Magic at Midnight

by Lyssa Chiavari

  “Meow?” the kitten blabbed.

  “Hush,” Greta urged, setting her heavy basket down on the table.

  “It seems you have made a friend.”

  Greta started at the voice. “F-Frau Rosa!”

  The older woman lifted her eyebrows, awaiting an explanation.

  “I heard a noise out back and found this poor starving kitten. It started to rain, so I…” Greta trailed off, not knowing what to say.

  To her surprise, Rosa reached out to pat Calla’s head. “The poor little waif looks hungry. Why don’t you come help me fix a pot of tea, and she can have some milk?”

  Greta smiled hopefully. “Does that mean…?”

  As Rosa hurried into the kitchen, she called over her shoulder, “I’ve always thought the shop could use a good mouser.”

  Greta set the kitten down and followed Rosa with the basket of parcels.

  While Calla lapped up her saucer of milk, Greta handed Ernst a steaming cup of tea as he sorted through the mail in front of the fireplace.

  “I’ve heard from Liesel,” Ernst commented to his wife. “Her boy Magnus was accepted to the academy. He’ll be with us by the end of the week.”

  Greta paused mid-sip, turning to Ernst and Rosa, green eyes glowing with curiosity.

  Ernst smiled and told her, “Our great-nephew is going to be boarding with us while he goes to school here.”

  “Oh.” Greta wasn’t sure how to feel at this sudden announcement, so she said no more.

  “How old is Magnus now, dear?” Rosa asked, settling into the chair across from her husband.

  “He’s growing up in the blink of an eye,” Ernst replied, setting the letter on the table beside him. “Around our Greta’s age, I should think.”

  Greta smiled to herself, liking how it felt when the grocer and his wife referred to her as ‘theirs.’

  “Well, it will be nice to have family about,” Rosa went on. “He can help in the store when he’s not busy with his lessons. We’ll have to prepare the spare bedroom for his stay.”

  A nervous knot began to form in Greta’s stomach as she wondered if having someone else—Ernst and Rosa’s own flesh and blood—might disrupt what she thought was becoming a happy home for her. If Magnus helped in the store, what if they decided they didn’t need her anymore? Then she chided herself. There was always work to be done, and if this Magnus was anything like his aunt and uncle, she was sure they would get along just fine.

  Yet sleep would not come to Greta that night. She tossed in her small bed, her thoughts filled with what this new boarder would bring. Finally, she sat up, throwing her legs over the side of the bed and reaching for the envelope with the beautiful sketch which she’d propped on the bedside table. Ernst had set the envelope by the fire to use for kindling, and Greta had taken it up to her room. She admired the drawing for a few moments, her nerves settling and her fingers growing warm with energy—the drawing calmed her somehow.

  Calla tiptoed along the edge of the bed to sit beside her. “I’m sorry I’ve kept you up,” she whispered to Calla, setting the envelope on the table. “Frau Rosa and Herr Ernst turn in early, so it’s nice to finally have someone to keep me company. I just can’t sleep, thinking of what they said this evening. I don’t want things to change.” Calla blinked slowly at her, meowing in reply as if she were speaking. Greta smiled softly. “You understand, don’t you?”

  “Me-ow! Meow, meow.” The chatter was accompanied by purrs.

  “I wish I understood you,” Greta said absently—and then an idea came to her. She knew the Gift of Gab spell could be used on inanimate objects—so why not on a little kitten who was dying to be heard? In her troubled state, Greta’s need for companionship and understanding outweighed her oath to never use magic. Placing Calla on her lap, she closed her eyes and concentrated. She worried the spell would be slow-coming since she was so out of practice, but to her surprise, the magic flowed freely. Her green eyes flashed as she felt the glow of her powers crackle at her fingertips. Calla opened her little mouth, and where a mew should have sounded, words did instead. “It will be awfully wonderful to talk to you, Greta.”

  Greta’s eyes widened. “You spoke—I understood you!”

  “I did? You did?” Calla ran around in a circle on Greta’s lap. “I can talk, I can talk!”

  Calla chattered happily all night long, and though Greta still wasn’t able to sleep, her new companion helped to wash away her fears about this mysterious Magnus and his impending stay.

