"Mildred what are you doing?" Miss Hardbroom demanded sharply. "Actually don't answer that because I know exactly what you are doing. You are daydreaming, staring off into space, wasting your time, killing your brain cells, failing at your chosen task and frustrating me once again!"
"Or...she is just having a tiny rest," Imogen interjected.
Mildred had snapped out of her daydream and was watching Miss Hardbroom round on Miss Drill as though she had just slapped her across the face.
"Miss Drill...if I wanted your opinion, which I most certainly do not, I would ask for it. In my classroom, my observations are not up for debate, they are quite simply fact!" Miss Hardbroom said with icy precision.
"Oh Constance, I think you could do with a rest," Imogen said back casually. She could see HB getting more and more wound up but part of her enjoyed winding her up and the other part of her really enjoyed winding her up.
"Silence!" Miss Hardbroom ordered and gave Miss Drill a lingering threatening glare. The PE teacher knew if she breathed too loudly she was getting transported out of the Great Hall and lectured for an hour on classroom etiquette. She smiled to herself and remained silent.
"Mildred you may go and practice your routine now if you wish for tomorrow night. It will not be the same in daylight but a run through is advisable. You are dismissed," Miss Hardrboom said. The girl might frustrate her still at times but there was no denying she had put the work in this week. Her drawings had been refined and they now knew how long they lasted under different circumstances. They also knew exactly how much magic she was capable of.
Her magical routine was quite gruelling but many aspects of it would be enjoyable to her once she became familiar with them. She had one more run through to do before HB would be fully satisfied. Add to that her apparation exam, not that she would tell her about that one until it was time, and Mildred would leave Cackle's a very capable and controlled witch.
"Yes, Miss," Mildred said and practically raced out of the Great Hall. She had wanted to practice her fireworks display all day, preferably without an audience.
"You see, she is full of energy now," Miss Hardbroom said sarcastically.
Miss Drill rolled her eyes. She always had to have the last word.
"I take it I am staying so you can remind me who is boss!" Miss Drill said in a confrontational tone.
"I would like to finish the day with a quick fire quiz to make sure you are prepared for tomorrow," Miss Hardrboom said evenly. "I don't think you need a reminder of who is boss, that much is obvious."
"Your magic makes you bossy, it doesn't make you the boss," Miss Drill corrected her.
"I am the teacher, you are the student. I am the Deputy, you are the teacher. I am the one setting the exams, you are the one taking them. Now if you have done pouting shall we get on Imogen?" Constance said crisply.
Miss Drill jumped off her stool and went and stood in Miss Hardbroom's face.
"Just so you know, we find you far more frustrating and annoying than you find either of us!" She said with defiance, clasped her fists and relaxed them.
"I sincerely doubt that," Miss Hardbroom said derisorily.
"Stick your quiz up your uptight arse!" Imogen demanded and marched past Constance.
Constance apparated and appeared in Imogen's path.
"Wait," she commanded. Imogen stopped and glared at her. "I think you might have had enough of my methods and I do understand. You are not a pupil. You are my colleague. Just thirty minutes more Imogen and you will only have the exams to go. Then you have a week off," Constance urged in her firm but considerably fairer tone.
"Not one sarcastic word," Imogen said through gritted teeth.
"Not one," Constance promised.
Imogen returned to her stool having proven in an instant exactly who the boss was, at least on that occasion.
Constance fired question after question at her until she was satisfied Imogen was fully prepared for the exams. Imogen didn't know it yet but Constance had made sure she was ready for level one, two, and three. She would be sitting three exams the following day and quite likely passing them. That would make her a middle weight potion witch which was impressive and carried a notable level of prestige with it.
"You can go and tell Mildred I said that you can miss out the Witch's Code revision this evening. You should both get early nights," Constance said gently. "Assuming you will be running out that way."
"I will," Imogen said and walked out of the Great Hall with a residue of huffyness about her.
Constance tidied away the work benches and laid out exam tables ready for the morning. She wanted Mildred to sit her apparition theory while Imogen did her level 1 exam. Then she would need a clone to cover Imogen's level 2 while Mildred went through her apparition practical and magical routine with her. Assuming she could maintain a clone while being particularly active herself.
She didn't make much of Imogen's outburst. Her friend was nervous and wished to pick a fight. She would talk to her later. She hoped Friday would go perfectly for both of them, she cared about them too much for it not to.
"I thought I might find you here. I notice during term time when you need space you come to this bench," Constance said as she approached Imogen and sat on the bench in the courtyard.
"I thought I was invisible out here" Imogen replied with an element of surprise at Constance's observations.
"I have considered a few times over our history of teaching here whether I should walk over and attempt to apologise. I was always too stubborn. Though I knew when you were right," Constance said in a slightly sad and delicate tone.
"Is that why you have come now?" Imogen asked.
"No," Constance said simply, "I don't think I was too different to my normal level of HB today. I think you are scared about tomorrow and in turn less tolerant of my methods," Constance explained.
"Yes, you were hard to tolerate," Imogen said with distant annoyance. "But, no harder than normal. I just haven't done an exam for many years. I don't want to disappoint...anyone," Imogen confessed.
"You can't," Constance stated. "Don't think of it as an exam, think of it as another quiz. I have thrown more questions at you in the last two weeks than I have any student. You have answered the majority of them correctly. I know you are ready. Have confidence."
"Confidence and control," Imogen smiled as she said them, "you should have that tattooed onto you," she laughed.
"Certainly not," Constance replied with indignation.
"I will get you a hoodie printed," Imogen said laughing again.
"Why must you insist on poking fun at me to make yourself feel better?" Constance asked.
"Because your repertoire of facial expressions makes me very happy," Imogen said grinning.
"I suppose I should be thankful that you are smiling," Constance said with a miffed expression.
"You should," Imogen said. As she stood up she kissed Constance affectionately on the forehead. "Thank you Constance, I will have more confidence in myself," Imogen said. "I am going to get an early night."
"Good night," a somewhat perplexed Constance responded.
