Okay another long chapter which I
would have posted earlier but I got called into work on my day off! This is my longest chapter by far so leave plenty of time to read.
Chapter 35
Ethel's mouth dropped open. She could not remember the last time her mother visited The Academy. Why were there so many wizards about and her Aunt Cecilia as well?
"Do close your mouth dear you look most unattractive" scolded Kirsten Hallow.
"Mummy what are you and Daddy doing here? Why are there so many wizards with you as well?"
"All in due time Ethel all in due time" replied George Hallow somewhat mysteriously.
Conrad spoke up "Miss Cackle I don't think your office is going to be large enough for all of us,perhaps we could use The Great Hall?"
"Certainly sir,please follow me everyone,that includes all of you girls as well. Miss Drill could you please get Miss Bat I think she needs to hear all of this as well. Tell the rest of the students that classes are cancelled for the rest of the day as well. Detention will be held at the usual time this evening."
"Right away Miss Cackle." Miss Drill jogged off to Miss Bat's classroom. They returned quickly and joined everyone in The Great Hall.
"Eggbert did you remember to get rid of the brazier in the infirmary? We certainly don't need any accidents."
"Oh right Conrad I'll just move it up here shall I? Take the chill off of the room,castle's never seem to get warm do they?" Chief Wizard Hellibore pointed his staff at the middle of the room and his brazier appeared and sent off a bit of heat.
"CC why are you making that funny face?" asked Cecilia.
"I was hoping the soap taste had gone but it has not" CC replied not looking at her mother but at Miss Hardbroom.
"Soap taste? Oh CC what did you do?" Cecilia's voice dripped with disappointment.
"Well CC tell your mother " Conrad put his hand under CC's chin and lifted her head a bit higher.
"Miss Hardbroom administered a mouthwash earlier today because I um well..."
"For the rude 'Eye of Toad' chant and some profane language as well, Conrad we discussed this on the telephone why didn't you tell Cecilia?"
Conrad removed his hand from CC's chin. CC rubbed the back of her neck. "I did not get the chance Constance. The other call came from Miss Drill and I had to get everyone here. Sorry dear I was going to tell you." Conrad turned to his wife and apologised. "But you did not explain everything Constance could you or Constance-Cecilia elaborate please?"
"Uh-oh" thought CC, "full name I'm in for it again!"
"Conrad I think we can discuss all that later." Miss Hardbroom waved her hands and a few chairs that had been stacked against the walls appeared behind each person in the room. "Please sit everyone I think we need to discuss a few things." Miss Hardbroom of course did not sit, she paced. "Conrad how much have you told Chief Wizard Hellibore and Algernon Rowen-Webb about CC?"
"Not very much I'm afraid,the decision to send her to school happened rather suddenly. Which is why she started near the end of this middle term,and not at the beginning."
"Conrad perhaps you should start at the beginning of CC's story. I know I am a bit confused and from the looks on some of the other faces here I would say they are as well" stated The Chief Wizard.
"Alright no reason the girls should not know this. Now as everyone knows CC's powers started extremely early." Everybody nodded their heads. "Right well after the incident at the reunion when CC was two..."
"Excuse me sir but what incident was that?" asked Miss Drill.
"Constance I thought you told all the teachers!"
"No Conrad only Miss Cackle I did not want to embarrass Ethel anymore than I had to. You can see how she still feels about it" Miss Hardbroom waved her hand in Ethel's direction.
Ethel was covering her face with her hands but the parts that could be seen where extremely red.
CC stepped over to Miss Drill and Miss Bat and whispered the story quickly to them. Even including the way her uncle had punished her making sure to explain Levels and spell spanking to Miss Drill. Since Miss Drill was not a witch she would not know about those two things.
"Wow" was all Miss Drill and Miss Bat said.