  ♛

  The sun streamed in through the window several afternoons later, making the occupants of the grocer’s kitchen forget that winter was fast approaching.

  Greta counted under her breath as she draped the strip of dough across the pie she’d filled with sliced apples. Calla rubbed against her ankles, meowing and putting her paws against the cupboard. “Can I have some?” the kitten asked.

  Greta laughed and shook her head, placing a finger to her lips. “Hush now. This pie is for after supper. I’m almost finished.”

  Calla sat heavily on her flanks, tail flicking impatiently.

  “That should do it for the stew,” Rosa announced with a sigh, using the hem of her apron to wipe her damp face. She turned to Greta with a smile. “Well, we’re in fine shape. The spare room is cleaned and ready for Magnus, I’ve got supper on, and that pie turned out beautifully! What would we do without you, love?”

  Greta blushed. “It’s no trouble at all.”

  Rosa paused at the crate of apples, grunting as she attempted to lift it. “You work so hard. It will be nice to have Magnus helping out in the store. Then you can have some leisure time.”

  Greta hurried over to take the heavy crate from Rosa. “I love being here working with you and Herr Ernst,” she admitted.

  Calla cocked her head, her long ears moving back and forth. “Something is coming,” she said to Greta.

  The sound of hooves against cobblestone and the whinny of horses hit Greta’s ears. “They’re here,” she said to Rosa, wiping her hands on her apron and hurrying to the door.

  Rosa stole a quick glance in the mirror that hung over the fireplace. “Oh, what a fright I look. Magnus will see his old aunt and be shocked!”

  Greta shook her head, feeling as if butterflies were dancing in her stomach. “You look lovely as always, Frau Rosa.” She took a deep breath to steady herself. Everything will be fine, she told herself. Nothing will change.

  There was a rattling at the door, and Rosa hurried to open it. “We made the trip in one piece,” Ernst said, holding a crate with books and items wrapped in brown parchment. The sunlight streamed in with him, hitting Greta’s sensitive eyes. A young man passed the threshold after Ernst, and Greta squinted in the light to get a better look at him. Much taller than his uncle, Magnus had short, dark brown hair and golden eyes. Though she knew it was chilly outside, he wore no coat over his shirt and vest, and Greta noticed the sun glinting off a gold pocket watch he wore at his waist.

  “Magnus, my darling, how was the journey over?” Rosa asked as she pulled him in for a hug.

  “Long, but enjoyable, Aunt Rosa,” Magnus replied with grin. He looked at his aunt and uncle in turn, before he turned his attention to Greta. The butterfly sensation she’d been feeling before his arrival increased as his eyes widened. She felt her throat suddenly go dry under his stare.

  Eyes still on Greta, Magnus began, “Uncle Ernst, I don’t believe you ever mentioned that—”

  “Well, don’t just stand there, Magnus, introduce yourself to our Greta,” Ernst interjected with a chuckle.

  Magnus finally dropped his eyes and extended his hand. “Of course, how rude of me. A pleasure to meet you, our Greta.”

  Greta wrinkled her nose, clasping his hand for the briefest of moments. “It’s just Greta,” she said shortly.

  Magnus frowned, clearing his throat. “My apologies. I had hoped to be witty.”

  Greta’s green eyes narrowed, not finding him amusing at all.
She was about to tell him as much when Calla piped up from her spot at Greta’s feet. “I thought it was funny.”

  Greta nudged her and made a shushing sound. Magnus—who hadn’t heard anything more than the cat’s loud meow, Greta was certain—laughed and said with a smile, “You have a very nice cat.”

  “Thank you,” Greta replied stiffly, refusing to look at him.

  “Let’s get your things up to your room, Magnus. Rosa doesn’t like there to be a mess,” Ernst broke in, signaling for Magnus to follow him up the stairs. “Later this afternoon I’ll have you help me in the store.”

  “That will be fine. I just need to unpack my things.” Magnus turned to Rosa. “I’m very grateful to be staying with you and Uncle Ernst and start my schooling.”

  Rosa patted his cheek with a warm smile. “We’re happy to have you.”

  Greta wasn’t so sure she was happy to have him there, but of course she kept silent, watching him as he ascended the staircase. Her pulse quickened when he looked over his shoulder, golden eyes locking with hers. He smiled before he disappeared from view.

