Office hours. (Open)

[shawn lesley ashcroft]

With a slam of his office door, an exhausted sigh left the Transfiguration professor's mouth. Shawn loved his job more than he loved a good butterbeer. Which a good Butterbeer was already hard to top. Yet, he could do without parent-teacher conferences. They crept up on him from out of no where and he never felt prepared for the torrent of emotions that followed. On the outside they might appear like a simple meeting, it’s how they were explained at least. A meeting between the teacher and parent is a pretty self explanatory thing. That was the case if the student was doing well, a simple how do you do and some praise about their student. After which the parents left feeling proud and at times almost smug about their child’s success.

It was the students who were doing poorly that made these experiences a nightmare. The emotions of parents ranged from rage to incredible sadness. Anger was directed toward himself at times for being a poor professor. It was obviously Shawn’s fault their child wasn’t grasping the courses or magic it would seem. Worse yet was when the rage was toward the student. Far too often for his liking, Shawn found himself gritting his teeth as they shouted. Especially when he knew that the student wasn’t intentionally doing poorly. At this point, Shawn knew the difference between when a student was struggling or just didn’t care to try. He himself had been the latter as a student.

Shawn braced himself for whatever type of parent opened his door next. He had to be nearing the end of people who wanted to meet with him he could only hope. It wasn’t normally that huge a turn out even if it left him exhausted and in dire need of a drink afterward. Shawn massaged a temple as he was curious how other professors were fairing. While he didn’t wish them to have any headache families he also hoped he wasn’t the only one in this situation.


(Open)

[Alora Veda Astor]

Alora had sent out memos via owl post to the parents of her students. Sometimes she still suffered impostor syndrome quite severely, and the last thing she needed was a load of parents landing on top of her asking questions about their perfect little wixen. Of course, the school had said they were told to host parent-teacher meetings, yet Alora had no interest in doing so. Her memos contained small personalized reports on each student's progress, and any concerns that she had about their work or areas they could improve on. While slightly more time-consuming; she had been efficient about it, dictating to her enchanted quill and the effect had been wonderful. At the end of the notes, she had said that yes, they could continue to have a meeting if they were all that concerned, but none of them actually had been. So that was a win, in a way she supposed.

It meant the evening was hers to do what she wished with, which was great and all, but she unsurprisingly didn't have anything to fill her time with.

Yes, she had wandered down to the village, except she'd returned in enough of a hurry. Everywhere teemed with happy couples, or annoying students pretending to be happy. It was too much that everywhere she turned she was reminded of the fact of what she wasn't.

No. Instead, she had purchased two bottles of Druid Strawberry wine, and headed to someone who she knew would be glad to have the company. She hadn't had to wait long in line. Just half an hour till the parents fucked off and she stood at his office door. Eventually, she gave an exaggerated overzealous knock, hoping to freak him out.

shawn lesley ashcroft

[shawn lesley ashcroft]

Shawn didn’t have to wait long for the next pounding of the door. It was a hurried and rather loud series of knocks. All of which didn’t spell a happy outcome for the Transfiguration professor. The chances that it was going to be an irritating parent or parents were already raised at this point. He could only hope it wasn’t the rather shrill woman who had personally sent him a howler. All because her ‘precious little boy’ was turned into a rat for a whole day. All thanks to the dangerous spells he was teaching. Not the fact that her son had cheated on his current girlfriend. Oh, the drama Shawn got to listen to. So many students just acted like the professors couldn’t hear half the things they whispered so loudly in class. Shawn also let it slide as he didn’t mind the harmless chatter as long as the work was getting done. Either way, the boy returned to normal quickly but it wasn’t good enough for the mother. 

