ARROW HARDBROOM MEETS MILDRED HUBBLE

Chapter 1 – Consequences To Actions

Arrow Hardbroom had transferred Infront of Cackle's Academy's front door. She was rather hesitant to walk in. She reached for the door to give it a push. Before she could do so, the door was being opened from the other side and her heart plummeted. There was a witch on the other side that she did not know, this witch was not who she was expecting. She let out a sigh of relief at the sight of a darker skin woman with black hair that was tied up. She was currently wearing a three-quarter length track set. This woman smiled at her.

This woman looked at the girl stood in front of her. This girl had long black hair that was currently pulled into a tight plait, she was dressed in a pair of black jogging bottoms as well as a purple oversized hoodie. The girl had a rather pale complexion though she didn't look unwell. She was rather tall for her age, and she had a warmth about her.

"Good afternoon, Arrow, is it?"

Arrow nodded.

"Come on in out of the cold". The woman said with a gentle tone. "I am Miss Drill".

Arrow followed Miss Drill through the corridors, some of these students they passed looked at her with confused expressions which made her feel rather small. Miss Drill took her to Miss Cackle's office. As the teacher knocked on the door and a pleasant voice from within could be heard saying enter, they entered.

Her mother had told Arrow of Miss Cackle, so she wasn't afraid of her, this woman was known for being rather soft and kind-hearted. She took in the headmistress's rather spacious office, and she got a rather shock when she took in Miss Cackle. She hadn't realised she had met her before. Though Miss Cackle had gone to Amethyst's Academy a few years back which was the school she had just been suspended from.

"We meet again, come on in I won't bite. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for your mother". Miss Cackle said gently. "My understanding is that your suspension wasn't entirely your fault, though I will say punching people in the face is not advised". She told her with a smile.

Miss Drill looked rather confused. "Say what now?".

"Arrow here was suspended from Amethyst's for punching a bully in the face". Miss Cackle informed her.

"They should have dealt with her, then I wouldn't have felt the need to". Arrow growled. This tone had both teachers' eyebrows raised.

"Your mother is currently teaching; she isn't aware that you have been suspended as she has been teaching all day. So, I was informed of the situation, hence why you are here". Arrow's eyes looked slightly panicked. "I can not guarantee I will see her before you do, and I am not prepared to interrupt her lesson to give her news that she will not like. Whilst in our school you will be expected to wear our uniform". Miss Cackle then proceeded to put a set of school uniform on the desk and Arrow's eyes narrowed.

"You can't be serious?" Arrow stated with a look of detest at the sight of what was clearly a dark grey dress.

"This is our uniform and yes I am being serious".

"I am not going to be caught dead in that". Arrow's voice was serious though soft

"You are expected to wear the uniform like everyone else".

"No way am I wearing that, is there no trouser version?" Arrow asked.

"No this is the only version of it".

"Then I am not wearing the uniform, I don't feel comfortable in dresses at all".

"I will have to take this up with your mother".

"That's fine, even she can't get me in dresses". Arrow almost laughed at the thought.

Miss Cackle looked at the girl in front of her and she had immediately liked the girl. She now admired the girl's stubbornness which normally would irritate her.

Miss Drill wasn't sure about the girl, she hadn't been told the girl's last name. She stood in silence as she had heard the discussion regarding the uniform of which was not an argument. Clearly the girl had learned to talk things out without arguing. When it was mentioned about her mother teaching, she was even more confused. None of the staff to her knowledge had children. The only teacher she looked like was Miss Hardbroom.

"I don't currently have a spare room for you so you will have to go in your mothers' quarters for the time being. Miss Drill please could you escort Arrow to Miss Hardbroom's room.

"If I could, I would. She does have spells on her door, walls, and windows". Miss Drill reminded her. I have a class next period, it would be her year group would it not, am I right in saying third year?"

"You would be correct; see how she goes. To be continued regarding your uniform". Miss Cackle stated in a manner that stated the subject hadn't been dropped.

