Page 34 of If The Shoe Fits

“Maybe we can do some kind of fundraiser to pay for new decorations?”

Agatha lights up, her eyes sparkling with sudden inspiration.

“That’s it! Excellent idea!”

I blink, caught off guard by her enthusiasm. “Uh, thanks?”

“What about thatglass shoe theoryyou’re always talking about?” she continues, practically bouncing on her heels.

I gape at her. “What? You mean my college thesis?Morals and Magic: The Glass Slipper Theory?”

“Yeah! That one! You could totally use it for the fundraiser!”

I narrow my eyes, trying to follow her logic.

“Aggie, the point of that theory is to prove the utter lack of morals and ethics in people trying on a shoe theyknowisn’t theirs—and the people peddling the shoe, knowing it doesn’t belong to any one of them.”

She waves me off. “Details.”

“It’s not just details,” I insist, warming to the topic despite myself.

“It’s about the societal pressure we put on people, even magical people, to conform and behave a certain way—even when it’s clearly wrong! The shoe is a metaphor for?—”

Agatha groans, holding up a hand. “Okay, okay, I get it. You’re passionate about the whole shoe thing.”

“It’s only the theory I have based my entire life’s work on. Just awork in progress,” I mutter, crossing my arms.

“Maybe so,” she says with a grin, “but you’re definitely going to have amagic shoe gameto raise funds. It’s happening.”

I stare at her, horrified. “I don’t even know what that would look like!”

“Don’t worry,” she says, winking. “We’ll figure it out. And you can use it as an excuse to talk toyou know who.”

“Voldemort?”

“No!” she shouts.

Oh, Goddess.

I really, really hope she doesn’t mean Wulfy.

“Yeah! You know the one. Now, what if youselltickets for people to take chances on trying on an actualglass slipperat the ball? The Witch or Warlock whose foot fits inside the slipper is the winner! Fifty bucks a pop should finance all the necessary decorations. We just front the funds!”

“Who is going to pay fifty bucks a pop to try on some weird shoe, Agatha?”

“Everyone, my friend. Everyone will want to try it! Especially when they learn the shoe will not only fit the mostethicalandmoralperson in the whole Academy, but it will also set them on their path to obtain their heart’s desire!Just one step in the glass shoe will get you on your way!”

My eyebrows nearly hit the roof.

I mean, it’s crazy.

It’s insane.

But it’s also very cool.

The curious little Witch inside of me is truly keen to see who might be tempted.

“Can we do that, though? Magic a pair of shoes?” I wonder.

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