|
Post by Felicity Hjort on Nov 25, 2007 17:51:34 GMT -5
Moving upward, feeling the trudging of her legs as she made her way to the top of the stairs, the invigorating smells of spices reached her nose and made her wrinkle the peppered bit of skin. It was nice, but could prove to be distracting. And Drew's hand slipped in hers made her feel a little better about the whole thing. While his hand was comforting from warmth and the knowing that he was there, she knew it wouldn't be able to last long. Top of the stairs would probably be the longest, merely because she didn't want to be caught showing that kind of affection especially when she doubted the woman would look kindly upon it.
Nearing the top of the stairs, she squeezed Drew's hand for her own security before releasing it. This was the last chance she had to walk away from it and pretend she forgot about it. Though, the woman had probably already heard them moving about in the hall before her door, if she was there. Maybe she wasn't there, if not, that would be spectacular.
Taking one more deep breath, she glanced around at what she could see while not standing directly in front of the open door. Everything was in check, right? The questions, she had plenty of paper, she had ink in her pen...INK! Turning to Drew, she looked at his jaw again. There was ink on his face! Maybe Raynor wouldn't see it, maybe the office would be dimly lit just enough so there would be enough shadow cast it would be near invisible on Drew's face.
Sighing, she turned back to the open door and knocked on the door frame before poking her head inside. "Pro...Professor Raynor?"
|
|
Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
|
Post by Drew Thornton on Nov 25, 2007 22:15:38 GMT -5
As they reached the door she squeezed his hand and he returned the gesture before dropping his hold on her. Usually, his meetings with Raynor started with him going in uninvited and making himself at home in a chair. Very rarely did he ever knock and wait... in fact he could only think of a couple of instances where he had done that. He didn't suggest his method to Felicity, knowing this wasn't the time or place for a barge in.
She turned to look at him before knocking and he smiled back at her, hoping to be reassuring, but noticing she didn't even try to smile back. He hadn't been sure why Felicity had asked him to come along for this, but now he was pretty sure his job was to keep her nerves at bay.
|
|
|
Post by Tamis Raynor on Nov 26, 2007 15:34:47 GMT -5
And, sure enough, the blond head poked through the open doorway and Raynor scratched her chin in consideration. Oh dear. The Gryffindor "reporter" was dressed appropriately enough to be the spokeswoman of the Ministry before the Daily Prophet. Subconsciously, the Headmistress pulled her feet under her chair so that the robes came down on top of the slippers, regardless of the fact that the fifth year could not see them through the desk. Given the hour she had sent the young lady, Raynor had simply assumed that it been tacitly implied that they could let their hair down during the interview, so to say.
Assumptions were not a good thing to make.
Clattering floated through the office and toward the door as Raynor searched for something to do with her hair. But she was not the type of woman to keep that sort of thing beyond the bedroom.
"Pro...Professor Raynor?"
Damn. An array of other colorful words floated through the Professor's mind as she stopped her excursion. What was done was done, she would just have to undergo the consequences of embarrassment about being horribly under-dressed.
"Come in, come in," she called, restoring the items she had just pulled out the desk back to their proper positions. "The door is open for that reason."
|
|
|
Post by Felicity Hjort on Nov 26, 2007 21:17:08 GMT -5
Light brown eyes watched, observed carefully, took in the almost frantic search the Headmistress gave way to. Immediately, she noted the wet hair. There was nothing wrong with that, really, the only standards she'd had in mind was that Raynor would be be hard on her since she wasn't a Ravenclaw and that the meeting would be conducted like a true interview should be done. Business-like to show you meant what was going on.
The Gryffindor figured she startled the woman, as she couldn't think of any other reason for her to be clattering around at her appearance. But Raynor hadn't struck the blonde as being easily startled, not since day one when she was sorted at the beginning of the year. Gulping slightly, she nodded as she was told the door was open for her entrance, not finding it off to a very good start all ready. Wasn't it only proper to knock even when a door was wide open?
“Thank you,” she close to mumbled as she entered the office. It was her first time in it, and she couldn't even enjoy it. Had she felt more at ease about conducting an interview with the woman she might've immediately caught sight of the portraits and taken a great interest in them.
