Hello everyone! Back again with another chapter! Thanks for being so patient with me! I'm actually on spring break currently and I am hoping that I can write a little more before it ends! I have a lot of ideas for how the story is going to go!

Also, I just read this really wonderful and amazing worst witch fanfic called 'help me when i fall to walk unafraid (i'll be clumsy instead)' by thispapermoon. It is absolutely lovely in every way so go read it, because I fell in love with it!

Let me know in the comments what your thoughts were on the chapter and what is your favorite fanfic?

Once again, a big huge wonderful thank you to Sasha Snape for editing this chapter!

Chapter 12:

They were supposed to be in bed, but Maud and Enid had too many questions to ask Mildred. So they were all squeezed under the covers of Mildred's bed with lights like fireflies illuminating their faces. Maud had learned the spell from her grandmother, who would often read to her with this type of lighting. The light was cozy and warm, and the girls snuggled together under the comfortable blankets.

"So," Enid said, a mischievous look in her eyes, "Miss Pentangle and HB are a couple?"

"Eh, I guess so." She loved Pippa, but she really didn't like thinking about the relationship that she had with her aunt. It was gross seeing a family member date someone else and be all lovey-dovey. Also, she didn't care for all the snogging she had witnessed-they could keep that to themselves.

"You guess?" Maud asked, tilting her head at this.

"I mean, I've caught them snogging once." Mildred cringed, reminding herself of that night. "And they spend a lot of time together. So yeah, I guess. They haven't really said it out loud to anyone."

Enid snickered. "You caught Miss Hardbroom snogging!"

Mildred frowned, "It wasn't as funny as you think it was. It was gross."

Maud turns her nose up. "I bet it was. Can't imagine my parents doing that!"

Enid cringed at that, but thought up another question to ask. "What's going to happen when school starts back? Isn't Miss Pentangle going to have to go back to her school?"

"Uh, I haven't really thought about that. I guess she will," Mildred shrugged. She could hardly think that much of ahead of time.

"Won't HB be upset about her girlfriend leaving her?"

"Maud, she doesn't know everything!"

"Well, I'm only asking like you are!"

"Hey, maybe we should pick a different topic to talk about," Mildred interjected. She would hate to see them argue enough to wake her aunt up.

Enid went first. "So, your dad showed up to the funeral?" She was trying to understand just how her friend came to know that HB was her aunt.

"Yeah, Hecate wasn't very happy to see him." Mildred reminisced on how angry her aunt was at her own brother. "She was really upset with him…"

"How come, Mil?" Maud questioned, seeing Mildred's face had suddenly become sour.

"He wants nothing to do with me and she was mad at him for it," Mildred said with an emptiness to her tone. "My own dad didn't want me."

"He's a prick!" Enid insulted, hugging her friend tightly.

"Besides, HB wants you around and that's what should really matter." Maud pointed out. "You should have seen how concerned she was when she came back to her quarters."

"She was," Enid nodded, remembering her teacher's worried face for Mildred.

"She loves you, Millie," Maud said confidently.

"Then how come she hasn't said it yet?" Mildred huffed.

"Actions speak louder than words," Maud said sagely.

"I dunno," Mildred frowned. "She might freak out like she does when I ask questions about my dad."

"That's different," Enid said, "Besides, she's adopting you right?"

Mildred's eyebrows furrowed down in confusion. "Actually, I don't know if she is. I know she's going to be my guardian, but that's different than adopting me, isn't it?"

"I'm not sure, Millie," Enid shrugged. "Whatever happens, know that you have me and Maud always."

"Yeah!" Maud exclaimed. "Nothing could ever change that!"

"Thanks, you guys," Mildred smiledbrightly, and hugged them both to her side. "Let's go to bed before Hecate catches us." They all agreed and slept peacefully into the night.

Pippa had given the girls donuts for breakfast in the morning, much to Hecate's dismay. Then they ran off to go paint in Mildred's room, promising not to make too big of a mess. Hecate turned to see her girlfriend munching down on a pink sprinkled donut and rolled her eyes. "You just wanted donuts this morning, didn't you, Pipsqueak?"

Pippa licked her lips. "Maybe."

"You're unbearable," Hecate sighed, before going through the pile of mail on the table. She was looking for any news on her custody of Mildred.

"Any news yet?" Pippa questioned knowingly, finishing off her donut and coming to look through the pile as well.

"No, it doesn't seem so-but this is strange. There is something here for you." Hecate pulled out a beautiful pink envelope to hand to Pippa. "Pippa, I think this is from your parents."

Pippa's eyes widened, and she quickly grabbed the letter, ripping out the bubble gum colored wax seal to read the cursive of her mother. Hecate watched her cautiously to see her reaction. Hecate knew Mr. and Mrs. Pentangle, and like her own parents, they too were strict with their own daughter. Not the strict that Hecate was used to with her education, but the strict side of social reputation. The Pentangles were known for being in the elite class of witches, much like the Hallows. Hecate was sure that the Pentangles used to rule the Witches' Council before the Hallows came in to power. They were well known to witches everywhere and they made sure that Pippa lived up to the name Pentangle.

