Office of Professor Holden

[Watson]

Don’t be shy, dear student.
You won’t find every answer in a textbook
Knock on the door and wait for Professor Holden to welcome you in. Take a seat.

Stepping into the room, you’ll find a modest office. The room is handsomely decorated with leather furniture and bookshelves lining the walls. Between the bookshelves, you’ll find several peculiar thingamobs and thingamajigs (also known as objects such as a gavel, a large glass orb, a magnifying glass to note a few), a framed picture of a younger Simon and his mates in Slytherin robes, former Hogwarts yearbooks, a picture of him and Henry the Hippogriff, a cracked golden compass, a peculiar photo of a blonde Slytherin boy with him, and a small fuzzy koala holding an Australian flag.

If you look to the right, you will find a iron cast coat wrack where you can place raincoats or woolen coats. To the left, you will find a place to store an umbrella if need be and a small coffee table with pictures of Simon’s family, his friends, and his time at Hogwarts. You’ll also find a comic book rendition of Professor Holden’s favourite detective duo.

The office itself is divided into three areas: left, centre, and right. Past the umbrella storage area, there is a small espresso coffee maker that Professor Holden had brought from home. This was something that he could not bear to part with upon his arrival here. He could deal with tea but he needed strong coffee to survive the school year.

The centre of the room has a magnificent oak desk with carvings of magical runes. When you enter the room, Simon will usher you to one of the two elegant chairs that are faced right in front of the main desk. Simon’s desk, itself, is neat and everything is orderly. You’ll find a photo of him and his wife, a Valentine’s card dated from several years ago, leather-bound books filled with notes, rolls of parchment that he is currently grading, and a Slytherin green leather notebook with the title of ‘Musings’. The newest edition was a stuffed toy Badger with a Hufflepuff scarf wrapped around it which was a present from his kids and wife.

[Freyr]

His head was full of questions, the last 150 years were filled with big stuff and Luther was definitely not good at remembering those. So he decided to visit Professor in his office thinking 'He is so nice, I hope he has time.'. Luther knocked on the door of Professor Holden and the door swung back. As the door revealed more of the office, Luther called "Professor Holden?".

Luther thought 'He must be close, otherwise, why would he leave his office unlocked?' and walked inside to wait for the Professor. Meanwhile, he carefully inspected the office with his eyes, after all, satisfaction brought the cat back, right? Many photos of Professor H at different ages and with different people. 'He must have been very liked back then too.' thought Luther.

[Watson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freyr

His head was full of questions, the last 150 years were filled with big stuff and Luther was definitely not good at remembering those. So he decided to visit Professor in his office thinking 'He is so nice, I hope he has time.'. Luther knocked on the door of Professor Holden and the door swung back. As the door revealed more of the office, Luther called "Professor Holden?".

Luther thought 'He must be close, otherwise, why would he leave his office unlocked?' and walked inside to wait for the Professor. Meanwhile, he carefully inspected the office with his eyes, after all, satisfaction brought the cat back, right? Many photos of Professor H at different ages and with different people. 'He must have been very liked back then too.' thought Luther.

Holden had been thoroughly pranked. He had first received a message demanding his attention in the Great Hall and, once again, Peeves had struck. So he was stuck busy cleaning up another swamp water incident. With that done, he made his way further into the Great Hall to receive a note informing him that he had to go to the grounds. And this proceeded on for a good half an hour until Simon finally gave up and headed back to his office.

The man was flustered. How could someone think of pulling such a juvenile prank and how could HE, a man of almost forty years, have fallen for it!

PAH! Embarrassing.

He approached his office and noticed that the door was open. He didn’t recall leaving it unlocked… Was this like the time the other year where students had pranked his office? He had never found out that culprit of that prank so… He knocked on the door. “Hello?”

[Freyr]

Luther heard the knocking on the door and then the following 'hello', it sounded like Professor H but his voice was somewhat upset, Luther couldn't pinpoint exactly. He called back "Hello Professor Holden, it is me, Luther. Are you ok if you don't mind me asking, sir?"

[Watson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freyr

Luther heard the knocking on the door and then the following 'hello', it sounded like Professor H but his voice was somewhat upset, Luther couldn't pinpoint exactly. He called back "Hello Professor Holden, it is me, Luther. Are you ok if you don't mind me asking, sir?"

He pushed the door open slowly as he heard Luther call back to him. He hadn’t been expecting him. “Ah Mr Starriver. You don’t happen to know about all these random notes that had been addressed to me, do you?” he asked as he walked further into his office, nodding to the first year, before showing him the weird letters he had received. “Odd huh?”

As to why Mr Starriver was in his office before he was… that was another mystery that Simon was looking to solve. “What brings you here today?”

[Freyr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

He pushed the door open slowly as he heard Luther call back to him. He hadn’t been expecting him. “Ah Mr Starriver. You don’t happen to know about all these random notes that had been addressed to me, do you?” he asked as he walked further into his office, nodding to the first year, before showing him the weird letters he had received. “Odd huh?”

As to why Mr Starriver was in his office before he was… that was another mystery that Simon was looking to solve. “What brings you here today?”

