Headmaster's Office

[Biochemkris]

The first thing you notice when you step into the office is all the interesting do-hickeys. A lot of them are similar to the ones that had been in place when Cassandra Rae was headmistress but, there were a number of new ones as well. The most notable aspect of the space was the seemingly disorganized nature of it. Books, parchment, quills, ink, instruments, cauldrons, phials, and all number of items littered the shelves and any other flat surface available. You couldn't see the top of the desk and it was surprising that the seats were even available. Aside from the chairs (or at least most of them), the only thing not covered in various bits and pieces is the elegant baby grand piano stuffed in a corner of the crowded room.

The headmaster is a tall, relatively young, wizard with unkempt robes and dirty plastic glasses. He looks more like the auror he'd been than the headmaster he's become, a big brother rather than an authority figure. Though it is common knowledge that the headmaster was attacked by a werewolf the previous term, the change in his appearance may come as a bit of a shock to those who knew him. Though still as carefree as ever and his face untouched, he looks to be on the verge of illness and his hands are a bit scarred. Nevertheless, he smiles as you walk in (assuming you got past the gargoyle, that is ).


OOC: Any posts from those who do not go through the Gargoyle's Entrance and either know the password or escorted through will be deleted without warning or notice.

[Biochemkris]

The headmaster found his office on the first try. He was getting really good at finding where he needed to go now. Like magic. Pepe laughed at his own thoughts and shut the door. He walked over to the fireplace and made sure the way was clear for the Minister and whatever officials she'd be bringing along with her.

~~~~~

After sticking his head down to see the Minister and her officials at the Gargoyle, Pepe led them up to his office. "Well, welcome to my office," he said, gesturing around the messy, but not too messy (yet) office.

[lemondrop13]

Minister Taylor entered the Headmaster's office, as she'd done a few times before when she was the Senior Undersecretary, though the School leadership at the time was different. She only quickly glanced about the room before turning her total attention on Pepe.

"Headmaster Bontecou, since we have a few minutes before our arrangement need be fulfilled, could Mr. Rider and I trouble you to discuss some school matters?" Reagan looked to Jake as if to say, 'Take over from here as soon as he acquiesces.'

[Daemon]

Jake followed the Minister into the room and tried VERY hard not to get distracted by all the little details of it. He was supposed to focus SOLELY on the very important task he had to do - NOT on Bontecou's personal titbit collection.

Right.

Nodding at Minister's Taylor's words, Jake took the hint Reagan had sent him and already began forming his words in his head. Now all he needed was Bontecou's positive answer and he would fire away.

[momentai]

Chad was the last one to walk into the room, especially since he would be the last to have any sort of contact with the Headmaster. He kept his hands folded behind his back as he decided to stand somewhere in behind Reagan, but not to close (it was a comfortable distance), to carefully watch the potentially question asking.

[Biochemkris]

"Of course, anything to help. Can I get any of you some tea?" he asked distractedly as he pushed aside some parchment, looking for the kettle. He was pretty sure it was around here somewhere. Pepe bounced n his feet a little and then glanced around the room to try and locate it, but he was a bit too twitchy at the moment to focus anywhere in particular. Then he remembered the questioning and looked at Mr. Rider. "Sorry. I get a bit antsy, I guess. What do you need?"

[Daemon]

Was that a yes amongst the ramblings? YES, it was indeed a yes!

"Headmaster, as you probably know, the Astronomy teacher - late Mr. Forrester - died during the summer holidays. While we all share your loss for a magnificent teacher, I was hoping you would tell us who has been appointed as the new Astronomy Professor," Jake said as formally as he could, then realised that a) he might have sounded TOO formal and b) he might not have made much sense.

Anyhow, the question was out. And despite him being a little nervous about the whole situation, he was quite eager to hear who indeed had managed to snatch the job.

[Biochemkris]

"Oh yes, of course. Lord Borr has been appointed to the position and Ms. Melita is filling in as healer for Miss Avalon until she reappears," Bontecou replied and then glanced over toward the window. Getting close to moonrise...

[Daemon]

Lord... Borr? As in, Berty Borr - the one that had terrorized students that one term when Hogwarts split? Oh dear. Yet... Jake had heard of him outside Hogwarts and while a little on the *ahem* eccentric side, apparently he was a respected wizard. And Sophie Melita? Jake recalled the name from somewhere but since he had never heard of her in a bad context, he supposed she was all right.

Jake nodded, as if accepting the two choices. "All right then, thank you. But might I ask where Caroline Avalon is? I didn't know she wouldn't be returning this year," he added, curious to what had happened. If Rachel's stories had been true - and that 'Aparecium' parchment he had found in her trunk had told truths - then Jake really didn't know what to make of the woman.

[Biochemkris]

"She just never showed up for the first staff meeting and I haven't seen her at all since before the assembly, though I assume she finished up the year while I was at Mungo's. I never received a note or anything and I was actually planning to file a missing person's report tomorrow if she failed to show up for the feast. I was really thinking, or maybe just hoping, she would," Pepe sighed, his mood deflating. He was getting moody with the moon.

[Daemon]

Jake listened, becoming more and more puzzled as Bontecou spoke. She disappeared? Without a word? But surely SOMEONE knew where she was - hadn't she made any friends amongst the staff?

