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Life at Nevermore Academy was completely different to my life in Westview. The school welcomed outcasts from all walks of life; vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, elementals, you name it. But in Westview any kind of magic was met with disdain after a certain Scarlet Witch had the entire community under her spell, living out their lives in her own warped versions of classic TV shows.
I had shown signs of being a magic user ever since I was a child, but with most of the town's witches gone or too afraid to step forward I had no one to learn from. So my parents sent me to Nevermore to harness my witch powers, study the art of magic, be with like-minded outcasts and maybe even form a coven of my own one day.
I arrived at the academy during a time of change. The previous principal, Larissa Weems, had been killed as part of an attempt to take down the school and the new principal, Barry Dort, wasn't to exactly everyone's liking. He was very eccentric and had extreme views against 'normies' (as they were known). But I gave him the benefit of the doubt because I had experienced normie prejudice firsthand and knew just how distrusting they could be.
I settled in fairly quickly, making new friends and gaining a better understanding of the power I yielded. But ever since I started I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. This wasn't an uncommon feeling for witches as we're naturally more in tune with the supernatural but this was different, it was constant and felt like more than one set of eyes were watching my every move.
"I'm just being paranoid" I kept telling myself but the feeling still lingered.
One night I was at my desk working on my history project, an assignment about famous witches through the ages. As I did my research online a familiar name kept cropping up, Agatha Harkeness. Her name and face were scattered throughout history but I knew her as our nosey neighbour Agnes O'Connor, the identity the Scarlet Witch had cursed her with after a fight for power.
Agatha had disappeared from Westview after she broke that curse, regaining her memory and her magic. Some say she left to hunt down Wanda for revenge, others say she was lost to the famous Witches Road. I knew Agnes but I had always wanted to meet Agatha and learn from her, it saddened me that I may never get that chance.
During my research I came across a newspaper article with a photo of Dolly Parton slapping another woman who looked remarkably like Agatha, with the journalist naming her as 'the real Jolene'.
"No way! That song is based on Agatha?" I thought.
I found the 'Jolene' music video and played it, laughing to myself as I listened to the lyrics.
"God I hate this song" a voice said behind me.
I jumped out of my seat and spun around coming face to face with none other than my former neighbour, Agatha Harkness.
"What the fu-!" I gasped.
"Language!" she scolded, "is that any way to greet the star of your little history project?"
She struck a pose and gave a cocky chuckle, modesty wasn't her strong suit it seemed. "You're Agatha Harkness".
"In the flesh...kind of".
She looked ethereal dressed in flowing purple robes of different shades with long white hair and a slight transparency.
"What are...? How did you...?" I sputtered.
Agatha rolled her eyes.
"Alright I'll make this nice and simple for you" Agatha cleared her throat like she was about to deliver a speech, "I'm a ghost".
I sighed, sad and disappointed that the rumours were true after all.
"So you are dead, how did you die?" I asked.
"Why? You gonna add it to your assignment?" Agatha said defensively, "the tragic demise of Westview's most powerful witch?"
"I thought that was Wanda?"
"I swear to god kid" Agatha glowered at me, "you may be grown up now but I will still put you over my knee!"
"I'd just fall through those ghostly legs wouldn't I?"
"Why you little-!"
I couldn't help but laugh, she was too easy to rile up.
"Hey I'm just messing with you Agatha!" I said, holding my hands up in surrender.
"Just remember I'm not above haunting you during your most intimate moments either" she muttered threateningly.
"So I have to ask, why are you here?" I said a while later.
"I wanted to check in on my little Westview witch" she explained, "you know I always had a good feeling about you kid".
"You did? How? I thought you were cursed?"
"I was but call it 'witchy intuition'" Agatha replied with a wink then strolled around my room absorbing the space, "this place is...well it ain't Salem".
"No it certainly isn't Salem, Ms Harkness" another voice spoke.
This voice was much more melodic and light, unlike Agatha's dry sarcasm.
I looked over at the door and there stood Nevermore's former principal, Larissa Weems. She was a very glamorous woman with ice white hair in a classic updo, flawless skin and the bluest eyes I'd seen. She had a kind face but I was taken aback by her stature, even in death she had a certain presence that demanded attention.
