The shop bell rang. Albus walked in and sniffed. The air in Needle, Hook & Spindle was weighed with cinnamon and lanolin. Women and little girls were knitting or squeezing skeins of yarn. Immediately he felt the laser pull of the yarn shop’s proprietress’ eyes. Squaring his shoulders, Albus beelined for Rowena. As he approached the counter, Rowena turned away and dealt with a customer. Albus twirled his fingers releasing pale blue sparks of anxiety and walked around the shop. Rowena handled her customer. Then Rowena started to spin a skein of yarn on a wheel of some sort. Albus placed his hands behind his back and walked the aisles of yarns. He picked up a book. The warm scent whirled around him and laid across his shoulders. Albus turned and caught Rowena eyeing him up. Blushing, they both looked away.

Rowena started teaching an elderly lady how to cast on. Albus realized the book he was reading was upside. Rowena laughed and daisy petals rained down from the ceiling. Blazing in indigo fury, Albus stalked towards Rowena whipping out his wand. Everyone in the yarn shop froze except for Albus and Rowena.

“Why didn’t you attend the Court, Rowena? You could’ve squashed this issue with a few mea culpas. Now the Council of Witchery and General Magicfolks has insisted on a tribunal.”

“Blah, blah tell me something I don’t know, Professor Crowley. Are you daring to do magic in my shop on my customers? I work for a living unlike some warlocks I know. That is a clear violation of Hecate Standards.”

“Your new methods of training witches is attracting too much attention, ruffling the wrong feathers,” Albus said.

“I am a master witch and I know the laws of enchantment inside and out. I’m not playing patty fingers with the institution. I’m always going to be myself and teach my students to do the same.” Rowena crossed her arms and a gust of snowflake buffeted he shop and the customers blinked back into motion.

“Ro, if you don’t pull back into line the Council will turn against you. They will shut you down and I can’t protect you,” Albus said touching the warm skin of her hand.

“They can try but I will live my magic my way. And Birdy your protection is not what I needed from you.” Rowena turned away to focus on her confused snow dusted customers.

Albus stomped out of the yarn shop. “Insufferable pig-headed witch!” Albus shouted. Brushing snow and petals off his shoulders, Albus walked away carrying the warm smell of spice back home.