When Sabel offered for him to choose their destination, Zeke didn't hesitate to take him up on the offer. How often did one get the opportunity to walk along the edge of the forbidden forest without being questioned for it? AND... if they so deviated INTO the forest, for whatever reason, he technically had Professor supervision and permission. So... with that in mind, he led the way silently through the castle and onto the grounds.

It was nice out, nippy, but nice - but he was grateful for the coat, without it he didn't he'd have fingers by the time they were done.

As they moved away from other people, Zeke started to consider how to broach the topics and questions he had when he arrived at Sabel's office. Somehow now, he was lost for words. Zeke stared into the dark depths of the forest from the safety of the perimeter before looking back to Sabel.

"Thanks for getting the duelling club together," he supplied, figuring it was a good way to start.

He was curious as to where the kid was going to lead them. And when their destination became apparent, he couldn't quite say he was completely surprised. Slightly, but not as much as he should have been. Perhaps he should have said something to discourage it as the trees loomed ever closer, but he didn't. Fact was, he didn't mind walking here. Settled some old, nagging thoughts and habits. Gave the Auror part of his brain something to latch onto and do.

Why Zeke was interested in walking here, was another matter entirely. One he wouldn't find out by telling the kid 'no'. So, instead he tucked his hands in his pockets and strolled along the edge, waiting for the kid to speak. No different than if they were talking a jaunt down by the lake.

When the kid finally did speak, Sabel glanced over. A small smile touched his lips and he gave a one-shouldered shrug. "My pleasure. You seem to be doing well in it."

It was strange how something like a forest could be so... restricted. They had plenty of trouble in the castle for other reasons, and yet people made such a big deal about the forest and its creatures. He wasn't naive to the fact that there were dangers in the forest, but he didn't think making it out-of-bounds would do them any good. It did little to stop him from wanting to explore.

But then, he HAD chosen the right thing to say... because it led in perfectly with what he wanted to know.

"You think?" First response that came to mind. "It's just... I want to do better, y'know?" DID he know?

Sabel gave the kid a long side eye. Of course he thought so. Wouldn't have said it if he didn't think it, but then, Zeke didn't know him. Not as well as Emily or Simon or all the rest. Didn't know he rarely said what wasn't on his mind, and rarely kept quiet about what was. Or at least, that had been the way of things.

"Well, I would hope you want to do better." Turning his gaze to the forest, Sabel scanned what little he could see of it's dark depths. "Don't see why you would have joined the club otherwise. The whole point of it is to help you get better. Help practice and teach."

But he didn't think that was what Zeke was going for. Not quite. His gaze slipped back to the kid.

The look. He'd seen looks like that before... but what it meant he was still yet to discover.

He nodded when the whole expectation of improvement was raised. Because he expected it of himself, and so it was reasonable that Sabel would want that too. It was when the whole 'practice and teach' thing was raised, that his gaze lingered on Sabel. THAT is what he wanted to do, only, he didn't really know what, or how.

"Could you help me?" he asked. How that help would be given wasn't determined, and he didn't reasonably expect Sabel to give him private tuition outside of classes any more than what he already gave with the club and support when using the training facilities. He supposed part of that help would be identifying weaknesses, he'd slipped up a few times, he knew that, but he wasn't sure he could see the bigger picture, or the smaller picture either.

Letting out a slow breath, Sabel drew to a stop. He considered the moment a long moment, as he gave brief reflection to their conversation to point. Then, he turned to face Zeke and considered the kid. [b]""Zeke, last time we chatted, you were rather reluctant to have me evaluate and report on .... your progress. Now, you are asking for my help."

It wasn't that he was even considering saying 'no'. The question was as easily answered as it had been earlier when the boy had asked to talk. What he was curious about, was what wasn't being said.

"Why don't you tell me what's knocking around your brain? You've got something on your mind, but I feel like you're tentatively scratching the surface."

Okay, so he was going to prod a bit.

He'd continued walking, only, when he could only hear his own footsteps, he paused. Why did Sabel stop? Zeke backtracked a couple of steps so that he wasn't far ahead. A quick look to the forest told him there was no acromantula or manticore there, or anything of the sort.. so... why?

