Mildred can't understand why the girls are so scared of collecting potions ingredients in the woods until she comes face to face with an unusual creature. Sybil gets a surprise visit from her big sister and Miss Cackle struggles to deal with the guilt of seeing non-magical Esmerelda.

Miss Cackle goes to meet her fate at the Magic Council and Mildred is determined to help her. The first years are unimpressed with Miss Hardbroom as acting headteacher and decide to soften her up.