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There's a desk, there's bookshelves, the walls are lined with portraits of past Headmasters and Headmistresses as is the custom. Nothing out of the ordinary here.
On the large, wooden desk sits several pictures of a woman with a bright and enchanting smile. Some pictures had (if you asked the Headmaster) the cutest children ever to be created in the history of man's creation. One picture contains these beautiful people and Trent himself. Not all the pictures are still. The little girl in one picture blows kisses occasionally and the little boy who is clearly the older of the pair occasionally breaks into a grin in his own frame. It was his mother's grin, could you tell? Did you need a closer look? Don't smudge the glass and don't leave fingerprints, that's just inconsiderate. Look with your eyes and not your hands.
This is usually where you'll find the Headmaster, getting through some important paper work or making plans. It's of course, not a guarantee he'll be up here as the man does have a habit of wandering. Sitting still for hours was never his strong suit.
If you wish you speak with him, approach the stone gargoyles and have yourself a nice wait. They're not likely to let you in without the password and only the Headmaster and his staff are privy to that bit of information. Don't break them trying to force your way in anyway. They've been here since long before you were born and won't appreciate that kind of abuse. There's ways of trying to let yourself in that would prove to be less a nuisance--not that you're encouraged to. Whatever you've got to discuss with Headmaster Trent can't be THAT pressing. What's a five minute wait?
The Headmaster hadn't been expecting anyone. He had things to do and arrangements to finalise. Merlin help him if it was just another unruly student or staff member. He didn't have time for the constant defiance. It was getting old.
Flicking his wand, Lucien watched the door swing open before returning to the report he'd been reading.
"Make this quick." Whoever you were.
Kale wasn’t a chicken. He didn’t much think of himself as a coward either. But maaaaan, when he heard the voice of Rosier, the human equivalent of a weak chin, beckon him into the office, Kale felt his courage fall outta his shoes.
It pooled pathetically at his feet. Pfft. Some Gryffindor.
But even with the soupy remains of his courage spilled on the ground, Kale found the cracked voice to speak. “I’ve come for my Dad’s pictures.” There was not a sir or a please in that sentence. Rosier hadn’t earned it and he certainly would never hear it from Kale.
"They're....as spirited as always." Read: rude, disrespectful and begging for the sweet release of death. "Like to present challenges however I like to think I've shown them that I mean business. If not," He shrugged, nonchalance dripping with each word he spoke. "What's a few fewer brats who can't acclimate to our new world." He didn't need them all, something they should think about before they decided to back talk him and do the most.
As for the staff...
"The staff...are learning. As you've said, change can be a bit difficult at first but we're also falling onto the same page. We agree the safety of the students is meant to be up on our list of priorities. The rest...has taken care of itself." The Squad was being put to good use and he expected reinforcements soon enough.
Lucien took the cloak, silently looking it over for a moment. It was, as his sister said, rather beautiful, and now it belonged to them. He nodded his agreement. Bain was not incompetent--which was to the man's benefit.
"The message will buy us enough time. Let's see the wand." The thing he was most eager to receive.
Alphonsine nodded to herself as she listened to her brother speak of the initial resistance brought on by some of the children, though the staff sounded a little more promising. Some amount of resistance wasn't too surprising as it might come as a sudden change, but she was certain that many of them would begin to understand, certainly under her brother's tutelage.
"Good. I have no doubt that you have everything under control here." He really was the leader that they needed, and she was reminded again of the last conversation she had with Sebastijan. Words that continued to haunt her. "Of course it would be in their best interest for them to truly see and realise our vision." She'd hope that they could understand the benefit of it all for themselves rather than have to be forced into it, but there would always be resistance from at least a few. She knew that. "But you're right," she added with a sudden smile. "This is the way. The sooner that they all understand that, the better. Anyone who gets in the way can hardly be considered indisposable."
She watched Lucien for a moment as he admired the cloak, then pulled out the wand at his prompting. Slowly running her fingers down the length of the wand, Alphonsine could almost feel the power flowing through it. It truly was magnificent. And as much as she could covet it for herself, she wanted Lucien to have it. "Sebastijan... he found it," she said, hands trembling slightly as she reached the wand towards her brother. "He's dead," came the whisper at last.
Puff by day, snake by night | Mj's bestie | Always UP to Something...
Interfere with discipline? "Class hadn't even started yet and students were just going to their seats. These are children sir and if you had any of your own, maybe you would realize that they need nurtured, not harmed." She was feeling emotional over all of this, her students were like her children and she had her own children here as well. "As a mother, I can honestly say I didn't realize how much so until I had children of my own." So maybe take some of the older professors advice and they could get their order in a better way.
She couldn't help the stare she was giving him when he went on about professors. She went to open her mouth, but his gaze towards the other two made her just glance around. Her hand shook a bit, but it was near her waist if she needed it. She could sense her cats outside the door as well. She tried to shoo them without a word.
