Page 1 of Spellbound and Gagged

Chapter One

Juno Runeheart's wild curls threatened to escape her hastily crafted flower crown as she hurried towards the staff meeting room of Grimm Mawr Academy for Witches and Warlocks. Her blue robes swished around her ankles, nearly tripping her in her haste. The familiar scent of magical herbs from the greenhouses did nothing to calm the butterflies in her stomach—butterflies that felt suspiciously like they'd ingested a hefty dose of fizzing fern spores.

She paused briefly at a window overlooking the northern greenhouse, where her award-winning Singing Sundrops were in full bloom. In the five years since graduating, Juno had transformed the academy's herbology curriculum, publishing three respected papers on nurturing techniques for temperamental magical flora and developing the revolutionary "Emotional Resonance Fertilization" method that had earned her the prestigious Golden Trowel Award two years running. The academy's enrollment in herbology classes had doubled under her guidance, and Principal Malachai had called her work "a breath of fresh air in a discipline too long dominated by rigid traditionalists."

The memory brought a smile to her face, until she remembered who would be waiting in the meeting room. Thaddeus Shadowspire. Just thinking his name made her scowl. He had recently returned to teach at Grimm Mawr Academy after spending five years researching magical plants in the rainforests of South America. The whispers in the faculty lounge suggested he'd specifically requested to return to Grimm Mawr, turning down more prestigious positions at both the Brazilian Institute of Magical Botany and the International Conservatory of Defensive Herbology. No one seemed to know why, though Professor Moonshaper had pointedly looked at Juno when discussing it, waggling her eyebrows in a most unsubtle manner.

Even after five years of missing him, hating him, and occasionally crying over him (but only after consuming significant quantities of elderberry wine), the mere sight of him made her pulse quicken like a hummingbird on espresso.

As she pushed open the heavy oak door, her eyes betrayed her, immediately seeking out the tall, dark figure of Thaddeus Shadowspire. Blast it all! He stood near the front of the room, his black robes immaculate as always, protective sigils glimmering along the hems. How did he always manage to look so put-together? It was infuriating. He exuded an aura of cool detachment, but Juno knew better. She'd once known every facet of him, from the rare softness in his eyes when he looked at her, to the passionate intensity he brought to everything he did—including that one memorable incident with a tickling tulip that had left them both breathless for entirely non-plant-related reasons.

"Breathe, Juno, just breathe," she muttered to herself, straightening her flower crown. A stray petal floated down, landing on her nose. She blew it away with an undignified puff, earning a few chuckles from nearby colleagues.

Principal Malachai Starcaster called the annual pre-Brewfest staff meeting to order. "As you all know," he began, his voice cutting through the chatter like a well-honed pruning spell, "this year's Brewfest carries extra significance. The winner will have a decided edge in the selection process for our new Herbology Department Head position."

A ripple of excitement ran through the room. The department head position had been vacant since Professor Leafwillow's retirement last spring, and traditionally it was held by a single master herbologist who set the curriculum and research agenda for the entire department. However, rumors had been circulating that Malachai was considering restructuring the leadership—something about "embracing complementary approaches to magical botany"—making this competition all the more intriguing.

Juno had worked harder than a garden gnome on weeding day for this opportunity, and she wasn't about to let it slip through her fingers. Even if it meant going head-to-head with Thaddeus and his stupidly handsome face.

"Perhaps our esteemed herbology professors would like to give us a preview of their planned contest entries?" Malachai suggested, his gaze ping-ponging between Juno and Thaddeus. "Professor Runeheart, why don't you start?"

Juno stood, smoothing her robes and silently praying that she wouldn't trip over her own feet. She felt Thaddeus's eyes on her, burning a hole in her back.Don't look at him, don't look at him, she chanted internally.

"Certainly, Principal," she began, her voice only slightly betraying her nerves. "My potion will be based on the fundamental belief that plants respond to love and care." She launched into an explanation of her nurturing herbalism philosophy, her voice carrying the passion she felt for her craft.

"Gentle touch and positive energy encourage plants to thrive. Singing and talking to plants enhances their magical potency. Using natural fertilizers and moon-charged water strengthens their innate powers." Juno paused, catching Thaddeus's eye and noting his subtle eye-roll. "And most importantly, respecting the plant's natural cycles and needs leads to more potent magical ingredients."

