A Werewolf's Promise (Scarwood Chronicles #1)

Chapter 6: Magic History 101

"Wormwood, do you think I'm being a little harsh on them?" Beatrix Nightblood said, petting her familiar as it napped.

"Not at all, miss," her secretary said, finally having slotted all the detention time slots into the first-years' timetables, "some people really need the correction."

"I really hope you're right." she sighed, sounding a little more deflated than usual.

Eli Wormwood was by no means a bright witch, he never was, but he'd spent enough time with Miss Nightblood to know that this was nothing like her.

"Bea, you've never been one to back down from a challenge. I'm sure you'll manage this just fine.

"Thank you for the optimism, Wormwood." she gave a tight smile, "But I may have just pissed off the wrong family."

"The Crowstrikes? You're not serious, are you?" Wormwood glared at Beatrix, "You're better than this..."

"PFFFT!" Beatrix laughed, waking up her familiar with a start, "Of course not! You think I care about what they think of me? It's the Almenaras. Would hate having to explain why their Rosa is in trouble... I don't want to trouble her mother any more. They're great people."

Her familiar gave Beatrix a side eye, and immediately stalked away to find somewhere more quiet to nap.

"Well then," Beatrix stood up, "Anything more to add, Wormwood? If not, I'm going to go after Mimi to my quarters."

"Right," Wormwood swallowed, "One of the Magic History teachers had a family emergency, so they were wondering if you could substitute for a few weeks. You're the only one available with experience on the subject."

"Which class?"

"A first year class."

"May I have a look at the student list?"

"Sure!"

Wormwood handed over the parchment. Beatrix scanned the names, before handing it back with the declaration:

"I'll take them."

Then, she swept out of her office, leaving a slightly baffled Wormwood.

"Strange," he marked something on the parchment, "Usually she only takes on the senior classes..."

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"I can't believe we're in the same class! Isn't that exciting?" Knight grinned, as he and Sugar walked off to the first class of their school year.

"I guess so," muttered Sugar. When he had checked the class lists posted that morning, he was horrified that he was to be in the same class as Charlie and co. Whoever made those class lists was definitely having some kind of joke at his expense. At least he had Knight. And maybe Rosa? Well, he still wasn't exactly friendly with Rosa, but she was Knight's friend, so they at least were civil.

When they arrived, Charlie and his lackeys were already positioned in front of the classroom, and loudly discussing. Now Sugar could finally get a good look at them.

Of course there was Charlie, the ringleader, always so prim and proper, pretending like he was some pure soul. Sugar hated it.

Then there were the twins. They basically tailed Charlie, and from the way they acted, their families had probably known each other for generations. Salem he knew to stay away from. He had seen her outbursts, and heard enough rumours, that he knew he did not want to aggravate her in the slightest. The other twin, Asteria, on the other hand... he wasn't sure what to think of her. She was quiet, and from the way she seemed to be ignoring most of what Charlie was saying in favour of perusing a textbook, was more studious than the rest of the group combined. And probably a lot more crafty too...