Last time, Mildred and Ethel met up with their friends from Cackles. While enjoying Weirdsister's new pool, Mildred and Ethel were shocked to discover that Enid had scars on her back. Somehow, Enid's scars are connected to the time when Mildred and Ethel were both sick with Pavolian Flu, a disease which, according to Hobbs, isn't supposed to exist anymore. 'Nuff said, on with the show!

Chapter 2: Unraveling the Secret

Mildred found Maud in the college library, which is considerably larger than the library at Cackles by a factor of 3.

"Maud," said Mildred, "I need to talk to you."

"Sure, Millie," said Maud, "What's up?"

"It's very important," said Mildred as she and Maud sat down at a deserted table, then made sure that no one was listening, "And personal, and I'm trusting you to keep this to yourself."

"Of course," said Maud, "After all we've been through at Cackles, you can trust me with anything."

"Good," said Mildred in a relieved tone, "Because I'd rather not have Enid know that we're talking about her behind her back, no pun intended. Anyway, when we saw those scars on Enid, for some reason it reminded me of the time I was sick with Pavolian Flu, and…"

Mildred told Maud about her conversation with Ethel last night; how the two of them both thought Enid wasn't telling the whole truth about how she got her scars, how both Mildred and Ethel kept thinking about the time they both got sick with the same disease, how Drusilla told Ethel to forget about it, then their conversation with Cas, Hobbs, Tim and Amzat just now, finishing up with Cas determining that Mildred and Ethel both had memory suppression spells on them.

"So now I've got this nagging feeling that there's so much more going on than meets the eye," said Mildred in a worried tone, "And then Hobbs said that he thinks it was Ms. Cackle and H.B. who suppressed out memories."

"And you believe Hobbs," said Maud as she cleaned her glasses.

"He's given no reason for me not to believe him," said Mildred, "Not recently. Anyway, Maud, I really think that either Ethel, myself, or maybe the both of us, we're somehow responsible for what happened to Enid. Maybe, Ms. Cackle and H.B. made us forget whatever happened, because we hurt Enid somehow. I'd never forgive myself if that were the case."

Maud put her glasses back on, sighed, then took them off to clean them again, "Mildred, we've been friends for a long time now, and we've been through thick and thin together. We're already clear that we trust each other, well, trust me when I say that you should let this go."

It took a second or two for Maud's words to make sense to Mildred. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I said that you should let it go," said Maud as she kept cleaning her glasses, "This is obvious a personal matter for Enid, and I think that if she doesn't want to talk about it, then we shouldn't. As for whatever memories were blocked, I'm sure it's not too serious."

It was then that Mildred had a flash of insight that deeply chilled her: Something's not right. Maud keeps cleaning her glasses, but they weren't that dirty to begin with. Why does she keep doing that? Unless she's using it as an excuse not to look at me in the eye. She's lying to me!

"Okay, Maud," said Mildred as she masked her true feelings, "If you think I should, I'll let it go. You're probably right, this whole mess is just a bunch of coincidences." With that she left the library.

Maud sighed again and finally put her glasses back on. From behind a bookcase came Drusilla and Enid.

"That was close," said Drusilla, "I didn't think she'd buy it."

"She didn't," said Maud, "I hate having to lie to Millie, but I had to, and it was all for nothing. She knew I wasn't telling the truth, somehow she could tell. It would have been better if I told her everything, at least that would have saved our friendship. She'll probably hate me forever now."

"Would you really have told her the truth?" Enid asked.

"Of course not," said Maud, "I promised Ms. Cackle I wouldn't, we all did."

"You don't have to remind me," said Drusilla, "So now what?"

"For now," said Maud, "The only thing we can hope is that Mildred and Ethel decide to let this go."

"Yeah right," said Enid, "Like that's ever going to happen."

"You're probably right," Drusilla.

Meanwhile…

"I can't believe it!" said Mildred as she paced back and forth in the dorm common room, "Maud, my best friend, she lied to me!" She seemed very close to a panic attack.

"I'm sure she had a very good reason," said Tim.

"No!" exclaimed Mildred, "There's no excuse for this! Friends don't lie to each other, especially if they're best friends."

"Oh really," said Ethel, "And how many of your more personal escapades are you keeping to yourself?"

"That's not important right now," said Mildred, "And don't treat me like this is only happening to me, Ethel. Remember, your best friend has been lying to you as well."

"You really know how to strike a sore nerve, Mildred," said an annoyed Ethel, "But you're right, we can't trust Drusilla and Maud, and chances are that Enid is in cahoots as well. It looks like you and me are in this by ourselves."

"No you're not," said Cas, "I'm here, whatever happened to you back at Cackles, I'm going to do everything I can to help you remember."

