Lovedaia concentrated on the leaf, focused on it, became the leaf or something to that effect. She willed it to rise, to flutter into the air with a push of her mind. The red edges quivered, the stem trembled, and then it flipped over like a lazy acrobat with an irritating scraping noise. Lovedaia was about to celebrate her immense success when she felt the coolness of a breeze caress her skin. 

“Damnit!” she howled, stomping her foot all over the leaf until it was nothing but a million red squares on the stained ground. “Stupid magic. I didn’t want you to work anyways.”

Lovedaia wasn’t the best at magic, quite the opposite really, and the fact that she couldn’t move a [i]leaf[/i] irritated her. She was [i]Lovedaia Marden[/i] – that leaf should be freaking worshipping her. Or so that was her biased, petulant belief. Groaning under her breath, she continued on her walk to the open space where a vast amount of annoying kids were gathered, clueless except for those returning. It was hard to pass them and she shoved her elbow into several students’ kidneys to ensure herself a front row seat to the Headmaster’s superb appearance. 

Many of the students scowled at her, but she ignored them in favor of glancing around for the Headmaster to come. This was her least favorite part, but yet she needed to challenge herself. If she could do this, she could do anything…maybe even magic. Lovedaia nodded to herself in affirmation – if she doesn’t get scared this time, she will definitely be able to do magic. Her logic wasn’t exactly the most coherent. Nevertheless, she planted both feet firmly on the ground, bent her knees and prepared herself whilst sucking in a deep breath through her nostrils.

“Welcome one and all,” a voice bellowed next to her and Lovedaia leapt three feet into the air before landing on her sensitive backside.

“OW~ Ow, ow ow!” she hissed. It took her a moment to realize what this meant – she had been frightened once again. Disappointment fell into her gut. “I guess I’ll have to wait till next year.”