Lenny Mass's Branhal School Diary - Wednesday 15 October

Wednesday 15 October

I went to the Branhals' office at lunchtime with the twins.
While Mr Branhal simply said hello, and carried on with his paperwork, Mrs Branhal smiled brightly, like she was happy to see us: "What can we do for you three?"
I took off my glasses and cleaned them; to disguise the fact that I was thinking of the best way to approach the problem.
"We have reason to believe the librarian is planning a written spell petition," Johnny came to my rescue.
Mrs Branhal raised an eyebrow. "What's the reason?"
"Michelle put Nettie under a 'friend' spell," I continued. "I broke her out of it yesterday, and told her to pretend to still be Michelle's friend. On the bus home, she told me that Michelle was talking about the written spell petition with Mrs Nella."
Mrs Branhal raised an eyebrow. "How did you know Nettie was under a 'friend' spell? Please start at the beginning."
So we did. I took turns with Johnny and Wendy to tell the story. From when Nettie suddenly started being Michelle's 'friend', and having no memory of being friends with us. To trying to figure out how Michelle had done it, but suddenly having absolutely no memory of any spell. To Ross, Pete, Peter and the two Adams overhearing Michelle talking to Mrs Nella in the library about a plot, but not hearing the whole conversation. About how they had written a note to tell us. How the note worked like a spell and brought our memories back. How we had read a spellbook, and worked out Michelle had used a 'friend' spell on Nettie, and that the plot somehow involved a written spell petitition.
"... And you know the rest," I finished.
Mrs Branhal stared at us. It was a lot to take in. "What is the petition for?" She asked at last.
"Mrs Nella wants to teach a compulsory reading hour," I replied, feeling like I was making it up.
At this point, Mr Branhal joined us. "This is a very serious accusation," he said, as he scratched his bald head. The only reason I remember that was because it looked funny, and I nearly laughed.
"I do sincerely hope this isn't a prank you three have cooked up. We have noticed Miss Corner and Miss Scoot getting along, despite the dodgeball incident. But we do strive for teamwork at this school. I will investigate Mrs Nella and and the library. I want you three to come back at the start of the next lesson - I will write a note for your teacher - and bring Miss Corner and Miss Scoot with you."

It took five minutes of Michelle being rude before she would come to the headteachers' office. By this time, our Science teacher had read the note from Mr Branhal. She threatened Michelle with after school detention if she didn't go. 
Mrs Nella was already in the Branhals' office when we entered. I saw the librarian's eyes widen slightly when she saw Michelle.
"You may be wondering why you are here," Mr Branhal addressed all of us. "Mrs Nella, you know when I told you some kids had thrown books in the corridor. I had a rummage in your office desk, and look what I found - silly place to put it."
Mr Branhal held up a parchment. On it were the words: Noititep! Woititep! Make our petition unbreakable! To Mr Ray and Mrs Jean Branhal, this is a petition to declare the signees want Mrs Ellen Nella to teach a compulsory reading hour each day of the school day. Failure to comply will put  Mr Ray and Mrs Jean Branhal in a prison bubble for all eternity. It hadn't yet been signed.
Mrs Nella's face whitened. "How did you know about that?" She laughed nervously. "It was just a pre-Hallowe'en joke, that's all!"
"Miss Mass and Mr and Miss Reater came to us with a very interesting story," Mrs Branhal said. "We hoped it was a pre-Hallowe'en joke. But it isn't, is it, Mrs Nella?"
"It's my fault! Michelle suddenly wailed. "I wanted revenge on Nettie for getting me suspended-"
"That was your fault as well," Johnny interrupted.
"So I went to the library to look up the perfect spell to get my own back. I lied and told Mrs Nella I wanted to be friends with Nettie, and she told me about the 'friend' spell. I thought that was perfect-"
"-Because you get to bully Nettie easier with her sitting next to you," Wendy this time.
"Then Mrs Nella told me one good turn deserves another."
"But why bother doing a written spell petition over  something so trivial?" Mrs Branhal asked.
"Why?" Mrs Nella repeated. "I never get treated with respect. I couldn't take the risk, could I?"

Well, there's not much else to tell. For her actions, Mrs Nella was fired. After revealing that Michelle wasn't controlled, and it was all her own mind, she was expelled, something our entire year was happy about. Before Michelle left Branhal School for the last ever time, she was made to take the 'friend' spell off Matthew, Chris and Tina, who would have no memory of ever being our former class bully's 'friends'. Mr and Mr Branhal made me and the twins stand in front of the entire school (embarrasing!) in a special assembly. The entire school applauded and cheered when they heard what had happened. Afterwards, me, Nettie and the twins were hugged by our entire year.

I have been writing today's diary entry all evening, in between homework, and, upon reading it, I still feel excited about what happened. I won't be able to sleep tonight.

Goodnight,
Lenny

:)