Hello everyone! I am sorry for the delay! I have been dealing with finals and such and my job opportunities this summer. Better late than never I guess! I would like to thank Delicatepoem on tumblr for helping me edit and look over this chapter! She was great and super nice to work with. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and please review and tell me what you think! I love reading and hearing what you guys have to say! Thank you!
Chapter 14:
Mildred had a tiring week leading up to the Pentangle's Summer Solstice Gala, as Hecate lived up to her word on getting Mildred ready for the whole thing. They'd spent many hours learning proper witch etiquette.
On Monday that meant 'minding our manners'. Tuesday it was ballroom dancing, and Hecate's toes were still sore from Mildred's feet stepping over them. Wednesday it was proper witch socializing and, on Thursday, it was about focusing on Mildred's poor posture with books that she had to balance on her head all day long. Today, Friday, it was dress shopping with Pippa and a grudging Hecate who wished she was doing something other than such a mindless task.
Pippa took them to her favorite dress shop called Madame Luna's Magical Boutique, which had many bright colors of clothing throughout the store. Pippa also knew Madame Luna herself, a very short witch at almost Mildred's height. Her hair was midnight purple, and it seemed to glimmer with excitement at the sight of Pippa. "Well met, chéri, it's been too long!" she greeted in a detectable French accent.
"Well met, Madame. I know, dear, I am terribly sorry! Things have been so busy; I've been flying around like a bat without its head!" Pippa joked, and Madame Luna laughed.
Then the purple haired witch noticed Mildred and Hecate behind Pippa. "Qui est cette petite enchanteresse douce et sombre?" Hecate raised an eyebrow at that description of her, and Madame Luna saw and understood, "Ah, you speak French?"
"Oui." Hecate nodded sharply, and said nothing else.
"Madame Luna, I would like you to meet Hecate Hardbroom and her niece, Mildred Hubble." Pippa introduced.
"What beauties!" Madame Luna gushed, suddenly surrounding Hecate and Mildred, looking them up and down. Hecate was looking rather pale from the attention. "A lovely figure! I have a pink—"
"I'm afraid I'm not the one looking for a dress." Hecate cleared up, pushing Mildred forward a bit for Madame Luna to gaze upon her instead.
"What's the occasion?" the woman asks, snapping her fingers as a measuring tape came flying through the air of the boutique to measure Mildred's figure.
"It's her first witching gala for the summer solstice." Pippa acclaimed, petting Mildred's head dearly.
Mildred smiled nervously, and Madame Luna winked at her, "I think we can find something perfect for you, darling! Come this way!"
Thus began Mildred's journey into finding the perfect witch dress for the gala. It took far too long in her opinion (and Hecate's as well). Pippa was the major factor as to why that happened: either it wasn't the right color, or the right fit for Mildred, who was happy she didn't have to choose any of the frilly ones or those that made her look just as snobby as Ethel Hallow. She was happy she was not put into any of the two dresses Hecate picked out for her: they were far too old looking or out of date anyway. By the end they chose one that they all liked best and even Mildred loved it, she loved that she could twirl in it and not trip on her own feet.
As Madame Luna rang them up for their purchase, Mildred started feeling guilty because Hecate was paying for something so silly like a dress. Making sure Pippa and Hecate weren't looking, she reached up in her shirt and pinched the right side of her ribcage until she could feel herself becoming better for Hecate and Pippa. She was doing as the doctor asked her to and it was starting to bruise quite badly on both sides of her ribs; she continued it anyway.
"Hecate, how can I pay you back?" she asked as they walked out of Madame Luna's after saying their farewells.
"Am I not allowed to buy you things, Mildred?" Hecate asked, and Mildred winced, she would have to pinch herself again for asking something so stupid.
"Well, it's just I hate you spending on me and-"
"Mildred, money is not an issue. My salary can quite assuredly take care of us both." Hecate said as she walked beside Pippa, heading on their way to find a spot for lunch.
"It's not that…it's just… you shouldn't have to spend your money on me." Mildred complained, "I can take care of it."
Hecate stopped in her tracks. "So you are going to pay for your meals, your education, your clothes, and your housing? Please do inform me on how you will manage that?"
Mildred frowned. "I could get a job."
Hecate's eyebrows rose into her hairline and Pippa just giggled at Mildred. "And pray tell, what your job would be, along with being a student as well?" Mildred opened her mouth and then closed it, unsure. Hecate rolled her eyes. "This is why I am the guardian of one Mildred Hubble, to prevent her foolery from ever happening."
