I'MMA SLAY SOME GIANTS (JASPER&ARCHIE)

[Deleted]

April 2026

With final exams fast approaching, followed by the end of the year, it felt as though the students were getting restless. Jasper had been working hard, doing his best to teach each year to their level. He was hardest on his N.E.W.T level class. He had given them ample opportunities to put their knowledge to practice. They should be ready for the exams. But as an academic class, he still had to give them course work to do when not in class. That was what he was on now. The downside to course work, was that he had to grade it on his own time. The former curse breaker often longed for his time in the tombs of Italy. Anything could happen, and one must always be on the ready. His life had drastically changed in the space of a year. He had gotten the swing of things fairly quick. But even now, almost new the end of the academic year, he still trudged with sleep. This had nothing to do with any current activities, but the curse that had forced his retirement.

The man sat at a table in the teachers lounge, parchments out as he worked through his student's work. A cup of coffee magically refilled as he finished up the last one. That would be it for the night. But that didn't mean he was looking forward to the night. When he closed his eyes to rest, that was when the shadows attacked. with a wave of his hand creamer was poured into the cup and a spoon moved to stir it. Charms and simple spells were came naturally to him. Finalizing his marks on the assignment, he set it aside, and waved as the papers moved into a bag that he would take with him when he finally decided to leave the teachers lounge. With a sigh he grabbed the cup and took a drink. Sure, it would keep him up, but that was sort of the point now.

octavian archimedes vector jr.

[octavian archimedes vector jr.]

there is a dream inside a dream

i'm wide awake the more i sleep

April 2026
@jasper

Archie shook his head. The two Ravenclaw fifth years scurried back toward Ravenclaw Tower. He’d had to take a few points from his old house as the students were out of bed after hours. And unfortunately, he recognized them, and it was not their first offense. He didn’t take pleasure in taking away house points or handing out detention when it was needed. He didn’t see it beneficial to some students. A repeat offender? Perhaps. But Archie had always considered himself more laid back than some of the other Professors. Maybe that’s why he wasn’t a head of house either. Though his good friend had the mantle of Ravenclaw House for now.

Walking down the steps, he heard his footsteps echo, and one portrait glared at him angrily as the slight noise he made woke him up. But it was an old Castle. What did they expect? Walking down the hall, he turned a corner and entered the Teacher’s Lounge. It was always a toss-up on whether someone was in here at this hour, but sometimes Archie simply couldn’t sleep, and he’d walk around to clear his mind or come here to chat with whoever was awake. It looked as though today was Jasper’s turn for a late-night conversation. They had actually been in the same year while at Hogwarts. But Jasper had been in Slytherin while Archie was in Ravenclaw, and they’d both entered Cursebreaking at the same time, though he’d obviously lasted longer in the profession than Archie had.

”Late night?” He took a seat at the same table as his colleague. Jasper had taken up the post for the Charms Professor, and while he hadn’t observed his classes, the other Professors spoke about his mastery of the subject. The years of Cursebreaking likely helped that, but it was still his first year on the job. ”How you like it so far?” Archie asked. The first year had been a bit rough for him personally as he dealt with personal issues, but now he had the hang of it.

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[Deleted]

Taking points away was a pleasure that teachers have, and it didn't matter if the offending student was from their old house or not. As a former prefect, this wasn't new for Jasper. Though he still didn't particularly enjoy taking points form Slytherin students, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't do it if it was deserving. But Jasper was there to teach charms, unfortunately dealing out punishments was part of a professors job. Each punishment was up to the discretion of the professor who was dealing with them. For Jasper, he much preferred to have the punishment fit the crime. Often using the punishment to help the student learn from what had happened. Though that was easier when, say a student spells a fountain in the middle of the castle. For students out after hours, it was a bit harder.

