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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 15, 2008 10:10:09 GMT -5
Nicholas walked with Donall down the empty halls, eyes constantly flitting about, calculating, observing. The usually cheerful professor remained quiet with a look of concentration on his face as though it were chiseled from stone. It took a while, but he finally broke the uneasy silence.
"Donall, I'd like to apologize for those things I said to you after the attack. I know it was a stressful and frightening evening for everyone, but it doesn't excuse what I said in the heat of the moment. I just hope you understand that, though I did mean it to a minor extent, I never intended it to be quite as venomous as it was." he said, his voice returning to normal. His eyes weren't as hard anymore, but still observed the area, taking note and being careful.
His hands were still never far from both of his weapons.
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Feb 15, 2008 10:30:59 GMT -5
Don stared down at the floor as they walked; he was very uncomfortable. When he answered, he looked up but couldn't meet the professor's eyes.
"I understand, sir, but it really wasn't so uncalled for." he paused for a few moments, awkward silence washing over him.
Then, he continued. "I... I wanted to explain about what happened when I was home for that week. Maybe it would help you understand why I acted the way I did..."
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 15, 2008 10:44:48 GMT -5
Nicholas sighed, glancing for one moment to the young man and nudged him gently with his own shoulder.
"Only if you feel like it. I'm not gonna force you Donall."
A small supportive smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Feb 15, 2008 13:07:22 GMT -5
Still, Donall remained silent, thinking over what he would say and how he would say it.
Finally, he spoke, quietly but clearly. "I spent that week locked in my room, my father my only visitor. The floo network to the manor had been shut down and I had no access to quills, parchment or an owl. My father didn't want me to have any distractions..."
Don breathed in deeply, and let out a sigh. "And... I suppose he just wanted to drill it into me how important our family is and that I need to act a certain way to be a part of it. I was told if I don't shape up I would never be allowed to leave the manor again... I shouldn't be a disgrace to the family name..."
There was more to say, but he didn't quite know how to get it out.
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 15, 2008 14:36:26 GMT -5
Nicholas exhaled through his nose.
"I thought as much."
He was quiet for a while as they simply walked down the Halls and finally into a hall overlooking the courtyard. Nicholas stopped by a window and looked out.
"You know, if it ever comes to that simply for trying to be yourself, he won't get away with it. Soon enough, you'll be of age and be considered an adult. If ever he does that, it will be considered an illegal kidnapping and I'll make sure that you would be allowed to be set free. No father should control their own child. They can only advise and guide. To control causes, as he knows, rebellion. You're your own person, Donall. You can only be yourself, no more or less. If he doesn't like that, that's too bad. It's my estimation that he's simply trying to live vicariously through you or trying to make sure his views, opinions and beliefs survive in you. Unfortunately, what he might fail to realize is that you are different than he is. I daresay smarter."
He remained quiet as he watched the snowfalling peacefully.
"Are you going to be alright though? He didn't hurt you or anything, did he?" Nicholas asked, his voice a little quieter, as though trying to keep the conversation private even though there was no one around.
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Feb 15, 2008 14:49:58 GMT -5
Joining the knight at the window, he hesitated for just a second before answering carefully. "No, not at all sir. Not physically, anyway. He knows better than that; he could get caught much easier if he were to do something foolish like that..."
"I suppose sometimes this way is worse, though. Doesn't show much on the outisde, but then your insides are all messed up."
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 15, 2008 15:59:32 GMT -5
"Not all scars show." Nicholas said, a distant look in his eyes for a moment.
Sighing, he looked to Donall, sympathetically. "And what are your plas now? What are you going to do?" Nicholas asked, curious. "I was never kdding around when I said you had much potential."
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Feb 16, 2008 19:47:28 GMT -5
"I really don't know, sir." he said, a small frown on his face. "I turn seventeen in a couple of months, and then I have free access to my bank accounts if I move fast. I don't want to go back home, but I don't know if I have a choice in the matter... Where could I possibly go?"
With a sigh, Don turned around and leaned back against the window. He stared at his shoes, again.
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 17, 2008 0:42:19 GMT -5
Nicholas gave Donall a curious look. "Well, that all depends on what you want to do. Have you given any thought as to what you plan to do when you're done Hogwarts? I know you've been involved with Charms, and DADA, but if you don't know where you're going it's hard to figure out a place to stay."
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Feb 17, 2008 0:47:15 GMT -5
"I was looking into a job as a Curse Breaker. It's always appealed to me." Don then went silent to further ponder his situation, and then spoke again.
"I've still got one year of Hogwarts after this, but it's the summer between I'm more worried about right now."
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 17, 2008 14:59:47 GMT -5
"Curse breaker, huh? Well, have you ever, possibly...-" Nicholas said, scratching his chin and grinning insufferably as he looked across the courtyard. "maybe a more proactive position in the Ministry?"
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Feb 17, 2008 15:24:55 GMT -5
"Curse breakers are pretty proactive, don't you think, sir? It's almost on the same level as aurors, too, but I don't think I'd want to be an auror."
Donall still leanedback against the window, but eased his stance a bit, looking less nervous. "At least that part of my life is somewhat figured out. It's the rest that needs some work."
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 17, 2008 20:31:34 GMT -5
Nicholas shrugged and then looked to Donall.
"You know, I do know a few people in the Ministry still. This summer if you wanted, I could see if you could have it arranged for you to stay at the Castle under my supervision. I can see what we can do about maybe giving you a bit of practical training and whatnot so that next year you'd be prepped for it. Just an idea, you know. Although, I know that the idea of spending a summer with me and my family might be daunting. I know you don't like me all that much, but you know. The offer is there." Nicholas said, rather timidly. He seemed to have been hurt by Donall's actions, the pain evident in the cautious way he'd offered Donall the option.
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Feb 17, 2008 21:18:53 GMT -5
"Sir, you have it all wrong." Don said, surprised that he was about to tell the truth. "I don't dislike you, you're actually the one staff wizard I really do like. I admire you..."
He paused and let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding, and then continued to speak. "It may have seen that way from the way I acted, but I've explained my actions to you, before and now."
"I think it may be a good diea to stay at the castle, where it's... safe. Or at least, it should be safe, in some ways."
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 17, 2008 21:49:08 GMT -5
"I won't stand by and let your father do this to you." Nicholas said flatly, looking out the window. "I'd be interested in speaking to him myself."
Absently, Nicholas' left hand tapped the hilt of his sword as he pondered something. "I'm glad you're alright though...after last night. If you were able to defend yourself from those things, I think you can handle your father with my help."
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