hogwartsexpressed | CLOSED: Dancing to My Heart Beat

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CLOSED: Dancing to My Heart Beat - 01 (for nephrit)

Eldrine had been so excited to start Ancient Ruins during her fourth year. So excited that she had bought nearly every book she could in order to study ahead during the summer months! After all, she had to catch up! Rowan, one of her best friends, was extremely excited when Eldrine told her that she would be joining her favorite class this year. After the last three years at Hogwarts and coming face to face with a mystery that was much larger than she had anticipated and definitely MUCH bigger than just her missing brother, she could use all the knowledge she could get her hands on.

And frankly, after a failed first year in Divination, there was no way she was stepping in that enclosed space again.

So, Ancient Ruins it was.

Besides, after reading through one of Rowan's books during winter holidays the year before, she found the subject matter absolutely fascinating!

What Rowan failed to tell her was there teacher was absolutely... fascinating, beautiful in a she's-dangerous-but-you-can't-help-but-stare-at-her kind of way and beyond intelligent! There were rumors, of course, that she was a vampire. Those rumors have neither been confirmed nor denied and frankly, Eldrine wasn't sure how much stock she should actually put into those rumors!

After all, everyone kept saying that Snape was a vampire or some kind of dungeon bat and that simply wasn't true!

One thing was for sure, she was really glad she had joined Ancient Ruins this year. It was going to be a challenge though. Reading and understanding the material was different than reading and making sure her assignments were top notch. She wanted to stay at the top of her class if she could help it! After all, she really wanted to be Prefect next year (and ultimately Head Girl). Never mind the fact that she got in trouble at the end of every year...

When the class was finished and Professor Kitiara dismissed them, she packed up her books and stood from her chair. She nodded as Rowan packed up her things and said she'd be in the library during their break if she wanted to join her. Eldrine would but at a more sedate pace.

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Returning to a wizarding school was, in many ways, madness. Her own days in Japan had been one things, even if she was forced to keep her robes locked away, wearing ones she had borrowed from another whenever it was needed. Those days though were decades before, more than she cared to count in fact, and coming upon the century mark.

Returning to a modern school, and in Scotland no less, was taking a chance. Especially a school where Snape teaches. It wasn't as if he wasn't going to know Kitiara's true, and she knew he might share it with others. In the end, she was fairly certain he had shared it. Hence the rumors that her acute hearing certainly heard.

Instead of hiding from it though, she encouraged it.

She didn't wear robes for class. She talked about ancient times, the places they studied, as if she had been there. Which she had. Let them talk. So far no one had approached her. Not even Severus. She hoped for that confrontation one day though.

For today though, she was more interested in the way Eldrine seemed to be dawdling after the others had left.

Rising from her desk, she offered an engaging smile and a wave of her hand. "Anything I might help you with, Dear?"

She was smart, and more than that, she was curious. Doing much better than most of the students, if Kitiara was honest.

Eldrine settled her bag onto her shoulder as she walked over to her Professor. She was a Slytherin, she knew about self preservation and knew how a typical Slytherin should act but... another factor was to know your surroundings, right? Be prepared? At least, that's how she always felt when it came to dueling Merula every year.

She thought about it for a long moment before deciding, what could it hurt? Either the woman would admit it or give her detention for asking such a ridiculous question on her first day. Unlike Professor Snape, who simply couldn't be a dungeon bat because... why (and the fact that he would literally dock any point that she had made so far or would in the near future), she had a feeling there was something much different about Professor Kitiara.

"There are rumors going around, Professor, I'm sure you've heard..." Because honestly, Hogwarts students simply lived on rumors. "That you're a vampire."

There, she said it.

Nothing said 'Welcome to Hogwarts' like asking if your professor was a vampire.

Whatever it was that Kitiara was expecting in that moment, it was definitely not that. Well, well... this girl was definitely going to be more than interesting. She hadn't realized how much. Not until that moment.

Strolling out from behind her desk, she moved to close the distance between them.

"I have to admit, you're the first to ask. As for the rumors, I've heard them. I'm also certain that they began in the office of Snape," she noted, sliding hands into the pockets of her silk trousers. "He's not a fan, apparently."

Smiling a bit winsomely then, she canted her head and considered Eldrine a moment. "Beyond rumors, what reasons would you have to think I might actually be a vampire?"

