Mildred, Imogen and Constance continued the week in style.
On Thursday they started the day ice skating:
Constance froze the lake in spectacular fashion.
"Are you sure you can maintain this?" Imogen asked nervously, "Is your magic fully restored?" she asked which earned her a very frosty look from Constance.
"Quite sure, thank you Imogen," the potion teacher shot back.
Mildred was already doing her laces up on her skates. She expected to be useless at ice skating, well she knew she was. She used to go to one in a large town near where she lived as a kid and she always struggled. But, she had magic now and magic changed everything.
Mildred was the first on the ice. She zoomed forward and within seconds ground her skate edge deep into the ice and rolled over the top of it. Constance froze her mid fall and lowered her down gently.
"Mildred wait until I am ready, I haven't got eyes in the back of my head," Constance warned.
"It's okay Miss," Mildred said as she got up and pushed off again, "falling is part of the experience," she finished.
"I imagine that is true for most of that girl's adventures," Constance said under her breath to Imogen.
"We can't all be practically perfect in every way," Imogen said as she followed Mildred onto the ice. She was still mad at Constance for her antics the night before.
Constance huffed and then finally ventured out onto the ice. She cast a spell as her blades hit the ice to guarantee their glides were straight and true. A small wave of her hand discreetly was all that was needed to keep her upright on the ice.
She skated over towards Mildred who was rather heavy footed, trying in vain to establish a rhythm. She was looking longingly at Imogen.
"Mildred you are a witch. Witches glide gracefully," Constance said.
"Well I am not particularly good on my feet Miss," Mildred said trying her best.
"You don't say," Constance quipped back. "Magic, Mildred, is there to smooth out some of life's wrinkles. If you do not know the spell, perhaps you could create your own?"
Constance glided off serenely on the ice. Her poise was proud and her movements looked effortless. Imogen watched her with interest.
"So you can skate too?" Imogen was rather perturbed by this revelation.
"I cast a spell Imogen," Constance replied. She didn't have the heart to lie to her and besides she was a witch, it is exactly what she did on a day to day basis to make tasks easier for her.
Imogen nodded her head knowingly, "okay that makes sense, I didn't think you would have ice skated before."
"Oh I can ice skate," Constance said. "I have been on the ice before. I am just not that comfortable and I prefer to avoid any mishaps."
At that moment Mildred zoomed past them at an inhumanely fast rate. Her skates were clearly in control and hurtling her to the lake edge. Constance raised both arms and froze the girl. Her face looked slightly pained.
"Imogen...her magic is strong and I am struggling to hold her. Can you bring her down to the ice?" Constance asked through gritted teeth.
Imogen skated over and lifted Mildred up off the ice. She shifted her weight onto her hip and laid her down as gently as she could on the ice.
Constance doubled over as she released the freeze. She took a moment to take some breaths and then skated over to Mildred.
"I think that spell might have gone slightly wrong," Constance said with a hint of sarcasm.
Mildred looked very confused and hadn't a clue how she had ended up laid down on the ice again.
"For today I will cast the spell, Mildred, but you can expect to practice this one until perfect next week," she warned. Mildred didn't mind, that was next week!
She stood up to find she could skate and started circling the lake. She couldn't fall over even if she tried and was soon skating backwards.
Imogen challenged her to a spin and then a small jump. Constance observed them having fun and felt content. She loved seeing the lake frozen and she didn't mind ice skating when it was this quiet and tranquil.
"This is great," Mildred beamed. "Miss Drill, you are really good."
"I used to skate quite a bit," Imogen explained, "anything to get out and be active, I have always been sporty."
"I think I'm the opposite," Mildred said with a grin.
"Well that hasn't done Constance any harm now has it," Imogen said watching the slender deputy headteacher quietly take in her surroundings. She liked to drift into the background when she could.
"Hard to tell," Mildred said with a giggle which Imogen matched.
On Thursday afternoon they blew shit up in spectacular fashion:
"Right Mildred...pay attention girl!" Constance shouted forcefully as they stood in the centre of a flat grassy space waiting for instructions.
"Sorry, Miss," Mildred said.
"You will be playing with explosives this afternoon. I expect diligence," Constance said firmly.
Imogen and Mildred both nodded their heads in response.
Constance magicked up two benches.
"I am going to place a few different potions on your benches. You do not touch anything until I tell you to. Mildred, do you have the drawings ready I asked for?" Constance asked.
