"Miss Hubble," HB calls as they rush out of potions, "Miss Hallow – both of you, stay behind."

Mildred frowns, glancing at Ethel suspiciously, wondering what she'd done now that was going to get them into trouble, but Ethel was looking at Mildred the same way. Both become more confused than paranoid as they stand in front of Miss Hardbroom's desk as she sits delicately, twirling a quill in her hand.

"In your first year at Cackle's, you won the Spelling Bee for Cackle's against Pentangle's Academy..." HB starts, Mildred feeling her worry ease as she speaks. "Last year, Salamander's Preparatory hosted us. This year, it is Amulet's Academy. Traditionally, the third-year students who previously competed accompany the chosen first-year representatives to the hosting school as chaperones and guides."

"We get to go watch?" Mildred questions.

"That is what she said, Mildred," Ethel rolls her eyes, HB ignoring them both.

"I will be the supervising adult on this trip and even if I was not, I expect you to be on your best behaviour on the trip to Salamander's tomorrow."

"Why not tell us before now, Miss Hardbroom?" Mildred asks, a little curious as to her reasoning.

HB – strangely – glances at Ethel, shutting the door with a flick of her wrist. "I was made aware of a...certain witch who had recently taken up a position in the administration of Amulet's. As requested by certain parties, I was not going to take either of you because of this – however, they vacated the position after an argument with the headmistress yesterday evening. When I was made aware, I changed my mind."

Certain witch? Mildred frowns, noticing how Ethel seems slightly lost at HB's tale. Wait, was the witch her mum? Who wouldn't want Ethel to see her mum?

"You will have a day-bag packed with a spare uniform in case of unforeseen circumstances and – if you wish – a packed lunch that can be provided by Miss Tapioca if you ask for it," HB says, before pointing at the door with her quill. "You will meet us in Miss Cackle's office. Now, away to classes with you."

"Yes, Miss Hardbroom," they say together before leaving, Maud and Enid waiting outside for Mildred. Ethel pushes onwards, shoes clicking on the stone floor as she hurries away.

"What did she want?" Maud asks as they make their way at a leisurely pace to Witching History.

"I'm going to Amulet's Academy with Ethel and the first years doing the Spelling Bee," Mildred proclaims, grinning all of a sudden. "I won't have to revise all day!"

"Ugh, I'm jealous," Enid groans, before her eyes brighten. "Hey! What if you take us? We can shrink down or you can turn us into frogs-"

"Miss Hubble certainly will not," HB says, materialising behind them. Mildred barely even jumps, too used to it, now. Enid stutters, trying to say it was a joke, but HB isn't fooled. "If I have to turn out Mildred's pockets before we leave, I will," HB threatens.

"We won't let her," Mildred promises with a sigh, ignoring Enid's pout. I'm thirteen now, I'm not a little girl anymore. I can say no to Enid. HB looks at least vaguely happy at Mildred's words, disappearing. As soon as she's gone, Enid does an unhappy thing with her feet.

"Millie, why? I've been to Amulet's – I could show you all the best places! Like the secret stairwell behind the statue of Morgana that leads to a balcony and how to open the hidden rooms behind the ginormous tapestries-"

"Enough, Enid," Mildred interrupts, firm. "I'm not sneaking you to Amulet's."

"Spoilsport," her friend mutters, while Mildred and Maud share a look of consternation.


The next day, Mildred is only a few minutes late, huffing and puffing as she rushes to join HB, Ethel and the two first years in Miss Cackle's office. HB gives her a distinctly unimpressed look that actually makes Mildred's heart drop to her stomach, knowing her – secretly, most favourite – teacher is disappointed, even just a little.

"Sorry I'm late," Mildred says morosely, not offering any excuse, even though she has one: Tabby wouldn't get off her cloak and she had to make up a cat-hair vanishing spell on the spot. It took more power than she expected – probably because it was wrong and probably because of the lack of vanishing potion to go with it – and Mildred feels loose-limbed, like she's made of jelly.

"It's alright, Mildred," Miss Cackle smiles at her, "The Spelling Bee isn't until after lunch, anyway. You have plenty of time."

