Enter: Randall Bitterwood. Vice President of the Board of Governors.

It was all very dramatic. He threw open the great oaken doors with as much of a flourish as their immense weight would allow, allowing daylight and fresh air to stream inside, while the man inside strode in.

"Aha!" he called out triumphantly, pointing theatrically. "The truth of the matter! This school falls apart without the Board's involvement!" Literally! Straight from the flying squirrel's mouth. "Aha!"

Leanne would have been here a few moments earlier but she'd been busy with a last minute injury in the hospital wing that morning which unfortunately meant missing breakfast. She was on her way to see if she could find a muffin or something before her next task for the day when the gathering in the entrance hall had grabbed her attention.

And the entrance hall doors swung open, to which not Javy nor June entered, but rather a strange man. She missed the earlier dialogue from the headmaster, but had heard the bit about Pharaoh's Triumph and the curse which was really enough to stare back at the man who seemed to want to prove the board's innocence?

"I don't think that's what he said ..." She looked back at Kamran for some clarification and over to the man again. Should she know him? He didn't seem to have immediate threat, but nonetheless she found herself clutching her wand. There were students here and their safety would always remain priority.

Cooper took no pride in his suspicions being confirmed by the headmaster, though his curiosity did beg a bit of wonderment in whether or not they could watch and learn from these experts coming in. Fortifying ancient runic inscriptions and enchantments? That was not something that one got to experience every day and it seemed like such a special opportunity to have as a seventh year - even if he likely would not have the chance to try his hand at any of the casting himself.

...could he at least photograph things?

It was likely for the best that the Ravenclaw did not have the opportunity to speak and voice his own thoughts and queries like some of his peers had been able to...because they contributed very little to the conversation. Thoughts stripped entirely from him with the appearance of Mr. Bittermanwood, Cooper's eyes widened and he tugged on Celyn's hand. "...that's the gentleman..." he murmured to her, the one he had seen at the winged boars some time back and told her about.

Feeling emboldened for a fraction of a second, the seventh year took a small step forward at the headmaster's defense. "I don't believe everyone received that memo, headmaster...to not send anyone to Hogwarts." Twice now...unless the man had never left in the first place. Which did conjure up a somewhat amusing image of this man camping out somewhere outside of the magical barrier. An absurd thought, truly. "Cooper Branxton, sir. We...met... at the Boars..." he spoke up. "With all due respect, sir," he continued, this time speaking directly to the vice president. "The damage was cause last term while under the Board's supervision and it is only natural that the ripples continue to emerge while the impact of the Pharoh's Triumphant is asset. It just so happens that these ripples were discovered while the Board laxed its involvement...and experts consulted. Hogwarts' foundations have been compromised by the presence of that cursed plant...not because of a lack of presence by the Board of Governors."

Seeing this man appear, clearly uninvited, twice now while trying to flex a nonexistent narrative had just caused something in him to snap a little.

Ash felt mostly reassured by Kazmi's answer. Something was always going wrong at Hogwarts... but at least this time someone was fixing it and the school administration was-

What was this random guy doing in the castle? "Get out," she whispered coldly and basically inaudibly, along with some other less-polite things that she really hoped the professors nearby and the board person couldn't hear. Surely this man KNEW that Rosier had stormed in just like him. He just KNEW it. Startled, annoyed, and a little hangry, Ash glared at the man. Kazmi wouldn't let him interfere, right? He was a BOARD MEMBER. That meant he was untrustworthy. She fiddled with her sleeve, happy to know that her wand was still in its holster and not up in the dorms.

This dude was really very bad at coming to logical conclusions.

Javier had been having another good day. Why was it that every time he was in a somewhat decent mood, THIS man showed up?

After almost two complete years of teaching here, Javier was getting good at determining when there was a ruckus starting up. As he descended the last staircase into the entrance hall, he immediately knew the small group that was forming - which just happened to include that Board of Governors member, whose name was...Russell? - could not be a good thing. He heard Ramsay yelling something about how the school was falling apart, which just made Javier roll his eyes as he approached. The man clearly was in the wrong line of work - acting in a theater seemed to suit him much better, considering his flare for dramatics.

