A technology centre?

Cosgrach was there in his dark blue wizard robes, with his enthusiasm. He hurriedly signed the agreement to promise he wasn't going to damage them or anything--anything Josephina wanted and entered inside with great suspence. Were there going to be playstation? He hoped there would be--that had been FUN playing with a friend--

No, no playstation. Just a buncha OOOOOLD computers, phones and those funny music-stuff.

Should he call it disappointment, or should he at least listen to some music?

Gwen had read that the reason her devices didn't work wasn't because she had no service and the school had no wifi. No, it was because they didn't work in the school. Simple as that. However, the technology center had things that worked, didn't it? Phone in hand Gwen made the trek across the castle all the way to the technology center where she was going to test out her theory.

She stepped inside and instantly turned on her phone. It was one of the few luxuries the girl had. Her mother didn't know about it, but all of the kids had one, given to them by their father in order to contact him. Gwen thought her mother was being ridiculous. Eleven years old was quite old enough to have your very own iPhone. She should not have to ask permission every time she wanted to use the house phone to make the long-distance call to NYC to talk to her father. That was a little ridiculous. So far, even October had been good at keeping the secret.

The phone was on and....bars!! Yes!! Gwen scanned her fingerprint into the phone and it unlocked. A few more touches and it was dialing her father. Gwen waited patiently while the phone rang, trying to calculate what time it was for Ryan Jensen. It was just after noon on a Saturday which meant that it was 7 PM in NYC, right? If Gwen's math was right, which it rarely ever was.

"You've reached Ryan Jensen. I'm not available at the moment but if you'll leave your name and a brief message I'll get back to you as soon as I can." The phone beeped and Gwen sighed. He must be with a client. There was no way he would ever just ignore her call.

Hey daddy, it's Gwen. I miss you and I just wanted to talk. I don't really get service up here, so I'll try to call you again sometime. Love you." She would try again a different day and in the meantime, write a letter to him and hope the owls were fast. Because she really missed her dad.

Even though she wasn't planning to take Muggle Studies anytime soon, Sophie had still filled out her technology center waiver with every hope of taking part in some self-education to become as well-rounded as possible. The professor hadn't seemed to mind that she signed a waiver despite not being one of her students, so why not take advantage of a room that sounded like a whole lot of fun? She actually had no idea what was inside, but she could guess there was a whole lot of stuff she didn't have any experience with. Maybe besides a Muggle television.

But, upon entering, Sophie didn't even see those. That was probably a smart move on Hadley's part - shouldn't encourage kids to camp out in the technology center and watch films instead of paying attention to one's studies, right? There were weird box-like machines that looked really similar to televisions, though, but they were attached to a big rectangular power systems of some sort, or so she thought, and figured... she would stay away from those for now. She would probably break something on accident and she had signed and agreement that said she would not destroy property, whether she meant to or not. The only thing Sophie really recognized was the stereo system. That was a pretty commonplace item, she thought, but exciting nonetheless. Would Hadley have a good stock of music for her to play?

...Or them to play. The Ravenclaw was suddenly aware that the room wasn't vacant. No. The best professor in the history of FOREVER was there! "Professor Cullodennnn," Sophie chimed, strolling over to offer the man a high-five. Just... because. It felt RIGHT to greet him that way. "Your first class was my favorite class I've ever been to in this whole school. 'Course, I'm only a second year, but that means in one lesson you surpassed a whole year's worth of lessons. Did you know you're a hit with us kids? Everyone's talking about you. Highly, of course. Don't tell the other professors, though - we don't wanna hurt their feelings," she rambled on excitedly, giving the man an overplayed wink.

"Oh, uh, I don't know if I ever got to properly introduce myself - I'm Sophie Brown. Ravenclaw." The brunette extended a firm hand to the man to shake, beaming with pride all the while. MANNERS GALORE.

Maybe 'Fina didn't know about--but she WAS the muggle studies professor. Surely she knew about PlayStation? X-box? Atari? Something? Cosgrach was desperate enough to look under the computers to find a console game, and he'd just grabbed a computer when he heard his name being chimed.

He turned, surprised, with the computer screen in his hand. Upon seeing HER, he grinned, put the screen back safely and HIGH-FIVED her as best as he could, which was COOL, because back in Middle Asia his team greeted each other like that.

