The Worst Witch and the Worst Chaperone
Mildred's mum asks for permission for her to stay at Cackle's over the break, due to a work commitment. The rest of the staff are leaving for the break, except for one potions mistress. With a week alone together, Mildred forms a deep friendship with her strictest teacher.
"I know it's short notice" Ms. Hubble apologized for the fifteenth time. "But this is an extremely important engagement, I'm up for a promotion" she explained, shifting in the comfortable armchair in Ms. Cackle's office.
"I understand completely, it's just that I'm afraid there's usually more girls staying over break at one time. Are you comfortable with Mildred here all by herself?"
"Well, she won't be all by herself, because you'll have one of your teachers stay as well"
"Oh I just meant in terms of fellow students"
"Oh, Millie love, it's only a week, do you think you can handle that?" Ms. Hubble asked her daughter, who was looking at Ms. Cackle hopefully.
"Well, I guess that depends on who's staying with me" Mildred said thoughtfully. "How about you Ms. Cackle? Oh we'll have so much fun! You can teach me all kinds of magic stuff to help me get caught up, and I can show you some fun non magic games!" Mildred said, getting excited. Ms. Cackle smiled sadly at Mildred and reached across the desk to take her hand.
"I wish I could Mildred that sounds like a wonderfully good time. But I'm expected at my mother's…she needs me" Ms. Cackle said apologetically. Mildred slumped, disappointed.
"How about Mr. Rowan-Webb?" Mildred asked. Ms. Cackle shook her head.
"He and Ms. Bat are going on a romantic getaway" she explained. Mildred slumped again.
"Ms. Drill?" she asked weakly. Ms. Cackle shook her head.
"she's with her boyfriend, going to the Wizball final in Spain" Mildred's eyes widened.
"Ms. Drill has a boyfriend" she gasped, and her mum elbowed her, but she looked at Millie and mock-gasped playfully.
"And that's exactly why I've summoned Ms. Hardbroom" Ms. Cackle explained. "She should be here soon, and we'll all discuss the situation" Mildred's stomach dropped.
"M-Miss Hardbroom" Mildred said slowly, looking horrified at her mum. Ms. Cackle looked knowingly at her. "No. No way. I'm not staying here with her. She hates me"
"Now, Mildred let's not be melodramatic" Ms. Cackle murmured. "I'm sure Miss Hardbroom would be happy to have the company, and a weeks time with a teacher as accomplished as Miss Hardbroom is a fantastic opportunity for you to improve in your studies" she paused, looking fondly at Mildred through her glasses. "And she does not hate you. I don't think the two of you understand each other very well"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Cackle, but isn't there anyone else that could stay?" Ms. Hubble asked, concerned, and rubbing her daughter's back comfortingly.
"I'm afraid not" she said. "But there's nothing to be concerned about. I know Mildred and Miss Hardbroom have gotten off on the wrong foot in the past, but I think this could be exactly what Mildred needs academically" Miss Hardbroom appeared behind Ms. Cackle so suddenly, both Hubbles jumped.
"Ah, right on time, Hecate" Ms. Cackle said, gesturing for her to sit. "We were just discussing Mildred's accommodations for the break, as Miss Hubble has a career engagement"
"Surely we should have been informed earlier, of such a development" Miss Hardbroom said, narrowing her eyes at Ms. Hubble. Mildred fidgeted anxiously in her chair, recognizing that fire in her mum's eyes.
"Mum-" she tried to say, to stop her from going off.
"Now look here, I only just got word this morning" her mum said feistily. "Sometimes things don't go to plan. You really think I'd want Mildred here over a break rather than at home with me?" Miss Hardbroom drew herself up and looked affronted. Ms. Cackle held out her hands placatingly.
"Ultimately, Hecate, Ms. Hubble would need Mildred to stay here over the break" Ms. Cackle explained. Miss Hardbroom's eyebrows disappeared into her hairline. "Of course, it's Mildred's decision" Mildred shifted as Miss Hardbroom's intense stare bore down on her.
"Uh…" Mildred fidgeted. Ms. Hubble took her daughter by the shoulders.
"You don't have to do this you know, I…I mean. I'll cancel my trip. I don't want you to do something you're uncomfortable with" her mum said comfortingly, but Mildred knew what the right thing to do was. Her mum really needed this promotion, it was going to make things a lot easier for the two of them. Mildred glanced at Miss Hardbroom, who was doing her best to pretend she wasn't hearing the intimate conversation between Mildred and her mum, but who looked slightly, Mildred thought, vulnerable.
"No Mum, I'll stay" Mildred said firmly, and Miss Hardbroom's gaze shot to hers, shocked, but her features softened ever so slightly. "It's like Ms. Cackle said, it's an opportunity to improve" Her mum seemed unconvinced, looking between Mildred and Miss Hardbroom cautiously. "I mean, as long as it's okay with Miss Hardbroom" Mildred finished, looking to her teacher.
