And You Are? PV Dymphna Teague Finished

"If you'd like," Sebastian smiled, thinking back on his chess experience. "It's possible to win a game of chess in two moves, under certain conditions if they happen. I've managed the tactic once, though I admit my opponent at the time wasn't great at the game."

The boy listened as Dymphna spoke of her family, giving what he presumed was the abridged version to save some time. It was interesting to note the professions both her parents held, seeing how Dymphna had been sorted into Ravenclaw, and understanding the decision. It was also more interesting that her mother worked at St. Mungo's, which made Sebastian wonder if Dymphna had an understanding of healing methods.

Knowing someone who did would certainly be a boon.

"My parents are less complicated, really," Sebastian said, giving a shrug. "They're rich, Pure-blood elitists, who attempted to groom me to follow in their footsteps, expecting an obedient puppet. Instead, they got me, and they have no idea what I'm capable of. Father is an Auror, mother is a socialite, and together they waste time and attend high class functions and try to expand the family name in the Wizarding community... so, when it comes to my family, there is little love lost between us."

Sebastian didn't mind telling Dymphna, as he had already decided she would become a friend. He didn't mention his plans to depose his father, inherit the Leeds fortune, and become Department Head of the Auror branch at the Ministry, but there was still time - this was only the first meeting, after all. There had to be some mysteries to discover.

"Not that I care as much as my parents," Sebastian continued, grunting under his breath. "But are your family Pure-bloods? Half-bloods? Muggle-born? Oh, and I'm not sure if you realize, but you haven't told me your last name... unless that's intentional. Like a celebrity."

At this point, Sebastian was using dry humor. Dymphna probably wasn't aware, given how little they knew one another, but his attitude had shifted slightly with his acceptance of her as a more friendly type of acquaintance... which caused Sebastian to bring the conversation around to a previous point, namely whether Dymphna was focused on a certain path like one of her parents, or had her eyes on something else entirely.

"Out of curiosity, what spells do you want to learn?"

Dymphna was starting to feel like she wasn’t all that great at chess either. “Can’t wait,” she mirrored his smile. “Chess is something I’d like to get better at so it’ll be interesting to see how it works.” And another way to see how Sebastian’s brain worked, all laid out in how he moved the chess pieces and planned his attack.

While the question of family occupations was a popular one, the blonde realized that it wasn’t something that her other friends knew. Other friends? She wondered but decided to unpack that later. Sebastian was still a mystery to her; it was probably too soon to call him a friend. They had only just met after all. Now that she thought about it, she didn’t think that she knew anything about her friends families - Sabrina being the exception as her dad worked at Hogwarts. It never seemed to come up.

When the Slytherin started to talk of his parents, Dymphna leaned a little more towards him in her curiosity. Less complicated was good. Elitist was not. It didn’t go hand in hand but it still seemed to be quite common. A shame that people couldn’t move on in this day and age. That’s sad, she wanted to say but refrained. It wouldn’t do any good and she didn’t want him to think that she pitied him.

“I’m sorry, they sound lovely.” A little sarcasm never hurt anyone. “You seem perfectly capable, in general. I’m sure you’ll do well in classes and anything else you put your mind to.” He didn’t seem to be too bothered by his parents lack of support but it worried Dymphna. “For what it’s worth, I support you through and through. You’d be a fine Ravenclaw if Slytherin weren’t so obviously perfect for you.”

She gave a laugh, hiding it behind her hand. “Nothing like that but could you imagine? The Teague’s as a famous family,” she gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “I didn’t realize I hadn’t given you my surname but it’s Teague. Mom was a Sloane before she married.” It was likely that he had heard of her family if his own had him study genealogy but Dymphna didn’t think that it was a normal subject to bring up over family dinners. Only in her family. “I’m a Pureblood but I’m not fussed.” Though she’d grown up reading a fair bit on Pureblood families, she was blanking on if his surname had been written in. Probably so.

At the mention of spells, she winced knowing that her answer was a painfully obvious one. “All of them,” a pause, “oh but I’d love to learn any protection spells. Defensive like Protego.” It couldn’t hurt to be too careful but so far she only seemed to know what she considered to be offensive ones and one that was on the sillier side. “Which spells are you looking forward to learning?” One could tell a lot about a person by what spells they favored.

With a nod, Sebastian listened as Dymphna talked about being interested in chess. Perhaps there was somewhere the pair could indulge, and Sebastian could see a Ravenclaw in her element; they were all meant to be very intelligent, and while Sebastian couldn't say as much for others, Dymphna certainly was bright. It was part of why he hadn't walked away yet.

"I had preferred Ravenclaw, if I'm being honest," Sebastian said, smiling faintly at Dymphna's support. "Most of my family had joined Slytherin, so I guess I'm a product of their upbringing. Oh well. It shouldn't matter too much, I'm on a specific path for the future, and the House I'm in doesn't really factor in."

After an introduction to Dymphna's surname and family, Sebastian wondered if many others knew much about the Pure-blood families. There were sources around for learning, but in the more modern era it seemed to be less important. Likely due to most magic users being Half-bloods nowadays, interacting more so with the Muggle world...