  Annoyance bubbling in her chest, Greta was grateful to resume her work in the shop. She felt a nervous sense of anticipation as the hours passed, knowing Ernst would soon bring him into the store to show him his work.

  Soon enough Greta became so absorbed in dealing with customers and helping Ernst and Rosa re-stock the shelves and sweep the floor that she forgot all about their new boarder.

  The clock began chiming, and Rosa placed the last cake of yeast on the shelf. “Come and help me get the table set for supper.”

  “It’s six already?” Greta turned to Ernst with a questioning gaze. “Wasn’t Magnus supposed to…?”

  Ernst chuckled. “Never you mind about him. I’m sure he got wrapped up in settling in his new quarters. We can show him the store tomorrow.”

  Greta nodded wordlessly and followed Rosa into the kitchen, casting an incredulous glance up the staircase.

  ♛

  “He was absolutely no help today,” Greta said cantankerously to Calla that evening as they ascended the stairs to the third floor. “Frau Rosa had to call for him three times when supper was on!” When Magnus had finally joined them in the kitchen, his hair was tousled, his expression frazzled, and he was distracted for most of the meal. “What was he doing all afternoon? Certainly not working in the store like he said he would.” They didn’t require his help—they had gotten on just fine without him—but his inconsiderate behavior on his first day with them frustrated Greta to no end.

  “He looked like he’d been concentrating hard on something, and supper interrupted it,” Calla commented as they reached the landing.

  Greta scoffed. “That boy hasn’t done one bit of work since he arrived. He didn’t even offer to help with the supper dishes.” Rosa and Ernst had just laughed and told Greta that Magnus needed to get his things around for his classes the next morning, but Greta was not convinced. Work-shy was what he was, plain and simple. “He’s been holed up in that room of his for hours. Sleeping, most likely.”

  “No, listen! He’s still awake,” Calla said softly, one white-tipped paw inclined to the door at the end of the hall.

  Greta saw that Magnus’ door was opened a crack, the light from a lantern pouring in to the otherwise darkened hallway. As she crept closer, her sensitive ears caught what Calla was hearing: a soft scratching sound, and faint tapping.

  Only a few feet from the door now, Greta could just make out a voice to accompany the sounds; it sounded as if Magnus were muttering under his breath. She froze as the tapping and scratching stopped. She held her breath as footsteps approached the door, then relaxed when she realized he was pacing the span of the room. She craned her neck to peer in his doorway, and saw Magnus had paused in his steps, his back to her as he appeared to be staring at something across the way. Magnus turned at that moment, his eyes passing over the doorjamb. Their eyes locked, and he smiled softly and lifted his hand in greeting. Greta hurriedly scooped Calla into her arms and darted into her bedroom. Once she was safely inside, she set Calla down and leaned against the wall, trying to calm her racing heart.

  ♛

  Greta glanced at the threatening gray clouds several days later as she walked through the village. She needn’t have worried that things would change with the arrival of Magnus; in the week that he’d been staying with them, it was almost as if he weren’t there at all. He kept strange hours, leaving early and returning late, spending the rest of the time holed up in his room—doing what, Greta couldn’t begin to guess.

  That morning Ernst had told her to show Magnus how to do the store’s inventory when he came to help. When the clock struck three and Magnus still hadn’t arrived, Ernst sent Greta to run a few errands. She was nearing the end of her list and was on her way to the candy maker’s when she saw Magnus across the way, speaking to Frau Minna in front of her shop. He glanced her way at that moment, locking eyes with her.

  Greta pretended she didn’t see him, ducking into the candy maker’s shop. The bell tinkled to sound her arrival.

  Frau Nina, a jolly woman whose blonde hair was graying at the temples, smiled at Greta. “How are you today?”

  Greta approached the counter, eying the various mouthwatering chocolates, peppermint sticks, sweet breads, and mints. “I’m well, Frau Nina. How are things here?”

  “The shop is almost back to rights,” Nina replied. “We’ve gotten the kitchen aired out, and my husband has been hard at work ripping out the boards that were too burned to be salvaged.”

