Kevin was grumbling under his breath, a frown on his face and his hands inside his robe pockets as he followed the Potions Professor to the office of his Head of House. His hands were balled into fists as he kept wondering why HE had to see her when that stupid girl had been yelling at him.

Another thing he did not get was WHY the man had been angry with him. He had only said that he wanted an apology from her. Was it his behaviour? his aura? his parents had Always warned him to be careful around others but he had never paid attention to it because he knew he would just get grounded for a couple of days and then it was over.

He lifted up his gaze when they had reached the office and he looked with his left hazel and right dark brown eyes towards the Potions Professor and then towards the door.

Well, HE was the one who wanted to come here so HE should knock or something. No way that Kevin was knocking on that door, hmpf!

Cosgrach tried his best to calm down during the walk to Seren's office and not teach the boy some manners via magic. He... he couldn't believe how silly the boy was. He could have got away with it if only he kept his mouth shut. Well, this had been Gryffindors' problem while he was a student here, and very few things had changed in the 22 years he was abroad.

Knocking on her door once with the boy sulking next to him, he showed his hands into his robe's pockets and tried to relax. He didn't want to greet Seren with an ugly face, after all. She deserved much better, unlike the kid he'd brought to her.

After a few chores and checking in on greenhouse eight, Seren had ducked back into her office to make some head way with some paperwork when her attention was drawn to a knocking at her door.

She wasn't expecting any company, and other classes were running, so it piqued her curiosity resulting in her hopping out of her chair enthusiastically to answer the door.

The first face she saw was Cosgrach's and she had been about to greet him warmly when she noticed the first year cub in tow. Merlin. What now?
"Professor Culloden," she greeted formally instead, because of said student being present, "it's so good to see you, though I suspect this isn't a social visit?" Definitely not, given the circumstances. Seren eyed the boy, "Kevin..." she nodded. What had he done?!

With a small sigh, she stood back, extending her hand toward the seats before her desk. "Please, come in, how may I be of service?"

Oh, great, she was at her office. That meant they could be over with it quickly, like the boy had put it. Cosgrach nodded at her cordially. It was obvious he was tensed by the situation, so he hoped she would excuse him for not being more communicative.

"Professor Bentley," he said, "I'm afraid not." He didn't want to discuss anything at the door, though, so he passed inside and sat at the seats she had indicated without waiting for the boy. So Kevin, he was. He could very well assist himself, Cosgrach had no doubt.

"Thank you for accepting... us." He looked at the boy gravely. "The reason of the visit is, Kevin, here, is stubborn to show disrespect to his peer although I've been more than clear enough that he shouldn't do it. I didn't think deducting any points would be of much help, though," he said, eyes on Seren, "but thought maybe you could teach him better than me."

Kevin had been silently wishing that his Head of House wasn't at her office while Potions dude knocked on the door. He was nervous somehow. His forehead sweated a little and his stomach turned in a bad way when the door opened and they were motioned inside the office.

He tried not to show it though because he was a Gryffindor and showing nervous fear was a big no no in his book. He watched the two or mostly the Potions dude as he explained why they were there and he rolled his eyes unconsiously. Disrespect. Was THAT what this was about? Pfft!

He sat on one of the chairs that his Head of House had waved at and leaned back almost arrogantly. His arms folded over each other and a hint of a grin on his face when Potions dude said that maybe she could teach him respect or whatever. Did that mean he was leaving? He sure hoped so.

After receiving Professor Bentley's replying owl about Tag being able to visit her for an appointment the boy didn't waste too much time arriving to her office. Upon getting closer to her office Tag slowed down his pace of walk and stood by the door for a few seconds before putting his hand on the knob and regretting it. Nope. If Bentley was busy with something Tag didn't want to intrude. So he quietly knocked on the door, in hopes of receiving some sort of response from Bentley. If not, he could always come back another time.

She was a little apprehensive. What could a first year have done, in potions, to warrant a a visit or... meeting... with her? Hhhmmm? No harm to the other students, surely..
Seren sat, patiently, as Cosgrach explained his take on Kevin's actions, it didn't sound near as bad as she had anticipated. Though still, disrespect was not something she liked to deal with, and she would deal with it. "I see," she mused, considering Kevin for a moment, eyes on him, yes. "And in what way was he being disrespectful?" Details were good.

