A/N - sorry for posting chapters 5 and 6 on the same day, I was just so excited to get them both up. I really love writing moments between Pippa and Hecate, I think they're so good for each other. As always, I would love to know your thoughts
"Ada," Hecate said softly. She was still mortified by her uncharacteristic display of emotion in the headmistress's office last week. "I was wondering how you would feel if Pip-Miss Pentangle were to come to stay here for the last week of term. She could give some lessons in modern magic, and of course she would stay in her own chambers."
Ada's eyes glinted behind her glasses in glee. A few lessons on modern magic would be perfect for her girls. They all deserved some fun after their end of term exams. "Of course Hecate. What a marvellous idea," she crowed. "I'm so pleased you have made up from your little tiff."
Hecate gave a small smile, she was longing for Pippa to come and visit again. Not only to see the witch, but also to have the opportunity to cuddle her as she fell asleep. It been so long since she had shared her bed with another witch. She missed the comfort of company in the dark. She missed the feeling of another woman sleeping in her arms.
The past few nights, Pippa and Hecate had fallen asleep gazing at each other longingly through the mirror. Hecate could hardly wait for her to be there in person.
"Hecate!" Sang Pippa as she landed in the courtyard, her broomstick surrounded by a display of pink and purple fireworks. Students poked their heads out in windows in awe at the view below. Hecate gave the pink witch a nod and quirked her lips in a half smile. "Pippa." She said in acknowledgement, not wanting to lose face in front of the whole school.
She clicked her fingers and transferred Pippa to her room. It wasn't anywhere near as well furnished, or cosy as Hecate's room. Pippa grinned to herself, knowing that the dark haired witch clearly didn't expect her to be spending her nights in this room.
"I have arranged for us to eat together in my chambers tonight, Pippa." Hecate said matter of factly. "I thought it might be nicer than eating the school food."
Pippa smiled, it would be lovely to have some quality time with Hecate finally.
As Hecate prepared their dinner in her chambers, Pippa was overcome with fondness for the dark witch. She wrapped her arms around the her from behind and pressed her cheek against Hecate's straight back, breathing in her smell. She noted with a grin that Hecate smelled just like a potions classroom, but there was also something floral and clean about her scent.
Hecate turned and smiled questioningly at the blonder witch. She shook her hair out of her tight bun and pushed the dark cascade of hair behind her shoulders. "I hope you're hungry." She said.
Hecate waved her hand and transformed the coffee table into a small round dining table. She wavedi her hand once more, and the sofa and armchair became two comfortable dining chairs. She carefully placed the plates of food on the table and left to fetch cutlery from a drawer.
Pippa looked at the food eagerly. She was impressed to see that Hecate had made them a coq au vin with dauphinois potatoes. It looked delectable. When Hecate returned to the table with knives and forks, she was also carrying a candle. With a gentle flick of the wrist, she lit the candle and placed it in the the centre of the table. The candle's warm glow danced off the food, making it seem even more tasty than it had already looked.
"This is all delicious," Pippa gushed taking a bite, she could hardly believe her friend had so many talents. She took the witch's hand from across the table and looked into her eyes. Before she could say anything, there was a loud knock at Hecate's door. The two witches jumped apart.
Hecate opened the door slowly, using her tall form to block her chambers from view. She didn't want students gossiping about her having a private meal with Pippa Pentangle. She looked down to find a tearful student in front of her. "Miss Hardbroom…" sobbed Felicity Foxglove, "My familiar has gone missing. I've been looking for him for hours and he hasn't come back. What if something has happened to him?" Hecate stared at the forlorn girl, speechless.
Pippa joined her from inside the room, and cheerily interjected "He can't have gone too far, this castle isn't that big!"
Felicity's eyes lit up "Miss Pentangle!" She exclaimed in surprise. She has always admired the glamorous witch. "Will you help me find him?" She asked, visibly brightening. Her attention now on the pretty headmistress.
Pippa smiled regally and agreed. "Miss Hardbroom will help us too." She added. Hecate rolled her eyes, she knew Pippa couldn't say no to helping a student in need. She resigned herself to help in silence, but kept an ear out for tomfoolery. She knew the girls well enough to suspect a ruse every time she was distracted by something so trivial.
Pippa and Felicity strode off in front of Miss Hardbroom. Felicity was practically bouncing with every step. She was quizzing Miss Pentangle about her upcoming lessons, hoping to write something for the school newspaper. Hecate followed, she couldn't keep her eyes off Pippa's animated face as she cheerfully made conversation with the young student.
"Hecate, will one of your detection spells be able to locate the cat?" Pippa asked as they searched the corridors for the cat. Hecate nodded sharply and sent out her magical energies, trying to determine what trouble the cat had gotten into. She soon found the feline chasing mice in the kitchen. She waved her hand and the three witches appeared next to the startled cat in the kitchen.
"Pocus." Felicity exclaimed. She grabbed the cat and gave him an excited squeeze.
"Now, to bed." Said Hecate softly, and sent the young girl to her room with a wave of her hand. She added a dreamless sleep spell for good measure. "Shall we walk back?" Pippa nodded.
