Hello Everyone! I've done it again :D I just love this story so much! a pretty long chapter again for you all too since it goes along with the next episode (I skipped Pond Life). I'm so excited about it and I have plans for where it's headed! So in this chapter we see Agatha again! uh oh, and she has her sights set on someone amongst the events going on.
So a tiny warning for this chapter, I explained in the first chapter that Agatha did have a room similar to the chokey for those who have seen Matilda, and if anything like that makes you uncomfortable (tight spaces, sharp objects, very light torture) then just skip the last part of this chapter.
Same disclaimers as before, I own nothing except Lena Winters. Please enjoy and let me know what you think! Thank you all for reading and reviewing, and thank you to all the silent readers who just read too (i'm one of you guys lol). Enjoy!
...
The weekend concluded with little sleep for both teacher and student, Lena was still somewhat avoiding Hecate, as the girl had not seen the woman in person at all over the weekend. But as the girl rose early Monday morning she was not prepared to meet the excitement of people who had already heard the news. The Great Wizard was coming to Cackle's Academy. But why? She quickly got dressed and headed down to meet Esme.
"Did you hear?!" Esme exclaims as she skips over to meet her friend, linking arms with the other girl.
"It's hard not to, everyone is talking about it," Lena says as she rubs the sleep from her eyes, trying to wake up even more.
The two students walked through the hallways and into the cleared out dining hall to get to the courtyard. As they entered they saw Miss Hardbroom walking with Miss Cackle. Both women glance over to the student, Miss Hardboom looking away from Lena quickly.
"And he gave no reason at all of the purpose of his visit?" the black clad woman asked frantically as they continued walking.
But before the Headmistress answered her Deputy Head she held Lena's gaze for another moment, something familiar lurking in her eyes. Lena felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, something wasn't right.
"The Great Wizard has always been a man of mystery," Miss Cackle says as she turns back to Hecate. Going into some story about hide and seek as they continue to walk to the courtyard.
"Lena?" Esme shakes her friend's arm to get her attention back, "You okay?"
"I have a bad feeling about today," Lena says softly before continuing out onto the courtyard with Esme.
"What do you mean?" her blonde counterpart questions.
"I don't know," she mumbles, "Did Miss Cackle seem off to you?"
"Off? I'm not sure I know what you mean …" Esme answers confused.
"Off, not herself," Lena explains as the walk out of the grand doors, the Headmistress sparing them both a long glance as they stand to the side with the other older students.
The first years are gathered in the center of the courtyard to greet the Great Wizard, most students confused why there is no greeting ceremony but that must because of the short notice. Miss Cackle seemingly very calm, too calm in fact.
"The actual Great Wizard is about to descend upon us and we have yet to organize a greeting ceremony," Hecate says nervously as she stands with Miss Cackle the other teachers.
"Oh there's no need for all that!" Ada exclaims with a smile, "Meeting the first-years will be quite sufficient."
Esme and Lena share a look, it's a bad idea and the two girls know it. When Lena looks back she shares a glance with the Potions Mistress, they both look at each other nervously and unsure about the events of today. But Lena's attention is diverted when she hears Ethel making fun of Mildred again.
"Your sister has it out for Mildred, doesn't she?" Lena asks as she motions to the interaction.
Esme roll her eyes, "You have no idea …"
Then they all hear it, the bell tolling to signify his arrival. Everyone looks to the gate, hurrying to stand where they need to be and straightening out cloaks and hats. Lena looks over to Hecate once more but is met with the gaze of Miss Cackle, to which the girl immediately looks away. She doesn't feel the stare for long because soon the gate is opening and in drives a taxi causing everyone to look around in confusion when it parks and the Great Wizard exits the vehicle. All eyes are on him, but all Lena can stare at is Miss Hardbroom. Watching her stand there straight and tall, poised as ever as she greets the wizard.
"A taxi your greatness?" Ada asks, a bit of a chuckle in her tone.
"I deplore a fuss," the man answers nonchalantly.
Lena doesn't listen too much more, she never thought him that worthy to make a fuss over but alas people do. She watches as Miss Hardbroom leads him over and begins introducing him to the first formers, smirking at how clumsy Mildred is since it reminds her of herself. Once the introductions are over Lena notices the wizard turn sour in mood, hearing him request to speak to Ada in private.
"Why do you suppose he's really here?" she asks as she looks to Esme with a frown.
"No idea, but it doesn't look good," she whispers as he walks by them and into the castle.
