A/N: It feels surreal that this fanfiction has come to its conclusion after five years of writing Midnights Dawn. It's been an incredible experience working on and writing this piece of fan-fiction and I truly appreciate the reviews, follows and favourites I've received. I have made new friends throughout my journey and truly hope that this chapter does the story justice.

I have to give another thank you to my friend NextChristineDaae who has been a constant support throughout my writing journey since my first visit to this site and whom gives the encouragement I've needed to keep moving forwards with my work. This chapter is dedicated to you, Merry Christmas and thank you so much for everything.

Thank you to everyone for reading and for your support over the last five years of my fan-fiction journey :) This is by no means the end but marks a milestone that I will never forget.

Enjoy!

Chapter 17

Perceptions Of The Past

After what felt like an eternity in the darkness, Amelia Cackle emerged from the tunnel and into the light. She was momentarily blinded by the sunset, its luminous orange glow sitting just above the treetops in the distance. Overcome with emotion she raced forwards and threw her arms around Imogen who returned the embrace. Stopping the choking sob that threatened at her throat she turned to the girls. "Are they all here? Did everyone make it out alright?"

"As far as I know, yes," Imogen answered, "I've done a headcount and that's everybody except for one."

"Mildred," Amelia sighed, "the poor girl was kidnapped by Broomhead and is probably being held hostage as we speak." She saw the fear she felt for the young girl and for her colleague reflected in Imogen's eyes.

"Is there anything we can do?" The PE teacher questioned but Amelia simply shook her head.

"You have already done enough, Imogen." Her right hand landed on the non-witches shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Thank you, for all that you have done." Imogen smiled, a tinge of sadness still etched in her features and weighing heavily on her heart.

"Amelia," she spoke, softly, her lips parting and struggling to say the words she had been dreading since Constance refused to tell her the truth. "Davina's gone isn't she?" Amelia wiped a tear away from under her eye, her lip quivering and blinking becoming rapid.

"Yes, I'm afraid so." Imogen pivoted on her heel and walked away, leaving Amelia facing the students, some battered and bruised, most covered in cobwebs from their journey down the tunnels. Their bones were weary and tired, their eyes drooping and unfocussed.

"Attention girls!" She called, as loud as she dared as the birds sang sweetly in the trees, oblivious to the chaos that had been endured. "The last twenty four hours have been a challenge but I want to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for being the strong witches that you are," she paused, her kindness and wisdom flowing through the crowd like a gentle grandmother passing on wise stories to her grandchildren. "We wouldn't have been able to get through today without all of you working together. I know that you are tired, injured and sore, and we will return to the castle once we know its safe."

As if by divine intervention, as she spoke the words, the magical barrier released itself into the ether, a breeze expanded from the castle's surroundings making them all brace against the wind. Imogen raised her arms to cover her tear-shrieked eyes as leaves rolled from the castle walls. It only lasted a moment and smiles spread through the crowd. Girls erupted into cheers, laughter and held one another in support. Amongst it all, Enid stood still, glad that the barrier had broken which meant that Broomhead had been defeated, but what, she wondered, had been the cost?

Mildred had never been this close to her potions mistress before and it was both intimidating and oddly calming. Her teacher looked the calmest she had ever seen her, her porcelain skin resting against the floorboards as the orange sunlight painted highlights against her face. "Miss Hardbroom?" She asked, gently shaking her teachers shoulder. "Miss Hardbroom. Please wake up." She lifted her gaze to Mistress Broomhead, lying face down against the floor. She hadn't moved an inch since Constance had landed her final blow and Mildred was grateful that her magic had returned and one of the longest days of her short life was finally coming to an end.

Placing her fingers against Miss Hardbroom's wrist she felt the familiar thud of her heart beating and smiled. "Come what may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day," she recited softly when the door to her left burst open and Miss Cackle and Enid entered. Amelia slowly made her way across the floor to Hecketty's side. She bent down to her knees, slowly fearing they may buckle under her weight before she released a sigh and made her way towards Mildred. The girl hadn't realised when she started to softly run her hands over her teachers head, it was a calming gesture that her mother had done to her when she was growing up and was a force of habit. Enid placed a hand on her friends shoulder.

"Mildred?" She asked making her friend lift her eyes where tears escaped from their confines. Enid pulled her friend into her arms, placing a comforting hand on the back of her head. "It's okay, it will all be okay," she repeated softly, "it's over."

