The next few chapters are quite long. Sorry I just can't help it this story is just writing itself.
Chapter 36
CC felt like she was under a microscope. All of the adults were looking straight at her,and the looks were not good.
"Well CC I must say I am quite disappointed with you. We talked about so many things before bringing you to Cackle's Academy were you not listening or did you just decide to ignore what was being said?" Cecilia could not hide the anger,worry and complete disappointment in her voice.
"I'm sorry Mummy I did listen and I did try but I guess I did not try hard enough. I let Ethel get to me too much. I know you said to ignore her,but she is really hard to ignore. It is not like at the reunions,there just is not as much room here. It seems like everywhere I turn or go except for my room or my friend's rooms there she is!" CC explained.
"I see, well CC you just have to learn to get along with Ethel. We are not pulling you out of Cackle's. You will run into people like Ethel everywhere CC she is not an isolated individual. You must learn to adapt with everyone even those you find that you do not like very much. Your Papa and I feel as do Miss Cackle and your Aunt Constance that you need to stay with the year twos putting you with any other class just would not be prudent." Cecilia crouched down until she was eye level with CC,she too did not like the chin method. "Listen to me CC and listen with both of your ears and all of your heart. We dearly love you and don't want anything to happen to endanger you,that is one of the reasons we chose to have you attend Cackle's. Your Aunt Constance is one of this country's most powerful witches and you can learn quite a lot from her. I think maybe you could even teach her a thing or two as well." CC smiled at Miss Hardbroom and Miss Hardbroom gave her a very small smile back and then spoke.
"Your mother is quite right CC we can both learn from each other, but I will need much more cooperation from you!"
"Yes Miss Hardbroom" since her aunt was speaking in her teacher mode CC felt this was the best way to answer. "I will try harder."
"See that you do or else." Miss Hardbroom glared at CC.
"CC please look at me" Cecilia's voice took on a very stern tone. "If I get anymore telephone calls about any more profane language or that you have had to be severly punished yet again I will personally come here and TRIPLE whatever punishment your Aunt Constance or Miss Cackle has given you. Do I make myself clear?!"
CC gulped and then answered with a trembly voice. "Yes Mummy crystal clear. May I ask a few questions please?"
"Of course CC" Cecilia stood up and then went around to a chair behind the desk. "Excuse me CC my knees are a bit sore from crouching so long." Cecilia sat down.
"Ok first question, are lines,essays,lav duty and or detention considered a severe punishment?"
Miss Hardbroom shook her head and answered CC. "No CC those are considered just normal punishments here as is dish duty,which of course you cannot do because of your bedtime."
"Ok that's good to know. Um Mummy what you just said about triple punishment is that retro-active or just from now on?"
Cecilia looked at Conrad and then Miss Hardbroom and Miss Cackle with a bemused expression "from now on CC."
"Oh good" CC said with obvious relief. "Miss Hardbroom what about the personal grooming rule?"
"I recind that rule but just for you CC the other girls don't have the magic or the magic problems that you have. But though we are going to be less restrictive on your use of magic please be careful on how and where you use it please. And you are still not allowed to teach your magic to anyone unless given permission from Miss Cackle or myself."
"Thank you Miss Hardbroom,you do know that I did not teach that potion to Nell and Budgie,they learned it by observation I have no control over that."
"Please watch your tone young lady" Miss Hardbroom admonished. "I know how Prunella and Bridget obtained that particular potion. Just be careful in potions from now on please. I know that your spells cannot be overheard so we are semi-safe there. One cannot always be totally sure of safety so be careful !"
"Yes Miss Hardbroom and I'm sorry about my tone as well. I did not mean to sound cheeky it just sort of came out that way." CC was hoping her nose did not give her away yet again. But no one said anything so she felt safe for the moment .
"Well if no one has anything more to say?" Miss Cackle looked at Miss Hardbroom,Cecilia and Conrad all shook their heads no. "Let's go join the others in the staffroom I hope there is some tea left. CC you may say your goodbyes here and go join your friends."
"Thank you Miss Cackle." CC hugged and kissed her parents Conrad could not help adding just one more piece of advice. He fixed CC with The Hardbroom Look tapped her nose with his right index finger and said two words BE GOOD!" CC nodded solomenly and left the office. CC practically flew up the stairs.
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CC knocked on Maud's door "Maud are you in?"
"Come in CC we're all here" answered Maud. "So how did it go?"
CC shrugged her small shoulders "it went ok I guess,Mummy really laid it down hard though. If HB or Miss Cackle have to give me a severe punishment Mummy will come to The Academy and triple it!"
"Ooh harsh" said Jadu.
