Mildred lingers in the potions lab as the others trek to their free period. She slowly piles her backpack full of books. Hecate appears in front of her cauldron.

"Mildred that was a thoughtful choice. I will probably regret saying this, but I have been impressed by your maturity this term."

"How long do you anticipate keeping up the charade?" Mildred bluntly responds.

"Pardon me?!"

"The one where you feign that you feel yourself on an even keel? Miss Drill is not the only one who is different. You haven't given me detention a single time this term. Today I received the highest marks in the class. It's as if suddenly you have been overcome by the urge to offer reassurance in the face of adversity. I am not sure if the measure is directed at your pupils, or yourself, but it is deeply alarming to me."

Hecate's eyebrows rise, "To summarize you have concern because I have demonstrated the ability to be pleasant?"

Mildred shrugs, "At least since the vicious, repeated episodes of retching have ceased."

"It would be prudent for you to scurry along to your free period Miss Hubble."

"Understood," she nods.

Mildred is nearly to the doorway when Hecate interrupts the silence.

"I do appreciate your concern," HB admits.

"I'm not wrong to have concern, am I?"

The potions mistress hangs her head, and offers a subtle shake of her head.

The following morning once the staff meeting has concluded Hecate lingers in Ada's office. The door closes as her last colleague files out, and she hovers near Ada's desk.

"Are you fully prepared for today's celebration?"

"I find I am not much in the mood to celebrate."

"Can I be of assistance?"

"I fear I can no longer bear the burden of the albatross of secrecy, Ada. Nor, do I want to. Observably, the circumstances of this development are less than ideal. I find less shame in the condition from which I am suffering than I do from concealing it."

Ada offers pause as she contemplates this proposal.

"I find myself pleasantly surprised that you have found this level of resolve. I have seen your ability to rise to the occasion, but I was markedly concerned about the matter at hand."

"It is no secret that I am quite set in my ways. I blame Mildred Hubble for offering me a different perspective. Her daily task seems to be reminding me that I allow my own bias to envelope me so that I do not have to leave the safety of my own preconceived ideas, and fully engage with the world around me. I am fully cognizant that the road ahead will offer endless challenges. At the end of the day my decision has been made."

"Can I be candid?"

Hecate nods, "I expect nothing less."

"I was concerned that you would make a less laborious choice. One which would fill you with regret."

"That was my original intent."

"Are you ready for the litany of questions that is about to be thrust upon you?"

"It seems a prudent time to start preparing for such a task. I doubt that my own progeny will be any less demanding in their inquiries when the time comes."

"Where is Dimity in her existential crisis?"

Hecate shrugs, "I wouldn't know. Since her last appointment she has been as closed off as clogged drain."

"I will speak to her."

"I suspect that will prove futile."

"She has handed out more detentions this term than she has in the ten years prior."

"I will broach the subject with her," Hecate agrees.

Hecate finds herself wandering the grounds that afternoon as she seeks out her colleague during their free period. She finds Dimity parked on a bench near the family trees. Hecate approaches cautiously, knowing that her work is cut out for her.

"Can I join you?"

"I won't stop you," Dimity responds.

"You seem distressed."

"I am not sure that would be considered newsworthy."

"What do you tell our pupils when they grow weary?"

"To share their troubles with someone."

"I am someone. In fact, it is likely that I am the one person here who is most empathetic to your situation."

"You seem to suddenly be taking everything in stride. I am floundering over here."

"Why is that?"

"I am questioning my capabilities for the task at hand."

"Have you had a change in heart?"

"Just a change in the size of the anticipated load."

Hecate grins, "That is how this works, I believe. The load grows until it violently evacuates the womb."

"Not entirely what I meant."

"I fail to understand. Are you troubled by the…" she grapples for an appropriate term, "growth?"

"What do you mean? Do you even know?"

"Are you having difficulty reconciling yourself with your expanding body image?" Hecate clarifies.

"That is not the current concern, no. Are you having difficulty with that?"

"You are the topic of conversation."

"I am concerned that I have bitten off more than I can chew."

"That seems only natural."

"You only know the half of it."

Hecate arches an eyebrow. "Do I only know the half of it?"

"That is what I am saying."

Hecate shakes her head, "Certainly not."

"Two for one special, it would seem."

"The seamstress mentioned there was a similar occurrence at Amethyst."

"It is simple math, isn't it? One of me, versus…" she trails off.

"Two?"

"Indeed," she nods.

"My thoughts fail to produce a single kernel of advice on the subject."

"And both of the male persuasion to boot."

"If you can manage to convince dozens of teen girls to participate in physical education I think two small boys should be a walk in the park."

"Yes, Jurassic park."

Hecate grins, "Luckily for you there are no dinosaurs here."

"You seem to be taking all of this in stride."

"I haven't much choice. It will happen regardless of my outlook. I might as well make lemonade from the lemons that were launched at us. It is utterly exhausting to keep such a development covert. I have determined it best to share my plight."

"That sounds terrifying."