His eyes widened and his back straightened as he saw who it was. Laertes felt the sweat begin to prickle at his brow as he made eye contact with his headmistress.

Her brows were raised for a moment and a wry smile was on her lips, Laertes wasn't sure what exactly that meant. He bit the inside of his cheek and clenched his fists in nervousness hoping he looked presentable even just slightly.

As his shoulders raised she glanced at him over her glasses and he immediately dropped them fearful he'd made her more angry. As he tried to will himself to calm down the Headmistress turned around and took a stately stance in a chair at the table.

Getting herself comfortable she turned to Laertes and gave him a slight smile. "Mr. Flaunting, please sit…" McGonagall waved her hand making the chair next to her pull out, scratching loudly on the floor. Confused he stumbled slightly making his way to the seat.

Still completely terrified he folded his hands awkwardly in his lap. He was nearly on the edge of the seat, sweat pouring down his back. He was so happy at Hogwarts and here he'd already screwed up, sure to be expelled. His mum would be so disappointed.

He tried to make contact with the piercing green gaze, but she seemed to be sizing him up and it made him uncomfortable. He really, really wanted to stay. He'd never had a lot of friends, he'd moved around a lot, and here he already had four, the thought of leaving them was excruciating. He got ready to beg to stay, to be forgiven, to say anything to stop his expulsion.

"So, a young Gryffindor. You already remind me of your father." There was a nostalgic look in her eye.

All pleas died in his throat and he stared at McGonagall with stark confusion. "I—what?" Immediately the twinkle left and she stared at him stoic.

"I met him once or twice, I vaguely knew your mother. They were good people." Any warmth seemed to have died on her face for a moment, as if she didn't believe what she was saying.

Laertes was completely silent, he had no idea what to make of it all, he shifted uneasily and she looked up at him.

"So, young man, what exactly were you doing on those stairs?" She asked him with a straight face, although Laertes thought he saw a hint of a smile in her eyes. And although he saw the twinkle his fear overruled him. He knew he had done wrong and he only hoped that witches couldn't read minds. Although he didn't want to be expelled, he would sacrifice himself to keep his friends safe.

"I—it was an accident. I was in the library and accidentally fell through." His voice stuttered and cracked as he first began his lie but the further in his voice got stronger until he was sure he sounded confident in his lie. McGonagall gave him an even look for a moment before nodding.

"We've never had any student find that particular passage. Not even our most famous pranksters. It would be most appreciative if you were to put it out of your mind, hm?"

Laertes blinked for a moment and then nodded wetting the inside of his dry mouth. "Al—" He stopped and cleared his throat, "alright." She gave him a small smile and a bend of her head.

All was really quiet for a long moment and Laertes fidgeted as the Headmistress took a long drink from the cup in front of her. Slowly she turned her gaze back to him. "So…" she paused as if to say something else and looked far away for a moment before starting again. "Tomorrow is your first day of classes."

It was a statement and not a question. Laertes nodded.

"Potions, correct?"

He nodded again. McGonagall smiled slighty once more.

"Professor Weasley is a wonderful teacher, you should learn a lot from her. I believe you are paired with Ravenclaw, you should be with her son then."

It was Laertes turn to smile, remembering the small shy boy on the train and the timid friend as his mother cheered in his honor. He looked up at McGonagall and gave a nod. "Yes, ma'am."

She nodded curtly in return, her eyes twinkling. She went to speak again but the door behind them opened up; a door Laertes hadn't even noticed. In walked a petite thin redhead. Her eyes got wide as she saw the young Laertes sitting there.

McGonagall waved at her. "Young Flaunting found our library passage." Instead of being comforted, if possible, she became even more surprised.

"But, no…how?"

It seemed to dawn on McGonagall for the first time to ask that same question. She turned to Laertes curiously, "Yes, how Mr. Flaunting?"

Laertes swallowed heavily, again not wanting to persecute his friends; with another grave swallow he opened his dry mouth, "I-I," he coughed and pulled his tongue from the roof of his mouth, "I leaned on a bookshelf and it fell over."

McGonagall and the woman glanced at one another before looking back at the terrified young man. It suddenly occurred to Laertes that it was very possible witches could read minds, making it useless to lie; but before he could tell the truth the unnamed professor spoke up.

"Ah, well, it was bound to happen sometime. Try not to let anyone else know, alright?" She gave him a wink.

"Mr. Flaunting this is Professor Wood, she will be your Transfiguration teacher."

Laertes nodded at her politely, his nerves completely shot. He was starting to decide that maybe going home might not be such a bad idea; it had to be better for his health at least. However, flashes of what his life had been like before, school after school, no friends, disappointments and bullies; losing his sanity was a simple thing to give up to stay in the grand castle.

As that thought flitted away he realized his Professor had been talking to him.

"—and then we'll move on to teapots!" She beamed at him, her hands clasped together in front of her. "It should be a lot of fun!" Laertes smiled at her totally lost. Luckily the Headmistress walked over to him and began to lead him towards the door.

"I hate to break-up this wonderful chat, but, Aislin I have something to discuss with you. If you wouldn't mind Mr. Flaunting?" She opened the same door Professor Wood had come through.

Laertes bowed his head slightly. "I'm really sorry about this Professor."

She gave him another small smile. "Quite alright young man. Now, I'm sure your friends are wondering where you are…" Laertes gave a quick grin which made McGonagall's eyes twinkle. "And, please, tell your father I said 'hello', hmm?" Then before Laertes could respond or question she shut the door leaving him invigorated but terribly confused.