An Unexpected Relationship
Author's Note: An Unexpected Relationship takes place in the winter term of Mildred's third year (2000), and follows on from 'The Inspector Calls' and 'The Millenium Bug'. Mildred's birthday is October or November 1985 (age 15); Constance's birthday is 5th January 1965 (age 35).
This story was originally published in 2014; I have re-written and expanded it to nearly twice its original length- and the original was the longest thing I'd written up to that point!
Note that this story is based on the 1998 series of the Worst Witch; it was mostly (re) written last year before the new series started- though if I write anymore Worst Witch, it will probably be a mash-up of the two series- I like different parts of both!
This story is dedicated to:
Smasher2k, whose unfinished story 'Patience' got the wheels turning when I started thinking about what might happen next;
NextChristineDae (NCD), whose story 'Appearances can be Deceptive' was a big inspiration for writing this one;
And my cat, Bella, who passed away last November; she is my avatar and therefore I feel it is appropriate to dedicate this story to her.
Chapter One
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The sound of the school bell rang through the corridors of Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, marking the end of the day's lessons, as students and staff filled the corridors with voices and footsteps. Most were happy to get out of class, however one voice was not pleased...
"Mildred Hubble! Will you watch where you're going!"
Constance Hardbroom had just stepped out of the potion lab when Mildred Hubble had hurtled down the corridor and straight into her.
"Sorry, Miss." Mildred mumbled.
"And will you please tie those bootlaces! How many times do I have to tell you?" Constance watched as Mildred ran off, bootlaces still flapping.
Constance's heeled boots clicked on the stone floor as she locked the potion lab and made her way down the hallway to the staffroom, where the Academy's other teachers were already enjoying the start of the weekend. Amelia Cackle was enjoying a slice of cheesecake, Imogen Drill was reading her latest sports magazine, and Lavinia Crochet was knitting an unidentified shapeless object.
Constance opened the heavy oak door and entered the room without making much noise at all, causing the three to look; it wasn't like the potions mistress to make a quiet entrance. Constance would normally be complaining about anything and everything, and especially about whatever Mildred Hubble had done this time, but today she didn't complain about anything.
"Is something the matter, Constance?" Amelia asked.
"No." snapped Constance. "I'm fine."
Her three colleagues just glanced at each other, as Constance set about making herself a cup of tea. It possibly wasn't entirely Mildred's fault that they'd run into each other; Constance probably should have been paying more attention to where she was going. She had been preoccupied- thinking about Mildred, in fact. Constance sat down and took a sip of her tea. Mildred frequently aggravated her, and to the rest of the Academy, that's all there was to it- they were just a teacher and her pupil who were always on each other's nerves.
But Mildred was more than just another student to Constance, and she had spent a lot of time lately wondering whether it was the right time to tell Mildred the truth. Mildred would probably wonder why she had kept it from her, and not told her sooner.
She had thought Mildred hated her- and yet, at the end of the previous year, when Mr Hallow had been about to sell the Castle, and Constance had been on the point of resigning, she had had a conversation with Mildred that had revealed quite the opposite- and Mildred had rallied the girls- including Ethel Hallow- to save the Academy and prevent her resignation.
Since then, Constance had done a lot of thinking. Mildred's 15th birthday was in less than a week, and Constance had made up her mind that, on that day, she would tell Mildred about their true relationship to each other.
Meanwhile, Mildred's friends made their way to the storeroom under the library, also known as the DOBS den.
"So, it's Millie's birthday on Saturday," said Enid, lounging on one of the seats, "And I thought we should do something for her."
"Like what?" asked Maud, taking a seat next to Enid.
"We should have a party!" said Ruby, as she and Jadu entered.
"Ooh, I know," said Jadu. "A surprise party!"
"But where will we have it?" said Maud. "We don't want HB finding out!"
"Down here of course," said Enid.
"Good idea," said Ruby. "We'll need music."
