Lex's hand froze where it was when there was a sudden voice coming from behind her. Somehow, she'd expected him to be inside, giving her enough time to stop poking before the door could be fully opened. Er....yeah...she lowered her wand slowly and stuck it back in its holster. "Sorry about that." Except not really. The poking then him comfirming they were old was much needed information. In future, she'd stand while waiting.

"Cambridge Sir." Lex offered helpfully. "But Alexa works too." Even more helpful, no?

She followed him in but before she could actually respond to his question she was distracted by the inside. You could tell a lot about a Professor by the way they decorated their offices, she'd come to learn that and didn't know whether this was promising or grounds enough for her to turn around and leave. For now, she'd take her chances. "I did want to speak with you, yup." And she wasn't going to bother with that whole 'but if you're busy I'll come back' thing. No, just no. The Gryffindor looked to the seats offered, feeling the urge to poke them too. What if he was one of those people you just couldn't tell with? For now, she'd remain standing, unless he offered her the seat directly, 'cause then she'd be less sure it'll collapse. No, them looking perfectly fine wasn't assurance enough.

"I should welcome you while I'm here Professor. Don't think I got to when I visit the staff table." She had all the time in the world. Could he tell?

Cambridge, Alexa. Another name would try to commit to memory, though how many students were at this school? Braith wasn't sure he'd be able to remember them all any time soon. Perhaps this child would prove to be memorable enough. "Good to meet you, Alexa Cambridge," he said offering her a small but welcoming smile as he walked further inside his office. "I'm Professor McCormack." Maybe she had already figured that out, but he wasn't one for assumptions. At least not today.

He took the seat at his desk and sat facing Alexa, watching her carefully. In awe of his office, wasn't she? Well, who wouldn't admire a signed picture of legendary Wayne Gretzky? He certainly couldn't blame her for wanting a look around. Oh but she wasn't just here for that, she had legitimate business, it seemed. "What can I do for you Alexa?" He was still rather curious about what it could be that she wanted before class even started. Maybe she was a Magical History enthusiast?

Ah, a welcome. He gave the teenage girl a slightly crooked smile. "Thank you, I appreciate that." Even the students were welcoming, how pleasant. "And welcome to my office, you get the privilege of being my first visitor." He meant it in an amusing way, but did it need to be said? Well, it had now since he sort of felt like he should offer something in return. Oh, she was one of the students who had visited the staff table during the feast. He knew there had been a handful but had been too busy enjoying the food to really notice faces. Was her welcome the nature of her visit or did she have another reason?

And she was just sort of standing near a chair. Maybe she was just waiting for an offer, she seemed the polite type. Unless she was going to wand-poke those too. "D'ya wanna take a seat?" He extended his arm towards the comfortable arm chair directly across from him. Or standing was cool too.

Good to meet her? How did he know that? They hadn't exchanged proper words yet. She'd be keeping her 'good to meet you' until she was a bit more certain of that, thanks. He did get a polite smile though, in response to that, but that was as much as she could offer for now.

She'd answer the question of what he could do for her in a sec. For nooooow..."First?" She liked being first, first was always something and more likely to be remembered too. "Sweet." Lex watched him take his seat, still pleased with the idea of being the first here for the start of the term...even if it was History of Magic. Were she a little less composed the thought might have made her cringe. This wouldn't be a regular habit of hers.

.....He was offering the seat. Mmk, couldn't have been bad and if it were...yeah, best not finish that thought, it was a very Gryffindor one with the expectation of explosions she didn't figure the Professor would set up in his office anyway. Disappointing thought actually but it was one she'd have to live with even as she sat.

Now then, he'd asked a question, hadn't he? "I don't actually have a legit reason for stopping by today. No timelines I don't understand, revolts I can't remember or worries as far as lessons go." They existed, she just wouldn't be bothered bringing them up before classes even started. 'Ravenclaw' was NOT stamped across her face, thanks. "But while I'm on that....I think it's fair I apologize in advance for any and all homework you receive in the coming term." But only because she'd given the former Professor a heads up...maybe a disclaimer for classes was necessary too...but she wouldn't scare the poor man into thinking she was hopeless merlin knew she was.

Casually allowing his foot to rest across the opposite knee as he sat, Braith watched Alexa somewhat curiously while she seemed to contemplate his offer of a seat. Didn't really matter to him either way if she sat or not, though the fleeting thought that it might be a little awkward for her to stand while he sat briefly crossed his mind. Though it might mean that she would be quick about the visit and he could tackle his workload. But he didn't give the matter any more thought as she finally decided on sitting and he gave her a small, acknowledging nod at her choice. That would work fine.