All Shawn could do was pray to Merlin that it wasn’t her. He gave him a few more seconds before he waved his hand, the door to his office slowly opening. From the angle his desk was at he could see just who was standing there. The exhausted look quickly disappeared into a small smile. “Ms. Astor, as you know these meetings aren’t for students. You’ll have to come back later.” Shawn’s sentence ended with a laugh as he motioned for her to come in. She wasn’t much younger than him, only by a few years, but enough that the jokes just seemed to work. “Still, I can make the time I suppose. Anything to get away from these parents. No one told me working with children involved the parents so much.” He added sarcastically and kidding still.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

As the door began to move, she frowned slightly; her plan had been foiled. Well, there goes that, anyway. She stepped forward regardless, coming into the light and holding up the two bottles of wine with a grin to Shawn.

It was when he spoke, she stopped short and rolled her eyes. Forever a flirt. It was unfortunate she never saw him in that way. It could have been a lot of fun for both of them, and yet, to her Shawn was closer to a brother figure. Her smirk returned, she eyed him, mischief glinting in her big amber eyes.

"Nah, I sent them all away; said you'd see them tomorrow. Just to drag it out and make it really difficult for you" Setting both bottles down with a clunk she took the recently vacated seat and leaned back. After the look he shot her, her grin broke again "I'm kidding, they're all done. Don't worry." Furrowing her brow, she whipped her wand through the air and summoned a glass each for them, to at least pretend to be civilized.

"Was yours really that bad? I brought us something nice to deal with it" Frowning now for an entirely different reason, she struggled to uncork the first bottle.

shawn lesley ashcroft

[shawn lesley ashcroft]

Stepping into his office he could tell from Alora’s face she was expecting him to react differently. Possibly to expect she was a parent for longer than he had. Either way, Shawn’s attention was quickly drawn to the two bottles in her hands as she was now smiling once more. All he could do was laugh as she explained how she sent the remaining parents away, to come back tomorrow just to drag them out. Sitting down a cross from him she placed the two bottles on his desk. “That’s fine, I was thinking about calling out. I know a lovely Herbology professor that would love to take notes on my meetings tomorrow and hand them to me when I’m back.” Shawn teased for a moment knowing they were just having a fun back and forth. She added that she was just kidding, he was done with his meeting. It was a relief there weren’t another few just standing outside his door.

Alora asked if his meeting were really that bad before explaining why she had the bottles. With a wave of Shawn’s hand two nearby books on his desk turned into drinking glasses. He offered her one of the glasses before speaking. “On average no, but there are a few parents that want to make this process a nightmare. Almost makes this a drink from the bottle kind of night.” Shawn joked for a moment, well half-joked as some parents were a nightmare. “You try being the professor that taught someone’s little girl to turn her hair into all sorts of ‘ridiculous’ colors. Yes, I have heard that one before.” Granted as a herbology professor Alora probably got blamed for silly things like plant bites or something along those lines.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Stopping dead in her tracks at that statement, she pouted playfully and narrowed her eyes. "You fucking wish" after a moment she flipped back her hair and rolled her eyes, brushing it off. She would do no such thing as playing admin during his meetings; that was what a quick quotes quill was for—not wasting her time. But that was just Shawn needling her, as she did with him. It wasn't unlike them, but now she knew what to put on the list for his next birthday.

Listening, she moved swiftly to take one of the glasses and uncorked the first wine bottle with a pop of her wand. It would seem their meetings hadn't gone all that differently, even if Shawn had had more to deal with. "There's always those people. Everywhere" with a lopsided smirk, she began to pour, pausing to sniff at the wine for a moment and almost recoiling at the sweet tang that hit her nose. It wouldn't put her off drinking of course, but it was only half expected. Placing the first glass down on the desk in front of him, she lifted the second and began to pour one for herself now. "Lets at least pretend to be civilised for now Shawn..." After a moment she spoke again.

