Not go for Care of Magical Creatures? "I've been handling magical creatures all my life," Jared said. "I used to be a dragon-keeper and, later, part of the Russian Manticore Capture Unit." It had been an amazing time despite... things, he could not deny that. "I chose Charms because it's both a strength and a change." Something new. Hence, all the more enjoyable.

Not to mention, the Care of Magical Creatures position at Hogwarts had not been vacant. Though, even if it had been, Jared knew he would have leaned towards Charms or Defense.

"And what about you, JP? It seems you've been thinking a good deal about careers, and life after Hogwarts. Have you found a career that interests you, yet?"

"That's my line," Jared grinned, as he motioned to the vacant chair opposite his desk. "Not right now, Hugo, but can I help with anything?"

*

She seemed, for a moment there, as if she did not quite know herself what was puzzling her.

"No, not that," Jared said, shaking his head as she apologized for her earlier question. "I just received the impression that something was bothering you, in class. And has been in general," he added. Something about the spoon-throwing, that did not have everything to do with the spoon-throwing itself. His tones said as much.

"Makes very logical sense professor. Sounds as though your travels have lead you to experience a lot. How was the change from a france school to hogwarts? "
JP noticed the professor mispronounced his name. He hadn't made an impression on this professor yet but he was sure that his drive to be a good student would change that.
"Careers. Well my father is a cursebreaker. He travels a lot. And that field seems like something i would be very interested in. My dad has shown me the ropes so i think i would be good at it. I love it too so that makes it even better. Ancient Runes is where my strength lies . I think i want to be a professor of that subject eventually."

Not that? More surprised and slightly confused, Katie realized she was right to silently question the meaning behind his previous words 'I can't say I'm expecting a straight answer here'. It wasn't unusual for a Professor to say that when asking something along these lines, she supposed. But that wasn't the only thing it seemed he had picked up on. That's what caused the confusion.

Not that he shouldn't be observant, again most professors were. She had done a poor job of hiding how she was feeling in class, so the fact he had noticed wasn't terribly surprising. The rest of it was, though. If she was right. He had said in general.. Once again, Katie found herself looking down at the toy turtle for something to stare at, a slight frown on her lips. She allowed her gaze to move on to the Professor after a moment of considering his words, before murmuring, "It's not school related." But he already knew that, didn't he?

Katie wasn't use to feeling as though she had been seen through, even if she wasn't completely sure she had been. "Can I ask you something, Professor?"

Ellie had BIG news to tell Little Professor.

BIG.

IMPORTANT.

So she went straight to his office, and knocked another fun tune on the door. Grin.

OOC: The mispronunciation was a typo.

"I suppose so." He didn't see the point of travel that did not lead to experience and exposure. "Drastic," he grinned, as JP asked about the change. "I'm not exactly a student anymore."

Being a part of the student, and not the student population, changed a lot of things. More responsibility, so to speak.

Cursebreaker? Jared knew a few of those, and he could see the thrill in the job. "Runes and defense," he said, mildly thoughtfully. "You'll need to be good at those, to pursue that field. It's a fantastic one. Dangerous, but fantastic."

To be honest, 'dangerous, hence fantastic' translated his thoughts better.

*

Jared's expression remained neutral, as Katie looked down. Not school related. He had expected as much, even if he did not know the exact cause of her troubles. She seemed like a good student, so he doubted it might be her studies. Family problems? Did she need 'the talk'?

"I see." Pause. "Letting it effect your studies and behaviour seems like giving up, Kaitlynnh." He hadn't called her here to get her to share her problems. Those, it was her choice to keep or discuss. More to say that. Not to let them effect her to the point where people began to notice, or life became even more difficult.

Her question almost surprised him. Jared nodded. "Of course."

*

He had a good idea who could knock like that.

"Come right in," Jared said, unable to keep back his customary, lazy grin. He had been missing his Little Human.

Katie made a face when he uttered the words 'giving up', wrinkling her nose in displeasure. It wasn't like she wanted it to effect any of the above nor was she trying to let it; Merlin knew Katie had been fighting with her feelings, friendships and the struggles they continued to bring to her for quite a while now. It was just no use. And she was tired. But.. "I don't give up, sir. At least not where it concerns my studies or behavior.. I'm trying. Trying to be good, and keep my grades up and my head in class. It's just.." Harder to focus when Legend was making the Bott girl cry. "Spoon throwing."