Throwing a glance back at her boyfriend, she walked and stepped lightly with her head held high. “How are you this evening Professor?”
|
|
Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
|
Post by Drew Thornton on Nov 26, 2007 21:23:35 GMT -5
Drew ducked through the door behind Felicity, throwing a sheepish smile at the Deputy Headmistress. He wasn't sure if she was expecting him there as well, but there he was. It wasn't like he had never shown up in her office unannounced, after all.
He closed the door behind him and sniffed the familiar scent of brewing tea in the air. That was Raynor for you. Now if she was serving scones as well, he'd be set.
|
|
|
Post by Tamis Raynor on Nov 26, 2007 22:52:25 GMT -5
Sitting up straighter, Tamis finally realized the point behind the high, stiff backed hair; it was impossible to relax in it, and therefore, you always appeared before your audience looking wide awake and dignified. It would have to go. Or at least be shifted somewhere else other than its current location. Long hours and paperwork simply were not going to get along in it; her posture was well enough without it.
As the girl came more into the room, Raynor offered her a warm smile, hiding the inward frown. She looked impeccably... nervous. It was not a feeling the Headmistress was associated with. Most students she related to there were Felicity's age were ones she had witnessed grow before her eyes, evaporating the veil of anxious protocol in private settings.
“How are you this evening Professor?”
Before the mentioned Professor had the chance to answer, a snort came up from over head and was one the portraits gave a sarcastic laugh.
"The Headmistress? Possibly quite bored. I know I would be. The woman doesn't seem to drink anything other than tea." A dark chuckle. "Except for a couple of days ago, when --"
"OUT, Phineas." Raynor interrupted the portrait suddenly, sending a look over her shoulder that would have smoldered most students on the spot. It apparently worked, for while the man in the portrait did not cringe, he did leave his frame.
"My apologies," she said to the Gryffindor, eyes narrowed as she still considered the empty throne Phineas Nigellus Black had left behind over her shoulder. One or two in the frames surrounding his cracked an eye opened and then closed them hurriedly again when they saw people were looking.
Turning around to face the girl again, Raynor opened her mouth once more, but shut it as he gaze slid past Hjort and onto the young man now standing beside her. She blinked thrice as if to make sure he was really there. Quite unexpected, indeed. Another analysis took in the wrinkled sweater and amended appearance.
Her mind didn't seem to put together that he was here to help conduct the interview. It was still stuck on the reasoning of why Andrew Thornton would be in her office, unannounced, when he now had two whole other human beings to go through for discipline before her.
She pushed the plate of biscuits (conveniently a couple of those being scones) toward the two of them while eying the Ravenclaw wearily, if not with surprise.
"What have you done, now? And how many parents do I have to write letters of apology to?"
|
|
|
Post by Felicity Hjort on Nov 26, 2007 23:19:54 GMT -5
The surprise of a portrait speaking had long left her, the day she climbed the stairs to the Gryffindor Tower. While she knew they moved in the Wizarding world, due to photographs of her mum's, she hadn't known before they could speak. So when the portrait of the man took the conversation into his own hands, the only thing she found astounding was how he spoke out of turn, and what he said. A raised eyebrow found its way arched high on her forehead. What had their newest Headmistress drunk only a few days before?
However, before her inner thoughts were answered, the rather unappealing man was quieted, and quickly. Was Raynor hiding something more? Her secrets of favouritism were spilled in January, what secrets would be spilled tonight? And while her mind was running a mile a minute to think of answers, her body was jumping at the woman's tone. And though she apologized, Felicity's back remained tense and her eyes looked over a few other portraits. Who they were or why they were there were beyond the lioness, but she figured she could just ask Drew later, he would probably know.
The look on the face of the opposing woman was surprising, once she realized her grey eyes were no longer on her own face. Turning her head around to gaze at Drew, she wondered if the woman saw the ink on his jaw. Did her gaze miss nothing? The blonde knew she was an ex-auror, though she didn't know the story behind it, but surely she couldn't have seen the little blotch that was right there.
A jaw dropping pair of questions escaped Raynor, and she narrowed her own eyes at her. Assumptions now too? Just because Drew was there didn't mean he was in trouble. Hadn't she put in note that he'd be along with her? She thought she...no, she really hadn't. Biting on her lip, she wondered if now she'd get in trouble, and Drew as well.
|
|
Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
|
Post by Drew Thornton on Nov 27, 2007 0:36:27 GMT -5
Drew smirked at the former Headmaster, finding his commentary funny... well, because it was true. Drew thought he might be spending more time up in the Headmistress's office. He could probably get a lot of good dirt out of those portraits.
