Nathan Lee
Hogwarts Staff
Groundskeeper
Posts: 105
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Post by Nathan Lee on Mar 24, 2008 18:19:07 GMT -5
1 August 2008 8:28 pm
Today was Nathan Lee's first day at work. He was nervous, to say the least. Not only was it a new place for him, but it was a new place for his son Cooper as well. A big, fairly frightening place as well, at least for the little guy. At age 5, Cooper was a pretty bright young boy, but the move from California to Hogwarts was a big transition. Nathan felt bad for taking Cooper away from his friends and planting him in a place where everyone was much older than he, but he had to have Cooper with him. Nathan couldn't and wouldn't be half-way across the world without his son.
"Alright, listen to me, buddy," Nathan told Cooper as he squatted down to be at eye level with the boy, "We're meeting Daddy's boss right now, so I need you to be a good boy for me, okay?" Cooper just smiled up at Nathan before looking back at the floor. Nathan sighed and stood up, understand that he was still the bad guy for making Cooper leave everything behind. He fixed his son's collar on his shirt before fixing his own and then finally turned to the office door and knocked on it, waiting for an answer.
[closed]
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Post by Tamis Raynor on Mar 25, 2008 19:57:48 GMT -5
If there was one place the Headmistress would rather not be it was here. At Hogwarts. In an office. The day of her return. She wished for nothing more but to disappear into a hole for the rest of the Holiday; a brightly lit and airy one. She had spent enough time in a dark and musty one with less-than-savory company. But alas, with her occupation came certain obligations. And those included greeting the newest member of the staff that she almost forgot she had hired a month ago.
So, she sat in her office – her second floor office. The space was oddly cluster phobic given the size of her residency for the past month, but it was a more familiar and welcoming setting than what the Headmistress’ office would offer her right now. She needed that comfort zone, craved for it, and she believed it was that which would get her through this meeting. Physical and mental exhaustion were only part of the problem. The new groundskeeper was young, with moderate experience in the field he was applying for, and well… an American. That last point especially usually would have caused her to put the application aside, but he had an extraordinary circumstance that Raynor could not have refused.
He had come to England in search of work to support his young son. It racked her with guilt, reflecting on another hapless single-father, and her weak heart could not turn him aside. But, for that same reason, it would make this even harder to get through this meeting.
Four cups of tea, a dozen showers, and a low-grade cheering charm later and she believed she was equipped enough to go through with this, and not a moment too soon. A knock resounded on the office door. With a quick glance at the mirror on the wall, she caught her reflection; haggard, dark under the eyes, and a little thinner than it should have been, but overall fairly presentable.
It would have to do.
“You may enter,” she called.
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Nathan Lee
Hogwarts Staff
Groundskeeper
Posts: 105
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Post by Nathan Lee on Mar 25, 2008 20:17:44 GMT -5
Nathan heard a voice, muffled by the thickness of the door, but it was still clearly audible. The new staff member sighed deeply and took one last look down at Cooper who was fascinated by his shoelaces and finally opened the door to the office, immediately greeted with a room of clutter, but not unlike his apartment back home that he had left to come to Hogwarts. Nathan wasn't much of a cleaner when it came to living quarters, and the clutter seemed oddly like home. Looking to the woman who was now his employer and smiled. "Hello, Professor Raynor," he greeted the woman, not quite sure what exactly it was that he should call her. Shyly, Cooper followed in behind his dad, clinging to the back of his shirt and not letting go as Nathan came into the room.
"I'm Nathan Lee," he told her, although Nathan was sure she already knew who he was, "And this is my son Cooper." He took Cooper's hand and pulled him gently from his hiding place so he could say hello properly. "Hi, Professor," Cooper said shyly, still looking down as he lifted his hand to shake Raynor's. Nathan smiled down at his son, proud of the proper manner he'd adopted when meeting the boss.
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Post by Tamis Raynor on Mar 26, 2008 16:49:25 GMT -5
Tired, gray eyes watched the candle light play across the brass doorknob as it twisted slowly to the right. Then, after a brief hesitation, the door pushed inward at the hand of a tall, young gentleman and Raynor rose slowly to feet with it. In simple robes of emerald green and her hair gathered at the nape of her neck, Raynor failed to convey the ultimate image of Headmistress superiority. But such preparation would have been exhausting, and while the rift between employer and employee was a crucial one, Tamis did not believe in showcasing herself as unapproachable; in other words, she wished to keep her relations with the staff somewhat human.
Coming around her desk, Raynor did a quick evaluation of her newest staff member and had to resist a frown. He did not look old enough to have a son of that age, but then again, Americans tended to be an odd lot. Take Andrew Thornton for example, good Merlin if that boy young man -- he was a seventh year this year, but she doubted she could forget his little first year face -- did not keep her on her toes.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Lee,” she responded, hiding the fatigue from her voice. “I hope your travels went well.”
