Ah, Gevrik had forgotten his mental note that children took sarcasm far too seriously. Miss Mia Gibbins seemed to be one sharp cookie.

"Am I, personally, having an impact on the curricula at Hogwarts?" Ikenna raised a brow as he rephrased Mia's question.

It was a fair question.

"Tell me what leads you to ask such a question and I will give you a straight answer, Mia."

He eyed the Hufflepuff girl's companion in a more challenging manner.

"Matthias, I assure you that I am more than capable of protecting this entire school, village, and the inhabitants of both with my wand hand tied behind my back. Clearly your Minister of Magic agrees or I would not be here." Gevrik gave him a pointed look.

Surely, this boy was not seriously doubting his skills.

"And as for your second question...you are going to have to be more specific. What do you mean by 'not alone'?"

"That's good to hear, Sierra." Gevrik's tone warmed up considerably as he turned toward her. Run along now, good girl. "Any time. You and your brother may always stop by my office, of course. I am sure your father would not mind."

"Thank you, young man." Ikenna smiled at the toast and raised his own glass to his lips.

Ah, refreshing. At last.

"All right, Mr. Doyle, let's not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?" Ikenna set his firewhiskey down to deal with the demanding student before him. "As far as I understand, you are saying that as long as you are physically alive, perhaps even with all limbs attached, you are never in, nor have ever felt, danger?"

He did not bat so much as an eye as the nosy child moved closer. In fact, Gevrik himself leaned closer and locked eyes with Hugo Doyle as he spoke in a deeper tone.

"I do believe you are forgetting the dangers of the mind, dear Hugo. Conspiracy theories usually have a basis in one fact or another, and of course, we can all think of those who will never allow dark magic to die. I will tell you now that everywhere you turn, whether you realise it or not, there are strong organisations and power structures in place that have sought to soil the minds and corrupt the souls of Hogwarts' best and brightest. For centuries, and as long as these structures have been in place, there have also been those working against such evils in the hopes of one day overthrowing such mainstream corruptors."

He settled back into his seat and calmly took a long drink. "It is up to you to decide which group I belong to and for which side I am securing Hogwarts...if I belong to any group at all."

Think deeply, Doyle, think deeply.

"Of course not," Ikenna said smoothly, setting his now-empty glass on the bar as he heard Hecate behind him. Without turning from his stool, he gestured toward the empty spot nearby. "Please, join me, my favourite potions mistress. Your presence can only enhance the party."

He winked over his shoulder and then signalled the bartender for two more firewhiskeys.

"A few. Ha ha, acute observation." Ikenna turned his head to smile at Isabelle. "Isabelle, since I know you are new to Hogwarts as well, may I introduce to you one of the most accomplished potioneers of our time? Hecate Lafay. She can really do wonders in this world, much like yourself and your very important subject."

Transfiguration and potions. They could befriend each other, no?

Ikenna blinked and returned his face to its usual blank state. It did not escape his notice that she was doing the same.

"Firewhiskey, of course, and perhaps some chocolate frogs as well. I assure you, all are free and none are tainted."

Obviously. This was almost a...school-sanctioned 'party.'


"Rene Cullen. I am Ikenna Gevrik." The Security Liaison politely shook her hand and then gestured toward his decorated table once he let go. "Please, have a butterbeer or chocolate frog - or both - on me."

"I excelled in...more of the spell-based classes as well, Selina. I am afraid I mostly rely on my friends' potion-making abilities." Gevrik warmed slightly to the Gryffindor as he felt no harm in sharing truthful...tidbits.

"Muggle Studies is also an important class, would you agree? I hear it is somewhat...popular at Hogwarts..."

Ah, yes, honest Jake was right. And today he did not have his eyes shielded.

Progress?

"Yes, such a population of people is almost...surprising, to me. I cannot say I dislike the turnout, however." Gevrik nodded at Jake and then politely turned his gaze out at the crowd instead of into the boy's nervous eyes.

"Yes, I recall him from the Ministry. He is a man with good character, and you may tell him I said that." That was about all Gevrik was going to say about that. He nodded politely - Alex was a decent Hufflepuff, much like Jake - and then watched as Sierra pulled her brother in for conversation.

That was good, so long as they did not start squabbling again.

"You're welcome...." Gevrik murmured lazily in reply, watching the Hufflepuff stammering away, almost to himself.

"Satine! So pleased you could make it." Gevrik accepted the candy gift with a very friendly grin and slid it onto the table with the chocolate frogs and butterbeers.

"It is an ongoing event, do not worry." He chuckled lightly and nodded toward where he had set the licorice wands. "Thank you for the candy, by the way. I do appreciate thoughtful students."