"If it's any consolation I used to love that spell as someone who got made fun of for apparently having no soul" her smirk turned to a frown when she remembered that was only the top of the pile of what people made fun of her for, but she wouldn't get into that with Shawn. In lieu of beginning to pour her soul out, she held her own now full glass aloft as she left herself collapse into the arm chair he had transfigured for her on the opposite side of his desk. The wooden brown thing had been for the parents; presumably so uncomfortable they wouldn't stay that long. Quickly replaced with Alora's chair once he realised who it was, once there would be no more annoying meetings. Sitting sideways in the chair, she let her legs drape over the arm of the chair, getting comfy before taking a swig from her wine. "Not bad I suppose..."

shawn lesley ashcroft

[shawn lesley ashcroft]

Shawn made a very dramatic and obviously fake gasp after Alora cursed while refusing his idea that she could take over his remaining meetings. “Language Ms.Astor!” Shawn followed with after his gasp. “With such a mouth I’d suggest you wash it out.” He teased for a moment before pointing toward the bottles in her hands. Like he hardly had a problem with cursing. He had to make some fake attempts with students in class but it wasn’t an honest discouragement from the Transfiguration Professor. Unless they were going over board or it was directed toward another student. “Luckily you brought just what I would suggest to wash it out with.”

Alora commented that there would always be people like that, the annoying awful to deal with type. “I can drink to that.” Shawn replied followed by a single small laugh through his nose. “I just wish they didn’t try to make it all happen on one day. Sure, we get it over with but it can get a little too annoying.” There was no doubt that part of his annoyance with the angry parents was because they reminded him in various ways of his own parents. He hadn’t talked to them since he was a teen and hadn’t attempted to change that. “Civilized? You’re talking to the Professor who spends a good part of his time as a dog. They’re lucky I don’t drink and eat out of bowls.” Shawn greatly exaggerated the amount of time he spent in his German Shepard form but it was still more often that people would have guessed.

“Ah yes but it does seem rude that people would make fun of you being a Slytherin like that.” Shawn was aware she was referring to the jokes made about people with red hair. He just instead framed it as her having been a Slytherin in school. “Not everyone is lucky enough to be a Hufflepuff. Please, contain any jealousy you might be feeling.”

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Rolling her eyes she gave Shawn a slight smile. Uppity Hufflepuff. Even if he didn't fully mean it. The teasing was fun sometimes. As was getting to relax like this. With another swig from her wine, she shook her head.

"No no Shawn, that's where you're wrong. Such a Hufflepuff way of thinking." Now it was her turn to tease. "You need it all at once to get it all done and be over with it. Would you really wanna see someone about a different kid every day? Every day you'd have to put a little bit of time aside for an asshole parent?" Raising an eyebrow she stared him down. "No thank you"

A smirk grew on her face as he went on teasing. He took the glass anyway, but he had peaked her interest with one part of his statement. "Would you really?" Her face lit up with mischief as she watched him. The wine may have been going to her head quickly enough, but she didn't mind. She needed one of these evenings every now and then? "Would you sleep in a big comfy dog basket if I got you a nice one? With a warm blanket? And a nice juicy bone to nibble on?" The thought of it sent her into a momentary fit of giggles "Imagine that..." It was rather interesting to think of Animagi in that way. Did people who were birds spend their time flying about and then fill up on bird seed. Did cats nap in their favorite sun spots? Sometimes she was jealous that it was something she had never achieved. She wondered what Animal she'd be if she could and gave another quiet giggle.

Though they evaporated rather quickly as he went on to misinterpret her joke entirely. Her face dead panned as she glared at him "Rude Shawny, not what I meant"

shawn lesley ashcroft

[shawn lesley ashcroft]

A single laugh escaped Shawn’s mouth as Alora explained how having the parent-teacher meetings more spread out would be worse. She had a point, seeing a parent each day would be worse. “True but I wouldn’t mind making it a two-day affair instead of just the one-day blitz of parents,” Shawn explained his point, looking at the wine Alora had brought a little more. Shawn was by no means a wine expert. Some judged it by age, color, smell, and so many other factors. One time he even heard someone talk about the legs on a wine glass. Honestly, as long as it tasted good and provided a relaxing buzz Shawn couldn’t tell the difference. “It would also be an excuse for us to drink two nights in a row instead of just this one. Might just make it worthwhile.”