"I am not opposed…so long as Mildred agrees to follow school rules during her stay" Miss Hardbroom said quietly, and inclined her head.
"All right, Millie love if you're sure" her mum said hesitantly. "I guess if Mildred's okay with it, I'm okay with it" she said giving her daughter a hug and a kiss. "I'm so proud of you" Mildred smiled up at her mum, knowing she had made the right choice.
"Well said, Mildred. That shows great growth on your part" Ms. Cackle said tenderly. Mildred beamed.
"Thanks, Ms. Cackle" she said, still squished into her mum's hug.
"I do want her to be able to enjoy her break though" her mum said warningly at Miss Hardbroom. "This girl works very hard she does deserve some time off" Miss Hardbroom pursed her lips. And Mildred held her breath.
"If she improves, that can be arranged" she says diplomatically. Ms. Cackle clapped her hands.
"You see Mildred, people can surprise you" she remarks, winking at Miss Hardbroom.
Mildred watched with a sinking feeling as all the other students filed out of various classrooms, leaving for break. For once she wished her lessons would stretch on longer, but time had caught up to her. She had explained the situation to Maud and Enid, who were instantly sympathetic, and had offered to tell their parents they needed to stay too, to study. But Mildred wouldn't let them give up their vacations. So it was with a heavy heart that she watched her friends fly off, sitting dejectedly on the front steps of Cackle's, stroking Tabby absentmindedly. Suddenly, her mum appeared.
"Mum!" Mildred said delightedly, jumping at her and giving her a big hug. Tabby wound purring around their legs.
"Hello you! And Tabs! How are you? You didn't think I'd just leave did you?" her mum said playfully. "Besides, I had to bring you some stuff from home" she said as she plopped a suitcase and a colorful tote overflowing with Mildred's things, giving Tabby a scratch. "That'll help, yeah?" Mildred hugged her tight.
"You're the best mum ever" she said into her shirt. "Wait, how did you…"
"Ms. Cackle transported me. Don't worry I didn't turn into a witch over night" her mum said, booping her daughter's nose. "So now where's your room? I'm just going to put this stuff in there and get you settled and then I'll be off" Mildred's face fell. Her mum gave her another hug.
"Hey….it's only a week love. You've done much more than that while you're at school" Mildred gave her a sigh.
"It's not the same. This time I'm alone with Miss Hardbroom of all people" Mildred said, kicking a rock.
"You'll be just fine" her mum said softly. "You're a Hubble. And we don't give up no matter what anyone says" she reminded her. "You have earned your place here, you've saved this school how many times?" Mildred smiled.
"I guess" her mum rolled her eyes.
"You guess? Come on you!" she tostled Mildred's hair, and Mildred picked up Tabby and together they walked back inside.
Mildred was fairly excited to show her mum her room, with all her new artwork tacked up on the tower walls. Mostly, her mother had brought her normal clothes- "I bet you miss these when you're at school, huh?", a few of her favorite books, and Kitty, her favorite teddy bear. Her mum was just giving her a thorough tickle on her bed when Miss Hardbroom appeared.
"Ms. Hubble" she said, inclining her head. Mildred and her mum froze and separated briefly.
"Miss Hardbroom" she said. "Can I have a quick word?" Miss Hardbroom looked pained.
"of course" she said, striding through the doorway.
"So I was just dropping off a few of Mildred's things" her mum explained. "So she feels more comfortable. But I do want her to be able to contact me at any time…not just when she "improves"" her mum finished sternly. Miss Hardbroom nodded.
"Mildred has unlimited mirror tokens over the break…she can contact you whenever she wishes" Miss Hardbroom said brusquely.
"Okayyy" her mum said nodding. "Good. And you're all set food wise? I mean…is the witch chef gone or…?" Mildred giggled.
"It's Ms. Tapioca mum I've told you not to call her that!" Mildred laughed. Her mum made a face at her.
"Well that's what she is isn't she? A witch chef?" Mildred giggled harder, and Miss Hardbroom quirked her lips up.
"Ms. Tapioca will not be with us, but I assure you Ms. Hubble I can cook adequately" Miss Hardbroom said defensively. Her mum looked surprised, and Mildred fell back on the bed in shock. Ms. Hardbroom cooking for her! Maud and Enid would never believe this!
"Of course you can. Of course…um..Mildred's not too picky especially not with the slop served around here" she said, clearly trying to think more questions so she could stay longer.
"Is there anything else, Ms. Hubble?" Miss Hardbroom ground out. Her mum glared.
"No, no. I think that's everything." she said, irritated, and gave her daughter a last hug and kiss. "I'll be back before you know it" she said. "I love you" Mildred hugged her mum back.
"Love you too Mum" she said softly.
"All right, Miss Hardbroom, if you would send me-" her mum said standing, and disappeared before she could finish.
Mildred looked at Miss Hardbroom, the reality of the situation fully setting in. For a few moments, they simply stared at each other, neither one knowing quite how to act.