She didn't realize she had been holding her breath when the first words out of Professor Kitiara's mouth wasn't "detention". Eldrine did realize though that she felt the innate response to back up a step. She stomped down on that urge and held her ground for the time being.

"Don't feel bad, I doubt he's a fan of anyone," she said without censoring her words. That was her Head of House after all. "But probably began with him and quickly went to Merula, who can't keep her mouth shut." Eldrine bit on her bottom lip briefly before letting it go and clearing her throat. "My apologies, I shouldn't talk like that in front of another Professor."

Eldrine's cheeks flushed as she was asked that question. "You spoke of these places as if you've been there and know it first hand. Explaining it as only a person of that time would have seen it and experienced it." After all, so much had been lost over the years.

If it was true and the woman was a vampire? How likely was it that she knew about the Cursed Vaults? Was it possible?

Kitiara laughed then, tossing her head back. The sound was rich and warm, not a practiced sound but a genuine sound of amusement.

"Trust me, there is nothing about Severus' dislike of me that makes me feel bad. I've worked very hard at cultivate those emotions, and it is a mutual endeavor between he and I." For so many reasons. What she is, who he gives his loyalty to. It didn't work for either of them, either way.

"As for Merula, she will follow Snape as she must for the same reasons that my loyalty will never lie with them." Which, if nothing else, might make it clear who she believed in and her beliefs in how things were slowly turning. "As for talking in front of me, my secrets are my own. Whatever we discuss, unless you are a threat to yourself or others, is between us," she said, hoping that the girl believed her. That was the one thing she wanted her students to believe and understand in her.

She may be a dark witch, but her loyalty did not lie with the darkness that was known to others in the wizarding world.

That admission of proof made her smile. "Most think I'm engaging, that I'm working to try and help you truly love this education and pay attention to it. You think it's more than that though. Most would say I was acting to play up on the rumors as well. I doubt though that they would have hired a vampire to teach their children. Do you think?"

She was definitely teasing her, baiting this child who intrigued her.

Eldrine wasn't sure how she should take that confession that there was no love lost between Professor Snape and her new Professor but it intrigued her. She laughed and nodded, agreeing that Merula would follow Snape, even if he was less than thrilled with her as well. Later, she would think about Kitiara said about loyalty and wondering exactly where Kitiara's loyalty rested (with Dumbledore? Kitiara herself?). As far as she knew, Snape and Merula seemed to be big fans of Voldemort's... surely that wasn't it.

She smiled, glad that whatever she said would stay in this room. "Thank you," Eldrine said. The last thing she needed was for it getting out that she was being disrespectful to a Professor or about a Professor, as the case may be.

It may have taken her a minute or two longer than it should but Eldrine realized Professor Kitiara hadn't come out and said 'yes' or 'no' to being a vampire. She considered her question for a long moment. "Yes, they would. Or, at least, Professor Dumbledore would." After all, she had visited two cursed vaults now over the last three years and was well on her way to the third. They could have easily put up some kind of barrier to keep errant Hogwarts students out if they truly wanted to. However, if Kitiara was hired, did that mean Dumbledore trusted her? Surely he must, right?

Not many have love loss with Snape. Many have issues with him, and not only because of his loyalty, as Kitiara likes to refer to it. The only difference was that Kitiara has no fear of reprisal from that man, and many others cowtowed to his behavior as if they could buy into his good graces. Kitiara had no such desire.

"Good manners. I do like that about you, my dear." Smiling then, friendly and open though all of it may be a disguise.

"Oh well, let's be honest. Dumbledore trusts nearly everyone," she pointed out. "Perhaps because he believes himself to be omnipotent. Perhaps it's because he believes in the good of people." That very thought, wording it as she did, it made her laugh.

"Dumbledore would never hold another wizard or witches nature against them, no matter how they came to be in this world, or how they ended up. He believes in the good in people until they prove to him otherwise."

She's still not saying directly, though perhaps by her smile it seems obvious that she's toying with her and not at the least upset.

Eldrine considered that thought about Dumbledore for a long moment then nodded. "That's true," she admitted. She could see the man absolutely believing himself as omnipotent, he had the love of the wizarding world, after all. She wasn't really sure yet how she felt about the older wizard, despite the three years she'd been at Hogwarts. He was brilliant but rather mad if you asked her.

She studied the older woman silently for a moment before laughing. "I suppose that's the closest I'm going to get to an answer, aren't I?" She wasn't upset by it. Eldrine found her absolutely fascinating!