A sensation turned his stomach, as if he'd just been caught for cheating on an assessment, or stealing candy from a muggle. He had to admit, Sabel did have a point though... kind of. "I didn't want you tattling to my mum, and that still applies by the way." But asking for help was different. This DIDN'T concern his mum, not really... THIS was all him.

He waited in silence, hoping that Sabel would answer his question, but instead he countered with one of his own.

WHAT was knocking around in his head? Many things. Too many things. But what of that really mattered right now? "I'm failing most of my classes?" he confessed, letting the words fall as they may. Perhaps he was exaggerating slightly, but knew he was regressing where his studies were concerned. "And... I can't fail, because then I won't have options, and I need options." What he really meant to say was that he really needed to do well, not only in classes, but in Dueling Club, because he'd need it. In fact, he wouldn't be too upset if he achieved a T in most of his classes, so long as he could at least do one thing right, which was perhaps the most valuable tool where survival was concerned.

Tattling? Could adults tattle? It was an important question to be sure, but not the important question at the moment. And goodness knew if he asked it, they would get seriously sidetracked. Especially since the kid didn't seem completely interested in divulging at the moment. Which, he couldn't blame him for, but time and place. Time and place.

And it seemed, now was the time and the place. Failing, in all his classes? That struck Sabel as rather odd. The kid was bright, and rather adept at magic. Why was he failing? "I can see why you don't want me tattling to your mother." There. He'd accept the word as valid. For the moment anyways. He considered the Gryffindor for a long minute before starting them off at a slow walk again.

"Well, you should have some comfort in knowing that grades aren't everything. You can still have options even if you are at the bottom of your class. It's more what you take away from the lessons than marks on a piece of paper." Good thing they were away from the ears of the school. Who knew exactly how that would be taken.

"But what I don't understand, is why you are coming to me, asking for help. You aren't failing my class. And having trouble in a class is usually reserved for the Professor of that class." The boy got a heavy side-look for this. "So what is it exactly you are asking help for?"

No lie, he would have appreciate a solemn promise to NOT tattle to his mum, but he didn't get it, so he waited for a reaction to the news. Really though, he didn't THINK it was news news. Like... teachers talked, didn't they? Because really, classes that he was still doing well in, he could count on one hand. DADA, Charms, Potions and Arithmancy. ARITHMANCY of all the things... the rest, didn't seem to matter as much. Of course, he still wanted to improve in Runes and Transfiguration, but the potential of improvement was about as likely as was him getting Head Boy in his final year. It was laughable.

He averted his gaze back to the forest, because now the issue of tattling was made obvious. "She'll find out at the end of term anyway," he shrugged, he couldn't lie on report cards, and he had no excuse to account for it.

Zeke expected this to be where Sabel clipped him on the ear and told him to get his act together if he wanted to improve, but it didn't come. Instead there were talks of options, and how grades didn't matter.

...

They didn't?

"But to get into courses, you need to get particular grades..." he'd looked at enough of those brochures in the library over the year, trying to decide on a path to follow. As it turned out, his path was very narrow, and where it led, he still didn't know. It did make him feel a little better though, that there was some hope even if school wasn't his thing. And how did Sabel fit into it.

"I gave up on those subjects a while ago, I think I've only been to few HoM lessons all year..." or maybe a few more than that, but he very much liked NOT going to them. "And don't worry, Flamsteed's already onto me for that." He didn't need a second scolding for it. "I don't want your help with caring for creatures, so much as defending against them, and I don't want your help with astronomy or muggle studies either... I doubt I'll need any of those."

...

So, how should he put this?

"I want you to help me... ... be kinda like you." Note, he said kinda. He was his own person first and foremost, and no he was not gunning to be a teacher, but his other skills... THAT is what he wanted to develop. Zeke maintained eye contact, his hands in his pocket as he stood perfectly still.

"I suppose she will." Sabel kicked a pebble ahead of them. He couldn't really tell the kid he wanted to help him avoid that. It wasn't the adult thing to do. Still, the silent sentiment was there.

So, he was looking into a university then? Well, in that case admittedly, courses did matter. He might have said so too, had the kid not continued on with 'not matters' and 'doubting the need'. That was going to get it's own special look, and he paused in his walking to deliver it, when Zeke hit him face-first with that.

For a moment, he just stared. And then for a few more moments, he was staring some more. It was hard to pinpoint just which nerve it struck, or perhaps if it was all of them. What did happen, was that the kid got a bit of a harder look than he intended, and the ability to keep a neutral exterior all but dissipated. "You don't want to be anything like me, Zeke."

