TEACHER'S PET ━ 𝓡. Lupin

3. Adrenaline

—IT WAS TRUE.
Professor Lupin really stared at her like she was the most useless, worthless student in the entire class.

Unacceptable, really.
Insufferable, Natalia would have said.

Insufferable, just like those unreadable looks the man used to shot her during his lessons.

What is he even doing? Is he trying to check if I'm paying attention? Would you look at that..

The ravenclaw girl was really getting upset. No teacher had ever doubted her dedication and commitment in school.
But she couldn't really have expected anything different after their first terrible encounter, could she?

Well, you know what, Professor Lupin? I thought you were wiser than that, you really didn't look like a man who solely relies on first impressions! Turns out you are. Besides... Who do you think you are?! You just got here at Hogwarts and you really think you can judge me like that?

Natalia pursed her lips, slightly snorting and shaking her head, as to push those stupid thoughts away.

By that time, she had started to return those heavy glances, almost as if she wanted to tease him. She copied his expression, furrowing her eyebrows slightly, tightening her eyes, pursing her lips tightly. She was locking eyes with him, carefully observing his amber -greenish? she couldn't really tell- eyes.

When they locked eyes she didn't ever dare to avert her gaze, as if it was some stupid staring contest.
He was always losing.

Two can play this game, sir.

Natalia nodded to herself, putting her books and parchment away, as the lesson drew to an end.

"Come on Nat, Delilah is already waiting for us in the Great Hall."

Urged Kenneth, as he had already quickly collected his stuff, waiting for Natalia to do the same so they could get out of the classroom together.

"I'm afraid you'll have to go alone for now, Mr. Harrison."

Professor Lupin's calm voice drew both students' attention on him, as Natalia, yet again, met his eyes, confused.

"I would like to have a word with Miss Zabini here, if that's ok."

Natalia gulped, as her movements got progressively slower. Her hands were getting clammy, tingling and getting colder, until they went almost numb. She was already feeling anxious.

Well done Natalia,"two can play this game", and now you're getting detention. I really hope you had fun being an insolent little brat.

She thought to herself as her eyes flickered throughout the classroom. Now, she didn't dare to look at the man in front of her.
On the other hand, he was staring at her -still unreadable-, leaning slightly on his desk, arms crossed, stoic.

He doesn't look angry. Well... he never looks angry anyways.

Meanwhile, Kenneth had politely nodded, exiting the classroom while Natalia was too busy getting worried to actually notice.

Now alone in the classroom, it took some other endless moments of silence for Lupin to actually speak, moving away from his desk as he got closer to the student, whom instinctively retreated, finding herself slightly leaning on her desk.