A/N: This is my first fic for the TOH fandom. This idea for this wouldn't leave me after I watched 'Any Sport In A Storm.' I hope you enjoy.
EDIT: I feel like a fake fan. I spelled Bump's first name wrong, so I went back to correct things. Nothing else has changed.
Hieronymus set down his pen and rubbed the side of his face. With an exhausted exhale, he pushed the finalized budget report off to the side. "Frewin, I think we've earned ourselves a break. What do you think?" He received telepathic trill of agreement. "All right then."
Leaning back in his seat to get comfortable, he pulled out his scroll and opened Penstagram. It took all of a minute to catch up on his feed – unsurprising since he mainly followed faculty members and acquaintances met through his job as principal. A soft whoosh signaled a new post. Scrolling up and holding for a moment, he waited for it to appear.
A disappointed hum left Hieronymus's throat when he saw it was just a text post. His gaze flitted to the username: . Despite being long used to the pretentious nature of the demon, he barely resisted rolling his eyes. He debated whether or not to read Hermonculus's post before boredom and curiosity won out.
On an abomination-themed background were the words: A loss is nothing more than a setback to an eventual win…as long as you don't quit.
Confused, Hieronymus tried to recall anything that would prompt such a statement, and his attention drifted towards the window. He could see a member of the maintenance staff taking down a Club Fair banner. Deciding to chalk up the post to the professor's usual drivel, he turned his mind towards his students.
Club Fair Day was a day students enjoyed as it allowed them to find social activities for fun and/or ones to help them decide their future. The event also prevented the more unruly students from getting too out of hand. If some of the clubs happened to add to Hexside's prestige, it was simply a bonus.
Hieronymus typically tried to handle Club Fair Day because he enjoyed the break from the more mundane parts of administration, but recent events had left him no other option but to stay as on top of things as possible – lest a member of the Parent Creature Association or anyone else try to make problems. Unable to wait to hear about things the next school day, he swiped over to the navigation page and entered the school's hashtag.
Posts of smiling students enjoying activities from the more recreational to academic filled the tag. It appeared to be a success.
As his lips began to curve up, Hieronymus's expression froze at the next post. Professor Hermonculus was dressed in sportswear and scowling at something out of frame. His thumb swiped left to see the second photo. Willow Park and Augustus Porter were with other students – two he recognized and one he didn't – in clear celebration over a Flyer Derby victory.
Previous comments made by the professor and his recent post made a pit of apprehension form in his stomach. He couldn't even properly enjoy the defeat on the other man's face – despite the long-awaited comeuppance for the latter's dirty tactics in their college Flyer Derby days. Worry for his students overtook any gained pleasure, and drove him to click on the student's stories of the day.
The first story was of the three dual track students posing in front of the school with the caption, "besties", and the second was a blurry shot of a locker chasing two students. Knowing the cause before he read the caption, Hieronymus shook his head. Perhaps, he should have covered locker etiquette with the human.
Nothing of note stood out until the fifth story. It featured the plant and abomination track student geared up for Flyer Derby. The dress itself didn't catch his attention, but the caption did.
'Guys, my abomination prof said we'd get extra credit, and all we have to do is play Flyer Derby with him! Should be fun! :D'
Jerbo's, the student, tone changed in his next story. He'd tagged one of his friends with an apology and explanation of the day's events. With every word written, Hieronymus felt his blood pressure rising. His grip on the scroll tightened as a frown carved the lines on his face deeper.
Someone was due for a long conversation.
"Do you know why I called you in here?"
Crossing his arms and affecting a bored expression, Professor Hermonculus answered. "I assume it has something to do with the course curriculum, or you have something to tell me about one of my students."
"A fair assumption, but no," Hieronymus said, tone not giving away his mood.
"Then what is it? I don't have all day. The assignments don't grade themselves." Hermonculus uncrossed his arms to place them on his hips – muscle memory preventing him from touching the hands of his abomination.
Hieronymus waved a dismissive hand. "Those can wait. This conversation, however, cannot." Steepling his fingers, he asked, "Is there anything you'd like to tell me before we get started?"
The pointed stare and arched brow made Hermonculus pause as he tried to work out if he'd forgotten to perform a task. Nothing came to mind, so he replied in the negative. "What's this about?"
"Willow Park, and your actions during the Club Fair."
