Professor Sharp disliked his fourth years. He thought they were incompetent and entitled, who often purposely ruined their potions just to get out of class.

So as they filed in, Aesop mentally prepared himself to teach them the amortentia brew.

As he expected, they all spent more time talking over him and among theirselves than actually listening to what he had to say. Still, he persevered. Aesop only had them twice a week (even if that was twice too many). He could persevere.

“Get into partners” Aesop dismissed, waving them off to their respective cauldrons. He knew no work would be done. He just needed time to think.

With his head in his hands, he was looming over his own amortentia cauldron now. He sniffed, his brows furrowed. Aesop smelled again, trying to make sense of what he smelt. Your perfume, your shampoo, the faintest hint of the wood of your wand. He stood upright, perplexed now. Was he seriously so unaware of his emotions that he hadn’t noticed growing feelings for you?

Aesop thought for a moment. He had noticed you quite a lot; how you managed to control your class was admirable, how shiny your hair was, how gorgeous your eyes were. He felt his heart stir as he thought of your smile. By Merlin… Aesop Sharp liked you.

He dismissed his class ten minutes early, frantically checking your timetable (you had given it to him in case he needed you for anything) and thankfully found you had two free periods. Your classroom would be empty. He needed to talk this out, confirm what the potion suggested.

Aesop pulled the potions classroom door open, pausing as you stood there smiling at him. He felt his legs turn to jelly. You were so…perfect.