Chapter 8 – A Break-In at Wormwood

Mildred was pleased to be starting her training at the weekend, and she found she felt much better knowing she wouldn't be shouted at regularly by Miss Darkside. As she entered the hall on the Wednesday evening, she headed towards her friends and the room was eerily quiet even though the entire school was in the hall. There wasn't a peep, not even from the students with Tourettes. There was a grave expression amongst the headmistress's face. She stood up to address the entire school and as she did, she looked around before she spoke very carefully.

"I am aware of the news that has gone round, and I have checked with Wormwood what I can say is that there is nothing to worry about, I highly doubt that we will have any issues. Please do remain calm and continue as normal".

Mildred looked confused and wondered out loud. "I have no idea what she is talking about". She then clapped her hands against her mouth as she had forgotten at how quiet the room was and unfortunately everyone had heard her.

Miss Pentangle was about to speak however Martha spoke first just as she had opened her mouth. "Wormwood has been broken into and Ethel Hallow has escaped" she explained to Mildred. She then turned to Miss Pentangle. "This can't be a coincidence surely?"

Mr Light-Ray stood up. "There is nothing to panic about, the staff here have a reputation, it would be foolish to try and attack the school." He stated loud and clear before he sat down.

Mildred had noticed since Miss Darkside's firing, the headmistress had been on edge, and she had been in her office a lot more.

Pippa used to be very difficult to find and now she would most of the time be found in her office. Even half the staff had asked her if there was something wrong and she had shaken her head. She had a very bad feeling that Ethel's escape had been because of Darkside that she just couldn't shake off. She had re directed Darkside's questions when she tried to find out information on Ethel Hallow. The woman was almost obsessed with the girl, and she found it most unnerving and as she looked around her, she noticed most of the school had as well.

After she had pushed the food around on her plate with her fork for ten minutes before she rose from her seat and headed to her room to mirror Hecate. She couldn't stop shaking when she was in her room, she knew it was safe to break Infront of Hecate. It would be impossible not to worry her, she hadn't spoken to her since summer as both schools had been very busy with school swop.

She finally regained herself half an hour later, she took a deep breath and turned her mirror and spoke softly. "Hecate Hardbroom".

Hecate didn't answer the call, which didn't surprise Pippa, yet it made her feel alone. She knew Hecate's reputation for handing out detentions. She laid down on her bed staring at the ceiling whilst deep in thought. An hour later Hecate mirrored her back and Pippa leapt of her bed and answered the mirror on her desk.

"Hecate". Pippa breathed as she took in the sight of her lover.

"Pippa, is everything ok?"

"I'm not sure".

"Is this to do with the trio at all because I have no issues coming over there". Hecate stated with a straight face, yet her eyes sparkled. She had a dry sense of humour that made most people not know how to take her. She came across as cold to them. Pippa on the other hand knew her very well.

"No, it's to do with Darkside." Pippa stated.

"What is wrong with Darkside? She's a disciplinarian yet she gets the best out of her students."

"Hecate, people say the same thing about Broomhead." Pippa retorted. She knew this would get under her skin and make her rethink what she had said.

"What about her are you concerned about?"

"Did you hear that I fired her?"

"I did, though I can't say I'm surprised. Mr Right told be about it. He's from Amulets he said she was nightmare to work with. No dares breathe in her classes. He even said I was tame compared to her."

"You see my point; I followed her into the woods the evening I fired her, and she spun round and gave my school a wicked smirk. Also have you heard Ethel Hallow is out of Wormwood?"

"Ethel Hallow is in Wormwood." Hecate stated through gritted teeth.

"Wrong, she was busted out yesterday, its all my school have spoken about today." Pippa stated with hard eyes. She watched Hecate's eyes widen, just as Ada walked into the room Hecate was in.

Hecate turned to look at Ada and spoke with a levelled tone. "Did you know Ethel Hallow is out of Wormwood?"

Ada looked apprehensive as she spoke. "I did, I was informed this morning, I have also been informed that Pippa fired Darkside at the weekend." She stated as she had put two and two together. She then using a different mirror asked Mr Right to come to her office.

It wasn't long before the ginger haired man walked into Ada's office. He was very tall and rather freckly though Pippa instantly liked him, this man reminded her a little of Aiden. A pleasant auror that she could sense through the mirror and cheeky look about him.

