Chapter 11
«Mildred!» called Miss Crotchet «Are you ready?»
«I think so» answered the girl apprehensive, she really hated being the center of attention
«Then come out and show us»
The moment Mildred pushed the door open, she was met by the looks of awes on everyone's face.
The young witch wore a sky blue dress, whose sleeves almost reached the ground. They, as well as the collar, were embroidered with silver threads. Her small waist was highlighted by a delicate belt also in silver. Her long hair were falling down her back like a brown waterfall. To complete the picture, a crown encrusted with diamonds was placed on her head. She was magnificent.
«So what do you think?» asked the girl anxiously. Miss Crotchet was the first to come back to reality «Mildred…you look gorgeous». Her statement was followed by murmurs of approval.
«You look like a true princess» said a voice, Mildred would recognize anywhere. She turned around to face Miss Hardbroom. She froze at the sight before her. The potions mistress had traded her usual tight black dress for one similar to Mildred's except it was made in a beautiful purple velvet embroidered with gold. Instead of being in a tight bun, her hair had been put in a french braid and were garnished by a golden crown encrusted with amethysts.
«For goodness sake girl, how many times do I have to tell you not gawp like that» the deputy head's strict voice brought back Mildred into reality.
«I'm sorry Miss, but you are so beautiful like this» Not used to receiving compliments Miss Hardbroom could only stuttered «Thank you Mildred» before she could add anything they heard Miss Crotchet announcing «All right everyone we are going to run the entire play a first time».
It wasn't bad, except for the christening scene. If you though Baz and Gaz were ridiculous in their evil step sister costume, you didn't see them dressed in fairies. The boys weren't used to wear such long dresses so when it was their turn to bless the baby with their gifts, they tripped and fell on the other fairies pushing them off the stage. Beside that, the repetition went well, Mildred
At the end all the cast members came back on stage to listen to Miss Crotchets commentaries.
«First of all I must say you all did a great job. Still I have recommendations for some of of you. Boys, you must get used to the dresses, wear them at least two hours a day until the show. Maud, Drusilla and Jadu you need to speak a little louder. Enid please stay in your character when you are silent, remember you are a fairy also stop playing with your hood. Imogen when you walk you need to be more light on your feet. Algernon when you order the evil fairy out of your castle be more angry, she is not Amelia, she is the one who just cursed your child to die at sixteen, think about how you would feel if this happened to someone you care about. Amelia laugh a little louder. Merlin don't be shy, you are the prince Charming here to save the day. Constance you were perfect, Mildred you played wonderfully, the only thing is you should speak a little louder. Now I want to go over the christening scene, Merlin I want you to practise your line and find the true prince in you. Mildred you may go and rest in your room, I will send for you when it's time. Lets do the scene».
Mildred left the Great Hall and went to her room. There she sat on her bed petting Tabby, relieved to be able to rest for a few minutes. People may think doing theatre is easy, but it takes more energy then they think, Mildred thought. Suddenly someone knocked on her door. Miss Crotchet is already done?
«Come in» Mildred called, the door opened reviling the smiling face of Miss Cackle
«Hello Mildred, Miss Crotchet wants us to practise the spindle scene. She thinks we can do it even more realistic then last time»
«Ok all right, do you want to do it here» asked Mildred
«I'd rather do it in a neutral area, where we would be able to concentrate better. What about the north tower» proposed Amelia. Mildred nodded «As you wish» as they went out.
On their way to the tower they met Frank Blossom.
«Hi Miss Cackle, weren't you rehearsing in the Great Hall with the rest of the cast?» asked the caretaker
«Yes I was, but Lavinia said she wanted to work with the god fairies first and that I should practise the spindle scene with Mildred. If you need us will be in the north tower» Amelia answered with a big smile that wasn't like her usual warm one, it seemed a little fake, but no one paid much attention. Frank left them and entered the Great Hall. He screamed «Miss Cackle!» making everyone gasp.
«What is it Frank?» asked Amelia once she caught back her breath «You look as if you've seen a ghost». Frank was staring at her with astonished eyes and stuttered «How did you…»
«How did I what?»
«I just met you in the corridor»
The corridors and staircases leading to the top of the North Tower could be compared to a real labyrinth. But both witches knew the castle like the back of their hands, it took less then three minutes for Mildred and Miss Cackle to reach the top. When they opened the door, the room was empty except for a chair and a spinning wheel.
«Wow» said Mildred «I didn't know we had a spinning wheel here»
«We must have forgot about it. I think it's perfect. Lets get started» declared Miss Cackle closing the door behind her.
In the Great Hall, things were getting weirder. Miss Cackle was trying to explain to Frank that he must be mistaken «It's simply impossible Mister Blossom I never left the hall». The caretaker wouldn't hear of it «But I saw you with Mildred. You told me you were going to practise your scene»
«As I said Mister Blossom I did not see Mildred since she left the Hall to go to her room»
«Frank did you hit your head on your way here?» asked Miss Drill who was starting to get worried for the caretaker, He's been working much to hard these days.
«How many times do I have to tell you that I saw Miss Cackle and Mildred in the corridor»
«It wasn't me» this time Amelia nearly yelled
«Well if it wasn't you, it sure looks the hell like you», suddenly a thought violently struck Amelia's mind.
«What did you just say?» she asked in a weak voice
«That if it wasn't you it sure looked like you» Amelia's face lost all her remaining colours, now she was as white as a sheet and her face was distorted by dread
«Agatha» she whispered