A sigh left the Hufflepuff as she averted her eyes again, murmuring, "He's my best friend. I never wanted feelings for anyone, nevermind him. And what I really didn't want was our friendship to fall to pieces as a result, but it seems to be a little too late to prevent that as well." A slight rosy color washed over the curly-haired badger's cheeks, warming them as she looked back to the Professor.

"Was it very obvious, or are you some kind of expert at reading people?" Katie asked, referring to how he had known something was wrong.

Ellie walked into Little Professor's office very carefully, glancing around. No people? Good!

She quickened her pace and threw herself on a chair.

"So guess what!" Guess guess guess guess guess!

GRIN.

JP sat there and absorbed everything that the professor had to say.
He wondered how his school must have differed from hogwarts. He figured that he would need to be proficient in Defense against the dark arts. He just hadn't gotten to it. He wasn't terrible but he could be better.
"In retrospect professor, Do you think becoming a professor was the right path to take for you? "
JP new that eventually becoming a professor would be exciting.

She had laid her problem on the table before Jared could address her initial response and, of course, the Charms Professor found himself silent for a moment. Her problem, he could not solve for her. But, more than that, he realized she had to be talking about Legend Chosen.

Legend Chosen.

...

Goodness.

"Kaitlynnh..." He paused, not quite sure how to say it, and then deciding against saying it altogether. "I'm glad you're trying. I expect you to." She should know he held her to a high standard. "It'll pass, believe me, even if it seems right now like it can't. Does he... know?"

The important question.

"I don't think it was." He paused, expression neutral. "I didn't get the feeling that..." That she liked Legend Chosen. "But I did pick up that something had bothered you more than just the disturbance." Expert at reading people? "I believe I'm good at it, but I suppose I can't respond objectively to that. But if you're concerned this might be affecting your behaviour... it is. If you're concerned it might be affecting it too obviously, no, it isn't."[/B]

*

"Let's see..." Jared pretended to think about it seriously.

"You've found out that, being the only Little Human on the Ravenclaw team, you'd like to be promoted to the ranks of Big Humans?" he asked, quite seriously.

*

"I've only been one for half a year," Jared smiled. "But, yes, I think so. I'm enjoying it, and I like being able to share the knowledge that I have." It felt like he had repaid a debt, at times. "That said, I don't think I'm never going to try out another profession."

For him, life meant trying out new things. Change. Fortunately or unfortunately, he could only enjoy stability for so long.

"Do you enjoy Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

Back to curse-breakers, then. Jared wasn't used to talking about himself, for so long.

*

Ellie was not expecting this. She was expecting the usual grown up's 'what?' without any guessing. But he DID guess! It was so exciting!

She giggled at his suggestion. "No way." She wouldn't trade in her little-ness to be Big. Who would want to be big? Boring people, that's who.

"Guess again!"

But before he could answer, she continued, "I went to Everest. And guess what else..." This is where she put on her most convincing 'serious' face, "You can't fall off it!" True. She was there. She knew. "At least not like....falling, falling. You could tumble, though. But you'd still be on the mountain on your way down. So...still..you can't fall off."

And that was her main news.

Guess again? Jared obliged.

"You've decided chocolate is evil?"

But she had started speaking again, and he found himself attempting to keep a straight face as he imagined her at the top of Mount Everest. Poor mountain. It had probably been scared witless the moment it had seen her at the bottom. Managing to hold back the grin that struggled to slip out, Jared shook his head.

"You can if you try," he said, tones completely serious.

"That's fantastic! I have never thought of teaching in that way. But you are right. How did you feel when you knew you would be a professor here at hogwarts?" JP noticed the professor was beginning to ask questions about his life now. "Well, i had kind of noticed that i do have a sort of knac for it . I have been helping out friends here and there with Defense Against the dark arts type stuff. Spells and such. I know the theory and it just comes to me. The material is quite interesting too. I haven't really spoken to the headmaster about his take on the subject but i am sure it is pretty interesting." Jp was really interested in Professor Descoteaux's profession and was glad that the conversation was going well. "How is it that you manage to make our lesson fun? Not saying that the other professors subjects aren't intriguing , it just seems like most of the time in Charms we are having fun but we end up leaving that class learning something new."