"Yes, Miss," Mildred said.
Constance laid out an array of potions in front of her audience. They were clearly excited and attempting to keep serious faces.
"Before you there is a simple explosives potion, an imploding potion, an explosive colour spatter potion and finally a precise targeting potion," Constance explained. "Mildred could you lift the tank off the page and place it as close to the lake as you can."
Mildred lifted a large khaki tank off the page. It looked impressive dropped into the middle of the landscape.
"I am going to throw up a containment bubble," Constance said as she placed an invisible bubble around the tank that stopped just in front of the benches.
Constance went to stand behind Imogen and Mildred so she could see what they were doing and also make sure she wasn't in the fallout area.
"Pick up the far right potion in front of you...that is your left Mildred" Constance commanded. Mildred giggled nervously and then picked up the right potion. "This is very much like a grenade in how it explodes except there is no ring pull," Constance explained creatively.
"Erm...what if we drop it?" Mildred asked, instantly terrified.
"Hopefully, I will freeze it before it hits the floor, Mildred. Let's concentrate on not dropping it though," Constance said, very much aware of the danger. "I would like you to step away to the right of your benches first."
Imogen and Constance took a few steps to the right until they were clear of their benches.
"Now you will throw your potions at the tank in turn. Mildred I would like you to go first. Just one good throw at the tank please. You may proceed," Constance said clearly and precisely.
Mildred took a moment to steady her breathing and then hurled the potion at the tank. It exploded on impact making an enormous bang. The tank crumpled and a big dark stain of singed metal appeared across its side.
"Imogen, your turn," Constance said, "you may proceed."
Imogen threw the potion with force at the side of the tank. Another enormous explosion that lifted the tank slightly. It set alight and fell into pieces.
"Now potions create some devastating explosions as you have seen. Spells can deliver similar scenes. Observe," Constance said. She held her arms up and recited a spell. As she brought them down their energies aligned and channeled a shot at the remains of the tank. The spell picked the tank up and blew it into pieces mid-air. The debris flew out and smashed into the bubble scaring Imogen and Mildred half to death.
"Jesus, Constance!" Imogen shouted.
"Can we do that!" Mildred asked in complete awe.
"Certainly not!" Constance said. The thought of Mildred even reciting an explosion spell filled her with complete horror. Constance smirked at the devastation she had created, she felt quite elated having blown something up.
"Ohhhhhhh," Mildred grumbled.
"Ask me in five years time Mildred, you might get a maybe out of me," Constance said strongly. "Right let's try something more accurate next. Mildred the benches and tin cans please," Constance requested.
Mildred pulled off two benches with 10 tin cans lined up on the top of each bench. They were a very simple firing range.
"Oh this looks good," Imogen said, particularly keen to blow stuff up.
"This one you are familiar with Mildred. Only this time we will deliberately try different strengths," Constance said. She had always wanted to go back to this potion after Mildred had created an explosion in her lab by spilling it over her hand.
"Oh no," Mildred explained nervously realising which potion it was.
"Confidence, Mildred. You are a different witch now," Constance said supportively. "Take the potion on your far left. I want you to paint one stroke onto your nail. You then aim a flick of the nail at the tin can you wish to hit," she explained patiently.
Mildred found the task far easier than before. She wasn't shaking and she wasn't nervous. She was controlled. She added one stroke to her nail. They each flicked their nails at the tin cans and blew them up. They vanished from the precise explosion that erupted on top of them.
"Oh wow!" Imogen exclaimed. She had not experienced the potion before.
"You can do that again," Constance said and watched them both execute it a second time perfectly. "Good, now add three brushes of the potion."
Imogen and Mildred flicked their fingers aiming for the third can. They took a large chunk out of the side of the bench and everything collapsed. The tin can they were aiming for was wiped out but most of the bench was along with it.
"Now if you dip your finger in the potion, you can see what that does," Constance said precisely.
Imogen and Mildred looked at each other. They knew what that might do and couldn't wait to find out. When they flicked their fingers the whole bench dissapeared. It was like shooting something with invisible ink. It popped as it hit and obliterated everything that was left.
"Some potion strengths are incredibly important to get right," Constance summarised. "Now you will need the imploding potion which is green, Mildred if you could lift two buildings from your page."
