A/N: I have no excuse. I'll just point at Theru, XSerac and the rest of the TS crew and their policy on updates (few and far between, but worth it).

Review Responses

DarkDragonDave: Keep pulling!

Tribladeofchaos: Hopefully soon enough…

Daughter of ether: Damn shift button. It's either that or caps lock…

Hellsender: No advertising your own fics in your reviews dude, they should speak for themselves. Thanks for the ego boost anyhow.

Tikigod784: Luke? Unlikely. Last count I have about 20 OCs in this, and only one of them is mine, and he's new to boot.

GaleBread: Subtle. Me. Right.

TzuiAssassian: Thanks for the luck. I'll need it…

Chapter Four

Love Potions Never Help

"Potions are trouble. Romance is trouble. Need I say more?"

Clyde Metro

"T-Takahata-sensei, I, um, that is…" stammered Asuna, feeling herself blush, making sure to keep Negi, holding an ominously bubbling bucket, out of the elder teachers view. "I m-made some tea…it's really good…would you like some?" she asked nervously, taking deep breaths, hoping her crush didn't notice.

The elder teacher took the cup from her hand, sniffed it and smiled knowingly. "This is a Love Potion, isn't it? There's no need for that…"

The long haired girl of 2A blushed even more as she looked at him, half surprised at his words, and the other embarrassed for being found out. Her look became one of outright shock when her love interest added, "I've been in love with you for quite a while now!" with a laugh, coming up close to her. Asuna could feel her heart beating wildly, the blood rushing through her veins as the handsome man leant in close, cupping her chin in his hand.

"Takahata-sensei," breathed Asuna, closing her eyes as she kissed the man she loved.

And opened her eyes.

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" she shrieked, jerking upright, pulling the sheets over her. "What the heck do you think you're doing sleeping in my bed?!"

Sitting up groggily, Negi rubbed his eyes, mumbling "Sis?" He blinked at her blearily, clearing his sight, and was immediately awake. "A-A-Asuna?! I'm sorry! It's just that I'm used to sleeping with sis and…" he explained hurriedly.

"Wh-what?! God, you're such a kid!" snapped his roommate. "I let you use the sofa didn't I?" she added angrily, glancing at the clock next to her bed. "Wah! It's 5am! Konoka, I'm leaving!" she cried, leaping onto the floor and pulling on her morning clothing, dashing out the door.

"Asuna, where are you going?!" asked Negi as the bad-tempered girl slammed the door shut.

"Nnnn, her part time job," answered Konoka drowsily, waking up form all the commotion. Shaking her head at her roommate's behaviour, she got out of bad and put on an apron. "Don't worry, I'll make you breakfast Negi-kun. Do you like your eggs sunny side up or scrambled?"

"Ah, sunny side up," answered the ten year old, smiling. It had been a while since he'd tasted home cooking, several days in fact.

"Roger," smiled his friendlier roommate, walking into the kitchen whilst humming to herself. Negi fell silent and stared out the window at Mahora, his new home, still enshrouded by darkness. The place he had come to work. He sighed quietly and turned around, looking over the room he lived in now, where Asuna and Konoka let him stay. It was a small dormitory, but it had it's own loft, a pair of bunks, and a kitchen and bathroom. Maybe not much, but it was still a home.

"And stay in there!" growled Yuna, slamming the door to the closet shut. That, that, that…ANNOYING man just kept on getting worse and worse! Not only did she have to live with that weirdo now, but he kept humming that damn song! She was sure she knew it, but from where?

"Yuna, you ready?" asked Akira, coming out of the bathroom, dressed in her uniform. The basketball player nodded and grabbed her bag before leaving with her friend. "Oh, by the way, I was meaning to ask you," started the swimmer, "why is there an albino man living in our closet?"

Her friend groaned before answering. "Supposedly he's our new teacher and hasn't got anywhere to stay. So the dean decided that it's ideal for him to stay in our room for some reason."

Akira was quiet for a moment, thinking. "Is it because your father's a teacher?"

