The school field trip was currently a source of the highest debate amongst the staff. Ms. Hardbroom had suggested a prominent witch history museum with educational lectures on specific time periods in witching history. Miss Mould had suggested an artistic expedition into nature to paint their surroundings. Of course, Miss Hardbroom shot that idea down before it was even fully formed. Ms. Cackle frowned.
"These are both excellent suggestions, but I wonder if it would do the girls some good to visit another school" Miss Cackle remarked. Miss Hardbroom blanched.
"And what could they possibly learn from that?" she hissed.
"Well Hecate, I think it would be educational, given the recent events about what is and isn't allowed for witches and for wizards, for them to visit a wizard school. Gain a new perspective" she explained, trying to reassure her. Miss Drill gave a little jump of enthusiasm.
"I think it's a wonderful idea Ms. Cackle! We can expose the girls to wizball! It'll be a great learning experience!" Ms. Cackle put her hand over her heart.
"Thank you Dimity, I love your enthusiasm" Ms. Cackle said smiling. Miss Bat and Mr. Rowan-Webb also heartily agreed.
"If I've learnt anything, it's that you'll never get anywhere unless you learn to leave the safety of the pond" Mr. Rowan-Webb said brightly, and Ms. Bat held his arm tenderly.
"It'll be so good for the girls to gain a new perspective on magical learning" Miss Bat added. Realizing that she was outnumbered and had no allies for her point of view, and that the horrid idea was rapidly becoming a reality, Ms. Hardbroom had gone white as a sheet (two shades whiter than her usual pale).
"Miss Cackle, may I speak to you in private" she said shakily. Ms. Cackle nodded, and with a snap, they transferred outside of the room. "Surely, Ada, you cannot be serious about this" Hecate said, with a hint of panic in her voice. "We cannot have our work here undone" Ada's eyes twinkled playfully at Hecate.
"I'm not quite sure what you mean, Hecate" she said innocently but with a knowing look.
"These girls are raised to be focused on their education without…distractions" Hecate said, drawing herself up and sputtering. "Without the influence of…."
"Boys" Ada completes, chuckling and taking her hand and patting it lightly. Hecate turns a bit pink and continues to sputter.
"Young wizards are degenerates…I do not want any of our girls poisoned with unseemly ideals" she hissed.
"Hecate, I assure you we will be attending a very prestigious wizard school with young wizards of exemplary character. But to ensure we have no problems or issues of corruption" on this last part she had to pause briefly to keep her face from breaking out into a grin. "I've assigned our most accomplished and trustworthy staff member to take charge of the field trip" Ms. Hardbroom looked intrigued.
"And who might that be?" she asked slowly.
"Why you, of course, Hecate. That way you can personally ensure none of the girls are corrupted, and the girls can experience a new kind of magical learning" Hecate stared at Ada in shock, and gave a brisk nod before promptly passing out.
"Enid, shush! Don't peer in her face like that it's weird!" Ms. Hardbroom fought through the haze in her mind to recognize the juvenile voice.
"She looks so peaceful" another voice said sighing.
"Shh she's waking up, back up, back up" the first voice panicked.
Ms. Hardbroom awoke in Ms. Cackle's bed to her two most troublesome students leaning over her.
"Mildred Hubble and Enid Nightshade" she hissed weakly. "What. Are. You. Doing?"
"Ms. Cackle just sent us in here to watch you for a few minutes while she went to find the right potion to wake you up and help you feel better" Mildred explained.
"Is it true you fainted because you have to take us on a trip to a wizarding school?" Enid blurted, whilst Mildred looked on in horror. Enid, had been everywhere but a wizards-only school, and was naturally very excited. At Mildred's horrified expression, Enid rolled her eyes. "What, the whole school knows" she said to Mildred. Mildred considered this, and watched Miss Hardbroom awkwardly fidgeting a bit.
"Ms. Cackle told us you're on the fence about taking us. But we just want you to know- everyone's really excited" Mildred burst out.
"Back to class both of you, I'm perfectly fine now" Miss Hardbroom replied tightly. Mildred smiled awkwardly, and tugged Enid out of the room, calling behind them "Feel better, Miss Hardbroom". Miss Hardbroom allowed herself a small smile before pinching her nose in exasperation. Ms. Cackle passed them on the way out.
"Oh thank goodness you're awake! Hecate that was quite a fall" she said worriedly, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I'm perfectly fine" Hecate said firmly. Ada did not look convinced.
"Hecate if you really don't want to take the girls I won't make you, you know" Miss Cackle said gently. "But I have my own concerns, though they are not as extreme as yours. You are the only person I trust enough to lead the other teachers and look after them in that kind of situation. I'm afraid if they don't go with you then they aren't going at all" Hecate sighed, recalling Mildred's words.
"Very well then. If they are going, then they are going on my terms. I'll submit my rules and plans for the trip for your revisal shortly" Miss Hardbroom asserted. Ada smiled hugely.
"Oh, thank you Hecate! The girls are going to be over the moon!" she said warmly. "I'll make the arrangements" Hecate gave her a nervous smile and nod. Vaguely, she wondered why she had gone into teaching at all. The thought of a potions lab miles away was sounding very appealing right about now. And then she remembered Mildred Hubble.
"That's why, Hecate" she said to herself shaking her head. "That's why"
Before long, the school was buzzing about the field trip and everyone was excited to experience some wizard only aspects of magical learning.
"Do you think they'll let us use staffs" Maud asked Mildred.
"I hope so" Enid said. "Then we can see Mildred whip the boys at their own game"
"Oh I don't know" Mildred said sheepishly. "I just made my staff and they've grown up using one. But I'll definitely have an edge over you lot"
"It just sucks that we have to go with Miss Hardbroom" Enid grumbled. "Knowing her she won't let us out of her sight " Enid groaned.
"I will not" a familiar voice hissed behind Enid. Miss Hardbroom had appeared directly behind her, a little half smile on her face. "Enid NightShade" Mildred and Maud backed up as Enid turned in horror.
"….what Enid meant was, the education is going to be uh, illuminating" Mildred said quickly. "We're all looking forward to our uh, learning"
"With boys" Maud said, squealing a little. Miss Hardbroom's lips lifted ever so slightly.
"Since many of the incidents at the school often involve you three, be warned I will be watching you very, closely. Any misbehavior will result in a transference straight back here, am I understood?" They nodded and with that she disappeared. Maud slumped over.
"I'm not sure I can take the stress of HB watching us that closely- for any reason. Last time she stood behind me I made a levitation potion instead of laughter."
Mildred giggled.
"And I was relieved it was you and not me as it usually is. Cheer up though, I'm sure we can find some time to have fun on this trip. We might just have to get a bit creative" Enid wiggled her eyebrows and Maud groaned.
"I'll never survive this trip. I just know it. You two are going to get me thrown out" she muttered, stomping off, with Mildred and Enid jostling her around until she smiled.