I answered a last couple of personal questions as my orientation session cleared. It had gotten so that I usually had one or two people who wanted to ask something they didn't want to say in front of the group. Usually nothing big.

"Is the session over?" Jonathan Sharp asked, from the doorway.

I grinned back at the Junior. "That depends, do you have a question for me?"

I was expecting something light in return. Instead: "Actually… May I come in?"

I waved a hand in welcome, letting him know it was fine. He stepped in, and shut the door behind him. "I guess I need some advice."

All I had to answer was a shrug. "I'll do the best I can." He suddenly didn't look like he would appreciate me saying that I wasn't sure I could help.

"Thanks." He wandered in, and took a seat in a chair I offered. I sat in a nearby chair.

"So… What's up?"

"It's… How far have you gone with your husband?"

I rolled my eyes at the question. "I said I was answering that question for the last time. I meant it."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that… I, um." I waited. "Who sets the pace, between you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, if he wants something you don't…"

"We both are taking it slow, for lots of reasons. Neither one of us sets the pace, really. We… well, by the time something happens, we usually both have wanted it for a while."

"How do you know that?"

"Because we tend to say it? Or at least… I'm not sure I can explain, but it's always a feeling that we've finally gotten there."

"So you never feel he's uncomfortable with what…"

"He's Grabiner. He's uncomfortable with everything about us, but we talk about it, and he's never uncomfortable with me, just with how everyone will see us, or that I'm younger than him, or a thousand other things. It's something we deal with." Jonathan hadn't been looking at me for a while, and I tapped the table between us to get him to turn his head back. "But I think that's probably enough about me and Hieronymus. Are you not sure someone's comfortable with something?"

"No! That's not it, I know she's comfortable…"

The speed of the reply told me the answer I needed. "But you aren't."

He nodded.

"Ok, tell me what happened." I asked not conscious that I wasn't ready for the answer.

"I… She has this pollen thing she does, ok? On whiff of it, and… I can't resist anything she does. I just… I can't help myself but go along with it."

"Ok. What did she do?"

"I… It's been ok, mostly. I mean, I get a bit uncomfortable, but it's kinda, well, she pushes and I'm…"

"Jonathan?" I waited until he was looking at me again. "What wasn't ok?" I asked, on automatic.

"I… Last night. We were fooling around, alone in… It doesn't matter." He started to get up.

I put out a hand. "You wouldn't be here if it didn't matter. What happened last night?"

He fell back into the chair. "Well, as I said, we were fooling around…" He looked at me, and I nodded to continue. "She'd taken off her robe, just lying there — god, she's so beautiful — and I had my shirt off, and she started… I said no, and then there was the pollen, and she kissed me, and suddenly we were having sex and it felt so good, but I didn't want it yet, and…" He ran down.

I suddenly realized what I was listening to. What I'd gotten Jonathan to talk to me about. Ok, Hieronymus was getting more relaxed about kissing me, at least in private, but…

And Jonathan hadn't been willing. That was obvious. I was going to need help on this one. :Hieronymus?: I sent through our link.

:Susan? What is the matter?:

:I need your help. Something's come up. Can you come down? Um, don't come in until I ask, ok? Just come to the door.:

:Of course, Susan. I will be right there.:

I felt myself relax a bit, knowing he was coming. But I still had to deal with Jonathan right now. "Jonathan? I… I think I'm going to need to know a name, here. Sorry."

"A name?" He looked bewildered.

I nodded. "Yes. Your girlfriend. What's her name?"

"Why?"

"Jonathan… She took advantage of you."

"You aren't going to get her in trouble, are you? I mean, she'd never hurt me…"

"Jonathan? She's already hurt you. I'll do what I can, but…" I wasn't even sure what I meant by that when I said it. "But I need her name. I'd rather get it from you."

He looked ready to argue, then gave up. "Pastel."

Remembering the winged woman's actions that I had seen, that made sense; I nodded. "Ok, Jonathan. We'll have someone talk to her, make sure she understands that she needs to respect people's boundaries, ok?"

"You aren't going to get her into trouble, are you? I mean, I still like her, I just…"

"Honestly, I don't think that's up to me right now. As I said, I'll do what I can, ok? Now, I need you to talk to someone else."

