewolf would be on him and it was just a matter of when.

Archie began to count in his head, "3… 2… 1… Go!"

He spun away from the stairs and bolted across the auditorium towards the rows of chairs. A deafening howl bellowed from the basement below him and it wasn't long before the snarling grew louder. Turning his head for a second, he saw a flash of grey burst through the door frame and charge towards him.

"Merlin's beard! The werewolf was faster than I could have ever imagined!"

By the time He was half way to the foyer, Archie knew that he would never make it to the top.

Abigail emerged through the doors with her key drawn forward and yelled, "Move Arch!"

Archie dove into an aisle as Abigail wound up and fired a purple ethereal wave at the werewolf. The werewolf saw the purple wave and dove into a row of chairs on the opposite side. The spell flew by the werewolf and exploded at the base of the sloped walkway. The werewolf reoriented itself and fixed its' large yellow eyes on Abigail. Baring its' long white fangs and letting out a deep growl, the werewolf tried to pounce on the frightened witch but was stopped.

Archie laying on his back in the opposite row, saw that the right leg of the werewolf was stuck in the gap between the back of the chair and its' folding seat. The werewolf turned on the chair and tore the fabric to shreds, sending bits of red cloth and white stuffing everywhere.

"Archie?" Abigail called.

"I'm okay! His foot is stuck in the seat," Archie called back while getting to his feet.

The werewolf's large yellow eyes fixed on Archie and the beast lunged a second time but once again the chair kept the creature at bay. The werewolf swung a massive clawed paw in the air that was just out of reach as Archie climbed over two rows and ran towards Abigail.

Filled with an uncontrolled rage, the werewolf howled into the air before unleashing a fury of blows on the olive metal theatre seat back, tearing it like tinfoil.

"Run!" Archie screamed, grabbing Abigail by the arm and dragging her out of the auditorium and into the foyer. Abigail was faster than Archie and was able to pull ahead of him.

They heard the werewolf as it burst out of the auditorium and into the foyer, where it slipped on the tiled ground. The large hooked claws made a harsh scratching sound as the beast fought to get traction. The creature slid across the foyer and crashed into a wooden bench which shattered the glass to a display case filled with trophies. The golden trophies scattered across the black tiled floor in every direction.

"So much for our plan," Abigail shouted as they rounded the corner where Theo waited at the end of the hall.

"Hey!" Theo shouted, "Is it coming?"

"Yes!" Archie shouted.

"The room with the red sign!" Theo ordered, "Go in there!"

"What about you?" Abigail asked.

"Don't worry!" Theo shouted, "Stick to the plan!"

Abigail and Archie ran into the dark classroom and started to shut the door behind them when a large grey wolf's head burst through the partially open door. They struggled to shut it as the werewolf fought to make its' way into the room. A large grey paw hooked its claws around the wooden door and splintered its' corners nearly catching Abigail's arm.

They heard Theo shouting from down the hall, "Hey! I'm right here you big dog! Come and get it!" But the werewolf fought to make its way into the classroom and was quickly gaining ground.

"Periculum!" Echoed through the halls and a bright red light glowed on the other side of the door. The werewolf's head pulled away and Abigail and Archie were able to slam the door closed.

The two teens sat in the dark classroom with their backs against the door, fighting to catch their breath. Archie leaned over and locked the door to the classroom before sitting back down, "I hope…" He took a few more breathes, "I hope he knows what he is doing."

The werewolf howled on the other side of the door and they could hear the feral rumbles of the beast grow fainter until they were sitting in silence.

"Get up," Abigail ordered, "We need to stick to the plan."

Timothee had prepared the freezer as best he could. He had opened a few packs of hot dogs, a pack of pepperonis and two packs of chicken patties and set them in a pile in the center of the freezer. They were frozen solid and did not give off a smell.

"This isn't going to work," He thought but figured it was better than nothing.

It had been a while since he last heard from Theo and he was starting to get nervous, "Did the plan work? Do they need my help? What if something went wrong?"

Timothee placed a hand on the railing to the stairs that led up to the hallway and decided to climb to the top of the stairs and see what was going on. He heard a series of howls earlier that had sent chills running down his spine. The werewolf was somewhere but he didn't know where.

"Man your post," He told himself and trotted back down the stairs.

There was a sudden rumbling from the far side of the cafeteria as the ceiling shook. The pounding flurry of footsteps got closer and closer.

Timothee wrapped the chain that held the rings around his hand and closed his fist around the gold bands. He kissed the back of his fist and took a combative stance, ready to do his part in the relay.

"Any moment," He thought to himself as the loud clatter of footsteps echoed from the top of the stairs. Holding up his fist, he pointed it towards the entrance.

Just then, Abigail and Archie came bursting through, nearly knocking each other over as they raced down the steps.

"Where is Theo?" Timothee asked.

"He's not here already?" Abigail shouted.

"No!" Timothee replied.

Archie ran a hand through his sweaty auburn hair and looked back to the top of the stairs,

"The werewolf was on him last. He should be down here already."

"What could have happened?" Timothee asked.

"I don't know!" Abigail said, "He should be here!"

"He might need us!" Timothee yelled in a panic and started up the stairs.

"No!" Archie called, "The plan was for him to meet us here. He told us to stick to the plan."

Timothee shook his head, "He's not here Archie! Something clearly isn't right."

Abigail began to pace from side to side, "Oh gosh. What if the werewolf got him?"

Archie glared, "Don't say that!"

"Well he's not here!" Abigail contested.

A guttural howl boomed from in the kitchen of the cafeteria.

All three turned and ran into the kitchen, looking around.

Timothee turned to the others, "Where did that come from?"

Abigail shook her head, "I don't know!"

"The tunnel!" Archie realized.

"What tunnel?" Timothee fired back.

"Remember the first day of school? Vandigraff said there is a tunnel that goes from the west wing basement into the back of the cafeteria," Archie explicated. He ran towards the back of the kitchen, passed the food stores and opened a door to a small narrow hallway.

"I bet you anything he is coming through here!" Archie said.

They waited quietly, as they heard the barking calls of the werewolf get louder. Suddenly Theo burst into view, running at a full sprint with the werewolf hot on his heels.

"Hurry!" Archie shouted.

"Move it!" Abigail cried.

Theo was in a dead sprint as he raced towards his friends. The werewolf, which was incredibly large, had a hard time moving through the narrow passageway. It struggled to catch Theo with each swipe of its' massive paw only missing the back of Theo's jacket by mere inches.

"He needs our help!" Timothee shouted and pointed his fist down the corridor, "Periculum!"

A blue ball of light fired from his chain bound fist and traveled down the corridor. Theo juked the ball of light and it hit the werewolf square in the face. Gold sparks crackled in a ball and the werewolf whipped its' head from side to side, leaving the red tuft of hair on the top of its' head with a smoldering wisp of smoke.

"Perriculum!" Abigail shouted as a purple orb of light traveled down the hall and caught the werewolf square in the chest.

