[Staff Room] First Contact

[Girty Hubbles]

The decision had been made for Girty to make contact with Professor Everritt, but there was a small problem of finding him. He seemed a very busy man and when he was not teaching he was outside the castle grounds or wondering silently around the corridors. It seemed the only chance she had of being able to talk to him was for her to stay in one spot and for him to find her. Dan had told her that on many occasions he had been Everritt in the staff room but seeing as he himself had not been in there for a few months things may have changed. Girty then had to put up with the now common ramblings of Dan and the way alcohol affects people’s decision making abilities and like normal Girty did not give two hoots about what her brother said.

But after wondering the corridors and searching classrooms unsuccessfully Girty thought her last hope would be the staff room. He was not in there and Girty knew it would be a simple mater of waiting for him to come along. So that is what she did, she waited by the staff room door watching people coming and going, listening into conversations and running through what she was going to say in her head.

After almost three hours Girty was about to give up and head back to the Hufflepuff common room when she heard a familiar voice. It was him. Scrambling to her feet and brushing the dirt off her robes Girty waited for him to turn around the corner and she could pounce.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Addis had been stalking the corridors for however long he could. The Ministry were tigthening down Professor interactions with students and he needed to learn more of his students if he was going to successfully teach them.

The library had been closed for more than half that day. He ordered it close, so he could do some research of his own. He picked out the books he needed and read them all quickly, some reread at the end.

Now, three hours later, he was returning to the Staff Room to make himself a beverage before a lonely student wondered past him and looked up at him with tear filled eyes.

'What is the matter?' Addis asked, stopping and hiding the irritation he felt building in his mind.

'One of the Ministry Officials took my wand away.' The student said in between sobs. 'It belonged to my ma!'

Addis shook his head. 'I'll get it back for you, promise.' The child suddenly bloomed with a smile and ran down the hall. 'I don't know your name, but I know what you look like.'

With that he turned and hurried down the corridor, turning the corner and running into an old, familiar face. Startled, he pulled out his wand but did not aim it at her. Girty Hubbles stood before him, obviously waiting for him.

'Miss Hubbles, how can I help you?' He asked.

[Girty Hubbles]

As soon as Professor Everritt turned the corner Girty could not help but notice that he had his wand drawn and pointing straight at her. Instead of shouting at him, screaming thinking he was about to kill her or just jumping out of her skin Girty merely stood still with a bemused smile upon her face. Her gaze passed from the wand to the professor and back to the wand again.

“Er…I…I need to talk to you about…something.”

She managed to look up from the wand and stare the professor straight in the eyes, there was something about them that did seem to familiar, something that made her feel like she knew this man more then she did. However a crowd of students walked past a suddenly Girty became very aware at how exposed they were and that anyone could hear them, the Ministry has eyes and ears in every wall and if they found out what she was doing it would be her neck on the line. Stepping closer to Everritt Girty’s voice dropt into a low whisper.

“Professor if there anywhere we can go were I will not overheard?”

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Addis looked at Girty with a strange look on her face. The way she spoke to him threw him off and his nerves seemed to hit a new high. The way she spoke to him, he felt, was that she knew.

He looked at her and lowered his wand, pocketing it before nodding sharply. 'The staff room is the more secure room in the entire school, plus easily defended as it's doors are thick and would take several minutes to get through.' Addis replied, looking about nervously over his shadow. He turned and walked down the hallway, with hearing Girty after him. He quickly entered the room, Girty walking in slowly after him before he shut the door, smiling slightly since the room was empty. He locked the door before opening his palm to the door and cast the charm that would allow no one to overhear their conversation, as well as deadlocking the door.

'Now no one will hear us and no one can get in unless they truly know me.' He said, turning to face Girty with a blank look upon his face. He had already concluded that the rumours had hit the students, not only of him being living but also of the similarities in him and his dead cousin Octavious. Yet he decided he would keep up the charade until she told him how she knew.

'What did you want to talk about?'