"This time you are right Jadu. I would even say extremely harsh" CC said nodding. "And when Mummy says something she means it,she is not one to make idle threats." CC shuddered. "I also had to promise to get along better with Ethel. Mummy seems to think I can just ignore Ethel. I tried to explain how impossible that was to do here at school. Of course none of the adults believed me,though HB might have,she had a look on her face that I have never seen before."
"Really?! Wow and it wasn't a scary face?" asked Millie.
"Nope it was kind of understanding with a bit of puzzlement added in. So what are the plans for the rest of the day? Wait a moment let me test something before you answer." CC sat on the floor. "Nope still can't sit on a broom or anything else fully yet, but if you want to run races I could be the ref."
"Don't you have lines to do for Miss Hardbroom CC?" asked Millie.
"Oh sugarface I forgot about those well not really but I wanted some fun first but I guess around here it is business before pleasure. Plus I need the spells homework if there is any that is."
"Um 'sugarface' CC what exactly is 'sugarface'? And no Miss Cackle did not really have the chance to give us any spells homework." replied Maud.
"Oh that is just one of the words Amy and I use sort of swearing without actually swearing. I wish I had remembered to use it earlier. My mouth still taste terrible!"
"Sugarface cool I like it" said Enid, "I just hope it passes HB's standards."
"Yeah me too" said CC "well I'll see you all later I better get to those lines. I'm almost positive HB will be checking up on me soon." CC left Maud's room and went back to her room. At her door she just said 'hi door' and it opened right up for her. The door closed itself once CC was in the room. "Hi Pumpkin I see you found your way back. I wonder if I should tell Aunt Constance that you can 'pop'." Pumpkin looked at CC and gave her a look. Pumpkin then closed and opened her eyes twice. "No? Ok I won't unless she directly asks me. Papa and Mummy don't even know,at least I don't think they do. You are probably the only cat that can do it without help so the subject will probably never come up. I have some lines to attend to but here is some kibble to tide you over until dinnertime." CC poured a bit of kibble into Pumpkin's bowl. "Do you want fresh water now or can you wait?" Pumpkin sat by her water bowl and looked at CC and then back at the bowl. "Ok,ok no need to shout I'll just 'pop to the lav clean your water bowl and refill it as well,then 'pop' back. I'll just leave a note here by my pillow in case Aunt Constance checks on me and wants to know where I am." CC quickly wrote her note and placed it with a corner held by her pillow. She picked up Pumpkin's water bowl and 'popped' out.
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Miss Hardbroom was bored,she was tired of listening to the wizards and witches natter on and on. "Excuse me I think I'll just go and check on some of the girls." Before anyone could reply Miss Hardbroom disappeared.
"Well she certainly 'pops' off quickly" mused Cecilia.
"Yes Constance was never one to beat around the bush" said Conrad.
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Miss Hardbroom appeared in CC's room. Pumpkin was eating her kibble,she saw the look on HB's face. Pumpkin jumped onto the bed and sat by the note. She meowed in a way that caught Miss Hardbroom's attention. Miss Hardbroom saw the note,picked it up and read it quickly. Even though she knew Ethel had been taken to her room by her parents she also knew that Ethel was not locked in yet. Miss Hardbroom quickly 'popped' to the lavatory. She heard the arguement as she appeared.
"Ethel leave me alone itwas not my fault !" CC shouted.
"What was not your fault CC? asked Miss Hardbroom.
Both girls turned quickly and faced Miss Hardbroom. Miss Hardbroom could not hold back a gasp. Ethel now had a rather large rat head instead of her own.
"Constance-Cecilia just how did this happen?" Miss Hardbroom asked in a very dangerous voice.
"I came to the lav to clean Pumpkin's water bowl and to refill it. I knew Ethel was upstairs so I put up my shield spell. Miss Cackle said I could protect myself whenever an adult is not about. Ethel threw a spell at me and of course it bounced back and hit her. Now she is trying to say it is my fault that she is a rat." CC explained she was also trying really hard not to laugh. Ethel as a rat was just so right and amusing at least to CC.
"I see,well Ethel it seems you have inadvertently cast this spell on yourself. But CC could you please remove it since it bounced off of you. I think that is the best solution."
"Yes Miss Hardbroom." CC snapped her fingers and muttered a few words. Ethel was quickly back to her normal nasty self.
Ethel was so angry she temporarily forgot that Miss Hardbroom was in the lav "CC I swear..."
Miss Hardbroom cleared her throat "You swear what Ethel?"
"Oh um nothing Miss Hardbroom" Ethel knew she had blown it yet again.