A half hour later and Arrow had picked up her mothers' broom and walked towards the rest of the group on the pitch.

"That's Miss Hardbroom's broomstick, put it back". A blonde girl stated to her in a harsh tone.

"I am aware, mine isn't here at the minute". Arrow replied kindly, she would not match this girl's energy just yet. She was aware of her mothers' reputation, and she wasn't too keen on others knowing who she was. She wanted to be able to make friends without her mother's influence.

"Everyone mount your brooms; I want to look at your positions today as there have been a few issues in the past week". Miss Drill's voice projected around the pitch.

"Ye, Mildred". The blonde girl spoke again in a taunting voice, which was clearly aimed at a thin girl on the other side of the pitch who had her hair in two plaited pig tails. This blonde girl was grating on Arrow, for she hated bullies.

"That will do, Ethel". Miss Drill told the blonde girl.

As they all mounted their brooms, Arrow took her usual position which was clearly better than Ethel's who was currently top of the class. She was the picture of confidence, she didn't even grip the broom, she laid her hands on it softly, it almost looked like she wasn't really using her hands. She then crossed her ankle's as she knew this would help with her balance and she relaxed her shoulders and sat up on the broom as though there was a bit of string pulling her towards the sky.

Ethel's face was getting darker as her confidence was good, but it wasn't this good. I am the best at Cackle's. no-one makes me look bad.

Miss Drill was thrilled to see how good Arrow's position was. "Up in the air girls and please use your eyes". Obviously, her position is perfect, Hecate would have taught the girl herself.

Arrow manoeuvred around the other students, will ease, and she came across the girl with two plaited pigtails whose position wasn't great, and she was struggling to control her broom. She hovered next to her and started helping her find her balance. Out of nowhere she was flipped off her broom. Luckily her broom managed to catch her in time.

"What the hell". Arrow growled, no-one tries to put her on the floor and gets away with it.

"It was an accident". Ethel stated.

"No, it wasn't, since I've been in this class you've been nothing but sour". Arrow retorted.

Miss Drill looked at the girls and she had watched Ethel mutter an incantation. "Calm down, Ethel this is your final warning. Luckily no harm done. Nice stick control, Arrow, I can't say I've ever known a broom to catch their riders".

Miss Drill's obvious liking of Arrow was angering Ethel, and it was showing. Mildred, Maud and Enid had also noticed it. They didn't know where this girl had come from, but they had a strong feeling that she wasn't going to be pushed around.

Arrow wasn't someone to be messed with and Ethel was going to find out the hard way as usual. Arrow wasn't easily intimidated, and she had a rather short fuse for nasty people.

The class had finished and as they entered the hall. Arrow held back waiting for the others to take their usual seats so she could take an unoccupied one. As she moved towards a seat at the back, her mother looked up from the staff table.

"ARROW". Miss Hardbroom's face was the picture of anger. "Explain. Yourself. Now".

"Well, it er. It was half my fault, no, actually, it wasn't it was a quarter my fault".

"You punched someone in the face".

"So, a quarter my fault. There's the staff's fault for not dealing with the situation effectively sooner, Chloe's own fault. You know, consequences to actions. Everyone stood watching's fault as it only takes one to say something. Then there's my fault". If I can't talk it out, I'm swinging". Arrow confidently told her mother.

Miss Hardbroom waved her hand to dismiss her and sat back down, she would deal with this later, Arrow wasn't afraid of confrontation. Simultaneously Arrow sat down at the back away from everyone else.

The entire school was shocked at how Arrow had spoken to Miss Hardbroom the strictest member of staff in the school. But more shocked at how Miss Hardbroom hadn't pressed the matter. There were some confused conversations all over the hall regarding this.

Maud stood up and walked up to Arrow and offered her to sit with her and her friend's. Arrow had politely declined. Miss Hardbroom had watched Maud approach her daughter and sit back down. She wanted Ethel to be the one to show her daughter around the school, for she much preferred Ethel.