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty followed the professor and entered the staff room and she was slightly disappointed. She had seen almost every room in the castle and for some reason she expected the staff room to be something spectacular however it was a dark room with a few fires, old arm chairs and dust covered book shelves. It was only when the professor started to talk to her again did Girty come out of her little dream world and remember her purpose of being here in the first place. But the problem was finding the right words of actually saying it, she had run the scenario over in her head over and over again but the time had now come and she did not know what to say. Scuffing her feet on the floor Girty looked up and the Professor and took a deep breath.

“You must be aware Professor that the Ministry’s presence in the school is increasing and as a result it is choking the life out of the students. We can not do anything and as a result we are getting restless and we want to do something.”

The tone of her voice changed and a fire started to burn inside her, the thought of action and the simple idea that they were actually doing something now gave her the encouragement to continue.

“There is a small group of students who want to help, I think we all have are separate motives for seeing the corrupt section of the ministry fall but…but I know as well as the others that a small group of students will…will not be able to change the cause of magical politics. So we want to help and rumour has it you will be able to put is in contact with someone who can.”

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Addis looked plainly at Girty, and felt his stomach tighten. Rumours? He knew that several of the students knew of his existence, Henry Boggleworth being one of them, maybe even Girty knew he was alive, but now he felt that she didn't know the full truth, only a speckled truth.

'Yes, I have heard those same rumours.' He said, crossing his arms and looking away. 'As some may know already, a man once thought dead has been seen around the school grounds. Some have even speculated he is the late Professor Addis. Some even suggest that he's one of the Rogues. Some, only a few, know the real truth.'

'He is alive.' Addis said, feeling the pit of his stomach open and his insides twist and churn. 'He is alive and a member of those Rogues fighting the Ministry. Why do I know that?'

Addis stepped away from Girty, a grimace on his face. He could trust Girty with his life and he was just about to do that. Henry Boggleworth already knew and he realised that if he was here in the school area then it would only be a short time before he revealed the truth to Girty and those he trusted. Now he stood before Girty, unfolding his arms and removing his robe, leaving himself in a loose fitting shirt and and baggy jeans. With a half grimace smile, he opened his hand and cast the spell, washing his hand over him.

Within a mere moment of his hand brushing past his face, his features began to change. Hie eyes changed, his lips, his nose, his hair changed. He grew broader in the shoulder, grew slightly shorter. His hair fell down his sides and he now looked upon Girty with his own eyes, his own face and his own hands. He took out his wand, bloodwood, ten and a half inches, phoenix tears. He opened the palm of his hand and let the wand rotate there, slowly like he used to do when he patrolled the corridors during the night or like he did when he spoke to the Hufflepuffs in the common room.

'Because it's me.' He whispered, snuffing a laugh afterwards. 'A spell that I cast, along with Headmaster Darrow in secret to secure myself a teaching position within the school to watch over those that are directly in the middle of the war. I gather information for the Rogues and most nights I am in the forest, either hurting or killing those that are stupid enough to get in my way.'

A sadness appeared in his eyes, a deep hurt that he couldn't reveal himself any sooner than now. No matter how much he wanted to, to do so before now, he had to keep himself hidden.

'You want to help? You have my blessing.' Addis said, putting away his wand and crossing his arms. 'You are more than capable of holding your own in a battle, Girty, and those that are with you undoubtedly should be the same.'

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty had just seen and heard too much to take in, her mind was full of questions and bemusement but all she could do was stand and look at the man in front of her still unable to figure out if it was Professor Addis or not. It had to be, it looked like him, it sounded like him and it felt like his presence. Dan was clearly right when he told her that he had seen his predecessor, but he had been drunk at the time and Girty overlooked it, Dan is never the most reliable person when he is drunk and Girt thought he had dreamt it….but now, now she had to believe him.

“You are very fortunate to be given a second chance at life and then for your true identity to be hidden away.”

Girty could not help but hold a bitter tone with her former head of house, she had deep loyalties to this man but she also could think of many people, Thom above all, who she would rather see walking the earth again then Leigh Addis. But that is how life has played out and it was not her job to condemn a man who was willing to help her achieve what she wanted.

