When Awen opened her eyes again, she was able to just catch the last ray of the sun before it disappeared into the horizon. The bed felt comfortable. That's strange, Awen thought. Her bed never felt comfortable. Suddenly, she realised that this wasn't her bed. Panicked, she looked around her surroundings. She could see a candlelight flickering next to a great stack of books, and a shadow next to it, hunched over the desk.
Oh no, she thought. I'm in his room. What am I doing here? What happened?
The last thing Awen remembered was feeling dizzy, and everything going black. Potsdam must've insisted in bringing me here, Awen thought. Hieronymous would never even offer it to her, not in a million years. I must get out before he notices, Awen thought. In hindsight, that was a very silly thing to do. She started to move when she felt a sharp shooting pain near her right shoulder. Without thinking, Awen cried out in pain. The shadow immediately turned around.
'You are awake.' Hieronymous said, curtly. He still was avoiding addressing her by name. Awen opened her mouth to respond, but the pain returned. What had happened? She didn't remember falling and hitting her shoulder…
'I suggest you not to move.' Awen looked down. She felt so embarrassed and ashamed. Why was she in his bed? 'Professor Potsdam should be here soon with some potion and your dinner.'
'I, uh, I am so, so sorry, Professor.' Awen started. 'I didn't mean to cause you any inconvenience…' Awen finished. She couldn't look him in the eye, in fear that he would give her his famous death stare. The death stare he gave her when Minnie told the entire school of her marriage to him. For a moment, uncomfortable silence filled the room.
'It isn't your fault. After all, that wretched women insisted that you should be taken care of.' Hieronymous responded with a sigh. Awen couldn't tell whether he was resigned or exasperated at the situation. 'How are you feeling?'
'My right shoulder – I must've fallen on it – it hurts.' Awen stammered. Hieronymous closed his book with a sigh, stood up, and walked up to the bed. Awen panicked.
'No, no I am fine… I don't wish to disturb your, uh, reading….' Awen's voice trailed off as she started to blush. It was only yesterday they kissed, and now, she was in his bed. What a bizarre turn of events! Awen thought. How embarrassing!
'Let me have a look at your shoulder.' Hieronymous said. 'Can you sit up?' Awen nodded, and exerted herself to lift her torso up from the bed. The pain returned, and tears started to form in her eyes.
'Idiot girl! You should've said no. It was a question, not a command.' Hieronymous gritted under his breath.
'I'm sorry, sir…'
'Stay still. I'm going to cast some healing spells. Where's that woman when I need her! My green magic isn't as good as Professor Potsdam's, but I'll try something.' Hieronymous muttered. Awen could hear him muttering some words, perhaps some enchantment. A warm sensation filled her right shoulder. She immediately felt much better.
'I suggest that you sit up, but not to move from the bed.' He said. 'Until Professor Potsdam returns.' He added hastily.
Awen nodded; quickly propping herself up against the stacks of pillow while the green magic was working. She couldn't help but shoot a quick look at his face. Was he worried? Awen thought she saw a tinge of concern before realising that she was staring. Awen looked away, blushing.
At that moment, there was a brisk knock on the door and she heard Potsdam's voice.
'Hieronymous! It's me. Is Awen awake?' Hieronymous sighed and opened the door.
'About time you arrived. Yes. The girl has been awake for good five minutes.' Potsdam looked at Awen, then Hieronymous, and smiled.
'Ah, Hieronymous, isn't spending quality time amazing?' Potsdam beamed. Hieronymous grunted.
'She seemed to have hurt her right shoulder. I've casted Numb, however I believe this is your area of expertise.' Hieronymous said.
'Oh, I'm sure you're as equally good in green magic as I am, Hieronymous.' Potsdam said, still smiling. 'Here. Awen. Drink this. This should help with your headache and your shoulder.' Awen was handed a tiny black potion bottle. She grudgingly drank the content, and squinted her eyes. What poison was she giving out?
'That's disgusting!' She cried. Potsdam looked at her.
'Good things always taste bitter. You should know that by now!' Potsdam waved her finger in front of her as she took the bottle away. Hieronymous looked indifferent to the situation. It was so difficult to see what he was thinking. Awen blushed again. Why was she blushing? The marriage was temporary, and there was no reason to think that Hieronymous had same feelings for her as Awen did for him. Awen nodded, and looked at Potsdam. Perhaps Potsdam wasn't trying to poison her after all. She was starting to feel better with mobility slowly returning to her arm.
'I feel so, so much better, thanks to you.' Awen said sincerely. 'Now, I must get going, after all, I need to unpack my suitcase again…' Awen started, as she tried to get out of the bed.
'Don't get up, sweetheart. I think you've sprained your shoulder and it's best to get some bed rest. I think Hieronymous should be looking after you for the next couple of days. The school's over, so there is no need to be secret about this - and as I was saying before, this would be a great time for both of you to get to know each other.' Potsdam said. Awen looked at Potsdam, with her eyes wide open. She couldn't believe this woman. Was she really a headmistress? She could not share a room with a grown man, let alone his bed! What would her parents think!