Luther looked at the letters Professor showed, they seemed like they were all summoning Professor somewhere. Then with Professor's question and him being in his office, Luther realized how it might seem. An annoying fire crept up through Luther's face. 'Think Luther, think.' thought Luther to himself.

Luther spoke as calmly as he could trying not to arose more suspicion "Well, Professor, I wanted to ask a couple of questions. However" Luther stopped and pulled out his notes to show his handwriting "these are not mine as you can see that the handwriting does not match.".

[Watson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freyr

Luther looked at the letters Professor showed, they seemed like they were all summoning Professor somewhere. Then with Professor's question and him being in his office, Luther realized how it might seem. An annoying fire crept up through Luther's face. 'Think Luther, think.' thought Luther to himself.

Luther spoke as calmly as he could trying not to arose more suspicion "Well, Professor, I wanted to ask a couple of questions. However" Luther stopped and pulled out his notes to show his handwriting "these are not mine as you can see that the handwriting does not match.".

It was odd Mr Starrivers was in his office but maybe he simply saw the door open? He decided to try his hardest to assume positive intent but between Peeves, the hybrid chicken students, and his office being pranked a prior year… Simon couldn’t help but feel more stranger things were yet to come. He should have let his sister read his tea leaves before heading to Hogwarts.

“Oh… Okay… Apologies.” Simon placed the notes to the side and looked expectantly at his student. “Im ready for your questions.”

Hopefully there was a notebook to cross reference the handwriting, hmm?

[Freyr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

It was odd Mr Starrivers was in his office but maybe he simply saw the door open? He decided to try his hardest to assume positive intent but between Peeves, the hybrid chicken students, and his office being pranked a prior year… Simon couldn’t help but feel more stranger things were yet to come. He should have let his sister read his tea leaves before heading to Hogwarts.

“Oh… Okay… Apologies.” Simon placed the notes to the side and looked expectantly at his student. “Im ready for your questions.”

Hopefully there was a notebook to cross reference the handwriting, hmm?

Luther felt like he dodged a Bludger. He hoped Professor didn't suspect him anymore but the best evidence he could find was the handwriting. 'Maybe I should ask around who was responsible for this. Also, was he the one who is pranked or me?'

After a moment of silence to calm himself down, Luther said in a breath "Yes, Professor. I was reading a book I brought from home. Well, you see, I am not good at remembering past events, especially those from centuries past. Anyways, the book mentioned something called Occlumency to 'shield one's mind' and control one's emotions. I thought maybe there is something like that to help me remember stuff. I am ready to study however much I have to." When he finished, he realized he talked a bit too fast and rambled a little and a slight red tint coloured his face.

[MadMadamMalfoy]

Between the whole Peeves situation at the feast and lessons starting back, Desiree’s term was off to a crazy start! So much so that she’d hadn’t yet given Professor Holden a proper welcome as her new Head of House. Well, she was going to remedy that right now! Carefully balancing a tray of macarons with one hand, she knocked on the door to Holden’s office.

She’d just finished baking the cookies herself, so they were still nice and warm. They were the yellow and black Hufflepuff colors, butterbeer and dark chocolate flavors, respectively. All neatly arranged in rows to resemble the stripes of a Hufflepuff scarf. She hoped Professor Holden would like them. They took forever to make! At any rate, macarons were a much nicer welcome present than Peeves’s nasty swamp water balloons!

[Watson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freyr

Luther felt like he dodged a Bludger. He hoped Professor didn't suspect him anymore but the best evidence he could find was the handwriting. 'Maybe I should ask around who was responsible for this. Also, was he the one who is pranked or me?'

After a moment of silence to calm himself down, Luther said in a breath "Yes, Professor. I was reading a book I brought from home. Well, you see, I am not good at remembering past events, especially those from centuries past. Anyways, the book mentioned something called Occlumency to 'shield one's mind' and control one's emotions. I thought maybe there is something like that to help me remember stuff. I am ready to study however much I have to." When he finished, he realized he talked a bit too fast and rambled a little and a slight red tint coloured his face.

If Simon could read minds, he would have commiserated with Luther’s thoughts. However, the man could not and he still had a sneaking suspicion that something was afoot or rather amiss. Then again this could be familiar to that time his third year when he and Zander suspected different people. Simon had suspected their new Arithmancy Professor- Dominguez? Domingo? Blast! He couldn’t remember her name anymore. Meanwhile Zander had suspected their friend.. Lux… always watch for the Hufflepuffs. Maybe there was some merit in what Milo Evans and Marcus Branxton had foreseen several terms ago…

Ah. Peculiar question. Occlumency was intriguing. “A valuable skill that may take years to master. One must focus on completely emptying your mind of thought or emotion. Easier said than done, I think,” he explained before nodding at Luther’s question. Well… it sounded like a remembrall would help but may not be sufficient. “A spell or something to recall memory… ” Memory was a… complicated subject for the History of Magic Professor for at a young age, he had witnessed his mother lose most of her memories and struggle with memory because of a car accident. He had been in the car too. They had been lucky to survive but at the cost of memory. He had searched years for an answer. Hours spent with Professor Fuller asking him if there was a charm. Then he knew his sister had asked her own Head of House, Professor Marchand, the same question but only to find an unsolvable issue. “There is no spell that comes to mind to recall memories. I’d caution you against manipulating memories for history tells and shows us that memory manipulation can lead to permanent memory loss if not done correctly. Gilderoy Lockheart is a prime example as is Bertha Jorkins…”

