Amortentia

Chapter 16

“What happened?” Sara asked.
“Well, he asked me if I was embarrassed of, us,” Sara squealed, “And I said no of course, but I wanted to prove it to him, you know? So I held his hand and he didn’t protest and then we stood by the lake and talked briefly on the merpeople and then he said he didn’t care what anyone thought as long as it was what we both wanted and then he kissed me.” John said, making the three smile and Sara try to control the muffled scream she made.
“That’s amazing John!” Greg exclaimed, patting him on the back. Some people were looking at them odd, especially the group of girls who were back from lunch, sitting in the opposite corner and watching the group like jealous hawks.  
“Is he a good kisser?” Sara asked which made John feel a bit uncomfortable.
“Um, I guess so?” He said, making her smile.
“Those girls have been watching us since you two left together; they probably figured it out by now.” Mike warned. John frowned slightly, hoping they didn’t cause too much trouble, but really nothing could ruin this day, well, almost nothing.
“I don’t even care; they’re losers looking for attention.” John shrugged.
“Be careful John.” Sara warned, looking a little bit worried now. John got up, feeling brave, ignoring his friends’ desperate protests. He walked over to the girls, who looked at him curiously with their noses turned up, as if they were too good for his presence.
“I’ve noticed you’ve been watching me and my friends, so if there’s something you’d like to say I’d be happy to answer.” John said to the nearest girl, obviously the leader of the small pack, who was wearing enough make up to make an elephant become a beauty queen. Greg rushed up to him, apologizing and trying to get him to leave.
“Well, now that you mention it, yes.” She hissed, the other girls flocking around.
“Don’t be shy.” John replied, throwing the sass right back.
“We’ve noticed you’ve taken our crush, and we want him back.” She said. John looked at her with pride, heck ya he stole their crush.
“No he’s not, their just friends, come on John.” Greg insisted, feeling the hating eyes on him.
“I’m so sorry for stealing your crush.” He said with so much sarcasm it could fill a room. The girl looked at him with surprise, trying to maintain the control.
“You better watch your back Watson.” She threatened.
“I’m not going to have time to watch my back when I’m too busy kissing Sherlock.” He said, making Greg pull him away by his robes, avoiding the girl’s slapping hand. The common room was watching from a distance, not close enough to hear what was going on though. Sara and Mike helped restrain John, who wasn’t fighting against them anyway. The girl pulled out her wand and pointed it at him, fuming.
“Not if I get the head master.” She warned.
“Under what charge?” Greg asked.
“For dating a teacher!” She hissed.  But John didn’t even blush.
“If you go to the head master it obviously means you want to date them yourself.” Mike pointed out. John was smiling sarcastically at her, watching her slowly fall prey to her rage.
“Sorry, he’s tired…” Greg muttered.
“Hit his head on a tree stump…” Sara continued.
“Must be going crazy.” Mike finished, and they dragged John up to the dormitory. John smiled proudly, sitting on his bed watching his speechless friends stare at him.
“Are you BLOODY MENTAL!” Greg yelled.
“No.” John answered truthfully.
“Why would you ever go up to them, they’ll probably tell everyone?” Sara said.
“What’s wrong with that?” John asked.
“For god’s sake now you sound like him.” Greg muttered.
“I thought the whole idea of this was to keep it under the radar.” Mike pointed out.
“I kissed him, I’m in love, I don’t care what comes up, and I’ll shout it from the rooftops.” John said.
“As touching as that is, I think I’d push you off. Imagine Snape’s reaction, he’ll immediately think you’re getting potions help!” Greg said.
“I don’t care what he says!” John said.
“You know, how about you stay here, we’ll get your food, you can go to bed early, just, stay here.” Sara advised.
“I’m not tired, I’m energetic, I could run a thousand miles right now.” John said. He didn’t care how stupid he looked, how wrong the relationship might seem, he was high on love and Sherlock was the only thing he could think about, clouding his vision with his soft lips…
“John you really have to stay here.” Mike said.
“I’ll stay with him; you two go ahead, don’t cause trouble and don’t answer any questions.” Greg decided, sitting in his own bed across from John.
“Okay, make sure he doesn’t escape.” Mike agreed, leading Sara down into the common room.
“John you’re going mental.” Greg decided.
