A bit of a filler, and also very strange to be writing about Christmas in the middle of a rather warm lockdown - but I've commented on the weather and its impact on the characters many times in this story that now logically its December in their world!
Confidence and Control
Chapter 28: Glowing
"Strangest thing ever-" Dimity Drill told Hecate at break the next day. "Ethel Hallow and Mildred Hubble - seem to have put their feud to rest. Laughing and giggling during PE, then today grouped together for broomstick formation. Entirely their choice. Unbelievable really! You wouldn't know anything about it would you Hecate?"
"No - nothing," Hecate replied stiffly, but inside she was reeling - did this mean they had finally actually listened to her advice? She hadn't spoken to Mildred properly since breakfast, had not expected her to join her after their discussion in detention, but had been relieved when she had. If only for a quiet but companionable bowl of porridge. Hecate had not insisted that Mildred join her for morning prep and instead gave her permission to go for a walk either by herself or with her friends.
"I hope Ethel isn't up to something," Dimity continued, "I know you and Mildred have a close bond Hecate, I know you will look out for her..."
"Miss Drill do you have something to ask?" Hecate said pointedly, wishing Dimity would be a bit more candid for once.
"I wouldn't even know how to phrase a question, unless you have something to share?" Dimity snorted.
Hecate sighed, "I suppose it was going to have to come out sooner or later..."
xxx
"Oh Hecate - that's so amazing. I didn't really want to ask you how it went with Mildred staying with you - but I assumed it must have gone well, she seemed so much more full of life when she came back and has been since, despite this whole transferring debacle, still struggles of course - but there's a strength there now."
"Hmmm," Hecate agreed.
"And if Ethel has finally decided to put down her sword that can only benefit Mildred. You wouldn't have a hand in that, would you Hecate?" Dimity smirked knowingly.
"I simply told a few home truths," Hecate smirked back. "I'm rather surprised my advice was taken."
"You're very convincing," Dimity laughed.
xxx
The weather turned colder, the nights grew darker. The days seemed to accelerate and disappear, as Christmas loomed its glittering presence on the horizon.
Hecate had always had mixed feelings about Christmas. The expectation to be happy and jolly - not exactly two characteristics that people would associate with the aloof deputy headmistress. As the 'witchiest witch' she liked and enjoyed the witching traditions around the festival of Yule tide much more and an overwhelming part of her longed for those festivities to be more celebrated rather than the less-meaningful nod to the non-witching world and Father Christmas. Nevertheless she wasn't a complete scrooge, Pippa simply wouldn't let her.
"Oh you should have heard them darling," she beamed to Hecate through the mirror. "They sang so so beautifully!" Pippa had her long golden hair down and wavy, with a woven crown of tinsel around her head, looking just like an angel from a Victorian painting. She had just hosted her school's carol singing service and was in a rather gleeful mood even for Pippa.
"I am sure you made quite the impression," Hecate eyed her tinsel with a smirk that failed to hold any derision.
"Oh you know how much I adore Christmas time," Pippa grinned, flicking back her crowned head. "Or Yule as I should say in your presence before you lecture me..."
"I don't lecture!" Hecate replied, "I just think its really important that we don't forget our witching ways, in favour of a non-witching festival which has evolved into something lacking a deeper spiritual meaning."
"Always tradition," Pippa smiled fondly. "But what about Mildred? You've her to think of this year."
"She will have her own celebrations I'm sure with Julie," Hecate replied quickly. Truthfully, she had considered Mildred and her plans for the holiday in the hidden recesses of her mind. But surely the girl would prefer to do her own thing? She would much rather spend it with her mother eating chocolate in cheerful Christmas jumpers than to spend it with Hecate.
"Have you asked her?" Pippa asked, seeing right through Hecate as usual.
"N-no of course not!" Hecate replied crossly. "It would be inappropriate to make her choose. And anyway - the girl asked for independence, I'm giving her that!"
"Hecate she didn't mean it like that and you know it. Anyway you've been ever so good," Pippa complimented, "You definitely seem to have the balance right now."