"Dymphna Teague," Sebastian repeated, before he raised an eyebrow. "I won't forget."

When they began speaking about spells, Sebastian smirked at the obvious answer. Everyone wanted to learn them all, right? Still, he didn't doubt it could be possible for Dymphna, especially if the pair of them worked together. Perhaps spell study.

"One of the spells I will master will be Expelliarmus," The boy said, as he considered her question. "Disarming the opponent is the quickest way to victory. Another is Expecto Patronum. I'm curious to see what mine is, and how I can use it. Reducto is another, being able to destroy objects sounds helpful... like you, I want to learn everything."

"Would you be interested in some spell study?" Sebastian asked, inclining his head. "Perhaps not right now, but very soon? So far there's been a severe lack of individuals I would be comfortable studying with, I usually do so alone, but I think we could help one another."

Glancing over his shoulder, Sebastian noted the crowd had died down some. He considered if he should consider moving on, but felt somewhat comfortable - perhaps even enjoying - speaking with Dymphna. So he decided to stay for a while longer, quickly thinking of something else to ask...

"Your work with the newspaper," Sebastian said, silver-blue eyes squinted. "Have you ever come across any... curious events or stories? Missing students, or hidden passages, or generally anything more interesting than the daily school routine?"

The crowd had thinned out but Dymphna hadn't noticed. Her only plans were to read a chapter of Jane Eyre before heading to the Great Hall for dinner then homework and bed. It was a routine for her but one that she wasn't in any rush to get to. Sometimes she would break out of a routine to go exploring or stargaze in the Astronomy tower - something that she hadn't done since her last assignment in Herbology was returned with less than satisfactory marks.

"Stereotypes," the blonde scoffed. "Sometimes we fit then but it doesn't matter much in the end. My dad was in Hufflepuff and he's the smartest guy I know." Not that she knew many outside of her own family. "Specific path? What sort of plans do you have for the future?" It was a little surprising to know that someone else had an idea of what they might like to do in the future, like herself. "I might go into Healing like my mom but it depends if I'm good at it." The spells might not give her any issues but Herbology might be her downfall if she couldn't get a grip and turn her grades around.

"I doubt you will but it's alright if you do. My family tree is full of the more traditional names, some of them even I have trouble pronouncing." At least Sebastian had a more normal name so she wouldn't forget it. A lot of the Irish Pureblood families were likely related unless they branched out which her family hadn't done much of. Her ancestry was tied to her hometown since at least the 1180s.

"Oh, I can't wait until we learn about patronus'." It would be ages until then but she wanted to know what hers would be, what happy memory she would have to think of. "I'll be happy with anything but I'd rather not end up with say, a mole, for example. A little too boring for my tastes." Though she would have to be pretty boring to end up with a patronus like that. They were connected to one's personality, weren't they? "That would be wonderful. I held a study group once but it didn't go as well as I'd hoped." Friendships were made and some studying was done but it was a tense time between two of her friends. Distracting.

There had been something in the Daily Prophet but it wasn't something that the Ravenclaw remembered much about, so focused within The Monthly Raven that she had forgotten the article. "The Daily Prophet might expand on it but Bloom that writes our Hogwarts Happenings section mentioned a possible meeting between the Ministry and Hogwarts Staff a month or so ago. It's all rumors but it could be something interesting." Nothing had come about since so it wasn't something that worried her but she was curious. Was it normal for the Ministry to make an appearance at the school? "Has anyone been talking about it in Slytherin?" What did the other Houses have to say about it, if at all? Unfortunately, she hadn't been able to get her hands on any of their house newspapers.

"Indeed," Sebastian muttered, thinking about the Sorting Ceremony in general. And when Dymphna asked about his future plans, the boy shrugged. "Oh, I plan on becoming a Dark Lord, infiltrating the Ministery of Magic, posing as Head of the Auror Branch, and dismantling the Ministry from within to instill my own rule and Wizarding supremacy."

A moment passed, before Sebastian offered a thin smile for a moment.

"I jest," He said simply, face passive. "I do have plans to join and eventually lead the Aurors, however. Currently my father has the position. So that should prove interesting."

Sebastian continued to listen, noting that Dymphna didn't give her family name much credit. A Pure-blood family was important to the world of Wizarding, if only because of how long they existed. So even if the Teague family hadn't achieved much, they were still an old name that was connected to the first lines of wizards and witches. And that was something.

"I'm sure your patronus will be impressive," Sebastian said, offering a nod. "You seem very hard on yourself... perhaps reconsider that opinion."

Thinking on the mention of the Ministry meeting with the staff of Hogwarts, Sebastian began thinking back over more recent events, his mind flickering rapidly through endless conversations and conscious moments. The downside to remembering everything was the sheer amount of information that filled the memory, from every sense, which meant there was a lot to sort through for specifics - but after eleven years, Sebastian had developed his methods, even if they would continue to improve with experience and age.