Theo made it to the other end of the tunnel as the werewolf writhed from the burning purple sparks. He grabbed a stitch in his side and winced, "I've never run so fast in my life." Opening his eyes, he watched as the werewolf now ignored the incoming sparks and began charging towards them again, "We need to go!"

They entered the kitchen just as the werewolf burst through the door behind them and leaped between Timothee and the rest of the group.

"He's trapped!" Archie shouted in horror.

They stood with their improvised wands pointed at the werewolf who had its ears pinned back and was crouched low to the ground ready to strike. Its large fiery yellow eyes fixed on Timothee who stood by himself in front of the open freezer. The cold air flowed from the metal freezer and created cool fog along the floor. The air against Timothee's back sent goose bumps up and down his arms.

Abigail cocked her arm back ready to cast but Timothee waved her off.

"What is he doing?" She asked.

"I don't know," Archie admitted.

Timothee's brown and green eyes kept locked on the werewolf as the two matched movements in a game of life and death. When the werewolf placed a giant paw to the right, Timothee shifted left and when Timothee shifted right, the werewolf would take a step left.

"Hey Theo," Timothee called out, focused on the enormous grey beast.

"Yes," Theo called back.

"Remember what you did to the stump?" Timothee said.

"Of course," He answered, "The reducto?"

"No," Timothee quickly shot back momentarily breaking eye contact with the creature, "That was Abigail, what you first casted, the lifting spell."

"Oh, yeah. What about it?" Theo asked.

Timothee extended his hand out to the right. The silver chain glinting around his wrist, "When I say, can you lift me up?"

Theo pointed his pen, "I think."

"If you need a little help, try uttering Wingardium Leviosa. Got it?"

"Got it."

The werewolf roared and leapt with its razor sharp claws drawn.

Timothee pointed his fist at the werewolf and casted, "Locomotor Mortis!" The leaping werewolf fell short of Timothee with its' legs bound together. Sliding on the tiled floor, its' gnashing jaws and open claws were ready to tear him to shreds.

"Now!" Timothee screamed.

Theo swished his hand and flicked, "Wingardium Leviosa!"

Timothee felt a sudden force send him crashing into the ceiling tile as the werewolf slid below and into the large metal freezer.

Abigail took her key and slashed it in the air. The large metal door to the freezer slammed shut with a loud "clack!" as the latch closed.

Feeling the spell release, Timothee fell to the hard ground and let out a loud grunt. He attempted to lift himself from the kitchen floor but his body collapsed.

The werewolf howled and screamed inside the freezer as it fought to escape, banging on the metal door and to everyone's surprise the creature soon fell quiet.

"I think he found the food," Archie said, running forward, "Timothee you okay?"

Timothee, who was covered in chunks of tiling and white dust, groaned as he rolled over onto his back. He looked at the rings still clutched in his palm and smiled, "I'm not dead."

"We did it!" Abigail yelled enthusiastically and a growl emanated from the freezer.

Timothee raised a dusty finger and pressed it to his lips, "Shhhhh…"

"Oh, sorry," Abiagil whispered, "We did it!"

Theo walked over and examined the large metal freezer, "You think it will hold Arch?"

"It should," Archie answered.

"What about tomorrow?"

"Let the lunch staff worry about that. As long as they don't open it before first light, it should be okay. In the mean time, we should get out of here."

Timothee attempted to stand but felt a sharp stinging pain in his ribs.

"Here, let me help," Archie said, wrapping an arm over his shoulder. Theo joined in and took the other arm. Together they lifted Timothee to his feet and began to walk together towards the broken door they had entered.

"A werewolf!" Archie said in disbelief, his breathe forming clouds in the frigid night air, "How did we not see that?"

Abigail grabbed two handfuls of snow and clumped them into a tight white snowball, "If I ever see those goblins again!" And she threw the snowball at the side of the school. The fast ball rocketed into the bricks and exploded in a burst of powder.

"You mean troblins," Archie corrected.

Abigail shook her head, "I mean dead meat because that's what they are going to be once I am through with them."

"We could have been bit," Timothee winced.

"We could have died!" Theo added.

"If all else failed we learned a lot tonight," Archie said, his feet crunching in the growing snow that was now up to their ankles.

"Like Vance being a werewolf," Abigail added.

"And that he isn't working for the troblins," Timothee noted.

"Exactly," Archie said, "We know that he isn't working for the troblins which means he wasn't poisoning the water."

Archie paused before saying, "Maybe the water isn't poisoned after all?"

"What about the glass of water and the radio?" Abigail asked.

"My guess is werewolf venom," Archie explained, "Vance clearly chained himself up. Set out a blanket, some food and had access to our water supply. Remember when he splashed his face before he turned? I bet you anything that when he changes, he drinks from it, which would explain the monthly spikes in magic in our water."

Theo turned to Archie, "Wait, you don't think we could all turn if he is drinking from our water?"

Archie shook his head, "No, I doubt it. Otherwise the entire town would have turned already. We've been drinking the water for months now. I remember reading that the only way to become a werewolf is a bite. Which is venom having direct contact with blood and with Vance's saliva diluted with the rest of the water, at most I'd imagine you would develop a hankering for meat."

"What if everyone in his family is werewolves?" Abigail wondered.

"Doubt it," Archie said.

Abigail began to make another snowball, "Oh yea? Why is that smarty pants?"

"Well, it's like I said before. The only way to become a werewolf is through a bite. You can't inherit the trait so unless someone in his family bit him, Vance is probably the only werewolf in his family."

Abigail tossed the snowball across the field, "But by that logic, that means that someone had to bite him to become a werewolf. That could mean that there is another werewolf running around tonight."

"True," Archie admitted, "Maybe we can ask him tomorrow? But one werewolf is enough for me tonight."

Theo adjusted his support of Timothee, "Well if it isn't the water, how did the troblins make everyone fall asleep?"

"I don't know," Archie admitted, "I'll have to go back to my books and try to find something, or maybe even look in the magical history book Timothee got from Bartholomew."

"So what do we do now?" Abigail asked.

"We prepare," Archie said, "We prepare for the troblins because I guarantee they will back."

"How are you so sure?" Theo asked.

Archie pointed to Timothee, "Because of him."

"Me?" said Timothee.

"You," Archie confirmed, "They want you for some reason and they haven't succeeded yet. That means they are going to be back and when they do we will be ready. I will work harder on my potions and you three will duel. Learn more spells and how to cast them. Defensive and offensive magic, it might be difficult at first but if Timothee can cast a Patronus, I'm confident you guys can cast anything."

"I almost forgot." Abigail said, "That was amazing."

Archie looked over, "Did you know your Patronus was a unicorn?"

"I had no idea," Timothee admitted, "I've never casted one before."

"We are definitely going to work on that," Archie said, "And for you two as well. It's not easy but definitely handy in a pinch against dementors."

"What's a dementor?" Abigail asked.

"A whole different nightmare I don't think we should visit tonight," Archie shuttered.

