Chapter 27 - Chapter 27: The O.W.L.s

TW: Language, Sexual Content Demian woke up the next day ready for his exams, after all, the first one was charms. His heart raced as he thought about the night before, it felt so forbidden....just as it once had with Draco. His heart felt heavy, he wanted nothing more than to be excited for new possibilities, but he couldn't help but feel a gravitational pull to him. He still loved him so much, regardless of what had happened with Professor Valor. He sighed heavily as he got ready for class, an uneasy tension filled the air. "I'm so nervous." Peter said, Mordred just nodded in agreement. "It'll be fine, charms is easy." "Maybe for you." Peter said, "And what the fuck was that last night?""What?" Demian said, defensively. "What do you mean what, you left the library with Professor Valor last night." "He was just giving me a book, to study." He lied. "Riiiiiiiiighhhhhtttttt." Peter said, Mordred just looked at him curiously through the top of his charms book. He was silently reading incantations over and over. "It's true." Demian persisted. The nervousness in his voice gave him away though. "Whatever you say man." Peter threw his shoes on. "Time to go fail these tests." Mordred laughed and slammed his book closed, they all headed to the charms classroom.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*When they arrived Professor Valor was already in the classroom, a stack of papers at his desk. People filed in and took their seats, Draco sat in the back, Pansy slipped into the seat next to him and Demian felt a sting of jealousy. She smirked at him, giving him a coy wave. Several other Slytherins sat at the table with them, Draco said nothing to any of them. Demian sat next to Peter and Mordred, he turned forward and faced professor Valor who started to speak. "Good morning class, today will mark the day of your Charms exam. This exam is extremely important, without passing marks you will not be permitted to enter any of the 6th year charms classes, let alone anything more advanced than that." The class remained silent, studying him. "I want to start things off easy, with the practical exam." Some of the students groaned, "Hey, none of that." He corrected them sternly, "The written exam is far more boring, I needn't remind you that." "Now, each of you will demonstrate the Levitation charm, the Color Changing charm, and the Growth charm, individually. I hope you have all been practicing your incantations and pronunciation. Mr. Valentino, you're first." He smiled at him, meeting his gaze, Demian stammered a bit, he was unsure why he was chosen to go first but he gathered his courage and went to the front of the classroom. There were multiple items lined up on the table for use in the exams and he chose a small vase. He effortlessly changed the color of it from a light blue porcelain to a deep red. He smiled at his ability, demonstrating the growth charm on the same item. The vase grew significantly, and he knew that he had uttered the correct incantation. He worried for the levitation spell; it was during one of the first few months of school when he hadn't been paying as much attention and his notes were scarce. His hand wavered a bit as he chose a light item in hopes of it being easier, The book of poetry staggered for a moment, shaking, before it finally levitated. He sighed in relief and the book fell back to the table. The professor clapped a few times before speaking, "Bravo, Mr. Valentino. Now who would follow his amazing performance?" Malfoy stood up. "Me." He said, Demians stomach dropped. Draco walked swiftly to the front of the class. He immediately imitated the color and growth charms on various items, faster than even Demian. When it came to the levitation, he paused for a moment, each individual item adorned on top of Professor Valors desk was slowly lifted and dropped, several things shattering in the process. Multiple gasps and whispers could be heard amongst the students. Professor Valor laughed quietly under his breath, clapping a few times just as he had for Demian. "What a powerful display, I bet that felt amazing." He said, staring directly at Draco. "But I'm afraid that isn't what I asked you to do. You're not that good at following directions, are you?" The room became silent and Draco scoffed, "I did exactly as I was supposed to, color charm, growth charm, and levitation." He responded"Yet you did it in your own way, rather than following very simple instructions, so I'll have to mark you down, Mr. Malfoy." Draco just scoffed again and turned around, catching Demians eye, he could see a familiar rage within him. Draco left the classroom without another word. Professor Valor used a reparo charm on anything needing to be mended, fixing his desk up before continuing the exams. Demian sat there in silence for a while, until he was given his written exam. His hands trembled as he tried to collect his thoughts. He looked up from his desk and Professor Valor was sitting in his own chair, he mouthed, "Go on." And Demian collected himself, He wrote detailed on instructions on how to execute the three charms he had just performed, but was one of the last to turn it in. As he walked past his professor, dropping the paper to his desk Professor Valor spoke softly, "So how do you think you did?" "I'm sure you'll tell me soon, won't you?" He looked into his eyes, before studying his lips. Professor Valor just smirked and motioned for the door, "I'll find the time." He said, and Demian left. