Leaning against the wall, quite a few feet away from Cela and on the opposite side, Raiden stared at his feet. He was not listening to any of the voices around him, not even Tate's when the man came into the corridor and spoke. His eyes, if anyone had looked at them, showed that he was obviously not there right now. He was very much lost in his own thoughts.

Best way to deal with being angry. Focus on thoughts of other things.

"So here's the thing." Tate shoved his hands into his pockets and braced his posture in cowboy-stance. His steady gaze took all three prefects in. "I know after what happened last term that our outlook on... well... on everything has changed. I can't imagine having to watch your peers being injured again and you not acting in some way. So in that respect, I'm very proud to have you on my team."

He paused, considering his next words. "But perhaps if something like this happens again, we can react differently. Your thoughts?"

"Headmaster Tate..." Celandine lowered her eyes feeling a bit helpless. "I'm not used to doing things without thinking." Instinct and all. But she'd been running on pure instinct for so long the previous term with what she felt about the coupons.

She shrugged helplessly.

"If Kazimeriz was here, I would have sent him a patronus." She admitted.

Oh.

They were talking. Like important talking.

Raiden looked up from his feet, listening to Tate as the man spoke. Immediately he felt his stomach give a twist; he was not good with anger, and although he wasn't angry at Tate, he... couldn't help but be a little more than miffed over this entire thing.

"I refused to sit down because she lit my friends and housemates on fire, sir. It may not have been my most respectful moment but it was hardly worthy of detention." He frowned, one hand absently touching the spot on his shirt where Arya had buried her face into him. "Arya... was hurt. No matter what she said, Arya was hurt. She cried."

He would prefer it if they didn't have to work out a plan for if this were to happen again. It shouldn't happen again. Period. Because there was no way to know how to react in such a situation. What if next time it wasn't fire? What if she full-on severed someone's limbs or something?

"Honestly, I can't think of anything we could do to make that situation any better, for either side." Then, a lot quieter, he added, "It probably wouldn't kill her to ask for volunteers."

And even if it would, she could still do it, rather than causing her students such psychological torture.

"Yes, well..." Tate eyed the boy who was clearly angry. "I'm working with her on her management style, but that is not the subject of our current discussion. I'd rather discuss what adjustments we can make to our own attitudes and actions. You'll never be able to control an opponent, but you can control yourself and thus keep from making an grievous error. What if you were attacked on the street by someone who had been befuddled? Acting without thinking is seldom the right reaction."

The situation Tate had just suggested to Raiden was not working in his head. He was pretty sure he was going to say something that was clearly the wrong answer, because... well one, you were supposed to be able to trust a professor. There was never any guarantee you could trust someone who was walking down the street. And two, the only courses of action he could come up would all end with... well how this situation had ended.

"If you're attacked while walking on the street, sir, you disable or disarm the person. If you're able. Unfortunately, it's hard to apply the same actions in this case, considering that's what Cela did, and she ended up in detention. And calling for help could work, unless the situation couldn't wait for help to come. Which... it couldn't."

They didn't know how long the professor was going to leave those girls on fire. They had just known that there was screaming. And pain. That couldn't have waited for help from someone else.

In the end, being attacked by a crazy person on the street, and being attacked by a crazy professor in a classroom, were completely different things.

Fia stopped just short of the secret passageway when she heard Miles mumble. She tried to make sense, hoping that what she thought he said was not the exact words he spoke. "You...were to go to her office?" She slowly turned her head back towards Miles with a questionable look. "And what did she need you for that she didn't have enough time with you down in detention?"

Miles kept walking but stopped when he realized that Fia wasn't beside him. Turning around he looked at her puzzled. "Yes..." At her question he shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't ask. I don't want to go and definitely not alone like she wants."

"My point isn't that the response is the same, lad," Tate nodded at Raiden's response. "My point is that both situations... all situations, really, require thought before action. I'm twice your age and professionally trained in Defense, and even I need to THINK before I act." And he was a Gryffindor, so it was HARDER for him. "Look, Kururugi. I just need some indication that you learned something today so I can release you in good conscience."

