I still don't know how long this story is going to take but there are some changes in later chapters so please keep reading! Oh and a crocheting eight year old is not that unusual especially if they go to a Waldorf school!

Chapter 49

Later upstairs in the bedroom the girls are sharing. Sybil is sitting on one bed and CC on the other. "So CC what did your parents get you?"

CC jumped off the bed and went to the wardrobe. She opened the door and pulled out the crate. She stumbled back over to the bed,she then pulled out the swift,the wooden wool winder,the hooks and the wool. "They bought me all of this except for the wool Em and Berry gave me all of the wool for free!"

"Um CC I know what the wool is and the crochet hooks,but what are those two other things? Why in the world would you even want any of this?" Sybil could not understand why a child would be interested in all that kind of work.

"Well Sybil I really like to crochet. It relaxes me and quiets my mind." CC put her hand on the swift. "This is a swift, you place your... wait a minute let me show you then you will get the idea." CC went over to a small table that was below the window. She carefully removed the small lamp that was on it and placed it carefully on the floor. She then dragged the table over to the bed. She attached the swift to the table and the wooden wool winder as well. The winder attached with a rather large clamp. She then took one of the smaller skeins of colourful wool and carefully placed it around the swift. She then threaded the wool onto the winder. Even with the swift CC kept her hand on the wool thread between the swift and the winder to control the tension. "Are you getting the idea yet Sybil?"

"So you use the swift instead of a person?"

"Right I don't have to worry about someone's arms getting too tired. Before you ask I don't like using magic when I crochet,not even to untangle tangled wool. The whole point is to not use magic for any of this. The swift as you saw folds down nicely. Now watch as I turn the handle of the wool winder." CC carefully turned the handle on the wool winder,a nice ball of wool started to form. It only took CC about three minutes to wind the skein onto the centre spool of the wool winder. She carefully plucked the thread off of the centre spool and then gently pulled on the wound ball of wool. The thread now came out of the centre of the wound wool ball. It was not really a ball as the bottom and the top were flat.

"CC how do you keep Pumpkin from playing with your wool while you are working with it?"

"Well Bertie actually came up with a solution for me. I have a fat square box that is clear. You are supposed to keep paper tissues in it but my wool fits in perfectly. Well not always that is the only time I will use magic. I stretch the box to fit the wool and I pull the thread through the top. I also made the opening a bit smaller with some cardboard I punched a hole in the middle of the cardboard for the thread to come through. At first the thread kept catching on the rough edges but Papa gave me a little rubber grommet and when I put that in the hole it fit perfectly and the thread no longer catches. Unfortunately I left my box at home there just was no room to pack one more thing in my trunk."

"Well it all just looks like work to me. Em and Berry tried to teach me but I just never liked it,knitting is even worse."

"I don't like to knit either." CC was looking back in the crate "hey there are even more hooks in here. An entire set of metals and a case! Wow look at this one have you ever seen anything so small? It must be for lace or something. I'll have to ask Miss Bat I guess." CC held up a metal crochet hook with a head so small it could hardly even be called a hook.

"But I thought Miss Bat didn't want anything to do with you."

"Well not for chanting,but Em and Berry think I might get on her good side with the crocheting. I guess we will see when we get back."

Just then Cecilia stuck her head into the room. "Sybil? Your Uncle Conrad wants you in his study please bring your new broomstick. CC will join you in a moment."

"Alright Aunt Cecilia,see you soon CC." Sybil waved picked up the leather case containing her new broomstick and left the room.

Cecilia closed the door, "so I take it you are enjoying your gift?"

"Oh Mummy it is so wonderful. I did an entire skein of wool in only three minutes. I had to show Sybil, it was much easier than explaining everything." As CC talked she was carefully packing everything back into the crate. "Thank you for the metal hooks and case as well. They were a very nice surprise and the case even has room for all of the bamboos as well!" CC's eyes were shining with excitement.

"Alright,alright calm down now please. Let me help you move the table back." Cecilia picked up one end of the table and CC picked up the other end. They carefully moved it back under the window and Cecilia placed the lamp back onto the table centre directly in the window. Cecilia then turned the lamp on. It was actually a night light and had a rather pleasant glow. "CC have you finished the lines I assigned you?"

"Yes Mummy." CC handed her mother the exercise book.

Cecilia leafed through the four pages. "Very good. How about the lines for your Aunt Constance?"

