Painful Headaches & Soothing Coffee (o p e n)

[debbie]

Professor Hemlock sat at one of the fluffy, worn armchairs with her legs delicately crossed and her hands at her forehead, rubbing soothing circles over and over again. What on earth possessed her to become a teacher was beyond her – some days it was surprisingly rewarding, others where just a hassle. Well, sadly her last class landed in the latter category. She would never understand why the Headmaster continued to put Gryffindors and Slytherins in one classroom together. He of course insisted House unity was inescapable and it would do the students good to dwell amongst one another. While Debbie had no issues with this (to an extent) she still rather disliked the days she was the one in charge of teaching them. But, the Headmasters word was basically law here, so she coped…even if the result was often a painful headache.

Deciding it would do her no good to sit and sulk, she composed herself, thankful no other professors were around. Straightening, Debbie conjured herself some coffee, greedily taking a drink. The mug was warm in her slender hands, carefully held to her lips as she peered over top of the cup, her mind always churning. More often then not, she was caught thinking about her family. Today Kalib had been particularly full of himself, practically leading the Slytherin’s who egged on the Gryffindors during their work day. It had been an “out of seat” assignment off on the grounds and her son never failed to provoke other students. Of course, before accepting the job there was a standing agreement she was to treat him like any other student and favor him in no way, positive or negative. Debbie had held onto the agreement, even if sometimes the only thing she wanted to do was to smack him across the head.
Sighing, Debbie concentrated on relaxing her over-active mind, slowly letting her pain subsidize. It took a little longer then she would have wished, but eventually her sore brain calmed down. She was able to let herself relax against the chair, lowering her mug to her lap, still tightly wrapped in her hands. Staring down at her coffee, again her mind drifted to family as she admired her wedding ring. Perhaps she could get assistance from Darren on the matter of Kalib’s obvious disobedience in her classroom. He was always more open with his father then he was with her; Kalib favored Darren’s company where Andy remained – in her opinion – mommy’s little boy. It always amused her, having three of the four family members crowding Hogwarts. Her gaze drifted to her dark coffee, watching the swirls lazily move about in her cup.

The nasally bell echoed throughout the school just then, breaking into her mind frame and signally another start to classes. Thank goodness for planning period. Somehow Debbie figured she would be wasting away her planning period for today with relaxing, no real planning of any sort. She was well set for her next few classes as it was and felt using up a day for personal comfort was alright; a compromise she often used. She was too organized for her own good anyways; she could very well never use another planning period again and still be perfectly capable to see through lessons that were already planned. As last minute students scurried to their classes, Debbie again focused on relaxing her mind – it was days like this when she really missed her childhood.

[etiennediable]

ooc: Hey there Bella ^^ Thought I'd post here because all the other teachers seem to have gone into hiding. Very short post, I apologize. But, it's over 300 words, so I can just about get away with it.

bic:

"Dreaming of the quiet times..."

At last - planning period.

Diable grinned as he contemplated a full two hours, lounging about in the Staff Room, drinking coffee and killing flies lazily with his wand. The grueling morning was finally over - no more first years for a whole week.

Checking and double checking he had everything locked away (Black and Potter had been known...) Etienne closed the door to his office and started to stroll down towards the Ground Floor. Today hadn't been too bad if he really put things into perspective. But still - Professor Diable wasn't known for putting a positive spin on things. He made a mental note to go up to the Owlery during Lunch Break - he needed to send a letter to his girlfriend, and his owl, Francoise, had been lazing up there for days. He thought she could do with some exercise, at any rate. Otherwise - she soon wouldn't be able to make deliveries at all.

Finally reaching the Entrance Hall, Diable took the passage to the left which would take him swiftly to,

The Staff Room

The gold-plated plaque was chipped in places, but the writing was a clear as ever. He put his ear against the polished oak door and, sure there was no-one inside, pushed gently.

However, he was wrong.

"Oh, 'allo Deborah - what a lovely surprise! I certainly did not expect to see you 'ere."

Damn, looked like he'd be forced into polite conversation for the next hour - relaxation wasted. Etienne smiled mechanically and sank into one of the armchair opposite Professor Hemlock.

"'Ow eez Kalib? Andy? I 'ope zee are well."

Diable's strong French accent was laid thick on every word.

[debbie]

OOC: Why hello there Jen! ^^ I’m glad someone finally answered – I was beginning to think no one liked Debbie. ;-]


Carefully Debbie crafted the picture in her mind, reliving one of her favorite past times. She had been about four, maybe five, and it was here birthday. She had been abruptly woken up by a clawing at her door, scared silly thinking it had been the big bad monster her father had warned her about the night before. The younger Debbie had tentively slipped out from under her sheets, nervous as the clawing became fiercer. Of course, she had to laugh now, understanding it had all been a set up – waiting for her was a hyperactive puppy, ready to be loved. Debbie wasn’t very creative as a child, deciding firmly his name would be the Little Monster – Little M for short. She was now out in the yard, playing with the small dog with giggles escaping her every few seconds, her Little Monster –

– vanished quite suddenly, being replaced with the staff room and becoming aware of her warm mug once more. Blinking back her numbed state, Debbie looked up to the door, the sound of its squeaking breaking her daydream. “Oh, 'allo Deborah…” Politely she formed a smile, always trying to keep on best terms with her co-workers. “Mmm, bonjour là professeur,” she replied smoothly, speaking the little French she knew. Understanding Diable had been a tad bit hard when first arriving at Hogwarts, but quickly had realized his words were English lathered in a French accent. But it ran in the Hemlock family: subtly showing off was instinct.

“'Ow eez Kalib? Andy? I 'ope zee are well?” Debbie let out a something of a snort, wondering vaguely if perhaps Diable had some hidden talent of reading minds. Often her thoughts were on her family, but did it really show all that much? “They’re both fine, thank you,” she answered casually as he sunk into the armchair across from her. “Andy seemed happy enough about the move and loves it here; Kalib’s a bit…harder. I’m sure he enjoys it, but…” She shrugged it off, adding quickly “He does still find himself trouble; he actually almost had his finger chopped of by that ridiculous bird of his,” Debbie added with a dry laugh, remembering his story. The giant black owl had decided that being woken up for purposes for mail was unacceptable and made her son pay by taking a good snap at his hand. “I suppose he’s just as happy here though,” she concluded dully, knowing she had probably just bored the poor man to death. “And you?” Debbie asked in return, taking another long sip of her coffee.