Thank you to milbroom for this idea. What if HB felt bad about being harsh and causing Mildred to run away? Here is a alternative scene if she had spoken to Mildred about it.


Thank You Mildred


"And I was just wondering what you were doing wandering about in the woods this morning when you should have been in bed?" Constance asked the girl with the messy plaits.

"I...I was feeling a little upset Miss Hardbroom… I went out for a walk" Mildred replied unable to meet her teacher's gaze.

"With your bag? And your cat? And your spell book and broom?" Constance questioned eyeing her suspiciously.

"Yes Miss Hardbroom…" Mildred lied. The room fell silent before Constance spoke.

"Maud, Ruby, Jadu, leave please I will like to speak to Mildred alone" Constance told them. The three friends held their friend's gaze for a few seconds before they nodded and left. Mildred bit her lip looking at HB.

"I know what you were trying to do Mildred" Constance replied.

"You do?" Mildred asked

"You were obviously running away, why else would you have all your things with you?" Constance replied. Mildred sighed.

"I just thought everyone would be better of without me after Halloween" Mildred replied staring at her bed covers. Constance felt bad. She knew how rotten someone had to feel to consider running away.

"If anything I have said to you contributed to that...I am sorry Mildred, I am only so harsh on you because I want you to succeed" Constance replied.

"You want me to succeed?" Mildred asked incredibly.

"Yes Mildred. You have pure raw talent, talent you don't have to learn, and it frustrates me you mess around and throw it away" Constance admitted.

"Talent? Me?" Mildred asked.

"Yes Mildred" Constance replied using her gentle tone.


"I also heard Miss Cackle say she would like to see the back of me" Mildred went on, still hurt by that statement.

"Miss Cackle was upset, but she didn't mean it, the headmistress never gives up on anyone, no matter how much she is told to or how much they push her" Constance told her.

"How can you be so sure Miss?" Mildred asked worried.

"Because she never gave up on me" Constance replied.

Mildred stared at HB amazed before the woman kept talking. "Running away solves nothing, you can never truly hide from your demons Mildred...so...don't try it again" Constance scolded.

"No Miss Hardbroom" Mildred replied.

"Thank you for your actions this morning Mildred, but you should be getting ready" Constance said. Tabby walked towards her from the bed and Constance hesitated then tickled him behind the ears before she vanished away.

Mildred smiled, she couldn't believe she had had a heart to heart with Miss Hardbroom of all people but in that moment Mildred knew she wasn't so bad after all.