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Chapter Text

“ ‘Teacher appreciation’ or in the latin, ‘Magister honorem’ week, is a tradition dating back to the founding of Cackle’s in the 1800s” Ms. Nightshade announced. Mildred sat up in her chair a little taller. She had had a “teacher appreciation” week at her old school, and it had been so much fun! They had pranked the teachers, wore silly clothes, and gave them a wonderful breakfast. She predicted however, (slumping slightly) that the witchy version was likely much more subdued. “However, this is not your granny’s era, and while we will be basing our celebrations on the traditions from years ago, we will also be interpreting them for the modern era. And who better to help us translate old fashioned traditions to fit the modern era than my dear friend Ms. Pentangle” she announced dramatically, and on cue- butterflies made of glitter floated down from the sky, and poof! In a cloud of pink fragrant smoke, there was Ms. Pentangle. Mildred was nearly knocked over as the crowd leapt to its feet whooping and cheering.

“Thank you! Thank you!” Ms. Pentangle blew kisses at the crowd. “As you all know, my students are required to take an event planning course in order to graduate so I am….confident in their abilities to surprise and delight me this week. However, I recognize that Cackle’s has a tendency to, well, be a bit stuck in the past, so I have offered my humble services this week to help you all have a wonderful time celebrating the staff here at Cackle’s” she said eloquently. Applause rang through the main hall, and Mildred, once she had recovered from being knocked out of her row by Felicity’s elbow, yelled above all the rest. Ms. Pentangle extended a demure hand for silence.

“Ms. Nightshade and I, will be working side by side on this project, and have come up with some exciting ideas. But be warned” she suddenly grew very serious, and Mildred’s stomach dropped for a moment. “Everything I am about to share with you is of the utmost secrecy!” Mildred giggled at her melodramatics. “Not one member of staff must find out about any of our plans- doing so will unravel the very fabric of the tradition. So I urge you, those who do not trust themselves to keep the secrets, under any circumstances, please remove yourselves from the room. Sometimes ignorance is best” Ms. Pentangle said, staring down the crowd in a way most evocative of a certain Cackles’ staff member, smiling when she heard giggles from the crowd. She waited a beat, and then continued. “Now that that’s settled, here are the themes for the next week: Next Monday we will be surprising the teachers with a wonderful elegant brunch in the main hall. You all will eat at 6’clock before set up so everyone has to be up early! Now, precisely two hours before, the parents will have set up a wonderful breakfast that they will have put together themselves. Your job is if you see any member of staff going towards the main hall before that time, divert them. Use your creativity! I will also need about five members of the student body to be wait staff.” Everyone groaned and shifted uncomfortably. “Oh, come off it you all. It’s fun! Anyone who wants to volunteer step forward” Nearly all of the Cackles’ girls backed up, leaving only Ethel, Felicity, Maud, and Enid and Mildred (who were too busy giggling with each other to notice everyone else had backed up). “Wonderful! Thank you all so much! I knew I could count on my older girls to show the younger ones how its done!” Ms. Pentangle exclaimed as Enid and Mildred were gaping around at how they were suddenly volunteering for something they had had no intention of volunteering for. Mildred tried to grin, but it came off as more of a grimace. She had to wait on her teachers??? Like a servant? How was this fun, again? She thought as she felt her face turning beet red.

“Ugh. Mildred Hubble. This will be a disaster. You serving food? You can barely serve yourself without slopping all over yourself and anyone unfortunate enough to be near you” Ethel hissed, and Mildred stuck out her tongue at her. “Okay, wonderful. Now that I’ve got your names down, we’ll move on to Tuesday. Tuesday, is one of my favorite traditions, and actually is one I haven’t altered much from its original form” Ms. Pentangle paused here for dramatic effect. “In it’s essence, it’s a Queen/King for a day. The teacher must not be allowed to do too much actual work, so students carry their bags, help with marking (not for their own class of course), and escort them to their classes. My favorite part is students announcing my entrance-“ she sighs. “It’s the closest I’ll get to being a queen” she said, opening a pink fan and fanning herself delicately. “Any student who is nearby should chip in on these traditions on Tuesday, though it is more fun if one student is the escort of one teacher throughout. Who would like to be a teacher escort?” Once again, the same five remained and everyone else stepped back, but went a step further and filed out of the room. “Well never in all my years have I, ever,….I mean….I mean the ingratitude” Ms. Pentangle fumed. Mildred frowned.

“Perhaps it’s because it’s nearly end of term?” Mildred wondered aloud. “Probably everyone’s just stressed about exams” Ms. Pentangle huffed.

“But you don’t have to worry about that do you, Mildred?” Ethel hissed. “You know you’re going to fail, so why bother studying”

“Yes, I was worried about that, Mildred. It has been a bit difficult in the past as well to get volunteers simply because of the timing. Unfortunately, the time is one thing we cannot change, as it’s supposed to be a recognition of teachers over the whole term.”

“I think this one is way more fun than the other ones. At least we’re upgraded this time from servant to royal announcer” and Mildred stifled her giggles.

“I suppose we should just draw names now” Ms. Pentangle continued, looking furtively at her scroll. “This was not what I was expecting but we’ll make it work. Wednesday will be a kind of opposite day, where teachers will have the day off from teaching, and students will teach classes” Enid snorted.

“Yes well I know it’s silly but that is the point, Enid Nightshade” her mother growled, still clearly put out that only five girls wanted to participate. Maud and Ethel beamed at the idea of teaching a class, whereas Enid, Mildred and Felicity looked nervously at each other.

“You want us to teach a lesson?” Mildred exclaimed.

“The idea is that you will not only educate peers, staff, and yourselves in a new way, you will also gain an appreciation for the difficult work that teachers do every day. It’s not easy to be a teacher” Ms. Pentangle explained. “I should know, it wreaks havoc on my complexion” Only after she was sufficiently assured by Felicity that she was gorgeous and the strain of teaching showed no signs at all on her skin did she continue. “Anywho, the same teacher whose name you draw for the escort will be the teacher who’s class you will be teaching, and who you’ll be “honoring” all week throughout the themes. I find it’s more meaningful coming from the same student every day” Ms. Pentangle added. “Thursday, you will be presenting a gift basket to your teacher. You have all weekend, and of course the three days to begin compiling it, but you only have to add one item to it. The basket will be a compilation of gifts from every student, so you’ll have to remind everyone to contribute a card, drawing, etc. Not all of them have to be paper goods- I’ve had some wonderful students past who have included baked goods, candles, and one extraordinarily amazing foot bath that I use to this day! But we ask for non-prank gifts, these should be gifts from the heart. Once the basket is compiled, you will present it to your teacher during a ceremony in the main hall. In this way everyone gets a chance to contribute, without too much responsibility” Ms. Pentangle explained. “Friday, the last day, and by far the most meaningful, is a fun day out! Teachers will be surprised with a fun day of no work- that the student designed with them in mind! But, you must bring your teacher back at 2:30, by the rest of the time the students will have put the finishing touches on a party to celebrate them! During the party, students will choose a flower from the garden, and present them to the teachers they feel have most made an impact on their lives. This one will be your choice, not necessarily will you pick the teacher you draw” Ms. Pentangle finished, panting, as the students stood dumbfounded. “Oh my gosh! I know. I know. So much to do, so little time!” she exclaimed, as she whisked out a small black bag. “Now for the drawing. Ethel! Let’s start with you!” Ethel smirked, stepped forward ever so confidently and drew out a small slip of paper. Upon reading it, she dropped it as if it had burned her.

“Ms. Pentangle I would like to re-draw, this is unacceptable” Ethel said shakily. Ms. Pentangle frowned.

“I’m sorry, Ethel, but there is no re-drawing. I’m sure if you’re not close with this teacher this just means you need to appreciate them all the more!” she sang, winking at Mildred, who giggled. “Now tell us who you have so I can write it down” she said.

“Mr. Rowan-Webb” Ethel sobbed, sending Enid and Mildred into peals of laughter. Ms. Pentangle next moved the bag over to Felicity, who gingerly pulled out a name. “Miss Bat” she said happily. “Well that’s all right then, I love chanting. Maybe she can tell me about some of the outfits she wore as Esper Vespertillo” Felicity murmured.

“Thank you, Felicity for displaying an appropriate reaction” Ms. Pentangle said, as Enid practically shoved her whole hand into the bag.

“I GOT MISS DRILL YES” she screeched, and her mother shushed her, smiling. Maud drew Ms. Cackle, to Mildred’s disappointment, as that was the one she had most wanted. She had always felt there was a special bond between herself and Ms. Cackle, for she had always been the one to make her feel most welcome in the magical world.
“And Mildred” Ms. Pentangle halted in front of her. Mildred’s heart sunk, because she would have to spend the next week honoring the one person who harbored an intense dislike of her.

“Miss Hardbroom” she mumbled, staring at her shoes.

Chapter Text

The weekend passed in a blur, with Mildred mostly complaining to Maud and Enid about her bad luck, and having absolutely no ideas for gifts or outings or anything of what Miss Pentangle had spoke about. Her mom had mirrored earlier, chattering excitedly about how she had gotten the message in her soup this morning about the breakfast from Ms. Nightshade, and had spent the good part of her evening making a fabulous coffee cake for the breakfast. Currently, Mildred was smacking her head against her desk for the zillionth time that evening, she trying to stay calm. She didn’t want to disappoint Miss Pentangle. “I wish I could honor Miss Pentangle” Mildred muttered. “She’s easy. Pink. Perfume. Donuts. Done” Her pencil tap-tapped a nervous rhythm on her paper. She paced up and down her room. “An outing? A trip to the cemetery?” she giggled. “Miss Hardbroom’s fun day out would be staying at Cackle’s to work” she murmured. “So what if we bring work somewhere else? Make her take an exam? No, no that’s stupid, then I’d have to write an exam” she sighed. “At least the first day I just have to serve, not do anything except keep her out of the man hall. How hard could that be?” Mildred said to herself. “Just get through Monday, and then we’ll figure it out later, right Tabby?” Tabby bumped her notebook off her bed in agreement, and settled down to sleep.
“Cats never have to go to school. You’re so lucky Tabby. You never have to worry about someone you admire not liking you. G’night” Mildred muttered.

Monday dawned bright and early, 6 o’clock to be precise, in order to eat a quick breakfast before taking up guard duty outside the main hall while the parents set up the teachers’ surprise. Mildred, who had of course, woken up a few minutes late, frantically clattered down the stairs, one sock inside out, her braids wildly askew, and the faint smell of tuna where she had spilled sardines on herself while feeding Tabby. She read her mirror from Ms. Nightshade which told them they would receive a mirror message when they were ready to receive the teachers. Until which time, (it read), keep them out by ANY MEANS NECESSARY. Mildred smirked, knowing that Enid would use this wonderful opportunity to cause some major trouble. Starting towards the main hall, she saw Maud in position in front of the doors and gave her a thumbs up.“Teachers should be up by now” Maud whispered. “Of course, the first one awake is probably HB. Some say she doesn’t even sleep” Millie rolled her eyes.

“That’s obviously not true. She wouldn’t have any energy to yell at us if that were the case” Millie whispered back.

“I saw her earlier, and only barely managed to distract her with some sort of story about magical stinkbombs on the field. She was last seen in the east wing-but since she can transfer she could be anywhere Good luck, Millie. And honestly, and I say this as a friend- better you than me” Maud said nervously. Mildred nodded curtly, and turned around, deciding to check the potions classroom, HB’s office and quarters, and then Ms. Cackle’s office. As she strode towards the potions lab, she tried to remember all of the wonderful lies Enid had told- wracking her brain for something- something. She had the faint feeling of a mouse running directly at a cat with absolutely no plan for how to escape. But then again, generally her Cackles’ education thus far had mostly consisted of running headlong at a problem with generally no plan- the only difference was that most of the time her crew was available to help, and this time she was mostly on her own. She realized her anxiety and nerves had moved her feet into a run of their own accord, and she was flying down the corridor, coming to a grinding halt at the entrance to the potions classroom. Slowly, she peeped her nose into the classroom. No one was there. Mildred slowly let the breath out she hadn’t realized she was holding, and slumped onto a desk to rest for a minute and gather her thoughts.

“Okay, okay, no problem, no problem” Mildred stammered, reading her mirror message group chat. “No messages from Maud, Enid, Ethel, or Felicity- well there wouldn’t be from Feliss cause Miss Bat usually sleeps right until Breakfast. Ethel said Mr. Rowan-Webb and her are at the pond, no problem there, Maud went to keep Ms. Cackle in her office, Enid’s doing a push-up challenge with Miss Drill out on the field…and… ‘anyone seen HB’” she typed slowly.

“Mildred Hubble!” Her furious deputy headmistress stood before her, clearly having just transferred into the classroom, expecting to be alone. “What are you doing in here?” Mildred was gaping at her, trying to unscramble her brain.

“I….um, uh that is…I was…I was just…looking for you!” she stuttered. “I need some help with this laughter potion assignment.” Miss Hardbroom’s eyes narrowed.

“Usually, Mildred Hubble, students come to my office hours with academic troubles in the afternoon” she hissed.

“I..well…I would, it’s just that, uh, you always say that the early hours are most conducive for, uh studying. And also, it’s almost exams, so I figured you’d be pretty booked up then. So here I am, Ta-da” she said weakly, with jazz hands.

“This wouldn’t be an attempt at keeping me from uncovering some juvenile adolescent scheme, Mil-dred. Hubb-le? Mildred pasted on her most innocent smile.

“Why ever would you say that Miss Hardbroom? You know me I just…love to learn. I’ll re-brew it for you right here, because I’m pretty sure I’m not stirring enough times or in the right direction….” Before her teacher could argue, she practically leapt for the ingredients shelf, purposely grabbing some wrong ingredients, while others she honestly didn’t know, and putting them all before the cauldron. Miss Hardbroom pinched the bridge of her nose, and started in on her about the ingredients, and Mildred smirked, sending a quick mirror message “Got her”

Chapter Text

Mildred’s plan worked brilliantly, and Miss Hardbroom was so busy correcting Mildred’s mistakes- (Mildred made sure there were many to keep her occupied, but not so many to make her more suspicious), that she completely forgot about breakfast. However, every time Mildred tried to sneakily check her mirror messages, she was caught red-handed. Miss Hardbroom had now put it in a drawer, where Mildred kept looking at it rather than the ingredients that she was throwing into the cauldron. It was chiming wildly.

“That’s the signal” Mildred whispered.

“Signal?” Miss Hardbroom’s eyes flashed.

“Uh, uh Sig-nale is what dill is referred to in uh Spanish. Yeah, sign-ale” Mildred said quickly. This was not going well. Miss Hardbroom stared her down. “Uh, you know what, I think I’ve got it now- so why don’t we go have some breakfast! I’m hungry, and you know what they say you can’t…uh study on an empty stomach” she stammered.

“After, of course, you test your 5th attempt” Miss Hardbroom smirked. “Then, I am all for us adjourning the session” Mildred gulped.

“Course, course” she said, dipping a spoonful into the potion. She took a small sip, and closed her eyes, waiting for something bad to happen- and slowly, but miraculously, she began to laugh. And laugh, and laugh until her whole body was shaking.

“On your 5th attempt and with more mistakes than I have ever seen you make, you, Mildred Hubble, have proved my theory incorrect. If anything you are worse in the early hours” Miss Hardbroom tutted, desperately trying to remain firm but finding it difficult to keep the sides of her mouth from slipping up as she watched Mildred rolling on the floor laughing.

“Wor-se- hahaha- in the--- morning- hahaha that’s good HB” she gasped. Rolling her eyes, Miss Hardbroom helped her sit up, and whisked out a blue bottle.

“Drink” she said gently “I’ll not set you laughing like hyena onto my colleagues”, and no sooner had Mildred downed it than she stopped laughing. Blinking, eyes still streaming, she looked at her teacher, really looked at her. The natural morning light made her face look softer, gentler, and she had bent over Mildred with a look akin to fondness. And Mildred’s heart grabbed onto that look and squeezed it tight.

“Thanks Miss Hardbroom” Mildred said sincerely. Miss Hardbroom nodded, and got brusquely to her feet. Mildred pulled herself up from the floor and glanced at the clock.“Oh bats we’re late! Come on, Miss Hardbroom! There’s somewhere we’re supposed to be!” Mildred shouted. Without thinking, she grabbed her teacher’s hand and pulled her out the door and down the hall.

“What are you-! Mildred Hubble you release me at once!” Miss Hardbroom screeched, flailing for a handhold on the walls.

“Sorry Miss but we’re late. I didn’t really think this through” Mildred panted as she pulled her towards the main hall.

“Where have I heard that before” Miss Hardbroom remarked.

The doors were already open to the main hall when they arrived, with Miss Hardbroom rubbing her wrist gingerly. The doorway had been enchanted with cherry blossom clusters at the top that rained cherry blossoms down onto whomever stepped through. A sloppy, albeit heartfelt banner painted in all black hung over the windows facing them. It read: “Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!” with small bats, spiders, and spell books around the words. The teacher’s table had been converted into a brunch setting, with small vases of flowers at each place, elegant china, and a white embroidered table cloth. One table where the girls usually sat had been converted into a buffet table, with pastries, scones, and other desserts. Little placards sat at each place, with each teacher’s name.
Mr. Rowan-Webb was currently tucking into several large chocolate croissants, but grunted at seeing Mildred and Ms. Hardbroom, who stood gobsmacked in the entry, flowers trying desperately to drape themselves into her tight bun. “Finally! They wouldn’t serve the main course til everyone was here!” he exclaimed. “I’m starving!” Miss Bat elbowed him in the stomach.

“Welcome, Hecate. Come sit down.” she said cheerfully. Miss Hardbroom’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. Mildred nudged her.

“I think she’s in shock, Miss Bat” Mildred said softly, waving a hand in front of her face. “Hallo Miss Hardbroom! It’s a surprise brunch! It’s Teacher appreciation we --” Mildred said slightly louder, until she was cut off by Ms. Nightshade.

“Mildred, there you are! We were starting to worry and food’s getting cold, so you need to go get your uniform on!” Ms. Nightshade whispered, guiding her away from Ms. Hardbroom and downstairs into the kitchens. She found Maud, Ethel, Enid, and Felicity wearing what could only be described as waiter’s clothes- all white button up shirts with little pink bow ties, and black slacks.

“Stop gaping and put your hair back, Mildred” Ethel snarled, flipping over some scrambled eggs. “I don’t want any Hubble hair in my food” Mildred smiled, and hastily took out her braids and got into her service uniform.

“There you are Millie!” Enid shouted over the crackle of cooking bacon. “We thought HB ate you or something, when you didn’t respond to our messages” Mildred snorted.

“No way!” she said, grabbing a platter and loading it with potatoes. “Ethel did you make all this?”

“I did, with a bit of help from everyone and you were supposed to help but you decided to come late as usual” Ethel growled. “So you’ll have to be extra on top of your serving, I assume you can rotate around a table without knocking anything over?”

“Ethel back off will you! We’ll help her” Maud snapped. “Eggs are going up now, Enid you grab bacon and sausage and Felicity will grab the french toast, and Mildred you grab the potatoes. You can come back for the cereal” Maud was delegating like a professional head chef. Mildred grabbed the potatoes with the dish cover, and serving spoon, and headed to the main hall.

Meanwhile, Miss Hardbroom had managed to get seated, with the help of Miss Cackle and Miss Bat. “Honestly Hecate, they do some form of this every year and somehow you’re always taken off guard by it. It never ceases to amaze me” Miss Cackle chuckled, humming in delight as she bit into a particularly fluffy scone.

“The parents and students sure have spoilt us this year, that’s for sure” Miss Drill exclaimed. “And say what you will about Ethel Hallow, but she’s quite the cook” she remarked, motioning a smiling Enid forward to spear some bacon off the platter.

“And the service isn’t bad either” Miss Bat gushed. “That’s new, thank you Felicity, that’s fine- goodness knows I won’t fit through the doorway. Really Hecate, you’ve hardly touched your food..” Miss Hardbroom still seemed to have short-circuited.

“Potatoes, Ma’am?” Mildred asked giggling, affecting a very proper persona, to the laughter of the other staff. Maud, who was bending to spoon some scrambled eggs onto Mr. Rowan-Webb’s plate nearly dropped them into his lap. The tips of Miss Hardbroom’s lips curled upward just a bit as she gestured her forward with those long black fingernails.

“Thank you, Mildred” she said purposefully, as Mildred put some on her plate. “I had thought I given you the antidote to that laughter potion” she said firmly, but with an affectionate lilt, and Mildred turned beet red and scurried away.

Chapter Text

Once the breakfast was ended, the teachers were free to go about their day, although many left with doggy bags after thanking their “kitchen staff” profusely. Most of the teachers spent the whole day raving about it and were much more lenient and jovial in class. Maud and Enid could not stop laughing and sharing anecdotes, and word spread through the girls how fun it was to be teacher appreciation representatives, with more than a few regretting that they had not stepped forward before. Ms. Pentangle had sent a mirror message about the “Queen for a day” theme for the next day, and it had Mildred completely jittery with excitement and nerves. Ms. Pentangle clarified that teachers would be informed via magic mirror the next morning that they must wait in the foyer where they will be met by their escorts, and that rules clearly stated that no staff should “abuse” their power for the day.

“I can’t believe it” Maud said, adjusting herself on Mildred’s bed. “I honestly can’t believe HB didn’t roast you alive for yanking her down the hallway like that”

“Yeah Mil, you’ve got guts” Enid said crunching on some of the snacks she’d managed to get from her mom before she left.

“It’s not like I did it on purpose, I just panicked” Mildred said shrugging.

“Were her hands cold like the grip of death?” Enid said wiggling her fingers dramatically.

“Oh come off it Enid” Mildred said, feeling strangely defensive. Enid raised her hands in surrender.

“Sorry, sorry, I’m just kidding around” she murmured. Maud studied Mildred, who looked a bit downcast.

“She’s supposed to be appreciating her this week, Enid, so it’s not going to help anything bashing her all the time. She scares me to my core but HB’s an amazing teacher” Maud said sincerely. Enid rolled her eyes.

“Let’s stop, please, I’ll be sick” she muttered. Mildred frowned.

“Enid, I think you just can’t stand that you can’t get away with anything around her” Mildred said quietly. “That’s why you don’t like her. I think she’s actually just trying to help you”

“You know what- if you’re going to sit here and defend her, her who hates me and wants me out of this school, then I’m leaving” Enid said, storming out. Maud rolled her eyes.

“Don’t worry about her. She’ll see what we see eventually” Maud assured Millie.
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Tuesday morning dawned, and as instructed, Mildred headed to Miss Hardbroom’s quarters. Because Ms. Pentangle had thought of absolutely everything, she had created “helper” badges. Mildred had pinned it on her chest with a little bit of unease- what if she was asked to do something weird or humiliating? Miss Hardbroom wouldn’t do that, would she? No, no of course not. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door. “En-ter” her elegant voice commanded. The first thing Mildred saw was a small, quaint, yet commanding space with dark obsidian wood furniture. A fire crackled in an imposing stone fireplace opposite her, and a small black sofa was positioned in front of it, creating a shockingly cozy sitting room. A canopy bed was through a set of double doors to her left, and several large bookcases covered the walls, with imposing titles such as the Advanced Alchemy: Worth Its Weight In Gold, and A History of Potions Ingredients, Annotated, 1006th edition. She found herself dumbstruck in the doorway, forgetting why she was there in the first place.“Mil-dred Hubble” she drawled. “It’s clear your brain moves slower than usual in the morning hours given by the way you are dawdling in my doorway, so didn’t I recommend office hours in the afternoon if you require potions assistance?” she said plainly, waving a hand and a chair zoomed underneath her, planting her next to her form mistress, who was in the process of putting up her hair at her small vanity.

“oof” was all Mildred could manage to say as she landed firmly in the chair beside Miss Hardbroom. To her further shock, she had several bobby pins sticking out from in between her lips as she carefully combed her hair back and pinned a few locks down tightly.