"Well, either way, you won't hear me spreading any rumors. I'm looking forward to your class this year, Professor," Eldrine said brightly and shifted her bag on her shoulder.

Dumbledore believed himself smarter than most, which was a hubris that Snape suffered from as well. The difference was, Dumbledore kept those beliefs in a way of helping others. Snape did so to keep them at a distance, and prove his choice to distrust them at every turn. It was that difference that said so much to anyone that is paying attention.

"I'm glad to hear that," she said, turning to move back to her desk. Rummaging a bit, she pulled up a bit of parchment, picking up a quill. Writing on it with a series of flourishes, she brought the piece of parchment to Eldrine.

"If you are truly looking forward to it, then perhaps you'll be interested in a club I'm starting. There will be trips out in the field, trips to study the very ruins we talk about. It's my understanding you already have a bit of experience with certain ruins, and that you might have an interest."

Oh she has certainly heard about what Eldrine has been up to, and it's why she's considering her for things.

Eldrine tilted her head slightly and walked closer to Kitiara's desk, watching as she wrote. She tried to make out what she was writing but couldn't at her angle. She took the parchment from her Professor and read it over, feeling a small form over her mouth. 'I would be very interested in this club. To get real experience? Definitely," she said with a bright and rather large smile.

When Professor Kitiara mentioned her having experience with certain ruins already, Eldrine flushed. "Then you must already know about my search for the Cursed Vaults...," she said, watching the older woman. Not to mention that she had successfully opened and saved the school the last couple of years.

Kitiara smiled as she shifted, perching to sit on the corner of her desk. "Perhaps I'm wrong. I do sometimes get the wrong information, though I do admit to having as bit of interesting in many of the things going on within these walls."

Maybe she has spies. Maybe she is, by her very nature, the spy. Hinting once more at what she is without saying it, if only that the game is so much fun to her.

"But yes, I have heard a bit about it. Quite the chances you're taking, but I suspect you know that."

Eldrine laughed and shifted her bag again before tilting her head just a little. "No, at least in regard to me having knowledge of certain ruins. Though, in regard to everything else going on in the castle, I don't have that particular knowledge," she admitted with a smile.

She found herself interested in her new professor. In the last three years of Hogwarts, there hadn't been someone who was quite like this on staff.

"If it means finding what happened to my brother, then I will take whatever chances I need to." So long as it didn't keep her from becoming Prefect and Head Girl, that is. Though, let's be honest, she was committed to finding the Cursed Vaults and her brother.

If she ever saw her brother again though? She was going to have to smack him.

"Quick child. I approve," she said, smiling winsomely. "Well answered as well."

Not that her approval entirely mattered, though she thought it did.

"Tell me, Eldrine, what happened to your brother?" Likelihood was, she knew. She could have found out in numerous ways, but she is asking for Eldrine's side of the story and not taking it from others.

Considering how wide spread news of her brother's expulsion was covered in the Daily Prophet, she wondered if Professor Kitiara had heard about it wherever she had been before coming to Hogwarts. "We're not exactly sure," she admitted with a small frown. "Jacob, my brother, is said to have found the Cursed Vaults during his time here and was eventually expelled. One night, we had all gone to bed and he was gone the next morning with no note, nothing. Mum and I figured he had just taken some time to himself, figure out things and come home. But when he hadn't returned for a week, then two weeks... she called the Ministry."

Eldrine went silent, gathering her thoughts. "Then rumors came in that he had joined You-Know-Who -- Voldemort," she felt her heartbeat increase just saying his name. He was gone. She didn't have to be afraid anymore. "But he didn't. I refuse to think he joined him." She hadn't talked about it much to anyone else but... why did she feel so comfortable talking about it to her?

Kitiara remains quiet, listening to the girl's story. Even when she finished, the professor stayed quiet a bit longer, considering. "I will begin by saying that joining him and being forced to assist him are not the same thing, and the latter has likely happened more often than any of them care to speak about. Which is something to consider. It would support the rumors, but it doesn't mean he made a decision to do something like that against your family and his own life," she pointed out, not only trying to help but being honest as well.

"I'm curious. Was he expelled because of exploring the vaults?" Because it spoke of what Eldrine might be risking as she was rumored to be doing the same, and often.

