illneverbesorry

[illneverbesorry]

Don't Stand So Close To Me- Part 6

Don't Stand So Close To Me - Part 6

Warnings: Swearing, Teacher-Student Relationship

____________________________________________

Y/N POV

You wake up to a rather loud owl on the first Saturday of half term. Your dorm was empty as most of the students had gone home for the week. The owl screeched again as you try to rest your head back onto your pillow "Ok! Ok! I'm up!" You stumble to the owl, taking the letter from it and giving it a treat before it flew off, clearly it didn't want to wait for a reply.

You smile as you recognise Sirona's handwriting, you break the wax on the envolope and pull out the letter.

'Hello my friend,

I have a big favour to ask of you.

Would you be able to work the lunch shift with me today?

Its going to be very busy and I need the help.

Yours

Sirona'

You never minded helping Sirona after all she'd done for you. You head to bathe and change before grabbing an apple and decided to slowly make your way to Hogsmead.

Aesop POV

Aesop grumbled at the tapping at his window. It's was too early and he was too hungover for this, he pushes open the window and pulls the letter from the owl's beak, he offers the creature a treat and it seems to roll its eyes at him and flies off.

Shrugging at the fussy owl he closed the window and turned his attention to the letter, Aesop frowns not recognising the handwriting. His eyes scan the words before him and he visibly shudders, now thr stuck up owl made sense....

It was a letter from Widow of a former colleague from the Aurors office. She wanted to 'meet up' for a drink in Hogsmead this afternoon. Her name was Helena Steele, she was a half blood witch with the ideals and attitude of a pure blood.

Even at her husband's funeral she was trying to look for her next parter.

Sadly while Aesop's colleague lay dying in St Mungo's he made a promise to check in on Helena every now and then.

The letter said to meet her for Lunch outside the Three Broomsticks. Sighing Aesop checked his pocket watch and grumbled, he'd have just enough time to floo to Hogsmead. It was going to be a long day.

Y/N POV

It was a beautiful day and you were happily walking through the streets, it was bright day in the Highlands and if you were going to be inside all afternoon you were going to enjoy the weather while you could.

Your eyes were drawn to the figure of a woman dressed in the most gerish dress and enormous hat you'd ever see.

You chuckle to yourself the sight, you laugh right up to the moment she rushes up to a man and throws her arms around him.....not just any him.....around one Aesop Sharp.

You dive behind a building only peaking your head out to see them. Aesop wraps his arms around her in return and your heart sinks. Had he met someone else? Had he moved on?

The woman leaned up and kissed his cheek, weaved her arm around his and pulled him out of sight.

You fight the urge to cry as you pull yourself back around the corner, you push your back against the wall trying to ground yourself.

Had you really lost him? All these months later, even after all the pain and heartache you still held out hope that somehow you'd find your way back to one another. But it seemed that you were truly too late.

You enter the Three Broomsticks with a fake smile and a heavy heart, but ready to help your friend.

Almost instantly Sirona grabs your arm and stops you further entering the premises.

"Y/n, I tired to reach you. Its not that busy, I don't want you to waste your afternoon" Sirona looked flustered and suspicious.

You glance over her shoulder to see Aesop and his lady friend sitting at a table near the back.

"I've already seen them Sirona, I saw them on my way here" you smile tight lipped and make your way around the bar grabbing a towel and serving tray before putting yourself to work.

"Aesop I do wish you'd have chosen a better establishment, this place is so.....beneath the likes of us" the snotty woman said loudly, you catch Sirona's eye to the side of you. Her shoulder tightened but she shrugged it off.

"And these people, they're so.....simple and dress so terribly. Oh and don't get me started on the hostess...oh, service! Service!" The woman shouts snapping her finger at you. Aesop with his back to you didn't even speak a word, you doubted he even knew you were here.

You glare over to the table and back at Sirona, that was the last straw. You smiled evily "that's about all the bullshit I can take"

Sirona grabs your hand "Y/n no, I'm used to it, people say things like that all the time" you smile and squeeze her hand sweetly.

"Well it's the last time they do it infront of me" you grabbed your tray and turn as the woman snaps her fingers again.

When the woman sees you're moving towards them she turns her attention back towards Aesop. Putting her hand on his arm.

You lift your tray above your head and let it drop to the table with an almighty bang. The woman jumped with a scream. Aesop's gaze snaps towards you "Y/n...." you can hear the worry in his voice.

"Oops, sorry guess I'm just so....simple" you fake apologise.

"These people are just so rude, even this poor child has been....infected by this hideous place. Don't worry dear, one day I'm sure you'll find a man with money who can supply you with the finer things in life and you won't be trapped here any longer" she straightened her hideous and obviously expensive dress, while grimacing at your outfit.

Your outfit is more form fitting than hers and the way you can feel Aesop's gaze burning its way over your curves you'd dare say you look so much better than she does. You chuckle humourlessly

"Wow, while your insult disguised as advice was.....charming" you rolled your eyes "you have reminded me that money can't buy everything, take you for example. Money may have bought that hideous dress but it hasn't bought you class or manners" you smile brightly "or a basic sense of fashion" Aesop smiles but drops his head to disguise it but not before Helena see him. "You insolent little...."

