When the pupils once again return to the potions lab, on Monday morning, after all of their Halloween festivities the room is filled with sluggish movement, and yawning. Ethel turns to Felicity.
"What are the chances she will find pity on us?"
Hecate suddenly appears before her, "Too much cider, Miss Hallow?"
"Too much everything, Miss Hardbroom."
"Am I known for my leniency?" She cocks an eyebrow.
"I had hoped you turned over a new leaf," Ethel admits.
Hecate grins, "Do you think you have earned leniency?"
"I am certain whatever enriching activity that you have planned for us today will be for our benefit," Ethel wiggles away from a direct answer. Hecate moves the middle platform between the cauldrons. A stool appears, and she takes a seat. The entire classroom stares at her in confusion.
"I axed the lesson plan for today," she announces.
Questioning looks are shot in her direction from each pupil.
"That is out of character for you. Your love of tradition, and routine are unrivaled in these halls," Ethel points out.
"It seems as if my out of character behavior has been the subject of much speculation."
"I heard that you have been possessed," Enid jests.
"Mere rumor," Hecate dismisses Enid's suggestion.
"There was the speculation that Miss Cackles warned you to be more lenient this year, or she would dismiss you," Maude recalls.
"Conjecture."
Mildred decides to speak up, "We could all act like understanding human beings, and accept the fact that your shift in behavior is for personal reasons, and you don't owe us any explanation."
"Based on the group dynamics in this room I find that highly implausible," Miss Hardbroom explains.
"Why did you abandon your lesson plan for today?"
"The spirit of transparency."
"Why have you gone so easy on us this term?" Ethel queries.
"The reasoning is two pronged. First, I have the expectation that all of you are mature enough to learn from your own missteps by now. Additionally, I would hope all of you have developed enough empathy through adversity to realize no one is infallible."
Enid furrows her brow, "You're ill, aren't you? Is it serious? Is it something terminal?"
"If your hope is for a deadly malignant organism, you are out of luck."
"It is also out of character for you to offer us transparency," Ethel submits.
"Today's lesson is not a potion. The message for today is that timing is a key element. If you turn away from your cauldron too long it may boil over. If you hesitate when chanting you may have an entirely unintended outcome."
"What has any of this have to do with you?" Ethel snarls.
"I have essentially been implanted with a ticking time bomb. If I fail to address it in a timely manner I fear what the consequences will be."
Enid elbow's Maud, "I told you she would crack before d-day."
Hecate's head swivels so quickly that it nearly comes unhinged, "Would you like to repeat that for the entire class, Miss Nightshade?"
"Miss Hardbroom we are not naïve first-years anymore. The most illogical, yet obvious explanation has been a topic of conversation for some time. It is difficult to succeed at being a master of deception when you transfer yourself outside to barf in a bush, in full view of the potions lab window. Your seamstress is talented, but her timing is not impeccable. Recently there was a heated debate on when the gathers of your belt corset would finally rupture. Your attire is less forgiving than some other faculty members'," Enid responds.
"So I am sitting here making a fool out of myself to a group of pupils who is already fully apprised of my current state of being?"
Ethel is the first to chime in, "You haven't tasted a potion the entire term. Your supersonic snout has been in hyper drive. To the point where you can smell bat saliva from fifty feet away. It does not take a trained professional to add up all of the signs, and symptoms."
Mildred clears her throat, "What Ethel is so indelicately trying to day is that we respect your right to privacy."
"For my clarification, though, it has been confirmed to be a human that you are gestating, right?" Enid quizzes.
"What else would it be?" She responds appalled as her brows furrow, and the furrows on her forehead deepen.
Enid shrugs, "I dreamed you were in hysterics because it was a blue transparent alien with a tail."
Hecate rolls her eyes, "If you applied as much effort to your studies as you do fiction your grades would much improve."
"Noted."
"Since the lot of you are fully up to speed I guess we can return to my original lesson plan."
"I think a Q and A session would be prudent before we swing full force into a lesson, just to prevent any unwanted disruptions," Felicity suggests.
"We have already confirmed the species to be human. Are there other pertinent questions?"
"Who will replace you during your leave?" Ethel queries.
"Miss Cackles has appointed a well-qualified professional."
"Namely, herself?" Maude guesses.
"Accurate," Hecate confirms.
"Male or female?" Felicity follows up.
Hecate shrugs, "I haven't any confirmation."
"Because it is too early to tell?" Enid wonders, "Or you decided against finding out?"
"Neither. The unborn human currently dwelling in my uterus would not see fit to disclose such information."
"Do you have a preference?" Mildred poses.
Hecate nods, "Human would certainly be preferable."
"I've really gotten your wheels turning, haven't I?" Enid grins.
"Much to my chagrin."
Enid raises her hand instead of blurting out whatever is on her mind. Hecate nods in agreement.
"Yes, Miss Nightshade?"
"Can we stage an intervention for Miss Drill? It seems that you are coming to terms with this, I assume, unanticipated development. She seems to really be struggling."
"I am only able to speak on my own behalf," Hecate treads lightly.
"The first years flushed her whistle down the toilet," Mildred points out, "She sentenced all of them to detention for a month. Every single piece of equipment will be spotless by the time they are finished with their sentence."
Hecate forces herself to stifle her laughter to the point that it sounds as if she has a terrible sputtering cough.