Switched

On their way back to their rooms, the Winx found themselves talking about what they'd be doing after they graduated at the end of the year. Of course Stella was going to continue with designing while readying herself to take over the throne when her father decided to step down, much like Layla was. Tecna and Flora would be returning home to work with their parents and Musa was going to travel to broaden her horizon with other cultures music.

"What about you Bloom?" Flora asked, her gentle voice raised so the fairy further in front could hear her, "What do you plan on doing?"

Turning around, Bloom shrugged, continuing to walk backwards, "I don't know, maybe I'll go back home for a while and help out at the store."

Smiling, Flora nodded, "That sounds lovely, maybe you could bring your mum to Linphea."

"She would love that," Bloom laughed, "Just tell me wh-Oomph!"

While speaking, Bloom had forgotten to check over her shoulder to make sure no one was behind her. As such, she hadn't seen the Headmistress and Deputy turning from the adjoining hallway. It was only her luck that she'd managed to turn while falling, effectively knocking the wind out of both herself and Faragonda from landing on top of the surprised woman. Around them, the Winx stood laughing while Griselda folded her arms and stared down at them with a raise eyebrow.

Groaning, Bloom pushed herself up, "I am so sorry," She apologized, allowing herself to drop to the ground beside the other woman, "I didn't see you."

Pressing her hand to her chest, Faragonda tried to gain control of her breathing, "I do believe I've never had the wind knocked so thoroughly out of me Bloom," She chuckled, pushing herself up, "Are you alright dear?"

Bloom didn't respond to the question, she was too busy trying to stop the world from spinning around her. Closing her eyes, she focused on her breathing, hoping that the rolling feeling in her stomach would stop before she threw up what she'd just eaten.

Concerned at the sudden paleness of the young woman, Faragonda reached out, grasping her shoulder, "Bloom?"

At the contact, Blooms eyes shot open, everything snapping into to focus once more, "Yes?" She asked, sitting up, marvelling at the quick change in body, "I'm sorry," She shook her head, smiling at the woman in front of her as she stood up, "I'm fine, are you?" She asked, holding out her hand.

Nodding Faragonda returned the smile, though she was still concerned, "I am fine as well," Taking the offered hand, Faragonda stood up, brushing the small wrinkles from her skirt, "Actually Bloom, while I have you here, there is something I'd like to discuss with you, if you'd join me in my office."

"Of course," Bloom smiled, turning to her friends, "I'll catch up later."

Nodding and smiling, each girl continued on their way to their dorm, each wishing the teachers a good night as they passed.

"I believe I'll turn in for the night as well," Griselda spoke, drawing the other two's attention to her, "Good night Bloom, Headmistress." She nodded, turning to leave.

"And you Griselda."

"Good night Ms Griselda."

The two women watched her until she disappeared around the corner.

Turning, Faragonda smiled at Bloom, "Shall we, my dear?"

Returning the smile easily, Bloom nodded, "Let's go."

Later that night, when everyone was in bed, Faragonda walked into her rooms, heading straight for the bathroom. She intended on having a hot shower in hopes of relaxing her stiff shoulders. She'd been working non-stop since Bloom had left, which meant she'd been hunched over her desk reading and signing sheet after sheet of paperwork for the last four hours in a vain attempt to finish it before she collapsed in exhaustion. She'd finally decided to call it quits for the night when she felt the world around her tip in the familiar sensation of passing out. So there she was, standing in the middle of her bathroom removing her clothes as quickly as she could without pulling at her aching muscles.

Shimmying out of her skirt, she worked on the buttons of her blouse. As she methodically undid them, she felt herself sway forwards, but before she could reach out to grab hold of something, her world turned black and she fell to the floor unconscious.

Across the school, Bloom sprang up from her sleep gasping. Seconds later her eyes rolled back and she fell back onto the bed.

Sometime later, the woman on the ground started coming around. With a hand pressed to her head, she groaned as a dull ache pulsed through her skull. Opening her eyes slowly, she blinked quickly in hopes of clearing her vision, but when nothing changed she frowned. Patting around her, she grasped the small, cool glass that sat beside her and picked it up. Bringing it closer to her face, she squinted until she could see the small frames. More confused than ever, she carefully slid the glasses in place, reeling back when everything became clear. Looking around her, she felt her body fill with dread.

"Why am I in her bathroom?" She whispered, jumping when she heard her voice, "Why do I sound like her?"

Swallowing, she stood, careful not to look anywhere but ahead of her. Once standing, and sure that she wouldn't be passing out, she slowly turned and left the bathroom, heading for the screened off area. Not allowing herself to hesitate, she stepped around and in line with the mirror. Starring back at her was Faragonda. She was inside Faragonda's body.

"Oh Dragons," She gasped, back peddling until the back of her legs hit the edge of the bed, "Ohh," She groaned, throwing herself back onto the bed with her eyes squeezed shut, "What am I going to do?"

"Perhaps you could put a night gown on."

Jumping up, she spun around at the sound of the voice only to come face to face with herself.

"I'm dreaming, that's got to be it," She muttered to herself as herself walked towards her, "That's the only reasonable explanation."

