I'm done trying to predict how many chapters are left, lol. This was meant to follow the last episode but I'm not even half way through the episode for this chapter so you all get an update! This one will just go up on its own. I have no idea how many chapters are going to be left at this point, because every time I've tried to predict i end up with more lol!

Same Disclaimers as before.

Please enjoy this update and let me know what you think! I love hearing from all of you, and I'm so glad you all are still here reading and following me to the end!

Thank you!

...

Lena sat in the Headmistress's office staring idly out the large windows in front of her. The fading bruises indicate the few days that have lapsed since Agatha's arrival. A hand makes contact with her shoulder, moving to graze her neck and hold away some hair as lips litter kisses on the exposed skin and linger before leaving once more.

"Your marks are fading, my dear," Agatha purrs as her fingers trail now over the light purple and yellow marks around the girl's wrists, "wouldn't want you forgetting to whom you belong," she hisses.

Agatha moves around Lena now, sitting in the chair in front of her ward. She holds up the notebook Ethel gave her, waving it in front of Lena's face before opening it and perusing the pages.

"This proved a very interesting read," Agatha says with a hum, Miss Gullet scoffing from somewhere in the room, "seems you've captured the attention of another woman here, our one and only Hecate Hardbroom," she tries to sound unbothered, but you can hear the anger in the woman's tone.

Lena continue to stares out the window, her eyes dull and glossed over. Agatha's nostril's flare in frustration, she expected more now that her favorite student was of age.

"LOOK AT ME!" Agatha shrieks.

Lena slowly moves her gaze to the woman in front of her, her face emotionless and tired.

"She asked you to marry her," Agatha says lowly, her eyes glancing down to the girl's hand, "but I see no ring on your finger," she chuckles wickedly, "you must have come to your senses and told her no."

Lena says nothing, watching the vile woman as she stands once more. Another set of heels clicking as Miss Gullet finally saunters into view and gazes down at the student.

"It's our sweet girl's birthday today, Miss Gullet," Agatha says sweetly, placing her hands on the arm rests on either side of Lena and leaning forward, "Shall we give her a present?"

Agatha's hand quickly moves to wrap around Lena's throat, the position causing Lena to have to crane her neck back and look up at the woman who's leaning in even closer now. Their lips only centimeters apart as Agatha's breathing becomes deeper and quicker, she squeezes the slender neck before her a little tighter now causing Lena's mouth to part and gasp for air. Agatha takes this chance to kiss her deeply, running her tongue over the younger one's lip slowly. Lena attempts to pull away but Agatha holds her in place, abandoning the grip on her neck now to wander about her body.

Two hands plant themselves on Lena's shoulders, Miss Gullet holding her in place when she squirms too much. Agatha's hands begin making their way down her chest, stopping when they feel something hard under the buttoned blouse. She pulls away, meeting worried green eyes as Lena swallows nervously.

"Ah, I knew I hadn't lost you," Agatha whispers, glancing down to the spot under her hand, "Let's see what we have here."

Lena shakes slightly, fighting more against Miss Gullet's hold as Agatha grabs her shirt and tears it open. Lying against her pale and freckled skin is the ring Hecate had given her, glistening in the early morning light streaming in through the giant windows.

"What is this," Agatha whispers, her teeth now clenched together as she stares at the ring.

Lena says nothing, tears welling in her eyes as she shakes her head. Agatha grazes her fingers along the shape of the ring before gingerly picking it up and yanking the chain free from around Lena's neck.

"I asked you a question," she says distantly as she inspects the piece of jewelry, "Hecate has nice taste, I'll give her that," she murmurs before closing the ring into her fist.

"Give it back!" Lena cries out, her voice cracking.

"So my little bird still sings!" Agatha mocks with a wide and toothy smile, "but here's the thing my little dove, you will always belong to me," she purrs lowly, "And Hecate will rue the day she set her eyes on you," she bites, acid in her tone as she puts her face close to Lena's.

Lena's nostrils flare angrily, her jaw clenching before she uses what little space she has to rear her head back and spit at Agatha. The woman jumps back, screeching as she wipes her face. Miss Gullet grabbing a fistful of the brown hair and yanking the girl's head hard,

"You've done it now, missy," she jeers.

