Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

With a heavy sigh, Pomona fell onto her bed while removing her hat. She was completely exhausted. Her last double class had been a nightmare. Three of her Hufflepuffs had detention as a result of their mischief making, and she had three very upset laughing lilies. She'd had to move them away from the others or they would all end up crying by morning. Hopefully, the plants would brighten up by morning or she would have to separate them and nurse them back to health. Normally, this wasn't a problem. But for them to be restored from crying, you had to tell them corny jokes, and she simply didn't think she would be able to cause happiness when she felt so low. Plants could always tell your mood, even if the students couldn't. And that had made it very easy for her students to get the laughing lilies to cry.

Hearing her clock chime the hour, Pomona glanced at it and sighed again. She felt horrible, and to top off her day, her headache from the morning and afternoon was returning. She should be heading to dinner now, but she didn't think she could face her friends or Filius at this moment. Rising, she strode over to the fireplace and placed a pinch of Floo powder inside. Instantly, the green flames blazed when she called Albus Dumbledore's name. Sticking her head in the flame, his office came into view.

Sitting behind his desk, Albus glanced up as his fireplace turned green. "Professor Sprout! How can I help you?"

"Headmaster, I apologize for the interruption," Pomona told him quickly.

Shaking his head, Albus waved off her apologies. "Think nothing of it, my dear."

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. I find that I need to go into Hogsmeade this evening and visit the nursery. I have some sick laughing lilies so I won't be able to attend dinner tonight."

"Ah, I see. Very good, Professor Sprout. I heard you had a little trouble in your last class this afternoon. Will the plants be all right?"

Nodding, Pomona answered, "Yes, yes. Nothing a little comedic fertilizer and special care can't cure." She smiled back at him as if she wasn't wishing she could cry instead.

"Very well, Pomona," he replied. "I will let Minerva and the staff know that you won't be in attendance tonight. But I hope to see you in the morning." He looked at her over the rims of his spectacles and raised one brow.

"Oh, y-yes, sir. You will. I hope you will excuse my absence this morning. I overslept. I..."

"Don't worry, Professor. I understand. Is there anything else you would like to talk to me about?" he asked, standing and walking around to the front of his desk.

"No," Pomona replied quickly, shaking her head.

Pausing, Albus looked down and let out a long breath. "All right, Pomona. Have a good night."

"Yes, sir. You too. Thank you," Pomona said hastily and ended the floo call.

Frowning, Pomona thought Albus' last question was odd but quickly shoved it aside. She needed to get to the nursery before it closed. Afterward, she would make a stop at the Three Broomsticks to apologize to Taurean for kicking him out this morning and for not being able to stay this evening. But she was just too tired to let him pick her brain. In her current state, she may just come right out and tell him who she was in love with. That was a detail few people knew. And given his ingenuity, Pomona didn't doubt for one moment that Taurean was a very intelligent wizard. He may well deduce it even if Pomona was able to keep from telling him.

Breaking free from her thoughts, Pomona quickly put on her hat and over-robe, wincing when her right shoulder ached from the movement. Breathing out slowly, she adjusted her robe and strode to the door, then turned and waved her wand in an arc to secure it once she was in the hallway. Outside, Pomona shielded her eyes from the sun as she walked to the gate, then Apparated.

A loud crack met Pomona's ears when she reappeared in Hogsmeade, and she flinched. She really didn't feel well. Too many skipped meals and too little sleep in the last two days, she chastised herself. Looking up, she saw the nursery just on the other side of the street. Ambling over to the door, she stepped inside, and a bell chimed announcing her arrival.

"Ahh, Professor Sprout! It's so nice to see you," the tall, dark gardener greeted her with a smile. "How can I help you?"

Smiling back tiredly, Pomona said, "Hello, Hugh. It's nice to see you again, too. I need some comedic fertilizer delivered to the school in the morning, if possible."

Concern crossed Hugh's face. "Trouble with your Honking Daffodils?"