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*That night, at dinner, Malfoy couldn't stop staring. Demian felt his gaze burning through him the entire time, he tried to ignore it. So he does miss me. He thought to himself. He smiled at the thought and his friends noticed, "Someone aced their first exam, huh?" Mordred said. Demian snapped back to reality, "I uh, I think so." He replied. "What was up with that show Malfoy put on?" Penny asked, inquisitively. "Who knows", Peter said, "That guy always has to prove he has the biggest dick in the room." Mordred scoffed, "For real, and the way Professor Valor just laughed at him, I know he was fuming." Demian just sighed, a familiar lump of anxiety welled up in his throat. The possibility that maybe he knew about the singular kiss he shared with Christian scared him. He thought about how he threatened Higgs, and how he didn't even know if he was still alive. A million thoughts raced through his head, he got up abruptly. "I need some air." He said. "Suit yourself." Peter replied, they turned to each other and kept talking. Demian got up from his seat and left the great hall, he reached up for the protective and comforting feeling of the snake necklace and a pang of sadness hit him. He unlatched it, pulling it off and putting it in his pocket as he stood in the hallway. "What the fuck are you doing." A familiar voice said behind him. Draco. He turned to face him and folded his arms."Nothing." He said, quietly. "I know something is going on Demian." He said under his breath. "Of course something is going on, you just won't tell me the truth." Demian said coldly. Draco scoffed, "You couldn't even begin to understand if I told you." "Try me." Demian said, his arms still folded. "Put the necklace back on." Draco demanded, refusing to give him any answers. "You LEFT me Draco, I don't belong to you." Dracos eyes glazed over and that fiery rage reared its head, he stepped closer to him and whispered again quietly, "Put the fucking necklace back on." He paused for a moment, gripping Demians face in between his fingers. He could see the dark mark on his forearm, littered with wounds in every stage of healing, "Now." He repeated. Demian broke away from his grip and looked at him with anger in his eyes, "I will, when you tell me the truth." He left, leaving a stunned Draco standing in the hallway unable to utter another word. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*Demian repressed the tears stinging the corners of his eyes, he shook his head in anger and climbed the many stairs leading up to the top of the charms tower, where Professor Valor resided. His hand wavered as he went to knock, but he finally found his courage.The door opened and Christian stood before him, he was still in his teaching getup, a button-down white shirt tucked neatly into his black trousers, a leather belt holding them up. He had the top two buttons of his shirt undone, and the familiar glass of whiskey in his hand. "Valentino." He said, "What are you doing here?" "I thought you would make time for me?" He said."Well, I haven't quite had time to grade anything yet, but come in." He opened his door and looked outside a bit before closing it. Demian heard an unfamiliar click as he locked it behind them. "Demian we really shouldn't do this." Professor Valor said immediately, "I'll admit I drank a little too much last night and I said some things I possibly shouldn't have" He trailed off for a few seconds "I do care about you very much but...." "But what" Demian said, he turned to face him, "Just say it, tell me what's wrong with me now." The professor sighed, "Demian, nothing is wrong with you. But I'm an adult, and you're a teenager. This could be easily misconstrued, even with how mature you might think you are." Dracos words burned into his head, Naive. "I am NOT naive." He raised his voice a bit and professor Valor remained silent, sipping on his glass. "I am not a little kid; I know how to handle myself. I am smart, and confident and a good fucking person." He continued, "And you won't tell me how mature I am just because you're a few years older than me. I'm 16, legally I can be with whoever I want." Professor Valor smiled and downed his drink in one final gulp, he set the glass down on his small desk, still littered with open poetry books and various papers."You are just incorrigible aren't you. Incapable of being told what to do now." Demian stood there, his breathing somewhat ragged from the yelling. "I'm tired of everyone controlling me.""I can see that." Professor Valor studied him curiously. "But it still doesn't change the facts. You have no idea what it feels like to be put in this position, my entire moral being is telling me this is wrong. I could hurt you, unintentionally. And if anything ever happened beyond a kiss-" He paused for a moment and spoke quieter, "it could go seriously wrong. I'm in a position of power over you Demian, you might be legally allowed to choose your partner but not when they're your teacher." "So just kiss me at least, please." Demian pleaded, "It doesn't have to go farther than that if you don't want it." Professor Valor sighed and just extended his hand, Demian took it curiously. He led him to the window with the telescope affixed to the windowsill, "Look." Demian peered inside, it was pointed directly at the Vera constellation. "It...it looks like sails." Professor