 Sorry for the lack of mentions/interactions! Rhibear ~ Madam Solo ~ Dark Brooding Girl ~ Accio Jedi ~ Gryffinclaw ~ Just a doll
Norman greeted the two who arrived after him (Cassie and William) with a polite nod. He considered Cassie’s questions for a moment. Yes, he was ready to get started, but whether or not it was a lovely evening remained to be seen. So far it was off to a promising start, but that could change at any moment. Before he had much time to think about it, Finneas’s answer to his question distracted him. “So I see,” he replied, unsure whether bringing a finger trap to a feast was a really odd idea or a really smart one. Leaning toward the former at this point. Either way, were Hogwarts feasts usually so boring that they needed a bit of fun to get through?
Norman’s blue-green eyes scanned the room, observing both students and staff alike. He’d found that he could learn more about people through observation than through conversation. He studied their mannerisms and interactions with each other, making a mental note of a select few students who struck him as potential troublemakers, Something else he made a note of? The headmaster’s absence. He was starting to get mildly concerned. Maybe he’d lost track of time or taken ill or something? Should someone go to his office and check on him?
He was about to ask his colleagues about it when the doors burst open. Oh, there was Trent! It took all of Norman’s self-control not to roll his eyes at that pointlessly dramatic entrance. Starting the term off with a (literal) bang, are we, Trent? He thought to himself, though he had the sense not to say such a thing out loud. But wait - that wasn’t Trent! He turned his attention to the man just in time to see his skin bubbling, and he instantly knew what was happening. Polyjuice potion! Untransfiguration wouldn’t cause one’s skin to bubble like that.
Norman’s mind was going a million miles an hour. His colleagues were asking the wrong questions! Who these people were was inconsequential besides, he was already 99% convinced they were dark wizards. A good person wouldn’t resort to such deception to get into Hogwarts. The real question was what they hoped to accomplish by infiltrating the school. Still, Cassie was onto something. If they could get the students out of the hall, maybe they could make a stand and apprehend these people before things got worse! He surveyed the room, sizing up the goons standing around the tables. A plan of attack was already forming in his mind…
Or not. Norman showed no reaction as the imposter spoke. Rosier… old wizarding name, and if he recalled correctly, historically linked to pureblood supremacists like Grindelwald and Voldemort. He had a pretty good idea what this lunatic’s agenda was, and he wanted no part of it! There was no way he was going to let this Neo-Alliance (or whatever they called themselves) win, but he knew that acting impulsively would only endanger himself and others. No, he had a feeling this was going to be a battle of wits, not wands.
While others might be afraid, Norman was just frustrated, frustrated at Rosier and his goons for their intrusion and frustrated at himself and his coworkers for not seeing that something was off sooner. How had they let this happen?! He mentally shook himself as he began to pile food on his plate. Second guessing himself would do no good. The best thing could do for the students now was give them the tools they’d need to face this, and if the Gryffindors’ antics were any indication, he had his work cut out for him!
__________________ Old voices I had thought long since dead whisper of another life I might have led
If I could take that second chance, If I could make my life anew, If only dreams came true... |