He walks by with both Miss Cackle and Miss Hardbroom in tow, the other teachers rounding up the students. As Hecate walks by she pauses close to Lena, but only for a second.
"We will talk later. After all this is sorted …" she whispers lowly before walking off again, Lena hanging on her every word without meaning to.
"Secret meeting?" Esme whispers with a giggle, watching Lena blush.
"Get inside you toad!" Lena exclaims with a laugh as she pushes her friend playfully back into the castle.
Once back inside Esme and Lena decide to sit with the first years under the stairs, talking with Maud, Mildred, and Enid. Lena liked the three girls, reminded her of the relationship she has with Esme. Full of sisterly love and a lot of mischief! She smiles to herself as she remembers all the trouble the two got in during Esme's first year, but it wasn't long before the group was interrupted.
"Mildred, Miss Cackle wants you in her office," Announces Miss Drill, "didn't say why," she says with a frown.
They all look between each other with confusion as Mildred gets up and walks off with Miss Drill.
"I'm telling you … something weird is going on …" Lena says again softly, sitting back in her chair.
"You keep saying that," Esme says with a sigh.
…
It takes some time but eventually Mildred returns, telling her friends that she needs their help. All of them rushing off and leaving Lena and Esme on their own. The two girls sit there chatting for a moment before someone materializes in front of them. Standing there tall and graceful is the Deputy Headmistress, she looks between the two girls before settling her gaze on Lena. Esme clears her throat awkwardly and gets up,
"I uh, need to go find Ethel. I'll talk to you later, yeah?" she says to Lena, walking off after the girl smiles and nods at her.
It's just them now, finally alone and not asleep this time. Hecate sits down beside the girl on the bench seat, an awkward distance between the two of them.
"How are you?" Hecate asks awkwardly, clearing her throat as she shifts in her seat.
"Tired," Lena answers bluntly, "I haven't been sleeping much." She adds hesitantly.
Hecate bites her tongue, wanting to say that she's noticed her dreams being rather lonely these past few nights.
"I told you I don't like being ignored," The woman says lowly as she looks away from the girl. The avoidance as of late getting on her bad side and testing her already limited patience, but Hecate would always wait for Lena.
Lena sighs, "I don't know what you want me to say, I don't understand what's happening," the girl says frantically, "I thought it was just a crush!"
Once the words slip out she quickly covers her mouth as her eyes widen in realization to what she's just admitted. Hecate looks back to the shocked girl, a smirk fighting for dominance on her pursed lips.
"You have a crush on me?" she asks, a light smirk gracing her lips as she does so.
Lena blushes as she finds herself nodding, looking away now embarrased and down to her fidgeting hands.
"How cute," Hecate says not able to suppress the light chuckle that escapes.
At the sound Lena cant help but put her hands down from her lap and grip the edge of the bench, her stomach filling with butterflies at the beautiful melody. She closes her eyes for a moment but can feel the sensation of something close to her skin, when she opens her eyes she looks down to the hand between them. Hecate's hand lingering dangerously close to her own but she cant bring herself to move it away, she looks back up to the Potions Mistress.
"Lena!" they both hear a voice call out, "Ah there you are," Says Ada with a smile once she spots the girl.
The smile falters for a second when she spots Miss Hardbroom sitting with the girl.
"Were you looking for me Miss Cackle?" Lena asks in confusion as she stands up.
"I was," the Headmistress says with a smile, "I was hoping you'd attend Mildred's Magic display with me."
Lena frowns, her brow furrowing as she looks to Hecate with nervousness and confusion.
"Well we better go before we miss the sure to be disaster," Miss Hardbroom says with a sigh, her hand going to Lena's lower back to lead her away as she stands as well.
To anyone it would look like a simple gesture, but Lena knew it to be something else. She looked up to her teacher who nodded in reassurance as they both began to follow Miss Cackle.
"I haven't seen you in some time Miss Winters, classes going okay?" Miss Cackle asks as she slows her pace to walk with Lena, wrapping an arm around her so Hecate has to remove her own hand from the girl.
Hecate clenches her jaw, her hands balling into fists for a moment before she realizes what she's doing. It was just Ada, why did she feel so protective?
"Yeah," Lena answers hesitantly, "Just fine," she says as she shrugs the woman's arm from her shoulders.
