Cordelia's Daughter

chapter one

We got told a new girl is coming. Brilliant. For us anyway, not so much for her. "Be nice, she has only just found out about witches" our delightful headteacher had instructed us. Naturally we are doing the opposite. In my defence it was Madison's idea. We all put on witch doctor masks and black robes, awaiting the arrival of the newest member to our coven. We hid carefully behind the walls as she cautiously walked in.

Long dirty blonde, almost brunette, hair cascades down her back, and framing her beautiful face in just the right way. She was clearly unsure about being here, something to be expected, of course. She had just been ripped away from her family and sent to a random building with a group of girls she doesn't know. Madison telekinetically made the door creak close making the poor girl jump.

She called out multiple times, but no one responded. We ghosted through doorways, enjoying the way she jumped every time she caught sight of one of us brushing past. Eventually we had her cornered. Screaming as we threw a straw bag over her head and threw her onto the table. I climbed atop her, straddling her waist holding the knife up high as the cover was ripped from her face. I smiled on, staring into her eyes as Madison chanted about sacrificing her. She screamed again for us to stop so I jumped off her laughing, holding my hand out to help her sit up. We all pulled off our masks and I dramatically bowed my head, "Y/N at your service" I giggle out. She has her knees tucked up to her chest looking around nervously as she replies with her own name. Zoe. Before we can continue to frighten the poor girl senseless, I hear that familiar, disapproving voice call out, "Girls! I told you not to scare her, what part of that do you not understand? I mean really, masks? Pinning her on a table" she says that bit staring into my soul, "You'll scare her away!"

"Are you finished?" I cannot help but roll my eyes. Cordelia ignores my snarkiness and steps forward to introduce herself to this Zoe. I turn to leave as soon as I hear the name 'Foxx' fall from her mouth. She puts a hand out to try to stop me, but I brush past regardless.

I rather dislike her husband, always trying too hard to be nice to me. But I can tell it's not sincere. Maybe he's just angry that he and Cordelia are failing to conceive a child of their own. It must be an issue on his side, because she had me perfectly fine, even if it was unplanned.

_.oO0Oo._

Cordelia goes and shows Zoe to her room while the rest of us go and unpack shopping. There are plenty of space for her to move into, given that there's barely more than six people in the house at any given time. When I was younger Myrtle – and sometimes Cordelia- would tell me stories of when the academy was bustling with thirty plus young witches, all wanting to learn.

By the time I was ten I had grown distant from Cordelia, so much so that the others don't know we're related.

I'm putting the last of the milk away in the fridge when we are called through to the sitting room to have a meeting. It happens every time someone new joins. I've heard the speech one hundred and one times. She will waffle on about the history of witches and how we came to hide here, then go on to explain what a supreme is and what they do. I didn't bother to go, instead choosing to sit at the dining room table on my phone.

My peace was short lived though. "Y/N!" Cordelia "Why on earth are you not in there with the rest of the girls?" I don't stick around for an answer, instead choosing to transmutate out of the room to my own, quite successfully may I add. Cordelia didn't seem too proud though. She soon followed me, transmutating herself behind me, making me jump.

"Jesus, Mom!", I turn towards her with a hand on my chest, "What do you want? There's no point in me going and sitting in an introductory meeting I've heard a hundred times over."

She moves closer, "To show your respect." And with that she turned to leave, expecting me to follow.

Stupidly, I did, trailing behind like a grumpy teen. I guess I was.

I sit myself down next to Zoe, grumbling under my breath about having to be there. She offers me a smile and turns back to Cordelia. The meeting drags on, as she tells us the importance of why we need to keep ourselves safe from the judgemental outside world. Tells us how her mother is the supreme, and she is just like us. Trying to humble herself I imagine. She seems to hold herself above us all.

_.oO0Oo._

Come to dinner time I sit myself beside Zoe, and opposite Nan. Madison couldn't keep her mouth shut apparently, making constant snidey comments about Zoe and her love life. Nan let it spill that Zoe's boyfriend has passed as a result of herself. Her power.

It didn't last long until queenie starts threatening to end Madison's life using her voodoo abilities. She's dragged off for a walk by Nan. With some comments about her eating habits thrown at her from the failed movie star. Madison got up, aggressively pushing her chair in, heading for the stairs.

Turning towards me with a shy smile, Zoe mumbled, "Guess you're my new friend around here". I laughed, "Sure, I can't promise I won't scare you again, though."

Before she has chance to respond, Cordelia does for her, "Maybe you should take this as a chance to become a better role model and behave."

Zoe raises an eyebrow at me, but I just ignore the both of them. How long had Cordelia been there anyway? I get up with a sigh and turn to leave, but not without shouting over my shoulder, "Be good Zoe, the head teacher is quite miserable recently."

Again I ignore the looks sent my way from both women, and head up to my room.