Removing the frown from her face she replaced it with a small smile, it felt like years past when Professor Addis would stand in front of the rest of the Hufflepuff’s and urge them on to do well in school and win the house cup for the house. She listened to him praise her yet again and she could not help feel that he thought to much of her and he over estimated her abilities but then it was always nice to hear from time to time.

“You say you work the rouges. Maybe we could help them? It is common for students to snoop around the castle if you did it Professor or even random wizards the ministry would get suspicious.”

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh placed his hands in his pockets calmly, though he heard the bitterness in her tone. He knew that someone close to her had died, and he knew who, he knew who the killer was but could not seek vengeance for the murder of a man who joined the Ministry. It was his choice and he died as a consequence.

'I would rather live a normal life where I can roam free and be myself, yet I have to hide away behind the mask of my dead cousin who many believe remains alive. I am using a dead mans face to hide my own. Do you want to know how that makes me feel?' Addis retorted, his own bitterness welling within him and biting out without control, but now he calmed as he saw the face of Girty change and a sweet smile appear on her face.

'The Rogues have been wanting the assistance of some students for quite some time. I believe you know two of them.' Addis said, smiling. 'From what I have heard, you have quite a soft spot for Simon. Gobien does like to talk a lot about the students he wants to protect. It was from my own word that you could be trusted to help us, but this is going back many months now. I should really contact Gobien once more and find out how he is. Nonetheless, you and the Guild can help us Rogues.'

'Find out what you can about what the Ministry is actually doing here. What we're doing here is snuffing them out, but now they've only brought higher ranking Officials in, though right now they do make alluring targets.' He said, continuing. 'I know that it may not feel right taking orders from a dead man who has a hefty bounty on his head and I do not ask for you to do this as your old Head of House and Professor, but as a friend if you can find it inside of yourself to believe that.'

[Girty Hubbles]

It seemed Addis turn to take in a bitter tone with the world however he seemed to have a greater reason to. Girty could not help but show sympathy for the man now he had explained his situation. Life had truly been unfair to him both the real him and his fake were dead men and yet he managed to get on with life and take what ever the world threw at him. Only a fool would fail to admire such a person and Girty had the added incentive that he was her old head of house.

She continued to listen, blushing slightly at the mention of Simon; it seemed that the whole world knew about it. Thankfully unlike others he did not linger on the subject and instead carried on informing her about what was happening with the rouges, it was nice to know what was truly happening. Simon refused to talk about anything about the rouges and so Girty only knew what was happening by the whispers in the corridors and the bias articles in the newspapers.
But then the professor asked something from Girty and although she understood why he had did it she wanted to reassure him that there was no need for his doubt in her loyalty.

“Professor you do not need to plead for loyalty from me. I believe in your judgement and I will be willing to do what you ask. I have an idea how we could find out, but it will be difficult. “

Girty broke off she lowered her head and had a far off gleam in her eyes. She was running many ideas through her mind going from one extreme to the other some clearly would not work others were bordering on idiocy. But there was one thing she was certain on and she needed to clear this up straight away.

“Professor could you do me one favour in return? Please do not mention any of this to Simon he believes I should be focusing on my studies rather then rebelling against the ministry.”

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'Of course, Simon will not know of this. He does care for you a lot, though he is rather quiet even amongst us.' Addis replied, knowing full well that if Girty was going to have some sort of future with a man like Simon, they all had to fight.

Addis hadn't spoken to Simon many times but the times that he had found out what sort of person Simon was. With a brief, reassuring smile, he nodded at Girty.

'What is your plan? I will relay it onto the other Rogues when I get a chance.' Addis said, continuing.



((Sorry for the short one! Running out of time!! >.< ))

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty gave the professor a small smile thanking him for jot agreeing not the talk about this to Simon. She dreaded to think what he would say or do if he heard that we making a stand and endangering her reputation and position, something times he was worse then Dan.
It was then however Addis asked her to tell him her plan and the more she thought about it and was trying to find words to describe it the more it sounded like it would not work.

