It is the summer holidays yippee! So after a rather full on year I finally have a little time to myself. Thank you to all those that have remained loyal fans to this story over time, you're actually amazing. I hope you enjoy this small update. It seems odd to be writing about Christmas during the summer hols (especially as it's boiling in England for once) but that's totally my fault for starting a story in the run up to xmas and then getting too busy (and writer's block).
Please review if you read, just a one-word comment is absolutely fine!
Chapter 9
"You look shattered Mil," Enid commented the next morning at breakfast, noticing her friend's tired eyes and even bushier than usual hair, messily tied into plaits.
"What? Oh.. I had erm…. some trouble sleeping last night," Mildred replied blinking rapidly trying to focus on the conversation around her.
"It was pretty cold last night, they really need to invest in some good central heating round here. Or any heating in fact," Ruby smirked.
"Did you get your lines finished Millie?" Maud asked, Mildred stared at her blankly for a moment.
"Oh - my lines. Yes, I finished them just before bedtime but they're not due until Friday".
"You should hand them in this morning, appease the dragon a bit, we have her first thing" Enid suggested, "she must have had breakfast early, I haven't seen her at all yet. Some might say it's been a beautiful morning so far!" The girls laughed at Enid, except for Mildred who looked like she was daydreaming again.
"Yes, I think I will," Mildred muttered, grabbing her barely eaten tray of food from the table.
"She's acting odd today," Maud remarked, eyebrows raised when Mildred had left the dining hall.
"It's Millie, she lives in her own world," Jadu rolled her eyes.
xx
Lines clasped firmly in her hands, Mildred walked quickly towards the potion's lab, expecting to find HB setting up the day's lessons. She knew instinctively that she would be there, starting her day's work long before the other teachers had even thought about the day ahead. Mildred had always noticed, but perhaps never really taken in, exactly how much Miss Hardbroom did for her pupils. Last night had made her realise that this school wasn't just a place of work for her, it was obviously an escape and the castle's inhabitants were a family of some sort that she was determined to do her best for.
She walked quickly, knowing she would lose the courage to face her form tutor if she didn't hurry. She felt awkward: last night had been so surreal, but alongside her awkwardness she felt desperation to see her of which she would have previously thought impossible - sharing her teacher's worst memories meant a powerful, indescribable bond had formed between the two.
Entering the potion's lab without knocking, she saw the potion's mistress handing out books onto pupils' desks. As she turned to face her pupil, what struck Mildred was just how alert she looked, her appearance suggesting she wasn't suffering from her own lack of sleep.
"Mildred?" Constance greeted her briskly but Millie noticed a touch of concern behind the familiar terse tones.
"I came to give you my lines," Mildred mumbled, handing them over to her teacher who stared at them critically for a moment.
"Better handwriting thankfully," Miss Hardbroom pursed her lips, immediately slipping into teacher mode. "I want you to do some revision over the holidays Mildred, we need to raise your work to a better standard. You can retake your potion test first week back."
"Yes Miss Hardbroom," Mildred accepted automatically.
Constance walked towards the door and closed it briskly; checking nobody was within eavesdropping distance. She turned towards her pupil, "how are you feeling today Mildred? You look exhausted," she felt guilty at the girl's tired eyes.
"A little tired," Mildred admitted truthfully.
"You have a free period this afternoon, I'll permit you to nap on this occasion," Miss Hardbroom said, a small smile dancing around her lips. "Now hand out those books," she gestured to the pile of text books sitting on her desk. She smirked at Mildred, "this is what happens when you come to class early, not that you've ever done so before."
Mildred smiled softly at Miss Hardbroom's almost friendly teasing tone; perhaps the events had actually had done some good after all.
xx
The rest of the week passed by quickly for the worst witch; who was beginning to stop dwelling on the diary and its contents and look forward once again to the impending Christmas holiday. Miss Hardbroom had not mentioned the events since that morning, but she had been a lot more patient with Mildred - not losing her temper or making any cutting remarks. Mildred supposed that was her way of expressing her gratitude for her discretion.
The last day of term arrived in a blur, Mildred couldn't wait to get home to a warm fire and an endless supply of chocolate. At the same time her mind couldn't stop jumping to Miss Hardbroom, wondering whether she had anywhere pleasant to go during the holidays - she certainly hoped so. She raised this thought with Enid who just laughed:
"I'm sure she goes somewhere where Christmas doesn't even exist, she's not exactly Mrs Santa is she?"
Mildred had refrained from snapping that perhaps HB hadn't had the opportunity to celebrate Christmas often in her life. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to explain an outburst like that. She herself had been guilty of taking her family life for granted at times, never thinking about those that hadn't had the same idyllic childhood like the one she had emerged from.
Students from third year onwards were permitted to fly themselves home so long as they lived within a safe distance to the castle, which Mildred did. Most of her fellow students had left already, but Mildred being Mildred had left her packing until the last minute and was 'hopping around like a demented frog' as Miss Hardbroom had put it.
Miss Hardbroom was on patrol in the courtyard now, ensuring the leaving students were efficiently accounted for. She helped Mildred pack her broomstick, raising her eyebrows in disdain at Tabby's yowling but deferring from commenting.
"All set?" She asked her last remaining form tutee pointedly.
"I think so, there's bound to be something I've forgotten, but we'll be back in a couple of weeks." She mounted her broom with a cheerful grin.
Constance raised her eyes at Mildred's lack of organisation. She herself would have made sure that she hadn't forgotten a single needed item.
"Well I shall see you next term Mildred, try and use your time productively," Constance started authoritively, but then her voice softened slightly as she added "but make time for enjoying yourself. I believe the expression is 'Have a merry Christmas'."
"Thanks Miss," Mildred smiled, "You too, are you going anywhere nice?"
"I remain here," Constance smiled at the glint of pity from her pupil at her answer, "I prefer it this way, my Christmases are nice and peaceful."
Mildred felt rather put out at that, but nodded her head meekly. "Good bye Miss Hardbroom, see you in a couple of weeks." She kicked off the ground and headed home, where a happy Christmas would be waiting.
xxx