Hecate rolled her eyes, knowing full well that Pippa knew how to get round her. It was true, she had seemed to have struck it right with Mildred recently. She hadn't insisted that Mildred join her for breakfast or morning prep, but found more often than not the girl did join her. She had made it clear to Mildred too that she was allowed to eat her dinner in the main hall with her friends whenever she pleased, under the clear understanding that the fearsome Miss Tapioca would be checking her plate was clean, but again more often Mildred would say, "See you later Miss Hardbroom," as she left her potions lessons, a covert message to Hecate that the girl wanted to join her. After eating, Hecate would help Mildred with her non-verbal spells, pride hitting her right in the chest as the girl continued to thrive with her casting.
Hecate found that she actually enjoyed Mildred's company even more, knowing that the girl was there entirely by choice.
"Anyway the winter-solstice is four days before Christmas anyway, and Julie is at work, so you have no excuse not to ask Millie," Pippa grinned triumphantly.
"How do you know Julie's working?" Hecate narrowed her eyes.
"Oh we keep in touch you know. She managed to get an update on her Iphone and it allows something called FaceTime with a maglet - its just like mirroring but you don't have to be near a mirror. We chatted last night..." Pippa said, feigning nonchalance.
"And she just so happened to mention being at work on the 21st?" Hecate shot back sarcastically.
"She's a nurse, Hiccup, she's only Christmas Day off!" Pippa smirked.
"How convenient," Hecate muttered.
"Isn't is just?" Pippa smiled. "In all seriousness though Hiccup, she was saying how the last few years Millie's been fine home alone while Julie does the long shifts, but she was saying she was more worried about her this year. I know you would be doing her a favour if you offer babysitting duties.
"Mildred's hardly a baby," Hecate scoffed.
"Turn of phrase dear - I do think from what you've said she would be fine, but I also know she would be better, safer even, with you."
Hecate nodded acceptingly, resigned to the fact that her head and heart now matched up. "Fine - I will ask her."
xx
"Eat your green-beans," Hecate told the girl sternly, watching her play with them on her plate.
Mildred looked sheepish as she pierced through some of the vegetable with her fork, "So I grow big and strong?" she laughed under her breath.
Hecate, hearing her, replied, "So you don't have a severe telling off about the importance of vitamins and iron."
"Sustenance," Mildred rolled her eyes as she placed the fork to her mouth.
"Good girl," Hecate raised her eyebrows dryly.
"Ethel said when she was just a kid that her mum used to make her and her sisters list ten uses for each ingredient for potions before they were allowed to tuck in," Mildred muttered. "Sometimes it would be over an hour before they got it right and their food had gone cold," Mildred's tone was clearly disgusted. "Once she got stuck on green beans and her mum gave her nothing but green beans to eat over the next three days as punishment."
Hecate wasn't surprised, it made sense with everything she knew about Ursula Hallow. Then a realisation hit hard...
"If you remember at the cottage I got you to identify ingredients Mildred," she said in a small voice.
"That was totally different! You were distracting me... So that I wouldn't get anxious..." Mildred shook her head.
"You knew?" Hecate's jaw went square, Mildred's perceptiveness was so strong for a fourteen year old.
"Sometimes I need to be distracted.." Mildred shrugged before she placed down her now-empty fork, "See?" she gestured at her now empty plate.
"You've made good friends with Ethel," Hecate acknowledged.
" I wouldn't say good friends, but we've come to a bit of an understanding. I can't forget some of the things she has done to me over the past four years, but she has changed. She's working hard not to be competitive. She can actually be quite fun when she lets herself be," Mildred gave a small smile, "You were right about her I guess..."
"Good," Hecate approved.
"Can we practise a colour-changing spell tonight?" Mildred asked once Hecate had cleared the plates. "Ethel says there's a way to pre-programme it? I was thinking it might be nice to do with the baubles on the school Christmas tree, Miss Bat says I can help her put it up tomorrow."
"Did she now?" Hecate rolled her eyes, "As your form-mistress she should have asked my permission first. And I suppose this will get you out of lessons?"
"Flying," Mildred admitted in a small voice, "But honestly Miss - it's so cold, too cold to be flying - I can barely move my limbs they're that frozen."
"You're not suppose to move your limbs," Hecate smirked, "The cold helps to keep an upright posture and its also very character building for you young girls."
"Easy for you to say!" Mildred huffed.
"You've your Flying Assessment in May Mildred, it's really important," Hecate lectured.
"Pippa says I'll do just fine," Mildred pouted, "One day off isn't going to stop me from passing," she continued.
