Contents
Chapter Fourteen. November
Overview
Back from half term, Chetwood grinds into November’s hardest weeks. A classroom incident exposes Nikki’s fragility; she flees, then asks to drop Invocation and abandon magic. Walden intervenes, defers any decision, and escalates to Ebele. The chapter recenters pastoral care as the critical response to post-incursion fallout.
Summary
In November, Chetwood returns to routine as Dr Walden balances teaching with the school’s pastoral demands during the pre-mock slump. Upper Sixth Invocation arrives dispirited; Will is late and cutting, Nikki is withdrawn, Aneeta fidgets, and Mathias withdraws into doodling. When Will’s jokes turn nasty, Nikki snaps, apologizes, and flees.
Aneeta follows. Walden reorganizes the lesson for Will and Mathias, then finds Nikki and Aneeta in the disabled toilet. Judging the crisis beyond peer support, Walden walks Nikki to the nurse, prioritizing dignity and immediate care over lesson coverage.
At the infirmary, the nurse takes over with calm practical kindness. Nikki then declares she wants to drop Invocation—and stop doing magic entirely. Walden firmly stalls, stating the decision isn’t hers and must follow process, and that she disagrees with Nikki’s choice.
Walden alerts Ebele (Matron), who agrees to check on Nikki. Ebele notes extensive half-term conversations with Nikki and frames the reaction as a proud, serious student wobbling after trauma. Ebele’s reassurance steadies Walden, who recognizes the erosion of her professional mask amid sixth-form closeness.
Who Appears
- Dr Saffron WaldenInvocation teacher; manages a classroom crisis, supports Nikki to the nurse, rejects dropping the A-level, and escalates to Ebele.
- NikkiShaken student; flees class after confrontation, then asks to drop Invocation and stop doing magic entirely.
- Ebele (Matron)Pastoral deputy head; agrees to support Nikki, frames her reaction as a normal wobble after trauma, reassures Walden.
- AneetaClassmate; follows and comforts Nikki, demonstrating loyal peer support before returning to class.
- WillArrives late, makes cutting jokes that trigger Nikki’s exit; set to remedial revision during crisis.
- MathiasWithdrawn in class, works on revision with Will while Walden intervenes elsewhere.
- School NurseCalmly takes over Nikki’s care at the infirmary with practical, reassuring attention.