Jerking back minutely, Hermonculus hastily sent his abomination a silent command to stand still. He eyed his boss's expression carefully – noting the unhappy furrow on Frewin and Bump's tensed jaw. Righteous indignation warred with the unease creeping down his spine. "Did she lodge a complaint?"
"No. None of the students came to me with this. I found out on my own." Scowling in displeasure at the blatant attempt to find a student to punish or someone to ascribe blame, Hieronymus neglected to mention the posts on Penstagram. "Would you like to revise your earlier response? I think an explanation is in order."
Hermonculus took a deep breath in preparation of defending himself and his actions. "Ms. Park's withdrawal from my class made me hesitant to approve her club as long as she was leader. What if she quit it, and no other leader could be found for the team? School funding would have been wasted. I was merely protecting the school by testing her resolve, and she passed her test. I may have been a tad abrasive in my tactics, but surely you can't fault me for looking after the school's best interests."
"I can and will when it involves underhanded tactics during the game – not to mention your worrisome grudge against one of my students."
"If you'll recall, far more dangerous activities have happened at this school than a professor challenging students to a Flyer Derby match to get permission for club approval, and a little fall from a staff." Hermonculus scoffed. "Your predecessor was also notorious for far more drastic measures with students failing to meet a set of standards. If you ask me, we've become too lenient with these students. They could use a firmer hand. Students quitting due to a poor performance should not be rewarded."
Irritation and distaste at the mention of the former principal flashed in quick succession before firm disapproval settled over Hieronymus's face. "If you'll recall, I was the one to transfer Ms. Park. She did not request it. She also did not choose her track. Her parents did."
Picking up on the hard edge to his boss's words, Hermonculus considered the best way to proceed – most notably in a way that wouldn't put his job in danger. "Well, yes, I suppose that's true…however, she still did try to pass off the human as her work – causing plenty of school damage, and I suspect she did not adequately apply herself in my class. Someone needs to make sure she knows she doesn't have free reign of Hexside."
"I already had a discussion with Ms. Park about her actions that day, and it's been dealt with. She is one of our most promising students and does not act out without a cause. No reminders are necessary," Hieronymus stated, leaving no room for argument in his tone. "Especially not ones that put her in harm's way. As a member of the faculty, I expect a certain degree of integrity when interacting with students. Taking cheap shots during games and singling students out to hamper their success will not be tolerated."
"But – "
Holding up a hand, Hieronymus continued, "Not if you'd like to keep your job here. If I hear anything about you continuing with this petty grudge against Willow or unfairly punishing any student – particularly those involved in the Flying Derby match, you'll have me to answer to. Is that clear?"
Hermonculus grit his teeth – knowing there was no way out of it. "Yes."
"Excellent." Hieronymus lightly pressed his palms together and pointed his steepled fingers towards the door. "You may go." Before his employee crossed the threshold, he called out, "By the way, if you haven't already, you should congratulate her – set an example for the students on how not to be a sore loser."
"Understood," Hermonculus grumbled.
The door shut behind the demon and his abomination with a dull thud.
"I think that went well. Don't you, Frewin?" At the agreeing chirp sent his way, Hieronymus reached up to pet the tail of his palisman. "We'll assess things further tomorrow."
"So, do you think Hermonculus is going to give us a hard time now?" Gus asked, eyes sweeping around the hallways for any sign of the professor.
Luz clenched her fists at her sides. "What is that guy's problem anyway? So Willow switched tracks. What's the big deal?"
Mouth pulling down in distaste, Amity joined the conversation. "He takes things personally and views himself highly. He didn't see Willow's switch as her moving to the right track for her, but as her giving up and insulting him – as wasting his time."
"That's stupid!"
"It is." Amity nodded. "I've tried to subtly get the message through, but he won't have it."
Gus brought his right fist down into the palm of his left hand. "Maybe we should challenge him to a rematch and make him get it."
As the trio turned down the next hallway, they caught sight of Willow standing by her locker, and Professor Hermonculus approaching her. The three increased their pace. They managed to reach her a few moments before the professor did, and created a protective ring around her.
"Oh, hey, guys, what's the rush? Did something happen?" Willow eyed them in amused concern and glanced around to see if anything had chased them.
"Um, not exactly – not yet," Luz babbled, awkwardly crossing her arms.
When Willow's gaze moved from Luz's fidgeting figure over to him, Gus subtly nodded his head in the direction of Hermonculus. He saw the moment she clocked him by the way her shoulders tensed, and her expression froze into something neutral.