He looked at me suspiciously. "Who?"

"My husband."

"No. I said I don't want to get her into trouble, and…"

"Jonathan? She broke school rules, took advantage of you, hurt you, and she needs to understand that. If you'd rather talk to Potsdam I can arrange that, but Hieronymus is already here, and I promise I'll do what I can to make him understand you don't want Pastel to get into trouble. And you do have to talk to one of them."

"You'll do that? You can?"

I gave a smile I hoped was reassuring. "Again, I'm not going to make promises on what will happen, but I know he'll listen, ok?"

"Ok."

I nodded, then got up and walked to the door. "Hieronymus? Come in please." He nodded and followed me to where Jonathan was sitting. I went back to my chair. "Jonathan? Just tell him what happened last night, ok? You can leave out the rest if you want."

Hieronymus stood, and tried to look reassuring. It didn't really work, but I could see he was trying. With a look back at me, Jonathan started. "I was on a date with Pastel; we have a little spot in the woods we go, it's out of the way, so no one will see what we are doing… We were fooling around. Kissing, groping, you know." I had no idea if Hieronymus knew, actually, but he didn't look confused at least. "Anyway, she'd gotten… Well, she went to take my pants off, and I wanted to stop her, but she did her thing, and I couldn't resist, and then we had sex." He finished his story.

Now Hieronymus looked confused, but at least he asked the right question. "Her thing?"

Jonathan blushed. "She has this… pollen thing. She blows on her hand, and the pollen…"

"Ah, sylph love-dust."

"Yeah, that."

"Does she use it on you often?"

"Uh, not often, but we do play around a bit…"

"That is quite enough, Mr. Sharp. I understand. We can take care of it from here. You may leave if you wish."

I gave Jonathan another smile. "It's going to be ok, don't worry."

"You won't let her get into too much trouble?" He asked me.

"I'll do what I can."

He looked reassured as he left. I turned to Hieronymus. "He doesn't blame her, really. She just… moved to fast for him."

"So I perceive. I take it you got more from him than he told me?"

I shrugged. "A bit. It sounds like this is her normal response to him resisting whatever she wants. What is this love-dust?"

"It's a sylph ability: they can create a magical dust, which when in contact with the skin enhances desire and the sylph's apparent attractiveness."

"He says he can't resist anything she wants once she's hit him with it."

"It should be possible to resist the effects, but it wouldn't be easy, especially if he already finds her attractive. And if his experience is that he cannot, then he is unlikely to try."

I felt I had to say it out loud. "So she drugged him and then raped him."

"Yes. You were right to call me. This is a serious offense."

"Is it possible she didn't realize what she was doing?"

"Many things are possible. I do not know what she knows about her own abilities, or if being only half-sylph makes any difference." He stepped forward. "Come, we have to tell Petunia about this."

"We?"

He grinned at me. "I suspect she'll want your impression of the situation. And you did just tell Mr. Sharp that you would do what you could to make sure Miss Rao isn't in trouble."

"I guess I did. Ok. Let's go find her."


We found the headmistress in one of the other classrooms, setting up for her Monday classes. Hieronymus explained the situation.

"Oh dear. Are you sure?"

"Mr. Sharp was quite upset. I am sure he was not a willing participant."

The older woman slumped. "I suppose you think she should be expelled?"

Hieronymus cleared his throat. "Actually… Susan, am I correct in my belief that this is the type of situation your proposed position of a 'guidance councilor' would handle?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess."

"Than I would like to know how the person Mr. Sharp entrusted this to would handle it."

"What do you mean?" The headmistress asked.

"It was obvious from my interview that the only reason Mr. Sharp was talking to me at all was because Susan had asked him to. And he specifically requested that she make sure Miss Rao was looked after as well. I think that he would rather 'Ms. Susan' handle this than either you or I. As it is the type of situation which she has mentioned that she thinks we should create a position at this academy to handle, I suggest we hear her opinion."

I tried to contain my shock, as Professor Potsdam considered the idea. Suddenly she turned to me. "He does have a point, dearie. You've said that you would like to be a guidance councilor at my school, and if Jonathan would rather you handle this situation…" She shrugged.

Before she could say anything else, I cut in. "I meant once I graduated! I'm just another student!"

