Of course, by then the rumor mill was starting up again. The boy from Wolf Hall who had poked his head out while we were delivering mail was at least open about it: He stopped me as I got out of breakfast. "Are you married to him?"
He at least needed to ask a complete question. "Who?"
"Professor Grabiner. Are you married to him? I heard some people say you were, but I didn't believe it, and then I saw you this morning…"
I laughed. "This morning I was helping a Professor with a job that is normally a student's responsibility, because you haven't had a chance to decide who's job it is going to be. But to answer your question, yes, I am married to him. It's a long story, but I made a stupid mistake that meant we had to get married, or I would die. After a year married to him, I'll be safe."
"Oh. So you don't like him either."
"I wouldn't say that: He is a good person, and I think I can say he's my friend. He is someone I enjoy talking to, and I wasn't helping him just because he wanted help."
"Oh. But you aren't sleeping with him or anything like that."
At that I had to roll my eyes. "No, I sleep in a dorm room. With my two roommates, who I'm sure can prove that."
"You've been asked all this before, haven't you?"
"It made a bit of a splash when it happened last year, yeah. You are more polite than most of them, even if you still haven't told me your name."
That brought a blush to his cheeks. "Sorry. I'm Liam, Liam Flores." He put out a hand, which I took.
"Well, Liam, I'm Susan. I'm not sure whether to use 'Rose' or 'Grabiner', most of the time though. Are you a Wildseed?"
His expression of confusion answered my question. "It means your parents don't have any magic, so you grew up without it. You look a bit over-awed by all of this yet. Don't be: It's just something else to learn about, and there's not much that you actually have to know that a Wildseed won't know about. Don't rush into things without thinking, and you'll be fine."
"If that's the case, why were you in a situation where you had to marry Professor Grabiner to save your life?"
"Because I was an ignorant Wildseed girl who rushed into things without thinking about them first." I laughed back at him. "And even then, I had the bad luck to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But if I had thought first, I would never have been in any danger."
"Oh."
"Look, if think you need to, feel free to come ask me about anything that confuses you. I won't promise I know the answers, and if it's classes the Professors are definitely better to talk to, but I'll try to help make sure you get up to speed on this whole magic world stuff."
"Really? Thanks! Um. About Professor Grabiner…"
I put on a patient face.
"Everyone says he's so nasty, and you actually like him, so… How do you keep from getting into trouble with him?"
"I've been in trouble with him lots of times. Just remember you don't get into trouble with him for no reason: The rules he enforces are there to keep you safe. Admit where you were wrong, don't try to justify yourself, and think before you act. If you can do that, you'll rarely get into real trouble with him. Oh and," I leaned in close, pretending to give a secret. "He has a temper. Never argue with him when he is angry."
His eyes went wide. "You argue with him?"
"Only when he's wrong and not listening. And I'm not going to do it for anyone else: You have a problem with him, take it to him yourself. Or to Professor Potsdam, if you think that's better. Don't think that just because I'm his wife and his friend I can get you out of trouble. I would get into trouble if I tried, I'm sure."
"Ok. Um, thank you, and sorry for bothering you, Susan."
"No problem, and I know the Freshman class will have lots of questions about me and…" I stopped myself from saying 'Hieronymus', "Professor Grabiner. You weren't here last year, and I'm sure people are making up stories, just to impress or scare you."
He bobbed his head again and left. Had I really been so young last year?
Though maybe that was an unkind thought: Liam reminded me a lot of Manuel, actually. Some people are just more innocent.
And asking a girl if she had married the meanest, scariest teacher in the school couldn't have been the easiest thing to do, either.
"I hear that you've been talking to the Freshmen about us."
He was sitting on his bed, drinking his cup of tea. I was at his desk in the chair with mine. "Just one, so far. Liam Flores, he was the one who peeked his head out this morning when we were delivering the mail. He came up to me after breakfast and asked if I was married to you." I shrugged. "I was expecting the rumors to start up again. I thought getting the real story out would help a bit. Besides, he had asked."
Hieronymus 'hhmmed' a moment, taking a drink.