The boy didn't say anything, though he didn't look pleased. "Kevin, would you care to explain your perspective, please?" she asked after a pause, directing her question to him. Yes, he was going to be involved in this conversation whether he liked it or not. Simple.

She was just in the process of moving into her office from her private quarters when the knocking was heard, and so she didn't hesitate a moment in opening the door.

Seren had her suspicions as to who it may have been, having responded to his owl, so it didn't surprise her that Tag was ready and rearing to go.
"Not wasting any time are you?" she chuckled, amused, opening the door wider for him to enter, "please, come in, make yourself comfortable."

Soon enough Bentley was opening the door and teasing Tag. How dare she! Just kidding. "Oh, no, Professor. I do enjoy hanging about Professor's offices for no reason." he was, of course, playing along with her. Smiling warmly he followed his head of house into her office.

He found his seat and took it, facing Bentley's desk. As far as he could remember he'd never been in here before. So the boy looked all over the office getting a feel for the place. She sure did have a lot of pictures on that board. Tag glanced at those for a bit longer than everything else he had been looking around the office.

"Well, Professor... As you know I'll be graduating soon...." Whoa. Ok. Not soon soon. But soon. And the leprechaun needed some help. "And I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do after Hogwarts. I mean, all I know is that I'll be moving in with Mr. Summers." .... And getting some pets along the way, but in terms of anything productive after Hogwarts Tag had no idea. "... I need help figuring stuff out."

Kevin just sat there, a rather bored expression on his face as he was looking around the office more than actually listening to what the two Professors were saying. When he looked back however, he noticed that his Head of House was looking at him right now and he stared back....before his gaze fell to his lap.

He looked up at the mention that he could share his part as well. Good, if he began first maybe she would be on his side. Because everyone knew that a kid was much more cuter than a man right?! Yes, he was convinced that he could win this! "Well" he began, thinking about what had happened. It had all happened so fast! "I was just walking over the wooden bridge you know that one?" duh, she worked here of course she did. "Anyways, i saw a girl sitting alone and she was reading something ....or was she writing? does it really matter?" He looked at the Potions Professor for a second before he continued. "I uh..i might have looked over her shoulder to see what she was doing and she freaked out and started yelling at me!" something about privacy. "Professor whatshisname here said that looking at a girls diary was a bad thing to do so i apologised and i then was send here yup" Okay that might not have been the WHOLE truth..but in his mind,THIS was what had happened.

Oh and for the big final....he looked at his Head of House with an almost sad expression as he tried to get a tear rolling down his cheek but it didn't work.

Oh, beautiful beard of Merlin!

Could the boy stop being over-dramatic, please? Cosgrach questioned for the 39th time just WHY magic wasn't allowed--a tiny drop of Veritaserum, no one had to know--but he kept a neutral face nevertheless, and just listened to the boy's drama. Inadequate explanation. Lies. You name it.

"I think you forgot to mention your 'childish behaviour' for demanding an apology from someone, 'sarcastic apology' and that insult you unfortunately couldn't finish uttering," he calmly.

His name? Culloden. Was it truly that hard to say, or was this another plays of the boy?

Seren chuckled lightly at the Gryffindor's humour, closing the door soon after he cleared the threshold. She watched curiously as he observed his surroundings. He didn't say anything about it, but she could imagine what his thoughts might be. She'd received a number of remarks in the past, particularly about it's neatness and organisation. The lack of dirt everywhere and so forth.

But alas, he was here for things, advice and the like... so taking her seat, she listened as he explained his situation. "Of course," she replied upon his graduating soon. The time did fly, and thought he'd still have another year after this, it was best to start thinking about the future sooner rather than later. Time had a nasty habit of getting away from people. As for figuring stuff out, well, that was rather generic. "And do you have any thoughts on where you might like to start? Anything you're interested in?" she asked, pressing for some details she could work with.