Shaking her head, Pomona sighed and replied, "No. It's the laughing lilies. Though I think I would prefer it was the Honking Daffodils. They are much easier to coax out of depression than the lilies."

"Oh, dear. You have my sympathies, Professor. I happen to have just gotten a shipment in today. I'll have Ben deliver it first thing in the morning. And why don't you take this too?" He handed her a small book.

"What's this?" Pomona asked, raising her eyebrows as she turned the book over in her hands.

"Newest volume of Ridiculous Riddles and Tacky Jokes by Howard Mendy. It's guaranteed to liven up all your jovial plants." He smiled at her.

"Thank you, Hugh. Just add it to my bill."

"Nah. It's on the house, Professor."

Looking at the older man, tears rose in her eyes at his act of kindness. Pomona rapidly blinked them away and smiled back at him. "Thanks, Hugh." Waving, she stepped back into the street, placed the book in her robe pocket, and walked toward the Three Broomsticks.

"Still have a long face, deary?" the shrunken heads greeted her once more as she stepped inside the pub.

"Perhaps. It has merely been a long day," Pomona replied, looking up at them and smiling weakly.

Glancing toward the bar, Pomona searched for Taurean, but drew in a sharp breath when her sight fell upon someone she had not expected to be there at all. Covering the space hesitantly, Pomona stopped behind him and gently touched his shoulder.

When he turned around, she greeted him awkwardly. "Hello, Filius."

"Pomona!" he greeted her with a smile that lit his eyes. Behind him, she saw Taurean leaning against the bar, and he nodded at her, smiling as well. "I was just telling Taurean about your wonderful plants. He used to help his father tend their garden every summer."

"Oh, really?" Pomona asked, sincerely interested, moving to sit down when Filius hopped down and moved a stool out for her. "Thank you, Filius."

"No bother at all, my dear," he said, levitating himself back up to his stool.

It felt glorious to sit down, even though Pomona felt a little out of sorts to be between the two men. She sighed. Her head was pounding now, and she really should beg off for the night. But the fact that Filius was here made her want to stay. Why is he here, anyway?

"I came to see Taurean. I felt like we got off to a wrong start last evening, and I wanted to make amends," Filius explained as if reading Pomona's mind.

"Oh!"

Laughing, Taurean said, "And I told him no amends were needed. I can understand the need to protect the castle and its staff." His eyes landed on Pomona, and he smiled at her again. "What can I get you tonight, Professor?"

"Well, I was actually coming to tell you I need to beg off for tonight," Pomona explained. "I am feeling rather tired, and it has been a very long day."

"Oh, but, Pomona, surely you have missed dinner at Hogwarts this evening. You should eat something here before you retire," Filius pointed out, laying his hand on top of hers.

Closing her eyes at the contact, Pomona swallowed hard. Then, taking a deep breath once Filius had removed his hand, she looked over at him. "I am sorry, Filius, but I'm not very hungry. I was just going to get the House-elves to bring me some tea and biscuits and go to bed."

"That isn't much, Pomona. Please have something here with me? It might make you feel a little better. Just something small," Filius pleaded.

"He is right, cherry blossom. Rosmerta's chef is trying a new line of tapas that might be perfect. Why don't you both move to a table, and I will get you a menu?" Taurean asked.

Sighing heavily, Pomona acquiesced. "How can I refuse when I have you both worried for my health?" She smiled tiredly.

"Wonderful! Thank you, Taurean," Filius exclaimed, hopping down from his stool and moving to the nearest table. Pulling out a chair, he motioned for Pomona to sit down and pushed it in when she did.

Taking the chair across from her, Filius pulled out his wand and Levitated his cherry-filled drink to the table from the bar. Lifting it, he took a generous sip and sighed. "I have to say, Taurean makes a great Italian cherry soda. I'm so glad you decided to stay, Pomona."

Arriving at their table, Taurean handed them both a small menu card. "Can I get you a drink, Pomona?" he asked while they looked at the choices.

"Filius tells me you make a lovely Italian cherry soda. Can I have one of those?"

