the darkest night | hicsqueak | the worst witch 2017

chapter thirty-six

 "Did you see what HB's got on?" Mildred asked Maud. Maud nodded eagerly. Hecate was wearing a tighter fitting dress, tighter than what she had been wearing since the beginning of the school year.

"Yeah. She looks really healthy now that she's pregnant," Maud responded. "Who do you think the supply witch will be when she gives birth?"

"It might be Miss Darkside," Enid put in. She was doodling something on her maglet while the three girls sat under the staircase in the second-year gathering place. "I've heard she's super strict."

"Maybe she'll be like Miss Hardbroom and be secretly nice," Maud defended. A soft spot had grown in her for Miss Hardbroom after Hecate had given Maud advice on coming out. "You remember what she was like when I went to her for advice earlier this year."

"Yeah. Who knew Miss Hardbroom has a thing for girls?" Mildred asked. She had been doodling another portrait of Hecate, this time pregnant.

"'A thing for girls?', Mildred Hubble?" Hecate intoned, coming down the staircase. She had overheard Mildred's comment. The girl blushed.

"I'm not really sure how to phrase it otherwise, Miss Hardbroom. You are dating Miss Pentangle," Mildred responded. "What would be the right phrasing then?"

"That I prefer women or that I am lesbian," Hecate responded. Her sexuality was now old news but she would sometimes hear it discussed when there was nothing for the girls to discuss. The founding stone incident was old news in the eyes of the girls but there was always the staff at Cackle's Academy to talk about. The person of the month just so happened to be Hecate because of her pregnancy and the fact that she was dating Pippa Pentangle.

"Alright," Mildred said softly. "Miss Hardbroom, do you know the gender of your baby yet? I want to make a new portrait, something that's a bit nicer than the one I had done of you last year and I want to color it to give it to you."

"That is very kind of you, Mildred, but I am not going to be finding out the gender until next week. I will be sure to tell each class, starting with yours. I will not announce it this time," Hecate responded.

"How about you sit with us for a bit, Miss Hardbroom? I'm actually working on something for you too," Enid said. She indicated the chair opposite where the three girls were sitting. Hecate sat down where she had been indicated.

"What are you working on, Enid?" Hecate asked warily.

"A lullaby that you can sing to your baby," Enid said. "I've only got the melody yet. I haven't figured out the words though."

Hecate placed a hand on her belly. The baby was kicking again and Hecate had the gut instinct that she was carrying a baby girl.

"Is the baby kicking, Miss Hardbroom? Can we feel?" Maud asked. She blushed at such a personal request. The girls were surprised when Hecate smiled at them.

"Yes, you may. Individually," Hecate responded. Maud came up first. She placed a hand on Hecate's belly and she grinned when she felt a kick aimed at her hand.

"That's wicked!" Maud said. Mildred got up and the poor girl was suddenly shy. She placed a hand on Hecate's stomach where the older witch indicated. She also grinned when she felt it.

"I think you'll be a great mum. If you want any tips on raising a baby when your partner is far away, you could ask my mum," Mildred offered. "She told me to tell you congratulations."

'Tell her that I say thank you," Hecate said. "Would you like to feel, Enid, before the three of you are due to go to chanting class?"

Enid nodded. The girl was clearly deep in thought from the way that she was humming. The melody was unfamiliar to Hecate. This must be the song that Enid had said she was working on for the pregnant witch. Enid grinned.

"I wish my mum would have another baby," Enid said. "That's so cool feeling, Miss Hardbroom."

"It is now time for the three of you to go to class," Hecate said, standing up. She never stopped to talk with students in the hallway unless absolutely necessary, like when the girls were gossiping about another student or about a member of staff. The threesome gathered up their bags and maglets, rushing off to chanting class with Miss Bat.

Ada came from around the corner.

"I believe the girls are right. You will be a fantastic mother, Hecate," Ada spoke. Hecate blushed. She had realized that Miss Cackle had seen her interacting in such an intimate manner with the girls as touching her stomach when her child was kicking.

"I hope so. I've been trying to be not as strict with the girls," Hecate responded. "I feel more relaxed than I have been in years."

"I suppose pregnancy could do that to you," Ada said. "But we should talk about if you would like to have a baby shower. I know you don't have many things for your coming child."

"I only have a few articles of clothing," Hecate admitted. "Shall we talk in your office?"

"Yes," Ada responded. The two witches walked to Ada's office and went in. Ada summoned a pot of tea and two cups. She poured a cup for Hecate.

"I was thinking about not having a baby shower. I can have Pippa go out and get the needed things for a child," Hecate spoke after sipping her tea.

"I think we should have a small party in your honour, Hecate," Ada responded. "If you won't mind it. Miss Pentangle would want to be with you when you get things for a baby's nursery. I've already set aside a room that you may use as the nursery and the old office next to your classroom to be an area for your child to go when you start teaching again next school year."

"Thank you, Ada," Hecate spoke softly. She would have to think about having a baby shower and wanted Pippa's input on it. But the bedroom and the spare office sounded like a lovely idea to have for her child. She was already thinking about how she could decorate the nursery.