A/N: Hello, everyone! This is my first fanfiction, so go easy on me! I started writing because I love reading fanfiction, and there seems to be a horrible lack of Hophie out there. I don't think there's going to be any smut, as such, but this isn't going to be totally family friendly, either. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own SGE, or any of its characters or events. But I bet you already knew that, you clever reader.
Chapter 1: Dates, Resentment and Chocolate Pie.
Sophie of Woods Beyond was upset. And she had no idea why. Well, maybe she did. She'd never admit that to herself, though. Let me give you some insight, as your benevolent narrator.
You see, Hort of Bloodbrook, currently residing as history teacher in the School for Good and Evil, had a date. That fact alone was odd in itself. But it just so happened that this date was Sophie's personal least favourite student: Nicola of Woods Beyond.
Really, Sophie thought, That girl shouldn't be let near a civilised community, let alone the most prestigious school in the Endless Woods…
She was shaken out of her reverie by a loud, rather brash knock on the door. Sighing, she took the slices of cucumber off her eyes and strode across her chambers to open it. She was mildly surprised to see the object of her distress – not the girl, the other one – standing on the threshold. Hort raised an eyebrow at the sight of her beauty-masked face and silky robe.
He really shouldn't be surprised.
"Well, what happened? Coming crying to me after your date witnessed your hideous table etiquette? Or did you just realise what a boorish, unrefined, village girl she is?" Sophie drawled, a knowing smirk on her face. "Honestly, it's astonishing how you can settle for the likes of her after you've been in my company," she added with a forced light-heartedness.
Hort cleared his throat, cutting Sophie's tirade short. "Well, actually I was, um, wondering what to wear. And seeing as you're such an, er, expert…"
"Yes, yes, you want my worldly advice." She tried to conceal her disappointment. What is wrong with you? It's not as if you – like him or something. Is it?.
Shaking her head to clear it of unwelcome, downright rebellious thoughts, she gave him the once-over (trying not to notice his toned muscles and thick ebony hair). "Let's see… Well, the pants will have to go. I may have some decent men's clothes back here…"
Later that night, Sophie was gazing idly out the window when she saw two shadows pass that of a deserted corridor of Evil castle. If she strained her ears she could hear chimes of laughter carried on the wind, and later, unmistakable sounds of pleasure.
She turned away in disgust.
You don't like him. You're just… Protective, that's all.
Dot was visiting her friends at school for a week, on a break from her quest. Searching (in vain) for a new school master was getting on the coven's nerves, and they had all agreed that they needed a little time off. Hester and Anadil were in some tourist hotel in Ooty, but Dot had opted to stick to her roots.
So here she was, back in 66 Malice Tower (her presence alone had had the current residents scurrying out – apparently being in a fairy tale had its quirks), just about to settle down with a few prize-worthy pieces of chocolate, when the door burst open. There was a flurry of blonde, and then she was smothered in a hug.
"Hello, darling… Don't want to bother you… Heard you were back… Dying of boredom…" This was about as much as Dot discerned from the moments that followed.
"Where's Hort?" she garbled tactlessly, her mouth already full.
Sophie's face fell. "Ah, well, he's a bit, er, tied up, if you know what I mean. With his new girlfriend." She sniffed at that statement. "Not that I care, I'm just – "
"Would you like some chocolate pie?" Dot interrupted, understanding totally for once.
The last shred of Sophie's dignity was lost as the expression on her face turned desperate. She sighed. "Yes, please."
With that, she plopped down onto the bed next to Dot's, and the friends proceeded to eat and chat their (or more accurately, Sophie's) sorrows away.