Hot chocolate on a cold day. Right. Yes. Jaemin nodded hesitantly at that, because... that just meant thinking about it a lot, right? Giving yourself warm fuzzies and stuff? Would he be able to get warm fuzzies over a letter? Sure, it had been a really good day for him, and the happiness was crystal clear in his head as Hirsch requested... but... was it that good? Was it good enough? The boy wasn't so sure, but it seemed they would find out.

"Are we going to the Dueling Arena?" he asked softly, looking up at Hirsch as he motioned for them to head out the door. He didn't really wait for an answer though, as he assumed Hirsch would be following, and instead turned to bounce off after Haddie, who was much quicker in her excitement and with her longer legs. Nyyyyyoooooom.

The Professor meant well. He could tell because the man was saying all the things people say when they mean well but don't really have a full understanding of the situation. In his position, Blaise supposed he too would have come to this oh so obvious conclusion. If only it were so obvious and so clear cut. If only.

"To be honest Professor, she'd consider you incompetent." And a perfectly serious but honest and innocent expression as the boy explained. "See...you might not know this because I attend your lessons but I've got a habit of...um...not showing up to some lessons and walking right out of others. Mum's not all too impressed by this or by the Professors who keep letting me." Though the boy had no qualms about this himself. Charms and Transfiguration were simply not for him and he'd come to accept this long ago. As it would seem, so had his Professors.

"If you wrote suggesting I quit, she'd probably write back asking that you not get in the way of my learning if you don't plan to be a part of it--wants to transfer me to Durmstrang, y'know, thinks it might do me some good." But it really probably wouldn't if you asked him. Magic was magic no matter where you went.

Besides..."She'd also know immediately that I put you up to it and I'd get a howler for it and maybe even worse and it's not worth it when this can all be fixed with a little white lie." The young boy leaned forward in his seat, meeting the man's gaze dead on. "Name your price. I'll get it done, whatever it is."

Text Cut: Rooney

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanners

It was nice to have a Professor that just let you say things and didn't chastise you for them. Or maybe Rooney was just in a mood with every other Professor that he couldn't find fault with Hirsch. "It's because no one suspects us, Sir." That was true. He bet that no one he met thought that someone - two people, actually - had called him a bully in the time he'd been back at school. Bully... Psh... That was a different situation, definitely. He let go of his nose when it started to stick -- definitely needed to blow that bugger later -- and grinned. "You'll never know." It was true that a person didn't smell themselves the same way others did.

"Not girls." Merlin forbid that he asked GIRLS to help him. Plural! "A girl. Charlotte Kettleburn." The girl. His girl. Whatever. It was all a big thing, OK Sir? "We're in different groups now that I'm a fourth year so I won't have to face her, so... I thought maybe she could help me. She's helping Blaise Bellaire." And that was a hopeless cause if you asked HIM.

And Rooney got kisses as rewards.

............................ Blaise had better not be on the same reward system.

Hirsch raised his eyebrows at the answer, silently amused. "That's a good way of using it to your advantage.." What? It was. Like the Ravenclaw had said, no one suspected the innocent looking party. He couldn't be caught. ...... Which was going off on a slight tangent. "You're very smart, Prefect Bronwyn." And thanks for reminding him that he needed to take a shower because he really did.

Charlotte Kettleburn. "Ah, yes, the young Gryffindor who came top of her group year last year." Sure, he remembered. As for his proposition....... Hirsch was a little stumped. Had the boy really just come all the way here to ask him that one question? "If it helps you, I don't see why not," Shrug. "I don't say no to a little extra practice in this subject."

Text Cut: Azura

Quote:

Originally Posted by FwooperOnYourLeft

Azura bit her lip and nodded her head as Professor Hirsch spoke, she hoped he was right. She didn't want anything to think she was doing this for attention.. And she was trying to keep it to herself.. So perhaps she was doing the best she could? "Thank you Professor Hirsch." She said softly as he said that he would keep it secret.. keep it safe

She shook her head at his next words. "No, I haven't been to see her yet.. I've heard she's.. not exactly really nice?" That was putting it lightly, but Azura wasn't one to bad mouth anyone. So that was all she said. "I didn't want to bother her, but.. perhaps I might need too." Anymore non sleep.. and who knows what would happen to her.. She couldn't collapse.. she needed to make it through! "I'll go see her as soon as I can." as soon as she could muster up the courage that is!

She let out a sigh of relief at his next words though and finally sunk back into her chair and looked up at him, she had been worried about letting him down, as long as that wasn't the case.. She felt a small bubble of tension release from her shoulders as she looked up at him. Her lower lip quivering slightly at his kind words. "Thank you, I do want to sit out this year.." She said softly as she tried to take a breath and calm down just slightly.. "I'll try not to worry.. It's part of what I do best though." Slight joke.. but it was all she could muster.

"Mmm, I want to learn about them, and how to defeat them." She said as she took a tissue from the box he pushed her way. "I also want to learn how to do the Patronus charm! My boggart will probably take the form of a vampire.." Or her dead mother.. Either way.. she wanted to face it!

"You're very welcome, Azura," he said, giving her a nod of his head. Her secret was safe with him.

Not exactly really nice? Hirsch let out a small snort that he....... er, started to turn into a cough. Yeah, that's what he was doing. Coughing. Totally normal, it was. "Well, that's the consensus from some people." He wasn't going to add anything else to it, really. "If you don't feel comfortable going to her, maybe try going to Mr Kitridge? He's much more approachable." Though, he wasn't a Healer so.

Sit out the entire year? Frankly, he couldn't think of anything, well, worse. "Sitting out completely will only set you back but if you feel as though you need to, you should bring it up as soon as possible." Smile. "I've heard that that's a side effect of caring very much."

Oh. Oh wow. The Defence Professor blinked a few times, letting a small pause hang in the air, before saying, "You're absolutely sure? It won't cause you too much tension?" Cue another slight pause. "The Patronus Charm is a very advanced spell, after all." It was an important spell, yes, but he also didn't want to get her hopes up either.

Text Cut: Dante

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meizzner

As Cool as ever Hirsch even though Dante could tell something was going on. But since he had no idea what was going on he will just play along. Nope Dante had not forgotten he just took his time coming to Hirsch since well mind games where exhausting. Fun but exhausting.

"Like i would ever forget about you. I was just leaving the best till last"

Flattery will get you everywhere.

His laziness had no set in that badly this term. Which was because Dante made an effort to not be that lazy. It was working.

"You know me, just being an overachieving slacker. But i never let it settle too early. Only at the end of the year. That's good. Looking forward to another year of dueling. Also i have a proposition for you"

And no it did not have to do with Dueling. Only research.

Well well well, Dante. There was a certain word he wanted to say that would've been the perfect response to that statement but, alas, it wasn't allowed. Not in front of students, anyways, even if he was more than certain that the Slytherin had heard it before. So, instead, he was going to have to go with another response. "You sure know how to flatter yourself into someone's good books."

Overachieving slacker? Hirsch couldn't help but laugh at that statement. Classic. He was going to remember that little phrase. "Well, you time your laziness well. I don't think anyone can concentrate when summer's just around the corner." Not even he could but, well, Dante didn't need to know that.

A proposition? "Go on....."

Text Cut: Haddie and Jaemin ^^ *takes this to the practice room*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callie

Hadley was really trying to listen to everything Hirsch was saying. Really she was. It wasn't even like he was boring or talking way too much, or anything. Quite the opposite on both accounts. Hads was just really, really excited.

Really excited.