Taking a glance at the forest, Sabel decided that moving feet made for moving conversation, so without waiting for a response, he started moving again. It at least allowed him a break from the look the kid had been giving him, and a breather to check his emotions and start on a bit of a calmer slate. "You shouldn't give up though. Regardless of your grades, you never know what you might learn. And are you really being productive with your time skipping?"

He hadn't expected any helpful tips or tricks or things to do to make her wrath less painful... so when it didn't come, all he could do was nod. Mmmhhmm. The ONLY chance he had to avoid it, was to intercept the mail before she got it, but even that he couldn't hide for too long. Destroying it would do little to help, she would just request the school send another. No, he would have to duplicate it, and then try to alter it. And THERE was the issue, he couldn't do magic out of school... he would have to find a willing soul to help him out - and there was no shortage of them in Diagon Alley, he was sure of it. But that was an idea for another time.

Zeke kept in line with Sabel, staring into the forest every so often so that it wouldn't look as if he was staring... because he wasn't. And... what are those looks for?

...

And the bite.

"Why not?" The question came before he had the ability to check it. He didn't see why he wouldn't. "You've lived this long, and you worked a tough gig." He knew. Or at least, he knew what was involved with being an Auror, it was more or less the same thing, and he was NOT looking to be an Auror per se.

He let the silence fall between them, and as Sabel continued walking, Zeke hung back a second before following.

Giving up, was a conclusion he came to after drawing up a pro's and con's list, which is what he knew his mum used to do. It was a very one sided list at that. "See, this is why I need your help, I want to know what I can use that time for... what I should focus on. So far all I've been doing is the odd bit of homework, working out or eating..." and maybe napping. "I just, don't know what my weaknesses are, like with duelling, what specifically should I work on?"

It was probably an inappropriate time to laugh, especially given the honest sincerity in Zeke's tone. Really, he should have been humbled, honored or something like that. Truth was, having a kid like Zeke, like any of them really, look up to him and say so, terrified him. He wanted nothing more than to push them away. There were better role models, better people to follow in the footsteps of.

"Have I really lived?" The question was a bit cynical, or perhaps it was the look he sent Zeke. But maybe he needed to take a step back and reevaluate. "Perhaps you'd better tell me just what exactly you see that you want to be like."

Maybe that was the best place to start, before jumping to conclusions and starting something that didn't need to be started.

Letting out a breath, that let out some of the building tension, Sabel rolled his shoulders slightly. "What you should use that time for, Zeke, is those classes." Not what the kid wanted to hear at all, he knew. "That's where your focus should be, regardless of whether you get an Outstanding or a Failure."

He gave the forest a long look. "What your weakness is, is not valuing your weakness." This time, he turned his gaze back to the kid. "We've all got areas we fail at, Zeke. We all have places where we don't think we can improve. It's a sign of character to keep trying, in the face of our failures. You never know what you might learn."

But perhaps that wasn't the best way to explain things. Stopping, Sabel held his hand out to stop the kid, and stood in front of him. "Say you and I got into a scrap right now. Clearly, I would beat you. What would you do, if you got beat down?"

Why was this so funny? What did Sabel find so amusing in all of this? He had never thought of Sabel as one of those 'what is the meaning of life' people, questioning the meaning of 'living' and all of that. Living, as far as Zeke was concerned, meant he had a beating heart and that he was able to breathe. THAT was living. But Merlin, how could he explain it? Zeke opened his mouth to respond, but closed it again. It was finding a way to say it without sounding like he was in love with the man, that was the challenge, kind of. It was... sappy.

"I just... I want to be close to as good as you are in a duel, and I want to be able to keep my cool and know strategy, not just jump into a situation I might not get out of. You're... I dunno, you're strong, I want to be strong... and all of that..." please don't make him continue. It would be so awkward, because there was only one work he could use to summarise Sabel, and it wasn't one he was willing to admit to. "I want your skill," he added, because THAT was a thing.

He took a deep breath of his own, and though he hadn't intended be out on the grounds for this talk, he was glad for it now. The cold air was doing him wonders. The forest too was soothing, despite the rumours of the nasties within it.

