Chapter Text
***Trigger warnings! This story contains depictions of attempted assault, violence and themes of a sexual nature. Reader discretion is advised throughout its entirety.***
Chapter One:
“Good afternoon. My name is Medina Spring, and I am the head of the History of Magic department and the Pastoral Care supervisor at Alfea. I was a former student of this incredible school offering a superb educational programme for fairies and specialists alike. No. No, that was far too many words.” Medina chastised herself, standing before her bathroom mirror. “Hi there! My name is Medina Spring and I am the head of the History of magic – no, no way. That was ridiculously chipper. Ok ok. Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Medina Spring and I would like to welcome you to Alfea this afternoon – gods, now I sound like a bloody politician!” She fiddled with the ties of her grey pussy-bow blouse, neatening up the bow before checking her thick brown curly hair looked presentable in the high bun atop her head.
To say Medina was nervous would be an understatement. Every so often a group of inspectors would visit the school with their grey suits and perfectly styled hair, holding clipboards and offering silent looks of judgement and derision. It was the second time they’d visited since Medina took up her role as a teacher. The first time had seen her nearly chucking a whole bottle of red wine over the oldest and grumpiest of the lot – Mr Clance Fire. Purely an accident, of course, but one she’d never readily forget.
To add further stress to the situation, this visit would also include the Queen of Solaria herself. Medina knew the woman only through name and the idea of meeting the Queen of Light was unnerving to say the least. Even Farah Dowling, the Headmistress, seemed less like her laid-back, controlled self at the thought of seeing Luna.
Realising she was going to be judged whatever she said, Medina took one last look at her reflection, applying another layer of red lipstick to her plump lips. Light grey kitten heels clicking over the floors, she hurried to the courtyard which was the centre of all life and activity at Alfea. The powdered blue pencil skirt she wore hugged her legs, showing off the naturally accentuated curves of her body. Medina felt slightly self-conscious being dressed so formally, but it was important to make the effort.
The students who’d been selected to represent the school (or more prudently, the ones least likely to show them all up), were milling around completing the various strict instructions applied to them. The foyer appeared half decent, with a table full of refreshments, predominately wine and champagne, and a platter of canopies. Medina quickly stopped one of the boys from swiping any food, as if the day wouldn’t be hard enough without having to keep an eye on unpredictable teens, too.
“You scrub up well,” A prominent northern accent sounded to her left. Saul Silva flashed her an amused smirk, arms behind his back as he circled around to face her.
“Thanks,” Medina responded. He was wearing his Alfean dress jacket, with a pair of black trousers and a shirt. It was a stark difference to his usual khaki pant, combat boots and black t-shirt ensemble. “You don’t look too shabby yourself,”
He pulled at his jacket almost self-consciously, probably feeling just as uncomfortable as she did. “Yeah well, it’s only for one day, I think I can just about manage it,”
“I can’t wait for it to be over,” She murmured, wringing her hands.
“Don’t look so worried, you’ll do fine,”
“Yeah, because last time went oh so well,” Medina said, alluding to the wine incident they both daren’t voice aloud. Saul looked as I he was ready to laugh, though the narrowed glare she shot at him forced the older man to swallow it down.
“Alright you two, they are arriving,” Farah called as she strode past the pair of them. Her light blond hair had been twisted into a low decorative knot at the base of her neck, slim figure adorned in a dark green dress with elbow length sleeves. She was a stern, yet fair woman in her mid 50’s, who had previously served as a soldier fighting burned ones before taking up her title role as headmistress of Alfea. Medina remembered her fondly, though she’d been on the receiving end of Farah’s discipline a couple of times as a student in the past. “Look alive everyone!!!” The headmistress cried, mainly at a few pupils now loitering around with lack of anything else to do.
Silva’s blue eyes flashed at Medina knowingly. “Here goes nothin’,”
“Yeah, here goes,” She mumbled unhappily behind him. Even in her heels, Saul was still taller than her, though it wasn’t difficult when she only stood at 5ft2 anyway. She kept her eyes on their guests once they filed in, the same group of inspectors who visited previously, who all appeared as if they would rather be anywhere else. The Queen and her entourage numbered well over fifteen, though most of them were her bodyguards who all stood around the perimeter silently.
Queen Luna was a fierce woman in appearance. Her eyes were piercing blue as they swept the courtyard, dark ebony hair swept very tightly to her head, so no strands even dared to break loose. Her nails were perfectly manicured an electric blue on the ends of bony, aged hands.
Farah introduced all her staff to the Queen. When she arrived at Medina, Luna looked her up and down with the mildest expression of distaste. It was so disguised that Medina was sure no one else could possibly have noticed.
“So, you are the author of that book so many of my subjects love. ‘Positive emotions for positive magic’?” The Queen asked.