“I’m not Greg, you don’t understand, he was right, it doesn’t matter what other people think, they’ll be out of my life in a year.” John said.
“But you still have a year of torment with them.” Greg pointed out. John frowned slightly.
“I think the girls deserved it.” John decided. Then the door flung open and Mike was there.
“McGonagall!” He warned, before running back down the steps.
“Oh no, not McGonagall, she’ll skin you alive!” Greg complained. John looked around, debating whether or not to hide or not. As much as he was proud of his relationship, McGonagall scared him, especially when she was mad. Then the door opened again, and she was standing in the doorway.
“Mr. Watson, could I please talk to you?” She asked. John looked at Greg for support, but he was trying to look as innocent as possible.
“Um, sure, ya.” He said, getting up from the bed, all daringness gone. She didn’t have much of an expression; she was just staring down at him. Greg glared at him as if saying you had this coming; John looked at him gravely and followed McGonagall down the steps to the common room, which was silent, trying to figure out what in the world was going on. The girls hadn’t moved much, just clumped up in a circle, whispering furiously. “Ms. Hawkins, you too.” She said without looking. The girl followed nervously, glaring at John with loathing. As much as he wanted to smile at her sarcastically, see how far she would go with a teacher around, he stayed quiet because he didn’t dare to do anything to get him even more in trouble. The only sound was a couple of whispers as everyone watched McGonagall lead the two out of the portrait hole. The hall way was quiet and deserted; everyone was out enjoying their weekend. When they got to her office they sat in chairs in front of the desk. It hadn’t been long since he had been here, but now it looked dark and intimidating. McGonagall sat behind her desk, looking at them, but not saying a word as if she was waiting for someone. John felt numb with nervousness; this wasn’t serious enough to get expelled was it? The girl looked just as nervous, she had been the one that pulled out her wand. John was starting to get impatient when the door opened again and Sherlock walked in, standing straight and tall as usual. As terrified as he was, he was relieved to see Sherlock, at least he could defend him. He looked at the girl without a smile and sat in a chair next to John’s.
“Mr. Holmes, are you aware of what had happened?” McGonagall asked.
“No.” He said simply.
“There was a fight in the Gryffindor common room, involving Ms. Hawkins and Mr. Watson.” She said. Sherlock didn’t look surprised.
“Go on.”
“Let’s hear it from them.” McGonagall said, looking towards the girl.
“Well, my friend had gone over to play chess with Professor Holmes, and he mentioned he had a boyfriend.” She started. John opened his mouth to protest, but McGonagall glared at him for silence.
“So of course we wanted to find out who it was. At lunch John and Professor Holmes left together, so we decided it must be John. Then in the common room he practically ran in and went to tell his friends something, they went in a corner so they weren’t overheard. We kept looking to try to find out what was going on, when he got out of his chair and went over to us, asking why we were watching him. We said that we suspected he was Professor Holmes’s boyfriend, and then he antagonized and made fun of us, so I got mad and pulled out my wand, not really planning on using it. Then his friends dragged him up to the dorms.” She said. John was blushing furiously, he could feel Sherlock’s gaze on him, but he refused to let his eyes leave the floor. The girl, whoever she was, was trying to make John look like some crazy person looking for a fight when he was just responding to her threats. McGonagall thought about the story for a while, and then sighed.
“Mr. Watson, your side of the story?” She asked.
“Well, starting with the chess game if that’s where she started, Sherlock was playing chess against my friends and then she came over and asked if she could play. Then she asked him if he was going to Hogsmeade with anyone to see if she could ask him out, but he said yes. Then she asked him if he had a girlfriend, and he said no, so she asked if he had a boyfriend and he said yes. Then we went to lunch and the group of girls was staring at us with complete hate, and then Sherlock and I took a walk.” John said, not daring to go any further on that topic. “When I came back me and my friends were talking and we noticed the girls watching us again, so I got up and asked why they were. This girl,” He pointed at the girl, “Said you stole our crush and we want him back, and I apologized and she tried to slap me. Then she told me to watch my back and then pulled out her wand, threatening me.” John finished.
“Funny, the stories don’t quite match.” McGonagall said.
“If I may,” Sherlock started.
“You may not.” McGonagall snapped, shutting Sherlock up.
“Do I need to get witnesses or will one of you admits that you were lying to me?” Both were silent. John didn’t think he had lied, maybe he hadn’t said the whole truth, but he knew the rest had been true.
