Hope knocked softly on Emma’s door. It was unusual to see the guidance counselor in her office so late, but with the election closing at exactly midnight, Emma was stationed there for at least a few more minutes. 
She looked up from her counciling paperwork. “Hope?” 
“I want a witch ballot,” Hope said emotionlessly, marching up to Emma’s desk and planting her feet. 
Emma’s face broke out into a huge, proud smile. Hope knew exactly what she was thinking.
“It’s not a big deal.” Hope stood stiffly. “Don’t make it a thing.”
“Of course not.” Emma ruffled through the nearby ballots to find the witch pile, handing a slip over. 
“And the ballot is completely confidential?” 
“One-hundred percent.”
“Perfect.”
Hope turned her back, marked the box next to Saltzman, folded it in half, and handed it back. 
“I’m sure whoever you voted for will appreciate it.” Emma said, taking the ballot. “And it’s nice to see you participating in the witch community.”
Hope rolled her eyes. “Don’t make it a thing.”
She was on her way back to her dorm, sneaking through the silent halls when she heard the conversation carrying from the headmaster’s office.
“We’ve had three townspeople claim they saw a dragon this week alone,” Dorian was saying. 
Alaric’s doubtful response came, “A dragon? Dragon’s don’t exist.”
“We know that. What they know is that they’re seeing something unnatural.”
Alaric drummed his fingers thoughtfully on his desk. “You think it was a student using magic outside of class?”
“I think the rules have been lax -”
“Wait.” Alaric turned his head, face moving from focused to an amused annoyance. He called out towards the door, “You can stop eavesdropping and just come in.”
Hope turned the knob without hesitation. “I wasn’t eavesdropping. I just happened to overhear your conversation.” She closed the door behind her and crossed her arms.
“Sure,” Alaric scoffed. 
“So, are you going to fill me in?” she demanded, glancing between the two of them.
“See?” Dorian said. “Rules. Lax.”
“A dragon.” Hope continued to stare at Dr. Saltzman until he finally sighed.
“A dragon …”