"I did make one mistake talking to him though, which I hope you'll forgive me."
"And what mistake was that?"
"I told him never to argue with you when you are angry."
"I recall you doing that very thing, on occasion. You think this was bad advice?"
"No, but it was clear that he would never have thought to argue with you at all if I hadn't said anything. So I am apologizing for implying to him that it is possible to argue with you."
It didn't rate a laugh, but it did rate a smile. "And do you think he will attempt to use your advice?"
"Honestly, no. I made it clear that even if I was legally your wife, and possibly your friend, that did not mean I could stay out of trouble with you. I think he will take that as meaning the best way to avoid trouble with you is to stay within the rules."
"And what did you say on that issue?"
"I told him that the rules were for his safety, and that they really aren't as hard to follow as they sound. As long as you think about what you are doing, of course. I, um, implied that was knowledge learned the hard way."
Which did get a chuckle.
"Is there any particular reason he is so scared of you already? Or is he just hearing stories?"
He thought for a quick moment. "Nothing in particular, although he has been in my classes more than twice already, and I have had opportunity to give out demerits in class several times. He wasn't the recipient, but he probably saw it happen."
"So, just a product of your normal routine to scare all the new students."
"Quite."
I decided I had said enough, so I waited. "Well, I don't think this one event will irreparably harm the discipline of this school. I suppose I can overlook the lapse."
"Thank you, you are as magnanimous as ever."
He got the sarcasm. "It does bring up the issue of how we want the student body to view us, however."
"I thought you had been very clear on that issue last year."
"Yes, well…" He appeared to have trouble completing the thought. "I am not in the habit of making friends with students, under normal circumstances. Given our situation, the fact that you can claim that title may make people believe that you can claim more, or that you may be able to intercede on their behalf."
"As for interceding on their behalf: My plan was simply to refuse to do so, on the grounds that I am likely to get in trouble as well as them if I try. As for claiming more than friendship… If it's your reputation I you are worried about, I am sure Ellen and Virginia will be willing to verify my sleeping arrangements."
"These are the same Ellen and Virginia who managed to convince most of the student body that you had vacated your room for parts unknown the day the news of our situation became public."
"Are you impinging their honor?"
"No; I am questioning their believability. They are known to be your friends, and to have covered for you before. There will be those who disbelieve their protestations."
"It's impossible to convince everyone, if they don't want to be convinced. At least Angela has graduated."
That got the corner of his mouth to lift. "Yes, Miss Kirsch did seem intent on believing the worst of us, didn't she? If she had put that effort into her studies, she might have done better; Petunia almost held her for summer sessions."
"Really?"
"Are you impinging my honor?" He raised an eyebrow at me, and I rolled my eyes. "In truth, it wasn't all that likely: Her desire to be noticed was generally enough to make her want to shine academically as well. It was only in my classes where she had slipped."
"Where she could no longer be the center of attention — unless she was working on gossip instead of studies."
"Quite. But this isn't answering the issue I raised, other than to confirm that neither of us want to imply that we have an, um, 'active' marriage."
"Well, I know I would like to be able to think of you as a friend, at least. And I don't think it's inappropriate for teachers to be friends with their students. Professor Potsdam is friendly enough, at least."
"Yes, well… Petunia is 'friends' with everyone, by default. One of her more aggravating qualities. However, I would not be displeased if you claim that title in public."
Which was a stronger endorsement than I had expected: He wanted to be thought of as my friend. "Then we will be friends, at least." I finished my tea. "And, I should get going, unless we want people to decide my sleeping arrangements are irrelevant to whether we have an 'active' marriage."
He rose to see me to the door. "Have a good day, then. And I am sorry the conversation was devoted to 'business': It wasn't my intent. It has been pleasant to see you again."
"It is always pleasant to see you as well, Hieronymus. Perhaps our next visit can be more… social."
"Till then, then."
"See you."
Author's Notes: The Freshmen start out a bit childlike in this story, for various reasons. Some get over it quicker than others.
And I pick on Angela a bit, but I plan to make you sorry for her by the time I'm done. ;)
