Full Circle

Disclaimer

I don't own the characters of The Worst Witch or Weirdsister College. I've just borrowed them for the purpose of this FanFic.

Chapter 4 – The Butterfly Effect

Mildred paced up and down outside the Staff Room. Ethel was inside being interviewed and she seemed to be taking much longer. Millie didn't know if that was a bad sign or not. She felt her own interview had gone quite well once she got over her initial nerves, but in her heart she knew Ethel was right; the scales were weighted heavily against her.

The door opened suddenly and Miss Cackle looked out. "Come in Mildred," she said cheerfully, rubbing her hands together. "The interviews are finished and the rest of the staff will be joining us soon. Then we shall enjoy some of Mrs Semolina's excellent cooking. I trust you do remember her cooking Mildred?"

"I certainly do," Mildred replied.

The Principal looked at her, her eyes twinkling again. "Would that be the regular school meals, Mildred," she inquired. "or the food you and your friends pilfered from the kitchen at night?"

"Both!" replied Mildred, not at all abashed at this reminder of her schoolgirl escapades and the two of them laughed heartily.

She went inside the Staff Room again and saw Ethel and Miss Hardbroom deep in conversation. Ethel turned to look at her, and from the satisfied smirk on her face, Millie judged that things had gone well. Her heart sank again, but before she had further time to contemplate her dismal prospects, Miss Drill and Miss Crotchet entered, carrying dishes of food. Soon they were all sitting down to a hearty lunch of Spaghetti Bolognese, salad and Miss Cackles favourite cheese and onion quiche.

After lunch came the spell tests. Miss Hardbroom led the way to an empty classroom and following behind her, Mildred noticed something else surprising; HB was only about an inch taller than she was! She looked down at her feet and saw she still wore her usual high heeled shoes.

"If I wore high heels," thought Mildred, "I'd be taller than she is!" It was a strange thought; she was so used to HB towering over her.

The spell tests went well. As Mildred expected they both had to demonstrate a variety of spells and magical transformations. Then they were each given a mirror that had been enchanted to show no reflection; they had to break the spell and return the mirror to normal. Both girls were successful, but Mildred was faster, leading her to suspect her magical abilities now surpassed those of her rival.

"Well done, Ladies, well done indeed!" exclaimed Miss Cackle. "Now for the last test, I would like each of you to materialise a butterfly from thin air, without chanting. Miss Hallow, if you would like to go first?"

Ethel stepped forward, looking slightly anxious. This was difficult magic, requiring great skill and control. She raised her hands, frowning in concentration, and a pearly, opalescent light flickered briefly between her fingers before dying away. Ethel shook her head and then tried again; this time the light coalesced into a small white butterfly that flitted slowly about the room.

"Thank you Miss Hallow." Miss Cackle's face remained impassive, betraying no hint of what she really thought of Ethel's spell work. "Miss Hubble, it's your turn now."

Mildred walked forward, for once feeling confident. She knew she could do this. This was exactly the same enchantment she had performed at the beginning of her first year Practical Witchcraft Exam, back at Weirdsister College. She made no gesture, her arms remaining at her sides, and only the half closing of her eyes showed her intense concentration. Suddenly a large, gold and blue coloured butterfly popped into existence in front of her and flew round the classroom for a few seconds, before disappearing out of an open window.

"Excellent Mildred!" exclaimed Miss Cackle.

Ethel glowered, but Millie paid her no heed, noticing that Miss Hardbroom, although she made no comment, was clearly impressed. The two teachers went into the far corner of the room, conferring in hushed voices, and Mildred couldn't resist going up to Ethel and saying "You seem a bit out of practice!"

Ethel glared at her murderously, but Mildred sauntered away before she could reply. Cackle and Hardbroom were whispering and comparing notes, looking from Mildred to Ethel in turn. Mildred got the feeling that she and Ethel were now neck and neck. It was all going to come down to who handled a class better.