"I understand that we are not, but I think if you work with us in some of our ways things could go smoother in the end for everyone. Like if you do not want the muggle blood children here, let us send them home so that they can get a proper education in the muggle world and be with their own kind." She knew that would fall on deaf ears but she was going to say it anyway.
Kale wasn’t a chicken. He didn’t much think of himself as a coward either. But maaaaan, when he heard the voice of Rosier, the human equivalent of a weak chin, beckon him into the office, Kale felt his courage fall outta his shoes.
It pooled pathetically at his feet. Pfft. Some Gryffindor.
But even with the soupy remains of his courage spilled on the ground, Kale found the cracked voice to speak. “I’ve come for my Dad’s pictures.” There was not a sir or a please in that sentence. Rosier hadn’t earned it and he certainly would never hear it from Kale.
...
Right then.
Lucien spared the boy no more than a moment's glance before returning to what had previously held his attention. Here for pictures. Demanding. Like he was entitled to anything. Like he didn’t understand the change around the castle. It was a new climate and the young Trent boy was not adapting.
He was forgetting, Lucien didn’t have to do anything he didn’t feel like and was certainly not working on the students’ time.
No appointment. Just here to collect. Moving on.
SPOILER!!: You’re gonna make him sad
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphonsine Rosier
Alphonsine nodded to herself as she listened to her brother speak of the initial resistance brought on by some of the children, though the staff sounded a little more promising. Some amount of resistance wasn't too surprising as it might come as a sudden change, but she was certain that many of them would begin to understand, certainly under her brother's tutelage.
"Good. I have no doubt that you have everything under control here." He really was the leader that they needed, and she was reminded again of the last conversation she had with Sebastijan. Words that continued to haunt her. "Of course it would be in their best interest for them to truly see and realise our vision." She'd hope that they could understand the benefit of it all for themselves rather than have to be forced into it, but there would always be resistance from at least a few. She knew that. "But you're right," she added with a sudden smile. "This is the way. The sooner that they all understand that, the better. Anyone who gets in the way can hardly be considered indisposable."
She watched Lucien for a moment as he admired the cloak, then pulled out the wand at his prompting. Slowly running her fingers down the length of the wand, Alphonsine could almost feel the power flowing through it. It truly was magnificent. And as much as she could covet it for herself, she wanted Lucien to have it. "Sebastijan... he found it," she said, hands trembling slightly as she reached the wand towards her brother. "He's dead," came the whisper at last.
He could always count on Alphonsine to understand. When no one else did, she did. Even now, she understood that force would become necessary if those within the castle failed to fall in line. She did not try to dissuade him. This was how things were and how they were going to be. Only those who resisted would find the transition a rocky one.
Lucien noticed the change in his sister’s disposition as she reached for the wand. Only after her explanation did a few things become apparent. The obvious...and the less obvious.
Gingerly, he took the wand, not sure where to begin. Sebastijan....
The man searched her expression, hoping for some further elaboration. Anything that would tell him it wasn’t what he thought. But it had to be. His expression grew sad. “Tell me it wasn’t you...”
Interfere with discipline? "Class hadn't even started yet and students were just going to their seats. These are children sir and if you had any of your own, maybe you would realize that they need nurtured, not harmed." She was feeling emotional over all of this, her students were like her children and she had her own children here as well. "As a mother, I can honestly say I didn't realize how much so until I had children of my own." So maybe take some of the older professors advice and they could get their order in a better way.
She couldn't help the stare she was giving him when he went on about professors. She went to open her mouth, but his gaze towards the other two made her just glance around. Her hand shook a bit, but it was near her waist if she needed it. She could sense her cats outside the door as well. She tried to shoo them without a word.
"I understand that we are not, but I think if you work with us in some of our ways things could go smoother in the end for everyone. Like if you do not want the muggle blood children here, let us send them home so that they can get a proper education in the muggle world and be with their own kind." She knew that would fall on deaf ears but she was going to say it anyway.
She spoke a lot and did very listening. It was not complicated. They did what they were told, fell in line and moved on. She was doing herself no favours arguing with the big man, as evidenced by the way the squad stepped forth out of the shadows.
Each drew their wand, in sync, each uttering their own cruciatus curse in her direction.
Maybe this would teach her to keep her mouth shut in future.
Lucien spared the boy no more than a moment's glance before returning to what had previously held his attention. Here for pictures. Demanding. Like he was entitled to anything. Like he didn’t understand the change around the castle. It was a new climate and the young Trent boy was not adapting.
He was forgetting, Lucien didn’t have to do anything he didn’t feel like and was certainly not working on the students’ time.
No appointment. Just here to collect. Moving on.
The fifth year had to dig deep for some reaaaaaaal inner strength when Rosier straight-up ignored him. Like, he super wanted to throw a shoe at his lumpy head. Ahem, again. But shoe!throwing didn't get him very far the last time. He had learned that lesson. Hard.
