"I don't..." she said hanging her head low. "I don't know at all, and I'm sorry to not be able to help you with this.

"No, no it's fine. I understand that there are some circumstances that are beyond your control in this case. Perhaps I need to take a look at the responses given by the other teachers..." Syd said, a tad frustrated.

"In any event, whose idea was this assembly? Yours? The headmaster's?"

"Well... it was originally... Professor Lawson's idea sir." She told him quietly. She fidgeted a bit hoping she wasn't sounding accusatory.

"I see. And were there any plans to discuss the proper way to handle werewolves prior to this assembly or was this the first time?" he asked her, standing up finally.

"Of course..." She said, "I was to take my potion and as extra precaution, I was to be locked up in a cage. The staff was asked to come." That should have been enough... that was everything that could have been done except for not having the assembly.

"I understand," he said casually strolling to be behind the woman. "Now, Professor, I'm going to ask you this question and I want you to answer it as truthfully as you can."

He looked down at the back of her head as he waited to ask the question. This was the hard part. If she closed up here, he'd be stuck with no usable information.

"Is there, or has there ever been, someone who was out to get you? Someone wanting to expose this secret or use the disease against you?"

She gasped covering her mouth. How could she not have thought of him... tears shining in her eyes. "My ex-fiance... He... he didn't know where he was. He... he... Merlin... he couldn't have... he... couldn't have..."

"Professor, this ex-fiance you mentioned, who is he and where does he reside?" Syd said, tone going from cheerful to stern. "Even if it's a long shot I need to know. Sometimes the craziest theory is the most correct."

He walked around from behind her to pour another glass of the tart juice. A long sip filled the pause between questions as he continued to face the wall that the refreshment table was against.

"You wouldn't believe the lengths some people would go to. So, if there is anything you'd know, tell me now."

"Remí Devereux," Alessia said. "He resides in Paris... Passage des Marais 75010 Paris" She gave him full address. "He was substituting my Wolfsbane potion with a forgetting potion and placing me in werewolf fights. When I confronted him, he threatened my life..." She paused... this certainly was something he could have done...

Paris. It was close, but not close enough. He clenched his fist and turned around, trying to come up with some way to connect him to anyone at the school.

"This Mr. Devereux... Does he have any contacts in this country aside from you? Anyone possibly at the school? Perhaps not contacts, but friends?"

"Not that I know of... and he is no contact of mine either." She said and reached over to grab his hand. "Please don't let him hurt me again... please."

He looked down at his caught hand and nodded. He was frustrated, but she was in need. This wasn't going to be easy... Maybe he would check on the others who were being questioned.

"Yes, we're going to make sure that doesn't happen again. However, right now the only way to protect you is to prove your innocence. Before I go to check on your colleagues is there anything else you'd like to share?"

She shook her head. "I have nothing to hide, but I have nothing else I can think of to tell you... may I owl you if I think of anything else?"

"Yes, please do, Professor," Syd said to her as he thought. "I'll be sure to deal with anything you owl me asap."

He opened up the door for her as he waited for her to get up. At least she had been willing to speak. She even provided some rather deep information. Whether or not it was useful was yet to be seen.

She stood and approached the door. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and said "Thank you Mr. Wordsmith, you have put me at ease during this interrogation. I hope you find the culprit soon."

Syd smiled to the woman and nodded after she kissed his cheek, "Yes. We most certainly will, Professor."

Kiss? It seemed like every time he was willing to help someone they wanted to kiss him. He was used to it now. He shut the door after the professor left and sat behind his desk. Time to think for a bit...

Catlin knocked on Syd Wordsmiths door, she was still smiling widely like she had been since receiving the owl informing her of her promotion. Unsure if her first knock was heard she tapped again, She wasn't an impatient person she simply couldn't wait to start work.

Warren walked up to Syd's office with letter in hand and as always a frown on his face. Was this right? Running a hand over his face he sighed. For the better right? That was the plan... He just never expected this to actually happen a part of him believed someone more qualified was going to get it and he could continue to wallow in his own self misery. Well..maybe this is a sign. It's been months, you can't find her, she hasn't owled you...Just give it up. As he neared the door he looked up to find someone else there.

Finding the wall a suitable spot he leaned against it, reading and rereading the letter in front of him before shoving it in his pocket unceremoniously. Division Head...well the good side to all this is I'm free from Forrester. But who in their right mind would make HIM a Division Head. That's it...they weren't in their right mind. Leaning his head back he closed his eyes tiredly. A new start...a new job...I guess next fate will be telling me to actually actively go search for people who will constantly be asking me if I'm 'okay'.

Looking away from the door and smiling as she saw someone else join her Catlin held her hand out
"Hi there, Im Catlin Scuto"
Still unable to hide her smile and eager to tell the world she added quickly
"I just got a division head job"

Warren, oblivious to what was going on around him, opened his eyes as he heard what he thought was the girl that had been standing there speaking to him. Of course she was speaking to him who else was there unless Syd magically appeared. Looking at the girl and her hand held out he pushed off the wall and shook her hand cordially, That's right..play nice. "I'm Warren Rodemiere, new head of MLES and Wizengamot." Still think THAT'S a mistake.

"Congrats" Catlin beamed "You here to get the low down from Syd?" She asked with her head to the side.
"I still cant beleive i got the promotion, I cant wait"
Suddenly realising how annoying she could be when she was hyper she straightened herself up and took a deep breath
"I'm sorry, i can get a bit crazy at times"

Syd opened his door and saw two of his new division heads. Well, they were new to management. They had been in the department before after all so it was more so a promotion. Either way there were here and probably nervous.

"Ah, Ms. Scuto and Mr. Rodemiere. Come in, come in. I'm just waitin' on Hufflepuff and our other new friend, Mr. Martimus. We have exciting things to discuss in regards to this World Cup," he said, motioning them in.

Once again Catlin straightened herself up and smoothed her hair down, just as their department head opened his door, She smiled widely for the hundredth time then entered the room in front of her
"Hello Mr Wordsmith,I can not wait to get to work" She stood waiting for the other new division heads.

Warren looked at the girl curiously as she seemed a little bit..odd. As the door opened though he turned toward it and nodded as Syd spoke. Stepping into his office after Catlin he stood near the back of the room leaning against the wall. Placing his hands in his pockets he looked around idly. "The Quidditch World Cup sir?" he must be behind in his news he didn't know that they were coming here. It brought back unwelcome memories of things that could have been and he brought his hand up unconsciously and ran it down the long scar on his face.

Forrester made it to Syd's office, knocked on the door and opened it. "You wanted to see me?" Forrester asked as he entered a room that hosted three people besides him. Syd of course, was behind his desk, as a stranger and Warren stood in front of him. Hope it won't be about them becoming Division Heads, Forrester thought to himself as he stood by Warren and smiled. "Sorry I have been late Syd... It's just that I was busy with the questionning and interrogation with the professors." Forrester revealed as he conjured himself a nice comfortable sofa and sat down.
"So what is this meeting about?" Forrester asked.