It took her a moment to realize that yes, they were indeed moving to a new place to practice and that he was holding the door open for them. YAY! With an excited little hop in her step Hadley nodded and made her way out of the office, then stopped and waited for Jaemin and Hirsch to follow. This was happening!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ameh

Hot chocolate on a cold day. Right. Yes. Jaemin nodded hesitantly at that, because... that just meant thinking about it a lot, right? Giving yourself warm fuzzies and stuff? Would he be able to get warm fuzzies over a letter? Sure, it had been a really good day for him, and the happiness was crystal clear in his head as Hirsch requested... but... was it that good? Was it good enough? The boy wasn't so sure, but it seemed they would find out.

"Are we going to the Dueling Arena?" he asked softly, looking up at Hirsch as he motioned for them to head out the door. He didn't really wait for an answer though, as he assumed Hirsch would be following, and instead turned to bounce off after Haddie, who was much quicker in her excitement and with her longer legs. Nyyyyyoooooom.

Assuming that they were still thinking about their happy memory, the man said nothing and, instead, waited for them to leave through the door. "Not quite. The Dueling Arena's too big for something like this. Too many distractions there." Especially if someone was already dueling in there in the first place.

They were really excited about this stuff, weren't they? A small fact that made the man smile to himself as he followed them out and shut the door behind him.

Text Cut: Blaise

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

The Professor meant well. He could tell because the man was saying all the things people say when they mean well but don't really have a full understanding of the situation. In his position, Blaise supposed he too would have come to this oh so obvious conclusion. If only it were so obvious and so clear cut. If only.

"To be honest Professor, she'd consider you incompetent." And a perfectly serious but honest and innocent expression as the boy explained. "See...you might not know this because I attend your lessons but I've got a habit of...um...not showing up to some lessons and walking right out of others. Mum's not all too impressed by this or by the Professors who keep letting me." Though the boy had no qualms about this himself. Charms and Transfiguration were simply not for him and he'd come to accept this long ago. As it would seem, so had his Professors.

"If you wrote suggesting I quit, she'd probably write back asking that you not get in the way of my learning if you don't plan to be a part of it--wants to transfer me to Durmstrang, y'know, thinks it might do me some good." But it really probably wouldn't if you asked him. Magic was magic no matter where you went.

Besides..."She'd also know immediately that I put you up to it and I'd get a howler for it and maybe even worse and it's not worth it when this can all be fixed with a little white lie." The young boy leaned forward in his seat, meeting the man's gaze dead on. "Name your price. I'll get it done, whatever it is."

Wait. Hold on.

INCOMPETENT?!

The word rang in his ears and no level of self restraint could stop him from frowning at the boy. Surely, he wasn't that bad at this teaching business and he was confident that he knew more than enough about defence. A lot more than being called incompetent.

Psh.

Like the mature man that he was, he was going to ignore this.

"Why do you not like attending your lessons?" Was Blaise trying to portray a bad boy status? Possibly to impress someone? Because he was going about it the wrong way. And he wasn't about to suggest the right way to it either so he was going to stop that thought train in its tracks. "I mean, if I mention that you're more than capable in lessons but that the Dueling Club is different and is causing a strain on you, would that work?" He knew his own mother, after all.

Oh. Wow. This sounded a lot like the case of overprotective mothers. Really. "Durmstrang's a good school as well," He should know, he went there and even taught there for a while. "But I don't think that's the right way to go. I mean, Durmstrang sometimes focuses on the Dark Arts. It's a lot more intense, especially in the combat field." If that was what he was going after.

A bargain? Paying him to lie? To the kid's mother? "So you're still going to attend my lessons? You just want to drop out of the club without notifying your mother on dropping out?" Pause. "What happens if she finds out?"

Why? Was it him or was he answering this question a lot? Honestly, the boy must have gone through this explanation a million times. Were it not for the...overly colourful nature of his notepad, Blaise might have simply offered it to the Professor to read. Then he'd get a better understanding. Only problem was how creative his quill got with words; the man might end up more confused by the time he was through reading...so explanation it was. "Magic. I skip all classes that have magic in them or I'll make due. It was easier my First Year. If you smile wide enough for your dimples to show and use your smallest voice, older girls will feel sorry for you and cast spells for you." Pretty much how he'd gotten through the lessons that had magic sneak up on him. "It doesn't work nearly as much anymore. The dimples are still there but the small voice is leaving and the girls are bat and nutter crazy so they're just as likely to claw your eyes out as they are to help you so I make due in other ways."

Which brought him to the second part of the question. "She'd consider you all the more incompetent or simply a liar." But perhaps he should have explained that before he insulted the man or made his mum seem horrid. "It's not you, it's that she knows I don't ever use magic. If you tell her I do well in my classes but not in dueling...it'll sound....odd to her....because she knows different." Because HOW could he be doing well when he didn't even have his wand present and his report card said different. Clearly she was reading into it too deeply.

The mention of the Dark Arts only got the smallest fidget from the boy. "They know. My Grand Aunt teaches there now and my uncles and cousins went there. Mum and Dad think they've turned out well--one's an Auror now. They like it for the discipline." But he....wasn't so sold. You lost him at Dark Arts. You lost him at a place where they could physically force you to use magic and the rules were suddenly straight as an arrow.

Blaise perked up. The man was understanding. This sounded promising. "Of course, Professor, I'd never skip your lesson. I tolerate the magic and it doesn't happen all the time." When it did, the boy simply found his way around. "We don't need her finding out. She'll have Dad give me summer lessons again, she'll take my quills and I'm almost sure she's half way done those transfer forms. I need her to think I'm doing okay and that everything is fine. It's just a little white lie and anyway, you don't REALLY wanna see me running and ducking for my life every time you put me in the arena. It's gotta be embarrassing to watch."

Azura nodded as he suggested that she go talk to her Head of House. "I'll do that and see what he can come up with.. Really, I would like to avoid the Healer at all costs." Just due to everything she had heard, she didn't think The Healer would be helpful with her situation. Couldn't they get someone nicer as the Healer?

If only her mother was around, Az would suggest her.. She was the nicest person in the world. Azura bit her lip a little as she pushed those thoughts from her head and focused on what was happening.

"Perhaps not all year, maybe for a match or two.. I would like to try one duel, and go to the meetings.. But I don't think I'm up for all of it. Thankfully my magic has been working properly.. but.. I just need some time." She said softly as she pushed her hair behind her ears and sat down.. sighing.

"Yeah, it is.. and I seem to care too much about everyone." She raised the corner of her mouth just a tiny bit.. before sighing a bit.

"I'm sure Professor. I know i'll be able to do the Charm eventually, magic just comes easy to me." She wasn't bragging, she was telling the truth. "And.. I don't want to be so scared of something that I can't do anything about it, if I come face to face with it. " She said with a nod.

"I don't get great grades from being dumb, Sir." It wasn't that he was a genius (compared to some, maybe), he just retained information well. Good storage system up in his head. A smile was set on Rooney's face at the mere mention of Miss Charlotte, because she had that effect on him. Prettiest of girls, definitely. Wowee, what a special person. AND he was the person she was choosing to kiss or choosing to let kiss her. It was a good life, really it was.

"So I should keep doing it, even if I get beat?"

It was a skill and Dante is aiming to master it. He still had a a little bit of time to master it since he was a sixth year and well whatever he wanted to do once he was done with this school. Which was still a mystery to him. Oh well. Dante just smiled and shrugged. No response needed.

"I'm ambitious when i want to be. Its why i'm here."

Since well Dante was just going around see if he could get restricted section access.

"But before i get to that. Lets talk about you Professor. Why the mismatched wallpaper?"

Simple Question.

