Chapter 28 – Mildred's First Date

Zack was sat in the living room of the wing he shared with Pippa Saturday morning. He was watching his favourite series which was Totally Spies whilst eating some cheesy chips. The dragon picture was indeed on the mantel piece. It was the first picture of him that was in the wing, which Pippa had placed there to make him feel more at home. Pippa walked into the living room and sat down next to him.

"What are your plans for today? I was thinking we could fly around the forest, without the dragons that is". Pippa told him with a wink.

Zack laughed at the joke. "I am going on a picnic later". He truthfully told her.

"Interesting, who with?" Pippa teased. Zack shrugged and said nothing. "Come on it's not like you to go alone, plus Cobain mentioned something about you asking Mildred out during the trial". She pointed out.

"I am off on a picnic that's all". He shrugged as he started blushing.

"Where are you taking her?" She pressed.

"I Dunno, I haven't got that far". He admitted. "I thought about the field by the lake, but that's were you used to take me to calm me down".

"It's only a field, take her there. Have you thought of what your taking snacks wise?" She questioned him. She watched as it dawned on him that he hadn't thought that far ahead and how was starting to become flustered. "Come on". She stated as she stood up and headed to the door.

"Where are we going". Zack asked whilst he looked confused.

"The kitchen, you can't go for a picnic without a picnic basket". She cheekily grinned at him.

Five minutes later and they were both in the kitchen looking at what was in stock. Zack smiled when he opened the fridge and found some whipped cream and some strawberries. The school cooks walked in the door at that precise moment.

"Zack Hawthorn, what are you doing in the kitchen?" one of them asked.

"Zack has a picnic date tonight". Pippa explained.

"Say no more". One of the other cooks stated. "Take these and these. Ooh these are out of date tomorrow, so you may as well take them". Within ten minutes Zack had a picnic basket filled with food, drinks, cups, plates, bowls and cutlery.

Pippa and the cooks watched as Zack left the room.

"He was practically dancing in here". The first cooked stated with a smile on her face. "I can remember that scared look in his eyes as I walked into the medical wing with some leak and potato soup for him an hour after he came out of his coma". She reminisced.

"Him and Mildred, he's been wanted to ask her out for months, bless his heart". The other cook stated.

Pippa was listening as the cooks spoke about her son. "He is doing much better; He is really coming into his own".

"Speaking of picnics, when are you and Hecate having one?" The second cook asked.

Pippa looked at the cooks in shock she was surprised when they said Mildred's name, now she was just baffled after hearing Hecate's.

Noticing the look on Pippa's face the first cook spoke. "We are cooks, we hear and see everything when we take the food out. We also talk to Zack regularly". He comes in here and helps us cook sometimes. He made the lasagne last week".

"He's a good cook", Pippa mused remembering how delicious the dish was.

"Sooo, what are your plans for the picnic, just so we know".

"I am going to take her to the underwater cave with the waterfall tomorrow evening around nine, she likes her food a certain way, so I will unfortunately for you be in here for a few hours tomorrow. I hope you don't mind?".

"That's not a problem. Have you asked her on the date yet?".

"I'm not going to; I'm going to spring it on her using an invisible portal. She will be mad for about thirty seconds". Pippa laughed, knowing Hecate far too well.

That afternoon Mildred met Zack at the school's front door, she was wearing knee length shorts and a tank top and trainers. Her hair was in a high plaited ponytail for a change. Zack had also opted for shorts though he had gone with a normal t-shirt in purple. He was surprised by her hairstyle and realised she had put in a bit of effort for him, which made him smile.

"You ready?" He asked.

Mildred smiled and just about managed to speak through her nerves. "I am". This was Mildred's first date, and she wasn't sure what to expect.

They walked into the forest towards the lake. High up in the school Pippa stood, watching with a huge smile on her face as they headed for their picnic. She waved her hand and the picnic basket, and the towels were laid out neatly in the field waiting for them with a charm surrounding the setup, this was to keep any bugs out or any animals from going near the picnic.

The two students were in deep conversation regarding Zack's adoption. It was a big thing for Zack, and Mildred was thrilled for him. As they walked onto the field, Mildred stopped at the sight in front of her which made her speechless. There was the basket with everything laid out on the blankets and there was towels just encase they went swimming; wildflowers were visible throughout the field. They headed towards it, and as they sat down Mildred was surprised by what she was given. There was strawberries and cream, tuna and sweetcorn sandwiches, chicken salad, crisps, blackberries, watermelon slices and an array of chocolates and sweets.

