The Longer Chapter I promised!
ENJOY!
Chapter 19: Mildreds Meeting.
Mildred woke up to a bell being rung at Midday. It startled her. She shot up like lightning. The Night before playing round in her head like a dvd on loop. She jumped out of bed and ran into the main room, only one thought was on her mind now. She had to cheek on Hecate!
Surprisingly enough, Hecate was sitting on the couch, reading some book on everlasting potions or something of the sort.. Mildred was too busy staring at Hardbroom to really care about the book!
Hecate didn't look much better than last night.. She was in her usual Black attire with her hair in a bun, and face clear of any mess. But she was still shaking ever so slightly, with a pale face and looking rather tired.
She looked up from her book to Mildred. Eyeing her sightly. "I do hope you're not planning on attending Lunch in your pyjamas." She said, Giving the illusion of choice. But Mildred knows that Hecate wouldn't let her leave like this..
"I'm sorry I just.." Mildred started.. Pausing to gain her confidence back. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."
Hecate gave her the smallest smile. "I can assure you, I'm fine, Mildred. Hardly anything to worry about." Mildred eyed Hecate as if saying 'you sure?'
Mildred settled on nodding slightly, awkwardly moving closer. She wanted nothing more than to hug her again, to make sure she was real, that this was real.. But instead settled on asking "I.. I didn't think you'd actually still be here. I thought you'd be off working."
Hecate sighed. "For One, I said I'd be here.. And second, I'm not allowed to leave till lunch." The thought of Hecate being on house arrest made mildred laugh a little. "Speaking of, you should get dressed for it. There won't be any lessons today, but Miss Cackles requested your presence after Lunch."
Mildred paused on her way to her room, turning to face hecate once more. "Would you walk with me? To the lunch hall, that is." It was maybe a little childish.. But she didn't want to let Hecate out of her sight. She did that last night, although forced, and Hecate came back looking ready to keel over!
Hecate thought on this for a moment before nodding. "Very well, Mildred."
Mildred smiled and skipped into her room. As she got ready, she contemplated the previous night. She saw Her mother for the first time in months, and yet.. She wasn't worried about her. It made her feel terrible, but she just wasn't worried about her. She looked to her mother, the woman who birthed and raised her, and she didn't see her mom.. She saw a tyrant.
Mildred eventurly wondered back outside, lunch would be getting served soon, so they really should be getting a move on.
Hecate stood with a small wobble when she saw her. "I take it, you're ready to go?"
Mildred nodded, walking with Hecate to the door; the moment it opened, Mr Rowan-Webb was yelling at them. It seemed he'd left his and Miss Bats apartment open, just to make sure Hecate wouldn't leave.
"You're meant to stay there till lunch, Miss Hardbroom!" He yelled.
"And Where do you think we're going?" She snapped back, some of that venom creeping back into her voice.
"Oh.. Well.. Carry on then.." He said, allowing the pair to carry on their walk.
It occurred to Mildred.. They'd put him on the door watch for a woman who frequently disappeared into thin air.. It made Mildred wonder if Hecate's magic was okay. She looked in pain using it when she got back yesterday..
Mildred and Hecate parted ways silently as they reached the Hall. Mildred knew Hecate would be fine with the other teachers for lunch. Meanwhile, the hall was already bustling and busy.
"Millie!" Maud yelled out, waving her friend to their table. "We were not sure if you were going to be showing up today.."
Mildred sat down with her friends, Maud and Enid, along with Felicity, Sybil, Bee and Clarence. "As if I'd be allowed to skip it.."
"Tell you what," Enid started. "Apart from the attack, last night was fairly fun. Hope we get to do it again next year. Only with less rogue witches."
It was a rather fun night, all things considered. There was a lot of dancing and laughing. Enid tried to breakdance, and almost broke her neck in return! Maud through challenging Bee to a chugging contest was a good idea.. Spoiler alert, it was not a good idea!
"It was magical.." Felicity chimed in, a hopefully romantic look on her face. "Did you see Miss Pentangle and Miss Hardbroom dancing together? It was so.. Romantic."
"Romantic? Many girls were dancing with each other last night." Clarence spoke up, her voice innocently confused.
