Lock casually leaned back against the counter as he waited. He smirked when he heard the distinct [i]woosh[/i] of a broomstick, and cupped a hand over his mouth to diminish his laughter as the youngest witch shot over the counter, across the shop, and nearly out the front door. By the time Agatha dismounted her broom and fixed her dress, Lock had regained his own decorum. His tail calmly flicked as though in idle boredom.

"Don't get [i]too[/i] excited," he said. "You'll need some of that energy for tomorrow night. It's a long way to the lair."

He smirked as he waited for it to sink in. Lock didn't care that Aggie was there and listening. No doubt Agatha was going to tell her aunts regardless, both out of excitement, [i]and[/i] since she'd need time out of the shop to get ready and be there on time.

"At say...around eight?"

Lock flicked his tail again.

"Dinner. Just the two of you, [i]uninterrupted[/i]."

He watched Agatha carefully, and gradually turned on the charm to ensure he had her hooked.

"That was actually the hardest part to arrange: making sure Shock's otherwise occupied and can't screw anything up. But between you and me, it was actually more Barrel's idea than mine. He wanted to make it up to you for last week."

Lock kept his hands right where Agatha could see them as he spoke. He also knew it wouldn't hurt to throw his sister under the hearse to ensure he sealed his end of their bargain, given that she tried to use Barrel to switch the brooms. From what few details he got from Shock, it sounded like the teen witch actually believed Barrel's innocence. Lock gave Agatha a small wink.

"I just nudged him in the right direction."