Cackle and HB
The Worst Year will still be updated, but I decided to start a second story alongside it in case I get writer's block or just feel like writing some different. Amelia and Constance are my true loves and I have wanted to write a story for a long time about their past. Sadly we never got any backstory or anything to their past so I had to come up with my own. I feel like Constance is out of character here but remember this is not HB we know...this is HB younger and fresh from Broomhead. I hope you enjoy the start of this story.
Chapter One
Amelia Cackle removed her cardigan as the harsh August heat made her sweat. It was the middle of the summer holidays and the hottest day of the year so far, but that didn't mean Amelia could stop working.
She had spent the morning at the castle, sorting things out for the new school year, but now, struggling to deal with the warm day, she took a detour, deciding to spend some time in the library in the local witch village.
The moment she entered she sighed in relief as the air conditioning instantly started to cool her down. She knew that some new spells workbooks had just been released and wanted to have a read through to see how much had changed before committing herself to purchasing them for the school.
She found herself distracted though, by a cookbook about her favourite dessert, cheesecake. Not that she would have time to make them herself, but she was interested in seeing how many varieties existed. She pulled the book out and opened it, reading contently.
Constance Hardbroom sat in a secluded corner of the library, writing quickly on the parchment in front of her. She couldn't decide how to phrase the next sentence so looked up to try and get some inspiration. As she did so she saw a woman, standing in front of one of the bookcases, head buried in what looked like a cookbook. Normally, Constance wouldn't pay much attention, but she kept watching as the bookcase behind the woman appeared unsteady.
Maybe it was a trick of the light? She could swear the bookcase was swaying. As she watched she came to a horrifying realisation her eyes weren't tricking her, because the bookcase in question started falling forward. The woman in front of it was so engrossed in the book she was reading, she didn't even notice.
Constance realised she didn't have time to run to the other end of the library before it would fall, so without thinking about it anymore, she folded her arms and disappeared.
Amelia heard a loud cracking noise and jumped in shock, dropping the book she had been reading on the floor. She expected to see in front of her a very powerful witch, but was shocked when she looked up to be treated by a woman who looked to be still in her teens.
"Did you just…?" Amelia asked completely shocked. She had never even seen the magic of appearing from no-where in person, as it was such a rare ability that hardly any witch possessed.
"LOOK OUT, THE BOOKCASE" the stranger yelled in response. Amelia turned around to see the bookcase behind her was inches from falling on top of her. She mentally tried to wrack her brain for the correct spell to use, when she realised the bookcase had stopped moving and was been held back by magic.
"Move please, I can't hold it for long" Constance said as Amelia turned back seeing she was casting a spell at the bookcase. Amelia quickly jumped out the way, going to stand safely next to the other woman.
Seconds later, Constance broke the spell and the bookcase fell with a thundering thud on the floor. For a good minute, both women just stared at the fallen furniture, before Constance finally broke the silence.
"Are you alright ma'am?" Constance asked, her voice quiet, as she turned to look at the older woman she had just saved. A short woman, in woolly grey clothes, she had a short blonde bob and blue eyes. She also had a pair of glasses sitting on her face and appeared in her only forties or so.
Now there was no emergency, Amelia got her first proper look at her saviour. She looked even younger close up, but she appeared not well looked after. She was unnaturally pale and her eyes were red, she looked like she hadn't slept properly in weeks. One of her eyes appeared more swelled than the other, as if she was recovering from an injury. Her dark hair was pulled back into such a tight bun it almost looked painful but the thing that caught Amelia's attention the most was her long black, ankle length, turtle neck dress. As it was the hottest day of the year Amelia wondered how she wasn't suffering from heat stroke.
Realising she had just been staring at her, Amelia quickly broke eye contact before she replied. "I am alright love, just in a little bit of shock, but I am uninjured, thank you" Amelia said amazed this sickly looking woman was more concerned about someone else's wellbeing than hers.
"Good" Constance said speaking softly, seeming slightly timid. She suddenly turned away and left. Amelia thought she had left the library but then heard yelling, she looked over and saw the same quietly spoken woman she had just spoken too moments before yelling at the receptionist.
"WHOEVER FITTED YOUR BOOKCASES IS USELESS, A WOMAN WAS ALMOST CRUSHED, IF I HADN'T OF BEEN HERE YOU WOULD HAVE A LAWSUIT ON YOUR HANDS, I WANT TO MAKE A COMPLAINT" Constance yelled at the woman behind the wooden desk.
Amelia found herself staring again. She had never seen anyone change emotions and tone so suddenly. She was so amazed she didn't even realise she had returned and was trying to get her attention.
