AN: Hey everyone :) I know it's probably incredibly dumb of me to start writing a new multi-chap WW story when my other is not complete yet, but this idea has been nagging away at my brain for a long time and I finally got some time to write it down. Most of the inspiration for this story has come from William Shakespeare but there are a few other influences included in there as well.

This story takes place near the end of Mildred's second year at Cackles, one year after the events of The Heat Is On episode. All errors are mine. Enjoy.

Midnights Dawn

By Chrissiemusa

I do NOT in any way, shape or form own the Worst Witch, it belongs to the amazing Jill Murphy and I am not making any money out of this fan-fiction.

Prologue

"Hell is empty and all the devils are here." - William Shakespeare

Chapter 1

Prevention Intention

Constance lay on her bed after completing her rounds. Morgana crept slowly from her feet towards her hand and the Deputy scratched between her ears before running her hand down the cat's long and sleek body. The normally calm and therapeutic action had helped to calm her nerves in the past but not now. Something was wrong, and it was drilling into the back of her mind like an endless song lyric, replaying and replaying beyond the point of insanity where even envisioning pressing the stop button wouldn't fix it.

She didn't know what it was, the day had run smoothly and the usually notorious Mildred Hubble had actually managed to make a potion that worked properly. So what was it? She was famous for her abilities to detect when something was amiss or when there was something threatening the academy in the past but now she couldn't quite put her finger on it. And it unnerved her.

Morgana tilted her head to the right with wonder making Constance smile. "If only you could talk," she sighed. "Actually, it's probably better you can't…to stop you spilling my secrets." Morgana released a purr. She stood to attention before leaping off into the darkness as Constance pointed her fingers at the ancient book shelf across from her. A single volume, with not a speck of dust on it, floated her way and landed in her hands. She opened the cover before removing her bookmark and beginning to read though, the nagging feeling still drilling deeper and deeper.

The following morning in the staffroom proved a cheerful display. The summer's sun shone brightly through the windows, which were open to welcome the cool breeze from outside in. Davina twirled happily singing to herself while Imogen smiled and picked away at her fruit salad breakfast. Miss Cackle had her usual cup of tea and greeted both colleagues with a good-morning grin. Constance opened the door and entered, her bizarre sixth sense still pounding away.

"Good morning, Constance," Amelia smiled as the other two did the same.

"Good morning," she replied, before walking to the urn to have a small cup of customary black tea. Taking her black mug from the stand she turned the urns tap as the other staff members talked amongst themselves. "Oh how exciting!" Davina exclaimed. "The solstice is coming up!"

The cup Constance held dropped to the floor as hot water splashed and burnt her skin. Imogen moved to her side, turning off the hot water as Constance fought against the tears slowly trying to fill her vision. "Constance, take a seat," Amelia ushered, placing a hand on the Deputy's arm to guide her before Imogen removed their first aid kit from the cupboard and Davina began picking up the broken pieces of porcelain.

Amelia inspected the reddening skin as Imogen passed her a now wet cloth to dab against the area. "Amelia, it's fine, only first degree," Constance explained, having treated many a student for fire or water related burns during her class, usually caused by sloppy behaviour or a lack of attention to detail. The Headmistress continued to treat the area before Imogen prepared a gauze bandage and some Antibiotic ointment. She placed them on the table as Davina collected the final pieces and the bell rang.

"Imogen, can you let the second years into the potion laboratory?" Amelia asked and she nodded, briskly moving her way out the door with Davina prancing closely behind.

Placing the gauze over the wound Amelia began to wrap the damaged hand, earning at least one small eye twitch from the deputy who managed to hide the pain very well, as always. "Was it something to do with the Solstice?" Amelia asked and Constance seemed to snap back into the present.

"What?"

"Your sudden lack of attention, it happened when Davina mentioned the solstice." Constance didn't reply, and when Amelia secured the white material in place she removed her hand and stood to her feet. "Constance-"

"I'm fine Miss Cackle. I have a class to teach."

Mildred leant against her desk with a groan. "What's wrong Millie?" Maud asked, hoping to find out the cause of her friends sudden happiness deterioration.

"The exam coming up tomorrow, I tried to stay up last night to study but nothing was sinking in. It was like my brain was thinking of something else at the same time. I just know I'll fail."

"You'll be fine, besides, after class today we have a free period this afternoon?" Mildred's head bobbed up and down. "So we'll study really hard for it together." The door opened and Constance came striding in, the girls instantly noticing the bright white material wrapped around her right hand. It was difficult to miss, especially when in complete contrast to her usually black attire. But no one dared to put their hands up and ask what happened.

"Today girls will be your last chance to revise for tomorrow's examination. All of the ingredients and a list of possible potions that can be made from them are on your desk. Your task is to revise them and to memorise the other potions we have worked on previously this term. I will be here to answer any questions." The girls started bustling away, working together and igniting their cauldrons.

Mildred carefully looked between two particular ingredients, deciding which one was which before she looked up at the potion teacher, reading over what appeared to be another novel. She wondered how many books her teacher owned and what was behind the cover of this particular one. "Millie?" Maud intervened making her focus return. "Well, which one is it?"

"I-I'm not sure," she sighed. "Maud it's hopeless I just know I'm going to fail tomorrow."

"Well with that attitude you surely will," Constance spoke, leaning between the two and making Mildred's shoulders jump. "Miss H-Hardbroom. I was just-"

"Doubting your abilities and proclaiming your inevitable failure in the examination tomorrow, I know." Ethel smirked, looking over her shoulder for a moment. "Do you remember what I told you last year, before the Halloween celebration?" Just forcing the holiday title from her lips made her inwardly grimace but she didn't show it on her face. Mildred thought for a moment, twisting her plat with her fingers before realising what it was. "Confidence and control?" she nervously stammered.