'Petunia, you're going too far with this.' Hieronymous growled. 'I wish to be left alone. You know as well as I do that I enjoy my privacy!' He raised his voice. Awen flinched. She wasn't used to people shouting, and that made her uncomfortable.
'Now, now, Hieronymous, remember your vows. You offered her your protection and wisdom. Now might be a good time to actually put that in use!' Potsdam said. 'Look at Awen! You've scared the poor girl.' Awen blushed again. 'Isn't it lucky that she'll be staying in the academy during summer? She can stay here, with you, and no one will bother both of you, since nearly all first years have returned home now. It'll be a good time to spend time together, and get to know each other. There's only one way to do that. Since you're an expert at avoiding people, this really is the best solution!' Potsdam finished.
Awen wanted to run away as fast as possible, but her injury prevented her from doing so. God dammit! She thought. Why am I always getting into sticky situation?
'And why do you think, Petunia, that I'll comply with this absurd request?' Hieronymous snorted.
'Because Aloysius is visiting soon. Surely you've not forgotten.' Potsdam replied. Aloysius? Awen thought. Isn't that his father? Hieronymous dropped his book. For a moment, Awen thought that he was going to shout at Potsdam again. The tension in the room increased.
'I will NOT be sharing my bed.' Hieronymous muttered. Awen was surprised at how yielding he was towards Potsdam. It was as if she was his mother. Potsdam had such effect on people, but Awen never thought it'd work on Hieronymous as well.
'Hieronymous, try to be logical here. It's 7pm at night, and no shops are open at this time of the night for you to go and get a spare bed.' Potsdam said, with a bit of annoyance in her voice. The pinks in her hair was starting to turn to dark red colour. Awen never knew Potsdam's hair could change colour until today. This was getting rather interesting.
'We can teleport her bed into the room, if you so insist, Petunia.' Hieronymous replied with equal annoyance in his voice.
'You know as well as I do that student beds aren't designed for such injury Awen has.' Potsdam replied. Hieronymous didn't respond. Instead, he glared at Potsdam. Awen was sure that she was going to receive 10, no 20 demerit points for this. Why was Potsdam being so difficult? Awen thought. Has she finally lost it?
After a minute of tensed silence in the room, Potsdam clapped her hands and beamed.
'Well, that's settled then. I'll leave you two lovebirds alone for the night! Awen, your suitcase is just outside the door – I'm sure Hieronymous will assist you with that. Good night, you two!' Potsdam winked and left.
Awen felt uncomfortable. She didn't want to look at Hieronymous. He must really, really hate me now. Awen thought. And to spend next couple of days, no, next couple of months in a same room with him! Fancy that!
A sudden pang in her stomach made her realise that she was hungry. Potsdam left the tray on the desk Hieronymous was sitting. She wanted to get up and get it herself, but did not dare to move in case the pain returned. She could cast Fetch, however she didn't want to ruin his bedsheets either. After tossing between getting up and asking Hieronymous, Awen meekly asked.
'Uh, Professor, do you mind if I have some dinner?' Awen looked at him. For the first time that night, Hieronymous looked Awen in the eyes, and sighed.
'You don't have to keep on calling me Professor or Sir, Awen. In privacy of our room, and during summer vacation, you can call me by my first name. I'll still expect you to respect me in front of other students, however.' He replied, with a soften gaze. Awen smiled nervously. Perhaps he didn't want Potsdam to find out about last night's kiss. It wasn't going to be that bad, after all.
'Petunia brought you some soup, but I'm going to go downstairs and grab proper meal. Do you wish to have this, or would you rather I bring you what I'm having?' Hieronymous asked. Awen hesitated. Why was he being so nice? It wasn't his nature to be nice to anyone, especially her.
'I don't like soups…' Awen started. Hieronymous stood up.
'That's settled. I'll take this down and bring you something more edible. Despite what Petunia said, I think you'll be fit to move now. Just don't over-exert yourself. I'll bring your suitcase in, and you can use the facilities in this room at your leisure. The bathroom is through the left door. I'll return soon.' Hieronymous said, as the suitcase was brought into the room, possibly by teleportation.
Awen blushed again. She would have to go to bathroom in his room. Gosh, she thought, since when did I blush so much?
'Of course – before I forget, I'll make a space in the room to put your things away. I'm a very particular person, Awen. I'd rather that you not touch my belongings. You can put your things in this wardrobe. You'll find that it is bigger than it looks, so you will be able to fit most of your things in. If not, let me know and I'll see what I can do.' Hieronymous said, pointing to a small wardrobe in the corner. It did look small, but Awen knew better than say anything other than nod. With that, he left, closing the door behind him silently.