Page 20 of Spellbound and Gagged

Before Thaddeus could respond, they were catapulted down the hallway, bouncing and rolling in a tangle of limbs and vines. They came to a stop in front of the main staircase, both dizzy and disoriented.

As the world stopped spinning, Juno became acutely aware of her position. She was sprawled across Thaddeus's chest, their faces inches apart. His arms had wrapped around her protectively during their tumble, holding her close.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, breathing heavily. Juno felt her heart racing, and she was pretty sure it wasn't just from the impromptu acrobatics.

"Are you all right?" Thaddeus asked, his eyes searching her face with concern.

Juno nodded, not trusting her voice. She should move, she knew. But Thaddeus's arms were strong around her, and despite everything, she felt safe.

The moment was broken by a chorus of shrieks from the Great Hall below. Juno and Thaddeus scrambled to their feet, the crisis at hand pushing aside any awkwardness.

"We need to contain this," Thaddeus said, his professional demeanor sliding back into place. "Before the whole academy is overrun."

Juno nodded, straightening her robes. "Agreed. But how? Our spells only made things worse."

"These aren't normal magical plants. They're hybrid. Mixed. They've been enhanced by something."

A lightbulb went off in Juno's head. "The moonlight orchid," she exclaimed. "It must have cross-pollinated with other plants in the greenhouse. That's why they're so unpredictable."

"Of course. The orchid's adaptive properties, combined with the magical essence of other plants..."

"...created a super-plant that's resistant to our usual methods," Juno finished. "So how do we stop it?"

She couldn't help but notice they'd fallen into their old rhythm of finishing each other's thoughts, despite years apart. Part of her resented how easily they still connected, even as another part treasured it. Working with Thaddeus again felt simultaneously natural and frustrating—a clear sign their professional compatibility had survived even when their romance hadn't.

"I've studied magical plant sentience during my research expeditions," Thaddeus said as they dodged another vine. "Different species absorb magical energy from their environment in unique ways. Some, like the whispering willows, channel it into basic communication. Others, like defensive nettles, transform it into protective mechanisms."

Juno nodded. "And the most sensitive varieties—empathic echoes, memory mint, mood marigolds—can actually achieve a form of consciousness. The more magic they absorb, the more sentient they become."

"Exactly. The moonlight orchid is exceptionally receptive to magical energy. If it cross-pollinated with these other varieties..."

"Then we have magic-saturated sentient plants running wild," Juno finished grimly. "Wonderful."

They looked at each other, years of rivalry melting away in the face of this shared challenge. Without a word, they turned and headed for the greenhouse, dodging grasping vines and bouncing tendrils as they went.

The greenhouse was a disaster zone. Plants of all kinds had broken free of their pots, merging and twisting into bizarre new forms. In the center of it all stood the moonlight orchid, glowing with an otherworldly light.

"We need to neutralize it," Thaddeus said, eyeing the orchid warily. "Cut off the source of the magic."

Juno nodded. "But how? It's resistant to both our methods."

Thaddeus was quiet for a moment, then turned to her with a look in his eye that Juno recognized all too well. It was the look he got when he was about to suggest something crazy.

"What if," he said slowly, "instead of trying to stop it, we encourage it?"

Juno stared at him. "You want to make it grow more? Have you lost your mind?"

"Hear me out," Thaddeus said, holding up a hand. "It's adaptive, right? So what if we push it to adapt so much that it burns itself out? Like overloading a circuit."

It was insane. It was reckless. It was actually kind of brilliant.

"It might just work," Juno admitted. "But it's going to take both of us. We'll need to combine our magic again, but this time, in opposition instead of harmony."

Thaddeus nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Just like old times, eh?"

Juno felt an answering smile tugging at her lips. "Let's show these plants what real magical herbology looks like."

They positioned themselves on either side of the moonlight orchid, wands at the ready. Juno took a deep breath, feeling the familiar tingle of magic coursing through her.

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