Javier was quite proud of Cooper, having stood up to this man twice now, and if he could read minds he would see that Cooper was thinking along the same lines as him - this Roland man was popping up an awful lot, was it possible he was staying somewhere on the grounds? If so, Javier was mortified he'd missed him - and angry, of course, that he DARE post up residence in his domain.

He couldn't hold his tongue any longer. "As Mister Branxton pointed out - if the school is falling apart, it's because of that plant you lot INSISTED on planting last year," he added in agreement.

Delilah had been standing around pretty much since the get-go, but she hadn't spoken up and said anything yet. She'd known the castle was falling apart for a while now. She'd literally been standing feet away when a portion of the dungeon corridors broke down. She was surprised that no one had a charm to fix this, though. It made sense that the enchantments were fading, though. I mean, Godric Gryffindor was what...6,000 years old? Or, well...would be if he was still alive. Something like that, at least.

She still hadn't spoken up. She was super unfamiliar with the Board of Governors and had no idea what was going on with this plant they were talking about. What she did gather was that people would be roaming the school redoing the enchantments and there was nothing they should be worried about.

RIIIIIIIIIIGHT.

Delilah was only a first year, but she'd horror stories about 'nothing-to-worry-about' situations going on around this place. Her thoughts were interrupted when some random man (Randall Bitterwood) showed up. Did he have to be so loud? It was too early for all that noise. Anyway...ahem. Things started to take a really rough turn at that point. Maybe it was best to stay silent for now.

At least a few days. That was good enough for her; there’d be ample time to get whatever done to be out of the way of these specialists. Aria didn’t get any more thinking done. There was even barely time for her to acknowledge Kazmi’s response with a nod when they were RUDELY interrupted. Angling her head in the direction at the source of the noise {the doors and the annoying voice} and the source of the sunlight, she fixed the newcomer with a steely stare.

“Just how daft are you?’’ the Slytherin spoke up, scorn very evident in her voice. “You and your cronies are the cause for this, did you not figure it out?’’ Aria had gathered the man was a part of the Board based on Cooper’s words. And she felt very, very annoyed that the man had the guts to show up here now. “Do you realise that you’ve put us in danger for the second term in a row?”

Darius could've sworn this was one of those important discussions that didn't involve outside help.. well, not everyone seems to have realised this. Some older man burst in through the doors announcing their entrance. His head cocked over to the side in apparent wonderment. Just how long has that man been outside listening to everything? He would imagine some impressive set of ears... though not impressive at all since they already were twisting the Headmaster's words. Selective hearing, tut tut.

"I don't believe you heard correctly, Sir." Darius added in with the others talking back to this stranger, "History tells otherwise that the school had issues with the Board's.... attempted help. Multiple times at that." Did he need to go Hogwarts: A History on them? He so could, he had generations of alumni to back him up on this. His arms folded as everyone just about tore into the now unwelcome guest.

"Well of course it wasn't what he said," Randall threw back. "Doesn't fit your purposes, does it?" Oh yes, very clear. After all that had happened, the Board should have had more involvement, in the school, not less. It could only have gone this way because someone was spinning things to suit them, a tactic Randall knew well.

He made to speak again, but the pesky boy from the front gate spoke up, and he abruptly closed his mouth again. No need to linger on the point that he was not officially supposed to be here and sort of… was. But with the best intentions. Bitterwood had no time for the boy's logic. The less people who listened to him the better. "Preposterous," he dismissed him with a wave of his hand, and again to the professor who spoke up with him. "Preposterous."

The more the students spoke up, the more vehemently he shook his head, striding forward with great authority into the Hall. He was not daft, he had no cronies, but that last boy had the right of it. Help.

"Don't be absurd. The Board of Governors is not in the business of trying to harm the students of this fine establishment, or the staff. The Board missed the true nature of the plant just as everyone else did. I understand some of you students have ample cause to be suspicious of those around you, but we were simply trying to help." Though it was, in part, an attempt to pacify and butter up his listeners, none of what he had said - uh, at least in that last few sentences - was technically untrue. "The fact remains, it was handled poorly after the fact, months it took to address the situation, and now the building is falling apart. If I'd have known one little plant would have the castle falling down on top of your heads, I would never have sent-..."

Oh. Uh. Scratch that last. Redo.

