Mildred Hubble was eavesdropping again. Though she knew she shouldn't she was just too excited about Christmas festivities and had heard through Felicity that the teachers were planning a surprise! Enid and Maud had sent her as a spy at the door of the teacher's lounge, and Mildred was determined not to let her friends down. Before long, she heard Ms. Drill and Ms. Cackle.
"I'm afraid she has no family Dimity. Her parents passed years ago, and in terms of friends, Ms. Pentangle is spending Christmas with her parents, who dislike poor Hecate for some reason. I'd invite her myself but I'm travelling over the holiday and won't be celebrating properly. Besides Hecate…
"Hates travel?" Miss Drill finished. "Oh, but that's awful, she's all alone then for the holidays? Maybe we could celebrate with her here before we go to break?"
"Oh I don't know if she'll abide it. It breaks my heart to think about her here all alone for Yule" Miss Cackle said worriedly, voice cracking slightly. Hearing Ms. Cackle so upset, and picturing Miss Hardbroom all alone for the holidays made Mildred want to cry. She stumbled away from the door, forgetting about the surprise, running into the courtyard. She frantically wiped at her tears, before remembering something her mum always taught her.
"No one should be alone on Christmas" she repeated determinedly. She knew what she had to do. The only issue was how she was going to get her mum on board. Resolved, she grasped her mirror token and raced to the mirror room.
"Hi Millie, love!" Her mum smiled at her from the mirror. "To what do I owe the pleasure? You know you're going to see me in a few days anyway!"
"I know but this can't wait" Mildred fidgeted. Her mum's face grew concerned.
"Is something wrong, luv?"
"Uhhh sort of…but not with me….it's Ms. Hardbroom" Millie rambled trying to find the words. Julie Hubble's eyebrows went up.
"Miss Hardbroom? Was she too harsh on you again? Because if you want me to I will have a talk with her.."
"No no Mum it's nothing like that" Millie reassured her. "It's just…she has nowhere to go for Christmas" Her mum's eyes widened.
"Oh well that's awfully sad, although I can't say I'm surprised, given her attitude"
"Mum!"
"What? I'm just saying it wouldn't kill her to smile once and a while. Or wear something other than black!" Millie giggled.
"Anyway I remembered the number one thing you always taught me about Christmas…so I was hoping…" Her mum's eyes softened, but seemed unsure.
"You mean, Oh Millie luv, you…you want to have her over? Millie, you know I love it that you have such a big heart but I don't know if this is such a good idea." Millie frowned.
"Why not?"
"Well for one she might not feel comfortable with it. For another I want you to enjoy your Christmas, which you can't do with your scariest teacher hovering over you"
"She's all right mum really! She won't be like that. Please mum I really want to do this for her. I actually think it will be fun. I've worked it all out- she tutors me in potions so I ace my finals when I get back, and she doesn't have to be alone on Christmas. Win-win. I'd really enjoy having her there" Mildred finished.
"Well Millie I guess I missed the part where she became your favorite teacher overnight, but if she's someone that has the love of my amazing daughter she can't be all bad. All right, I give my permission- go invite her! And I'll gather all the witchy Halloween decorations and put them in the guest bedroom!"
"Mum!"
"Only joking! Bye luv!"
Mildred was once again, pacing anxiously outside Miss Hardbroom's office door, and her idea, which had seemed brilliant and exciting when she was telling her mum about it, but now less so in the cold reality of actually having to tell Miss Hardbroom about it. But Mildred's talent was knowing how to hope and persevere. And so, she took a big deep breath and knocked.
"Ms. Hardbroom!" she said softly. There was a short exhale and a commanding:
"Come in!" Mildred hesitantly peeked around the door, the hand-crafted, hand decorated invitation she had made stuffed in her uniform. Miss Hardbroom was seated at her desk, revising papers. "What is it Mildred Hubble?" she said, barely glancing up. Mildred fidgeted.
"Um…I…I…uh…I just" she rambled, before mumbling to herself something like "bad idea. Stupid idea" Miss Hardbroom set down her papers and raised her eyebrows at Mildred. "I wanted to ask for some extra tutoring in potions" Miss Hardbroom's eyebrows disappeared into her hairline. "Miss Cackle thought it might really help" Mildred explained. "And I definitely need it, and uhm, if you're available, well I just thought we could do it over the break" Mildred burst out, thrusting out her card and closing her eyes. "And so, you are herebyinvitedtotheHubbleChristmas" Miss Hardbroom stiffened, and struggled to make sense of her young student's rambling. Her curiosity, however overcame her shock, and she took the card from Mildred gingerly. Opening it, she saw it was decorated beautifully with hand drawn garlands and Christmas trees. Mildred had attempted her best loopy penmanship for the lettering, and had clearly put a great deal of effort into the card.
