Chapter 8 – No-one Is Laughing

Mildred went to bed that night with thoughts of the others laughing at her, and she cried herself to sleep. Her friends had tried to speak to her once their flying lesson had finished, however she wanted to be left alone. She felt humiliated and couldn't face anyone.

The next day there was a knock at the door, Pippa waited around five minutes before popping her head round. Mildred was at her desk, and she had noticed her headmistress pop her head round, though she didn't make it obvious.

"Can I come in or am I hogging the door?" Pippa asked soothingly. She knew it hadn't been the right time for Mildred to be flying yet.

Mildred did not respond she wanted to be left alone. She did not find yesterdays lesson very funny. What she didn't realise was that no-one had found it entertaining, they were more concerned than anything. Pippa let herself into Mildred's room and leaned on her desk looking down at her student, she spoke as softly as she could.

"I am pleased that you got on that broom yesterday, it may feel like the others are laughing at you. I can however assure you that they are not. They were rather concerned. Flying can be scary, it's high up and usually it's a long way to fall. I have spoken to Quickstep and were going to help you through this with Quickstep, Zack, Sapphire and myself. Twice a week for now and no higher than a metre, so same height as yesterday. Confidence takes time, and we have time. I have spoken to the school board as I do regularly when I have students that need a little extra time before taking their exams. We have until Yule to get you ready for your flying exam, everything else you can take on time, which means you will go into second year with the rest of your class. It's only flying, we have plenty of time to take it from the very beginning".

Mildred nodded "At least I won't be picked for the trial" she sighed. Pippa did not respond as she had hoped and was still hoping that Mildred will be ready for the trial at the end of the school year. Though if she wasn't she would pick a different student, Pippa wasn't known for pushing her students to breaking point.

"If it means anything to you. Miss Hardbroom didn't find your reaction to flying yesterday funny in the slightest and neither did Miss Drill".

"How would they know?".

"Miss Hardbroom asked to see your first flying lesson, so I did record it, she was rather devastated, she was rather mortified and quite concerned. She is aware of the damage that she has caused".

"More like she was finding fault with everything" Mildred stated with anger and then started mocking Miss Hardbroom. "Mildred Hubble, control your broom. Mildred Hubble, what are you doing? Mildred Hubble, you're a disaster".

Pippa tried to keep a straight face however she had mimicked the woman perfectly. "I have the feeling she is missing having you there".

"Missing her verbal punching bag, yep, probably. Don't expel me as she will be jealous you beat her to it".

Pippa had found the girl to be rather amusing and a pleasure to have.

Zack and Sapphire had walked to Mildred's room to see how she was feeling. They had not in the slightest found Mildred's distress funny. Zack knocked on her door.

Miss Pentangle to their surprise opened the door. "I think your friends would like to see you, if you need to talk Mildred, the staff and I are here". With out further discussion Miss Pentangle left for her office. She did however want a word with Zack, so she beckoned to Zack to follow her.

Once in her office she turned around to face Zack, who put his hands in the air to declare his innocence. "Whatever you think I did, I didn't do it".

Miss Pentangle gave him a knowing smile. "A guilty conscience for no reason". She took in Zacks frame and his weight, she was pleased to see he had gained a bit of weight. "How have you been recently?".

"I have been fine, more focused on Mildred to be honest". He said as he blushed.

"I have noticed. You look a lot better than you did when we took you from Hellebore's".

"Kidnapped you mean?" He laughed.

"Same difference, I wanted to let you know that your mum is coming to see you this weekend". She replied with a solemn expression.

"Can't I just stay at the school over summer, she wasn't bothered that I had been in a state when Spellman found me?" He asked.

"We don't tend to allow it, though I can bring your wishes up in the meeting with your mother".

Zack nodded "Do I have to see her? I'd rather help Mildred with her fear of flying".

"That depends, as I can't deny a parent to see their child, unless they are considered a danger to them".

"Who are you putting up for the trial?"

"I am not telling you".

"Why not?"

"It's top secret".

"A secret society". He eye rolled.

"A word of advice, tell her how you feel, and I don't mean your mother". She stated with a knowing smile as she turned to her desk. Zack looked mortified.

Zack left the headmistresses office and walked to Mildred's room whilst deep in thought. I hope she gets lost on the way here, so she has to cancel and leaves me in peace. Why did she have to come up with telling Mildred anything? Since when did Barbie know?

He knocked on Mildred's door and a few seconds later she opened it and the three friends went for a walk outside.

"Thank you for your help yesterday" Mildred said in a very quiet voice which her friends only just heard.

"It's nothing Mil, we all have our fears. Like we said it's a big thing that most witches and wizards take for granted" Zack replied.

"Exactly and Barbie was never going to let go of that broom, I can imagine your broom flying off and she's there clinging on still". Sapphire laughed.

The thought of what Sapphire had stated had the three of them in fits of laughter. They headed to the open lounge that was purely for first years only, there was one lounge per year group, each one was big enough to comfortably seat 20 students with room to move around.

"Yo, first years only" Zack said as he walked in and noticed Martha helping herself to some first-year snacks.

"Sorry, ours hasn't been refilled yet" she sheepishly replied.

"I'll let you off just this once". Zack stated with an air of suspicion.

"Oh Mildred" Martha said as she noticed Mildred had just walked in as well. "I heard about yesterday, well done for getting on, I hope your old flying teacher is happy with herself. I am so proud; I could see you were terrified. Isn't Barbie a life saver in terms of support?"

"I'm glad I took her offer of the scholarship that's for sure". Mildred said as she nodded.

"Just remember confidence takes time and there is no rush, if you need any help, let me know, I used to be terrified of flying". Martha stated.

"Really?" the friends said in unison.

"Oh yes, my mother used to push me too far all the time and I always came off, I was told to get on and straight up in the air from my first time flying, I was terrified every time I saw a broom, Barbie took her time with me in my first year. Just like she has with Millie".

"We never knew that, and no-one ever mentioned it" Sapphire said.

"It's between Barbie and I as I didn't want any of my classmates knowing, it was too embarrassing. She understood and gave me lessons in the evening twice a week, a metre to start with and she put a spell around the field so no-one could see or hear me gripping with dear life and screaming. She did the same stuff with me that she is with you. Safe to say my parents had a right talking to from her and Quickstep".

The four of them sat down and started discussing Martha's flying history more which put Mildred at ease, she finally felt understood now she knew she wasn't the only one that had been thrown into the deep end with flying.