Amelia carefully lifted Constance against her knees, checking her for vital signs and releasing a sigh of relief when she too found out the same. "She'll be okay," Miss Cackle smiled, "she's just exhausted. I'll magick her to her room to rest and we will get the other students sorted. Enid, can you take Mildred back to her room to rest please." Enid nodded helping her friend to her feet.

One by one, Imogen marked the roll, asking for girls who were injured to report to the Great Hall while others were to return to their rooms for the evening. They did so eagerly, many too exhausted to think about anything but returning to their rooms to sleep. The sweet embrace of a mattress under their bodies and a pillow under their heads, as uncomfortable as they may have been, was a God-send.

Mildred had laid on her bed but wasn't asleep. She looked to be in a trance, the shock of the day's events running through her mind at a million miles an hour. Enid sat by her side, refusing to leave. There was a knock on the door and Enid opened it to see Ethel and Drusilla. She didn't speak her usual remarks or smite them with her tongue but instead waited for them to speak first as other girls walked like zombies to their bedrooms with quiet musings to one another. "How is she?" Ethel asked genuinely.

"In shock, she hasn't told me what happened but she will eventually once she gets some rest."

"If she, or you need anything," Ethel paused, even the offering of support feeling strangely easy to offer, "please let me know."

"Me too," Druscilla echoed, "anything."

"I will, thank you," Enid smiled before they turned to leave making Enid wonder whether the entire world had changed as much as their small academy had in one day.

Amelia sat at her desk with her head in her hands. She had a migraine building behind her eyes and it was no wonder. Imogen was busy working to provide first aid to the girls while the others were, thankfully, following her instructions to get some rest and wait until morning for more news. She had temporarily transported Hecketty's body to where it would not be seen and needed to contact the Grand Wizard for advice on the next course of action. She took in a few deep breaths, counting as she breathed in for ten beats and out for ten to try and calm down. During an exhalation was when she heard it. A knock…or a tap, she was unsure. Her eyes lifted. "Come in," she called to whomever was behind the door but no one opened it, when she heard a muffled voice coming from a different door… that of the stationary cupboard.

In no time at all she raced towards it, using a spell to unlock the door and catching Davina before she fell out and hit the floor. "Davina!" Amelia cried, wrapping her eccentric colleague in her arms tighter than she ever thought she would.

"A-Amelia, a little tight!"

"Sorry," she apologised, leaning backwards as new tears filled her vision, sadness replaced with pure joy. "Have you been hiding in there this entire time?"

"Hiding? No! Hecketty locked me in there and told me to keep quiet."

"But-" Amelia sighed, eyebrows furrowing as she tried to put the pieces together. She grabbed her colleague by the upper arms to ensure that she was not dreaming and was not simply a spirit or ghost. Beyond the paleness of her skin, slightly more ghostly than usual, Davina Bat was indeed still very much alive.

"You're really here and alive!"

Davina smiled weakly, silently telling herself that she had had more than enough time with the stationary cupboard to last her a lifetime. "Well of course, silly, did you think I was…" she stopped asking what she thought was a rhetorical question when she saw the look in her headmistress's eyes. "Amelia I'm so glad you're safe. What about the girls? Imogen? Constance?"

"I have a lot to tell you, my friend."

Constance awoke to the tickling sensation of her cats fur against her face. She opened her eyes to see Morgana, her faithful companion, lying next to her on the bed, her forehead against hers. She smiled before seeing Morgana's eyes open, bright green gems dazzling in response to her owner's attention. "How are you feeling?" Asked Imogen.

Constance lifted her head and turned it to the left to see the weary PE Mistress sitting on the chair, beads of sweat on her forehead and a tiredness exuding from her mind. A flicker of candle light sending shadows up the walls. "Honestly…relieved," Constance answered with a smile, "you?"

"Exhausted," Imogen replied breathlessly, "the girls are all accounted for and treated, some of them needed extra care but Amelia and Davina helped."

"Davina?" Constance questioned making Imogen smile so bright it lit up the room. She nodded silently, still believing that it had all been some sort of strange dream. "But how?"

"The cupboard of course," Imogen explained, "Hecketty locked her in there, odd for her to keep Davina safe."

"Where is Hecketty now?"