"Now if I may continue? When we returned home from the reunion we put the children to bed. Amy and CC share a room,even though there are more than enough rooms for all of the children to have their own rooms. CC has since the day she was born been Amy's special charge. They protect each other quite fiercely. Sometimes too fiercely as I found out later that evening. Cecilia had her feet up,remember she was quite pregnant with Darius at the time. I was reading a few wizard reports when we heard an unusual amount of noise coming from the direction of the girl's bedroom. Cecilia started to get up but I told her I would take care of whatever was happening upstairs and she sank back down in her chair. Those two should have been on their tummies fast asleep after the day we had all just been through. When I reached the top of the stairs I found Bertie out in the hallway. 'What are you doing out here son?' Bertie pointed to the girl's bedroom where another large bang had just emitted and some flashes of light as well. I took Bertie back to his room and tucked him back in,and then went to deal with the girls. I tried to open the girl's bedroom door. It would not open. I then pounded rather hard and loud on the door and demanded that they open it immediately. All the noise and lights stopped at once and the door opened by itself. Both girls were in their beds but they both had guilty looks on their faces as well. 'What is going on here' I'm afraid I shouted because Amy burst into tears and CC just said 'my fault' and then her nose turned purple. CC tried to take the blame for a spell that Amy was trying. Amy was still crying and trying to talk at the same time. CC just kept saying 'my fault I did it don't be mad at Amy' and her nose just kept getting more and more purple. Amy finally calmed down and said it was not CC but she that had caused all the ruckus. When I asked CC if she had been lying to protect and help her sister,she said yes and her nose was instantly back to normal. So that is how we found out about CC's nose and what happens when she lies."
"Wow" said Enid.
"Little freak" whispered Ethel under her breath hoping that she was not heard.
"I heard that Ethel" hissed Kirsten Hallow "We'll talk about that later."
Ethel hunched and slid down a bit in her chair until a glare from Miss Hardbroom made her sit up straight.
"Yes indeed Enid wow is a great way to put it." Conrad gave Ethel and his sister-in-law a thoughtful look and then spoke again. "I'm not quite finished though shall I continue?"
Everyone nodded even Ethel she did not need any more focus turned on her right now. "Right well after Darius was born we found out quite a few more things about CC's powers. Everyone was around Darius's cot admiring him. CC was too short to see him and there were too many people in the way. I heard a gasp from Amy and looked over. CC was hovering over the cot six feet in the air. I did not want to startle her so I asked her what she was doing.
"CC see Darius,he not so much" and she calmly lowered herself to the floor grabbed Amy's hand and they left the room. Cecilia and I decided after that incident to teach the children at home. We did not want any incidents to happen at school or have to explain things if Amy mentioned what was happening at our house. Every year CC's powers have gotten stronger and stronger. We finally decided after a major incident this year to test her for school. CC tested into all the witch and wizard academies all over the world. We felt she would be safest here at Cackle's and also get a really good witch education as well."
"Did you say safest sir?" asked Miss Bat.
"Yes Miss Bat safest,we had quite a fright when some unsavory witches heard about CC. There was an attempt to kidnap her,but Amy and Bertie were able to help CC stop the plot. So after much discussion with the entire family CC was sent here to Cackle's."
"And where are those unsavory witches now Conrad? And was it anyone we might know?" asked The Chief Wizard.
"They are in exile and have been stripped of all of their powers and no I don't think any of you know these particular witches."
"Right well thank you for enlightening everyone a bit more Conrad..."
Miss Hardbroom was interuppted by a rather loud knock on The Great Hall door. She opened the door and there stood Jadu with a rather frightened look on her face. "What is it Jadu?"
"Please Miss Hardbroom there was a rather loud bang from the fifth year corridor and ..." Jadu was pushed aside as everyone rushed out to see what was going on.
Miss Hardbroom arrived first and all but choked on the smoke and stench. Nell Quince flung open her bedroom door and she and Budgie Birdwell tumbled out into the corridor coughing. The smoke and smell was coming out of Nell's room.
"Well Prunella maybe you and Bridget would care to explain this mess." Before anyone could say anything CC snapped her fingers and the smoke disappeared,the smell however still lingered. Miss Hardbroom whipped around and turned her attention toward CC. "Who gave you permission to interfere Constance-Cecilia?!"
