Chapter 14 – Maud's Big Decision

The following morning Enid and Maud walked into the school's vast library. The library was massive it had three floors and each floor was designated to certain subjects. There was a seating area in the middle of the bottom floor and from that area the other floors could be seen. There was a slight golden glow to the library, and it looked and felt clean like the books were tended to regularly. The library was slightly busy.

"It's Mahoosive". Enid stated with shock. "Is this definitely a library?"

"It's gorgeous, look at all these books". Maud stated as she walked up to one of the tall bookcases that required a ladder to reach the top six shelves.

"All those books are for Herbology?" Enid gasped with wide eyes.

"Hi girls, I am Martha the head girl, do you need any help finding anything at all?"

The girls turned around to see what looked like an older version of Enid.

"That would be great, do I dare ask which books I should be looking at for different carnivorous plants, Spell Science, healing potions and different types of trees?" Maud asked sheepishly, thinking she had asked too much.

"No problem, behind you is all the Herbology books which goes all the way across the hall, I know, it's a lot". Martha led them halfway up the hall to a section that was marked Carnivorous Plants. "you either want this one which is the basic guide to carnivorous plants". Martha picked up a thick green and purple hard back book. "Or this one which is the Ultra guide to Carnivorous plants". She picked up another hardback book, though this one was very thick; Martha was struggling to balance it on one hand. This book was multiple shades of green with silver swirly writing.

"How many are we able to take back to our rooms?" Enid asked, knowing Maud was in her element. She loved studying which annoyed Enid sometimes.

"As long as they aren't being hogged as many as you would like, though more than ten, as it does annoy other students as it means they can't get hold of a copy if they are all out the library at the same time for days on end". Martha replied.

"I can understand the irritation". Maud nodded in response to Martha's reply.

Martha took the girls round all three floors of the library to help them get what they need.

"Oh, and the library is open until teatime, so there's no rush as long as Miss Hardbroom doesn't need you for anything" Martha remembered as they got back downstairs to the main part of the library.

"We did tell her we would be in here, she looked like she nearly died of shock when Enid said she was coming with me", Maud laughed.

Both girls sat down at a round table with a few notebooks and started whispering between them regarding what they were looking at. After a few hours Maud asked Enid the question she didn't want to ask her.

"I think, I might transfer schools". Maud blurted out.

"But then who will I hang out with?"

"I just get a different feeling from this school, plus there's no Ethel, I like Miss Hardbroom as she makes us work hard as she's hard to please, however seeing a difference in Millie makes me think this school might be more accommodating".

"I got expelled from this school, I won't be able to join you two".

"My mind isn't made up yet".

"Not to be a downer Maud, please don't take this the wrong way. How will your parents be able to afford the fees?"

"I spoke to mum yesterday, they could manage it if they cut corners here and there, they are going to speak to Pentangle if I decide I definitely want to transfer, see what options there is".

"Oh". Enid sounded deflated.

"Maybe she would take you back, you only got expelled because you wanted to get back at your mum and stay home schooled, you changed when you met me and Millie. Maybe she will take you back under certain circumstances". Maud stated hopefully. "Then we can all stay together".

"I doubt it". Enid replied as she dropped her head into her folded arms.

"She has let you in lessons, plus you haven't played up in them" Maud said hopefully. "I'm going to do my best in the trial, Pentangle might on the slim chance if she thinks I'm good enough offer a scholarship".

Enid decided to help Maud as much as she could and see were life takes her from there.

Hecate was scanning through some of the books on the floor above to use for her competing students, she could hear the girls and listened in to the conversation they were having. She also noticed how Enid was bizarrely helping Maud as much as she could. Maud was one of her favourites. Top of the class always ended up being her favourite. She could trust Maud to do her best in what ever she did, she just hoped that Maud's plan would fall through. She looked over at Pippa as her eyebrows were constantly going up and down and she was trying to make it look like she wasn't listening to the girls below. Her eyebrows gave her away, though she seemed very interested in a book about different herbs and spices. Hecate could only smile as Pippa looked adorable as she tried her hardest not to hear the girls.

Pippa transferred Hecate's selected books to her quarters. They both headed to the lounge in Pippa's quarters. As Hecate walked in to this room she noticed the room was purple and white. As it turned out it was Zack's favourite colour.

