The Potions Professor

Chapter 9

It was finally the end of the year and for once I was happy it was over. Draven and I were an item and he made sure I got to every class and met me after every class was over. He tried so hard to help me get through the future seeing class but no matter what we did I couldn’t understand it. That meant having to retake it next year.

I also didn’t see much of Professor Lucas outside of class time. He also didn’t give me extra work as he had in the past. I spent a lot of the time helping others with work I had done the year before.

I did want to say goodbye for the summer since that was a nice thing to do and I had done it in the past.

I had finished packing my things ready to go home.

“Gina do you need help?” I asked her looking like she was searching for something.

“If you can find my sweater.” She said. Then Allie walked it.

“Found it,” I told her. Allie was holding it.

“You let me borrow it and I never gave it back,” Allie said as she handed it over to Gina.

“Since it looks like you are good now. I’m going to go say goodbye to Professor Lucas.” I told them as a placed my bag to be taken back to my house.

“Why?” The two girls asked me.

“Because he’s my professor,” I told them.

“Lena, you have been so busy with Draven that we figured you were done with the professor, and do you not remember his girlfriend?” Gina said to me.

“I know me and Draven have been close and I will also be spending the summer with him. I do think it will be respectful to my Professor.” I tell them, but I don’t think it was a good enough answer for Gina she crossed her arms.

“I just think that you don’t have that kind of relationship with the Professor that he will care if you come by or not,” Gina told me.

“That may be true, but I am still going to go.” I walked out of our shared room and left the dorm to go to the Potions classroom.

I got to the potions room and walked up to the office door. I knock on the door waiting for an answer.

I waited longer than I expected and walked down the stairs the door opened once I was halfway through the classroom. I looked back and saw the professor standing there.

“Miss Russell?” He asked when he noticed me in the middle of the classroom.

“Yeah. I wanted to say bye before leaving for the summer.” I told him from the spot I was in.

“Oh.” He stood there a second.

“I guess I’ll see you next year,” I told him ready to bolt for the door. I hated how awkward it had gotten.

“Would you like to talk a bit more before you go?” He asked and I wasn’t sure about what answer I was supposed to give, but I did kind of want to find out what happened.

“I have time before I need to meet Draven,” I told him as I walked back up towards the office.

I sat in the chair across from his with the desk in between us.

We sat there in silence a bit longer than we both probably felt comfortable with.

“Professor, I-.” I started but didn’t know how to keep going. "I hope you have a great summer." That was all I could say. Talking about how the year was so different didn't feel right to bring up anymore.

"I hope you do too." He leaned forward and put his elbows on his desk. "I want to explain why I didn't give you as much attention this year." I felt shock rush through my body. "I wanted to give you more space to explore without me telling you what to do. It was kind of an experiment to see if you would be more into doing what you wanted over what I told you. I was surprised you didn't adventure out more." He told me.

"I thought it was because your girlfriend thinks I like you more than my professor." I quickly covered my mouth when I realized I said more than I should have.

"I'll be honest since I know you so well. She did. She didn't find it appropriate but we see each other as mentor and student so I didn't let that change how I treated you. I was more concerned that I was actually holding you back from your practices. So I will say that next year try to be more adventurous with your work." He smiled at me and I relaxed a bit. "Go and enjoy your summer and I'll see you next year." He moved his hand to let me know that I could leave.

"Thank you, professor," I said before I got up and left the room. I ran into Draven who was waiting outside the class.

"Hey." He said before he kissed me. "You ready for our amazing summer together?" He asked.

"Of course, it will be great." He walked me down the hall away from the classroom.