Text Cut: Blaise :3

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

Why? Was it him or was he answering this question a lot? Honestly, the boy must have gone through this explanation a million times. Were it not for the...overly colourful nature of his notepad, Blaise might have simply offered it to the Professor to read. Then he'd get a better understanding. Only problem was how creative his quill got with words; the man might end up more confused by the time he was through reading...so explanation it was. "Magic. I skip all classes that have magic in them or I'll make due. It was easier my First Year. If you smile wide enough for your dimples to show and use your smallest voice, older girls will feel sorry for you and cast spells for you." Pretty much how he'd gotten through the lessons that had magic sneak up on him. "It doesn't work nearly as much anymore. The dimples are still there but the small voice is leaving and the girls are bat and nutter crazy so they're just as likely to claw your eyes out as they are to help you so I make due in other ways."

Which brought him to the second part of the question. "She'd consider you all the more incompetent or simply a liar." But perhaps he should have explained that before he insulted the man or made his mum seem horrid. "It's not you, it's that she knows I don't ever use magic. If you tell her I do well in my classes but not in dueling...it'll sound....odd to her....because she knows different." Because HOW could he be doing well when he didn't even have his wand present and his report card said different. Clearly she was reading into it too deeply.

The mention of the Dark Arts only got the smallest fidget from the boy. "They know. My Grand Aunt teaches there now and my uncles and cousins went there. Mum and Dad think they've turned out well--one's an Auror now. They like it for the discipline." But he....wasn't so sold. You lost him at Dark Arts. You lost him at a place where they could physically force you to use magic and the rules were suddenly straight as an arrow.

Blaise perked up. The man was understanding. This sounded promising. "Of course, Professor, I'd never skip your lesson. I tolerate the magic and it doesn't happen all the time." When it did, the boy simply found his way around. "We don't need her finding out. She'll have Dad give me summer lessons again, she'll take my quills and I'm almost sure she's half way done those transfer forms. I need her to think I'm doing okay and that everything is fine. It's just a little white lie and anyway, you don't REALLY wanna see me running and ducking for my life every time you put me in the arena. It's gotta be embarrassing to watch."

The man had faced a lot of things in his lifetime but a kid who outright refused to participate in all things magical wasn't one of them. It was why, yes, he was confused and, again yes, he was asking a lot of why questions. But at least the by was doing him a favour and answering the questions posed to him. What intrigued him, and amused him, the most was the way in which he went about avoiding magic. What was the most amusing was his explanation of girls nowadays. Did all kids think like that at that age? "Okay, maybe you're right about the girls." Please don't tell him any girl drama because, frankly, he didn't want to know. "Dimples can still get you far, but no, I don't think they'd help in your case." Shame.

Incompetent was not a word he liked being used to describe himself. It made him feel very uncomfortable, and possibly a bit hurt. Therefore, it was no wonder that he found himself taking a couple of deep breaths before moving onwards. "You sound like you've thought this through." And thank you for telling him that it wasn't him. That was a huge relief to the man. "I do see your point, however." So yes, it was noted.

He had people who taught there? Relatives? Was it anyone he happened to know? "Yeah, they're very heavy on discipline. And the location doesn't help matters either." Ice and snow everywhere, not to mention the fact that the school was so high up, it practically had danger surrounding its walls. "I doubt discipline would help. You don't want to be scared into learning something you don't want to learn in the first place." And they were very into Dark Arts, which would mean a 100% chance of the use of magic.

At this point, Hirsch was starting to find it very difficult not to agree to the boy's claims. He stayed silent for the time being, letting the third year continue with his words and tried to mull over the idea in his head. He still couldn't help but worry about what would happen if the boy's mother happened to find out but this also sounded appealing. Because no, he didn't want Blaise to have to run away embarrassed after every duel. "Fine. Okay. You don't have to attend the duels and you'll still be on the roster so it'll still seem like you're participating. But! I do expect you to turn up to my lessons." They were mandatory, after all. "Do you want to take part in the challenges or would you rather leave that as well?"

Text Cut: Azura

Quote:

Originally Posted by FwooperOnYourLeft

Azura nodded as he suggested that she go talk to her Head of House. "I'll do that and see what he can come up with.. Really, I would like to avoid the Healer at all costs." Just due to everything she had heard, she didn't think The Healer would be helpful with her situation. Couldn't they get someone nicer as the Healer?

If only her mother was around, Az would suggest her.. She was the nicest person in the world. Azura bit her lip a little as she pushed those thoughts from her head and focused on what was happening.

"Perhaps not all year, maybe for a match or two.. I would like to try one duel, and go to the meetings.. But I don't think I'm up for all of it. Thankfully my magic has been working properly.. but.. I just need some time." She said softly as she pushed her hair behind her ears and sat down.. sighing.

"Yeah, it is.. and I seem to care too much about everyone." She raised the corner of her mouth just a tiny bit.. before sighing a bit.

"I'm sure Professor. I know i'll be able to do the Charm eventually, magic just comes easy to me." She wasn't bragging, she was telling the truth. "And.. I don't want to be so scared of something that I can't do anything about it, if I come face to face with it. " She said with a nod.

Avoid the Healer? Were students scared of her at this point? "You might not have to see this Healer. There are other Healers out there that you could go and see if you'd feel more comfortable." He wasn't sure how the Healing peofession worked and whether you were bound to your establishment but surely there were some that could tend to her from outside the castle? Shrug.

"A match at the very end? Would that work?" Once she's had a bit of a break. "Did you still want to take part in any challenges that'll be up? They're different to duels in that you're placed in scenarios where you're expected to use magic to get yourself out of the situation. Really putting it to good use." Because frankly, there was no use learning a bunch of spells if you weren't going to put yourself in a situation where you're tested on how well you can produce said spells. "That's not a bad thing." Caring too much. Just don't let it effect your magic or defensive side and you're fine.

Had she misunderstood? Er. "Eventually, yes. But please don't be disappointed if you don't get it right immediately." Or even by the end of the year. "It's an incredibly advanced spell; even fully grown adults struggle with it." The last thing he wanted was to bring up her expectations for this. "Good thinking. You want to build up your defence rather than let it crumble."

Text Cut: Rooney

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanners

"I don't get great grades from being dumb, Sir." It wasn't that he was a genius (compared to some, maybe), he just retained information well. Good storage system up in his head. A smile was set on Rooney's face at the mere mention of Miss Charlotte, because she had that effect on him. Prettiest of girls, definitely. Wowee, what a special person. AND he was the person she was choosing to kiss or choosing to let kiss her. It was a good life, really it was.

"So I should keep doing it, even if I get beat?"

"Touché!" A word that sounded a little weird in his German accent but he was going to keep it as it was. "I bet you have to, now that you're even more of a role model," the man said, nodding at the Prefect badge on the boy. It must come with a lot of responsibilities, ones that the man hardly knew anything about considering he wasn't badged himself.

"Well, yes. You learn some of the most significant lessons when you make a mistake and get beaten. It's nothing bad, it's something you should learn from." Shrug.

Had he sounded too much like a psychology professor? Probably.

Text Cut: Dante

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meizzner

It was a skill and Dante is aiming to master it. He still had a a little bit of time to master it since he was a sixth year and well whatever he wanted to do once he was done with this school. Which was still a mystery to him. Oh well. Dante just smiled and shrugged. No response needed.

"I'm ambitious when i want to be. Its why i'm here."

Since well Dante was just going around see if he could get restricted section access.

"But before i get to that. Lets talk about you Professor. Why the mismatched wallpaper?"

Simple Question.

Dante was being about as clear as a Dark wizard trying to carry out a good deed. Or a teenager, really. Hirsch pushed his glasses up his nose and waited for the Slytherin to say something else. Anything. Maybe even launch into his reasoning and explain why he was here in the first place but nothing. "That's not a bad thing. What brings you here in the first place?" Because he as far too curious to just let it go.

Oh no.

Mismatched wallpaper.

Oh no!