"Thank you, Headmaster - and I believe I am done. Good luck on the next school year," Jake finished up with a small, encouraging smile and retreated a few steps so that he was now slightly behind the Minister. It was her turn now.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed through the winder how late it was getting. Suddenly slightly agitated, he eyed the Headmaster, then looked back at Minister Taylor. She'd better make it fast...

[Biochemkris]

"Thank you, Mr. Rider. It was good seeing you again," Pepe smiled, though it was more a baring of teeth. He glanced to the minister. "Minister Taylor, if you don't mind, I think I'd like to take my potion before speaking any further."

[lemondrop13]

"Of course, Bontecou." Reagan replied with an understanding nod. Turning to Chad, Reagan removed a large vial of potion from her robe pocket and held it out in front of Chad. "Mr. Stryker will be remaining behind just outside your office, as we discussed previously, once you've taken your potion. Mr. Rider and I will be leaving now. Thank you for meeting with me. Best of luck to you."

[Biochemkris]

"Any time, Minister. Maybe next time you could visit at a better time," Pepe grinned. A date with the minister of magic would be fantastic. Not that he'd ever get one, but one could always dream. Yup. He was getting distracted again and probably looking at the minister like she was lunch even if that wasn't what he was thinking. He closed his eyes, shook his head a little, and then opened them to look at Mr. Stryker. "Thank you, Minister."

[momentai]

Chad's eyes moved from Bontecou, back to Reagan as she turned to him and held out a vial for him to take into his hands. "Monsieur," he greeted gently with a smile, stepping out in front of Reagan and Jake, "It's just you and me." He gave a gentle laugh, hoping to alleviate...some of the tension in the air?

"Here, Monsieur," he said, once he had gotten close enough for Bontecou to take the potion out of his hand. Merlin, they were cutting this close...

[Biochemkris]

"A fellow countryman?" Pepe asked ask he took the vial. He downed the potion quickly, making a face and gagging a little. It tasted disgusting and this being only his third month as a werewolf, he wasn't used to it yet. "I was born in France and spent four years there before immigrating," he continued, holding out the vial and then glancing at the window. The moon was almost visible.

[momentai]

Chad smiled proudly and felt a lot better to know that this man and him had a bit of something in common. France! "Oui, Monsieur," he smiled, sliding his hands into his pockets as he watched the Headmaster down the potion. He only pulled a hand out of his pocket so that he could accept the vial back. "I was born and lived there for much of my childhood...immigrated to England so that I could attend Hogwarts. Grasping the english language was not easy for me," he laughed gently.

[Biochemkris]

"It can be hard for some. Luckily, my mother had friends in England and already knew the language. I tend to pick stuff up rather easily," Pepe modestly replied. "So, you know many were wolves?" he laughed and glanced again at the window as he removed his glasses. He was determined not to break them again, as he had his first couple transformations.

[momentai]

Chad laughed as he pocketed the empty vial. "Non, I don't," he smiled, "you are my first! I've only just obtained this job. Like...truly, VERY recently." He watched as the man took off his glasses and put them down; it had to be getting close. "However, I have a feeling that I will be getting to know many werewolves in my near future," he nodded with a smile. To be honest, he was looking forward to that time.

[Biochemkris]

"Well, good luck. I'm just going behind my desk for now," Pepe said, wincing a bit as he walked around it and crouched down. This was very embarrassing in front of people. He had even more respect for Less after having gone through his own transformations. Maybe it got easier. It was probably different for everyone.

The wolfsbane potion took the edge off (apparently, since Pepe had never experienced a potion-less transformation) and he was mostly silent except for the ocassional grunt and tear. When it was finished, he padded back around the desk with his tongue lolling out and sat down. He was beautiful snowy white wolf with a goofy expression. He looked like he was just an overgrown lap dog.



Pepe.

[momentai]

Oh! Hmm, Bontecou could have said something. Chad would have left and ushered the others out so that the man could have some privacy. But, even though the Headmaster had hidden behind his desk for this, Chad still turned around and looked the other way, twiddling his thumbs.

When it was over, Chad turned back around to watch in amazement as werewolf!Bontecou came back around from his desk. "The potion was a success," he smiled, giving the werewolf a look over and couldn't help but notice the amusing look on Bontecou's face.

[Biochemkris]

Pepe howled in agreement and then lay down, head on his paws to wait out the night. He yawned and then closed his eyes. Just aa sleeping puppy. Nothing to worry about here.

[momentai]

Awww, he was soo cute.

Chad smiled as werewolf!Bontecou laid down to settle in for the night. "Alright, shows up," he said gently, ushering the other two people in the office out. He closed the door behind him and then pulled out his wand. It was such a shame to have to lock in something so peaceful, but Minister's rule.

With a sigh and tap, the door locked and Chad stood guard.

[Biochemkris]

~~~~~~~new day/week/whatever~~~~~~~~

The school term was in full swing, the first full moon of the term was behind him, and Headmaster Bontecou was ready for action and hoping that action would not be in the form of floods and merpeople (though he did enjoy the swimming last term). And on that thought, he went out into the castle to scope out possible places for expansion. Maybe the greenhouses...

[Biochemkris]

~~~~~a new month~~~~~~

It was the end of the day. Supper was being served in the great hall, but Headmaster Bontecou was straightening his office and counting chairs. He needed nine and he had seven. So, time for a little duplication spell...

The headmaster's desk had bee converted to a buffet table with steaming trays of food, some plates, utensils, and napkins. Once he finished the duplication spell he'd be all ready for the prefect meeting.