You Never Know (Archie)

[Deleted]

June 7, 2027

Returning to Hogwarts felt more like coming home than returning from a year at Beauxbatons. Despite how luxurious the French school was in every regard, Dasha had spent most of her time making sure not to make a wrong move. It would have been far easier to let her past slip out there, where Etiquette was an academic subject, than at Hogwarts, where she had seemed to be more accepted. Plus, there was Quidditch. Being Ravenclaw's Seeker still felt like a dream, and Dasha had wanted to continue playing as soon as she could. She hadn't expected at all that she would end up being appointed Ravenclaw's team captain, too.

Unsure if the school had had to replace its broomsticks after the fire, Dasha had managed to convince her brother, Dmitri, to let her purchase a racing broom of her own. It wasn't the newest or most expensive model; it was just a Firebolt Supreme, but it was better than the plain Firebolt that she had flown in her fifth year. The best part was that it was hers and not the school's, so she would be able to take it with her once she graduated.

With the way that Hogwarts had been restructured since she was there last, she was officially a student of the Lufkin Institute for Further Education (LIFE). The name sounded very impressive, Dasha thought, and it was her understanding that she would be able to take some subjects that she hadn't taken previously. She was looking forward to it. She was looking forward to the library, which she hoped would be bigger and better than before. She was even looking forward to being back in a dormitory, finding it better than continuing to live on her own in Little Hangleton while Dmitri remained in Russia.

The other benefit to being a LIFE student was that she didn't have to wait for September for the academic year to begin. It was only June, but she was back to school again. While it was a bit strange not to have to wear a uniform, Dasha was glad not to have to. The weather would have been far too warm for the Hogwarts robes that she had had to wear previously, so she was dressed in a blouse and skirt instead.

After getting her belongings situated in her dorm room, she decided that finding out where her classrooms were would be a good start and set off for LIFE's Central Building.

octavian archimedes vector jr.

[octavian archimedes vector jr.]

the memory won't escape me

June 7, 2027
@dasha

It was strange to teach in the heat of June, where he’d grown accustomed to the chillier fall weather when the students usually arrived at the beginning of September. But it had not even been a week, and the students seemed genuinely happy to be there despite their lack of a summer break. And Archie had missed teaching. The drabby old conference rooms of the Ministry had grown tiresome. However, everyone was still adjusting to the new campus. Archie had gotten the hang of where things were. As a Professor at L.I.F.E, he spent quite a lot of time on their portion of the campus. However, his offices were located with the rest of the High Council on the M.A.G.I.C. campus. Fortunately, the Council had allowed him a second but far smaller office near where he taught his classes.

It also felt strange to see the Ravenclaw sigil next to his name. The eagle gleamed in its blue and bronze next to 'Octavian A. Vector, II'. But his counterpart’s name plaques gleamed similarly. They were all brand new though Archie felt strange as the least experienced member. It also felt odd that not one single individual was technically in charge. Archie would confer with the Heads of the other Houses and the Head of Security when decisions were to be made. Slinging his signature messenger bag over his shoulder, Archie existed his main office and walked toward the L.I.F.E. classrooms.

As he walked through the central building to pick up letters that were brought from the Owlery, he exited and saw a familiar face. He was rather enjoying running into students he had not seen in over a year. ”Ms. Krovopuskova.” Archie happily greeted her. In fact, one of the tasks on his to-do list for the week was to find her at some point. ”I’m glad I ran into you, actually.” He approached, a friendly grin on his face. ”Are you finding your classes alright? The layout can be…confusing, but you’ll get used to it quickly.” Archie assured her.

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[Deleted]

June 7, 2027

"Ms. Krovopuskova."

Dasha realized that it was Professor Vector who was approaching her, and he added that he was glad that he had found her, which matched up with his tone. It was a bit surprising that the professor said that he was glad to see her. Although she had never had a negative relationship with any of her teachers, whether at Hogwarts or at Beauxbatons, Dasha couldn't recall having been told that by any of them before. Having only had two years of regular schooling under her belt—not including being taught at home by Dmitri—and at two very different schools meant that she had had to feel her way through a lot of the previous two years.