And this event had been...her suggestion, somewhat, so Ikenna owed her a thank-you for that too.

Why did adults do that? It was as though they wanted to look good in front of the kids.

"Well maybe not you personally." Mia brushed the hair away from her face and turned to face the man full on. "At least four of the classes I have attended, have had an emphasis on muggles. And in some way they want our opinion on muggles and wizards. Who is better? Should the magical world help muggles." She paused for a moment and played with butterbeer bottle. "It's like the Professors are trying to find out which of us like muggles and which of us don't. And this only started when you arrived." She wasn't blaming him in anyway, well okay maybe she was a little. She was merely curious as to the sudden interest in muggles.

There was something about this man, that made you just like him, and to Patroclus that made him a little wary, but at the same time, he found himself smiling brightly.

The boy was confused, but more than happy to have a good ole chat with IkeaIkenna.
"It does have quite the ring to it," he laughed joyously, "it seems Patroclus and Prefect were perfect for each other!" The LionBoy grinned, returning the pressure of the man's firm shake.

"It's nice to see a high ranking offical, taking such an indepth role at the school, and better yet to see you pro-actively trying to fit in with us students," he smiled taking a sip of his butterbeer, "But if you don't mind my asking, when you say security, what exactly does that entail," Patroclus was geniuenly intrigued, "surely it doesn't mean security as in border protection?" The enchantments that protected Hogwarts had even kept Lord Voldemort at bay, surely they were stronger now.

"I am sure the teachers would be happy to give you some refesher course," the Prefect played, at the Man's remark, "But seriously, the lessons are great so far this year," Patroclus stopped himself, before he continued to finish what he was going to say....there have been some indepth discusions on Muggle relations.....was what he was planning on saying, but for all he knew Gervik could be a Pureblood supremacist, "The teachers have been really pushing us, which is good......however the homework load is already quite substantial." What? It was!



Taking another sip, as Gervik answered the question of another student, Patroclus spotted the figure of one of his fave Puffs! Mia!

Stalking over, and placing his hands over her eyes he whispered, "Guess Who?"

"Oh." Mia giggled. "Well there's always a first time for everything, huh?" At least he would always remember her. The girl who had spat her butterbeer over him.

Mia nodded her head in agreement. Although she didn't study as much as she should be. Doesn't help when people like Mr Gevrik threw parties for everyone. "Wait until you get to fifth year. That's when the real fun begins." If he liked to study then he was going to be doing a lot of it.

Again the world went dark and Mia gave a tiny squeak of surprise. She knew it wasn't Finn because he had been in front of her and he had already done this once already.

She recognised the voice however and she grinned. "Oh, it wouldn't happen to be my very favourite Gryffindor Prefect, now would it?"

*Matty could see the look in the mans eye. He knew it well. Seeing things were getting a bit heated Matty shrugged and tried to make things more... casual.*
"Matty please. My aunt calls me Matthias, or Mia when she's cross with me." *Matty said giving Mia a smirk before turning back to Gevrik.*

"I did not mean to sound as if I doubted your knowledge or defensive training. And you sort of already answered my question. Your here on your own? No one else is with you to protect us?"

*Matty still wasn't sure what they were being protected from. His uncle had said a few things when he thought Matty wasn't around. Crazed wizards, muggle involvement, things like that. Matty hadn't given it much thought until he heard what Mia had asked. Was something big going to happen and everyone was bracing for the out come?*

"Of course it is!" Patroclus cried out, grabbing Mia by the shoulder and spinning her round and wrapping her in a hug.

"Mia! How've you been? It feels like forever!" Patroclus smiled as he disengaged the hug, Patroclus would never forget the first time these two had met, that lovely afternoon in Diagon Alley!

"How's Nik?" The LionBoy asked of the Durmstrang Champion, "Enjoying Mr Gevrik's little party?"

And then there was light!

Mia laughed as Patroclus spun her around and she embraced him into a tght hug. She had missed her friend. "It has been far too long." She said as she stepped back to get a look at him. "I have been good. What about you? And where's the badge?"

They'd had some fun times last term and she was thrilled for him that he had been made Prefect. He was perfect for the job.

She blushed a little at the mention of Nik but her eyes did light up at the same time. "He's really good. I am going to see him at Christmas." Mia was still grinning when Pat asked about the party and she threw a small glance in Gevrik's direction. "It's different. But I am enjoying catching up with everyone." She gave his arm a small squeeze. "So what have you been up to?"

Oops! Perhaps she shouldn't have said that so loudly. Or at all in fact.