"Felicity really admires you," Hecate suggested, unsure how to restart the conversation after the student's interruption.
Pippa smiled. "But Hecate dear, it was your room she came to when she was in need, not mine." Pippa pointed out. She wished that Hecate would realise how brilliant she was. Hecate remained silent, but Pippa could tell she was silently pleased with the compliment Pippa had paid her.
After finally returning to their dinner, Pippa studied the books in Hecate's room. She was pleasantly surprised to see a small row of children's books tucked among the heavy academic textbooks. "I didn't think Beatrix Potter would be your thing, Hiccup." She commented, pulling an illustrated copy of The Tale of Miss Tiggy-Winkle from the shelf.
"There are many things that you don't know about me" Hecate replied softly. "Did you know that she was one of us?" She added. "She had a particular gift for speaking with animals."
Hecate also reached for a book from the shelf. Advanced Botany for the 19th Century Witch was her book of choice. Pippa raised an eyebrow at the very fitting book title. Hecate could sometimes get so wrapped up in traditions.
With a wave over her hand, Hecate returned the room to its cosy pre dinner state. Content in each other's company, each witch took a seat at either end of the sofa, and began to read.
Pippa wordlessly closed her book, and gently placed it on the coffee table. she didn't want to ruin the beautiful copy. In the non magical world, she was sure it would have been an antique. She glanced over to Hecate. The witch, still engrossed, was biting her lip in concentration. She had tucked her legs under herself and was curled over the book. Pippa grinned to herself. Hecate was so adorable in her moments of peace.
Not wanting to disturb her friend, Pippa carefully moved closer to her, tucking her head under the witch's arm so she could also read Hecate's book. She leant against Hecate's ribcage, feeling the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. Hecate was reading a page about daisies and their uses. Pippa smiled to herself at the symbolism, daisies had once been said to represent innocence and a nervousness of confessing love.
Hecate looked down at Pippa's head against her chest. "Have you finished the page, Pipsqueak?" She asked gently. She was happy to share reading her book with the blonde witch. Pippa nodded, she was also enjoying the quiet companionship of reading together. She had always loved reading about flowers and their properties, both magical, and symbolic. She especially loved that a whole bouquet could have a conversation with no words needing to be uttered. The next page almost made her laugh out loud, red camellias. The symbol of desire. She snuggled up to the witch, revelling in the hilarity of the situation. Hecate hadn't yet appeared to cotton on.
After a few more pages, Hecate closed the book. She looked down at the beautiful witch nestling into her chest, and kissed the top of her head. Pippa sat up, bringing her face level with Hecate's. She gently kissed her on the lips and tucked a strand of her long dark hair behind her ear. Hecate pulled her onto her lap with surprisingly strong arms and kissed her again. This time the kiss was different, it was clumsy, desperate and longing. Pippa wrapped her arms around Hecate's neck and deepened the embrace.
Suddenly the blonde witch froze. Hecate leaned back and looked at the blonde witch, concerned. "Is everything okay Pipsqueak?" She whispered.
The blonde witch nodded. "Hecate... you're the first witch I have ever kissed." She said shakily. "I didn't think it would matter, but I'm nervous. Could we take things slow please?"
Hecate was taken aback. She had always imagined that the confident blonde witch would be the more experienced out of the two. "Of course, Pipsqueak. We can go as slow as you like. I want you to be happy with everything we do."
They remained on the sofa, kissing for what seemed like an eternity for both witches. Despite her initial nerves, Pippa stood up, emboldened by her desire for Hecate. She could hardly take the wait any longer. Grabbing the taller witch's hand, she pulled her eagerly to the bedroom and kissed her again.
The two witches fell gracefully onto the bed together. Hecate glanced shyly at the blonde witch, making eye contact and nodded at the message of consent that the blonde witch sent in her smile back.
Their hands began excitedly exploring each other's bodies. They had coveted one another from a distance for so long. Pippa moved her mouth and began to kiss along Hecate's distinctive jawline, revelling in the goosebumps that appeared on her companion's arms.
Golden ribbons of light started to dance around the bedroom as the sun rose. The two witches lay together entangled, only they would have known who's limbs were whom's. Pippa snored lightly into Hecate's now bare arms.
Hecate awoke first, smiling at Pippa's perfect nose squished into her shoulder. The blonde witch was captivating, even in slumber. Hecate lay smiling, wondering how she could have been so lucky to finally have Pippa in her arms.
As she lay in Pippa's grasp, contented, her mind went back to their conversation on the sofa. Hecate was the first witch Pippa had ever kissed. Of course, Hecate had heard of Pippa Pentangle's many wizard suitors over the years, but she had assumed that there had been witches too. Hecate herself had tried to dabble with both witches and wizards in the past, but only witches had ever made it past the first dates.
She sighed gently, casting her mind back to a conversation they had had via mirror. Pippa had mentioned working out what it was between the two of them. Hecate wondered if today would be the day to finally have that discussion face to face.