Constance sat on the bench a little while longer considering the PE teacher, the kiss on her forehead, and the conversation they had just had. She had put a very tired Mildred to bed already with a restorative potion and sleeping draught after her fireworks display rehearsal had left her quite drained. They had certainly given her their all.
She sat in the courtyard remembering Imogen and Mildred's first days. She had not been kind to either of them. In fact, she had not been kind to either of them for the first years of their Cackle's journey. Not that her behaviour perturbed them. She actually thought they pushed back harder because of it. They had been fighters from the first moment they came through Cackle's gates. Tomorrow was not in question because neither of them failed. They had never been knocked down and failed to get up. Quite the opposite. They had been knocked down often and got up more times than Constance could count.
As she transported herself to her room she had a smile on her face. She knew the outcome as clearly as if she could look forward in time. Tomorrow might shape up to be the best day of her life. Mistress Broomhead's legacy would be disproved, set alright, and cast into the ether one last time. The worst witch could triumph and emerge the best and the non-witch could wield magic and prove just as valuable as any witch ever had.
Friday morning had arrived. Imogen's nerves were present but they were being held at bay by her determination to grasp hold of her dream. Mildred walked with her into the Great Hall for one last time totally oblivious of the exam she was about to take! She didn't know what she was meant to be doing and secretly hoped she might be left to her own devices while Imogen sat her exam.
"Good morning, ladies," Miss Hardbroom said with a serious but almost approachable tone. There was the faintest hint of a smile. It was probably aiming to put them at ease but it weirded them out slightly instead.
"Morning," they said, glancing over at the exam tables.
"You will both be sitting exams this morning. Mildred, I requested a clandestine apparition theory exam for you and Imogen you will begin with your level 1 potions exam," Miss Hardbroom said in an even tone so she was fully understood.
"What?" Mildred said aghast, she hadn't prepared for any exam.
"Don't worry Mildred. You will have covered the relevant witch's codes and I have instilled in you all of the information you require to pass that exam. I did not want to ruin your holiday by announcing it. It will be over in one hour if you think you can handle that?" Miss Hardbroom asked with patience, well what might just qualify as patience to someone who didn't know her at all.
"Errrr...yeah, okay," Mildred said, stumbling for words.
"Very articulate," Miss Hardbroom commented derisorily. Imogen frowned at her but was too preoccupied to start anything. "Please take your seats," the commanding voice of Miss Hardbroom echoed around the room.
They took their seats and Miss Hardbroom started the timer after some final instructions. The room then fell deathly silent.
Miss Drill turned over her paper and quickly scanned through the twenty questions. She smiled and started writing her answers down on the answer paper provided. Mildred turned over her exam with a furrowed brow and a churning stomach. As she read through the first few questions her frown eased and she looked deep in concentration as she began to write down her answers.
"Time is up," Miss Hardrboom said one hour later. "Remain silent until I have collected your papers."
The moment she had collected the pages and vanished them into the ether Mildred and Miss Drill exchanged experiences.
"What was the apparition exam like?" Miss Drill asked first.
"Tedious. It went on and on about codes and being responsible. It was all of the boring stuff that HB never shuts up about," Mildred said as quietly as she could. Miss Hardbroom was at the front of the Hall preparing some equipment.
"Mine was similar but it also asked for lists of ingredients and the order of some potion processes. To be honest I found it fairly straight forward," Miss Drill said as she kept her fingers crossed.
"That was the longest hour of my life," Mildred said dramatically.
"Well we have the rest of the day to top that now don't we," Miss Hardbroom snapped as she entered the conversation. "I take it you both found the exams straight forward?"
"Yes," they replied in agreement.
"Good. Your next exam is a practical Miss Drill. It is a two hour one as you know and I have laid a bench out with everything you will need. Mildred I would like you to lift a clone of me off to invigilate Miss Drill's exam. We can then go through your routine outdoors a final time," Miss Hardbroom requested.
"You are going to leave me with a clone?" Miss Drill asked, surprised.
"She will be a carbon copy of me and will carry out the duty exactly how I would. Mildred's magic might even make her more inclined to smile occasionally if you are fortunate," HB smirked.
It was always unnerving when she semi-mocked herself. Miss Drill looked at Mildred as though they were silently communicating their inability to gauge whether they should laugh, frown or ignore her. They chose to remain silent. It was safer.
Mildred lifted off the clone who got straight to work setting out Miss Drill's exam as HB brought her up to speed on what was expected of her. A nod from Mildred was all she needed to perform the task seamlessly.
"Right we will be by the lake should you need us. We will return on the hour to replace this clone with a fresh version to ensure the two hours are covered without disruption," Miss Hardbroom said clearly.
"Good luck," Mildred got out before they both vanished from the room.
They materialised in the courtyard. Usually, they did her routine by the lake.
"Right Mildred. Unfortunately to pass your apparition course and receive a certificate and a qualification that should be well beyond your years, you have to complete a thirty minute unassisted apparition practical," Miss Hardbroom broke the bad news swiftly. She actually looked a little guilty.
"But you said…" Mildred started.
"I know Midlred. I'm sorry. I wanted you to do this. It will protect you if you apparate accidentally or fail to keep your talents underwraps. It ensures that Ms Fox can step in to protect you should the need arise," Miss Hardbroom explained.
"Oh fine," Mildred said exasperated by it all.
"I understand that this is your break and I know I have pushed my luck. I am trying to protect you Mildred. The exam can be quite gruelling but I would not have suggested it if I didn't think you were ready," Miss Hardbroom said sensitively.
Mildred considered her words and realised she was patiently awaiting her response.
"I don't mind," Mildred stated. "If you think I need it then I probably do."
Miss Hardbroom smiled at her.
"One more thing, Mildred. I am not qualified as an apparition invigilator. Ms Fox has agreed to reside over your practical exam and will be arriving shortly," Miss Hardbroom said with what looked without any doubt like a guilty and apologetic expression. It looked bizarre on her face that was for sure.