"First," he agreed with a nod and the hint of his crooked grin. There was something satisfying in being first no matter what it was, almost like winning something even if there was nothing to be had. But he was remotely glad that she found some sort of fulfillment out of it, still wondering if she was the sort to be eager about getting a jump start on her studies - Magical History in particular. Why else would she be here so soon? Unless she had a pressing concern...

Braith nodded slightly as he listened to Alexa begin, raising a curious eyebrow. No legitimate reason? So maybe the welcome was it, which was actually a thoughtful gesture anyway. But he offered the girl a small smile. "Well, that's good to hear. Sounds like you have a good handle on things so far." Or at least nothing she was too concerned with, something he had reservations on with the turnover rate of this position. "It's my goal to teach you something you don't know and make it relevant." Shouldn't be too daunting if the girl was a history buff already.. or.. had he read her wrong?

The History Professor squinted a bit as Alexa continued. An apology in advance. That was not what he had expected to hear next. "Any and all homework," he repeated, leaning forward just slightly. "What about your homework would necessitate a preemptive apology?" That was a first as far as he could remember.

Alexa took a moment to get as comfy as she could in this chair she'd taken. There was some wiggling around in it--testing the structure mhm, and so far it passed--and finally settling into it. This chair wasn't half bad but no one but her knew this. Perks of being first. There were a lot to be counted but Arithmancy made it so her mind hated numbers...yeah, no counting.

After getting comfy she swung her candy bag around so it was resting in her lap and pulled out a chocolate frog--oh! Where were her non-existent manners? "Would you like something Professor? I have just about every kind in here?" Only because of how awkward it would be to enjoy sugar while he watched. Otherwise....there would be no offers and...--"Peppermint toads! Can I have three--one, I mean one. Can I have one?" Unless you know he felt three was a more even number...and no, we don't need anyone questioning the logic behind that thought.

His next statement got a snicker out of her. Just a snicker, barely even a snicker actually as Lex tried to remain composed. She seemed to have a good handle on things? Oh gosh, sweet merlin, holy kneazle. The snickering got even harder to contain as he continued. Teaching her something she didn't know? That was everything, did he know that? There was nothing she wanted more than to point out the irony in that last statement but again, not trying to spook him into thinking she was a lost cause...there would be enough time for that when classes started. Ahem.

And it seemed she'd captured his full attention with that last bit. Yeah...she figured. Lex slowly opened the wrapped to her chocolate frog but didn't take a bite or anything. "It's...well the homework....you see....um..." How did she even go about explaining her homework. "It's a piece of work." She finally said, nodding deliberately. "The kind that makes you wonder if I own a textbook.........or if I know how to read." This was followed by a perfectly straight face. It was completely legit.

Merlin, kids were so fidgety, weren't they? Even older, nearly Of Age ones it seemed, but Braith did not comment on the momentarily difficulty the teenage girl had sitting still. He simply nodded in her direction once she had settled, knowing sometimes it took a minute or two to get comfortable. At least she wasn't poking that one.

His eyes fell on the bag in Alexa's lap, then lifted to her face as he considered the offer. "Nah, I'm good," he said with a smile directed at her thoughtfulness. "But thanks." He supposed if he really was in the mood for candy, he'd grab one of the peppermint toads on his table. Oh, had he forgotten to offer her one? He opened his mouth to correct his oversight when the girl spoke up. Well, which was it, three or one? He certainly wasn't going to be stingy with the sweets, but he had the feeling that this girl probably didn't need any more sugar than was necessary. Like she had this hyperactivity bubbling at the surface that one too many sugary sweets would cause it to overflow. But it wasn't up to him to police that and he did have them out for students. "Sure, help yourself." He gestured to the bowl with his opened hand, deliberately leaving out a specified number. She could decide for herself if he meant one or three.

Miss Alexa Cambridge was a rather curious girl, McCormack though, and he raised an eyebrow in her direction as he waited for her explanation catching a hint of repressed laughter. Ah, yes. It had been his experience that teenage girls were typically rather giggly. At least this one had the good manners to try to hold it in. He wasn't sure what indeed was so amusing though he didn't understand the nature of giggly girls either so he didn't try to analyze it.

He leaned forward slightly as she hesitantly began her explanation for her curious statement. He nodded encouragingly at her to try to get her to spit it out, then eyed her a bit. Piece of work? One did not usually use that phrase when speaking of anything impressive. Hm. Then he furrowed his brow a little as he heard her next words. The girl was not illiterate, was she? Had she fallen through the cracks of educational bureaucracy, the system failing this poor child? He heard her cry for help and would do his best to reach her if he had time. "I see," he said with a thoughtful nod. "And that is taking into consideration that you do know how to read and that you do own textbooks?" That was what she was getting at, wasn't it? "Is there a reason for this work habit? And is that for all your classes or just typically Magical History?" A few questions sure, but the girl's revelation had him quite curious now and he wanted to get behind it.