It had gotten late, and so the Charms professor was just a little surprised when someone came in. But He knew that he wasn't the only adult in the castle with a difficult time sleeping. Jasper often found him waking from his curse induced night terrors. After that, there was no hope for further sleep. Once that happened, Jasper found it therapeutic to wonder the halls as a large tiger. Rumors of large wild cats wondering the halls at night weren't only rumors. Though for the student's sake, Jasper wouldn't admit openly to being one of those big cats.

Jasper looked up to see who was entering the teachers lounge, it was pleasant to see Archie coming in. While they had been in different houses, they had been in the same year, and even went into the same career right after graduation. He set down his coffee as he made eye contact with the other man. "Thought I'd get some grading down before heading to my quarters." Not all the teachers in the castle lived there, but Jasper found it an excellent place to stay while still avoiding his family. Jasper smiled at the man, who was sitting down at the table. Teaching hadn't been Jaspers first choice at career, that was clear. But his recognized mastery of charms was well fit in the career of Charms teacher. "It's not the worst. And honestly, sometimes it's nice to slow down." It was a partial truth. There were still many times when he longed for his old life. He had been forced away form the life he had created. One curse, that as all it took. Jasper let out a heavy sigh and took another drink form his cup. He was tired, but the longer he could stay awake, the better. "But I'd be lying if I said that I didn't miss those days. What brings you here tonight?"

octavian archimedes vector jr.

[octavian archimedes vector jr.]

there is a dream inside a dream

i'm wide awake the more i sleep

April 2026
@jasper

Archie nodded. Grading sometimes felt as tedious as tip-toeing through a narrow passage in Egypt, though not as dangerous unless you counted the risk of falling asleep in one’s chair. He supposed he was used to it by now, but his first year had been the adjustment to make sure he kept up with the homework he assigned and making sure the students understood the material. Numbers could be dull and monotonous if not taught correctly, and Archie remembered nodding off during Fourth Year many times despite how naturally the subject came to him.

”It’s quite the adjustment, isn’t it?” The change of speed from Cursebreaking to almost anything else was almost like dunking one’s head in cold water. Archie had opted to work at the Museum, which was slower but still had the excitement of history and the items brought in to be evaluated and learned about. It was like he began working the next part of the assembly line rather than the whole new career that it had been. ”My first few months at the Museum were terribly dull, but then I learned to enjoy it.” So much had changed in his life since he’d graduated. He wasn’t that eager eighteen-year-old looking for adventure and glory to make up for the attention he was really seeking. But now that his father was dead, being close to home felt more important than anything.

”I can’t sleep sometimes, so I take a walk.” Archie crossed his arms and slouched slightly in his chair. ”I remember the first year I was walking around, and I ran into my old Head of House, he retired at the end of that year, but I thought he was going to give me detention before he reminded me I was a Professor now.” Archie grinned at the memory. It was easy to see something and feel that sense of déjà vu or feel like you were seventeen again.

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[Deleted]

There were many times while grading over the last year that Jasper had found himself longing for the tombs and tunnels under the beautiful cities and countries that he worked in. Then he was always in guard, but now, he felt as if falling asleep in the teachers lounge he would awaken relatively unscathed. In a way, it was boring, but also had it's benefits. It did take time, he was still settling in. There was clearly an adjustment period. Charms was a subject students took from the start of their time at Hogwarts. But he was able to approached the subject as a curse breaker. That, in his mind, gave him a bit of a unique edge. The man agreed that there was an adjustment. Archie knew that first hand. Jasper chuckled and nodded. "You've got that right."

Life of a Curse Breaker was ever moving, if you relaxed, you would die. Always moving forward, careful to observe every aspect before you took a step into a new area. Just about every career after a decade of that, would be slow. Sometime, painfully slow. "Yea? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy teaching. It was just one moment I was on the job, the next I was waking up and having to find a new career." He shrugged, playing it off, but still, it had been quite hard on him. He hadn't lost too much time, but there was still a gap. Luckily his good friend Meric helped him get the job at Hogwarts. Hopefully next year it would be even better. In all honestly, it was only a matter of time before he would have to settle down, or something worst could have happened. The biggest down side was that he was still trying to avoid certain members of his family. Living and working at Hogwarts made that easier. But it was a fact, he wasn't a kid any more. His bright eyes had dulled, and he would have to figure out what the next few chapters of his life would hold.