Hirsch let out a small groan as he looked around at the walls and the mismatched wrapping paper up there and then back at the boy. He'd hoped that the boy wouldn't notice but who was he kidding? It was up there for everyone to see. "Someone thought it would be funny to plaster my walls in mismatched wrapping paper for my birthday." He then nodded over at the back of the door where a giant picture of a laughing Ariadne Grahn was plastered there. Permanently.

Did he even realize that everyone who walked into his office could see them. It was an awesome prank but from the way he was talking about it sounded like his girlfriend did it. Good for you Professor Hirsch. Good for you. It was impressive considering the fan club he had here filled with girls. Still not like Dante cared about any of that.

"A couple do match your furniture if that anything. Though i will remind you orange is a horrible color."

Then Dante looked at the picture.

"She your girlfriend. Professor?"

Unless it was permanently stuck on why less would he have a picture like that. It is amusing none the less.

"Also what would it take to get your permission to browse the restriction section?"

Dante oh so casually asked.

Standing from his seat, Rooney smiled and nodded. "I'll make sure to ask her to help me, then, Sir." And it would be even better now that he was in a different category than the girl he was always trying to impress. Now he wasn't going to worry about facing her and being beat. By another girl. His defeats last year had been bad enough. He'd been stung beyond belief in one duel and lost his hair in another... This was going to be his year with the duels. Especially if Char was helping him.

"Thanks, Professor. I'll let you get to showering now." Hehehe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meizzner

Did he even realize that everyone who walked into his office could see them. It was an awesome prank but from the way he was talking about it sounded like his girlfriend did it. Good for you Professor Hirsch. Good for you. It was impressive considering the fan club he had here filled with girls. Still not like Dante cared about any of that.

"A couple do match your furniture if that anything. Though i will remind you orange is a horrible color."

Then Dante looked at the picture.

"She your girlfriend. Professor?"

Unless it was permanently stuck on why less would he have a picture like that. It is amusing none the less.

"Also what would it take to get your permission to browse the restriction section?"

Dante oh so casually asked.

Hirsch couldn't help but burst out laughing at those words. A full, dimpled smile for the Slytherin and his hate for the colour orange. "With the way you talk about that colour, it almost sounds like it has personally offended you." Sad to say but the boy was right. He took a moment to look around at the mismatch going on before looking back at the boy. "And others clash really badly." Though, what did he know about art?

And then came the bombshell.

'Is she your girlfriend?'

Hirsch paused. It was a casual question and not one to be thought much of but that wasn't what was happening to the Defence Professor. His eyes flickered between the Slytherin and the Seeker and then back again. Girlfriend. Girlfriend. A lot of people seemed to assume the same and yet....... "Not exactly, no." He gave the boy a casual look, almost as if e was trying to say something without actually having been to say it in the first place. Because frankly, it would be awkward if he did.

The restricted section? That was a certain way to receive a raised eyebrow look from that man. "That depends. You're not trying to bribe me, are you?" And what exactly was this about? Hmm?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanners

Standing from his seat, Rooney smiled and nodded. "I'll make sure to ask her to help me, then, Sir." And it would be even better now that he was in a different category than the girl he was always trying to impress. Now he wasn't going to worry about facing her and being beat. By another girl. His defeats last year had been bad enough. He'd been stung beyond belief in one duel and lost his hair in another... This was going to be his year with the duels. Especially if Char was helping him.

"Thanks, Professor. I'll let you get to showering now." Hehehe.

"Good idea. Feel free to use the Dueling Arena or the Private Practice Room if you need to." Because something told him that the latter would be better for a one-to-one tutoring whereas the former was likely to have some duels going on from time to time.

Oh, he was leaving already? The man was a little disheartened but tried not to show it on any part of his expression. Instead, he simply smiled at the Ravenclaw before saying, "Nice talking to you, Rooney. I'll make sure not to be sweaty the next time we meet." He could joke too.

Mason was about to knock again, her hand already raised to smack on the wood once more, when a 'Come in!' came from inside.

Clearing her throat slightly, Mason ran her speech through in her mind again, she had the perfect response for every scenario worked out and she was going to convince him if need be. When she was sure that she was ready, Mason grabbed at the door's handle and pushed it open. She smoothed down her robes once more and mustered the most serious look that she could manage before strutting into the office.

The office wasn't at all what Mason would have expected from Hawt-Hirsh. All sleek orange-and-teal. . . very stiff looking. She had expected it to look like a the Bat-cave or at least some weird Japanese coffee-and-tattoo parlor. . . hmmm.

His Hawtness himself also looked less than pleased, something Mason rarely saw him as. . . and his feet. . . "I don't think that that's a very Professor-y thing to do. Sets a bad example for impressionable little minds like myself. " Joking of course, her Hobbit-legs probably wouldn't even reach the desk.

"Anywayyyy, I didn't come here to scold you on your etiquette, Professor. I have something very important to discuss with you." Duh, or else she would just have done it on her own.

Still with her serious-face, Mason made her way closer to the desk, arms crossed over her chest. She was hoping to go for the-'I'm an adult and you should take me seriously'-look. But her snort ruined that, she was sure. Merlin, that photograph was hilarious. Uncrossing her arms and reaching out to the picture that sat on Hirsh's desk, Mason couldn't help but snicker at it. "Nice jumpers you got there, Professor. . ." Why he had it on his desk though, she had no idea. Maybe it was a like a reminder to never talk to the person that made him wear that ever again? Maybe. . .

So many distractions!

Clearing her throat and putting down the picture, Mason tried regaining her former seriousness. "As I was saying. . . I have a very important matter to discuss with you." Yes, he knows by now, "I want to become an Auror, and I want you to help me." There, blunt-ish and to the point-ish. . .

The man waited, watching the door expectantly to see if anyone was going to come bursting in with their questions. Time was ticking and yet, the door remained shut. Really? This wasn't another prank, was it? The last time, he had a gift left for him just outside his door and if thhis led to something similar, the man would have no complaints. But if he was made to leave his classroom for no reason, he might not be too ha-

Oh, a student.

About time, too.

He watched her as she looked around, silently wondering if she was going to comment on the decor of the place in the same way that Dante liked to. But no. Instead, she was telling him off? In his own office? Anyone else would've probably had a thing or two to say about that, they might've even told the visitor off for thinking they had a say about someone else's etiquette in their own environment, but Hirsch was different. Hirsch was, well, Hirsch. No harsh words or frowns were in place, instead, the only thing to come out of his mouth was a burst of laughter. "I see. Are you telling me you're an impressionable type of person?" Because he didn't expect her to be but, for her sake, he'd set his feet down and sit up a little straighter.

And then the waiting game continued.

The serious look on Miss Stevens' face was amusing, to say the least, but he figured he'd at least wait to hear whatever it is that she had to say. It might've been important otherwise she wouldn't look so-

Oh no.

Oh no oh no oh no!

Try as he might, but there was nothing cool about the expression on the man's face when he realised what it is that the young Slytherin had noticed. It was embarrassing that she had noticed the picture and even more so that she had found it funny. Remind him to change it as soon as possible? But for now...... "Yeah, my mum has a knack of embarrassing me. In this case, in the form of hideous Christmas jumpers." It was a particularly sentimental picture because it was the last time the whole family had been together but he wasn't about to mention that.

Oh, were they back to the topic at hand? Good. Because he was getting too curious for his own good. At her words, a big smile broke over Hirsch's face, one that displayed his dimples perfectly beneath his scruff. It was as if somebody had told him that he was about to get a medal in his services to the subject he taught. Or, well, free coffee. "Amazing! Excellent career path, I must say." Could she tell how happy he was about this? "Did you want some extra Auror training outside of your classes? I'm doing the same with a few other students who want to be Aurors as well."