Helena raised her wand towards you, "and I'm not a child which means I can legally do this" you raised your hand and with the very limited wandless magic Natty had helped you master, you knocked her wine over the monstrosity she was wearing. "MY DRESS!"

"Oh dear" you fake pouted your lip "I would apologise but honestly that dress is so terrible I doubt people would notice the difference" you smile and walk away stopping only for a second to pull off your necklace before turning back momentarily "Oh I almost forgot, here Professor I believe this is yours." You drop the locket down onto the table and walk away.

You glance at Sirona who had a small smile pulling at her lips "anything else you need boss?" She smiled shaking her head at you and told you to head home. You strut towards the door with a skip in your step.

"A little over the top don't you think?" You hear the distinctive accent of one Ominis Gaunt who was leaning. You smiled over at him and pulled him into a hug.

Ominis pulled you out of the Three Broomsticks and back towards the castle. You didn't see Aesop jump to his feet at the sight of your arm wound through Gaunt's. "Heading somewhere PROFESSOR?" Sirona shouts towards him when he goes to follow you, her eyes set hard believing he'd once again broken your heart.

Aesop clutches the locket in his hand sinking back into his chair and turning to glare at the woman before him who had ruined everything.

Ominis walked you back towards the castle, explaining that he needed a break from a Sebastian and his new collection of books in Feldcroft and that he'd walked into the Three Broomsticks just in time to see your performance.

"There is one thing I wanted to ask....whats going on with you and Sharp?" you head snapped towards your friend who smiled. "I was probably the only person who noticed you pulling off the locket you've worn for over a year and slam it down before him. So I'm guessing he's the one who gave it to you...which would lead one to believe that you and he...."

You sighed heavily and stop walking turning towards Ominis "What? Are you going to report me?" Ominis smiled slyly

"Y/n, if I didn't report Sebastian for what happened with his Uncle I'm hardly going to report you having a fling with a Professor" you rolled your eyes pulling him back along the path.

"It wasn't like that, it's not like I was trying to get help with my grades...." You trailed off shyly

"I never thought for a second that that's what you were doing, if you're willing to take such a big risk for him, if you both are willing to risk everything, then your feelings must be very much real" you look over at Ominis with a teary smile and throw your arms around him. He laughs and hugs you in return.

You felt the weight of the world lifted off your shoulders, someone knew and they didn't judge you, or hate you. "Thank you, but things are over."

You wiped your eyes and smiled sadly. "He's made that clear time and time again. Now I need to let him go, like he's obviously let me go"

"I wouldn't be so sure, considering I heard him try to follow us, Sirona stopped him." Ominis grabbed you hand tightly

"I've seen things, in my own way," you laugh as he waves his wand infront of your face "I see the way his gaze follow you, how his demeanour changes around you and how you both changed and not for the better at the end of last year."  He sighed squeezing your hand "and I've seen how in the last few weeks how you're both been happier"

"Yeah he's so happy he's on a date with another woman Ominis" you interrupt your friend causing him to scowl at you.

"Does that heinous woman really seem like the type of person Sharp would put up with? He barley tolerates Black on a good day!" You laugh "things may not be as simple as they seem, don't lose hope" Ominis reaches for you face and wipes away a tear he seemed to know was there.

"Lets get you back to the castle, then I can go and see if Sebastian has been buried in a book avalanche"

[illneverbesorry]

Masterlist

Hogwarts Legacy

Aesop Sharp

Don't Stand So Close To Me (In Progress) - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,

[illneverbesorry]

Don't Stand So Close To Me - Part 5

Don't Stand So Close To Me - Part 5

Warnings: Swearing, Teacher-Student Relationship

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,

Over the following weeks your friends noticed the change in your demeanour, you smiled more, laughed easier and just generally seemed happier. Yet despite your improved mood, there had been little change in your relationship with Aesop. You both seemed to be stuck in this stalemate, neither of you seemingly brave enough to take any steps forward, but neither of you could stop the fleeting glances or secret smiles passed to one another across the classroom. 

You entered the potions classroom to find no sign of Aesop anywhere, you take your seat and pull out your book turning back just in time to hear Garreth whisper "Oh bloody hell!" You snap your head around and see the 'illustrious' Headmaster strut into the room. Natty looks at you with a frown and a shrug just as confused as you were. 

Your heart beats rapidly in your chest, had they worked it out? After all these months apart had they now decided to punish you? Had he been sacked? Were you about the be expelled? 

"Silence!" Black called across the room "Professor Sharp is.... feeling under the weather therefore I will be taking over his class today." You release the breath you hadn't realised you were holding before concerning filled your mind, Aesop never took sick days. 

"As my time is far too valuable to be stuck here all afternoon, I will be leaving you to your own devices. You are seventh years, I expect you to act as such, but just in case your potion stations have been locked." You touch the metal of your work station where the fire was normally roared to indeed find it stone cold

"Your Head boy is here so he will dismiss you at the correct time. Read, study, anything. Good day" Black marched out as quickly as he arrived. Everyone sat in shocked silence for a moment. 

You racked your brain for an explanation as to why Aesop wasn't here, he's been in class ill before, Merlin…. he’d been here hungover...."what date is it?" You asked Natty 

"It's the 16th, why?" You closed your eyes in realisation, today was the anniversary of Scarborough, the anniversary of his partner's death. "Oh, I forgot, I had some things on order in Brood and Peck. There're due in today" you smile at your friend and she seems to accept your answer.

