Next Generation 2

[Q.Araignee]

Gwydion turned calmly to address the other Auror.

"I believe him to be aware of your presence, probably even grateful for it, but you are not affiliated with our Ministry. As such, if someone from our own Office weren't provided to the school and- gods forbid- something disastrous were to happen, he would most likely be fired. Which we do not want, of course."

Leaning forward, he took a chocolate biscuit from the offered tin and nodded his thanks to Galena before sitting back and continuing.

"As for his choosing of myself in particular, it is probably because I am the most aware of the area. I have been working primarily here in Scotland since I qualified, often close to the Castle though not directly inside the grounds."

[salemboy]

"I do believe that the Ministry would indeed not fire Harry Potter, recollecting on what he has done. Also, I won't allow anything disastrous to happen. If Mr. Potter felt so strongly about this, why did he not come speak to us himself?" Damien said. He did not trust this Gwydion character.

[Q.Araignee]

Gwydion took a bite of his biscuit. "Perhaps "Fire" is the wrong word...asked to step down as Head Auror would fit better- not even Harry Potter is infallible when it comes to the politics of the Ministry."

It was clear that Damien didn't trust him, but Gwydion couldn't care less really. It was a small obstacle in the grand scheme of things. He took another bite before answering the query.

"As for why Mister Potter didn't come himself, I cannot say. I do not know his mind." His voice didn't reveal anything as he pulled a sealed envelope from his robes.

"However, I do have a letter for the Headmistress detailing all I have said and signed by him- it may mention something else, I don't know."
And with that, he passed the envelope to Galena.

[salemboy]

"Wait, Ms. Sprague." Everybody looked at Damien inquiringly. "I believe we should continue this discussion in a place more, shall I say, private, seeing as how it is very likely that there could be an eavesdropper nearby. Also, I believe Dumbledore should hear this, seeing as how he is still one of the most brilliant minds to have wandered the earth."

[choki]

While the two aurors were obviously breathing down at each other's necks, Nikolaus took the chance to observe the new auror. Although he looked young, there were some noticeable scarring on his hands when he passed the envelope to Galena. Under the flickering flames from the fireplace, Nikolaus caught a glimpse of an rather odd looking scar on Gwydion's face near the ear, seemingly to have been cursed by a dark spell. Whoever this man was, he cannot be taken lightly.

"I believe, the issue this gentleman has over here," he directed at Gwydion, "is with me. I'm sure Mr. Potter has sent you over for me, seeing how... mysterious a man I was... I suppose?"

[Q.Araignee]

Gwydion allowed himself a small smile, as he faced the other wizard in the room.

"Mysterious....that's a good way to put it. It was indeed mentioned that I should talk with you so as to understand you a bit more, and ascertain whether you should be allowed to remain here in good grace. The Dragon is a seperate matter that merely prompted my visit."

[salemboy]

Damien would have had such a nasty remark come to mind were it not for the potion he'd used. He could feel it's calming effects, and it wasn't pointless to fight it, seeing as how it was already in his system. So, he remained silent, observing Gwydion. There was definitely something off about the man, but nobody else seemed to see it. Maybe it was because of how many dark wizards Damien had locked away, that he seemed to know when somebody was not what they seem.

[choki]

"The way how news spread certainly scares me at times," Nikolaus sneered. Perhaps it was just him, but the purpose of this meeting was becoming more absurd. First, he merely tried to impress the kids by performing simple magic of his standard, and the next moment, he was suddenly branded a dark wizard no less.

"This whole dragon issue was a misunderstanding. I'm sure the kids who were with me right from the beginning will be able to explain it better than someone who was never there?" he asked, with a peculiar look.

[Ms. Elsewhere]

"I was there." Geneve spoke up, still standing at the back of the room. It seemed like they had all but forgotten her. Even the ministry auror hadn't noticed she was there. She had hidden when the fighting had started between Damien and Nikolaus, but now, she felt the need to get out and say something. Nikolaus was taking all the blame for what had happened, but she knew better.
"No one was hurt, and everything went back to how it was. It was just a display.' Geneve looked around. The adult's staring back at her gave her a look that read 'don't speak of things you do not understand.' She felt her temper flaring. "It was nothing! Why are you harping on him when he helped us? He didn't have to do that. He could have walked away when he first encountered us. But he didn't. He stayed, and he is loyal. This guy will drag his name through the mud!" Geneve gestured at the Gwydion. She looked over at Nikolaus, who was smiling at her.

