1 Complementary Colours
1.1 Chapter the Second – Bright Eyes
Hooch's POV
Another new school year. It's always the same, towards the end of the holidays you start to get sick of being at home and wish you were back at work with things to occupy you. Then, as soon as you step back into the school building again, you remember how much you were looking forward to the summer – and why. Don't get me wrong, Hogwarts is a gorgeous castle, but it does have a tendency to be a little cold in the first few weeks of term.
I'm sitting on the end of my bed and looking around my room in the Staff Wing. It's been looked after very well, except for a thin layer of dust over windowsills and cupboard tops. I watch the little house elf scurry around with a duster, desperately trying to eradicate every speck of dirt! Bless her, she works so hard. But then, that's her job.
"Don't touch those!" I call out to her as she reaches up with her duster to give my Quidditch trophies a quick blitz. She pulls back in alarm.
"Binka is sorry, Madam Hooch, professor ma'am! She was only trying to make your pretty things look shinier…." The poor creature looks petrified. *sigh*
"I know you are, Binka. I'd just rather you left those to me. They're very personal. If you want something to polish, go down to the Prefects' bathroom on the third floor – the taps could use a shine."
"Yes, professor Madam Hooch sir ma'am, Binka is going right now!" She speeds out of the door like a goblin with a snitch up its backside. Closing the door behind her, I lie back on the bed and gaze up at the ceiling. Or rather at the canopy over the bed – it's a four-poster so I can't see the ceiling. A good few hours before any one will want me for anything yet…..I might as well go and have a shower, make sure the hot water system is working. I wander through into my bathroom to undress…..
Stepping out of the shower into the steam filled bathroom, I find my way through the sauna-like atmosphere to the towel rack to wrap myself in a fluffy blue towel. Running my hand through my short silver hair to get the drips out of my eyes, I turn to look at myself in the fogged-up mirror. Wiping a clear patch with my damp hand, I can see my face clearly. Staring back at myself. After running a comb through my hair quickly – it dries fast by itself, no need for a spell – I give myself a quick rub down with the towel and step through into my bedroom. I unpacked my stuff when I arrived earlier this morning so all my robes are hanging up in the wardrobe already. Flicking through them quickly, I settle on a dark blue tunic and pants, and dress myself quickly. I expect the others will be gathering in the lounge by now, I might as well go and join them. My hair is still shedding droplets of water as I pull on my big, black boots but it won't take long to dry. One of the benefits of short-cropped hair.
As I step through the door, I see that all the other professors are indeed assembled in the lounge, the only seat left for me is in the corner next to Sibyll Trelawney. Oh hurrah. Just what I need, start the new year with "101 ways you are going to suffer this year"! Sinking into the deep red armchair, I nod a good morning to her. "Hello Sibyll. Any disasters yet this term, or is it still early days?" I force a smile. Her response is not the one I expected. There is a sort of light in her eyes, and she seems almost pleased to see me.
"Don't be so quick to dismiss me, Xiomara. I have news for you that you may well want to hear…" What's this? Sibyll Trelawney with good news for someone? What's the silly witch been smoking this time!
"Go on then Sibyll, enlighten me……" She smiles again. I wish she'd stop that.
"This year will be a good one for you, Xiomara. The alignment of your planets suggests an important love affair. Could it be that you are destined to make a connection with our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher…? If not, him, I can't think who else it would be…."
"Lockhart?!? Fat chance….." I snort. Poor dear Sibyll seems not to have quite picked up the message yet. Everyone else accepts me as a Lesbian but it seems to be extraordinarily difficult for her to comprehend. I'm surprised she's never seen it in one of her tea-cups…
"I doubt it, Sibyll. He's not my type. Far too arrogant….and a distinct lack of breasts!" She looks confused. I think it's probably best that I give up. Her predictions aren't exactly renowned for their accuracy in any case.