"CC please take that water to you cat. Then I want you to 'pop' down to the staffroom and see if your aunt and uncle are still here. If they are will you please bring them up here to Ethel's room." Miss Hardbroom roughly pushed Ethel out of the lav and marched her down the corridor to her room.
"Wow this is going to be good" thought CC. She 'popped' to her room with Pumpkin's water. "I can't stay Pumpkin Ethel is in more trouble. I have to see if Uncle George and Aunt Kirsten are still here. I hope so. Papa and Mummy as well." CC 'popped' down to the staffroom. She was just about to knock on the door when it opened and her father came out.
"CC what are you doing out here not more trouble I hope?"
"Not for me Papa,are Uncle George and Aunt Kirsten still here?" CC tried to see around her father.
"Yes,why?"
"Aunt Constance wants me to bring them up to Ethel's room."
"Why?"
CC sighed "Ethel attacked me in the lav."
"Attacked you?! Just what do you mean by that young lady?"
"Papa could you get Uncle George and Aunt Kirsten so I don't have to explain this twice?"
"Alright CC, just a moment I think I will also get Miss Cackle and your mother as well stay right there."
"Yes sir I won't move from", CC took one step back, "this spot." CC smiled at Conrad.
Conrad gave CC a studied look and then turned to go back into the staffroom. "Fine I'll be just a moment." He quickly returned with everyone.
"CC just one question."
"Yes Mummy?"
"Are you in trouble as well?"
"I don't think so. You will just have to ask Aunt Constance I suppose."
"Don't worry we will, now please explain on our way upstairs what you meant by Ethel attacking you." Conrad 's voice was very stern.
"I stopped off to see my friends and Millie reminded me that it was business before pleasure at Cackle's. So I went to my room to do my lines. I gave Pumpkin some kibble but she needed clean water so I 'popped' to the lav. Miss Cackle gave my permission to use my shield spell when no adult is about. So I engaged the spell before I 'popped'. It was a good thing I did so because Ethel was in the lav. She said it was all my fault that she was in trouble with her parents and then she tried to attack me. She lunged at me but I just stepped aside and she hit the sink with her tummy. Once she got her breath back she whirled around and threw a spell at me. 'Big mistake Ethel' I said. Ethel looked in the mirror and she saw herself with a big rat head. Her spell bounced off of me and hit her harder then I expected. Anyway Aunt Constance 'popped' into the lav while I was shouting at Ethel that it was not my fault. I turned her back when Aunt Constance asked me to and then she asked me to come downstairs and bring Uncle George and Aunt Kirsten to Ethel's room which is right here." CC finished her explaination.
Conrad gave CC a measured look. "Cecilia please wait out here with CC please."
"Alright Conrad, CC come over here please." Cecilia held out her hand. CC took her mother's hand and stood quietly by her mother's side.
Conrad knocked on Ethel's door. Miss Hardbroom opened the door and looked out she saw the crowd and came out closing the door behind her. "Well I did not expect you and Miss Cackle as well Conrad. I'm afraid we all won't fit in Ethel's room."
"Could we handle this in Miss Cackle's office then?" asked Conrad.
"Of course" said Miss Cackle.
"Constance just one question before we go. Is CC in trouble this time?" asked Conrad.
"No this was in no way her fault."
CC sighed,squeezed her mum's hand and smiled. Her mum smiled down at her and she and CC walked down to CC's room.
"Right Constance would you do the honours please?"
"Certainly Conrad, just a moment." Miss Hardbroom reopened Ethel's door and beckoned to Ethel. Ethel came out head hanging down. Miss Hardbroom then 'popped' everyone down to Miss Cackle's office.
Back in CC's room. "Well your father was right your room is a bit dreary." Cecilia looked around.
"Oh it's not so bad it could be worse, the bed could be soft. I am the only one that likes the fact that the beds are hard. All my friends hate them."
"So you have made some good friends already then?"
"Oh yes Mummy I've had lots of fun. I don't think Aunt Constance exactly approves of my choice of Millie as a friend but Mummy Millie is really nice!"
"Yes well your Aunt Constance has very high standards CC, but from what I have heard from Algernon and your father Millie is a very good friend to have,and a very nice girl as well."
"All my friends are and they don't seem to mind that I am so much younger,in fact I think they forget sometimes that I am."
"Well you are quite a bit more mature than most eight year olds,but what about when they talk about boys and such?"
"Eew boys" CC made a face,"actually they haven't really talked about those things around me. Mummy how is Amy?"
"She is just fine CC a bit lonely for you I think but otherwise fine. Darius says to tell you that he does not miss you one bit . Which of course means... He does!" CC and her mother said at the same time and then laughed together.
CC got serious quickly though and got a thoughtful look on her face. "Mummy what am I going to do about Ethel?"