"Excuse me?" Constance said to the woman who blinked and came out of her trance.
"Yes?" Amelia said.
"I made a complaint" Constance stated matter of factly.
"Yes I heard" Amelia replied thinking the whole bloody village had probably heard!
Constance nodded then suddenly grabbed hold of her skin just under her armpit, she winced as pain throbbed through her body.
"Are you alright dear?" Amelia asked instantly rushing over, worried she had injured herself with the strain of holding back the bookcase.
"Yes, yes no need to worry" Constance said straightening back up "I fell and bruised myself the other day, nothing major" Constance lied. "I am glad you are safe but if you excuse me I would like to sit down" Constance said making her way back to the table in the corner.
Amelia stood there watching her wondering what to do. She couldn't exactly just take her to the hospital though, her family or friends would be aware of her suffering. She watched as the woman sat down and picked up a quill.
It was only then Amelia remembered about the text books, and strangely, the section she needed was behind where Constance was sitting. Amelia walked over slowly, and saw Constance was not paying attention and hadn't noticed her. Amelia started to look for the correct book but couldn't help glancing over at the person she had just met. As she did so she saw she was writing and from over her shoulder she caught the words 'teaching and 'potions'. Amelia knew she shouldn't be spying but now her curiosity got the better of her.
"Excuse me?" Amelia said. The woman looked up and recognised her.
"Sorry to disturb you as you look quite busy but I couldn't help seeing what you were writing, are you a teacher?" Amelia asked her.
"Sort of" Constance replied "I have to finish my last year of training, unfortunately I had to leave my college last year due to...unforeseen circumstances" Constance stated, not sure why she was telling the woman all this.
"Oh I see" Amelia said, wondering what had caused her to leave with so little time of her training remaining.
"Yes, it's proving difficult though, no college wants to take me on only for the last year, as teaching is different everywhere, hard to know what I have covered already" Constance replied. When Amelia failed to reply, Constance figured she had lost interest so turned away again.
"Have you thought about maybe doing it another way? How about training at a school for the last year, sort of an apprenticeship, hands on experience is normally better" Amelia suggested, having been thinking about a response.
"I suppose, I doubt any school will agree to that either though" Constance replied sighing, thinking she will have to restart her training again.
Amelia had no idea why. All she knew about the woman was she seemed to possess a lot of power and had had some training, but the way she had stepped in to save her without worrying about herself was inspirational and she knew the students lives would be safe in her hands. Plus if she was been honest, she felt a strong connection to the woman, she had a strong aura. Amelia couldn't explain it.
"Funny you should say that, I am Amelia Cackle, headmistress of Cackle's Academy, up on the hill" Amelia stated.
"Oh yes I have heard of it" Constance replied.
"Really?" Amelia responded surprised.
"Yes, it was listed in the top ten worst schools in the country" Constance replied bluntly.
Amelia hid a snort. Her expression was completely serious and she couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"Oh well we are hoping to improve that, the thing is, my potions teacher will be retiring at the end of the year, so maybe you would like to train your last year with us and then take over when she leaves?" Amelia suggested.
Thoughts and emotions swirled in Constance's brain. It made no sense to her whatsoever why this woman, who she had accidentally just insulted the school off, would offer to help her in that way.
"Why would you want to help me?" Constance asked, instantly suspicious.
"You saved my life, you helped me so I want to help you, plus I don't know why but I feel like you will be a great addition to Cackle's" Amelia admitted. Constance only continued to look at her as if she was trying to make sense of the situation.
"It's the summer, so how about you come for a visit? See what you think of the place, there is no obligation to agree to my offer" Amelia commented.
"Who else will be there?" Constance asked, finally breaking her silence.
"Well it's the summer so only me" she said but saw the woman's interest dip at that statement "But I can get the deputy to come if that will make you more comfortable" Amelia suggested a solution as she realised the woman seemed wary of been completely alone with her.
Constance was grateful for the offer, she still didn't quite believe it would go anywhere as it was much to nice an offer to be genuine but she nodded.
"Alright thank you Miss Cackle, I suppose a visit wouldn't hurt" Constance replied knowing she won't have many more offers because of her situation.
"Great, I will give you the address and directions" Amelia said handing her an envelope with the information. "Is nine tomorrow morning alright?" Amelia asked her.
"Yes, I will be there, thank you, I am Constance Hardbroom" Constance told her.
"Lovely to meet you love" Amelia said. Constance had no idea why, as after the abuse she had endured she was fearful of everyone, but she felt a sort of safeness she had never felt before in Amelia's presence. She only hoped she wasn't different behind closed doors.