|
Post by Professor LeStrange on Sept 16, 2007 23:17:45 GMT -5
Reliance on the ministry was all but nonexistent at the time and it was but on a whim his shop had not been sealed shut, had it been so his apprentice would’ve sent word. Though, thoughts conveyed within his head were of death and misfortune, heaven sent his apprentice heard word before the ministry came, or he would’ve surely have been enslaved by the corruptness of the ministry. Sicoft LeStrange was your average duelist, yet your brilliant apothecary but the wrath of the ministry was hell-bent on total destruction of those who strayed from the pack.
The Great Hall was pastoral, his presence was unwarranted though it was apparent the Headmistress has not come down for lunch, nor could be found patrolling the corridors of the castle, the corridors mocked by the abeyance of the students. Sicoft had requested an audience with her, her lack of involvement hinted she was to be found in her office, stuck behind the walls that kept the students safe for years.
He arrived on the landing; pre-entrance to her office and withdrew his wand. The door seemed sealed shut that the simple flick let the wooden door remain ideal, yet another flick and the door but only shifted itself in another position. It was all but plausible that she had placed precautionary measures upon her office to prevent magic from opening the door.
|
|
|
Post by Headmistress Lena Lilac on Sept 16, 2007 23:33:15 GMT -5
Having seen no reason to watch the students at lunch Headmistress Lilac remained in her office looking over many upon many letters from the ministry, the same ones she had been trying to avoid for as long as possible . She read through one then flung it into a small trash can to her left, many other crumpled letters stuck out of it , it seemed that she had been at this for most of the afternoon.
Lena looked up from a letter that had been sent two weeks prior to this day and stared at the door that led into her office. It was apparent that someone was trying to use magic to enter through it. Seeing as many charms had been put on the door to prevent it from being opened by magic there was no way whoever was on the other side was going to get in that way. She listened for a second to see if the person on the other side was going to put up a fight to get in the door but nothing happened. She waited for a second before she flicked her wand twice and the door swung open to show Professor Sicoft Lestrange standing there waiting patiently.
"Please come in Sicoft, sorry about the door but i need to be cautious in times like these" she said picking the letter up and read the last sentence out loud.
"You leave us no choice but to take the School over by force, Be ready Lena." She shook her head then crumpled the letter up and threw it into the overflowing trash can next to her. "Now what can i do for you , I know you wanted to talk to me. Everyone seems to want to "chat" with me now adays. " she said to herself sounding as calm as can be , as she picked up another letter and ripped the envelope open.
|
|
|
Post by Professor LeStrange on Sept 16, 2007 23:43:19 GMT -5
"Professor Andolini and Alexander, warned you Lena and the thought of losing Hogwarts has been common word amongst us. I’m bloody well ready to give my life for this school Lena, and you know that. I’ve played long enough with my potions to know not a single property can bring someone back, I can do marvelous things but I can not force him back …” He spoke softly, only justifiable for hearing yet barely audible so the walls would conceal his words. He sat down at the empty chair, his wand placed upon her desk and rummaged robes provided the Headmistress a half filled bottle upon her desk
“I’ve been brewing this for months, suppose we can all use a bit of luck.” He nodded leaving the bottle situated behind the stack of letters that cluttered her desk
|
|
|
Post by Headmistress Lena Lilac on Sept 17, 2007 0:05:20 GMT -5
"For many , many years now this school has been everything to me. Everything that goes on here i try to find a way to stop it . When the letters began to come i thought that if i ignored them they would stop all together and id be left alone, so i didn't think much of them. Even after all the warnings from you and the staff i still ignored them . Now as i read through them they get more and more threatening everyday. Taking the school from me seems to be only a tiny part of what is going on with the ministry , they don't only want the school but they want me and Alexander dead in the process."
Lena said standing up now pacing behind her desk a worried expression upon her face.
