Note: thanks for the review, and Alert. I wanted to give a thanks to Jill for making wonderful characters, a world...may she Rest In Peace.
Ada Cackle stood staring at Katherine refusing to let the third year enter her school grounds. The woman wore a deep purple blouse making her expression seem more harsh and stern. Katherine did not dare to look up from the ground, she knew trouble was an understatement. Her heart beat filled her own ear drum as her eyes locked upon Ada's black cat theme shoes.
"My office. Now" Ada ordered before making the pair of them disappear from the grounds. It was such a quick disappearance that it made the young witch a bit queezy, knowing no sweets would be given she didn't even ask.
Looking around the headmistress office, remembering the last time she was inside here was with Agatha. It was clear as day the furious woman was indeed Ada Cackle. Taking a deep breath as she waited for Ada to scold her. The waiting made things worst, it was a tatic her mother would use on her and now Ada was doing the same.
"Do you have anything to say, anything at all!"
Katherine stayed silent.
" You were gone for an entire day, we have been planning for the spelling bee. Relying on you to collect the ingredients, please tell me you at least have the ingredients" Ada looked at the bag that Katherine held in her hands. The bag was light and empty. Shaking her head no, Katherine watched as Ada's eyes narrowed.
"Do you want this school to look like a fool"
"No, Ms. Cackle. I lost track of time...I swear I didn't mean to" Katherine tried to plea. She did lose track of time at Crystal Lake.
"Time is very important Katherine, and you have no ingredients...I am so disappointed in you" the word disappointment felt like a slap. It was never a good thing to hear those words. "Your mother was worried about you, but I kept telling her you were fine. Did something happen" Ada asked as she returned her stern gaze at Katherine. "Maybe that will explain your selfish act"
"Not really. I...I just got distracted" Katherine didn't plan to mention Noah. Mentioning a boy that was able to see her, did not seem very appropriate to do at this moment. She also was unsure if her mother was more worried about her or the potion ingredients, thinking it but never speaking her true feelings. At times she felt Hardbroom was more focused about her job as a teacher and not a mother. So hearing that she was worried, caught Katherine by surprise.
"Distracted" Ada repeated those words as if those words were the plague. The headmistress walked over toward her plants, Katherine knew the woman cherished each and every one of those plants.
"Distracted by what"
"A wolf"
Ada stopped touching the lily, Katherine watched the woman turned to face her. It wasn't the correct day but Katherine felt it was partially true, the wolf did bring her to the boy a few days earlier.
"Well...that would be distracting...a pack of wolves" the older witch scrunched her face as if she was in deep thought.
"No just one" Katherine corrected.
"A wolf normally stays with a pack" Ada's brow rose as her features showed she no longer believed the young girl.
"What does it mean if you see one...a lonewolf" curious about a wolf being alone.
Ada chuckled a bit "Oh a WitchesTale...well some say a bad omen, while others say it's our inner spirit. Wolves are magical themselves, but to see a lone wolf is rare. But if this is true, it is no excuse for your lack of responsibility."
Katherine wanted to pick Ada's brain more but knew the time was not the right moment. "I am sorry for my actions"
Ada didn't say a word for a moment. It was as if she was trying to make a decision. "Zelena will be taken from you for a few day, you are not permitted to leave the grounds alone until you can prove to be a responsible witch...and tomorrow I will decide about your detention"
Katherine moaned as she watched Ms. Cackle magically open her office door she knew it was time to leave. Before the blonde was able to walk out Ada Cackle spoke once more.
"The truth may be painful at first Katherine, but lies will destroy relationships...do you understand" the witch's voice was stern but her eyes became soft, it was as if she knew that the young third year was not speaking all of the facts with her story. Katherine nodded before she headed to her room to sleep. She had no intention to reveal the truth to Ada. After all Ada may have been like an extra parent to her, in the end she was her mum's close friend.
As sleep consumed her body, she longed for a goodnights rest. It was interrupted with a loud horn going off. She jumped up thinking it was the fire alarm, seeing Hardbroom in her bedroom Katherine realized her mother woke her up. The young witch looked at the window seeing that it wasn't even dawn yet.
