Balanced on the line, he told her again, "Put it down!" Danielle wouldn't listen. She had never listened to her master.

She held the wand in trembling fingers, pointed end toward herself. "Stay back!" she called. "I'm going to use this!"

"No!" Master Reginald called. He'd reached out, without thinking, a hand. His own wand was in his robe pocket. Could he reach it in time? "You have so much to live for!"

"Like what?" Danielle screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm the worst student in class. Even Betty Browning is better than me at everything."

The master straightened. "All my students have potential. Betty Browning does. So do you. You are brilliant at transmogriphication. You could go into business after you graduate, open up shop..."

"I'm never going to graduate," Danielle said, straightening with sudden resolve. As she spoke the words of the incantation, the Master reached for