Slowly, Arwen and Legolas turned around masking their surprise with subtle ease.
There stood behind them, stood an old man. But, of course, Arwen and Legolas, even after being dormant for millennia, were still very good at first impressions, and got the idea that this old man wasn't just any old man. Like Gandalf, his beard was long and sparkled in the lantern light with a silvery white glaze, and while he walked with no staff, he still maintained a small slouch of a man who has burdened many years, yet maintained his dignity and wisdom all the same.
His blue eyes twinkled behind his half moon spectacles, and Arwen and Legolas who had worn many a fine garment in their days of fashion, appreciated his stylish silk robes.
"Good Dumbledore," Gandalf said gently, not surprised at all by this man's sudden appearance.
"I believe it is time for you to meet two young people, ready for work, socially before you come together formally."
Dumbledore's glance turned to the two young mysterious duo, and his eyes narrowed in a curious squint.
"Is that so?"
Legolas and Arwen gracefully pulled out of their chairs and stood to introduce themselves.
"Allow me, sir. I am Cassandra Averill. Professor Dumbledore, I presume?" Arwen said kindly and carefully, outstretching her hand for Dumbledore to shake. Instead he smiled softly, and took her hand and planted a gentlemanly kiss upon her skin with a small bow.
"Indeed, I am. A pleasure, my dear."
Arwen gave a respectful nod as she took a step back, readying for Legolas to introduce himself.
"Alexander Harrison, at your service," Legolas gave a bow, and Dumbledore nodded respectively at him with a small smile on his face.
"Please take a seat, Professor." Legolas said, pulling out a chair for the Professor.
Dumbledore nodded in gratitude as the three sat down and Rosmerta brought the elderly Professor a butterbeer.
For the first time in their long lives, Legolas and Arwen felt genuinely uncomfortable. Here they were, a place and time where nothing made sense (and yet, it did) sitting in between two clever old men who still knew much more than they would let on, while they played senile fools.
They knew patience well enough to hide it, and Arwen and Legolas knew Dumbledore and Gandalf were testing them somehow, and they didn't mind at all. But still. . . they knew patience.
After all, didn't they know everything already?
"So," began Dumbledore casually, turning to the two elves.
"You are from London?"
"Indeed." said Arwen simply, sipping her butterbeer.
Dumbledore's eyes flashed to Gandalf for half a second, but then covered up the act by smiling at Arwen.
"Lovely, place, is it not?"
"Bad food, bad weather. I beg to differ." Arwen said politely.
"But it isn't without it's attractions, of course. I can't help but visit Big Ben every time we go back to visit." Legolas said.
"You visit often?"
"Cassandra and I often visit during the summer. Although we haven't gotten the chance to do much sightseeing this summer. The Ministry has been complete upheaval lately."
"Ah, the Ministry. And, which department do you specialize in, Mr. Harrison?"
Oh. . . um. . . .
OH DEAR!
Gandalf didn't tell him what area he worked in at the Ministry, what was he supposed to do now? Legolas put on a tight smile, and paused for a long moment.
"I'm in between departments, as of now." he said carefully. That raised an eyebrow from everyone.
"Oh?" asked Dumbledore.
"Er. . yes. Yes indeed." He was stuttering, which meant it was time to give Arwen the conversation.
"Cassandra actually took the bull by the horns you know, heh heh, go on, tell them cousin!"
Arwen's lip curled for a moment, before she turned that into a sweet smile.
"Well, Alex and I felt more comfortable moving from Muggle Security to Dark Arts Enforcement." she said elaborately.
Dumbledore leaned forward, intrigued.
"Indeed? Quite a jump in departments, wouldn't you say?"
"Desperate times call for desperate measures." quipped Arwen seriously.
Dumbledore nodded, agreeing.
"And I hear you're interested in a place at Hogwarts. . ."
Legolas smiled.
"Fascinated, more like."
"Ah, yes. Defense Against the Dark Arts is indeed a touchy subject for our students. Especially last year, after the Chamber incident."
Arwen and Legolas nodded understandingly.
"And we do have many a promising candidate this year. . ."
"Really?" Legolas asked deeply intrigued.
Dumbledore nodded and took a sip of his butterbeer.
"Even after the Gilderoy Lockhart dilemma, you still have people lining up?" he queried further.
