the darkest night | hicsqueak | the worst witch 2017

chapter nine

Ada called Hecate to her office. The term was almost done but Hecate hadn't submitted any pretesting grades for the students and Ada was worried about how much trauma Hecate was withholding.

"You wanted to see me, Miss Cackle?" Hecate asked.

"Yes, I did. Please sit," Ada replied. "I wanted to find out how you're coping, Hecate." Hecate sat in the armchair across from Ada. Ada poured tea for the both of them, leaving Hecate's black. Hecate took the cup and sipped.

"I'm coping," Hecate responded softly. She didn't want Ada to know the true nature of how she really was coping, barely with the trauma.

"I'm sorry but I don't believe you, Hecate. Your grades are normally the first ones in my office during this time in the school year. I'm worried about you."

"Please do not worry about me, Miss Cackle. I am no longer a student here," Hecate replied. "Is that all you wished to talk to me about today? I will have those grades on your desk by the end of the school day today."

"No, it isn't," Ada answered. "I want to make a report to the magic council that a teacher has been raped here by a gang that had been in the mountain so they can be dealt with by the proper authorities."

"A report?" Hecate repeated. "About the rape that had occurred to me?" Ada nodded and got a pen and some paper.

"Would you be willing to provide some details for it? Mainly what the men looked like, where it had occurred in the academy's woods, and if we needed to seek treatment if you could be pregnant," Ada detailed. Hecate nodded.

She provided Ada the details of the second man, the one who had finished in her and could have possibly left her pregnant. She provided her memories as best as she could, Ada writing them down frantically. She listed off his hair color and that he had had a beard. She couldn't see his eyes in the dark. Hecate provided him with the details of the other men that had raped her, giving the same details that she could remember. Ada continued writing long after Hecate had finished speaking, writing about the teacher's extensive injuries that she had been given by the rapists, highlighting the stomach wounds that had almost killed Hecate. Hecate's eyes were watering once Ada had finished writing and finally looked up at the younger teacher.

"Hecate, if you feel comfortable with it, the council might want you to take a potion that will allow one of them into your mind so they can view the memories and add in other details you may not remember about that night," Ada said. "Would you be comfortable with it?"

Hecate shook her head, denying she would be comfortable with someone invading her mind to see her memories. She never liked the fact that the magic council could do that to anyone. Hecate knew that if she talked, it would be even more of a dead giveaway she wanted to cry.

"You should have Miss Pentangle come visit you tonight," Ada suggested. "I've noticed she's visiting rather often and it's at night she does. Are the two of you together?"

Hecate wiped her eyes and took another sip of her tea. "We are. We have been together for a month now. She has been trying to help me heal," Hecate responded. "She does small things I cannot do myself right now. Do you need anything else from me, Ada?"

"No, that's all. Thank you for telling me what had happened to you the night that you had been injured," Miss Cackle answered. "Go and get some rest."

Hecate transferred to her quarters. She got out a newer record she had Miss Drill buy for her the last time that she had gone into town earlier in the term. It was a record of classical music. Hecate preferred classical music to chanting some days due to the lack of words. She put the record on, letting the music envelop her. She had spelled the record to act like a chanting record, having asked Miss Bat as a student how to do it so she could have non-magical music as well.

Pippa had come in quietly around an hour later, unable to get Hecate's attention while the witch was listening to her music. She was here to help Hecate with her nightly routine before she had to go to the great hall for dinner. She sat down next to Hecate.

"Hello, Hiccup," she greeted softly so she wouldn't startle Hecate. Morgana jumped onto the couch and into Pippa's lap. She gently stroked the black cat's back.

"Hello," Hecate responded. She looked down. "I believe Morgana is thinking that she is becoming your familiar as well."

"So it seems," Pippa chuckled. "Would you like me to clean anything for you today?"

"Not today. I was able to put away the laundry," Hecate said softly. Pippa hugged her girlfriend.

"That's great, Hecate!" Pippa replied. "I know you've been struggling with laundry in particular. Have you been able to throw away that dress from that night?"

Hecate shook her head, suddenly silent. Pippa hugged her girlfriend the best that she could. She cupped Hecate's cheek.

"Let's put it somewhere that isn't as visible as right by your bed," Pippa said. Hecate nodded. Pippa got up and gave Hecate her cane.

"Could you get me the cushioning spell?" Hecate asked softly. Pippa nodded and got her the needed spell. Hecate sprayed a couple of spritzes on her cast. This made it so she could walk without having to use crutches. Pippa gave Hecate her cane and helped her up. It was much easier to get up with Pippa's help than it was for her to attempt it by herself. Hecate had conceded that she needed help much sooner than it had been expected of her. Together, they walked to Hecate's bedroom to take care of the dress that had been torn to shreds.

[] Hello everyone! I'm publishing this part because I am just so excited for this story. I think I might update three times a week instead. We had a huge step forward in Hecate's healing! I hope you enjoyed reading and don't forget to leave a comment if you did.