"What?" Ellie didn't hear exactly what he said, cuz she was talking over him, but she was pretty sure she heard something that sounded something like 'chocolate'. Therefore, whatever he said was UBER important.

Wait.

You can?!

She contemplated this... and she just couldn't see any way this was possible. She was THERE, remember? She knew first hand. She was stumped.

"How?!" She wanted to know! Not because she wanted to try it or anything....
Cough.

Kyle manning slipped into Professor Descoteaux's office. "Er, Professor I just wanted to thank you for helping me well not be frozen in place from that stray spel in class the other day." She smiled she honestly did appreciate that.

"Thank you, really, it was very considerate."

setting his broom in the corner Mikey knocks 3 times and goes and grabs a seat

It might have been after hours, but this was an important mission. Dessi, the little girl Niffler, had caused quite the mess in her dorm room, yes her dorm mates will get quite the surprise when their sleepy bodies wander up the their torn up, tossed around, room. How Rae had even got ahold of Dessi named after her favorite professor Well that was a secret. What mattered now was Codename: Operation Dessi/Chaud. Boy, did this little Niffler NOT act like a lady! She constantly squirmed as Rae carried her in the empty messenger bag to Prof Chaud's office. Once they reached their destination, Rae found that no one was currently there, GOOD! She drew her wand and cast Lumos nonverbally to see the door handle to let herself and Dessi in. Once inside she gingerly set the bag on the ground letting Dessi loose among the office. Muahah! For a little bit she watched as her little Niffler went to work then she walked outside the office and leaned against the wall. Just... Waiting.

Did 'unsurprised' or 'less relieved than my mother' sound like a good response? "Fine, I guess," Jared grinned. "I thought it might prove to be a challenge, and challenges are good." For the health. For his health, at least.

"You might find pursuing such a career as that easier than a lot of people, then," Jared said. Being good at defensive magic could mean the difference between life and death. The price of survival. "I guess I have a knack for it, same as you do for defensive magic." Lazygrin.

*

"What I said." If she hadn't heard it... HER fault.

Or maybe he just liked irritating her.

Nah.

"That's for me to know, and you to find out," Jared said cheerfully. You know, she looked like she wanted to try it. Nice.

Lazylittlegrin.

Jared looked up as someone slipped into the office, surprised that the student had not knocked.

"Nothing more than I should have done," he said, smiling lightly at Kyle's statement. He could not, after all, have let the students just remain immobile until the charm wore off.

"Come in," Jared said as, moments later, the sound of knocking floated into the office. The door swung open to let the student in, and he nodded at Michael as the Hufflepuff entered.

"How may I help you?" Jared asked, motioning to one of the vacant chairs in front of his desk.

*

Jared had, for once, left his office unprotected. The invisible net of defensive spells that covered it - a good part of the net often removed for the students' safety, during the time he remained in his office - never let the place be unprotected during the time he did not remain inside.

But, having spent half a year at Hogwarts, he had told him to relax, at least occasionally. The students did not desire to mess up his possessions - at least, not most of them. And so, heading down to the kitchen to grab himself a mug of coffee - Merlin knew he needed it, same as he felt he needed a little exercise - he decided not to take any precautionary measures.

And did that ever cost him.

The first person he saw, on his return to the third floor, was Rae. Leaning next to the door. "Rae," Jared acknowledged, figuring out she must have been waiting for him, and giving her the usual faint smile. The door swung open at his approach, Jared stepped inside... and, for a moment, just stood there. Then, quite calmly, he walked up to his desk, set down the mug of coffee, summoned the niffler and, ignoring the dire condition his office was in [The books. Lord, the books] stepped back outside.

"You haven't lost your niffler by any chance, have you?" He asked, expression deadpan as he held out the niffler, green gaze fixed on the Slytherin.

And here he came, a cup of-- Something adults drink in hand. Of course Prof Chaud acknowledged her before entering his office, but Rae stayed leading against the wall, watching as he swung open his door. Rae's anticipation was building up inside of her and Prof Chaud was taking FOREVER! However he had finally come out of the room with her mischievous little niffler. Rae knew her act wouldn't work, but that was precisely the point. Playing dumb was her tactic for now though. "Oh! THAT'S Where she went! I've just been worried sick about her." Rae exaggerated her voice perhaps a bit too much as she held her hands and arms out for the niffler to fall into. Rae also wore a brilliant "I'm innocent!" Smile upon her face.

