Life As A Non-Witch 101

Main Characters: Hardbroom, Cackle, Ethel, Mildred

Summary: After Esme's unfortunate loss of her powers, Miss Cackle decides that a new subject and teacher must be introduced to the school. Who is the new mysterious teacher and why does she have something to hide? MULTICHAP

Disclaimer: I do NOT own The Worst Witch series, its books, television episodes, charcters or story lines. I write fan-fiction purely to enhance my writing skills and to add depth to a ficitional world that I love. I make no money from this fan-fiction and hope that all those who read it will enjoy.


A/N: Hi All, this is my first attempt at writing something to the New Worst Witch series. I'll admit that it was challenging as I am so used to the older 90's BBC version. If anything here aligns itself too much with the BBC version then I'm sorry. Some characters might inadvertedly sound like they are from the other version so we will see how this turns out.

Every comment truly means the world to me so please let me know what you think

I'd also like to have it noted that I started writing this fic prior to Season 3 airing on Netflix – a long time ago I know but nonetheless, my intention was never to copy the concept of having a non-magical concept (if anything my inspiration came from Miss Drill's role inside the older 90's version)

Please read, relax, review and enjoy


Chapter 1

A Bizarre Proposal

Hecate Hardbroom stood before the mirror inside her room in her chosen outfit. Although it had the occasional use of blocked colours, her attire mostly incorporated black or dark blue and green undertones. Her bed had been made neatly with hospital corners (the only corners accepted by her high standards, rather than the way the students threw their blankets on their beds hoping it would land correctly to make it appear to be actually made). Carefully she applied her characteristic red lipstick, the one colour that made her feel fierce and powerful. She loved the way that it complemented her looks, and although other witches used their magic for this sort of task, Hecate preferred the old fashioned way. It made her feel feminine, beautiful, sophisticated and ready for the long day ahead.

Opening her hand she slowly closed her fingers in on themselves until she vanished entirely, locking her room and placing a detection spell in her wake. There would be no external intruders in her room through the day…none indeed.

Appearing before the bell she rang it loud and proud for the school to hear, arousing sleeping students from their beds with a clatter of draws slamming, door locks screeching and voices filling the halls until hardly a single word was individually discernible. Whilst the students got themselves ready and down at the hall for breakfast, she vanished again and appeared inside the staffroom.

The colourful staffroom had not always been to Hecate's taste. A little too cluttered for her liking and easily 'distracting' from the task at hand. She much preferred her quiet, dark potion laboratory, where the only thing to distract students from their work would be herself giving them more to do.

"Good morning, Hecate," Miss Cackle beamed, wearing her characteristic pink sweater. Although the weather had been warming up, the cold air of the castle still sent a shiver down her spine. "Sleep well?"

"Yes, quite well." She replied curtly, before pouring herself a cup of tea and standing in the corner of the room to sip at it quietly. While Ada read the paper, and Hecate drank her tea, the door flung open with Miss Bat and Mr Ronan Webb in yet another argument of sorts. There were raised voices, a flailing of arms, hands collecting lesson materials before they flew back out again before either of them could comment. Ada and Hecate shared a glance, Hardbroom's eyebrows arching in a mix of surprise and complete understanding. Arguments between the two were a regular part of the schools morning routine, they would have it all resolved before dinner.

The headmistresses eyes turned back towards her cup of tea. She was troubled. Her brow indicated her predicament, furrowing in the middle and making her appear older as the burden weighted on her shoulders. Esmerelda had just been for an early morning visit, the poor girl appearing a shadow of her previous self - although she pretended not to be. She had smiled and nodded but her eyes communicated the tremendous loss she had endured. Losing ones magic was like losing part of ones self. In most cases, the largest part.

Who was a witch without magic? What was she to society? What sort of future awaited her and how was one supposed to find a new identity?

Miss Hardbroom walked across the room quietly, sitting across the staffroom table to take a seat. Her lips appeared to move but Ada couldn't quite make out what they were saying, her colleague sounded much like a fish trying to speak underwater.

"Ada!" Cackle jolted upright, the ocean in her ears draining. "Are you alright?"

"I'm sorry, Hecate, it seems my mind is in another world today." Ada sighed softly, making Hecate's features soften.

