#charminglyforbiddenautumn

If Julian knew what the word autopilot meant, then that was the only word that described how he managed during the first week back from the summer holidays. He had taught class thousands of times. He had filled his planner with office hours and tutoring sessions, but why should this year be any different?

He knew, but his brain avoided the actual thought, as if it metaphorically burned to even consider it. Just because it was some ridiculous life change that he really shouldn’t be considering a life change because it wasn’t his life that was fucking changing at all. Besides, something like that shouldn’t interfere with him doing his job. It was too bad that he had totally forgotten who he was meeting with now, but at least he knew he had a meeting.

He raised his wand to clear the desks from his classroom, letting their waddle with their stiff legs to the sides of the room to make space in the middle. Usually he’d be much more prepared for practical tutoring, although more often than not most people just asked for homework help. Julian turned to see if his student had arrived through the open classroom door; he could just conjure whatever he needed anyway and he tried to push down the frazzled feeling that came with being unprepared for guests.