"We're in this to," said Tim and Amzat together.

"Really?" Mildred asked.

"You better believe it," said Amzat.

It was then that everyone looked at Hobbs.

"Oh alright," he said, "If I must."

"Excellent," said Tim, "So, what do we do now?"

"Well I've been looking into the matter," said Hobbs, "And I believe there is a way to remove the memory suppression spells. It's a bit tricky, and I'll need at least fifteen minutes for the removal spell to function."

"What do we need to do?" Ethel asked a little apprehensively. She had every right to act a little suspicious, considering Hobbs's past exploits.

"You and Mildred only need to sit down and relax," said Hobbs, "Cas, I need you to get a few items required for the spell. Tim, Amzat, you're to run interference with Drusilla, Enid and Maud, for if this is as serious as I suspect, then they're sure to try and stop us."

"We will not fail you!" said Tim eagerly.

"They shall not pass!" said Amzat.

Half an hour later Cas and Hobbs had all that they needed for the spell. Making sure that Tim and Amzat had they way to the dorm room blocked, Hobbs bade Ethel and Mildred to sit in two of the more comfortable chairs that were arranged in the middle of the room.

"Just sit back and relax," said Hobbs as he and Cas made the final preparations, "We'll begin in a moment."

"You sure you want to do this?" Cas asked, "It's not too late to call this off."

"Frankly after what's been happening lately," said Ethel, "I'm not too sure about anything any more."

"What I mean," said Cas, "Is that you really don't have to go through with this. I mean no disrespect, but maybe there's a reason why your memories were blocked."

"I understand what you're saying, Cas," said Mildred, "And maybe you're right, maybe our memories were blocked for a reason, a very good reason. And if Ethel and I were to recover those memories, we might end up regretting it."

She and Ethel then looked at each other in a serious manner, a silent agreement passing through them, "But if we didn't do this," said Ethel, "Then we may end up regretting that as well."

"Curiosity," said Hobbs, "A helper and enemy of humanity, and killer of cats."

"Curiosity may have killed the cat," said Ethel, "But satisfaction brought him back." Mildred nodded in agreement.

"Well then," said Hobbs, "if we're going to do this, then we'd better get started. Ladies, if you would sit down, we're ready."

Mildred and Ethel sat in their chairs, and as Cas and Hobbs began the spell, they looked at each other; "No matter what happens, Ethel," said Mildred, "whatever horrible memories are dredged up, I just want you to know, I'm glad that we're…" she faltered

"'Friends?'" Ethel asked, finishing what Mildred wanted to say, or what she thought Mildred was going to say.

"More like allies," said Mildred, "I mean, well, you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I do," said Ethel.

Meanwhile…

Realizing that what they hoped wouldn't happen was in fact happening, Ethel, Maud and Drusilla began asking where Ethel and Mildred were. They finally found a student who said that Mildred and Ethel were with Hobbs and Cas back in their dorm.

Maud, Enid and Drusilla hurried along the corridors, only to find their way blocked by Tim and Amzat.

"I'm sorry, ladies," said Tim, "But you can't go any further."

"Oh?" Drusilla asked, "And why not?"

"I'm afraid we're not at liberty to discuss that," said Amzat, "But whatever the reason, our orders are to keep you from the girls dorm."

"And why are you keeping us from the girls dorm?" Enid asked.

"I'm afraid that's also classified," said Tim, "So if you three don't mind, please go back and come again another day."

"You two boys are really starting to get on my nerves," said Maud, "If you don't get out of our way, we'll be forced to make you move."

"As much as I'd enjoy turning the two of you into unpleasant creatures," said an irked Drusilla, "We don't have the time to play, so kindly step aside."

"No dice," said Amzat as he and Tim readies their staffs, "And before we start slinging spells, you should know that my friend and I are very good at blocking transformation spells."

"Well let me tell you something," said Drusilla, but Enid stopped her from saying anything else.

Enid then glared menacing at the two young wizards, "Tell me, Tim and Amzat, are the two of you familiar with the concept of castration?"

"Um, no," said Tim as he and Amzat grew nervous at Enid's glaring, which to any Cackles alumni, had a shocking resemblance to Ms. Hardbroom.

"Well then," Enid continued, "Are you familiar with how an ox is different from a bulll?"

"Vaguely," said Amzat, who along with Tim was visibly sweating by now.

"Well then know this," Enid said darkly, "if the two of you do not step aside and let me and my companions through, I will personally demonstrate the concept of castration for you, and then you will know first hand the difference between and ox and a bull. Am I clear?"

"Perfectly," said both Tim and Amzat as they stood to the side of the corridor to let the girls pass.