Valor stood behind him closely, leaning in by his ear he said quietly, "It is one of the oldest constellations, part of the original 48 discovered by the Greeks." Demian got goosebumps from his breath near his ear, he turned to look at him, "It's beautiful." "It is. As are you." He said, softly, and this made Demian blush. He motioned for him to sit down and Demian obliged, he poured another drink and took the seat next to him on the other side of the record player. Demian toyed with it curiously again, "Do you know how to use it?" Professor Valor asked. "Not really...but I've always liked them." The professor sat up abruptly and chose a record from the shelf, he placed it in position and turned on the machine. It spun, and slowly music filled the room. "Jazz music?" Demian saidProfessor Valor turned it down lowly, so he didn't have to speak over it. "You don't like it?" He said."It's not that, I've just never really listened to it before." "Well what kind of music do you like?" Demian had never really been asked that, most of his solace he found from physical hobbies and although he listened to all sorts of music he couldn't think of his favorite on the spot. "I...I never really thought about it." He said. "Now how can that be? Everyone has a favorite artist." "I'm still learning new things about myself everyday." He repeated the professors words to him and this made him smirk. "You're learning." He said. "Can I have some?" Demian pointed to his drink and he shook his head disapprovingly. "I would, but it's a little much for you I think." "There you go, assuming I'm young and inexperienced." Demian got up and walked over to his decanter, he poured himself a small glass and returned to his seat, taking a sip. He immediately coughed, "Holy fuck." He said, as it burned its way down. "I tried to warn you." Professor Valor said. Demian sipped at his drink, slowly. The familiar feeling of courage and relaxation overcame him. He set the drink next to him and looked at professor Valor, saying abruptly, "You are unbelievably handsome." He blushed at the forwardness and sipped at his drink again to hide his face. Professor Valor laughed, "Really? So you're just as bad as the rest of them." He said, "The rest of who?" Demian said, he sounded a bit jealous. "You don't think I can't hear the other students talking about me? It's nonstop, I thought at least you would be able to control yourself." Demian blushed and stammered, "I-I""I'm just joking with you, Valentino." He said, laughing quietly. "But thank you." Demian laughed with him nervously, his head began to swim as he neared the end of his drink. The familiar smell of incense enveloped him along with the music and he finally looked up from his drink, directly into his professors' blue eyes that were studying him just as intently."I am so sorry Professor" "Call me Christian" He said, "But sorry for what?" "For this." He sat down his drink and got up, straddling Christians hips. His professor looked up at him curiously, setting his own drink down. "You really should be sorry." He replied before slipping an arm around his waist. Demian could smell that familiar smell again, this time more enticing since he'd already had a taste. He pressed his lips against Christians and kissed him softly, closing the space between them. The grip on his waist tightened and he kissed him back, nipping softly at his bottom lip which made Demian moan quietlyChristian smirked, kissing him a few more times before he tried to pull away. Demian whined softly and rocked his hips a few times, he felt Christians fingertips dig into his side and heard him swallow hard under his breath. "Be careful now, Valentino." He warned him. But Demian couldn't control himself, he leaned in and nipped at Chrstians ear softly, his skin became littered with goosebumps, and he let out a quiet moan of his own. Demian slowly grinded his hips against him, placing soft kisses down the side of his neck, Christian whispered breathlessly, "Please...Demian, I don't want to lose my job." Demian could feel he was entirely hard underneath him, his grip trembled around his waist and he slid off his lap, to his knees. Christian looked down at him and bit the inside of his lip, his full erection pressed against his trousers, "Demian get up..." But he just shook his head no, he reached up for his belt and undid it slowly, balancing on his knees in front of him. A hand gripped his wrist suddenly, "Why won't you listen to me." He pleaded; his firm erection exposed with the top button of his pants undone. "I want you, Christian." He said under his breath, "I've never slept with anyone besides Malfoy, I need to know what that feels like." "Please, find someone your own age then, I'm begging you." Demian could see the fear in his eyes, even through the lust. He sighed, defeated and got up from his knees. Professor Valor rebuttoned his trousers, his hands trembling as he slid his belt back in place. "Demian, this doesn't mean you are undesirable" He said, trying to control his breathing. "I just...I'm trying so hard to control myself." Demian kept quiet, his arms folded as he made his way back to his own seat. "I should go." He said, before taking one more sip of his drink.Christian exhaled softly, "Maybe you should, before we both do something we regret." "You're the only one who would regret anything." Demian spat before turning around and leaving his room. He exited quickly, leaving him no time to reply.