Not as meny posted today! Mother stole my laptop for a spell, But in a way, im glad she did, Im pretty happy with how this turnned out. Before we continue, The Reviews!

Millie Hubble: Thank you! And Hopefully you'll continue to love it, and let me know what you think!

CurlyWitch14: Im living for every one of your reviews at the moment, honestly. I honestly hadnt considered Ethel, and i really should add her in a bit more. But seeing as Mildred hasnt been spending much time with the general school, she hasnt had a place. Yet! hecate is slowly becoming perent like with every passing chapter. Its a Slow slope, but one fully worth it! Im really intrested to hear what you think of this one.

ENJOY!


Chapter Nine: A Terrible Feeling

Mildred explained in a fast breathy way what happened in the forest. Why she lied. Miss Hardbrooms words. Her mothers return.

Mildred couldn't help but feel terrible. That sick feeling was holding her hostage. Every thought fuelled it.

She thought back to her mum, how uncharacterised she acted. It had made a startling realisation in Mildred. She didn't have a mother anymore. Whoever that was, it wasn't the woman who raised Mildred. She wasn't the only one on mildreds mind either.

She couldn't get Miss Hardbroom out of her head. She felt terrible for lying to her.. more so because.. if she hadn't lied. And hadn't run into the woods. Then she wouldn't have had to fight her mom, and she wouldn't have gotten hurt.

The image of Miss Hardbroom stood in front of her, and basically telling her to run, kept playing in her mind. She risked her life so that Mildred, Rotten, Awful Mildred, Could be safe.

Come to think of it, this wasn't the first time Miss Hardbroom had done this. She'd also stepped between her and her mother after talking to ol' granny hubble.

Mildred knew she was a burden. To no one more than HB. Mildred didn't want to be in the bad books with Miss Hardbroom. She was an amazing witch, Perhaps the best in Miss Crackles! Even getting to learn from her in a class is nice. Even if she didn't always show it. But that might just be because Miss Hardbrooms hard nature made it awkward to show that.

While mildred had been stuck in her own head, Miss Cackle had been talking about this, or that. Mildred wasn't listening..

At least not until Miss Cackle touched her arm. "Well..? Miss Cackle Encouraged before explaining further. "Shall we get you back?"

Mildred had mixed feelings about going back to HB's. On one hand, she should make sure she's okay. On the other hand, She was terrified of Miss Hardbroom yelling at her again.

But, At the end of the day, Mildred couldn't put it off much longer. So She simply nodded and Left with Miss Cackle. Who decided now was a brilliant time to give her 'fun facts' about the school. Any other day, Mildred would have taken in every one.

But it's very hard to listen to interesting facts when you're walking to your end.

Once they reached the door, Mildred moved to knock, just to be stopped by Miss Cackle who shook her head. She slowly opened the door, Allowing the two entry, Miss Hardbroom was not in the main Room, so instead Miss Cackle just yelled out "It's Only Mildred, Hecate. I'll catch up with you tomorrow!" With that the headmistress nodded to Mildred and closed the door on her way out.

Leaving Mildred to completely fend for herself, stood like a lost duck in the middle of her potion teacher's living room.

Not a moment after the Door closed however Miss Hardbroom Came out of her room. She was still in her outfit from earlier, But she'd clearly used a spell to rid it of mud and any other mess. But, her hair had been left down, to trail soft, yet defined curves all the way down to her waist. It made her look far less intimidating.

Miss Hardbroom walked closer to Mildred, Her arms crossed in her normal commanding way. There was something about the look on her face.. It was still mildly mad, but there was a softness to it.

Mildred didn't think twice before running at her teacher, Wrapping her arms around her waist, and just crying into her. To anyone else, it would seem foolish. Miss Hardbroom was not the hugging kind. If she should be seeking comfort with anyone, it should be Miss Cackle. The School Granny. Even Miss Bat would work for that.

But to Mildred, it was more than about Comfort, it was about feeling grounded. And there was only one person who could make her feel like her feet were planted. Today, she'd been so scared to lose Miss Hardbroom. She'd already lost her mum, she couldn't deal with losing her too.

