Reagan arrived at the Stone Gargoyle with Mr. Chad Stryker and Mr. Jake Rider in tow, having just parted from Syd at the Grand Staircase. As she walked the corridors of the school, Reagan inspected what she saw for signs of water damage, but could not find any. Well, that's a relief at least.

The Headmaster was expecting a Ministry employee to arrive tonight, though he may be a bit surprised that the Minister herself came. While waiting for him to permit them into his office, Reagan turned to her two department heads and reminded them, "We need to keep this meeting very brief before we administer the potion. A few questions is all we have time for, so make them good. Chad, you're comfortable staying the night?"

Pepe heard the steps outside his door and then low voices. He gave it a moment and then went ahead and opened it. "Minister," he grinned broadly at her, not too surprised at her visit and not at all surprised to find two others with her (he couldn't expect her to stay for long on a night like this... or maybe even any other night). "Welcome, all of you. You can step inside if you'd like or take a few moments and meet me whenever you're ready."

Chad had his hands in his pockets as they approached the area near the Headmaster's office. He had to admit that it was a touch nerve-wracking that on his first night as Dept. Head, he was going to guarding a werewolf of all things. What if it went badly? He really did not want to screw this up...

"I will be perfect, Minister," he responded, nodding his head, and only looking away when he noticed the Headmaster appear in the area.

Reagan turned her attention from Chad to the new voice entering the conversation, "Ah, Headmaster Bontecou. Good to see you again." Wow, that man is rather happy, idn't he? I suppose he did just come from a probably delicious feast. But to be so pleased on the night of the full moon? That wouldn't be me.

"We're all more than ready now, Headmaster. Please lead the way."

Jake was at Hogwarts again for the first time since he had graduated and he wasn't allowed to wonder around. Sure, he knew that they were currently on a very important and very TIGHT schedule but he couldn't help feeling a little sour.

SNAP OUT OF IT!