“Well?” she said around the bobby pins. “What is it, girl?” Mildred was trying very hard to remember why she was there, but she kept getting distracted by Miss Hardbroom’s beautiful ebony locks, hanging elegantly around her face. Mildred wished very badly her hair looked like that in the morning, but unfortunately there was usually knots the size of doorknobs in hers, and usually quite a bit of drool in it. Mildred suddenly felt quite plain.

“Oh, uh, I’m your helper for the day” Mildred mumbled to her shoes.

“What?” Miss Hardbroom delicately removed the bobby pins from her mouth and finally fixed her gaze on Mildred rather than her reflection, half her hair still floating next to her face.

“I’m your helper for the day” Mildred repeated more clearly, pointing at her badge. Miss Hardbroom pinched her nose.

“Ah yes, this insipid tradition. Well, I do not require assistance, thank you” she said firmly. Mildred’s face fell.

“Oh, uh. That’s okay” Mildred said, voice cracking. “I mean, if you don’t want me, I guess I have no reason to stay…it’s…it’s whatever you want.” A pang of guilt shot through Hecate as she watched Mildred get up to leave.

“Mildred…provided you follow my instructions precisely….”

“Way ahead of you, Miss Hardbroom!” Suddenly the tears were gone and a weight was pressed up against her midsection. “THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU”

“Can I get your bags for you? OOPS. Bats sorry, was that important?” she babbled nudging a broken vase underneath a rug. “You know I really feel like it was already cracked” Mildred saw her teacher wave her elegant fingers and the vase recollected itself back onto the shelf.

“Let us go, Mildred, before you demolish any of the rest of my possessions” she said, with a half smirk.

“Sure, sure, sure….” Mildred babbled, hoisting the big black carpet bag onto her shoulders, as she rushed ahead to open the door, and stood at attention, giving her teacher a salute. “Where to?”

“Potions Classroom, to set up for the first years” Miss Hardbroom said, as she glided out of her office. “You’ll need to carry some extra equipment. That should do it” she said with an air of approval, piling Mildred’s arms with her planner, her lesson plan, potions reference books, attendance sheet. “Do try to keep up, Mildred” she said lazily, moving along silently and quickly, as Mildred clattered along behind her. As they went down the hallway, the rest of the girls whispered, and some laughed out loud at the image of Mildred, trying her best not to step on the hem of Miss Hardbroom’s dress, not drop the overflowing volume of textbooks, notes, and papers she had spilling out of her arms. A few girls stepped forward but Mildred waved them off.
“I’ve got it don’t worry! No, no problem!” she muttered to the worried looks of Sybil and Clarice, who had just caught sight of them in the hall. Leaning to see over a towering textbook, Mildred caught sight of Miss Bat, accompanied by Felicity, who was currently fanning her with a fan. Catching sight of Miss Hardbroom and Mildred, she paused, and came over, weeding through the hustle and bustle of the hall.

“Is that Mildred Hubble underneath all that or has someone made their equipment levitate again?” Miss Bat said chuckling. Miss Hardbroom had stopped still at Miss Bat’s approach, but had failed to alert Mildred, who could not see.

“Did someone say Mildred? What? Are we stopping?” she said over the chatter in the hall. “OOF” she said, smacking straight into Miss Hardbroom’s back. Miss Bat burst into giggles, as did Felicty (who nearly dropped the large fan) and Miss Hardbroom could not help but let the corners of her mouth lift in a quick smile.

“Yes, Miss Bat, it is Mildred. Levitation is beyond Mildred’s capabilities and would be cheating her out of a unique character-building opportunity called hard labor” she said matter-of-factly.

“Well I’m glad to see you embracing the tradition, how many helpers have you sent away over the years….all of them I think. This is truly an honor Mildred….in a way” she said, smirking. “A little higher Felicity” she said lazily. “I suppose everyone will be getting much higher scores with Mildred helping with marking for a day” she remarked flippantly.

“Miss Bat!” Miss Hardbroom said scandalized. “What sort of nonsense are you speaking? Mildred will uphold my policies, she is an agent on my behalf and shall do no such thing!” she said stiffly, her eyes wide.

“SO THERE” Mildred said loudly from behind the books. “Uh, sorry Miss Bat. I’m supposed to back her up all day. Also, HB can I go put this stuff down and then defend you. My arms are gonna give out” Miss Bat snorted.

“The loyalty! Hmm, hmmm. Well, we shall see. I’ll see you later, Hecate. Come, Felicity” and with that they both flounced off. Mildred held out until they rounded the corner and then collapsed onto the nearest potions table in the classroom.

“well….*pant* I think….*pant* some people * pant* are taking this *pant * whole royalty thing *pant* a bit too seriously” Mildred wheezed.

“Indeed” Miss Hardbroom remarked, putting some of her ingredients from her bag back into their proper places on the shelf. “And once you’ve finished wheezing- you can unpack that bag and organize them alphabetically on this shelf for the first years” she commanded. Mildred quickly went to work, with Miss Hardbroom quizzing her on their uses as she put them away.

“You should be an expert in these by now- this is first year material” Miss Hardbroom would comment, as they worked side by side. However as the hour and a half went by Mildred felt herself relaxing more and more, as she talked, sometimes she talked about how she remembered which ingredients were which. Most of the time Ms. Hardbroom would say nothing as she chattered along. But every now and then she would catch a brief smile flit across her lips, a roll of her eyes, and a quick wave of her hand to move two bottles from their place to another spot on the shelf.

“And I remember wort because it’s like a wart on your face, not that you ever have had a wart on your face, because your face is always really….” Mildred trailed off, trying desperately to talk herself out of the hole she had just walked into. Horror was slowly gripping her, as she felt her body freeze up. Miss Hardbroom appeared behind her.

“My face is what…Mildred Hubble” she said dangerously.

“Smooth?” she squeaked.

“A very close recovery, Mildred Hubble” Miss Hardbroom said threateningly. “However, I do think your using your artistic skills in order to do this picture and word association is… a very good system” Mildred’s mouth dropped open like a fish, and her cheeks were immediately caught between two fingers. “Do not gape, Mildred it’s not ladylike”

“uh, uh” Mildred giggled, and was finally released, as Miss Hardbroom grabbed the beetle wings from the shelf behind her. “Ow” she said massaging her cheeks. “How are they so sharp?” she whispered. “You, you think I have a good idea?”

“Do you think that I need to repeat myself?” Miss Hardbroom said, chopping the wings decisively with a short knife.

“No” Mildred said. “No, no. I….” she shook her head in disbelief. “Thanks. You know a really good way to remember is to sing songs, A is for aloe, for when you stub your toe, B is for bainberry, which makes you really hairy, C is for cockroach shell, which keeps you safe and well….” She sang loudly as she continued finely chopping up grimly grass.

“That was not an invitation for a musical demonstration, Mildred” Miss Hardbroom snapped. Mildred grinned, and simply switched to humming the tune. Miss Hardbroom sighed loudly and removed a bottle from her sleeve.

“What potion is that Miss Hardbroom?” Mildred asked.

“Alcohol, Mildred, mixed with a bit of calming draught” Miss Hardbroom hissed. “This is how teachers get through the day”

“I didn’t think I you drank, Miss” Mildred gasped.

“I started, lightly, around the time when you entered this establishment” Miss Hardbroom murmured. “Now silently, finish that up or I’ll have you scrubbing cauldrons”

“Yes ma’am....d is for deadlyius those mushrooms are poisonous” she whisper-sang.

Chapter Text

True to the tradition, Mildred and Miss Hardbroom were inseparable all day. Mildred took great care and pride in announcing her entrance, and also mimicking her signature stare and finger movements when she wasn’t looking. When the first years couldn’t stop giggling, Mildred was then sentenced to the corner to revise, but Miss Hardbroom’s eyebrows were raised in amusement. Though her notes were filled with doodles, Mildred had actually learned quite a bit throughout the day, as Miss Hardbroom was easier to talk to one on one and in between classes, and often let slip tips and tricks that she wouldn’t ordinarily in class, merely by narrating what she was doing to prep ingredients, etc. The day flew by, and before Mildred knew it, classes were done for the day and she walked with Miss Hardbroom back to her office to help her with marking.
“What a week, huh?” Mildred exclaimed, re-adjusting all of the books, notes, and carpetbag. “Whew. That was a lot. And now we have to go do more work?”

“Being a teacher is not for the faint of heart” Miss Hardbroom remarked severely. “You must have discipline, stamina, and above all an excellent work ethic” Mildred started walking slightly faster to keep up. “Today you were merely the observer, tomorrow, you will be the master potioneer, if you recall?"

“Oh no….” Mildred felt dread hit her stomach, and the weight of the books suddenly seemed much heavier. “Me teach potions? Bats” she mumbled into the cauldrons.

“I hope you were paying close attention” Miss Hardbroom continued, un-locking her office door and sweeping into the room. Mildred followed closely behind and set her things down in a precarious stack on the floor near her desk. “Although you won’t have to worry about marking tomorrow, even traditions have their limits. It will only be one lesson for you, according to the mirror message I received” Mildred slumped in a chair, swinging her feet out and back, the most silent she had been all day. Miss Hardbroom was now seated in her chair, all settled to begin her marking, when she realized Mildred hadn’t responded. Finally she’s quiet. I haven’t had one moment all day free from chatter. Now I can get some real work done- she thought. Her eyes skimmed over the first paper, but slid back to Mildred. Her eyes were on the floor, and she seemed to be deep in thought, biting her lip, and looking quite downcast. Her stack of papers sat neglected on her lap.

“Mildred?” Miss Hardbroom ventured. Mildred’s gaze shot up to meet hers. “Are you ill?” Mildred cocked her head.

“No, Miss” she responded confused.

“Ah” Miss Hardbroom replied. “Good” Silence fell once again. She turned once again to the paper. Fenella – ugh such a simple mistake, come on girl. She made a quick “X” scribbled a note, and glanced back at Mildred.

“You have not been silent for one minute all day” she said, without turning around. “What is the matter, Mildred?” Mildred slowed her feet.

“I was just thinking about tomorrow” she said softly. Miss Hardbroom tutted and slashed another paragraph, her quill moving furiously, but her ears were attuned on her pupil. “And about what you said about teaching. I just…I’m just nervous about teaching my own lesson. I can barely manage being a student, let alone being a teacher. I’m just afraid I’ll make a fool of myself” Mildred admitted, kicking her legs out again. Miss Hardbroom put out her hand, and Mildred handed her the next paper from her lap.

“Mildred, come over here” Miss Hardbroom said gently. She winced as Mildred dragged her chair, creaking and squeaking across the floor. The two now sat next to each other at the shiny, black wood desk, Ms. Hardbroom in a high-backed ornate chair, and Mildred in a smaller one, so that she came up to halfway up her arm. She set the paper she was marking aside, and reached into her black carpet bag. She pulled out a leatherbound, black notebook and set it on the desk. Miss Hardboom opened it to the first few pages.

“This is my lesson planning book” she said. “Look at the first few pages and tell me what you see.” Mildred’s eyes widened as she skimmed the pages. They looked not unlike her notes- except that they were much more neat and orderly, but there were still words crossed out, arrows that re-directed ideas for lessons and activities to different points in handwritten notes. Her teacher’s handwriting was much more beautiful and elegant than her own, but to her shock she saw small drawings in the corners of plants, jars, labels. One idea said “knife skills?” along with “cauldron-cleaning basics” and an idea for “potion-labeling lesson.” One said, potions ingredients trip- scratched out, next to it, too far away, not enough chaperones? There were lists of the same lesson plans with words scratched out, “too vague?” and one that read “Small groups were a disaster. Partner pairs next time. Next to a list of potions were the corresponding years they were taught, with the lists looking different over the years.

“They’re….mistakes?” Mildred whispered, shocked.

“I have never showed this to anyone besides Ms. Cackle” Miss Hardbroom murmured. “No teacher is perfect. Not even me, however much I’d like you all to believe that” she smiled softly. “Just because you make mistakes does not mean that you do not have the ability to become a great teacher. Teaching isn’t something you are born with, but something you must learn how to do, just like anything else. These pages are here, just like you, to remind me that while I know almost everything” she smirked, “I do not know everything, and I, just like you, make mistakes. But the difference is that I, as a teacher, hold myself to the highest standard because I set the example, and I try to learn and grow from my mistakes, thus, this record. I do not always succeed, in fact very often I….fail. I allow myself to become narrow-minded and set on one right answer, one right way, because that makes sense to me. But sometimes my pupils are not like me, and they do not learn that way” Miss Hardbroom said quietly. “The makings of a good teacher is not the ability to command a room, nor extensive knowledge of their subject matter, but in their ability to learn from their mistakes, their ability to change course when necessary.” Mildred’s eyes shone as she stared at her teacher, and looked away, before a hand caught her face, and moved her gaze back to hers. Miss Hardbroom looked at Mildred intently, as a tear rolled down her cheek.

“I know, Mildred Hubble, that you have that quality” she said firmly, yet tenderly. “In a far greater capacity than I” Mildred sniffled, and leaned over slightly, and squeezed her arms around her teacher’s midsection. Miss Hardbroom stiffened, and then slowly, ever so slowly, lifted her arms around her pupil. Her hand, seemingly of its own accord, stroked that brown hair lightly, hesitantly, and Mildred’s crying began to slow. When she pulled back, her face was still tear-stained and she seemed a bit embarrassed.

“Do…Do you mind if I use this?” Mildred said, swallowing slowly, and brushing her fingers over the book. “As a guide I mean? For tomorrow?” Miss Hardbroom inclined her head.

“You may. But the idea should be your own- the format you may borrow” she clarified meaningfully. Mildred sat there smiling widely.

“Now, if you ever want to teach you must become familiar with marking, as is the task in front of us. Never, ever award a “C” to any paper with a grammatical mistake, the gravest of errors, as my mentor used to say....Mildred Hubble are you listening? Why are you looking at me with that ridiculous expression” Miss Hardbroom said sternly. Mildred was still smiling ear to ear.

“Thanks” Mildred said quietly. “You didn’t have to say that”

“I said it because I believe it to be true, now mark those papers” Miss Hardbroom said firmly, returning to the marking with vigor. The red quill whisked viciously across the paper.

“You think I could be a teacher” Mildred giggled as she drew a smiley face next to the big red C+ on the paper Miss Hardbroom had just finished. “You said it. No take backs”

“I said “could” with a good dose of luck, training, and hard work, such as the marking in front of you. BEGIN” she hissed.

Chapter Text

The next day, Wednesday, the first years were abuzz with excitement, as this was the day they were to have “student” teachers in their classes. Mildred was teaching Potions, Enid teaching Flying/Broomstick basics, Felicity teaching chanting, and Ethel teaching Spell Science. That left Maud, who, since Ms. Cackle didn’t teach any classes, had been allowed by the headmistress to run the school for a day.“It’s completely unfair” Maud groaned as she sat next to Mildred at the faculty table, shifting uncomfortably in the headmistresses high-backed ornate chair. “You only have to teach one class and I have to run the whole school for a day” Mildred slurped her porridge.

“Well, I mean, yeah it is a bit unfair, but it’s no one’s fault Miss Cackle has the lion’s share for a job, she is headmistress” Enid murmured, picking at the suspicious looking lumps in her porridge. “And if anyone can do it, it’s you Maud, so actually it’s quite lucky for all of us that you drew Ms. Cackle. Imagine if it were Ethel….or me” Maud smiled nervously.

“I guess so…oh I’m too nervous to eat anything…my stomach is full of bats” she said, anxiously twisting and untwisting her napkin.

“I’ll eat it” Enid volunteered, dumping Maud’s porridge into her bowl. “Listen Mil- “

“You’ll be great, Maud” Mildred said, pointedly ignoring Enid. “I mean, all the times you’ve almost destroyed the school is because you were trying to help me. Now, I’ll be occupied, so you’ll be fine”

“I’m going to go meet Ms. Cackle, I can’t just sit here and think about all the work I have to do” Maud said quickly. She scurried out of the dining hall, leaving Enid and Mildred alone.

“Mil- I know you’re still angry with me” Enid said pleadingly. “But honestly, I’ve thought about it and…I was wrong about Ms. Hardbroom. I mean, serving Ms. Drill all yesterday made me super cranky. I had to stop myself from scolding some first years myself. I’m not sure I’d be any different than she is some days if I was a teacher and had to put up with all kinds of annoying questions and dumb schemes all day, every day” Enid continued. “Do I think she needs to lighten up and have some fun? Yes. Majorly. Do I hate her, no, no I don’t. Do I think she should re-think her hairstyle because just looking at it gives me a headache….” Mildred tried valiantly to stay angry, but at the last comment a laugh burst through.

“That’s very mature of you, Enid. Thanks. That’s what this whole experience is all about” Mildred said.

“Changing her hairstyle?” Enid said, cupping her ear. “You said it, not me” Mildred elbowed her. “I know, I know. Appreciation. Well we’re really going to get it today” Enid said, rolling her eyes. “Nothing like being in someone else’s shoes for a day to give you a different perspective- running shoes that is. Now that we’re talking again, I’ve been dying to tell you how fun/exhausting the past two days have been. Miss Drill is the best! We’ve been cracking each other up right left and center- did you know she was a prankster in school?? Just like me!" Mildred, grinning was about to respond to Enid when….

“Well, well, if it isn’t the worst witch at the teacher’s table. What an absolute disgrace” Ethel snapped.

“Watch it, Ethel. That’s the potions mistress for today you’re talking to. We’re all equals. I mean, well actually we all work for Maud….oh my bats Maud is our boss” Enid said turning to Mildred. Mildred snorted.

“That’s right Ethel, we have it in with the headmistress, so if you don’t watch yourself, you’re gonna end up fired” Mildred replied.

“Headmistresses don’t just fire teachers they don’t like, that’s not how schools work” Ethel sneered. “They fire teachers who aren’t fit for their positions” Felicity high fived her, and they settled down next to each other. “I’m looking forward to utilizing this opportunity to prove once and for all that you, Mildred, can’t even be a student here, let alone a teacher”

“We’ll see about that” Enid snarled. “Come on, Mildred. She’s put me off my porridge”

It was clear to both Enid and Mildred that they were not going to see Maud all day, she mirrored to say she was swamped with official school business and not to bother her unless the school was being destroyed again. Mildred had also gotten a message from Ms. Pentangle, re-capping the theme for the day, and included a copy of the first year schedule for them to follow. When they weren’t teaching, they were to be teacher’s assistants in the other “teacher” lessons, if not needed, they would be observers/students. To complete the role-reversal, the teachers would then become first-year students for the day, attending the lessons with the first years. This was also so that there was always supervision, and that they could re-assume their role to prevent accidents/in the event of an emergency.
The schedule read something like this:

8:00- 9:00 Breakfast in the Great Hall. Faculty will have breakfast in bed treatment.
9:00-10:00 First year Flying (with Enid)
10:00- 11:00 First year Spell Science (with Ethel)
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:00 First year Chanting (Felicity)
2:00-3:00 First year Potions (Mildred)
(End of day- Teachers and Students resume their original roles)

Mildred was currently scanning and re-scanning the schedule over and over. LAST. She was last. That means there was no chance of anyone forgetting her lesson. Mildred’s lump in her throat had slowly gotten bigger, and despite the surprisingly touching moment with Ms. Hardbroom, she was still extremely nervous about teaching her lesson. After studying Ms. Hardbroom’s lesson book thoroughly, she had come up with several ideas- staying up all night like a crazy person, writing, drafting, re-writing. And she still wasn’t 100% confident about it. But she had to push her nerves down in order to support Enid, she told herself, as she headed out to the outdoor fields. There stood Enid, whistle hanging around her neck, scrambling about with a large sack of balls. Lined up were the first years, among them Sybil, Beatrice, and Clarice who waved at her as she approached. Their eyes kept flitting however, to the teachers lined up next to them. Ms. Cackle, Miss Hardbroom, Ms. Bat, and Mr. Rowan Webb- were wearing what could only be described as matching black sweatsuits emblazoned with the Cackle’s crest over the heart Ms. Drill stood proudly in her normal attire, minus whistle, grinning at Enid.

“I told you these faculty matching tracksuits were a good idea, Hecate, and you were all when I am I ever going to wear that, and I said on casual Fridays? But then you shut down casual Fridays because apparently they were “unprofessional”….” Miss Drill was saying to Miss Hardbroom, using exaggerated air quotes. “And look see, how nice they all look on everyone. I’d pay good money to see you attempt this stuff wearing your usual…” she laughed, and Miss Hardbroom’s eyes twitched.

“If I had it my way I would not need an athleisure outfit because I would have no athleisure activities to require it” Miss Hardbroom hissed. Miss Cackle smiled warmly as she saw Mildred, and made a space for her on the line in between her and Miss Hardbroom, who looked distinctly flustered, and not quite sure how she got where she was.

“Ah good morning, Mildred” Mr. Rowan-Webb, who clearly was tripping over trying not to call her “tadpole” in front of people. Mildred grinned widely, and tried not to laugh as he jogged in place on the line. “Isn’t this all topsy-turvy, eh? Just warming up the old bones”

“Oh Algernon, don’t strain yourself, we’re not as young as we used to be” Miss Bat admonished him. Next to her, were Felicity and Ethel both of whom shot Mildred snooty looks, as she scooted in between Ms. Cackle and Miss Hardbroom.

“Good morning, fellow student” Ms. Cackle said, giggling. Mildred smiled at her.

“This is so weird” she said, giggling back.

“I concur, I was perfectly content with a breakfast, but no, Pip- Ms. Pentangle saw fit to take this to rather extraordinary heights” Miss Hardbroom replied, rolling her eyes at Mildred and Ms. Cackle giggling away like schoolgirls. Mildred was biting her lip so hard to keep from laughing.

“You look great HB, very….comfortable?” Mildred squeaked out, dissolving into giggles again. “Miss Drill can this be the new flying uniform?” Mildred asked. Miss Drill beamed at her.

“That’s a great idea, Mildred. I’ll get some for all the girls!” Miss Drill said excitedly. Suddenly, everyone’s attention was drawn to Enid as she blew her whistle as hard as she could. Everyone covered their ears. "Excellent Enid, good tone, strong finish” Miss Drill clapped.

“All right you lot” Enid said smiling. “Let’s get started. We’re going to start with a warm-up, I want to see some push-ups! Give me 20! And then we’re going to go three laps around, let’s go!” she yelled. Miss Hardbroom’s mouth opened and closed like she wanted so badly to scold Enid for yelling her teachers, but Ms. Cackle whispered:

“Just let go, Hecate. You’re not a teacher today, you’re just having fun” She stood frozen, as everyone else dropped to the ground, groaning. Mildred glanced up at her teacher, who Enid was grinning hugely at.

“Come on HB you can do it” Enid said encouragingly. “Would it help at all if I told you that I promise, for the duration of this week, no schemes?” Miss Hardbroom’s eyes narrowed. “That’s what your thinking isn’t it? This is some kind of trick to embarrass you- but honest it isn’t. Cross my heart, no tricks. I designed this myself” Miss Hardbroom's eyes widened at that, and looked accusingly at Miss Drill, who had already finished the push-ups.

“What? She absolutely did. She’s telling the truth, Hecate. She’s been a saint all week” Miss Drill confirmed. Mildred, coming up from her tenth pushup, raised a sweaty hand to tug on her teacher’s jogger pants.

“Come on, Miss Hardbroom…I’ll do it with you” she panted. “I mean, if you’re carrying all that stuff you made me carry you’ve gotta have some muscle built up already” Finally, Miss Hardbroom, to the shock of the first years, dropped to her knees and began doing push-ups. Enid’s smile lit up the field, as she raised the whistle to her lips again.“Oh bats…what number are we on?” Mildred grunted.

“Mildred Hubble were you not counting?” Miss Hardbroom hissed.

“You lose count, you start over” Miss Drill hollered.