Of course, Pippa was an excellent daughter-she studied hard in school and knew that she wanted to start her own school when she was older. Her parents couldn't be prouder of her when she achieved what she always wanted, but they did bear down on her for accepting anyone into her school. They thought, like Hecate, that witches should really earn the right to be in an exceptional school for witchcraft. Pippa saw potential in all her students, no matter what their lineage. She made sure everything was fair and equal at her school. That's where her parents butted heads with her, telling her she should make the school stricter with its applicants and witches.

Hecate knew this struggle she had with her parents, so seeing her have a letter from them was very uneasy for her.

"Hecate," Pippa breathed. "I need to go."

"Go?" Hecate exhaled the breath she was holding in. "Where?"

"Back to Pentangle's," She replied. "They know I'm not at the school right now and they want an explanation as to why I'm here."

"How could they possibly know that you are here?" Hecate inquired. She knew they were a powerful bunch, but she didn't expect them to keep track of her so well.

"Before I left to help you and Mildred, I let my deputy headmistress know where I was going. She must have told them." Pippa kept scanning the letter. "They want to know why I am here…with you."

"Oh."

"Oh, indeed." Pippa shook her head. "Why must they be so nosy? Oh, Hiccup, don't be worried."

"How can I not? They are your parents!" Hecate said tightly.

"It'll be okay, Hecate. I'm just going to go and explain-"

"Let me go with you," Hecate offered.

"And leave Mildred and the girls alone in the castle?" Pippa quirked an eyebrow. "No, I don't think so. Stay here with them. I'll be back soon."

"Pippa-" Hecate started, but Pippa didn't let her finish, kissing her deeply as a farewell.

"Hiccup, there's nothing to worry about. I'll be back before dinner." She kissed her once more. "I promise, cross my heart and hope to kill a bat."

Hecate nodded reluctantly. "Alright, if you say so." Pippa winked at her and she was gone before she could say another word to her.

"Hecate!" Mildred sung in the sweetest voice that Hecate thought she could muster. She looked up from her potions book that was keeping her distracted from Pippa to see Mildred looking at her with very large brown eyes like a puppy. When Mildred saw that Hecate was now looking at her, she took it upon herself to march right up into her aunt's lap, leaning her head on her shoulder.

Hecate showed no emotion towards Mildred's sneakiness. "What is it that you want, Mildred?"

She frowned, letting go of her 'adorable' facade, which Hecate actually found rather irritatingly cute. Not that she would ever say so. She wiggled in for a hug from her aunt and bravely asked, "Can Maud and Enid stay one more night?"

She was already on edge with Pippa being gone so her immediate response was, "No." Then she went back to her book with Mildred still in her arms.

"Why not?" Mildred whined, moving her face so she was blocking Hecate's view of the book.

Hecate sighed, dropping her book. "Their parents want them back today, Mildred. I cannot change that. Now, I suggest you go play with them until they do come and collect them."

"Are you okay?" Mildred suddenly asked.

"Why do you ask?" Hecate replied.

"I don't know…You seem sad," Mildred answered, tilting her head at her aunt.

"It's nothing to worry about," Hecate replied, shooing Mildred off her lap.

"Is there something wrong? Did I do something? Is it because I had a donut this morning? I only ate it because Pippa-"

"Mildred," Hecate stopped her, taking her hands into her own hands. "It's nothing to do with you. It's Pippa. She had to go back to Pentangle's for a bit to talk to her parents."

"Her parents? What do they want?" Mildred quizzed.

"They want to know why she is with us instead of being at her school and working." Hecate stood from her chair to put away her book.

"Oh, is that good then? Or bad?"

"I don't know, Mildred." Hecate patted her head, "Don't worry about it too much. Go and have fun with your friends. She'll be back before dinner starts and she would want you to have as much fun as you can with Enid and Maud."

"You're worried about it…why?" Mildred asked timidly, afraid to push Hecate's buttons too far.

"Is it that easy to tell?" Hecate raised an eyebrow at her niece. For someone so young, she seemed to have a sixth sense about her emotions.

Perhaps Mildred was an empath, which was a power that some witches gained. For the most part, those witches who were empaths were much older than Mildred. Hecate made a mental note to ask Ada about if it was possible for someone to have that ability so young. She shouldn't be too surprised-when she was younger she started to show signs of having heightened senses. Maybe it just happened to be a common family trait?

"Pippa's parents are often very concern for her reputation," Hecate explained.

"What reputation?"

"Her family's name. Like that of the Hallows," Hecate clarified, watching Mildred scowl out of the corner of her eye at the mention of her sworn enemy.