“Oh yeah, that’s me,” Medina replied, trying to keep her voice from squeaking.
“I didn’t care for it,” Luna cut. “You’re views on the subject matter are rather naïve, and seeing your age, I am not surprised.”
“I’m sorry you felt that way, but those methods have been proven very effective for those learning how to use their magic -”
“The ideas you express pertain to weakness. We should teach our students to be strong, not pander to their every whim and emotion. Training should be result driven.” The Queen stood back, taking stock of Medina like an x-ray. “Though, I do admire your confidence. Perhaps misplaced, but I am sure this school can correct that,” She gave a feign smile before moving on.
Medina had barely a moment to recover from her dressing down when the inspectors followed, all nodding to her in greeting.
“Ah, you again. I hope you are not pouring the wine today, my dear, this suit costs more than you could fathom,” Clance Fire said out of the pack, earning a few sniggers. He smoothed down his thinning hair with clammy hands, small dark eyes drinking in her entire form before he moved on.
With half a mind to tell the snooty old pervert that maybe he should pour his own damn wine, Medina felt a hand gently squeeze her shoulder.
“It’s just a day, Dina,” Saul whispered into her ear. “You should probably unclench your fist,”
She took his advice, slowly, trying to uncoil the angry tension within her body. Taking a deep breath, Medina began following the group as they began their tour of the school. With a slightly undignified ‘oof’ she walked straight into someone, their shoulders colliding and sending both women reeling backways.
“Oh, gods, I am so sorry!” Medina said in a fluster, as the young blond girl she’d smacked into straightened out her pastel pink blazer.
“For a teacher here, you aren’t half getting walked all over,” The girl said in a voice as smooth as butter. “I’m not sure whether to laugh at you, or feel sorry for you,” With that, she sauntered off in her heels that were at least six inches high.
Medina swore quietly under her breath. “I cannot catch a break today.”
…
As it turned out, the young pretty blond girl who’d released the sass on Medina, was in fact the Queen’s daughter, Stella. To top off the icing on that cake, Stella was finally going to be given permission to attend Alfea at the beginning of the new term. Medina wondered how long it would be before Luna started taking control of the curriculum, as she had already displayed distaste to a few of the subjects being taught at the school.
Luckily, Medina did not have to spend too much time with the Queen. She currently stood beside Ben Harvey, who taught Botany at Alfea. They were watching Saul and his students put on a training demo, the inspectors and the Queen looking mightily impressed. Queen Luna clapped in approval, obviously finding Saul’s approach to doing things far more impressive than Medina’s less violent ways.
It was also obvious that the Queen rather liked Saul, and she was looking at him in a way that made Medina want to throw up in her own mouth. The man in question hadn’t even broken a sweat, despite being on the late side of his 30’s and quite the veteran. Watching him with the students reminded Medina of her own school days.
It was here that Saul Silva decided to make her schooling days a nightmare – to put it mildly. He insisted that fairies also learn how to defend themselves and Medina was the least aggressive, least inclined person in the world to want anything to do with fighting. Even if it was self-defence. She spent most of her practical lessons on the floor, being thrown around by fairies and specialists who found Medina’s aversion to violence hysterical. Silva often berated her for it, thinking it may be a way of motivating her. It never worked, and she often spent her practical lessons being yelled at by him.
He hadn’t changed, even now.
A round of applause broke Medina from her thoughts. She watched as the Queen stepped forward, a pleased smile on her thin lips. “Just spectacular! What you are doing with these specials, well, it is something special,”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Saul said humbly.
“Please, call me Luna,” Her tone was suggestive, sultry.
Medina had to cover her mouth so stifle her giggle at Silva’s perplexed expression. She wondered how long it had been since someone flirted with him. He seemed so closed off and solitary.
“Poor Silva, he’ll have a job getting away from her today,” Ben said, equally amused, flashing Medina a grin.
“He’s never going to hear the end of it,” She replied mischievously. He chuckled whilst pushing his large square rimmed glasses up his nose. Medina had always been very fond of Ben Harvey. Not just for his great teaching abilities, but his enthusiasm for the subject of botany was extremely catching.
“Medina, we’re ready for you now,” Farah called from across the green.
“Wish me luck,” Medina breathed.
“You’ll be fine,” Ben said, as surely as possible, though even he seemed unnerved by the Queen’s presence. She led the group to her office. Trepidation was setting in, and she could see as they entered her entirely unconventional space that the battle had only just begun. Introducing herself as thoroughly as she could (though she was aware they all knew who she was by now), Medina set about explaining her initiatives.