Eldrine was silent as she considered what Kitiara said. It was true, there was a big difference between willingly joining him and being forced to assist him. For some reason, she hadn't even considered that thought. Was it possible? It was a much better alternative than thinking he had joined Voldemort. She bit on her bottom lip as she considered that option before nodding. "That is a very good point. One...we hadn't honestly thought of. You know, people don't bring up that option much. They find it easier to accuse now and apologize later... or rather, forget later," she admitted.

"No, he was expelled because they say the Vaults made him mad and had put a curse on him." She knew it was a risk searching for the very things that drove her brother nuts but it was a worthwhile risk if you asked her.

Shaking her head, Kitiara sighed. "You word that well, Eldrine. They want to believe everyone is joyful to turn on others, and not accept some might not have a choice. Not to mention that there is the belief that if one turns to darkness, they also support the horrific things that he would do to others. It simply is not true," she said, shaking her head once more. In the end, she knew that well. It was also why she kept much of her decisions to herself, as well as her skills.

"So he did something else for them to believe he was cursed. And they would expel him for being mad, and yet do nothing to help him while blaming him for joining the other side? SO interesting how they do things around here," she said with a roll of her eyes.

"I think it's more because he was a Slytherin than anything else. People don't have terrific views of Slytherin and to them they probably think he's just like every other Slytherin who joined His side," Eldrine said after a long pause. She was thankful that she had made several friends from all the houses but that didn't mean there weren't those out there who looked at her like she was going to go mad just like her brother did or turn around and become a dark witch. Eldrine watched Kitiara as she spoke then nodded in agreement. "It's -- it's shite that some people are just so narrow minded!" It frustrated her, obviously.

Her mouth quirked up wryly after Kitiara rolled her eyes. "You will find that house loyalties run deeper than blood." Or, at the very least considering some Slytherin families, equally.

"And yet many who attended other houses have joined him, but they would prefer to ignore that than recognize the flaws in witches and wizards rather than in the houses," Kitiara said, nose wrinkling as she considered it. "Think of the madness of the Gryffindors as they rush in where angels fear to tread. Or that Ravenclaws will focus purely on their books and ignore the world around them. Perhaps Hufflepuffs can afford to have that attitude, but no one else," she added, obviously having put thought into this before.

"It most certainly is, but to survive it, you need to learn to work with their narrow minds rather than butting heads with them," she noted, hoping the girl took that to heart.

"Perhaps, and I have aligned myself in many ways with Slytherin, knowing how others would see me. I'm willing to stand up to it and what it means. I suspect you are, as well."

Eldrine watched her professor as she spoke and tilted her head slightly before nodding, agreeing with what the woman was saying. "You're right," she said. "House affiliation doesn't matter to me. I have two friends in Gryffindor. Ravenclaw's are great and a Penny, who is in Hufflepuff is probably just as Slytherin as the sneakiest Slytherin." To Eldrine, it didn't matter what house you were in. What mattered to her was how you treated others. Like when she had to duel Merula because she was bullying everyone. Strongest witch ever her arse.

"I'm prepared and willing to stand up to it," she agreed with a nod. "Why did you choose Slytherin? I've heard you're going to become Slytherin's coach... faculty coach..." she really wasn't up on the terms but had heard it going through the conversations her classmates were having.

"And that is something many don't consider as well. What does the hat use to chose from. The person you are? What you value? What will help you the most. Those things are not always the same and would therefor indicate different houses, though none of them would be wrong. Had I been a student here, would I have been sorted Slytherin or Ravenclaw? Both would well suit, after all,' she said, allowing that she certainly contained Slytherin tendencies, not that she felt it was something she had to tell. It was obvious by her very nature.

"I am certainly going to be acting as Slytherin's head coach, though the student team leader will mostly lead the team. I am quite the accomplished quidditch player, and I would like to help see Slytherin obtain the house cup. As for why? It suits my nature, and I suspect I'm outcast enough that I am much more Slytherin than said learned students."

Eldrine nodded and gave Kit a smile. "Sometimes I wonder if the hat shouldn't re-sort students after a while. What eleven year old knows who they are or what they value at that time?"

"That's great! I've heard many are excited and maybe a little nervous," she said with a laugh. Not that she knew that much about Quidditch. She liked to fly, sure but Quidditch? Wasn't her cuppa tea.

"I shouldn't keep taking up your time," she said after a pause, shifting her bag on her shoulder again. "I look forward to your classes."

"Is that not a truth," she said, nodding and looking at Eldrine appraisingly. She did enjoy when a student seemed to understand more than her educators often did. And she considered the ways to make sure they were aware of that.