Chapter Text

While predictably inept at the athletic-workout portion of the class, Miss Hardbroom was actually an excellent flier, and showed the first years a thing or two. Mildred was immensely proud of Enid, who, was extremely encouraging of the first years wobbling around on their brooms trying to get the hang of the basics of mounting, taking off, and hovering. There was a lot of old people jokes made by Miss Bat and Mr. Rowan-Webb “back in my day…they left us on an island and told us to fly back…that’s how we either learned to fly, or were marooned for a few days”, and Mildred had never had so much fun in class before. Miss Drill was beaming with pride, and gave Enid a big hug afterwards. Next up was Ethel with spell science, to which she covered the fairly basic concept of “transformation” spells, for small animals such as mice, frogs, and bats, with a completely through and perfect knowledge of the subject. She included a helpful “tips” sheet, for transformation, i.e don’t transform directly after eating, within 6 feet of other people, and while sick for best results. She even demonstrated it for the class, making several snide remarks referencing her in what “not to do.” It took all her restraint not to feed mouse Ethel to Tabby. Lunchtime was her savior, and she let out a big breath as she headed out to the picnic set up outside. It was a beautiful day, and it almost made her forget the horror that had been Ethel talking for an hour. Enid mirrored Maud and convinced her that even headmistresses needed to take a lunch break, and so she had reluctantly surfaced from Ms. Cackle’s office to join them at the picnic.

“I’m telling you all, running a school is hard” Maud said in between bites of her sandwich. “I don’t know how you do it, Ms. Cackle” Ms. Cackle, who was seated next to her, smiled indulgently.

“Thank you, Maud, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Most headmistresses are teachers first, and you’ve never been either. I’ve had lots of experience and training”

“I stress-ate a lot of your cookies” Maud admitted, and Miss Cackle chuckled and patted her on the hand. “Also how do you save that document that was supposed to go to the board…I think I deleted it…” Miss Cackle sighed.

“We’ll sort it out, dear” she said.

“How are you doing, Tadpole?” Mr. Rowan-Webb asked, Mildred, who had been zoning out as Maud began to discuss Headmistress business with Ms. Cackle. “You seem like you’ve got something on your mind” Mildred shuffled on the blanket, trying not to look at Ethel who was animatedly talking to Miss Hardbroom.

“I’m just really nervous for my lesson, I guess” Mildred mumbled. “I’m not like Ethel” Mr. Rowan-Webb gave her a side hug.

“And that’s a very good thing. If you were like Ethel, or anyone else for that matter, I’d still be a frog, remember?” Mr. Rowan-Webb nudged her. “Besides, Ethel’s gunning for my job, and we don’t need any more of that, eh?” Mildred grinned and shook her head. “You’ll be just fine. The key to good teaching is pretending like you know what you’re doing, even when you haven’t got a clue” Mr. Rowan-Webb said confidentially. Mildred laughed. “And never ever let them see they get to you. Some people…didn’t want a frog as a teacher, but I know my stuff and hold my head high, eh? You do that and you’ll be fine” he groaned, as Ethel stared at him pointedly. “Better get back over there. I’m sure she’s got more advice for me” Mr. Rowan-Webb muttered.

“Good luck” Mildred said playfully, finishing up her lunch. As she stood up, she nearly walked into Miss Hardbroom, who had apparated silently across the blanket behind her.

“Hi” Mildred said a bit awkwardly. Their last conversation had changed their dynamic significantly, and Mildred didn’t quite know how to act now that they had both been a bit vulnerable with each other.

“I am looking forward to your lesson, Mildred” Miss Hardbroom said purposefully. “I trust you have given it a great deal of thought?”

“Oh yes” Mildred nodded. “I was up all night working on it. Hey….since I’m a teacher am I allowed to have some of that sleeve stuff to calm my nerves?” Miss Hardbroom looked scandalized.

“Absolutely not!”

“I was joking. Not the alcohol obviously, just the calming draught” Mildred said quickly. Miss Hardbroom smirked.

“Absolutely not. The ability to withstand nerves without potions is a fine capability for a young witch to develop, in fact, isn’t it your philosophy that we, as you’re so fond of saying, shouldn’t rely on our magic?” Miss Hardbroom said, satisfaction oozing from her voice as she transferred away. Mildred scowled at the spot where she last stood, and sat down on the blanket in a huff.

“I really hate it when she does that” Mildred sighed.

After lunch was Felicity’s chanting class, which Mildred spent most of being on-edge and secretly trying to hold her notes for her lesson in front of her chanting lyrics so she could prepare. Felicity was aces at chanting, so she, like Ethel and Enid before her, did very well as a teacher, teaching an original chant she wrote herself to bedazzle any object. The chanting classroom was almost blinding after they were finished, with Ms. Hardboom stating that the chant, while superficial, was well-structured. The first years all loved it however, and many said it was the best chant they’d ever learned, bedazzling notebooks, mirror tablets, and Felicity was quickly the most popular girl in school. Mildred had begun twitching toward the end, her nerves beginning to kick into overdrive as the group moved into the potions classroom. She had gone back to her room quickly to retrieve Tabby, and was on her way back into the classroom with him in her arms when she passed Ethel in the doorway.

“Mildred Hubble…teaching…” Ethel said snottily, bumping Mildred intentionally as she took her seat next to Felicity. “An Ape would do a better job” she hissed. The teachers seated themselves in the front row, with Ms. Hardbroom feeling quite odd sitting in a student seat in her own classroom. She could feel the first years’ eyes on her and was determined to remain neutral. As everyone filed in, Mildred was up at the front, feeling as if the room had just expanded to twice its size. Placing on the desk Ms. Hardbroom’s precious black lesson planning book, she scanned her notes, and set up the ingredients on the long table in front as a display, her hands shaking as she did so. Enid got up quickly to help her set up, and then returned to her seat.

“Poor thing, she looks frightened to death” Miss Bat whispered, to which Mr. Rowan-Webb nodded. “I hope she remembers this isn’t a test it’s all in good fun”

“She’ll be fine, she just needs to persevere through her nerves” Ms. Cackle said calmly. “Besides, I heard she’s gotten some excellent tutelage” Ms. Cackle remarked, elbowing Ms. Hardbroom lightly, who stiffened a bit.

“Hecate did you help her?” Miss Drill marveled.

“I gave her some….motivation” Ms. Hardbroom admitted. “But she will do the rest on her own” she said firmly, never taking her gaze off of her pupil, who at this very moment was scurrying around like a whirlwind. Mildred Hubble, had forgotten the last time she had been so terrified. Her panic gripped her in a haze, and the first years were still talking amongst themselves. She scanned the row, trying to slow her breathing. Enid was giving her two big thumbs up, as was Mr. Rowan Webb. Ms. Bat, Ms. Cackle and Miss Drill all gave her big, warm smiles that said “you can do it.” And then everyone else sort of faded away, and she landed on Miss Hardbroom, who was sitting there with her normal erect board-like posture, eyes boring down on her, and she took a deep breath. Mildred copied her, and felt her body relax a bit. Miss Hardbroom straightened her posture, eyes flashing at her. Mildred mimicked her posture, drawing herself up as straight as she could. Ms. Cackle observed this silent exchange with a knowing smile.

“Uh, um. Hello…erm, hello everyone” Mildred started tentatively.

Chapter Text

“Uh, welcome to first year potions. Today, I’m going to be teaching you all how to make a basic confidence potion, but with a twist” Mildred took a deep breath. “Today we will be learning how to make a cat-confidence potion” The first years gasped, and Miss Hardbroom, in shock, whispered to Ms. Cackle “she modified….the recipe!”

“I was up all night doing the math, so it should all be correct. All I had to do was cut the ingredient amounts down by one third” Mildred explained. “To make it fit the cat’s body size, based on Miss Hardbroom’s chart of reduction of ingredients based on different body types” Mildred continued. Miss Hardbroom’s eyebrows were raised, and she ground her fingernails in the desk to keep from commenting.“I’ve written the reduction chart up here on the board for you all to reference. Basically we’re going to just go off of this chart for the ingredient amounts, and all the instructions are the same as the book. The ingredients are going to go in in the same order, the same everything- we are just using less basically so that we have a cat-size amount. The only thing that we will be adding will be some flavorings at the end to make this more appetizing for cats” Mildred continued. “So let’s begin with the confidence potion on page 6 I think, no bats, it’s actually farther back than that, my bad, it’s page 20. We’re going to go through this step by step together. So everyone, just pick a partner, grab your ingredients, and we’ll start with step 1” Mildred said confidently. “Everything you need is up here, and Tabby will be our test subject” Tabby meowed loudly, and the first-years giggled. “Tabby’s not too happy about this, but the great thing about this potion is through some experimenting as long as the flavors don’t interfere with the makeup of the potion- you can personalize this to what your cat likes. Tabby, like most cats, loves herring and catnip, so those are common flavorings I’ve provided here. But that will come at the end” she said quickly. “I’ll be around to answer any questions.”

The first years were excited to be able to choose their own partners (Miss Hardbroom usually assigned them), and were thrilled with Mildred’s idea of a potion for cats. They rushed up to the ingredients table, and because of Mildred’s simplistic chart format, were easily able to modify their ingredients. Miss Hardbroom listened to the busy hum of the classroom with a proud ear. Mildred had clearly done her homework, and modifying ingredients by a third was no easy job, and since it was done for the students a simplified using a chart, it was quite an effective teaching tool. Miss Hardbroom had partnered up with Ms. Cackle, naturally, with Mr. Rowan-Webb and Ms. Bat canoodling in the corner, Miss Drill and Enid swapping jokes as they joined up, and Ethel and Felicity together to round out the first two rows. Mildred walked around, peering over people’s shoulders as they worked, not menacingly, like Ms. Hardbroom, but simply observing. Miss Hardbroom of course, whipped through the ingredients with a tight precision, with Ms. Cackle mostly taking a backseat as she knew how much she enjoyed the potions process. Mildred strolled over to Enid and Miss Drill.

“How are you doing?” Mildred asked.

“Great, that chart is very helpful Mildred” Miss Drill complimented.

“That’s light blue, that’s awesome…but remember at the end we want a nice white, actually more of a cream really, which makes it perfect to hide in milk” she noted, and Enid nodded. As she moved past Ethel and Felicity, she found it a more royal blue.

“Okay, so I think there was a mistake somewhere” Mildred said gently. “Because it’s royal blue, not light blue. Thyme’s got to be pretty finely chopped, I’d say about the size of a grain of rice, that’s how I remember” Felicity nodded, and smiled.

“That was probably it, thanks Mildred” Felicity said. Ethel fumed, and turned away, stirring furiously. Ms. Hardbroom had finished long ago, prodding her potion methodically ever so often, but she was really watching Mildred. She had quite the natural teaching air, the way she did her little friendly check-ins and gentle corrections. A few times she nearly knocked something over in her excitement and gesticulating, but it was quite endearing. She found her lips turning up slightly as she watched her, proudly from across the room.

“I’m proud of her too” Ms. Cackle said casually, stirring the potion clockwise gently, tapping the ladle on the side ever so often. Ms. Hardbroom nearly jumped out of her skin, as she was quite lost in her own thoughts.

“Just making sure there are no…..accidents” Ms. Hardbroom said stiffly, returning to the potion. Ms. Cackle looked knowingly at her deputy.

“It might have something to do with a certain little black book I haven’t seen the first pages of in….a good ten years” she said lightly. Ms. Hardbroom blanched.

“I don’t know what you are talking of, Ada” Ms. Hardbroom said quickly.

“Let her in, Hecate” Ms. Cackle said simply. “She needs you. This is the most sure of herself I’ve ever seen her, and it’s because she’s trying to be like you” Hecate fought a lump in her throat as the emotion of Ada’s words threatened to overwhelm her. Ada patted her on the shoulder.

“I….I am proud of her” Hecate whispered. “But why would she want to be like me?” she wondered, pain lacing through her voice.

“I know many who would” Ada said back, bumping her gently. “No matter how many times I say “don’t be so hard on yourself” till I’m blue in the face, you won’t hear me” Hecate smiled, but it came out more like a grimace. “You are one of the most gifted witches I know, and certainly one of the hardest workers” This time Hecate really smiled.

“Thank you, Ada” she said softly.

“How are we doing over here? Done I bet?” Mildred said playfully. Miss Hardbroom nodded, smirking a bit back. “All right everyone times up, I’m going to bring Tabby around” she announced to the class, sprinting, then tripping, on the steps up to the desk at the front and hauling a protesting Tabby into her arms and back over to the headmistress and her deputy. Tabby, seeing Ms. Hardbroom let out a low growl.“Tabby! That’s not nice” she scolded. “Sorry Miss, I guess he never forgave you for trying to get him thrown out for not being able to fly like the other cats. But with this potion, that will no longer be an issue” she babbled cheerfully, as Miss Hardbroom insured she kept a safe distance from the cat. “Now no more than a teaspoonful, and if you’ve used some good flavoring- catnip and herring, we shouldn’t even have to put it in milk, he should just drink it up” Mildred instructed, and Ms. Cackle smiled.

“Thank you, Mildred. Are you quite certain this is safe for Tabby?” Ms. Cackle inquired, looking a bit concerned at Tabby’s scratching and pushing against Mildred’s arms.

“I’ve tested several batches on him last night and he was completely fine” she said quickly. Miss Hardbroom raised an eyebrow. “Okay, to be totally honest he lost some fur in one spot, and he got pretty sick from another batch, but he threw it up and then he felt better” Mildred rambled, and Ms. Hardbroom sighed.

“I have a potion that will prompt the emptying of the animal’s stomach” Ms. Hardbroom said with disgust. . As if in understanding, Tabby struggled harder, looking wildly towards the door. “For emergencies” her eyes flashed. “We should not require it” she remarked. Mildred flashed a shaky grin, and soothed Tabby, by humming him his favorite song “Everybody wants to be a Cat” from “The Aristocats”, while Ms. Cackle fed him the teaspoon. This prompted oohing and aww-ing from the first years to which Ms. Hardbroom rolled her eyes.Everyone eagerly waited to see the results.
“How will we tell, Miss Hub-ble, if it works?” Ms. Hardbroom prompted, with a critical eye towards Tabby, who was now sagging contently in Mildred’s arms. “How do we know the effects aren’t more of a relaxation effect?” Mildred froze for a moment under her gaze, but then looked at Tabby, who looked back at her, brightly, yet no longer struggling.

“Relaxation would prompt a more drugged/sleepy effect, and he’d probably just go right to sleep” Mildred answered confidently. “Whereas now he’s still very alert, he’s just not scared anymore” Enid whooped silently and punched the air. Miss Hardbroom narrowed her eyes, but tilted her chin up slightly. “Of course, the more concrete test will be if he can accomplish something he normally is too afraid to do. Such as flying on a broomstick” Mildred said, grabbing her broom from where it sat near the door. She set Tabby down and had him get onto the broom, which he did contentedly, if not a bit awkwardly. The broom soared through the air gently, with Tabby sitting neatly upon it, looking down curiously at all the girls below as the air rushed through his fur. Mildred had the broom set him gently down, to a wild applause from everyone, including Ms. Hardbroom. Mildred smiled winningly, and held up Tabby in a “lion King” pose. “Who’s next then?” and everyone’s hands shot into the air.

Chapter Text

The first years had so much fun testing their potions on Tabby, provided they had to wait a few minute to let the previous potion wear off. This was so that the effects of the previous potion didn’t confuse the results of the next. By the end, Tabby was so confident that at one point he brushed up against Miss Hardbroom’s legs under the desk, and sat on her boots until Mildred managed to pry him off, much to the enjoyment of the first years. Because of Mildred’s relatable demeanor and friendly confidence, mistakes had been caught before they reached Tabby, and the class was by far deemed a success. As they filed out of class, they thanked Mildred profusely for the “most fun they’ve ever had in potions” a comment Miss Hardbroom ordinarily would have snapped at them for making brazenly in front of her, but on this day she held her tongue. Ethel was the first one out of the classroom, claiming that the potion was “unnecessary because proper cats shouldn’t need it” but she was fuming hard as she said it, furious at everyone’s praise of Mildred. Felicity had waited until Ethel was gone to congratulate Mildred, and Enid raced up to the front and bowled her over with a big hug.

“WAY TO GO, MIL” Enid screeched. “How on earth did you come up with a potion for cats? It’s never been done before! That was so awesome! You were a natural! I wish Maud could’ve seen you” she whooped. Mildred hugged her back tightly, feeling so, so, grateful they had resolved that fight earlier. She loved how it felt to have her friends behind her. Miss Drill came up behind Enid.

“While I am biased towards my own protégé, I consider this one second-best, no contest” Miss Drill said, smiling brightly, and ruffling Enid’s hair. “That took some real skill and guts Mildred. Potions is a difficult subject” she complimented. “Which is why those who teach it can get a little…. shall we say, high strung…” she winked, and nodded in Ms. Hardbroom’s direction. Enid and Mildred giggled. “Well done, Mildred” and Mildred thanked her as she left the room.

“Tadpole!” Mr. Rowan-Webb came up with Ms. Bat. “That was wonderful Mildred. Very well thought out, and I appreciate that you’re looking out for the animals, because as we know…it’s tough to be anything other than human. The animal world can be dangerous, and I think you should take this idea and run with it….perhaps one for frogs, eh?” he grinned. Ms. Bat took her hand and patted it.

“Mildred…that was very interesting. I wouldn’t have thought of it, but it was well done all the same. You should be very proud of yourself” she said sincerely. Mildred blushed at the praise.

“Thanks Ms. Bat….and I’ll see what I can do” she said to Mr. Rowan-Webb, giving him a small hug.

“Jumping higher would be nice…oh a longer tongue perhaps, oh Gwendolyn…the possibilities are endless, one small step for Hubble, one giant leap for frogkind” Mr. Rowan-Webb murmured as they left. Ms. Cackle, eyes brimming with tears, pulled Mildred and Enid into a warm hug. Mildred loved how her pink sweater smelled of cinnamon and shortbread, and snuggled in.

“Never once did I think I’d see the day that Enid would ever pay attention in a lesson or Mildred would go through one without accident, let alone that either of you would teach one successfully. I am…so proud, of both of you” she said, her voice wobbling, squeezing them tightly. Mildred and Enid choked a bit, before they were released. “I would be proud to have either of you on our staff, if that is what you choose” she said warmly, looking at them both affectionately. “Now, I must go back to assisting Maud before she signs off on something she shouldn’t” she said hastily, looking a bit harried. Enid looked at Miss Hardbroom, who had busied herself cleaning up the cauldrons, ingredients, and other supplies from the lesson, who seemed to be working but yet glancing at Mildred ever so often.

“I’ll come with you, I wanted to tell Maud all about this anyway. She’ll be so excited! She’s surely do for a bit of a break” Enid said quickly. Ms. Cackle smiled.

“That’s a wonderful idea, Enid…shall we?” and they both hurried out the door. And then, all of a sudden, the potions classroom was silent. All that could be heard was the swaying of the trees outside, and, Mildred furrowed her brow, a loud purring.

“Oh, for duir’s sake!” Ms. Hardbroom exclaimed, who had seated herself at her desk to examine a faded label on a glass vial of lavender, when she found herself with a brown and white cat on her lap. Mildred turned quickly and burst into giggles.

“I told you the potion worked…he’s a bit too confident now, especially since he’s been dosed like 10 times today” Mildred laughed. Tabby circled once, twice, kneading his claws into Miss Hardbroom’s lap as she winced every so often.

“Insufferable feline” she groused, but was petting him gently as she examined her lesson book. Mildred shuffled her feet, and looked awkwardly at the floor.

“So?” she ventured, pulling one knee sock up.

“So?” Miss Hardbroom replied, scribbling a few notes.

“SO?” she said again, putting more emphasis on it. Miss Hardbroom blinked at her. “What did you think?” she clarified.

“I thought your shoelaces were untied” Miss Hardbroom replied. Mildred tried to keep the look of hurt from spilling out all over her face, but there it was. “The lesson was well-thought out” she began, and a smile returned to Mildred’s face. “It could have done with some editing, such as the unnecessary song reference…”

“Hey the first years loved my song, they want to have Ms. Bat put it to music” Mildred defended.

“And you need to work on timing your information better throughout the lesson so you don’t overwhelm your listener with too much information at once. The concept was quite…unusual and original. Using just one test subject is not the best course, because it takes 10 minutes for the potion to effectively wear off, slowing down your lesson. I would advise you mirror beforehand to tell the girls to bring their cats to class” Mildred nodded slowly, hearing a lot of corrections that weighed her down, though she knew the lesson needed them. “However….” she paused. “I found your teaching to be….exemplary. You created a unique new hybrid of an existing potion, and executed it, through trial and error, very well, and it is one that will aid many cats that are, well, like Tabby.” Tabby purred loudly, and she scratched his ears. “Your students were able to produce the correct result and learned a quite a bit about reducing ingredient portions as well. You constantly checked in on your students, helped them to work through their mistakes with compassion, instructed and corrected with confidence, but perhaps most importantly…you did not make anyone feel like a failure” Miss Hardbroom finished gently, scooting Tabby off her lap so she could come to lean on the front of the desk beside her student. Awed, Mildred looked over at her, and she was determinedly watching the trees sway in the wind outside the large window opposite. “I am very….proud of you” she said quickly, afraid of the words that were rolling out of her mouth, because her walls that she had erected around her heart, those cold, stone bricks were plunging into the depths all around her as the words slipped out of her mouth and she could not, she could not keep her out anymore. She could not bear not telling her. She couldn’t hurt her anymore than she realized she had already. And Ada’s words were bouncing around in her mind, and she realized Mildred was silent, and her vicious thoughts started blaring and the walls began rebuilding themselves as her heart broke just a bit, as the silence ticked on…

“I’m proud of you too” Mildred said simply, eyes shining. “You let me teach. In your classroom. I know it’s not easy for you to let someone else have control in your space. And I couldn’t have done it without your help. Thank you” Mildred said, squirming her way over into a hug. Miss Hardbroom this time, not as taken off guard, returned it, gently, holding Mildred as if she was a miracle that might shatter. Miss Hardbroom rested her head on the top of Mildred’s and tried furiously to will away the treacherous tears that were forming in her eyes. The moment was broken when Tabby meowed loudly, and Mildred laughed pulling out of the hug.“So you want to retire now? I think I got it covered. Ms. Cackle said I can start next Tuesday” Mildred joked. Miss Hardbroom smirked.

“Don’t run when you’ve just learned to walk, Mildred Hub-ble”

Chapter Text

Thursday dawned bright and early, and like clockwork, Mildred received another mirror message from Ms. Pentangle, detailing the day’s theme. Thursday was Gift Basket Day, where students were in charge of organizing a compilation of gifts from the entire student body, and presenting the gift basket to the teacher at the end of the day. Mildred blearily scanned the message’s suggestions for gifts: spa treatments, candles, assorted chocolates and treats, scarves, gift cards to witching stores Mildred had never heard of, mugs, cookies, and heartfelt letters, cards, and artwork. Mildred sighed deeply as she pulled herself out of bed. She couldn’t imagine Ms. Hardbroom liking any of these suggestions. The message also noted, that they had to “remind” other students to contribute their gifts by the end of the day, and work on assembly in between classes, lunch, and have the baskets done and presented by midnight that night. Mildred groaned.“I need like three months. Tops” she sighed, looking at Tabby, who was absentmindedly giving himself a bath. He had not quite recovered from being dosed with confidence potion, and the result had been him being quite vain about his appearance as of late. “oooh that’s a thought, Tabs! Hair gel? Hair pins? I mean the upkeep of that….I mean her hair must be rock-solid…” Mildred thought out loud, and then winced. “Nah, nah better steer clear of that. I don’t want her thinking I’m making fun of her” she said quickly. She stared at the ginormous obsidian basket Ms. Pentangle had poofed into her room, which seemed to be mocking her with its substantial size. “It’ll be fine. I’ll figure it out….if I don’t Ms. Hardbroom will be crushed and go back to hating me and everyone else because she’ll think we don’t like her. No pressure”

Mildred asked almost everyone throughout the day, and no one even had an idea of a gift for Ms. Hardbroom. “Why don’t you just go with a candle” Enid said shoving a sandwich in her mouth. “I mean all grownups are obsessed with candles. Just look at my mom. The whole house smells because of her. Sometimes she just sits around and smells things. It’s so weird” she remarked.

