The pupils trickle into the dining room for breakfast. Halloween is merely a day away, and their young minds wander to festivities and confections. Mildred carefully transport her bowl of lumpy porridge to her seat. As she plops down next to Maud she furrows her brow.
"Something troubling you?" Maud probes.
"Where is HB?"
Enid shrugs, "Have you considered that she is avoiding the festivities this year? She despises such blatant displays of joy, which is, as well all know, quite ironic."
"Is anyone else concerned about her?" Millie queries.
"Because she was dehydrated at the beginning of the term?" Enid responds.
"Maybe it is nothing, but she just doesn't seem herself. She's been so preoccupied that she hasn't even banished me to detention yet this term. I, of course cannot bring this topic of discussion to her attention, or certainly I will land myself there."
"She hasn't given any of us detention thus far," Maud admits.
"Miss Drill is another story, though. She tossed me in detention three times in one week," Enid adds.
"Should we be concerned with her well-being, too? She has been particularly testy as of late," Maude wonders.
"Did we ever determine who actually went to the council's summer mixer?" Mildred poses to the group.
Ethel groans, from the next table, "Ladies the guest list has been deemed confidential to protect the privacy of those in attendance. There would be no reason for HB, or Miss Drill to attend. Miss Cackles would have been the invitee. I think we all know there is no concern in regards to her well-being from such an event."
"Maybe she was taken ill," Mildred suggests.
"Have you considered that the odd behavior is simply because the faculty is under additional stress? There is a chance that instructors may temporarily have to provide their services at different academies, or that academies will have to take on additional students on a temporary basis during spring term due to the number of unintended pregnancies throughout the witching academy network. I think we all know how much HB despises disruption of routine."
In the privacy of her quarters Hecate impatiently finds herself perched upon a stool as the seamstress carefully releases seams, and secures new panels with pins. Her typically stiff, upright posture makes her a seamstress' dream. It seems as if she has been in her statuesque position for hours when the seamstress finally breaks the silence.
"My schedule is booked until the end of fall term after today. How much leeway do you require?"
"Enough to breathe," Hecate responds.
"I can apply a gather in the back that you can easily be removed to allow for any growth. The other option is for me to simply craft a new garment for you with larger measurements. The choice is yours."
Hecate exhales, "My preference would be for you to not to have to repeatedly return for this task."
"Your waistline is beyond my control."
"At this point it is beyond mine, as well."
The seamstress offers a reassuring smile, "You should see some of the others. One of the instructors from Amethyst is pulling double duty, if you know what I mean. Before I could finish my duties at Pentangles my participant was sobbing on the floor. I can offer you the option of simply sending me measurements as they expand. It would require far less effort on your part. Is that reasonable?"
"None of this seems reasonable. I find myself competent to take my own measurements, though."
The seamstress secures a final stitch, and then offers Hecate a new belt corset.
"Black was unavailable. I hope that you can find satisfaction in charcoal."
"I find satisfaction in none of this, but I will accept the color."
"Where might I find Miss Drill?"
Sometime later in the potions lab Hecate tortures her pupils with an incredibly complex potion. Everyone in the room offers an audible groan, other than Mildred Hubble. Hecate watches in confusion as the girl once deemed the worst witch dutifully attends to her assignment without a single word. The time ticks by. Hecate makes a round past the cauldrons as she waits for someone to complete their work. She glances at her timepiece as she passes Ethel Hallow's station.
"I see that the lot of you are feeling bold today. We only have five minutes left before the bell. I would suggest that you give your brews a final stir, and step away from them for grading purposes."
Her pupils offer looks of panic as they finish their work.
"Ethel shall we start with you?"
"If you must," Ethel agrees.
Hecate scrutinizes the potion which glows purple. An inhale leads to a simple headshake.
"It would appear you have omitted the thyme required for this potion."
HB tours the room saving Mildred for last. Mildred's potion glows aqua, unlike the rest of her pupils.
"Mildred Hubble, are you confident in your work?"
"I was until you asked," she admits.
"Because your potion is the only one in the entire lot that obtains the appropriate ingredients in the appropriate quantities."
She furrows her brow, "It is?"
"Would you like to venture a guess as to what you did differently than your peers?"
"I didn't suffer from a poor attitude?"
"That is actually correct. Can you tell the class why that is?"
"I think we all know that I often rush and end up in my fair share of pickles. Today I read the potion in its entirety, including the section that required a magnifying glass that suggested if I desired to change someone else's attitude with my potion it would be necessary for me to have a good one."
"You may choose who you would like to have test your potion."
Mildred frowns, "Does it have to be someone in the classroom?"
"Do you have a specific person in mind?"
"It would seem that there is a certain instructor whose attitude is suffering due to some stress that she appears to be experiencing."
"To whom are you referring, Mildred?"
"Miss Drill. I am not really certain the potion will actually be effective. It is essentially combination of pretty benign herbs that can be found in any kitchen. It is hardly more than an aromatic tea."
Hecate grins, and Miss Drill appears with the wave of her hand. Dimity looks around the room, disoriented as she holds her whistle in her teeth.
"Can I be of assistance?"
"Indeed. Miss Drill, it would seem that Mildred Hubble has prepared for you an antidote for your attitude."
"My attitude?!" She growls.
Hecate points, "Yes, that one. It is an entirely safe, non-toxic potion."
Mildred smirks, "I thought it might help you handle whatever stress you are experiencing with a more positive outlook."
Dimity rolls her eyes as she begrudgingly takes a sip of the brew on Mildred's cauldron spoon.