Chapter Text
Hecate settled herself on the stool before her dresser, taking a few moments to check over her appearance before tapping the mirror to call Pippa. Since their reunion at the Spelling Bee, they had been making tentative steps in becoming friends once more. Or to be more precise, she was taking tentative steps. Pippa, true to her nature and apparently not as changed by the years between them, was far too forgiving of Hecate. She was open and patient where Hecate was closed and anxious. In short, it was more than Hecate felt she deserved, but she couldn't deny she craved the other witch's company and treasured their time together dearly.
"Hello you."
Pippa had insisted that in their private mirror calls that there really was no need for any formalities. She reminded Hecate of how they used to greet each other with nothing more than a smile, or a nudge to the other's shoulder. "Hello Pippa," she replied, unable to stop her lips quirking into a smile as the other witch's name rolled off her tongue, familiar and fond.
As was usual, they spoke of their respective schools, Hecate enjoying the playful manner in which Pippa delivered her stories of her students' minor magical mishaps, and her reactions to Hecate rather more halted tales of Cackles, usually more major, magical mishaps.
"I saw a lot of little you in Mildred," said Pippa. It went without saying that the moment there was a mention of magical mischief that Mildred's name would follow. "And I daresay she recognises something in you too, or she wouldn't stay." She paused, waiting for the rebuttle, but none came. "She doesn’t come from a witching family like we do. She needs a little more of a helping hand."
"I gave her detention," admitted Hecate.
"Hiccup! That's not what I meant!" Scolded Pippa.
"It was warranted!" Defended Hecate. "And I did try to make it slightly less...punative, as you suggested..."
*
Hecate paused as she rounded her desk, hesitating before crossing the small space to bring her in front of where Mildred Hubble sat, scratching away at her lines. Used to Hecate's stare by now, Mildred didn't flinch or even look up. With a wave of her hand, Hecate sent both paper and pen to rest on her desk. Mildred looked up, her confusion clear on her face.
Moving to sit in the chair next to Mildred, her posture as correct as ever, Hecate paused. "You chose to stay here when Miss Pentangle offered you a place. Why?"
Mildred shrugged. "I might not be like the other girls, and I may be a bit of a disaster at times, but you keep me here anyway, and it kind of feels like home. Not Home home, but home. Miss Cackle took a big chance on me. I know that and I'll always be grateful for that. And I've made the best friends and seen things I never even dreamed existed. As nice as Miss Pentangle is, it would feel weird to go anywhere else now."
Hecate pondered over her words for a few moments. "Have you ever seen my familiar?" She watched as the young witch frowned, not seeing the relevance of her question.
"Err, no. I don't think so anyway."
Reaching down, Hecate rubbed her fingers by her ankles, transferring the cat to her side.
"She's white!" Exclaimed Mildred, grinning. She immediately leant down in her chair, extending a hand towards to the feline.
Hecate watched as without hesitation, the usually picky and aloof creature moved to rub against Mildred's outstretched fingers, purring as they scratched behind her ears.
"What is she called?"
"Hijinks," replied Hecate. "Jinksy for short."
Mildred snorted out a laugh, immediately biting her lip to silence herself.
"What?"
The younger witch looked up. "Sorry. It just...your cat is literally called a joke. Your cat of all cats."
"Yes, well, when I collected her I did think it was rather a joke and asked if they were up to hijinks, hence..." She gestured at the feline, happily twining around their legs. She sighed, fingers rubbing at her temple. "My point is, tabby isn’t only oddball familiar around here." She paused. "You’re not the only oddball either. This place seems to be where we all congregate." She managed a half smile in the girl's direction, please when it was returned. "You’re a powerful young witch Mildred, and I know that that power can be difficult to control, but because you are powerful, it’s all the more important that you learn to control your powers. I’m not saying it’s easy, but with a little application, it’s far from impossible." With a small nod to herself, she brushed invisible wrinkles form her dress before standing. "I’d say that's enough lines for tonight."
"You’re letting me go early?" Asked Mildred in disbelief.
Hecate almost chuckled at the comical expression on the girl's face. "Mildred, you’ve accumulated more time in detention than any other student, it’s not as if you haven’t put in the hours." She watched as Mildred scrabbled to collect her things together, giving Jinksy a final quick stroke on the head before heading for the door. "One more thing," she said, bringing the girl to a halt. She reached for a scrap of paper, scribbling down a few lines. "You might find this useful. It helps stop cat hair from clinging to your clothes. It can be helpful, especially when you tend to wear black and have a more unusually coloured familiar." She passed the paper to a thankful Mildred, who gratefully ducked her head. "Until next time, Miss Hubble."