A/N: A very long overdue hello.

As you know this was never planned, it all began with an infamous one-shot and before I know it, I'm writing the fifth and final part aka the Pentology – 'Everything That Has a Beginning Has an End.'

It feels like forever but I've been faced with the dreaded, god-awful writer's block plus upon re-reading for inspiration, I need to clear up and improve on the original work prior to commencing on any new chapters...

Just to clarify that the title of this, the Finale was inspired by a Star Trek Voyager fic that I read years ago before I started doodling myself which I always thought would make a great fic title without giving away too much of the details.

Enjoy and cue the drum-roll!

Secrets, Lies and Deceptions

Chapter One – Burning Snowflakes

Constance Hardbroom sat to attention at her desk, alone in her room. She stared absentmindedly at the impressive mirror, never one that could be ever called nor classified as vain in any sense but she took comfort that even though she was alone in her room, her reflection offered the illusion of company.

She sighed tiredly and reluctantly turned away from the mirror, the pale reflection pathetically imitated her and she glanced towards the heavy oak door that remained locked. Morgana, her faithful pet and companion could sense her mistress' distress that caused a subtle disturbance since returning from the cemetery. The final resting place for Mistress Hecketty Broomhead but for Constance it was much more than that, decades had passed since the mental and physical abuse she had endured at the hands of her personal tutor but also Professor Hector Blackstein, who only took a keen interest in the most promising of students.

Although justice was little consolation for herself and what could have been considered closure merely felt like a hollow victory, Constance felt safe in the knowledge that no other innocent students would have to experience, part of an elite group of students that survived their ordeal and later expose the dark secret that surrounded the college. Finally justice was served and now the entire community knew of the truth and the guild exhausted all known resources to prevent another sickening scandal, dramatic changes emanated throughout the community, all for the greater good.

Constance felt her shoulders protest and permitted herself to deviate from the military like posture courtesy of her personal tutor or face the painful consequences of what she referred to as a lazy attitude. Her thoughts were invaded by the haunting memories of Hecketty Broomhead; her hand trembled to conceal her features from Morgana, confused as to how to react in this instance.

She wanted to throw caution to the wind and overthrow the power of oppression that her personal tutor was still able to hold over her student but the tears were emotionless, she felt nothing, no remorse or sorrow for the now deceased witch whom had made the majority of her life a nightmarish existence which Constance was forced to practically relive since the memory suppressing spell initiated by Amelia had suddenly began to degrade with disturbing repercussions.

Constance sighed, relief on her part that help came in the form of Zelda, her one-time counselor and faithful friend Amelia as they preformed a cleansing spell that would allow Constance to overcome the unresolved memories but this act of genuine help and friendship unwittingly exposed an obsessive and potentially deadly secret, an addition to Wide Awake Potion which in itself presented both Amelia and Zelda with a conflict of management as to what was the best course of treatment for Constance.

Then, the sudden realization struck her, "It's over...it's finally over."

The events of the past number of weeks abruptly surfaced, continuous waves of nausea struck her fragile figure while her impervious mask threatened to slide out of place, leaving her exposed and susceptible to prolonged questioning and relentless smothering from Amelia, who had casually suggested that Constance take an extended leave of absence and a replacement take her classes for an undisclosed amount of time.

Amelia had witnessed another side and personality of her adoptive daughter and colleague, the facade of power and mask that solidified her emotions had been cruelly stripped from her control. It pained Amelia who watched silently as Constance battled to maintain any lingering dignity as the numerous bouts of unconsciousness and delusional images began to blur the edge of reality. She felt, in a sense naked and extremely vulnerable something that she loathed; Constance needed control in her life and to be in control, including her emotions.

Amelia impatiently toyed with her glasses and fought against her overwhelming mothering instinct to go and comfort her daughter but she resisted. It had been some hours since they had returned from the cemetery and no doubt Constance needed time to be alone in order to reflect over the past events during the school summer holidays which were now drawing to a close.

She had contemplated contacting the guild with regards to sending a temporary potion mistress in order to give Constance additional time to recuperate but then she would be faced with the numerous questions and rumors conjured from students and colleagues which would be endless.

Amelia sighed as she nursed the warm porcelain that contained the therapeutic qualities of a freshly made cup of tea with a more than healthy slice of delicious cheesecake but instead she simply toyed with the notion of actually eating the medicinal cheesecake and was probably more out of habit to have something to accompany her cup of tea especially during times of crisis.

'When she's ready, she'll come to you. In the meantime, leave her be. She needs time to heal.' She thought as she sipped on her tea.

Her hair cascaded down her long back in a seamless waves of gleaming ebony tresses, freed at last from the painful imprisonment of the trademark bun which made her scalp prickle with the tension. Her torso ached like the body of an old woman, weighed down by the sheer density of the events that she had witnessed. Uncharacteristically, she let out a loud yawn, lethargy creeping across her mind once more, tempting her, lulling her to rest.