“My mum always liked handmade gifts the best. You know, stuff I made when I was a kid. Drawings, cards, little ornaments with my handprints in them” Maud reminisced.

“Well she’s not giving her a handprint. That’s a bit weird” Enid rolled her eyes. “How about wine? Adults love wine. I mean they must, my mom has to bring one to every party she’s ever been to”

“I can’t give her that!” Mildred shrieked. “I mean that’s….we’re underage. How would we even get any to give her? Absolutely not.”

“Well how about potions ingredients?” Maud wondered. “She loves potions”

“If that’s a gift then we give her gifts every month unwillingly when she makes us gather them” Enid snorted. “It’s not a gift if it’s something you need, instead of something you want”

“What does she want?” Mildred mumbled, poking around at her soup. “For us all to be better witches. More rules? For us all to ace potions?”

“You’ll think of something, Mildred. I mean, you can count on my contribution to the basket as something handmade” Maud said proudly. “I’ve been working on my teacher gifts since this was announced” Mildred put a check next to Maud’s name on her list, writing “something handmade” under item.

“Candle” murmured Enid. “Honestly my mum won’t miss one or five. She’s got way too many” Mildred laughed and wrote it down.

“Perhaps you should ask someone who knows her well. Like Ms. Pentangle” Maud said making a face. “I’d bet she’s love to help”

“You’re a genius, Maud” Mildred said, leaping up. “I’m going to go mirror her now. She always said we could if we needed help. Thanks a bunch!”

“No problem” Maud sighed to Mildred’s retreating form.

Mildred was so excited she kept hopping off and on the mirror stool as she waited for her call to go through. She fidgeted with her sash nervously, feeling her hands get sort of clammy. She always got this way around Ms. Pentangle, who was so beautiful and charming she was almost as intimidating as Ms. Hardbroom, but in a different way. “Mildred” Ms. Pentangle appeared, smiling warmly. “What a lovely surprise” Mildred felt her shyness creeping up.

“Hi Ms. Pentangle” she said shyly. “I was just wondering if I could get your help with something.”

“Absolutely. I have a feeling I know what this is about” she said with a knowing gleam in her eye. “The basket not coming along?” Mildred’s shoulders fell.

“How did you know?” she said frustratedly.

“Hecate is not the easiest person to give gifts to. I was half-expecting you to call” Ms. Pentangle reassured her.

“I just thought…well since you were best friends and all… and hopefully you still are… I mean, no offense but your suggestions in the mirror message didn’t seem…right” Mildred screwed her face up, as if expecting a blow. Ms. Pentangle chuckled a tinkling laugh.

“Well of course they didn’t. I’d be worried if you thought they did. Those suggestions were general, intended to encompass gifts for the rest of the Cackle’s Staff. I’m afraid Hecate is in a class rather all her own” Ms. Pentangle explained.

“I…..I…just I’ve talked to a lot of the girls, who are in the same boat, they want to contribute but they don’t know what to get her. I’ve been brainstorming with Enid and Maud all morning- but I just, I want it to be really special” Mildred vented. “I really don’t want to screw this up. She’s been so kind to me, and she deserves something that will make her really happy.”

"I think” Ms. Pentangle said, smiling. “That you should make her something that represents you. You mean more to her than you realize, and while I love the occasional flashy thing (her golden heart necklace winked at Mildred as it caught the light), Hecate is a very simple person. For the other girls, she does enjoy chocolate- dark, bittersweet, though” she emphasized. “She would very much appreciate potions ingredients, especially those for a calming draught- which I know she drinks daily. Tea, is always welcome. She loves books, especially murder mysteries, and sometimes she stays up at night, mirroring me to discuss who she thinks did it and why and won’t go back to sleep until I discuss it with her….” Ms. Pentangle says chuckling. “But above all else, she loves you girls. Honestly, I know in my heart that anything that you all make her, she will treasure forever. The only way you could do it wrong…is nothing at all” Ms. Pentangle said with a brief pained expression. “Truthfully, this was a bit of the reason I wanted to help with this project. I knew you, Mildred were the only one who would turn Teacher Appreciation Week into a positive for her” she said, with her smile not quite meeting her eyes.

“What do you mean?” Mildred asked, her mind struggling to process what Ms. Pentangle’s abrupt shift in tone meant.

“I don’t want to upset you dear” Ms. Pentangle replied. “But in years past, Hecate hasn’t received a basket. They simply presented her with some red marking pens, so she could continue, as they put it, slashing them down” Ms. Pentangle sighed. “Other times it’s been mean-spirited pranks, and Hecate…never revealed to Ms. Cackle about any of this, or how much she suffered at this time because the other teachers were treated well, and so, she put up with it. For their sake. She knew that if she had said something, Ms. Cackle would have been outraged and shut the whole thing down, and she didn’t want to take it away from the other teachers” she said, wiping away a tear. “But then that’s Hecate, always so selfless” she said, her voice breaking. “I put together a basket on my own each year to show her that she wasn’t unappreciated- at least by me” she finished. Mildred’s eyes welled up with tears, and her fists clenched.

“That’s so awful. I….I had no idea….” Mildred sniffled. “I promise, Ms. Pentangle. That is not going to happen this year. I’ll make sure she gets a proper basket this year” she said firmly.

“I know you will” Ms. Pentangle said, having composed herself. “I trust you completely. Go with your heart, and encourage the other girls to do the same. It’ll mean so much more if you do that” Mildred’s mind was turning over and over.

“In fact, wait a minute I’ve got an idea! Thanks Ms. Pentangle! See you later!” Mildred said, leaping up and ending the call abruptly.

At lunchtime, Mildred had gathered the Cackle’s girls together for an announcement.“Oh here we go” Ethel groaned. “Another one of Mildred Hubble’s hair-brained schemes” she muttered. “This better be good Mildred, Felicity and I were very busy working on our baskets. You’ve no idea how many flies I’ve just had to catch” Mildred waved for silence.

“Um. This will only take a minute” she said loudly over all the talking and gossiping. “Now, now look here everyone I know, I mean I know better than anyone why Ms. Hardbroom isn’t your favorite teacher. She’s hard on us. But that’s not a reason to punish her. She’s doing her job, in the best way she knows how and I’m not going to defend every single biting remark, because she does go too far at times but…well what I’m trying to say is that despite it all, she’s a good person, and a good teacher. And she deserves to be appreciated because she works really hard, harder than any of our other teachers combined, and I’ve just learned that maybe part of the reason she’s so harsh is because she hasn’t been shown the same appreciation as the other teachers in years past and that’s not right. I intend to make this right. I want to give her a proper basket this year, no pranks. I want everyone in this room to come up with something. I’ve listed some convenient options on this list, and you can put your name next to what you are willing to contribute. If you have something else you think she’d really like then go for it, just run it by me first. It doesn’t have to be expensive, or a large gift. It just has to be something from the heart. And I know she’ll love it. So what do you say?” Mildred finished.

“She didn’t get a basket” Ethel said shocked. “I mean at all” Mildred shook her head. Everyone was feeling quite ashamed, and pushed any prank ideas they had been thinking of out of their minds. The girls shuffled and looked uncomfortably out of windows, and examined sashes thoroughly, feeling utterly guilty by association with students who had done these things.

“I’ll get the lavender” Felicity said firmly, pushing through the crowd to write her name down. “Plus I have a lipstick she’d really like” Mildred made a panicked face. “It’s a deep wine color, don’t worry, I wouldn’t give her a crazy color” Felicity said smirking, writing her gifts down on the list. One by one, the girls volunteered what they would like to make or get Ms. Hardbroom. Most, since it was so last minute, were either giving her their own possessions (something they had they thought she might like) or making something. Many signed up to write letters of appreciation or cards, one girl made necklaces and wanted to make her a moon pendant, another wanted to make her cat, Morgana, an elegant ribbon collar with a dainty bell. Mildred was amazed by her classmates’ resourcefulness and creativity, and surprised when a handful of first years were willing to go into the wood and collect some ingredients for the calming draught. Ethel had even put into the basket an old brooch of her grandmothers- “It was ugly anyway” she explained, but sat it very carefully in the basket with a handmade card, repeatedly telling Mildred to guard it with her life. By the time they were done at the end of the day, the basket was quite overflowing with hand-drawn cards, letters, candles, chocolates, potions ingredients, necklaces, etc. Mildred felt a true compassion bubble up and over out of her classmates (driven partly because of her speech, but largely out of guilt and true goodness) and she was impressed. Meanwhile, Mildred, who had had the “aha” moment for her own gift once mirroring Miss Pentangle, had been furiously sketching and painting the rest of the afternoon. She drew until her hand cramped, and the clock chimed for dinner, then 9 then, ten o’clock. She lost all sense of time, thinking of nothing except her pencil etching furiously into the paper, and the paint brush swiping, filling in the lines. Her hands, uniform and face were completely covered with paint, but finally it was finished. She sat, panting, basking in a proud glory staring at her creation. She glanced at the clock, 11:50.

“Oh no..” she murmured. “Only a few minutes to midnight…she must think….” Mildred frantically wrapped up her gift in some brown paper left over from when her mum sent her a package, and tied it with her own hair ribbon. She quickly set it on top of the overflowing stack in the basket, and hurried down the castle steps.

Chapter Text

“Hecate, you really mustn’t be so pessimistic” Miss Pentangle said, shaking her curlers briefly. “There’s still ten minutes left” she said with a knowing smile.
“Face it Pippa” Hecate said glumly. “They don’t care…about what I do for them. They think I’m harsh without reason, callous even, that I enjoy raining terror down upon them. I don’t do what I do because I want gifts or appreciation. They don’t want to honor me like the others, and I made my peace with that years ago because I am not going to change who I am to be liked” Hecate ranted.

“But?” Pippa prompted.

“But…I thought…I was foolish to think it but I had thought…. this year might be different”

“Because?”
“Oh, for duir’s sake, Pippa, you know very well why. In fact you’ve had a hand in this I know it” Pippa shrugged playfully.

“I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about” she said slyly. And then, five minutes to midnight, there was a knock that started Hecate, and made Pippa smile widely.

“That’ll be your basket then” Pippa sing-songed. “I knew Mildred wouldn’t let either of us down. I’ll call you in the morning, Hiccup, so you can show me what you got. Ta-Ta” and with that she disappeared. Hecate’s heart had leap-frogged up into her throat, and she barely registered Pippa’s disappearance. I must not get my hopes up. This is a silly tradition that means nothing she thought.

"Unless you finally got a basket. Then it would be different" a little voice chimed traitorously in her mind as Hecate threw open the door, ready to pounce if it was something trivial. Mildred Hubble stood cowering slightly in the doorway. At least, she assumed it was Mildred, but couldn’t quite be sure as her face was completely covered by the large basket in her arms. The thing was quite massive, and completely dwarfed the girl.

“Hello Miss. Uh, I know it’s cutting it a bit close. And I’m sorry it’s a bit late. But I’m…I’m here with your basket” Hecate’s heart leaped out of its cage before she could catch it and stuff it back in.
“I…I…I…couldn’t this wait until a more civilized hour” Miss Hardbroom sputtered. Mildred grinned.

“Thursday is the proper day, and I wanted to meet the deadline” Mildred said. “You’re always saying” she grunted, shifting the basket, and walking past her stunned deputy headmistress into her quarters, “how important deadlines are” With an “oof” she set it down on the obsidian coffee table by the fire. Shaking herself out of her stupor, and feeling a traitorous kid on Christmas morning feeling, she shut the door and settled herself on the couch next to Mildred, not taking her eyes off of the mountain of gifts overflowing from the basket. “Happy teacher appreciation, Miss Hardbroom” Mildred said smiling. “This is from all of us girls, everyone contributed something” Miss Hardbroom’s eyes narrowed a bit, and her fingers touched the plastic wrapping hesitantly. “No pranks, I promise. It’s all heartfelt” Mildred reassured her.

“A good teacher doesn’t require gifts” Miss Hardbroom said quietly. Mildred smiled.

“I know”

“And she doesn’t need them”

“I know, but its okay for her to want recognition for her hard work. Sometimes” Mildred said softly. Miss Hardbroom’s eyes defied her and she deftly swiped at them with her long pointed nails. Mildred briefly wondered how she did so without taking her eye out. “Well. Go on. Open it up!” Mildred said excitedly, bouncing on the couch as if it were a present for her, even though she knew everything that was inside. Miss Hardbroom smirked, and delicately began to unfurl the ribbon, “Come on, HB we aren’t going to save the wrappings” Mildred groaned.

“It is my present and I will unwrap it as I wish” Miss Hardbroom replied. Inside she found a bevy of letters and cards. Many had hand-drawn drawings, not all of them, Hecate had decided, were as talented artistically as Mildred, but her heart leapt at some of the elementary, yet beautiful drawings of Cackles, stick figure girls stirring potions, with hearts around crude drawings of her. She made little gasps, smiled, and chuckled as she poured through the basket. The potions ingredient bundle for a calming draught particularly made her smile, as she knew the girls would have needed to make a special expedition into the wood to hunt for it. Among her favorites were a marking quill from Beatrice, a new book by one of her favorite potioneers, Herbert Draugthorn, from Clarice, a small beautifully crafted black dreamcatcher from Sybil, with golden moon, sun, and star charms. There was the lavender scented candle from Enid, who had been thoughtful enough to also include a letter, the first few lines of which nearly did her in. Maud had made her an apron, so that she would not get stains on her dress when picking potions ingredients. She had sewed it herself, and stitched “HB” in the corner in gold thread. This particularly made the tears begin to run, unburdened, down her cheeks (Hecate had honestly astonished herself at being able to keep the tears at bay until the end of her gifts). She brushed her fingers over Ethel’s brooch, a family heirloom that clearly meant a lot to her, and smiled at Felicity’s lipstick, but turned rather pink at her note, which Mildred peered over, could only make out something about Miss Pentangle. “Cheeky” she was all she said, flipping the note over, and sliding it with the rest. Mildred had saved her gift for last.

“I…um, I’m so glad you like everything. But there’s one more thing” Mildred said, looking away graciously as Hecate tried her best to compose herself. “I….I… I madeyouthis” she said fast, thrusting out a journal. Hecate, overwhelmed with emotion, took it. Mildred screwed her eyes shut again, and for a few moments only heard the flipping of pages. Hecate meanwhile, opened the leatherbound journal expecting to find some sort of handwritten letter, or blank pages with some sort of artistic detail. She found neither. What she saw took her breath away. There was an illustrated potions alphabet, with each herb and ingredient hand-drawn with such care, Hecate felt she could pluck them off the very page. Each one was labeled in Mildred’s chicken scratch handwriting. The inscription at the beginning read: “To the best teacher, from Mildred Hubble”

“Mildred Hubble” she said very softly. “This is….exquisite”

“Really?” Mildred asked.

“The artistry is quite accurate and….I…I..have never, in my life received such a thoughtful gift” Hecate murmured, awkwardly overcome with emotion, brushing her fingernails over the drawings. “You are very talented, Mildred” she said, feeling the wet on her cheeks but trying her best to blink the tears away. They stubbornly continued to fall all over the place, and Hecate had a brief moment of panic at her lack of control. Steadying her breathing, and allowing herself to remember that this was a good thing, she smiled softly at Mildred.

“Thank you” Mildred beamed. “That means a lot coming from you” she said. “There’s a letter in there too, but if you don’t want to keep crying I’d suggest reading it later, it’s kinda soppy” Mildred said shyly.

“Noted” Hecate managed, her eyes still very watery, pulling her pupil into a stiff hug. “It will likely be much like your essays…too much fluff, and not enough of a research based point” she remarked, trying desperately to get back her normal bite. Mildred ignored this, knowing she was overwhelmed and deflecting.

“Was it everything you hoped it would be?” Mildred said into her dress.

“It was so much more” Hecate said softly against the top of her head. “Thank you, Mildred” she said quietly.

“You’re welcome” Mildred said softly, snuggling into her teacher’s embrace. “Also I ate some of your chocolates”

“What?” Hecate started.

“Look there were a lot in there, and artists need fuel” Mildred defended, coming out of the hug. “I’m not going to sleep tonight anyway, I’ve already had too much sugar. Hey…I can I try on the lipstick?” Mildred chattered.

“No, it’s bedtime for you. You’ve already been up far too late” she said desperately swiping at her cheeks with her handkerchief

“What were you doing up, anyway?” Mildred yawned. “Chatting with Ms. Pentangle perhaps?” she made an elementary-sounding “ooh-ooh.”

“Bed. Now” Hecate growled, pink coloring her cheeks ever so slightly, as she transferred them both back to Mildred’s room.

“Mmm-not sleepy” Mildred said groggily as Hecate magicked her into her pajamas, and helped her into bed.

“Hmm really if you’re so awake- then what is the root of dandelion useful for?” Hecate quizzed with a small smirk.

“Uh…I don’t know that…ever…” she said blearily. Hecate chuckled, and tucked her into bed crisply. Mildred, half asleep, undid it by kicking her feet out. Hecate huffed at this and put her arm up to transfer away. Then she turned and saw her desk, covered in crayon stains, colored pencils used to the nub, crumpled up pieces of paper littering the ground. Potions books had been flipped open, their pages dog-eared so much they were falling off, real flowers in water, a model for her project. She imagined the many hours and the amount of heartfelt effort she had put into her gift, and how she had likely worked through the night on it. She realized that she stood there, arm up to transfer away, frozen in this position for several minutes, staring at the desk, and then at Mildred’s sleeping form.

“I don’t deserve…you, Mildred” she whispered. “But I will endeavor to…I promise” she whispered over her as she slept, kissing her gently on the forehead.

Chapter Text

The end of the week had come much too quickly for Mildred’s liking, and she woke up on Friday morning with an odd pang of sadness. Her relationship with Ms. Hardbroom had veritably transformed over the past week. Was this some sort of week-long dream? Would things go back to the way things had been before? she wondered, heart sinking, as she pushed herself out of bed, landing firmly on the floor.

“Ow” she winced, rubbing her backside, groaning as her maglet fell off the bed onto her lap, chiming wildly.

Enid: “So how’d it go? Did she like everything?” Mildred smiled.

Maud: TELL US EVERYTHING! Did you see her office? Did she like my apron?

Mildred: She loved everything! I could tell though she really liked both of your gifts, they made her cry- especially Enid’s letter.

Mildred: Her office is really nice actually J Not a hangman’s noose or a shackle in sight, ENID

Enid: (emoji with tongue sticking out)

Mildred then scrolled down and saw several messages from Ms. Pentangle. One was requesting a general meeting at noon with all the girls about Friday’s events. Another was an individual message, asking her to meet her in the gardens at 10 Am.

“10 AM” Mildred glared at her clock. “That’s now!” she shrieked, stumbling towards the closet, throwing her uniform on in a rush. Tabby watched Mildred scramble around frantically with a lazy eye. This was usually how his mistress woke up, so this was not at all out of the ordinary. She hopped out the door with one boot on, tugging the other one on, plaiting her hair sloppily, and skidding down the corridor.

Ms. Pentangle, looking even more breath-taking than she did in the mirror, was sitting daintily on a quaint stone bench in middle of the school gardens. She was wearing a flowing yellow dress with pink flowers extending on vines through the skirt. A small pink watering can sat next to her pink stilettos, as she flipped through a light pink planner. She rose gracefully, catching Mildred’s stumble over a plant as if she expected it.

“There she is!” Ms. Pentangle held her forearms firmly, and helped her back up and straight into a warm hug. Mildred, a bit bewildered, hugged her back. Ms. Pentangle pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed dramatically at her tears. “I cannot find the words enough to thank you, Mildred Hubble, for what you did for Hecate”

“Oh…I…” Mildred started.

“I know- that it was you who rallied the girls in order to give Hecate a proper basket. Without you, they would not have overcome their prejudice against her. Without your courage and determination she would have had yet another year of misery. Thank you, Mildred. You have such a large heart, and I know, I know it meant the world to her” Miss Pentangle finished, voice cracking, still holding tightly to her hand.

“Oh it was nothing” Mildred said humbly, sitting beside her. “I mean, the girls really care about her deep down- I didn’t make them do anything except bring it forward” Ms. Pentangle smiled.

“Humble as always, an admirable trait in a young witch” she complimented. Mildred kicked a circle in the dirt, and looked down shyly. “Oh...enough of this I’m going to ruin my makeup. Come here!” Ms. Pentangle pulled her into a warm hug. Mildred choked slightly, both on the scent of her floral perfume, and the amount she was being squeezed but snuggled in anyway. “You’re welcome” she wheezed. Ms. Pentangle finally released her after a few moments, still staring at her tenderly. Mildred cleared her throat awkwardly.

“Um. So, uh do you have any ideas about where I should take Ms. Hardbroom for our day out? I mean, I have no idea what she uh...does in her free time, other than hang out with you of course” Mildred stuttered. Ms. Pentangle looked thoughtful.

“Well. Hecate is very much a homebody. It is true she prefers staying in, than going out. But I think sometimes people need a little nudge out of their comfort zone. What do you like to do, Mildred?”

“But this is about Ms. Hardbroom...not me” Mildred said confused.

“You might be surprised at how similar the two of you are” Ms. Pentangle twittered. “In fact, I think the two of you are very much alike, in many ways” Mildred crinkled up her nose. “Besides, I think Hecate needs a little nudge out of her comfort zone”

“Well my mum and I always used to go out for ice cream after school on Fridays” Mildred mused. “We would just see who could make the most insane ice cream combos with toppings and flavors” Ms. Pentangle clapped her hands in delight.

“How fun!” she said. Mildred smiled, gaining more confidence as she brainstormed.

“Sometimes we would just go for a picnic outside. Mum would pack us a lunch and we would go out to the top of a big grassy hill and just sit and eat and talk about things. Sometimes we would watch the clouds and point out the shapes they make. I would bring my sketchpad sometimes and do some drawing...and she would read. I mean, I know it sounds kinda lame but...it’s really...peaceful” Ms. Pentangle was swiping at her eyes with her long pink nails. “I mean...it’s not real fancy or anything...but do you think she might like to do that with me?”

“Mildred...I couldn’t have planned anything better. That’s perfect. I told you....you two are so similar” Ms. Pentangle said with watery eyes. “She’s going to love it” Mildred beamed and hopped off the bench.

“Thanks Ms. Pentangle” she said brightly as she started to leave. “Ms. Pentangle...” she said turning slightly. “Would you like to come with us?” Ms. Pentangle smiled, and touched her heart.

“Mildred that is so sweet. But I think this should be just the two of you. I have a feeling in the future the three of us will have some outings together soon” Ms. Pentangle said with a hopeful smile. When Mildred hesitated, Ms. Pentangle shooed her along, waving her pink hankerchief at her like a flag fluttering in the afternoon breeze. Ms. Pentangle waited until the swinging braids were out of sight so she could dab at her eyes more freely, and in a puff of pink smoke...she was gone, leaving glittering pink dust in her wake.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Mildred approached Ms. Hardbroom’s office with her heart in her throat. What if she doesn’t like it? What if she says she doesn’t want to do it? What if she wants to stock potions ingredients the whole day? “Shut up” she told her inner voice sternly. “Ms. Pentangle said she’s going to like it so she’s going to like it” Mildred said, giving herself a little slap on the cheek to snap herself out of it. Of course, at that exact moment, the door to Ms. Hardbroom’s office swung open, and her form mistress stood in the doorway.

