Indifference is the most awful thing

[Evan Troy]

After submitting his two weeks notice Evan had begun to train his employees how to do the job that he had spent over a decade doing for himself. Much of the job itself was communication between other countries, organizing trade laws and forming alliances with new wizarding legislative bodies. It was all behind the desk work so to say, work that would keep a man busy and content with it's high paying salary.

Professors, however, were payed much less. They were to be content with helping educate the younger generation, and that in fact was the bonus for their hardwork. So why would a man take up a job as professor at the floundering school of Hogwarts? Easy. He wanted in, and if he had to work at the school to do so, then so it would be. It was all too simple, applying for the job and landing the position. He was to be the Professor of Transfiguration and also a liaison for the Ministry. Another reason he wanted in, to be able to paint an accurate portrait of how Hogwarts was functioning lately.

The man scanned his office to be sure that there was nothing remaining of his own. All of his personal belongings had been sent to his home yesterday, and today, his last day at the office, he only needed to take home his paperwork. It was five o'clock, meaning all of the office workers would be headed to their own respective homes and prepare themselves for a leisurely weekend. Evan, however, had different plans. Tonight he would be packing for his trip to Hogwarts. The decision to leave Liza and Jonathan had been difficult, but he would be with his eldest son and return to the estate on winter break. His initial plan would be to leave for the castle tomorrow morning, settle into his office and classroom for the rest of the day as well as Sunday and be prepared for lessons on Monday. Hopefully, he would fit in an interview with the Headmistress of Hogwarts. A small smirk fitted the man's features as he thought of this.

A light ' click ' sounded as he opened his black leather briefcase, sliding the last of the papers into it. Evan closed the clasps on his case before lifting it and holding it at his side. He looked around the deserted room, gave a small nod and turned on his heel, heading out the door. His last day at the office, and tomorrow would be interesting to say the least.

[ Open. ]

[Drew Thornton]

Drew was, as usual, running errands. It actually wasn't so bad this time considering it was the transfer of real paperwork down to the Legal Department, but at the same time he was feeling a bit like an owl.

Forms signed and delivered, he was rushing back to his own department, pretty sure that if he didn't get back as quickly as possible, some really cool assignment would come up and it would go to someone else. Okay, the chances of that actually happening were slim, but he was still kind of hoping. In reality, he was pretty sure he'd only be getting back in time for the coffee run, but maybe... just maybe...

He was imagining some grand assignment, the office had been cleared and he was the only one left to track down and capture some notorious criminal. While he knew that it wouldn't really happen, he subconciously still hurried, not really paying attention to where he was going, who he was passing... or who he was running into. As he connected with another person, he stumbled but reached out to make sure his victim didn't fall as well. When he realized who he had run into, not only was he appologetic, but awfully mortified as well.

"Mr. Troy! Oh shees, I'm sorry!" Great. That's all Drew needed, running over an important man like Evan Troy and having the incident get back to the head of the Auror Department.

[Evan Troy]

As the man walked he ran through a small list of people he would bid farewell to. He wouldn't call them chums in the least but of course figured it only civil to tell these people of his next endeavor. The smirk remained in place as he thought of what Haffley would say. ' Mixing with that lot now, Troy? I thought I knew you better. ' Or even old Cowan with his crazed eyes and even crazier ideas. ' That woman's a spitfire Evan, better keep yer ol' eyes on her. ' Which would of course be accompanied by an inappropriate wink or something of that nature as he referred to the Headmistress of Hogwarts. He had heard tell of the woman's antics and would hopefully prove to be helpful in putting a stop to them in some way. She was, after all, a woman.

So clouded were the man's thoughts that he barely noticed another being barreling toward him. Not having time to move or force the other person to do so resulted in him stumbling backward, a scowl appearing on his features as if by magic.

" Thornton, had this little incident occurred yesterday you mightn't have liked the repercussions. But as I'm no longer employed at the Ministry I'll be lenient. However, I would like to offer you a friendly word of advice, " He paused, straightening his robes and looking up into the young man's face, an action he did not appreciate having to do. " Be careful of whom you are stepping on. "

[Drew Thornton]

"Yes, sir," Drew answered sheepishly. His rather large feet had gotten him in trouble more than once: tripping, stumbling, and general lodging into his mouth. He was thoroughly embarassed that his over-excited daydreaming had caused him to run into the distinguished man, but also took the words of rebuke to mean something a little more than literally.

