(Staff Room) A meeting with the Headmaster

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh had walked through the grand entry of the school under his new guise, his eyes having changed colour, his hair now a deep black, he was sporting a black, neatly trimmed goatee, and his facial features had changed somewhat spectacularly. The only way a person could figure out who he was was through torture, though his tolerance of pain was quite high.

He walked up the stairs that lead him to the Headmasters office, his plans having to come into effect soon, otherwise they will be lost. The students diverged onto the sides of the corridors as he strode his way through, his right hand opened with his wand pulsating in a circular manner.

When he reached the Entrance to the Headmasters office, he looked at it and smiled, speaking the password that opened the doorway, before transcending it and entering the room, where he would soon begin his plans.

'Good morning, Headmaster, I am Octavious Everritt.' Leigh said, bowing formally. He had disguised himself as his long dead cousin, older brother to Markus.

[Prof. Darrow]

Old Head teacher's of the school all shared one thing in common, not their love of the job or the delightful children they taught, but the portraits they would one day fill when they met their inevitable demise; usually due to extreme stress or of course simple retirement on their not overly small salary. Darrow often chattered amiably with his old friends, seeking their council and advice on many a subject, no matter how mundane it would seem; their wisdom was wide and he also delighted in their little disagreements, which tended to escalate into words being thrown about rather rashly, most believed they were always correct, especially the eldest ones.

It was on such a day of somewhat lively discussion, when Darrow enjoyed a break from the relentless mountains of paperwork that a new face appeared at his door; but was he really a new face? Darrow guessed he had once taught him, he seemed almost able to place his attitude and personality, even from the merest snippet of greeting, call it an instinct or some inane sense, Darrow felt he knew the man.

Smiling amiably he responded curteously, "how do you do my dear Mr Everritt?" Rising from his seat he greeted Everritt heartily with a firm handshake gesturing for him to take a seat, "please help yourself to the mints," he offered nudging a small china bowl of a quaint design filled to overflowing with pearly white mightily strong mints.

"I'm curious as to how you knew the password," he smiled knowingly with a twinkle in his eye, "I did believe that only teachers, and of course the odd wayward or clever pupil knew it, perhaps a sent it you by owl? My old memory must be failing." Allowing the man to continue with his business. "You had an offer you declared might be of interest to me? I'm all ears, please, take the floor." He spread his palms wide contented to listen to whatever Everritt's plans were.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'I have my sources.' Leigh said, taking the seat offered to him. He eyed the Headmaster for a brief moment before taking the mint offered to him, and looking at it as if it was a piece of art, he put it into his mouth and felt the strong minty taste fill his mouth. He didn't know the last time he had eaten something so sweet. 'I am quite well, Headmaster, as I am sure you are as well. My offer is simple, I would like to take up the post of a Professor, I know there are no vacancies on the teaching staff, but my offer is this; I would like you to allow me to teach wandless magic to your students, preferably 6th years and above, and for my pay, only a quarter of what you would pay your other professors.'

Leigh looked at the Headmaster and smiled, nodding slowly. 'I believe you need to see what I can do.' Leigh said, reaching his hand forward and waving his hand over the bowl of mints, each one slowly rising from the bowl and circling his hand, before he raised his hand and dispersed the mints around the room, each one slowly flying about the room. He closed his hand and each mint sped back to the bowl, placing itself back down into the bowl like it was before.

It was then that he heard the chatter of the portraits above him, though the last time he was here they had remained quiet. He suddenly felt uncomfortable about the voices and sighed, bowing his head before the Headmaster.

'I suppose you have heard the rumours of the ghost, Headmaster? How a man who is meant to be dead has arisen?' Leigh said, looking up, his disguise fading away to its former state, his own face returning. He lowered his gaze and felt his hands shake a little in fear of reprisal from the Headmaster.

[Prof. Darrow]

"I'm glad to hear you aren't in the dark, you've done your research it seems," and more besides, I believe he knows far more than he will ever let on. Steepling his fingers as he listened to the more than reasonable offer he smiled wanely and asked, "but what would drive you to make such an offer? Our coffers aren't low by any means, your offer is very tempting without reduced pay my good fellow." He said reasonably wanting all his staff to remain equals.

"Students would be more than willing to learn wandless magic I'm sure; most are hgihly ambitious, as they should be, yet it is a difficult skill to master." As Everritt began his demonstration Darrow's eyebrows raised; though it seemed a simple feat, it was in fact an intricate skill to move each item seperately.

