A/N. So here is the difficult chapter. I had total writer's block while attempting this chapter. I apologise ahead of time, since I'm going to be really busy over the few weeks and updates may become less frequent. But as long as people keep reviewing I'll keep writing *hint hint*. All good karma to Sparrow, my beta!!
4. The Staff Meeting
Vivianne thought Rio would never be quiet and let them leave. Ever since she had recovered from the initial shock, Rio had spent the entire meeting talking to Rubeus Hagrid, the school gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures teacher. While she hadn't been exactly rude, Rio had been a little...brisk with the other professors. While Vivianne talked of the inevitable second rising of Voldemort to Headmaster Dumbledore and arithmancy professor Vector, Rio talked of dragons and nifflers. How could that possibly be so enthralling?
"Forgive me for repeating myself Professor Tessyiur, but I'm honoured and thoroughly relieved that you chose to fill in for Professor Flitwick in his absence. I can think of no one better qualified for the job."
Professor Dumbledore's words drew Vivianne's attention from Rio back to their conversation. "Oh, honestly I am the one who is honoured, Headmaster. A truly rare opportunity, to work at the best school of wizardry in Europe. And please, don't call me anything more than Vivianne. I am, after all, a former student. I could never get used to you calling me 'professor'."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at her as Professor Vector returned to their conversation, a cup of tea in hand. A thought interrupted Vivianne's thread of conversation. Would she be overstepping her bounds to ask the question that had burned in her mind all of last night? She decided to risk it. "Headmaster," she began timidly. Dumbledore gave her a politely encouraging smile. "May I ask if Professor Flitwick's absence has anything to do with the resistance you are raising against You-Know-Who?"
Dumbledore's shrewd eyes searched hers. Vivianne felt her throat catch; she had gone too far. But when he spoke, he did not sound reproachful. "Yes, it has everything to do with Voldemort. I cannot tell you where he went or why at this time...surely you understand how vital secrecy is. It's not that I don't trust you, Vivianne, but this is something you probably don't want to become involved in. You are young, and just beginning to make your way in the world outside of graduate studies. I wouldn't want to burden you with the weight of the information concerning Professor Flitwick." Dumbledore's eyes caught hers again; he seemed to be making up his mind about something. Beside Vivianne Professor Vector shifted uneasily. "Not right now, in any case," he finished, closing that vein of conversation.
Over to her right, Vivianne heard someone clear her throat. Vivianne looked to see Rio's golden eyes staring up at her. Rio grinned, "Hey Viv," she turned to Professor Dumbledore, continuing. "Headmaster Dumbledore," she began.
'Don't say anything stupid,' Vivianne prayed silently.
Dumbledore smiled down at her sister. "Yes, Miss Cathriona?"
"I was wondering if...perhaps I would be allowed to help Professor Hagrid with his gamekeeping duties after classes?"
Dumbledore tried unsuccessfully to hide a smile. He looked behind Rio to Hagrid, who was colouring fiercely at being referred to as 'Professor Hagrid'. "Why of course you may, Miss Cathriona. I suppose you've already spoken with Hagrid about this?"
"Yes, Headmaster," Hagrid spoke as Rio turned to look at him. "She seems to share my int'rests in magical creatures, and says she'd enjoy gettin' outside ev'ryday."
Vivianne let her eyes converge slightly before pinning Rio with a patronizing stare. Asking favours even before the term began did not seem like the best way to make an entrance.
"Well then, I see no reason why you can't help Hagrid, Miss Cathriona," Dumbledore said, smiling congenially, "I'll write you a pass for the first week. After that I'm sure everyone will be used to seeing you outside after-hours. But mind, be inside before dark," he added almost as an afterthought.
The exclamation escaped before Rio thought to censor her happiness. "Spiffing!" she squealed.
Professor Dumbledore, Vector, and Hagrid all laughed while Vivianne groaned. 'Spiffing? What in hell provoked that?'
