Now that their love had been declared Constance and Imogen needed to think of how to bring Hecketty Broomhead to justice.
With Amelia and Davina's help they noted all the heinous things that had been done over the years. Imogen shared what Alice had told her about the reason that Constance had always been stood up. Reluctantly she also shared the rumour of how Broomhead's first wife had died.
"That happened the year before I started school but it seemed like a silly story. Now I honestly believe it could be true and although I didn't tell you, it's yet another reason why I didn't want to marry her. I knew that one day I'd snap and she would likely kill me once she got what she wanted."
Imogen held her close, nobody was going to lay a finger on her Constance, not while she was around.
The threats to others were also on the witches mind. She felt enormously guilty that innocent invitations had caused so much trouble.
"Those poor women. I feel terrible that I caused that for them."
Amelia was firm as she spoke. "You caused nothing my dear. She did. Now, we need to bring her to justice. Imogen, do you think that Alice could find a witness?"
After a few phone calls Imogen could confirm that Alice's cousin was willing to testify, especially when she knew she wouldn't be alone in her accusations. With age had come wisdom and she wanted to see Broomhead brought to justice.
There were quite the collection of letters from the evil witch, initially she was reluctant to share them but Imogen insisted. The non-witch flinched as she read them, the more recent threats to her were especially graphic.
"I'm sorry I brought this on to you. I'll understand if you have changed your mind." Constance could just about handle the threats to herself but the ones aimed at her love had made her physically sick.
Imogen took a deep breath and put the letter away.
"I'm going to tell you this and I want you to listen. Nothing is every going to me make me change my mind about you. Nothing in this world could make me love you less These, they are horrible but nothing is going to come of these threats because together we are going to see that deranged old woman brought to justice. And then we will be together forever, nobody can touch us. I know this is going to be difficult but no matter how hard it gets I need you to trust that the life we both deserve is waiting for us afterwards. We will be waking up together ever day for the rest of our lives"
Constance believed every word that Imogen said and promised herself that she would focus on that future together during whatever it took to bring Broomhead to justice.
Nobody felt it was safe or wise to just randomly contact the witches council. Broomhead apparently had spies everywhere, but Imogen had also asked Alice if she knew the contact details of the official who had wanted to investigate the suspicious death years before. Once they had his contact information Constance made the call and after a lengthy conversation he advised her what should be done.
An initial meeting with trustworthy council members to verify the marriage was arranged for the next day. Following on from that the council would decided how to proceed.
It was late when they got there but that night Imogen was back in Constance's bed, now officially theirs. The difference was that this time the cuddles were deliberate and there were kisses in addition.
"So. The practice kisses? Were you really practicing because it certainly wasn't the case for me?" Imogen was enjoying the feeling of her arms being gently stroked.
"I think I can safely say no. Once you had kissed me in the classroom I wanted that feeling again. I did want our relationship to look real, no, to be real but I thought it would never happen. The practicing was nice but this is so much better."
After some more non-practice kissing there was something else they needed to talk about.
"Thank you for paying my loan back. I want to say you shouldn't have but you have no idea how much you helped me."
It was dark so Constance couldn't see her love's face properly. She had planned to tell her about it weeks ago but things had gone awry. Still though, it seemed to have been taken in the right way. She wanted to help Imogen so much and as soon as her inheritance came through she had found the bank details and paid the loan off.
"You're not angry? I hope I didn't overstep the mark."
Imogen grinned in the dark and stole yet another kiss. "I was at first but then I thought about it and I was so grateful. Anna helped me to see sense. Thank you. Its a weight off my mind. I can afford to live again."
Constance breathed a sigh of relief. "We're married now love. What's mine is yours."
There was just one more thing to be discussed. They had already seen the consequences of not being upfront with each other and as uncomfortable as it may be, this conversation needed to happen.
"Sweetie, I don't want to push things and if you aren't ready to have this conversation now, or ever, I will understand. I do believe you love me and that makes me so happy. I need to know though, do you find me attractive? As in do you…"
She paused, not knowing how to ask the question. She knew that Constance was a virgin. If that was by choice and she never wanted to have sex then Imogen would live with that, their relationship was worth it. She needed to know though as they had already encountered so many awkward moments through not talking.
Constance guessed what she meant. "I waited my love, until I found the right person. It sounds silly and childish but I wanted it to be special. For a long time I was resigned to having that choice taken away from me but now, I am so glad I waited for you. I do want to make love to you, how could I not? You are exquisite. We just need to wait a little longer. I need to be sure that she's gone and then I can be with you in the way I want to. I want to be your wife and your lover for the rest of my life."
Imogen was overcome herself now. It wasn't about the physical side of things, she was more emotional at the trust Constance had placed in her. When the time came she would do everything she could do make it special. Nobody deserved this more.
They fell asleep that night anxious about the next day but delighted beyond words that they had confessed their feelings.
The following morning they completed the test. Both took a small amount of truth serum and answered the questions that were posed to them.