"Nobody Miss Hardbroom,but everyone was starting to choke I just felt it was safer if the smoke was gone,shall I bring it back?"
Conrad clamped his right hand onto the back of CC's neck and shook her a bit. "Now is not the time for any cheek Constance-Cecilia" he said in his sternest voice. "And why do I have the feeling you are somehow mixed up in this hmm?"
Nell spoke up quickly "It is not CC's fault sir. Budgie and I were trying out a potion and things just sort of blew up." Nell and Budgie both hung their heads they knew Miss Hardbroom was about to explode she did not disappoint them for long.
"YOU TWO KNOW THAT IT IS
STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TO BREW POTIONS OUTSIDE THE POTIONS
LAB!" Miss Hardbroom's
face was purple with rage but then she asked a bit more quietly,
"Just what potion is this anyway?"
"It is a stink bomb Miss Hardbroom and I guess it is partially my fault" replied CC.
"Partially your fault? Just what do you mean by that young lady?" Conrad clamped down even harder on CC's neck. CC squealed and her mother intervened.
"Conrad let go of her that is not helping." Conrad let go of CC and Cecilia pulled her away. "CC please tell me what is going on."
CC looked around there were way too many people and for the first time in CC's life she felt overwhelmed. "Please Mummy could we go to Miss Cackle's office there are too many people here."
"That is an excellent idea CC",said Miss Cackle,"I think Miss Hardbroom can escort Nell and Budgie there now. Some of us will meet you there shortly." Miss Hardbroom pushed Nell and Budgie down the hall not too gently and then marched them down to Miss Cackle's office. "Mr Hallow-Hardbroom I think CC is right not everyone needs to be in my office for this. I think just you and your wife and CC of course, yes CC what is it?" CC was trying to get Miss Cackle's attention.
"Please Miss Cackle I would also like Enid,Maud,and Millie there as well and Millie could you bring your notes from our study group please?"
"Sure CC I'll just run and get them we'll all meet back at MIss Cackle's office ok?"
"That is fine Mildred make sure you girls hurry." Miss Cackle gave her permission and the girls hurried down to the second year corridor.
"Looks like you will have help with the dishes Enid" remarked Maud.
"Yup I wonder what else HB will make them do and having CC's father there as well. I really feel sorry for Nell and Budgie. Did you see the look on Ethel's face while CC's father was talking in The Great Hall?"
"Dangerous if you ask me. At first of course she was embarrassed but then when the focus was off her I did not like the look in her eye one bit and did you hear what she muttered about CC?" asked Millie.
"No what?"
"She called her a little freak and her mum heard her as well and hissed a warning at her!"
"Look you two we need to find those notes and get down to the office I don't want to miss anything!" Maud was getting anxious.
"Ok Maud here they are let's go" the girls all trooped down to Miss Cackle's office arriving there at the same time as CC and her parents.
"Where's Miss Cackle?" asked Millie.
"She went to the staffroom to make the others more comfortable. I think she is asking Miss Tapioca to make them all tea. Ethel got dragged to her room." CC looked at her parents and then raised an eyebrow at Millie.
"Oh right yes I see" Millie handed the study notes to CC, "Here are the notes you wanted CC."
"Thanks Millie. These will explain some things Papa." CC handed the notes to her father. "May I just go over there and talk with my friends while we wait for Miss Cackle?" CC asked politely and waving her hand down the corridor a bit. CC's parents nodded their consent and sat down on the bench outside Miss Cackle's office to go over the study notes.
"CC what is going on?" hissed Enid.
"Well after you three left Ethel got all huffy about not being invited to Miss Cackle's office,and before Papa could even say anything Aunt Kirsten slapped Ethel's face and dragged her away."
"Whoa what else did Ethel say to make her mum do that?" asked Enid.
"What do you mean what else did she say something earlier?"