"That better be the last surprise," Mildred said stubbornly, finally reaching her limit.
"It is," Miss Hardbroom stated.
She was saved by the arrival of Ms Glendar Fox into the courtyard. It was not often that HB needed saving but she was secretly pleased by the timing of the arrival.
"Ah Mildred, and Miss Hardbroom," Ms Fox said formally, adjusting for the context of her visit. "How lovely to see you both, how do you feel about this Mildred?"
"Nervous," Mildred said, quite intimidated by the two powerful witches observing her.
"No need. I am quite certain you have the skill required," Ms Fox assured her. "Shall we get it over with quickly?" She asked, making sure Mildred was ready.
"Okay," Mildred agreed.
"Miss Hardbroom, would you like to invigilate and I will serve as a secondary?" Ms Fox asked and HB looked shocked. She assumed the senior witch would take command.
"Of course," Miss Hardbroom said as she composed herself.
Ms Fox stood off to one side and watched the proceedings.
"Mildred your exam starts now. For your first task I would like you to apparate from one blue cone to the other," Miss Hardbroom requested.
Mildred carried out the task with ease.
"Now I would like you to apparate in front, behind, to the left and then to the right of the nearest cone. Stand for four seconds between each apparition" her teacher commanded.
Mildred carried out the second task with ease.
She was then asked to apparate from one cone to the next, collecting the cones as she went. She did 10 jumps in total and picked up the last clone before awaiting further instruction. That test was clearly designed to see if the student could carry objects.
"Whilst holding the cones I would like you to apparate to the other side of the gate, stand for four seconds and then return here," Miss Hardbroom asked.
This time when Mildred apparated and materialised she saw HB stood on the other side of the gate with her. When she returned her teacher returned too.
"Journey completed," Miss Hardbroom said to Ms Fox clearly.
"Now we will test your ability to apparate over longer distances. I would like you to apparate to the edge of the lake, hold for four seconds, and return," Miss Hardbroom requested.
Miss Hardbroom followed her student once again and recorded the journey completed again. It seemed that the invigilator had to be capable of apparating to assess the exam properly.
Mildred was asked to apparate into the kitchens, the library, the Staff Room, to the edge of the woods and finally into the Broomstick shed which was a squeeze. She performed each apparition perfectly with HB watching her every move.
"Finally, we will test your ability to carry others with you," Miss Hardbroom said and at those words Ms Fox stepped forward and stood beside Mildred.
Again, HB looked surprised that Ms Fox was prepared to participate in that capacity.
"Could you state how far you believe you could apparate whilst accompanied by Ms Fox," Miss Hardbroom asked.
"I think I could apparate to the other side of the lake," Mildred said reasonably confidently.
"The other side of the lake? Are you sure? The length will dictate which apparition level you qualify at. Any length will guarantee a pass," Miss Hardbroom said gently.
"I am sure," Mildred said with more authority. She felt her magic and knew she was capable.
"Well, this I am eager to experience, Mildred," Ms Fox said warmly.
"In your own time, Mildred," Miss Hardbroom stated.
Mildred apparated both herself and Ms Fox to the other side of the lake. Miss Hardbroom arrived looking ever so slightly emotional.
"Bravo, Mildred," Miss Fox said aloud which led to a single eyebrow raise from HB.
Mildred then transported Ms Fox back to the courtyard.
As she locked eyes with her ex-form tutor she silently conveyed the fact that she was now in fact shattered.
"That was the last task Mildred. You have performed everything required," her teacher said immediately to reassure her student. "Ms Fox will be able to tell you if you passed later today when she marks Miss Drill's exams. She has agreed to visit us this evening to do so," Miss Hardbroom said proudly. "The exam is over," she stated to bring formalities to an end.
"Oh Constance come now, we can't keep the girl in suspense. I would like to hear what you think Mildred scored before I announce my decision," Glendar asked curiously.
"Well I am heavily involved…" Constance avoided the question.
"Constance, you are very capable of putting fact before feelings. I would like you to assess Mildred's efforts," Glendar pushed quite forcibly which baffled HB.
"I scored all of the tasks as a pass because apparition testing is either a pass or a fail. And the length of the final apparition with passenger I...well...I scored at a level 5," Miss Hardbroom said awkwardly.
"I agree. Mildred you have just earned yourself a level 5 apparition qualification which is actually called a distinction," Glendar said happily. "And you have just earned your invigilator qualification for assessing apparition exams Constance, another string to your bow."
Miss Hardbroom looked flabbergasted. Mildred was over the moon.
"When Mildred is ready to take the advanced exam perhaps you would like to invigilate that one too?" Glendar asked curious about whether Constance had any ambition in that area.
"I think perhaps Mildred has enough qualifications to be getting on with for now," Constance said calmly. "That was a very impressive display. In fact, you almost matched my own Mildred!"
Mildred beamed.
"Constance, when did you do your first exam?" Glendar asked intrigued.
"In my fourth year of school. I wasn't allowed to do it any sooner thankfully," Constance said remembering her training for it with a cringe.
"I thought as much," Glendar said with a shake of the head alluding to the fact that it was too soon and certainly dangerous for Constance to have been trained in that level of magic so young.
"Miss, can I go and sit down now?" Mildred asked. Her joy at passing had been enough to zap her remaining energy.
"I will be back later on this evening, Constance. Take good care of Mildred here. Congratulations, it was a thrilling demonstration. I will bring your certificate with me when I return," Glendar said with an eagerness that lit up her features.
She apparated before Constance could respond.
"How close to the wire did you push yourself?" Constance asked suspiciously.
"I can walk in if I have to," Mildred said, "but when I got back I was dizzy for a few seconds."
"You are getting as bad as I am for pushing yourself to the edge of your limitations. I cannot deny that it was an exceptional display though, well done Mildred," Constance said warmly. "I am going to transport you to the potion lab to top up your magic," she added.
"Thanks, Miss," Mildred said with affection, she really didn't want to walk.
They spent ten minutes in the potion lab. Mildred topped up her magic and then took a revival potion.
