"Hmm hmm hmm hmmm," Isabelle was humming to herself as she entered her office, all ready to place the last few things she hadn't managed before the feast. Flicking her wand, item after item shot out of a box she had previously left on her desk and arranged themselves on the shelves of the display cabinet behind.

"Are you alright Angel, settling in?" she smiled at her cat, which was proudly sitting on the edge of her desk, scratching it behind the ears as she passed. "Better move these supplies out of the way, eh? Don't want them getting lost." Picking up another of the boxes by hand, Issy walked over to the cabinet and opened one of it's cupboards, sliding said box inside.

Having past Jake at the corridor (because, first, he didn't want to be waiting outside with him, and secondly...surely Kingsley won't mind him entering without knocking, right?) the Lockhart boy intruded in the office.

He was almost at the verge of panicking because Kingsley was not at the feast, unless he'd made that appearance when the Alex boy was blocking his view of the table. Also, the words Lafay said...those words...had managed to make him doubt if he was truly here or not. Panic could be closer. Or maybe it was all in his head and he was making up this whole 'new Transfiguration Professor' thing. Maybe.

That's why as soon as he knew he could visit someone's office he came.

Never mind Jake. He actually wished for the boy to remain outside, but knew that wasn't happening since Treyen was now opening the door. "Excuse me, Professor Kingsley, I--," but he'd failed to notice the new decoration up until this point...

...so, he froze. And blinked.

And then his eyes landed on the woman standing there. She was the one who'd been sitting in Kingsley's place. She was. Which meant...blink.

"That'll be alright there, I think," Issy mused, placing the last of her things on the shelf, and standing back to admire it. Yes, her personal ornaments were looking good on display, now just to put her photo frames up.

Dumping a separate box on her desk, she was lost in thought as she took out the three frames, arranging them just so she could see them from her chair. One with her and Alastair, one with her and her parents, and another with her sister, brother-in-law and their kids. Sighing as she looked at them, Issy was just about to sit down and prepare some notes when the door suddenly opened.

In walked the boy from the feast who was asking about Kingsley. Ah. "I'm sorry I didn't hear you knock." IF you did. She highly doubted it, considering the way he was acting. Frozen. "As you can see, Professor Kingsley is no longer here, I'm afraid. But you are still welcome to come in, Mister....Sorry, I didn't catch your name at the feast?" Oh dear me. He wasn't going to cry was he? She might need to break out the hidden comfort chocolate if he was.

Hmm, so he wasn't moving just yet, and there appeared to be another person wanting to see her. A person that actually knocked. "One moment please," she smiled at frozen!boy, as she walked over to the half open door.

Blink. Blink. Blink.

Knock? Oh, yeah, he forgot, you see, worried and such, one can forget the most important thing before entering a Professor's office.

Still, he said...nothing.

Blink.

No...longer...here. He...needed to sit down. Like, NOW! He...actually didn't know if he was breathing either. He was just...yeah, there. Name? Feast? Treyen tilted his head to one side and blinked one last time.

Kingsley gone.

Well, that was it, he'd fail at Transfiguration again for sure. Not to mention that he will even if he didn't want to admit miss those ruffles of him. He needed to write a letter, he actually felt the need to know why he left, but...not right now.

However upset he was, and never mind that the eyes were almost watering, he thought of Arya, she'll miss Kingsley just as much as he did probably not, and then he shook his head, "I--," he swallowed before being able to continue, "I'm sorry to--er, to intrude like this, Professor...," if the name was written somewhere around the office he wouldn't be able to see it, it was all sort of dizzy right now, "I didn't know Professor Kingsley...," he still wouldn't dare to say so, but his eyes finally made their way to her, "Lockhart," he said, whilst a small smile formed on his face, "Treyen Lockhart," he repeated, as if it could make the dizziness fly away.

"I guess...," what was he to say next? "Welcome to Hogwarts," well, he was still in shock, it was only normal the usual excitement was not there, right?

Ahhhh, it was herrrrr.

Well, she'd seemed okay at the feast, and now Jake would find out for sure. He entered the room and shot a LOOK at the back of Treyen's head when he wasn't looking. Ha.

Stteping into the room and shutting the door behind him, Jake flashed this professor a friendly smile. "What was your name, Professor. I didn't hear it at the feast."

"I'll be with you in a moment." Having let Jake in, and gestured to him to take one of the two seats, Issy returned her attention - for the moment - to the boy stood in the middle of her office. He hadn't actually moved in all the time she had. The minute or two anyway. Concern growing, she walked around him and turned to face him. That was an awful lot of blinking for one young man to be doing. Surely that wasn't good for him?

