Chapter Text
Hecate had sat the Three Girls down on the sofa after Lunch. Enid and Maud's Parents would be there soon to pick them up. Hecate took an odd sense of joy in informing Parents of how terrible their children could be. It was odd, She knew it was odd, but there was something about the realisation of 'so.. They're not angles?' That was satisfactory. Maud, Enid and Mildred had been dreading that talk. It's not like they haven't had talks like it before. But they had all been Teacher to Parent talks. Not Parent to Parent. If one could class Hecate as that. Hecate, to an extent, saw herself as that. 'Guardian' was effective when you only saw the child in the evenings, food times and odd lessons. When you spend twenty-four seven, or near enough with them, Parent feels more fitting.
Pippa Came strolling in from outside, her hand filled with Azaleas of many colours. She liked the vivid colours of Azaleas. "Hecate, There here.". Hecate and Pippa had agreed the night before that Hecate would deal with them, but Pippa would be hanging back in case things went out of control. Surprisingly, Pippa agreed with Hecate's punishments. She said 'Those are very fair, especially from you'. High praise from the headmistress.
Pippa Stood near the door, and Hecate left to speak to the parents. This time it was Mr Nightshade and Mrs Spellbody. They all placed their hands on their foreheads, bowing. "Well Meet" Hecate drew out.
"Well Met, Miss Hardbroom. I trust the kids have been well behaved" Mrs Spellbody sounded so Hopeful. Then again, Maud wasn't one to misbehave, she just tended to get washed up in it.
"Actually, The girls thought it would be a lovely idea to start a forest fire." Hecate Informed them. Mrs Spellbody Gasped, as if her sweet child would never. While, Mr Nightshade didn't look the slightest bit phased. "They had gone out into the forest to create a 'den'. Apparently the plan was to create a fire pit, but they couldn't find the Match. So one of them did some magic, and instead of lighting the Pit, lit a few trees up instead."
"Oh, that is terrible.. I'm guessing as the fires are still standing it got put out alright?" Mrs Spellbody asked, hand on heart. Hecate simply gave a curt nod in reply.
"Do we know -Which- girl set the fire?" Mr Nightshade asked, crossing his arms and sighing. He thought the same thing Hecate did. It sounds like an Enid move.
"None of the girls would say. Iv grounded Mildred for the remainder of the holiday for her.. Silence on the matter." Hecate crossed her hand in front of her. Hecate understood protecting one's friends, But this was very serious and could have gone very badly. Hecate wouldn't be rewarding her for allowing the perpetrator to continue as is.
As if on Cue, Pippa Walked out with the Three girls following on, all looking rather sheepish and small. Mildred was empty handed, but the other two carried their bags with them.
"Maud Spellbody. A Forest Fire!" Mrs Spellbody sounded horrified. It's the way Hecate liked them to act. Nothing worse than a parent who brushes it off. 'They'll grow out of it', not if you keep having that attitude.
"I'm sorry, Mom.." Maud seemed generally Sorry for the whole thing. Hecate had expected that.
"You know, I agree with Miss Hardbroom's choice of punishment." Mr Nightshade said, Hecate hadn't expected it. "Like, Mildred, You're Grounded for the rest of the holidays."
"You too, Maud. As no ones confessed, it's only fair you are all punished" Mrs Spellbody confirmed.
It was nice being on the same page as others when it came round to Punishments. Normally Ada would be saying something like 'it's unfair to punish all of them.' She had half expected that from Pippa too. Yet, A thought that hadn't crossed her mind, was maybe her punishment was softer than it would have been a few months prior. She considered this as she looked over the three girls. They glanced at each other but said nothing for a moment. At least until Enid stepped forward. "You shouldn't punish them.. I thought i could do the spell and it backfired" It was surprisingly grown up of her to do so.
"Thank you, Enid." Her father said, Placing his hand on her shoulder. "We'll discuss this more with your Mother later." With that, he was ushering her over the brooms.
"Come on, Dear. Say thank you to Miss Hardbroom and Miss Pentangle." Mrs Spellbody ushered her own daughter to the brooms.
"Thank you, Miss Hardbroom, Miss Pentangle, Millie. It was a lovely weekend, Sans fire." Maud smiled at them all.
"Yea, Thanks for having us." Enid chimed in, perching herself on the broom. "See you next term".
Mildred Waved as her friends flew off to their own homes. Away from Mildred. Hecate decided to lift her Grounding. Under the understanding that should she break even one rule during the remainder, Hecate will double it into the school year. She knew Mildred wouldn't, But that doesn't mean she can't throw a bit of fear just in case.
Hecate had assumed the rest of the holiday would pass by smoothly. That things would go back to normal, or.. As normal as it got. After many realisations and talks on the day of fire, she would think things to be the best it had been. But she was woken the Thursday before the next year started by Pippa shaking her. It was Half three in the morning.
"I need to go to Pentangles, I'll explain more over Mirror Later I promise." Pippa spoke fast, her urgency high. She was already dressed and ready to take off. Before she could take off, Hecate latched onto her wrist.
"A little, or any, more information would be grand." Hecate tried not to sound Harsh or pushy. But quite frankly your.. Loved one taking off in the middle of the night to go back to school was a little concerning.
"It Seems Julie has issues with Pentangles. I don't know the level of Damage she's done, But it requires my attention." Pippa Quickly pressed her lips to Hecate's. "I love you, I'll talk to you as soon as i can." With that, Like a thief in the night, She was off.
Hecate's mind was swirling. What did Julie Hubble want with Pentangles? Never mind that, How was she supposed to tell Mildred. She wouldn't Mention Julie until she had more Information from Pippa. She'd just say there was a Problem, and she had to leave early. She of course wont say just how early.
This was the last thing they needed.