Guardian Angel


Weeks passed with nothing out of the ordinary happening. The teachers continued to teach, Bloom continued to read every book thrust her way from her private lessons, the students moved past the news of Faragonda's amnesia and Bloom continued to show up to tea with the woman she loved. Things were fine, for the most part. Since making the decision to keep their relationship hidden from the Headmistress, Bloom rarely slept, which in itself didn't bother her, but with the decline in her appetite, she was rather sluggish. The only thing keeping her going was the large quantities of coffee she was drinking and the thoughts of her few minutes alone with Faragonda in the afternoon. So lost in her own world, she didn't notice the worried looks constantly shot her way from the teachers.

With each day, Griselda become more and more concerned about the youngest member of the family. She was slowly fading away before her eyes, turning into a mere shadow of herself. She had kept a close eye on the red head after that night, promising to keep her from doing anything stupid as she sunk further and further into herself.

If only she knew.


During lunch, Griselda made the decision to try and get the girl to eat more. So, sitting down beside her, she ate her own lunch while gently probing the girls with questions.

"How are you today Bloom?"

Without looking up from her book, Bloom answered, "I'm fine."

"And how's your lunch?" She tried again, "It looks delicious."

Pushing the plate of salad towards the 'Queen of Detention', Bloom replied as emptily as before, "Have it."

Sighing, Griselda turned in her seat, facing the red head, "Bloom."

At the soft, cold tone, Bloom turned to face the Deputy. The last time she'd heard it, Stella had received a months' worth of detention.

"Why aren't you eating?"

"I'm not hungry."

"You're not sleeping either." She sighed, looking at Bloom sadly, "You're not fine Bloom."

Blinking back the tears that pricked at the corner of her eyes, Bloom whispered hoarsely, "I know."


From that afternoon, Griselda made sure to sit with Bloom during every meal, making sure she ate a few bites of her food before allowing her to push the plate away. When she wasn't in class teaching, she was with Bloom, not necessarily right beside her, but in the same room, unless of course Bloom was having tea with Faragonda. On those days, Griselda said nothing to Bloom, just held her tightly. Some days though, Elditrude joined them, coaxing Bloom into planning pranks with her.

One evening, Griselda sat at the large desk in the staff room working on the essays in front of her while Bloom read one of the defence books she'd loaned her on the sofa. When the door opened unexpectedly, the pair looked up, Griselda smiling at the sight of her girlfriend. "Elditrude, what a lovely surprise."

Smiling, the purple clad witch kissed her quickly on the cheek, "I'm here to steal Bloom for a while."

"Mm, steal away then."

Now grinning widely, Elditrude turned to Bloom, who had focused back on the book she held, "Are you ready to have some fun Bloom?" She asked excitedly.

Snorting at the sight of the intimidating witch bouncing like an over grown puppy, Griselda shook her head and turned back to the essays in front of her.

Without even looking up from her book, Bloom answered the witch, "I'm not helping you paint Alfea."

"That's not-" She started indignantly, only to stop at the raised eyebrow. Shoulders dropping, the tall witch sighed, "I don't know how you can stand all this…" She looked around the room, sneering, "Pink."

"If you don't like the colour scheme, take it up with the Headmistress." Bloom said while standing up, her book tucked under her arm.

"Take what up with me?"

Turning around, Elditrude smile sweetly at the old fairy, "Can I-"

"No."

"But you didn't even-"

"No." Faragonda repeated, walking over to the cupboard near Griselda, "You cannot repaint my school."

Bloom looked from the smartly dressed woman to the frowning witch, "How many times have you tried?" She asked, eyeing the witch blankly.

"A couple." She replied, scratching the back of her neck.

"I may not remember the exact number Elditrude, but I know it's higher then a couple." Faragonda said, turning around to face the pair, a tin of biscuits in her hand.

Blinking, Bloom pursed her lips in thought. Taking the pen she now constantly had tucked in her hair out, she pulled the lose sheet of paper she'd jammed in between the pages of her book free and quickly scribbled down what she was thinking. Folding it into fourths, she passed it to Elditrude, ignoring the raised eyebrow. "I'll be in my room if you want me," She said, glancing at Griselda before leaving.

Behind her, the three teachers watched her as she left, each one worried deeply by the emptiness they could all sense around her.

"She carry's too much pain for one so young." Elditurde spoke softly, turning to face Griselda, "Perhaps we should-"

"No. I promised her we would not interfere."

"It's killing her Griselda." The witch whispered.

Looking up at her girlfriend, she didn't bother trying to hide the pain she felt, "I know."


The next day, Bloom walked into the staffroom and collapsed onto the sofa beside Griselda. The older woman looked at her, but knowing nothing she'd say would help, she lifted her arm and allowed the girl to curl up against her and use her leg as a pillow as she read from her book. Closing her eyes, Bloom concentrated on the sensation of having someone run their hand through her hair. It soon lulled her into a light sleep.

Not long later, Faragonda walked in. Seeing the way Bloom was curled up, she froze. 'I wish I was the one holding her.' Eyes widening in surprise at her thoughts, she almost missed the greeting from her Deputy.

"Faragonda."

Clearing her throat lightly, she nodded in return, "Griselda." Forcing herself to move, she walked over to the table, her focus on the pot of tea sitting there, "How's Princess Stella's detentions going with Griffin?"

"Well."

Frowning at the short answer, the Headmistress turned around and looked at her, "You never did tell me what she did to deserve such a harsh punishment," She said, tilting her head to the side, "Care to share?"

Glancing down at the red head beside her, Griselda answered slowly, "She bullied one of the girls."

"And what did she say to end up with a months' worth of detention at Cloud Tower?" When Griselda didn't answer her, Faragonda stood up from where she was leaning against the table, "Griselda?" She called softly, "What did she do?"

"Stella didn't react well to the news that I fell in love with a woman." Bloom whispered, barely loud enough for them to hear.

Remembering that day, even though there were some not so cheerful parts she'd wish to forget, Bloom couldn't help but smile brightly at the memory of being held in Faragonda's arms. She had felt so protected in that moment. So cared for. Above her, Griselda smiled as well. Since the attack, Bloom rarely smiled anymore, and never so happily. Had either of the two women on the sofa looked at the Headmistress, they would have seen her heartbreak at the sight.

Swallowing back her anguish, Faragonda tried to smile, "I'm sorry to hear that Bloom. I had thought Princess Stella would be above that."

Sighing, Bloom opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, "So did I."


Late that night found Faragonda sitting in her office trying to finish up the last of the days paperwork. Unfortunately, her thoughts turned to Bloom like they had been since her first tea with the red head and the revealing conversation she'd had with her not that long ago. Giving up on the pretence of work, she cradled her head in her hands and closed her eyes. 'She's in love with another.' She sighed, 'Who could have captured her heart?'

Thinking back on everything she had seen recently, she felt her heart break. Everywhere Bloom was, Griselda was right beside her.

Sitting up slowly, she stared at the wall in front of her blankly, "Oh."