"I think it might be best for you to talk through your magical routine with me rather than act it out. You are going to need your strength for the fireworks display this evening," Constance reasoned.
"Yeah, I don't think I can manage both," Mildred agreed. "The clone in the Great Hall needs replacing, Miss. She is nearly done."
"I wonder what length you could have achieved without that distraction," Constance marvelled.
She apparated them to the Great Hall. Miss Drill was deep in concentration preparing a potion. The clone nodded and returned to the paper. Mildred considered all of her drawings of HB. She selected one at random and lifted them off the page. She wondered if they all stored these experiences and started developing slightly different identities. She would have to ask that.
With the new clone briefed and Miss Drill undisturbed Miss Hardbroom transported herself and Mildred to the lake.
"Miss, is invigilating apparition exams a big thing?" Mildred asked curiously.
"There are not many witches who have that skill. Simply because there is not a huge percentage who can apparate sufficiently to reside over another's qualification," Miss Hardbroom stated, she had expected the question.
"Are you happy with your new powers?" she asked even more curiously.
"I am. It is a mark of distinction and one I did not expect to receive as a secondary school teacher," Constance explained with a half smile. If she was honest it was still sinking in.
"That's great," Mildred smiled.
"Right Mildred, I would like you to talk me through your magical routine perfectly. Describe the spells you will use and the drills you will perform. Use your imagination to visualise your maximal effort," Miss Hardbroom encouraged her student.
Mildred considered the task for a moment and then realised it was pretty much what she had been doing on her own each night. She poured over her magical routine when she was laid in bed discovering ways to perfect it and add to it. It had become something of an obsession.
"I start by lifting off clones but placing them in a very orderly line. I then instruct them to cast a spell each of their own. Each morning I will try and influence the spell that each clone casts so that eventually I can control their movements as clearly as I control mine," Mildred said in a clear and certain voice. "I then return the clones to the paper. I lift off different objects that get smaller in size. They are for target practice. I use my bolts of magic, or whatever shape/form my magic wants to take and strike each target. I am aiming for the centre and my aim will get more precise like yours is with practise. Then I return those to the page and pull off twenty tin cans and put them in a line at a measured distance. This tests speed of attack. I will try and hit the targets as fast as I can. Once I can do that well I will move them back one metre. I then practice as many spells as I can remember without a pause between them like we saw you do. I might only be able to do a few but they will build as I panic less and my memory develops and is more focused. Then lastly I pull off a clone of you to spar with. They are told to use none harmful magic and I will take a shield potion each morning to prevent any accidents," Mildred finished.
"Yes, though I am not certain we can ever prevent all accidents with you involved Mildred, I think those precautions are wise," Miss Hardbroom said with a thoughtful expression. "You must tell the clone that you are to spar for ten minutes only to begin with too. When you see me again I will assess how you are doing and we might increase that, but I do not want you fainting somewhere without proper support," she added.
"Yes, Miss," Mildred said very pleased with her accurate rendition of her magical routine.
"I think you are well set to work on your magic and start to bring some control in to match your power," Miss Hardbroom said earnestly, "how do you feel about it?"
"Good," Mildred said with a nervous grin, "I am looking forward to doing it most mornings."
"It is odd how things change isn't it Mildred," Miss Hardbroom mused. "And remember you do not have to complete it in the morning, it is quite possible that you will prefer a later part of the day."
"When I say morning I'm thinking about weekends," Mildred admitted.
"Try and stick to the same time each day during the week. It is unlikely that you will be able to do it everyday but try and make it your intention to," Miss Hardbroom suggested.
"Yes, Miss," Mildred said. There was an unspoken rule when they were discussing magical routines. Neither was derisory, impatient, complacent or distracted. They seemed to have found a subject they both cherished and prized above their character differences. It was strange to think that HB and Mildred had ultimately bonded over the power of their magic and their strength as good witches.
"Mildred could you keep Glendar's visit earlier secret for now. She will be delivering a surprise later," Miss Hardbroom requested. She knew the girl would be curious but didn't want to give too much away.
"Okay," Mildred said. She was super curious but didn't want to sound too nosy.
"Shall we go and drop my final surprise of the day on Miss Drill?" Miss Hardbroom asked with a twinkle of excitement.
"Oh no," Mildred said, assuming it would be as unpleasant as hers were.
"You will both thank me in the long run Mildred," she retorted.
"You always say that," Mildred said with a sigh.
"Because it is quite true," Miss Hardbroom added knowingly and apparated them back to the Great Hall.
Her clone was just telling Miss Drill that her exam was over and she needed to put her three potions in a row at the front of the desk.
Miss Drill spooned the final potion into a beaker and then added it to the other two at the front of the desk.
"Would you like to invigilate the potions?" the clone asked.
"I would," Miss Hardbroom concurred and stepped forward.
The clone nodded once to Miss Hardbroom and once to Mildred before disappearing.
"Ah I see I have garnered some respect from your magic, Mildred. How revealing," Miss Hardbroom said with a triumphant glare at her student.
Mildred blushed slightly and felt annoyed at the clone for making her teacher look so smug.
"So Miss Drill. I will be expecting an invisibility potion, a colour changing potion and a form changing potion. What form change did you opt for?" She asked directly, stepping into her formal role as invigilator.
"I opted to create an ice form," Imogen said clearly.
"Ambitious, you have some affinity with my prodigy over there. Mildred had a habit of pulling out advanced potions in unlikely scenarios. I will extend to you what I did not grant her, and that is the benefit of the doubt," she said with precision.
A subtle look of surprise flashed across Mildred and Miss Drill's faces.
Miss Hardbroom went to the first potion. She sipped it and turned invisible for a moment. She sipped the second potion and was transformed into a tapestry of multi-colours which impressed Mildred and surprised Miss Hardbroom. Finally, she picked up the last beaker to sip from.
As she placed the beaker back on the bench she was transformed into an elegant ice sculpture.
"Three successful potions, Miss Drill. It is fair to say that you have passed the practical level 2 exam, though my findings will be invigilated," Miss Hardbroom said with a smile.