Mildred lifted the two identical houses she had drawn from her book and put them in front of them. She had based them on a detached house at the end of her street that all of the kids thought was haunted. It was lofty and grand, full of character and ever so slightly eerie, at least to her.
"I think this potion will likely surprise you. It is very powerful and very misleading," Constance said evenly. "This potion is applied on the object you wish to implode. What you need to do is take it and put three drops into the centre of your house. Mildred has drawn them so that you can step inside of them," Constance explained thoroughly. This was her favourite explosive potion because it looked so harmless until it wasn't.
Imogen and Mildred walked into their houses and put three drops of the potion inside of them. Mildred admired her handiwork as she did it. It was the first time she had created an interior with one of her drawings.
Constance equally looked impressed as the girl emerged from the house.
"Now the spell that activates the potion is very simple but it is a high level spell which I will not be passing on today," Constance said with a sidewards glance at Mildred. That made Mildred smile, her worst witch status still hung on in some ways, she was still a threat to the potion lab while she remained in Cackles. "So I will cast the spell," Constance said, raising her hands.
It was a little while before anything happened and then the whole house expanded out towards them. It was huge and bulbous, a total distortion of what it had been. Suddenly it shrunk down and collapsed in on itself until it disappeared with an almost inaudible pop. It had snapped back so quickly the air around it had been disturbed.
"Rather than explode when something implodes it blows in on itself and all traces of it are removed. Much tidier than an explosives potion," Constance said brightly.
"You like that one then," Imogen said with a smirk.
"It is tidy," Constance stated.
"It's mad," Mildred said, staring at the empty space.
"Theoretically if you were to drop that potion in the middle of the lake and had enough power to mobilise the spell you could empty the lake of all of its water," Constance explained.
"How much power?" Imogen asked.
"I might just be able to pull it off. But, a lot," Constance said.
"Wow!" Mildred said as she stared at the lake thoughtfully.
"Moving on to our final potion. This one has very few uses but I thought you might like it. It is an explosive colour splatter potion," Mildred and Imogen's eyes widened, the name sounded pretty exciting. "Mildred could you lift off the two clones I asked you to draw please." Mildred scrunched up her face as she pulled a clone of herself and one of Imogen out of her notebook. They stood staring at them.
"That's unnerving," Imogen said, looking at an exact duplicate of herself.
"Well I was reluctant to provide you with clones of myself. I think I have been coated in paint and gunge enough for one week," Constance said with a mildly acidic tone.
"Couldn't we have cloned people we don't like?" Mildred asked.
"We could, but clones of Ethel Hallow and Mistress Broomhead would also have been unsettling," Constance said.
Midlred laughed. That is probably who she would have drawn. Throwing a colour bomb at her sounded pretty magical. Imogen smiled, she might have considered Broomhead but she would never have chosen her with Constance standing there.
"What do we do?" Mildred asked, she had been waiting since they started to try this potion.
"You can either throw it directly at the clone and risk some injury as they are covered in colourful paint. Or you throw the potion near to the target and cast a spell to explode it's contents over the clone. Mildred you might be able to send a pulse of magic at it rather than a spell. It is all about aiming your shot accurately," Constance said. She waved her hand so that multiple bottles of potion appeared on their benches. "Imogen you can only try the direct approach yourself but I am happy to help you test the others."
"I don't know if I want to throw it straight at her!" Imogen said defensively. She didn't want to hurt her clone.
"Here," Constance said with a sigh, "give her this to drink," she said conjuring up a shield potion for the clone.
"Oh I can give mine one of those too," Mildred said, lifting the shield potion she had prepared before the battle off her notebook page.
"A useful experiment," Constance said approvingly.
Once the shield potions had been taken they tested the shields. Now fully protected the clones stood back by the lake and Imogen and Mildred threw their colour explosives at them.
The explosion was much bigger than they expected and the paint seemed almost to attack them like it was a weapon itself.
"That was louder than I expected," Constance said. "I have never mixed this potion before. It is meant to be used for identifying a target and making them traceable even if you lose track of them."
Imogen and Mildred stepped nearer their clones to take a closer look. "That paint is really thick," Imogen marvelled.
"Yeah it is proper painted on...weird!" Mildred said, prodding her clone's arm.
"Thank you!" The clone said, pulling her arm back with a frown.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Mildred said apologetically. "Miss, can we clean me...erm the clone off please?" she said quickly.
"Why is that Mildred," Constance asked, curious about the exchange.