  Greta frowned in sympathy, thinking of the small kitchen fire poor Frau Nina and her husband had suffered a few weeks ago, and the damage it had caused.

  “What do you fancy, dear?”

  Greta pointed to chocolates drizzled in caramel, and then to the gingerbread for Calla.

  Nina pulled Greta’s choices from the case and began wrapping them. “I still don’t understand how the fire started. I’m always very careful to put out the fire once the chocolate has melted, and I make sure to keep the papers as far from the stove as possible.” Brows knitted together, she sighed and said, “I suppose after all of these years, it’s only natural I may grow careless at times. I’ll just have to work even harder to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

  Greta felt a sick knot forming in her stomach. Frau Nina was always careful about everything she did—Greta knew it wasn’t her fault the kitchen had caught fire. Ludwig, the nosy and spiteful goblin down the road, had started the fire to entertain himself. As he wasted his days gluttonously drinking, gorging himself on the finest foods and lurking on the village rooftops, it was no wonder he was bored. And now Frau Nina believes she has to work even harder, Greta fretted, looking at the candy maker’s calloused hands. When she does so much already.

  Once Greta had paid for her sweets, she bid Frau Nina farewell and left the shop, stewing about Ludwig and the other trouble-making goblins the village was unfortunate enough to host.

  “Good day, Greta.”

  Absorbed in her thoughts, Greta hadn’t noticed Magnus had joined her, his arms full of flowers. Regarding him warily, she replied, “Good day.” Unable to resist, she added, “Just what have you been doing with yourself this whole time?”

  Magnus lifted his eyebrows, noticing her little barb. “I’ve been busy with my lessons and schoolwork since early this morning.” He glanced at her parcels. “I see you have a sweet tooth. Frau Nina does have the best chocolates I’ve ever tasted.” He smiled, and Greta noticed with annoyance that his honey eyes lit up when he did so.

  Not to be distracted, she ignored his comment and pressed, “I suppose you forgot that you were meant to take inventory today?”

  The smile faded from his handsome face. “Was that this morning? Oh, I’m so sorry, Greta, I was so caught up in my assignments it completely slipped my mind. Would you tell Uncle Ernst I’m very sorry?”

  Greta frowned. “Tell him yourself. You are heading back now to
help in the shop, aren’t you?”

  Magnus shrugged apologetically. “I’m afraid I can’t. I have to hurry back to my lessons. They’ll be expecting these.” Greta glanced down at the two bouquets he held—one of red roses, and one a mix of chrysanthemums and dahlias. Why in the world does he need flowers for his lessons?

  Magnus pressed the roses into Greta’s hands. “Would you mind bringing these to Aunt Rosa? They’re my way of saying thanks for letting me stay in their home.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. He wants me to do absolutely everything for him, she thought in indignation. Apologize, thank his hosts, what next?

  “I really appreciate it,” he said, stepping away from her and heading down the lane. “I must be off!”

  Greta grumbled under her breath, looking at the roses in disdain. Pretty as they were, the fact that they were from that work-shy ingrate made Greta prone to dislike them. The petals of the roses soon became peppered with water droplets as it started to rain, and Greta hastened her stride.

  “Oi!”

  Greta shielded her eyes from the falling rain to look to the rooftop where Ludwig perched, leering down at her. “If it isn’t our little Greta. Who gave you those flowers, then? A young goblin boy?” he asked slyly.

  She began to hate the roses even more. Looking around to make sure no mortals were watching, she called back, “Such a ridiculous notion! I’m out on an errand.” She’d wasted her time on goblin boys her age before and wanted nothing more to do with their boorish behavior. Attempting to shield her many parcels from the rain with her cloak, she hurried on her way.

  Greta came to a halt when Ludwig materialized in front of her. “Haven’t got time for any of us, eh? Rather waste your days with their kind?” He folded his knobby arms across his bony chest, jerking his head at a mortal family that strolled by. “Shame, really. My nephew would love to take you to the bonfire tonight.”

  “I don’t wish to come off ill-mannered, Ludwig, but I really haven’t the time to spend with you, or any horrid nephew of yours,” Greta said with a sniff. “On the subject of fires, I certainly hope you won’t try anything like what you did in Frau Nina’s shop again.”