"I haven't quite finished the bathing lines. I have finished the essay and I have completed four hundred of the fourteen hundred lines. Aunt Constance wants them all by Friday. I should have them all completed by then."

"Make sure that you do. CC about your essay did you go over the five thousand assigned words?"

"Yes by two hundred words is that a problem. Papa did warn me about Aunt Constance but do you think going over that little bit will be a problem?"

"Well apparently when your Aunt Constance says five thousand she means five thousand. Before you edit I think we should call the school and find out. I'll try to do that while you go down to the study and help your Papa with the protection spells for Sybil's broomstick. CC we have decided to let you stay up until eight o'clock tonight. We will be driving back the normal way tomorrow,so if you are tired you may sleep on the way back alright?"

"Yes Mummy. Um Mummy could you give these pictures to Amy for me please?" CC handed her mother two pictures. "Don't look at them Mummy." CC warned.

"Why what are they CC?" Cecilia asked curiously.

"I drew copies of the germs and bacteria,so Amy could see what Aunt Constance has me doing."

"Thank you for the warning. Come along I'll go down with you and get a large envelope for these from your papa."

"Shall I 'pop' us down?"

"Alright scamp girl take my hand."

"Ready Mummy?"

"Yes."

CC 'popped' them down to her father's study door. CC knocked sharply and the door opened. "About time you two showed what kept you?" Conrad was a bit peevish.

"Just some girl talk Conrad." Cecilia gave CC's shoulder a squeeze. "Conrad could I have a large envelope please? CC has drawn some pictures for Amy." Conrad opened a desk drawer and took out a large envelope and handed it to Cecilia. "Thank you,well I am going to try and get in touch with Miss Cackle, I will see everyone later." Cecilia left the study.

"Well CC any ideas about what protection spells we should use?" asked Conrad. Sybil looked at her uncle in surprise. She could not remember her parents ever asking for her opinion on anything.

"Well, I think a permission spell,an anti-theft spell in case someone gets past the permission spell and lastly I think a repelling spell would be prudent."

"All very good suggestions. How about it Sybil how do those sound?" Conrad looked at Sybil.

"Uncle Conrad I have absolutely no idea what any of those spells are. Whatever you and CC do will be just fine." Sybil was very pleased to be consulted.

"I keep forgetting you are only a first year." Conrad said and Sybil blushed.

"Papa! Talk about being indelicate you are embarrassing Sybil." CC was appalled.

Sybil mumbled a bit, "it's alright CC."

"No it's not, is it Papa?"

"CC is right. I'm sorry Sybil, I spoke out of turn."

Sybil was very flustered she didn't know what to say,feel or even do. She covered her face with her hands. Her feelings were so jumbled she was afraid she might start to cry.

"Oh Sybil really it is alright." CC started patting Sybil's back. "Papa do something." CC hissed at her father.

Conrad hissed back "what would you have me do?"

"Go get Mummy."

Conrad lifted the protection spell so he could 'pop' out of the study. He returned with Cecilia just moments later. "Oh Conrad what have you said now?" Cecilia sighed. Conrad threw his hands up in the air and shrugged his shoulders. He was not used to such emotional girls. "Sybil dear why don't you come with me. Conrad could you and CC protect Sybil's broomstick without Sybil here?"

"Yes Cecilia" Conrad sighed "I'll send CC for Sybil when and if we need her."

"Right, come along Sybil. We will go and have a cup of tea and some of Mrs Turtlewell's wonderful biscuits. Actually why don't you help me make up a tray for everyone? We will bring it back here."

Sybil uncovered her face. Her face was quite splotchy but she had managed not to cry. "Yes please Aunt Cecilia."

"Maybe a nice cold flannel for your face as well would that help?" Sybil nodded and left with Cecilia. Cecilia put her arm around Sybil's shoulder and gave her a small squeeze. She sent a freezing look back at Conrad and left the study.

"Ooh Papa that was chilly. I hate it when Mummy gives me the freeze look."

"I don't like it either CC believe me."

"Of course I believe you. Now Papa what are we going to do with the broomstick?"

"I think we will use all of your suggestions CC we may add more later maybe your Aunt Constance will have a few suggestions as well."

"Alright so how long do you need for casting Papa?" CC asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Watch that cheek young lady." Conrad laughed as he said this so CC knew he was just joking. "Give me about ten minutes."