Miss Drill looked relieved and mouthed the word 'yess' to Mildred who grinned from ear to ear.
"Your practical level 2 exam is now over Miss Drill," Miss Hardbroom said formally. "However, I would like you to sit a third and final exam this afternoon after we stop for some lunch."
"What?" Miss Drill asked in shock. "I have done them both haven't I?"
"You have done level 1 and level 2. However, I have been training you for the last two weeks so you would be ready to take level 3 as well. I am quite certain you are competent," Miss Hardbroom said in an even tone.
"How long is the exam?" Miss Drill asked. Her feeling of elation was quickly subsiding to one of worry once more.
"It is two hours and includes part theory and part practical," Miss Hardbroom explained. "It is also dependent on Mildred agreeing to assist you for the practical and remain silent throughout the exam until she is required," the teacher explained as she raised one eyebrow and glanced at a perfectly willing Mildred.
"Two hours! I will have been in exams all day. Well, if you think I am ready then I guess I will give it a go," Miss Drill said. "Are you sure you don't mind?" she asked Mildred.
"No, Miss," Mildred said smiling, "not at all."
The trio had some lunch together but Miss Drill was clearly anxious. She managed a couple of crackers with cheese on but barely took a bite out of her salad.
"Mildred, could you go and get a book to read out of the library. I would like you to have something to keep you occupied during the two hour exam," Miss Hardbroom asked.
Mildred really wanted to ask if she could doodle instead but heard the sharp answer in her head so chose not to ask the question. It was a refreshing moment for her if truth be told. She left in hopes of finding something interesting to read in the library.
"Imogen, I have trained you for this exam very well. I factored it in from the start. So, although you don't think you are prepared, I can assure you that you are," Miss Hardbroom said warmly to her colleague, trying to allay her fears.
"I just didn't expect it. I like to be prepared," Imogen said quietly. She knew her fears made no sense but they had crept up during lunch.
Constance took her hand and looked at her with an intense expression.
"You are prepared. I would not let you take this if I didn't know you were going to pass. I have no doubts, do you understand? Not one," she said concisely.
"No doubts," Imogen repeated thoughtfully. "You don't say that very often."
"I never say that. You are an exceptional student and have been from day one. Today you will write history, Imogen," Constance added firmly. "Now let's go and get these final two hours done."
"Okay," Imogen said, quite taken with her colleague's determination. She felt a new drive within her. If HB didn't have any doubts, then she was more than ready for this.
Miss Hardbroom walked with Miss Drill to the Great Hall making sure her colleague felt supported. The PE teacher actually felt quite emotional over the words and actions her colleague had offered.
Miss Hardbroom set up the potion lab once more in the Great Hall and set Miss Drill's exam. Mildred skipped into the room with a book on telepathic witches much to Miss Hardbroom's amusement. The girl looked engrossed with it throughout the exam. She had to draw her away when Miss Drill was ready to test her tracking potion.
Once Miss Drill had found Mildred in the broomshed, something the girl was very grateful for as the small space and risk of spiders had started to bother her, they returned to the Great Hall in silence on foot.
The moment they were inside the big room Miss Hardbroom announced, "your final exam has now officially ended, Miss Drill."
"Oh thank god!" Miss Drill declared.
"In fact your working week has now ended ladies. I am finishing an hour early today," she said which made Mildred and Imogen laugh.
"A whole hour early, these weeks have certainly made you soft Constance," Imogen said laughing.
Constance glared at her and then relaxed.
"Well once again I believe you passed the practical part. I am going to the potion lab to mark the three papers on theory now. Then I will send them to Ms Fox for adjudication," Constance said before vanishing.
"Well that was a quick exit, not that I am surprised," Imogen said. "Shall we go for a walk. I want to see the outdoors," she said with a lightness about her that hadn't been present all day.
"Yes, I will tell you about my practical apparition exam," Mildred said.
"A practical! She got you as well then," Imogen said with a giggle.
"Yeah, I passed though," Mildred said beaming.
"Well of course you did," Imogen said. "I think I am going to run outside...don't feel you have to join in," she said excitedly.
She ran down the corridor, burst through the great big school doors and into the courtyard. When she was there she jumped into the air with a big fist pump. Mildred followed laughing at her former PE teacher.
"In fact I think I might go and jump in the lake, Mildred...fancy a swim?" Imogen asked.
"She's coming...quick," Mildred said quickly, grabbed Imogen's hand and transported them to the lake.
What she actually managed to do was transport them to the middle of the lake. As they materialised a few feet above the water Imogen and Mildred both squealed before hitting the cool liquid with an almighty splash.
They recovered quickly with a few splutters from Imogen who was less prepared and then started laughing as they swam towards the side.
"You could have warned me," Imogen said finally.
"She was probably going to shout at you for running down the corridor...I panicked" Mildred admitted.
"I wonder if the fear of HB will ever diminish...in either of us," Imogen said giggling. They had got to part of the lake where they could sit in the water. "That was fun! I do like a bit of spontaneity"
"She will probably be gutted she missed that actually," Mildred laughed. "She has wanted to do it for years!"
"Transporting you to the middle of the lake when you do not expect it is not the same as doing it for fun, Mildred" the entombing voice came from behind them.
She had made her dramatic and commanding entrance with perfect timing once again.
"I still don't get how you always arrive when people are talking about you! How long can you listen for?" Mildred said boldly.
"Professional secret," Constance replied.
"I will just train really hard until I can do it," Mildred said exasperated with not knowing.
"I am sure you will. And then, we can discuss it," Constance replied.
"What will you do without your air of mystery?" Imogen asked with a giggle.
"You are concentrating on the wrong aspect. Even when you do know exactly how long I can hear conversations for or from how far out...how will you prevent it? Knowing is not the same as out maneuvering," Miss Hardbroom said smugly.
That gave Mildred an idea. She could burst with excitement. Instead, she fought hard to keep a straight face.
"Would you like to know why I came to find you?" Miss Hardbroom asked.