"... I would... I mean to say..."

Okay....so....here was the thing. Cooper was all for calling this man out on his shenanigans. He did not even necessarily disagree with everything that had been said (though Aria's 'daft' felt incredibly uncalled for). Okay, and maybe he disagreed with the groundskeeper as well - since, technically, no one had been forcing them to plant this Pharaoh's Triumphant specifically and ... anyway. Cooper was mostly trying to hold himself together here as tensions rose in the entrance hall and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end because of it. He was actually quite appreciative of Darius backing his statements up with some facts rather than pure emotions - and referencing history had been something on his own mind but he had felt like he had said more than enough during his own spiel.

Perhaps it had been his fellow seventh year's words that had been the final straw, because there was a crack in Mr. Bitterwood. A big one. Not unlike the cracks forming in Hogwarts itself.

"So it was you," Cooper caught on, allowing himself to jump to harsh conclusions for ones, as he stepped forward again and finding a bit more validity in Professor Hernandez's claim. Cooper hadn't initially thought of it as anything sinister per say...seeds and invasive species had their ways of latching on to things and getting places without anyone knowingly inserting it somewhere. But his naïve perception of things was shattered, and rightly so. "You knowingly sent a plant to this school...and had not done your proper research on what it was? That is flippant and reckless child endangerment, sir. Seems you are very much in the business of trying to harm this fine establishment, as you claim."

And, this time, Cooper own hand reached into his pocket for his wand ... which he then gripped tightly, knuckles turning white. He would not do anything, no action, unless the headmaster requested it...but this Ravenclaw's blood was boiling right now.

He would really love to see Aunt Vivi come charging in now and cart this man away.

Well, that escalated quickly.

Aria folded her arms across her chest while she shot the man a glare of daggers. He just gave himself away; HE was the one who sent them that disastrous plant. Her worry about the Castle, was for the time being, replaced by anger. However, wasn’t the kind to get too vocal when she became this way. No, she usually fell into silence.

Besides… there was plenty being said by her fellow students.

Maybe the man really wanted to help them, maybe he didn’t. If he really wanted to though, one would think that he’d have researched his choice of plant before shipping it over to Hogwarts, right? If he didn’t, well, he had a lot of nerve coming here and feigning innocence. Either way, like she said - he was daft. At least she didn't try to coat anything that shouldn't be in a polite manner like a certain seventh year.

This was absolutely NOT a fine establishment, the students were NOT being absurd, and this man ought to Explain Himself truthfully in the next five seconds or else.

"For people who are 'trying to help', you and your board are doing a suspiciously awful job. Weren't you the ones who sent us Healer Poppy? And then you cursed us? And now it's your fault that the castle is damaged." Ash pulled out her sketchbook and started drawing the scene, just in case it was important. She was still pretty exhausted, but she could feel caffeine and adrenaline kicking in. "We should make sure he stays right here. And doesn't leave."

Norman had been standing silently the whole time, listening to the briefing. Of course the structural damage was caused by the Pharaoh's Triumph. Why wouldn’t it be? It seemed like every time an outsider darkened their doorstep, havoc followed. Speaking of which…

Blue-green eyes darted toward the doors as they flew open, and the unwanted intruder appeared. Alarm bells immediately went off in his mind - there was no telling who this man was or even if he was who he appeared to be! For all anyone knew, he could be polyjuiced just like… Memories of Lucien Rosier’s takeover and his own powerlessness to stop it came rushing back. That would never happen again! If this man had ill intentions for the students, he’d have to go through him first!

Norman instinctively stood between the stranger and the students. It was all he could do not to roll his eyes at the stranger’s dramatics - seriously, how did his head stay on straight with all the head shaking he did? But he kept an impassive expression plastered on his face as the man blathered on. He’d encountered enough pompous puffed-up powermongers in life to know that the best way to handle them was to let them think they were in charge and give them enough rope to hang themselves. And Merlin, did he! The stranger’s accidental confession got a slight eyebrow raise. Ha! He knew this guy was trouble!

“No, Mr- sorry, didn’t catch your name,” he said, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. “The fact remains that whatever your intentions were, it was the plant you sent that caused the damage to the castle. If you’re trying to help -” If being the key word in that sentence. “-what good do you plan to accomplish by barging into the castle unannounced like this?”