"I wish we could have Vance on our side. It would be kind of nice to have a werewolf to help us when those troblins show up," Abigail said.

"That is not actually a half bad idea. Better yet, it might be possible," Archie thought.

"How so?" She asked.

"We could make Wolfsbane Potion."

"What does that do?" Theo questioned.

"It should allow Vance to maintain his mental faculties while in werewolf form. The only problem is that it is really hard to make," Archie explained.

"How hard?" Abigail wondered.

"Like master potion brewer hard. The main ingredient is Aconite, you know monkshood, which is very poisonous. If I got the potion wrong, I could end up killing him."

Timothee secured a hand on his side, "Well maybe you won't have to brew it yourself if Kevin can get it for us. He did get us the Wizergen."

Archie nodded, "It would never hurt to ask but I doubt it will be cheap."

They made their way onto the main road before Abigail pointed over her shoulder, "Well, we are this way."

"See you guys tomorrow!" Archie said, turning away.

"If we don't have a snow day," Theo yelled back.

Theo and Timothee continued to head home when they heard a subtle bang in the distance, turning their heads they saw a ball of purple sparks in the sky, followed by the distant echoes of laughter.

"Should we?" Theo asked.

"Definitely," Timothee replied.

Theo held up his pen while Timothee did the same with his rings and in unison shouted, "Periculum!"

Two orbs of light flew into the sky and burst into bright spheres of gold and red. The two teens laughed as the glowing light in the falling snow lit up their faces.

Theo looked at his pen, "You know, I can get used to this thing."

"Me too," Timothee agreed.

Chapter 17

What You Truly Love

Timothee opened the front door and was greeted by a blast of warm air. It felt so good, especially for the fact that he was flooded with the aroma of meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

Timothee's stomach grumbled at the smell as he thought, "It feels good to be home."

Mara walked into the living room drying her hands on her apron. She had a smudge of flour on her chin and rosiness in her caramel colored cheeks, "Hey bud, you're late today."

"Sorry," Timothee said, "I lost track of time. We decided to play in the snow. I've never seen so snow much fall before."

"It's neat isn't it? Maybe you guys will get a snow day" Mara suggested. Suddenly her face clenched tight as her eyes closed and a hand rifled over her nose and mouth. She shook her head and leaned away, "Oh my, what is that smell?"

Timothee took a quick whiff and knew instantly that it was the sludge from the water treatment plant. It was potent and sulfurous but he must have grown accustom to it after being covered in waste for so long.

"We were playing by a pond and I fell in," Timothee said.

"Well go upstairs and take a bath, dinner will be ready in twenty minutes," Mara ordered.

"Right away," Timothee agreed and started up the stairs. He stopped at the bottom landing and thought to himself, "Home… this is my home…"

"Be sure to throw those clothes in the hamper so I can wash them tonight!"

"Wi!" Timothee said and was up the stairs.

Opening the door and stripping down, Timothee balled up his dirty jacket, shirt and pants and placed them into his hamper.

Ursa emerged from the pillows on the bed and watched Timothee as he moved around his room.

"Hi Ursa!" Timothee greeted, placing a kiss on the top of the bear's head.

Ursa waved a rounded stuffed arm over his plush snout.

"I know," Timothee said, "It's sewer sludge."

Ursa pointed towards Timothee's ribs, where a large purple and blue bruise was beginning to form about the size of a Frisbee.

Timothee touched the contusion and winced, "It's pretty bad but can I tell you something?"

Ursa nodded.

Timothee leaned in and whispered, "There is a werewolf in Witchaven."

Ursa's eyes grew wide as he ran to the bedroom window and looked outside.

"Don't worry Ursa. We wrangled it. Pierre, Marie and Camille would never believe it. An actual werewolf here in Witchaven!" He opened a drawer and looked for a fresh set of pajamas to wear, "And not only was it here but we found a way to lock it up. Serious house points if I was back at Pursang. Old Lillyhammer would have been proud."

Ursa's eyes seemed to ask, "How?"

Timothee knelt down to the side of the bed, wincing as he moved. Holding up the gold wedding bands he let Ursa get a good look at them, "Now can you keep a real secret?"

Ursa crossed his heart.

Timothee closed his eyes and whispered, "Lumos."

The two rings hummed before a white light burst from their centers. Ursa put a hand over his beaded black eyes and fell backwards on the bed. Timothee squinted as he looked at the brilliant glow.

There was a sudden shudder from downstairs followed by the muffled greeting, "Honey, I'm home!"

"You sound like just like a muggle," Mara greeted.

"I'm getting better every day my love," Samuel replied.

Timothee palmed the rings. The flesh of his hand glowed red while the bones in his hands were still black. The red lines of veins and arteries looked like tree roots in his illuminated hand as blood pumped through them.

"Nox," Timothee whispered and the x-ray view of his hand vanished.

Ursa's head went back and forward from Timothee's hand to his eyes.

"I know right," Timothee whispered, raising his finger to his lips, "shhhhhh."

Timothee began to sniff his finger before turning his face in repulsion, "Ugh, I really do need to shower."

After a quick wash and a good scrub, Timothee was drying out his blonde hair and making his way down the steps to the dinner table. He was wearing his pajamas which hid his bruise but could not hide the wince he made with each step down the stairs.

"There he is!" Samuel greeted happily from the head of the dining table. He was wearing his black teaching robes and had placed his suitcase in the corner of the room, "How was school today?"

"Tre bien," Timothee replied, taking a seat. His food was already set before him and like most teenagers, he had a veracious apatite. The dark rich succulent ground beef of the meatloaf was topped with a thick red tomato sauce. Next to the meat was a large mound of thick chunky mashed potatoes with a nice round reservoir of brown gravy pooled in the middle. It looked like a mini volcano and Timothee was careful not to breech the steaming caldera of gravy. To round out this savory meal was a healthy portion of steamed green beans that would partner well with the gravy.

"This meal is absolutely astonishing. I don't know if my dinner tomorrow will match it," Samuel admired.

"I'm sure you and your wand will find a way," Mara smiled as she spooned up some potatoes.

"So, how are Abigail, Archie, and Theo?" Mara asked.

Timothee chewed a large piece of meatloaf, "Well, Abigail officially made the varsity baseball team. She is the first girl in Witchaven High to ever do that and Archie… well he is always working on a project for school. Theo, is just Theo."

"Sounds like teenagers to me," Samuel said, "You know you should have them over again. You guys seemed to have such a blast after that sleepover last month."

"They didn't fall asleep until three in the morning," Mara noted, "And what about classes? Any tests coming up?"

"finals in two weeks," Timothee answered, "I have As in French, PE and Art, two Bs in math and science and two Cs in English and History."

"I thought you were going to turn one of those Cs into a B?" Mara asked.

"I can turn the English grade into a B if I get an A on my final paper. As for History, it is hopeless. After the first day of class Mr. Applegate has never liked me."

"Well after you finish your paper, I can check it for you," Mara offered.

Samuel held up his fork with a green bean on the end, "And I can give Mr. Applegate a magical quill that gives you all As."