Yuna considered this as they left the doors, stepping outside. "Now that you mention it, it could be…but that's not important! The thing is what the heck am I meant to do with him?! He's obviously going to do perverted things to us in our sleep!"

Akira laughed softly. "He doesn't seem like such an animal…"

"That's it! I need to get him a leash and tie it to the closet so he can't go further than two feet from it!" burst out Yuna triumphantly, as if struck by divine inspiration. "Thanks Akira!"

"Yuna, I think that's illegal…"

The school bell tolled. And, as usual, Asuna and Konoka were late. Dashing once more through the streets of the campus, this time with Negi in tow, the girls dodged and weaved between the larger crowds. The smaller gangs just broke apart in front of them. No one got in Asuna Kagurazaka's way when she was running full tilt.

"Ah jeez," she exclaimed, shooting her ten year old homeroom teacher an annoyed glance. "I was late for my job! I should never have agreed to let someone like you stay with us!" she snapped angrily.

"Eh?! But it wasn't my fault!" cried Negi, turning pale as he effortlessly kept up with the taller girls demanding pace.

Skating beside the pair, Konoka just smiled sadly. "You two sure don't get along well…" she said, shaking her head.

Asuna suddenly turned to Negi and whispered so as to make sure Konoka did not overhear. "Hey listen, I'm the only one who knows you're a mage, right? You'd better tone it down or I'll expose you, to the class and the media!"

Negi gulped at the threat as his roommate continued.

"There'll be a mass scandal, and you'll be declared a witch! There will be burnings at the stake, burnings I tell you, burnings!" she continued zealously, panicking Negi further whilst behind her Konoka just tilted her head quizzically, having no clue as to what Asuna was talking about. "Just kidding. But you'd better not get on my bad side!"

Negi gulped and tried to calm his hammering heartbeat. Asuna could be really scary when she wanted to be! He'd have to take extra care to stay in her good graces, speaking of which…

"Um…" he started nervously, leaning in close to Asuna, still easily keeping pace with her. "The love potion we discussed yesterday…what do you want me to do about it? I really can make one in four months you know…"

Asuna blushed slightly as her dream from that morning resurfaced, and the intimacy between her and Takahata-sensei sending a thrill through her body before common sense reasserted itself.

"W…Wh-What the heck are you talking about?!" she exclaimed angrily, thumping him on the back, eliciting a small squeak of protest. "Wasn't it you who said 'A little bit of courage is real magic'? I'll make it happen somehow on my own," she finished in a softer tone, looking at her homeroom teacher with a small measure of respect.

That was incredible! She really is nicer than she looks thought the ten year old to himself, feeling pride well up in his chest for his student as he allowed the girls to run ahead into class to get ready for the day's lessons. I've got to do my best to train as a teacher until March too! I'll become a great mage like my father is one day! Smiling to himself, he trotted over to the lockers, searching for his name. He found it quickly enough, locker 36215, but typically, it was just beyond his reach.

"Good morning Negi-sensei," greeted Ayaka warmly, reaching up and getting his book for him. "I'll show you the way to the classroom," she added, handing him the book as he stammered his thanks, taken aback by her sudden arrival, before remembering his manners.

"Good morning Class rep!" he said brightly, recognizing the blonde fully. She smiled at his recognition as she replied.

"My name is Ayaka Yukihiro. Did you sleep well last night sensei?"

"Ah, yes, very well thank you," he replied, smiling. His student blushed slightly, inwardly squealing at his cuteness as they made their way to the class, and the first of a long series of eventful days.