“Okay, maybe I threatened him, but when I said watch your back he said that he couldn’t because he’d be too busy kissing Sherlock.” The girl said. John looked down at the floor, he heard a small gasp from McGonagall, and Sherlock shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
“Is this true Mr. Watson?” She asked. John nodded regretfully. “Very well, Ms. Hawkins I leave you with a warning, if anything else happens there will be consequences, and please, don’t make this all go public.” The girl nodded and left the room, shutting the door with a snap. John so wished he could have followed her, now he was left with two glaring professors, even though one of them was his boyfriend.
“Mr. Watson is there something interesting on the floor?” McGonagall asked. John looked up at her nervously. “Now, she said that you two are boyfriends, is this true?” John and Sherlock both nodded. “I thought so.”
“It’s my fault Professor, I used Amortentia.” Sherlock blurted out. McGonagall looked at him curiously, but for the first time since he entered the room John looked at him. He was blushing, but he was sill confident, staring McGonagall straight in the eyes.
“What, no, I was the one that asked him to Hogsmeade, he didn’t do anything!” John defended.
“I was the one that said yes.”
“Please, I don’t want you two to point fingers, you’re both equally responsible. Mr. Holmes, we told you to have no attachments with students, that was the main reason you’re not the potions master.”
“I know, but I must say that countless girls have asked me to Quidditch matches, Hogsmeade, to take a walk, and I have turned them all down.”
“But you didn’t turn down Mr. Watson.”
“No I did not.”
“Is there a reason?”
“Because he was a good student who was not going to take advantage of our relationship, and I fancied him.” Sherlock said, blushing more even though his voice was calm. John blushed more than Sherlock, humiliated but strangely proud that someone as beautiful as Sherlock would take notice of him.
“There has been no potions help?”
“Anyone could have potions help after dinner, and John has attended two of them, and excelled.”
“Exactly how far is your relationship?”
“It’s been two days.” Sherlock said.
“Has anything happened in those two days?” McGonagall asked. Both of them paused a bit awkwardly, why did she have to know?
“Um, today, we kissed.” Sherlock muttered, and both of them went beet red. Even McGonagall looked a bit awkward now.
“A student teacher relationship is not a very good thing, it’s not exactly illegal, seeming the age difference is only one year, but I don’t recommend it continue.” She said. John’s heart dropped, dropped dead, like a stone without a purpose anymore.
“No!” He protested.
“I hate to go stepping on young love, but I’m afraid I don’t see another option at the moment.”
“Professor, please, you have a husband right?” Sherlock asked.
“Yes.”
“And you love him right, you’d do anything for him?”
“Yes, Mr. Holmes, don’t make this harder on yourself.” McGonagall pleaded.
“Well, that’s how I feel about John, and I’m not going to leave him just because you told me to.” Sherlock decided, taking John’s hand so they bridged the small gap between the chairs.
“And I for Sherlock.” John said, smiling at him. McGonagall looked at them, and he could swear he saw the beginning of a tear form behind her glasses. John was still terrified that she’d make him leave Sherlock, but he was also thrilled that Sherlock had the guts to stand up to her like this. McGonagall was hesitating, he knew she must have a heart somewhere, and hoped she’d let them continue their relationship.
“Please.” Sherlock begged. She sighed, giving John hope.
“Don’t make it extremely public please, and if I find that you’re helping John with his potions then I will forbid you two to speak to each other.” She decided. John smiled as he’d never smiled before, fighting the urge to hug both her and Sherlock. Sherlock was smiling too, looking at John with nothing short of love.
“You two may go.” She said, and to John’s surprise she wiped her eyes with a small handkerchief. John got out of the office as soon as he could, and once the door shut he gave Sherlock a big hug, standing on his tiptoes to get his head over Sherlock’s shoulder.
“Thank god.” John muttered, feeling Sherlock’s curls on the side of his face.
“It’s okay John, don’t worry.” Sherlock assured, patting John’s back awkwardly as if he didn’t know what to say or do.
“I know it is, but for a second there I just thought…”
“Just forget about it.” Sherlock advised. John pulled away from him, now feeling a little bit awkward too.
“Were you serious?” Sherlock asked.
“About what?”
“About, loving me, and doing anything for me.” Sherlock asked his voice small.