You know that today would be hell for Aesop, he always found himself at the bottom of a bottle of booze on this day - even more so than usual. Last year he spent the evening lain on your lap with you trying to comfort him through the night, running your fingers through his hair whispering to him gently as the hours ticked by. Even though it wasn't your place anymore you still wanted to do something for him. You decided as you couldn't be there and hold him close, maybe taking him something would be more appropriate. Some food and a hangover potion would fit the bill. 

Turning to Leander you decided it was time to leave, "Ok Head boy, say the words and let's all get out of here" the redhead looked startled by your sudden command.

"But Black said..." he began stuttering before you cut him off

"Black said you would dismiss us at the right time, I think it’s the right time.... don’t you Leander?" You smirked knowing he wouldn't go against everyone in the class who had also packed up their books ready to leave. "He isn't going to catch us, the headmaster has most likely already returned to his office and Weasley has classes all day" you smile knowing you've convinced him. 

"Is it wrong that I wish my grades had been lower so I would have to go to divination next?" Natty asked walking you to a floo flame, you laughed at your friend's comments and were suddenly very glad the rest of your day was free.

"I certainly do not regret only getting Acceptable that's for sure, no NEWT Divination for me! It must run in your blood" you grimace for your friend having to take a NEWT class taught by her mother, but very happy your grade was below the cut off for the class. You hugged Natty goodbye and flooed to Hogsmeade to gather the ingredients you needed for Aesop's potion. 

You knew you'd have to wait a few hours before attempting to deliver it to him as at this point, he was probably be brooding in his chair in front of the fire and he'd see you come in. You needed to wait till a little later when you know he move into his bedroom in his depressive state. 

After gathering what you needed for your brew you made your way back to the Room of Requirement and set about getting the potion started. It wasn't a difficult potion; most likely deliberate given the fact it was normally made by witches and wizards who were a little worse for wear. 

"Hello Miss Y/N, Deek is happy to see you. Deek believes the mandrakes are almost ready to repot" you smile over at the house elf that has become a good friend 

"Thank you, Deek. I'll check on them later" you continued to stir your cauldron when your stomach made an embarrassing rumble, causing you to giggle to yourself.

"Can Deek bring you some food Miss?" Your heart melted at the thought, he was such a good friend.

"That would be wonderful Deek, would it be too much to ask for you to bring an extra sandwich? It's for a friend for later" with a smile Deek nodded and snapped his fingers and disappeared. He wasn't gone long before he reappeared with a wide selection of food and the sandwich you'd asked for. You thanked him wholeheartedly and tucked in while the potion brewed gently. Deek excused himself after a few hours to go help in the kitchens and you took the opportunity to bottle up the potion and make your way towards Aesop's room. 

Casting your disillusionment spell you snuck through the waves of prefects and the odd Professor. You slowly crept to Sharp's door and pressed your ear against the wood, you heard no sounds in the Room but that meant nothing. You bit your lip and hoped you'd timed things correctly. The last thing you wanted was another argument when you'd just gotten back in his graces again. 

"Alohomora" you whisper and the lock opens, you quietly and slowly push the door open enough to just peer your head around it. Thankfully you find the room empty, an utter mess but empty. Your heart aches at the sight of the room, bottles smashed, items thrown and even his chair had been knocked over. You stayed under your disillusionment but took your wand and cast a few spells tidying and repairing what you could. 

You placed the sandwich and vial on his now clean table and walked over to the small desk in the corner grabbing a piece of paper and a quill and jotting a note 'Try to eat something x' you balanced the note against the vial.

"Y/N" you hear his voice callout from his room, he sounded scared. You moved quickly over to his bedroom to find him asleep and in the throes of a nightmare. He was tossing and turning and calling for you. You wanted to run to him and pull him into your arms but you knew you couldn't cross that line.

Tears filled your eyes watching him in distress, he calls your name again and you can take no more "It's alright my love, I'm right here, I'm safe" you call out hoping his subconscious would hear you and change his dream. You grip the frame of the doorway with both hands to keep yourself away from him. "I'm right here" 

Aesop snaps his head up; you panic and rush away heading out of his room before he notices you’re still here. You know he'll realise you were in his room but better that than being caught red-handed. You hurry down the stairs from the faculty tower back to your common room. 

Aesop turns his head towards the doorway of his room, he could hear your voice so clearly, it was strong and clear. It was a fast contrast to the version of you in his dream, lying in his arms on the ship in Scarborough bleeding out. 

He reached for his bottle and annoyingly found it empty. He hissed in pain as he pulled his leg off the bed, standing with a sway and limping heavily towards his living room. Aesop stood slack jawed as he looked around the room, it was tidy. He specifically remembered ransacking it before falling into bed exhausted, glancing to the table he sees a plate and vial on the table. Shuffling over slowly he reaches for the parchment resting against the vial and sees your writing. His heart races, you were here, he could even still smell your perfume.

You'd brought him food and what he knew was going to be a hangover cure, after everything he’d put you through, you knew what day it was and still came and took care of him. He smiled despite his current state and dropped down on the sofa picking up the sandwich. He only wishes he'd have stayed awake so he could have seen you and made you stay. 