"Yes, we need to get a move on to get the ingredients"
"Wh..what" Katherine tried to comprehend what her mum was saying. Rubbing her eyes trying to fully wake up.
"I'll be assisting you" Hardbroom made the potion bag appear on Katherine's unmade bed. "To make sure you don't...get distracted" Hecate's words came out dead pan but smooth like velvet.
Katherine realized Ada Cackle told her mum about their conversation. Katherine groaned as she turned around to grab her clothes and change.
"You have five minutes to change..and fix your" Hecate looked at the unmade sheets "bed".
Six minutes passed as Katherine exit her room to meet her mother in the corridor.
"A week of detention for that one minute"
"What" Katherine's word was filled with annoyance. She crossed her arms across her chest dropping the bag. Hecate magically picked up the bag as her brow rose.
"Time is valuable and apparently I did not stress it enough when you were young" Hecate's brown eyes narrowed upon her child. "But I will make you learn real quick". With a graceful motion of closing her hand, Hardbroom and Katherine appeared outside near a lime tree.
"Leaves of Lime" Hardbroom said pointing up at the top of the tree.
Katherine followed her mother's black nail, looking up above at the leaves upon the tree. They were glowing in the darkness, light green.
"Collect them" Hardbroom added as her hand dropped down to her side.
Katherine's jaw dropped as she looked up at the tree then back at her mother. Clear as the night sky, Hardbroom was not joking.
"It's dark, I can not see well to climb"
"Well...if you would not have been distracted in the day time, it would already be done...now...get them" Hardbrooms brown eyes narrowed on Katherine once more.
"I'll fall and... die" Katherine dramatically retorted.
"You will not die" Hardbroom rolled her brown eyes. Katherine noticed that her mother never said she wouldn't fall. With a loud groan Katherine looked up to figure out how to get the leaves. The third year decided to start climbing. Once she was finally down with twigs in her hair she glared at her mother. Hardbroom rose a brow as she took the leaves from Katherine.
"I never said you couldn't call your broom, you decided to climb. Hardbroom's tone was sharp as she led the way so Katherine could collect more items. She hurried up after her mother while taking the twigs out of her hair.
"You do this before term every year" Katherine asked. Even though the young girl knew the answer already, it was more because she couldn't believe her mom physically collected these ingredients and did much more, to teach. Exausted and hot, consumed Katherine as Hardbroom smirked while the pair walked.
Katherine continued to speak as the pair walked aroubd the trees "I can honestly say, I'll never be a potions teacher"
Hecate stopped and looked back at her daughter "Do you even have an idea what you plan to do after here" she asked. Katherine watched her mother's expression lighten as she waited for a response.
"No, not career wise, but maybe WierdSister college" knowing her mother apporved of the college, she wasn't surprised that Hecate smiled. What she was surprised was that her mother's hand slowly rose and rested on Katherine's shoulder.
"You would make an extraordinary teacher, you even helped Mildred Hubble for an exam...and we all know how that girl is" giving Katherine a gentle wink before she took her hand off Katherine's shoulder. Watching her mum walk ahead of her. Her mother's black gown had a hint of blue, Hecate's dark hair was perfectly settled in a bun. No hair out of place. Knowing she looked nothing like her mother at times she wanted to be an amazing witch like the woman before her. The best of the best. Yet at times she wanted to be different, to throw it all away. To get out of her mother's shadow.
"Mum" she called out as she started to jog and catch up.
Hardbroom did not stop walking but slowed down to allow Katherine reach her. Thinking her mum would be a good person to ask. She mustered up the courage to question her.
"I asked dad...but he didn't answer me..um..do you know a Joy"
Hardbroom didn't react "why" she asked.
"I found her name on the wall...I had followed the wolf under a hole" she spoke truthfully, wanting to put the lies behind her. Katherine watched her mother come to a halt. Questioning if speaking the truth was a mistake. Hardbroom's brow rose as her arms crossed against her chest. Watching her mother now take a step toward her Katherine couldn't help but take a step away. She didn't like being cornered.