As she spoke, Juno's mind drifted to the long discussions she and Thaddeus used to have about magical theory. Back then, they'd dreamed of revolutionizing herbology together. Now, they stood on opposite sides of the greenhouse, figuratively and literally. The irony wasn't lost on her.

"Thank you, Professor Runeheart," Malachai nodded. "Professor Shadowspire, what approach will you take to give Grimm Mawr Academy an edge over the other towns this Brewfest?"

Thaddeus rose, moving with control. When he spoke, his deep voice resonated through the room, sending an involuntary shiver down Juno's spine that she desperately tried to blame on a draft.

"While Professor Runeheart's approach has its... charms," Thaddeus began, his tone maddeningly reasonable, "defensive herbology is clearly superior when gathering powerful tonics from plants. It's about harnessing the raw power of nature. Plants need discipline and firm guidance to reach their full magical potential."

Juno's chest tightened as Thaddeus outlined his methods. Where had the gentle boy who once whispered sweet nothings to her mandrakes gone? This Thaddeus, with his talk of "strict pruning" and "controlled stresses," was a stranger to her. A very attractive stranger, but a stranger, nonetheless.

"Training regimens shape plants into optimal magical conduits," Thaddeus continued, his voice smooth as honey, "and activate their defensive properties. I'll utilize magical resonance techniques to enhance protective qualities and breed plants for resilience and potency. My research in South America focused on plants that survived in hostile environments—those that developed complex magical defenses against predators, competitors, and even dark wizards who sought to exploit them.Some of my findings have already revolutionized protective potions in three countries."

Juno couldn't take it anymore. "Your methods are too harsh," she challenged, rising from her seat again. "Plants aren't soldiers to be drilled into submission. They're living, feeling beings that thrive on nurture and care." She crossed her arms, fixing him with her best glare. "Or do you treat everything in your life with such cold precision? Your morning tea must be a joy—steeping time: 2 minutes and 37 seconds. Any longer would be chaos."

The staff room erupted in poorly concealed snickers. Minerva Everhart, the potions professor, caught Juno's eye and gave her a supportive nod.

Thaddeus's eyebrow arched, a gesture so familiar it made Juno's heart do a somersault. "And your approach is too soft," he countered. "The magical world is harsh and unforgiving. Our plants need to be ready to defend against any threat. Not everything can be solved with a lullaby and a warm hug." His voice dropped to a dangerously intimate level. "Though I seem to recall you being fond of both."

Juno felt her cheeks flush hotter than a dragon's hiccup. "That was a long time ago," she muttered. "I've changed since then."

"Have you really?" Thaddeus's voice was low enough that only she could hear. "Because from where I'm standing, you look exactly like the girl who used to sneak into the greenhouses after curfew to sing lullabies to the pussy willows."

"Perhaps a demonstration is in order," Principal Malachai suggested, clearly sensing the tension crackling between them like magical static. For a moment, Juno thought he meant the lullabies and felt her ears burn crimson. But then she realized he wanted to see a sample of what her herbalism method could do.

"Splendid idea," she said, a touch too brightly. Juno reached into her robes and pulled out a delicate vial. "This lavenderessence is so potent, it could soothe even your prickly demeanor, Thaddeus," she said, secretly hoping to see a crack in his stoic facade. "Though I doubt anything short of a joy charm could manage that these days."

Not to be outdone, Thaddeus produced a small pot of stinging nettles. "Prickly, am I?" he retorted, his voice low and intense. "This stinging nettle is so powerful, it could teach even you the value of a strong defense, Juno. Something you seem to have forgotten since our student days."

In their enthusiasm to prove their points, they both stepped forward. Juno's breath caught as she realized how close they were. She could see the flecks of gold in Thaddeus's dark eyes, smell the familiar scent of his skin beneath the sharp tang of magical herbs. It was intoxicating, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

Then, disaster struck. Juno's vial of lavender essence slipped from her suddenly sweaty grasp. Thaddeus instinctively reached to catch it, tipping over his pot of stinging nettles in the process. Time seemed to slow as they both watched the impending botanical catastrophe unfold.

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