Ada frowns, almost glaring at the student, which Lena notices, but its gone too soon as the woman puts the signature smile back on her face. Soon enough they all enter into the potions lab, the Great Wizard and the rest of the staff and some first years entering behind them. Ada tries to get Lena to sit beside her but Miss Bat takes the open seat, she glares but sits down and puts her attention to Mildred. Lena sighs in relief and takes the open seat next to Hecate, feeling better not having to sit next to the headmistress.
The display starts well enough, Mildred giving her introduction and the potions responding to the magic, as they should. It's a cute little display and while everyone has their eyes on Mildred, Lena looks over to Miss Hardbroom, a look of concern and worry on her face. Her eyes travel down to the hand gripping the seat of her chair so tightly her knuckles are turning white. Lena slowly brings her hand over but before she can reach the woman's hand everyone erupts into gasps as screams as the potions begin to explode.
Everyone looks around shocked, but then the Great Wizard and some of the teachers stand up and begin shouting. Lena looks on alarmed when she realizes they were sprayed with the potions. Why isn't Miss Cackle doing anything?! She thinks to herself as she watches the Headmistress do nothing, but finally Miss Hardbroom stands up and counter acts the spell, a look of pure horror on her face.
"Are you all right, your Greatness?" Miss Bat exclaims suddenly.
"I asked for proof that Mildred is a responsible student and this is what I get?!" He exclaims, turning to Ada in anger and annoyance.
The tone in his voice even startling Lena who moves closer to Miss Hardbroom, the woman wrapping her arm around the girl instinctively as the man shouts.
"It was a mistake," Ada says softly.
"Which should never have been allowed to happen!" he shouts again, "You endangered us all with this reckless misuse of magic!"
Hecate holds the girl against her as the Great Wizard continues to shout at Ada, both of them not even realizing the closeness.
"I'm so sorry your Greatness!" Mildred suddenly exclaims from the table before them.
"It's not your fault child," he says, his tone softening as he looks to her.
Hecate looks down to Lena who looks so uncomfortable and nervous, Why hadn't Ada done anything? Why was she so eager to find Lena? She can't help but wonder as she watches the girl, but jumps when the wizard turns back to Ada and begins shouting again.
"It's yours! You allowed this display to get out of control!" he exclaims, and he's right. The Headmistress did nothing to stop it when it was clear it was going bad, "You're obviously unfit to run this school," he says suddenly, "And I shall ensure that you are removed as soon as possible!"
When he says this Hecate's face pales in color and she let's go of Lena, taking a step closer to stand behind Ada. Everyone in the room gasping at the proclamation, but Lena notices that Miss Cackle doesn't seem to be reacting as shocked as everyone else. Hecate quickly runs out after the man leaving a baffled Lena in her wake. Ada turns around to leave, locking eyes with Lena and smirking slightly? No, she couldn't have been, a trick of the light? But the hairs on the back of her neck stand straight again when the woman walks by and out of the room. She's pulled from her thoughts when Enid begins to yell, but she doesn't stay to listen as she quickly leaves the room, Esme following directly behind her.
"Lena!" Her friend calls out, trying to gain her attention.
"Can you believe what happened in there?! Why didn't Miss Cackle do anything?" Lena exclaims as she whirls around to face Esme.
"I don't know," Esme shrugs, "Maybe she was too caught off guard by the ordeal, she froze."
"No, she wouldn't do that …" Lena says with a sigh.
Both girls look over as they can hear Miss Hardbroom pleading for Miss Cackle in the Great Hall, the Great Wizard shouting his disapproval loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Something's not right …" Lena mumbles.
"Lena you've been saying that all day but nothing is out of the ordinary," Esme says with a sigh.
Lena looks to her, she's right. To everyone else this just looks like a visit gone wrong, Lena can't prove that something is wrong, no one will listen to her if she doesn't have proof. She nods to her friend and the two walk off to get some fresh air.
…
She's heard from the other students that Mildred is to lead the first year flying team in a broomstick display; she can't bring herself to go and watch it. As she walks through the halls she sees Miss Hardbroom ascending some stairs in the distance, she runs to catch up to her but as she reaches the stairs she hears her name behind her.
"Lena, my dear," the voice says lowly, she knows that voice, "aren't you coming to watch the flying display? I've saved a seat for you … right next to me."
Hecate has turned to face the two at the bottom of the stairs, seeing the worry and fear in the girl's eyes when Miss Cackle speaks to her, It's only Ada. She thinks curiously to herself as the girl slowly turns to face her Headmistress.