"Seeing as I'm the only one they can get to at the moment they plan to take me down first. Now i don't expect you and the rest of the staff to risk your lives to save me or this school but if that is what you all plan to do then i will in no way try to stop you. The only thing at this moment i care about is keeping the students safe . Even if that means sending them all home then that is what we shall do , the only problem is i have no idea how long we have before the ministry attacks again, and by the sound of these letters it could be any second now"
She looked down and smiled at the bottle that Sicoft set on her desk, she reached over and picked it up admiring the color of the liquid . "Luck isn't the only thing we need at this moment but its a start"
|
|
|
Post by Professor LeStrange on Sept 17, 2007 0:51:33 GMT -5
"Lena my dear, luck has a particular habit of favoring those who depend on it . In such darkness I do not believe we have the rest upon us that they won’t attack again, we can only hope Alexander returns.” He words lingered in the office for awhile, silence broke them apart and divulged them into nothing “Headmistress, I have but a one favor to ask of you.” He shifted in his seat; it was uncharacteristic for Sicoft to almost beg for her approval yet what he was about to ask warranted his behavior
|
|
|
Post by Headmistress Lena Lilac on Sept 17, 2007 0:59:51 GMT -5
"Yes we can only hope that Alexander returns " Lena said sitting back down in her chair her mind buzzing with a hundred different things at one time.She set the bottle back on the desk and tossed another crumpled letter in the trash can on her left. She then folded her hands on her desk and looked at Sicoft. "And what may that favor be ?" she asked smiling at him as she motioned with her hands for him to ask whatever it was he wanted to ask her.
|
|
|
Post by Professor LeStrange on Sept 17, 2007 1:11:15 GMT -5
“I assume you are aware of where I came from, when you asked me to join your staff I left my shop in Diagon Alley to arrive ready to teach your student’s potions and everything I’ve loved for many years. As such, I had to leave the shop with my apprentice whom I fear the worse for, backlash at the hand of the ministry can be quite harsh and death would be easily passed as a tragic mistake. I do not think for a moment we either deny the fact the Ministry has their fingers in each of the bowls, and I’m afraid they have but a complete control over that area. I ask you, Lena, to let him come here for protection and I assure you that the potion knowledge he holds would rival even Alexander.” He took a long breath before pulling his wand from her desk and placing it inside his robe, the windows let the trailing sun in just, and night was but a tease and skip away from them
He flicked his wand and the room glowed in golden hues, illuminating the tiara that adorned the Headmistress face. With the arrival of light, Sicoft could see how much the recent attack had taken on her, her eyes that once glowed brightly had since dimmed and her hair gave hints of gray.
|
|
|
Post by Headmistress Lena Lilac on Sept 17, 2007 1:25:46 GMT -5
"Of course Sicoft , he is more then welcome here. After all Hogwart's is the safest place on earth isn't it " Lena said trying to convince herself of that also." He can stay as long as he needs too and we will need all the help we can get, so if he can be useful then thats even better" She said smiling slightly at him, she wasn't so sure how they were gonna beat the ministry but she was gonna try to figure it out the best she could.
"The ministry thinks they have control over everything we will be able to do here, of course they are wrong but thats what they think. So if we some how get everything ready for the fight, then we will be one step ahead of them when they show up and we will have a greater chance in winning this thing. But we still don't know when they are planning on attacking so that makes it all the more difficult to be 100% ready" she rambled on to herself , she had almost forgotten Sicoft was in the room when she looked back up from the newest letter in her hand.
"Oh but yes your friend is more then welcome here, he can come at anytime. There are charms all over the grounds to prevent people from getting to the school so just let me know when he is coming so that i can allow him on the grounds" She smiled at him again before she went back to reading .
|
|
|
Post by Professor Andolini on Sept 17, 2007 22:15:54 GMT -5
It was after the attack and Professor Andolini sat on the floor in his office, obviously in some kind of trance. His eyes were half-open and distant. Smoke billowed all around him from the obsessive amounts of incense placed all around the small room. After the attack, he had to clear his mind. Too many thoughts raced and reeled before his eyes like a muggle film.
After what seemed like an hour he felt clensed and much more relaxed. Just as he was about to get to his feet a feeling like no other hit him like a wave. He closed his eyes and an image came into view. Destruction. The feeling did not pass. He now recognized it as foreboding, tragedy, and terror. Something horrible was soon to come...something far worse then the attack that happened only hours earlier. Getting to his feet, he headed quickly towards the door. But before he could reach it another image came before him. He gripped the edge of his desk to avoid falling over. A cloaked figure walking towards the castle. He didn't understand it, but he knew that wasn't important...What was important right now was that he told Professor Lilac; she had to know!
Alessandro ran as fast as he could from the tower and made it to Professor Lilac's door. It was locked, but the curses upon it seemed to be weakened upon another. He thought it would be rude to just barge in, no matter how much importance it was to see her. He knocked vigoriously on the door and waited anxiously.
|
|
|
Post by Professor LeStrange on Sept 17, 2007 22:41:10 GMT -5
“With many thanks, I send owl immediately.” the sun had since settled behind the mountains and the sky was illuminated with a full moon, his words were interrupted at an abrupt knocking at the office door He withdrew his wand once again and stood up, holding the wand aloft in his left hand and opened the door with his right. Professor Andolini stood waiting, noticeably panting for oxygen.