A party? Well, she supposed so. One did hand out chocolate during a party. "Yea, he does." she agreed anyway, even though her actual opinion was quite the opposite. If she'd known there'd be chocolate, she would have left Sierra to go by herself.

...

Alright, no she wouldn't. Hmm? "Oh, no, I haven't. He's got quite the crowd around him as it is. Thought I'd wait it out." Hehe, yup. Meaning, she had no interest or a question to even ask. She'll just eavesdrop on the other conversations that he was holding at the moment.



It seems they both may have offended fate. Sierra with her brother she didn't like and Evelyn...well Evelyn had her own brother she didn't like. Somehow the older Slytherin may have gotten on fate's good side considering she didn't live with him anymore. Hallelujah!

Smiling just the slightest, she slowly nodded her head, her gaze bouncing from group to group, person to person, as she continued to listen in on others conversation, not at all aware of the small show she was putting on herself.

Well?

Who in the world would give Destiny chocolate?! Evelyn, for one, did NOT want a hyper Slytherin going all the way back up to the castle. AND a hyper Slytherin that just so happened had to the most annoying horn ever to have been created in the history of horn creations.



...

...

She'll have to teach Destiny some hand gestures one of these days. The simple wave she received left Evelyn sitting there stumped and in awe on how her friend didn't understand what she was trying to say.

But that confusion disappeared at the sudden display that was shown with..those two...

Huh. Well lookit that! Destiny finally got to wear that prefect badge. It was rather nice of Patroclus to do that. The girl was practically obsessed over the badge! "Good luck trying to get it back now." she giggled, staring at the badge on the Slytherin girl's shirt.

Yuuuuup. She needed to say that. Give the Gryffindor a warning, you know?



No, Evelyn was not pleased. At all.

Her expression showed that quite clearly. Eh, give Destiny one chocolate frog and then she'll want ten the next time, and twenty the next. Merlin! How did she eat so much of it?

What she was not expecting on the other hand, was to be given one herself.

EEP! Gettitaway!

Cringing away from the chocolate frog, her arms tugged close to her, she let it drop to the floor while she stared at it for a few seconds before turning her gaze to the man. HE...gave HER a chocolate frog? "I don't like chocolate."

As obvious as it was.

Taking a few glances to the chocolate frog on the floor every now and then, she gave a small nod and smile when Sierra rejoined her at the counter. Hmm, the Gevrik man. She didn't like hi-

Wha?

Raising a brow, Evelyn turned to look at the younger Slytherin. Not all that bad? "What are your father's beliefs?" she asked, leaning against the counter some. That is, before she was asked an almost ridiculous question.

"You never met Destiny." she muttered, glancing to her She-Snake friend. "I was trying to get him not to give her one." Young Sierra shall find out why soon enough!

"May we then assume Mr Gevrik that you and the ministry believe that those forces are trying to infiltrate Hogwarts once more? Or can we assume that this is a preemptive measure to discourage any more attempts being made to harm Hogwarts students while we are here?" Sakura asked after listening to what the man was saying. She hadn't been intending to ask questions when she came to this meet and greet thing but now her curiosity was piqued.

If she was once more in danger at Hogwarts Sakura wished to know.

Smiling at his Puff, Patroclus nodded then began to reply, "Yeah things are good, the Prefecty is nice, I guess, Oh and the badge, Destiny is wearing!" he whispered as the Snake had yet to notice.

Watching as Mia blushed, the LionBoy couldn't help but smile even wider, it was truely lovely to see his friend so smitten with love, and Nik had been one of the better champions......at least he had cause the outing of a love triangle.....Brianne.....not Umbrielle....umbrella?
"I am so happy for you!" he reached out and squeezed her hand, "And Christmas will be lovely, first chance to see his side of the world!" Patroclus had been to Northern Europe only once, and as a very small child, so he would have to pick Mia's brain when she returned.


"Me? Not much, just keeping up with Homework, have to lead by example and all that jazz"

It seemed everyone was talking to everyone!

Turning from Mia, Patroclus looked at the Dark Headed SheSnake, and concentrated on what she was saying, "It's been the best reunion we have all had since I got back to school!"

The Prefect after all had missed the train, and the feast so too see this many people in casual settint was great.

"I have been chatting with him on and off" He nodded, "And he seems alright, yet I am still wondering what he is here to do!" The Gryffindor was very much looking forward to that anwer!

"So how'd the Slytherin try-outs go?" Patroclus knew that Evelyn had her eye on the Qudditch Cup, but so too did Patroclus.


"Don't worry, I have my eye on her" both in fact, as often as he could spare them.

