The staffroom was quiet on this particular Monday morning. It was too early for most of the staff and students to be up and for once Davina appeared to have slept in her own bed rather than her stationery cupboard refuge. As a result Constance sat alone, drinking tea and making some notes on the first years abysmal potions homework.

As much as she relished the peace and quiet, the silence made it difficult to avoid the thoughts that had been running through her head pretty constantly of late. Thoughts and feelings related to one person.

"What am I going to do?", she muttered to herself. "I've been around teenagers so much that I'm starting to behave like them."

As Constance got up to refill her tea she heard a pounding noise coming down the corridor. Suddenly the dormant butterflies in her stomach fluttered into life and she found herself reaching to check her hair as the noise made it to the door and then stopped. While the door was opening she sat back down and pretended to be extremely focused on Maud Moonshine's homework.

"Good morning Miss Hardbroom."

As she heard the voice of the person who had consumed her thoughts for the past six months, in her head, Constance beamed with joy. However in reality, she simply glanced up from the papers to see Imogen Drill was standing in front of her, stretching her lean calf muscles, presumably in preparation for yet another run.

"Good morning Miss Drill.", Constance replied with as little warmth as possible. Really she wanted to smile at Imogen, ask her what she had done the night before, how had she slept?. Actually, if she was very honest with herself she wanted to already have known these things because they would have involved both of them spending time together.

"Did you have a pleasant evening last night, I didn't see you after dinner?" Imogen asked brightly as she filled her water bottle.

Constance was startled by the question, most people didn't attempt to engage her in casual conversation and she didn't quite know how to respond. "My evening was much the same as always, making sure the girls were where they should be and preparing for the week ahead."

Even as she answered she could hear how abrupt she sounded. This was why people didn't converse easily with her, she knew this.

"Much the same as mine so", Imogen responded, still smiling although not quite as brightly anymore. "Anyway, I'd better set off now if I want to do my normal route before assembly. See you later." With that she was gone, leaving Constance still sitting here as the door closed.

She wasn't alone for long as it seemed the door swung open again instantly to allow Amelia enter the room.

"Hello Constance." Amelia smiled as she saw her deputy sitting and glancing out the window.

"Good morning Headmistress", Constance replied, still distracted by whatever was happening through the window.

As Amelia went to sit down she saw for herself what she was so focused on, a certain P.E teacher running down the path unless she was very much mistaken. Amelia had noticed the effect that Imogen had on Constance since she had arrived and from what she could see that effect was only increasing of late.

Amelia had worked with Constance for a long time and although she had been difficult to get to know she felt that they had made some real progress and had evolved beyond just the employer/ employee relationship. She was extremely fond of the seemingly straight laced potions teacher and wished more than anything to see her happy and actually enjoying her life rather than living for work. She had a feeling she knew where the catalyst for this enjoyment could come from and was determined to do something about it.

"No time like the present", she thought and prepared herself to open the proverbial can of worms.

"There is something I would like to talk to you about."

Looking back from the window Constance immediately snapped back into Deputy Head mode. "Yes Miss Cackle, is it about the detention assignments?'

Amelia rolled her eyes internally, they had discussed those to death last Friday. "No, this is more of a personal matter, concerning some observations that I have made of late."

Even as she spoke, she could see Constance becoming more guarded. Her face became even more blank, her posture more rigid. Determined to take advantage of the quiet staffroom, Amelia pressed on. "You know how much I rely on you to help me run the school, you are an excellent Deputy, a wonderful Potions teacher and I hope you know how much of a friend I consider you. Now I also know you may not want to hear this but I feel I have to say it. Once I've done so, it's up to you what you do with this.

"I know you enjoy teaching and saw the school as a safe place where you could feel like you are making a contribution. I believe things have changed somewhat and I think Imogen has a lot to do with this."

At this Constance began to choke on her tea. "Really Miss Cackle I…"

Amelia held up her hand to stop the retort that was coming her way. "Please, let me finish. There is nothing wrong with what you're feeling and before you start to worry, it's not something that is blatantly obvious. I do have the benefit of knowing you better than most. Although I think you're trying to cover it up, I've noticed how you look at Imogen, how you spend more time outside when she's running her classes and how you seem more energised when she's around.

I believe you attempt to hide it with harsh words sometimes but that's because you don't know how to communicate with her. I wish you would drop your defences somewhat and experience another side to life. Unless I'm very much mistaken, I believe it is a romantic interest you have but even if I'm wrong about that, why not allow yourself her friendship?"

As Amelia spoke Constance could feel the blood pounding in her head. Was she that transparent? It felt like Amelia had been reading her thoughts and hearing them spoken aloud made Constance feel vulnerable and exposed in a way she hadn't for a very long time. She truly didn't know how to react so decided to rely on her usual method of defence.

"Miss Cackle. Firstly you appear to have made a number of assumptions about Miss Drill and her preferences. Secondly, I am here to work, not to make friends. And thirdly, I have work to do and that does not include sitting here undergoing an unwanted counselling session. If you'll excuse me."

With that she gathered her papers, zapped her teacup away and disappeared from the staffroom.

Amelia sat back in her chair contemplating the exchange. She knew the best thing to do was to let Constance think things through for a while.

"It could have been a lot worse."

Constance had been wrong on a couple of accounts. Amelia had not made an assumption on Imogen's "preferences" as Constance had said. In the spirit of openness Imogen had told Amelia that she was gay not long after she had started in the school. Amelia really did not have an issue with this. Although she preferred men. or wizards ,she had worked with many witches who preferred other witches, including by what her deputy had not said, Constance. She also knew that this relationship could be extremely good for both of them and as a consequence, for the school. She couldn't force it but would do whatever possible to encourage them along the way.

As she made this decision the door opened and Davina came whizzing in like a whirlwind.

"Morning Amelia, What a lovely day. I slept like a log- I really should sleep in bed more often. Now where's my baton must dash- bye."

And with that the whirlwind was gone.

Amelia was still smiling as Imogen arrived back from her run.

"Good morning", she managed to get out as she tried to catch her breath.

"Imogen, you mustn't push yourself too hard." Amelia couldn't contemplate running even a fraction of the amount the P.E teacher did.

"I need to push myself otherwise I'll get complacent.", Imogen smiled before she drained her water. "Speaking of pushing, I've been trying to take your advice and engaging Miss Hardbroom in more conversation but I'm not sure I'm getting anywhere."

As she spoke the principal noticed she looked very despondent.

She got up to put her hand on the P.E teacher's shoulder. "Keep at it Imogen, just stay open to her, I'm sure you'll get somewhere soon enough."

Then she went to gather her notes for assembly leaving Imogen to contemplate exactly what she may have meant.