Charm Me -- Summer 2012

I was so worn out with interviews on the replacement for Professor Flitwick.  Even though I was Headmaster, I still could not call some professors by their first names... like McGonagall and Flitwick who have been there for forever.  I sat at the table waiting for the last interviewee for the day and really at all.  I was going to have to choose one of them -- I needed a Charms professor.  I sighed and took a sip of the tea that I had in front of me.  I did not have extremely high expectations of this one... her name was Juliet Finnegan... and it looked like she was the sister to Seamus Finnegan -- who blew everything up.  I always had to watch him closely when he was in Defense Against the Dark Arts class with me.  It was rough.  I, unlike a lot of other professors, actually wanted some younger professors.  The kids might be more open to discussing problems wiht a younger staff.  And, personally, I was one to give chances to those who had little to no experience -- it ws what professor Dumbledore did for me.  I looked at the clock and saw that it was getting close to when Miss Finnegan should be arriving.

I had pulled on my black heels, black pants that just flowed down my legs, so thankful I had played sports, with my red blouse that was a little more fit. I think it was a nice look to go for a job. Was I nervous to be meeting with Professor Lupin, most certainly. I know he is an incredibly nice man, who takes his job very seriously. I had walked through the castle the only thing I was hearing being my heels echoing through the halls. I had gotten to the headmaster's office. I had guessed seeing if I had known Professor Lupin like I thought I would. I guessed a brand of tea, he was a professor after all. " Um...Orange Pekoe?" I asked. He really should fill us in on what the password is. I felt like a nitwit standing here.

I stood up and went to get the doorway all opened up, hoping that she was not quite here yet.  I would feel bad if she had been standing out there waiting for a little while.  I had just needed a moment to prepare myself for this interview.  I felt horrible for not particularly remembering her while she was at school here and I was just tremendously nervous she would blow something in my office up.  I could easily fix it, but I was quite fond of the layout and did not want to go through the trouble of rearranging.  I guess i should take comfort in the fact that I did not remember any explosions after Seamus... so perhaps she was not as notorious as her older brother.  I opened the doorway and smiled at her.  "My apologies, I hope you weren't out here too long, Miss Finnegan," I said warmly, gesturing for her to come in.  Was I going to tell her that I had needed a breather?  Definitely not.

Smiling, he was still as good looking as always. " Not at all. Thank you Professor Lupin." I said as I walked into his office as I remembered to be calm. I am nothing like my brother. " It looks nice ..." I said referring to the office. It had always had something the same from the Headmaster before. I had looked around the room, he definitely had the right amount of books. Didn't really surprise me. I sat down at the chair opposite his own.

I chuckled a little bit as I moved to pour myself some more tea.  "Thank you," I said, smiling at her.  "Here... have some tea.  It'll help calm those nerves."  I poured her a cup and set it in front of her before sitting down.  Now that I saw her face, I could place her.  She was always quite talented in Charms -- especially compared to Seamus.  I needed to stop comparing her; I knew Lucy hated being compared to her older brother.  "I remember Professor Flitwick telling me you always had a knack for Charms.  I'm guessing that is where the interest in this position is coming from?" I questioned before taking a sip of the tea.

I took the tea, just like when we had dada and he would help us calm down with tea. I swear it's his go to drink. It was delicious, I had to admit. Nodding as I let the warmth from the tea explore through my body as it calmed me down. Smiling, " I love Charms, new ways to do things and better ways to perform easy spells. " I explained, " It really is a perspective look I find, whether or not to let it consume your interests. When I was here Professor Flitwick told me about so many tricks on spells, and which books to read. " I felt like I was yammering but I love Charms. It really is my favourite, then of course there's flying.

I took a sip, " Professor Flitwick definitely ignited that interest in Charms." I said as he looked amused, " I stuck to books a lot. With my brother being in my family, I had found Charms to help him with some healing agents among things to make his spells work." I said with a small smile. Did I help him a few times I remember.

I could not help but chuckle when she mentioned her brother.  "Forgive me if my memory isn't as good as it used to be... but from what I remember, I don't need to worry about anything in my office catching afire, right?" I said, looking around a little nervously.  "I am quite fond of my books..."  I knew that I had a way with people -- something that took me far too long to realize -- that helped them feel comfortable and calm among other things.  I remembered my father trying to get me to realize that, but I never really did until after I became a professor here.

I laughed lightly, " No, you don't have to worry about your books...I'm a lot more controlled than my brother ever has been." I explained. I love my brother I do, he has gotten better but, when he performs a lot of spells some still backfire. I looked around the room, " You do have quite the collection."

I stood up and moved about the room slightly looking at my collection.  "The most powerful of weapons, books are," I said with a slight smile.  "innocent enough so a child can be anything and everything they could ever imagine and leave the world behind them... yet powerful enough that the knowledge some of them bring can cause so much strife and anguish."  I turned to face her and smiled at her.  "Forgive me... I tend to get lost in my thoughts" I said lightly.  "Professor Flitwick has spoken highly of you and claims there is no better witch or wizard suited to replace him.  The way I would like to go about this is to give you a year.  A year to hopefully live up to expectations of colleagues and students alike.  Also it'll give you time to see if this is truly something you can see yourself doing long term as you are quite young and your life could possibly take you many places."  I knew that it was kind of crazy for me to be offering a position liek this to someone with little qualifications and someone so young, but between Flitwick's praise and my philosophy of giving people cances... plus not having any other candidates that I would trust near students, I felt no regret in offering her the position.

Smiling I didn't really expect the job offer right now. I am thrilled of course. He just surprised me is all. " Wow, .." I said quietly. " I would love that....Thank you so much." I said as I wanted to hug him as a thank you. I resisted, awkwardly bouncing I offered my hand for a shake. I didn't necessarily know what to do. " I look forward to the chance. I really appreciate it." I said as I was grinning from ear to ear.

Her reaction was what I had hoped for.  I smiled at her easily and shook her hand.  "You are quite welcome... is there anything you would like to know as a new staff member?  I know this is moving rather quickly and I can imagine you have questions," I said to her kindly.

I had some panic as I hoped he wouldn't really think I had any questions. Shoot....put me on the spot. Smiling still " Well, more or less how would chaperoning Hogsmeade trips go? I know sometimes parents and other relatives make there way to meet up with students on weekends..." I asked. That was a good question right? I think so. " Is my office far from where I sleep?...Do I get an office?" I asked. I mean I know some of these were expected. I mean, still I wanted to know these things.

I smiled at her, nodding.  "Yes, you do have your own office.  Your sleeping quarters are not attached to your office such as this," I said, signifying the Headmaster tower.  "But they are away from the students and, if I'm correct, no student truly knows where the professors sleep.  There's a passageway through the Staffroom that leads towards individual locations.  Unless you would prefer elsewhere in the castle and we can easily accommodate that."

I sighed and chuckled.  "Well, Hogsmeade chaperoning varies.  Each visit gets a certain few professors that have to go -- it's a rotation for each of us.  Though it matters not if you go every weekend.  That is purely your choice so long as you go on the one day you are... scheduled to chaperone and just be visible in the village," I explained.  "Of course Filch will help with making sure students have permission slips along with nothing dangerous being brought back into school.  However, we both know how Filch can be... and I just ask the professors to be more vigilant and a little more coy about what you're up to."