He didn't know--but oh, she was speaking already, so he listened to her with great care.

His class was her favourite? He was a hit? Everyone talked highly of him? Cosgrach preened himself as another VAST grin appeared on his face.

He.

Was.

A.

Hit.

He didn't even KNOW why he CARED so much, but it felt incredibly good to know he was liked enough to be a smart girl like her's favourite teacher. His CLASS was so, at least, and honestly, that was the best compliment he had ever got for some time now. Sure, it would be silly of him to bring his chest forward arrogantly, but... that FELT good!

Sophie Brown, second year, Ravenclaw: best cadidate for 'favourite student'.

He held her hand and put his other on her shoulder. "It's--" he started to speak, but before he could finish, all his body shook as if he was electrocuted. After about three seconds, he let go of her and shrugged.

"Huh. Must be the forces' clash when two great people come together." Shrug.

Beyond elated that Culloden returned the high-five AND he seemed genuinely happy with everything she said, Sophie was ready to demonstrate the professional, firm handshake her father had taught her - but when the man suddenly shook violently like he was having some sort of seizure, her eyes BUGGED and her mouth dropped open. But... then he was okay? And just shrugged?

Oh.

Oh.

Upon his explaining, Sophie just looked at him for a second, her head tilted in disbelief - then she burst into laughter. This guy. THIS guy. There was something about him that reminded her a lot of her own dad, but she thought Culloden's corny joking around was genuinely funny. Probably because he wasn't her dad. Still giggling at him, she tried to reply seriously, "Must be. I sense it, too." She paused, considering the computer he had just been holding, and narrowing her eyebrows at it for a moment in a flash of confusion. What even was it?

Didn't matter. Before Sophie could stop herself, she started talking a bit too fast again, "Okay, before I forget, and 'cause there's no time like the present, lemme ask you something - this is gonna come across totally weird, but bear with me - I was going to stop by your office soon to talk to you about it and... okay, here's the thing - I've been thinking..." Her eyebrows furrowed as she chose her words carefully. "Y'know how super successful people usually have some sort of great mentor in their lives? To guide them and knock 'em down when they stray from the path and be a source of wisdom and push 'em to their full potential?" She didn't bother to wait for a reply, "Well, the Ollivander's Wandmaker, Ira Banner, told me I'm gonna be a great witch some day - my wand is identical to Hermione Granger's wand, he liked that a lot -" she even took it out to show him, just in case he wanted to see and because she was far too proud of that fact, "and I'm gonna be a Wandmaker some day which isn't an easy profession at all, y'know, but I can do it and if I've got all sorts of good things coming for me, I'm gonna need someone to hold me accountable."

He saw what she was getting at, right? "And you - you're not like the other professors." She put her wand away and crossed her arms as she spoke, a bit smug that Culloden seemed to appreciate her kind words so much and he seemed to really know how genuine he was being. That made her feel good, too. "I was watching the way you interacted with everyone in class - you're the kind of person I want to be like when I grow up. Except, y'know, maybe more girly and less torturous to kids," her tone had turned teasing, and her grin showed it. Really, though. Having them brew a potion whose effects could tickle that badly was just mean.

"So. Y'mind if I look to you as a life mentor of sorts? Don't worry, you won't have to do a lot - I'm pretty responsible already as it is, I think. I mean, I've balanced school work, Quidditch, Gobstones Club, and fun well enough already as a twelve-year old - but I'd take comfort in knowing you're there if I have a question about life and the world and anything I don't understand. And I wouldn't expect you to know everything either, but I trust your judgment." Shrug. "You know how to balance fun and safety and you've made all sorts of good calls so far." Like the chairs and walls of the potions classroom and his lesson plan as a whole. "So no pressure. No real time commitment. I just might pop by your office here and there. It'd be simple." She was trying not to beg nor sound too pathetic, but she was pretty sure her obvious admiration for the guy was already probably totally weird and overwhelming. But... "Whaddya say?"

The moment Sander heard about the existence of a technology room in the castle, he knew that he had to check it out. He wondered whether technology meant he could actually get something of muggle technology to actually work in this place. On his first day in Hogwarts, he had discovered that not only was he not able to make a call out on his phone, he couldn't even listen to his music....and hadn't been a happy camper that night.