He let his voice trail off. “I would not worry have to recall all the information. I’d focus on learning gradually. Study a half an hour each day, eat well, sleep well, and have fun. You need a healthy balance to ensure sustained learning. As for a tool… The only thing that comes to mind, Mr Starrivers, is a Remembrall but that may end up being more frustrating to use as it will only turn red when you’ve forgotten something. It will not tell you what you haven’t forgotten. Perhaps Healer Macini may have a better idea of a charm or spell?”

He’d defer to her on this one as it was her area of expertise. However, Simon would still caution this first year around memory manipulation spells and charms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMadamMalfoy

Between the whole Peeves situation at the feast and lessons starting back, Desiree’s term was off to a crazy start! So much so that she’d hadn’t yet given Professor Holden a proper welcome as her new Head of House. Well, she was going to remedy that right now! Carefully balancing a tray of macarons with one hand, she knocked on the door to Holden’s office.

She’d just finished baking the cookies herself, so they were still nice and warm. They were the yellow and black Hufflepuff colors, butterbeer and dark chocolate flavors, respectively. All neatly arranged in rows to resemble the stripes of a Hufflepuff scarf. She hoped Professor Holden would like them. They took forever to make! At any rate, macarons were a much nicer welcome present than Peeves’s nasty swamp water balloons!

Things seemed to have quiet down since the beginning of the feast which Simon was glad of. He hadn’t expected or anticipated that becoming the Head of the Hufflepuff House would have been so… chaotic (for lack of a better word- Simon had struggled to find the right word to describe it). The man sat in his chair with an empty notebook in front of him. He had meant to write it all down but found himself staring blankly at an old photo of him and his mates….

The knock on the door brought him back into the moment. “Come in,” he said, closing his notebook (titled Unsolvable) and heading over to the door to open it. “Ah Miss Marchand.” One of his Badgers was here! He offered her a warm smile. “How are you? Please do come in.”

[Freyr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

If Simon could read minds, he would have commiserated with Luther’s thoughts. However, the man could not and he still had a sneaking suspicion that something was afoot or rather amiss. Then again this could be familiar to that time his third year when he and Zander suspected different people. Simon had suspected their new Arithmancy Professor- Dominguez? Domingo? Blast! He couldn’t remember her name anymore. Meanwhile Zander had suspected their friend.. Lux… always watch for the Hufflepuffs. Maybe there was some merit in what Milo Evans and Marcus Branxton had foreseen several terms ago…

Ah. Peculiar question. Occlumency was intriguing. “A valuable skill that may take years to master. One must focus on completely emptying your mind of thought or emotion. Easier said than done, I think,” he explained before nodding at Luther’s question. Well… it sounded like a remembrall would help but may not be sufficient. “A spell or something to recall memory… ” Memory was a… complicated subject for the History of Magic Professor for at a young age, he had witnessed his mother lose most of her memories and struggle with memory because of a car accident. He had been in the car too. They had been lucky to survive but at the cost of memory. He had searched years for an answer. Hours spent with Professor Fuller asking him if there was a charm. Then he knew his sister had asked her own Head of House, Professor Marchand, the same question but only to find an unsolvable issue. “There is no spell that comes to mind to recall memories. I’d caution you against manipulating memories for history tells and shows us that memory manipulation can lead to permanent memory loss if not done correctly. Gilderoy Lockheart is a prime example as is Bertha Jorkins…”

He let his voice trail off. “I would not worry have to recall all the information. I’d focus on learning gradually. Study a half an hour each day, eat well, sleep well, and have fun. You need a healthy balance to ensure sustained learning. As for a tool… The only thing that comes to mind, Mr Starrivers, is a Remembrall but that may end up being more frustrating to use as it will only turn red when you’ve forgotten something. It will not tell you what you haven’t forgotten. Perhaps Healer Macini may have a better idea of a charm or spell?”

He’d defer to her on this one as it was her area of expertise. However, Simon would still caution this first year around memory manipulation spells and charms.

Luther listened to the Professor intently. Remembering things would help always after all. However, Professor gave the answer he was accepting. While consistent studying habits sounded useful indeed, it would not grant an 'advantage', per se. Also, he had to learn how to recall things better. The voices of his parents were slipping out of his mind's grasp. This stoked the inquisitive fire in Luther. On the other hand, the books mentioned Lockhart and Jorkins, so Luther was sufficiently cowed not to pursue this goal without the aid of an expert.

Thinking for a minute, Luther spoke "Yes, I read about Lockhart and Jorkins. Actually, their story was what made me stop doing research on my own and decide to talk to someone. I am glad I did, thank you, sir, I will see Healer Mancini as soon as possible."

