Chapter Two
Amelia stood by the staircase the next morning, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Constance who she had met yesterday. Next to her stood another woman, Skye Moonfall, who was around Amelia's height and age with piercing green eyes and chestnut coloured hair, pulled up into a neat ponytail.
"I hope this candidate is as good as you made out, I don't appreciate having to come in during the holidays" Skye said to the headmistress.
"I know, but I appreciate it, she seemed a little timid so I thought two of us would make her more comfortable" Amelia explained.
"Right, what did you say her name was again?" Skye asked having only half listened yesterday when Amelia was raving about the meeting on the phone.
"Constance Hardbroom" Amelia stated.
"And why did she leave before she finished her training?" Skye asked trying to understand the situation.
"She said unforeseen circumstances" Amelia said.
"And her specialist subject is potions?" Skye now asked another question.
"Correct" Amelia said.
"And what else do you know about her, what is her personal family situation?" Skye asked her.
"No idea" Amelia commented.
"And how old is she?" Skye asked.
"Eighteen at most? I didn't get a chance to ask her" Amelia admitted.
Skye shook her head as she looked at Amelia standing there beaming like the cheshire cat and wondered how she could already be getting so attached to a stranger she had just met.
"Don't look so worried Miss Moonfall, you will love her" Amelia said. Skye doubted it very much and only raised her eyebrows.
The conversation was cut short by the sound of a sharp knock at the door. Amelia smiled bigger, if possible, and rushed to the door. She threw it open and came face to face with Constance.
"Hello again love, how are you? Good flight?" she asked the youngster as she stepped aside to allow her to enter.
"Good morning Miss Cackle, I hope you are well, my flight was pleasant thank you" Constance replied.
"Great, welcome to Cackle's" Amelia said as she stepped inside. Skye cleared her throat as Amelia forgot about her.
"Oh sorry, Constance this is our chanting teacher and deputy head, Skye Nightfall, Skye, this is Constance" Amelia said making the introductions.
"Nice to meet you" Constance said. The teacher didn't reply but narrowed her eyes at her.
"Right well.." Amelia said feeling a tension starting to build "Would you like a tour?" Amelia asked as she led her to the first room of the castle.
Constance showed great interest on the tour, commenting on the simplicity of everything. When they reached the library though her interest peaked even higher.
"You could get lost in here" Constance stated as she looked in awe at all the books available.
"Yes, it's one of my favourite parts of the castle too" Amelia replied.
"Yes but as teachers we don't have much time to waste reading" Skye replied.
The other place she showed a massive interest in was the potions lab. She looked like she was in her element as soon as she entered.
"It's not as modern as some other schools but it works" Amelia stated, watching the teenager walking around and staring at the cauldrons.
"How old are you?" Skye suddenly asked.
"I turn eighteen in December" Constance responded, as she looked intensely at the equipment.
"You're seventeen?" Skye stupidly responded.
"Yes, eighteen is normally followed by seventeen" Constance replied sensing the woman disliked her already.
"Have you actually even had training? You said you only have a year left but you won't even be out of your teens when you qualify" Skye replied suspiciously.
"I skipped a few years in school" Constance explained.
"How inspiring" Amelia said with a smile, finding out her age not making her reconsider her offer.
"Amelia, can I have a word?" Skye commented. Amelia nodded and left with her, seeing the teenage still enchanted by the cauldrons.
"You can't be serious" Skye said the moment the door closed "I am all for helping newly qualified teachers, but she's a literal kid...the fifth years are literally the same age!" Skye stated.
"That shouldn't make a difference, she will be an adult by the time she qualifies" Amelia responded failing to see an issue.
"Amelia...you are becoming attached, to the point you don't realise how stupid this idea is" Skye responded knowing the witches council won't like it, or the parents.
"The girls normally respond better to someone their age, I am sure she will be fine, she is clearly incredibly smart and powerful" Amelia responded.
"Which isn't necessarily a good thing, have you forgotten about Agatha?" Skye responded, wary of her story about why she left. "You do realise her story is shady? Maybe she was kicked out, you can't take her word for 'unforeseen circumstances'" the chanting teacher said.
"We can at least trial her, I think she will be a great addition, she is a good person trust me, she did save my life" Amelia responded. Skye sighed but shrugged, knowing Amelia wasn't going to change her mind as she somehow already cared way to much. Amelia turned and headed back in the lab.
"CONSTANCE" Amelia yelled as she ran in and saw the woman hunched in pain again, like she had been in the library.
"I am alright honest, I can still teach" Constance said gratefully taking the seat Amelia offered her.
Skye rolled her eyes at the antics. "Big fuss over period cramps, deal with it like everyone else" the deputy whispered under her breathe. Constance made no acknowledgement she had heard her but Amelia had heard her and turned to glare at her for the comment.
Amelia turned away from Skye after a moment and made sure Constance's jolt of pain had ended before she spoke again."My offer still stands, you don't have to decide straight away though" Amelia said not put off by any points Skye had bought up.
Constance looked up and showed a hint of a smile for the first time as she glanced at the headmistress.
"I really like the simplicity of the place, I am not into modern advances, I would therefore like to accept your offer" Constance replied, having decided already. An old castle like this with basic supplies was a dream for her. The place felt homely already.
Amelia beamed, thrilled she had accepted her offer. She offered a handshake to seal the deal which Constance accepted.
"Fantastic, why don't we go to my office and go over the finer details and paperwork?" Amelia said leading the girl out when she was sure she was alright.
Constance spend some time filling in relevant boring personal information forms before Amelia gave her the date of the new term so she knew when to arrive. Constance thanked her profoundly and made her way out. The second the door closed Skye spoke.
"Can I go now?" she asked hoping to at least not waste the entire day.
"Yes thank you for coming in I appreciate it" Amelia said looking at the forms Constance had just filled in with more depth, and upon seeing what she had filled in for the address section, Amelia suddenly jumped up and ran out the room, leaving a confused Skye in her wake.