Into the Woods

[Agatha Dobbs]

• She nodded slowly before taking out a roll of parchment. Aggie hesitated briefly—as if, like his dragon, Mr. MacFusty might bite her arm off—before holding it out to him.
  
  “On behalf of the Ministry of Magic, I am here to issue a fine to the sum of four galleons and three sickles, covering the…owls lost, Ministry time (that would be mine), and a penalty. You will have a fortnight during which to pay the fine, after which a nuisance officer will be sent to your h-home.”
  
  Agatha wished dearly a nuisance officer could have been the first step; what embarrassment it would have saved her!

  

[Angus MacFusty]

DATE: November 14th, 1883
TAG: Agatha
WORDS: 142
NOTES:

FOUR galleons?! Gus hadn't bought an owl since he was eleven and he couldn't really remember how much they had cost but that sounded like a lot for a dumpy little feathered thing that couldn't even breathe fire. Maybe he'd try and train Gertie to deliver his mail... Or not, she'd probably burn the recipient's house down along with the letter.

"Tha's obscene, that is!" he exclaimed, referring to the price. Maybe it was reasonable but paying upwards of four galleons for owls that might have died for reasons other than his dragon seemed unfair. "Ah s'pose if Ah set Gertrude on this 'nuisance officer' they'll nae drop the fine," he grumbled. He'd be giving Gertie a stern word or two later, not that it mattered if she understood what he was saying, it would make him feel better either way.

  

[Agatha Dobbs]

• Not for the first time that day, Agatha’s eyes widened in horror.
  
  “I-If your dragon should harm any agent of the Ministry—” what if the dragon ate her?! “—it shall be d-destroyed as a public menace.”

  

[Angus MacFusty]

DATE: November 14th, 1883
TAG: Agatha
WORDS: 142
NOTES:

The thought of Gertie being 'destroyed' made his face fall. They'd probably send Tav or Tor or both of them to deal with her since the Ministry's executioner didn't stand a chance. Would his own brothers actually do that if it came down to it? He didn't care to give it another thought, Gertie wouldn't be eating anyone. "Ah'd like tae see 'em stop her, she's a big ol' mean thing an' smarter than most. Ye can meet her if ye like?" He'd recovered himself and chose instead to try and frighten the young woman.

  

[Agatha Dobbs]

• “ABSOLUTELY NOT!” the witch exclaimed shrilly. It took several moments for Agatha to recompose herself, and even when she spoke again her eyes were still slightly widened by terror. “Th-that is to say, thank you for the offer, Mr. MacFusty, but I-I must decline. The Ministry of Magic thanks your family for the work they do with dragons, however must remain firm that you control the b-beasts, at least as well as a d-dragon can be.”

  

[Angus MacFusty]

DATE: November 14th, 1883
TAG: Agatha
WORDS: 66
NOTES:

Gus had to hold back laughter at her shriek but couldn't quite reign in a few chuckles. She was a ridiculous thing, not unkindly ridiculous, but so very uptight and full of overreactions. Clearly she was not accustomed to people like him and his family or dragons. "Probably wise," he replied with a smirk, "she'd have ye fer dinner!" He laughed, unable to stop himself now.

  

[Agatha Dobbs]

• Oh Merlin help her; Aggie didn't know whether to flush red with embarrassment or run pale with anxiety! Clearly Mr. MacFusty was keen enjoy himself at her expense, which was not something the poor witch needed.
  
  “I have delivered my message,” the witch mumbled quickly, “and so have no further business here.”

  

[Angus MacFusty]

DATE: November 14th, 1883
TAG: Agatha
WORDS: 35
NOTES:

"G'bye, such a pleasure meetin' ye!" There was an edge of sarcasm to his voice and to the way he waved her goodbye. He really could have done without a fine, she'd been amusing though.

  

[Agatha Dobbs]

• Agatha had never been particularly fond of apparition, but it was with great satisfaction—even relief—that the young witch disappeared with a pop! More than anything, Aggie hoped she never saw Mr. MacFusty (or had to deal with his dragons) again.