"Sadly some in charge would then think that is saying they were wrong, and how can they admit that? They certainly won't do that."

Kit smiled and it was so predatory. "Oh they should be nervous. I'm not sure there's a person here that can fly the way I do, and I won't take it easy on anyone. I do hope they're prepared."

Kit smiled at that, nodding.

"Our first meeting will be this next week. Tuesday evening, after dinner here in this room. I expect you there, Eldrine."

They were opinions that she felt she couldn't share with just anyone. If you asked her, British wizards and witches were very stuck on tradition. They've always done this so that must be how things remained. She was glad, and a little surprised, when Kit actually agreed with her. Many teachers simply rolled their eyes or ran her off (see: Snape), sneering about how she simply didn't understand tradition. She did. She was well aware of tradition.

This simply didn't make sense.

Sometimes she wondered if she would have made a better Ravenclaw and then remembered why she was sorted into Slytherin in the first place.

"Sometimes I wonder if it's not because it's simply tradition and Merlin forbid if they change it."

Eldrine felt a smile tug on her mouth as she noticed the professor's look as she spoke about flying and Quidditch. "I am getting a feeling that there may be more tryouts if people aren't able to keep up," she laughed. Kit didn't seem to be the type to tolerate nonsense or a lack of trying.

She was honored to be included in this special class / club and wasn't about to let her down. Or herself. "I will be there, you can count on it."

As an outsider to British wizarding tradition, Kitiara would be the first to agree with those thoughts. She had seen more progressive countries, and she has seen how old things in Hogwarts went. Even in a tradition bound culture such as Japan, things were not as bad as they were in England.

Kitiara hadn't come to Hogwarts though to fall into their history. She had changes to make, and things to learn. As she hoped her students would as well.

"It may well be, though it would also disrupt houses in the middle of the year. Imagine losing all your best quidditch players, or your best students who garnered so many housepoints. They would have to redo so much to change that. Not that they wouldn't, but when they look down the long line of changes, many stay with what they know."

Even as she says it, she clicks her tongue and gives a shake of her head over that.

Laughing at that, Kit nods. "There may be. I can teach them if they're willing to learn, but they have to be willing." And sadly so many teenagers fought learning.

"Oh, Eldrine. I am counting on you. In so much." It may have sounded threatening, but Kitiara wasn't bothered by that.

Eldrine tilted her head, considering that for a moment. "That's a good point. It would work better if it was at the beginning of the year." But these people were to become her family but she had to admit, the people that were her family here at Hogwarts, were a mix of every house. But Kit had a good point all the same.

She grinned. "I normally don't attend the matches but I may actually have to attend the first one." At the very least. She was interested to see how her housemates played after Kitiara's coaching. They would only improve, right?

Despite herself, Eldrine felt herself flush. "Oh, well - better not disappoint then," she said with a laugh. "Hope you have a good rest of your day, Professor." She tucked the parchment into her pocket before turning and heading out of the classroom. She wasn't sure what it was but there was something about Kitaira that made her want to stick around and continue talking. But she had lunch and to meet up with Rowan in the library. She didn't want the girl to think she'd forgotten about her after all!

"It certainly would have to be, though I can see where it might disrupt too much. A shame really. Also a shame that everything is defined purely by one of four options when so many that I know of certainly fall between houses. " It's something in her short time that she has seen time and again, though with the parameters set for them, the Hat has done the best it can.

"You should. I suspect many will be shocked and surprised at some of the things Slytherin has learned even in the few weeks I've been coaching them. For your sake, and your houses, at least try a match."

There was going to be anger and protests over the methods they would be using, but they all fell within regulation, and there was nothing that could be done. It wouldn't stop many from trying though. Kitiara actually looked forward to the protests. And smiling sweetly afterwards.

Watching her go, Kitiara couldn't help but to smile. That had gone better than she had hoped it might, both in first being approached about the rumors, as well as in drawing the girl in. Even if it was a horrible idea, knowing what Kit did about herself and the girl.

"The world is full of shades of gray, if you ask me," Eldrine said with a smile. She might be young but growing up in a home who's parents were fairly distant and whose brother disappeared after being expelled from school, she learned that the world isn't one way or the other.

She left Kitiara's room with a little smile on her mouth, thinking of the conversation she just had with her new professor. It wasn't what she had expected when she stayed after class. Hell. She hadn't expected to actually STAY after class for long or at least that long. It felt like she had talked to the other woman for hours. It had felt so easy.