“Mil-dred. Hub-ble" she said slowly. “I would ask that you stop physically assaulting yourself and come inside” she drawled. Mildred blushed, and stepped past her form mistress inside, embarrassed at being caught in a moment of weirdness.

“Good morning Ms. Hardbroom” she said shyly, taking a seat in the obsidian chair across from the coffee table. “Did you, uh, get the mirror message?” Ms. Hardbroom nodded, seating herself on the couch opposite, watching Mildred with a suspicious expression.

“I am told...today is a...fun...day...out” Ms. Hardbroom squeezed the words out as if they were deeply offensive. Mildred smiled at her discomfort.

“That’s right. Absolutely no work for you today, HB” Mildred said brightly.

“I would prefer....not to” Miss Hardbroom said plainly.

“Ms. Pentangle said you would say that” Mildred said smiling widely. “But you don’t have a choice” Ms. Hardbroom rubbed her temples.

“All right then. Let’s get it over with. Some sort of inane carnival? A game where I am to humilate myself? An event where I am forced to...speak to people...” Ms. Hardbroom droned.

“No...no...nothing like that” Mildred said quickly.

“Then what do you have planned?” Ms. Hardbroom said suspiciously.

“Well...” Mildred quickly summarized her plans for the day, detailing the ice cream, the picnic, the cloud-watching, reading and drawing...everything she had told Ms. Pentangle earlier. Miss Hardbroom listened quietly, asking no questions, merely digesting the information and allowing Mildred to babble on that these were things she liked to do with her mother, not that she thought of her as her mother but.....

Ms. Hardbroom was thinking hard. The list of activities was not...unacceptable. Not unacceptable at all. She was surprised, shocked even. The activities were suited to herself and her temperament. It was out of her comfort zone, she admitted- as any sort of time for herself without a purpose felt selfish. But not so far out of her comfort zone as to cause her great distress. She realized that Mildred had likely taken this into account. She had been...very thoughtful, and respectful of her feelings.

“Uh, so.....Ms. Hardbroom, what do you think?” Mildred stammered, realizing that she had been talking for quite a while, and her teacher seemed lost in her own thoughts, staring off somewhere behind her. “Does that seem, okay?” Ms. Hardbroom shook herself out of her reverie.

“Provided we are back by 2:30, I have no obvious...objections” she said carefully, gifting her pupil with a small smile. Mildred beamed.

“Great! We’re going to have so much fun! First up ice cream!!!” Mildred hollered, doing a little dance. Ms. Hardbroom sighed.

“If this what your energy level is like pre-sugar, Mil-dred Hubble, then this is going to be a very long afternoon” she quipped.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Before they left, Mildred and Ms. Hardbroom met the other faculty and their students in the great hall. Mildred was delighted to learn of Ethel, Felicity, Maud and Enid’s plans for their teachers; Ethel was reluctantly taking Mr. Rowan Webb on a tour of the “famous ponds of England” from a frog’s perspective (they would both be transfiguring themselves for the day), Felicity and Ms. Bat were going shopping, (Ms. Bat definitely needs a wardrobe upgrade and a full makeover!), Enid and Miss Drill were doing parkour, and various other extreme challenges (relay races, how many sand witches can you eat in a minute), etc. Ms. Cackle was going to teach Maud to knit, and they were going for a nice quiet lunch, and a movie (We’re going to watch “Harry Potter” because Mildred said it’s amazing, and Ms. Cackle wants to know why Mildred’s mum brings it up every time she comes here). Ms. Cackle smiled at the pair of them, Mildred looking excited, and Hecate stoic, but sneaking small fond glances at Mildred when she thought she wasn’t looking. Since they were going to be among non-magic folk to various degrees, Ms. Cackle had instructed everyone to change into non-magic attire, with Mildred helping to explain and advise when students were confused on what that meant. Mildred had changed out of her Cackles’ uniform and opted for a short sleeve white T-Shirt that had a paint splatter design all over it (Ms. Hardbroom had a difficult time understanding that she had not, in fact, put on an old shirt with paint all over it- and that it was a style. A style to look unkempt, and covered in artistic material....?), and blue jeans. Ms, Hardbroom had opted for a simple black day dress that fell just past her knees, with quarter length sleeves. Ms. Pentangle had talked her out of her first choice of simple black slacks and a black cardigan- “Hecate you will simply burn up in that. You’ll not be in public for long, most of the time it’ll just be you and Mildred. Please, please you’ll look beautiful.” Her hair remained in it’s usual rigid coif and on her feet she had on a pair of simple pointed black flats. Ms. Hardbroom felt distinctly uncomfortable standing before Ms. Cackle in the outfit, feeling quite exposed and out of control for the first time- fighting the urge to transfer back into her usual attire and cover up her exposed shins, elbows and even the tops of her feet. Of course it didn’t help that Maud Spellbody’s mouth was hanging open stupidly, her eyes bugging out of her head, staring at her.

“Maud Spellbody, gaping is not becoming on a young witch” Ms. Hardbroom said sternly. Maud shook her head and blinked, as if trying to wake herself up from a dream.

“Uh, sorry Ms. Hardbroom. It’s just I’ve never seen ...you look so....” Ms. Hardbroom braced herself for the insult. “nice” Maud finished shyly. Ms. Hardbroom’s suspicious gaze softened ever so slightly.

“Thank you Maud” she said quietly. “You look very....appropriately dressed as well” Maud was wearing and brown overall corduroy dress over a simple white t-shirt, and she shuffled her feet at the compliment, squeaking out a “thank you.” Ms. Cackle, who had been in conversation with Miss Drill came over to join Maud, Ms. Hardbroom, and Mildred. She was dressed not wildly differently than her normal attire, in a simple dark pink cardigan, light pink blouse, and a flowing cream skirt.

“Remember! Absolutely no speaking about or performing magic in front of non-magical folk” Ms. Cackle reminded. “Of course, I’m not too worried about you two given your plans. You’ll be mostly away from other people for most of the day, according to what Mildred told me” Ms. Hardbroom nodded stiffly. “Oh, Have so much fun you two” Ms. Cackle said giving Mildred a big hug, whilst making eye contact with Hecate over her shoulder. Releasing Mildred, Ms. Cackle clasped Hecate’s hand warmly. “I know you’ll have such a wonderful time” she said purposefully as Hecate looked at her helplessly, looking down her glasses with a knowing smile. Ms. Hardbroom’s posture relaxed ever so slightly.

“See you later Millie! Thanks for the movie recommendation!” Maud exclaimed giving Mildred a tight hug.

“You’re welcome! I can’t wait to hear what you, and Ms. Cackle think of it” Mildred giggled, but gasped slightly as Ms. Hardbroom took hold of her hand.

“We’re going to transfer. I need you to listen to my instructions carefully. Do not let go of my hand until I tell you. The contents of your stomach should remain inside your body” Ms. Hardbroom instructed.

“Wait a minute, what?” Mildred cried. “Am I gonna be si-” and with a curl of her hand, they were gone.

“Well Maud, I don’t think either one of them will come back from this outing quite the same as they went into it” Ms. Cackle mused. Maud shrugged.

“Maybe that’s a good thing?” Maud asked hesitantly. Ms. Cackle smiled and booped her on the nose.

“I think so too, Maud. I think so too. Now, let’s get into this Harry Potter, I’ve heard so much about. What on earth is a dumble-dore and why does Mildred call me that?”

“I guess we’ll find out, Ms. Cackle” Maud said, linking arms with her as the two started down the hill.

Chapter Text

Mildred had expected transferring to be a transcendent experience- where she was traveling through all time and space- disconnected from all reality, connected with the universe. In reality, she was at Cackle’s, and then when she opened her eye, she realized she was standing in a small field. It was actually kind of underwhelming. She could feel the tall grasses brushing and swaying against her legs, and a warm summer breeze playing with her braids. HA! Mildred thought looking around her. Transferring is no big--- all of a sudden, an intense nausea filled her, and she immediately emptied the contents of her stomach. She was so busy being sick, she had forgotten that her right hand was still tightly clasped in Ms. Hardbroom’s. But the hand didn’t release hers. If anything, it tightened, and the other came up to grasp her braids and hold them out of her face. Once Mildred felt her stomach had recovered, she immediately felt the most acute embarrassment she had ever felt. She was pretty sure there wasn’t a part of her body that wasn’t completely tomato red.

“Ms. Hardbroom, I-”

“Mildred. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Transferring is often hard on the body the first time” Ms. Hardbroom said matter-of-factly. “Besides, you’ve made plenty of room now for some...frozen dessert” Mildred snorted.

“Ice cream” Mildred corrected. “And where are we anyway?”

“I chose a location best suited to our activities- a secluded field, not far from a town where there is a suitable ice...cream establishment” Ms. Hardbroom remarked.

“Oh bats...the picnic supplies....the basket...it’s back at the castle!” Mildred cried, and Ms. Hardbroom gestured lazily.

“Don’t alarm yourself. I will simply transfer them when we need them” Ms. Hardbroom said quietly. Mildred was floored that she wasn’t getting a rebuke about how she should be more prepared, etc. Mildred looked curiously up at Ms. Hardbroom and saw that she looked a bit more relaxed in the sunlight. The small lines on her face seemed to fade slightly.

“Oookay. Well then. Watch the puke. Don’t step in it. And let’s gooo!” Mildred bounced, grasping her hand and leading her down the hill.

By the time Mildred and Ms. Hardbroom reached the bottom of the hill, both were panting heavily. After all it was a hot, June afternoon, and the pair were relieved to see the small town offering a cooling respite from the sun. Walking amongst “normal” non-magic folk holding hands with Ms. Hardbroom was, Mildred felt, quite strange, but also oddly natural. Many smiled at them as they passed, with Ms. Hardbroom stiffening every time they did so. Before long, they had reached a teal and pink striped awning that with big pink cursive retro-style letters spelling out “What’s the Scoop?” which sent Mildred into peals of giggles. She felt suddenly yanked backwards when Ms. Hardbroom was stopped suddenly, staring at the shop with an vaguely petrified expression.

“Ooof. What’s the matter, HB?” Mildred asked.

“I....I...don’t...I mean, I can’t remember...the last time...I...not in years...” she stuttered, her face flushing a bit.

“Sorry HB, I forgot. Don’t panic. It’s easy. I’ll help you. You just read the sign there, and then you figure out what flavors you want. You can get one scoop or two...I dunno how big the scoops are here but I usually just go for one. I’ve got the money, so I’ll pay for it. And then you can pick your toppings. If you don’t want any, that’s cool but that’s the best part...they’ve got soo many...it’ll make sense when we get in there I promise. Trust me” Mildred chattered, and Ms. Hardbroom reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled into the shop. The bell jangled loudly as they entered, and Mildred sighed with relief feeling the air conditioning.

“Where on earth?” Ms. Hardbroom jumped, feeling the burst of cold air upon entering. “This whole establishment is under a cooling spell” she whispered to Mildred.

“No HB, it’s just air conditioning” Mildred explained. “It comes from a machine, not magic” Ms. Hardbroom stared suspiciously at the ceiling vents, as they were greeted by an overly enthusiastic young employee.

“Welcome to “What’s the Scoop?” Ladies. Are you ready to order?” Ms. Hardbroom stiffened up.

“I think we’re gonna need few minutes” Mildred responded politely, leading Ms. Hardbroom over to the case. “Okay, so if you if you want to try anything you can just ask for a sample. They’ll give you a little bit of the ice cream on a stick to see if you like it, so you don’t buy a whole ice cream you don’t want” Mildred explained, pressing her face excitedly against the case. “Ooooh Chocolate chip cookie dough is the best!!!! Caramel delight looks good too though... Do you remember what you like, HB? From when you were a kid?” Ms. Hardbroom furrowed her brow, peering into the case.

“I’m sure I don’t...recall” Ms. Hardbroom said honestly. “I suppose...I liked vanilla”

“Oh my god HB” Mildred smacked her head on the case. “Plain vanilla? That is so boring come on” Ms. Hardbroom blanched.

“There is a wrong ice cream choice?” she mused. Mildred smacked her hand against her face.

“I mean. No, not technically. That’s my opinion, you can get whatever you want. Do you want my recommendations?” Mildred asked. Ms. Hardbroom considered for a moment.

“I suppose I am curious. And this is your outing, that you’ve planned. Fine, what would you recommend, for me?” she acquiesced, staring her down intensely. Mildred smiled hugely.

“Coffee. You love coffee. I never see you without your cuppa in class. Or dark chocolate” Mildred said. Ms. Hardbroom smiled, a rare smile.

“So...are you and your daughter ready to order?” The employee asked innocently. Mildred snickered as Ms. Hardbroom’s mouth fell open, and she started stammering.

“Yep” Mildred cut in before she could correct her. “Mom, can get two scoops pretty please???” Mildred batted her eyelashes exaggeratedly.

“It’s so hard to say no when they give you the cute eyes” The employee said to Ms. Hardbroom. “I have a little boy at home and its like this all the time”

“As long as you can pay for it” Ms. Hardbroom ground out, turning towards Mildred. Her face had flushed, and she was glaring daggers at her pupil.

“Great I’ll get two scoops of the chocolate chip cookie dough, and then for toppings lets do caramel sauce, brownies, reeses peanut butter cups, and some whipped cream please! In a bowl. And she’ll have a scoop of the dark chocolate in a bowl” Mildred said happily. “Mom, do you want any toppings?” Ms. Hardbroom’s glare intensified every time her pupil used the word “mom” but Mildred seemed to be having a ball taunting her with it. “Because the ice cream itself isn’t sufficient? No thank you” Ms. Hardbroom responded, rolling her eyes.

“Oh, boy. She’s gonna be hitting the ceiling, tonight am I right ?” the employee said to Ms. Hardbroom. “Forget about getting her to bed at a decent hour”

“She goes to bed when I tell her, regardless of the amount of sugar she has consumed” Ms. Hardbroom said sharply. Undeterred, the employee chattered on:

“Well then you’re a better parent than me. You should write a book if you can do that. I’d read it” she said brightly. “Is this some kind of celebration then?”

“You could say that” Ms. Hardbroom said tightly, but looking at Mildred fondly, who had found another customer’s large white poodle- and was laughing as the dog licked her all over your face.

“You know sometimes you can tell just by looking at ‘em that two people are related. I knew right away you were mother and daughter” the girl chirped. The statement felt like it hit Hecate straight in the heart. Her world felt like it was spinning, as she struggled to digest the powerful emotions coursing through her. Shock, confusion, embarrassment, guilt, surprise, sadness, and ended on a burst of traitorous pride and happiness, and a warmth of something she dared not name- at least not now, not yet. "Thank you” she managed, taking the bowls in a daze, as Mildred came over and paid.

The pair were silent as they trudged back up the hill (Ms. Hardbroom didn’t want to risk transferring in case they were seen)- Mildred because she was a bit afraid that she had gone too far with the whole mother-daughter joke and upset her teacher, and Ms. Hardbroom because she was desperately trying to process her emotions about the whole exchange. As they reached the field again, Ms. Hardbroom transferred the picnic basket and accessories Mildred had packed- and it began to unpack itself and set itself up on the grass. A gingham cloth unfurled itself, and Ms. Hardbroom and Mildred seated themselves upon it, finally digging into their ice creams, which had now become a bit melted.

“So...” Mildred said in between bites. “Was that weird down there? I’m really sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I honestly was just joking around” Ms. Hardbroom poked delicately at her ice cream, examining the bite carefully before putting it in her mouth.

“I was...taken off guard” Ms. Hardbroom murmured. “But I am not angry with you- if that is what you are asking” Mildred sighed in relief.

“Whew. That’s good. I mean, honestly, it’s a compliment, anyway. I would be proud to have you as my mom” Mildred said. “I mean I’d never be able to get away with anything....oh wait, I can’t get away with anything now” she giggled. Ms. Hardbroom did something then that shocked both herself and Mildred- she laughed. Not a little laugh, a big laugh. It was such a foreign sound that she had never heard before, and Mildred was so shocked she almost dropped her ice cream bowl. It was over so quickly Mildred almost thought for a second she hallucinated it, but Ms. Hardbroom’s look of embarrassment told her she didn’t.

“You do laugh!” Mildred yelled, excited.

“Go ahead, get excited” Ms. Hardbroom said evenly, trying to recover. “No one will ever believe you” Mildred stuck her tongue out at her teacher and went back to her ice cream.

“I have never ever been called..... ‘mom’” Ms. Hardbroom squeezed out. “And I’m not quite sure how I feel about it” she said honestly. Mildred nodded.

“That make sense- for what it’s worth, I take it as a compliment” Mildred said, taking a huge bite of her ice cream. “ARGh brain freeze” she said scrunching up her face and holding her temples.

“Take what as a compliment?” Ms. Hardbroom said, amused.

“That someone thought I was your daughter” Mildred crunched. “I mean, hello that would make me like a super-witch with superpowers” she said smirking and waggling her fingers. “And I could transfer and probably would be so much better at everything- especially potions”

“I....” Ms. Hardbroom’s face softened. “I...would be proud to be your mother as well. But talent and power are not always genetic, Mildred. You shouldn’t stop working hard because of your family background” she reminded.

“I know.....sheesh such a mom lecture” Mildred joked. Ms. Hardbroom’s eyes narrowed, and with a flick of her finger, Mildred was wearing her ice cream on her face. Mildred shrieked in surprise. Ms. Hardbroom smirked. “I can’t believe you just did that” Mildred said, licking the area around her mouth. “But maybe I’ll just give you a big...hug” Mildred advanced threateningly, ice cream still all over her face, hands and front.

“Mil-dred Hubble...don’t you dare....”Ms. Hardbroom warned, and with a curl of her fingertips she was cleaned.

“Not fair” Mildred grumbled, sitting back down.

“Is this the sort of...activities you would do with your mother?” Ms. Hardbroom asked curiously.

“Yeah. Actually that’s where I got the idea. We’d do this all the time... get ice cream, have a picnic, cloud-watch, read, draw.... swim if there was a lake nearby. And just you know talk about stuff” Mildred explained. Ms. Hardbroom stiffened abruptly. “But we don’t have to...I mean, we are talking, but we don’t have to you know spill our whole lives out to each other or anything. I mean, we don’t have to do everything me and my mom would do. But I think you’d like cloud watching?”

“I’m already quite familiar with this hobby. It was a favorite of mine as a girl” Ms. Hardbroom replied.

“Really? Talking about feelings?” Mildred said cheekily.

“Cloud-watching, you insipid girl. Now lie down before I change my mind” Mildred scooted close to her teacher, lying down next to her on the blanket. Stealthily, she slipped her hand in her teacher’s, and was surprised to find that she did not resist.

“Now, witches do cloud-watching a bit differently. Watch” Ms. Hardbroom said mysteriously. Mildred looked raptly up at the lazy bits of white fluff drifting their way across the sky. Ms. Hardbroom raised her arm, extended her hand and made a gripping motion with her fingers. One cloud stopped moving, and pulled away from the rest. Mildred’s eyes widened. She watched as Ms. Hardbroom’s fingers made pulling and twisting motions, and the cloud, which had been rather plump to begin with, began to change shape. It slowly thinned out, then four small strips at the bottom appeared, then one long strip in the back, with a smaller round bit at the left top corner. Mildred gaped, and then laughed.

“Is it animal of some kind. Four legs and a tail...?” she asked. Ms. Hardbroom nodded. And added two triangular ears to the animal's head. “It’s a cat! Wow! That’s brilliant, HB!” Ms. Hardbroom, smiled slightly, still focused on her manipulations.

“I haven’t done this in many, many, years. Pip- Ms. Pentangle was always better than me” she said softly. As Mildred watched, paws appeared, then two cloudy cat eyes, followed by a nose, mouth, and some whiskers.

“Wow. That’s amazing” Mildred exclaimed, awestruck.

“Now wait for this next part....if I remember correctly...” Ms. Hardbroom murmured, eyes still trained on the cloud-cat. She spoke a few words under her breath, and flexed her fingers, still outstretched, keeping control of her creation. The cloud cat opened its eyes, blinked at Mildred and Hecate, and then arched its’ back, giving a loud meow. Mildred gasped with delight.

“HB that’s the bats” Mildred cried. “Can I try?” Ms. Hardbroom nodded.

“You’d best stick to shaping, not animating. Animating is a great deal more complex” Ms. Hardbroom explained.

Mildred and Ms. Hardbroom quickly lost track of all time, spending the afternoon ensconced in their cloud-shaping, with Hecate teaching Mildred the proper spells and rudimentary basics so that they could each manipulate clouds into shapes and have the other person guess what they were creating. Ms. Hardbroom couldn’t recall the last time she had such a pleasurable afternoon, and the student and teacher continued with their teasing and engaging banter that felt very natural and comfortable for them both. Meanwhile at Cackles’, party preparations were underway.....

Chapter Text

“A little higher, Clarice, a-hup...that’s good” Ms. Pentangle called decisively, waving her arms like a traffic conductor, directing Clarice, who was in the middle of levitating a “Happy Magister Honorem Week!” above the entry. She glanced at her watch. Only 20 minutes left until the closing ceremonies, and still so much to do! She checked and double-checked her clipboard.

“Sybil, how’s the food looking?” Ms. Pentangle asked, moving over to where the young girl was setting up the snacks and beverages table, catered of course, by Ms. Tapioca.

“Good, Ms. Pentangle. We’ve got everything you asked for. Ms. Tapioca’s quite burned out. It’s quite a spread” Sybil exclaimed, tottering slightly, carrying several characuterie board over to the table.

“As it should be” Ms. Pentangle said firmly. “A feast fit for queens” She turned and her pink high-heels click-clacked over to Beatrice, who was busy leading rehearsals of the musical performance planned for entertainment. “Beatrice? How’s the rehearsals coming?”

“Uhm...okay?” Beatrice smiled hesitantly. “I think we should’ve started rehearsing earlier in the week, but I mean....they can’t hate it can they? ” she said cheekily. Ms. Pentangle channeled her inner Ms. Hardbroom and stared her down. “We’ll just keep practicing then” Beatrice said nervously. Ms. Pentangle paced up and down, trying to keep her nerves in check, and wolfing down a cupcake at every opportunity. This had to be the absolute best party Cackles’ had ever seen. She was halfway into a third when Sybil cut her off.

“No more stress-eating, Miss. I think you should take minute” Sybil said, pushing her towards the door. Miss Pentangle smiled guiltily, and cupped her cheek fondly.

“Oh you’re right, you girls know what you’re doing, I’m just hanging around nitpicking and getting under everyone’s feet. It’s not that I don’t trust you girls, I just want everything to be perfect for He- I mean, the staff” Miss Pentangle sighed. Sybil nodded good-naturedly, pushing her lightly towards the door.

“You know, when I’m nervous a bit of fresh air always does me good” Sybil said, motioning with her hand. Clarice quickly took the cupcake tray out of sight. “Why don’t you just take a walk? Honestly, we’ve got things covered here” Ms. Pentangle followed Sybil’s advice and found a bench outside the great hall, munching a last cupcake she had managed to smuggle. As she was at the front of the castle, she would be the first to greet the returning teachers and pupils from their fun day out.

“Oh Pippa” she said to herself. “You know it’s going to be wonderful, we mustn’t get all worked up over nothing” Miss Pentangle couldn’t help a nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right, and it was eating away at her. It felt like something bad was going to happen, and however much she had tried to loose herself in party planning, the feeling kept following, like an icky shadow she just couldn’t shake. Suddenly she was pulled from her reverie by two frogs hopping up the hill. She stood and re-adjusted her dress, as they transformed into a drowned looking Ethel, and a delighted Mr. Rowan-Webb.

“Well met, Mr. Rowan-Webb, Ethel” Miss Pentangle said, making the appropriate witches’ greeting gesture. “Did you have a nice day?” she asked, smirking slightly at Ethels’ KILL ME expression.

