September 1^st, 2021

[font=Copperplate Gothic Light]T[/font]uesday lazily gazed out the window of the train cabin as the large locomotive started to chug its way down the tracks. With an elbow placed against the wall, Professor Irons propped his head up with his palm. The view was beautiful, but the events of the day had somewhat soured the mood. Not that he would let that get in his way. The man knew that life had many ways to get you down, but he was determined to keep himself in high spirits. Every so often, he would reach up to either scratch his chin or adjust the white and red bandanna around his forehead. The memories of the day flooded through his mind as he sat across from Orion and Hal.

The man had left the ministry building earlier that morning with his comrades and took several hours before they needed to find their way to King's Cross. An interesting thought had crossed his mind when they set foot in the station. Tuesday had decided that he preferred New York to London. Not that he liked New York that terribly much either. He was never partial to cities, to begin with. Even though he was born in the city of Savannah, it was small compared to the likes of New York or London. However, the supposedly haunted city was beautiful in its own right. Many of the streets had sprouted trees, and the town itself was a perfect blend of nature and humanity. Still, even with his negative disposition towards large towns, he found that King's Cross station was beautiful. Something was awe-inspiring about the station, and Professor Irons could feel his ever-present smile grow a little larger. The man didn't bring much with him as luggage, just a large hiking backpack that he had slung over a single shoulder.

Hal had to take the lead when the trio stood in between platforms nine and ten. Tuesday was at a complete loss for where to go from that point. Professor Booth took off directly at one of the pillars with a running start before vanishing within its dusty reddish-brown bricks. With an overdramatic shrug from Tuesday, the stragglers would follow suit. There wasn't much else to say. They waited, they boarded the Hogwarts Express, and they found themselves in a cabin.

Tuesday's flashback ended as he blinked back out of his daydreams. Finally sitting up straight, the man swung his right knee up to his chest and lazily hung his right arm over it. No longer resting his head against his hand, Tuesday looked at his other two companions. "Soooooo...." He let the word stretch out as he spoke, "should we talk about today? Or would y'all rather we not say anything at all?" This was most definitely a way to start a conversation.

Starting a conversaton with @Orion Lécuyer & @Halford Booth

Trains had never been one of Rion's preferred methods of traveling. They took far too long when one could simply use a Portkey and get where one needed to go within minutes. Still, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was highly secure, and the 9 ^1/3 had been the method of transporting both the students and professors for generations. So long as he had pleasant company, the trip would hopefully fly by. Unfortunately, it would seem that Mardi had selected today out of all days to stare out the window and contemplate... Something. Perhaps his wardrobe selection (which, to be fair, was endearing compared to whatever monstrosity Hal was likely wearing). Either way, his usual cheery disposition was desperately missed.

It was then that, bless him, he finally decided to break the silence. Rion would slide a hand down to flatten out his fitted gray suit, his blue eyes flickering up to meet the American's own. "Conversation would be preferable, Mardi." He would tease, a smile tugging at the corner of his lip. "I've never seen you look so... Pensive?" He would quirk a brow as if to ask if that was the correct English word. He sighed and reached into his breast pocket to grab a small piece of paper. He would gingerly unfold it as he spoke, "What is on your mind, mon ami my friend?" It was likely the same thing on all three's minds; their new jobs, their new lives, their new... Concerns.

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His lip pulling into a thin line, his eyes would flicker down at the piece of paper, reading over it silently once more, as he had been doing for the past few days. He would sigh and refold the note, tucking it securely back into his pocket once more.

Interacting With
@Tuesday Jeremiah Irons & @Orion Lécuyer

So it was back to his alma mater, then. The source of his education, and the breeding ground for his hubris. It was at Hogwarts that he had learned the true nature of his gift, along with the rarity thereof; where the power of a Seer became manifest as he harnessed his innate potential.
Those years had treated him well, and left him more prepared for those to come, yet had inevitably fallen into the deep well of memories passed. Dominated by the vivid events of the present, captivated by the alluring notion of the future, his mind had buried them within a sealed chamber, not to be uncovered until very recently.
The news that a position for Divination instructor had opened up at his old school had been met with nothing short of disdain. Having no great interest in sharing his time, nor his knowledge with those of a younger generation, the man had attempted to discount the prospect entirely. However, the lack of money in his bank account was rather persistent in reminding him that hunting his father's killer did not count as a job, and therefore couldn't pay the bills.
So, with no shortage of reluctance, and a fair amount of qualification, he had applied.

Continuing with the theme of reluctance, Hal had been forced to accompany his two colleagues to the train station, seeing as they had been informed that he 'knew the way' to the required platform.
Truly, he didn't see why Orion and Tuesday couldn't simply be given direction. They were grown men, after all. Surely they could do without a babysitter.
Alas, accepting his role as guide with much chagrin, Halford had quickened his step and passed through the magical barrier, disappearing into a brick wall and emerging onto platform nine and three quarters. Upon doing so, he'd been struck with a deep wave of nostalgia, every buried memory coming to the forefront of his mind as he regarded the bustling platform.
An image of his mother surfaced, leading his eleven-year-old self to the train before he departed for the grand journey that would leave him changed forever.