And those pictures were important.
"I know you're in charge," Kale gritted out. "I'm not trying to kick up any dust or disobey you. I just want to take pictures out of your office that I know you don't care about anyway."
It wasn't the most artful plea, but it was a plea. He continued, the stupid lil boy did, and said, "You killed my Dad. I'm only asking for his pictures."
He could always count on Alphonsine to understand. When no one else did, she did. Even now, she understood that force would become necessary if those within the castle failed to fall in line. She did not try to dissuade him. This was how things were and how they were going to be. Only those who resisted would find the transition a rocky one.
Lucien noticed the change in his sister’s disposition as she reached for the wand. Only after her explanation did a few things become apparent. The obvious...and the less obvious.
Gingerly, he took the wand, not sure where to begin. Sebastijan....
The man searched her expression, hoping for some further elaboration. Anything that would tell him it wasn’t what he thought. But it had to be. His expression grew sad. “Tell me it wasn’t you...”
Alphonsine couldn't quite look at Lucien as the words left her lips, instead focusing on the wand now in his hands. Until he said that. She'd never want to let him down, but he had to know that it had been necessary.
Her eyes reflected a hint of anguish behind them as she looked up at him. "I had no choice, Lucien," she began, the emotion quickly seeping into her voice. "The wand.... He was going to betray you. He wanted to keep the wand for himself and have me join him..." She trailed off, swallowing the lump in her throat as she remembered how Sebastijan pointed the wand at her. She was certain that he wouldn't hurt her, just as she was sure he thought the same of her. But she couldn't wonder what spell he had been seconds from casting at her.
Alphonsine took a breath, cleansing the desperation from her voice, as she regained a more determined resolve. "I had to do it. For the greater good." Lucien had to know how devoted she was to their vision. To their parents. To him.
Puff by day, snake by night | Mj's bestie | Always UP to Something...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inquisitorial Squad
She spoke a lot and did very listening. It was not complicated. They did what they were told, fell in line and moved on. She was doing herself no favours arguing with the big man, as evidenced by the way the squad stepped forth out of the shadows.
Each drew their wand, in sync, each uttering their own cruciatus curse in her direction.
Maybe this would teach her to keep her mouth shut in future.
If Cassie knew this was coming she really showed no sign of knowing. She knew the people that had taken over the school were harsh, she had seen it, especially the one sitting her dear Trent's chair, but seeing the red flash before feeling pain coming from every direction. She tried to keep her eyes open watching straight forward, but the pain was so much that her vision soon blurred and her jaw clenched down biting her tongue as she fell to the floor screaming in pain.
Her muscles twitched from each spell as the pain ripped through her and she felt that it might be enough to take her away from this place at any moment. Feeling warmth on her leg if she was thinking coherently at the moment she would have realized that her body gave way of her full bladder she should have emptied before class. Trying with all her might to breath through the pain she could feel herself losing consciousness, and Merlin she might be praying for the release from the pain.
The fifth year had to dig deep for some reaaaaaaal inner strength when Rosier straight-up ignored him. Like, he super wanted to throw a shoe at his lumpy head. Ahem, again. But shoe!throwing didn't get him very far the last time. He had learned that lesson. Hard.
And those pictures were important.
"I know you're in charge," Kale gritted out. "I'm not trying to kick up any dust or disobey you. I just want to take pictures out of your office that I know you don't care about anyway."
It wasn't the most artful plea, but it was a plea. He continued, the stupid lil boy did, and said, "You killed my Dad. I'm only asking for his pictures."
...
He was listening, busy as he continued to look. The man was always listening, just in case he needed to snatch the lips right off another one of those mouthy students. As it so happened, this one amused.
Lucien barked his laughter, one quick outburst before he reigned it in to more subdued chuckling.
“Is that what you think?” Perhaps he could spare a moment for the boy after all. “Would you like to know how I did it? Would you like to hear how he screamed?”
SPOILER!!: oh dear
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphonsine Rosier
Alphonsine couldn't quite look at Lucien as the words left her lips, instead focusing on the wand now in his hands. Until he said that. She'd never want to let him down, but he had to know that it had been necessary.
Her eyes reflected a hint of anguish behind them as she looked up at him. "I had no choice, Lucien," she began, the emotion quickly seeping into her voice. "The wand.... He was going to betray you. He wanted to keep the wand for himself and have me join him..." She trailed off, swallowing the lump in her throat as she remembered how Sebastijan pointed the wand at her. She was certain that he wouldn't hurt her, just as she was sure he thought the same of her. But she couldn't wonder what spell he had been seconds from casting at her.
Alphonsine took a breath, cleansing the desperation from her voice, as she regained a more determined resolve. "I had to do it. For the greater good." Lucien had to know how devoted she was to their vision. To their parents. To him.
