| Waltzing Matilda: A Dance With A Troll By Matilda Glimmerfrost as told to Ariene Callahan Matilda Glimmerfrost is an accomplished thirty-five year old witch. While most witches and wizards her age are settled down, raising families or working for the wizarding world, Matilda has a resume filled to the top with many wonderful adventures. The following is her latest adventure, waltzing with a troll. I�ve kept the transcript as it was relayed to me, with a few exceptions (ex: tenses and or spelling/clarification) . �It was a glorious spring day, warm sunshine and the smell of damp earth. I had only recently returned from my travels through Antarctica, where I met a clan of wizards living off the frozen tundra. Unbeknownst to the muggles, Antarctica is quite habitable, if you are of the magical race! Well as I was sitting in the Leaky Cauldron, sipping firewhiskey, a tattered and forlorn looking witch approached me. Her robes were dirty and torn, and looked as if they had never seen a scrubbing charm. Gray hair spilled down her shoulders and was matted and tangled. Her face was etched with wrinkles and deep scars, the woman looked weather beaten. �Are you Ms. Glimmerfrost?� she croaked in a voice that sounded as if it hadn�t been used in years. �I am. Who wishes to know?� I returned with a raised eyebrow. Raising a gnarled and arthritic finger, the old witch pointed into the shadows. Not quite understanding the old lady, I silently decided to pay heed to her. Strange witches and wizards were wondering around these days, you had to be careful. �I don�t�� I began but as my mouth formed the words, my eyes caught site of a cloaked figure emerging from the shadows. There was something vaguely familiar about the staggered gait and the worn cloak that reminded me of my father. As the figure revealed their face, I was suddenly filled with joy. �Father! Why didn�t you say you�d be in Diagon Alley?� I asked rushing to hug my father, Ruford Glimmerfrost. �I wanted to surprise you Matilda! Thought I�d keep low for a bit.� While we sat and caught up with each other, I learned that the old woman was a client of my fathers. Her name was Geraldina Brogocci and she had sought out my father for help in locating a missing creature. My father worked as an agent for the Freelance Missing Creatures Office, a group of witches and wizards that specialized in tracking down missing pets and other magical creatures. Many years ago, Geraldina had been widowed and was living alone in a ramshackle house in a wooded area. One night as she lay sleeping she had been awaken by a horrific and stange noise. Rushing to the source of the noise (a brave action for such a little old witch) she had found a wounded and howling troll. For reasons still unknown to herself or to me for that matter, Geraldina was able to coax the troll to allow her to help and heal the wounds. After a few weeks, the troll had recovered and Geraldina had tamed the untamable. She had befriended a troll! Years passed and this unlikely pair was quite content with the company of the other. Quork, as she called him was happy. Then a few years ago, the Ministry of Magic had learned of this weird pair and had sent representatives out to Mrs. Brogocci�s house to inspect. To make a long story short, Quork was driven away, and Geraldina hasn�t seen him since. My father had come all the way to London to ask me if I would mind taking over the search attempt for this missing troll. �Matilda, I wouldn�t ask this of you if I�d thought you couldn�t do it! It�s just that I�m so overworked at work and I can�t possibly take on another client. But Geraldina here is desperate to reunite with Quork.� Pleaded my father, as he layed a hand on Geraldina�s shoulder. As I looked at my father, I noticed for the first time the dark circles under his eyes, and his body moved sluggish as if it was craving rest and relaxation. As I nodded my head, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. �I�ll do it, I�ll see if I can locate this Quork.� Mrs. Brogocci suddenly smiled and I quickly looked down at my hands so I could avoid losing the small lunch I had just eaten. The women was ancient and her smile unnerved me, she had gaps where teeth had once been and the few she did have were black with rot. �Thank you! I know that I�ll see my Quork soon!� she said as her hand reached for mine. Her callused fingers closed over mine, and I was shocked at how cold her skin was. �I�ll do my very best ma�am� I answered gazing at her quickly. What in the world had I gotten myself into�. To be continued next issue!! |
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