45. Trial by ERR-or

Which how, very early that morning at just after dawn, Mildred found herself dragged back out of bed and in Miss Cackles office for the first time. The First of many many times, actually.

Thankfully no one was seriously hurt in the incident. And there hadn't been much damage done. But HB had too furious to even tear into them there and then.

"To your rooms, now. I do not want to hear so much a peep from any of you till we come to deal with THIS." Miss Hardbroom said in in a low hiss. And marched the shame faced four back upstairs in front of her two shirt collars in each hand, only snapping at the other girls to scatter.

"That goes for the rest of you!" She added at some day walkers who'd gotten up to see what the all the noise and fuss was about. Several doors clicked shut one after another obediently. Mildred Maud Ruby and Jadu did as they were told under that glare. Satisfied they wouldn't be attempting any more tricks for the night, the vampire left to deal with the smouldering melted remains of the Mark three. As well as Miss Gullets bleating of a fire hazard blocking the fire exit.

At the time Mildred had felt very sorry for Mr Blossom, Drilly and the art department. all that hard work up in smoke. as well as feeling very sorry for her friends and for getting them into trouble.

And it was all her fault.

But right now, stood alone in front of the headmistress and the deputy Mildred was feeling sorrier for herself.

The others too had been woken briefly to be dealt with a sentence of three days of Break time indoors with no tuck, an essay on breaking the school rules and several pages of lines. then sent back to bed.

"Not you Mildred."

Mildred would not it seem be so lucky. The other girls had hovered loyally, but HB sent them back to bed with a jerk of her head, her face still impassive but her eyes very hard and cold. The three where chivvied out as if a great wind or an invisible hand that swept them, bullied them, out. The office door swung shut behind them, leaving Mildred to her fate.

The curtains were shut against the red early morning. There was a small fire lit in the grate, but it did little to actually heat or light the room. Instead an old-fashioned oil lamp gloomily struggled on trying to shed some light on the headmistress's study along with the translucent figure of Miss Cackle. In fact, the headmistress herself with her ethereal glow did a better job of lighting the room. Mildred wished she didn't. while the gloom helped to see Miss Cackle more clearly (why would a ghost need a hair net though?); her light merely exaggerated the long frame, sharp ears and chalky skin of the vampire stood next to her.

And the fangs. The Fangs. Had they been that long and sharp earlier? Mildred was certain they hadn't, not even when she'd dragged them back to bed. If they weren't so long and sharp would have been easier not to be scared of her. Instead it would have been hard to take Miss Hardbroom seriously with her feet in slippers. You never saw vampires on telly and movies wearing slippers. Or purple pyjamas and a silky robe!

"Why do we all get school issues ones and HB's are all pretty?" Mildred wondered, accidently tuning out of her own dressing down. "And HB's Hair! It's so long! And shiny and!"

"And as you are aware Mildred," Miss Cackle said. Mildred jumped not sure how much of the telling off she's missed! Oops. "Cackles is obligated to give any witch from any background who can prove herself. Including-"

"Sometimes. Provided they can actually prove themselves." Miss Hardbroom added, not looking at Mildred. Somehow at this moment that felt worse than a glare.

"Including those we take on as on assisted cases. And scholarship girls." Miss Cackle said. And then went on about Mildred's first week and the entrance exams. Mildred didn't like the way HB said "non-witch familys" and "very unsatisfactory" though. She felt it was bit mean.

"In some areas." Miss Cackle cut in.

"basic spells, simple potions. Long division." Miss Hardbroom listed. It was like watching a tennis match between the pair.

"But a wonderful imagination! I really enjoyed your story about the two headed giant who argued with himself all day." Miss Cackle insisted.

Mildred beamed with pride. Then schooled her face it to a humbler expression at HB's warning look.)

"it reminded of when Feverfew and Blackwood fall out! remarkable you came up with it before you knew Cackle's reputation. Don't you think so Miss Hardbroom?"

"yes." HB said; in a tone that meant No.

"Miss Hardbroom had her reservations. But we that is I decided to take you-"

"On a trial basis."

"And now…" Miss Cackle said, looking quite upset. "I'm afraid- I think it's time to say… too say."

Mildred squirmed and willed herself not to cry. This sounded very much like meeting with her old headmaster before her parents were… 'Encouraged' to find another school for her. This sounded like Cackle and HB weren't even going to wait for the flying tests to get rid of her. She was going on the next bus home already? Maybe if she asked nicely, they would let her mum pick her up instead? Would they let her say goodbye at least? Maybe things wouldn't be so bad if she could at least write to Maud.

"To say …" Miss Cackle repeated trying to bring herself to say it.

"That unfortunately…" Miss Hardbroom coaxed.

Mildred stifled an outraged gasp. HB was trying to coach Miss Cackle along! She knew HB didn't like her. But that Miss Hardbroom hated her enough to nudge along the head ghost into expelling her after not even a week? That stung.

But why save me from the Mark three? Mildred thought, steeling herself for a final blow.

"That unfortunately. that-." The old ghost echoed. Miss Cackle suddenly straightened up so fast she bobbed a little in her chair. And in a voice better suited to addressing the troops then a wayward girl concluded: "That we're only going to give you one more chance!"

"really!?"

HB closed her eyes, inhaled and looked to the ceiling looking for all the world as if she'd been informed of something truly tragic.

"Really Miss Cackle?"

"really Miss Hardbroom."

Mildred grinned and had to stop herself from hugging the ghost. She could stay! Her heart sank however as Miss Hardbroom spoke again addressing her student in a tone that gave Millie the heebie jeebies.

"Next Wednesday evening Mildred, you will be doing your Cackle's Broomstick Aptitude Test. That performance will ultimately decide if your trail with us is to continue. So, if you wish to remain here in these hallowed halls between now and then I suggest– without the aid of mechanical contrivances- you practice."

She paused. The dim light bounced off her fangs and her eyes flickered a blood red. "Practice Very Hard Indeed."