Lucien squeezed his eyes shut, rubbing at his temples. This could not be happening, it wasn’t real. Just...just a trick she was playing. Only...the longer he waited was the more sure he was that his sister wasn’t about to break into a cheeky grin and tell him he needed to learn to laugh more.
In truth, there was nothing funny about this at all.
“What’ve you done?” His voice was dangerously low. He took firm hold of her by both shoulders, shaking her some. “You shouldn’t have...he should’ve have.” This wasn’t the greater good, this was awful. This went far beyond what they envisioned for the world. It went into territory he had often had nightmares about. When the new world came, she needed to be there.
“Alphonsine. No. We’ll fix this, we will. It’ll be fine. It doesn’t have to...we don’t have to.”
He couldn’t. The thought turned his stomach, tying it into painful knots. “Not like this.” Surely she could see what he saw.
SPOILER!!: insubordinate staff
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bazinga
If Cassie knew this was coming she really showed no sign of knowing. She knew the people that had taken over the school were harsh, she had seen it, especially the one sitting her dear Trent's chair, but seeing the red flash before feeling pain coming from every direction. She tried to keep her eyes open watching straight forward, but the pain was so much that her vision soon blurred and her jaw clenched down biting her tongue as she fell to the floor screaming in pain.
Her muscles twitched from each spell as the pain ripped through her and she felt that it might be enough to take her away from this place at any moment. Feeling warmth on her leg if she was thinking coherently at the moment she would have realized that her body gave way of her full bladder she should have emptied before class. Trying with all her might to breath through the pain she could feel herself losing consciousness, and Merlin she might be praying for the release from the pain.
Disgusting.
Lucien spared only the shortest glance down at the puddle forming before setting them back on her face. Marred with pain, it was an improvement. The Headmaster gave her a moment to compose herself before he spoke.
“I don’t want to have to call you in here again. There are many who could replace you but I don’t suspect the children will be better off with you rotting in the ground somewhere.” Or swimming permanently with the giant squid.
“Can I expect your cooperation moving forward?” Or did she need a second dose?
He was listening, busy as he continued to look. The man was always listening, just in case he needed to snatch the lips right off another one of those mouthy students. As it so happened, this one amused.
Lucien barked his laughter, one quick outburst before he reigned it in to more subdued chuckling.
“Is that what you think?” Perhaps he could spare a moment for the boy after all. “Would you like to know how I did it? Would you like to hear how he screamed?”
Before Kale even knew what was happening, he had drawn his wand, as an icy rage cooled his blood. He was beyond anger. When he had been angry in the past, his feelings and actions had been frenetic. But fury? Fury was focused. It was as if someone else entirely had taken over his body and the boy holding his wand was meaner and more serious then he ever thought himself capable.
But the other boy, the one who had Mavis to look after and really, really, REALLY was trying to avoid Rosier’s wand, tapped at the window of his icy rage and asked for an audience.
Together they lowered his wand and bit back hot tears. “If this is really all for the greater good I hope it was quick. Only someone really bad would relish it, sir.” It was the first time he had addressed Rosier as thus and it didn’t sound particularly reverential.
Before Kale even knew what was happening, he had drawn his wand, as an icy rage cooled his blood. He was beyond anger. When he had been angry in the past, his feelings and actions had been frenetic. But fury? Fury was focused. It was as if someone else entirely had taken over his body and the boy holding his wand was meaner and more serious then he ever thought himself capable.
But the other boy, the one who had Mavis to look after and really, really, REALLY was trying to avoid Rosier’s wand, tapped at the window of his icy rage and asked for an audience.
Together they lowered his wand and bit back hot tears. “If this is really all for the greater good I hope it was quick. Only someone really bad would relish it, sir.” It was the first time he had addressed Rosier as thus and it didn’t sound particularly reverential.
Ha.
HA.
HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Merlin, he needed that laugh. It had been too long and the man had been forced into the role of a serious leader far too often. It was for the greater good of course, and not a complaint. But yes, this was a good laugh at the boy's expense.
"It was anything but quick. He cried for his children, did you know? Begged. 'No, not my children. I'll do anything'. I suppose you can say he did, for all the good it did him."
Lucien was not worried about the raised wand. The boy would be out before he could cause any real harm and ...there were always others watching. No, Lucien was enjoying the show. Perhaps he'd have a repeat with the little Trent girl.
Lucien squeezed his eyes shut, rubbing at his temples. This could not be happening, it wasn’t real. Just...just a trick she was playing. Only...the longer he waited was the more sure he was that his sister wasn’t about to break into a cheeky grin and tell him he needed to learn to laugh more.
In truth, there was nothing funny about this at all.
“What’ve you done?” His voice was dangerously low. He took firm hold of her by both shoulders, shaking her some. “You shouldn’t have...he should’ve have.” This wasn’t the greater good, this was awful. This went far beyond what they envisioned for the world. It went into territory he had often had nightmares about. When the new world came, she needed to be there.
“Alphonsine. No. We’ll fix this, we will. It’ll be fine. It doesn’t have to...we don’t have to.”