His expression faded quickly when Raynor spoke directly to him. Served him right for showing up with a cat-ate-the-canary face.
"Me? I didn't do anything!" Drew insisted, thinking only after the protest left his mouth that he should have actually answered with a number and let her sweat it out. But the truth was he hadn't done anything in weeks... or at least anything that warrented a trip to the Headmistress. "I'm on the paper. I came for the interview!"
Like he would have bothered to button down and straighten his tie for a run of the mill every day get-in-trouble trip to her office...
|
|
|
Post by Tamis Raynor on Dec 10, 2007 14:50:40 GMT -5
Still slightly suspicious, Raynor finally caved in, determining that if Drew had done something, he would have admitted to it up front. Not that she truly had... such a greeting had become ceremonial to the Ravenclaw's presence -- or second nature if you will. She had been expecting Miss Hjort. It was only after the sixth year mentioned the paper that she remembered he was on its staff.
A smirk crossed the newly appointed Headmistress' mouth and she gave a bob of her head in the direction of the young man -- a fact that she had to constantly remind herself of; young man, not boy. The sixth year class would forever hold that dear spot in her heart, they had been the first year class when she joined the Hogwarts Staff and the ones she had watched grow and flourish. Inadvertently, her mind traveled to the dangers both beyond the walls of the school... and in them. She found herself hoping that they would live to continue thriving.
"Of course, Mr. Thornton," she replied with a shake of her head. "Old habits die hard, I'm afraid."
And indeed they did, the woman would never admit it, but her new appointment made her abnormally nervous for all of her outward stoic display when it was given to her. She had always been an underlying force, the director backstage that you know about but never actually appears on camera. She had to get over the fact that she was no longer the Deputy but something much more.
If Raynor saw the death glare shooting at her from Felicity's narrowed eyelids, she chose not to notice it. Though the slight tightening at the corners of her eyes suggested to the over observant that she had -- and had not fully understood it.
"Now, I do believe there is an objective to this meeting." She paused and then shook her head, good nature returned in full. "I promise to filibustering your completion of it."
"Please, have a seat." She offered, motioning to the chairs before the great oak desk and consequently the tea and biscuits atop of it,
|
|
|
Post by Felicity Hjort on Dec 12, 2007 0:44:16 GMT -5
Yet one more curious thing to take note of. Greeting a student in such a way? Conducting oneself in the way the Headmistress had just done so? And calling it habit? It probably wouldn't make it in her article more than an interesting greeting. Why make an informational article about something that wasn't due course yet? Perhaps at a later date, she'd have to keep a weary eye on the woman, that was all. And if she could, she wouldn't mind getting the chance to get back in the office without the Headmistress being present to talk to that one portrait. An interesting tale she was sure he wouldn't mind relaying entirely.
Tilting her head the slightest bit to the side, she paused where she was. Filibustering? Wasn't that a means of delaying? Or was she thinking incorrectly? But if she wasn't, she was saying she was promising to delay what they were doing, wasn't she? Or was she thinking of something else? Or did she misunderstand? What if she misunderstood the whole thing? What if she crashed and burned during this interview because she didn't understand Raynor?
Panic mode was definitely on again.
"Professor, I'm sorry. I thought I mentioned I'd be bringing along another staff member..." she trailed off, feeling miserable all over again. What a way to start. However, she quickly moved into the room and took up a seat where she was offered, not bothering to touch the food or tea. Though she rather enjoyed a nice warm cup of tea, she was quite satisfied without possibly burning her tongue or having to feel the pressure on her bladder suddenly in the middle of everything.
Instead, she pulled out her notebook and one of her pens, and waited for Drew to take a seat beside her.
|
|
Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
|
Post by Drew Thornton on Dec 12, 2007 1:28:29 GMT -5
Drew rolled his eyes at the "old habits" comment. It may have looked slightly disrespectful to most, but if he was correct in thinking that she was just giving him a hard time, she would understand he was answering with his own tease.
