Next Generation 2

[Q.Araignee]

Gwydion smiled cheerily. "Well, the West Tower it is then- I can cope with twittering owls if the view is that good."

There was a little niggling thought in the back of Gwydion's mind- Damien, and where he had gone. If he was with Geneve it could be yet another thing he would have to work around. He was beginning to hate that man, but no matter. He sipped his whiskey.

"Is there anything else I can help you with at this moment, ma'am?"

[DucksRMagical]

"West Tower it is, then," Galena smiled. "Winky?"

A small House Elf appeared with a crack. Winky was Galena's favorite House Elf, although she'd never admit it to the others. She was also the one Galena trusted the most and relied on to do the more important tasks. Winky had gone through quite the depression after Dobby was killed, but after a few years she began to recover and really came out of her shell.

"Yes, Headmistress?"

"Could you please prepare the West Tower for this gentleman here," Galena smiled at the elf and gestured to Gwydion.

"Of course, Headmistress," Winky replied.

"Thank you," Galena said. Winky Disapparated with a loud crack. Galena then turned back to Gwydion. "I think I'm all set for now. I'd like to go get some lunch and then read Harry's letter. Would you care to join me in the Great Hall?"

[Q.Araignee]

"Thank you, Ms Sprague- I will indeed join you." Gwydion chuckled a little and ran a hand through his hair. "If I'm honest, I haven't eaten a meal since breakfast yesterday and lunch would be marvellous."

Getting up with a small stretch, Gwydion offered Galena and Valencia small bows of due deference. "Will you be having lunch now as well, Ms Marcellus?"

[choki]

Nikolaus took a quick peek at Valencia. He was unsure if it would even be a good time to talk to her at the moment. Although she had hidden her emotions well, he could feel something was not right, especially the way she looked at him - a look he had never seen before. Figuring that it would be best to avoid a direct confrontation with her, Nikolaus stood up and straightened his robes.

"Apologies, but I have some errands to run."

[FawkesthePhoenix]

"I would love to join you." Valencia replied. "I think it will give us all a good chance to get to know each other." Valencia turned to the leaving Nikolaus. "I'd like a private word will you, NIkolaus, perhaps after dinner tonight?"

[DucksRMagical]

Galena nodded to Nikolaus as she left the room, with Gwydion following. Valencia stayed behind to wait for Nikolaus's response while Galena and Nikolaus waited just outside the study for her. Galena hadn't invited Nikolaus to lunch, figuring that Valencia should decide whether she wants him there or not.

[choki]

Nikolaus nodded lightly, "After dinner, so it is... we'll meet again later," he answered in a cheerily tone, hoping it could lighten up the mood but it had failed miserably. Valencia was still having a staring competition. It would seem to be best to leave her alone for the moment. Perhaps the lunch with Galena and Gwydion might cool her down a little.

He left the room and bade a farewell to Galena and Gwydion who were outside, waiting, before he strolled off to a separate direction from the Great Hall. He probably needed to have a small talk with Geneve - to reassure her that everything would be fine.

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve was just beginning to feel alright when something caused her legs to give out under her. She fell to her knees, clutching at her heart. Inside the Potions office Liam cried, and inside Geneve's chest she shared his heartache - literally. Geneve had never felt such pain in her life, not even when she had cried to Nikolaus for the first time after the ordeal with her parents and with Voldemort. She felt as if her heart was breaking. Damien was trying to help her. She took his arm and pulled herself up, then reached for the wall and pulled herself toward the office. She felt like she was in a bad dream; her feet were like lead, she could barely move forward. But she did, and pushed the door open, and saw Liam in a chair, crying. Her eyes were burning, empathising his pain, but no tears came out. Liam looked up, wiped his face quickly when he noticed Geneve. Geneve felt her pain lessen, but she could not stay standing, so she collapsed forward, and much to Liam's surprise fell right into his lap. Geneve looked up at him dizzily. "What's happening....." she stared up at him dreamily. "Oh... you are so beautif......." and before she could finish, she collapsed and fell asleep, right there in his lap. She even started to snore. Liam and Damien were speechless.

