Daughter of a Witch

AU - Parent-Teacher Night

The buzz of conversation filled the halls of Westview High as parents meandered between classrooms. Rio adjusted the cuff of her blazer, her eyes scanning the doors for Room 204. Parent-teacher night was her least favorite kind of evening-it blended her roles as a teacher and parent, forcing her to toe the line between professional and personal. But tonight had a distinct edge of anticipation. She was about to meet Y/n's English teacher, Mrs. Harkness, her girlfriend of a few months.

At last, she found the room. The door was open, and inside, the space buzzed with an organized chaos of parents filtering in and out. At the center of it all stood Agatha, effortlessly commanding the room in a crisp white blouse tucked into a tailored black pencil skirt. Her deep purple heels added just the right touch of elegance. Rio felt her breath hitch.

"Pull it together," she muttered to herself before stepping in.

Agatha glanced up, her warm blue eyes lighting up as she recognized Rio. "Mrs. Vidal," she said smoothly, extending a hand. Her lips curled into a subtle smirk that only Rio could decipher.

"Mrs. Harkness," Rio replied, taking her hand. Her grip was firm, her tone perfectly polite, but her gaze lingered just a bit longer than necessary. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," Agatha said, gesturing for Rio to sit across from her at the desk. The rest of the parents seemed to have dispersed, leaving them in rare privacy. Agatha leaned forward slightly, folding her hands. "Let's talk about Y/n."

Rio nodded, focusing. "How's she doing?"

Agatha's expression softened. "She's exceptional. Her writing shows a depth of thought and creativity that's rare for someone her age. She's articulate and observant...but sometimes, I think she holds back. It's as if she's afraid of fully stepping into her own brilliance."

Rio frowned slightly, leaning forward. "What do you mean by that?"

"She'll submit an essay that's technically flawless but lacks that spark I see when she talks in class," Agatha explained. "I think she's afraid of being too much, of standing out."

Rio's jaw tightened. "That tracks. She's been through a lot, and blending in has become second nature for her. But she's stronger than she gives herself credit for."

Agatha nodded. "That's why I've started giving her more creative assignment freedom. She thrives when she feels in control of her narrative. She's remarkable, truly."

Rio's chest swelled with pride. "Thank you for seeing her."

Agatha's smile turned gentle. "It's impossible not to. She's an extraordinary young woman."

They just looked at each other momentarily, the hum of fluorescent lights filling the space. Then Rio's lips quirked into a grin. "You're very thorough, Mrs. Harkness. Makes me wonder how you prepare for all these meetings."

Agatha tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, I'm always prepared, Mrs. Vidal. Though I suspect not every parent appreciates my thoroughness quite as much as you do."

Rio's grin widened. "Well, I'm not every parent."

Agatha's laugh was low and melodious. "Clearly."

The conversation lingered on the edge of professionalism, the air between them charged. As the last stragglers left the hallway, the school grew quieter, leaving them in their own private world.

The silence felt intimate as Rio leaned casually against one of the desks, watching Agatha gather her things. "So," Rio began, her tone playful, "did I pass the parent test?"

Agatha chuckled, looking up. "Oh, you're a model parent. Engaged, insightful, clearly invested in your daughter's growth." She smirked, her voice dropping slightly. "But I suspect you knew that already."