He couldn’t. The thought turned his stomach, tying it into painful knots. “Not like this.” Surely she could see what he saw.
If only Lucien knew how tormented she had been over this, he'd know that she'd never joke about something so dreadful. Killing was necessary sometimes, she knew that. Especially as a means to a very important end. But the death of their close childhood friend at her hand had been difficult for her to contend with, no matter how much she could justify it. And yes, Lucien. Alphonsine knew exactly what the implications were after taking possession of the elder wand. She just wasn't acknowledging that right now.
She let out a soft gasp as he grabbed her shoulders and the moisture that had welled up in her eyes was shaken free as a single tear trailed down her cheek. No. She wasn't going to let her emotions get the best of her.
Taking a deep breath, Alphonsine wiped that stray tear away and grabbed her brother's hand, squeezing it. "Don't you see, Lucien? I didn't have a choice. I had to." It had all happened so fast and she had to make a decision in a spit second. If he had been there, he would have understood. If he had been there... perhaps he would have made a different decision. But she didn't quite have his strength or his calm resolve.
She forced a reassuring smile, whether it was to reassure him or to reassure herself, she did not quite know. "Of course we will. We'll fix this. You will think of something, I have every faith that you will." Their vision could still be realised together. This was just a technicality.
Merlin, he needed that laugh. It had been too long and the man had been forced into the role of a serious leader far too often. It was for the greater good of course, and not a complaint. But yes, this was a good laugh at the boy's expense.
"It was anything but quick. He cried for his children, did you know? Begged. 'No, not my children. I'll do anything'. I suppose you can say he did, for all the good it did him."
Lucien was not worried about the raised wand. The boy would be out before he could cause any real harm and ...there were always others watching. No, Lucien was enjoying the show. Perhaps he'd have a repeat with the little Trent girl.
Kale hated Rosier. He had never thought he had it in him to full-on hate somebody, but this sick and twisted feeling gnawing at his insides was far too strong to be dislike. He had disliked a dress his sister bought once and that feeling didn’t even touch this one.
Rosier made Kale want to pick up the paperweight he knew his Dad kept on the left side of the desk and drop it on his toe.
Acting out wasn’t going to get him what he wanted though, he reminded himself. And if the hot tears streaming down his face were any indication of how this conversation was going, his current tactic wasn’t going to get him the pictures either. “He was a brave guy. I’m proud of him.” He paused before repeating. “His pictures, sir.”
Puff by day, snake by night | Mj's bestie | Always UP to Something...
SPOILER!!: Sir
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucien Rosier
...
He was listening, busy as he continued to look. The man was always listening, just in case he needed to snatch the lips right off another one of those mouthy students. As it so happened, this one amused.
Lucien barked his laughter, one quick outburst before he reigned it in to more subdued chuckling.
“Is that what you think?” Perhaps he could spare a moment for the boy after all. “Would you like to know how I did it? Would you like to hear how he screamed?”
Lucien squeezed his eyes shut, rubbing at his temples. This could not be happening, it wasn’t real. Just...just a trick she was playing. Only...the longer he waited was the more sure he was that his sister wasn’t about to break into a cheeky grin and tell him he needed to learn to laugh more.
In truth, there was nothing funny about this at all.
“What’ve you done?” His voice was dangerously low. He took firm hold of her by both shoulders, shaking her some. “You shouldn’t have...he should’ve have.” This wasn’t the greater good, this was awful. This went far beyond what they envisioned for the world. It went into territory he had often had nightmares about. When the new world came, she needed to be there.
“Alphonsine. No. We’ll fix this, we will. It’ll be fine. It doesn’t have to...we don’t have to.”
He couldn’t. The thought turned his stomach, tying it into painful knots. “Not like this.” Surely she could see what he saw.
Disgusting.
Lucien spared only the shortest glance down at the puddle forming before setting them back on her face. Marred with pain, it was an improvement. The Headmaster gave her a moment to compose herself before he spoke.
“I don’t want to have to call you in here again. There are many who could replace you but I don’t suspect the children will be better off with you rotting in the ground somewhere.” Or swimming permanently with the giant squid.
“Can I expect your cooperation moving forward?” Or did she need a second dose?
Her sight was blurry and her body was numb with pain. She laid for a long time before she was making out sound and started to focus back on where she was. It seemed like so much energy to even lift her head let alone get up and move to her feet. Her five foot frame was not equipped for such pain, but she wouldn't be dying on the floor of this office, not today.
She never truly felt she wasn't cooperating, but it was obvious that coming to a happy medium with this mad man was never going to work. She just hoped her words of encouragement in class helped keep spirits up even during this time.
Slowly she lifted her self up to a sitting position and tried to get her vision to focus on Lucien. Not being able to find her voice she just nodded a weak nod. She just needed to get out of this office.
