Only the epilogue left…

This One is another 2k one! I hope you appreciate it! Actually, I was just having fun writing all the good stuff. Make sure to leave a review!


Chapter 24: A Night to remember.

Hecate had been taking things one step at a time this morning. Breakfast was a lot nicer than Cackles. For one, it was still hot when they got there. Pippa had insisted on walking her from place to place. Hecate could see she was anxious for an answer from last night. Meanwhile, Hecate was anxious to tell her anything of substance. The phase 'actions speak louder than words' kept flowing around in her head.

After breakfast, she'd Contacted Ada, who kept brushing off every question she threw her way. "The schools still standing, Hecate. That's really all you need to know!" She insisted. So, Hecate changed it to telling her about Pippa's invite. "Consider it done!". She was going to smooth everything out so it wasn't an issue of her spending a month away from cackles. Hecate could see the slight glance Ada through to her cupboard. Most likely thankful it was getting left alone.

Her lesson had gone well, Mildred turned into a Rock this time, a much needed improvement on her test the other week. Maybe there was hope for her potions results after all. Hecate was very disappointed in Drusilla however, whose hair became distinctly Pineapple like.

For lunch, and the last lesson of the day, Hecate found a Pippa attached to her. Singing Mildreds Praises. "Oh, she did well, Hecate! For a first time attempt at those spells, she was very good." It was nice to hear that Mildred did well in a class, rather than causing disaster.

For the last lesson, Hecate and Pippa played chess. They often enjoyed a good game. Normally with Hecate winning. But every now and then, Pippa would. It was normally because She'd distracted Hecate with something. A Comment or Look. Today was one of those days.. She was mildly thankful when she'd been ushered out to go get ready.

Hecate hates parties for many reasons. She found them Loud. People were annoying. Dressing up was a pain. What's wrong with celebrating with a good cup of tea? Was champain really needed. Nevermind how late they went on for. It was a waste of her time.

That's what Hecate kept saying as she did her hair. Letting it down into its natural curls, pinning back a few stray bits at the front so her face was clear, but her hair was still flowing. It was A waste of time, she told herself as she put on her dress. And absolute waste, she continued to say as she put on her shoes and her jewellery.

So why was she doing this? That's right, to make Pippa happy. She looked at herself in the mirror, patting down her dress.

She wore a black velvet dress that went right down to the floor, covering her black shiny heels. The Neckline was hardly a neck line at all, infact, it didn't go anywhere near her neck. It was straight off the shoulder that wrapped all the way round. Her Sleeves covered her arms fully, but fell loosely at the cuffs. It wasn't anything fancy of a dress, That's for sure. The most flashy part of it was the glitter. She detested glitter, but Pippa had told her to go bold. So, She chose glitter. It was most prominent at the feet of her dress. And got less and less the higher it went. Like a reverse waterfall.

Hecate liked the way the dress clung to her, but not too much that it was tight. Yet, it still had that elegant flow that she so desired from a dress. She'd paired it with an old Crystal necklace that belonged to her mother. A Black ribbon was used, rather than a chain, and the crystal was a lovely deep Purple.

She could hardly recognise herself. She almost looked.. Content. As content as one could be going to a party they didn't want to go to in the first place. Hecate left her room and headed straight for Mildreds, Now it's time to see if she was able to get ready in time. She'd hoped so. It's been a couple of hours.

She knocked on the door just to get an annoyed response of "Oh but I'm not ready yet!" Trust her to be slow about it. Hecate opened and closed the door behind her. Spotting mildred all dressed, yet her hair left down in a fuzzy mess. She turned to look at Miss Hardbroom, Her eyes widening. Hecate could see the tears in her eyes start to fade. "Wow Miss Hardbroom.. You look.." Mildred couldn't find the words at first, so just settled on "Good."

"Thank you, Mildred." Hecate said as she walked closer to her, hands clenched at her sides. "Now.. What seems to be the problem?" They didn't have a lot of time.

