A/N: My first mutli chaptered fic that happens to encompass Worst Witch, Weirdsister College, and the New Worst Witch. I've been planning this one for a while, so hopefully I will be able to get it done. I'll admit it now, I don't think this will have long chapters, but I will try my best. Also: if you have seen the New Worst Witch, you'll recognise a name from the episode this one is named after. I will openly admit it was the inspiration, but I'm not going say how it changes. Okay, so read, and review please, with constructive criticism being taking in helpfully.
Trick or Treat
Chapter One
It was rather hard to believe it, but after seven years, Mildred Hubble was back at Cackle's Academy for Witches, on her placement all newly qualified witch teachers were expected to get. Oddly enough, Pentangles had expressed an interest in having her amongst their esteemed ranks, but when she received word that Cackles would be more than happy to have Mildred, there was no competition.
It was odd to think on it really, how far she'd come in the intervening time, and when it came down to it, it wasn't just her, it was everyone she knew. Jadu was a rapidly rising intrepid reporter wanted by all the very best papers and if rumour was right even some news stations; Enid's creativity had been a boon when she was accepted at Witch University in Boston, allowing her high grades in her course and starting her own business - Magic Make-Over was rapidly growing. Ruby had went straight for a science course, and specialised in … some form of science that Mildred couldn't even hope to understand. She was working towards a PhD, according to her last letter. As for Maud, well, she had turned her artistic designs to home design, and her company was 'keeping her comfortable' in her own words.
Even those she had started out with at Weirdsisters were doing well. Dee had been through her placement at Salamanders, before finding a permanent position at Cackles; Mildred realised with a smile that this meant she would be reunited with her friend again. Cas had returned to Canada, looking towards a career in the healing magics. Tim and Azmat had teamed up with Ben to look into creating a range of electronic devices that didn't go haywire in the presence of magic; instead they were powered by magic. It had been going over fairly well; they were currently in Tokyo pitching the idea to a rather important company. If they liked the ideas; the three boys would be set for the rest of their lives.
That's not to say that didn't hurt a little. The idea had come about early on in her second year at Weirdsisters, and Ben, Tim and Azmat had taken to spending every spare moment in each other's company to work on it. Combined with their increasingly busy schedules, and contrasting work shifts, it got a point where Mildred and Ben could go a whole week without having seen each other. Not that they noticed, no, in all their hurry, neither really noticed their relationship falling to the side. The split had been fairly friendly; they still exchanged letters and phone calls, but Mildred had to admit it still stung a little. Especially when it seemed like Ben and Ethel were getting more friendly as of late.
Ah Ethel, there was one who had landed on her feet with no problem. She had left Weirdsisters with top honours, and went straight into Harvard to gain an MBA. She was now heading the American branch of All Hallows Enterprises. She was always going to be the one to succeed, as much as Mildred may have secretly entertained the hope of it not happening. The only person still at Weirdsisters was Nick Hobbes, and he had only returned this year to do research into a theory which he was keeping quiet about except to those who needed to know.
Mildred sighed. All of her friends were busy with their post-education lives, and now it was time for her to do the same. By going back into education, ironically. Adjusting her hat just slightly, she picked up her bag and broom, and walked through the gates of Cackle's Academy once more.
"Well, I dare say you won't need the usual tour of the school," Amelia Cackle smiled at Mildred, "some rooms have changed about a little, but we're still the same old castle." she added. Mildred gave her own nervous smile back, her fingers twisting the sleeves of her sedate deep purple top - which she had thought quite nice, and professional looking, but had drawn a disapproving glare from Miss Hardbroom. "Well, now, do you have any questions?"
"Erm, yes," Mildred started hesitantly, but she found her voice dying in her throat as Miss Hardbroom spoke over her.
"I have a comment, Miss Cackle, if I may." Miss Cackle nodded. "While I do not doubt that Mildred has reached all the necessary qualifications-" interestingly enough, though she would never admit it, Constance had been fully supportive of Mildred starting out her teaching career at Cackles, "- I wonder if it is wise to have her teach young Henrietta's form." There was a small pause, as Amelia nodded for her to continue. "The girl is unruly at the best of times, having her cousin in charge may only encourage her onwards."
Mildred bit her lip, she hadn't actually considered this. "I don't think she would try anything too bad," she said, though there was a tone of uncertainty in her voice. "After all, she knows school is a different place to home."
"I believe you have a point, Mildred," Amelia said, nodding. "But I also believe you have a point, Constance. However, I think it unfair to the rest of the form to deny them the chance to be in lesson taught by the new teacher." Constance started at this, but Amelia held up her hand. "You know fine well that they will protect, the girls so very rarely see anyone new around here, we shall simply have to hope that Henrietta wishes to impress her cousin and sets a good example."
"If you say so, Headmistress," came Constance's reply. She picked up the exercise books from the desk which she had been marking. "But I sincerely hope you know what you are doing. First Mildred, and then that man," she shook her head, leaving the staff room. Mildred frowned.
"That man?" she questioned. Amelia sighed, removing her glasses to sit them atop her head.
"We had a letter from a very respectable wizard who wishes to come and take a special course with the girls in the weeks upcoming to Halloween, after which he will leave," she explained. "Usually I would refuse such an offer, but … he is very respectable. He has turned down so many other schools, and he never makes the offer himself."
"So really you had no choice," Mildred said, understanding the position. "Which wizard was it, can I ask?" Amelia allowed a small chuckle, after all this time, and Mildred Hubble was still a curious little thing.
"You may have heard of him, he wrote Treasures of Sorcery, now what was his name?" There was a brief pause as she recalled the name. "Oh yes, I remember now, Richard Avalon."