Ten Years Later

Mildred stood outside Walkers Gate looking up at Cackles Academy, it had been over ten years since she left the Academy as a pupil and now she was returning as a teacher, something which when she left the academy all them years ago she wouldn't believe that she would do.

She could have flown over the castle walls like she usually did during her school days at the start of each term, but it didn't feel the right thing to do, and perhaps she needed them few precious moments to finally settle her nerves.

Because it was one thing to come back to your old school as a teacher, but another thing entirely to return as a teacher when for three years of your schooling you were marred as the worst witch in the school.

Stepping through walker's gate she walked through into the main courtyard and a mass of memories came flooding back. Pacing slowly across the courtyard she placed her broom in the broom shed as she had done so many times before, and strode up to the main door, seeing that it was opened she stepped through it and into the main hall of the academy.

"Mildred Hubble" boomed out an instantly recognizable voice from the stairs

Looking in that direction she saw her old formidable potions teacher, over the length of ten years she had aged, small patches of grey hair at her temples, but she still struck Mildred cold. During her interviews Miss Hardbroom had been unavailable, so this was the first time she had seen her in years.

"Yes Miss Hardbroom" The schoolgirl tones in her voice instantly in there, her reacting like she was in trouble like she had been many times before.

Constance took the last few steps down the main stairs and walked towards Mildred looking at her up and down while she did. Her piercing stare seemed to go through Mildred as she sized her up once again. Mildred has changed somewhat from the girl she was the day she had left the academy, ten years previously. That scrawny 16 year old girl was long gone, and she has been replaced by what was considered an elegant 26 year old woman.

I'd never thought i would see you again Mildred" She said stepping closer to her. "I must say that I was relieved the day you left the academy. She said a small wry smile appearing slowly on her face.

"As I never expected to see you again Miss Hardbroom. But life does seem to have a way of making interesting decisions for you, who would of thought all them years ago that I would become a teacher at all." Mildred said her nerve slowly picking it's self back, she had been in more scarier situations than this is her life and had faced down more terrifying people now than her old deputy headmistress. "I must say that it is wonderful to see you again Miss, you haven't seem to have changed at al

"I cannot say the same about you, you have changed so much from the gangly girl who left all them years ago, you have turned into a striking women. Now Mildred, if you come with me, I am sure you will appreciate a drink and a rest."

Mildred looked at her and was extremely grateful that she knew that she needed a break, that a long journey on broomstick was always tiring.

"That would be absolutely marvellous" she said in return to her.

Constance started to walk along the corridor and without even having to say a word; Mildred knew that she was to follow.

But during their walk she did say one thing to Mildred.

"It's not Miss Hardbroom anymore Mildred, its Constance, I am no longer your teacher, I am your colleague."

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Constance walked over to the staff room door and opened it, she gestured for Mildred to step in before her. But Mildred hesitated at that, the staff room for her and the other pupils a no go area, a place you went too as a last resort if you needed a teacher, now she was being invited in as a member of staff. Shaking her head she walked into the room to be greeted with two very familiar faces from her time at the academy.

A broad smile appeared on Amelia's face when she saw Mildred as she came through the door, she stepped over and pulled her into a embrace, pulling away she noticed the look of amazement on Mildred's face at what she had done. She had forgotten for a moment that Mildred would be going through a time of change, trying to associate herself as a teacher of Cackles Academy and not a pupil as she was once.

"I'm glad you've got here safe Mildred, I hope you had an uneventful journey here. It is wonderful to see you again Mildred."

It had been a couple of months since Amelia had seen Mildred, she had been given the job at that Interview but she had been told that the job wouldn't be starting to the following September.

"It's good to see you as well." She said back to her "And yes, my journey was uneventful"

Mildred looked across the room and spotted her old PE teacher, older than what she remembered her being, wrinkles had appeared at the corners at her eyes and near her lips, and her hair was slowly becoming a mixture of white and the blonde instead of the pure blonde that its once was. She still looked athletic as she used to be, but a small rounding of her stomach was obviously there and Mildred had a feeling that she knew the reason behind it.

Mildred felt a smile come across her face; she had good memories of her time with Miss Drill, she had hated PE classes as a rule, but she had not hated the teacher. Imogen stood up from her chair and walked over to Mildred, her smile mirrored on her old PE teachers face.

"I'd never thought you would become teacher Mildred when you were a pupil." She said as she pulled Mildred into her arms and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Neither did I Miss" She said her eyes flitting down to Imogens stomach and up to her eyes. Catching the attention of Imogen who mouthed one word at her.

"Later."

Amelia was still beaming as she offered one of the chairs to Mildred who gratefully sat down on it, and a cup of tea put in front of her.

Mildred eyes flicked up to Amelia who asked her one question

"So how does it feel to back at Cackles?"