The boy's account seemed to be fairly reasonable, of course, little Lion cubs in trouble couldn't always be trusted to tell the truth, or if they weren't lying, then at least embellishing the truth. A long thoughtful "mmmmmmmmmm," was all she said to him. The whole Professor whatshisname didn't do much to add to his credibility. But of course, Cosgrach's insights were appreciated, and she'd take his word over Kevin's for the time being.

Of course, before deciding what to do with the Lion cub, she had one more question for the boy.

"Kevin, what have you learnt from this experience so far? What will you be doing differently in the future?" His response would determine the outcome of this visit, it could be simple - not good, per se, just simple... or... it could be long and hellish. His choice.

Nope. Tag didn't have much to say about the office other than it was rather clean, but weren't most Professor's offices cleaned and filled with personal pictures or objects that represented memories? But, anyway, Tag simply smiled at Bentley as she took her seat.

The boy shook his head when his Professor agreed about his soon to be graduation. Where had the time gone? He couldn't even remember much that happened in his earlier years here at Hogwarts, and now his departure from the castle was right around the corner. " I..." He started with slight hesitation to continue with his talking. "...Don't really have any idea what to do after Hogwarts. If I should go to school or get a job." He kind of already said that, didn't he? But then Bentley asked if there was anything that interested him. Well, there could come so many possibilities from that. "I do enjoy animals. Both magical and muggle. See I've got tons of pets. Two dogs and a turtle and a kneazle." There was one interest, Tag supposed.

"And I like to sing as well. I play the guitar too. And.... I guess I'm a really caring guy? I'm always trying to help people, or rather give them advice." Tag wasn't quite sure how that could be important but anything helped, right?

Kevin looked from one to the other as Culloden reminded him of more things he had done and Bentley silently judging. The sight was simply too familiar to him that he spontaniously bursted out with a laugh. "You two remind me of my parents!" he said with a chuckle and leaned back in the chair he was sitting on.

And then the question of what he had learned about this whole event made him sigh softly. Well, he certainly had not learned his lesson. If he had then he wouldn't be here at this moment for his parents gave him the talk a lot of times already. And each time he would nod, promised to be good and be on his way again until the next talk. Occasionally they grounded him but here they couldn't because he had classes to attent so ha!

Yes, in his own little world he was winning.

He turned his head to the Potions Professor and huffed. "At least i SAID an apology even if i didn't meant it!" he said, jumping to his own defence. "She was the one who yelled at me for nothing and refused to give me an apology!" he said and took a glance in his the direction of his Head of House. "Why am i send here to have a talk or whatever this is and she only lost a few points..." And he might have demanded an apology from both the Professor and the Ravenclaw...mweh he couldn't remember was it really that important? He was folded his arms over each other and looked the other way now. "And i'm bad at names" he lied. "Okay okay, i learned that i should be careful with what i say or do" Meaning not in front of any professors ...or Prefects. But then again, he didn't want to be seen with his own house Prefect anyways because she was mean by telling that Gryffindor could have been better off without him. Hmmm..maybe he should use this ..nah not the time. "Can i go now?"

Cosgrach turned his brown eyes onto Kevin again, and HOPED that he would be wise. Just a simple, 'I'll be more considerate in the future and respect everyone,' was going to--

Oh? His parents? Cosgrach wasn't amused. If anything, it made him set his jaw even tighter.

Eyes on you, little boy.

...

Cosgrach was caaaaalm, he was okaaay, he wasn't going to snaaaap... merely raising one speculative eyebrow to the outside, he admitted defeat to himself. This boy had a brain of a fly, he was further than a silly Gryffindor, and it was even sillier of Cosgrach to hope to teach him some manners. It wasn't like him to enter battles he wouldn't win, so he turned to Seren. Did she share his feleings too?

"Sounds fair," he simply commented. What else could he say?

Flipping her planner open to a page ear marked for meeting notes and feedback, Seren jotted down a couple of words from what Tag had expressed. She nodded, slowly, thinking of his options.
"Well..." she mused, opting to start from the beginning. "There are a number of options for when you graduate.. going straight into the workforce has its advantages in that you can gain experience and earn money immediately," which was generally a good thing, especially if he was moving out of home and renting. "On the other hand, you'll be hard pressed to find a position above entry level, and they don't typically pay well. Studying will give you more options in the future and such professions pay better initially." That wasn't to say a trade wouldn't earn him more in the long term. "Alternatively, you could opt for a mentorship, or apprenticeship, program, which is a blend of the two and can accelerate tertiary education if you decide to go down that route in the end."

