by Tegan Maher
Giddy with the promise of magical mayhem, Hagatha shrugged on her coat and decided to forgo the walk to town in favor of being on the spot when the deluge began. Picturing the rocking chair on Frannie’s front porch firmly in her mind, she shifted herself there by magic.
“Where’d you come from?” Little Tommy Barnett eyed Hagatha from the base of the wheelchair ramp Frannie had installed when her father could no longer walk to the car. “You just appeared like magic.”
“You didn’t see me,” Hagatha cast a forget spell on the boy, shored up her don’t-notice-me spell, and settled in to watch the fun as Tommy’s mother balanced a box in one hand and took his with the other. Hagatha made a face at him as he passed right by her. Not very mature, but she did as she pleased. Always had, always would.
“Go ahead, Tommy, knock on the door,” his mother said since she didn’t have a hand free to do it herself.
“Can I say Trick or Treat?”
“It’s Christmas, not Halloween. Don’t you remember what I told you? We’re bringing Mrs. Shaw a nice fruitcake.”
“But why?” Tommy wanted to know.
“Because…” His mother struggled to remember what had spurred the impulse. “Because she’s all alone this year, and I thought she might not take the time to bake for herself. This is the season for giving.”
Tommy looked at his mother dubiously, “I’d have rather had Trick or Treat.” But he knocked on the door anyway.
“Tr…uh. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Shaw,” He called out when it opened.
“What’s all this?” Frannie looked down at Tommy and then back up at his mother, but she didn’t invite them in.
“We brung you a fruitcake,” Tommy answered first. “On account of you can’t bake if you’re alone in the house. It probably doesn’t taste very good, though. My dad says fruitcake is dis—gisdusting, so maybe this is trick or treats after all, and you got tricked.” When his mother gave his hand a brisk shake, the boy subsided.
“What Tommy means to say is I was thinking of you this morning.”
Hagatha watched the box change hands, noted Frannie’s carefully blank expression, and cackled softly to herself. “That’s got your dander up, doesn’t it?”
Unlike Dickens and his tale of three ghosts, Hagatha didn’t give a toot on a tin whistle if her efforts led to Frannie gaining the holiday spirit. Far more entertainment value if she didn’t.
“I suppose you’d like to come in.” It wasn’t exactly an invitation.
“Oh no, I really can’t. I just wanted to drop this by and tell you we’re thinking of you. If you need anything, you just call. Anytime.”
People always say that Frannie thought. I bet she’d sing a new tune if I called her in the middle of the night just to chat. “Thank you,” was all she said out loud. The decorations were one thing, the kitten she’d yet to name another, but uninvited guests, even those bearing baked goods, only made her feel more alone. What Hagatha took for the kind of indignant fury she’d been looking to provoke was nothing more than a thin layer of protective armor Frannie pulled on over her heart.
But Frannie’s armor wasn’t anything close to the protections Hagatha put in place every time she ventured out to work her terrible magic upon her neighbors. Underneath the wickedness, in a place she wouldn’t admit existed, the old witch meant well at least some of the time. Bored, she might be. Lacking the filter most witches had to keep from creating bad karma, she certainly was.
Still, in her heart of hearts, Hagatha wasn’t nearly as wicked as she thought she was. She sat silent and watched as the good citizens of Harmony flooded Frannie with loving care, their concern chipping away some of the grief and pain. No burden is too heavy when many hands help bear the load. What she saw touched the old witch.
“Hecate in a handbag,” she muttered. “She didn’t hate Christmas at all. I guess I’m the Scrooge.”
Wishes made on the power of a wicked witch never turn out well, but underneath it all, Frannie’s were also Christmas wishes, and those have plenty of magic of their own. It would take a powerful working to get Hagatha Crow to admit she’d done something wrong. The entire coven in Harmony and half the witches in the state would have fallen off their brooms at the mere notion she might be capable of doing so.
“I assume you’ve learned your lesson, then.”
Hagatha jumped when Gertrude Granger’s voice came out of the empty space beside the chair.
“How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough,” Gertrude said as she shivered into view. “To see true Christmas magic at work. You did a good thing.”
“I did not.” Hagatha squirmed in her seat. “You don’t know anything about it.”
Clad in red and green striped leggings under a frilly red dress with a white apron over the top, Gertrude looked like she should be sitting on a shelf somewhere rather than standing with her hands on her hips getting ready to read Hagatha the riot act.
“I know you took decorations from my place and put them up here. Looks nice, by the way. Not arranged quite the way I’d have done them, but I’m not mad at you.”
Hagatha rolled her eyes. “Okay, I did do that, but I wasn’t trying to be nice.” She saw her reputation going down in flames.
“And then there was the kitten. That was a fantastic touch. So thoughtful.”
“How did you know about that?”
Gertrude tilted her head but didn’t answer.
“It was the meanest one in the litter,” Hagatha muttered.
“But what you did today was just inspired. Frannie won’t spend the holiday alone now, and it’s all because of you. No matter what your intentions, you made a Christmas miracle for her.”
