//------------------------------//
// By What Do You Call a Dragon? 
// Story: Crushing in College 
// by Freybli 
//------------------------------//

I didn’t expect this.


The thought went through Draco’s mind faster than he could possibly imagine. The creature that stood before him was most certainly a dragon; that was indisputable. Draco’s real problem, however, was trying to identify what kind of dragon it was that stood in front of him. The dragon had long, smooth horns jutting out from either side of his head. His pale yellow scales reminded Draco of the constantly shifting sands of the Saddle Arabian Desert. A scar lay across his freckled snout; Draco concluded that he must have participated in some sort of battle before deciding to teach at the School. The only accessory he wore besides his plain black bow tie was a single, teardrop shaped amber earring in his left ear.

“You know, if you take a picture, it’ll last longer.”

“Huh?” Draco shook his head to break the trance he was in. So busy was he in analyzing the newcomer that he didn’t realize that he was staring at him the entire time. “Oh, sorry! I was just a bit… preoccupied, as it were.” Draco laughed sheepishly. “Oh, where are my manners? My name is Vovinna I. Draco, Professor of Elemental Magic at the Canterlot School of Gifted Unicorns. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mister…” 

The sand-colored dragon looked around the classroom for a moment, taking in its ordinary brown walls and multiple light fixtures. He studied the blank chalkboard behind Draco’s desk, calmly noting the lack of any sort of writing on its surface. The dragon nodded his head slowly, turning back around to face Draco. 

“Nice classroom you’ve got here,” he said as he proceeded to take a seat on the floor. “Do you think I can get a desk like yours?”

Draco blinked. Once, twice, then three times in succession. A desk? Why ask for a teacher’s desk now of all times? I mean, of course he can, but he didn’t answer my question. How am I supposed to properly greet him if I don’t even know his name? “Uh, well, of course we can get you a desk, but… would you mind terribly if I could have your name?” 

“Certainly. My name is…” The dragon’s eyes suddenly widened as he quickly turned to glance at the clock, which read 12:10. He suddenly shot up from his seat on the hardwood floor, quickly making his way to the door.

“Oh, no. This is most certainly not good. I’m afraid that we’re going to have to put our little name exchange on hold for a while. I forgot that the orientation for new teachers was being held today." The dragon flashed a smile as he hurried his way to the door. "We’ll have a chat later, though. Take care!” Faster than what Draco would have ever thought possible for a creature of his size, the dragon was racing down the hallway.

Draco sighed deeply, quickly realizing the dragon's folly. “Orientation is in the lunchroom. He ran in the complete opposite direction. At this rate, he’ll never make it to the meeting on time.” Draco shook his head sadly. A moment later, the heavy thud of footsteps met his ears. Rushing forward, Draco hurried to open the classroom door to try and find the source of the disturbance. 

It was none other than the new professor, running down the hallway as if his life depended on it. As he passed Draco’s (and now, his) classroom, he yelled, “I can’t believe I went the wrong way! I am so going to be late now!” The heavy footsteps faded away as the dragon turned the corner of the hall at a breakneck pace.

Draco blinked, sighed, and turned to walk towards his desk. He sat down in the padded leather cushion, which had gilded golden edges: a gift from Celestia for his first year of teaching at the school. His head slowly made its way down to connect with the cold embrace of the solid hardwood desk. Draco let loose a long, winded groan.

“This is going to be a long day for me, isn’t it?”