"It's not—I just want—"
Pippa spoke up, "Hecate is trying to tell you it's her job to take care of you, Mildred, not only you taking care of yourself. She wants to do this for you."
"Indeed. Can we please get to lunch now?" Hecate proposed.
Mildred let the matter go, because Pippa was right. And yet… why did she find herself pinching herself several times to make the guilt go away, when there was nothing to be guilty of?
Mildred was spinning and twirling in her new dress on Saturday. The day had finally come that Hecate and she would go to the gala to meet Pippa's parents. Mildred wasn't as nervous as Hecate seemed to be. She thought it was perhaps from seeking approval of Pippa's parents for their relationship. Although Mildred was somewhat nervous herself, she hoped nothing went wrong tonight for her sake and Hecate's.
"What shall be the first thing you'll do when we get there?" Hecate quizzed her, while finishing up getting ready.
"I bow gracefully to Mr. and Mrs. Pentangle and say 'Well Met' and thank you for having us." Mildred recited once she stopped spinning around.
Hecate nodded, "Good."
"Hecate, are you worried about tonight?" Mildred asked.
"Not about you." Hecate answered, as she took off her watch necklace. She stared at it and then turned to Mildred, "Come here." Once she did, Hecate put on the watch necklace around her neck, leaving her astonished, and with no words after her aunt's actions. "I would like for you to wear this tonight, I realize you need something that represents our family."
"I—Thank you, Hecate." Mildred said, grasping the watch in her hands like a miracle had just happened, "I'll take good care of it, I promise."
"I know you will." Hecate took her hands, "I know you asked me before if this belonged to my brother or if he gave it to me. I'm sorry I couldn't quite tell you then, but it is an heirloom of our family that is supposed to be passed down to the oldest. Hermes had it for a while, until he left."
"Why are you telling me this now?"
"I shouldn't keep you from wanting to learn about him. He is a part of you, and as much as I detest him for all his wrongdoings I definitely do not detest you." Hecate said, planting a kiss on Mildred's forehead, and Mildred could feel a breezy shiver of Hecate's magic coat her in strong warmth. She could feel inside her heart that this was a gesture of love. Hecate's brown eyes met Mildred's, "You are welcome to ask me anything about him."
Mildred could feel her eyes watering and she grasped the necklace harder, "Why doesn't he care about us?"
Mildred could grasp at Hecate's sadness, anger, misery, and pain within her heart, making her own break even more. She gulped trying to push the emotions away, but could still feel them as Hecate spoke, "Perhaps, it was our parent's fault for his downfall, but then again Hermes always did have a rebellious streak in him. He used to care a lot for his family, but when his family asked too much of him he stopped caring." Hecate was transfixed on Mildred, fixing her hand on her cheek, "He even stopped caring for something so brave and kind."
Mildred started crying. "I don't understand."
"Neither do I." Hecate sighed, bringing Mildred closer to her whispering in her ear, "I don't mean to make you upset, Millie, especially before Pippa's party. I want you to know that I am not like my brother and I can never replace your mother…But I will always care about you no matter how frustrating you and I can be."
Mildred laughed a little at that, "I suppose I can be a bit of a brat at times."
Hecate wiped Mildred's tears, teasing, "Only a bit?"
"A lot, then?" Mildred asked.
"Indeed." Hecate hummed, "Now, let me get finished and we will be on our way. It seems we are going to be a bit 'fashionably late' as Pippa calls it."
"Hecate?" Mildred started.
"Yes?"
Mildred had this funny feeling in her gut that told her to tell Hecate about the therapist appointment, but suddenly fear consumed her again, even after hearing the confirmation that her aunt would be there for her always. She squashed it down, and instead told Hecate, "Thank you."
When Hecate and Mildred arrived, they stunned the crowd that was already there by appearing in the middle of the ballroom floor. Hecate had chosen to wear something extremely different compared to her normal wardrobe of black dresses: a silky lustful red satin gown that was perfect on her slim figure. It went off her shoulders, and spilling out on the floor there was a hint of black lace that trimmed the outline of the dress. Her sleeves were long and flowy showing off the lovely golden bracelets, and she wore her hair down. Mildred had never seen hair so beautiful as Hecate's, naturally long and curly and wavy.
She actually felt dreadfully dull next to Hecate, with her peach-colored chiffon dress, trailing a bit as she walked, long enough for her to sneak on trainers underneath it. The dress also had some black lace like Hecate's, but it was like a vest attached to it. Nonetheless, she did love her ensemble, but felt like the pea under all the mattresses standing next to Hecate.