"Oh, I um …" Lena stutters out, looking for an excuse to give the woman but then feels a hand on her shoulder.
"Lena was coming with me to tend to the bat problem," Hecate says as she holds the girl firmly, "I could use the extra hand."
Ada looks between them, a scowl growing as she tries to contradict the other woman, tries to find a reason for the girl to come with her, but in a second it's gone.
"Ah, right you are. Splendid idea," she says with a forced smile, "We don't want those pests getting in the way of our flyers," she says, winking at Lena before walking off.
"We'll miss the display," Miss Hardbroom says softly to the girl as she leads her up the stairs and to the tower.
"I'm okay with that," Lena says in relief.
They reach the tower and set off to do what they need but Hecate is distracted when she hears a scream behind her. She turns to find Lena swatting off a particularly annoyed bat, the small creature pulling at her short locks before flying off once Hecate sends a spell it's way. She walks over; unable once more to suppress the light chuckle at how disheveled Lena looks.
"Stupid thing," Lena mumbles under her breath as she tries to fix her hair.
She doesn't even see Hecate approach, not knowing she's there until she feels the long fingers running themselves through her hair to help straighten it out, jumping at the feeling before seeing the woman.
"Jumpy today, aren't we?" Hecate asks with a throaty chuckle, but it dies out when she sees the look of unease in the girl's eyes, "What is it?" she asks concerned.
Lena shrugs, not answering her Potions Mistress. She looks down when she feels tears in her eyes, hearing that voice made her feel fear she hasn't felt since she was young. Before she knows what she's doing she suddenly has her arms wrapped around her teacher's waist, head against her shoulder as she hugs her tightly.
Hecate stumbles back at first at the sudden action, catching herself on a nearby table as the girl clings to her almost knocking them both down. Her breath hitching as she looks down at what's happening, she hesitates at first, her hands hovering above the girl before returning the action and hugging the girl to herself. She wasn't sure what had gotten into her student, but she wouldn't trade this moment for anything. Her hand comes up to cradle the girl's head, running her slender fingers through her hair once more as she lays her cheek on the top of Lena's head. The moment seems to last forever before they both hear screaming. They reluctantly pull apart and rush to the wide-open archway window to see Mildred and Enid falling from the sky.
"Look!" Lena exclaims, pointing at the courtyard.
"Is that … Agatha?!" Hecate exclaims.
"No that's Miss Cackle!" Lena exclaims happily as the woman walks out into the courtyard and saves the girls from falling.
Hecate looks to Lena, her eyes worried, "You knew …"
"I had a feeling …" Lena says with a shrug, "I didn't know for sure until before we got up here, the way she spoke to me … it was like when I was young," she says softly, visibly shuddering at the memory.
Hecate can't help herself this time and pulls the girl back into the embrace, both wanting to comfort the girl and replace the lost contact.
"I'm so sorry Lena," she whispers.
"You didn't know …" Lena says as she holds her teacher tightly.
They didn't want to let go but Hecate knew she needed to get down to the courtyard and help deal with Agatha, she pulls back slightly and looks to her student with worried eyes.
"I'll be fine," Lena says as she tries her best to give a convincing smile, "Go on, they need you down there."
Miss Hardbroom nods before transferring down to the courtyard, Lena looking out the archway again and down to the commotion. But then those eyes meet her own, far enough away and Agatha still knows how to find her. Lena quickly moves away from the window and moves back into the castle.
…
The day ended more pleasantly than it had begun. The right Miss Cackle was back and she and the Great Wizard had taken care of Agatha, sending her somewhere she couldn't cause any more trouble. Mildred had known it was Agatha as well, and with the help of Enid and Maud they found Ada in her room where Agatha had trapped her. Lena was grateful that Miss Hardbroom hadn't mentioned anything to Ada about her knowing, she didn't want to bring up anymore bad memories than she already had today.
They had extended her and invitation to tea with the Great Wizard, but she had politely declined. Avoiding the look of disappointment from her Deputy Head as she gave some reasoning about homework to work on. Truthfully she just wanted space to breathe. Once she made it back to her dorm she flopped onto her bed with a sigh, covering her face with her hands. After everything that happened today it didn't take long for her to fall into a restless sleep.
Hecate was glad to be in her chambers that night, finally away from the school and the events of the day if even for a little while. She was mostly looking forward to going to sleep, after not seeing Lena for the rest of the day she found herself eager to see the girl even if it was only in her dreams.
