A/N: This is based loosely on the 'Just like Clockwork' episode. I loved the scene when Hecketty and Constance are left alone in the office after Mr Hallow departs. Also, based roughly a few weeks after Constance' counseling session.

This is part three of the quadrilogy. Wow! Quick upload time, I started working on this idea since 'The Untitled' and it was suppose to be a one shot but due to circumstances, ideas, etc. It just seemed right to have it accompany/link onto the other two fics.

Just a massive shout to everyone who took the time to read and review! *Curtseys*

It has been a privilege so I hope that you guys will enjoy this next number *drum roll*

Chapter One: And So It Begins

The report could not have arrived at a worst time. Amelia was busy re-organizing her classes to accommodate her abrupt departure. She was satisfied that Constance would maintain a watchful eye over her classes until she returned from visiting her aunt. Amelia was worried about the additional stress of her classes and running of the academy which only added to the amount of work her deputy would have to deal with. Since returning from her session with Zelda Black, witch counselor, Amelia was keen to hear Constance' opinion/thoughts but so far her deputy had ensured the topic of conversation never got the chance to rise its head.

The report from the counselor had arrived on her desk, a few weeks after the initial session but Amelia had no choice but to hide the letter in a drawer of her desk. Her mind preoccupied, imagining various scenarios which would never happen but she wanted to brace herself should the worst ever happen. Her aunt was one for to add a dramatic flare when it came to her health. Last year, Amelia was called to her bedside, her aunt claimed to have survived a heart attack but this time she was about to meet her maker. It actually transpired that her aunt was suffering from a bad case of indigestion that she had been experiencing for the past week.

She tucked the already opened envelope, making a mental note to read the report as soon as she returned. Amelia sighed, extra stress was not what Constance needed at this moment in time and looked at the calendar on her desk, the circled date was looming and she could only prey that she was would return before then.

'Be strong Constance. I will return for you.' thought Amelia

The news of her arrival unnerved Constance, the mere mention of her former tutor's name had sent her into a state of hyperventilation, the glue that held Constance together slowly started to come undone.

Since escaping her clutches and college, she had only ever briefly encountered the former tutor on two separate occasions, barely managing to survive the encounters and now the thought of another reunion filled her with dread and fear. Her name was still able to provoke buried memoires and associated emotions to the surface.

Her confidence had already started to falter, her heart beating so hard that could hear the blood pulsating in her ears. Constance scowled at her self, knowing that if she did not project an air of confidence or attempt to give a false illusion of strength then Hecketty would sense any if not all her weaknesses and pick her apart, devouring her like a piranha.

Constance stood like a statue in the corner of Amelia's office. Her eyes danced between her former tutor and her current student. Powerless to help, she watched helplessly as Mildred received a tracing bracelet, something that Constance was already familiar with only she did not expect that Hecketty would still be using these old world, teaching devices.

The bracelet was nothing more than an up to date version of a ball and chain.

Hecketty continued to lecture Mildred about the bracelet and her overall unruly behavior. Mildred occasionally stole a glance at her potion's teacher. In the past, neither of them had seen eye to eye and rarely agreed on anything but currently shared a common threat and fear. Constance looked through Mildred as if she were glass, giving nothing away. She could not afford too but made a promise to find time and speak to Mildred.

Mildred scuffed out of the office, on the verge of tears. Constance felt her heart sink and sighed silently.

"As you were Constance." stated Hecketty, not longer needing her and relieving her of duty

She swiftly nodded her head in acknowledgment and quickly left the office, using the door instead of her trademark disappearing trick. She did not fully trust her magic on account of her current state of mind.

Since the arrival of Mistress Broomhead, the corridors seemed unusually quiet, almost eerie. Instead clocks replaced the noise from students. The appearance of the clocks around the academy made Constance shudder inward, conjuring up memories of college.

"A minute wasted is a minute lost."

An all too familiar voice haunted her thoughts as she cast her eyes around, seeing clocks of all shapes and sizes littering the walls, all harmoniously ticking as the heartbeat of the academy. She wanted nothing more than to put the hellish day behind her although she doubted that tomorrow would be any better. Her optimism slowly dying with each passing hour that Hecketty Broomhead remained as acting headmistress of the academy.

Hecketty Broomhead watched as her former student practically bolting out of the office after being dismissed, it was very unladylike behavior and expected better from her, had she forgotten everything that she had been taught? Hecketty planned to remind Constance exactly what was expected of her.

It had been a long, tiresome day but sleep would have to wait. She was unable to retire, not when she looked around to see the disorganized and chaotic office which surrounded her. Hecketty pondered as to how Amelia Cackle, headmistress could function and run her own academy but had a notion that Constance probably aided the older witch in the running of the school from the sidelines.

Such chaos, everywhere she looked. Running a finger over an overcrowded shelf, she discovered a thick layer of dust and tutted. She would have this establishment running like clockwork starting with Amelia Cackle's office.

It was almost therapeutic in a sense, carefully organizing paperwork into various piles with the use of her magic. Everything was perfect. Everything was neat and back in its rightful place and not to mention that the office was spotless, no dust particles dare show or else feel the obsessive compulsive cleaning of Mistress Broomhead.

Hecketty took a seat behind the desk, needing to rest her weary body. She was not as young or energetic as she used to be and cursed her self for showing weakness even though there were no witnesses to her momentary lapse, surrendering to her body's demand for rest. Her body breathed a sigh of relief before she allowed a moment of relaxation. Old, tired eyes closed.

She stretched and flexed her fingers, feeling the benefit from taking a break about was about to retire to her room when something caught her attention. The bottom drawer of the desk lay slightly ajar and it beckoned for her to investigate. Apart from a lot of cheesecake recipes and other uninteresting and useless straps of paper, Hecketty was about to slam the drawer closed until an envelope fell. The wax seal was already broken.

She reached and pulled it out from the drawer. Inquisitive and curiosity eventually got the best of her and she began to pull the letter out of the envelope when the clock chimed causing her to briefly get a fright. Clutching the letter, she disappeared and then reappeared in a room that had been made up for her. No doubt the contents of the letter would make for light reading.