"You are the one Jonathan came to for help in this situation. So, what would you do?"

My mind raced, but I decided to focus on the question. "I… It would depend on Pastel." Their eyebrows raised. "If she knows what she was doing, and intentionally was taking advantage of Jonathan, then yes, she should probably be expelled. On the other hand, if… Well, if she didn't mean any harm, then we should make sure she knows she did hurt him."

"So, what would you do next?" She asked.

I shrugged, having gotten the biggest part out of the way. "If I'm in charge? I'd talk to Pastel. See if I can get her side of the story."

"Very well. I'll let you sort this out, then." She said, ready to dismiss us.

"You mean you're putting me in charge of this?" I had to ask.

She looked back, pretending to be confused. "Of course. As Hieronymus said: It was brought to you. I'm sure you can take care of it."

"Uh, Petunia?"

"Yes?"

I took a deep breath. "If I'm in charge of this, I need to know what I can do. And… I'll probably need backup. So Pastel knows that whatever I say is actually what's going to happen."

"Why, I've said you were in charge. You can do whatever you want. And I'm sure Hieronymus will back you up."

"Actually…" I glanced at him. "Look, if he backs me up, it'll just look like he's favoring his wife. It really would be better if you would be the person backing me up. Then it's clear that it's not just… between us." I looked over at Hieronymus again. "Sorry."

Hieronymus shrugged, acknowledging the point, but letting Petunia reply.

"If you say so, my little shoot. So, what do you want me to do?"

"First: Answer my question, clearly, please. What are you allowing me to do with Pastel?"

"I suspect that your sentence for her will be less conventional than your husband's would be, but if you insist: You may give her detention, demerits, or other in-school punishment as you see fit. If you think it's appropriate, I'll even let you make the call to expel her, though I suspect that it would be better if that actually came from one of us."

"Probably." I reeled a bit from the fact that if I wanted to I could expel one of my own classmates, no matter the circumstances.

"And second?"

"Hmm?"

She gave her odd smile. "You said that was the first thing you wanted me to do. What's the second?"

"Oh. Um…" I looked around, thinking a moment. "I don't think we should just confront her in the hallway, is there someplace we could…"

"You want her to meet you someplace. To make it clearer that you have some authority?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She only paused a moment. "Hieronymus, that old office near your quarters, does it still have furniture in it?"

"I see no reason it should not. At the very least, it is not so far that I could not move the table from my room, temporally."

"Very well. Why don't you take Susan there, and see if she thinks it will do. I'll find Miss Rao, and bring her there. Does that sound ok, Susan?"

"Um, yes. That should be plenty. If you tell her to talk to me, that should be enough to let her know you expect her to listen to what I have to say. Oh, one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Will her love-dust work on me? I, um, just don't want there to be any chances…"

It was Hieronymus who spoke. "Since you are ready for it, it is likely that you would be able to shake off the effects. But I appreciate the caution. I will cast a spell to protect you from it."

"How hard is that spell?"

"It is moderately difficult, but not exceptionally hard. Mostly it is just specialized. You should be able to learn it, if you wish, though not today."

"That's ok. I just… Thinking of options, at this point." I took a deep breath. "Headmistress? Thank you for this opportunity. I will make sure I don't let you down."

"I'm sure you won't, little rose. See you in a bit!"


The office was old and dusty, but it had a real desk and a couple of fairly comfortable chairs. Hieronymus was able to cast a spell that got rid of most of the dust, though not quite all of it. He also cast a spell on me, protecting me from anything Pastel might try, just in case.

Then I got left alone to be nervous. I mean, I'd threatened to give out detention that once, in the big assembly, but it had only been a threat. Here I was, actually told that I was going to be allowed to do so. And honestly, Pastel deserved it. No matter how sorry she was, I was going to have to give her some punishment.

But she was still my classmate. My age. Jonathan was older than me. What right did I have to… And for that matter, they'd had sex! Ok, so technically I was married and me and Hieronymus got along very well, and neither of us was planning on changing that, but we still hadn't done anything more than kiss, no matter what anyone thought.

It sounded like Pastel had done quite a bit more than kiss, even before making Jonathan have sex with her. Why was I supposed to be able to be able to say what was right and wrong here?