He examined the various devices available and at one point busted up laughing when he saw the largest cell phone he had ever seen. He pulled out his iPhone and placed it next to the 'brick' and couldn't help laughing again. He put the antiquated phone down before flipping on the stereo.

"So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year, but

I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too) "

Music blasted throughout the room. Sander immediately fumbled with the knobs trying to lower the volume down but in the process just ended up changing the channels.

.....and another song began to play....

"So we sailed up to the sun
Till we found the sea of green
And we lived beneath the waves
In our yellow submarine

We all live in a yellow submarine
Yellow submarine, yellow submarine
We all live in a yellow submarine
Yellow submarine, yellow submarine"

Sander pressed his finger to his lips,"Shhhhh...Shhhh....shhhh" he tried telling the stereo to be quiet even as he fumbled with another knob.

....and then there was silence. Sander quickly looked around hoping that he hadn't scared everyone else in the process. He could see the Potions Master talking with a young Ravenclaw girl. He hoped that they were deeply into their conversation that they didn't notice the ruckus he had just made.

Still with his finger to his lips, he quickly tiptoed away from the stereo and moved back to the phone section. It would definitely be a lot quieter there.

Oh, phew, she didn't run away from him. Cosgrach griiiinned as she laughed. It was a really delicate joke, people either thought he was crazy or understood and laughed like she did. He was glad she was in the latter group. That meant she could safely be his favourite student.

He followed her gaze and figured she didn't know what a computer was. Eh, it wasn't a PlayStation, but he could teach her? Would Fina be angry at him? Did that even work--

She was talking. He turned his gaze to her eyes and focused--

Err, she still breathed enough to keep her from fainting, right? Because the speed she talked at--sure he could get everything and HOPED he understood her completely, but...

...

His frows were slightly closer to each other as his face showed he gave her his full attention. He nodded once when she mentioned mentors, eyed the wand before she put it away, sensed where it was heading to, but let her finish it completely. There was only a hint of suspicion that she was flattering him with 'You're not like other professors,', but he pushed the idea aside as 'paranoid thoughts'. She was being genuine. He could tell that much.

...but she SURE knew how to talk to him! Even if it wasn't flattery, it was a rehearsed speech. Just after a class, she was smart enough to see what he liked and talked accordingly. That was his impression, at least, but it didn't bother him at all--on the contrary, it just showed how clever she was, and he liked that even more.

He chuckled when she teased her and wiggled his finger playfully, but she still had a few things to add, so he didn't interrupt her.

He remembered his potions professor and how skillful the man had been in directing him. He hadn't acted as his mentor, so to speak, but Cosgrach was still deeply indebted. He didn't even need to think it.

"If I can help you in any way to reach your dreams, Sophie, I'd be greatly honoured." He was serious and meant every word. It was an honour to be a mentor of a kid, and to be a girl's like HER--he let himself TRULY smile then, because this meant much more than the 'professor' title or any other accomplishments in his life.

"Thank you." For, y'know, making his heart swell with pride and emotion, although he tried his best to hide it.

Culloden seemed to be digging everything she was saying, but... she wasn't sure of it until he responded, and she let out a big sigh of relief. But then she tilted her head at him again, her expression a mixture of confusion and amusement. "Wait, why are you thanking me?" She shook her head. "No, sir, thank you. You're officially the coolest of the cool. Thanks for humoring me."

She almost extended a hand for him to shake again as if they were sealing a deal, but she thought better of it. Best not to give him another opportunity to get her again with that 'great people' joke, right? Still, she smiled at him with the utmost glee, excited that she had a professor she could count on - even more glad that it was THIS one. Sure, she could've had the same talk with Elwood or maybe Botros and they would've said yes to her, she was certain of it, but Culloden? The ultimate role model. He was modest and fun and had a sense of humor and still obviously knew a whole lot.

"So..." Sophie shuffled her feet a little, digging her hands into her pockets, "don't go and get fired or anything, okay? I need to have you around." A grin spread across her face and her tone was back to being teasing once more - she couldn't imagine him getting fired, even if Truebridge was a nutter sometimes. And she fully didn't expect him to stick around at this school just because of her. Professors came and went, but this was her subtle plea for him to stick around for a long while without all the emotions and awkwardness. After a moment, she added thoughtfully, "We need you around, actually. All us kids. I hope you come to like teaching here." If he didn't already.

