'Merlynna, it's time to go.' Mrs Good's voice wafted through the young witch's bedroom window. 'Time to travel to your placement. And be quick about it, you don't want to be late.'

Stuffing the remainder of her belongings inside her tiny cat-print suitcase, Merlynna shouted loudly, 'I'll be down in a moment. I just need to pack one last thing.' Then with a smile, she looked down at the floorboard beside her feet and said with a snap of her fingers, 'Open sesame.'

In an instant, the floorboard lifted, revealing a secret compartment and two objects. Merlynna reached inside and pulled out the shard that she had stumbled across the other night. It was still glowing.

'Maybe not the best idea to bring you,' she said. 'Who knows what you are and what you're capable of. Safer to keep you where I found you, here at the orphanage. Imagine you're something extremely powerful and I lost you. But if you are powerful, maybe I should tell Miss Harrower, Madame Joan and Mrs Good about you. But they may get mad and not let me back in here if things don't go well with my placement. Yes, you'll remain a secret.'

After putting the shard back inside the secret compartment, Merlynna pulled out the other object.

'You I will take.' Merlynna beamed at the yo-yo. 'I wonder if they'll notice that it's missing from their office. And if they do, how long will it take them?' She gave out a giggle. 'It's their fault, they shouldn't have reminded me of it.'

Before putting it inside her suitcase, Merlynna gave the yo-yo a quick test. And with a flick of her wrist, it raced away from her hand and began zigzagging across the room like a shooting star with an endless tail. After doing a few loops, it then began to spin around and around like a tornado.

Watching the toy reminded Merlynna of Fury.

Where was he, she wondered? Hopefully, he'll see her leaving and come with her. She really didn't want to go to her placement alone.

'Where are you, Merlynna?' bellowed Mrs Good, a clear agitation now in her tone.

'I'm coming,' Merlynna replied. With another flick of her wrist, the yo-yo shot back into her hand. She then said to it, 'Yes, you could come in very handy.'

Staring back down at the secret compartment and the shard inside, she snapped her fingers and the floorboard was put back in place.

'Now what's the best charm so that nobody will ever find my hiding spot?' she then thought to herself. 'Ah, yes.' And with a wink, she muttered, 'Abraxa.' Suddenly all the floorboards in her bedroom shifted around like speedy slithering snakes. 'Now I don't even know where it is anymore.'

'Merlynna! If you don't come down this instant, I will levitate you out of your window.'

Not wanting to leave ungracefully like that, Merlynna slammed her suitcase closed, grabbed the handle and bolted from her bedroom, where a sendoff party was waiting for her in the corridor.

Standing with their backs to the walls, it seemed like every girl at the orphanage was there.

'That's very kind of all of you for seeing me off,' Merlynna bantered with them, a big grin on her face.

Scowls replied to that, which widened Merlynna's smirk.

'We're making sure you leave,' came a chorus.

'Oh, so none of you will miss me then?' Merlynna said. 'But we had so many wonderful times together. Remember when I accidentally hexed everyone's clothes with an itching spell.'

'I was covered in a rash for weeks,' someone snapped.

As more raised voices reacted to the reminiscence, several girls began closing in on Merlynna from behind, making the young witch pick up the pace. And when she reached the stairs, more girls had joined in, it feeling like she was being pursued by a mob with pitchforks.

'All right, all right, I'm leaving,' Merlynna quivered before leaping down the stairs three steps at a time and dashing outside.

'Finally,' growled Mrs Good. She, Madame Joan and Miss Harrower were standing with their usual impatient looks.

A purr from above drew Merlynna's attention. She craned her neck and saw Fury sleeping on the roof. She huffed before turning back around.

'So how am I getting to my placement?'

Miss Harrower waved her hand and a broom shot into her grasp. 'With this.'

Merlynna was completely bewildered. 'You do remember, I can't fly too well, right. Or have I somehow let loose a forgetful charm.'

'Not today you haven't,' Miss Harrower replied.

'Are you hoping I don't make it to my placement alive then?'

'Of course not.' Miss Harrower frowned along with Madame Joan and Mrs Good.

'Then are you hoping I'll somehow get lost and be taken far away so that I'll be unable to find my way back to the orphanage,' said Merlynna.

'Now stop this silliness,' demanded Mrs Good. 'Miss Harrower has charmed the broom to take you safely to your destination. All you have to do is sit on the broom. Nothing else.'

Merlynna tapped her temple. 'Very smart of you, Miss Harrower. And I'm extremely grateful.'

It was then that the three old witches curled their mouths into warming smiles, something they rarely did.

'Well, it's time,' said Mrs Good, and Miss Harrower handed Merlynna the broom. She then said, 'I know we've had our issues but the three of us hope you well, Merlynna. Truly. And if your placement doesn't work out, just remember, you may return.'

Merlynna didn't know what was happening but tears welled in her eyes. 'Thank you, Mrs Good, Madame Joan and Miss Harrower.' Then surprising herself and the old witches, she gave them each a quick hug. 'I'll miss you.'

With somber voices, the witches said together, 'Magic be with you, Merlynna.'

'And you.'

Before Merlynna mounted the broom, she looked back at Fury. He was still on the roof but was now awake and looking down at her.

'Hmm,' came Madame Joan. 'It's nice of them to see you off.'

Behind all the windows on the bottom floor of the orphanage, the pitchfork mob were glaring. But with her back turned to the old witches, Merlynna gave them all a goodbye gesture, which sent them into a miming rage.

'I've never seen a farewell like that,' said Mrs Good.

'Maybe they're just so sad to see me go that they're angry about it,' Merlynna replied. 'Well, I better be off before they start smashing windows to get at me to stay.'

'I think that would be best. Goodbye, Merlynna.'

'Goodbye,' Merlynna replied.

With a twirl of Miss Harrower's finger, the broom began to rise. And as Merlynna gripped her suitcase more tightly with one hand, she gripped the broom handle with the other.

Up and up Merlynna climbed until she was level with the roof. And as she was about to look over her shoulder, to plead with Fury to come with her, the flying cat swooped over her head and landed on her lap.

'I knew you'd come with me,' said Merlynna.

The broom sped off and up the river they went, their reflection in the water flickering from scampering ripples.

It was then that Merlynna wondered about her placement as she gave a last glimpse back at the orphanage. Being assured by Mrs Good that it wasn't going to be dangerous, a picture of her mixing flour and water with a wand at a magical bakery flashed in her mind.

'That would be quite fun,' Merlynna said to Fury. 'And I like pastries. Or maybe I'll become an apprentice for a good yet powerful wizard with a long white beard. Yeah, that sounds more fun.'

Merlynna's thoughts carried her into the night. And as the moon now shone down, Fury had curled himself under his wings and was sleeping.

Just then, she noticed something in the distance.

It was moving in the air above another river, heading in the opposite direction the broom was going. It looked like a large flock of birds. Merlynna then noticed dozens and dozens of silhouetted figures beneath it. Humans possibly.

'Well that's strange,' Merlynna muttered. 'Unless they're birdwatching. Yeah, that would make sense. Or does it?

Who watches birds at night? And who follows them like that?'

Any other time, Merlynna would have tickled her curiosity and had a closer look, but being that she had no control of the broom, she was unable to do so.

The flock and the birdwatchers soon disappeared behind her and she quickly forgot all about them.

'A few more hours and we should be at our destination,' Merlynna said before joining Fury and closing her eyes.