The man mentioned not being able to sleep sometimes and Jasper nodded. "I know how that goes." He said, taking a drink of his coffee. He struggled with sleeping, but didn't like to talk about it to too many people. It wasn't something that could be erased. He could only hope that the curse would fade with time. Jasper chuckled as Archie reminisced about the first time he had been out late as a professor. "I used to feel that way too. Like I was doing something wrong. But lately if I do wonder at night, I do it as my animagus form." He said truthfully. Sure, that had been part of the source of rumors, but on nights that the shadows truly haunted him, the large tiger form helped him feel secure, and safe. For what would dare to go up against a large, solo hunter with claws and teeth made for ripping through flesh and killing instantly.

octavian archimedes vector jr.

[octavian archimedes vector jr.]

there is a dream inside a dream

i'm wide awake the more i sleep

April 2026
@jasper

There was a part of the job he missed. The new and the adventure but also the comradery. When you worked for the bank, it didn’t matter where you came from, what school you had gone to, your blood status, or even your name. Not that the Vector name was known for anything aside from the reputation his grandmother had left behind and the unfortunate reputation his father had left behind after that. At least now, people would either think of Arithmancy or the bakery his Aunt ran with the help of his sister. But, for a while, it was nice to feel like he was part of some real family and all the support that came along with it.

”Where did you work? I didn’t make it out of Egypt before I retired.” His training years had been spent there, Meric in the class behind him, and then he’d worked for a couple of years before an accident brought him back down to the reality of his mortality in this field. But he figured it might have been nice to see different parts of the world. Maybe China or Central America. Archie nodded. It was a similar story with many that went into teaching. They were in their career one day, and then the next, they were in front of a class of second years who were passing notes instead of paying attention.

Archie chuckled. How could he forget? So far, the students hadn’t caught on, especially now that two of the staff had animagus forms. ”I overheard my fourth years discussing it a few days ago. You and Renfri are making the Hufflepuffs afraid of the dungeons.” The Slytherins would never admit they were scared, but he was a student once himself, and it was fun to be on the other side of things sometimes. Archie yawned slightly, pausing as he felt how tired and awake he was at the same time. ”I like it here, though. Once you get used to all that you have to do.” At first, it had been weird because his siblings were still students, and he was only close to Nova, really, who had graduated already. His twin half-sisters and triplet half-brothers were mentioned, but he didn’t know them that well to comment on them.

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[Deleted]

When he became a curse breaker, he was no longer Jasper Yaxley, the youngest of the three Yaxley children. Purebloods, former death eaters. No, he was just Jasper. He was apart of a family he had chosen, and had effectively ran away from the Yaxley name. He had finished his running. Sure he wasn't interested in bumping into any of them now, but he did feel as though he was done running. Well, maybe that wasn't entirely true. He had hunkered down in the castle of his youth to teach. Sure, he left, but not too often.

The man asked where he had worked, and Jasper answered mediately, it wasn't a hard question. "Trained in Egypt, then mostly stayed around Greece and Italy, with the occasional side jobs elsewhere." He had been on the job for ten years. Jasper had been known as the expert in those areas by the end of it. In his later years, he had even gone to jobs that had links and ties to those countries. It was common though for training to begin in Egypt. There were so many explored, and unexplored tombs, along with areas that were still yet to be discovered.

While it was true that he missed curse breaking, teaching wasn't all bad. Though the most frustrating part of it, was that the young students never seemed to fully grasp the opportunity they had been given. Unfortunately the classroom setting was good for learning, but not the best for teaching the kids just how the real world worked. Practice was great, but real world application was even more important. That was the thing that he hoped he got through to the kids.