Coolest of cool? Cosgrach grinned as broadly as his mouth would allow him to. The best thing was, she wasn't JUST saying it! He really must have impressed her enough, and he was utterly happy about it.

Not that... she needed to know that. He tried to look only normally happy.

"No one would decline such an intelligent girl like you." He winked, but he meant it too. Maybe he was getting TOO excited for it, maybe it meant little to her after all, but his heart beats still weren't as slow as they ought to be. It had barely been a month, and a student was asking him to be her mentor.

He... could teach, after all. Or be a decent person, at least, quite the opposite of his teenager self. Good.

He chuckled softly. "Between you and me, Annie--Headmistress, I mean," he grinned mischievously, "happens to be a good friend." So she could at least not worry about his getting fired?

He KNEW he was GOOD at potions--he didn't spend all those years in jungles in vain, but teaching was a whole different area. Apparently, he was alright at that too. Although, it had been only a lesson.

Hopefully, they would tell the same by the end of the year.

"And I'll stay here as long as the students need me." He didn't believe in future promises, but he was going to try to do that. He nodded in a serious manner, then indicated the computers.

"Do you know these muggle gadgets?"

Oh, that Hufflepuff boy was here too. Cosgrach smiled at the boy cordially, but he didn't show any signs of wanting to talk to him. His main convern was Sophie here, a.k.a his protégé.

Merlin. It required him some time to even get used to the idea.

After that fiasco with the stereo, Sander tried to keep his hands away from anything that would alert anyone to his presence in the room. But he realized it was too late, when he saw his Potions Master glancing over at him.

So busted Sander!! He briefly scratched his head and stuffed both his hands into his jacket pockets. Then he casually looked at the items in front of him, pretended to whistle while making his way closer to the Professor.

Then he pretended that this was the first time he noticed him there. "Oh hello Professor, fancy seeing you here. Are you just browsing around or are you here to phone home?" Sander asked.

...yep just like E.T....Phone Home...

At that thought, Sander began to laugh but he managed to catch himself in time and turned that into a cough. He didn't want the Prof thinking he was laughing at him.

"Cough...cough...sorry about that. Must be something in the air." he apologized to the Professor covering up his mistake.

He... thought she was intelligent? Well, he wasn't wrong, but Sophie didn't know how he could tell already. She hadn't messed up the potion during class or anything, but that just meant she was good at following instructions, yeah? "How d'you even know if I'm intelligent or not? I haven't even turned in my potions homework yet," she grinned up at him. "For all you know, I could just be an ambitious dreamer with nothing to back it up." Heh. Just pulling his leg.

Ooooooooooh. He had an in with the Headmistress! "That's cool. You're a brave guy," she noted, drawing her attention down toward the Muggle items nearby. Still had no idea what it all was. "She can be kind of scary - but maybe that's just to us kids. Must be that way 'cause my Aunt Erin is super nice and they get along super well - they were best friends back in school. They were Hufflepuff yearmates, both Chasers. D'you know Erin James? From the Appleby Arrows? Quidditch Official here a couple years ago? That's her. So I have an indirect in with the Headmistress, I guess, if I ever got in trouble or got framed for something I didn't do or something..." She had just realized that as she said it. The Headmistress would probably love her.

Cool. That made the temptation to go on the more risky adventures with Bart a bit more appealing.

"I probably shouldn't judge her before I have a proper conversation with her, though. Maybe she's really nice and sweet and she just puts up a, uhhhm, facade or something to scare us into behaving." Sophie looked to Culloden, scrutinizing his reaction to that to see if she was super nice or if he'd scoff at that.

Ah, he was looking back at the Muggle gadgets now, too. "Nope. No idea. Supposing you do, since you seemed to have been hugging that thing," she pointed to the computer screen, "before I came over? Teach me, Oh Great One," she suggested dryly, her voice laced with sarcasm and amusement at the nickname. THAT was the first time she hadn't been genuine with her praise toward him, and she made sure he knew it. She looked totally smug with her comment. Couldn't let his head get too big, now, could we?