“You talk about loyalty and trust well I think that his how we do it. Problem is Esther van Haestregt is no fool and she will be hard to crack. We could get some people in The Guild to cause a problem…we have a few Slytherins they could side with her use them to gain her trust and then hand us over slowly. If it is just points she takes from us I am sure Dan or even you could give us it back.”

Girty frowned and looked down at her shoes knowing she needed a better plan, there were too many flaws in this one and she was relying on the other people in The Guild playing along and helping her out and biggest problem of them all she needed van Haestregt to be easily deceived. Slowly Girty looked back up at the Professor.

“It is not much…I am open to other suggestions.”

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'A few Slytherins? Jerred Boneman isn't amongst them, is he?' Addis said with a smirk. He knew the Slytherin couldn't stay out of trouble, yet now he was given a chance to really try his hand at some mischievousness.

'That plan does have a sound foundation, causing problems and distracting her from her true duties.' Addis said, crossing his arms as he thought about the plan and how he could add to it. He smiled. 'I will restore any points given, though Dan would have to be told about the whole thing. He does strike me as a man who can keep his word.'

He quietened down for a moment before he clicked his fingers with a grin. 'While van Haestregt is occupied, or at least, distracted for a small portion of time, I could sneak some rogues in to help drive the Ministry from the castle.' He said, though he came to a disappointing conclusion. 'It wouldn't work because of the students. Even if the battle took place in the middle of the night, there is no way that the students would remain in their dorms where they would be safe for the time being...'

He slumped into a chair and rested his eblows against his knees, looking dismally into nothing.

[Girty Hubbles]

“Yes Jerred is one of them, he is very keen to do something in fact most of them are to be honest sir. I am sure they will be willing to create the distraction you and the rouges need.”

Girty looked on at the Professor suddenly realising how much respect this man deserved. He was putting his neck on the line like many but unlike the ones hiding in the forest he was working under the Ministry’s noses. That was something Girty had to respect and the fact that he was also the old Hufflepuff head of house just was an added bonus.
So Girty listened closely to the mans words nodding her head in agreement with his plan. It made sense and there was a possibility it could work. But when he mentioned that Dan would need to be filled in Girty nervously looked to her shoes and shuffled them uncomfortably on the floor. Dan already knew about the Guild, they kept no secrets from each other no matter how big or small.

The professor sat down on one of the many chairs that littered the room, with a nervous glance Girty looked around thinking she might as well sit down as well. However the chair she picked looked a lot harder then it was and as she dropt into it the cushion seemed to mould around her and it felt like the chair was swallowing her up. For a moment her face filled with panic and she gripped the arms of the chair almost to reassure herself she would was not being eaten for a chair.

“Professor I am sure the students would be willing to fight if there was a battle…the ministry are not stupid enough to attack the students. They have been telling the newspapers they are here to help improve the school, if they killed any it would raise even more question marks over their regime and they can not afford that enough people are suspicious as it is.”

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Addis looked at Girty and frowned. 'I will not allow every student who has won a duel to battle then.' Addis said, crossing his arms as he leant back into the chair now. 'I have seen the abilities of some at this school, though dismal some have shined through and I am confident to say they could hold their own, though if they were to be mixed up with us Rogues in the heavier parts of the fighting, they would die.'

Addis now looked sternly at Girty. 'If the students are to fight then I want only a core number of no more than twelve or fifteen. They can act as a auxilliary force, in case we Rogues cannot hold the line. I only want students who are willing to risk their lives and no of the sacrifice they may have to pay.' He spoke in a slightly harsh tone, though not directly at Girty.

'The students must swear under Veritesum, that they are willing to help with every fibre of their being. The Red Rose League may be willing to help out as well.' Addis continued. 'I'll try and get in contact with Boggleworth so he can report to his superiors, because this fight, if it does happen, will cause the Ministry to faulter in their plans.'

'I want you to spread word around the school that the Rogues are amassing seventeen miles directly southwest of the school. We're not, but the Ministry will believe it enough to do so to send in several units.' Addis said, smiling now. 'I want you to make sure that the student body knows of this as well, so that when we Rogues appear in the school they know not to react.'