In the blink of an eye, many weeks had passed since Mildred had reached her breaking point and everything had come out in the wash.

The grounds of Overblow Castle had also changed drastically as autumn fizzled out and winter crept back into every corner of the school. The leaves were now gone from the trees, the windows were starting to freeze over and storms quite alike that dreaded October night were now a frequent occurrence.

However, the Christmas spirit was beginning to flow within the castle as December came around, and Mildred found that she'd finally settled into a routine again.

Since her conversation with Miss Hardbroom, she had mostly stuck to her word. Some days, Mildred would eat in the great hall with her friends. This would usually be the case for breakfast, as they'd always wake her up and drag her along, which she was convinced was on HB's orders. She'd then go for lunch with them too, seeing as she'd always be with them between lessons so it wouldn't make sense for her to suddenly wonder off and avoid them anyway.

However, when it came to evening meals, Mildred often found herself tempted to disappear and avoid those. It was in the evenings that she'd overthink things and get herself worked up over everything that had happened. Therefore, Mildred spent most of her nights with her form tutor. She'd sneak off to find her and true to her word, Constance would always oblige. Sometimes, they'd sit together in her office and just chat about the general week or about Mildred's feelings, but most of the time she'd end up eating in the potions lab before being forced to stay there for her extra two hours of tuition. Slowly but surely though, she started to get better. Her eyes had brightened, she was of a healthier weight, and she was no longer bottom of the class.

Despite the majority of the week being spent with her tedious potions teacher, Mildred found that she quite liked their new relationship, as she admitted to Constance one day:

'I know you won't believe me when I say this, because I've spent the last three years expressing how much we disliked each other, but I actually do really like spending time with you,' Mildred claimed shyly as she mixed her cauldron. 'It has helped me a lot and I really appreciate you, miss'.

'And I know you won't believe me when I say this, but I do too' Constance replied, holding strong and genuine eye contact as she did so.

The worst witch and her formidable potions teacher had many of these moments as they had several deep and meaningful conversations. Overtime, both of them developed a newfound mutual understanding of each other, as their relationship transformed into something almost loving and parental, although neither of them would ever dare to admit it.

Of course, Mildred still had her moments. There were some evenings where she would really struggle and loose all rational thought. One night she had turned to hurting herself again, before she stumbled up to Constance's bedroom gone midnight with teary eyes:

'Oh my god, Mildred! What on earth happened?!' Miss Hardbroom had worried as she opened the door before ushering her inside the bedroom. She was half asleep and dressed in her purple pyjamas, having completely lost all sense of professionalism in front of the small and familiar face.

'I-Im so so sorry. I just didn't - I didn't know how to, well how to c-cope' Mildred had sobbed back before she fell to the floor.

Constance wasn't able to do much apart from clean Mildred up and re-plait her hair before taking her back to bed. She felt useless at times like this, but all she could do was remind Mildred that relapsing was a common part of choosing to recover, and that she was still proud of her regardless. She was just grateful that Mildred always chose to come to her, without her having to pry anymore. The child was always honest now, and they found themselves moving forward on the whole rather than backwards.

This was why Constance was so shocked in the last two or so weeks of term, where she found that Mildred had completely shut her out. The girl had completely avoided her, remaining silent in all their classes together, and choosing to eat with her friends at all times instead. However, Constance couldn't do anything about it for she was not breaking their agreement nor was she putting a toe out of line.

Constance wouldn't admit it, but it hurt her more than she thought it would. She felt Mildred's absence in her life entirely.

From Mildred's perspective, she believed that she was doing the right thing over the last two weeks, as she hadn't wanted to worry her tutor with such a complicated problem.

One evening in mid-December, Mildred was making her way back up the winding stairs to her bedroom after having experienced a particularly draining evening lesson with her potions teacher. All she had wanted to do was curl up in bed for an early night as she found herself lavishing in restful sleep again these days.

However, as she made her way down the corridor, Maud had jumped out at her from her own room, startling Mildred and causing her to let out a loud yelp.

'Oh! Sorry, Mil. I thought you'd know I was there but you're too lost in your own thoughts as per usual. Are you okay?'

'Yes, don't worry. You just gave me an awful fright that's all. I'd love to stay and chat but I am exhausted after that extra class so all I want to do is sleep.' Mildred explained, her eyes heavy and her posture slumped.

Things had been really good between her and her friends again. It was like their argument had never happened and their friendship felt like it had matured a lot recently, but sometimes she still needed to be alone.

'No worries, sleep well. I just needed to give you this though. It fell through the window at the end of the corridor today, which is odd…anyway, it's a letter addressed to you so I thought you'd want it before Ethel or someone snatched it' Maud explained, before handing the envelope to Mildred and bidding her a goodnight.

By the end of the evening, however, Mildred found herself wishing that Ethel had snatched the letter and turned it straight into the bin or to one of her teachers. Mildred was now stuck in a rather tricky situation as she found herself tossing and turning that night, re-reading the letter every ten minutes:

Dearest Mildred,

I am so sorry that I have not written to you as all of these weeks have passed us by, but there has come a time where I need to share some urgent information with you that should have been shared long ago. I cannot hold off anymore, so I hope this reaches you in time.

Despite your claim in your note to me before you left for school, I do see it fit to protect you. In fact, I have been trying to protect you ever since the first day of your summer holidays. Everything you have been through has not gone unnoticed. However, he threatened me and kept me locked away in his own home. I tried to leave but he told me that he would kill me if I continued to do so, so that is where I was on all those occasions where he wanted you alone and you needed me. He had planned it perfectly - it was all staged and I could do nothing but sit back and watch.

You see, Ezra is not who you think he is. I cannot explain the situation fully in writing, but I am in terrible danger and so are you if you do not return home.

When I first met him, I assumed he was completely harmless, but by the time you returned, I had reason to believe that he targeted me purely to get to you. He is after something which only you posses, and he wants nothing more than to destroy it - to destroy you. I do not know what it is or if it exists, but if you have some rare talent that resonates only with you, then I urge you to believe me when I say you are in danger.

Ezra has managed to track down the school you attend and could show up at any moment. He tortured the information out of me as he was so angry when you left. He did not know that would happen.

I do not know if he has any magical ability - for I have realised I don't know him at all - but I wouldn't put anything past him or the levels he will stoop to in order to destroy you. You are aware of how dangerous he can be, so we need to leave, now.

Please, Mildred. Come home to me and save everyone you love, otherwise I am going to die and all of your friends and teachers will be in terrible danger.

I still love you, do what's right.

Mum

Consequently, Mildred had avoided everyone like the plague that week, becoming reminiscent of her past self many weeks ago. She did not want to worry anybody, but the thing that really got to Mildred was the last few sentences of that letter.

Was it true that she was endangering her friends and teachers just by staying here? If Ezra knew where she was and could show up at any moment, she was fully convinced that this was the case, and she refused to put the lives of those she cared about on the line for the sake of hers.

Yes, the letter was ominous, but Mildred began to realise that Ezra was much more dangerous than he had let on, and she had to save the lives of those she loved.

It was also clear that the letter was accurate as it referenced to a magical talent which only she had. It must all be true. it was too much of a coincidence not to be…

So, with that thought fresh in her mind on the night before the last day of term, Mildred grabbed her bag and left the castle. She hurried through the freezing corridors, careful not to wake anyone as she left. She was going to put an end to this problem, once and for all, and she was going to risk everything for the sake of those she cared about.