Ethan's Ulterior Motive (open)

[Ethan Forrester]

Ethan normally exhibited his particular brand of calm stoicism, rarely expressing much emotion in public. Perhaps part of that came from being neurodivergent, though it might also owe a small part to being an ex-Auror.

Those who'd spotted Ethan during the preparations for the dance, however, might've observed an unusual level of energy and enthusiasm.

For this occasion, he'd worn a sharp blue suit, complete with his original Ravenclaw student necktie. The stripe pattern was slightly different to the modern incarnation. Observant people might've noticed.

About an hour and a half into the event, there was a scheduled interlude, and Ethan stepped onto the rostrum where the head table resided.

"May I have your attention, please?", he announced. "And Professor Silverberg, would you please join me for a moment?"

Ethan gave Elyria a moment to make her way to his side.

"First, we would like to express our gratitude to Professor Rossi for agreeing to hold the solstice dance this year when Professor Silverberg and I proposed it to him." He started a brief round of applause, then continued.

"I think I'm going to refer to Professor Silverberg as Elyria from this point, because I'm about to mention her quite a lot." He offered a brief smirk to her. "I first pitched the idea to Elyria at the Three Broomsticks while chaperoning a Hogsmeade Weekend. My inspiration had been a similar event held here in 1987. I was head boy at the time, and Elyria happened to be head girl at the time. On account of us being the head boy and girl, Professor Flitwick--Ravenclaw's former Head of House--had given us the privilege of having our own private study room in Ravenclaw Tower to share.

"When the 1987 dance was announced, I didn't even know how to dance, and I had no social life to speak of, so I was apprehensive about attending. However, I also knew it would likely be my last chance to ask Elyria on a date before we completed our schooling at Hogwarts. You see, we'd started out as rivals, but over six years and three months, I'd developed a bit of a crush on her. To my delight and relief, she agreed to attend with me, and she also agreed to teach me some basic dance moves so I wouldn't completely embarrass her.

"When I was an Auror, I had to face down dark wizards many times, and as a professor, I've had to deal with angry parents and howlers several times, but I think asking Elyria to the dance was perhaps the single bravest thing I ever did, and it turned out to be one of my better decisions. She taught me how to dance in that same private study room. We were Nerds with a capital 'N', though, and we agreed not to let our interest in each other distract us from our studies for the balance of the year.

"After Hogwarts, we went our separate ways, but still met up whenever we could and attended social events as a couple. I studied curse-breaking as a specialty to give me a leg up in becoming an Auror. I think Elyria was terrified that one day, I might not return from one of my assignments. I admit the thought had crossed my mind as well. Then, in 1998, there was the Battle of Hogwarts. We were both shaken, not just by the loss of life but also by the sheer damage that had been done to the school that had been our home for seven precious years. We wanted to help rebuild it, so we both decided to return to Hogwarts, now as professors of the arts that we knew best. And of everything I've done career-wise, teaching has been the most rewarding experience to date.

"Fast-forward a few years, and that brings us to today. Elyria and I have been discreet, never letting our relationship interfere with our teaching or other responsibilities, so it will probably come as a surprise to many of you to learn that we've been romantically involved in the background the whole time we've been teaching.

"And now, I have a confession to make. When I first pitched the idea for a solstice dance to Elyria, while the reason I stated was a good one, that our seventh-years would otherwise graduate without ever having had the experience of a school dance, it was not the only reason. My ulterior motive to re-creating that memorable experience from 1987, was this...

Ethan retrieved a small box from his pocket, and knelt down before Elyria, and opened the box, revealing a silver ring sporting a brilliant blue sapphire.

"Elyria, you have been the one constant in my life since we started at Hogwarts. First you were my rival, and then you became my study partner, and then you captured my heart and became my dance partner. I could not imagine my life without you being at the center of it.

"Will you do me the honor of becoming my bride, now and forever?"