Mildred's summer was currently uneventful much to her liking. She had received numerous mirror calls from all her friends. She had spoken to Maud the most as she was fretting about starting at Pentangle's Academy at the start of September.
Mildred was currently sat at the table in the kitchen, her mum had gone shopping off which Mildred had offered to help though her mum had told her to relax in the flat instead. She was currently drawing Zack, her boyfriend. As she did so she remembered the moment in the trial when Zack had very nervously asked her on a date and how him and the rest of her friends had without hesitation welcomed her to Pentangle's Academy a few months into the academic year. She smiled to herself and the mirror on the table flashed, and she looked up to meet Zack's face. He was smiling at her from his bedroom at the Academy.
"Hi". Zack smiled as he looked at his girlfriend. He had missed her the last few weeks.
"Hi, how's life at Pentangle's?" Millie smiled back; she hadn't spoken to him during the summer holidays as Miss Pentangle wanted Zack to settle in fully.
"It's great." His Eyes lit up as he spoke. "Mum took me on a trip to the Grand Canyon to fly around. It's awesome to fly around".
"Sounds great." Millie smiled.
"I know we haven't spoken in weeks, though there isn't much to report, plus mum wanted me to settle in as much as possible". He told her.
"I know, Barbie told me before I came home". Mildred informed him.
"Oh, I didn't tell you, you know Mr Spellman? He has a niece at Cackle's in our year. She's been round a few times. Felicity, I think her name was." He told her with a quizzical expression.
"Felicity Foxglove?" Mildred asked. This was the only Felicity she knew.
"Ye her, mid length brown hair" he said as he tried to wrack his brain for the memory of the girl.
"I didn't know she was a green witch." Mildred said with shock.
"Probably doesn't want anyone to know." He shrugged.
"OK, spill. What's it like living with Barbie?" Mildred laughed.
"So far so good. I've had less night terrors, less panic attacks and she's really treated me as her own. She's never once forgotten I'm here and always takes me with her. My bio mum is the opposite of Barbie." He confessed.
"Not a great bio mum, is it?" Miss Hubble stated as she walked through the door of the flat and heard what Zack had stated.
"That's what mum said the day after everyone went home, she asked what I was used to over summer. Barbie does like her picnics though." He laughed.
Pippa as it so happened had be walking past Zack's room in her wing, she hesitated to listen to the conversation, it wasn't to eavesdrop. She wanted to find out how he was truthfully feeling. After hearing how he was enjoying his summer so far, she walked into her room which was opposite Zack's. She too had enjoyed the summer so far. She was glad she adopted Zack, and she had found his cheeky side had started to come out, she had been hoping it was due to him feeling more comfortable and feeling safe. He had found a love for jigsaws of which they both every weekend did together. She had taken Zack clothes shopping the week before and he was hesitant and tried to tell her he didn't need anything. Though she had told him it was now her responsibility to ensure he had correctly fitting clothes and she had fully kitted him out with a full new wardrobe. Most of his old clothes had gone to charity. It was a new start for them both and she wanted to ensure he had what he needed.
The following week Mildred's mum Julie handed her some envelopes.
"These came in the post for you Millie."
"Thanks mum." Millie stated as she looked at her mail. She had never had mail before. She opened the first one which was a handwritten letter from Zack of which she would read later, the other envelope had the Pentangle's Academy crest on. She opened it up and she found a handwritten check along with a short letter that was also handwritten, though this time it was from Pippa Pentangle. This was a thank you letter.
Mildred read it out as her mum sat down.
Dear Mildred Hubble
On behalf of the staff at Pentangle's Academy, we want to thank you for your participation in the Trial of The Times trials. I am pleased to announce that you have passed your exams with flying colours, yes, even you're flying, your exam results should come through shortly.
I have also provided you with a check of which I am sure you are wondering what that is for. I can not under any circumstances have a student draw the drawings for the school prospectus and not get something in return. That prospectus brings potential students into the Academy, and I cannot stress enough how important it is. I have paid you for each drawing that you have done for us. I am aware you didn't want anything in return, however I never take advantage of anyone.
We at Pentangle's Academy look forward to your return to the school for your second year. Have a fab summer, I'll see you in a few weeks.
Pippa Pentangle
Mildred looked at the check and she was stunned, as was her mum.
"We need to open you your own bank account." Julie told her.
Mildred was too stunned to speak; she was looking at a £300 check. Mildred had provided a collection of her drawings to Miss Pentangle. There was six of which Pippa had loved and she had put all six in the prospectus. Mildred's artistic talent was beyond her years, she was quite the artist. Pippa had chosen the one of the Academy that she had seen previously. There was a fabulous one of herself and Mr Spellman, there was one of Miss Quickstep teaching a few students of which she had also chosen. Mildred had done a few drawings of the herbology greenhouse, one for survival and disguise as well as one with all fourteen members of the trial of the times team. All of which had been included in the prospectus.
Mildred nodded whilst her mum started discussing a bank account. "£300" Mildred told her.
"How many did you draw?"
"I took some of my drawings in and she used six of them."
"£50 per drawing isn't bad Millie." Julie told her.
"£300 is a lot". Mildred stated as she looked at her mum.
"It is, though she has stated the importance of the prospectus, a lot of parents will be looking at them, as will potential students. She must have really liked them." Her mother told her as she stood up with a smile.
"I'm so glad I passed the year though; I can go into second year without any issues." Mildred stated as the shock wore off.
"That is great news Millie, you were panicking thinking you had failed what was it, science?" Julie tried to think of the subject name.
"Spell Science." Mildred laughed. "Oh, there's a return address on the envelope."
"I would assume there would be, with a large check being posted." Julie laughed.
"I am going to write back and say thank you." Mildred stated as her mum passed her some paper and a pen.
"We will send it off tomorrow on the way to the bank to get you a bank account." Julie told her as she went to find her daughter an envelope.
Mildred sat down and wrote a thank you letter to Miss Pentangle of which took her a good half hour before heading into the shower.