[illneverbesorry]

Don't Stand So Close To Me - Part 4

Don't Stand So Close To Me - Part 4

Warnings: Swearing, Teacher-Student relationship

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,

After breakfast the next morning you walk to beasts class with Poppy, a class guaranteed to make you relax.

You tend to the Kneazles, something that's second nature to you given how many beasts of your own you'd rescued over the last few years.

"Feeling better this morning Y/n?" Poppy asked grooming Persephone

"I'm fine Poppy" you smile at your friend, trying to fight off the building feeling of dread that you knew would only grow as the day progressed.

Sirona's words had been turning around in your brain all night leaving you with haunting dreams that only ended in heartache when you awoke to find yourself alone in the Room of Requirement.

Luckily you were able to force your brain to stay awake through Beasts class and Defense Against The Dark Arts where Sebastian and Ominis kept you entertained with the former obliterating Imelda in a dual.

You bid farwell to your friends after finishing the small amount of dinner you were able to stomach. You slowly left the Great Hall to make your way to the dungeons noticing as you left that Aesop hadn't come to dinner at all. Worry momentarily filled your stomach before you reminded yourself that it wasn't your place to worry anymore....he was a full grown man....apparently....

You entered the potions classroom and made your way to your designated cauldron before raising your eyes to Sharp.

He hadn't even noticed you'd entered the room. He was sitting in his chair, head propped against his fist looking down at what appeared to be a pocket watch intently.

You frowned to yourself, in your time together you never remember him having a pocket watch. After another few moment you cleared your throat loudly waiting for his instructions.

Sharp snapped the watch closed quickly and tucked it back into his robes. He looked over and realised it had been you that cleared your throat and for a second you thought you saw a small blush upon his cheeks, causing you to raise your eyebrow at him.

"You know your task, you may being" he spoke quietly, you nodded and pulled out your ingredients and book and began brewing.

You weren't worried about the potion, Professor Weasley had been right when she said this subject came naturally to you, but you weren't going to give him any excuse to challenge you again. You focused your gaze on your cauldron, adding ingredients carefully and precisely.

Aesop's gaze never left you, you seemed calm and collected. You seemed to be doing far better than he was. His dreams last night were once again filled with you, you in his arms where you were both happy.

He pulled out his newly purchased pocket watch to check the time, you wouldn't take much longer with your potion and once again you would walk away from him taking another piece of his heart with you. He ran his thumb tenderly over the photo hidden within the lid of the watch, which happened to be the reason that he had purchased the watch in the first place, so he could keep you close to his heart.

You rolled your eyes when you looked back over at him he was staring down at his watch again, 'probably timing me' you think to yourself. You drop a petal into your brew and smile as it withers away, it's done. You bottle the potion and place the cork tightly into the top of the vial, before marching to Sharp's desk and all but slam the potion down before him.

With one last look at the smiling face within his watch he closed it and tucked it in his jacket, only to look up at the same face....only now it held no smile, no happiness, no joy for life. Your face only held contempt, anger and a slight smug edge, no doubt at completing a perfect potion. Aesop nodded and took the vial and set it aside, he looked up at you and yet did not utter a word.

You glare at him and back at your potion. "Aren't you even going to check it?" You almost growl, you tone is angry but almost slightly desperate.

You want so much to hear a kind word from him again and if getting a potion right was the only warm-heartedness you could get from him, you'd take it.

"Y/n....your skill in this class is unmatched. I know for a fact you've brewed this potion before, I was infact there when you did it. So you tell me, do I need to check it?" Your eye flickered with emotion at his almost gentle whispering of your name.

"No" you reply proudly, you both know the liquid in the vial is perfect and while you'd kill for direct praise, his acknowledgement of your skill would have to do.

Aesop almost smiled at your confidence but help it back nodding towards your station "you may gather your things and leave" you turn away and quickly gather your book and remaining ingredients before turning to leave, trying everything in your power not to turn back towards him.

"Oh Y/n" Aesop called, you paused for a second closing your eyes momentarily, would you ever be able to resist him? You turned back towards him waiting for him to continue. "Well done" he finished his eyes meeting yours warmly.

Your heart sings at the words, your entire body feels lighter and you smile at him, you actually smile. It's a smile that's reserved just for him and it's been too long since you've used it. A smirk falls over Aesop's lips in return, a flood of relief fills you both that maybe, just maybe there's hope after all.

You exit the dungeon, pressing your back again the wall and leaning your head back. But instead of tears streaming down your cheeks, this time a dreamy smile adorned your face. Sighing happily you make your way back to your room.

Unbeknownst to you that in the potions classroom, Aesop sat leaned back in his chair smiling to himself as he tired to ingrain the image of your smile into his brain. He wanted to see it every second of everyday once again, he wanted you with him again by his side, like he had it once before....and in Merlin's name he swore he was going to try and get it back.

[illneverbesorry]

Don't Stand So Close To Me - Part 3

Don't Stand So Close To Me - Part 3

Warnings: Swearing, Teacher-Student relationship

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,

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You storm towards the Great Hall after making sure your eyes weren't red from crying, the last thing you wanted was to worry your friends more. Natty and Poppy were leaning against the wall outside talking to Garreth and Leander. Garreth spots you first nodding his head in your direction letting the group know you'd arrived. 

