Merry Christmas everyone. Thank you so much for your reviews.
And so it continues.
Chapter 3
Newt Scamander's POV
There was no potion in existence that could replicate the waves of adrenaline and excitement that surged through him in that moment. His entire body tingled with a feverish desire at the warmth of her mouth and how her lips fit perfectly with his. With one touch...one taste, he knew; he was addicted to this feeling beyond measure.
With some restraint, he broke contact after breathing air into her lungs and shifted his body over to place his hands upon the center of her chest. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears as he fought desperately to save her life.
Relief washed over him when her eyes snapped open and she sat up, spurting out water and coughing erratically.
Reader's POV
I inhaled loudly, filling my lungs with air again as my eyes darted around the surrounding forest, haziness still clouding my vision. My chest heaved painfully while my head throbbed with disorientation. I was cold and numb, barely able to register pain or the events that led to my current state. A hand cupped my face and I came crashing back into reality as I heard a familiar voice.
There he was. With water dripping from the ends of his dirty blonde hair as he hovered over me, panting from an unknown source of exertion, fully clothed and soaked.
I gasped and scrambled away from him. Panic rising as I realized that a professor had found me outside of the castle in such a vulnerable state.
"It's okay! It's okay," he said, voice as rich and velvety as I remember. His hand extended towards me as if I were a frightened animal prepared to make a steadfast escape. "Please..." He continued, "it's just me. See? Just...just me." His other hand splayed over his chest as he called out to me soothingly. The side of his lip curled up in an attempt to convince me with his good intentions. "You were drowning, from being pulled to the deep end-so I-so I performed-CPR on you. It was... it was the first thing I could think of to do." He trailed off, eyes pleading. "Isn't that...what muggles-I mean, what no maj's do when someone drowns? I learned it during my expeditions on the coasts of Europe. I-I-wasn't trying anything, I promise you." He said softly. While hearing this, I perceived the immense effort he put into maintaining eye contact with me, blinking as if he'd break under the weight of my stare.
My eyebrows furrowed and I narrowed my eyes skeptically.
A weary smile made its way to his face, hiding a secret that I longed to uncover. His hand fidgeted with his hair and the collar of his trench coat as he seemed to search the gravel for words. My eyes followed the water droplets that ran tantalizingly down the side of his neck, which he kept it slightly craned-as if he were inviting me to bite into his tanned skin. Oh how I fought the urge not to.
"Are you...are you alright?" The low hum of his voice vibrating into my core, dissipating the uncomfortable silence. "Can I...go there and check on you?" he asked with intense concern, causing my body to inwardly shiver. The walls I attempted to hold before him reduced to erosion in the midst of his sincerity.
"Oh. Y-yes...I'm alright." I finally replied, but faintly. "I think. But wait...Professor..." He straightened at this, giving his full attention. "how exactly did you find me?" I asked.
His eyes widened a fraction and he opened his mouth to speak, but failed to form words. "I was...looking for...something I had lost." He laughed awkwardly, his eyes once again cast downwards, along the ground before him. He looked up at me and smiled as if he were trying to convince himself, looking adorably boyish rather than an intimidating adult.
"All the way here? Were you able to find it?" I questioned, quirking an eyebrow.
"Yes, thankfully."
"Hmm...okay...Professor." I said slowly. Reacting the way I have been accustomed to when it comes to men; pretending I had a lack of perception and inquisition as I falsely accepted his convoluted story. "Well...thank you... For saving me." I whispered, unsure of the circumstances I found myself in. He smiled almost bashfully and cast his gaze elsewhere, too embarrassed to accept my gratitude.
I absentmindedly ran my fingertips over my lips, which were pink and swollen from previously being adorned by...him. Although it was a result of desperate measures, I couldn't help the stampede of whatever animal I could think of making flutters in my belly. He had to put his lips on mine. His lips. Touched mine. And I was too busy playing CADAVER to enjoy even a second of it.
I inwardly sighed. I wonder...how he felt doing it? I wonder if...do I dare say...he liked the way my lips felt? What ran through his mind doing something so forbiddingly intimate but not exactly intimate...with me? I wonder what his lips would feel like if-"WOAH!" I screamed, disrupted from my rambunctious thoughts. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?!" I screeched, pointing behind him.
He whipped around, moving back with his body shielding my much smaller form as he pointed his wand defensively. I couldn't help but notice how his other arm held onto my hip as he offered himself as protection. His eyes scanned the shadows, but he realized the only notable object in view was the creature, who came into view peering over his shoulder. The creature's upper body resembled a horse and his hind legs were replaced with a long scaly tail. Professor Scamander relaxed his stance and turned to me with caution.
