I've always had a thing for silence [Imogen]

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Claire commented that Julia was the same age as Grey, and Imogen nodded. At the question about the house, Imogen tried her hardest to flinch. “Not same as Grey.” She responded with a small smile. Im couldn’t imagine being related to a Gryffindor. She was trying to do better about her dislike for the lion house (so much so that she wasn’t even calling it a hatred anymore), but she didn’t think that being faced with something like that, day after day, would help her any. If anything, it would just make her more bitter towards her sister, which was not something that she needed in their relationship. Things were already complicated enough in life without adding a sibling rivalry into the equation.

Imogen smiled at Claire when the Auror said that being ill-suited to the work – or maybe not having the best Hogwarts experience – made someone a better teacher. It was true that Imogen was more empathetic towards some students’ struggles than was probably healthy, but she honestly thought she needed more time to determine whether or not she was what she would consider a good teacher. It was hard, too, to tell a teacher’s quality when everything was chaos. It was how they handled the everyday situations that was more important, in Im’s mind. Chaos faded, but routine was… well, routine. “Trying is the best we can do in anything. I think expecting everyone to be competent at everything is a recipe for disaster.” That was why Im didn’t understand why some students continued to take N.E.W.T. level Charms when they obviously weren’t suited to it – they’d be better off focusing on their other classes and playing to their strengths.

Claire Evangeline Slater

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'Not same as Grey' was an extremely vague answer. Vague enough that it almost made Claire curious for answers. But, also made her keenly aware that perhaps it wasn't something she needed to investigate at this time. Basically, she understood Imogen's word choice wasn't a priority at the moment. But to be fair? She didn't have a priority for this conversation in general. Still, she couldn't stop that slow eyebrow raise in unspoken curiosity.

Imogen's words hit closer to home then the older woman would probably expect. Her entire life has been one of constant expectations. A demand for perfection in everything she did. From the pressure of her parents and then herself. After years upon years of being pushed to be better it's become one of the only ways she felt self worth. Trying wasn't an option. Because she was expected to be competent at everything. Claire's expression has gone terrifyingly still the first second after Imogen's words, but she finally forced herself to smile and nod. "Yes, you're right." she agreed, despite the inner turmoil. "Well, If it helps. They wouldn't have hired you if they didn't think you could do the job." Hogwarts was, after all, the only magical school in the U.K. They wouldn't hire someone who couldn't be successful in shaping the future of the magical community through its youth.

@imogen
(We can end this at anytime )

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Imogen watched as Claire raised her eyebrows, practically reading the curiosity on the other woman’s face, but Imogen didn’t want to give any more information about her sister. It was bad enough for Julia that she had to deal with a professor constantly looking after her, but if Claire, an Auror, struck up an interest in the teenager, too, then Imogen was sure she was going to be getting more than one angry owl about how she couldn’t even have privacy at school or something of the sort.

Despite her reading of Claire’s expression just before, Imogen missed the moment of stillness and how forced the following smile was – the professor was too lost in her own thoughts. Would Hogwarts rather have a slightly incompetent Charms teacher or no Charms teacher at all? Imogen was biased towards believing the former, but she could also see where Claire was coming from in assuming the latter. “Sometimes I think people are hired not because they’re capable of doing the job, but because they could one day be excellent at it.” Part of the house system in place at Hogwarts was about seeing what a person could be, not necessarily what they were. Trying the same philosophy with professors was certainly a gamble, but Imogen wouldn’t put it past the head staff to do it.

Claire Evangeline Slater

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Claire liked Imogen's explanation. That people were hired because one day they could be excellent. It was very optimistic. "You must have plenty of potential then. It'd be a shame if you didn't see just how far you go." she answered with a more genuine and obvious smile then before.

This whole conversation had been... well almost pleasant. Despite not knowing each other. But Claire had a job to do, as did this woman. "I best return to my rounds." she started, taking a few steps towards the door. "It was nice to meet you, Imogen." she finished before exiting the room and disappearing down the dark corridor.

@imogen
(End)