Page 67 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“Who’s made you smile like that? Did you meet someone?” I felt a frenzied need to know a secret of hers.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She turned toward the front of the classroom as if Hershaw was about to start. She wasn’t.

“You had to have known you got the top spot in the trials, so I know it’s not that… and I’ve never seen you smile like that. That’s not an ‘I’m still the best in school’ smile… that’s an ‘I met someone smile.’” I whispered hurriedly, certain I was right.

“And how would you know Miss I-despise-all-men?” She whispered. Not a terrible point but still, I wouldn’t be distracted.

“Hey, I only despise one man and you know it. So who is it? Is it a guy? A girl? You can tell me! I’m great at keeping secrets.” I shifted from one foot to the other, joy from my own news compounding with the small glimpse of her own.

She opened one of her notebooks only to remove a neat stack of papers. Sliding them over to me she faced forward again.

“Why do I feel like this stack of papers isn’t going to be your sordid and detailed confessions of a whirlwind romance?” I muttered, forcing myself to sit in case class did start soon. I fell into the beanbag with a huff, now barely coming up to her elbow in her fancy armchair.

Looking up, I saw she had pursed her lips in an attempt not to smile. I was totally wearing her down.

“I got third place in the trials by the way.” I whispered again, remembering my own news.

“Congratulations… and also condolences.” She continued in a low voice.

“Why condolences?” my brow wrinkled.

“Well it’s tradition for the other contestants to team up against the top three. Anything that might disqualify you can and will be used against you.” I smiled at that reference to American crime shows. The smile diminished however as I realised that I’d need to be on my best behaviour, and simultaneously my least trusting to survive till early Spring.

“Good thing neither of us would ever dream of breaking the rules.” She said, her usual mischievous twinkle back in place. Maybe I didn’t know who was responsible for the snowflake smile, but I definitely preferred being responsible for that ghost of one.

“Oh never. We’re the pinnacle of propriety here.” I said crossing my ankles and trying to sit up straight to copy her poise.

We both were silent as I perused her notes on Magical Gifts or Affinities. I didn’t know anyone’s Gift beyond my own families. Most people kept theirs secret, even healers hiding their speciality unless absolutely necessary. Obviously some gifts carried more stigma than others. Gifts with the ability to change fate though? Those were the ones that people took to their graves.

Professor Hershaw started class gently, her bell-like voice felt like the last piece of a puzzle for falling into the routine of pre-burnout and trial life. The lecture was on the difference in fresh, dried, and crushed ingredients in rituals. I’d never been so happy to be bored.

At the conclusion of the lecture I approached the desk, eager to hand in the assignments I’d missed. She took them gently, her eyes kind as she gestured I wait to leave. She sent each student on their way with a personalised goodbye, sometimes asking after a relative or a shouted bit of encouragement. By the time the last student had left I was wondering whether I could melt through the floorboard if I crushed the right amount of basil.

“I heard I am to congratulate you, Miss Williams.” She said with a bright smile. The tension left my body with the force of a dam breaking.

“Yes Professor Hershaw, I placed third!” My enthusiasm was somewhat wobbly from my relief.

“Excellent! I’ve noticed great improvements in Rituals as well. Adeline’s tutelage must be something to treasure!”

“She’s an excellent teacher, I’m grateful for her time.”

“Yes, I do wish she’d join my tutoring program. So many students could benefit from her skills.”

I hesitated, unsure of what I was meant to say to that. Professor Hershaw smiled, sensing, perhaps my unease. Was she an empath? That would explain her ability to put so many at ease, although realistically I knew not everyone needed magic to do so.

“Never mind dear, congratulations again! I was worried to hear you had burned yourself out, but I’m so glad you were able to make a speedy recovery. I do hope you know if you’re ever in need of anything more I’m happy to help… either one of you!”

“Thank you Professor!” I smiled, leaving the classroom quickly. I had enough on my plate without another tutoring session, and apparently I was doing alright. Although, I still needed to get tips on making my own healing potions for the coming exam in potions. If she taught me her strengthened version, then all the better.

Thirty-Seven

Adeline

Ifelt Sage’s presence, hovering, like a ghost, on the edge of the room. I turned, heart pounding, skin glistening with sweat, towards her. Her mouth was slightly open, her eyes widened. She’d been stunned into silence (for once).

“Pick your jaw up Sage, surely you’ve seen ballet before.”

“Not up close… And definitely not with you as the ballerina!” She looked around with uncertainty. “How long have you been doing it?”

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