Before I got too worked up, the door opened, and Pastel was ushered in by Professor Potsdam. Pastel looked confused, glancing between the two of us and being surprised when Petunia shut the door without entering herself, but was polite. "Susan? What's going on?"

I forced down my doubts, and put on a confident smile. "Take a seat, please. And… Well, for this I think it's best if you call me 'Ms. Susan'."

She took the seat. "'Ms. Susan'? I know the freshman call you that, but…"

"I… The Headmistress decided to let me handle this, since it came to me. I know, it's a bit…"

"Weird?"

"I was going to say awkward. But yeah. Anyway, because it fell into my lap, and because… Well, I've been making plans for what happens in a few years, once I graduate. I think this is my job interview."

She grinned. "So you are planning to stay with Grabiner?"

I blushed. "It's likely, let's say. But this isn't about me. This is about you."

"Me?"

I nodded. "Can you tell me what you were doing last night?"

"Nothing that would get anyone into trouble. It was… private." She grinned, a knowing grin.

"Ok, let's try this again: Can you tell me your version of what you and Jonathan were doing in the woods last night? I already have Jonathan's."

"Are we in trouble? I know no one saw us, and I thought Potsdam said…"

"That's not why. Please, I need to hear your version. Trust me, it won't go outside this room."

"Ok, Ms. Susan." She was slightly annoyed, but it wasn't sarcastic, just making a point. "Me and Jonathan went and had a picnic at our favorite spot. We made out. It was fun. You want details?" She leered.

"A couple. First off, when you say 'made out'?"

"Well, we started with kissing, but the night air feels so good on my skin…" She grinned, but noticed I wasn't smiling. "Ok, we had sex. That enough for you?"

"Almost. Jonathan said you used your 'pollen'. Why?"

She grinned again. "You mean my love-dust? He was feeling shy, I wanted to help him loosen up."

"And how does it help him loosen up?"

She shrugged. "It makes him feel better about things. A bit less inhibited, less stuck up. Ready to have a good time. Don't worry, despite the name it doesn't do anything serious; I've seen plenty of people shake it off."

I nodded, accepting her words at least. "Ok, one last question for the moment, I think. How do you feel about Jonathan?"

"What type of question is that?"

"You have a reputation as a flirt. Are you just flirting with him? Or do you actually like him? Take a moment to think about it if you want to. I'm not asking if you are in love or anything, just wondering how serious you are about him."

She actually got offended. "Ok, yes, I like to flirt. But I'm not going to have sex with someone unless I'm at least somewhat serious about them. I mean, I'm not saying I'm sure he's someone I want to stay with for ages, but we've been going out for a while, and I'm not going to cheat on him or anything. What's this about, Ms. Susan?" now she was angry.

I took a deep breath. I had the information I needed, I think. "Pastel, Jonathan came to me because you moved to fast for him. He wasn't ready for it last night. You raped him."

She got up. "I don't have to listen to this." She turned to the door.

I spoke quickly. "If you leave right now you'll be expelled."

She turned her head. "What?"

"You hurt him, and you broke school rules. The normal punishment for this would be to expel you. Potsdam said I should handle it if I can, but if you leave right now it's out of my hands."

I felt like I was lying as I said it, but it was the truth as well.

Slowly, she turned back and returned to the chair. "I said: All I did was loosen him up a little. We've been going out for weeks. He's… He likes me."

"Yes, he does. But you still moved to fast for him, and he doesn't think he can resist your love-dust. He said no, and then you dusted him."

"So he says I forced him?"

"Actually, no. He's really confused, and hurt, and he doesn't want you to get hurt. But I listened to his story, and so did Hieronymus. We say you forced him."

"But if he doesn't say I forced him…"

"Pastel, he really likes you, and he doesn't want you to get into trouble. He wants to forgive you, but we can see how much you hurt him. If you keep doing this, he's going to hate you. As it is, I'm not sure he'll be able to trust you for a while."

I think I finally managed to get through to her. "He… doesn't trust me?"

"Right now, all he's sure of is that you made him do something he didn't really want to do. How can he trust you to not do it again?"

"Oh." It came out small. "So… If Potsdam said you could handle this, what are you going to do?"

"The rule is that as long as everyone involved is ok with it, it's ok. He wasn't ok with it. You broke school rules, and you hurt someone, I have to give you something. This isn't like running in the halls, Pastel."