"Well done good sir," he congratulated the joy in his voice, that showed he was duelly impressed, quite unconcealable, "I don't doubt your abilities by any means, only the reasons for your offer."

Realising Everritt was becoming agitated as his friends and mentors earnestly discussed whether Darrow should hire the stranger or not, he smiled as they fired arguments back and forth.
"There hasn't been anyone willing to teach wandless magic for decades.," exclaimed one highly excitable, eccentric looking warlock, sat upon a strange contraption within a metalworked portrait boarder.
"that tells us something then doesn't it," responded a plump elderly witch with pointed ears, who rested in a huge armchair hands clasped as she glared in the direction of the eccentric ex-headmaster. "it's highly dangerous, the risks are countless, the advantages few and far between."
"Ah but you admit there are advantages, perhaps these outweigh the disadvantages?" Interjected a bushy eyebrowed wizard who stroked his tufted beard in thought.
"In the wrong hands it is terrible!" squeaked a tiny wizard.
"It's an art all accomplished witches have learnt." Argued a slim witch with a pointed hat.
"and wizards, some of the greatest inventors saved time and resources by utilising wandless magic." Added a portly wizard with a booming voice, scratching his streaming nose.
"Yet it is far too formidable in a duel, at one time it was outlawed, dark wizards could be nurtured within these very walls." Growled a heavy set man with long straggly hair who glared inconspicuously at Everritt.
"Training people to fight back is imperative if that were to happen Fomars. Dark witches and wizards will learn and master wandless magic without the need of a tutor if they are determined; which most are." This kindly looking witch looked apologetically down at Everritt and mouthed, it's nothing personal dear.
"Point taken Egdelene," responded Fomars snidely, "but it is personal, the idea is completely atrocious, in my time nobody would have had the audacity to suggest such a thing, it's..."

"Fomars please, our guest can hear you quite clearly." Informed Darrow calmly, quite contented to follow their discussion; he wished Everritt also to realise what opposition he would inevitably come up against.
"I hope he's listening well Darrow, and you too, pupils can't deal with that hgih level of magic, not even sixth years."
"I beg to differ Fomars" stalled the eccentric wizard who wafted his arms about to attract attention. "In 1769 students were taught from first year"
"That was back then Palatino," countered Fomars with a grim look, "years ago when..." Fomars was cut off as the tiniest wizard rejoined the conversation, breaking off from his own heated debate with the portrait next to him; holding a sharp eyed man whose eyes were fixed on Darrow. "the fact remains, the dangers are just too great, you all must see that."

"May we have a few moments silence please, our guest has something to say." Smiled Darrow gesturing for Everritt to speak out, and defend his views, but as silence reigned momentarily; other than a few huffs of indignation and whispered conversations, Darrow's eyebrows raised fractionnally as Everritt revealed his true identity, gasps resounded throughout the Headmaster's office; one particularly jittery Headmaster squealing in fright.
"Ah...I see," he murmured steepling his fingers once more. "Forgive Warno," he said gesturing towards the fainted wizard, whom his neighbours had rushed to aid. "During his years there were major outbreaks of Inferi, some say much worse than they." Smiling reassuringly at Addis, as he now knew him to be, Darrow's brow creased in thought.

"Well this certainly changes things, how can I possibly allow a dead man teach my pupils?"
"Assuredly you can't." Stated Fomars with conviction.
"I have no reason to mistrust the man, he's done the school admirable service for..."
"He's supposed to be dead," shouted Fomars loosing his temper somewhat.
"It seems he isn't Fomars, the man stands before us more alive than I, though rather haggard looking and worn out,"
"But..."
"nothing a few days of easy sleep and good food wouldn't cure,"
"But..."
"There will be no further discussion Fomars I'm afraid." Darrow spoke kindly but with assurance, as Fomars glowered but quietened down, a hushed silence descended upon the office Darrow's voice rang clear and calm as always, "now Mr Addis, please tell me why I shouldn't hand you over to the Ministry directly?"

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh sat back and listened to the voices and heard their grumbles, some disagreeing immediately, others complimenting him. He looked at the portrait of the former Headmistress who spoke about Dark Wizards and training them. He smiled at her reassuringly that he took no offence to what she had said. He bowed his head in indignition and clasped his hands together silently.

'The Ministry would more than just kill me,' Leigh said, sighing as he spoke, 'they would give me to the Dementors, then slowly torture me to reveal any information I have and I have a great deal more than they.'

