Tension

Rowena faced Godric and smiled. She moved her knight across the chessboard and took his.

"Bad luck, Godric," she purred. Godric scowled at the chess set as the rook tried, unsuccessfully, to flirt with the black Queen. Deciding moves in chess was hard, Godric decided; he had no idea why he had taken up Rowena's challenge at a chess game. He had a feeling, however, that it was due to her warm inviting brown eyes that glanced at him occasionally over the table. He moved a pawn in an indecisive move. Rowena looked at him disparagingly.

"Is that your move?" she asked scathingly. Godric nodded; he could feel a flush of embarrassment creep up his body. Rowena shrugged and moved another piece.

Godric was quite innocent really, and he certainly couldn't play chess. She thought that he may have that whole heroic thing, but really underneath it all, he was like a puppy. She smiled at the thought. Godric, looking up, assumed that it was directed at him and smiled back. Rowena grinned and appreciated being appreciated.

Helga flipped another page over on the Herbology paper she was marking. It was a good piece of writing considering that the student who wrote it was a little dim. The fire crackled beside her, and she enjoyed being in the warm security of the staff room. She could certainly see the effect it was having on the other two occupants. Caught in a chess game, they seemed oblivious to everything else. Helga liked that -- she liked being invisible. But it was abundantly clear that those two needed to get a room. She sighed and continued to mark.

"Check and mate." Rowena claimed her victory; Godric looked down at the chessboard as though wondering how it had all happened. "Well done Godric, it was a valiant try."

Godric nodded, confused and slightly bitter. "Thanks," he said dryly.

"Oh, don't be such a sore loser," chided Rowena, teasing him slightly.

"I'm not a sore loser, I just, well..." He stopped and looked at her, a tendril of her dark hair had caught on her face. He reached up to brush it back, and she clasped his hand not letting go. He moved closer, as if wanting to brush his lips against hers. Helga coughed slightly reminding them of her presence, and they moved apart, a slight smile playing on Rowena's lips. Godric felt defeated; he had been so close, only for it to fall apart.

Salazar glided in, his cloak swirling behind him like a dark grey ghost. He inclined his head to Helga, and her eyebrows shot up, surprised that he had actually acknowledged her presence, which was a rarity. Mind you it was a rarity that anyone besides her students noticed her.

"Godric," he snarled, "one of your pupils has decided to get himself lost in the Forbidden Forest. I followed him out of duty, of course, and managed to save him from being ripped apart by a mountain lion. Please keep a closer check on the mundane heroics your house members seem to specialise in."

"Thank you, Salazar. I appreciate the effort it must have taken to save my pupil," he said sarcastically.

Salazar chose not to take the bait. "Come, Rowena," he extended an arm to her, "it is time we retired to our rooms." Rowena stood and took Salazar's hand, and they both quitted the Staff room. Godric watched them go, a painful expression written across his face.

"It was a good try, Godric," Helga said softly. Godric turned his gaze onto Helga.

"Thank you. Do you think she would?"

"Try not to aim for the stars. I don't and I'm happy." Godric smiled a wry smile, sighed, and settled into his seat.

"I think it's time for some Firewhisky," he said ruefully.

Helga nodded, stretched, and stood up. "I think it's time for bed." She moved to the door. "Please don't drink too much," she begged.

He looked at her. "I won't," he promised and uncorked the bottle.