"And you can? I mean, Potsdam said you…"

I nodded. "She left it in my hands. And gave me authorization to do whatever I think you need to learn this lesson, ok?"

"Ok, Ms. Susan. I guess there's a reason you insisted on that name after all, huh?"

I smiled. "Yeah. Ok, first off: Ten demerits. And detention for the rest of the year."

"The rest of the year?"

"It's only a few weeks. And this has to be more serious than talking back to my husband, understand? This isn't something minor. Whatever you feel about it, you raped him."

"Ok, I think I can handle that."

"Good, because I'm not done. You are also going to apologize to Jonathan, and you are not to go anywhere alone with him, for the rest of the year. Nor can you leave school grounds, with or without him."

"I can't be alone with him?"

"Not for the rest of the year. That doesn't mean you have to stop dating him — that's his decision. And it can be private — the back corner of the library, or a bench at the side of the forest, for instance. You just have to stay within sight of other people. And if I ever hear you've used your love-dust on someone without their permission, I'll tell my husband. Even if it's just for a kiss, you know the consequences now. You might get a warning, but I doubt it. I'll have someone teaching Jonathan a spell to resist it, and I want you to mention it if anyone asks."

"Anything else?"

I reviewed what I'd already said. "Just that if you are still dating him next year, I'll want to talk to both of you at the beginning of the year, to see if we can drop the restrictions."

"I… We can do that, I think."

"Ok." I had to pause. "I'm trying to be fair, and follow policy, ok? You know that, right? I'm trying to be easy on you."

She nodded. "Yeah, I get it. We've never been close friends, but…" She shook her head. "I'm not exactly certain how being married gets you this."

"It's not really about being married… I asked about a job for when I graduate, and, well, enough people treat me like I have the job already… Including Jonathan, in this case. So Potsdam's decided to see how I do. Because… Well, I think because I've asked to be the one in charge of it, eventually, and because Jonathan came to me with it." I took a breath, after that. "So… Let's get that apology out of the way, ok? You don't have to use the word 'rape' if you don't want to."

"Sure, and thanks."


It was a quiet walk to Jonathan's dorm room, which as I expected was where he was. I asked his roommate if we could have a few minutes, then shut the door behind him. "You kept her out of trouble?" Jonathan asked me.

Pastel answered. "Oh, I'm in some trouble. But… It's not as bad as it could be, I think." She looked at me, and I nodded. "Jonathan, I'm sorry. I didn't realize how strongly my love-dust was affecting you. I thought you could stop me, if you wanted to. I didn't mean… I didn't mean to make you do anything you didn't want to. I won't do it again. Forgive me?"

"Of course, flitterfly." He smiled, and they hugged. I let them hold each other for a moment, then cleared my throat.

Once they'd separated, I spoke. "Ok, Jonathan, here's what you need to know: First off, when Pastel says she won't do it again, she knows you won't be the only one who'll get angry at her if she does: If she uses that love-dust on anyone without their permission while she's at this school, she's going to get kicked out, probably." I tried to soften it. "Of course, if she asks first, that's another story. But she has to ask. And there is a spell to protect you from it — ask either of the professors to teach it to you, and soon. Also, for the rest of the year, any dates Pastel has with you are public dates: She's not allowed to be alone with you. I know, I know, it's going to be hard on both of you, but…" I shrugged. "Just stay in plain view, or keep your roommate in the room, ok?"

"I guess…"

I had to grin at the reluctance in his voice. "Think of it as seeing if she wants you for you or if she just wants a cuddle-buddy." It got the laughs we needed. "There's a few other things, but that's all you need to know."

"Thanks. I… I'm glad you came with her."

I felt a slight smirk come to my face. "Don't thank me to much: I'm the one who came up with her punishments. I'm on 'Ms. Susan' duty at the moment, by Potsdam's orders. I'll talk to your roommate a moment. Pastel, you are still rooming with Minnie, right?"

"Yeah…"

"Don't worry, she's not getting the whole story or anything. But I do have to ask her a few questions, and let her know not to leave you alone with Jonathan. But you can stay here. Just… leave the door open."

"Ok."