"I just don't think she wants to be covered in paint," Mildred reasoned, "I don't want her to be," she added awkwardly.
"Very well," Constance said and cleaned both of the clones off with a water spray and drying spell.
"Are you alright?" Mildred asked the clones like a concerned parent.
"Fine," the clone of Imogen Drill said immediately.
"I'm alright," Mildred's clone said.
"We are going to do another one. But, this one will explode next to you...okay?" Mildred asked cautiously.
Imogen and Midlred's clone nodded. Satisfied that they were both okay Mildred returned to her position behind her bench. Constance smiled to herself at the young witch's concern about her drawings. Her bond with her magic was certainly based on love.
"Try a beam of magic to detonate the potion first Mildred," Constance said. "I will break yours Imogen. Aim for a couple of metres in front of them and off to one side. Imogen you go first"
Constance concentrated and watched as Imogen threw the potion, placing it perfectly. Constance exploded the potion with one precise beam. It exploded and the contents seemed to cover their prey like a homing beacon.
"It's like it knows where it is going and launches itself," Imogen watched fascinated.
"It does. Mildred try and throw yours further out and we will see what it does," Constance suggested.
Mildred threw the potion several metres away from the clone but missed with her beam of energy that hit a stray tree and halved it.
"Oh well...at least you didn't blast your clone," Constance said with a smirk. Mildred looked at her with a horrified expression and then frowned as she suppressed her annoyance.
Constance looked away. Mildred was fiercely defensive of her drawings and Constance didn't know whether she wanted to laugh or apologise such was the glare the young girl was giving her.
Mildred marched over to pick up the potion so she could try again.
"Keep calm Mildred. Magic and emotions become a potent mix," Constance warned delicately.
Mildred huffed to herself and then calmed down. She took in a few breaths and tried to clear her mind. She threw the potion bottle again and concentrated hard. This time she missed the bottle and sent a beam of magic straight at Imogen's clone. The girl apparated instantly to put herself in the way of the stray magic. Fortunately, Constance had done the same and shielded them both. The magic hit an invisible defence and dispersed.
Constance turned to look at her prodigy with a look of horror, "What on earth were you thinking!" she snapped in her most reprimanding and stark tone.
"I...I didn't," Mildred said sheepishly. She could see the anger dancing across her ex form-tutors eyes.
"She was just being protective, Constance. I doubt she had much time to consider her actions," Imogen interjected lightly.
"You MUST ALWAYS consider your actions," Constance almost bellowed. "If I had not been here!"
"But you were here" Imogen said softly. "You were here, Constance."
Constance looked at the PE teacher, noted the tone, and attempted to relax her own 'fight response'. She was livid with the girl but she was also relieved.
"She is a drawing Mildred. I know she is connected to you through your magic, but she cannot be harmed...not really. And more to the point she is protected by a shield potion" Constance tried to explain.
"I can feel their discomfort, she was scared," Mildred said firmly but she did have to admit she had forgotten about the shield potion.
"Alright...no more clones," Constance said, listening to Mildred's tone.
"Could you explode the potion near me? Would it hurt?" Imogen asked carefully.
"You wish to volunteer, Imogen," Constance asked, raising one eyebrow.
"If it is safe...I would quite like to know what it feels like...can it be removed okay?" Imogen said feeling a little less brave as she thought it through.
"It is water soluble. It shouldn't be but I tweaked the mixture...just in case of any...accidents," Constance said trying not to look at Mildred.
"Okay Mildred, third time's the charm," Imogen said as she marched towards the lake to assume her position.
"Miss Drill!" Constance commanded, "please take this." She said handing her a shield potion she had just conjured up from the lab.
"Ah...good idea," Imogen said, feeling reckless.
Mildred stood looking at Imogen. She could do this. She threw the potion and imagined the point on the bottle she wanted to hit with her magic. She concentrated hard and imagined the magic hitting. It did. The bottle exploded and although it was metres away from Imogen the paint honed in on her and covered her from head to toe.
"Excellent!" Constance said happily. It was the most excited she had been all morning. Imogen knew it was more likely because she was covered in paint than because Mildred had succeeded. But, you never knew with the potion queen.
"Yes!" Mildred said celebrating.
They gathered around Imogen to observe how dense the paint was.
"It is really really dense, and hard. It is like a cast around me. It is harder to move my arms. What does it look like?" Imogen asked, amused.
