Gillygate - 1. Gιllγgατε

The sun reflected off the grimy glasshouses. Across the grass fields younger students were making their way to the Quidditch pitch or otherwise enjoying their lunchbreak. My sleeves were rolled up. I set down the flowerpot and burlap sack I'd been carrying, the contents of which were wriggling about. Then stepped back across the grass with my wand out. I was reasonably out of sight, at least nobody was looking this way.

I pointed my wand "Sciogli."

The sack untied itself and out came several Bouncing Bulbs. The purple plants started hopping about while I focused, wand raised.

"Come on, guys." I half-pleaded. "I'm a sixth-year now and I have to be able to plant you for my N.E.W.T.s."

One of the bulbs started bouncing aggressively before flinging itself at my face.

"Flipendo!" a blast of blue from my wand-tip sent it back to its fellows with a squawk. "I'm not playing around. Come on, into the pot."

It took much of my lunchbreak but I eventually succeeded. The twelve spuds were hopping together in a calmer fashion. After a few more knockback jinxes I was able to pot them. One hand carefully aiming my wand, the other moving them into the pot and adding soil. They quivered angrily but complied.

I let out a sigh of relief when done "Professor Barberry will be glad when I get another good grade in Herbology…"

I reached for the sack to bag them when a rogue bulb shot itself at me once more.

"Depulso!" It flew back into the pot and I quickly bagged the angry vegetables, tying the bag with twine once more.

"That's some quick wand-work you've got there." I turned to see a tall boy leaning against the nearest glasshouse, smirking with arms crossed. "Nice reflexes."

"Thanks…" He was a Gryffindor, I recognised him.

"You're Philkin, right?"

"Yes." I straightened, keeping the struggling sack under my arm. "Philkin Willmot. How do you know?"

"You duelled a Slytherin out here, last year. And beat him. Hufflepuffs don't usually get into duels, let alone win them."

"Well I also got an Outstanding in Defence Against the Dark Arts in my O.W.L.s." I told the arrogant teen. "So I'm not going to let pure bloods slur me to my face when they're clearly not superior fighters."

"I've never met an aggressive Hufflepuff." His eyebrows raised, cocky.

"Well I don't like to fight. It's just the muggle-born comments I won't stand for…" I went to reach for the pot and hesitated.

"You're not going to ask for my name?"

"I know who you are. Rodney, beater for the Gryffindor Quidditch team."

He shrugged off and strolled over. Swaggered, in fact. Chestnut hair styled untidy, the tips feathery. A broad chest and jaw he was showing off with his posturing. I'd still not loosened the grip of my wand hand.

"I don't know your name cause of your Herbology skills, Philkin. Or for successfully stunning that Slytherin before shooting him in the face with a pimple jinx, getting yourself a week's detention. I heard other things…" he was making his voice intentionally sultry.

Rodney was something of a school celebrity. Talented, popular and handsome. No, not handsome. Sexy. Raw masculinity. He had a nice bulge to his pants, of course I'd noticed. He probably wasn't used to being told 'no' and I couldn't blame him.

"Oh yeah…?"

"So I thought I'd come say 'hi' and we could fuck under the Quidditch stands." He saw the shock on my face "What?"

I recovered "No, thanks."

"Come on. I know a good spell for it. Ever tried sex magic?"

"Of course. Even so."

"You know, I've fucked every gay and bi Gryffindor in my year and above."

"I bet you have." I faced him warily as he continued closer. "But I have a boyfriend."

"So? You guys aren't open? He doesn't have to know." He stopped when I raised my wand, cocked his head. "…are you going to hex me?"

"I'm gay, Rod. I get it. But I'm actually not a whore. I have a boyfriend. I don't cheat. So thanks, but no thanks."

He looked confused more than anything. It was admittedly a strange thought: a gay student at Hogwarts who wasn't interested in indiscriminate sex. Enough to baffle most gay students. An awkward Hufflepuff turning down a fuck proposal from fit, closeted, power-top Rod. Beater for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, house of the brave. He'd stopped his advance entirely so I ducked down to gather the flowerpot and make my escape.

"Good day." I hastily left him for the castle.

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spellman's syllabry

Sciogli - I invented this spell. It unties things. Feel free to steal it. Derived from the Italian word "sciogliere" which means "untie".

Flipendo - Knockback Jinx.

Depulso - Banishing Charm.