She paused her to make a few marking on her page, give Tag a moment to process those thoughts.

In terms of what work or what study he could consider... the possibilities were endless.

"Unfortunately, being on the flora end of the spectrum, I'm not much use in exploring your options with creatures, Professor Thompson is more qualified to help you with that... but there are endless options both in the private and government sector." Ministry work didn't quite seem to be up Tag's alley, perhaps something more ground breaking, something more practical. She decided to bypass the entertainment aspect, playing instruments was all well and good, but even artists needed a back up plan, a day job to fall back on. "Helping people, there's a lot you can do there," she nodded approvingly. It was a rather ambiguous response though, in that helping people could lend itself to a number of professions. "Are you thinking more along the lines of counselling? Or perhaps something like teaching?" She'd have offered healing as a suggestion, but that required more practical application than advisory.



Kevin's laughter did little to amuse her, rather Seren sat, her expression as composed as when she had been speaking to him. As for Cosgrach and herself bearing resemblance to his parents... she wasn't sure what to make of that, though it was clear her colleague wasn't impressed. She almost pitied the boys parents in this instance.

Nevertheless, she listened, and nodded. She agreed with Cosgrach in that the boys statement was fair, if not lacking in sincerity - just a smidgen. But she was content to leave it at that for now.

"Alright, here's what's going to happen," she finally said leaning forward on her desk, palms pressed together and pointing in his general direction. "You will join me in the greenhouses on Saturday morning for the next two weeks... for two hours each time," she eyed him here, her brows were raised and she was completely serious. "You will help me with some chores and furthermore, you will assist Professor Culloden by harvesting potions ingredients for his stores."

She let this sink in a moment. It wasn't so bad, he wasn't going to be locked up and this way he might develop an ounce of patience, and respect. They could only hope.

"Deal?"

The look on the potions professor's face was beyond epic when he had made a comment about parents and he had to control himself not to burst out laughing again. He was able to after seeing the look of his Head of House and he rolled his eyes. Well aren't they both a pair of grumpy people , he thought.

The first year then grinned when the Potions Professor admitted he was defeated and turned his gaze to the woman. Surely she was letting him leave now right ? He still had stuff to do. What came next however had not been what he was used to and he dropped his jaw. "What? That's not how it works!" he said, slightly panicking now. "My parents Always let me promise something and then i can go, why do i have to help around?" it wasn't fair!

And then his eyes widened at the mention that not only he had to help in the Greenhouses every saturday but.....he also had to help HIM?! "Whyyyy do i have to help HIM?!"

That took a far better turn than Cosgrach had anticipated. Not only was Kevin still punished, but he was also punished by two professors in a way. He STILL considered him a lost case, but if Seren saw some light, he wasn't going to argue with her. Maybe she was right, after all. They really could only hope.

He wanted to chuckle at the boy's reply, but kept his serene expression.

"Because we aren't your parents," he said calmly, "and it probably will help your lessons." Shrug. Who would refuse a chance to work one-on-one with TWO professors, right?

Heh heh.

Emma walked slowly through the grounds, pausing when she finally reached the door that lead to the inside of Professor Bentley's office. She had been so sick on the day of class that she hadn't even shown up for the first lesson. Hopefully the woman wouldn't be too upset with her, especially since she had borrowed class notes and information about the homework that was due from her fellow housemates.

Now though, she just thought it would be nice to greet the nice professor lady and give her the gifts she was supposed to give her on the first day of class.

Knock, knock....

When Tag had finished speaking he discreetly glanced at Professor Bentley's notebook. What was she writing? Stuff Tag was saying? Notes? Why he seemed so nervous about this and if he needed some candy or something to calm him down?

