Mel was EXCITED animals were the best they were amazing and fun…and maybe she had heard and remembered that Professor whatever-his-name-was-again had a nice face. SHE had to see for herself, well no that was a lie. It wasn’t for herself but for her veeeeerrrrrrryyyyyy single and veeerrrrrrry depressing cousin…and maybe her sister if that was a better fit.

HE WOULD NEVER KNOW WHAT WAS COMING. Nope. SHE was never going to let on that she was here on a mission a mission for looove of course…snort. He was toast wasn’t he – wait…there was a toasty little burn mark on his door even.

Heh.

Toast.

Taking her hand and reaching up the little first year did a quick triple knock on the door.

James Draper was sat in his office--big shock there--when he heard the knock on his door. There wasn't a single moment of silence in this place, was there? Though he should've expected that much after only the first night. Not that he was angry over it, but Merlin did these kids like to talk. Meant his lessons were hopefully gonna be a hit seeing how eager everyone was to talk about creatures. But time to actually plan for said lessons would be appreciated.

He didn't answer the knocking right away, as he was just finishing up one last sentence. But once he added punctuation to the end, he put his quill down next to the parchment and traded it instead for his wand. With one single flick at the door, it cracked open allowing for his voice to be heard as he called, "Come in."

He was curious to see who it'd be this time.

But he had also learned to throw all possible expectations out the window. It was the first thing he had learned here as a student.


OOC: You can post in the office now!

SPOILER!!: sweet solstice all this XD *dead* *d e a d*

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

SPOILER!!: This guy. The new Bunz. And Flamsteed, because there's no one quite like Flammy.

Whewwwwwwwwwwweee, that had been a close one. But look, he was fine! Was this what being a Gryffindor was like? Because that feeling of elation of almost catching fire but not kind of seemed like a Gryffindorish thing to enjoy. So Davie was going to stay seated here for a moment and just enjoy that feeling, as a small sideways grin lit up his little face.

And aww! Flammy! The Admiral had even put out a hand to try to stop his fall! What a guy, though. What a good guy. "I'm fine, Professor!" he answered the man cheerfully. "Maybe you can help me fix my backpa----"

Hold on a hot marshmallow minute, though. The professor must have heard the marshmallow debacle land on his door, and now SOMEBODY wasn't happy. (But really, who wouldn't be happy to have no fewer than TEN hot marshmallows land on his door?! The guy just HAD to be allergic.) David wasn't very good at reading people, but even he could tell that the new Creatures guy was U P S E T. He was wearing a very cold, very VERY SCARY facial expression quite similar to one David's mother frequently wore.

The Ravenclaw gulped. It was like seeing her reincarnated as a younger, slightly taller man. Without red hair. STILL CREEPY!!!!!!!! So suddenly frightened was Davie that even he knew better than to bring up the obvious, now soaking-wet marshmallows, gourmet as they may be. And so he swatted the professor, on the arm, with a light backhand that said, 'shuddup, dummy! I've GOT THIS!'

The little boy turned toward Draper, and put on his bright blue puppy dog eyes, which were only made larger by the specs on his face. "Sir?" he looked up at him as pathetically as possible, "I don't know how it happened, but my marshmallow stick somehow landed in your door. I think it flew out of my hand when the professor handed it off to me." He sniffed quietly for the loss of the 'shallows. "I'm so sorry, sir. I was scared of falling into your fireplace with them. I'm kinda clumsy AND my backpack broke at just the wrong time."

Cue the lip wibble... and yep, there it was. All together, David Truebridge looked like the perfect picture of a pathetic little nerd, collapsed on the floor with his big backpack on the chair behind him. Surely he couldn't be held responsible for this mess, right? AND he'd even managed to split the blame with Flamsteed in that little speech of his. He ought to get off scot free AND get an acting award for that... well, awfully honest rendition. David Truebridge did also not know how to lie to adults.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

SPOILER!!: Backpack Boy Wonder and Flaming Santa

Someone better speak up before James set Santa’s PANTS on fire. He was waiting. Angrily at that. Remember when there was a question in regards to whether the smoke was coming from the door or his head? Nope, it was definitely coming from James’ head. It was that kind of anger.

YES IT WAS BLOODY OBVIOUS. HIS DOOR WAS RUINED!!!

..................


…… Was that supposed to be a joke?

'Just ruined ten gourmet coconut marshmallows'. First of all, good. James was certain no one in their right mind would be caught dead eating gourmet coconut marshmallows in the first place. Second of all, STARE.

It was a very good thing that Backpack boy decided to step in and quiet Santa Claus because if it were James that would’ve had to do it… It would’ve been much less pleasant. Thus, he was listening. He watched David expectantly waiting for a GREAT explanation. Otherwise, might as well pack his backpack now.

Backpack boy did not disappoint. ”That’s quite a story you put together,” tell someone who cares. James was a kid once. He knew how it went. Pulling one over on the new Professor, not on his watch. His words were calm, though his tone still clearly irritated. And his stance, angry. But he really was trying not to hex Flamsteed’s fingers off in front of the boy’s young eyes. ”And stop with the lip,” that wibbling. ”You are not a toddler.” Was that harsh?

Good.

”Get a grip, kid. I’m not angry,” oh he was angry. Clearly, so. ”This was clearly an accident,” oh it was clearly not an accident. ”But the least you could do is work with your Astronomy Professor to fix up my door,” looking at you, Santa. How did that sound? Reasonable. There was a charred spot from the fire. And a dent from the fork. And all up along the door, there was some marked black. The least they could do. And the idea of Backpack Boy and Santa Claus sweating trying to fix the door was enough to put a subtle smug look back onto James’ face.

Additionally, this wasn’t over. All fingers pointed at Saint Nick. Backpack Boy would suffer the consequences too, but Flamsteed had it coming. If a game is what he wanted to play, then a game is surely what he would get.

Airey found himself torn between two very conflicting emotions. On the one hand there was the familiar desire to just sort of fade into the background and pretend not to exist. The same sort of feeling he had whenever a strong individual of the female variety glared at him. Ironically, there were none currently on staff that stuck that sort of knee quivering fear into the astronomer, and had not been since the departure of the mother of the young man who had now somehow become his partner in crime, and it therefore seemed like this gentleman was to be a replacement. If the ice cold shiver down his spine was any indication of things, that is.