"Miss Amulet awaits us," HB interjects, raising her hand and twisting her finger. Mildred can feel her witches hat moving on her head and most likely straightening out, too, her tie tightening a moment later. Grimacing, Mildred doesn't complain – it's not like she had time to look in the mirror. "Best. Behaviour." HB glares at each of them in turn, one of the first-year girls, Layla Ivanova shrinking behind her friend in fear.

"A word, Miss Hardbroom, before you leave," Miss Cackle crooks her finger, the two older witches walking just off to the side, murmuring to each other. Mildred inches towards the first-years, grinning covertly, whispering.

"Don't be scared of HB – she cares a lot, not that you see it often. Just do as you're told and you'll be fine."

Layla swallows, but nods, giving Mildred a tremulous smile. Mildred remembers being that young and not having any idea what was going on, not really.

"You can trust me," Mildred winks, "Maud's my best friend – you know Maud, right?"

"Isn't she Head of Year Three?" Layla's partner questions. Mildred remembers her name is Inagaki because of the unusualness to it, but for the life of her, she can't remember her first name. "She showed us around on Selection Day."

"Yeah, she is," Mildred confirms, however, before HB and Miss Cackle return to their sides.

"Well, good luck, Layla, Yuko," Miss Cackle says to them both, hands clasped. That's her name! Mildred smiles brightly at the reminder. Yuko Inagaki! "I hope you will do the school proud."

"They will," Mildred grins, Miss Cackle's gaze switching to her, smile turning fond.

"I'm sure they will, Mildred. You and Ethel be sure to cheer them both on."

HB clears her throat. "Are we ready to go?"

"Yes, Miss Hardbroom," the four of them state, before Miss Cackle steps back and Mildred feels the familiar, dreaded way transference pulls her from one place to another.

It feels almost like she's being dragged by her ear, but Mildred can feel her magic inside her. It tugs and strangles at the hold, even though Mildred accepts what's happening. She wants it all to stop – for her magic to just accept being transferred – however, Mildred has looked up transference in the library. There's no magical way for a witch to stop herself being transferred by another, unless using the proper defensive wards, which is a whole other university-level cauldron of fish.

She tries not to stumble forwards when they arrive, but her jelly-like legs cause her to tip sideways as they appear in an unfamiliar entrance hall. Hitting the ground hard, Mildred dazedly takes a moment before she looks up and around. Amulet's Academy is bright, skylights in the ceiling letting in the sun, white marble veined with black everywhere she looks – in the pillars that line the sides of the room like a Roman temple, the walls that hang moving tapestries and even the ginormous fireplace at the other end of the huge assembly hall. Mildred tries not to pale at the sight of the hundreds of students, snickering and pointing at her lying on the raised platform.

A look behind her shows a furious HB, but before her teacher can say anything, her attention is drawn to another witch, which is cut short as another witch in a knee-length cream dress greets her.

"Well met, Hecate! It's been a few years since you've stepped foot here," the witch says as Yuko grabs Mildred's hand, tugging her to her feet. The witch wears a bright purple sash over her shoulder, decorated with swinging golden leaves, a large necklace with a flat, opalescent stone that glimmers resting against her chest. When she lays eyes on Mildred, she winces visibly. "Transference, nasty magic to the inexperienced traveller."

"I got over inexperience years ago," Mildred says, coughing when she hears it echo through the hall. "My magic just...doesn't like it. I can't make it want to do it."

"Miss Hubble-" HB cleanly interjects "-is a special case when it comes to most magics. She and her fellow third-year, Ethel Hallow, won the Spelling Bee against Pentangle's two years ago."

Ethel steps forwards, hand against her foreheads as she bows slightly. "Well met, Miss Amulet."

Miss Amulet eyes her with a strange grimace. "Well met, Miss Hallow. It will certainly be...interesting, having you here after the disastrous legacy your mother has left behind."

Ethel stiffens and Mildred steps forwards, defensive of her peer, even if she doesn't like her in the least. HB, however, puts a hand on her shoulder, sending her a warning glance as she looks back at her. Mildred crosses her arms under her cloak, taking her hat from Layla – she hadn't even realised it had fallen off, in her drop to the ground.