The crowd started to whisper between themselves. Some witches and wizards seemed pleased by the display and even applauded Hecate and Mildred. Mildred squirmed in embarrassment, but Hecate didn't pay it any mind. She was too focused on the stunning beauty in front of her. Pippa looked as if she was wearing a garden, full of the most beautiful shades of pink you could find, all trapped in her regular style of mermaid dresses. It seemed what was missing from the flowers was a red rose, and that would be Hecate. She blinked and stared wide eyed at Hecate, while Hecate did the same. They both seemed speechless with each other, so Mildred helped.
"Well met, and thank you for having us, Miss Pentangle." Mildred recited just as Hecate and she had rehearsed before. She wasn't sure it was wise to call Pippa by her first name in front of the crowd, so she chose a safer route. She even bowed as perfectly as Pippa herself would while greeting other witches.
Pippa bowed proudly at the both of them, "Well met, and the pleasure is all mine."
"That was quite the display, Hecate," a voice from behind Pippa commended. It belonged to an older version of Pippa. Mildred decided this was Pippa's mother, and on the left of her shoulder must be Mr. Pentangle. They shared many facial features, but it seemed that Pippa looked more like her mother than her father.
Hecate bowed as did Mildred to greet them both, "Well, I didn't want to let Pippa down."
"Truly, you didn't," Pippa commented, smirking at her.
"This must be Mildred Hubble, then?" Pippa's mother cast a long watchful eye on Mildred.
Pippa introduced her, "Yes, this is Mildred. Mildred, this is my mother, Pearl Pentangle, and my father, Eliphaz Pentangle."
Mildred bowed once more and greeted them as politely as possible. Eliphaz commended her, "You are very well mannered, Mildred."
"That would be all my aunt's doing, Mr. Pentangle." Mildred looked at her aunt, who seemed very, very pleased with her behavior so far.
"Please call me, Eli," he said, "We heard many stories about you, Mildred, from Pippa and from others from your school. I heard you turned down a scholarship from my daughter."
"Papa!" scowled Pippa, "She's happy at Cackle's, leave it be."
Eli didn't seem ashamed, "Why didn't you take it?"
Mildred gulped, she had forgotten about that, "I was the odd one out."
"Beg your pardon?" Eli's head tilted along with his wife's.
"At Cackle's, I was different, for the sheer fact that I wasn't from a witching family." Mildred chattered nervously, "So I liked being the odd one out."
"Interesting." Pippa's mother hummed, "Now you are from a witching family. How's that adjustment?"
Mildred was starting to squirm again, leaning towards Hecate's side. She was not prepared for all the questions they were bound to ask her. She wasn't even sure she could handle it, especially if there were going to be questions about her own mother or perhaps her own father. She was starting to panic on the inside, but it seemed Hecate was coming to her rescue, "She's doing quite fine." Hecate interjected, "I realize that you have plenty of questions for Mildred, but I'm sure she wants to enjoy tonight's festivities, other than answer question after question."
"I agree with Hecate, why don't we all enjoy the party and mingle with other guests?" Pippa suggested, making sure her parents weren't displeased with Hecate's reply. They seemed to be okay with it, but Mildred could tell they were eager to ask more questions. Pippa dashed them away to somewhere else for the time being, and when she came back Hecate offered to have a dance with her.
Hecate looked at Mildred, "Do you think you will be alright on your own for a bit?"
"Go dance, Hecate, I'll be fine. I'm just going to get some punch." Mildred said, and she watched as they took off to the dance floor, the music a slow-paced romantic song, perfect for the two of them.
Mildred found her way to the punch bowl, when a voice that Mildred knew very well called out, "Mildred Hubble? How could you ever be invited to a Gala meant for important people?"
Mildred turned to see Ethel Hallow in a shimmering purple dress that made her look like an eggplant. Mildred almost spilled her punch. She should have known that the Hallows would be at Pippa's party. She just wished Pippa would have warned her about it. "Ethel, how's your summer been?" She might as well start off civil with her.
Ethel was peevishly looking at Mildred now, "This party is only for invited guests."
"I am an invited guest." Mildred crossed her arms.
"Then I guess your non-magical mother is here as well. It's a pity for her to be seen with you." Ethel said, sticking her nose up at Mildred.
Mildred jerked angrily at stupid Ethel, she didn't know of course that her mother was dead. Mildred's tone was much harsher this time, "Seeing as she's dead I don't think I'll have to worry about that anymore."
Ethel's eyes widen. "Your mother is dead?"