"Negi, Negi, already establishing yourself amongst the girls I see," muttered the figure to himself, grinning rakishly as he watched the mage walk down the corridor to his class whilst floating outside. He gently followed, his camouflaged green robes appearing to be transparent, shielding him from inquisitive eyes. He briefly considered the possibility of another brawl like yesterday developing, and immediately regretted not bringing any popcorn for the show. His smile quickly morphed into a frown as he shook his head. "Focus! This isn't a reality show, you've got a job to do," he whispered to himself, remembering his purpose for coming here. He looked up at Negi, noting his arrival into the classroom and how the blonde girl with him caught the dusty eraser about an inch above his head. Suppressing a snigger, the youth settled down comfortably on the tree just outside the windows, giving a perfect view of the class. He idly pulled out a lengthy scroll and a quill, and began to write down his observations, taking a pause now and then to confirm what he was seeing, and to doodle. It wasn't like anyone was going to read it anyway. It'd just be labelled and filed like all the others he was sending. Like he cared. He got paid for it, so why complain? He glanced up and brushed a stray blonde hair from his eyes as he peered into the classroom. That orange-haired girl with the pig-tails was trying to read something with great difficulty, shooting Negi looks of pure loathing.

The figure chuckled slightly. "Popular as ever Negi."

Who will watch the watchers? Him.

He was kneeling on the parapet of the Academy roof, immobile and hunched like a gargoyle of old. Brown eyes, hardened by far too many lifetimes simply watching and waiting, stared coolly right through the cloaked figure in the tree. He easily recognized who it was. Green robes, feathered hat. Only one fool tramped around like that. Still, a smile formed on his lips. He had been such a fool once. But no more, he thought as the grin vanished. He pulled out a long scroll and scanned the never-ending list of names. Finally he reached the one he needed and ticked the box labelled "Participating".

"So much to do, so little time," he whispered to himself, flicking open a watch and glancing at the time before stowing it away. "Things are about to pick up…I wonder…" he trailed off, lost in thought. He snapped his fingers as if reaching a decision. "Alright, time to hasten things up a bit," he said quietly, pulling out a small phone from his pocket and flicking it open, dialling in one of over a hundred numbers he'd memorised. The bill alone will cost a fortune, without including the international charges for calling all the way to Wales. Just as the line connected, he felt it. Another point of importance was about to occur. He stood up and ran towards the stairs, just as the person on the other side of the connection spoke.

Negi sat down heavily on the steps surrounding the statue in the middle of the abandoned plaza, sighing as he cradled his head in his hands. "I've done something terrible to Asuna-san again…" he groaned, despair filling his small frame. How was he meant to become a great age if he couldn't even handle being a teacher? "She was glaring at me for the rest of the class, she's not happy with my at all…"

"Umm…Negi-sensei?"

He looked up. "Eh…ah, yes?" he queried politely, smiling. No need to make others worry. His burdens were his own, he thought as he looked at his students.

"Excuse us sensei, we have some questions about today's lesson," said one of the girls, with long hair and glasses. Negi took a moment to place her.

"Ah, sure. You're…Haruna Kiotome, right? Seat 14?"

She grinned slyly at him. "Right, but it's not my question, it's hers," she answered nudging her friend closer. The blushing girl leant in nervously, blushing furiously. Negi cocked his head to one side before smiling brightly.

"Ah, Miyazaki-san, you've changed your hairstyle, haven't you? It really suits you!" he complimented. I'm being nice to girls, just like I promised Sis!

"I told you he'd like it!" burst out Haruna triumphantly, leaning in next to Nodoka and pulling her fringe away form her face. "Don't you think she's cute? She has a cute face but never shows it!"

Unfortunately, his was too much for the timid librarian, who just turned even redder before bolting away.

"Ah, Nodoka!" cried Haruna, setting off after her, Yue in tow. "Sorry about this sensei!"

Negi simply stared, uncomprehending, as the library trio sped off. "What was all that about…?" he wondered out loud, totally oblivious as to what had spooked Nodoka. "Well, if only everyone in class was as well behaved as her…" he thought out loud, feeling his gloominess return as he considered what a mess of things he'd made with Asuna. "What should I do?" he wondered out loud, shoving his hands into his pockets, disturbing something nestled deep within. Curiously, he pulled it out and exclaimed in surprise. "T-these are the magic pills grandfather got me! If I have this, I could make that love potion! Alright! Sis must've slipped these into my bag!" he cried victoriously, unheeding of anyone who could hear him. He paused his rejoicing suddenly as he remembered Asuna's words earlier that day. Perhaps this wasn't enough to earn her forgiveness, but this was all he could do to try to make up to her…

Yawning, the kitten looked up at the albino, her emerald eyes full of boredom. "Oh come on Howell, let's go somewhere!"

