Chapter 11 – The school's arrival

Monday came a lot quicker than Pippa had thought for she was dreading seeing Hecate as she wasn't sure how she would act around her and it made her nervous. Hecate on the other hand been exceedingly excited to see Pippa, though her demeanour hadn't shown it, she too was nervous, though not as much as Pippa was.

Pippa stood at the entrance to her school, and she had already welcomed Amethyst's Academy for girls and Amulets Academy which like Pentangle's took both boys and girls. Their staff and students were currently settling into their rooms. Weatherley's, a boy's boarding school, had just appeared on the green and Pippa waved over with a polite smile on her face.

"Well met and good morning, Weatherley's" Pippa stated as she put her right hand to her forehead and leant over slightly.

"Well met" the staff and students from Weatherley's replied, they also put a hand to their foreheads and bent over slightly.

"Come on inside out of the heat, it's much cooler in here, some of our students will show you all to your bedrooms for the duration of your stay".

"Thank you, Pippa, come along boy's".

The next school to appear was Moonridge high school for Wizards, she greeted them in the same manner as the other three schools. They were also shown to their rooms though, by a member of staff this time.

Wolfram Academy for girls was next and they were shown to their rooms by some of the seventh years.

There were three more schools to go, two of which were arriving the following day which left Cackle's Academy to wait for. Pippa took out her compact mirror and spoke clearly to it.

"Hecate Hardbroom".

Hecate responded immediately. "Pippa, we will be arriving shortly, I am just waiting for Ethel Hallow to join us".

"There's no rush, give it about ten minutes minimum, I am just popping to the lavatory". Pippa said, Hecate nodded in response.

Pippa arrived back at the school's front door in less than ten minutes. She wasn't waiting long until Cackle's Academy arrived. Her heart leaped at the sight of Hecate; though she was composed on the outside.

"Well met, ladies" Pippa stated with her usual greeting as she bent over slightly with her hand to her forehead.

"Well met" the students responded also bowing down slightly.

"Well met, sister" Hecate stated as she too bowed slightly.

"I have put Enid and Maud in the same room as Mildred and Sapphire, if you two pop through the door behind me they will show you to your room. The rest of you can follow me". Pippa stated, she waited till Enid and Maud had met Mildred, there was a fair bit of hugging between the students as they re-united.

"Come on girls, you do not want to get lost in here" Miss Hardbroom stated.

Pippa showed the girls their rooms and left them to settle in, Pippa did tell them not to go wondering around and that Miss Hardbroom would be back shortly. She led Hecate up a flight of stairs and down a corridor, as they came out the corridor Hecate noticed two staircases one either side of a big room and at the top was Pippa's quarters.

"The staff's quarters are across the room, though I thought you might like this instead". Pippa led her through to her quarters. Which was massive. There were four rooms and a bathroom as well as an ensuite in the largest of the rooms. Hecate was very surprised that the walls were not pink.

"No pink?" Hecate asked with half a smile.

"Nope, Zack did not approve. The door to the left is Zack's room, I have been given guardianship of him. He is still a tad jumpy at night, so don't be surprised if he looks rather flighty". Pippa said softly with half a smile.

She led Hecate into her room. "I can sort you a different room if you prefer though mine is big enough". She watched as Hecate looked around the room. There was Pippa's princess like queen sized bed. There was a plain bed with black bedding on at the other side of the room as well as mahogany furniture. The view outside was breath taking, she could see the forest and the surrounding lake as well as the four ponds and a good view of the school beneath.

"Not a bad view" Hecate whispered.

Pippa looked like a rabbit in the headlights. She was unsure of what Hecate was thinking. She stood upright though her eyes showed insecurity and she was twiddling her thumbs.

Hecate turned around and noticed how unsure Pippa looked.

"A different room?" Pippa spoke with hesitation. She was usually the picture of confidence who could shoot any member of her staff down with a certain look, however Hecate was different. She was hoping she wouldn't be completely ghosted this time round.

Hecate walked up to her and hugged her. "There is no need to be nervous around me, I will reside where I am put". She whispered. She then which was very unlike Hecate kissed Pippa on the forehead.

Zack burst into Pippa's room and the women parted.

"Ethel has started on Mildred in the foyer". He panted.

Pippa transferred the three of them to the foyer. There was quite the commotion.

"You were told to stay in your rooms until I came for you" Hecate exploded. "Such bad manners".

"It's all Mildred Hubble's fault, she started it". Ethel quickly stated.

"That's a lie" Martha told the staff. "The venom that you spat at Mildred was uncalled for".

"There's an easy way to sort this out" Miss Pentangle stated knowing Mildred was probably innocent. She beckoned Martha to her and touched her temples and a memory formed and the two teachers were livid. Ethel had stormed up to Mildred in the foyer.

"Mildred Hubble the worst witch to ever exist, non-magical family and no dad. Guess he didn't want you either. I'm glad you've gone, rather laughable really. It was about time that another school felt sorry for you".

Those in the foyer watched the memory and at how Mildred kept her cool and simply told her to go away. At that point Miss Pentangle ended the memory.