"And this is my son Cooper."
Her gaze dropped down at the introduction and an involuntary small smile pulled at her lips, even if it did not vanquish the shadows both under and in her eyes, as the little boy was tugged forward by this father. It heartened her to see one so young again, but her heart could not help but sink as she thought of the daughter so far away. Banishing those thoughts, she dropped down on her haunches to bring herself down to his level. Even if it ruefully did not make much of a difference.
She accepted the extended hand and shook it lightly. “Hello to you too, Cooper. Welcome to Hogwarts.”
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Nathan Lee
Hogwarts Staff
Groundskeeper
Posts: 105
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Post by Nathan Lee on Mar 28, 2008 16:58:20 GMT -5
"Thank you for letting me stay here with my Daddy," Cooper mumbled as he softly shook Raynor's hand. Nathan's hand found its way to his son's shoulder and he gave it a light, approving kind of squeeze. His eyes looked up quickly to Raynor and he smiled at her again, slightly nervous. He'd been okay for a little while and actually convinced himself that this wasn't going to be horrible, but now Nathan wasn't so sure. Actually being in the presence of the Headmistress was a little on the terrifying side.
"The trip was great, actually. Thanks," Nathan responded finally to the woman's comment, "And thank you as well, for letting me bring my son."
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Post by Tamis Raynor on Mar 28, 2008 17:30:50 GMT -5
The gentle smile took on a sad quality as the boy shook her hand lightly. Taking a deep, careful breath, she vanished it with her usual polite formality, not dwelling on her own memories and how own problems. She was not entirely sure if she was doing this little family any favors. Hogwarts, by far, was not safe, despite how much Raynor would not want to admit it. It was for a very selfish reason that she had agreed, as she had been similarly when hiring Alfonz Jedynak. By keeping the boy with his father, it made her feel as if she was somehow repairing what she had done to Banks and Leah. It was childish, yet here young and well, younger]/i], stood. She hoped she was not doing them more harm than good.
“Of course,” she responded to both of them with a warm smile she did not feel. His nervousness escaped her, most likely as it was a common emotion that new acquaintances tended to display… and that she was not as “with it” currently as she was telling herself. “As long as he avoids getting into too much trouble, I don’t foresee any problems. Though some general exploration of the castle is healthy, it’s an interesting place. I am sure one of our Head Students or Prefects would be willing to assist.” She was fairly sure none of them would be too thrilled with babysitting, but she would build and cross that bridge in due time.
Reclaiming her feet, she half-mindedly brushed off her robes and then motioned to the seats in front of the small desk. “Please, have a seat. Could I interest either of you in tea and biscuits?” She smiled down at Cooper as she searched for the American word. “I believe you know them better as ‘cookies’, yes?”
Her mind was troubled as there was a lot that she would need to talk about with Lee, but was not sure how appropriate it would be in front of his child. The boy did seem rather bright with a clear understanding of the world around him; she had no doubt her would catch on to issues he did not need to be privy to at his age.
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Nathan Lee
Hogwarts Staff
Groundskeeper
Posts: 105
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Post by Nathan Lee on Mar 28, 2008 18:46:44 GMT -5
"I wouldn't want to trouble any of the students," Nathan said automatically, not wanting to put anybody out on his account, "If he wants to go exploring, I can take him once I've finished with my job." Cooper looked up at his father with eager eyes, hearing "exploring" and immediately getting excited. Later, Nathan mouthed to him.
Obediently, at the mentioning of cookies, Cooper looked up at Nathan before he answered the question. With a smile, Nathan nodded. "You can have a couple," Cooper giggled eagerly and looked up at Raynor, waiting for the offered treats and taking a seat in the empty chair. Nathan stepped around and sat down next to him as Raynor had offered for them to do and pulled the chair a little closer to the desk. "None for me, thanks," he told her before turning his attention to why he was there, "I understand there were some things we needed to discuss."
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Post by Tamis Raynor on Mar 30, 2008 11:37:13 GMT -5
With a considerate tap of her finger against the side of her face, the Headmistress finally nodded her acceptance to Mr. Lee in respect to his son’s explorations. He was a smart young man, she gave him that. But, there was still one point of concern on that topic…
“Very well, however, on your first venture, I would still like a student leader to accompany you. Unlike the good majority of my staff, you did not attend Hogwarts, and it can be a very … unusual experience … for the unsuspecting. You can easily get yourself lost or in a tight situation in your first few weeks if you are unfamiliar with the castle’s shenanigans.” The way she described Hogwarts was as if it was a living entity, and in many ways it was. The school itself was magic with enough never-opening-doors, missing steps, changing stairs, and other personality quirks that could drive one insane if they did not know of its reputation. First years were eventually saved by the older students, but a Staff member… most would laugh and watch him suffer. Raynor would have in her adolescence.