With impeccable timing, Minerva throws the door open and ushers in a person who I assume to be our new Illusions professor. We've been told absolutely jack-shit about them, we don't even know if it's a witch or a wizard.….. the figure steps into the light from the window and all is revealed. It's a witch. And what a witch at that! First impressions are good, she's absolutely edible! Her hair is incredibly long and a shiny ebony black that glints with purple as the light hits it. Her robes are modest, but nothing they do can hide the fact that there is a beautiful body underneath. From the rigid and too-perfectly formed curve of her waist, I'd bet she's wearing a corset. My knees go weak at the thought.
Minerva's voice snaps me out of my fantasy as she introduces this vision.
"Professors, may I present to you our new teacher of Illusions – Professor Hazell Valerian. Be nice to her, show her around and make her feel welcome,"
Hazell – what a wonderful name. And Valerian. A tree and a herb, sounds like an out-door girl to me. With any luck she might be requiring flying tuition…. 'make her feel welcome…' – believe me, Min, she couldn't be more welcome!
"Actually, I'd prefer to be called Ella if you don't mind."
She speaks! Like music from the spirits, her voice is soft and elegant. She's so delightfully feminine and almost radiant. Glancing across the room, it looks like Severus has picked up on the same vibe, he's giving her that creepy, suppressed-lust gaze. I shudder at the thought of him with her. Back off, snake-eyes, this one's for the hawk. He won't say anything, of course. He'll treat her like dirt, just like he does everyone else. I'll show him up. She's being introduced around the group, passing Snape and….yes…there he goes. That's right, Sev, glare at her like a piece of rotting fish. That's just bound to turn her on. Oh my Gods, she's coming my way! What am I going to say? I'll make a fool of myself, I'm bound to…..
"…and finally, Xiomara Hooch, Flying and Quidditch Referee…."
She's standing right in front of me. Right there. I've never been this close to a being so beautiful. She's holding out her hand. Oh Gods, I have to shake her hand! Smile, Mara, smile. Look friendly. No! Not too friendly, you'll scare her! What if she's not interested in women? No, don't think that, just enjoy the moment! Her hands are gorgeous, so silky-soft, but strong and confident. Her nails are long and talon like….she's so hot, it's unreal. Trying to bring all my feelings down a notch so I can speak without it coming out as a garbled "youveryhotwitchmewantyouithinkiloveyou", I look straight into her eyes. Oh my Gods, her eyes! A vivid violet, sparkling and bright as Aconite flowers. The same glorious purple as her robes. The sort of eyes that make you want to stare into them for eternity. I finally find the composure to speak.
"I look forward to working with you, Ella." I smile, trying to look friendly and attractive, without looking like I'm about to pounce on her. Minerva's giving me a knowing wink….. I think she's on to me. Now Min's addressing the whole group again…..but Ella keeps looking straight at me. Those eyes....they're….well, it might be a bit of a cliché in Hogwarts, but they're just bewitching! I can't bear to look away.
Apparently she's got to go and un-pack now. No, don't tell her that Minerva! Let her stay with us! Oh well, at least I can hope that she'll come back…
"Well, we'll all be in here until the feast this evening, so if you want to come back when you're done un-packing then you won't be on your own."
Was that me? Did I just say that? I thought I was thinking it, not saying it! Oh, she's smiling. I can't have been too forward then.
"Thank you, I will." She smiles, "…now I'd better go and see what sort of mess those elves have made of my things…"
She will. She will. I suggested something and she agreed. I shall sit here until I'm dragged away if I have to waiting for her to come back. I'll have to work on securing a seat next to her at the feast….might have to beat Severus over the head with a bludger…..but those eyes are worth it. Purple and yellow. Complementary colours……..
