"So Margaret is in the gift shop," Ms. Undergrove said. "Is that why we are waiting?"

Hoot was perched on her shoulder. "Yes, ma'am. I told her to not go in there because we do not have time, but she would not listen."

She crossed her arms. "I have not met this girl, and she is already doing such a bad job. It is like that she could care less about exploring her purpose."

Because Hoot and I had taken a while to step out of the airport, Ms. Undergrove pushed open the double doors and met us halfway. Well, she met Hoot. I remained in the gift shop and got what I wanted - and needed.

While glancing at all the stuffed animals, I spotted Ms. Undergrove through the glass. She is not a woman that you want to mess with, especially when she has powers at her fingertips. Did I say powers? I am sorry. I meant magic. I stuck out my tongue when I suddenly recalled that she has magic. She can keep her magic to herself.

Ms. Undergrove was an old lady. Wrinkles were on her face and the backs of her hands. Her long hair that was as white as snow was in a bun. She did not have on any makeup, but her nails were painted black. The lights in the airport made them shine. She was wearing a black, long-sleeved dress that touched her shoes, which were also black. This big, green jewel hanging by this golden chain was around her neck. It was the prettiest piece of jewelry that I have ever seen. Besides me. I will always be the prettiest jewel. My father says so.

I placed my hand on the glass and said, "Why the heck do you look like a witch? Oh, that is right. You possess magic." I glanced back at the stuffed animals and stuck out my tongue. "You have magic on your side. Hoooow wonderful. Just do not gift me with magic, and we will not be at each other's throats. You do not want to mess with Margaret Morgan." I patted my backpack because I remembered that my bow and arrow were in there.

I still do not know how my bow and arrow successfully passed security.

"Are you going in there and fetching her?" Hoot asked. "Margaret may take a while, and I know how impatient you get."

The teacher was tapping her arms and shook her head. "I am not a parent. I am especially not her parent, so it is not my responsibility to drag her out of the shop. Do you realize how embarrassing it will be if I do? I do not want the people staring and assuming that I am bad."

The owl stroked her wrinkly cheek with his wing. "You are not bad. You are different. Besides, who cares what others say? They are usually wrong anyway."

She scooped him up and kissed his nose. "Why can the people not be like you?"

"For one thing, ma'am, they are not talking animals."

I walked out from the shop with two paper bags, one in each hand. Ms. Undergrove looked at me and asked if I was Margaret.

I grinned. "Not just Margaret. I am Margaret Morgan." I pointed at her. "You must be Ms. Undergrove."

"You are correct. I am the teacher who sent the letter."

"Yes, yes. I read it and cannot wait to get started!"

The owl perched himself back on her shoulder, and she clapped and smiled. "You do not know how happy I am to hear you say that."

"Do not let her excitement deceive you," Hoot told me. "Ms. Undergrove is disappointed in you."

I turned my attention to him. "And why would she ever be disappointed in me? She wanted me to arrive to this island." I looked back at her. "You wanted me to attend the school, so here I am."

She patted my shoulder. "Listen to me carefully. If you would like me to take you seriously and treat you as an equal, you need to act like it." She gripped my shoulder tightly. "Got it?"