"That was brilliant," said Drusilla as she, Enid and Maud went on their way.

"Thank you," beamed Enid, no trace of her dark mood on her face, "I'd say that was my best performance yet."

"You really wouldn't have hurt them," said Maud apprehensively, "Would you?"

"No," said Enid, "But I would have given both of them a good scare, one that they would never forget. But the point was made, and we've not much time."

"I agree," said Drusilla, "We have to stop Mildred and Ethel from remembering."

"Do you really think that they'll be able to remove the memory suppressions?" Enid asked.

"We can't take the chance," said Maud, "You know what Ms. Cackle told us, 'They must never remember what happened; the consequences could be dire.'"

"You don't have to remind me of what will happen if Ethel and Mildred remember," said Drusilla with a shudder, "Like I'll ever forget what they did before they had their memories blocked."

Unknown to the three young witches, Tim and Amzat were carefully following them from a safe distance, so as not to provoke any danger to their manhood.

Back in the dorm common room, Mildred and Ethel sat in their chairs while Cas and Hobbs cast the spell. They were feeling more than bored, and more than a little impatient, for they honestly felt nothing as Hobbs and Cas worked the spell.

"You feel anything, Ethel?" Mildred asked.

"Nothing," replied Ethel, "It's like they're not doing anything at all."

"At this point," said Mildred, "I may take your word for it."

"That's it," said Hobbs as he and Cas finished casting the spell, "All done."

"That's it?" Ethel asked as she and Mildred got up from their chairs, "Are you sure you did the spell right?"

"Quite sure," Hobbs said confidently.

"Maybe," Cas corrected, "I don't know, we've never done this before."

"Well at any rate," said Hobbs, "The spell should take full effect any second now. So tell us, do either of you remember anything?"

Mildred and Ethel stood there, trying to break through the memory blocks, to remember the two days they had lost, but to no avail.

"No," said Mildred in a somewhat disappointed tone, "I don't remember."

"Those two days are still a blank," said Ethel, "Should have known this wouldn't have worked, especially if it's a spell Hobbs came up with."

"And what's my finding that spell got to do with anything?" Hobbs asked, "It'll work, just give it a minute."

"Will it?" Mildred asked, "Actually I'm kind of relieved."

"Me to," said Ethel, "Maybe it's for the best that we don't remember."

Both Cas and Hobs were about to retort, each of them wanting to deliver a speech on not giving up, when…

"Ethel! Mildred!!" exclaimed Maud as she, Enid and Drusilla came bursting into the room, with Amzat and Tim closely behind them, "Don't do it!!"

"For the love of all things good in the world!" exclaimed Drusilla, "Don't!"

"It's not worth it!" said Enid.

"What isn't worth it?!" and exasperated Mildred asked, "Oh, never mind. You can relax, the spell didn't even work."

"It didn't?" a confused Drusilla asked, her voice filled with relief.

"Of course it didn't," said an annoyed Ethel, "The whole damn thing was a waste…off…my…" she didn't finish, she just sat there, her eyes rolling into the back of her head. The same thing was happening to Mildred.

"Are you sure this is part of the spell?" Tim asked.

Cas didn't get a chance to answer, for Mildred and Ethel had started screaming at the tops of their lungs as if in incredible pain. What was really happening to them was the nearly unbearable rush of suppressed memories coming back.

As suddenly as it started, they stopped screaming. They fell to the floor, panting with exhaustion.

"Ethel!!" Drusilla exclaimed, "Are you alright?!"

"Mildred!" said both Maud and Cas.

"Now what's happening to them?" Tim asked.

"I guess the spell worked after all," said Hobbs, "But this isn't how I expected it to work."

As if in a trance, Ethel and Mildred stood up and looked at each other.

"Well?" Azmat asked, "Do you remember?"

"I remember," said Mildred in a heavy, grave tone, "Oh do I remember!" She glared at Ethel, who was glaring back, "Ethel Hallow, you and I have unfinished business!"

Without warning Ethel threw an attack spell at Mildred. She took the spell in the chest, knocking her to the ground.

"You're not kidding, Mildred Hubble!!" Ethel shouted angrily as a horrific change occurred on her face; blue energy lines appeared around her eyes, which had taken on an angry red glow, "You tried to murder me, you bitch!!"

Just then Mildred shot an attack spell of her own at Ethel, knocking her down. As Mildred got up, clearly unhurt, her face was also contorted with rage, while her eyes were also red-hued and had blue energy lines about them.

"I had every right to try and murder you, Ethel!! You ruined my project! And at the same time, you tried to murder my friends!!"

"Here we go again!" said Maud.

The end of chapter 2. Next chapter we flash back to when this whole mess got started in the first place. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!