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Yippee! Two chapters down! I like writing Hooch, she's less formal than Ella is. Ella was raised in a rich wizard family, as will be explained later, so she's more "prim and proper". I think they'll make a fab couple! Oooppss…..have I given the ending away? *grin*
1.1 Chapter the Second – Bright Eyes
Hooch's POV
Another new school year. It's always the same, towards the end of the holidays you start to get sick of being at home and wish you were back at work with things to occupy you. Then, as soon as you step back into the school building again, you remember how much you were looking forward to the summer – and why. Don't get me wrong, Hogwarts is a gorgeous castle, but it does have a tendency to be a little cold in the first few weeks of term.
I'm sitting on the end of my bed and looking around my room in the Staff Wing. It's been looked after very well, except for a thin layer of dust over windowsills and cupboard tops. I watch the little house elf scurry around with a duster, desperately trying to eradicate every speck of dirt! Bless her, she works so hard. But then, that's her job.
"Don't touch those!" I call out to her as she reaches up with her duster to give my Quidditch trophies a quick blitz. She pulls back in alarm.
"Binka is sorry, Madam Hooch, professor ma'am! She was only trying to make your pretty things look shinier…." The poor creature looks petrified. *sigh*
"I know you are, Binka. I'd just rather you left those to me. They're very personal. If you want something to polish, go down to the Prefects' bathroom on the third floor – the taps could use a shine."
"Yes, professor Madam Hooch sir ma'am, Binka is going right now!" She speeds out of the door like a goblin with a snitch up its backside. Closing the door behind her, I lie back on the bed and gaze up at the ceiling. Or rather at the canopy over the bed – it's a four-poster so I can't see the ceiling. A good few hours before any one will want me for anything yet…..I might as well go and have a shower, make sure the hot water system is working. I wander through into my bathroom to undress…..
Stepping out of the shower into the steam filled bathroom, I find my way through the sauna-like atmosphere to the towel rack to wrap myself in a fluffy blue towel. Running my hand through my short silver hair to get the drips out of my eyes, I turn to look at myself in the fogged-up mirror. Wiping a clear patch with my damp hand, I can see my face clearly. Staring back at myself. After running a comb through my hair quickly – it dries fast by itself, no need for a spell – I give myself a quick rub down with the towel and step through into my bedroom. I unpacked my stuff when I arrived earlier this morning so all my robes are hanging up in the wardrobe already. Flicking through them quickly, I settle on a dark blue tunic and pants, and dress myself quickly. I expect the others will be gathering in the lounge by now, I might as well go and join them. My hair is still shedding droplets of water as I pull on my big, black boots but it won't take long to dry. One of the benefits of short-cropped hair.
As I step through the door, I see that all the other professors are indeed assembled in the lounge, the only seat left for me is in the corner next to Sibyll Trelawney. Oh hurrah. Just what I need, start the new year with "101 ways you are going to suffer this year"! Sinking into the deep red armchair, I nod a good morning to her. "Hello Sibyll. Any disasters yet this term, or is it still early days?" I force a smile. Her response is not the one I expected. There is a sort of light in her eyes, and she seems almost pleased to see me.
"Don't be so quick to dismiss me, Xiomara. I have news for you that you may well want to hear…" What's this? Sibyll Trelawney with good news for someone? What's the silly witch been smoking this time!
"Go on then Sibyll, enlighten me……" She smiles again. I wish she'd stop that.
"This year will be a good one for you, Xiomara. The alignment of your planets suggests an important love affair. Could it be that you are destined to make a connection with our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher…? If not, him, I can't think who else it would be…."
"Lockhart?!? Fat chance….." I snort. Poor dear Sibyll seems not to have quite picked up the message yet. Everyone else accepts me as a Lesbian but it seems to be extraordinarily difficult for her to comprehend. I'm surprised she's never seen it in one of her tea-cups…
"I doubt it, Sibyll. He's not my type. Far too arrogant….and a distinct lack of breasts!" She looks confused. I think it's probably best that I give up. Her predictions aren't exactly renowned for their accuracy in any case.