If only Lucien knew how tormented she had been over this, he'd know that she'd never joke about something so dreadful. Killing was necessary sometimes, she knew that. Especially as a means to a very important end. But the death of their close childhood friend at her hand had been difficult for her to contend with, no matter how much she could justify it. And yes, Lucien. Alphonsine knew exactly what the implications were after taking possession of the elder wand. She just wasn't acknowledging that right now.
She let out a soft gasp as he grabbed her shoulders and the moisture that had welled up in her eyes was shaken free as a single tear trailed down her cheek. No. She wasn't going to let her emotions get the best of her.
Taking a deep breath, Alphonsine wiped that stray tear away and grabbed her brother's hand, squeezing it. "Don't you see, Lucien? I didn't have a choice. I had to." It had all happened so fast and she had to make a decision in a spit second. If he had been there, he would have understood. If he had been there... perhaps he would have made a different decision. But she didn't quite have his strength or his calm resolve.
She forced a reassuring smile, whether it was to reassure him or to reassure herself, she did not quite know. "Of course we will. We'll fix this. You will think of something, I have every faith that you will." Their vision could still be realised together. This was just a technicality.
The tear put things in perspective, not that he wasn't already starting to see the bigger picture her actions had drawn. No, it was hard to miss that.
On the matter of doing what she had to. "I know." Truly, he did. It went without saying that in a situation such as the one his sister found herself in, he preferred her come out the one on top. Lucien had lost enough of his family. Alphonsine was the only thing he had left.
It was why he decided what he did.
"Keep it." There was much finality in his voice. "Officially, I mean. The wand will remain in my possession but...I won't lose you, too." The greater good would not involve the ultimate loss. When the new world was created, he needed her there to see it.
Who would he enjoy it with? This was all as much for her as it was for him.
SPOILER!!: We teach valuable lessons
Quote:
Originally Posted by pundantic
Kale hated Rosier. He had never thought he had it in him to full-on hate somebody, but this sick and twisted feeling gnawing at his insides was far too strong to be dislike. He had disliked a dress his sister bought once and that feeling didn’t even touch this one.
Rosier made Kale want to pick up the paperweight he knew his Dad kept on the left side of the desk and drop it on his toe.
Acting out wasn’t going to get him what he wanted though, he reminded himself. And if the hot tears streaming down his face were any indication of how this conversation was going, his current tactic wasn’t going to get him the pictures either. “He was a brave guy. I’m proud of him.” He paused before repeating. “His pictures, sir.”
My, someone had learned not to let his temper get the better of him. It took the Gryffindor long enough.
Now bored with his game, Lucien levitated the pictures from his desk with a lazy flick of his wand. They moved across the room, coming to a stop just before the boy.
"Take them, before I change my mind. Then see yourself out." The interruption had not taken all that time in truth but he was ready to focus.
Was he still here?
SPOILER!!: The Professor who learned her lesson
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bazinga
SPOILER!!: Sir
Her sight was blurry and her body was numb with pain. She laid for a long time before she was making out sound and started to focus back on where she was. It seemed like so much energy to even lift her head let alone get up and move to her feet. Her five foot frame was not equipped for such pain, but she wouldn't be dying on the floor of this office, not today.
She never truly felt she wasn't cooperating, but it was obvious that coming to a happy medium with this mad man was never going to work. She just hoped her words of encouragement in class helped keep spirits up even during this time.
Slowly she lifted her self up to a sitting position and tried to get her vision to focus on Lucien. Not being able to find her voice she just nodded a weak nod. She just needed to get out of this office.
"Excellent!" Lucien even offered a smile....dark in nature as it happened to be. "I trust you have no issues finding your way back to your office but should you be in need of assistance, my squad is all too happy to help." In their own way.
Either way, he was quite done with this conversation and was ready to be getting back to his day.
"Don't let this become a habit. I've got only so much patience and the students are working hard to monopolise it."
SPOILER!!: he is rude and yes this is the hill I will die on
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucien Rosier
My, someone had learned not to let his temper get the better of him. It took the Gryffindor long enough.
Now bored with his game, Lucien levitated the requested pictures from his desk with a lazy flick of his wand. They moved across the room, coming to a stop just before the boy.
"Take them, before I change my mind. Then see yourself out." The interruption had not taken all that time in truth but he was ready to focus.
Was he still here?
Kale really wanted to kick this guy in his shin. He didn’t think, like, long-term strategy, that was the best idea, but Merlin it probably would feel awesome.
Except all that fight flew right outta him when the pictures floated into his view.
The first picture he spotted was from the summer before he started Hogwarts. If Kale closed his eyes he could almost taste the salty sea air from the beach that day. The grinning eleven year old hanging off his Dad’s bicep had been so excited to join his father at school the upcoming term. See, Malachi Trent had spent so much of his childhood in service to other kids, away from his own. So, it felt like a gift that he was gonna get to spend every day with his Dad. Finally.
