IN CHARACTER

Joy Hecate Hardbroom had a difficult childhood, her home following strict rules which kept her quiet to be unnoticed, perhaps fearful of the consequences. Though her name was Joy there was little of it in her home, celebrations going unnoticed, something that she continues, ignoring traditions and lacking festive spirit, with her birthdays quiet and unmentioned aside from her singular gift. Attending Cackle's Academy was a positive time for Joy, for whilst there were rules to follow it was a much more pleasant atmosphere, and though Joy mostly kept to herself she did have friends.

Though Joy also became something of a rebellious teenager. Though all witches follow The Witches Code regarding their use of magic, keeping their lives separate from the nonmagical world, Joy believed that she knew better and became enamoured with it, travelling daily into the world to experience all that her life lacked. But due to the protective spell that kept witches hidden from the world, she was alone, unseen. Until a girl named Indigo Moon was able to see her. Joy and Indigo became best friends, Joy seeing her at every opportunity she wasn't in class until her teachers discovered what she was doing and cast a spell which confined her to school grounds. With Joy now cut off from the nonmagical world and her best friend she grew incredibly lonely, something that her studies and her magical friends couldn't help with. So, using magic, Joy tried to bring Indigo to her, using a wishing star to turn her friend into a witch and thus breaking the Code.

Whilst at first it was fun again, the magic of a nonmagical person is incredibly powerful and Indigo lost control of it and herself, eventually turning into stone. With her friend lost to her and knowledge of what had happened, the grave mistake she'd made, Joy dedicated herself to following The Witches Code, cutting off all of the friendships she had and remaking herself, becoming an isolated, stricter witch in both herself and her practice, known only now as Hecate Hardbroom.

Hecate, already magically exceptional, excelled in her studies, completing her years at Cackles Academy and earning both summer camp placements for potions and completing further study. However, though Hecate was free to leave Cackle's she did not, choosing to remain confined to the Academy, having to find alternate arrangements to be able to complete her studies. Eventually, Hecate became employed at the Academy, first serving as potions mistress before rising to become the deputy headteacher. Hecate's teaching practice sets in, her being a strict teacher to push her students to their best, not accepting any less, having high standards for all witches to keep magic great, using her own history as a bar for acceptability and what happens if standards may fall.

Whilst things go well, though perhaps Hecate becomes less hopeful each year about the intake of new witches, it isn't until a girl called Mildred Hubble attends the academy, a witch from an apparently non-witching family. It's later discovered that thirteen generations ago her ancestor gave up her powers and the next twelve generations worth of magic to be able to repair a founding stone to save her coven, with Mildred being the first witching generation since. Though due to the lack of magic previously in Mildred's life her education is very tumultuous, with Hecate very uncertain that Mildred can survive in a magical world. Whilst Hecate appears to hate her and expects her to fail her trial period, she only wants to see Mildred and magic thrive, for it to fit, and eventually, through Mildred saving the school at the end of her first year, she proves that she can survive (making Hecate be a little more lenient on her exam results due to her help).

The next few years at the Academy and for Hecate end up becoming one disaster after another, though not all of it is Mildred's fault. Whilst educating the students can be difficult and explosive on its own, when Ada's sister Agatha tries to take over the school (on numerous occasions) or even destroy it Hecate finds that it is allies and help in unexpected places (Mildred) that help save them all. The worst comes when the Academy's founding stone is destroyed, the site of the school's magical power causing it to drain from the area including all of the witches, turning everything to ice. Though Hecate was willing to give up her magic in order to restore the stone and save the school, another took that place for her, leaving her still at the Academy.

But where magic is, things continue to go wrong. Hecate ends up reminded of the mistake she made as a girl 30 years ago after Mildred also uses a wishing star to give magic to her mum, resulting in a disastrous turn of events. Though Mildred saves her mum who gives up her magic, the spell brings Indigo back from her statue form, forcing Hecate to come face to face with that mistake, one that clearly haunts her by how panicked it makes her. Whilst Hecate believes Indigo has no place in the witching world and will be dangerous, Mildred tries to prove that it is possible, the girl ending up staying at Cackle's Academy on trial. It takes Hecate time, not wanting to face the mistake and admit to Indigo who she is (despite her friend trying to find Joy) but only after she realises that Indigo will be remaining at Cackle's Academy does she accept that she needs to do this in fairness. However, the news is instead cruelly broken by Ethel Hallow and hurt, Indigo leaves.

