Boom. we're done. Thank you for reading x
"She kept that quiet!" Imogen blinked, surprised.
"That's about the only thing she did keep quiet." Constance's scowled, even if it was still her turn to look very confused.
"Better than you two did." Amelia grumbled.
"Headmistress-!"
The headmistress ignored her deputy, and reached over to pat Imogen on the shoulder.
"Imogen, dear if I was against any aspect of whatever it is you two have going on, don't you think I would have- I don't know- nipped it in the bud? Not that it would have been my place too. but I could have confronted you anytime."
"That's not as comforting as I think you were trying to be, Miss Cackle." Imogen frowned. "And Why didn't you then?"
"I didn't want to." Amelia said plainly.
"And as for keeping secrets, I was waiting for one or both of you to tell me when you were good and ready. I didn't wish to tread on anyone's from that silly row over a haircut, most of your tiffs are about schooling." She continued, topping up all their tea cups. "Because you are, (even if you will drive me mad when you're arguing!), both very dedicated teachers. You keep your work lives and living arrangements separate very well. And behave most professionally. I felt there was no need to intervene."
"Well I wasn't ready." Constance said. With, on that last syllable, a very poisonous glare at the chanting mistress.
"I didn't realise it wasn't a 'big deal'. Especially for you." Lavinia squeaked. and visibly flinched when 'The Glare' tm got worse. But she did not go running to the cupboard. Much to Constance's annoyance. She'd hated when Miss Bat had done that but it would have been most useful right now.
"Leave Lavina alone. That was on me. I shouldn't have teased you both, under the circumstances. Or make you 'come out' as it were. For that I am sorry." Miss Cackle said sincerely. Constance didn't stop scowling, but wordlessly accepted the apology. And stopped glaring quite so hard.
"If it helps, I knew you were together? and you are." Lavina said, putting her foot squarely back in. "I can't be the only one who thought so? So, in a way maybe the universe was telling you to be ready after all?"
"No, it does not help, Lavina!" Constance snapped. "What absolute tosh-!"
"Neither of us were ready." Imogen agreed. Then explained. "I- I haven't told my family I'm seeing someone, let alone a woman. and a witch. and I'm that I'm bisexual. I mean I'm sure they already 'know'. About me I mean not magic. but I'm only out to you three and a couple of friends. And yes, I KNOW the ones who really matter will be the ones who are fine with it. but still. and Constance well…"
Constance adeptly refused to elaborate. Why should she? Instead she just sulked in Lavinia's direction again, pursing her lips tight.
"I was only trying to make conversation and get to know you both better." Lavina said apologetically. "Some nice conversation wasn't just talking shop. Or school as the case maybe. I didn't mean to-! Oops!" She'd span her fingers and rather excessive and unnecessary amounts of tissues, chocolate, blankets, cuddly toys and other comfort items suddenly dropped onto the end of the table in her nervousness. Amelia only just moved her cup and saucer in time.
"But how did you know? We'd both been really careful." Imogen pressed.
"how?" Amelia said, claiming a freddo bar. "you mean aside from the adoring glances between you, the awful pining and the way Constance looks at you like you've hung the stars?"
"That's not funny Miss Cackle." Constance huffed.
"Whose joking?"
"I just did? I mean I didn't know straight away." Lavina shrugged, cuddling a teddy-cat on her lap. "Then again no offence; but in regards to being careful, you're both very bad at that."
Constance stood up sharpish at that. So fast, the chair very nearly tipped up. "What do you mean?!"
Lavina didn't flinch that time. Just looked up at her as if she was being exceedingly thick.
"Imogen's hair?" she said. Then turned to Imogen."You're wearing one of Constance's bobby pins. That's a dead give-away for one."
"How did you know it was mine?" Constance squarked.
"Oh, for good witches' sake-!" Lavina sighed, giving up.
"Will you get off the defensive?" Amelia implored.
"these?" Imogen interrupted. She'd removed one grip and held it out to look at it. in the light it looked Blonde. But as she held it away from her it fizzed to plain dull silver, a reverse of what it did when she'd put them in her hair this morning. "This was your big clue?!"
"One of many clues. Well, anyway they're colour charmed for one. And it's lasting for another." Lavina said and explained. As Imogen passed the offending item to Constance it glitched and flickered again, and changed again this time to a default Dark dark brown.