"Go on Mil you tell her you are the one that heard her." Enid elbowed Millie.
"Well CC Ethel was muttering under her breath and I guess she thought she was being quiet enough but not only did I hear her but so did her mum."
"What did she call me now Millie?"
"Little freak" Millie replied.
"Oh is that all she has been calling me that my whole life it does not bother me at all. Though I know Aunt Kirsten hates it when she calls me that. So I guess that might be part of the reason she slapped Ethel but I think the other reason is that Ethel was quite snarky when she answered her mum and she got all high and mighty as well. That combination never goes over very well with parents. Anyway Aunt Kirsten demanded an apology and when Ethel wouldn't and even told Aunt Kirsten no,well that is when Aunt Kirsten slapped her. Even Sybil was shocked. Uncle George told Sybil to stay with the group and he followed Aunt Kirsten and Ethel. I also heard Aunt Kirsten mumble something about another Level 2!"
"Oh wow Ethel is going to be even more dangerous than ever" said Millie.
"I know we'll just have to stay out of her way as much as humanly possible" CC stated crossing her eyes and laughing.
"Mildred" called Conrad, "could you come here a moment please?"
"Yes sir" Millie replied and walked back to the bench.
"Could you decifier this small note you wrote on the side please?" Conrad handed a piece of the study notes to Millie.
"Do not add bogweed to any potion especially this one or there will be a collassall stink."
"Oh well you spelled colossal wrong not that it matters as long as you understand your notes. Could you explain this to me please?"
Millie looked at CC. "Go ahead Millie it is alright."
"Well we were studying for our potions exam and CC was helping. I got things all muddled up as usual and CC told me that if I put bogweed into that particular potion it would make a stink bomb. And while that might be interesting she did not think it would be on our exam. So that is why I wrote that note down,because knowing me I might just forget again sir."
"I see, well I think you give yourself too little credit,but thank you Mildred it clears up part of our problem but not all. Does it Constance-Cecilia?"
"No Papa" CC whispered and scuffed the floor with her foot.
Just then Miss Cackle came back from the staffroom. "I think we can go in now." Miss Cackle opened the door to her office. Nell and Budgie were standing in front of the desk and Miss Hardbroom was scolding them most furiously. "Miss Hardbroom while I am quite sure the girls need to be disciplined could you hold off a bit until we get the rest of the story?" Miss Cackle sat down and indicated where the Hallow-Hardbroom's should sit as well.
"I think I have part of the answer right here Constance." Conrad handed Millie's study notes to Miss Hardbroom.
"Mildred your spelling is atrocious but as they are your notes for yourself I suppose it does not matter as much. Well this does clear up somethings but not all. Would somebody care to enlighten us more please?"
CC tried to speak but Nell beat her to it. "It was during potions lab last week Miss Hardbroom, you know the one you had CC sit in on? Well CC was joking around a bit but you had her working with Maura and Maureen and those two just do not joke. They threatened to tell on CC. Budgie and I could tell that CC was just joking but we had also been observing the potion they were attempting. So today while everyone was busy we decided to try it and well we must have added a wrong ingredient or something because all of a sudden it blew up and well you know the rest."
"I see" Miss Hardbroom's voice was icy. "Well it will come as no surprise to you two that you have dish duty not only for the rest of the week but for the next two months. Detention for the next two months as well,make sure to bring your Witch's Code and plenty of exercise books and pens. There will also be many lines but I will let you know what they are later. Now go upstairs and take a couple of showers and wash your hair as well you both smell terrible!"
"Miss Cackle had me take care of the odor upstairs so your room and the corridor don't smell anymore" said CC.
"Thank you Miss Hardbroom" both girls said as they left the room. Nell winked and smiled at CC,CC smiled back but she knew she was not in the clear just yet.
"Well now what to do about Miss CC,but first Mildred,Maud and Enid you girls may go we no longer need your help." Conrad waved the girls out.
"Let's go fill in Jadu and Ruby" said Millie as the girls made their way upstairs.