Alora asked Shawn, he could only imagine teasingly, about what he would do in his dog form. “Imagine?” Shawn asked with a raised eyebrow ready for the follow-up explanation as he downed some of the wine. “What’s the point of being able to turn into an animal if you can’t do whatever they can? Granted it’s not the reason I learned it to begin with.” That was a whole other story, for another time. “Truth is, I spent most of a day as a muggle family's pet once. I was a dog at the time which happened to look just like a pet they had lost.” Shawn couldn’t help but laugh, if the story had a bad ending he might not have. No, he knew he wouldn’t have. Losing something precious wasn’t a laughing matter for anyone. “Well, I couldn’t just run away on them or escape the first chance I had it would break their hearts. They were just so happy. I spent the day there til the family fell asleep. Sweet people, parents, and two little kids. After I left I found their actual pet and put him in my place.” It was a sweet memory to relive, the last time he had told this story was with someone who had been rather special to him for a time. It didn’t hurt as much to think about that last part.

Shawn smirked almost defiantly in the face of Alora's glare. It was obvious that wasn’t what she meant and likewise obvious he was just messing with her. “Please, anyone with any common sense can’t think having red hair might mean they have no soul. Being a Slytherin just seems far more likely.” Shawn fired back once again in, the same old teasing tone. “Sure you’re one of the good ones but that’s just an exception to the rule.”

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

With another half smile, she raised an eyebrow and her glass. "Well, we don't need an excuse to drink Shawny. I'm always up for a night in. Particularly like this. I just need an invite" with a quiet snort she drained the end of her glass, and reached to pour another. "You just have to ask"

The thoughts of her buying Shawn a dog bed and other pupper paraphernalia still lingered in her mind and she gave a low giggle again "I am imagining. It's quite entertaining really" Another long sip before she put down her glass, and watched him again. By now he was regaling her with the tale of him as a pet. Letting her body flop back in the plush confines of the armchair, her head lolled to the side and her eyes locked on him. Her tipsy smile beamed in his direction as she listened. It was an odd story, but a nice one. Nobody else she knew would have been that nice to replace the family dog, even if just for a short period till the real thing was found again. Shawn was one of the good ones. Another soft laugh escaped her lips as he finished. "You're a good one Shawn, yknow that yeah? Probably too good some might say" Probably too nice for her anyway.

She stayed quiet, her eyes closing her a moment as he went on making fun of her. "Still rude.." half muttering, her lips pursed and eyes still closed. Deep in her own thoughts for a moment. With another beat of silence she suddenly sat up, amber eyes locked on him now. The air of mischief had returned. "What sort of dog do you turn into? Have I seen you as a dog? Also, did you always want to be a dog? Do you get to pick when trying to transform, like did you concentrate and say 'hey I realllllly want to be a dog' or did you try and shift and became the dog?" her babbling was innocent, but there was truth to it. These were things on her mind even if they did seem stupid. "I only ask so when I get you a nice new leash and collar I know to get the right size, and a nice colour so they match" leaning forward she gave him another smirk, her eyes now electric and fixed on him as she reached for her glass again. Had what she'd already drank gone straight to her head, and she was feeling a little flirty? Maybe too much so. But for now she was too tipsy to care. Being here was comfortable, it was nice to not care enough to keep up appearances for one evening.

shawn lesley ashcroft

[shawn lesley ashcroft]

Alora explained how he wouldn’t have to wait for another parent-teacher meeting for them to drink together. All he had to do was just invite her. “Well, consider this an open invitation. Especially if you’re bringing the drinks. Granted now that I have a key to the confiscated items cabinet, I have access to the cheap stuff anytime.” Shawn said fully meaning the open invitation. As far as the confiscated items from students, alcohol was a rare one but it wasn’t like it never happened. Still, when he was a student he dreamed of having access to such items that had been taken.

