Subtle Seduction

"Good evening, Helga," Salazar greeted. He smirked at her, thinking about their many meetings this week. They had spent their time most unwisely, Helga had said, but he disagreed wholeheartedly. He couldn't think of a better way to spend his - their - time.

Helga nodded, slightly embarrassed by Salazar smirking at her that way when Rowena and Godric were near.

"Good evening, Salazar," she replied, giving him a small glare and walking past him to the dinner table. He continued to smirk and followed her to the table, taking the place next to her.

Godric and Rowena quickly followed suit and sat across from Helga and Salazar.

"Dinner looks superb, Helga!" Godric exclaimed, taking a spoon and scooping some mashed potatoes onto his plate.

Helga smiled. "You're too kind Godric. My cooking can only be satisfactory for so long before it becomes tiresome."

"Oh don't be silly Helga, your cooking is always extraordinary. Sometimes it's the only part of the day I look forward to," Rowena said sincerely, patting Helga's hand. Helga smiled at her dear friend, nodding a thank you as the rest of the table scooped portions onto their plates.

"So, Rowena, what do you think of the course plans I've been working on?" Godric asked, before taking a drink of wine. Rowena brightened at the topic.

"You have actually begun planning?" she asked, excited at Godric's sudden interest in the classes he would be teaching. Godric had been putting off planning his courses, saying they were mundane. Not to mention his interest in the forest that laid outside the grounds.

"They're at it again," Salazar said lowly, so only Helga would hear him. Helga simply looked at him out of the corner of her eye as she took a bite of her dinner.

"Do you think Godric really has put thought into his courses?" Salazar asked, leaning towards her, taking a sip of wine. Godric and Rowena continued to converse without a second glance to Helga and Salazar.

"Does it really matter to you, Salazar?" Helga finally responded, looking at him with an eyebrow raised. He smiled, and gave a small shrug.

"I am simply trying to converse with you, Helga." He chucked.

"An activity you lack the skill in," she replied with a smirk. She took a drink of her wine, looking everywhere but at Salazar.

'Always the tease,' Salazar thought, smirking at her insult.

"Helga, have you thought about teaching a course on the plants you collect?" Rowena asked, drawing the conversation back to the whole table.

"I have. It could be a course that coexists with Potions. They would benefit one another," Helga explained to her friend. Rowena nodded in approval.

"That sounds very wise. And Salazar, you agree?" Rowena turned her attention to the man, who had just taken a bite of bread.

"Naturally. If the children take Helga's course, they will be better prepared to mix potions," Salazar replied. His tone gave nothing away to his current favoritism to Helga, though Helga did smile at his answer.

"Have you thought of any other courses you'd teach?" Rowena asked, directing her question to Helga. Helga placed her hands in her lap as to not toy with her utensils as she spoke.

"I was thinking of a course focusing on Runes," she replied simply. Rowena made her reply, but Helga was temporarily distracted by Salazar grabbing her hand underneath the table. She nodded at Rowena to make it seem she understood what she was speaking of, but looked towards Salazar who was now speaking, or rather, pestering Godric. He gave no notice to Helga's stare.

"Our courses will do so much for wizarding families!" Rowena exclaimed, suddenly overwhelmed by the process they had made over the past few months.

Godric raised his goblet, adding a, "Here, here!"

Salazar lifted his goblet with his unoccupied hand and gave a silent raise in agreement, as Helga did the same. Rowena then asked Godric of his opinion of her latest paper she had written for her Transfiguration course, taking the focus once again off the more silent of the group.

Helga looked down to her lap where her and Salazar's hand were intertwined. Seeing Helga's focus change Salazar began to rub his thumb over her hand in gentle circular movements, smiling all the while.

She tore her focus away from her lap, and began to eat the rest of her dinner to keep her mind preoccupied. Now was not the time to let it wander away to the haven she and Salazar shared. This became more difficult as he flipped her hand over and began to lightly run his fingers up her palm to her forearm. She shivered involuntarily, and Godric took notice.

"Helga, are you cold? I could ignite the fire once more." He made to stand up, but Helga quickly motioned for him to be seated.

"No, no. I simply felt a stray breeze," she explained, turning pink. Salazar attempted to his his grin by taking a sip of wine.

Salazar continued these actions until everyone had finished their meal, much to Helga's discomfort.

"As usual, the dinner was delicious, Helga." Godric smiled, bowing his head to show appreciation. Rowena nodded in agreement as she rose to help Helga clear the table. Though she could use magic to clear the table, Helga had risen from the table in order to stop Salazar's caresses, and no one was the wiser since Helga usually insisted on using her own two hands whenever she could.

"I shall see you three in the morning," Rowena declared after the table had been cleared. She curtsied, before taking her leave of the group. Helga stood at the head of the table as Godric and Salazar rose to stand with her.

"I think I shall follow Rowena's example and sleep. I am so full I cannot think of anything that would please me more." Godric then left his friends, but not before finishing off the wine.

After Godric's leave, Helga looked at Salazar for a moment before speaking.

"I think I shall also retire for the night," she said idly, as if the events during dinner had no effect on her.

"I find myself not yet drowsy enough for sleep," Salazar said with a small grin present on his features.

"Perhaps you could prepare your courses. When I cannot sleep I spend the night writing," she suggested, walking past him towards the door. He began to follow her.

"Sounds rather dull," he remarked.

"Well, dullness can lull some to sleep," she offered, reaching the entrance to the dinning room. Once the two were in the corridor, she turned to face him.

"Goodnight Salazar," said Helga with a friendly smile.

Salazar stepped forward, closer to her. "Goodnight Helga."