“Sherlock, I’ve known you one week, but yes, I was serious.” John assured. Sherlock smiled, as if he’d never heard someone say that before. “Were you serious?”
“Definitely.” Sherlock agreed. The office door opened and McGonagall poked her head out the door.
“This door may be wood, but it’s not sound proof.” She said, smiling a little bit.
“Sorry Professor, and thank you.” John said. Sherlock and him walked to the entrance hall were they said their goodbyes and separated, Sherlock going back down to the dungeons and John retreating to the common room. When he got to the fat lady, she looked down at him sternly.
“You’re in trouble aren’t you?” She asked.
“Nope.” John said with a smile. “UMQRA.” The portrait swung open and the common room was silent again as he walked in. Greg, Mike, and Sara swarmed him, asking what happened and how much trouble he was in. But he didn’t answer, he walked up to the girl, who was watching smugly, as if thinking he had gotten expelled or something.
“Well?” She asked. John tried to look upset.
“McGonagall talked to us, she said the relationship is advised to discontinue.” John said. The girl smiled.
“Ha! He’s mine now!” She exclaimed.
“But, we convinced her to reconsider, and we were able to leave with no trouble at all.” John said, a smile breaking out on his face. The girl scowled, all victory vanished. Before she could say something John went back over to his friends and sat in an armchair by the fire, done with the topic. The common room exploded into talking, everyone no doubted talking about John and Sherlock. Greg sat in the other chair next to him, smiling.
“So you two are okay then?” He asked.
“We even got McGonagall to cry.” John said, victorious.
“What did you say?” Sara asked.
“I didn’t say Sherlock did. He asked her if she had a husband and then asked if she loved him and would do anything for him. And said that’s how he felt about me.” John said, smiling.
“He said he loved you?” Mike asked in disbelief.
“Yep, and I said that’s how I felt about him, and McGonagall let us leave.”
“You are the luckiest guy alive.” Sara huffed. John looked at her suspiciously, lucky that McGonagall let them go or because Sherlock loved him? “Why are you looking at me like that, McGonagall is mean!” She defended.
“She can be, but I guess she’s got a heart.” John shrugged. Even though it was six o’clock, John didn’t feel hungry at all, he hadn’t eaten dinner, and his friends must have because they weren’t complaining about food. The meeting had lasted longer than he thought, well, time flies when you’re getting yelled at for being in love. The rest of the night was almost normal, they sat in front of the fire and played chess, but once in a while someone would look over at John and whisper something. John didn’t know if people disagreed with his relationship or not, but really he didn’t care anyway. The time clocked by, and at nine o’clock John went to bed early for a weekend, tired from the long day. He changed into his pajamas and climbed into bed, pulling the curtains and falling asleep quite easily. But tonight, he had a dream. It started good; he and Sherlock were having a picnic in the forbidden forest. Why the forbidden forest he had no idea, it was just a dream. But the bright rays of sunshine disappeared, replaced by light cast from the full moon, making the trees seem skeletal. Sherlock was leaning in for a kiss when pain erupted in John, his bones shifting and his skin bubbling, he was changing. Sherlock scrambled away, yelling about how he was a freak, a beast, unworthy of love and people. Then the world was shaking, someone was calling his name.
“John!” Someone hissed over him. His eyes flew open to see bright green eyes staring down at him. Instinctively he punched the person in the jaw, hearing a groan and the person stumble back. Someone, sounding like Rory, muttered Lumos and light up the dorms and waking up everyone who wasn’t already awake.
“Oh man, seriously? Not here!” Rory complained. John looked at his ‘attacker’ and saw it was just Sherlock, clutching his jaw in pain.
“God, sorry!” John said, rubbing his eyes from sleep and shielding the blue light erupting from Rory’s wand.
“What’s going on here?” Greg asked.
“Is that Sherlock?” Mike said.
“Why in the world is Sherlock here?” Sam gasped.
“Who’s Sherlock?” Rory asked. “Is that Professor Holmes’s first name?”
“Yes, why is Sherlock here?” John asked. As pretty as Sherlock looked in the dim blue light, he was irritated and wanted to go back to sleep, maybe having a better dream this time.
“John, it’s Snape, it has to be!” Sherlock hissed, so quietly that John had trouble hearing.
“What do you mean?” John asked.
“The heir!” Sherlock said.