He motioned the Professor in to the office, flicking his wand another chair appeared adjoining her desk, LeStrange poised himself against her fireplace, still with his wand out.
|
|
|
Post by Professor Andolini on Sept 17, 2007 23:06:14 GMT -5
Andolini nodded in thanks but did not take a seat. Instead, he strode past Professor Sicoft and went to the Headmistress, pacing in front of her desk, trying to explain what had just happened in his office. He spoke quickly and loudly, to make sure she received all of the information.
"Something horrible is going to happen soon. I was just clearing my mind and then suddenly a terrible image came. It deplicated tragedy and suffering. I'm more then certain it will come true. We need to do something with the children before it is too late and they are in danger. The Ministry will want blood for what we've done...If not for revenge for humilating them, but to have the school at any means necessary.." He took a seat in the chair, panting slightly. He only paused once or twice throughout his whole dialouge. But as exhausted and tired as he felt, he also had a feeling of relief. At least they would be ready...
"Oh, and there was something else..." He rattled his mind to remember. It didn't seem that important compared to the other information but he thought if it would help Professor Lilac, it was worth mentioning. "There was a cloaked figure walking towards the castle. There didn't seem to be any hostility...but, I have no idea what it means." He looked up at the Headmistress for a response.
|
|
|
Post by Headmistress Lena Lilac on Sept 19, 2007 13:57:08 GMT -5
Lean sat there listening to everything Andolini said, she couldn't help but be a little bit scared by what he was telling her but she did her best to hide it from the two in the room.She had to be strong , but she was slowly loosing that battle.She stood up and walked over to the window to gaze out it before she spoke.
"The only thing we can do with the children at this moment is send them home! We have no other choice .Why should they be in danger because of something that Ive tried to ignore" she said still looking out the window. "Tomorrow at dinner i will announce that I'm sending them all home, all of their things i want packed by the house elves so that they can leave as soon as they all eat. I want a couple professors ready to escort them all to the train as soon as i give the signal OK" Lena turned back to them with worry upon her face.
"The ministry is going to take this school from me or so they think , I'm not giving up without a fight and thats exactly what they were hoping for . They obviously should have known that I'm not one to just give in and let them have their own way ,they've been planning this for awhile i know that for sure. I want everything ready for the attack, more charms and protections need to be put on the school. Anything and everything you can think of to protect this school do it." She said sitting down in her seat again this time determination was etched on her face.
She turned her attention back to Professor Andolini and looked at him strangely as if she couldn't figure something out . "What did this cloaked person look like ?" she asked still staring at him with a strange expression on her face.
|
|
|
Post by Professor LeStrange on Sept 20, 2007 2:24:33 GMT -5
"Headmistress while I have not come here to be a gainsayer, my thoughts and feelings wane on the discussion to abort the students from Hogwarts. With it very plausible the ministry is but a whim away from attack, my fears and realities prove otherwise on your decision.” Brandishing his wand around, his robes flowing with his movements like the tree branches dancing with the wind, perhaps it was out of place to speak in such tongue but he could not rest
“I am but a single wizard with a wand, Lena, I devote my life to Hogwarts and will defend it to the very end but certainly admitting defeat in front of the ministry will all but dim our light once more.” Such talk was treason, he stood there his wand adjacent to his face, perhaps defense was on a high or his nerves had began to crumble but the room was on edge "Manifesto of a decree, I pledge you my life loyalty and wandmanship towards the defensive stance against the ministry, as such present manners attribute to my decision." He stood near her desk, but only just with a flick of his wand the Slytherin serpent sprung around the room and erupted into green and gold flames, smoke swirled and the ashes of the serpent remained upon her desk.
|
|
|
Post by Professor Andolini on Sept 20, 2007 21:22:35 GMT -5
Professor Andolini flushed momentarily with embarassment by the question Lena was asking him. Though Sicoft stepped forward, giving him time to think of a decent reply. As the snake vanished into a pile of ash, he moved forward.
"Unfortunately I didn't get a very good look. Every time I tried to focus on the face it would become more distant and blurry. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help. Although I do agree with Sicoft. I was offered a teaching position here and I'm assuming that that particular job involves teaching, which I haven't even done yet." He smiled. "And I know a certain Ms. Blackfern who would be devasted to miss a detention with our friend here." He said motioning to Sicoft.
