The First of our tasks.. I'm Nervous ngl..

ENJOY!

Chapter 51: Trial One - Part One

Mildred was stressed, She could feel the stress in every step she took towards the oncoming assembly.. It was as if a tidal wave was just waiting to come crashing down on her! The last week of January and Mildred was about to begin her first Head girl task.. She didn't know what it was.. But she didn't have any hope it was something good. Hecate had told her not to panic.. But that did nothing to help!

Mildred slowly made her way to the stage, sitting down besides her fellow competitors. She saw Maud and Enid giving her the thumbs up as they sat down to watch. Soon, the teachers came in, followed by Miss Cackle. She stood up on her podium and looked out over the school.

"Well Meet, Girls!" Miss Cackle yelled out. "I welcome you all.. To the first task of our trial.. In the morning, each girl will be given an envelope. Within that envelope, is Ten Ingredients. Then at Nine, The Trial begins, they will have Six Hours to find everything on that list.." She rubbed her hands together, pausing to let the information sink in. Six Hours to find ten ingredients.. Mildred only hoped that Hecate had rubbed off on her..

"The rules are as followers; Each Participant will be allowed a Partner for this Task. They may not raid the Potions lab, each Ingredient must be found by themselves. The participants and their Partners do not need to attend class.. But, Miss Tapioca will be sending all of them off with a Lunch.. And before I let you go, I should inform you, It is Not a Race.. Simply a goal to complete" Mildred nodded gently as she thought about it.. That's not too bad, she'll pick a partner, and they can find everything they need to.. And they didn't have to rush either, so that was a weight off her shoulder!

Mildred thought long and hard all day about who she should pick as her partner. It was really only between two people.. Enid.. or Maud.. They were her best friends, she really hated having to pick between them. Her and Maud had clicked at first meeting. But her and Enid were a lot alike.. Mildred Knew they'd be expecting her to pick someone that evening.. But she just needed time to think, So, she decided to head back to the apartment for some time. She didn't spend a lot of time there, she was usually out with her friends.

As she reached the door to the teachers quarters, She abruptly turned around to find Enid running at her "Millie, Wait!" Enid came to a stop, huffing and puffing.

"Enid, What's the matter?" Mildred looked plain confused, she was running at her as if there was a Fire!

"I wanted.. To ask.. Who are you picking.. To Be your partner.." Enid breathed out. Catching her breath.

"I-I havent picked yet.." Mildred chuckled awkwardly. "Why..?"

"Because Felicity asked me to be her partner.." Enid confessed. "I.. I kinda wanna say yes" If Mildred was being completely honest, it was a weight off her shoulder! She was slightly hurt that she wanted to pick Felicity over her, but.. Mildreds Logical side said that it wasn't like that. Felicity had asked first.

"That's fine, Enid.. It's not a race or anything. Not like you'll be working against me.." Mildred Reasoned. "I'll ask Maud to help me."

Enid Hugged Mildred with Gusto before they walked up towards the tower, They split off before they got there, Enid having spotted Felicity, leaving Mildred to approach Maud alone.

"Hey Maud.." Mildred started, standing by the doorway.

"Hey Millie.." Maud replied, perfectly matching her energy.

Mildred played with the strands of her hair handing in their usual braids. "Would you like to be my partner tomorrow?"

"Sure, I'd love to." Maud smiled widely at her. "Is Enid okay with that?"

Mildred nodded. "Enids going with Felicity, So it's fine."

"Oh good!" Maud nodded. "When's the envelope getting dropped off?"

"'The morning'" Mildred put it in air quotes. "Whatever that might mean.. As soon as I get it, we can brainstorm. I wonder.." Mildred had a sudden thought. "I'll ask Hecate if you can come to the Apartment to Brainstorm it.." After all, it was her home, her room.. She can sit in Maud's room all she likes.. One morning in the apartment wasn't unreasonable, she hoped.

"That sounds like a good idea!" Maud Nodded in agreement. They talked for a little bit longer before they went off to bed.. Mildred was very nervous for the morning. She had full faith in herself, she needed to. After all, she'd come a long way since she first started! But she still had this nagging sense of self doubt that kept coming back to her.

Eventually she managed to fall asleep.. It wasn't the most peaceful sleep she'd ever had, but it did the trick. Come morning, a small knocking was heard at her bedroom door. She slowly got up, moving to open it up. "Hecate?"

Hecate stood dressed and ready to go. "Mr Rowan-Web is here to see you." She stood to the side, showing the grinning teacher, Holding the Envelope.

"Is that the ingredients?" Mildred suddenly livened up, making a b-line for Mr Rowan-Webb.

"It is. But you must know, Tadpole, From the moment i give you this, till Nine O'clock, You will be monitored by a Teacher. To avoid any early gathering.. Though, you are allowed to refer to books, After i give you this you can only refer to your partner in regards." He looked slyly at Hecate.

Mildred looked over at Hecate. "As Deputy-Head, I'm not suppose to offer any aid.." The Elder witch spoke, her plum coloured nails digging into her hands by her side. "As your ward.. I'd advise you to remember that you don't just find books in a Library.." It was hardly any help..

That is until Mildred turned to look back at Mr Rowan-Webb, the bookshelf catching her eyes. She'd never wanted to touch it, given they were Hecate's books.. But her words hit her once more.. She was a Potions teacher.. It stood to reason that one of those books would have Ingredients too.. She looked back over at Hecate before speaking "I wanted to ask.. Could Maud come here for Brainstorming?"

Mildred often felt that Hecate and her were developing some sort of Hidden communication.. Her Asking if Maud could come over, was no longer just asking if Maud could come over. It was also confirming Hecate was allowing her to use her books.

Hecate let out a thoughtful breath before nodding. "Very well.. Don't make a mess.." Was her strict warning, Her voice taking on that whispering tone. She began to move out, Nodding to Mr Rowan-Webb as she passed.

"I'm a wizard.. But that woman can be rather scary.." He commented with a shiver, making Mildred giggle at him. He held out the Envelope. "Don't keep us in suspense!"

Mildred took the brown Envelope, opening it and reading the ten Ingredients;

Bat Drool

Blueleaf

Cat-trap

Feather of Crow

Frog Gloop

Grimly Grass

Ivy

Pondweed

Slug's Eggs

Spicy Red Jojoberries

"This is some potion there trying to brew.." Mildred Spoke after reading the list. "But.. I know where at least half of them are.." Mildred smiled, looking up at Mr Rowan-Webb. He smiled, not speaking a word to her, after all, he wasn't allowed now.

He sat down on the big chair while Mildred waited for Maud to turn up.. There was only a couple on there to give her pause.. Hopefully Maud had an answer!

Lemme know what you think!