Office of Professor Newton
 

"Good day, Professor. Thank you." She nodded her head, and stepped lightly into his office. It looked much like it did last term, which didn't surprise her. Taking a seat, Hadley beamed. "My summer was great. And busy. Got more potions tutoring, and herbology tutoring. Plus quidditch, and a play...I was the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz. And of course, hanging out with my friends."


She paused and looked around, studying the minute details of the office for a minute. "I'm here to see about more potions tutoring this term, if you have the time," she said. "I was thinking we can do a bit more advanced potions this term?" She thought she could handle them now.

Art took a seat across the desk from Miss Dennaker and listened to her descriptions of her summer. He smiled at the mention of potions AND herbology tutoring. "Good to hear, wonderful! The Herbology knowledge will-will uhh h-help you with the-uhh the Potions too. I'm very happy you did at least some tutoring. Wonderful to hear." And it certainly was! Not very often did Art's students come and let him know they did some work over the summer. It showed how dedicated she was to her studies, and improving. Very Ravenclaw of her. "Ahh Quidditch, what's your favourite position?" He asked. "I always enjoyed being beater, myself." He got to let out a lot of energy that way. "The Wizard of Oz! Oh I love that story. And it all went well? I'm glad to hear you had such a busy summer."

Art nodded enthusiastically, and went to a little filing cabinet under his desk to pull out the folder he had started putting together about their lessons. "Something more advanced, we can certainly do that." He flicked through the notes just to remind him of exactly what they had done last term, and how they had progressed. "Did you have anything in mind?" He wanted her learning to be guided as much as possible by her. He was all about giving the students autonomy, and this was one way he could facilitate this. In a safe environment, with the help of a trained Potioner. WITH healers on board, if needed.

It was hardly a minute or possibly no more then two when the door to Art's office opened. Looking up at the sound Hady smiled seeing the much older man standing there. "I'm doing wonderful professor, how're you this morning?" she asked rising from the seat and smoothing down her robes as she made her way over. "I hope it's not to early for me to be stopping by but I wanted to keep my promise to you early in the year before things got to busy." Hopefully he understood what she was going on about and wouldn't mind her stopping by without warning. If she didn't have any trouble with her transformation and she normally didn't anymore then it wouldn't take more then maybe a few minutes of his time.

"Oh I'm v-very well, thank you," He said in reply, not wanting to go into too much detail about his back problems to the students. Especially a seventh year, who would be no doubt occupying their minds with NEWTs. "Oh, oh, ab-absolutely not, I d-don't really sleep past... past uhh.. well about five in the morning, really." His old body just didn't need much sleep, it seemed. He grinned at her, explaining the reason for her visit. "And... and how did the first transformation go?" He asked, his face ABSOLUTELY animated with delight. He was very much looking forward to seeing her transformation.

Moving into the room Hady smiled as she looked around the office. "I'm glad to hear that Professor." He was a nice man and incredibly helpful to all his students. The teen had been very happy to see that at least he had remained this term when so many of the other professors had not. It had been heartbreaking for her but there was some comfort in seeing Art hadn't left them. "An early riser. Like myself normally." All the healthy habits she had picked up from her training had her still waking early and going for that early morning run or walk. "It was difficult if I'm to be truly honest. I had no idea what to expect or if all my hard work would even payoff, just one mistake in the process and things could have gone terribly wrong." Horribly wrong! She couldn't been stuck in a half human half animal state for the rest of her life. She wasn't going to get into that right now however. "It was uncomfortable but didn't take as long as I had thought it would, having Frankie there helped too." Her trust and feelings for him were very strong so having him there built her confidence in it all. "We can change back and forth now with very little effort. I can show you if you like." It was so easy to just say what she was but seeing it was completely different.

"Ahh!" Art exclaimed. "Nice way to beat off some energy, isn't it?" he chuckled. Fancy that! He nodded, "Still, I'm-I'm glad it was fun. That's the important thing. Well that and winning," he said with a wink. It was always nice to win. "Will you be in other plays next holidays?"