"That is what I said." Mildred replied, dropping her punch down. She didn't feel very thirsty anymore.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Ethel responded in shock, but then went back to confusion. "Then what family are you attending with?"
"Hecate." Mildred pointed at Miss Hardbroom who was dancing with Miss Pentangle gracefully.
"You mean Miss Hardbroom?" Ethel seemed as though she was about to faint, putting two and two together. "You're related to Miss Hardbroom."
"Yep." Mildred nodded, smiling as she watched the two danced perfectly together. "She's my aunt."
"Like blood relative aunt?" Ethel questioned, still trying to make sense of this new reality.
"Yes, turns out I'm actually from a witching family through Miss Hardbroom. Her brother is my dad. Guess you can't really tell me I'm not a proper witch now." Mildred gloated a bit at Ethel. "Don't worry though I'm sure you'll find something to make up for that."
Ethel's eyes twitched at Mildred evilly, then she suddenly spoke with her know-it-all attitude ruining Mildred's spirit, "Just because you're half of a witch doesn't make you a proper witch." Ethel started to circle her like prey, "Unlike you, I get it from both sides of my family not just one like your pathetic excuse of a witching family."
Mildred couldn't take it. She finally had the upper hand on Ethel, yet she always found a way under her skin. She was a witch. A proper one that came from a proper witching family. Mildred spat at her, "At least my family likes me."
Mildred could have sworn Ethel's eyes glowed with hot rage, "I bet Miss Hardbroom didn't even want to keep you, I bet Miss Cackle made her."
"She does want me!"
Ethel smirked, knowing Mildred had fallen for her bait, "I'm sure that's what she tells you before she tucks you in at night, just to make you feel better. I mean your own father didn't want you from the sound of it, so why would she? You're just a bastard half witch that nobody wanted or needed."
Mildred could feel the prickle of tears around her eyes, and unbeknownst to her she had started to pinch her shoulder, leaving tiny bruises of Ethel's harsh words about Mildred's insecurities. Mildred could feel her mind collapsing in chaos, asking all those questions that made her doubt everything about herself. She looked weakly at Ethel who was smirking at her, pleased with Mildred's reaction. She even cackled at bit at her, "Are you going to cry? Should I go get Miss Hardbroom so she can tell you how stupid you are?"
Mildred turned away and walked off. She didn't run, she didn't want Ethel to think that she had gotten the best of her. She had of course. Mildred lifted her head up high and walked straight out two glass doors where she found herself outside on the balcony. It was just her luck that no one had made their way outside, because Mildred's body started to convulse with sobs. She didn't think that it was only what Ethel had said to make her react in such a way, but everything that had been on her mind. The guardianship, the gala, and her mum…The thought of her mum made her sick. She felt like she was forgetting so much of her and losing that part of her all together.
"Are you alright, dear?" A voice called out to her.
Mildred wiped her eyes frantically to erase any notion that she was crying. "Fine." She turned to see a woman around Hecate's age, wearing some sort of decorative scarf as a headband, her hair was jet black and curly all around, and she wore a kind smile that made Mildred want to trust her.
"I don't believe you are… That's okay though, you don't have to tell me," she replied, and magically pulled out a tissue to hand to Mildred. "Here."
"Thank you…?" Mildred realized she had no clue who this woman was.
"Marigold, and yourself?"
Mildred blew her nose before answering meekly, "Mildred."
"Mildred Hubble?" Marigold pondered wildly.
"Yes, but how did you—" She was cut off by the appearance of her aunt, "Hecate."
Hecate blinked at Mildred, taking in her wet and pink eyes from her tears. "Mildred, what are you—" Hecate looked at Marigold and apparently put two and two together. "What did you do?" Hecate directly invaded the woman's personal space to achieve her scary protective aunt mode onto Marigold.
Marigold was taken back and lifted up her hands in surrender. "I think you have a misunderstanding-"
"She's right, Hecate. Let her go." Hecate did, but slowly calculating Marigold.
Marigold smiled tensely, "I'll let you two have your space. It was nice meeting you, Mildred Hubble, I'm sure will meet again." Then she disappeared back into the party.
"Did something happen, Mildred?" Hecate enquired, getting closer to Mildred.
Mildred lied, "I just got a little overwhelmed is all."
Hecate frowned, "I saw that you were talking to Ethel Hallow."
Mildred frowned this time, "You could have warned me that she'd be here."
"I didn't even know, Mildred." Hecate countered, "She obviously struck a nerve with you. Whatever did she say?"