But that only lead to the second emotion, that of delirium. Delirious laughter, to be precise, because now all the astronomer could see was this stern looking Creatures professor wearing ridiculously expensive hot pink heels and matching ladies work suit. And let him just say, Draper, that hot pink was not a suitable color for you.

Unable to shake the image from his mind, Airey would have burst into a fit of manly giggles had it not been for Mr. David TOUCHING HIS SUIT. NO. NOT JUST TOUCHING. HITTING. HITTING!

The astronomer gawked at the second year's utter disrespect for school policy (a complete exaggeration but NO TOUCHING THE SUIT!) that he nearly missed the not-so-dramatic rendition of events leading up to the ruining of ten perfectly good organic compounds of C12H22O11, 584 amino acids, and C2H5NOC5H9NOC5H10NO2. WAS THERE NO APPRECIATION FOR ORGANIC CHEMISTRY THESE DAYS?! WASTING FOOD WAS ALSO FROWNED UPON, FOR THE RECORD!

So much was wrong with this situation, including the fake tears. The professor knew they were fake because his skin was not crawling nor did he want to run away and hide in a bush or something to avoid looking at the Ravenclaw's face. Airey nearly moved to correct the man on Mr. David's story being a rather accurate representation of the events that had just taken place, but Draper seemed to trust the young man's words as much as the astronomer trust astrology readings.

You know who did feel like a toddler? Airey. Because he was wanting to point out to Draper that he clearly was upset but, thankfully, he had gained enough people skills over the years to learn not to point out people's flaws like that.

"Perfectly reasonable," he saluted. "I am rather proficient in cleaning charms and with Mr. David's honest hard work we can have that fixed up in no time."

Special emphasis there, Draper. Did you catch it?

Fellow seemed pretty worked up over just a door. A door that wasn't even mahogany.

Katherine was hopeful of this professor. When he came to visit them in the Ravenclaw common room, he sounded like he knew what he was doing. So, she was here to see him. Hopefully.

James had just returned from a walk with Merlin. Two doxies with one stone, really. Checked on the animals in the barn, made sure the equipment was all in order, and gotten Merlin out for a bit. So three stones if one was actually counting, which he was. James enjoyed knocking things off his to do list.

Merlin didn't need a leash when he was with James, as the dog had learned to listen to the man. So when the two of them entered the room, the dog almost ran to greet the younger girl, however, he stopped looking back at James who gave him a firm look of N O.

Heh. That's what good training can do.

"Good afternoon... Miss...?," he greeted the girl as he went to open the door to his office. But her name, he didn't know her name. Which didn't stop him from holding the door open and nodding his head to invite her in. He didn't really have much of a choice here, did he?

Oh and Merlin ran in right away making home in his usual spot by Draper's desk. So that was taken care of.

OOC: Come iiiiiiiin ^^

Text Cut: Eeeehehehehee

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

SPOILER!!: Backpack Boy Wonder and Flaming Santa

Someone better speak up before James set Santa’s PANTS on fire. He was waiting. Angrily at that. Remember when there was a question in regards to whether the smoke was coming from the door or his head? Nope, it was definitely coming from James’ head. It was that kind of anger.

YES IT WAS BLOODY OBVIOUS. HIS DOOR WAS RUINED!!!

..................


…… Was that supposed to be a joke?

'Just ruined ten gourmet coconut marshmallows'. First of all, good. James was certain no one in their right mind would be caught dead eating gourmet coconut marshmallows in the first place. Second of all, STARE.

It was a very good thing that Backpack boy decided to step in and quiet Santa Claus because if it were James that would’ve had to do it… It would’ve been much less pleasant. Thus, he was listening. He watched David expectantly waiting for a GREAT explanation. Otherwise, might as well pack his backpack now.

Backpack boy did not disappoint. ”That’s quite a story you put together,” tell someone who cares. James was a kid once. He knew how it went. Pulling one over on the new Professor, not on his watch. His words were calm, though his tone still clearly irritated. And his stance, angry. But he really was trying not to hex Flamsteed’s fingers off in front of the boy’s young eyes. ”And stop with the lip,” that wibbling. ”You are not a toddler.” Was that harsh?

Good.

”Get a grip, kid. I’m not angry,” oh he was angry. Clearly, so. ”This was clearly an accident,” oh it was clearly not an accident. ”But the least you could do is work with your Astronomy Professor to fix up my door,” looking at you, Santa. How did that sound? Reasonable. There was a charred spot from the fire. And a dent from the fork. And all up along the door, there was some marked black. The least they could do. And the idea of Backpack Boy and Santa Claus sweating trying to fix the door was enough to put a subtle smug look back onto James’ face.

Additionally, this wasn’t over. All fingers pointed at Saint Nick. Backpack Boy would suffer the consequences too, but Flamsteed had it coming. If a game is what he wanted to play, then a game is surely what he would get.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

SPOILER!!: sweet solstice all this XD *dead* *d e a d*

Airey found himself torn between two very conflicting emotions. On the one hand there was the familiar desire to just sort of fade into the background and pretend not to exist. The same sort of feeling he had whenever a strong individual of the female variety glared at him. Ironically, there were none currently on staff that stuck that sort of knee quivering fear into the astronomer, and had not been since the departure of the mother of the young man who had now somehow become his partner in crime, and it therefore seemed like this gentleman was to be a replacement. If the ice cold shiver down his spine was any indication of things, that is.

But that only lead to the second emotion, that of delirium. Delirious laughter, to be precise, because now all the astronomer could see was this stern looking Creatures professor wearing ridiculously expensive hot pink heels and matching ladies work suit. And let him just say, Draper, that hot pink was not a suitable color for you.

Unable to shake the image from his mind, Airey would have burst into a fit of manly giggles had it not been for Mr. David TOUCHING HIS SUIT. NO. NOT JUST TOUCHING. HITTING. HITTING!

The astronomer gawked at the second year's utter disrespect for school policy (a complete exaggeration but NO TOUCHING THE SUIT!) that he nearly missed the not-so-dramatic rendition of events leading up to the ruining of ten perfectly good organic compounds of C12H22O11, 584 amino acids, and C2H5NOC5H9NOC5H10NO2. WAS THERE NO APPRECIATION FOR ORGANIC CHEMISTRY THESE DAYS?! WASTING FOOD WAS ALSO FROWNED UPON, FOR THE RECORD!