"Are you alright Y/n?" Natty asked putting her arm around you pulling you closer to them "I've never see Sharp react to you like that, he was bang out of order" Leander adds. You smile tightly at the redhead in thanks. 

"I'm going to have to miss dinner, I need to get to J Pippin's I won't have time tomorrow" after promising Poppy you'd go to the kitchens when you get back, you bid your friends goodbye and made your way towards the exit only to be stopped by a voice bellowing behind you.

"Well well, if it isn't the former Teacher's Pet! On your way back to the dungeons to 'work' your way back into his good books?" Imelda laughed, you stopped dead in your tracks and turned marching towards her. 

"Y/n don't!" Garreth called when your friends saw you draw your wand. You stood toe to toe with the Slytherin your face a hairs width from hers and you could see the fear in her eyes.

"Imelda, you may be good on a broom, but my wand work in 40 times better than yours and right now, the mood I'm in, I don't care about being expelled! So do yourself a favour and walk away!" Your threats weren't idle either as you gripped your wand tight. 

Imelda realised her mistake "Jeez L/n can't take a joke anymore?" She huffed with fake bravado and turned her back and hurried away, you watched her leave for a moment not trusting a sneak attack while your back was turned before pocketing your wand and making your way back to the exit. 

"See you tomorrow guys" you smile tightly leaving your shell-shocked friends in your wake. 

Yes things had changed over the summer, gone was the meek, shy girl and in her place was a hardened, cold hearted young woman who felt she had nothing left to lose.

After flooing to Hogsmead you made a beline for Pippin's to get your ingredients.

"Y/n good evening, a little late for you isn't it?" With a smile you hand him the list of what you needed, along with all possible extras for the following classes this week. You'll be damned if you'd allow him to try and embarrass you in that way again. 

After paying and shrinking eveything to fit into the pockets of your cloak you decide to pop in to see Sirona before heading back. Sirona had her suspicions about your relationship with Sharp but never judged you or even spoke the words out loud, but you both had an understanding. 

"Oh, that's not a happy face" Sirona observed throwing her towel on her shoulder and leaning on the bar. 

"Well my first day could have gone better" you answered sinking onto the stool before her. You quietly poured out your heart about what happened. She stood there and listening only pursing her lips occasionally. "None of this would have happened if Weasley would have just let me drop the class" you finished with a sigh. Sirona just stood there watching you, like she was expecting you to have some kind of epiphany.

"Just say what you want to say Sirona, your silence is deafening" you snort making her smile 

"Do you really think, this wouldn't have happened if you'd have dropped the class. One way or another you'd have come to blows. Everything is still too raw between the two of you.....and neither if you can seem to let things go" taking her towel she wipes the condensation from under your tankard of butterbeer as you lifted it to your lips.

"He let things go months ago" you mutter taking a long drink. You see her raise her eyebrow knowing things you don't seem to

"Well for someone who let things go, he seemed to be here every night you were working over the summer, upstairs but he was here and only on nights you were working" you are mouth drops open "I didn't tell you as I didn't want to upset you further and he wasn't causing any trouble but.....it seems that now, you need to know my friend" 

You sit quietly processing the information Sirona had just dropped on you. Why had he been here? He ended things with you, he stopped caring, stopped loving you.....hadn't he?

Bidding the hostess goodnight, you flooed back to Hogwarts, deciding to stay in the Room of Requirement for the night and tend to your beasts. After feeding and grooming them for several hours you head to the bed the room presented you last year when you needed it most after that fateful night. 

Why had Aesop been watching you? Why had he refused to let you leave his class? If he did still have feelings for you, why had he treated you so in class? You reach for the locket that hung around you neck and open it, inside was a charmed photo of the two of you looking at the camera then each other.

Sighing heavily you close up the locket and tucked it back away beneath your shirt, you closed your eyes and drifted into an unsettled sleep. 

[illneverbesorry]

Don't Stand So Close To Me - Part 2

Don't Stand So Close To Me - Part 2

Warnings - Swearing, teacher/student relationship

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4,

________________________________________________

Your cheeks hurt from the smile that had yet to leave your face since returning to Hogwarts, you had dreaded this moment all summer, but sitting here now you were truly happy. You had kept yourself as busy as possible during the long break, between running through the highlands gathering rare ingredients for Mr Pippin to gathering Beasts for Ms Peck. You had no home to go to, an orphan left completely alone after the death of Fig.

Much to your surprise, and the surprise of many of the Professors, he had made you his benefactor in an amendment he made to his will just a few weeks before his sad passing, having no children or other family of his own. It hadn’t been much, a small cottage in a distant village and some savings, but far more than you had ever expected. It was enough to give you a fresh start after you graduate. Maybe he had realised to seriousness and danger of your situation after all.

Sirona took pity on you, allowing you to stay in a small room she had spare at the Three Broomsticks for help in clearing up and chipping in with cooking for the two of you, she’d become a good friend. Sirona had even helped you go through Fig’s belongings and with selling the cottage to a family that needed it. It was too much for you alone and you couldn’t face living there knowing Fig was gone.

Snapping back to reality, you hear your name being called. Looking over your shoulder you see Natty running towards you. You leap from the floor brushing the dust from your legs and meet her in a tight hug.

