Thread: The Dirty Part of Physics [ClockworkCadence ║ Ryees]

Sherlin's eyes latched onto Olivia as she returned to her desk. The No Fun Allowed charm on her desk that was meant to root out cheaters and students passing notes in class saw her hand move, saw the quill dig into her skin, but even without it, the professor would have grinned behind the steepled fingers that hid his mouth. He knew her answer. No one who spoke like she did gave up after a display like that. She would rise to this challenge, and hopefully bring the more lard-brained of her classmates up with her. She gathered her things, and she left, the other students filtering out, some with their eyes glazed in though, others turning the quills over in their hand ponderously. As they walked past his desk, some offered him looks, others strained, curt farewells. Those gestures told him all he needed to know on their return to class three did not make the cut. Helen Bailey only gave him a silent look, and Alfred opened his mouth three times in an attempt to try and find something to say, failing each time both of them, he knew, would return, she for her pride and he for his bewilderment. The rest of the group were a mix of determination and curiosity, potent enough to keep them coming back at least for one more class. Once the room emptied, the wizard leaned back in his chair. He propped his elbows up on the armrests of the leather chair and pressed his palms flat together, thumbs extended underneath his chin and fingers thoughtfully tapping against his nose. The typewriter in his mind chattered off its rails, filing away notes and observations and ideas of each of the students true that only two of them had drawn their wands, but the reactions around the room had not gone unnoticed. At the front of his mind, though, was Olivia Hudson. And she would remain at the front of his mind as he stood, loosened his eerily burgundy tie, donned his coat, and flicked the lights off in the classroom. As the Armadillo of Honor curled into a ball, the owl on the board settled at the bottom, tucking its head under its wing. Theodoor closed behind him, and the room was left quiet. The morning broke bright and early as Sherlin apparated into the Ministry building. Sherlin, nice t'see you this morning. Sherlin stopped and turned as Odius Perlstop stepped from the toilet booth and adjusted his shoulder bag as he approached Sherlin. One of the few who was able to tolerate the odd professor's company, Odius had become the only thing Sherlin could really call a friend amongst his peers. Tall and very Irish, he consistently carried a friendly demeanor and pleasant, intelligent conversation that Sherlin had come to value and appreciate. Odius, Sherlin responded briefly, with a short nod of his head. Had t'pick up some o' your mess las' night, Odius quipped with a smirk, flapping his fingers amicably against Sherlin's shoulder. Theodoor gave quite the scare t'a couple'a freshly-graduated students. Don'tyou ever get tired o' scarin' the lads out of their diplomas? Sherlin's laugh was muted, for the crowd of people that surrounded them, but it was not lacking in mirth or sincerity. He gave a pointed straightening of his uncannily amaranth tie and leveled his shoulders with a sharp look in his eyes. No sense in teaching a par group of students sub-par material, is there? Odius smiled, a nod of farewell his only other response, and headed for the lift that led up to his office. Odius was on his way to head investigator, currently a detective, well above the cut for the average Auror. That competence mixed with his friendly outlook and understanding heart had been a welcome distraction from thoughts of the students that had consumed him the night before and into his morning. Now, though, his focus returned, and he stepped into his own lift, heading down. Sherlin was seated at his desk as the students began filing in. He offered a welcoming smile and an affirming nod to Helen as she bent and scooped the Armadillo from his desk. He noted the pair of black leather driving gloves that she wore as she entered, and it seemed that her apprehension was shared The students sat further from each other today, and their eyes were more downcast or wandering. It seemed none with the word yes on their hands wanted to meet the eyes of a hand bearing a no, and vice-versa. He waited for all the students to have entered and seated themselves. Seated behind his desk, he leaned forward on his elbows. Welcome back, everyone, and good morning. A stifled rumble of the same echoed through the room, and he continued on. Today marks the day you choose your path. Whether or not you continue in this class, you will have benefited from it. I will not waste your time with some inspiration lectureI am not good at them and you would not want to hear it anyway. He leaned back in his chair and produced a scroll from a drawer on his desk, unfurling it and holding it before his eyes. One by one, you will come to my desk, and we will talk as much or as little as you like. There is a lesson plan today, but whether we get to it or not is entirely up to you all. I will cut no one short, should they wish to speak. Your words will be private. He set a hand indicatively over his wand, laid on the desk in front of him. Only you and I shall ever know the contents of what transpires today. Seemingly satisfied, he looked to the list, starting at the top. Bailey, Helen.