"Sneaking around, sneaking off with a wolf...Katherine Marie Northman...is their anymore detail you may have forgotten to mention."
Trying to hide her panic Katherine didn't even want to mention meeting Noah, she didn't want to speak but forced a quiet "no".
Hardbroom didn't argue but turned to lead them toward the next ingredient location. She dreaded the silence Hecate was giving her. Looking away from Hardbroom's direction, Katherine noticed a black figure within the trees. Curiosity was something that always consumed her actions. Instead of calling out for her mother, she walked toward the figure.
It was not the beautiful white wolf she normally saw, what looked at her was a wolf , instead it was dark as the night sky. It's hazelnut eyes stared back at Katherine. The wolf lowered its head, as the young girl felt a warm feeling consume her body. The protection kiss that she felt a few days ago, returned. Katherine felt a firm grip upon her arm. Pulling her backwards away from the wolf.
"What are you doing" Katherine's mother questioned. Noticing that her mothers brown eyes were wide as she looked at her child. Of course being near a wild wolf was a bit crazy, but she didn't understand why the creature also seemed so calm.
"I don't know, it's a different wolf" Katherine replied knowing her reason seemed childish. She couldn't explain the pull she felt toward creature. Her eyes fell upon the wolf once more. It didn't run away like the white one did the other day, instead it stood watching. Watching her.
"Go back to the castle" Hardbroom commanded. Katherine's jaw dropped as she tried to question why. Her mother was preoccupied standing between her and the wolf. She wanted to argue, yet she knew it would be a battle she would not win. Giving in to her mother Katherine walked away.
Hecate looked at the wolf. Staring at the creature. Once she knew her daughter had followed directions and was gone, she stood directly infront of the creature.
"Shifter" her voice was stern as her brown eyes narrowed. Waving her hand gracefully she forced the wolf to transform into it's natural figure. She could feel thru her powers that it was trying to fight against her magic. It was not strong enough to do such a thing. Hardbroom won.
Noah and Hardbroom locked eyes with one another.
Fear was upon the young boys face as Hardbroom kept her stern expression fixed upon the shifter. A shifter around a school of young witches was not a sight the potions teacher liked to see. Worried for the girls saftey.
"You are a witch" his voice trembled as he looked upon Hecate. She kept her gaze upon the boy. Touching the clock around her neck briefly to check the time. Making sure Katherine had enough time to make it to the castle. She didn't respond to the young bloke. Instead she took a step toward him. Her heels crushing the dead leaves underneath.
"Why are you around here shifter" she asked. Noah ran his fingers thru his hair as Hecate watch him find the words to answer her. She could feel him being nervous but she was unsure where the boys guardians were.
"I flew out here, and I just was drawn to the woods. Honestly, I didn't realize their was witches'' Hecate knew why he was drawn to these woods, magic. His gaze went to the area of the woods that Katherine had exit the area from. "Is Joy a witch"
Hearing the name Joy caught Hecate off by surprise. To hear her own name, but she knew the Shifter didn't mean her. First Katherine and now this shifter. It made perfect sence to her. Hecate realized that Katherine given a false name to the boy, a boy she had to have met. Thinking her own daughter was foolish and silly to keep this from her.
"Are you the wolf she spoke of" Hecate's eyes narrowed more.
Noah shook his head "no, that was an actual wolf...did she speak of me" he asked. Hecate ignored the last part of his statement as she kept her gaze upon the shifter. The danger those type of creatures could cause to a young witch made Hardbroom become protective. She didn't understand why a normal wolf would send a witch into danger near a shifter. Knowing that wolves and witches had a positive history, but shifters and witches did not.
"I am going to tell you this once, I want you gone. Gone from the woods, this area.."
"Are you keeping Joy away from me, she is a witch...I knew it" Noah shook his head looking down at his feet. Hecate knew the boy understood the history of his kind and witches.
"Stay away from her...for your own saftey" she knew he was still young himself. She refused to take any chances.
