witch
that is), Gertie stared up at the nearest light and said more loudly ‘Lights
on!’
No one was more surprised than Gertie (except maybe Gran), when
they DID come on!
‘It’s always good for the new students to have an early success,’
Miss Fiendish explained to Ma and Gran. ‘The lights are enchanted beforehand so
they usually respond quite well to everyone.’
‘Thank you,’ replied Ma. ‘I’m sure my Gertie will be happy here.’
‘I’m happy already’ replied Gertie with a smile. ‘I’ve only just
got here, and I’ve learned my first spell!’
Miss Fiendish grimaced kindly. ‘We will meet in the dining hall
for something to eat and introductions at 5.30, once all the families have
left,’ she added, pointing at the clock on Gertie’s wall. It was shaped like a
cobweb, black with white numbers, and had two small broomsticks pointing at the
twelve and the one. ‘That gives you four and a half hours to settle in and say
your goodbyes. See you later.’ With that, the teacher left.
Gertie looked around herself in awe. The room only had a small
bed with a cabinet next to it, a writing desk and chair, and a single wardrobe,
but Gertie thought she was in the best place in the world.
Ma helped her to hang her clothes up in the wardrobe, and Gertie
looked at the back corner of it, feeling a bit guilty that Bat wasn’t there.
When she thought about what he would have been saying right now though, she
quickly changed her mind. He might learn some manners by being left at home.
Once Gertie’s belongings had been put away, the three went out
to walk over to the stagnant pond with Wart. It was even nicer close up with
green slime covering the rocks and floating on top of the water. Wart’s nose
poked out of Gertie’s pocket as soon as he smelt it. He was soon in and having
a quick swim before settling on a rock he must have particularly liked the look
of. His eyes goggled as if he was thinking about the huge tasty flies Gertie
believed he’d been dreaming about.
‘Bye for now, Wart,’ said Gertie with a wave. ‘I’ll be back to
see you soon.’
Wart didn’t pay much attention. He was on holiday.
By the time Ma and Gran left Gertie at the Academy and set off
for home, Gertie knew they felt reassured she would be happy there. Ma had
tears in her eyes but she said that was not just for leaving Gertie, but
because of the place. It was a witch’s dream come true.
Gertie believed every mother who brought her child there had
left with a lump in her throat because of the beauty of the Academy and its
setting.
Gertie waved Ma and Gran off happily. She would miss them, but
there was so much to see and do here! She was in the dining room taking a seat
at one of the long tables well before 5:30 came. She didn’t want to miss a
thing.
Once everyone was seated, they were all given a big bowl of
lovely meat and toadstool stew from a steaming cauldron wheeled around by two
cooks dressed from head to foot in black. It was delicious. Gertie thought
about how much Gran would have enjoyed it. Gran was very fond of stew. Well, of
food in general.
Soon all the teachers were being introduced by Miss Wick. Gertie
already knew Miss Fiendish, but there were so many other names too. Gertie
hoped she wasn’t expected to remember them all. There was a Miss Hemlock, Mr Mort,
Miss Hex and Mr Wolfsbane, and they were just a few. She would have to try to
go through the names when she was back in her room, and then see if she could
remember the face that went with each one.
The meal and the introductions took a while, and Gertie didn’t
have time to speak to any of the other little witches and warlocks. There was
so much going on.
After a couple of hours they were all taken to the library
again, much to Gertie’s delight. She couldn’t believe her luck when they were
led to a small section where
that is), Gertie stared up at the nearest light and said more loudly ‘Lights
on!’
No one was more surprised than Gertie (except maybe Gran), when
they DID come on!
‘It’s always good for the new students to have an early success,’
Miss Fiendish explained to Ma and Gran. ‘The lights are enchanted beforehand so
they usually respond quite well to everyone.’
‘Thank you,’ replied Ma. ‘I’m sure my Gertie will be happy here.’
‘I’m happy already’ replied Gertie with a smile. ‘I’ve only just
got here, and I’ve learned my first spell!’
Miss Fiendish grimaced kindly. ‘We will meet in the dining hall
for something to eat and introductions at 5.30, once all the families have
left,’ she added, pointing at the clock on Gertie’s wall. It was shaped like a
cobweb, black with white numbers, and had two small broomsticks pointing at the
twelve and the one. ‘That gives you four and a half hours to settle in and say
your goodbyes. See you later.’ With that, the teacher left.
Gertie looked around herself in awe. The room only had a small
bed with a cabinet next to it, a writing desk and chair, and a single wardrobe,
but Gertie thought she was in the best place in the world.
Ma helped her to hang her clothes up in the wardrobe, and Gertie
looked at the back corner of it, feeling a bit guilty that Bat wasn’t there.
When she thought about what he would have been saying right now though, she
quickly changed her mind. He might learn some manners by being left at home.
Once Gertie’s belongings had been put away, the three went out
to walk over to the stagnant pond with Wart. It was even nicer close up with
green slime covering the rocks and floating on top of the water. Wart’s nose
poked out of Gertie’s pocket as soon as he smelt it. He was soon in and having
a quick swim before settling on a rock he must have particularly liked the look
of. His eyes goggled as if he was thinking about the huge tasty flies Gertie
believed he’d been dreaming about.
‘Bye for now, Wart,’ said Gertie with a wave. ‘I’ll be back to
see you soon.’
Wart didn’t pay much attention. He was on holiday.
By the time Ma and Gran left Gertie at the Academy and set off
for home, Gertie knew they felt reassured she would be happy there. Ma had
tears in her eyes but she said that was not just for leaving Gertie, but
because of the place. It was a witch’s dream come true.
Gertie believed every mother who brought her child there had
left with a lump in her throat because of the beauty of the Academy and its
setting.
Gertie waved Ma and Gran off happily. She would miss them, but
there was so much to see and do here! She was in the dining room taking a seat
at one of the long tables well before 5:30 came. She didn’t want to miss a
thing.
Once everyone was seated, they were all given a big bowl of
lovely meat and toadstool stew from a steaming cauldron wheeled around by two
cooks dressed from head to foot in black. It was delicious. Gertie thought
about how much Gran would have enjoyed it. Gran was very fond of stew. Well, of
food in general.
Soon all the teachers were being introduced by Miss Wick. Gertie
already knew Miss Fiendish, but there were so many other names too. Gertie
hoped she wasn’t expected to remember them all. There was a Miss Hemlock, Mr Mort,
Miss Hex and Mr Wolfsbane, and they were just a few. She would have to try to
go through the names when she was back in her room, and then see if she could
remember the face that went with each one.
The meal and the introductions took a while, and Gertie didn’t
have time to speak to any of the other little witches and warlocks. There was
so much going on.
After a couple of hours they were all taken to the library
again, much to Gertie’s delight. She couldn’t believe her luck when they were
led to a small section where
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