“It is so good to see you, my friend! I have missed you so”

“I’ve missed you too Natty” you smile pulling away and dragging her towards your group of friends

She tells you all about her trip back home with her mother, and how she was finally able to go to her father’s grave and that it had brought her some peace.

“But how are you Y/n, at the start of summer you seemed so sad?” holding back a grimace at the memories that flood your mind so put on a tight smile.

“I’m doing better Natty, I…wasn’t in a good place but I’m trying to move forward now”

Natty smiles and reaches for you newly styled hair “Yes I can see you have made some changes; it suits you my friend” (deliberately left this vague – imagine a new cut or perhaps a new colour – just different)

You all spent hours talking before heading to the Great Hall for dinner and the sorting ceremony. You could feel Sharp’s eyes burn into you as you sat there smiling and clapping the new students.

After Black’s customary annoyingly long speech your all headed your separate ways to your dorms but before you could leave the Great Hall, Professor Weasley called for you. You follow her to her office, making polite small talk as you walk but you get a sinking feeling in your stomach.

“Now Y/n. I have reviewed your request I received this summer and I must say I was shocked, wanting to drop you NEWT Potions class, especially after getting an O in your Owls it seems to come so naturally to you” She folds her hands calmly over the letter.

“Yes Professor, I did some thinking and…. I just can’t see myself needing it and as I’ve taken on so many other classes….” you hurried for an excuse, in all honesty you hadn’t been expecting to be called out on it like this you’d been expecting an owl in return.

Professor Weasley watched you closely, as if she knew something she couldn’t have possibly known.

“Well, I spoke to your other Professors including Professor Sharp and we are all in agreement that giving how you’re already a year into your NEWT classes and the fact that you caught up so effortlessly your first year with us, we feel you will handle all of your classes perfectly well and succeed in your NEWTs.” She smiled as though she had just solved all of your problems “However Professor Sharp did mention that if you feel you needed the extra help, he’d be very happy to assist you after classes had ended”

You force a smile onto your face, Merlin’s beard did she really need to involve the entire staff? Let alone HIM?! To use a muggle expression, it’ll be a cold day in hell before you ask him for help. You’d rather fail than admit weakness to him. Childish? Maybe, but you had tried to leave the damned class so this could all be avoided.

The next morning you skip breakfast, instead feeling the need to slowly get ready for the day instead of sitting in the loud Hall. You made your way to the library once you’d dressed to meet Natty as you both had a free period. You flop down at the table, all the joy you felt to be back at Hogwarts yesterday gone.

“I take it the meeting with Professor Weasley did not go well?” Natty asks watching you closely

“No, she won’t let me drop potions. I really don’t want to sit that class this year” you sigh, Natty didn’t understand your reasoning as obviously she had no idea about your former relationship.

“I still don’t understand, potions is one of your best subjects. I know Imelda made a few nasty comments ‘Teacher’s pet’ and such but surely that can’t be the reason?” you clench your jaw when Natty mentions Imelda, she was the start of the whispers and snickers that drove a wedge between you and Aesop to begin with. “Did Sharp do something? Say something?  My friend, if something happened, if something is wrong, I would have you tell me”

“No Natty, its nothing like that” you try to calm your friends mind “I just wanted to be done with it. But what’s done is done. You’re my partner though, Garreth can sod off and find someone else, you’re going to keep me sane his year”

The joke about Garreth broke the tension and the conversation could move on. You wish you could tell her the truth, you guessed that was always part of the problem, things were always going to be a secret.

Your classes flew by and the final lesson of the day came around far too quickly. Potions.

You skulk into the room and see Natty had already grabbed a desk, you hurry over and take the seat next to her just in time to see Garreth walk up and glare at you. You smirked at him and waved him on, if you were going to have to sit in this room again when it was filled with memories that now cause your heart to ache you were going to do it with one of your best friends by your side.

You hear his footsteps behind you before you hear his voice and your entire demeaner changes. The smiles and giggles gone and in place was a stone face and emotionless expression.

“This term we shall begin with brewing an extremely powerful sleeping draught, Draught of the Living Death, you may begin” his voice and tone still sent shivers up your spine. You tear your eye away from him as he lowers himself into his chair.

You pick up your potions book and begin to pull out your ingredients, you freeze when you see that you lack two of them. “Shit” you mumble, this was not a good start.

“What’s wrong?” Natty whispers pretending to look down at her book

“I don’t have all of the ingredients; I wasn’t expecting to be here I didn’t get them” you sigh rubbing your forehead.

“I’m sorry Y/n I don’t have extras” Natty panicked for you. You squeeze her arm kindly and sit back down closing your book. You get a few frowns and odd looks from a few classmates but ignore them.

You look over at Sharp, knowing he’s been watching you since class began. Holding his gaze firmly you offer no clear explanation for your lack of work.

“Does there seem to be a problem Miss L/n? or do you simply feel like taking a rest in my class?” your eyes burn into his, the class goes deadly silent…. he’s never called you out like this before.

“It seems sir, that I am lacking a few ingredients, since I wasn’t planning on being here, I didn’t collect them”   

“I do not allow poor planning as an excuse; you will be completing this potion during detention tomorrow evening when you have bought the ingredients….and that will be 20 house points” murmurs of shock filled the room. He wasn’t even that harsh with Garreth after a bad experiment. “Back to work the rest of you”

You hear a snicker from behind you “Looks like she not Teacher’s Pet now” Imelda laughed to her friend; your blood boiled.