Shawn didn’t personally own a dog bed, not that he never slept as a dog though. He just used a normal bed at those times. He laughed as she said she was imagining it, a soft giggle moments before. “If it’s that entertaining then feel free to bring a dog bed in next time, I’ll lay in it just for you,” Shawn said with a teasing wink before polishing the rest of the wine in his glass. Pouring himself some more. It was a nice flavor as he thought of the wine some more. He never had been much for the harder drinks. Preferring flavor more. Shawn laughed once more as Alora explained he was one of the good ones. “You only say that because you never fell for my lost dog prank.” He sat up from his chair leaning on the desk, his smile growing slightly mischievous. “See, I did this all the time during my Seventh year at Hogsmeade, sometimes even at school. I’d go by someone as a dog, go out of sight, and turn back. Run back to that person. Explaining I had lost my dog, they would help me look and I’d keep changing back and forth when they weren’t looking. This would go on for a few minutes.” Shawn finished explaining with a few deeper laughs. “Merlin knows why they even allowed me to be a professor.”

She muttered ever so slightly that he was still rude and he only smirked slightly. “Just more proof I can’t be too good,” Shawn explained as they spent a few moments just enjoying some silence and their drinks. The silence was broken by Alora asking several questions about his Animagi ability. All things he was more than happy if excited to talk about. “If you've seen a German Shepard at school I’m going to assume you have seen me before but that’s what I turn into.” He didn’t change all too often at school as dogs weren’t allowed at school. It was occasionally fun just for reactions but caused too many students to try to report an unauthorized pet on campus. “Sadly you don’t get to pick what you’ll become. Some people assume your patronus can be related to whatever you might become as an animagi but I’ve seen no proof of that.” Those were all just myths as far as Shawn knew, the two things didn’t match up. “Mostly it’s just what form is meant for you, maybe all that spirit animal stuff has some basis.” It was hard to figure out what someone might become. It was all a risk and part of why a lot of people didn’t attempt the task. “Don’t worry, if you ever want to learn to become an Animagi I’m sure it’ll be something cute. Something red, like a fox or those… those red panda things.”

“Are you saying the leash and collar I have now have gone out of season? That’s rather rude of you.” He teased back, not owning a leash and collar. There hadn’t been a need for one as he just ran from any form of dog catcher that had tried to get him. Which wasn’t too hard when he could turn back to a human when out of sight for a moment.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Her befuddled smile was still happily pasted over her face, leaning back on the cushioned arm chair once again "Ok good, I'll come by more often then. And yes, maybe we can try different drinks.." She wasn't sure what would be in the confiscated cabinet. But as a studious goodie-two-shoes Prefect type growing up, the idea of taking stuff from it now gave her quite a thrill. Even if it wasn't likely to be very good stuff. She'd have fun raiding it with Shawn all the time.

When he actually said he'd try sleeping in a dog bed for her, her grin widened and she sat up to look at him again, cheeks slightly flushed with giddiness "Really really?" her eyebrows shot up and she clapped her hands together "Okay I'll make sure I get you a nice comfortable one" With that promise she had sat back again to listen to him, trying to keep her childish excitement under wraps at least a little bit. She had to think about his prank for a second to fully understand what he actually meant, but afterwards she gave another burst of giggles. Harmless trickery. Fun with no real hurting anyone. That was sort of nice. "That does sound funny though..." eventually she uttered in quiet contentment.

As he got down to actually beginning to answer her questions, she shook her head in response. She hadn't in fact seen a German Shepard running about the place, even outside where her Greenhouse was. She listened for another moment as he riddled out the answers. It didn't sound as fun, not getting about to pick. With a small frown her cheeks flushed again. She had never been able to manage a corporeal patronus; despite her high academic background sometimes her casts and charms weren't always top class. So sadly she never knew if that would be reflective of anything. She didn't offer up that particular part of information though. For now she nodded again quietly, frowning as she concentrated on listening. Well that was until he said she would be something cute. The pink flooded her cheeks again, and she gave a low laugh. "Maybe, or like a red squirrel or something..."

