AN: You know I mentioned that project I started? It's gonna take me a long time... I wouldn't be surprised if I finished this story before I finish that... so yeah XD And this story has a long way to go ;)

Enjoy the chapter x

"What did you eat at lunch?" he asked as he stormed through the halls, Arianna in tow.

"Um… A ham sandwich?"

"Did you finish it?"

She looked down sheepishly. "N-no… I barely started it."

He sighed. "Must you insist on testing my nerves…?" he muttered to himself. She didn't hear him. "Your disregard for your own health is quite disconcerting, Arianna." He said, louder this time. "You must eat, you already look thinner and paler than normal; you mustn't make yourself ill." He chided as they entered the hall. It was dark, a dim red glow casting long shadows across the floor. She shivered involuntarily.

"You are still cold." He stated, before throwing his cloak around her shoulders hap-hazardly. She flushed, eyes suddenly wide. He coughed. "Your immune system is likely not up to keeping you from getting ill." He said as a way of explanation, before he flicked his wand at the ceiling, and it illuminated. He grabbed her wrist again and dragged her to sit at a table. She pulled the cloak tighter around her. It was warm, and it smelt like dusty old books and warm tea and him…

A few seconds later, a bowl of hot soup was placed in front of her, with two slices of bread.

"Eat." He said as he sat opposite her. "You'll make yourself ill if you keep this ridiculous diet up."

She obeyed, breaking off a third of a slice of bread and dunking it gingerly into the steaming bowl. She nibbled on it slowly, her stomach feeling unsettled by the sudden presence of food.

"I don't think my stomach is too happy with the intrusion…" she muttered, looking down.

"Tough. It will simply have to get used to it." He said with a smirk. "I expect you to join me for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day from now on."

She looked up, startled.

"As your husband, I vowed to protect you, and that includes protecting you from yourself. You are neglecting your own needs, Arianna, and it is ill advised." He explained easily, though there was a glint in his eyes. "I should also like to see you in my classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I refuse to allow you to sit in your room doing nothing all summer. You are here, so I will teach you." She smiled.

"I was already planning on attending all the freshmen lessons, Hieronymous, but I'm touched by your concern." She winked at him, and he was the one to start. She giggled.

"I-I cannot allow one of my students to-"

"I thought we were dropping that…" she didn't hide her disappointment. His expression softened.

"Forgive me. I still don't quite know how I should treat you."

"Like your wife?"

He blushed, but tried to hide it behind a cough. She laughed nervously.

"Okay… Like a friend?"

"I- I have little experience with friends." He muttered.

"You were doing fine before summer began."

He looked at her again and smiled.

"I suppose."

It was long past curfew when she finished her soup, and Ellen had gone looking again. As Arianna opened the doors to the hall, she came face-to-face with her roommate.

"Miss Middleton, it is past curfew, you should be in bed." Hieronymous said, teacher-mode engaged.

"I… I was looking for Arianna." Ellen stammered. Arianna drew the cloak tighter around her shoulders; the corridor was cooler than the hall.

"As you can see, Mis-" he breathed. "Arianna is perfectly fine. I was ensuring she ate, since she did not eat dinner. Despite your efforts, Miss Middleton, she has not been eating properly and her health will suffer if I do not intervene. Five demerits for being out past curfew. Come along, back to your room before I give you detention as well."

Ellen gulped and nodded, scurrying back down the corridor. Arianna looked behind her as Hieronymous extinguished the lights in the hall with a flick of his wand. She shuddered as she saw the long shadows in the pale light of the moon.

She turned back towards the corridor, and jumped as a hand laid gently on her shoulder. A low chuckle resounded behind her.

"You should also return to your room." He said, pushing her gently along the corridor. "I expect to see you bright and early for breakfast tomorrow morning." Even through the thick cloak, she could feel the warmth of his hand, and she snuggled further into the cloak to keep away the chill.

When they reached her room, she was reluctant to remove it… As she lifted it above her head, his hand stopped her movement.

"Return it to me in the morning." He said. "Goodnight, Arianna." And he disappeared down the hall.

She was left with a small smile on her face, as she crept into the dorm room and slipped into her bed, the cloak still wrapped around her. She drifted swiftly into a dreamless sleep.

I know, it's a bit shorter than normal :/ Sorry guys!

Please review xxx