After deliberating on whether to reveal his recent plight, he decided to trust Professor. "You see, Professor, History of Magic was not my only reason. Well, I do have problems with remembering the years and events but that was not all of it. My parents... they have... passed away when I was almost 6. And I... I sometimes cannot remember their voices. Sometimes even their... their faces are blurred. So I have to learn how to recall stuff better." The words escaped Luther's lips leaving an unpleasant aftertaste.

While talking, Luther carefully avoided Professor's face. As soon as he finished talking, he regretted it. This was his problem, he shouldn't have bothered Holden with it. He cleared his throat and turned towards the door "So, yes, thank you, Professor. Have a nice day."

[MadMadamMalfoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

Things seemed to have quiet down since the beginning of the feast which Simon was glad of. He hadn’t expected or anticipated that becoming the Head of the Hufflepuff House would have been so… chaotic (for lack of a better word- Simon had struggled to find the right word to describe it). The man sat in his chair with an empty notebook in front of him. He had meant to write it all down but found himself staring blankly at an old photo of him and his mates….

The knock on the door brought him back into the moment. “Come in,” he said, closing his notebook (titled Unsolvable) and heading over to the door to open it. “Ah Miss Marchand.” One of his Badgers was here! He offered her a warm smile. “How are you? Please do come in.”

Desiree was pleased that she didn't have to wait long for Professor Holden. Not that she minded waiting much, but she wanted to get these macarons to him while they were still fresh and warm. "Hi, Professor!" She beamed, returning the greeting with an extra princessy wave of her free hand. "I'm fine, thanks. And yourself?"

As she stepped into the room, it occurred to her that this used to be her mother's office. She wondered how different it looked back then. Knowing her mum, probably purple everything! Look at all the cool stuff in here! She glanced about the room with a slightly intrigued expression, her bright blue eyes lingering on the coffee maker for a second. Ooh, her dad used to have one of those in his office waiting area! Did Professor Holden put a coffee bar for the students in his office too?

Part of her was dying to ask, but then she remembered the reason for her visit. "I baked you some macarons, a sort of welcome to Hufflepuff present!" she said, showing the tray of yellow and black cookies. "Can I set them there?" She inclined her head toward a free spot on the desk.

[Watson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freyr

Luther listened to the Professor intently. Remembering things would help always after all. However, Professor gave the answer he was accepting. While consistent studying habits sounded useful indeed, it would not grant an 'advantage', per se. Also, he had to learn how to recall things better. The voices of his parents were slipping out of his mind's grasp. This stoked the inquisitive fire in Luther. On the other hand, the books mentioned Lockhart and Jorkins, so Luther was sufficiently cowed not to pursue this goal without the aid of an expert.

Thinking for a minute, Luther spoke "Yes, I read about Lockhart and Jorkins. Actually, their story was what made me stop doing research on my own and decide to talk to someone. I am glad I did, thank you, sir, I will see Healer Mancini as soon as possible."

After deliberating on whether to reveal his recent plight, he decided to trust Professor. "You see, Professor, History of Magic was not my only reason. Well, I do have problems with remembering the years and events but that was not all of it. My parents... they have... passed away when I was almost 6. And I... I sometimes cannot remember their voices. Sometimes even their... their faces are blurred. So I have to learn how to recall stuff better." The words escaped Luther's lips leaving an unpleasant aftertaste.

While talking, Luther carefully avoided Professor's face. As soon as he finished talking, he regretted it. This was his problem, he shouldn't have bothered Holden with it. He cleared his throat and turned towards the door "So, yes, thank you, Professor. Have a nice day."

Ah so he had looked into Lockheart already? Simon nodded stiffly as his thoughts ran amuck. So many things he longed to say. How young had Luther started his search?

Luther’s next sentences gave Simon great alarm and concern. His heart dropped to his gut when the boy shared something incredibly personal. The pursuit of knowledge for a loved one and answers was something he could relate to greatly. “I did not know, Mr Starriver,” he spoke softly. “I am sorry for pressing you. I assumed incorrectly.. If you’d like, I have some hot chocolate or tea if you want to talk more on the matter.” He had lost his own mother physically at the age of eighteen but mentally when he was eight.

Simon wouldn’t press however. It wasn’t his place too. He just hated seeing a student upset.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMadamMalfoy

Desiree was pleased that she didn't have to wait long for Professor Holden. Not that she minded waiting much, but she wanted to get these macarons to him while they were still fresh and warm. "Hi, Professor!" She beamed, returning the greeting with an extra princessy wave of her free hand. "I'm fine, thanks. And yourself?"

As she stepped into the room, it occurred to her that this used to be her mother's office. She wondered how different it looked back then. Knowing her mum, probably purple everything! Look at all the cool stuff in here! She glanced about the room with a slightly intrigued expression, her bright blue eyes lingering on the coffee maker for a second. Ooh, her dad used to have one of those in his office waiting area! Did Professor Holden put a coffee bar for the students in his office too?

Part of her was dying to ask, but then she remembered the reason for her visit. "I baked you some macarons, a sort of welcome to Hufflepuff present!" she said, showing the tray of yellow and black cookies. "Can I set them there?" She inclined her head toward a free spot on the desk.

