In a bubble of solitude she assembles herself at her desk in an empty potions laboratory contemplating her next move. She is deep in thought when a team of footsteps moves in her direction. Her pupils file into the room one at a time. The group of them gather around a single cauldron. An eerie scene unfolds as they all work in tandem towards a common goal without any instruction, or any argument. Sebastian, and Ada soon join them. Hecate locks eyes with them.
"What are they working on?" Hecate queries.
"They have decided on a course of action which they feel has the ability to restore you."
When the potion is complete Hecate finds her way to the platform leery of what fate might await her. Ethel steps away from the cauldron, and shoots her a questioning look.
"I am not clear on why your magic has suddenly dwindled."
Hecate pauses, and cautiously contemplates a response. Sebastian glances over her pupil's shoulders. He temporarily makes eye contact with the potions mistress. He offers a subtle nod. She begins on baited breath.
"A lifetime ago I found myself in the cross-hairs of a less than beguiling wizard. To offer the truncated version of the tale, shortly thereafter I beget a son. Due to unfortunate circumstances I decided it was necessary to provide him an adoptive family who could offer him what I was lacking."
The room falls silent for several ticks.
"Why is your magic corrupted now?" Enid queries.
The wrinkle across Hecate's forehead deepens as the pain grows. "A spell was cast upon me so that I wouldn't look for him as a measure of safety. His existence had been blocked from my memory. That is until something pulled at a thread that has ended in the reversal of the spell."
"How long ago was this? Do you know where he is?" Maude probes.
"As I said, a lifetime ago. I am apprised of his physical location."
Ethel breaks her silence on the matter, "If you placed him for adoption for his safety I would assume that it was a wizard of darkness you were referring to. How can we be certain that your son isn't also a dark wizard? Is he behind all of this?"
Sebastian smiles, "I think a simple truth spell would probably do the trick, wouldn't it?"
Mildred dissents, "The best option would be to use a more complex, and effective version. An original chant would prevent the party from obtaining an antidote prior to the administration of the potion."
"I concur," Hecate assents.
Ethel shakes her head, "We have to find the party in question first."
Mister Ravenfeather grins, and winks at her, "Sometimes the party you seek is hiding in plain sight, Miss Hallow."
Ethel rolls her eyes, "Unless he is already at Cackles I fear we do not have the time allotted for such an endeavor."
"I am present," he responds.
Enid's mouth stands agape, "You?!"
"I will leave the potions lab so that you ladies have the opportunity to finish the task at hand."
He transfers himself from the lab, securing the door as he goes.
"Miss Hardbroom we will need your assistance. Where would we even begin?" Maud queries.
Hecate arches her brow, "With what you already know."
Ethel huffs as her head shakes, and her eyes roll, "Obviously all we need to do is find a spell that we can reword."
It proves a challenge for Hecate to take a backseat, and remain opinion-less to the group.
Mildred quickly interjects before Hecate's non-verbal communication can betray her, "It must be original so that an antidote cannot be surmised. Enid and I can prepare the chant, if you, and Maud will prepare the potion."
Hecate watches as her pupils diligently work as a team towards a common goal as she sits perched upon a stool. She tries to quash her sense of pride, but it is a futile task. Enid, and Mildred carefully scrawl their chant applying a painstaking level of precision. They scratch out entire lines at a time, and rewrite them, striving for accuracy, and efficiency. Maud and Ethel utilize a scale to ensure their brew is as precise as possible. Hecate tilts her head, trying to place where the two of them have secured a digital scale from.
"Ladies do you mind telling me where you procured that scale?"
"I assure you that we will return it the instant that it is no longer needed," Ethel responds.
In the blink of an eye the pupils have prepared their final products. Mildred motions for Miss Hardbroom's presence. The potions mistress hovers over Mildred's shoulder as she has done hundreds of times before.
"It is no Esper Vespertilio chant, but I believe it will be adequate for the task."
Hecate pats Mildred's shoulder, "It is more than adequate."
"Our potion is complete, as well," Ethel signals.
Hecate nods, as she makes her way to the cauldron. She inhales the pungent concoction.
"We fear it may be too strong," Maud offers her insecurities.
"Strength is needed for the task. Shall we summon Mister Ravenfeather?"
"Indeed," the group of pupils agrees.
Hecate remains silent, as if she hasn't heard their response. Suddenly the young, strapping young instructor appears before them.
"Have a seat," Hecate instructs in her most intimidating tone.
He plants himself on the stool, and awaits his fate. The chant is preformed, and the potion is ingested. He grimaces as he ingests the elixir offered to him.
"This is utterly the worst thing I have ever tasted in my life."
Hecate turns to the group of young ladies before her. Mildred steps forward for her interrogation.
"Please state your full legal name," Mildred begins.
"Achilles Sebastian Ravenfeather."
"Date of birth."
"August seventh nineteen ninety seven."
"Please tell me the names of your adoptive parents."
"Atlas and Reina Ravenfeather."
"Who beget you?"
"Joy Hecate Hardbroom."
"What was your primary objective in becoming a faculty member at Cackles Academy?"
"To grow more acquainted with Miss Hardbroom."
"To what end?" Mildred's voice remains calm, and authoritative.
"To prove to the best witch that I am good."
"Tell me about your other objectives," Mildred insists.
"To help shape the futures of young witches."
"Mister Ravenfeather what is your deepest fear?"
"That my mere existence will cost my biological mother hers."
Mildred motions for Ethel who dutifully steps forward.
"How can we have any certainty that the good within you will prevail over the darkness that you attempt to shove aside?"
He looks to Hecate, who hasn't made eye contact with him since his interrogation has begun. "Because I would gladly sacrifice my gifts for the one who has made grave sacrifices on my behalf."
Ethel glares at the blue eyed instructor, "Have you ever attempted to contact your biological father?"
"No. Such an endeavor would certainly result in destruction, and loss of life."
"Don't you long to know how he could make such egregious trespasses against the woman who gave you life?"
"He was consumed with darkness. He sought only to destroy others in an attempt to gain power he was simply not strong enough to handle."
"But you are, aren't you? That's why you're here, isn't it? You've taken Miss Hardbroom's power, and you plan to suck every last one of us dry. Admit it!" Ethel easily offers a stellar rendition of 'bad cop'.
He hangs his head and a beat passes before he answers, "I have only ever wanted to be good. I have had a chip on my shoulder my entire life. I pushed myself to be the best at every turn, because I feared that if I didn't someone would be convinced there was darkness within me. It would have been easier to turn away from all of the light that was showered upon me. There is no doubt that the darkness beckoned me on more than one occasion, but it never stood a chance against the light within me."
Hecate's silence ends with the tear that betrays her trust as it cascades down her cheek.
"That is enough," she asserts, just above a whisper.