Chapter 27 – Decisions Decisions

The news of Ethel's current situation had rapidly spread around the school, not that it had been kept a secret as Hecate had told her competing students as well as Miss Cackle. There was a noticeable buzz in the air. Most of the schools had made friends with other schools including the staff.

Enid and Maud had been musing over Maud's plans for transferring to Pentangle's for a couple of days since Maud came out of the trial, which would leave Enid on her own. Enid had found herself wondering the corridors and she stopped to look out the window. As she sighed at the sight of the forest that encased the school, Miss Pentangle came out of the door behind her. Enid spun around to realise that she had stopped outside of the headmistress's office. Miss Pentangle was stood in a lilac and white dress, this time there was no hat, and her hair was in a high ponytail, she was also wearing short Lilac heels.

Miss Pentangle stood there smiling at a student that she had had for exactly eight hours at the beginning of the school year. "Is there something you wanted to talk about?".

Enid couldn't respond as all she could think about was her best friends leaving her on her own at Cackle's Academy.

Miss Pentangle's face softened as she had a feeling she knew what Enid was going through. The three girls used to be inseparable, and they had been since the schools arrived for the trials. "Is this possibly about Maud transferring?" She asked Enid with a sympathetic tone to her voice as she walked over to the window to stand beside Enid.

Enid looked out the window and sighed, she then broke down in tears.

Miss Hardbroom had been walking up the corridor and she had heard the headmistress speak and saw how one of her own students broke down. This broke her, she never showed it, but she liked all her students. Each one was different, and the one thing that Enid had that her other students didn't was a huge sense of humour, she was a dare devil, and she had a soft spot for her. She hated the thought of only having one of the trios at her school whilst the other two was at Pentangle's.

Enid walked off with her head low after Miss Pentangle had tried to calm the girl down with some kind words. Miss Pentangle turned around and smiled. "Hello. Hecate".

"Hello to you too". Hecate then looked at the door Enid had just walked through.

"She will be fine Hecate".

"No, she won't".

"What do you mean?"

"Enid only stayed at our school and didn't try to get expelled as she had finally made some friends. Those friends have gone to another school, leaving her on her own".

Pippa stood there at the weight of Hecate's words hit her. Hecate wasn't wrong.

"Enid has been in my school all year, she's a firecracker, a tough cookie. Though on the inside she just wants to be seen and not left out. She's strong on the outside, yet soft on the inside. She needs her friends".

"What are you saying Hecate?".

"Let Enid transfer".

"She was expelled for a reason". Pippa gasped.

"Was she a danger to the other students?"

"Not exactly no".

"Was she anything like Ethel?". Hecate asked her, knowing the answer would be no.

"No".

"Look Pippa, Enid hasn't been a problem since she has been here. She's kept her head down and I haven't seen that girl smile since you took Mildred, if she was to become a problem, let me know and I will come sort her out, her being away from her friends will break her".

Miss Quickstep had walked through the door towards the women. "I have to agree with Hecate on this one, Pippa".

The three of them went into Pippa's office and were in deep discussion for a few hours.

Enid had walked to her bedroom, and she packed her belongings in slow motion, she was doing the best she could to not break down again. She had thought of how kind Miss Hardbroom had been when she was transferred into the potions room and asked if she wanted to come to pentangle's as both her friends would be there. She had been thrilled to be asked. She had noticed how Miss Hardbroom's demeanour had changed since Mildred had transferred. Miss Hardbroom's soft side had come out. Enid couldn't help but think about the day that she and the rest of the school had looked in shock as Miss Hardbroom had been working with Tabby and his flying fear, on the flying pitch, she had spoken softly to the cat and she had provided treats and toys for him to play with around the broom, she had him jumping over the slightly hovered broom and had him sit on it. She had spent a good few hours a day with him. The staff had been equally shocked.

The following day Maud and her parents had spoken to Miss Pentangle, they handed the forms in with the grant that Maud had managed to get due to the trial of the times success. Her transfer had been approved and finalised.

Miss Pentangle looked at the Spellbody's. "The grant you may have back". She stated with a smile and then she looked at Maud's confused yet apprehensive expression. "I am happy to inform you that a few of my staff have requested you be given a scholarship, not to mention I was impressed with your skills in the trials".

Maud couldn't believe her ears she was in shock.

"Maud, at least say thank you". Her parents told her in such disbelief that she hadn't used her manners.

Maud couldn't speak. She hadn't thought she would get a scholarship in her wildest dreams; this was not what she had expected, all she could do was look at the headmistress.

"I'd say that was a little shock to the system". Pippa laughed. She then went through the next years academics and explained the books and uniforms were part of the school fees and were provided by the school.

Maud was thrilled, she was humming and skipping all the way to the dinner hall. She toned it down when she met Enid as she knew Enid would be thrilled for her but would also be devastated at being left behind.

They took their seats next to Mildred and her team who she had become friends with. Mildred was very popular at this school. There was an announcement from Miss Pentangle.

"Good afternoon, everyone".

"Good afternoon". They chorused back.

"I have the trial of the times leaderboard, all staff from all schools have come to an agreement". With the wave of her hand, a golden scroll with purple writing emerged.

"We won". Martha shouted with pride.

"Go on team". Cobain roared.

The team was in very high spirits.

"Maud, we came second" Ingrid shouted gleefully.

Maud went to her team to join them in celebration.

Wolfram Academy erupted in cheers, they had come third and they were thrilled to have made it to the top three.

The staff had gone round the top three schools with trophies and medals for each of the students. Pentangles were given a rosette each as well due to them coming first. Miss Hardbroom had approached Enid from behind and lowered the trophy in front of her, that would have been Ethel's had she not been eliminated.

Enid looked up in confusion. "I didn't compete".

"No, you did not. Though you were very encouraging to the team, the training sessions you were present for, you ensured everyone had the equipment they needed. If you look at the inscription, you will see why you have one". Miss Hardbroom explained and slightly smiled at her.

Enid looked at it and it stated team mascot on it. She then looked up at Miss Hardbroom, "Thank you".

Miss Hardbroom nodded. "You're welcome and I have something else for you". She lowered some papers in front of Enid and then she walked away.

"No way". Was all Enid could say as she looked at the papers. She had been given a booklet and a post it note was on the front cover.

Miss Hardbroom thought it would be in your

best interests for me to allow you to transfer.

I have honoured that; this is your second chance.

Miss Pentangle

Mildred looked over and shouted to Maud. "Enid's transferring".

The was a huge celebration between the two schools' students and Hecate headed towards the staff table as she hated loud noises.

The Pentangle's first years were thrilled of Enid joining them, they had found her to be pleasant though slightly cheeky still. The pentangle's team that had competed welcomed both students with open arms. With the phrase of "Welcome home".

It had ended up being a very good day for the trio and they were finally back together. They were sat discussing their summer plans and what they would be doing next year. Enid and Maud were intrigued with the added subjects that Pentangle's didn't have.

Most of the team had started laughing as Miss Hardbroom had just handed Zack a parcel of which he opened at the table and soon regretted it, he had been given a moving picture of him on a broom being chased by a dragon, this was clearly taken during the trial. He was thrilled until a freckled hand took it from his hands. He looked up to see Miss Pentangle smile and she spoke with a playful tone. "That will go well on the mantel piece". The table erupted in laughter once more.

Once everyone had calmed down Zack approached Mildred. "Could you meet me Saturday afternoon at four by the front doors please?". Mildred nodded with curiosity. Zack had gone to take the picture off his mother, though she didn't make it easy for him.