When she finally met up with Rowan, she waved off the girl's concern and told her excitedly that she had actually been invited to a special Ancient Ruins club. Rowan was probably just glad that her friend didn't have detention yet.

The first meeting of Ancient Ruins as an extracurricular activity had gone well. Better than Kitiara had hoped with quite a few students in attendance. She gave them the introduction, let them ask questions and answered all but one.

What was the fire she had burning in the corner, levitating and surrounded by shimmering kanji symbols? For that all she did was smile and wave a hand, moving on to the next subject.

As the promising class of witches and wizards filed out of the room, Kitiara raised a hand. "Eldrine, might you stay a moment?"

That question was Eldrine had questioned as well but she didn't ask out loud. She knew one of her classmates would ask and they didn't disappoint. It was equally unsurprising when Kitiara hadn't answered and went onto the next question. She hid a smile and thoroughly enjoyed the extracurricular and knowing Rowan had felt the exact same. They were going to learn so much and she was excited!

She motioned Rowan to go ahead and told her she'd meet her back in the dorms afterward.

"Yes, professor," she asked, walking over to Kitiara.

She couldn't explain it, and she didn't dare talk about it to anyone but there was something about the professor that called to her and blast it if she couldn't figure out why.

"I was glad to see you here tonight. I suspected you wouldn't let me down, but that doesn't change that I'm glad you were here."

Smiling as she moved about the room, tidying things up. Picking up scraps of scrolls, hints of feathers that drifted off quills. As she did, she took the bits and tossed them into the fire that fueled her spell.

"My dear, are the rumors I've heard true? Did..." She paused, moving her hand. There was a sound, a whooshing, as the silencing spell descended over the rumors. "Did Professor Snape require you to drink a potentially dangerous potion?"

Eldrine smiled. "When you offered the extra curricular to me, I wasn't going to say no," she said. "I want to learn everything I can." She dismissed the errant thought of wanting to also learn more about her professor. While it was true, it wasn't something she should focus on. Not by any means.

She watched as Kitiara tossed them into the mysterious fire. She was curious still what spell that fire was fueling but would wait to ask. It took her a minute to remember what potion Kitiara might've heard about. She rolled her eyes. Not toward Kitiara, mind you, no, to the thought of Professor Snape once again being an arse.

"I wouldn't say require so much as suggested I drink it." After three years and despite being in his house, you would think Professor Snape would be more pleasant. "I suppose he had to make up for the fact that he actually admitted I have skill in potions."

Which even if Kitiara hadn't her own agenda, she had known about the girl. She was determined and downright brilliant and offered information that not all students were privy to, she would seek out that knowledge. It was why she delighted in presenting such things to her.

Such as the magic working in the corner.

"And yet he took the chance of a student, albeit one too smart for his games, might well poison themselves for the fear of a professor known to fail students for breathing. Correct?"

Her tones are tight, almost pained as she forces out the words. Had it been another student, Kitiara would still likely be less than impressed. That he had done this to Eldrine tough, that was something else entirely.

There was no way that Eldrine could really argue with that. She had a point. Though, really... how many would actually do what Snape suggested? Would he even say it to a lesser student? She wasn't sure. It made her curious though. The man was not fit to be a professor, if you asked her.

"Correct," she agreed. "Sometimes I wonder why he chose to be a professor if he doesn't enjoy teaching," she murmured, more to herself than to Kitiara but was sure the woman had heard her all the same.

"Unfortunately it's not the first nor will it likely be the last time that he says such things to me." Eldrine paused and gave her professor a little smirk. "I find it fun to see how my mere presence can annoy him on any given day."

"Not everyone that works for Hogwarts chooses to be professors. Some are chosen. Others come here expecting to be able to walk into whatever job they want, and when they're found to be too dangerous for that job, they are given another," she said, having already heard all of the stories. Which she saw no reason not to share.

"He wanted to teach defense against the dark arts," she admitted. "Something that likely would have caused more deaths than I care to count. Not as if a skill in the dark arts means you are safe with them. Especially when you're hiding your own true knowledge in them," she said, though if she was talking about his skills or her own might be up for debate.

"And what is it you did to annoy himself so much? Do you know, or just your existence?"

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CLOSED: Dancing to My Heart Beat - 01 (for nephrit)

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Ruins and Runes and Petty Games

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