He glanced around for the third member of their little trio-of-doom. Where had Miles gone? Had he really gone off with that girl when Tate had made a point of dismissing her? Sigh. Disappointing.

"If you have any ideas headmaster, I'm willing to listen." Celandine dropped her eyes and sighed. Honestly she didn't know what to think anymore. She was so churned up inside over it all.

"She didn't say? That is just plain weird." Fia only wondered what the professor wanted and if he didn't go..."Well, there is another rebellious thing that you are doing," She acted as though she was upset yet she wasn't, in fact, it was the total opposite. "I love the new Miles. Rawrrr!" Yes....YES she growled at him and YES she grinned from ear to ear. "Blah! I say give her some time to owl you and then I will go with you. I want to meet her and interview her for the newspaper." Yup. Yup. She did!

... well he couldn't say he hadn't learned something today.

It was really just a matter of which 'thing' was appropriate to say, and which wasn't.

Don't go to potions class, because the psychotic professor will light your friends on fire. Don't trust the professors at the school, despite the fact that they're supposed to be there for you. Reacting in a way that a rational, sane person would is wrong. Lafay not only has a thing for setting innocent persons and objects on fire, but she also has a thing for spewing excrement all over a room, as a form of amusement. If you're allergic to something being used in class, you should just leave because the person in charge can't be bothered to help find a solution.

He was fairly sure that none of the above were what Tate was looking for, however. He was supposed to have learned some lesson in reacting in ways that wouldn't land him in detention, in obedience or something like that.

Oh well.

"Next time, sit down," he finally murmured. Sorry, it was the best he could do. He glanced down the hall, and noticed Miles lingering a bit away with Fia. "Miles?"

We're oooooover here Miles. Over here. Silly Ravenclaw.

Miles broke into a fit of laughter as Fia growled at him, actually growled. "New Miles?" He hadn't known he had changed. "Alright," he said with the same goofy grin on his face that he'd been sporting since he left the detention. Maybe he should go to the hospital wing but..it wasn't really affecting anything was it?

His ears caught what sounded was like his name from down the hall and saw Raiden, Cela and the headmaster down there. Was he supposed to be there? Hmm...maybe he SHOULD go to the hospital wing.

Grabbing Fia's hand with the same green he led her down the hall, "Will you take me to the hospital wing after this?" he whispered to her. As he reached the group he still had the same goofy grin on his face, "Hey!"

"I like your suggestion of sending a Patronus. I hope that you would send it to me, but perhaps to Professor Vindictus?" Tate raised an eyebrow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ameh

... well he couldn't say he hadn't learned something today.

It was really just a matter of which 'thing' was appropriate to say, and which wasn't.

Don't go to potions class, because the psychotic professor will light your friends on fire. Don't trust the professors at the school, despite the fact that they're supposed to be there for you. Reacting in a way that a rational, sane person would is wrong. Lafay not only has a thing for setting innocent persons and objects on fire, but she also has a thing for spewing excrement all over a room, as a form of amusement. If you're allergic to something being used in class, you should just leave because the person in charge can't be bothered to help find a solution.

He was fairly sure that none of the above were what Tate was looking for, however. He was supposed to have learned some lesson in reacting in ways that wouldn't land him in detention, in obedience or something like that.

Oh well.

"Next time, sit down," he finally murmured. Sorry, it was the best he could do. He glanced down the hall, and noticed Miles lingering a bit away with Fia. "Miles?"

We're oooooover here Miles. Over here. Silly Ravenclaw.

"That's a good start," Tate nodded. "I'm not thrilled by the sullen look on your face, but to be honest... you're doing better than I would in the same situation." And there was the third one...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinn-O-Bun

His ears caught what sounded was like his name from down the hall and saw Raiden, Cela and the headmaster down there. Was he supposed to be there? Hmm...maybe he SHOULD go to the hospital wing.

