Chapter 17 – No Contact

The last few weeks of the academic year was upon the school and usual nerves surrounding exams were high. Dimity walked into the staffroom to find Algernon in there, he was reading a letter.

Hecate walked in a half hour after, she was in rather good spirits, considering the year just gone. She had a spring to her step.

Dimity noticed the change in Hecate and she left the room to Hecate's confusion.

"She still likes you". Algernon simply stated to her.

"How do you know?" she asked him.

"I have known for the last two years, Just as I have noticed Enid's change in behaviour around Arrow this year".

Algernon got up and also left the room and it wasn't long until Dimity returned to the staffroom. She looked at Hecate for a brief second before sitting down in the swivel chair that no longer had the arms to it. Hecate watched with amusement as Dimity wheeled the chair across the room like a child to the desk next to the chair she had chosen.

"Exam week, worst week of the year". Dimity muttered to herself.

"The only concern I currently have is whether Felicity makes it". Hecate told her softly. There had been no new news regarding Felicity's condition. This had many of the staff on edge.

The rest of the staff arrived within the hour. Ada had entered the room last, and she stood in front of the door to address her teaching staff.

"Good afternoon, I would like to run some matters by you all". Ada told them. All the staff turned their attention to Ada as she spoke. "I have spoken to the Foxgloves and Felicity's wound is improving. She isn't out of the woods yet although they would like to know Felicity's grading". All the staff looked rather confused.

"When you say grading?" Dimity stated with a very confused expression.

"What grades are we discussing?" Algernon asked.

Hecate just sat their and blinked, she was beyond confused.

"I am asking what you would suggest for Felicity's exam grades, I am aware she can not under the circumstances take her exams. Though if her grades are to your standard we can base the exam grades on them. The school committee has stated that if the staff are willing to use her current grades then they will be used".

Hecate's eyes widened. "The only issue I have with that, is that during her exams, I can actually see what she can do as she isn't under Ethel's control. For the love of sanity. It will look like her grades are dropping".

"Will she pass though?" Ada asked Hecate.

"Just, on 51%". Hecate scoffed. "Her exam grades are usually between 80 and 90. Quite the decline". She emphasized the last word. "It also looks like I can't teach". This was spoken through gritted teeth.

"That's one way to put it". Ada replied.

"It will be the same with Spell Science for her, Ethel has held her back just to be top of the class and this will effect Felicity". Algernon spoke up.

"Can't her grades be the same as last years exam grades, this year isn't a fair representation of her". Hecate asked.

"You have gone soft". Davina stated.

"I have not gone soft and at least I don't teach chanting". Hecate sneered. "The girl has nearly died on school grounds because we didn't see what was going on, that's on all of us. It just so happened that a potion spilt on her in my class for it to be seen fully". Hecate seethed. "I am not going soft; I saw what happened in my classroom that day. Felicity was paired with Enid. That potion was beautifully brewed, and it was mainly Felicity adding the ingredients whilst Enid read out what was going in. If we can go off that potion alone your looking 95%".

The entire room went silent, they had never heard her speak in such a manner about a student. They had seen a different side to her this year, her daughter had brought out a much more understanding version of her, she had even given Mildred a chance this year.

"That's my final answer 95% for Potions". Hecate stated as she moved her hands to signal, she was done.

"Flying is a no brainer, 70%". Dimity stated proudly.

"History 70%, Chanting 54%". Davina stated.

"I need a grade Algernon". Ada politely asked him. With no response she continued. "It's one of the main subjects".

Algernon was stuck and he snapped his fingers and went through her grades from the current year and he was struggling.

"She only needs to pass". Ada pressed.

Hecate understanding the hesitation stood up and walked towards his chair and stood behind him whilst bent over his shoulder slightly. Her brows furrowed as she took in the grades. She made a very frustrated sound before huffing. "Her spell casting was much better last year. She made a clicking sound with her tongue before pointing to one of the spells with a grade next to it. "That one, it's no where near what it should be but it's the best one that's on there". She looked up at Ada who cocked an eyebrow waiting for the grade. She spoke very slowly with a very unimpressed look on her face. "57%".

Felicity would hopefully be back for her fourth year whether it was at Cackle's or at another school.

The following week was high with nerves, students discussing their exams and students discussing summer.

Mildred had just walked off the pitch from her flying exam and it was very clear that she had passed, even Miss Hardbroom had smiled at her and gave her a slight nod.

"Potion's next and that's my last one". She told Enid.

"You'll be fine, just remember, you can do it". Enid told her as she headed to her Spell Science exam. Enid was dreading the end of term, it meant she wouldn't see Arrow again.

Arrow as it so happened had taken all her exams on the Monday, she had been at Pentangles all day for an open day. She too would miss Enid.

That Friday evening Arrow had returned and the four of them had gone through their exams and all hoping they had done enough to pass their year.

The last week of term came around and most of the students were in high spirits. Except a select few, one of which was Enid.

"Where the hell am I supposed to go?" Enid fumed as she had received a letter from her parents saying they were going on tour and she couldn't go with them, an alternative arrangement would be made for her before Thursday. The entire hall went silent, and half the staff looked taken aback. Miss Hardbroom had transferred herself behind Enid which earned her a well-placed elbow in the side by Arrow. Whilst in slight pain she took the letter from Enid who spun round, and the colour drained from her face.

"You earned my elbow". Arrow silkily stated loudly. "You know I hate it when you transfer behind me". Her mother didn't even look at her.

"Well, this is a concern". Miss Hardbroom stated as she walked up to Miss Cackle and showed her the letter.

"She's not going anywhere, without my approval, whilst she is in this school, we are responsible for her safety". Ada told the staff. She then looked at Enid and spoke loudly. "Leave this with me, I will sort it". She then transferred herself into her office to mirror the Nightshades. Surprisingly she couldn't get through to them. By Friday she still hadn't gotten through to them.

Hecate walked into Ada's office that Friday. "Still no contact?". She concerningly asked. She watched as Ada shook her head. She walked out the office and headed to Enid's room. She barged in as she normally did, and she noticed Enid had not packed. "Enid Nightshade. I am leaving this evening, be ready". She then transferred herself to her own room to pack what she needed for summer.

Enid had been left feeling confused and a feeling of dread in her stomach. Why hadn't she been told what was going on, why hadn't her parents responded when she tried mirroring them. It sounded like she was going to the Hardbroom's. Staff don't take students home, oh my bats, I better not be off to an orphanage.

Hecate had told Ada she would be taking Enid home with her for the time being and Ada had admitted that she had been debating taking the girl herself.

"Don't get too excited". Hecate told her daughter an hour before they were due to leave. "Enid is coming home with us, for the time being".

"I thought Mis Cackle was talking to her parents?" Arrow asked rather confused whilst trying to hold in her excitement at having a friend stay over the summer holidays.

"There has been no contact on their end".

An hour later Hecate had transferred herself and the two girls to her cottage in the forest. Enid was amazed, it was stunning, her eyes had widened, and her jaw had dropped. Hecate half smiled at her reaction and Arrow had laughed at her fiend's surprised expression. Hecate gave Arrow the key and watched as she pegged it to the door. She got halfway up the front garden when she turned around.

"Enid Nightshade".

"I'm coming". Enid stated as she realised, she was the only one not walking to the door. She took in the front garden which she realised was beautifully laid out with different herbs and spices that were nearly ready to be harvested as well as some of the ingredients that were used in the potion's lab. As she walked through the door that Hecate had held open for her, she got a strange, homely feeling from the cottage. "Thank you". she said as she acknowledged her teacher held the door open.