Even though they already knew this would be the case, the new first form wasn't ecstatic about the arrangement. Neither was Miss Hardbroom. Only Ethel seemed pleased. Or was pretended to be. Perhaps seeming pleasant and being perfect on the outside was her natural state of being. Mildred was inclined to think so. Annoyingly the fairy witch got worse.
"This book," Miss Hardbroom continued, holding up a slim volume, "which Ethel Hallow will give out, is a copy of the Witches' Code."
She went on to explain how they were to study and memorise it. And then something about ingraining it in to their magic. But Whatever else the vampire said Mildred missed. Rather than just give her a copy of little book, Ethel dropped Mildred's hard on her hand. To add injury to insult the book not only leapt open seemingly of its own accord, but gave Mildred a nasty paper cut too. The resulting gasp (or perhaps the resulting blood!) caught Miss Hardbroom's attention and Mildred got yet another telling off.
"I did not tell you to open Mildred Hubble."
"I- I thought-!" Mildred was sure it was Ethel who'd opened the book. But again, couldn't prove it. Not when Ethel was almost finished handing the Code books out. Or when Mildred again found herself under the Miss Hardbroom's horrible laser focused look.
"So close it girl. And take your finger out of your mouth." Mildred did so, and wrapped her cut finger up in a hanky as discreetly as she could. "well done Ethel."
Ethel sat back down simpered her gossamer wings fluttering with the praise. High praise for doing bugger all Mildred's dad would have put it. Maud caught Mildred's eye and made a face. Or at least Mildred read it as a 'Making a face' face. It was more a crinkle of Maud's muzzle. So she either agreed on Ethel being Obnoxious, or had an itchy nose. But HB wasn't done with them just yet.
"Much of your first two weeks will be taken up with practicing and preparation for your Cackle's Broomstick aptitude test. I advise any girl who fails to pass to simply get on the next bus home." She said, low and coldly. "Group B, I will see you this afternoon assembled in the court yard at precisely two thirty straight after breakfast and roll call for your first flying lesson."
Mildred's stomach dropped in to her boots and knotted with dread. To get back up on her broom stick? In front of the vampire and everyone?
Just then registration and the form period ended. The bell went for lessons and HB dismissed them with a "That will be all." And a "Group A; I will see you after your… 'Art' class."
"That went well." Jadu dead panned as they left.
"At least we know she doesn't do any of the stuff that was in those stories." Mildred pointed out. "And she hasn't bitten any of us."
"Yet. I give a week." Ruby grumbled still upset about her Walkman. "Does my nose look out of shape? I only brought two spare ones with me..."