So, When i first started this, I didn't know where I was going. I had some basic ideas, and nothing more. Well.. Now I have a much clearer Picture. I'm gonna, however, be splitting this up into Three Fics. This one will be ending after the Pentangles Adventure. This one will be followed by a 'summer adventure' flick. Then lastly the next school year, which will continue the main plot point of this story. "Juile's evil". So, Sorry.. You're gonna have to wait a little bit for that. But there will be plenty of Hecate, Mildred and co in the meantime!

I'm not feeling burned out, but I am finding it a little harder to get through some of the chapters at the same rate as when we began. So, To Help make sure you guys still get your daily updates. I'm gonna be posting Once a day Minimum at about 5-6 UK time. I may also post again in the Early Afternoon (Around 12 most likely, Like today), If I have the chapters to spare!

Sorry for the Ramble, I just wanted to be clear about where this was going! Rather than a super long fic, it's gonna be three cool lengthen fics!

ENJOY THIS ONE I'M PRETTY PROUD OF IT!


Chapter 16: Permission

Hecate hated how worried she'd been when she walked into the Hall to find one Mildred Hubble Missing. But looking at the fact that her two best friends were also Missing.. She assumed they were together.

Her worry soon turned into mild dread wondering what might have kept them, and how much trouble it has caused. She couldn't stop a hand on her lap from tapping her leg. It was a nervous sign she didn't often show. Her worry faded slightly when she looked behind her, just in time to see the three girls skidding round the corner. With a wave of a hand she'd appeared to hear their excuse.

Her eyes locked with Mildred's when she spoke. She'd be having words with that child. Mainly to see if said 'talk' was the talk they talked about. She'd hoped it went well. More so for Mildred's sake than her own. If The fact they were talking and laughing over dinner was anything to go off, she'd say it did go well.

The Rest of dinner was thankfully uneventful. Nothing but lumpy mash to cause her Concern. And Perhaps the fact that Algernon was adding Flies to his. Hecate will be thankful when dinners over, just to get away from that.

Eventually, Hecate Transported herself back to her.. No.. Their apartment. Because isn't that what it is now? Theirs.

Mildred only jumped slightly from her place on the Couch. Causing just the smallest smirk from Hecate. She always enjoyed making people jump with that. She still remembered the first time she had done it to Pippa. She'd kept the fact she'd learned a secret until Pippa's Birthday. After Dark she had transferred into her Room with two cup cakes. She can't help but smile every time she thinks about Pippa's face that day. Watching her best friend jump, dropping everything onto the floor, looking shocked, then confused, then followed by a look of pure 'Awe'. Up until then, she'd been confusing the whole school by how she could get somewhere so fast. Her Pipsqueak was happy to keep that secret for just a little longer.

"Mildred" Hecate Stated as she looked at her. "How was your day?" More specifically, How was that talk. It's really the only part of the day she cared about. Well, that wasn't quite true. She also cared about her messing up a potion, causing her to spend a detention cleaning it.

"It went well.. Sorry about the Potion.." Mildred clearly felt a need to get that out the way, flashing Hecate a sheepish Smile. Her eyes downcast as she apologised.

"I assume something good was occupying your mind?" Hecate had already punished her, and the fact she was saying sorry again, shows she really didn't mean to. She saw no point in having another go at her. Instead, changing the Subject to something hopefully more uplifting.

"The talk with Enid and Maud.. " She started, still looking sheepish and sorry, yet there was a spark in her eye, One that just lit up further at Hecate's raised eyebrow. "I was late to Dinner because of that talk.." Well, Hecate had gathered that.

"They had a lot of questions.. But.. Maud was supportive, I could tell Enid wasn't so supportive.. But she didn't say anything bad!" Hecate was glad for that one, She'd made a promise to herself that she wouldn't treat Mildred differently than any other. But she'd be damned if she'd let her best friends upset Mildred.

"Well.. I'm glad." Hecate Finally sat down in her big chair. Waiting to see if Mildred had anything more to say. She knew family, or.. People living with a Child, Would do the whole 'How was your day' thing. But, She'd never been any good at that.

Her Mother would ask, when she was really little. But it was more to the cheek she wasn't doing anything she wasn't supposed to. After all 'She's acting with the Hardbroom name'. As she got older, her mother stopped asking. And Her father was always at work, so she never got to tell him about her day.

So despite the lack of practice, She did try to do those normally adult child things. She imagined Julie would have done it. And Hopefully it'd make Mildred feel better.

"I was wondering.. If it'd be possible.. Sometimes.. Maybe the summer holidays.." Mildred was rambling. She did that when nerves. Whatever she wanted to ask, She was scared Hecate would say no. Which only made Hecate feel like she should be saying No a lot more. But for a Troublesome Student, she was not a Troublesome child to live with. It was like Jekyll and Hyde.

"Go on.." Hecate Prompted. As Sweet as it was she could make her so nerves, she also wanted to know what it was tonight.

"If Enid and Maud could come round. During the Holiday.. Or.. Sometime." Mildred finished, Pulling a face Hecate had yet to see on Mildred. It was the puppy dog eyes. She'd never tried it with Hecate, But Hecate had seen many other kids try it.

There was something cute, and yet unnerving about the big eyes, and hopeful smile. "And what would you three do?" Hecate didn't want to say yes, Just for the three of them to run a muck and destroy the castle.

"I was thinking just a Sleepover. Maybe go outside for a bit.. Maybe show them some 'normie' movies?" Mildred supplied.

"I'll allow it." Mildred looked suddenly very excited, at least before Hecate added in "But!" There will always be a catch. "There will be rules, And if either of them break them. I will be sending them home then and there. Is that understood?" She left no room for anything else, But she enjoyed the illusion of free will.

"Yes! Completely!" Thank you so much!" Mildred jumped out of her seat, and rushed over to Hecate, Wrapping her arms around her neck for a big hug. Hecate was stunned. This was only the second time.

The First hug had been given after the fight with Julie, Mildred's emotions were running high, she was sorry for her actions, and was glad Hecate was still alive. It was understandable. This Hug however, came because Hecate had brought her genuine joy. That's not something 'Heartless' Hecate had ever done for a child. She'd given news that made Children Happy before. But nothing quite like this.

She slowly placed her hands on Mildred's Back, Patting Gently. Eventually, she let go. "I'm going to go and Maglet Maud and Enid!" Without waiting for a reply, she legged it into her room, slamming the door shut, just to open it again and yell out "Sorry!", before closing it much more gently.

Honestly, Hecate was wondering, even after years of caring for children, if she was cut out for Guardianship. The Child was like a tornado. But.. She didn't completely mind.


Hug Count: 2.

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