This was a classic example of one good turn deserving another and all that karma stuff she only ever conveniently believed in. She did the good Hufflepuff Gryffindor thing by offering sweets she didn't actually want to share and he in turn refused them. It's like her and the universe had some kind of understanding, now if only it worked that way with other offers she didn't actually mean...

Then he said it, the magic words that almost had her grinning. "Thank you!" Her hand lunged at the peppermint toads but then she remembered restraint....followed by remembering not having restraint...but countered by her not wanting to look bad infront of the new Professor....which took a backseat to SUGAR. Lex plucked two from the desk and dropped them into her bag...then another two...and one more--just one--okay no, she took another but she was done now. Yup. Not another toad would leave that jar on the desk. Aheeeem.

Seeing as she'd already started on her chocolate frog she'd finish it off before starting on one of the toads. Lex bit the head off while waiting for the Professor to give his thoughts on her explanation. It was the best she could give him. His follow up question caught her off-guard some and it took her an extra minute to realize that he DID ask what she heard. "I can and I do. Several textbooks actually." She confirmed with a solemn nod. "Neither of which seem to be helping me." Not completely true seeing as she'd never managed to FAIL much after her first year but the little she knew was gathered from oral sources.

....."I...don't think there's any real reason and it's only this one. I'm especially good at Defense Against the Dark Arts. It's practical and my favourite." Send her somewhere to practise a spell and she'd nail it. Give her a book and expect it read by the next day and you'll spend your night hoping she can actually find the book by morning. Also, why had this become about her? Lex had questions for him.

Apparently he had been correct in his assumption that peppermint toads would be a welcome addition for the students who chanced a venture into his office. First giving Alexa a nod at her thanks, Braith soon rose his eyebrows nearly imperceptibly as she dove right into the bowl. Then seemed to have some sort of internal struggle before taking more. He supposed he did leave the amount up to her, but that looked like more than three. And he did sort of think that the purpose of having them out was to eat one whilst there and not hoard them in favor of something else. But whatever, that was something of splitting hairs in a way. He had them out for the students regardless. "Now then..."

Braith laced the fingers of his hands together and rested his chin atop them as he thought over the girl's answer and explanation. The textbooks didn't help her. And it was only Magical History in which her performance seemed to suffer? That was somewhat telling, though he felt that maybe he could dig deeper. Might give him some early insight to his classes and the population therein. "I'm going to guess that there's something about History of Magic class that you don't like," he began with the hint of a smile present on his face, though he figured this was something of an obvious statement going by what she had already told him. But he did find it interesting that Alexa told him which class she did like. "So you find Defense Against the Dark Arts to be practical," he mused aloud, thinking over her words. "But if you were to find some practicality in Magical History, do you think you would have a better time with the subject?" Who was to say that History couldn't be practical. Besides, anything could be made more interesting depending on the way it was approached.

Lex was too busy stuffing her candy bag to note any of the reactions the Professor might have been having. It was like hitting the jackpot only she wasn't allowed to simply stuff the whole jar in her bag...or could she? He did say she could help herself and Lex was excellent at helping herself to candy. Her mind was drawn from the candy when he finally spoke again.

By the sounds of it, he'd hit the nail on the head. "Yup. I think the class is just cursed, or maybe I'm cursed to never enjoying the class? Mostly it's boring." Lex didn't care about people who died however long ago after doing whatever it was people who made a name for themselves in history did. "I'm sure you're gonna give me some lecture about it being important to know my past or being doomed to repeat it but that's not gonna make me any more interested." Being honest, she was allowed to do that, yes? Lex gave a firm nod to answer his next question. "Definitely! There was a Professor, he was here the term before last and let us go looking for dead people!" Practical and now she knew where to go to find the outline of those passed on. "It was neat....until I had to write the essay on it."....Yeah...that went interestingly.

But really, why were they talking about her. It was him she was interested in knowing stuff about. Lex bit through the middle of her chocolate frog, getting ready to change the subject. "So tell me Professor, what's your take on explosions?"

It seemed that Braith was right on the mark regarding the reasons Alexa had difficulties in his area of expertise. She basically found it dull. And, while he himself would disagree as he found the stories of the past to be both entertaining and informative, he could see where she was coming from. Possibly. Lectures had the potential to be dull depending on the subject and approach. He did not fully know if this was the case in the girl's situation but could at least somewhat see her perspective if it was.