“Oh, lovely, lovely. Spent the whole day touring the best, most beautiful lilly ponds, catching up with old friends....and new ones too! Turns out this one was quite the catch as frog! I had to ward off quite a few proposals from some fine young amphibians, eh Ethel? Who would have thought?” he chortled. Ethel’s eyes pleaded with Miss Pentangle to rescue her, as she shook her head, traumatized. Miss Pentangle wince-smiled.

“Well, that sounds...like an adventure. Ethel, would you mind helping your sister with the food. You always know how to place things so elegantly” Miss Pentangle said quickly. Ethel lit up.

“Of course, Miss Pentangle” she said, shooting her a grateful look and rushing inside. Miss Pentangle smiled at Mr. Rowan-Webb politely.

“You two the first two back, so if you’ll just wait out here, the ceremonies will start in a few minutes, when everyone has returned” she explained. No sooner had she uttered the words, than two broomsticks appeared, both heavily laden with shopping bags, cresting gently over the top of the hill. Miss Pentangle smiled, and waved their riders, Ms. Bat and Felicity down for a landing.

“Well you girls have done some damage” Miss Pentangle said approvingly, and Miss Bat and Felicity giggled.

“We did” Miss Bat said girlishly, blushing as Mr. Rowan Webb wiggled his eyebrows at her playfully. Felicity beamed.

“It was soo much fun. Ms. Bat is going to look like a completely new witch. She has developed wonderful taste (with some guidance from myself of course) In fact, I think she should wear one of her new pieces to the ceremonies” Felicity said proudly. Ms. Bat took Felicity’s hand.

“Thank you Felicity. I’ve never felt so spoiled” she said warmly. A wave of understanding passed between the old and young witches. They hugged tenderly. Miss Pentangle smiled at the pair. Though she had mostly been focused on making sure Hecate had a good week, that her relationship with Mildred strengthened, she was happy to see the other teacher-pupil pairs developing strong relationships as well. She swiftly wiped a tear from her eye with a long pink nail. Ms. Bat brought Felicity over to Mr. Rowan-Webb, telling him animatedly of their adventures. Then shooting over the hill so fast, Miss Pentangle almost missed them, Miss Drill and Enid, who were predictably racing each other back to the castle.

“I win! I’m the CHAMPION!” Enid crowed, racing around the turret in a victory lap before alighting in the courtyard. Miss Drill, laughing and whooping, was right behind her.

“I thought you’re supposed to let me win, Enid, as I am the honoree of the week” Miss Drill teased. Enid smirked.

“In your dreams” she said. “Always do your best. No exceptions- Miss Drill” she quoted. Miss Drill put a hand over her heart.

“Well you’ve got me there. My own words used against me. I’ve taught you too well” she said affectionately ruffling Enid’s hair. “Aw Bat and Rowan-Webb beat us back? What is the world coming to?” she exclaimed. “For goodness’ sake one pair was hopping” Miss Pentangle snorted, and then coughed delicately to cover it up. Maud and Ms. Cackle touched down next, still quite caught up in some conversation, that was making Miss Cackle laugh so heartily that she almost fell off her broom.

“All I’m saying is....there are some parallels. I’m pretty sure if Miss Hardbroom was ever turned into a man....she’d look exactly like Professor Snape” Maud giggled. Ms. Cackle wiped a tear away.

“Oh, goodness, that was a very entertaining film I must say” Miss Ca ckle said, still chuckling as she hopped off her broomstick. “I’ve never been so glad our staircases stay put! I must say, I had a bit more déjà vu watching it than I would have liked, you three are very much Harry, Ron, and Hermione! But I think much cleverer than the boys. Oh, Pippa, we had the most wonderful day! I must thank you so much for all of your help in organizing all of this. I think this is by far the very best teachers’ appreciation week we have ever had” she said passionately, pulling Maud into a firm side hug. Miss Pentangle smiled graciously.

“Thank you, Miss Cackle. I am always happy to help, but truly, it is your girls who are owed the credit. Without their help and cooperation, I would not have gotten very far” Miss Pentangle demurred, winking at Maud.

“Modest as always, Pippa” Ms. Cackle said brightly. “But of course, the girls are owed the credit, having worked so hard all week. I can hardly believe there is any more in store” Miss Pentangle’s eyes glinted with mischief.

“You won’t be disappointed, Ms. Cackle” she assured her. “We’re only waiting now on Mildred and Hecate” Ms. Cackle frowned.

“It’s unlike Hecate to be late.....perhaps Mildred is rubbing off on her” she chuckled, and Miss Pentangle worried her lip, glancing at the skies.

****************************************************************************

Hecate should have known better than to let Mildred attempt a shrinking spell. That was all she could think as she now stood in the grass that was now the size of a forest.

“Mildred, for the great wizard's sake, pick me up please” she shouted, humiliated, a sinking feeling filling her.

“I would miss” a voice chimed, from far too close to her to be a good sign. “But I’m afraid we’re rather in the same boat” Mildred said, peeking out from behind a blade of grass, the same size as Hecate. Miss Hardbroom looked horrified at her pupil. “I’m so sorry Miss, I honestly just wanted to shrink the basket and the supplies so it would be easier to carry back”

“Mildred do you have an idea what you have done?” Miss Hardbroom hissed. “Many other of your mishaps I could work with but this” she gestured wildly around her.

“Can’t you just magic us big again?” Mildred asked stupidly.

“For the hundredth time Mildred, magic is not a toy. It does not work like that. Shrinking changes molecular density. I would need an enlarging potion, and I have neither the supplies nor ability to create one in this state. Worst of all, I cannot transfer us back to the castle for help without risking our lives” Miss Hardbroom shouted. Mildred’s eyes widened.

“Oh” she said quietly.

“Yes...oohhh” Miss Hardbroom spat. “We have no choice but to simply wait until the effects wear off. Which given that it is you, Mildred, could be 24 to 48 hours!” Miss Hardbroom seethed. Mildred wrapped her arms around herself tightly, and took a seat on a small mushroom. “Mildred I cannot....you...you irresponsible girl. When will you ever learn? You’ve endangered both of our lives for some silly, trivial laziness. Don’t you ever think before you act? You act as if magic is a game, and it most certainly is not- and no matter how many times I tell you, or how much serious damage is caused by your actions, you seem to never learn your lesson. Magic has serious consequences! Such as the circumstances we are in now. We are tiny. We have no food, no shelter, no water. We are prey for any predator that might come along. Any magic we do could risk our lives in this state. Everyone at the castle will be worried sick about us, and we have no way of contacting them. There is absolutely no excuse for this kind of flagrant misuse of magic. I am severely disappointed in you” Mildred flinched, her upper lip quivering, trying in vain not to cry as the harsh words rained down like sharp nuggets of hail, tearing at her heart. The last line cut especially deeply, as it was designed to, and Mildred began to cry, despite all her efforts not to.

“Fine! If that’s how you feel then you and everyone else would be better off without me!” Mildred yelled, hopping off the mushroom and rushing off into the grass. No sooner had she gone then all the venom drained out of Hecate, and she sunk to the dirt, weeping in frustration. She hadn’t meant what she had said. She was just so frustrated, angry, and if she was being honest, scared. She had never been in a situation where she couldn’t use her magic, or transfer, and she felt naked and vulnerable without it. She had been stripped of her most valuable tools, and it made her feel so alone. She had no idea how they were going to get out of this, and that scared her more than anything. She thought of Pippa back at the castle and Ms. Cackle, worried about them. And now, Mildred was gone in the wilderness of this god-forsaken field and she had hurt her. She had no idea how she was going to find her again. She was the adult. She was supposed to protect her physically and emotionally, and she had failed at that as well. After allowing herself a good cry, she straightened out and set out to look for Mildred.

*****************************************************************************

Mildred whipped through the grass, hardly caring as they slapped her body so harshly that she almost fell backwards. She just wanted to get away from Miss Hardbroom. She could still hear the last lecture ringing in her ears. All this had clearly been for nothing...she clearly still viewed her the same way she had before. Hot tears spilled down her face as she settled in the hollow of a large tree, pulling her knees up to her face and sobbing loudly.

Why am I such a screw-up? She thought. Why can’t I just be a good witch like everyone else? She sobbed harder.

It took Miss Hardbroom quite a while to locate the sobbing girl, because she had, Miss Hardbroom puffed, managed to cover quite a bit of ground despite her size and lack of athleticism. Miss Hardbroom however, was also not used to being small, or walking, and so was panting heavily, and the sun had begun to set by the time her eyes landed upon a small figure curled up, asleep in the hollow of a tree. Her heart soared with relief upon seeing the small figure, having been wracked with worry through the whole trek through the grasses. The fear that Mildred was hurt or worse consumed her.

“Mil-dred Hubble” she said sharply, and Mildred jolted awake. Mildred narrowed her eyes at her.

“Oh no. It’s you. Couldn’t just let me die out here with dignity. Had to come back for another round. Let’s have it then” Mildred growled. “I’m a screw-up for running off. I’m the worst witch. I’m so irresponsible” she said angling her body away from her, into the tree trunk. Miss Hardbroom flinched at her tone.

“Mildred I’m....I’m...I....” she sputtered, her brain exhausted from her trek, and quite without the right words to express herself. “Thank the great wizard you’re all right” she said softly. “I was so worried”

“Why?” Mildred sniffled, but her voice was angry and clear. “I did this to us, because I can’t do anything right. Why should you care what happens to me?” Miss Hardbroom’s heart broke into little pieces. She felt them falling right through her skirt and into her shoes. Without thinking she reached out and gathered her pupil into her arms. Some long dormant maternal instinct had not only flared up, but sprung into action. Mildred tensed, but after a few moments, relaxed and sniffled pitifully into her dress.

“Listen to me, Mildred. I...I apologize for my words earlier. I was....upset. I was angry. I did not mean what I said. You make mistakes, as any growing witch does. As an adult, I should have been prepared for such an event. I should have handled things better. You made a mistake. You did not know about shrinking and its effects on witches. Had you known, I have every confidence you wouldn’t have attempted a spell like that so casually. And I...I never want to hear that you don’t think....that I don’t care about you, Mildred” she said stroking her hair gently. Mildred was crying again softly, this time from relief.

“I was so scared....I was gonna die alone out here” Mildred said trembling. “I’m so sorry, Miss Hardbroom. I’m so sorry I did this” she mumbled into her dress. Miss Hardbroom rocked her gently, cooing softly at her.

“You’re safe, Mildred. I’ve got you” she whispered. “We will get out of this in one piece, I promise” she said firmly. Mildred pulled back slightly, eyes shining to meet Miss Hardbroom’s, whose were equally watery.

“I care about you too, Miss” Mildred said. “I thought you were gonna hate me forever and all the wonderful times we’ve been through this week were just gonna be memories and that things...were just gonna go back to the way they were” Mildred mumbled. “And I just was so scared ...I didn’t want to lose that. I didn’t want to lose you, the way you’ve been lately. Nice to me” Mildred mumbled. Hecate could feel her emotions roaring in her ears and she hugged Mildred tightly.

“We cannot....I will not...go backwards from here” Hecate said simply. “I have been a very poor judge of character, and you have been....so patient with me, even though I did not deserve it” she smiled, pulling back to look at her in her eyes and wiping her tears away with her pointed black nails.“You have changed me, Mildred” she said softly, but intensely, cupping her cheek firmly. “You brought out something in me that I had thought was long gone” Mildred for once, was lost for words, and overwhelmed she snuggled back into the hug, burrowing her face into her teacher’s neck. “And for that I will forever be grateful” They held each other for a long, long while, sitting contentedly, letting the emotional high naturally come down. Mildred wanted that hug to go on forever, she felt so safe. When at last they pulled away, and most of Mildred’s tears had gone, night had fallen.

Chapter Text

“Oh no the party...we’ve missed the closing ceremonies” Mildred exclaimed.

“Mildred, we can’t worry ourselves about that now. We must find some kind of shelter” Miss Hardbroom said protectively. “It is not safe for us to remain in the open” Mildred brightened.

“I know where we can hide. In the basket! I left it by this tree” Mildred said joyfully. “And the sandwiches and food are still inside! This way!” she said leading her teacher by the hand around the trunk. And sure enough, there was the basket, albeit far larger than either remembered it.

“Thank goodness for that Mildred” she sighed relieved. Mildred began climbing put the woven straw side of the basket, sticking her hands in the natural hand-holds created by gaps in the straw.

“Mil-dred Hubble!” Miss Hardbroom said tiredly. “What is it that you are doing?” Mildred winced slightly.

“I know, I know... but HB there’s no other way” she said apologetically. “Come on Miss, you can do it!” she encouraged. Just follow me, put your hands and feet where I do” Miss Hardbroom could not believe she was about to climb up the side of picnic basket.

“Go out with Mildred...they said” she grunted, heaving herself up the side. “It’ll be fun...they said” Mildred giggled above her and Hecate huffed, but her lips were turned up. For a minute, the pair just sat on the brim of the basket looking out at the world from that point of view. They could now see over the top of the grass, each blade of which had seemed like big towering trees. The night sky twinkled merrily with stars. It was beautiful.

“Wowww” Mildred said swinging her legs too far and almost tumbling backwards into the basket. “It’s beautiful. Do you think this what animals see? Or bugs maybe?” Miss Hardbroom nodded.

“Very few people have seen the world from this perspective” she replied. “All right that’s enough sightseeing. Into the basket with you” she said shooing her down the inside.

The two dug into the very large leftovers, with both of them straining to open the plastic bags, but once they managed, were both munching away very small crumbs of the ginormous sandwiches.

“At least we won’t starve” Mildred chirped, dragging out a slice of turkey that dwarfed her completely. “We’ve got a water bottle here too I think”

“Yes, Mildred although we’ll have to be very careful we don’t accidentally drown ourselves and flood the basket when we open the lid” Miss Hardbroom warned, and Mildred giggled at her stern expression. “Which means I’ll do it......but unfortunately we’re both going to have to...climb to the top” Miss Hardbroom winced at the thought, and begun reluctantly planning how they were going to rock-climb up a water bottle.

“Uh...Miss..” Mildred said, trembling, and tugging on her sleeve.

“Not now Mildred, I am trying to focus” Miss Hardbroom said firmly.

“Miss...” Mildred said louder. “We have company” Miss Hardbroom stiffened and turned towards where Mildred was staring. A giant (it seemed from their perspective) mouse was perched in the corner of the basket, contentedly chewing away at a leftover slice of cheese.

“What do we do?” Mildred squeaked. “What if it eats us?”

“We are not going to get eaten by a mouse. We are witches” Miss Hardbroom said trying to sound confident, but her voice shook a little. She inched in front of Mildred slowly, never taking her eyes off the mouse. “Mildred we can’t leave the basket, not at this time of night it’s too risky. We could get eaten by something much more dangerous than this mouse whilst trying to find a new location” Miss Hardbroom said. “Perhaps if we leave it alone, it will leave us alone” she murmured. Mildred gulped and nodded.

“Wait a minute! Okay I know this is gonna sound crazy but I think this mouse is our ticket back” Mildred exclaimed, too loudly. “I have an idea” she finished, inching out from behind her teacher, pasting herself against the wall of the basket and slowly moving towards the mouse.

“Mildred you get back here right now young lady” Miss Hardbroom hissed. Mildred made a pleading gesture, and continued moving.

“Um, Hello there!” Mildred said slowly, getting the mouse’s attention. Up close the mouse felt even larger, the size of a horse at least. It’s pink nose was twitching as it horked down the cheese it’s paws nibbling on it voraciously. “My name’s Mildred. And uh...I’m a witch. That’s my teacher over there, Miss Hardbroom. We’re well....we’re people really, not bugs or food. Uh, we need to get back to a castle. So we can get big again. Do you understand?” the mouse stopped chewing and looked at her curiously.

“Mildred” Hecate warned, moving to her side, but Mildred locked eyes with the mouse, not afraid.

“He’s nice, Miss. I can feel it” Mildred said, closing her eyes and putting her hands to her temple. “He said thanks for leaving the food out” she said. Hecate blanched.

“Mildred what are you talking about?” she hissed.

“Didn’t you hear it? It must be cause we’re witches that we can hear him? Or else maybe he’s an enchanted wizard or witch and that’s why he speaks english” Mildred said confused.

“Mildred, I only heard squeaking” Hecate said, unsure whether to be alarmed or awed.

“Are you sure? Listen close, miss” The mouse squeaked again, and this time Hecate strained her ears for any semblance of civilized speech. Nothing. She shook her head.

“Mildred, I believe only you can understand him” she said breathlessly. Mildred’s eyes bulged.

“But surely that’s normal” she whispered. Miss Hardbroom shook her head silently, a stunned look on her face. “Oh” The mouse squeaked again.

“Sorry, he says his name’s Gerald, and he’s happy to meet us” Mildred translated. “He says he’s confused as to why we’re people but small. Are we sure we’re not bugs?” Mildred nodded, and squeaked back some sort of answer. Miss Hardbroom was shocked to hear the series of squeaks coming out of her pupil’s mouth, naturally, and she seemed not to be aware of it. “He says he knows where the castle is!” Mildred exclaimed. Miss Hardbroom sat down heavily, having a horrible thought of where this was going.

“Mildred, in the course of one afternoon I have just witnessed you being ill on my feet, entered a non-magical establishment, eaten frozen dessert, been shrunk to a tenth of my size, traipsed through grass for miles, rock-climbed up the side of a picnic basket, witnessed you talking to a rodent, and now.....you want me to....ride said rodent?” she said rubbing her temples, exhausted. Mildred bit her lip. She had put her teacher through the ringer today.

“Well...yeah..but I mean... that way we could get back and get help and we wouldn’t have to spend the night out here?” Mildred mumbled. Miss Hardbroom squeezed her eyes shut, clearly thinking hard. The mouse, meanwhile, was getting a bit impatient.

“Gerald, no, Gerald” Mildred tried vainly to curtail the mouse but he was too large. He moved towards the teacher, sniffing hesitantly at her.

“Mildred...” Miss Hardbroom ground out. “Get this mouse away, if you please” Gerald nosed Hecate in the face, causing her to topple over. She screamed. “Mildred” Mildred was squeaking frantically, but Gerald seemed content to ignore her, giving the teacher a thorough inspection.

“Just stay still” she pleaded. “He thinks you smell funny. He thinks you’re a bug. He’s checking” Mildred translated. Miss Hardbroom was valiantly trying to hold on to her dignity, but the whiskers kept sweeping over her uncomfortably, and the mouse’s breath was foul.

“How dare you! I am a witch not a bug! My cat Morgana would have you for breakfast” she hissed squirming. Mildred giggled, and finally Gerald desisted. Her form mistress stood up in a huff.

“Now listen here....” she hissed, pointing a black fingernail in his snout. “I am a witch and I will not be treated as such” she ground out, and Mildred translated as best she could. Gerald had the decency to look properly scolded, staring wide-eyed at Miss Hardbroom. He nosed a piece of cheese towards her.

“Aw look he’s sorry” Mildred giggled, and Miss Hardbroom scoffed. "Can you take us to the castle?” Mildred asked, in squeak. “He says he can. But he’s scared because the castle is filled with cats. He doesn’t like to go there” Hecate rolled her eyes.

“Tell him we only need to be dropped off inside, and then he can go on his way” she instructed, and Mildred translated.

“He says he would like some cheese for his troubles” Mildred says. “The good stuff from the kitchens” Hecate rolled her eyes again.

“Oh very well. He can have whatever he wishes once we are our proper size again” she said firmly. “Are you quite certain he knows the way?” Mildred nodded. “And he’s confident he can keep us safe from predators?” Once again, Mildred nodded. Once the agreement was finalized, Mildred and Hecate climbed up onto the mouse’s back.

“Mildred, I think it is safe to say that you will be making this up to me for a very, very long time” Miss Hardbroom said stiffly, clasping the mouse’s fur for dear life. Mildred grinned.

“Yes, miss”

“And you will not utter a word about this to anyone, other than Miss Pentangle and Miss Cackle am I clear?” Miss Hardbroom said threateningly.

“Absolutely Miss. But then I don’t really think they’d believe me anyway right?” Miss Hardbroom smirked.

“Too right” she affirmed.

The mouse took off with a jolt, and Hecate and Mildred were suddenly whispering through the grasses. Blades were slapping them both furiously in the face, and it was all either of them could do to hold on, lest they be lost to the countryside. Both were furiously spitting and wiping at their eyes. They raced on, with Gerald taking care to stay out of large patches of moonlight, as the pair were terrified to hear the hoots of owls, and the howling of wolves.

“Miss..if we don’t...if we don’t make it..” Mildred stuttered.

“Be brave, Mildred” Hecate whispered.

It took about two terrifying hours to get back to the castle. By now, the closing ceremonies had surely ended. Mildred slumped at the thought.

Miss Hardbroom missed the end of Teacher Appreciation Week...because of me. Gerald stopped in the courtyard, squeaking to Mildred animatedly.

“Do you think you can get us into the kitchens?” Mildred asked. “We can get help from there and then we can get you your cheese” Gerald squeaked, and took off again. Miss Hardbroom’s stomach lurched.

“What did he say Mildred?” she murmured weakly.

“He said.... he said he knows a back way” Mildred whispered. Miss Hardbroom nodded weakly, slumping against the tawny rodent’s fur. Gerald was able to squeeze through a grate in the side of the building which led directly into the castle kitchens. “And if I know Miss Cackle, she won’t be able to sleep worrying about us... and she’ll be having a midnight snack right about now”

Mildred, in fact, knew Miss Cackle very, very well, and she was indeed up and doing that very thing. She was quite beside herself when Miss Hardbroom and Mildred didn’t show up, and after issuing a call to the magical authorities, had decided to cancel the closing ceremonies. After all, nobody was really in the mood to celebrate with the two missing, and Miss Pentangle was distraught and frantic with worry. Miss Cackle had gone to the kitchens to drown her sorrows in a nice slice of cheesecake.The older woman pulled her threadbare, mauve robe tighter around herself as she tucked into her cheesecake anxiously.

“Oh Hecate, Mildred wherever you are, I hope you’re all right” she said tearfully. “I don’t know what I'd do without either of you” she said, tears plopping all over her cheesecake.

“Miss Cackle! Miss Cackle!” Mildred screamed in her tiny voice, waving her arms from Gerald’s back.

“She can’t hear you, Mildred” Miss Hardbroom hushed her. “We’re going to have to have this rodent climb the table leg” Mildred squeaked this plan to Gerald, who was very reluctant to get up close to a human. “Will you at least use his name HB?” Mildred said, petting Gerald softly.

“Absolutely not” Miss Hardbroom hissed. The rodent stopped short and sat down in a huff, ears swiveling in response.

“He says he’s not going to go unless you use his name” Mildred translated apologetically. “Come on, miss he doesn’t have to help us” Mildred pleaded. Miss Hardbroom sighed.

“By the great wizard... all right. Gerald....., please would you take us to the top of that table?” she said slowly, sounding like she had swallowed something hideous.

“I promise Ms. Cackle’s lovely, and she won’t hurt you” Mildred begged. “Please” And suddenly they were inching up the table leg.

Ms. Cackle was at a loss as a mouse appeared on the kitchen table. She squinted, re-adjusting her glasses. She thought she saw...no but it couldn’t be. Two tiny figures on the back of the mouse.

“Ada!” Hecate projected with all her might. “It’s me, Hecate. And Mildred” Miss Cackle bent down at their level.

“Hecate? Mildred? Is that you?” she exclaimed. “Oh thank goodness. I must mirror Pippa, and Mildred’s mother. What in the name of the great wizard happened?” she said, helping them into her palm. Gerald patiently waited, watching the scene unfold, but decided to tuck into the cheesecake while he was waiting. The humans, he mused. Were preoccupied.

“Ada, please fetch an enlarging potion from the lab. It’s a bit of a long story, which I promise we will detail in full once we are...proper size” Hecate explained. Mildred grinned sheepishly.

“Hi Ms. Cackle! We really did have the best day!” she shouted.

