EXECUTE ORDER 44! Or.. Something. I know a few of you are looking forward to this one, So ENJOY!
Chapter 44: Oh Mildred..
Hecate counted her blessings as the last lesson of the day rolled by. It meant there wouldn't be long until they got rid of the inspector. Her lesson had already been inspected, so she wasn't expecting her to appear again, Thankfully. "Make sure you stir the pot exactly 180 degrees.." Hecate commanded her first years. "If you don't, it will back fir-" She was cut off by a rapid knockin on the door, before Enid burst in, without even waiting to be allowed. "Enid Nightshade!" She began to scold, The Girl knew better than to bust through doors, and to enter without being told!
Enid didn't even seem slightly phased, Something that should of been annoying to Hecate, Enid instead just leaned up next to Miss Hardbroom to whisper to her. "Mildreds in trouble with Miss Broomhead.." On second thought, maybe it was best she didnt wait.
Mildred was a troublesome student, of that she knew. But Miss Broomhead was roughless with those students. The Teacher part of her said that Mildred would deserve a punishment, had she done anything wrong. The Parent part of her dreaded to let Miss Broomhead anywhere near her child. While the student who was tormented by this particular teacher dreaded any kind of confrontation.. However, It was Mildred at risk. And that made Hecate almost see red.. But she needed to keep her cool.
"Where?" Hecate's voice wavered ever so slightly. Though she didnt know if from the fear of Miss Broomhead, or the anger that woman gave her.
"The Art room.." Enid sounded almost scared.. Just then, Maud bursts in. "She knows!" Enid told her.
Hecate had to get to Mildred, however, she also had a class to teach.. She looked over the two students before her as she pointed to Maud. "You will stay here, you will make sure there are no mishaps with their potions." She then pointed to Enid. "You will run to the Teachers lounge, and ask a teacher to cover potions." Enid didn't stay to hear anymore, just legged it. Normally it'd result in a few choice words, but for once, Hecate would let it go. Maud was a good student, she needed to trust her to be that good student for just five miniutes, If that.
She waved her hand, disappearing and reappearing in the Art room. Before her was a sight to behold. Mildred and Miss Broomhead stood in the middle of the room, Various colours of paint covering them from head to toe. Mildred stood before the old potions teacher, sobbing uncontrollably, looking smaller than Hecate had ever seen her.
Miss Broomheads face was bright red, even when covered in paint, screaming and yelling at the top of her lungs, prompting hecate to close the classroom door silently. Although she wanted to jump in right there, she wanted to get an idea of the situation first. "This is despicable behaviour of any witch! I'll see you expelled for this!" Miss Broomhead yelled, her words echoing off the walls.
"I-I- Im Sorry!" Mildred choked out, the sound of her voice only making Hecate's heart ache. "I didn't do i-"
"Don't you dare lie to me" She raised her hand high. "Maybe some time as a rat will teach you a lesson!"
Before she could even think about casting a spell, Hecate had materialised in front of her. "Don't you dare." Her voice was low, threatening.. There was a small waver, but it wasn't from fear, it was from pure anger. She has insulted her school, disrupted her teachers, upset Pippa and now has made Mildred a sobbing mess. It was something Hecate would not allow, sod what score she gave them!
"Joy Hecate Hardbroom! How very dare you-" Miss Broomhead started, clearly suprised by her former student standing up to her. Though, not for herself, for Mildred.
"How dare i? You are not a teacher here, Mistress Broomhead. You do not have the right to yell or discipline my students!" Hecate stayed standing between Mildred and Miss Broomhead. Guarding Mildred as she faced off against there enemys. She also needed to remember that she was a Teacher, Protecting her student. Her other role, along with her love for Mildred, could wait just a small while..
"Do you not see what this wayward witch has done? I took you for many things, Hecate, A Fool was not one of them!" Did Hecate believe Mildred was capable of causing a paint explosion? Yes. Did that give Miss Broomhead the right to act like this? No.
Hecate raised her hand "Silence." She commanded, stunning Miss Broomhead, and maybe just herself. She swiftly turned to look at the still sobbing Mildred.
"I-I'm sorry Miss H-Hardbroom.." She breathed out in quick gasps.. She didnt know whether to applaud the child for using her official name, or be sad she didn't call her hecate while distressed.
"Mildred." Hecate spoke far more calmly to her. "Did you cause this?" Mildred shook her head profusely.
"She lies-" Miss Broomhead began.
"Hush, Miss Broomhead." Hecate spoke far louder, Far angeryer. "Mildred." Her voice went back to it's calm commanding state, she wasnt angry at Mildred after all. "What happened."
"M-Miss Nightingale asked me to help her set up for tomorrow.. I-I'd put out the paints.. A-And I heard a noise.." Mildred pointed to the mop by the door. "S-So i went and i-i picked up the mop.. And when I got back over.. M-My paints were not where I left them.. A-And M-Miss Broomhead.." Mildred let out an almost hiccup at the name, her breath faltering. "Appeared a-and then the paint came crashing down.."
"And you had nothing to do with that?" Hecate gave Mildred a stern glance.. Mildred had lied before, she didn't put that past her. But at this moment, she was putting her full, unwavering trust in Mildred. Whatever answer she gave, she would run with it.
"Y-Yes.." Came the small reply, making Hecate want nothing more than to take this child into her arms.
"Very well." Hecate looked at the paint. Waving her hand over it. "Take us to your Mistress bold, who makes a mess for all to behold.." The Paint lifted, making small footprints in the ground. "Now we can see who the culprit really is." Thankfully, the paint began walking its way out the room, confirming it wasn't Mildred.
The three followed the footsteps through the school, Hecate keeping focused on the task at hand, Mildred Sobbing still and Miss Broomhead sulking, The three came to the Library.. To no one's surprise, the paint glued itself to the feet of Ethel Hallow. "Hey!" She called out, looking up to find the distressed Mildred with two angry adults. "Woah.. Had a paint accident?"
"Ethel Hallow.." Hecate Breathed out, raising her hands and transporting them all to Miss Cackles office. Her blood was absolutely boiling. Today was not a day for Ethel to play stupid tricks on Mildred. Today was not the day for any of the students to be playing tricks on one another. She couldn't in any good continuous blame Mildred, Miss Nightingale asked for help, and Mildred being the nice student she usually was, helped. Never mind how angry she felt on another child playing such a nasty trick on her's. If Hecate hadnt know.. Who knew what Miss Broomhead would of done..
She'd make sure that Ethel Apologized for her transactions, and that Miss Broomhead was seen out of this school as soon as possible!
Make sure to let me know what you thinks!