"Too nicely done to be from one of the students. Those spells are normally temporary or start fading very quickly, even at Fourth Year level. And with multiple colours which is very tricky! I know your DOB girls are clever, but subtle isn't their strongest suit. if they'd gifted you hair clips and pins, they would be oh i don't know, a bright glittery green? Or striped neon orange."
"or bubble gum pink." Constance muttered under her breath. Imogen briefly looked mutinous at her and snatched her hand away, causing the pin to plink onto the table top.
Lavina continued, counting off her fingers "So you were given them by someone who likes you enough to help fix the problem you were having of not being able to get a haircut keeping your fringe out of your eyes? From a witch seeing as they're magic. But from an adult. An adult witch. a rather skilled one at that. Possibly Someone with dark hair too? So it wasn't me or Miss Cackle, no offence Headmistress. That narrows it down a bit doesn't it?" She was looking directly at Constance as she finished. Constance blushed but bristled.
"None taken. I doubt even Imogen was born when Agatha and I started going grey; never mind any of our students." Amelia shrugged and added. "Plus, there's a returning spell on those hair pins."
"Which very very much like the one you Constance, use on all your red pens. the magic signature could hardly be anyone else's." Lavina agreed. She waved her hand and a dull orange hazy halo radiated from the bobby pins for a moment. And from Constance's little desk by the door. "See?"
"I've been walking around wearing these going off like a magic beacon?!" Imogen said, disbelieving. "Why not have a sign painted on my back while I'm at it-!"
"I doubt the girls will have picked up on it." Amelia assured her. "They're too young for that. Besides, Constance's magic is so strong anyway,even just around the castle. the pins are almost invisible against it when you're together."
"I didn't realise it was noticeable!" Constance admitted in a grumble. As if on cue the hair pin 'melted' into a puddle of light and vanished. Constance huffed Folding her arms. "It just saved them from getting everywhere."
"I thought you were just picking them up after me." Imogen frowned.
"I was. I don't like losing things and then finding them scattered about!" Constance snapped. "You know I don't! And it wasn't just you, hairpins are the worst. Hence the spell! I can never keep track otherwise."
Imogen frowned back up at her. But Held her gaze a moment too long. And then her serious face broke into a Not quite a smirk, fighting not to laugh. and Looking quite sweetly at her too. Soppy even. Constance struggled with her composure too, choosing to turn and glare at Amelia.
Amelia Finally took the hint; sighed and got up from her seat.
"Miss Crotchet, might I have a word? Now? In my office or in the court yard perhaps."
"yes, certainly headmistress." Lavinia said just as eager to leave, along with the teddy cat, grabbed her cup and saucer to go. "Please, do. Anywhere that is not in here."
Amelia followed her out. well made it half way then Doubled back to pick up the rest of her sandwich and mug of tea. then followed her out,
"I'll leave you two to sort this out. Don't be late for dinner."
The door swung shut behind them. there was a beat. Then Constance sat heavily down next to her love, her knees still protesting at being on the floor earlier with no cushioning.
"well-!" Imogen started. She'd scooted her chair closer, and swivelled sitting sideways in the seat to face her. But then couldn't continue feeling quite silly, mouth opening and closing like a goldfish.
"'F' in hell. Heck." She managed in a laugh, still curbing her language while alone together. Old habits.
Constance met her eye and shrugged, shaking her head; still in shock herself. then again, her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands.
Well hand. Imogen took one in hers, gently pulling it away from her face.
"hey?"
"Hey yourself." Constance mumbled.
She felt Imogen scoot closer again. Felt Imogen snaked her free arm between the gaps of their chairs and rubbed circles between the witch's stiff shoulder blades. Constance flinched, not as badly as she once had, but settled into it. just okay sit next to her. Even more okay when Imogen pressed a little kiss on one shoulder though the black fabric. and as the PE teacher laid her head on said shoulder. Constance leant her head on Imogen's. And her cheek against Imogen's hair. Air left her lungs like a punch more than a sigh, and her ramrod posture sagged against Imogen's. One two three Inhale. One two three. Exhale.
Constance could feel herself trembling, just a little; despite the late spring warmth of the room. It was even more obvious when Imogen wrapped her hand over hers. Imogen was shaking too. Constance sat up, momentarily dislodging Imogen and covered their joined hand with her other and held it, tugging her closer. Imogen shuffled closer in and returned to her spot.