I nodded at them both, and left, leaving the door open. I stopped a moment to tell Jonathan's roommate that he wasn't to leave them in the room alone, and headed over to the girl's dorm.

Their door stood open, but I knocked anyway. "Minnie?"

"Oh, hi Susan. What's up? Do you have any idea what Potsdam wanted with Pastel?"

I shut the door behind me. "That's actually what I'm here about. It's a long story, and I can't tell you all of it, but… Well, first off, I really should ask you a couple of questions. Officially."

"Ok… What do you mean 'officially'?"

"I mean I'm here as 'Ms. Susan', the sorta-teacher-whatever, not as your friend or fellow student council member. The professors will hear a report on this talk, but no one else will. Ok?"

"If you say so. Um. What do you have to ask me?"

"First off, has Pastel ever used her 'pollen' or 'love-dust' on you?"

"That dust thing she does? Just once, first week of freshman year. She tried to get me to kiss her."

"Did you?"

"Nah, I pushed her away, and told her to keep that stuff away from me. Why? It finally get her in trouble?"

"Finally?"

"Yeah, I've been telling her that it would get her in trouble for ages…" She looked at me. "Oh, it did, didn't it?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Serious trouble, actually, but… It's handled. I just needed to make sure. Just to let you know: There is a spell to make you immune to it for a while; if you want to learn it just ask one of the professors. It's black-white-green, so Potsdam is probably best."

"You know it?"

I shook my head. "No, but I had it cast on me, so I know about it at least. Ok, two more official bits of business: First off, she's not allowed to use that dust without asking permission first any more. If she does, tell me or one of the professors. She will get in a lot of trouble, but we need to know, ok?"

"Ok. Um, how much trouble?"

I hesitated. "Uh… I'm not sure I should tell you; official business, after all. Pastel knows though. I can't stop you from asking her. Last thing: Pastel is not allowed to be alone with Jonathan. She can have him over if he wants, but don't leave them with the door shut. Either the door should be open, or you should be here."

"You do know they are dating."

"Yeah, and that's why. I know, it's going to annoy them, but there's a reason for it. Just make sure you don't get her in trouble by accident, ok?"

"Ok."

"Thanks. Um, we on track for the fundraiser?"

"Yep. No problem."

"Ok, see you later."


Walking out of Minnie's dorm room, it was like the stress of the day finally landed. Suddenly I was exhausted. I knew I would have to tell Hieronymus or Potsdam about what I'd decided, but… It could wait until supper. I headed back to my own dorm room.

"Hey, where've you been?" Virginia asked, as I walked through the door.

"Long day." I collapsed onto my bed.

Ellen looked puzzled, but Virginia beat her to the question. "The freshmen had a lot of questions? I'd have thought they'd be about done by now…"

The last few weeks the orientation sessions had been getting shorter, with less questions being asked. I groaned, and rolled over to answer, when there was a knock on the door. Virginia was still on her feet, so she got there first. "Oh, uh…"

I could see who it was. "Hi Hieronymus, come in. Sorry, I was going to report in at supper, it just…"

He chuckled. "Not something you are used to doing. And it wasn't a small problem."

"No, but you were right. It is something a guidance councilor would deal with — I am basically asking for the complex problems. Anyway." I pulled myself up straight, and noticed Virginia and Ellen in the room. I didn't want kick them out… "Ok. Um, the basics: Ten demerits, detention for the rest of the year, can't leave the school grounds, can't be alone with…" I glanced over again. "Well, him, at least. And can't use the dust without asking the person being dusted first. You should probably consider that an expulsion offense. Oh, and she had to give an apology, which she did. It was good. I told both roommates that they weren't to be alone together, and about the immunity spell. He is going to be required to learn it — if he hasn't asked you or Potsdam by the end of the week or so, someone needs to bring it up with him. I told her if they were still dating at the beginning of the next year, we should revisit the restrictions then. She's supposed to let people who need to know about immunity spell, at least that it exists."

He nodded a moment, following it all easily. "I take it she was contrite?"

"She didn't realize how much power the dust gave her over him, and thought he could break free. It took a bit to convince her otherwise, but once I managed, she realized what the problem was, and was genuinely ashamed. I'm just driving the point home."

"And making sure there's no opportunity for it to come up again, I take it."

"Not immediately, at least. Did I do ok?"