"Really really colourful. Like rainbow sick," Mildred stated.
"Oh nice!" Imogen said laughing.
"I think the look suits you Imogen," Constance said dryly.
"I'm sure you do. Would you like a turn?" Imogen toyed with the deputy.
"I think I will pass, thank you," Constance said unamused.
"Oh Miss...you should. I could try the spell this time," Mildred urged her.
"You may use a clone of me if you are using the spell, Mildred," Constance stated.
"But that's not the same," Mildred said with the hint of a sulk.
"It is all you are getting," Constance said, narrowing her eyes.
"Fine!" Mildred exclaimed, "I will use a clone," she said. "What is the spell?"
"It is very simple, but you do have to say it quickly and as the potion leaves your hand," Constance instructed, "Paint trace, start thy chase."
"I think I can manage that," Mildred said.
"Let's not hold our breath," Constance said with a level of derision that hadn't been prevalent for a few days.
Mildred looked like it had caught her off guard and Imogen scowled at her colleague.
Mildred and Imogen went and stood behind the bench where Constance was waiting. Mildred looked through her notebook and a small smirk leapt to her face.
She lifted a clone of HB out of her book and waited for her audience to notice.
"Mildred Hubble, put that back on it's page immediately," Constance demanded.
The clone of HB in a tutu with ear phones in had appeared in front of them and seemed to be dancing to a tune.
Imogen laughed hard at the scene in front of them.
"But you said I could use a clone," Mildred said innocently as she prepared to throw a potion.
"Not that one!" Constance said furiously.
"But she looks so happy, Constance...I wonder what she's listening to?" Imogen laughed. She knew there would be repercussions but it really was too amusing not to enjoy. "And who knew you would suit a tutu!"
Constance glared at Imogen as though she was on the verge of destroying her with death ray vision.
Mildred threw the potion and spoke the spell and was thoroughly elated when it worked. The dancing, tutu clad clone of HB was now covered in paint and looking at them in surprise.
Constance attempted to vanish the clone but she apparated before the two streams of green energy could hit her. She stood behind Mildred as though she were using the girl as a shield.
"I see you have managed to upset the ice queen!" the clone said to Mildred.
"That's you," Mildred reminded the clone.
"That's an uptight me...I am a little less rigid, which you know very well" the clone said looking offended.
"Yeah...sorry," Mildred said, wondering what on earth she had created here. "Miss, I think the clothing and the music have changed...her...your personality." Mildred said reporting this finding to her teacher in hope that she might find that useful.
"Fascinating, Mildred. Please get rid of her," Constance demanded.
Mildred looked at Imogen who nodded her head encouraging her to put the drawing back where it belonged.
"Hope she isn't too much of a buzz kill," the clone said with an eye roll before she returned back to the page.
"Did I just say...buzz kill," Constance asked disapprovingly.
Mildred nodded her head, she didn't dare say anything else.
Imogen let out a final laugh that rolled around the silence like a giant bowling ball. Constance glared at her. "That's right Imogen, laugh it up," she said. "May I remind you that as of next week you will be back in my classroom and rules will be much tighter," she said threateningly.
"Well I will deal with that next week," Imogen said with another laugh at the thought of Constance in a tutu.
"Let me wash that paint off for you," Constance said and apparated Imogen into the lake.
Imogen was initially startled and then seemed to refuse to give her colleague any satisfaction. "Oh thanks Constance, that's much easier," she said brightly. She plunged herself under the water and felt the tight paint lift off instantly. Once she was clean she walked out of the water, "much better, that paint was quite restrictive actually."
On Friday they didn't dance in the rain:
A disgruntled Constance Hardbroom woke up and decided to focus on her magic on Friday morning. She went to the lake and spent two hours connecting to her greatest love. She was contemplating the week. It had been a rollercoaster of activities and emotions.
At times she had felt very awkward like control and routine had abandoned her. She felt foreign to many of the habits Mildred and Imogen seemed so used to. They looked comfortable in their own skins and what was she...she was different. Then there were moments where she felt her barriers relax and she blended in. She felt comfortable and as though she belonged. She had enjoyed surprising them both and venturing out of her comfort zone. But the dread of sticking out and feeling self-conscious had always been there. She prefered to have clear boundaries and set clear expectations.
She had spent much of the morning reassuring herself that she was still Constance Hardbroom. She needed to ground herself and reconnect to her magic on her terms.
