A/N I think you may have guessed what's coming in this one.

One of you also noticed something about the date of the first chapter. Well spotted. Interesting yes?

Nursing home for witches or not, these situations were always the same. Imogen had been in this situation once before when her maternal grandmother, her only real supporter, had died a few years beforehand. Now, it wasn't one of her own relatives she was waiting for news on but it was the relative of someone she cared deeply for and so she was just as anxious.

Amelia had insisted on flying Constance to the hospital. As soon as Davina had arrived back she had flown Imogen. Right now they were in a waiting room while Constance spoke to the medical staff who had been looking after her mother for so long. After a couple of minutes she arrived back, looked shaken but resigned.

"They have said a couple of hours at most. The little magic she has in her system is draining rapidly and her heart is failing. There's nothing you can do here, go back to the castle and I'll phone when…."

At this her voice broke and Imogen ran to hold her as the tears fell.

"I'm not going anywhere, I'm staying right here with you."

Constance was so grateful for the support, especially for the arms around her. She had known for a long time that this day would come but at least she wasn't alone. Knowing there wasn't a lot they could do here, Amelia and Davina agreed to go back to the school. The girls would be arriving the following evening, so at least they could prepare for that and take that worry from the Deputy Head. Davina left her own broomstick for Constance to use and after offering some additional words of support the two witches left, grateful that Imogen was there.

"I know this isn't the time but do you believe it's still a fake marriage?" Davina asked as they walked into the cold night air.

"No, I don't but the question is, do either of them know things have changed?"

Back in the hospital Constance was drinking the water Imogen had given her before going to sit with her mother. She knew she should be stronger, braver but she had a request she had to ask.

"Come with me?"

Imogen smiled and took her hand. "Of course I will."

They entered the quiet hospital room. Constance's mother was lying in the bed. As per her previous directions she was not hooked up to any magic or medical machines and she appeared to be sleeping, although her breath was shallow.

The nurse in the room looked up as they entered. "She's asleep right now but she wakes every few minutes. She will be very glad that you're here. I'm going to leave you for a while but press the button there if you need me."

There were two chairs next to the bed, Imogen pushed hers behind while Constance sat in the closest one, reaching for her mothers hand.

"I'm here now."

The woman in the bed was clearly ill but there was still something almost regal about her. Imogen looked at this person she had heard of but never met. She had long hair that had turned white over time. Constance had clearly inherited her mothers facial features. After a couple of minutes the eyes in front of them opened and looked confused as she took in the two people next to her.

"Mother, it's me, Constance. It's alright, you don't need to be afraid."

Eleanor Hardbroom was still confused. Where was she? Why was Constance up so late?

"Have you done your homework?"

This wasn't unusual. On the rare occasions when her mother remembered her she tended to thing that Constance was still a young girl.

"Yes mother, all done so I can look after you."

Eleanor lay back against the pillow. That was one question, she had some others.

"Where is your father. Did he say you could stay up?"

This was what always broke Constance's heart. Her father had been gone for almost twenty years and her mother had forgotten that along the way.

"He did, he said I had to look after you."

Seeing the tears roll down the pale face in front of her, Imogen moved her chair closer. The slight noise caused Eleanor to look up again.

"Who is that with you?"

Imogen handed Constance a tissue and spoke gently.

"My name is Imogen, Mrs Hardbroom. I'm friends with your daughter,"

Satisfied with the answer, she wanted Constance to have lots of friends, Eleanor closed her eyes and fell back to sleep.

The two younger women sat together for hours, holding hands most of the time. Eleanor would wake occasionally just for a minute or two before falling back to sleep.

Just before 4AM she woke up again but this time was different. She was wide awake and more lucid than Constance had seen her for quite some time. She looked at her daughter and smiled.

"Constance, you look tired."

Her daughter smiled as she brushed her mothers hair back. "I'm fine Mother, not tired at all, I'm just happy to be here with you."

She smiled for a moment, enjoying the gentle touch, then Eleanor looked over with a fearful look in her eyes.

"Your birthday is soon. Broomhead?" She looked at the ring on her daughter's left hand. "Please tell me you didn't marry her?"

Constance nearly fell off her seat, she assumed that her mother still believed she was ten years old. Before she could answer Imogen moved closer again.

"No Mrs Hardbroom. She married me. You don't need to worry about anything."

Eleanor was smiling again. The woman next to her daughter was kind and genuine, even after a couple of moments she could see that.

"Good. I'm going to trust you to look after my Constance. She's a lovely girl. Sometimes she's too serious but I'm sure you know that. Deep down she's very soft. Promise me you will care for her."

Imogen clutched Constance's hand tighter. "I know that and yes, I will."

It wasn't a lie, no matter what she knew she would always aim to look after her friend.

"Good, I'm so relived. Constance, stay away from Broomhead, she is evil. I can tell your father the good news. He's waiting for me you know?"

Constance took a deep breath, she had nearly managed to convince herself, just for a moment, that her mother would be well again. Somehow she was back to her old self and would stay that way. As she looked at Eleanor lying on the bed she knew that this had been a fleeting moment of wellness. It apparently happened before the last of a witch's magic left her. The moment had passed and she was already fading away as she started to close her eyes.

"I'm very tired now but I'm happy, I'm going to see your father again. We love you very much my darling girl. Be happy, please?"

Crying, Constance held her mothers hand for what would be the last time and kissed the paper soft forehead.

"I love you too, both of you. And I promise, I will try."

With a soft smile on her face, Eleanor Hardbroom passed away ten minutes later while her daughter held her, sobbing quietly.