"Principal Weems?!" I exclaimed and she beamed at me.
"Hello dear. Please call me Larissa" she insisted, putting her gloved hand on her perfectly rounded hip.
I looked over at Agatha and caught her eyeing Larissa with flirtatious interest, "hmm not bad for a dead headmistress" she noted.
Larissa flashed a sarcastic smile in thanks.
"So...not to be rude or anything ladies but why the hell do I have two ghosts in my dorm room?" I asked.
"I prefer the term 'spirit guide'" Larissa politely corrected me.
"I like 'ghost', more edgy don't you think?" Agatha suggested, wiggling her eyebrows.
Larissa sighed and mumbled something like "why did I have to be paired with her?"
"I heard that!" Agatha retorted but Larissa remained unfazed.
"Nevertheless we're here to help you" Larissa said, "you see everyone has a spirit guide but not many have the ability to interact with them. You can".
"It's part of being a witch...unfortunately" Agatha remarked.
"So I get two for the price of one then?" I joked.
Larissa chuckled, "in a way yes. We'll give you advice, listen to your problems..."
"Help you pull pranks, cheat on tests..." Agatha added.
"No! Absolutely not!" Larissa objected.
Agatha tutted, "you're hot but you're no fun" she mumbled.
I just had to laugh at their bickering.
"You're taking this surprisingly well dear" Larissa noted, "most students would be screaming the place down by now".
"Well I've felt your presence for a while now so if anything it's a relief to know I wasn't going mad" I told them.
"There's still time kid, especially with the 'fun police' around" Agatha snarked with a dig at Larissa.
"Just because I want our darling student to do well does not make me the 'fun police' as you so delicately put it Ms Harkness" Larissa said firmly.
"Ooo! You're even hotter when you're angry!" Agatha flirted.
"For crying out loud you two! Either get along or get a room!" I interjected.
They scowled at each other then begrudgingly called a truce. This angel and devil scenario was going to be interesting.
The next day I was in the quad reading a book with my new spirit guides sitting either side of me. Larissa was quietly observing the other students, secretly missing being able to interact with them while Agatha was passing judgement.
"Ugh do they have to be so damn noisy all the time?"
"They're teenagers, Agatha. Surely you remember what that was like? Or was it too long ago now?" Larissa teased.
"Very funny Prissy Rissy" Agatha retorted sarcastically.
"Shut up you two, I'm trying to read" I hissed at them.
Agatha craned her neck to look at the page I was on, "ah good to see you're reading up on divination. It's a very powerful form of magic when used properly, but it can drive you insane too. Just ask my friend Lilia".
"Is she another witch in Westview?" I asked.
"Yes, she's dead now though, but I suppose if you practice some necromancy..."
"Agatha!" Larissa barked, "please don't encourage such a horrid practice! It's disrespectful and dangerous".
Just as Agatha opened her mouth to retaliate she was cut off by someone suddenly bouncing into view.
"Hey! Whatcha doin?" Enid Sinclair asked in her usual sunny way.
Larissa obviously had a soft spot for Enid and smiled fondly at her but Agatha looked like she'd a ghost herself, "good god she's...cheerful".
"Hi Enid. Just reading up on some witchy stuff" I said, showing her the cover of the book.
"Ooo! Divination huh? Is that like tarot cards and astrology?" she enquired.
"Yeah, it's really interesting actually" I replied.
"You should do a reading for me sometime. Tell me if I'm destined for greatness" Enid suggested wistfully.
"Hey that's an idea. You could make some real easy money reading your fellow students' fortunes. Just make it up and charge for your service" Agatha whispered.
"No, if you're going to do it then do it right and study it carefully. You shouldn't mislead people, what you say could cause distress or influence their future decisions" Larissa countered.
"I think I need some practice first" I answered Enid, agreeing with Larissa this time.
Agatha just huffed and rolled her eyes.
Later that day in fencing practice I was duelling the queen bee herself, Bianca Barclay. She was easily one of the best fencers in the school and no one wanted to be put against her, knowing they would be humiliated losing to her.
"Come on witch! You can do better than that!" she goaded.
I tried every move I could to beat her but nothing worked. Eventually I fell backwards on my ass and she stood over me with her sword pointed at my neck. She removed her mask revealing her smug face underneath.