"But what did you say?" Come onnnn, it was something about chocolate! She was sure of it!

Ellie blinked at Little Professor. She really needed to get used to him confusing her. "Are you telling me to unsafely attempt to throw myself off Mount Everest?!" Pretty sure that would be against the rules of teaching... If not the rules of humanity. And he said that a bit too cheerfully... She cast him some suspicious glances.

Of course, she knew that wasn't what he really meant.

Hopefully.

"Anyway, I have something to show you," she pulled her bag into her lap, "My da-"

....

GLARE.

At least she had the decency to knock...

Ellie repressed the urge to roll her eyes. Did the girl honestly think a professor, Little Professor, would allow someone to be frozen.

...Dude, he totally wouldn't have helped her....

More reason to GLARE.

He expected her to? Katie didn't know what she expected to hear, but it wasn't that. It surprised her a little bit. But not enough to distract her from the subject all together, nothing seemed to be able to do that. Was he talking about the feelings or her and Legend's current issues? Either way, there wasn't much of a difference between the two now were there? "It does seem that way. I would imagine it would be easier if I just went to school with him, but I don't, Professor. Not only do I have too many classes with the boy, but we share a group of close friends. We live a few houses down from each other, and our families are very, very close." Could he see the problem there? She never got a break. Not ever, not for long enough. He was always there and if he wasn't, she had plenty of reminders. It wasn't humanly possible to just forget about him all together. Which Katie wasn't so sure she didn't want to do anymore.

His question though, brought her out of her slight, oddly calm rant of an explanation, and brought the corners of her mouth tugging downward, erasing any trace of a small smile she had been trying to keep. This time, Katie didn't look away. "Yes, he does. Because Legend Chosen had to be a stupid boy. He was never suppose to know." Katie knew if she were talking to Hadley, she would get a lecture and points deducted for calling another student - even Legend Chosen, - stupid. But it slipped and in honesty, Katie wouldn't have taken it back. "He figured out I liked someone, and.. that's what started our friendship started to crumble; I tried keeping it from him and he got mad at me because I wouldn't tell him who it was. We don't keep secrets," Katie looked down at the toy turtle, murmuring the last part. Or atleast that was how it use to be when they were kids. "I warned him over and over to let it go and that he didn't want to know. But.." Katie shrugged, "He knows. And he definitely doesn't feel the same, or even close. I already knew."

Listening silently, Katie gave a small nod of her curly-haired head with the slightest amount of relief. She wasn't sure what she would do if it was obvious how she felt about the Gryffindor, because that was all she needed to deal with now. The Hufflepuff had enough on her plate without worrying about the entire school knowing her personal feelings and problems. It was bad enough that her behavior was noticeably off. "Thank you, sir. I'm.. working on it, and I'll work harder now," Katie wasn't sure how. Wasn't sure what to do or what she could do. Maybe move on all together, let the problems go? Ignore the feelings and need to fix things with Legend? Was that even an option? Merlin, she hated being a teenager. Hated it. There was no other torture worse.

Walking in with his broom,looking around and seeing the state of the office " hi proffessor I need a bit of help with a progect that we have been given for flyingclass ,we have to add or modify these old brooms from the school that were to be destroyed ,and i wanted to add a warm air charm to it so it is more comfortable to fly in cold weather,but I think the school put some kind of protection on the broom so students could not change them,can you help me get rid of the protection charm " showing the old school broom to the charms teacher, or should i just use it to help you tidy up first

Alice, who had appreciated Professor Descoteaux's kindness with all her family matters before she left figured she would stop in and say hello. Now that she was back, she felt much better and much more focused. Although Alice was looking so different these days that she wasn't surprised that some people were giving her strange looks. Giving a gentle knock on the door, Alice smiled warmly at the Professor.

"If you're not too busy, do you mind if I come in?" Alice asked, not wanting to be a nuisance.

"Why is a raven like a writing desk?" Jared repeated his question. Except that he didn't repeat it. That hadn't been his original question, and he had a fair idea she'd know that.

Was her telling her to unsafely attempt to throw herself off Mount Everest?

Good question.