Trailing off, she reached forward for another glass of their seemingly never ending wine. Shawn only went on to tease her more. "I mean, maybe? No offence but you're not exactly a guy who screams high fashion Shawny" her grin was wicked as she lifted the glass to her lips, and still just as wide as she flashed it in his direction and set it down again after a sip. "And like, if you're going to be seen with me you should at least match me or something, right?" holding his gaze for a beat longer than was likely socially acceptable or comfortable, she gave another laugh, this time more false as she made herself look away.

shawn lesley ashcroft

[shawn lesley ashcroft]

“Sounds like a plan, I’ll clear off my nightly schedule for the foreseeable future,” Shawn replied with another quick laugh. Happy to have someone to drink with more often. “I’ll have to do all my late-night stalking the school's halls some other time now. Can’t leave it to the students to find all the random secrets the school loves to hide.” Which was something he did sometimes but those were the nights he was forced to patrol the halls for students out past curfew.

Alora seemed pretty excited at the idea he would sleep in a dog bed or at least lay in one for it. “It wouldn’t be too far off from what I’ve done before. I’ve slept like a dog in my own bed. Just not a dog bed. Hell, as long as it’s comfortable I sleep in just about any bed. Dog or human.” That’s all that mattered, after that, he was always a pretty sound sleeper. Luckily Alora thought the prank was fun, which was a relief to him. A few times people called it mean or cruel, Shawn didn’t exactly see it that way but did see where they might be coming from. “Exactly. Sorry, I hadn’t pulled it on you before telling you about it. If you want we can always team up at Hogsmeade. You say you lost me and I’ll just keep appearing in places for a bit.”

She offered up a gentle laugh as Alora said the creatures he listed off were possible, offering up her suggestion as a red squirrel. “That’s also possible but then you’ll have to be careful. Dogs are known to chase squirrels around.” No, he hadn’t chased any squirrels before. There were several dog activities he didn’t take part in. Shawn wasn’t one to chase other animals. Granted if he knew the squirrel was Alora he might have considered it. “Just tell me if you’re ever interested in learning, I’m always open to after-hours classes Ms. Astor.”

“Hey, that’s only because you’ve never seen me all dressed up. Just wait til I break out the fancy dress robes and top hat. If that isn’t enough they have little bow ties you can put on dog collars. I can be fancy for any occasion I’ll have you know.” Shawn fired back, only partly joking as he finished off another glass of their wine. The warm feeling of the alcohol continued to spread. It was a nice feeling even if he was forced to tell students it was bad for them. Pouring himself some more he spoke up again “Oh, excuse me how could I commit such a fashion crime? We’ll have to plan out our matching outfits later.” He replied as he was about to sip some more wine before laughing as a thought came to mind and stopping himself. “Wait no, we can get those shirts. The ones, you know. I’m with this person and the arrows pointing at each other. That’s high fashion, right?” Shawn rarely thought about what came out of his mouth and even more so as he was buzzed. If he had he might have realized how that had sounded. "I'll allow yours to say I'm with stupid."

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Shooting Shawn a hazy smile she gave a half laugh. ”Sounds good to me Shawny. Maybe I can help you find secrets. I wasn’t very adventurous when I was here as a student. How about I start now, in my old age?” another giddy little giggle escaped her at the idea. ”If anyone catches us prowling around at night you can transform and I can just say I was taking you out to the bathroom or something” That caused her to sink into another fit of giggles. The wine was hitting her rather hard now. Sometimes she was able to hold off on it, keep her head clear for longer through nothing but sheer will power. But other times, like now, she felt herself slipping into inebriation so easily. There were no consequences to it tonight, well so far anyway. For now it would be nice to enjoy it.

As Shawn went on to talk about Dogs chasing squirrels, Alora began to pout. She wasn’t being flirty by any means, it was more like a confused and upset toddler sat across from Shawn ”Oh Shawn, you wouldn’t chase me, would you? Okay then, well what about….” for a moment, she paused, scanning every corner of her mind for another animal that could be red, like her hair. ”A fox then, I’ll be a fox?!” it was posed as somewhere between a question and a statement, but the excitement behind her shifting smile showed she was a little bit proud of the idea if nothing else.