"Why, so you can take her side?" Mildred probed heatedly, she didn't know why she suddenly had an attitude with Hecate. Maybe she was trying to bottle up too much, or maybe Hecate was failing to notice that she was bottling up too much.
"Mildred Hubble, I do not like the attitude you are using," Hecate scolded her. "Instead of acting like an impudent child, perchance you could communicate like a proper witch would."
Mildred pinched her shoulder so hard she was afraid she popped a vein, "She said that."
Hecate's eyes blink confused, "What-"
"She said that I wasn't a proper witch because I'm only half." Mildred stated, as she could feel her eyes fill with water again, making the image of her aunt incredibly blurry.
"Half of what, Mildred?"
"Half of a witching family," Mildred choked out. "I'm only a bastard half-witch."
Hecate wrapped her up in her long arms, and they sunk to the hard-concrete balcony floor. Hecate waved her fingers, making sure the doors were shut behind them to give them privacy. She did not say anything; just let Mildred cry it out in her arms, comforting her by rubbing her back and combing her fingers through her hair. Mildred stayed in the crook of Hecate's neck sniffling and sobbing. When she finally came to the point of light hiccupping, Hecate spoke.
"Mildred, my brave girl..." She started out pulling Mildred out of the crook of her neck to maintain eye contact, "I love you."
Hecate had said it first.
She continued, "I love you, because even before we knew about our connection you never let not being from a witching family stop you. You would do anything for your magic and your friends. It doesn't matter what Ethel Hallow," she spit out furiously the name of her student, "or who anyone else tells you. You are witch where it counts. Right here." She pointed at Mildred's heart.
Mildred wrapped her arms around Hecate's neck, "You're not ashamed of me then."
Hecate hugged her niece tightly. "Of course not, I am ashamed that Ethel even said those things to you. I should go speak to her mother about it."
"No!" Mildred screeched, afraid of Hecate leaving her. "No, I think that will only make it worse, Hecate."
"You are too kind for your own good, Mildred." Hecate smiles at her a bit before standing up with Mildred in her arms. "We should head back home."
Home. What a lovely word, Mildred thought to herself, but she shook her head, and torn away from Hecate, "We just got here, Hecate, I can't let you do that."
"It seems as though you are having a rotten time," Hecate said confusedly.
"I'm better now, besides I don't want to let Pippa down." Mildred smiled at her aunt, taking her hand. "Let's go back in. Let's dance!"
"You stepped on my feet too much when we practiced, I think I shall pass." Hecate droned on, squeezing the tiny hand in her own.
"Where have you two been?" Pippa asked when they arrived back inside.
"It seems Ethel Hallow had few choice words to Mildred." Pippa raised her eyebrow, and Hecate whispered what Mildred had told her.
Pippa face turned dark. Mildred had never seen the sweet persona go into a mad-like rage ever before. Pippa looked as if she could kill someone, perhaps Ethel herself even. "Where is she? I'll kick her out of here straightaway." Pippa's eyes searched for her prey, so she could pounce.
Hecate grabbed her shoulders. "My dear, I've already asked Mildred if I could have a word with her mother, she won't let me."
Pippa crouched down to Mildred, who still had her hand connected to Hecate as if she would lose her. "Millie-bear, why? She deserves to be punished for her words."
Mildred refused to let that happen. "No, Pippa, I think that would just make things much worse between us."
Pippa hugged Mildred instantly. "Oh, you are too special of a witch. Not many would do that, Mildred." Pippa kissed Mildred's cheek, then looked up to Hecate. "If she says it again or does anything else, I will unless my wrath, Hecate."
"Pippa!" Mildred complained.
"That's only if she does it again, Millie-bear."
"Does what again, dear?" Pearl appeared with a drink in hand. Pippa informed her mother of the situation and Mildred couldn't be more embarrassed. Pearl grasped at the word that Ethel had chosen for Mildred. She looked disgusted. "What an awful tongue for someone so young, and a Hallow too nonetheless. I'm so sorry to hear that, Mildred, but you are the better witch in the end."
Mildred's heart swelled, perhaps she did do something right this evening. Hecate squeezed her hand proudly. It felt like nothing could ruin the moment, but suddenly the mood quickly took a turn for the worst.
Out of nowhere, a dozen shadowy figures drenched in midnight colored cloaks covered the ballroom. One in particular snatched Mildred away from Hecate, transferring her from her aunt. She could hear Hecate screams for her, but nothing else as they transferred to familiar grounds: Cackle's Academy. Her home.
And I'll leave it at that for now! ;)