Charlie had been standing back behind Cooper a few paces, but she was constantly paying attention to what he was saying. She couldn't help it. He was important to her. She turned her head to see Jacoby and Zeek behind her she held her hands back behind her knowing something wasn't right. She would protect them regardless of what was going on.

WOAH

Last year wasn't the Governing Board's fault? The plants had absolutely been their fault. She couldn't agree more with Cooper he was saying everything that they were thinking. She let a pffft out of her lips when she heard Ash calling out the trying to protect the kids when they hadn't. "You all have done a horrible job protecting us." She didn't shout but she did make sure her voice was heard.

-----
Jacoby glanced over at his twin and glanced at the back of his older sister. This was not exactly what he had expected to happen. What exactly was going to happen? Were they going to have to leave? Would the castle fall down in front of them? He grabbed the hand Charlie had held back for him to take. He wasn't old enough for this sort of stuff. Where was a good joke or a good attack from Peeves when you needed one?

It would be fun and great practice to help fortify the enchantments on the castle and Celyn was just about to ask the headmaster if perhaps she and Cooper could help with that as seventh years, when one of the board members came bursting through the door. She was surprised by the sudden appearance but quickly turned to look at Cooper as she felt his hand in hers and heard his hushed voice. Oh.. it was that person.

She watched the exchange between the board member, her peers, and a couple of the staff as it quickly escalated. She really was not a fan of raised voices and heated confrontation, and, without realizing, she found herself inching closer to Cooper as her hand tightened around his. Of course, she appreciated how calm and level-headed Cooper had been at first. Being rash and jumping to conclusions and shouting was rarely a good idea and she didn't see how that would help matters. But she let out an audible gasp when it was revealed that Mr. Bitterwood was the one who sent that dangerous plant.

And not that she really intended to add to the cacophony of voices - there were plenty of angry voices overlapping - but she couldn't help from blurting out, "Someone really could have gotten hurt! Or died." And the board would have been at fault! "We lost one of our greenhouses because of you!" Celyn certainly hadn't minded helping with the restoration, but it had also been so unnecessary. And just... so upsetting.

She glanced at Cooper again, whom she saw had his wand out and gripping it so tightly that she could see his knuckles were white. Did she need to have her wand ready too?

What in the name of...

Kamran did not know how Bitterwood had gained access to the grounds without permission. Which meant this was a case of trespass, a security breach, and by someone who had apparently already put these students in danger, spouting statements that leaned a little too much towards... well. A certain motto of a certain group, let's just say. He took a quick look around at the students, noted the expressions, some kids with drawn wands, others with... drawings. He didn't question it; as it happened, Fox had spoken correctly.

"One thing is for certain," Kamran said, moving through the crowd towards Bitterwood, joining Norman in putting himself up front of the students rather than at their backs. To all appearances he was calm and collected but for the severe, frankly incensed look he gave the intruder. "You will be leaving this castle only in the custody of the Aurors. So, rather than attempt to talk your way out of this one, I believe you owe my students an explanation." And then some, but for now, answers would suffice. Kamran wanted to hear them himself, and while he wasn't sure he'd believe any apology, it would be interesting to note if the man voiced one of his own accord, and in what manner.

"I, for one, would like to know who from the Board was involved with this Pharaoh's Triumph business." Just to be sure, to know who else ought to be apprehended, if anyone. Kamran then held out his hand, palm up. "And I'll look after your wand too, for the time being. For everyone's peace of mind."

Javier's first instinct, upon noticing that Cooper had reached for his wand, was to remind the older boy that just because this man was trespassing didn't mean they needed to get VIOLENT. But of course, the man couldn't keep his mouth shut, and now Javier was even more suspicious of this Richard fellow than he had been before. Perhaps this man could using a stunning spell or two, just to knock some sense back in to him.

When Kazmi stepped forward, demanding his wand, Javier reached into his pocket and pulled his own out - just in case. This man didn't strike him as someone who made WISE decisions, and if things got messy, Javier was not about to stand by.

"You heard him," he grumbled bitterly, jerking his head towards Kazmi. Wand. Now. He also wanted to know just HOW he'd gotten past all his safeguards on the grounds, but that was not the pressing issue at hand.