When Lena looks back in front of her she has no time to process as the back of Agatha's hand hits her hard across the face. Her head falling to the side from the sheer force as she feels blood trickle from her freshly split lip, whimpering as she tries to break out of Miss Gullet's hold.

"Clean her up and put her away," Agatha commands lowly, "Get her out of my sight!" she bites before storming out of the room, "And hurry up before the others get here for the morning meeting!" she warns before the door slams shut behind her.

Miss Gullet moves around to the front of Lena, her sharply red painted nails perching under the girl's chin to lift those eyes to look at her own. She shakes her head, tutting softly at Lena as she uses her thumb to wipe away some of the blood. Gripping her chin tightly her hand holds her in place as she leans forward,

"I wouldn't be trying your Mistress's patience if I was you," she advises sternly, "a pretty thing like you shouldn't be littered with cuts and bruises," her blue eyes glancing down to Lena's lips, "Just a little taste," she whispers through a moan.

"Your Mistress wouldn't like that," Lena snaps, her tone akin to a light growl.

Miss Gullet frowns, her scowl growing to a pout as she mulls over the words. Biting her lip in thought before roughly pulling Lena to a standing position and waving her hand to magically heal the girl.

"If that's how you want to play this game then be it," she says through gritted teeth, "I was going to spare you from it this morning, but it seems a little time in there will do you some good."

Lena's eyes widen when she realizes where Miss Gullet is shoving her to, attempting to plead and fight against the woman's strong grasp. The ginger haired woman waves her hand again, evaporating the wall at the back of the confiscation cupboard to reveal Agatha's old chamber; the Lock Box, as Agatha fondly called it, waiting there unchanged like an old friend. The box standing in the corner like a coffin with its protruding nails, damp interior, and contortion inducing space was the source of Lena's nightmares. Shoving the girl inside, locking the small door to keep her in before returning to the office and hiding her whereabouts left Miss Gullet with just enough time to finish the task Agatha had given her for the morning.

Agatha had returned on Miss Gullet's way out, and not long after she was joined by Hecate, Miss Bat, and Mr. Rowan-Webb in her office for a meeting before the assembly for the students. She watched Hecate scan the room, scrutinizing everything upon her entrance; Agatha wasn't sure how but anytime she would attempt something on a grander scale with Lena, Hecate would be one step ahead and find a way to interrupt. The witch hadn't seen her student in days, and the dark circles under her eyes were evidence enough to the turmoil Agatha was causing her, the thought made her smirk. A red flash around them before Miss Gullet transfers back into the office alerts them to what is happening,

"Oh!" Mr. Rowan-Webb shouts, startled by the bat flying above him, "A detector spell?!" he shouts, Miss Bat looking on wide eyed beside him.

Hecate, the ever calm and collected witch, merely side glancing to her fellow teachers before looking back to Agatha, it unnerved the woman more than anything at not being able to get a rise out of the Deputy Headmistress.

"Yes," Agatha confirms, "It will alert us to any unauthorized magic."

"The spell has been applied to everyone on the premises," Miss Gullet droned, her nasally tone traveling the room," It's an important health and safety measure," she announces, turning to the bat dangling from her finger, "Isn't it Flappy?" she coos.

"Talking of health and safety," Algenon comments, "What about Miss Drill?" He motions to the snail on the bed of lettuce.

"Oh!" Agatha chuckles, "That was just one of my little jokes!" she declares, waving her finger and changing the woman back.

"Dimity! Are you alright?" Miss Bat questions.

"I think so," she replies sheepishly as she looks to everyone nervously, she shrugs and finishes eating the piece of lettuce she had been previously nibbling, "But where's Miss Cackle?" she questions suddenly.

"When the truth came out," Agatha begins, unrolling the birth scroll and placing it on the desk for everyone to read, "she ran away rather than face the consequences of her crimes."

"What truth!" Dimity challenges as the other teachers help her get down from atop the desk.

"As the elder daughter," Hecate sighs, "Agatha is the legitimate Headmistress. We must accept that," she explains, hoping that if she plays her part she will get to Lena, "After all, only the Great Wizard can rewrite the Witches' Code."

"So he can," Rowan-Webb huffs, "jammy old toad," he mumbles as he crosses his arms over his chest and looks over to Hecate.