"The keys to success," Hardbroom finished. "And are you showing either of these at the moment?" The timid student shook her head softly before replying.

"No, Miss. I guess I'm not."

"Well I think now could be a good time to start." Miss Hardbroom turned on her heel and walked to the front of the room. "As you all know girls, this is your final term until summer break and I know that you are all very excited and eager to return home that is not an excuse for slacking and frivolity. The school year is not over yet." They all mumbled a 'yes Miss Hardbroom' before the bell sounded and they all rushed for the door.

Miss Cackle sat at the staffroom table nibbling on a piece of cheesecake as Constance opened the door and stepped inside. "How is the hand, Constance?" She questioned, momentarily looking at the white piece of fabric.

"Its fine, Miss Cackle," she replied, striding in and taking a seat across from her headmistress. "But you know what time of year it is? It's the season of chaos; I don't think I need to remind you of what happened this time last year, when the girls behaviour became abysmal and completely unacceptable and your attempt to calm the situation down with that cordial challenge did little to fix the problem."

"Then what do you suggest we do Constance? You know as well as I do that when the year begins to draw to a close the girls become a little…"

"Out of control," Constance finished and the headmistress nodded slightly.

"Yes, but also full of excitement and spirit."

"A spirit that brought Mildred and Drusilla into a fight and sent three teachers flying through the Great Hall's roof; Miss Cackle last summer was a complete disaster."

"I wouldn't say a complete disaster," Amelia dismissed. "We did manage to bring Mildred Hubble and Ethel Hallow into a more team orientated environment." Hardbroom's raised eyebrow demanded more. "But I will admit that some things may have become a little more…out of control than we initially planned. But, Constance, what can we possibly do to prevent something similar from happening?"

"I KNOW!" An excited shriek from the supplies closet erupted before the doors flung open and Miss Bat, holding the latest issue of Witches Weekly, immerged with a grin as wide as her face. "A Fire Festival!"

"Miss Bat," Constance began. "I hardly think that giving the girls fire is something that will cool them down. If anything it will only make the situation worse!"

"No, we're not giving them fire," she laughed as Miss Drill entered the room, listening to the chanting teacher's explanation. "A Fire Festival is about celebrating the summer solstice. Up until the nineteenth century they were common place in countless countries around the world you know."

"What happened then?" Imogen asked.

"The celebrations just kind of died out a little, they are still celebrated but with less significance. But I did manage to attend one when I was in my twenties and travelling the globe on my broom. It was incredible Miss Cackle. There was a bonfire, dancing and beautiful music and an incredible feast!" she paused, clutching the article to her heart and sighing with happiness. "There were even rumours that witches used to use the Summer Solstice as a kind of way to communicate with higher beings of infinite power and ask for guidance. It was all false of course." Constance rolled her eyes. "Plus it was mentioned in here." She exhibited the two page spread by pulling it wide and pushing it towards Miss Cackle. "If anything it will give the girls something new to experience and allow them to use their energy towards something productive."

"I'm afraid that jumping around and whaling to the moon does not exactly scream productive to me." Constance snarled.

"Well I think it's a great idea," Imogen replied, taking a stand and placing her hands on her hips. "At the very least it would get the girls moving and getting some healthy exercise. It might tire them out a little and stop them from fighting one another."

"And, the best part of the Fire Festival," Davina gushed, taking a rose from the vase on the centre table and picking at the petals. "Is that we can assign a Flame Bearer, someone who has the honour of lighting the bonfire." Miss Cackle stood and thoughtfully walked to the window before peering outside at the girls giggling outside. "It might be a good way for them to release all that unused energy."

"Miss Cackle, with all due respect-"

"No, Constance," Amelia interrupted. "I think Davina has a point and, if handled well, it could be something that we could do on a regular basis." She turned to the eccentric witch who had finished plucking the defenceless flower to the stem and had started on another. "When does the Summer Solstice fall Davina?" She turned the paper upside down and inspected a date.

"On the twenty first of June that's just next week!" She squealed with delight. "That works out perfectly, a kind of mid-summer celebration to help the girl's release any of their untouched excitement from the half term holiday before the heavy end of year exams start!"

"It sounds wonderful," Miss Cackle smiled though Constance's arms had already folded over her chest in defence and her lips pursed with un-amusement. She didn't understand how fire could possibly cool down the girls tempers or make them more civil and, having the nagging feeling at the back of her head flaring up like a spider sense hadn't made it any easier for her to like the idea.

"It will just be for one night, Constance."

"The decision is yours to make, Miss Cackle," she spoke civilly. "But when it backfires, and I am sure it will, do not blame me." And with that she disappeared.

Mildred wiped the sweat from her brow before turning the page of her notebook and reading over the ingredients, trying to force them into her brain. But nothing was sticking. She groaned, closing the dusty volume as Maud chewed absent-mindedly on the end of her pencil. "It's hopeless, ridiculous even, how can HB give us a test in summer when it's so hot? It should be against the law."

"Here here," Enid joked. "I second that motion." The two laughed before Ethel turned in her chair and glared at the two. "Some of us are trying to study."

"And some of us are trying to have some fun," Enid retorted. "Relax will you, it's not like you could fail the test even if you did badly. Your dad would just write a check the academy's way."

"What did you say?" She asked, standing to her feet as Enid did the same.

"You heard me. I don't know why you even bother studying so much."

"I study because I want to do well," Ethel replied as she pulled Drusilla by the shirt to stand by her side. "Something you might like to try at one point or another and you can start by shutting up and keeping your nose out of others business."

"Oh yeah," Enid pushed making Mildred utter her name quietly to try and bring about some kind of peace. "Make me."

AN: Thanks for reading and please review