Hi there! It's been a while, but I have some time on my hands being the state of everything nowadays. I hope whoever is reading this is staying safe and healthy. My heart goes out to everyone.

That being said I'm back and I have been watching the Worst Witch during my downtime and a lot has happened in the show since I wrote anything about it. I don't really care for the show, eh, what I mean to say is that I don't care for the writing of the show that much. None of the characters feel like they grow. At all. So basically, I'm going to go off but come back to somethings throughout this that they have done in the series. I still like some of the aspects of the show, but I see a lot of downfalls to it too. Sue me (Please don't. I have very little money and I'm only stating my opinions which cost no money).

Anyway, please enjoy and I hope this might take your mind off things as it has for me writing this.

Chapter 1

Hecate frowned.

"Please, I would like you all to welcome Marigold Mould into our school." Miss Cackle introduced the teachers of Cackle's Academy to their new staff member, "Marigold will be taking a place as Cackle's newest art teacher."

"Hello to you all it is lovely to-" Miss Mould started happily.

"Art teacher?" Hecate rose her eyebrows to her hairline to Ada, "Our girls need to be trained in something practical, Ada, not finger painting."

"Then Hecate perhaps you could tell Mildred that you want her to stop such a talent that she has and take up something else instead?" Ada counter, giving her a look over her glasses.

Hecate's lips pressed together tightly, "You know that's not what I meant."

"Even so." Ada said, but then gestured for the attention to turn back to Marigold, "Please the floor should be yours now."

With a nervous laugh, Marigold started again, "Right. It's lovely to meet you all and I am so happy to be spending the year at Cackle's Academy. Ada has told me wonderful things about each one of you. I look forward to working with each and every one of you." Marigold specifically chose to eye Hecate towards the end.

"And with that settled let's continue the meeting with our newest addition." Ada smiled, and the meeting went on as if there was nothing else debatable about it. Hecate felt unsettled by this change and even hurt that Miss Cackle had not told her anything before the meeting. She was deputy head she was allowed to know such things it was a curtesy.

The meeting ended, and everyone vanished away to enjoy the two remaining weeks that were left of their summer vacation. Well, everyone except Hecate, Ada, and Marigold. Marigold smiled at Hecate, "I'm sorry, but I do think we have met once before?"

"I don't think so." Hecate clarified for her.

"Yes, at the Miss Pentangle's Summer Solstice." Miss Mould shared, "There was a young girl-Mildred-that was crying-"

"You're the woman from the balcony." Hecate remembered that had been so long ago, and she chose to forget that horrid night, "Yes, now I remember."

"How is Mildred?" Miss Mould asked.

"She's doing quite well, thank you." Hecate said shortly, then asked, "So you know the Pentangle's then?"

"Not exactly." Miss Mould said, then continued, "A friend of mine did though and invited me. Actually, she works at Amulet's where my references are from-"

"I'd like to see your references." Hecate interrupted.

"Hecate, surely that wouldn't be necessary?" Ada said astonish at her.

"I have a right as a teacher here at this school," She clears her throat for the next part, "And now as a mother I have to worry about who my child is being taught by."

"You're a mother?" Marigold asked shocked.

"Mildred is my daughter," Hecate said, calculating her response.

"Ah, I see. Well, it's not a problem to get my references though it might take a while." Miss Mold said, "Amulet's is currently going through some reconstruction as you both know."

"How convenient," Hecate said, turning up her nose.

"Right." Miss Mould smiled, and looked to Ada, "I should head out I would like to get my classroom ready before all the girls get here."

"Of course, Marigold." Ada nodded, there was a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, "You know you should ask Mildred to help you set up your classroom I'm sure she would be a great help."

It was at that moment Hecate Hardbroom thought about zapping her headmistress into a mouse. Her nostrils flared as Marigold looked to her, "I'd be grateful for the help, but I believe that it is up to you, Miss Hardbroom."

"We'll see." Hecate huffed.

"I'm sure Hecate will let Mildred know about the offer," Ada said, and Marigold nodded and left the office. Ada gave her a look, "Really, Hecate?"

"I don't trust that woman."

"I can see that."

"You hired a woman on the spot without checking her references?" Hecate challenged, "Of course I am going to be wary of her."

"Marigold is a lovely woman-"

"You trust people far too easily, Ada." Hecate said calmly, "First, Agatha-And I understand she is your sister, but then Dr. Chalice happened-"

"Hecate, I was unaware of the change in-"

"I know." Hecate breathed, "I understand. I-Ada, let me worry. I'm not thinking about myself or just about the school anymore. I have a daughter now and I want to protect her."