And how had he spent that gift? He’d wasted it being mad or upset or disappointed with his father. Gosh. What he’d do to have him back now. Just for a moment. To say he was sorry.
Kale wiped uselessly at his eyes and yanked the pictures to his chest.
The tear put things in perspective, not that he wasn't already starting to see the bigger picture her actions had drawn. No, it was hard to miss that.
On the matter of doing what she had to. "I know." Truly, he did. It went without saying that in a situation such as the one his sister found herself in, he preferred her come out the one on top. Lucien had lost enough of his family. Alphonsine was the only thing he had left.
It was why he decided what he did.
"Keep it." There was much finality in his voice. "Officially, I mean. The wand will remain in my possession but...I won't lose you, too." The greater good would not involve the ultimate loss. When the new world was created, he needed her there to see it.
Who would he enjoy it with? This was all as much for her as it was for him.
As difficult as it all had been, Alphonsine was relieved to know that Lucien understood. But of course he did. Who better to understand her and their vision but her twin brother? But this also came with a price, one that she dared not speak aloud and Lucien clearly did not want to name.
She meant it when she said that she had all the faith that he would figure out this little hiccup. He had gotten them all this far with his shrewd leadership and he would continue to make the best decisions with their vision in mind. And so when he spoke, Alphonsine let out a small, relieved exhale and brightened her smile.
"Of course, Lucien." She squeezed his hand again before releasing it. "It will still work. This... will still work." Their vision was already unfolding and being realised before their eyes. And too, the wand would surely still work well for him. Or at least she hoped. She could still feel the power that flowed through it as she had held it in her hands. "Do you want to try it?" The wand, she meant, but the question was almost hesitant.
Puff by day, snake by night | Mj's bestie | Always UP to Something...
SPOILER!!: Gosh
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucien Rosier
The tear put things in perspective, not that he wasn't already starting to see the bigger picture her actions had drawn. No, it was hard to miss that.
On the matter of doing what she had to. "I know." Truly, he did. It went without saying that in a situation such as the one his sister found herself in, he preferred her come out the one on top. Lucien had lost enough of his family. Alphonsine was the only thing he had left.
It was why he decided what he did.
"Keep it." There was much finality in his voice. "Officially, I mean. The wand will remain in my possession but...I won't lose you, too." The greater good would not involve the ultimate loss. When the new world was created, he needed her there to see it.
Who would he enjoy it with? This was all as much for her as it was for him.
My, someone had learned not to let his temper get the better of him. It took the Gryffindor long enough.
Now bored with his game, Lucien levitated the pictures from his desk with a lazy flick of his wand. They moved across the room, coming to a stop just before the boy.
"Take them, before I change my mind. Then see yourself out." The interruption had not taken all that time in truth but he was ready to focus.
Was he still here?
"Excellent!" Lucien even offered a smile....dark in nature as it happened to be. "I trust you have no issues finding your way back to your office but should you be in need of assistance, my squad is all too happy to help." In their own way.
Either way, he was quite done with this conversation and was ready to be getting back to his day.
"Don't let this become a habit. I've got only so much patience and the students are working hard to monopolise it."
She was standing, but wobbly on her feet. Her heels were not being the best of footwear, but that was the least of her concern at the moment. She felt weak and the pain was still pulling at her. As he spoke she forced herself to listen. "I can make it on my own." She didn't need those idiots following her.
She nodded at his final statement and turned to head out the door.
Being summoned to the Headmaster's office was probably supposed to be an unsettling experience in any other school, usually even at Hogwarts, in fact. Nem had never found the Headsman particularly intimidating, but the Big Man, he was different. Objectively speaking, Nem knew he was intimidating, but they would be lying if they said that they, personally, ever been afraid of him.
And Nem would never lie. Perish the thought.
So, they'd taken the summons to Rosier's office in their stride, and turned up as expected without any nerves or apprehension present. After the gargoyles had let them up, Nem took the stairs briskly, two steps at a time - as they'd done plenty of times to report back anything they'd noticed in recent months - until they reached the door. Pausing only to shove their starting-to-get-a-bit-too-long hair out of their eyes, Nem rapped sharply on the door, waiting for a reply before they pushed it open.
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Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!
There was only one person he expected to be knocking at his door at this particular hour. Appointments were the only way to keep things straight these days and the man had made that clear enough. Though...perhaps the students who were still around to roam free might get an idea here or there. A sign might become necessary.
For now, Lucien flicked his wand and the door swung itself open. The wand remained in his hand another moment, in case he would need to hex whoever dared disrupt him but it was indeed the only person he expected at this hour.
"Take a seat." His tone was neither inviting nor condemning. The man waited until they entered before slamming the door shut with another flick of his wand.
"Sit and tell me what you thought you were doing at the dragon sanctuary."
