AN: Apologies, I had intended to update a bit quicker than this, so here is a slightly longer chapter to make up to it. Had a sudden influx of follows/favourites for my stories so thank you very much for those, makes it all feel worthwhile. :)


Standing outside the door to the humble but beautiful cottage, Constance was trying to work up the courage to actually knock on the door. The address of Mildred's parents had been ingrained in her memory over the years of writing to them about Mildred's various misdemeanors, her triumphs and then explaining what had occurred in the last few months. How was she actually going to have this conversation? Before her nerve completely failed her, she knocked. A few seconds later the door swung inwards to reveal a woman in a bright blue dress with flowing auburn hair and a smile.

The complete opposite of what I am. Constance mused.

"Yes? May I help you?

"Alice Hubble?"

"Yes…"

"I am Miss Hardbroom, deputy head at Cackles Academy."

"Oh my goodness, Mildred, is she OK? Miss Cackle said she was absolutely fine after what happened with that woma…"

"Mrs Hubble, Mrs Hubble," Constance pleaded with her hands raised, "I can assure you Mildred is perfectly fine. She is safe and well."

"Then why...I'm sorry I don't want to be rude but no-one from the school has ever visited before." Constance's gaze dropped to the ground.

"It's rather complicated. Is your husband here?"

"Yes, yes he's in the garden. Umm… come inside, I'll make some tea. Has Mildred done something? Is she in trouble? I know she manages to get herself into mischief but she means well, she…" Constance smiled now understanding where Mildred gets her babbling from.

"Mildred is not in any trouble I can assure you, in fact she is a remarkable person who has astounded me with her pure heart in many ways over the last few months." Alice smiled.

"She is special. I have always thought so," Alice replied, moving back to let Constance in.

They reached a very homely kitchen, flowerpots on the windowsill, the delicious smell of freshly baked cakes and a radio buzzing in the background.

"Have a seat Miss Hardbroom and I'll fetch Jack." She disappeared out the back door.

Constance took the opportunity to attempt to think how she was going to go about explaining all this. She could hear a quiet, murmured conversation from the garden. Seconds later a tall, open featured man followed his wife into the kitchen after kicking his muddy boots off at the door. Constance stood.

"Mr Hubble?"

"That's me."

"Miss Hardbroom" Constance extended her hand to shake his. Jack Hubble held up dirt covered hands. He smiled.

"Best not, Miss Hardbroom, at least until I clean up first." He moved to the sink and began to rinse off whilst Alice set out some tea on the table. Once both were done, Jack sat down as Alice began pouring tea.

"Some fresh cake Miss Hardbroom?"

"Ah, no thank you Mrs Hubble, just the tea please."

"Right, well the curiosity getting the better of us Miss Hardbroom, what's this all about?"

"Yes, where to begin…" She took a deep breath. "Mildred's personal file states that she is adopted." Alice and Jack expressions showed some confusion.

"Yes, we adopted her as a baby."

"Who did you adopt her from?"

"I'm sorry, what is going on? Why do you need to know about this?" Jack asked. Constance's looked down, gathering her courage to take the plunge.

"My full name is Constance Rosalie Hardbroom."

Jack remained with a confused expression on his face but Alice gasped and raised her hands to her mouth.

"You are…?" Alice uttered.

"Yes."

"Could someone fill me in?" Jack asked, exasperated.

"One second." Alice suddenly got up and ran from the room.

"Alice…?"

Alice returned a minute later with a piece of paper, which she handed to her husband. Taking it from her he began to skim it.

"This is Mildred's birth certificate, what has this got to do with… you are her genetic mother?!" Constance couldn't respond, her eyes began to fill again.

"How long have you known who she is?" Alice asked. Constance glanced at her watch.

"About 2 hours."

"It says here you are dead?" Jack stated.

"Yes, well, it's a rather long story."

"A story I think you had better start telling." Jack's agitation was getting the best of him now, he was a gentle man but this was his little girl they were discussing and he would do anything to protect her.

Constance launched into her life story, very aware not another soul knew it's entirety and yet she was divulging it to two people who she had met 5 minutes ago. She adopted an almost detached telling of it, as if she was explaining about someone else's life, in order to keep from breaking down. By the time she reached the end, she was shaking again. Jack and Alice were simply sitting in a state of shock, their hands entwined, gripping each other until their knuckles were white.

"I am so sorry." Alice whispered. Constance's gaze snapped up.

"Sorry?"

"What you have been through, no-one should have to suffer that. What that woman did…" Constance didn't know how to reply to that, the response had taken her by surprise. No one had ever taken pity on her in her life, she had never allowed it, no-one knew enough about her to care. Even Jack was looking at her differently, not as threatened by the woman in front of him any longer. She had been expecting anger and frosty protectiveness from the Hubbles, not understanding.