But the stuttering was a good indication, as if she couldn't have worked it out already, that he was shocked to see her there. And maybe even a little upset. "It's alright. This time anyway," she smiled, patting him on the shoulder in an attempt to make him feel...better? "And I'm Professor Magnus," she replied in response to the question from both boys. "Obviously not who you were expecting, though. I'm sorry." Nodding her head at Treyen, she moved towards her desk and leant against it, stroking Angel on the head as the cat watched intently. "But it's nice to meet you, Mister Lockhart. Would you like to take a seat? You look like you need one."

He had a nice smile though, and Isabelle was hoping it would be a bit broader by the time he left. She didn't like to see kids upset. "Thank you." At least he was being polite. After all he just had the shock of finding out one of his professors wasn't there - it could have gone either way. "Is there anything I can for you, now you're here? You too, Jake." She smiled in the other boy's direction. She was hoping the questions he had at the feast were not going to be asked of her. Issy really didn't have the answers.

Jake, being Jake, did not understand the gesture to take a seat. He still stood, waiting to be addressed again.

Ah. Magnus. That wasn't hard to remember at all.

"Well, I am forced to count Transfiguration as my worst subject, Professor. It was my lowest OWL grade. This year I take my NEWTs and I want to bump my grade up to an O... well, I want to keep top scores in everything, though it'll probably be quite difficult. First and foremost, I wondered if there was some kind of book you could suggest to help me study from. I have the set texts... but I need to know more."

Just in case... you know?

"Also, welcome."

Okay, so sitting wasn't for him. Fair enough. It wasn't for everyone. Issy though, she liked it very much. Which is why she moved from her position perched on the edge of the desk, to her actual seat behind it, all the while waiting for a response from either of the two boys.

And Jake was first.

"Ahh, NEWTS. Seventh year then." Yes it was an observation, not really a question. She wasn't silly. "I'm glad that you care enough to want to improve that grade, Jake." Issy liked to see dedication. Hopefully she would be able to help him with it. "Now the majority of books that would be useful to you are already in the set list, but there are two that come to mind, that MIGHT prove helpful. It really all depends on what you find to be the problem. Tell me," Issy leant forward and folded her fingers together. Resting her elbows on her desk and put her chin on top of her fingers. "Is it the concentration side, or the actual wandwork you would like some help with?"

And he was being more - polite? - than earlier in the evening. Maybe because she wasn't Mr Gevrik, that might have had something to do with it. "Why thank you," she smiled at his welcome comment. See? Nice kid really. Right?

"Yes. Seventh year."

... riiiiiight.

"I care about all of my grades. I aim for the best," Jake nodded. Of course he did... the young man was keeping his options open, therefore he had to be the best at everything.

Hmmm... well, Jake's ACTUAL wandwork had improved MASSIVELY in recent years, and he was quite sure that what he'd fallen on in his OWLs was... "The concentration side. Definitely."

He smiled back at the thanks. What people didn't see was that Jake always gave respect in the first place, expecting it back straight away. Like he'd point out some times before, nobody came 'first'.

Yes. Right.

"That is good to hear. Everyone should aim high." Indeed. Students that were eager to learn, were generally easier to teach. In her experience anyway.

Pulling out some parchment, Issy nodded as he told her what he thought he might need improvement on. Grabbing a quill, she quickly scribbled something down and held it out for him to take. "In that case, I suggest you try 'Concentration? It helps.' By, Anjellica Phloxbury. It gives great tips on how to clear your mind to focus completely on the spell. There is a section at the back for tricky NEWT level Transfiguration spells, and the specifics of making them work a hundred percent accurately." Well - maybe 99.9%. No-one was perfect. "You should find it in the library, but if not let me know. I can send for it for you. And the practice room will be open for any student that wishes to use it, I'll be there to help as well, of course." Just in case Jake, or even the quiet Treyen, needed a bit extra practice. And the several hundred other kids, too.

Yes, see? A smile. Not all bad. "Did you manage to get your other questions answered?" So sue her, Issy was curious. She gave them a sweet smile as she pulled a box of sweets out of her desk drawer. Popping one in her mouth, she placed said box on the table just in case either of them wanted one.

Alright? Yeah, he guessed so.

Then why was his head still spinning? Good question.

Er, what? 'Professor Magnus'. Yes, his eyes followed every step she took, which make wonder why was he seeing it all from one point instead of walking around too? Oh, yes, he wasn't moving. Not one single muscle. Except..."No, no, you...don't need to apologize," it wasn't her fault that Kingsley was gone, nor was it her fault that he hadn't done his homework in figuring out who she was before he came not knocking at her door.

