Safe & Sound//Sebastian Sallow

ten.

Ominis left later Sunday evening with a promise to return soon. It was so good to see him and know that he was doing well. Aside from the raunchy activities of the weekend, it was nice to spend quality time with my best friends and feel like we hadn't been apart for a decade.

The new week started uneventfully, with classes going smoothly and students not getting too out of line. I was getting through my work at a decent pace and feeling a lot more comfortable and confident with my ability to teach.

"Professor Eisley," one of my seventh year students began as class was winding down. We were going over defensive spells with the practice dummies.

"Yes, Eliza?"

"Is it true that you and Professor Sallow are together," she asked, giggling.

"That doesn't really have anything to do with Bombarda Maxima, does it?"

"I've already had my turn to practice it. And I was just curious because Mary Hobkins saw you with Professor Sallow and another man in the halls and we were wondering if that other guy was your boyfriend or if Professor Sallow is," she told me.

"That other man was Ominis Gaunt," a boy named Devin chimed in, joining the conversation.

"How do you know that," I asked.

"He's Everly Gaunt's uncle. He was disowned or something. Who knows, though. That family is weird."

"Enough talk about this, please," I told the two of them.

"Just tell me if you're dating one of them," Eliza pleaded. "I would love to rub it in Mary's face that I got you to tell me. She always brags about how she gets the best gossip first."

I felt sympathy for Eliza. She was a good student and quite gifted. And Mary was a bit off a gossip. I'd had to get on her for talking in class a few times already.

"Ominis Gaunt is just one of my best friends. We've known each other since school," I told her.

"And Professor Sallow," she pried. I just smiled and gave her a quick wink before walking to the front of the classroom.

"That's a wrap, everyone! Collect your belongings and don't forget to bring me your six inches of parchment on the importance of non-verbal spells the next time we meet," I called out. I watched from my desk as the students all hurried to leave the room and get to their next class. I saw Eliza talking excitedly with one of her friends and smiled to myself.

The confirmation of my and Sebastian's relationship traveled quickly. Within two classes, I had students coming up to me and asking me for myself. I tried to brush it off, but they were unrelenting. The gossip-pool was apparently very dry if this was what everyone was getting excited about.

"Look at her ring. It's got an S on it. It's gotta be for Sallow," one of the fifth-year boys said to his seat mate. They were supposed to be taking a quiz quietly, but I heard him whisper as I walked up and down the rows.

"It's too bad, really. She's even hotter than Professor Garlick," the other boy said.

"You're 15, mate. You never stood a chance," the first boy teased. I did my best not to laugh as I walked by, choosing the clear my throat as I passed by the front of their table. They each jumped and went back to focusing on their quizzes.

The rest of the day went by quickly and I soon found myself grading homework and quizzes until the sun was low. I was doing my best to not let things pile up, which meant grading in the moment and not stopping until I was done. I was in the middle of grading the fifth year quizzes when there was a knock on my classroom door. I looked up and saw Sebastian leaning against the frame.