Caution: Witch In Progress
Page 15
Gertie gave him a slight shake.
‘Who said that?’ asked Grothilde, looking around with her good eye. ‘Was that your umbrella, Gertie? What did it say?’
‘Yes, this is Bat,’ replied Gertie, thinking quickly. ‘He said he knows what I mean about the sky. I thought it looked like rain.’
‘Well I never,’ said Grothilde staring at Bat. ‘I’m impressed, Gertie. Really impressed. A talking umbrella. That’s a new one on me. Who needs to go to the Academy when you can already animate things, you clever little witch. Come on now. Sit yourselves down. I’ll get you some tea and cakes.’
‘That didn’t take long, did it?’ Gertie hissed at Bat as Grothilde left the room.
‘Well, come on,’ began Bat. ‘How can you not say something. How can you avoid the word eye, eh? Tell me that. If I say I like your house, with emphasis on the ‘I’, will I be in trouble?’
‘You’re being silly now, Bat. It isn’t big, and it isn’t clever,’ replied Gertie. ‘I’m going back to the Academy later today you know. I want you to remember what it looks like in the wardrobe.’
‘Sure thing, Boss,’ replied Bat. ‘Am I coming with you?’
‘It depends on your behaviour,’ threatened the young witch.
Bat almost sprouted a halo instantly. He seemed determined he wasn’t going back into the wardrobe.
Grothilde returned with a tray containing tea and cakes. Bertha managed to restrain herself until the cross-eyed witch said, ‘Help yourselves, girls!’
She then had three cakes. Gertie nibbled at a small one while she drunk her tea and told Grothilde how she had been practising with her new chair. She absolutely loved it.
Once they left Grothilde’s, Gertie took Bertha back home via a different route to show her the rest of the village. Bertha saw the shops, the “Cat and Broomstick”, and the square where the witches sometimes gathered to sit and chat about their latest spells. When they arrived back home, Bertha seemed quite exhausted. To Gertie, they had just had a nice stroll.
‘Not very fit, are you?’ Bat asked the panting girl. Before Gertie had time to shake him, he quickly added, ‘I’m only concerned! That’s the kind of considerate umbrella I am. We should take you for walks more often, Bertha my old mate,’ he added hopefully. ‘We’ll soon get you fit.’
Oh dear, thought Gertie. I guess I have to take him now. I suppose he’s trying. He was very trying, most of the time, unfortunately.
It was soon time to start preparing to go back to the Academy. Ma Bobbit would be here shortly. Gertie looked around at her home with some sadness, which didn’t go unnoticed by Ma.
‘Never mind,’ Ma tried to reassure her little witch. ‘It’s nearly the end of term now. It will be up to you whether you want to go back for another term or not.’
Gertie saw Ma’s expression change. She had the distinct feeling Ma was thinking, and whether we can afford it, but she didn’t say anything. She knew they would do it somehow, if it was what Gertie wanted.
‘I know,’ replied Gertie. ‘And I do like it at the Academy. It’s just that I’ve enjoyed being home so much. It hasn’t been for long enough.’
Ma smiled. She obviously felt exactly the same.
Bertha soon packed up the few things she’d brought for the weekend. When Ma Bobbit arrived, they were all ready for off. Including Bat.
‘Are we going far?’ he asked excitedly. ‘Will we be flying? Can I ride out in the open?’ He continued to pester, not allowing poor Gertie time to answer any of his questions before asking the next.
Gertie was seriously beginning to doubt the sense of agreeing to take him already. She carefully placed her boxed crystal ball into one of the deep pockets of her travelling cloak, and then picked Bat up.
‘Are we off?’ he burbled.
‘Soon,’ agreed Gertie, ‘But calm down a bit, Bat,’ she warned. ‘I don’t want you making yourself sick with excitement.’
She wasn’t sure if umbrellas could do that or not, but Gertie knew little children could. That’s exactly what Bat was behaving like right now.
Bertha told her ma all about the wonderful party over tea and cakes before their journey began. She placed more emphasis on the food than she did on Gran getting drunk, which Gertie was relieved about.