When sormebody died there was always so much to arrange. As soon as she felt ready, Constance had pressed the button to call the nurse. The medical staff were very respectful and helped to make the arrangements. Eleanor was to be buried next to her husband. The service was arranged for the next day.

Imogen, wanting to help, contacted Amelia who would put the word out amongst the witching world. She helped Constance to pick out a suitable outfit for her mother to be buried in, holding her close when the moment got too much.

Eventually, they arrived back to the castle at around 7PM. The students had returned and been informed of the sad news. Nobody really knew what to say to their teacher, she was difficult to approach at the best of times. The only people brave enough to approach her were Fenella Feverfew and Griselda Blackstock. Grissy had lost her own mother a few years beforehand and hated to think of anyone going through that pain.

"We're terribly sorry about your mother Miss Hardbroom. Please let us know if we can do anything to help"

Constance was overwhelmed with emotion. She knew she wasn't anyones favourite teacher anymore, although she would have been surprised to know that the girls were very fond of her. Knowing that the woman next to her was emotionally drained Imogen answered on her behalf.

"Thank you girls. Right now what's needed is for everyone to help us by being on their best behaviour and there are no two better people to ensure that than you two."

Fenny and Grissy smiled, they would keep the students under control, even the first years.

Amelia had prepared some food which Imogen picked at but Constance barely touched. After watching her friend push the meal around her plate for half an hour Imogen decided it wasn't food that was needed. She want to the kitchen and came back with a a bottle of whiskey.

"You don't need to be dunk but I think you need something to take the edge off. Now, we are going to have a drink and then I am going to take you to bed where you are going to take that sleeping potion that is in the bathroom cabinet. You've had a hard couple of days and tomorrow will not be easy either. Let me look after you."

Nodding, Constance took the tumbler that was passed to her and knocked back the fiery liquid, feeling the unfamiliar burn as it passed down her throat and gratefully taking the hand that reached for hers and led her upstairs.

She soon found herself in bed, dressed in her pyjamas and accepting the potion that Imogen handed her. She knew that it would work almost instantly but she wasn't quite ready to go to sleep.

"Thank you for being there for me. I do not know what I would have done without your support. You are the best friend I have ever had,"

Imogen put the potion down and climbed into bed, holding Constance close to her and stroking her long dark hair as she sobbed, letting out the emotions of the day.

"Let it out, I have you."

The devastated daughter cried for a solid hour and to her surprise, benefited from the release of her emotions.

"It's silly to be so upset. In a lot of ways, I feel like I lost her when her mind fully started to fail. I should be grateful she's released from the confusion but I know I'm going to miss her so much. She was the only family I had."

Oh, how Imogen wished she could correct Constance, tell her that she was her family. But she couldn't. They weren't really married and to bring anything else up now would have been an emotional overload. There was something she could say.

"You have friends though. You have me, Amelia and Davina. We're all with you. Me especially. And you know your mother loved you, you got to tell her how you felt. She died knowing you were safe and I will keep my promise to always look after you." She finished her reassurance with a kiss on the cheek.

It wasn't the time for these thoughts but Constance couldn't helping wishing that things were different, that Imogen was really her wife and would kiss her on the lips. Not in a sexual way but in a way that conveyed real love and intimacy. Still, she had a friend and wouldn't be sleeping alone that night, that would have to be enough.

"Thank you Imogen, now pass me that potion. You might want to take some as well, you're probably overtired by now."

After a final hug, Imogen watched as Constance drank half the potion before drinking the final half herself. It was powerful and both women were asleep within a couple of minutes. It didn't prevent Imogen curling herself around the body next to her though, needing to hold her even tighter that night.

The following morning they woke after nine solid hours sleep. Constance was dreading the day ahead but knew she needed to get through it in order to move on. In the witching world it was standard for a witch to be buried soon after her death so thankfully they were not waiting for days or week to have the funeral.

At 11AM they set ofF. Imogen was going to ride with Constance. Amelia and Davina were also attending and to the surprise of Miss Hardbroom, the students were all lined up, ready to attend and provide a guard of honour after the ceremony.

"Thank you girls. My mother would be very touched."

The area where the funeral was being held was packed. Constance's parents had been well known and many people had shown out to pay their respects. In addition, the medical staff who had looked after Mrs Hardbroom for a number of years were also there.

There was one person sitting in the back who nobody wanted to see. Imogen saw the stupid hat before she saw the owner. Hecketty Broomhead. Watching as Constance walked behind the coffin, her wife holding her hand and offering support.

The ceremony was short and all too soon it was time for the burial, in many ways the hardest part. Constance could not look as the coffin was lowered into the ground, it was too difficult. Not caring who was looking at her she turned her head and buried it in Imogen's shoulder, grateful for the hand that was gently stroking her back.

Once the burial was over Constance stayed behind for a few minutes with Imogen, Davina and Amelia. They arranged the flowers that had been lain on the freshly dug earth and made sure everything was in order. As the two older witches walked away to ensure the students were ready to leave, the younger women stayed behind for a moment.

Not wanting to upset Constance even further there was something Imogen had to tell her.

"You know Broomhead is watching us?"

The horrible older woman was standing at the edge of the cemetery, pretending to talk to someone but her eyes hadn't left the couple the entire time.

"I do know and I'm honestly not surprised. Right now I don't care about her though. Let her look, she can't do anything to me."

She accepted the hug from Imogen, needing the affection and wanting the comfort. Before they could separate and before she could think too much, she dropped a gentle kiss on the pink lips in front of her. She smiled sadly as she pulled back.

"I didn't do that for her."