It seemed as that everyone had heard the rumors. he knew there were some students who had seen them, and for others? They were subject to the scary whispers they heard in passing. He chuckled a bit, unsurprised that students would be afraid of those rumors. Both were solitary hunters, and both could easily catch and kill it's prey. "Interesting. But they know that they have to be Animagus right?" He brightened. Sure, he didn't like the idea that students were afraid, but it just meant that the rumor mil hadn't deduced that those wondering predictors weren't animagus roaming the halls. That meant that for all the Hufflepuff's knew, they were wild animals released at night to ensure that no student wandered out at night.

Jasper let out a sigh, and smiled up at the man. He was glad of the encouragement. "I finally feel like i'm getting a decent grasp on things, and the years nearly ended. But That only means that I can do better next year." He intended to use the summer to rearrange his entire class itinerary. Overhauling the entire class and doing it his way. He had gotten the job so late, he didn't have much of a choice to to start rolling with what had been there previously. Sure, he worked hard to make it his own, but with a years worth of experience, he knew that he could make it even better the next year. "Sometimes the hardest part is keeping the interest of the students that obviously doesn't actually want to be there. But have to due to their age, or their career of choice."

octavian archimedes vector jr.

[octavian archimedes vector jr.]

there is a dream inside a dream

i'm wide awake the more i sleep

April 2026
@jasper

Archie nodded as he listened. It sounded fascinating to do their kind of work outside of Egypt. Not that Egypt was a bad place to work, but the world was such a large and fascinating place. ”How was Greece? It seems like an interesting place to work.” His curiosity was piqued but also because of his time at the museum. ”When I was at the museum, we received a lot of items from there, I’d never gotten a chance to visit. There was that regret. And it came over Archie now and then where he contemplated how his life might have been different. But then he thought about his experiences and what that might do to his Aunt Decima and younger sister if something happened to him.

And there were even days he missed working at the museum, but he enjoyed his work despite all those thoughts and daydreams. Archie chuckled. The younger students were always wide-eyed until about fourth year, and then they settled a bit better into their time here at the Castle. But it also depended on what they knew and heard. Many had older siblings who had passed through these walls, and muggle-born students were the most curious and fascinated by it all. ”I think there is still something enigmatic about animagus for them. It was never covered in great detail in Transfiguration.” Archie supposed it was to discourage students from attempting to become one. It was heavily regulated, after all.

But Jasper had a good point. Not all students were interested in all subjects or any subjects at all. Each year had their Quidditch enthusiasts or students whose sole purpose in life was to become a famous Auror, but they didn’t realize all the NEWTs that they would need. ” It's impossible to get all of them, unfortunately. But the ones that do care make it worth it.” There were the overachievers, the teacher’s pets, and know-it-alls, but then there were the ones that tried their hardest, and even if they weren’t at the top of the class, their determination was clear. ”With the NEWTs that we needed to get, it all seems straightforward. My sister taught me a lesson in that—not everyone is going to have the same approach I do.” While Nova was as bright as Archie was, she played her strengths well and hadn’t gone the same path he did. Not that Archie would ever say it was negative, she just wanted her to be happy and healthy as any older brother would.

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[Deleted]

The other man seemed quite interested when Jasper mentioned he had worked in Greece. The man nodded. "It was great, sure, there was a learning curve, their ancient magical history is deeply rooted with the muggle pagan beliefs." He mentioned. "But the items were all quite unique. Many related to Hecate, but plenty of them followed other deities." Jasper happily shared. He had loads of information about the country and it's ancient magical history, knowledge that seemed to be going to waste now that he was the charms professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "It's a great place, you really should go." He encouraged his fellow professor. "I'd love to go back sometime." he added wistfully. Though he wouldn't be able to go to active tombs and areas where curse breakers were working, it would still be nice to see the sights again.

