In which Howl searches for Sophie his whole life, falls truly in love for the first time in his life, only for her to be taken away forever. Or so he thought. (Largely based on the Miyazaki film, but some details taken from the books.)

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any part of Howl's Moving Castle, as you should know by now.

CHAPTER 1: In Which Howl Has the Same Dream

"Find me in the future.", she yelled, her melancholic brown eyes pleading and fearful as she disappeared into the darkness.

Howl awoke with a start. Just another dream, he thought, as he wiped the sweat off his forehead. Turning his head to the side, Howl looked at his sleeping son's face. With his right thumb hanging out of his slightly open mouth and his left hand clutched tightly around his dark blue velvet blanket, Morgan looked peacefully asleep.

He looks so much like his mother when he sleeps, Howl mused. Without a warning, painful memories came flooding into Howl's mind, ironically, just as he had expected them to. Howl kissed Morgan softly on his forehead and decided to get up quietly so as not to wake the sleeping child and made his way downstairs. Howl knee that he was not going to get any sleep at this rate.

"The same one again, Howl?", said a cracked voice coming from the fireplace.

"Yes, I don't expect it to get any better. Do you?", answered Howl. The tall fair-haired wizard slowly walked closer to the fireplace.

"The heart is indeed a heavy burden. She was right, Calcifer.", said Howl as he placed another log into the fire. Howl sat on the chair by the fire and stared into the flames thoughtfully. The fire stared back with pitying eyes at Howl, but the wizard didn't seem to notice.

It was exactly a year on this day that the little flower shop at Market Chipping had closed permanently. The lady of the house, Sophie Hatter Pendragon, the eldest of the Hatter sisters, died after giving birth to her son. For the thirty straight days, the people of Market Chipping did not see the sun shine through dark, heavy clouds and misty fog that enveloped the town, it was as if the skies were lamenting the loss of Sophie Hatter. It was only when several royal carriages bearing the Prince's insignia stopped by the flower shop did the clouds start to clear and the weather return to normal in Market Chipping. Little did the people of Market Chipping know, it was only after much convincing from Prince Justin with the aid of Madame Suliman, that the wizard Howl lifted his unintended enchantment over the town.

Life was fairly quiet following those days and life returned to normal for most of Market Chipping except on what used to be the little colorful flower shop. Like a flower without light and water, the little shop seemed to have wilted over time. The people barely spared a glance at the little shop, and some people even avoided it at all costs due to the cold, uncanny feeling one felt whenever they pass by its doors.

Inside the little flower shop, the first light of the morning came filtering through the small window. The wizard Howl stood abruptly, causing the fire to let off some sparks.

"I'm heading out. Keep watch over Morgan until Michael wakes up. I will be back after my meeting with the Prince and Madam Sulliman. If anything arises, let me know immediately.", announced the wizard as he grabbed his black coat and closed the door.

"I will.", replied the fire as the door shut.

"Is he gone?", a voice asked from the shadows.

"He is. Poor chap, it's been a year on this day, you know.", replied Calcifer. The young man stepped out from the shadows at the foot of the staircase.

"I know. Sometimes I almost wish he didn't fall in love with Sophie so he wouldn't be like this. But then, we wouldn't have been happy, we won't be here without Sophie and we wouldn't have our Morgan." Michael sighed and looked desolately at Calcifer. "Speaking of Morgan, what shall we do for his first birthday?", asked Michael.

"I don't know. I wish Sophie was here, she would know what to do.", sighed Calcifer.

"I miss Sophie, too.", said Michael.

Just then, a loud knocking came from the door.

"Market Chipping door!", the fire announced.