Taking another sip from her glass (that seemed to be refilling itself) she had to work to focus on Shawn and what he was saying now. Her smile still playfully tugged at her lips but her brain was growing more and more fuzzy and it was a little bit more work. the idea of Shawn all dressed up was fairly out of the way for her. The cowboy in front of her was far from dress robes, but maybe. Squinting just slightly, she imagined him better now; deciding he’d look quite good all dressed up. A little rough around the edges, but good. Though the thought was fleeting, he was talking about some t-shirts now and instead she had to push the idea of him all done up out of her head to try and focus on what he was saying about them. It was like moving through mud, swimming in the edges of the black lake where it was all silty. Her brain moved slowly, but got there in the end. She gave a quiet laugh again ”Oh you’d be the stupid one I see. I used to see people in the muggle world wearing things like that but my Grandmother never let me wear stuff like that I guess. When I was in school, here at Hogwarts I mean, I liked it. She couldn’t boss me around, but I never wore that stuff. I wore more like the cropped ones that showed your belly. Well not yours obviously..” Now the idea of Shawn in a cropped baby tee was making her laugh again. ”But the ones that said like…rude things on them. Or I guess what other people might construe as being rude. But I guess even then I never really wore them outside my dorm. I was quite scared of what people thought of me back then…” trailing off, she frowned and lifted the glass to her mouth again, just for something to do. She hadn’t meant to sit here and spill all to Shawn, but she had always found him someone whose company she felt herself loosening up in. It didn’t help that she had at least a bottle of Druid wine on board too. Oops.

shawn lesley ashcroft

[shawn lesley ashcroft]

Shawn laughed as the redhead near him explained how she hadn’t been very adventurous as a student, yet, was willing to give an attempt now. To help him find whatever secrets they could in her old age. “Wow, old age huh? And here I am, what, four or five years older than you? Might as well retire now and go off to the old folks home.” He spoke in a voice dripping in sarcasm. He didn’t consider himself old so there was no way Alora could be allowed to get away with calling herself that. “You forget we’re staff now my dear, we’re allowed to wander as much as we want at night. Granted, if you’re offering to take me out for a walk I’ve been known to get excited by the word alone.” He teased for a moment. Not having to worry about curfew was definitely a perk of working for Hogwarts. Unlike the many times he spent as a student looking around corners and sneaking through halls.

Alora asked if he would actually chase her before drifting off in thought. “I mean, it might make for a fun afternoon.” Shawn teased, Shawn wasn’t a stranger to alcohol. In the past couple years he felt his tolerance had even grown. Still he could feel the gentle waves of inebriation. Still in control of his thoughts and actions, just more relaxed for the moment. Alora came back with the suggestion that she could be a Fox, another red creature that would match her striking red locks. “I can see it, still you’re picking animals dogs have been known to chase. If you want me to chase you down the halls just tell me.” Shawn said through his own laughter before it struck him. “Oh, you could be a lobster or a crab. Those don’t get chased by dogs. Plus, I can call you crabby.” Shawn laughed probably a little too much at his own joke. The alcohol was possibly to blame but there had been times he had himself and only himself laughing far too hard.

“I’m just very self aware, I know who’s getting the stupid end of the shirt deal.” Shawn agreed with Alora’s assumption, downing the rest of his glass, putting it down and watching as it slowly filled itself. Self filling glasses were great but didn’t help with the eventual need to stop drinking. That wasn’t a problem he worried about at the moment as his focus was back to Alora. She was discussing muggle fashion and her own while at school. “You’re talking about my culture now. I was muggle-born and raised til I got my letter. How dare you assume I couldn’t pull off a crop top.” Shawn teased, fully aware he couldn’t and didn’t want to pull off something like that. Still, for the sake of the joke and fun conversation, logic didn’t need to get in the way right now. The idea of Alora in some muggle garb with possibly rude comments was quite a sight in Shawn’s head. Quickly laughing to himself as she continued on. “Aw, that’s a shame. I would have loved to see someone in those during a potions or history of magic class.” Shawn teased. “If you’re ever going through your old clothes, please come find me me if you find them. I’d love to see what little Alora the rebellious called rude comments back then.”

Alora Veda Astor