"She's dead, Constance. Amelia had to contact the council and the Grand Wizard, he is coming tomorrow to see you and to…try to investigate things."

"Understandable," Hardbroom sighed, closing her eyes.

"Are you in pain? I can get you something?"

"No," Constance dismissed, opening her eyes again once the pain in her head had passed, "I'm-" She was about to say 'fine' but stopped herself short. After all she and the Academy had been through the past day it seemed useless to try and hide the truth any longer. In some way, the removal of Broomhead from her life had been a blessing, making her feel freer than ever to reveal the truth and to be honest, to let her guard down for just a moment. "How's Amelia?" she asked, changing the subject and making Imogen sigh a little at how close Hardbroom had come to opening up for once. She supposed that change wasn't going to happen that quickly.

"Sleeping, as is Davina. I just thought I'd see how you were before I too go to get some rest."

"Go," Constance replied making Imogen stand to her feet. She walked towards the door but stopped short when Constance spoke once more. "Imogen…thank you."

The next morning Davina Bat entered Constance's room with as many flowers as she could carry. "Morning Constance!" She greeted, thrusting the window shutters open and making Constance grimace as she sat herself up, sleeping better the last two nights than she could remember.

"Morning," she replied curtly as Davina delicately arranged the flowers into the vase by the window. Peering outside at the students below with bags packed, brooms at the ready and their uniforms worn with pride she couldn't help but sigh.

"How are they? Really?"

Davina turned more solemnly, holding her hands together and trying to not bother the deputy headmistress with anything else on a day like today. "Okay, I think. But they are glad for the break, some will need counselling to get through it…Amelia isn't sure how many will return to us after everything is said and done."

Constance closed her eyes, making Davina approach the end of the bed quickly. "None of this is your fault, without you, those students wouldn't be flying outside that gate at all."

"I know," Hardbroom acknowledged, pulling the covers from her legs and pivoting to sit on the edge of the mattress. "Would you mind giving me a hand?" Davina smiled, humbled at the opportunity of being able to help the deputy with something for a change.

"Is this entirely necessary?! At least do this after the girls have left the Academy, they do not need to see this!" Amelia cried in her office, the sounds of the morning birds awakening and the shuffling of students overpowered by the Headmistress's outburst. The Grand Wizard was having none of it. He sat straight backed in the chair before her, the most serious she had ever seen him. The once usually calm and easily swayed Grand Wizard had certainly changed his tune from a high-pitched sharp to a quiet and serious flat. "Constance hasn't done anything wrong!"

"On the contrary, Miss Cackle," the Grand Wizard spoke, keeping his hands clasped together in his lap. "The death of another witch will always be treated as a serious matter."

"Are you forgetting about the horrible things Broomhead did?! The deaths she caused under this Academy's roof? The murder of my…" she paused, finding it strange for her tongue to not want to mutter the word 'sister' even though that was what Agatha was.

"I have not forgotten and I am sorry for your loss Miss Cackle, but processes must be followed, interviews must take place and a full inquiry must be carried out. It's the law. It's the code." Without another word he stepped forwards towards the door when Amelia stood before it to prevent his exit.

"I cannot… I will not let you take Constance from this Academy! I am fully aware of the code and of the clause regarding self defence if provoked by an attack and I know full well that Constance's use of force was exactly what was necessary when so many lives were in danger. If she did not do what she did, I would not be standing in front of you today, the girls out in that courtyard wouldn't see their parents again and you wouldn't be able to hide behind your staff or fancy oak desk pretending to be someone who cares about our school any longer!"

"I am going to ignore that comment because I understand you are upset."

The word 'upset' hadn't even gotten Amelia started. A crusty old wizard who hadn't set foot inside the Academy's doors unless it was to be dotted upon had no idea what had been happening and, Amelia was certain, would not have the guts to do what Constance had if he ever deigned to show his face. Amelia was about to bite back a retort when there was a quiet knock at the door, one only made by Constance Hardbroom.

Amelia opened the door a crack to see Constance standing on the other side, black clad from throat to toe appearing as straight backed as she could and gritting her back teeth together to hide her obvious pain. "Constance?"

"Let him pass, Amelia. I will travel with you Grand Wizard." She nodded curtly and the wizard resumed the more gentlemanly side to his character. Amelia's eyes looked to her friend with a sigh.

