Professor Morgan and Lupa's Party Hut
 

Victoria walks up to the hut, she was in a beautiful spot. She walks up the door and knocks.

Professor Morgan had just finishing tidying up the little mess that Vincent had made of her desk, when she heard a knock at the door. Correction, two knocks. "We have company." She said, tapping Vincent lightly on his back. She watched as he fluttered off back to his cage and then walked over quickly and flung open the door. "Good afternoon children." She said cheerfully. She was delighted to see Jake standing there. And look here... a new face. How wonderful!

"Come in, come in." She said, ushering them inside.

Biting his lip, Jake stepped inside the hut-place-thing, and hovered awkwardly by the door, deciding to just get straight to the point. "Erm, hiii..." he started, reaching into his pocket for the letter. "I came to apologize and give you these flowers," he explained shortly.

And hear your inevitable lecture...

"May I read it to you?" Jake asked, holding out the flowers and becoming acutely aware that he managed to cut straight to the point and probably sounded like he didn't want to be there.

Iliana looked down at the flowers in Jake's hand. FLOWERS!? For me? Oh I'm gonna cry, I just know, I AM going to cry. She thought, not really hearing the bit about an apology. It really wouldn't have registered much if she had, considering Jake had done nothing to require one. "Jacob Upstead they're beautiful!!" She exclaimed, taking the flowers from him and breathing in their wonderful fragrance. "I know just where they'll go."

Grabbing the empty crystal vase from off the bookshelf, Iliana rushed over to the sink to fill it with water. When she was finally done with their arranging, she placed them on her desk to admire them. "They look perfect! Lilies are my favorite, how did you know?"

She looked up at him for a response and that was when she noticed the off-look on his face. Then it dawned on her. He had wanted to read something. "Sorry Jake. Yes, go ahead." She said, suddenly curious.

you know you love the little writing
 

Jake watched in silence as Professor Morgan sorted the flowers, rather artistically if he did say so himself.

But he didn't.

Because he wasn't saying anything... yet.

"I don't think I did know that," he answered, unfolding the note in his hands and glancing down at it. "Okay," Jake took a breath, trying to relax himself, and started reading the letter to this lady-person.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake's left-handed scrawwwwl Professor Morgan, I had planned to come and apologise to you, Miss Avalon, Professor Bunbury and Professor Kazimeriz, but the latter of these feels I should also write a letter of apology to each of you and read it out. Basically, I'm sorry you had to witness my apalling behaviour at the start of term feast, as well as my outburst of temper, including when I verbally lashed out at Professor Kazimeriz and kept talking back at you all. I am fully aware that this behaviour was absolutely uncalled for and I shouldn't have gone against anyone, as they were only doing their jobs. I'm sorry you felt the need to help "handle" me and I am ready to hear whatever you have to say to me. Professor Kazimeriz has also given me nightly detentions until he says otherwise, for my "deplorable" behaviour at the start of term feast. Sorry again, Jakers Upstead, Second year, Hufflepuff.

He looked up again, feeling increasingly annoyed with his stop-start way of reading. He was perfectly capable of reading silently to himself, but failed epically when reading outloud. "Sorry about my reading," he added, folding the letter up and handing it over, getting ready for whatever she wanted to say to him.

Professor Morgan listened quietly as Jake read aloud. At first she was confused; unsure of why Jake felt compelled to apologize at all. She soon found out.

At the mention of Professor Kazimeriz's name, it all made sense. She was actually a bit impressed of the man's methods. The punishment could have been much worse. "Your reading was fine, Jake. And thank you for the apology." She said, sitting on the corner of her desk. Looking over at her flowers, she wanted to wrap her arms around him and hug him tight. Probably not the best idea considering the reason for his visit. Instead, she reached for her cookie tin. "Cookie?" She offered.

Looking wistfully at the tin Jake shook his head, letting his gaze linger for a few moments. "Can't," he said shortly, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "My dad said I can't have sugar anymore," Jake explained, tapping his fingers against his sides, getting rid of some pent up energy. Glancing down at the floor and then around the rest of the hut, Jake eventually looked back up at Professor Morgan. Waiting.

Waiting.

"Well they're here if you change your mind." She said, setting the tin beside her. She glanced once more at her flowers, seemingly unable to keep her eyes off them. They were gorgeous after all and added such a nice touch to her office décor. When she looked back up at Jake, she noticed the anxious look he was giving her. "What is it, Jake? Is something wrong?"

She watched as Jake walked over to the bookshelf. Oh Merlin! Could she really be so dense. 'Not too quick on the uptake lately now are you Ili.' She thought to herself. Of course that's what had been bothering him.

She stood up, off her desk and walked over by his side. "Well now that you mention it... " She paused, unsure of how to begin. "Jake you have to learn how to keep your temper. I know its difficult when it seems like everyone's lining up to have a go at you. But that's no way to react." She put her hand on his shoulder and turned him to face her. "You letting them get the upper hand that way." Argh! She hated the idea of people picking on him. On HER Jake. It infuriated her. Leave it to people to harass someone younger and smaller.

Where the other professors were involved was a different story entirely. "Jake, I know you have trouble trusting adults but I can assure you that they are only looking out for your best interests."