He paused. "How did they take it?"

"Neither is particularly thrilled with it… But he's happy with the apology, and I think they'll stay together for at least a while yet. He was glad she didn't get into more trouble, and she accepted that she probably deserved this. She really didn't realize she was hurting him."

"Then, if she has learned the lesson, and he is willing to accept her again… I think you did more than ok. You did very well." He came and put an arm around me, and kissed my forehead.

"Thanks. I just… It's going to take a while to sort in my head, ok? You just tossed me in the deep end, I think. I made it to the shore, but I need to catch my breath."

He smiled. "We did. And next time, you'll find it easier to swim."

"Next time?"

He smirked. "I doubt Potsdam will have this be the last time until you graduate, especially if the problems come to you first, like this one did."

I sighed. "You… probably have a point. Even if it was your idea this time. But I'm not going to assume I have authorization to deal with any of them, ok? She has to tell me each time what I'm allowed."

"That would be sensible. I will take my leave. See you in class tomorrow?"

"Of course. Bye, Hieronymus."

"Until next time, Susan. Oh, one last thing: Petunia said I could give you this." He handed me a key, and I looked a question at him. "In case you need the office again. It… well it can be considered a part of your household as well."

I smiled. "Thank you. And I will be sure to thank her as well." He acknowledged with a dip of his head, and left, having already said farewell.

Ellen waited until the door was closed to remind me that my roommates were still here. "Ok. What was that?"

"Huh?"

"Hey, we are getting used to the idea that you and Graby are a couple, but that was something else. 'Guidance councilor'? And, well that was a long list of demerits and stuff that you were telling him about. And a key to an office? What's up?"

"Ok, um…" I sat and thought a moment.

"Susan?"

"Sorry, just… deciding what I can tell you. Some of it's 'official business', and I really shouldn't tell anyone." I took a deep breath. "Ok, so I told you two about the idea for a guidance councilor job, right?"

My roommates looked at each other, and Ellen answered. "No."

I blinked. "Oh, sorry. I thought I had… It's… well, it's long-term planning, I guess. If me and Hieronymus stay together…"

Virginia broke in. "Which everyone expects, no matter how crazy it is."

I blushed. "Um. Anyway, once I graduate I'll need something to do with my life."

"Besides being his wife and producing that heir his father wanted." Ellen elbowed Virginia when the latter finished. "Ow!"

"Let her finish."

Virginia looked away, acknowledging the point. Ellen gestured for me to go on. "Anyway… I'll want something to do, and I'll want to stay near Iris Academy. My 'orientation sessions' seem to be doing a lot of good, so I had the thought of extending them, and becoming a guidance councilor here. The school doesn't have one, and I think it could really use one. Someone who could help handle problems between the students a bit better, as well as helping them deal with, well, being a witch, being away from home, all that stuff. Ok?"

Virginia looked like she wanted to say something, but Ellen glared at her again, and the two of them just nodded. "Ok. Well, after my session today, a student came to me with a — personal problem. It's complicated, but one of the other students had broken one of the school rules, and he needed my help in dealing with it."

Ellen was the one who spoke this time, garnering glares from Virginia. "Why didn't he just go to one of the Professors?"

"As I said, it was a complicated situation, and… He was more worried about how to handle it himself than the rule. Anyway, I convinced him to tell Hieronymus, and then I got dragged to the headmistress to discuss it with her, and… Well, they decided because I had asked about becoming a guidance councilor, and because he had come to me, they wanted me to handle it. So I've spent the afternoon running around talking to everyone involved, and thinking about what needed to be done, and… Well, Hieronymus came to get my ruling."

"I don't think that's why he came." Ellen spoke up. I didn't have to speak before she expanded. "He looked concerned with how you were handling… everything."

He probably had been, actually, and I was willing to admit it. I shrugged, letting her decide what she wanted.

"So, all of that… Was what you came up with?"

"Yeah. Um, it wasn't a small rule, and someone got hurt. Honestly, that was light…" I trailed off, not sure how much else I wanted to say.

"But it was your decision."

I nodded. "Potsdam said it was in my hands. I asked her what I could do, first. She said… Well, it was basically up to me." I grinned sheepishly. "You'll probably find out more about what what's going on from the rumor mill, but I'm going to have to be 'Ms. Susan' on the issue. There were a couple of 'official' private conversations, and I can't afford to jeprodize them. Sorry."