Vivian was sitting on one of the oh soooo comfortable seats outside Hirsch's office, swinging her legs as she waited, when she heard him telling her to come in. Well, finally! The wait is over. Vivi took a deep breath and tried to contain her hyper-ness and excitement in eleven year old body. She was going inside Professor Hirsch's office! Oh Merlin! She turned the door knob open and peeked her head inside, then beamed at her DADA professor. "Hi, Professor, good morning," the blonde said and entered the room, closing the door behind her.

The Slytherin took a moment to bask in the beauty that was Professor Hirsch this office. What a pretty office, she thought. Definitely fit for a PRETTY professor, too. Also, very orange-y. Not something Vivi had expected... but now it seemed like orange became one of her favourite colours. MHM.

"I hope you're not busy, Professor, but I just needed some help with one tiiiiny thing," Vivi said with a nod to assure him that this visit was important, and defiiiiinitely not just for the sake of seeing his face, although that was another reason to be here anyways. Ahem. "I was wondering if..."

PAUSE.

What was THAT? Vivian squinted at the back of the office door. A very large poster of a laughing woman. A woman who wasn't HER. Ouch? Ouch! Her eleven year old heart was crumbling into tiny pieces. Hirsch, could you HEAR IT? "... Who's that?" Her blue eyes looking at the girl on the posted, blinking in disbelief.

Then she looked at her Professor. Vivi was clutching her toy dog on her right arm but then held it close to her, hugging it for some support. Yes, baby toy doggy, you need not see what was on that poster. Inner!wibble.

His eyes had just been gazing over the section about a new sea creature said to be lurking near the Pacific Ocean when the sound of a voice caught him off guard. He glanced up towards the door, taking note of the young girl that was standing there with a familiar stuffed toy!dog in her hands. "Good morning, Miss Fairfield," he said, smiling in her direction and placing the magazine down. He also sat up a little to give her his fullest attention. "I'm not busy. Please take a seat." And maybe she could continue with whatever it was she was about to say?

Or not.

His expression changed somewhat at that question and he glanced between her and the picture of Ariadne on the door. Er. Considering the girl's age, there was very little the man could say about who the laughing girl on the door was. After all, the last thing he wanted was for Howlers to come pouring in from concerned parents about him mentally scarring their little daughter with adult talks. There was only so much he could say.

Gulp.

This was hard.

"Well," he started, "She's a Quidditch player. She's the Seeker for Puddlemere United. We're very good friends and, for my birthday, she decided to prank me by plastering my office. This is her idea of a birthday present." An amused smile crossed his face and he even shook his head. Ariadne Grahn was something else.

"What was it you were saying?" Here's hoping this would distract her from what it is that he was saying.

Oh thank the Fwoopers.. Professor Hirsch was in and she bit her lip a little as she pushed open his door and gave him a small wave..

"Umm." She was really off to a brilliant start wasn't she? But what she had seen wasn't exactly easy to explain.. And she might seem like some crazy kid who was longing for her mother to be alive so much, she she invented this..

But she wasn't.

"I.. need to talk to you. I felt like you were the only person whom I could talk to about this." She said softly as she walked towards his desk, her purple eyes on him..

"I.. was out on the grounds yesterday.. and uhh.." Brace yourself Professor, because here came the "crazy" part. "I saw my mother's patronus. Her bunny came hopping up to me and seemed like it wanted me to follow it, but I reached out to touch it and it disappeared." She bit her lip a little..

"Dead.. people can't send Patronus's can they? And this couldn't be like some sort of sick joke right? Other people can't send Patronus's that looked exactly like other people's right? Cause.. umm.. My mom.. could be alive."

Please don't send her to St.Mungo's.. she wasn't crazy..

Huh. Right. Birthday present. Laughing woman poster. RIIIIIIGHT. Vivian Fairfield was not going to fall for THAT, Professor Pretty Hirsch. Although, she didn't really want to dig in deeper into such topic. Her firstie heart was hurt. Was this how it felt? To be heartbroken?

If so, she didn't like it anymore. LOVE HURTS.

The blonde went to climb up the seat that was offered to her. "Yeah... thanks, Professor..." She wasn't going to just stand there and listen to her poor little heart break into pieces, anyway. She did a veeeeeery dramatic sad face, because you know... Hirsch. He needed to know.

The mention of Quidditch got her attention, however. Though it wasn't enough to compensate the "pain" that came with this entire thing, Vivian wasn't the kind to just sulk about in sadness. "Y'know, my auntie is a Quidditch player too. She's a beater for Pride of Portree and also former captain of Ravenclaw as well, looong looooooong time ago." Yep, Aunt Elise was old. Sorry, not sorry. Twenty five was old, in her opinion. "Do you think my aunt and Miss Laughing-Woman-On-Poster would know each other, Professor?" Also, Vivi had free tickets to games sometimes. #Perks, obviously.

Anyhow, Vivi was aware that she was getting out of the topic. But still, she liked finding reasons to stay a little longer. Especially in this office, for all the obvious reasons. "Oh, I was just wondering if you could charm my toy dog for me again, Professor? He stopped moving a couple of weeks ago, and my kneazle Marshmallow is probably starting to get lonely with no company whenever I have class." Yep, loneliness. Another thing Vivi wasn't a fan of, on top of HEARTBREAK. Ahem. Also, she didn't want to reason out why she was here instead of visiting the Charms Professor. Long story, really. Hirsch over everything, except Marshmallows and family and food and yeah okay a lot of other stuff yadayada. "And if you could teach me the charm too, Professor, so that I don't keep bothering you every other week, it would be lovely." Like his face. Loooovely. Vivian batted her eyelashes at Hirsch. Pleaaaaase?

But paying a visit every fortnight wasn't a bad idea either, just saying. Hehe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FwooperOnYourLeft

Oh thank the Fwoopers.. Professor Hirsch was in and she bit her lip a little as she pushed open his door and gave him a small wave..

"Umm." She was really off to a brilliant start wasn't she? But what she had seen wasn't exactly easy to explain.. And she might seem like some crazy kid who was longing for her mother to be alive so much, she she invented this..

But she wasn't.

"I.. need to talk to you. I felt like you were the only person whom I could talk to about this." She said softly as she walked towards his desk, her purple eyes on him..

"I.. was out on the grounds yesterday.. and uhh.." Brace yourself Professor, because here came the "crazy" part. "I saw my mother's patronus. Her bunny came hopping up to me and seemed like it wanted me to follow it, but I reached out to touch it and it disappeared." She bit her lip a little..

"Dead.. people can't send Patronus's can they? And this couldn't be like some sort of sick joke right? Other people can't send Patronus's that looked exactly like other people's right? Cause.. umm.. My mom.. could be alive."

Please don't send her to St.Mungo's.. she wasn't crazy..

As soon as he'd called for the person to come in, the man added a teaspoon of medium-roast coffee into his mug, followed almost immediately by the boiling water. He'd just been about to add some milk when the sound of the door opening caught his attention. Looking up, he smiled at the person standing there, calling out a quick, "Hello, Azura." He gestured towards the seat opposite his table and went to sit down himself, mug in hand.

No, um wasn't a great start but it was something. He didn't question her, he merely sat there and waited for her to continue.

The smile tugged a little wider on his face at her words. Flattered, he was. It was nice to know that your students could trust you with various pieces of information and could come to you with them as well. There was a line, of course, and as long as she wasn't about to talk to him about love issues, he was fi-

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

Oh. This was weird. This was very weird.

If there was a moment where he could've dropped his mug of coffee out of shock, this would've been it. The smile had gone and was, instead, replaced with a look of curiosity, shock and confusion. "She sent you a Patronus? Here?!" He paused. "It didn't say anything, did it?" Yeah, this was weird.

