Stevie's sighting

[Draelynn Hiammgry]

Draelynn stood on the moving spiral stairs, deep in thought. There hadn't been a lot of talk between him and the small boy, who's name, he had learned, was Stevie. He had asked the boy how his hols were, what classes he was taking, whether he liked Hogwarts, you know, the normal stuff.

He knocked a tad quietly at the door, then stood with Stevie behind him, waiting for an answer.

[Stevie Copeland]

Stevie stood behind Draelynn, not sure whether to step to the side of him. He assumed he would do the talking, and maybe Stevie would describe it, but he doubted he'd talk much besides that. It was the Headmistress. She probably would rather speak to an adult, being formal and all, but she did seem nice. He had read about previous potions teachers being strict and mean. He assumed he was lucky.

[Elsbeth Pierce]

Elsbeth sat at her desk, deep in thought. Many little instances had come to her attention, strange happenings or findings... Now, her head snapped up at the disruption, and she called out to the intruder.

"Come in!" and with a flick of her wand the doors opened on their own to reveal the groundskeeper and a student. "What can I do for you?"

[Draelynn Hiammgry]

Draelynn steps a bit back, ushering Stevie into the room in front of him, almost using him as a shield against the person at the desk. He steels himself for some more extensive talking, then starts with the pleasantries.

"Good afternoon, Headmistress." He greeted, smiling warmly, if slightly tightly. He was worrying about this creature Stevie had seen, still pondering what in the world it could have been. He didn't want to admit it, even in his own head, but it didn't seem to be anything natural.

[Elsbeth Pierce]

Elsbeth motioned to the two armchairs in front of her desk, "Sir Hiammgry, Mister Copeland, have a seat"

She repeated, "What can I do for you?"

[Stevie Copeland]

Stevie sat, a bit uncomfortable. He didn't like being in teachers' offices for any reason, but he kept repeating in his mind that it was fine. He didn't know if he should tell her or let Draelynn, but the image was engraved in his mind, and he was the one who saw it anyway.

"Well... I saw this thing. It was somewhere around midnight, and it woke me up. It was moaning, like it was in pain. I looked at it, and..." He paused, and yawned, shaking his head afterward.

"Oh, sorry! Anyway, I could barely see it, but it looked like a large, mutated cat. It had... Things hanging off its shoulders, and it saw me. It had glowing green eyes..." He stopped there, managing not to blush like a tomato. He had done all of the talking, and he sent a quick apologetic look to Draelynn.

[Draelynn Hiammgry]

The Groundskeeper took the proffered seat, drawing it in a little closer to the Headmistress's large desk so he would not be forced to speak loudly to be heard by the present members. He had been focused on Stevie and now nodded encouragingly for him to continue, if he had more to say. Draelynn was all set and ready to begin his part of the story and tell Elsbeth that he didn't actually think it was a real animal, and therefore needed to be found, but maybe Stevie wasn't done.

[Stevie Copeland]

Stevie smiled slightly, and turned back to Elsbeth. he was done talking, and he wanted to see her reaction...

[Elsbeth Pierce]

Elsbeth appeared calm and colected, unlike how she felt on the inside. Her mind screamed that this sounded dangerous and alarming, but she showed a calm exterior.

"That is quite alarming, child." she said, leaning in a little to show she was paying close attwntion. "It sounds almost not natural."

She turned her attention to the Groundskeeper, and asked, "Do you have any idea what this creature may be?"

[Draelynn Hiammgry]

Draelynn bit his lip. This was the part he had been dreading. Linking his hands in his lap, he shook his head, his indigo eyes troubled. "I have never heard or seen of something with this description. I would say it was a cougar or some other large cat, but these 'things hanging off the shoulders' are ominously unfamiliar. The 'mutated shape' is vague, but Stevie cannot seem to think of anything better to describe it as." Draelynn was obviously disturbed, and his mind was racing over all the kinda of injuries and diseases that cats could get that might affect their shoulders. And those eyes. . .

[Stevie Copeland]

"It was... Hunched over...And its tail was long... Sorry I can't give a better description. It was night, and I couldn't see it." He shifted a bit in his seat, stifling another yawn. He was so, so tired... He hoped he didn't fall asleep here! How embarrassing that would be.

[Elsbeth Pierce]

Elsbeth shuddered at the description. This was obviously not normal for an animal, and seemed dangerous to have anywhere near Hogwarts and its students. This situation was obviously not a simple one, and would need to be handled with care.

The boy was obviously shaken up, and there was not much to be done for him at this point, aside from some soothing chocolate. "Stevie dear, have you had any chocolate since your sighting? It'll calm you right down, I'm sure. I have some on hand if you need."

Coddling aside, she turned her attention to Draelynn, and hardened up her gaze as a proper Headmistress should. "As for what you say, that is quite worrisome. I believe we must have a staff meeting very soon to root out this problem."

She nodded, as if trying to convince herself. "Yes, that is precisely what we shall do."

[Oh my goodness, I apoligze profusely for leaving you both hanging for so long. This thread completely slipped my mind.]

[Draelynn Hiammgry]

{That is totally okay! I kinda enjoyed the break from all the posting, but I missed it a lot, too!}

Draelynn nodded at the Headmistress' decision and excused himself. "It appears I am no longer needed here. . . I shall tell the other staff members what Stevie has explained and what my conclusions are at the meeting. If I may. . ?" Draelynn waved his hand toward the door and scooted his chair back a bit, anticipating his withdrawal.

[Stevie Copeland]

(That's fine, Elsbeth, don't worry about it =D)

"I don't think so... Thanks!" He shook his head. He really didn't eat much at all, but he wasn't hungry. His nerves were still going crazy, and he thought to himself. He guessed that the phrase 'be careful what you wish for, you just might get it' was going full effect right now. And all he could do is hope he wouldn't become a main player in the events that the future held, but there was a lingering thought that he would, in fact, be a main player.

But what if he dragged Keladry, Lilianne, or Neoma into this? What if he drew any other friends into this? He could never forgive himself, no matter how long he lived, if any of them got hurt. So, he could only hope on so many things, it just didn't seem likely at all that all of them would become reality.