The Wizard of Oz.
She wore an emerald green pantsuit and held a wand with a crystal star on its end. The second woman looked like she was a million years old. Her name was Frau Pfefferkuchenhaus, otherwise known as the witch from the Hansel and Gretel story. Rounding out the group was the exotic and beautiful Morgan le Fay, famous for her part in the story of King Arthur. The Three were enjoying some crackers and soft cheeses while talking about something that had happened on a televised dancing contest.
In another corner was a diminutive man in a black suit whom Sabrina had met on many occasions. Mr. Seven, as he was called, was better known as one of the seven dwarfs. Like the Three, he used to work for the mayor. Mr. Seven ate from a tray of green cookies set out on the dining room table. As Sabrina watched him, she felt something about him was different. It took a minute to realize that he wasn't wearing the dunce hat his former boss had always made him wear.
Sabrina turned her attention to Daphne, who was sitting on the family's sofa wearing a shiny sequined tiara. Elvis, the family's two-hundred-pound Great Dane, lay on the floor, resting his massive head in Daphne's lap. Snow White sat next to them. Looking at the beautiful woman was like looking at the sunrise for too long. Ms. White was tall and lean with skin like porcelain and eyes as blue as the sky. Sabrina wondered how many car accidents Ms. White had inadvertently caused when drivers took their eyes off the road to catch a glimpse of her walking down the street. Besides her incredible looks, Ms. White was a kind and caring person, as well as an expert in judo, karate, kickboxing, and bow-staff fighting. She came to the Grimm house three times a week to train the girls in self-defense. Like Mr. Seven and the Three, Ms. White was out of work, so she had plenty of free time. Ever since the new mayor took office, the school where she used to teach had been closed, and there was no news of when it would reopen.
Unfortunately, the last three months had not been easy for Snow White. In addition to being unemployed, she was also suffering from a broken heart. After she reconciled with her former fiance, Prince Charming, the couple looked as if they were headed down the aisle at last. But Charming had disappeared after he lost his re-election bid for mayor. Granny and the girls had searched high and low for him, but it was as if William "Billy" Charming had ceased to exist. Ms. White was upset, but now she seemed particularly distraught.
"Hello, Ms. White," Sabrina said.
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, Sabrina. Did you say something?" Ms. White asked.
"She's a little freaked out," Daphne said, pointing across the room.
Sabrina turned and spotted another breathtaking woman standing with two plump fairy godmothers. Her name was Briar Rose, though most knew her as Sleeping Beauty. She had a dark honey complexion and eyes like hot chocolate. Her ever-present smile was soft and she was a bit shy. She had been visiting the family a lot lately. Uncle Jake had asked her for help finding a cure for Henry and Veronica, and Ms. Rose said she was happy to try. Sabrina knew her uncle had a crazy crush on the princess, but unfortunately, Ms. Rose never went anywhere without her overprotective fairy godmothers, Buzzflower and Mallobarb. The fairy duo had made it clear to Uncle Jake that they would not allow Briar to date him until he cut his hair and became royalty. Sabrina knew there was little chance of either happening.
"Why? What's wrong with Ms. Rose?" Sabrina asked her sister.
"Charming used to be married to her," Daphne whispered. "Awkward," Sabrina whispered back.
"I think I need some wine. Who wants some wine?" Snow White offered as she got to her feet. "Um, I'm seven," Daphne said.
"Of course you are," Snow White said, walking toward the kitchen.
Uncle Jake strutted into the room and over to Ms. Rose. At once Buzzflower and Mallobarb stepped between them, blocking Jake as if they were linebackers protecting a star quarterback.
"Poor Uncle Jake," Sabrina said.
"He's got the googly eyes for Briar," Daphne replied as she gave Elvis's ears a good scratching. The big dog's back leg tapped the floor happily. "You know what? I think we need to find Elvis a girlfriend."
Elvis snorted, got up with a grunt, and skulked out of the room.
"What did I say?" Daphne cried.
"I guess he's a bachelor," Sabrina said.
Someone knocked on the door, and Granny rushed through the room to answer it. Sabrina and Daphne watched as a sun-soaked blond woman and an elderly man with a cane entered the house. Sabrina didn't recognize either of them.