Oh look, a part he could understand well. "No, dead people can't send patronuses," he said, shaking his head, "No ghost, no other being can. They'll need wands, for starters." Even if they had the happy thoughts pinned down. At the words of her mum being alive and that other people can't send patronuses like other people's, the man frowned a little. It was an obscure thought, and it might as well be true but......

This was hard.

"Sometimes, your Patronus can change. It seems strange, I know, because they're a part of you. They represent you and your internal defence. But if you go through an emotional upheaval, the form can change to match the situation." Pause. "For example, if you fall in love, your form might change to match the person you fall in love with because so many of your happy memories revolve around them."

Another pause. "It could have been your mother's Patronus out there, that is a possibility, or someone else's whose Patronus changed to match your mother's."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimothy

Huh. Right. Birthday present. Laughing woman poster. RIIIIIIGHT. Vivian Fairfield was not going to fall for THAT, Professor Pretty Hirsch. Although, she didn't really want to dig in deeper into such topic. Her firstie heart was hurt. Was this how it felt? To be heartbroken?

If so, she didn't like it anymore. LOVE HURTS.

The blonde went to climb up the seat that was offered to her. "Yeah... thanks, Professor..." She wasn't going to just stand there and listen to her poor little heart break into pieces, anyway. She did a veeeeeery dramatic sad face, because you know... Hirsch. He needed to know.

The mention of Quidditch got her attention, however. Though it wasn't enough to compensate the "pain" that came with this entire thing, Vivian wasn't the kind to just sulk about in sadness. "Y'know, my auntie is a Quidditch player too. She's a beater for Pride of Portree and also former captain of Ravenclaw as well, looong looooooong time ago." Yep, Aunt Elise was old. Sorry, not sorry. Twenty five was old, in her opinion. "Do you think my aunt and Miss Laughing-Woman-On-Poster would know each other, Professor?" Also, Vivi had free tickets to games sometimes. #Perks, obviously.

Anyhow, Vivi was aware that she was getting out of the topic. But still, she liked finding reasons to stay a little longer. Especially in this office, for all the obvious reasons. "Oh, I was just wondering if you could charm my toy dog for me again, Professor? He stopped moving a couple of weeks ago, and my kneazle Marshmallow is probably starting to get lonely with no company whenever I have class." Yep, loneliness. Another thing Vivi wasn't a fan of, on top of HEARTBREAK. Ahem. Also, she didn't want to reason out why she was here instead of visiting the Charms Professor. Long story, really. Hirsch over everything, except Marshmallows and family and food and yeah okay a lot of other stuff yadayada. "And if you could teach me the charm too, Professor, so that I don't keep bothering you every other week, it would be lovely." Like his face. Loooovely. Vivian batted her eyelashes at Hirsch. Pleaaaaase?

But paying a visit every fortnight wasn't a bad idea either, just saying. Hehe.

That sad face. Hirsch gulped. He had no idea why she was pulling such a face but it was enough to make him feel quite bad, regardless. And, frankly, it came as a surprise. Surely, he hadn't said anything that bad that warranted the sad look? He opened his mouth to ask her, but she went on to say something else.

Oh, Quidditch. "Really?" he asked, an impressed look on his face, "That's really impressive. I hope you get free perks from that, what with being related to her and all." The idea sounded nice to him, even if he wasn't entirely obsessed with the sport. Miss-Laughing-Woman-On-Poster? Hirsch couldn't help but let out a laugh at that nickname. A hearty, throwing-his-head-back type of laughter. Could he call Ariadne that? "Possibly. They'd have met each other on the pitch, I bet. I might even go as far as to say that your aunt has tried to unseat....... Miss-Laughing-Woman-On-Poster from her broom before." It was part of the job, wasn't it?

Of all the things he thought he might have been approached about, he didn't expect it to be about this. "Oh!" Surprised? He was. "Yes, of course." To both of her requests, actually. He pulled out his wand, in case, but didn't go into casting anything. "The spell is Piertotum Locomotor. It animates anything that's inanimate and lets you control their movement, whether it be a large statue or a small toy. All you have to do is point your wand at it and concentrate on it moving."

Pause.

"Give it a go and see if you can get it," he said, a small twinkle in his eyes and an encouraging smile on his face.

And no, he didn't mind being bothered. At least, not by his students.

Okay.. So she wasn't on her way to St.Mungo's yet. This was progress.. and it was why she knew she could trust Professor Hirsch with this.. Though Azura wasn't too fond of the look on his face, she couldn't fully blame him more it.. A dead person's patronus showing up wasn't exactly commonplace..

"Yes, I was in the Courtyard.. and it showed up right in front of me." She shook her head as he asked if it had spoken to her.. "No Professor.. I didn't know they could speak.." Maybe if it showed up again, she would try to talk to yeah? Though.. that might make her seem a little MORE crazy.. she was willing to chance it..

She let out a sigh of relief when he said that dead people couldn't send patronus's.. So.. whoever was sending them to her.. was alive. That was nice to know.. She wasn't seeing some ghost like thing.. though at his next words..

She frowned ever so softly though as he spoke next..

"So.. It could be one of my relatives then? But.. why wouldn't they just owl me?" She asked him curiously.. "Well.. I've seen my Step-Dad's patronus and it was a snake.. My mom's was a bunny.. and that is just what hopped up to me.. and I can't produce one yet.." She sighed softly.. "So.. assuming no one else is sending it to me.. It's possible.. that it could be my mom right.. and it's also possible to assume.. She could be in trouble?" She asked him as she focused her purple eyes on him.

Vivian stared down at her feet as she swayed them back and forth alternately. She didn't really want to make much eye contact with her Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Not that she got too conscious around him - okay, maybe a little since she turned slightly pink every time in his class - but still her firstie little heart was trying to fix itself from this form of "heartbreak" or whatever it is. However, it was mostly because she was just such a dramatic little eleven year old with a nutter of a father who loved being dramatic too. One could definitely tell where Vivian Iona inherited such quality.

However, she did try to find even just a small trace of comfort from the mention of Quidditch, which she really seemed to enjoy a lot. Also, her aunt Elise being mentioned too was a great distraction from "hearing" her own heart shredded into thin strips. "I do get free tickets to matches sometimes, especially before my aunt went on leave for pregnancy reasons. But now she's back and I hope to see her... and uh, Miss Laughing-Woman-On-Poster, if ever, during the games season," Vivian said and nodded enthusiastically (at the parts that didn't include Hirsch's mystery Quidditch woman, at least). That laugh, though. THAT LAUGH. It was lovely and made the Slytherin genuinely smile a teeny tiiiiiny bit. Nevertheless, still undergoing a serious heartbreak over here.

Just so you know, that "Aunt Elise unseating Miss Laughing-Woman-On-Poster" mention made Vivian laugh a bit. HA. HA. HA. #Fairfield over #Puddlemere any day! Oh, and... "What's her name, Professor? Maybe my aunt would recognise her if I gave her a name instead of calling her Miss Laughing-Woman-On-Poster. Seems like a mouthful, really." But honestly, Vivian wasn't interested on knowing the woman's name. She just needed it for reasons that Professor Pretty Hirsch need not know. Ahem.

Tooooootally innocent, this girl.

Moving on the charm on the toy dog, Vivian was sort of surprised that he wanted her to do it without him even demonstrating. What if she failed? IN FRONT OF HIM? ALONE? Terrible! Terribly embarrassing! She blinked at him to see if he was being serious. Maybe it was just a joke! But, nah... he was serious. She had to do it and of course, she wasn't so sure of herself, really. "I... I'll try to, Professor. I'm sorry if I fail miserably. Please don't kick me out of your office and send me to the Charms Professor instead." Horrible idea, actually. Hopefully Hirsch knew that.