Grabbing Fia's hand with the same green he led her down the hall, "Will you take me to the hospital wing after this?" he whispered to her. As he reached the group he still had the same goofy grin on his face, "Hey!"

Tate raised an eyebrow. Again. Up and down eyebrows. "What part of 'wait for me in the corridor' is a foreign concept to you, young man? Is seeing this girl more important than repairing your image as a Ravenclaw prefect?"

In other words, make it good or get out.

Fia heard Miles' name being called from someone else and then she was being dragged by the hand. She was about to speak when Miles leaned in to whisper in her ear. THAT smile was odd to her, she just never thought more about it but when he asked her to take him, something was wrong. "Okay," she whispered back then noticed the Headmaster was there as well. Eeeekk!

And then she heard his words. Instantly she frowned with a stern look. YES! She WAS more important, thank you very much. And just for that...."Well, as soon as you are finished...hereeee, I will take you to the hospital wing." She made sure that her words were clear with slight force behind them. It was just her attitude as she was an outspoke person. With that, she made her way to stand against the wall as this was a free school to roam the hallways.

"I'll try sir. But..." The thing was, she hadn't thought. She'd just reacted. "They were being hurt. They were..." She sighed. "I'll try my best sir." Looking more than just a little glum, Celandine smiled briefly at Fia and Miles.

She was turning into a Gryffindor with all this brave, not thinking before acting stuff.

Good reason to be glum.

Well. There wasn't much that could be done about the 'sullen look' on his face. He was still really, really displeased, and nothing was going to change that. However, the Headmaster's words caused the slightest of twitches at the corners of his mouth.

"To be quite honest sir, I think I'm doing a right sight better than I'd expected to." He tilted his head toward the detention hall. "I'm not back in there yet, am I."

Last year, when he'd gone into his first real bout of uncontrollable anger, he'd been fighting the urge to hit anything and everything near him. He was doing much better this time. He didn't feel the need to physically assault a wall.

However, if he ever saw Lafay doing harm to another student... well. It would be hex first, send Patronuses to Tate later.

And then, probably back to the detention hall, for one he would at least have earned.

Miles looked at the Headmaster and his eyes widened. His eyes scanned the students gathering around and he swallowed. "I um..." Well what was he supposed to say. He didn't REMEMBER him saying that. "My meds...I don't..." He cleared his throat but the same grin was plastered to his face making him look slightly crazy. "I don't remember you saying that...sir," he added the sir, almost as an after thought. "And I'll beg your pardon but I didn't realize my image as a Ravenclaw Prefect was tainted seeing as I didn't actually do anything but try and stop Cela." He shrugged and stuck his hands in his pockets. He really didn't know what was going on and honestly nothing made sense at the moment.

"That's all we can ask, I suppose," Tate nodded at Celandine. She was a good Head Girl, concerned about the students and seeking to protect them and their interests above all else. It made him feel better knowing he had such Heads and prefects leading the student body.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ameh

Well. There wasn't much that could be done about the 'sullen look' on his face. He was still really, really displeased, and nothing was going to change that. However, the Headmaster's words caused the slightest of twitches at the corners of his mouth.

"To be quite honest sir, I think I'm doing a right sight better than I'd expected to." He tilted his head toward the detention hall. "I'm not back in there yet, am I."

Last year, when he'd gone into his first real bout of uncontrollable anger, he'd been fighting the urge to hit anything and everything near him. He was doing much better this time. He didn't feel the need to physically assault a wall.

However, if he ever saw Lafay doing harm to another student... well. It would be hex first, send Patronuses to Tate later.

And then, probably back to the detention hall, for one he would at least have earned.

"That's true," Tate agreed. "I admire your restraint. It'll be tested again this term... maybe even again this week. I've met some of your housemates." So like... he KNEW Raiden was going to have to show massive amounts of patience or else someone was going to end up on the wrong side of his wand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinn-O-Bun

Miles looked at the Headmaster and his eyes widened. His eyes scanned the students gathering around and he swallowed. "I um..." Well what was he supposed to say. He didn't REMEMBER him saying that. "My meds...I don't..." He cleared his throat but the same grin was plastered to his face making him look slightly crazy. "I don't remember you saying that...sir," he added the sir, almost as an after thought. "And I'll beg your pardon but I didn't realize my image as a Ravenclaw Prefect was tainted seeing as I didn't actually do anything but try and stop Cela." He shrugged and stuck his hands in his pockets. He really didn't know what was going on and honestly nothing made sense at the moment.

