It was magical.
It was chaotic.
It was perfect.
And it was also very, very clear that I was inso far over my head it was practically comical.
Nova slid into the chair next to mine with the grace of someone who had successfully avoided helping for the past twenty minutes.
She plucked a sugared violet off a tart and popped it into her mouth. “So. Full house. Amazing food. Enchanting guests.”
“Students,” I corrected.
“Already a headmistress.” She winked at me, and I chuckled. “And students everywhere.”
“Overflowing with them,” I said, watching as a shifter from the Northern Islands tried to coax a flame sprite into warming her tea. “We’re going to need more chairs. And possibly a fireproof wing.”
Nova grinned. “Also, more teachers.”
I nodded, then stopped nodding and let the realization truly land. “We needwaymore teachers.”
Grandma Elira, seated a few spots down, tilted her head like she’d been waiting for me to come to that exact conclusion. “What gave it away?”
I turned toward two women attempting spells that only resulted in smoke at the other end of the table.
“I’m choosing not to deal with that right now,” I muttered.
“You’re going to have to soon,” Ardetia said, appearing with a glass of something that sparkled in seven colors. “I counted fifty-six women. That’s assuming no one else shows up tomorrow.”
I choked. “Tomorrow?!”
Ardetia raised a brow. “You didn’t think word would stop at the gates, did you? This place is open and craving new minds.”
“Indeed.” I thought of the Wards and how the energy had to be helping them.
Nova leaned back, looking far too pleased with herself. “You're adorable when you're overwhelmed.”
“Thanks,” I deadpanned. “Tell that to the woman who just summoned a fountain of gravy.”
Because yes. That was happening. Right in the center of the room, a silver tureen now overflowed in a graceful arc, raining brown liquid into floating goblets like it was an enchanted chocolate fountain at a harvest fair. The witch looked extra pleased with herself as the kitchen sprites darted out, feeling scandalized.
A full trio dove in with little squeals and began reversing the charm while cursing under their breath.
I turned back to Ardetia. “We need to recruit. Immediately. Nova, do you know someone who could teach magical herbology? I think we’ll need more than one teacher on that.”
Nova took a slow sip from her cider. “I know someone who thinks she invented magical herbology.”
“Good enough,” I said.
My grandmother tapped her goblet gently. “I know a historian. Retired. Cursed. Bit of a ghost. But she’s excellent with dates.”
“That all sounds very on-brand for us.” I grinned and nodded.
We started listing names, scribbling on napkins, arguing over magical theory versus practical training versus emotional resilience spells. But even as the to-do list grew, so did the laughter.
So did the joy.
Every table buzzed with women who hadcome back to magic.Some were rusty. Some were wild with talent. Some looked around like they couldn’t believe they’d been allowed through the door.