"What can I do while I wait?" CC hated just sitting around with nothing to do.

"Well you could get a few more of your lines completed. Your mum said you still had quite a few to do."

CC sighed, "yes, I suppose. May I conjure my exercise book please?" CC knew her father had special protection spells on his study and she needed permission for her conjure spell.

"Yes you may. Why don't you have it appear over at the little desk?" Conrad had a small desk in his study as well as his large main desk. It was not actually all that small but compared to his main desk it seemed that way. Conrad also elongated the legs on the desk chair so CC could write in some comfort.

CC hopped up on to the chair and conjured the exercise book with the lines she had already completed. "Oh Papa I need a pen as well,may I conjure mine?"

"Yes CC but I can lend you one."

"I really like the feel of mine Papa and it writes so smoothly. It is the one Miss Denham gave me for my birthday."

"Alright CC I understand completely. Yes you may conjure your pen."

CC snapped her fingers and her pen appeared in her hand. She sighed deeply as she opened her exercise book and started line four hundred and one.

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Back at Cackle's in the staffroom.

"Things seem a bit quieter around here without our little whirlwind." Commented Miss Cackle biting into a cheese danish.

Miss Hardbroom raised an eyebrow. "Really? What about this afternoon with the explosion in my classroom?"

"Well yes there was that,but not much else today. CC really does spice things..." Miss Cackle stopped there was a knock on the staffroom door. Miss Cackle opened the door and found Fenny and Gris standing there. "Yes girls what is it?"

"Your telephone is ringing in your office Miss Cackle. In fact it rang several times stopped and started again." Fenny replied and Gris nodded.

"Oh my goodness." Miss Cackle pushed past the girls and sprinted down the corridor.

"Thank you girls you may go." Miss Hardbroom waved Fenny and Gris away. She closed the staffroom door and followed Miss Cackle down the corridor but at a more sedate pace.

Miss Cackle reached the telephone just in time. "Hello?" she answered breathlessly. "Oh hello Mrs Hallow-Hardbroom is there a problem?" Miss Cackle sat down with a small plop and waved Miss Hardbroom into the room. Miss Hardbroom closed the door behind her. Then stood with her arms crossed and waited. "Oh I see,yes well she is standing right here. I'll ask her. Pardon? Just a minute yes I'll ask her." Miss Cackle covered the mouth piece with her hand. "Constance it is your sister-in-law she has a question about the length of CC's essay will you please speak with her?"

"Oh very well." Miss Hardbroom reluctantly took the telephone from Miss Cackle. "Yes Cecilia what is it?" Miss Hardbroom listened and once again raised an eyebrow at the answer. "No she does not need to edit,that will be just fine. Pictures as well? Hmm tell her I look forward to reading it. Anything else? No what time will you be back with the girls? By lunchtime yes that will be fine. No I think they can make up their morning classes easily later. Alright see you tomorrow. Goodbye Cecilia."

"So Constance what was that about?" Miss Cackle was very curious.

"Well it seems CC went a bit over on her essay. Instead of five thousand words she went two hundred over. She has also illustrated her work as well. Usually the girls have trouble getting to the required number of words, I don't remember anyone ever going over before."

"No Constance me either. I think I would like to read her essay as well. When you have finished with it of course."

"Of course Amelia, well let's go back to the staffroom, I need to get back to correcting my papers."

Miss Cackle cleared her throat. "Yes me as well I suppose. It is such a tedious but necessary chore."

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Back at the Hallow-Hardbroom townhouse.

"Alright Sybil you take the platter of biscuits and I'll take the tray of tea things,shall I 'pop' us up?" Cecilia asked as she picked up the tray.

"Aunt Cecilia do you mind if I walk up? 'Popping' makes me a bit queasy."

"Oh I didn't realize, yes I'll meet you outside Conrad's study door. It will give me time to make a quick telephone call. Go on dear."

"Thank you Aunt Cecilia." Sybil picked up the platter of biscuits and left the kitchen. She was delayed in the corridor by her father. "Oh hello Daddy I was wondering where you were."

"Good Evening Sybil. Wow those look good may I have one?"

Sybil laughed, "of course. I am on my to Uncle Conrad's study with them. Aunt Cecilia is 'popping' up with the tea things. You know how 'popping' makes me feel."

"Oh yes I remember, I often feel the same way." George laughed.

Mr Hallow and Sybil arrived outside Conrad's study. "Aunt Cecilia should be here any minute. She asked me to wait for her out here."