"Well that was a lot. And a thing that just happened." Imogen finally said. Slightly Sarcastically.
"Indeed." Constance swallowed. Then very sarcastically added. "That was… was quite a conversation."
She felt Imogen take another forced slow long deep breath. Constance tried to mirror it, tried to Decompress while processing the whole thing. she should really vanish them to her room for this really. But right now, she felt all light and out of sorts. like one of those horrible pop bottles after it's been shook up and let all the fizz out. hardly a good feeling to be carrying out complex two-person magical transportations.
"Are you alright, Imogen?" the witch asked.
Imogen sniffed, Nodded, albeit Stiffly against the shoulder. "yes? I think. I don't know whether to laugh or be annoyed if I'm honest. but you? Are you alright?"
"hm." Constance said. Imogen's voice was doing that trembly thing. And while it wasn't damp, she could definitely feel a very small wet spot though the fabric of the dress where Imogen was leaning. But Constance said nothing knowing Imogen wouldn't appreciate drawing attention to it. Instead she Turned her head and peppered a few light kisses on Imogen's head where she could reach. And slightly smugly added in hush, "I told you Miss Cackle wouldn't dismiss you, my dear."
Imogen snorted. "gold star for Miss Hardbroom. Guess you're stuck with me then?"
"don't be flippant. Or put it like that."
"Stuck together then 'my dear." Imogen replied, even more flippantly with a nudge.
My dear. Mine, Constance echoed in thought. And squeezed her hand in her two. Just a teensy bit protectively.
Neither moved away or spoke for another few moments. Till Constance flinched again as the ugly clock on the mantel chimed.
"Love?"
"It's fine-."
"You didn't say how you were?" Imogen realised as she pulled away first, foreheads bumping as Constance turned with her. Then sat back Looked up at her. properly. Constance's eyes were bright and very shiny. But Imogen supposed hers were too, and cupped her girlfriend's jaw, bushing a thumb over sharp cheek.
"Oh, Constance. Honey-bee."
Constance huffed and looked away. then Flicked her wrist and spell fingers. The previously vanished bobby pin reappeared. Imogen took it Returning the once again yellow hair pin into place. Constance's hands had followed Imogen's up. One traced the shape of her head down the shell of her ear and the other Brushed her hair back, smoothing it back down. "Constance. We are- aren't we? Are we okay?"
Constance didn't reply immediately.
"I- I think we might be." She said.
Then after a pause continued, "And I will be alright. I'm glad that- poppet…I… oh never mind."
Then Constance initiated another hug, pulled her sharply close. Imogen was surprised but hugged her tight back, and planted A missed kiss where she could reach that was neither right on lips, jaw, or cheek. but most welcome anyway.
"I'm just glad. That's all." Constance finished lamely.
The blonde nodded again, a bubbling sound escaped her throat. Imogen was not quite sure herself a cry or a laugh just somewhere between the two.
"I'm sorry." She said.
Constance shook her head frowning. "No, Imogen it's my fault. it was my spell that gave us away-! "
"No, don't you dare say that. I was apologising for freaking out. and for being so worried. and if I'd not needed to pin my fringe back in the first place-!" Imogen interrupted and with insistence. She Pulled back Kissing the witch soundly to shut her up. Constance, normally twice as stubborn and headstrong did as she was told. With the exception of kissing her back. Then kissing her, again a little gentler. and then pulled Imogen onto her feet, back into the hug; wrapping right around her.
"hush. You were upset. Hardly an unjustified outburst or a tantrum. You can trace the whole thing back to Mildred Hubble's bubblegum spell if you really must." Constance assured in a mumble. Imogen swatted her for that one, more bump if anything.
"it- just now. went better than anything we'd thought I suppose…" the witch tailed off, struggling to say what she meant. Inside her chest shaking with that confusing combination of being both mortifyingly embarrassed and respected. But Imogen Squeezed her back, one of them big non-magical magic hugs of hers. Again neither moved away or spoke for another. And Constance felt a tension she hadn't realised she'd been carrying for so so long loosen and unknot.
"I knew I should have just gotten my haircut." Imogen complained into Constance's shoulder eventually. For once Constance didn't have a reply for that. So Just kept holding on, for moments more, Imogen's shaggy blonde hair soft and ticklish against her cheek, and looping one of the curls at Imogen's nape of around her finger.
Imogen's hair was getting long; and possibly needed a haircut. And Constance is relieved.