The red-eyed man looked down at his familiar blankly. "But turnip-girl told us to stay here," he replied, leaning against the back of the cupboard.

The white cat bristled at the mention of that little brat. "But you're her teacher. She can't order you around. Now let's go for a walk at least. My legs are getting stiff from being stuck here all day." Her guardian just shrugged and pushed the door open and she gratefully leapt out of the dark space. She stretched out again before turning around and shooting the albino a dark look. "Well? Aren't you coming?"

The man seemed to ponder over this for a second before brightening. "Nope," he said with a smile and closed the door. The cat just stood there and stared for five minutes at the closed door, hearing Howell begin to hum a song to himself again. Then with a huff, the kitten turned around and stormed off to the window, and with one graceful leap reached the sill. She turned around and distastefully regarded the little dormitory and frowned darkly before escaping into the harsh bright light of the day.

"Asuna-san!" cried Negi as he burst into the classroom, glancing about frantically, full of enthusiasm.

Sitting in her desk, Asuna growled quietly as he burst in. "…looks like that Negi-brat is back." Then, as Negi approached she turned on her seat and snapped at him. "What do you want?!"

"I did it! I actually did it!" said the boy-teacher, full of excitement but keeping his voice low enough for only the pair of them to hear.

"You did what?" queried Asuna, lowering her voice, resigned to the little mage's next crackpot scheme.

"The love potion!" whispered Negi back excitedly. Yep, another hare-brained scheme it was then. Asuna stood up and began walking towards the door.

"I told you once already! I don't need it!" she hissed angrily, storming off.

"But it's real! Look, you just have to drink a little-" started her teacher, before being abruptly cut off as the tall girl grabbed the tube and poured the contents into his mouth.

"You drink it!" she countered, grinning evilly. Whatever foul trick he was going to play on her was about to backfire spectacularly! "I refuse to drink anything form someone who made my panties 'accidentally' disappear!" she added, turning form him as the boy gagged once and spat out the empty tube. A look of horror passed over his face before being replaced by confusion as nothing happened. "See? Nothing! I don't know what you were planning, but faking potions isn't going to help!"

"S-sorry Asuna-san," said Negi, bowing apologetically, and turned to Konoka, who had tapped him on the shoulder. "Yes, Konoka-san?"

"Negi-kun…now that I've taken a good look at you…you're kinda cute!" said his roommate with a faint blush. Negi simply looked at her uncomprehendingly as she embraced him tightly. Unfortunately, she did so whilst within fifty metres of the class representative.

"W-what are you doing Konoka-san?!" demanded the pretty blonde, slapping her desk for good measure. "Such unbecoming conduct in front of a teacher! I will not tolerate…" she exclaimed, pulling the ten year old from the other girls grasp. "..Negi-sensei accepting anyone's feeling but mine," she finished passionately, falling onto one knee and presenting her sensei with a bouquet of flowers. Asuna stared, slack-jawed as more girls flocked to the little mage, doting upon him.

"Sensei! Please have some! I made it in home economics!" squealed Sakurako, holding out a slice of vanilla cake, bustling with the other third of the Mahora Cheerleading Trio, Misa, also offering her sensei a gift, only that this one was clothes.

The boy was having none of it, immediately realizing the risks, and slipping from Konoka's grasp, dashed out the door, crying for help.

Asuna simply stared in shock. She shook her head to clear it. "Ah geez, guess I have no choice…" she remarked, before being grabbed roughly from behind by Ayaka.

"Asuna-san, where did Negi-sensei go?!" demanded the blonde, trying her best to choke her classmate.

"Get a hold of yourself Class Rep!" snapped Asuna, breaking free and thwacking her nemesis on the head with a mean right hook.