It is after this that Hecate, unsettled by all that has occurred, asks Ada to remove the spell confining her to the Academy's grounds as she plans to leave the school at the end of the term. With everyone trying to find Indigo, Mildred and Ethel end up being granted the power of a wishing star to find her, however, Ethel uses it for her own gains. Ethel's plan ends up putting the school in danger and with help, Hecate manages to locate Indigo, apologising and convincing her to come back to Cackle's Academy, trying to put things right with her. With Indigo having returned, the danger to the school is quashed (again) and Hecate reveals that she no longer plans to leave Cackle's, that her place is here.

STERN. Hecate portrays herself as a cold, stern witch, and whilst for all intents and purposes this is true there is much more to Hecate than she'd ever wish to be known. The kinder parts of herself she keeps locked away, reserved only for those who are dear in her heart, for a mistake that she made in her childhood haunts her gravely and guides her future actions. Hecate has a very critical view of those that she meets, often said to have little tact with how willing she is to share those judgements of others. Whilst Hecate is judgemental, she is the only person that is allowed to act on those beliefs. Even though Hecate frequently tells Mildred that she is the worst witch in school and belittles her magical ability and control, this criticism is something that Hecate only shares when the magical act is something that she should be capable of, rather than when Hecate asks her to help with something greater than her ability. Hecate's stern exterior extends not only to her students, to keep them in line as a disciplinarian and strong witch, but to other adults around her. Whilst the staff at Cackle's Academy respect her, none may quickly jump to say that they liked her or considered her a friend. When a new teacher joins the school Hecate is incredibly untrusting of her, investigating her to the point where the teacher says that Hecate has made her feel unwelcome.

DISCIPLINED. Her disciplined attitude isn't only regarding her behaviour and carefully thought actions, nor the discipline that she insists on the witches of Cackle's Academy having, but something that helps her own magic. A strong and powerful witch is one that has good control over her magic. Hecate has incredibly tight control over herself, meaning that her magic is precise and powerful, making her be seen as a bigger threat than witches that are older than her. To Hecate's students, she is a witch to be feared, someone who keeps strict discipline with her traditional views on magic, study and how a witch should carry herself. All witches follow what is known as The Witches Code, a set of rules that instruct on how witches carry themselves and are allowed to use their magic to prevent the chaos that occurred in the past. As a teenager, Hecate thought that she knew better, even going so far as to break the Code. After her actions went wrong, Hecate dedicated herself to the Code, becoming a much more traditional witch and cutting herself off from all aspects of her former life, including her friends, erecting strong walls around herself to keep everyone out with her stern and icy exterior.

NO-NONSENSE. As well as being a strict disciplinarian and staunch follower of The Witches Code, there are many things that Hecate has zero patience for, including liars, eavesdroppers and pranks. Much of this is seen through her interactions with the students when students try to tell her a tall tale or even sometimes the truth (and she refuses to believe them). On Hallowe'en, Hecate's dislike of pranks was particularly evident after the headmistresses encouraged that the students play practical jokes on each other and the staff, something that Hecate was at the end of. When magic at the school ended up failing due to the loss of the Founding Stone, Hecate became increasingly annoyed at hearing this, assuming it was just a practical joke and eventually lost her temper with all practical jokes. Hecate is also a very traditional witch, preferring the school's education to focus on practical witchcraft (over PE or art) and when the idea of modern magic is introduced it offends her sensibilities, Hecate not wanting to move away from the traditional values that she holds dear. Considering that Hecate places a strong value of strong and controlled witches, something that she sees as being in decline, she is careful and protective of witches and their magic against anything that she believes could weaken that further. Including fun.