"I wanted Zack to have another room other than his own that he feels comfortable in". Pippa stated as they sat on the cream sofa.

"let's see what's on" Pippa said softly as picked up a black remote from the large glass table in front that was currently supporting a jigsaw puzzle that Zack and herself had been working on. She clicked the power button and she half laughed as Totally Spies came on. "Sorry, Zack's obsessed with this series". She said apologetically.

"I'm guessing it could be worse?" Hecate stated with a half-smile. They ended up watching the episode that Zack had just watched. "OK, I just about understood that".

"Are we going to ignore what we heard in the library". Pippa asked her.

"There's nothing to discuss".

"There have been a few students from other schools as well, it's not just yours, I had many parents mirroring yesterday, three at the same time at one point".

"I am not their parent, it's not my decision to make for them, though Enid was thoroughly enjoying the flying class yesterday".

"Stephanie has a way of getting the best out of each student, to be fair all of my staff do".

"Sooooo, I see Mildred has improved immensely".

"Oh, she has. I am thrilled that she feels like she fits in here, she's popular and well liked. My head girl has had no issues with her. To be fair Martha and Mildred are very similar, they both came with a severe fear of flying. Both were taught the same way the first time they flew and Martha is from a witching family".

There was a knock at the door and Zack popped his head in.

"Just letting you know I'm off to bed". He told Pippa sheepishly.

"You can come in, this is your home, Zack".

Zack stood there looking very confused.

"Zack, the paperwork has gone through, you're stuck with me". Pippa laughed.

"Seriously? I thought I would have ended up in an orphanage". Zack blurted out wide eyed.

"No, I filed for the adoption, and it went through, I have put a copy of the conformation on your bedside table". Pippa told him with a comforting smile.

Zack walked into the room rather shyly. He wasn't scared of Pippa in the slightest. He had since he woke up in the medical wing at pentangles felt at ease in her presence. She had always been the mother he always wanted, he felt like she was lying to him, like she would tell him she was only joking. Though she didn't, she waited apprehensively for his response after realising he wasn't saying anything she clicked her fingers and the conformation hung in mid-air in front of Zack. She watched as he read the letter multiple times and let it sink in.

Pippa was deep in thought as he read the letter a good twenty times to ensure his eyes were not deceiving him. Did I make a mistake? Does he not feel comfortable enough around me? Is this his worst nightmare?

Zack's eyes started tearing up and then he started to cry uncontrollably. Pippa leaped up from the sofa and hugged him. "If it's not what you want, it can be revoked". Pippa soothingly told him.

Zack shook his head and managed through his tears to speak to her in a whisper that Hecate couldn't hear. "Thank you, Mum".

Pippa was thrilled and took him to bed. She returned to the lounge twenty minutes later.

"He's sound asleep. The news wore him out". Pippa told Hecate.

"He feels safe and comfortable with you, take it as a compliment, especially after what he has been through".

"We still have a few hours before I normally head to bed, I've got a really annoying Jigsaw Puzzle if you want something to do? unless you're turning in early".

"I never say no to a jigsaw puzzle, what makes it so annoying?"

"It has normal shaped pieces and irregular shaped pieces and its fully interlocking. I'm struggling with it".

"Sounds fun, where is it?"

"In our room".

They both went into their bedroom and got the jigsaw puzzle out and to Hecate's delight this was going to be a tricky one, she loved jigsaw puzzles, it helped keep her eyes sharp. Plus, she loved a good challenge. They were working on this jigsaw puzzle for what felt like a couple of hours however it turned out that they had been doing it for five hours, it was nearly two in the morning. They both slid into Pippa's bed after they had got a wash and changed into their nightwear. Pippa flicked her bedside table lamp off and the room was pitch black. Though they could just about see each other. Hecate pulled a face at Pippa who then giggled. Pippa slid closer to Hecate and nuzzled into her as she had done that first night. As she did so Hecate using her right finger touched Pippa's chin to gently tilt her head up and she kissed her on the lips. She let her head go and Pippa touched her cheek and gently yet passionately, kissed her back. They fell asleep shortly after.