He tried not to snicker audibly, mostly for Felicity's sake, at Raynor's filibustering admission. The new Headmistress tended to be a private person and more often than not found round- about ways to give a response that never quite answered the question you asked. It would be interesting to see if Felicity could crack her.
The Gryffindor took his usual seat and he let her have it, pulling another chair up and doing his best not to slouch too much as he sat down. He had no problem helping himself to the traditional Raynor snacks and he took up the teapot ready to pour.
"You already have a cup, Professor?" Drew asked as he set up the other two for Felicity and himself.
|
|
|
Post by Tamis Raynor on Jan 15, 2008 14:27:52 GMT -5
There were many reactions the Professor was usually greeted with when students entered her office. Sullen reluctance, tense weariness, and the casual demeanor that Drew was displaying were the post common. She had never quite had panicked anxiety before, but then again, no one besides the Daily Prophet had ever dared attempt to get more than a few choice words out of her during an interview. They had preferred to keep their heads on their shoulders rather than pry into her personal affairs.
But this was different was it not? It was a student for an article out of a newspaper that was circulated only in the school. She had a feeling that how this discussion went and what was produced in the paper would make or break her image as Headmistress. That had been the singular reason, beyond who the girl was, that made her agree to something never attempted before. Raynor felt she owed it to this particular Gryffindor after what happened during the attack...
She shook her head to clear her thoughts and smiled as warmly as she could muster at the girl that now would have the Professor's reputation in her hands.
"It is quite all right, Miss Hjort. A good surprise keeps me on my toes, I fear I don't get enough of them now that I have a larger box to occupy myself with." She responded, gesturing around the in fact circular tower office. It was roomier, but she did feel like merely a guest in it. The bright-blue spectacled gaze from one portrait in general did not help her condition any. She did miss the comfort zone of her four walled, cramped little box on the send floor.
"I've had two in fact, thank you, Mr. Thornton," she replied with a touch of a smirk as he rolled his eyes.
She waited while he poured the cups for Felicity and himself, rubbing her thumbs against the rim of her own. The subtle nonchalant habit was the only sign at all of her nervous anticipation of the questions that would inevitably come.
|
|
Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
|
Post by Drew Thornton on Jan 17, 2008 23:42:03 GMT -5
Drew kept his comment about spending the night in the little Headmistress's room to himself (he inwardly laughed that it might be called the Head's head), figuring Felicity probably wouldn't care for the unprofessionalness of the comment and Raynor probably wouldn't appreciate the use of the words little and Headmistress in the same sentence (Drew inwardly laughed at that bit too).
Drew poured two cups and looked over to the Headmistress, just to make sure she didn't want anymore. He figured that was going to be his role during the interview: support for Felicity and tea pourer.
|
|
|
Post by Felicity Hjort on Jan 19, 2008 22:58:06 GMT -5
The fact Drew immediately poured her a cup, without asking her, made Felicity feel a little bit off. It was out of politeness, she knew, but did he really believe she could drink something so warm right at the moment? The water was likely to be scalding, not to mention she needed to be able to talk during this interview. Drew was there for her because she asked him to go with her. Raynor was there because the interview was about her. Felicity was there because she was conducting the interview herself. But the tea? While it wasn't really unexpected, she wasn't entirely in the mood for it either.
And surprises? There were tons of them, everywhere, and not all were a good thing. The Headmistress herself, in Felicity's current mind-set wasn't a good surprise. In fact, she down-right didn't like her right at the moment.
Ignoring what was going on between the woman and Drew, Felicity kept her light brown eyes focused on the notebook in her hands. The list of questions were neatly written in her curly, legible writing, waiting to be answered. So many questions that would likely spin-off into others, so many topics of discussion that could lead into seemingly never-ending conversations. Why did the woman decide on such a late hour in the evening? Night, rather.
"All right," Felicity cleared her throat. "Well, to begin, as always, if something is said that you'd prefer was kept to yourself, feel free to let me know and I'll scratch it out so it couldn't make the article." It was a standard procedure with the blonde. If the interviewee didn't want something in the paper, all they had to do was say so.
""As the New Headmistress, how do you believe you'll fare compared to the previously appointed?" There were many things Felicity could think of, but it was really Raynor's opinion that counted.
|
|