Chapter Three
"Come here, Constance"
Resisting the urge to ask Mistress Broomhead how she knew her name, Constance stood from the relative safety of the back corner and made her way quietly towards her tutor's desk. Constance soon learnt that Mistress Broomhead never asked for information needlessly, in fact the older witch always seemed to know everything she needed without ever having to ask.
Constance had always been tall for her age, but she felt strangely small under Mistress Broomhead's steely stare.
"Why did you not say that you had previously produced a light conjuring spell when I asked?"
Constance felt a slight jolt of panic, she opened her mouth whether to admit or deny the accusation she wasn't certain because before she could respond, Mistress Broomhead began speaking once more.
"The first thing you must know Constance is that I do not tolerate lying. Girls who lie to me once do not generally get the opportunity to do so again. So I will ask you one more time. You have produced a light conjuring before, am I correct?"
"Yes, Mistress Broomhead"
"Would you care to elaborate?"
"I found the spell in a book about embodied magic in my school library last summer. I tried it and it worked"
"I see, so you have not merely tried the spell. You have been using it with success for over twelve months. Were your teachers aware of this?"
"No, Mistress Broomhead"
"And when I asked, you felt no need to divulge the information. Even though you had an unfair advantage over your classmates"
Constance remained silent
"It would be wise, Constance, to be candid about such information in future. I do not like to be deceived. Is that clear?"
Constance bit her lip but still did not reply
"I asked you if that was clear, Constance" her tutor barked
"Yes Mistress Broomhead" Constance replied softly.
"Your tutorials will take place directly after dinner three times a week. You will come to this classroom unless otherwise instructed. I expect you to be neat, tidy and punctual. Lateness is completely inexcusable as is failure to attend. Hold out your hand"
Constance gingerly stretched out her right hand and Mistress Broomhead produced a thin, silver band like a bracelet which she clasped about Constance's wrist. As soon as the two ends of the band met the join disappeared entirely to be replaced by a small pentangle etched into the silver.
"All of my students wear one of these; it will let you know if I wish to see you outside of our scheduled tutorials. Needless to say, I expect you to come immediately when I summon you"
"But how…" Constance began
"You will soon find that out" Mistress Broomhead retorted with a grim smile.
A large clock in the corner of the classroom suddenly let out a deep chime to announce that it was 11 o'clock.
"You may go to your next class. I will see you tomorrow evening for our first tutorial"
Mistress Broomhead opened her classroom door with a wave of her hand and Constance gratefully allowed herself to be swept along into the group of students making their way to class in the corridor outside.