Of all the things he thought Sabel might advise him to do, attending his classes wasn't one of them. He supposed though, now he had no valid reason not to. Up until now, he thought it was the only way to excel in the areas he was already excelling in, to improve beyond what he was required to do at his year level, but... he gave no consideration to his weaknesses. So when Sabel continued, identifying that THIS was his key issue, it was simultaneously disheartening and empowering. He still didn't like the idea of achieving a T or two. It was hardly flattering, and it wouldn't do his reputation any good. Zeke remained silent on this point, processing the information instead of finding a way to question it.

Continuing their walk, Zeke was only halted when Sabel put an arm out in front of him. Say what?

...

"Literally beat down? Or generally beat down?" he asked, because depending on the question, he had alternative responses. "If you knocked me down right now, I'd try to kick your legs out from under you... but, if you mean generally," which come to think of it, probably was more appropriate, "then I would get back up."

Is that what Sabel was trying to tell him to do? Just... get back up? Dust himself off? And try again?

Okay. He didn't expect to be laughing so much, given this was supposed to be serious conversation and all, but there he went again. Laughing. And more honestly this time too. He shook his head, and had to catch his breath, and when he looked at the kid there was an ironic mirth in his eyes. "Oh if only you knew how many situations I've done just that in. It was my signature move."

Did the kid still want to know? Still want his 'skill'. "Why not ask your mom? She's got more of a level head than I ever did." He wasn't saying 'no' for the record, just investigating. Auror habits died hard.

A glance to the kid showed that he was thinking. There were thoughts turning behind the boy's eyes, not just a hard stall of stubbornness. That was good. It was a start. And he was taking the question seriously? Well, that was even better.

"Literally. Or generally. One and the other, and both. Say I beat you down literally. You would fight. What if I beat you again? And generally, if you got back up, say I knocked you down again. What would you do?"

More laughing... WHAT was so funny?

...

He was beginning to think that Sabel was hearing Fwoopers, because he was suddenly a little batty. This might be the last time he says something nice about him then, it's thats the reaction he gets. And now he was wondering if he was talking to the right person, though he knew deep down that he was. "See that's the thing, it WAS your signature move, but it IS my signature move. I don't think, I just act." So, could he teach him to... not act so much?

Zeke eyes just widened when his mum was brought into this. "You're kidding right? She's been getting her cronies to babysit me, instead of teaching me to hold my own, she'll just tell me I'm being silly." Silly. That's the word she used to describe him in most instances... which was fair enough most of the time. "Besides, she said you're ace at dueling, gave her a run for her money, so I want you to teach me." Mmhhmm. It wasn't only about level heads, it was also about those he could actually learn from.

Were these trick questions?

Zeke stared at Sabel for a moment, his cheeks puffing out with a breath before he let it escape. "I would fight, as long as it took," and if he kept generally getting knocked down...that too. "I'd get up again, and again, for as long as I had to." Why? Where was he going with this? Was he going to get beaten right now? Cause... he was down for that.

Would it be wise to say that the kid would grow out of it? Or that the reason his mom didn't want him getting involved was because she didn't want him getting hurt? Or the reason she didn't want to teach was because she was likely afraid he would end up like her?

Probably not. None of those things ever fell properly on eager ears, and while Sabel had a few points he wanted to clarify with the kid, that wasn't really the point. The kid wanted to learn, and early at that. He had to hand it to him. Most kids at his age wanted to snog or beat a ball around with a bat while flying on a broom. Zeke, wanted to know how to survive. A sentiment Sabel couldn't rightly ignore.

So, he stayed silent on the whole matter and decided to finish his alternative approach. One which was, thankfully, working out quite nicely. The kid was a fighter, and he had counted on that for his analogy. "So why then, are you letting some letter grades beat you down, and keep you down?"

There was a long silence in which he wondered what Sabel might have been thinking. To be perfectly honest, it was hard to remember just what had gotten them to this point, but suddenly he was faced with a challenge. And not just a challenge, but a physical challenge at that... one he could enjoy.

...

At least, that's what he thought until Sabel spoke.

There were no gentle knocks, no softened blows, no wands and non-verbal spells. It was only Sabel's words that hit him, though perhaps just as hard as a Knockback Jinx at least. Why was he letting grades beat him down and keep him down? .... "I didn't think I was."

