Hi Monica!
Ismeralda sat down on the edge of the shifted feather bed and, breathing heavily, looked at my tear-stained face in surprise.
Monica glanced sideways at Ismeraldas wand and said, putting her hand on my shoulder:
«Dont think about Jamel and her henchmen. You cant cope with them. So try to forget this incident. And you shouldnt start a war either.
I rubbed my eyes. I felt grateful to Monica for helping me with the suitcase. I myself was now unable to conjure anything. Nodding to her, I noticed to myself that I would not give up so easily. There will be revenge for the insult. Monica turned to leave, but then Suzanne burst into the room, and Monica had to step aside.
Rosalina! Shouted Suzanne and jumped to me. She plopped down heavily next to the bed so that I almost jumped to the floor. Suzanne put her arms around me and began stroking my hair.
Oh my God! I just found out what happened. Im sorry! Lily found me and said that the new girl rushed to fight Jamely! Of course, I know Jamely. And Im sure she did something bad again!
They rummaged in my things! They threw my pajamas in the fireplace!
Oh, poor thing! Did you get hit?
She touched my cheek. Pain stung the right side of my face.
Oh! I shuddered. The face was still burning. There may even be a bruise on the cheek.
Sorry, I didnt mean to. Susanna was alarmed and ran out of the room. You need to put something cold on your cheek.
Monica barely had time to press against the door so as not to be swept out of the way, and then sadly shook her head and left.
Ismeralda said softly:
This is a bad girl, Jamely. I always forget her name. Zha-me-li. It even sounds strange.
Ismeralda pointed her wand at her eye and, squinting, began to examine its end. Only now did I notice that Ismeraldas magic wand was broken off. Ismeralda struggled to see the core of her magical item.
Suzanne returned. She handed me a tube of cream.
Apply to injury. It will get easier.
Hes cold. Even icy! I exclaimed.
Yes. It was I who bewitched him with a chilling spell. Is that great? Suzanne, flattered by my surprise, smiled.
After a minute I felt better. The hands stopped shaking.
This Zhamely. What do you advise me to do with her? Who can be informed that she
Not! What are you? Suzanne threw up her hands. Do not tell anyone!
«What?» I couldnt believe my ears. She must be punished!
I agree, but now you will not change anything, and you will only receive punishment.
What?
Listen to me! Its better not to tell the older ones. Teachers, that is. And Suzanne began to quickly explain her argument: If they find out, they will punish all of us, all the girls, that is! Here are the rules. Do you understand? Were going to have to sit all Saturday writing on Noble Conduct or something like that. If were lucky, well get Mrs. Fossil. And if Mrs. Bennetti takes over our «education», then all Sunday will have to sit at work. She will arrange for us such «Rules of the correct tone for a real lady» that you will climb the wall! And an apology wont help.
This is unfair! Why should everyone be punished? Cant I complain about them? I looked at Ismeralda, seeking her understanding or advice. I knew from her face that she was frightened. It seems that the threat to sit out on the day off for additional exercises was real.
Yes, I remember how on New Years Eve I rewrote «One Hundred Rules of Lady Conduct.» Its a pity I dont remember them. Or was it for Christmas?
I, as the headman, in turn will talk with Jamely and Matilda. I will forbid them to come near you. Good? Did you agree?
I nodded. What can you do about it. I was new to this learning environment and could be wrong. And I also didnt want to spoil my relationship with my headman, Suzanne. She calmed me down, took my side, brought an ice cream tube. In a word, I tried to help everyone I could.
Good. I said so softly that I myself barely heard my own voice. And then all the weight of the resentment fell from my shoulders. I rubbed my eyes and noticed that the room was more welcoming and nicer than a minute ago.
I think it was Christmas. Thought aloud Ismeralda. Susie, dont you remember, huh?
Ismerald, I dont like being called that. You know.
Yes, sorry. I forgot. You are half French.
Right, half. And Im proud of my French roots. And this «Susie» of yours sounds like a commoner from the English countryside. As if I were a laundress or some kind of cook!
I laughed. Suzannes business tone and her comparison with the washerwoman struck me as funny. Suzanne turned to me and smiled too.
Hmmm. And I like that name. Its so kind.
Ismerald!
I understand you. I will try to remember.
Yeah, try! Suzanne snapped and in turn answered: And buy yourself a new wand. This one is broken.
I like this. Ismeralda tossed her wand and deftly caught it. At the same time, she had to flop down on the feather bed.
«This is how I feel the magic inside the wand. And I understand her better. Do you want to try?
Ismeralda handed her wand to Suzanne. She pulled away:
Thank you, I am not eager. I have to go. I have a lesson in five minutes. I dont want to be late. Suzanne fluttered out the door. Before she had time to close, Suzannes head stuck back into the room.
Check your schedule. Suddenly you too have a lesson now.
It was already meant for me. I hastily unrolled the sheet I received from Madame Brutilde and frowned. Numbers, a bunch of incomprehensible words. It takes time to figure out the schedule.
Ismeralda, tell me what lessons I have today.
So-ak. Ismeralda dropped her wand and took the leaf. Look, right here. Today is the second day of the school week. The first one has already ended. He was yesterday. So-ak. At ten oclock you have the Wizards Water Course, the first Grant.
Thank! I was delighted. My first lesson at a magic school. Great.
Its time for you to go. Graduated from Ismeralda.
I looked at my watch on my left wrist. Twelve twenty, arrows pointed.
Lesson in fifty minutes.
It can not be. Look. Ismeralda slipped into her pocket.
What time is it now? I turned to Ismeralda, fearing that I was in the wrong time zone. What if here time goes an hour ahead?
An hour of the day and five minutes. Ismeralda glanced at the small gold dial and before hiding the watch back in her pocket, bent her left ear towards them.
What about? Is it already 1 pm? I didnt believe it.
And five minutes. Ismeralda repeated slowly.
You take it wrong.
Not. Today, after breakfast, I put them on the big clock in the main hall.
Clock in the hall! I completely forgot. Madame Director, Brutilde, told me about this watch. The Nordlig school lives by the time set by this clock.
I began to quickly take off my clothes. I had to change into school uniforms as soon as I came.
Chapter 8. Introductory course of the wizard
I never thought that I dont know so much yet. My grandmother studied with me at home, I read books, and then I felt like a complete beginner.
My first lesson
I jumped out of my room onto the stairs and almost rolled head over heels down. I managed to grab hold of the window opening in the wall in time. So I just stretched out on the sharp steps and whined. My school bag flew further. It contained my new stick, my old grandmother told me to leave at home, notebooks and writing utensils. Plus a schedule sheet.