"Oh, we thought it was because we ran down the corridor," Imogen said and suddenly felt like a small child.
Constance rolled her eyes in response.
"No, Imogen. I came to tell you that you have passed all of your exams pending adjudication. In fact, you only dropped two marks across all three papers. If Ms Fox upholds my marking, which has never been overthrown before, then you will be the first level 3 non-witch to be appointed as a potion witch in our history," Constance said. "I can't believe I have had to tell you that while you are sitting in the lake!"
Imogen jumped up, ran, or rather slodged, up the side of the bank and hugged Constance.
Constance, initially repulsed, put the soaking wet state of Imogen out of her mind and hugged her colleague back.
"I'm a witch!" Imogen declared.
"You are," Constance said with a smile.
"I'm a witch," Imogen shouted out over the lake.
Imogen threw herself back in the lake and flapped about excitedly singing 'I'm a witch' with Mildred who was happy to splash about in the water in turn.
When they were exhausted they climbed out onto the bank where Constance performed a drying spell to make sure they didn't become cold.
"Thanks, Constance," Imogen said. The knowledge of finally achieving witch status was still hugging her tightly with a warmth. She belonged.
Constance nodded.
"No really. Thank you for making me feel like I belong," Imogen said proudly.
"You always belonged, Imogen," Constance said quietly. "But, I am glad you are happy with your achievements."
Mildred watched them both. They had finally buried all of those confrontations and harsh words they had spoken to each other through the years. Everyone knew that HB looked down on PE and had taken a long time to accept Imogen and what she brought to the school. This was progress.
Imogen, Constance and Mildred had just finished dinner when a visitor arrived that evening.
Glendar Fox arrived as usual into the courtyard. Constance made an excuse to leave the Staff Room with a look at Mildred which told her to keep their visitor quiet for now.
"Come in Glendar, thank you for doing this," Constance said as she met the Deputy Principal in the courtyard.
"It only takes a moment, Constance, and I am quite honoured to be able to do it" she said with a smile.
"Did you receive the exams okay?" Constance asked uncharacteristically nervously.
"Yes I did," Glendar said and paused a moment. "I upheld your marking Constance and have all three certaificates with me."
"Oh thank goodness," Constance exclaimed.
"You didn't doubt your marking, did you Constance?" Glendar asked amused by the teacher, who she knew had a titanium reputation for staying calm under pressure.
"I...no. It just means a lot to Imogen," Constance tried to explain but realised emotions had severely clouded her judgement.
"Say no more, Constance. Shall we go and present her with the certificates?" Glendar asked, deflecting attention away from the deputy's human display.
"Yes," Constance replied gratefully and they both went striding into the Staff Room.
Imogen was over the moon. She felt so special for once in her life. The Deputy Principal of The Council was declaring her a potion witch and presenting her with three certificates to denote the three levels already passed.
Mildred was also presented her certificate and was elated with her achievements. The room was full of pride and happiness. Constance teared up and couldn't say anything while she kept further emotion at bay.
When the presentations were done Glendar apologised for having to leave but made it clear she would not have missed the moment for the world. As she made her way to the courtyard insisting that they stay and celebrate in the Staff Room together a quick witted Mildred Hubble caught up with her.
"Ms Fox?" Mildred shouted down the corridor in a hushed tone.
"Yes, Mildred," Glendar turned curious.
"I was wondering if you have any books on advanced apparition. I don't want to start it but I would like to know what is next," Mildred said evenly.
"Curious about what comes next, yes I was the same. Well I can give you the exam syllabus and a book I read when I first started," Glendar mused out loud, surveying the girl.
"Are there different areas to focus on?" Mildred asked as casually as she could.
Glendar smiled, taking in the girl's tone and body language: "Constance was right about you, Mildred. Your emotions are quite apparent," she said with a coy smile as two books appeared in her hand. "Section 3 discusses advanced hearing and section 7 explores the duration of the journey. I believe you will find what you are looking for there. And from now on Mildred, if you need any assistance you must go to your tutor," she added with a firmer tone.
"Yes, Miss," Mildred said awkwardly. She really needed to work on either lying better or hiding her emotions better.
"Don't worry, Mildred. I was just as curious as you are once. And if I will be helping Constance advance her apparition training I think it only fair that there is one witch in her circle that can keep her on her toes," she said with a wink. "Until next time," she said and vanished from the corridor.
Mildred took the books up to her room and placed them under her pillow before returning to the Staff Room. She felt a warm glow in her heart. It wasn't pride for what she had achieved. It wasn't hope for what she might learn. It was the realisation that before she left Cackle's Academy Constance Hardbroom would have run out of professional secrets. She wasn't sure why that mattered to her but maybe the old title of 'worst witch' still burnt on occasion and she needed one last win for closure.
Mildred was nervous when her Imogen and Constance assembled outside so that she could do her fireworks display.
"Are you happy with the potion?" Constance asked her seriously, she knew this was a big undertaking.
"Yes," Mildred said simply. She had carefully stirred in the separate elements, considered her music and had enough different effects to match the tone of her performance.
"Do you feel like you have enough energy? Is your magic strong?" Constance asked with the same serious inquisitiveness.
"Yes," Mildred replied again. She had topped up in the Great Hall before walking outdoors, rather than apparating, to save energy.
"Are you comfortable with the spell you need and with maintaining a connection with the display?" Constance asked and was beginning to sound like a overbearing parent.
"Miss," Mildred moaned. "I am doing a chant and I know what I'm doing," she said with finality.
"And that is you told," Imogen added with a chuckle.
"Very well," Constance said and sat back to give Mildred some space.
Mildred poured out two potions and watched her magic melt them into each other. She started the classical track she had chosen which surprised Miss Hardbroom who half expected noise to erupt from the gramophone Mildred had brought out which added a different twist to her approach.