...Who was that? Sophie eyed the Hufflepuff guy. He seemed suspicious. The second year observed the exchange between the professor and the boy with interest, wondering if the kid was about to get in trouble. For what? She wasn't sure. But he was trying to play it far too cool for nothing to be wrong, she thought.

Ian came into the technology center, gripping the older model cellphone his mother had provided him with for this year. He'd tried to tell her they wouldn't work in the school except for the one room and so she wouldn't be able to call him. She brushed those objections aside and told him she didn't like letters from owls. She said the neighbors thought it was strange having an owl that perched outside the window of a Northern Scottish fishing village. There were no barns close by and so they were curious how a barn owl had made it's way to their home. Ian kept his owl, Caligula here at school with him now.

As he walked through the door, he noticed the potions master and stopped for a second. Hopefully the man wouldn't notice Ian as he made his phone call.

Ian walked over to the window and his phone very soon began to buzz as missed call after missed call and voicemails began to fill the phone's memory. When it was finally done, he had 47 missed calls and 28 voicemails. He decided to listen to the last one only. What is wrong with you m'boy! I gave you a phone so I could reach you and now you're too good to answer it? I don't know what I did to deserve such poor treatment for a child I graciously allowed the 'privelege' of going off to a fancy boarding school no one has ever heard of in me own country. NOW I CAN'T EVEN GET MY FANCY PANTS LITTLE BOY TO ANSWER HIS PHONE FOR HIS OWN DEAR MUM! I'VE NEVER FELT SO DISRESPECTED IN MY LIFE! I'VE A NOTION TO DRIVE DOWN TO THAT FANCY CASTLE YOU GO TO AND DRAG YOU OUT BY THE EAR! Ian listened to the last part with the phone held away from his ear and hoped no one else had heard it.

He scrolled through the contacts list and found his mum's number and hit the dial button. After half a ring, it was picked up and he heard his mum. Oh, now you're good enough to call me? Now I should drop everything to be at your beck and call. Boy, have you got some explaining to do! Ian did his best to explain that this was the first chance he'd had to come down and use the phone. They didn't get service anywhere else but this room and he really had tried to explain to her. She was having none of it and at the end of the conversation, Ian was sure she'd try to drive here and take him away in their beat-up old late 70's model orange VW beetle car.

Cosgrach raised one speculative eyebrow at her. That she was only a silly-head with false dreams? Cosgrach laughed heartily, and shrugged.

"Then I could be a terrible mentor too." Teehee. He wasn't going to be, though, because she was... he sure didn't know that for sure yet, but he could feel she was special in a way.

Brave? That deserved another laugh, and he let her explain it again. Erin James... Erin James... He frowned in concentration.

"...I think I do. I mean, I recognise the name." No faces attachted, but he knew the name.

Erin James... he had to ask Annie to describe the woman. If they were besties, that meant the woman was only two years older than him.

"I'm not that brave. I just know how to speak to her." He winked. She sure knew that too, judging by how she'd just spoken to him. "I'm just kidding. She is generally nice, but knows she should also be stern to be a good Headmistress." And she was. He was thoroughly impressed with how she ruled the school. So Sophie still HAD TO behave. He doubted Erin James could save her much.

Hugging? He chuckled, and opened his mouth to explain, but she teased him again and he figured she deserved some sort of a scare from The Great One.

"Okay, Tiny One," he said, but he couldn't get far in explaining. Sander made his way to them.

...and ignored Sophie. That... didn't please Cosgrach. At all. His manner changed in an instant. He was colder, and simply said "No," to his question.

"You've made a great mistake, son," he looked into his eyes in his most serious manner, "and it's not because you tried to make a joke." He paused. "It's because you ignored this sweet lady here." He indicated to Sophie. These things were stuff he couldn't forgive easily, and it had nothing to do with Sophie's protégé status.

Well? Was he going to acknowledge her?

Sander blushed with embarrassment. He had just been chastised by the Professor for not acknowledging the girl next to him. He had seen the girl, and he was going to say hello to her....but why hadn't he. Acknowledging her had simply slipped his mind and that had never happened before. Sander frowned. What was wrong with his memory lately??