"I seem to be missing out on all the fun," a warm, friendly voice smiled behind Vivianne. She turned to see who had spoken. It was the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin. He brushed his gray-flecked hair off his brow, continuing. "Your sister seems to have made a marvelous impression on the entire staff."
Vivianne checked his handsome face for a trace of sarcasm, but found none. "Despite her behaviour?" Vivianne smiled back.
"Entirely because of her behaviour. Has she been Sorted yet?"
"No, not yet. She is scheduled to be, along with the first years."
"Sure, remind me of my inherent degradation," Rio drawled.
Vivianne gave her sister a look that plainly stated for her to bugger off. Rio raised her eyebrows, did a brief visual assessment of Professor Lupin, and turned away with a maddeningly knowing smirk.
Resolving to ignore this, Vivianne turned back to Lupin. He gave her a tired half-grin, and Vivianne noticed for the first time the dark circles under his eyes, and marks of care still fresh on his features. Concern compelled her. "Professor Lupin, are you feeling quite well?"
"What? Oh yes, thank you, I'll be fine. And please call me Remus." He opened his mouth as if to say more, than appeared to be considering her. Vivianne was rapidly getting tired of the reserve all the professors treated her with.
"Yes?" she pressed him, ruthlessly.
"Well I would have thought...that is, did no one..." he trailed off, as if fighting for the correct words. "I know this appears off-subject, but may I ask if you keep a lunar chart?"
Vivianne was puzzled and it showed. "Not...onhand. I was never interested in Divination," she finished lightly, thanking God the Divination teacher, Professor Trelawney, had decided a trip to the staff meeting would cloud her Inner Eye.
Lupin smiled a strange smile. "I would have thought Severus would have told you by now." His voice sounded almost strangled as he concluded, "I'm a werewolf."
Vivianne relaxed at this new revelation, then brightened, as a mix of admiration and sympathy played across her face. He obviously expected her to scream or something, because he fairly flinched as Vivianne opened her mouth to reply. "Oh, well that would explain why you're feeling a bit under the weather," she said reasonably. He stared incredulously at her for a moment, while she continued. "And is there any special reason why Professor Snape would be the one to tell me this?"
"Oh, only that..." Lupin squirmed, "he and I never got on very well in school, and that has yet to be completely buried."
"Ah, I see." Vivianne added quickly, not wanting to further his discomfort by acting as though she wanted him to elaborate. Vivianne looked back to her left to check up on Rio. She now had a fairly large group of teachers around her, curious about Beauxbatons. Professor Sinistra was asking her about the nebulae visable around that part of France. Lupin followed Vivianne's gaze, smiling gently.
"And what kind of broomsticks do the students use?" Madam Hooch was overheard asking, her face lit up with curiousity.
Rio considered for a while. "Most of us ride a Nimbus, I believe."
"No Firebolts, then?"
"Oh heaven, no! Like who can afford one these days?"
"You're quite right, m'dear," Madam Hooch said, but a triumphant smile edged it's way to the corner of her mouth.
Out of the corner of her eye Vivianne saw Madam Pomfrey the nurse and Argus Filch the caretaker make their way toward the door. She realized she should probably intervene and take Rio back to Three Broomsticks.
Vivianne moved forward to pluck Rio out of the limelight, but Lupin caught her arm. "Professor Tessyiur-"
"Vivianne, if you will, Remus," she said, turning back to him.
He coughed slightly. "Vivianne, I believe Professor Dumbledore is trying to get your attention."
She followed his eyes to where Dumbledore sat across from Snape on the other side of the room. Dumbledore was looking pleasantly expectant, and Snape's hooded eyes observed her analytically.
"Thank you, and if you'll excuse me then, Remus. It was nice meeting you."
"Nice meeting you too, Vivianne Tessyiur. I will see you September first." With that he swept out the door, and Vivianne forced herself not to watch him go. Moving over to the circle of chairs where the Headmaster and Potions Master waited, she took the seat Dumbledore indicated.