“I’m sure you did, but you worried us sick young lady” Ms. Cackle scolded. “Your friends were all very distressed” she said, moving gently to the door. In a few moments, both Mildred and Hecate were back to their regular size.

“Finally!” Miss Hardbroom sighed with relief, and sank into a chair. Mildred jumped for joy.

“We’re back! We did it! We lived!” Mildred exclaimed, punching the air.

“By some miracle” Hecate grumbled. Ms. Cackle, fondly stroked Gerald, who had by now finished the cheesecake, and was looking wide-eyed at Mildred and Hecate at their proper sizes.

“You’ve both got a lot of explaining to do I think” she said simply, peering at them both over her glasses. Mildred and Hecate exchanged a look.

“It was my fault, Ms. Cackle” Mildred said. “I wanted to shrink the picnic basket and well...the spell went wrong and shrunk us both. And then we couldn’t do magic and we couldn’t transfer back because HB said something about molecules and being dangerous and...well...I can sort of talk to animals” Miss Cackle shook her head.

“I’ve got time, Mildred. I think you should start from the beginning”

Mildred detailed their adventures in graphic detail, featuring a lot of over-exaggeration and physical acting, while Miss Hardbroom watched fondly, correcting the odd detail here and there. Ms. Cackle said nothing for a while, merely gazing at the pair of them.

“Do you want to know what I think?” she said knowingly. “I think Mildred needs to be very careful with her spells, especially shrinking ones, and recognize that magic has serious consequences. I think Hecate you have realized that you have often, treated Mildred too harshly, and that you must work to amend that. I think that I am very glad you both worked together to make it back here, alive. And I think, that Mildred your talent with animals, is nothing short of remarkable, and that if you are amenable, that Hecate should work with you to develop it further” Miss Cackle said, helping herself jauntily to another slice of cheesecake, which she then offered to Hecate, who refused, and Mildred, who dug in happily to her own slice. Miss Hardbroom was shocked at Ms. Cackle’s unbothered air.

“Ms. Cackle I endangered a student, and I do not receive any reprimands?” Hecate asked weakly.

“Well, Hecate, Mildred’s here safe and sound isn’t she?” Ms. Cackle said affectionately, booping Mildred on the nose. “No real harm done”

“Well...” Hecate murmured. “I suppose...” Ms. Cackle gave her a fond look.

“You are being much too hard on yourself, as usual” she said gently. “I mirrored Pippa, and sent a message to Mildred’s mother. Pippa will be here any second, and Julie will be here in the morning. What I would suggest, is that both of you get some sleep, and we’ll sort everything out tomorrow” Mildred yawned on cue. Gerald was snoozing away on the cheesecake plate. With a flick of her wrist, Miss Hardbroom had transferred both of them to Mildred’s room.

“I....told you’d...have a fun day out didn’t I....” Mildred mumbled sleepily, and Miss Hardbroom furrowed her brow when she saw she was still clutching Gerald. “So...you’re welcome...”

“Sleep, Mildred. We’ve both had quite the day” she said quietly, looking at her pupil fondly, gently trying to loosen her grip on the rodent. “I’m keeping Gerald...” she mumbled as she climbed into bed. Miss Hardbroom sighed and rolled her eyes, before gently magicking the mouse over to the bedside table, summoning up a small cage for him to sleep in. Mildred really did get so attached to animals. Her innate talent was making a bit more sense now. She lifted a hand to transfer away, but Mildred’s voice halted her.

“I am really sorry you know” she yawned. “About shrinking us. And that we missed the closing ceremonies. I know you really were looking forward to it, even though you pretend like you don’t care. But we did have a nice time before that....didn’t we?” Miss Hardbroom lowered her hand, hearing the insecurity in her pupil’s voice.

“We did” Miss Hardbroom confirmed. "I will deny it if you ever mention it outside of this room....but I did not dislike being......small with you” Mildred beamed, and snuggled back into bed.

“I liked being small with you too” Mildred sighed, sleepily. “Goodnight HB” And with that she was snoring away.

“Goodnight Mil-dred, Hub-ble" she said softly, looking at her pupil’s sleeping form with an inscrutable expression, that moved to a deep tenderness, before transferring away.

Chapter Text

When Miss Hardbroom transferred back to her own quarters, she was met with one very tearful pink witch. “Hiccup!” she sniffle-snorted. “Thank the great wizard you’re all right” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around her. Hecate stiffened, taken off guard, but slowly relaxed her rigid posture, drowning herself in the smell of Pippa’s flowery perfume. “I was so worried” she said, her voice thick from crying. Hecate felt white hot guilt flow through her.

“I’m all right, Pipsqueak. I’m here. Safe” she said softly. Pippa continued to hold her tenderly, pulling back to study her face, but without releasing her hold on her waist.

“And Mildred?” Pippa asked worriedly.

“Fine. Exhausted. Dramatic. Now has a pet mouse. Safe” Hecate listed, smirking. Pippa smiled.

“You forgot adorable” Pippa pouted. “But then you are too” she said, giving her girlfriend a tender kiss on the cheek. Hecate blushed. “I’m assuming there’s a wonderful story behind where you’ve been for the past few hours, worrying your poor girlfriend into such a state” Pippa collapsed dramatically on the chaise, fluttering her eyelids dramatically.

“I see Mildred’s not the only one with a flair for the theatrics” Hecate teased, settling down next to her. “And yes. There is. And I will tell it to you, in a normal fashion. If you want the dramatic version, feel free to go and see Mildred. She essentially just performed our adventure in the form of a three act play for Miss Cackle earlier” Hecate remarked. Pippa giggled girlishly, and Hecate’s whole being lit up at the sound.

“Of course she did. But I’d like to hear your version, first” Pippa said softly. “What happened, Hiccup?”

“Pippa, are you sure you’d like to hear it now? Because it’s quite a long tale, and we could both use some rest” Hecate said concerned, looking into the blonde witches’ exhausted face.

“No...no Hiccup I’m not going to be able to sleep anyway until I know what happened. I’ve already been up worrying about you, one more hour won’t hurt” Pippa said wearily, shaking herself slightly to keep from dozing. “Go on Hiccup”

And so, for the next hour, with very little dramatics indeed, Hecate did tell Pippa the whole story of their outing, beginning with the Mildred being sick from the transference all the way to Mildred’s shrinking spell gone wrong and their journey home riding on the back of a mouse. Pippa’s eyes widened as Hecate narrated, and narrowed at her description of her fight with Mildred “Hiccup you were out of line there and you know it!” and “Aww-ing” frequently at Hecate’s descriptions of the two of them getting ice cream and being mistook for mother and daughter, or really anything Mildred did or said. She was particularly shocked as Hecate described Mildred’s newfound power.

“I’ve never seen anything like it Pippa” Hecate wondered. “It’s a special gift indeed to have this kind of magic, imbued naturally- without having to perform a spell or chant” Pippa smiled.

“I always knew Mildred was special” Pippa chuckled. “And I was right”

“Well I knew too” Hecate said defensively. “I just....took more time to come to the same conclusion” Pippa rolled her eyes.

“It’s not a competition. We both love Mildred and don’t you deny it” Pippa admonished playfully. Hecate’s jaw worked, and her mouth opened and closed, shocked at the casual way Pippa just laid Hecate’s emotions out in the open.

“I..I....think it’s time for bed” Hecate said stiffly. “I’ve got to meet with Miss Cackle, Mildred and Miss Hubble tomorrow to discuss tonight’s events. And you, Pipsqueak are exhausted” Hecate said softly, and Pippa nodded, disappointed that Hecate changed the subject, but seeing her girlfriend’s expression, knew not to push her any further on the subject of Mildred tonight. She was making progress, but Pippa knew Hecate had to move slow with this relationship with her pupil. Right now she knew Hecate was feeling overwhelmed, and that’s why she wouldn’t respond to her statement.

“Of course, Hiccup. But just promise me one thing.....” Pippa said lightly, but with an undertone of seriousness. “I know it wasn’t your fault but....just don’t....I’m not sure I can...just don’t do that to me again” she whispered into the crook of her neck, pulling Hecate to her tightly.

“I won’t. I promise” Hecate soothed. And together, the pair of witches slept so peacefully in each other’s arms, that not even an avalanche in the castle would have woken them; so encased were they in the comfortable bliss and safety of the witch next to them.

************************************************************************************************************************************************
The next morning, Mildred entered Miss Cackle’s office, excited to see her mum. Julie Hubble was in quite a state after receiving word that Mildred had briefly been missing for a few hours, and had now been found again.

“Millie love!” Julie exclaimed, jumping up from her chair facing Miss Cackle and gathering her daughter up into a large hug. “Ms. Cackle said you were the size of a peanut! On top of being missing! Are you all right? Let me look at you, Millie!” she fussed, checking Mildred over, looking her in the eyes and feeling her body for bumps or bruises. Mildred giggled, as she snuggled into her mum’s familiar homey cardigan. Her mum always made her feel safe. Opening her eyes over her mum’s shoulder, she caught sight of Miss Hardbroom, who stood awkwardly next to Ms. Cackle, looking distinctly uncomfortable. When the hug went on too long, Mildred extricated herself.

“It’s okay Mum. Honest. I’m fine. I’m all good, promise” Mildred reassured her. Julie sighed.

“Well thank goodness for that, you had me worried sick young lady” Julie admonished. “Miss Cackle was just beginning to fill me in on what exactly happened. I thought you were just supposed to be having a fun day out with erm, with Miss Hardbroom here” Julie said awkwardly, acknowledging Miss Hardbroom with tilt of her head. “But I’d like to know just how my little girl was put into danger like this” she reared herself up into mama-bear mode and glared at the pair of witches.

“Yes, well, Miss Hubble I can assure you that this was an unfortunate accident” Miss Cackle reassured.

“On the contrary. I take full responsibility for the events that occurred” Miss Hardbroom said clearly, cutting off Ms. Cackle, who looked a bit affronted. Julie raised her eyebrows.

“You do” Julie said, suspiciously.

“Of course. I am the adult, and her teacher. It is my responsibility to protect Mildred, even from herself” Miss Hardbroom said firmly. “And I did not do so” Ms. Cackle made to object, but Miss Hardbroom stopped her with a hand.

“If you wish to be....angry with someone....be angry with me” she said, her expression pained. Julie Hubble stared at Miss Hardbroom for a moment, and seeing the sincere apology written across her features, she softened. Mildred gaped at her teacher in shock.

“I.....well....I....thank you Miss Hardbroom. But first I’d like to hear from you, exactly what happened. And try and dumb down the magic stuff a bit” she replied. Miss Hardbroom inclined her head, and glanced at Ms. Cackle.

“I shall do my best, Ms. Hub-ble" she drawled. And for third time in the last 24 hours, the story was told. She left out the mother-daughter mistake, not wanting to offend Julie any further, and began the story at the shrinking spell going wrong.

“And we arrived back late last night. We were out for approximately 12 hours” Miss Hardbroom finished.

“Oiiii. Millie what did you do?” Julie said scruffing her hair, and Mildred smiled innocently back at her mum, batting her eyelashes playfully. “Well. That is quite a story. Sounds like a children’s novel” Ms. Cackle smiled placatingly.

“But one with a happy ending. Mildred and Miss Hardbroom got out of a jam by working together” Ms. Cackle said smiling proudly at Hecate, then at Mildred.

“Well...I guess I can’t be too angry when my daughter’s not traumatized by the experience, but sitting her with the biggest grin on her face” Mildred was in fact, grinning through the whole story.

“I wouldn’t do it again...but it was awesome” Mildred sighed, settling back into her chair. “We actually rode on the back of a mouse!”

“The things that go on here...I....” Julie shook her head. “Anyway. I’m not suing you lot or anything, so you can relax” Ms. Cackle and Miss Hardbroom shared a relieved look.“But I’d prefer if Miss Hardbroom could catch my daughter a little earlier next time” Julie said. “But as a mother, thank you for bringing her back safe and sound” Julie said meaningfully, looking at Miss Hardbroom gratefully.

“I do my best, Ms. Hub-ble to keep up with her” Miss Hardbroom drawled. “I do not always succeed” Julie winked at her.

“I know the feeling” Julie said knowingly. “Well, if that’s all, then I guess I’m off. Do try and stay your own size this time yeah?” her mum joked. “And by the way, I didn’t forget what week it is I brought you both a little something” she dug around in her tote bag and pulled out two cauldron shaped mugs with “#1 witch” printed on the side for Miss Cackle and “best teacher” for Miss Hardbroom.

“I thought you could use something to drink your witches brew....or coffee whichever” Julie said brightly, scooting them across the desk. “Happy teacher appreciation week!”

“Oh, Ms. Hubble that is very thoughtful!” Ms. Cackle exclaimed delightedly, clearly never having seen anything like it. She turned it over in her hands. “A mini cauldron how adorable! Look Hecate!”

“I see, Ms. Cackle” Miss Hardbroom assured her, reaching her hand out cautiously towards her own mug as if it were a bomb. Mildred stifled a giggle at Ms. Cackle’s child-like excitement. “Thank...you...Ms. Hub-ble" she said slowly, turning the mug around in her hands, confused. “I do not care for vanity slogans, but the sentiment is appreciated” Julie nodded her head, smiling, but clearly was confused by her words.

“Mille love translate” she whispered to her daughter.

“She likes it mum” Mildred whispered back.

“Oh good. Don’t tell but I got them at the bargain Halloween section”

“Mum!”

“Well I’m not made of money Mildred. What do they expect tiny gold broomsticks?” Mildred giggled.

Ms. Cackle looked at the mother and daughter fondly. “Well now, I think we have a closing ceremonies to get to” Mildred frowned.

“But it’s Saturday. We missed it” Mildred reminded her, slumping dejectedly.

“Oh pish posh. Formalities. Everything is still set up. Everyone was hoping you’d still show. No reason we can’t still have the ceremonies to end the week, even if it Saturday. The girls worked so hard, it would be such a shame to waste it” Ms. Cackle laughed. Miss Hardbroom smiled slightly. Mildred lit up. “In fact, I already messaged Ms. Pentangle this morning, and she’s busy preparing, so Mildred you’d better get yourself to rehearsals” Ms. Cackle said cheerfully. “And Miss Hardbroom, we should keep ourselves occupied up here. We don’t any...what’s that word the girls use...spoilers?” Miss Hardbroom wrinkled her nose at the unfamiliar word.

“Yes, Miss Cackle” she responded. Mildred grinned, hugged her mum, and raced off down the corridor.

“By mum, can’t talk too much to do” Mildred shouted as she ran. Ms. Cackle eyed Ms. Hubble watching Mildred’s retreating form.

“You’re welcome to stay Ms. Hubble. For the festivities of course” Ms. Cackle invited.

“I’d love to but I really should be getting back to the hospital. But lucky for me I’ve got an ally here watching out for her” she said looking pointedly at Miss Hardbroom. “You take care of my girl” Miss Hardbroom startled.

“I....I...all staff look after all students” Miss Hardbroom said diplomatically. Miss Hubble rolled her eyes.

“All right. You look after ‘all students’ then” Miss Hubble said, with emphasis. “But I don’t think ‘all students’ get into the amount of magical mishaps that mine does” Miss Hardbroom inclined her head. “I trust you now. There’s no going back” Julie said plainly. “You’ve been elected. So funny I always thought it would be you, Ms. Cackle. But Millie wants who she wants”

“Elected?” Miss Hardbroom stuttered.

“School mum” Julie said chuckling. Ms. Cackle smiled warmly. “I’m happy to be gran-school mum” she laughed with Julie, as though they were both in on a private joke.

“What? I....” Miss Hardbroom squeaked. Julie just held her gaze and whispered “school mum” and did finger guns at her.

“Miss Cackle if you’d please....” Julie said, closing her eyes and holding her bag tightly. Ms. Cackle chuckled, and transferred Julie Hubble home.

“I didn’t agree to anything” Miss Hardbroom hissed. Ms. Cackle sipped her tea calmly.

“You also didn’t disagree either, Hecate” she replied.

“What by the code was she talking about?” Hecate asked, confused.

“I’ll explain it to you later Hecate” Ms. Cackle chuckled.

****************************************************************************************************************************************************

Mildred raced to the great hall, and was awed at seeing all the decorations for the first time. Bunches of balloons hovered off the ground, fixed at a certain floating height around the stage, set up similarly to Miss Cackle’s birthday celebrations. A large banner with big letters spelling out Happy Teacher Appreciation Week floated above the stage. A buffet table was piled high with the most delicious looking cakes, donuts, and pastries. Chairs were set up facing the stage,and small golden sparkles twinkled down from the ceiling. The air smelled like flowers. Miss Pentangle rushed to greet Mildred.

“Mildred. Oh I was so worried about you!” Miss Pentangle cried, swooping her up into a big hug. “Hecate told me everything last night. You were very brave!” Mildred blushed.

“Thanks Miss Pentangle. I’m just so glad we still get to do closing ceremonies” Mildred said biting her lip. “I felt awful because I made Miss Hardbroom miss it” Miss Pentangle clapped her hands.

“And now she doesn’t have to. Everything worked out for the best” Miss Pentangle beamed. “Now, the girls are rehearsing backstage. If I’m not mistaken, you have the lead, so you’d better get going” she said her eyes sparkling. Mildred winced.

“Me? Lead in a show? I don’t know Miss Pentangle. I’m kind of shy” Mildred mumbled.

“Oh, nonsense. Hecate told me all about your little performance as her in Miss Cackle’s birthday celebrations. You were a natural” Miss Pentangle gushed. “Run along. Your friends have the details” she said shooing her backstage. Backstage, Maud and Enid both rushed her at once.

“Millie! You’re back!” They screeched. “We were so worried” Maud said. Beatrice, Clarice and Sybil re-iterated the sentiment. “What happened?” they all asked. Mildred merely smiled mysteriously.

“That’s a story for another day. For now we need to get this show ready” Mildred said. “I’m assuming you’re directing again Maud?”

“Unfortunately” Ethel smirked, coming out of the shadows flanked by Felicity. Mildred smiled.

“It’s even nice to see you Ethel” she said brightly. “Now what have you got planned?”

***************************************************************************************************************************************************** Even though they had spent the whole day rehearsing, and Mildred had been thoroughly caught up- she was in fact, the lead in the musical number they were performing for the teachers. And she felt like she had swallowed a frog. Now it was late evening, and it was time to perform. Mildred glanced out the window at the beautiful full moon that hung in the sky. She smoothed and re-smoothed her column-like black dress for the zillionth time, pacing up and down the backstage, trying not to throw up, fiddling with the silver circle she had cut out and strung together on paperclips. She flashed back to a few hours earlier:

“Musical number?” She had said. “No one said anything about singing” Mildred exclaimed. “Are you out of your mind? I can’t sing”

“Mildred I hear you in the shower all the time” Maud said. “You have a beautiful voice. Plus, the song was your idea. It was hilarious, and so much better than what we planned”

“I dunno I think it’s pretty average” Mildred had said truthfully. She wasn’t being modest per se, that’s just how she felt about her singing. “And I was joking about doing that song...I didn’t think everyone would latch onto that idea”

“Come on, Mildred. Do it for HB. You want to make her happy don’t you? You publicly embarrassing yourself will definitely do it” Enid joked. Mildred rolled her eyes. “Just kidding. You’ll be great”

Mildred replayed that conversation in her head, desperately looking for a way out. But the teachers had all begun to file in and the first years were so pumped, bouncing with excitement backstage. It didn’t help that her hair was slicked back into the tightest braided bun humanly possible, and her head throbbed in protest. How did HB do it?

“I can’t believe I have to play you Mildred Hubble” Ethel spat, tugging on her braids. “This is so embarrassing”

“Oh come on Ethel, the teachers’ will love it” Mildred said quietly, determined not to fight with Ethel. Not today.

“They had better” Ethel grumbled.

“You want them to like it too, admit it” Mildred teased, fidgeting uncomfortably in her tightly cinched belt. To her surprise, Ethel sighed.

“Okay yeah, they do a lot for us, and work really hard. They deserve it” she said, shrugging. “Why do you think I’m doing this, Hubble? I could’ve left anytime” Mildred smiled.

“Thanks Ethel. And try not to get too carried away playing me”

“Oh I will” Ethel said smirking evilly. “I definitely will” Mildred’s heart leapt into her throat as she heard Miss Pentangle take the stage.

“Places everyone” Maud hollered, and Mildred scrambled to her place center stage. She could feel all the eyes of the first and second years on her as they stood on their stumps behind her.

“Welcome, Cackles’ Faculty and Staff, and third and fourth years. Tonight we have a little musical show for you, before we move on to the more traditional flower gifting portion of the closing ceremonies. The perfect union of modern” Miss Pentangle paused, and looked meaningfully at Miss Hardbroom “And tradition” she finished, giving her a wink. “And without further ado...the first and second years present....a fresh take on a non-magical film song...” Miss Pentangle consulted the program. “I’ll make a witch out of you” she said brightly, stumbling slightly over the unfamiliar title but clapping loudly, as she moved off to the side. Mildred’s stomach was threatening to get up at leave her body all together. We’re doing this for HB. For HB. Mildred repeated, to try and steady herself. The curtain opened, and as the third year on the organ played the opening notes.

Ms. Cackle laughed out loud, and nudged Hecate as the curtain opened. Mildred stood centerstage, onstage, dressed as Miss Hardbroom. Her hair was wound up into that familiar tight braided bun, her lips stained mahogany, her dress as dark as pitch, with a high collar. She even had the tiny watch necklace, glinting around her neck, made from paper and paperclips. Hecate felt herself stiffen, her eyes not leaving Mildred. But when Mildred hesitated upon seeing her face, she subtly lifted her lips ever so slightly in approval. And that was all it took. Mildred felt confidence rushing through her at the little smile.

“Let’s get down to business

To revive the craft” she sang dramatically- placing emphasis and dragging out the “ffttt” for as long as she could, imitating her teacher’s sharp hand gestures.

“Did they send me wiz-ards....when I asked for witches?” she turned, and inspected the ensemble, who stood still poised, on their stumps. Each girl stood in their PE uniforms, with big heavy tomes in their hands. Laughter was pouring out of the audience, and Dimity had fallen out of her chair already. Hecate’s eyes bulged out of her head, and she gripped the back of the chair for support.

“You’re the saddest bunch I ever met

But you can bet before we’re through

Madam, I’ll make a witch out of youuuuuu” Mildred sang powerfully, wagging her finger in Enid’s face, who was valiantly trying hard not to laugh.

“Tranquil as a forest

But on fire within

Once you find your center

You are sure to win” Mildred’s body beat with adrenaline, as she sang out to the audience, pulling her hands into a prayer like gesture. Behind her the girls shifted from foot to foot, reading their books, creating small sparks with their hands.

“You’re a spineless pale pathetic lot” Mildred growled at Maud. Hecate tried to stop it, but a snort found its way out, and Ms. Cackle patted her arm, and laughed with her.

“And you haven’t got a clue!

Somehow I’ll make a witch....out of you!”

“I’m never gonna catch my breath” Clarice sang, doing her best to act tired.

“Say goodbye to those who knew me” Sybil sang, looking fearfully at Mildred.

“Why was I fool in school for cutting gym” Beatrice sang, swiping her forehead. The audience howled. Dimity was video-taping it on her maglet, tears streaming down her face.

“HB’s got em’ scared to death” Maud sang, as Mildred stalked in between them, waving her black fingernails threateningly.

“Hope she doesn’t see right through me” Ethel sang, toppling off the stump spectacularly in true Mildred Hubble fashion. Mildred narrowed her eyes particularly at that, fully in character, and glaring Ethel down until she righted herself.

“Now I really wish that I knew how to skimmmm” Enid sang, looking panicked at her book and flipping pages frantically.