"My hair.." Mildred deflated. "I can't do anything fancy with a plait.. And like this, it just looks messy.." Thankfully, Miss Hardbroom could do something fancy with a Plait, She grabbed Mildreds brush before commanding;

"Head still." She brushed through the hair before going about putting it into a lovely french side Plait. Hecate had spent many days doing other girls' hairs in school, she just had a knack. It's probably why she was able to do such nice buns on herself now. She materialised a small ribbon in the air, tying it over the bobble at the end of Mildreds doo. Hecate had left a couple of small hair strands loose by Mildreds face for 'framing' as they called it. She may not be the most stylish witch, but she did have her moments. "Now, are you ready?"

Hecate stood back and watched as Mildred stood to turn to her. The dress suited her, and with the plait over her shoulder. It all just made her look very pretty and party ready. "You look.. Good." She repeated Mildreds earlier words, which had the young girl grinning like a Cheshire cat.

They exited the room, and walked down to the hall. Upon entry, it was everything Mildred could have dreamed of, and yet.. Everything Hecate dreaded. There were a lot of bright colours circling the room, everyone dressed up to the nines. Mildred spotted her new friends, but Hecate placed a hand on her shoulder and said "We should thank Miss Pentangle first." It was after all only polite to thank the host.

They wandered over to where Pippa was talking to someone, a father or board member perhaps. Hecate's breath caught when she saw her. Pippa spared no expense on her dress. A Magenta Dress, With one transparent sleeve, and gold accents. It fit her like a glove, and went perfectly with her school and personality. Sometimes it looked purple, sometimes it looked Pink. She was sure that was the idea behind it. Her blonde, no. Golden hair was up in some elaborate updo, paired with a matching hair clip. Hecate felt rather boring in comparison.

The Moment Pippa saw them, she detangled herself from her current conversation and made her way over to the pair. Her eyes took in Hecate's dress, and hair. Hecate knew Pippa loved the length of her hair. Before her eyes snapped to Mildred, a red blush tinted her cheeks.

"Mildred, Darling! You look just stunning!" Mildred gave Miss Pentangle a Twirl before replying.

"Thanks, Miss Pentangle. You do too" Miss Pentangle gave a small Cursy, and Mildred looked up to Hecate who nodded, signalling for Mildred to run off and join the other girls.

"Hiccup.." Pippa started, looking once more at Hecate's dress.

"I know, It's rather simple." Hecate guestered from her own dress to Pippas.

But Pippa just shook her head. "No, Dear. It's very you, and I find that just stunning". Was she flirting.. Hecate had the feeling, this was flirting. How was she supposed to respond to that, there was no guide on what to do if your best friend flirts with you in the middle of a crowded room.

Come to think of it, Hecate had almost forgotten they were in a crowded room. She was far too focused on this conversion for her own good. Whenever Pippa was around, Multi-tasking seemed to go out the window.

"I could say the same for you." Hecate settled with.

"Only could?" Pippa faked insults, hand to heart.

"Yes, Well.." Hecate started, her voice dipping to a whisper. "Stunning seems like an understatement". If Pippa's face of pleasantly surprised was anything to go by, she'd said the right thing.

"I.. I should get around to seeing some more people, But, I'd like to show you something in a bit, if i may?" Pippa asked, noticing someone starting to approach her.

"Of course, Pippa. I'll see you in a bit." That's the problem when your only friend here is the host. She was soon captured by some couple. And Hecate made her way over to the drinking selection.

Her eyes wandered over the Great Hall. It was indeed Great. It puts Poor Cackles to shame. She spotted Mildred in deep conversion with a couple of girls, laughing about something. Mildred, although well liked personality wise, wasn't that popular at Cackles. She Seemed to connect with some of the children here. It made Hecate wonder if she should have taken that Scholarship. Though, in many ways, She was glad she didn't.

Hecate's Idea of fun at parties, was people watching. Her Favourite happened to be the Flying teacher. Dressed in a bright red leather dress, still with her goggles. She kept waving her hands round chaotically, and yelling out random words in her stories. For once, She was grateful for Miss Drill.