It read "You are hereby invited to the Hubble Family Christmas" For many moments, Miss Hardbroom stared at the card uncomprehending.
"Mildred Hubble" she said slowly "You wish to tell me that you are inviting me to stay with you during the Holiday break in order to tutor you in potions is that correct?" she summarized quietly, still in disbelief.
"I just really want to improve, Miss Hardbroom, and Miss Cackle told me you usually spend your holidays alone and so I thought…maybe" Mildred's eyes widened at her omission, and Miss Hardbroom at first glared at Mildred, and then sighed.
"I am…" she struggled to find words. "I am perplexed by you Mildred" Mildred cocked her head. "You would invite your most hated…..teacher into your home during the holiday just so you could improve?" Miss Hardbroom said shakily, her voice cracking a little. "It is something of a mystery to me" Mildred frowned, and scooted her chair closer.
"But I don't hate you Miss Hardbroom" Mildred said honestly. "And I thought I could improve at potions, and you wouldn't be alone for the holidays. Everyone wins" Her teacher stared at her for a moment, in shock, eyes wide, before softening ever so slightly.
"Thank you, Mildred" she said softly, smiling weakly. "In all my years of teaching, I have never seen a student more deserving of my individual tutoring" Mildred giggled.
"Uh thanks" Mildred muttered.
"It was a compliment, silly girl. I do not tutor just anyone" Miss Hardbroom admonished, still giving her little half smile.
"Wait, so does that mean you accept?" Mildred asked, beaming. Miss Hardbroom inclined her head, and Mildred, delighted leaped up to hug her.
"We're going to have so much fun!" Mildred exclaimed, as Miss Hardbroom narrowed her eyes at her. "Studying" Mildred corrected herself.
"So long as your mother has agreed?" Miss Hardbroom questioned.
"Oh yeah she was not sure at first, but I talked her around" Mildred explained, jumping up and down a little.
"I see" Miss Hardbroom said amused. "Then I shall see you shortly" she said inclining her head.
rushing around the house helping her mum fix up things. Miss Hubble smiled hesitantly, watching her daughter. She was not too keen on Mildred putting her heart so deeply into someone like Miss Hardbroom, but she knew Mildred admired and looked up to her, so she resolved to just watch Miss Hardbroom very closely.
"Do you really think she'll come Mum" Mildred said, helping her mum shake out the sheets.
"Well I think, Millie love, Miss Hardbroom is someone who is…uhh true to her word" Miss Hubble said cautiously. "So yes, if she said she'd be here then she'll be here" Mildred frowned.
"Are you really sure you're okay with this Mum?" she asked nervously, and her mum sighed and pulled her daughter onto the bed with her.
"I just hate to see you putting so much into someone who's, well I'm just not sure about. I'm sure she cares about you Millie but it's hard to forget how harshly she's treated you. As your mum, I just want to protect you" Millie smiled and gave her mum a hug.
"I know mum but I need the tutoring and besides, she won't be so bad when she's our guest" Millie explained. Her mum shook her head.
"Bless your humongous heart my luv" she said, amazed at her daughter. "You have a good sense for people, so I'm okay if you're okay" Millie beamed.
"Who knows…we might actually have fun" Millie said, raising her eyebrows. Her mum set her gaze.
"Well I'm in charge of the fun so I'll make sure of it. I'm not scared of her" Millie smirked. "Well maybe a little, but I'm making sure we still have a fun holiday, tutoring or no" she said gently, booping her daughter on the nose. They were interrupted by a hesitant, yet firm knock at the door. Mildred was torn between jumping for joy and burying herself so far deep in the earth from embarrassment that no one would ever find her again.
"Still keen on your idea, eh" her mum said watching Mildred pale. Mildred gave a shaky nod and backed slowly out of the room, trying to fight the urge to run.
"Oh yeah" she said nervously. "Absolutely" she gave her mum a shaky grin, suddenly less confident. Why was this a good idea again? She thought. Because Christmas, she reminded herself. Because on Christmas we try to be better people. Even if I have to study my whole break long, Mildred thought to herself, at least Miss Hardbroom won't be alone for Christmas.