Once she had tried to follow him, to find his chambers—but he picked up on her pursuit, and changed course in the castle, making for the kitchens, at the kitchens she watched him take a cup of tea and a biscuit from the house elf who bowed low and looked entirely too honored to be serving him. When he finished he walked up and down staircases, past several of the newly obtained suits of armor and the statues that had yet to be placed throughout the castle. She stood looking angrily at a statue of the One-eyed Witch.

“Look at this,” Rowena said pointing to the parchment on top, “Cuthbert Binns, applying for the position of History Professor.”

“Yes, his application essay is nearly six scrolls long,” she said rubbing her temples. “I could not finish it last night, so I’m afraid I will have to dash off and finish reading it now.”

“Salazar,” she breathed, as he seized her urgently about the waist and kissed her deeply. His lips crushed against hers again and again as she released little moans of excitement. When at last he broke the kiss he felt the thrill of triumph as she gripped on to him with trembling arms to steady herself.

He had done it! Fire had consumed water. And now it was time to fan the flames.