Mr. Delay had slipped through the crowd during the commotion Mal caused, and headed straight for the Head Mistress's office. Something had gone terribly wrong with Evie's presentation, but something told him that it wasn't Evie's fault. His belief in that thought shook even him, she was a villain kid so why wasn't he taking this opportunity to expel her for poisoning the class? A month ago he would've jumped at the occasion, but now he respected her to much not to investigate. Two reason particularly stood out in his mind about Evie's innocence:
1. She'd never before pulled a stunt like that. Being Evil Queen's daughter he had expected her to pull some sort of poisoning trick, but she proved that she was more determined to be a good student then to ruin her chances to stay off the island.
2. The moment the poison started to take over the room and his sense his saw the look of utter confusion and horror in her eyes. She didn't know what was going on any better than him.
He didn't know who the actual culprit was, but with the bad blood between Evie and Audrey he'd come to the same conclusion, now he just needed to prove it. His goal was to get to Fairy Godmother before anyone else could so that he could clear Evie's name before it could be tainted, but Fairy Godmother was on a call with Queen Leah about Audrey, so he sat in the waiting area. He hadn't been there long when teary-eyed Evie shuffled in with a huffing Ben and angry Mal trailing behind.
Evie's eyes widened with fear when she noticed her teacher sitting there. Mr. Delay knew that he had to put her at ease, she deserved that much.
"Mr. Delay, I'm so sorry for what happened, but I can promise you it wasn't me."
"I know," he said softly.
"Please give me a chance to- You know?" Evie felt her heart stop with fear that it may be a trick.
"Yes, Evie. I am here not to have you expelled but to clear you of any charges. I don't know who didn't but you are too good of a student to sabotage yourself like that, and you are to in love with Doug to risk his life like that."
The young princess blushed at the mention of Doug. He knew the truth, and he knew he was about to do the right thing. These villain kids need a champion and heaven knows that their parents were never going to do it.
"Thank you Mr. Delay." This came from Mal. The angry had left her eyes and admiration now filled them. The chemistry teach stood a little taller because of that look, but he knew that he couldn't really get Mal out of trouble.
"You know I won't be able to talk you out of the black eye you gave Audrey," Mr. Delay smiled.
Ben and Mal chuckled at that, and Mal said, "I know, and I'd be a little disappointed if you did. That is a punishment I am looking forward to getting."
"What is this about a black eye," a shrill but stern voice filled the room.
Under her breath Ben heard Mal whisper, "Oh snap."
"Fairy Godmother," Audrey burst into the office. "Look at this!" One look at the bruise the older fairy's eyes landed on Mal.
"Something you'd like to explain?"
Everyone fell silent for a few tension filled seconds. Mr. Delay finally spoke up. "I guess I better start."
Author's Note:
Mr. Delay to the rescue, who would've guessed? For a bit I thought he was a villain but first impressions are often wrong.