Perhaps this is what the arrow of resignation was alluding to. He hadn't seen himself as a quitter because he had stopped trying, so while he quit attending HoM, he didn't think it reflected on everything else about his conduct... but now, he really wasn't sure.

"Maybe not intentionally." Sabel shrugged, trying to dislodge some of the weight he felt he had put on Zeke's shoulders. "But how you deal with this, will set a trend for how you deal with other things in life. And some of the best lessons, are learned from places we least desire to be. Or in this case attend."

With a small smile, Sabel started off again, motioning Zeke to follow. "That being said, what you do in regards to those classes and that time, is your call." He almost wanted to strike a bargain, but that didn't quite sit well with him. "I'll honor your request, and try to teach you what I can."

Not intentionally... trends... best lessons... it all made sense, but if he gave those words power, if he believed them, then he would REALLY have to get his act together. No more slacking off, minimal time for goofing and he would have SO much to make up for.

Zeke emitted a low groan. Not cool, Sabel, not cool.

He had expected Sabel to insist on a deal. His work ethic, for additional tuition, but... he got off lightly, in one way... not that it helped. The guilt of it is what got him, so sighing, he nodded. "I guess I could do better," he started, but more to the point, "thank you..." like, really.

Finally, Sabel smiled. And he did something else he wasn't as inclined to do as a Professor around Hogwarts. Reaching over, he slung his arm over the kid's shoulder in a friendly manner, giving him a clap on the opposite shoulder. "We can all do better, even when we think we are doing our best."

Then, his smile broke into a grin. "Now though, about that letter to your mom........"

Physical contact with Professor's was never a thing with him, but considering Sabel had been in his life since before school, it was different, and so the clap on his shoulder was received with a smile of his own and a slight shake of the head. "Yeah, I'd like to see you try a bit harder..." improve on what though, he wasn't sure, but the comment still stood. Too cheeky? Maybe, but he didn't mind, if he got knocked down, he'd knock back, or get up. And that's how it would be from now on.

But then there was THAT.

Zeke gave him a look which bordered somewhere between unimpressed and pleading, but it would be no use fighting it. He'd take it as it came. "So what are you gonna tell her?" Or would Sabel need a list for this sort of thing?

"What? Me? Nonsense." He flicked his free hand. "I'm perfect."

Quite easily ignoring the fact he had minutes ago told the kid not to look up to him, and that he was practically riddled with bad mentor qualities. Of course he didn't mean it, but given the kid was giving cheek, it seemed fair enough to give it right back.

And the look that came next was priceless. Admittedly it came with a side plate of guilt. The kid actually thought he was going to do it. Write to Emily about the things they had just discussed. He couldn't laugh at that. That would just be cruel. So, instead of pushing the teasing further, Sabel opted for the fair truth. "How impressed I am with your work in the dueling club. And in my class in general, but particularly the Challenge and Duel."

...... he didn't. Zeke smirked, barely able to keep in a laugh. "You've done that before... haven't you?" he grinned, referring the hand flick in conjunction with statements of perfection. What was funnier, perhaps, was that it reminded him of Gavin.

Zeke was preparing himself to be GREATLY disheartened, in fact, he was ready to find himself a part time job... because he was sure if Emily caught wind of HALF of what they'd discussed, he'd be cut off from any and all pocket money/financial support... and THEN how was he supposed to source his sweets?

Ho his pleasant surprise, Sabel had other ideas.

"What? You'd really do that?" he questioned, because clearly this sounded too good to be true - something which he was always encouraged to question. It wasn't even so much that he would write that in a letter, but, he meant it? "I didn't think I did that well to be honest..." flaws, he had them. Like with the challenge, in hindsight, he could have had a much easier run of things. It just hadn't occurred to him at the time.

He wasn't going to say 'yes' or 'no' out-rightly. The grin would probably say it all though. And it was a rather big grin. So the kid could take that how he liked.

But then the grin faded for an arched eyebrow and a skeptical frown. "You think I'd just tease you with the idea?" He shook his head, and pulled his arm back, stuffing his hand in his pocket. "It's on my desk right now. Waiting for a quick review."

His attention turned to the forest and he scanned it's dark depths. Didn't do that well? A slow breath left him. "But you came out alive." Not to repeat what the kid had pointed out about his own abilities. Did he still think making it out alive was enough to be really good?