Ma Bobbit looked delighted Bertha had enjoyed herself so much. Gertie knew she didn’t get invited anywhere much. Well, not ever actually.
‘You’ll all have to come to visit us sometime,’ she said.
‘When?’ asked Gran immediately, the thought of visiting Bobbit Manor shining in her eyes.
‘I’m sure we can arrange something once term is over,’ interrupted Ma before Gran could embarrass them any more.
The flight back to the Academy was quite uneventful, providing everyone could learn to ignore Bat. He spent his first flight yelling ‘Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee! This is the life. I’m flying like a real bat. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!’
Gertie didn’t chastise him too much, because she couldn’t help feeling a bit sorry for him if he found this so exciting. Maybe he had only been so miserable and naughty because he led such a dreary, boring life. It couldn’t be much fun to only ever go out in the rain. Upside down. Still, she hoped he would soon settle down a bit. Or at least quieten down.
Chapter Twenty
It was a tearful parting for Ma and Gertie when it was time to separate. They postponed the moment by all going to check on Wart in his stagnant pond. He was absolutely fine, and seemed completely unaware Gertie had even been away. There was now no other excuse for Ma not to leave Gertie to settle in again, and head off home. Ma Bobbit had already gone after making sure Bertha was safely in her room. Bertha had her box of goodies for the week, or at least what she hadn’t already eaten on the way upstairs. Jasper was back too.
Right now, both Gertie and Ma were trying very hard not to cry. It wasn’t that Gertie didn’t like being back at the Academy, because she did. It had felt so nice to be home again though. And Ma, well, Ma showed she missed Gertie terribly. Gertie knew Gran felt it just as much, but she remained strong for them all.
‘Right then, you little imp,’ Gran called. ‘Have fun, and make us proud!’
‘I’ll try, Gran,’ replied Gertie forcing a smile, but not managing a very bright one.
‘Come on, Ma, time we were off,’ Gran encouraged. Gertie couldn’t settle back in until they left her, and the longer they stayed, the harder they were making the parting.
Gertie knew Ma’s eyes would be bleary all the way home. She shed a tear too once she was alone in her room. It didn’t last long, as Bat didn’t give Gertie time to feel sorry for herself. She put him down on her bed and carefully placed her crystal ball on the bedside table.
‘Hey, Gert, hey, buddy, where am I going then?’ he asked excitedly, and repeatedly. He then looked towards the wardrobe. ‘Oh nooooooooooooo, there’s not one of those here too. Not in there. Gertie, you caaaaan’t!’
Gertie sighed. She could do without this right now. ‘Where would you like to go, Bat,’ she asked in a weary tone.
‘Me?’ asked Bat in amazement, ‘You mean, I can choose?’
‘As long as it isn’t a silly choice,’ the little witch agreed.
Bat looked around himself, very carefully. He then watched Owl heading out of the window on one of his missions, ‘How about over on the windowsill, where I can look out?’ he asked, clearly not holding out much hope.
‘As long as you’re quiet, alright,’ replied Gertie, and took the umbrella over. She stood Bat up, leaning on the side wall.
Bat was quiet, temporarily. Gertie sensed he couldn’t believe his luck. He stared out at the vast world before him, gasping in awe as he muttered about the huge stagnant pond and the blasted oaks.
Gertie believed that, despite being made of wood, Bat’s expression changed to one of utter contentment. At that moment, Gertie felt she had done the right thing to bring Bat with her. She then wondered how long it would take him to change her mind.
‘Blimey, what’s that?’ asked Bat, who had been surprisingly quiet over night. ‘I nearly fell out the window!’
‘It’s our wake up call,’ replied Gertie, quite pleased to have someone to talk to. ‘You’ll get used to it.’
‘I saw lots of bats flying about out there last night,’ the umbrella said, quite wistfully.
Gertie didn’t know what to say. Bat could never be a real bat.
‘I’ll have my own broomstick soon,’ she finally replied. ‘Then we can fly about too.’
‘Really?’ asked Bat. ‘You would let me on your broomstick?’
‘If you’re good,’ promised Gertie.