"Whilst you are in my school you will be treated as though you are our students, this is to ensure everybody's safety and that everyone is treated fairly. That outburst Ethel, has just landed you a double detention. One for spitting venom and the other for bringing someone's family into it". Miss Pentangle spoke with authority and confidence, a different Pippa to the one ten minutes prior.

"Why, she started it?"

"Someone's existence is not an excuse" Miss Pentangle stated matter of factly. "Your detention will be with Mr Spellman".

"oooooh" the majority of the Pentangle's students stated with a look that stated she wasn't' going to like it.

"Good luck" Martha stated to Ethel.

"Whatever" was all Ethel could respond with.

Pippa flicked her wrist and spoke carefully so everyone could understand her. Her voice resonated all over the large castle.

"Please could all of Pentangle's head to the dining hall as well as our guests, I have an announcement to make prior to tea being served. Thank you".

Twenty minutes later Pippa stood in front of every witch and Wizard on the school grounds.

"To our guests. Welcome to Pentangle's Academy. We hope you will find your stay comfortable. I would like to say that as you are in our school which is our home, that you please respect our staff as well as your own. Staff and students will be treated the same as ours are. Please note that my staff are able to hand out detentions to those from other schools as they see fit, they are not unreasonable. One of our main rules which you have all been given a rules sheet in your rooms, is boy's and girls do not mix in bedrooms, there is no disputing this at all. That includes staff going in students' rooms, must be the same gender. I shouldn't need to explain why. Also, we have a zero bullying tolerance here, if you don't like someone please be civilised, we have had no issues with bullying for the past few years. We would like it kept that way. I will allow your teachers to go through our other rules and plans for the week as some are different to others. Thank you and bon appetite.

The tables suddenly were adorned with plates of food, once everyone had eaten they headed to their rooms. Hecate made sure her students were in bed, she was particularly harsh with Ethel and let her know her detention was the following night. She headed to Pippa's room. She took all her pins out of her perfectly executed bun and let her waist length black hair cascade down her back. She got changed into her black nightdress and decided to read a book whilst she waited for Pippa who was currently in Zack's room.

It wasn't long until Pippa entered the room in her fitted sky blue nightdress. She tucked herself into bed and said goodnight to Hecate who bid her goodnight in return.

Hecate couldn't sleep, she never slept well in new places. She gave it a few hours before she got out of her bed and quietly walked up to Pippa's and slid in next to her. As she turned over Pippa laid her right arm over her waist.

"Hi"

"I couldn't sleep".

"It's ok" Pippa replied softly and as Hecate rolled over on to her back to almost face her, she nuzzled into her and fell asleep. A few minutes later after stroking Pippa's hair Hecate had also fallen asleep.

Mildred, Sapphire, Enid and Maud were given permission to be up late providing they weren't too loud. Sapphire had brought some snacks to the dorm and as they tucked into their midnight feast they were discussing many topics which included, Mildred's flying, Ethel's constant outbursts, and the scene in the foyer.

"Seriously though, what is her problem? She hasn't seen you in months". Sapphire asked.

"She is just insecure and clearly doesn't get enough attention at home" Mildred responded.

"She's awful, the week after you left. She was in potions and still somehow managed to blame you for something, even H.B as had enough". Enid quipped.

"Thanks for being there in the foyer, I haven't been in that situation for months" Mildred said.

"Told you, pentangles stick together mate, Zack couldn't have legged it any faster if he tried to Barbie. He said the staff are expecting some issues with her. Miss Hardbroom has been told by Spellman that she will not be getting any special treatment". Sapphire told them.

"Zack is super good looking, if he's not taken, I'm after him". Enid gushed.

"Good luck with that, he likes someone else, though won't say anything". Sapphire said whilst pointedly looking at Mildred.

"No, he doesn't, half the time he won't look at me as if I've done something wrong. Steers clear of me some days" Mildred said shocked.

"Millie, for the love of sanity, he legged it as fast as he could to Barbie, he won't look or be around you on some days as he's blushing and doesn't want to sound like Ethel did when she came out with frogspawn". Sapphire stated in a voice and headshake that almost asked if she was blind.

"So, Barbie is Pentangle, right? And Isn't H.B in Barbies room?". Maud asked.

"Yep, oh my bats I didn't tell you, when Zack burst into Barbies room apparently they were hugging and Hardbroom was kissing Pippa, I think he said it was on the forehead" Sapphire remembered.

"If that's the case, H.B might leave me alone whilst you're here". Mildred hoped.

"Them two together would be a sight, black and pink" Enid laughed.

Tabby had jumped up on Mildred's bed and there was a good ten minutes of them fussing Tabby. Enid and Maud were thrilled to see he had been eating and drinking. He looked the picture of health.

"I am not lying, H.B tried everything to get him to eat, drink and sleep. He was severely pining for you Millie. H.B has a soft spot for him. She sorted his flying out as she took him out on her broom instead of her cat Morgana.

Half hour later, Miss Fountain knocked on the door.

"Time for bed girls, it is two o'clock".

"Yes Miss Fountain". The girls whispered.

"Good night"

"Good night" they replied.