With the way into the office open and Rosier's instruction in their ears, Nem stepped inside and out of the path of the door so the Big Man could slam it shut unimpeded. No pleasantries here; that was one of those things they'd more or less appreciated about coming to see the headmaster in the past. Nem was far beyond the capacity for appreciation at this moment in time, but still. Without a word, they went and sat down, and turned unflinching eyes onto the Big Man as they had so many times before.
No fear, Nem had an answer ready, one they didn't have to fabricate.
"I thought I was going to stir up some of the dragons, sir," they said, without attempting to inject any tone into their voice. "It's a big reserve. Once the trouble started, I decided to go where none of those other witches or wizards could see, or interfere. Had the idea before the Squad gave the order; Williamson had been saying that dragons should be free to go where they like. Seemed natural to build on that, whether he meant it or not, given what we're striving for here." At this, Nem paused for just a moment, trying yet again to dredge up the pure wrath that had utterly but silently consumed them, for almost a full ten minutes, after they'd been revived from that stunning spell, and remembered they'd been deprived of what might have been a decent thrill. The feeling had faded entirely since, and everything else with it.
No good. Whatever.
"Would have done some real damage, got some of the dragons free, if the Squad hadn't got in my way." Facts. "Sir."
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Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!
At first, there was nothing more than a grunt. Lucien didn't entertain the idea Upstead might be lying for the simple fact the child knew better [s]and knew how easily verifiable it was). It took just the faintest hint of deception. They had been welcomed into the alliance and were expected to fall well in line. That meant facing the same punishments.
Upstead was many things, but stupid was not one of them.
It was for that reason that Lucien chose to hear them out before deciding on any form of punishment. "For the greater good, then." The Headmaster said mildly, still turning the idea over in his head.
He fixed them with a look. "It would seem you've now got a choice to make. In the past, it was worth having you play double agent. Incidents like the field trip, however, should be indication enough that you can no longer have your cake and eat it, too." Lucien eased back into his chair, locking his fingers and placing his hands on his lap. "This little hiccup could've been avoided had you informed the squad. Worked together. I've locked nearly half the school up. You can join them, or you can give yourself over properly to the alliance and put this silly business of disguise."
The time was drawing closer, it was no longer necessary.
Nem said nothing right away, just let the Big Man's words hang in the air; they were so crucial to what he was aiming for, and so to Nem too. The greater good. Greater than good. It all amounted to the same thing, in the end.
Tempted as they would have been to remark that they had always operated much better alone, and preferred to do so, it was perhaps fortunate that Rosier did not linger on that and instead kept talking. Nem easily withstood his words, unconcerned with the touches of criticism and reprimand, and focused on the final point.
"I'd noticed, sir. You took my brother and sister." Again, Nem did not have the wherewithal to lace their words with a tone that hinted at casual observation, but it didn't really matter. "Anyway, I'm done pretending."
The Big Man need not have framed it as an ultimatum, though it made perfect sense that he would. Nem had no interest in joining the others who had been shut away - and certainly not in sharing their status - sure, but they'd been tiring of the double agent thing, and plenty else, in recent weeks. Now that the time came to choose, they did so with no hesitation.
"I'm with you, sir, and the Neo-Alliance. All in."
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Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!
The other Upstead children were worth little more than the dust that occasionally settled atop his desk. None had followed in their sibling's footsteps to offer their services, none made him take pause before making him consider their death.
It was only Nemesis--quite the fitting name for the delightful spawn.
"I'm pleased." Pleased they continued to make the right choice, as they always had. Pleased he no longer had to give thought to putting them down for concern they may try something stupid in future. The list of such students was already long. Upstead need not find themselves on it.
"It's time you took up position."
Lucien rummaged around in his drawer then took out a pin that took the shape of a hand clutching a wand, lightening coming from its tip. "You're a part of the squad now. Has your crucio gotten better?" Or had their extra lessons been for nothing?
Ridiculous that everyone else had such a problem with pleasing the Big Man, were in fact so hellbent on doing the exact opposite. On an intellectual level, after years of digging into the subject of people and how to make sense of them, Nem could understand why, could see exactly what it was that held so many of them back. Couldn't relate to it, or even really understand it on a personal level, but they could see it. For their part, they had been sure, since their earliest years, to cultivate everything in their own psyche which drew them further and further away from that kind of weakness, to make the strongest, most powerful version of themselves possible.
It had all fallen into place perfectly these last two years. Rosier, the Neo-Alliance, the changing world. Nem had found a place in it all so easily.
And now a position, of sorts.
They refrained from watching exactly what the Big Man was doing until the moment he found what he'd been looking for, when they flicked their eyes briefly towards it - a pin - and back up to his face again. "Yes, sir. Markedly." Nem had been practicing everything he'd taught them, and then some. Taking initiative. "No concerns there."
Admittedly, Nemesis Upstead was not exactly an expert witness when it came to the matter of concern, but that didn't change the fact. Their spellwork was more than up to scratch, their Crucio unrelenting. Those lessons had been time well spent.
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Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!
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Headmaster's Office 
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