I don't own The Worst Witch :)
"You look glum", remarked Enid as she sat down opposite Mildred at the breakfast table. "I'm guessing your lesson with HB didn't go so well today."
"I turned the mouse into a frog" came the monotone reply.
"That's great, Millie", said Maud looking genuinely overjoyed.
"Yeah, but it went south from there". Mildred explained how she had not been able to perform the Green Magic her family was known for.
"To be honest Millie, I'm not great with plants and flowers either, there's no Green Magic in my family, but mum says I've just got to keep practising and I'll get better like she did".
"Have you ever caused a plant to explode?"
"No"
Mildred was silent a moment scooping up runny porridge with her spoon before letting it splash back into the bowl,
"During the holidays Miss Hardbroom said that magic feels differently to every witch. How does your magic feel?"
Maud's eyes lit up as she explained it felt like the comforting, fuzzy feeling she got when she'd eaten something really yummy and sugary, like a warm chocolate cake. Enid described the exhilarating feeling of running as fast as she could with the wind in her face and her pulse racing.
"What's it like for you?" Enid asked.
Mildred thought for a few seconds, it wasn't anything like having just eaten chocolate cake or running fast. It was more like... "Calm", she said at last, "but sometimes frightening, like….." she thought of the giant wave in the bath "…like holding back the tide."
Maud and Enid sniggered at that.
"Why is that funny? What have I said?"
"Oh I'm sorry Millie", Maud said trying compose herself, "it's just you make yourself sound extremely powerful".
…...
"She hates me"
"No she doesn't, now sit down, you're making me nervous"
Hecate sat in the comfortable armchair opposite Ada. The office was cosy and warm, a bit like Ada herself in her deep pink knitted jumper and the natural warmth she gave out to everyone. Once Hecate had settled herself down, she felt better just being in the other witch's company.
"So, she couldn't make the plant grow?"
Hecate shook her head.
"And when she composed herself after a period of meditation, the plant exploded?"
"That's correct"
"And her mother definitely had a gift for that magic?"
The younger witch nodded.
"I must say, it's strange, but we know her magic is underdeveloped and fragile. Even Green Magic may just be too difficult, and it was only her first lesson".
"How can I teach her Audrey's magic when I don't know how it is supposed to feel?"
"Have you tried asking Mildred?"
"No"
"Then I think you should. She's had some successes with the frog transformation and the bubbles you told me about. She must have some idea by now. It may be a good learning exercise for her to verbalise how it feels to you"
"Yes. Thank you, Ada. I will"
"Is that all?"
"No, Headmistress, there is something else. Hecate looked as though she didn't know how to begin." At last she said, "we should think about what will happen if Mildred cannot pass the test and she is sent away".
"Oh it won't…."
"Please Ada, she cut in. It may indeed come to that and if it does there should be no disruption to the academy".
"I don't follow"
"If Mildred must live in the non-magical world, then I go too"
It was not exactly a surprise for Ada to hear this, but she had chosen to simply ignore this probable outcome. She knew Hecate would not lose Mildred again, but the thought of the school without the deputy she had come to depend on was impossible to contemplate and it wasn't just that. Ada had always been there when Hecate needed her, how would she fair in a strange world without her. She wiped away tears from her eyes.
"You know you can't live in the non-magical world and keep your magic?"
"Of course I know, Ada. I know it won't be easy, but I'll have Mildred to help me. I'll be fine." Hecate got up from her armchair and knelt next to the headmistress. "I know you'll worry about me, but I will be all right".
Ada put her arms around the younger witch's shoulders. She couldn't stop herself, the older woman cried a flood of tears.
…..
It had been a long day for Mildred, but when the end of school bell rang, she knew it wasn't over yet. She walked slowly to the potions laboratory, her heart hammering. She'd lost her temper because she'd been tired, and she'd spoken to her aunt badly. She hadn't deserved it. All she was trying to do was help her keep her magic.
As she approached the laboratory door, Miss Hardbroom appeared outside of it dressed in her black cloak and pointed hat. "Mildred", she said with a smile, "I thought we could take a walk in the grounds."
"Okay", said Mildred relieved, she had expected lines at the very least for her poor behaviour.
With a click of Hecate's fingers, Mildred found herself dressed in her own black school cloak and hat.
Once outside in the fresh air Hecate spoke first, "I'm sorry about this morning"
"For what?"
"I lost my temper"
"I thought I lost mine. I was rude to you. I'm sorry"
"I understand how it feels when certain magic doesn't come easily"
"You?" said Mildred, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"There is no Green Magic in my family, it used to feel very unnatural, but I've had years of practise and now I can do it easily. it was only your first lesson, you will get there".
"I was trying this morning, honestly"
"I know you were. Mildred, may I ask you, what does your magic feel like?"
The girl didn't want to tell her. Maud and Enid had made her feel silly and she didn't want Hecate to think the same. "I don't know how it feels, I'm sorry"
"Don't worry, Mildred", she said wrapping her in her arms with her thick cloak shielding the girl from the cold late April breeze. "We'll have a break from lessons tomorrow morning. You should have an early night tonight".