Ada spoke to this member of staff. "Daniel, could you please tell the ladies what you told me earlier regarding Darkside."

Daniel nodded and spoke clearly, and his voice sounded panicked, Darkside clearly scared him. "She is dangerous, even Claudia hasn't dared to fire her. She is Broomhead's full sister and Darkside is just as malevolent as Broomhead. Claudia went into her room yesterday and all her things have gone, though there was a pin board that must have been left on purpose, this had pictures of students from different schools including Zira's. The Dormant students, It stated their personal talents and what lines they are from. I am not sure of her plans though I have also heard that Agatha Cackle has also joined their ranks."

Ada turned round and stared at Daniel, the look on her face made it clear that Agatha was a danger as well.

"Well, I for one am glad I keep my schools' records within my school and not flaunt my students off." Pippa stated though it was clear she was concerned. "The only student of mine that she will be aware of being Dormant will be-." Pippa couldn't bring herself to say the name.

"Mildred." Hecate whispered, yet everyone heard her.

Pippa nodded with a solemn expression upon her face. "I don't have the staff I usually have; I have no idea how the school swop teachers will react. I haven't had them in my school for long and I hadn't met any of them previously baring Algernon."

"I am happy to let Kiara return, she is only ground staff." Ada told her.

"Thank you, I will be mirroring the school committee next, I need my staff back." Pippa's voice started to faulter and the other three had noticed.

"This school swop was a bad idea anyway." Ada stated. "Though I have not had any issues with Kiara, she had even started an after-school club for survival and disguise."

Over the next few days, the Pentangles staff had all arrived and the students were buzzing. All the staff that had returned had been greeted by hundreds of students and they made sure to meet all the new students that were first years and transfers. They greeted all the students before the staff.

Pippa stood on a balcony overlooking the largest courtyard, and she watched as every member of staff that had returned had been surrounded by all the students. She found herself to be smiling, it was a true smile, she finally felt like the school was safe enough. She was a very skilled witch; however, her staff are all different and it was their difference that made their school a force to be reckoned with. She knew she could count on her staff when they were needed. She did everything she could to not jump over the balcony when she caught sight of Aiden and Stephanie. She breathed for the first time in months. She also noticed that Aiden was sporting some injuries of which everyone in the courtyard had noticed. She transferred herself in front of him.

"I'm fine, I just got intercepted on the way here by Broomhead." He told Pippa as he scanned her face and noticed she was about to break, though by his confidence he had clearly won the duel.

"SPEELLLMAAANNNN." Martha screamed across the courtyard as she ran to him, he was her favourite member of staff, and he was like a dad to her. Though her legs wouldn't stop in time as she had noticed his injuries at the last minute and collided into him. He hugged her back, though he gasped in pain before laughing.

Stephanie looked over and started laughing before she noticed the injuries. They had been together for six years and to see him in this state was heartbreaking. She walked over to him, and he let go of Martha, he had been using Martha to lean on after she collided into him. Stephanie very gently touched his face, and he pulled her into a hug, and she willingly took his weight as she could feel he wasn't strong enough to hold his own weight. He wasn't prepared to let her go. Ten minutes later Eric had turned up and between him and Stephanie they managed to get him to his room and onto his bed. It wasn't long before the medical team arrived, and they set to work on his body.

Pippa had been made aware of his injuries, some were minor, and some would keep him bed bound for a few days. Though she knew he would refuse to stay bed bound. He had a broken nose and two black eyes, three broken ribs, several deep wounds and many bruises all over his body. Pippa was devastated, she knew this wasn't her fault and that she couldn't have let Darkside stay. She had mirrored the school committee, and they were devastated at what they had heard, and they knew they were responsible for this in one way or another.

The entire school had ensured that Aiden had all the space he needed and a massive apology off of Martha, though he had stated an apology wasn't necessary. He was offered a wheelchair, though he had refused to have one, he ended up walking around with a cane and Pippa had ensured that every corridor and every wall had handrails to reduce any falls he may have. Stephanie had stayed with him at all times, not that this would bother him at all. She was a great help, and it meant he could spend as much time with her as possible. Though he was very embarrassed when it came to meal and toileting times as he required a lot of help with them both. Stephanie had become a temporary carer for him. She was told by the medical team that he should be back to normal within a week.