"I-Im so sorry.." Mildred cried. She would have been surprised at Miss Hardbrooms hands coming to rest on her back, had she been able to focus on more than one thing at a time. "I didn't mean to hurt you.."

Because at the end of the day, that was the real problem here, wasn't it? By Mildred going out to the forest, she'd brought her Mum to them, and they had resulted in a fight that got HB Hurt.

Suddenly Miss Hardbrooms hands came to grab onto mildreds arms, pulling her off her. The Teacher bent down so she was closer in height. "You, Mildred, Didn't. Don't you dare start putting that blame on yourself"

She spoke with Authority, and a slight angry Hiss. Yet, there was a waver in her voice. The words she spoke almost contradicted the way it was said. But Mildred understood clear as day. Miss Hardbroom was Angry, just not at her.

HB let go of her arms, and stood upright, Pointing to the Sete nearby. "Have a Seat." It wasn't a suggestion. She left no room for arguing, or complaining for that matter. And so, Mildred wandered off to sit down. This was only her second Night here. She had yet to spend time in this room..

Mildred watched as her teacher went over to the kitchen area, if you could call it that, and got out two cups, quickly making up a drink. Mildred couldn't really say what she was doing fully. Not with her back turned to her.

Mildred allowed her sore eyes to wander the room, She was expecting dark and gothic. Not homely and warm. It was Pleasantly surprising. Something she did notice was the lack of Personal Effects around. Pictures and the likes. Not a single photo of Miss Hardbroom, or her family and friends, sat around the room.

Before she knew it, A Mug was being pleased before her, It held Hot chocolate, with pink marshmallows. An odd choice for Miss Hardbroom, but she supposed she had been stuck with them for whatever reason.

"Thank you.." Mildred Muttered, as HB sat down next to her. Placing her own mug of chocolate brilliance down.

"Mildred.." Hardbroom drawled out, prompting the young witch to look up to her teacher. "Why did you not tell me where you were going?" Ah, So it was that talk now. At least she wasn't screaming and yelling. That's always a plus.

"I just.." Mildred studied the look on Miss Hardbrooms face. It was waiting, yet still just as stern. "I just wanted some time on my own.."

"Then why didn't you say so" Mildred always admired the way Miss Hardbroom was able to pronounce the H in words so clearly. She thought the same thing about the way she was able to roll almost any R.

"You'd all been looming.. I- I didn't think you'd let me." Mildred Confessed.

"Congratulations. You've managed to be both wrong and Right." Miss Hardbroom said before taking a sip of her drink. "You wouldn't have been allowed to go running through the forest on your own, I'm sure I don't need to explain why after tonight."

Mildred nodded. Waiting for the 'But' she could just hear coming.

"But.." There it is. "I did say what you were to do after Dinner was completely up to you. There was no need to Lie. I'm sure you could have found somewhere else, far safer, to spend your time alone." She seemed to think for a moment before saying "For example. You're welcome to spend your spare time here. It is, after all, attached to your room. As long as you keep things tidy, and don't go sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. I see no issue."

It was a branch. She was Extending a Branch. Mildred hadn't thought she'd want her hanging around her personal area. But, she supposed it was better than having a repeat of today. And she did make a comment of not sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. She knew what she really meant. 'Don't go into my room'.

"Thank you, Miss Hardbroom'' Mildred gave what must've been the first genuine smile since she found out her mom still had magic before she took a sip from her drink. Now the perfect temperature.

"Yes, Well. Finish up your drink, and off to bed" Two things struck mildred. One was how awkward she is when people thank her. Most people would say 'No problem' But not Miss Hardbroom.

The second thing.. She sounded almost motherly telling her to go to bed. It was both comforting and weird.

But nonetheless, she finished her drink, placed her cup down and stood up. "Thanks again, Miss Hardbroom." She was testing it now. Receiving only a Nod in return. "Goodnight.." It wasn't really a good night, But what else do you say?

Mildred went to her room, leaving HB for the night. It didn't take her long to change, Get into bed and practically pass out. After all, it had been a rather long day.


Thank you for reading! Do leave me a Quick Review and let me know what you think so far, every comment is an ego boost to post more!