A/N: Hello again. I need a favour from you, my lovely readers. If you can see both chapters six and seven can you drop me a line either in reviews or private messaging. From my end I cannot tell if the problem is fixed.

Thank you so much for your continued support,

Dizzy :D

Chapter Seven: Tea and Biscuits

When Monday hit, Ada was more than a little concerned. She was not a mile away from utter panic, though she tried not to show it. She didn't want to spoil Hecate's complete elation. Ada had noticed that over the weekend the number of detentions had decreased. This could only mean that Hecate and Cordelia's relationship was starting to bloom. No way was Ada going to interrupt that with her stress.

The main source of Ada's panic was that Monday was a work day, and that meant that a certain Hallow would be in her office with a Maglet. She was just waiting for the messages to start rolling in. She stared blankly at the fire she had just conjured and sipped her tea. Today should be a good day, Ada thought, it will be. All she had to do was think positively, like her book said.

While lost on the positivity thought train, Ada did not notice a Hardbroom transferring into the room. She was only made aware of this fact by the clinking of a china cup being placed back on its saucer. Expecting Hecate, she was surprised when she looked up to see Cordelia finishing a biscuit in the armchair across from her.

"Well met, Miss Cackle," Cordelia greeted after polishing off the biscuit, "And might I be the first to wish you a happy birthday." The child was positively glowing, her happiness infectious. Ada couldn't help but smile.

"Well met Cordelia and thank you," Ada said, she then put on her kindly but questioning headmistress look and added, "Isn't it a little early for you to be awake?" Taking a sip of tea Cordelia shrugged. She was already fully dressed, her uniform tidy and red sash neatly tied. She looked ready to immediately go to class.

"I'm a Hardbroom. I guess early-rising is hereditary," She said. Ada chuckled. "Anyway," Cordelia continued, "You're awake too."

"Yes," Ada replied, "I see your point. I enjoy being awake before the sunrise most days. Seeing the new day arrive, it's…" She paused to think of how to put into words her feelings. As she was speaking Cordelia had stood and gone to the window to experience what Ada had mentioned. The sun was just coming up over the tree line around Cackles.

Cordelia watched the sun pass the topmost branch before supplying, "Magical," to Ada's unfinished sentence. Ada smiled again before taking a drink. The sunlight had filled the sky and Cordelia lost interest; her eyes fell to the table before her on which stood two plants. She looked at the one on the left, then stroked the petals of the one on the right. "One of these is named after me isn't it?" She asked turning her top half to look at Ada, who nodded, "Mum mentioned it." She turned back to the plants and smiled. Her mother had always remembered her.

"How are you and Hecate getting along?" Ada asked as Cordelia returned to her chair.

Cordelia rubbed her hands along the chair's arms and said, "Good, I think. We are trying to get to know each other. You never really realise how much you've missed someone in your life until you get them back." The last statement, though not completely fitting to Ada's situation still struck a nerve. Donkey's years ago, Ada had been close to Agatha, now Agatha seemed to despise her. Ada missed the sister she used to have, mischievous but not irredeemable. When she saw her again, last year, it made those feelings deeper.

"Are you okay Miss Cackle?" Cordelia asked, seeing the sadness on Ada's face. She didn't respond. "Miss Cackle? Miss…?" Cordelia stood and gently touched the headmistress' arm, "Ada," she mumbled. The girl kneeled by the side of Ada's chair, her hands rested on Ada's arms. Ada suddenly snapped back into the present day. "I'm sorry if I upset you," Cordelia said. Ada shook her head gently as she placed her cup and saucer back on the table.

"You didn't' upset me. I was thinking back to a birthday I shared with Agatha. We had such a wonderful time, a party. I suppose I will never have that again. That's why I am so glad Hecate has you. Family is so very important Cordelia," Ada said, trying to smile at the girl in front of her and outright refusing to shed a tear. She had promised herself to not share her woes with either Hardbroom, but now she was doing that exact thing.

"Yes," Cordelia replied, "You are." She seized Ada in a hug, forcing the older woman back into happiness and making her heart swell. Hecate had been like a daughter, as well as friend, for the past thirty years. The person she had cared for most. Cordelia was now almost like a granddaughter and shared Hecate's position as most important person. Ada realised she had a family and that they would be there for her. Happy or sad.

