The sound of an exploding cauldron caused Miss Hardbroom's head to snap up from her marking. It was Mildred's. Again. The other girls had already screamed and moved out of the way, but not Mildred.
"Mildred Hubble, are you incapable of brewing a simple potion without destroying half of the classroom?!" She bellowed. Mildred's face crumbled and she fell to the floor in tears with her hands over her ears. She began to rock back and forth compulsively with eyes screwed shut. Miss Hardbroom was completely bewildered as this type of behaviour had never occurred before.
"Millie?" She heard Maud Moonshine ask her best friend as she tried to approach her. However when she got within three metres of the now trembling girl Maud was thrown backwards about a metre. At this point Miss Hardbroom knew she had to get the rest of the class out of the room. Mildred was clearly extremely distressed and her magic had put up some kind of force field as a result.
"Everybody out now!" She shouted over the angry hum of Mildred's magic. Maud attempted to argue but was sent away with a well-executed glare. She was left alone with a hysterical Mildred. She tried to talk to her but she didn't seem to be able or willing to hear her. She tried to approach but she too was thrown backward. She tried to put a calming spell on her but her magic deflected it. At a loss for what to do Miss Hardbroom decided Mildred would have to ride this out without help. Miss Cackle had appeared at the door.
"Constance what's happening?" She asked not knowing whether to be angry or concerned about Mildred's continuing outburst.
"I-" Miss Hardbroom faltered, she never faltered, "I don't know Headmistress. I will find out once she has calmed down."
Miss Cackle nodded and attempted to walk over to the distressed child.
"Don't!" Miss Hardbroom warned and her superior halted with a puzzled look on her face. "Her magic has constructed a barrier. You will be thrown backwards if you go too close."
Miss Cackle seemed to finally grasp the enormity of the situation and quietly left the room, as to not distress the girl further, saying she would be in her office if needed. Again Miss Hardbroom was left alone with Mildred. So she sat and waited for the episode to subside.