open RP: a room of one's own

[lemondrop_party]

Albus had paid a social call on the Headmistress. A social call it was, purely; he saw no sense in sharing with her the kinds of misgivings he had voiced to Minerva. Besides, Furbish was a language lent to the frivolous. Over fruit punch, Kahnooloo babbled about her liking for parties and dancing, and Albus, smiling, allowed as how Hogwarts

Comments

[charlesofdensen]

Lunch was all right, but Ofdensen's brain was on overdrive as he walked back to Hufflepuff.

He was thinking of various things:

Pickles and finding 'brutal' people (yes, he's fully aware of that, but he'll let Pickles ask first),
the machinations of the Scandinavians (he doesn't know what, but he knows they're up to something),
his progression in magic (or lack thereof. He may have to do some independent study),
the promising new students (and the ah...not so promising),
his...well, he supposed it was the beginning of some kind of friendship, with a few people here,
the earler duel with Aayla and that damned kiss

Ofdensen stopped and rubbed his head. "I shouldn't think of that." Continuing to rub his head, he walked down the hall.

A glint caught his eye, and he saw the plaque.

Professor emeritus, huh? Maybe he could provide some insight on the lack of classes.

He knocked on the door.

[lemondrop_party]

For a moment, all was silent. Then the tumblers within the door's lock began to turn of their own accord, and the door itself swung open.

"Come in," said a voice from within. It sounded deep, old, strong.

[charlesofdensen]

Ofdensen blinked. No one was at the door, yet it opened.

He supposed he shouldn't be surprised, after all, this is a school for magic.

He took a step into the room, slightly amused by all the clutter.

"Professor...Dumbledore, was it?"

[lemondrop_party]

"It is," Albus confirmed. "And you are?" The question was not arch in the slightest. Albus's voice registered a genuine interest in the answer.

[charlesofdensen]

"Charles Ofdensen. I was wondering, Professor, about the seeming lack of classes this school has."

[lemondrop_party]

"That makes two of us, Mr Ofdensen," said Albus pleasantly. "What specifically gives you pause?"

[charlesofdensen]

"That since I've arrived, I've only attended one class, and it didn't help me in the slightest. Then there are no other classes offered at all, so I have to find my own activities. Then even those don't turn out as planned."

Ofdensen realised that his voice was beginning to rise.

"I'm sorry, sir, I shouldn't be yelling."

[lemondrop_party]

"Quite all right, Mr Ofdensen. The face of Hogwarts has changed, that I will not deny. Do have a seat and tell me about it."

[charlesofdensen]

Ofdensen took the offered seat. "Look, I didn't ask to be here. I just showed up and found my employers here. The one class I took was a Divination class, and it didn't really help me any in learning magic or doing my job better. Basically, since I came here, all I've been doing is turning into half dogs and getting confused. This is supposed to be a school for magic. Why am I learning it on my own time instead?"

[lemondrop_party]

"O tempora, o mores, indeed," said Dumbledore sympathetically. "As an emeritus, I am afraid I really have no power to impel faculty to hold classes. I can only seek to stop up the gaps, as it were, for students who would like tutelage and are willing to brighten an old man's day by giving him an opportunity to make himself useful. What I would like to know is how you found yourself turning into half-dogs."

[charlesofdensen]

"A jinxed chocolate, as it were. It wasn't all bad, since I met someone there that...I consider...a friend...." here he shook his head, "but if you do have any suggestions for books someone learning magic on their own should read..."

[lemondrop_party]

"It does strike me as an excellent way to meet 'furries'," Albus considered. "Just as long as you had not turned into several separate halves of dogs, that is. Ah, the charmed-chocolate prank, a tried-and-true standby in any student's pranking repertoire. Perhaps young George Weasley can devise something more novel." His eyes twinkled in appreciation of mischief well-managed.

"Now, as to the learning of magic, first I must ask you whether you have gotten yourself a wand yet."

[charlesofdensen]

"I...uh....that's not..." way to fluster Ofdensen, Professor. "Well, she was a child at the time, and she wanted a hug...." Oh forget it. He's just digging himself in a hole.

"I do have a wand." It was rolled up with his towel. He pulled it out and laid it in front of Dumbledore.

[lemondrop_party]

"Well handled, Mr Ofdensen. A wizard should always keep his wand on his person. One never knows when one might need to whip it out."

[charlesofdensen]

"I...see."

[lemondrop_party]

"A wand's material can indicate much about its user. Of what wood is your wand made, and what is at its core?"