So easy to just close her heavy eyes, so easy just to let it all go but No! She flinched as she forced herself upright, her pulse fluttered as a brief flicker of fear reignited the cold terror within her. Her hand shook as she brushed a lock of dark hair out of her eye, smudging her usually impeccable make up. She dared risk a glance at herself in the mirror, there was a slight delay before she realized the drained and hollow eyed woman who stared despondently back at her was indeed herself. She fidgeted nervously with the duvet cover, her racing mind jumped from one incoherent thought to another.

Constance reluctantly rested; the beckoning satin sheets comforted her weary body. The blackout blinds prevented the offensive light of the day from interrupting and perfectly encased her and Morgana in a cocoon of darkness. The hypnotic sound of Morgana' breathing slowly aided Constance into a realm of uneasy relaxation as a part of her still resisted the need to for rest. Her body grew heavy and she slipped into a dreamless sleep, the dark world of unconsciousness welcomed her with long awaited arms and cradled her slumbering body.

A gloved hand gently caressed the sterile instruments which lay in pristine order according to size on the cold, metal tray while the ceiling fan rotated lazily that helped to create a reliable delusion of peace that a chaotic mind urgently craved.

The hooded figure stared intently at the perfect arrangement of instruments, old fashioned syringes and primitive surgical tools that had taken years to acquire and collect for such an occasion and glistened in the artificial lighting of the room. The instruments themselves had been obsessively cleaned and would not be used, yet.

Never judge a book from the cover, if appearances where anything to go by then it would appear that the unknown figure was as clinical as the instruments that were ready for use and carefully calculating in executing the second part of the plan however their mind was fractured, deeply entangled and solely driven by blistering rage. The lines of reality momentarily blurred and the deranged purpose to fulfill vengeance had completely overwhelmed everything.

She groaned as the piercing light assaulted her fragile eyes, her mind was thrown in panic as she attempted to make sense of her current predicament and the last known thought prior to her forced unconsciousness. A heavy slap caused her head to snap violently, briefly she felt something explode internally and felt something warm trickle from her nose then she recognized the smell of blood.

"We have much to discuss!" hissed a voice

A gloved hand grabbed a generous amount of hair, entangled within the latex fingers and restrained her before the needle plunged into a protruding vein from her neck, the syrup like contents of the syringe spilled into the vein and entered her circulating system without resistance and in seconds reversed the lingering effects of the sedative.

There was a strangled shriek that escaped from her dry, trembling lips as her eyes bulged in agony and she recoiled heavily in the solid chair, her chest heaving while the leather bound restraints held her tightly against her will. A sudden sense of helplessness began to grow and fester from the pit of her stomach as heavy footsteps prowled the baron room.

She swallowed the now permanently hard lump that lodged in her throat, fear threatened to overthrow her mind, she had to remain in control. Her eyes never left the faceless figure, whose identity remained concealed by a shadow of the hood. The restraints had rendered her powerless and immobile, briefly contemplating an attempt to free her self but she knew it was useless to do so.

The unknown reason that resulted in her current predicament only fed her fear, intrigued by the motive of why she was here and the identity of her captor fueled her growing curiosity.

"Naturally, you thought of yourself as innocent...merely proclaiming and clutching to the code of ethics and morals that you were sworn to uphold and cling to, both professionally and personally...but as far as I'm concerned...you are far from innocent!"

Her eyes widened at the sound of the hoarse voice that finally broke the eerie silence and heavy tension between them but now her mind was struggling to comprehend the cryptic message which induced fresh panic and fear, unable to concentrate on forming coherent thoughts as she faced her mortality.

Silently, she watched as her captor inspected the tray of clinical instruments, she pulled at her restraints, clinging to the diminished optimism and dwindling hope that she may have been able to free herself or to at the very least defend herself.

"Please, stop this! Please." She pleaded, "You're insane if you think that you'll get away with this, the guild will hunt you down." She attempted to instill fear of the authorities that could discourage the captor from continuing whatever they planned to do.

"I have sacrificed and invested too much valuable energy and resources to suddenly give up, this is my design, my revenge...you were never suppose to get involved but there is expected collateral damage."

"But...but you, please...please, don't do this..." she stuttered in a last attempted to plea for her life.

"I feel as thought I must congratulate you after all it was the almighty cleansing that inadvertently help me...at first, it was a rather messy inconvenience. At first, I presumed that you were a nuisance but alas you proved yourself to have some merit."

"During the cleansing...it...it was you!"

The figure mockingly bowed, "I must congratulate you yet again, Zelda Black...nothing gets passed you."