To rectify the insult, Sander immediately bowed to the younger girl standing next to the Professor,"My apologies for not saying hello to you too. Believe me it was never my intention to be rude to you at all. I hope you accept my apology. My name is Sander," he told the girl sticking out his hand to shake the girl's.

Now what had he asked the Professor? He struggled to remember. It definitely had something to do with the phones.

Awwww. He wouldn't be a terrible mentor! What was he even talking about with that. So silly. Sophie just grinned knowingly at him and shook her head. Point made, then.

"You'd probably know her if you saw her." She wished she could remember her aunt's maiden name, but... she had no idea. He might know her that way, if they had been at school together or something. Sophie giggled genuinely at Culloden's explanation and assessment of Truebridge. "Yeah. I can see that. Okay. Fair enough." She wasn't entirely convinced that the Headmistress was "generally nice," but she wouldn't argue with the professor. She would just heed caution.

...Tiny One? She burst into laughter at that, appreciating that he had a sense of humor and would joke around with her right back. He was good at finding a medium between professor and friend. That was a quality of all the best professors, Sophie thought, excited for him to explain further about the weird box-thing he had been holding.

The second year hadn't particularly minded that the Hufflepuff boy had come over. But when Culloden scolded the boy for ignoring her, her eyebrows shot up and... she almost felt bad for the guy. She hadn't expected his attention at all. Why would an older student talk to her when he could be talking to their super cool Potions Master? She couldn't blame him.

She wasn't going to point this out and disrespect the lesson Culloden was trying to teach the boy, though, so she turned her gaze to the floor while the kid was being lectured out of respect and the slightest embarrassment. It was awful nice of the professor to stand up for her like that and refer to her as a "sweet lady," even if she felt it was entirely unnecessary.

"Thank you, Sander." She chose her words carefully - she almost told him it's okay, but she didn't want the professor to chime in and argue that it HADN'T been okay and embarrass him further. "I'm Sophie. S'nice to meet you." The Ravenclaw accepted the handshake gladly, then turned to Culloden with a soft smile as if to say, See? No harm done.

Sander breathed a sigh of relief when the young Ravenclaw accepted his apology and shook his hand, "Hello Sophie, it's nice to meet you and again thanks for accepting my apology." Sander smiled gratefully at her.

Then he turned to the Professor. "Professor I would also like to apologize to you for interrupting both your conversations. I should have waited for both of you be done before speaking." Sander apologized to the older man.

Yes, his mother had taught him manners. He just didn't know why he had forgotten about them the moment he entered this room. Was it because the moment he saw the telephone lying on the table in front of him, it reminded him of his mother and siblings back home?

Still that was no excuse for his rudeness.

Cosgrach wanted to explain the computer screen to her for a little bit, but he also wanted Sander to know he was at fault. He watched the exchange between them, and nodded to himself. It was 'no harm done', and he hoped Sander would remember this in the future too.

"Great, then," he said with a smile. His mind was still on something else and they could probably tell, but he was also satisfied with the outcome. "It's okay, because I don't think we would have finished talking." He paused, then looked at Sophie.

"D'you still want to know about computers?"

Sander smiled gratefully when the Professor too accepted his apology. Since the Professor had kinda indicated that he was still in the middle of his discussion with Sophie, Sander decided to give them their privacy while he explored the room on his own.

This time remembering his manners, he excused himself. "Well I should let continue your discussion. Please excuse me while I go and check out the phones." he told both Sophie and the Professor. With a little nod to both of them, he stepped away.

What a cool guy. He sure did seem sorry, and Sophie liked that he was so sincere and apologetic. Those were good qualities. It took a lot of guts and laying down of one's pride to admit fault so boldly.

It seemed as though the boy was done apologizing, though, and excused himself from the conversation. Now she did kind of feel bad because Sander had hardly even talked to them at all and she was curious about what the Hufflepuff would have brought to the conversation. If he wanted to leave and probably save himself further embarrassment, though, she couldn't blame him.

"Thanks - see ya around," she raised a hand to give a bit of a wave to his retreating back.

Text Cut: Culloden

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarShine

Cosgrach wanted to explain the computer screen to her for a little bit, but he also wanted Sander to know he was at fault. He watched the exchange between them, and nodded to himself. It was 'no harm done', and he hoped Sander would remember this in the future too.