Ellen seemed to understand. "It's ok. We get it: This was…"

"I'm thinking of it as a job interview."

They both laughed. "Ok, a job interview, and you have to treat it as if you are… the guidance councillor. Um, it sounded like this might happen again?"

"That's what Hieronymus said; if a problem like this comes to me, Potsdam will probably make me handle it. Assuming she likes how this one turns out. But that's only if the problem comes to me, and even then only if she decides she wants me to deal with it. I can't go around handing out demerits in the hallways."

"But you did hand out demerits." Virginia clarified.

"Yes. And detention. And… the other stuff."

"It sounds like you told the two of them they can't date. Whoever they are."

"They can date. They just… Have to stay where people can see them. And that's really…" I looked up at my roommates. "Well, it should be confidential, but I expect the whole school to know by tomorrow anyway, ok? Just don't spread the details around, please?"

Virginia spoke up. "Yeah, sure. We can do that. Just tell us if one of our friends is in trouble, ok?"

"Um…"

They saw the look on my face. "What?"

"It is one of your friends. And I know it'll be all over the school soon, but… You can't hear it from me."

Virginia gulped. "I… You said this was light?"

I nodded, and refused to expand. "And I'm sure there'll be a lot of rumors, and misinformation, but I really need to ask you to not press me for information, ok? I'm the only one who knows everything, and if it gets out that I spilled… Well, I'm protecting your friend too." I tried to smile. "Sorry, I probably should have sent you out when Hieronymus came in."

"Well, I'm glad you let us know something. And we won't press. Right Virginia?"

"Right. Sorry, Susan. Just…"

"I know, I know. It's… I'm sure you won't be the only ones asking, either. But I can't say anything."

"Got it, got it. So, um, before I go find out which of my friends stepped in it, what's that he gave you at the end?"

"Oh." I held the key up, so they could see it. "Potsdam let me use an empty office, so I could be more 'official'. I guess it's Ms. Susan's office now." I shrugged, trying to say it's no big deal.

"He said it was 'part of your household'?" Ellen asked.

"You know the household clause in the will: He just said that it would probably count towards helping that." I paused, considering that. "Which probably also means I should use it for 'Lady Montague' duty as well." I explained, which they both got.

"Ok. I'm going to find out if my friend — whoever they are — needs anything. Um, any hints on where I should start looking?"

"I'd better not. Besides, if you knew where to start looking…"

"Yeah, that'd be almost as bad as saying you told me, wouldn't it. Sorry." She waved, and headed out.

Ellen came over to me. "How about you? You need…"

I waved her off. "Thanks. I just need to relax; it's been a long day."

"Ok. Well, I'm still curious, so I'll let you relax, and I'll go see if anyone knows what's going on."


Author's Notes: Ok... I wrote this chapter a year and a half ago, as a 'side story' which I didn't think would fit in to the main story. Imagine my surprise when it fit perfectly. That said, it's been in my mental timeline for a while; I've even said things like 'Susan doesn't have any special privileges (yet)' thinking about this chapter as coming up.

I am somewhat nervous about my handling of delicate issue of rape in this chapter. I do believe it is a serious issue, and deserving of more punishment than is metted out in this chapter. Pastel gets a bit of a break from me (and in this chapter) because she didn't realize or mean to hurt anyone, or to push past anyone's boundaries. She just needs to learn to listen and recognize other's boundaries better than she has been.

I also believe that this type of issue has probably occurred before at Iris, but hasn't been reported, since there was no one a student would feel safe reporting it to: Jonathan wasn't asking for Pastel to be punished, he was asking for how to handle a situation he wasn't comfortable with. Neither Gabiner or Potsdam are people I can see students coming to with this.

Thanks to Slygamer101, memmek10k, Cherry20052, MisaoBlossom for their reviews. I'm glad people felt that the last chapter showed a good portion of both how their relationship has grown and how they are learning to work together.

Please, whatever you think of this chapter, review. This is one chapter I am willing to reconsider or edit if I get enough feedback thinking I need to do so. On the other hand, if you think it was handled well, I'd be relieved and glad to hear that too. ;)