"She won't hurt me"
His words were calm, of course as a young witch Katherine was in more danger then him.
"No...but I will" not a threat but a promise Hecate made. As she spoke her promise she could hear from a distance someone screaming "Mum". She couldn't imagine anything worst happen instead of finding a shifter around witches. A shifter that her own daughter met.
Thinking of Katherine, she closed her fist gracefully "you better leave, boy" she whispered before vanishing away. The thought of Katherine allowed Hecate to appear next to her daughter. It was trick that all witches used when casting the spell. Looking at her beautiful blonde child, so different then herself. Something she thought of every time she laid eyes upon Katherine, how they were not the same in appearance. Noticing Katherine was standing infront of a statue, not just any statue. A statue of Hecate's own secret. Indigo Moon. Realizing now that Katherine and herself had one thing in common. Secrets. Something both witches did not want the other to learn for. Hecate wanted her daughter to flourish as a witch, not wanting her mistake in life to be the downfall.
Katherine was walking when she came upon it, thinking she was taking a short cut, but instead she found this child figure. A child about her age that was made from stone. Her first instinct was to call out for her mother, so once Hardbroom appeared she couldn't help but become a little girl again. She grabbed her Mother's arm looking at Hecate. The figure made her a bit uneasy, she remembered hearing a story as a child. The girl who broke rules that turned to stone.
"What is this" she whispered. Hardbroom did not answer but looked at the figure then again at Katherine. She felt her mother vanish them to the school grounds.
"Mom...what was that...where were you" Katherine asked again as she looked away from Cackle's academy. The stone, the fact her mother was alone with a wolf. Everything seemed so much for her mind to grasp. Hardbroom looked down at Katherine, she noticed her moms expression was filled with worry. Not something she saw often.
"I don't want you leaving these grounds. Do you understand me!" Hardbrooms harsh words filled Katherine's ears. She wanted to argue with her mom, she wished to have her own questions answered. But nothing. Katherine was to nervous to argue back with her mother, nodding her head in agreement. Hardbroom led the way, speaking once more.
"Did you ever speak with someone"
Katherine immediately thought of Agatha and Noah. Lying to her mother she replied. "No"
"Secrets are lies Katherine" Hecate added as she looked down at Katherine. Katherine knew her mother saw thru her fib. The disappointment glare Hecate showed her was the fire Katherine needed.
"You never kept secrets" Katherine asked. Her own blue eyes narrowed upon her mother. Challenging the gaze. Hardbroom didn't turn away but never answered. The pair stayed locked upon one another for a minute before Katherine gave up, it was as if the flame that burned inside her slowly went out. Her confidence was gone. Walking ahead of her mother knowing that Hardbrooms cold gaze was still upon her. She made her way thru the corridors toward Esmey's room. She needed a friend not a scolding mother. Everything was to much that she quickly wiped her tear before opening Esmerelda Hallow's door.
Once she entered the room she saw Esmey sitting at her desk messing with black silk paper using her magic quill to write a message. She had been focused on her own issues she wasn't sure what Esmerelda was doing.
"What are you up to" she asked allowing herself to plop down on Esmey's bed. Wanting her mind taken off this morning.
Her friend never turned toward her but spoke "Yesterday, Ms. Cackle and I came up with a plan to get the first years to work together"
"Mildred and your sister...you mean" Katherine added rolling her eyes, the whole school knew about the Hubble and Hallow feud. Esmey nodded as she spoke "Its time to allow them to make a coven...work together "
"Sounds fun" Katherine sarcastically added as she watched the papers fly out the window. Her eyes were becoming heavy; but feeling Esmey gently touch her cheek she couldn't help but smile.
"You ok" Esmerelda asked while moving a blonde strand from Katherine's face.
"I met someone...at Crystal Lake...I think a human"
Esmerelda listened to each word Katherine said about Noah. Meeting him, the white wolf, also the new wolf she saw today with her mother. Lying to Hardbroom. Esmerelda listened quietly before she told Katherine that she needed to be honest with her mother. That heartache would be her future if she continued to tell lies.