Chapter 1
AN: hello all, here is my new worst witch story. Hope you'll like it. Please let me know what you think.
A Heavy rain poured on castle Overblow, accompanied by lightings and thunder. The wind blew mercilessly upon the ancient walls of the academy, trying to penetrate them without success.
Sitting in front of a roaring fire, ignoring the violent storm, a hot drink in one hand, a piece of cheese cake in the other, Amelia Cackle enjoyed some peace and quiet before the daily staff reunion. Those had got a lot calmer since Mildred and her friends graduated, something Amelia was more then grateful for. The old woman couldn't deny that the years the young witch attended her school were by far the most exiting of her career: The great wizard accident, saving Cosy's, restoring Algernon Rowan-Web to his true form…let's not forget Agatha trying to take over the school twice. Amelia couldn't help but chuckle. «Ah Mildred» thought the old woman «what would have happened without you?» no matter how much trouble the infamous witch had brought to the academy, she had always managed to find a solution. By the end of her passage at Cackles, Mildred had won the love and respect of the entire staff, even Miss Hardbroom.
Small knocks on the door interrupted her thoughts. «Come in» called Amelia.
«Hello Amelia» said Lavinia as she entered followed by Imogen and Constance «Are you ready for the reunion?» asked the potion mistress
«Yes of course» answered the headmistress placing her empty tea cup and half eaten cheese cake on the coffee table next to her before getting up and taking place at the head of the table. Then she pointed the empty seats «Please do sit down ladies». Once everyone had settled, Amelia announced «The staff meeting is officially in session. Now who would like to start?»
Constance raised her hand «Yes Miss Hardbroom?»
«Headmistress I would like to report the atrocious behaviour of one of the girls» started the potion mistress «Which one?» asked Lavinia
«Anna Morningstar»
«What has she done this time?» inquired the headmistress grimly. The second year, had the nasty habit of bullying the girls who had trouble learning. Her deputy head's comment, made Amelia smile, Constance and Mildred's relationship had transformed the teacher. Now the formidable potion mistress took it upon herself to encourage those who needed support and severely punish the ones pushing them down.
«She knocked Rose Nightingale off her broom» All the teachers gasped
«What?!»
«Is she all right?»
«Yes, Rose was only a little shaken»
«Why wasn't miss Morningstar not send to my office?»
«Do not worry headmistress, I confined her to her room, and she will report to your office tomorrow morning» explained Constance
«All right, I will expect her at 9 a.m sharp» growled Amelia «Anything to ad Miss Hardbroom?»
«No, and I ask to be present during your meeting with Miss Morningstar»
«Granted. Who's next?»
Imogen, raised her hand «Imogen?»
«Amelia I was wondering if we could use the great hall tomorrow for basketball practice?» her proposition was met by a sarcastic snort from Constance Hardbroom. Despite the fact that the two women had been working together for more then ten years, they still had trouble to remain courteous in their exchanges.
«Do you have something to say Miss Hardbroom?» asked the blond woman, barely able to hide the bitterness in her voice.
Amelia rolled her eyes «When will these two finally make peace?» she asked to herself.
«I don't see why you need the great hall for» answered the potion mistress «Why not do what you usually do, play outside?» she added
Imogen took a deep breath before speaking again «Well, I don't know if you've noticed but it's raining like crazy outside. And I don't know for you but I would like to prevent the girls from catching a cold»
«I..» before the two could start arguing Amelia intervened «Thank you Miss Drill for your concern for the students' health, yes you may use the great hall for basket ball practice tomorrow»
«Thank you Miss Cackle» said Imogen, a triomphant smile on her face «don't worry everything will be put back in it's rightful place after the class»
«Thank you Imogen» Amelia turned her attention towards the only member of staff left «What about you Lavinia, do you have something to say?»
«Well…» the chanting teacher was brutally interrupted by loud knocks on the door.
As soon as Amelia called«Yes come in» a young girl burst in the staff room. It was Lilly one of the first year, she had trouble to breath as if she had ran a marathon.
«Lilly what is it?» asked the headmistress
«It's….There…» muttered the girl struggling for air. Lavinia, who was the closest, hurried to the little witch «Shhh calm down dear. Take a deep breath. That's it»
the other teachers quickly joined them.
«Lilly what is going on?» asked Amelia
«There is a woman, in the courtyard!» started Lilly once she had caught her breath
«A woman?» repeated the now very concerned headmistress
«Yes, I think she is injured. It was Mr Blossom who found her and told me to run and find you!»
«WHAT!» exclaimed all the teachers.
«Thank you Lilly, now go to your room and rest» ordered Amelia, before hurrying out of the room followed by the other teachers.
When they reached the courtyard they saw a group of students under the rain. Constance approached «There is nothing to see here, everybody inside now or you'll spend the entire week end in detention» hearing the threat, all the girls quickly walked back inside, reviling the caretaker kneeling down next to a stranger. He spotted the teachers «Oh thank god you are here, we have to hurry she needs help!»
Amelia hurried to the caretaker and knelt beside the woman. «Dear Lord!» she exclaimed. The poor thing was in a appalling state. Her right leg was broken and her close were soaked by both water and blood.
«Who is she?» Before Frank could give her an answer a strike of lighting illuminated the woman's face. Amelia recognized instantly «MILDRED»