"Passing might be all you aspire to, but you know you could achieve a higher standard than that if you put your mind to it," Hecate replied sternly, Mildred's more relaxed attitude to her grades forever a bug-bear.
"So you're saying I can't help?" Mildred frowned.
Hecate sighed wearily, deciding. She had all the cards and there was no point being churlish, but she also knew the importance of keeping her authority with Mildred. She had never experienced a relationship like it before and she was determined that she wouldn't treat Mildred any differently to the others on school matters unless it truly was to help her academically. She wanted Mildred to succeed, more than anything, but she knew for that to happen the had to be happy and that was a difficult balance to strike. "You can help Miss Bat -...
"Thank you!" Mildred did a little victory dance.
"Provided," Hecate continued, "Provided you make up the time missed with me at the weekend," she finished.
Mildred's face fell slightly, "Oh but Miss Hardbroom - that's hardly a fair trade!"
"Meaning?" Hecate's eyes flashed dangerously.
"Nothing!" Mildred stopped herself, she didn't think Hecate would appreciate being told that her being a stickler for broomstick standards would make weekend flying particularly taxing. Miss Hardbroom had taught her class in Form 1, and Mildred still had flashbacks to being a tiny little first year forced on a broomstick for the first time under Miss Hardbroom's unnerving glares.
"I accept," Mildred nodded. "So the bauble-changing thing?" She stood up excitedly.
"Before we begin Mildred.. Whilst we are on the subject..." Hecate gestured with her eyes for the girl to sit down again.
When Mildred was seated and had fixed her tawny eyes upon her she began, "Now I know that your mother is working lots over the Christmas period.." Mildred nodded in agreement, expecting a lecture on the importance of looking after herself, but Hecate continued smoothly, "I would love to extend an invitation to you Mildred, to celebrate the festivities of Yule-tide alongside myself and Pippa. I promise to have you back for Christmas Day itself."
Mildred felt a well of emotion rise up within her. She had never celebrated Yule, never had the chance to experience what her witch-born friends spoke of so familiarly. "I- I'd love to Miss Hardbroom," Mildred gave a full wattage grin.
"You're sure?" Hecate asked.
"Definitely!" Mildred bit her lip excitedly.
"Well I haven't cleared it with your mother yet and I know you will be anxious to get permission. I would suggest the 17th until Christmas Eve, that way you can accompany me straight from Cackles and then you've still Christmas and the latter part of the holiday to spend with your mother."
"You don't mind having me? I won't be intruding?" Mildred queried.
"Intruding?" Hecate tutted before she laughed. "Mildred its hardly an intrusion when I've extended a very heartfelt invitation. Both Pippa and I will be more than happy to have you."
"I'm so excited," Mildred grinned. Feeling suddenly sentimental she went to perch on the arm of Hecate's chair, a teenager's version of sitting on an adult's knee and leant and nuzzled her shoulder bone into Hecate's rigid arm. "I cannot wait to spend some time with Pippa, and to spend some time with you of course," she added in a small voice.
Hecate scoffed, "You spend every day with me," she allowed her arm to relax.
"It's not the same when you're my teacher," Mildred murmured back.
"I'm always your teacher," Hecate replied nonplussed. She wasn't aware that anything about her demeanour ever particularly changed. She was Miss Hardbroom through and through, regardless of the circumstance or location.
"Yes, but sometimes you're my teacher first and foremost, whereas at the cottage you weren't," Mildred argued smiling.
"Have you been taking truth potion again?" Hecate laughed at Mildred's frankness and different way of seeing the world, "Tea Mildred? And then I will show you some spells for baubles that will make it the finest Cackles has ever had."
xxx
Julie Hubble was thrilled with Mildred spending Yule with Hecate and Pippa and mirrored Hecate as soon as she had got off the mirror with Mildred.
"You're sure Hecate? You don't want a bit of peace?" Julie questioned.
"I've never been known to do things unless I'm sure," Hecate replied dryly.
"Pippa didn't talk you into it?" Julie laughed.
"She did come up with the suggestion, but it certainly makes sense," Hecate shrugged.
"She's so excited to experience Yule," Julie laughed. "Hecate... I'm probably being too open and honest right now, and I can only blame the two glasses of wine I've had with dinner - but Mildred told me all about what she heard with the masikim.. I think it was her way of digesting it all.. She wouldn't have wanted to betray your confidence or anything."