KIND-HEARTED. Whilst Hecate is stern and cold to the world she is kind and caring deep underneath everything else. She has a great respect for witches, particularly those that she has grown to trust and whilst she is critical of those at the Academy, she is a great protector for each of her students, ensuring that nothing comes to harm them or the school. The person that Hecate trusts and respects most is Ada Cackle, the headmistress of the school, someone that was also likely her own headmistress. Hecate has huge belief in her talents as a witch and headmistress, in her ability to run the school and care for her students and is the first person to jump to her defence, to try and protect or aid her when she needs to. Hecate also has the capacity for being softer with her students. If something endangers them she doesn't stop until she knows they are all safe. She has even shown the capability of being emotionally softer with them, a little understanding and comforting when she needs to be, praising their abilities or offering words of advice. Whilst Hecate's advice often comes with a sharper tone the meaning of it is still there -- she wants them to succeed and be great witches, she doesn't want them to fail. Even with Mildred Hubble, who Hecate continually expected to fail at Cackle's Academy, had such a negative opinion because she didn't want her to struggle or be somewhere that wasn't right for her and once Mildred had shown her own capabilities, Hecate offered that same respect in return, guiding and building her skills, being strict with her to encourage her to do better and reach her potential.

LOYAL. Whilst Hecate may have many flaws, to those that have gained her trust she is incredibly loyal, and in some senses is loyal to all of witchcraft through her beliefs. Even with witches and wizards that she doesn't particularly like (such as the Great Wizard) she is respectful due to their position or authority, or in the case of her students (such as Mildred Hubble) still wishes the best for them even if they are annoyances to her, having protected them when they are in danger or verbally supported them. In the cases of witches that Hecate does like, such as Ada Cackle, Hecate is fiercely loyal, not only allowing her to see her without her high walls (softer peer conversations) but Hecate goes out of her way to try and defend Ada when the Great Wizard tries to remove her from the school (giving an impassioned speech on her behalf). Whilst others at times may have doubted Hecate's intentions, believing her to have betrayed Ada when she appeared to support Agatha, the greater good of Cackle's Academy is always her first priority, making her appear to act one way so she can find a true solution to survive and help Ada.

RESERVED. Hecate's true self is very hidden away, her stern attitude protection for her real self. Though she is bold, extra and seems confident when it comes to things more personal like friendship, romance or relaxing Hecate is very cautious and uncertain about it, having disconnected from that side of herself a long time ago after an incident in her childhood. Hecate is capable of friendship, shown by her bond with Ada and former friendship with Pippa Pentangle, though as an adult she isn't outgoing or welcoming to try and bring new people into her life. When under the effects of a personality switching potion it almost seems to reveal the real Hecate, that she has the capacity for a more open and flamboyant nature, though a nature that she keeps tightly locked away, glimpses of that softer side only seen in very brief moments. It could also possibly be said that Hecate is a little fearful in more personal aspects of life which is why she keeps them locked away. As a teenager, she wasn't particularly popular or confident and dedicated herself to her craft, though it is shown that she had friends particularly in Pippa and Indigo Moon, that she once was more carefree and a risk-taker. After breaking The Witches Code and doing something disastrous, this caused Hecate to change her entire being, to lock the risk-taker side away (inline with her confinement to the school grounds) and to be the traditional woman she is now. Even as an adult, Hecate (voluntarily) remains confined to the school, showing that even though she'd be trusted to leave that she either does not trust herself or no longer knows what to do in the outside world. She has also grown increasingly reliant on her magic, using it in everyday situations, enough that she remarks that she hates walking and seems to dislike the idea of having to physically open a door.

CURIOUS. Though it may not outwardly seem it, Hecate is a curious individual at least in terms of magic. Hecate dedicated herself to her magic from her education, becoming a strong and powerful witch, skillful and knowledgeable and even feared for her power. Hecate is also a talented potions mistress, showing a thirst for her education, a love of what she does and a curiosity of magic and wish to know all that she can. Hecate's skill is so great that she can identify her student's potions based on smell, able to correct them as they are brewing without having to even speak to them. Whilst Hecate would deny it now, as a teenager she was also curious about the nonmagical world, at one point making a friend in a nonmagical girl (Indigo) and finding a love for music. Though music is still something that Hecate does enjoy it now comes from magical sources, with her appearing to detest anything nonmagical (even if in her heart that isn't true).

