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Post by Robbert van Houten on Aug 22, 2013 18:01:49 GMT -5
Al was exhausted. He felt as if he had been grading summer work for centuries, rather than just hours. He left the seemingly endless pile of parchment in his office, and headed down the hall to the staff room. He needed a bit of time to collect himself without students coming to ask questions, and without papers staring at him, waiting to be graded. The staff room was deserted, luckily. Al collapsed in a chair in front of the fire. The castle was unusually cold for this time of year, a definite draft penetrating the lower floors. The fire warmed his legs as Al rubbed his eyes, then ran his hands through his unruly hair.
He was a little nervous about this year. He wanted all of his students to do well, and he had the added pressure of deputy headmaster to undertake. He knew he could do it, of course. He would do the best that he could. But making sure the students and teachers and ghosts and poltergeists were all in line... Al sighed deeply. He had recently received an owl from his mother and sister requesting a visit from him. He sadly had to turn them down, because he just didn't have the time. He really missed his family, especially his baby sister. He could hardly handle her being out in the world, even though she was 31 now. Maybe he could get them to come visit him.
Al would write to them later, inviting them to the castle before the start of term. Both women had gone to Hogwarts, so they knew the ropes. But he could not tolerate looking at another piece of parchment for the rest of the night, not even to write a letter. He had been so lost in though he hadn't noticed that he now had company. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry, I didn't mean to be rude," said Al, looking at the newcomer. "Come, sit, collect your thoughts. We're all friends here, right?" he said with a quirky grin.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2013 19:51:20 GMT -5
Towards this point of the day, when students were usually calmed and sitting up in their common rooms, and the animals were all fed and set for the evening, Calgary could finally breathe easy. It always felt like a giant weight had been lifted from her shoulders as she reminded herself she wasn't on best behavior anymore. Her evenings were like recess time for adults, and Cal usually had one of two options available to her. Either she could go into Hogsmeade, flirt some and have a few drinks...or she could be the responsible professor and actually get some grading completed. Cal didn't really believe in the concept of homework for Care of Magical Creatures. To her, the class was easily pass/fail. However, tests were required to gauge each student's progress, therefore Cal was forced to give out useless assignments. Her quarters were not really the best atmosphere for grading, so Cal did most of her work in the staff lounge. No one ever really bothered her in that room, and Cal had always assumed it was because some of them had her as a student not too long ago. Really, she was surprised the Headmistress even accepted her application. Then again, Cal had always proven to a smart and hard worker. At the very least, both her parents could now discuss their daughter's career path with a bit more dignity. Cal never understood why professional quidditch wasn't accepted by either of them, but given the already rocky relationships, she never dared to ask. Turning the corner into the lounge, Cal was surprised to see the area pretty sparse. In her arms she held several stacks of parchment, most of which she would honestly tell anyone she wouldn't read all of it. Cal crossed the room towards a chair with a small side table next to it and sat down. "Thank you," she replied. The later the hour, the more rich her Scottish accent would become. "I didn't mean to interrupt you or your thoughts, Professor Scott. I just had a bit more grading to complete and there are far too many temptations in my personal quarters. I hope you're having a pleasant day?" tag; Alistair
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Post by Robbert van Houten on Aug 22, 2013 21:57:46 GMT -5
Al had been so lost in thought, he only just realized that he wasn't alone in the staff lounge. The cute new care of magical creatures professor had just come in, looking for a place to grade. He very nearly made a retching sound, just thinking about more grading. And at the fact that his subconscious had just called a former student of his cute. She had just been a second year when he started as Charms professor. It was surreal to see a former student of his now in a teaching post. He didn't usually feel very old, being only 35, but this... this made him feel old.
Al greeted Calgary kindly, and left his armchair in favor of sitting across the table from her. "Call me Al, really. I'm not your professor anymore," he said with a smile. "And well, I would say my day was going well if I hadn't had a mountain of papers to grade, much like you," he added, nodding to her half graded papers. "I hope I don't distract you too much," said Al offhandedly. He realized that this could be taken the wrong way and hastened to correct himself. "I mean, I'm not grading papers, absolutely not," he said quickly. He had liked Calgary as a student-- she reminded him a lot of his younger sister, spunky and bold and courageous. Probably why they were in the same house. "I have to say, it's really strange that a former student of mine is now teaching here."