"Bloom," She said, holding out her hands, "It's Faragonda Bloom," She spoke gently.

"Ms Faragonda?" Bloom asked, her voice shaky.

"That's right dear."

"W-What's happening?"

Faragonda shook her head, the sensation of the long braid swinging from side to side distracting her for a second, "I don't know," She whispered, taking hold of the shaking hands, "But we will find out, I promise."

Nodding, Bloom looked down into her own eyes, "I'm freaking out," She blurted out, "I'm in your body, you're in mine. How does that even happen?"

"Old magic," Faragonda sighed, "Very old magic."

Sometime later the two moved themselves into the middle of the large bed. Bloom had finally put on a night gown like Faragonda had suggested, but found that the long slip wasn't made with sitting cross legged in mind and had quickly pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. Beside her, Faragonda sat with her legs tucked under her, much like she had when she'd visited Bloom at the end of the previous year. Since sitting down, she hadn't taken her eyes off Bloom.

"This is so weird."

"How so dear?" Faragonda asked, forcing herself not to smile as she watched her face twist into the pout she'd become accustomed to seeing on Bloom's expression.

"We've swapped bodies and all you can do is stare at yourself," She looked at her, but quickly turned back to starring at the wardrobe, "I can't even look at you because seeing myself is freaking me out."

Finally allowing herself to smile, Faragonda reached out and took hold of her hand, "I find it amusing to see your reactions in my body," She admitted, "I don't think I've sat like this in years." As she spoke, she gently ran her finger along her thigh and down her shin before resting her hand there. Looking up into the startled eyes, she smiled, "Even though it's my body, it's you and nothing can keep me from seeing that."

Frowning, Bloom looked at the woman inhabiting her body, "Is there a chance you hit my head on your way over here?"

Laughing, Faragonda turned away and got up from the bed, lifting the blanket to slip under it, "Come on dear, we'll figure this out in the morning, it's time you rest."

Deciding not to argue, Bloom slipped under the covers as well, quickly finding her arms filled and with her own body pressed flush up against her. Blinking, she turned her face away, gently pulling the horned frames off and placing them on what she hoped was the side table.

With a devilish smirk, Faragonda pressed a light kiss to the exposed skin of her own chest, whispering a soft, "Good night," Before closing her eyes and falling into the land of dreams.

Shivering at the feather light contact, Bloom returned the sentiment, but continued to stare up at the blurry ceiling.

The next morning, soon after getting dressed, Faragonda sent a message to Griselda to come to her office. After helping Bloom with her usual skirt and blouse outfit, she found herself sitting in her office waiting for Griselda, leaving Bloom to finish getting ready. Without conscious thought, Faragonda started twirling a lock of long hair around her finger; she hadn't had long hair in years.

Just then, a knock sounded throughout the room, startling her from her thoughts. Clearing her throat, she sat up straight, "Come in!" She called, watching the door.

Walking in without any hesitation, Griselda came up to her and smiled at her, "Did you spend the night?" She asked, looking over her glasses at the red head.

Nodding, Faragonda sighed, "Yes, I thought it'd be easier."

Griselda's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself and sat back in her seat, "Are you still nervous about being with Faragonda?"

Faragonda frowned in confusion, "Being with…"

Before she could say anything more, Bloomed walked out, "I don't know how you wear this every day, I can barely walk," When no response came, she looked up, surprised to find Griselda sitting across from her…Faragonda, "Oh good, you're here," She smiled, feeling somewhat less panicked about the situation now that the calm woman was there, "Has she told you what's happened?"

"I didn't get the chance to Bloom." Faragonda said, starring at Griselda, her voice devoid of her usual warmth.

Griselda felt her world tilt as Bloom, in Fargaonda's body, sat down while speaking, "Basically we've switched bodies and need help to switch back."

"Switched…bodies," She repeated quietly, looking between the two, "As in…"

Smiling, the woman Griselda had thought was Faragonda nodded, "As in, I'm Bloom."

"And I'm Faragonda," Followed the still cool voice.

Swallowing around the lump in her throat, Griselda whispered, "Oh dragons."

She'd done it now; either Bloom was going to kill her for her blunder, or Faragonda would never speak to her again.

After having explained everything that had happened to both of them in the last twenty-four hours, Griselda left with some small bottles of their blood to try and find the reason behind the body swap, or at least, the way behind it. They had agreed fairly quickly to keep it between them and the staff for now, not even the winx could know, lest they slip up and reveal their true identities to the rest of the student body.

Once the door shut behind Griselda, Bloom sighed and relaxed back into her chair, trying to roll her shoulders without wincing in pain as the tight muscles pulled.

It seemed that even against her best wishes, the flash of pain had not gone unnoticed by the other fairy, "Bloom, is everything okay?"

Not seeing the point in pretending anymore, Bloom reached up to right shoulder and rotated it once more, "Your shoulders are tense," She mumbled, "What have you been doing?" She asked, glaring at her own body.

"Working at my desk."

Groaning, Bloom allowed her head to fall back, "No wonder it hurts, you probably didn't move after our conversation last night until you went for a shower."