She went through her nightly routine, unpinning her hair and letting it cascade down her back as she ran her slim fingers through it to untangle the ends. And soon she found herself laying in bed and dosing off. When she opened her eyes again she didn't find herself in the hallway as Lena usually placed them, she was in Ada's office. Her brow furrowed, this didn't make sense, was Lena still awake in her dorm?
Then she heard it, the sound so far away yet ringing in her ears, a whimper of fear. A strangled sob from someone in distress; someone frightened and in pain. She follows the sound further into the office, it sound like it was coming from behind a barrier or wall of some sort. She hears it again, a shrill scream of someone terrified and now she searches frantically, the sound ringing from the confiscation cupboard. When she swings the door open quickly she sees nothing, just silly items taken from the students. But when she hears the voice cry out again in anguish she knows it's Lena. The girl screaming for help, for someone to find her, It's only a dream, Hecate reminds herself as she feels her chest tightening, and her adrenaline starting to rush.
She closes her eyes, focusing on the wall vanishing, it's a dream after all and she can change it. When her eyes snap open she sees them, Agatha standing there laughing as Lena struggles to get free from the chains she's bound in. A small corner of the room with the walls brought tighter together to trap someone in, nails and other sharp items protruding out at whoever stood in its depths. And there was Lena in the middle of it.
"HELP ME!" Lena screams, her voice raw and raspy as tears streamed down her face, she was lost in the nightmare and there was no getting her to see it wasn't real.
She had told Hecate about this after her first year, after Agatha was banished, no one really believed the girl and they scoured every corner of the main office having found no trace of such things. Agatha stood there now as real as ever to Lena as she walked closer, lifting her hand to reveal a small dagger in her grasp.
"All mine," the woman purred as she ran the tip of the dagger against the girl's cheek, drawing blood in her wake, "No one to take you from me now," she says with a throaty chuckle, leaning in close.
Lena cried, her eyes shutting tightly as tears continued to fall, screaming shrilly again as the dagger pressed down her neck. Hecate could take no more of this and she quickly woke up in a panic, sweat beading lightly on her forehead as she tried to catch her breath. She wasted no time in transferring into the girl's dorm, teachers usually game their students privacy but in emergencies they crossed that line, and to Hecate this was an emergency.
There she lay, tossing in her bed as the nightmare unfolded behind her tightly closed eyes. Lena holding her breath and struggling to breathe as her body freezes in phantom pain. Hecate rushed over and grabbed the girl by her shoulders and shaking her slightly, her long hair falling into her face and around her student.
"Lena," she said firmly, her grip tightening, "Lena listen to me, you have to wake up."
She continued to try and wake the girl, but the clear pain on her face was starting to worry Hecate.
"Lena!" she exclaims a bit louder now, "Wake up!"
And to her relief, whether it was Hecate or something else, the girl finally wakes up. Her eyes snapping wide open as she sits up in the bed, taking a deep inhale as if she'd been deprived of air. Lena looks around frantically trying to figure out where she is,
"She's here, she's here," she keeps repeating under her breath.
"Lena listen to me," Hecate says firmly, "Agatha isn't hear, it was a bad dream. Lena you're safe." She says sternly, trying to make the girl understand.
When Lena hears her voice her head snaps to the Potions Mistress, tears streaming down her face as she tries to snap back to reality. The look causing a pang of something in the woman's chest, something she wasn't sure of, a very foreign feeling. Slowly she lifts her hand, hesitating again inches away from the girl's face but with a deep breath she slowly cups her cheek with a gentle hand. At this Lena completely breaks down, sobbing as she fights leaning into the touch, but Hecate won't let her move away. It's the Deputy Headmistress this time that suddenly pulls the student into an embrace, Lena instantly clinging to her and holding onto her for dear life.
"Hush now," she coos softly, "It's over," she says reassuringly.
"Don't leave, please" Lena whispers out, whimpering as she tries to calm herself down, "Don't leave... Hecate, please"
The woman sighs, her rigid heart feeling a slight ache as she holds her student close against her. She pats her Lena's head before laying her cheek against it as she had before, but this time her hair falling down around them, the long locks creating a curtain between them and the world for this short moment.
"I'm not going anywhere," Hecate whispers, her voice hitching in her throat as she tries to remain calm.
Hecate hugs Lena tighter, closing her eyes as she sighs and holds her close. No one had believed the torment this girl had been through. Not even her. But now she'd seen it and she would never let it happen again.