Mara gave Samuel a look.

"Kidding," Samuel said, "You know there is a magical historian that created quite the book. It has all my students in a whirl. They say you actually get to 'live' history. Maybe we ought to slip one of those in old Applegate's desk."

"Now don't start trouble," Mara scolded, "The last thing we need is the ministry snooping around here."
"Aw, it wouldn't be so bad," Samuel said, "They would just send a few of the wizards from the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office. I've taught half of them at Salem."

Mara shook her head, "Either way, Timothee you have been doing an excellent job living as a muggle. Have you decided what you wanted to do for Christmas?"

Timothee took a sip from his water, "You know I haven't given it much thought."

"Well you are more than welcome to stay here if you would like. Or you could head back to France for your break as well. I know your grandmother must be dying to see how big you've gotten."

"Grandma," Timothee thought, "I do miss her."

Timothee looked to Mara, "What if she came here to visit?"

Mara smiled, "I don't see why that would be a problem."

Samuel wiped his mouth, "Well that is an excellent idea. If you pen her a letter I can have one of the owls at Salem send it out for you."

Timothee nodded, "Merci."

Samuel began to look around the table.

"What do you need love?" Mara asked.

"Salt," Samuel answered.

"I knew you would. I moved it. Now remember, not too much," Mara said pulling out the salt shaker from behind the center display piece on the table, "Here, Timothee can you hand this to him."

Timothee reached over to grab the salt and let out a sharp breath, placing a reactionary hand on his side as he handed over the salt.

Noticing the wince, Samuel asked, "What happened there?"

"Oh it's nothing. I fell while playing in the snow."

"Really?" Samuel asked, "Let me see."

Mara shook her head, "You better believe it. He walked in the door smelling like… well I shouldn't say because we are eating but just know it was bad."

Timothee leaned over and lifted the red flannel pajama shirt he was wearing.

"Merlin's beard!" Samuel shouted.

"Oh honey!" Mara sighed when she saw the massive bruise, "You didn't tell me it was that bad!"

Timothee hunched his shoulders, "I didn't think it was."

"Hmm…" Samuel said as he scanned the bruise, "I know just the trick to get you back to yourself."

Getting up from the dinner table, Samuel walked to his briefcase in the corner of the room and set it flat on an end table. Undoing the latches to the suitcase, he opened it and began to search inside. Reaching in with his arm, it continued to go deeper and deeper until half his body disappeared.

Mara chuckled to herself, "If I wasn't married to a wizard, that right there would send me to the loony bin! Never a dull moment when you are married to a wizard."

There was a loud bleat from inside the bag before Samuel pulled himself out of his briefcase holding a long golden eagle feather.

Mara scowled, "What was that?"

"This old thing?" Samuel said nervously, holding up the feather, "A healing feather."

"No," Mara demanded, "The goat sounding creature in your briefcase!"

Samuel looked around nervously, "Oh that silly thing. That is a goat. Bezoar the goat to be exact. He is making Bezoars for my classes next semester and I thought I would bring him home during the holiday."

A look of relief came over Mara as her tense shoulders rested, "Oh thank goodness. I thought it was some sort of Erumpelephent or Demidisguise."

Samuel took a seat at the table, "I think you mean Erumpent and Demiguise and don't worry, it is a normal goat."

Mara pointed her fork at her husband, "Oh yeah? And that Niffler you brought was just a platypus right?"

"Well, sort of," Samuel replied.

Mara looked to Timothee, "Get this. He brings home this adorable looking creature, claims it is a platypus that he is watching for some professor at Salem. Turns out it isn't a platypus at all, it is this Niffler creature and it's a kleptomaniac! Steals every little shiney thing it could get its little paws on. Rings, earrings, necklaces, even our special silverware that was a wedding present," Mara looked to Samuel, "You know I still can't find my grandmother's ring?"

"Yes, I am sorry but there is nothing to worry about. Bezoar is an ordinary goat," Samuel said. Leaning over and looking at Timothee's bruise he whispered, "Or at least I think."

"I heard that," Mara said shaking her head and going back to her meal.

Taking the feather, Samuel began to whisper an incantation as he brushed the golden eagle feather up and down the bruise.

It felt nice and cool as the wind blew over the bruise which was radiantly hot. Slowly the purple and blue discoloration started to retract and disappear into a single point when there was a sudden loud, "Pop!" as a rib snapped back into order.

"Ow!" Timothee yelped, nearly jumping out of his seat. His lower leg hit the bottom of the table and all the plates and cups jumped a quarter inch, landing just offset of their original spot. There was a subtle "cling!" as the two rings around Timothee's kneck fell from his shirt.

"There we go," Samuel whispered when his eye caught the silver wrapping. "What's this?" He said, reaching for the rings.

Timothee's eyes grew wide and it felt like the whole world began to move in slow motion as he watched Samuel grab the two rings. Timothee wanted to pull them from Samuel's hands but for some reason Timothee couldn't move, didn't move, didn't want to bring more attention to them. Would Samuel recognize the…

"Is this unicorn hair?" Samuel asked, as his thumb nail scratched over the silver hair.

"It's…" Timothee started.

"Unicorn hair?" Mara asked, "Can I see?"

Samuel held up the rings and Mara watched the silver glint with the gold in the dining room light.

"Very pretty," Mara admired.

"It's a good luck charm I got back in wizarding school. The mascot was a unicorn."

"Huh," Samuel replied. He let go of the rings and leaned back into his chair. Tucking the feather into the inner pocket of his robes, he said, "I guess I never noticed."

"So what is a bezoar anyways?" Mara asked.

"Good question," Samuel said, "It's the stone from the stomach of a goat and you can actually treat most poisons with it."

"Oh really?" Mara said.

"Isn't that right Timothee?" Samuel said.

Timothee nodded. He didn't want to make eye contact with Samuel but he felt that Samuel was watching him, observing his every move as if to say, "I know."

Dinner was concluded and Timothee and Samuel helped put the food and dishes away before he wished Mara and Samuel a goodnight and made his way to his room. Closing the door behind him and taking one enormous leap he landed on his bed.

"Phew, that was close," He whispered when there was a knock on his bedroom door.

Timothee sat up, opened his history book and set it on his lap, "Come in."

It was Samuel and he closed the door behind himself as he entered Timothee's room.

"Uh oh," Timothee thought, "Maybe I didn't get away with it."

"I…" Timothee began but before he could start, Samuel whipped out his wand and gave it a small flick and casted, "Accio!"

The chain and rings floated over Timothee's head, flew across the room and into Samuel's hand.

Timothee sat silently for what seemed like an eternity as he watched Samuel hold the rings in his hand. Even from across the room, the unicorn hair that bound the gold loops had an iridescent quality to it, changing color ever so slightly as it moved in the light like a white opal.

Samuel looked up from the rings and walked across the room and placed the chain back over Timothee's head. He moved a pillow from the bed and sat down next to the young wizard.

