It is currenty: 0:33 On the 1st of January here in the Uk. So, Happy new years! (Im three wine glasses in to my writing party at home.)
ENJOY!
Chapter 36: New year, New Announcements..
The first day back saw a swarm of students moving through the halls once more. The first day back was always chaotic, there were no lessons, just an assembly. The rest of the day they allowed the girls to catch up and get ready for the following day. Despite this, it always ended up being all hands on deck.
After lunch, every girl was ushered into the main hall and sat in their year groups, while Miss Cackle and co took their place on the stage. "Welcome Back!" Ada spoke, now standing by her podium. Hecate couldn't help but notice the slight shake to her hands as she leaned against it. "Before my own announcements, Mr Rowan-Webb and Miss Bat have something to say.." Ada gestured to the newly married teachers.
Mr rowan-webb stood up, rubbing his hands together slightly. "We'd first like to thank everyone for coming to the wedding. It will be a day we remember for the rest of our lives."
"This will be our last year here, come the end of it, we'll be moving into retirement. For the remainder of the year, I'll still be going by Miss Bat, to avoid confusion.." Miss Bat smiled at the students. For Hecate, Miss Bat had been here since she was Eleven..
She was here when she first joined the school as a small child. She was here when she left the school to go to college. She was here when she returned as a junior teacher. Here when she became deputy-head too. Every milestone she had while here at cackles, Miss Bat had witnessed.
"We look forward to the following Months of being your teachers.. Thank you." Mr Rowan-webb spoke with full honesty before they sat down.
"Thank you, Mr Rowan-Webb, Miss Bat. Cackles won't be the same without you.." Miss Cackle nodded at the pair before looking to Hecate and nodding.
Hecate stood to address the student Body. "Fifth years have their final's coming up, this will include your fifth year Project. Your former teacher will go over the conditions tomorrow. All years must be respectful of the exams taking place in the coming months." It was to the point, and gave them the information they needed.. What more could anyone ask for? "If you have not already applied for your college positions, you're to see Myself, Miss Cackle or Miss Pentangle this week." Her voice held a threatening tone, as if daring them to not do it.. She sat down, allowing Miss Cackle to continue on.
"Thank you, Miss Hardbroom. Now, the last announcement from me." Ada crossed her hands together, that grandma-like smile beaming out. "With the Fifth years soon to be parting, We'll be looking to the Fourth years.. If you've made up your mind for what study's you'll be taking next year, please report to myself.. You can also report to me if you wish to apply for head girl."
The girls burst into eager hushed talk among them. "SILENCE!" Hecate yelled over them, the entire hall falling still. Hecate looked to miss Cackle and gave her a slight nod.
"Applicants will be accepted for the next week, afterwards the girls who will be going forward for the trial will be announced. I look forward to seeing who will go forward for the challenge." Miss Cackle continued. "Now, Miss Bat.." Miss bat stood, walking over to her musical instrument, she took her place and nodded at Miss Cackle. "Please rise for the school song."The students stood, and the Organ played..
"Onward, Ever striving onwards" The Girls sang at the top of their lungs "Proudly on our brooms we fly!"
Hecate, despite her strict nature, could never hear this song as it was sung.. Not anymore, she heard it as she once sung it as a girl.
'Onward, Ever skiving onwards, Proudly in our rooms we lie..'
"Straight and true above the treetops, shadows on the moonlit sky!"
'Zoom like rockets through the treetops, breaking rules as we whizz by..'
"Ne'er a day will pass before us when we have not tried our best!" That line always felt like hopeful thinking..
'Never a teacher goes before us, who we will not blank our best…' The teacher in question was Miss Broomhead.. Though, sometimes Mrs Cackle too.. On occasions Miss Bat..
"Kept our cauldrons bubbling nicely, cast our spells and charms with zest!"
'Keep our cauldrons smelling awful, cast our spells with cheek and jest..'
"Full of joy we mix our potions, working by each other's side!" Unless your Mildred and Ethel, in which case, Hecate preferred to keep them as far away from each other's side as possible.
'Full of mischief we mix our potions, and whatever we decide..'
"When our days at school are over, let us think of them with pride!"
'When we turn miss to a froggy, let us think of it with pride..' It was a stupid dream on Hecate's part, She didn't put Indigo past it however..
"Thank you, Girls. Enjoy the rest of the day!" Miss Cackle Announced, Before the teachers could vacate, she looked to Hecate and Pippa. "I'd like to see you both in my office." For the first time in years, Hecate felt like a school child being called to the headmistress for a telling off. Hecate walked with Pippa towards Miss Cackles office, Her hand came to meddle with the ring on her finger. They'd decided not to make any announcements about the matter, But it wouldn't be a secret either. No doubt plenty of students have already spotted it, and despite Pippa telling Mildred to keep it hush, they both know she'd told Maud and Enid. Soon, they arrived at Miss Cackle's office, entering to find Miss Cackle hunched over her desk.
"Ada..?" Hecate asked as she moved closer. "Are you quite alright?"
Ada nodded slightly, "Yes, Yes. I just got slightly light headed.. I think all the excitements getting to me." She laughed as she sat down in her seat. "I believe.. Before anything else.. Congratulations is in order."
Pippa stepped forward taking the lead, much to Hecate's delight. "Thank you, Miss Cackle.. Still much to discuss, but it's still early days.." Pippa gave a small smile towards Hecate. "Now.. What was it you wanted to talk to us about?"
"Ah Yes. I've been informed by the council that Ofwitch will be coming to see us in the coming week or two.. I don't know who they're sending yet, but as soon as I know, I'll let you know. I suspect it''s concern over the recent attack.."
"We'll go over the files this week, and make sure everythings in order." Hecate informed her, everything should be in order anyway. Hecate's paperwork was always top notch. Some of the other teachers however..
"Thank you, Hecate, Pippa. And congratulations once more." Ada spoke once more. "Now, Iv called for the other teachers to join us, that way we can go over the plan going forward.."
Soon the other teachers would be joining them, but only one thought plagued Hecates mind. A Looming Inspection… Who would be coming to inspect them? Would they send Miss Doomstone again? Only time will tell..
We see Ofwitch in the original series, its a clever play on the UK's Ofsted. (Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills - They inspect all the schools.) This arc is losely based off the Orginal series' Ofwitch inspection, but with my own twist and play. Lemme know what you think!