Sort of double update this week as apposed two short ones. Tiiiiiny bit of time travel in this one.

"How long had she been stood there?" Mildred thought, as the joint second years fumbled to turn around; each girl trying to her own way then the other. And how much had she heard?

Enough, judging by the steady glare HB was giving Fenny and Gris as she stepped into the room and drew out every word. The very temperature seemed to drop around her.

"Well, well, well. Griselda Blackwood. And Fenella Feverfew. I might have known it be you two causing mischief." The Vamp sneered at them both. Before her eyes fell on Mildred and she amended. "You Three now, I suppose."

"Yes Miss!" "No Miss!" Fenny & Gris stammered fiddling with their year sash, (it was really two-year sashes tied together to make one.)

"We were just-"

Miss Hardbroom held up a finger to silence them, not looking away from Millie. Looking, with those dark red eyes, in which something awful flickering behind the distain. Once again that hard stare put such a fright up Mildred. But a look she couldn't blink at, let alone tear herself away from meeting. Even as the Vampire witch moved closer to her.

"Just filling the new Scholarships girl's head with stories." HB finished in a tone that sent a chill down Mildred's spine. "Am I to assume given the three of you are in the one room this tour has very nearly concluded?"

Mildred, not sure if she was the one being addressed nodded.

"Good."

With that the Vampire stopped suddenly turned snappish. "Not even Three Hours into this new term and I have to remind you again the need for Deportment?" she said the chin jutting angrily. "We run a very tight ship here at Cackles and I do not take kindly to Any tomfoolery. Regardless of species. And you two-!"

She barked turning back to Fenny& Gris. Well more rounding on them, her voice near a shout.

"What a surprise! When will you learn, this is a school not a just a playground for your gossip and pranks!"

(It might be awful to say but Mildred was glad HB had turned on them. A little bit. She Could finally breath and blink again for one thing. And get a better look at the severe HB now Mil wasn't under her scrutiny. Not that there was much information to gather in this light. Nothing she didn't see earlier in the yard. Chalk white skin and Tall. Midnight black high collared long dress. Hair in a large bun set tight and far back. keys on a tight belt. Dark lips. And sharp, sharp teeth-!)

Miss Hardbroom folded her arms, once again cool and measured, eyes narrowing dangerously. "Miss Cackle warned you last year about what would happen if you continued these shenanigans. You might have fooled everyone else into thinking you've turned over a new leaf and thrown yourself into your studies. But I do not buy it. So I suggest you finish up this little 'tour' in an orderly fashion. On your way. No more stories or trying to scare the likes of…"

She turned back to the new scholarship girl, and paused as if encountering something unpleasant she didn't wish to name.

"Mildred Hubble."

Even The way she said her name made Mildred quake in her boots. But with that, and a final glance at the second years Miss Hardbroom turned on her heel and swept out of the room; short heels clickclacking on the floor. The door closed behind her with such a snap that blew the candle out.

Mildred made to speak, something unkind on her tongue. But the second years held up a hand to her to stop, the other a shushing gesture. To right too, as suddenly- HB's voice boomed and Echoed about the room. "And you two can report to the staffroom afterwards! IMMEDIATELY!"

"She won't last a week." Constance growled nearly an hour later. Once she'd given (unfairly according to the others) Fenny and Gris a break time indoors for 'filling the school with rumours'.

"Who won't?" Miss Cackle asked.

"I'm sure those two second years could have found you a bookie if you want to have a flutter on how long she'll last." Miss Nightingale suggested. "Get the odds on for a week."

It was a bit of a sore point that all the staff knew vaguely about the black market of contraband and little gambling rings that took place in the school. But even in all her years teaching not even Constance had been able get rid of them completely. They were as much a part of the school traditions as midnight feasts and the occasional invasion of evil sisters.

So Ms Nightingale got a hard Hardbroom glare for her remarks.

With either perfect timing or coincidence suddenly there was Poof of sparkles and feathers. And a raven perched on the back of a chair where Ingra had been.A few members of staff jumped. More at the sound then the usual occurrence.

"Blooming Sundown." Miss Gullet scowled pulled a stray feather out of her mug and swatted a laughing Nightingale the Raven with a skeletal hand.

Miss Cackle nodded. "Would some on get a coffee for Marigold? I expect she'll be up in a minute or two."

"Oh, is she here? I haven't seen her." Lavina said.

"Got in early this morning." Imogen told her.

"She came in the daylight? How?"

"By post. Mr Blossom and I put her in the art room out the way."

"Well that's her accounted for. I don't suppose anyone's seen Professor Gimlet, Mr De Bloom or Miss Bat have they?" Miss Cackle asked. No one had. "Hmm. Anyway you were saying Miss Hardbroom? Who won't last a week?"

"The Scholarship girl." The distrust in her voice was almost on par with the way she discussed things like Art and sports.

"It's been a while since we had one of them." Lavina chuckled.

"Nineteen years to be precise." Constance said. She put her fang friendly teacup down and dabbed at her mouth. "And that girl had been bright and from a witching family. But still on lasted three terms. This Mildred Hubble won't manage here."

"That's a very defeatist attitude Miss Hardbroom." Miss Drill said. "Even by your standards."

"Agreed." Gullet said. "I reckon it'll be at least a fortnight before she jacks it in."

"Ah." Miss Cackle disagreed with them and said so. "Well I'm afraid I disagree with you both there I think Mildred will be quite-!"

The head mistress and head ghost was interrupted however. There was a large crash above them. It must have been very large to be heard from two stories down. And HB's sharper hearing picked up the caterwauling of mischief and broken glass. From the first-year corridor.

Staff shenanigans! Thanks for reading 3