At the permission of the father, the Headmistress moved back behind her desk and handed the boy two of the biscuits sitting there on a platter. As the boy was occupying himself with the sweets, she reclaimed her own seat. Nathan Lee inched closer to the desk and leaned forward to talk to her. Raynor gave him another nod of her head, very quick young man.
“I trust the current events in England have not gone unnoticed by you, Mr. Lee?” She asked him, carefully, keeping her tone neutral and low so as not to attract Cooper’s attention. It was a topic that she did not like breeching, especially right now, but it was necessary. As were many things she was not thrilled about having to go through with. “I do not like being any more of a deceitful person that I have to be, Mr. Lee, and so I want to make sure that you know that coming to work at Hogwarts seems to have become a high risk occupation.”
Indeed it was. Tamis was flying through staff like hotcakes. It was hard to keep any of them on for very long… which was rather frustrating when trying to better the education of young wizards and witches.
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Nathan Lee
Hogwarts Staff
Groundskeeper
Posts: 105
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Post by Nathan Lee on Mar 30, 2008 11:47:33 GMT -5
Shenanigans? The castle's shenanigans? Raynor had made it seem like the castle would be ready to snatch you up at any given moment and that worried him even more. He hadn't enjoyed the idea of Cooper wandering a large castle in the first place, but if there was the issue of it springing to life... "I'll try to learn as many tricks of the castle as I can before I let him roam free," Nathan answered, "A student leader sounds like a good idea."
It was right at that moment that the conversation took a more serious tone and with a sideways glance at Cooper, who was busy munching on one of the cookies, Nathan swallowed hard before continuing. "I've been reading about what's been going on here," Nathan said truthfully, remembering now that he had left his copy of the Daily Prophet sitting open on the train, "And I understand that Hogwarts has had some trouble, but I was under the impression that it was still a fairly safe place to be." If Hogwarts was really so unsafe, Nathan wasn't sure what to do. He couldn't pack up and make Cooper move again, it simply wasn't fair to the boy. On the other hand, if Cooper was in immediate danger, Nathan would have to relocate. It didn't seem as though he could win this battle.
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Post by Tamis Raynor on Apr 3, 2008 10:36:14 GMT -5
A small smirk crossed the Headmistress' lips when he agreed to a tour guide for the school, as it were. It was the first hint of something not forced since the semi-interview session started. The young man's expression at the contemplation that the castle might be more than it seems had been priceless, but also had told her there was all the more need for a guide. He had no idea of the castle's reputation at all. She was most certainly not going to leave it to Charlie Jones, then. That would be like letting the wolf babysit the sheep.
When he began to understand the serious issue of the conversation, the smirk faded completely into the tired expression. The Headmistress continued to be stretched thin, and if it weren't for her passion for the students and a few other choice and needed complications in her life... she might not have been able to stand it anymore.
How did she explain this to him? She couldn't tell him her suspicions about the invasion of the Deva last year. She could barely admit that one to herself. Hogwarts was the home to the young and influential minds of the United Kingdom's wizarding world. It had been a target by You-Know-Who years ago for that reason and would continue to be now. To create a belief you had to instill in in the population.
"Hogwarts is as safe as it can be, Mr. Lee," she agreed finally. "I do not know how conditions stand in America, but... England has been having its troubles, troubles that do not leave the school." Another hesitation. "As long as I am Headmistress, I can promise you that every measure is being taken to secure the school, but the risk is still there."
Another hesitation and a deep sigh. The uncertainty was plastered all over the young man's face. Just as it had been with many other new hires when she reached this point in the conversation with them. If she could get just one to stick... "I can, of course, point you in the direction of other employers with similar fields if that is your decision with a rather inspiring letter of recommendation to go with it."
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Nathan Lee
Hogwarts Staff
Groundskeeper
Posts: 105
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Post by Nathan Lee on Apr 3, 2008 17:25:12 GMT -5
Raynor's voice was confident as she told him that it would be as safe as she could make it, as long as she was in control. Nathan believed that they would be okay here, at least for the time being. Hogwarts seemed like a safe enough place. Nathan hoped Raynor would have advised him to leave Cooper in a safer place if the castle was that dangerous.
"I really don't want to find another job," Nathan said slowly as Raynor suggest other employers, "Hogwarts is where I want to be." His eyes looked over at Cooper who was busy munching on his cookies still, but looked up when he noticed Nathan looking at him. "I like the castle, Daddy," Cooper told his dad with a grin. Nathan chuckled softly as his son, rolling his eyes before looking back at his boss. "That sounds like a confident vote for staying," Nathan laughed, "I would really like to keep this job, Professor."
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