Chapter 9 – One Step at a Time

Mildred sat at her desk in her room, and she was getting more frustrated by the minute. She was trying, she really was, but she just couldn't manage the spell casting very well. she was struggling and it was making some of the teachers annoyed. Miss Hardbroom had brought it up in class along with a few choice words. She was trying to get at least one spell right. She eventually stopped when her friends knocked on the door and let themselves in. Though Arrow wasn't with them.

"Millie, come on, take a walk outside". Enid told her.

"What's the point? how is that going to help me?". Mildred asked them.

"You're stressed, no-one can think straight when they are stressed". Maud explained.

Mildred turned around and sat back down at her desk.

"I'm off to find Arrow". Enid told them.

"Why, I don't need her". Mildred stated through gritted teeth.

"Yes, you do". Enid snapped at her as she left to find Arrow.

Enid found Arrow a short while later in the library. She walked up to her and sat at the same table as her.

"Millie, needs your help".

"She has made it quite clear that she does not want my help". Arrow stated as she looked up to meet Enid's eyes, before going back to her book.

Enid wasn't giving up. "Can't you at least speak to her?"

"If I thought it would make any difference I would. As it so happens. Millie doesn't trust me due to who my mother is. The person you need speak to is my mother, not me". Arrow explained.

"Why would I need to speak to your mother?"

"This is her mess, not mine. Every child that fails their exams spectacularly makes every teacher look incompetent". Arrow told her as she looked up to meet her eyes again. "I have done what I can, in terms of speaking to both of them. There is nothing more I can do".

Enid's heart deflated; she was sure Arrow would end up helping Mildred. She decided on plan B. Enid headed towards the headmistress's office. Once she got there, she took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come in". Miss Cackle's voice could be heard.

Enid walked in and caught sight of Miss Hardbroom in there. This was not part of the plan.

"Something I can help you with Enid?" Miss Cackle asked.

"I'll come back later, looks like your busy". Enid stated as her voice faltered as she started backing out the room.

"No need, come on in". Miss Cackle kindly told her. "What is the issue?"

"Well, me and Maud are concerned, and I thought it best to come to you as a last resort". Enid fumbled through the words. It was clear that Miss Hardbroom's presents had put her off slightly. Miss Cackle nodded and signalled for her to take a seat of which Enid so before continuing. "Mildred is trying really hard. She's in her room a lot more, trying to study though she's not getting anywhere". With this news Miss Hardbroom's eyebrows shot up.

"You're telling me, that Mildred Hubble, is actually studying?" Miss Hardbroom asked.

"She is. Arrow offered to tutor her, and she declined. I spoke to her again today and she said if Mildred doesn't want the help, then she can't help. She is going to fail the year" Enid explained.

"Arrow is not wrong. You can't help those who do not want the help". Miss Hardbroom stated.

"Arrow would be a good candidate would she not, Hecate?" Miss Cackle asked her.

"Probably. As she is a studious student herself and does possess a level head, most of the time. Top of all her classes as per usual. She was what Amethyst's call a study buddy, she was on their list in their library. Someone that you go to if you needed extra help and didn't want to ask the staff. These study buddies are valuable to their school. She is rather similar in personality to Esmerelda Hallow". Miss Hardbroom informed them. "Though I doubt she will, unless Mildred Hubble asks her herself, I also will not force her to do so".

Enid looked downcast.

"I will have a think and I will also speak with Mildred". Miss Cackle stated. "Although, there is a bedroom situation to sort out with Arrow. Putting the two together could potentially have the effects needed, would it not?". Miss Cackle spoke to Miss Hardbroom. Who looked angry at the thought of the preposterous idea.

"She is to be put with Ethel". Miss Hardbroom stated.

This was news to Enid who looked like the world was ending. "Are you trying to cause world wars 3,4 and 5?" she asked Miss Hardbroom with confusion.

Both women looked at the girl in front of them. They both clearly hadn't seen what the students had, and it was starting to sink in. they both looked at each other realising what Enid Nightshade the prankster of the school had just stated.

"If you put them two together, Ethel isn't going to make it out alive, Ethel only wants to be friends with Arrow to make herself look good. Arrow sees through her and won't put up with her insecurity". Enid told them. "She can go in mine, though I have to agree with Miss Cackle if were taking votes on it".

That afternoon a bed was put in Mildred's room of which confused Mildred. Arrow's belongings had been placed in there including her broom. Miss Hardbroom had agreed for the broom to not be stored in the broom shed due to its sentimental value and safety.

Arrow walked in with her hands up in the air. "I had no idea, I swear".

"It's fine, at least you're not Ethel".

"I was nearly put in with her".

"What were they trying to do blow the school up?"

Arrow shrugged and took in the gaunt look in Mildred's eyes as well as the weight loss and the bags under her eyes. She looked tired; she was clearly not sleeping. Her dress was almost falling off her shoulders, and she noticed the shear panic on her face.

"Millie, you don't look good". Arrow told her in a soothing voice as her mother walked in.

Miss Hardbroom took a good look at Mildred after what her daughter had stated, and she realised for the first time that Mildred looked very ill. "Dining hall, now". She stated. She noticed Mildred did not move. "I will bring a bowl up". She warned.

Mildred still did not head towards the door. Instead, she sat back down as her desk and put her head in her left hand as she re read the same page for the fiftieth time that day.

With concern, Miss Hardbroom walked up to Mildred and placed her right hand on Mildred's left shoulder. "Mildred, this can't go on-"

"It's not like you care". Mildred stated cooly before she could stop herself as she shrugged her teachers hand off her shoulder.

"Oh, I do. I have a strange way of showing it. You need to eat Mildred; the mind cannot function properly if the body isn't fed. I will bring you something up".

It was about an hour and half later that that Miss Hardbroom had brought up three bowls of chicken dinners. The bowls were steaming. She sat on Arrows bed and refused to leave until Mildred had eaten it all.

Arrow watched as Mildred ate it and she watched the way her mum made sure she ate it all. She was very lucky to have her mum even though they were walking on eggshells around each other.

Miss Hardbroom collected all the bowls and transferred herself to the kitchens.

Arrow and Mildred were sat talking to each other when something on Mildred's desk caught her eye. She stood up and walked up to it and realised it was an exquisite drawing of the school.

"Millie have you ever brought any of your pictures to life?"

"I can barely do anything, what makes you think I could do that?"

Mildred stood up and went over to the desk.

"Use your hand to mimic a pinch and lift your hand in a tear drop movement and then throw it with all your fingers out to the wall".

"What exactly will that do?"

"let's find out".

Mildred did as she had been instructed and to her amazement the image drooped up with her fingers and as she threw it at the wall, her picture had become a mural on the entire length of the wall. She stood there looking shocked it was the first-time magic had gone correctly in a long time.

"How did you know it would work?"

"You're an artist, so it should work. I can tutor you, but you need to be ready to make that first step". Arrow told her. She watched as Mildred looked downcast. "We will take it one step at a time". Arrow assured her.

Mildred looked at Arrow and nodded. "I've practically failed anyway, may as well give it a try".

"You haven't failed, not yet". Arrow replied and they both looked at the mural again.