"Yes, Minister," he said, understanding the need of her request. Taking one last look at the agonisingly familiar corridor, Jake followed the Minister, the Head of the Magical Creatures and the Headmaster onto the revolving staircase and into the office.

~~~~~~

Pepe was going to head outside, but by the time he stepped out from the gargoyle, he'd changed his mind and headed upstairs.

Walking with a purpose towards the stone gargoyle outside Headmaster Bontecou's office, Jake moved quietly and quickly, halting just before the fixture. He eyed it for a few moments, thinking... thinking... If he remembered rightly, he needed a password or someone to take him up. But what if the office was full of people.

Jake cursed under his breath and tried to see if there was a way he could squeeze past the gargoyle.

Almost two months into the school term and this was the first time that Marcus, had managed to leave the first floor and actually roam the castle. He strolled along at a casual pace with his hands in his pockets and whistling a tune.

As he moved along the second floor corridor he could see the stone gargoyles that sat outside the Headmaster's office. Marcus, had never actually been in there and he wondered if Pepe wouldn't mind a visit? While he was contemplating this thought a familiar figure skulking outside caught his attention.

Raising an eyebrow as he moved closer, Marcus stepped up behind the young Hufflepuff. "Tell me you're not in trouble again Jake?"

For once, Jake was not caught by surprise when Lawson sneaked up on him... he'd heard the footsteps and just blatantly ignored them. When Lawson spoke, Jake turned to face him. "Sneaking around? People are going to think you're up to something, sir," the boy said curtly, ignoring the question and inspecting the Gargoyle.

"I need to get up there," he explained, though it really wasn't Lawson's business. "You're a member of staff. Escort me up there."

Jake stood staring at Lawson, tapping his foot on the ground.

A deep sigh left his lips as he looked at Jake and noticed the tone. Marcus, really did not want to go through this again. Last year had been enough and Jake had been so much better this year.

Ever so casually he lent up against the gargoyle and folded his arms across his chest. "Why do you need to go up there? Oh and Jake, if you want someone to do something for you then may I suggest you ask nicely." Seriously. Were they going to go through this again?

Folding his own arms across his chest, Jake kept his expression neutral as he eyed Lawson. "That's my business," he remarked, keeping his gaze steady. GUH! Of all the interfering... "And may I suggest you escort me up there, or I won't be responsible for my own actions."

Even as he said this, Jake felt his wand from where it was stowed up his sleeve. He could use it. Oh yes he could.

His eyes widened slightly in surprise by the boy's statement. "What has gotten into you Jake?" Marcus, stood up a little straighter and dropped his arms by his side. "I thought you and I were friends. We've been getting on so well lately."

He took a step towards the young boy and his expression softened. "Come on Jake, please tell me what's the matter."

Scowling as Lawson went all soft on him, Jake dropped his own arms and flicked his left hand so his wand dropped into it, before he raised the wand with lightening speed. "Don't," he said sharply. "Don't you dare."

Yeah, don't even think about coming closer.

Pointing his wand directly at Lawson's throat, Jake carried on glaring. "Don't."

Okay so that stopped him. Marcus, had no idea what had gotten into the boy and how he had managed to become so fast and so confident with a wand all of a sudden.

He returned Jake's glare with a calm expression of his own and decided to test the young kid and took another step towards him, so this Jake's wand was pressing into his Adam's apple. "What are you going to do now Mr Upstead?" Marcus, didn't want to hurt the kid but he was getting ready to draw his wand at any second.

Yeah... calling Jake's bluff... not the best thing to do.

Without saying another word, Jake's eyes darted around in a nanosecond, allowing him to take in the sight of a nearby suit of armour. He made his decison in a split second. Something in the back of his mind told him that he didn't want to do anything quite so bad to this man just yet.

Quickly moving his wand, Jake cast a non-verbal in the general direction of the suit of armour, keeping his gaze on Lawson. The suit of armour exploded with a loud BOOM! and Jake gave Lawson a small smile as he moved his wand back to Lawson's throat.

Since when did a third year know how to cast a non-verbal spell? And perform a spell that Lawson hadn't even taught the older students yet? Something was seriously wrong here. Not that he was undermining the kid at all but Jake had never showed any sort of aptitude in magic at all.

Marcus, didn't flinch as Jake moved his wand back to his throat and he managed to keep his voice calm as he spoke to the boy (although his wand was now in his hand). "Well don't let me stop you Jake. Do what you gotta do." Gripping his wand tightly in his hand, Marcus waited on tenterhooks to make his move.

His hand faltering slightly, Jake blinked and stared at Lawson still, though his expression didn't change. He heard a slight sound from down the corridor and quickly turned his head to see what it was, taking his attention away from Lawson... Perhaps not the smartest idea.

Blinking again, Jake stared down the corridor in slight confusion.

For a moment there, Marcus seriously thought that he might of had some competition from...a third year? Go figure. But of course Jake made a crucial error by turning his back on him. Now it was his turn.

Jake wasn't the only one who could cast a non-verbal and Marcus, quickly used the disarming spell and held out his free hand and caught the young Hufflepuff's wand.

Now what did he do with the boy? "So you wanna tell me what that was all about?"

As he felt his wand fly out of his hand, Jake turned back to look at Lawson, biting down on his lip. Dropping his hand back down to his side, Jake took another step back so that he was pressed up against the gargoyle. He shook his head frantically in response to the question, before looking up and down the corridor.

"I need to leave," he mumbled quietly, his voice about to go all funny and wobbly. He didn't really need to... well... he did... But this was more of a LET ME OUT OF HERE kind of statement. He took one sidestep and started to turn so he could run off, forgetting that Lawson held his wand.

Marcus looked at Jake, totally torn about what to do. Theoretically he should be taking off points and even give the kid detention for threatening him but he just couldn't do it. It was Jake, for Merlin sakes the boy he had grown quite fond of. They had spent a good part of the summer together.

So with that in mind, Marcus took a step away from the lad and inclined his head towards him. "Then I suggest you go now Jake before I change my mind about punishing you." He held up the boy's wand and then though better of it. "I'll send this to you later when you have calmed down some. Go Jake. Go now!!"

Extremely grateful that he was getting out of the situation without any consequences or, even worse, injuries, Jake's bottom lip quivered and his hands shook in slight fear as he nodded. "Yes sir," he whispered, voice trembling. He wanted his wand back but... well, that wasn't going to happen now, was it?

Finally getting further away, Jake span around and began sprinting down the corridor, feeling his eyes sting with tears and his breath hitching. He needed to go hide somewhere and cry. What had he just done?! Lawson seemed mad at him... not good.

Marcus watched as Jake ran off down the corridor and he let out a breath he didn't realise he had been holding. he had no idea what that was about but he intended to find out. And if this had anything to do with the way Kazi or Annie was treating him then there was going to be trouble. He pocketed the kid's wand and sauntered off down the corridor as though none of that had just happened.

Emma walked nervously to the stone gargoyle that hid Headmaster Biochemkris's office. She recalled overhearing someone mention that you needed a pass word to get into the office. Now she'd probably just sit here for all eternity trying to figure it out. she simply stared at the gargoyle, lost in thought of what the password might be.

Emma still stood there pondering what the password could possibly be. but she was having difficulty keeping focused because she was too busy thinking of how important it was that she see the headmaster as soon as possible.
"hmmmmm," she wondered out loud "magic?"
it was stupid, but worth a try.