So much was wrong with this situation, including the fake tears. The professor knew they were fake because his skin was not crawling nor did he want to run away and hide in a bush or something to avoid looking at the Ravenclaw's face. Airey nearly moved to correct the man on Mr. David's story being a rather accurate representation of the events that had just taken place, but Draper seemed to trust the young man's words as much as the astronomer trust astrology readings.

You know who did feel like a toddler? Airey. Because he was wanting to point out to Draper that he clearly was upset but, thankfully, he had gained enough people skills over the years to learn not to point out people's flaws like that.

"Perfectly reasonable," he saluted. "I am rather proficient in cleaning charms and with Mr. David's honest hard work we can have that fixed up in no time."

Special emphasis there, Draper. Did you catch it?

Fellow seemed pretty worked up over just a door. A door that wasn't even mahogany.

Quite a story? A WIBBLING LIP?!! This was the first time THE wibbling lip had not worked on an adult so similar to his mother. Even though Draper is NOT YOUR MOTHER, David Truebridge! As a result of this eye-opening professor reaction, the stunned second year's mouth stopped moving altogether, and in fact, tightened up into a bit of a hard line, quite similar to the cartoonish drawing of a face like such:

First of all, Draper Dude was literally terrifying. Look, he'd wiped the tears off Davie's face BEFORE they'd even fallen! He'd scared his sad eyes into submission! That took talent! YEARS of bitterness! MANY MOONS of repression! Davie was torn between trying to find out just how much further he could press this man, this coldly furious man, and wanting to save face because he'd just ALMOST cried in front of two grown men and it hadn't worked a single bit to get him out of trouble.

Cockroach clusters!

Now he had to clean the door too! ALL THAT and this was how his honesty was repaid?!! David was learning from you adults, yes he was. He was learning that maybe... maybe he should lie. Like now. Was now a good time to try out a lie?

Averting his eyes to the floor, Davie sniffed one last time, although this sniff was a Bunbury-inherited sniff of impertinence and not one of sadness. "Sorry sir," he added humbly. (Not that he would expect DRAPER to notice, the self-absorbed anti-marshmallow man!). "I'll just... I'll help Professor Flamsteed," see, he had caught the star man's reference to how HONEST he was. And Draper didn't even know what a GOOD STUDENT Davie was. A TOP POINTS EARNER. How dare Draper not believe his STORY! But Davie wasn't done yet, oh no. The wheels were slowly turning in his over-analytical brain, and still on the floor, David drew a tiny pattern on the carpet with his finger, quietly adding:

"And after I help him clean, could I please come into your office, sir? I had a few questions for you."

Like question number one, did Draper know that THE TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION, sometimes? HUH? DID HE?

Did James take note of what happened to Backpack boy’s face? Yes, yes he did. And Merlin did it feel good to have the power to shut both. of them up. This was Draper territory after all, he demanded proper respect. Can’t just march into his court and expect smiles and giggles at ruined property. Because after all, this wasn’t just about a door anymore.

And though James did believe the whole thing to be Flaming Flamsteed’s fault ENTIRELY, Backpack Boy was in need of a good lesson here. So no regrets. Still stern. Did feel bad for the kid though, just a tad. He didn’t, however, have the chance to reply as Star Man took the opportunity to speak after a rather long and amusing silence.

Rather proficient in cleaning charms.

HA! James wanted to laugh, he really did. Bet cleaning charms were the only thing the Astronomer was proficient in. ”Excellent,” and yes he did catch the special emphasis. But did he care? No. As long as his door was being fixed, everything else was unimportant and he would NOT feel guilty about what just happened. He wasn’t capable of that particular emotion.

”Good, I’ll be in my office,” and with that he pulled open the poor, damaged door. But just before he slipped inside, he took note of the boy’s question. The honest answer would have been ‘maybe tomorrow you’ve done enough for one day’. But unfortunately, as a Professor he was bound by the fact that he couldn’t deny a student’s entrance during his office hours so alas after a calming breath, ”Of course,” forced smile and everything.

And now if they didn’t mind, he needed to take some headache pain relievers.

SPOILER!!: HE HE HE HO HO HO

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Text Cut: Eeeehehehehee

Quite a story? A WIBBLING LIP?!! This was the first time THE wibbling lip had not worked on an adult so similar to his mother. Even though Draper is NOT YOUR MOTHER, David Truebridge! As a result of this eye-opening professor reaction, the stunned second year's mouth stopped moving altogether, and in fact, tightened up into a bit of a hard line, quite similar to the cartoonish drawing of a face like such:

First of all, Draper Dude was literally terrifying. Look, he'd wiped the tears off Davie's face BEFORE they'd even fallen! He'd scared his sad eyes into submission! That took talent! YEARS of bitterness! MANY MOONS of repression! Davie was torn between trying to find out just how much further he could press this man, this coldly furious man, and wanting to save face because he'd just ALMOST cried in front of two grown men and it hadn't worked a single bit to get him out of trouble.

Cockroach clusters!

Now he had to clean the door too! ALL THAT and this was how his honesty was repaid?!! David was learning from you adults, yes he was. He was learning that maybe... maybe he should lie. Like now. Was now a good time to try out a lie?

Averting his eyes to the floor, Davie sniffed one last time, although this sniff was a Bunbury-inherited sniff of impertinence and not one of sadness. "Sorry sir," he added humbly. (Not that he would expect DRAPER to notice, the self-absorbed anti-marshmallow man!). "I'll just... I'll help Professor Flamsteed," see, he had caught the star man's reference to how HONEST he was. And Draper didn't even know what a GOOD STUDENT Davie was. A TOP POINTS EARNER. How dare Draper not believe his STORY! But Davie wasn't done yet, oh no. The wheels were slowly turning in his over-analytical brain, and still on the floor, David drew a tiny pattern on the carpet with his finger, quietly adding:

"And after I help him clean, could I please come into your office, sir? I had a few questions for you."

Like question number one, did Draper know that THE TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION, sometimes? HUH? DID HE?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

SPOILER!!: WHEEZING ACTUALLY WHEEZING

Did James take note of what happened to Backpack boy’s face? Yes, yes he did. And Merlin did it feel good to have the power to shut both. of them up. This was Draper territory after all, he demanded proper respect. Can’t just march into his court and expect smiles and giggles at ruined property. Because after all, this wasn’t just about a door anymore.