Workforce. Right. That's what Tag supposed he would be doing. He had to think about either going into work or going into schooling again. And had to discuss some of the rent payment stuff with Alec. So much to think about. "I suppose I want to go straight into the work field, like you said. But, at least trying to work in something that interests me, you know? What's the point of doing work if you're going to hate it. It'll just be boring." Tag couldn't do boring. Not at all. But schooling then work seemed to be what Bentley was suggesting to Tag would be the better option. So he kept this in mind too. He wanted good payment, too. So, yeah, schooling might be better. " I'll consider schooling as a higher option, at this point." Even if he had to work at it a bit harder. " Is mentorship and apprenticeship is that different than interning? I've done interning two summers now, at Diagon Alley. So I guess I have some experience with that." And whoa. Big word there, professor. " What does... tertior.... what does that word mean, Professor?" Might as well ask.

And more writing.

The small mention of the creatures, Bentley not being able to help Tag out so much with that, he understood that, so he simply nodded when she'd spoken about that and kept in mind about seeing the Care of Magical Creatures Professor. Counseling or teaching, that was a good question. But very simple for Tag to answer due to the fact that, " I'd probably get the students, or whoever I'm working with, if I went into a teaching profession, rather confused rather quickly. I have a tendency to confuse myself too, sometimes." So, no, he didn't want any poor souls getting confused with Tag's brain process. "I think counseling would be more of my thing. Literally helping people out with their struggles and problems and trying to make them feel better." he said with a nod.

Seren's eyes widened just a bit at the boys protest. And it seemed to explain a great deal. His parents let him make empty promises and let him lose on society? ... goodness gracious.

"That's exactly it," she noted, agreeing with the Potions Master. Not his parents, nope. The child would be better behaved if they were, but that wasn't a thought she would entertain. "Him, has a name.. remember, it's Professor Culloden? Or should I make you write lines in your spare time too?" Names were important, especially considering he had only just been pulled up on the whole having respect thing. Rookie error.

Regardless, it would be do the boy some good. "I'll be seeing you no late than eight on Saturday morning, that understood?" she asked, eyebrow arched, curious to see if he'd challenge her. Or would this be the end of it?



Going over the draft quidditch roster for approval, Seren ticked it off her list... it was fine with her, now it simply required Tyner's approval. Hearing a faint knock at her door, Seren checked the time and her planner. Both of which led her to believe that the person outside her door was none other than Emma.

"Cominggg!" she called out, flitting out from behind her desk and crossing the room.

Pulling the door back on its hinges, Seren offered her a warm smile before indicating for her to step inside. "Hello dear, please... come in."



Seren nodded, her lips pursed thoughtfully as Tag elaborated on his thoughts. Working, yes, in something he'd enjoy... of course, naturally. "Absolutely, and if you don't enjoy it, you won't last..." and you wouldn't want to, really. "It might be a good idea to start brainstorming activities you enjoy," she noted with a casual wave of the hand, "when I graduated from Hogwarts, the first thing I did was go into the business of horticulture -- landscaping.. and I loved it at the time, so find something you enjoy doing now, that you can apply to an entry level field outside of school."

It pleased her that he was considering his options, he showed some good initiative coming to this meeting, so that a positive. He didn't seem to be sold on the higher education strategy, but there was time for that later if he changed his mind. "No, they are very similar, you work... gain experience, the pay isn't the best but once you have that experience you'll find that often they'll keep you on with a permanent position." So it had its benefits.

Tertiary? The boy didn't know what tertiary meant? Merlin. "Tertiary is the highest level of education," she explained with a smile, "you have primary education which you would have likely experienced in muggle schools.." unless you were home schooled like she had been, "secondary, which is where you're at now, and so tertiary is your universities, specialised colleges and the like."

She made a couple more small notes in the margins of her page before quickly glancing beneath her table. Caltex was all curled up... still... that dog could sleep. Seren did let out a small chuckle at the thought of Tag confusing students. She supposed the profession wasn't for everyone. "No teaching then," she agreed. Though, that wasn't to say he didn't have a future with children. "Child care? Given that any thought?" she asked, suddenly reminded of her own little Derf. Mumma missed him...
But alas, it seemed as though he genuinely liked the counselling idea, excellent! "A number of universities offer counselling courses, so it might be an idea to enquire for a pamphlet or two, see what prerequisistes they require or advise as well as minimum scores for entry." Of course, it wasn't a profession you could simply walk into, it took training and learning, so having all the information would make things clearer for him.

