Farah Dowling WRITOBER 2O22

Sweet dreams are made of this [WE SEE WHAT WE WANT #2]

Did she just say "It's you"?

You gaped at her, suddenly worried at how serious she looked.

"I... what do you mean, Headmistress?"

"We need to talk" she said in a grave tone. You saw her clenching and unclenching hands a couple of times as if to stop a tremor. Apart from that her behavior betrayed no hint of emotion.

"About...?" you asked, staring at her hands and growing more anxious by the second. What had happened? One moment she was smiling at you and the next... this.

She cleared her throat. "I have been having most... unusual hallucinations these last few weeks."

You frowned, not understanding.

"Every time I was near you I... visions presented themselves."

"Visions?" you repeated, utterly bewildered. "What kind of visions?"

"Very... intimate in nature."

"I am sorry, Headmistress, I... don't follow. What do you mean?"

She opened her mouth, then closed it. Trying to help, you added "Can you describe them to me?"

"I'd rather not" she said, coming around the desk and getting closer. "Let us just say that it has come to my attention that we might need to have you work more on... controlling your magic."

"I... but why?" you asked, completely lost. Then you understood. "Are you saying that these visions were... that I produced them?"

"Not consciously. But yes, it would appear so."

You flushed, suddenly terrified. What had she seen? What if you had projected your desire for her?

"How can you be sure?" you whispered.

She rolled up a sleeve of her shirt – you shuddered at seeing her biceps flex – and took off a silver handcuff she had placed on her arm.

"This device inhibits my magic. I have been... hunted by these mental images, and I had thought they were magical hallucinations, a misguided product of my magic. But, with this on, I could not have evoked them. There's only one logical explanation" she stated neutrally "and it is that your magic – your emotions, are behind all this."

"My... emotions?" you said, petrified. "What- what have you seen, Headmistress? You must tell me."

She was looking at you with a forced kindness that sent chills down your spine.

"Tell me the truth" she said. "Why are your emotions off when you're around me?"

"Oh, gods" you breathed out, covering your face with trembling hands. Tears were threatening to fall, but you refused to cry. And yet... how could you face her? You didn't even want to imagine what kind of mental images you might have projected. You turned, hiding from her.

"Look at me" she said, her voice softer than you ever remembered it being.

You lowered your eyes but did not turn to face her, simply staying there and staring at the glass of her office door.

"Look at me" she repeated, a bit more forcefully.

"I can't" you chocked out.

It was true. You were too frightened to see the fondness you knew she had for you turn into distaste.

"I realize you haven't been doing this consciously" she assured in a quiet tone as she stepped closer to you. "I am not angry. You're a light fairy, and a powerful one at that. These things can happen. When... strong emotions are involved. You have done nothing wrong."