"I'll be alright, Amelia. This will all be over soon."

Constance's words rung true.

The trial against her for the death of Hecketty Broomhead took place while a separate inquiry into the schools handling of the situation followed. Students and staff were called to testify, to give their account of what occurred on that fateful day. As much as reliving the events were painful for all those involved there were many that were grateful to have their voices heard. Enid was found to be too young to be trialled for the death of Betty Bindweed and was acting within the reasonable force requirements of self-defence. Constance too was found to be acting in the same vein. The school was closed to allow everyone space and time to recover and although the school buildings were repaired there were internal scars that were unlikely to ever fade.

Constance stood at Walker's Gate, waiting for the right moment to open the doors and allow their students to return. All reports, newspaper articles and other media had reported that many students would transfer to Pentangle's Academy. Amelia had completed plenty of forms to help provide good references and information on her students, had tried to discuss things with parents to help them see the alternative, but they knew the truth. Their Academy's reputation was in tatters and, for all Constance Hardbroom knew, there would be no one beyond the gate when the school term started. Amelia, Imogen and Davina approached and stood next to the Deputy Headmistress, a line of honour wondering what the future would hold, after all, a school without students wasn't a school at all.

"I wonder how many will return to us," Amelia remarked making Constance raise her spell casting fingers.

"Let's find out, shall we?" The doors opened and, to their surprise, standing beyond was a large number of Cackle's Academy students, their uniforms ready to go, their broom sticks proudly at their sides, hats pointed to the sky and smiles on their faces. Front and centre was Enid Nightshade. She took the first step beyond the threshold and approached the teaching staff.

"Ready for a new year?" She asked and Constance nodded her head before holding out her hand, the half Malachite stone that had saved the academy and countless lives resting softly in her palm. "I think this belongs to you, thank you for letting me borrow it." Constance acknowledged making Enid smile, fondly remembering her grandmother giving her the previous gift. Enid gingerly took the piece in her hand and held it tight in her grasp, feeling it warm as if to say hello.

"Welcome everyone! To the Great Hall!" Amelia smiled as the flow of students past them. In their eyes the innocence of their youth had changed, their maturity level had risen, some losing the qualities of themselves that had been lost during time but some things had remained the same. Fennella Feverfew and Griselda Blackwood were still friends, Maud, Mildred and Enid had reunited, Ethel and Drucilla were together as friends but perhaps with a less serious and selfish streak to their personality. The largest transformation came in the form of Sybil Hallow who walked a little straighter than she had before, her head held high. The teachers walked to follow the students to the Great Hall.

"Miss Hardbroom!" Frank called from behind, struggling to keep up with her pace. "Mail for you, says its urgent," he explained when she turned to ask why he had interrupted their morning routine.

Constance took the envelope into her hand and twirled it in her fingers to see Hecketty Broomhead's seal on the back. She nodded to Frank before turning to her colleagues. "I will meet you all inside in a moment," she spoke as the others made their way into the castle. Constance crossed her arms and appeared inside her potions laboratory, her safe haven. She took a seat at the front desk and placed the letter against the mohagony, nervous about the innocent packages contents. Would the paper be laced with poison to ensure that she had finished the job? Or would this be some sort of sick manifesto explaining the purpose behind her dealings? Either way she knew that Broomhead's letter needed to be opened. Using a letter opener from the top draw of her desk she unfolded the delicate paper and began to read.

"Dear Constance,

If you are receiving this letter it is because you have passed my final test. I am many things to many people, but stupid is not one of them. I know that I was a witch who used her magic for evil rather than good. I know that my tutoring methods were closer to torture than teaching. I know that I put you through indescribable pain and agony to become the best because I knew that without you, or another powerful witch, my reign of terror would never end. I would like to believe that my conscious would grow larger one day; that suddenly I'd find cuddling a kitten cute and heartwarming but the truth is that has never been in my nature. The past version of myself, the Whilemena Wormwood that some knew me by in a past life, died when her mother was brutally murdered by her father before her very eyes. In one moment, my previous years of happiness were deleted as if my mind had been poisoned by one memory. My own last name sickened me to the point of changing it, for fear of being eternally remembered as 'that girl'. 'That girl' who'd lost her mother because her father went on a rampage one night. 'That girl' that deserved pity from her friends and remaining family because she had been scarred forever by the incident by being gifted a front row seat to the event with a backstage pass for good measure. 'That girl' who had tried to save her mothers life but failed because she was too weak.