Whatever retort Hagatha might have made got drowned out in a shuffle of feet as the carolers mounted the porch to sing their final song of the season. If they left feeling a little itchy in places…well, even at Christmas, some witches will always be wicked.
-The End-
Want to Read More?
If you enjoyed reading about Hagatha, you can find her in the Mag and Clara Balefire Mysteries series. Book 1, Murder Above the Fold, is available here.
About ReGina and Erin
ReGina Welling and Erin Lynn are a mother/daughter writing team.
Regina:
ReGina Welling prefers not to talk about herself in the third person so...
I live in Maine with my husband, a silly flufferpup named Dash, and a crazy cat named Cricket. I write full time and also create mixed media artwork when I get the chance.
When I was three, my mom brought home a new book and when she went to read it to me, I read it to her instead. That was when she realized I'd learned to read. Since then I couldn't even estimate the number of books I've read. It's a lot!
Erin: Hi all, my name is Erin Lynn and I'm a writer from No-Place-You've-Ever-Heard-Of, Maine.
Apparently the ability to express myself most articulately via the written word is a hereditary trait-My mom is ReGina Welling, so see above.
After living in Syracuse, NY for 8 years, I recently returned to the middle of nowhere with the intention of hibernating, writing lots of books and turning a neglected house into a beautiful home.
My life is made complete by my two hilarious sons, my amazing boyfriend and an ever-expanding collection of pets!
Follow ReGina Welling & Erin Lynn Online at:
Follow Regina Welling and Erin Lynn online at:
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Reginawelling.com
All I Witch for Christmas is You
Samantha Silver
All I Witch for Christmas is You
By Samantha Silver
When Mina Tiller’s familiar Pawdrey Hepburn wants a starring role in an upcoming Christmas movie, Mina is more than happy to take her to the audition. However, things go awry when one of the most famous jewels in the paranormal world is stolen on set, putting the whole production in jeopardy. Can Mina
find the Ruby of Remembrance and save the Christmas movie before it’s too late?
1
“A Christmas movie?” my familiar Pawdrey Hepburn—who commonly went as Pawdrey—asked, her eyes shimmering with excitement. “Here, in Fairy Falls?”
“That’s right,” I said as my eyes skimmed the paper as I ate my breakfast before work. “It lists a website to check for roles they’ll be casting for. They’re supposed to arrive in town today to do all their setup.”
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Pawdrey said, her eyes moving to my phone. “Check and see what roles there might be for me.”
“Alright, alright,” I said with a laugh as I unlocked the phone. “Hold your horses.”
“I will not hold my horses, because the horse that bolts makes it further than any of the other ones that get held back.”
“Right,” I replied as I typed in the web address for the movie. Navigating to the list of open roles for which to audition, I scrolled through the list until I found the ones for familiars. “Don’t you care about the plot of the movie, first? Don’t you want to make sure it’s a quality production worthy of a cat of your talent and skill?”
“No,” Pawdrey replied. “I need to get my big break in this business, which means applying for jobs in anything that comes up. And this is coming up.”
“Alright,” I said with a chuckle. “Well, you’re in luck. There are three parts for familiars available.”
“What’s the biggest role? I’m only interested in that one.”
“They’re looking for a couple of cats who fall in love alongside the main characters.”
“You mean to tell me the cats aren’t the main characters?”
“No, they’re not,” I replied. “Maybe next time.”
“It’s an unserved market, you know,” Pawdrey said solemnly. “You could make a lot of money if you invested in movies that starred familiars.”
“I’ll keep that in mind for the future,” I replied as my cousin Scarlett entered the room.
“Hey, did you hear about the new movie they’re shooting in town?” she asked, and I nodded.
“Yeah. Pawdrey and I are just looking at any roles available for cats now. But isn’t it cutting it a bit close to Christmas to actually film the movie right now?”
Scarlett shook her head. “Paranormal world movies have much earlier release dates than human world ones. Because we can use magic for editing and that sort of thing the post-production stuff is a lot faster. And distribution is sorted out earlier, so basically they shoot, they spend a week editing, and then they release.”
“Wow,” I said, shaking my head. “That’s crazy.” It was already the first week of December, and winter was truly settling in here in the Pacific Northwest. The leaves had fallen off the trees, and there was a definite chill in the air every time I went outside. The days tended to be overcast, and there had even been a light snowfall just the other day. Of course, it had melted during the day, but it wouldn’t be long before a light layer of pure white snow would make a permanent home on the ground here until around March or April.
“It’s useful, though. I’ve seen videos from behind the scenes in human world movies, and all your Christmas movies are filmed in July? With fake snow and everything? It makes no sense.”
“Well, that’s why it’s called acting,” I said with a laugh. “The actors still have to pretend it’s winter.”
“Sure, but it’s easier when it’s actually winter out.”
“Fair enough. Are you auditioning for anything?”
Scarlett grinned. “Of course! They’re looking for someone to be an accomplice to one of the thieves, and that sounds right up my alley. Not too complex, but it’s still a role that pays money.”