Art nodded as she said she had wanted to train to become an animagi. "Mmm, y-yes, very much so," he said. Potions were greatly important, as was transfiguration of course. "Well if... if you'd like to know more about Animagi transformation, pe-perhaps you could speak to Professor Riveroll about some-some uhh s-some help in that department." Art wasn't the GREATEST with Transfiguration. He had a think. "W-well we could do something that would give you a feel of being an animal. Or... w-we could look into something that will teach you patience in potions," he smiled. "Something that takes a while to brew, I mean. Both will help. One to show you what it's like being in an animal form, the other what it will be like to brew the potion which will finally allow you to become an animagi."

Art nodded. "I'm not one to waste the day sleeping. Have you ever watched the sun rise over the lake? I did the other morning... something I missed since being a student." At least once a week he'd be there, watching, as a teenager. It hurt his joints a bit now, being outside when it was very cold, but he managed.

Art gave a bit of a smile. She'd persisted and that had paid off. "Y-yes of course... I can only imagine how-how uhh... m-much pressure that would put on you." To get every step right. And the anxiety leading up to the first transformation, of course. Great Scott! "Well at least you weren't alone," he was happy about that.

His face became absolutely animated! "Oh yes, I'd LOVE to see!" He said, almost a little too loudly. But by golly he was excited!

Dora offered her HoH a smile as she stood and moved into his office. She had been here before, but she found that her eyes were wandering over everything inside. Interesting. The blonde sidled up to an arm chair and stood right in front of it, waiting for the Prof to tell her she was welcome to sit. (which she knew she was, but she still stood on ceremony)

"Professor Newton, how are you? I am not interrupting, am I?" She could totally come back later if she was. In her hands was a slightly wrinkled piece of parchment, though. One that she was fidgeting with as she watched the man. He would definitely get the parchment before she left, but at the moment she was stupid nervous. So she was just gonna hang onto it for now, yes?

Art closed the door behind her and walked to his seat, flopping himself down onto it. "Sit down, Miss Umbridge," he said lightly, with a smile. Not too bossy, this man. "Oh I'm... well yes I'm okay. How are you? Feeling back to normal yet?" He wasn't sure if she was 100% back to normal or just in the 'back to normal' recovery stage yet. "Can I get you a cup of tea or... water or something?"

Was it just her... or was her Head of House kind of awkward sometimes? It was endearing, really. He reminded her of her Gramps before he passed. He had been a funny little man much like Professor Newton. Hehehe. Sitting gingerly on the chair she smiled and gave a slight nod as he spoke.

"Not great, but better. I would love a cuppa, though. If it isn't too much trouble." Truth and all. She still felt kind of horrible some days, but whatever. She would be getting over it soon. Hopefully.

Smoothing the parchment out she sighed down at it. "Professor, I just came to tell you thank you. For everything. Okay? You have been so understanding and I am thankful."

This made Hady smile, to know she wasn't one of the only ones that was an early riser. Of course she didn't know the reasoning behind why Art was but that wasn't the point right this moment. "I do Sir, I get to watch it some morning during my run." Or jog. If it were to early she might miss it but most days when timed just right it was doable. Oh! She didn't know he liked to sit out there, maybe one morning she would see him and they could watch it together.

"It's a long process mainly because certain steps have to be done at an exact time and if anything is off even the slightest it has to be started over." The mandrake leaf was horrible and yet so was keeping the vial hidden away and keeping track of electrical storms and everything else. Long and tiresome it all was but in the end it had paid off. "I'm glad about. I'm not sure I would've been able to go through with it had I been completely on my own." This she was fully serious about. Frankie had been there for her each step of the way as she had been for him.