Mildred felt a few nerves as the slow introduction got going. She began to chant just before the music started to build gently. Chanting was not Mildred's strongest discipline but throughout the week she had been drawn to it whenever she spent time working on her fireworks display. She wanted to stay connected to the display throughout and give her magic a gentle rhythm to be released through. As she started chanting she relaxed. It felt comfortable. She melted into the music and felt the harmony merge with her magical heartbeat.
Mildred raised off the ground as the intensity of the fireworks display built. The explosions were perfectly executed. She produced a waterfall of light at one point and had cascading light shows, solitary poignant explosions and a host of what looked like shooting stars. Constance and Imogen constantly smiled at each other and expressed their awe at the demonstration. They were experiencing something both moving and enthralling.
As Mildred finished her chant her head fell forward. She was still elevated above the ground by a metre or so. One final explosion marked the end of the display. Constance stood with concern for her pupil. She appeared to be unconscious. Mildred was lowered back to the ground carefully where her limp form was laid flat.
"Is she alright?" Imogen asked with concern.
"I believe so. She has managed to lower herself back to the ground," Constance said quite amused.
"What? Didn't you do that?" Imogen asked in surprise.
"No, I believe her soul magic finished the job and returned her to safety," Constance said as she knelt over an unconscious Mildred.
"I didn't know you could do that," Imogen said, still quite surprised.
"It is unusual to say the least," Constance said.
Mildred started to come round and had a hazy look in her eyes. She looked so content and happy.
"I see the after effects have the same impact on you as they do on me, how do you feel?" Constance asked lightly.
"Like I just won everything," Mildred said, trying to capture the gravity of her feelings.
"I think you might have," Constance said warmly. She leant down so that she could pick Mildred up and also whisper in her ear, "that was a better display than my own," she said calmly.
Mildred just beamed. She didn't think you could grade demonstrations of the heart but hearing HB praise her so easily, and at her own expense, was special.
Constance transported them all into the Great Hall so that Mildred could restore her magic.
"I know you have done this once today but you are extremely depleted so I do not want to leave anything to chance," Constance explained.
Mildred placed her hand on the wall and replenished her magic. Imogen was still speechless.
"Are you okay, Miss?" Mildred asked, observing Imogen's vacant expression.
"I am just still coming to terms with how powerful that display was. It made me want to dance, cry and laugh all at the same time. So emotive, Mildred," Imogen captured in words.
"Thanks," Mildred said with a grin.
"It is very easy to forget how young you are sometimes, Mildred," Constance remarked. "You will make sure you start hiding some of your abilities once you leave Cackle's won't you," she added with a hint of apprehension.
"I will," Mildred assured her. "I just wanted to do as much as I could while I can...safely."
"This will always be a safe place for you, Mildred," Constance said with warmth and compassion and a hint of regret that her student would be leaving soon.
Mildred nodded her head in understanding. She felt quite emotional herself. She already knew that she would be returning the first chance she got.
"Now, I am sorry to do this Mildred, but I think we need to get you to bed now," Constance said carefully.
"That's okay so do I," Mildred said with a yawn.
"We can have a fun day tomorrow doing whatever you wish before you leave on Sunday," Constance promised.
"Okay," Mildred smiled and was very grateful for the extra day.
"Night, Mildred. See you in the morning," Imogen said.
Constance took Mildred to bed and gave her the usual sleeping potion and a restorative one. She watched the girl attempt to say a sentence and fail before falling into a deep slumber.
"Goodnight, Mildred," Constance said as she departed from the room. It would be the final time she needed to see Mildred safely to her bed.
The three amigos spent an action packed Saturday horse riding, walking to the bottom of the lake again and finally listening to 'noise' and smashing plates in the Great Hall.
They had pizza for tea. Mildred was permitted her second glass of wine of the break and then they toasted marshmallows above a naked flame outside in their favourite spot by the lake.
At this point Constance and Imogen were considerably more tipsy than they had intended to be.
"Miss, is it okay if I go into the castle. I want to say goodbye to each room while I have time," Mildred said awkwardly.
"Mildred...that is a very you thing to do," HB said, "and you may call me Constance," she added.
Imogen snickered, "Oh the honour."
Mildred laughed. Imogen was definitely drunk now and though the girl found it very amusing she was really tired after another magical day.
Constance rolled her eyes at Imogen and considered Mildred.
"Yes, Mildred you may go and do what you need to do. We will see you in the morning if not before," Constance said.
"Hug," Imogen demanded before Mildred disappeared.
Mildred smiled and hugged her teacher fondly. As she turned Constance had opened her arms in preparation for hers. Mildred smiled again before hugging her potion teacher.
"Thank you for a great day," Constance said.
"And you...C..on...stance," Mildred said as though just by finishing that sentence she might set on fire.
Imogen laughed and finally snorted.
Mildred rolled her eyes and vanished.
"Oh god, deja vu," Imogen said. She had seen Constance do that so many times it was eerie watching Mildred mirror her mannerisms.
"I think it might be time for us to retire, Imogen," Constance said as she sat back in her chair and observed the stars.
"Yeah, I have a bit of spinningness going," Imogen admitted. "That was the perfect day though wasn't it. Or was it yesterday...I'm not sure, maybe both," she rambled.
"Tough to choose between the day you became a witch and your first day spent as a witch," Constance expanded.
Imogen beamed. "I am a witch," she said softly.
"That cannot be taken away from you now," Constance said. "My former Mistress would be quite livid at the prospect of a non-witch being classed as a witch."
"Thank you," Imogen said with a depth of emotion she could barely begin to convey.
"I should have known your worth earlier. Not as a witch. As a human being. I'm sorry I didn't," Constance said finally after spending three weeks debating the best time to say that to her friend.
"You were raised to dance to one tune, Constance Hardbroom. Now you can dance to many. I'm glad I waited. It was worth it," Imogen said.
The ladies walked back to the castle and hugged each other before they went to their rooms. Something had finally been put right and the air hummed with a happy harmony.
Mildred visited the library, "goodbye library, sorry I didn't spend much time in you," she said with a giggle to herself before she left.
