You're the New Magic Theory Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the other teachers are keen to help you acclimate, especially a certain potions Professor...
To say things went back to normal would be a lie, in fact, things were so far from normal that they had gotten much worse. Aesop wasn't just avoiding you anymore, he was practically absent all together. He would take his meals in his private quarters, lock his classroom during office hours, he hadn't even attended to his duties as head of house for Slytherin.
It wasn't just you he was hiding from, but everyone. None of the other staff had seen him in days, even students said he was suspiciously silent during class. Everyone was worried about the potions teacher, and only you knew exactly why. You stood outside the locked the potions classroom one night, watching a pacing shadow seep through the crack under the door.
You could hear his cane, the one he hardly used out of pride, slam against the cobblestone floor. You knew there was no point in attempting Alohamora on the lock, as a former Auror, Aesop was far to clever to allow it. The only way in was through Aesop himself.
"Aesop?" You ask quietly.
The thunk of the cane ceased, the shadow morphing as the Potions Professor turned towards the door.
You took a deep breath, trying to absorb any confidence you could find. "Aesop, please just talk to me."
He didn't respond, in fact, he seemed to be sitting so so he wouldn't make a sound. You let out a frustrated groan. "Just open the door already!"
More silence.
You let out a frustrated scream only to hear a clatter from behind you. You turn to see a short girl standing quite comically beside a pile of toppled cauldrons.
"W-what are you doing up?" You stammer, a little surprised to see someone. "You should go back to your common room before I deduct points."
"Um... I'm not a student here," The girl blushes as she explains. "Margaret Blainey, but you can call me Marge!"
Blainey, the name was familiar. "Are you related to the nurse?"
"Yep!" Marge says proudly. "I'm her wife!"
You introduce yourself to the young woman, offering your hand but she refuses it.
"What' d'ya want with Wolfie?" Marge asks.
You scowl. "Everyone knows, don't they? Am I the only one who didn't know?"
Margaret shrugs. "I don't know about everyone else, but Nori only told me so I don't sneak in during the full moon."
"It sounds like you sneak in quite often," you ponder.
Marge puffs up her chest in pride. "I'm hardly ever caught!"
Key word hardly; something tells you Marge isn't as sneaky as she believes she is.
"Are you visiting the nurse tonight?" You ask.
"No, I'm here to chat with Sir Cadogan," she deadpans, noting your confusion she clarifies, "It was a joke."
"The annoying portrait near the the Divination hall?" You queried.
Marge nods, her eyes wandering anywhere but at you and yours. "Yes, though he's not so annoying once you get to know him. Nicholas just likes to discuss his favorite things like I do, we're the same him and I."
You couldn't help but think this girl was odd, but not in a bad way. Marge Blainey was different than anyone you had ever met and you've met a werewolf recently.
"So what's going on with you and Mister Sharp?" Marge asks, eyeing the closed Potions classroom door. "He's been awful quiet lately."
The shadow that once paced by the door was now gone, most likely hidden away in his office. "He seems to think he's unworthy of friendship."
"Well that's a load of shit, isn't it?" Marge says monotonously, much to your surprise, you couldn't help but snicker.
"What? It's true. He was my Professor a few years back, it was thanks to his patience I was able to achieve 'Exceeds Expectations' in my remedial potions O.W.L."
"Remedial?" You asked before you could even stop yourself.
"I really struggle with tests, I was so nervous for my exams I had nearly failed them all. Mister Sharp fought for me to be able to retake them in a quieter and less stressful setting," Marge explains, unoffended.
"How old are you Marge?" You ask.
"Twenty-one and before you ask, my wife is twenty-four," Marge blushed. "Noreen was my Arithmancy tutor."
You couldn't help but laugh at the strong emotion painted on Margaret Blainey's face which was blank just moments ago. It was almost like you could read her thoughts, but at the same time she was quite mysterious... Different.
"Wanna come have tea with me and Nori?" Marge asks after you caught your breath.
"I would love to," you reply and with that Marge took you on the most scenic route to the Hospital Wing.
"Darling!" She whispers from the stone archway leading to the Hospital Wing. "I've brought a friend!"
You heart warmed, you had just met the young woman and she already considered you a friend.
"Who'd you kidnap-" Noreen starts before grinning once she saw you. "Miss (L/N)!"
You accept a hug in greeting from Noreen, politely adverting your eyes as Margaret kissed the nurse's cheek.
"How are you? Are you feeling alright?" Noreen asks, examining your for injuries.
Marge puffed out her cheeks, pouting. "She's fine, we're here for tea!"
Noreen rolled her eyes with a smirk, gesturing for the two of you to follow. Through a door on your right was a compact living quarters. You seat yourself on the leather couch while Marge made herself at home, snuggling in to the bed.
"What brings you here?" Noreen asks, flicking her wand as she prepared the tea. "Well, other than my wife dragging you here."
"I asked this time," Marge protests from her place bundled up in the green comforter. "She said she'd love to!"
"Keep in mind Miss (L/N), it is far better to be honest than to lie and get her hopes up," Noreen says quietly, a biting edge to her words.
Your heart sank, so people typically lie to her? "No, I truly want to be here, Margaret distracted me from my frustrations and I'm quite grateful."
"I think she's genuine Nori," Marge mused, her fingers tracing the intricate pattern on the bedding.
Noreen presses a kiss to her lover's forehead, enveloping her in a hug. "I just worry for you Dearest."
Marge looks up, making eye contact with you for the first time. "I can tell, she's a good one."
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Authors Note
I apologize for the delay in updates, I've been incredibly busy recently and I'm quite honestly stressed beyond belief. I wanted to write a simple, comforting chapter for myself to ease back into weekly updates so meet Marge! Marge is very important to me since she's me. I can assure you she'll be important in chapters to come!