The look on Art's face, the way he couldn't contain his excitement reminded Hady of her baby siblings. It was honestly wonderful and she gave him a bright smile in return. And since he was so happy to see the change Hady didn't want to wait any longer. Glancing around the office to make sure nothing was close enough to be knocked over she took a few steps backwards.

Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly she cleared her mind of everything but her animal form. Once the animal was set clear in her mind she began to change right there before him, she shrunk in size, fur growing all over her. Soon enough standing right there before him was Hady in the form of a red panda.

Art gave his student a small smile when she said she was better. Not great, though, but Art knew she would only get better from here. "No trouble at all," he said, and got himself up to pour her a cup of his new Gryffindor tea [Rooibos, vanilla, cocoa flakes and raspberry bits], as well as one for himself. He put it in front of her and sat back down in his chair.

He hadn't quite been expecting what came out of Miss Umbridge's mouth but he was touched. He smiled warmly and bowed his head for a few seconds. "O-oh n-no, it was what I wanted to do. Help, and m-make sure that-that you uhh... well, that you could jump back in when you were ready. And I'm very glad to see you back up and about. But.. well, of course you're welcome. How are you settling back in?" It had been, of course, his duty to ensure Miss Umbridge was well, and keeping up with studies as well as she could, but he didn't feel like it was him doing a duty. He did it because he cared deeply about all of his students, Miss Umbridge being no exception. He cared for her, and was delighted to see her back on her feet. "Y-you know, of course, I hope that-that you can come to me for any help. I, myself, have been through the Hogwarts curriculum of fourth year," he said with a little chuckle.

"A morning run? Oh, it really is the perfect time for some exercise. I just go for a leasurely walk down to the lake and back, but it's enough for these old knees I think," he said in a light tone.

"Great Scott... d-did the process go to planned for you? I hope you didn't have to start anything over..." That would have been awful, and very frustrating indeed. Art nodded knowingly, and gave a very warm smile. The young love, the support, the connections. "I'm very glad you and Mr Paton had each other."

Art watched very intently as Miss Lynch stepped back and transformed into the red panda. He was VERY mindful of the fact it was one of his students, and wasn't about to pick it up or cuddle it. But he bent his knees to be closer to the Panda!Miss Lynch's height. His knees cracked slightly, but he made it. "Marvellous," he said. "Simply marvellous." He looked proudly at the panda, knowing that he had just seen something amazing. A student transforming into an animal, but also he realised how very proud Miss Lynch would be with herself, for becoming an animagi. Art, too, was overcome with this feeling himself. These moments truly were the highlight of teaching. Seeing people reach their goals. He smiled and gave a careful and silent clap, not quite sure what the hearing of the red panda was. He didn't want to burst Miss Lynch's animal form's ear drums.

It used to have been a walk then it gradually turned into a jog and then a run. It had taken some time but she had worked her way up. "It certainly is. It's much cooler in the early morning and very quiet as well. The perfect time for some fresh air and thinking." Best way to clear your head and get the day started.

"Luckily all our efforts and the help of Professor Ichihara were spot on. The hardest part really was the waiting." Nature had a way of affecting things and always did as she pleased. To hear that he was happy she hadn't been alone brought a smile to her face, she knew he was one of the professors who had noticed when Frankie and herself had broken up for a short time. "So am I professor. So am I." The blonde in question meant a great deal to her.

It was still somewhat strange being an animal but it was wonderful. One of the things she liked most about this was that she was still her. All her thoughts, memories and actions were her own. She was under her own control and not that of an animals for the most part. Through beady eyes she watched Art try to kneel down with some difficulty to get closer. Once he had done so Hady/panda inched closer to him in case he wanted to touch her. Yes she knew she was a student but she also knew how much Art had supported her and how uncommon of an experience this truly was. Had he been anyone else like one of her friends she wouldn't probably already been up on his lap or his head demanding to be petted.