LONELY. Hecate's lifestyle leaves her particularly lonely, though this is something that she would never admit. Whilst Hecate may appear to keep everyone at a distance and not enjoy festivities, when it was shown that she wasn't invited to Miss Drill's birthday celebrations she was hurt by that as regardless of whether she would have attended or enjoyed it the invitation simply wasn't extended. Whilst Hecate doesn't aim to be popular (or particularly liked) by any means she does appreciate and cares for those that are around her in her own way, meaning that rejection can hit hurt sharper than anyone would realise given her lack of positive expression in friendship (or people). Hecate also did manage to admit that she had missed her friendship with Pippa when the two reconciled, though she was uncertain with how to proceed with it. A similar thing happened when Indigo reappeared in her life, with Hecate attempting to run away from her (both for her mistake and the complicated situation), with her eventually accepting the girl back into her life even if the relationship was very different. Connections and feeling connected are important things to Hecate and whilst outwardly she shrugs off people's opinions of her they are something that she takes to heart, particularly if she truly respects and trusts the person giving the opinion.

WITCH. Traditional witchcraft is performed in the form of spells, hand motions and often-times, potions. Experienced witches are very controlled in their casting, knowing what exactly will cause a change in the effects of a spell. Whilst there are traditional spells, experienced witches are also able to create their own spell-wording or even perform non-verbal magic. Hecate very often performs non-verbal magic unless the spell is of a higher level which would require a verbal component, and is shown to be more powerful than witches older than her, showing that it is not simply age that affects a witch's ability to perform magic but their study and ability to control their magic. A witch is also said to be made of magic, their magic flowing through their being. Typically, a witch is cloaked from the mortal world by invisibility spells that prevent their detection, something that extends to their belongings (such as broomsticks). Witches also follow The Witches Code, a set of magical guidelines that direct their usage of magic and in certain cases, prevent magical use after swearing an oath. Breaking this Code results in action being taken by the Magic Council. Hecate is also knowledgable in Witchenese, the ancient language of witches.

SPELLS. Spells are graded by a level based on their difficulty for a witch to be able to cast them. All spells have a reversal spell, something that typically only the witch who cast the original spell is able to perform. On occasion, another witch will be able to find a counteraction to the spell but it may not work as well. As a powerful and experienced witch, Hecate is able to cast high-level spells, casts most of her magic non-verbally or can create her own spells. A witch's study of chanting helps to increase and power their spells by helping them to control the vocality of their spells, their pitch and volume to produce the desired effects. [1]

POTIONS. As potions teacher of Cackles Academy, Hecate is a very experienced potions mistress, able to detect and determine a potion simply by its smell and can tell what a student has failed to add to their potion when it goes wrong. Hecate is very prideful in her potion work and her student's ability to successfully brew a potion as many spells require a potion component, without it the spell would be unable to work. Hecate is so skillful in her craft that she is known for having the best results of virtually every potion teacher in the country. [1] [2]

MAGIC EXAMPLES. conjuring smoke + quelling magical wildfire + transference spell + levitating + summoning + reversing/halting magic + just being extra + compilation

WARPS. Whilst Hecate's knowledge won't be changed, the effects of her spells and potions will be. Whilst some may work (the lower level spells, particularly), Hecate will find that more complex spells and potions will either fail, be stronger/weaker than expected, not last as long, have unexpected consequences or turn out to be something different. For example, a transference spell may find Hecate appearing in the wrong location, whilst a switching spell may switch the wrong object. Her reversal spells will work, though they may be slow-acting reversals for hilarity/ooc plotting of spell effects. Healing magic is also not a specific thing in her world, whilst they can use potions to ease minor injuries they can't just heal things. That said, any potion that Hecate may brew to heal something minor would end up reflected back onto her.

-- her familiar, morgana
-- her pocketwatch
-- her copy of the witches code
-- the box containing the friendship bracelet from indigo moon
-- her spellbook
-- a broomstick

OUT OF CHARACTER