The Slytherin took out her wand from her pocket and sort of tapped it on the man's desk. Well, here goes... nothing? There was no turning back at this point. She was already HERE. Piertotum Locomotor? Was that it? She hoped so. Vivian pointed her wand at her toy dog, which she placed on the Professor's desk, and concentrated in trying to make it move. "P-Piertotum... Locomotor," she said, still pointing at the inanimate dog. The toy sort of winced and wagged its tail twice before freezing and ultimately losing its "life".

She stared at Hirsch and blinked. "I tried?" Well, that wasn't much of a failure though... right?

Here she was! As soon as Hirsch had invited her in, Char burst through the door all enthusiasm and determination.

"Hi professor! Are you really a lot busy? Because, okay, I've been thinking. Its important. Classes are kind of boring sometimes you know? Even yours. Not as MUCH as some of the classes but... like its too EASY, you know? And you know how I like dueling so much? I mean SO MUCH? Well, I want to learn something MORE. Something for duels! Can you teach me? Not easy baby things like in class but like.... hard stuff? OWL level at least, maybe even some NEWT stuff? I think I want to duel PROFESSIONALLY one day, maybe a show dueler like my mum's old professor, Valon Kazimeriz? I mean, he's REALLY OLD, but he's also maybe the best dueler ever in the world I think. Because he has flare. And I want to have flare too! But mostly I want to kick b... behind! Serious behind! And anyway, I want to be the best, okay? I mean I'm already pretty good, and I proved it last term that I could be the best and I want to keep doing well this term but I want to do MORE. And learn more! Will you duel me? Can I duel two people at once?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by FwooperOnYourLeft

Okay.. So she wasn't on her way to St.Mungo's yet. This was progress.. and it was why she knew she could trust Professor Hirsch with this.. Though Azura wasn't too fond of the look on his face, she couldn't fully blame him more it.. A dead person's patronus showing up wasn't exactly commonplace..

"Yes, I was in the Courtyard.. and it showed up right in front of me." She shook her head as he asked if it had spoken to her.. "No Professor.. I didn't know they could speak.." Maybe if it showed up again, she would try to talk to yeah? Though.. that might make her seem a little MORE crazy.. she was willing to chance it..

She let out a sigh of relief when he said that dead people couldn't send patronus's.. So.. whoever was sending them to her.. was alive. That was nice to know.. She wasn't seeing some ghost like thing.. though at his next words..

She frowned ever so softly though as he spoke next..

"So.. It could be one of my relatives then? But.. why wouldn't they just owl me?" She asked him curiously.. "Well.. I've seen my Step-Dad's patronus and it was a snake.. My mom's was a bunny.. and that is just what hopped up to me.. and I can't produce one yet.." She sighed softly.. "So.. assuming no one else is sending it to me.. It's possible.. that it could be my mom right.. and it's also possible to assume.. She could be in trouble?" She asked him as she focused her purple eyes on him.

This was starting to get stranger and stranger. The furrowed eyebrow-expression stayed on his face as he surveyed the girl. A Patronus showing up was very random, he had to admit. But one that didn't speak? It wasn't unnatural but surely, if you're going to the lengths of producing one to send to someone, you'd want it to deliver a message for you? Unless mysterious and dramatic was the effect this person was going for. "They can. Patronuses can be used to send messages to people if they're in a hurry or if they don't have an owl nearby. They're much faster than owls, see."

Why wouldn't one of her relatives send her an owl? Hirsch didn't know what to say about that. It was a good question and one that made him pause for a moment or two. "I honestly don't know. Are they in a hurry? Do they need to send you a message quickly?" But, then again, the Patronus hadn't even spoken. Simply disappeared.

Again, strange.

Those words. His expression saddened slightly. It was always in his nature to be as honest as possible and the last thing he wanted to do was get her hopes up. But then again, he couldn't just sit here and crush her dreams, either. "It could be. Both instances could be true. She could be messaging you to tell you that she's still alive. But......"

Pause.

No. The words 'she was dead' weren't coming out.

"Has your step-father gotten the same message?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimothy

Vivian stared down at her feet as she swayed them back and forth alternately. She didn't really want to make much eye contact with her Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Not that she got too conscious around him - okay, maybe a little since she turned slightly pink every time in his class - but still her firstie little heart was trying to fix itself from this form of "heartbreak" or whatever it is. However, it was mostly because she was just such a dramatic little eleven year old with a nutter of a father who loved being dramatic too. One could definitely tell where Vivian Iona inherited such quality.

However, she did try to find even just a small trace of comfort from the mention of Quidditch, which she really seemed to enjoy a lot. Also, her aunt Elise being mentioned too was a great distraction from "hearing" her own heart shredded into thin strips. "I do get free tickets to matches sometimes, especially before my aunt went on leave for pregnancy reasons. But now she's back and I hope to see her... and uh, Miss Laughing-Woman-On-Poster, if ever, during the games season," Vivian said and nodded enthusiastically (at the parts that didn't include Hirsch's mystery Quidditch woman, at least). That laugh, though. THAT LAUGH. It was lovely and made the Slytherin genuinely smile a teeny tiiiiiny bit. Nevertheless, still undergoing a serious heartbreak over here.

Just so you know, that "Aunt Elise unseating Miss Laughing-Woman-On-Poster" mention made Vivian laugh a bit. HA. HA. HA. #Fairfield over #Puddlemere any day! Oh, and... "What's her name, Professor? Maybe my aunt would recognise her if I gave her a name instead of calling her Miss Laughing-Woman-On-Poster. Seems like a mouthful, really." But honestly, Vivian wasn't interested on knowing the woman's name. She just needed it for reasons that Professor Pretty Hirsch need not know. Ahem.

Tooooootally innocent, this girl.

Moving on the charm on the toy dog, Vivian was sort of surprised that he wanted her to do it without him even demonstrating. What if she failed? IN FRONT OF HIM? ALONE? Terrible! Terribly embarrassing! She blinked at him to see if he was being serious. Maybe it was just a joke! But, nah... he was serious. She had to do it and of course, she wasn't so sure of herself, really. "I... I'll try to, Professor. I'm sorry if I fail miserably. Please don't kick me out of your office and send me to the Charms Professor instead." Horrible idea, actually. Hopefully Hirsch knew that.

The Slytherin took out her wand from her pocket and sort of tapped it on the man's desk. Well, here goes... nothing? There was no turning back at this point. She was already HERE. Piertotum Locomotor? Was that it? She hoped so. Vivian pointed her wand at her toy dog, which she placed on the Professor's desk, and concentrated in trying to make it move. "P-Piertotum... Locomotor," she said, still pointing at the inanimate dog. The toy sort of winced and wagged its tail twice before freezing and ultimately losing its "life".

She stared at Hirsch and blinked. "I tried?" Well, that wasn't much of a failure though... right?

Had Miss Fairfield not gone on to talk, the man would've been really concerned about her simply swaying back and forth and not even looking at him. Surely he wasn't that bad to look at, even if the mix of scruffy facial hair and tattoos made him look like a hooligan more than a professor.

But then she was talking and he could relish in the fact that she did seem comfortable talking about Quidditch. "I bet you will, soon enough," he said, pushing his glasses further up his nose, "And I'll try to hide my jealousy if you do." Was he joking? Who knew. He wasn't the biggest fan of the sport out there but even he wouldn't be able to resist free tickets to a game. "Do you support your aunt's team?"

"And I doubt she'd want you calling her that if you ever met her." Her name? Miss Fairfield had done a good enough job of convincing him that she was merely curious about the name, rather than whatever else it was that was going on in the young Slytherin's head. Kudos to you. "Ariadne Grahn. She also plays for the Swedish National Team."

Yes, he'd fallen for that innocent look. Fairfield - 1, Hirsch - 0.