For a moment, Randall only stood there, his mouth soundlessly working to form the words that would undo that little slip, and the moment of hesitation that well and truly gave the game away.

He tried to maintain his composure, and a dignified silence, but that runaway mouth of his had other plans. "No! No, that is not true," Randall replied to the young man from the gates, wringing his hands as his eyes darted around the room. "No intent to harm! And Poppy... that woman was not what we thought she was."

Well, this was all going... terribly. "Bitterwood," he said to that... professor. "And I... well, I..." ... had intended to point out the school's failings when the Board was shut out. Clearly, not going well. But these people didn't get it, that it was all ultimately for the best, he had been trying to protect these children. Yes, he had also been a little enamoured with the idea of RULING THE SCHOOL being in charge, but that was a compliment. "Nobody got hurt! Nobody died!"

Oh yes. The flying squirrel. Randall gave the man a look of severe distaste, tinged with just a hint of panic, his hand going to the holster where he kept his wand, unsure whether to draw it or just protect it. "I heard him," he snapped back to the potions master. He was not fond of this talk of Aurors, nor of giving up his wand. To delay the latter, he kept talking, in the vague hope that an explanation - cooperation, to a point - would work in his favour. "This school would benefit from more involvement from the Board, that's all, but I knew they wouldn't step in completely without some kind of catalyst. The others would never have agreed to taking drastic measures, so I did it myself, and when the beautification project was underway, I had someone send along the... the plant. I was not aware it was... of that exact nature, I was just told it would cause some problems. That, I thought, would be enough, but I didn't expect a blasted curse." And, clearly, that excused this child endangerment business! No need for Aurors. No need to hand over his wand.

He took a step back. And then another. And then, thinking suddenly of the possibility of Azkaban, Randall Bitterwood lost his cool entirely, gave a sudden strangled yelp, and turned to flee.

Darius was listening... or trying to since all the fluff this man kept trying to speak was going through one ear and out the other. Blah, blah, blah... we don't want your excuses. His eyebrows perked up at the slip up, so it was his idea. Big surprise. When the Headmaster and Professor Hernandez then demanded he turn over his wand. That was instinct took over. Perhaps it was from the last battle at Hogwarts or maybe some of those defensive seminars and classes, but his hand went right into his wand.

Darius' hand gripped his own wand, watching the man's footsteps take one step back. On the other step he felt his blood warm up. Coward. "Uh uh.. Incarcerous!" Darius performed the rope-like movement and pointing at the departing coward Randall. Was not a surprise, if he was caught doing something and didn't want to be punished he'd look for a way out too.. but this had no style what so ever. Should Darius have asked permission before aiming a spell at an adult? Whoopsie, too late. He could apologize later after the result in case it missed, but if it did catch his target as intended... Nah, he'd feel too good about it and take the detention.

Ash had a LOT of things to say on this. A LOT A LOT A LOT of upset things. But she tried to channel them into her sketch instead. Since other people would surely say her points more eloquently, and with less tears.

HEY. He wasn't supposed to be running away... Ash wouldn't let him get away. She wouldn't. Her pain was his fault and she was not going to let him do that. Following Darius' lead, Ash quickly tucked her sketchbook under her arm and pulled her wand out of her wrist holster. "Expelliarmus..." Just in case he got any ideas about blasting them. She wasn't sure if she was allowed to do that, but the headmaster did tell him to give up his wand. So he couldn't be mad, probably.

Aria did not believe a word that came from the man. With her arms still crossed over her chest, she glared at him with an eyebrow arched. He was getting very defensive, wasn’t he? Like was mentioned, someone COULD HAVE died, and the fact that the entire staff and student body had made it out alive was pure luck.

Good golly gosh! Bitterwood was stubborn! Aria wanted to jinx his stupid face because with each word he uttered, the more annoyed she was becoming. In turn, she pursed her lips until they formed a thin line. OH! Bitterwood was retreating slowly, slowly until… he made a break for dear life. Aria reached for her wand as Darius sent the first spell. Her spell was cast at the same time as Ashley, however. “Petrificus Totalus!”

With so many spells being thrown surely one at least would hit Bitterwood and NOT any innocent bystanders? Good thing her aim usually was precise.