The eyes were now on the cat and he was grateful he didn't have his Knarl with him at the moment, otherwise he'd lose someone else. A seat? Oh, yes, that would probably make his head stop from spinning, right? The boy only nodded and walked, rather slowly, to the first seat he saw. His eyes were fixed on his robes for a moment after sitting, and then his eyes wandered around the room. The one that held no trace of Kingsley.

Watery eyes again.

But no tears.

He smiled, though, when she thanked him. Oh, he must have sounded awful to her! "I really mean that, it's just...well...yes," because she was being nice and all.

For the first time in ages, or just years, he was actually grateful that Jake was speaking, even if his voice annoyed him, because that meant that Treyen didn't have to speak one word...for now.

It gave him time to clear his mind and try to leave this Kingsley-thing out of it, at least until he'd left Professor Magnus' office, of course. Eyes on the cat again, "What's her name?" he asked, and then shook his head, "Or his?" he said, with a small smile. He had no idea whether if it was a he or a she.

Taking the parchment from the woman, Jake stared at it for a moment as he read it. Reading handwriting was harder than reading printed text, but it was all good.

"That sounds perfect, Professor. Just what I need," the young man nodded. A book that taught him how to get things 100%? Of course it was what he needed. Jake folded up the parchment and put it into the breast pocket of his shirt. "Thank you."

Ah... the questions. "Yes, somewhat. I still have many questions, however... and I will be visiting Mr. Gevric often this year. May I?" Jake added, pointing to the box of sweets.

He wanted one. He did.

Wait... what was Treyen on about?

AWWWKITTYSWEEEEEEEEEET!

The poor boy really did seem slightly out of it. Glazed over nearly. Was he in need of the Healer? Isabelle could certainly summon her if he was. Or take him up there and finish up in her office another time.

But he eventually spoke again, albeit in a stuttery manner. She didn't need to apologise? "I feel I do, in a way though. You seem so upset." And she really didn't like it. Issy sighed and tilted her head to the side. Professor Kingsley must have been a great man for people to miss him as much as Treyen seemed to.

She eyed him curiously as he moved and took a seat. At least he wasn't going to fall over now, or lose the feeling in his legs from standing too long. A warm smile spread across her face as he stuttered some more. "I didn't think that you didn't mean it." Honestly. She knew he was shocked. Understandable.

Angel was still sat on the desk, her tail flicking from side to side as she watched the boys move about and talk. As Treyen asked her name, the pure white cat jumped down and sauntered over to him, leaping up onto the arm of the chair he was sat in. "Her name is Angel. And I think she might like you," Issy laughed, shaking her head amused, as the feline purred in the Hufflepuff's direction.

Hmm, she might need to print her writing in future, if Jake's staring at the parchment was anything to go by. Mind you, if he didn't remember, or couldn't read it once he got to the library, he could always ask again. Then she would print it. Heh.

"You're welcome, I hope it helps you. But like I said, don't hesitate to ask if you wish to do anything practical," she smiled back. That reminded her actually - must get the supplies for the practice room sorted and separate from the class ones.

"That's good to know. And I'm sure you do - new people, and things, are bound to make you curious. I have yet to meet Mr Gevrik myself, so maybe I shall do the same." He intrigued her. He seemed....nice. But also there was something of the mysterious about him. Oh, the sweets! "Yes of course, help yourself. You too Treyen," Isabelle smiled and nodded at the both of them. She'd put them there for that anyway.

Another knock at the door, made her look up and wrinkle her brow. My she was popular today. Not that that was a bad thing - she was always eager to meet the students. Deciding that three was about the limit she could cope with in one day, she called out and invited them in.

"I'll definitely get on that," Jake nodded. "I always like to get some practice in. I actually have a proposition for Tate on the practical side of Defence. I already asked Lafay about the same with potions, but she soon shot that idea to pieces."

Not that he was bitter. Not at ALL.

Jake smiled politely again and took a purple boiled sweet before looking thoughtful again. "I have also wondered if you know any books on animagi. Not on becoming one… Merlin no. But on recognising one in animal form and when someone might be going through the learning process."

As he spoke, Jake thought of something else. Come to think of it, if pregnant woman is an animagus, can she transform? I always wondered what would happen with the child... Or even if she could have the child whilst in animal form."

Jake trailed of for a moment.

"Oh, sorry. Rambling."

He popped the sweet in his mouth.

"But it isn't your fault, Professor," he said, shaking his head, he was slowly regaining his ability to speak properly. Treyen was NOT going to make her feel bad about this either. It truly wasn't her fault.

Unlike the Divination one, right?

