[Leslie did not expect the sudden escape, because her request for help was, in fact, her attempt to make an incantation, since it seems to make using the magic in this dream a little easier. She was in the middle of thinking how she could try something else with the magic here (maybe she could try to imitate her old magic somehow) when he asked for her to excuse him. This gave her enough time to realize what was happening that she's only a little surprised when she's suddenly lifted off the ground.]
Oh!
[It also helps that her family, being all over two feet taller than her, tend to pick her up at a moment's notice and also making a hasty retreat isn't a bad idea anyway, so she quickly realized what was going on. If she can, she'll probably try to cling to some part of him that she doesn't think will get in the way (like maybe looping her arms over his shoulders) and hope to stay on this ride. (At least she weighs almost nothing.)]
no subject
Oh!
[It also helps that her family, being all over two feet taller than her, tend to pick her up at a moment's notice and also making a hasty retreat isn't a bad idea anyway, so she quickly realized what was going on. If she can, she'll probably try to cling to some part of him that she doesn't think will get in the way (like maybe looping her arms over his shoulders) and hope to stay on this ride. (At least she weighs almost nothing.)]