It was a while later when Pippa came to stand by her. "Mind if I steal you?" She asked with a cheeky wink.

Hecate rolled her eyes and nodded. "Yes, You may." Pippa looped her arm with Hecate and pulled her out one of the side doors, and to the left. It led them to a closed off Balcony, looking over a winding maze. Their school sure was something to behold.

"The stars are beautiful tonight, don't you think Hiccup?" They were indeed beautiful, and bright. But that was not what caught Hecate's attention tonight. Pippa took a moment before looking at her guest. "Have you thought about it?"

That 'it' was the summer invite. Hecate had been thinking a lot about it. She'd also been thinking a lot about the implications. One simply does not invite a friend and her friend's ward to spend a summer alone with them. Minus Maud and Enid for a spell, but even that wasn't something often done. It was something a loved one would ask of their partner.

'Loved'. That was something Hecate wasn't familiar with. She'd had a crush on Pippa, Back during school. It was somewhat like how she felt now. Only, it felt far deeper for her now. Is that what love is? She couldn't say for sure. Not with that nagging voice in her head reminding her 'actions speak louder than words'.

She couldn't possibly accept for herself without knowing. A Lack of Knowing was the worst feeling. That had been her problem. Not the butterflies. Not the lack of breath. Not the skipping of heartbeats. Not even the fact that her thoughts always seemed to go back to Pippa somehow. It was the fact she just didn't know about the implications of their friendship.

Without a second thought, Hecate stepped into Pippa's personal space, Gently rested her hands on her hips, and leaned in to place a small kiss on Pippa's lips. As soon as it started it was over again. Hecate's eyes were downcast, almost fearing rejection.

Before Hecate's flight responses could truly kick in, Pippa placed a hand under Hecate's chin, raising it so it forced her to look into her eyes. Pippa looked nothing but kind. Trying her best to keep a smile in cheek. "Should I take that as a yes..?" It was Hopeful. Even to Hecates Ears, it was so very hopeful.

"You should." Hecate smiled back at Pippa. A Genuine, loving smile. She didn't share many of those in life. But if ever there was a moment, it was now. Pippa Leaned back in, her hands moving to rest on Hecate's shoulders, Placing a much longer kiss onto her, one that was gleefully returned.

"Ahem" A Small Cough shounded from beside them, prompting the two women to practically jump apart. But, both of them ended up sharing a sigh at it just being Mildred, Grinning far more than she had the right to. "Sorry.." She muttered.

"You should be, You shouldn't sn-" Hecate was going into default mode, thankfully Pippa was there. She placed her hand on Hecate's arm and looked to Mildred. "Not at all, Dear! What can we do for you?" Hecate supposed that was the question to be asking.

"Well you see.." Mildred went from grinning to being just plain awkward. "There's about to start the parent-child dances and well.." Mildred Looked to Hecate. "I was wondering if you might…" She was asking her Teacher, No.. Her Guardian, to dance with her. Not very skillfully either.

It wasn't just any dances. It was the parent-children dance. It Signafide to Hecate, just how Mildred Viewed her. And it was.. Nice. For the first time in a long while, Hecate felt genuine happiness. No guilt hindering her. With Pippa and Mildred by her side, Her future looked much brighter.

"I'd Be honoured to join you, Mildred" Hecate confirmed, Watching as Mildred lit up once more. Hecate took Mildreds hand and nodded to Pippa, who added in a sneaky comment about saving her a dance later on.

Hecate couldn't help the small chill that ran up her spine however as she looked across the Maze behind her, for a moment, she thought she saw eyes looking back at her. But, she didn't have time to fixate on that, not with Mildred practically dragging her into a slow dance.

Hecate had never been one for dancing, but on this night, she danced it away with Mildred and Pippa, though it would do her feet no good. She didn't like the idea of leaving so soon. But, they'd all be reunited in just a few days' time for a lovely Summer.


One left.. Coming: Most likely tonight!