Er, come to think of it, perhaps he'd been wrong about Professor Bishop as well, she kinda deserved a chance too, no? He needed to speak to Ellie as soon as possibly, before she did something stupid. Or something Ravenclaw.

He smiled next. He did mean it.

And then the cat came up to him, and truth be told, it was a pretty cat, all white...er, wouldn't that mean that he'll get hair on his robes? Pffft, who cared? His eyes went over to Magnus as she said the name, oh, it was a she! "Angel, huh?" yeah, he could see that, and he was even more than grateful that Thaddeus was left in the dormitory, otherwise, he'd be eaten. "She seems nice," just like her owner, he said, as he stroked Angel behind her ears.

But then he had to take one of those sweets, because, he was a boy and he liked them.

"Thank you," he said, before nodding again, "I should get going, I suppose," he started to say, a smile was spared for Angel, "I think my question has been answered," and he never even asked one, haha, but his question had been about Kingsley, and that unasked question was answered.

"I will be seeing you in class, Professor Magnus," he said, with a smile, as he got up. His legs had recovered their feeling, so he could walk, yes? He eyed Jake and then Angel before his eyes landed on Magnus. Yeah, he wasn't leaving just yet.

Isobel stepped shyly into the office. She wasn't normally shy, but teachers/professors made her nervous. All adults in general did. Anywho...the first thing Isobel noticed in the office was a cat. IT WAS SO CUTE! Right, professor. "Bonjour Professor," she said cheerfully with a smile. "My name is Isobel Vonhue." Pronounced Eye-so-bell. "And, um, I just wanted to say hi...'cause you're name is, similiar to mine." Yeah, great conversation starter.

Yes, Jake did seem like the sort that would enjoy the practical side of things. But, to be honest, the way Hecate had treated him at the feast Isabelle wasn't really surprised she turned down his ideas. "I'm sure Professor Lafay had her reasons," Issy smiled. Although what they were only the Potions mistress would know.

"Animagi?" Hmm, the most complicated area of Transfiguration. But Jake didn't want to how to become one? Issy stroked her chin for a second as she thought about his question. "Well, more often than not, any prominent physical characteristics a person has in their human form will be evident in their animal form - scars, glasses showing as rings around the eyes. If you know the person it would be easier to tell. Even more so if they are just learning and haven't transformed very much before." She paused and wrinkled her brow. It was late and her brain wasn't functioning to the best of it's ability. The amount of food she had consumed at the feast probably didn't help with the feeling of tiredness. "As for books - none are immediately coming to mind on that particular subject. Most are helpful in becoming one. I can have a look through the ones I own, then let you know next time I see you. Would that be alright?"

Pregnant women? This boy certainly had an...interesting mind. Full of interesting questions. "I personally have never come across such a situation," Isabelle mused, scratching her head with the end of her quill and watching Jake take a sweet. "Although I would say it wouldn't be advisable for a pregnant woman to transform, due to the changes a body goes through to achieve the animal form. Potential for harming the baby." It was at this point Issy was wishing she had left early and brushed up on her Animagus information. Although she hadn't been expecting such a question this early in the term.

Hopefully Jake wouldn't have anything else, even more complicated, to ask. Her brain might not be able to get the answers across.


Isabelle just smiled at Treyen when he spoke. If she said anything, then the conversation would probably go round in circles forever. And that would benefit neither of them. She carefully eyed him as he seemed to be pondering something. Wishing she could read minds, Issy had to make do with just studying his body language.

His smile, though, signalled that he had moved on. And that Angel had got his attention as she wished to do. "By name and by nature as well," Issy smiled. The cat purred as Treyen scratched her ears, rubbing her head against his shoulder.

"Oh, alright. It is getting late I suppose," Isabelle nodded, looking down at her watch. "It was lovely to meet you Treyen, and I look forward to seeing you in class." She was. Now that he as no longer expecting Kingsley, she could relax a little bit. And at least she would know one face when lesson's started. Two if Jake was there. She smiled warmly as he lingered by the door, waiting to see if he left, or had something else he wanted to say.

It seemed that she was mighty popular with Hufflepuffs. They just appeared to gravitate towards her. Not that Issy minded - she was a former one herself after all. But it made for a busy office.

"Well nice to meet you, Miss Vonhue." Isabelle got up from her seat and walked back around her desk to lean on the front of it again. "I take it by similar you mean a different spelling?" she smiled. There were a few ways to spell the name Isabelle, and at least this conversation wasn't going to tax her tired brain. Jake. Hehe.

...........

And ANOTHER knock at her door. Isabelle eyed Jake, Treyen (?) and Isobel. She was sure that three was enough for her to cope with at any one time, so in a loud voice she called out to the person the other side of the door....

