Pippa is crying again, under the dark sky, surrounding her like a blanket. Hecate sits on the roof, feverishly trying to think off something she can do. Something to help, without actually risking what she fears most; rejection. Something soothing. Anything.
"Focus Hecate. What soothes you?" She runs her hand over her face.
"Music." that's it. Music always soothed her, even as a baby, that's why she had practiced the music spell, for hours, in the dark.
She used to sit in the dark, cold room for hours the only the music keeping her sane, keeping her from screaming and crying. She she raised her hands, waving them in a smooth motion, until a small tune has formed.
Sending downwards, she forms the noice into a piano, adds a slight humming, her own voice. Then the tune hits Pippas head and Hecate let's go.
Letting the music wash over the small body so far beneath her. Pippa stops crying, looking up, confused. The dark with on the roof quickly summons a bit of warmth, sending it down as well, then vanishing.
When she hits her own bed, a smile tucks on her face, looking up she watched the lights she had installed in her first week. The dark blue ceiling , masking a night sky. And she really feels good. Her arms and legs grow warm, she summons the same tune, that right now warms the heart of the blonde sitting outside. Both of them smile, feeling warm and protected.
At breakfast Hecate starts a new essay for her potions class, writing with one hand, spooning her daily porridge with her other.
"How can you even eat that.", Pippa slips on the chair next to her, a cup of tea in front of her.
„Ahhh...what?",not fully awake she can't quite comprehend what happens.
"The porridge stuff. It's disgusting."
"no it's not.", another spoon full vanishes in her mouth.
"Is nourishing.", she packs her pen and paper away, turning to the witch next to her. Pippa looks slightly less tired then usually, her skin still being a bit to white, but her eyes sparkle a bit. Pippa bites her lip, return tee cup of tea.
„Pippa.", Felicity's voice shrills through the hall, loud and cutting.
Pippa winces, grabbing her cup, she shoots up.
"I'm sorry. I need to go.", her hands places for a second on Hecates shoulder.
It's a small gesture, maybe not even intended, but it means everything. „See you in potion class?", the blonde asks, before turning around and running towards Felicity.
"Why would you sit with her Pippa. That's disgusting.", Hecate tries not to listen, tries to block out the mean comments, but nothing follows. Pippa just sits down, saying nothing, sipping on her cup of tea.
Leaving the dining hall shortly after, she returns to her daily routine, washing her hair, drying, brushing and pining it to her scalp, then at 8 o'clock sharp she knocks at the potion lab. The door opens and a very blushing Miss Sanders leaves the room in a hurry, bumping into her.
„Oh. Miss Hardbroom.",
"well met.", Hecate bows down, „did you get my essay?"
"yes...yes I did. It was excellent, like every week.", the older witch scratches her head. „I need to go.", she turns to leave. „To my class." and vanishes.
Hecate, as the Assistent of her potions Teacher, does not need to participate in the other classes, but she does, if she has the time. She always joins chanting, not because she likes it, but to hear Pippa sing.
For the rest of her education, she writes weekly essays and simply hands them in.
Her potion teacher stands with her back to the door.
"You did not see her.", her voice is low.
"No I did not.", Hecate knows what could happen.
She had heard about what happened to another teacher, at her old school, who had been convicted and stripped of her magical powers, because of her relationship.
"Disgusting.", they had called it. „Unnatural." or „simply wrong for the children." Her own mother had even threatened to take her to another school.
„Good.", the older woman snaps. „Now get to work, we have a lot to do."
Felicity had shoved her into the wall again. It's nothing new or innovative, but still effective. She waits until they are gone, until she gets up from the cold floor, her ingredients spilled over her uniform.
"Here, let me help you." a cold hand reaches out for her, the skin is soft. It's Pippa, who had not joined the group for the morning pushing.
"Thank you, Pippa.", they walk together
"I hate what they do.", pippa looks down, while they pass the classrooms. „But I cant leave.", her face is filled with guilt and pain, when she turnes around, leaving Hecate puzzled and confused.
At night Hecate waits for Pippa and when she arrives, she performs the same spell as the night before. From above it almost looks like Pippa is waiting for them, looking around and curling up on the bench. Careful not to get seen she gets ready to leave, but then decides against it. Letting the magic sink into herself, both girls sit under the stars, separated by only 20 meters, Hecate on the roof, Pippa on her bench, thinking.