"I don't seem to recall anything about the meeting itself," Sebastian said slowly, eyes narrowed as he thought. "But I did overhear that the Head of Hufflepuff had exited the office in a furious state, muttering about his children... whatever that means. Other than what you've just told me, I haven't really heard anything else reliable. If I hear anything, I'll be sure to tell you."

Sebastian glanced down to his left wrist, checking the watch beneath his long sleeve. Time had certainly gotten away from him, and he realized he would likely be late to his next engagement. But, in this instance, the boy was content to be a few minutes late in favor of finishing the conversation with Dymphna.

"Oh, I just remembered," Sebastian said, one eyebrow raised. "Do you know what happens during the break? Are students able to remain at Hogwarts for the duration? I have no particular need to return home, and would rather continue personal study in preparation for next semester."

The blonde blanched at the mention of Dark Lords, feeling all of the color drain from her cheeks. Her grandparents Inn had been a safehouse during the Second Wizarding War and she had grown up listening to her family talk about the horrors of the war. They hadn’t spoke of anything too grim in front of her but being a curious girl, she had listened in when they thought that she was out of earshot, asleep in her bed.

Though none of them had faced down Voldemort himself, the Teague’s had battled various supporters of the Dark Arts and had lost their status as a respectable Pureblood family in the eyes of the more traditional bloodlines. Their roles within the Order - mainly ones of protection and donating old money to a good cause - had become public knowledge within the Wizarding community.

Then the moment passed and the Slytherin claimed to be joking. Dymphna didn’t know him well enough to know his sense of humor. “Oh, thank Merlin.” Hand on her chest, she could still feel her heart beating a mile a minute. “An Auror would be a much more respectable position.” Around the same amount of danger perhaps but way less... evil. “Is it more about overthrowing your father or are you actually interested?”

While Dymphna found her family history interesting, it felt more like a story than real life. She still didn’t quite understand the important roles that her family played throughout history but she knew they weren’t as good as they seemed to be in the last century. With the 12th century castle turned over to the Malahide historical society, she didn’t grow up with a big head thinking that she should be given positions of power or titles without earning them.

There wasn’t anything that she could think of when Sebastian basically told her that she was worth more than she thought. “Perhaps,” the Ravenclaw agreed but left it at that. She was hard on herself but it wasn’t like her to be so pessimistic either. She would blame it on the recent events that lead her friends to be more distant, for her to be more withdrawn and focused on her studies.

“Professor Lear,” she started with a sigh. “He’s strange.” That was an understatement. Outside of classes, she had only interacted with him the once, helping him find a mysterious creature called Greg. Such a basic name for a pink booger-eating creature. Ben, one of the Ravenclaw Prefects, had really taken the fall for her on that one.“Thanks! I’ll keep it between us though.” If it really was something serious, she didn’t want to cause panic throughout the school by revealing information that the Hogwarts Staff didn’t want students to know. Then again, what would Rita Skeeter do?

“Right, I don’t blame you. I’m not sure though, you might want to check with a professor.” Dymphna didn’t want him to go home to parents who may or may not actually love their son. “Think of all the books you’ll be able to read if you get to stay.” The whole library full, wow! “And you might have the common room all to yourself too.” There had to be others who didn’t go home for the summer but she hadn’t heard of anyone else staying. “Do let me know if you’re staying or not, I’ll write you.”

Sebastian considered Dymphna's question for a moment, concerning the position and want to become Head Auror. Perhaps it was simply a case of exceeding his father, or perhaps Sebastian simply wasn't aware of any other options at this point in time. It was certainly something to consider, and the boy suspected that some of the determination he had might turn out to be less than pure; after all, being subjected to a lifetime of control, manipulation and strict parenting had given Sebastian a clear disdain for his father and mother, both.

"Professor Lear, yes," Sebastian said in a low voice, recalling the name. "That's the one. Though I haven't met him personally, so I'll take your word that he's strange. I'm not surprised, he is a Hufflepuff."

When Dymphna mentioned she was sure about the break, Sebastian decided he would do exactly as suggested - he would ask a professor, and determine if he would be allowed to remain at Hogwarts. There were numerous things the boy wanted to do while here, and as explained, going home would simply be a waste of potential improvement time.

"Thank you, I'll do that," Sebastian smiled, as he looked down the corridor. Things seemed to have died down somewhat, with far less student traffic nearby. "If I can, I'll try to make as much use of the facilities here as possible. As you say, having the library to myself for the break would be a rare opportunity to read as much as possible."

Also, the thought of having the entire Common Room to himself made Sebastian happy.

"I'll let you know what the professors say, about the break," Sebastian said, as he stood straight and adjusted his bag on his shoulder. "Hopefully it's possible. But now that the way is less crowded, I need to move along. It was a pleasure running into you, Dymphna Teague, and I look forward to doing it again soon..."

With a nod, and a thin smile, Sebastian began to walk away. He looked back at the girl, silver-blue eyes observing. It seemed the boy had found one individual he actually liked in Hogwarts.

"Oh, and don't forget to write me, I'll hold you to that. And I will do the same."