Hecate nodded, heat flushing to her cheeks. She had expected Mildred to have told her mum, but that didn't make this conversation any easier.
"Please don't feel that... That I would ever feel like your interest in Mildred's wellbeing is anything other than enormously healthy. She's never had a dad, I've never had anyone to share her with that feels how I do... It's just nice to be able to share her with you. It's nice to be able to gush about how special she is to someone that truly knows."
"Thank you," Hecate said in a rather croaked version of her voice after a moment. "Although I'm hardly the gushing kind."
Julie smiled, but continued, "And I know that you will be so desperate for some alone time with Pippa after Mildred's left you - but I was always taught that Christmas Day is about family, and well.. We're a strange kind of family aren't we?" Julie laughed, "But it would feel right if you and Pippa were to join us for Christmas Day... I cannot promise I'm anywhere near as good a cook as you of course, but I've never had complaints..."
Hecate was stunned for a moment. "I've never really celebrated Christmas," she said truthfully, "But Pippa has always been intrigued by it."
"Is that a yes?" Julie teased.
"If it's okay with Mildred," Hecate allowed.
Julie snorted, "You know it will be."
xxx
Decorating the Christmas tree with Miss Bat had indeed been lovely, and Mildred was very proud when the colour-changing spell that she had perfected the night before worked and got a glint of self-satisfied pride whenever she was in the hall. Hecate had even complimented it in a quiet voice as she walked past Mildred in the corridor, making Mildred glow like the baubles in question.
The flying session with her had however been just as tortuous as Mildred believed it would be. Mildred felt like she was holding in her temper, as Hecate corrected the most small of things.
"I will not tolerate unrounded hips Mildred," Hecate told her, hands on her own hips. "You're a fourth-year, that should be natural by now! I'm sure Miss Drill has told you plenty of times!"
"But I'm side-saddle," Mildred whined.
"Only your legs should be to the side," Hecate pursed her lips, "You know this Mildred."
"But how can you even tell?!" Mildred's eyes widened from her current position, hovering eye-level with the statuesque adult.
"It's my job to tell!" Hecate shot back. She placed her gloved hands onto the small of Mildred's back, straightening her posture forward before she muttered something causing Mildred to look down in surprise. A thick black ribbon traced itself where Hecate gestured, pulling Mildred into the correct position with hardly any give.
"Really?!" Mildred muttered.
"Really," Hecate quirked a brow, "A very useful training technique. I shall remove it once I'm certain your body has memorised the position."
Mildred tried struggling against the bonds and Hecate rolled her eyes before laughing. "Stop - you're not going anywhere trust me."
The sound of Hecate laughing made Mildred relax a little and she shot Hecate a small smile to let her know she was doing her best to swallow her temper and not hold her harsh teaching against her.
"Now three times around the court Mildred, I'd like a simple loop during your second go and then build up some speed during number three," Hecate demanded.
Mildred grinned, speed really was her speciality.
"And... Go," Hecate intoned.
Mildred flew rather gracefully (even by Hecate's standards) around the courtyard, finding it easy to maintain her posture with the ribbons still in place. She did a strong symmetrical loop on the following ring before accelerating and coming to a rather abrupt end in front of her teacher.
"Very good," Hecate complimented genuinely. "You have good broom control and agility Mildred."
"Can I try without the ribbons now?" Mildred asked, pulling at them, her lower body felt achy.
"Not quite yet.." Hecate told the girl, whose face fell. "When it no longer hurts, that's when we take the ribbons off."
"Pain is something we have to learn to live with sometimes Mildred," Hecate said firmly when the girl set her doe-eyes upon her. "Achieving takes effort, but its usually worth it."
xxx
Hecate had eventually released her prisoner and was very satisfied with Mildred, both her flying ability, and the way she had accepted corrections. She had invited the girl back to her rooms for some tea and biscuits.
She smiled awkwardly at Mildred as she placed down the tea. Mildred knows me well enough by now to know when I am impressed. Did she? Her inner 'Pippa' argued against her. Build her up!
"You really have progressed well with your flying Mildred. You've come on leaps and bounds since I last saw as a first year," she said stiltedly, but she hoped came out genuinely.
Mildred positively beamed, taken aback by the rare compliment and Hecate felt a wash of relief envelop her. See! Look what impact you have.
xxx
