I'm currently at college uploading this because I finished my work, and still have ten minutes to go.. ENJOY!
Chapter 45: Goodbye, Miss Broomhead.
Mildred was still sobbing when she was transferred to Miss Cackles office. Startling the poor headmistress. "Miss Broomhead! Mildred! Why on earth are you covered in paint.." In an almost comical move, the pair both pointed at Ethel, as if an unspoken alliance had formed.
"Ethel Hallow thought today of all days, it would be a great idea to drop paint onto Mildred and Miss Broomhead, and Let Mildred take the heat." Hecate spoke as she walked to stand at Miss Cackle's Right hand, that hiss in her voice showing her well hid anger and annoyance.
"Ethel.. Explain yourself!" Miss Cackle sounded agitated, Clearly annoyed over the situation.
"She doesn't deserve to be going forward for head-girl, Miss Cackle!" Ethel Yelled out. "It's a disgrace!"
"From where I'm sitting, you're the only one not suited for the position, Ethel." Miss Cackle Spoke with that same kind voice, telling Ethel exactly what she thought. Ethel could be great, if only she got over this stupid rivalry. "You will apologise to Mildred and Miss Broomhead right now."
Ethel huffed as she turned to the two painted witches. "Sorry, Mildred. Sorry Miss Broomhead.. I never meant to cause such a scene.." That was a lie if ever Mildred heard one. She ment it alright.
Miss Broomhead looked as if she was holding her tongue.. Ready to lash out at the girl at any given point, instead she settled for. "Miss Hardbroom, I trust you will give her the correct punishment?" She stared at Ethel, daring her to say anything against her..
Miss Hardbroom nodded. "Indeed. She can start by cleaning the entirety of the Art room.. And I do mean Entirety, every single inch.." Ethel groned at this. "Then.. We can discuss the rest of her punishment."
"You have your duty now, Ethel. See to it." Miss Cackle spoke, letting Ethel march out with a door slam.
Miss Broomhead looked at Miss Cackle. "I will be sure to have a word with her father about this! How very dare she!" That angry voice assaulted Mildreds Ear once more.
"I assure you, she will be punished accordingly." Miss Cackle gave that sad but sweet smile. Mildreds tired and painful eyes watched as Hecate moved around to them.
Hecate raised her hand, before bringing them back down as if rainfall. Mildred and Miss Broomhead's paint disappeared, leaving them as they should be. The only stain left on Mildred was the tears clinging to her face.
"Miss Broomhead." Hecate spoke, that anger still hovering in her voice. "I wish to once again remind you of your place here, You're here as inspector, Not as judge and executioner. You have no right to berate any student. Whether they have done something wrong, or in this case, done nothing wrong."
Miss Broomhead nodded, in slight embarrassment. "Of Course.. I don't believe we've been introduced.. Mildred…?"
She was asking for her last name. Mildred knew she was asking for her last name. She didnt really want to say she was a Hubble, but she also didnt wish to overstep the mark with Hecate "H-H.." Mildred began to speak in her broken sobbing tone, only to have Hecate interject.
"Hardbroom. She's my ward." Hecate crossed her arms, almost defensively.. It was nice to hear Hecate refer to her as a Hardbroom publicly..
Miss Broomhead looked at her, her face conveying a slightly different emotion to before. It wasn't as angry or hateful. It held surprise and a certain softness. "I see.." She looked back to Mildred, something catching her eye.. Her hand moved forward, hooking the chain under Mildreds Coller, she pulled up to reveal the watch. "Safe indeed.." Mildred Couldn't tell if it was a good thing, or a bad thing.. It was a thing, of that much she could tell. "I think i've seen enough, i'll be leaving." She addressed Miss Cackle now, her voice regaining that harshness.
"Very well, Miss Broomhead, i'll be seeing you out.." Miss Cackles pep returned. Clearly very happy to be getting rid of the horrid woman. They walked out in silence, leaving Mildred to still quietly cry, and Hecate to stand awkwardly besides her. Her Mind recalled the hateful words Miss Broomhead had screamed in her face..
'Horrid actions of witches such as you, do not deserve to wear the hat! How Appealing your ancestors must find you! You'll be lucky if you still have magic by the time I'm through! This is despicable behaviour of any witch! I'll see you expelled for this!'
It played around in her mind.. Over and Over again.. Like a broken record cursed to haunt her at every possible moment.. Mildred was pulled from her thoughts as a hand came to rest on her cheek, wiping away a stray tear. Mildred looked up to find Hecate.. "Pay her no mind Mildred. You could be the greatest witch in the world, and she'd still stand against you." Her words did little to comfort the witch. Instead, Mildred moved forward to quietly cry into Hecate, placing her arms around the taller witches waist. To Mildreds delight, she brought her hands to rest on her back.
"I-I.." Mildred tried to speak, unsure of what she wanted to say really.. "I.. I agree with Enid, Ya know.."
Hecate seemed confused by this. "Agree with her..?"
Mildred nodded as she pulled away slightly, smiling up at Hecate. "That we're glad we have you, and not Miss Broomhead.." It was her lame attempt at a joke.
"Thank you, Mildred.." She seemed genuinely pleased with being preferred. Mildred knew if she had Miss Broomhead, she wouldn't still be here.. Mildred was glad she had Hecate..
She missed her mum, She missed her cheeky comments, and her sweet composure. She missed her normie way of doing things. Whether it be sitting down and watching a movie, going on walks, or dancing in the kitchen. It was a whole other life.. And it made her sad to remember it. That regret and guilt overwhelmed her in those moments. It was less about what she'd lost, and more about what her mother had lost. She had mourned her.. But she wasnt dead. She was corrupted, and it was all Mildreds Fault.. She just wished she could hug Juile one last time, let her know how sorry she is..
"Mildred?" Hecate's voice drew her from her sad thoughts. She was so very grateful for this woman, she'd been forced to accept Mildred, and yet did so with open arms. Mildred knew Hecate was closed off, The fact they had gotten to this stage was a blessing. She'd never imagined it in a lifetime. But here she was.. Completely content with her makeshift mother. It only made her feel more remorseful for Juile.. "Dinner won't be far behind, Get yourself cleaned up."
It was such a shift in tones, it almost gave Mildred Whiplash. But Mildred knew it was just her way of defusing a situation. It was surprisingly calming to Mildred.
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