Suddenly, Mildred appeared beside her. Constance didn't flinch. Her magic was so intune that she had felt her student arrive.
"Good morning, Mildred," Constance said evenly.
"Good morning, Miss," Mildred replied, observing the formal tone. "Miss Drill was concerned about you...and so was I," Mildred said to explain her arrival.
"I see," Constance said. Mildred didn't really need to explain, her motivations were obvious.
"We erm...we thought you might like to teach a potion class today," Mildred said, feeling incredibly exposed.
Constance raised an eyebrow at her student. She didn't say anything and let the silence settle between them. She felt the girl grow in discomfort and fight for the right words to say.
"We, well actually I, thought you might like a bit of your routine back," Mildred said carefully. She very much felt like she was right but the silence had freaked her out.
"I just wanted a little time to think," Constance said. "I will not deny that your observations are well judged," she said, putting her student at ease. "I wanted to find a way to finish the week without undoing our more enjoyable moments," she said, picking her words very carefully.
"What did you have planned originally?" Mildred asked more boldly now she realised they had some rapport going.
"Today was going to finish with fireworks and I planned on letting you pick an activity. I thought we might dance in the rain...but I don't think…" Constance said lightly.
"That is your scene," Mildred said with a flat smile.
"Indeed," Constance stated, extending the vowels so that single word communicated an awful lot.
"Can we please do the fireworks?" Mildred half begged.
Constance looked at the girl with amusement, "yes Mildred if that is what you want."
"Yes, please," Mildred said happily.
They stood looking out over the lake in silence for a few moments. Neither of them were clear what they would do next so they appreciated the scenery.
"Miss," Mildred said as she took out her notebook and tore two pages from it. "I think it is time I got rid of these," she said, showing HB the drawing of her in a tutu and the one of Mistress Broomhead.
Constance smiled at her. Mildred muttered her spell and they both watched each drawing in turn be destroyed by a purple magical fire. Mildred returned the notebook to her pocket. She felt a pang of sadness over losing the one of HB.
"What did you want to achieve this week?" Mildred asked out of the blue.
Constanced eyed her wise friend with a surprised expression. It was an astute question and one she had been deliberating all morning.
"Good question, Mildred," Constance said as she looked out over the lake for inspiration. "I wanted to rebel against her teachings," she stated as that was the part she understood. What she hadn't figured out was how she could do that.
"So she didn't let you have any fun, be creative, or use your imagination," Mildred said, trying to list what she thought Mistress Broomhead would have frowned upon.
"Yes," Constance agreed.
"Or show any emotion," Mildred said more quietly.
"She didn't like emotion playing a role in magic. That is the part you have taught me to reconsider," Constance said.
"Maybe…" Mildred hesitated because she didn't want to sound foolish. "Maybe you should do what you want to do instead of thinking about me and Miss Drill."
Constance sighed. "I did think that myself," Constance admitted, annoyed that Mildred's insights were once again right on the money. "But Hecketty also hated friendship. She saw any connections with others as unnecessary displays of weakness. She used them to exploit people and control them. And without you two...well I am stronger because of our...we are a team," she said more passionately finally landing on the right words.
They stood in silence once more.
"I am overthinking it," Constance said finally. "Let's go for a walk...and a picnic," she suggested.
Mildred beamed at the idea. It was so simple.
"First, I want you to apparate us back into the courtyard," Constance requested very much hitting her stride again.
"Both of us!" Mildred exclaimed.
"You have to do it sometime and why not now. The courtyard is a big target, your magic is strong after a good night's rest and I am a very capable witch," Constance asserted.
"But...how do I?" Mildred asked.
"You imagine two boxes and supply two ticks," Constance said in a language Mildred understood. "It will feel heavy and alien. I will feel like a lead weight that you are dragging through time. But, I think you can do it Mildred."
Mildred looked at her teacher with wide eyes. Apparating with baggage was one thing but with Constance Hardbroom! That was a big deal.
"Stop thinking. We have both done enough of that this morning," Constance demanded. "Let's go."
Constance didn't look like she had a worry in the world.
Mildred grabbed her hand because she noticed her tutor do that at times and it felt right. She felt anchored to something strong.
She closed her eyes and imagined the courtyard. She didn't visualise the boxes this time, she just imagined herself and her teacher stood in the space. She imagined seeing a hint of pride in HB's eyes and feeling a glow of warmth. She felt the journey and the weight of the person she was responsible for. It was the responsibility that weighed heavy.
