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Post by Cecelia Reinhardt on May 4, 2016 16:43:04 GMT -5
The skies were a cold blue that afternoon, clear and crisp, and Cecelia had decided to make the most of the remaining hours of winter sunlight. That afternoon she decided that she would wade a little into the lake in hopes to find some aquatic plants to take back to the greenhouses. From beyond the mountains, Cece could see the oncoming bout of powdery clouds which were starting to come over from the west. Just by looking at them, they seemed too light to hold a heavy downpour but certainly might bring a light drizzle within the next hour or so. Usually the professor would wear her robes in the castle, but she decided to head to her chambers to wear something more casual now that her teaching hours were over. Most of the robes she wore had a tendancy to get rather mucky, what with her handling dirt for most of the day, but she didn't want to get them damp as well as muddy. Dragon hide boots carried Cecelia over the lawns and towards the Black Lake, little puffs of air escaping her lips from the chilly weather. In tow was her bengal cat Calico, sloping around her as she walked. The female cat scurried around the grounds as it often would, scoping out little birds for fun and meowing for Cecelia to hurry up, "I'm coming, Calico," She said with soft amusement, shaking her head as the excitable feline bounded around.
By the time they reached the lake, Cece reached down and bundled Calico under her arms. The little cat was a bit prissy and didn't want to tread its paws in to the wet mud. Scratching behind her ear, Cecelia spoke fondly to her pet; "I'll put you up here on this rock for now, so you'll have to brave the mud if you want to chase after pigeons again." The cat purred in response as Cece wandered closer to the lake, its wide eyes watching her curiously. Cecelia observed the surface of the lake before wandering into the shallow shores, her knee boots preventing her legs from getting wet. The rippling waves sounded pleasantly in her ear as she began to use her wand to prod the water top. She was looking for banana lilies, otherwise known as floating hearts. They contained seeds that could be used for fertilizing other plants and Cece wanted to collect some before they disappeared in spring; "Alright little lilies, make yourself known."
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Adult
Gryffindor Head of House Care of Magical Creatures
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Post by John Drake on May 5, 2016 9:33:52 GMT -5
John walked out of the castle his old auror's coat wrapped around him tightly as Puffles sat on his shoulder. "We should be grading papers" The snake hissed in his ear. John ignored the snake smiling as he walked down the hill leaving the castle. he pulled out his wand and a cigar as he placed the cigar in his mouth touching the wand to it as it began to burn. He took a drag and smiled as he kept walking holding the cigar in his fingers bringing it up to take a drag occasionally.
He smiled as he made it down to the lake seeing Cecelia the Herbology teacher. "Hi" He says waving at her smiling "Lovely afternoon isn't it" He says sitting down on the land finishing his cigar as Puffles began to stalk a mole ready to get it. John drew his wand as he pointed it at a tree "periculum" He mumbled as red sparks scared the snake "You ate earlier" He warned the snake. "We don't need you getting as fat as you were when you were with aunt marge" He said. the snake frowned and slithered into the the water to swim.
John looked at Cecelia "He's on a diet" He said smirking amused at the snake. "He gets mad when I tell him that though."
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Adult
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Post by Cecelia Reinhardt on May 5, 2016 17:44:40 GMT -5
It was remarkably peaceful down by the lake, the gentle lapping of water against the banks sounding behind her as she waded through the shallow waters. So far she couldn't spot any of the vegetation she required, only spadderdocks surrounded her rather than the heart shaped leaves she required. The lake was relatively clear around her boot clad ankles and she could see shadows of tadpoles swimming around. A soft mewing sounded behind Cecelia, a telltale sign from Calico that someone was approaching. At the sound of a voice, Cecelia turned around and instantly beamed at her company; "Hello there, John." She called softly to where the man now sat, "Indeed, its very pleasant out. It's a bit chilly but I wouldn't mind if we got some more snow."
Observing the scene between John and his companion - for even in her thoughts Cece noted that the relationship was far more than man and his pet - Cecelia smiled and even let out a gentle laugh when John gave the snake a scare. "A diet!" Repeated Cece with a grin, watching as the snake slipped through the waters, its magnificent form gliding through with ease. She wanted to reach down and feel its scales, having never been so close to a snake of such size before, but she was hesitant to. "Does he now? Well he should probably listen to you if he wants to maintain that streamline figure." Cece commented with a coy smirk. "I must say he's magnificent. What's his name?" Cecelia asked John, all the while peering with wonder as the snake darted through the waters. Indicating over to her cat which still stood on the rock, quietly assessing the man, Cece spoke; "That there is Calico. She's a bit timid at first but soon enough I'm sure she'll be trying to cuddle up to you. Ah, if you don't mind the slight shedding of fur that is." Cecelia grinned.
Cecelia wandered a little closer to John, viewing him through the gentle haze of smoke from his cigar. Other than at the staff table in the great hall and a few brief chats this had been the first time she'd properly spoken to John. She could guess that he was older than her, something about his appearance rugged and made her curious as to what he had done before his years of teacher. After all, she knew he was relatively new to teaching - just like her. The brunette professor tucked a stray curl behind her ear, "So How have lessons been? You all settled into the teaching mindset yet? I have to say, being back at Hogwarts, sometimes I have to remind myself I'm not a Ravenclaw student anymore." Mutual support between newbie professors was a necessity in Cece's eyes. John Drake
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Gryffindor Head of House Care of Magical Creatures
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Post by John Drake on May 6, 2016 9:13:34 GMT -5
John blushed "My aunt named him Puffles, to be honest I thought he was going to be a small dog..." He stated, "Imagine my surprise when I got him and realized it was a boa constrictor" He said jokingly. The snake slithered across the water as if searching for the giant squid. John looked up. "Oh god here we go again"
Puffles had a particularly strange bond with the giant squid in the lake and was thoroughly crazy about it. John had found Puffles in the lake several times trying to find the squid. Every time the snake would get picked up in its tentacles and set back to dry land, as was the squids nature. He looked up at Cecelia and shrugged "their going alright last week I put in an order for a small dragon to be delivered so I could show my fourth years." he said "Not sure if its a great idea but I think they'll love it." He said smiling.