"Maybe you should stick to Quidditch" she mocked.
As she laughed and turned to walk away a mischievous voice whispered to me, "trip her! Now!"
Following Agatha's instruction I stuck my leg out and Bianca crashed to the floor, wiping that arrogant grin off her face in an instant.
"Oops sorry! Thought I spotted the Golden Snitch" I said, getting to my feet and walking off with Agatha's cackling ringing in my ears.
The annual Rave'N was coming up and I still didn't have a date yet, I knew who I wanted to ask but every time I tried my nerves got the better of me. One day I was practising what I would say in front of the mirror, "Wednesday do you want...no...Wednesday will you be my..."
"Wednesday Addams? Seriously?" Larissa said incredulously, popping up beside me. I was used to her and Agatha appearing out of thin air by now.
"Yes, I really like her. She's so different from everyone else" I explained.
"You can certainly say that again" Larissa muttered.
"She could do worse" Agatha chipped in, lounging on my bed "at least it's not Little Miss Sunshine or Queen Bee".
"Well if you must ask her then just say it outright. She won't put up with your fumbling" Larissa advised.
"Ok" I turned back to the mirror and said simply, "Wednesday...would you be my date for the Rave'N?"
"Hallelujah!" Agatha cheered, "now let's go find the little storm cloud".
"Now?!" me and Larissa said in unison.
"Yes now! Strike while the iron is hot or before you chicken out again!"
"O-ok" I stuttered, grabbing my blazer and hurrying out of the door.
Larissa and Agatha followed me through the school on the hunt for Wednesday, but as I turned a corner I bumped right into Principal Dort.
"Oho! Easy now young lady, what's the rush?" he said and I heard Larissa groan behind me.
"Sorry Principal Dort! Have you seen Wednesday anywhere?" I asked.
"Yes I just saw her over by the Edgar Allan Poe statue, brooding as usual" he informed me.
"Ok thanks-"
I went to step past him but he held a hand out to stop me.
"Wait just a second Missy" he said firmly, "I wanted to ask how you're settling in".
"Ugh we don't have time for this!" Agatha chided.
"Oh I'm settling in well thanks, I love it here" I answered hurriedly.
"Excellent. I know that magic is a little taboo where you come from but I want you to know that here you can study spells and practice magic to your heart's content!" he said jovially.
"Thank you, that's good to know" I replied.
"She's on the move! Hurry!" Agatha urged, spotting Wednesday walking down the hall.
"Uh sorry sir! Gotta run!" and I darted past him.
"Remember to wear your outcast colours with pride!" he called after me and I could practically hear Larissa's eyes rolling.
I managed to up to Wednesday and stood in front of her to block her path. No turning back now.
"Wednesday!" I called, a little out of breath.
"Oh hello. Are you ok?" she asked dryly.
"Yeah yeah" I panted, "I just...I wanted to ask you something".
She stared at me blankly, waiting for me to continue.
"So you know that the Rave'N is coming up?" I started.
"Yes".
"Well was wondering if you, um, did you...?"
Suddenly I felt a hand smack the back of my head, "ow!"
"Oh look! I can hit you after all!" Agatha laughed, "now spit it out!"
"Wednesday, would you be my date for the Rave'N?" I finally said.
The words hung in the air for a few seconds and then for the first time since I'd known her Wednesday smiled, "sure. I'll be your date".
Larissa let out an excited squeak, "yes! Good work darling!"
"You will? Oh wow! I didn't think you'd actually say yes" I confessed.
"Neither did I, but I like you. You're different from everyone else" she told me.
"I said the same thing about you".
"Plus you gave Bianca a taste of her own medicine, I like a strong woman who can stand up for herself" she added, taking a step closer.
"So that impressed you then?" I replied flirtatiously.
"Indeed. But you may have your work cut out for you with me" she murmured and I grinned.
"Ooo I like the girl's attitude" Agatha murmured.
Wednesday then stepped away, "so yes I'll go with you to the Rave'N but on one condition".
"Which is?"
"Leave those two at home" she gestured to Larissa and Agatha standing either side of me and walked off.
"Oh now I really like her!" Agatha laughed.