ah... Memories...

[Daethem Zendoryn]

One of Professor Zendoryn's eyebrows raised once more; he almost pitied the boy his desire to believe that, or, perhaps, it was his pity for his own inability to believe that. His life had taught him many things, one of the most prominent of which was that all things had their time and, for him at least, the time for such pranks had long since passed.

"I wish I could still place faith in such an ideal, Mr. Thornton." he said, his smile completely dissolved. "Such thoughts have left my mind in my old age; I do not know how or why...they just did. War and uncertainty have stripped me of such desires. I pray it shall be...different for you, although, I fear there are trying times ahead just as there have been in the past."

[Drew Thornton]

Drew's smile faded as well, and he did pity the man who could no longer embrace the joy of just relaxing and being silly. Professor Zendoryn had let the difficult times get to him, had allowed time to age him, instead of realizing how important it was to live and laugh and love. After all, wasn't that how you fought off Dementors and Bogarts?

"Forgive me, sir, but wasn't it during the terror of Voldemort that this very place we're standing in was founded?" he asked. "It's in times of great despair that we need laughter most of all." The store itself was a testement to the importance of having fun. Mr. Weasley had lost his brother in the Great Battle at Hogwarts, and still this temple of tricks and silliness thrived. Yup, the proprieter of Weasley's was a bigger genius than most could imagine.

But Drew had a feeling the man standing before him would only blow him off as young and naive. Perhaps he was, but there was a good chance Misters Fred and George Weasley were blown off for being young and naive as well.

"I'm sorry. That was probably out of line," Drew appologized, sincerly hoping he hadn't offended the man with his forwardness. It wouldn't be the first time he had spoken out of turn and Drew doubted it would be the last. Still, it didn't excuse him, even if he did feel passionately that good would triumph over evil, the light would beat out the dark, and love could conquer all. As a 19 year old kid, he still shouldn't force his views on an older man.

[Daethem Zendoryn]

"I am capable of laughter, young man, as I believe I have proven during the course of our conversation." said Professor Zendoryn, straitening up and fixing him with a withering glare. His voice was calm but there was a definite level of warning in it. "My life has forged a unique individual with, perhaps, a cynical outlook. I have lived my life and done my killing. Your career will demand that and probably more from you. One day you will be able to properly judge me against your life experience; until then, I suggest you avoid telling men over three times your age what times of great despair demand, yes?"

[Drew Thornton]

The glare didn't phase Drew. He had apologized for his forwardness, but wasn't about to be intimidated by an old man, no matter who he was, just because he had a different opinion. Zendoryn had, as Drew thought he would, written him off as a kid and the young man knew there was little he could do to change the Professor's mind. Can't teach an old dog new tricks... or try to get him to enjoy some old ones, as the case may be, unless he wanted to.

"Yes, sir," he answered clearly, not about to debate the man or argue the lecture. Drew was fully aware of what he was facing in becoming an Auror, but he also knew he had already faced more than most people his age. Drew had more experience than most young Aurors, but he wasn't about to show any more disrespect by pointing this out to the man. "And again I apologize for my forwardness. I had no intention of sounding judgemental. That was not my intention and I'm sorry I offended you."

[Daethem Zendoryn]

"You offended nothing." said Professor Zendoryn flatly, fully aware of the fact that the young man was trying to evade an argument; an endeavor the Professor was perfectly happy to allow and encourage. Conflicts with junior Ministry members weren't on his top ten list of favorite things. "I have enjoyed our conversation tremendously, however, I'm afraid it is time for me to return to the office; happy shopping."

He gave the young man a curt nod and turned, crossing the shop in a moment and leaving only the tinkling of the door chime in his wake. He moved down the street, no longer taking in the window displays or, indeed, the stores that contained them. He now had in mind exactly where he needed to go, and what he needed to do...

[Drew Thornton]

Drew chose not to argue, positive that he had no right without knowing the details of the man's life. All the same, he felt that suffering a kidnapping and torture at the hands of Robert Shaw should possibly count for something more than 'a happier life thus far.'

"Yes, sir. Again, have a good morning," Drew told the man, knowing the conversation was over even before Professor Zendoryn turned to leave. It crossed the Ravenclaw's mind that he may have just driven a nail into the coffin of his own carreer, but at the same time, he was pretty sure his Head of Department might just understand his side of things.

With the store to himself once more, he turned back to the displays, looking over the bins and shelves for a Headless Hat to send back home to his Grandad.

[Daethem Zendoryn]

Professor Zendoryn moved through the Auror stalls on the second level of the Ministry with purpose in his step. As he went, he returned respectful gestures from subordinates with a nod of acknowledgment, or returned the greetings of old friends he passed with a few words of gratitude, but stopped for nothing. When at last he reached his destination, he paused for a moment to converse with the secretary who sat behind the desk situated to the left of a door marked:

Harry J. Potter
Auror Office Head

After a moment's muttered conversation, the secretary nodded and stood, moving around her desk and through the door, closing it behind her. The Professor was left standing there, simply watching the door expectantly. The door opened a few moments later and the secretary emerged, this time holding the door open and indicating that the Professor should enter while saying: "Mr. Potter will see you now, sir."

He spoke a few words of gratitude as he moved past her into the office, and peered around at it's contents. Beyond the door was a fine office with a number of furnishings, though the only thing in the room that truly interested the Professor was the black haired, green eyed man sitting behind the desk that faced the door. It was a moment before the man looked up to lock eyes with the Professor who, after ensuring that the door of the office was indeed closed, said: "We need to talk about one of your new Academy recruits..."

...To Be Continued