A Magical Misfire
by Emily Dorffer
"Hand me your wand and tell me what happened," Principal Woodson said.
Grover clutched the bag containing the shattered remains of an intricately patterned vase closer to his chest. "Please don't expel me, sir," he said between sobs.
"This is just a precaution. Even I have a hard time controlling my magic when I'm upset." Principal Woodson smiled reassuringly. "I'll give it back once you've had time to calm down."
The boy pulled out his wand and handed it over. The wand was so hot to the touch that it left angry red marks on both wizards' hands.
"That must have been quite a spell you cast for your wand to feel like this."
"It was an accident," Grover muttered.
"I believe you. May I see the vase, please?" Principal Woodson opened the bag and extracted a shard as thick as his finger. "I'm surprised you managed to break something so sturdy."
"I was trying to fix it, but--" Grover gulped. His mouth opened and closed, but not a sound came out until he eventually managed to whisper, "It broke."
Principal Woodson examined the bag of shards, but nothing indicated that anything had been wrong with the vase prior to its shattering aside from its design. Its scribble-esque swirls and clashing colors seemed like something even a preschooler would deem too garish and messy. "What were you trying to fix? This looks like it was a fine vase, although its pattern is too ornate for my taste. Mrs. Laurel likes that sort of thing though."
Grover trembled at the mention of his transfiguration teacher's name.
