hexed

chapter 17

I can smell burning.

I grab my wand from the dresser, "lumous" I whisper. my wand lights up as a dash to my door and burst into the hall. I run to Hugo's door.

"Hugo!!Hugo!!" I scream. I shove the door open, Hugo and Felix are lying in bed, wide awake with looks of alarm on their faces. I drag them from their beds and back to the hall. I head for the stairs and that when I see it.

the fiery flames curling around the stairs. the unbearable heat stings my face.

the kids whimper in terror. I aim my wand and the blaze and yell, "aquamenti."  a jet of water bursts from my wand slowly drenching the fire. then the stairs are gone nothing is left but the blaze that remains at the bottom of the stairs. I shoot a jet of water at the floor and make a small gap in the fire. I feel the heat on my neck, Felix and Hugo shaking beside me.

I turn to them "we have to jump!"

"he'll no!" replies Hugo "are you mad!"

I stare at him then he looks at the floor - he doesn't have a better idea.

I grab their wrists and pull them over the ledge. the floor rushes towards us as I pull us tightly together.

the hole is to small.

the gaps shrinking.

we're not gonna make it.

I feel the ground beneath us.

Then Hugos blood-curdling scream.