An idea I had was to write oneshots based on any missing scenes I would have liked to have seen or could imagine happening from every episode, or change things I didn't like. This idea came to me as in this episode Mildred admits she is afraid of the dark and is up all night as she can't sleep without light. Constance notices and says it looks like she was up all night. After this episode Mildred's sleep issues seem resolved so I wondered why. I think there is a lot of hints throughout the show Constance is not a good sleeper so here we are. Think it's a little OOC but I hope you still enjoy.
The Light In The Darkness
Mildred jumped out of her skin and nearly fell out of bed as Miss Hardbroom suddenly appeared in front of her. She had only been at the school a couple of days and was still not used to her teacher doing that.
"Mildred Hubble, would you care to explain why you are still awake at 3am?" HB asked her, holding her lantern out in front of her.
"I...I.." Mildred replied in shock she had known she was awake when she had being lying in bed, not making noise, as she couldn't sleep.
"I told you the other day in potions class Mildred, that you looked like you had been up all night" Constance told her how she had known she was awake.
"Yes Miss Hardbroom...I am just struggling to sleep" Mildred admitted.
"If you are homesick, I will get Miss..." Constance started to say.
"I am not Miss...not really...I just…" Mildred rambled.
"Come on spit it out girl, I don't want to be standing here until lessons" Constance replied moodily.
Mildred was afraid of admitting she was afraid of the dark, especially to her scary form mistress who would probably laugh at her and call her pathetic, but she also knew HB would want a good reason why she had not being sleeping.
"I don't like the dark Miss" Mildred admitted quickly, daring to look up at her teacher from her covers, to try and see her reaction.
Constance wanted to tell the girl to grow up, and get over such a silly fear, but if Mildred was scared of the dark, she couldn't just be scared or shamed into overcoming the fear. Constance knew that better than anyone.
"There is nothing in the dark that can hurt you Mildred" Constance said, her voice softer than normal. Mildred looked at her confused as to why she wasn't angry at her. She had expected 500 lines for admitting it.
"It's a mental thing Miss...I can't help but think there is" Mildred replied. Constance sighed before speaking again.
"What do you do at home?" she asked her.
"I have a nightlight Miss…" Mildred admitted, thinking in her head how childish that sounded as she said it out loud.
Constance nodded and flicked her hand. Mildred looked at her bedside table, just in time to see a small oil lamp appear. It gave the room a little more light, just like a nightlight.
"T...thank you Miss Hardbroom" Mildred replied shocked she had done that to help her.
"If it will make you sleep then I will allow it" Constance told her. "But I want you to stay in bed and sleep, I don't want to see or hear you again until breakfast" Constance said her usual harsh tone returning. Constance headed for the door before Mildred thought of something strange.
"Miss Hardbroom...why are you awake?" Mildred asked realising it was strange she was also awake at such a time, and appeared to be wandering around, as she had known Mildred was awake.
"Because Mildred Hubble, my day doesn't end at lights out" Constance replied.
"Oh...that makes sense...thank you Miss Hardbroom, goodnight Miss Hardbroom" Mildred replied even if she thought she was lying.
HB didn't reply but nodded as she stepped through her bedroom door and closed it. Mildred didn't give the visit much more thought as with the light in her room she now realised how tired she was and was able to fall asleep easily.
Constance sighed as she walked down the corridor, thinking how lucky the girl was her sleeping issues could be solved with a nightlight. The entire castle was silent, and only the soft sound of the potion teacher walking restlessly down the corridors could be heard.