Past and Present

Constance Hardbroom.

Of all pupils she had taught over the years, Hecate Broomhead was never able to forget this one. She had arrived at the Broomhead College for Witches, with an exceptionally good reputation before her – top of all her classes, head girl and with such strong magical talents that places such as Weirdsister had been falling over their brooms to offer her a scholarship place.

Which was why Mistress Broomhead was so disappointed when the sixteen year old had arrived at her office on the first day. Expecting a girl who would focus on her studies and nothing else, a girl whom she could teach the darkest of magical secrets to, she had been stunned into silence when Constance appeared, tall, willowy, bright, fresh faced, and with dark hair that flowed in a never ending mane straight down her back.

'First things first,' she had said, pointing a finger at her new student so that the black waterfall twisted itself us into a tight bun, and watching the girl wince, as the hair tugged at her skin.

It was the beginning of six long years under Miss Broomhead's personal tuition. She knew that this girl had so much potential but she had to be moulded. So she used physical violence and verbal abuse, knowing that it was the only way that the message would get across. And while the first few times this happened Mistress Broomhead was met with screams of anguish or sobs of pain, Constance quickly kept silent whenever her tutor let loose on her. Mistress Broomhead was amazed, but also delighted that the girl displayed such control and composure. It was her only ticket to learning the secretest of magical secrets.

When Constance left in a blaze of glory (which, judging by the scars and bruises, had come at a heavy price) Mistress Broomhead heard nothing more of her for nearly seventeen years. She was still teaching, and though she only taught the best of the best, none of them ever matched up to Constance Hardbroom. So it was something of a surprise when she turned up at Cackle's Academy, only to find the girl teaching there. She couldn't believe her eyes. Such a waste of talent and potential, and she told her so, watching the tall woman in front of her pale with fear, reminding her of the young sixteen year old, sobbing in the middle of the office the first time she depuffified the shelves and caused the glass bottles on them to hurl themselves at her. It was pathetic.

When she asked to see Mildred Hubble, the cause of many a recorded disaster, and she found out they had tried to hide the girl from her, she was furious. If she had had the opportunity, she would have punished her former student as harshly as she could. How dare she disobey? She had taught her better than that.

As soon as she could, she would take Constance aside and remind her of the punishment for disobedience. She was sure the old trick of turning the person to an icy statue and putting them on full display in the great hall for a while would be sufficient.

She had twisted the girl into everything she needed to be. She would not let such potential go to waste.

"Constance, might I have a word with you?"

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Bit of an AU ending, but I hope you enjoyed