Timothee took the rings and tucked them back under his shirt.

"Your parents loved you with every piece of their being," Samuel said, "And when you have that much love for someone or something, there is nothing that you wouldn't do."

Timothee nodded.

Samuel rubbed the back of his neck, "When they took Mara away from me, when they locked her away at Azkaban… They tried to pull me away from someone who I loved with all my soul. Someone who I would give up everything and do anything to get back."

Samuel sighed, "What am I trying to say? I am trying to say that I get it."

"You do?" Timothee asked.

"I do," Samuel assured, "You love magic, it has been a part of your life ever since you could remember and suddenly someone shows up and tells you that this thing that you love, that you admire, will no longer be a part of your life. If magic is what you truly love then there is no one from the Ministry of Magic to Ursa that can stop you from doing it. Just because they say you can't do something doesn't mean they can stop you. You know why?"

"Why?"

"Because Magic is a part of who you are, it is a part of your soul, the very fabric that makes you, well, you. If someone were to try and take that from you, they would be ripping your soul apart."

"So you are not upset?" Timothee asked.

"No I am not upset. In fact that is not the first homemade wand I've seen. Back when your father and I were working together, we met a wizard who made a wand from an old spoon and a werewolf whisker."

Samuel wrapped his arm over Timothee's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze, "Look, just be careful. If the ministry finds out about those rings, they won't hesitate to send you to Azkaban and that is not a place you want to be. You will face adult repercussions for your actions and you are just a kid. You might think you understand what that means but at a young age it's hard to truly conceptualize. What it means to lose ten, twenty, thirty years of your life. Time that you can never get back and so I can't stress it enough to be careful."

Timothee nodded before asking, "What about Mara? I feel like she is so excited for me to live a muggle life that she would be devastated if she found out."

"If you feel comfortable telling her, then by all means let her know. She will love you regardless if you choose to live life as a muggle or an unofficial wizard. She will give you a harder time but that is only because she cares about you and she has been to Azkaban. Did you know I had to freeze all the curtains in this house so that they don't blow in the wind?"

"I never realized it."

"Mara can't handle the blowing fabric. She says it reminds her of dementors. I've seen her have breakdowns over it. She's gotten better now over the years, the nightmares are less frequent, the long stares into night have faded but the stain on her life will never truly be gone. But it's like I said, adult consequences that sometimes adults might not understand."

Timothee nodded.

Samuel turned to Ursa and gave him a light pat on the nose, "In the end if it is what you truly love, truly a part of who you are, she will find a way to accept it."

"Merci," Timothee said.

"Now show me what you can do with this thing!"

Timothee smiled, "Well I am not as good as Theo or Abigail… I mean… They don't… we don't."

Samuel laughed, "Don't worry, I figured if you had a wand, those two would probably have one as well. I am a professor at Salem Timothee. The same school Theodore attended as a first year and I taught Abigail's older sister Ophelia before her unfortunate potion accident. When I saw your wand at dinner I automatically assumed that they had one. Does your friend Archie have one? Is he a wizard as well?"

Timothee shook his head "No, he is a muggle."

"Alright," Samuel said, "So what can you do?"

Timothee grabbed the rings from under his shirt and held them up, "Lumos!"

A bright light flooded the room and both Timothee and Samuel had to shield their eyes.

"Nox!" Timothee called and the light vanished.

"Very nice," Samuel smiled, "What about a lifting charm?"

"I haven't tried one yet," Timothee said.

"Try the alarm clock on your dresser."

Timothee pointed his fist towards the clock and swished and flicked while reciting, "Wingardium Leviosa."

They watched silently as the clock stayed put.

Timothee hunched his shoulders, "I guess I haven't got that one yet."

"Here try this," Samuel said, taking the rings and sliding them over Timothee's ring finger and middle finger. Then he looped the chain around Timothee's hand and wrist, "This should make it easier for spells that emphasize casting movement like a Leviosa or an Expelliarmus. Try it again."

Timothee held up his hand, "Wingardium Leviosa."

The small metal alarm clock with two large bells on the top and a hammer in between lifted off the nightstand and hovered.

Timothee smiled as the alarm clock floated across the room making small "Tings!" as it bounced like a feather on a breeze across the room.

There was a knock at the door, "Hey guys?" Mara said as she entered the room poking her head inside.

Timothee and Samuel froze as the alarm clock hovered just over Mara's head. Timothee took his ringed hand and hid it behind his back.

"Yes honey?" Samuel straight faced.

"It's bed time soon," Mara said.

"You're right," Samuel replied, "I was just talking to Timothee about school."

They watched as the hovering alarm clock started to slowly descend and their eyes grew wide.

"You finish your homework?" Mara asked.

Timothee nodded, "Yes."

"Good!" Mara smiled, "Goodnight!"

"Bonne nuit," Timothee replied.

Mara closed the door just as the clock would have landed on her head.

"Oh," Mara said and began to open the door.

Timothee shot his hand forward and whispered, "Accio!" And the clock fired into his hand just as Mara's head peaked through a second time.

"Wi?" Timothee said.

"Wi?" Samuel repeated before shaking his head, "Yes?"

"Your briefcase is bleating," Mara replied.

Samuel stood from the bed and walked across the room. He gave his wife a kiss on the cheek, "I'll get on that."

Samuel looked at Timothee and winked before leaving the room and closing the door.

Timothee let out a long sigh and placed his alarm clock on the nightstand. He looked at the picture of his parents and smiled. There was a slight tapping on his shoulder and he turned to see Ursa standing there.

"Close one huh?"

Ursa nodded.

Timothee lay back in his bed, pulled the rings from his hand and dangled them over his face. He watched them swing from side to side like a pendulum as his eyes slowly closed to sleep.

Chapter 18

I had no other Choice

Timothee sat with a single gold strand that wrapped around his wrists. The string hung loose but glowed with an inner light. Timothee tried to move his hands but they felt locked like stone, incapable of even the most minutia of movement.

He sat in a chair next to a desk that was neatly organized with case files stacked in one corner, a lamp in the other and a fine gold quill resting in an inkpot. Looking around he watched as a new shift of Aurors walked into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Their finely starched baby blue and black robes with gold fleur-de-lis embroidered over the heart.

Rows of desks lined the room as letters, notes and memos zipped about over head making their way to desks, drawers and filing cabinets.

A pair of Aurors escorted a wizard dressed in all black with dark circles under his eyes to a room in the back and closed the door. He watched as another Auror carried a basket of illegally smuggled Chinese Fireball dragon eggs to his desk and began working on a new file.

A tall Auror with a black buzzed haircut and a receding hairline approached the desk with two paper cups in hand. He had thick eyebrows and deep brown eyes that locked on Timothee who only made brief eye contact.

"Puis-je vous offrir un verre?" The Auror offered, holding one of the drinks forward.

Timothee held his bound wrists up, "Mes mains."

"Ah, pardon" The Auror said. Setting down a cup, he waved his hand and the string vanished into thin air.