He gave Desiree a wide smile when she greeted him in return. Her smile was infectious. He always found this particular’s attitude positive. “Much recovered after the feast,” he chuckled, opening the door so that Miss Marchand could step into the office. “Peeves got a little too excited, I reckon.”

Simon took a few steps back over to his desk and offered Miss Marchand a seat if she wanted to take one. He was interested in hearing her answer and raised both eyebrows when she brought forward a present. A present? For him. Consider him touched! His smile touched his eyes making the ice blue slightly warmer.

“Why thank you! That’s very kind of you, Miss Marchand. And yes, you may. Would you like a hot beverage? I have tea and hot cocoa. Perhaps we could have a macaron while we chat?” he offered.


— — —
Simon walked into his office and turned around to see if Mr. Ridley-Rush was still following him. He sighed loudly and headed to his desk momentarily before heading back to the door to see if the young man was following him.

[aRogueOne]

Hooper had followed behind the Professor at a distance with his hands jammed into his pocked with a slightly miffed look on his usually happy-go-lucky face so it had taken him a little longer to get to the office than was most likely expected. How come he was the only one that had detention? He was the one that had been turned into a chicken? Surely waking up and finding our you’ve got feathers everywhere was a good enough reason to be late? Sure, it hadn’t exactly taken Professor Mancini long to sort it out but he didn’t know that?

When he arrived, Hooper have a small knock on the door and entered, his feet scuffing the floor as he did so. “I’m here Professor,” his voice quiet and slightly dejected. This was so unfair.

[Freyr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

Ah so he had looked into Lockheart already? Simon nodded stiffly as his thoughts ran amuck. So many things he longed to say. How young had Luther started his search?

Luther’s next sentences gave Simon great alarm and concern. His heart dropped to his gut when the boy shared something incredibly personal. The pursuit of knowledge for a loved one and answers was something he could relate to greatly. “I did not know, Mr Starriver,” he spoke softly. “I am sorry for pressing you. I assumed incorrectly.. If you’d like, I have some hot chocolate or tea if you want to talk more on the matter.” He had lost his own mother physically at the age of eighteen but mentally when he was eight.

Simon wouldn’t press however. It wasn’t his place too. He just hated seeing a student upset.

Luther stopped. A million different voices were arguing in his head. Some were about how he needed someone to talk to other than Leo. Some were saying he shouldn't waste any more time with others. Some were saying Professor might be a valuable source of information. All of these different voices visibly overwhelmed Luther.

After taking a deep breath, Luther untied the ribbon in his hair and started playing with it. Another deep breath. Then he turned to Professor Holden and asked, with a voice weaker than he wanted to sound, "I... May I have a cup of hot chocolate, Professor, if that's alright?" He went and sat down in one of the chairs facing the Professor's desk.

His eyes fixed on the ribbon flowing between his fingers, Luther spoke "My parents... Umm, I don't remember much as I said. But... they were researchers. Well, my mom was a theoretician and dad was a potioneer, according to Leo. That's my house-elf but he is like a big brother. I don't have a brother but I guess it would be like this if I had one." Luther stopped he was getting sidetracked. After another deep breath, he continued "And they were experimenting one day when I was at school. Leo says he felt the explosion. A wave of wild magic washed over the house. They were in their laboratory. They always told me not to go inside without at least one of them. I still haven't set a foot in that room, you know. And I... I have photos and portraits of them but it is not the same. I want to remember them. I want to be able to hear them again. That's why I need to find a way to remember things better." His eyes never left the ribbon while speaking. When he felt like there was nothing he could add, he looked at Professor Holden. However, his hands never stopped playing with the ribbon.

[Watson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aRogueOne

Hooper had followed behind the Professor at a distance with his hands jammed into his pocked with a slightly miffed look on his usually happy-go-lucky face so it had taken him a little longer to get to the office than was most likely expected. How come he was the only one that had detention? He was the one that had been turned into a chicken? Surely waking up and finding our you’ve got feathers everywhere was a good enough reason to be late? Sure, it hadn’t exactly taken Professor Mancini long to sort it out but he didn’t know that?

When he arrived, Hooper have a small knock on the door and entered, his feet scuffing the floor as he did so. “I’m here Professor,” his voice quiet and slightly dejected. This was so unfair.

Simon had been very close to telling Mr. Ridley-Rush that he had detention but instead... his gut told him it wasn't the right decision. When he heard the younger boy's voice, he turned around. "Please take a seat... Would you like tea, hot cocoa, or a glass of water?" he offered as he poured himself a cup of tea.

"I was going to give you detention but instead... I wanted to talk about what happened between you and Miss Gaeltheos in class. Is there something going on between the two of you?" he asked. He suspected some type of bad behaviour on both student's part but there was most likely a root cause too it.

He wouldn't tolerate such behaviour in his next lesson.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freyr

Luther stopped. A million different voices were arguing in his head. Some were about how he needed someone to talk to other than Leo. Some were saying he shouldn't waste any more time with others. Some were saying Professor might be a valuable source of information. All of these different voices visibly overwhelmed Luther.

