By Julie

“O Earth’s great spirits, let me tell
“And cast upon this girl a spell:
“Make a pointy hat and a broom, and a set of witches robes
“And an artificial aura to fool those witches’ probes!”
Dawn chanted grumpily. In seconds, Luna was wearing a set of trademark robes, trimmed with whitish silver, two pointy shoes, a pointed hat with a silver ribbon, and a slender broom. “Maple,” Eve observed. “That’s good. You might be able to fly that one by yourself. The robes and hat and shoes fit all right… and about the aura… Misty! You can come in to test it now!” Misty walked slowly in the door, a black blindfold draped over her eyes. “Mallory,” Misty said, pointing to the spot where Mallory stood, “Basil. Eve. Dawn. Midnight. Er… Head Witch Rain.” Misty removed the blindfold to find Mallory, Basil, Eve, Dawn, Midnight, and Luna looking at her with surprise. “Head Witch Rain? The artificial aura feels like Head Witch Rain?” Misty shrugged grumpily and cast a glaring look at the gaping witches and warlock. “Well, her aura fooled me, so it must work. Now she needs a shadow cat, to make it official.” Misty stood in front of Luna and chanted yet another spell:
“O Earth’s great spirits, let me tell
“And cast upon this girl a spell:
“Set here upon this very mat
“For this young girl a shadow cat.”
Luna opened her eyes wide with anticipation to find the perfect smoky cat sitting upon the floor, licking one of his paws. The shadow cat was small, the youngest shadow cat of all. It wasn’t quite skinny like Dawn’s nor fat like Mallory’s, but a perfect between. His eyes were a sharp green, his fur appearing silky. As Luna bent down to look at him, he stood up and placed his paws on her shoulders, a sign of affection. She petted him softly and felt his silky, soft fur. “Leo,” she pronounced him, “For Leo the lion.” As Luna stood up, a certain light responsibility rested itself on her shoulders like Leo’s paws: she was a witch.