‘Gosh,’ said Bat with a sigh. ‘Then I can fly too,’ he added, going off into a little world of his own.
This morning’s lesson should be fun, as it was a field trip of sorts. Well, more of a wood trip really. They were all going out to prepare to make their broomsticks. They would need a strong, straight, branch; twigs, and binding. The pupils had been told they would have to leave their finds in boxes marked with each of their names, then Mr Wolfsbane would make them all into broomsticks in time for their first broomstick lesson on Friday. The necessary tools for shaping the wood would be too sharp for young witches and warlocks to use themselves. It was all quite exciting. Gertie didn’t mind being back at all now.
First of all, the pupils had to go to the Main Hall after breakfast because Miss Wick wanted to address them about something. Gertie was intrigued to know what.
She and Bertha were two of the first pupils sitting waiting to find out. Once they were all gathered, Miss Wick drifted into the Hall in her flowing cloak. She always looked every bit as a witch was meant to look. Gertie found her quite imposing, and didn’t like to get too close to her.
Everyone quietened down at one glance from the head teacher. She had a way of seeming to be staring directly at each of them, but all at the same time. No one understood how she did it, but they all knew she might be staring straight at them. The pupils were not willing to take the chance of looking inattentive, just in case. Once Miss Wick had everyone’s attention, she began.
‘Welcome all, and thank you for attending.’
We didn’t have any choice but to attend! Gertie thought.
‘By now, young witches and warlocks, you should all be considering what your end of term Presentation will be. This will not only be the final deciding factor as to whether you pass or fail the term, but will also give you the opportunity of winning the Golden Spider Award. As you already know, the Golden Spider Award is much sought after by all who attend the Academy. Indeed, it is recognised far beyond the Academy’s walls as the sign of a fine witch or warlock. Only one of you can win this award, by finishing top of your class. All your teachers have been marking your progress in their given classes, but your own final Presentation could be the make or break for you. What you need to be doing is deciding which your best subject is. You then need to work on a project based on your strengths. Whatever you excel at, will give you a greater chance of performing your most impressive spell or witching activity.
There isn’t long to go until the end of term now, and I am depending on each and every one of you to give a good show of what you have learned. Your teachers are available for advice, but may not help you in any way. No working together either. This must be your work alone. The library is also an excellent source of reference.
Good luck to you all. I look forward to judging your efforts personally. Class dismissed.’
Everyone muttered to each other on the way out. Some, because they hadn’t even considered what they might do. Others, because they had bright ideas. Most seemed to believe they were well able to win the Golden Spider Award. Especially Malicia, who said she had set her sights on it long ago. She said she didn’t know what she was going to do yet, but whatever it was, it would be impressive. Fang implied it was in the bag for him, but he didn’t go on about it to Malicia. He said he enjoyed some good competition. Gertie knew that was providing he won.
Bertha didn’t say anything, because Gertie knew she hadn’t a clue what to do. She didn’t seem to have much interest to think about it either. Gertie, as yet, didn’t want anyone to know what she hoped to do. Not even Bertha. The young witch felt rather superstitiously that if she told anyone her plan, then it wouldn’t work. Gertie had been spending every spare moment reading the old heavy volumes in the library. At last, she wondered if she might be getting somewhere. She had taken many notes. It was so important she got this right first time, or the results could be disastrous. It wasn’t so much the Golden Spider Award Gertie wanted to win, though it did sound very nice. Gertie’s main concern was whether her idea could work. It would be so wonderful if it did.
Soon after, Gertie and Bertha found themselves in a group of young witches and warlocks on the edge of the woods bordering the Academy.
Miss Fiendish made sure they all knew what they were searching for before they set off. They had to find all the necessary parts to make their broomsticks.
‘You need a good stout branch of ash for the handle,’ Miss Fiendish began. ‘Ash is an enchanted wood, and allows travel between the worlds of the Earth and the sky.’
‘You’ll probably need to dig a tree up so you can use the whole trunk, Fatty,’ Gertie heard Fang mutter to Bertha.