Hecate knew Mildred did not care for Ethel because of the mischief that they both caused in each other's lives. She shook her head at that; that was a talk for another day about the two girl's rivalry with each other. That relationship made her think of Pippa and herself back before they became the good friends that they are today. Maybe in the future the two girls would somehow make amends and see that their rivalry was for nothing.

"She must be really well known then. Have you ever met her parents?"

"A few times here and there. I haven't seen them though in years now, but it seems that might change." Hecate cringed thinking of aspect of going to go see Pippa's mother and father now and tell them that they are dating. She cringed even more to tell them that she also had a child to take care of as well. Hecate frowned at Mildred. "Mildred, you are running out of time with your friends making me answer all these questions. Would you please go and enjoy your time with them?"

Mildred frowned a little, "Okay," she said, before her face brightened with an idea. "Would you like to paint with me, Maud, and Enid? I have them all out and it should be fun."

Hecate shook her head, much to Mildred's disappointment. "No, I do need to work right now. Go, but I'll be checking in on you girls so don't be up to anything."

"How could we possibly get into trouble painting?" Mildred rolled her eyes, as she slowly walked towards her bedroom to go back to Maud and Enid.

"It's you, Mildred, how could you not get into trouble?" Hecate saw her Mildred stick her tongue out at her. "Do that again and I'll make it stay for the rest of the day." Mildred sucked it right back in sheepishly and ran to her friends for cover.

Hecate smirked; she was far too easy to pick on.

There was a loud knock on Hecate's bedroom door and Hecate knew that it wasn't Pippa. Pippa would know by now that she was always welcome into any space in her home. She wished it were Pippa; she did not, in fact, make it to dinner like she promised. Mildred was now starting to worry about her. Hecate had assured her that Pippa would be back tomorrow, but she was afraid that what she told Mildred would be a lie tomorrow morning. If she knew Pippa's parents, they would keep her around until she answered all their questions and she was anxious that they weren't liking the answers she was giving.

Knowing that it was Mildred, she opened the door for her niece, "Mildred, what are you doing up?" Hecate asked, as Mildred shuffled in, wearing her pajamas and holding onto her stuffed animal, Boomer. "You should be in bed, Millie."

"You should too," Mildred countered. "Pippa still isn't back?"

"No," Hecate said curtly. "I'm sure we will see her in the morning. Now, bed." She pointed in the direction of the hallway were Mildred's room would be.

The cheeky brat walked over to Hecate's own bed and lay down. "I'm in bed."

"You know I clearly meant your own bed." Mildred didn't move a muscle, but yawned at her aunt. Hecate's mouth formed a thin line. "You are being a spoiled brat right now, Mildred."

"I am not," Mildred protested, but not as loud as she normally would be with Hecate. She was trying desperately to stay awake, but her eyes keep shutting every so often.

Hecate decided she would let the girl have her way, just this once. She was clearly so tired that if Hecate got her up and made her walk all the way to her room, she might not even make it to her bed. That would be a nuisance, so Hecate took to the other side of the bed, crawling in beside of Mildred. Mildred sleepily snuggled up to her aunt's warmth, and sighed contently. Hecate tried wiggling out of it, but it seemed her Cuddle-bug was the type that would stick no matter where she moved to in the bed.

Mildred whined when Hecate moved a bit disrupting her sleep. Hecate hushed her as she turned off the lamp beside her bed. Hecate remembered to kiss Mildred's forehead to put up the protection charm that Pippa had showed her how to do. They both fell asleep peacefully after that. Later during the night, Pippa appeared, waking just Hecate. Mildred was sound asleep by her side. Hecate watched as Pippa stripped into her pajamas and slid in next to Mildred, making a sandwich with the little girl between them.

"Hello, Hiccup," She whispered in the dark, reaching over Mildred to take her lover's hand.

"Pipsqueak, you had us both worried," Hecate informed her, being sure not to wake Mildred.

"I know, I know. It's a long story that can be told with a cup of tea in the morning," Pippa explained. She was clearly exhausted. "Do you think you can wait until then?"
"I suppose," Hecate hummed with dissatisfaction, pursing her lips. "I do think you owe me something for making lose sleep over you."

Pippa smirked widely, purring as she made her way to inch closer to Hecate's beautiful face. She wished the woman would leave her hair down more-it was so long and luxurious. It was intoxicating. "I suppose I do own you something. Do you think a kiss would tide you over?"

"Not for long," Hecate flirted, "but it will do for now."

Pippa gave her a long goodnight kiss, not stopping until she heard Mildred mumble something in her sleep. Pippa brushed some brown strands away from Mildred's sleeping face, careful not to wake her. "Seems like Millie-bear has been keeping you company."

Hecate look down at her little niece. "Yes, she's become a regular cuddle-bug. How irritating."

"Oh, I bet it's excruciating," Pippa laughed. "We should get some sleep. I promise I'll tell you everything in the morning." Hecate nodded, and Pippa gave her girlfriend another kiss before they both fell asleep with Mildred in the middle of them.