"And food!" added Jadu.
"And Millie can't know what we're doing-"
"Shh! I think I hear her coming-"
"AAH!" THUD! CRASH! Mildred came tumbling down the stairs and knocked a pile of old books flying, sending a cloud of dust and cobwebs into the air.
"Millie!" Maud ran over to help her friend.
"I'm okay, I just tripped," Mildred said, getting up and dusting herself off.
"You really should tie those bootlaces," said Maud, looking down at Mildred's boots.
On Saturday morning, Mildred woke up excited, and once she was dressed and ready, she hurried down to the great hall for breakfast, to find her friends ready and waiting for her. "Happy Birthday, Millie!" they said as she reached the table.
"We've got you a present," said Maud, handing over a package. Mildred opened it to reveal a furry tabby cat hot water bottle.
"It's great, thank you," Mildred said, grinning.
"It was Enid's idea, said Maud.
"Perfect for all those cold nights!" said Enid.
"Maybe you should've bought all of us one!" laughed Jadu.
As they left the hall after breakfast, Miss Hardbroom approached them. "Mildred Hubble, will you come with me, please?"
What could I possibly be in trouble for now? Mildred thought, as she followed the potions mistress down the corridor to her office. Trust Miss Hardbroom to ruin my birthday!
They reached the small, tidy office, with its window looking into the courtyard, and the desk stacked with paperwork. "Sit down, Mildred. I have something to tell you." Constance indicated a seat in front of the desk, and Mildred sat down, still unsure what her form mistress wanted. Constance sat down facing Mildred, who was absent-mindedly chewing her plait out of nervousness. "Mildred…" she began, "Are you aware that you were adopted?"
Mildred was unsure where this was going, but stopped chewing her plait to answer. "My mum told me last summer, when I asked why I was the only witch in our family- but how do you know?"
Constance sighed, as Mildred started chewing her plait again. "I don't quite know how to say this, but… you're not just another student to me, Mildred. You're… my daughter."
Mildred's jaw dropped, her plait falling out. "Is it true? Are you really my birth mother?"
"Yes, Mildred, you are my daughter."
"But why was I adopted?" Mildred asked. "And what about my father?"
"I met your father at college, but when he found out I was pregnant, he left me, and my parents forced me to have you adopted."
"Why?"
"I was young, unmarried, and didn't have a job, and therefore, they thought, unsuitable to be a mother." Constance's voice had started to rise, and Mildred could tell she was getting uncomfortable with the conversation, and decided not to press any further, for now.
"Did you know I was your daughter, when I came to the Academy?" she asked.
"Yes, I did." Constance said, her voice returning to normal. "The year before you started, I was going through the enrolment applications, and I saw your name and birthdate on the forms. Although, it was quite a surprise- I knew you had been adopted into a non-magical family, so I never expected you to turn up here."
"Why didn't you tell me then? Why wait?"
"I was scared… scared of what you would think, of what people would say."
"You? Scared? I don't believe it."
"Everyone has fears, Mildred, even me. I never told anyone about you, and no one would ever guess the truth."
"Not even me," said Mildred. "But why tell me now?"
"Because it's time I was the mother I should be, and not the strict teacher you hate-"
"But I don't hate you." Mildred said. "I mean, I don't like it when you appear from nowhere or how you always criticize me, but you're a great teacher, you're not unfair, and you always push me, and all of us, to do our best."
Constance smiled. "That's very nice of you, Mildred. Do you recall, last year, when Mr Hallow was about to sell this castle, and you found me in the dungeons?"
"Of course."
"After our conversation that day, and after seeing how you brought your classmates together, to save the Academy and prevent me from resigning… I felt it was time to tell you the truth about our relationship. Your birthday just felt like the right time to tell you."
Mildred had gone quiet, which was unusual for her.
"Mildred, what's wrong?" Constance asked.
"It's just… a lot to take in. I'd like some time alone, I think."