A Summoning Array, an Accident

After Muya finished eating, she asked, "Vester, why don't you ever go home for Christmas?"

Vester paused with his pudding spoon halfway to his mouth. "My parents work for the French Ministry of Magic. They don't get this kind of holiday, so there's no point in me going home." He smiled.

No wonder Vester seemed more mature than Sean, Muya thought.

"Ya Ya, do you have time later?"

"Sorry, Vester, I already have plans with someone else."

His expression dimmed slightly, but he said, "It's fine. Then we can talk when you have time."

Muya said goodbye to Vester, grabbed her cloak and wand, and went to find Theodore.

There were still more than ten minutes until their appointed time, but when Muya arrived, she found Theodore already sitting in a chair with his eyes closed, resting.

She intended to walk over quietly, but Theodore opened his eyes and called to her, "Ya Ya."

Muya rubbed her slightly chilled face, walked in and shut the door behind her. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"I know." Theodore pulled her down to sit beside him. "I wasn't asleep."

Muya nodded, then took Theodore's hand. "Theodore, your hand is so cold."

Theodore froze. His hand did not move, and he said nothing.

Then Muya said, "There, it's finally warming up." She cast several warming charms around the classroom.

Outside, the bitter wind drove snowflakes against the windows again and again. The gusts that managed to slip inside made the candle flames on the walls flicker without stop.

"Okay, let's begin." Muya opened the book and turned to the pages about summoning arrays.

Soon, the two of them began drawing the magical array on the floor.

"Phew, this should do it, right?" Muya stood up.

Theodore picked up the book and examined it.