Quote:
Originally Posted by
Felixir 
Daxton eyed the list on the board even as Primeaux gave his running commentary. They were more or less impossible to apply to his own life. The one about OWLs, for example; Daxton was too young to have taken OWLs, he had never had to take exams at his own school, and in his first year - though he only completed theoretical portions of the finals - the work was just so easy it was barely an accomplishment at all. Quidditch and broom-riding were utterly irrelevant, and Daxton also could not see how physical injury as a result of stupidity could be considered an achievement.
The other examples in relation to Daxton were to do with the long distant past, a whole other life, and he refused to even consider them. This was all very personal, and the entire matter was extremely uncomfortable. He looked away from Primeaux and back down at the parchment. With the discomfort growing, it was difficult to think of an appropriate response, even to make one up, one that did not negate years of a carefully crafted facade and at the same time fit the prompt he had been given enough that the professor might let the matter drop. But still, Daxton was not at all able stir up any feelings of accomplishment, or even anything close.
He looked back at the board, clenching his fists tight and frowning as he tried to think of something that fit all the requirements - both Primeaux's and his own. Before long he folded his arms over his chest with a huff of frustration and shook his head again, more vehemently this time, all the better to communicate how much he did not want to do this. Daxton could feel the rage - always just hidden below the surface - starting to climb, and tensed up, glaring at the board. This was stupid, and he did not want to do it at all.
He breathed heavy watching Daxton and reading his face a bit. His own frustration starting to build. He was giving the child every chance he could, he felt he as showing he was trying to help him. Did he not realize this detention wasn't really a detention, but a chance at one on one help. Julien didn't want to believe the boy was unteachable, no he really didn't. He wanted to see the spark in all children's eyes that they understood or they could get it after practice, but Daxton just sat there shrugging and shaking his head.
A heavy sigh left his lips as he walked back over.
"In life we have to make decisions, we have to figure out what battles we need to keep fighting and which not to. I feel it's the same in teaching and learning. I can only do so much to help students learn and help them succeed. I want to see all my students succeed and I feel like I failed when one doesn't. I feel it is a reflection on my teaching. I know I'm more strict and have higher expectations than most of your professors here, but I don't think that is a bad thing either."
He summonsed the box back and sat it on the desk.
"I'm not keeping you here any longer. I do want you to try to practice on your own. I do want you to come to me for help if and when you are ready to receive it. I do expect to see you in my lessons, but only if you are going to give effort and at least try. I don't care if you fail a thousand times as long as you are giving it your best. Failure is a part of learning and many of you I feel think it is easier to give up or have someone else do it for you instead of trying your best. I hope that's not the case, but it seems like it. You are dismissed Daxton."
He wasn't going to stand here any longer and not see effort given. He was fully disappointed the boy didn't take the opportunity to get help and hoped that wasn't a reflection of him not wanting to learn at all.