Questions for the girls

"Dean Hawkfeather has acquainted me with this morning's events," Diana says. "How are you feeling Chanel?"

"Much better now Headmistress," the pretty girl answers, her sad face looking up. "Nurse Wulf gave me something to help me calm down and told me to rest."

"I understand your teddy bear was destroyed. I'm sorry to hear it."

Chanel's chin trembles and for a moment you think she's about to burst into tears. Rose squeezes her shoulder and Chanel gives a little shudder and partially composes herself. "Jo-Jo. He was all torn up. I've had him since I was little. I don't understand why anyone would be so mean."

"It was a vicious prank," Rose says angrily. "I wish I knew who did it."

"So do I," Ms. Naylor says. "Where is the bear and the broken bottle now?"

"Tiana cleaned it up. You'd have to ask her what she did with it," Rose answers. "She wanted to protect Chanel from seeing it again." She gives her friend a hug around the shoulders.

"So, let's talk about last night," Ms. Naylor says quietly, looking steadily at the two girls. Chanel blushes and looks down, while Rose meets the headmistress's gaze.

"I told Dean Hawkfeather the truth. We snuck out and were drinking. I made up the stuff about Chanel having a nightmare, so we didn't get into trouble."

"Is that your story too, Chanel?"

"Yes Headmistress. I guess I had more to drink than I should have. I'm kind of hazy about everything."

"You didn't smell like ****. And I've go to say you didn't appear drunk."

"I don't know. I just know I hardly remember what happened. And I had a terrible hangover this morning."

"It seems odd that this vandalism of your bear is so similar to what you were saying in the middle of the night."

"Maybe one of the girls that heard Chanel screaming decided to use the idea for their prank," Rose says with a shrug. Ms. Naylor looks at her solemnly, saying nothing until Rose looks away and hugs Chanel's shoulder again.

"Let's move on to the **** Dean Hawkfeather confiscated. Where did that come from?"

"I got it," Chanel murmurs, not looking up. "I brought it when I came to school."

"Do you have more?"

"No Headmistress. We drank most of it and Dean Hawkfeather confiscated all that was left."

"You're aware that there are penalties for drunkenness, and for having contraband material in your possession."

"I'd argue that...." Rose begins, but Diana cuts her off.

"Dean Hawkfeather has told me your objections to being punished for drunkenness. I'm not entirely convinced, but the question of contraband is indisputable."

"I want to take the punishment for both of us," Rose says. "Poor Chanel has suffered so much and I want to protect her. I'll take her punishment as well as my own."

"Very considerate of you Miss Newton. But we haven't reached that point yet. I want to be sure that there's nothing else I need to know. We're going to search this room."

"Right now?" Chanel looks up, her eyes wide and anxious.