The woman holds his gaze, widening her eyes slightly before motioning with her eyes to where Agatha is standing by the portrait of the twins; he follows her eye line but then looks back to her with a brow furrowed in confusion. Hecate watches for a moment, the portrait looking back at her in an unsettling way. Then she remembers Lena's dream, rather nightmare, and peers over to the door of the confiscation closet. When Agatha turns back around to face them she narrows her eyes at Hecate and clears her throat,

"Well I'd better get on with running my school," she says with a smug smile on her face as she arches an eyebrow.

"This place will never be yours!" Miss Bat scolds, "A school isn't bricks and mortar. A school is it's students, and they girls will never accept you." She says firmly with a scowl.

"Oh I'm sure they'll like me," Agatha says unfazed, "Once they get to know me."

…

"And so," Miss Gullet's irritating tone drawls on, "In conclusion, today we hail a glorious new dawn for this academy, wait for applause," she frowns when she realizes she read that out loud.

Hecate rolls her eyes, sitting rigid in her seat as she lets out an aggravated sigh, her fingers tapping impatiently atop her other hand. She looks over to Agatha who shifts anxiously in her seat as she writes something on her maglet. Turning her gaze now to Esmeralda Hallow who is seated beside her, shoulders slumped in defeat.

Miss Gullet continues, reading aloud the insult sent by Agatha to the maglet. Some of the girls snicker behind her, Enid giggling from her seat before a harsh whisper cuts through.

"Just bring me on," Agatha hisses.

"Please give a warm Cackle's welcome for our new Headmistress!" Gullet suddenly announces, clapping hesitantly.

A few students and faculty clap, some clapping out of politeness while others like Ethel clap in true excitement. Hecate shakes her head subtly, shifting in her seat as Agatha makes her way to the podium; Miss Gullet stalking over to sit in the open set beside Esme who tries to scoot nervously closer to Hecate.

"Girls, girls, girls," the woman tuts, gazing around to the girls in the room, "I am so sorry about everything you've been through," she says with a slight frown, making her way off the platform and walking amongst the crowd, "How you have suffered under the regime of that imposter, my sister."

The other fifth year girls sit nervously toward the back of the room, and Hecate is sure she hears one scoff. Esmeralda looks to her Deputy Headmistress nervously when she hears the noise, Hecate giving her a reassuring look and placing a hand briefly over her student's before returning it to her own lap.

"Horrible food, constant tests," Agatha reiterates, "Endless boring chanting lessons! Well that's all going to change," she announces excitedly, "Check your maglets for your new timetables. As you'll see, I've added three extra break times per week."

"What about their exams?" Hecate hears Algenon whisper behind her in the room, "They need to revise!"

"Wrong," Agatha states with a wicked smirk, "I'll be issuing remembering powder to all of you."

The girls gasp, cheering and clapping at the new provided aid. Hecate remains unreadable as Esme shifts next to her, becoming agitated enough to speak out.

"But they'll forget everything as soon as the spell wears off!" she calls out with a scowl, glaring at the new Headmistress.

"Why do you care," Ethel sneers from across the way, "You're not even a witch anymore," she says with disgust.

"That's right," Agatha confirms, "Listen to your new …" she motions for Ethel to rise, "Head girl!"

Ethel stands proudly, looking around with a smug smile and high fiving Drucilla; Agatha raising her hand and magically changing Ethel's sash to that of Head Girl status. The assembly doesn't last long after that, Agatha dismissing the newly excited girls as they leave the main hall. Hecate looks over to see Miss Gullet stand, looking down to Esme before peering over to see the Deputy Headmistress watching her. The woman looks back to the student thoughtfully before deciding against herself and selfish wants, leaving the room without a certain blonde in tow.

…

Hecate paces the hall, this was her chance to truly confirm where Lena was. She risked exposure by using unauthorized magic but she knew Agatha wanted to speak to Maud so she could use that as her cover. Casting a discovery spell and letting the magic transfer her to where Lena was landed her in the Headmistress's office, the occupants covering their ears as the alarm sounded and lights flashed red. She shared a quick look with Miss Gullet who stared at her in annoyance at being interrupted.

Agatha silences the alarm with a flick of her wrist, "Tsk tsk, Hecate," she croons, "Naughty, naughty, you used unauthorized spells; Discovery and Transference, to be precise," the woman giving Miss Gullet a knowing look.

