Two mini chapters and updates to chapters 1, 2 and 7. Enjoy x
It could have been very easy for them to stay like that for a while maybe for ever. However the tender moment was interrupted with a shock of something along the lines of "Ha-choo!-OW-Uccksake!" as Imogen suddenly sneezed so violently into her tissues that she slipped off the witches lap and to the floor smack on her backside with a bouncing bump.
Now there were very, very VERY few things that made the very very stern Constance giggle. But after a split seconds stunned and a moment worrying that Imogen had hurt herself, the witch found herself tickled by the situation at her feet. And then trying to stifle it only made her splutter and make matters worse, causing hot cross Imogen to complain up at her from the floor. Or at least, complain between sneezes.
"Stop it-!" Sneeze! "It's-" sneeze, "I mean it C-" sneeze, "that really-" even louder sneeze "not funny !" sneeze. Sniff.
"No no of corse it isn't." Constance tittered, trying to cover it with a very unconvincing clearing of her throat. The indignant look and Imogen's ill pout made it even harder to keep a straight face. She did her best to do however; she didn't want anything else thrown at her, especially used tissues. Imogen thankfully balled the wad into the waste paper basket rather then use the deputy head's head for target practice.
"that really hurt. and of all the things to laugh at." she sniffled. Constance passed her a fresh box of tissues to make amends but Imogen still sulked Turning her back on the witch while pulling tissues from box.
Constance once again waited Imogen had finished letting loose a string of bad coughing, blowing her nose, and mild cursing before leaning forward and slipping her hands over Imogen's shouldersAccompanied by a few necessary words of endearment and sympathy,
"there, there my pretty. I'm sorry for laughing."
Gently and firmly Constance pulled Imogen toward her again Till the cranky blonde was lent back was against her legs. She might not have Imogen's of massaging aways stress and knots but Constance began delicately petting and caressing the non witches shoulders and collaranyway in what she hoped would be a relaxing manner; telling her sweet nothings and endearments too. Imogen still mopping her nose, scowled and complained as Constance found aches and stiffness but It seemed to be having the desired effect. Imogen didn't move away at any rate and very soon quit her complaining and relaxed into the touch - whentracing circles the space between her shoulder blades, Imogen shuddered and groaned, giving in completely. Constance took that as a sign that her patient quite liked this and made a note to do such more often, even when she was better.
Another idea came to mind as her fingers brushed up the nape of Imogen's neck and against the dull blonde locks. Feeling clean always made Constance herself feel better when she felt under the weather or down in the dumps- not that Imogen was dirty or had bad personal hygiene of corse but sometimes something as simple as shampoo and that fresh feeling could do the world of good for someone. And seeing as freezing showers were out the question for Imogen in her cold condition, Constance, with a little trivial magic at her finger tips continued her petting up over Imogen's scalp, Combing her fingers though the yellow hair right to the roots until it felt less like straw and flax under her working, and looked less like an electrified haystack too and more like the neat silky feathery pixie crop again. the waves of gentle near invisible magic continued flowing over Imogen, from her crown to her toes as the cleaning spell worked its pampering way corse and dispersed at Constance's wordless command. the theory of maybe making Imogen feel better seemed to have worked incredibly well as Imogen leaned her head back with a sigh, her eyes eyelids fluttering shut.
"That," she said, "is Wonderful."