"Good morning, students."
"Good morning," they chorused.
Hermonculus regarded them all for a couple seconds before focusing on Willow and Gus. "You both performed well in the Flyer Derby match. I expect great things from the team."
As the others fixed disbelieving expressions on him, Willow straightened her spine and gave a determined nod. "The Emerald Entrails don't back down from a challenge."
"Good to hear." Without a departing glance, Hermonculus stiffly continued on to his classroom.
"That was weird. I thought he'd be…angrier," Gus said, rubbing the nape of his neck. "Maybe he realized he was wrong about you?"
Unconvinced, Amity's face tightened in deep thought. "I'm not so sure…he's pretty set in his ways and can hold a grudge. Didn't his politeness feel overly strained to you?"
"Yeah," Luz agreed. She'd relaxed from her tense stance, however. "I didn't get the sense he was planning anything, though. We should take it as a win." She turned to her friend. "What do you think, Willow?"
"I agree with you two. I don't think I won him over, but it seems like he's done causing problems for me." Willow shrugged a shoulder. "Regardless of the reason, we won our club, and I'll continue proving him wrong."
Luz clapped a hand on Willow's shoulder and whooped. "That's the spirit, girl!"
A nearby spirit floated over. "Are you guys talking about me?"
Cringing at the hopeful tone, Luz dropped her hand from Willow and gave the spirit an awkward finger gun. "Uh, yeah, we were just talking about how you seem really nice."
"Aw, thanks! You guys seem really nice, too!" The spirit smiled, and then looked over to the school clock. "Oh! I better go! I'm almost late for class. See you around!"
Once he was out of sight, the group stopped waving.
"I should get to class. I'll see you all at lunch."
Luz snuck in a hug before releasing her girlfriend. "Bye, Amity!" Her attention turned to her two friends. "Guess I should get going, too. See you later!"
Willow and Gus bid their friends farewell, and then began walking down the hallway together since their classes lay in the same general direction.
"Are we going to hold tryouts for another player, or ask Luz and Amity? I know they have their book club, but I'm sure they could make time for Flyer Derby."
Humming in thought, Willow considered her options. "I think we should go with the second one. Caleb's still part of the team – even if he won't be able to play much, and it'd be best if everyone on the team already knows who he is."
Gus nodded. "Makes sense. Plus, if one of them is busy, the other could fill in."
"Exactly." Willow smiled. "I'll message the rest of our team in our group chat first to see how they feel about it."
"I'm sure they'll agree."
As both started to part ways and go to their respective classrooms, a voice called out and made the witches pause.
"Willow, Augustus, might I have a word with you both?"
Willow traded a mildly worried look with Gus before facing their principal. "Of course, Principal Bump."
Catching the glances towards their classrooms, Hieronymus assured them, "I'll speak to your teachers and let them know I was the cause for your delay." He waited for that to sink in, and then continued. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your Flyer Derby win. You formed quite a team, Willow. Flyer Derby doesn't get as much recognition as it deserves, and I'm honored you decided to form a club here at Hexside."
"Oh, thank you, Principal Bump." Willow practically glowed with pride. "I've been a fan ever since my dads introduced me to it, and I wanted to continue the family tradition."
"I'm sure they're very proud." Hieronymus brought his hands together and his lips curved in the ghost of a smile. "Well, I don't want to keep you two from your studies. I merely wanted to congratulate you both as well as let you know that your club will be funded by the school, so let me know if you need anything."
"We will, Principal Bump, sir," Gus exclaimed, eyes wide in excitement. "Thank you!"
Willow smiled. "Yes, thank you."
"One more thing: I didn't recognize the fifth player on your team." At their alarmed looks, Hieronymus waved a dismissive hand. "While there are no rules currently in place against bringing outside students into a sports team, I just wanted to let you know, if your friend would like to enroll in Hexside, he'd be most welcome."
"We'll be sure to let him know," Willow promised.
Hieronymus nodded. "Good. That'll be all."
Gus and Willow watched as he popped into both their classrooms to inform their teachers, and then turned to each other.
"Do you think – ?"
Smile growing, Willow bobbed her head and chuckled. "I think Principal Bump had a talk with Hermonculus."
"Best. Principal. Ever!"
A/N: Feedback is always appreciated! :)