"Sorry, force of habit," Hecate says lowly, "I was looking for Maud," she says as she approaches the young student, trying to keep her tone even and nonchalant as her eyes scan the room quickly.

She's brought out of her thoughts when Maud suddenly exclaims, "They were going to turn me into a toilet brush!"

Hecate's head snaps ups to glance at Agatha, keeping her face unreadable, "I'm sure that won't be necessary," she says lowly, glancing now to Miss Gullet, "Maud is a good girl who respects authority," she tells the girl, her tone strained.

She kneels down to the student, hoping to get her point across as she glances to the portrait painting of the two Cackle women. Maud looks at her confused before looking past Miss Hardbroom and over to the painting. Her eyes widening when she sees Miss Cackle, Ada's eyes blinking, she swallows nervously as she looks back to her Deputy Headmistress.

"You will set an example to the others, won't you?" Hecate asks lowly, watching the young girl closely.

"Y-yes …" Maud responds nervously, both of them now looking over to a distracted Agatha Cackle, "Sorry, Miss Cackle." She murmurs softly.

"That's alright, dear. Run along now," Agatha says distantly as she waves the girl off.

Maud quickly gets up, staring at the portrait before running from the room before any of the witches could change their mind. The three women stand silently for a moment, Miss Gullet looking to the portrait as Hecate watches Agatha. Their reverie interrupted when a muffled scream makes its way through the room, like an echo caught on a breeze; Hecate stiffens, her nostrils flaring slightly as Agatha turns to look at the other women,

"You should return to your duties," she says toneless.

Hecate hesitates, Miss Gullet shifting awkwardly behind her, the lack of noise causing Agatha to turn and face the woman defying her orders.

"Well?" she questions in a challenging way, her eyebrow rising to further spur the tall woman on.

Hecate stares, boring her dark eyes into the sinister ones in front of her when Agatha smirks devilishly, but after another moment she turns and leaves the office. That scream ringing loud in her mind, but she knows she can't risk having Agatha move Lena, so she does as she's told and exits the room. She's caught off guard when Maud is still standing outside the door, looking up to the teacher once the door is shut.

"They're both in there," Maud says worried, "I saw the painting blink!"

Hecate looks around before ushering the girl off down the hall with her, "Yes," she finally answers, "I believe Miss Cackle is trapped in the portrait … and Lena is hidden in the room somewhere," she explains.

"She has to be," Maud confirms, "No one has seen her since that first assembly," she finishes sadly.

"I know," Hecate whispers, looking out the window thoughtfully.

…

"That picture has always been there," Enid says confused.

"But it never moved before," Maud sighs as they walk up the stone staircase.

"So … Miss Cackle didn't run away?" Enid asks as realization washes over her, her eyes wide when she looks to Maud.

Esme hears the two girls talking as she walks up the staircase, approaching them when Enid has her epiphany.

"No," she says tightly, "Agatha trapped her in the picture," she explains as the girls look to her, their eyes traveling to the bruises on her wrists, and light ones still peppering her neck and face, "And it's … it's all my fault," the blonde finishes sadly.

"You didn't know," Maud responds softly, her small hand reaching out reassuringly but afraid to touch the bruises.

"But I let Agatha in …" Esme argues as she tries to pull her sleeves down over her wrists further, "I have to do something … to save Miss Cackle and Lena."

"Agatha has Lena?!" Enid cries, looking between her two hall mates when neither act shocked.

Maud nods, "Yes. We heard her, Miss Hardbroom and I in Miss Cackle's office …" she looks out the window now, her face forlorn, "She sounded so far away though …"

"But … didn't Miss Cackle summon the Great Wizard?" Enid asks suddenly, perking up at the prospect of him coming. "When he gets here he will sort everything out," she says reassuringly.

"Yes," Esme mutters, "He will."

Before either of the younger girls can answer Esme storms off, navigating through the hallway with a purpose. Enid and Maud debate going after her, but decide to let her on her own for the time being. When Esme finally finds Ethel she grabs her roughly, dragging her to a secluded corner amongst some display cabinets.

"He's coming today," Esme explains lowly, "Thanks to us, the school's in chaos, Miss Cackle's trapped in a painting, and Lena is bat's knows where. We are in big trouble."

"You're right," Ethel interrupts, shaking her head nervously, "What are we gonna do?" she asks, looking up helplessly.