"I'm full of acute observations," Isabelle laughed, suddenly realising that maybe she had underestimated it a bit - or at least her words made it seem like she had. Taking a sip of her firewhiskey, she turned towards Hecate as Ikenna introduced them. "Ahh, yes, we met at the feast." Issy nodded at the man, and produced a smile for the potions mistress. "Good afternoon, Hecate."

Do wonders, eh? She had no doubt that the woman before her could, Hecate had the look about her that getting somewhere in the world was what she wanted to achieve. And with potions that was possible, especially if Ikenna's description of her was accurate. "Thank you, but I'm sure everyone has the ability to make a positive impact on the world, wouldn't you agree Ikenna? Not just the two of us," Isabelle replied with a smile.

At least - that should be a goal for people.

Arabella-Marie had stumbled into the Hogs Head and saw that there was a large group of students gathered around that official from the ministry she wasnt paying attention when she bumped into a younger girl and said "Sorry wasn't paying attention to where i was going"

Emily was standing near the back of the pub, close to the door. Just incase she needed to make a quick get-a-way.
She sipped her butterbeer, until an older student bumped into her, causing her to spill some over herself.
"Oh" she spluttered "Oh no, It's fine"
She took out her wand and dryed herself off. Nice and warm now.
"Do you want a butterbeer? I'm just going to get a new one" she asked politely.

Arabella-Marie smiled at the girl and said "Sure that would be nice, what is going on in here just now"

"It is nice to meet you, sir" she said as she placed her hands back by her side. "Thank you, sir." She looked at the goodies on the table. How was she ever going to fit in her wedding dress with all these goodies in her way. "So, whats the meeting about?" she asked intrgiged about why someone would want to invite all these students into the Hogs Head.

Emily returned the smile and got two butterbeers and two chocolate frogs.
"Here" she said giving the girl a butterbeer and chocolate frog "and it's free. That ministry bloke said it was all on the house." she paused and took a sip of butterbeer. Woops, she had forgoten to answer her question.
"Oh, it's a meet and greet for that ministry guy. Gervik I think his name is. I think he's gonna explain to us what exactly it is he does."

She paused again, feeling like she had forgotten something.
Oh, yeah!

"I'm Emily by the way" she added

Arabella-Marie smiled at Emily and took a sip of the butterbeer and put the chocolate frog into her pocket to munch on soon and said "Nice to meet you Emily, I am Arabella"

Arabella. Interesting name.
"Nice to meet you too. Arabella's a nice name." she said simply. Small talk.
She looked the girl up and down, trying to guess what year she was in. She was gonna guess second year.
"So what year are you?" Yep, more small talk.

Arabella-Marie smiled and said "Thanks Emily and i am a second year" Arabella-Marie could tell that Emily was a first year

Haha! She was right!
"You can probably guess I'm only a first year" she drank more butterbeer. First-year might be the worst year. No-one took you seriously.
"So what do you think of Hogwarts so far?" In her two years of going there, she had to know more about it than her.

Arabella-Marie smiled at Emily and said "Hey nothing wrong with being a first year and well i love Hogwarts the castle is so big and homely but it is so easy to get lost in the castle"

"Yeah. I've been lost a few times already. Was nearly late for class."She bit the head of her chocolate frog. She could kill for a sugar quill though.
"So, are lessons good? I've already been to a few, and they're really fun!"

Arabella-Marie smiled and said "Yeah the lessons are brilliant Emily some of them are fun and some are rather boring"

She smiled, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear as she gave him her total attention. She nodded. "So am I." she said. She smiled, it was pretty tough to meet other years. It seemed easier to meet people when Emma was an outgoing first year.. She was still outgoing, but first years have a little charm about them that makes you want to hug them. "That is true.. I think it was easier to meet people when you're a first year." she confided in him, with a small smile.

She beamed him a smile and giggled slightly at his young nature. To her, he felt like he was a third year or her own age. She nodded. So he liked Care of Magical Creatures.. that was okay for her. She then nodded very quickly. "YES YES! I know exactly what you mean.My friend's clothes almost got demolished after opening my copy of the book." she explained, frowning. The books were SO not friendly at all. Blah. "Well, yes everything is going really well!" she exclaimed enthusiastically. "DADA, Charms, Potions are going swimmingly.. However, I'm very sad.. that I missed a lot of the Quidditch tryouts. I love Quidditch." she explained, pouting slightly. "Do you play Quidditch?" she asked him.

There were boring lessons? At Hogwarts?
"Well, what's your favourite lesson?"
Yep, one of the first questions you asked someone. She realised she talked about school a lot at Hogwarts.
'Well mabye 'cause it's the best school in the whole world!' she told herself.