'That girl' whose mother was killed because of her abilities and who, in spite of the beatings she received almost nightly from her bastard of a husband, hid the bruises and stood before her students with a smile on her face every morning to welcome them to a new day.

I refused to be 'that girl'. The one who deserved pity and the reason I am sharing this with you is not to ask for your forgiveness or understanding. Instead, it is to communicate to you the power of a memory. The memory that changed me as a person and turned my life onto a more dangerous path may be different to yours, but if you do not learn to let go of it you will find yourself like me. And that, Constance, is a dangerous thing. I never had a loving partner, I never got married, I never had a family to call my own. The Broomhead name begins and ends with me. I do not want this to be your future, I wish for it to be bright and not clouded by shadows of the past.

Please prepare the witches of today for a bright future tomorrow and remember that although students may come and go while teachers remain the same, we too are always moving forwards. Never look back Constance, I haven't and neither should you. I wish you and your students all the best for the future. Please find enclosed a cheque containing the entirety of my estate for you to use as you see fit, maybe that shack of a school you call home will finally get an upgrade or two.

Regards, Hecketty Cassandra Broomhead."

Constance had no words when she saw the total sum on the cheque, enough money to help keep the school save guarded and protected for years. Enough to secure their future and to stop relying heavily on the Hallow family for financial support, a chance for a new potion laboratory, to refurbish the previously destroyed series of dormitories to make way for new ones. To really make a mark on the school that would be felt for generations of Cackle students to come. Before she had time to process all the possibilities a quiet knock sounded on the potion laboratory door.

"Come in," Constance called, a flick of her spell casting fingers opening the door to reveal the flapping bootlaces of Mildred Hubble standing behind. She stepped into the room.

"I noticed you weren't at the assembly. Is everything alright?"

"Yes, Mildred," Constance smiled, "so what can I do for you?" Mildred lifted her hands from behind her back, presenting Constance with her well-worn copy of Macbeth.

"I finished reading it," Millie smiled, "it was an interesting play."

"Yes, well, they don't call it a Shakespearean tragedy without a reason," Constance explained, taking the book lightly into her hand and placing it in front of her. "Thankfully, no more tragedy will befall the Academy now, not when Agatha and her friends are gone and Broomhead has followed suit."

"I suppose the story did play out a little like a tragedy," Mildred stated, making Constance's eyebrows furrow together, "I mean…the people who did evil deeds did get what they deserved in the end."

"Is that what you took out from the play? That in the end it all came down to karma?"

"Yeah, I guess it did in a way. Macbeth and his wife did things that were unspeakable and tried to cover their tracks. In the end, they ended up facing the same fate while those who stayed pure and good at heart didn't."

"I suppose I see your point," Constance agreed, looking down to the book, cheque and the note from Broomhead. She took the note into her left hand and, with the right, clicked her fingers, a spark danced from the tip of her index finger and onto the paper, igniting it instantly. As the letter crumbled, Hardbroom placed it into a cauldron as Millie's baffled eyes watched smoke plume from the centre until it was all gone.

"Miss, what was that?"

"Nothing important," Constance sighed, lifting her eyes from the cauldron to match Mildred's. She knew it was a lie, and that she had secretly told herself that she needed to be more open and honest, but Broomhead's words had only been intended for her eyes only and there was a certain sacredness about that. "Mildred, can you promise me something?" she said suddenly, catching the student off guard.

"Yes Miss, what is it?"

"That if there is one lesson that you take from me into the world beyond those Walker's gate, that it is this," she paused, taking the cheque into her fingertips and ripping it in half. "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." Mildred nodded and beamed a smile before pivoting on her heel and exiting the room, leaving Constance alone once more. However much the money would have helped the Academy, Constance knew the truth of Broomhead's letter. For her to truly move forwards she needed to remove the memory of Hecketty Broomhead from her life forever. It was time for her to be defined by a future she chose.

Looking to the empty desks and chairs Constance closed her eyes, letting a smile pull at the edge of her lips as the school bell rang for the morning.

"Goodbye Hecketty."

THE END

Epilogue ~ "Nothing is either good or bad but thinking makes it so" ~ William Shakespeare