The Eyes of Graphorns (Professor Sharp x mc)

Intuition

Elaine impatiently waited by the fireplace of the Floo Network in Cragcroft for Professor Sharps' arrival. Perhaps it hadn't been a good idea to ask him to visit after all. All of last week, she had struggled to focus on her classes because her thoughts kept drifting to today. What had she been thinking, asking him specifically in this situation? He had been drunk and vulnerable. Surely he had only agreed because he didn't know what he was doing or because he felt obligated, or both.

Elaine nervously adjusted the collar of her coat as a tall figure emerged from the green flames. She immediately recognized Aesop Sharps' stature, the broad shoulders, the slightly slouched posture, and to her surprise, she noticed he was smiling as he saw her. Suddenly, Elaine couldn't move and stood rooted to the spot as Sharp emerged from the ruined house where the fireplace was located, limping slightly as he approached her.

'Professor Hopkins,' he began with his warm, gentle voice, 'thank you for the invitation.'

'Professor Sharp... how nice to see you,' she managed to say, taking the hand he extended to her with a slight bow. She had never seen him so formal. Sharp looked at her. Elaine returned his gaze. For a moment, there was silence between them, and Sharp found himself lost in the deep, radiant blue of her eyes.

'So... shall we go?' Elaine broke the silence. Sharp snapped out of his trance, shaking his head briefly as if to dispel a thought from his mind. Then he nodded.

'Of course.'

Sharp followed Elaine up a small hill, to the left of the ruined house. He could feel some villagers casting curious glances at them. The sun was already setting, casting its orange light on a small cottage on the eastern edge of the village, slightly away from the other houses. When they reached the top, they stopped. The sight was breathtaking. From up here, framed by the cliffs of the coast, castle ruins and long grasses, they could see the sea reflecting the sun, which was setting behind them. Sharp almost reached for Elaine's hand, but he managed to resist the impulse.

Shortly after, they entered the cottage, and Elaine closed the door behind them. Directly to the left of the entrance was a small bay window from which one could see the sea, with a windowsill large enough to sit on. The ground floor was a large room containing a kitchen and a living room. The living room consisted of a fireplace, a sofa, a small coffee table, and bookshelves. Next to the kitchenette were a dining table and two chairs. A staircase led up to the first floor. Flowerpots hung from the ceiling. The place smelled of chamomile and soap.

'It... it's nothing special,' Elaine explained, 'but after everything that has happened in recent years, I have been looking for some seclusion. Although rumours spread even faster here in the village than in Hogwarts. But I find it very soothing to watch the sea.'

'It's wonderful,' Sharp replied, looking around. He walked slowly across the room, careful to appear interested but not too curious. On a shelf, he noticed a stack of parchments, carelessly piled on top of each other. They were drawings of magical creatures, buildings he recognized from Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, and landscapes from the Highlands, with strange swirls visible. Was this what Elaine saw when she talked about ancient magic? He could hardly believe that they seemed to share not only their passion for potions but also for art.

'Do you draw?' Sharp asked as casually as possible.

'Not anymore,' Elaine replied shortly. For some reason, the subject seemed to make her uncomfortable. Sharp noticed her hesitation and wondered if it had to do with Elaine being unsure about the quality of the drawings or if there was another reason.

'You have talent,' Sharp tried to dig deeper, but Elaine turned away from the shelf with the parchments as if they were a painful memory. Instead, she headed towards the kitchen. Sharp followed her, watching as she lit a fire in the stove and placed a pot of water on it.