"That's her 'I'm about to go mad with power' look," James stage-whispers to Ellie. "Run while you still can."

"You like it when I'm mad with power. Don't pretend otherwise."

"Fair warning for the new victim," she says virtuously.

"Always chivalrous."

She mimes a little bow.

Cheek kiss!

Okay, they're actually pretty cute together.

Pretty cute in general.

"I think you got distracted from what you were going to say," she prompts.

"I've been thinking up a proper History curriculum for you."

"Oh," Ellie says. "That."

"I still think you'd be good at it. And you're prepared to spend more time at Hogwarts now, right? Easy access to us would be a boon, too."

"There's still the minor matter of the curse."

"Won't affect the History TA. And you can cheat it by having other commitments preventing you from staying on more than a year - one of our more clever History professors had a baby and started her maternity leave right before OWLs - and it doesn't trigger for teachers who start after Yule."

"A little early to be talking about children, don't you think?"

Giggle blush! "You're the one who put it on my mind," she teases, sneaking a glance at James.

Who also blushes.

"Fair enough. I still don't know about starting midyear."

"It'll give you more time. And you can work as a TA if you'd rather."

"A TA position seems like a more achievable goal."

"I think you can achieve full professor if you apply yourself."

"Your faith is touching."

"Don't believe me?"

"I'm just adjusting to your level of ambition."

"It's an entirely appropriate amount!"