Hirsch knew that she might not get it in the first go; it was a complicated spell, after all. But he wanted to see her try it out. He didn't believe in the lecture method: practical application was the best way to learn. So, there was no use in him simply showing her and not letting her carry out the spell herself. But her words had earned her another laugh from the man and he shook his head. "Don't worry, I won't hold that against you. You can stay."

Oh?

Hirsch's eyes lit up at the dog waving its tail but was immediately let down again when the dog froze again. Shame. "That was an excellent attempt! Very very good. On your first attempt, too." That was something, wasn't it? "Maybe try it with a bit more confidence in your spell casting. You've already made it wag its tail, you can make it do more, can't you?" And if she couldn't, he'd go ahead and show her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tegz

Here she was! As soon as Hirsch had invited her in, Char burst through the door all enthusiasm and determination.

"Hi professor! Are you really a lot busy? Because, okay, I've been thinking. Its important. Classes are kind of boring sometimes you know? Even yours. Not as MUCH as some of the classes but... like its too EASY, you know? And you know how I like dueling so much? I mean SO MUCH? Well, I want to learn something MORE. Something for duels! Can you teach me? Not easy baby things like in class but like.... hard stuff? OWL level at least, maybe even some NEWT stuff? I think I want to duel PROFESSIONALLY one day, maybe a show dueler like my mum's old professor, Valon Kazimeriz? I mean, he's REALLY OLD, but he's also maybe the best dueler ever in the world I think. Because he has flare. And I want to have flare too! But mostly I want to kick b... behind! Serious behind! And anyway, I want to be the best, okay? I mean I'm already pretty good, and I proved it last term that I could be the best and I want to keep doing well this term but I want to do MORE. And learn more! Will you duel me? Can I duel two people at once?"

........................ What in the name of?!

Hirsch was used to getting greeted in the randomest ways but this one had to take the cake. He blinked a few times and even glanced behind her to see if there was anyone sniggering behind her. Because this had to be a joke, right?

And what was that about his lessons being boring? HM?

His brain seemed to concentrate on that part particularly, causing him to frown ever so slightly. Surely, they weren't that bad. But he could hardly concentrate on that before she was moving on to ask about learning more. Something about being a show dueler was cropping up and he just...... blinked. Admittedly, she was great at duelling and had a flair for the art that was far beyond her years but all of this information, all of these questions, were being shot at him too quickly.

A few times, he tried to interrupt but it seemed like he couldn't get a word in edgeways because the girl kept talking. Really, did Charlotte Kettleburn even know how to breathe?!

Was she done? Good.

"Er." Great start, Hirsch. "I can teach you more, if you like. More spells, harder spells. Maybe put you through a bunch of extra activities if you have the time." He'd been doing the same for a number of students, one more wasn't going to be that hard. "These will be ones that test your speed and how you react to situations." All in controlled situations, of course. He still wanted his job, after all.

"As for being a show dueller, the flair comes from a level of confidence." Should he be saying this to a Gryffindor? "It comes on its own when you're confident that you're the best at duelling. But there's a fine line between confident and arrogant: don't overstep it, okay?"

And no, he couldn't duel her. Not allowed. "I could set you up for a double duel or maybe duels against students who are older than you? See what you can pick up from them?"

Had she noticed how he was blissfully ignoring her comment on his boring lessons?

For a moment, Vivian totally forgot her so-called "heartbreak" and she was internally smirking at this conversation already. Hirsch had given her a name already. The Slytherin mentally gave herself a pat on the shoulder and a 'congratulations' for absolutely fooling a Professor with her ever so innocent face. Her asset, really, and it hasn't failed her up to date.

So her name was Ariadne Grahn? Huh. It wasn't a name that was ever familiar too, nor was the surname. Well, it must explain why. Miss Grahndma - or shall we say, Grahnny - wasn't part of Aunt Elise's team. Puddlemere United, right? "That's really interesting, Professor. She must be good." Vivian didn't care about that, not even the fact that she was the seeker for the Swedish National team either although it admittedly was kinda cool. BUT AHEM. She wasn't going to lay that down. "And yeah, I do support my aunt's team. They're a great bunch of players and I do, well, sneak into their tents before and after matches. Err... sometimes. But there are also other amazing teams too." The Wanderers had awesome Chasers and the Harpies were such a strong mix of fierce women. It was evident that she was raised into a world of Quidditch, what with an aunt who was just as crazy as she was.

Nevertheless, Quidditch wasn't exactly the reason why she was here, right? Although it meant an extra ten or so minutes discussing teams and leagues with one of her faaaavourite Professors, so she didn't find an excuse. It wasn't always a regular opportunity to be in this office, anyway. And also getting one-on-one spell lessons with Hirsch? Lucky Vivian was lucky. Fairfield - 1, and none for you, Grahnny.

Vivian smiled at Hirsch when he said she could stay. And even that was so relieving! She didn't skip from her dormitory all the way to this office just so she could be kicked out and sent to the Charms professor, whom she wasn't really keen on bothering anyway. He gave detentions like a machine produced marshmallows. A LOT, obviously. And it was even better when he thought she made an excellent attempt on her first try! Really? Usually most people would just... you know, cast an animating spell that moved the object longer than what hers did. But if Hirsch said it was excellent, then she believed it too. "Thank you, Professor!" He was a great mentor, really, with a great face. And a great everything.

But yeah, maybe she should try it again? A little more concentration, like what Hirschy Hirsch said. She nodded and cleared her throat. Ahem. Vivian wanted it to more this time. It didn't have to be perfect, but at least something better than her first attempt. "Piertotum Locomotor!" The blonde said with her wand pointed towards the toy dog on the desk. This time, it wagged its tail once more and skipped! The sight made a wide beam grow on the Slytherin's face, before the toy dog went back to yet another inanimate and lifeless object.

Huh? Did she do it wrong again? "How do I make it last longer, Professor? Like what you did with it during that gytrash lesson? How does it last for about a week or so?" Was there an even more advanced kind of magic or spell variant for it? So many questions from such a tiny soul!

Azura slowly nodded as he said that Patronus's could speak, she supposed that made sense and now she was hoping it would come back so she could hear her mother's voice speak to her! Though.. seeing as the one that came to her didn't speak, now it almost seemed like someone was playing a cruel joke on her.. "Ahh, I see, well I shall keep that in mind if I see it again." She said softly. And if she did, she was coming straight back here.. so he could help her.

The topic of her relatives was a rather sore spot for the purple eyed teen.. seeing as they had all decided to give her up for adoption.. The news still cut deep and had produced it's own round of thought inducing panic attacks.. but that wasn't what this was about.

"I doubt my relatives would have something urgent to say to me, unless it was saying they stopped putting me up for adoption and actually wanted to keep me." She said softly as she bit her lip and looked away taking a breath to calm her ever seeming raw nerves lately.

She looked back at him as he started to speak again, her purple eyes focused on his as his words slowly flowed over her..

So it could be that it was her mom asking for help, or it could be something else? She noticed his pause and she had an idea of what he was going to say.. And she was grateful he didn't..

And then..

"I haven't heard from my Step-Father for six months." She said softly, "If he or anyone of my family got the same message, I wouldn't know. Maybe she's messaged me because.. she knows I'll help her and stand by her when no one else will."

It was a shot in the dark.. but one she had to take.. If her mom was alive and out there.. She needed to help her.

...here we go...

Katherine took a deep breath, straightened up, stood as confidently as she could and entered the office.

This was the first time she was seeing here, so she allowed herself a few moments to take it in: everything looked so clean and organised - his family picture was a big part of the room, and then there seemed to be a hundred of drawers. She noted the books too, and wondered whether one of them would be related to what she was going to ask now. Assuming the professor allowed her to.

"Good day, professor," she greeted the man as blue eyes focused on the board (who was her next opponent going to be?), "I hope I am not interrupting?" That was the last thing she wanted right now.