"There's only one thing we can do," the older Hallow says sternly, "Tell the truth and say sorry."

Ethel looks at her sister, watching her with worried eyes as she begins to fidget with her sash. Looking away now as she holds the sash tightly in her hand, squeezing her eyes shut as she commands,

"I summon Miss Gullet!"

"Ethel, No!" Esme cries.

"Ethel!" the nasally tone shouts through the blaring sirens, "You know you're not supposed-"

"It's an emergency!" Ethel cries, stopping the woman from her lecture, " The Great Wizard's on his way!"

Miss Gullet winces at the siren, waving her hand to silence it. When she realizes what the young girl has said her eyes widen, storming towards the two Hallow sisters. Her eyes wander to the older of the two, her mouth fighting a smirk at the handy work left behind on Esmeralda Hallow.

"So you better let Lena and Miss Cackle go and put the school back to normal," Esme warns, trying her best to keep her tone low and unwavering.

"Are you telling me what to do?" Miss Gullet scowls, sneering at the older Hallow.

"I'm just saying you don't have a choice," Esme responds, her voice quivering as Ethel looks to her nervously.

"Esmeralda Hallow, your sort make me sick!" Gullet snaps, her teeth barring as she shouts, "You're all jolly broomsticks and team spirit and shiny trophies!"

Miss Gullet's voice echoes loudly off the stone around them as she reaches forward and grabs Esme roughly by the wrist, dragging her off to the Headmistress's office.

"Esme?!" Ethel calls out worried as she watches her sister being pulled away, but for once is too afraid to move.

When the reach the office Miss Gullet pushes the girl through the door after throwing it open with a flick of her wrist. Esme stumbles through, catching herself on the chair still standing in the middle of the room, she looks around confused when Agatha isn't there. Her thoughts cut short as Miss Gullet stalks towards her, teeth barred like a predator about to kill it's prey; another wave of the woman's hand and the wall where the confiscation closet should be is gone, revealing the horror Esme only knew from Lena's stories and nightmares.

She could hear her, screaming from inside the small torture chamber, her voice coming from the small door at the back of the room. Esme is shoved forward, towards the rasping screams of her friend. Gulping nervously as Gullet swings the door open, both girls look at each other with wide and fear filled eyes, neither having time to process anything as Esme and shoved inside. Lena extends her arms, both to catch her friend and keep Esme's body from pushing her back into the waiting nails that protrude from the wall behind her; as she does so some of the other nails catch her arm, cutting open jagged wounds.

"Enjoy the lock box, dearies," Miss Gullet's singsong voice fading into the distance as the door slams shut.

The darkness engulfs them, the only light leaking in through the cracks in the walls and door. Once her eyes adjust again Lena can see Esme crying, some scratches and rips in her shirt indicating she caught a nail of two on her forced entrance. The two steady themselves, Lena carefully snaking her arms around to pull her friend into a hug.

"This is all my fault," Esme sobs, burying her face into her friend's shoulder.

"Shh," Lena coos, her voice broken and raspy, "It's not, and we will get out of this."

"Miss Hardbroom is so upset, she just wanders around looking so lost," Esme explains.

"I haven't spoken to her ... I've been too afraid to fall asleep …" Lena whispers.

Esme lifts her head, looking to her friend worried, "What about now? I could wake you up if I heard something …"

Lena pauses, faltering under her friend's gaze. Even though its dark Esme can see the fear in those green eyes.

"I'm right here with you," Esme offers.

Finally Lena nods and Esme shifts around so that she can hug Lena and support her, pushing her friend's head down onto her shoulder when Lena hesitates again. But Esme feels the change, feels Lena's body collapse slightly as utter exhaustion takes over.

Lena "wakes up" looking around the vacant potions room she willed herself to. With a deep breath she shouts, crystal clear and echoing,

"HECATE!"

The woman stops, turning to look over her shoulder when she hears someone call her name, the sound so clear as if it were someone right behind her. She frowns, seeing the empty hall behind her; facing forward and continuing her patrol while the girls are in class she hears it again, her name ringing out in her head. Her breath catches in her chest, a lump forming in her throat as her eyes begin to water. The whisper passes through her lips as she clutches the charm on her pocket-watch, the name rolling off her tongue in a sweet way that it always has.

"Lena ..."