Am I late? Yes, a day late. Why? Simply put.. I forgot.

Dhion: Hi Again! I honestly love the dynamic between Pippa and Hecate! Its like they've been married for years, but also like they're still in the early stages. Its so strange, but so lovely and familier! Somethings up with Miss Cackle.. Yea, the maths aint mathing.

ENJOY!

Chapter 64: Trial Four - Part Two

Hecate was up at her usual time, Six o'clock on the Dot. Today's challenge would require all teachers ready to fly at a moment's notice. So, she made sure to be flying fit with her outfit, Though She'd wait to put on her hat, cloak and gloves for later. She looked behind her to Pippa, still asleep like usual. She wouldn't be up for another hour yet.. They had very different approaches to being Deputy. Yet, she had a point the other year. They work pretty well together. Though, it can often feel like playing good and bad cop.

Hecate slowly left her room, closing the door with a soft click. When she turned back around, she practically jumped to see Mildred bursting out her door. Her hair was.. Questionable at best. But she was already dressed for School. Hecate Double cheeked her clock.. It wasn't even half six yet..

"Could you help me..?" Mildred asked, slightly out of breath from her sudden run. Hecate looked up at Mildred.. She looked tired. Dark Circles fell under her eyes, she looked pale and ready to go to bed.

Hecate couldn't help the concern building up through her chest. It was different to her.. She usually wasn't concerned or worried about Mildred like this.. "Mildred.. Have you slept?" She brushed off Mildred's question, asking what she needed to know.

MIldred shrugged. "Sort of. I didn't have such a great night.. Im.. rather nervous.." She fiddled with her hands slightly, suddenly shy.

Hecate knew why.. She'd be nervous too if she had to do Cackles Run.. She did it once as a young student, and was just lucky it was Miss Bat to catch her, and not Miss Broomhead.. She'd decided not to address that however, redirecting back to the original question at hand. "What do you need help with?"

Mildred sighed. "I can't get my hair right.. It's just so.. Lopsided.. I don't want it to get in my way today.." She pulled at her hair slightly. Her Plaits were often a little lopsided, so it must be bad if she was asking for help. "So can you please do my hair."

Hecate nodded, gesturing to Mildreds room. Together they went in and stood before Mildreds own Mirror. "In two?" Hecate asked, taking hold of the brush.

Mildred looked at herself as she thought for a moment. "Yes.. But.. Could you maybe make it look a little.. Fancy?"

Hecate understood wanting something to look nice.. You don't need to vain to want to look nice. But Mildred hadn't cared much for her looks in the past. The only time she had, was at that End of year party.. Understandably so. There was no reason here that Hecate could think of.

Hecate went about brushing her hair. "Any reason why, or are we simply deflecting from other issues?" She was blunt and upfront about it. Mildred had hardly slept, and was now fussing about her hair..

"There's only three of us left.. One of them is Ethel.. I'm just a bit worried is all.." She sighed as she studied herself in the mirror. "Ethel and Andrea are always so put together.. Why shouldn't I be too?"

"Because You're not Ethel, Or Andrea. Your Mildred." Hecate found herself speaking openly. "If you stand any hope of becoming head girl.. It needs to be as Mildred." Hecate began delicately plaiting Mildreds hair into pigtail french braids. Perfectly out of her face, perfectly even, perfectly perfect. Mildred fell quite as she let Hecate do her hair. Once done, Hecate moved to leave. "What do you plan to do now you're ready.." She looked at her Watch. "an Hour ahead of Breakfast?"

Mildred looked to Hecate, confusion washing over her face. "You know.. I don't have a clue.." She chuckled slightly. "I might Doodle.. Get some nerves off me.."

Hecate thought about this for a moment.. She could leave the very tired Mildred here to fall asleep while doodling..But, that'd only lead to her being late. She Could get the girl a Coffee.. Hopefully that'd wake her up a little. She pointed to Mildred, "Grab your things, and come with me." Before making a b line for the Door. Mildred snatched up her school bag and followed along like a lost sheep.

"Where are we going?" Mildred asked after they left the Teachers apartments. No other student would be up for another half an hour to an hour.. It was a student ghost town.

"You look like you could do with a drink." Hecate let out a sigh at that.. It was very irregular.. It really was. But she was hardly another student now.. Hecate opened up the door to the Teacher's lounge, holding it so Mildred could walk in. Ofcourse, Hecate knew Mildred had been in here before, all thanks to her trial run as a teacher..

"Morning, Hecate- And.. Mildred..?" Dimity chimed from the brewing station, looking over the two of them. "Bit early for you, Mildred, isn't it?" She then smiled at her, Ever the nice one to the students.

"Indeed. Hence why Mildred is going to steal our hot drinks, and a chair in here for the next hour.." Hecate announced. It was like free babysitting. A Restless Mildred was a Reckless Mildred. This way, Mildred could mind her own business with a cup and her drawing, while also having teachers lingering about, ready to jump at even the slightest issue.

"I-I hope you don't mind, Miss Drill." Mildred spoke up, her politeness kicking in.

"Not at all, Mildred. Why don't you pick out a seat, and I'll bring you over a drink. What'll it be, coffee, tea?" Miss Drill was very good at understanding the assignment.

Mildred looked around, seemingly settling on a seat in the corner, a lovely high backed comfy chair, almost like the one Hecate has at home. "A tea would be nice, Miss Drill.. Em.. Milk.. Two Sugar.. Please." Mildred spoke like a true British lass.

Dimity started making the tea up for Mildred, placing a few biscuits on the side. She looked over to Hecate, attempting to make a quiet exit. "Oh, Hecate! Before you go.." She carried the tea over to Mildred, placing it down on the side table. "The Brooms are set to go.. Everything is on track."

Hecate nodded, shooting a smell look towards Mildred, already getting on with some drawing.. "Thank you, Dimity.." With that, She walked out of the room. She went about her cheeks of the school, making sure every student was going to breakfast, before heading back to her room to put on her cape, hat and gloves. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't nervous herself. Even with all the precautions for insure safety, it was still banned for a reason. Miss Cackle wanted to challenge them to something that they didn't have usual access to.. It was really all Hecate could think about as the trial came close. At Nine, the whole school found themselves outside, the Participants were already at the line. Mildred was talking away to Mr Rowan-Webb..

"Are you sure this is a good idea..?" Hecate asked moving to stand next to Ada. Ada had seemed off herself lately. She had a shake to her hand, a vagueness to her eyes and she looked as tired as Mildred did today..

"Yes, I am quite sure.. We have plenty of teachers to ensure safety.. Now, I should give the speech.." She patted Hecate on her arm as she stood up to the podium. "Welcome, Ladies! And.. Mr Rowan-webb and Mr Grabgrass.." She nodded at the two males..

"The Cackles run was banned in 1897 after two witches attempted it.. And never made it out. We have secured the Track so that no incidents like that will happen today, but this task will take a lot of skill to finish.. You need to fly though Twisted Woods, The Old Sewer Bridge and then Crooknose Corner.. The First two to the finish line, will be going through to the Fifth and last Trial.." Miss Cackle looked upon her school.

"The rules are simple, No foul play. You fly fair and in your own court.. It is a test of skills and courage.. There will be teachers monitoring you all the way along the Race.. Now, Into places! And good luck.."

Make sure to let me know what you think!