Maddie hadn't been the first person to waltz into class.

She hadn't been the last person either.

She had PURPOSELY lingered in the corridor and made SURE she was right smack in the middle of the crowd. Well, truthfully, she had no idea how many people would trickle in after her, but she was pretty sure she had met her goal.

The professor was scary. Not just stern and strict, but SCARRRRRRRY SCARY. The most intense type of scary a professor can be. In Maddie's eyes, he lingered like a dementor watching over the class as they filed into his classroom. She mentally reviewed all his rules and double-checked her uniform to make sure it was in tip top shape. IT WAS. She tried to walk into the room as proper as she could, but she was so frightened that she ended up resembling a stiff piece of plywood making its way to a desk.

Hearing one of the older kids greet the man, Maddie decided to do the same. "Hello, Professor Noble," she said, with a hint of shakiness in her tone. She selected a cute little pumpkin then took a seat.