It was fair to remember that Animagus wasn't covered in transfiguration until their third year. And then it is just a lecture, often with a demonstration. For those students, it was just taught as a theory lesson, seeing as they couldn't practice or even attempt it until they were much older. Being an animagus, and the existence of animagi was such a normal existence for Jasper, sometimes he forgot that some students wouldn't have first hand experience with such a wizard, or at least one that they remembered. To Archie's reply Jasper just had to nod. "Guess I take it for granted now a days." He had earned his tiger form shortly after graduation. "The process isn't easy, but it's still good to keep it shrouded in mystery while the students are still too young." He relented.

What the man said, about keeping student's intrigued being impossible for every student. It was true, and sometimes discouraging. But unfortunately all a professor could do was their best. "You are right there. Seeing a student finally getting the concept, made it all worth it." That wasn't the only thing. there had been some students who had talked to him about how to become a curse breaker, and what they could do to improve their skills. He loved to see students trying hard to understand what was going on. It really did make it all worth it. It was hard to believe that the end of the year would be on them so soon. He nodded, appreciating the comment. It was true, no one would approach their end of year exams the same. No teacher, and no student. "You're right there."

octavian archimedes vector jr.

[octavian archimedes vector jr.]

there is a dream inside a dream

i'm wide awake the more i sleep

April 2026
@jasper

Archie could see that. Greek mythology was fascinating without taking into account the magic in the area and in the past. He wondered how the ruins might differ from Egyptian tombs in the large pyramids or even the small ones in the early step pyramids. Then again, Archie was fascinated with ancient civilizations and their discoveries. The mathematicians of Ancient Greece were still famous to this day. Like his middle-name sake, Archimedes to which he shorted to Archie. ”Can’t forget the math!” Archie added enthusiastically. It was something his sister might roll her eyes at, but Cursebreakers didn’t take Arithmancy because it was fun. Patterns mattered in places like Greece and Egypt, where it was essential to the survival of the culture but the advancement of ideas.

He nodded his head, contemplating when he would be able to go. ”I suppose I can pop over during the summer.” Maybe Nova would be interested, or he could go on a trip by himself as well. He didn’t mind doing that either. Jasper spoke about his experience as an animagus, it was fascinating, and it had crossed Archie’s mind at one point as it did every seventeen-year-old boy but then thought against it. The process was a lengthy one, and it wasn’t easy either. ”I think the fact that both you and Renfri are added to the mystery, I’m sure the students don’t think there would be two on staff.” It was all timing, he supposed, but it was nice to see that glimmer of the excitement of a mystery in the student’s eyes.

Teaching was a special profession. It wasn’t as glamorous as Law Enforcement or even Cursebreaking, but it was a worthy profession. Many students walked through his classroom door and would go on to do great things—or at least he assumed. Plus, teaching had allowed him to reconnect with old friends and make new ones, plus be closer to his family. Archie had realized in hindsight he had put distance between himself and the people important to him, and after his father died, it just became a glaring detail. ”Well the both of you have the students talking.” Archie spoke. More and more students asked for interesting stories about adventures in an attempt to skip a lecture but also, there were any former Cursebreakers on the roster now. ”My sister says Hogwarts has become the retirement home for Cursebreakers.” They were all there for one reason or another, and there was mutual respect and understanding of their individual experiences and what brought them to teach. The important thing is that they had made it out alive.

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[Deleted]

Jasper couldn't help but laugh. Greed in ancient days had a thriving society of thespians, philosophers, mathematicians, astronomers, and beyond. Much of the knowledge of today started as a conversation there. "No, can't forget about the math." so many sites, like the Parthenon in Athens. the structure, while weathered and crumbling, it was clear that they were masters of math and architecture. Even now with modern technology, the Parthenon was still a wonder and a masterpiece. As a curse breaker, you had to be a bit of a jack of all trades. You needed to know the history of the area, charms, mathematics, runes, and know that everything you know is still not enough. A curse breaker who is cocky, isn't one that will survive very long.

The man always encouraged people to follow their dreams. But not just their dreams, but their desires as well. Not that he was one to talk. There were many things he wanted, but he held himself back form them. But traveling during the summer was something he too had thought about. "Not a bad idea." He agreed. Sure, he'd want to put some more work into his lesson plans, but perhaps he'd be able to go and visit for a bit. And maybe he'd seek other opportunities he had thought about.