“So, as head of pastoral care I really wanted to make my office a safe space. A place where the students feel comfortable to talk in, and really open-up about any issues they may be experiencing. It’s important to put their minds at ease, after all, pastoral care is all about caring for the spiritual, emotional and social wellbeing of the people here,” Medina watched as they cast their gazes around the room. It was an eclectic mix of plush sofas and footstools, colourful throws set about to create a cosy feeling, incense burning in the corner and candles (currently unlit) on every surface. “The kids have also set up a lot of support groups for themselves. Mutual experiences, perhaps traumas that bring them together. It seems to work really well in keeping morale up and helping solve the issue of loneliness, too,”
“Loneliness?” One of the inspectors, a man named Ferrick, asked. “I find it hard to believe that pupils in a school full of their peers feel lonely,”
“Actually, loneliness is one of the highest problems amongst young people today. Technology has created an almost alternate reality, where they have millions of followers online yet no one to talk to in real life. That’s why when the kids come in here, they are encouraged to leave their mobiles in the black hole and engage in proper conversation,”
“Right. The black hole?”
“Oh yeah, it’s what the pupils call the jar they have to stick their phones in. Let’s just say parting teenagers with a phone takes guts,” Medina affirmed, surprised to earn genuine chuckles from a few members of the group. “I have really tried to create a relaxing environment for unwinding. As they say, if you have a healthy mind then the rest will follow,”
“This is all well and good, Mis Spring, but surely the pupils at Alfea are here to learn and work hard, not lounge around in your office all day?” Queen Luna said as she lifted one of the throws from the sofa, dropping it back down as if it were a mere piece of rubbish.
“Yes, I agree. I do not encourage our students to slack off when it comes to work but having a balance in their lives improves their concentration and overall work ethic,” Medina answered, hoping her voice wasn’t jumping from nerves. Her heart felt as if it may explode out of her chest, though the warm smile Farah gifted her was more than encouraging.
“We are really impressed with the work Medina has been doing here, and her experience is a testament to that,” Dowling said with fondness.
The Queen tilted her head a little, still eyeing Medina sharply. “Ah yes, you worked in First World schools, did you not?”
“Yes, I did,” Medina replied.
“And you found that mundane and backward place appealing, did you?”
“Well yes, I did. It was anything but mundane, I assure you,”
“And you believe this ‘experience’ qualifies you to teach at such a prestigious school as this?”
“Yes. Kids are kids, no matter fairy, special or otherwise. They all have the same complicated social dynamics, problems, emotional responses. I don’t particularly see a difference, apart from the magical ability part, of course,”
“And that is why Miss Spring’s help here is very much appreciated,” Farah put her hand on Medina’s shoulder. “I think it’s high time we show you the botany classroom. Mr Harvey has rather a lot to talk about,” The headmistress instructed in no uncertain terms, flashing Medina a wink before they left the office.
With a long, exasperated sigh, she fell back onto the couch and groaned into her hands.
“That bad, eh?” Saul, who seemed to have appeared from nowhere, said as he strode through the threshold.
“The woman hates me. She’d argue with me over anything! If I said the sky was blue, she’d find a hundred ways to prove it was green,” Medina stared up at the ornate ceiling, the grey light from outside casting strange shadows and patterns onto the paintwork. “If Queen Luna had it her way, the whole school would be run like a military camp. And don’t you start, I know you’d bloody love that.”
“I wouldn’t mind a bit of increased discipline, not gonna lie,” Saul said as he sank down into the chair opposite. “But nah, military camps don’t have comfy beds and decent food. Or an office quite like this,”
He was teasing her, she knew it. Medina narrowed her gaze as she looked at him, only proving to widen his smirk. She rolled her eyes, remaining on her back and feeling utterly exhausted. “Gods, give me strength to get through this day,”
“The Queen is like this with everyone, Dina. She likes to test people,”
“Easy for you to say. She fancies you.”
“Well can you blame her?” Silva joked. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. She’s not my type,”
Medina snorted. “Do you think she cares about that? Trust me, if she says jump you better be ready to ask how high,”
Saul chuckled deeply, a sound not often heard from ‘Mr Serious’ as the kids sometimes called him (or old man Silva, though this would most definitely earn a smack around the earhole). He rubbed at the dark stubble on his chin that was peppered with grey hair, one of the only signs he was any older than Medina remembered. “I’d rather tackle a burned one,”
“Might not be much difference.” Medina mumbled, earning another laugh from him. She swung her legs around and sat up, pulling her long curls from the hair bobble as it felt tight on her scalp. Her hair fountained down past her shoulders, and she used her fingers to adjust it accordingly. “We still have to have lunch with them. I don’t know how many more digs I can handle,”
“Tell you what, get through this day in one piece and I will open up my best bottle of whiskey tonight,” Saul quirked one of his eyebrows. “It’s Friday, after all,”
“Alright. Any excuse to drink your stash,” She grinned.
“Yeah, yeah. Come on then,” He said in mock exasperation, standing up and gesturing her out of the door.
…