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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Dec 18, 2007 21:44:03 GMT -5
Dónall stood awkwardly outside the open door, just out of sight of the entrance. He stared at the floor, pondering.
He wasn't sure why he had come here; he had never spoken to Sir Lansmann outside of class and the duel.
He turned his stare to the open door and breathed in deeply. He let out a sigh and then walked forward.
Knocking on the door he said, "Erm... Excuse me, Professor?" He was now directly in front of the doorway, and in sight.
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Dec 18, 2007 21:51:24 GMT -5
"The door's open!" came Nicholas' voice from inside the office. He was sitting by the fireplace, cleaning a violin that lay across his lap. There was a mug on the side table as well as a small jar. The fire was lit and he enjoyed the heat it provided. He was wearing his pants,and boots as per usual, but had on a thick beige long sleeved, cuffed tunic and a red and gold embroidered waistcoat.
"Oh, Master Kennedy! This is a pleasant surprise, come in, have a seat!" he said, sounding rather pleased and mildly shocked by the visit. His smile was a rather pleased one though.
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Dec 18, 2007 21:55:58 GMT -5
Poking his head in, he shyly smiled in greeting, and continued walking in. It was out of charachter, but then again, so was this visit.
Dónall crossed his arms, and stood inside the office, not knowing what to do or say.
Then, he chose his words, carefully. "Thank you, Professor," he said "I was hoping we could talk."
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Dec 18, 2007 22:13:03 GMT -5
"Of course, of course!" he said as he carefully plucked the violin from his lap and quickly closed the jar next to him, picking it up too. He took a few quick strides over towards his desk to deposit his things before looking to Donall.
"Care to have a seat? There are several, but I might recommend the ones by the fire. Nice and toasty." he said, in his cheerful voice. "Things going alright?"
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Dec 18, 2007 22:17:21 GMT -5
Dónall quickly walked over to the nearest high backed comfy char by the fire, and sat himself down, in answer to the knight's question.
To his other question, however, Don wasn't so direct. "Things are going, alright... But I wouldn't say they are alright."
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Dec 18, 2007 22:25:18 GMT -5
Nicholas sat opposite the young Slytherin and leaned forward, concerned. It would have to have been something important enough for Nicholas to be the one listening instead of Orynn. This boy wasn't of his House yet still, he came to him.
Odd. He thought he had acquired this student's stamp of disfavor over the years.
"Well, at least things are going alright. If they continue as such, whatever isn't will be fixed no? What's the matter?" he asked, not wanting to press Donall.
He'd learned over the passed few years he had to slowly coax the young man out bit by bit. It was no fault of his own; Nicholas suspected some issues with authority, probably exercised by a parent or authority figure that seemed to cause his rebelliousness. Nicholas suspected someone like a father, uncle, or grandfather for Donall's reactions were strongest to the male staff.
But he was changing. And for the better, after what he'd witnessed the week before.
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Dec 18, 2007 22:52:28 GMT -5
Don fidgeted with his hands, staring at them instead of looking up at the professor. He spoke in the meantime. "It's about the duel, Sir. Well, more what happened before the duel, than after the duel..."
He raised his eyes to look at Nicholas, and spoke a little more clearly. "It was so unlike me to stand up for that Huffle." He paused to think. "And I think it's got something to do with you."
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Dec 18, 2007 23:03:00 GMT -5
Nicholas, who had been so gently sipping from his mug seemed to try his best to prevent any of the beverage from being spat out as Donall spoke. He was taken somewhat aback, coughing slightly.
"Come again? How could I-what? I mean, I don't...what do you mean?" he said, obviously confused and surprised by the blatant comment. "Would you care to explain that accusation?"
He seemed to be joking around with him somewhat at that comment.
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Dec 18, 2007 23:08:20 GMT -5
"I... Er, sorry, Sir." he apologized, he hadn't meant to startle the knight like that, it was just the way his thoughts had come out.
"I mean, really, it's because of your class. That's what started this whole mess to begin with."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted around the room, to everywhere but the man's eyes. "You got me to participate, and go beyond my House. It caused me great grief, for sure, but it also made me change..."
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Dec 18, 2007 23:28:22 GMT -5
In the back of the room is an armor stand, sporting a suit of medieval armour complete with a tabard, as well as a heavy wooden trunk in the back of the office. Several photos have been hung up; some have a young group of Hogwarts students of when Nicholas went to school, a picture of his Mother, Father, and siblings, pictures of Nicholas and Althea smiling at their wedding, one of Nicholas wrestling with his eldest 5 year old son and 3 year old daughter, of a scarred Nicholas among a group of smiling Aurors and of Nicholas kneeling before the Minister of Magic being knighted. His desk is covered in books, papers and other little trinkets. By the window, there is an empty stand where on occasion, his peregrine falcon can be seen perched there. His violin, chess board, and a wooden sword are in the corner of the room.
Nicholas looked to Donall, a tad confused. "I'm...I'm sorry Donall. I hope you understand my was never to...never to cause you any undo grief...I-I'm sorry to have been the instigator of it. Although, I don't understand-well, I do, considering the House you're in but..."Nicholas scratched his head. "I don't see what's so terrible about rising above most of those miscreants in your House and helping others but...I'm sorry, I just..."
He stared at Donall for a few moments, appearing to be at a loss for words. "I...really don't know what to say...Well, what...what's the problem exactly?"
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Dec 21, 2007 14:24:16 GMT -5
Donnow brought his gaze to the professor, and he tried to get his words out, however hard it may have been. "There's nothing really wrong with it, other than the verbal attacks and the duel from my House. But it's just... I don't know what came over me... Why I stood up for that girl. It's so unfamiliar."
He squirmed a bit in his seat, trying to get comfortable.
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Dec 21, 2007 14:30:12 GMT -5
Nicholas sat and listened intently, finally nodding his head. "Ah. I see. Well, it might be an unfamiliar feeling, but did it feel right is the real question you need to ask yourself."
The professor steepled his fingers as he leaned forward, talking to the troubled Slytherin.
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Dec 21, 2007 14:37:25 GMT -5
"It felt right. That's the problem! For the first time in my life, somethign felt right... And though it was unfamiliar territory, I think I kind of appreciated it."
He dropped his gaze to his hands, and fidgeted, not knowing how to say what it was he really wanted to say. "I... I just wanted to thank you, I suppose." He looked up, looking the knight in the eye. "Nobody ever pushed me before, to do something right, or to change."
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Dec 21, 2007 14:54:12 GMT -5
The knight smiled and placed a firm hand on the young man's shoulder.
"Donall, the only thing I ever did wasn't to change, but to be who you really are. I know that you're under pressure, from what, I don't know and won't pry. But I know that what you've done was simply put on a mask to please the masses into leaving you alone. I only pushed you to be yourself, to be able to stand on your own two feet and make your own choices. The first lesson I ever taught in DADA wasn't only about accepting failure and moving on, but to persevere despite what other people thought of you, or laughed at you." Nicholas said reassuringly.
"The only person you need to thank Donall, is yourself. You made the choice to stand up, you made the choice to fight back and you made the choice to be yourself. I was just the catalyst." Nicholas said simply. He smiled. "I know I'm not your Head of House or anything, but you made me proud when you did all that. You're a good person Donall. You just need to strengthen your resolve, but I have confidence in your ability to do so. Hot chocolate?"
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Post by Dónall Kennedy on Dec 21, 2007 15:09:48 GMT -5
"You're proud? Of me?" he managed to choke out. "...That means more than you know, Sir."
He tried to smile, and answered the knight's question. "Yes, please. A hot chocolate would be great."
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