She then visited the kitchens, "goodbye, kitchens, I'm sorry I never made it to you for a midnight feast, except that one time. All the others would have been great if HB wasn't a total night ninja!" She said with a sigh.
She then went to the broomstick shed and thanked it for storing her broom safely and was sorry she still found it a bit creepy. She told the courtyard it was one of her favourite spaces, "except when I threw a bucket of water over Miss Hardbroom, had to do my broomstick assessment blindfolded, and had our musical chill time interrupted during chanting by the dark destroyer. Otherwise you have been a fun space."
She told the Staff Room it had been nice to see more of it during the break and even popped her head into Miss Cackle's office and said she wasn't going to miss it too much since it had rarely been a happy occasion that brought her to its door.
Finally, she had just two rooms left. She visited the Great Hall and said, "thank you for all of the happy memories. And thank you for helping me to overcome the bad ones. I will always remember what happened here and I will never take my magic for granted or stop protecting people in danger. But, most of all I will remember HB facing up to a bully and not getting busted during Miss Cackle's birthday celebration. So thanks."
She finished with a visit to the potion lab. "We haven't always seen eye to eye but sometimes the hardest room to enter is the one you need to face. I'm sorry I have almost destroyed you a few times, well not really, your owner is a bit dramatic let's be honest. But, I will miss you. All those conversations I had with Miss Hardbroom and all those failed potions that left me tiny, the wrong colour, or just incredibly embarrassed. You taught me a hard lesson and I'm glad I kept walking in through your door even when it was difficult. Thank you," she said as a single tear trickled down her cheek as she made her way to her room.
She sighed heavily. Tomorrow was going to be much harder than she had realised. She loved Cackle's and she loved the people. She was excited about what came next but right now she wished she could stay there forever.
Breakfast was eaten and the inevitable moment arrived. Imogen had decided to clean out her sports cupboard again. Mildred assumed that she coped with goodbyes by distracting herself. She went to find Imogen first because Constance was easier to locate.
"So, this is it," Imogen said with a forlorn expression. "I am losing my ally."
"For now," Mildred said lightly, "not that you need one anymore."
"I will miss you Mildred. You always stuck up for me and I always seemed to catch you when you needed a pep talk," Imogen said and couldn't help but let a few tears fall.
"I will miss you too," Mildred said as she embraced her former PE teacher. "Thank you for always believing in me," she said.
"Thank you for always believing in me," Imogen replied.
They laughed at each other crying.
"Don't be a stranger Mildred," Imogen demanded.
"I won't, bye Miss," Mildred replied.
"Goodbye, Mildred," Imogen said with a smile, "and good luck."
Mildred located Miss Hardbroom, who was rather typically, in the potion lab.
She walked in and found her tutor sat at her desk flicking through notes with a less than focused expression. She might almost have been daydreaming Mildred thought to herself.
She snapped her attention to Mildred once she had registered the girl enter.
"Mildred," Constance stated.
"Miss Hardbroom," Mildred said, Constance just didn't feel right.
Constance smirked.
"I am going to get my mum to collect all my things so I can fly off on my broom," Mildred said and felt a little self-conscious.
"Intending to go out as you came in," Constance said with an amused expression.
"Hopefully, a little straighter," Mildred said with a grin.
Constance nodded.
"Miss, I wanted to say something before I left," Mildred said quietly.
"Yes Mildred?"
"I have found out that you can hear any conversation you wish to focus on but I expect you choose not to focus on many. You do not have to apparate to an area to hear what is going on there, you can kind of apparate your senses to other areas like scouting parties," Mildred said having read all about Miss Hardbroom's talent the evening before.
Constance didn't react apart from with a subtle smile.
"I can," her tutor confirmed. "I can eavesdrop on any room at any time I wish though my skill does not extend past the courtyard unless I walk nearer the place of interest. That is how I locate people. I listen, confirm they are present and apparate. That is a lot for people to digest. It is a power easily abused."
"Which is why you keep it a professional secret," Mildred concluded.
"Yes. I do not wish people to fear something that I do not abuse. Well, I hear sentences as you know and it explains my timing of course. But, I could know far more if I was just to sit and listen," Constance explained and was eager to know her student's reaction.
"I would have been expelled if you used it all the time. Actually, all my friends probably would have been," Mildred said.
"Indeed," Constance said mischievously, "and where would be the fun in that?"
Mildred laughed at her tutor's cander.
"Your secret is safe with me," Mildred reassured her.
"I know Mildred. All of my secrets are safe with you. I am quite thankful for that," Constance mused. She seemed quite relaxed with the conversation. "May I ask where you discovered this information, I wasn't aware of any advanced apparition books in the library."
"It is a professional secret," Mildred said awkwardly as she looked at her shoes. The familiar site made Constance bubble with affection for the young witch before her.
"Ha, is it now. Well, we will see how long you hold on to that one, Mildred," Constance smirked. The girl's ability to hide anything was abysmal and they both knew it.
They held a momentary silence as the conversation moved towards their final farewell. "Thank you, Miss," Mildred said with warmth.
"No, Mildred. Thank you. I am a better person today for having taught you," Constance said with great feeling.
"Well I wouldn't be who I am without you either," Mildred smiled. They shared a look that pitched them as equals in so many ways. What they got from each other was precisely what they needed to be more rounded witches.
"Good luck, Mildred. Safeguard your talents but wear them with confidence too," Constance said brightly.
"And control," Mildred added.
"Always control," Constance agreed.
"Goodbye Miss," Mildred said as she stepped forward to hug her tutor for the final time.
"Goodbye Mildred, fly safe," her tutor added with a faint edge of sarcasm.
Mildred laughed with her tutor before bowing her head as a mark of respect which Constance returned. With that she vanished from the room and into the courtyard where she could collect her broom. She stood for a moment as though she was mourning that final conversation.
Mildred leapt onto her broom with a final scan of the courtyard and the school that had shaped her life.
"Thank you Cackle's Academy," Mildred said softly. "Look after everyone for me," she said as she commanded her broom to fly and rather masterfully flew off and up into the clouds.