Dumbledore suddenly got a sullen face full of distant curiosity.
"I don't think I quite catch your meaning."
Legolas paused thoughtfully, tapping his long fingers on the table.
"I only meant to ask how 'catch' your Professors. If I've heard correctly, last year, Professor Quirrell came near to killing a student, and this year, Professor Lockhart comes close to killing three. Things at Hogwarts seem to come in odd numbers, don't they Professor?"
Gandalf's eyes flickered over to Dumbledore as he sat intrigued beside Legolas.
"Hogwarts is an odd school in general, Mr. Harrison."
"Indeed it is." said Arwen, joining in on the conversation.
"It would be quite interesting to see your choice for Professor this year."
They were cutting it awfully close.
Dumbledore turned to Arwen.
"And if that choice happens to be you or your cousin?"
A slow smile crept upon Gandalf's lips as Arwen laughed.
"Then I should have to replace fascinating with bizarre."
"Do you not have confidence in yourselves?" Dumbledore asked with a queer smile.
"I believe you've misinterpreted me, good Professor." said Arwen leaning forward.
"But Alex and I. . . well, you can just say, we come from a very unique line of people. Our confidence, though sometimes shaky, is a bit maintained."
Cutting it VERY close.
"We hold ourselves in the most esteem two young aurors can hold themselves in at our age and this time." replied Legolas.
"And just how old are you?"
"Nearing my twenty fifth birthday, and Alex is about twenty nine." said Arwen modestly.
"You're quite young then."
"So are a lot of people."
"Excuse me?"
"Harry Potter, for instance." Legolas said earnestly. "The boy is almost thirteen, and already he's defeated Voldemort . . . three times, is it?"
Gandalf nodded.
"In short, Alex and I believe age is simply a number." Arwen said, a sly smile on her face. Gandalf shot her a warning look.
"Have you the opportunity to meet Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked casually.
"No." said Arwen simply.
"Though I've heard he's quite a whizz at Wizard's Chess." supplied Legolas.
"Ah, you should see his companion, Ronald Weasely. Quite the player, if I do say so myself."
"Arthur's son? I don't believe I've meet him either." Arwen said distantly.
"Of course you have, Cassandra. Don't you remember the time at Flourish and Blotts. He was the young man with his brothers buying books with them. Now what were we doing there? Oh yes, buying those nonsensical books from Shakespeare."
"They are not nonsensical, Alex. It is only that you cannot admire the splendour and beauty of the man."
"You're fond of Shakespeare then?" Dumbledore asked Arwen.
"Quite. If I had been in London a few centuries ago, I would have been in the front row of each and every one of his shows." she said simply.
Gandalf sent her another serious warning glance.
The constant references to immortality weren't exactly his idea of subtle.
"Now tell me, for I forget, was he a wizard, or a muggle. . . I never can quite remember."
Dumbledore and Gandalf were top of their rank when it came to acting senile.
Arwen paused.
"Does it matter?" she asked lowly.
Dumbledore stared at her for a moment, and then smiled.
"No. . . I suppose not."
There was a comfortable silence at the table, before Arwen and Legolas realized they were getting quite hungry. Excusing themselves politely, they approached the barkeep and busied themselves in the menu.
Once Gandalf and Dumbledore were certain the two were out of earshot, they turned to each other, and smiled devilishly.
"Well?" said Gandalf.
Dumbledore paused.
"Well, that was perhaps the funnest job interview I've ever conducted."
Gandalf chuckled menacingly.
"Was that simply due to the fact that the poor elves had no idea they were being put through an interview?"
"Of course. . . well, Gandalf, my old friend, they haven't lost their touch. But I'm afraid your elves are a bit naive when it comes to old men."
Gandalf laughed.
"I quite agree, old friend. I quite agree. But that can be fixed. What I need to know is if they are teaching material? Will they survive Hogwarts Academy?"
"Headstrong, humble, caring, a bit colour blind which is arguably good or no, let's see. . . Evenstar seems to have maintained her charm and wit, very good, Legolas seems to have matured a good deal as well. . . yes. . . I think they are quite suitable, Gandalf. An excellent choice the Valar have made."
Gandalf nodded and looked over at the two elves with a smile.
"Well Radagast, my friend. I think we can expect an interesting year at your school this semester. . ."