"Hello Professor Bentley, lovely afternoon, isn't it?" Emma smiled shyly up at the woman. She had a kind look to her, always a good sign. Especially since the last professor she had encountered hadn't been kind to her at all.

"These are for you," She added quietly, handing over her potted Flitterbloom plant and plate that had been overfilled with lavender poppy seed muffins. "I hope you like lavender.. I've been making good use of the kitchen.."

Oh yes she had. That, and making friends with Beezly the house elf. She sure was a dear little soul.

Because we aren't your parents.

Kevin turned his head towards the Potions Professor sitting next to him with raised eyebrows. Because we aren't your parent! Bwahaha! "Wow, you're smart" he said sarcastically, knowing he was rude and did not care. Because why would he be respectful and nice if no one else was to him? Looking back to the front he sighed in defeat and shook his head at the writing lines part. "I'll TRY to remember his name" he said with a roll of his eye and stood up from the chair because he wasn't going to protest about the 8 am on SATURDAY though because he had the feeling he would have to get up at 7 am if he did. SEE he was getting smarter already!

"Yeah yeah, 8 am ...whatever" he turned around to move to the door but then stopped and turned back around. "Have a....." he huffed "nice...oh you know what, bye" and he walked to the door. If one of them was going to stop him he was going to run.

Right. Not liking it or enjoying it was the road Tag didn't want to head down, whether it be for school or work. So he nodded at his head of house when she had agreed with him. "Activities." Tag simply said to himself. Hmm. Activities. Did he do much? He wasn't quite sure, he just had a lot of interests he supposed. Yes, so much more thinking would need to go towards all this. Gosh, this was so much to think about. But, even hearing little backstories from Bentley gave Tag some ideas, at least what to think of, so he was thankful for her throwing some of that in there. "Brainstorming, right." He murmured once again to himself.

Permanent positions were always better. "Or you're more likely to be hired somewhere else, that of course related to your mentorship, apprenticeship, because you've already got higher working experience than other applicants. Right?" Or at least thats how Tag thought it went. It didn't exactly didn't give him a back up plan, but it helped out a bit more.

Oh. So that's what that word meant. Tag's vocabulary wasn't too extensive. That's why he supposed he didn't know what the word meant. He'd probably, as far as he knew, had never heard or seen of it. The boy sort of wanted to shrink in his seat but just nodded at Bentley's explanation. "Thank you for clearing that word up for me, Professor."

And yes, Tag smiled when Bentley simply said that teaching was out of the question. At least she didn't take it as a bad thing though, or tried to force the idea into Tag's head. "No. I haven't really gone into any in depth thinking on what I could possibly do. Just a general idea. But child care, " Tag said a slight grimace on his face, "I'm not sure if I'm fit for that? Maybe? I suppose I wouldn't know until I give it a try some day." But taking care of other people? Was that something Tag could do? The boy nodded rigorously when Bentley mentioned about retrieving information on counseling, "Do you have any pamphlets on you, Professor? Or at least a general list of universities to look into?" But of course, he had to do a lot of his own research.

Something that suddenly did crack his skull, and he supposed it somewhat went along with counseling was animal therapy. The blonde opened his mouth, even leaned a bit forward in his seat when he remembered Bentley mentioning to Tag to go talk to Professor Thompson about creatures and or animals. So, he simply closed his mouth again.

Cosgrach appreciated her efforts, but he believed she was rowing against the current. He had graded the boy already: he was a spoilt, stupid Gryffindor. The man bet he'd be the first one to run away if there was a danger. No wonder he acted like he didn't understand a professor's name.

...but... that... was over the line. THAT. How he SNAPPED at him. Cosgrach's nostrils flared and his eyes flashed RED. Seren... had more authority here. She was his head of house, she knew best, she should deal with him instead... Cosgrach closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath. He shouldn't say anything rash. She got it. He shouldn't do anything to undermine her authority.

Right.

She could probably see he was trying his best to control his anger, so he didn't say anything while the boy left. She was welcome if she wanted to stop the boy, but in Cosgrach's opinion, that was going to need more than 'Saturday, 8 AM sharp'.