Leanne remained quiet as the others did the talking and explaining, but she had to roll her eyes at one thing this Bitterwood guy was yapping about. Nobody died. "Nobody died?!? I'm sorry, but are those the measures that we're using now to determine the severity of the situation? It takes death to say, okay that was a bad decision?" when he turned to flee, she had to admit the quick reflexes of those who turned their wands on him was impressive. Professor Bishop's trainings are successful as any.

But what Mancini did instead of directing another wand at Bitterwood, she flicked the wand at the grand doors, "colloportus" because at least if the student's charms weren't enough to detain him, the closed doors would be.

She turned now to the Headmaster for reassurance, "Shall I go contact the aurors?" Or was that headmaster business?

Violet had stiffened when Bitterwood appeared--she remembered him all too well from seeing him loitering around outside the gates earlier. How had he gotten through the castle's safeguards, anyway? She mused on whether he had an inside partner to help him undermine the castle, but before she had a chance to think much about who that could be, the arguments started flying fast and loose. She definitely caught Bitterwood's slip about being the one to send the cursed plant to school last term--Violet had know he was shady the minute she saw him!

Next thing she knew, people were shouting, and then casting spells right and left, both staff and students. Good Merlin! Stifling the impulse to join in (because Violet was still really quite angry about the Healer Poppy episide--yes, Slytherins can hold a grudge for a long time), Violet instead chose to cast what she was beginning to think of as her signature spell, Petrifricus Totalis to erect a shield to protect the younger students who were standing behind her. She figured there were enough offensive spells going on for the time being--she could always cast one herself if necessary.

Frankly, Norman didn’t care to know the intruder’s name. He’d only asked so he’d have a name to cross-reference with a list of known Board members to make sure this guy was who he said he was… that and to hopefully fluster him and make him feel less important. And it seemed to work! It was impossible not to feel some level of self-satisfaction at the man’s stammering, though no emotion showed on his face.

Although he was reasonably confident he could take on this idiot himself if it came down to it - he’d faced much scarier than this Bitterwood fellow before - he was glad to see Kazmi join him. He acknowledged the headmaster’s presence with a look but said nothing for now. There was no need to reiterate the demand for Bitterwood’s wand. The excuses went in one ear and out the other, but that was the lesser of two evils at the moment. As long as the blithering idiot kept blithering, he wasn’t carrying out… whatever he came here to do!

Yes, and thank Merlin for that! The situation could’ve turned out very differently, Norman thought, fighting the urge to scoff as Bitterwood insisted no one got hurt or died, though he didn’t voice those thoughts. The students and Leanne had gotten the point across just fine without his help! It was what Bitterwood said next that was more concerning. By the way he talked, it appeared that either this issue went deeper than him or he’d tricked other Board members into helping him. Either scenario was worrisome! “Who did you have send the plant?” he questioned. “What did you tell them about its nature, and how did you get them to cooperate with you?”

Norman’s dark head whipped around at the sound of spells being cast, and for the first time since the intruder darkened their doorstep, he felt a faint tinge of panic. With every wand raised, they played into Bitterwood’s hand. He could just hear the idiot spinning some tale about being attacked! Or worse… he could retaliate if all of those spells missed their mark. Well, Norman wasn’t giving him that chance! Drawing his own wand - drawing but not pointing it at anything, he looked back at Bitterwood with eyes warning him not to even think about retaliating. He hoped that if all else failed, Bitterwood would see his wand first and assume the spells came from him, not the students!

Can't stop! Busy fleeing! Must dash!

Talk about no respect for one's elders. First the ropes forced his arms to his sides and his legs together (terribly inconvenient, not to mention rude, just by the way) so that his run became a stumble and the beginnings of a fall. Second, the Expelliarmus. As he wasn't armed, he didn't lose his wand, but the spell forced him along on his journey. By the time Randall Bitterwood hit the floor, however, the third spell had also reached its target, causing him to land on his face, stiff as a board.

The manners of these children really left something to be desired. Randall couldn't even move enough to make shrill empty threats, nor to clamour for the sympathy of someone or other who was bound to want to hear him out or maybe even let him go. He just lie there, immobile, and with what was likely a very bruised forehead.