Art nodded in complete agreement. The outside was lovely at times when he needed some sunlight on his skin, some natural warmth, but the crisp morning air, the sounds of birds waking up, and trees rustling in the breeze, that was his favourite time.

"Ahh yes, I know what that's like. First time I made some of the potions requiring a long brewing time tested my patience. They didn't always work out either, which was always a bit disappointing. But... well I can't say any of those would have tested my patience quite like the animagi potion." Imagine waiting YEARS for an electrical storm, and realising that the potion hadn't worked? Great Scott, that would be devastating.

Seeing Miss Lynch in her animal form inch closer to him, Art instinctively reached a hand out and gave the red panda a gentle scratch behind its ears, then a few gentle strokes of the head. "This is most spectacular," he said quietly. He hadn't realised that Madame Curie had found her way over from her little perch, and inched closer and closer to Miss Lynch. Once she got close enough, she reached her little head up to have a sniff at the new animal, the curious little thing. She seemed quite content that the red panda was no threat, because she didn't run away.

"All that trying is hard at times but look where all the failed potions brought you Sir, you're a professor now." Hady smiled at the older man standing before her. "Did you always want to be a Professor?" It was a curious question. Clearly Art very much enjoyed being around his students and engaging in what they were currently dealing with. Had it always been the way he was or something he became interested as he entered adulthood?

Even with her human instincts still very much intact Hady/panda couldn't help but somewhat instinctively shift her head just a little at the scratch behind the ears. It was an action that in her human form would have been very odd but being an animal was different, the petting was soothing and gentle. There was no harm done in enjoying the brief moment. Hady turned her small beady eyes towards the movement only to see Madame Curie inching her way closer. To see that she wasn't at all afraid of her in this form was really amazing, maybe the rat knew her scent and even though she was changed she knew it was her? To bad she couldn't communicate with her right now and ask.

After waiting a few more moments and allowing Madame Curie to check her out Hady once more inched backwards. This time it was to change back into her true human form. It took her a few seconds to gather her thoughts once more and recover from the brief change but when she did there was a bright smile on her face. "Madame Curie didn't seem at all nervous by me Professor, why do you think that is?" Curious.

Oh. Wait. She had one rule. Well, more than one, really, but she was going to TRUST this man to tell her the truth. Just the once, though. Picking up the teacup she sniffed the tea first. "Is there any kind of potion in this tea? Will it cause me to shrink or change in any way. And yes, I have to ask." AS her Uncle Sabel would say, Constant Vigilance. And she was CERTAIN he had gotten that from someone else. Heh.

Shrugs. He got them now. She wasn't settling in too great, but that had nothing to do with her illness, more her own doing. It was okay. It would pass. Probably. Sure it would. Teen years were shaping up to be really tough, ya know. "I am going to be fine. And I really appreciate the offer, but I tend to figure things out on my own, you know. Gryffindor." Nuff said, right?

"Did you know my cousin is a potioneer? I can't remember if I told you that before. Anyway, she works with me anytime I am home from school. I really love potions work." ANd no, it wasn't her brown nosing or anything, it was just facts. And also her way of letting him know she was always looking for new potions to attempt.

Hadley nodded, smiling. "It does. And it also helps beat off emotions." Mainly anger and aggression. Stuff she didn't realize she was full of over her parents' split up until she out there. It was as good therapy as actual therapy was. So was the play for that matter. In a completely different way. Hadley nodded again. "I will be. I had a lot of fun doing the play this summer. So I'd love to be in another one."

Right, though. Down to business. Which did she want to do? "I've already spoken to her about it." She just had to prove herself talented enough in Transfiguration to start. Which Hads wasn't too worried about, given it was her best subject. That and charms. She paused, quiet, thinking the options over. Both sounded beneficial to her training. "Can we do both? I want to experience being an animal, but I also know that long-term brewing will be invaluable to it as well..." Oh, yes. She's done plenty of research in how to become an animagus. She knew all about it.