“Shut it Imelda, don’t you have some time trials to beat?” you smirk, knowing that she still had yet to beat your course speeds 2 years on, making her glare at you and mess up the boiling of her potion.

“Miss L/n, I’ll see you after class” Sharp called across the room.

After most of the students had fled the room Natty moved to stand “Shall I wait for you outside?”

“No this could take a while; I’ll meet you in the Great Hall” she nodded and left, casting a worried glance over her shoulder.

You watched the door close before getting to your feet and walking confidently over to Sharp’s desk. He annoyingly didn’t even look up; you huffed and cleared your throat only for his to raise his hand silencing you.

Clenching your teeth you try to resist calling him an ass, knowing you’d only have to spend more time in detention with him. After keeping you waiting a few more seconds you raised his wand and cast a silencing charm around the room. ‘Ah’ you thought ‘so he’s expecting a full-blown screaming match’

“I expect an explanation Y/n” he said calmly placing his wand down on the desk.

“I’m not sure what further explanation I can offer you sir” you sneer the word out pettily “I didn’t have the ingredients as I was not expecting to be in this class”

“Not about the ingredients about the letter you sent Weasley, trying to drop my class?” you rolled your eyes “you don’t think that was being a little dramatic” you snap your eyes back to his, trying to hold back your temper.

“Let me think, do I think wanting to not be in the presence of the man who broke my heart for any longer that needed to be dramatic? No” you paused causing him to look down in shame but you weren’t done “Do I think not wanting to be in this damn blasted room several times a week when it is full of memories that only cause me pain, dramatic? No, I do not.” You take a breath to fight off the tears that are threatening to form in your eyes.

“But what I do think it dramatic is my Professor being unnecessarily cruel and keeping me here against my will. You have several students drop this class in their second NEWTs year so don’t act like its taboo to do so. You told me yourself last year you expect at least 3 students in their 7th year to drop your class. So why deny me?” his eyes were sad and wide as he sat there and listened to you pour out your heart.

“Why do you insist on punishing me? You made your choice, so why wont you let me make mine?” you begged in a hushed voice

Aesop couldn’t answer, how could he tell you the truth after breaking you like he did. How could he tell you that he couldn’t make it through the day knowing you were in the same castle if he didn’t see you? How he still wakes from nightmares of that night and then lies awake with tears in his eyes? How can he say he’s sorry, that he loves you so much it hurts to breathe without you next to him. That he can’t go into his art room anymore because the drawing he did of you is still on the easel and he can’t bear to look at it.

How can he tell you he’s been watching you from the shadows and not just since school returned, how he stood over the railings in the Three Broomsticks every night when you worked. Or how he’d wait until he’d seen you return there at night after a day for foraging. What would you think of him?

“I expect you back here tomorrow evening with all ingredient to complete your detention. You may go”

You shake your head to him and walk away, swinging open the door and pressing your back to the cold stone outside the classroom. You breathe heavily and slam you hand over you mouth to hold in the sobs trying to leave your throat.  Why couldn’t your heart just let him go?

Sharp runs his hand through his beard and he hears you leave the room. What he wouldn’t give to go back to that day and just keep his mouth shut, he’d not only lost you, he’d changed you. Yes, you laughed and smiled with your friends but you were hardened. He’d made so many promises to himself this year, to keep his distance, to be professional and courteous but it seems all of those promises flew out of the window the second he caught scent of your perfume as he walked past your table in class. The only spec of light in his dark mind now was while you stood there and berated him, his eyes caught glimpse of the locket he bought you, maybe he did still hold a small place in your heart, and what he wouldn’t give to earn it back.

[illneverbesorry]

Don't Stand So Close To Me

Don’t Stand So Close to Me - Part 1

Warning; - Mentions of thoughts/attempt of Suicide, Teacher-Student relationship.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,

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He hadn’t meant to hurt you so by pulling away, but he could already see the suspicion in the eyes of your fellow classmates. Now all he could do to try and ease his own broken heart was to watch you from the shadows in silence.

Now a 7th Year, you’d truly bloomed and blossomed into an even more beautiful rose and that was part of the problem. Aesop found it harder and harder to hide his affections for you, from his eyes lingering far longer that appropriate for a teacher to the constant half smile that graced his lips when he so much as heard your name even now, months on from the moment he ruined his own life.

Sadly, in Hogwarts, rumours can become cemented into the minds of even the staff if its spread with enough conviction. Whispers started with the words ‘Teacher’s Pet’ and Aesop knew it wouldn’t be long before even Black would take notice. He was left with only one choice if he was to save your reputation, he had to sacrifice his heart.

***

“We can’t go on like this Y/N” he whispered one night into his drink while you were curled up on the sofa with a book in his private chambers. Your head snapped up so fast you feared your neck would break

“What?” you whisper back in fear, you’d dreaded this moment, always fearing that one day he’d come to his senses and move on from the young, inexperienced fool you were.

“There’s already talk of a relationship between a teacher and a student and fingers are being pointed all over, its only a matter of time before they figure it out. Best to just end things now. Its best for both of us” he said turning towards the fire so you couldn’t see the tears glistening in his eyes.