The man shook his head a bit, a chuckle emerging from his slightly crooked grin. "No. No lectures. At least not right now." Save those for class, yeah? "Though there certainly is an element of truth in that statement.." Those who ignored history often were doomed to repeat it. "..but it seems you are already aware of that fact." No, he was not going to force that down her throat. It was simply his job to teach it to her and allow her to take away from it what she wanted. Though he did wonder if his own personal teaching style would leave a different impression than the one she entered his office with.

Dead people? Oh right. Braith had read up on the subjects several of the former Magical History professors had taught to familiarize himself with the curriculum and to get a handle on what the students of Hogwarts might already know. He came across the lesson on the Spiritum Revelio charm in his research. He nodded encouragingly to the girl's enthusiasm. "Good. You were able to find an aspect of Magical History that you enjoyed, even if feel you typically don't." Holding one's interest was often a crucial point of learning. "Maybe if you find something relative or practical even, the subject won't be quite as tedious for you." Just a thought to try to look at things differently. Good advice for anything, really. And the essay thing, Braith simply offered an understanding shrug and nod. Essays and tests were often good measure to determine what students actually retained and they probably wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon. But he didn't feel he needed to explain that currently as Alexa seemed to be eager to put that discussion behind her for the time being.

Her next question wasn't exactly one that he had anticipated though. Explosions? Interesting change of subject. He looked at her a bit curiously for a moment before answering. "Just like anything else, they have their appropriate time and place. Why do you ask?" That bit he was rather curious on, though he was fairly certain that she would have told him without the question being redirected.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braith McCormack

One more homework essay to read and grade, then he was going to reward himself with a little nap, once he transfigured his chair into a foldaway bed with a wave of his wand. He felt like he had been grading papers all day as the owls kept coming, which was great actually, he certainly wasn't complaining. He could just use maybe use a break.

Merlin, some of these kids were creative. It was really refreshing to see and he was busy thoughtfully read over the most current essay delivered via owl today when he looked up at hearing a knock on his office door. He finished the sentence then set the parchment down and got up to answer the door.

"Oh.. hey Professor," Braith grinned at the man upon seeing him as he opened the door, slightly surprised that it wasn't a student. And yeah, old habits died hard, he supposed, still seeing him as teacher before colleague. "What a nice surprise, Ab. Please, come on in." He opened the door wider and moved aside so the man could step inside.

Botros didn't wait for long until he heard footsteps towards the door-- Huh. He heard the thudding of feet on the stony floor. That was such an incredible development! So it was not odd that his smile was bigger than intended when the young professor opened up the door for him. "Good afternoon, Mr-- Professor McCormack." He patted the man's arm with his gloved hand and proceeded into the office.

Wow. It looked unexpectedly neat and decorated. He was waiting to trip over a thrown-away jacket or pants. Not that the History of Magic professor looked disheveled often, but young men rarely kept their places neat without extra help. Young Botros included. The older man took a seat on one of the chairs and placed the wrapped up rectangular gift on the desk. "I got this for you. I haven't had the time to come over and officially greet you, one-on-one. So I thought today I could hit two birds with one stone." He chuckled. The holidays were here, afterall. "Speaking of stones, I carved up this one by myself for you. I invoked it too." Fresh runic magic was the best. The board was a runic inscriptions of a Scandinavian motto, Botros figured it'd go well on his wall or on the desk!

Braith smiled widely at Botros as he headed in, pleasantly surprised by the visit. It was a nice reprieve from the work he had been doing. "Please, it's Braith," he chuckled as he shut the door behind the and followed him back over to the chairs. Sure, it was expected by his students, but being colleagues now, especially one that he had a bit of history with, no need for such formalities. He gestured to the open chair he reserved for visitors for the older an to take a seat, before sitting at the one near his desk. "So, what brings you by today?" Not that he needed a reason per se, it would be nice even just to catch up a little.

Eyes fell first on the wrapped package on his desk, then back at Ab as he spoke. "Oh how very thoughtful," he grinned at the older guy before picking up the gift. "You really didn't need to though.." Really kind and seemed so much like the Botros he had come to know. As he unwrapped, he glanced up while his colleague spoke, a light smile coming over his face. "Is that right? Well, thank you Ab, it's a great gift, I love it." He pulled it out of the box and ran his fingers over the inscriptions, his mind wandering a bit. "This will be perfect on my desk, I think." He set down at the edge of his desk, admiring it for a minute before turning back to Botros. "So, how have you been?" They hadn't had much chance to talk at all since he had gotten here.