And though James did believe the whole thing to be Flaming Flamsteed’s fault ENTIRELY, Backpack Boy was in need of a good lesson here. So no regrets. Still stern. Did feel bad for the kid though, just a tad. He didn’t, however, have the chance to reply as Star Man took the opportunity to speak after a rather long and amusing silence.

Rather proficient in cleaning charms.

HA! James wanted to laugh, he really did. Bet cleaning charms were the only thing the Astronomer was proficient in. ”Excellent,” and yes he did catch the special emphasis. But did he care? No. As long as his door was being fixed, everything else was unimportant and he would NOT feel guilty about what just happened. He wasn’t capable of that particular emotion.

”Good, I’ll be in my office,” and with that he pulled open the poor, damaged door. But just before he slipped inside, he took note of the boy’s question. The honest answer would have been ‘maybe tomorrow you’ve done enough for one day’. But unfortunately, as a Professor he was bound by the fact that he couldn’t deny a student’s entrance during his office hours so alas after a calming breath, ”Of course,” forced smile and everything.

And now if they didn’t mind, he needed to take some headache pain relievers.

Excellent? It certainly WAS excellent.

Let it be known that Airey Flamsteed lead by example. Any messes he made he would clean up and was well qualified to do so.

"It will be as good as new," he assured his colleague - the gourmet marshmallow hating one - with a confident salute. "[B]I actually have some business with you as well. In regards to the proper application of----/b]" But then there was a door in his face. "...a lint roller."

Rude.

Not on the man's door of course, but the man himself. Did he NOT want to know how to use a lint roller correctly? Sure, a lint roller would do very little against scorch marks, but in general practice it was a very handy little muggle contraption to have. Never could tell with wizards these days. Some used it in their hair and just ...well... it was not pretty as Mr. Branxton would inform them.

"Well, wand out it is then, Mr. David," the astronomer said as he began to remove his own from his enchanted breast pocket. "First thing we need to make sure of its that the scorch marks are just surface level." Which would be best so that they did not need to go cutting into the man's door. Likely to accidentally cut a hole right through.

SPOILER!!: I think Santa's got a GIFT for YOU *SINGS*

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

Did James take note of what happened to Backpack boy’s face? Yes, yes he did. And Merlin did it feel good to have the power to shut both. of them up. This was Draper territory after all, he demanded proper respect. Can’t just march into his court and expect smiles and giggles at ruined property. Because after all, this wasn’t just about a door anymore.

And though James did believe the whole thing to be Flaming Flamsteed’s fault ENTIRELY, Backpack Boy was in need of a good lesson here. So no regrets. Still stern. Did feel bad for the kid though, just a tad. He didn’t, however, have the chance to reply as Star Man took the opportunity to speak after a rather long and amusing silence.

Rather proficient in cleaning charms.

HA! James wanted to laugh, he really did. Bet cleaning charms were the only thing the Astronomer was proficient in. ”Excellent,” and yes he did catch the special emphasis. But did he care? No. As long as his door was being fixed, everything else was unimportant and he would NOT feel guilty about what just happened. He wasn’t capable of that particular emotion.

”Good, I’ll be in my office,” and with that he pulled open the poor, damaged door. But just before he slipped inside, he took note of the boy’s question. The honest answer would have been ‘maybe tomorrow you’ve done enough for one day’. But unfortunately, as a Professor he was bound by the fact that he couldn’t deny a student’s entrance during his office hours so alas after a calming breath, ”Of course,” forced smile and everything.

And now if they didn’t mind, he needed to take some headache pain relievers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Excellent? It certainly WAS excellent.

Let it be known that Airey Flamsteed lead by example. Any messes he made he would clean up and was well qualified to do so.

"It will be as good as new," he assured his colleague - the gourmet marshmallow hating one - with a confident salute. "[B]I actually have some business with you as well. In regards to the proper application of----/b]" But then there was a door in his face. "...a lint roller."

Rude.

Not on the man's door of course, but the man himself. Did he NOT want to know how to use a lint roller correctly? Sure, a lint roller would do very little against scorch marks, but in general practice it was a very handy little muggle contraption to have. Never could tell with wizards these days. Some used it in their hair and just ...well... it was not pretty as Mr. Branxton would inform them.

"Well, wand out it is then, Mr. David," the astronomer said as he began to remove his own from his enchanted breast pocket. "First thing we need to make sure of its that the scorch marks are just surface level." Which would be best so that they did not need to go cutting into the man's door. Likely to accidentally cut a hole right through.

Of course.

Well, that settled that then. Draper was about to get SCHOOLED in how GOOD Davie was at.... well... SCHOOL. Just as soon as he helped Flammy clean up this door. Yes yes.

The second-year waited until the Care of Magical Creatures professor had slammed his door before he stood up from the floor. So Airey was here to talk about lint rollers with the guy? Seemed like he probably could use one. Davie knew what those were, of course, because of who his fashionable mother was. Heh heh heh. Teaching the CoMC professor about the proper application of lint rollers was really a job suited to the suited Astronomy professor though, so Davie would just stay out of that.

He quickly got his wand out of his holster and held it out to show the Professor that he was ready. "What spell are you using to examine the scorch marks, sir?" He sidled a little closer to the door. This was his first time ACTUALLY cleaning with magic. Most of the time he bribed the house elf into doing his assigned cleaning at home. So hopefully this would all go according to plan, and he would be inside that office not peeking through an accidental hole in the door in nooooooooo time.

SPOILER!!: *belts out off key notes because she can*

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

SPOILER!!: I think Santa's got a GIFT for YOU *SINGS*

Of course.

Well, that settled that then. Draper was about to get SCHOOLED in how GOOD Davie was at.... well... SCHOOL. Just as soon as he helped Flammy clean up this door. Yes yes.

The second-year waited until the Care of Magical Creatures professor had slammed his door before he stood up from the floor. So Airey was here to talk about lint rollers with the guy? Seemed like he probably could use one. Davie knew what those were, of course, because of who his fashionable mother was. Heh heh heh. Teaching the CoMC professor about the proper application of lint rollers was really a job suited to the suited Astronomy professor though, so Davie would just stay out of that.

He quickly got his wand out of his holster and held it out to show the Professor that he was ready. "What spell are you using to examine the scorch marks, sir?" He sidled a little closer to the door. This was his first time ACTUALLY cleaning with magic. Most of the time he bribed the house elf into doing his assigned cleaning at home. So hopefully this would all go according to plan, and he would be inside that office not peeking through an accidental hole in the door in nooooooooo time.