End notes: Thanks to Danielle for reviewing! (now you know...;)
4. The Staff Meeting
Vivianne thought Rio would never be quiet and let them leave. Ever since she had recovered from the initial shock, Rio had spent the entire meeting talking to Rubeus Hagrid, the school gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures teacher. While she hadn't been exactly rude, Rio had been a little...brisk with the other professors. While Vivianne talked of the inevitable second rising of Voldemort to Headmaster Dumbledore and arithmancy professor Vector, Rio talked of dragons and nifflers. How could that possibly be so enthralling?
"Forgive me for repeating myself Professor Tessyiur, but I'm honoured and thoroughly relieved that you chose to fill in for Professor Flitwick in his absence. I can think of no one better qualified for the job."
Professor Dumbledore's words drew Vivianne's attention from Rio back to their conversation. "Oh, honestly I am the one who is honoured, Headmaster. A truly rare opportunity, to work at the best school of wizardry in Europe. And please, don't call me anything more than Vivianne. I am, after all, a former student. I could never get used to you calling me 'professor'."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at her as Professor Vector returned to their conversation, a cup of tea in hand. A thought interrupted Vivianne's thread of conversation. Would she be overstepping her bounds to ask the question that had burned in her mind all of last night? She decided to risk it. "Headmaster," she began timidly. Dumbledore gave her a politely encouraging smile. "May I ask if Professor Flitwick's absence has anything to do with the resistance you are raising against You-Know-Who?"
Dumbledore's shrewd eyes searched hers. Vivianne felt her throat catch; she had gone too far. But when he spoke, he did not sound reproachful. "Yes, it has everything to do with Voldemort. I cannot tell you where he went or why at this time...surely you understand how vital secrecy is. It's not that I don't trust you, Vivianne, but this is something you probably don't want to become involved in. You are young, and just beginning to make your way in the world outside of graduate studies. I wouldn't want to burden you with the weight of the information concerning Professor Flitwick." Dumbledore's eyes caught hers again; he seemed to be making up his mind about something. Beside Vivianne Professor Vector shifted uneasily. "Not right now, in any case," he finished, closing that vein of conversation.
Over to her right, Vivianne heard someone clear her throat. Vivianne looked to see Rio's golden eyes staring up at her. Rio grinned, "Hey Viv," she turned to Professor Dumbledore, continuing. "Headmaster Dumbledore," she began.
'Don't say anything stupid,' Vivianne prayed silently.
Dumbledore smiled down at her sister. "Yes, Miss Cathriona?"
"I was wondering if...perhaps I would be allowed to help Professor Hagrid with his gamekeeping duties after classes?"
Dumbledore tried unsuccessfully to hide a smile. He looked behind Rio to Hagrid, who was colouring fiercely at being referred to as 'Professor Hagrid'. "Why of course you may, Miss Cathriona. I suppose you've already spoken with Hagrid about this?"
"Yes, Headmaster," Hagrid spoke as Rio turned to look at him. "She seems to share my int'rests in magical creatures, and says she'd enjoy gettin' outside ev'ryday."
Vivianne let her eyes converge slightly before pinning Rio with a patronizing stare. Asking favours even before the term began did not seem like the best way to make an entrance.
"Well then, I see no reason why you can't help Hagrid, Miss Cathriona," Dumbledore said, smiling congenially, "I'll write you a pass for the first week. After that I'm sure everyone will be used to seeing you outside after-hours. But mind, be inside before dark," he added almost as an afterthought.
The exclamation escaped before Rio thought to censor her happiness. "Spiffing!" she squealed.
Professor Dumbledore, Vector, and Hagrid all laughed while Vivianne groaned. 'Spiffing? What in hell provoked that?'
"I seem to be missing out on all the fun," a warm, friendly voice smiled behind Vivianne. She turned to see who had spoken. It was the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin. He brushed his gray-flecked hair off his brow, continuing. "Your sister seems to have made a marvelous impression on the entire staff."