Art couldn't help but smile at the kind words of Miss Lynch. "Very true, that is. Trial and error has taught me more than any text book could." And he looooved seeing his students use that curiosity to play with things, tinker with them, or even just try something new. And look at Miss Lynch and Mr Paton who tried something new, something extremely challenging, and it paid of wonderfully.

Art was absolutely delighted with the animal form of Miss Lynch. He gave a little chuckle as Madame Curie came up, curiously. He was half expecting her to give a little sniff and run away, but she remained there.

Art watched the transformation back to human form, and got himself back up to standing position. He HAD to give a little applause. "That was truly spectacular Miss Lynch. I'm very proud of you and Mr Paton!" He truly, truly was. "No, she didn't. Perhaps she just... recognised that it was you in there. It must be, even with animals that she can see I trust and love, she sometimes runs away out of fear." So merely seeing her Art comfortable with the red panda wasn't really it.


Art's eyebrows went high into his hairline. "Great Scott, no," he said. Realising, of course, that it WAS possible. Once he decided, or hoped, that the question was more a curiosity or... procedure, rather than a distrust towards him, he gave a smile. "You can never be too sure, can you?"

Art kept the smile on his face, and gave a gentle nod. "I have no doubts, Miss Umbridge." He would keep a distant eye out, to make sure she was doing okay, but he wouldn't overstep. She'd said she would be okay, rather figuring it out herself, and Art respected that. He trusted that she knew he would be available if needed, and he was okay with that. "We Gryffindors DO get by, don't we?" he chuckled.

"No, I don't think so. What's her name?" he asked. There wasn't much of a chance he knew her or not, but it was possible. But he was very interested. "What's the most challenging thing you've brewed together?" he asked out of curiosity. It was wonderful to hear that one of his own Lions loved potions and did some practicing at home. It made him very proud, indeed.


"Mmm... th-that too," he said. Though Art was usually pretty straight lined across the happiness spectrum, at least in his current life situation. He was happy, content. But he wasn't really high or low with emotions, but he realised that he was speaking with a teenage girl. And an Ravenclaw at that. "I'm glad you have an outlet, Miss Denaker." Everyone needed a good outlet. Art realised, though, that Potions was his outlet. At the death of his first wife, he buried himself in his lab for months. "Well if-if you would like some familar faces in the audience, perhaps you could owl me a pamphlet? My son loves plays! Perhaps we could watch?"

"Oh, excellent," Art remarked, impressed with Miss Denaker's progress already. He smiled at the young lady. "Absolutely! We have all year, how about.. how about we start with the potion with a longer brewing time. If something goes wrong, and it sometimes does even to me," he added, with a serious glance at Miss Denaker, to let her know that it wasn't something he was actually expecting to happen, but something he wanted to be aware of, "we can re-do it. Then.. we can get started on the animal one. We can get you in a safe place to transform, even a few times, really, so that there's little risk. How about that?" he asked. He jotted down the ideas, and Miss Denaker's progress with the Animagi stuff so far, into the folder he kept on some of his students. He had lots of things in there already, detailing what they had done in previous terms. Things they could both look back on if they forgot anything.

Hadleigh listened silently for a moment a small smile playing on her lips. "That's very true. I've failed many times but it's the wanting to get it right that keeps me trying." Never giving up on a goal and look at where she was already. It was tiring and sure she had wanted to give up but she didn't. The success of figuring it out was always the best part.

"Thank you professor," she smiled proudly. His kind words always went right to the heart. She would certainly miss his encouragement when she graduated here. "Possibly. I'm glad I didn't frighten here at least." She knelt down low and held her hand out palm up towards Madame Curie. If she felt like sniffing at her again she wouldn't mind it. Having an animal not be afraid of her was always a plus.