Magic. Right. To inspect. Well, there really wasn't much TOO inspect really. It was not at though they were searching for hidden curses or people over the small scorched surface. He could...humor the kid a little? But an astute young man like Mr. Truebridge would see past such folly so it was best just to stick with his regularly scheduled programming. Airey was perhaps one of the few whose wand got all excited with cleaning spells, so he really was not expecting the Ravenclaw to look so...eager.

"Well, there is a spell inspired by a muggle cleaning device made by a man named Mr. Clean," he began. "What it does is turn the caster's wand to behave like these water-activated micro-scrubbers that muggles are always going on about in cleaning commercials. Simply point your wand at the scorched bit there and say Sapon Lignuma. Emphasis on the 'numa' bit."

He began to reach into his own enchanted breast pocket for his own wand to demonstrate.

"With any luck...things will seemingly just erase right off..." he muttered, half to himself half to Mr. David, as all attention was on the contents of his breast pocket. Hmm...he needed to clean house in here it seemed. Since when had he kept a whoopie cushion in this suit? Had to have been years ago!

SPOILER!!: It's Mr. Davie's Magic Eraser! #jingles

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Magic. Right. To inspect. Well, there really wasn't much TOO inspect really. It was not at though they were searching for hidden curses or people over the small scorched surface. He could...humor the kid a little? But an astute young man like Mr. Truebridge would see past such folly so it was best just to stick with his regularly scheduled programming. Airey was perhaps one of the few whose wand got all excited with cleaning spells, so he really was not expecting the Ravenclaw to look so...eager.

"Well, there is a spell inspired by a muggle cleaning device made by a man named Mr. Clean," he began. "What it does is turn the caster's wand to behave like these water-activated micro-scrubbers that muggles are always going on about in cleaning commercials. Simply point your wand at the scorched bit there and say Sapon Lignuma. Emphasis on the 'numa' bit."

He began to reach into his own enchanted breast pocket for his own wand to demonstrate.

"With any luck...things will seemingly just erase right off..." he muttered, half to himself half to Mr. David, as all attention was on the contents of his breast pocket. Hmm...he needed to clean house in here it seemed. Since when had he kept a whoopie cushion in this suit? Had to have been years ago!

Good heavens, as the Astronomy tower ghost would say, Mr. Flamsteed was awfully good at using long clauses and phrases to explain things. Had Davie noticed that in class? Yes? Well he was trying his best to follow along as the man explained about the spell. It was a bit of a mouthful to say, though, and at the risk of looking even more ridiculous in front of the man, Davie decided to just mouth the words, 'Sapon Lignuma,' along with the professor. Albeit, he was mouthing the words without the professor looking at him, so hopefully that didn't make things any MORE awkward if Flammy turned around unexpectedly and caught Davie just moving his lips with no sound coming out... Hmm. Maybe he should repeat the incantation a few times mentally as well, to ensure that he really had it down pat?

Sapon Lignuma. Sapon Linguma. Spoonon Linguine. No, no no, that last one wasn't right. Davie tried repeating them all in his head again. Saigon Legitimita! Siphon Laguna! Sasquatch Activia!

What? Were they moving on already? Davie cleared his face as best as possible to look like he'd been simply very enthralled with Flamsteed's demonstration, except that, uh, the man was still looking through his pockets for his wand to do the demonstration. No matter. Davie had visualized himself correctly completing this spell, plus he'd said it all those times above in his head, and now he felt confident enough to try it on this NOT mahogony door.

"I've got it, professor," he piped up brightly. He was going to cause his wand to send out little micro-Muggle-scrubbers. Something like that, yes. And focusing... swishing his wand... aiming just a little above his reach... "Staphon LegNUMBA!"

Nailed it!

It was her fifth year. That meant getting her career choices in place. Not that she needed any help in this since she'd known since like FOREVER exactly what she wanted to do with her life. Why she had waited so long to seek out one of the CoMC professors was still unknown but now was better then not at all.

With some time on her hands having taken a break from studying Hady made her way outside onto the grounds taking the trek on over to the barns. Her first task...speaking with Professor Draper. Then checking on some of the creatures that were around. One of her most favorite things to do. It would have to wait just a bit longer though. Entering the small waiting area she took a quick look around before walking to the office door and knocking lightly upon it before selecting a seat by the fire and sitting down, bag on her lap.

She was here now all she had to do was wait until she was called into the office. Hopefully James wasn't to busy to see her...maybe she should've made an appointment of something. Oh well, it was much to late now.

SPOILER!!: let's put a patent on that and start up a cleaning business in Diagon Alley!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Good heavens, as the Astronomy tower ghost would say, Mr. Flamsteed was awfully good at using long clauses and phrases to explain things. Had Davie noticed that in class? Yes? Well he was trying his best to follow along as the man explained about the spell. It was a bit of a mouthful to say, though, and at the risk of looking even more ridiculous in front of the man, Davie decided to just mouth the words, 'Sapon Lignuma,' along with the professor. Albeit, he was mouthing the words without the professor looking at him, so hopefully that didn't make things any MORE awkward if Flammy turned around unexpectedly and caught Davie just moving his lips with no sound coming out... Hmm. Maybe he should repeat the incantation a few times mentally as well, to ensure that he really had it down pat?

Sapon Lignuma. Sapon Linguma. Spoonon Linguine. No, no no, that last one wasn't right. Davie tried repeating them all in his head again. Saigon Legitimita! Siphon Laguna! Sasquatch Activia!

What? Were they moving on already? Davie cleared his face as best as possible to look like he'd been simply very enthralled with Flamsteed's demonstration, except that, uh, the man was still looking through his pockets for his wand to do the demonstration. No matter. Davie had visualized himself correctly completing this spell, plus he'd said it all those times above in his head, and now he felt confident enough to try it on this NOT mahogony door.

"I've got it, professor," he piped up brightly. He was going to cause his wand to send out little micro-Muggle-scrubbers. Something like that, yes. And focusing... swishing his wand... aiming just a little above his reach... "Staphon LegNUMBA!"

Nailed it!

Where WAS his...OH THERE IT WAS!

Removing his wand triumphantly from his pocket with an expression rather reminiscent of the look on one of Medea's kneazles when it had brought a dead rodent in to terrorize him into submission. Usually meant that the astronomer had to spend a few minutes scratching the feline behind the ears before it would take itself and its prize elsewhere.