After taking a deep breath, Luther untied the ribbon in his hair and started playing with it. Another deep breath. Then he turned to Professor Holden and asked, with a voice weaker than he wanted to sound, "I... May I have a cup of hot chocolate, Professor, if that's alright?" He went and sat down in one of the chairs facing the Professor's desk.

His eyes fixed on the ribbon flowing between his fingers, Luther spoke "My parents... Umm, I don't remember much as I said. But... they were researchers. Well, my mom was a theoretician and dad was a potioneer, according to Leo. That's my house-elf but he is like a big brother. I don't have a brother but I guess it would be like this if I had one." Luther stopped he was getting sidetracked. After another deep breath, he continued "And they were experimenting one day when I was at school. Leo says he felt the explosion. A wave of wild magic washed over the house. They were in their laboratory. They always told me not to go inside without at least one of them. I still haven't set a foot in that room, you know. And I... I have photos and portraits of them but it is not the same. I want to remember them. I want to be able to hear them again. That's why I need to find a way to remember things better." His eyes never left the ribbon while speaking. When he felt like there was nothing he could add, he looked at Professor Holden. However, his hands never stopped playing with the ribbon.

Simon let out a soft sigh of relief when the first year turned back towards him and asked for a cup of hot chocolate. "Of course," he nodded as he headed over to the side table to prep two cups of hot chocolate. It didn't take him long to return with two mugs of hot chocolate and a small bowl of marshmallows that he placed at the edge of his desk. "Here you go," he said as he passed one of the cups to Mr. Starrivers. "Help yourself to some marshmallows. Having hot chocolate with marshmallows has become a habit in the Holden household. My eldest swears that it makes hot chocolate taste a 'million' times better." He chuckled and took a sip of his hot chocolate (that he had added three marshmallows to).

Then Simon listened. He looked at Luther and then his blue eyes flicked to the ribbon that he was playing with fleetingly before back to Luther. Wow.. To have lost not one but both parents at such a young age. Fortunately Luther had a guardian angel in Leo or so it sounded like it to Simon. He nodded after Luther mentioned that all he longed for was to hear and see them. His heart went out to the young boy. "I.." Holden paused. He was at a loss for words momentarily. "I understand your quest... You could always preserve those memories in a pensieve. However, it is a rare item to come across but with one you can revisit memories..." Though sometimes as much as the heart wanted something, reliving in the past could be challenging for moving forward.

[Freyr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

Simon let out a soft sigh of relief when the first year turned back towards him and asked for a cup of hot chocolate. "Of course," he nodded as he headed over to the side table to prep two cups of hot chocolate. It didn't take him long to return with two mugs of hot chocolate and a small bowl of marshmallows that he placed at the edge of his desk. "Here you go," he said as he passed one of the cups to Mr. Starrivers. "Help yourself to some marshmallows. Having hot chocolate with marshmallows has become a habit in the Holden household. My eldest swears that it makes hot chocolate taste a 'million' times better." He chuckled and took a sip of his hot chocolate (that he had added three marshmallows to).

Then Simon listened. He looked at Luther and then his blue eyes flicked to the ribbon that he was playing with fleetingly before back to Luther. Wow.. To have lost not one but both parents at such a young age. Fortunately Luther had a guardian angel in Leo or so it sounded like it to Simon. He nodded after Luther mentioned that all he longed for was to hear and see them. His heart went out to the young boy. "I.." Holden paused. He was at a loss for words momentarily. "I understand your quest... You could always preserve those memories in a pensieve. However, it is a rare item to come across but with one you can revisit memories..." Though sometimes as much as the heart wanted something, reliving in the past could be challenging for moving forward.

Luther looked at the cup of hot chocolate and the marshmallows. A memory from a summer night with Leo caused a faint warmness to course through him. However, a longing for home and Leo overcame the warmness. With a bittersweet smile as the remnant of the memory, Luther said "It definitely does taste better." and then continued "I have heard of this tool you mentioned, pensieve. I was hoping maybe my family had one in Gringotts. However, I didn't have time to claim the vault. Also, I was not sure how... real it would feel, you know, viewing the memories in the pensieve."

[aRogueOne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

Simon had been very close to telling Mr. Ridley-Rush that he had detention but instead... his gut told him it wasn't the right decision. When he heard the younger boy's voice, he turned around. "Please take a seat... Would you like tea, hot cocoa, or a glass of water?" he offered as he poured himself a cup of tea.

"I was going to give you detention but instead... I wanted to talk about what happened between you and Miss Gaeltheos in class. Is there something going on between the two of you?" he asked. He suspected some type of bad behaviour on both student's part but there was most likely a root cause too it.

He wouldn't tolerate such behaviour in his next lesson.

Sulking ever so slightly, Hooper walked in and was in the process of taking a seat, as per the Professors request when he was offered a drink. Stopping, Hooper turned and froze for a moment. “Uhh…why? I thought this was a detention Professor?” He didn’t have to wait long for an answer to his question however.

