A/N: By jings, I've think I've cracked it! Work on Shattered Pieces is very, very slow and since recovering from that bug I haven't been able to stay up any later past nine/ten at night to get doodles out of my head! However this little number just happened and I know what has to be done. Some of you may or may not like what I've decided to go with but meh! Each to their own. Sort of rushed so hopefully it won't show and once again trying to keep any mistakes to a minimal but cannot help if a few manage to creep in here and there!

Enjoy x

Chapter Five: The Final Decision

'Do what is right for Constance...'

The wise words of Hecketty Broomhead lingered within the confines of her chaotic mind.

It was time.

She had a decision to make, the decision that had the potential to buckle her shoulders and sanity from the weight of implications and associated fallout from the outcome, no matter what she would finally agree.

It would determine if Constance Hardbroom lived or died.

Life is ironically humorous but Amelia was not laughing, still too torn between what was right thing to do, not just for herself but for Constance.

Amelia Cackle had no idea that she had been appointed next of kin, a sense of power to do good, was thrust onto her. Selfishly, she wanted to deny everything, it was nothing more than a twisted nightmare and soon she would awake but as time melted, the days blending into another, the chance of her awaking from her own nightmare and worst fear diminished as did the chances of Constance ever waking. Amelia was faced with the guilt ridden decision to allow her colleague, friend and self-appointed adoptive daughter to remain in limbo, clinging on fraying threads of life itself through the machines which kept her body alive but only to certain extend. The artificial lifeline which allowed Constance to remain part of the waking world simply kept the basics functions of her body alive. The complex task of perfusion as well as everything else was left up to a machine while everything that made Constance, who she was now lost or out with her own control.

She was alone in the side room with only the occasional hissing of the special mattress caressing her fragile body which remained unmoved, not counting the times when two members of staff entered the room to move their patient, adjusting the pillows and inspecting her skin, carefully to watch out for any breaks or the first formations of any pressure sores.

The respiratory machine continuously ensured that her body was kept alive and the other routine monitors showed on screen that there had been no change. The same lines scrolling across the screen had not changed since her first arrival into hospital and had remained the same for the past two months.

In the bed, she lay alone. Pale and lifeless just like that night some two months ago when Amelia Cackle made the heartbreak and sickening discovery.

Her body twisted at an awkward angle as she lay at the bottom of the cold stone steps. A small trickle of blood pooled from a cracked lip. Her lips were dry and fragile and split so easily.

Amelia quickly opened her eyes, still haunted by the image of her deputy headmistress, always continuously re-visiting her dreams. Never giving her a moment of peace perhaps it was guilt on her part. Could she have prevented this from ever happening? Hecketty seemed to have gladly pointed the finger of blame at Amelia. What of Imogen, Lavina and the entire school? Would they blame her also? It was something she had not directed faced, secretly avoiding having never liked confrontation.

She reached out for her lukewarm, limp hand and squeezed, "Constance...wherever you are, do not hate me. This is not goodbye...it will not be long before it is my time...but still too soon for your time to end."

She wiped the tears from her eyes and exhaled slowly, trying to steady her self, having made up her mind regarding the final decision.

A part of Amelia chuckled, in a feeble bid to disguise her true emotions, her guilt and fear threatening to overwhelm her, "I want you to know that I had to do this...for me and you. A selfless act but I know that you will understand in time and you'll forgive me...whenever we may meet." She whispered and placed a small kiss on her cool forehead

She nodded her head and two doctors entered the room, both expressions filled with empathy, given the difficult decision that was forced upon Amelia and despite going through this similar situation on various occasions, it still was no easy or fleeting matter. Both professional in their manner and yet showed comfort towards Amelia, involving her in everything regarding Constance.

She offered a small smile, "I'm ready..." she paused to gather the last thoughts and image of Constance ,"I've said...my...goodbye." she whispered, blinking the tears away, refusing to cry at this moment.

The remaining machinery was carefully switched off, the lifeline and all ties that kept Constance part of this world were cut. The doctors carried out vital tasks before finally leaving the room.

Amelia took her place once again took a seat by the bedside. Constance remained perfectly still, motionless. The colour already draining from her features, a sense of peace replaced the tension and heartache.

"I never wanted to do this..." she said aloud, not exactly sure what she wanted to say, "They say that time is the greatest healer...given time...we will all heal."

For the last time, she tucked the deputy's limp hand back under the thin covers. Amelia peacefully relaxed back in the chair, her shaking hands now rested on her lap and she closed her eyes.

Now she waited, it would not be long now before word got back to Hecketty Broomhead, the teachers and students of the school and then magical community of her passing.