synopsis. You want to be an Auror. As one of his favorite and brightest students, Aesop tries to convince you to not put your life on the line for a job.
warnings. Making out. Age gap. Student/teacher. Self deprecation. Reader is the hero of hogwarts. R is in seventh year (aged 18). Mutual pining. Idiots.
âIn all seven years of my student-ing,â you said abruptly, drawing Professor Sharpâs attention from the essays he graded. âIâve only heard you bring up your Auror days twice. May I go as far as to ask why?â
The man leaned back in his chair, watching the student he had grown to care for as⊠Professor Sharp watched you keep a careful eye on your Vertiserum as you organized potion ingredients on his shelves. âThere isnât much to speak about anymore. It was dangerous, and even when it wasnât⊠there was never a moment in my life I wouldnât look over my shoulder at every snap of a twig.â
âButâŠ?â You prompted, knowing the potionâs master had more to tell you: he just liked to torture you.
âBut the job has itâs⊠rewards. The pay is good. I hated the paperwork though.â
âEw,â you agreed, moving onto the next shelf after adjusting the temperature of the fire below the cauldron.
A seed of fear suddenly bloomed in Aesopâs mind. âIs there a reason youâre asking about Aurors?â
You nodded. âItâs one of the only jobs Iâm interested in. I have the grades for it, the experience,â you bit your lip, a rush of memories crossing your brain as you thought about all the escapades you pulled off in your first (fifth) year at Hogwarts. âItâs⊠the only job I see myself doing.â
Professor Sharp felt his stomach drop. No. There was no way he was sending in one of the brightest students heâd ever taught into a system that would likely kill her. âThe paperwork is what youâd be stuck doing most of the time,â the man lied.
You looked surprised. âOh.â
Aesop felt a flush of hope in his chest, hoping desperately to persuade you away from the career of an Auror. Anything but that.
âIâd still do it,â you said finally, a determined tone in your voice.
The hope died. âI see,â Aesop murmured disapprovingly.
âWhy do I get a feeling you arenât thrilled about my career choice?â You asked, finishing the second shelf.
âI was wondering when youâd catch on. Points to (your house),â Aesop wittly replied. His small smile disappeared. âMiss y/l/n, to be quite frank with you, the job will take a toll on you- mentally and physically. Not only will you undergo numerous field injuries, there is always the chance you would⊠die. This job is dangerous, isolating, and overall not a very enviable job.â
You just nodded. âI understand that risk, Professor. But I have a reason for wanting the job. I have a reason to put my life on the line for others. A reason for⊠for my own life to be sacrificed for others to live peacefully, should the time come. Iâve already thought this through.â
âThen tell me your reason. Give me a reason why your life is not as important as othersâs?â Professor asked, sharp eyes watching your rigid form slowly turn to him.
âIâve nothing keeping me here. I have the talent, and you cannot deny it. This- This is the only thing Iâll have after graduation! I- Professor, please donât talk me out of this,â you pleaded, eyes glinting in the dim light of the classroom.
Now youâve done it, old man. But he pressed on. ââNothing keeping you hereâ?!â The man stood up, furious, disappointed, and⊠surprisingly sad. âThis isnât a joke, y/l/n. You have plenty of things âkeeping you hereâ! Your little Sallow friend, that Sweeting girl, the blind boy you sit by,â Aesop listed angrily, unconsciously stalking towards you. âMerlin, you have-â he cut himself off abruptly, realizing the word he was going to say after. Me. Me, y/n, you have me. A part of Aesop scoffed: idiot, you are; only a fool would want an old cripple like you and everyone knows y/n isnât a fool- besides, sheâs a student. Date a student and people are going to wonder if you were given special treatment.
âWho else, Professor?â You asked, tilting your head to look at the man you had been crushing on for the last few years. Please, you thought, say it.
You took the smallest step forward, making Aesop realize how close he was to you. Your intense gaze held him there, refusing to move. He knew what you wanted, and he knew it would be disastrous if he gave in. But, truly, he was only a man. Standing in fromt of an intelligent, talented, beautiful, and witty woman. âMe,â the man whispered, tearing his gaze away from you.
âGive me a reason not to, Aesop. Give me a reason to st-â you hadnât finished your sentance before Aesopâs shaking hands grasped your side and pulled, forcing your body against his. He kept one hand on your nack, lightly holding onto him in case you suddenly fled for the door and moved one callused hand to your face. He brushed away a stray hair and his eyes flickered between your lips and your eyes.
âTell me to stop,â Aesop whispered. His voice, low and gravely, made you shudder against his body.
Your eyelashed fluttered as you struggled to stay calm in his overwhelming presence. âKiss me.â
Aesopâs lips locked onto yours, a low groan bubbling out of his mouth and being swallowed by yours as you kissed back with the same passion as he. Aesop cursed himself, knowing you could easily realize who you were making out with and run off, taking Aesopâs heart with you.
But maybe you needed this as much as he did. Your small gasps and whimpers surely fanned the flames of Aesopâs hope that you wanted him. Your hand slid up Aesopâs wide back and threaded into his hair, tangling. He groaned at your actions.
You pulled away abruptly, resting your forhead on Aesopâs shoulder. âI-Iâm sorry. I didnât mean to-â
âWas that good enough of a reason?â Aesop asked, knowing full well you were still probably imagining yourself as an Auror.
âKiss me again and Iâll see if it was truly satisfactory,â you joked, looking up at the man whoâs heart was currently in your unknowing hands.
âY/n,â Aesop finally murmured, hand still on the small of your back. âPromise me youâll be safe.â
âWhat?â
âPromise me when youâre on the field⊠promise me that youâll be safe.â
Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. âI promise. Sir, what-â
âI canât damage your reputation by being in public with you like this. As much as I wish, it cannot be. At least, not in the near future,â he whispered, resting his chin on your head.
âI know.â
Silence fell over the pair: you not wanting to move from Aesopâs comforting arms and Aesop not wanting you to go.
âI think your Veritaserum is done,â Aesop said.