Chapter 11

Mal went to bed that night, and she felt so free. She had never felt so wonderful. The fact that Ben never blamed her for the trouble she brought was a relief, but the way he explained it, was so sweet. And true. Mal slept so soundly for the first time since coming to Auradon. The old expression 'confession is good for the soul.' It's true. She confessed her life before Auradon, and how she felt the whole thing with her mother was all her fault, and he thought otherwise, her worst fear that he would hate her over her giving her mother the Dragon's Eye, was all for not. He never once blamed her.

The next morning, Mal and Ben sat looking over their list of choices. They had picked Ursula's daughter Una as a backup if Harriet Hook didn't want to come over. And the car was dispatched with the invites.

Three hours later he returned, saying he met with all the parents, as ordered he took a picture of each child and parent. Than had them sign off their permission to leave the Isle. Harriet Hook actually agreed. So the four were chosen. Gaston Junior and Gaston the third, Harriet Hook and Freddie Facilier. The limo would be back the day before school started, that was only a week away.

Ben and Mal took the files and went to look them over. They pulled Freddie's out first. Ben pulled out the photo. "That isn't Dr. F. That is one of Hook's pirates, they call him Nutts."
"Nutts?"
"He has a thing for coconuts according to Harriet."
"Ok, so now we know for sure he isn't able to go back and forth, nor does he know Freddie is on her way over here."
"But I am sure Freddie knows her father is missing, she had less than an hour to find someone to be her father, so she had to be thinking that someone might be looking for him sooner or later. Nutts is usually with Hook in the harbor on the other side of the Isle. They are stuck moored to the docks where the freighters come in. The Jolly Roger can't leave dock. But that is longer than an hour's crossing from where Freddie and Dr. F live, and there are very few cars on the island. Cruella has one, and I am not sure who else has another one, but I can only remember seeing three. Freddie and Dr. F were rather loners, sticking to the shadows. That's why I was surprised that Freddie and Harriet started to hang out the last year I was in Dragon's Hall. I was thinking it was Harriet's way of getting in good with the Headmasters Daughter…ohh that sounds familiar, sorry Jane." Mal apologized to no one. "anyway, whenever Harriet's pirate crew weren't around, Freddie was. It was odd, you never saw Harriet alone."
"Ok so tell me about Harriet."
"It's hard to say. I can't tell if she was in charge of the gang of pirates kids, or Sammy Smee was. We will see when she is alone."
"What makes you say that?"
"When she is with Freddie, Freddie runs her over so to speak. I mean everything they do is all about Freddie. I just don't know if Freddie is as good at manipulating a situation as Dr. F is, or if Harriet is that weak. If she is that weak, then Sammy is in charge. If that's the case, Harriet left to have a chance to think on her own and she might be someone we can get information out of, if we are careful. Freddie, I do not trust!"
"And the twins?"
"Same as their father, they think they are God's gifts to women. They believe women are weak inferiors. And above all they will be here to look for a wife they can control. The girls need to be aware, they will try and talk them into bed. They will want to trap a rich wife, to take over their fortunes. I wouldn't put it past to try and get a girl pregnant."
"Will they resort to rape?" Ben was shocked.
"No. They are all about the talk. It is all about ego with them, the hunt and the trophy. Rape to them would be cheating. I..I need to talk to Fairy Godmother, be right back." She popped out before he could answer.

When she arrived at the office, she was alone. "Hello Mal, did you find something?"
"No. But I have a question. I am worried about the Gaston Boys trying to get the girls here pregnant. Can we spell them, so they can't do that?"
"I will look into that, that's a good idea. And since you brought it up?"
"No, Ben and I have never…"
"I had no right to ask."
"I know why you did. I wouldn't do that to Ben or his family. And I am sure there are people we know thinking that could be coming down the road. Especially since I wasn't exactly present this summer. If we ever get that close, I will make sure to have an implant. In fact, I should just go ahead and get one."
"A wise choice."
"I will make an appointment at the school clinic as soon as possible. I am no way ready to be a parent."
"Good girl. I will look into that spell. Also have Evie look into her mother's spells, and have her ask Agathe."

"I will, that might be where we have to go. Thank you." She left before Fairy Godmother could ask her anymore.

"Mal, you really need to stop doing that." Ben teased, but she wasn't listening, she was on her phone calling the schools Med center making an appointment. "You sick Mal?"
"No." True was very freeing so she continued on that path. "I went to Fairy Godmother to see if she or any of my other magic teachers could put a spell on the twins to keep them from getting anyone pregnant, they are looking into it. That got me thinking…I… when we…I don't want any accidents…so I am going to get an implant so we'll be ready."
"Mal…you are something else."
"Ok, so I might be accused of thinking of too many things at once."
"More dominoes." He teased.

"I guess so." She laughed.