The Potions Professor

Chapter 15

The next morning I walked into the Professors office before breakfast. He was sitting at his desk going over a book.

“Good morning Professor,” I say to him from the office doorway.

“I don’t like that when we are alone.” He got up from his chair and walked over to me. “I think you should be calling me by my first name.” He kissed my cheek.

“Nicholas,” I said wrinkling my nose. “No, I don't like that. Maybe Nic.” I said and thought about it. “I like Nic.” I moved and kissed his lips.

“I do too, and I don’t really like being called Nic, but when you say it. It just works.” He kissed my lips for longer. Then moved me against the door frame.

I finally moved away from the kiss.

“I should go down for breakfast before class starts.” I moved away a bit. Then he pulled me back.

“One more.” He said to me.

“No, I really should get going. If I stay too long you won’t let me leave.” I smiled at him and then kissed him on the cheek.

I headed to the dining hall to get my food. Gina came over to sit with me.

"Heard you got rid of the current herbology keeper." She said before she took a bite of her eggs.

"It's not my fault she wasn't doing her job," I tell Gina.

"Why were you even in the garden?" Gina asked as she ate some potatoes with a look of suspicion.

"The stockroom needed to be replenished." I wasn't lying when I told her.

"And why didn't the professor do that?" Before I could answer she added more. "You also weren't here for any other meal and you showed up to our room late last night. I'm worried that he is overworking you this year."

When she said that it was like a relief that she didn't think anything was going on between me and Nic, but I was now thinking about how long that would last.

"I know he does do it, but I didn't have much to do. It was only the second day. I also needed a few of the plants that were low for me to work with."

"Okay, but don't let him overwork you since this is our last year we should be having fun." Gina smiled at me.

"I will be doing more university-level work so don't be surprised if I'm missing a lot," I told her hoping that can be a good cover for me, for the possible lack of being around.

“I still can’t believe that you are able to get such a high level of work. Does this school even have the coding to do those kinds of potions?” Gina asked and it made me more comfortable with hiding around the office alone with Nic.

“I was reading over the summer.”

“Of course you were, but go ahead.” Gina smiled at me.

“I was reading that putting some items in a potion can cancel it out and I do tend to practice on the easier potions first before trying the university ones.”

“Well, I can only wish you good luck. I do hope you don’t just hide in the office like you did last year. It would be nice to be around my friend.” Gina said. I did feel bad that I would not be around as much as she would like this year. For more than one reason now.

After I finished breakfast I went to the potions class to get everything set up for the beginning class that would be coming in. I headed up the stairs to the office. I opened the door and saw that Nic was eating his breakfast at his desk grading a few papers.

“I’m back and I got everything ready for the class. The students will be in soon.” I say to him as I make my way to the couch to lie down to read the book I wanted to go through.

Nic got up out of the seat and walked over to me. He sat down next to me and pulled me toward him.

“How was breakfast?” He asked as he just held me near him for a few minutes before he had to go down and teach the class.

“Gina and I talked a bit. She wants me to not disappear on her and spend all my time in here.” I giggled.

“Oh, do I make it hard for you to see your friends?” The concern on his face and in his voice made me feel bad for saying that to him.

“No, it’s more me than it is you. I just don’t see a need to be heading outside of this room.” I moved my hand around. “I enjoy being in here and now that I have you.” I smiled and kissed him on the lips quickly. “Right now though you need to head out into the classroom and get the class started so I can study how I plan to create university-level potions.” I pushed him away from me to get him out the door. He gave me a quick sad look then blew a kiss my way.