Chapter Text
2 months earlier…
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It’s been dreadful this past term. After the freeze and the start of new term, Mildred swore to herself she would do better this year. So far she’s held high marks in Art, spell science, and oddly enough witchory. However, chanting, potions and even PE while better than before, still not quite where she would like to be.
Winter term ended and now summer term was here. She wants to pass, and not just barely by one point but with marks that make it clear to everyone that she earned it.
This was her fourth year and she wanted to make it count. She was already lantern monitor and soon to be next years head girl, she just needed to get her grades up to par.
.
She has tried studying on her own and with Maud and Enid, while effective she finds she does the most well after a detention with Miss Hardbroom.
If she’s finished early with whatever punishment she has been assigned, Miss Hardbroom will take the time to go over any material that has been assigned. That is exactly what Mildred needs right now.
Mildred for the most part gets about one detention a week lately, a far comparison to her daily detentions in the past years. But this week she needs another and fast if she wants to pass this months potions essay. It was the second to last essay of the year and having done moderately well in last three she really needs to pass these final two in order to get straight passing marks.
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And so here she was hours later. Supper had ended and she was to be here on the dot to clean cauldrons. She did not know adding too much frogs wart would cause an explosion so big. Truthfully she only wished to cause a minor smoke display but either way she received detention which is what she wanted in the first place.
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“Mildred Hubble, on time for once.” the dark witch drawls out, having just transferred in pocket watch in hand.
“Yes Miss Hardbroom.”
“Well I suggest you commence, despite popular belief I do enjoy my rest.”
“Yes Miss Hardbroom.” Mildred parrots and quickly gets to work. She timed this out perfectly, if she finishes this in less than an hour, she can have an entire hour to ask questions before checking in with her mum and then beginning her lantern duties early at 9.
.
In record speed she washes and rinses each cauldron and even cleans some of the residue left on the tables. Finally after a minute of ensuring it was all done she spoke up.
“I’m done, Miss Hardbroom.”
Looking up from the papers she was marking, Hecate did not look so amused.
“In under an hour? Forgive me if I do not believe you” she says and gets up to check her work “I guess you have, very well you are free to go.”
At that Mildred’s face morphs to one of confusion. This never happened before. She has had enough detention to know that after she finished her task Miss Hardbroom liked to involve some teaching in detention. This is when she is supposed to tell her to work on her homework and then come over and help.
“I- I thought I had to work on my assignment” she asked timidly
“Miss Hubble I am allowing you to leave detention early.”
“Yes but normally you-“
“While shocking I do wish to retire early myself” Miss Hardbroom responds though there is a small smile on her face that just further confuses the younger witch.
“I-“ with a big sigh Mildred prepares herself for what she is about to do, “I need your help.”
Immediately the older witch is on her feet her face showing some concern.
“Whats happened?” She ushers out quietly.
“No nothing nothing bad, I just- I need help with my essay, is all.” Mildred whispers her hands playing with her plaits.
A brief look of amusement pass over mistress before she exhales and beckons the child forward, sitting back down.
“Very well, bring your essay forward and we can look it over.”
Mildred smiles at her success and rushes over with her school bag.
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After going over her potions essay, Miss Hardbroom writes a few notes on the margins and underlines words that could be changed to advance the essay. She then goes over a bit on the history behind the topic to give Mildred a clearer view on what exactly the prompt is asking. Especially knowing Mildred would not have that knowledge since most witch’s come into the school already knowing it.
Mildred feels better and even smiles up at the older witch after she finished her explanation.
“Thank you! I’ve been trying to figure out what I was missing.” Mildred raves.
“It’s no problem, I am ha- here to help.”
Glancing at the clock Mildred all but scrambles to get her papers.
“Oh no I forgot the time, thank you Miss Hardbroom!” She says almost out the door.
“You’re very welcome, but please do refrain from blowing up my potions laboratory each time you need assistance.” Hecate says amusement clear in her voice
Mildred’s faces pales slightly once she’s out the door causing Hecate to stifle a smile but it’s cut off by the door shutting.
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Choosing to ignore whatever that was, Mildred runs straight to her room. It’s too late to go check in with her mum now hopefully if she finishes lighting the lanterns quickly she could briefly go in before curfew.
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~~~~~~~~~~~
It takes an hour but Mildred does it, she finishes by 10. Technically two hours early by school standards but she likes to sleep and this is late for her. Still though she makes her way over to her mum’s quarters in hopes she is still awake.
The light being on is a good sign and she goes over to open the door when she hears it. Laughing and whispers, which confuses her because up to now her mother hadn’t really made strong friends. Aside from Miss Drill with the odd tea, she didn’t really invite anyone else into her quarters.
Intrigued, Mildred presses her ear up to listen.
.
“Your still as insatiable” Julie laughs
“It’s been days” the other voice groans
“And whose idea was it we remain a secret?” Julie’s asks with a smirk
“I still stand by that, at least for now.” The other voice says
“I know you do love, as do I. We just have to figure out a way to make this work”
“I suppose.. for now though?”
“Okay yes for now” Julie’s laughs but it quickly turns airy and breathless and kisses are pressed down her neck
.
Immediately Mildred whips her head back and her eyes are wide with mortification. She knows her mum’s voice of course but she also knows the other voice. That voice she’s heard for the past 4 years since she first came here. Her mum’s dating Miss Hardbroom!
Immediately Mildred is rushing back to her room. Just in time before the door opens upon her noisy departure.
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“We have to have something in case students come looking for either of us” Julie’s says her arms wrapped around Hecate's waist as she investigates the empty corridor
“Yes, I know of a few alarm spells that should work” she says, turning back into her lovers arms, closing the door behind them
~