School History (A fantasy microfic)

Originally published at https://aus.social/@rdm/113674412653690387 .

Content warning - mention of bullying.

The headmistress stalked the halls of the school. One of the second grade teachers had reported that one of his students was missing, and had been present earlier in the day.

As she passed a storage cupboard, she heard a small noise and stopped. A quick check showed the door was locked. Interesting. A quick wave of her hand, and there was a "click". She opened the door.

Inside was the missing student, Britney Butler. She had clearly been crying, and her clothes suggested that she'd been manhandled into the cupboard, not climbing in. 

"There you are, Miss Butler. Out you hop, and let's go and have a little chat."

"Mrs Aitkins ... I'm sorry, it ..."

"None of that now. Come along, you are not in any trouble."

The little girl climbed out, and the headmistress closed the door. 

"This way, please". And started down the hall, with the little girl following.

She led Miss Butler to the cafeteria, and sat her down with a box of fruit juice.

"Now then, why don't you tell me what happened?"

The young girl looked worried "They said..."

"Never mind what they said, just tell me what happened", Mrs Aitkins said firmly, but kindly.

"It was three of the fourth-graders. They were making fun of my hair, and said I didn't deserve to be here."

"I see. Would those fourth graders happen to have perfect hair and teeth, and uniforms that are perfectly fitted to them."

The Britney nodded.

"I thought so." The headmistress looked at the child in her second-hand uniform, and her messy hair. The clothes had been expertly mended. By hand, if her eye was any good, and the little girl did not appear to be going hungry. She came to a decision, and waved her hand again, only this time a small figure appeared in the middle of the table.

"Oh! That's me!" Britney exclaimed.

"Look closer" 

She did, and saw that it was not her - the hair had fooled her.

"Who is it, Mrs Aitkins?"

"That is me, when I was your age."

"But your hair! It is perfect!"

"Miss Butler, let me tell you something about your hair." Britney Butler looked a little lost at this change of subject, but nodded, because Headmistress. "My hair was just like yours. Until I got control of my magics. Then it obeyed me. Yours will obey you in time. But know this. Only the most powerful of mages have their bodies manifest their uncontrolled  magics so young.  You most definitely belong here."

"Do the fourth grade have control of their magic?"

"No. You won't get full control until grade eight or nine. Their hair is perfect because they don't have enough magic for it to play up."

Britney's jaw dropped.

"Now, finish up your juice, and let's get you back to class. You'll need to pay attention if you want to get that control."

The headmistress led a much more excited and happy Britney Butler back to her class.