A/N: Thank you for reading and giving such positive feedback here and elsewhere on the first chapter, it means a lot.

"Mama?"

Constance was awake as soon as she heard the familiar voice, although in this case it was a familiar but shaken whisper. Extracting herself gently from Imogen's hold she reached her hand out to help Ava climb onto their bed.

"What's the matter little one?"

Ava paying an early morning visit to their room was in no way unusual but normally she was fully of smiles and eager for cuddles. This morning she looked upset and in need of reassurance.

"I had a bad dream.", Ava's bottom lip wobbled as she answered, although as she felt the comforting arms around her and breathed in the familiar smell of her parent's bedroom she was already feeling better.

"Oh dear.", Constance bent down and kissed the ruffled dark hair. "Do you want to tell me about it?"

"It was very dark and I was all alone. I was calling for you and Mummy but you weren't there. I was scared Mama."

"Shh my lovely girl. It was a dream and you know what we do with bad dreams don't you?"

Ava smiled shakily, remembering what her mothers and big sister had told her. "We chase them away."

"That's right. What will chase your bad dream away?"

As a child Constance had suffered from regular nightmares. Unfortunately in her case there had rarely been anyone to help her deal with them so she had created her own strategy which involved thinking of the nicest things she could imagine until the feeling of terror went away. She had told Abby about the technique when their eldest had suffered with nightmares about her father and on the rare occasions the younger girls had had a bad night she had used the same idea with them.

"Hmmm.", Ava pondered. "I'd like to think about playing with Zara, looking after Minnie, watching Pixie be silly and having talks with Abby. And all of us going swimming together."

"What else?", Constance prompted. For a moment she contemplated waking Imogen but knew that her wife was exhausted and needed the sleep. Instead she rocked their child gently as she listed off all the other things that made her happy.

"Going to Cosy's with Granny and Granddad, reading my books, watering my flowers. When Morgana curls up next to me, story time, cuddles and kisses with you and Mummy." Ava yawned, she was feeling sleepy again. "Can I sleep here tonight?"

It was 5am so technically the night was over but since school wasn't due to start for another week Constance knew they had a few hours of sleep ahead of them. She rolled them over gently so that Ava was in-between her mothers which was her favourite sleeping spot. Then once she was sure she was well covered she whispered softly in her daughter's ear, "You stay here with me and Mummy and I promise we'll look after you. We'll always keep you safe."

Ava was almost asleep but she still smiled as she caught her mother's promise. She was always safe with her family.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

In her own mind Agatha had been very productive during her first full day out of prison. She was positively beaming as she made her way into the cottage where they had been sleeping, her latest acquisition held high in the air.

"I told you I'd get it didn't I?"

Millicent and Betty gasped as they saw the book that their leader was holding. It wasn't just any magical book but an very rare and extremely illegal magical tome that had been banned for years.

"How did you get your hands on it?"

Agatha grinned spitefully, "I know a few people who owe me some favours."

It was true, over her time in prison she had still managed to expand her network of nefarious acquaintances and on her release she had made good on her promise to cash in on what she was owed from various "deeds". In order to get her hands on something this valuable she had needed to offer a little extra, in fact a lot extra but she was confident that when her plan came to fruition she would easily be able to repay her debts.

Together with her companions she poured over the book, quickly finding what she was looking for. Some of the spells were pretty basic, immobilisation, transportation of another person against their will and X-ray vision. However there were others, spells that could cause pain, injury and worse. The magic she now had in her possession was so powerful that even Constance Hardbroom wouldn't be able to stop her.

"It says here that it's only the element of surprise that makes this one work.", Millicent pointed out as she looked over Agatha's shoulder. Seeing the reaction that was aimed at her she flinched.

"Of course she's going to be surprised. Hardbroom, her precious family and my stupid sister don't even know we're out of prison. They won't be expecting us and they especially won't be expecting us to be so well prepared."

Privately Agatha could acknowledge that she was part of the reason that their previous schemes had failed. She had never truly thought through their plans and as a result had been ill equipped to deal with her sister's spells and Hardbroom's overall magic mastery. In addition she had always been under the influence of some sort of illegal magic. Not this time though, as much as she was dying for a proper fix it would have to wait. This time she was clear headed and organised and she for once she was going to come out on top.

"When are we doing it?", Millicent asked.

Carefully closing her precious book, Agatha smiled at the two others. "Oh, I think the sooner the better don't you? No point in waiting. We do it tomorrow, the timing is perfect."

"Tomorrow?" Betty had thought they would have more time, she needed a chance to get her nerves under control and to get rid of the bad feeling she had about this whole idea. Up until now she had considered them to be minor criminals, Their recent stint in prison had only been so long because of the sheer volume of what the judge had called "a long series of stupid offences." This was different though, even to when they had attempted to take over the school in the past, this was serious magical crime and that made Betty very anxious. "But you said we needed to do it at the castle, it's still summer holidays, how do we even know they'll be there?"

Agatha shook her head, these two were total amateurs. "Oh they'll be there, getting ready for school to start. You're not the only ones who can do a bit of investigating. It's amazing what people will tell you over the telephone when you ring to schedule a meeting you know? Miss Cackle will be at the school tomorrow and the next day but in fact Miss Hardbroom runs the school now."

That had been a revelation Agatha had not been expecting, Hardbroom wasn't even a blood relative and had been handed the school on a plate. She stored that along with the other many reasons she wanted revenge.

"But maybe it will just be the two of them there?", Millicent reasoned.

"As usual I am several steps ahead of you. A simple enquiry about the family told me that they are all back for the next couple of days. They will be right there when we arrive, like sitting ducks."

"We won't hurt anyone will we?", Betty had to ask.

"Hurt anyone?", Agatha looked affronted. "Of course not."

Both Betty and Millicent sighed inwardly with a relief that was short lived when they heard what Agatha had to say next.

"Not if my sister and that hag Hardbroom do what we tell them. If they don't, well that's why we have our magical ammunition and our collateral and I for one will be perfectly happy to use it, just as I expect you to be."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The following day Constance was sat in her office making a few adjustments to the winter term timetables. For now they looked fine but she was conscious she may need to make additional changes as the term went on.

Absent-mindedly she glanced at the clock. Imogen had taken the girls swimming earlier but would probably be back within the hour. She would have liked to have gone with them but she still had a few things to organise. Plus she had received a vague message from Gabrielle that someone had called the day before and wanted to speak to her. Apparently they might "pop in" during the afternoon, or perhaps it would be the following day instead.

Constance sighed in annoyance. Gabrielle was a good teacher but when it came to administrative tasks her skills were somewhat lacking. In fact even Amelia had commented that if they were ever looking for a secretary, Davina would be a better choice.

Deciding that it was time for a cup of tea, she stood up, made her way to the kettle on the dresser and flicked the switch. Magical tea was convenient but she did quite enjoy the process of making it by hand. Knowing that it would take a couple of minutes for the water to boil she walked back to the desk and sat down to tidy up her paperwork.

As she did, she found her mind wandering back to her family again, especially Ava. Luckily there hadn't been any nightmares the previous night. Both she and Imogen were hopeful it had been a one off and not based on any anxiety over starting what their daughter had deemed "big school". They would certainly be keeping an eye on their middle child but without question it had been a happy, excited little girl who had hopped into the car with her Mummy and sisters earlier that day.

Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by a noise. She looked up to see someone standing in the office doorway, the person was speaking to her, saying words that didn't make any sense. Then, as she realised who it was Constance felt her world spin on it's axis. For a few moments she couldn't speak but eventually a sound came out of her mouth.

"A…. A…?"