"Probably because she's a-" Jake began, but then stopped almost immediately. THAT had been a close one. But Jake had the feeling that calling one of Magnus' colleagues a cow or other such things wouldn't be the best start to the term.

The young man cleared his throat. Yup. That never happened.

He thought about what he'd been told. "What about if you don't know them? Could the way they move or even look at things be indicative of not being all animal?" Jake asked, and kind of glanced over at Treyen as he was eyed.

If that kid wasn't careful he'd get a boiled sweet lodged deep in his ear soon.

"I think if I had to make up my own mind about the pregnant thing, I'd say that seeing as the female is the animagus but the child isn't, the kid wouldn't transfom so it would be best not to," Jake went on, and then ALMOST blushed. "I apologise, I just answered my own question."

Welllllll, sometimes you need someone to be your sounding board.

Eyeing the cat, Jake glanced at Magnus again. "Can I pick Angel up? Or doesn't she like that? That's what you said her name is, right?"

Heh, he stopped himself. Probably a good idea that he did. Isabelle didn't want to ruin a good start by having to take points for rudeness - he'd already suffered that fate once this evening. Instead she smiled knowingly, and gave him a slight warning look. Yes, she'd leave it at that.

"Well yes, certainly. The core difference between Animagi and human to animal transfiguration is the fact the brain remains thinking like a human, so however much they try and act like an animal there will always be those who don't get the particular characteristics quite...animal-like." That made sense right? Isabelle glanced between Jake and Treyen as they eyed each other up. She had a feeling there was a bit of tension there. Considering they hadn't actually spoken to each other since they'd arrived.

And he probably put that so much better than she did. "Exactly. So trying to would harm the baby, as I said." Heh. She smiled as he apologised for answering. "No need," she waved a hand dismissively and grinned. "Working things out for yourself is never a bad thing."

"Of course you can. She likes human company." Very much so. And animal company as well. As long as she with someone or something Angel was happy.

Jake saw the smile, but he missed the warning look completely, so figured that Magnus was totally on his side.

Yup.

He nodded at the brief explanation. Yes, he definitely understood that. He supposed if a dog who was conditioned to respond to the word 'walk' was pretending to be a human and someone said it... well... it would be quite humorous.

Jake smiled once again as he bent down to pick up the cat, stealing her from Treyen (mwahahaha), and held her in his arms where she lay as though sitting on a windowsill surveying a street. "I have a cat. Got him just before my first year. He lays draped around my shoulders and everything," Jake explained as he stroked the cat from her head to the tip of her tail. She was so cute.

"And a different pronunciation," Isobel said. She bit her lip, unsure what she was going to say. She had only come here because the professor had a cool name. "Do you like soccer?" She asked suddenly. Alright, a little random. Actually, a LOT random, but it would do. Mostly because she had already asked it. Oh well.

Eh, the boy was completely oblivious, wasn't he? Hmm. As long as he tried to be polite and respectful in her presence Issy wouldn't have any problems with him. And he seemed to be doing a decent job of that so far.

And Angel was loving that. Issy rolled her eyes, jokingly, at the soppyness of her cat, and crossed her arms as she watched the white creature melt into Jakes hug. "Oh you do? Ha, sounds just as bad as mine. Although when they look at you with those eyes who can resist?" Isabelle walked over to where they were stood and tickled Angel under the chin.

"Ahh yes of course. Different spelling, different way of saying it." Isabelle nodded sagely, and beamed at the girl. She seemed somewhat nervous, and Issy was hoping that the smile might relax her a bit. She isn't a nasty professor, people! "Soccer? Why yes, I quite enjoy watching it. My niece and nephew play sometimes. Do you?" Wouldn't a playing field be a good idea for the grounds? hehe.

Isobel gave the professor a small smile of her own. "Yes I do," she said. "I used play more, but school kind of interfered." Considering the only time she didn't have school was the summer. "I still play in the summer thought. This past summer I was the captain of my team."

Oh, really? Well, if she was an Angel then she wouldn't eat Thaddeus, right? Still, Treyen smiled at the cat, yeah, not at Professor Magnus, but at the cat.

Yes, the white cat was a pretty one. He actually wondered if it'll get along with Perseus, Arya's Kneazle....but now was no moment to be concerned about that. He needed to find Arya, nonetheless.

"Same here, Professor," he said, eying Jake one more time, "Jake" he nodded, the boy better not follow him after this. "See you at class," this was meant for the Professor, obviously, in case Jake made the mistake of thinking that was meant for him.

And then he was out.