[salemboy]

Damien shook his head. Children these days were as confusing as ever. "Liam," he said. "You should head to your next class. I'll take Geneve to her bed. Looks to me like she needs sleep. Damien shuffled Liam out, and wrote on the chalkboard, "Read pages one through ten out of your text book and write an essay." Then Damien picked up Geneve and began carrying her down the stairs. Then he found the wall to the Slytherin common room. Then he realized he was in a predicament. Nobody had ever told him the password. So he turned around and walked back to his office, laying Geneve down on his bed. How Damien wished he knew Legilimency. This girl's mind seemed so deep, but then again, he had no reason to anyway, so he simply sat down.

As he did, he suddenly realized that he had never taken the time to figure out who had cast the dark spell in the great hall. He had set his spell to tell him. He went over to a piece of parchment that was automatically inscribed upon every time one of his alarms are set off and by whom. Damien began to go down the list.

[choki]

Nikolaus took a slow walk along one of the quiet passageways along the sub-levels. If Damien had indeed set up enchantments as a mean to detect dark magic, he would need to know the extent of its coverage. Hogwarts was by no means, an easy location to set up a precise enchantment with its numerous ancient enchantments dwelling deep within the elusive walls.

He extended his left arm and let his fingers brushed against the rough interior wall as he continued his slow stroll, pondering about his next step. Perhaps he should consider carefully.

[*Riley*]

Liam was shuffled out by Damien and as he walked down the empty corrider he was staring into the face of Peeves.
"Ickle First year!" teased Peeves while pelting chalk at Liam. "Go away" Liam said while turning on his heel and sprinting.
Peeves left with a sigh as the Bloody Barren came around the corner. Liam went back to Damiens office and sat with his back to the door. He didn't want to go to classes, let alone go to Potions.

[Ms. Elsewhere]

Geneve's eyes fluttered open and she found herself lying on the a very comfortable bed. She was shocked with the change of location, but didn't move until she knew where she was. She looked turned only her head and saw Damien looking at a piece of parchment on his table. It was very old looking, and when she squinted her eyes, she could see words forming on it. Her arms were by her sides and she instinctively reached for the pocket in her robes where the parchment from Nicolaus was stored away. When she couldn't feel it, she sat bolt upright and reached out as if to stop Damien where he stood. She yelled "Wait!!!" and Damien took such surprise that he looked up and drew his wand all in one motion. Geneve's breath caught in her throat; the look on Damien's face was like none she had seen on him before; he meant to harm her. "I...." Geneve stuttered. Damien's expression changed from defensive to relieved.

[Q.Araignee]

As Gwydion, Galena and Valencia walked into the Great Hall there was the expected low level of murmuring amongst the students. He was, after all, yet another new face in the space of just a few days and they were curious. But they paid it no heed as they sat at the Staff table. With a napkin on his lap, and a glass of pumpkin juice to off-set his earlier whiskey, Gwydion discreetly scanned the Hall whilst they ate. It seemed Geneve wasn't present- nor Damien, nor the boy she had been thinking of before her Transfiguration lesson. How curious.

[salemboy]

Damien lowered his wand as he saw Geneve, she looked pretty frightened, but also seemed panicked. Oh well.

"So, Geneve, you're awake. Good." Damien folded up the parchment and tucked it in his potions suit. It could wait until later. "You are free to go. But first," he said as Geneve turned to leave. She turned around to see him grinning sheepishly. "What's the Slytherin common room password?"

[choki]

Unknowingly, Nikolaus found himself in an unfamiliar place, as he followed his tracing fingers absentmindedly. He hasn't explored this particular section of the castle yet. In fact, he did not even know how he got here in the first place. All he remembered was the countless turns and stairways. The corridor was dimly lit and dusty as if sunlight had been denied from this place for a long time. Being an inquisitive individual, perhaps a habit from his exploratory job, Nikolaus proceeded on.