"But -those- were friend dances.. The way Miss Pentangle was looking at HB, how could it not be Romantic.." Felicity was known to have a big heart for the romantic side of things. If anyone was going to pick up on those things, it was going to be her.
"Do you think Hardbroom likes her back?" Sybile asked.
"I'm not sure.. It's hard to get a read on her. She looked content, so that's something.." Felicity then looked to Mildred. "Hey, Mildred. You're staying in the teachers quarters.. Know anything?"
Damn Ethel and her big mouth.. Enid, Maud and Millie exchanged looks before looking at Felic. "It's not my place to say.." Mildred said, hoping to quiet her down.. Thankfully, for the rest of lunch, no one brought it up again.
Mildred guessed it must have been odd for the students who didn't know Miss Pentangle and Miss Hardbroom. After all, they seemed so different. Miss Pentangle was viewed as this beautiful, outgoing, friendly and bright witch! While Hecate was strict, scary, slightly awkward and dark. Yet together, they just seemed to work. Like the Moon and the sun, they needed each other to survive, no matter how different they are.
Soon Mildred saw the teachers vacating to go about their activities, whatever that might be today. She gave it ten minutes, letting lunch come to a close, before making her way to Miss Cackles office.
She gave it a quick knock before being told to enter, what she hadn't expected was to walk in on the entire teaching staff. They all looked at her like she'd grown an extra head..
"Ah, Mildred. You're here sooner than I expected. Eager for a talk, are we?" Miss Cackle Joked.
"Not at all, Miss Cackle.." Mildred looked over the staff.. "Should i.. Wait outside, or come back later?"
Miss Cackle shook her head. "Not at all, Infact, you're more than welcome to stay. Be it that, or your ear to the door again.." It earned her a knowing glance from a few teachers. She suddenly felt very small. "Miss Bat, would you mind grabbing Mildred a cup of tea?"
Miss Bat nodded eagerly before moving over to the tea area. Mildred looked around the room before moving over towards Miss Hardbroom, Not so they were standing.. Together. But close enough for comfort.
Soon Miss Bat placed a hot cup of tea in mildreds hands. "Be careful it's hot."
"Thank you Miss Bat" Mildred Whispered in return, Her attention turning to Miss Cackle.
"Now, As i was saying.." The headmistress started. "Repairs will be needed on the alcove in the woods.. It'll be completely done just after the new year. After a talk with the Grand wizard, it's been decided that until Miss Hubble is dealt with, there will be no more activities outside the Castle grounds, unless the Grand Wizard has sent reinforcements. Which he won't do for small matters we could do here.."
Miss Cackle took a Sip of tea as Hecate spoke up. "That means for -all- students, the Forest is off limits. They are to remain on Cackles Castle Grounds at all times." Her eyes briefly looked at Mildred as she said -all-.
"But what about the wedding?" Mr Rowan-Webb Chimed in.
"We were planning on having it in the woods.. It's ever so beautiful that time of year.." Miss Bat added.
"We will see what we can do, But.. Alas, if you wish for students to attend, you may have to choose somewhere else." Miss Cackle tried to calm them. "The Grand Wizard is looking for not just Miss Hubble, but also Agatha's Coven.. It seems Miss Hubble and co, were attacking to cause a distraction more so than anything else. A Witch known as Delilah blew a hole in the barrier.. Then proceed to steal the picture holding Agatha and Miss Gullet.. We can expect to see my sister making a return soon.."
"This means strictness should be followed. Every student must be accounted for. First Lesson, second lesson, third lesson, dinner and then again at Lights out." Hecate barked her orders at the other teachers.
"But of course, you don't want to be breathing down their necks, just a simple roll call for safety will do." Pippa chipped it. It almost contradicted Hecate's approach.. Almost.
"Indeed, thank you, Hecate, Pippa." Miss Cackle was clearly the peace maker around here. "There will be no lessons today. As stated before. So, It'll be up for the year forms for check in at the appropriate times. For today, I will be covering the Third year."
"That's hardly Necessary, Ada-" Hecate started only to be cut off by Miss Cackle.
"Nonsance, it would be my pleasure! Look, I already found one of them." Cackle joked, nodding towards Mildred. "Honestly, Hecate. It won't kill you to not worry for a day." Hecate looked as if she wanted to argue, but bit her tongue instead.