The Observer just stared slack-jawed. "Negi, what have you gotten yourself into?" he asked quietly, watching his friend sprint down the length of the corridor like a panther, being chased by a pack of alarmingly cute girls. Of course, he'd seen the potion, he knew what had happened. It didn't make it any easier though. The fact love potions were illegal only made things worse. The young man felt his resolve harden. Negi was his friend, and only a child, so one or two mistakes were only to be expected. That meant he could turn a blind eye to this particular incident. Or even help out. After all, that's what Observers were for. The blonde grinned as he pulled out the dispelling potion from within his green robes. Standard Observer equipment to deal with maverick mages getting to full of themselves. It should do the trick here…

"Help!!" cried Negi, hurtling down the corridors, his enchanted students hot on his heels. Just then he spotted the girl from earlier walking down the hallway. "Watch out, Miyazaki-san!" he warned her as he shot past. Instead of hanging around to find out what he meant, the timid librarian gave chase, easily matching her teacher's sprint.

"W-what's going on?" she asked tentatively, clutching the books she had to her chest.

Panting heavily, Negi half-turned his head to face her and managed to gasp out. "Need – place – to – hide!"

"If that's the case, this way!" said the girl, grabbing her teacher's hand and leading him down a side passage. The crowd of girls chasing the boy rounded a corner not a moment after and looked around confusedly.

"Eh? Where'd he go?" asked Madoka, her voice tinged with disappointment. Around her the rest of the enamoured girls made similar shows of disappointment before a boy in green robes dropped form the ceiling directly in front of them. Despite the spell, the members of 3A still recoiled in surprise. "Who are you?!"

"Clyde Metro, at your service," said the boy with a polite bow before spraying them with what smelt like window cleaner.

"Whew, thanks Miyazaki-san," said Negi with immense relief as he leant against a towering bookcase.

"It was nothing," replied the librarian, turning from the door. "I've locked us in so we should be ok for now…" she trailed off as she looked at her teacher and suddenly felt her chest tighten and heart beat faster. Negi glanced up and saw her gazing at him in that way.

"Erm, is something wrong?" he asked nervously, edging away from her. She followed, still carrying the dreamy expression he had become all to well acquainted within the past five minutes. With a yelp, he began to run from the usually timid librarian. "ASUNA-SAN!"

"Geez, wherever did that brat get to?" sighed Asuna, glancing around. Maybe I went too far there she thought, remembering how she'd forced him to drink that damned potion. He's just a kid after all…

That's when she heard a terrific bang. Startled, she whirled around, immediately locating the source of the noise. The school library. She ran to the door and tried the knob. It refused to yield. "Damn Negi brat…" she breathed, taking a step away from the door and spinning around, landing a kick dead on, shattering the portal and sending the door flying across the library beyond. It smashed into a pair in a very compromising position as Asuna hollered. "Just what the hell are you doing?!"

"Asuna-san, that's dangerous!" moaned Negi faintly, rubbing his head where the hurtling chunk of wood had impacted. Asuna ignored him and walked over to her classmate, effortlessly lifting her into her arms.

"Sheesh, you're nothing but trouble, you know that?"

"And so begins the relationships the Master Sage foresaw…" muttered the watcher to himself, his pen running down the length of the page until it reached the "Negi/Nodoka" box, and drew a faint tick. Just above that was another pairing, the names blotted and scratched out in absolute disgust. As far as he was concerned, it didn't exist. With a gentle sway of his hand, the scroll vanished along with the pen, and he just sat there on the windowsill, thinking. The next window along, totally oblivious, sat a grinning Lee Obidia, checking over the shots he'd stored in his camera and no doubt rejoicing in his victory in gossip gathering over Kazumi Asakura. The watcher glanced at him and tapped his finger once against the wall of the building. A minor earthquake struck Mahora, around a one on the Richter scale. Still, it was enough to dislodge the grinning Lee, who let go of his camera to grab onto the narrow windowsill outside the library. His camera fell the three storeys to smash into little fragments below.

"Aw gimme a break!" cursed the blonde, looking down at the remains of his camera.

The watcher sighed as he looked back inside and watched Negi Springfield leave. Blackmail would be useful, but not yet, not so soon. What joy is there in a story that ends too soon?

A/N: And you all thought the cat was in the bag didn't you?