"Is this because of Esmerelda's visit?" She questioned making Ada nod her head before reaching for her cup of luke warm tea. "I didn't think her visit would do you or the school very well…how is she coping?"

The cup chinked against the porcelain saucer. "She is doing as best as she can but I can tell that she is still in a world of pain."

"I can understand why but…you cannot blame yourself for this. There was nothing you could have done."

Ada took a long deep breath before releasing it slowly. As much as she wanted to just let things go she couldn't do it. If she had managed to be more alert than maybe Agatha wouldn't have gotten the upper hand, wouldn't have been able to manipulate their likeness to her advantage.

"I know but I do feel responsible. If anything happened to the girls or anyone else that may find themselves in this situation."

"In what situation?"

"Losing their magic. I've been thinking about something all morning and I know that you will protest but I think we need to offer another subject."

A small smile tugged at the edge of Hecate's lips. "Why would I protest against that? The girls should experience a range of subjects and, if I can be honest, I haven't been much of a fan of chanting, we could add a magical creatures study or…" Her mind filled with possibilities when Ada's hand hovered in the air to send her train of thought crashing into a valley.

"I'd like to offer a non-magic class, one for all the girls to attend that teaches them how to operate in the world should they too find themselves in a similar situation to Esmerelda."

"What?"

"And I'd like it to be run by a non-witch."

The facial expression on Hecate's face would have been comical to outsiders. The wide eyes shooting sparks, the upturned corner of her mouth, the creased forehead. But Ada knew that what she was suggesting was no joke. Hecate spoke quietly, almost a low growl through clenched teeth.

"You want to knowingly employ a non-witch on staff?" She practically spat the words non-witch.

Ada nodded.

"To teach a non-magic subject?"

Another nod.

Hecate's lips parted several times, trying to decide the right words but none came. Instead Ada decided to intervene.

"I know that you might think that this is a bit of a drastic step but I truly feel that it is the right thing to do." Grateful for the extra few seconds to think Miss Hardbroom offered another question.

"You aren't letting Esmerelda try to push you into hiring her are you? I know that she came to ask for a job on her last visit which we both knew was out of the question. This isn't your solution to that problem is it?" A shake of Ada's head was a relief. "Good." Hardbroom's arms circled around each landing over her chest. "Then what is your idea of a… qualified non-witch?"

"Several should be arriving soon to be interviewed."

"What?" Hecate bolted from her chair, straight upright. "So you've already decided to go ahead and didn't think to consult me about this?!"

"I knew what your answer would be…sometimes it's important to be decisive and to make a decision. I just want to do what is right."

"So inviting a complete stranger into the lives of our students, who does not have a single magical bone in their body, is your idea of what is right?!" Ada stood to her feet. Although still much shorter than her deputy headmistress, she stayed firm and unflinching.

"Yes and my decision is final! Whoever is chosen will be an excellent member of our team and will help our girls achieve their potential. Regardless of whether or not they lose their powers, it might teach them a bit of humility and help them to understand that magic is a privilege, not to be used selfishly or for trivial ends because when you lose it, it may be gone for good." Hecate took a step towards the door, although it may have been logical she still could not believe that a non-witch would soon be allowed on staff at Cackle's. Never in the academy's history had someone stepped into the academy off the street. Part of her hoped that she was wrong, that this new member of staff would live up to the high expectations, but Hecate had always been skeptical of change and a new staff member, after all the chaos of the previous year, was not what she expected.

She remained quiet for so long that Ada stepped around the table and approached but Hecate moved to the office door. Her shoes trademark thud echoing off the walls. "Hecate?"

"I'm fine Miss Cackle, do what you believe is right but if it goes wrong, which I believe it will, then on your own head be it!" The door slammed closed, punctuating the sentence with a firm full stop. Unfortunately for Miss Drill, who was about to enter the staffroom to retrieve her coaching whistle, the sudden appearance of an enraged Hardbroom took her by surprise. She tentatively opened the door, poking her head in through the crack.

"Ada…is everything, alright? What did I miss?"

Ada smiled and nodded. "I'll explain later, in a meeting over lunch." In her heart of hearts she knew it would work…at least she hoped it would.


A/N: Thanks for reading and please review