[Q.Araignee]

Gwydin turned around in his seat, and appraised the girl who had spoken up- she seemed to fit the description he had been given, so he assumed that this was surely Geneve Riddle. He chided himself silently for not looking at her earlier for she seemed to be a curious entity.

Putting that thought aside, he met her angry gaze and held it for a moment. It appeared she was pretty much telling the truth- maybe not mentioning something, but he could live with that.

"It seems you mistake me for someone who doesn't listen to both sides, Miss," Gwydion said gently- not patronising her, though. Physical age was a deceptive thing. "I will not be smearing anyone's name unless I see no way that they are innocent. On that you have my word, as I trust I have yours that you are speaking the truth."

[DucksRMagical]

Galena listened carefully to what the Aurors were saying. She herself didn't mind at all if a Ministry Auror was present on the grounds, she just wished he had sent her an owl ahead of time. As it was, Galena was completely unprepared to welcome the man or offer him a room. She took the letter from him and stowed it in her robes, not wanting to open it in front of the others.

Galena then turned to Damien, "This office is perfectly safe for private conversations. I have put the greatest level of protection charms on it possible. Nobody will overhear us. I understand your wanting Dumbledore to hear this, but seeing as his portrait, as well as my office, are currently in ruins, that is not possible. Perhaps we could converse again once the goblins have finished the renovations."

Geneve spoke up just then and Galena glanced away from Damien and to the girl. She seemed to think that Nikolaus wasn't doing anything harmful. Galena wasn't so sure, but was willing to give the man the benefit of the doubt so long as he refrained from such displays in the future.

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve relaxed a little, seeing as the Headmistress and the Ministry Auror were being a bit more open minded about the whole thing. Geneve was sick with the thought that Nikolaus might be taken away for something she had done. But she couldn't tell anyone. Only she and Nikolaus knew her dark secret, and the darkness that still dwelled inside her. She sighed a sigh of relief and put on her bravest face.

"I appreciate your reasons for being cautious," Geneve said to the others. "I just wanted to tell you what I saw. After all, I heard the Tri Wizard Cup was once run at Hogwarts, and they had dragons then, and heaps of other dangerous activities?" She felt the room tense at that remark, so she quickly added, "Not that I'm suggesting a dragon should just pot up at Hogwart's everyday!" Geneve squeaked nervously.

[Q.Araignee]

The very thought made Gwydion laugh outloud good naturedly.

"Could you imagine it? All of the students hiding in the Castle from a grumpy old Horntail, but peering out of the windows to watch Hagrid try and get close enough to pet his snout!"

He chuckled away, and most of the tension in the room visibly eased. The wonders of comedy were often overlooked. He could've sworn that even Damien had a smile pull at his lips, though he'd never admit it. While he waited for a decision to be reached as to whether he could get his requested private conversation with Nikolaus, Gwydion helped himself to another biscuit- and threw one to Geneve with a friendly wink.

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve caught the cookie with both hands. She looked down at it, and realised how hungry she was. She brought the cookie up to her mouth and bit it delicately. She remembered how the chocolate Nikolaus gave her had made her feel instantly better after she had let her dark magic take control with the dragon. She looked up and smiled at Gwydion, who was watching her. "Thanks." she said mid bite. She turned and looked at Nikolaus again. He seemed to be trying to tell her something, much like he had done before. She caught the clue; he was telling her to empty her thoughts, lest someone was reading them. She started, and quickly thought about something else. The first thing that sprung into her head was Liam, and what he might be up to right now.

[DucksRMagical]

"All right," Galena said, "I believe everyone has made their opinions known regarding Nikolaus's display of magic." She turned to Nikolaus, "I understand that you did not mean for the dragon to do any harm, but the fact remains that it was dangerous. However, I am willing to let you remain at the school so long as you agree not do do it again."

Without waiting for Nikolaus to respond, Galena turned to Gwydion. "As you're an Auror assigned to check things out here and Nikolaus performed potentially dangerous magic on the grounds, he is in your hands regarding the consequences of his actions. Feel free to use my office or any of the empty classrooms to talk to him. If you prefer to do it alone here, the rest of us can leave."