A/N: Hello again! Quick shoutout to CurlyWitch14, Queen sono, carita1990 and the guest reviewers for their kind words. Also thank you to the new followers and favouriters. Sorry it's been a little longer than the previous updates. I just started a new course and had to figure out how to fit everything in.
Hope you are all doing well!
Dizzy
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Chapter Four: Reunion
Ethel Hallow was concerned. The whole school seemed to be raving about the new arrival. The stranger was exceptionally talented, and it was the talk of all. Luckily, though, no one had discovered Ethel's own role in what had occurred. She walked to her bench, in the art room, and sat beside Felicity who seemed otherwise engaged. Her best friend was surrounded by her chattering classmates.
"You must know something!" Gloria cried, "You always know something." The others all looked on, with eager expressions and deep anticipation. Felicity was practically glowing, she loved having exclusive knowledge. She straightened her back and smiled, making her gathered audience suffer more suspense.
"Well, I did hear…" she began, each girl – including Ethel - grasping at her words, "that she's Miss Hardbroom's niece." A small gasp sounded followed by wild chatter. They were all amazed by this new family connection to Cackles' most terrifying teacher. Nobody had expected her to have family, they had all thought that she simply existed as an entity of her own.
"Girls!" Miss Mould called as she swayed into the art room. The girls begrudgingly tore themselves away from Felicity and returned to their own seats. Most beaming from ear to ear because of this new, if incorrect, information. Ethel, however, was not impressed. She didn't care for the new girl or even the class she was in. She analysed her teacher from head to foot. She was wearing a bright floral smock and had countless paintbrushes in her hair. She doesn't even look like a professional, Ethel thought cuttingly. Ethel continued to observe the teacher as she passionately spoke of art before reaching total disinterest and turning to Felicity.
"Fliss!" She whispered. The other girl turned to her with cold eyes. "How did you find that out?"
Felicity sighed deeply. Didn't Ethel know who she was talking to?
"I asked some people. That's what they said, is seems the most likely. How else could she possibly be related to HB?" Felicity said curtly. Ethel nodded. "Anyway, I need to get on with my work." Something in Felicity's tone sounded wrong to Ethel. She looked at her friend with disbelief. Fliss was always up for conversation.
"Why are you being so snippy with me?" Felicity picked up her pencil and focused on the blank page before her. She remained silent until Ethel called her name again.
"You did almost kill Mildred," Felicity replied in a chiding tone, "If it hadn't been for Cordelia and her amazing powers…" Felicity continued to speak but, to Ethel, her voice faded away. Something was building in her. Her mother's reaction, her classmates' excitement and Fliss' anger overcame her. Ethel had never been able to incite so much inflamed feeling. Not positively anyway. She'd never saved another's life.
I am a Hallow, Ethel thought, they should respect me for that. But no, in walks Cordelia Hardbroom like she's some sort of celebrity and suddenly they all love her. She thought back to the girl's dramatic entrance and suddenly something sprang to mind. Something unusual.
Mother hugged me! Or at least held me, Ethel remembered, right when she appeared. Mother became really protective… Ethel's brain started racing. She knew this fact was somehow significant. The girl meant something. I just need to find out more, Ethel thought. She turned back to her work and began to scheme.
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Hecate did not want to move too far away from the door jamb. Not that she wanted an easy escape, she always had the ability to transfer away. It was because she knew if she moved, she would come into view of the fireside armchairs. Of her.
"Come in Hecate," Ada encouraged, watching her from her desk, "I was just leaving so you both can chat." Hecate winced internally. At the sound of Ada's voice, Cordelia had got to her feet. Hecate had no choice now. She silently moved around the room and stood before one of the chairs.
Ada, true to her word, slipped away leaving Hecate without any form of life preserver. She let out one deep breath, sinking into her chair, and kept her eyes on the darkening sky outside the window. Cordelia smiled nervously and quickly sat down. Silence reigned as Hecate let herself observe her daughter. She took in her looks. Her jet-black hair, dark eyes, the odd freckle on her nose and the other oh-so familiar features. She took in the way she sat, her straightened back and stiff body language. The way she avoided direct eye contact. In most ways Cordelia was Hecate's mirror image. Hecate's head began to pound under the weight of such emotion.
"Hello," Cordelia muttered, her tone making it sound as though it was a question. She glanced at mother curiously. Searching for similarities herself.
Hecate sharply, but not harshly, said, "Hello." There was the smallest hint of emotion. "How are – how are you Cordelia?" The name on her lips made her heart flutter.
Cordelia started to pick at her forefinger with her thumb, which Hecate noted. The girls always had some sort of nervous tell when in her presence, even her daughter now to. Cordelia continued to focus on the fingers in her lap as she replied, "I am – good." She looked up at Hecate. Looked right into her eyes. Something there made her demeanour change.
Hecate became slightly fearful. Her child had every right to hate her. From Cordelia's perspective Hecate had left and never looked back. The absence of fact and truth could easily turn her girl against her.
"I shouldn't – shouldn't be here. I don't deserve this. I shouldn't… I'm sorry," Cordelia spluttered then transferred away. Hecate's shoulders unclenched as a weakness filled her. She had expected fury but did not get it. More proof of their mutual disconnection. Hecate desperately wanted to hold her daughter, to be close. But she knew it was too early. They were clearly strangers and the girl had experienced a whole world of pain. As tears ran down Hecate's face, she wished that she could find her way into her daughter's world and chase the pain straight out.
