Chapter 4
When Mildred woke up the day of the funerals, she felt as if she was empty and would never feel happiness again. She slowly got out of bed and went to her took a black knee length dress, with long sleeves from it. Then she put her hair into a high ponytail. After this she looked at her she heard a voice «You look beautiful angel»…her mother's voice.Mildred quickly looked around feverishly, desperate to see the beloved woman. But she realized the voice was only a memory.
«Mom» she murmured tears in her eyes
She sat on her bed and cried.
Knock knock knock
The door opened revealing the headmistress' kind face «Mildred, it's time to…Oh Mildred» Amelia sat next to her girl, put an arm around her shoulders and slowly rocked the girl.
«I thought…I thought I heard my mother while I got dressed…and it made me realize I will never hear her again» weeped Mildred her head buried in the older witch's chest
«Shhh Dear…The same thing happened to me when I lost my mother. I thought I was hearing her all the time. It will pass…I promise you» whispered Amelia before kissing the girl's head. They remained like this for a long time. Finally the headmistress spoke again «We have to go now, Imogen, Lavinia and Constance are waiting for us downstairs» she announced as she got up, helping Mildred in the process. Suddenly a thought struck the young woman «But Amelia we can't just use our brooms to get there» she pointed out. Her statement made the older witch laugh a little «I know dear. Don't worry, we'll use Imogen's car»
«Euh isn't it a little far?»
«We will appear not far from the cemetery and drive there. That way it will seem we drove there.» explained Amelia
«Oh I get it» said Mildred as she followed the headmistress out of her room.
When they arrived in the courtyard, they found the other teachers, dressed in non magical clothes, waiting for them next to a car. Imogen sat in the front with Lavinia, as for Amelia, Mildred and Constance, they were in the back. After they all got settled, Constance transported them.
When they arrived at the funeral center, they were greeted by Mildred's family, well what remained of it: her uncle Leo, her aunt Danielle and her little cousin Henrietta Hubble. At first sight, Amelia and Constance saw the power emanating from the little girl. A futur student I guess, thought the headmistress. I hope she doesn't have her cousin's talent for trouble, thought Constance.
Mildred hugged her aunt, uncle and cousin. They were all in tears by then.
At the end of the ceremony, Mrs Hunter, the solicitor, invited Mildred and her family to follow her in her office. Before going in the young woman approached Constance.
«Constance, could you come with me to the reading of the will?» the question surprised the potions mistress, she had expected Mildred to ask this to Amelia or Imogen…not her.
«Of course Mildred» she answered.
«Thank you»
Then the young woman hugged Imogen, Lavinia and finished with Amelia, who's embrace lasted a little longer than the others. When they finally broke apart, the old headmistress took the girl's face into her hands «Are you going to be all right dear?»
Mildred smiled, putting a hand on Amelia's «Yes Nan, I'll be all right» her answer got her back in the witch's arms. The word Nan meant a lot to Miss Cackle. They broke apart once more, and the three teachers left. Alone with Constance, Mildred took a deep breath before entering the office with the other woman with her.
«Good afternoon to all. First I must give you my sincere condolences for your loss» started Mrs Hunter when everyone was settled «We will now proceed to the reading of the will of late Alcott and Victoria Hubble. All the money goes to their only daughter Mildred Hubble, the goes for the house» and she went on. At the end, there was only one thing left to do «The will stats that I should read this letter to you at loud, do you wish this to be in private?» asked Mrs Hunter. But Mildred didn't see why she should, so she answered «No it's all right. I trust everyone in this room…Besides I have nothing to hide»
Mrs Hunter nodded «All right, Here we go:
My little Angel,
If this letter has reached you, it means Dad and I have left this earth. But never forget that, even if you can't see us, we will always be at your side no matter what happens. We love you more than anything in the world my dear. When you read the rest of the letter, please remember this love.
Mildred, you need to know something important about you. What I'm going to tell you will probably upset you beyond anything you can imagine, but you have to know. Your father and I couldn't have children, we tried for many years without success. Finally, we turned to adoption. In January 1987, we received a call from a hospital saying that a little girl had just been born, and her mother had died giving birth. We did not hesitate a second. We immediately went to the hospital, there we were given the most beautiful baby I have ever seen in my entire life: you. We loved you instantly. We tried to learn more about your biological mother, to no avail. But when we discovered you were what you are, we figured that she must have been one too. I'm sure the little time you've been together, your mother loved you as much as we do.
Please my darling, do not hate us, we wanted to talk to you I swear, we just didn't know how. Forgive us my sweet girl.
I love you
Mom»
Silence. Mildred's heart stopped for a second «I'm adopted….» she murmured once the information had sinked in. She turned her head towards her aunt and uncle «Did you know?» she asked tears in her eyes.
Danielle and Leo looked at each other sadly before he answered «Yes dear…We have always known»
Mildred, jumped on her feet and stormed out. Constance had followed the scene in silence. She slowly got up, excused herself «I think I will go to her. It was nice meeting you Mister and Mrs Hubble» and left the room. When the door closed, the potions mistress used her powers to sense the whereabouts of the young woman. Mildred, where are you? Constance asked herself as she was probing the area. She finally located her charge in the cemetery, and went out under the pouring rain. She didn't have long to walk, she found Mildred, soaked to the bones, kneeling down in front of a gravestone. With a closer look, Constance realized who's it was:
In remembrance of
Alcott and Victoria Hubble
beloved parents, sister and brother
«WHY!? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!?» wailed Mildred hammering the wet ground with her fists, only answered by the thunder. She finally got tired of fighting, she continued crying not caring about the torrential rain falling on her.
Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. She slowly turned her tear streamed face toward Constance. The elder woman knelt down next to her, and took the broken girl in her arms.
«Why?…Why did they do this to me?» asked Mildred in a weak voice
«Shh dear. I think they really meant to tell you, but they didn't get the chance» answered Constance gently caressing Mildred's head. After a minute or two, the young woman whispered «Constance?»
«Yes Mildred?»
«I want to go home»
Constance smiled sadly «All right» before vanishing, the girl still in her arms.