Hi! Happy Monday! Will anyone be watching, belle's new show, Last of us? My dad loved the game, but i could never even watch him play. However, I have watched the first Episode.

ENJOY THE CHAPTER!

Chapter 52: Trial One - Part Two

Hecate had woken up plenty early on the first Trials Morning to head to Miss Cackles Office. Between them, they had to think of Fifty local ingredients.. Ada thought up 16, Hecate Thought up 17 and Pippa thought up 17. They then listed any overlapping and distributed it over five lists. Ada mixed them up, and labelled them at random, meaning none of the teachers knew what those groups were getting. Each one had at least Three that were on another list.. And Each one had at least Two Extra hard ones. Hecate only hoped that Mildred hadn't gotten the Spicy Red Jojoberries and Blueleaf..

Hecate transferred into Miss Cackles office, Pippa already being present. "Ah, Hecate. I believe we're good to go.." Ada commented with a small yawn.

"Indeed. We only need their Sponsors to show up so they can take them to the Participants." Hecate Commented with mild disdain, hiding her own nervousness over the trial. This was after all the Fourth years..

"How long do we have until nine?" Pippa Asked, looking out the window at the ever rising sun.

Hecate cheeked the Pocket Watch at her waist. "One Hour, Twenty-Three Minutes." She informed her with startling accuracy. A Small knock came from the door. "Enter!" She commanded, watching the Sponsors walk in.

Ada stood, grabbing the envelopes and handing them to the correct people. "They won't be allowed any Human help unless it's from their Partner, So Mums the word." She joked. "You'll need to deliver it to their rooms, then stick with them until nine." They'd thought carefully about how to do this. They wanted no cheating, though they did want to give the students time to plan.

The Sponsors started clearing out, All apart from Mr Rowan-Webb who lingered. "What is it, Mr Rowan-Webb?" Hectare demanded as he stared at her.

"I have a slight issue with giving my student her letter.. It's called a locked door.." He pointed out..

Hecate Sighed, transporting the pair outside her door, she unlocked it swiftly before marching to wake up Mildred. She knocked gently at the door, waiting a moment for the witch to appear at her door "Hecate?" Came the tired voice.

"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 a hint, a very cheeky hint on her part. But she trusted Mr Rowan-Webb to keep that to himself.

She watched as Mildred looked over to Mr Rowan-Webb, The Clongs in her head turning. Hecate Only hoped it was in realisation on what she was allowing. Mildred looked back over at Hecate before speaking "I wanted to ask.. Could Maud come here for Brainstorming?"

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 was no idiot, it was sort of like a hidden communication.

Hecate let out a thoughtful breath.. It was, after all, Mildreds Home. It's not like she was throwing a party, just some studying, really. It was perfectly sensible. After all, Mildreds room had two other competitors in it.. The Library would most likely get occupied by one or two.

She nodded. "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. At least a teacher would be monitoring her, though that didn't make her feel any better about an extra student in her apartment.

Technically speaking, it was a grey area in the rules. They were not supposed to have any students in their Apartments. However, that rule did not apply to Relatives that happen to be students, and could be extended to friends of said relative as long as that relative was around.. Mildred fell under the Relative rule due to Hecate being her Career.

As she walked towards the door to the Teachers Quarters, she heard a knock on it.. She slowly opened it, spotting Maud standing wide eyed. "Miss Hardbroom! Mildred was going to ask-" Maud began, stopping when Hecate raised her hand.

"She asked. First door on your right, Knock before entering." She stood to the side letting Maud pass by.

"Thank you, Miss Hardbroom.." Maud spoke as she walked towards the door.

Hecate was about to leave, before turning to yell out "Maud!" Maud turned, just before she could knock. "Good Luck." Was all Hecate said, transferring herself out of that awkward situation and to her Class room.

It would be just fine, it wasn't the first time Maud had been there. Though, the last time was an exception due to Mildred being Ill.. Pippa was also there, and they were in her room, hardly having free reign over the apartment..

The rest of Hecate's Morning was very quiet without The most trouble students in the school running a muck. No Mildred, No Maud, No Enid and No Ethel. Now all their attention was drawn to Sybil, Beatrice and Clarice.. That was almost as bad.. Almost.

During her first lesson with them, Mildred interrupted her rant on cauldron safety. "Sorry, Miss Hardbroom.." She said as she stood a little closer. "We're not allowed to take the Ingredients from here.. But, are we allowed to borrow some jars?" Hecate supposed that would be rather useful. "Not all of our Ingredients are.. Solids.."

She was most likely referring to the likes of Bat Drool.. "How many will you require?" Hecate raised an eyebrow.

Mildred looked at her list.. "Bat drool.." As Hecate thought.. "Frog Gloop" Yes, it was best to put that in a jar.. However.. "Slug's Eggs" It sounded as if Mildred had got the one Hecate dreaded her getting. "Three? No, Four, so we have a spare.. Please."

Hectare Waved her hand in a theatrical motion, letting Five Empty and Clean jars appear on her table. "Do try not to lose them." She warned. Mildred smiled widely, grabbing the Jars and placing them into her bag.

"Thank you, Miss Hardbroom!" With that, Mildred was off once more.. A Grand adventure for her and Maud, she was sure.

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