"Duh," whispered Jasmine into Daniel's ear.

*

They dragged themselves into the washroom, showered, and dressed as quickly as they could manage. Amy and Jasmine consoled Amber as best they could, but she was distraught. Finally, they sat her down on the couch and gave her a fine brandy that Bitty had found in the Bag of Holding.

Right on the hour, there was a loud knocking from their front door.

Daniel sighed and rose to answer it, leaving Amy and Jasmine with Amber. Bitty went with Daniel.

The knock repeated when Daniel swung the door open.

“What! he demanded and looked out at a middle-aged woman dressed in black. Immediately, he recognised her. Not by name, but by profession.

This is how the world imagines a witch looks like, he thought.

The woman was only about five feet tall. Her long hair was shot with grey, more grey than black, and pulled back and tied up behind her head. She had a nose that seemed overly large for her face. She even sported a large mole, brimming with hairs, on her left cheekbone. She had a wide-brimmed hat on her head that rose to a crooked point.

Her eyes were grey, and it gave her an alarming look. She was glaring up at Daniel with unbridled hatred and anger. She took one look at him and suddenly her expression went blank and then filled with joy.

"Oh, my Gods!" she gushed. "Look at you! A spell caster! Where have you been all my life?" She moved to embrace him, and Daniel stepped back and away. She frowned at him. "Come here! Give me a hug!"

“Uh, lady, I have no idea who you are."

She was reaching out to him, and Daniel backed up farther. She stepped through the door and tried to follow him. Bitty stepped between them.

“Master, this is Gwydion Bainbridge, the resident witch instructor at the Academy."

Gwydion gave Bitty barely a glance. She sucked spit and swallowed.

"A spell caster! Such power! I felt it across the compound. It was so pure. What was it? A sound filled the air! No one heard it, of course, the idiots. Who was it intended for? Answer me!"

She was still moving toward him with wrinkled hands outstretched and seriously creeping Daniel out. Bitty finally stopped and Gwydion bumped into her. She looked down angrily and raised a hand.

"If you strike her, I will end you," said Daniel quietly. He hadn't known he meant it until he said it. He would. In a heartbeat. The strength of the emotion surprised him, and he looked down at Bitty looking back at him with swimming eyes.

Gwydion had an expression of anger cross her features before the adoration returned. "Look at you! So tall. So strong! Look at the muscles. The hair! The eyes! Oh, my Gods, my cunt is drenched. Fuck me. Fuck me now!"

Daniel's eyes went wide. "Amy! Jasmine! A little help here!"

Gwydion looked annoyed again. “Who are Amy and Jasmine?" She Looked around and saw Amy and Jasmine emerge. "Oh, shit. The circle. Dammit."

"Daniel?" asked Amy. "Who is this?" She slid to his right side and held him protectively. Jasmine did the same on the other side.

"Gwydion something or other. A witch, I think."

The witch bristled. "“Gwydion Bainbridge! I am indeed a witch. The last remaining at the Academy. Fully tenured, I'll have you know! And you are my students! The first witches in a long, long time."