Mildred wondered if this is what it was like to be a teacher. She was seeing a more relaxed version of her professional teachers. It was.. Nice. But also really weird to be included.
Miss Cackle looked at Hecate, then Pippa. "Am I missing anything?" Pippa pointed to Mildred slyly with an encouraging smile."Ah yes. You all know Mildred.."
At the mention of her name, Mildred gave a little wave to the teachers. Some of the newer ones may not have fully registered who she is..
"Last night, that rogue witch was her Mother.. Quite unfortunate.. A Briefing will be coming your way in the next couple of weeks on the matter." Miss Cackle Continued. "We are working to ensure that what happened to Pentangles will not happen here. You can be assured of that." Mildred knew that her last name wasn't on any of her forms at this time. They'd have to look at her Records to see her last name, so it's not surprising that this may have been the first time they'd heard about it..
A Teacher stepped forward, Miss Gimlett. "How do we know that.. Little Miss Hubble, isn't anything like, Bigger Miss Hubble?" Miss Gimletts Scottish accent came through when she said Hubble, Subtle but very much there.
"I can assure you. Although Mildred may not be a model student, she is the furthest thing from Rogue." Hecate answered the question. She was sticking up for mildred at this moment, while still throwing in that odd jab she liked to do.. "The reason behind this will be explained in the brief."
"Ofcourse, Thank you, Miss Hardbroom." Miss Gimlett said as she stepped back into her spot.
"If that'd be all, I'd like to speak to Mildred alone." Miss Cackle announced. Smiling nicely at all the teachers. Most just left, exited the room as they were instructed..
Mr Rowan-Webb gave Mildred a wink and said; "Glad to see you're doing better, Tadpole". Miss Bat joined him in a nod.
Miss Drill smiled at her before saying "I guess with all this, I'll need to get you all in shape. Extra laps for you all." It was meant to be a joke.. But it just sounded like a threat.
"Oh, Mllie, darling. When you get a chance, I'd like your opinion on something." Pippa said as she started walking to the door.
"Opinion? On what?" Hecate asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Shade of Pink, Dear. Hardly something I can ask you about.." Pipp retorted, throwing Mildred a sly wink. They would not be talking about Pink.
Hecate huffed as they came to the door, she looked behind her and hesitated. After a moment she closed the door after herself, leaving only Mildred and Miss Cackle. "Please do take a seat, Mildred."
Mildred sat down before Miss Cackle, Eyes looking around slightly. "Does this make me a teacher then?"
"Hardly, Mildred. But, Like the teaching staff, You are expected to keep what you've learned to yourself. Well, apart from the staff." Miss Cackle spoke with a sense of jest. "I actually wanted to speak to you about Miss Hardbroom.."
Mildred nodded. Was this about Their 'relationship', Maybe about her risking herself last night? Something else entirely?
"I want you to keep an eye on her. Remember when we spoke about your mother and why she was turning to stone? I mentioned that us, as Magical Beings, reach a level where our magic disagrees with us. It can cause fainting, sickness, and.. Sometimes death.."
Mildreds eyes opened wide. "Is Hecate going to die?!" She couldn't bear the thought!
Miss Cackle chuckled and shook her head. "No, No.. Not yet, Mildred. She used a spell known as Ultimate Magic. It's a chaos spell that pulls from our blood lines and locations, it.. Heightens the magic to an unbelievable level. In return, it drains your own life force.. It's Very Dangerous.." Miss Cackle Explained. "She didn't complete the spell, so she should be fine. But, I'd just like you and Miss Pentangle to keep an eye on her. Her Magic will be a bit dodgy for the next week.."
Mildred had never been on this side of things, Normally it was Mildred being watched. Not having to watch someone else!
"Can I trust you to do this with discretion?"
"Yes, Miss Cackle. Any Issues, I'll let you know." Mildred smiled at Miss Cackle, it was nice to know they were on the same side.
"Go Enjoy your day, Milded." Miss Cackle dismissed her, letting Mildred go to do.. Whatever she pleases, really.
She really should do those 100 lines she promised.. She wanted to make this as easy for Hecate as she could! Doing this without being asked, was one of those ways!
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