A big chunky chapter to make up for lack of recent updates, short weekly ones to be back soon. thank you for sticking this far and this long with it!

Davina Bat was not, despite what some thought of her, a stupid woman. A bit batty yes but not stupid. She was normally up for anything and trusted her own judgement where others wouldn't. But now Davina was regretting her impulsive decision to climb aboard the prototype. And the feeling wasn't improved by being hand the cannibalized welding mask.

Still, it was quite exciting. let it never be said Lady Davinana several middle names Baton. - (Of the ancient vampidic house of York. Of Third High Witch of the Coven of the Wild Meadows. And once base player slash lead singer of the SkullCrushers.) - wasn't a good sport nor loyal. Plus it wouldn't do to let CoNstance HAAARDBROOM see she was afraid.

So rather than hop off the Mark Three when Imogen approached her with the mask, Davina pulled it on as best she could. Her ear still poked out the top.

Mildred saw that the back of a screen to where the eye hole should be, but no idea what she could be seeing. Whether Miss Bat was Squealing in delight or fright was hard to tell. But she was describing what she was seeing on the screen very well. So well in fact:

"Listen to that, it's flying around the school!" Maud whispered.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure! Nowhere else has two towers, a yard and a view to Dragon's Peak in the distance. Miss Nightingale must have flown around the school to make it seem real."

"Like real flying…"

"Mildred, she might have even flown a mock-up of the attitude test!"

Budding ideas aside, it was both fascinating spectacle to watch. and bizarre. They were not able to see what Bat herself was seeing. So it was essential watching a bunch of adults watching someone else in a mask laughing to themselves. Except for the Mark Three's broom. It was the only moving bit of the equipment, occasionally tipping forward and backwards. it Rose and down Like a merry go round horse…only faster. And faster.

"I'm not the only one who thinks this looks really weird to watch right?" Jadu asked her friends. It didn't help the Mark Three was still picking up speed.

"Is it meant to do that?" Maud whispered, as it lurched a little.

"I'm not the only one who thinks this looks really weird to watch right?" Ms Scales asked her colleagues.

The dragon personally couldn't remember a time when she'd seen HB so tense and angry. And Scales'd been at Cackle's thirty years. Considering she once seen HB catch a fourth year with a fire work potion, this was worrying!

"Is it meant to do that?" Amelia asked. well, bellowed.

"Well- No not really-." Frank admitted. the machine was getting louder (Amelia hadn't though t it was possible to be near deafened when dead!) and its movements were becoming jerkier. almost bucking Davina off! In fact, Davina had the broom in a white knuckled grip in one hand and an arm flaying in the other, Like a cowboy on a rodeo bull. Imogen frowned and tried adjusting a didlum on the dial. but Another hiccup and Davina's manic giggles Turned sharply from delight to dread. (Unlike the first year the headmistress could tell the difference in Davina's shrieks and squeals.)

"Oh, stop I want to get off! Turn it off! Stop it!"

"What?"

"Turn It OFF!"

Before Imogen or Frank could initiate any form of shut down procedure, Constance sent a sharp bolt of magic at the large red button on the machine. The Mark Three froze. then whined as it powered down. It wasn't the only one.

"Hey-!"

But Constance ignored any protest as she strode forward and seized the 'helmet' off Davina's head.

"This Is Outrageous!" she said Dropping the visor as if touching technology had burnt her more than a sunny afternoon in June. "Flying is a Skill! Any IDIOT could do this!"

"It's just for training!" Imogen shot back. Miss Drill was ether very brave or very daft to argue toe to toe with a vampire like that Mildred decided. Even more so given it was HB.

"You mean to put the girls on THAT?!"

"well, yes. When it's ready. You said this only this morning how less and less of the girls have had had any sort of experience before they come here! In fact, you've said it every year as far as I know."

"it's why we thought it would help." Frank injected. He then shrank back when HB's glare flickered at him. (Mildred felt very sorry for him she hated being on the end of that look.)

"That does not mean we start replace real flying with pretend." Constance said. It was A low cutting cold remark and it only got lower. "The Broomstick aptitude test to see if the girls have witch craft in their Blood Miss Drill. Not to see if they can perform like trained monkeys."

Before Imogen could retort, a high c pitched screech cut the argument in half. Davina had remained frozen since the helmet had come off, even when Ingra had waved a hand in front of her face. But having had her fill of the arguing and possibly now suffering some form reality crash, Davina shot off the Flight simulator. And into the cupboard; slamming the doors dramatically so hard it shook. And, dislodging Professor Gimlet who'd been hiding underneath it.

Everyone scowled or huffed-. (Except Frank who didn't have enough face left to scowl nor had never been a scowly person.) -At Constance for upsetting the other vampire. Particularly Imogen and Ingra. And Gullet, but she was always scowling anyway.

"We'll be lucky if we can get her out of there before half term." Miss Cackle said well scolded. She cleared her throat and started diplomatically. "Now, I can see your point- "

("Whose point?" came a growl from behind the sofa. The Professor was always sour and rude after being disturbed.)

"But following that display, I think it needs a few more try outs and stringent testing." Miss Cackle continued sparing the sofa a glance. "Cover 'it' up again Mr Blossom and return it to your shed.

"The scrap heap would be the best place." Constance sniffed.

"You may move it into the hall after The Night shift starts and we will give it another trail run. I'll make my decision later, now if you'll excuse me."

"But Miss Cackle-!" Imogen tried.

"Give 'er a chaaance?" Frank pleaded.

"I'll make my decision later." Miss Cackle repeated firmly. "Now if you'll excuse me. I believe the bell will be going soon, and I have to fetch some paper work from my office."

With that, she left her staff to their varying degrees of approval or disapproval with the whole affair. And left the room. Via the closed door.

It was very lucky that the girls had the sense to make a break for it as Miss Cackle began to excuse herself. Most teenagers wouldn't have. Even them Maud, Mildred, Ruby and Jadu only got out of the way and down the stairs and along the corridor just in nick time. Their headmistress floated through the door and though the space they'd been a moment earlier!

They joined with the rest of their class and the other girls. And watched from a distance, as an unsympathetic Miss Hardbroom held the staffroom door open. Miss Drill and Mr Blossom carried the Mark Flight Simulator out again as one might a coffin. Other members of staff followed it out and headed off for the next lesson and HB vanished from sight. Unaware outside the doors the first years had hatched a plan.

One that involved Mildred getting some extra broomstick practice in; without leaving the ground.

Thanks for reading, see you next week!