Presently, his gaze lingered on the cabin window as the train exited the station, the picture of his mother waving goodbye fading through the glass, soon to be replaced by the scrolling visage of the horizon.
For his part, Hal was perfectly content to remain in silence. He felt no need to voice his thoughts to the two men in his company. But unfortunately for him, they were both compelled to address the silence.

His eyes closed to the drawn-out tune of Tuesday's voice. Opening them once more, he flicked his gaze to the other man without turning away from the window, a silent warning that he held no desire to chat. Of course, Tuesday went on regardless, either ignorant to the venom in his expression, or finding it hard to care.
Though he'd silently shared his opinion on the man's question, Orion's evidently differed, as he replied with the kind of lilting enthusiasm only he could muster.
Brown eyes returning to the window, Hal growled, "I 'ardly think idle pleasantries are wha' he's lookin' for, Orion. An' judgin' by the note in your 'and, I'd say you know exactly what's on 'is mind."
A moment of silence passed, filled with the rustling of his clothing as he rubbed his chin. Adorned in black khakis and a matching blazer, the outfit was one of the more dignified options he owned.
Hal was no stickler for ceremony, but even he could see the benefit in dressing well for the first day of a new job. Not that his fashion choices would remain sensible in the coming days, but at least he'd tried today.
He spoke again. "We all know wha' we're 'ere for. I see no reason to go chelpin' on abou' it now." His tone was firm, though it would almost certainly fall upon def ears, considering those it was directed toward.

Pensive was one way to put it. There hadn't been much in the way of conversation since they boarded the express, and it was making Tuesday a bit uncomfortable. But, these people he was with, Rion and Hal, were good at heart. Strange and eccentric, but good despite their quirks. Well, quirks for Orion and peculiarities for Halford. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't let the thought of what the Legillimens had told them. Could something like that genuinely survive inside the walls of Hogwarts? The idea of it made him shudder visibly. However, the man wasn't shaken by much, and his tenure as an Auror had solidified that. Some of the things he had seen were dark, yet he still kept his optimistic and playful attitude. Looking back up to his old friend and new, the man opened his mouth to speak, but Tuesday stopped the words in their place as Hal spoke up.

Maybe Booth was right. Was there much point in discussing something that they already knew about? There was no new information to be gained, but they could brainstorm plan ideas. What if they were unable to communicate with their benefactor? The terrible thoughts that grew darker and more insidious in his brain did nothing to sway him from Hogwarts. In fact, the idea of danger reinforced his resolve. As relaxed and happy the man was, he had an equally severe and protective side. He was here to help by any means necessary.

"Maybe Booth is correct. 'Course, we all generally know what we signed up for. Yet, now that we know more, I feel like we are woefully unprepared." The future professor adjusted in his seat by wiggling his back closer to the cushioned seatback. Tuesday allowed a sigh to escape his lungs after letting his words linger in the air for several more long, arduous moments. But finally, as he looked back up, Irons would glance at Orion, "I'm just on edge, I think. I may have been in a rather dark profession for some time, but whenever I'm around kids, they make me uncomfortable." The man let a small smile rise from his lips before he let his raised leg drop back down to the floor of the compartment. Maybe a little bit of humor would do the lot of them some good.

Casual Conversation with @Halford Booth & @Orion Lécuyer

Halford was irritating and adorable in his own special way. Orion was certain that the man would rather be hated than adored, but he hadn't quite given up on his grumpy friend. He knew there was secretly a softie somewhere deep, deep, deep down. "Ah, but must we skip straight to the unfortunate truth? Cannot we not bask in our ignorance for a few moments while we make pleasant conversation, Hal?" He would question the man with a small smile. "By the way, you look quite dashing today." He offered the Divination professor a playful wink. His flirtatious nature combined with Hal's stark... Well... Intolerance towards it always ensured he and Tuesday were in for an interesting time. In truth, half the time he could barely understand what the man was saying, but that just made him more interesting in Rion's eyes.

At his friend's comment, he would sigh softly. "You too, Mardi? Alright, I suppose there is no sense in avoiding it now." He quirked a brow in Tuesday's direction at his confession. "Oh?" It was surprising, the man was basically a big vegan teddy bear. How could any child not be calm in his presence? He offered his friend a small smile, reaching forward to try and place a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. I know we're here not just to teach children but also... Well, you know, but you will do wonderfully." Tuesday may have been coming from a place of humour with his comment, but ever the cheerleader for those he cared about, Rion would take it seriously. He had known the American for many years, and had always been very fond of him. Hell, the guy was his best friend. He knew what he was capable of, and if he could hunt down dark wizards, he could deal with a few hundred teenagers.