Hadley nodded. In some ways, Quidditch had been more therapeutic than therapy had been. In some ways. It was a good outlet for her. She loved being up in the air and she loved bashing the bludger with her bat. Hadley's face lit up. "Oh, I'd love that! I'll definitely owl you a pamphlet. And maybe I could owl you when my quidditch matches are, and you could come watch those too!" She didn't have much of a cheering section to be honest. The wizarding world was an awkward place for her muggle family. They tried though.

Hads nodded along with the professor. It was a good idea to start the long-brew potion first, especially with her track record. It was okay though, Professor, she wasn't offended. She knew how often she messed up and how disastrous her potions skills had been thus far. That was the whole point of her being here. To get better. "That sounds perfect, Professor. Shall we keep to our Thursday tutoring? Or would a different day work better for you?"

"YES! Absolutely, absolutely. I-I always have that drive burning inside me. Th-the aspiration to get it right! People like you and I don't give up easily," he said with a wink.

Art gave Miss Lynch a warm smile at her thanks. "Oh me too, she can be a bit funny sometimes, but then other times she surprises me." Like just before. And with Miss Lynch holding her palm out, Art watched as Madame Curie made her way forward, lifting off her front legs to sniff, before placing a tiny little front paw on Miss Lynch's hand. Art gave a little chuckle. "I think that's her version of a hand shake or a high-five!"

"Oh absolutely! I'd be delighted to come and see you play Quidditch," he said with a smile. He quite enjoyed quidditch, his own son Johan playing whilst he was at Hogwarts too.

Art was glad the plan was approved by Miss Denaker. It was of her benefit, of course, so Art was wanting to be flexible, he wanted to teach her what she wanted to learn, rather than a boring curriculum he planned. But she seemed happy with the plan, and that was good. "Thursdays still work perfectly! I'm here Monday mornings and uhh... yes still Thursdays and Friday afternoons after lunch are my bigger free periods. So if you need any other help I'll be floating around."

The brunette laughed softly but had no choice but to nod her head fully in agreement. "No, Sir, we don't." If only more people were this way. If they just kept trying and pushing themselves to succeed then there might be a lot more happy people. A lot more might get accomplished that way. "If you want something badly enough you have to work for it." Nothing good comes easy.

"That's one of the amazing things about any animal, isn't it professor? No matter how well you think you know one you can never fully be sure as to what they'll do in a particular situation." Hady would've never expected Madame Curie to come closer when she had been in her animal form but the small rat had. Just like right now she didn't expect what happened next. All she really thought was that Madame Curie would either turn away or possibly sniff her hand. That was all. What she got was better. Slowly little feet lifted up off the floor and then there was the tiniest sniff at her fingers before one of the smallest little paws was placed on her palm.

EEEHHHHH! How CUTE!

The grin on Hady's face was clearly there. "Well hello there Madame Curie," she whispered softly reaching out her free hand and using a finger to lightly pet her head. "I think so too." This was very close to a greeting or handshake. Adorable too.

The door was opened by the professor and quick she stood up and walked toward the office from the said professor. "Hello Professor" she greeted with a wide smile while looking curious over the professor's shoulder to see his office but she wasn't having a good view because of the obvious reason, she was a small first year and the professor was a adult and she couldn't even look over his shoulder! She was for a first year even small so she just needed to be patient she realized.

Following the professor in his office she finally looked around her and spoke out loud before even realizing that she was doing it. "Wow, this really doesn't look like the muggle offices I've been in" and she looked around her once again, spotting Vlam's play date Madame Curie and by the reaction from Vlam she noted that her rat too had spotted the other animal because her rat started to make all short of impatient small noises. Walking over to Madame Curie she slowly put her own rat next to the other animal and watched with a grin how Vlam walked up toward Madame Curie to smell the other rat's scent and to greet the other animal.

Turning back to face the professor she flashed a grin at him and looked questioningly. "Whaaat where you doing before I came here? You weren't doing potions here right? It's too neat" she spoke, sounding curious like she most of the time was. Yeeees, she liked asking questions.