A Matter of Time.

For the next week, Mildred went out of her way to avoid Miss Hardbroom, much to the teachers sadness. The teachers, Miss Swoop for instance, tried to make Mildred see some sense, but Mildred wasn't having it.

Miss Cackle for the most part was strictly neutral and wasn't taking any sides, for which Mildred was eternally grateful. But then that was to be expected, Miss Cackle was seen as a firm woman but she allowed her teachers to punish students when they felt it was needed, but she would intervene if needed.

Besides, Mildred had enough to do in order to pass the time.

With her pseudo Head girl status, Mildred was allowed carte blanche throughout the school, she was allowed to sit in class and do whatever she liked but she tended to help students when needed.

Most of the time she spent was in the newly refurbished library - instead of the dark, narrow room, it was now a vibrant room which allowed the sun to come in.

The changes to Cackle's still surprised her, many of the rooms had changed around, some new subjects instead of the old, but the pain that Mildred felt that Frank Blossom and Mrs Tapioca was still in her heart. She missed going down to the dungeons where the loving Italian woman slaved to make food that went cold after 4 seconds.

Mildred had made friends with Caspian, the wizard in charge of the library, he was helping her research the time portal spells and their theories.

By now, Mildred was absolutely desperate to leave this time. Even the time she spent with Hettie was becoming tedious.

Hettie on the other hand had noticed the short fuse her cousin had at the moment and she was very worried about it.

Miss Cackle noticed her mood during spells and asked for her to stay behind.

" Now Hettie, what seems to the matter ?" Cackle had her hands folded, her face one of supreme patience.

Hettie had no idea what her headmistress was talking about, " I don't understand, Miss Cackle."

" You seemed, distracted during spells Hettie. It wouldn't happen to do with another Hubble of our acquaintance would it ?"

Henrietta sighed, " I'm worried about her, she's more impatient, more irritable. She wont talk to anyone and she spends a lot of time in the library with Caspian researching the time portal spells. Mildred is desperate to leave."

" My dear girl, do you really think I'm trying to keep her here ?" Miss Cackle answered with astonishment, " I can't send her back through the portal, not until the original spell's repair is complete."

" But, can't anything be done to…" Hettie asked before she was interrupted.

" No, the spell is still trying to repair the damage. If I try to send her back now, heaven alone knows what'll happen. It could mean that Mildred would…suffer." Miss Cackle said the last part cautiously.

At Hettie's look, Cackle explained that even though Mildred was alive and well at this time and 21, she could easily be erased from history.

" Many witches and wizards have messed with time Hettie, that's one of the reasons behind the prohibition of using the spells without a special permit. Teaching it is one thing, using it is another."

Henrietta looked down then looked up, " What do I do about Mildred ?"

" Miss Hardbroom asked the same," Amelia smiled at the girls looks of shock, " Yes, Mildred had every reason to be angry with Constance and she's been provoked once to often. Miss Hardbroom honestly wants to make amends but I told her to let Mildred cool down."

" That's probably wise, Cousin Millie does go a little too far when she's angry.

In the library, Mildred was looking through dozens of books, amazed by the fact the school had finally started using books that were now in the shops - witch shops that is.

She rubbed her eyes and then jumped.

Looking down she saw a black cat. Gently she picked the animal up, wondering idly who the cat belonged to. Mildred took a good look at it and noticed that it was a full adult cat so it didn't belong to one of the girls, the collar read " Mildred," and the other lettering said, " If lost, please return to Miss Constance Hardbroom," it gave 2 addresses, 1 for Cackle's itself and the other for the place HB lived.

Mildred looked at the cat again, she couldn't believe it. Why would Miss Hardbroom of all people, have a cat named after a student she'd tried to expel on countless occasions ?

Shrugging, not caring about the rationale behind the name, Mildred hugged her four legged namesake. It had been so long since she'd held a cat. Tabby, she prayed he was ok and still alive, in this time, was still in her time.

Smirking as she thought about the dog her cousin owned, Mildred chuckled, the sound ringing in her own ears. She'd been in such a bad mood recently she'd virtually forgotten about what it felt like to be happy.

Mildred had shaken her head when she'd seen Kitty, her cousins dog. Only a Hubble…..

She grinned as she remembered the story behind Kitty - how Hettie had claimed that instead of a cat, she'd rather have a dog, how Belladonna had changed a real dog into a cat and later on how Hettie had made the joke backfire on Belladonna by keeping him.

A/N What do you think ?