As Cordelia sat back down and Ada returned to her regular happy mood, Hecate transferred in beside Ada's chair. She glanced questioningly at her child, then at the cups before them. She magicked a third.

"I will start bringing three," Ada said, then looked at the child, "And more biscuits."

XXXXX

The day hadn't quite gone as Cordelia had hoped. Probably not as Maud had hoped either, she thought, not many people wish to get turned into a baby for the day. Cordelia alongside Mildred, Maud and Enid had managed to contain her mother's stress by making Miss Cackle's birthday show a success, even if they had to pry Ethel Hallow from the stage. It had been worryingly close to being a complete failure. Cordy had also been concerned for Ada. She had been upset in the morning, being an estranged twin on birthday does that Cordelia supposed. She has been alone on some of her own birthdays, so she had some insight.

As she was leaving Maud's room giggling, having helped make Enid sing another lullaby to Maud, she decided to stop in on Miss Cackle's office. She knew that she often had tea with her mother just before bed, like they did in the mornings. She also had a terrible gut feeling that she wanted to quell.

She padded along the corridors to the office, glad of her slippers. If any other teacher saw her, they wouldn't be happy she wasn't in bed. She gently tapped on the door before pushing it open and slipping in. The only light coming from the lamp on Miss Cackle's desk and the fire, which was dying down, concealed her entrance.

"Oh, if only I hadn't ignored those messages," She heard Miss Cackle mutter. She could hear that the headmistress was likely crying. From where she was standing, she could see that her mother was in a similar position to how she had been earlier. Kneeling by Ada's side.

"Ada, it is done. You cannot blame yourself for this outcome when you couldn't have known Ursula Hallow would choose it," Hecate replied. Cordelia couldn't decide whether to leave or continue listening. She knew that this was a bad time, but she desperately wanted to know what was causing Ada's distress and if she could possibly fix it. During her time of contemplation, the older Hardbroom noticed her presence.

"Child!" Hecate said, mild anger and exasperation in her voice. She stood up, unhappy about be caught off guard. "You should not be here; you should be asleep." Ada leaned around the arm of the chair to see which young intruder Hecate was addressing, unaware of Hecate's tendency to call Cordelia by the 'pet' name child. Hecate took a handful of steps forward, "go to your room" she whispered.

Ada flicked her hands at the tray before her, then stood, "No Hecate, let her stay." She sounded physically drained. "Would you like a drink?" Hecate sighed and walked over to the fire. Ada motioned to the other armchair for Cordelia to sit down.

The young witch sat and began picking at the hem of her pyjama shirt. "I'm sorry for intruding but something felt off," She mumbled. Ada gave her a sad smile. Hecate watched her friend closely; she knew the dread Ada felt and wanted to caution Cordelia on her words. She knew how hard Ada was trying to hold it together and how easily the love of a Cackle's pupil could break her less than sturdy composure.

"No matter, no harm done." Ada responded, pouring tea into Cordelia's cup. This action brought the girl's attention to the table in front of her, or rather something upon it. There was a newspaper and an official looking document. From her seat Cordelia could see the headline: Crackles at Cackles. Her hands descended on the items before either other witch could stop her. She eyed the Magic Council summons and the article with haste before dropping them, angrily, to the table. Typical Hallow, she thought, couldn't let anyone have a special day without interference.

"How can they treat you like this?" She spat, the tide of anger rolling in with every word, "We have to do something. Stop Ursula Hallow from causing too much harm. We can't let them get away with it." Though the room was dimly lit Ada still saw the twinkle in Cordelia's eyes and the anger painted on her features. Her manner was so stubbornly defensive. In the dim light Ada could see clearly how much Cordelia was her mother's daughter, as could the woman to her left. Though both knew she was far less calm.

Cordelia had been swept out into the seas of hatred for the ruthless Hallow matriarch, as well as a certain wizard, she didn't notice the others studying her. All she could do was think and plan. Who has the audacity to serve a council summons on somebody's birthday, she raged internally looking up, and misunderstanding, Ada's worried face, if only there was a way to discredit Mrs Hallow.

Cordelia lent back in her chair and took a sip of her drink. She felt a little shaky. The tingling in her fingers had returned. And spread. Her entire hands were bubbling with blazing magic, invigorated by her intense emotion. She had to help Ada Cackle, but she had to be so desperately careful.