"Certainly! I'll be right back," he told her with a smile, turning and striding back to the bar.

"Are you all right, Mona?" Filius asked, concern marring his features as he studied her.

Sighing, Pomona looked at Filius and nodded. "It has just been a very long day. I have three laughing lilies that are crying because of my last class. And I did not get enough sleep last night because of poor judgment on my part. But that is all on me, Filius. That is all. Truly." She reached out and grasped his hand, squeezing it in reassurance.

Turning his hand over, he covered her hand with his other one and patted it. "That does sound like a bad day. I am sorry you had to go through that. What about your plants?"

"They'll be fine. Hugh is going to deliver what I need in the morning."

Placing a short glass filled with pink liquid and cherries in front of Pomona, Taurean asked, "So, have you both made a decision?"

Pulling her hand from Filius', Pomona glanced up, then picked up the small menu and looked at it. "Yes, I think I will try the cheese-filled grape leaves," she replied, handing the menu back to Taurean.

"And I want to try the empanadas," Filius told him.

"Those are very good choices," he said, taking their menus and heading to the kitchen.

"So, how was Celeste?" Pomona asked, trying to think of something to say.

"She is good. The view from the tower is astonishing. But she says it gets rather cold up there, and she is pants at warming Charms. I have offered to show her how to cast a warming Charm that lasts."

"Well, I can't think of a better person to teach her that than you," Pomona said, taking a sip of her drink. "You know, you are right about this soda. I love the bubbles."

Nodding, Filius picked up his own drink and took a sip. "It is good, isn't it? This is the first time I have ever had one. Taurean was also telling me about a Japanese cherry blossom margarita that sounds delicious..."

"Oh, it is. But very potent."

"He did tell me that as well," Filius chuckled. "Ah, here are our tapas," Filius said as Taurean placed the plates in front of them.

"I hope you like them. It is something we have often in my country," Taurean told them, watching avidly as they both picked up a morsel and took a bite.

Pomona bit into a grape leaf, and the flavor of salty olives and sweet, rum-filled raisins combined with the softness of goat cheese assaulted her taste buds. She closed her eyes briefly and sighed. "Mmm, these are very delicious, Taurean," Pomona told him. Filius simply nodded as he chewed.

"Wonderful! I will tell the chef you like them very much. They are something my cousin had while she visited me last year and wanted to add them to the menu. So far, they have been a great success." He grinned broadly before turning away.

"I can see why," Filius said after finishing his bite. "Would you like to try one of these?"

"Only if you try one of mine," Pomona replied, picking up a grape leaf with her fork and placing it on his plate while he did the same with one of his empanadas.

They ate in silence for a few moments. Pomona's headache had dulled a little as she ate and drank, but she could still feel the effects of the last two days. She didn't want this contentment she was feeling at this moment with Filius to cloud her judgment. This wasn't a date, even if it felt that way.

Looking over at Filius, she studied him for a moment. As she watched him, she noticed he did look rather sad as Poppy had pointed out earlier. When he looked up at her and caught her watching him, his sadness seemed to disappear some, and he smiled tenderly back at her. Placing her half-eaten empanada back on her plate, she wiped her mouth with her napkin.

"Filius, how was your day today?" she asked, thinking maybe something had happened in one of his classes as it had in hers.

"Oh, it went well, very well indeed. The Stebbins boy was even able to Levitate a feather on his first try today. I did miss your company at breakfast, and then at lunch, though. My meeting with Albus went well too." He wiped his mouth with his napkin, having finished everything on his plate.

"Meeting with Albus?" Pomona frowned. "Is anything else wrong?" Reaching for her drink, she took a generous sip.

His brows rose. "Oh, no, no. I just wanted to look into the needs of the other magical schools. Albus had mentioned a few weeks ago that Beaubatons was in need of a Charms master, and I wanted to let him know I might be able to fill in until their suitable candidate is ready. I have reached out to a few of my peers and found someone who could eventually take the position, but they have to get their affairs in order. In the meantime, we will do a sort of exchange. She will work here while I work there."

