Early Wake Up (Merrick)

"It's very impressive, Sir Raine," Gwen said enthusiastically, settling back in her chair with the goblet still in her hand. "Truly. I am sure that it is magnificent! Perhaps you will have time to show it to me, some night." She tried to keep the wistfulness out of her tone. Though last night had happened, it shouldn't happen again. She couldn't afford to make the same slips over and over, lest anyone catch on to any slight feelings she might be having. To be alone with him now should have been a scandal but they were colleagues. There would likely be many meals shared together - as the only other staff outside the healer and the four founders of Hogwarts. Very few like these though. And they certainly shouldn't be in a dark room together, no matter how badly she would want to see his amazing creation.

When he asked about any special discoveries, she shook her head. "Oh no, I leave the special things like that to Lady Ravenclaw and Helga. I am not so special as all that." Gwen assured him. "With Lora, I have little time to explore those sorts of things anyway. She needs me still and I want to be there while I can until she's too old for me. They tell me that time goes so fast and I will already miss so much teaching.

"But I am so glad to do it. Really, I am not sure what would have become of me had this position not come along so I want to focus on it - do it to the best of my ability. Make my brother's faith in my abilities not be ill placed."