“You need to aim higher,” Pawdrey said. “Go for the leading role.”
“Pawdrey thinks you should go for the main role,” I explained to Scarlett.
“Well, it’s already been cast,” Scarlett said. “One of those big Hollywitch actresses got the part. Lindsay Villa. Besides, I’m not good enough an actress to get a starring role, yet.”
“Spoken like a true loser,” Pawdrey said, and I glared at her.
“Be nice!”
“Well, I’m just saying, if I had the chance to be in the starring role in one of these movies, I’d be applying for it.”
“So does that mean you’re going to try for the main familiar love interest?” I asked, wiggling my eyebrows at my familiar.
“You know it,” Pawdrey replied. “Although I hope the cat I’m working with is a professional. I don’t want some idiot tabby with fish breath.”
I laughed. “Well, that’s the risk you’re going to have to take. I’ll take you to the audition tomorrow.”
“Good,” Pawdrey said. “Now, what else do I need to know about the role?”
I looked at the audition page and read it aloud.
“The role of Furry Felicia will ideally go to a cat who is obedient and able to take direction. Furry Felicia is a kind, loving familiar who has never left her witch’s home, and is naïve in the way of the world. She sneaks into her owner’s bag during a work trip, and encounters Tom, a rebellious tabby who’s the familiar of the male main character. Despite initially hating each other, the two quickly realize their witches and wizards are perfect for each other and work together to help their paranormals fall in love.
“Bleh,” Pawdrey said, rolling her eyes. “I can’t wait until there’s a heist movie here.”
“You’d rather Ocean’s 11 than a Hallmark Christmas Romance?” I said with a grin.
“Oooh, I would too,” Scarlett replied. “I wish Matt Damon could come do movies in the paranormal world.”
“You’d let him play with your wand?” I said with a grin, and Scarlett stuck her tongue out at me.
“You know it. Anyway, I’m going for a role of a bad guy this time around, so it should be fun.”
“What’s this movie about, anyway?” I asked, grabbing the newspaper once more to look for a synopsis.
“It’s a love story,” Scarlett explains. “A woman working in the big city of Hex Angeles has to go back home to her small town at Christmas to sort out her father’s estate after he passes away. She meets a new man, and they come across a plot to steal her mom’s best jewels. They work together to foil the thieves and as they do that the two fall in love.”
“And let me guess, he has a golden retriever,” I said wryly, and Scarlett laughed.
“No, a cat, silly. His cat has to fall in love with her cat.”
“Right,” I said with a chuckle. “Well, it’s good to see some things stay the same even in the paranormal world.”
“It’s a good Christmas movie,” Scarlett said. “The kind you can curl up in front of the fire with a hot cocoa and watch.”
“And I’ll be the star of it all, just you wait,” Pawdrey said, carefully licking one of her paws. “The reviewers will comment on how I stole the show, and the producers in Hollywitch will be begging for my face to sell their future movies.”
“I’m sure that’s exactly how it’s going to go,” I said.
“Good, I’m glad you believe in me,” Pawdrey replied, either choosing to ignore or not noticing my sarcasm. I looked lovingly at my familiar. She really was the best cat I could have ever asked for.
“You’re going to crush the audition tomorrow, Pawdrey,” I told her.
“I know,” she replied.
2
The following morning was audition time. It was Saturday, meaning I had the day off from my job as the head of a marketing team at The Love Shack, which meant Pawdrey felt like she could treat me like her own personal butler.
“Does her highness want breakfast this morning?” I asked after she’d demanded about seventeen different things from me already.
“No, not before my audition. I don’t want to feel bloated. After all, since I’m supposed to play the role of a love interest, I want to look svelte and gorgeous. Well, even
more than usual.”
“Right,” I said. “We have to leave at nine, so be ready by then, ok?”
“I will be,” Pawdrey said.
At nine on the dot the two of us headed for the large field on the outskirts of town that movie studios turned into makeshift lots as they filmed here. Recently, the town council in Fairy Falls had changed some tax rules, offering credits for movie companies that came here to film, and as a result we were just at the beginning of a movie-making boom. This would be the second feature film shot here in Fairy Falls, and I had to say, the new industry had the whole town buzzing with excitement.
Today, as Pawdrey and I walked up the street together—she impressed on me that she didn’t want to be taken in a carrier so that any passing producers would see how well-trained she was—it appeared half the town had showed up to the grounds to have a look at the new production.
There were dozens of trailers, and large tents set up, practically creating a mobile office for the movie production to take place. I pushed past the people just having a look, with Pawdrey hot on my heels, following the signs for the auditions.
“Did you hear they actually brought the Ruby of Remembrance for the movie?” someone said in a hushed voice to their companion nearby.
“They didn’t,” the other shifter replied, shocked.
“That’s what I’ve heard.”
I pushed the rumor out of my head—I didn’t know what the Ruby of Remembrance was, anyway—and found the fairy organizing familiars auditioning for the roles.
“Hi,” I greeted her. “I’m Mina Tiller, and this is Pawdrey Hepburn, auditioning for the role of Furry Felicia.”