Page 29 of Spellbound and Gagged

Before he could answer, the potion erupted in a fountain of sparks. But instead of dissipating, the sparks hung in the air, forming words and images above their heads.

"Oh no," Juno groaned as she read the floating message.Juno thinks Thaddeus is sexy.

Thaddeus's eyes widened as another message appeared.Thaddeus can't wait for Brewfest to be over so he can do that thing with his tongue again.

"I can't wait either," Juno breathed. And the message appeared above her head.

All around the arena, similar messages were popping up above other pairs of competitors. Apparently, their potion had affected more than just the two of them.

"Well," Thaddeus said, his voice strained, "this certainly adds an interesting element to our presentation."

Juno nodded weakly, watching as more of her private thoughts materialized in glittering letters above them. This was going to be the most mortifying presentation of her life.

As they approached the judges' table, potion in hand and a veritable lightshow of secrets floating above them, Juno steeled herself for humiliation. But to her surprise, the judges looked more impressed than scandalized.

"Fascinating," Professor Thornberry said, leaning forward to examine the potion. "A truth serum combined with a revealing charm, all wrapped up in a protective matrix. Innovative."

"Indeed," Professor Laurel agreed. "And the way it's drawing out not just surface thoughts, but deep-seated truths and feelings, is remarkable."

Juno and Thaddeus exchanged bewildered glances. Were they actually going to get away with this? The words appeared over their heads.

"If you could explain your process," Malachai prompted, his eyes twinkling with barely suppressed mirth.

Thaddeus cleared his throat. "Well, you see, we started with a base of—" He broke off as a new message appeared above his head.Thaddeus is terrified of messing this up because he doesn't want to lose Juno.

Juno jumped in, trying to save the situation. "We combined my nurturing elixir with Thaddeus's protective brew, which created an unexpected synergy—" She faltered as her own thoughts appeared over her head.Juno is never going to let Thaddeus go.

And so it went, their attempts at a professional presentation constantly interrupted by their innermost thoughts and feelings. But strangely, instead of detracting from their explanation, these revelations enhanced it. The judges nodded along, apparently seeing the interplay of their emotions as part of the potion's demonstration.

"You see," Juno said, picking up on the narrative while ignoring her mortification, "the strength of this potion comes from the combination of our approaches. My nurturing techniques encourage growth and revelation, while Thaddeus's protective methods ensure stability and control."

"Precisely," Thaddeus added. "It's the balance between vulnerability and strength, openness and protection, that makes this potion unique."

"Just as both your approaches to herbology are stronger when combined," Malachai observed, noting something on his parchment. "Each compensating for the other's limitations, enhancing the other's strengths."

The judges were scribbling notes furiously, looking more and more impressed. Juno began to hope that they might actually pull this off.

And then, because the day apparently hadn't been chaotic enough, a vine burst from the ground at their feet.

The crowd gasped as the vine grew at an alarming rate, twisting and bulging until it formed a vaguely humanoid shape. Leaves rustled, forming what looked like a sheepish expression.

"Um, hello," the plant said in a surprisingly deep voice. "I suppose I owe you all an explanation."

Juno and Thaddeus stared in disbelief. Although, after everything that had happened, a talking plant barely registered as strange anymore.

"You see," the plant continued, twiddling its leafy appendages nervously, "I'm the one responsible for all the incidents today."

"You're the saboteur?" Thaddeus asked incredulously.

The plant drooped slightly. "Saboteur is such a harsh word. I prefer 'romantic facilitator'."

Juno blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Well," the plant said, perking up, "I couldn't bear to watch you two dance around your feelings any longer. So I might have intervened a bit."

"Intervened?" Juno repeated faintly.

"Just a few little nudges here and there," the plant said airily. "A misfired spell, a mixed-up ingredient, a conveniently placed trip hazard all designed to bring you closer together."

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