As the Professor explained, Hooper’s eyes narrowed for a moment as he listened. He wasn’t aware that the Professor had caught what he’d said to Remy and he wasn’t best pleased that he had. Besides, she deserved it! Sighing, he took a seat and looked away as he started talking, “Why am I the only one here Professor? I don’t think that’s very fair. I mean, okay, I’m sorry I turned up late…and that I disrupted your lesson…and that I couldn’t focus because I was a chicken…but like, it’s haaaaaaard when you’ve got feathers everywhere” his voice trying to emphasise that having feathers everywhere wasn’t pleasant. He really was doing his best to not sound rude and to explain how he was feeling. Whether or not he was successful was another story.

“Remy made fun of me and I didn’t think it was very nice so I was just repaying the favour. She’s just being mean to me because of what happened in the Great Hall. I was tapping the table, minding my own business and she didn’t like it and started shouting at me.” Taking a pause to catch his breath, Hooper launched back into his story. “Arden stuck up for me and Remy didn’t like that. That’s why she was being mean to the both of us when we were chickens today! Just because I was tapping!” TOTALLY ACCURATE STORY!

Arms crossed, Hooper slumped in his chair a little and began tapping his foot automatically, such was his inability to sit still for any small amount of time. “She shouldn’t be able to make fun of me for something I can’t stop…”

[Watson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freyr

Luther looked at the cup of hot chocolate and the marshmallows. A memory from a summer night with Leo caused a faint warmness to course through him. However, a longing for home and Leo overcame the warmness. With a bittersweet smile as the remnant of the memory, Luther said "It definitely does taste better." and then continued "I have heard of this tool you mentioned, pensieve. I was hoping maybe my family had one in Gringotts. However, I didn't have time to claim the vault. Also, I was not sure how... real it would feel, you know, viewing the memories in the pensieve."

Simon noticed the smile he wore before he spoke again. He took a sip of his hot chocolate as he listened to Luther. He did smile at the agreement that the marshmallows tasted better. It was a brief moment of lightness added in.

Oh? It seemed as if Mr Starriver was very well read for his age. Consider him impressed. This spoke to the boy‘s ambition and thirst for knowledge to solve issues. He respected the self-drive. It was one he related too.

“I understand that.” Viewing those memories in a pensive could feel authentic or completely fake potentially. He had never experienced it personally so he couldn’t speak on the matter. “I’m not sure either… I’m not sure how genuine it’d feel or if it’d be like the Muggle virtual reality…” he explained.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aRogueOne

Sulking ever so slightly, Hooper walked in and was in the process of taking a seat, as per the Professors request when he was offered a drink. Stopping, Hooper turned and froze for a moment. “Uhh…why? I thought this was a detention Professor?” He didn’t have to wait long for an answer to his question however.

As the Professor explained, Hooper’s eyes narrowed for a moment as he listened. He wasn’t aware that the Professor had caught what he’d said to Remy and he wasn’t best pleased that he had. Besides, she deserved it! Sighing, he took a seat and looked away as he started talking, “Why am I the only one here Professor? I don’t think that’s very fair. I mean, okay, I’m sorry I turned up late…and that I disrupted your lesson…and that I couldn’t focus because I was a chicken…but like, it’s haaaaaaard when you’ve got feathers everywhere” his voice trying to emphasise that having feathers everywhere wasn’t pleasant. He really was doing his best to not sound rude and to explain how he was feeling. Whether or not he was successful was another story.

“Remy made fun of me and I didn’t think it was very nice so I was just repaying the favour. She’s just being mean to me because of what happened in the Great Hall. I was tapping the table, minding my own business and she didn’t like it and started shouting at me.” Taking a pause to catch his breath, Hooper launched back into his story. “Arden stuck up for me and Remy didn’t like that. That’s why she was being mean to the both of us when we were chickens today! Just because I was tapping!” TOTALLY ACCURATE STORY!

Arms crossed, Hooper slumped in his chair a little and began tapping his foot automatically, such was his inability to sit still for any small amount of time. “She shouldn’t be able to make fun of me for something I can’t stop…”

Simon sighed at Hopper’s question before he realized he had never told the boy that this wasn’t detention. Well. Oops?

Then the list of complaints came in about how unfair this was. Understandably so Hooper was upset. Merlin, he reminded him of his kids when something didn’t go their way. “Now how I address the situation with Miss Gaeltheos is personal to her. Like how I address this situation with you and how I’ll address this situation with Miss Torros. Accountability is privy to the individual but there will be fair accountability,” explained Simon. He knew it was not the answer Hooper wanted but it was the only answer in Simon’s mind.

His facial expressions softened when he heard Hooper’s side of the story and how it all stemmed from the Start of Term feast. He’d mention this issue to Leanne so that she’d watch out for it. He remained quiet and heard him out until the end. He did note the boy’s foot tapping but did wonder if there was more stuff there. It wasn’t like Miss Gaeltheos to be mean right off that bat. She was usually quite pleasant. “I’m genuinely sorry that that happened to you.” Kids were mean at times. And if you had a tick, sometimes they weren’t understanding of it. “I will speak to Healer Macini about this. Is there anything else that happened? Nothing that you or Miss Toros said?”