Be careful of whom you are stepping on. For a rookie Auror, doing what he could to make way to the top, those were good words to remember. He wasn't sure if Mr. Troy meant them in the way Drew was hearing them, but he was still going to keep it in mind.

"I'm really sorry, sir," he said again, knowing he was indeed lucky Mr. Troy was in good humor and not reporting the collision. Drew doubted it would be enough to get him kicked out of the Academy (he had already done worse than bowling over senior Ministry officials), but it could very well add another mark to his record that he'd rather not have.

Be careful of whom you are stepping on. It was good advice no matter how it was taken.

[Evan Troy]

Evan once again straightened his black work robes, out of tendency rather than necessity. He cleared his throat as he listened to the young man reply with his apologies. He cocked his head to the side, bidding Thornton to walk with him. The man was reminded of his first collision with the Auror to be. It had occurred several months ago and also resulted in him offering the boy to walk. This time, however, Evan had an idea of what he wanted to discuss with him.

" As I haven't much time for apologies, let's make this quick. Apology accepted. " He paused to walk on through the corridor, giving a small nod to a passing wizard.

Evan turned his head to look back to the young man, speaking as he continued walking. " You're a recent graduate from Hogwarts, yes? " The man was curious about what he was getting himself into - and he wanted to hear it from a former student's perspective this time.

[Drew Thornton]

The man essentially hushed him and Drew let the matter drop... for now. He thought that there was an awfully good chance that another apology might slip out before the conversation was done. Nevertheless, he nodded back.

Mr. Troy motioned for Drew to come along, the young Auror oblidged, interested in what the man wanted with him, but also wondering what the older man might be able to do for him. Drew had no intention of being anyone's patsy or lap dog, but he knew the value of having contacts and while he could very possibly use those of his fathers, Drew was more interested in making a few of his own.

Be careful of whom you are stepping on. Drew wasn't planning on stepping on anyone per say, but he sure wouldn't mind a boost up once in a while.

"Yes sir. Just this past June," he answered the man, wondering if this was the ticket. He could have gone on about his list of qualifications and accomplishments, but decided it best to keep those to himself.

[Evan Troy]

Evan nodded curtly, accepting the answer that was given to him. All reports of the current ongoings of Hogwarts were second-hand. Mostly he had received them from wizards whose students were telling them the situations, which was of course not an incredibly reliable way to obtain information.

" And how was the situation with administration? Teachers, rather. Were they qualified? Long term? "

He paused in his speech, giving time for Thornton to respond. The man made a note to reward the boy for his time should he cooperate properly. He would also see to it that the youthful lad beside him would benefit from the conversation in some way, young aurors in training were always needing a leg up from doing paperwork to actually doing things of substance. Things that would ' make a difference. ' Evan nodded in an encouraging way, knowing that both parties in this situation had potential to gain.

[Drew Thornton]

Drew wasn't all that comfortable spilling any dirt on all the teachers, but fortunately, there wasn't all that much to spill. Sure, there were a few classes that seemed to have a new professor every few months, but the ones that stuck around were pretty decent.

"For the most part, they're very good," Drew answered, deciding not to mention names or too many specifics. "They know their subject matter and have an excellent raport with the students." Should he mention a couple of teachers that were a little too friendly with some of the female students? Drew thought he'd wait it out and play it by ear on that one.

[Evan Troy]

" Hm... " Evan nodded along slightly as he listened, thinking that perhaps Thornton was leaving something out. It didn't much matter, though, either way he was bound to find out the information he wanted.

" Good to hear, Andrew. I prefer to know the details before I get myself into anything. " He paused a second or two before going on. " I've recently taken on the post as Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts... never having attended there myself I'd like to get some information, general things really, before I leave. "

[Drew Thornton]

"Yes, sir," Drew nodded back, though he wasn't sure how many details Mr. Troy had gotten from his fairly vague comments. The younger man raised an eyebrow though as Troy stated he had recently been given a position at the school. It was a curious turn of events to say the least. Most at the Ministry would have seen it as a demotion of sorts, and it was doubly odd that the man in front of him had never even attended the school.

"Then I should probably warn you about the moving staircases and the disappearing hallways," Drew told him. The man had to go to some other Magical school, and drew knew they all had their quirks, but wasn't exactly sure what went on in those other places.