"Our first-year representatives of Cackle's Academy: Yuko Inagaki and Layla Ivanova."

"Well met, Miss Amulet," Yuko bows with her hand to her forehead, Layla copying her quietly a second later.

"Well met, girls," Miss Amulet greets them politely, before motioning to two boys down by the stairs. They make their way up and Mildred blinks in surprise upon realising that these two boys – wizards – are their opponents.

Both sneering obnoxiously with square faces and squashed noses, obviously related in some way, Mildred doesn't get a good first impression, even if their uniforms are freshly pressed. It seems odd to Mildred that they don't wear robes like Mr Rowan-Webb or the Great Wizard, but with their purple blazers fully-buttoned, ties tucked in and their shoes shining – and how ostentatious the school is – Mildred has a funny feeling that Amulet's is more like an ordinary private school than Cackle's is, even with the harsh entry exam.

"Gary Grailquest and Barry Dragonsbane," Miss Amulet introduces, "the first-year representatives for Amulet's Academy for Exemplary Witches."

Exemplary witches, Mildred repeats in her head, straightening out her hat and putting it back on her head as the students of Amulet's clap half-heartedly. Gary and Barry look at Layla and Yuko with horrid smirks and Mildred feels some form of protective instinct rising up, before they look at her and Ethel, both boys focusing on her a moment later. But they're wizards, she thinks, wondering why they haven't changed the name if they're co-ed.

"...and Wizards," Miss Amulet adds a little too late, which gets another smatter of applause before she waves her hand up. "Students, if we could welcome our new visitors with a rendition of the school song."

"That is hardly necessary, Miss Amulet-" HB starts.

"Nonsense, Hecate – you should call me Esme, really, we shared a dorm right here in the Academy," Miss Amulet brushes her off, looking to the young witches of Cackle's in a conspiratorial way. "Miss Hardbroom is an alumnus of Amulet's Academy, you know! Pippa Pentangle, too – she'll be joining us as unbiased judge for the Spelling Bee."

"I am aware," HB says, before Miss Amulet turns to the standing students and conducts them in song. To be perfectly honest, it's not so bad – but Mildred is pretty sure that the song is only meant to be sung by an all-girls school, considering the lack of wizarding twists and homages. As they listen, HB manoeuvres them into a proper space, Ethel to her left and Mildred to her right, Yuko and Layla in front. Maybe it makes us look more professional.

However, Mildred feels a prickle in her magic as the school song comes to a close and she looks up sharply, eyes widening.

"Miss Hardbroom – it's the Mist!"

HB looks up sharply, followed by everyone else. Mildred watches as fog – but it's not fog, it's mist, The Mist – rolls over the glass ceiling of the hall, dotting out the sun and almost ominously casting its presence over the Academy.

"What is it?" Layla whispers.

"The Mists of Time," HB says, hand coming to clamp on Mildred's shoulder. "We've had previous experiences with it at Cackle's."

"I remember an example of when the Mists came to Amulet's," Pippa Pentangle's familiar voice comes out of nowhere. Mildred looks sharply right, grinning at the sight of the other headmistress. "I suppose this must be the reflecting time period. Miss Amulet, if you would place the school on lockdown so no students deign to go outside."

"Of- of course," Miss Amulet reaches for her necklace – her amulet, Mildred realises ironically – holding it tightly.

"Seal the school, bar the children,

May none go through doors, keep us hidden.

Stone of power, stone of might,

May my school be locked up tight!"

From the necklace, there is a silent boom of magic, before white sparks float up and up, to the glass ceiling. Mildred watches in fascination as the ceiling turns frosty, before it shatters into a million pieces. Several students in the assembly scream or gasp, but Mildred watches the glass fade into nothingness, revealing the solid marble now taking its place.

"All windows are no longer," Miss Amulet states, sounding shaken, "The doors to the outside will not open-"

"Are we going to die?" Shouts a student in the assembly. "Are they going to kill us?"

"The Mists don't kill you-" Miss Amulet starts, before Miss Pentangle interrupts, stepping forwards, hand resting on Miss Amulet's arm as she looks at the student.

