Nicola pointed the wand at the frog and was preparing to swoosh it about randomly again when, mercifully for James, a familiar tingling feeling enveloped her. Moments later she was restored to her original height, appearance and most importantly IQ level. She quickly and carefully placed the wand down and picked her now amphibian friend up from the floor.
"I'm so sorry James!" she apologised with genuine emotion as she held him in her hands and looked into his bulging eyes trying to figure out if he could understand her "I wasn't myself when I did this. But I'll fix it, I promise"
James ribbited. Nicola wasn't sure if he was talking to her or not. Before she had the chance to consider how to make good on her promise there was a knock on the door. Nicola placed her friend on a nearby bookcase and cautiously went to answer it. Sure enough it was Meredith.
"Um, hello" Nicola greeted her in the most polite and restrained manner she could manage under the circumstances. She was careful to leave the door only slightly ajar for now.
"Ah, I see you're back to your usual charming self. That's good, I suppose, these potions won't test themselves. Is your friend ready yet?"
"Er, no not really" Nicola answered.
Meredith tutted but thankfully decided not to investigate further.
"Fine. I have a few other matters to attend to so I'll leave you both here for a while. But a quick word of warning - do not get any ideas about trying out or even touching any of the products in the store room. If I get even the slightest inkling you have so much as thought about experimenting with anything in here then you and your friends stay will be extended to a full year. Do I make myself clear?"
"Of course" Nicola gulped trying to remain as calm as possible. Meredith stared sternly into the nervous girls eyes for a moment before letting out a laugh in satisfaction at the complete submissiveness of the once haughty young woman.
"Then I shall take my leave" she nodded authoritatively before doing just that.
"Shit!" Nicola cursed to herself. The moment Meredith saw James in his current form she would know the wand had been used and she didn't want to even consider the possibility of spending a whole year of being this bitches lab rat. She would have to work out a way to restore her friend herself. But how? She may as well use whatever she wanted from the store room since that ship had sailed already. But she had no idea what any of it was or how any of it worked. And she might not have much time to figure any of this crazy shit out before the old witch returned.