"I promise I will use all of my power to protect these children. If we were to move them, it would give the Ministry an easy target. It would make us vulnerable to attack. Keeping them here is the best resort, I think. After all, Hogwarts is the safest place there is."
|
|
|
Post by Headmistress Lena Lilac on Sept 20, 2007 21:37:24 GMT -5
"What do you think we should do with the student then , if they stay here then they are in danger! We don't know when the ministry is going to attack, so if we hold off on sending them home then we may be too late to get them to safety . I'm just thinking of the students well being, but if you have another idea about what we can do please speak up, I'm always up for suggestions" Lena said very calmly , she had been thinking that maybe sending the students home wasn't the best idea but she didn't have any other ideas on how to keep them safe. She stood up again and started to pace behind her desk again.
"I appreciate your loyalty to this school and all the students, both of you.I think we might have a good chance at winning this but its not going to be easy "
She said smiling at them. "Well we should figure out who the mysterious person is on our grounds and thank you for the information you both have given me it was greatly needed. " She said as she turned back to face them .
|
|
|
Post by Professor LeStrange on Sept 20, 2007 21:44:07 GMT -5
“Alessandro I could not have said it better myself, perhaps adoring the headmistress with such words would seem fitting at this time but I feel we step over the line.” He spoke to his fellow comrade as if the Headmistress was not there In all truths he felt brandishing his wand, was a show of ignorance towards both Alessandro and Lena, but it was his alliance in the manner and it was fitting.
“Lena, normalities go on and we must keep the students at Hogwarts as long as we can. Though I’m aware you search for all of our best interests but as students once ourselves we know Hogwarts is apart of us as it is apart of them. Hogwarts, as Allesandro spoke is the safest place in the world after all and the ministry portrays this poorly painted picture of yourself and Alexander, sending the students will but only darken the picture.” He spoke as he moved through her office, the night sky was beautiful, the moon was soft and appealing ot the eye illuminated further by the glistening stars
|
|
|
Post by Professor Andolini on Sept 20, 2007 22:09:17 GMT -5
Alessandro twiddled his thumbs and looked at the floor, preoccupying his mind with his own thoughts. There had to be somewhere secludingly safe in the castle. Maybe the dungeons? No...The Astronomy Tower? No... He went over all of the places in his head and found nothing remotely safe that can fit that many students. He sighed deeply and looked up at the two of them.
"Lena, I hope I'm not crossing the line by asking this...but, if they do harm the children, you won't give in, will you..?"
|
|
|
Post by Headmistress Lena Lilac on Sept 20, 2007 22:18:36 GMT -5
Lean watched Sicoft and Alessandro talk amongst themselves as if she wasn't there. She took this time to read another letter before she put it in the trash can like all the rest of the crumpled up letters. She flicked her wand and sent the trash can to the other side of the room , an empty one came flying back and sat in the exact same place as the other one had been a moment ago.
"I see where you both are coming from , Hogwarts is the safest place on earth . I know that if i was still a student , even though its been ages since i was" she laughed shaking her head " i would want to stay here no matter what, whether there was danger or not., so i guess keeping them here is the best thing for them." She said rubbing her temples in a clockwise motion.
" I also understand that sending them home would make us look afraid and weak to the ministry.We know thats far from the truth of course , i just don't want to risk their lives to look tough and fearless. We will keep them here none the less but only until we completely figure out when the ministry is going to attack, once we know then they all go home no matter what Understood?" Lena looked over the stack of letters at the Professors. There were still so many letters to go through but she knew they all said the same thing.
She just stared at Alessandro " If they hurt the children i will die to get revenge and hurt who ever touched even a hair on their heads."
|
|
Professor Firemaine
Professor
The Care of Magical Creatues Professor
Head of House | Ravenclaw
Posts: 6
|
Post by Professor Firemaine on Sept 21, 2007 23:49:17 GMT -5
Firemaine hadn't been a professor at Hogwarts in a few years now, but he missed working with the kids. He had just gotten done with a meeting with the seers of his tribe, and what they saw in the stars didn't make things look very good for the school. He knew that he had to get there and talk to whoever was in charge now, and hopefully get his old job back. He had heard that Professor Verto had gone missing from his phoenix, when she came to him after his disappearance. He called her to him now and smiled. "Well old girl, it's time we make our appearance at Hogwart's again. Please take me to The Headmistress's office." With that, he had grabbed ahold of her feathers and in a flash, was now in the office of the headmistress of Hogwart's, at wand point he saw. "Don't worry my friends, it is I, Firemaine, and I came back to help."
|
|
|
Post by Headmistress Lena Lilac on Sept 22, 2007 0:09:23 GMT -5
Lena jumped and stood up at the sight and sound of someone new in her office.She hadn't expected anyone else to just appear. The other two in the room had their wands pointed at the new comer. She couldn't believe her eyes it had been a long time since she had seen this person, It was truly shocking to see him in front of her.