"The Mists do worse than kill you. They transport you through time – most likely, to when your headmistress, Miss Hardbroom and I were in school, thirty-three years ago. If any of you went back in time by going outside, you could catastrophically change the future just by interacting with a single person. You could erase yourself or your best friend – or send someone off on a different path that could destroy us all."

As Miss Pentangle speaks to the students of Amulet's, Mildred looks to Ethel, remembering what happened the last time they were exposed to the Mists. They're still in Miss Cackle's class photo, to this day.

"I very much hope neither of you will have another...escapade," HB murmurs to them both as Miss Pentangle takes questions.

"Did anything happen that you remember? Did someone change something?"

"To the best of my knowledge," Miss Pentangle states, "nothing came of the incident. However, there was one good thing to happen that day." She smiles, glancing back at HB, who stiffens. "The first and last capture of the Mists of Time in a bottle. Last year, they were used to prove the eligibility of Ada Cackle as headmistress of her academy."

Mildred's eyes widen as she remembers, looking to HB. "That was you?"

Eyes all on HB, it's easy to see how the attention makes her uneasy, but she does nod stiffly.

"A great feat of magic," Miss Amulet adds, lip twitching. "I'm referring to breaking through the lockdown, of course, to get your great gift."

"Enough," Miss Pentangle says, surprisingly short with the other woman, before her chipper demeanour returns. "You have to talk to your staff about the current situation and allowances for missing outdoor classes, but is it right for me to assume the Spelling Bee will continue as planned? It would be a welcome distraction."

"I agree," HB states, voice chill.

"...of course, a good distraction – students! Please follow your time-tables as planned, unless you are not based in a classroom. Study classes and supervisors will be allocated and listed on the library board and as per every year we host a Spelling Bee, you are encouraged to attend and cheer on our representatives during fifth through to eighth period after lunch. Dismissed!"

Mildred watches the assembly filter out of the hall, Gary and Barry sneaking off when Miss Amulet isn't looking – which is clearly sneaking off when Miss Amulet twists, trying to locate them.

"I told them to stay..."

"To the headmistress' office, Miss Amulet?" HB queries.

Miss Amulet lends one last look over the crowd of purple blazers and cloaks before straightening, nodding in agreement. Mildred grimaces as HB transfers them to an unfamiliar office, but luckily short-distance is far less taxing on her system than long.

"Sit down, girls," HB instructs, pointing to the padded marble benches by the office door. Following her instructions dutifully, Mildred doesn't realise she's stepped outside a privacy ward until she sits down and sees their mouths all moving, but not hearing a word.


In the end, they wait there for about an hour, Mildred and Ethel working together for once to quiz the first-years on different types of spells and potions they might have to brew. Mildred even recounts their own experience with the Spelling Bee, in the middle of telling the girls about how the storm-cloud soaked Ethel head to toe when HB speaks to them.

"Girls, Miss Amulet has given you permission to...wander, provided you do not disturb classes. I know from personal experience that it is difficult to get lost in this school. I would prefer if you remained in a group, however. Lunch is consumed in the Chamber at one o'clock, where we arrived."

"How will we know what time lunch is?" Layla questions awkwardly.

"Ethel is competent enough to cast a magic clock into being, momentarily," HB replies, before transferring them once more – this time, alone. Oddly enough, however, Mildred knows exactly where they are, because the transfer took them from one side of a wall to another.

Twisting around, she confirms her suspicions upon sighting HEADMISTRESS' OFFICE along an extremely square door.

"Where do we go now?" Yuko twirls on her heel. "Left or right?"

"Right," Ethel says, already making her way down the corridor. Mildred, taking up the rear as the first-years follow her, takes off her hat, folds it and stuffs it in her bag, happy that her cloak can hide the ordinary jean fabric of it from magical sight – Mildred remembers how Miss Amulet talked about transference. It isn't nasty, she thinks, wondering what her opinion on ordinary people is.

Amulet's Academy is rather plain, to be honest. They stop to admire some of the tapestries though, looking at the stories on them and chatting briefly with some Amulet's students when the bell rings for them to change classes.