Thankfully the astronomer would not be asking for Mr. David to scratch him behind the ears, although he WOULD like to ask the the boy do some more practice before he just went DIVING RIGHT IN LIKE THAT. Sweet solstice.

"Mr. David, wait a mo---"

Oh well too late.

OH WELL?!

Ooooooooooh this was a whole lot more than a simple oh well. Scorch marks were the least of their problems right now.

Drapper had been wanting a peep hole anyway, right?

James was drowning in all this paperwork. Well, not exactly paperwork. More like homework. Why did he assign all of this to begin with? Next week, the kids were getting no homework. Officially. As much as he felt they all needed the discipline, he also felt he needed a break. This job was much more exhausting than they made it sound in the description.

Taking another sip of his coffee, he reached to dill his quill in some more red ink. And that's when he heard the knock on the door. Yes that's right! James Draper was for once very HAPPY to hear a knock on his door. Unless it was the hag returning from the forrest, then she could leave. But otherwise, any distraction from this unfortunate pit of never ending work, was welcome.

Taking his time to get out of his seat, the Professor made his way to his door and turned the nob. He was a bit surprised to see the visitor sat on one of the seats, though he supposed that's why he had them there to begin with. For comfort... Or something like that. "Miss Lynch," he nodded. Yes, he took his time to remember some names. She was a good student, therefore her name was one of them. It was simple. Strategic. "Come in," he held the door open for her. You're welcome.

OOC: You can now post in his office!



As soon as he had shut his door, James went back to doing what he ought to have been doing this entire time. Back to real matters of importance. Professor things, naturally. Though, Santa Claus out there probably had no idea what that meant. The man spent his time roasting puffy bits of sugar and ruining fine wooden doors in his spare time. Highly distasteful. It was only a matter of time before he burnt himself down to the ground. The eighth wonder of the world: The fact that Airey Claus had managed to keep his job at Hogwarts thus far. A miracle, truly.

Though maybe his army of foolish children had something to do with it. Speaking of which, hopefully Backpack Boy Wonder and Airey Claus were making some good progress on the door. Not that James was paying attention, he was entirely oblivious to whatever was going on out there.

... Until that.

Oh yes, much like it was hard to ignore the loud THUD on his door earlier, a large hole was difficult to wave off.

Oh they had done it now. James wasn't just angry. He was ENRAGED.

As he was already standing up, he made his way for the door, reached for the handle, and moved his head so it was only centimeters from the door. And STARED through the hole with a single eye. The most intense, ANGRY stare he could possibly manage.

Then he turned the nob, and very calmly sort of, he managed a ".... What part of 'fix it' didn't you understand!?"

IDIOTS. BOTH OF THEM.

You'd think together they'd make a complete brain. .5 + .5 = 1, does it not? He had seriously overestimated them.

SPOILER!!: In the words of George Takei... ohhhhhh my!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Where WAS his...OH THERE IT WAS!

Removing his wand triumphantly from his pocket with an expression rather reminiscent of the look on one of Medea's kneazles when it had brought a dead rodent in to terrorize him into submission. Usually meant that the astronomer had to spend a few minutes scratching the feline behind the ears before it would take itself and its prize elsewhere.

Thankfully the astronomer would not be asking for Mr. David to scratch him behind the ears, although he WOULD like to ask the the boy do some more practice before he just went DIVING RIGHT IN LIKE THAT. Sweet solstice.

"Mr. David, wait a mo---"

Oh well too late.

OH WELL?!

Ooooooooooh this was a whole lot more than a simple oh well. Scorch marks were the least of their problems right now.

Drapper had been wanting a peep hole anyway, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

As soon as he had shut his door, James went back to doing what he ought to have been doing this entire time. Back to real matters of importance. Professor things, naturally. Though, Santa Claus out there probably had no idea what that meant. The man spent his time roasting puffy bits of sugar and ruining fine wooden doors in his spare time. Highly distasteful. It was only a matter of time before he burnt himself down to the ground. The eighth wonder of the world: The fact that Airey Claus had managed to keep his job at Hogwarts thus far. A miracle, truly.

Though maybe his army of foolish children had something to do with it. Speaking of which, hopefully Backpack Boy Wonder and Airey Claus were making some good progress on the door. Not that James was paying attention, he was entirely oblivious to whatever was going on out there.

... Until that.

Oh yes, much like it was hard to ignore the loud THUD on his door earlier, a large hole was difficult to wave off.

Oh they had done it now. James wasn't just angry. He was ENRAGED.

As he was already standing up, he made his way for the door, reached for the handle, and moved his head so it was only centimeters from the door. And STARED through the hole with a single eye. The most intense, ANGRY stare he could possibly manage.

Then he turned the nob, and very calmly sort of, he managed a ".... What part of 'fix it' didn't you understand!?"

IDIOTS. BOTH OF THEM.

You'd think together they'd make a complete brain. .5 + .5 = 1, does it not? He had seriously overestimated them.

Ohhhh well..... well... "Am I correct to assume that was not the proper incantation, sir?" David murmured quite stiffly to Professor Flamsteed. He'd been SO CONFIDENT he was going to get that spell right. But maybe that was why house elves were invented. Not all wizards were cut out for cleaning spells, ya know? Heh? Heh?

Davie took a cautionary step back from the door, the door which now CLEARLY had a peephole, if one could truly call it a 'peephole' and not a periscope hole or a pie hole or a mailbox slot. He cleared his throat, waiting for the fallout from this mistake, and sure enough, Draper delivered. The man was certainly mad enough now to convince David that nightmares do come true. Should he even own up to this one? Was it worth the wrath of a man so angry he was almost certainly some shade of grape?

He decided no, the honesty policy was not worth the reaming from Professor Evil Draper, and so Davie started to shake his head 'no' in response to the man's question. Halfway through the head-shaking, he added a perpetual shrug as though maybe Draper would just let this one go. Altogether, the boy looked like he were about to have some kind of spasm, and he had to push his glasses up his nose to keep them on his face.

Flamsteed, your turn to explain!

SPOILER!!: IT'S A TRAP!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

James was drowning in all this paperwork. Well, not exactly paperwork. More like homework. Why did he assign all of this to begin with? Next week, the kids were getting no homework. Officially. As much as he felt they all needed the discipline, he also felt he needed a break. This job was much more exhausting than they made it sound in the description.