"Firemaine, is that really you? " she asked walking around to the front of her desk . "Gentleman put your wands down at once, there is no threat here, this is a good friend of mine" she said walking over to him . "What are you doing here, how did you know we needed help?" she asked confused but at the same time happy to see an old friend.
|
|
|
Post by Professor LeStrange on Sept 22, 2007 0:13:26 GMT -5
Sicoft LeStrange was taken aback by the intrusion of the centaur; he hadn’t time for intrusions at this pressing time. His wand still held in his hand he pointed it at the intruder, swiftly jumping aside and placing the wand near his forehead.
“Perhaps, but can we trust him, least you have forgotten Lena that I am a potion extraordinaire.” He spoke with a tone of ignorance in his voice; polyjuice potion was among the ministries tactics, and he feared they wouldn’t abide by laws inhabiting the use of The Imperius Curse.
He didn’t flinch, his sole focus was on the centaur that stood by a mere inches from him, he would not move his wand form his forehead until they were positive it was the ma he proclaimed he was. “Lena . . . ?” Sicoft was wary about putting his guard down until she spoke
|
|
Professor Firemaine
Professor
The Care of Magical Creatues Professor
Head of House | Ravenclaw
Posts: 6
|
Post by Professor Firemaine on Sept 22, 2007 0:18:51 GMT -5
"Put your wand down human, you might be a Potions Master Extrordinaire, but you obviously don't understand the properties of your Polyjuice Potion, it will not work on Non-Humans, but if that's not proof enough, then why don't you ask my friend here, Professor Verto's own Phoenix Familiar, who had come to me when he had disappeared."
He then turned to the Headmistress and smiled, completely ignoring the potion master. "It is good to see you also my friend, I'm sorry that it had to come in circumstances like this. The seers saw the troubles in the stars last night, and saw that I would be needed once more at Hogwart's. When I was told this, and with the arrival of my friend here, I came immediately. If possible, I would like my old job back."
|
|
|
Post by Professor LeStrange on Sept 22, 2007 0:25:20 GMT -5
Pushing his wand down into his robe he bent his head down towards the ground, holding his right arm against his chest and bowed the centaur. “Excuse my accusation, of course it does not come without previous warrant. The ministry has their hands in each of the departments; distress has blinded me just long enough to assume your treason against us.” Sicoft stepped back next to the chair and listened to the story of the centaur, named Firemaine.
“Perhaps, perhaps the properties do not normally work on your traditional half-breed but I can assure you, polyjuice potion properties do affect the hint of human likeness inside of you.” He stood, his hand remained in his un-produced wand incase it was but a traitor sent from the ministry
|
|
|
Post by Headmistress Lena Lilac on Sept 22, 2007 0:41:13 GMT -5
"Sicoft , really its ok .You can put your wand down now" Lena lightly put her hand on his arm to lower it."There's no need for a fight right now he's here to help ok" .She then turned her attention back to Firemaine ." The seers have seen right , the ministry is trying to take over Hogwart's and its only a matter of time before their full on attack happens ,they not only want the school but they want both me dead, so i guess you can say you came back at the perfect time."
She patted his arm and smiled at him, then she glanced back at sicoft. "Firemaine has been a good friend of mine for many years now,I met him through Alexander and he was a professor here for a couple years but then sadly he left . I completely trust him as should you all" she said walking back to her desk . "You are more then welcome to become part of the staff again. The job is yours Firemaine" she said sitting down in her chair.
"Now gentleman , lets figure out what our plan of action is going to be " she said folding her hands in front of her on the desk.
|
|
Professor Firemaine
Professor
The Care of Magical Creatues Professor
Head of House | Ravenclaw
Posts: 6
|
Post by Professor Firemaine on Sept 22, 2007 0:44:47 GMT -5
Firemaine bowed slightly to the headmistress and to Sicoft. "Your apologies are accepted Professor Sicoft, I am sorry for having come like this, but it is hard for me to come up the stairs. As for the situation, we should get the students as ready as we can. I don't know what has been going on around the school lately, I hope that we have a good DADA professor."
|
|