'I come here with the offer to teach students not merely a means of furthering their magical prowess, but the ability to fight if they are disarmed, if full blown anarchy would ensue.' Leigh said, continuing quietly. 'I was here when Professor Wigglyfish was, fair to all as you seem to be Headmaster, I was to be executed by the newly crowned Minister by Gabriel Vandesar... He didn't kill me, but a dark power, possibly worse than Lord Voldemort, came for me and took me into the dark abyss, a void of nothingness... That dark power is now gone, at least I hope it is, and now I can use what little I have to help those that need the help.'

'I know that this may sound grave and may seem an act of desperation but with being the Headmaster of Hogwarts, with the Ministry's presence in every aspect of this school, you could just see my side in wanting to protect the students and helping rid this grand place of the corruptness of the Ministry...' Leigh said, closing his eyes as he looked away, slowly regretting the idea ever since he contrived it. 'It is not about revenge for being marked for death, but a way to make the students aware of what the Ministry wants, but also remain inside of the Ministry guidelines.'

Leigh finished speaking, lowering his face to hide the look of fear on his face as he put his arms around himself. He waited for the response of Prof Darrow and to await his future...

[Prof. Darrow]

Listening gravely to Leigh's words, Darrow clasped his hands in a prayer like fashion before him, raising his eyes not heavenwards, but towards Headmistress Egdelene, whom he trusted above all others. She nodded reassuringly and that gave him the impetuous he needed to make the decision he knew he could easily regret.

"You put me between a rock and a hard place Addis, though I know you wouldn't if it weren't strictly necessary. I want to make it absolutely plain, crystal clear if you will, you can bring no hidden agendas and loyalties to the table." His shrewd eyes focused in a calculating manner upon Addis.

"Complete and utter loyalty to the school itself and no other; not even yourself is critical. We must do what we see as fit for the school." He stated taking a deep breath, "your placement is necessary for the good of the students. Yet you cannot cloud their views. They are perfectly capable of making up their own minds, even with Ministry propaganda strife. To ensure our survival we must be, not just appear, completely unbiased in our views and teachings. This school is a place of sanctuary and learning, it is critical it survive through the ages."

Holding up his hand to forstall any argument he explained; "the Ministry could close this institute at a moments notice, it has already threatened it."

Steepling his fingers he assessed Addis once again with a shrew sparkling eye; "your disguise must be upheld as you well know, but it must be perfected, becoming a new man is the only way to survive, I believe you are the sort to lay down your life for a cause you deem worthy, as am I, if it is for the best. Yet at this moment in time I believe staying in my current position is invaluable, retiring as I once wished," he smirked, "is impossible, my death would bring about a new regime of tyranny at Hogwarts I fear. Therefore I must be connect in no way to you. If you were to be caught and questionned by the Ministry you could not utter my name. It is imperative." He implored solemn eyes cast upon him, for a the merest moment he seemed a stooped old man, weighed down by the immense pressures of the world upon him. Then with a disregarding shake he became the strong willed man once again; his keen unnerving eyes fixing Addis once more.

"A memory charm may be the only way? Are you prepared to start your life anew?" He asked pointedly, " or have you other agendas? Please speak the absolute truth."

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh looked up at Darrow, his eyes widening in surprise at the words of he spoke. He felt his fear flee, leaving him with a pit of warmth which seemed to fill him with hope. He smiled gratefully and nodded.

'Absolute loyalty to the school it is, as it always was before, the protection of Hogwarts is vital, if it was to fall, we would not survive. It is not only a sanctuary for everyone, but a home for those who have no true home.' Leigh replied, speaking from his heart. 'I have always put the protection of the students first and their utmost teachings, I promise you Headmaster I will not change their minds in regards to the Ministry, failed as I have tried before.'

'My only agenda is to see the Ministry be cleansed and started anew, noncorrupt and the system changed to be fair for all peoples, magical creatures and humans. I have been planning on doing this for a long while, but I was delayed in my hopes of doing this by a centaur and what appears to be a rogue wizard, a theif who seems to be far greater than the thievery profession. Together we formed an unlikely group, and it was to them I told them of this plan, my hope though I know they didn't support it. They were planning on using a student known as Kim Rivers... a rogue it now seems.' Leigh explained, speaking firmly.

'I will not mutter your name if captured, I would rather die than speak what I know, I would do anything to kill myself to protect this school and the teachers and the students inside its walls.' Leigh said, his expression darkening as he spoke with a deep hate of the Ministry. 'If you were to die Headmaster, I agree that Hogwarts would be under a tyrant, I will not be linked to you other than my disguise, a simple man who has longed to teach at Hogwarts.'