Chorus

First Years: “(Be a witch)

Second years: You must be swift as the coursing river

(Be a witch)

With all the force of a great typhoon

(Be a witch)

With all the strength of a raging fire

Mysterious as the dark side of the moon”

The girls moved swiftly on their stumps as they sang, manipulating magical energy orbs in their hands. Their arms reached to the sky moving their magic around them in circles. Mildred took a breath, and continued solo:

“Time is racing toward us

Till exams arrive

Heed my every lesson

And you might...survive” Mildred tried her best to imitate HB’s venom, and menacing glances as she stared down the other girls. But keeping from smiling was hard, and she broke a few times, grinning out at Miss Hardbroom in the audience.

“You’re unsuited for … a passing score

So pack up, go home, you’re through!

How could I … make a witch out of you?” she said, sticking her nose in Felicity’s face, who shrank back in mock terror.

They finished with repeating the chorus twice, whirling water, which transformed into fire, and finally at the last line a huge starry outline of a moon appeared overhead. The audience was absolutely spellbound. As the last note died out they held their poses, grinning as the magical fireworks exploded over head.

Chapter Text

There was a brief silence, then a roaring applause. Miss Hardbroom clapped weakly, though she was frozen in her seat, her eyes wide, her posture straight as a board. Ms. Cackle brought her to her feet gently, and whistled, loudly cheering “encore! Encore!” The curtain closed, and then opened again as the girls all stood in a line and took a big group bow, all of them grinning hugely. Then they all backed up so Mildred could take a bow alone. The cheering was so loud Mildred winced at the force of it, but she grinned like a fool at Miss Hardbroom who inclined her head proudly (and looking to all the world like a mother hen surveying her chick), smiling her slight smile. Mildred felt a rush of warmth as their eyes connected, and it was almost as if she could feel the pride and amusement radiating from her teacher.

“Hecate that was so spot on, honestly I think you have said a few of those things to the girls almost verbatim....” Ms. Cackle noted, mischievously.

“Ada” she said sharply, a warning note in her voice, not taking her eyes off Mildred.

“You said it not me” Ms. Cackle chortled. “I’ll have to remember to sing that at you when you go too far, hmm?”

“I see I’m not going to hear the end of this for a while” Hecate said grimly. Miss Drill approached them, still laughing uproariously. Miss Hardbroom tried to assure herself that people would forget this song in time. She wasn’t optimistic.

“That....was the best....thing I’ve ever seen in my life....I fell off my chair” Miss Drill wheezed. “HB....that is you to a T....it’s just priceless...thank god I got the whole thing on my maglet so I can watch it again later.....” Miss Hardbroom’s face was scandalized.

“Watching once was quite enough for me, thank you, Miss Drill” Miss Hardbroom sniffed. “And apparently Mildred is quite the impressionist”

“I mean....I don’t know how she does it, she’s nailed your voice and your mannerisms. But she also looks just like you, but in miniature form, especially in that costume” Miss Drill made a pinching gesture. Miss Hardbroom stiffened.

“I suppose” she ground out. But before she could say anything else, Ms. Pentangle was back onstage.

“Thank you girls. What a riveting performance. And now, we will begin the flower-giving ceremonies” The curtains re-opened, and the girls were now standing in long black formal witches gowns. Miss Hardbroom noticed, with a sharp shock, that Mildred simply kept her costume on, whilst the other girls had changed into similar gowns, as was tradition. “Girls, you have until midnight to choose one flower or herb that most represents the qualities you admire in one specific teacher. You will perform this enchantment, that I am passing to you now, on your flower, so that it becomes a powerful magical token of your appreciation. In more traditional times, wizard and witch apprentices used to give them to their masters as a sign of their respect and gratitude. In these days, magic was taught mainly through a powerful mentor-student relationship, a one-on-one tutorship. With this tradition, we honor that history. This teacher you choose to give your gift to is the one who has made the most significant impact on your life during your time here, the one whose qualities you wish to embody when you graduate. This is a very special gift, and so should not be given carelessly. Often the person you present your gift to can become a lifelong witching mentor. It is a high honor indeed to bestow” Miss Pentangle explained, handing out small scrolls to each girl. Miss Hardbroom kept her chin up, gazing anywhere but at Pippa. She heard the familiar words, which Ms. Cackle usually said, every year at this time, begin to ring hauntingly in her ears. The words she had heard time and time again, and time and time again....there had never been any flower. And right on cue, that little sliver of hope wormed its way in, and thought maybe this year....maybe this time. She did her best to squash it down. It would only end the same way it always did. Hot tears pricked at her eyes, but her face was stony, willing them back into her eyes by force. She could see Pippa trying to catch her eyes, but she refused to meet her gaze. She knew if she looked at Pippa’s face, full of love and tender sympathy (because she knew exactly what she was feeling), she’d lose all her composure.

“Please take your time girls, and only present your flower privately, when you feel ready, but you must do so before midnight. Otherwise, the enchantment will fail” Ms. Pentangle warned. Traitorously, Miss Hardbroom felt her gaze flit briefly to Mildred, who was cradling her scroll delicately, as if sure it would break. That shred of hope flickered briefly, perhaps after all...they’d been through......no, Hecate shushed herself. A gift basket was one thing. An ice cream outing, and even a misadventure for another. But this...this was a lifelong commitment, a gift that symbolized a mentorship. Not even Mildred Hubble would go that far, Hecate was sure, she thought as her heart squeezed with hurt. No, this had all been...a very pleasant dream, which was soon to come to an end. Sooner or later, Mildred would graduate, and move on with her life...and...and then...Hecate knew logically that was the progression, but why did it make her feel so...empty to think of it. No Mildred to trip and spill ingredients all over herself, No Mildred to say brightly good morning to her (as no student did), No Mildred to vault herself into the pond or fill up the castle with her hair, or grin at her in that lopsided, adorable way. No more Mildred Hubble to scold and chastise, and sit in detention with for hours. Hecate found that idea...quite uncomfortable...and that discomfort turned into something akin to a desperate panic. Students came and went, and she never seemed to be affected this way, she thought, unsure why her emotions seemed to rage at these thoughts.

“Hecate” Pippa’s voice yanked her back to reality. “Darling are you all right?” she said concerned. Hecate felt a lump in her throat, and tried to speak but just made sort of a choking noise. “Oh, darling. I know. Let’s go outside where we can be alone and we can talk about it” Pippa said, rubbing her back tenderly, and transferring them to a bench on the opposite side of the castle from where the girls were out picking. Pippa just held Hecate for a few moments, cooing softly at her as she sobbed.

“I’ll never....I.....I’m sorry Pipsqueak I don’t know why.....this has all been a bit much for me” Hecate gasped in between sobs.

“You’re overwhelmed, it’s understandable. This is a very emotional time for you, it is” Pippa said gently. “I know this is what you’ve always wanted, and you’ve never gotten it” she whispered, her heart breaking for her girlfriend, leaning her forehead against hers. “But this year is different, I told you” Pippa said fervently. “And did you ever consider, by the way, when you were feeling very rejected (completely rightly of course) that those little witches weren’t worthy of your mentorship, not the other way around?” Hecate sniffled in response, which Pippa took to say “no, she hadn’t.” Pippa was conflicted, wanting to reassure Hecate, but knowing wouldn’t believe her about Mildred. “But this year, for the first time we have a girl who is worthy of it” Pippa settled.

“Which will make the rejection sting infinitely worse when it inevitably comes” Hecate said weakly. “I cannot allow my hopes to be raised” she said steeling herself, and sitting upright. Pippa bit her lip and nodded, wiping the tear tracks from Hecate’s eyes.

“Okay, Hiccup. You don’t have to be hopeful. But you don’t have to be resigned either” Pippa said firmly. “We’ll just wait and see”

******************************************************************************Oblivious to all of the emotional turmoil brewing on the opposite side of the castle, Mildred cursed her long black gown as she tripped on it for the zillionth time flying haphazardly into the undergrowth at the edge of the forest. Once again, she wondered how on earth HB did it. Maybe this was why she transferred everywhere.

“OW! I’m okay!” she shouted, to no one in particular. Maud and Enid had wanted to go off and harvest as a group, but Mildred had told them she wanted to go alone. They were surprised, but they respected her privacy.

“Okay...well this seems like as good a spot as any” Mildred proclaimed, settling down with her sketchbook and pencils, which she had shockingly, magicked from her room, without incident. She needed to sketch out her ideas for the flower or herb she was going to give HB. Luckily, Mildred had sighed in relief to see that their teacher did not expect them to know the meanings of all the flowers by heart. She glanced down the chart, which she had found on the backside of her scroll, and quickly made a few notes in her notebook.

“Let’s see....” Mildred mused. “Definitely Aloe for healing and protection.... that’s just a given. Not that she needs it, but everyone could use a little of that. Chamomile, smells really nice...and she would like that because it symbolizes patience....and she’s always so patient with me” Mildred scribbled furiously and then facepalmed. “UGH I can only pick one? This is impossible...” she groaned. “Well honestly I’ve never followed the rules before- so I’m not going to start now. Someone like HB is complex- she can’t be summed up in just one flower” Mildred said decisively. “Maybe it’ll work with multiple???” she asked to the night air.

She made a quick list of the flowers and herbs she wanted to collect:

Aloe- healing, affection, protection, Chamomile- Patience, (in adversity) Oak- Strength, honeysuckle- devotion/everlasting bond, yellow jasmine- grace and elegance, white jasmine- sweet love/respect, Sage- for wisdom

Me- Daisy- Innocence and Hope

Miss Hardbroom- Violet- loyalty, faithfulness, devotion

After making a quick sketch of what the bouquet (that is what it had turned into) would look like, Mildred set off determinedly into the woods. After all, she had to collect everything by midnight. She groaned at the fact that she had just made far more work for herself than was strictly necessary, but she knew it would be worth it to see Miss Hardbroom’s face when she presented it to her.

Meanwhile, back on the opposite side of the castle, the clock ticked ominously closer and closer to midnight, and Hecate’s spirits sank lower and lower. Pippa was trying in vain to distract her with idle conversation, but Hecate simply paced back and forth, rejecting all of her attempts.

“But Hiccup...it’ll do you no good to sit and stew. Why don’t we go back inside and have some treats, and catch up with the other teachers. You always feel better after talking to Ada” Pippa said selflessly, recognizing that she might have done all she could to distract/cheer up Hecate, and she should step back and let someone else have a try. Hecate looked at Pippa gratefully.

“If Ada has a moment” Hecate said slowly. “That might be...agreeable” Pippa brightened.

“I’ll go grab her” she said gently, sprinting back into the great hall. In a few moments, there was the changing of the guard, and now Ada came to sit down familiarly next to her deputy on the bench.

“Ada” Hecate greeted, solemnly.

“Hecate” she said, in a warm maternal way, grasping her hands. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?” Hecate looked up at the night sky, at all the twinkling stars.

“Oh, Ada...I’m not sure myself” Hecate said softly. “I feel I’m on precipice of something... And I’m not quite sure if it’s positive or negative, but I feel some sort of change is coming...Tonight is such an important night and I find.....I don’t know how to....I’m scared, Ada” she whispered. “I’m scared I’ll get rejected again...but at least that’s familiar. But perhaps I’m more scared of if I don’t.....If I don’t......If I finally get what I wanted and...it falls to pieces because of a misguided word or action on my part. If I cannot handle...if I disappoint” Hecate knew she wasn’t making a great deal of sense, but trusted that Ada could fill in the blanks.

“I suppose this has to do with one Mildred Hubble” Ada said, looking down her glasses fondly at her deputy. Hecate looked away, and took a sharp intake of breath.

“I cannot imagine she would want me” she said simply. “But I also cannot bear disappointing her if she did, and I feel those are my only two options, and both end in despair and heartbreak for both or one of us” Hecate said, trying to keep her voice flat- but it was wavering. Ada sighed heavily.

“You know what frustrates me about you, Hecate?” Ada asked, and Hecate blinked at her. “You do not think you are worthy of being loved” The words hit her hard, because Hecate knew they were true. She felt like someone had punched her, and felt a deep shame pool in her heart.

“I...” Hecate bit her lip.

“You need to allow people to love you Hecate” Ada said gently. “I do, Pippa does, and I know beyond any shadow of a doubt Mildred does” Hecate scoffed at the last bit, but it was weak. “As long as you try, every day, and follow my advice to be open, to bend a little, to put the tips of your witchy boots out of your comfort zone- even if it’s just baby steps” Ada said fiercely. “You won’t disappoint anyone. The only way you can do that is if you do what is easy, and don’t try, and I know you’re braver than that, Hecate” Ada said cupping her cheek like a mother would. “You’ve always been like a daughter to me, so please heed my advice, as one of those people who love you." Ada explained, and Hecate felt the tears running down her face. She fought the urge to transfer away- to run away, to hide, to lock herself in her potions lab and never come out until she could stop feeling everything so much.

“Thank you, Ada” Hecate whispered. “I....It is not easy for me.....but....I will try” she said brokenly.

“That’s my girl” Ada said fondly, and Hecate let out a hicc-sob.

“I do believe I’ve cried tonight, more than I ever have in my entire life” Hecate said dryly, trying to bring back her usual bite. Ada winked at her.

“Well, I’d keep your handkerchief ready, because I think there’s someone here to see you” Ada murmured, grinning at the sight of one very muddy Mildred Hubble approaching across the lawn. Her dress was stained with mud, ripped in a few places, and her leg was bleeding from a few scratches on her thigh and shin. There were twigs sticking haphazardly out of her hair, and dirt streaked across her face, making her pale skin shine in the moonlight. She was panting by the time she reached the two witches, holding something behind her back.

“I....hang on” Mildred wheezed, holding up a finger. Miss Hardbroom stood stock still at the sight of Mildred, hardly daring to believe it. If this was some stupid question about where she could find herbs for another teacher.....Hecate thought, she might just transfer to her room and hide out there for the rest of the evening. She was so lost in thought, she was barely aware of Ms. Cackle patting her hand, and going back inside quietly. “I have something to say to you, Miss Hardbroom” she said shyly. “Um. Let’s see...oh yes, uh my scroll....” Mildred stood up straight and cleared her throat. “I...Mildred Hubble present...”

“Wait!” Hecate cried sharply. Mildred looked up from the scroll confused.

“Mil-dred Hub-ble what have you done to yourself?” Hecate said, almost desperate to prolong things. In a flash, she cast a spell and cleaned Mildred up. The twigs, mud, and dirt were poofed away, and her dress repaired itself.

“Oh, gee thanks Miss. Sorry it took so long but I had to go out a ways” Mildred babbled. “And then I fell in a swamp trying to get the yellow jasmine because it grew right next to the muddiest part, and I said not in this nice dress, and so I thought I’d go around and...” Mildred stopped herself. “Anyways. It’s not important. I have to do this bit before midnight so” Mildred took a deep breath, and looked back down at the scroll in one hand, still holding the other behind her back.

“I...Mildred Hubble....on this night, the eighth of may, do present Miss Hecate Hardbroom with this token. This gift I have crafted represents the relationship between you, my teacher, and me, your pupil” Mildred said, reading off the paper, but glancing up at Miss Hardbroom every now and again. Mildred scanned the paper, and then, frowning, seemed to decide to go off script, and say the next bit from the heart. She looked at her teacher with open adoration.

“Miss Hardbroom, I couldn’t choose just one flower or herb to represent our relationship-or your qualities that I want to embody, because there are so many! So, instead of one flower or herb I chose several, and combined them into a bouquet” Mildred said shyly, yet earnestly, hesitantly pulling out the bouquet from behind her back. Miss Hardbroom gasped, putting a hand to her mouth. It was a hodgepodge of everything, and Hecate could see flowers mixed with herbs that she would never ever have put together, and it was so wildly Mildred that she almost laughed out loud. “First, I wanted to include Aloe for protection, healing, and affection. That’s a given, because everyone needs a little protection and healing, but especially you because you’re so strong all the time, and sometimes you forget to take time for yourself after stressful things happen. And also, because you always protect me, even when I fight you on it. Chamomile- is for patience in adversity, because you’re always so patient with me, no matter how much I mess up or challenge you, you never stop trying to help me, in your own way. Oak leaves- for strength, because like I said, you’re like really strong magically, and you always fight to protect us girls from all kinds of dangerous situations, like with Agatha or the big freeze. We always feel safe with you. Sage is because...well you’re obviously really wise, because you know all these potions ingredients and all this stuff about magic, and I probably don’t have to even tell you what it all means, but I’d like to anyway, if that’s okay” Hecate’s eyes were brimming with tears, and she nodded, dazed. “Yellow jasmine is for grace and elegance, because well...I think you’re really elegant. You move around all swift and silently. Like a queen kind of. I wish I could be more graceful like that, not so clumsy. White jasmine-for respect, because I really respect you, Miss Hardbroom, over anyone else here at Cackles. And finally honeysuckle, which means...” Mildred’s voice wobbled. “Which means love, and an everlasting bond and devotion...because...well...I love you, Miss. Which is part of why I’m offering you, my gift. So that...when I leave here......that is if you want....if you accept it that is....we could stay connected somehow” Mildred, said, beginning to lose her composure, shaky breaths, short gasps, and tears began plopping down her face steadily, but she tried her best to keep going.

“And that’s the outer ring” she said, showing Miss Hardbroom the ring of plants that surrounded two flowers in the middle, twined together. “And in the middle there, that’s two flowers that I chose that represent me and you” Mildred sniffled. “The Daisy is me, because it represents innocence and hope. And that one next to it is you, Miss. The Violet, because it represents loyalty, faithfulness, and devotion- because that’s who you are. You’re loyal, faithful, and devoted to Miss Cackle, us girls and the academy. Also it’s purple and pretty” Mildred warbled. “And all those other things are sort of surrounding us, and that’s the parts of you that are what I want to be. What I’d like to become when I grow up” Mildred continued, wiping at her face. “Because, it’s you who's had the biggest impact on me, Miss” Mildred finished. Hecate had removed her hand from her mouth, and had been listening intently, her heart beating wildly. As Mildred had spoken, her shock had turned into wonder, which had turned into awe, which had turned into a deep gratitude, mixed with an intense maternal love that washed over her like a wave. She looked at that little girl, who at the beginning of the school year, had not been able to name one single plant or flower, and who was now reciting almost an encyclopedia esque knowledge for her. The thought of it filled her with a deep sense of pride. That little girl, who had managed to effortlessly qualify her very essence, her very soul into a symbolic bouquet that represented the qualities she admired about her. The little girl who knew her....who understood her better than any student had ever before. That little girl who had reached into her very cold heart and pulled it out into the light. Hecate didn’t have to touch her face to know she was crying too. She had never thought she could feel this much love for a child. It overwhelmed her completely.

“Mildred....” Hecate managed. “You are sure? You understand what this means? This gift once given, cannot be taken back” Mildred nodded fiercely, still waiting for her to respond to what she had said before, looking vulnerable. Hecate remembered Ada’s words, and knew this was the moment she needed to be brave.

“I......I am not good with expressing emotions...Mildred” she started, and Mildred’s face fell. “But.....you have never accepted that, because for the entirety of this week....even when I pushed you away, you always tried to connect with me. At first I tried to convince myself that this was nothing more than a passing phase or an idle curiosity, or even a scheme to do better in potions. These were the excuses I gave myself because I could not imagine...I could not...imagine the possibility that a pupil wished to have...a relationship with me that was emotional, in any sense” Hecate said tearfully, but sincerely. “I didn’t know how to handle it. I didn’t know what to do. I felt lost. But now I see that you, Mildred Hubble, are very special. You are very patient with me. You are willing to...help me in this area. You overlook and forgive my flaws and faults, almost blindly. You understand me in a way that many adults do not. You are perceptive, kind, courageous, and loyal, and wonderfully loving. You say I never gave up on you, but similarly you...never gave up on me. And thus, I’m afraid that as much as you may argue I had a great impact on you, I can assure you that you have had a far greater one on me” Hecate spoke haltingly, but with conviction. “It would be my honor to accept your gift” she finished. Mildred was full on sobbing at this point, reaching her hands out to her teacher’s to wrap them around hers around the bouquet. Both student and teacher stared through their tears into each other’s eyes, neither one looking away, trying to communicate so much feeling without words. Mildred glanced down at the scroll, and began the chant, with Miss Hardbroom’s voice joining hers, though both their voices were cracking with emotion.

“Let this token be enchanted on this night

As student and teacher commit to unite

May this magical bond we forge be as strong as the oak

As wise as the sage

As patient as the chamomile

As healing as the aloe

As graceful and elegant as the yellow jasmine

As respectful as the white jasmine

As full of love as the honeysuckle

As innocent and hopeful as the daisy

And as loyal, steadfast, and devoted as the violet

May this gift of nature join us forever as one

In a bond of mentorship that cannot be undone”

Dimly, Mildred was aware of the clock striking midnight somewhere in the background. The wind, which had stirred up at the beginning of their chant, had begun to whip around them, with the two leaning over the bouquet to protect it.

“What’s supposed to happen now?” Mildred yelled over the wind.

“I’m not entirely sure....Mildred...I’ve...I’ve never done this before” her teacher shouted back. Mildred’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Never?” Mildred shouted, and Miss Hardbroom shook her head.

“I’ve never even.....been asked” Miss Hardbroom admitted, looking away. Mildred’s heart was filled with shock and outrage at her classmates, current and past and a wave of love and protectiveness towards her teacher. Suddenly, Mildred felt her feet lifting off the ground.

“Miss....” Mildred cried fearfully, watching as Miss Hardbroom began to hover a little above the ground as well. “What are you doing?” Miss Hardbroom shook her head.

“I’m not doing it Mildred. Do not let go of my hands” she instructed, trying to appear calm and collected. The two hovered in the air, a foot off the ground, wind whipping around them, hands joined over the bouquet. Mildred could feel her magic thrumming through her veins, coursing through her whole body as if she were being electrocuted. The tips of her fingers were on fire, but she simply tightened her hands around her teachers, feeling comforted by their connection. A warmth filled her body, running down her arms and out through her fingertips, wrapping itself tightly around their joined hands and the bouquet. Opening her eyes she saw that she was encased in a golden glow, the glow moving to include her hands, and the bouquet too. And then, as Mildred closed her eyes again she felt a different magic. Colder, older, a little darker, but beautiful, graceful and elegant. She knew it was Miss Hardbroom’s magic.

Hecate was illuminated in a deep regal purple glow, that similarly traveled down her arms and met Mildred’s around the bouquet. She too, felt the rhythm of her own magic reaching maternally towards Mildred’s, and Mildred’s own tentatively reaching out to brush hers. A warmth filled her like she had never known, and the little stripes of golden magic thrummed through her fingertips. For once, Hecate Hardbroom was absolutely speechless. She had never felt such an intense magical bond, and she could feel Mildred’s fear and apprehension. Concentrating, she reached out with her magic, holding Mildred’s gaze with her own.

It’s all right, Mildred. I’m right here. You’re safe Mildred startled, hearing her teacher’s voice in her mind.

How.....how can I hear you without speaking? Mildred asked back.

It only happens quite rarely, in very powerful magical bonds. We should be very honored our connection is strong enough to support this. Hecate explained, and Mildred nodded, and Hecate hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit more courageous to say the bit that she had left out of her speech earlier, because she been self-conscious. The mind connection made things much more private, and Hecate felt more comfortable to share what she wanted Mildred to know.

I love you, too Mildred It came so softly, in Mildred’s mind, that she almost missed it. Mildred’s grin could’ve eclipsed the sun. She thought her teacher in that moment, was the most beautiful witch in the world. She looked like her namesake, goddess of witches, hovering there regally, her eyes closed in concentration. The gold and the purple magics swirled around each other, intertwining and connecting and pulsing around the bouquet. Both teacher and pupil opened their eyes, which filled wonder and awe as they watched their magics combine. Hecate laughed slightly as she saw the magic lift Mildred’s plaits up in the air, tips first, and Mildred grinned back at her. There was an intense wave of light, like a star combusting, that rippled outward from the pair and throughout the field outside Cackles. And then, as suddenly as it had appeared, it was gone, and both student and teacher were both unceremoniously dumped on the ground, still holding the bouquet, which still glowed softly.