"Do you require medical treatment?" Tate raised an eyebrow. The boy was acting very oddly, out of character as far as Tate could see, and so he couldn't exactly hold it against him. "It's the appearance of things, lad. Unfortunately, in this world we live in, the way things look is often assumed to be the way things are. You're in detention, therefore you are presumed to be a troublemaker. I won't make that mistake."

A shiver flew down James' spine as he walked through the dank dungeon corridor. But he preferred the coldness as opposed the unbearable heat in the upper part of the castle. The only downside was the darkness and the musty smell. Shrugging, he pulled out his wand.
"Lumos," he mumbled, his wand tip lighting and his eyes closing instinctively. After his eyes adjusted to the new light, the fifth year looked around, slightly bored. He supposed he'd stay down here until he cooled off a bit and head back up to probably the common room or so. He shivered again and leaned against the cold stone wall.

Miles looked at the headmaster and simply nodded with the same silly grin on his face. "I think I took too many pills over too short of a time," he said finding it difficult to stay still. "Well then they don't know me real well," He said with a chuckle which he silenced with difficulty. "I'm sorry."

Why was there someone shining a light in the darkness of the corridor? He was confused as to what someone was doing down there at this time, and decided to go investigating.

"Who's there?" he asked as he headed towards the light. He was curious and wanted to know who was there. Maybe it was someone that he knew. And if not, then maybe he could bug them.

Heh. Restraint. He used to be so good at it, and yet now... not so much. It seemed to be slipping away each day. Smaller and smaller reserves...

"I've met some of my housemates too," he sighed, scratching the back of his head and looking at the Headmaster. "Nancy and I have to have a talk about that..."

Restraint would be useful in that situation. Merlin, he was just using up all of it at once, wasn't he. He glanced at Miles again, slightly worried about the... expressions his face seemed to be going through. Worrisome, that. He made a mental note to ask about it later.

His right arm being up as it was, he caught sight of the empty wand holster on his wrist and grimaced.

"I don't like being without my wand," he grumbled, very much to himself. He'd learned his lesson about that quite thoroughly. Not having your wand on you could lead to kidnapping, injury, or other equally irksome and annoying things. Merlin help that Lafay woman if it wasn't exactly where she'd said it would be. Restraint wasn't something he had in unlimited supply.

"Would it be alright sir, if I asked the healer to help me with my NEWT level potions revision? I don't know if I feel comfortable attending the class anymore." Cela's expression was a bit glum. What was she supposed to do? Go along and make sure nobody else got hurt? Possibly react and get another detention? She had enough NEWT stress coming up without having to sit through any classes with a woman that apparently really thought she was in the right. It wasn't, right now, a boycott kind of deal for Cela. She just wanted to pretend like Lafay didn't exist at all rather than intentionally go out of her way to thwart her.

She just needed time to think and... yup. Raiden was right. Wands would be good.

"Headmaster? I feel really uncomfortable without my wand too." Celandine nodded in agreement with Raiden on that point.

"And I still feel icky, as if we were still covered in all that poop." Which they weren't but the feeeeeeling lingered. Cela remembered the shield and pressed her lips together, looking at the ground. That was another thing. Who to ask about that? Truebridge? Nopers. Maybe... Kingsley? Yes. Yeah she'd ask him. After a bath. And once she had her wand.

"Let me escort you both to your common rooms, and Miles can make his way up to the infirmary with his young friend," Tate nodded to the Ravenclaw prefect. "You're dismissed."

He turned and strolled down the hall in the direction of the Slytherin common room, expecting those who wanted to walk with him to keep up.