Leigh saw the change of Darrow, his eyes widening at the sight, before a sense for foreboding washed over him. He saw the old man change again, back to the prominent man he was before. He smiled and knew what courage it had to take to have the Ministry bearing down on him the way it was.

'No memory charm...' Leigh said, looking away. 'No agenda's other than to see the Ministry stopped... As well as to have the joy of teaching again, whether or not it is myself or a guise.'

[Prof. Darrow]

Drumbing his fingers repeatedly upon his cluttered desk; an easy rythm formed as he listened to Addis' truthful words; he believed that the honest man was hiding nothing; and speaking from the heart; Darrow respected honesty from everyone; it was vital to form any sort of relationship.

"It seems we share the same ideals Addis, for which I am eternally grateful; we must be seeking a common goal; in order to achieve it." Smiling as Addis informed him of his plans he held up a forstalling hand; "I need not know all your goings on, unless you believe the information invaluable to the safety of the school and its occupants?" He asked wanting to analyse how Addis responded to such a question. "Overall your agenda seems sound and reasonable; the same as many others; yet unlike others you intend to action it; rather than merely speak of it."

Rubbing his hands together and standing abruptly Darrow came around the side of the desk remarking, "Good, good, we are in agreement then, you shall maintain your guise with some subtleties of my own added to it." His face creased into a warming smile; with hidden knowledge hinted at. "Protection of this disguise will take the form of magic," he weaved his wand in a complex motion, remaining silent for several lengthy seconds; seemingly an eternity, "and developing a realistic history, under no circumstances must you draw attention to yourself; other than the inevitable curiousity given to your lesson. I advise you to keep to yourself, but not overly to attract unwanted attention, be as normal as a Hogwarts Professor can be." He chuckled knowing the irony of the words.

Finishing the spell a completely changed man stood before Darrow now, he smiled, "rather effective; even if I say so myself, now only both of us combined can cease the spell, you are Octavious Everritt."

Striding over to a filing cabinet it slid open at his touch, and he produced roll of parchment, "in case you need added information about your cousin, the Ministry will know little more than is within those pages; memorise them carefully; then they shall be locked securely away again." Handing the parchment over with reverance he added, "I know it shall be hard posing as your dead cousin, yet it is necessary; files shall be amended and you shall become him." He winked, "I shall see it done."

About to direct Octavious out of his office he said seemingly as an afterthought, "a wand shall be called for; unless you've your cousin's? If not Helia Ollivander can be trusted. She'll know what to do."

Shaking Octavious by the hand he congratulated him; "welcome to the team Octavious, enjoy teaching at Hogwarts."

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'I believe the information to be valuable, as this centaur may be able to help find what it is the Ministry is looking for, and if she can find it we will help her rid this place of it.' Leigh said, answering the question he was given. He saw Darrow stand and walk, the gesture of the hands and the delight on the old wizards face as he prepared himself for what seemed to be a difficult spell.

'Thank you.' Leigh said, whispering his gratitude. A smile had washed over his face as he felt himself swell in pride. He had felt the subtle change in his appearance, the change in himself was grand. He closed his eyes and let himself become the man who was still only known to be alive.

Leigh stood and smiled, looking at hands that belonged to his cousin and seeing with eyes that required glasses. 'A much better change that I could do alone,' Leigh said, touching his face gingerly and running it down. He closed his eyes and gave off a small laugh, the same that his cousin did. 'Even the voice and laugh; Headmaster, you are truly incredible.'

He soon looked at the papers and read them, quickly glancing at them with a frown upon his face. He read quickly, flipping through the few pages that were there, but the information held within was truly invaluable to him. He looked up at Darrow and slowly nodded.

'I can become him if I need to be, I did grow up with him during my own time at this school, though I was Hufflepuff, he was Slytherin, I can be him.' Leigh said, handing the papers back and smiled smugly, the one his cousin had always given. 'How can I not be Octavious Everritt?'

'A wand? Mine would be too remembered, I should see Helia as soon as possible.' He said, bringing out his wand and seeing the bloodwood design. He put it away and looked at Darrow and nodded. 'A new one designed for this new guise shall be needed.'

'Thank you, Headmaster, it is great to be able to pass on my wisdom to those that wish it.' Leigh said as Octavious, bowing his head as the man he had become. 'Where shall I be teaching?'