Hecate, Mildred and Ethel stood on the platform of the train station, waiting for their 2 o'clock train to the country side where Pentangle Academy was located. Hecate could feel her heart racing as the train entered the station and stopped abruptly in front of them. Although her heart was going a mile a minute, she kept a stern face for her girls, who were eagerly jumping up and down.
Neither of them had been to another witch school before, and both were more than ready to get on the train for the three-hour ride to the other side of the country. However, Hecate was not ready to get on the train, nor was she eager for the three-hour ride.
"Alright girls, this is you," Ada said as someone from the far end sounded, "ALL ABOARD!"
Ada had come only to see them off, but Hecate hoped that Ada would get on the train with them. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face this on her own. The older witch had a school to run and couldn't possible take a week off to aid Hecate in her crisis of seeing an old friend.
"Goodbye, Miss Cackle," Mildred said happily as she hopped on the train with her trunk. "We won't let you down!"
"I'm sure you won't, my dear."
Ethel followed Mildred onto the train and left Hecate alone with Ada on the platform. Hecate suddenly felt overwhelmed at the idea of spending a week so far away from her comfort zone and Miss Cackle. She felt like a foolish girl at the thought, but she couldn't deny how she felt.
"Ah, Hecate. You will be fine," Ada smiled warmly.
"I know, Headmistress," Hecate said in her normal cool demeaner. "We won't let Cackles Academy down."
Ada shook her head. "You know what I mean when I say that. Just remember, while you're at Pentangle Academy, that the past is the past. You can always find a new way forward no matter what."
Hecate wanted to tell her that she had no idea what she was talking about, but she knew Ada would see right through her. She took a deep breath in and accepted the older witch's advice to her.
"Thank you, Ada."
"Now, hurry on that train before you miss it altogether."
Hecate smiled quickly at Ada before turning around and boarding the train. She walked through the rows to the back of the train where Mildred and Ethel were sitting together on one side, eagerly staring out the windows. Hecate sat on the opposite side of them, facing towards the platform where Ada still stood with a smile on her face.
"Miss Hardbroom," Mildred said as she leaned over from her aisle seat. "I did some extra practice yesterday during my break. I promise I won't let you down this week."
Hecate couldn't stop herself from smiling at the young witch. She had seen how hard Mildred had been trying these last few weeks since the start of term. It was like night and day compared to her first year at Cackles Academy. Although the two had got off on the wrong foot, Hecate couldn't help but feel a sort of admiration for her.
Hecate nodded at Mildred. "You and Ethel will do our school proud."
Mildred smiled brightly, as if that had been the best compliment she had ever received in her life, and turned back towards the window that Ethel was peering out of.
Hecate turned her gaze back towards the platform where Ada was standing, but only to find out that the Headmistress was gone. Hecate's heart skipped a beat and filled with dread for a moment and the missing elder witch, but quickly regained her composure. No matter what happened in the next week, she still had her girls: Mildred and Ethel. While that might not have sufficed for some witches, that more than sufficed for Hecate.
With them next to her, she would regain her confidence for the long week ahead at Pentangle Academy. Suddenly, for the first time in months, Hecate felt hope and little bit of happiness.