As Mildred opened her eyes she saw the glint of pride in the eyes of the woman beside her, as she had hoped for.
"Very good," Constance said as though she had ticked something off her shopping list. "Now, shall we stop Imogen from worrying?"
Mildred beamed. She would have liked a small party to celebrate what she had just achieved, but cheering up Imogen would have to do.
Constance transported them to the Staff Room to save the walk.
"Imogen, you look anxious, it doesn't suit you," Constance said crisply.
Imogen was pacing and nearly walked into Mildred.
"Constance!" Imogen said relieved.
"We are going for a walk and a picnic. Would you like to join us so Mildred and I are conscious of our slow walking pace throughout?" Constance asked.
"Erm...yes," Imogen said, "not that I walk that fast."
They walked, talked and ate a picnic by the lake. When they were done Mildred convinced them to go on another horse ride and was beyond excited when Constance agreed. Magic, Night Ninja, and Ronaldo were as affectionate as ever and this time when it was time for them to be returned to their stables the drawing was placed in the school safe. The horses had touched their hearts so deeply that it was deemed the safest place for them to enjoy a restful slumber until they were able to ride them again.
"Right, you and I are going to the Great Hall to top our magic up," Constance said to Mildred. "Imogen, I believe you are in charge of putting food on the table this evening?"
"I am. Mildred's favourite," Imogen grinned and disappeared to the kitchens.
Constance and Mildred topped up their magic in the Great Hall. HB wasn't taking any chances before the evening's entertainment.
"Miss, can I try a firework tonight?" Mildred asked hopefully.
"No Mildred, not until we have gauged your magical levels more accurately," Constance said sternly. She saw the girl's expression fall. "I will allow you to do your own display at the end of your holiday if you work diligently from now until then," she added to soften the blow.
That swiftly restored Mildred's good mood.
When they reached the kitchens they found pizza laid out on the table.
"Pizza!" Mildred said happily.
"Yes more fat and carbohydrates," Constance remarked with derision.
Imogen and Mildred ignored her and tucked in. Constance had a substantial side salad with hers and frowned when she saw how much pizza the other two put away.
Imogen had also opened a bottle of white wine which was flowing down nicely.
They made their way outside and enjoyed a short walk out to the lake in the evening. The night air was cool against their faces but not too cold. The air hummed with the soft rustles of wildlife that came alive at night.
"I have prepared quite a marathon of a fireworks display. This potion I will show you before you leave Mildred. You can put fireworks displays to music. I have chosen classical. It matches the explosions and crescendos to the mood and intensity of the music. Each potion is different and relies upon patience and planning. A few spells and magical cues on the night and you have quite a spectacular lights show," Constance said confidently.
"Constance, when have you used fireworks before?" Imogen asked curiously.
"I was tasked with doing a display at college for our graduation because I was the Head Witch of our year," Constance stated.
"And naturally yours had to be perfect," Imogen jibed.
"Naturally," Constance agreed.
The fireworks display was simply breathtaking. The classical music was moving. The way the explosions and streams of colour responded to each note was awe inspiring. Mildred and Imogen had never seen a fireworks display like it. It was emotive, powerful and a complete sensory overload.
Constance stood like a conductor sending out small flashes of magic to set off a chain of events or stimulate the display to expand, retreat, pulse or soften. She looked as though she was feeling the music and allowing her magic to express itself with colour and what could only be described as imaginative and dramatic flare.
When she was done she looked elated as well as tired. She drained her wine glass and looked to the others for feedback. She didn't really need it because Imogen and Mildred both looked as though they had just had one of life's special, unforgettable moments. Constance smiled amusedly at them both.
"You two are doing a striking impression of two gormless cousins," Constance smirked. She was already in the process of filling her and Imogen's wine glasses up.
They were speechless.
"Miss," Mildred finally spoke, "why haven't you ever done that for the school?" she asked, "it was so amazing," she beamed.
"Because you come to learn magic, not watch mine," Constance said with a frown at the very prospect of doing that in front of the school.
"She has a point. They would love it, Constance, it was so inspiring and moving," Imogen said.
"I haven't done that since college. It's quite...well I don't want it to be a party trick. It's for special…" Constance trailed off because she wasn't sure what the most suitable words were and she didn't want to dilute it.
