Well hello again, I thought I'd have a go at adding a bit more to this story! Please leave me a review and let me know if you like the update and where this story is going This is not the most exciting chapter in terms of plot but it reflects on HB's relationship with her colleagues.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with the Worst Witch.

Before Drake had even opened his eyes, he knew she was gone. He was disappointed but not surprised. The events of the previous night had been a step forward for them but the conversation had been deep and difficult. They couldn't simply pick up where they'd left off and resume a life together as a married couple. Drake understood all that but it didn't stop him wishing that she was still laying in his arms.

He wanted to go and find her. He wanted to talk about the kiss and falling asleep together, he wanted to tell her how happy he was that she had started to let him back in but it was too soon.

"Baby steps," he said to himself in the all too empty room. He returned to his own room, showered, dressed and then went to the staffroom for breakfast. Before he entered the staffroom, Drake already knew that she wouldn't be there.

"Ah good morning Mr Donahue," said Miss Cackle with forced cheerfulness.

"Good morning Miss Cackle, ladies."

He replied with smile and seated himself next to Miss Bat. With all the confusion and uncertainty about Constance, it was reassuring to be near Davina again. He didn't have to say anything to her because she understood Constance, perhaps better than he did.

"How did you sleep, Mr Donahue?" Miss Cackle asked him, again with the forced cheerfulness of a woman desperately trying to hold her staff together and maintain some semblance of normality.

"Better than I have done in years, thank you."

It was true; his sleep had been more peaceful than it had been in a long time. Miss Bat smiled at him and squeezed his hand. No words were needed.

"I'm glad someone did." Drake hadn't been paying much attention to the sulking P.E. teacher opposite him but now it was obvious that she wanted everyone to be aware that she was still annoyed at the events of the night before and that her feelings were justified.

"I'm sorry to hear that Miss Drill but I am sure that you and Connie can sort things out." Drake tried to give her what he thought was a reassuring smile.

"It isn't Connie I'm bothered about. If I wasted time thinking about her tantrums, I'd never sleep or get anything done." There was a bitter edge to the way she said 'Connie' but she was glaring at Davina, who seemed not to care in the slightest.

"Imogen, I know you and Constance aren't always able to see things from each other's perspective but there is no need for you to talk about her like that." Miss Cackle's forced cheerfulness was quickly morphing into weary frustration.

Completely unphased by Miss Cackle's interruption, Miss Drill continued.

"Miss Bat decided to yell at me last night for no reason. Like it's my fault that Miss Hardbroom was acting like a five year old!" It was difficult for Drake to say anything as he didn't know the dynamics of the relationships between the staff but he could sense that Miss Cackle was feeling the strain of the tensions between her staff.

"Imogen, I am sure that Davina did not mean to yell at you. It was an eventful day yesterday and we are all adjusting."

"Excuse me Miss Cackle but I did actually mean to yell at her." Miss Bat turned to look at Miss Drill before continuing in a manner that was both focused and dangerously calm, "I know that the two of you don't see eye to eye, you never really have done and that's fine but she's still human. She has feelings and insecurities, as we all do. You'd do well to remember that, Miss Drill."

The look of Miss Drill's face suggested that she neither agreed with Miss Bat, nor did she appreciate her opinion.

"Since when exactly are you on her side?"

"The relationship you two have is between the two of you and I've never interfered because it's not my place. There is usually a balanced harmony between you and sometimes I think it actually helps you both. Whenever you have been stressed or upset about something, Constance has noticed and changed her behaviour. She's never turned and hugged you or asked you to tell her your innermost thoughts but she's been kind to you in ways that you've clearly not noticed. I'm just asking you to show her the same consideration."

With her scatty behaviour, flighty nature and her tendency to avoid difficulty by hiding in the stationery cupboard, it was often easy to disregard Miss Bat's opinions. Yet, on very rare occasions, she spoke with such brutal honesty and punishing clarity that it was hard not to take note of her.

"I'll do better."

"Thank you."

Drake had only sat through two meals at Cackle's but both had been so eventful that he wondered how the staff ever managed to function as a team. They all continued to eat breakfast in relative silence with occasional bits of pleasant small talk exchanged between Drake and Miss Cackle.

Miss Drill was the first to leave. After Miss Bat's reprimand, Imogen felt very guilty. Miss Hardbroom had often been there in unanticipated ways. HB would never admit it but she had been the one to convince Miss Cackle to organise the basketball competition. Imogen had been feeling down and a bit stressed, the basketball competition had been a welcome distraction. Despite hating sports, hating having non-witches in the school and hating it when Miss Drill organised anything, HB had been the one to make it happen. The more Imogen thought about it, the more she realised that, in her own way, HB did often look out for her. Granted at times she was also an insufferable know-it all with an uncanny ability to see Imogen's weaknesses and criticise her for pretty much everything but Miss Bat was right, there was an unspoken balance and harmony to their relationship. They challenged each other in a way that often eased the stress they both felt.

Imogen found HB in the Potions lab, exactly where she expected to find her.

"You missed breakfast."

"Astute observation as always Miss Drill, it's a wonder you didn't become a detective." Imogen smiled, HB's barbed comment made her feel better. Now wasn't the time for a witty retort though.

"Miss Bat is making sensible observations, speaking in a normal voice and generally behaving like a rational human being. What have you done to her?" Imogen didn't quite know the response she was expecting but she was disappointed with the quiet sadness that greeted her and she felt instantly guilty again.

"We all have another side to us Miss Drill."

"If I asked if you're alright, would you tell me?"

"If I told you, would you care?"

"Yes."

It was the truth. The honest truth that neither of them usually wanted to acknowledge.

"I didn't like it when you joined the school Miss Drill."

"I know. I only stayed because I was too stubborn to let you get the better of me."

"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise."

Imogen didn't really know what to say to that. She knew HB was quoting Victor Hugo but seemed to be talking to herself. Imogen wondered how many times HB had repeated the quote and whether she really believed it.

"Was there something that you needed Miss Drill?"

The reflective sadness had disappeared and the clipped tones had returned to HB's voice. This honest conversation was over.

"I just came to tell you that Miss Cackle has asked Mrs Tapioca to prepare lunch for 1pm today."

"Thank you."

Balance and harmony. Miss Drill spent the rest of the morning considering the enigma that was Miss Hardbroom. She frequently snapped at everyone, made people feel bad and frustrated her colleagues. She was cold, stubborn and distant, yet always present and dedicated to the academy and the students. Despite everything, no one liked to see her hurt or struggling. It was a testament to her that people cared so much.