"Which I didn't have," Faragonda pointed out sighing, "I was hoping it could help."

Turning to face her, Bloom smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry for this."

"It's not your fault Bloom," the now shorter woman said, standing up, "I need to finish up my work from last night," Passing behind her, she paused, "Will you be able to entertain yourself without needing to leave?"

Looking up behind her, Bloom smiled, "Of course I can," She said, moving to look at the large bookcases lining the walls, "I think I'll start from the top."

The day passed quickly with Faragonda working and Bloom reading as much as she could in between her naps. At first Faragonda had been concerned that she was sleeping so much, but after the second nap, her worries had been put to rest with Bloom explaining that she hadn't slept well because she'd been so freaked out by the situation the night before. So now, as she watched herself fall off to sleep once more, Faragonda sighed and stood form her desk and walked over to Bloom intent on waking her. It'd do neither of them any good if she was to work Bloom's body to much and let the girl sleep on the small sofa.

"Bloom," She called, gently shaking the arm closest to her, "Bloom wake up."

Rolling over, Bloom opened her eyes, squinting in hopes of making the red blur above her come into focus, "This is ridiculously similar to what happened after I tried to access my Enchantrix the first time."

Not able to help herself, Faragonda smiled as the memory came flooding back.

Smiling understandably, Faragonda gently laid her hand on Blooms ankle where it rested beside her, "Bloom my dear, you just came back from Pyros, after which you went straight to the Omega Demention, what you need right now is to take a break with your friends."

Without really thinking, Bloom sat back against the arm of the sofa, "I'd rather stay here with you," Seconds after speaking, her cheeks turned pink as she realised she'd spoken aloud, "I wasn't meant to say that." She whispered, her cheeks darkening.

Laughing softly, Faragonda gently rubbed the limb under her hand, "Well I'm glad you did dear," She smiled, "You can stay as long as you want, I'll just be doing paperwork." She explained as she stood.

Nodding, Bloom settled back down on the sofa, pulling the soft throw up to her chin. With a small smile, she watched the older woman work until she fell asleep.

"Better circumstances this time round though, even if we aren't in our own bodies," She mumbled with a small smile. Usually one of them was hurt for them to end up in a situation like this. 'Well,' she thought back to Griselda's first words, 'At least it wasn't a physical wound.'

"What time is it?" Bloom asked, not seeing the change in the other fairy.

"Time for us to go to bed," Faragonda said, straightening up, once again retreating into herself.

"Oh," Bloom yawned, sitting up, "Okay."

With nothing else to say, the two made their way to Faragonda's rooms. Bloom, still half asleep, automatically changed into the night gown she'd worn the night before and slipped under the covers, while Faragonda stood just inside the room, watching her. Forcing herself to move, before it became obvious that she was starring, the Headmistress changed into the nighty she'd allowed Bloom to borrow each time she'd stayed with her. As she pulled on the satin slip, her mind turned back to what started all of this.

Leaning forward, she paused as Bloom's warm breath brushed over her cool cheeks. Humming inaudibly, she closed her eyes and closed the gap between them. Sighing quietly as their lips met, she felt her knees go weak. Daring to move, even if only just so, she memorised everything she could. Lost in the pleasant sensations, she slowly wound her arms around the red heads neck, holding her against her.

They're first kiss had been quite a surprise, but a pleasant one. It hadn't of been the passionate of kisses, but it sure had taken her breath away with its gentleness. It had of course been much the same for their second kiss the following year. As neither of them had commented or showed any change after the first, Faragonda had written it off as a once off comfort kind of thing and thought nothing of it. But after that, she'd grown to realise how much Bloom mean to her. Unfortunately before she could do anything about her new found feelings, she'd been trapped inside the tree, barely conscious of what was happening. When she'd been freed, and subsequently taken to the hospital wing, she'd been both delighted and concerned to find out that Bloom had stayed with her most of the day and some nights. It'd given her hope, as had the incident that followed after her release.

It was that memory, the one of their heated kiss that really stood out in her mind that night. With Griselda's words still circling her mind, she couldn't stop herself from focusing on the one detail that she'd managed to ignore. Bloom's reaction to touching her intimately; she'd physically retreated from her after that. While she didn't wish to force the girl, she was saddened by the idea that Bloom didn't wish to be with her like that.

'Perhaps she doesn't want to be with you at all,' A dark voice piped up in the back of her mind as she slipped in beside the resting fairy, 'Maybe she's only doing it because you're her Headmistress.'

Tearing up at the idea, she tried to think of reasons why that wasn't true, only to come with very few examples.

'See,' The voice sneered, 'She doesn't, otherwise she'd use your name and not your title.'

Opening her eyes, she stared at the ceiling above her, not wanting to accept the thought. She couldn't deny that Bloom only referred to her as Headmistress when in company, but that was to be expected, but as she thought over all the times she'd been alone with her, she came up empty. In fact, just the night before she'd called her Ms.

"Bloom," She called, loud enough to wake the slumbering woman.

"Yeah?"

Still starring above her, Faragonda asked the question that had taken control of all her thoughts, "Why don't you use my name?"