"As for the teaching mindset I'm not to sure, A few of my students think I'm nuts, I blame Puffles" He said with a smirk as the snake came back and whispered to John "That's because your an enormous man who smoke cigars in the commons." John ignored him and looked back to Cecelia. "how about you what big lessons do you have planned for the term"
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Adult
Herbology
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Post by Cecelia Reinhardt on May 7, 2016 15:48:08 GMT -5
"That is...remarkably cute for a snake, I can definitely picture your surprise." Cecelia said, wearing a bemused but humoured expression. At this point, Cecelia walked over to the spot where John was seated. The search for her plants could wait, for the former Ravenclaw could never pass up the chance of conversation. By the time she had seated herself beside him, Cece raised her eyebrows as she watched the dark figure of the snake swim beneath the surface of the lake. "He's quite the adventurous reptile! Next time I decide to go swimming in the lake I'll keep an eye out for Puffles." Swimming was one of the active attributes Cece was actually really good at, it made up for her terrible lack of ability to fly a broomstick.
Cecelia had been watching the waters while John spoke, but the mention of a dragon caused her to turn to him, excitement evident in her eyes; "A dragon? Seriously, that's amazing. When will it arrive? I'm sure they will love it, I mean I think its fascinating for one." the herbology profession blushed slightly at her excitement, momentarily excited for his class until she remembered that she was in fact not a student anymore. Damn, it'd been a long time since she'd finished at Hogwarts but being back teaching brought all the same feelings back. "I mean, that's really cool. If only you were my professor." She laughed, attempting to sound more casual but the pink in her cheeks betrayed her. "What made you want to be a care of magical creatures professor then?" She said, looking at the man with a warm smile of curiosity, wondering what story backed his inspiration to be a teacher.
Once more, John earned a laugh out of Cece at his teasing words aimed towards Puffles. She felt a pinch of inquisitiveness when the snake seemed to respond to John, either that or it made a noise at the exact time he had finished speaking. "Can... Does Puffles--? I mean... he can understand you, can't he." Cecelia said slowly, slight wonderment in her tone. She was quite an observant woman but at the same time, she couldn't be sure. John returned her question and Cece answered brightly; "I had come down here today to try and track down some nymphoides aquatica. Normally they're native to much warmer regions but according to Hogwarts: A History there have been evidence of it growing here on the lake. Something to do with the influence of magic, I assume. They're little lilies that have fruits containing seeds, very useful as a fertilizer for plants but can also be dried and added to certain potions!" With passion she explained her potential lesson plants, biting her lip as she paused. "I don't think that can beat the anticipation of a lesson on dragons though." She smirked charmingly at John.
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Adult
Gryffindor Head of House Care of Magical Creatures
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Post by John Drake on May 8, 2016 15:22:51 GMT -5
John smiled at her "He actually is quite docile believe it or not" He stated "A friend raises them and is sending me a small one and he sent one of the least dangerous types just to be safe" He said smirking trying to ignore the question about the snake. "And you are more then welcome to come and watch the lesson." He smiled at her as Puffles laid still bathing in the sunlight a content look upon his face.
He listened to her lesson plan and smiled. It was quite interesting learning about it. "Yeah I have a few dry samples in my trunk in my office" He stated "Nothing as interesting as the living thing though." He looked at Puffles and and petted across the back of him as the snake let out a happy hiss. "thats very fascinating though"
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Adult
Herbology
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Post by Cecelia Reinhardt on May 12, 2016 17:30:45 GMT -5
Cecelia found John's company very easy to be with, comfortable without needing to try and find something to talk about. She found him interesting as a person without the need to search for conversation points. "Well I'll have to take you up on that offer, providing our lessons don't catch. It's about time I brushed up on my dragon knowledge." She knew that if she did sit in on Johns class she would have to hold back from asking questions or anything. "Ah, you're too kind John." Cece shook her head, modest at his statement that it sounded fascinating though knew many assumed plants were boring things. There was much more to herbology that many anticipated. John sounded sincere enough though which made her smile. "What did you do before coming to Hogwarts then? Did you always want to teach?" Cecelia asked curiously. Where she sat held a few little pebbles. With delicate fingers she plucked one from the mud and threw it gently into the shallow waters. It caused ripples in the lake and she watched them fold out before settling.
John Drake sorry for late reply!
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Adult
Gryffindor Head of House Care of Magical Creatures
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Post by John Drake on May 13, 2016 8:22:31 GMT -5
He smiled "teaching is something I just sort of wanted to do" He said. "Before this I was an auror" He said petting his snake. "But I got tired of Being a hunter of the dark arts and quit. I ran off to the woods and then a while later I came back to take care of my aunt before she passed."
He smiled "Now I'm here teaching a class that involves survival and care." He said smiling. "What about you, what did you do before Hogwarts" "He asked smiling. Puffles stirred rolling onto his back squirming in the dirt.
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