Vivianne checked his handsome face for a trace of sarcasm, but found none. "Despite her behaviour?" Vivianne smiled back.
"Entirely because of her behaviour. Has she been Sorted yet?"
"No, not yet. She is scheduled to be, along with the first years."
"Sure, remind me of my inherent degradation," Rio drawled.
Vivianne gave her sister a look that plainly stated for her to bugger off. Rio raised her eyebrows, did a brief visual assessment of Professor Lupin, and turned away with a maddeningly knowing smirk.
Resolving to ignore this, Vivianne turned back to Lupin. He gave her a tired half-grin, and Vivianne noticed for the first time the dark circles under his eyes, and marks of care still fresh on his features. Concern compelled her. "Professor Lupin, are you feeling quite well?"
"What? Oh yes, thank you, I'll be fine. And please call me Remus." He opened his mouth as if to say more, than appeared to be considering her. Vivianne was rapidly getting tired of the reserve all the professors treated her with.
"Yes?" she pressed him, ruthlessly.
"Well I would have thought...that is, did no one..." he trailed off, as if fighting for the correct words. "I know this appears off-subject, but may I ask if you keep a lunar chart?"
Vivianne was puzzled and it showed. "Not...onhand. I was never interested in Divination," she finished lightly, thanking God the Divination teacher, Professor Trelawney, had decided a trip to the staff meeting would cloud her Inner Eye.
Lupin smiled a strange smile. "I would have thought Severus would have told you by now." His voice sounded almost strangled as he concluded, "I'm a werewolf."
Vivianne relaxed at this new revelation, then brightened, as a mix of admiration and sympathy played across her face. He obviously expected her to scream or something, because he fairly flinched as Vivianne opened her mouth to reply. "Oh, well that would explain why you're feeling a bit under the weather," she said reasonably. He stared incredulously at her for a moment, while she continued. "And is there any special reason why Professor Snape would be the one to tell me this?"
"Oh, only that..." Lupin squirmed, "he and I never got on very well in school, and that has yet to be completely buried."
"Ah, I see." Vivianne added quickly, not wanting to further his discomfort by acting as though she wanted him to elaborate. Vivianne looked back to her left to check up on Rio. She now had a fairly large group of teachers around her, curious about Beauxbatons. Professor Sinistra was asking her about the nebulae visable around that part of France. Lupin followed Vivianne's gaze, smiling gently.
"And what kind of broomsticks do the students use?" Madam Hooch was overheard asking, her face lit up with curiousity.
Rio considered for a while. "Most of us ride a Nimbus, I believe."
"No Firebolts, then?"
"Oh heaven, no! Like who can afford one these days?"
"You're quite right, m'dear," Madam Hooch said, but a triumphant smile edged it's way to the corner of her mouth.
Out of the corner of her eye Vivianne saw Madam Pomfrey the nurse and Argus Filch the caretaker make their way toward the door. She realized she should probably intervene and take Rio back to Three Broomsticks.
Vivianne moved forward to pluck Rio out of the limelight, but Lupin caught her arm. "Professor Tessyiur-"
"Vivianne, if you will, Remus," she said, turning back to him.
He coughed slightly. "Vivianne, I believe Professor Dumbledore is trying to get your attention."
She followed his eyes to where Dumbledore sat across from Snape on the other side of the room. Dumbledore was looking pleasantly expectant, and Snape's hooded eyes observed her analytically.
"Thank you, and if you'll excuse me then, Remus. It was nice meeting you."
"Nice meeting you too, Vivianne Tessyiur. I will see you September first." With that he swept out the door, and Vivianne forced herself not to watch him go. Moving over to the circle of chairs where the Headmaster and Potions Master waited, she took the seat Dumbledore indicated.
End notes: Thanks to Danielle for reviewing! (now you know...;)