With impeccable timing, Minerva throws the door open and ushers in a person who I assume to be our new Illusions professor. We've been told absolutely jack-shit about them, we don't even know if it's a witch or a wizard.….. the figure steps into the light from the window and all is revealed. It's a witch. And what a witch at that! First impressions are good, she's absolutely edible! Her hair is incredibly long and a shiny ebony black that glints with purple as the light hits it. Her robes are modest, but nothing they do can hide the fact that there is a beautiful body underneath. From the rigid and too-perfectly formed curve of her waist, I'd bet she's wearing a corset. My knees go weak at the thought.
Minerva's voice snaps me out of my fantasy as she introduces this vision.
"Professors, may I present to you our new teacher of Illusions – Professor Hazell Valerian. Be nice to her, show her around and make her feel welcome,"
Hazell – what a wonderful name. And Valerian. A tree and a herb, sounds like an out-door girl to me. With any luck she might be requiring flying tuition…. 'make her feel welcome…' – believe me, Min, she couldn't be more welcome!
"Actually, I'd prefer to be called Ella if you don't mind."
She speaks! Like music from the spirits, her voice is soft and elegant. She's so delightfully feminine and almost radiant. Glancing across the room, it looks like Severus has picked up on the same vibe, he's giving her that creepy, suppressed-lust gaze. I shudder at the thought of him with her. Back off, snake-eyes, this one's for the hawk. He won't say anything, of course. He'll treat her like dirt, just like he does everyone else. I'll show him up. She's being introduced around the group, passing Snape and….yes…there he goes. That's right, Sev, glare at her like a piece of rotting fish. That's just bound to turn her on. Oh my Gods, she's coming my way! What am I going to say? I'll make a fool of myself, I'm bound to…..
"…and finally, Xiomara Hooch, Flying and Quidditch Referee…."
She's standing right in front of me. Right there. I've never been this close to a being so beautiful. She's holding out her hand. Oh Gods, I have to shake her hand! Smile, Mara, smile. Look friendly. No! Not too friendly, you'll scare her! What if she's not interested in women? No, don't think that, just enjoy the moment! Her hands are gorgeous, so silky-soft, but strong and confident. Her nails are long and talon like….she's so hot, it's unreal. Trying to bring all my feelings down a notch so I can speak without it coming out as a garbled "youveryhotwitchmewantyouithinkiloveyou", I look straight into her eyes. Oh my Gods, her eyes! A vivid violet, sparkling and bright as Aconite flowers. The same glorious purple as her robes. The sort of eyes that make you want to stare into them for eternity. I finally find the composure to speak.
"I look forward to working with you, Ella." I smile, trying to look friendly and attractive, without looking like I'm about to pounce on her. Minerva's giving me a knowing wink….. I think she's on to me. Now Min's addressing the whole group again…..but Ella keeps looking straight at me. Those eyes....they're….well, it might be a bit of a cliché in Hogwarts, but they're just bewitching! I can't bear to look away.
Apparently she's got to go and un-pack now. No, don't tell her that Minerva! Let her stay with us! Oh well, at least I can hope that she'll come back…
"Well, we'll all be in here until the feast this evening, so if you want to come back when you're done un-packing then you won't be on your own."
Was that me? Did I just say that? I thought I was thinking it, not saying it! Oh, she's smiling. I can't have been too forward then.
"Thank you, I will." She smiles, "…now I'd better go and see what sort of mess those elves have made of my things…"
She will. She will. I suggested something and she agreed. I shall sit here until I'm dragged away if I have to waiting for her to come back. I'll have to work on securing a seat next to her at the feast….might have to beat Severus over the head with a bludger…..but those eyes are worth it. Purple and yellow. Complementary colours……..
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Yippee! Two chapters down! I like writing Hooch, she's less formal than Ella is. Ella was raised in a rich wizard family, as will be explained later, so she's more "prim and proper". I think they'll make a fab couple! Oooppss…..have I given the ending away? *grin*