Preston took a hesitant sip, and considered the drink for a moment, before taken another, fuller one. "Excellent brew, Hecate, thank you." So, maybe she wasn't entirely without positive attributes.

He still questioned her educational methodology, however.

His head tilted at her request, however. An escort? She really needed an escort? Taking another sip of his tea, an unfulfilled errand came to him. "Actually, Hecate, I would be happy to. It seems I've neglected an errand and won't have time on my way home. I don't suppose you have any alihotsy you could part with? I would replace your stores upon the start of term. Fresh would be best but I can do with dried..."

He paused, and turned to the Herbologist. "I don't imagine you grow any here, where the students could get to it?" That would be ideal... though not very sensible given the population at this institution.

"Oh... Uhmm... I'm glad you liked it." She looked at Sage. Preston had been quicker. This was not working out the way it was supposed to. She didn't let her disappointment show on her face and she smiled at Preston. "Yes, I do. You may take as much as you like. I have a private supplier. And thank you for escorting me." She said graciously.

Just when Lexi decided that now was a pretty good time to start saying her goodbyes, Hecate asked if someone would care to escort her to the dungeons. Of course Lexi knew what that meant. Hecate was pretty much waiting for Sage to speak up and volunteer. Sigh.

Lexi glanced in Sage's direction, looking for any sign that he was freaked out over the very idea. She still hadn't figured out why Sage had said she was scary but seemed to be dating her at the same time. Deciding that she'd likely stick her foot in her mouth if she said anything right now, Lexi just stayed quiet and waited for Sage to speak up.

That is, until Preston decided to speak up first and volunteer to do the escorting. In so many ways, Lexi was relieved. She was worried about Sage. He seemed so...panicked around Hecate. He'd been so carefree and almost...bold and daring when she'd met him in Diagon Alley. He seemed so different now.

"Oh, umm...well I guess that leaves Sage and I then," she said, glancing from Potions professor to Transfiguration professor to Herbology professor. "Sage, you wanna head out with me? We can finish catching up, since our ice cream outing was cut a little short." Sage and Lexi had been just about to enjoy a nice little outing, when Florean Fortescue's closed and neither got to do too much catching up. She'd hoped they could fix that now.

When Hecate asked for an escort to the dungeons, Sage automatically knew she was hoping it would been him to offer. He didn't want to offer. He REALLY didn't want to offer. But Preston beat him to it.

Thank Merlin, Preston beat him to it.

"No. No alihotsy in my green houses, I'm afraid. I can only imagine if the students got a hold of it..." Yeah, it was safer not to have any around. "Hecate is probably your best bet." Yes, that's it. Leave with her, PLEASE.

He owed Preston Kingsley.

He knew he ought to try hide it while the Potions Mistress was still in the vicinity, but Sage couldn't help relief from invading his features as Lexi's proposal. "Finishing catching up sounds good, yes." And he could perhaps explain what was going on..

Hmm. Okay then. All seemed settled and honestly, this little meet and greet had ended on a far better note than she'd thought it would. Hecate was leaving with Preston, and Lexi was leaving with Sage. Giving Sage a wondering look, Lexi said, "Alright then. Off we go. It was good catching up with you, Hecate...Preston. I hope you have a nice summer, and I'll see in a few short weeks back here at the castle."

She turned back to Sage with a smile and silently motioned for him to follow her out. She was really interested to catch up with Sage about this whole Hecate ordeal. Why was he dating her if he was so scared of her? Would he even be honest and tell the truth? She gently pushed open the door to the staff room and stepped outside.

"A wise choice, I'm sure, Sage. I can only imagine a reckless student deciding to see how much it takes to float." He nodded at both Lexi and Sage in farewell. "It was good to see you. Term will be here before we know it."

Finishing his tea, he walked over to Hecate and offered his arm. "To the dungeons?"

"Yes..." She said to Preston, but her eyes were fixed on Sage... why was he going to tease her. Thank was plan, crude, but doable.