“You’re just giving up? After everything? Don’t you love me anymore?” you tried to fight back the tears, but you couldn’t hide the tremble in your voice.

“Like I said, this is for the best. No point delaying the inevitable” he dances around your question, knowing he couldn’t lie to you.

“Please just tell me” you begged, moving to stand behind him, wanting nothing more than to wrap your arms around him and take comfort.

“No” Sharp simply answered, you took that simple word as your answer – his love for you was now gone, when in truth he was simply refusing to answer it at all. But he knew it was the escape clause he needed. He wouldn’t ruin your life any more than he had already.

With a gasp of anguish, you grabbed the few things you had kept there and made your way to leave his room for the last time, casting a disillusionment charm you whisper as you step out of the door “I’ll never be sorry”

You never hear his reply of “Neither will I” before he burst into tears and fell to his knees.

****

Everything had started so innocently; he can remember the chill that ran up his spine even now, when in your 6th year Poppy Sweeting came bounding up to him crying that you’d gone to astronomy tower in a zombie like state. Sharp knew what you planned to do before Miss Sweeting could even finish her sentence. Flooing as far as he could and running the rest of the way his leg be damned.

How he’d reached you in time he’ll never know, but he thanked Merlin that you were still gripping the railings and hadn’t heard him rush over to you, wrapping his arms around your waist he tugged you away from the ledge. You’d begged and screamed for him to let you go, but he just held you firm falling to the floor with you in despair. You cried for hours, sat on that floor, your face buried in Aesop’s chest. You were so young, too young to have lost so much, so quickly.

You followed him aimlessly when later he led you to the dungeons, the place that would become your sanctuary from that night on. He made you tea and he just listened. You poured out your heart and pain, you hadn’t had anyone just listen to you before.  

Fig was a great mentor but you always felt you HAD to please him, do what he wanted. You never felt like you could ever really talk to him, especially about your magic. Such a gift as he saw it, not the curse you’d come to see it as.

Sebastian was the same, he saw your magic as this Holy answer to his problems. The Keepers saw you as their saviour. You were so much to so many people. You felt you had no choice but to use this magic to help the wizarding world. Saving hamlets from spiders, dispatching ashwinders and poachers, saving beasts and most importantly saving the school from Ranrok and goblin rebellion….but it was never enough, there was always more and you were so tired.  

So Sharp became what no one else was to you, a lifeline. The one thing you could cling onto and tell him how you felt, how scared you were, how angry you were. You told him everything, and it took him all of his strength not to find those four abandoned frames in the map chamber and burn their remains. How dare they put so much onto your shoulders?! Apparently, it was too much for the four of them to handle but they were fine with dropping it at the feet of a young woman.

You both dropped into a routine, you’d meet every evening for tea, you’d help tidy the dungeon and just relax. You wouldn’t always talk, sometimes just being in each other’s presence was enough to ease two wounded souls.

Then the worst possible thing that could have happened to Sharp did so, your 17th birthday.

He didn’t know what he was thinking getting you such a gift. Hardly something appropriate for a man of his age to be getting a young woman, let alone a teacher for a student. But he’d seen it in a boutique window and he could almost see the smile on your face and had to buy it. It was a golden locket probably the most expensive gift he’d ever bought anyone but he couldn’t pass it up. It was perfect.

He wrapped it and hidden it in his desk draw ready for your nightly visit. He felt almost giddy, he knew he was getting in too deep and the fact that you were now of age would only make things harder for him. You most likely saw him as another father figure like Fig, the very thought made his heart ache but it was probably for the best. He was a broken man, permanently injured and scarred, what would a young woman like you ever see in him. A gentle knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts, he smiled despite his dark thoughts and called you in.

“I have something for you” Aesop spoke after a while of jovial conversation about your day “Happy Birthday Y/n”

You sat slacked jawed staring at the box in his hands, you hadn’t expected a gift from him, the thought that he’d carefully picked it out for you gave you butterflies. You gently take them gift smiling brightly at him, tearing into the paper and gasping as you saw the contents. It was stunning, something you always wished you could have bought yourself.

“It’s beautiful! Will you help me?” you asked taking the locket from its velvet box. Moving slowly Aesop took the chain from your hands and fastened it around your neck. You bit your lip when you felt his finger graze over your skin. “How does it look?” you ask turning to face him.

“Perfect” He answered but his gaze never left our face, wanting nothing more than to commit this intimate moment to memory.

Smiling up at him you reached up on your tiptoes and kissed his cheek, your lips gently brushing over his scar. You heard his breath hitch and froze, you slowly looked up at him. You saw reflected in his eyes what you knew was in yours and took the leap pressing your lips against his. Sighing contently Aesop wrapped his arms around you pulling you close.  That one sweet kiss would be the start of his downfall.

***

Smiling to himself in the shadows of the clock tower where he watched you and your friends become reacquainted after the summer. He missed you so, even after breaking both your hearts the rumours didn’t stop. He’d lost you for nothing and he doubted you’d ever forgive him for betraying your heart as he did. Turning to walk away, he didn’t see your eyes snap up to the rafters watching him leave, your fingers idly playing with the locked around your neck as your heart called out for his.

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Please let me know what you think? i havent written in forever and am hella rusty so sorry for any mistakes! LOVE!