"Okay." He whispered over the pronounced collar of his trench coat. "Don't...just don't...make any sudden movements. Okay? Stay behind me."
I scoffed, eyes wide as I gawked at him, shouting in my head at how he had lost his marbles.
"And why...are you...telling...me...NOT to?!" I hissed through clenched teeth, but remaining still.
"Because...they are incredibly unpredictable." He stated regretfully.
"And?!"
"And you shouldn't be too afraid!"
"Why?!"
"Oscar is one of the mellower Kelpies I've owned." He replied nonchalantly.
His statement was followed by a long pause.
I blinked deliberately as I tried comprehending every word he had instilled into my brain. "You... Did you say that you own him?"
He winced, as if he accidentally revealed a humiliating secret. "Well...technically speaking, yes?"
"Annnndddd...you decided to name him... Oscar." I asked rhetorically.
"...yes...?"
"Of all the names in the universe, you couldn't think of something more befitting of an incredible looking creature like this?" I gestured towards Oscar in disbelief.
He shot me a wild look.
"Did-did you just say he was incredibl-"
Professor Scamander barely had the opportunity to complete his question of clarification before a loud noise erupted from Oscar. The Kelpie's prominent tail receded and shifted into sturdy hind legs, completing his new transformation as he now stood as a full fledged horse. Oscar eyed me curiously and galloped in my direction, the sound of his sturdy hooves pounding against the gravel. I gasped.
Newt held up both of his hands towards Oscar as he advanced.
"Now now, Oscar! Play ni-"
Oscar came to a halt, causing dust to disperse around him as we shielded our eyes behind our arms. As the dust continued its descent back onto the ground, he proceeded to lean back and until he did a full bow. Unable to move, I shot a glance towards Professor Scamander, wordlessly begging for an explanation. His eyes then squinted at Oscar in response, as he allowed his mind to reel at certain possibilities. Oscar exhaled, making us both jump as we anticipated his next movement. We watched as Oscar lifted his nuzzle, and to my surprise, he gently pressed it against my cold cheek. I sat still in shock, my hand reaching up to pet him tentatively before my brain registered my actions.
Newt's expression mirrored my own.
Newt Scamander's POV
"Well, I've...never seen a kelpie do THAT before..." He whispered to himself in astonishment. There were theories that suggested the reasoning behind a kelpie's full transformation, but he would research that in his scripts later. For now...he was once again left in awe at the scene that unfolded before him. She turned towards Oscar, eyes bright with wonder as her confidence allowed to her to pat lovingly at Oscar's chin.
That look; that look of pure admiration that she gave towards his beloved creature, he almost dared to think that he would give anything for someone to look at him the same way. No. He lied. Maybe...in some other life...in different circumstances...perhaps he would-no. Nevermind. Not that he would ever admit anything out loud-and certainly not even for the cold air to hear.
He could admit that maybe he admired her. It was practically inevitable. Instead of running away, she boldly reached forward. Instead of crying, she held herself high with resolve. The sparkle in her eye...the warmth of her cheeks. No one respected and acted with such consideration towards his creature as she did in this moment. She pressed her nose against Oscars and glared playfully.
"Alright, Oscar, you may be massive in size, but if you bite me, I will bite you back." She said sternly, seriousness hardened on her face. This quickly melted away as her glare was replaced with a lighthearted laugh.
Oscar grunted at this, and urged her to pet him atop his wild mane. She giggled and ran both of her hands through the thick strands of fur.
Newt couldn't help but give in to the goofy grin spreading across his face. She was unpredictable with every fiber of her being. Were all student girls like this?
From what he could recall, every woman he had ever come close to would have their faces permanently scrunched in disgust as they would turn their noses up haughtily. Even the mention of magical creatures, or animals for that matter, would serve as human repellent. Most people were victim to their fear. The fear of the unknown. But this girl...she was different. Not quite an outsider like himself, but someone who seemingly took pride in being distinctive.
He took the opportunity to take a good look at her, for all she was. His eyes left hers and lingered on her smile, secretly and unwillingly longing for the feel of her lips again. Secretly. The outline of her swimsuit through her opaque, red stained shirt threatening to drive him mad. Then he stilled. The red stains slowly grew in faded streaks along the white fabric of her shirt.
She was hurt.
He stood up and approached her frantically. "W-we have to get you inside. Can you...can you stand?" He interrupted.