"Are you telling me that I'm telling you to unsafely attempt to throw yourself off Mount Everest?" Jared asked, feigned shock in his voice. Come to think of it, had he been telling her that?

Nah.

He'd like the Little Human safe, thank you very much.

"Yes?" He glanced down at the bag. Now he was curious. Sure, curiosity had killed the cat, but Jared had the advantage of not being a cat.

OOC: The office destruction RP is in a different timeline. Just so you know.

Jared nodded. "Let me see," he said and, certain that he did have his gloves on, he took the broomstick from Michael and placed it on his desk, tapping it with the tip of his wand. Electric green smoke spiralled out, and Jared frowned slightly.

"It wouldn't be safe to remove the charms placed on this broomstick," he said, tones matter-of-fact as he glanced up at the Hufflepuff. He could do it, but it was highly advanced magic and, that considered, Jared doubted Max had intended students to undo the charms. "It can be done, but it's extremely advanced magic, and I don't think Professor Vindictus intended for the charms already placed on the broom to be removed - they're vital to the broomstick." Vital to its being able to function and be a safe means of transport.

"If Professor Vindictus wants you to enhance these broomsticks, that probably means they're not going to be tossed out of the broomshed just like that, so undoing the charms can mean harm. But the appearance of the broomstick can still be altered, and other spells still added to it, as long as they don't interfere with the mechanism of the protective spells. You're fine, on that front."

*


Yes. He could see the problem. And, for her sake, Jared hoped it was only the constant proximity that had caused her to develop feelings for Legend. Because... you know. Legend Chosen.

Legend. Chosen.

Ehem.

"Perhaps you could give something new a try?" Jared suggested. Some sort of time-consuming activity that took her mind off Legend Chosen. "Mingle more, find other people that share the same interests?" Having close mutual friends didn't help, he supposed. "... and try not to think of not thinking of Legend." The Game. The more you think of not thinking about something, the more you do think of that thing. "Just let it go. Stop focusing on needing to work things out, and they'll have a better chance of working themselves out." In the end, nothing can cure feelings. They come and they go as they like.

"It's fine. I'm sure everything will return to normal." Even if didn't seem that way to her, right now. Though Jared understood she might not find it easy, the Hufflepuff needed to relax.

*

Jared looked up, and found himself pleasantly surprised. Not having seen this particular Gryffindor around the castle for quite some time, he had drawn his own conclusions, none satisfying. For her sake, he had hoped she'd be fine.

"Of course not," he said. "Come right in."

*

Her smile did the same thing as her exclamation: practically go around waving a "I'm Guilty!" sign.

We see right through you, Slytherin.

"Of course you have," Jared said calmly. Had she thought hanging around, looking clueless, after sneaking in that niffler strengthened her case of I-didn't-do-it, or had she intended to get caught? Frowning, he motioned to the open door.

"Do come in and take a look," he said. At the disaster that now reigned supreme in his once-perfect office. Chaos and disorderliness and torn documents, among other unpleasant things.

Perhaps the sight might make her feel some modicum of guilt?

....

Why did he doubt that?

Alice gave Professor Descoteaux another warm smile as he motioned that she was welcome to come in. Taking one of the open seats Alice sat down, before looking up at him. "I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I'm back, and offer my apologies for missing your class. Things at home...well they got a little rough and I was needed there, so I had to go, but I am back now and doing much better." Alice gave the Professor another smile as she tucked a stray piece of dark brown hair behind her ear. She was still getting used to it, since it was such an extreme change from her bleach blonde. "I also wanted to thank you for how understanding and supportive you were when I was here. I really appreciate it, and I'm looking forward to getting back to your classes."

Blink.

That was NOT what he'd asked. Ellie had distinctly heard chocolate. Unless her ears were deceiving her and she was hearing chocolate everywhere just because she liked it so much.

Still, "It's not. A raven's a bird. A desk's an inanimate object..."

Don't tell the knocker about that question... Poor ickle Spike already hated it enough.

Heh. "No. Not unsafely. Just in general. With a cushioning charm." Safety first.

Ellie bit her lip briefly before she continued, "My dad bought this for me over the holidays." She pulled the uber cool, shiny camera out of her bag. It was one of those bigger cameras with tons of knobs that she had no idea the function of. Accessorized with a strap for her to wear it around her neck, like a tourist. Heh.

BEAM.