"Alright Sybil I'll just eat my biscuit while we wait."

"Sure Daddy."

Cecilia appeared behind George. Sybil's eyes widened but she did not say anything. "Well George sneaking a biscuit? Some habits never go away do they?"

George jumped guiltily, "caught me sis. Though I didn't sneak it,Sybil gave me permission."

"Well that is good. That is a good example you are setting George. Now knock on the study door please this tray is not exactly light!"

George grinned sheepishly and knocked on the door. "Just a moment please." They heard Conrad call. The door opened about twenty seconds later.

"Really Conrad you need a table in the corridor. My arms are absolutely leaden."

"I'm sorry Cecilia CC and I were casting a few spells on the broomstick."

"Alright, but I still want Mr Turtlewell to put a hall table out there. George do you want a cup of tea?"

"Yes please Cecilia."

"Well then it is a lucky thing that I put an extra teacup on the tray." She then prepared everyone's tea to their liking and handed each a teacup. Sybil walked around with the biscuit platter and everyone politely took a biscuit. Sybil set the platter down and selected her own biscuit,she then took her teacup from her aunt.

Conrad swallowed "Thank you Cecilia that hit the spot. Now Sybil, CC and I have put several protection spells on your broomstick. I will also be consulting Miss Hardbroom to see if she thinks we need to add anymore. So Cecilia about that telephone call?" Conrad raised an eyebrow in The Hardbroom manner.

"Oh right, CC you don't have to edit your essay. I spoke with Miss Hardbroom and she said she was looking forward to reading it. I also warned her about the illustrations." Cecilia made a face.

"Illustrations? What essay did you have to write CC?" asked Mr Hallow.

"The Importance of Keeping Clean." CC replied blushing.

"Oh? And what are the illustrations?"

"Germs and bacteria in living colour." CC replied.

George Hallow also made a face. Seems he too had a jumpy stomach. "If you don't mind CC I'd rather not see your essay or it's illustrations."

CC grinned "are you sure Uncle George? I have Amy's copies right here or Mummy does."

Mr Hallow gave CC 'The Look'. "No really CC that is just fine. Cecilia stop laughing your stomach is just as bad."

"I know George but the look on your face was priceless. At least these pictures don't move. You should have seen them on the computer!"

"Um thank you, no." George replied.

CC was laughing so hard she had to hold her sides. Sybil was laughing along with CC even though her stomach was also of the jumpy variety. Conrad put a stop to all of it though. "Alright enough hilarity now it is seven-thirty time for CC to get ready for bed. Sybil you might want to go as well. We are leaving at eight am sharp tomorrow. You two will need to get up extra early tomorrow."

"I'll go up with the girls Conrad, CC needs to take a bath." That statement sobered CC right up. Sybil stopped giggling as well. "Sybil if you would like a shower there is another bathroom down the corridor." Cecilia and the girls had made it up the stairs rather quickly.

"Thank you Aunt Cecilia what about night clothes?"

"You can borrow some of Amy's. We have plenty of the children's clothes here. Please leave your things outside the bathroom door. I'll be doing a clothes wash this evening so everyone has clean clothes for the morning. Sybil there are plenty of towels in the linen cupboard in the bathroom. Please help yourself."

"Thank you Aunt Cecilia." Sybil went down the corridor to the second bathroom.

CC and her mum went into the first bathroom. "Would you like bubbles CC?"

"Oh yes please Mummy. Could I take some bubble solution back to school?"

"I don't see why not. Do you think your Aunt Constance will approve of bubbles though?"

"I'm not sure. I think she just wants me to be clean. How about I take the solution anyway if she doesn't approve I just won't use it."

"Alright that sounds fair." Cecilia had filled the bathtub while she and CC were talking. There was a nice mound of bubbles. CC had undressed while speaking with her mum. She slipped in and the bubbles hid her completely.

"Ow Mummy there are bubbles in my eyes!" CC parted the bubbles and Cecilia handed CC a wet flannel. CC wiped her eyes "thank you Mummy that is so much better. How come I'm taking a bath on a Tuesday anyway?"

"You still smell a bit sour from your milk spillage. I also thought it might help you relax a bit before bedtime."

"Oh yes I see. It also gives us some pleasant alone time doesn't it Mummy?"

"Yes you silly goose. Now lean forward so I can scrub your back."