Iv just finished writing chapter 26.. So I thought i'd post this now. Its almost 2 in the morning.. ENJOY!
Chapter 24: Interupted.
Hecate Hated December. It was cold, wet, and people were festive for no good reason. However, up until now, Hecate never had a family to spend it with.. Her Father would Work on Christmas day, Her Brother would usually leave to spend it with a friend or such, and her mother.. Her Mother would say a Quick Speech over an early dinner, and that was that. Those Speeches stopped after she got ill.. Making Christmas a rather lonely occasion.
That didnt mean there wouldn't be highlights this year. The wedding for an example, Was bound to be a great experience.. After the morning Assembly, Ada had requested to speak with Hecate and Pippa revolving around the occasion.
After her Form class, she waved her hand Materialising within Miss Cackles office, giving the poor woman half a fright. Something about Ada struck Hecate, she was looking rather.. Tired.
"Are you quite alright, Ada?" Hecate asked, not even noticing that Pippa was also in the room.
"I am fine!" Ada all but snapped. "I just didn't have all that great of a sleep.. You two need to worry less about me, and more about yourselfs.."
Hecate then noticed Pippa, sharing a look of 'if you say so' with one another. Pippa was quick to intervene, changing the topic of conversation. "You wished to speak about the Wedding? It sure will be a joyous occasion, I'm sure!"
"I'm sure it will be.." Miss Cackle started "However, There are conditions to it being held as it is.. The Grand Wizard, Along with Rothbart.. Elvira.. And Farina.. Will be in attendance.." Ada took it steadily, letting it sink in.
This would be the first time since her brothers Funeral Wake that'd see'd be seeing the Sixth and Seventh witch, along with Rothbart the Brave..
"I take it they will be keeping an eye out for Miss Hubble..?" Hecate asked, doing her best to keep herself to herself.
Ada nodded. "Yes. They intend to be present and ready for a fight.. Saves us having to do it.." She was only somewhat joking. But none of them wanted a repeat of the Last Hecate, Julie fight.
"I'm sure the students would love the chance to meet them!" Pippa Gushed. "Legends will be present, it's such a learning opportunity for them-" Pippa was cut off by a loud knock sounding from the door.
"Come in!" Ada yelled, watching as the door opened to reveal one Mildred Hubble.
"Miss Cackle, I'm sorry but-" She came to an abrupt stop when she saw Pippa and Hecate..
"Mildred! You are supposed to be in lesson!" Hecate barked, this wasn't the first time Mildred had skipped a lesson, but she'd be sure to make it her last if she had any say in the matter.
"Well I.. Yes.. But something happened, so I was looking for you, but I couldn't find you, so I was looking for Pippa, but I couldn't find her either!" Mildred closed the door behind her as she waffled on. "In the end I decided to come to Miss Cackle.."
"Only to find us here.." Pippa laughed, clearly finding it somewhat amusing.
"Well, Your Problem solving skills have clearly improved.. Not only that, You've got three for the price of one.." Ada smiled reassuringly at Mildred.
"What was the 'something' that Happened, Mildred?" Hecate interjected.. As nice as playful small talk was, she rather jump straight to the point.
"Ethel Knows.. About my Living Situation…" Mildred spoke, sort of.. Small, scared.. As if they might yell at her for such a thing. It was bound to get out somehow, after all, there was a rather large teaching staff, and a few students already knew.. "Though.. Only about me and Hecate.. I don't think she has a clue about Pippa.."
It struck Hecate how natural their names fell from Mildreds lips, even with Miss Cackle here. It was like second nature.
"And how, pray tell, did she find out..?" Hecate asked the most important question. She wanted to know if she'd been told by someone else, If she'd bullied Mildred into telling her, if she'd maybe guessed, or if Mildred had told her willingly.
"Well.. Em.. Hallow's eve.. Miss Drill Mentioned me being in the Staff Apartments.. So, She sort of guessed I was staying with.. Someone.. But then today she eavesdropped on our conversation and is going to go tell the whole school and.." Mildred looked between the three swallowing hard while getting her bearings and her confidence back.
"I'm not upset that she knows.. Despite how it happened.. I like my living arrangements.. And I'm not ashamed about them." Mildred wanted them to know it was nothing personal. Hecate knew it was nothing personal. After all, it was both of their reputations on the line. "But She accused me of having a leg up.. When as i see it.. Iv simply been placed on an equal level.. This is no different to any other child of Staff.. And Ethel, along with any of the students, can always ask for help.."
Child of Staff.. She saw herself as the Child of Hecate and Pippa.. A strange concept.. But a welcome one.
"You're quite right, Mildred." Ada nodded in agreement. "People will look at it that way, but you have been at a disadvantage for long enough. Do not panic about it in the slightest.."
Pippa coughed slightly "If i may, Headmistress.." An evil grin came over the Pink witch. Despite her joyful composure and kind personality.. You didn't want to get on the wrong side of her. Hecate had seen one too many witches getting burned by getting on the wrong side of Pippa. "I'd be more than happy to do some damage control.. With Hecate's permission, of course.."
Pippa's eyes told Hecate Everything she needed to know in this plan.. They were going to overshadow Mildred.. Normally Hecate would be completely against it. But, given the frazzled Mildred and gleeful Pippa, she didn't really have much of a say. Besides, how often can you overshadow someone and it be a good thing?
Hecate nodded slightly, earning a wide smile from Pippa. "Consider it done, Millie!"
"Now, Run along to class. You can tell Miss Bat you were preoccupied with Miss Cackle.. However.. In future, wait until breaktime, I don't want any more class skipping."
Mildred nodded slightly "Oh, Sure… Thank you.." She smiled across them all before exiting..
Ada shook her head with fondness.. Pippa looked like she was planning to end Ethel's whole career..
And as for Hecate.. She remained stoic as always. On one hand, She Loved Pippa. She didnt often say it, but that woman held her heart like no other. She wasn't worried about others knowing.. The whole teaching staff and some students already knew. But on the other hand, Her Private life was just that. Her Private affairs, and Pippa was about to Out them to the entire school to help Mildred out..
It gave her meny mixed feelings, and far too much anxiety for a deputy head..
Iv already written it, so i already know how Pippa's plan plays out.. But what do you think might happen? MAKE SURE TO REVIEW!