"You'll beat Baz and Gaz easily," one of the third-year witches states, loosening her tie with a sigh. "They're only our reps because Miss Amulet is all about diversity. Having wizards in the school is her way of being a modern witch, but she's not done much."

"Diversity?" Yuko questions, "How is being co-ed diverse?"

"We learn different subjects," the witch shrugs. "All-witch classes and all-wizard classes are a thing, here, except for some stuff like potions and spell science. Baz and Gaz are clever enough to get through the Spelling Bee, but they won't have practiced or paid enough attention in class – too busy using wizard magic to bully everyone they can."

"Who are Baz and Gaz?" Ethel questions, sounding deeply disgusted by the nicknames.

"Barry and Gary," the witch says, before pausing, "Sorry. My name's Jadu – Jadu Wali."

"Ethel Hallow. Well met."

"Well met," Jadu says, looking to Mildred. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name at the assembly."

"Oh, it's fine," Mildred says, smiling, "I'm Mildred, Mildred Hubble."

"Well met, Mildred Hubble," Jadu beams at her, before looking around at the fast-emptying corridor. "I've got to go. Maybe I'll see you again, sometime."

"I hope we do," Mildred says, waving as Jadu speed-walks away in the direction they're heading, returning the wave before she goes around a corner. Up ahead, Mildred sees a statue and suddenly remembers what Enid said yesterday. "We should go over there – Enid says there's a secret staircase behind it!"

"A secret staircase?" Ethel questions sceptically. "I don't believe it. This school is designed with corners, not curves – there's no room for a staircase, over there, anyway. You can ever see the blocked-off windows as well, just look."

Mildred peers and Ethel's right, there are windows. Her heart drops slightly, hoping Enid was right.

"She said it was behind the statue of Morgana," Mildred replies.

Ethel rolls her eyes. "If you're so sure, let's check." She goes forwards, Mildred hurrying to catch up as they approach the statue, the base of it reading MORGANA. "Did Enid tell you how to find this supposed staircase?"

"No, she wanted to show me," Mildred says, watching as Yuko climbs up, grabbing the statue for support. "Don't do that, Yuko, you could damage something."

"It's sturdy," Yuko says, hauling her own feet off the ground as she swings on Morgana's forwards-outstretched arm. "See?"

"Get down!" Ethel hisses.

"It's fine, trust me, I grew up around these things," Yuko gets down though, brushing the dust off her hands. "My mum is an artist. Magical statues have runes written into them somewhere to make sure they're preserved longer and don't get damaged. I couldn't break it if I tried."

"Mildred probably could," Ethel states, Mildred glaring at her.

"Hey!"

"What?" Ethel raises her eyebrow, "You could."

Huffing, Mildred looks back at the statue, wondering if the artist used magic to make it or if they did it the ordinary way. If this really is supposed to be Morgana, Mildred thinks, then she was very pretty. The statue depicts Morgana as tall and dark, with streams of hair flying around her face like she's stuck in a storm, frozen in time, hands outstretched as if she were casting some wild, powerful magic.

"She kind of looks like Miss Hardbroom," Mildred notes funnily. Yuko snorts, before climbing up on her arms again. "Oh, Yuko, don't-"

Yuko, who had pulled herself up by Morgana's hands, suddenly started to drop, the arms completely descending, the base by Morgana's feet twirling until a staircase is revealed.

"Oh my god, you found it, Yuko!" Layla squealed.

"Of course Enid found it as well," Ethel scoffs, "Probably disrespecting property, trying to get herself expelled."

"Shut up, Ethel," Mildred snaps, before she looks to Yuko and Layla, "Come on! Let's go!"

They rush down the staircase, feeling the cold immediately. As a breeze wafts past her face, Mildred frowns, trying to remember where Enid said the staircase led, but quickly realising as the staircase comes to an abrupt stop right before a balcony with non-existent walls.

Mildred freezes, the Mists of Time looming ominously in front of her.

Unfortunately, there are two excited first-years right behind her, rushing down the steps. They smash into her, tumbling to the ground as Mildred goes flying. She screams, yelling for her life as she falls over the bank-less balcony, her stomach falling out from under her. She hears someone yelling her name, but Mildred is too busy flailing and dropping out of the sky.