Page 2 of Hex Appeal

"That's different," he protested, even as his second cherry bomb encouraged him to be less responsible."Swimming won't accidentally turn someone into a toad."

"No, but neither will a properly taught shield charm.Besides," she grinned wickedly, "what's wrong with a little recreational amphibian transformation between consenting adults?"

He choked on his drink.She patted his back sympathetically, though her rings were laughing at him.

"I once had a student accidentally turn himself into a newt," he admitted, blame it on the cherry bombs.

"Did he get better?"

"Eventually.Though he still occasionally craves flies during final exams."

She snorted into her drink."See?That's why we need better defensive magic education.Students get hurt because they only learn theory without practical application.I've seen it happen too many times.Although..."She tilted her head, studying him."You don't look old enough to have been teaching that long."

"Flattery won't win this argument."

"No?"She leaned closer."What will?"

Several highly inappropriate suggestions immediately occurred to him, none of which had anything to do with magical education theory.The cherry bombs were definitely to blame.

"Dance with me," she said suddenly.

He blinked."What?"

"Dance with me.Unless you need to submit a formal request in triplicate first?"

"That's ridiculous," he said primly."Dance permits only require duplicate copies."

She threw back her head and laughed."Come on, Mr.Responsible.Live dangerously.Dance with a witch who thinks shield charms should be taught alongside basic protection spells."

"That's very dangerous indeed."But he was already standing, taking her offered hand.

The magical jukebox was playing something slow and jazzy that violated several of his principles about proper musical structure.Rather like the witch in his arms, who was still arguing about educational reform even as they swayed together.

"The problem with traditional magical education," she said, her fingers playing with his collar in a very distracting way, "is that it assumes everyone learns the same way."

"Mmhmm."He was finding it hard to focus on educational theory when she was pressed against him like this, her hair now a soft, romantic rose gold that matched the flush in her cheeks.

"Are you agreeing with me?"She pulled back slightly, eyes narrowing."Or just trying to get me to stop talking about magical theory?"

"I would never," he said solemnly, pulling her closer again."Please, tell me more about your revolutionary ideas about teaching shield charms to freshmen.Especially the part where you're completely wrong."

"I am not—" She started to argue, then caught his expression and laughed."You're teasing me."

"I would never tease about magical education," he said, but he was smiling."That would be completely irresponsible."

"Absolutely shocking," she agreed, sliding her arms around his neck."Almost as shocking as how much I want to kiss you right now."

He blamed the cherry bombs for what he said next."That seems like a reasonable experimental procedure.For educational purposes."

"Oh?"Her smile was wicked."Should we document our findings?"

"Absolutely.In triplicate, even."

She kissed him then, and all thoughts of proper documentation went right out the window.Along with most of his other thoughts.And possibly several basic laws of physics.

When they came up for air, her hair had turned a color he could only describe as 'thoroughly kissed.'

"Your hair," he managed, "is very expressive."

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