Iliana shook her head. "Jake, do you honestly believe that we find some pleasure in disciplining our students? I'm sure that Professor Kazimeriz had his reasons for what he did." Whatever they were, she didn't make a habit of questioning other professors' methods. "Your natural instincts, as you call them, might lead you to trouble far worse than any of us could bring you." She gave him a serious look. How on earth was she supposed to explain self-control to a twelve year old. And nightly detentions weren't so bad. Ever the optimist, Iliana smiled and said. "At least you'll still be able to attend the Quidditch try-outs." There was always a bright side to everything.

"Jake what do you suppose the world would be like if none of us listened to that little voice in our head? If we all just blurted out the first things that came to our minds?" She knew that her voice hinted towards frustration. Darn it, that was not what she wanted at all. She took a deep breath and when she spoke again, her voice was softer. "It will get easier with time, Jake."

Iliana could tell - This conversation was over. It wouldn't do any good to press it further today. She turned around and whistled, causing Vincent to fly from his cage, perching on Jake's shoulder. "He's great! Seems to have missed you, huh?!" She answered.

Giving a soft smile, Jake raised his hand to softly stroke Vincent with the one finger. "He's cool," he nodded, speaking gently, so the snidget wouldn't be startled. Looking around the room for a seat, Jake decided to try his luck by sitting in the closest seat, the one behind Professor Morgan's desk. Smiling, Jake went ahead and sat himself down. "Nice view," he commented, before catching sight of a bunch of photos. "Who are these people?" he asked, turning the frames round a tad, the better to see them.

Iliana followed Jake over to her desk, finding her normal spot on the corner and sitting down. She looked at her pictures and smiled. "Well that's my big family." She said proudly. She pointed to the picture closest to her first. "Those are my parents. My father should be retiring soon. And that one..." She said, pointing to the next. "That is my brother and his family." Ah-ha! That reminded her. "The girl in the middle, that's Simone. She's in Hufflepuff too. I'd love for you to meet her." She said excitedly. She continued down the line, pointing out her sisters next. "The older one is Vivianne. Julianna and Adriana are twins. They're both dancers for the Paris Opera Ballet." She explained, seeing that they were in costume in the photo. "You know who the rest of the pictures are of." She said, rolling her eyes at Vincent. She had his little face peeking up at her from all over.

"So Jake, you've never told me about your family. I seem to remember you mentioning brothers. Something about your new, unique hair color?" She said, winking playfully at him.

Victoria saw a boy walking towards the hut and knock too, she watched the door open and the professor asking her in. She walked into the hut and saw her beautiful pet.

Exiting the Common Room, Anna headed out onto the grounds of the school. The grounds, especially the gardens she'd found, were especially good for moments when one just wanted to get away from it all and think things through. Lost in thought, Anna stared at the ground as she walked, stopping only when she was aware she'd come across a buidling just up ahead. When she stopped, she glanced up and took in the sight of Professor Morgan's hut. Professor Morgan had always been a nice lady to talk to. She was pretty...and kind...and all the things Anna only hoped to be when she got a little older. Maybe, just maybe...oh, no, she couldn't!

Suddenly frightened at the thought of having an adult-to-adult conversation with a professor, Anna turned and headed back to the castle. As soon as she arrived at the doors, though, she thought better of her decision and turned right back around. No, no, nooo. If she was going to be an adult in two short weeks, then she was going to have to start acting like one. That included facing fears and speaking to other adults about adult issues---like engagements and marriage cermonies. Gulp.

When Anna approached the hut, she heard voices inside, and suddenly, her old fears came rushing back. She couldn't talk to the professor in front of another student---a boy, no less! Turning on her heels, Anna walked back to the castle once again. As she walked, she had time to realize how foolish she was being. Number one, she was pacing the grounds like a complete loon, and number two, she was, once again, refusing to act like the adult she was about to become. With determination, she turned again and headed back to the hut. This time, when she got there, she walked right up to the door and knocked a few times.

Iliana listened as Jake recounted his past. She wondered silently if this was why she felt so protective of him; why she mothered him so. He'd had it so rough throughout the years and now, when things had finally started to find some semblance of normalcy, he father remarries and he's gained a whole new family. She couldn't tell if it pleased him or not. There wasn't any indication on his face or in his statement. She just prayed that he was happy. "I know Reese. She's a wonderful girl." She said with a smile.

She held back a giggle as Jake explained about his hair. She raised an eyebrow at the 'kicking and screaming' comment. That was something she'd experienced first hand. At the thought, her leg twinged just a bit as if reliving the memory with her.

"You know Jake, it's not that bad." She said, smiling again. "The color suits you." Leave it to a brother though. She remembered the countless times Alain had tried magic on her. "Oh dear, wands and brothers." She said, shaking her head. "Mine once tried to plait my hair with his in order to surprise our mother..." She rolled her eyes. "Let's just say, she was surprised. VERY surprised."
"Good afternoon." She said as the young girl came inside. "Is this your first year to Hogwarts?" She asked, though the answer seemed obvious.
Hearing a knock at the door, Professor Morgan excused herself from the others and hurried over to answer it. "Miss Greingoth, hello. Won't you come in?" She said, turning around to offer her a seat. "How was your summer, dear?"
Iliana's face lit up. She would know that knock anywhere. "Get in here, Simone." She said, grabbing her hand and practically pulling her through the door. "There are some people here I want you to meet."