Reader's POV
I snapped my attention to him and gasped at his sudden close proximity. "Yes. I think I can." I replied. "But I need my wand first. Where did I leave it? And I need to get-ouch!" I winced in pain as I tried to stand, feeling flustered as he caught me by the waist. Oscar gave me a confused stare and I glanced down, noticing the bit of blood starting to seep through my shirt. Anxiously, Professor Scamander scanned my body, seemingly taking note of the abrasions and scratches on my exposed skin.
His face reflected guilt and he looked away in shame. He inhaled deeply until voice found him again.
"This is-I just-I didn't mean-" He paused to gather himself. "I...I am really sorry, _. This is entirely my fault."
"No it isn't! Please, don't apologize Professor-I chose to be out here," I argued.
"No, I endangered you with one of my own creatures...and now you're hurt." He said in defeat. "Come with-come with me, I can take you to the infirmary." He said softly offering his hand, eyes glancing towards the castle.
"No! I-I can't. Absolutely not. I can't go there and give them legitimate proof that I violated at least 10 school rules!"
"10? Well...I'm sure those were over a thousand school rules. More than all my years combined-"
"EXACTLY MY POINT! Thanks for sugarcoating it!" I quietly shouted.
He instantly reconsidered his next words. "Okay. I understand, truly. I do." He nodded. "But...your safety should be priority right now! And they have all the resources they need to make sure you heal properly." He replied patiently.
"I'm fine!" I huffed, biting back a soft cry as I stood tall and tried making my way back to the castle. I heard him sigh in defeat.
"Please listen to me."
"No!" I replied stubbornly as I walked as normally as I possibly could. "We are both in trouble out here. Neither of us can afford to take me to the infirmary because One, I'm Head Girl that was out after hours NOT doing my rounds. And Two, they will ask what happened and seeing as you are a terrible liar, this would put Oscar and your new position as Professor in great jeopardy. So, with that being said, goodnight Professor. Let's pretend this never happened." I said with finality, continuing my pathetic attempt to walk back again.
"W-wait! C-come back here!"
"No."
"Come back or I'll. Uhh. Or...I'll have to bring you back myself!" He called out.
I turned back and stuck my tongue out at him. "Real mature there, self. Real mature," I murmured as I made my way towards the treeline.
"You leave me no choice." He uttered, running a hand through his hair shakily in frustration.
"I'll be fine, Professor. Stop treating me like a child. The castle is not that far and it's just a few minor scratches. I can take care of mysel-AAAH!" I yelped as strong arms scooped under me, suspending me in the air as he held me firmly against his chest; bridal style. I looked up at his face, eyes wide and heat rising to my cheeks as his eyes seemed to bore into me.
"What are you-"
He seemed to have snapped out of a trance, and suddenly looked just as flummoxed as I. "I-uh-I..." He swallowed dryly and tore his gaze away from mine, face raging with heat. "Um. I seem to have...reacted out of instinct." He trailed off, trying to make sense of his own impulsive actions.
"...Okay," I said shyly. A far cry from the stubborn brat I was behaving as earlier. "You can...put me down now."
"Well yes of-of course, since you-No! You-you can't expect me to let you leave alone out here like this! I am not that type of man. I am...your teacher. I'm...I'm going to fix this. I'll fix you." He declared, his adrenaline rushing through his tall form as he exuded uncharacteristic confidence.
Before I had a chance to protest, blush, or react for that matter, he summoned my wand and evening bag into his hand, and apparated us both to the outer walls of the castle.
"HEY! At least warn me if you're gonna whizz me through space like that!" I spat, feeling borderline inebriated.
He laughed nervously at my little outburst.
"If you refuse to go to the infirmary then I'll-then I'll-I'll just heal you myself." He said with some uncertainty.
I stared at him quizzically as I began to process his words. After a long pause he blinked rapidly and he cleared his throat, looking anywhere but my direction. "Let's-let's get going then," he said aloud. He strode through the back entrance, carrying my weight with ease. The corridor seemed abandoned until we heard footsteps echoing from a distance. Swiftly, he side stepped and hid behind a tall stone statue, obscuring us from view. His eyes stayed fixed on the end of the corridor where shadows danced along the walls. He dipped his head down to my ear, my body shuddering at how his lips ghosted just above my skin.
"Please, _ ...show me the surest way we can make it back to my chambers undetected," he said in a low voice, hiding his fear of being seen.
Goosebumps graced over my skin, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes back at the mere sensation of his warm breath so dangerously close to the sensitive part of my neck.
My pulse raced and I bit my bottom lip. I looked up at him and nodded. "Yes, Professor Scamander."
With a few light taps against the stone statue using tip of my wand, the wall behind us disappeared until three separate corridors materialized from the darkness. With a nod he pushed ahead, tightening his strong grip.
I dared not to undermine his authority.
...At least not this time.