Taking another sip of his coffee, he reached to dill his quill in some more red ink. And that's when he heard the knock on the door. Yes that's right! James Draper was for once very HAPPY to hear a knock on his door. Unless it was the hag returning from the forrest, then she could leave. But otherwise, any distraction from this unfortunate pit of never ending work, was welcome.

Taking his time to get out of his seat, the Professor made his way to his door and turned the nob. He was a bit surprised to see the visitor sat on one of the seats, though he supposed that's why he had them there to begin with. For comfort... Or something like that. "Miss Lynch," he nodded. Yes, he took his time to remember some names. She was a good student, therefore her name was one of them. It was simple. Strategic. "Come in," he held the door open for her. You're welcome.

OOC: You can now post in his office!



As soon as he had shut his door, James went back to doing what he ought to have been doing this entire time. Back to real matters of importance. Professor things, naturally. Though, Santa Claus out there probably had no idea what that meant. The man spent his time roasting puffy bits of sugar and ruining fine wooden doors in his spare time. Highly distasteful. It was only a matter of time before he burnt himself down to the ground. The eighth wonder of the world: The fact that Airey Claus had managed to keep his job at Hogwarts thus far. A miracle, truly.

Though maybe his army of foolish children had something to do with it. Speaking of which, hopefully Backpack Boy Wonder and Airey Claus were making some good progress on the door. Not that James was paying attention, he was entirely oblivious to whatever was going on out there.

... Until that.

Oh yes, much like it was hard to ignore the loud THUD on his door earlier, a large hole was difficult to wave off.

Oh they had done it now. James wasn't just angry. He was ENRAGED.

As he was already standing up, he made his way for the door, reached for the handle, and moved his head so it was only centimeters from the door. And STARED through the hole with a single eye. The most intense, ANGRY stare he could possibly manage.

Then he turned the nob, and very calmly sort of, he managed a ".... What part of 'fix it' didn't you understand!?"

IDIOTS. BOTH OF THEM.

You'd think together they'd make a complete brain. .5 + .5 = 1, does it not? He had seriously overestimated them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

SPOILER!!: In the words of George Takei... ohhhhhh my!

Ohhhh well..... well... "Am I correct to assume that was not the proper incantation, sir?" David murmured quite stiffly to Professor Flamsteed. He'd been SO CONFIDENT he was going to get that spell right. But maybe that was why house elves were invented. Not all wizards were cut out for cleaning spells, ya know? Heh? Heh?

Davie took a cautionary step back from the door, the door which now CLEARLY had a peephole, if one could truly call it a 'peephole' and not a periscope hole or a pie hole or a mailbox slot. He cleared his throat, waiting for the fallout from this mistake, and sure enough, Draper delivered. The man was certainly mad enough now to convince David that nightmares do come true. Should he even own up to this one? Was it worth the wrath of a man so angry he was almost certainly some shade of grape?

He decided no, the honesty policy was not worth the reaming from Professor Evil Draper, and so Davie started to shake his head 'no' in response to the man's question. Halfway through the head-shaking, he added a perpetual shrug as though maybe Draper would just let this one go. Altogether, the boy looked like he were about to have some kind of spasm, and he had to push his glasses up his nose to keep them on his face.

Flamsteed, your turn to explain!

Airey, ironically, was trying not to laugh. Perhaps nervous laughter because he could only imagine the look on Draper's face if they didn't get this fixed before the fellow noticed - and judging by the approaching footsteps coming from inside the office resistance was futile.

"No, Mr. David...it was not..." he muttered just as the door swung open.

Draper's face only mildly disappointed. Mostly because the astronomer had imagined him with a bulging vein like himself only about triple the size. Had he, however, shared more of the sentiments that Mr David possessed...the man would have sprung a leak. But earlier visuals and cold chills that had elicited the imagery of Draper in hot pink heels had somewhat subsided.

Somewhat.

Enough that the astronomer was able to answer confidently at his colleague's inquiry.

"The 'it', I believe," he said with a firm point towards the door. "You see, your door was lacking something rather essential for keeping away unwanted visitors." Like himself, so really, just helping you out here. "So we fixed it."

Let this one go?

HA.

HA. HA. HA.

HA.

If only Backpack Boy, if only.

James’ eyes only narrowed at the dwarf’s shrugging. He half wanted to tell the kid to pull it together, though at this point he was sure he’d throw out a few obscenities. So best not comment. Instead, he turned his hard gaze back to the Lanky Astrologist.

It took EVERY SINGLE OUNCE of his being to attempt at a calm. Though, it wasn’t a normal calm. It was a scary calm that portrayed that James Draper was anything but calm. Oh yes, that steam you see IS coming from his ears.

And then he laughed.

Not a happy laugh. An insane laugh. There was a difference. After er, sort of composing himself, he started again. ”I think you two have done enough,” James wanted nothing more than to see Airey’s head get stuck through that hole they had made. It was just about big enough for that.

And while they were on the subject, were the two of them sure that they hadn’t blown out chunks of their brains along with the door? Because so save them Merlin. ”Leave.” He pointed firmly at the exit door (the one that wasn't damaged beyond all repair). It wasn’t a request. It was a demand.

Oh yes, and if Airey Flamingo thought he was getting off easy for this one… Just he wait.

There was a problem. Yes. A problem.

With school. With life. With well.....just with.

Why was she going to this Professor for said problem? Likely answer, because he had been there. He also didn't seem to hold too much aversion to all her questions, which meant that she could bombard him slightly more than any other Professor. He also seemed to be somewhat of a straight talker, so hopefully what he said would make sense.

Plus, he was a ninja. Apparently. Possibly. Maybe. Yet to be determined.

Amur paused at the door and sucked in a deep breath. Then.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

James wasn't exactly doing anything important, not yet. He had only just sat down with a stack of papers in one hand and quill in the other. Oh the constant joys of being a Professor. Just when he'd finish grading one stack, there was yet another pile that needed attending to.

It was a vicious cycle.

A vicious cycle with occasional interruptions like a knock on his door. Or three.

James was starting to notice a pattern with some of his students. Who knocked once. Who knocked twice. There were some that liked to keep a melody. Others who chose not to knock at all. It was starting to become a game now, seeing if he could name the face before even seeing it. As he considered who this possible visitor could be, he lazily flicked his wand over at the door and called, "Come in," not bothering to look outside.

