Page 18 of Spellbound and Gagged

Juno blinked, confusion replacing the anticipation on her face. "Thaddeus? Are you all right?"

...love you.

But no sound came out. In the chaos of the evening, the last spell had backlashed on him, leaving him temporarily mute. Again.

As realization dawned on Juno's face, Thaddeus saw a mischievous glint appear in her eyes. "Well," she said, a smirk playing at her lips, "it looks like you're spellbound and gagged. Now would be the perfect time to tell you all about the changes I'm going to make in the herbology department when I'm the new department head."

Despite his predicament, Thaddeus smiled. He'd listen to her because he owed her for taking the orchid and for helping him cure the horny plants. But most of all, he listened because he loved her, and this time, he wasn't going to let anything come between them.

Chapter Six

Juno's morning began with a scream.

Not her own, thankfully. The shrill sound echoed through the halls of Grimm Mawr Academy, jolting Juno from her haze of boredom as she graded papers.

Another scream, followed by a crash and what sounded suspiciously like a herd of elephants stampeding through the corridors. Juno scrambled out of her chair. Whatever was happening, it sounded like an emergency. As she yanked open her door, Juno's jaw dropped. The hallway outside her quarters had transformed into a jungle overnight. Thick, vibrant vines covered every surface, their tendrils waving in a non-existent breeze. Flowers of every color imaginable bloomed along the vines, their petals opening and closing in an unsettling rhythm.

And in the middle of it all, Professor Thornberry, the ancient Numerology teacher, dangled upside down from the ceiling, ensnared by a particularly mischievous-looking vine.

"Professor Runeheart," Thornberry called out, his face turning an alarming shade of puce. "A little assistance, if you please."

Juno sprang into action, drawing her wand. "Hang on, Professor," she said, then winced at her poor choice of words. "I mean, I'll have you down in a jiffy."

She aimed her wand at the vine holding Thornberry aloft. "Let him go," she said, focusing on projecting calm, soothing energy towards the plant.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the vine began to loosen its grip. It lowered Thornberry gently to the ground, unraveling itself from around his ankles.

"Oh, thank goodness," Thornberry wheezed, straightening his robes. "I thought I was done for. What in the world is going on?"

"I'm not sure," Juno admitted, eyeing the vines warily. They had started to creep towards her feet. "But I intend to find out. You should go back to your classroom. I'll handle this."

As Thornberry scurried away, muttering about retirement, Juno turned her attention to the magical foliage surrounding her. She recognized elements of several different plant species, but the way they were growing and behaving was unlike anything she'd ever seen.

"All right, you overgrown garden party," Juno said, rolling up her sleeves. "Let's see what you're made of."

She began to cast diagnostic spells, trying to understand the nature of the plants' magic. But every time she thought she had a grasp on their properties, they would shift and change, evading her attempts to classify them.

Frustrated, Juno decided to try a more direct approach. She cast a gentle pruning charm, intending to cut back some of the more aggressive vines.

The plants had other ideas.

The moment her spell hit them, the vines exploded into a frenzy of growth. They shot up towards the ceiling, down along the floor, and straight at Juno. Before she could react, she was hoisted into the air, dangling just as Thornberry had been moments ago.

"Let me go," Juno ordered, struggling against the leafy bonds. As she fought to free herself, Juno heard the sound of running footsteps approaching. She twisted in her botanical prison, trying to see who was coming.

Thaddeus skidded to a halt at the end of the vine-choked hallway, his dark robes billowing dramatically behind him. He shook his head as he took in the scene before him, his gaze landing on Juno's upside-down form.

"What in the world is going on?"

"Oh, you know," she said, aiming for nonchalance and missing by a mile. "Just hanging around. Thought I'd get a new perspective on things."

"I see," he said, stepping closer. "And how's that working out for you?"

"Oh, splendidly," Juno replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I highly recommend it. Care to join me?"

As if responding to her words, a vine shot out and wrapped itself around Thaddeus's ankle. He let out a yelp of surprise as he was yanked off his feet, hoisted into the air to dangle beside Juno.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the absurdity of the situation sinking in.

---