He felt bad for distracting her from her grading, so he sat in silence for a bit, tracing the grain of the wood. Al knew how important getting all the grading done was, but he would go batty if he tried to read another substandard essay tonight.
tag/@calgarymcinnes
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2013 23:17:51 GMT -5
Cal glanced up from her papers, one eyebrow raised in curiosity towards her old professor. Her memory, however, took her back to one of her sixth year terms when she had dared to use the Headmistress' first name when trying to debate her punishment for one of her more impulsive events. It would be easy to say that was the first and last time something like that might happen. Snapping back into reality, Cal gave her old professor a small smile, "Alright, Al it is then. " Her eyes glanced back down at the parchment before her, willing her brain to actually grade instead of giving her students whatever she felt. Obviously, her brain didn't want anything to do with actual work. Instead, her mind decided to focus on Al.
"I wouldn't worry," Cal responded to his concern about former students now teaching. She almost wanted to laugh because the truth was it does begin to be awkward. "I mean, times are changing, right? Plus, it's not like I'm some adolescent teenager. We're all adults." And quite an adult her old professor was. When she was a student and had those small, weekly crushes quite a few times on the professor.
The Charms professor had always been a very well-liked guy, and honestly Cal could see the appeal. Not only was he good-looking, he was a talented professor. When she glanced back up again she had noticed he was tracing the grain of the table instead of talking to her. Setting on the of the papers down, Cal leaned over the table, resting on her elbows. "I'll let you in on a little secret, Al--I hate grading paper. Care of Magical Creatures is pretty pass/fail. Either the animal eats you, or you listened to the instructions, did what you were told and survived. No parchment and quills necessary!" Cal chuckled at the end of her small little outburst.
tag;Alistair Scott
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Post by Robbert van Houten on Aug 23, 2013 9:53:24 GMT -5
Al smiled and nodded, approving the use of his first name by a former student. Then, he continued his work tracing the grain of the wood table. He was starting to have second thoughts about grading his papers. He didn't want to be rude and interrupt Calgary, but then again, his desire to grade papers was even less. He shrugged at her comment. "True, you're not a teenager anymore. And yes, times are changing. I worked in the ministry for five years before practically begging Penelope to give me a job here at 22. Thinking back to my school years, I couldn't imagine having a professor without graying hair," he mused.
Al grinned at her confession. "I can see that. I bet you're a very good teacher-- it's not always about the grade," he agreed. "Honestly, I was pretty rotten at the subject. I could never get any of the animals to do what I wanted," he added with a frown. Then, Al brightened. "At least I never got eaten!"
"I'm the same way about papers, but unfortunately charms calls for a bit more involvement. Can't just wave your wand and make something happen without knowing the correct movement and incantation," said Al. "Well, I can. But students can't," he amended. Al met her gaze. "I'm really good at charms." His showoff nature was coming out now. He could even turn water into rum.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2013 10:46:07 GMT -5
As a student, Autumn had greatly enjoyed her time at Hogwarts with her friend Kat. The two were so close, they considered each other sisters even though they were not blood-related. Her sister had gone on to do what she did best as an Auror for the Ministry of Magic and Autumn had continued her training under a guru in Spain before becoming a professor at Hogwarts. However, as a professor, Autumn mostly kept to herself knowing that staying calm and focused allowed her to be more masterful of her craft and to better convey that knowledge to her students.
Tonight was a different story, though, and she felt restless. Unlike most of her peers' subjects, Elemental Magic was a very hands-on art and Autumn rarely found herself having to grade assignments. While she truly valued her peace and quiet, tonight she craved companionship and she knew that several professors often hung out in the Staff Room when not teaching, sleeping, or eating. Quietly, she made her way upstairs to the Staff Room and entered the room with a graceful swish, closing the door gently behind herself. As expected, there were two professors engaged in low conversation at one of the tables in the room. "Good Evening, Al...Calgary," Autumn greeted them before taking a seat by the fire. "Grading, I see?" she asked, nodding toward the stack of parchment on the table and feeling glad she did not have grading of her own to do.