"What do you want to do, do you wish to tell Mildred?" Jack asked.

"That is entirely up to the both of you. You have raised Mildred to be the most astounding, good hearted, talented young woman I have ever met. I could not ever thank you enough for the care you have taken of her. You are wonderful parents, I will not intrude if you do not agree." At this point the tears finally fell from Constance's eyes, she just could not contain them anymore.

"I must apologise, may I just step outside a moment, I need some air?" Constance requested.

"Of course. There is a bench in the garden by the pond." Alice replied. Constance got up, thanking her, and left the kitchen. Whilst she really did need to regain control of herself, she was also aware the Hubbles needed some time to process everything she had just told them in private. It would be unfair to expect them to make a decision instantly, they were likely as shocked as she was. A short while ago they had believed the biological mother of their adopted daughter dead, no danger of her interfering in their lives.

She found herself at the bench and sat down. She felt exhausted, so much had happened, none of it she was prepared for.

She glanced around the garden, it was a very pleasant, peaceful place to be. Not one of those gardens where everything was neat and tidy and pristine but more wild, yet loved none the less. Down to her left she noticed some raised planters, with 'Mildred's Garden' painted on the side. She examined the white markers next to each plant, every one was a potion ingredient, she suddenly realised that this was obviously to help Mildred recognise the plants, to learn more about them, to aid her studies. Those really were two wonderful parents inside the house, despite being non-magical they attempted to help Mildred in whatever little way they could.

She leaned back and closed her eyes, allowing the weak sunshine to warm her eyelids. Some time later she heard the sweet tones of Alice.

"Miss Hardbroom? Are you well?" Constance opened her eyes and smiled.

"I am fine thank you, and it's Constance, please. I was just lost admiring the tranquility of your garden." Jack smiled.

"It's his pride and joy." Alice answered, smiling up at her husband. "Shall we stay out here while the sun is shining?" Jack moved to gather two garden chairs and set them up for him and his wife. They settled down. Alice began:

"We have decided you should tell Mildred. It is not anybody's place to keep something like this from her. We have always been as honest with her as possible and this should be no different." Constance felt a massive weight lift from her chest, her eyes began to fill up again.

"I can't… thank you. Does Mildred know she is adopted?"

"Yes," Jack answered, "we told her when her magic developed. It was obvious something was odd about the situation considering we are not magical. However, she thinks you are dead." Constance nodded.

"I understand."

"She looks like you." Alice whispered. Constance gave wry smile.

"Better not let her hear you say that, I doubt it would go down well. I am her scary form mistress."

"We have heard the stories," Jack chuckled, "but she also talks about you with immense respect, and with what you have both been through recently I think you already had a connection before all of this came to light. I have to thank you personally for taking care of her when she was ill."

"She also took care of me, I'm not sure I would have survived without her there, and her courage when she stood up to Hecketty Broomhead was more than I had, particularly at her age." She looked at the couple in front of her. She could see pride in their expressions but also something else, worry. "I won't take her away from you. I meant what I said, you have done such an extraordinary job with her, she loves you dearly. I would never damage that." This was the point where Alice's eyes once again overflowed and tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Thank you," Jack replied.

"When are you going to tell her?" Alice asked. Constance sighed.

"I wrote her a note this morning before I left the castle, she has been asking to see me for the last few days since the incident, but until I knew what was going on I, rather unfairly, have avoided her. I promised her an explanation upon my return. I did not expect I would have to tell her anything like this. I don't think it is fair to her to keep her in the dark any longer than necessary so I will honour the promise I made this morning." Alice nodded.

"Yes she doesn't understand if people aren't open with her."

"Would you both like to be there?" Alice turned to her husband, they seemed to have a non verbal conversation. Turning back to her, Jack nodded.

"We'd like to be there to support her."

"We could leave after lunch? You will stay for lunch Constance?" Alice asked.

"I-I couldn't really…."

"I mean no offence Constance but you have been through an awful lot this morning, you are very pale and look exhausted, a square meal would do you good. It's going to be a difficult afternoon." Taking a moment to think she conceded.

"You're right, thank you for the invitation."

"And my wife is an excellent cook."

"Jack!" Alice protested. "Come on, lets have another cup of tea whilst I finish lunch then we can all take BoBo up to the castle." She stood and turned back up the garden path towards the door. Constance had a sudden flashback.

My mum calls her car BoBo Miss.

Constance Hardbroom was not getting into a motor vehicle.


AN: Hope you liked that, there aren't many stories out there that include Mildred's parents so I wanted to include them to be a little different, also speaking to them would be the right thing in this situation. Review to let me know what you think?