Chapter Two: Developments
Over the next few months, the baby grew and developed. Constance was visiting the OB/GYN regularly, doing everything as told. Mistress Broomhead had heard about the pregnancy and was furious. She came unannounced, ready to chastise her grand-daughter.
"Mistress Broomhead, I am not the little girl you bullied and pushed around! I am agrown woman and you are no longer in control of me." Constance warned.
Mildred was ready to defend her Aunt.
"Here's the little failure now!" Sneered Hecketty.
"Don't you dare call my niece a failure! That's correct, she knows ALL about her bloodline and what you've done to me over the years!" Constance growled.
Amelia, Imogen and Davina came up behind Constance and Mildred.
"We have notified Mr. Hallow as well as OFWITCH and the Witches' Guild. One of the witches has the power to read memories." Amelia began. Hecketty's face went pale. "That's right, Constgance showed her how you locked her in a cold, damp dungeon whenever she made a mistake." Amelia said. "Also how you backhanded her and whipped her. Constance is not yours to do with as you wish. The Witches' Guild will decide your fate. Granted, you will no longer be a part of OFWITCH or allowed to teach any longer."
Hecketty saw the fury in the witches' eyes. She backed against the door.
"Now you know what it's like to feel trapped. You don't like it, do you?" Mildred asked, her enraged gaze burning into the older woman's eyes. "I swear on my mother's grave, if you EVER touch my Aunt again, I will not hesitate to do to you what you did to her!"
"Stupid girl, do you think you can threaten me?" Hecketty said, stopping in her tracks as she saw sparks forming in the girls hands, which made an electric crackling noise.
"I'll repeat myself once more. If you go near my Aunt or family again, and that includes the teachers and pupils of Cackle's Academy, I will make your life a living hell." Mildred said in a low voice, which made Hecketty afraid.
A knock at the door sounded, and Artemis Ravenwing of the Witches' Guild strode in, followed by Ellone Moonlight, the young memory reader, Yoruyonaka Akiyama, and Mr. Hallow, Chair of Governors.
"Are we interrupting anything?" Miss Ravenwing asked.
"Mildred was trying to defend her Aunt, Constance Hardbroom." The voice of Ethel Hallow was heard. Constance was stunned. Mr. Hallow nodded in recognition to his daughter and acknowledged what Mildred had done.
"It is my understanding, after speaking to the Memory Reader, Miss Ellone Moonlight, that Hecketty Broomhead had tormented Miss Hardbroom throughout her life, physically, mentally, and emotionally, under the excuse that she was doing it for her own good, being her Maternal Grandmother. She should know that it is against the rules of the Witches' Guild and the Witches' Code. Is a main rule of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the phrase 'Harm Ye None' , which is similar to the Hippocratic Oath of Doctors and other Medical Professionals 'First Do No Harm'?" Asked Mr. Hallow.
"It is indeed, Mr. Hallow." Answered Yoruyonaka Akiyama, Japanese member of the guild.
"Arigato gozaimasu, Akiyama-san." Mr. Hallow replied. Miss Akiyama bowed as a form of respect.
What did Mistress Broomhead do to harm Constance, Miss Moonlight?" Asked Miss Akiyama to Ellone.
"Whipped her with this leather whip, Madam." Ellone held the offending piece of evidence that had been confiscated. "Also hit her and put her down, making Constance who was a young girl at the time, doubt her abilities. When the girl made a mistake, she was shut away in a cold, dank dungeon."
Constance's eyes widened in terror.
"It's all right, Miss. You're safe…" Ethel said, going to her Form Mistress' aid, Mildred not far behind.
"She has scars on her wrists and along her shoulders." Mildred said. "This is the reason for the high-necked, long-sleeved dresses."
"Thank you, Mildred." Miss Ravenwing said, turning to see Hecketty about to escape. "Oh, no you don't, Hecketty Broomhead. Surely you'll stay and find out our verdict?" She asked with a hint of malice in her voice.
"Yes, Your Honour." Hecketty replied,meekly.
"Hecketty Helen Broomhead, alias 'Wilhemina Wormwood'. You are hereby banned from teaching as well as expelled from OFWITCH, and a restraining order shall be placed. You are never to set foot near your offspring and her bloodline: Constance, Mildred, Constance's unborn child as well as any future children she may have and any future generations from Constance or Mildred. Cackle's Academy is under this protection as well as the teachers, Miss Cackle's niece Gabrielle Gribble, the pupils, graduates and alumni, Weirdsister College, or any of the school of Magic and their teachers and students. If you do not abide by these rules, you will be incarcerated in prison for the rest of your life." Said Miss Ravenwing.
"Yes, Your Honour." Hecketty repeated, looking as though she was about to cry. She was then unceremoniously kicked out on the street.
Constance was trembling as she laid a hand on her just-visible bump. She dropped to her knees. Amelia and Mildred grabbed her by the arms before she hit the floor.
"It's over, Constance. Hecketty Broomhead will never hurt you again." Amelia soothed her Deputy Head. Constance was broken.