"Great, then," he said with a smile. His mind was still on something else and they could probably tell, but he was also satisfied with the outcome. "It's okay, because I don't think we would have finished talking." He paused, then looked at Sophie.

"D'you still want to know about computers?"

Smiling up at Culloden, Sophie nodded eagerly. "Please - so this is a computer? I've heard the term, but I don't think I've ever seen one of these before. Or maybe I have - it almost looks like a sort of television. How does it work?" She took a step closer to the professor and table to get a closer look at the computer monitor.

Sander turned and smiled back at the younger girl. "Yes I'll see you around." he returned her goodbye greeting. Overhearing their conversation, peaked his interest. So instead of heading off to the phone section, Sander walked over to another computer and pushed the on button. He knew how computers worked, he just wanted to know whether this one worked or not, and how old its programming was.

As he waited for the computer to boot up, Sander and for the monitor to display its operating system introduction, Sander smiled over at the Professor and Sophie. He would have loved to join in on their conversation.

It didn't even cross Cosgrach's mind that he might have offended the boy or embarrassed him, so he was taken aback when Sander excused himself so abruptly. Oh well. He wasn't going to tell him to stay. He wasn't sure how Sophie would like it, so he turned to the computers.

"It's a monitor of a computer, actually," he said, "and it works like a television. It shows what the computer is doing." He was going to power one up, but Sander had already done that, so he indicated him with his head.

"Let's not occupy all the computers," he said and walked to where the Hufflepuff. Since Sophie approached him kindly, he was going to assume she didn't mind it either, and the boy... didn't have much choice against a professor.

Ah, perks of being one.

"My favourite is console games, actually," he said to Sophie while he let Sander do the desktop stuff and whatnot. He seemed to know what he was doing. "You plug them into a television and play it with different controls like the mouse of computer," he pointed to it, "but these muggles have use such advanced graphics that you feel like you are in there." He grinned like a little child. Could they imagine THAT?

"I should tell Fina to get one of those..." He paused, then eyed the screen.

Was it on yet?

Sander was surprised when the Professor and Sophie came over to join him at the computer he was working on. He smiled at both of them before making room for Sophie to watch the monitor closely.

....and the monitor lit up. Sander was pleasantly surprised to see that the computer software was not antiquated as he thought it would be. Hearing the Professor describe how the computer could be used to play games on, Sander immediately checked through the folders and was delighted to see one labeled games. He moved the mouse connected to the computer, and double clicked on the folder.

Wah...lah....the monitor display was now filled with moving lights and figures and music could be heard from its speakers.

"It looks like whoever entered the programs into this computer, did a good job of adding a wide selection of interesting games here." Sander informed both Sophie and the Professor.

"I see there's Angry Birds, Candy Crush, Bejeweled Blitz, Starcraft and Battlefield. There's even good old Donkey Kong and Super Mario Brothers. Sophie would you like to try playing one of them? I'm sure Professor Cosgrach here is familiar with some of them. " Sander moved the mouse closer to Sophie.

Ooooh, a monitor. That sounded cool. She wasn't sure what that meant until the Potions Master explained, and Sophie gave a few short nods of understanding. "Cool. So actual computer is..." she scanned the area and various cords that were hooked up to point at the big rectangular box thing, "that? That's like the power source and where all the information and technical stuff is stored?" She moved alongside Culloden over to Sander, unsure of why they wanted to not use up all the computers when there were only a few people present, but she figured the man had his reasons. Perhaps other motives? "How come it's not like a television - I mean, a telly is just one big box with the monitor and stuff all attached on that one box - how come the actual computer part isn't built into the monitor, too?"

The console games sounded like a lot of fun, even though the concept was kind of confusing. "I think I'd like that a lot - it sounds super cool. D'you think she would? I mean, if you suggested it and told her it was for learning purposes... technically it WOULD be..." Sophie trailed off, giving Culloden a big grin and an innocent shrug. Just a suggestion.

Text Cut: Sander

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireboltAvis88

Sander was surprised when the Professor and Sophie came over to join him at the computer he was working on. He smiled at both of them before making room for Sophie to watch the monitor closely.