Ada sighed and smiled, "Alright, Hecate. If there's one person I trust the most at this school, it would be you." The corner of Hecate's lip quirked up in a smile, but she continued, "Please, though, Hecate do try and be nice to Marigold."

Hecate frowned once more.

When Hecate retired back to her room it was late, yet Mildred was waiting up for her. She grinned at Hecate from her seat beside the fire beside Tabby and Morgana as she dotted on them. Hecate wanted to smile, but she thought more on Marigold's presence and how it unnerved her to no end. Instead, she frowned at Mildred, "Bed. Now."

It was Mildred's turn to frown, "I wanted to know how the meeting went."

"Fine." Hecate huffed.

"Obviously not," Mildred muttered to Tabby and Morgana, as she petted their heads.

"It's late, Mildred."

"It's not about him is it?" Mildred asked, chewing at her bottom lip.

'Him' referring to Mildred's biological father and Hecate's older brother, Hermes. The last that they saw him was when he and his newfound 'coven' were trying to break Agatha out. The two of them had nearly died. Both Mildred and Hecate knew the fight wasn't over.

"No." Hecate sighed, but Mildred still chewed her bottom lip, "Millie, I promise it isn't about that."

"Then what's it about?" Mildred asked.

"We'll talk about it in the morning."

"I can't sleep knowing something going on at Cackle's." Mildred shook her head.

"Nothing is going on." Hecate sighed, it would have been so much easier if she was asleep, "I thought Pippa had tucked you in before I left?"

"She had to leave to go to Pentangle's she asked if I could go to sleep myself." Mildred shrugged, "I'm not a baby I can go to bed myself without being tucked in, you know?"

"Well, that's proving to be a false claim." Hecate shooed her off her armchair along with the two cats who meow in protest, "Come on."

Mildred rolled her eyes dramatically, but let her newly found mother lead her to her own bedroom, "You're changing the subject about the meeting."

"I wasn't aware that Ada had hired you as a teacher Mildred." Hecate droned, they entered the young witch's room, "Perhaps let me worry about my job and you do not do it for me?"

Hecate pulled back Mildred's covers and the girl hopped in, "You're acting like something's wrong."

"Nothing is wrong, I'm just annoyed is all." Hecate said as she tucked Mildred in, "You are not going to bed until I tell you, are you?"

"Not a chance," Mildred said, quirking a smile.

"If you must insist, Miss Cackle decided to hire another teacher," Hecate said, watching Mildred as she spoke.

"Another teacher? Did someone retire? It wasn't Miss Bats or-"

"No, no, it's a new position she's created." Hecate sat on the bed beside her.

"Oh." Mildred said, "What?"

"An art teacher."

"WHAT?" Mildred shouted with surprise, jumping up from her bed, "And she's a witch too?"

"Well, of course." Hecate gaped at her, "Why wouldn't she be?"

"I've never heard of a witch having a career in art." Mildred pondered, but then she smiled, "That's something that I'm really good at." The young witch got excited again and started jumping on the bed, "I'll finally be good at something!"

"Mildred!" Hecate scolded, and jumped up herself grabbing Mildred by the shoulders, "We've talked about this all summer you are-"

Mildred slumped reciting what Hecate told her over and over. Even mimicking Hecate's voice and posture, "Great at many things when you put your mind to it, but you doubt yourself."

"Cheeky." Hecate smirked, and poked at her side getting a giggle out of the girl, "Come on back in bed." Mildred plopped down pulling her covers over top of her, and Hecate continued, "It's true though, Mildred, you've vastly improved over the summer. That said, quit putting yourself down it isn't fair for you to do."

"I wish things came as easy as they do for you and Pippa," Mildred mumbled, now playing with the watch around her neck.

"Pippa and I have been doing this for longer than you have, Mildred. It will get easier, but you've progressed so much." She placed her hand over the top of Mildred's, "I even heard from Pippa that you have quite the project up your sleeves for potions."

Mildred nodded, "Yeah, it's probably the best project I've come up with."

"I'll be the judge of that." Hecate winked.

"So, why don't you like this art teacher?"

"Time for bed."

"Oh, come on, Mum!" Mildred whined.

Hecate smirked, and kissed her on the forehead, "Goodnight, Millie."

"Goodnight." Mildred said turning on her side but calling out to her mother to say one last thing, "I'll ask about it in the morning."