[Freyr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

Simon noticed the smile he wore before he spoke again. He took a sip of his hot chocolate as he listened to Luther. He did smile at the agreement that the marshmallows tasted better. It was a brief moment of lightness added in.

Oh? It seemed as if Mr Starriver was very well read for his age. Consider him impressed. This spoke to the boy‘s ambition and thirst for knowledge to solve issues. He respected the self-drive. It was one he related too.

“I understand that.” Viewing those memories in a pensive could feel authentic or completely fake potentially. He had never experienced it personally so he couldn’t speak on the matter. “I’m not sure either… I’m not sure how genuine it’d feel or if it’d be like the Muggle virtual reality…” he explained.

Feeling the warmth of the hot chocolate spreading in his body, Luther sighed and finished his cup. Looking at the Professor, he said "Thank you, Professor. For the hot chocolate and listening. I promise to consult Healer Mancini before resorting to any magical methods." and after pausing for a few seconds, "If I ever manage to access a Pensieve of my own, would you like to try it?"

[MadMadamMalfoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

He gave Desiree a wide smile when she greeted him in return. Her smile was infectious. He always found this particular’s attitude positive. “Much recovered after the feast,” he chuckled, opening the door so that Miss Marchand could step into the office. “Peeves got a little too excited, I reckon.”

Simon took a few steps back over to his desk and offered Miss Marchand a seat if she wanted to take one. He was interested in hearing her answer and raised both eyebrows when she brought forward a present. A present? For him. Consider him touched! His smile touched his eyes making the ice blue slightly warmer.

“Why thank you! That’s very kind of you, Miss Marchand. And yes, you may. Would you like a hot beverage? I have tea and hot cocoa. Perhaps we could have a macaron while we chat?” he offered.

Desiree was glad to hear that Professor Holden had recovered from Peeves’s antics. After all, nobody likes being pelted with nasty swamp water. She giggled softly. She supposed that was one way to describe Peeves, Not sure “excited” was the word she’d use, though! “Then Peeves needs to find a less messy way to show his excitement!” she replied with an empathic nod. Like glitter, for example. You couldn’t go wrong throwing something colorful and sparkly!

She immediately noticed the way Holden’s smile extended to his eyes, which, in her opinion, made him even more like a Disney prince than ever. Seriously, did he know he looked like Prince Eric? “Thank you,” she replied, setting the tray on the desk. She took a seat, daintily arranging her skirt around her as she sat up straight with perfect princessy posture.

Ooh, he did have beverages for the students! Desiree’s smile grew even wider at the offer of hot cocoa. “Yes, please! Hot cocoa sounds lovely,” she said. “Which flavor would you like? The yellow ones are butterbeer flavored, and the black ones are dark chocolate.”

[aRogueOne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson

Simon sighed at Hopper’s question before he realized he had never told the boy that this wasn’t detention. Well. Oops?

Then the list of complaints came in about how unfair this was. Understandably so Hooper was upset. Merlin, he reminded him of his kids when something didn’t go their way. “Now how I address the situation with Miss Gaeltheos is personal to her. Like how I address this situation with you and how I’ll address this situation with Miss Torros. Accountability is privy to the individual but there will be fair accountability,” explained Simon. He knew it was not the answer Hooper wanted but it was the only answer in Simon’s mind.

His facial expressions softened when he heard Hooper’s side of the story and how it all stemmed from the Start of Term feast. He’d mention this issue to Leanne so that she’d watch out for it. He remained quiet and heard him out until the end. He did note the boy’s foot tapping but did wonder if there was more stuff there. It wasn’t like Miss Gaeltheos to be mean right off that bat. She was usually quite pleasant. “I’m genuinely sorry that that happened to you.” Kids were mean at times. And if you had a tick, sometimes they weren’t understanding of it. “I will speak to Healer Macini about this. Is there anything else that happened? Nothing that you or Miss Toros said?”

Looking away awkwardly at anything but the Professor, Hooper’s eyes were trained on the cracks in the floor, drinking in the endless spiders’ webs and dust that had no doubt been there since the beginning of time. “Okay Professor, whatever you say.” It didn’t sound fair to him at all although he wasn’t exactly getting a detention now so he couldn’t complain really. Part of him wanted to argue that his wasn’t exactly private as he’d been asked to come there in the middle of class but he already knew what the answer would be ‘Oh, it’s not private because no one else is there…blah, blah, blah.

Rubbing his eyes, Hooper sniffled and shrugged as the Professor said he was sorry. He didn’t have anything to be sorry about. It wasn’t his fault some people didn’t know he had trouble sitting still. “It’s fine Professor. I…yeah…” Feelings. Emotions. EW. AWKWARD. He’d never been one for sharing how he felt. Bottling it up always seemed so much easier. “Speak to the healer about what?” Surely not his tapping? He didn’t need healing! And as for his question, “When? In class? Not that I know of. She did ask her a question in the hall. Something about a boyfriend but that’s about it,” his face the picture of innocence now. He didn’t see the big deal. Why had she been so butt hurt about it? It was an honest question from Arden.