OOC: Come play in our office pls thnx

"Professor Drapeeer~~~ i came to ruin you day every after class~~" sounds more like a mumbling than truly spoken...

HA HA! Raven wouldn't have guts to speak that loud, even though that was his intention today..

after second thought on how bad tempered the Professor is.... NOPE! BIG NOPE!

"eerrrmm..ahem.." he start to clear his throat before knocked and spoke

"Professor, my name is Raven, i'm here to see you after class, like you were requested" stand and knock politely!! okay.. very different with his imagination then.. he knocked twice and decided to wait.. he didn't want a bad tempered Professor coming out in a rush and gave him a sudden unforgivable curse.. worried for the result of his act, he move back a bit.. just in case..

Fortunately for the boy, James hadn't heard any of the mumbling from inside his office. He did, however, hear the knock on his door. Having a grand idea as to who it was, he took a few moments before opening the door. Was it too late to call of this arrangement entirely and just take away some more points? Because honestly, James did not want to have to deal with this today.

Ahem.

He opened the door slowly with a neutral expression on his face as to not give away his utter repulsion. "Ah, good. Right on time," he nodded. "We'll be making our way to the barn for today's task." So he could lead the way, yes? Surely the kid knew where the barn was. Or would James have to explain that much to him too?


OOC: You can take your next post to the barn^^

the young Gryffindor running into Professor Draper. She set up her long brown curly hair into neat ponytail.

She stopped in front of the professor office. Trying to caught her breath, she prepared herself before meet the grumpy man.

Raising her hands, Jessie knocked the door.
"Excuse me, sir. It's me... Jessie from Gryffindor"

He had been starting to think the other one wouldn't show up. Pity, he liked her more than the boy.

However, just as James was about to head towards the door himself, he saw her peek in. "You're late," he pointed out. Though it seemed pointless to take any more points away. And this wasn't a huge deal. They weren't going to be staying for too long, anyways.

She wasn't really late at all. But eh. Maybe it'd scare her into doing a better job.

He nodded towards the door, "You can follow me over to the barn." And with that he stepped outside, expecting she would follow so that they didn't leave Raven all alone for much longer. Who knew what else the kid would manage to screw up.


OOC: Take your next post to the barn!

SPOILER!!: But no one's fixed the backpack yet!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

SPOILER!!: IT'S A TRAP!

Airey, ironically, was trying not to laugh. Perhaps nervous laughter because he could only imagine the look on Draper's face if they didn't get this fixed before the fellow noticed - and judging by the approaching footsteps coming from inside the office resistance was futile.

"No, Mr. David...it was not..." he muttered just as the door swung open.

Draper's face only mildly disappointed. Mostly because the astronomer had imagined him with a bulging vein like himself only about triple the size. Had he, however, shared more of the sentiments that Mr David possessed...the man would have sprung a leak. But earlier visuals and cold chills that had elicited the imagery of Draper in hot pink heels had somewhat subsided.

Somewhat.

Enough that the astronomer was able to answer confidently at his colleague's inquiry.

"The 'it', I believe," he said with a firm point towards the door. "You see, your door was lacking something rather essential for keeping away unwanted visitors." Like himself, so really, just helping you out here. "So we fixed it."

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

SPOILER!!: believe it or not he is practicing a lot of self restraint here...

Let this one go?

HA.

HA. HA. HA.

HA.

If only Backpack Boy, if only.

James’ eyes only narrowed at the dwarf’s shrugging. He half wanted to tell the kid to pull it together, though at this point he was sure he’d throw out a few obscenities. So best not comment. Instead, he turned his hard gaze back to the Lanky Astrologist.

It took EVERY SINGLE OUNCE of his being to attempt at a calm. Though, it wasn’t a normal calm. It was a scary calm that portrayed that James Draper was anything but calm. Oh yes, that steam you see IS coming from his ears.

And then he laughed.

Not a happy laugh. An insane laugh. There was a difference. After er, sort of composing himself, he started again. ”I think you two have done enough,” James wanted nothing more than to see Airey’s head get stuck through that hole they had made. It was just about big enough for that.

And while they were on the subject, were the two of them sure that they hadn’t blown out chunks of their brains along with the door? Because so save them Merlin. ”Leave.” He pointed firmly at the exit door (the one that wasn't damaged beyond all repair). It wasn’t a request. It was a demand.

Oh yes, and if Airey Flamingo thought he was getting off easy for this one… Just he wait.

Uh oh. This didn't go well. Backpack Boy Wonder David Truebridge almost flail!touched the astronomer's suit again, as though to say, 'You didn't fix that right!' but honestly, at this point, he was a bit exasperated with these two grown-ups. Draper hated him (obviously) and Flamsteed was TOO GOOD of a partner in crime to also be good at adulting.

And so the child kept his hands to himself, and sighed audibly upon being told to LEAVE! It was quite the letdown to learn that he was not going to get to go into the Care of Magical Creatures Professor's office this year, especially since he had been planning to share with him his excellent notes about Dark creatures. And especially since he had never had a CoMC Professor before who was a human. And especially since this was the single class he had been looking forward to THE MOST out of all his years of anticipation and waiting to go to Hogwarts. SUCH a let-down.

Davie turned around to return to where he had been sitting with the marshmallows, and sighed once more, only now he was sighing at the sight of his backpack. Obviously he couldn't pick this thing up! The backpack's strap was still broken, so he couldn't just load it up on his shoulders as he usually did. All he could do was drag it, humbly, along the floor and down the corridor and up the hill to the castle, by which time the backpack would surely be filthy and all the contents would have spilled out and all the other kids would have laughed at him but not helped him the whole way there.

But since the two adults here were in some kind of war with each other, and no one was willing to help the kid out, and because his wand was no good at practical charms, Davie sighed again and began to drag his backpack away, a bit like how a boy child might drag his bear. Look, Draper, he was listening. See? He was making like a tree, and was now LEAVING.

Kitty accompanied Rachel as they got off the stairs and went outside to go visit Professor Draper. A promise was a promise and Kitty had promised to help Rachel convince Professor Draper to give her permission to bring her Jack Russel Terrier named Barkley to Hogwarts next term. Hopefully he was in a good mood for Barkley's sake.

"Shall I knock?" She approached the door off the office and gently knocked four times. Then she shyly stepped backwards to be standing right next to Rachel.