....and the monitor lit up. Sander was pleasantly surprised to see that the computer software was not antiquated as he thought it would be. Hearing the Professor describe how the computer could be used to play games on, Sander immediately checked through the folders and was delighted to see one labeled games. He moved the mouse connected to the computer, and double clicked on the folder.

Wah...lah....the monitor display was now filled with moving lights and figures and music could be heard from its speakers.

"It looks like whoever entered the programs into this computer, did a good job of adding a wide selection of interesting games here." Sander informed both Sophie and the Professor.

"I see there's Angry Birds, Candy Crush, Bejeweled Blitz, Starcraft and Battlefield. There's even good old Donkey Kong and Super Mario Brothers. Sophie would you like to try playing one of them? I'm sure Professor Cosgrach here is familiar with some of them. " Sander moved the mouse closer to Sophie.

Ooooooo. So games could be played on the computer? Sophie looked on around Sander with interest. She had no idea what any of the things were that the Hufflepuff had just named off, but the candy one sounded fun. "I think I'd rather watch for now." Because she had no idea how any of it worked and she'd rather not completely embarrass herself in front of the professor, even if he already knew she didn't know anything about any of it. If she wasn't able to pick up on it quickly, she wouldn't want to give her new mentor a reason to be disappointed in her so early on, right?

"You go on, professor, if you want. Show me how it's done?" She was totally begging a little.

SPOILER!!: Ian

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Penguin

Ian came into the technology center, gripping the older model cellphone his mother had provided him with for this year. He'd tried to tell her they wouldn't work in the school except for the one room and so she wouldn't be able to call him. She brushed those objections aside and told him she didn't like letters from owls. She said the neighbors thought it was strange having an owl that perched outside the window of a Northern Scottish fishing village. There were no barns close by and so they were curious how a barn owl had made it's way to their home. Ian kept his owl, Caligula here at school with him now.

As he walked through the door, he noticed the potions master and stopped for a second. Hopefully the man wouldn't notice Ian as he made his phone call.

Ian walked over to the window and his phone very soon began to buzz as missed call after missed call and voicemails began to fill the phone's memory. When it was finally done, he had 47 missed calls and 28 voicemails. He decided to listen to the last one only. What is wrong with you m'boy! I gave you a phone so I could reach you and now you're too good to answer it? I don't know what I did to deserve such poor treatment for a child I graciously allowed the 'privelege' of going off to a fancy boarding school no one has ever heard of in me own country. NOW I CAN'T EVEN GET MY FANCY PANTS LITTLE BOY TO ANSWER HIS PHONE FOR HIS OWN DEAR MUM! I'VE NEVER FELT SO DISRESPECTED IN MY LIFE! I'VE A NOTION TO DRIVE DOWN TO THAT FANCY CASTLE YOU GO TO AND DRAG YOU OUT BY THE EAR! Ian listened to the last part with the phone held away from his ear and hoped no one else had heard it.

He scrolled through the contacts list and found his mum's number and hit the dial button. After half a ring, it was picked up and he heard his mum. Oh, now you're good enough to call me? Now I should drop everything to be at your beck and call. Boy, have you got some explaining to do! Ian did his best to explain that this was the first chance he'd had to come down and use the phone. They didn't get service anywhere else but this room and he really had tried to explain to her. She was having none of it and at the end of the conversation, Ian was sure she'd try to drive here and take him away in their beat-up old late 70's model orange VW beetle car.

Leah had finally signed the waiver agreement and had squeezed out a short time to visit this Technology center. She had never seen a muggle before, let alone muggle objects. How would these people ever survive without magic? She had never had a Muggle Studies lesson before, and therefore thought that it would be a good experience.

Standing in the doorway, Leah looked around slowly in the room. She spotted Sophie with the Potions master and a big boy, immersed in conversation. Not wanting to disturb them, the girl walked towards an unknown machine with little buttons sticking out (it's a walkman). Next to her was a boy, looking distressed. The girl recognized him at once. "Hi, Ian. How are you doing? What's that you're using?" She said, pointing at an object looking a bit like the one she was about to try. "Can you use all these stuff here? Could you teach me to use this?" Leah grinned sheepishly at the boy.