She didn’t think Miss Fiendish heard him, because she continued. ‘For the brush, you need the bristles of the birch tree. This is the most magical tree in the woodlands. It is associated with the Winter Solstice, which is the darkest day of the year. It is a firm favourite amongst witches, naturally. You will often find birch trees on the edges of woods, so bear this in mind. You can all refer to your books if you have any trouble recognising the correct trees. You will then need long strands of willow to bind it all together. Willow is used in honour of Hecate, the Goddess of Witchcraft.
Whatever you choose, make sure you feel comfortable with it. That will go a long way to making it easier to fly. You need to be able to feel as one with your chosen broomstick. Remember,’ she added, looking carefully at each of them, ‘do not damage any tree. You only need what they have discarded. There will be plenty of suitable fallen branches lying around. Anything that Nature gives freely, will serve you much better than something taken by force.’
Gertie liked that. It was just like Miss Fiendish to consider the wellbeing of the trees too.
‘Right, class. Off you go then. Don’t wander off too far alone, and come back to ask if you are unsure about anything.’
The class broke up into ones and twos, and small select groups; and all set off with eyes glued to the ground for suitable branches.
‘This is fun!’ said Gertie, and headed over to what she knew at once were ash trees.
Bertha trudged along behind her.
Gertie knew exactly what to look for. Bertha simply looked for similar, but bigger. Gertie was happy to help. She knew Bertha consoled herself with the thought that Gertie could not levitate cakes to her mouth. Bertha won hands down on that one.
Gertie soon had an ash branch in her hands. It was strong looking, but not too heavy for her to feel comfortable with. As she was weighing it experimentally across her open palms to make sure, Owl fluttered down and landed on the end of it. That settled it for Gertie.
‘This is the one, isn’t it, Owl?’ she said to him.
Owl blinked at Gertie, and walked sideways along the branch until he was in the middle where he could see her better. Gertie giggled, and then looked around to see how Bertha was getting on. Jasper wasn’t being quite so helpful. He seemed to be trying to mark his boundaries on every branch lying within reach. He was waddling about from one to the other, cocking his leg up to wet as many as he could find. This didn’t make Bertha’s task any easier. She couldn’t move much faster than Jasper, so was struggling to find
a dry one. Seeing her predicament, Gertie darted ahead and picked up a sturdy branch for Bertha before Jasper could gasp his way to it.
‘How about this one?’ she asked, waving it in the air out of doggy reach.
Bertha took it gratefully. It would do. She didn’t seem entirely enthusiastic about her search. This wasn’t surprising, considering it didn’t involve food in any way.
Gertie and Bertha were soon back with suitable branches, brush and binding. Miss Fiendish looked delighted.
‘Well done, girls! Splendid,’ she exclaimed.
Gertie loved Miss Fiendish to be pleased with her, she said as much to Bertha.
‘I’m happy for anyone to be pleased with me.’ Bertha chipped in. ‘It doesn’t happen often. I like being your friend, Gertie, even if you are a bit strange with your blonde hair and blue eyes. After all, it’s not your fault.’
‘Have you decided on your Presentation yet, Gertie?’ Miss Fiendish asked with interest. She seemed sure Gertie would want to do something connected to her lessons.
‘Uhm, well...’ began Gertie, not quite knowing what to say. She didn’t even want to talk her idea over with Miss Fiendish at this point. Gertie knew it was something she had to do herself.
Miss Fiendish smiled, and Gertie sensed she didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. ‘Oh that’s fine, Gertie!’ she replied cheerily. ‘If you need any help, you know where I am.’
‘Yes, and thank you,’ replied the young witch. ‘You would be the first person I would come to.’
Miss Fiendish smiled again, a real smile rather than a witchy grimace. She then turned her attention back to the other pupils.
Some of them were not so lucky in their search. They began to come back gradually for help and advice. Gertie noticed Mildew wandering about aimlessly. They could see her passing between one tree and another, then coming back again. Finally she came to Miss Fiendish to tell her there were no trees in the wood that looked like the ones in her book. The teacher went along with her to point one out nearby. Mildew stared hard at the tree, then at her book, then back at the tree.