"Hello, Professor Vector. It's very good to see you." Dasha replied.

Now that she was in her seventh year (or her second year of NEWT studies, as they were calling it now) and Ravenclaw's Quidditch captain, she had a more established presence at Hogwarts. She wasn't just the new Russian girl who had come out of nowhere to rule the Quidditch pitch anymore.

"Are you finding your classes alright? The layout can be… confusing, but you'll get used to it quickly."

"Yes," she told him. Even though she hadn't actually found where any of her classrooms were yet, it was easier than clarifying that she had only seen the inside of her dormitory so far. It was a nice dormitory, though. "The buildings are different, but they are much bigger than before." Dasha wasn't sure if she was right about that, but the space seemed to be used more efficiently. There were three schools instead of one, after all.

octavian archimedes vector jr.

[octavian archimedes vector jr.]

the memory won't escape me

June 7, 2027
@dasha

As Archie recalled, Dasha had been one of the quieter students. The students didn't realize most of the time that the Professors noted all personality types. Naturally, the extroverts garnered more attention up front, but it didn't mean the quiet ones didn't also cause trouble at times. Their cleverness and patience would still land them in detention. Not that Dasha had fallen in that group, but she had certainly surprised with her Quidditch prowess.

"I believe they are." Archie agreed, but magic helped solve many problems in that regard. Off the top of his head, he knew that there was a steady increase in the student population over Hogwarts' long history. An exponential growth the Headmasters and Headmistresses had kept up with. "I also wanted to congratulate you on your new position." Archie grinned brightly. As the newest Head of House, he was still adjusting to the newer responsibilities, but he was happy nonetheless.

Reaching into a front shirt pocket, he pulled out a shiny badge. It reminded him of his Prefect badge during his school years. "And to make sure you received this." Archie extended his hand, letting the badge sit in his palm as he waited for Dasha to take it.

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[Deleted]

June 7, 2027

Professor Vector agreed with her observation that the buildings at Hogwarts were bigger than before, but he didn't stay on the subject for very long. Instead, he mentioned that he wanted to congratulate her on her new position. Dasha knew that he was speaking of her Quidditch captaincy.

Dasha watched as Professor Vector reached into his shirt pocket but didn't give it much thought at first. She didn't think that she had any reason to, until she realized what the professor had pulled from his pocket. It was a badge to show that she was Ravenclaw's Quidditch captain.

"And to make sure you received this," he told her in reference to the badge.

As gently as she could, Dasha took the badge from the professor's hand, holding it up by its backing as though it might break. She didn't want to get her fingerprints all over it and reduce the way it glinted in the light. It was hard not to admire it, and she caught herself looking at it in awe for a moment. It was only a badge, and she knew that. At the same time, it was a tremendous honor.

"Thank you, Professor Vector," she replied.

Although she didn't have to wear uniform robes around Hogwarts anymore, Dasha carefully pinned the badge to her blouse and made sure not to stick herself as she did. There was no question that she was going to wear it already, even though the Quidditch season was months away.

She could use those months to her advantage, and she had every intention of doing just that. The LIFE students such as herself would have the run of the Quidditch pitch until the MAGIC students arrived to Hogwarts in September. Of course she would be out there practicing whenever her schedule allowed for it, rain or shine. Being the Seeker meant that Dasha didn't have to rely on having other players there, either, which was lucky for her. She could release the Snitch and go after it without having to worry about being hit by Bludgers or colliding with other players in the air.

Dasha had to wonder what her father would think to see her with that captain's badge pinned to her blouse. He would be furious, she imagined, that she had had the nerve to make something of herself. She barely had been allowed an education until Dmitri had gotten her away from him for good. Seeing her thriving at Hogwarts and responsible for her House's Quidditch team in spite of all the bad things that had happened to her—many at his own hands—would be painful for him, and Dasha didn't mind if it hurt.

octavian archimedes vector jr.