Timothee rubbed his wrists before taking the paper cup, "Merci." The cup was warm and felt good against his cold fingers. He looked down and watched as the chocolate swirled in a small cyclonic motion.

"Don't worry. There is no Veritaserum in there. Drink up. You must be thirsty," The Auror encouraged before extending a hand to shake, "Louis Geroux."

Timothee shook the hand, "Timothee Partée."

Louis hand stopped cold mid shake, "Timothee Partée."

"Wi monsieur" Timothee nodded.

Louis eyes searched the young man's face now seeing all the pieces of the puzzle come together. He saw Christiane in the brown-green eyes that gazed sullenly back at him, Édouard in his distinguished facial structure and even Javert in his young but growing frame. They were all there in this living echo sitting right before him.

"But how could this be? How could this child end up in the Auror's office not as an Auror like his predecessors but as a criminal?" He wondered silently.

Unable to make sense of the Auror's gaze, Timothee went back to looking at the swirling hot chocolate.

"What happened?" Louis asked. He opened the case file on his desk and scanned it. His heart dropped when his eyes fell on the words:

CURSE CLASS:

UNFORGIVABLE

CURSE USED:

IMPERIUS

CURSE RESULT:

MURDER

"I don't know," Timothee said.

Louis pulled his chair from behind his desk and sat it next to Timothee's. He took a long sip from his hot chocolate and continued to study the young wizard. All the while wondering "did he actually do it?"

Louis had interviewed many dark wizards in his day and many of them tended to be cold, unyielding, and unapologetic but this boy sitting beside him exuded none of those traits, not one.

"Partée huh?" Louis said, "You wouldn't happen to be the son of Édouard and Christiane?"

Timothee nodded, still not making eye contact.

Louis placed a hand on Timothee's shoulder, "Hey, you want to see something?"

"I guess," Timothee replied.

"Follow me," Louis said. Standing from his seat he took a few steps away from his desk and turned to see that Timothee had not moved.

"Come on," he encouraged with a wave.

Timothee looked up through his dyed black locks of hair and leaned forward before sitting up. A gold band with a blue stone slipped through his white button down shirt, before disappearing as he stood straight up.

A memory flashed in Louis' mind of Christiane as she rubbed her thumb over the blue stone. Oh how he had missed her, his partner, a long lost guilt that had haunted him ever since she had passed away. He should have been there that night to protect her. He failed her but he would not fail her now.

Timothee walked behind Louis as they navigated the work stations of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement until they came up to two desks paired side by side. One was of normal size but another was smaller, child sized to be exact. The brass name plate read, "Pierre Henry."

Louis walked to the desk and ran a finger gracefully along the top of it, "Do you know what this is?"

"No," Timothee replied shaking his head.

"This was your father's Timothee," Louis replied, "And that small desk beside it belonged to..."

"Vert," Timothee said.

Louis was the one to nod his head this time, "Is he still with your family?"

"I only know of him from what my grandmother has told me. She said he was an Auror. First of his kind."

"He was," Louis replied, "Is it true that he also vanished that night?"

"I haven't seen him once," Timothee said.

Louis sighed, "I hope he is okay, where ever he is. I don't think the political atmosphere would accept a house elf as an Auror anymore. We've seem to have regressed over this last decade."

Timothee sat behind the desk and placed his hands on the warn surface, "This is where my father sat, where he worked, where he spent his time."

Louis pointed back towards his desk, "The one you were just sitting at used to be your mother's. She was actually my first partner in the Ministry. And that office over there in the corner, that was your grandfather's, Javert. Boy was he one scary wizard. Tall like a giant and more intimidating than an overgrown Venomous Tentacula. The reason I am showing you all this is for you to see that you come from a long line of good, honest and true wizards. Generations of Aurors that have served this ministry for centuries."

Timothee looked around the department. He always wanted to be an Auror like the rest of his family but after tonight it felt like that dream would never come true, never become a reality.

"So, Tim," Louis asked, "What happened? Were you upset? Were you sad or frightened? I'm not here to judge you. I am here to listen to your story to what you have to say."

Louis Geroux was one of the top Aurors, no longer the green tyro he had been twelve years ago. After years of weaning out confessions, cracked cases and solved mysteries, he knew that all he needed was patience.

Timothee sat for a while, just running his hands along the desk before finally saying, "She was going to jump. I thought I could help her but, she fell."

"The muggle?" Louis asked.

Timothee nodded, wiping a tear from the side of his cheek, "I never would have done it. She made me. I had no other choice. I tried to get her to come down from the railing but the wind, it was just too strong." Timothee looked up at Louis, tears streaming down her face and repeating over and over, "I had no other choice."

Louis walked over and gave Timothee a hug as the young teen sobbed. He looked over and made eye contact with an Auror who had watched the whole thing take place and mouthed, "Get me Jean-Louis Bastion."

Chapter 19

Snow Day

Timothee opened his eyes to the glaring white light from the window in his room. Rolling over, he placed a pillow over his head to block out the bright light. He heard footsteps coming up the stairs and knew it was only a matter of time before Samuel would open his door and tell him to get ready for school.

The door to the room creaked and Timothee pressed the pillow tighter over his head. Dreading the morning marching orders, Timothee was shocked when a boy's voice called, "Hey sleepy head get up!"

"That's not Samuel," Timothee thought. Pulling the pillow away from over his head, he was greeted by a large grin, freckles, thick black rimmed glasses and reddish hair.

"Archie?" Timothee said.

"Morning sunshine!" Archie hailed. Archie was wearing a thick blue winter jacket, a grey knitted cap with a purple puff ball on top and a blue and bronze scarf.

Theo's voice called from downstairs, "Is he up? He's going to miss breakfast!"

"If you eat it all Theo!" Abigail jibed.

"What are you guys doing here?" Timothee asked.

Archie who had taken interest in Ursa walked over to the window and pointed to the pristine white snow that coated everything, "It's a snow day!"

Timothee rubbed his eyes and looked out the window. Archie was indeed right. The amount of snow was astonishing. There was a cotton white pile in the driveway where Samuel's car had been and rolling mounds of snow as far as the eye could see in the birch tree forest.

"How much did it snow?" Timothee wondered aloud.

"Just under two feet," Archie answered, "Well actually it was twenty two inches to be exact and the bare minimum for a snow day is twelve inches."

Timothee shook his head, "So why are you guys over here?"

"To get a curtain you know who out of you know where," Archie whispered.

"What out of what?"

Archie held up his pointer fingers like fangs and started to pant like a dog.

"Oh!" Timothee remembered, "You don't think he is still?"

"Everyone is snowed in, I don't see why not."

Timothee got out of bed and got dressed before meeting the others downstairs. He put on his black jacket with a butterscotch winter cap and black rubber snow shoes. Walking down the steps he found Abigail and Theo at the dinner table munching on tall stacks of waffles topped with whipped cream and strawberries.

"Oh good, you're up!" Mara said, walking into the room and placing a fresh Belgian waffle on an empty plate, "Do you want whipped cream and strawberries as well?"