"This is a special moment and that was a very special demonstration of your magic and strength," Imogen said.
"Yes my magic is mine and that shows it to everyone," Constance admitted.
"I think you chose the right moment to give us a glimpse of your magical...soul?" Imogen queried her word choice.
Constance smiled and nodded appreciatively for the summary.
"So do you think you can beat that, Mildred?" Constance asked.
"No!" Milddred said looking utterly aghast.
"I think you can. Compassion and courage are powerful ingredients, if you can learn the patience and the planning involved in creating the potion I think your display will be just as magical as my own," Constance said smiling, she was quite eager to see what Mildred was capable of.
Mildred nodded her head. She couldn't argue with the fact that she was excited about the prospect of trying to do a fireworks display. That might be the coolest thing that she had ever seen in her entire life. And considering the week of cool things she had just seen and done that was saying something.
Mildred was starting to hug herself as it was getting cold out. "Miss, can we go back inside now, I'm cold," Mildred said.
Constance nodded her head and transported them back to the kitchens.
"I'm going to bed," Mildred said with a yawn. "I haven't seen much of Tabby all week so he is probably sulking."
"We will see you at breakfast, Mildred. Thank you for a nice day to end the week," Constance said with her trademark nod. Mildred ignored the nod and stepped forward to hug her teacher. Constance looked surprised and patted her back in an awkward fashion.
Imogen tried not to laugh as she watched the exchange.
"Night Mildred," Imogen said as she stepped forward and hugged Mildred.
"Night Miss," the girl replied and then skipped upstairs to her room.
"Those fireworks were really something else," Imogen said.
"I am glad you enjoyed them," Constance said lightly.
"They were really powerful...it felt emotional," Imogen pressed.
"It was," Constance said. "I felt a lot of emotion and projected it into the display," she admitted as she swirled the wine around her glass.
"You rebelled," Imogen said.
"I did. She would be turning in her grave," Constance said and held her glass up. "To celebrating magic, expressing emotion, and burying a bully," she offered as a toast.
Imogen raised her glass silently in salute of the toast which they both then drank to.
"What was your favourite bit about this week?" Constance asked.
"Getting to know the hidden Constance Hardbroom a little better," Imogen said gently, "and the horse riding...I got very attached to Ronaldo!"
"Yes Night Ninja, what a preposterous name, made an impression on me too," Constance said. "I enjoyed quite a few things but just spending time with people without any expectations...it was pleasant," Constance said carefully.
"I think we all needed it," Imogen said.
Constance smiled. The week had made them very content.
"Are you looking forward to teaching lessons next week?" Imogen asked curiously.
"More than I care to admit to," Constance said.
"Really!" Imogen was surprised.
"I like teaching," Constance said with a frown.
Imogen laughed. "Will you ease us in gently?"
"Sometimes, Imogen, I don't think you know me at all," Constance laughed darkly.
"Well I know enough and you can't blame me for hoping for a little Softbroom next week," Imogen said giggling. "That wine has gone to my head!"
"We are on our third bottle! I am still sober enough to drop you in the lake if you ever say that name out loud again," Constance warned. She didn't need another nickname and certainly not that one.
"Don't be mean," Imogen protested.
Constance just glared.
"So do you think you slayed some demons this week?" Imogen asked.
"I do. I expect there is more to discuss but I feel less burdened than I was," Constance admitted.
"You have been brave. I admire you Constance, for what you tackled this week. Your coconut shy score was truly impressive," Imogen said with a light grin. She was trying to praise her without making her feel awkward.
"I stepped out of my comfort zone," Constance admitted, acknowledging Imogen's message. "I don't think I could have knocked off a single coconut if it wasn't for you and Mildred," she added.
"That's what friends are for," Imogen smiled.
"Apparently so," Constance said, matching Imogen's smile.
They ended a changeable but fun week on a high. Nobody quite knew what to expect in the week to come. Constance knew how she would approach it, the same as she approached anything, with tradition and professionalism. The question remained, could Mildred and Imogen fall back into line, or would HB have a fight on her hands?
There will be a few more chapters than I originally planned. Hopefully they will not dilute the story and you will enjoy it's conclusion. Thank you for reading everyone, I lost both of my boxer dogs in May and they have left quite a hole. Writing has brought me a lot of comfort and I have cherished your reviews as we have gone along. Hope you are all safe and well.