"Wow, this is a lot".

"Mum said to make sure we eat the food that will go off quicker and we can finish whatever is left at a later date".

"You got really lucky; Miss Pentangle will be a great mum".

"Ye she will, she was wanting to go for a fly around the forest with me".

"Zack, we could have re-scheduled". Mildred stated with shock, and she suddenly felt bad.

"It's fine, I have all summer with her". He laughed.

Mildred laid down on the grass and as she did so, she noticed a bright blue dragonfly and without any warning many winged insects flew from the ground.

"They weren't there before". Mildred gasped as she realised that they were made out of magic.

"I would love to take the credit for them, but they are mums' creations. She can be quite the magician". He spoke with fondness. He then looked at Mildred. "Wanna go swimming?"

"Is the lake safe now?" Mildred teased.

They both ran into the lake, and they spent a good hour racing each other from one end to the other and swimming up to the waterfall. Once they had returned to the basket, they finished what was left and they put the towels and the blanket in the basket and headed back to the school with the basket on his arm.

Pippa and Hecate were both stood at the entrance to the school as the two students returned from their picnic.

"Sorry, it's my fault we are late back". Zack stated as they approached the women.

"Don't stress, I was keeping an eye on you". Pippa informed him.

"I will take Mildred to her room". Hecate said as she spun around to head indoors.

"I was going to walk her to her room". Zack said quietly.

"A gentleman". Hecate stated with a raised eyebrow almost as though she hadn't expected him to.

The walk to Mildred's room was rather awkward and silent, there was a lot that Hecate wanted to tell her though she knew Mildred wouldn't understand. As they stood outside Mildred's room ten minutes later Hecate spoke.

"You must wonder why I treated you differently to the others".

"You didn't think those from non-witching families should be taught?"

Mildred opened her door and Hecate hesitated, though Mildred held the door open for her and she walked in after her former student and leaned against the desk facing Mildred.

"No, we have had a few from non-witching families just like you. One of them sailed through their time with us, gaining in magical strength and skill set. She was a pleasure to have. Shortly after that, we had been pulled aside as a school for taking on that student who is now, how do I put this? What you would call witching police. We ended up putting practises in place and we took on a few more, each thrived in their own way. I decided with each one to do one to one's on weekends to help them catch up, so they were on the same level as the rest of the group. This however caused a lot of problems especially for one, which was the last one we had before you. Elspeth, she was a lot like you, independent, stubborn, and quite a challenge to bring up to speed, not through lack of trying might I add. I was accused of favouritism by the other students and many parents started complaining. In the end I had to back off and she failed her year that year. I tried the best I could. I have not been allowed to do one to one's for the past five years. I knew you would struggle, granted, I could have been more encouraging, though I do like my reputation I am not going to lie.

Mildred was shocked by Hecate's honesty it did make sense to her to an extent though she did have a few questions.

"So you tried to have me kicked out rather than watch me struggle and fail?"

"That was the best option, you weren't used to magic, Mildred. It would have stung being kicked out as you put it. Though wouldn't it have been worse to fail your first year knowing you couldn't come back?"

Mildred nodded; she was right. It would have been emotionally painful for her.

"I don't get it though, why doesn't Cackle's take on more from non-witching families, so this isn't an issue?"

"Finding the students from non-witching families, is not a walk in the park. We don't have what Pentangle's does. Pentangle's practically threw the witches code out to an extent. What one gender learns the other gender also learns. Have you not noticed how your classes are always mixed with boys and girls? Some of her teachers, green witching teachers came up with a spell of which they tried, and it worked for them. They can detect the magic across the country from both witching and non-witching families, something they get away with as they are a private school, of which Cackle's is not.

"That makes sense except, if Pentangle's could have had me, why didn't you have me transferred?"

"That is a very good question. The reason for that is because Myself and Miss Cackle had no idea that Miss Pentangle took on those from non-witching families or that she had thrown the Witches code out. She did that for gender equality, some things she still goes by but a good portion of it she does not". Hecate looked at Mildred and scanned her face, though surprisingly she saw no hatred or anger as she had expected. "I will leave you to get ready for bed. Zack seems nice, hope you had a good date". She then stood up and left before Mildred could respond.

Mildred went to sleep that night and slept soundly.