Timothee nodded as he took a seat, "Yes please."

Theo shoveled a large triangular section of waffle in his mouth and pocketed it into one cheek before saying, "Mrs. Redd, these are the best waffles I have ever had!"

"I agree," Abigail said as she lathered her waffle with more golden amber syrup, "I wish my mom or dad could cook like this. They usually just make cereal in the morning."

"Well, I can't say my intentions are entirely pure," Mara confessed, "I was hoping I could recruit you to shovel the snow in front of the bakery after you were finished?"

Theo nodded enthusiastically, "You got it!"

"Thanks," Mara said, "Maybe you guys can stop by after school next week for some cupcakes. How does that sound?"

The teens all nodded enthusiastically before they went back to their plates of food.

Their plates were polished clean and left in a neat pile next to the sink before they set out into the wintery tundra. The snow was up to their knees and so they walked in a straight line back into town, stepping in each other's footsteps. Theo led the way followed by Timothee, Abigail and Archie trailed in back.

"How did the rest of your night go?" Timothee asked.

Theo turned his head with the red yarn toggles to his cap bouncing with each step, "My dad didn't say much, just told me to clean up before dinner, which was spaghetti. He doesn't really know how to cook much else. You think he would have learned after my mother left. He does make a mean TV Dinner though."

"My dad said I smelled like poop," Abigail explained.

The others laughed.

Archie hopped a step in the snow, nearly losing his balance, "Well that is not entirely inaccurate."

"Ugh," Abigail said, "I don't even want to think about it."

"What about you Arch?" Theo asked.

"Same thing as you guys but I did get a chance to work on some potions before bed."

Abigail sniffled her nose before asking, "Oh yeah? What are you working on now?"

"Well, I've been brewing this stuff called polyjuice. Really gnarly stuff, but it will allow you to change into anyone you want. All you need is a hair or something."

"You are going to drink hair?" Abigail asked in mild disgust.

"Actually I was thinking of mixing it with an animal or something and seeing if it will allow me to transform."

"I don't know Archie," Timothee said, "You could end up coughing up hairballs if you are not careful. Plus, how do you explain that one to your parents?"

"It's only a thought," Archie said, "Who knows if it will even work when it is done. It takes over a month to make."

"What about you Timothee?" Abigail called ahead.

"So Samuel knows," Timothee answered.

"Knows about the werewolf?" Archie asked.

"No," Timothee assured, "He knows about the wands."

Theo stopped in his tracks and turned around, "What did he say?"

"He was surprisingly okay with it," Timothee explained.

"So he didn't take your rings away?" said Abigail.

"No. In fact he showed me a better way of holding them to cast. He says magic is a part of me and that I pretty much have a right to practice it so why stop me. For some reason I thought he was going to be really mad at me but he wasn't. I don't know. I feel like maybe I should tell him about the sleeping curse or potion or whatever. Did you find anything Archie?"

"Didn't have a chance to look," Archie called ahead.

"Wow you're lucky," Abigail said, "If my parents knew I was doing magic they would blow a gasket. After the whole Ophelia daffodil thing they aren't really in favor of me doing magic without going to wizarding school."

Turning onto the main road, they trudged their way through town and passed the various shop owners who were shoveling out their walkways. A group of fourth graders hurled snowballs at each other from makeshift snow forts. The largest of the boys, in a puffy grey jacket, was brave enough to chuck a packed white ball of snow at Abigail.

The grapefruit sized orb spun end over end before it grazed Abigail's shoulder and broke into two pieces. Abigail in turn packed a snow ball while the smaller kids all called out "ooo!" The large boy, who had thrown the snowball, smiled and looked at his friends before waving Abigail on for her best.

Winding up she fired a baseball sized snowball blindingly fast that hissed through the air like a snake. With a little extra magic it hit the fourth grader dead center in the chest and the boy took flight. He landed in a snow bank four feet away that erupted like an ivory volcano, sending a cloud billowing up.

"Did you see that?" One boy yelled.

"We better scram!" Another shouted and the rest of the boys took flight, helping their dazed friend from the embankment.

Abigail wagged a fist in the air, "If you want more, I'll be waiting!"

Continuing to the school, they walked around the circle at town hall as a large red pickup truck with a yellow plow in front went around the circle. The truck piled the snow making a large mound near the bronze statue of the three cherubs while an eager group of third graders looked keen to summit the mound as it grew taller and taller.

It wasn't long before they came to the field doors at the back of the school that were still ajar. In the daylight, the long claw marks that shredded the metal were a grim reminder of the previous night.

"Jeesh," Theo said, "I still can't believe it."

They made their way down to the lower level cafeteria with their feet squeaking on the tiled linoleum flooring where they reached the large metal freezer in the back.

They stood silently, staring at the large metal door, listening for any signs of life. The compressor to the freezer kicked on and they all jumped.

"This is silly," Abigail said. She strode forward and grabbed the metal handle, "Here goes nothing," she declared and lifted the latch causing white clouds of condensate to billow out.

Lying on the frosted floor in a tight wrapped ball was the large motionless muscular body of Vance "The Rocket" Marlett.

"Is he dead?" Archie asked.

"I hope not," Theo said.

Abigail walked into the freezer and knelt down by Vance's side. She placed a hand on his shoulder, "He's really cold."

Vance's head lifted up, his lips were blue, his nose, ears, fingers and toes were red and blackening at their tips. Frost covered his fiery red hair and he was nude. Vance shivered as he mouthed the words, "Help me. So cold."

"Quick!" Abigail said, "Help me get him out of here!"

The others joined in and together they lifted the large teen from the freezer and moved him into the kitchen. Archie ran over to an oven, turned it on full blast, and opened the front door for warmth. Timothee and Theo laid out their jackets on the ground for Vance to lie on while Abigail and Archie laid theirs on top him like a blanket.

Archie fell on Vance and gave him a big hug.

"What are you doing?" Theo asked.

"He needs our body heat! You guys need to do the same!" Archie explained.

"You know he is naked under there right?" Theo said.

"If blood rushes to his heart all at once, he could die!" Archie yelled.

"The others followed suit as they all nestled in tight.

Vance's lean muscular body eventually started shivering more and more as his body began to wake.

Theo looked over at Timothee, "Hard to believe only a few hours ago, he was ready to chew our faces off huh?"

"I heard that," Vance said. His eyes were closed and the pale sickly color that covered his skin was now a flush red.

Archie got up along with the others, "Theo how about you heat up some water, I think there is a coffee machine in the teachers' lounge. Timothee and I will look for some clothes at the lost and found and Abigail."

"Yes?" Abigail asked.

"You stay here just in case he has any effects from the hypothermia."

They scattered and when Timothee returned, he found Abigail sitting next to Vance in front of the open oven.

"Here, found this in the teachers' lounge," Theo said, handing a large yellow goose mug filled with warm tea.

Vance wrapped his hands around the cup and closed his eyes when he inhaled the herbal aromas. Taking a sip, he nodded in appreciation.