Remembering that Al had just been promoted to Deputy Headmaster, Autumn smiled at him and said, "I believe congratulations are in order, Al! How are you handling the transition?"
TAG/Robbert van Houten, @calgarymcinnes
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2013 20:55:43 GMT -5
Calgary couldn't help but smile at her old professor. Was this flirtation, or simply two colleagues joking around with one another? Cal was never good when it came to situations like these. She'd never had any sort of romantic attachment lasting over 24 hours. She simply did not get emotions, which was okay with her. Cal was, after all, emotionally stunted due to the fact her parents more or less ignored her presence and went on with their own lives. So, when Professor Gray entered the room, Cal was more than welcoming.
"Hello, Autumn," she responded politely, setting her quill down finally, "I was trying to get these pointless essays finished, but I imagine I'll just give them all passing marks based on their class performance tomorrow. And please, you can call me Cal."
She offered up a friendly smile, which she also shared with Al. She had managed to avoid broaching the topic of Al's new position. Not that she was jealous--Cal would never envy someone in Al's position or any higher position available. For whatever deep-seeded detrimental, traumatic disaster from childhood, Cal simply had issues when it came to authority figures. She could be five, thirty-five--even one hundred and five, and anyone in a position of authority would knock horns with her. This was part of the reason Cal had avoided the Headmistress since starting at Hogwarts, and also why she had been dodging Al as well. Not that Cal disliked either of them, she simply couldn't rely on her brain to stop her radically impulsive tongue from working magic with her words.
Instead of engaging further with the topic, Cal merely spoke soft and timidly, "Yes, congratulations, Al. I expect this is a rather high honor, yes?" Cal turned towards their colleague, "And how are you, Autumn? Classes going well?"
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Post by Robbert van Houten on Sept 10, 2013 23:05:16 GMT -5
Alistair flushed when he realized that his last comment could be taken in a manner that he didn't mean. He was really good at charms? Well, he was, but he was just talking about silly charms like turning water into rum, and charming cheese. He cleared his throat and was about to speak when he was saved from the embarrassment by another woman walking in. "Autumn! Hello," he said with a relieved grin. She was another one of his old students, but the transition from student to coworker had gone smoothly. He felt as if Autumn was an old friend, and he couldn't truly grasp his relationship with Cal quite yet.
"Er, yes, I suppose." In all honesty, Al didn't really see the difference between being just a teacher, and being deputy headmaster and a teacher. He didn't do much-- the hard stuff was left to Penelope. It was just a way to separate him from his coworkers based on his hard work and loyalty. He sighed, knowing that he loved bragging about the title, but right now he was feeling a little shy. Al sighed deeply. "Truthfully, it's not that different," he confessed. He wanted to leave the subject. "So much for grading papers, eh? Sorry to be so distracting, but I think we all need to let off a little steam," said Al, quickly glancing at Cal, then looking at Autumn. "How are the students doing in your class? I wish they'd offered Elemental Magic in my time here."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2013 22:05:38 GMT -5
"Of course...Cal," Autumn affirmed to the new professor with a warm smile, inclining her head in agreement. "I agree, sometimes essays are pointless. I prefer my students to be hands-on. Granted, Elemental Magic is a fairly new offering here at Hogwarts, so I suppose I am sort of carving out my place in history," she explained with a soft laugh and a smile at her colleagues. "Don't feel bad, Al," Autumn said with a wink, reaching out to touch the Deputy Headmaster's arm lightly, "Elemental Magic was not even offered during my time here. I suppose the Headmistress felt there was a void that needed filling when she asked me to accept the challenge of teaching it here. So far, it has been an...interesting...adventure," Autumn hedged, dropping her hands to her lap and looking off into the fire for a moment. "Well, enough about me," she said, dragging her eyes away from the fire and offering them a quick smile while she changed the subject. "How was each of your summers'? I trust you are adjusting well, Cal?" Autumn asked, leveling her hazel eyes upon the younger woman with genuine interest.
Tag/Robbert van Houten & @calgarymcinnes
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