Sorry for delay. Needs some edit/spelchecking doing, later i promise. next part up later/tomorrow hopefully. This went on too long, blame the teachers.
The Case of the Poisoned Pasta- Part one
"I'm not hungry." Constance said simply and stubbornly.
"Too bad." Imogen replied in the same manner and put a full plate down in front of her anyway.
"What's wrong with noodles and fruit salad?" Davina asked as a plate was passed to her.
"Nothing in moderation, Davina," Amelia supplied calmly, ladenling out another plate full of spaghetti and topping it with the Bolognese . "but you can't survive on that alone."
"It doesn't normally stop anyone trying so with regular salad and lettuce." Constance said, incredibly offhandedly and not aimed at anyone what so ever.
"just like it doesn't stop those who try to live off just breakfast tea and air, like a lettuce." Imogen said, as fairly as a cloud and not in reply or to anyone in particular sat at the table.
"You mean Photosynthesis? surly you covered that in your non-witch science O level." Constance sniffed. Imogen scowled.
"OH!" Davina started suddenly making them all jump before dashing out the staffroom door near knocking the table over in her haste. "I forgot the drinks! I'll be back in a moment, don't wait, eat before it gets cold-!"
Amelia rolled her eyes and passed on the bread basket. Banned from her cupboard for an hour this was clearly Davina's way of escaping the irritated tension in the room. especially as there was a jug of water and a bottle of rosé on the table. bit mostly now leaving pink splurges on the table cloth.
Miss Hardbroom and Miss Drill currently weren't speaking to each other; which always seem to cause more noise then when they were being civil(-ish) to each other. But at least it wasn't the deafening volume Davina's silent treatment rose too; so Amelia actively ignored their passive aggressiveness comments.
"Is this really nessary, Headmistress?" Constance complained.
"Yes. Because, for once we as colleges are going to have a meal- a full meal not just leaves- at the same time with no one dashing off, vanishing or hiding in cupboards. and with no potions or food being throw around." Amelia decreed.
"Miss Bat's already dashed off."
"That doesn't count she's gone to get drinks. We agreed. all of us. sat down together-"
"Miss Bat's not here."
"-with no arguments."
"Are we counting heated discussions?"
"Or healthy debates?"
"No. We agreed on this remember? now tuck in." Amelia instead and sat down to her own plate of pasta.
A rather cheese lacking plate of pasta. And when she looked about for the extra parmesan and the grated cheddar Amelia knew she'd set out it wasn't there and the others had very guilty looking innocent faces. She was certain her staff ms tapioca included were sneakily cutting down her cheese, cream and cake intake behind her back. She'd be having words.
And she was about to have them too when she realised Constance hadn't so much as picked up her fork or glass.
Just as the fruit Bat and Imogen's strict speedy on the go savouries (and unbenown to Amelia, her own cheesey treats), Constance's meal plan or lack of them had also been privately discussed as a issue in need of, perhaps not fixing but keeping an eye on and perhaps tweaking a little.
Amelia had hoped if they got into the good habit all sitting together, eating the same at the same time would get out of bad habits.
But Constance was still tight lipped with her arms folded and she eyed at the food in front of her wearily, as if it might bite her rather then the other way around.
Miss Drill noticed too. And judging by the look on her face mid chew and the discreet nod she gave her boss she was about to (temporary ) put aside what ever it was the two had fallen out over to be supportive.
"you don't have to eat all of it, Constance." she said bluntly. but more to her own plate and quiet enough for Amelia to pretend she didn't hear one head strong woman coaxing the other. "just eat what you can."
"Why?" Constance sneered. "Are you afraid Mrs tapioca going to complain to the three of you about untouched plates again?"
Amelia dropped her fork. So much for secretive. she ducked under the table to find it and avoid the dark look from her deputy.
"I'm not hungry," Constance repeated. She could have said she was going to the moon for all the good it did her.
"either way you're not spag-getting out this." Imogen said, and received a suitable reaction that such word play does. Amelia nearly banged her head on the table as she sat up. "try it. It is really good Pasta."
"Unlike your awful puns."
Amelia had to agree with Constance that one.
"Think of it as fuel your bad temper then. better then photoscythasizing." Imogen replied. She speared another vegetable lump and took a bite, as with everything she did, turning it into a challenge. Constance rolled her eyes but she wasn't one for letting the gym mistress get one over on her. Amelia, cleaning her cutlery with a napkin watched like a hawk and Constance despite her sparrow like appetite, actually forced herself a dainty fork full of mincemeat.
"well? Has mrs tapioca and the third years out done themselves?"
"It's delious." Imogen nodded enthusiastically.
The deputy witch made a none comital noise and said, "I suppose so." but continued slow well chewed small bites.
"That's the spirt." Amelia beamed. giving up on locating the cheese for now, she started buttering a bread roll, grateful Davina hadn't also remembered her wild garlic bread.
Just as she went to take a currency bite out of the roll, it and her plate of pasta was poofied out of sight. Both Constance and Imogen jumped, bemused as she was though a lot less cross.
"What the-?!" she spluttered her patience spent. Especially when she saw Davina in the door way hands hung in spell form. "Miss Bat, I about to eat that-!"
"Oh- we -we came as fast as we could!" Davina gasped.
"We?" Constance scowled.
"Don't tell me we're too late!" Frank Blossom groaned as he staggered up the stairs behind Davina, clutching his side.
"to late for what?" Imogen asked. The trio at the table were still no the wiser when Maria Tapioca carered in to the pair in the door way and they tumbled panting into the staff room landing in a loud heap that then tried to clamber back up again.
"The food! the sauce- mamma mia don't eat it Miss Cackle-!"
"I didn't." Amelia said quietly.
They all looked in horror from Constance to Imogen and the plates in front of them. Both with forks in their hands. Both stared at each other, visibly blanched and audibly gulped.