Becoming an animagus was a lengthy and complex process. Once a witch or wizard was of legal adult age, they could start attempting it. Some it took them months, others years. Many gave up after having to start over, again. "Yea, guess so. If any of them wanted to look up the Animagus registry, they'd find out quickly." He wasn't sure how open the list was to the public, but he did know that both his, and Renfri's names were proudly on there. The process had so many ins and outs of it, so many points of failure, and if you did mess up one tiny bit, you'd have to start it all over again. For the most part, it required constant attention until the process was completed. While he could out himself as the tiger that wonders the halls at night, it was more entertaining to hear the students talk about it. The mystery and excitement of something that clearly was not classroom topics, but still brought a livelihood to them. It brought a spark, a passion for magic, and just something fun and new to the school

Jasper saw great potential in most, if not all of his students. Being a professor was rewarding, though not how he originally thought it would be. All he could do was encourage them, and teach them the proper spells that they would need for there future. Plus, being at Hogwarts helped him reconnect with friends, and he had even seen Beatrice, his Hogwarts school years girlfriend. They had a run in on Zombie Island, and then again on New Years Eve. Like the young boy that he still felt when she was around, he wanted to see more of her. One of the down sides, he was closer in proximity to the Yaxley family. He didn't exactly like that, but that was why he had chosen to bunk in the castle for his first year of teaching.

A smile cam to his face when Archie mentioned how the two former curse breakers and animagi had the students talking. He hoped they enjoyed the mystery. ”My sister says Hogwarts has become the retirement home for Cursebreakers.” At that, Jasper couldn't help but laugh. "It kind of has, hasn't it?" He thought of all the former curse breakers who, for one reason or another, had left the career and moved to teach at Hogwarts. "I really hadn't thought about it that way. I mean, Meric was the one who suggested I come here after..." He trailed off. Jasper didn't like to speak about his accident often. But Aymeric was one of his oldest friends, who also went into curse breaking, then later became the potions professor.

octavian archimedes vector jr.

[octavian archimedes vector jr.]

there is a dream inside a dream

i'm wide awake the more i sleep

April 2026
@jasper

The mathematical ability of ancient civilizations had always fascinated Archie. The pragmatic nature that they applied their theorems and the simple ways they derived them was a testament to what they were all really capable of. It had taken him some time to realize what his true passions were, and Cursebreaking had been an eye-opener in terms of seeing the world, but it wasn’t what he‘d wanted to do by any means. While working at the museum, he realized that was his passion. The artifacts and their connections to the modern-day—and now he hoped he could help his students see the fascinating things he saw in the world and inspire them. At least inspire them in a way nobody had bothered with him.

Archie gave a light shrug. Jasper was correct. One just needed to know where to look. And the registry was not the first thing that would ever pop into a student’s mind. Archie remembered being that age—the mystery and the story was far more interesting than what was factual and easy to find. Those days were far easier than the ones that had passed by recently. There was much Archie wished to change but much that he wouldn’t touch. At least teaching had connected him with new individuals and old ones as well, there were always new friends to be made like Renfri or Ivy, or he’d even chatted with the newer professors like Severus. But that was just Archie’s personality, always friendly.

”Right.” Archie knew better than to ask. Even with his short time in the field, it was known that accidents could take out Cursebreakers and force them to choose a new profession if they survived. Archie supposed he’d gotten lucky, and he was thankful—he had his siblings to watch out for. They had no idea what kind of vulture his stepmother actually was. ”It makes though, doesn’t it? Everything we had to study to get into training and then everything learned on the job.” Archie knew he was far less experienced in that sense compared to his former coworkers. ”Students get bored of theory—trust me. But they seem to enjoy the few stories I have where the numbers did matter.” It didn’t happen often, but dangerous jobs were safer when you could make them predictable.

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