"No, don't think about it anymore. Box it away with everything else."

Imogen Drill repeated the mantra over and over in her head as she walked through the always cold halls of Castle Overblow. It was impossible though, the mix of embarrassment and indignation kept rising up in her body making her feel physically ill. There was only one thing to do.

"That's it I'm resigning." As soon as the words left her mouth she felt something. Not better exactly but slightly more in control. And with someone else to blame which always helped. "It's Constance Hardbroom, the way she talks to me."

Immediately Amelia was at her side, guiding her to sit down and speaking in that soft calming tone she used whenever someone was in need of comfort.

Even as Imogen ranted about being treated as one of the pupils she recognised that that was exactly what she sounded like, a petulant teenager. The thing was, she just couldn't stop herself. Which is exactly what caused her to blurt out the most stupid thing she could have said.

"Oh don't worry Miss Cackle, I was offered a job during the holidays. At my boyfriend's adventure centre."

She was so angry that the almost lie rolled easily off her tongue and she couldn't deny the satisfaction at the shock that appeared on Amelia's face. At least it seemed someone would be bothered if she left. Unlike somebody else.

"Of course I'm serious." Imogen retorted when Amelia questioned her. But even as the principal stared at her she could feel her bravado vanishing. What was she going to do?

The rest of the afternoon was spent sulking and reflecting. Not just on this particular day but on several significant days over the past three years. Imogen's problem, as she recognised herself, was that she tended to lash out and then allow her bad mood to fester. Exercise helped but right now she didn't have the energy to get up from the armchair and do something active. Instead she curled up on the chair, ignored the background noise and reflected on the mess she had made of things.

She was in this same position when Amelia re-entered the room with a reluctant Constance hot on her heels. The principal couldn't help feeling protective as she looked at the woman flopped down on the chair. She looked so young, so lost. Amelia was very fond of Imogen, she was fond off all her staff members but Imogen had brought a new life and new perspective to the school. It had taken some time for Constance to agree to adding P.E to the curriculum but even the stern Potions teacher couldn't deny that everyone had benefited from the subject shake up. The problem was that these two teachers could never seem to get along. There would be weeks of what seemed like a truce and then a blow up like today. It was like an undercurrent of tension that never seemed to vanish.

"If only they could form a friendship, things would be so much easier.", Amelia pondered as she tried to encourage Imogen to stay. Unfortunately Constance was not helping matters with her apology. She was so stiff, so false sounding and so uncomfortable looking. In fact Amelia was amazed when Imogen agreed to think things over. Maybe there was some hope?

Imogen did in fact want to think things through. She also wanted to talk. However, the person she needed to talk to was also the person she wanted least to face. She was halfway to her bedroom when she decided there was no point in running away. If she wanted to make a really informed decision and have some hope of losing the regrets that were eating her up inside she needed to confront her fears.

"I still think she'll stay. It's all attention seeking. That's what happens when you employ a non-witch in a witch's school."

Hidden behind the wall, Imogen's face fell. "So that's what she really thinks?"

Propelled by anger she confronted Constance and Amelia. "Well, the truth's out now", she spat before storming off towards her bedroom to grab a pen and some writing paper.

Fifteen minutes later she was in Amelia's office. "Here, my resignation. Now you have it in writing and there's nothing more to say."

Amelia looked up from her desk, "Really Imogen? Alright, if you really want to leave then I'll accept your resignation. But before I do, I'm going to share a few thoughts with you. Are you willing to listen?"

Imogen sat down on the other chair. She didn't know what to expect but she was curious enough to hear Amelia out, "Go on."

"What you overheard today cannot have been very nice. What Constance said about you being a non-witch was wrong and she knows it. However, she said something else that got me thinking. Do you really want to resign or are you in fact looking for attention?"

"I, well, no. I,,." Imogen spluttered.

"I cannot be sure", Amelia carried on, "But instinct tells me she was right. The thing I don't understand is why? Also, you blew up at Constance when I too was involved in the conversation. Why not at me? Is it because I am your employer? Well, if you're going to leave anyway that wouldn't stop you, you have a job to go to and you know I'll still give you a good reference. Please Imogen, tell me what's really happening?"

It took a good four minutes of silence before Imogen finally spoke, "It's her."

"Who my dear?"

"It's Constance. It had to be her who found me with the third years earlier. Even though I wasn't doing anything wrong it was just so embarrassing. And then for her to call me out like that in front of them. She's always berating me, treating me like a child, making me feel inadequate."

Amelia rested her chin on her hands and looked across the table. Imogen seemed close to tears as she ranted about the Deputy Head. "So, you don't like Constance? Well, maybe we can…."

"No", Imogen shouted abruptly. "No, I do like her, that's the problem. I wish I didn't but I, well, I like her in a way that I really shouldn't."

At that exact time that Amelia and Imogen were talking the woman they were discussing was reflecting on what had happened that afternoon. Although she tried to ignore it, her stomach was churning with a mix of guilt, regret and something else she couldn't quite place. Knowing that apologies were really not her strength Constance decided to ask Amelia, who was much better at these things, for some advice.

"I like her in a way that I really shouldn't."

It was too late for Constance to stop herself appearing in Amelia's office. It wasn't so much Imogen's words that told her it was in fact she who was being discussed, but rather the actions of the other woman that confirmed her thoughts.

"Oh God."

Imogen's summer tan completely vanished as she rose from the chair, pushed past Constance and exited the room at speed. Meanwhile, Constance was left with a bewildered Amelia looking at her and a heart that was beating slightly too quickly in her chest.

"Could it really be?"

A/N So what's going on? Hope you enjoyed the first part, a bit more will be revealed in the next chapter.