Archie tossed Vance a pair of grey sweats, a long sleeve shirt, and an old sweatshirt.

Vance sniffed the clothes and winced.

Archie hunched his shoulders, "Sorry if they smell. Found these in the gymnasium lost and found. I don't know if they will fit but at least it is something."

"Thanks," Vance said and began to get dressed with the others looking away to give him privacy. Once he was done, they got their jackets back and sat around the open oven.

Timothee leaned over to Archie, "He doesn't say much."

"Would you?" Archie replied.

"So Vance…" Theo started.

"I know," Vance interjected, "I remember everything. It's just that when I am… when I become… when I…"

"Turn into a werewolf?" Timothee said.

"Yeah…" Vance said ashamed. He looked down at his tea, "It's me inside that thing but I just can't control it. It's like if someone told you to hold your breath underwater as long as you could. And you fight, and you fight and you fight to stay under but no matter what, your body takes over and you claw for air. When I change, it feels like that same urge only instead of breathing it is to hunt, to feed, to lash out.

I swear I was trying everything in my power not to harm you guys but something inside of me just takes over, something primal and uncontrollable. So I guess, I just wanted to say thanks and I'm sorry. I am glad you guys didn't get hurt."

"How did it happen? Were you bit?" Timothee asked.

Vance leaned over and lifted his shirt. A long half moon of teeth marks ran along his ribs, "Last year. We were playing an away game in Olean and I thought my parents were going to pick me up after the game so I didn't take the school bus back. I was waiting so long that I was the only one out there. They even turned off the stadium lights.

Standing alone it came for me from the forest on the far end of the football field. I was able to hide in the bathroom but it was only after it took a bite out of me.

The changes started with an insatiable hunger for meat, heightened senses and culminating in my first 'change' on the night of the state championship last year. I was just lucky enough to be the only one home when it happened otherwise who knows what I would have done. My biggest fear is the night. Forgetting to check the moon and my little sister being home."

"What do you tell your parents when you go away at night?" Archie asked.

Vance sighed, "Same thing any kid says when he wants to sneak out. That I am just sleeping over at a teammate's house or something."

"Why the water treatment plant?" Timothee asked.

"It's the first place I woke up after the first night. It smells, believe me, but no one is there at night and those pipes are the only thing sturdy enough to hold me down. If I don't set food out for myself or water, I tend to gnaw which leaves me with cuts and scrapes that are hard to explain. When my parents ask, I usually say that the scrapes and bruises are from practice."

Theo shook his head, "I'm sorry."

Vance looked up from his tea, "Can I ask you guys something?"

"Sure," Abigail said.

"How did you guys…" Vance started, "The things I saw you do with the sparks and the glowing fist. What was that?"

Theo, Archie, Timothee and Abigail all shared a look of hesitation before Abigail nodded. She looked Vance in the face, "It's… It's magic."

"And those creatures?" He asked.

"Goblins," She answered.

Archie raised a finger, "Well actually…" he started but was cut off as the others repeated in unison, "Troblins, we know." They all turned back to Vance who was thinking.

Vance was quiet for a long moment before nodding his head, "Makes sense."

"Really?" Abigail asked.

Vance nodded, "If I turn into a wolf beast creature thing every full moon, a werewolf as you called it earlier, then why shouldn't magic exist? If you would have told me last year before Olean I would have laughed, maybe even thought it was crazy, but now anything seems possible. So what are you guys, wizards?"

"Timothee and I are wizards," Theo explained, "And Abigail is technically a witch. Archie is the only muggle in the group."

"Muggle?" Vance asked.

"Nomaj," Theo added.

"I can't do magic," Archie said.

"Oh" Vance said, "So where those spells?"

"Yup," Theo said, "We don't really know too many yet but we can do some."

"Is there any way you guys can use your magic turn me back? You know, to be normal again?" Vance asked.

Archie shook his head, "I'm sorry. There is nothing we could do to turn you back. Even in the magical world, lycanthropy is an unchangeable condition. What we could do is look into something called Wolfsbane Potion."

"What would that do?" Vance asked.

"You know that urge you were explaining? The one you couldn't control?" Archie asked.

Vance nodded.

"Well it would give you a way to control it. You would still turn on the full moon but you would still be you inside," Archie explained.

Vance cracked a half smile, "That would work. That would work really well actually. When can I get it?"

"We don't have it yet but we know a guy who might help us out," Theo said.

Archie reached into an inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out a black notebook, "This is yours."

Vance took the notebook, "My planner. I was looking all over for it. I thought I had left it at home and left school to find it."

"I found it in the gym yesterday," Archie explained.

"Thanks," Vance said, looking at the notebook and impulsively checking the dates, "Even though I have all the full moons memorized, for some reason I have to always check this thing. I look at the same days over and over again. It never changes, I know, but I have to check anyways.

I have nightmares of moonrises during school, on the football field or the baseball diamond but the one that scares me the most is being home, playing with my little sister when it comes over the horizon or the clouds part. I've thought of running away but I don't know where I would go or what my parents would think." Vance closed the book and looked up, "You know it feels kind of nice."

"What?" Abigail asked.

"Having someone to talk to," Vance said, "It's been a secret that has been crushing me for a year. And now, even though nothing has changed, just telling you guys makes me feel better."

After making sure Vance was alright to head home, the young wizards said their goodbyes and made their way to town. They offered to have him sit with them at lunch during school but Vance had a different schedule and promised to occasionally stop by if class let out early.

Keeping their promise to Mara, the four teens borrowed shovels from the other shop owners and cleared the walkway to M's bakery.

Theo jammed the head of the shovel into the snow and lifted a large icy mound. His face was beet red as he flung the snow into the street and let out a large gasp. Sticking the shovel back into the snow, he rested his arm on the handle as the others worked away on the path, "You know I never really thought about the whole werewolf thing from Vance's perspective."

"Me too," Abigail said as she tucked a few frazzled strands of her emerald locks back behind her ear, "I guess you always see werewolves as bad guys in the movies you never really stop to think if one of us became one."

"Werewolves aren't really treated well even in the magical world," Timothee said, "My friend Pierre from Pursang has an uncle who is a werewolf. His family disowned him for it and he could never find any work. Everyone thought he was dangerous."

Archie tossed a pile of snow, stood up and grabbed his back and winced. His face was red and he had drops of sweat running from his temples, "You know maybe Vance should write a book or something."

"A book?" Theo asked, "Why?"

Archie brushed snow from his shoes, "You know. Maybe Vance could help other people who become werewolves. He said he felt better after telling us. Maybe if others felt alone like he did and they read his book, then maybe they would feel better too."

Abigail grinned, "That's not a bad idea."

"What would he call it?" Theo said, as he went back to shoveling.

"I don't know," Archie said as he did the same.

"Hairy Snout?" Timothee suggested.

"With a human heart," Abigail added.

"Hairy Snout, Human Heart," Archie said, "Has a nice ring to it. Who knows, maybe it will be something someday."