Coughing sporadically, Pomona roughly placed her drink on the table and picked up her napkin to cover her mouth. Instantly, Filius was beside her, patting her back.

"Pomona! Are you all right, my dear?"

Holding up her hand, she continued to cough, but nodded in agreement that she was fine. "I'm sorry. My drink... just went down... the wrong way," she rasped out. He continued rubbing her back. Looking over her shoulder at him, she cleared her throat. "Thank you, Fil. I am good." She gave him a small smile.

Laying his hand on her right shoulder, he squeezed it in reassurance, and she stiffened as hot pain stabbed her back. Sucking in her breath, sudden tears came to her eyes.

Sitting back down across from her, a startled look came over Filius' face as he looked at her. "Pomona?"

Closing her eyes to hide her tears, Pomona shook her head. "I'm sorry, Filius. But I am suddenly not feeling well at all. I think I need to return to the castle and get some rest," she said, looking down and searching in her robes for her change purse.

Sighing, he told her, "Very well, Mona. Don't worry about dinner. It was my treat."

Slowly, she raised her eyes to meet his and noted the sadness there once more. Her own heart was being torn in half at the thought of him leaving the school for any length of time. To top that off, her headache was pounding again, and she was feeling rather sick. A look of gratitude crossed her face. "Thank you, Fil. I am sorry I can't stay. Next time, it will be my turn," she told him, trying to lighten the sudden heaviness surrounding them. He gave a curt nod.

Standing up, Pomona grabbed the table to steady herself as the room spun, causing her stomach to lurch.

"Mona?" Filius rose, placing a hand on her arm. "Please, sit back down. Let me get the bill, and I will escort you back to the castle. I don't think you should go by yourself. Please?" he pleaded, and Pomona nodded.

"Yes, I think that might be a good idea." Pomona sat back down as the room continued to spin.

Taurean walked over to their table and stood next to Filius studying Pomona. "Cherry blossom? Are you ill?" he asked, concern in his voice as he looked at her closed eyes.

"Taurean, can I get our bill? I need to escort Pomona back to the castle," Filius told him.

Looking over at the smaller man, Taurean shook his head. "Don't worry about the bill, my friend. Just get her back to her room so she can rest. I will talk to you both later. Please, feel better, cherry blossom," he said, taking her hand in his and squeezing it in reassurance briefly.

"Thank you, Taurean, we will. Come on, up you go, Mona." Filius took Pomona around the waist and helped her up.

As she stood, the room began to spin once more, but she paused for a moment, leaning on Filius, and it stopped. Sighing in relief, she took a tentative step toward the door as Filius assisted her. Out in the night air, she felt a bit better. The fresh air seemed to clear her mind, but she still felt very run down.

"I'm so sorry, Filius. I..."

"What is there to be sorry for, my dear? You cannot help that you are not feeling well. Might I suggest I give you a side-along Apparition? I think you are too weak to Apparate by yourself. I wouldn't want you to splinch yourself.

Nodding in agreement, Pomona said, "I would appreciate that very much, Filius. Thank you."

Moving closer to her, Filius pulled her into his arms, wrapping them around her, and coaxed her to do the same. They stood there for just a moment, holding onto one another, then Filius looked up at her. For a moment, Pomona thought of kissing him. Just leaning in and throwing caution to the wind, but her mind stopped her. She was afraid of losing his friendship altogether if he didn't see her the way she wanted him to see her. If she couldn't have his love, his friendship would have to be enough...even if it was hundreds of miles away in another city, at another school.

A lump rose in her throat as she allowed her thoughts to travel, but she was pulled from them by the sound of his voice. "Ready then, Mona? Just relax, and I will have us at the castle in no time."

Looking down at him, she nodded, pulling him closer to her and laying her head on top of his. If she could never have his love, she would take as much as she could from a side-along Apparition. Holding onto him, she closed her eyes, and in an instant, with a subtle pop, they were gone.