"Well darling as I said before you will just either have to try harder to get along with her or ignore her."
"But Mummy neither of those things has worked so far. It makes me tired having to be on my guard all the time. No wonder Papa is so tired at the end of the day." CC mused.
Cecilia looked at CC with a very shocked look "CC what do you mean about your Papa?"
"Well being 'THE ONE' Papa handles so many problems and he has to be on his guard as well in case 'THE OTHER' tries anything and..."
"CC how do you know about 'THE OTHER'?" Cecilia was very upset.
"Mummy really think about it those witches that tried and failed to kidnap me? Well they were not to bright and kept going on and on about how pleased 'THE OTHER' was going to be when they brought me to her. I guess she is not so pleased now."
"No,no she is not. CC please promise me not to tell anyone about 'THE OTHER' unless your Papa or I give you permission do you understand?"
"What about Aunt Constance and Miss Cackle do they know?"
"Yes but no one else at The Academy not Ethel or Sybil. I'm not sure even George or Kirsten know so please not a word promise?"
"Yes Mummy I promise not one word. Are you going to tell Papa that I know?"
"Know what?" Conrad had just come into CC's room. He carefully closed the door behind him.
"Papa come over here a moment please." Conrad was waiting for CC's answer but walked over and sat next to his wife on the bed. Pumpkin came in through CC's window and issued an excited meow at the sight of CC's parents. "Pumpkin on the bed please." Pumpkin quickly jumped onto the bed. CC hovered next to her mother and the said 'Silence Bubble' ok Papa I can answer you now no one will hear us."
"CC what in the world is going on?" Conrad was getting anxious. A silence bubble is a very large and complicated spell and took even the most powerful witches and wizards at least fifteen minutes to cast. CC had just accomplished her spell in a matter of seconds.
"Papa I know about 'THE OTHER' Mummy wanted me to tell you and I have promised not to tell anyone at The Academy about her unless I have your's or Mummy's permission."
"Yes I see this is quite serious CC. I know you will keep your promise. Now tell me how you did a silence bubble so quickly."
"Was that quick? Really? I've always been able to do it that fast how long does it usually take?"
Conrad looked at Cecilia she just looked back at him and shrugged her shoulders. The Hallow-Hardbrooms' were learning more new things about their very special daughter. "CC that is usually a very complicated spell and high wizards and witches take at least fifteen minutes to cast it!"
"Oh really? Um can other wizards and witches make a silence bubble with cloaking as well?"
"Cloaking?" Conrad gulped. "Just what do you mean by cloaking?"
"Well if anyone came into my room right now not only would they not hear us,but they would not see us either. While on the other hand we would be able to hear and see them just fine. I thought that was the way the spell worked for everybody." CC said matter-of-factly.
"No CC that is not how the spell works for everybody. You say you have always known this particular spell?"
"I don't remember learning it, it was just sort of there in my head. Is there a problem? Papa you don't look so good."
"No CC there is no problem per say, I think we need to speak some more with your Aunt Constance and Miss Cackle though. Can you remove the spell please?"
"Sure Papa" CC snapped her fingers,"there all gone."
"That is it you just snap your fingers and it goes?"
"Sure lots of my spells are dismissed that way. Papa you look a bit green. Mummy what is wrong? Maybe Ethel is right and I really am a freak!"
"No CC you are not a freak don't ever think that! You are just a very rare and unusual witch. I now know more than ever that sending you here to Cackle's was a very wise decision. Let's go down to Miss Cackle's office we really need to speak with her and Constance. Come on Conrad." Conrad was still looking a bit green and dazed as well.
"Mummy do you have any crystallized ginger?"
"Well of course you know I keep some in my bag in case one of you children feel queasy."
"I think Papa needs some he looks awfully green."
Cecilia reached into her bag and pulled out a small tin box. She opened it and handed her husband a piece of the ginger. Then closed the box and returned it to her bag. "Conrad put it in your mouth please. Really Conrad snap out of it." Cecilia tapped her husband's cheek lightly with her hand.
"What did you do that for Cecilia?"
"Welcome back dear now eat your ginger and let's go!"
Conrad looked down at his hand and saw a piece of crystallized ginger there he quickly ate it before his wife went all weird again.
"CC will you 'pop' us downstairs please?" Cecilia asked.
"Sure Mummy. Are you ready Papa?" Conrad nodded he was still busy chewing. CC 'popped' her family to Miss Cackle's door. "Pumpkin you were not supposed to come too go back to the room." CC hissed at her cat. Pumpkin gave CC a haughty look. She went where no one could see her and then 'popped' herself back to the middle of CC's bed. She really was the most remarkable and intelligent witches cat ever!