"I love Constance more than anyone in the world. I adore her and will spent my life alongside her."
"Imogen is the love of my life, she is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and I am honoured to be her wife."
There was no question about their love, anyone could see this was genuine. Passing the test was quick and easy. The next step was not.
Based on the facts presented, Heckety Broomhead was arrested by the Witches Council. Initially she didn't seem too worried, that was until she found out that her plants in the Witches Council were also under investigation. Of course she denied the charges that were brought against her and so a court case was warranted. It went on for weeks.
Somehow, Constance and Imogen managed to balance teaching with attending the trial along with Amelia. All three gave evidence, Constance having the most to say. She was embarrassed by some of the things that she had to discuss but she knew that it had to be done. Luckily she did not have to read the letters out loud and could simply hand them to the judge. Suddenly the spell that stopped them being destroyed was not such a bad thing. Each letter was more incriminating than the last.
As well as Alice's cousin other witness came forward to speak of the threats they had received. Everyone had a similar story, they and their families had been threatened and Broomhead was deemed to dangerous and powerful to report, she also had sources in numerous locations.
Imogen felt a bit strange and to her shame, jealous, as she saw a number of women who Constance could have potentially ended up with. Could she have done better than a non witch with no powerful family background?
Almost as if her wife could hear her thoughts, she offered some genuine reassurance that night.
"I still feel awful for them. How could she treat people that way? But the only positive thing is that it meant I was free for you. You are, without question, the person I am meant to spend the rest of my life with. I love you."
One of the most traumatising days was when a nurse from the home where Constance's mother had been a patient gave evidence. She was a young woman and had just qualified when the incident she was talking about happened.
"Mrs Hardbroom's condition had started to go into real decline so it was about three years ago. One day I came to check on her and found Mistress Broomhead in the room. She was trying to convince Mrs Hardbroom that her daughter would never meet someone else and so she should marry her. She clearly thought that her mother would be able to convince her. When I confronted her about upsetting my patient she threatened both me and my family. I know it was cowardly but I have a little boy and I couldn't risk anything happening to him. I'm so sorry, I should have done more. As far as I know she never came back but that's no excuse."
Constance hadn't blamed the nurse, it was a terrible situation. By her reckoning the chances were that she had agreed to the marriage not long afterwards so it was unlikely another visit would have happened. It did explain what her mother had been talking about on the night she died and her only consolation was that the dementia meant that Eleanor had likely forgotten the incident over the years. It didn't stop the tears that night though and she was so grateful to have Imogen rocking her gently as she vented her anger, sadness and fear that Broomhead would be found not guilty.
"That is not going to happen. Her spies on the witches council have been identified. There is so much proof of her crimes that they didn't even grant her bail. You'll see, she will lose and we will win."
Imogen had been correct. Despite her protests there was so much evidence against Broomhead that she was bound to be found guilty. The enquiry into her first wife's death had also been re-opened and there would be a separate trial to investigate her part of that. In her conclusion, the judge passed the sentence.
"Heckety Broomhead. You have been found guilty of using your magic for selfish and evil purposes including blackmail, bribery, violent threats and deliberately drugging a non witch twice. You are to be stripped of your powers and will spend the rest of your life in prison with no reprieve."
Her reaction was as expected, dramatic with many threats aimed at Constance and Imogen. She was never going to go quietly but it was too late. The guards forcibly took her out, ignoring her rantings and protests. Her magic, already suspended, would be removed permanently once the second trial had taken place.
The judge also declared that the witches council would be holding a referendum to remove the outdated marriage law from the statutes. No witch could think of anyone who would vote against that decision.
It was over. For the first time in years Constance was actually free. She was so happy, she was so relived, she was so tired.
"Come on sweetie. Home, dinner and bed, to sleep. In that order."
Imogen was feeling exactly the same. She was exhausted and needed to recover from the emotional few weeks. Even though it was only 6PM they both went to bed after a light supper. They cuddled close feeling another weight having lifted from them.
When Constance had first spoken to the Witches Council they had suggested that she may benefit from counselling during the trial and even afterwards. With the encouragement of Amelia, Davina and of course Imogen she had agreed. The sessions were allowing her to deal with the present traumatic situation as well as the past hurts. Of course she shared everything with Imogen, who even came along to a couple of sessions, but she was happy that speaking to someone outside the situation meant that she was able to nurture her romantic relationship in the way she wanted to with no more secrets. The trial was over, Broomhead was gone and she had the rest of her life with this amazing person to focus on.
It was three days before her fortieth birthday. She no longer had to worry about marrying Broomhead or losing her powers. She was married to a woman she truly loved and their whole future lay in front of them.
"This calls for a celebration." Amelia and Davina were making plans over a drink in the staffroom. They had roped Fenny and Grissy in to help and planned to toast the now truly married couple.
A good party was exactly what was needed.
A/N Final chapter to come. It's going to potentially involve a (mild) rating change.
